School of Sport, Exercise and Health - Te Kura Hākinakina
Permanent link for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10292/1542
Research in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health covers sport and activity-related areas, as well as performance, nutrition, coaching and human potential. AUT is the home of New Zealand's top sport and fitness facility, AUT Millennium, and the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) is New Zealand’s number one sports research institute.
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Item The Training Intensity Distribution of Marathon Runners Across Performance Levels(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2024-12-01) Muniz-Pumares, Daniel; Hunter, Ben; Meyler, Samuel; Maunder, Ed; Smyth, BarryBackground: The training characteristics and training intensity distribution (TID) of elite athletes have been extensively studied, but a comprehensive analysis of the TID across runners from different performance levels is lacking. Methods: Training sessions from the 16 weeks preceding 151,813 marathons completed by 119,452 runners were analysed. The TID was quantified using a three-zone approach (Z1, Z2 and Z3), where critical speed defined the boundary between Z2 and Z3, and the transition between Z1 and Z2 was assumed to occur at 82.3% of critical speed. Training characteristics and TID were reported based on marathon finish time. Results: Training volume across all runners was 45.1 ± 26.4 km·week⁻¹, but the fastest runners within the dataset (marathon time 120–150 min) accumulated > three times more volume than slower runners. The amount of training time completed in Z2 and Z3 running remained relatively stable across performance levels, but the proportion of Z1 was higher in progressively faster groups. The most common TID approach was pyramidal, adopted by > 80% of runners with the fastest marathon times. There were strong, negative correlations (p < 0.01, R² ≥ 0.90) between marathon time and markers of training volume, and the proportion of training volume completed in Z1. However, the proportions of training completed in Z2 and Z3 were correlated (p < 0.01, R² ≥ 0.85) with slower marathon times. Conclusion: The fastest runners in this dataset featured large training volumes, achieved primarily by increasing training volume in Z1. Marathon runners adopted a pyramidal TID approach, and the prevalence of pyramidal TID increased in the fastest runners.Item Maturation Selection Bias and Injury in a Secondary School Sports Academy(New Zealand Federation of Sports Medicine, 2025-12-22) Cooper, Tom; Whatman, ChrisThe aim of this study was to examine maturation selection bias and injury in a secondary school sports academy. Male students (n=98) from a Boys High School had their anthropometric measurements taken (standing height and weight). Estimated percent of predicted adult height (%PAH) was derived using the Khamis-Roche method. Percent of PAH was used to estimate maturity status and timing. Participants also completed an injury history survey designed to record injuries experienced over the previous three months. Most participants were early maturers (65%, n=64), suggesting a bias towards the selection of more mature players. Late maturers accounted for only 1% (n=1) of players selected. Injury history identified that 60% (n=52) of participants had been injured in the three months prior to data collection but there was no association with maturity status. Increased awareness of the potential for maturity-based selection bias in secondary school team sports is needed.Item Relationship Between Online Coaching Characteristics, Lifter Satisfaction, and Performance in Powerlifters(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2025-04-23) Clarke, Jason; Spence, Alyssa-Joy; Helms, Eric; Cross, MatthewThis study aimed to understand the length, mode, and frequency of online powerlifting (PL) coaching delivery and their relationship with lifter satisfaction (LS) and PL performance. Powerlifters (n = 113) completed a self-reported online survey on their online PL coaching experience. Participants reported a mean PL total of 621 ± 111 kg for men (n = 59) and 382 ± 77 kg for women (n = 54). Coaching relationships, on average, were 21.75 ± 14.5 months long, and mean increases in PL total were 14.6 ± 15.5% (14.01 ± 12.43% and 15.32 ± 18.52% for men and women, respectively). When asked how satisfied lifters were with their coaching experience on a scale of 1–5 (1 = extremely dissatisfied, 5 = extremely satisfied), most lifters reported either 4 (n = 63) or 5 (n = 42). Using regression analysis, no significant relationship between mode or frequency of communication and LS or change in PL total was observed. There was a positive relationship between longer coach-lifter relationships and greater increases in PL total (p < 