13 results on '"Comyns, Thomas M."'
Search Results
2. The Countermovement Rebound Jump: Between-Session Reliability and a Comparison With the Countermovement and Drop Jump Tests.
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Jiaqing Xu, Turner, Anthony, Comyns, Thomas M., Chavda, Shyam, and Bishop, Chris
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BIOMECHANICS ,REPEATED measures design ,EXERCISE intensity ,STUDENTS ,MUSCLE strength ,DIGITAL video ,ANALYSIS of variance ,INTRACLASS correlation ,JUMPING ,EXERCISE tests ,ATHLETIC ability ,MOTION capture (Human mechanics) - Abstract
The counter-movement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ) are widely used jump tests to evaluate an athlete's neuromuscular performance. Nevertheless, conducting both the CMJ and the DJ assessments during one testing session can demand a considerable time investment that practitioners or coaches might not always have available. This study investigated whether the countermovement rebound jump (CMRJ) could be considered a viable alternative to the CMJ and DJ tests, respectively. Thirty-three physically active students volunteered as subjects (age: 27.2 ± 5.9 years, height: 1.78 ± 0.8 cm, body mass: 77.5 ± 11.5 kg), with 18 jumps completed for each subject across 2 testing sessions. The jump height (JH) and strategy-based metrics (time to take-off [TTTO], countermovement depth [CM depth], and reactive strength index [RSI] modified for CMJ and the first jump of the CMRJ; leg stiffness [K
leg ], ground contact time [GCT], and RSI for DJ and the second jump for the CMRJ) were calculated simultaneously via the impulse-momentum, flight time, double integration, and motion capture methods. All variables were examined by repeated-measures analysis of variance, 2-way random effects model intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV), and standard error of measurement, with the significance set at p ≤ 0.05. All 3 jump tests showed good-to-excellent relative reliability (ICC 5 0.79-0.98) and good-to-moderate CV (≤9.83), with the only exception being Kleg measured during the DJ and in the second jump of the CMRJ assessment (CV ≤ 16.01%). Of all measured metrics, significant differences were only observed regarding TTTO between jumps (p ≤ 0.027, effect size [ES] ≤ 0.49). The comparison of calculation methods indicated that the JH calculated by 4 methods were not significantly different between jump actions (p ≥ 0.254). These findings support the use of the CMRJ as a reliable alternative to the CMJ and DJ tests. However, practitioners should be mindful of using Kleg as a metric, whereas practitioners are also advised to allocate sufficient familiarization trials before implementing the CMRJ into their routine test batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2024
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3. Reliability, Usefulness, and Validity of Field-Based Vertical Jump Measuring Devices.
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Comyns, Thomas M., Murphy, Jennifer, and O'Leary, Dylan
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MEDICAL equipment reliability , *USER-centered system design , *STATISTICS , *EXERCISE tests , *STATISTICAL reliability , *ANALYSIS of variance , *CROSS-sectional method , *SURVEYS , *COMPARATIVE studies , *PEARSON correlation (Statistics) , *SCIENTIFIC apparatus & instruments , *INTRACLASS correlation , *REPEATED measures design , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *JUMPING , *ATHLETIC ability , *BIOPHYSICS , *DATA analysis , *EVALUATION ,RESEARCH evaluation - Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest reliability, usefulness, and validity of field-based devices, in determining jump height (JH) during a countermovement jump (CMJ). Twenty-one male (22.8 ± 2.4 years; 1.82 ± 0.07 m; 86.0 ± 10.4 kg) and 7 female field sport athletes (20.5 ± 1.5years; 1.65 ± 0.06 m; 65.4 ± 7.2 kg) performed 3 CMJs with data simultaneously recorded using a force plate (criterion measure), Optojump, Output Capture, and Push-Band 2.0. Reliability was determined by intraclass correlation (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV) analyses. Usefulness was assessed by comparing typical error (TE) with the smallest worthwhile change (SWC), and the validity analyses involved repeated measures analysis of variance with post hoc analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient (r), coefficient of determination, and Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement analyses. All 3 field-based devices were deemed reliable in assessing CMJ height as the respective ICCs ≥ 0.80 and the CV ≤ 10%. Only the Optojump and Output Capture devices were rated as "good" at detecting the SWC in performance (Optojump SWC: 1.44 > TE: 1.04; Output Capture SWC: 1.47 > TE: 1.05). The Output Capture device demonstrated acceptable validity for CMJ height assessment, whereas the Push-Band 2.0 showed systematic bias when compared with the criterion force plate data. Systematic difference was also evident for the Optojump potentially due to the optical switching-cell position on the Optojump. Although all 3 devices showed excellent reliability, the Optojump and Output Capture devices offer practitioners a cost effective, reliable, and valid method of assessing the smallest worthwhile change in CMJ performance in an applied setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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4. Effects of Long-Haul Travel on Recovery and Performance in Elite Athletes: A Systematic Review.
