Senior Clubs Research Articles

Performance indicators in club level Gaelic football

ABSTRACTOver 2000 Gaelic Football clubs compete annually for the honour of playing in the All-Ireland club finals in Croke Park in front of up to 30,000 people. There are no published performance data for club level Gaelic football, despite evidence of considerable performance analysis activity. This study aims to establish benchmark profiles for Senior, Intermediate and Junior grade club Gaelic football and investigate which variables are most closely associated with winning.Data from all tiers of the Ulster club football championship of 2015 and 2016 (n = 48) were analysed using a range of validated operational definitions measuring 17 variables. Differences between winning and losing performance were tested using a Mann-Whitney U test.Across all grades, six variables proved significant (p < 0.05), three were directly related to scoring (points, number of scores and total score), the others related to the effective use of possession (possession: scores ratio; turnover rate and productivity (scores per possession)). Several others are specific to certain grades, and are directly linked to successful performance at that level.Our findings can be used by club coaches and analysts as comparable profiles for measuring team performance and targeting improvements associated with successful performance.

“Active” and “Passive” Coach Pathways: Elite Athletes’ Entry Routes Into High-Performance Coaching Roles

This study sought to analyse the lived experiences of so-called “fast-tracked” coaches from men’s association football and rugby union by seeking to understand how these individuals prepared for and then transitioned into a post-athletic coaching career. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 male coaches. All participants were former elite athletes and had followed a fast-tracked pathway into their current post-athletic coaching roles. Participants were based in England and had retired from an athletic career within 12 months of being interviewed. Two general categories of “active” and “passive” coach pathways were identified for the career trajectory. Active coaches purposefully prepared for a coaching career during their athletic careers, whereas passive coaches did not. Passive coaches’ decisions to become a coach were often reactive and made after retiring from a competitive athletic career. Results indicate that only the career trajectory of passive coaches reflects a fast-track pathway. None of the active or passive coaches negotiated any formalised recruitment processes into their first post-athletic coaching roles. The suggestion is that prejudicial recruitment practices are enacted by senior club management which creates a homogenous coaching workforce. This furthers the need for greater governance of high-performance coach recruitment within England for these sports.

Polish Migrants and Organizations in Australia

The social profile and the organizational landscape of Polish diaspora, known as ‘Polonia’, in Australia has been undergoing a significant change: sociodemographic (ageing), sociocultural (diversification) and sociopolitical (integration and assimilation). The ‘wave-type’ immigration (1947-56 and 1980-89), combined with the sudden decline in immigration after Poland’s independence (1989) and accession to the EU (2004), resulted in the rapid shrinking, ageing and internal differentiation of the Polish community. The pre-1989 ‘ethno-representative’ and ex-servicemen organisations have been withering away. The ‘culture preserving’ ethnic organizations, as well as religious/church groups also weaken, due to their shrinking demographic base. The Australian ‘Polonia’ is diversifying, as well as internally dividing, the latter process accelerated by widening political-ideological divisions in Poland. Under the impact of social diversification and globalization, and in the context of evolving multicultural policies in Australia, new forms of organization and social activism emerge. Interethnic, integrative and ‘bridging’ organizations and initiatives, anchored mainly in metropolitan social circles of Melbourne and Sydney, attract the most educated immigrants and their offspring and break the mould of ethnic exclusivity. Next to traditional Polish Associations, multiplying Senior Clubs and still numerous Polish schools there also appear some nationalistic groups, active mainly in social media. These general trends: numerical decline, ageing and diversification (combined with political divisions) reflect the changing conditions in the Australian and Polish societies, as well as the processes of migrant adaptation and integration.

Examination of validity and reliability for prototype scale to assess achievement motive in community-dwelling healthy older adults

