Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Results Of The Compare Trial Of Constraint-Induced Or Multimodality Aphasia Therapy Compared With Usual Care In Chronic Post-Stroke Aphasia, Miranda L. Rose, Lyndsey Nickels, David Copland, Leanne Togher, Erin Godecke, Marcus Meinzer, Tapan Rai, Dominique A. Cadilhac, Joosup Kim, Melanie Hurley, Abby Foster, Marcella Carragher, Cassie Wilcox, John E. Pierce, Gillian Steel

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background:

While meta-analyses confirm treatment for chronic post-stroke aphasia is effective, a lack of comparative evidence for different interventions limits prescription accuracy. We investigated whether Constraint-Induced Aphasia Therapy Plus (CIAT-plus) and/or Multimodality Aphasia Therapy (M-MAT) provided greater therapeutic benefit compared with usual community care and were differentially effective according to baseline aphasia severity.

Methods:

We conducted a three-arm, multicentre, parallel group, open-label, blinded endpoint, phase III, randomised-controlled trial. We stratified eligible participants by baseline aphasia on the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised Aphasia Quotient (WAB-R-AQ). Groups of three participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to 30 hours of CIAT-Plus or M-MAT or to …

A Most Unusual Tail: Scoliosis In A Wild Australian Skink, And Reported Incidences And Suggested Causes Of Similar Malformations Amongst Squamates, Philip W. Bateman, Robyn Benken, Ryan Glowacki, Robert A. Davis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Malformations of vertebrae potentially occur across many taxa, particularly in Testudines, which are susceptible to kyphosis (dorsoventral curvature of the spine). Such malformations may stem from either genetic or environmental origins, and their prevalence and associated impacts on survival remain poorly understood. However, scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine) is rarely reported and especially so in wild lizards. We report here on the first known case of scoliosis in a wild Australian lizard, the skink Ctenotus fallens, from Perth, Western Australia. This occurrence is the first of 805 individuals captured in a natural population monitored annually for the past 11 …

Dietary Iron And The Elite Dancer, Caitlin Attwell, Cory Dugan, Alannah K. A. Mckay, Joanna Nicholas, Luke Hopper, Peter Peeling

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Dancers are an athlete population at high risk of developing iron deficiency (ID). The aesthetic nature of the discipline means dancers potentially utilise dietary restriction to meet physique goals. In combination with high training demands, this means dancers are susceptible to problems related to low energy availability (LEA), which impacts nutrient intake. In the presence of LEA, ID is common because of a reduced mineral content within the low energy diet. Left untreated, ID becomes an issue that results in fatigue, reduced aerobic work capacity, and ultimately, iron deficient anaemia (IDA). Such progression can be detrimental to a dancer’s capacity …

Bullied Because Of Their Teeth: Evidence From A Longitudinal Study On The Impact Of Oral Health On Bullying Victimization Among Australian Indigenous Children, Md Irteja Islam, Verity Chadwick, Tuguy Esgin, Alexandra Martiniuk

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Making life better for Indigenous peoples is a global priority. Although bullying and oral health have always been a topic of concern, there is limited information regarding the impact of this problem on the general population, with no evidence in this regard among the Australian Indigenous population. Thus, we aimed to quantify the relationship between bullying victimization and oral health problems by remoteness among 766 Australian Indigenous children aged between 10–15-years using data from the LSIC study. Bivariate and multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression analyses were employed. Findings indicated children self-reported bullying more than parents reported their children were being bullied …

Novel Deep Learning Approach To Model And Predict The Spread Of Covid-19, Devante Ayris, Maleeha Imtiaz, Kye Horbury, Blake Williams, Mitchell Blackney, Celine Shi Hui See, Syed Afaq Ali Shah

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

SARS-CoV2, which causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is continuing to spread globally, producing new variants and has become a pandemic. People have lost their lives not only due to the virus but also because of the lack of counter measures in place. Given the increasing caseload and uncertainty of spread, there is an urgent need to develop robust artificial intelligence techniques to predict the spread of COVID-19. In this paper, we propose a deep learning technique, called Deep Sequential Prediction Model (DSPM) and machine learning based Non-parametric Regression Model (NRM) to predict the spread of COVID-19. Our proposed models are trained …

Shorter Constant Work Rate Cycling Tests As Proxies For Longer Tests In Highly Trained Cyclists, Chantelle Du Plessis, Mark Andrews, Lachlan J. G. Mitchell, Jodie Cochrane Wilkie, Trish King, Anthony J. Blazevich

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Severe-intensity constant work rate (CWR) cycling tests simulate the high-intensity competition environment and are useful for monitoring training progression and adaptation, yet impose significant physiological and psychological strain, require substantial recovery, and may disrupt athlete training or competition preparation. A brief, minimally fatiguing test providing comparable information is desirable.