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Rossiter, Antonia, Warrington, Giles D., and Comyns, Thomas M.
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BIOMARKERS ,ONLINE information services ,SAMPLE size (Statistics) ,AIR travel ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,SPORTS ,HEALTH outcome assessment ,RETROSPECTIVE studies ,SLEEP ,PSYCHOMETRICS ,PSYCHOSOCIAL factors ,JET lag ,ATHLETIC ability ,MEDLINE ,INFORMATION storage & retrieval systems ,ELITE athletes - Abstract
Rossiter, A, Warrington, GD, and Comyns, TM. Effects of long-haul travel on recovery and performance in elite athletes: a systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3234–3245, 2022—Elite athletes are often required to travel long-haul (LH) across numerous time zones for training or competition. However, the extent to which LH travel affects elite athlete performance remains largely unknown. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to critically evaluate available evidence on the effects of LH travel on elite athlete psychometric, physiological, sleep, and performance markers. Electronic database searches of PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and Web of Science were conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies were eligible for inclusion if subjects were identified as elite athletes who embarked on a LH flight (>6 hours) and used an outcome measurement of recovery or performance after the flight. Studies that were retrospective, used light therapy or pharmacological interventions were not included. Of 2,719 records assessed, 14 studies comprising a total of 197 athletes from 6 sports met the inclusion criteria. There was an increase in perceived jet lag and disturbance to various physiological markers after LH travel; however, there was minimal disturbance in other psychometric markers. Sleep was not negatively affected by LH travel. Of 10 studies that assessed performance, 3 found decrements in indirect markers of performance. Elite athletes perceived themselves to be jet lagged and experienced disturbance to various physiological mechanisms after LH travel; however, the effect on performance was inconclusive. Future research would benefit from higher quality studies with improved control measures, larger sample sizes from a wider variety of sports, and use of ecologically valid measures of circadian rhythm and athletic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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5. Change-of-Direction Ability, Linear Sprint Speed, and Sprint Momentum in Elite Female Athletes: Differences Between Three Different Team Sports.
