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The aim of this study was to compare the force, velocity and power profiles of a maximal sprint acceleration through different competition levels of the Australian Football (AF) participation pathway. One hundred and sixty-two junior AF athletes across five competition levels including State under 18's (ST 18), State under 16's (ST 16), local under 18's (LOC 18), local under 15's (LOC 15), and local under 14's (LOC 14) participated in this cross-sectional study. Velocity-time data from maximal sprint accelerations were analysed to derive athlete's sprint acceleration characteristics and split times. ST 18 showed a more force-orientated profile than the LOC 18 with moderate differences in relative theoretical maximal force (F 0 ) (7.54%), absolute F 0 (10.51%), and slope of the force-velocity relationship (S f-v ) (9.27%). Similarly, small differences were found between ST 18 and ST 16 in relative F 0 (4.79%) and S f-v (6.28%). Moderate to extremely large differences were observed between players competing in older (ST 18, LOC 18, ST 16) compared to younger (LOC 15, LOC 14) competition levels highlighting the potential influence of biological maturation. It is recommended that practitioners working with junior AF players to consider developing a force-orientated sprint acceleration profile to improve sprinting performance.

Abstract: Edwards, T, Piggott, B, Banyard, HG, Haff, GG, and Joyce, C. The effect of a heavy resisted sled-pull mesocycle on sprint performance in junior Australian football players. J Strength Cond Res 37(2): 388-393, 2023-This study assessed the effect of heavy resisted sled-pull training on sprint times and force, velocity, and power characteristics in junior Australian football players. Twenty-six athletes completed a 6-week resisted sled-pull training intervention which included 10 training sessions and 1-week taper. Instantaneous velocity during 2 maximal 30 m sprints was recorded 1 week before and 1 week after the intervention with a radar gun. Velocity-time data were used to derive sprint performance and force, velocity, and power characteristics. A paired t -test assessed the within-group differences between preintervention and postintervention testing. Statistical significance was accepted at p ≤ 0.05. Hedges' g effect sizes (ESs) were used to determine the magnitude of change in dependent variables. Maximum velocity (ES = 1.33) and sprint times at all distances (ES range 0.80-1.41) significantly improved after heavy resisted sled-pull training. This was reflected in sprint force, velocity, and power characteristics with significant improvements in relative theoretical force (ES = 0.63), theoretical velocity (ES = 0.99), relative maximum power (ES = 1.04), and ratio of horizontal to vertical force (ES = 0.99). Despite the multifactorial nature of training and competing physical demands associated with preseason training, these findings imply that a short, resisted sled-pull training mesocycle may improve sprint performance and underlying force, velocity, and power characteristics in junior athletes., (Copyright © 2022 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Objectives: To determine the concurrent validity of player self-reported and independently observed throwing volume. Examine whether sex, playing position, or time to upload self-reported data post training influences the accuracy of self-reported throwing loads., Design: Cross-sectional cohort study., Methods: A total of 8 female and 18 male elite cricket players participated in the study. Overarm throws from 12 training sessions during the 2020-21 cricket year were observed. Player self-reported throwing volume data were retrieved post training, with the time difference between session completion and self-reported data upload recorded., Results: A moderate positive correlation was found between self-reported and observed throwing loads (rho = 0.65), however only 22 % of players reported values within a 10 % level of error. Players reported a mean (SD) absolute inaccuracy of 11.17 (9.77) throws, and a mean (SD) relative inaccuracy of 24.76 (16.04) percent. Sex did not influence reporting accuracy (p = 0.41). Females tended to upload self-reported data the day of training, whereas men report the day following. Players who uploaded their data greater than one day after training were the most inaccurate with a mean relative inaccuracy of 36 %., Conclusions: While there is a clear relationship between observed and self-reported throwing volumes, the findings of this study question the validity of using player self-reported throwing load as a marker of true throwing loads with most players recording in excess of 10 % error. High performance staff and players should consider whether the current accuracy of self-reported throwing load justifies the additional reporting burden on the players during training., (Copyright © 2022 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: Edwards, T, Banyard, HG, Piggott, B, Haff, GG, and Joyce, C. The reliability and minimal detectable change of sprint times and force-velocity-power characteristics. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 268-272, 2022-Research has not yet provided critical information for practitioners to determine the minimal detectable change (MDC) in sprint times or force-velocity-power characteristics. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the interday reliability and MDC of sprint times and sprint force-velocity-power characteristics in junior Australian football (AF) players. Seventeen players were assessed using a radar device that recorded instantaneous velocity during 3 maximal 30-m sprint accelerations performed on 2 nonconsecutive days. Sprint force, velocity, and power characteristics were derived through inverse dynamics applied to the raw velocity-time data. Relative and absolute reliability was determined by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV), and MDC. Data analysis was assessed for (a) the first trial, (b) the best trial (the fastest 30-m split time), (c) the average of the first 2 trials, and (d) the average of all 3 trials from each testing session. The main findings were (a) absolute theoretical maximum force (F0), theoretical maximal velocity (V0), absolute and relative maximum power (Pmax), maximum ratio of force (RFmax), maximum velocity (Vmax), and all sprint distance times (5-30 m) displayed acceptable reliability (CV < 10% and ICC >0.75) and 2) the average of 2 and 3 trials was the best method of establishing reliable sprint times and force-velocity-power characteristics between sessions. This study provides important information for practitioners to determine the MDC in sprint times and force-velocity-power characteristics that allow coaches to identify true changes in performance., (Copyright © 2021 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Purpose: The aims of this study were to (1) quantify the multidimensional attributes of male and female basketball athletes under 16 years of age (U16) and under 18 years of age (U18), and (2) identify attributes that distinguish selection into a talent pathway according to sex and age group., Methods: 67 male and 71 female athletes competing in U16 and U18 selection trials for a state based Australian basketball talent pathway completed a multidimensional testing battery. The test battery consisted of anthropometric, physical (20- linear sprint, countermovement jump height, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2), technical (Basketball Jump Shooting Accuracy Test), tactical (video decision making), and psychological (Sports Orientation Questionnaire, Psychological Performance Inventory-Alternative) assessments. Mean differences and independent t-tests were used to assess comparative differences between selected and non-selected athletes within each age and sex cohort. Stepwise discriminant analyses were used to identify attributes that were the strongest discriminators of selection in each group (male U16, male U18, female U16, and female U18)., Results: The discrimminant models showed for male U16 athletes smaller height (ES = -0.18) and greater shooting accuracy (ES = 0.52) was most discriminant of selection. Results were largely homogenous for male U18 athletes with lower visualisation score (ES = -0.62) most discriminant of selection. In female cohorts, faster 20-m sprint time (ES = -0.66) and taller height (ES = 0.58) was most discriminant of selection in U16 athletes while greater shooting accuracy (ES = 0.67), countermovement jump height (ES = 1.04), and height (ES = 0.65) was most discriminant of selection in U18 athletes., Conclusions: These results emphasise the differing selection priorities within adolescent basketball cohorts according to sex and age group. The testing of anthropometric, physical and technical attributes may hold particular utility in adolescent female basketball given their identified importance to selection across U16 and U18 cohorts., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

