Male Senior Research Articles

A Comparative Study of Subcutaneous Fat Distribution Pattern of Male Junior and Senior Volleyball Players

A Comparative Study of Subcutaneous Fat Distribution Pattern of Male Junior and Senior Volleyball Players

21st Century Digital Skills, Technology Integration in Instruction and Challenges Encountered by Senior High School Teachers in Muntinlupa National High School

This descriptive-correlational study determined the 21st-century digital skills, technology integration in instruction, and challenges encountered in integrating technology. The participants in this study were composed of ninety-five Senior High School teachers in Muntinlupa National High School. The study sought to find a significant association between 21st-century digital skills and level of technology integration in instruction; challenges encountered and the level of technology integration of teachers in instruction. The study revealed that the majority of the respondents were female, aged 40 to 49 years old, acquired MA units, 7 – 12 years of teaching experience, and attended less than 3 related training on technology integration in instructions for the last past 6 months. Findings showed that the level of 21st-century digital skills and level of technology integration in instructions of the SHS teachers was very high. Teachers highly used video conferencing software such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, GoogleMeet, Cisco, WebEx, and others as the technology they integrate for their instructions. The challenges experienced by teachers in integrating technology in instructions were the following; poor internet connection, students' lack of support system, limited electronic materials and equipment, and lack of technological support from the school experts. Senior high school teachers aged 40 to 49 have higher skills in the information of 21st-century digital skills than teachers aged 50 and above. And, female senior high school teachers have higher skills in communication, collaboration, and problem-solving in 21st-century digital skills than male senior high school teachers. Meanwhile, the teachers’ level of technology integration in instruction and the challenges encountered in integrating technology were the same regardless of teachers’ profiles. The result further revealed that the higher the 21st-century digital skills of the teachers, the higher the teachers’ level of technology integration in instructions. And, the more challenges teachers encountered in integrating technology into instructions, the higher their level of technology integration into instructions.

Diversity Drives Innovation: The Impact of Female-Driven Publications.

Gender disparities are pervasive in academic plastic surgery. Previous research demonstrates articles authored by women receive fewer citations than those written by men, suggesting the presence of implicit gender bias. The aim of this study was to describe current citation trends in plastic surgery literature and assess gender bias. The expectation was that women would be cited less frequently than their male peers. Articles published between 2017 and 2019 were collected from 8 representative plastic surgery journals stratified by impact factor. Names of primary and senior authors of the 50 most cited articles per year per journal were collected and author gender was determined via online database and internet search. The median numbers of citations by primary and senior author gender were compared by Kruskal-Wallis test. Among 1167 articles, women wrote 27.3% as primary author and 18% as senior author. Women-authored articles were cited as often as those authored by men (P > 0.05) across all journal tiers. Articles with a female primary and male senior author had significantly more citations than articles with a male primary author (P = 0.038). No implicit gender bias was identified in citation trends, a finding unique to plastic surgery. Women primary authors are cited more often than male primary authors despite women comprising a small fraction of authorship overall. Additionally, variegated authorship pairings outperformed homogeneous ones. Therefore, increasing gender diversity within plastic surgery academia remains critical.

Opportunity Costs of Internal Promotions in Plastic Surgery: Are Women Given a Fair Shot?

Background:Academic advancement in plastic surgery necessitates creation of opportunities for rising faculty, which are pivotal for women in their efforts to close prominent gender gaps in higher ranks. We study positions of academic prestige that benefit from internal nomination as surrogates for opportunities afforded to men and women seeking leadership roles.Methods:We collected the following datapoints: authors of invited discussions published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from 2010 to 2019; current editorial board members of representative plastic surgery journals; recipients of society-sponsored traveling fellowships; and directors of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Public profiles for all authors and surgeons were referenced to confirm gender identification.Results:Seven-hundred ninety-seven plastic and reconstructive surgery discussions were included, 18% of which included female first or senior authorship. Seventy-one (9%) discussions listed a female senior author. Male and female senior authors were equally as likely to collaborate with a female first co-author (25% and 26%, respectively). Only 17% of invited authors contributed to 55% of discussion articles. Women occupied 19% of journal editorial board positions, though none were editors-in-chief. American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery, American Society of Maxiliofacial Surgeons, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Plastic Surgery Foundation traveling fellowships were awarded to one (3%), four (7%), five (13%), and 141 (15%) female plastic surgeons, respectively. Women comprise 26% of directors of American Board of Plastic Surgery.Conclusions:Female representation in plastic surgery is rising, but it is not mirrored across appointed positions in academia. We should strive to support advancements that allow selected prestigious positions to more accurately reflect the gender distribution within the plastic surgery community.

