Papers by Louis Passfield
Investigating the effect of exercise duration on functional and biochemical perturbations in the human heart: total work or ‘isoeffort’ matching?
The Journal of Physiology, 2016
Perfectionism and training distress in junior athletes: a longitudinal investigation
Journal of Sports Sciences, 2016
Perfectionistic athletes may train harder and for longer than non-perfectionistic athletes, leavi... more Perfectionistic athletes may train harder and for longer than non-perfectionistic athletes, leaving them susceptible to elevated levels of training distress. So far, however, no study has investigated the relationships between perfectionism and training distress, a key indicator of overtraining syndrome. Furthermore, no study has determined psychological predictors of overtraining syndrome. Using a two-wave design, the present study examined perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns and training distress in 141 junior athletes (mean age = 17.3 years, range = 16-19 years) over 3 months of active training. Multiple regression analyses were employed to test cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between perfectionism and training distress. In all analyses, perfectionism emerged as a significant predictor, but strivings and concerns showed differential relationships. When the cross-sectional relationships were regarded, perfectionistic concerns positively predicted training distress (P < .001), whereas perfectionistic strivings negatively predicted training distress (P < .01). When the longitudinal relationships were regarded, only perfectionistic concerns predicted increases in training distress (P < .05), whereas perfectionistic strivings did not (P > .05). The findings suggest that sports scientists who wish to identify athletes at risk of overtraining syndrome may monitor athletes' perfectionistic concerns as a possible risk factor.
Inter-observer agreement of thoracolumbar fascia morphology: An exploratory analysis of ultrasound images
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2015
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Ultrasound imaging (USI) has been shown to be a valid method to investigate ... more ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Ultrasound imaging (USI) has been shown to be a valid method to investigate the morphology of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) [1]. A USI-based study has demonstrated that the TLF of subjects with chronic lower back pain (LBP) is on average 25% thicker and more disorganised compared to a control group [1]. The aim of this study is to explore inter-observer agreement between a range of clinicians on (dis)organisation of TLF in ultrasound images. There are currently no validated methods for the evaluation of USI of TLF. METHODS: Design: an exploratory analysis using a fully crossed design of inter-observer agreement. This study was approved by the University of Kent's School of Sport and Exercise Sciences Research and Ethics Committee (Prop. 163 – 2013). Participants: Thirty observers consisting of 21 (70%) Medical Doctors, 7 (23%) physiotherapists and 2 (6%) radiologists, with a combined total average of 13 years of clinical experience (± SD 9.4). 57% had no experience in USI, 36% had experience ranging from monthly to daily evaluations of USI, no observers had experience in evaluating USI of TLF. Protocol: A subset of thirty ultrasound scans of TLF were randomly selected from a data set of 308 scans of subjects with and without LBP (from a larger study conducted by the first author). All scans were anonymised and displayed on a desktop computer, or projected on a screen. All observers viewed and rated each of the 30 scans independently on a Likert-type scale from 1(very disorganised) to 10 (very organised). Inter-observer agreement was assessed using a two-way mixed, consistency, average measures intra-class correlation (ICC), the Cronbach's Alpha, to assess consistency among observers. The Krippendorff's Alpha (Kalpha) [2] reliability estimate was used to assess agreement. RESULTS: The resulting ICC was in the excellent range, ICC = 0.98, indicating that observers had a high degree of consistency, suggesting that (dis)organisation was rated similarly across observers. Observers without USI experience scored an ICC = 0.96, observers with USI experience scored an ICC = 0.95, again both in the excellent range. In this small cohort, experience in USI does not appear to impact on consistency. The Krippendorff's ordinal alpha α was .621, indicating a modest degree of agreement.
Perfectionism and Burnout in Junior Athletes: A Three-Month Longitudinal Study
Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2015
Perfectionism in sports has been shown to be associated with burnout in athletes. Whether perfect... more Perfectionism in sports has been shown to be associated with burnout in athletes. Whether perfectionism predicts longitudinal changes in athlete burnout, however, is still unclear. Using a two-wave cross-lagged panel design, the current study examined perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns, and athlete burnout in 101 junior athletes (mean age 17.7 years) over 3 months of active training. When structural equation modeling was employed to test a series of competing models, the best-fitting model showed opposite patterns for perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns. Whereas perfectionistic concerns predicted increases in athlete burnout over the 3 months, perfectionistic strivings predicted decreases. The present findings suggest that perfectionistic concerns are a risk factor for junior athletes contributing to the development of athlete burnout whereas perfectionistic strivings appear to be a protective factor.
