Dataset Information

Cross-Sectional Survey of the Training Practices of Racing Greyhounds in New Zealand.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional survey of racing greyhound trainers in New Zealand in order to provide an overview of their training practices. A survey regarding training practices was posted to all registered greyhound training license holders in New Zealand in August 2019. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 48 trainers (35.6%; n = 48/137) who completed the survey. Other than the differences in the number of greyhounds in race training, the training programmes described by public trainers and owner trainers were similar. Trainers reported that the primary reason for registering young dogs for racing and for qualifying for racing was the ability to meet time milestones. Young dogs had a median of six (interquartile range (IQR): 4-10) trials before they commenced their racing career. Trainers described training practices that aimed to prepare greyhounds for race-day. Regardless of whether the dogs raced once or twice a week, most training programmes demonstrated high specificity where training involved two periods of load cycles through high-intensity workload. Trainers racing their greyhounds once a week simulated the workload of trainers racing their greyhounds twice a week by introducing one high-intensity (speed) workout during the week. Training programmes were structured to condition the dogs to the physiological and metabolic requirements of sprint racing. This study highlights the importance of the need for an improved understanding of training and competition load in order to enable future research in the field of racing greyhounds.

SUBMITTER: Palmer AL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7694201 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Cross-Sectional Survey of the Training Practices of Racing Greyhounds in New Zealand.

Palmer Anna L AL Rogers Chris W CW Stafford Kevin J KJ Gal Arnon A Cochrane Darryl J DJ Bolwell Charlotte F CF

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI 20201104 11

The aim of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional survey of racing greyhound trainers in New Zealand in order to provide an overview of their training practices. A survey regarding training practices was posted to all registered greyhound training license holders in New Zealand in August 2019. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 48 trainers (35.6%; <i>n</i> = 48/137) who completed the survey. Other than the differences in the number of greyhounds in race training, the training ...[more]

PMID: 33158103

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Project description:Recognition of injuries in racing animals is essential to identify potential risk factors so actions can be taken to reduce or mitigate the cause of the injury to safeguard the animal. Racing greyhounds are subject to musculoskeletal injuries associated with athletic pursuit, in particular soft-tissue injuries, lacerations, and fractures. The objective of this study was therefore to determine risk factors for soft-tissue injuries, lacerations and fractures occurring during racing, using a cohort of greyhounds racing in New Zealand between 10th September 2014 and 31st July 2020. Dog-level, race-level and track-level risk factors for each outcome were assessed using mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression including trainer as a random effect. Throughout the study period there were 218,700 race starts by 4,914 greyhounds, with a total of 4,385 injuries. Of these, 3,067 (69.94%) were classed as soft-tissue injuries, 641 (14.62%) were reported as lacerations, and 458 (10.44%) were fractures. Greyhounds with a low racing frequency (racing more than 7 days apart) had 1.33 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.67] times the odds of fracture compared to those racing more frequently. Older greyhounds had a greater odds of fracture compared with younger greyhounds. Racing every 7 days had a lower odds of soft-tissue injury compared with racing more than once a week. Dogs over 39 months had 1.53 (95% CI: 1.35-1.73) times the odds of sustaining a soft-tissue injury compared to the younger dogs. Greyhounds originating from Australia had a higher odds of fracture and laceration compared with New Zealand dogs. Better performing dogs (higher class) had a greater odds of fracture and laceration whilst maiden dogs had a higher odds of soft-tissue injury. Greyhounds starting from the outside box had a higher odds of fracture. There was considerable variation in the odds of soft-tissue injury at different racetracks. In conclusion, although the incidence of soft-tissue injuries was higher than other injury types, the repercussion of such injuries was less than those for fractures. The results from this study will help to inform intervention strategies aimed at reducing the rate of injuries in racing greyhounds, enhancing racing safety and greyhound welfare.

Project description:ObjectivesTo explore the prevalence of attitudes and beliefs about back pain in New Zealand and compare certain beliefs based on back pain history or health professional exposure.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional survey.SettingPostal survey.ParticipantsNew Zealand residents and citizens aged 18 years and above. 1000 participants were randomly selected from the New Zealand Electoral Roll. Participants listed on the Electoral Roll with an overseas postal address were excluded. 602 valid responses were received.MeasuresAttitudes and beliefs about back pain were measured with the Back Pain Attitudes Questionnaire (Back-PAQ). The interaction between attitudes and beliefs and (1) back pain experience and (2) health professional exposure was investigated.ResultsThe lifetime prevalence of back pain was reported as 87% (95% CI 84% to 90%), and the point prevalence as 27% (95% CI 24% to 31%). Negative views about the back and back pain were prevalent, in particular the need to protect the back to prevent injury. People with current back pain had more negative overall scores, particularly related to back pain prognosis. There was uncertainty about links between pain and injury and appropriate physical activity levels during an episode of back pain. Respondents had more positive views about activity if they had consulted a health professional about back pain. The beliefs of New Zealanders appeared to be broadly similar to those of other Western populations.ConclusionsA large proportion of respondents believed that they needed to protect their back to prevent injury; we theorise that this belief may result in reduced confidence to use the back and contribute to fear avoidance. Uncertainty regarding what is a safe level of activity during an episode of back pain may limit participation. People experiencing back pain may benefit from more targeted information about the positive prognosis. The provision of clear guidance about levels of activity may enable confident participation in an active recovery.

