Level Of Agility Research Articles

‘Some dance to remember’: Exploring the introduction of an adaptive Irish Céilí dance programme for people living with dementia and their carers in Ireland

AbstractBackgroundThis presentation reflects on a two‐year interdisciplinary arts‐based Masters by Research project which explored the psychosocial effects of a pilot adaptive Irish Céilí dance programme for people living with dementia and their carers. The Céilí dance activity was adapted to reflect participants’ levels of mobility, agility, ability, and cognitive skills.MethodBetween October 2019 and February 2020 field work involving people living with dementia and professional carers was conducted in a day care/respite centre based in the mid‐west region of Ireland. A phenomenological approach was adopted to investigate the lived experience of participants. Semi‐structured interviews with people living with dementia and professional care staff were conducted before, during and after the dance programme. All interviews were transcribed, and a thematic analysis lens applied to the data to facilitate analysis of emerging themes, commonalities and differences.ResultKey research themes include: enhanced reminiscence for the participant living with dementia, a greater sense of inclusion, and authentic mutual connectivity for both people with dementia and their carers who took part in the dance activity.ConclusionAn adaptive Irish Céilí dance programme can enhance the quality of life for people living with dementia and care staff. The research suggests that this dance programme warrants expansion to other dementia care facilities throughout Ireland and potentially internationally in areas with significant Irish cultural connections.

A new fuzzy DEA network based on possibility and necessity measures for agile supply chain performance evaluation: A case study

With respect to the necessity (Nec) measure, suggesting by Dubois and Prade, there is a dearth of any procedure or formula to deal with equality chance constraints. Therefore, this study attempted to introduce (Nec) and possibility (Pos) equality constraints in a real-case network non-oriented slack based model problem via agile supply chain (ASC) theory. The efficiency of different levels of agility of a dairy supply chain (SC), using a new fuzzy network Date Envelopment Analysis slack based model (FNDEA-SBM) on the basis of (Pos)/(Nec) measures, has been measured in this paper. The measurement took place in a multi-stage process. Since the agility features were rather qualitative in nature, the measures were likely to be delineated subjectively using linguistic expressions and fuzzy data. The application of (Pos)/(Nec) measures and different confidence levels made decision makers capable of getting information of all efficiency and sub efficiency scores through optimistic-pessimistic lenses and taking appropriate decisions on the basis of different optimistic-pessimistic points of view and confidence levels. The validity of the suggested approach was demonstrated through a real-life case study related to Iranian top twenty dairy firms. The results indicated the success of the suggested approach and computations were straightforward.

Measuring human IT agility and firms' digitalization using POSET: evidence from Italy

PurposeThe aim of this study is to provide a detailed picture of the digitalization propensity and human IT agility of Italian SMEs, verifying whether companies are pursuing coherent and reliable choices for these dimensions and whether digitalization choices affect human IT agility.Design/methodology/approachUsing a POSET approach, this study constructs two nonaggregative multidimensional indicators of human information technology (IT) agility and firms' digitalization. The analysis is based on the microdata provided by ISTAT relating to 4,682 Italian manufacturing companies.FindingsThe results show the existence of a strong relationship between digitalization propensity and human IT agility. However, the analysis shows that companies are characterized by a low level of digitalization propensity and human IT agility. At the same time, the findings highlighted that the managerial choices adopted by companies appear to be inconsistent with respect to the two multidimensional indicators.Practical implicationsThis study has important implications for managers and policymakers by suggesting acting specific policies to promote a better implementation of digitalization that considers the key role of human IT agility.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing literature on organizational agility and digitalization by providing a detailed picture of the Italian manufactured SMEs. At the same time, the POSET approach allows to aggregate a lot of information in one or more indicators without neglecting the value of each dimension faced with the extreme heterogeneity of companies' profiles.