Long-term care prevention is an important issue, particularly given the rapidly growing aging society. For rehabilitation, an achievement motive defined as “the intention to achieve one's goals while maintaining a standard of excellence” has been used as a means of assessment and intervention. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and the reliability for a prototype scale for achievement motive in geriatric (P-SAMG) based on a scale for achievement motive in rehabilitation. A cross-sectional study was conducted to measure the P-SAMG, which has been accepted content validity by 8 experts, classification and assessment of occupational dysfunction (CAOD) and comprehensive environmental questionnaire for the elderly (CEQ) in 238 older adults (average age: 76.1 ± 7.2) who participated in senior clubs. The factorial validity of P-SAMG was examined using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the concurrent validity was assessed using correlative analysis, and the internal consistency reliability was assessed by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient. This study was approved by the Ethical Review Board of Kibi International University and written consent was obtained from all the participants. This research was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP17H07288. ESEM presented good factor loadings (first factor of item 1–5: 0.93–0.56, the second factor of item 6–10: 0.95–0.54) and the CFA presented adequate fit indices. Moreover, P-SAMG indicated a moderate or low correlation with CEQ (0.42–0.20) and a partially low correlation with CAOD (−0.20 to −0.29). Cronbach's alpha coefficient demonstrated a sufficient value for two factors and the whole scale (0.89–0.94). These results demonstrated that P-SAMG is useful in the assessment of achievement motives for older adults without rehabilitation service. Management of material or personal environment and appropriate occupational engagements was suggested as a valid strategy to improve motivation in this population.

Using Sprint Velocity Decrement to Enhance Acute Sprint Performance.

Cochrane, DJ and Monaghan, D. Using sprint velocity decrement to enhance acute sprint performance. J Strength Cond Res 35(2): 442-448, 2021-Acute sled towing has the capability to elicit a potentiation. Currently, sled loading is determined from body mass (BM) percent. However, it may be more relevant to use a percentage of maximal sprint reduction to determine an individual's load. The purpose of this study was to determine if individualizing sled loads at 35 and 55% reduction in velocity would improve 20-m sprint performance. In addition, electromyography (EMG) was assessed to determine if any sprint-related improvements in velocity were due to changes in neural excitation. Twelve senior club male rugby union players performed familiarization and 2 sled towing sessions using a randomized, cross-over, and counterbalanced design. Testing sessions involved: baseline unresisted 20-m sprints, resisted sprint (35 and 55% reduction in velocity), and unresisted 20-m sprints at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 minutes. The sled load to reduce maximal velocity by 35% significantly improved 20-m velocity (p <0.05, effect size [ES] = 0.21) compared with the heavier sled load (55% reduction in maximum velocity). A significant decline in sprint velocity occurred at 12 minutes (p < 0.01, ES = -0.61) and 16 minutes (p < 0.01, ES = -0.45) compared with baseline velocity. Other time intervals reported trivial small nonsignificant changes in sprint velocity (p >0.05). There was no significant change in EMG. Reducing sprint velocity provides an alternate method to determining sprint loading. Nonetheless, a greater range of reduced sprint velocity is required to assess if it is more effective than using BM percent procedure.

Concussion knowledge and attitudes among amateur South African rugby players

Background: The South African Rugby Union’s BokSmart programme currently educates coaches and referees on concussion. Rugby players are often more familiar with their teammates than the coach or referee. Therefore they are well-positioned to play a pivotal role in rugby safety if they have adequate knowledge to identify subtle signs and abnormal behaviour displayed by a concussed teammate. However, no programme focuses on concussion education among South African rugby players and there is a dearth of literature on concussion education programmes among rugby players which could lead to safer return to play (RTP) habits.Objectives: To evaluate South African rugby players’ concussion knowledge and attitudes/behaviours regarding RTP following a concussion.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was used. Participants (n=294) were divided into junior amateur high school (JAHS) (n=216) and senior amateur club (SAC) (n=78) players. The modified RoCKAS-ST questionnaire was used to evaluate their concussion knowledge index (CKI) and concussion attitudes/behaviours index (CAI) regarding RTP.Results: On average, 62% (JAHS) and 60% (SAC) of the CKI questions were answered correctly. JAHS participants correctly identified 66% of concussion symptoms, similarly to the SAC participants (63%), rendering similar (p=0.37) overall CKI scores when comparing the two groups. The CAI questions yielded similar (p=0.98) results between the groups, reporting safe responses in 66% (JAHS) and 67% (SAC) of the items.Discussion and conclusion: Junior and senior South African amateur rugby players lacked approximately one-third of essential concussion knowledge, which may lead to a display of unsafe attitudes/behaviours to concussion and RTP. Further research is warranted to inform educational programmes on concussion among rugby players.

