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Periodization for Advance and Elite AthletesStone, Michael H. 01 May 2008 (has links)
No description available.
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The Catastrophe Artists: Understanding America’s Unaccountable Foreign Policy EliteFraser, Samuel 01 January 2019 (has links)
The 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq was a foreign policy action that violated international law, was based on false premises, and came to represent a clear and costly political disaster for the United States and Iraq. Why then, did none of the top policymakers responsible for the decision to invade face meaningful consequences – be they professional consequences, or legal ones? Why too have so many of the media figures who helped sell this war to the American public remained in their prestigious positions, with massive platforms to influence the American people?
This paper argues that the above groups, referred to as the foreign policy elite or foreign policy establishment, are granted a general impunity for their actions. It seeks to explain this condition of elite impunity, and how it operates, through Robert Putnam’s theory of “elite integration.” It also examines the role of congressional marginalization and public disengagement in enabling the foreign policy elite to escape accountability. The subsequent chapters offer case studies of how each of these factors has helped advance and preserve the careers of two prominent members of the foreign policy elite, Elliott Abrams and Henry Kissinger. Finally, the conclusion explores further questions on the matter of elite impunity, and offers some basic steps towards creating a more accountable foreign policy elite.
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The validation of physiological field testing in elite orienteersRattray, Benjamin, n/a January 2002 (has links)
The complex physiology of orienteering performance is not well understood but recent
advances in technology allow for more in-depth investigation. The purpose of this
study was to develop and validate physiological field tests for elite orienteers in
Australia.
Seven male and three female elite orienteers volunteered to take part in the study.
Subjects completed an incremental fixed-distance (803m) trial in Australian forest
terrain, paced by a bicycle equipped with a speedometer. This was replicated in the
laboratory using a 4.5% grade for treadmill running. Subjects also completed four
(males) or three (females) laps of a 1340m terrain loop incorporating uphill, track and
downhill sections. Subjects then repeated this test in the laboratory, with treadmill grade
manipulated to replicate the gradient profile of each section. Heart rate (HR) and
oxygen uptake (VCh) were recorded continuously with telemetry during each stage/lap.
Blood [La] and RPE were recorded after each stage/lap.
In the incremental tests, no significant differences (p=0.05 level) were observed in HR,
VO2, blood [La] or RPE between the Field test, and its Laboratory replication over the
entire range of speeds tested. The actual speeds run during the Field tests were
significantly faster than the Laboratory test at the slowest speed (8 kmh- 1 ) attempted,
and slower at the fastest speed (18 km-h-1) attempted. In the time-trial tests, no
significant differences were observed in HR, VO2, blood [La] or RPE between the
Field test and its Laboratory replication. The running speeds in the Field tests were
significantly slower than the Laboratory tests. Running speed appeared inversely
related to the course profile and the terrain also affected the speeds that could be
achieved. Despite the changes in the course profile, the physiological responses to the
course were maintained within a narrow range at a high level (-95% of maximal heart
rate, 80-90% of VO2max, blood [La] -10 mM) for the duration of the 20-25 minute test.
The Field tests that were developed in this study for elite orienteers in Australian forest
terrain were successfully validated by replicating the protocols in a Laboratory setting.
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The organisation and structure of elite junior sport in the ACTCampbell, Joseph, n/a January 1993 (has links)
None Provided.
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Performance and Physiological Monitoring of Highly Trained SwimmersAnderson, Megan, n/a January 2006 (has links)
This thesis examined the benefits of physiological and performance testing of elite swimmers.