The impact of the comprehensive use of sports games on the physical fitness of high school students

The results of experimental research on the effectiveness of the comprehensive use of sports games (volleyball, football, basketball, and handball) during extracurricular activities for high school students in physical education have been presented. The aim of the research was to determine the effectiveness of the extracurricular program based on the comprehensive use of sports games to improve the physical fitness of high school students. Research methods included analysis and generalization of data from scientific and methodological literature, pedagogical observations, pedagogical experiment, testing of general and special physical fitness, anthropometric methods of research, physiological methods of research, express assessment of physical health, and methods of mathematical statistics.
 The implementation of the experimental extracurricular program with volleyball games in general contributed to the improvement of overall physical fitness, including an increase in physical performance, development of physical qualities, a decrease in blood pressure, improvement of the general peripheral vascular resistance index, Robinson index, hypoxia index, Skibinski index, improvement of the functional state of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, improvement of physical health indicators, and improvement of special physical fitness indicators. In high school boys in the experimental group, significant improvement in their physical fitness was recorded compared to boys in the control group. Statistically significant improvements were observed in the level of physical performance, general level of physical fitness (speed-strength, strength abilities, level of agility, endurance, and flexibility), special physical fitness indicators, functional state, functional fitness, and physical health indicators. The analysis of the results of the pedagogical experiment suggests a high potential for the proposed approach to improve the system of extracurricular activities in physical education in secondary education institutions.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict organizational agility.

Since the pandemic organizations have been required to build agility to manage risks, stakeholder engagement, improve capabilities and maturity levels to deliver on strategy. Not only is there a requirement to improve performance, a focus on employee engagement and increased use of technology have surfaced as important factors to remain competitive in the new world. Consideration of the strategic horizon, strategic foresight and support structures is required to manage critical factors for the formulation, execution and transformation of strategy. Strategic foresight and Artificial Intelligence modelling are ways to predict an organizations future agility and potential through modelling of attributes, characteristics, practices, support structures, maturity levels and other aspects of future change. The application of this can support the development of required new competencies, skills and capabilities, use of tools and develop a culture of adaptation to improve engagement and performance to successfully deliver on strategy. In this paper we apply an Artificial Intelligence model to predict an organizations level of future agility that can be used to proactively make changes to support improving the level of agility. We also explore the barriers and benefits of improved organizational agility. The research data was collected from 44 respondents in public and private Australian industry sectors. These research findings together with findings from previous studies identify practices and characteristics that contribute to organizational agility for success. This paper contributes to the ongoing discourse of these principles, practices, attributes and characteristics that will help overcome some of the barriers for organizations with limited resources to build a framework and culture of agility to deliver on strategy in a changing world.

An IT-OT integration concept for flexible process automation

Abstract Industry 4.0 is a paradigm that plays a central role in the development of future automation systems. A new generation of industrial automation aims to increase the agility of automation systems. In this context, cooperation with the IT world is an important prerequisite to achieving the requested agility. Therefore, new architectures and solutions have to be developed to realize cooperation between automation and IT systems. The goal of this work is to present for the process industry an architectural design for industrial control systems in order to provide them with a higher level of connectivity and agility.

디지털 전환이 운전면허학원의 혁신 성과에 미치는 영향: 조직 민첩성의 매개 역할

In the context of the COVID-19 epidemic, the accelerated promotion and application of digital technology is gradually becoming an important factor affecting the success or failure of enterprises. There is a greater need for companies to understand the process elements that influence innovation performance. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed through the empirical study, and 211 valid questionnaires were obtained. The impact mechanisms between digital transformation, organizational agility and innovation performance are discussed through data analysis using SPSS 21.0 and AMOSS 24.0 software. The results show that having a higher level of digitalization in the driving school industry does not directly have a significant impact on the improvement of the level of innovation performance. The higher the degree of digital transformation, the higher the level of organizational agility; and organizational agility significantly affects the innovation performance of the company. And market agility and operational alignment agility have a partially mediating role in digital transformation and corporate innovation performance. This study reaffirms the importance of the driving school industry incorporating digital transformation into its investment strategy.