This investigation aimed to compare the maximal sprint acceleration profiles of drafted and non-drafted elite junior Australian football (AF) players. Nineteen players (10 drafted and 9 non-drafted) from an elite junior AF state team participated in this study. Instantaneous velocity was measured via radar gun during maximal 30 m sprints. The velocity-time data were analysed to derive individual force-velocity-power characteristics and sprint times. No significant differences existed between groups, however drafted players reached moderately faster maximum velocity (Hedges' g = 0.70 [-0.08; 1.48] and theoretical maximum velocity (g = 0.65 [-0.13; 1.42]) than non-drafted players indicating a superior ability to apply higher amounts of force at increasing sprinting velocity. Further, drafted players produced moderately higher absolute theoretical maximum force (g = 0.72 [-0.06; 1.50]) and absolute maximum power (g = 0.83 [0.04; 1.62]) which reflects their moderately higher body mass (g = 0.61[-0.16;1.38]). Although not significant, in this sample of elite junior AF players, those drafted into the AFL displayed greater absolute sprint acceleration characteristics and maximal velocity capabilities than their non-drafted counterparts (moderate effect size). Whether force-velocity-power characteristics can be more beneficial in differentiating sprint performance of elite junior Australian footballers compared to the traditional sprint time approach warrants further investigation with a larger sample size.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of chronological age and maturation status on sprint acceleration characteristics in junior Australian football (AF) players. Biological maturity of 109 subjects was assessed and subjects were grouped according to predicted years from peak height velocity (PHV) (pre-, mid-, and post-PHV) and chronological age (13 years, 14 years, and 15 years). A one-way multivariate analysis of variance and magnitude-based decisions were used to determine between-group differences. Instantaneous velocity was measured during two maximal 30m sprints via radar gun with the velocity-time data used to derive the force, velocity, and power characteristics. Chronologically, the greatest differences were observed between the 13 and 14 year old groups with the latter group producing likely  greater relative maximum power (P max ) (ES[effect size]=0.44) and theoretical maximal velocity (V 0 ) (ES=0.49). The post-PHV group  likely  demonstrated a greater ability to apply force at faster velocity (V 0 ; ES=0.59) and orient the force in a horizontal direction (D rf %; ES=-0.49) than the mid-PHV group. No differences in relative theoretical maximal force (F 0 ) were observed between groups. Considering the findings, practitioners should aim to improve relative lower limb strength through heavy sled push or sled pulls and traditional strength training exercises to improve relative F 0 .