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Freitas, Tomás T., Pereira, Lucas A., Alcaraz, Pedro E., Comyns, Thomas M., Azevedo, Paulo H.S.M., and Loturco, Irineu
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SOCCER ,STATISTICS ,TEAM sports ,HANDBALL ,ONE-way analysis of variance ,PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of acceleration ,RUGBY football ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,ATHLETIC ability ,DATA analysis ,SPRINTING ,MOTOR ability - Abstract
Freitas, TT, Pereira, LA, Alcaraz, PE, Comyns, TM, Azevedo, PHSM, and Loturco, I. Change-of-direction ability, linear sprint speed, and sprint momentum in elite female athletes: differences between three different team sports. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 262–267, 2022—The aim of this study was to compare the performance of elite female players from 3 different sports in linear sprint and change-of-direction (COD) tests and examine their efficiency for changing direction through the calculation of the COD deficit (i.e., the difference in velocity between a linear sprint and a COD task of equal distance). One hundred fifty-four elite players (rugby, n = 40, national team members; soccer, n = 57 and handball n = 57, first division players from the respective Brazilian National Championships) were assessed in the 20-m linear sprint and Zigzag COD tests. A one-way analysis of variance with a Tukey post hoc was used to detect between-sport differences. Female rugby sevens players achieved faster sprint velocities than handball (20‐m: 6.21 ± 0.24 m·s
−1 ; 6.07 ± 0.27 m·s−1 , respectively; p < 0.05) and soccer players (5‐m: 4.71 ± 0.26 m·s−1 vs. 4.51 ± 0.20 m·s−1 ; and 20‐m: 6.08 ± 0.19 m·s−1 ; p < 0.05) and exhibited the greatest COD deficits (2.95 ± 0.25 m·s−1 ; 2.69 ± 0.19 m·s−1 ; 2.82 ± 0.17 m·s−1 , for rugby, handball, and soccer, respectively; p < 0.05). Handball players outperformed all other athletes in the Zigzag test (3.38 ± 0.15 m·s−1 ; 3.26 ± 0.10 m·s−1 ; 3.26 ± 0.10 m·s−1 , for handball, rugby, and soccer, respectively; p < 0.05) but presented the lowest COD deficits (p < 0.05). Furthermore, soccer players displayed inferior sprint momentum when compared with the other sports (p < 0.05). Linear sprint and COD ability differ significantly among elite female athletes from different team sports, with handball players exhibiting a greater COD speed and efficiency to change direction, with respect to their maximum sprint velocity. The between-sport differences observed suggests that specific training and game demands may affect both sprint and COD performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2022
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6. Validity of Session-Rate of Perceived Exertion to Quantify Training Loads in Paralympic Swimmers.
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Sinnott-O'Connor, Ciara, Comyns, Thomas M., and Warrington, Giles D.
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ANALYSIS of variance , *SPORTS for people with disabilities , *EXERCISE physiology , *EXERCISE , *HEART beat , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *SWIMMING ,RESEARCH evaluation - Abstract
Sinnott-O'Connor, C, Comyns, TM, and Warrington, GD. Validity of session-RPE to quantify training loads in Paralympic swimmers. J Strength Cond Res 35(9): 2611-2615, 2021--Multiple measures may be used by coaches to quantify training load (TL). The application of heart rate (HR) has limitations in swimming and in Paralympic swimmers, and it may not always be a suitable measure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the session-rate of perceived exertion (sRPE) method for quantifying internal TL in Paralympic swimmers. A further aim was to examine the relationship between athlete and coach perceptions of sRPE TL. Four international Paralympic swimmers selected to compete in Rio 2016 Paralympic Games participated in this study. Heart rate, RPE, and session duration were recorded for 30 training sessions of varied intensities across a 6-week home training period to quantify TL. Significant high to very high positive correlations were observed between sRPE and 3 HRbased measures--Banister's, Edwards, and Lucia's TRIMP (r 5 0.68, 0.66, 0.74, p, 0.01, respectively). Moderate correlations were observed between sRPE and distance measures (r 5 0.53, p, 0.05) but were lower than those observed with HR-based measures. A 2-way analysis of variance identified significant differences in the sRPE ratings between coaches and athletes (F(2, 108) 5 170.4, p, 0.01, h2 5 0.75). The results of this study suggest that the sRPE method may be an appropriate monitoring tool for quantifying TL during water-based training using a single measure in Paralympic swimmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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7. Training Load Monitoring in Amateur Rugby Union: A Survey of Current Practices.
