Showing papers in "Perceptual and Motor Skills in 2003"
TL;DR: This study demonstrated the feasibility of studying different types of meditation with neuroimaging techniques, suggested that several coordinated cognitive processes occur during meditation, and also raised important methodological issues.
Abstract: Meditative practices typically require several coordinated cognitive activities This study measured changes in cerebral blood flow during "verbal" based meditation by Franciscan nuns involving the internal repetition of a particular phrase These results are compared with those we previously described in eight Buddhist meditators who use a type of "visualization" technique Three experienced practitioners of verbal meditation were injected via iv at rest with 260 MBq of Tc-99m HMPAO and scanned 30 min later on a triple head SPECT camera for 45 min Following the baseline scan, subjects meditated for approximately 40 min at which time they were injected with 925 MBq of HMPAO while they continued to meditate for 10 min more (total of 50 min of meditation) The injection during meditation was designed not to disturb practice Subjects were scanned 20 min later for 30 min Counts were obtained for regions of interest for major brain structures and normalized to whole-brain blood flow Compared to baseline, mean verbal meditation scans showed increased blood flow in the prefrontal cortex (71%), inferior parietal lobes (68%), and inferior frontal lobes (90%) There was a strong inverse correlation between the blood flow, change in the prefrontal cortex and in the ipsilateral superior parietal lobe (p<01) This study on a limited number of subjects demonstrated the feasibility of studying different types of meditation with neuroimaging techniques, suggested that several coordinated cognitive processes occur during meditation, and also raised important methodological issues
185 citations
TL;DR: Positive correlations between measures of overflow movements and measures of response inhibition suggest that closely associated neural mechanisms underlie these deficits and support hypotheses that age-inappropriate overflow reflects immaturity of cortical systems involved in automatic inhibition.
Abstract: Neurologic models proposed to explain mechanisms underlying ADHD have emphasized deficits in response inhibition. Age-inappropriate overflow movements, e.g., mirror movements, are motor signs thought to reflect immaturity in cortical systems involved in automatically (unconsciously, without explicit effort) inhibiting extraneous movement. We investigated the hypothesis that the presence of excessive overflow movements would predict measures of conscious, effortful response inhibition (conflicting and contralateral motor response tests) in children with ADHD. 42 children with ADHD and 30 controls, ages 8 through 12 years, participated. Children with ADHD showed significantly more overflow movements than did controls and made more errors on the conflicting and contralateral motor response tests. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that overflow movements predicted performance on measures of motor response inhibition. For one of those measures, the contralateral motor response test, there was a significant interaction with diagnosis, such that overflow predicted response inhibition in ADHD but not in controls. The findings suggest that overflow movements, which can be readily observed as part of clinical examination, are more evident in children with ADHD. Positive correlations between measures of overflow movements and measures of response inhibition suggest that closely associated neural mechanisms underlie these deficits and support hypotheses that age-inappropriate overflow reflects immaturity of cortical systems involved in automatic inhibition.
157 citations
TL;DR: It was concluded that the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory provides a temporally stable measure, given that perceived competence has not been markedly changed.
Abstract: To examine the temporal stability of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory a Greek version was administered to 144 undergraduate students after an endurance field test. The same procedure was repeated one week later. Factor analysis followed by varimax rotation showed that three factors (Perceived Competence, Interest/enjoyment, and Effort/importance) explained 65.26% of the total variance. Computed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were .61 for the Perceived Competence subscale, .86 for the Interest/enjoyment, .60 for the Effort/importance, and .70 for the overall scale. The results, however, were modified when the sample was divided in two groups. The first represented small changes in perceived competence between the first and the second measurement, while the second one represented large changes between the two measurements. Recalculated intraclass correlation coefficients for individuals whose Perceived Competence score remained relatively stable yield a high value (.92), whereas individuals whose Perceived Competence changed yield an extremely low value (.60). It was concluded that the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory provides a temporally stable measure, given that perceived competence has not been markedly changed.
125 citations
TL;DR: Kinematic data related to three factors of the movement characteristics: Speed, Force, and Directness indicated that kinematicData for evaluation of movement characteristics are useful for discrimination of the three emotional expressions in dance.
