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Background Transitioning from independent living to a residential care facility often results in a significant loss of independence, autonomy, and connectedness, leaving new residents with profound feelings of loss and grief. In light of these challenges, this study explored the potential benefits of a tailored in-house exercise program for new residents. Methods The study took place in an Australian residential care facility and included four new residents (aged 72 to 88, 75% female), who participated in a 12-week tailored exercise program led by an exercise physiologist. A focused ethnographic approach was used to obtain a comprehensive data set, drawing on ongoing observation, informal discussions during the program, and semi-structured interviews conducted at its conclusion. Field notes documenting participants’ interactions, moods, and responses, together with interview transcripts, were compiled into case files and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Rigorous coding and collaborative team discussions ensured a thorough and nuanced understanding of transitional experiences. Results The detailed accounts provided by new residents of the profound sense of loss they experienced during their transition offer essential context for understanding the value that exercise programs can provide in residential care settings. Insights from vignettes and thematic analysis show that participation in exercise helped residents regain control, independence, and competence, while also fostering social connection. Two key themes were identified underscoring the transformative role of exercise in supporting the well-being of new residents: (1) fostering empowerment, independence and well-being through exercise engagement, and (2) enhancing overall community and social connectedness via exercise. Conclusion This study indicates that structured exercise programs are instrumental in helping older adults navigate their transition into residential care. By enhancing personal agency, independence, and overall well-being, and fostering a welcoming and friendly environment, an exercise program can assist new residents during their adjustment to supported residential care. Considering the transformative nature of exercise, future research should investigate the mechanisms through which exercise programs facilitate residents’ progression through the stages of transition, and if getting residents involved in exercise prior to moving can encourage earlier participation in exercise programs once they move into residential care.

This study aimed to evaluate short-term outcomes of the HEAL ™ ing Mental Health program, an 8-week intervention for change in functional, behavioural and physiological health and wellbeing designed for people living with mental health conditions in rural or regional areas of Australia. A prospective cohort study was completed, reporting on 19 items (pre-program) and 15 (post-participation change), organised across seven domains. Participants took part in an Accredited Exercise Physiologist/Nurse led supervised group exercise (60 minutes) and healthy lifestyle education program (60 minutes). Separate linear mixed models with restricted maximum likelihood were used to examine the primary research question considering the effect of the program on: walking (min/week); planned, incidental and total physical activity (min/week); sitting time; active days; fruit and vegetable intake; body mass index; waist circumference; blood pressure; 6 minute walk distance; 30 second sit-to-stand; psychological distress symptoms; and stage of behaviour change. There were 99 participants (31 males, 68 females) out of 117 participants completed more than 50% of program sessions. Twelve of 15 measures achieved their desired target change and a statistically significant change toward the desired outcome was reported for 14 of 15 measures. Positive results were obtained for participants completing more than 50% of sessions, suggesting that HEAL ™ ing Mental Health program is effective to increase physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices in individuals who self-report a mental health disorder.

Background The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (RCAC) recommended a redesign of the Australian aged care system to ensure high quality care, respect, and dignity for residents. Responding to the RCAC recommendations, the Aged Care Quality Standards have been strengthened and continue to guide the delivery of safe, high quality care in Australia. This study investigated the experiences of new residents transitioning into an Australian residential care-facility, concentrating on how their experiences aligned with the core principles of the Aged Care Quality Standards. Methods A focused ethnographic approach was used to address the aim of this study. The research was conducted in a residential care-facility located in a major city in Australia. New residents who had lived there for 6 months or less, along with their family members, were recruited through purposive sampling. The data collection process included a total of 19 residents and two family members, and comprised interviews, observations, and informal conversations with residents and their families. Findings Four themes were identified relating to the value of human connection, addressing new residents’ expectations, the multifunctional role of communication in transition, and the implications of the General Practitioner system for new residents. Conclusion This study highlights the need for aged care providers to consistently follow the Aged Care Quality Standards to support new residents in overcoming challenges, improve their transition, and promote better health outcomes for those in permanent residential care-facilities. Our findings indicate that new residents and their key support person should receive a user-friendly hard copy “How To” guide prior to planned admissions, and upon admission if unplanned. Residential care-facilities should prioritise residents’ sense of privacy, dignity, and respect within medical systems. Additionally, pre-admission protocols should address accessibility of rehabilitation services to prevent further deterioration of new residents’ physical condition.

Transition into residential aged care (RAC) is a challenging process, often characterised by vulnerability, fear, and isolation. This study aimed to provide a contextualised description of transition within a care-facility in Australia to deepen our understanding of this major life event. A focused ethnography was conducted, which included formal interviews with residents during their first 6 months of living in RAC. The findings provide an account of the participants’ views on acceptance, highlight the challenges of loss, and showcase the coping practices new residents used. This paper provides a type of report card for the sector, which reveals that there is relatively slow progress with respect to supporting the needs of new residents during transition. There are opportunities for improvements regarding interventions, initiatives and practices to ensure residents are afforded a healthy transition. Plain Language Summary A description of the transition experience of older adults into residential aged care When older adults move into a residential aged care-facility (nursing home), it presents significant challenges for the individual, and is often marked by feelings of vulnerability, fear, and loneliness. This research sought to offer a detailed description of this transition to enhance our understanding of this significant life change. A focused ethnography research approach was used, which involved formal interviews with residents during their initial 6 months of living in the care-facility. The findings provide an account of the participants’ views on acceptance, highlight the challenges of loss, and showcase the coping practices new residents used. This paper provides a type of report card for the age care sector, which reveals that there is relatively slow progress with respect to supporting the needs of new residents during their transition. There are opportunities for improvement regarding interventions, initiatives, and practices to ensure residents are afforded a healthy transition.