The study considered the following research questions: the degree to which physiological and
performance measures in training contribute to swimming performance; sources and
magnitude of variability in testing, training and competition performance; the magnitudes of
changes in test measures during routine training; and the reliability, validity and utility of
miniaturised and automated smart sensor technology to monitor the stroke and performance
times of swimmers in training. The experimental approach involved the retrospective
analysis of five years of physiological and performance testing of elite level swimmers, the
development of a new accelerometry-based smart sensor device to monitor swimmers in the
pool, a cross-sectional study comparing the physiological and performance responses of
swimmers of different levels, and the effects of an intensive 14-day training program on
submaximal physiological and performance measures. Collectively, the outcomes of these
studies provide a strong justification for the physiological and performance testing of elite
swimmers, a quantitative framework for interpreting the magnitude of changes and
differences in test scores and sources of variation, and highlight the potential utility of new
smart sensor technology to automate the monitoring of a swimmer�s training performance.
The first study (Chapter 2) characterises the changes and variability in test performance,
physiological and anthropometric measures, and stroke mechanics of swimmers within and
between seasons over their elite competitive career. Forty elite swimmers (24 male, 16
female) performed a 7 x 200-m incremental swimming step test several times each 6-month
season (10 � 5 tests, spanning 0.5 to 6.0 y). Mixed linear modeling provided estimates of
change in the mean and individual responses for measures based on submaximal performance
(fixed 4-mM lactate), maximal performance (the seventh step), and lean mass (from skinfolds
and body mass). Submaximal and maximal swim speed increased within each season from
the pre to taper phase by ~2.2% for females and ~1.5% for males (95% confidence limits
�1.0%), with variable contributions from stroke rate and stroke length. Most of the gains in
speed were lost in the off-season, leaving a net average annual improvement of ~1.0% for
females and ~0.6% for males (�1.0%). For submaximal and maximal speed, individual
variation between phases was �2.2% and the typical measurement error was �0.8%. In
conclusion, step test and anthropometric measures can be used to confidently monitor
progressions in swimmers in an elite training program within and between seasons.
The second study (Chapter 3) quantified the relationship between changes in test measures
and changes in competition performance for individual elite swimmers. The primary question
addressed was whether test measures could predict a swimmers performance at the major end-of-season competition. The same sample group as in Study 1 was examined. A 7 x 200-m
incremental swimming step-test and anthropometry were conducted in up to four training
phases each season. Correlations of changes in step-test and anthropometric measures
between training phases between and within seasons, with changes in competition
performance between seasons, were derived by repeated-measures mixed modeling and linear
regression. Changes in competition performance were best tracked by changes in test
measures between taper phases. The best single predictor of competition performance was
skinfolds for females (r = -0.53). The best predictor from the step-test was stroke rate at 4-mM lactate (females, r = 0.46; males, r = 0.41); inclusion of the second-best step-test
predictor in a multiple linear regression improved the correlations marginally (females, r =0.52 with speed in the seventh step included; males, r = 0.58 with peak lactate concentration
included). Changes in test measures involving phases other than the taper provided weak and
inconclusive correlations with changes in performance, possibly because the coaches and
swimmers took corrective action when tests produced poor results. In conclusion, a
combination of fitness and techniques factors are important for competitive performance. The
step test is apparently a useful adjunct in a swimmer�s training preparation for tracking large
changes in performance.
These initial studies identified stroke mechanics as a major determinant of a swimmer�s
performance. Chapter 4 details the development of a small tri-axial accelerometry-based
smart sensor device (the Traqua) that enables continual monitoring of various
performance/stroke characteristics in swimming. The initial focus was to develop a device
that automated the detection of a swimmer�s movements, specifically lap times, stroke rate
and stroke count. The Traqua consists of a tri-axial accelerometer packaged with a
microprocessor, which attaches to the swimmer at the pelvis to monitor their whole body
movements while swimming. This study established the failure/error rate in the first
generation algorithms developed to detect the swimming-specific movements of stroke
identification, laps (start, turn and finish), and strokes (stroke count and stroke rate) in a
cohort of 21 elite and sub-elite swimmers. Movements were analysed across a range of
swimming speeds for both freestyle and breaststroke. These initial algorithms were
reasonably successful in correctly identifying the markers representing specific segments of a
swimming lap in a range of swimmers across a spectrum of swimming speeds. The first
iteration of the freestyle algorithm produced error-rates of 13% in detection of lap times, 5%
for stroke rate, and 11% for stroke count. Subsequent improvements of the software reduced
the error rate in lap and stroke detection. This improved software was used in the following
two studies.