Purpose

To determine whether physiological variables measured during, and functional decline in maximal power output immediately after, a 2-min CWR test can act as a proxy for 4-min test outcomes.

Methods

Physiological stress (VO _2 kinetics, heart rate, blood lactate concentrations ([La-]b)) was monitored and performance fatigability was estimated (as pre-to-post-CWR …

Re-Imagining The Data Collection And Analysis Research Process By Proposing A Rapid Qualitative Data Collection And Analytic Roadmap Applied To The Dynamic Context Of Precision Medicine, James Smith, Jeffrey Braithwaite, Tracey A. O’Brien, Stephanie Smith, Vanessa J. Tyrrell, Emily V. A. Mould, Janet C. Long, Frances Rapport

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Our implementation science study focuses on implementing a new way of practice and offers methodological specificity about how to rapidly investigate an individually tailored precision medicine intervention. A qualitative study advancing a new methodology for speedily identifying barriers and enablers to implementation in the context of childhood cancer. Data were collected through rapid ethnography, coded using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, and analysed by Sentiment Analysis. Thirty-eight data collection events occurred during 14 multidisciplinary tumour board meetings, 14 curation meetings, and 10 informal conversations. Sentiment Analysis distilled Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research codes to reveal key barriers and enablers …

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations: Do All Roads Lead To Rome?, Sanjay Ramakrishnan, Iwein Gyselinck, Mona Bafadhel, Wim Janssens

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

To the Editor: The Rome chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation proposal is a welcome step forward (1). Celli and colleagues have attempted to revise the definition and propose a new severity classification, based on measurable clinical and laboratory variables instead. The central role of healthcare use when defining exacerbations has held us back from a better understanding of these critical events. ...

Effects Of Reciprocal Inhibition And Whole-Body Relaxation On Persistent Inward Currents Estimated By Two Different Methods, Ricardo N.O. Mesquita, Janet L. Taylor, Gabriel S. Trajano, Jakob Škarabot, Aleš Holobar, Basílio A. M. Gonçalves, Anthony J. Blazevich

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Persistent inward currents (PICs) are crucial for initiation, acceleration, and maintenance of motoneuron firing. As PICs are highly sensitive to synaptic inhibition and facilitated by serotonin and noradrenaline, we hypothesised that both reciprocal inhibition (RI) induced by antagonist nerve stimulation and whole-bodyrelaxation (WBR) would reduce PICs in humans. To test this, we estimated PICs using the well-established paired motor unit (MU) technique. High-density surface electromyograms were recorded from gastrocnemius medialis during voluntary, isometric 20-s ramp, plantarflexor contractions and decomposed into MU discharges to calculate delta frequency (ΔF). Moreover, another technique (VibStim), which evokes involuntary contractions proposed to result from PIC …

Diet And Exercise Advice And Referrals For Cancer Survivors: An Integrative Review Of Medical And Nursing Perspectives, Ria Joseph, Nicolas H. Hart, Natalie Bradford, Oluwaseyifunmi Andi Agbejule, Bogda Koczwara, Alexandre Chan, Matthew P. Wallen, Raymond J. Chan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose:

To examine the perspectives of medical and nursing health professionals concerning their roles and responsibilities in providing dietary and exercise advice to cancer survivors, and referrals to allied health professionals.

Methods:

An integrative review. PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science databases, and bibliographies of relevant studies were searched from December 2011 to June 2021. All studies were eligible for inclusion. The Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to critically appraise included studies. Data were extracted and synthesised regarding the perspectives of medical and nursing health professionals on their roles, responsibilities, barriers, and facilitators.

