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A needs analysis and recommendations for physical assessments and training adaptations for judo athletes with visual impairments: a brief reviewThis paper reviews the unique needs, performance aspects, and assessment recommendations for judo athletes with visual impairments. A needs analysis reveals the importance of custom training strategies and environmental adaptations to facilitate training and competition. Performance aspects, including time-motion analysis and match-related performance, are discussed to elucidate the specific demands and movement patterns in judo athletes with visual impairment. Additionally, recommendations are proposed to develop standardized protocols for physical assessment and skill evaluation, ensuring the optimization of training strategies. Collaborative research initiatives are recommended to further explore integrating multisensory stimuli and enhance athletic development in this population. By addressing the unique challenges judo athletes with visual impairment face and providing evidence-based recommendations for performance assessment and training optimization, this review contributes to advancing adapted sports science and promoting inclusivity and excellence in judo.
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Gambling harms, stigmatisation and discrimination: A qualitative naturalistic forum analysisPeople who experience gambling harms commonly experience stigmatisation, which is detrimental to psychological wellbeing, and a significant barrier to help-seeking. While there have been efforts to challenge stigmatisation, there is little empirical evidence available to inform such initiatives. To address this gap in knowledge, we conducted a thematic analysis of naturalistic data in the form of posts made on online support forums by people with experience of gambling-related harm, in order to understand how they are stigmatised, and to identify barriers to help-seeking. Five main themes were identified: (a) beliefs about the nature and origin of gambling addiction, which related to participants’ beliefs about causes of gambling harm and cognitions about the nature of addiction; (b) self-stigma, which encompassed the frequent and substantial incidences of self-stigma; (c) anticipated stigma, which described the stigma and discrimination people expected to face because of their gambling harm; (d) stigmatising other people who experience gambling harm, which describes the ways in which some people who experienced gambling harms stigmatised other people who experienced gambling harms; and (e) experienced stigma and discrimination, which encompassed the experienced stigmatisation people encountered. Experiences discussed/described within the forums were developed into a timeline of gambling harms which was cyclical in nature and involved six stages: onset, concealment of problems, crisis point, disclosure of problems, recurrence of harms (sometimes termed ‘relapse’) and recovery. The study highlights the impact of societal stigma on individuals’ self-perception and interactions, particularly emphasising the challenges experienced during relapse periods, which heighten stigma and distress. The study also identifies potential avenues for stigma reduction, including targeted campaigns addressing societal, anticipated, and self-stigma.
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Unpacking the role of multidimensional romantic jealousy in the perpetration of cyber dating abuse: The mediating role of self-esteemPrevious research has explored the potential role of romantic jealousy in the use of technology to facilitate cyber dating abuse against romantic partners. In this study, we examine the multidimensional nature of romantic jealousy and the mediating role of self-esteem in the perpetration of cyber dating abuse. While much of the existing literature treats cyber dating abuse as a single construct, we propose a more nuanced understanding by distinguishing between psychological abuse and relational cyber dating abuse. We collected data via an online survey with participants (N=496). Our findings indicate that both cognitive and behavioral jealousy are significant predictors of psychological and relational cyber dating abuse. Notably, cognitive jealousy moderates the relationship between behavioral jealousy and the perpetration of cyber dating abuse. Furthermore, low self-esteem mediates the relationship between high cognitive jealousy and psychological cyber dating abuse. These findings contribute to the existing literature by highlighting the role of multidimensional romantic jealousy in the context of psychological and relational cyber dating abuse. The findings have practical implications for policy development, therapeutic interventions, and strategies aimed at understanding and mitigating the perpetration of cyber dating abuse among young adults.
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Decolonising educational technologyThis important volume brings together some key thinkers in various fields such as educational technology (EdTech), decolonisation, colonialism, neocolonialism, higher education, international education, and social justice. EdTech can be seen as both ubiquitous and hegemonic. At the same time, it can be seen as neocolonial and represents another example of how Western thought, languages, and technology pervade global educational contexts. The authors in this Special Issue explore whether EdTech can be used to overcome the issues inherent in each of their respective contexts without necessarily promulgating 'Global Northern' thought and practice. Thought-provoking and timely, this Reprint seeks to stimulate further debate and discourse around these issues.
