This research provides a pilot study of the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health Framework (ICF) involving persons with disabilities (PWD) with and without lived experience of sport participation in Scotland. National surveys in Scotland provide limited information on the nature of individual disability restricting the understanding of the relationship between disability and sport and physical activity participation. The ICF is a framework that aims to describe and classify functioning and thus can be used as a tool to provide a more detailed description of impairment for PWDs beyond their clinical condition. This knowledge has the potential to enhance the development of policies to increase the participation levels in this group. The ICF has also been used to inform the current IPC classification system at a competitive and elite level. As part of a larger study, 450 participants aged between 12 and 70 years completed an online questionnaire examining attitudes to, and participation in, sport and physical activity as well as completing the structural and functional components of the ICF. Subsequently, 18 people participated in focus groups aged between 13 and 61 years. The focus groups examined four meta-theme areas: physical, social, psychological, and sport-specific factors. The results confirm that the ICF provided a more detailed indicator of the key impairments that could have an impact on sport and physical activity participation. There was a clear lack of awareness of the links between the ICF and the classification system for competitive parasport. We concluded that a modified ICF-based assessment tool, incorporating social and environmental factors, has the potential to predict the likelihood of participation and offers a more comprehensive picture of both individual and national disability characteristics. This allows for the development of targeted policies and strategies to assist those with a disability to participate in sport. The overall framework presents a shift in thinking, in policy terms, for those in public health and in sport governance and delivery. The significance of this work is especially concerned with public health and wellbeing and sport development policy as pathways from recreational sport user to elite athlete parasport classification and performance.

Many sporting organisations define a master athlete as an individual older than 35 years of age, who either trains for or takes part in athletic competitions often specifically designed for older participants. Many of these athletes are experienced competitors who continue their athletic pursuits after their sports careers have ended, often transferring from another sport. Participation rates in the marathon show that master athletes now make up ~55% of the total field, growing to ~70% of the field in ultra-marathons. Data from the UK suggest that myocardial disease typically accounts for 40% of sudden cardiac death in all athletes, being more prevalent in older athletes. The predominant causes were idiopathic left ventricular hypertrophy and/or fibrosis and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. With an athlete's increasing age, the main adaptation linked to exercise testing will be to adjust an exercise test protocol to accommodate reductions in physical capacity.

Purpose: Many stroke survivors adopt or return to a sedentary lifestyle after stroke. This sedentarism, in turn, impacts on quality of life, physical function, and puts survivors at a significantly greater risk of another stroke, developing dementia, or chronic illness. There is little known about the barriers and facilitators of exercise after stroke and what could be done to minimise the effects of barriers and to build on facilitators of exercise. The aim of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators of exercise after stroke from the perspective of stroke survivors, family caregivers, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Methods: Semi-structured phone interviews with 13 stroke survivors, 8 family caregivers and 13 therapists (one focus group consisting of 4 therapists), exploring perceived barriers and facilitators to exercise after stroke were completed. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Demographic information including current physical activity levels, stroke impact, and physical and mental fatigue were also collected. The themes generated were subsequently mapped onto the Theoretical Domains Framework to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that influence exercise behaviour and help identify appropriate techniques to address perceived barriers. Results: TDF domains that were perceived by all three groups were: knowledge, beliefs about capabilities, beliefs about consequences, goals, memory attention and decision processes, environmental context and resources, social influences and emotion. The most reported TDF domains were environmental context and resources, social influences, emotion and beliefs about capabilities. The most common barriers that were perceived by all three groups were: covid restrictions, access to services, lack of professional support, physical capability and fatigue. The most common facilitators that were perceived by all three groups were: greater access to services and facilities, social support from others and group exercise programmes.Conclusions: Perceptions of the barriers and facilitators of exercise differ across stroke survivors, therapists and caregivers. It is vital that stroke services address the barriers to exercise after stroke and building on the facilitators to ensure that survivors receive optimal post-stroke care.

© National Wellbeing Service Ltd 2018 • www.nationalwellbeingservice.com/journals 1 of 10 Abstract The cortisol awakening response (CAR) is a distinct element of the diurnal pattern of cortisol release, believed to be partly driven by the anticipation of the demands of the upcoming day. Although evidence suggests that the response may be associated with various ergonomic factors, the influence of temporal variation in anticipated workplace characteristics upon the CAR remains unclear. The current study examined the CAR on two work days of differing levels of anticipatory demand (high/low) and a single weekend day through repeated assessment of healthy employees (N=15). Participants provided saliva samples immediately upon awakening and thirty minutes thereafter on all assessment days. A paired t-test confirmed that the two work days differed significantly in terms of perceived acute demand and a repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant main time effect, confirming a rise in salivary cortisol over the post-awakening period. This response differed according to the nature of assessment day, being greater on the “high” compared to the “low” demand day, or the weekend. These findings suggest the CAR is influenced by the perceived level of acute anticipatory work-related demand of the assessment day, highlighting the importance of attending to the dynamics of the environment when employing real-world assessments.

