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The world’s “100 worst invasive species” were listed in 2000. The list is taxonomically diverse, often cited (typically for single-species studies), and its species are frequently reported in global biodiversity data bases. We acted on the principle that these notorious species should be well-reported to help answer two questions about global biogeography of invasive species (i.e., not just their invaded ranges): (1) “how are data distributed globally?” and (2) “what predicts diversity?” We collected location data for each of the 100 species from multiple data bases; 95 had sufficient data for analyses. For question (1), we mapped global species richness and cumulative occurrences since 2000 in (0.5 degree)2 grids. For question (2) we compared alternative regression models representing non-exclusive hypotheses for geography (i.e., spatial autocorrelation), sampling effort, climate, and anthropocentric effects. Reported locations of the invasive species were spatially-biased, leaving large gaps on multiple continents. Accordingly, species richness was best explained by both anthropocentric effects not often used in biogeographic models (Government Effectiveness, Voice & Accountability, human population size) and typical natural factors (climate, geography; R2 = 0.87). Cumulative occurrence was strongly related to anthropocentric effects (R2 = 0.62). We extract five lessons for invasive species biogeography; foremost are the importance of anthropocentric measures for understanding invasive species diversity patterns and large lacunae in their known global distributions. Despite those knowledge gaps, advanced models here predict well the biogeography of the world’s worst invasive species for much of the world.

As a result of the pet trade, Africa’s Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) is now established in North America (Florida). This generalist carnivore is a potential threat to native wildlife, requiring proactive measures to effectively prevent further spread into novel regions. To determine regions at risk, we create and compare alternative ensemble species distribution models (SDMs) using a model selection approach (with 10 possible modeling algorithms grouped according to assumptions). The ensemble SDMs used presence and environmental data from both native (Africa) and nonnative (Florida) locations. The most predictive consensus SDMs for native and native + nonnative data sets (TSS = 0.87; Sensitivity = 93%; Specificity = 94%) were based on the boosted regression tree (BRT), classification tree analysis (CTA), and random forest (RF) modeling algorithms with all environmental predictor variables used. The global Nile monitor SDMs predict strong habitat suitability in tropical and subtropical regions in the Americas, the Caribbean, Madagascar, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Florida Nile monitor populations are less likely to spread into the Neotropics than if pets now in the Southwest USA are released intentionally or accidentally. Management options to avoid this spread into vulnerable regions are to actively prohibit/regulate Nile monitors as pets, enforce those restrictions, and promote exotic pet amnesty programs. The model selection approach for ensemble SDMs used here may help improve future SDM research

Purpose: Mental fatigue causes decreases in aspects of athletes' performance. Elite coaches commonly undertake cognitively demanding tasks and are seemingly at similar risk of subsequent performance impairment. However, elite sport coaches' experiences of mental fatigue, alongside other markers of psychobiological stress, have yet to be quantified. Methods: Three elite coaching and performance staff (2 women and 1 man) provided 100-mm visual analog scale ratings of mental fatigue, physical fatigue, readiness to perform, and salivary samples for later cortisol (sCort) and alpha-amylase (sAA) analysis. Data were obtained on the same morning each week across a 16-week preseason. Data were subset by individual coach for descriptive and repeated-measures correlational analyses. Results: Fluctuating mental fatigue was observed over the 16 weeks (min–max; coach 1 = 25–86 AU; coach 2 = 0–51 AU; and coach 3 = 15 − 76 AU). Elevated levels of mental fatigue were reported at multiple time points, with individual variability observed. sCort (in nanomoles per liter), sAA (in micromoles per liter), and sAA:sCort indicated that coaches experienced psychophysiological stress (min–max; coach 1 sCort = 8.42–17.31, sAA = 52.40–113.06, sAA:sCort = 3.20–12.80; coach 2 sCort = 4.20–9.70, sAA = 158.80–307.20, sAA:sCort = 21.10–61.70; and coach 3 sCort = 6.81−19.66, sAA = 86.55–495.85, sAA:sCort = 4.90–35.50). A significant inverse relationship between mental fatigue and readiness to perform (r = −.44 [−.64 to −.17], P =.002) was identified. Conclusions: Elite sport coaches report elevated instances of mental fatigue during a preseason training period. Those involved in elite sports should act to understand the presence and potential subsequent impacts of