Other highlights:
- High Performance: UK coaches, managers and practitioners get schooled on the important role of parents in developing elite athletes;
- Sport Development: Includes a report on the impact of professionalism on New Zealand’s domestic rugby competitions and how competition balance may be achieved;
- Recreation: Adventure activities are in the spotlight with the launch of new Adventure Activity Regulations and the new ‘AdventureSmart’ website.
Index
High Performance Sport
High performance parenting insight – 28 Mar 2012
Olympic Development managers, coaches and practitioners responsible for the identification and development of elite sporting talent across a range of Olympic sports are set for the final UK masterclass in a series aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the elite development pathway. (English Institute of Sport)
Support for Australian high performance sport research – 2 Apr 2012
Australian Minister for Sport Kate Lundy has welcomed the new Director of the Australian Institute of Sport, Matt Favier, by announcing $1 million in funding for research into high performance sport. (Australian Sports Commission)
London is ready to host the Olympic Games as excitement builds – 30 Mar 2012
The International Olympic Committee Coordination Commission for London 2012 has concluded its 10th and final visit to the 2012 host city with the message that London is ready to welcome the world’s best athletes and Olympic and Paralympic fans this summer. (Olympic Movement)
Mountain bike venue on course for the Games – 4 Apr 2012
The London 2012 Organising Committee has announced improvements and alterations to the mountain bike venue in Essex. Following the mountain bike test event last July and based on the feedback of riders and the International Federation, several changes have been made to the course. (London 2012)
BBC to gauge audience response to Olympic 3D coverage – 30 Mar 2012
Ben Gallop, BBC Sport’s head of interactive, denied that the UK public-service broadcaster had scaled down initial plans for 3D coverage of this summer’s Olympic Games in London. The broadcaster will show the opening ceremony, closing ceremony, and men’s 100m final in 3D, while a highlights package at the end of each day will also be aired in 3D on the BBC’s high-definition channel. (SportBusiness)
International Paralympic Committee announces two major events to coincide with London 2012 – 26 Mar 2012
The International Paralympic Committee has announced two major initiatives that will take place during the London 2012 Paralympic Games, which will be organised by the IPC Academy, the education arm of the International Paralympic Committee. (International Paralympic Committee)
Spotlight on Paralympic swimming classification – 4 Mar 2012
Retired three-time Paralympic champion swimmer Giles Long is working as a C4Paralympics reporter in the build-up to and during the London 2012 Olympics. In this article, he explains swimming classification and how disabled competitors are put into races based on functionability in their sport. (English Federation of Disability Sport)
Commonwealth Games Federation delighted with Glasgow 2014 progress – 5 Apr 2012
The Co-ordination Commission of the Commonwealth Games Federation has concluded its second inspection visit to Glasgow, the host city of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The four member panel has spent two days meeting with the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee and representatives from a range of Games partners. (Glasgow 2014)
Financial difficulties force changes in the 2012 Windsurfing World Tour – 8 Apr 2012
The Professional Windsurfers Association has announced that the Bonaire Freestyle World Cup, which was planned for June 2012, has been cancelled. Despite the best efforts of all involved, a substantial cut in available government funding for the event has meant that the organisers have had to cancel their plans for 2012 and will now look ahead to bringing the event back for 2013. (SurferToday)
Sports Development
Competitive balance in New Zealand rugby – 2012
New Zealand rugby has been confronted with the situation where competitions have become predictable, making it increasingly hard to maintain fan support and to attract new fans. The objective of this small study is to determine the opinion of both employees and officials on competitive balance in New Zealand rugby. (Otago University)
Online rugby registration trial underway – 29 Mar 2012
Rugby players, administrators and volunteers are set to benefit from an online registration trial designed to make it simpler for New Zealanders to sign up for rugby each year. The New Zealand Rugby Union is working alongside provincial unions to pilot online registration with selected clubs and schools, as an alternative to completing the NZRU paper registration form. (New Zealand Rugby Union)
'Whole of Football' plan celebrates first year wins – 27 Mar 2012
New Zealand Football's award-winning development blueprint, the 'Whole of Football' plan, is poised to expand after a successful pilot year. Launched last year, the plan aligns development programmes with the aim to provide a unified pathway into the game and deliver a consistent high-quality experience to players, coaches, and officials. (Australasian Leisure Management)