The impact of hexagon drill on the agility of junior men’s tennis players

The modern tennis games is characterized by an emphasis on quickness and strength. Rapid and multidirectional changes in the ball’s speed necessitate a high level of agility. This study aimed to determine the impact of hexagon drill training on the agility of male junior tennis players. This research is a quantitative type with experimental methods. The research design uses a one group pre-test and post-test design. The population in this study were junior male tennis players in Jawa Tengah with the sampling technique using purposive sampling. The characteristics of the sample determined by the researcher were male, athletes under 18 years of age, and practicing in the Jawa Tengah area. The number of samples used in the study was 40 people. Data analysis used the t-test by first carrying out the normality test and homogeneity test. The results of the data normality test in this study were 0.06 0.05 (0.06 greater than 0.05), which means that the data is normally distributed in the population frequency. The results of the homogeneity test in this study were 0.15 0.05 (0.15 greater than 0.05), which means the data is homogeneous. After the data is normally distributed and homogeneous, the researcher continues data processing, namely the t-test. The results of the t-test showed a significance value of 0.000 so it was less than 0.05 or 0.000 0.05 so there was a significant effect. The conclusion is that the hexagon drill exercise has an effect on increasing agility in junior men's tennis players in Central Java. Suggestions from researchers are that coaches can apply hexagon drill exercises to train junior tennis players under the age of 18 years.

The Cognitive agility and its relationship to psychological fluency and psychological Tranquility among a sample of Yemeni youth

Positive psychology, as a contemporary trend, is concerned in cognitive agility with effective ability and skill, and the employment of psychological energy and positive emotions. The research aims to identify the level of cognitive agility, psychological fluency, and psychological reassurance among a sample of Yemeni youth, and to reveal the relationship of cognitive agility to both psychological fluency and psychological reassurance among them. In addition, to reveal the differences in the variables between sample members according to gender (male, female) and types of occupations. Descriptive correlation method was adopted. The research tools were applied: measures of cognitive agility, fluency, and psychological reassurance, on a sample of (122) Yemeni youth, who were randomly selected from the residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The most important results concluded that there is a high level of cognitive flexibility and fluency among the Yemeni youth surveyed. And the level of "above average" in their sense of psychological reassurance, and the existence of a relationship of cognitive agility with both psychological fluency and psychological reassurance, which is a significant correlation at the level of (0.01). There are statistically significant differences between males and females in the cognitive agility variable, which is significant in favor of females. There are statistically significant differences between the mean of males and females in the variable of psychological fluency in favor of males, and there are no statistically significant differences in psychological reassurance, likewise, there are no statistically significant differences in the three variables according to occupation.

Evaluation of agility and acceleration levels in male and female futsal players

The aim of this study is to reveal the direction and level of the relationship between acceleration and agility in university student female and male futsal players who play futsal as amateurs. The subject group of the research consists of 15 male and 15 female university students who play futsal in the amateur league and practice futsal at least 3 days a week. The mean age of the participants was 19.80 ± 1.056 years in men, 20.33 ± 2.49 years in women, mean height in men 175.80±2.45 cm, in women 164.26 ± 4.39 cm, mean body weight in men 67.60 ± 6.05 and 54.20 ± 5.10 kg for women. The T-test was used to determine the agility performances of the subjects, and the acceleration measurements were applied with a photocell placed at 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m intervals. In both parameter measurements, the values were recorded in seconds. Measured values were given as mean and standard deviation and correlation analyses were applied to the relationship between agility and acceleration. In the relationship between agility and acceleration, it was determined that there was a positive relationship between agility and 5 m, 10 m, and 20m acceleration values in males and that there was a strong positive correlation between agility and 10m acceleration (r=0.848; p=0.00). On the other hand, it is seen that there is a negative and insignificant relationship between agility and acceleration parameters in females. While there was a difference in men's agility levels in height grouping, a significant difference was found in 10m and 20m acceleration levels in female futsal players It shows that it has a negative effect on female futsal players, albeit at a low level. Since the planning of speed and acceleration exercises together with agility in training will be effective in increasing the performance of the athlete, it is recommended to include such training in training programs.