staff mental fatigue and consider management or mitigation strategies. Optimization of the cognitive performance of coaches and performance staff presents as a potential source of competitive advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examined the relationships between training workloads, game workloads, and match performance in an elite netball team. Methods: Ten elite female netball athletes were monitored over a complete season. Training and game external workloads were determined through inertial movement units and expressed as absolute PlayerLoad (PL) and change of direction (COD). Monthly workload and training efficiency index were also calculated, which used internal workloads (session rating of perceived exertion and summated heart-rate zones). Game performance was assessed through a performance analysis statistic algorithm called NetPoints. To account for the influence of team game workloads on each other, the average workload for midcourt positions (avgMC) was calculated for each game. Data for each athlete were transformed into z scores, and linear mixed modeling was used to build models to examine the relationships between workloads and game performance. Results: Monthly PL, training efficiency index PL, and avgMC PL were statistically significant (P <.05) and positively related to game PL (z = 0.20–0.35, P <.001–.02). For game COD, statistically significant positive relationships were found between monthly COD (z = 0.29 [0.11], P =.01) and avgMC COD (z = 0.21 [0.09], P =.03). The models for NetPoints found significant negative relationships with monthly PL (z = 0.46 [0.12], P <.001) and COD (z = −0.36 [0.11], P =.01). Conclusions: Higher monthly workloads are related to higher game workload; however, they are also related to decreases in match performance. Therefore, netball practitioners should consider that increases to training workload in a 4-week period prior to a game can influence game workloads and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reference conditions are difficult to find in the Anthropocene but essential for effective biodiversity conservation. Aquatic ecosystems in the Andes‐Amazon transition zone of Colombia are now at high risk due to expanded human activities after peace agreements in 2016 ended armed conflict because lands formerly controlled by FARC and other armed groups are now prone to agricultural and urban expansion. Particularly, expanding human land use may reduce fish diversity across the altitudinal gradient, especially in the premontane streams (i.e., <500 m a.s.l.) because lands are more amenable to human use than at greater altitudes. We evaluated fish α‐diversity (measured as species richness, total abundance, and effective species number) and β‐diversity (spatial and temporal) in 12 sites over 8 years bracketing the end of armed conflict. All α‐diversity and β‐diversity analyses were evaluated relative to categorical altitude (< or >500 m) and continuous altitude. Strong differences in fish community structure among sites occurred as a function of altitude. Fish communities exhibit altitudinal biodiversity gradients that are consistent in space and time, and that need to be accounted for conservation and management considerations. Our results provide a reference to identify short‐ and long‐term changes due to impending human land use at a critical moment for the conservation of tropical fish diversity. Similar studies in other areas of the upper Amazon Basin are needed to evaluate effects of subsequent human activities on diversity patterns and our study area to compare to reference conditions reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonnative species mitigation is important to conserve Florida's native wildlife, especially with nonnative reptiles such as Nile Monitors (Varanus niloticus). Nile Monitors are habitat and dietary generalists in their native (Africa) and nonnative (Florida) ranges and were introduced to Florida in the early 1990s through the pet trade. Nile Monitors have since become established in three coastal counties in southern Florida. Confirmed sightings extend beyond established Nile Monitor populations into parts of central and northern Florida, but it is unclear whether spread is likely to these areas or even into surrounding states. Mitigation strategies to locate, remove, and proactively prevent introduction and spread of nonnative species include species distribution models (SDMs). Two Nile Monitor SDMs currently exist but are not at an appropriate scale to inform regional management practices and include various methods that do not meet current model quality standards. Nile Monitor SDMs here represent high-quality, region-scale predictions at a 1 km2 resolution fitted with ensembles of algorithms, 14 predictors (including environmental and anthropogenic variables), and occurrence data from both the native and nonnative ranges. Final SDM predictions indicate little habitat suitability and low probability of spread beyond the central region of Florida, contradictory to existing Nile Monitor SDMs. Pathways of suitable habitat