Concussion knowledge and attitudes among amateur South African rugby players

Background: The South African Rugby Union’s BokSmart programme currently educates coaches and referees on concussion. Rugby players are often more familiar with their teammates than the coach or referee. Therefore they are well-positioned to play a pivotal role in rugby safety if they have adequate knowledge to identify subtle signs and abnormal behaviour displayed by a concussed teammate. However, no programme focuses on concussion education among South African rugby players and there is a dearth of literature on concussion education programmes among rugby players which could lead to safer return to play (RTP) habits.Objectives: To evaluate South African rugby players’ concussion knowledge and attitudes/behaviours regarding RTP following a concussion.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was used. Participants (n=294) were divided into junior amateur high school (JAHS) (n=216) and senior amateur club (SAC) (n=78) players. The modified RoCKAS-ST questionnaire was used to evaluate their concussion knowledge index (CKI) and concussion attitudes/behaviours index (CAI) regarding RTP.Results: On average, 62% (JAHS) and 60% (SAC) of the CKI questions were answered correctly. JAHS participants correctly identified 66% of concussion symptoms, similarly to the SAC participants (63%), rendering similar (p=0.37) overall CKI scores when comparing the two groups. The CAI questions yielded similar (p=0.98) results between the groups, reporting safe responses in 66% (JAHS) and 67% (SAC) of the items.Discussion and conclusion: Junior and senior South African amateur rugby players lacked approximately one-third of essential concussion knowledge, which may lead to a display of unsafe attitudes/behaviours to concussion and RTP. Further research is warranted to inform educational programmes on concussion among rugby players.

Analysis of head impacts during sub-elite hurling practice sessions

ABSTRACTThe reported incidence of head and neck injuries in hurling is 0.12 per 1000 hours, but no previous research has quantified head impact characteristics in this sport. Here, a wireless accelerometer and gyroscope captured head impacts, in 20 senior club level hurling players. Peak linear and rotational acceleration and impact location were recorded during three hurling training sessions, each player participating once. A mean of 27.9 impacts (linear acceleration >10g) per player, per session were recorded; 1314 impacts during a total exposure time of 247 minutes. Only 2.6% impacts had peak linear acceleration of >70g and 6.2% had peak rotational acceleration >7900 rad/s2. There were significant differences in the number and magnitude of impacts, quantified by the accelerometer, between three training sessions of differing intensity (ŋ2 0.03–0.09, p < 0.001). This study represents a first step in quantifying head impacts during hurling, demonstrating the feasibility of this technology in the field. The sensors were able to discriminate between sessions of varying intensity. These data can be used to develop athlete monitoring protocols and may be useful in developing innovative helmet-testing standards for hurling. The potential for this technology to provide feedback has clinical utility for team medical personnel.

The association between harm avoidance personality traits and self-reported concussion history in South African rugby union players.

Personality traits have been proposed to affect the risk of sports concussion, but evidence is limited. Cloninger's Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) measures novelty seeking, harm avoidance (HA), and reward dependence traits. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between TPQ scores and concussion history in rugby union players. Cross-sectional study. Rugby players from high schools, senior amateur clubs, and professional teams provided a self-reported concussion history and completed the TPQ. Participants reporting no previous concussions formed the control group, while participants reporting concussion formed the case group. A one-way analysis of covariance, with age as a covariate, was used to examine the differences in TPQ scores between groups. Of the 309 participants, 54% reported a minimum of one concussion (junior: 47%; amateur: 52%; professional: 72%). HA scores were significantly higher in junior players without a history of concussion compared to cases (p=0.006). Specifically, the junior control group had higher "anticipatory worry" (p=0.009) and "fear of uncertainty" (p=0.008). In contrast, the professional control group had lower HA scores than cases (p=0.009), while the amateur cohort displayed no differences between control and case groups. This study identified a novel association between HA and concussion in rugby players, adding evidence to the role of personality in a multifactorial risk-model of concussion. The findings suggest that lower HA may lead to increased dangerous play in youth rugby, influencing concussion susceptibility. Contrasting associations in the professional cohort suggest further research is required to understand the role of personality in concussion.

