Music Therapy Intervention to Reduce Symptom Burden in Hospice Patients: A Descriptive Study.

Music therapy (MT) offers benefits of improved symptom relief and quality of life at the end of life, but its impact on hospice patients and caregivers needs more research. To assess the impact of MT intervention on symptom burden and well-being of hospice patients and caregivers. A total of 18 hospice patients, selected based on scores ≥4 on the revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r) items on pain, depression, anxiety, or well-being, participated in MT sessions provided by a board-certified music therapist.

Female Athletes and the Menstrual Cycle in Team Sports: Current State of Play and Considerations for Future Research.

Over the past ten years there has been a dramatic rise in female sport participation and accompanying female professional national leagues across multiple sports, yet research has not followed suit. Although there are known variations between female and male physiology, training protocols in female sport are predominantly underpinned by research undertaken in male athletes. The hormonal variability experienced by women across the menstrual cycle, as well as the menstrual cycle variability between women, may contribute to the complexity of conducting rigorous physiological studies, leading to a paucity of robust sports-specific research that can be confidently applied to female athletes.

Moderate to Vigorous-intensity Continuous Training versus Highintensity Interval Training for Improving VO2max in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Traditional continuous training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can increase maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O). However, there is conflicting evidence regarding which form of training demonstrates the greatest improvements to V̇O, and data in women is sparse. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses to assess whether moderate to vigorous-intensity continuous training (MVICT) or HIIT was superior at improving V̇O in women.

Efficacy of Conservative Interventions for Musculoskeletal Conditions on Pain and Disability in Active Serving Military Personnel-A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries and associated pain disorders are one of the leading causes for soldiers not being medically fit for deployment, impacting force capability and readiness. Musculoskeletal pain continues to be a leading cause of disability within military services and is associated with a substantial financial burden. A better understanding of the effectiveness of MSK pain management strategies is required.

Music Therapy Intervention to Reduce Caregiver Distress at End of Life: A Feasibility Study.

Background: Music therapy (MT) can relieve distressing end-of-life symptoms, but little is known regarding its effect on caregivers who are at risk for emotional distress as their loved ones approach death.

Measures: Quality of life (Linear Analogue Self-Assessment), depressive and anxiety symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety), and stress (Role Overload Measure) pre-MT, post-MT and at 6-month follow-up, as well as a satisfaction survey post-MT.

Intervention: Single MT session for 20-45 minutes OUTCOMES: 15/20 completed MT intervention, 14 also completed pre-MT and post-MT assessments, and 9 completed assessments at all 3 timepoints.

Music Therapy for Anxiety and Pain After Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study.

Background: Music therapy (MT) programs have been used in various health care settings to reduce patients' pain, anxiety, and stress. However, few studies have investigated its effects on patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), a frequently serious event requiring extensive rehabilitation.

Objective: This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of offering music-assisted relaxation (MAR) during rehabilitation for patients with SCI.

Inflammation and Oral Contraceptive Use in Female Athletes Before the Rio Olympic Games.

This study investigated the association between synthetic ovarian hormone use [i.e., the oral contraceptive (OC) pill] and basal C-reactive protein (CRP), peripheral blood immune cell subsets, and circulating pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations in elite female athletes.

Women's Football: An Examination of Factors That Influence Movement Patterns.

Griffin, J, Larsen, B, Horan, S, Keogh, J, Dodd, K, Andretta, M, and Minahan, C. Title: Women's football: An examination of factors that influence movement patterns. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2384-2393, 2020-The popularity and professionalism of women's football has increased in conjunction with participation rates over the last 10 years, with projected female participation rates to double worldwide by 2026.

Practice does not make perfect: A brief view of athletes' knowledge on the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge of Australian elite female athletes surrounding the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives.

Design: Cross sectional survey.

Methods: Australian female athletes (n=189) representing their state and/or country in their respective sport completed a questionnaire comprising questions (multiple choice and short answer) relating to the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives.

The effects of hydration on cognitive performance during a simulated wildfire suppression shift in temperate and hot conditions.

The effects on dehydration and cognitive performance from heat and/or physical activity are well established in the laboratory, although have not yet been studied for personnel working in occupations such as wildland firefighting regularly exposed to these types of conditions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of temperature and dehydration on seventy-three volunteer firefighters (35.7 ± 13.

The Post-Exercise Inflammatory Response to Repeated-Sprint Running in Hypoxia.

This study investigated the acute inflammatory response to a repeat-sprint training session in hypoxia. Eleven amateur team-sport athletes completed a repeat-sprint training in hypoxia (RSH) protocol (4 sets of 4x4-s running sprints) in both normoxia and normobaric hypoxia (FO 0.145 to simulate an altitude of 3000 m) on separate days.

Immune Response in Women during Exercise in the Heat: A Spotlight on Oral Contraception.

This study compared the immune and stress response of oral contraceptive users (WomenOC; n = 9) to normally-menstruating women (WomenNM; n = 9) at rest and during exercise in temperate (TEMP; 22°C) and hot (HEAT; 35°C) conditions. Participants performed a 3-stage cycling trial in each condition at 90% (Stage 1; 30 min), 135% (Stage 2; 15 min), and 180% (Stage 3; 7.5 min) of lactate threshold 1.

Adding sleep restriction to the equation: impact on wildland firefighters' work performance and physiology in hot conditions.

Purpose: To examine the effects of sleep restriction on firefighters' physical task performance, physical activity, and physiological and perceived exertion during simulated hot wildfire conditions.

Methods: 31 firefighters were randomly allocated to either the hot (n = 18, HOT; 33 °C, 8-h sleep opportunity) or hot and sleep restricted (n = 13, HOT + SR; 33 °C, 4-h sleep opportunity) condition. Intermittent, self-paced work circuits of six firefighting tasks were performed for 3 days.