Volunteers in Australian sport – 27 Mar 2012
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has summarised the results from the 2010 General Social Survey relating to sport and physical recreation volunteers. This research reports on the characteristics of people who volunteer and the volunteering experience (eg, frequency, expenses) among other things. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
European study on grassroots sport funding – June 2011
The main purpose of the study was to identify and evaluate the different systems of funding of grassroots sport across the EU. The study examines the importance for grassroots sport of different funding sources, including gambling and media revenue. The impact of certain regulations on the funding of grassroots sport is analysed as well. (European Commission)
'World first' Down-Under cycle race attracts international media – 28 Mar 2012
International interest in a quirky Kiwi cycling event is hotting up, a month out from the start of this ‘world first’ national tour. Lifestyle-publication writers from Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, China and the UK have had their interest piqued by news of the imminent inaugural Tour of New Zealand. (Endurance Sport NZ)
Japan Anti-Doping Agency progress with sports pharmacist system – 27 Mar 2012
The Japan Anti-Doping Agency has delivered an update on its initiative for sports pharmacists. The Sports Pharmacist System was launched by JADA in 2009 and is designed to give Japanese pharmacists an in-depth knowledge of anti-doping and also boosting athletes’ confidence in the profession. (World Anti-Doping Agency)
Sport Science, Medicine and Coaching
Oral contraceptive cycle phase does not affect 200 metre swim time trial performance – April 2012
This study examined whether swimming performance was affected by acute hormonal fluctuation within a monophasic oral contraceptive cycle. (Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research)
Validity of the modified Conconi test for determining ventilatory threshold during on-water rowing – 1 Dec 2011
Rowing is considered an endurance sport. Various methods exist for the determination of the anaerobic threshold, including the Conconi protocol, which was originally proposed as a method to determine the anaerobic threshold in runners by analysing the relationship between heart rate, running, and velocity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the Conconi method modified for on-water rowing in order to determine the anaerobic threshold and to compare it to the second ventilatory threshold. (Journal of Sports Science and Medicine)
Heart rate variability in responders and non-responders to “live-moderate, train-low” altitude training for triathletes – 2011
This study compared the effects of an altitude training camp on heart rate variability and performance in elite triathletes. (Lincoln University)
Scientists measure how energy is spent in martial arts – 20 Mar 2012
Researchers at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil have found a way to measure the contributions of individual energy systems for any type of exercise. Previously, researchers have only been able to study predictable sports that are easy to replicate in the laboratory, such as running. With this new method, scientists will be able to study team and individual sports that have previously been neglected. (Newswise)
An investigative study into the influence of a commercially available carbohydrate-protein-electrolyte beverage on short term repeated exercise performance – 9 Mar 2012
The purpose of this study was to undertake an independent investigation into the effects of ingesting a carbohydrate-protein-electrolyte beverage on repeated submaximal and time-trial cycling performance. (Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition)
Ballerinas needed for vitamin D study – 2 Apr 2012
Young ballerinas who train excessively as they dream of a role in Swan Lake may be compromising their wellbeing and performance, say Massey University nutrition researchers who are launching a study on vitamin D and its role in dancers’ health. (Massey University)
Speed skaters' brains: specialised training of complex motor skills may induce sports-specific structural changes in cerebellum – 26 Mar 2012
A new study, using brain imaging technology, reveals structural adaptations in short-track speed skaters' brains which are likely to explain their extraordinary balance and co-ordination skills. (Science Daily)
Genetic tests for athletic ability: science or snake oil? – 10 Jan 2012
In the field of direct-to-consumer genetic testing critics abound - especially when those tests are for assessing something as complex as athletic potential. (Canadian Medical Association Journal)
'Runner's high' may have played a role in human evolution – 22 Mar 2012
Aerobic exercise triggers a reward system in the body of long-distance running creatures like humans and dogs, but not ferrets, and may be linked to human evolution, a study led by a University of Arizona anthropologist suggests. (University of Arizona)