Purpose: This study examined the maintenance of passing performance following soccer-specific high-intensity intermittent exercise in elite (n = 9) and subelite (n = 11) Western Australian female soccer players (19.5 [2.5] y)., Methods: A total of 20 participants completed the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT) prior to, during, and following 90 minutes of a modified, female-specific, individualized exercise protocol (Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test [LIST]) to simulate 2 halves of a soccer match. Performance in the LSPT was calculated by adding "raw time" to the accumulated "penalty time" for each test., Results: Elite players recorded greater distances (t58 = 4.671, P < .001, effect size [ES] = 1.21) and higher derived VO2max values (t58 = 4.715, P < .001, ES = 1.20) for the LIST exercise protocol over the subelite players. The total performance times for each LSPT were longer in the subelites in comparison with the elites, with a very large ES difference seen in post-LIST1 (t18 = -6.64, P < .001, ES = 2.99) and post-LIST2 (t18 = -9.143, P < .001, ES = 4.12). No between-groups differences were identified for "raw time" at any time point. Hence, all reported LSPT performance differences are attributed to "penalty time.", Conclusion: These data suggest that elite players can sustain their passing performance more efficiently throughout match play that can subelite female soccer players. These findings may contribute to future talent-identification testing by helping to distinguish between elite- and subelite-level players through sustained passing performance. Coaches may also use this information to better inform best-practice training methods through modification of male soccer-specific high-intensity intermittent exercise to a female cohort.

Joseph, J, Woods, C, and Joyce, C. Relationship between repeated kicking performance and maximal aerobic capacity in elite junior Australian football. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2294-2301, 2020-Australian football (AF) is a physically demanding game, requiring players to engage in a range of anaerobic activities interspersed with prolonged aerobic exercise. Coupled, players have to perform a range of technical skills, the most fundamental of which being to effectively kick (dispose) the ball. The aim of this study was to ascertain the extent to which aerobic capacity influenced kicking performance in AF. Twenty four elite U18 players competing in the same U18 competition performed the Australian football kicking (AFK) test 3 times with the Yo-Yo IR2 completed twice (between each AFK), with no rest between all 3 AFKs. Linear mixed models (LMMs) reported the extent to which kicking speed and accuracy scores were influenced by the level reached on the yo-yo IR2. Results indicated that players who recorded a higher level on the Yo-Yo IR2 produced a faster average kicking speed after each AFK (p < 0.01), whereas for all players, kicking speed was faster and more accurate on their dominant kicking leg regardless of score on the Yo-Yo IR2 (p < 0.01). The LMMs also reported that those who maintained kicking speeds after 2 Yo-Yo IR2 also had higher competition kicking efficiency than those who reported reduced kicking speeds. These results show that aerobically proficient U18 AF players who attain a relatively higher score on the Yo-Yo IR2 may be better equipped at preserving their kicking speed. Thus, coaches may wish to integrate both technical and aerobic drills in an attempt to preserve a player's capability to execute ball disposals with a high velocity.

