Norwegian Teams Research Articles

The Adductor Strengthening Programme prevents groin problems among male football players: a cluster-randomised controlled trial

BackgroundGroin injuries represent a considerable problem in male football. Previous groin-specific prevention programmes have not shown a significant reduction in groin injury rates. An exercise programme using the Copenhagen Adduction...

Assessments of need for treatment and danger in decisions about community treatment orders

BackgroundA total of, 14 Norwegian assertive community treatment (ACT) teams have been established. During the teams’ first year of operation, approximately 35% of the enrolled patients were subjected to community treatment orders (CTOs) at intake. CTOs are a legal mechanism to secure treatment adherence, and may be used in Norway when severely mentally ill patients refuse necessary treatment (‘treatment criterion’) or when they are considered a danger to themselves or others (‘danger criterion’). Even if the use of CTOs seems to increase in Norway, few have examined in detail how and why these decisions are made. The purpose of the present study was to explore assessments of need for treatment and danger in decisions about CTOs.MethodSemi-structured interviews with eight responsible clinicians and four focus-group interviews with 20 ACT providers were recorded and transcribed. We also read case files and observed selected treatment planning meetings. The data were analyzed with a modified grounded theory approach.ResultsThe ACT teams provided high-intensive services over longer periods of time, which gave the teams important knowledge about the patients, reduced clinical uncertainty, and allowed for well-informed decisions about the need for coercive interventions. The treatment criterion was typically used to justify the need for CTOs. However, the danger criterion was in some cases used when patients had to be readmitted to hospital.ConclusionsAccording to the clinicians that were interviewed, patients’ need for treatment was most often used to justify the CTOs in the Norwegian ACT teams.

Enjoyment in youth soccer: its portrayals among 12- to 14-year-olds

This article reports on a qualitative study that explored the experiences of adolescents in Norwegian soccer teams. The sample included players aged 12–14 years who participated in the promoting adolescence physical activity (PAPA) project. The data were generated by twelve focus groups with seven girls’ teams and five boys’ teams and indicated that a central component of the soccer players’ experience was simply enjoyment. Their descriptions of this enjoyment resemble the psychological phenomenon of flow, the experience of feeling fully engaged and of having concentrated energy, focus and positive emotions. The results also suggest six components of their enjoyment of youth soccer: being with friends, collaborating with teammates, choosing to play the sport, having a supportive coach, and learning new skills and demonstrating mastery of them. The findings support previous conclusions in the literature about what constitutes enjoyment for young athletes, but enhances understanding of other aspects of adolescents’ experiences specifically in Norwegian soccer. A particular emphasis on learning and enjoyment for all appears evident in Norwegian youth soccer, regardless of the level of talent or competitiveness of individual players.

Incidence of Soccer Injuries among 15- to 19-Year-Old Boys in Norwegian National Teams

Incidence of Soccer Injuries among 15- to 19-Year-Old Boys in Norwegian National Teams Purpose: The incidence of soccer-related injuries among young players has not yet been registered in Norway. It is important to find out which injuries are most frequent on each level and how we can best prevent these injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine which injuries 15-, 17-, and 19-year-old male soccer players are exposed to. Methods: A descriptive epidemiologic study. Male soccer players aged 15, 17, and 19 years were asked to complete a questionnaire covering their injuries in the last two years. These players were all on the national teams in Norway. Results: Among the 15-year-old boys, 51% reported acute ankle sprains, 50% acute groin pain, 36% acute knee pain, and 29% acute hamstring injuries. Fifty-four percent reported one or more overuse injuries. Among the 17-year-old boys, 55% reported acute ankle sprains, 35% acute groin pain, 30% acute knee pain, and 28% acute hamstring injuries. Sixty percent reported one or more overuse injuries. Among the 19-year-old boys, 52% reported acute ankle sprains, 39% acute knee pain, 29% acute groin pain, and 10% acute hamstring injuries. Sixty-eight percent reported one or more overuse injuries. Conclusion: This study indicates that 15-, 17-, and 19-year-old boys playing for the Norwegian national teams have many overuse injuries. Ankle sprain is the most commonly reported acute injury. The high incidence of injuries in these players highlights the need for education and prevention programs in youth soccer.

Playing on artificial turf may be an advantage for Norwegian soccer teams

AbstractSoccer is as popular as ever, and the sport attracts significant attention from spectators, sponsors, media, and academics. One aspect of the sport that has received relatively little attention, is the effect of the playing surface on the sporting performance of a team. In particular, this paper is concerned with measuring the performance of teams that switch from playing their games on natural grass to playing their games on artificial turf. It is shown that teams, on average, achieve improved results after switching, and that this, at least in part, can be explained by an increased home field advantage.

Increased bronchial parasympathetic tone in elite cross-country and biathlon skiers: a randomised crossover study

BackgroundIncreased parasympathetic activity in endurance-trained athletes has been reported by heart rate variability and pupillometry. Our primary objective was to assess parasympathetic activity and tone in the lower respiratory tract...

