Validity of the Polar Team Pro Sensor for measuring speed and distance indoors.

Objectives: To assess the validity of the Polar Team Pro Sensor for measuring speed and distance indoors during continuous locomotive and change-of-direction tasks at low, medium, and high intensities.

Design: Descriptive validation study.

Methods: 26 recreationally-active participants (age: 32.

Individualized sleep education improves subjective and objective sleep indices in elite cricket athletes: A pilot study.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of personalized sleep hygiene education on sleep indices in elite athletes. Nine elite male cricket players performed 3 weeks of baseline sleep monitoring (PRE), followed by group and individualized sleep hygiene education and a further 3 weeks of sleep monitoring (POST). Subjective sleep questionnaires included the Athlete Sleep Behaviour Questionnaire (ASBQ), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Moderate-intensity exercise performed in the evening does not impair sleep in healthy males.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of single bouts of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and moderate-intensity resistance exercise performed in the evening on the sleep of healthy young males. The study employed a repeated-measures, counterbalanced, crossover design with three conditions (control, evening aerobic exercise, evening resistance exercise). Twelve male participants (mean ± SD; age: 21.

Time-of-day and days-on-shift predict increased fatigue over two-week offshore day-shifts.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the accumulation of fatigue over a two-week offshore period. In particular, the effects of (1) time-of-day and days-on-shift as well as (2) acute and chronic sleep loss on the rate at which fatigue accumulates were investigated.

Methods: 42 day-shift offshore workers were examined.

Travel fatigue and sleep/wake behaviors of professional soccer players during international competition.

Objective: The magnitude of travel completed by professional Australian soccer teams during domestic competition is substantial. The inclusion of Australian soccer teams into the Asian Champions league has seen additional stress placed on soccer players' training and competition schedules. For management staff, the complexity of organizing training and travel schedules during domestic competition and the Asian Champions league is challenging.

Sex and Sleep: Perceptions of Sex as a Sleep Promoting Behavior in the General Adult Population.

The main aim of this study was to explore the perceived relationship between sexual activities, sleep quality, and sleep latency in the general adult population and identify whether any gender differences exist. We used a cross-sectional survey to examine the perceived relationship between sexual activity and subsequent sleep in the general adult population. Seven-hundred and seventy-eight participants (442 females, 336 males; mean age 34.

Sleep for heart health: investigating the relationship between work day sleep, days off sleep, and cardiovascular risk in Australian train drivers.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in train drivers is associated with health conditions that can result in sudden incapacity. Drivers are at high risk on several CVD risk factors with research suggesting that sleep may predict CVD risk, however this relationship has not yet been explored. This study investigated the link between sleep and CVD risk, in relation to hours of work day and days off sleep.

Working Time Society consensus statements: Individual differences in shift work tolerance and recommendations for research and practice.

There is no standard definition of shift work universally, and no validated report of complete biological adjustment to shift work in workers. Similarly, the evidence for shift work tolerance is limited due to a small number of studies and a narrow range of outcome measures. This paper discusses evidence to date regarding individual differences in shift work tolerance and highlights areas for future research and recommendations for workplace practice.

Working Time Society consensus statements: Evidence-based effects of shift work on physical and mental health.

Potential effects of shift work on health are probably related to the misalignment between the light-dark cycle and the human activity-rest cycle. Light exposure at night mediates these effects, including social misalignment and leads to an inversion of activity and rest, which, in turn, is linked to changes in behaviours. This article reviews the epidemiological evidence on the association between shift work and health, and possible mechanisms underlying this association.

More than hours of work: fatigue management during high-intensity maritime operations.

Objectives: This study examines the impacts of peak summer demand on operator workload and fatigue in a maritime environment.

Methods: Participants (n = 12) were senior shipboard personnel who were working during the summer "double sailing" period for a roll-on roll-off ferry service. Wrist actigraphy was used to determine sleep opportunity and sleep duration, as well as prior sleep, total wake time, performance and alertness at the beginning and end of work periods.

The Association Between Training Load and Performance in Team Sports: A Systematic Review.

Background: Adequate training loads promote favorable physical and physiological adaptations, reduce the likelihood of illness and injury, and, therefore, increase the possibility of success during competition.

Objectives: Our objective was to systematically examine the association between training load and performance outcomes in team sports.

Methods: We systematically searched the PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO databases for original research published before July 2018.