PENGETAHUAN BERHUBUNGAN DENGAN EFIKASI DIRI DALAM MEMBERIKAN PERTOLONGAN PERTAMA KECELAKAAN LALU LINTAS PADA REMAJA

Knowledge of first aid for traffic accidents is everything that a person knows regarding to the immediate assistance given to accident victims before being handled by paramedics. Knowledge is closely related to self-efficacy. Adolescents are one who can provide first aid. Preliminary studies show that some things related to first aid are already known by adolescents, but many of them still have low self-efficacy. The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between knowledge and self-efficacy in providing first aid for traffic accidents among adolescents in Sanur Kauh Village. This research was a quantitative research with a descriptive correlative design using a cross-sectional approach. One hundred and twelve members of STT were selected as the sample through purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaires about knowledge and self-efficacy. Bivariate analysis was carried out using the Spearman Rank test. The whole respondents of this study were in the adolescence age range (16-24 years old) with majority of male respondents (54,5%) and senior high school as the latest educational background (62,5%). The results showed that most of the respondents (52%) has sufficient knowledge and high self-efficacy. Statistical test results showed that p value = <0,001; r = 0,754, which means there was a strong positive relationship. In conclusion, the higher the knowledge, the higher the self-efficacy in providing first aid for traffic accidents.

The Relationship Among Body Composition and Anaerobic Capacity and the Sport Level of Elite Male Motorcycle Speedway Riders.

The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship among anaerobic capacity, body composition, and sport level of male junior and senior speedway riders. Sixty riders of professional clubs in the Polish top motorcycle speedway league participated in this study. They were divided into two equal groups (n = 30): junior (age = 19.7 ± 1.1 years) and senior (age = 29.7 ± 5.2). Body composition assessment, Wingate test (WAnT) on cycloergometer, with analysis of acute cardiorespiratory and biochemical responses were performed. Sport level was defined as the number of heats (races) won, winning percentage, total points scored during the season, and average points scored per heat. Seniors had higher point ratings indicating sport levels. As compared to the seniors, the juniors had lower BMI 4% (p < 0.01) and fat tissue mass by 20.5% (p < 0.01). A higher power decrease of 2.3% (p < 0.05) in the WAnT test was found in seniors. Body height negatively correlated with all indicators of seniors’ sport level (r = −0.41 to −0.55). Peak power output negatively correlated with seniors’ sport level (r = −0.39 to −0.41). Among the seniors, there was a negative correlation between post-exercise hydrogen ion concentration (r = −0.38), carbon dioxide partial pressure (r = −0.45) and average points scored per season. Conclusion: The anthropometric characteristics of body height, lean body mass and body surface area, are significantly correlated with the sport levels of the seniors motorcycle speedway riders. When selecting motorcycle speedway riders, use of these anthropometric characteristics may aid in determining the riders with the most potential to be successful. Metabolic acidosis tolerance and gas exchange efficiency show significance in seniors, indicating the need for intense exercise sessions.