0.001). Higher coach education was associated with increases in PL total (p = 0.024), although its relationship with satisfaction was inconsistent (positive for lower values and negative for higher, p < 0.005). Together, these results suggest a temporal component to the effectiveness of powerlifting coaching and a potentially positive association between a degree of formal education and key outcomes. Alongside these analyses, these data help create an understanding of current online PL coaching practices.Item Exploring Exercise Specificity in Powerlifting: A Survey of Powerlifters' Training Practices and Demographic Influences(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2025-10-31) Amdi, Christian H; Spence, Alyssa-Joy; Helms, Eric R; McGuigan, Michael RThis study aimed to examine powerlifters' training practices related to exercise specificity. A total of 548 powerlifters responded to an anonymous online survey, with 401 completing all questions. On average, lifters trained 4.25 times per week and performed the competition-style squat, bench press, and deadlift 1.64, 2.48, and 1.37 times per week, respectively-typically using 1-7 repetitions at ratings of perceived exertion (RPEs) of 6-10. Almost all lifters (>97.5%) incorporated varied practice, including barbell variations (squat: 1.50×, bench press: 2.14×, deadlift: 1.26×) and accessory exercises (squat: 1.73×, bench press: 2.46×, deadlift: 1.72× per week). These were generally performed with 4-7 repetitions at RPE 6-8.5 for variations, and ≥8 repetitions at RPE 6-10 for accessories. The most common barbell variations involved slower eccentric phases, added or prolonged pauses in the bottom position, among others. Most lifters modified how they programmed (i.e., volume, frequency, relative-load, or RPEs) the competition lifts (88.2%), barbell variations (71.7%), and accessory exercises (62.3%) as competition approached, whereas 35.1-45.7% changed exercise selection depending on competition proximity. However, 49.0-58.7% maintained consistent exercise selection throughout competition periods. These programming decisions were influenced by athlete characteristics such as gender, use of supportive equipment, age, weight class, relative strength, and training status. Collectively, these findings indicate that varied practice is common in powerlifting.Item Does Specialisation Impact Sprint and Change of Direction Performance in Youth Football Players?(International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association, 2026-01-23) Zoellner, Anja; Read, Paul; Whatman, Chris; Sheerin, KellyPurpose: Specialisation in youth football is common, often with the goal of heightened sporting success later in life. The purpose of this study was to investigate if sprint and change of direction (COD) performance differs between specialised and diversified youth football players. Methods: Twenty male football players (age: 15.9 ±1.1 years), grouped as specialised (n=11) or diversified (n=9), were compared in 30m sprint and 5-0-5 COD tasks. In the sprint, 10m and 30m completion time and force-velocity profiles were examined. COD performance was assessed using total time, COD deficit, and 2-dimensional video to determine if participants used backward trunk inclination and heel strike during their penultimate foot contact. Linear mixed models and Chi-square analyses were used to compare groups with significance set at p ≤0.05. Results: Sprint and COD performance did not differ between groups (p >0.05). Significantly greater COD asymmetries were seen in the specialised group (9%) compared to the diversified group (4%). While not significantly different, effect sizes suggest potential differences in task completion strategy were observed based on force-velocity profiles during sprints. Conclusions: These results suggest a specialised pathway does not lead to improved performance in sprint or COD in youth football players, but it may lead to differences in the strategy used to perform these tasks.Item Beyond the Frontline: Exploring Indirect Trauma and Organisational Stress in Emergency Communication Centre Employees(New Zealand Psychological Society Inc., 2026-01-31) Campbell, Jessica L; Mackay, Lisa; Darby, Josh; Scholfield, GraantEmergency communication centre employees are indirectly exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs), yet research on their mental health is limited. This national census survey (73.4% response rate, n=58) examines symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and PTSD (SPRINT) among Fire and Emergency New Zealand personnel. It also explores PPTE exposure, organisational stressors, employee experiences, and coping mechanisms (AUDIT-C, emotional numbing scale) using mixed methods. Results show 64% screened positive for at least one mental disorder, with high rates of emotional numbing (31%) and hazardous