Abstract: This study was designed to investigate the relations between emotional expression and the movement characteristics. For this purpose, we used kinematic data related to three factors of the movement characteristics: Speed, Force, and Directness. In Exp. 1, we examined how the dancers expressed emotions when they used a certain body action and body part, and how they altered the movement characteristics. In Exp. 1, 10 female dancers were instructed to express three emotions, joy, sadness, and anger, by altering arm-movement characteristics. Analysis of variance indicated that the three exhibited emotional expressions had different movement characteristics. Discriminant analysis indicated that kinematic data for evaluation of movement characteristics are useful for discrimination of the three emotional expressions in dance. In Exp. 2, we investigated how naive observers perceived the type of emotion from the arm-movement characteristics. Analysis of variance showed that 22 observers accurately perceived each emotion distinguished from other emotions. Multiple regression analysis showed that specific movement characteristics influenced the perception of particular emotion.
115 citations
TL;DR: The current study examined the association between the absence and presence of signs reminding one to wash their hands and handwashing in public restrooms, and found that signs prompting handwashing behavior remind restroom patrons of acceptable behavior.
Abstract: Handwashing after using the restroom is generally poor across the population, and one common method used to increase the frequency of handwashing is to place signs reminding individuals to wash their hands. The current study examined the association between the absence and presence of signs reminding one to wash their hands and handwashing in public restrooms. Signs prompting handwashing behavior remind restroom patrons of acceptable behavior, and the presence of these signs is hypothesized to be associated with an increase in handwashing. Observation of 175 individuals (95 women and 80 men) using public restrooms on a university campus indicated that 61% of the women and 37% of the men observed washed their hands, e.g., washing hands with soap, in the absence of the sign, and 97% of the women and 35% of the men observed washed their hands in the presence of the sign. Further, 53% of the men and 38% of the women observed rinsed their hands, e.g., washing hands without soap, in the absence of the sign, and 55% of the men and 2% of the women observed rinsed their hands in the presence of the sign. Results are discussed in terms of possible factors associated with sex differences in handwashing and the absence and presence of visual prompts for handwashing behavior.
110 citations
TL;DR: Investigation of whether the perception of pain varies by phases of the menstrual cycle showed there were phase differences in pain ratings during the menstrual period, consistent with other studies showing less pain sensitivity during phases ofThe menstrual cycle associated with high estrogen.
Abstract: The menstrual cycle has been reported to alter pain perception but the patterns differ among studies. It has been reported that estrogens may influence somatic sensory processes. The present aim was to investigate whether the perception of pain varies by phases of the menstrual cycle. 20 women with chronic low pain volunteered to participate and were asked to rate their pain each day during three successive menstrual cycles. The menstrual cycle was divided into four and five phases to be able to compare results. Analysis showed there were phase differences in pain ratings during the menstrual cycle. Regardless of whether the menstrual cycle was divided into four or five phases, women rated pain significantly higher in the menstrual and premenstrual phases than in the midmenstrual and ovulatory phases. This is consistent with other studies showing less pain sensitivity during phases of the menstrual cycle associated with high estrogen. Women with high pain frequency reported more frequency a passive coping...
108 citations
TL;DR: Grip strength is typically greater on the dominant than on the nondominant side, but the difference between sides varies widely among studies and depends on whether individuals are right- or left-hand dominant.
Abstract: 10 studies that included comparisons of dominant and nondominant grip strength are summarized. Grip strength is typically greater on the dominant than on the nondominant side, but the difference between sides varies widely among studies and depends on whether individuals are right- or left-hand dominant. Available information may be insufficient to justify using between-side comparisons to make judgments about grip-strength impairments.
107 citations
TL;DR: The velocity of throwing when instruction emphasized accuracy was approximately 85% of the maximal velocity, indicating that experienced team handball players are trained to throw accurately at relatively high velocity.