Results:

Twenty-one studies involving 3401 …

Movement Quantity And Quality: How Do They Relate To Pain And Disability In Dancers?, Danica Hendry, Amity Campbell, Anne Smith, Luke Hopper, Leon Straker, Peter O’Sullivan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective This field-based study aimed to determine the association between pre-professional student dancers’ movement quantity and quality with (i) pain severity and (ii) pain related disability. Methods Pre-professional female ballet and contemporary dance students (n = 52) participated in 4 time points of data collection over a 12-week university semester. At each time point dancers provided self-reported pain outcomes (Numerical Rating Scale as a measure of pain severity and Patient Specific Functional Scale as a measure of pain related disability) and wore a wearable sensor system. This system combined wearable sensors with previously developed machine learning models capable of capturing …

Effect Of Physical Activity During Covid-19 On The Sleep Health Of Community-Level Athletes In Australia, Andrew Walsh, Sarah Harris, Philipp Beranek, Shayne Vial, Travis Cruickshank, Mitchell Turner

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The COVID-19 outbreak presents a serious health challenges, with Australia enforcing tight restrictions, impacting sporting activities and sleep health of many Australians. Routine lifestyle patterns (physical activity and employment) are important to maintaining overall sleep health. Current literature indicates COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the employment status and sport engagement. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of physical activity during COVID-19 on sleep health, and its association with employment and sport engagement of community-level athletes throughout Australia. Participants self-reported sleep health prior to COVID-19 (pre-sleep) and over the month prior to data collection (during-sleep) using the validated …

A Cohort Comparison Study On Women In Threatened Preterm Labor Given Nifedipine Or Nifedipine And Salbutamol Tocolysis In Air Medical Retrieval, Breeanna Spring Walsh, Fergus W. Gardiner, Dianne Bloxsome, David Ford, Brennen W. Mills, Simon M. Laws

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: Women with threatened preterm labor in remote Australia often require tocolysis in the prevention of in-flight birth during air medical retrieval. However, debate exists over the tocolytic choice. Methods: A retrospective analysis was undertaken on data containing women who required air medical retrieval for threatened preterm labor within Western Australia between the years 2013 and 2018. Results: A total number of 236 air medical retrievals were deemed suitable for inclusion; 141 received nifedipine, and 95 women received salbutamol + nifedipine. Tocolytic efficaciousness was reported in 151 cases, proportionally more (P < .05) from the women who received salbutamol + nifedipine (n = 68, 71.6%) compared with the women who received nifedipine only (n = 83, 58.9%). Those receiving salbutamol + nifedipine were more likely to suffer maternal tachycardia (n = 87 [91.6%] vs. n = 62 [44.0%]), fetal tachycardia (n = 26 [27.4%] vs. n = 13 [9.2%]), nausea (n = 17 [17.9] vs. n = 5 [3.55%]), and vomiting (n = 12 [12.6%] vs. n = 2 [1.4%]). Three women who received salbutamol + nifedipine had serious side effects including echocardiographic changes, chest pain, and metabolic and lactic acidosis. Conclusion: Salbutamol + nifedipine tocolysis was proven to be more effective than nifedipine only. Although salbutamol + nifedipine had increased temporary side effects, most were nonsevere and managed in-flight.

Predictors Of Medication Nonadherence Among Hypertensive Clients In A Ghanaian Population: Application Of The Hill-Bone And Perceived Barriers To Treatment Compliance Scale, Eric Woode, Eric Boakye-Gyasi, Yaa Obirikorang, Evans A. Adu, Christian Obirikorang, Emmanuel Acheampong, Enoch Odame-Anto

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and Aim: Nonadherence to antihypertensive medication impairs optimal blood pressure and is influenced by multiple interrelating factors. Knowing the complexity of medication nonadherence and its associated factors is essential for intervention strategies. This study evaluated the predictors of medication nonadherence among hypertensive clients in a Ghanaian population. Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted at the Hypertensive Clinic of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. A self-designed questionnaire, the Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy and Perceived Barriers to Treatment Compliance Scales, were used for data collection from 246 hypertensives. Data …

Characterization Of Retinal Drusen In Subjects At High Genetic Risk Of Developing Sporadic Alzheimer’S Disease: An Exploratory Analysis, Inés López-Cuenca, Elena Salobrar-García, Inés Gil-Salgado, Lidia Sánchez-Puebla, Lorena Elvira-Hurtado, José A. Fernández-Albarral, Federico Ramírez-Toraño, Ana Barabash, Jaisalmer De Frutos-Lucas, Juan J. Salazar, José M. Ramírez, Ana I. Ramírez, Rosa De Hoz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Having a family history (FH+) of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and being a carrier of at least one ε4 allele of the ApoE gene are two of the main risk factors for the development of AD. AD and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) share one of the main risk factors, such as age, and characteristics including the presence of deposits (Aβ plaques in AD and drusen in AMD); however, the role of apolipoprotein E isoforms in both pathologies is controversial. We analyzed and characterized retinal drusen by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in subjects, classifying them by their AD FH (FH-or FH+) and …

