Is There Any Non-functional Training? A Conceptual Review

This conceptual review investigates whether functional training (FT) is a different approach from traditional strength, power, flexibility, and endurance (aerobic or cardiorespiratory) training already adopted in the physical training plan of professional, recreational athletes, healthy, and older adults. The 20 most recent papers published involving FT were searched in the PubMed/Medline database. Definition, concepts, benefits, and the exercises employed in FT programs were analyzed. The main results were: (a) there is no agreement about a universal definition for FT; (b) FT programs aim at developing the same benefits already induced by traditional training programs; (c) exercises employed are also the same. The inability to define FT makes the differentiation from traditional training programs difficult. Physical training programs can be easily described and classified as strength, power, flexibility, endurance, and the specific exercises employed (e.g., traditional resistance training, ballistic exercises, plyometrics and Olympic-style weightlifting, continuous and high-intensity interval training). This apt description and classification may provide consistent and clear communication between students, coaches, athletes, and sports scientists. Based on the current evidence and to avoid confusion and misconceptions, we recommend that the terms FT, high-intensity FT, and functional fitness training no longer describe any physical training program.

KETERSEDIAN KOLEKSI MUATAN LOKAL DALAM MENINGKATKAN LITERASI INFORMASI MASYARAKAT TENTANG KEARIFAN LOKAL DI DINAS PERPUSTAKAAN DAN KEARSIPAN KOTA PADANG PANJANG

The purpose of this study is to describe (1) the availability of collections local content in increasing public information literacy about wisdom local at the Padang Panjang City Library and Archives Service; (2) obstacles in improving public information literacy about local wisdom in the Dinas Padang Panjang City Library and Archives; and (3) efforts in improving public information literacy about local wisdom in the Dinas Padang Panjang City Library and Archives. This research is a type of qualitative research with a descriptive method. Data collection techniques through observation, interview, and documentation. Research data was obtained from the results of an interview with the Head of the Library Service and Assistant Service Staff Padang Panjang City Library and Archives. The results of this study are as follows. First, in doing availability of local library collections pay attention to indicators availability of library collections including. (1) relevance, availability collection of local content in the library is relevant to the related user needs collection of local content; (2) user-oriented, collection availability local content in the library related to the information needs of users; (3) completeness of collections, completeness of local content collections in the library is still not complete because it only exists in printed form; (4) the ratio of titles, users and field specialist. The ratio between the titles of local content collections in the library and current users is still limited; (5) does not conflict with politics, ideology, religion or belief, race, or class. Availability of local content collection what is in the library does not conflict with politics, ideology, religion as well as existing races and groups; (6) scientific objects, collection availability local content in the library is adjusted to the vision and mission of the parent institution to achieve goals and objectives. Second, the City Library and Archives Service Padang Panjang has obstacles, namely: (1) lack of librarians functional in carrying out coaching activities; (2) users looking for local content collection is still very limited; (3) lack of active community participation. Third, the Padang Panjang City Library and Archives Service carried out several efforts to improve public information literacy about wisdom local Padang Panjang, namely: (1) holding traditional training activities; and (2) providing guidance to the Community Reading Park (TBM)

Wellbeing as Defined by Resident Physicians: A Qualitative Study

The importance of resident wellbeing is increasingly recognized by the ACGME as essential. While prior studies have quantified wellbeing/burnout, few have defined wellbeing from the resident–physician perspective. A REDCap® survey was distributed to residents in various programs, responses were grouped by theme, and data analyzed via chi-square. From 19 institutions, 53/670 responded, from university (34.0%), community (30.2%), and community/university-affiliated (30.2%) programs, mostly surgical (84.9%), followed by medical (9.4%). Wellbeing was defined by mental and spiritual/religious health (33.8%), overall health (23.0%), free time/time management (23.0%), and job/salary satisfaction (18.9%). Proposed changes to traditional training included fewer hours and more schedule flexibility (38.2%), and increased/improved support/feedback (14.7%). Nearly half of the respondents perceived lacking education on career longevity. Wellbeing is paramount to the personal/professional development of residents. Data on resident-defined wellbeing are lacking. The improved understanding of wellbeing defined here can be used to improve residency training programs.

External Focus or Differential Learning: Is There an Additive Effect on Learning a Futsal Goal Kick?

(1) Background: How to optimally promote the process of acquiring and learning a new motor skill is still one of the fundamental questions often raised in training and movement science, rehabilitation, and physical education. This study is aimed at investigating the effects of differential learning (DL) and the elements of OPTIMAL theory on learning a goal-kicking skill in futsal, especially under the conditions of external and internal foci. (2) Methods: A total of 40 female beginners were randomly assigned to, and equally distributed among, five different interventions. Within a pretest and post-test design, with retention and transfer tests, participants practiced for 12 weeks, involving two 20-min sessions per week. The tests involved a kicking skill test. Data were analyzed with a one-way ANOVA. (3) Results: Statistically significant differences with large effect sizes were found between differential learning (DL) with an external focus, DL with an internal focus, DL with no focus, traditional training with an external focus, and traditional training with control groups in the post-, retention, and transfer tests. (4) Conclusions: The results indicate the clear advantages of DL. It is well worth putting further efforts into investigating a more differentiated application of instructions combined with exercises for DL.