alcohol use (51%). Qualitative analysis, including interviews and open-text survey responses, highlights stressors such as inadequate staffing, excessive workload, and lack of support. As the first dedicated study on this group in New Zealand, findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions.Item Measuring Experienced Wellbeing: Two Methods for Smartphone-based Ecological Momentary Assessment(International Journal of Wellbeing, 2026-01-12) Smith, Conal; Cross, Matt; Duncan, Scott; Grimes, Arthur; Howden-Chapman, Philippa; Le Gros, Lydia; Logan, Amber; MacKay, Lisa; McPhee, Julia; Murphy, Kate; Narayanan, Anantha; Penny, Guy; Pierse, Nevil; Stewart, TomSince 2010 the widespread availability of smartphones has lowered barriers to collecting experienced wellbeing (EWB) data through ecological momentary assessment (EMA). This paper reports on two New Zealand studies that explore the impact of social context, activity, and the diurnal cycle on the EWB of social housing tenants. The two studies adopt different approaches to implementing EMA via a smartphone. The first uses a smartphone app to collect information on EWB, while the second adopts an instant messaging approach. Despite differences in the EMA approach used and sample characteristics, both studies produce very similar results. Social contact is associated with higher experienced wellbeing, as is travelling when compared to other activities. Both studies also effectively replicate findings from the wider literature on the relationship between the diurnal cycle and experienced happiness. Because the studies both took place in New Zealand in the second half of 2023 and focus on similar target populations, a comparison between them has useful lessons for the impact of the different approaches to EMA on data collection. We find that the instant messaging approach achieved better compliance with the EMA protocol, suggesting that the familiarity of instant messaging may be beneficial for data quality for some respondents. However, the instant messaging approach requires more researcher time per interview and cannot collect GPS information on the respondent’s location, sacrificing a major strength of EMA measures.Item Effects of Repeated Forward Versus Repeated Backward Sprint Training on Physical Fitness Measures in Youth Male Basketball Players(MDPI AG, 2026-01-04) Arbi, Ghofrane; Negra, Yassine; Uthoff, Aaron; Sammoud, Senda; Müller, Patrick; Chaabene, Helmi; Hachana, YounesThis study aimed to examine the effects of eight weeks of repeated backward sprint training (RBST) versus repeated forward sprint training (RFST) on physical fitness measures. Twenty-three postpubertal male basketball players (mean age = 15 years) were randomly assigned to either an RBST group (n = 12) or an RFST group (n = 11). Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured 5-, 10-, and 20 m sprint performance, Y-agility, 505 change of direction (CoD) speed, countermovement jump (CMJ), standing long jump (SLJ), and RSA (RSA best time [RSAbest] and RSA mean time [RSAmean]). The RBST group significantly improved in all measures (p < 0.05; 6.11 to 19.25%; Effect size [ES] = 0.32 to 1.05) except RSAbest. The RFST group significantly improved 10 m sprint, SLJ, RSAbest, and RSAmean (p < 0.05; 6.25 to 17.84%; ES = 0.05 to 0.80). Between-group analysis revealed that RBST outperformed RFST in Y-agility and SLJ (p < 0.05; ES = −1.03 and 0.16, respectively). RBST was more effective for improving agility and lower-body power, while RFST provided a slight advantage in peak RSA. These findings suggest that incorporating task-specific sprint training may optimize physical performance in male youth basketball players.Item Biological Sex Differences in Fatigue in Resistance-trained Individuals: A Scoping Review(Georg Thieme Verlag KG, 2025-05-15) Amdi, Christian; Fyfe, J; Yoon, SangHoon; Nuckols, G; Refalo, MFemales may experience less neuromuscular fatigue and improved recovery following resistance training than males; however, it is unclear whether this applies to resistance-trained individuals. A systematic scoping review was performed to map the evidence on sex differences in fatigue during and following resistance training in trained participants. PubMed, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus were searched following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The protocol was prospectively registered. Of the 4,020 identified articles, 34 were included. These studies assessed sex differences in fatigue using various measures during single and multiple resistance training sets, performance relative to the baseline at various time points (0-5 min, 1-6 h, 24 h, and 48-96 h after resistance training), and metabolic responses. Substantial heterogeneity in study design and results were observed. Together, most studies found minor-to-no sex differences