Managing training load in rugby union is crucial for optimising performance and injury prevention. Contact training warrants attention because of higher overall injury and head impact risk, yet players must develop physical, technical, and mental skills to withstand the demands of the game. To help coaches manage contact loads in professional rugby, World Rugby and International Rugby Players convened an expert working group. They conducted a global survey with players to develop contact load guidelines. This commentary aims to describe the contact load guidelines and their implementation, and identify areas where future work is needed to support their evolution.

ABSTRACT The effects of either functional oil or antibiotic growth promoter supplementation on broiler breeders and their offspring were assessed in 2 experiments. In Experiment I, 16,400 broiler breeders (22 weeks old) were distributed into 2 experimental groups, one supplemented with 1,500 ppm of a commercial blend of functional oils (active ingredients: cashew nutshell liquid and castor oil) and the other with 500 ppm of bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD). Laying rates, fertility, embryonic mortality, and egg characteristics were measured from weeks 25 to 46. In Experiment II, 720 one day old male chicks, born from 42 week old breeders, from each one of the two treatments in Experiment I, were supplemented with either 10 ppm of enramycin or 1,500 ppm of the same functional oils as in Experiment I to study whether there were any maternal diet carry-over effects. Functional oils decreased embryonic mortality from 11.01% to 9.64% (P < 0.03) when compared to BMD. However, a functional oil link increase in egg weight did not result in either heavier chicks or statistically significant better offspring performance. Nonetheless, a possible benefit of the functional oil supplementation on the offspring weight at 42 d cannot be excluded. The type of additive supplemented during Experiment II did not affect any performance parameters. In conclusion, functional oils could successfully replace antibiotic growth promoters in broiler breeders as embryonic mortality decreased. Finally, when functional oils were supplemented to the offspring, the performance was similar to that of a commonly used antibiotic growth promoter.

Background. Suicides account for a number of deaths that is higher than other traumatic deaths in Spain. Non-fatal suicidal behaviour occurs in a greater proportion than such behaviour with a deadly outcome. There are many causes for this behaviour and it is important to become familiar with them if it is to be prevented. The aim of this article is to describe the characteristics of non-mortal suicidal behaviour in the province of Granada. Method. A retrospective descriptive study of the characteristics of non-mortal suicidal behaviour in Granada during the years 2008 and 2009, according to the database of the Provincial 061 Service in Granada. The sample includes the demands made to this service in which the literal reason for the alert included the terms: suicide, self-harm or the threat of suicide. The statistical analysis was done with the SPSS 15.0 program. We analyzed the variable non-mortal suicidal behaviour with respect to the independent variables: sex, age, month, day of the week, time slot, health district, resolution of the demand (assigned priority) and further attempts. Results. In total we analyzed 535 demands typified as intentional self-injury by unspecified means. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing the data for the two years with respect to the month chosen, and in the relationship between age range and time slot of the suicide attempts. Conclusions. Despite its limitations, the characterization of suicidal behaviour in our province offers essential information, and could be useful in designing and developing a program of psychosocial intervention for the prevention of suicidal behaviour adjusted to the specific profiles of our population.

Fundamento. Los suicidios en España representan un número de muertes mayor que otras muertes traumáticas. Los comportamientos suicidas no mortales se producen en una proporción mayor que los que tienen fin mortal. Las causas de esta conducta son múltiples y es importante conocerlas para poder prevenirlas. El objetivo del presente trabajo es describir las características del comportamiento suicida no mortal en la provincia de Granada. Método. Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de las características del comportamiento suicida no mortal en Granada durante los años 2008 y 2009, según la base de datos del Servicio Provincial 061 de Granada. La muestra ha sido todas las demandas realizadas a este servicio en las que en el motivo literal de la alerta figuraron los términos suicidio, autolesión o amenaza suicida. El análisis estadístico se ha realizado con el programa SPSS 15.0. Se analizó la variable conducta suicida no mortal respecto de las variables independientes: sexo, edad, mes, día de la semana, franja horaria, distrito sanitario, resolución de la demanda (prioridad asignada) y reintentos. Resultados. Se analizaron en total 535 demandas tipificadas como lesión autoinflingida intencionalmente por medios no especificados. Se han encontrado diferencias estadísticamente significativas al comparar los datos de los dos años respecto del mes elegido, y en la relación entre rango de edad y franja horaria de los intentos de suicidio. Conclusiones. La caracterización de los intentos de suicidio en nuestra provincia ofrece información relevante, a pesar de sus limitaciones, y ayuda a determinar alguno de los parámetros en los que habrá que sustentar un futuro programa de intervención psicosocial para la prevención de estas conductas ajustado a los perfiles específicos de nuestra población.

Introduction. From the point of view of modern curative medicine, death is an undesirable consequence which should not be considered as a possibility. Although the development of palliative medicine is changing those attitudes, many organisational problems still persist. Methodology. In this article we present two end-of-life processes: one in a palliative care unit and one in conventional hospital units. Data were collected from family members a month after the patients' deaths. Data were qualitatively analysed using narrative analysis. Results. The knowledge or omission of diagnostic and prognostic makes all the difference in both processes and in the subsequent families' grief. Discussion. Being aware of the proximity of his death allows the patient and his family to elaborate advanced bereavement strategies and to keep a feeling of "self-control". Not knowing such a diagnostic is translated into a fruitless effort within the curative alternative. Palliative care has proven that when physical and emotional needs are taken into account in an end-of-life process, the patient's and family's frustration decrease.

Introducción. Desde el punto de vista de la medicina curativa actual la muerte es una consecuencia indeseable, que no debe contemplarse como una posibilidad. El desarrollo de la medicina paliativa está cambiando estas mentalidades, aunque persisten aún muchos problemas organizativos. Metodología. En este artículo presentamos dos procesos de fin de vida: en una unidad de cuidados paliativos y en unidades hospitalarias convencionales. Los datos se recogieron a través de familiares trascurrido un mes desde su fallecimiento. Los datos se analizaron cualitativamente mediante análisis narrativo. Resultados. El conocimiento u omisión del diagnóstico y del pronóstico marca la diferencia entre los dos procesos y el posterior duelo de la familia. Discusión. El conocimiento de la cercanía de la propia muerte permite al paciente y a la familia elaborar estrategias de duelo anticipado y contribuye a afianzar la sensación de “auto-control”. El desconocimiento de dicho diagnóstico se traduce en un esfuerzo infructuoso por la alternativa curativa. Los cuidados paliativos han demostrado que cuando las necesidades físicas y emocionales de los procesos de fin de vida son tenidas en cuenta disminuye la frustración en el paciente y la familia.