Anti-Retinal Igg Antibodies In Patients With Early And Advanced Type 2 Macular Telangiectasia, Samuel Mclenachan, Chandrakumar Balaratnasingam, Rachael C. Heath Jeffery, Shang Chih Chen, Dan Zhang, Geoffrey Chan, Rosa Dolz-Marco, Tommaso Bacci, Johnny Lo, Steven Wiffen, Lawrence A. Yannuzzi, Fred K. Chen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Type 2 idiopathic macular telangiectasia (MacTel-2) is a progressive adult-onset macular disease associated with bilateral perifoveal vascular changes, Muller cell degeneration and increased blood-retinal barrier permeability. The pathophysiological mechanisms of MacTel-2 remain unclear, however it was previously reported that anti-retinal antibodies in MacTel-2 patients are a significant feature of the disease. In this study, we aimed to compare the prevalence of anti-retinal antibodies in patients MacTel-2, healthy controls and patients with other retinal diseases. MacTel-2 patients diagnosed with multimodal imaging were enrolled and their disease severities were graded using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. For comparison, patients with age-related macular degeneration …

Cerebrospinal Fluid Neurofilament Light Predicts Risk Of Dementia Onset In Cognitively Healthy Iindividuals And Rate Of Cognitive Decline In Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Prospective Longitudinal Study, Kunal Dhiman, Victor L. Villemagne, Christopher Fowler, Pierrick Bourgeat, Qiao Xin Li, Steven Collins, Ashley I. Bush, Christopher C. Rowe, Colin L. Masters, David Ames, Kaj Blennow, Henrik Zetterberg, Ralph N. Martins, Veer Gupta

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Biomarkers that are indicative of early biochemical aberrations are needed to predict the risk of dementia onset and progression in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We assessed the utility of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament light (NfL) chain for screening preclinical AD, predicting dementia onset among cognitively healthy (CH) individuals, and the rate of cognitive decline amongst individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: Neurofilament light levels were measured in CSF samples of participants (CH, n = 154 and MCI, n = 32) from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle study of ageing (AIBL). Cases of preclinical AD were identified using biomarker-guided …

Parents' Experiences Of Children With A Rare Disease Attending A Mainstream School: Australia, Mandie Foster, Esther Adama, Diana Arabiat, Kevin Runions, Rena Vithiatharan, Maggie Zgambo, Ashleigh Lin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose:

To explore the perceptions of parents who had a child or adolescent (6-18 years) diagnosed with a rare disease who attended a mainstream school in Western Australia.

Design and methods:

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 41 parents of children with a rare disease. Here we report the findings of 14 open-ended questions on their experience of illness-related factors and impact on school-related social activities, such as sports, school camps and leadership roles whilst their child with a rare disease attended a mainstream school in Australia. Responses were analysed using an inductive thematic content approach.

Results:

We identified …

Pediatric And Child Health Nursing: A Three-Phase Research Priority Setting Study In Western Australia, Evalotte Mörelius, Ailsa Munns, Stephanie Smith, Helen J. Nelson, Anne Mckenzie, Jade Ferullo, Fenella J. Gill

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose:

Priority settings are important to plan and direct future research. The aim of this study was to identify the top ten pediatric and child health nursing research priorities from the perspectives of consumers, community, and healthcare professionals in Western Australia.