Sports activity and the use of cigarettes and snuff among young males in Finland, 1999-2010 – 22 Mar 2012
This study examined the association between sports activity and the current use of snus (Swedish snuff), cigarette smoking, and the combined use of cigarettes and snus among young males in Finland. The results show a clear association between snus use and intensity and type of training. Team sports were associated with increased use of snus and dual use compared with no participation in team sports. These findings should be acknowledged when planning and implementing preventive strategies. (BMC Public Health)
Management of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in skeletally immature individuals – March 2012
This article presents among other things the physiological background for considerations that must be made when advising on treatment alternatives for skeletally immature individuals after anterior cruciate ligament injury. (Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy)
Active Communities
British Taking Part survey – March 2012
The latest data from the 2011/12 Taking Part survey provides reliable national estimates of adult and child engagement and non-engagement in culture, leisure and sport. Along with sports participation, results cover support for hosting the 2012 Games and digital engagement with sports websites. (UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Engineering reports for Centennial and QEII Park recreation and sport centres made available – 27 Mar 2012
Christchurch City Council has released engineering reports that show the scale of damage at two of the city’s recreation and sport centres. Centennial and QEII Park Recreation and Sport Centres have been closed since they were damaged in last year’s 22 February earthquake. (Christchurch City Council)
New artificial turf for college – 27 Mar 2012
The newly built artificial sports field at Wellington College has opened to the public. The all-weather facility is a partnership between the Council and the college, which means school and community sport are both winners. (Wellington City Council)
Smartphones work as guides on Porirua walking tracks– 21 Mar 2012
The top 12 walking and cycling tracks in Porirua are becoming smart phone friendly with the introduction of a QR code, a high-tech version of a bar code, to help walkers and cyclists find their way. (Porirua City Council)
Research clears the air on peak hour cycling – 16 Mar 2012
Riding your bicycle through streets congested with traffic each day has little impact on healthy cyclists, a new study has found. The study looked at the air pollution perceptions of cyclists, the volume of air pollution present, and whether changing commute routes had an impact on a cyclist's exposure to air pollution and subsequently on their health. The researchers noted those with underlying respiratory complaints were best to avoid congested routes. (Queensland University of Technology)
Trampoline advice issued by orthopaedic surgeons – 28 Mar 2012
The recreational use of trampolines has increased significantly since the 1950s, and even though trampolines can be fun, they can also cause serious injury. (Medical News Today)
Recreation
Adventure activities regulations: guidance for operators – March 2012
Adventure activities, by their very nature, often involve some risk to participants. The New Zealand Government has introduced regulations to ensure operators have sound safety standards in place. The guide, which can be downloaded from this site, has been developed to ensure that these operators fully understand the regulations and how they apply to their activities. (Department of Labour)
Be 'AdventureSmart' in the outdoors – 3 Apr 2012
A new website has been launched to promote outdoor safety information to the thousands of people who enjoy the New Zealand outdoors every year. Known as AdventureSmart, the site provides Kiwis and overseas visitors with one online location for safety information and planning support to help them enjoy safe land, snow, water, boating and air activities. (Walking Access)
Latent demand and time-contextual constraints to outdoor recreation in Sweden – 23 Dec 2011
This study analyses the latent demand for outdoor recreation participation and identifies what factors are constraining people from realising this demand. In Sweden, recreation in the outdoors is seen as a public right as articulated in public policy and much outdoor recreation centres around forested landscapes—over 60 percent of the land area is classified as forest. The study can be downloaded from this page. (Forests)
US national report ranks cities and states for bicycling and walking – 23 Jan 2012
In the Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2012 Benchmarking Report, the Alliance for Biking & Walking ranks all 50 states and the 51 largest U.S. cities on bicycling and walking levels, safety, funding, and other factors. The report can be downloaded from this site. (US Alliance for Biking & Walking)
Wheels of change – US Spring 2012
A growing number of Americans are hopping on mountain bikes as a way to connect with the natural world. But do knobby tires belong on national park trails? (National Parks Conservation Association)
