Aptitude Indices Research Articles

Evaluation of saddle and driving aptitudes in Monterufoli pony

The Monterufoli pony is an endangered Tuscan breed. In the 80’s began a project for the conservation of the breed and at present there are roughly 200 individuals. The equine was once utilized for saddle and driving and this study deals with the training for these two aptitudes. The morphologic type of the pony seems suited for saddle, in particular for children and beginners, and driving. The ponies showed developed chest, strong legs with short shanks: all these characters were useful for trot and driving. In this trial 3-4 years old never tamed Monterufoli ponies were opportunely choose and subsequently trained for saddle and driving. The ponies were submitted to the ”aptitude test” for the two aptitudes and the results were good both for practical and character sides. The marks for saddle and driving were 8.16 and 8.06 respectively. Also the 3 ponies showed good results for the Aptitude Index: 7.60, 7.87 and 7.89. The results of the trial showed the excellent ability of the Monterufoli pony for saddle and driving. The good results of the test are important for the diffusion of the breed in the territory and in particular in horse centres and in equestrian tourism sites.

Prevalência de fatores de risco para doenças crônicas não-transmissíveis: impacto de 16 semanas de treinamento futebolístico em índices do estado nutricional e da aptidão física de praticantes de futebol society

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar a prevalência de fatores de risco (FR) para doenças crônicas não-transmissíveis (DCNT) em praticantes de futebol society e o impacto de 16 semanas de treinamento futebolístico em índices do estado nutricional e da aptidão física. MÉTODOS: Amostra: 45 indivíduos (38,6 ± 7,4 anos), divididos em dois grupos: Experimental (G1 = 22) e Controle (G2 = 23). O G1 submeteu-se a um programa de treinamento de três sessões semanais em dias alternados com duração de 90 minutos (min). O G2 participou, uma vez por semana, de jogo de futebol, com duração de 90 min. As variáveis de investigação contemplaram FR para DCNT, indicadores antropométricos, análises bioquímicas e da aptidão física. A análise dos dados contou com estatística descritiva e inferencial mediante o SPSS 13.0. RESULTADOS: As maiores prevalências de FR apontaram para o sobrepeso (65,0%), história familiar de câncer (57,5%) e cardiopatias (55,0%) e hipertrigliceridemia (32,5%). O G1 apresentou diminuição na massa corporal (p = 0,007), circunferência abdominal (p = 0,010), índice de massa corpórea (p = 0,007) e percentual de gordura (p = 0,004), fato não observado no G2. Em ambos os grupos, as análises do colesterol total, triglicerídeos e glicose em jejum, não mostraram diminuição significativa durante o período investigado (p > 0,05). O G1 obteve melhores índices de consumo máximo de oxigênio (p = 0,011), resistência muscular (p = 0,000) e flexibilidade (p = 0,000), o que não ocorreu no G2. CONCLUSÃO: Os futebolistas apresentaram alta prevalência de FR para DCNT. Em termos gerais, o G1 obteve mudanças satisfatórias no estado nutricional e na aptidão física durante o período de 16 semanas, condição não identificada no G2.

Disturbances of phytoclimatic suitability within the Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) natural distribution area in Spain

This paper shows just a small piece from the whole phytoclimatic study done for Pinus halepensis Mill in Spain, using the models of Allué Andrade (1990-1997). It’s been the Site- Phytoclimatic Aptitude model (Allué Andrade, 1997) our main tool. The fluctuations of Site- Phytoclimatic Aptitude Index, between and after 1970 in the natural area of the Aleppo pine in our country, develop again the idea of the phytoclimatic habitat changing with time and space.

Índices de aptidão funcional em jogadores de futebol da Seleção Nacional da Jamaica

O principal objetivo deste estudo foi mostrar alguns índices de aptidão funcional em 24 jogadores de futebol da Seleção Nacional da Jamaica, com média de idade de 23,9 ± 3,7 anos, equipe pré-classificada para a Copa do Mundo da França. Todos os atletas foram submetidos a uma bateria de testes que constou de: 1) avaliação da potência, resistência muscular e o índice de fadiga no teste de Wingate, realizado numa bicicleta computadorizada da marca Cybex, modelo Bike; 2) teste isocinético computadorizado de membros inferiores no equipamento da marca Cybex, modelo 1200; 3) avaliação da flexibilidade pelo teste de Wells e Dillon; 4) exames laboratoriais; e 5) avaliação odontológica, realizada através de exames clínicos num consultório da marca Funk modelo MLX Plus. Os seguintes parâmetros e os resultados encontrados foram: Wingate: potência pico corrigida pelo peso = 11,8 ± 1,8w.kg-1; potência média = 9,1 ± 1,2w.kg-1; índice de fadiga = 46,2 ± 15,2%; Flexibilidade = 19,8 ± 4,6cm; Exames laboratoriais: urina tipo I; fezes; hemoglobina = 14,3 ± 1,0g%; ferro = 104 ± 29ng/dl; ferritina = 81,8 ± 41,7ng/dl; transferrina = 502,5 ± 113,5ug/dl; hematócrito = 43,5 ± 2,9%; eritrócitos = 4,95 ± 0,40 milhões/m³; glicose = 91,0 ± 8,5mg/dl; Avaliação odontológica: tártaro em 5 (21%); cáries em 24 (100%); gengivites em 10 (42%); endodontia em 3 (12,5%); pulpites em 1 (4%); diastema em 2 (8%); heterotópicos em 13 (54%); extrações realizadas em 14 (58%); extrações não realizadas em 4 (17%); obturações em 4 (17%); próteses em 16 (67%); a profilaxia estava sendo feita em 17 (71%) dos atletas examinados; Desempenho isocinético: torque de MMII direito a 60°S-1 na extensão = 290,4 ± 95,6Nm; na flexão = 216,1 ± 31,4Nm; torque de MMII esquerdo a 60°S-1 na extensão = 291,6 ± 62,5Nm; na flexão = 205,8 ± 35,8Nm. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar da falta de estrutura tecnológica do futebol jamaicano, os resultados demonstraram que os índices de aptidão funcional dos futebolistas avaliados neste estudo foram semelhantes aos de jogadores verificados no Centro de Medicina Integrada da Associação Portuguesa de Desportos.