Effectiveness of a tailored training programme in behaviour change counselling for community pharmacists: A Pilot Study
Patient Education and Counseling, 2015
To undertake a pilot study assessing effectiveness of a tailored training programme in behaviour ... more To undertake a pilot study assessing effectiveness of a tailored training programme in behaviour change counselling (BCC) for community pharmacists on, their competence and confidence in delivering behaviour change consultations, skill retention over time and impact on practice. Community pharmacists (N=87) attending Primary Care Trust training were given study information and invited to take part. Baseline BCC competence of consenting pharmacists (n=17) was assessed using the Behaviour Change Counselling Index (BECCI). Following BCC training, competence was reassessed at 1, 3 and 6 months. Friedman's test was used to compare median BECCI item scores at baseline and after 6 months. Structured interviews were conducted to assess pharmacists' confidence in BCC consultations after training. Baseline BECCI scores of 0-2 demonstrated pharmacists had not reached competence threshold. Six months after training, BECCI scores improved significantly from baseline (p<0.05). Competence in delivering BCC (scores of 3-4) was achieved at 3 months, but lost at 6 months for some items. After training, pharmacists felt confident in delivering BCC. Training pharmacists enabled them to deliver BCC competently and confidently. BCC aligns with pharmacist-patient consultations. It took 3 months to achieve competence. Ongoing support may be needed to maintain competence long-term.
Perfectionism and attitudes towards doping in junior athletes
Journal of Sports Sciences, 2015
Recent theory and research suggest that perfectionism is a personal factor contributing to athlet... more Recent theory and research suggest that perfectionism is a personal factor contributing to athletes' vulnerability to doping (using banned substances/drugs to enhance sporting performance). So far, however, no study has examined what aspects of perfectionism suggest a vulnerability in junior athletes. Employing a cross-sectional design, this study examined perfectionism and attitudes towards doping in 129 male junior athletes (mean age 17.3 years) differentiating four aspects of perfectionism: perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns, parental pressure to be perfect, and coach pressure to be perfect. In the bivariate correlations, only parental pressure showed a positive relationship with positive doping attitudes. In a multiple regression analysis controlling for the overlap between the four aspects, perfectionistic strivings additionally showed a negative relationship. Moreover, a structural equation model examining the relationships between all variables suggested that coach pressure had a negative indirect effect on attitudes towards doping via perfectionistic strivings. The findings indicate that perceived parental pressure to be perfect may be a factor contributing to junior athletes' vulnerability to doping, whereas perfectionistic strivings may be a protective factor.
Journal of Science and Cycling, 2012
Efficiency, the ratio of work generated to the total metabolic energy cost, has been suggested to... more Efficiency, the ratio of work generated to the total metabolic energy cost, has been suggested to be a key determinant of endurance cycling performance. The purpose of this brief review is to evaluate the influence of gross efficiency on cycling power output and to consider whether or not gross efficiency can be modified. In a re-analysis of data from five separate studies, variation in gross efficiency explained ~30% of the variation in power output during cycling time-trials. Whilst other variables, notably VO2max and lactate threshold, have been shown to explain more of the variance in cycling power output, these results confirm the important influence of gross efficiency. Case study, cross-sectional, longitudinal, and intervention research designs have all been used to demonstrate that exercise training can enhance gross efficiency. Whilst improvements have been seen with a wide range of training types (endurance, strength, altitude), it would appear that high intensity training is the most potent stimulus for changes in gross efficiency. In addition to physiological adaptations, gross efficiency might also be improved through biomechanical adaptations. However, 'intuitive' technique and equipment adjustments may not always be effective. For example, whilst 'pedalling in circles' allows pedalling to become mechanically more effective, this technique does not result in short term improvements in gross efficiency.
assumption that the slope of the relationship of the logarithmically transformed numerator and de... more assumption that the slope of the relationship of the logarithmically transformed numerator and denominator is 1; if this is not the case then the ratio will scale inaccurately and lead to errors in the interpretation of measures at different absolute work rates. We are aware that the gross efficiency ratio does not scale appropriately across different work rates, and in line with recommendations, we rescaled values with a log-linked allometric model using the log of the energy expenditure as a covariate in the model. Between group differences for work rates were then assessed using a generalised linear model with energy expenditure (and also cadence) as covariates. We articulated these methods in our paper (Hopker et al. 2013) and in reply to Boning and Pries who had not fully appreciated this method of data analysis, which highlights the need to make colleagues aware of how to scale such comparisons.
Response to "Thinking outside the bag (not necessarily outside the lab)
Determining optimal cadence for an individual road cyclist from field data
European journal of sport science, Jan 22, 2016
The cadence that maximises power output developed at the crank by an individual cyclist is conven... more The cadence that maximises power output developed at the crank by an individual cyclist is conventionally determined using a laboratory test. The purpose of this study was two-fold: (i) to show that such a cadence, which we call the optimal cadence, can be determined using power output, heart-rate, and cadence measured in the field and (ii) to describe methodology to do so. For an individual cyclist's sessions, power output is related to cadence and the elicited heart-rate using a non-linear regression model. Optimal cadences are found for two riders (83 and 70 revolutions per minute, respectively); these cadences are similar to the riders' preferred cadences (82-92 rpm and 65-75 rpm). Power output reduces by approximately 6% for cadences 20 rpm above or below optimum. Our methodology can be used by a rider to determine an optimal cadence without laboratory testing intervention: the rider will need to collect power output, heart-rate, and cadence measurements from training a...
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Papers by Louis Passfield