Level of Caregiver Burden in Jamaican Stroke Caregivers and Relationship between Selected Socio-Demographic Variables

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the level of caregiver burden present in Jamaican stroke caregivers and to investigate the relationship between caregiver burden and selected sociodemographic variables. METHOD: The Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale and a demographic sheet were administered to the caregivers. The stroke survivors completed the Barthel Index and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Interview administration was used for all tools. RESULTS: A total of 48 caregivers with their stroke survivors participated in this study. Preliminary findings showed that caregivers of stroke survivors in Jamaica are experiencing some level of burden with scores ranging from 21 to 62 (mean = 43.64 ± 8.73). Lower burden scores indicate greater burden. Caregivers of female stroke survivors had significantly greater levels of burden (43.5 ± 8.87) than those caring for male survivors [44.4 ± 8.3] (p = 0.03). There were no significant correlations between caregiver burden and age of the stroke survivor; however, a low correlation was found between depression and caregiver burden (r = −0.33, p = 0.02). Female survivors were found to have significantly higher levels of depression than males (16.72 ± 6.21 vs 11.34 ± 7.31, p < 0.01) and caregivers of survivors who had higher depression scores experienced more burden. CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings point to depressive symptoms and functional status in the stroke survivor as being a significant contributor to caregiver burden; however, further data collection and analysis need to be completed before more definitive conclusions can be made

Plyometric Training Improves Power and Agility in Jamaica’s National Netball Team

Objective: Plyometric training is widely used in conditioning, power training and in prevention and rehabilitation of injuries in some sports. This study sought to investigate the effect of a three-week plyometric training programme on jump performance and agility in Jamaican national netball players. Method: Eighteen national netballers participated in a Plyometric training programme. Subjects were evaluated using the Vertical Jump Test, the Broad Jump Test and the Illinois Agility Test prior to the start of the programme and at week 3. Data Analysis: The data were analysed using SPSS version 12 for Windows. A One-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test showed normal distribution of data and a paired samples t-test was used to determine whether the mean change in jump performance and agility was significant. Results: All eighteen subjects completed the three weeks of training. Three subjects were shown to be outliers at week 3 and this resulted in data from 15 subjects being analysed. At the end of the three weeks, there were significant improvements in Vertical Jump Scores (p = 0.023), Broad Jump Scores (p = 0.002) and Agility scores (p = 0.045). Conclusion: Three weeks of Plyometric training can lead to significant improvements in jump performance and agility and should be integrated into the national training programme at intervals yet to be determined. Keywords: Illinois Agility Test, netballers, plyometric training "El Entrenamiento Pliométrico Mejora la Fuerza y Agilidad del Equipo Nacional de Netball de Jamaica" RESUMEN Objetivo: El entrenamiento pliométrico se usa ampliamente para el acondicionamiento, y entrenamiento de fuerza, así como para la prevención y rehabilitación de lesiones en algunos deportes. Este estudio buscó investigar el efecto de un programa de entrenamiento pliométrico de tres semanas sobre el rendimiento en salto alto y la agilidad de las jugadoras del Equipo Nacional de Netball de Jamaica. Método: Dieciocho jugadoras nacionales de netball participaron en un programa de entrenamiento pliométrico. Las sujetos fueron evaluadas usando la prueba de salto vertical, la prueba de salto largo y la prueba de agilidad de Illinois, antes del comienzo del programa y a la semana 3. Análisis de datos: Los datos fueron analizados usando la versión 12 de SPSS para Windows. La Prueba de Kolmogorov-Smirnov para una muestra mostró una distribución normal de los datos y una prueba t de muestras pareadas fue usada para determinar si el cambio promedio en el rendimiento del salto y la agilidad fue significativo. Resultados: Las dieciocho sujetos completaron las tres semanas de entrenamiento. Tres sujetos mostraron tener valores atípicos en la semana 3, y esto trajo por resultado que se analizaran datos de 15 sujetos. Al final de las tres semanas, se produjeron mejoras significativas en las puntuaciones del salto vertical (p = 0.023), las puntuaciones del salto largo (p = 0.002) y las puntuaciones de la agilidad (p = 0.045). Conclusión: Tres semanas de entrenamiento pliométrico pueden llevar a mejoras significativas en el rendimiento y agilidad, y deben integrarse en el programa de entrenamiento nacional a intervalos aún por determinar. Palabras claves: Prueba de agilidad de Illinois, jugadoras de netball, entrenamiento pliométric