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To validate the modified System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time to measure teacher practices related to physical activity promotion (SOFIT+) in physical education (PE) amongst 5-6-year-old-children. Participants (n = 162, 53% female, 6.0 ± 0.3 yrs) were recruited from 9 schools. Video-recordings of 45 PE lessons from 9 teachers/coaches were coded using a modified SOFIT+. Accelerometers measured children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Validity was assessed via multinomial regression measuring the relationship of both SOFIT+ index score and individual teaching practices with children's MVPA. Inter-rater reliability was examined. A 1 unit increase in the SOFIT+ index was associated with increased likelihood to engage in 10-19 sec, 20-29 sec and 30-40 sec of MVPA, compared to 0-10 sec. Most of the observed teaching practices were significantly related to children's MVPA. Inter-rater percentage of agreement ranged between 88.8% and 99.7%. SOFIT+ is a valid and reliable assessment of teaching practices related to MVPA promotion in PE amongst 5-6-year-old-children.

This study examined the relationship between motor competence (MC) and Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) performance in a sample of male junior grassroots footballers aged 10-13 years. Ninety-eight boys aged 10-13 years (mean ± SD = 11.7 ± 1 years) undertook assessment of MC, using the Test of Gross Motor Development (third edition) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk using the LESS. Height and mass were assessed from which maturity status was predicted. Multiple backward linear regressions indicated a significant model (p = 0.001), which explained 49% of the variance in LESS scores. Locomotor MC (β = -0.538, p = 0.001), object control MC (β = -0.261, p = 0.004), and age (β = 1.17, p = 0.03) significantly contributed to the model. Maturity offset (p = 0.100) was not significant. Analysis of covariance (controlling for age and maturity offset) indicated a significant difference in locomotor MC between those classified as poor for LESS. A similar result was observed for object control MC (p = 0.003, ηp² = 0.09), where those classed as poor for LESS had significantly poorer object control MC compared with those classed as excellent, good, and moderate. The results of this study indicate that there is a relationship between both locomotor and object control MC and errors in drop jump landing mechanics in boys aged 10-13 years, with MC explaining nearly 50% of the variance in LESS scores. Practically, this study indicates that MC, particularly locomotor MC, has potential to identify performance in jump landing tests that are associated with increased risk of ACL injury in boys who play grassroots soccer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study examined the construct validity of the Athlete Introductory Movement Screen (AIMS) in children. Methods: Following ethics approval, parental consent, and child assent, 87 children (50 boys, 37 girls) aged 11–13 years (Mean ± SD = 12.4 ± 0.6 years) performed the AIMS and Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-3) in a counterbalanced order. AIMS tertiles were subsequently created, classifying children with 'high', 'medium', or 'low' movement skills. Results: A 2 (Gender) X 3 (AIMS tertile) ways analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for age and age at peak height velocity, with TGMD-3 scores as the dependant variable, indicated that TGMD-3 scores were significantly higher for girls categorised as having a medium movement skill compared to girls categorised as low, and those categorised having high movement skill compared to medium and low movement skill groups (all, p = 0.001). There was no difference in TGMD-3 scores for boys classed as having low and medium movement skills. Boys categorised as high for movement skills had significantly greater TGMD-3 scores than their peers categorised as having both low and medium movement skills (p = 0.001). Conclusions: As the AIMS differentiates the theoretically related construct of motor competence, this study demonstrates that the AIMS has construct validity as a measure of movement skill in children aged 11–13 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years there has been a growing interest in monolithic arrays of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) for parallel detection of faint ultrafast optical signals. SPADs implemented in CMOS-compatible planar technologies offer the typical advantages of microelectronic devices (small size, ruggedness, low voltage, low power, etc.). Furthermore, they have inherently higher photon detection efficiency than photomultiplier tubes and they are able to provide very high acquisition speeds. The development of fully-parallel multichannel systems is a challenge both for the detector (with new problems like optical and electrical crosstalk, isolation elements size reduction and the need for higher yields) and for the electronics. The development of a parallel detector must be accompanied by that of the time-to-amplitude converters and analysis electronics necessary in time-correlated single photon counting applications. In this paper we present the fundamental building blocks necessary to develop a parallel picosecond array detector: a new high-performance SPAD detector, compatible with the design of multi-detector systems with a large number of channels, and a new totally integrated system for time-to-amplitude conversion, to allow the simple integration of several channels on a single chip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigated the differences in strength, technique and time performance in in-line skaters of three age categories during a 300-meter trial. Possible correlations among these variables were also assessed., Methods: Thirty-six elite in-line skaters (Cadets, Juniors and Seniors, N.=12 each; 14±1, 16±1, and 24±6 years of age, respectively) performed a 300-m trial on an outdoor oval track. Total time (Ttot), 100-m fractions and duration of each skating technique (initial acceleration phase, straight push and cross-over) were recorded. A squat jump (SJ) was performed before and after the trial. Heart rate, blood lactate concentration ([La-]) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected before, during and at the end of the trial., Results: Ttot was longer and SJ lower in Cadets compared to the other groups. Seniors employed the cross-over technique for a longer period than the straight push technique, compared to Juniors and Cadets. Ttot correlated negatively with SJ in Seniors. The number of significant correlations between skating techniques' duration and both Ttot and SJ increased with age category. No differences among groups were found for heart rate, [La-] and RPE., Conclusions: With increasing age category, leg strength appeared to be the more related aspect to skating performance. To improve 300-m in-line skating performance, trainers should pay particular attention to the enhancement of leg strength and cross-over skating technique.