An evaluation of frailty factors among elderly and their mutual links in elderly women in the Olomouc region

Background: Ageing has a significant impact on the functional status and capacity in physical, cognitive, sensory and nutritional areas. The age-related changes include changes in body composition as well as changes in the musculoskeletal system including a significant loss of muscle mass and demineralization of bone. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between selected parameters of frailty factors in older women from the Olomouc region. Methods: The research group consisted of 225 women (aged 60-81 years) attending University of the Third Age at the Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc and women from senior clubs in Olomouc. Body composition was assessed by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance. Muscle strength in the hand flexors was evaluated using a digital pinch grip. Information on bone density was obtained through local densitometer. To verify the strength of relation between variables Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated. Results: Relationship between body composition, muscle strength and bone density proved to be statistically significant. Moderate positive correlation was found between the grip strengths of both hands, bone density of both calcaneus and the amount of fat-free mass, muscle mass, cell mass and the size of the basal metabolic rate in range from .41 to .49. The relationship between muscle strength and bone density was weak (r < .30) but statistically significant. Conclusions: These results confirm the relationship between aspects of the frailty of elderly women, especially the relationship between muscle strength, bone density and selected parameters of body composition.

A Study on the Risk Management for the Elderly Job Support Agency : Focused on Senior Clubs in Busan

본 연구는 노인일자리전담기관에서 활동하고 있는 참여 노인들이 안전한 환경에서 업무를 수행할 수 있도록 위험을 예방하고 사고 발생 시 신속하게 대처할 수 있는 위험관리 개선방안을 제시하는 것을 목적으로 하였다. 이러한 목적을 달성하기 위해 노인일자리전담기관을 대표하는 시니어클럽 중 부산지역 16개 시니어클럽 전체 종사자 140명 중 127명을 대상으로 조사를 실시하였고, 종사자가 인식하는 위험요인을 유형별로 조사하고, 조사대상 기관의 위험관리 실태 및 위험관리 방안을 분석하였다. 주요 연구결과로는 첫째, 시니어클럽 종사자가 인식하는 위험요인은 경영 위험이 가장 높게 나타났다. 둘째, 인구 사회학적 특성에 따른 차이는 위험요인에서 근무시간은 업무 위험과 재해 위험, 설립기간은 업무 위험, 사회적 위험, 재해 위험, 경영 위험이 통계적으로 유의미한 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 셋째, 위험관리 대응 실태는 매우 낮은 것으로 나타나 위험관리가 제대로 이루어지지 않고 있는 반면에 위험관리 개선 방안은 상대적으로 높게 나타나 위험 대응을 위한 개선방안의 필요성을 인식하고 있음을 알 수가 있다. 마지막으로 위험관리 필요성에서는 위험관리 방안 중 예방교육, 안전점검, 보험가입에서 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 이상의 결과를 바탕으로 시니어클럽에서 위험관리의 개선방안 마련을 위한 논의와 사회복지실천 및 정책적 측면에서 다양한 제언을 하였다.

On some philosophical foundations of the disappointing performances of the African soccer teams in world competitions

For decades, African senior club and national soccer teams, involved in world competitions (FIFA World Cup and FIFA Club World Cup), have failed to perform beyond mere honorable appearances. In this paper, we explore two of the fundamental causes underlying these disappointing performances. First, we examine the dilemma which forces almost all the African federations to overlook the Africa-based players in favor of those based outside the continent. Second, we show that the roots of the poor performances of the African teams go far beyond this crippling dilemma. Indeed, we argue, the persistent underperformances of African teams appear to be rather consistent with the fate of postcolonial Africa itself, a continent marred in an acute identity crisis. In fact, this crisis essentially stems from the relentless brain drain inflicted on the African soccer world which has so far dispersed its best talents all across Europe and beyond through the naturalization of its soccer diaspora. In addition, Africa has shown no ability to offer any type of attractive alternatives to the talented sons and daughters of its diaspora as well as to any other world class players. This ineptitude, coupled with Africa’s inability to leave behind its nostalgic Senghorian soccer essentialism, condemns the continent to perpetual poor performances. Therefore, we suggest that the African national federations and their respective governments move away from their deeply held soccer essentialism in order to begin to move toward some kind of soccer existentialism alongside such European countries as France, Germany, Switzerland, and The Netherlands which appear to acknowledge, perhaps reluctantly, the invaluable contributions made by the African (and other world) diaspora to the success of not only their local and national leagues but also their national teams.