Design and methods:

This study used an adapted James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership design with three phases. 1) A planning workshop to inform a survey. 2) A survey using five open-ended-questions distributed between October 2020 and January 2021 through social media and healthcare professionals' emails. Responders' statements were analyzed with content analysis. 3) A consensus workshop to finalize …

Glycated Hemoglobin And Risk Of Arterial Stiffness In A Chinese Han Population: A Longitudinal Study, Ze Han, Xiaoping Kang, Jie Zhang, Jinqi Wang, Yue Liu, Jia Liu, Zhiyuan Wu, Xia Li, Xiaoyu Zhao, Xiuhua Guo, Shuo Chen, Lixin Tao

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and Aims: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) associates with the risk of arterial stiffness, and such association can be found between fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial blood glucose (PBG), triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index), and arterial stiffness. However, the results were inconsistent, longitudinal studies were sparse, and comparison of these glycemic parameters was less conducted. We aimed to explore the longitudinal relationship between HbA1c and arterial stiffness and compare the effect of the parameters. Methods: Data were collected from 2011 to 2019 in Beijing Health Management Cohort (BHMC) study. Cox proportional hazard models were fitted to investigate the association between the parameters …

Light Acupuncture And Five-Element Music Therapy For Nurses' Mental Health And Well-Being During And Post-Covid-19: Protocol For A Randomised Cross-Over Feasibility Study, Carol Chunfeng Wang, Johnny Lo, Rosemary Saunders, Esther Adama, Caroline Bulsara, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Angela Wei Hong Yang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

INTRODUCTION: Australian nurses have experienced higher levels of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the prepandemic. This may have affected their long-term mental health and intention to stay in the profession resulting in a workforce shortage, which further impacts the health of the public. Management is urgently required to improve nurses' well-being. However, there is limited evidence available. The proposed clinical trial aims to evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic effects of using a combination of light acupuncture and five-element music therapy to improve nurses' mental health and well-being during and post-COVID-19. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This randomised, single blinding, two-arm …

Parental Sleep When Their Child Is Sick: A Phased Principle-Based Concept Analysis, Stephanie Smith, Mary Tallon, James Smith, Charlotte Angelhoff, Evalotte Mörelius

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Sleep is a common challenge for parents with sick children and can impact parents' health, wellbeing, and caregiving responsibilities. Despite the vast research around parental sleep when their child is sick, the concept is not clearly defined. A phased principle-based concept analysis that includes triangulation of methods and quality criteria assessment was used to explore how the concept is described, used, and measured in the current literature. The aim was to analyse and clarify the conceptual, operational, and theoretical basis of parental sleep when their child is sick to produce an evidence-based definition and to identify knowledge gaps. A systematic …

Heat And Sun Related Medical Concerns In Australian Led Outdoor Activities: A Three-Year Prospective Study, Lauren V. Fortington, Natassia Goode, Caroline F. Finch, Paul M. Salmon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Active participation in the outdoors is beneficial for health and wellbeing. However, the impact of extreme weather, particularly heat, on safe participation is causing concern for organisations who lead these activities. Local mitigation strategies and acute management of heat- and sun-related illness (HSRI) are generally well understood by researchers and medical practitioners, however, cases continue to occur so further understanding of why this happens is required. This study aimed to identify the number, nature and contributory factors of HSRI in Australian led outdoor activities in order to seek opportunities for their prevention. This study presents a descriptive analysis of contributory …

Moving On After Critical Incidents In Health Care: A Qualitative Study Of The Perspectives And Experiences Of Second Victims, Melanie Buhlmann, Beverley Ewens, Amineh Rashidi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: To gain a deeper understanding of nurses and midwives' experiences following involvement in a critical incident in a non-critical care area and to explore how they have 'moved-on' from the event.

Design: An interpretive descriptive design guided inductive inquiry to interpret the meaning of moving-on.

Methods: Purposive sampling recruited 10 nurses and midwives. Data collection comprised semi-structured interviews, memos and field notes. Data were concurrently collected and analysed during 2016–2017 with NVivo 11. The thematic analysis enabled a coherent analytical framework evolving emerging themes and transformation of the data into credible interpretive description findings, adhering to the COREQ reporting …

Comprehensive Analysis Of Epigenetic Clocks Reveals Associations Between Disproportionate Biological Ageing And Hippocampal Volume, Lidija Milicic, Michael Vacher, Tenielle Porter, Vincent Doré, Samantha C. Burnham, Pierrick Bourgeat, Rosita Shishegar, James Doecke, Nicola J. Armstrong, Rick Tankard, Paul Maruff, Colin L. Masters, Christopher C. Rowe, Victor L. Villemagne, Simon M. Laws, Alzheimer’S Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Australian Imaging Biomarkers And Lifestyle (Aibl) Study