Invisible Barriers: Societal Norms Versus Female Workplace Progression

Cultural and societal norms constantly assign different family and religious expectations to women as compared to men. Therefore, this research paper seeks to provide insight into the effects of prevalent cultural and societal norms on the progression of lower-level female managers. It examines the impact of these norms on the fulfilment of work-related duties and the resultant implications for the success of a female within their professional role. The research integrated qualitative and quantitative approaches and was carried out within the culturally diverse province of KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa. Primary data was gathered using a quantitative questionnaire distributed to thirty-five lower-level female managers, typically fulfilling an entry-level supervisory role, within two separate private organisations. The research was independent of race and age. The findings of the study indicate that respondents face societal and cultural norms that adversely affect progression. These include assumptions of weaker and more emotional management styles, lack of support in meeting family and work obligations, and gender biases impacting access to opportunities for progression. The findings also include women from many cultures by virtue of the diverse cultures within the KwaZulu-Natal region. This paper will therefore be of value to female managers from diverse backgrounds in developed and developing countries. Specifically, female managers encountering invisible barriers to breaking through the glass ceiling and progressing to higher levels of management due to their own cultural and societal norms will benefit from insights delivered. The findings will also be of value to mentors of aspiring female managers, male senior managers with female subordinates, and human resources departments. The research paper will commence with a literature review that examines the relevance of cultural and societal norms in the progression of female managers. The research methods and results of the study will then be described, and findings discussed. The paper will conclude with final insights and recommendations for further research.

Injury Trends for School Rugby Union in Ireland: The Need for Position-specific Injury-prevention Programs.

Concern has been raised over the injury risk to school Rugby union (Rugby) players and the potential long-term health consequences. Despite the increase in studies for this cohort, the influence of playing position on injury incidence and presentation is unclear. To describe the incidence, nature and severity of match injuries for school Rugby in Ireland overall, and as a function of playing position. Prospective cohort study. Data were collected from 15 male (aged 16-19 years) school Senior Cup teams across 2 seasons. In total, 339 players participated in season 1, whereas 326 players participated in season 2. Injury data were recorded onto a bespoke online platform. Match exposure was also recorded. The incidence rate of match injuries (24-hour time loss) was 53.6 per 1000 hours. Across both seasons, 6810 days were lost from play due to injury. Forwards (65.4 per 1000 hours) sustained significantly more (P < 0.05) injuries than backs (40.5 per 1000 hours). The head, shoulder, knee, and ankle were the most common injured body regions; however, forwards sustained significantly more (P < 0.05) head and shoulder injuries than backs. The tackle was responsible for the majority of injuries in both groups. The highest proportion of injuries occurred during the third quarter. Clear differences in injury presentation and incidence were evident when comparing forwards versus backs. The high rate of head and shoulder injuries in the forwards suggest the need for more targeted injury-prevention strategies and further research on education and laws around the tackle event. The spike of injuries in the third quarter suggests that fatigue or inadequate half-time warm-up may be a contributing factor warranting further exploration. This study demonstrates clear differences in injury presentation according to playing position in school Rugby and highlights the need for a more tailored approach to the design and implementation of injury-prevention strategies. Level 3.

766 12-year Analysis of Gender Disparity in Authorship of Peer-Reviewed Burn and Wound Care Literature

IntroductionThe importance of gender equity and gender representation in academic publications has long been emphasized in medicine. It has been established that women represent a smaller proportion of primary and senior authors in high-impact medical journals than men and that original research articles written by women as primary and senior authors are less frequently sited than those authored by men. Currently, there is limited data evaluating whether this gender bias is present in plastic surgery and burn publications. We used bibliometric analysis of original research publications to analyze gender bias against women in one burn journal.MethodsUsing the journal, Burns, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of research publications from 2009 to 2020. A gender determining application was used to characterize the gender of the first and senior author. Ratios of male:male, female:male, male:female, and female:female were obtained and analyzed.ResultsOf the 1677 publications included, 40% have female first authors and 25.5% had female senior authors. Male:male authorships had the highest number of publications. Female:female authorship had the lowest number of publications of all the other ratios from 2009-2012, however there was a steep increase in 2013 in which male:female authorship had the lowest number of publications. Male senior authorship was associated with 2.9-fold increase in male first authorship [OR=2.99(95% CI 2.39, 3.76); p < 0.0001).ConclusionsFemale representation in senior authorship positions in burn and wound care publications is increasing, however is still far from reaching gender parity. By analyzing authorship ratios by gender, we recommend a new way to evaluate gender disparity in burn and wound care academia.