The Social Background of Ireland’s Pre-World War I Association Football Clubs, Players and Administrators: The Case of South and West Ulster

This paper examines the development of association football in the South and West Ulster counties of Fermanagh, Tyrone, Cavan, and Monaghan in the pre-World War One era against the backdrop of the sporting ‘revolution’ and the political and social climate in Ireland at that time. While the Irish Football Association was founded in Belfast in 1880 and the game’s early growth in Ireland was centred in East Ulster, South and West Ulster were areas which were rather dislocated from the hearth of soccer in the province’s largest city, where professional structures were in place by 1894 and where senior and junior association football clubs were strongest. The origins of a number of clubs are examined and it will be shown that despite a lack of major industry and a professional structure, by the early 1900s, the game of soccer had established a strong role within society in many local communities in the area. An examination of the social backgrounds of players and administrators illustrates that leagues and cups were played on a cross-community basis in many areas and that patronage, as well as player participation and administration, came from nationalists as well as unionists.

Contesting competence

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate around conceptualising competence in sport organisations by analysing club leadership and management in the Australian Football League (AFL) at a time of professionalisation. The paper asks: what were considered appropriate activities for newly professionalised AFL clubs, and how was the role of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as a competent leader in delivering these activities conceptualised in the clubs?Design/methodology/approach– Semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 38 senior club managers in the AFL. A thematic analysis was undertaken.Findings– The paper finds that perceptions of core activities of clubs expanded with professionalisation, and that the role of the CEO emerged as the outcome of internal organisational contests. CEO competence is not only a set of technical skills, but is social, relational and “essentially contested” (Good, 1998, p. 205).Research limitations/implications– The qualitative methodology adopted means findings cannot be generalised to other sporting leagues, however, because all clubs participated they do reflect conceptualisations in the AFL at the time. The findings are suggestive of issues that may be relevant to other sporting competitions.Practical implications– The paper provides evidence that CEOs in sporting organisations should not be appointed only on the basis of technical skills. Social and relational skills are critical to organisational success.Originality/value– This paper enriches understandings of AFL clubs and of CEOs as leaders in sport organisations, and contributes to theoretical debates around the organisational construction of competence.

The Ethical Judgment of Private Club Senior Executives

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to investigate effects of working experience and organization size on ethical judgments on ethical issues among senior private club executives. Senior club executives at small and large private clubs were given five vignettes, representing ethical dilemmas in five categories of ethical behavior identified by previous researchers. They were asked to determine whether each issue was a question of ethics or not (N = 413). The multivariate analysis of variance results indicate that senior executives working in the large-sized club with more than 20 years’ hospitality working experience tend to make higher ethical judgments on ethical issues.

Gender and regional differences in going-out, social, and leisure activities among older adults. Findings from the JAGES Project

Promoting social and leisure activity participation in older adults could be effective in preventing their health decline. However, gender or regional differences in those activities remain unclear despite the necessity of gender- or region-specific approaches to their promotion. This study examined gender and urban-rural differences in going-out, social, and leisure activities among community-dwelling older adults. Data were obtained from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES). Those analyzed were 103,621 people aged 65 or older who were functionally independent and lived in one of 31 municipalities. A total of seven activity variables were assessed with weekly going out, engagement in paid work, monthly and any frequency of engagement in group activities, monthly and any frequency of contact with friends, and having hobbies. We additionally assessed the contents of the group activities and hobbies. Gender, age groups (young-old: 65-74; old-old: 75 and over), and region groups, which were categorized as rural, urban, or metropolitan, were assessed along with education, depression, and other covariates. A chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to examine the age group-stratified differences in the going-out, social, and leisure activities among gender and region groups (P<.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that men were more likely to engage in weekly going out, paid work, and hobbies but less likely to engage in group activities and contact with friends, either monthly or at any frequency. Most activities were also found to differ significantly among the region groups. For instance, people in metropolitan areas were 2.3 times more likely to engage in weekly going out but were 0.4 (old-old group) or 0.5 times (young-old group) less likely to engage in contact with friends. Percentages of engagement in hobby- or sport-groups were over 20% in all gender and region groups; on the other hand, about 30% differences were found in the percentages of engagement in senior clubs or neighborhood associations between metropolitan and rural men. As for having hobbies, walking/jogging and gardening were popular across all gender and region groups, while the percentages of engagement in a variety of hobbies differed among gender and region groups. Our findings suggest 1) differences in the levels of social and leisure activities among gender and region groups and 2) both similarities and differences in the popular group activities or hobbies among gender and region groups. Activity promotion for older adults should be targeted considering these gender and region group characteristics.