exist from established populations into other central and southern parts of Florida along coastlines and suggest possible anthropophilic habitat preferences that will require further telemetric behavioral studies to validate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this brief study was to investigate the effects of repeated jump testing on performance over 2 consecutive days while considering the possibility of diurnal changes. Fourteenmale subjects and 14 recreationally active female subjects completed countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) testing on 5 occasions (baseline [0,800], 5 minutes [0,820], 8 hours [1,600], 24 hours [0,800], and 32 hours [1,600]) over 32 hours. An additional rested baseline test was conducted on a separate day in the afternoon (1,600) to compare jump performance between morning and afternoon baseline values. Excluding small decreases in CMJ height at 24 hours (p50.292, Cliff's delta520.225) in male subjects and similar decreases in CMJ height at 5 minutes (p 5 0.034, Cliff's delta 5 20.245) in addition to SJ height:contraction time at 32 hours (p 5 0.126, Cliff's delta5 0.153) in female subjects, findings generally showed no changes in jump performance over multiple assessments. Squat jumpmetrics may have showed small improvements betweenmorning and afternoon baseline values inmale subjects (SJ height:contraction time [p50.030, Cliff's delta50.225]) and female subjects (SJ height [p50.013, Cliff's delta50.173] and SJ height:contraction time [p50.091, Cliff's delta50.163)]. As jump performance was largely unaffected by repeated jump testing, the present findings support the use ofmonitoring practices and research designs that require multiple jump assessments within acute periods (;32 hours). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine responses at 3 and 27 hours after low-load jump squat (LL) and maximal isometric half-squat (ISO) priming stimuli. Fifteen resistance-trained males performed LL (4 3 3 at 20% 1 repetition maximum [1RM]), ISO (4 3 3 seconds), and control (CON) activities (standardized warm-up) in a randomized and counterbalanced order. Countermovement jump (CMJ) and isometric midthigh pull tests were conducted to assess performance changes after priming and CON activities. No clear changes in CMJ measures were found after priming activities compared with CON. However, small effect size improvements were found after priming stimuli completed on the same day. A 2.9% decrease in concentric phase duration (CI 5 0.3-5.9, p 5 0.333, Cliff's delta520.156) and a 9.1% increase in RSImod (CI 50.2-12.3, p50.151, Cliff's delta520.218) occurred at 3 hours after LL compared with CON. Braking phase duration (CI 5 0.8-10.6, p 5 0.333, Cliff's delta520.213) was 2.9% shorter at 3 hours after ISO compared with CON. No clear changes in isometric peak force occurred after priming activities compared with CON. Additionally, questionnaires were completed to assess perceptual state and perceived effectiveness of the priming stimulus to influence performance. An increase in the "effect of activity" was perceived at 3 hours after LL and ISO (p 5 0.013-0.044, Cliff's delta 5 0.578-0.6) and at 27 hours after ISO (p 5 0.99, Cliff's delta 5 0.173) compared with CON. An increase in "muscular heaviness" was also reported at 3 hours after ISO compared with CON (p 5 0.199, Cliff's delta 5 0.320). The collective findings suggest limited benefits over the day after LL and ISO priming stimuli. However, as there was substantial variation in individual responses, the relative nature of priming responses should be considered when prescribing similar strategies in practical environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Mental fatigue is emerging as an important consideration for elite sporting performance, yet it is rarely monitored. The present study assessed changes in mental fatigue in professional team-sport athletes across 2 seasons and examined the relationship between mental fatigue and other athlete self-report measures of well-being. Methods: Elite netballers contracted to all teams competing in Australia's premier professional netball competition during the 2018 and 2019 seasons (N = 154) participated. Using 5-point Likert scales, mental fatigue, fatigue (physical), tiredness, sleep quality, stress, mood, and motivation were assessed daily across 2 seasons composed of 14 round and finals series. Results: The ratings of mental fatigue significantly changed during both seasons. In 2018, lower ratings of mental fatigue were reported in round 1 versus 3, 4, 6, 8, and 14; round 7 versus 6; and round 6 versus 10 (P <.05). In 2019, lower ratings of mental fatigue were identified for round 1 versus 3, 9, 10 to 14, and semifinal; round 2 versus 10 to 13; and 5 versus 10 to 12 (P <.05). Ordinal regression revealed significant differences between mental fatigue and physical fatigue (P <.001), tiredness (P <.001), stress (P <.001), mood (P <.001), and motivation (P <.05). Conclusions: The present study found mental fatigue to significantly fluctuate across a season in elite