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The current study investigated the effects of an integrative exercise intervention on the behaviours in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and if they were influenced by ASD symptom severity. Sixty-six children (7.56 ± 2.03 yrs.) with ASD were enrolled and categorised as having mild (n = 22), moderate (n = 18) or severe (n = 26) symptoms of ASD by teachers using the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale 2nd edition. Participants completed a school-based, eight-week, integrative exercise intervention, consisting of three, one-hour sessions per week. Teachers rated the symptoms of ASD in each participant pre- and post-intervention using the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist. There were significant improvements in behaviours post-intervention for all children (p < 0.05; r = 0.20–0.33); however, sub-group analysis indicated that participants with severe ASD experienced greater improvements in irritability, social withdrawal, stereotypic behaviour, and inappropriate speech (p < 0.05). The findings highlight the benefits of school-based integrative exercise interventions for improving behaviours in children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The recommended guidelines for physical activity for children between the ages of two to 18 in Ireland, and indeed internationally, is at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous [...], Research on physical activity programming for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is scant. The aim of this study was to assess the nature of physical activity programming conducted in ASD units in Irish primary schools, in addition to assessing the perceived benefits and challenges among teachers. An online questionnaire was sent to every primary school with an ASD unit in Ireland (n = 380). Questions pertained to the amount and type of physical activity being conducted, in addition to questions on physical activity facilities, training, and the teachers' perceived challenges and benefits. Data were gathered on 69 ASD units. In the majority of units (74.24%), physical education classes were held daily, with the most frequent duration (45.45%) being 10-20 minutes. The most common types of activities performed included walking (92.42%), running (81.82%), and jogging (60.61%). This study gives an insight into the nature of physical activity for children in ASD units in Irish primary schools. Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; physical activity programming; physical education; school

Previous research has proven that the balance of autistic children is poor. However, the reliability of assessing balance in this cohort has been inadequately researched. This study therefore aimed to examine if field-based static and dynamic balance tests can be reliably assessed in autistic children, to determine the number of familiarisation sessions required and whether autistic severity impacts on the reliability of these balance tests. The balance of eighteen primary school-aged autistic children was assessed three times a week over five weeks, using the flamingo balance test, a modified version of the balance error scoring system (BESS), the low beam walking test, and the heel to toe walking test. Reliability criteria included an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) level of ≥0.75 and a coefficient of variance (CV%) of ≤46% for the low beam walking test, the heel to toe walking test, and the BESS, and a CV% of ≤82% or the flamingo balance test. Inter-session reliability was achieved and required the least number of familiarisation sessions for the flamingo balance test, compared to the low beam walking test, which required a greater number of familiarisation sessions to achieve inter-session reliability. The heel to toe walking test and the BESS achieved inter-session reliability and familiarisation in an acceptable time frame. Due to the large CV% values reported in the current study, practitioners need to be aware that balance interventions need to achieve improvements greater than the CV% in this cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an eight-week, school-based integrative neuromuscular training (INT) intervention on the fitness levels of seventy-eight, 4-12-year-old children with mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children participated in an INT intervention, consisting of three, one-hour sessions per week. Physical fitness was assessed pre-and post-intervention using a modified Eurofit test battery and analysed using a 3x2 ANOVA. This INT intervention resulted in significant improvements of physical fitness (p < .05) pre- to post-intervention (20 m sprint [p = .044], standing broad jump, sit and reach, handgrip and stork balance [p < .001]). Notably, children with severe symptoms of ASD showed significant improvements in standing broad jump (p = .001 [mild vs severe], p = .012 [moderate vs severe]), sit and reach flexibility (p = .002 [mild vs severe], p = .042 [moderate vs severe]), and handgrip strength (p = .001 [mild vs severe], p = .004 [moderate vs severe]) tests in comparison to children with mild and moderate symptoms of ASD. The results of this study support the implementation of a school-based INT intervention to reduce physical fitness disparities, while future studies should employ experimental research designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to compare 2 methods of identifying an appropriate drop height for bounce depth jump (DJ) training, which aimed to improve reactive strength and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance. The maximum jump height (MJH) method was compared to the reactive strength index (RSI) method. The first part of the study identified each participant's drop height for both methods and determined the extent to which both methods differed. The subsequent part of the study used an 8-week bounce DJ training program to compare the effectiveness of the MJH and RSI methods. Twenty-two male participants volunteered. There was a significant difference between the MJH and the RSI methods in the optimal drop height they identified (median = 0.40 and 0.30 m, respectively), with 19 participants exhibiting a difference of 0.10 m or more. These 19 participants were assigned to 1 of 3 training groups: a control, an MJH method, and an RSI method group. The results demonstrated a significant increase in pre to posttraining in reactive strength (MJH: 27.3 [+ or -] 18.7%, p = 0.025; RSI: 11.8 [+ or -] 10.1%, p = 0.019) and CMJ performance (MJH: 9.9 [+ or -] 5.2%, p = 0.009; RSI: 9.2 [+ or -] 4.8%, p = 0.006) in both the MJH and RSI groups, respectively, with no change in the control group. The study concluded that either method can be used to identify the optimal drop height in bounce DJ training to increase CMJ performance, but the MJH method should be used to improve reactive strength. KEY WORDS countermovement jump, reactive strength index, bounce depth jump