Discovery of continental-scale travelling waves and lagged synchrony in geometrid moth outbreaks prompt a re-evaluation of mountain birch/geometrid studies

The spatio-temporal dynamics of populations of two 9-10 year cyclic-outbreaking geometrids, Operophtera brumata and Epirrita autumnata in mountain birch forests in northern Fennoscandia, have been studied since the 1970´s by a Swedish-Norwegian research team and, during the last decade, by Norwegian and Finnish research teams. Some of the early results have been challenged by the Norwegian team. To examine the base for disagreements, five of the papers published by the Norwegian team (2004-2011) are reviewed. It is found that conclusions in these papers are questionable or data could not be interpreted fully because two decisive traits in the spatio-temporal behaviour of outbreaks of the two species were not considered.

Discovery of continental-scale travelling waves and lagged synchrony in geometrid moth outbreaks prompt a re-evaluation of mountain birch/geometrid studies

The spatio-temporal dynamics of populations of two 9-10 year cyclic-outbreaking geometrids, Operophtera brumata and Epirrita autumnata in mountain birch forests in northern Fennoscandia, have been studied since the 1970´s by a Swedish-Norwegian research team and, during the last decade, by Norwegian and Finnish research teams. Some of the early results have been challenged by the Norwegian team. To examine the base for disagreements, five of the papers published by the Norwegian team (2004-2011) are reviewed. It is found that conclusions in these papers are questionable or data could not be interpreted fully because two decisive traits in the spatio-temporal behaviour of outbreaks of the two species were not considered.

Discovery of continental-scale travelling waves and lagged synchrony in geometrid moth outbreaks prompt a re-evaluation of mountain birch/geometrid studies

The spatio-temporal dynamics of populations of two 9-10 year cyclic-outbreaking geometrids, Operophtera brumata and Epirrita autumnata in mountain birch forests in northern Fennoscandia, have been studied since the 1970´s by a Swedish-Norwegian research team and, during the last decade, by Norwegian and Finnish research teams. Some of the early results have been challenged by the Norwegian team. To examine the base for disagreements, five of the papers published by the Norwegian team (2004-2011) are reviewed. It is found that conclusions in these papers are questionable or data could not be interpreted fully because two decisive traits in the spatio-temporal behaviour of outbreaks of the two species were not considered.

Variation of Nordic Classic Ski Characteristics from Norwegian national team athletes

In cross country skiing the technical equipment of an athlete constitutes a substantial part of the total performance. Thus, the focus of this study was (1) to determine if different Norwegian national athletes select Classic skis with similar characteristics and (2) to describe the key parameters for the two ski categories (warm and cold). Classic cross country skis (205 pairs) from the Norwegian men's and women's national ski teams were tested under lab conditions. Clear differences between various factors (camber height at the balance point, stiffness, length of contact zone and opening characteristics) were found. Lower camber height for cold skis and higher ones for warm skis can be explained by the wax routines and their necessities. The nominal contact zones for both men's and women's skis from the warm category are shorter than corresponding contact zones from skis of the cold category.

Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness in Skiers

Asthma is frequently reported in endurance athletes, particularly in cross-country skiers. It has been reported that an exercise field test performed with the competitive type of exercise is the better for diagnosing asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in athletes than bronchial provocation with methacholine. The main objective was to compare an exercise field test consisting of a skiing competition with methacholine bronchial provocation in the diagnosis of asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness among skiers. Twenty-four elite cross-country skiers from the Norwegian national teams (males/females = 16/8) were included in the study. The cumulative dose of inhaled methacholine causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (PD20) was compared with reduction in lung function (FEV1) >or= 10% from before to after an exercise field test consisting of a cross-country skiing competition, 10 km (males) and 7 km (females), respectively. Nine out of 24 (37.5%) athletes experienced a positive methacholine test (PD20 < 8 micromol) (2 females and 7 males), whereas only 2 of the 24 subjects (8.3%) had reductions in FEV1 >or= 10% after the exercise field test. A significant negative correlation was found between age and bronchial responsiveness, r = -0.47, P = 0.02. The methacholine bronchial provocation test is more sensitive than a sport specific exercise field test for identifying athletes with asthma and/or bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Training multiprofessional trauma teams in Norwegian hospitals using simple and low cost local simulations

