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Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate thigh musculature excitation and torque generation in response to soccer-specific exercise incorporating an extra-time (ET) period. Methods: Twelve...

Obesity continues to be a global health problem with significant costs associated with management, treatment, and obesity-related comorbidities. Tier 3 weight management programmes support patients with complex obesity and traditionally offer interventions through face-to-face delivery. In this study, a service evaluation compared weight loss for adults with a BMI ≥ 45 kg/m2 or ≥ 40 kg/m2 with a comorbidity, who were offered a non-randomized dietetic intervention through face-to-face, telephone, or digital support using the Oviva smartphone app as part of a tier 3 weight management programme. One hundred and sixty-nine patients commenced the core programme. There were no significant differences in weight loss between patients receiving face-to-face (5.3 ± 5.5 kg [-4.1%]), telephone (-4 ± 5.3 kg [-3.4%]) and digital support (-6.1 ± 4.9 kg [-4.5%]) (P = .061), with data reported as intention-to-treat using baseline observation carried forward imputation. Completer data were also analysed at an optional 12-week follow-up where weight loss was maintained with no significant differences between face-to-face (-7.6 ± 9.3 kg [-5.6%]) and digital support (-9.2 ± 7.6) kg [-6.8%]) (P = .135). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the acceptability of the interventions (P = .261). Due to the potential scalability, resource, and cost-savings of digital care, and improvement in accessibility for some people, digital delivery of weight management programmes should be considered as a care option in weight management services.

Vibrio natriegens grows well media containing v2 salts e.g. BHI + v2 and LBv2 (link). Furthermore, such media is routinely used for culturing this organism (Weinstock et al., 2016). However, care must be taken during preperation not to autoclave v2 salts and media together. This protocol first generates separate solutions before sterilising and combining them.

The aims of this study were to investigate the influence of reduced-exertion, high-intensity interval training (REHIT), comparing a novel shortened-sprint protocol (SSREHIT) against a traditional protocol (TREHIT), on perceptual responses and to determine if changes in peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak) are attenuated with shorter sprints. Twenty-four healthy men undertook 15 sessions of SSREHIT or TREHIT. V˙O2peak was determined at baseline and after completion of each exercise condition. Affective (pleasure-displeasure) responses and perceived exertion were assessed during exercise to capture peak responses. Enjoyment was recorded 5-min after cessation of exercise. Compared to baseline, V˙O2peak increased in both groups (6% for SSREHIT [d=− 0.36] and 9% for TREHIT [d=− 0.53], p=0.01). Affective responses were more favourable for SSREHIT (p=0.001, d=1.62), but both protocols avoided large negative peaks of displeasure. Peak ratings of perceived exertion were lower for SSREHIT (p=0.001, d=− 1.71), although there were no differences in enjoyment (d=0.25). The results demonstrate both exercise conditions can increase V˙O2peak without overly compromising perceptual responses. Decreased sprint duration might further circumvent negative perceptual responses but might also attenuate physiological adaptations.

Research has demonstrated that the extra-time (ET) period of soccer negatively impacts recovery. However, it is not known to what extent recovery practices are being adapted by practitioners following ET and where gaps exist between research and practice. Therefore, this study explored soccer practitioner perceptions of recovery practices following ET matches. A total of 72 practitioners from across different levels of soccer and several countries completed a bespoke online survey. Inductive content analysis of the responses identified five higher-order themes: ‘conditioning’, ‘player monitoring’, ‘recovery practices’, ‘training’, ‘and ‘future research directions’. Mixed responses were received in relation to whether practitioners condition players in preparation for ET, though 72% allowed players to return to training based on fatigue markers following this additional 30-min period. Sixty-three (88%) practitioners believed that ET delays the time-course of recovery, with 82% highlighting that practices should be adapted following ET compared with a typical 90-min match. Forty-nine practitioners (68%) reduce training loads and intensities for up to 48 hr post ET matches, though training mostly recommences as ‘normal’ at 72 hr. Sixty-three (88%) practitioners believed that more research should be conducted on recovery following ET, with ‘tracking players physiological and physical responses’, ‘nutritional interventions to accelerate recovery’ and ‘changes in acute injury-risk’ being the three areas of research that practitioners ranked as most important. These data suggest practitioners and coaches adjust recovery practices following ET matches compared to 90 min. Further research on the efficacy of recovery strategies following ET matches is required to inform applied practice.