Byrne, PJ, Moody, JA, Cooper, S-M, Farrell, E, and Kinsella, S. Short-term effects of "composite training" on strength, jump, and sprint performance in hurling players. J Strength Cond Res 36(8): 2253–2261, 2022—The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term effects of "composite" training to sprint training on strength, jump, and sprint acceleration performance in hurling players. A randomized counterbalanced group design with baseline test, pretest and post-test measures was used. Twenty-five hurling players volunteered to participate and 21 completed the study. Subjects were divided into a "composite" (COMP group, n = 10) or a sprint training (SPRINT group, n = 11) group. Both groups trained twice per week for 7 weeks with the SPRINT group performing 6 repetitions of 20 m sprints and the COMP group completing 6 repetitions (1 repetition = 3 bounce drop jumps [BDJs] with a 20 m sprint after 15 seconds recovery). Significant differences existed pretraining to post-training for the COMP group for BDJ contact time (−7.25%; p = 0.05) and countermovement jump (CMJ) variables (height: 7.43%, p = 0.006; force: 5.24%, p = 0.05; power: 15.11%, p = 0.001). No significant differences were found between groups at baseline and for group by time interactions. Significant improvements were observed pretraining to post-training in both groups for the following: absolute 3 repetition maximum (3RM) back squat strength (12.73–17.62%, p = 0.01), 5 m (5.74–9.49%, p = 0.006–0.04), 10 m (4.27–5.59%, p = 0.007–0.02), and 20 m (3.35–3.98%, p = 0.003–0.01). In conclusion, "composite" training is effective in enhancing fast stretch-shortening cycle efficiency inducing CMJ force and power augmentation. However, "composite" and sprint training are effective training approaches for enhancing maximal strength and sprint performance in a time efficient manner in hurling players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issues concerning the publication, ideology, and social acceptance of manga, or contemporary Japanese comics, are discussed. Topics addressed include the leftist origins of the comics in the 1950's, mainstream public's eventual assimilation of specific manga genres, and the industry's focus on political and social drama.

The purpose of this article is to introduce strength and conditioning specialists to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to identify the many benefits of delivering exercise programs to children with ASD. In addition, the article aims to inform strength and conditioning specialists on how to minimize some of the inherent challenges associated with the delivery of such programs by highlighting critical issues for practitioners to consider when designing and implementing exercise programs for children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the rise of specific new modes of gender ambivalence from within male subculture and mass media in the 2000s and examines the emergence of the cute cross-dressing 'otoko no ko'. The broader context of this emerging orientation towards girlishness and cuteness is the now widely-documented circumstances of the recessionary period, particularly in the decade from the steepening of the recession and labor market deregulation from around 2006–2008 forwards. Interestingly, this precise period also correlates with a moment of creative escalation and bifurcation in male subcultural positions and forms: witnessing the emergence of self-defined himote ('don't haves' [partners/ sex]) as well as otoko no ko in manga, animation and bedroom and upload subculture. Hints about the relatively weak position of fans and readers of otoko no ko in the labor market, and aspects of the language and ideas underlying the process of transformation through josō fashion, will be explored. Suggestions will be posed about the: undetermined qualities of male cross-dressed parodies of shōjo idols; the increased importance of self-discipline and self-transformation, and the personal effort to be 'cute' and 'appeal' and in order to fulfil the proscriptions for success in the late capitalist economy; and finally, the fuller significance of finding an 'orientation' for both financial and psychological survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]