netballers. Moreover, perceived mental fatigue differed from physical fatigue, tiredness, stress, mood, and motivation. The data impress the need for mental fatigue to be included as an independent measure of athlete well-being. Monitoring of mental fatigue can allow practitioners to implement strategies to manage its influence on performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to map responses over 32 hours following high-load (HL) and moderate-load (ML) half-squat priming. Methods: Fifteen participants completed control, HL (87% 1RM), and ML (65% 1RM) activities in randomized, counterbalanced order. Countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), saliva testosterone, saliva cortisol, and perceptual measures were assessed before and 5 minutes, 8 hours, 24 hours, and 32 hours after each activity. Results are presented as percentage change from baseline and 95% confidence interval (CI). Cliff delta was used to determine threshold for group changes. Results: SJ height increased by 4.5% (CI = 2.2–6.8, Cliff delta = 0.20) 8 hours following HL. CMJ and SJ improved by 6.1% (CI = 2.1–7.8, Cliff delta = 0.27) and 6.5% (CI = 1.2–11.8, Cliff delta = 0.30), respectively, 32 hours after ML. No clear diurnal changes in CMJ or SJ occurred 8 hours following control; however, increases of 3.9% (CI = 2.9–9.2, Cliff delta = 0.26) and 4.5% (CI = 0.9–8.1, Cliff delta = 0.24), respectively, were observed after 32 hours. Although diurnal changes in saliva hormone concentration occurred (Cliff delta = 0.37–0.92), the influence of priming was unclear. Perceived "physical feeling" was greater 8 hours following HL (Cliff delta = 0.36) and 32 hours after ML and control (Cliff delta = 0.17–0.34). Conclusions: HL priming in the morning may result in small improvements in jump output and psychophysiological state in the afternoon. Similar improvements were observed in the afternoon the day after ML priming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explaining the mechanisms underlying spatial and temporal variation in community composition is a major challenge. Nevertheless, the processes controlling temporal variation at a site (i.e. temporal β‐diversity, including its turnover and nestedness components) are less understood than those affecting variation among sites (i.e. spatial β‐diversity). Short‐term temporal turnover (e.g. throughout an annual cycle) is expected to correlate positively with seasonal environmental variability and landscape connectivity, but also species pool size (γ‐diversity). We use the megadiverse Amazonian freshwater ichthyofauna as a model to ask whether seasonality and landscape connectivity drive variation in temporal species turnover among geomorphological habitat types, while accounting for between‐habitat variation in γ‐diversity. We collected 11 397 fish representing 260 species during a year‐long sampling program from an area containing the lowland Amazon's four major geomorphological habitat types: rivers, floodplains, terra firme streams, and shield streams. River‐floodplain systems exhibit strong but predictable seasonality (via a high‐amplitude annual flood pulse), high connectivity, and high species richness with many rare species. Terra firme and shield streams exhibit low seasonality, low connectivity, and low species richness with proportionally fewer rare species. Based on these parameters we predicted that river‐floodplain systems should have higher temporal turnover than stream systems. Using a null model approach combined with β‐deviation calculations, we confirmed that rivers and floodplains do exhibit higher turnover (but not nestedness) than terra firme and shield streams, even when controlling for the potentially confounding effect of higher species richness in river‐floodplain systems. All habitats exhibit low temporal nestedness, indicating that short‐term changes in community composition result primarily from temporal species turnover. Our results provide a timely reminder that efforts to conserve the Amazon's threatened aquatic biodiversity should account for the distinct temporal dynamics of habitat types and variation in hydrological seasonality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to consistently elicit rapid and significant adaptations in a number of physiological systems, across many different healthy and clinical populations. In addition, there is increasing interest in how some acute, yet transient responses to high intensity exercise potentially reduce the risks of particular diseases. Recent work has shown that discrete, brief bouts of high intensity exercise (termed 'exercise snacks') can improve glucose control and vascular health and thus counter the negative cardiometabolic consequences of prolonged, uninterrupted periods of inactivity. In this brief review, we advance the case, using evidence available from pre‐clinical studies in the exercise oncology literature, that brief, frequently completed bouts of high intensity exercise embedded within an individual's overall daily and weekly physical activity schedule, may transiently impact the tumour