in neuromuscular fatigue, but some evidence of greater fatigability in males during or immediately following resistance training were found when (1) more complex free-weight exercises were performed with moderate loads, (2) rest periods were shorter, and (3) males were substantially stronger than females in relative terms, among others. Future investigations should explore the impact of training variables and habitual training on fatigue in males and females of comparable relative strength and technical proficiency.Item Head Impact Exposure in Junior and Adult Australian Football Players(Wiley, 2018-04-01) Hecimovich, Mark; King, Doug; Dempsey, Alasdair; Murphy, MylesThis study measured and compared the frequency, magnitude, and distribution of head impacts sustained by junior and adult Australian football players, respectively, and between player positions over a season of games. Twelve junior and twelve adult players were tracked using a skin-mounted impact sensor. Head impact exposure, including frequency, magnitude, and location of impacts, was quantified using previously established methods. Over the collection period, there were no significant differences in the impact frequency between junior and adult players. However, there was a significant increase in the frequency of head impacts for midfielders in both grades once we accounted for player position. A comparable amount of head impacts in both junior and adult players has implications for Australian football regarding player safety and medical coverage as younger players sustained similar impact levels as adult players. The other implication of a higher impact profile within midfielders is that, by targeting education and prevention strategies, a decrease in the incidence of sports-related concussion may result.Item Assessment of Somatosensory and Motor Processing Time in Retired Athletes with a History of Repeated Head Trauma(MDPI AG, 2022-12-02) Pearce, AJ; King, Doug; Kidgell, DJ; Frazer, AK; Tommerdahl, M; Suter, CMMeasurement of the adverse outcomes of repeated head trauma in athletes is often achieved using tests where the comparator is ‘accuracy’. While it is expected that ex-athletes would perform worse than controls, previous studies have shown inconsistent results. Here we have attempted to address these inconsistencies from a different perspective by quantifying not only accuracy, but also motor response times. Age-matched control subjects who have never experienced head trauma (n = 20; 41.8 ± 14.4 years) where compared to two cohorts of retired contact sport athletes with a history of head trauma/concussions; one with self-reported concerns (n = 36; 45.4 ± 12.6 years), and another with no ongoing concerns (n = 19; 43.1 ± 13.5 years). Participants performed cognitive (Cogstate) and somatosensory (Cortical Metrics) testing with accuracy and motor times recorded. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) investigated corticospinal conduction and excitability. Results showed that there was little difference between groups in accuracy scores. Conversely, motor times in all but one test revealed that ex-athletes with self-reported concerns were significantly slower compared to other groups (p ranges 0.031 to <0.001). TMS latency showed significantly increased time (p = 0.008) in the group with ongoing concerns. These findings suggest that incorporating motor times is more informative than considering accuracy scores alone.Item Long-Term Cumulative Effects of Repeated Concussions in Cyclists: A Neurophysiological and Sensorimotor Study(MDPI AG, 2025-10-22) Pearce, Alan J; King, DougObjectives: Sports-related concussion (SRC) is mostly associated with contact and combat sports. However, emerging evidence suggest that cyclists are also at risk of repeated concussion injury. Moreover, long-term neurophysiological outcomes in cycling cohorts remain underexplored. This novel study investigated the long-term effect of repetitive concussions in cyclists. Road, mountain biking (MTB), and BMX riders with a history of concussions and self-reported persistent symptoms were assess for neurophysiology and cognitive-motor performance compared to previously concussed cyclists with no ongoing symptoms. Both groups were compared to age-matched with controls. Methods: Using a cross-sectional between-group design, 25 cyclists with a history of concussions (15 symptomatic, 10 asymptomatic) and 20 controls completed symptom reporting, cognitive and balance assessments (SCAT5), sensorimotor testing using vibrotactile stimulation, and neurophysiological assessments via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Results: Symptomatic cyclists reported a higher number of concussions compared to asymptomatic cyclists (p = 0.041). Cognitive testing revealed large effects (d > 1.0), with impaired concentration in symptomatic cyclists compared