Abstract: This study investigated the influence of instruction on the ball velocity and accuracy of a goal-directed overarm throw. 9 experienced Norwegian male team handball players executed a throwing task randomly seven times under 5 different instructions varying from emphasizing speed to accuracy. When instructions increasingly emphasized accuracy, velocity decreased. However, accuracy did not improve when subjects were instructed to focus on it. A possible explanation for this finding could lie in the specific subject group. The subjects were highly experienced team handball players with an average of 12 years in the sport. Thus, the accuracy they demonstrated at high velocity might actually be already extremely high and difficult to improve upon when reducing throwing velocity. Further, the velocity of throwing when instruction emphasized accuracy was approximately 85% of the maximal velocity, indicating that experienced team handball players are trained to throw accurately at relatively high velocity.
103 citations
TL;DR: The results show some alterations on the metabolic, hormonal, and psychological variables over the five fields studied, suggesting that combined psychological and physiological changes during training are of primary interest to monitor the training stress in relation to performance in team sport.
Abstract: We examined changes in the haematological, metabolic, immunological, hormonal, and psychological fields using selected variables in 20 professional soccer players. over the course of a competitive season. The team performance was assessed by computing the winning percentage. A symptom checklist was used to assess the severity of upper respiratory tract infections. A high-intensity training programme induced a significant increase in cortisol and uric acid concentrations. Despite lower glutamine concentrations than the normal range throughout the study, infection occurred only in two of the soccer players. Moreover, the levels of immunological factors IgA, IgG, and IgM, and the haematological parameters were unaltered. Subsequent decreased performance coincided with changes in specific mood states of the team. Our results show some alterations on the metabolic, hormonal, and psychological variables over the five fields studied, suggesting that combined psychological and physiological changes during training are of primary interest to monitor the training stress in relation to performance in team sport.
100 citations
TL;DR: Results for 9 experienced male team handball players showed type of instruction affected the maximal ball velocity, reflecting the significant difference in maximal linear velocity of the wrist, elbow, and hip segments together with their absolute timing before ball release.
Abstract: On motor tasks like the overarm throw, velocity and accuracy are two important parameters of performance that may be incompatible and require different strategies in the execution of the motor task...
94 citations
TL;DR: A computerized digitizer system was used to examine the tendency of poor writers to pause while writing to suggest possible underlying perceptual-motor difficulties, which could be considered when planning effective handwriting interventions.
Abstract: From 10 to 30% of elementary school-aged children have handwriting difficulties. Examination of such difficulties is important given the variety of academic, emotional, and social consequences that they can impose. One such common problem is the tendency of children to pause while writing. Thus the objective of this study was to use a computerized digitizer system to examine the tendency of poor writers to pause while writing. Handwriting samples of varying type and length were collected from Grade 3 students, 50 of whom were proficient writers and 50 of whom were poor writers as judged by a questionnaire completed by the classroom teachers and verified by the Hebrew Handwriting Evaluation. Analysis indicated that the so-called pauses are not stationary breaks between the writing of successive segments because letters and words were usually associated with considerable movement of the pen above the writing surface. This In Air writing occurred with significantly greater frequency for poor writers than for the proficient writers in most handwriting tasks. The results suggest possible underlying perceptual-motor difficulties, which could be considered when planning effective handwriting interventions.
TL;DR: Analysis showed that postural stability in eyes open, eyes closed, and swaying vision conditions, the duration of one leg standing, and theduration of maintaining a heel-to-toe position were significantly correlated with gross motor ability.
Abstract: To investigate the relations between the balance function and gross motor ability, we recruited 15 children with cerebral palsy from 5 to 12 years in age. Balance function was tested by the Smart Balance Master System and by clinical tests. The Motor Age test was used to test gross motor ability. Analysis showed that postural stability in eyes open, eyes closed, and swaying vision conditions (visual surrounding swaying with body sway), the duration of one leg standing, and the duration of maintaining a heel-to-toe position were significantly correlated with gross motor ability. Postural stability in the eyes-closed condition was the best predicting factor and could explain 64% of the variability of gross motor ability. Whether the training of postural stability in eyes-closed condition can improve the gross motor function needs further study.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The findings concur with previous work indicating superior hardiness is related to improved performance in sports.
