A critical analysis of the cycles of physical activity policy in England

BACKGROUND: There has been increasing focus on the importance of national policy to address population levels of physical inactivity. Components of a comprehensive national physical activity policy framework include: 1) national recommendations on physical activity levels; 2) setting population goals and targets; 3) surveillance or health monitoring systems; and 4) public education. The aim of the current paper was to analyse the policy actions which have addressed each of these elements in England and to identify areas of progress and remaining challenges.  METHODS: A literature search was undertaken to identify past and present documents relevant to physical activity policy in England. Each document was analysed to identify content relevant to the four key elements of policy which formed the focus of the current research.  RESULTS: Physical activity recommendations are an area where England has demonstrated a robust scientific approach and good practice; however, the physical activity campaigns in England have not been sufficiently sustained to achieve changes in social norms and behaviour. The setting of physical activity targets has been unrealistic and continuous changes to national surveillance measures have presented challenges for monitoring trends over time.  CONCLUSIONS: Overall, physical activity policy in England has fluctuated over the past two decades. The variations and cycles in policy reflect some of the challenges in implementing and sustaining physical activity policy in the face of political changes, changes in government direction, and changing opportunities to profile active lifestyles

Sanitation, human rights, and disaster management

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to link debates around the international law on human rights and disaster management with the evolving debate around the human right to sanitation, in order to explore the extent to which states are obliged to account for sanitation in their disaster management efforts. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on analysis of existing laws and policy relating to human rights, sanitation and disaster management. It further draws upon relevant academic literature. Findings The paper concludes that, while limitations exist, states have legal obligations to provide sanitation to persons affected by a disaster. It is further argued that a human rights-based approach to sanitation, if respected, can assist in strengthening disaster management efforts, while focusing on the persons who need it the most. Research limitations/implications The analysis in this paper focuses on the obligations of states for people on their territory. Due to space limitations, it does not examine the complex issues relating to enforcement mechanisms available to disaster victims. Originality/value This is the first scholarly work directly linking the debates around international human rights law and disaster management, with human rights obligations in relation to sanitation. The clarification of obligation in relation to sanitation can assist in advocacy and planning, as well as in ensuring accountability and responsibility for human rights breaches in the disaster context

Effectiveness and cost of recruitment strategies for a community-based randomised controlled trial among rainwater drinkers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Community-based recruitment is challenging particularly if the sampling frame is not easily defined as in the case of people who drink rainwater. Strategies for contacting participants must be carefully considered to maximise generalisability and minimise bias of the results. This paper assesses the recruitment strategies for a 1-year double-blinded randomised trial on drinking untreated rainwater. The effectiveness of the recruitment strategies and associated costs are described.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Community recruitment of households from Adelaide, Australia occurred from February to July 2007 using four methods: electoral roll mail-out, approaches to schools and community groups, newspaper advertising, and other media involvement. Word of mouth communication was also assessed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 810 callers were screened, with 53.5% eligible. Of those who were eligible and sent further information, 76.7% were willing to participate in the study and 75.1% were enrolled. The target for recruitment was 300 households, and this was achieved. The mail-out was the most effective method with respect to number of households randomised, while recruitment via schools had the highest yield (57.3%) and was the most cost effective when considering cost per household randomised (AUD$147.20). Yield and cost effectiveness were lowest for media advertising.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The use of electoral roll mail-out and advertising via schools were effective in reaching households using untreated rainwater for drinking. Employing multiple strategies enabled success in achieving the recruitment target. In countries where electoral roll extracts are available to researchers, this method is likely to have a high yield for recruitment into community-based epidemiological studies.</p

Characteristics of the stickwork structure during snare drumming(HUMAN ENVIRONMENT)

Five skilled and 5 unskilled subjects played a snare drum at a rate of 480 bpm after sitting at rest for 6 minutes, then snare drum dynamics were changed from pianissimo, mezzo forte, to fortissimo successively every 3 minutes. The motions were recorded by 2 high-speed video cameras, and 3-dimensional coordinates were calculated using a 3-dimensional DLT method. At the same time, the EMG of the extensor and flexor of the radiocarpal joint, and the acceleration of the mid finger were recorded. Expired gas was simultaneously analyzed to calculate energy expenditure. Accordingly, as the feature was more remarkable at a high sound level, fortissimo was examined in detail by comparing the movement of the skilled group with that of the unskilled group. Although the vertical displacement range of the stick, the speed of the stick tip, and the equivalent sound level did not significantly differ in both groups, the displacement ranges of the hand, forearm, and mid arm, and the energy demand were significantly smaller in the skilled group than in the unskilled group. According to the acceleration data, finger shot was utilized in the skilled group. Furthermore, EMG and video images indicated that the movement of the skilled group was in general earlier and that they utilized the rebound of the stick more effectively

ドラム演奏における技能の水準とスティックワークパターンの関係(人間環境学)

To investigate the relationship between skill level and stick work pattern in playing a snare drum, incremental load test of playing snare drum was conducted by 7 skilled and 6 unskilled players at the rate of 15 to 480 beats/min. Expired gas was then analyzed and energy expenditure was calculated. Simultaneously, 3 dimensional high speed video recording was conducted. Consequently, energy demanded of skilled group was significantly lower than that of unskilled group at 480 beats/min. Then the vertical displacement of the center of gravity concerning both upper limb and drumstick of skilled group was significantly smaller. And, on both skilled and unskilled groups, after the center of gravity of drumstick reached its highest point, drumstick tip reached its highest point, successively; the time interval from the former highest point to the latter of the skilled group was significantly longer than that of the unskilled group. This fact means that, concerning skilled group, due to the rotatory motion of drumstick by applying wrist shot and finger shot, contrarily to mainly translational motion in unskilled group, sound pressure level was enabled to equalize to that of unskilled group. The effect, i.e. rotatory motion compensated the low potential energy and short stroke due to small vertical displacement, made the mechanical efficiency of skilled group higher

