Race Participation Research Articles

The Caribbeanization of Black Politics: Race, Group Consciousness, and Political Participation in America. By Sharon D. Wright Austin. SUNY Series in African American Studies. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2018. 257 pp. $25.95 (paper)

The Caribbeanization of Black Politics: Race, Group Consciousness, and Political Participation in America. By Sharon D. Wright Austin. SUNY Series in African American Studies. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2018. 257 pp. $25.95 (paper)

P4426Prolonged troponin t elevation in male and female master athletes after long-distance running

Abstract Background Troponin levels may be elevated after long-distance running, probably due to increased membrane permeability of cardiomyocytes. It is believed that elevated troponin post exercise, in contrast to acute coronary syndromes, normalize within 24 (−48) hours. This phenomenon has been mainly studied in young and elite athletes. However, participation in endurance exercise is increasingly popular among elderly and recreational sportsmen. Purpose To assess troponin levels in master athletes before and up to 7 days after long-distance running. Method We studied 97 participants (56 males and 41 females, matched for age) in the world's largest cross-country race (30 km, Lidingöloppet). They were ≥45 years (53±5 years). Baseline evaluation included a physical exam, blood pressure, BMI, NT-proBNP and an ECG. Blood tests were taken at baseline, immediately after as well as 1d, 4d and 7d after the race, including high sensitive troponin T (TnT), creatinine and high sensitive CRP. Elevated TnT was defined as ≥15 ng/l. Results After the race TnT had increased from 5±3 ng/l at baseline to 46±32 ng/l (range 11–180; p<0.0001). TnT was still significantly elevated at day 1 (16±16ng/l, range 4–106; p<0.0001) and day 4 (8±8 ng/l, range 4–63; p<0.01) with a borderline increase at day 7 (6±3; range 4–22; p=0.062). Both men and women showed a significant TnT increases at day 1 and day 4. Elevated TnT above the diagnostic threshold for myocardial infarction was observed in 96% (post race), 34% (day 1), 9% (day 4) and 3% (day 7). Males had generally higher TnT levels. At day 1, elevated TnT levels were present in 39% of males and 17% of females while all subjects with elevated TnT at day 4 and day 7 were male. Conclusion TnT is elevated in the vast majority of male and female master athletes after participation in a 30 km cross country race. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that TnT levels can be still significantly elevated four days after endurance running. Prolonged TnT values above the diagnostic threshold for myocardial infarction were predominantly seen in males. Our findings are relevant to the clinical management of patients with increased troponin values after endurance exercise. Acknowledgement/Funding Hjärt och lungfonden (Swedish heart- and lung fund). Governmental grants.

Anticipated Pain During Intrauterine Device Insertion.

To identify predictors of anticipated pain with intrauterine device (IUD) insertion in adolescents and young women. We performed linear regression to identify demographic, sexual/gynecologic history, and mood covariates associated with anticipated pain using a visual analogue scale pain score collected as part of a single-blind randomized trial of women who received a 13.5-mg levonorgestrel IUD. Three academic family planning clinics in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Ninety-three adolescents and young adult women aged 14-22years. Participants received either a 1% lidocaine or sham paracervical block. Anticipated pain measured using a visual analogue scale before and perceived pain at 6 time points during the IUD insertion procedure. Black or African American participants had a median anticipated pain score of 68 (interquartile range [IQR], 52-83), White participants had a median anticipated pain of 51 (IQR, 35-68), whereas participants of other races had a median anticipated pain score of 64 (IQR, 36-73); P=.012. In multivariate analysis, race was the only covariate that significantly predicted anticipated pain at IUD insertion. Women with anticipated pain scores above the median had significantly higher perceived pain during all timepoints of the IUD insertion procedure. Increased anticipated pain is associated with increased perceived pain with IUD insertion. Black adolescent women experience greater anticipated pain with IUD insertion. This population might benefit from counseling and clinical measures to reduce this barrier to IUD use.