microenvironment and improve the health outcomes for those who have been diagnosed and treated for cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harrison, PW, Kelly, VG, Jenkins, DG, McGuigan, MR, Holmberg, PM, and James, LP. Does moderate-load priming activity influence maximal upper-body performance and perceptual state?. J Strength Cond Res 37(11): e581-e587, 2023--The results of previous research indicate that resistance exercise "priming" may improve strength-power measures within 48 hours after their completion. Although researchers have primarily examined performance responses after lower-body priming stimuli, investigations examining the effects of upper-body resistance priming exercises are presently limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine upper-body pushing and pulling performance in addition to perceptual responses 3 and 27 hours after moderate-load (ML) upper-body resistance priming exercise. Fourteen resistance-trained men were assigned to complete ML priming (4 3 3 bench press and bench pull at 65% 1RM [repetition maximum]) and control (rest) protocols in a randomized and counterbalanced order. Peak velocity during the bench throw and bench pull tests involving different loads (25, 50, and 75% 1RM) showed no practical change at 3 and 27 hours after the priming session (p 5 0.216-0.99, Cliff's d520.041 to 0.225). Small effect size increases in perceptual measures ("physical feeling," "physical performance," "aggression" [p 5 0.400-0.553, Cliff's d 5 0.183-0.201], and "muscular heaviness" [p 5 0.178, Cliff's d 5 0.231]) were found at 3 hours postpriming. A moderate practical increase was observed in perceived "physical feeling" compared with control (p 5 0.385, Cliff's d 5 0.349) in addition to small effect size increases in perceived "physical performance" and "aggression" (Cliff's d50.243-0.290) at 27 hours after priming activities. These results indicate that upper-body strength-power changes within 27 hours after ML upper-body resistance exercise priming are not practically meaningful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional rugby league (RL) football is a contact sport involving repeated collisions and high-intensity efforts; both training and competition involve high energy expenditure. The present review summarizes and critiques the available literature relating the physiological demands of RL to nutritional requirements and considers potential ergogenic supplements that could improve players' physical capacity, health, and recovery during the preparatory and competition phases of a season. Although there may not be enough data to provide RL-specific recommendations, the available data suggest that players may require approximately 6–8 g·kg−1·day−1 carbohydrate, 1.6–2.6 g·kg−1·day−1 protein, and 0.7–2.2 g·kg−1·day−1 fat, provided that the latter also falls within 20–35% of total energy intake. Competition nutrition should maximize glycogen availability by consuming 1–4 g/kg carbohydrate (∼80–320 g) plus 0.25 g/kg (∼20–30 g) protein, 1–4 hr preexercise for 80–120 kg players. Carbohydrate intakes of approximately 80–180 g (1.0–1.5 g/kg) plus 20–67 g protein (0.25–0.55 g/kg) 0–2 hr postexercise will optimize glycogen resynthesis and muscle protein synthesis. Supplements that potentially improve performance, recovery, and adaptation include low to moderate dosages of caffeine (3–6 mg/kg) and ∼300 mg polyphenols consumed ∼1 hr preexercise, creatine monohydrate "loading" (0.3 g·kg−1·day−1) and/or maintenance (3–5 g/day), and beta-alanine (65–80 mg·kg−1·day−1). Future research should quantify energy expenditures in young, professional male RL players before constructing recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine potential differences in internal and external workload variables between playing positions and between training drills and games within an elite netball team during training and competition. Methods: Nine elite female netballers were monitored during 15 games and all training sessions over 28 weeks. Workload variables assessed were relative PlayerLoad (PL per minute), accelerations, decelerations, jumps, changes of direction, high-intensity events, medium-intensity events, low-intensity events, PL in a forward direction, PL in a sideways direction, PL in a vertical direction, and summated heart-rate zones using heart-rate monitors and inertial measurement units. Results: Conditioning and match play during training were the only drills that matched or exceeded game workloads. Workloads during small-sided games were lower than game workloads for all variables. In games, goalkeeper, goal attack, and goal shooter had a greater frequency of jumps compared with other positions. Midcourt positions had a greater frequency of low-intensity events in a game. Conclusions: Workloads during small-sided games were lower than game workloads across all external and internal variables; therefore, netball staff should modify these small-sided games if they wish them to develop game-based qualities. Specific game workload variables indicate that there are differences within