Effect of Speed Agility Training and Quickness on Speed Enhancement and Agility: an Experimental Study

This research was conducted at Senior High School 1 Wonogiri. The sample taken was the women's futsal extracurricular group of Senior High School 1 Wonogiri which totaled 17 students. The data collection technique used is the use of tests and measurements. As for the measurement test procedure, researchers use Speed and agility measurement tests. The test instruments used are the 30 meter running test and the shuttle run. Hasil of this study obtained the value of sig. (The 2-tailed) the treatment group was 0.000. The value of the sig. The (2-tailed) treatment group < 0.05 showed that there was a significant difference between the initial test and the final test. So it can be concluded that speed agility and quickness training affects the level of speed and agility of the women's futsal extracurricular group of Senior High School 1 Wonogiri.

The impact of identified agility components on project success-ICT industry perspective.

The complexity of modern economic processes, along with the pressure from competition, the increasing client expectations and the need to introduce changes in the course of project implementation have led to a great interest in agile management methods. Therefore, the answer the question whether the implementation of an agile approach to project management can contribute to the project success is gaining relevance in a changing and inconsistent environment. This study attempts to answer the question which aspects of agility and in what manner can influence the final outcome of project work? The underlying objective of the study was to identify the conditions and success factors of implemented projects. This paper presents the results of a survey conducted in companies in ICT sector. For this purpose, a number of reports and materials provided by organisations and associations dealing with project management issues, in particular ICT projects, were analysed, complemented with data obtained from statistical offices and financial institutions. For the purposes of the own study, an original questionnaire was developed to identify critical factors for project success, in particular the defined agile components. On the basis of the conducted survey it can be concluded that the presence and high level agility is conducive to successful projects. It is the high level of agility supporting project activities that is essential for success. Of no less importance are the people and interactions between them, as well as self-organising teams. They are crucial for a positive evaluation of the project activities. Identification of the relationship between selected agility components and project success components allowed recommendations for solutions and attitudes that increase the chances of success in project management to be formulated. The synergy of individual agile components applied that increases the chances for project success.

A self-rotating, single-actuated UAV with extended sensor field of view for autonomous navigation.

Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) rely heavily on visual sensors to perceive obstacles and explore environments. Current UAVs are limited in both perception capability and task efficiency because of a small sensor field of view (FoV). One solution could be to leverage self-rotation in UAVs to extend the sensor FoV without consuming extra power. This natural mechanism, induced by the counter-torque of the UAV motor, has rarely been exploited by existing autonomous UAVs because of the difficulties in design and control due to highly coupled and nonlinear dynamics and the challenges in navigation brought by the high-rate self-rotation. Here, we present powered-flying ultra-underactuated LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensing aerial robot (PULSAR), an agile and self-rotating UAV whose three-dimensional position is fully controlled by actuating only one motor to obtain the required thrust and moment. The use of a single actuator effectively reduces the energy loss in powered flights. Consequently, PULSAR consumes 26.7% less power than the benchmarked quadrotor with the same total propeller disk area and avionic payloads while retaining a good level of agility. Augmented by an onboard LiDAR sensor, PULSAR can perform autonomous navigation in unknown environments and detect both static and dynamic obstacles in panoramic views without any external instruments. We report the experiments of PULSAR in environment exploration and multidirectional dynamic obstacle avoidance with the extended FoV via self-rotation, which could lead to increased perception capability, task efficiency, and flight safety.