Long distance ski racing is associated with lower long-term incidence of depression in a population based, large-scale study

Physical activity has been proposed to be beneficial for prevention of depression, although the importance of exercise intensity, sex-specific mechanisms, and duration of the effects need to be clarified. Using an observational study design, following 395,369 individuals up to 21 years we studied whether participation in an ultralong-distance cross-country ski race was associated with lower risk of developing depression. Skiers (participants in the race) and matched non-skiers from the general population (non-participants in the race) were studied after participation (same year for non-participation) in the race using the Swedish population and patient registries. The risk of depression in skiers (n = 197,685, median age 36 years, 38% women) was significantly lower, to nearly half of that in non-skiers (adjusted hazard ratio, HR 0.53) over the follow-up period. Further, a higher fitness level (measured as the finishing time to complete the race, a proxy for higher exercise dose) was associated with lower incidence of depression in men (adjusted HR 0.65), but not in women. Our results support the recommendations of engaging in physical activity as a preventive strategy decreasing the risk for depression in both men and women. Furthermore, the exercise could reduce risk for depression in a dose-dependent matter, in particular in males.

Race, power, and minority parent participation

Literature in the field of minority parent participation has focused on cultural differences and cultural mismatch as reasons for the difficulties that minority parents face in schools and has relied on a framework of cultural sensitivity in exploring the issues. Soyoung Lee proposes that the real issue underlying the dynamics between minority parents and schools and the reasons their voices are silenced are undeniably about race, power, and the exercise of racial privilege. She uses a personal narrative to illuminate how racism and power lead to the silencing of minority parents, and she makes recommendations for researchers, schools, and teacher educators to acknowledge and act on such forms of injustice.

The Influence of Sport Participation on African American Youth Binge Drinking

Background: The many negative consequences and high rates of use associated with youth binge drinking make further study into its causes and correlates vital. Sport participation is a relevant factor in predicting drinking behaviors among youth in need of further research. Objectives: The current study tests the influence of specific types of sport participation on the binge drinking behaviors of African American youth through binary logistic regression. Study of this particular sample is vital as race and sport participation have been shown to be critical variables associated with variations in drinking behaviors. Results: Results indicated that various types of sport participation were uniquely associated with drinking behaviors. Conclusion/Importance: Results are framed through social learning, social bond, and the power sport hypothesis in accordance with previous research.

The Caribbeanization of Black Politics: Race, Group Consciousness, and Political Participation in America

The Caribbeanization of Black Politics: Race, Group Consciousness, and Political Participation in America

Баланс работы и личной жизни и источники стресса научно-педагогических работников российских исследовательских университетов

На основе опроса и полуструктурированных интервью с преподавателями и научными сотрудниками одного из ведущих российских университетов выделяются ключевые источника стресса в профессиональной деятельности академических профессионалов в современной России. К их числу относятся: (1) повышение требований к научной результативности, (2) большой объем административной нагрузки, (3) нарушение баланса труда и личной жизни. Отмечается, что во многом это связано с общемировыми трендами, обусловленными неоменеджериальными реформами науки и высшей школы, а также давлением, вызванным активным участием университетов в гонке международных рейтингов. Также это обусловлено рядом характеристик академического труда в целом, связанным, например, с размыванием границ между работой и досугом. По данным исследования группами риска становятся молодые академические сотрудники, а также те, у кого административная нагрузка занимает значительную долю бюджета рабочего времени. В завершении статьи проблематизируется концепция стресса в сфере академического труда и ставится вопрос о соотношении положительных последствий адаптационного стресса к новым условиям функционирования науки и высшего образования и рискам негативного влияния стресса на академическую систему.

A comprehensive method for evaluating the impacts of race events on protected lands

Human actions in protected areas impact both the human and natural side of coupled human and natural systems. While this is broadly accepted, research projects that measure both social and ecological impacts of activities are rare. This study used an integrated approach to understand the social, ecological, and economic impacts of small-scale race events on two state forests in Pennsylvania. Trail conditions were assessed before and after each event, and visitor experiences were evaluated in the weeks prior, during, and after the events. Race participants were sent an online survey in the weeks following their race. In total, nine race events of three different types – mountain biking, running, and motorcycling – were assessed. Semi-structured interviews with race organizers and forest managers were also conducted. This paper details the methodology and rationale for this effort and presents highlights of results and their implications for further research and resource management.