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The concept of age acceleration, the difference between biological age and chronological age, is of growing interest, particularly with respect to age-related disorders, such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Whilst studies have reported associations with AD risk and related phenotypes, there remains a lack of consensus on these associations. Here we aimed to comprehensively investigate the relationship between five recognised measures of age acceleration, based on DNA methylation patterns (DNAm age), and cross-sectional and longitudinal cognition and AD-related neuroimaging phenotypes (volumetric MRI and Amyloid-β PET) in the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) and the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Significant …

Physical Activity Estimated By Osteogenic Potential And Energy Expenditure Has Differing Associations With Bone Mass In Young Adults: The Raine Study, Carrie Anne Ng, David Scott, Marc Sim, Kun Zhu, Aris Siafarikas, Nicolas H. Hart, Jocelyn Tan, Paola Chivers

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Summary: Ground impacts during physical activity may be important for peak bone mass. We found differences in how energy expenditure and impact scores estimated from a physical activity questionnaire related to bone health in young adults. Using both estimate types can improve our understanding of the skeletal benefits of physical activity. Purpose: It is unclear whether mechanical loading during physical activity, estimated from physical activity questionnaires which assess metabolic equivalents of task (METs), is associated with skeletal health. This longitudinal study investigated how physical activity loading scores, assessed at ages 17 and 20 years, (a) compares with physical activity measured …

The Current State Of Subjective Training Load Monitoring: Follow-Up And Future Directions, Joseph O. C. Coyne, Aaron J. Coutts, Robert U. Newton, Gregory G. Haff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article addresses several key issues that have been raised related to subjective training load (TL) monitoring. These key issues include how TL is calculated if subjective TL can be used to model sports performance and where subjective TL monitoring fits into an overall decision-making framework for practitioners. Regarding how TL is calculated, there is conjecture over the most appropriate (1) acute and chronic period lengths, (2) smoothing methods for TL data and (3) change in TL measures (e.g., training stress balance (TSB), differential load, acute-to-chronic workload ratio). Variable selection procedures with measures of model-fit, like the Akaike Information Criterion, …

Sleep Health Of Australian Community Tennis Players During The Covid-19 Lockdown, Philipp Beranek, Travis Cruickshank, Olivier Girard, Kazunori Nosaka, Danielle Bartlett, Mitchell Turner

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Poorer sleep health outcomes have been documented in the general population during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on sleep health outcomes in specific population groups, including the sporting community, has not been extensively investigated. This study evaluated sleep health outcomes and their relationship with lifestyle behaviours during the initial COVID-19 lockdown period in Australian community tennis players. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated sleep health outcomes and lifestyle behaviours using an online survey. The survey was disseminated online between the 24th of April and the 6th of June 2020 and comprised the Sleep Health Index, …

Glycomic Biomarkers Are Instrumental For Suboptimal Health Status Management In The Context Of Predictive, Preventive, And Personalized Medicine, Xiaoni Meng, Biyan Wang, Xizhu Xu, Manshu Song, Haifeng Hou, Wei Wang, Youxin Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives:

Suboptimal health status (SHS), a reversible borderline condition between optimal health status and disease, has been recognized as a main risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). From the standpoint of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM/3PM), the early detection of SHS provides a window of opportunity for targeted prevention and personalized treatment of NCDs. Considering that immunoglobulin G (IgG) N-glycosylation levels are associated with NCDs, it can be speculated that IgG N-glycomic alteration might occur at the SHS stage.

Methods:

A case–control study was performed and it consisted of 124 SHS individuals and 124 age-, gender-, and body mass …

Modulating Tumour Hypoxia In Prostate Cancer Through Exercise: The Impact Of Redox Signalling On Radiosensitivity, Malcolm Brown, Amélie Rébillard, Nicolas H. Hart, Dominic O’Connor, Gillian Prue, Joe M. O’Sullivan, Suneil Jain

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Prostate cancer is a complex disease affecting millions of men globally. Radiotherapy (RT) is a common treatment modality although treatment efficacy is dependent upon several features within the tumour microenvironment (TME), especially hypoxia. A hypoxic TME heightens radioresistance and thus disease recurrence and treatment failure continues to pose important challenges. However, the TME evolves under the influence of factors in systemic circulation and cellular crosstalk, underscoring its potential to be acutely and therapeutically modified. Early preclinical evidence suggests exercise may affect tumour growth and some of the benefits drawn, could act to radiosensitise tumours to treatment. Intracellular perturbations in skeletal …