some positional groups; coaches need to be aware that positional groupings may fail to account for differences in workload between individual playing positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of 20 minutes of external counterpulsation (ECP) on subsequent 1.2-km shuttle run test (1.2SRT) performance and perceived recovery following fatiguing high-intensity exercise. Methods: After familiarization, 13 recreationally active males (21.4 [1.9] y) participated in 2 experimental trials in a randomized crossover design. At 8:00 AM, participants completed a 1.2SRT, followed by an individualized high-intensity exercise bout and 20 minutes of ECP or supine passive rest (control). At 2:00 PM a second 1.2SRT was completed. Completion time for 1.2SRT (measured in seconds), heart rate, and Borg rating of perceived exertion were compared across conditions. Total quality of recovery and 100-mm visual analogue scale of perceived benefit of recovery were assessed at multiple time points. Results: A significantly smaller decline in PM 1.2SRT completion time compared with AM (baseline) was found for ECP compared with control (P =.008; moderate, very likely beneficial effect size of −0.77 [−1.53 to 0.05]). Total quality of recovery was significantly higher for ECP than control (P <.001), and perceived benefit of recovery was higher following ECP (P <.001, very large, most likely beneficial effect size of 2.08 [1.22 to 2.81]). Conclusions: Twenty minutes of ECP was found to be an effective recovery modality for within-day, between-bouts exercise, positively influencing subsequent 1.2SRT performance and enhancing perceptual recovery. ECP may be applied as a viable alternative to optimize and accelerate the recovery process, particularly in the event of congested training or competition demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine relationships between external- and internal-workload variables in an elite female netball team, with consideration of positional differences. Methods: Nine elite female netball athletes had their weekly workloads monitored across their preseason and competition phases of a season. Internal workload was determined using summated heart-rate (HR) zones and session ratings of perceived exertion (sRPE), whereas external workload was determined using inertial movement units and included absolute PlayerLoad (PL), relative PL (PL per minute), accelerations (ACCEL), decelerations (DECEL), jumps, changes of direction (COD), high-intensity events, medium-intensity events, low-intensity events, PL in the forward direction, PL in the sideways direction, and PL in the vertical direction. Relationships between external- and internal-workload variables in the team and relative to playing position were examined. Results: Across the team, the strongest external workloads that correlated with summated HR zones were PL ( r= .65), COD ( r= .64), ACCEL (r= .61), and DECEL ir =.61). The strongest external workloads that correlated with sRPE were COD ( r= .79), followed by jumps (r=.76), ACCEL ( r= .75), and DECEL (r=.75). For all positions, except-goal shooter, the strongest con-elation was between PL and sRPE (r = .88-94). In the goal-shooter position, the strongest correlation was between summated HR zones and DECEL (r = .89). Conclusions: The inertial movement unit-derived external-workload variables are strongly related to common internal-workload variables. In particular, COD and sRPE appear to provide a good monitoring combination of external and internal training loads for elite netball players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine relationships among physical performance, workload, and injury risk in professional rugby league players. Methods: Maximal-effort (n = 112) and submaximal (n = 1084) running performances of 45 players were recorded from 1 club over 2 consecutive seasons. Poorer and better submaximal running performance was determined by higher and lower exercise heart rates, respectively. Exponentially weighted moving averages and daily rolling averages were used to assess microtechnology-derived acute and chronic field-based workloads. The associations among within-individual submaximal running performance, workload, and noncontact lower-limb injury were then investigated. Results: The injury risk associated with poorer submaximal performance was "likely" greater than stable (relative risk = 1.8; 90% confidence interval, 0.9–3.7) and better submaximal performance (relative risk = 2.0; 90% confidence interval, 0.9–4.4). Compared with greater submaximal performance, poorer performance was associated with lower chronic workloads (effect size [d] = 0.82 [0.13], large) and higher acute:chronic workload ratios (d = 0.49 [0.14], small). Chronic workload demonstrated a "nearly perfect" positive relationship with maximal-effort running performance (exponentially weighted moving average, R2 =.91 [.15]; rolling average, R2 =.91 [.14]). At acute:chronic workload ratios >1.9, no differences in injury risk were found between rolling average and exponentially weighted moving average methods (relative