Objective: This research aimed to describe the developmental trajectories of clinical psychology trainees across competency domains over multiple placements., Method: Competency reviews of 252 trainees were completed at mid-placement and end-placement for up to four consecutive placements by 143 field supervisors. Competency was measured across multiple domains using the Clinical Psychology Practicum Competencies Rating Scale., Results: There was an overall ascending stepped pattern occurring across all competency domains from early to late placements. The starting point of competency ratings varied across domains with the largest discrepancy between Response to supervision (highest) and Intervention competencies (lowest). There were significant increases from mid-placement to end-placement for all competencies within each of the four placements. There were few significant decreases in competency between different placements and these were largely restricted to the transition from placement one to placement two., Conclusions: This research has the potential to be used as a benchmark to indicate expected levels of competency attainment for trainees across their training, allowing for early identification of difficulties and more targeted remediation plans., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: The Adjunctive Corticosteroid Treatment in Critically Ill Patients with Septic Shock (ADRENAL) trial, a 3800-patient, multicentre, randomised controlled trial, will be the largest study to date of corticosteroid therapy in patients with septic shock., Objective: To describe a statistical analysis plan (SAP) and make it public before completion of patient recruitment and data collection. The SAP will be adhered to for the final data analysis of this trial, to avoid analysis bias arising from knowledge of study findings., Methods: The SAP was designed by the chief investigators and statisticians and approved by the ADRENAL management committee. All authors were blind to treatment allocation and to the unblinded data produced during two interim analyses conducted by the Data Safety and Monitoring Committee. The data shells were produced from a previously published protocol. Statistical analyses are described in broad detail. Trial outcomes were selected and categorised into primary, secondary and tertiary outcomes, and appropriate statistical comparisons between groups are planned and described in a way that is transparent, available to the public, verifiable and determined before completion of data collection., Results: We developed a standard SAP for the ADRENAL trial, and have produced a trial profile outline and list of mock tables. We describe analyses of baseline characteristics, processes of care, measures of efficacy and outcomes. Six pre-specified subgroups were defined, and statistical comparisons between groups in these subgroups are described., Conclusion: We have developed an SAP for the ADRENAL trial. This plan accords with high-quality standards of internal validity to minimise analysis bias.

Background: The characteristics of mature contemporary rapid response systems are unclear., Aim: To determine the patient characteristics, processes and outcomes, both in-hospital and post-discharge, of a well-established rapid response system in a tertiary adult hospital., Methods: This is a prospective study of consecutive rapid response team (RRT) activations between 1 July and 25 November 2015. Variables included patient characteristics, timing, location and triggers of RRT activations, interventions undertaken, mortality and readmission status at 28 days post-discharge., Results: A total of 1151 RRT activations was analysed (69.1 per 1000 admissions), involving 800 patients, of whom 81.5% were emergency admissions. A total of 351 (30.5%) activations comprised repeat activations for the same patient. Most activations (723; 62.8%) occurred out of hours, and 495 (43%) occurred within 48 h of admission. Hypotension, decreased level of consciousness and oxygen desaturation were the most common triggers. Advanced life support was undertaken in less than 7%; 198 (17.2%) responses led to transfer to higher-level care units. Acute resuscitation plans were noted for only 29.1% of RRT activations, with 80.3% stipulating supportive care only. A total of 103 (12.6%) patients died in hospital, equalling 14 deaths per 100 RRT activations. At 28 days, 150 (18.8%) patients had died, significantly more among those with multiple versus single RRT activations (24.9 vs 16.6%; odds ratio 1.66, 95% confidence interval 1.31-2.44; P = 0.013)., Conclusion: Relatively few RRT activations are associated with acute resuscitation plans, and most interventions during RRT responses are low level. The high rate of post-RRT deaths and transfers to higher-level care units calls for the prospective identification of such patients in targeting appropriate care., (© 2016 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.)

Objectives: This study was designed to examine changes in function over time after injury and to identify factors associated with long-term recovery that may be amenable to change through intervention., Design: Prospective cohort study., Setting: Intensive care in a tertiary hospital in Queensland, Australia., Patients: Adult (n = 123) admitted to intensive care for treatment of injury., Interventions: Data were collected prior to hospital discharge and 1, 6, 12, and 24 months post injury. Data included demographics, preinjury health, injury characteristics, acute care factors, psychosocial measures, and health status. Linear mixed-effects models were used to identify factors associated with physical function and mental health over time., Measurements and Main Results: Physical function and mental health improved over time; however, the averages remained below Australian norms at 24 months. Optimistic perception of illness and greater self-efficacy were potentially modifiable factors associated with improved mental health and physical function over time. Greater perceived social support, also potentially modifiable, was associated with improved mental health. Injury insurance and income were significant nonmodifiable factors for mental health, with mental health gains associated with higher income. Hospital length of stay and injury insurance were nonmodifiable factors linked with physical function., Conclusions: Improvements in physical function and mental health are evident in the 24 months following injury, but most patients remain below Australian population norms. Factors that were associated with physical function and mental health outcomes over time that are potentially amenable to change include illness perception, self-efficacy, and perceived social support.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate non-clinical work conducted by Australian doctors., Methods: This study was an exploratory descriptive study using data from Wave 5 of the Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life (MABEL) longitudinal survey, collected in 2012 from Australian medical practitioners (2200 general practitioners (GPs), 3455 specialists, 1270 specialists in training and 1656 hospital non-specialists). The main outcome measure was the number of hours worked per week in non-clinical work. Regression analysis was used to determine associations between non-clinical activities (i.e. education-related, management and administration and other) and personal and professional characteristics, including age, gender, job and life satisfaction, total clinical working hours, sector of practice (public or private) and doctor type., Results: Australian doctors spend an average of just under 7 h per week, or 16% of their working time, on non-clinical activities. Doctors who worked more hours on non-clinical activities overall, and in education-related and management and administration specifically, were male, younger, had lower life satisfaction and generally spent fewer hours on clinical work. Lower job satisfaction was associated with longer management and administration hours, but not with time spent in education-related activities. Specialists were more likely to work long non-clinical hours, whereas GPs were more likely to report none. Hospital non-specialists reported relatively high management and administration hours., Conclusions: Further work is required to better understand the full range of non-clinical activities doctors are involved in and how this may impact future workforce projections.