Abstract: This study examined the relations between demographic characteristics of rugby players and selected aspects of psychological performance in rugby league football Mental toughness was assessed using Psychological Performance Inventory and Hardiness on the Personal Views Survey III-R Participants (N=70) were international rugby league footballers representing four teams (Wales, France, Ireland, England) in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup Participants completed the questionnaires in training camp Welsh-nationality players had a significantly higher mean score on two of the hardiness subscales Hardiness measures displayed the greatest and most frequently statistically significant differences The findings concur with previous work indicating superior hardiness is related to improved performance in sports
TL;DR: Hevner's checklist has been widely used to measure emotional responses to music and 133 musically experienced people were surveyed regarding the suitability of a list of 91 adjectives in describing music.
Abstract: Hevner's checklist has been widely used to measure emotional responses to music. Since the revision of the checklist by Farnsworth in the 1950s and l960s, the list has not been updated. 133 musically experienced people were surveyed regarding the suitability of a list of 91 adjectives in describing music. The words consisted of the original 67 from Hevner's adjective circle, and additional words were taken from Russell's circumplex model of emotion (1980) and Whissell's dictionary of affect (1989). The words and clusters were then grouped according to their position on a two-dimensional emotion space. Some of the words used by Hevner but dropped by Farnsworth were reinstated, and 15 other words were dropped. The final list consisted of 46 words grouped into nine clusters in emotion space.
TL;DR: It is suggested that mensurable differences in mesial temporal volumes during adolescence are reliably associated with long-term cognitive abilities, particularly academic skills and the acquisition of intellectual knowledge, and that these relationships may differ as a function of the sex of the child.
Abstract: Adolescent development involves progressive changes in brain structure and cognitive function, but relatively few studies have documented the cognitive correlates of differences in structural brain volumes in this age group. We examined the relations among age, cognitive processing, and mesial temporal lobe volume in 37 children and adolescents. Participants completed a brief cognitive assessment battery and underwent volumetric structural magnetic resonance imaging. For the sample as a whole, amygdala volume correlated positively with age, and larger volumes of both the left and right amygdala were significantly associated with better performance on several cognitive tasks assessing academic skills and acquired knowledge in long-term memory. In contrast, hippocampal volumes did not correlate with adolescents' age and were less frequently correlated with cognitive performance. Amygdala volumes were most predictive of cognitive abilities in boys, whereas for girls, the volume of the hippocampus contributed...
TL;DR: A large number believe persons who stutter are shy, self-conscious, anxious people who lack confidence, while many also believe they would not be embarrassed talking to someone who stutters, that they have average or above average intelligence, and are capable of holding responsible work-related positions.
Abstract: Research suggests that many people hold pervasive negative stereotypes towards persons who stutter and that to date, success in changing these attitudes has been limited. However, few studies have selected people who had not had direct contact with a person who stutters or employed a true randomized and stratified selection of people from the community to assess attitudes towards stuttering. To assess stereotypes, a randomized and stratified investigation was conducted by telephone interview to assess the type of stereotypes 502 people from households in the state of New South Wales, Australia have about stuttering. Consenting persons were given a brief introduction to the research and a description of stuttering. Then they were asked if they or any person living in their household stuttered or whether they knew or had ever met any one who stuttered If answers were no, they were asked to participate. If they answered yes to either question they were thanked and not asked to participate. Analysis showed th...
TL;DR: Results of this preliminary study indicate that further research on motor development can shed light on the developmental psychopathology of ADHD.
Abstract: Although many children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are described as “clumsy,” there is relatively little research on problems in motor development in this population. We used a survey method to assess retrospectively developmental histories of 25 children with ADHD and 27 control children (ages 8–15 years). Children with ADHD reportedly had more difficulty than control children with both learning and performing a variety of motor skills, e.g., tying shoes, printing letters, playing sports. In contrast, parents reported few problems in their children's language development. Severity of motor problems was related to performance on specific IQ indices and reading and spelling tests. Given previous research on adverse consequences of clumsiness in children with attention deficits, results of this preliminary study indicate that further research on motor development can shed light on the developmental psychopathology of ADHD.
TL;DR: Analysis yielded differences between age groups on two factors (adversity and coachability) but no statistically significant differences between sexes, with older athletes better prepared to cope with the psychological distress involved in the game of badminton.