The next study (Chapter 5) evaluated the reliability and validity of the Traqua against
contemporary methods used for timing, stroke rate and stroke count determination. The
subjects were 14 elite and 10 sub-elite club-level swimmers. Each swimmer was required to
swim seven evenly paced 200-m efforts on a 5-min cycle, graded from easy to maximal.
Swimmers completed the test using their main competitive stroke (21 freestyle, 3
breaststroke). Timing was compared for each 50-m lap and total 200-m time by electronic
touch pads, video coding, a hand-held manual stopwatch, and the Traqua. Stroke count was
compared for video coding, self-reported counting, and the Traqua, while the stroke rate was compared via video coding, hand-held stopwatch, and the Traqua. Retest trials were
conducted under the same conditions 7 d following the first test. All data from the Traqua presented in this and the subsequent studies were visually inspected for errors in the
automated algorithms, where the algorithms had either failed to correctly identify the start,
turn, finish or individual strokes and corrected prior to analysis. The standard error of the
estimate for each of the timing methods for total 200 m was compared with the criterion
electronic timing. These standard errors were as follows: Traqua (0.64 s; 90% confidence
limits 0.60 � 0.69 s), Video (0.52 s; 0.49 � 0.55 s); Manual (0.63 s; 0.59 � 0.67 s). Broken
down by 50-m laps, the standard error of the estimate for the Traqua compared with the
electronic timing for freestyle only was: 1st 50-m 0.35 s; 2nd and 3rd 50-m 0.13 s; 4th 50-m
0.65 s. When compared with the criterion video-coding determination, the error for the stroke
count was substantially lower for the Traqua (0.6 strokes.50 m-1; 0.5 � 0.6 strokes.50 m-1)
compared to the self-reported measure (2.3 strokes.50 m-1; 2.5 � 2.9 strokes.50 m-1).
However, the error for stroke rate was similar between the Traqua (1.5 strokes.min-1; 1.4 � 1.6
strokes.min-1) and the manual stopwatch (1.8 strokes.min-1; 1.7 � 1.9 strokes.min-1). The
typical error of measurement of the Traqua was 1.99 s for 200-m time, 1.1 strokes.min-1 for
stroke rate, and 1.1 strokes.50 m-1 for stroke count. In conclusion, the Traqua is comparable
in accuracy to current methods for determining time and stroke rate, and better than current
methods for stroke count. A substantial source of error in the Traqua timing was additional
noise in the detection of the start and finish. The Traqua is probably useful for monitoring of
routine training but electronic timing and video are preferred for racing and time trials.
Having established the reliability and validity of the Traqua, Chapter 6 addressed the ability
to discriminate the pattern of pacing between different levels of swimmers in the 7 x 200-m
incremental step test. This study also sought to quantify the differences in pacing between
senior and junior swimmers. Eleven senior elite swimmers (5 female, 6 male) and 10
competitive junior swimmers (3 female, 7 male) participated in this study. Each swimmer
was required to swim seven evenly paced 200-m freestyle efforts on a 5-min cycle, graded
from easy to maximal. The Traqua was used to measure time, stroke rate and stroke count.
The senior swimmers were better able to descend in each of the 200-m efforts. Overall the
senior swimmers were ~2-3 s per 50 m faster than the junior swimmers. Both groups were
fastest in the first 50-m lap with the push start. The senior swimmers then descended the 50-
m time for each of the subsequent laps, getting ~0.5 s faster per lap, with the final lap the
fastest. In contrast, the junior swimmers swam a similar time for each of the subsequent laps.