PROVIDING MOTIVATIONAL STRATEGIES FOR STUDENTS VIA THE DISTANCE LEARNING

The article discusses the practical aspects of implementing e-learning technologies as a factor of various types of motivation for students in the higher education system. It shows acute problems of nowadays distance learning and the importance of motivation in the condition of distance learning. Distance learning - a wide range of educational services in which students learn from a distance, rather than being located in the classroom. It solves problems that traditional training can not solve, it is, first of all: strengthening the active role of students in their own education; the use of available educational resources; increase motivation to learn; use of interactive forms of classes; strengthening the creative component of education; availability of conditions for self-expression; saturation and intensity of training; the possibility of obtaining an expert opinion on the results of their training activities without wide publicity

A Closer-to-Reality Model for Comparing Relevant Dimensions of Recommender Systems, with Application to Novelty

Providing fair and convenient comparisons between recommendation algorithms—where algorithms could focus on a traditional dimension (accuracy) and/or less traditional ones (e.g., novelty, diversity, serendipity, etc.)—is a key challenge in the recent developments of recommender systems. This paper focuses on novelty and presents a new, closer-to-reality model for evaluating the quality of a recommendation algorithm by reducing the popularity bias inherent in traditional training/test set evaluation frameworks, which are biased by the dominance of popular items and their inherent features. In the suggested model, each interaction has a probability of being included in the test set that randomly depends on a specific feature related to the focused dimension (novelty in this work). The goal of this paper is to reconcile, in terms of evaluation (and therefore comparison), the accuracy and novelty dimensions of recommendation algorithms, leading to a more realistic comparison of their performance. The results obtained from two well-known datasets show the evolution of the behavior of state-of-the-art ranking algorithms when novelty is progressively, and fairly, given more importance in the evaluation procedure, and could lead to potential changes in the decision processes of organizations involving recommender systems.

Computer aided self-regulation learning and cognitive training improve generalization ability of patients with poststroke cognitive impairment

Emerging studies suggest the application of self-regulation learning (SRL) to improve generalization abilities in poststroke patients. SRL has been proposed to have an added effect on computer-aided cognitive training (CACT). This study aimed to examine the efficacy of an intervention combining computer-aided SRL (CA-SRL) training and CACT for generalization abilities and cognitive function in patients with poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). A total of 75 patients recruited from a rehabilitation centre were randomly assigned to a CA-SRL group, demonstration learning (DL) group and traditional learning (TL) group. Finally, 72 patients were included in the analysis. Over 3 weeks, the patients in these three groups underwent CA-SRL or DL training combined with cognitive training. After the intervention, all outcomes significantly improved (P < 0.05). The CA-SRL group showed better improvements in all trained tasks among the groups, especially in "wash the dishes" and “change the bed”. The results of the analysis for generalization abilities showed that CA-SRL group patients obtained the highest scores among the groups in untrained tasks. The mean changes in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in both the CA-SRL and TL groups were significantly higher than those in the DL group (P < 0.001, P = 0.002) after adjusting for education level and Lawton Instrumental ADL Scale score. In general, the combination of CA-SRL and CACT is effective for PSCI patients and has a better effect on promoting skill generalization from cognitive gains than traditional training.

Innovative Cardio Educational Software System in Support of Medical Education

The article presents an innovative software system that allows for processing and comparative analysis of biomedical data. The presented system uses real cardiological data obtained with modern medical devices - electrocardiography, continuous Holter monitoring, photoplethysmographic device, and others. The software system enables students studying at higher medical universities, majoring in cardiology to get acquainted and acquire skills for working with real cardiac records. The presented system allows the examination and use of cardiac recordings obtained using modern non-invasive technologies for research and procedures - modern electrocardiographic equipment, Holter-monitoring systems, photoplethysmographic devices. This will enable students to gain prior experience in working with real biomedical patient records. The presented software system together with the traditional training will help to increase the quality of modern education, will contribute to the acquisition of abilities, skills, and competencies necessary for future medical professionals.

Teaching Speaking and Listening Skills through Audio-Lingual Versus Conventional Methods of Instruction: Which Method Is More Effective?

The goal of this study was to check the impact of the Audio-Lingual Method (ALM) compared to traditional training on enhancing intermediate EFL learners' listening and speaking abilities. An Oxford Quick Placement Test was given to 105 participants to meet the study's goals, and 78 participants were chosen in the end. They were then randomly assigned to the control group (CG) and the experimental group (EG). Validated listening and speaking tests were given to them as a pre-test before they began treatment. The EG subsequently started treatment, which included teaching and learning listening and speaking skills through ALM. At the same time, the CG received traditional training, which included instruction based on the teacher's instances and exercises. The two groups were given the identical listening and speaking test as the post-test after 20 sessions of treatment. In addition, after the post-test was administered, a questionnaire comprising twelve items was distributed among 15 teachers teaching at different institutes to seek their views and perspectives regarding the application of ALM in teaching listening and speaking skills. Paired and Independent Samples t-tests were used to assess the data. The results revealed that the EG outperformed the CG by a substantial margin. The EG outperformed the CGs in both skills. The findings imply that ALM may be utilized in English classes to help EFL students improve their listening and speaking abilities.