Abstract: The purpose was to examine age and sex differences in psychological skills among Greek badminton players. 85 badminton players completed a Greek version of the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 by Smith, Schutz, Smoll, and Ptacek, during the 2002 Greek Men's and Women's National Badminton Championship Tournament. Analysis yielded differences between age groups on two factors (adversity and coachability) but no statistically significant differences between sexes. Older athletes were better prepared to cope with the psychological distress involved in the game of badminton and reported better emotional self-control. Overall, results could help badminton athletes and coaches become more familiar with the sport-specific psychological skills involved in badminton.
TL;DR: Results suggest peppermint odor may promote a general arousal of attention, so participants stay focused on their task and increase performance.
Abstract: Previous research indicates the presence of certain odors is associated with enhanced task performance. The present study investigated use of peppermint odor during typing performance, memorization, and alphabetization. Participants completed the protocol twice--once with peppermint odor present and once without. Analysis indicated significant differences in the gross speed, net speed, and accuracy on the typing task, with odor associated with improved performance. Alphabetization also improved significantly under the odor condition but not typing duration or memorization. These results suggest peppermint odor may promote a general arousal of attention, so participants stay focused on their task and increase performance.
TL;DR: It is suggested that slow-release caffeine represents a valuable countermeasure that, in the case of partial sleep deprivation, is preferred to a nap when sleepiness has to be counteracted for a longer time.
Abstract: A driving simulator was used to evaluate the effectiveness of a 30-min. nap and 300-mg slow-release caffeine as countermeasures to drivers' sleepiness induced by partial sleep deprivation. 12 participants were allowed 45 hr. time in bed at the laboratory. Driving performance then was measured twice--at 9 a.m. and at 1 p.m.--by a 45-min. driving task on a simulator. Subjective sleepiness/alertness and mood were assessed four times on the Stanford Sleepiness Scale and the Profile of Mood States. Driving performance was assessed as Lane Drifting, Speed Deviation, and Accident Liability. A 30-min. nap opportunity and 300 mg of slow-release caffeine both were successful in counteracting drivers' sleepiness. The remedial effect of slow-release caffeine lasted longer than that of the nap, that is, it was also effective in the afternoon session. This suggests that slow-release caffeine represents a valuable countermeasure that, in the case of partial sleep deprivation, is preferred to a nap when sleepiness has to be counteracted for a longer time.
TL;DR: It is concluded that adults with Down syndrome are able to improve their aerobic capacity when performing a systematic and well-designed aerobic training program.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an aerobic training program on adults with Down syndrome. 25 male adults with Down syndrome (M age = 24.6 yr., [Qs = 45-60) participated in a 12-wk. exercise training study. Subjects were assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 10). Pre- and posttraining treadmill tests were performed to determine the following peak physiological parameters: heart rate (HR peak), peak minute ventilation (V(E) peak), peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak, absolute and relative), and time to exhaustion (min.). The experimental group underwent a 12-wk. interval training program. The control group received no structured exercise training during this period. Following the 12-wk. training program, significant improvements (p < .05) in peak physiological parameters were seen for the experimental group for VO2 peak (both relative and absolute). V(E) peak, and time to exhaustion. No significant improvements in peak physiologic parameters were seen in the control group. Consistent with prior research using similar subjects, we concluded that adults with Down syndrome are able to improve their aerobic capacity when performing a systematic and well-designed aerobic training program.
TL;DR: On intelligibility measures, older adults had significantly greater difficulty in understanding individuals with accented speech than the other two age groups, and ratings of comprehensibility were highly correlated with ratings of accentedness.
Abstract: This pilot study concerned the intelligibility of accented speech for listeners of different ages. 72 native speakers of English, representing three age groups (20-39, 40-59, 60 and older) listened to words and sentences produced by native speakers of English, Taiwanese, and Spanish. Listeners transcribed words and sentences. Listeners also rated speakers' comprehensibility, i.e., listeners' perceptions of difficulty in understanding utterances, and accentedness, i.e., how strong a speaker's foreign accent is perceived to be. On intelligibility measures, older adults had significantly greater difficulty in understanding individuals with accented speech than the other two age groups. Listeners, regardless of age, were more likely to provide correct responses if they perceived the speaker easier to understand. Ratings of comprehensibility were highly correlated with ratings of accentedness.