Assessing the distribution of volatile organic compounds using land use regression in Sarnia, "Chemical Valley", Ontario, Canada

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Land use regression (LUR) modelling is proposed as a promising approach to meet some of the challenges of assessing the intra-urban spatial variability of ambient air pollutants in urban and industrial settings. However, most of the LUR models to date have focused on nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. This study aimed at developing LUR models to predict BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m/p-xylene and o-xylene) concentrations in Sarnia, 'Chemical Valley', Ontario, and model the intra-urban variability of BTEX compounds in the city for a community health study.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Using Organic Vapour Monitors, pollutants were monitored at 39 locations across the city of Sarnia for 2 weeks in October 2005. LUR models were developed to generate predictor variables that best estimate BTEX concentrations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Industrial area, dwelling counts, and highways adequately explained most of the variability of BTEX concentrations (<it>R</it>²: 0.78 – 0.81). Correlations between measured BTEX compounds were high (> 0.75). Although most of the predictor variables (e.g. land use) were similar in all the models, their individual contributions to the models were different.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Yielding potentially different health effects than nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, modelling other air pollutants is essential for a better understanding of the link between air pollution and health. The LUR models developed in these analyses will be used for estimating outdoor exposure to BTEX for a larger community health study aimed at examining the determinants of health in Sarnia.</p

バスケットボールのチェストパスにおける技能の水準と換気効率の関係(人間環境学)

バスケットボールの熟練者群と未熟練者群に, チェストパスの距離漸増投球動作, および対照実験として頻度漸増踏み台昇降動作を行わせ, 呼気を分析した。投球動作では, 熟練者のほうがエネルギー消費量が小さいのに, 1分あたりの換気量には両群間に差がなく, 一回換気量は熟練者のほうが小さかった。また, 熟練者のほうが一回呼吸時間が短く, これは吸気時間ではなく, 呼気時間が短いためであった。死腔一回換気量率(VD/VT)と呼気量二酸化炭素排出量率(VE/VCO_2)は, いずれも換気の効率を示すものであるが, 投球動作においてはともに熟練者のほうが大きく, 熟練者は効率の低い換気をすることが明らかとなった。これは, 熟練者の一回換気量が小さいことに起因するものであるが, 熟練者は呼吸のタイミングを動作と密接に結びつけて高いパフォーマンスを発揮しており, その際, 換気の効率よりパフォーマンスのほうが優先される結果であると考えられた。To investigate the relationship between skill level and ventilatory efficiency concerning chest pass of basketball, throwing movement was executed to the target on the wall by 5 skilled and 5 unskilled players. Throwing frequency was fixed to 15 times per minute and distance to the target was increased gradually at each 3 minutes. During the exercise, energy expenditure was measured by analysis of expired air, and minute volume, tidal volume, inspiring time, expiring time, ventilation, fraction of expired carbon dioxide, and end tidal carbon dioxide were recorded. Then the ratio of dead space to tidal volume, and the ratio of ventilation to carbon dioxide production at throwing were calculated concerning each distance. Both these 2 indices of skilled players were larger than that of unskilled players due to large respiratory rate of skilled players derived from the short expiring time, although mechanical efficiency was higher than at unskilled players. The reason was supposed that the timing of breathing of skilled players was closely tied to the throwing movement, and throwing performance was given priority to ventilatory efficiency

民生用ビデオカメラによる3次元動作分析用,同期信号発生装置の試作

To analyze 3D motion with 2 household degital camcorders, a synchronizing signal generator constructed by 10 pairs of LEDs and the driving circuit was developed, Ten pieces of red colored 5 cm wide line tape were attached on a L-shaped 1 m long white angle bar at outside surfaces of L-shape with a distance of each 5 cm, and on each red area 2 green LEDs were mounted at both surfaces and these 2 LEDs were connected in series. At video recording, each pair of LEDs (ten pairs in total) were lighted successively for each 1/600 second (1/10 single field time) once each cycle by a singechip mycrocomputer, and this cycle was repeated at intervals of 1 second. The angle bar was set in the vicinity of right or left end of the camera angle, and both outside surfaces of L-shape were trained to 2 camcorders. When an exposure of a camcorder comes across the lighting cycle of LEDs, a certain position and number of LEDs, corresponding to the delay from the lighting of the first pair and the duration of the exposure respectively, are recorded to a camcorder. Based on these records, the time difference of each exposure of 2 camcorders could be calculated, and the coordinates of the subject in the screen image derived from one camcorder could be converted to those synchronized to another camcorder by interpolatio

パーソナルコンピュータとプリンタによるデータレコーダの試作(人間環境学)

A simple 8 channel data recorder was developed which was constructed by a personal computer with A-D converter and a printer. Sampling interval was created with a built-in timer IC (8253), A-D converted data were written into memory ICs not by DMA but with data transfer instruction, and graphic data display on CRT was not executed with graphic controller IC but by writing data into VRAM directly. The printer was driven with graphic command (ESC/Page mode) directly. As the result, the execution speed was very high, and the software for data recording can run on many kinds of personal computers and A-D converter boards by not modifying the program or in little. As this software can be altered at will by each user, this equipment is convenient for anyone engaging in measuring various kinds of electrical signal. As an example, whole body reaction time, electromyogram, goniogram etc. were measured simultaneously : satisfactory result was acquired