Public commentary on teacher quality: an analysis of media comment on the teaching performance assessment.

In Australia, the Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) is a relatively new, mandatory hurdle which must be completed just prior to the graduation stage of initial teacher education (ITE) programmes. This high-stakes task is one of a growing number of requirements to come out of the standards and accountability regime as outlined in the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) document for accreditation for ITE programmes. We delve into the public commentary about the broader commission of preservice and graduate teacher quality in general and the TPA in particular.

Adolescents' views on high school food environments.

Issue Addressed: This study explored adolescents' views on high school food environments and potential strategies to help them to make informed food choices.

Methods: Fifteen focus groups were conducted with 131 adolescents aged 12-17 years from three high schools in South East Queensland, Australia. Adolescents were asked how their school food environment (dis)encouraged them to eat healthy and what schools could do to help them eat healthier.

Respiratory Responses during Exercise in Self-contained Breathing Apparatus among Firefighters and Nonfirefighters.

Background: Firefighters are required to use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which impairs ventilatory mechanics. We hypothesized that firefighters have elevated arterial CO when using SCBA.

Methods: Firefighters and controls performed a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer and two graded exercise tests (GXTs) at 25%, 50%, and 70% of their maximal aerobic power, once with a SCBA facemask and once with protective clothing and full SCBA.

Effect of rehydration schedule after four-hour head-out water immersion on running performance and recovery.

Introduction: Head-out water immersion (HOWI) results in diuresis, which could potentially limit performance after egress to land. We examined the effect of rehydration on endurance, cardiovascular stability, and overnight recovery following a four-hour thermoneutral HOWI on 12 subjects.

Methods: Twelve males completed a crossover design consisting of no hydration, replacement of fluid loss during immersion (RD), and replacement of fluid after the immersion period (RA).

Effect of wetted surface area on friction, pressure, wave and total drag of a kayak.

Using theoretical principles, the components of drag (friction D , pressure D and wave D ) of a single-seat kayak were analysed. The purpose was to examine the effect of changes in wetted surface area due to changes in kayaker's weight and the relative contribution of D , D and D to the total passive drag as function of velocity. The total passive drag values were based on experimental data collected in a single-seat kayak.

What is the status of food literacy in Australian high schools? Perceptions of home economics teachers.

The high school setting has been identified as an ideal setting to teach adolescents about healthy dietary behaviours. This study explored home economics teachers' (HETs) views on the role of high schools in enhancing adolescents' food literacy and promoting healthy dietary behaviours. Semi-structured interviews with 22 HETs were conducted.

Comparison of Classical Kinematics, Entropy, and Fractal Properties As Measures of Complexity of the Motor System in Swimming.

The aim of this study was to compare the non-linear properties of the four competitive swim strokes. Sixty-eight swimmers performed a set of maximal 4 × 25 m using the four competitive swim strokes. The hip's speed-data as a function of time was collected with a speedo-meter.

Food Literacy at Secondary Schools in Australia.

Background: Food literacy can encourage adolescents to develop healthy dietary patterns. This study examined home economics teachers' (HET) perspectives of the importance, curriculum, self-efficacy, and food environments regarding food literacy in secondary schools in Australia.

Methods: A 20-item cross-sectional survey was completed by 205 HETs.

Respiratory Muscle Training and Exercise Endurance at Altitude.

Background: Climbing and trekking at altitude are common recreational and military activities. Physiological effects of altitude are hypoxia and hyperventilation. The hyperventilatory response to altitude may cause respiratory muscle fatigue and reduce sustained submaximal exercise.

Adolescents' perspectives on food literacy and its impact on their dietary behaviours.

Food literacy has been identified as a promising approach to support healthy dietary behaviours in adolescents. However, adolescents' perspectives on food literacy and the impact it could have on their dietary behaviours are not well understood. This study explored adolescents' perspectives on the potential for food literacy to influence their dietary behaviours.

Do 5% changes around maximal lactate steady state lead to swimming biophysical modifications?

Our purpose was to examine the swimming biophysical responses at velocities (v) of 97.5, 100 and 102.5% of the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS).

Beach safety education for primary school children.

Childhood drowning remains a serious public health problem worldwide. The Australian Water Safety Council has set as one of its highest priorities the reduction of drowning deaths in children aged 0-14 years. However, concerns have recently been raised that many students completing primary school still lack the ability to recognize potential aquatic risks, cope with emergencies or assist someone else in danger.

Respiratory Muscle Training and Cognitive Function Exercising at Altitude.

Background: Hiking and trekking often occur at altitudes up to 12,000 ft altitude. The hypoxia-induced hyperventilation at altitude paradoxically reduces arterial CO2 (Paco2). A reduction in Paco2 results in vasoconstriction of the blood vessels of the brain and thus in local hypoxia.

Is passive drag dependent on the interaction of kayak design and paddler weight in flat-water kayaking?