TL;DR: For a closed-book examination, study strategies that could promote deep processing correlated positively with scores but were not likely to be used by the 46 students, while for an open-book, open-note examination, strategies that might have led to confusion regarding the locations of material in the textbook and lecture notes correlated negatively with scores.
Abstract: For a closed-book examination, study strategies that could promote deep processing correlated positively with scores but were not likely to be used by the 46 students. For an open-book, open-note examination, strategies that might have led to confusion regarding the locations of material in the textbook and lecture notes correlated negatively with scores, although they were not likely to be used by the 58 students.
TL;DR: The relation of leg, shoulder, and grip strength to ball speed in the tennis serve was investigated and results were explained in terms of strength not being the only factor involved in producing ball speed during the Tennis serve.
Abstract: The relation of leg, shoulder, and grip strength to ball speed in the tennis serve was investigated. For 15 collegiate male tennis players, leg and shoulder strength were measured using a Lido Active isokinetic dynamometer, grip strength with a handgrip dynamometer, and ball speed with a radar gun. Regression analysis showed no significant (p<.05) relationship among the strength variables and ball speed. Results were explained in terms of strength not being the only factor involved in producing ball speed during the tennis serve.
TL;DR: The reduced patient and clinician burden of the subset of 5 items, as well as its desirable psychometric properties, support broader application of this subset of 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale as a screening tool for depression.
Abstract: Individuals with chronic disease are not screened routinely for depression. Availability of an abbreviated test with demonstrated reliability and validity might encourage screening so we explored the reliability and validity of a 5-item subset of the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale among innercity outpatients with chronic asthma or diabetes. Most patients were female (73.1%) and Hispanic (61.8%). Acceptable reliability was shown by Cronbach alpha (.76) for the subset of 5 items. Validity was supported by the high correlation of .91 between patients' scores on the 5-item subset and the full 20 items. The 5 items reflected a single factor (eigenvalue = 2.66). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified cut-points for the 5 items that were sensitive (> .84) and specific (≥ .80) in identifying patients classified as depressed by full 20 items. The reduced patient and clinician burden of the subset of 5 items, as well as its desirable psychometric properties, support...
TL;DR: The effect of aging on the time of spontaneous perceptual alternation in binocular rivalry was examined and a neural interval generator for perceptual switching is suggested.
Abstract: The effect of aging on the time of spontaneous perceptual alternation in binocular rivalry was examined in 59 subjects. An earlier study reported the change of alternation time by comparing middle-age and elderly subjects. We also observed age-related prolongation in alternation time by comparing subjects in a lower age group (20-34 years) with those in both a middle-age group (35-49 years) and a higher age group (50-64 years). Aging of visual optical functions such as presbyopia or the reduction of contrast sensitivity has an accelerating effect over age and may not be related to the age-associated monotonic prolongation of alternation time in binocular rivalry. The origin of aging in binocular rivalry is still unclear but a neural interval generator for perceptual switching is suggested.
TL;DR: Most facial and chewing muscles of adult humans showed greater responses to disliked than to preferred or less preferred tastes.
Abstract: To evaluate facial expression patterns induced by different taste stimuli, electromyograms (EMG) of the facial and chewing muscles of 12 healthy university students, aged 20 to 23 years, were analyzed. Sucrose (sweet), NaCl (salty), citric acid (sour), quinine-HCl (bitter), monosodium glutamate (MSG; umami), homogentisic acid (harsh), tannic acid (astringent), and capsaicine (pungent) were the taste stimuli used. Rating scale tests were made to assess the hedonics (pleasantness) of the taste stimuli. EMG responses of the corrugator supercilii, venter frontalis, orbicularis oculi, depressor anguli, and digastricus muscles to capsaicine, tannic, acid, and citric acid showed larger amplitudes than to NaCl, MSG, homogentisic acid, and sucrose. Increases in EMG responses for most facial and chewing muscles for the taste solutions had significant negative correlations to the solutions' hedonic scale values. Most facial and chewing muscles of adult humans therefore showed greater responses to disliked than to preferred or less preferred tastes.
