Learning from Debaters: Insights Into Their Learning Strategies

<p><strong>Abstract:</strong> This study aims to analyze English debaters’ learning strategies in improving their debate skills. The researcher used descriptive qualitative in the form of in depth interview in which three successful English debaters were involved in this study. The result reveals that debaters habituate themselves to read a lot, watch debate videos and practice by using a wide variety of language learning strategies. Those strategies are seeking practice opportunity, using resources, overviewing materials, asking for correction, using synonym or circumlocution, self-evaluating, practicing naturalistically, taking note, summarizing, using progressive relaxation, deep breathing or meditation and cooperation with peers.</p><strong>Abstrak:</strong><em> </em>Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisa strategi belajar para ahli debat bahasa Inggris dalam mengembangkan kemampuan debatnya. Dalam penelitian ini, peneliti menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif dalam bentuk interview mendalam dengan melibatkan tiga ahli debat yang sukses. Hasil penelitian ini mengungkapkan bahwa para ahli debat membiasakan diri untuk banyak membaca, menonton video debat dan berlatih dengan menggunakan berbagai macam strategi pembelajaran bahasa. Strategi-strategi tersebut adalah mencari peluang untuk praktek, menggunakan sumber belajar, meninjau materi, meminta koreksi, menggunakan sinonim, mengevaluasi diri, berlatih secara natural, mencatat, meringkas, menggunakan relaksasi progresif, pernapasan dalam atau meditasi dan kerja sama dengan teman sebaya.

Importancia de la aplicación de técnicas de relajación en el aula de educación física (Importance of the relaxation techniques application in the physical education classroom)

Esta investigación tiene como objetivo analizar los beneficios a nivel personal y escolar tras un programa de técnicas de relajación en el aula de Educación Física (EF). Un total de 177 estudiantes de tercero y cuarto de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria participaron en el estudio, divididos en grupo control (n = 87) y experimental (n = 90). Estos últimos realizaron una intervención didáctica relajatoria de 10 sesiones dentro del centro (en EF) y 10 retos extraescolares donde se abordaron diversos métodos (i.e., masaje, relajación progresiva de Jacobson, yoga, entrenamiento autógeno de Schultz y mindfulness). De acuerdo con el objetivo de estudio, antes y después de la realización de la intervención, el alumnado completó el Cuestionario de Hábitos de Relajación-Mindfulness para conocer los hábitos del alumnado que influyen en su competencia relajatoria, la Escala de Relajación Escolar para conocer su nivel de competencia relajatoria y un Cuestionario de evaluación del programa. Además, se entrevistó a dos profesores para conocer su opinión sobre la aplicación del programa. Los resultados mostraron que la intervención produjo mejoras notables en los hábitos de los y las estudiantes, así como un bienestar psicofísico y conductual que influye directamente en el clima de aula y en el rendimiento académico. Se concluye que la aplicación de estrategias diversas de esta disciplina resulta importante durante la tarea educativa. Abstract: This research aims to analyze the personal and scholar-level benefits of a program of relaxation techniques in Physical Education (PE) lessons. A total of 177 students of the third and fourth grade of Secondary Education participated in the current study. Participants were divided into control group (n = 87) and experimental group (n = 90) with whom a relaxing educational intervention was carried out during 10 PE lessons and 10 outside school activities consisting of various methods (i.e., massage, Jacobson's progressive relaxation, yoga, Schultz's autogenic training and mindfulness). According to the study aim, before and after carrying out the intervention, the students completed the Mindfulness-Relaxation Habits Questionnaire to know the habits of the students that influence their relaxation competence, the School Relaxation Scale to know their level of relaxation competence and a program evaluation questionnaire. In addition, two teachers were interviewed to find out their opinion on the application of this program. The results showed the intervention program produced notable improvements in the students' habits, as well as a psychophysical and behavioral well-being that directly influences the classroom climate and academic performance. It is concluded that the application of diverse strategies of this discipline is important during the educational task.