risk = 1.1; 90% confidence interval, 0.3–3.8; unclear). Conclusions: Reductions in submaximal running performance are related with low chronic workloads, high acute:chronic workload ratios, and increased injury risk. These findings demonstrate that a submaximal running assessment can be used to provide information on physical performance and injury risk in professional rugby league players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined effects of disturbance and productivity on ecological diversity have been considered for decades as the dynamic equilibrium model (DEM) but are rarely tested together. Instead, most studies focus on either the intermediate disturbance hypothesis or sometimes the intermediate productivity hypothesis. In addition, most analyses of disturbance and productivity effects have relied on nonexperimental patterns, limited sample sizes, inaccurate proxies for productivity, and/or simple measures of diversity. The DEM operates at regional and local scales; here, we conducted a year‐long experiment at local scales using submersed aquatic vegetation in outdoor mesocosms with a factorial combination of physical disturbance and productivity treatments. We evaluated diversity in several ways, directly measured productivity, and compared alternative hypotheses using model selection. The DEM was supported for effective diversity; both productivity and disturbance effects were clear, though productivity effects were stronger. Other diversity measures for the simple communities in the mesocosms did not clearly reflect treatments. The DEM is a valuable general framework for understanding disturbance and productivity effects on ecological systems and is made more general by minor conceptual adjustments here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Priming exercises" are gaining popularity as a precompetition strategy to improve subsequent performance. Although priming exercise has been shown to improve various neuromuscular performance measures within 48 hours, a number of studies have also found no change or significant decreases in performance following priming interventions. Inconsistencies in findings are likely due to the many different variables used in the research. In addition, evidence suggests that the potential performance response following a priming stimulus is likely to be influenced by individual characteristics. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to examine the available evidence and identify those variables that most strongly determine whether priming stimuli involving resistance and stretch-shortening cycle exercise tasks are likely to improve performance within 48 hours of that stimulus. In addition to making recommendations based on the evidence to date, directions for future research are also identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ophiocordyceps fungi manipulate the behaviour of their ant hosts to produce a summit disease phenotype, thereby establishing infected ant cadavers onto vegetation at elevated positions suitable for fungal growth and transmission. Multiple environmental and ecological factors have been proposed to shape the timing, positioning and outcome of these manipulations.We conducted a long‐term field study of Ophiocordyceps camponoti‐floridani infections of Camponotus floridanus ants—the Florida zombie ants. We propose and refine hypotheses on the factors that shape infection outcomes by tracking the occurrence of and fungal growth from hundreds of ant cadavers. We modelled and report these data in relation to weather, light, vegetation and attack by hyperparasites.We investigated environmental factors that could affect the occurrence and location of newly manipulated ant cadavers. New cadaver occurrence was preferentially biased towards epiphytic Tillandsia bromeliads, canopy openness and summer weather conditions (an interactive effect of temperature, humidity and precipitation). Furthermore, we suggest that incident light at the individual cadaver level reflects microhabitat choice by manipulated ants or selective pressure on cadaver maintenance for conditions that improve fungal survival.We also asked which environmental conditions affect fungal fitness. Continued fungal development of reproductive structures and putative transmission increased with moist weather conditions (interaction of humidity and precipitation) and canopy openness, while being reduced by hyperparasitic mycoparasite infections. Moreover, under the most open canopy conditions, we found an atypical Ophiocordyceps growth morphology that could represent a plastic response to conditions influenced by high light levels.Taken together, we explore general trends and the effects of various ecological conditions on host and parasite disease outcomes in the Florida zombie ant system. These insights from the field can be used to inform experimental laboratory setups that directly test the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on fungus–ant interactions or aim to uncover underlying molecular mechanisms. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]