TL;DR: Analysis indicated that, although Digit Span was a weak but statistically significant predictor of attentional ability, Picture Completion was a somewhat stronger predictor (accounting for 19% of the unique variance), question the clinical utility of usingDigit Span as a measure of everyday attention.
Abstract: This study investigated the effectiveness of the WAIS-III Digit Span subtest to predict the everyday attention of 75 participants with heterogeneous neurological conditions who were administered the Digit Span subtest as well as the ecologically valid Test of Everyday Attention. In addition, the more visually oriented Picture Completion subtest along with the verbally loaded National Adult Reading Test were administered. Analysis indicated that, although Digit Span was a weak but statistically significant predictor of attentional ability (accounting for 12.7% of the unique variance), Picture Completion was a somewhat stronger predictor (accounting for 19% of the unique variance). The weak association of Digit Span and the Test of Everyday Attention, along with the finding that Picture Completion was a better predictor of performance on the Test of Everyday Attention, question the clinical utility of using Digit Span as a measure of everyday attention.
TL;DR: Soccer scores indicated players scoring High on the Reinvestment Scale were more prone to reinvesting in controlled processing and essentially experiencing greater decreases in performance under pressure than those Low in Reinvestation, which support the predictive power of the Rein vesting Scale.
Abstract: This field-based study examined the action of reinvesting in controlled processing on 14 university soccer players to assess skill breakdown under pressure. Based on scores on the Reinvestment Scale of Masters, Polman, and Hammond, two experimental groups of participants were inferred to be dispositionally High or Low in Reinvestment. They performed a wall-volley soccer task, which involved kicking a ball repeatedly against a wall target zone for 90 sec. as defined by McMorris, Gibbs, Palmer, Payne, and Torpey in a High and Low Stress environment. Prior to each condition performers were required to complete the Anxiety Rating Scale. A series of two-way (reinvestment x stress) analyses of variance with repeated measures on stress were conducted on the Anxiety and soccer scores. Players scoring High on the Reinvestment Scale reported significantly greater Intensity for Somatic Anxiety and lower Self-confidence than players who scored Low in the High Stress condition. Anxiety Direction scores indicated players scoring High on the Reinvestment Scale reported their increase in Somatic Anxiety and reduction in Self-confidence in the High Stress condition to be significantly more debilitating of performance than players who scored Low on the Reinvestment Scale. Soccer scores indicated players scoring High on the Reinvestment Scale were more prone to reinvesting in controlled processing and essentially experiencing greater decreases in performance under pressure than those Low in Reinvestment. Therefore, these findings support the predictive power of the Reinvestment Scale.
TL;DR: There was little support for the notion that peripheral concentrations of catecholamines directly induce a central nervous system response, and increases in plasma concentrations of adrenaline and nor-adrenaline during exercise and power output would act as predictor variables of reaction and movement times during exercise.
Abstract: The primary purpose was to examine the effect of incremental exercise on a noncompatible response time task. Participants (N=9) undertook a 4-choice noncompatible response time task under 3 conditions, following rest and during exercise at 70% and 100% of their maximum power output. Reaction and movement times were the dependent variables. Maximum power output had been previously established on an incremental test to exhaustion. A repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance yielded a significant effect of exercise intensity on the task, observation of the separate univariate repeated-measures analyses of variance showed that only movement time was significantly affected. Post hoc Tukey tests indicated movement time during maximal intensity exercise was significantly faster than in the other two conditions. The secondary purpose of the study was to assess whether increases in plasma concentrations of adrenaline and nor-adrenaline during exercise and power output would act as predictor variables of reaction and movement times during exercise. Catecholamine concentrations were based on venous blood samples taken during the maximum power output test. None of the variables were significant predictors of reaction time. Only power output was a significant predictor of movement time (R2 = .24). There was little support for the notion that peripheral concentrations of catecholamines directly induce a central nervous system response.