The Adverse Effect of Gaming Disorder on the Family System in the Society

BACKGROUND: The Internet has been a part of life and the development of technology. Internet addiction is one of the problems among adolescents, especially in Indonesia. Family dysfunction is thought to be a factor causing Internet addiction in adolescents. Family cannot always supervise adolescents, and adolescents are required to have good self-control to avoid problematic gaming behavior and online game addiction. If not taken seriously, game addiction can interfere with the physical and mental health of adolescents. AIM: This study aimed to identify the relationship between family functioning and Internet gaming disorder among adolescents in Aceh. Currently, Aceh is the only province in Indonesia implementing sharia (the Islamic law). METHODS: This was a quantitative study with a descriptive correlational method. The samples of this study were 157 male senior high school students. This research was conducted from January to April 2021. Data were collected by a self-report questionnaire and analyzed using the logistic analysis to identify the correlation between family functioning and Internet gaming disorder. RESULTS: The results showed that family functions such as communication functions (p = 0.034), affective engagement (p = 0.006), and behavioral control (p = 0.000) were significantly related to Internet gaming disorders in adolescents. This assumption is evidenced by the results of statistical tests that show a value (&lt;0.05). While the problem-solving function (p = 0.916) and the general function (p = 0.606) obtained a significant value (&gt;0.05) so it can be concluded both of these family functions were not related to Internet gaming disorder. CONCLUSION: The family functions are significantly related to Internet gaming disorders in adolescents. Maximizing family functions is one solution to prevent Internet gaming disorders in adolescents.

826 Gender Equality in Neurosurgery and Strategic Goals Towards a More Balanced Workforce

INTRODUCTION: The Women in Neurosurgery (WINS) published a white paper in 2008 setting a goal for women to comprise 20% of neurosurgery residents by 2012 and 20% of practicing neurosurgeons by 2020. There has been notable progress toward these benchmarks, but we ultimately fell short of their achievement. METHODS: A literature review was performed PubMed, Google Scholar, and published data from Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and other society websites. to perform a thorough progress assessment. The combined expertise and experience of the authors was used to create new specific recommendations. RESULTS: There was an exponential increase in the number of female neurosurgical trainees in the past several decades, the percentage of female neurosurgery residents increased from 12.7% to 19.3%and the percentage of ABNS certified female neurosurgeons increased from 5% to 12% between 2010 and 2020. The total female authorship in Neurosurgery and Journal of Neurosurgery increased from 12 to 16.5% between 2003 and 2018, however there was no increase in senior authorship. Women were more likely to be published as first author with a female senior author than with a male senior author (30.4% v 14.1%). Systemic barriers identified include wage inequity of 10-25%, rampant sexual harassment, and barriers regarding parental leave policies. CONCLUSIONS: We propose the following updated recommendations. Neurosurgical departments and societies should make targeted effort to retain women in academic neurosurgery in order to foster mentorship opportunities. There must be explicit policies regarding sexual harassment, compensation equity, and parental leave. Finally, we propose new benchmarks of women comprising 30% of residents by 2030, and 30% of practicing neurosurgeons by 2040.