Drag is one of the major factors that influences kayaking performance. To focus on the drag of the kayak's hull shape and the paddlers' weight per se, the passive drag (Dp) was measured on a flat-water sprint course for one paddler with added weights. Dp was measured by an electromechanical towing device using a load cell, at incremental and constant velocities from 2.

Human Physiology in an Aquatic Environment.

Water covers over 70% of the earth, has varying depths and temperatures and contains much of the earth's resources. Head-out water immersion (HOWI) or submersion at various depths (diving) in water of thermoneutral (TN) temperature elicits profound cardiorespiratory, endocrine, and renal responses. The translocation of blood into the thorax and elevation of plasma volume by autotransfusion of fluid from cells to the vascular compartment lead to increased cardiac stroke volume and output and there is a hyperperfusion of some tissues.

Emergency response readiness for primary school children.

Objective The aim of the present study was to determine whether a 1-day basic life support (BLS) training program can significantly increase emergency response readiness for primary school children. Methods One hundred and seven children aged 11-12 years completed a program led by surf lifesaving instructors. A 50-item quiz was administered 1 week before and 1 and 8 weeks after training.

Cerebral Blood Flow During Treadmill Exercise Is a Marker of Physiological Postconcussion Syndrome in Female Athletes.

Objective: Some patients with postconcussion syndrome (PCS) have reduced exercise capacity that may reflect altered central cardiorespiratory control. The purpose of this study was to evaluate control of cerebral blood flow (CBF) during exercise in females with PCS.

Setting: University Concussion Clinic.

Effects of ambient temperature on nitrogen uptake and elimination in humans.

Tissue nitrogen (N2) exchange is primarily dependent on circulation, which may be modified by body thermal status. Thermal effects on uptake and washout of N2 have not been systematically investigated earlier. In the present study of eight subjects, N2 was washed out in thermally neutral ambient conditions (TN; skin temperature (Ts) = 33.

Electrocardiogram at an altitude of 3600 m with reference to T wave depression.

Introduction: Exposure to high altitude decreases arterial oxygen saturation (Sa(O2)). Previous studies have shown decreased voltage of the T wave of the electrocardiogram (ECG) at altitudes up to 7000 m (22,966 ft) secondary to hypoxia. This pilot study explored changes in the ECG at the maximum altitude pilots can fly without supplemental oxygen.

The effects of respiratory muscle training on respiratory mechanics and energy cost.

Resistance respiratory muscle training (RRMT) increases respiratory muscle strength and can increase swimming endurance time by as much as 85%. The purpose of this study was to examine potential mechanisms by which RRMT improves exercise endurance. Eight healthy adult male scuba divers underwent experiments in a hyperbaric chamber at sea level (1 atmosphere absolute (ATA)), 2.

Critical evaluation of oxygen-uptake assessment in swimming.

Swimming has become an important area of sport science research since the 1970s, with the bioenergetic factors assuming a fundamental performance-influencing role. The purpose of this study was to conduct a critical evaluation of the literature concerning oxygen-uptake (VO2) assessment in swimming, by describing the equipment and methods used and emphasizing the recent works conducted in ecological conditions. Particularly in swimming, due to the inherent technical constraints imposed by swimming in a water environment, assessment of VO2max was not accomplished until the 1960s.

Negative pressure breathing increases cardiac output and nitrogen elimination in seated subjects.

During denitrogenation for rescue, crew members of an internally pressurized disabled submarine (DISSUB) must sit upright, which may hamper venous return, cardiac output and peripheral circulation. Since negative pressure breathing (NPB) might counteract this problem, denitrogenation was measured in sitting subjects performing NPB. Seven male subjects completed 125-minute nitrogen (N2) washouts breathing either 100% oxygen (O2) or a normoxic gas (21% O2 in argon) in control conditions and intermittent (I: inspirations only) or continuous (C) NPB at -10 or -15 cmH2O.

Interplay of biomechanical, energetic, coordinative, and muscular factors in a 200 m front crawl swim.

This study aimed to determine the relative contribution of selected biomechanical, energetic, coordinative, and muscular factors for the 200 m front crawl and each of its four laps. Ten swimmers performed a 200 m front crawl swim, as well as 50, 100, and 150 m at the 200 m pace. Biomechanical, energetic, coordinative, and muscular factors were assessed during the 200 m swim.

Relative effects of submersion and increased pressure on respiratory mechanics, work, and energy cost of breathing.

Submersion and increased pressure (depth) characterize the diving environment and may independently increase demand on the respiratory system. To quantify changes in respiratory mechanics, this study employed a unique protocol and techniques to measure, in a hyperbaric chamber, inspiratory and expiratory alveolar pressures (interrupter technique), inspiratory and expiratory resistance in the airways (RawI and RawE, esophageal balloon technique), nitric oxide elimination (thought to correlate with Raw), inspiratory and expiratory mechanical power of breathing, and the total energy cost of ventilation. Eight healthy adult men underwent experiments at 1, 2.