- Author
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Griffin, Alan, Kenny, Ian C., Comyns, Thomas M., and Lyons, Mark
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SPORTS injury prevention ,PROFESSIONAL practice ,AMATEUR athletes ,SOCIAL support ,ATHLETIC associations ,PHYSICAL training & conditioning ,RUGBY football ,INDUSTRIAL psychology ,EXERCISE ,COMMUNICATION - Abstract
Amateur Rugby Union has an inherent risk of injury that is associated with detrimental effects on player welfare and team performance. Training load (TL) is a modifiable risk factor that, when monitored, may provide strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches with opportunities to reduce the risk of injury. The purpose of this study was to explore TL monitoring practices used by S&C coaches working with male and female amateur adult Rugby Union teams and their rationale for using such. Thirty-three (n = 31 male and n = 2 female) S&C coaches representing 62% of the total number of male clubs and 71% of female clubs, playing at the highest national amateur level, participated in the study by completing an online survey. Seventy-three percent of respondents stated that they monitor TL. The most common method of recording TL was the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), used in 83% of monitoring systems. Thirty-three percent of the S&C coaches surveyed use the sRPE data to calculate the acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) for highlighting when players are at risk of injury. This study is the first of its kind to exclusively examine the TL monitoring practices of S&C coaches working with amateur adult Rugby Union teams. Thirteen S&C coaches responded to the open-ended question and 3 higher order themes were highlighted: (a) communication with players (b) support from other staff and (c) limiting factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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8. Attentional Focus and the Effect on Change-of-Direction and Acceleration Performance.
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McNicholas, Keith and Comyns, Thomas M.
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PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of acceleration , *ANALYSIS of variance , *ATHLETIC ability , *ATTENTION , *COMMUNICATION , *MOTOR ability , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *QUALITATIVE research , *REPEATED measures design , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics - Abstract
The purpose of this studywas to investigatewhether changing the focus of attention of field sport athletes would affect their performance for a change-of-direction (COD) and acceleration task incorporating diagonal cutting movements of less than or equal to 90°, specific to the demands of field-based sports. Seventeen male college students were recruited to perform 9 trials each of a change-of-direction and acceleration test using verbal instructions designed to induce a neutral (NEU), internal (INT), and external (EXT) focus of attention. Qualitative data were collected and assessed by use of questionnaires to determine whether subjects performed the trials using the prescribed focus of attention. Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that the EXT experimental conditionwas significantly faster (p≤0.001) than both theNEU and INT experimental conditions. In addition, the NEU and INT experimental conditions were not significantly different (p ≤ 0.001). Questionnaire responses provided qualitative data that showed subjects performing in the INT and EXT conditions invoked the desired focus of attention 47 and 82% of the time, respectively. Furthermore, the qualitative data also showed that subjects performing in the NEU condition did not use an explicit INT or EXT focus of attention 82% of the time. The results indicated that athletes can enhance their performance by invoking an EXT focus of attention while performing complex motor skills such as COD and acceleration. Practitioners and coaches could direct their verbal instructions toward the movement effects of their athlete's actions to achieve this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
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9. EFFECT OF ATTENTIONAL FOCUS STRATEGIES ON THE BIOMECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF THE DROP JUMP.
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COMYNS, THOMAS M., BRADY, CLAIRE J., and MOLLOY, JAMES
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ATHLETIC ability , *ATTENTION , *JUMPING , *PSYCHOLOGY of movement , *MUSCLE strength - Abstract
Comyns, TM, Brady, CJ, and Molloy, J. Effect of attentional focus strategies on the biomechanical performance of the drop jump. J Strength Cond Res 33(3): 626-632, 2019- Motor performance can be influenced by focusing an athlete's attention through the use of verbal instructions. There is limited research on the effect of internal, neutral, and external attentional focus strategies on drop jump (DJ) performance aimed at maximizing height jumped (HJ) and minimizing ground contact time (CT). The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of attentional focus strategies on biomechanical variables related to efficient DJ performance, namely HJ, CT, reactive strength index (RSI), leg-spring stiffness, and peak and relative peak ground reaction force (GRF). Seventeen male recreationally trained subjects performed 2 DJs after listening to instructions designed to evoke an internal, external, or neutral attentional focus. In total, 6 DJs were performed in the testing session, and the order of the instructions was randomly assigned. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results indicated that, compared with the neutral strategy, the external focus resulted in significantly higher RSI (p = 0.046), peak GRF (p = 0.025), relative GRF (p = 0.02), and leg-spring stiffness (p = 0.02). No significant difference was seen in DJ CT and HJ between all 3 conditions (p ≤ 0.05). These results indicate that the use of an external focus of attention may potentially result in a more effective and efficient fast stretch-shortening cycle performance because of the augmentation of RSI and leg stiffness. More research is warranted, however, because of the lack of significant results pertaining to CT and HJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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10. EFFECTS OF LOW-VOLUME, HIGH-INTENSITY TRAINING ON PERFORMANCE IN COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.