Abstract WP86: Gender Disparities In Authorship Of Major Randomized Controlled Trials In Stroke Research

Introduction: Many medical specialties including vascular neurology have recently raised awareness of gender disparities among researchers. This study seeks to investigate patterns and yearly trends in authorship of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in stroke research. Methods: This study included RCTs from the 2019 AHA/ASA Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke. Studies that did not distinguish primary authors for publication and rather credited a collaborative group were excluded. Gender was determined for each author based on analysis of names with assistance of online references (institution directories, biographies, news articles, profile photos and professional social media platforms). Validated software (Genderize.io) was used to corroborate gender based on first names with a probability threshold of 60% as implemented in previous work. Chi-squared tests for observed frequencies and linear trend were performed. Differences were considered significant at p&lt;0.05. Results: One hundred eighty-six RCTs were included with a total 2451 authors (78% male, 22% female) covering 46 stroke topics. Publication dates were 1994 to 2019 (median 2014, IQR 2010-2016). Number of authors for each study ranged from 1 to 56, with a mean±SD of 13±10 authors. Of the 186 included studies, 145 (78%) had male first authors and 41 (22%) had female first authors (p&lt;0.0001). One hundred fifty-nine (85%) studies had male senior authors and 27 (15%) had female senior authors (p&lt;0.0001). Distribution of authorship by country revealed higher prevalence of male first and senior authors for all countries except the Netherlands (n=5 RCTs), Sweden (n=1) and India (n=1). Yearly trends in authorship distribution from 1994 to 2019 did not identify any significant shift in authorship for first or senior authors based on gender (p&gt;0.05). Conclusions: This study reveals that gender disparities are prevalent across the field of stroke research. Female authors are underrepresented in both roles of first and senior authors in major RCTs. This discrepancy is present across nearly all countries and has persisted over the past three decades. Continued research and targeted interventions are needed to alleviate gender disparities in stroke research.

Theorising work–life balance endeavours as a gendered project of the self: The case of senior executives in Denmark

Recent work–life balance (WLB) studies offer considerable insight into the challenges and strategies of achieving WLB for senior managers. This study shifts the focus from asking how to asking why individuals are so invested in pursuing a particular kind of WLB. Through analysing 62 life history interviews with male and female senior executives in Denmark, we develop the concept of the gendered project of the self to theorise WLB. We show how for the executives, WLB was not simply an instrumental process of time or role management; instead, pursuing WLB in a certain way was a key part of acquiring and maintaining a particular desired subjectivity or a sense of self as a better person, better worker and better parent. We argue that theorising WLB as the gendered project of the self allows us to explicate the mechanisms through which gendered social and cultural expectations translate into how male and female executives can and want to pursue their WLB goals – first by driving one’s desire for WLB and, second, by shaping and restricting what is desired. In doing so, we highlight the importance of scrutinising the role of broader WLB discourses in shaping the experience and uptake of organisational WLB policies.

The use of social media in EFL learning and teaching in higher education of Afghanistan

Social media has been widely used in EFL programs in higher education and they play an important role in transforming learning and teaching. This study investigated the use of social media in EFL learning and teaching in Afghanistan. Moreover, it explored the preference and the frequency of the use of social media in EFL learning and teaching. A survey questionnaire was administered to gather the data from 170 randomly chosen participants from Takhar University based in Taloqan City, a northeastern city in Afghanistan. The researchers used Statistical Package for Social Sciences to analyze the data. The study found that Facebook and WhatsApp were among the highly preferred social networking sites and they were frequently used in EFL learning and teaching in Afghanistan. The results of the study showed statistically significant differences in the frequency of the use of social media by the students’ gender, age and class. Female participants used social media more frequently than their male peers and senior and older students used social media more frequently than junior and younger students. The results of the study suggest that higher education leaders and policy-makers should encourage the use of social media and provide more technological facilities to improve students’ achievement and quality of education.