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Socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities increase the risk of type 2 diabetes: an analysis of NHS health check attendees in BirminghamIntroduction: Birmingham has a significantly higher type-II diabetes prevalence than the national average. This study aimed to investigate the association of socioeconomic deprivation and ethnicity on the risk of diabetes in Birmingham. Methods: Data were included from 108,514 NHS Health Checks conducted in Birmingham between 2018 and 2023. Attributable fraction and multinomial logistic regression were used to estimate the number of events avoidable and the prevalence odds ratios (POR) of determinants respectively. Results: Attributable fraction analysis estimated that 64% of diabetes and 44% of pre-diabetes cases could be attributed to socioeconomic deprivation. Specifically, if Asian attendees in the least deprived areas had the same risk as White individuals in the least deprived areas, there would have been 1,056 fewer cases of diabetes and 2,226 fewer cases of pre-diabetes. Diabetes was significantly associated with Asian ethnicity (POR = 5.43, p < 0.001), Black ethnicity (POR = 3.15, p < 0.001) and Mixed ethnicity (POR = 2.79, p < 0.001). Pre-diabetes was also significantly associated with Asian ethnicity (POR = 3.06, p < 0.001), Black ethnicity (POR = 2.70, p < 0.001) and Mixed ethnicity (POR = 2.21, p < 0.001). The interaction effects between ethnicity and deprivation posed a greater risk of diabetes, especially for Asian attendees in the first (POR = 9.34, p < 0.001) and second (POR = 6.24, p < 0.001) most deprived quintiles. Discussion: The present findings demonstrate the association of ethnicity and socioeconomic deprivation on the risk of diabetes and pre-diabetes. It underscores the necessity for targeted interventions and policies to address these inequalities.
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The effect of sexual orientation on preferences for altruism in human mate choiceThe role of altruism in mate choice is a well-researched area in evolutionary psychology. Same-Sex Sexual Attraction (SSSA) is an under-researched area and is not covered in research exploring the role of altruism in mate choice. To begin addressing this gap, we explored the effect of sexual orientation on preferences for altruism in mate choice. We recruited heterosexual and homosexual participants (N=321) to complete two scales assessing attractiveness of a potential partner who completed altruistic actions and secondly, participants were asked to rate how altruistic they are on an individual basis. There was no significant effect of sexual orientation on the desirability of altruism in a potential mate, demonstrating that those who act altruistic are desirable, regardless of sexual orientation. However, gender and self-rated altruism were found to have a statistically significant effect on the desirability of a potential mate. Limitations and future directions of research are also discussed.
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The effects of 11+dance on physiological parameters in adolescent ballet dancers: a randomised controlled equivalence trialAbstract Introduction: The use of neuromuscular interventions in sports induce meaningful motor performance in strength, sprint and power. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the “11+ Dance” exercise program versus normal training (control) on possible adaptations in power, lower-body strength, and inter-limb asymmetry in adolescent ballet dancers. Study Design: Prospective randomised controlled trial Methods Dancers (n= 76) from a pre-professional ballet school volunteered for this study. Data from the two trials (pilot and main trials) were combined to protect the results from possible learning effect of the intervention. Participants were randomly assigned to either the 11+ Dance intervention (n=38) or Control (n=38). All Participants completed at least 21 sessions over 7-9 weeks. The 11+Dance intervention consisted of neuromuscular-based exercises, whereas the Control group carried out their normal routine. Baseline and post intervention outcome measures included countermovement jump (CMJ), reactive strength index (RSI), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), and inter-limb asymmetry (ASYM). Results Non-statistically significant improvements were noted for both 11+Dance and control groups across outcome measures; CMJ F(1, 66)=3.52, p=.065, � " != .051 (14% vs 8%), RSI F(1, 65)=1.02, p=.316, �" != .015 (6% vs 13%), and IMTP F(1,67)=1.7, p=.197, �" !=.025 (23% vs 18%). ASYM (F(1, 63)=0.109, p=.743, �" !=.002) (24% vs 15%). No statistically significant interaction for adherence was revealed for all the parameters. Conclusion The 11+Dance intervention elicited similar physiological adaptations as the control group. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the efficacy of the 11+Dance on injury incidence and severity as current evidence suggests prophylactic programs such as the 11+Dance have an effect on injury prevention.
