The present study sought to create a scaling-derived cycle ergometer protocol (SDP) that was derived theoretically and would correlate highly with actual uphill time-trial (TT) cycling performance. Local competitive cyclists each completed the SDP (an incremental test to exhaustion) using their own bicycle mounted on a stationary trainer, together with either a short (6.2 km, 2.9% grade; n = 8 men and 5 women) or long-course (12.5 km, 2.7% grade; n = 8 men) uphill TT. Maximal power output (Wmax) and power at the ventilatory threshold (WVT) were determined from the SDP results, as well as maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), using standard indirect calorimetry procedures. Actual TT speed correlated very highly with both SDP completion time (r = 0.97-0.98) and relative Wmax (watts per kilogram; r = 0.92-0.97) for both uphill TT races. Correlations between TT speed and more demanding measurements (VO2max, WVT) (VO2max, WVT) were generally lower and more variable (r = 0.54-0.97). These results would indicate that two non-laboratory dependent measurements (SDP completion time and relative Wmax) derived from the SDP are valid markers for predicting actual uphill TT performance. This protocol may be useful to cycling coaches and athletes in identifying talented cyclists or for tracking changes in cycling performance outside of the sports science laboratory environment.

Objectives. The aim of this paper was to critically review the recent literature on psychosocial and behavioural outcome following childhood stroke, to assess whether quality of life is affected and to investigate the factors related to psychosocial outcome.Methods. Literature searches were conducted and identified 36 relevant papers from the period 1908-2016.Results. The systematic review found that many children experience difficulties in a wide range of psychosocial domains. Quality of life can also be significantly reduced. Inconsistent findings regarding the correlates of outcome are likely due to methodological limitations. These issues include small and heterogeneous samples, lack of control groups and measurement difficulties.Conclusions. This systematic review strongly indicates that childhood stroke can affect a myriad of psychosocial domains and a child's quality of life.Methodological issues, particularly around heterogeneous samples and measures, limit the conclusions that can be drawn regarding the predictors of outcome.

Objectives. Childhood stroke is a rare but devastating occurrence. Its infrequency has meant that a clear body of knowledge has not been fully established regarding its impact on neuropsychological outcome. Our aims were i) to critically review the recent literature on neuropsychological outcome following childhood stroke; ii) to investigate the factors related to neuropsychological outcome following childhood stroke.Methods. Literature searches were conducted and revealed 39 relevant papers from the period 1999-2015.Results. The review found that a significant number of children experience difficulties in a wide range of neuropsychological domains, with particular vulnerabilities noted in attention, speed of information processing and executive functioning. There were inconsistent findings regarding the correlates of neuropsychological outcome, which is likely due to methodological limitations of the studies.Conclusions. This review strongly indicates that childhood stroke can affect a myriad of neuropsychological domains, with attention, speed of processing and executive function particularly vulnerable. Methodological issues, particularly around heterogeneous samples and measurement difficulties, limit the conclusions that can be drawn regarding the predictors of outcome.

The ability to accurately quantify and predict endurance performance is imperative when assessing the effects of training interventions, dietary regimes, equipment modifications, and/or alterations in athlete position or technique. Due to the invasive nature and excessive costs of traditional physiological and biomechanical determinants of endurance performance, performance-based determinants of performance have received considerable attention. 6. Phase II uphill time-trial and laboratory-based SDP results for all subjects..