to controls (p = 0.005). Motor assessments demonstrated large effects (d > 1.0), with slower tandem gait times (p < 0.001) and greater errors (p = 0.02) in the symptomatic group. Sensorimotor testing indicated slowed simple reaction times (p = 0.001) and poorer temporal order judgement (p = 0.038). TMS showed large effects (d > 1.0) in increased cortical inhibition in the symptomatic group, with prolong cortical silent periods (p < 0.05) and large effects (d > 1.0), and reduced short interval intracortical inhibition (p = 0.001) compared to asymptomatic cyclists and controls. Conclusions: Cyclists reporting persistent symptoms showed greater cortical inhibition and impaired cognitive-motor performance, consistent with findings in contact sport athletes. These results suggest that repeated concussions in cycling carry risk of chronic neurophysiological alterations. Cycling disciplines should consider more rigorous concussion identification protocols and stricter management strategies to mitigate persistent and long-term consequences.Item We Carry Home With Us: Pacific Athlete Migration(Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Library, 2025-08-31) Enari, Dion; Wright, Richard; Fox, LeviGlobalisation is not a recent phenomenon, nor does it occur evenly or in a vacuum. Western Scholars have traced the origins of sport-related globalisation back to the 1870s. Interestingly, Pacific migration had long occurred before the arrival of missionaries to the islands. As a result, Pacific diaspora communities can be seen around the world as they establish their families globally. Now, Pacific migration is more complex than one-way migration from the islands to countries like New Zealand and Australia, where many people migrate back and forth to the islands and other countries. This article explores Pacific notions of migration and how this informs Pacific athlete behaviour. Through understanding this phenomenon from a Pacific standpoint, we can identify how sport organisations can be more inclusive. This article aims to inform policies, rules, and regulations in the fields of sports and migration by highlighting how Pacific athletes carry their cultural identity and traditions in a contemporary, globalised sporting era.Item The Impact of Digital Technologies on Children and Adolescents in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Case for the Development of Best-Practice Recommendations for Schools(University of Waikato, 2025-10-13) Cullen, J; Marsh, S; Simmonds, L; Duncan, ScottThe use of digital technologies is increasing in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) schools to support future-focused learning and allow students to gain 21st century skills that can enable them to participate and thrive in a digital future. NZ students have among the highest use of digital technologies in the world, and digital devices present both opportunities and risks to educational outcomes and health/well-being. Pragmatic guidelines have been developed internationally to support the safer use of digital technologies in education settings, and a review was carried out to examine the need for such guidance in a NZ context. While studies present mixed results, emerging evidence from analysis of international and national standardised assessments indicates that the impact of digital technologies on learning outcomes is not neutral, and while some use can benefit learning, frequent use has been associated with reduced learning outcomes. Conditions and context of use seem important, including factors such as task selection, length of use, and whether device use is teacher-led or independent. Further research is needed to better understand the most effective ways to use digital technologies for learning. Additionally, emerging evidence highlights numerous negative health impacts that are associated with frequent and extended use of digital devices. Informed recommendations for the use of digital technologies in NZ schools may allow students to get the best that digital technologies can offer to learning, with lower risk.Item Carbohydrate Reduction and a Holistic Model of Care in Diabetes Management: Insights from a Retrospective Multi-Year Audit in New Zealand(MDPI AG, 2025-12-17) Zinn, C; Campbell, JL; Fraser, L; Davies, G; Hawkins, M; Currie, O; Cannons, J; Unwin, D; Crofts, C; Stewart, T; Schofield, GBackground/Objectives: The global epidemic of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a critical public health issue, particularly in New Zealand, where prevalence rates are high, especially among Māori and Pacific people. Recent research indicates that dietary interventions, particularly carbohydrate reduction, can lead to the remission or reversal of T2D. However, little is known about how such approaches perform when implemented in routine New Zealand primary care, particularly within