Effects of Muscle Strength, Agility, and Fear of Falling on Risk of Falling in Older Adults

Falls are a major public health problem among older adults because they lead to premature mortality, loss of autonomy, and increased dependence on others. However, these associations have not been explored using procedures that analyze the sequential effects between risk factors of falling. The present study aimed to examine the effects of muscle strength, agility, and fear of falling on risk of falling using path analysis in community-dwelling older adults. In total, 49 elderly (female = 33, male = 16) participants aged between 65 and 76 years (M = 68.38 years; SD = 6.22) were included for analysis. Muscle strength, agility, fear of falling, and risk of falling were assessed using validated instruments for the older adult population. The proposed model shows that muscle strength was negatively associated with agility. Consequently, agility was negatively associated with fear of falling. The same trend appeared between fear of falling and risk of falling. The effect sizes were between small and medium for agility (R2 = 0.16), fear of falling, (R2 = 0.29), and risk of falling (R2 = 0.03). The main finding of the present study was that muscle strength was significantly correlated with agility, which, in turn, predicted fear of falling. Consequently, lower scores for fear of falling explained lower risk of falling in community-dwelling older adults. While muscle strength is a crucial component of physical fitness, only with adequate levels of agility can older adults possess the efficacy and ability to perform daily tasks.

Analysis of the adductors and abductors' maximum isometric strength on the level of speed and agility in basketball players

Introduction: his study investigated the relationship between hip abductor strength (Abd), adductor strength (Add), straight accelerations and decelerations, and during changes of direction (COD 90°) performance in basketball players. Material and Methods: Fourteen basketball players participated (age = 23.6 ± 4.4 years, body mass = 86.3 ± 5.9 kg, body height = 192.3 ± 6.2 cm, training experience = 6.7 ± 2.6 years). Straight running results and running with a change of direction (COD 90°) have been described as the time (s) obtained for a given length. Following tests were carried out: maximum isometric strength test, 20-m linear sprint and 20-m COD sprint with 90° direction change angles. Following the warm-up, all athletes performed two maximal 20-m linear sprints, interspersed with 5 min rest intervals. Following the 20-m linear sprint test, the participants were provided with a 5 min rest interval before completing the COD tests. Additionally, the balance in isometric strength of the dominant and non-dominant hip Abd-Add muscles were evaluated. Two maximum attempts interspersed with one-minute rest intervals were performed. Results: The t-test revealed statistically significant higher absolute and relative isometric strength of AddR (adductor right) in comparison to AddL (adductor left). Conclusion: The results of this study show that the maximum isometric force and the relative strength of the abductor muscle group have a significant effect on changing direction running. Moreover, hip Abd and Add are typical for strength bilateral strength imbalances. Therefore, the evaluation and development of these qualities are essential for coaches to monitor and prescribe adequate training regimens.

Locomotor behavior and hearing sensitivity in an early lagomorph reconstructed from the bony labyrinth.

The structure of the bony labyrinth is highly informative with respect to locomotor agility (semicircular canals [SCC]) and hearing sensitivity (cochlear and oval windows). Here, we reconstructed the agility and hearing sensitivity of the stem lagomorph Megalagus turgidus from the early Oligocene of the Brule Formation of Nebraska (USA). Megalagus has proportionally smaller SCCs with respect to its body mass compared with most extant leporids but within the modern range of variability, suggesting that it was less agile than most of its modern relatives. A level of agility for Megalagus within the range of modern rabbits is consistent with the evidence from postcranial elements. The hearing sensitivity for Megalagus is in the range of extant lagomorphs for both low- and high-frequency sounds. Our data show that by the early Oligocene stem lagomorphs had already attained fundamentally rabbit-like hearing sensitivity and locomotor behavior, even though Megalagus was not a particularly agile lagomorph. This is likely because Megalagus was more of a woodland dweller than an open-habitat runner. The study of sensory evolution in Lagomorpha is practically unknown, and these results provide first advances in understanding the primitive stages for the order and how the earliest members of this clade perceived their environment.