Oral contraceptives augment the exercise pressor reflex during isometric handgrip exercise.

We sought to determine whether oral contraception alters the gender-related differences observed in the exercise pressor reflex during isometric handgrip exercise. Fifteen men, fifteen normally menstruating women (WomenNM), and fifteen women taking monophasic oral contraceptives (WomenOC) completed two trials of a 3-min isometric handgrip exercise protocol performed at 30% of their maximal voluntary contraction: (1) where arterial occlusion was applied to the previously exercising arm during a 3-min recovery period (Occlusion trial); (2) where no arterial occlusion was applied during recovery (Control trial). Handgrip exercise elicited greater increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in MEN compared to both female groups (P < 0.

Identifying and characterising the physical demands for an Australian specialist policing unit.

Many police organisations incorporate specialist policing roles where incumbents are tasked with providing operational response capabilities above and beyond the general duties policing role. The current research utilised subjective job task analysis methods to identify and characterise the physically demanding, frequently occurring, and operationally important tasks, as well as the dominant fitness component for each task, inherent to specialist policing roles in an Australian policing organisation. This was achieved through engagement with subject matter experts and online survey responses from specialist police incumbents.

The Effects of Simulated Wildland Firefighting Tasks on Core Temperature and Cognitive Function under Very Hot Conditions.

The severity of wildland fires is increasing due to continually hotter and drier summers. Firefighters are required to make life altering decisions on the fireground, which requires analytical thinking, problem solving, and situational awareness. This study aimed to determine the effects of very hot (45°C; HOT) conditions on cognitive function following periods of simulated wildfire suppression work when compared to a temperate environment (18°C; CON).

Response of women using oral contraception to exercise in the heat.

Purpose: To compare the response of long-term oral contraceptive users (WomenOC; n = 8) to naturally menstruating women (WomenNM; n = 8) at rest and during exercise in temperate (TEMP; 22 °C) and hot (HEAT; 35 °C) conditions.

Methods: Participants performed a three-stage cycling trial in each condition at 90, 135, and 180% of lactate threshold 1 (total = 52.5 min).

The Impact of Heat Exposure and Sleep Restriction on Firefighters' Work Performance and Physiology during Simulated Wildfire Suppression.

This study was designed to examine the effects of ambient heat on firefighters' physical task performance, and physiological and perceptual responses when sleep restricted during simulated wildfire conditions. Thirty firefighters were randomly allocated to the sleep restricted ( 17, SR; 19 °C, 4-h sleep opportunity) or hot and sleep restricted ( 13, HOT + SR; 33 °C, 4-h sleep opportunity) condition. Firefighters performed two days of simulated, intermittent, self-paced work circuits comprising six firefighting tasks.

The Injury Profile of an Australian Specialist Policing Unit.

This study investigated the injuries sustained by an Australian specialist police division. Injury records spanning four-years were analyzed. The role being performed when the injury occurred, injury cause, body part injured, and injury-related costs were quantified.

Simulated Firefighting Task Performance and Physiology Under Very Hot Conditions.

Purpose: To assess the impact of very hot (45°C) conditions on the performance of, and physiological responses to, a simulated firefighting manual-handling task compared to the same work in a temperate environment (18°C).

Methods: Ten male volunteer firefighters performed a 3-h protocol in both 18°C (CON) and 45°C (VH). Participants intermittently performed 12 × 1-min bouts of raking, 6 × 8-min bouts of low-intensity stepping, and 6 × 20-min rest periods.

Effect of heat on firefighters' work performance and physiology.

Wildland firefighters often perform their duties under both hot and mild ambient temperatures. However, the direct impact of different ambient temperatures on firefighters' work performance has not been quantified. This study compared firefighters' work performance and physiology during simulated wildland firefighting work in hot (HOT; 32°C, 43% RH) and temperate (CON; 19°C, 56% RH) conditions.

Multiple Days of Heat Exposure on Firefighters' Work Performance and Physiology.

This study assessed the accumulated effect of ambient heat on the performance of, and physiological and perceptual responses to, intermittent, simulated wildfire fighting tasks over three consecutive days. Firefighters (n = 36) were matched and allocated to either the CON (19°C) or HOT (33°C) condition. They performed three days of intermittent, self-paced simulated firefighting work, interspersed with physiological testing.

The Impact of Sleep Restriction and Simulated Physical Firefighting Work on Acute Inflammatory Stress Responses.

Objectives: This study investigated the effect restricted sleep has on wildland firefighters' acute cytokine levels during 3 days and 2 nights of simulated physical wildfire suppression work.

Methods: Firefighters completed multiple days of physical firefighting work separated by either an 8-h (Control condition; n = 18) or 4-h (Sleep restriction condition; n = 17) sleep opportunity each night. Blood samples were collected 4 times a day (i.

Sleep restriction during simulated wildfire suppression: effect on physical task performance.

Objectives: To examine the effects of sleep restriction on firefighters' physical task performance during simulated wildfire suppression.

Methods: Thirty-five firefighters were matched and randomly allocated to either a control condition (8-hour sleep opportunity, n = 18) or a sleep restricted condition (4-hour sleep opportunity, n = 17). Performance on physical work tasks was evaluated across three days.

Firefighter feedback during active cooling: a useful tool for heat stress management?

Monitoring an individual's thermic state in the workplace requires reliable feedback of their core temperature. However, core temperature measurement technology is expensive, invasive and often impractical in operational environments, warranting investigation of surrogate measures which could be used to predict core temperature. This study examines an alternative measure of an individual's thermic state, thermal sensation, which presents a more manageable and practical solution for Australian firefighters operating on the fireground.