The Clara cell protein CC16, secreted from Clara cells in the lung, is discussed as a potential biomarker for toxic effects on the airways. An increased concentration of CC16 in serum may be caused by increased permeability of the lungs. To investigate the changes in P-CC16 in response to an intense exercise bout performed at different times of day (9 am and 4 pm) of highly trained individuals.

Purpose - As exposure to psychosocial hazard at work represents a substantial risk factor for employee health in many modern occupations, being able to accurately assess how employees cope with their working environment is crucial. The workplace is generally accepted as being a dynamic environment, therefore, consideration should be given to the interaction between employees and the acute environmental characteristics of their workplace. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of both acute demand and chronic work-related psychosocial hazard upon employees through ambulatory assessment of heart rate variability and blood pressure.Design/methodology/approach - A within-subjects repeated measures design was used to investigate the relationship between exposure to work-related psychosocial hazard and ambulatory heart rate variability and blood pressure in a cohort of higher education employees. Additionally the effect of acute variation in perceived work-related demand was investigated.Findings - Two dimensions of the Management Standards were found to demonstrate an association with heart rate variability; more hazardous levels of "demand" and "relationships" were associated with decreased standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval. Significant changes in blood pressure and indices of heart rate variability were observed with increased acute demand.Originality/value - This is the first attempt to combine the Health and Safety Management Standards Indicator Tool with physiological assessment of employees. The results provide evidence of associations between scores on the indicator tool and ambulatory heart rate variability as well as demonstrating that variation in acute perceived work-related demand is associated with alterations to autonomic and cardiovascular function. This has implications not only for employee health and workplace design but also for future studies employing ambulatory physiological monitoring.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:To enable people with Type 1 diabetes to exercise safely by investigating the reproducibility of the glucose response to an algorithm for carbohydrate and insulin adjustment during and after exercise compared to their self-management strategies.BACKGROUND:Difficulties in managing blood glucose levels in Type 1 diabetes whilst exercising is known to deter people from exercise. Currently there is a limited evidence base to aid health care professionals enable people with diabetes to exercise safely. This study seeks to address this gap.DESIGN:A quasi-experimental study was undertaken amongst people with Type 1 diabetes.METHODS:Over 14 days, 14 participants undertook four exercise sessions (40 minutes at 50%VO2max). Two sessions were undertaken in week 1 self-managing their diabetes and two sessions in week 2 using an algorithm for carbohydrate and insulin adjustment.RESULTS:The mean reduction of glucose levels detected by Continuous Glucose Monitoring during exercise was 3·1 (SD 2·03) mmol/l. Time spent within the range of 4-9 mmol/l during exercise was not significantly different between the self-managed and the algorithm weeks (-3-22·4 min). The mean reduction of blood glucose for each individual over all four exercise sessions ranged between 0·8-5·95 mmol/l. The technical error between days one and two was 2·4 mmol/l (CV=33·2%) and between days 3-4 the technical error was 2·7 mmol/l (CV=33·7%).CONCLUSIONS:The results provide useful data about the reproducibility of the blood glucose response to moderate intensity exercise, despite the variability of individual responses 40 minutes of moderate intensity exercise decreases Continuous Glucose Monitoring glucose by 3 mmol/l with or without a 30% decrease of insulin before exercise.RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE:This information provides valuable baseline information for people with diabetes and health care professionals who wish to encourage physical activity and undertake further research in this area.

As the winning margin in Olympic competition is so small, there is a continuous quest for improvements in the preparation of athletes at this standard. Therefore, even the smallest physiological improvements that result from modifications in training strategy, preparation regime or ergogenic aids are potentially useful. Unfortunately, there is a lack of research data on elite competitors, which limits our interpretation of current literature to the elite sporting environment. This places extra responsibility on the physiologist to carefully consider the most appropriate physiological variables to monitor, the best protocols to assess those variables, and the accurate interpretation of the test results. In this paper, we address the key issues of ecological validity, measurement error, and interpretation for the most commonly monitored physiological variables. Where appropriate, we also indicate areas that would benefit from further research.

