Papers by Vaughan Nicholson
Journal of Sports Sciences, 2021
ABSTRACT This study examined the reliability of instrumented trunk assessment methods across two ... more ABSTRACT This study examined the reliability of instrumented trunk assessment methods across two experiments to develop and improve evidence-based classification in Para swimming. Trunk coordination, range of motion (ROM), and strength were assessed in 38 non-disabled participants. Each test battery was completed on two occasions to determine inter-session reliability. Intra-session reliability was also determined in Experiment Two. Absolute agreement of two-way mixed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC 3,1) was calculated to assess reliability. Standard errors of measurement (SEMs) were also reported to facilitate comparisons between different outcomes. Trunk coordination measures had low-to-moderate reliability (inter-session ICCs = 0.00–0.60; intra-session ICCs = 0.14–0.65) and variable SEMs (5–60%). Trunk ROM demonstrated moderate-to-excellent reliability (inter-session ICCs = 0.61–0.93; intra-session ICCs = 0.87–0.95) and good SEMs (<10%). Trunk strength measures demonstrated good-to-excellent reliability (ICCs = 0.87–0.98) and good SEMs (<10%). The strength values obtained for the load cell and hand-held dynamometer (HHD) were significantly different from each other with the HHD underestimating strength. Modifications provided in Experiment Two improved the reliability of strength and ROM assessments but did not improve coordination measures. Further research involving para swimmers is required to establish the validity of the methods.
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 2021
This study is the first to provide information on the age‐related trajectories of performance in ... more This study is the first to provide information on the age‐related trajectories of performance in Para swimmers with physical, vision and intellectual impairment. Race times from long‐course swim meets between 2009 and 2019 were obtained for Para swimmers with an eligible impairment. A subset of 10 661 times from 411 Para swimmers were included in linear mixed effects modelling to establish the relationship between age and performance expressed relative to personal best time and world record time. The main findings were: (a) age has the most noticeable influence on performance between the ages of 12‐20 years before performances stabilize and peak in the early to late twenties, (b) women have faster times relative to personal best and world record time than men during early adolescence and their performances stabilize, peak and decline at younger ages, and (c) Para swimmers from different sport classes show varying age‐related trajectories in performance after maturation and when training‐related factors are more likely to explain competitive swim performance. The results of this study can guide talent identification and development of Para swimmers at various stages of their career and help to inform decision‐making on the allocation of sport class and sport class status in Para swimming classification.
Physical Therapy in Sport, 2018
Objectives: To evaluate the reliability of swimming-specific range of movement tests developed in... more Objectives: To evaluate the reliability of swimming-specific range of movement tests developed in order to permit evidenced-based classification in the sport of para swimming. Design: Test-retest intra-and inter-examiner reliability. Setting: International Swimming training camps and university exercise science departments. Participants: 42 non-disabled participants (mean age 23.2 years) and 24 Para swimmers (mean age 28.5 years). Main Outcome Measures: Intra-and inter-examiner reliability of a battery of novel active range of motion tests. Results: Good to excellent intra-examiner reliability was found for the majority (32/34) of tests in non-disabled participants (ICC = 0.85-0.98). SEM values ranged from 1.18° to 6.11°. Similarly, good to excellent inter-examiner reliability was found for the majority (35/42) of tests in nondisabled participants (ICC = 0.85-0.98). SEM values range from 0.73° to 6.52°. Para swimmers exhibited significantly reduced range of motion compared to non-disabled participants. Conclusions: The large majority of ROM tests included in this novel battery were reliable both within and between examiners in non-disabled participants. The tests were found to differentiate between non-disabled participants and Para swimmers with hypertonia or impaired muscle power.
Journal of Physiotherapy, 2019
Question: Does motor imagery training improve measures of balance, mobility and falls in older ad... more Question: Does motor imagery training improve measures of balance, mobility and falls in older adults without a neurological condition? Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Participants: Adults aged at least 60 years and without a neurological condition. Intervention: Three or more sessions of motor imagery training. Outcome measures: The primary outcomes were balance measures (such as single leg stance and Berg Balance scale) and mobility measures (such as gait speed and the Timed Up and Go test). Falls were a secondary outcome measure. Risk of bias was evaluated using the PEDro Scale, and overall quality of evidence was assessed using the Grades of Research, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results: Twelve trials including 356 participants were included in the systematic review and 10 trials (316 participants) were included in the meta-analyses. All trials included either apparently healthy participants or older adults after orthopaedic surgery. There was evidence that motor imagery training can significantly improve balance (SMD 1.03, 95% CI 0.25 to 1.82), gait speed (MD 0.13 m/s, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.22) and Timed Up and Go (MD 1.64 seconds, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.49) in older adults; however, the quality of evidence was very low to low. No data regarding falls were identified. Conclusion: Motor imagery training improves balance and mobility in older adults who do not have a neurological condition. These results suggest that motor imagery training could be an adjunct to standard physiotherapy care in older adults, although it is unclear whether or not the effects are clinically worthwhile.
Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2018
Physical characteristics such as bone density, strength and balance are subject to an accelerated... more Physical characteristics such as bone density, strength and balance are subject to an accelerated deterioration beyond the age of 55. Increasing numbers of adults aged over 55 years are undertaking gym based activities including pre-choreographed group exercise classes such as BodyPump. To date there is a paucity of literature assessing the effectiveness of such classes, particularly in older adults. BodyPump involves high repetition, low load resistance training and is currently one of the most accessible pre-choreographed group exercise classes globally but its effectiveness has not been assessed in older adults. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of six months of BodyPump training on adults aged 55-75 years. Eighty apparently healthy, active adults aged between 55 and 75 years took part in the study. Participants were randomly allocated to the BodyPump group or Control group; members of the BodyPump group undertook two BodyPump sessions per week for 26 weeks while mem...
Calcified Tissue International, 2015
This study determined the effect of 6 months of low-load very high-repetition resistance training... more This study determined the effect of 6 months of low-load very high-repetition resistance training on bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition in nonosteoporotic middle-aged and older women. Fifty healthy, active community-dwelling women aged 56-75 years took part in the two-group, repeated-measures randomized controlled trial. Participants either undertook 6 months of low-load very high-repetition resistance training in the form of BodyPump™ or served as control participants. Outcome measures included BMD at the lumbar spine, hip, and total body; total fat mass; fat-free soft tissue mass and maximal isotonic strength. Significant group-by-time interactions were found for lumbar spine BMD and maximal strength in favor of the BodyPump™ group. No favorable effects were found for hip BMD, total body BMD, total fat mass, or fat-free soft tissue mass. Three participants withdrew from the intervention group due to injury or fear of injury associated with training. Under the conditions used in this research, low-load very high-repetition resistance training is effective at attenuating losses in lumbar spine BMD compared to controls in healthy, active women aged over 55 years but did not influence hip and total body BMD or fat mass and fat-free soft tissue mass.
Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2014
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2013
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2003
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 2015
Objective:To determine the effectiveness of unsupervised Nintendo Wii Fit balance training in old... more Objective:To determine the effectiveness of unsupervised Nintendo Wii Fit balance training in older adults.Methods:Forty-one older adults were recruited from local retirement villages and educational settings to participate in a six-week two-group repeated measures study. The Wii group (n = 19, 75 ± 6 years) undertook 30 min of unsupervised Wii balance gaming three times per week in their retirement village while the comparison group (n = 22, 74 ± 5 years) continued with their usual exercise program. Participants’ balance abilities were assessed pre- and postintervention.Results:The Wii Fit group demonstrated significant improvements (P < .05) in timed up-and-go, left single-leg balance, lateral reach (left and right), and gait speed compared with the comparison group. Reported levels of enjoyment following game play increased during the study.Conclusion:Six weeks of unsupervised Wii balance training is an effective modality for improving balance in independent older adults.
Journal of science and medicine in sport / Sports Medicine Australia, Jan 9, 2014
To determine the effect of 26 weeks of low-load high-repetition resistance training (BodyPump™) o... more To determine the effect of 26 weeks of low-load high-repetition resistance training (BodyPump™) on maximal strength, gait speed, balance and self-reported health status in healthy, active middle-aged and older adults. Two-group randomised control trial. Sixty-eight apparently healthy, active adults aged over 55 years completed either 26 weeks of BodyPump™ training (PUMP) or served as control participants (CON). The BodyPump™ group (n=32, age=66±4 years) trained twice per week for 26 weeks while the control group (n=36, age=66±5 years) continued with their normal activities. Leg-press and Smith-machine bench-press one repetition maximum (1RM), gait speed, balance, and self-reported health status were all assessed at baseline and follow-up. Significant group-by-time interactions in favour of the BodyPump™ group were found for leg-press 1RM (PUMP +13%, CON +3%, p=0.007, partial eta(2)=0.11), Smith-machine bench-press 1RM (PUMP +14%, CON +5%, p=0.001, partial eta(2)=0.18), normal gait s...
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Papers by Vaughan Nicholson