Heroes on the Hill: A qualitative study of the psychosocial benefits of an intercultural arts programme for youth in Northern Ireland

AbstractThe current study investigates the psychosocial benefits of a cross‐community, intercultural dance programme for youth in Northern Ireland. Psychological theories, including contact theory and the ecology of childhood development, underpin the study, and results are discussed in relation to the programme's aims. The present study used qualitative, inductive methods; data consisted of interviews before and after the programme with facilitators (n = 2) and 10 (n = 10) programme participants (11–15 years old) of diverse races and nationalities. Latent themes were identified using thematic analysis. Findings reveal that participants have complex senses of identity. Worryingly, they also reported many instances of bullying, relating both to themselves and others. Results reveal three main psychosocial benefits of the programme, all of which promote positive mental health in adolescents. The benefits are increased self‐confidence, the formation of new cross‐community friendships, and improved intercultural awareness and pride. It is argued that the programme is an exemplar of how the arts can promote peace as well as resilience in the face of adversity. Recommendations for future research are included.

Ethnic disparity in prevalence and associated risk factors of myopia in adolescents

To examine ethnic disparity in prevalence and associated factors of myopia in adolescents using the Unites States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset. Participants who were aged 12-19 years were included from NHANES (1999-2008). Logistic regression analyses were applied to identify risk factors associated with myopia after stratification by race. A total of 9,960 participants were included in the prevalence analysis, and 6,571 in the risk factor analysis. Other race (excluded Mexican American, other Hispanic, non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black) participants had the highest frequency of myopia (42.77%). Multivariate analyses of the whole population suggested that the odds of myopia were significantly lower in participants with household smokers (odds ratio [OR]=0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.66-0.97), and significantly greater in Mexican American race (OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.01-1.62), other Hispanic (OR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.10-2.92) and in participants with senior high school graduate education (OR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.01-3.18), watched 2 hours of television daily (OR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.02-1.59), used the computer for 1 hour daily (OR=1.276, 95% CI: 1.02-1.57). When examined by race/ethnicity, 1 hour of computer use increased the odds of myopia in the non-Hispanic White group, in Mexican Americans a higher family poverty income ratio and 2 hours of television time was associated with myopia, and in the Other Hispanic group, a higher family poverty income ratio was associated with myopia, while males and those with a higher sugar had a lower risk of myopia. Risk factors for myopia vary with race/ethnicity.

The Caribbeanization of Black Politics: Race, Group Consciousness, and Political Participation in America. By Sharon D. Wright Austin. Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 2018. 272p. $95.00 cloth, $25.95 paper.

The Caribbeanization of Black Politics: Race, Group Consciousness, and Political Participation in America. By Sharon D. Wright Austin. Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 2018. 272p. 25.95 paper. - Volume 17 Issue 1

Six-day footraces in the post-pedestrianism era

Abstract In a six-day footrace, competitors accumulate as much distance as possible on foot over 144 consecutive hours by circumambulating a loop course. Now an obscure event on the fringe of ultra running and contested by amateurs, six-day races and the associated sport of pedestrianism used to be a lucrative professional athletic endeavor. Indeed, pedestrianism was the most popular spectator sport in America c. 1874–c. 1881. We analyzed data from 277 six-day races spanning 37 years in the post-pedestrianism era (1981–2018). Men outnumber women 3:1 in six-day race participation. The men’s (women’s) six-day world record is 644.2 (549.1) miles and the top 4% achieve 500 (450) miles. Adopting the forecasting model of Godsey (2012), we predict a 53% (21%) probability that the men’s (women’s) world record will be broken within the next decade.

Voter Response to Salient Judicial Decisions in Retention Elections

Even at their most salient, judicial retention elections do not increase turnout on Election Day. However, those who vote often participate in judicial retention races at higher levels than usual following salient judicial decisions. I use a series of difference-in-differences analyses to estimate the effect of the Iowa Supreme Court’s legalization of same-sex marriage on the subsequent retention races. I find that retention race participation was higher than we would have otherwise expected after the decision. Scholars often cite the infrequence with which justices are removed as evidence of justices’ relative independence from voters in retention elections, but the overwhelming retention of these justices does not mean they are independent from voters. Increases in the number of ballots cast in these races is perhaps more important than increases in negative votes when it comes to judicial independence, because each vote is an evaluation of the justices, whether positive or negative.