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Familiarity influences on proactive interference in verbal memoryProactive interference occurs when older memories interfere with current information processing and retrieval. It is often explained with reference to familiarity, where the reappearance of highly familiar items from the recent past produces more disruption than older, less familiar items. However, there are other forms of familiarity beyond recency that may be important, and these were explored in a verbal recent-probes task. Participants viewed eight targets per trial and then determined whether a probe matched any of those targets. Probes matching a target from the previous trial, rather than an earlier trial, led to more errors, revealing proactive interference. However, this effect was influenced by experimental familiarity (whether stimuli were repeated or unique) and pre-experimental familiarity (whether stimuli were meaningful words or meaningless nonwords). Specifically, proactive interference was strongest for repeated nonwords, and smallest for unique nonwords, but stimulus repetition had little impact for words. In addition, the time separating trials (temporal familiarity) was unrelated to proactive interference. The present findings revealed more complex effects of familiarity than have previously been assumed. To understand proactive interference in a working memory task, it is necessary to consider the role of long-term memory via experimental and pre-experimental stimulus familiarity.
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Unveiling community needs and aspirations: card sorting as a research method for developing digital learning spacesThis pilot study is part of a larger “Decolonization of Digital Learning Spaces” project, which aims to develop research tools for communities that are remote and/or excluded geographically, politically, economically, socially, culturally, and linguistically. The project’s ultimate goal is to work alongside these communities to design their own digital learning tools, networks, and online educational environments by accessing and leveraging their knowledge and skills. Testing the single-criterion card sorting method is the first step toward this goal. Card sorting is an easy, enjoyable, and cost-effective method for data collection and analysis, particularly for researchers working in remote areas with limited access to electricity or the Internet. The pilot explored singlecriterion card sorting as a method to elicit knowledge from two diverse cultural and linguistic groups engaged in learning activities within their communities. These groups were from a Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) community in Canada (engaged in a bowmaking workshop) and a rural Kabyle community in Algeria (engaged in a traditional cooking lesson). Despite low participant numbers, distinct patterns emerged, indicating the method's effectiveness. The results, though anticipated, were non-random, demonstrating the potential of card sorting in producing patterns indicative of how individuals and/or communities categorize their world(s). Kabyle sortings focused on ingredients, highlighting older individuals as teachers passing along knowledge, while the DHH sortings emphasized face-to-face contact and hand movements in communication. The findings, though modest, established relationships, provided insights into the research context and offered logistical understanding, paving the way for further work with DHH and Kabyle communities towards the design of digital learning spaces.
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iCan, empowering recovery: evaluating a patient-centred cancer rehabilitation programme across the cancer care continuumBackground/Objectives: The adverse effects of cancer and the long-term sequelae of associated treatments result in reduced quality of life and increased mortality for patients. Supporting patients with cancer to mitigate adverse outcomes is an important aspect of oncology care and the primary purpose of cancer rehabilitation. A retrospective service evaluation was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the core iCan patient-centred cancer rehabilitation service. Methods: At the beginning and end of a five-week programme, a series of questionnaires evaluating changes in mental health and wellbeing, and physical activity performance/attitudes, and functional capacity were administered to participants. Results: Following iCan, we found that functional capacity was improved (30 s sit-to-stand: +6.3 repetition; d = −1.00, p < 0.001) and that self-reported physical activity was increased (~1173 MET-mins/wk; d = −0.76, p < 0.001); participants also perceived greater capability, opportunity, and motivation to be active. Mental wellbeing was also improved (SWEMWBS: d = −0.69, p < 0.001), whilst fatigue was reduced (FACIT: d = −0.77, p < 0.001). Conclusion: It appears that iCan has beneficial effects upon the physical/functional and psychological health of its participants. Where data are available, there appear to be clinically significant improvements across the range of measured functional, wellbeing, and activity/sedentariness outcomes, which suggest that participation in iCan is instrumental in adding value to the health and wellbeing of patients.
