School of Sport and Recreation - Te Kura Hākinakina
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Research in the School of Sport and Recreation 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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- ItemComposite Activity Type and Stride-Specific Energy Expenditure Estimation Model for Thigh-Worn Accelerometry(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2024-09-10) Lendt, Claas; Hansen, Niklas; Froböse, Ingo; Stewart, TomBackground Accurately measuring energy expenditure during physical activity outside of the laboratory is challenging, especially on a large scale. Thigh-worn accelerometers have gained popularity due to the possibility to accurately detect physical activity types. The use of machine learning techniques for activity classification and energy expenditure prediction may improve accuracy over current methods. Here, we developed a novel composite energy expenditure estimation model by combining an activity classification model with a stride specific energy expenditure model for walking, running, and cycling. Methods We first trained a supervised deep learning activity classification model using pooled data from available adult accelerometer datasets. The composite energy expenditure model was then developed and validated using additional data based on a sample of 69 healthy adult participants (49% female; age = 25.2 ± 5.8 years) who completed a standardised activity protocol with indirect calorimetry as the reference measure. Results The activity classification model showed an overall accuracy of 99.7% across all five activity types during validation. The composite model for estimating energy expenditure achieved a mean absolute percentage error of 10.9%. For running, walking, and cycling, the composite model achieved a mean absolute percentage error of 6.6%, 7.9% and 16.1%, respectively. Conclusions The integration of thigh-worn accelerometers with machine learning models provides a highly accurate method for classifying physical activity types and estimating energy expenditure. Our novel composite model approach improves the accuracy of energy expenditure measurements and supports better monitoring and assessment methods in non-laboratory settings.
- ItemThe Concurrent Validity of a Portable Ultrasound Probe for Muscle Thickness Measurements in Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging(2024-09-08) Homer, Kai; Cross, Matthew; Jukic, IvanUltrasound imaging is extensively used by both practitioners and researchers in assessing muscle thickness (MT); however, its use in the field is constrained by the transportability of stationary devices. New portable ultrasound probes pose as a cost-effective and transportable alternative for field-based assessments. This study evaluated the concurrent validity of a portable probe (Lumify) against a laboratory-based device (Vivid S5) in measuring MT. Eighteen participants (nine males and nine females) visited the laboratory and their MT measurements were collected using each device at five different sites (anterior and posterior arm, anterior and posterior thigh, and posterior lower leg). Bland-Altman plots (systematic and proportional bias, random error, and 95% limits of agreement), Pearson's product–moment correlation coefficient (r), and paired samples t-tests with Cohen's d effect sizes (ES) were used to assess the concurrent validity of the Lumify device. Systematic bias was low at all sites ( ≤ 0.11 cm) while proportional bias was detected only at the posterior lower leg (r2 = 0.217 [r = 0.466]). The difference in MT between devices was significant only at the anterior thigh (p < 0.05); however, ES for all sites were considered trivial (ES ≤ 0.131). Linear associations were found between the devices at each site of measurement (r ≥ 0.95). These results highlight that the Lumify probe can be used interchangeably with the Vivid S5 for MT measurements, providing practitioners and researchers with a more cost-effective and portable alternative for field-based assessments.
- ItemConcussion-Related Biomarker Variations in Retired Rugby Players and Implications for Neurodegenerative Disease Risk: The UK Rugby Health Study(MDPI AG, 2024-07-17) Alanazi, N; Fitzgerald, M; Hume, P; Hellewell, S; Horncastle, A; Anyaegbu, C; Papini, MG; Hargreaves, N; Halicki, M; Entwistle, I; Hind, K; Chazot, PThe health and well-being of retired rugby union and league players, particularly regarding the long-term effects of concussions, are of major concern. Concussion has been identified as a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), in athletes engaged in contact sports. This study aimed to assess differences in specific biomarkers between UK-based retired rugby players with a history of concussion and a non-contact sports group, focusing on biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s, ALS, and CTE. We randomly selected a sample of male retired rugby or non-contact sport athletes (n = 56). The mean age was 41.84 ± 6.44, and the mean years since retirement from the sport was 7.76 ± 6.69 for participants with a history of substantial concussions (>5 concussions in their career) (n = 30). The mean age was 45.75 ± 11.52, and the mean years since retirement was 6.75 ± 4.64 for the healthy controls (n = 26). Serum biomarkers (t-tau, RBP-4, SAA, Nf-L, and retinol), plasma cytokines, and biomarkers associated with serum-derived exosomes (Aβ42, p-tau181, p-tau217, and p-tau231) were analyzed using validated commercial ELISA assays. The results of the selected biomarkers were compared between the two groups. Biomarkers including t-tau and p-tau181 were significantly elevated in the history of the substantial concussion group compared to the non-contact sports group (t-tau: p < 0.01; p-tau181: p < 0.05). Although between-group differences in p-tau217, p-tau231, SAA, Nf-L, retinol, and Aβ42 were not significantly different, there was a trend for higher levels of Aβ42, p-tau217, and p-tau231 in the concussed group. Interestingly, the serum-derived exosome sizes were significantly larger (p < 0.01), and serum RBP-4 levels were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the highly concussed group. These findings indicate that retired athletes with a history of multiple concussions during their careers have altered serum measurements of exosome size, t-tau, p-tau181, and RBP-4. These biomarkers should be explored further for the prediction of future neurodegenerative outcomes, including ALS, in those with a history of concussion.