Is “including them” enough? How narratives of race and class shape participation in a resident-led neighbourhood revitalization initiative

This paper explores how one neighbourhood revitalization initiative addresses – or fails to address – intersecting systems of oppression as it seeks to facilitate resident-led change. Unlike many similar initiatives, the Neighbourhood Action Strategy in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada has an explicit focus on grassroots community development and resident leadership, and actors within the strategy have paid significant attention to issues of inclusion. We draw on in-depth interviews with City staff, local service providers, and neighbourhood residents, as well as on observation of neighbourhood meetings and media analysis, to explore how diversity, inclusion, and equity are understood and managed by different actors within the Strategy. We demonstrate that despite a stated mandate of inclusion, the initiative often struggles to engage significant participation from working-class and racialized people. We argue that this is in part due to complex interpersonal and institutional dynamics informed by race and class, which create significant tensions that ultimately limit the initiative's ability to create meaningful transformation. We conclude with some lessons learned about how to disrupt the racist, classist, and other oppressive discourses that can operate even within the most progressive initiatives.

Effects of Pacing Properties on Performance in Long-Distance Running.

This article focuses on the performance of runners in official races. Based on extensive public data from participants of races organized by the Boston Athletic Association, we demonstrate how different pacing profiles can affect the performance in a race. An athlete's pacing profile refers to the running speed at various stages of the race. We aim to provide practical, data-driven advice for professional as well as recreational runners. Our data collection covers 3 years of data made public by the race organizers, and primarily concerns the times at various intermediate points, giving an indication of the speed profile of the individual runner. We consider the 10 km, half marathon, and full marathon, leading to a data set of 120,472 race results. Although these data were not primarily recorded for scientific analysis, we demonstrate that valuable information can be gleaned from these substantial data about the right way to approach a running challenge. In this article, we focus on the role of race distance, gender, age, and the pacing profile. Since age is a crucial but complex determinant of performance, we first model the age effect in a gender- and distance-specific manner. We consider polynomials of high degree and use cross-validation to select models that are both accurate and of sufficient generalizability. After that, we perform clustering of the race profiles to identify the dominant pacing profiles that runners select. Finally, after having compensated for age influences, we apply a descriptive pattern mining approach to select reliable and informative aspects of pacing that most determine an optimal performance. The mining paradigm produces relatively simple and readable patterns, such that both professionals and amateurs can use the results to their benefit.

The relationship between runner environmental paradigm and their motives to participate in an urban or rural marathon

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the role of runner’s concern for the environment plays as a source of differentiation in the type of race they choose to participate. The study also seeks to explore how the environmental consciousness relates with participation motives in an urban and rural race setting.Design/methodology/approachParticipants from urban and rural races were surveyed to explore the relationships between their environmental consciousness, their race selection type and the sport tourism motivational profile for the runners in each of these race locations.FindingsA logistic regression was statistically significant in predicting urban vs rural race choice, correctly classifying 84 percent of cases. Increases in motivational responses relating to self-enrichment, social needs, catharsis and aggression were all associated with an increased likelihood in choosing an urban race. Conversely, motivational constructs related to tourism (e.g. destination attributes) were particularly effective in classifying rural race participants. Subsequent tests revealed significant differences in five of the nine race motives between runners based on their low, medium and high levels of environmental consciousness.Research limitations/implicationsImplications from this study serve to extend the literature on sport and tourism sustainability by understanding the environmental paradigm and sport tourism motives of distance runners in urban and rural race destinations.Practical implicationsThis study also serves event organizers from a practical standpoint by offering suggestions to market and execute events in line with participants’ underlying motives which were found to be different in an urban vs rural setting.Originality/valueIn a highly competitive event space like road races, effective differentiation and marketing are paramount to attracting participants. This study advances the research in this area by exploring the role that runners’ concern for the environment plays in their destination and event choice, as well as the differences that may exist in the sport tourism motivational profile for runners at an urban vs rural race destination.

Can participants predict where ambulance-requiring cases occur at a half marathon?