Effects of Progressive Relaxation Exercises on Vital Signs and Fatigue in Liver Transplant Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effects of progressive relaxation exercises on vital signs and fatigue level. Ninety patients with liver transplantation (experimental group = 45, control group = 45) were included in the study. The patients in the experimental group performed progressive relaxation exercises for 25 to 30 minutes every day for 4 weeks. Before the progressive relaxation exercises, the vital signs and fatigue level of the patients were recorded. Vital signs were recorded again immediately after the progressive relaxation exercises and at the end of the second week. At the end of the fourth week, the final measurement of vital signs was performed along with the second fatigue level assessment. In the experimental group, pulse and respiratory rates, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, and fatigue severity mean scores were found to be lower and oxygen saturation level was higher than those of the control group. The improvement in vital signs in the experimental group was evident at week 3 ( p < .05).

Efficacy of Physiotherapy Treatment in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) refers to painful cramps before and/or during menstruation. There is a need for emphasis on alternative methods of conservative treatment, so as to reduce the dependence on drugs for alleviating the symptoms. The aim was to find out the effectiveness of some physiotherapy techniques in the treatment of PD. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to PRISMA standards. The descriptors were “dysmenorrhea”, “physical the-rapy”, “physiotherapy”, and “manual therapy”. The search was performed in five databases: Scopus, PubMed, PEDro, Web of Science, and Medline, in February 2021. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials over the last six years. Articles not related to the treatment of PD or using pharmacology as the main treatment were excluded. Nine articles met the objectives and criteria, with a total of 692 participants. The most used scale to measure pain was the VAS (visual analogue scale). The main techniques were isometric exercises, massage therapy, yoga, electrotherapy, connective tissue manipulation, stretching, kinesio tape, progressive relaxation exercises and aerobic dance. Meta-analysis shows benefits of physiotherapy treatment for pain relief compared with no intervention or placebo (MD: −1.13, 95% CI: −1.61 to −0.64, I2: 88%). The current low-quality evidence suggests that physiotherapy may provide a clinically significant reduction in menstrual pain intensity. Given the overall health benefits of physiotherapy and the low risk of side effects reported, women may consider using it, either alone or in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities.

Progressive Relaxation Training in Patients with Breast Cancer Receiving Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy-Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Aromatase inhibitors (AI) have positive effects on disease-free life in patients with Breast Cancer (BC); on the other hand, their side effects especially arthralgia can be observed in many of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Progressive Relaxation Exercises (PRE) on the common side effects of AI in patients with BC. Methods A total of 44 patients receiving AI were allocated to the study and control groups in this randomized controlled, single-blind trial. The study group (n=22) performed a combined (one-day supervised, and 3 days home-based) PRE program 4 days/week, for six weeks. The control group (n=22) was given advice about relaxation in daily life. Data was collected initially and after 6 weeks of the intervention. Pain, quality of life (QoL) and emotional status (ES) were assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACT) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scales, respectively. Results Pain was significantly reduced within the study group in Pain Severity (p=0.001) and Pain Interference (p=0.01) sub-scores. Pain was also reduced between the groups as compared using the Pain Severity (p=0.00) and Patient Pain Experience (p=0.003) sub-scores; QoL and ES remained with no significant difference either within the groups or between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion The results of this study showed that PRE significantly decreased pain scores in BC patients receiving AI. Although the reduction in pain is a valuable data even in the 6-week period in those cases, the long-term effects of relaxation techniques need to be followed.

The Mystery behind Relaxation Therapy: Adieu to Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a very common condition leading to physical, emotional, and psychological distress in females during their reproductive years. Researchers found that as many three of every four menstruating women have experienced some form of PMS. Although the severity of this problem is great, a lot of confusion exists in both medical and lay communities about what is and is not effective for the treatment of PMS. It has a wide variety of signs and symptoms and it may tend to recur in a predictable pattern. The physical and emotional changes experienced with PMS may vary from just slightly noticeable to very intense. Lifestyle adjustments in every kind can help to reduce or manage the signs and symptoms of PMS. Apart from all these, one of the most beneficial methods to reduce the difficulties of PMS is relaxation therapy which includes meditation, visualization, autogenic, Tai Chi, hydrotherapy, exercise, massage, aromatherapy, biofeedback, relaxation breathing, progressive muscle relaxation (Jacobson’s progressive relaxation therapy and The Mitchells progressive relaxation therapy) and yoga. Thus when remedies are available why not we celebrate the inborn power of relieving PMS in women.