Project description:Background and objectivesClimate change is the biggest global health threat of the twenty-first century. Health care itself is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and dialysis programs contribute disproportionately. Nephrology societies have called for increased recognition and action to minimize the environmental effect of dialysis care, but little data exist regarding environmental sustainability practices within dialysis facilities worldwide. This survey reports a baseline of environmental sustainability practices of dialysis facilities in Australia and New Zealand.Design, setting, participants, & measurementsAn online survey was used to collect data regarding key areas of environmental sustainability practices within dialysis facilities between November 2019 and December 2020. An invitation to complete the survey was sent to the heads of all dialysis facilities in Australia and New Zealand.ResultsResponses were received from 132 dialysis facilities, representing 33% (122 of 365) of dialysis services within Australia and New Zealand. Most responses were from public satellite facilities (53 of 132; 40%), in-center dialysis facilities (33 of 132; 25%), and co-located dialysis and home therapies facilities (28 of 132; 21%). Opportunities for improvement in environmental sustainability practices were identified in three domains. (1) Culture. A minority of facilities reported having an environmental sustainability strategy in place (44 of 132; 33%) or undertaking sustainability audits (27 of 132; 20%). Only 7% (nine of 132) reported the inclusion of environmental training in staff induction programs. (2) Building design, infrastructure, and energy use. Few facilities reported the use of renewable energy (18 of 132; 14%), reclaiming reverse osmosis reject water (16 of 126; 13%), or the use of motion-sensor light switches (58 of 131; 44%). (3) Operations. A minority of facilities reported waste management education (47 of 131; 36%), auditing waste generation (23 of 132; 17%), or that environmental sustainability was considered in procurement decisions (33 of 132; 25%).ConclusionsEnvironmental sustainability is not currently prioritized in clinical practice, building design and infrastructure, or management systems in Australian and New Zealand dialysis facilities responding to this survey.

Project description:BackgroundAcupuncture is a popular treatment for women's health. Several trials and meta-analysis have been published in recent years on key women's health conditions but it is unclear if this has led to any changes in clinical practice or referrals from other health professionals. The aim of this survey was to explore if, how, and why, aspects of acupuncture practice have changed since our survey in 2013.MethodAn online cross-sectional survey of registered acupuncturists and Chinese Medicine practitioners in Australia and New Zealand. Questions covered the practitioner demographics and training, women's health conditions commonly treated, modalities used, sources of information and continuing education (CE) (e.g. webinars), changes in clinical practice, and referral networks.ResultsOne hundred and seventy registered practitioners responded to this survey, with 93% reporting treating women's health in the last 12 months. The majority of respondents were from Australia (60%), held a bachelors level qualification (60%), and used a traditional Chinese medicine framework (86%). Most practitioners incorporated other modalities in addition to acupuncture. Most practitioners' referral networks were predominantly based on word of mouth for menstrual, fertility and pregnancy related conditions, with referrals from medical practitioners being much less common. More than half (57%) reported having changed their women's health practice in the past 12 months; just over a quarter of those who changed treatment (27%) reported it was due to research findings. The most commonly used sources of information/CE used to inform treatment were webinars and conferences, while peer-reviewed journal articles were the least commonly used source.ConclusionAcupuncture practitioners in Australia and New Zealand commonly treat women's health conditions, but this is usually the result of women seeking them out, rather than being referred from a medical practitioner. The majority of practitioners did report changing their women's health practice, but peer reviewed academic articles alone are not an ideal medium to convey this information since practitioners favour knowledge obtained from webinars and conferences. Academics and other clinician researchers should consider alternative means of disseminating knowledge beyond traditional academic publications and conferences, special interest groups may assist in this and also help improve research literacy.

Dataset Information

Cross-Sectional Survey of the Training Practices of Racing Greyhounds in New Zealand.

Publications

Cross-Sectional Survey of the Training Practices of Racing Greyhounds in New Zealand.

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