The junior swimmers were marginally more variable in their times (coefficient of variation:
~2%) compared with the senior swimmers (~1.8%). In comparison to junior swimmers, the
senior swimmers in this study were faster, adopted a more uniform negative split strategy to
pacing within a 200-m effort, and were more consistent in reproducing submaximal and
maximal swimming speeds.
The final study (Chapter 7) analysed the effect of 14-d of intensive training on the
reproducibility of submaximal swimming performance in elite swimmers. Submaximal
physiological and performance testing is widely used in swimming and other individual sports
but the variability in test measures, and the effects of fatigue, during intensive training have
surprisingly not been quantified systematically. Seven elite swimmers (3 male and 4 female)
participated in an intensive 14-d training camp one month prior to the National
championships. The aim of the study was to characterise the intra-session, daily and training
block variability of submaximal swimming time, physiological and stroke characteristics in
elite swimmers. The swimmers performed a specified submaximal 200-m effort in most
sessions, after the warm-up and at the end of the session for both morning and afternoon
sessions. During the efforts, swimming time and stroke mechanics were measured and
physiological measures were recorded immediately on completion. The Traqua was worn by
all swimmers in every training session. Mixed linear modeling was used to provide estimates
of changes in the mean and individual responses (within-athlete variation as a coefficient of
variation) for all measures. The swimmers were moderately slower (1.4%; �1.4%) over the
14-d training camp. The mean submaximal 200-m effort was very likely to be faster (0.7%;
confidence limits �0.7%) in the afternoon compared with the morning session. The females
were more variable in their submaximal performance times (CV=2.6%) than the male
swimmers (1.7%). Blood lactate concentration was almost certainly lower (-23%; �10%)
following higher volume in the previous session; however a higher intensity workout the
previous session almost certainly leads to higher lactate (21%; �15%) in the current session.
Considered together, these results indicate that the 200-m submaximal test is useful in
monitoring submaximal physiological and performance measures and the negative effects of
cumulative fatigue.
In conclusion, changes in the physiological and performance measures derived from the poolbased
progressive incremental step test are moderately correlated with changes in end-ofviii.
season competition performance. The magnitudes of changes and differences in test measures
between phases within a season, from season to season, and between males and females,
established in this study can be applied to similar elite level swimmers preparing for major
competition. The quantification of typical error of the same measures demonstrates that
coaches and scientists can distinguish real and worthwhile improvements using the 7 x 200-m
step test. Continual pool-based monitoring with the automated smart sensor Traqua device
may provide more accurate and detailed information about a swimmer�s training adaptation
than current fitness tests and monitoring methods. Finally, submaximal testing in trained
swimmers is useful in monitoring progress in physiological and performance measures, and
the impact of cumulative fatigue during an intensive period of training. Collectively, the
outcomes of these studies indicate that routine physiological and performance testing can
provide measurable benefits for elite swimmers and their coaches.
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Crossing Boundaries: Suzuki Bokushi (1770-1842) and the Rural Elite of Tokugawa JapanT.Moriyama@murdoch.edu.au, Takeshi Moriyama January 2008 (has links)
This thesis centres on a member of the rural elite, Suzuki Bokushi (1770-1842) of Echigo, and his social environment in Tokugawa Japan (1603-1868). Through a case study of the interaction between one individuals life and his social conditions, the thesis participates in the ongoing scholarly reassessment of Tokugawa society, which had an apparently rigid political and social structure, yet many features that suggest a prototype of modernity. Bokushis life was multifaceted. He was a village administrator, landlord, pawnbroker, poet, painter, and great communicator, with a nation-wide correspondence network that crossed various social classes. His remote location and humble lifestyle notwithstanding, he was eventually able to publish a book about his region, Japans snow country. This thesis argues that Bokushis life epitomises both the potentiality and the restrictions of his historical moment for a well-placed member of the rural elite. An examination of Bokushis life and texts certainly challenges residual notions of the rigidity of social boundaries between the urban and the rural, between social statuses, and between cultural and intellectual communities. But Bokushis own actions and attitudes also show the force of conservative social values in provincial life. His activities were also still restrained by the external environment in terms of geographical remoteness, infrastructural limitation, political restrictions, cultural norms and the exigencies of human relationships. Bokushis life shows that in his day, Tokugawa social frameworks were being shaken and reshaped by peoples new attempts to cross conventional boundaries, within, however, a range of freedom that had both external and internal limits.