high-risk and underserved populations. This study aimed to evaluate changes in HbA1c, diabetes status, and cardiometabolic outcomes among adults with prediabetes and T2D engaged in such a model of care. Methods: This study reports findings from a retrospective, observational, real-world, multi-site clinical audit (service evaluation) of a holistic model of care implemented in three primary care practices in New Zealand. The model of care is characterised by a three-pronged approach: whole food, carbohydrate reduction; a health-coach, behaviour-change-based delivery approach; and community- or peer-based initiatives. Audit data from 106 patients with prediabetes (PD) and T2D were analysed (median follow-up 19 months; IQR 6–32) to assess changes in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, diabetes status, and cardiometabolic outcomes. Results: We observed an overall reduction in HbA1c (median change −3 mmol/mol (IQR: −7 to 3), p = 0.004), with 32% of patients with T2D at baseline achieving reversal and 44% of those with PD attaining normoglycaemia at final follow-up. Weight loss was associated with greater HbA1c reduction (0.56 mmol/mol decrease per kg lost) and additional improvements seen in lowered alanine aminotransferase (ALT). HDL cholesterol showed a small decline (r = 0.31), and triglycerides and blood pressure showed no significant change, indicating that these measures remained broadly stable over the evaluation period. Conclusions: Given the retrospective and uncontrolled audit design, findings should be interpreted with appropriate caution. However, the consistent improvements observed across multiple practices suggest that carbohydrate-reduction strategies within holistic models of care can meaningfully improve diabetes outcomes in real-world primary care settings. Future research should evaluate longer-term sustainability, implementation fidelity, and the applicability of this model at scale, particularly for Māori and Pacific communities.Item Understanding Gameplay Acceleration Ability, Using Static Start Assessments: Have We Got It Right?(MDPI AG, 2026-01-04) Pryer, Mark E; Cronin, John; Neville, Jonathon; Mascioli, Nick; Slocum, Chris; Barger, Sean; Uthoff, AaronBackground/Objectives: Despite athletes initiating sprints from dynamic starts during gameplay, sprint performance is traditionally measured from a static position. This article aimed to determine whether static start or “pickup” acceleration are related or relatively independent motor qualities by assessing their relationship and examining how athletes’ rank order changes between static and pickup conditions. Methods: Thirty-one male athletes (20.3 ± 5.3 years) completed two 30 m sprints from a static start and two 30 m pickup accelerations following 20 m paced entries at 1.5 and 3.0 m/s−1, regulated by an LED system. Peak acceleration (amax) was measured via a horizontal linear position encoder (LPE; 1080 Sprint). Results: The shared variance between amax from the static and pickup starts was R2 = 11.6–39.6%, indicating, for the most part, a great amount of unexplained variance. The shared variance between pickup acceleration entry velocities was R2 = 16.8%. A visual analysis of an individualized rank-order table confirmed that, for the most part, the fastest static-start athletes differed from the fastest pickup athletes. Conclusions: In summary, static and pickup acceleration appear to be distinct motor abilities, most likely requiring a paradigm shift in strength and conditioning practices for acceleration assessment and development.Item Prediabetes is Pre-Nothing: Call It Early Type 2 Diabetes [Editorial](AOSIS, 2025-11-19) Zinn, CarynItem Does Early Specialisation Improve Drop Jump and Y-balance Performance in Junior Football Players?(Sport and Exercise Science New Zealand, 2025-12-15) Zoellner, Anja; Whatman, Chris; Read, Paul; Sheerin, KellySport specialisation has been defined as the intense involvement in a single sport to the exclusion of all other sports. Previous research has raised questions about potential negative consequences of specialising at a young age. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in drop jump and y-balance performance in junior football players based on level of specialisation. This was a cross-sectional observational study involving 35 male footballers aged 10.2 ± 1.1 years. Participants were grouped as high, moderate, and low specialised. Level of specialisation was determined using a survey on their sports participation history. Tests included anterior Y-balance test and drop jumps assessed using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS). Between-group differences were analysed using one-way analysis of variance and chi-squared analysis with an a priori statistical significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Hedge’s g effect sizes were