Despite endurance races leading to a substantial number of ambulance-requiring cases (ARC), little is known regarding where they occur, meaning that knowing where to place medical teams, ambulance pick-up points, etc, is difficult. This article investigates whether the location of ARCs can be identified by race participants. Using the world's largest half marathon (Gothenburg half marathon) as a case, 237 runners were asked, post-race, to mark on a map which geographical point of the race was most exhausting. Using the level of agreement tests, these geographical points were then compared with the GPS positions of ARCs. According to the level of agreement tests, the most exhausting positions (MEP), as identified by participants, seem to be highly correlated to the location of ARCs. This study can also show that ambulance-requiring cases seem to be more prevalent towards the end of the race and in uphill sections. By asking participants where they found the race most exhausting it seems possible to identify high-risk places for an ARC. From a practical perspective, using this method could considerably increase the safety of competitors as well as improving the cost-effectiveness of safety interventions at endurance races. Further studies are needed to understand the specific risk factors of the high-risk areas as well as characteristics of collapsed runners.

Leisure athletes at risk of medical complications: outcomes of pre-participation screening among 15,778 endurance runners - SAFER VII

ABSTRACTObjective: International guidelines for pre-participation screening of masters/leisure athletes to identify those that require medical assessment exist, but have not been implemented in mass-community based sports events. We determined the prevalence of runners who, according to these guidelines, would require a medical assessment before participating in a distance running event.Methods: Participants of the 2012 Two Oceans races (21.1 and 56 km) in South Africa (n = 15,778) completed an online pre-race medical screening questionnaire using European pre-participation screening guidelines. We determined the prevalence of runners that would require a pre-race medical assessment, based on risk factors, symptoms, and disease.Results: The pre-participation “self assessment of risk” screening identified 4,941 runners (31.3%; 95% CI 30.6–32.0) that would need to undergo a full pre-participation medical assessment prior to running, if the current pre-participation screening guidelines are applied. Although musculoskeletal complaints and prescription medication use were the main triggers for a medical assessment, 16.8% (n = 2657) runners should undergo medical evaluation for suspected cardiac disease based on the questionnaire results: 3.4% (n = 538) reporting existing CVD (very high risk) and 13.4% (n = 2119) reporting multiple CVD risk factors (high risk). Other possible risk factors were reported as follows: history of chronic diseases (respiratory = 13.1%, gastro-intestinal = 4.3%, nervous system = 3.8%, metabolic/endocrine = 3.5%, allergies = 13.9%); chronic prescription medication = 14.8%, used medication before or during races = 15.6%; past history of collapse during a race = 1.4%.Conclusions: Current guidelines identified that > 30% runners would require a full medical assessment before race participation – mainly linked to runners reporting musculoskeletal conditions. We suggest a revision of guidelines and propose that pre-race screening should be considered to identify runners with a “very high,” “high,” and “intermediate risk” for medical complications during exercise. Pre-race screening and educational intervention could be implemented to reduce medical complications during exercise.

Moda na bieganie – doświadczenia Polski i innych krajów. Analiza porównawcza

Artykuł przedstawia wyniki analizy porównawczej polskich i zagranicznych doświadczeń związanych ze zjawiskiem mody na bieganie. Zestawienie obejmuje historię biegowego boomu w Polsce i na świecie. Rozpatrywana jest także kwestia struktury populacji biegaczy-amatorów, ideologicznego tła dla mody na bieganie (healthism), a także poziomu sportowego prezentowanego na otwartych dla amatorów zawodach maratońskich. Podstawę wnioskowania stanowi kwerenda dostępnych opracowań i statystyk. Drugim źródłem informacji są dane ilościowe odnoszące się do wybranych sześciu maratonów, stanowiących – pod względem liczby uczestników, renomy i poziomu organizacyjnego – czołówkę tego typu przedsięwzięć na świecie. Jako porównawczy jest traktowany materiał odnoszący się do pięciu imprez biegowych zaliczanych do tzw. Korony Maratonów Polskich. Pomimo różnic w historii biegowego boomu oraz w strukturze wiekowej i płciowej populacji biegaczy-amatorów, odnotować należy istotne podobieństwa, które dotyczą zwłaszcza ideologicznych źródeł mody na bieganie oraz klasowej przynależności biegaczy długodystansowców.