Organizational Type Mismatch in Agile SMEs

Organizational type mismatch occurs when organizations use traditional approaches to govern agile teams. It has harmful effects on organizational performance and team morale. This article explores this phenomenon at agile software development small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In particular, we aimed to evaluate the importance, frequency, and agility level of governance practices in this context. To do this, we developed a survey underpinned by CMMI-DEV V2.0 governance practices. We collected information from 50 practitioners working at 39 agile SMEs from 12 countries. Our quantitative and qualitative analysis shows that most of the surveyed agile SMEs consider that governance practices are important. However, only a few frequently implement such practices, and those that do fail to adopt an agile approach. These results suggest that agile SMEs are also prone to organizational type mismatch. We provide some recommendations to address this issue.

Ocean sunfish, genus Mola Kölreuter, 1766 (Pisces Molidae), exhibit surprising levels of agility during interactions with orca, Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia Delphinidae)

Ocean sunfish, genus Mola Kölreuter, 1766 (Pisces Molidae), exhibit surprising levels of agility during interactions with orca, Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia Delphinidae)

Effects of agility, coordination, and flexibility on dribbling skills in senior high school female field hockey players

Physical condition is an important factor affecting dribbling skills in field hockeys. In this regard, agility, hand-eye coordination, and waist flexibility have not been investigated simultaneously in field hockey players. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of agility, hand-eye coordination, and waist flexibility on dribbling skills in senior high school female field hockey players. Thirty female senior high school students in Indonesia were recruited as the research sample. The participants were female students involved in coaching field hockey extracurricular activities at school, average age 17.90 ± 0.80 yrs, height 159.17 ± 1.82 cm, body weight 53.60 ± 3.51 kg, and BMI 21.16 ± 2.89. Data were collected using the agility t-test, throw catch test tennis ball, sit and reach test, and Schmithals-French hockey test. They were then analyzed using correlation and regression. The results showed that agility, hand-eye coordination, and waist flexibility had a significant effect on dribbling skills (p < 0.05). Partially, the effects of agility, hand-eye coordination is 37.40%, and waist flexibility were 76.30 %, 37.40 %, 46.20%, and 84.00%, respectively. Of these three components, agility is the most influential component of dribbling skills, without neglecting hand-eye coordination or waist flexibility. In conclusion, the level of agility, hand-eye coordination, and waist flexibility have a significant impact on dribbling skills in senior high school female field hockey players. Coaches should prepare and develop appropriate training programs for these three components to improve hockey dribbling skills. Future studies are needed to incorporate the physical component and other factors related to field hockey dribbling skills, as well as diversity, and a wider sample size.

The relationship of cognitive abilities and motor proficiency in preschool children – pilot study

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between cognitive abilities and motor skills in a selected group of preschool children. Material and methods: We measured 56 children (27 girls, 29 boys; average age 5.97±0.42). The level of motor proficiency was measured using the short version of the BOT-2 test, and cognitive abilities were measured using the colored trail making test for children. Results: Girls scored better on all test items, and the observed differences were not statistically significant, except for the difference in fine manual control. For this category, the results for girls were significantly better than those for boys (p<0.01). The effect size of the observed differences in cognitive and motor skill levels between girls and boys had a large effect. The results showed a strong correlation between the level of cognitive abilities and the level of motor profieciency in preschool children (r=0.61; p<0.01) in the whole group as well as when assessing correlations separately for the group of boys (r=0.64; p<0.01) and the group of girls (r=0.50; p<0.01). Moderate to moderately strong correlations have been proved between the level of cognitive ability and the level of motor profieciency in particial motor categories: manual coordination (r=0.65; p<0.01), fine manual control (r=0.52; p<0.01), and body coordination (r=0.50; p<0.01). The relationship between the level of cognitive ability, strength, and agility was weak (r=0.34; p<0.05). Considering all test limits, the process of testing, and preschool age specifics, we can state that there is a strong correlation between motor and cognitive abilities. Conclusions: Motor and cognitive ability development are closely related. The results of this study demonstrated the importance of complex development and early screening. The results of this study can serve as another useful insight related to previous claims in the field of the development of cognitive abilities and motor proficiency.