Vibrio natriegens grows exceptionally well in BHI + v2 salts media (link). Furthermore, this media is routinely used for culturing this organism (Weinstock et al., 2016). However, care must be taken during preperation not to autoclave v2 salts and BHI together. This protocol first generates separate solutions before sterilising and combining them.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate biomechanical and physiological responses to soccer-specific exercise incorporating an extra-time period (ET) and assess the test–retest reliabil...

© 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. A common barrier to exercise is “lack of time”. Accordingly, interest in low-volume, high-intensity training has grown exponentially since this activity is considered time-efficient. However, the high-intensity nature of this exercise may frequently result in feelings of displeasure creating another barrier for many people. The purpose of this study was to compare affective (pleasure-displeasure) responses to three low-volume, high-intensity exercise conditions, including a novel shortened-sprint protocol. Using a within-subjects, randomised crossover experiment, healthy participants (N = 36) undertook a single bout of: 1) traditional reduced-exertion, high-intensity interval training (TREHIT), 2) a novel, shortened-sprint REHIT (SSREHIT) protocol, and 3) sprint continuous training (SCT). Affect and perceived efforts were recorded throughout exercise using the Feeling Scale (FS) and the 15-point Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, respectively. Enjoyment was recorded 5 min post-exercise using the Exercise Enjoyment Scale (EES). Differences were found for FS (condition by time interaction: P = 0.01GG, η2 = 0.26), RPE (P = 0.01GG, η2 = 0.23), and enjoyment (P < 0.01) with all outcomes favouring SSREHIT. Shortened-sprint protocols may diminish feelings of displeasure and might be a time-efficient yet tolerable exercise choice to help motivate some people to increase their physical activity and fitness.

Background: The absence of appropriately sensitive or specific real-time respiratory metrics which are physiologically representative of lung function in normal tidal breathing has, until now, prevented the development of intelligent personalised devices which would facilitate early diagnosis of respiratory deterioration in chronic respiratory disorders such as COPD. Aim: To characterise the temporal progression of COPD with metrics derived from point-of-care capnometry in a population of COPD patients and healthy controls. Methods: 30 patients and 7 healthy controls used new generation LED-based personal capnometers three times daily for up to six weeks. Temporal parameters characterising the changing exhaled CO2 waveforms (angles, tangents, timepoints, ETCO2 values) were extracted by automated mathematical shape analysis. Results: A range of mathematical indices derived from analysis of changing capnometry signatures have allowed categorisation of our COPD cohort into those with (1) minimally changing, (2) increasing and (3) decreasing ETCO2 values (figure) which requires further clinical correlation. Alpha angles clearly distinguish COPD patients (126°-162°) from healthy controls (109-123°). Conclusions: Novel respiratory indices derived from changing capnometry waveform shapes can potentially facilitate temporal disease monitoring and ultimately optimised management of COPD.

This paper examines the best turbulence model to use when using computational fluid dynamics to simulate an impinging jet type flow. The IDDES, k-ω SST SAS, Smagorinsky and dynamic Smagorinsky models were used and compared to data collected from a laboratory impinging jet, developed to simulate thunderstorm downburst flow fields. From this it was found the dynamic Smagorinsky model performed best, especially at capturing the velocities and pressures in the near inlet region. A mesh dependency study was then performed for the dynamic Smagorinsky turbulence model. A small mesh dependency was demonstrated for the mesh densities studied but had issues in capturing the velocity height profile correctly in the near wall region. Despite this issue the model still closely matched the laboratory pressures around a 60 m m cube and demonstrated the suitability of this modelling approach for investigating thunderstorm downbursts.