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Makten på Öland och i Möre : Järnålderns elit i ett lokalt perspektivKarlsson, Simon January 2008 (has links)
<p>The social elite on Öland and in Möre in the south east of Sweden during the Iron Age is described on the basis of the archaelogical record, such as graves, settlements and traces of pre-Christian central places. The material is discussed to see if traces of an elite are to be found. The power configuration between Öland and Möre is also discussed.</p><p> </p>
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GIS - A Potential Tool for Development in BabatiAndersson Wargert, Gunnar January 2009 (has links)
<p>The Geographical Information System (GIS) is a popular tool among landscape plannersas well as administration departments on both local as well as national level. It is asystem that can store and manipulate spatial data and its potential has increased ascomputers have grown to be more and more sophisticated. However the system is notwithout its controversy. Maps and geographical information has been accused of helpinggovernment maintaining its power thus leading to increased surveillance in society. As arespond to this critique Public Participatory Geographical Information System (PPGIS)was developed. PPGIS quickly grew and has been implemented in a wide variety ofprojects. The purpose of this paper is to explore to what extent these aspect plays a partin the implementation of GIS and PPGIS in Babati, Tanzania. More specifically, couldBabati handle a complex and resource demanding system such as GIS? To clarify howGIS could play a beneficial part in Babati development, a high rate in population growthas well as department clashes will be illustrating examples. In Babati there have beenrepeatedly conflicts between the water department and the Babati town council and someof them are directly related to communication issues. A hypothesis suggests that GIS haspotential in creating cohesion and a communication tool operating through geographicaldata. In generally results show that GIS could lead to better development, but at the sametime risk alienating people from participating in the decision making. Consequently ifGIS would be effective in Babati, it would have to be adapted to the region it is appliedto, funded on the towns’ resources and knowledge. If it does not it risks failing in thelong term as well as not living up to expected standard. PPGIS could possibly avoid someof the issues that might appear when implementing GIS but it is unlikely that it has all theanswers. PPGIS can improve the situation for marginalized people but a societyundemocratic issue is more likely to stem from several of different aspects.</p>
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Análisis descriptivo de la evolución de la élite cruceña en élite regional (periodo 1952 - 2005)Verduguez Linares, René Efrain January 2010 (has links)
Se presenta a continuación la investigación denominada “Análisis Descriptivo de la Evolución de la Élite Cruceña en Élite Política Regional (1952 – 2005)”, misma que pretende clarificar todas las dudas surgidas en base a los grupos de poder del oriente del país, y especialmente del departamento cruceño. El estudio contempla las categorías conceptuales pertinentes para comprender la temática, así como la identificación de un problema de investigación solucionado, provisionalmente, por una hipótesis de trabajo que se someterá a prueba a lo largo del marco práctico a través de sus variables dependiente e independiente. Finalmente, los requisitos metodológicos y las fuentes de información disponibles conforman parte indispensable para lograr los niveles de calidad científica a los que se desean arribar con la temática seleccionada, misma que se encuentra motivada por la imperante necesidad de conocer otra de las facetas de la realidad boliviana
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The relationship of gymnastics participation in childhood and adolescence to skeletal development and maintenanceErlandson, Marta Christine 25 January 2011