The Influence of Participation Level of Senior Employment Project on the Intension of Participation Continuity, and Verification of Mediating effect of Participation Satisfaction: Focused on the Market type of Senior Employment Project by Senior Club

The Influence of Participation Level of Senior Employment Project on the Intension of Participation Continuity, and Verification of Mediating effect of Participation Satisfaction: Focused on the Market type of Senior Employment Project by Senior Club

Development and Validation of Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for Estimation of the Dietary Polyphenol Intake Among Elderly Individuals in Klang Valley

Polyphenol is a non-nutrient phytochemical compound existed abundantly in plant-based diet which has the properties to prevent age related oxidative damage induced diseases. However, there are diffi culties in quantifying its intake and local food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for the assessment is not available. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate FFQ for estimation of dietary polyphenol intake among 93 individuals aged 60 years and above recruited from several senior citizen clubs in Klang Valley. Phase I of the study involved the development of FFQ consisted of 117 items under 9 categories and formation of the database extracted from PHENOL-EXPLORER. In Phase II, the intake of polyphenol estimated using FFQ was compared with reference method consisted of 2-day diet records and diet history questionnaire (DHQ). The mean dietary polyphenol intake estimated from FFQ and the reference method was 2770.7 ± 1552.4 mg/d and 2171.4 ± 898.8 mg/d, respectively. Spearman’s rho and Kendall’s tau-b analysis indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between polyphenol intake estimated from FFQ and reference method (r = 0.41, p < 0.001; r = 0.28, p < 0.001). For Bland-Altman plot, 95.7% of scattered plot fell within ± 1.96 SD limits of agreement revealed that there was good agreement between the two methods used. Cross-classification analysis showed that 36.6% was categorized in the same quartile, 78.5% in identical and contiguous quartiles, with only 3.2% in the opposite quartiles. Regression analysis showed that all categories in FFQ signifi cantly account for the inter-variance for dietary polyphenol intake after controlling for the other variables (R2 = 1.000, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the newly developed FFQ is considered valid and has the potential to be used as a tool to estimate polyphenol intake among elderly individuals in Malaysia. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/JSKM-2014-1202-05

Health Within Limitations: Qualitative Study of the Social Aspects of Resilience in Old Age

Ageing can be conceptualized as a series of transitions, each bringing about gains or losses. The actual experience of a life event is dependent also on a person’s resilience, which is importantly reflected in his/her subjective health. Although recognizing the importance of personal factors, this article focused on the social resources for resilience. The main aim was to identify the social conditions of resilient healthy ageing that could be promoted among elderly and at the wider societal level. A twelve-week fall prevention training for the elderly recruited from the Pensioners’ Association of Slovenia, senior clubs and day care centres within the Ljubljana region was organized at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences. The convenience sample of 25 relatively healthy and active people (average age 70.1 years) participated and were included also in the qualitative study. They agreed to take part in semi-structured interviews. The suggested themes were ageing, health/illness and healthcare. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcriptions were analysed following the qualitative content analysis. When confronting adversity, the participants’ exposed the importance of socializing, active engagement in social support networks and intergenerational ties. These social coping resources/strategies were analytically identified as thematic categories of the central concept - engagement in social life. Through identified social aspects of resilience, the findings importantly contributed to clarify some of the dimensions of social determinants of health. From the quality of life perspective, it is important that state and community authorities acknowledge the elderly’s perceptions and form policy interventions to secure and enhance circumstances which allow their engagement in social life.

Levels and correlates of knowledge about Alzheimer's disease among older Chinese Americans.

This study examined knowledge of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and correlates of AD knowledge in a sample of Chinese American older adults living in the Phoenix metropolitan area of the United States. Survey data were collected from 385 Chinese Americans age 55 or older (M = 72.43, SD = 8.67) recruited from various settings not limited to senior housing facilities, senior clubs, senior centers and church groups. Participants responded to a 24-item true/false AD knowledge scale with 73 % accuracy. Multivariate regression analyses found that participants who held more traditional Chinese cultural beliefs of AD tended to have less AD knowledge. Older women had more knowledge of AD than men when educational differences were controlled. Participants who used media to acquire AD information had more AD knowledge than those did not. AD educational programs should target domains (e.g., risk factors, symptoms, and caregiving) about which Chinese American elders tend to have less knowledge; AD information should be disseminated through appropriate media to outreach Chinese American elders more effectively. Addressing the biases in elders' cultural beliefs of AD should be incorporated in AD educational programs.