Keterpaparan Program GenRe (Generasi Berencana) dan Perilaku Pacaran Remaja Jawa Timur, Indonesia

Background: According to Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN), adolescents are aged 10-24 years and are not married. Indonesian Basic Health Research (RISKESDAS) 2018 showed around 58.8% of adolescents aged 10-19 years had been married and had had a pregnancy. The Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (SDKI) results revealed that risk behavior among male junior and senior high school students was around 8.06%, and female were 4.17%. This study aimed to determine the correlation between the Planning Generation (GenRe) Program knowledge and adolescents’ characteristics with dating experience in East Java Province. Method: This research was a cross-sectional study. Secondary data were collected from the 2019 Program Performance and Accountability Survey (SKAP) and were analyzed descriptively with cross-tabulation and chi-square tests. The risk estimate calculation was also carried out to identify the Odd Ratio (OR). The sample used was 5,300 adolescents in East Java Province after weighting. The research variables consisted of dating behavior in adolescents, age, gender, and adolescents' knowledge about GenRe, HIV/AIDS, drugs, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Adolescent Reproductive Health Program.Results: The results showed that 41.80% of adolescents in East Java had dated. There was a significant correlation between dating behavior with adolescents’ knowledge about GenRe, HIV/AIDS, drugs, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Adolescent Reproductive Health Program (P-Value = 0.00). Dating behavior also had a significant correlation with age (P-Value = 0.00) and gender (P-Value = 0.00). This study concluded that there was a correlation between dating behavior in adolescents in East Java Province with age, gender, and adolescents’ knowledge about GenRe, HIV/AIDS, drugs, Sexually Transmitted Infection (STIs), and Adolescent Reproductive Health Program. They were strengthening the GenRe program through the introduction, explanation of program activities, and the process of youth involvement. So far, teenagers only know the name of the GenRe program. This action needs to be applied to prevent negative effects caused by dating behavior, such as premarital sex, unwanted pregnancy, and early marriage.

Gender Differences in the Impact of Worklife on Executives’ Psychological Health

&lt;bold&gt;The Impact of Worklife on Executives’ Psychological Health Purpose:&lt;/bold&gt; This is the first scientific research studying the impact of worklife factors on executives’ psychological health by gender. The study has a particular focus on the factors of ‘Community’ and ‘Work-life balance’. &lt;bold&gt;Design:&lt;/bold&gt; Survey data were collected from N=481 senior executives to measure seven worklife factors and psychological health. Standardized regression analysis was performed for each worklife in a regression model predicting psychological health by gender. &lt;bold&gt;Findings:&lt;/bold&gt; Results showed significant differences between female and male senior executives in the profiles of seven worklife factors in terms of their relationship with psychological health. ‘Work-life balance’ was the strongest predictor of female executives’ psychological health, ‘Values’ for male executives’ psychological health. ‘Community’ showed similar levels of association for both women and men. &lt;bold&gt;Originality/value:&lt;/bold&gt; This research addresses the literature gap of large-scale, quantitative investigations into the psychology of senior executives. The results can be applied as a guide for organizational design, executive training and development programs accounting for differences by gender.

Comparison of the Shooting Angles and Shooting Accuracy in Wheelchair Basketball and Basketball Players

Shot accuracy is very important for success in wheelchair basketball (WB) and basketball games. The kinematics of the ball affects the shot accuracy. The main purposes of this study are to comparethe kinematics of the ball according to the outcomes of WB and basketball players’ shots and comparethe shooting accuracy of WB and basketball players. Male senior athletes (17 basketball, 6 WB) voluntarily participated in the research. Participants made static shots from 6 spots (n=1515) and the analyses were made. The shots were separated into 4 groups. The first group contained the “Clean Shot”s (CS) which the ball goes into the hoop with no or 1 hit to the rim. The second contained all the “Success” shots (S) but CS. The third contained “Missed” shots, the ball hit to the rim. Fourth contained the rest of the missed shots (Air Ball). Reliable and valid 94fifty Smart Sensor Basketball was used in this research. For both WB and basketball players, CS angles were significantly higher than other shots and no significant difference was found between S angles and unsuccessful shots. CS angles of WB players were significantly higher than basketball players. This research showed that the entry angle affects CS for both sports. It is thought that it may raise CS and shooting percentage if coaches train their players by taking entry angles into consideration. Another finding of this study was CS angles of WB players are higher than basketball players. The reason for this may be the more active, hence more improved, upper extremity motor skills of the WB players.

Effect of alterations in whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) exposure on post-match recovery markers in elite Premier League soccer players.

