Health Priorities in Australia & Performance Psychology

• The following notes cover health priorities in Australia, energy systems and the impact of psychology on performance

Core 1 - Health Priorities in Australia

• Epidemiology studies illness, disease, and death in populations to inform health decisions
• Health status is measured with indicators and measures

Indicators

• Prevalence: Total disease cases in a population at a specific time
• Incidence: Number of new disease cases in a population during a specific period
• Distribution: How a disease spreads across different groups
• Causes: Factors contributing to diseases

Measures

• Mortality: Death rates for specific conditions
• Infant Mortality: Infant deaths per 1,000 live births
• Morbidity: Illness rates within a population impacting quality of life
• Life Expectancy: Expected lifespan based on current mortality trends

Identifying Priority Health Issues

• Social Justice Principles
• Supportive Environments: Accessible and affordable health services
• Equity: Fair resource allocation, focusing on disadvantaged groups
• Diversity: Culturally sensitive healthcare

Additional Factors to Consider

• Individual Costs: Direct (medical fees, medications) and indirect costs (emotional strain, etc.)
• Community Costs: Healthcare system and workforce-related costs
• Priority Population Groups: Groups with higher illness and disease rates

Groups Experiencing Health Inequities

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
• Health inequities include nearly double the mortality rate of non-Indigenous Australians, approximately 10 years less life expectancy and twice the Indigenous rate of preventable conditions
• Determinants are sociocultural which include, single-parent families, socioeconomic disadvantage (49% of Indigenous Australians live in the lowest income quintile), and environment, which limits healthcare access
• Roles include individuals embracing healthier lifestyles, communities providing scholarships for Indigenous healthcare professionals as well as government initiatives like 'Close the Gap'

Socioeconomically Disadvantaged People

• Characteristics: Higher rates of smoking and obesity
• Health Impact: Reduced life expectancy (4-6 years less) and higher rates of chronic diseases
• Determinants: Poor education and limited access to healthy food and healthcare

Rural and Remote Residents

• Health Inequities: Higher rates of cancer, mental health issues, diabetes, and chronic injuries
• Challenges: Geographic isolation and limited healthcare access
• Government Initiatives: National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program (NRRHIP)

High Levels of Preventable Chronic Disease, Injury, and Mental Health Problems

• Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
• A leading cause of mortality in Australia
• Encompasses conditions affecting the heart and circulatory system and includes coronary heart disease, stroke, and hypertension
• Risk Factors are smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet are

Cancer

• A leading cause of death
• Caused by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells forming malignant tumours
• Risk Factors are family history, smoking, UV exposure, and obesity
• Protective Factors: Early screening programs, sun protection, avoiding tobacco, and maintaining a healthy diet.

Diabetes

• Characterized by the body being unable to regulate glucose levels due to insulin resistance or insufficient production.
• Type 2 accounts for 85% of all cases and has been linked to rising obesity rates
• Risk Factors: Obesity, poor diet, inactivity, family history, and ethnic predispositions

A Growing and Ageing Population

• Healthy Ageing: Encouraging lifelong healthy behaviors
• Chronic Disease: Older populations experience more chronic diseases
• Service Demand: Increased need for aged care services and trained professionals
• Aged Care Reform (2014): $3.7 billion to improve aged care quality and services
• Superannuation and Pensions: Encourages financial independence for retirees

Health Care Services in Australia

• Public Hospitals: Provide free care funded by Medicare
• Private Hospitals: Charge fees, often covered by insurance
• Nursing Homes: Offer long-term care for elderly individuals
• Ambulances: Provide emergency transport

Non-Institutional Services

• General Practitioners (GPs): First point of contact for medical care
• Specialists: Provide advanced care for specific conditions
• Allied Health Services: Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and pharmacists

Equity of Access

• Medicare: Funded by taxpayers, providing basic medical services
• Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS): Subsidizes prescription medications

Healthcare Financing in Australia

• Medicare provides basic medical services funded by the government and taxpayers

Health Care Spending Focus

• Healthcare spending is mostly allocated to treatment rather than prevention
• Growth Factors: Interest in holistic health and wellness practices.
• Types of Treatments:
  • Acupuncture: Pain relief
  • Aromatherapy: Using essential oils
  • Herbalism: Plant-based remedies
  • Chiropractic/Naturopathy: Manual therapies

Actions to Address Health Priorities

• Develop Personal Skills by way of health education
• Create Supportive Environments, with smoke-free zones and multilingual resources
• Strengthen Community Action, via community health initiatives
• Reorient Health Services with a focus on preventive care
• Build Healthy Public Policy via tobacco laws and road safety measures

Energy Systems in Sports

• Alactacid System (ATP/PC)
• Fuel: Creatine Phosphate (CP)
• Duration: 8-12 seconds
• Efficiency: Rapid ATP production, short burst
• Fatigue: Depletion of CP stores
• Lactic Acid System (Anaerobic Glycolysis)
• Fuel: Carbohydrates (glucose/glycogen)
• Duration: 10 seconds to 3 minutes
• Efficiency: Quick ATP production
• Fatigue: Accumulation of hydrogen ions (H*)
• Aerobic System
• Fuel: Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
• Duration: Long periods (hours)
• Efficiency: Highly efficient, sustained energy
• Fatigue: Depletion of glycogen stores

Types of Training Methods

• Aerobic Training for heart health and body composition
• Methods are contionus, fartlek, interval, and circuit
• Anaerobic Training improving speed, power, and lactic acid tolerance
• Methods are plyometrics
• Flexibility Training for injury prevention
• Methods are static, PNF, and dynamic
• Strength Training to improve endurance

Principles of Training (V.W.T.R.P.S)

• Variety: Prevent boredom, maintain motivation
• Warm-Up & Cool-Down: Prevent injury
• Reversibility: Gains lost with inactivity
• Specificity: Matching training to sport's demands (muscle groups and energy systems used)
• 60-80% MHR is aerobic threshold
• 80-85% MHR is anaerobic threshold (lactate inflection point)

Physiological Changes in Response to Training

• Resting Heart Rate (RHR) decreases
• Stroke Volume (SV) increases
• Cardiac Output (CO) increases
• Oxygen Uptake (VO2 Max) increases
• Haemoglobin transport and oxygen improves

Impact of Psychology on Performance – Motivation

• Positive Motivation is driven by rewards and praise
• Negative Motivation is driven by fear of failure or loss
• Low arousal equals low motivation and a lack of focus
• High arousal equals excessive tension
• Concentration and attention techniques create mental rehearsal, as well as relaxation and goal setting

Nutritional Considerations

• Include complex carbs, sports drinks, and gels to promote hydration
• Avoid high-fat, high-protein foods

Carbohydrate Loading

• Recommended take is 7-12g of carbohydrates per kg of body weight.
• Training should also be tapered for competition preparation.

Hydration and Dehydration Risks

• Prevented with adequate fluid intake. Signs of dehydration include headache, nausea, dizziness, and cramps
• Macronutrients are carbohydrates and proteins -Micronutrients are zinc and iron