Young People
Fundamental movement skills among children in New Zealand – March 2012
The report, which can be downloaded from this site, provides a national picture of movement skills among Year 4 and Year 8 students, with skill levels measured in 2006 compared with skill levels measured four years earlier in 2002. The findings are based on data from the National Education Monitoring Project which was funded by the Ministry of Education. (Sport New Zealand)
US school-based physical education and sports programmes review – February 2012
Schools are uniquely positioned to be an access point for students to engage in physical activity through physical education classes and sports teams. This review looks at the opportunities provided within US schools, the challenges to provision, and ways to alleviate some of the challenges faced. (US Government Accountability Office)
Circus for schools: bringing a ‘circo arts’ dimension to physical education – 2012
'Circus arts' have the potential to motivate and engage children in exploring and mastering a wide range of physical competencies. This New Zealand research notes there is little evidence of 'circus arts' in school physical education programmes and even less written about this activity genre. (Physical & Health Education Academic Journal)
Views of adolescent female youth on physical activity during early adolescence – March 2012
Early adolescence is a time when a transition away from sport and physical activity participation is at its highest level among female youth. This has led to the identification of barriers and facilitators of physical activity participation for adolescent females. This project sought further insight in this area, using tenets of interpretive phenomenology. (Journal of Sports Science and Medicine)
The impact of toys and play on children’s physical activity – January 2012
This exploratory study built on research findings that indicated that children were more likely to engage in ‘fun’ activities and that children were more active when given a choice of toys to play with. Physical activity levels and the type of activities were compared during play with toys and a toy substitute (cardboard boxes); and during the school break, school lunch-time and PE sessions of primary aged children from Year 3. (Loughborough University Institute of Youth Sport)
Natural childhood report – 30 Mar 2012
Evidence of a long-term and dramatic decline in children’s relationship with the outdoors in the UK is ‘overwhelming’. Urgent action is needed to bridge this growing gap before it is too late, according to the UK National Trust’s latest report. (UK National Trust)
Secondary school athletes prepare for tough conditions as they GO-4-12 – 4 Apr 2012
Some of Hastings districts toughest terrain will confront athletes competing in the official New Zealand Secondary Schools adventure racing championship. GO-4-12 is a non-stop adventure race which tests student’s mountain biking, walking, running, tube rafting, navigation and rope skills. (Endurance Sport)
Land preparation underway for new Koutu youth space – 28 Mar 2012
Koutu residents will notice landscaping material and fill currently being placed on Karenga Park to raise the reserve’s soil level in preparation for construction of Rotorua District Council’s next youth space. (Rotorua District Council)
Taskforce supports active engagement for youth – 23 Mar 2012
The Community Taskforce for Youth Wellbeing is supporting active engagement for young people in sports and considering ways in which they can encourage greater involvement for Wanganui’s youth. (Wanganui District Council)
Young people's sport panel to shape future of Scottish sport – 26 Mar 2012
Sportscotland, the national agency for sport, and Young Scot, the national youth information and citizenship charity, are working together to establish a sport panel that will ensure Scotland’s younger generation play an active and significant role in developing and influencing policy in sport. (sportscotland)
Loughborough rugby project gives school children a BOOST – 2 Apr 2012
The Loughborough BOOST project is aimed at giving children in Leicester the opportunity to benefit from the values of rugby to help them improve in their everyday lives. (Loughborough University)
Secondary school futsal champs show growth of sport – 2 Apr 2012
The rapid growth of futsal in New Zealand since being incorporated under the New Zealand Football banner was shown recently in an expanded NZSSSC National Futsal Championships in Wellington. (New Zealand Football)
Useful Weblinks
Rugby League’s One Community
Using the strong profile of Rugby League, ‘One Community' works across all levels of the game - players, volunteers, supporters and corporate partners - to make a positive difference to people's lives. It specifically focuses on improving the lives of children and families who are in need and also responds to key public needs by building strategic partnerships in the areas of health, education and social issues.
School Sport Australia
School Sport Australia has been responsible for the development and promotion of school sport in Australia. This link takes you to their policies, procedures & guidelines documents.