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Management of patients with advanced prostate cancer. Report from the 2024 advanced prostate cancer consensus conference (APCCC)BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Innovations have improved outcomes in advanced prostate cancer (PC). Nonetheless, we continue to lack high-level evidence on a variety of topics that greatly impact daily practice. The 2024 Advanced Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference (APCCC) surveyed experts on key questions in clinical management in order to supplement evidence-based guidelines. Here we present voting results for questions from APCCC 2024. METHODS: Before the conference, a panel of 120 international PC experts used a modified Delphi process to develop 183 multiple-choice consensus questions on eight different topics. Before the conference, these questions were administered via a web-based survey to the voting panel members ("panellists"). KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: Consensus was a priori defined as ≥75% agreement, with strong consensus defined as ≥90% agreement. The voting results show varying degrees of consensus, as discussed in this article and detailed in the Supplementary material. These findings do not include a formal literature review or meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The voting results can help physicians and patients navigate controversial areas of clinical management for which high-level evidence is scant or conflicting. The findings can also help funders and policymakers in prioritising areas for future research. Diagnostic and treatment decisions should always be individualised on the basis of patient and cancer characteristics, and should incorporate current and emerging clinical evidence, guidelines, and logistic and economic factors. Enrolment in clinical trials is always strongly encouraged. Importantly, APCCC 2024 once again identified important gaps (areas of nonconsensus) that merit evaluation in specifically designed trials.
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Language, politics, and identity: challenges to the Panjabi language in IndiaThis paper provides an evidence-based study that evaluates the attitudes of Panjabi speakers in the Panjab region towards the Panjabi language, exploring the underlying reasons shaping those attitudes. Panjabi language activists have expressed concerns about the challenges confronting the language and its vitality. However, due to a noticeable absence of any empirical data these concerns often become entangled in a discourse, questioning the authenticity and reliability of these concerns. This paper, therefore, aims to measure the realistic standing and situation of the language, by undertaking the first, empirical study across nine districts in Panjab, India.
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The email conservation task: testing the validity of an online measure of direct pro-environmental behaviorThere is a need for valid measures of pro-environmental behavior, in particular ones measuring actual behavior. In response, a number of such measures have been introduced recently, however each faces limitations such as high costs, practical use and/or only measure indirect environmental behavior, limiting their scope, accessibility and inclusivity. In response, this study introduces the easily administered and low-cost Email Conservation Task (ECT), which measures direct pro-environmental behaviour (in this case, email use). Here, participants chose between personal costs (time spent on trivial tasks) or environmental costs (receiving unnecessary emails leading to CO2 emissions) across multiple trials. In a pre-registered study testing the validity of the ECT, it was found (as hypothesized) that participants scored higher on the ECT (incurred more personal costs rather than receiving unnecessary emails) when personal costs to them were lower, and scored higher when the environmental costs of receiving unnecessary emails were higher. Finally, total scores on the ECT significantly correlated with scores on three self-reported indicators of pro-environmentalism. Overall, the results of this study support all three hypotheses, indicating that the ECT is a valid measure of pro-environmental behavior that can be implemented across a diverse range of research areas
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The role of intrasexual competition and the Big 5 in the perpetration of digital dating abuseRecent research has examined digital dating abuse through an evolutionary lens, finding people who report intrasexual competitiveness engage in digital dating abuse. Here, we replicated this finding and extended the literature by examining the role of the big 5 personality traits in the perpetration of digital dating abuse, which, to our knowledge, has not been examined in relation to digital dating abuse (n=280). This paper reports findings showing intrasexual competitiveness positively predicts dating abuse; whereby high intrasexual competition is related to high levels of digital dating abuse. Agreeableness was a negative predictor of digital dating abuse; whereby high agreeableness was related to low perpetration of digital dating abuse. Our findings extend the literature exploring digital dating abuse through a variety of theoretical perspectives.
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Further support for the impact of altruistic costs in human mate choiceFrom an evolutionary perspective, the significance of altruistic acts in romantic relationships has been extensively studied, as such qualities are desirable in mate choice. Although prior research has been conducted to determine if altruism influences romantic desirability, little research as focused on the role of altruistic costs in human mate choice, particularly using hypothetical online dating profiles and messages. Our study adopted a three-way mixed-design ANOVA to examine if romantic desirability is influenced by a target being highly altruistic, moderately altruistic or non-altruistic, comparing relationship type in the context of online dating. One hundred eighty participants were asked to read online dating profiles and messaging scenarios, rating how desirable the individual was for a short-term and long-term relationship. The findings of this study partially supported previous research as males and females rated moderately altruistic targets as more desirable than highly altruistic targets. Our findings add to the literature on the role of altruism in mate choice.
