Young Men's Christian Association

Recently, several studies on the 7 vs. 6 "empty goal" (EG) in handball have produced different and even contradictory results. The aim of the present study was to investigate the behavior of teams and players in the 7 vs. 6 EG attack in the European (Euro) and World Championships (WCh) between 2020 and 2023 and characterize the coaches' perceptions. A mixed-methods approach was used, consisting of the following: (i) an observational methodology and instrument developed and validated to collect observational data on player and team behavior; and (ii) a developed and validated questionnaire to coaches on their perceptions of the 7 vs. 6 game. Observational data were collected during the Euro 2020 and 2022 games (n = 62) and the WCh 2021 and 2023 games (n = 70). A total of 132 games and 391 situations of 7 vs. 6 attacking sequences were observed. In total, 156 coaches participated (146 men), with a mean age 42.33 ± 11.87 years, 19 nationalities, and with 12.77 ± 9.45 years of experience. The choice of 7 vs. 6 offensive play was mostly made in the second half (>73%). The effectiveness of 7 vs. 6 offensive sequences was higher in the top six teams than in the team's ranked 7th to 12th (Euro 2020 51.6%-50.0%; WCh 2021 52.0%-50.0%; Euro 2022 53.1%-41.7%; WCh 2023 50.0%-43.8%). Some patterns of association were found (p < 0.05 and with values >±1.96): (i) scoring a goal with a breakthrough shot was significantly associated with the effectiveness of the 7 vs. 6 attack (Euro 2020 2.61; WCh 2021 2.87; Euro 2022 2.68; WCh 2023 2.32); (ii) teams in the top six significantly used 7 vs. 6 when they were winning (Euro 2020 2.17; WCh 2021 3.52; Euro 2022 5.88; WCh 2023 2.54); and (iii) teams in the bottom six used it when they were losing by at least four goals (Euro 2020 7.56; Euro 2022 6.64; WCh 2023 4.37) or when they were winning by four goals or more (WCh 2021 2.58). Coaches that agree with the possibility of playing 7 vs. 6 (74.4%), rarely or never do so (55.6%) because it brings little or no advantage (52.6%). The results of the analysis confirmed the perception of the coaches, the low use of 7 vs. 6, the low advantage associated with it, and the influence of the result and the moment of the game on its use.

Abstract Older adults benefit from community programs that promote physical and mental health, reduce social isolation, and offer connections to community resources. However, older adults living in rural communities have access to fewer health and social services and experience barriers to participation such as access to transportation. Recognizing these challenges, the YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) expanded ForeverWell, a healthy aging model, to 17 YMCAs (“Ys”) serving adults aged 55+ living in rural areas. Developed by the YMCA of the North in Minnesota, ForeverWell is a flexible set of Y activities focused on five dimensions of healthy aging: mind, body, community, spirit, and nature. The goals of ForeverWell are to improve health and well-being, decrease social isolation, and increase community connections among older adults. NORC at the University of Chicago conducted a qualitative evaluation of ForeverWell’s expansion in 17 communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. NORC conducted virtual interviews with 25 Y staff members and 24 program participants to identify facilitators, challenges, and outcomes. NORC transcribed interviews and conducted qualitative content analysis to identify themes. This session describes findings from the interviews. A key facilitator of success was the flexibility of the model. Challenges included staff and financial resources, outreach in rural areas, and transportation access. Ys developed and enhanced older adult programming and created new partnerships. Program participants reported improvements in physical and mental health and strong social connections. ForeverWell is a flexible, holistic healthy aging program that shows promise for older adults living in rural communities.