Chronic pain rehabilitation helps to reduce pain and restore valued life roles. Patients may have more positive outcomes when they perceive rehabilitation to be personally meaningful. This study examined associations between self-reported, personally meaningful rehabilitation and well-being. A pilot study was conducted using an online survey of people with chronic pain and experiences of rehabilitation. The PROMIS Pain Interference Short Form 8a and The Flourishing Scale were used to explore well-being. A modified self-report measure, the Meaningfulness in Rehabilitation Scale, was pilot-tested for construct validity and used in the survey. Of the 48 participants (81% female; 19% male), most attended a generalist therapy practice (62%) once per week (33%) or once per fortnight (29%). No statistically significant relationship was found between self-reported meaningfulness in rehabilitation and pain interference or other patient and therapy characteristics (duration of chronic pain category, type of therapy practice, resolution of rehabilitation category, and frequency of appointments). The nonparametric analysis identified a statistically significant moderate positive correlation between self-reported meaningfulness in rehabilitation and the flourishing aspect of well-being. This raises important questions and suggests that patients’ perception of rehabilitation as meaningful warrants further research. This pilot study provides valuable guidance to inform a larger investigation.

To use physical and anthropometric parameters to predict playing status in junior Australian Football. Cross-sectional observational. Participants were recruited from the under 18 competition within the West Australian Football League and classified into two groups; elite (state representative; n=50; 17.9±0.5 y; 184.8±6.9cm; 80.6±9.4kg) and sub-elite (non-state representative; n=50; 17.8±0.6y; 179.8±5.4cm; 74.4±7.9kg). Both groups completed physical/anthropometric tests inclusive of a 5m, 10m and 20m sprint, an agility test, stationary vertical jump, dynamic dominant and non-dominant foot vertical jump, 20m multistage fitness test, standing height and body mass. A multivariate analysis of variance was used to test the main effect of ‘status’ on the physical/anthropometric parameters, whilst logistic regression models were used to predict playing status using the physical/anthropometric parameters. On average, the elite group were taller, heavier, had a greater stationary vertical jump, dynamic dominant and non-dominant foot vertical jump and higher maximal aerobic capacity as measured by the multistage fitness test (p<0.05). The combination of standing height, dynamic vertical jump non-dominant foot and the 20m multistage fitness test were the strongest predictors of status (Akaike's Information Criterion=96.35). Despite mean differences in a number of parameters, the combination of standing height, dynamic vertical jump non-dominant foot and the multistage fitness test were the strongest predictors of status and thus important tests for initially identifying potential talent in junior Australian Football.

Sleep insufficiency is often associated with the life of a university student, yet it is well known that inadequate sleep can have a negative impact on physical and mental health and be detrimental to cognitive skills for learning. The aim of this study was to replicate a Canadian study to survey university student sleep practices, the way in which students address any sleep issues, and the students' preferred method to receive targeted sleep information. An anonymous on-line survey was promoted to all enrolled students at one Australian University in August 2017. In total, 601 students responded to the survey. One third indicated that they had insufficient sleep (less than 6.5 hrs). Almost two thirds reported a perception of not getting sufficient sleep. There was a significant association between the reported number of sleep hours, and the perception of high-quality sleep. Strategies to get to sleep included the use of social media which is counter to best practice in sleep hygiene. The study supports the need for education about sleep health coupled with stress management to better the demands of student life.

Talent identification traditionally relies on the knowledge and perceptions of expert coaches to identify and predict potential future elite athletes. Experiential coach knowledge is a valuable source of information to guide research in this ill-defined and under-researched area. This review aims to synthesize current empirical understanding of coach knowledge as it relates to decision making in talent identification. This systematic review and meta-synthesis used the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines to identify relevant literature. Eligible studies were critically appraised for quality, and key findings from the 14 studies were integrated to allow for thematic analysis. The meta-synthesis revealed the key theme of ‘instinct’ as the primary contributor to coach decisions during talent identification. Subordinate themes informing coach instinct were ‘drive and ambition’, ‘game intelligence’ and ‘physical and technical skills’. Coaches appear to make decisions about talent based on their tacit knowledge or instinct. Understanding how coaches develop these instinctual ‘feelings’ may guide future research into talent identification and enhance our understanding of how experiential coach knowledge is developed and utilised in the daily training environment.

The current study sought to examine the scope of domain specificity within a sport expertise context through the examination of positional specificity effects in the sport of netball. Skilled goalers, centre court and defenders along with less skilled (novice) participants were tested on a video-based decision making task. Skilled and less skilled netballers completed a video-based decision making task, comprising scenarios from the three different positional areas in netball (goalers, centre court and defence). Participants completed the scenarios from the playing position they were most familiar with, followed by the remaining two positions in a counterbalanced order. Analysis of the goaler and defence scenarios revealed that the skilled goalers and centre court players were significantly more accurate than the novice players, whilst the skilled defenders did not differ to the other three groups (skilled goalers, skilled centre court and novice). For the centre court scenarios the skilled centre court players and defenders were significantly more accurate than the novice players, whilst the skilled goalers did not differ to any of the groups. Limited evidence was shown to support the theory that decision making is specific to the position being played with the goalers and the centre court players most accurate on the attack and centre court scenarios respectively.