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Views of female genital mutilation survivors, men and health-care professionals on timing of deinfibulation surgery and NHS service provision: qualitative FGM Sister StudyBackground Female genital mutilation is an important UK health-care challenge. There are no health benefits of female genital mutilation, and it is associated with lifelong physical, psychological and sexual impacts. The annual cost to the NHS to care for survivors is £100M. Deinfibulation may improve the health and well-being of some women, but there is no consensus on the optimal timing of surgery for type 3 survivors. UK care provision is reportedly suboptimal. Objectives We aimed to explore the views of survivors, men and health-care professionals on the timing of deinfibulation surgery and NHS service provision. Methods This was a qualitative study informed by the Sound of Silence framework. This framework is useful for researching sensitive issues and the health-care needs of marginalised populations. A total of 101 interviews with 44 survivors, 13 men and 44 health-care professionals were conducted, supplemented by two workshops with affected communities (participants, n = 10) and one workshop with stakeholders (participants, n = 30). Data were analysed using a hybrid framework method. Results There was no clear consensus between groups on the optimal timing of deinfibulation. However, within groups, survivors expressed a preference for deinfibulation pre pregnancy; health-care professionals preferred antenatal deinfibulation, with the caveat that it should be the survivor’s choice. There was no consensus among men. There was agreement that deinfibulation should take place in a hospital setting and be undertaken by a suitable health-care professional. Decision-making around deinfibulation was complex. Deficiencies in professionals’ awareness, knowledge and understanding resulted in impacts on the provision of appropriate care. Although there were examples of good practice and positive care interactions, in general, service provision was opaque and remains suboptimal, with deficiencies most notable in mental health. Deinfibulation reportedly helps to mitigate some of the impacts of female genital mutilation. Interactions between survivors and health-care professionals were disproportionately framed around the law. The way in which services are planned and provided often silences the perspectives and preferences of survivors and their families. Limitations Only a minority of the interviews were conducted in a language other than English, and the recruitment of survivors was predominantly through maternity settings, which meant that some voices may not have been heard. The sample of men was relatively small, limiting interpretation. Conclusions In general, service provision remains suboptimal and can silence the perspectives and preferences of survivors. Deinfibulation services need to be widely advertised and information should highlight that the procedure will be carried out in hospital by suitable health-care professionals and that a range of time points will be offered to facilitate choice. Future services should be developed with survivors to ensure that they are clinically and culturally appropriate. Guidelines should be updated to better reflect the needs of survivors and to ensure consistency in service provision. Future work Research is needed to (1) map female genital mutilation service provision; (2) develop and test effective education to address deficits in awareness and knowledge for affected communities and health-care professionals; and (3) develop, monitor and evaluate clinically and culturally competent female genital mutilation services. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN14710507. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment Programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 27, No. 3. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Values in English and Swedish pre-school teachers: a comparative study in early childhood settingsThis doctoral case study research aims to explore the values of English and Swedish pre-school teachers, focusing on their roles and the experiences they provide for 3 and 4-year-old children. Values are beliefs held by individuals to which they attach special worth or priority; and this research recognises that values are personalised and shaped by the social, cultural and political contexts in which the teachers are situated and they act as a prism through which practice is realised. The theoretical framework titled, situated pedagogy is used to help contextualise. Two ‘day in the life of’ videos were filmed (in a Swedish and an English pre-school) using polyvocal ethnography to capture two teachers’ multiple ‘voices’. This aim was to ascertain their values through ongoing dialogue, telling and retelling of their ‘stories’ provoked by their reflections on the video footage. The findings revealed many similarities in the teachers’ values, especially regarding relationships, a play-based pedagogy, valuing parents as partners, the layout of the environment and types of resources utilised, valuing the voice and rights of the child. It is concluded that these similarities are shaped by the underpinning educational policy and the curricula in the teachers’ respective countries.
