Intra- and Interday Reliability of Weightlifting Variables and Correlation to Performance During Cleans.

ABSTRACT: Sorensen, AM, Chavda, S, Comfort, P, Lake, J, and Turner, AN. Intra- and interday reliability of weightlifting variables and correlation to performance during cleans. J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3008-3014, 2022-The purpose of this investigation was to examine intra- and interday reliability of kinetic and kinematic variables assessed during the clean, assess their relationship to clean performance, and determine their suitability in weightlifting performance analysis. Eight competitive weightlifters performed 3 sets of single repetition cleans with 90% of their 1-repetition maximum (1RM). Force-time data were collected via dual force plates with displacement-time data collected via 3-dimensional motion capture, on 3 separate occasions under the same testing conditions. Seventy kinetic and kinematic variables were analyzed for intra- and interday reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the coefficient of variation (CV). Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to determine relationships between barbell and body kinematics and ground reaction forces, and for correlations to be deemed as statistically significant, an alpha-level of p ≤ 0.005 was set. Eleven variables were found to have "good" to "excellent" intra- and interday ICC (0.779-0.994 and 0.974-0.996, respectively) and CV (0.64-6.89% and 1.14-6.37%, respectively), with strong correlations ( r = 0.880-0.988) to cleans performed at 90% 1RM. Average resultant force of the weighting 1 (W1) phase demonstrated the best intra- and interday reliability (ICC = 0.994 and 0.996, respectively) and very strong correlation ( r = 0.981) to clean performance. Average bar power from point of lift off to peak bar height exhibited the highest correlation ( r = 0.988) to clean performance. Additional reliable variables with strong correlations to clean performance were found, many of these occurred during or included the W1 phase, which suggests that coaches should pay particular attention to the performance of the W1 phase.

Simulation Training to Increase Holding of Fragile Infants in Cardiac Intensive Care Units.

BACKGROUND: Promoting bonding and neurodevelopmental care is an important element in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CICU); however, holding of infants by family members is inconsistently practiced. OBJECTIVES: This quality improvement study aimed to safely increase the holding of medically complex infants in the CICU by developing a holding guideline and offering simulation-based staff education. METHODS: Using consensus methodology and high-fidelity simulation, an expert work group created a holding guideline and training to increase staff confidence and competence in holding critically ill infants in the CICU. The effectiveness of the intervention was tested via a postintervention survey used to assess participants' confidence in and comfort with holding critically ill infants and elicit suggestions for further support. Participants who engaged with the mannequin were surveyed to assess the validity of the simulation trainer. RESULTS: After the intervention, participants (N = 130) reported increased confidence with infant holding (76%) and greater confidence in preparing families to hold their infants. Participants (95%) strongly agreed that the simulation enabled realistic, safe practice in holding a medically complex infant with catheters and tubes. More years of experience and engagement with the simulation trainer were associated with increased posttraining confidence. Participants cited increased resources, practice, and adherence monitoring as key supports for infant holding. CONCLUSIONS: Expert group consensus with high-fidelity simulation training is a feasible, safe, and reliable method for teaching higher risk skills and guiding protocol development.

Use of Music for Newborns After Cardiac Surgery: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Music can benefit the neurodevelopmental and clinical care of newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit. Newborns in the cardiac intensive care unit experience similar stressors to those in the neonatal intensive care unit, but music therapy has not been widely studied in the cardiac intensive care unit population. OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of implementing nurse-led music therapy in a cohort of newborns recovering from cardiac surgery in the cardiac intensive care unit. METHODS: Lullabies were prerecorded and played for 20 minutes, 2 times per day. Bedside nurses recorded several metrics at designated times during the 1 hour surrounding the music therapy and were asked about the ease of initiating the therapy and their perception of any benefit to the newborns. Parents were invited to complete a 9-question Likert survey exploring their perception of and satisfaction with the music therapy. RESULTS: Nurse-led music therapy was initiated in 44 of 50 eligible shifts (88%) for the 8 newborns who successfully completed the study. The newborns' physiological status remained stable throughout the music therapy sessions. None of the newborns experienced adverse events related to music therapy. All nurses (100%) reported that the music therapy was easy to administer. Parents "agreed" or "strongly agreed" that they were satisfied with the music therapy provided to their newborns. CONCLUSION: Nurse-led music therapy was highly feasible for hemodynamically stable newborns recovering from cardiac surgery. Parents and nursing staff responded positively to the music therapy.