Objective To assess glenohumeral joint (GHJ) rotation strength across a rugby league season, since strength of rotator cuff musculature may protect against contact injuries to the shoulder. Design A prospective cohort study was used to compare GHJ rotation pre-, in-, and post-season. Setting Laboratory. Participants Twenty-nine players from a professional European Super League club. Main outcome measures Isokinetic dynamometry for concentric and eccentric muscle actions for shoulder internal and external rotation at 240°/s. Peak torque, traditional strength ratios, and dynamic control ratios were compared. Results There were no significant differences between peak torque strength parameters at any time point. Similarly, differences in strength ratios failed to reach statistical significance across the season. Ipsilateral strength ratios were indicative of selective strengthening of internal rotators for concentric and eccentric muscle actions. Conclusions The findings suggest that rugby league players are no more likely to sustain a shoulder injury in the latter stages of the season as a result of decreased GHJ rotation strength. Players were able to maintain strength across the season which is valuable to practitioners developing conditioning programmes to optimise performance and minimise the risk of injury. This may afford protection, particularly during forced external rotation following physical contact.

Haines, MR. Differences in glenohumeral joint rotation and peak power output between Super League and Championship Rugby League players. J Strength Cond Res 32(6): 1685-1691, 2018-Rugby league is a high-intensity sport with large impact forces sustained during play, resulting in high prevalence of shoulder injury. Consequently, shoulder strength and player power are important considerations for injury prevention and performance. Additionally, professional teams regularly compete against semiprofessional teams, where differences in physical conditioning could be marked. The aim of this study was to test for differences in glenohumeral joint rotation and peak power between a professional Super League (SL) and semiprofessional Rugby League Championship (RLC) teams. A cross-sectional analysis was used to test 25 SL and 24 RLC players during preseason training. Isokinetic dynamometry, at 240°·s for concentric and eccentric actions was used to assess glenohumeral rotation. Peak power was determined using a maximal 30-second cycle ergometer test. Selective muscular development of the internal rotators without concomitant external rotator strength was evident in the SL team but not the RLC team. Internal rotation peak torque was higher for the SL club for concentric (∼24%) and eccentric (∼16%) muscle actions (p ≤ 0.05), and this contributed to a lower ipsilateral reciprocal muscle group ratio (external to internal concentric) for the SL team compared with the RLC team (∼47% and ∼60% respectively; p ≤ 0.05). Peak power output was also higher for the SL team (1,409 ± 153 vs. 1,273 ± 159 W; p ≤ 0.05). The results highlight a mismatch in the physical conditioning of SL and RLC players with implications for practitioners to design strength and conditioning programs that minimize the risk of injury while optimizing performance.

To develop a connected, portable, point-of-care medical device (capnometer) for the diagnosis, monitoring and management of acute and chronic cardiorespiratory diseases at home and in primary and secondary care environments, facilitating timely, evidence-based treatment interventions and

The ability to program cellular behaviour is a major goal of synthetic biology, with applications in health, agriculture and chemicals production. Despite efforts to build ‘orthogonal’ systems, interactions between engineered genetic circuits and the endogenous regulatory network of a host cell can have a significant impact on desired functionality. We have developed a strategy to rewire the endogenous cellular regulatory network of yeast to enhance compatibility with synthetic protein and metabolite production. We found that introducing novel connections in the cellular regulatory network enabled us to increase the production of heterologous proteins and metabolites. This strategy is demonstrated in yeast strains that show significantly enhanced heterologous protein expression and higher titers of terpenoid production. Specifically, we found that the addition of transcriptional regulation between free radical induced signalling and nitrogen regulation provided robust improvement of protein production. Assessment of rewired networks revealed the importance of key topological features such as high betweenness centrality. The generation of rewired transcriptional networks, selection for specific phenotypes, and analysis of resulting library members is a powerful tool for engineering cellular behavior and may enable improved integration of heterologous protein and metabolite pathways.