The use of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) as a recovery intervention is prevalent amongst elite soccer players. However, there is a distinct lack of data available around chronic WBC use and post-match recovery markers in elite soccer. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of different levels of WBC exposure on subjective and objective measures of post-match recovery in elite soccer players during a chronic exposure period. Sixteen male senior professional outfield soccer players participated in this study over two seasons. K means cluster analysis was used to classify low (-114 ± 2°C for 133 ± 2 s), medium (-121 ± 1°C for 173 ± 2 s) and high (-133 ± 1°C for 181 ± 2 s) cryotherapy exposure indexes (CEI). Salivary markers (immunoglobulin A (IgA) and alpha amylase (AA)) and subjective wellness scores (perceived fatigue, sleep quality, general muscle soreness and stress) were collected post-match across both seasons. Training load (session-RPE) was collected and used as a covariate to control for the load amongst groups. No differences were seen in perceived measures of wellness and salivary AA. Significantly lower IgA concentrations were observed in the medium CEI group (255 ± 32 µg∙ml-1) compared to the low (328 ± 38 µg∙ml-1) and high (306 ± 32 µg∙ml-1) groups. Therefore, increasing the level of chronic WBC exposure appears to have no additional benefit on subjective recovery and alpha amylase response post-match. However, there appears to be an optimal chronic WBC dose with regards to IgA response.

Mental, Physical and Social Functioning in Independently Living Senior House Residents and Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Senior houses provide social interaction and support, potentially supporting older people’s physical and mental functioning. Few studies have investigated functioning of senior house residents. The aim was to compare functioning between senior house residents and community-dwelling older adults in Finland. We compared senior house residents (n = 336, 69% women, mean age 83 years) to community-dwelling older adults (n = 1139, 56% women, mean age 74 years). Physical and mental functioning were assessed using the SF 36-Item Health Survey. Loneliness and frequency of social contacts were self-reported. The analyses were adjusted for age, socioeconomic factors and diseases. Physical functioning was lower among men in senior houses compared to community-dwelling men (mean 41.1 vs. 46.4, p = 0.003). Mental functioning or the frequency of social contacts did not differ between type of residence in either sex. Loneliness was higher among women in senior houses compared to community-dwelling women (OR = 1.67, p = 0.027). This was not observed in men. Results suggest that women in senior houses had similar physical and mental functioning compared to community-dwelling women. Male senior house residents had poorer physical functioning compared to community-dwelling men. Women living in senior houses were lonelier than community-dwelling women despite the social environment.

Epidemiology of injuries in female and male senior Slovenian handball leagues.

Handball is associated with a high frequency of injuries due to unexpected situations, external disturbances of movement and extreme positions of body segments. The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze injuries among female and male players from all five senior Slovenian handball leagues in the season 2010/2011. We conducted a retrospective epidemiological study using a questionnaire. Data were collected between February and May 2012. Descriptive analysis is provided. Forty-five percent of all the players were injured, reporting 92 injuries. 0.58 injuries/player occurred, 57 (62%) in females and 35 (38%) in males. Injury incidence in females (27.7 injuries/1000 hours match, 0.97 injuries/1000 hours training) was higher than in men (10.6 injuries/1000 hours match, 0.5 injuries/1000 hours training), respectively. The left- and right-back players were injured most often (41%). Sprain was the most common injury type (55%). Most injuries were severe (29%). The lower limb was injured most frequently (62%). Ankle was injured the most commonly (35%), but ankle injuries were in most cases moderate (38%). More than 70% of knee injuries and 50% of shoulder injuries were severe. In 33%, cause of injury was contact with an opponent/teammate. Thirty-six percent of players reported shoulder and 36% ankle overuse syndromes. Present findings showed a higher incidence of injuries in female than in male senior Slovenian handball players in the 2010/2011 season. Preventive programs should focus not only on the acute ankle and knee injuries, but also on overuse syndromes of the shoulder and ankle.