Background: The RacerMate Inc. CompuTrainer is an increasingly popular ergometer in Sport Science laboratories, yet there is little information on the characteristics and validity of the CompuTrainer calibration procedure. Aim: To investigate the effect of a range of environmental temperatures on the CompuTrainer calibration procedure and validate the power output against an SRM powermeter. Methods: A bicycle fitted with an SRM Training System was attached to a CompuTrainer ergometer. The calibration procedure was repeated (up to 5 occasions) interspaced with 2min cycling at 200W and similar to 90rpm. The cyclist then cycled for a further 2min at 200W for a direct comparison with the SRM training system. This process was repeated at seven different random calibration values at a range of environmental temperatures (15, 20, 28 and 38 degrees C). Results: At all temperatures there was a large decline in calibration pressure after the first 2min of cycling, with no further decline after 6min of cycling. This decline was inversely correlated with the temperature (r(2) = 0.7). In low temperatures (15 degrees and 20 degrees C) the CompuTrainer significantly underestimated SRM power by 7.3 +/- 5.8 W (95% CI: 4.2-10.4W; Range 1-18W; p = 0.0002) but was similar (-0.3 +/- 4.4W) in high temperatures (28 degrees and 38 degrees C) (95% CI: -2.7-2.0W; Range -9-5W; p = 0.78). Conclusions: Both temperature and calibration procedure were shown to affect power measurement and thus these authors have suggested an alternative procedure to enhance the reliability and validity of the CompuTrainer ergometer.

In this study, we assessed the performance of trained senior (n = 6) and veteran (n = 6) cyclists (mean age 28 years, s = 3 and 57 years, s = 4 respectively). Each competitor completed two cycling tests, a ramped peak aerobic test and an indoor 16.1-km time-trial. The tests were performed using a Kingcycle ergometer with the cyclists riding their own bicycle fitted with an SRM powermeter. Power output, heart rate, and gas exchange variables were recorded continuously and blood lactate concentration [HLa] was assessed 3 min after the peak ramped test and at 2.5-min intervals during the time-trial. Peak values for power output (RMP(max)), heart rate (HR(peak)), oxygen uptake (VO2(peak)), and ventilation (V(Epeak)) attained during the ramped test were higher in the senior group (P < 0.05), whereas [HLa](peak), RER(peak), V(E): VO2(peak), and economy(peak) were similar between groups (P > 0.05). Time-trial values (mean for duration of race) for power output (W(TT)), heart rate (HR(TT)), VO2 (VO(2TT)), and V(E) (V(ETT)) were higher in the seniors (P < 0.05), but [HLa](TT), RER(TT), V(ETT): VO2(TT), and economy(TT) were similar between the groups (P > 0.05). Time-trial exercise intensity, expressed as %RMP(max), %HR(peak), % VO2(peak), and % V(Epeak), was similar (P > 0.05) for seniors and veterans (W(TT): 81%, s = 2 vs. 78%, s = 8; HR(TT): 96%, s = 4 vs. 94%, s = 4; VO2(TT): 92%, s = 4 vs. 95%, s = 10; V(ETT): 89%, s = 8 vs. 85%, s = 8, respectively). Overall, seniors attained higher absolute values for power output, heart rate, VO2, and V(E) but not blood lactate concentration, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), V(E): VO2, and economy. Veterans did not accommodate age-related declines in time trial performance by maintaining higher relative exercise intensity.

Sprint tests are frequently used to evaluate between-subject differences and can provide a valuable insight into performance capacity. The present study determined the reproducibility of peak and mean power output during upper-body sprints. After familiarization 25 men (mean [+/- SD] age 29 [6] years, body mass 82.8 [12.7] kg and height 1.76 [0.05] m) completed 2 20-second upper-body sprint tests using an adapted cycle ergometer. Mean (+/- SD) values of all power (uncorrected and corrected) measurements achieved during the 2 tests were checked for systematic bias using separate paired t-tests. Test-retest reproducibility was examined using coefficients of variation and single-measure intraclass correlation coefficients, as well as an assessment of the typical (random) error and the 95% limits of agreement. The value of corrected peak power (628 [167] W) was higher (p < 0.05) compared with the uncorrected value (509 [109] W). Values of corrected (465 [95] W) and uncorrected (444 [87] W) mean power were similar (p > 0.05). The mean bias value for all power parameters equated to less than +/-1% of the absolute values of power measured. Intraclass correlation coefficients for all data sets ranged from 0.97 to 0.98. Coefficients of variation for uncorrected and corrected values of peak power were 2.8 and 4.5%, while corresponding values for mean power were 2.9 and 3.2%, respectively. The reproducibility of all power indices was below 5%. The results of this study indicate that both uncorrected and corrected measurements of peak power output and mean power output can be used to assess performance during sprint arm ergometry.