Functional aptitude indexes in soccer (football) players of the Jamaican all-star team

Functional aptitude indexes in soccer (football) players of the Jamaican all-star team. This study is mainly aimed at showing some functional aptitude indexes in 24 soccer (football) players of the Jamaican all-star team, aged 23.9 ± 3.7 and pre-classified for the World Cup in France, in 1998. The athletes were all submitted to a batery of tests consisting: 1) evaluation of power, muscular endurance and fatigue index through the Wingate Test carried out on a computerized bicycle (Cybex trademark-Bike model); 2) lower limber computerized isokinetic test using Cybex equipment (model 1200); 3) flexibility evaluation by the Wells & Dillon test; 4) laboratory analyses; 5) odontological evaluation carried out through clinical examination in Funk office (modeal MLX Plus). These are the parameters and results obtained: Wingate Test: peak power corrected by weight = 11.8 ± 1.8 w.kg-1; average power = 9.1 ± 1.2 w.kg-1; fatigue index = 46.2 ± 15.2%; Flexibility = 19.8 ± 4.6 cm; Laboratory Analyses: urine type 1, feces, hemoglobin = 14.3 ± 1.0 g%; iron = 104 ± 29 ng/dl; ferritin = 81.8 ± 41.7 ng/dl; transferrin = 502.5 ± 113.5 ug/dl; hematocrit = 43.5 ± 2.9%; erythrocytes = 49.95 ± 0.40 million/m3; glucose = 91.0 ± 8.5 mg/dl; Odontological Evaluation: tartar in 5 (21%); caries in 24 (100%); gingivitis in 10 (42%); endodontia in 3 (12.5%); pulpitis in 1 (4%); diastema in 2 (8%); heterotopic in 13 (54%); extractions achieved in 14 (58%); extractions unachieved in 4 (17%); fillings in 4 (17%); prosthesis in 16 (67%). Seventeen (71%) of the athletes examined were under prophilactic treatment. Kinetic Performance: LL right torque at 60 ° S-1 in extension = 290.4 ± 95.6 Nm; in flexion = 216.1 ± 31.4 Nm; LL left torque at 60 ° S-1 in extension = 291.6 ± 62.5 Nm; in flexion = 205.8 ± 35.8 Nm. In conclusion: Despite the lack of technological structure in the Jamaican soccer (football), the results have shown that the soccer (football) players’ indexes of functional aptitude in the players submitted to evaluation in this study are similar to those observed in our Center of Integrated Medicine.

Judgment theory applied to the selection of life insurance salesmen

The predictability of success of life insurance salesmen, and the judgment policies of 16 Agency Managers who select them, were investigated within the lens model paradigm. Each judge observed 200 profiles abstracted from the records of salesmen for whom 1-year, dichotomous criterion information was available. The profiles consisted of 64 cues, abstracted from personnel files, with ecological cue intercorrelations intact. An additional 160 cases were available for cross-validation. The criterion was moderately (and usefully) predictable from a cross-validated linear combination of the cues. There was relatively little agreement among the judges' decisions and considerable disagreement about the proportion of profiles judged acceptable. Judges were consistent but inaccurate in their predictions, substantially overusing scores on the Aptitude Index Battery. Unit weighting was superior to bootstrapping, but regression statistics were used to select the cues for unit weighting. Several cluster analytic techniques were tried, but none was really effective in differentiating preexisting groups. Accuracy of insight was generally poor and was not related to experience. Potential relationships between the judgment literature and two others, the interviewing and rating literatures, were explored.

The prediction of academic and clinical performance in medical school

Prior studies have suggested the importance of distinguishing between performance in the earlier and later years of medical education. Factor analysis of grades by year and faculty ratings of clinical and general medical competence for 661 medical students identified two uncorrelated factors clearly reflecting this distinction. The clinical performance factor, accounting for 48% of the communality of the matrix, was more or less unpredictable from aptitude and premedical academic achievement indices; it was marginally predictable from scales on the Adjective Check List. The academic performance factor, accounting for 31% of the variance among criteria, was forecast with acceptable accuracy (cross-validated R=0.43) by equations based on the Medical College Admission Test and premedical grade point average. Future study should stress the clinical performance factor; this criterion appears to be more important than academic attainment, and it is also less accurately predicted by current measures.