A number of studies suggest that there is an over-supply of specialists and an under-supply of general practitioners in many developed countries. Previous econometric studies of specialty choice from the US suggest that although income plays a role, other non-pecuniary factors may be important. This paper presents a novel application of a choice experiment to identify the effects of expected future earnings and other attributes on specialty choice. We find the implied marginal wage estimated from our discrete choice model is close to the actual wages of senior specialists, but much higher than those of senior GPs. In a policy simulation we find that increasing GPs' earnings by $50,000, or increasing opportunities for procedural or academic work can increase the number of junior doctors choosing general practice by between 8 and 13 percentage points. The simulation implies an earnings elasticity of specialty choice of 0.95., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

To date, there has been little data or empirical research on the determinants of doctors' earnings despite earnings having an important role in influencing the cost of health care, decisions on workforce participation and labour supply. This paper examines the determinants of annual earnings of general practitioners (GPs) and specialists using the first wave of the Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life, a new longitudinal survey of doctors. For both GPs and specialists, earnings are higher for men, for those who are self-employed and for those who do after-hours or on-call work. GPs have higher earnings if they work in larger practices, in outer regional or rural areas, and in areas with lower GP density, whereas specialists earn more if they have more working experience, spend more time in clinical work and have less complex patients. Decomposition analysis shows that the mean earnings of GPs are lower than that of specialists because GPs work fewer hours, are more likely to be female, are less likely to undertake after-hours or on-call work, and have lower returns to experience. Roughly 50% of the income gap between GPs and specialists is explained by differences in unobserved characteristics and returns to those characteristics., (Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Job satisfaction has become an increasingly important topic of focus for the medical profession over the last 20 years. This report details the application of factor analysis to validate a widely used 10-item job satisfaction scale that has not previously been validated in a medical practitioner population. The study drew on data from 9,900 participants enrolled in the first wave of a longitudinal survey of Australian doctors. The instrument was found to possess a dominant single factor explaining 75% of the variance and internal reliability was high (r = .86), enabling the determination of a composite job satisfaction score. Australian doctors experienced high levels of job satisfaction overall, but this varied with doctor subpopulation, age, geographic location, and hours worked per week. The validation of this brief scale in a large cohort of Australian doctors provides opportunities for undertaking further exploratory and comparative job satisfaction research in medical practitioner populations.

Background: To date there has been no detailed analysis of the profile of home visit patients, and the extent of any changes over time in Australian general practitioner home visiting patterns., Aims: The article aims to provide a profile of current provision of home visits by Australian GPs, investigate whether there has been a decline in such services over time, and surmise about causes of changes in service provision and their impact., Methods: We analysed home visit claims over the past decade. Data were extracted from Medicare Benefits Schedule statistics on services claimed and benefits paid for home visit items, for 1997-2007, stratified by item category and patient demographics., Results: The rate of home visits decreased 51% in a decade, from 15.8 per 100 persons in 1997 to 7.7 in 2007. The majority of patients (60%) receiving home visits were aged 65 years and over in 2007, including 22% aged 85 years and over., Discussion: There has been a clear decline in GP home visits over the past decade. This is problematic in the context of a large and growing population of older Australians. Strategies are needed to better support this function in general practice, and/or ensure that alternative providers are meeting the need for these services.