- ItemPacific Youth Well Being: Diaspora Perspectives(Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, 2024-08-04) Enari, DionPacific youth in diaspora have faced many well-being challenges. This group has had to navigate the tensions between holding on to their Pacific values and participating in Western society, which at times can be contradictory. As this group comes of age in their host country, their well-being becomes ever more important. In this article, we explore the well-being journey of this cohort and their stories of resilience. We show how these groups have been able to use their Pacific culture(s) as a form of positive well-being. Through the sharing of Pacific youth experiences, by two Pacific researchers, we provide an insider’s perspective on how our youth have been able to positively navigate their respective host countries with a positive connection to their Pacific culture(s). As members of our communities, we highlight the importance of Pacific culture(s) among this cohort, in the hope that it will better inform government and non-government initiatives.
- ItemDevelopment and Evaluation of the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation to Deliver Physical Activity in School Scale (COM-PASS)(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2024-08-26) Verdonschot, A; Beauchamp, MR; Brusseau, TA; Chinapaw, MJM; Christiansen, LB; Daly-Smith, A; Eather, N; Fairclough, SJ; Faulkner, G; Foweather, L; García-Hermoso, A; Ha, AS; Harris, N; Jaakkola, T; Jago, R; Kennedy, SG; Lander, NJ; Lonsdale, C; Manios, Y; Mazzoli, E; Murtagh, E; Nathan, N; Naylor, PJ; Noetel, M; O’Keeffe, B; Resaland, GK; Ridgers, ND; Ridley, K; Riley, N; Rosenkranz, RR; Rosenkranz, SK; Sääkslahti, A; Sczygiol, SM; Skovgaard, T; van Sluijs, EMF; Smith, JJ; Smith, M; Stratton, G; Vidal-Conti, J; Webster, CA; Young, ES; Lubans, DRBackground: Teachers are recognized as ‘key agents’ for the delivery of physical activity programs and policies in schools. The aim of our study was to develop and evaluate a tool to assess teachers’ capability, opportunity, and motivation to deliver school-based physical activity interventions. Methods: The development and evaluation of the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation to deliver Physical Activity in School Scale (COM-PASS) involved three phases. In Phase 1, we invited academic experts to participate in a Delphi study to rate, provide recommendations, and achieve consensus on questionnaire items that were based on the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Behavior (COM-B) model. Each item was ranked on the degree to which it matched the content of the COM-B model, using a 5-point scale ranging from ‘1 = Poor match’ to ‘5 = Excellent match’. In Phase 2, we interviewed primary and secondary school teachers using a ‘think-aloud’ approach to assess their understanding of the items. In Phase 3, teachers (n = 196) completed the COM-PASS to assess structural validity using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: Thirty-eight academic experts from 14 countries completed three rounds of the Delphi study. In the first round, items had an average rating score of 4.04, in the second round 4.51, and in the third (final) round 4.78. The final tool included 14 items, which related to the six constructs of the COM-B model: physical capability, psychological capability, physical opportunity, social opportunity, reflective motivation, and automatic motivation. In Phase 2, ten teachers shared their interpretation of COM-PASS via a 20-min interview, which resulted in minor changes. In Phase 3, CFA of the 3-factor model (i.e., capability, opportunity, and motivation) revealed an adequate fit to the data (χ2 = 122.6, p <.001, CFI =.945, TLI =.924, RMSEA =.066). The internal consistencies of the three subscale scores were acceptable (i.e., capability: α =.75, opportunity: α =.75, motivation: α =.81). Conclusion: COM-PASS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing teachers’ capability, opportunity, and motivation to deliver physical activity interventions in schools. Further studies examining additional psychometric properties of the COM-PASS are warranted.