reported for all results. High specialised players displayed greater left leg relative reach than moderate (mean diff = 10.9% LL; 95% CI [2.2, 19.6]; p = 0.013; Hedge’s g = 0.78) but not low (mean diff = 5.0% LL; 95% CI[-4.0, 14.1]; p = 0.218; Hedge’s g = 0.39) specialised players. No other significant differences were observed in Y-balance performance. High specialised players displayed fewer LESS errors than moderate (mean diff = 2.75 errors; 95% CI [0.05, 5.48]; p = 0.009; Hedge’s g = -0.90), but not low (mean diff = 2.20 errors; 95% CI [-5.05, 0.65]; p = 0.101; Hedge’s g = -0.57) specialised players. ‘Knee flexion displacement’ was the only LESS criterion that differed significantly between groups, with errors more common in moderately specialised players (n = 9) than both high (n = 0) and low (n = 5) specialised players (p = 0.003). These results suggest early specialised junior football players may perform better in the drop jump and y-balance tests than their less specialised counterparts. Results suggest all players may benefit from participation in injury prevention programmes such as the FIFA 11+, in particular moderately specialised players.Item Internationally Validated Open Access Indicators of Large Public Urban Green Space for Healthy and Sustainable Cities(Wiley, 2025-09-15) Turner, R; Higgs, C; Heikinheimo, V; Hunter, R; Vargas, JCB; Liu, S; Resendiz, E; Boeing, G; Adlakha, D; Schifanella, R; Rosa, GL; Pugacheva, D; Chen, R; Poor, MB; Molina-García, J; Queralt, A; Puig-Ribera, A; del Pozo, PS; Garza, C; Valson, J; Salvo, D; Cerin, E; Hinckson, E; Lowe, MLarge public urban green spaces (LPUGS) provide multiple health and environmental co-benefits by mitigating urban heat, improving air quality and biodiversity, and promoting physical activity, social interactions, and mental wellbeing. There is a lack of accessible, evidence-informed, and internationally validated LPUGS indicators to assist with benchmarking and monitoring progress toward healthy and sustainable cities globally. This study developed and validated internationally applicable spatial indicators of LPUGS availability and accessibility that are directly relevant to health and sustainability outcomes. For 13 cities across 10 middle- to high-income countries, we identified LPUGS ≥ 1 ha by fusing OpenStreetMap and satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data, and estimated residents' access within 500 m pedestrian network distance. We conducted a two-step validation process with local collaborators in each city. Our indicator methods identified LPUGS with greater than 80% accuracy for 12 of the 13 cities, and comparisons against official local reference data for four cities further demonstrated validity. While some open data limitations were identified, the indicators address critical gaps in existing methods by enabling standardized and comparable measurement of LPUGS in diverse cities internationally. Our customizable open-source global indicator tools can inform evidence-based green space planning for urban health and sustainability.Item The Effect of Eccentric Phase Duration on Maximal Strength, Muscle Hypertrophy and Countermovement Jump Height: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis(Taylor and Francis Group, 2025-07-21) Amdi, Christian Houmann; King, AndrewThe duration of the eccentric phase may affect resistance training (RT) adaptations, with narrative reviews yielding equivocal conclusions. Thus, five databases were searched following Cochrane and PRISMA-guidelines, to compare RT outcomes following shorter (SEG) and longer (LEG) eccentric phase durations. A prospectively registered (https://osf.io/s6uqn/) random-effects multi-level meta-analysis with robust variance estimation was performed for strength, hypertrophy and countermovement jump height (CMJ), with results interpreted relative to a region of practical equivalence. Evidence quality was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 and GRADE criteria. Nine studies involving 166 participants (46% trained, 77% male) were included. SEG enhanced CMJ by a practically worthwhile degree with moderate certainty (Hedge's g = -0.73 [90% CI = -1.34, -0.12; 90% PI = -1.34, -0.12]), while uncertain estimates were observed for maximal strength (g = 0.25 [90% CI = -0.17, 0.67; 90% PI = -0.86, 1.36]) and muscle hypertrophy (g = 0.05 [90% CI = -0.22, 0.33; 90% PI = -0.54, 0.64]). LEG led to practically equivalent or enhanced strength gains, compared to SEG, in trained participants (g = 0.33 [90% CI = 0.07, 0.60; 90% PI = 0.07, 0.60]) and volume-load matched trials (g = 0.25 [90% CI = 0.04, 0.45; 90% PI = 0.04, 0.45]) with moderate certainty in subgroup analyses. Therefore, SEG enhance CMJ, while LEG may cause similar or higher strength increases in trained participants and volume-load matched conditions. However, more research is needed.