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NUGENT, FRANK J., COMYNS, THOMAS M., BURROWS, EMMA, and WARRINGTON, GILES D.
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ATHLETIC ability , *EXERCISE physiology , *META-analysis , *SWIMMING , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *EVIDENCE-based medicine , *PROFESSIONAL practice , *PHYSICAL training & conditioning - Abstract
The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the extent and quality of the current research literature to determine the effects of low-volume, high-intensity training (HIT) on physiological performance and swimming performance in competitive swimmers. The methodology followed the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. A search of relevant databases and conference proceedings was performed until December 2015. The inclusion criteria were (a) competitive swimmers, (b) ≥4 weeks HIT intervention, (c) comparison group had to involve a higher training volume, (d) outcome measures of physiological and swimming performance, and (e) all experimental study designs. Quality assessment was performed using the Quality Index checklist. Results indicate that of the 538 studies retrieved, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria. Six of the 7 studies found that an HIT intervention resulted in significant improvements in physiological performance. Four of the 7 studies found that HIT resulted in significant improvements in swimming performance, whereas none of the 7 studies resulted in a reduction in physiological or swimming performance. Despite the positive findings of this review, the short study duration is a limitation to a number of studies. The current evidence on the effects of HIT on performance is promising; however, it is difficult to draw accurate conclusions until further research has been conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2017
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11. VALIDATION OF AN ELECTRONIC JUMP MAT TO ASSESS STRETCH-SHORTENING CYCLE FUNCTION.
- Author
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Kenny, Ian C., Ó CaireallÁIn, Ainle, and Comyns, Thomas M.
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- 2012
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12. EFFECT OF SQUATTING ON SPRINTING PERFORMANCE AND REPEATED EXPOSURE TO COMPLEX TRAINING IN MALE RUGBY PLAYERS.
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COMYNS, THOMAS M., HARRISON, ANDREW J., and HENNESSY, LIAM K.
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WEIGHT training , *RUNNING , *RUGBY football players , *ATHLETE training , *PHYSICAL training & conditioning , *PHYSIOLOGY - Abstract
The article reports on research conducted to investigate the effect a heavy weight training exercise had on sprinting performance and on the effect of repeated exposure to a complex training protocol in rugby players. Researchers evaluated 11 players. They found that the training resulted in decreased velocity and that rugby players may need repeated exposure to weight training to gain any benefit from it.
- Published
- 2010
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13. THE OPTIMAL COMPLEX TRAINING REST INTERVAL FOR ATHLETES FROM ANAEROBIC SPORTS.
- Author
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COMYNS, THOMAS M., HARRISON, ANDREW J., HENNESSY, LIAM K., and JENSEN, RANDALL L.
- Abstract
Complex training research has indicated that 3-4 minutes may be an optimum intracomplex rest interval. The purpose of this study was to determine if a heavy resistive exercise causes performance enhancement of a slow stretch-shortening cycle exercise and if there is an optimal rest interval. Eighteen subjects performed countermovement jumps (CMJs) before and after a 5 repetition maximum back squat lifting protocol. This procedure was repeated 4 times over 2 days using rest intervals of 30 seconds and 2, 4, and 6 minutes. Flight time and peak ground reaction force (GRF) were the dependent variables. All jumps were performed on a specially constructed sledge and force platform apparatus. Repeated measures analysis of variance found a significant reduction in flight time at the 30-second and 6-minute interval (p ≤ 0.05). No significant difference was found between men and women. Only the men showed an enhancement in jump performance after the 4-minute interval. The improvement window was different for each subject, and an analysis of the greatest increase and decrease in flight time and peak GRF was conducted, showing a significant decrease for men and women and a significant increase in flight time for men and peak ground reaction force for women. The results suggest that complex training can benefit or inhibit CMJ performance depending on the rest interval. The individual determination of the intracomplex rest interval may be necessary in the practical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2006
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