Background: Foam rolling (FR) has been widely used with the intent to increase range of motion (ROM) before strength and power activities. At the moment, few studies have investigated practical strategies to control FR intensity. Purpose: The aim was to compare the effect (FR) intensity by different combinations of a smooth roller, grid roller, unilateral or bilateral rolling massage on the triceps suralis ROM, strength, muscle activation, and jump performance. Methods: Ten male (28±4 years, 175±5 cm, 81±13 kg) and ten female (29±4 years, 163±5 cm, 66±10 kg) recreationally trained performed two sessions of data collection that compared 4 combinations of rolling surface and technique: unilateral smooth roller (US), bilateral smooth roller (BS), unilateral grid roller (UG), and bilateral grid roller (BG). During all conditions, the triceps suralis was rolled for 2 sets of 60 s with 60 s of rest between sets. Rate of perceived pain (RPP) after the rolling protocol; peak force during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) (PF), muscle activation during a MVIC, and unilateral drop jump (UDJ) performance were measured before and after each condition. Results: The greatest RPP was reported in UG condition and the lowest RPP was reported in BS condition. All conditions increased ankle ROM to the same extent without subsequent effect on PF, muscle activity UDJ height, and UDJ contact time. Our data indicate that FR using different combinations of surface pattern and rolling techniques increased ankle ROM without a subsequent effect on drop jump performance, triceps suralis strength, and activation. Conclusion: In conclusion, practitioners could be encouraged to perform FR with mild discomfort and use a bilateral technique to save time. Keywords: Flexibility, self-myofascial release, electromyography, force, strength.

Abstract The Christian Bible, and theologies derived from it, have been accused of legitimizing the exploitation and destruction of nature. This chapter examines the textual evidence, concluding that, overall, the Bible is remarkably positive toward wildlife and encourages humanity to see wildlife as part of a theocentric moral order in which humans have responsibilities for wildlife conservation. The chapter next examines the history of Christian involvement in nature conservation, in particular the biblical inspiration of many early conservationists and animal-protectionists in Europe and North America, followed by a section looking at contemporary expressions of Christian concern for nature conservation both in writing and in practical expression. The conclusion explores possibilities for a re-engagement of faith-based conservation with the contemporary biodiversity conservation movement.

BackgroundEXERT, a multisite 18‐month RCT, is testing the effects of aerobic exercise vs. stretching on cognition and AD biomarkers in sedentary adults with MCI. In the first 12 months, participant exercise 2x/week under the supervision of YMCA trainers, and 2x/week on their own. In months 13‐18, participants continue to exercise 4x/week but without supervision. Here we describe the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on delivery of this support‐intensive intervention that involved many challenges but also opportunities for innovation.MethodIn February 2020, EXERT met the recruitment goal with 296 enrolled. In March 2020 when COVID‐19 incidence rates began to climb in the US, study assessments and per‐protocol intervention delivery were paused. During the pause, all YMCAs were closed, and the majority of study‐certified YMCA trainers were furloughed.ResultAt the time of the pause (March 23), 153 participants were in the supervised phase of the study, and 65 participants were in the unsupervised phase. To keep participants engaged and encourage adherence to the intervention, sites initiated weekly calls with active participants to provide support, address barriers to exercise and collect self‐report adherence data. By September, 7 of 14 sites resumed study activities. Weekly call completion rates during the pause exceeded 85%, and participants reported completing a mean of 3.3 40‐minute exercise sessions per week. On these calls, participants frequently expressed gratitude for the regular contact. By February 2021, all sites resumed activities despite COVID infection rates that have continued to climb across the US. In response, supervised exercise for the majority of participants was transitioned from in‐person to web‐conferencing. Even with this change that can be challenging for MCI, supervised session adherence rates are 72% for the aerobic group and 79% for the stretching group. Retention has remained high at 87%.ConclusionThe COVID‐19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges, but it also provided unique opportunities to adapt intervention delivery so that a community‐based exercise trial could continue – even during a debilitating global health crisis. EXERT’s adaptations may ultimately impact resilience of the intervention to even the most challenging of circumstances that older adults with MCI will face now and in the future.

A descriptive analysis of the socioeconomic status of young girls in rural schools in South Africa is provided. Drawing from an asset-based framework, we found the voices of female school leaders and young girls are assets and agents for strengthening transformation in rural South African schools. The discussion foregrounds the role of context, the role of young people, and the role of leadership toward meaningful and relevant transformation in the South African schooling system.

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Additional informationNotes on contributorsT. H. NelsonSenior Educational Secretary