Norwegian hospitals' trauma teams are seldom exposed to severely injured patients. We developed and implemented a one-day multi-professional training course for hospital trauma teams in order to improve communication, cooperation and leadership. Training courses were held in 28 Norwegian hospitals with learning objectives: improved team work, common understanding of treatment priorities and principles, communication skills, and threats to efficient communication. Two trauma teams in each hospital had two consecutive simulations in their hospital's own emergency room, as part of the course. Simulation was based on real cases, with a low-fidelity mannequin as patient. Participants completed questionnaires before and after the training course. A total of 2,860 trauma team members participated in the courses, of which 1,237 took part in the simulation. Independent of hospital size, the participants reported leadership and communication to be major obstacles during their last real trauma team participation. Immediately after the training, all participants reported highly fulfilled educational expectations and a high perception of learning, and taking part in the practical simulation improved the evaluation. Nurses scored their outcome significantly higher than physicians. Participants from minor hospitals reported as great a benefit from the training as personnel from major hospitals. Local team training is a feasible approach and team simulation offers an excellent opportunity to practise demanding and infrequent challenges. The simulation format makes it possible to integrate training on interpersonal skills as well as communication and leadership under stress. Continued requests for such training in Norway support this conclusion.

Supplement Use Among Athletes In The 2004 Norwegian Olympic Team - Risk Assessment Of Contaminated Supplements

INTRODUCTION Several studies have demonstrated a considerable risk that dietary supplements may contain substances banned by WADA without being declared on the label. To reduce the risk of unintentional intake of banned substances among Norwegian athletes, the Norwegian Olympic Committee (NOC) prepared guidelines and restrictions for supplement use following the 2000 Olympics. The guidelines include a risk assessment for contamination in supplements, which classifies supplements in four groups: A) low risk; B) unknown risk; C) high risk; and D) presence of banned substances. The restrictions include mandatory report and approval of supplement use among athletes selected for Norwegian Olympic Teams. The supplement use by athletes in the 2002 Olympic Team is previously published at the 2003 ACSM Meeting. PURPOSE 1) Examine supplement use among the 2004 Olympic team athletes; 2) evaluate the supplements reported against the risk assessment; and 3) compare these results to the findings in the 2002 study. METHODS The form for mandatory report was mailed to all athletes likely to be selected for the 2004 Olympic Team six months prior to the Olympics. The supplements reported by the athletes were evaluated by the NOC Nutrition Dep. and their use were either approved or prohibited. Summary of RESULTS 52 athletes were selected for the 2004 Olympic Team, 35 men (age 29±6) and 17 women (age 29±5). They were divided in: endurance sport athletes (E, n=24); and technical sport athletes (T, n=28). 83% of the athletes reported use of one or more supplements. Supplement use was more frequent among women (94%) than men (77%), and more frequent among E-athletes than T-athletes (100% vs 68%, p<0.01). The supplements most frequently used were fatty acids (70%), antioxidants (70%), micronutrients (65%), proteins (42%) and iron (19%). 7% of the athletes used creatine. 84% of the athletes only used supplements classified as low-risk. 16% reported use of unknown-risk supplements and none athletes reported using high-risk supplements. DISCUSSION The number of athletes using only low-risk supplements was higher compared to the 2002 Olympic Team athletes. Fewer athletes reported unknown-risk supplements in 2004 and none reported use of high-risk supplements compared to three athletes in the 2002 Team. CONCLUSION The risk assessment seems to have increased the awareness of supplement contamination among Norwegian Olympic athletes further since 2002. Likewise the mandatory report of supplement use has decreased the number of athletes using high-risk supplements and hence has reduced the risk of unintentional intake of banned substances prior to and during the 2004 Olympics.

Reproducibility of overbank sediment sampling in Greece and Norway

Reproducibility of overbank sediment sampling was tested in twenty-nine floodplains in Europe, ten in Greece and nineteen in Norway, by the collection of duplicate pairs of samples. Distances between duplicate sites in Greece were 60 to 100 m, and in Norway 100 to 200 m. In Norway the same nineteen floodplains were sampled by a second team for the purpose of investigating differences in sampling variability and technique. Total element contents were determined in all samples. Paired samples were compared by calculating Spearman's rank correlation coefficient on the raw analytical data, and one-way analysis of variance on the log-transformed data. Pairs of overbank sediment samples collected from different floodplains by the Hellenic team and the first Norwegian team showed high rank correlations and low within-basin variability (sampling and analytical variance). Statistical results of the second Norwegian team were comparatively poorer; both Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and one-way analysis of variance, showed very low positive to negative correlations and high within-basin variation, suggesting a non-uniform distribution of elements in the Norwegian overbank sediment sequences and differences in the sampling technique of the two teams. Nevertheless, careful location of sample sites, as has been done by the Hellenic and the first Norwegian teams, reduces considerably the sampling variability, and the overall sampling reproducibility for most elements is very good for distances up to 100 m in Greece and 200 m in Norway, provided correlated overbank sediment sequences are sampled. The implication of this study for multinational regional geochemical mapping is that overbank sediment sampling must be carried out by well-trained professional teams of exploration geochemists, and where possible by one sampling team for the whole country.

A CALL FOR A NEW REGIME FOR TREATMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL CERAMICS

A CALL FOR A NEW REGIME FOR TREATMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL CERAMICS