Abstract In this study, we assessed age-related changes in indoor 16.1-km cycling time-trial performance in 40 competitive male cyclists aged 25 – 63 years. Participants completed two tests: (1) a maximal ramped Kingcycle™ ergometer test, with maximal ramped minute power (RMPmax, W) recorded as the highest mean external power during any 60 s and maximal heart rate (HRmax, beats · min−1) as the highest value during the test; and (2) an indoor Kingcycle 16.1-km time-trial with mean external power output (W), heart rate (beats · min−1), and pedal cadence (rev · min−1) recorded throughout the event. Results revealed age-related declines (P < 0.05) in absolute and relative time-trial external power output [(24 W (7.0%) per decade], heart rate [7 beats · min−1 (3.87%) per decade], and cadence [3 rev · min−1 (3.1%) per decade]. No relationships (P > 0.05) were observed for mean power output and heart rate recorded during the time-trial versus age when expressed relative to maximal ramped minute power and maximal heart rate respectively. Strong relationships (P < 0.05) were observed for maximal ramped minute power and time-trial power (r = 0.95) and for maximal heart rate and time-trial heart rate (r = 0.95). Our results show that indoor 16.1-km time-trial performance declines with age but relative exercise intensity (%RMPmax and %HRmax) does not change.

The study aim was to consider the use of a motorised treadmill as a cycling ergometry system by assessing predicted and recorded power output values during treadmill cycling. Fourteen male cyclists completed repeated cycling trials on a motorised treadmill whilst riding their own bicycle fitted with a mobile ergometer. The speed, gradient and loading via an external pulley system were recorded during 20-s constant speed trials and used to estimate power output with an assumption about the contribution of rolling resistance. These values were then compared with mobile ergometer measurements. To assess the reliability of measured power output values, four repeated trials were conducted on each cyclist. During level cycling, the recorded power output was 257.2 +/- 99.3 W compared to the predicted power output of 258.2 +/- 99.9 W (p > 0.05). For graded cycling, there was no significant difference between measured and predicted power output, 268.8 +/- 109.8 W vs. 270.1 +/- 111.7 W, p > 0.05, SEE 1.2 %. The coefficient of variation for mobile ergometer power output measurements during repeated trials ranged from 1.5% (95% CI 1.2-2.0%) to 1.8% (95% CI 1.5-2.4%). These results indicate that treadmill cycling can be used as an ergometry system to assess power output in cyclists with acceptable accuracy.

The purpose of this article was to establish whether previously reported oxygen-to-mass ratios, used to predict flat and hill-climbing cycling performance, extend to similar power-to-mass ratios incorporating other, often quick and convenient measures of power output recorded in the laboratory [maximum aerobic power (W(MAP)), power output at ventilatory threshold (W(VT)) and average power output (W(AVG)) maintained during a 1 h performance test]. A proportional allometric model was used to predict the optimal power-to-mass ratios associated with cycling speeds during flat and hill-climbing cycling. The optimal models predicting flat time-trial cycling speeds were found to be (W(MAP)m(-0.48))(0.54), (W(VT)m(-0.48))(0.46) and (W(AVG)m(-0.34))(0.58) that explained 69.3, 59.1 and 96.3% of the variance in cycling speeds, respectively. Cross-validation results suggest that, in conjunction with body mass, W(MAP) can provide an accurate and independent prediction of time-trial cycling, explaining 94.6% of the variance in cycling speeds with the standard deviation about the regression line, s=0.686 km h(-1). Based on these models, there is evidence to support that previously reported VO2-to-mass ratios associated with flat cycling speed extend to other laboratory-recorded measures of power output (i.e. Wm(-0.32)). However, the power-function exponents (0.54, 0.46 and 0.58) would appear to conflict with the assumption that the cyclists' speeds should be proportional to the cube root (0.33) of power demand/expended, a finding that could be explained by other confounding variables such as bicycle geometry, tractional resistance and/or the presence of a tailwind. The models predicting 6 and 12% hill-climbing cycling speeds were found to be proportional to (W(MAP)m(-0.91))(0.66), revealing a mass exponent, 0.91, that also supports previous research.