Unique associations of the Job Demand-Control-Support model subscales with leisure-time physical activity and dietary energy intake.

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and dietary energy intake are two important health behaviours, which at too low or high levels respectively, are associated with overweight and obesity. This study explores associations between subscales of the Job Demand-Control-Support (JDCS) model, LTPA and dietary energy intake. A cross-sectional design sampled current employees (N=433) from a South Australian cohort using a computer-assisted telephone interview and a self-completed food frequency questionnaire.

23rd International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time: Towards a Global Consensus.

The Working Time Society (WTS), and the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) Scientific Committee on Shiftwork and Working Time, are twin organisations focused on conducting research, and informing practice, regarding the impact of work hours in general, and shiftwork in particular, on the efficiency, productivity, safety, well-being, health, and biological rhythms, of employees. Every 2-3 years since 1969, the WTS and ICOH have conducted a series of international symposia in Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, and South America. The purpose of these symposia is to provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge, and the discussion of contested issues, with researchers, employee representatives, regulators, and employers.

Daytime naps can be used to supplement night-time sleep in athletes.

This study examined the efficacy of daytime napping to supplement night-time sleep in athletes. Twelve well-trained male soccer players completed three conditions in a randomised, counterbalanced order: 9 h in bed overnight with no daytime nap (9 h + 0 h); 8 h in bed overnight with a 1-h daytime nap (8 h + 1 h); and 7 h in bed overnight with a 2-h daytime nap (7 h + 2 h). Sleep was assessed using polysomnography.

Effects of traditional balance and slackline training on physical performance and perceived enjoyment in young soccer players.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 12-week balance and slackline training programs on physical performance and perceived enjoyment scale in young soccer players. Forty-one preadolescent soccer players were assigned to two experimental groups performing traditional balance (BLT) or slackline training (SLT), and a control group. Pre-post assessment encompassed Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), Star Excursion Balance test (SEBT), sprint with 90° turns (S90), and countermovement jump (CMJ).

Driving when distracted and sleepy: The effect of phone and passenger conversations on driving performance.

This study investigates the effect of passenger and phone conversations on sleep-restricted driving. Six volunteers (50% male, mean age 24.8 ± 4.

Flat-out napping: The quantity and quality of sleep obtained in a seat during the daytime increase as the angle of recline of the seat increases.

Some shiftwokers in the long-haul transportation industries (i.e. road, rail, sea, air) have the opportunity to sleep in on-board rest facilities during duty periods.

Athletes underestimate sleep quantity during daytime nap opportunities.

This study examined the difference between athletes' self-reported and objective sleep durations during two nap opportunities. Twelve well-trained male soccer players' sleep durations were assessed using polysomnography and a self-report question during a 60- and 120-min nap opportunity. Participants underestimated sleep compared to objective sleep assessments for both the 60-min nap opportunity (p = 0.

How well does a commercially available wearable device measure sleep in young athletes?

The validity of a commercially available wearable device for measuring total sleep time was examined in a sample of well-trained young athletes during night-time sleep periods and daytime naps. Participants wore a FitBit HR Charge on their non-dominant wrist and had electrodes attached to their face and scalp to enable polysomnographic recordings of sleep in the laboratory. The FitBit automatically detected 24/30 night-time sleep periods but only 6/20 daytime naps.

Horse Husbandry and Preventive Health Practices in Australia: An Online Survey of Horse Guardians.

Little is known about the horse health management practices of Australian horse caregivers (owners). This article presents findings from a convenience sample of 505 horse owners who participated in an online survey. No large-scale welfare issues were identified, but there were some areas of potential concern, including owners who did not regularly deworm their horses (4%), a lack of strategic parasite control (3.

Impact of short- compared to long-haul international travel on the sleep and wellbeing of national wheelchair basketball athletes.

Currently, very little is known about the impact of short- or long-haul air travel on the sleep and wellbeing of wheelchair basketball athletes. Eleven national wheelchair basketball athletes wore actigraphy monitors prior, during, and after air travel to the United Kingdom. Upon arrival, participants rated their subjective jet-lag, fatigue, and vigor.

Horse-keeping practices in Australia: findings from a national online survey of horse owners.

Objective: To gain an understanding of general horse-keeping practices in Australia, including shelter, social contact, exercise, watering and supplementary feeding.

Methods: An online survey was conducted with 505 owners in relation to one 'representative' horse in their care.

Results: The majority (83%) of horses were managed at pasture.