Osteoporosis, through its association with age-related fracture, is a major public health concern worldwide. Although osteoporosis was once considered a disease of the elderly, it is now recognized as a condition that has childhood antecedents. The capacity of bone to adapt is the greatest before puberty because of a higher rate of modeling and remodeling. Therefore, the amount of bone gained during childhood and adolescence has the potential to impact lifetime skeletal health. Children who participate in greater amounts of physical activity have greater bone mineral accrual in adolescence as well as a greater peak bone mass in young adulthood. Structured impact loading during growth also positively influences bone parameters. However, the intensity, duration and frequency of loading that is required to elicit skeletal benefits are not well established. Furthermore, although structured physical activity during growth has been hypothesized to delay or prevent the risk of osteoporosis and related fracture later in life there is no clear evidence of a persisting benefit once the loading stimulus has been removed. Therefore, the objective of this thesis was to investigate low-level impact loading during growth and skeletal development as well as to determine the influence of the withdrawal of the loading stimulus on adult bone parameters. Two studies were necessary to realize this objective. The findings should help to determine whether adolescent and adult bone health benefits from structured physical activity during growth. If this is found to be the case then structured gymnastic activity could be promoted as an effective means to optimize adult bone mass, structure and estimated strength.<p>
Study 1: The purpose of study one was to investigate whether the differences previously reported in the skeleton of competitive female gymnasts (high level gymnastics exposure) are also demonstrated in young children with a current or past participation history in recreational or precompetitive gymnastics (low level gymnastics exposure). One hundred and sixty three children (30 gymnasts, 61 ex-gymnasts, and 72 non-gymnasts) between 4 and 6 years of age were recruited and measured annually for four years. Total body (TB), lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) bone mineral content (BMC) was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at each measurement occasion. Bone mass, density, structure and estimated strength was determined using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the radius and tibia during the third measurement occasion. Multilevel random effects models were constructed and used to predict differences in TB, LS and FN BMC between groups while controlling for differences in body size, physical activity and diet. Analysis of covariance (covariates of sex, age and height) was used to investigate differences in bone content, density, area, and estimated strength at the radius and tibia. Gymnasts had 3% more TB and 7% more FN BMC than children participating in other recreational sports at the fourth measurement occasion (p<0.05). Gymnasts were also found have 6-25% greater adjusted BMC, volumetric bone mineral density and estimated strength at the distal radius compared to non-gymnasts (p<0.05). These findings suggest that recreational and precompetitive gymnastics participation (low level gymnastics exposure) is associated with greater bone parameters. This is important as beginner gymnastics skills are attainable by most children and do not require a high level of training. Low-level gymnastics skills can easily be integrated into school physical education programs potentially impacting skeletal health.<p>
Study 2: The purpose of study 2 was to assess whether the previously reported greater bone mineral content in premenarcheal gymnasts was maintained 10 years after the cessation of participation and removal of the gymnastics loading stimulus. In 1995, thirty elite premenarcheal female gymnasts were recruited into a study investigating the role of high impact physical activity on bone mass in childhood and compared to 30 non-gymnasts. In 2009-2010 gymnasts and non-gymnasts (n=60) were re-contacted and 25 retired gymnasts and 22 non-gymnasts consented to participate. Total body, LS, and FN BMC was assessed at both measurement occasions by DXA. Bone geometric and densitometric parameters were measured by pQCT at the radius and tibia in 2009/10. ANCOVA was used to compare gymnasts and non-gymnasts bone parameters while controlling for differences in age, body composition and maturation. Gymnasts had significantly greater size adjusted TB, LS, and FN BMC (15, 17, and 12%, respectively) at 12 years of age (1995) (p<0.05). At follow-up, retired gymnasts also had significantly greater size adjusted TB, LS, and FN BMC (13, 19 and 13%, respectively) (p<0.05). Furthermore, retired female gymnasts had greater bone area, content and estimated strength at the radius and greater BMC and estimated strength at the tibia compared to non-gymnasts (p<0.05). Premenarcheal gymnasts have bone benefits that were apparent in adulthood after long-term removal of the gymnastics loading stimulus. Low level gymnastics exposure was associated with greater bone parameters in childhood. If these benefits can be maintained, as is suggested in retired competitive gymnasts, recreational gymnastics participation has the potential to positively impact lifetime skeletal health.
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