Showing papers in "Perceptual and Motor Skills in 2013"
TL;DR: The total skill score was significantly associated with physical activity, explaining 13%, 16%, and 16% of the variance in total, moderate- to-vigorous, and light-to-Vigorous physical activity.
Abstract: This study evaluated the relationships between objectively measured physical activity and fundamental motor skills in 4-year-old children. Physical activity was monitored in 20 girls and 17 boys over 5 consecutive days (3 days at preschool and 2 days at home) and their fundamental motor skills measured. Multiple linear regressions controlled for sex, age, and body mass index indicated that the total skill score was significantly associated with physical activity, explaining 13%, 16%, and 16% of the variance in total, moderate-to-vigorous, and light-to-vigorous physical activity, respectively. Sliding and galloping were significantly associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and throwing and catching combination was significantly associated with total, moderate-to-vigorous, and light-to-vigorous physical activity. The findings warrant future investigations with larger samples to examine the relationship between locomotor, manipulative skills, and physical activity behaviors.
64 citations
TL;DR: Differences between the dominant and non-dominant hands were found for tapping rate, movement initiation, and button down times, and the decline in tapping rate over the successive, 10-sec.
Abstract: Computerized measures of digit tapping rate were obtained over 3 successive, 10-sec. periods in the right and left index fingers, from a community sample of 1,519 participants (ages 18 to 65 years; 607 men, 912 women). Differences between the dominant and non-dominant hands were found for tapping rate, movement initiation, and button down times, and the decline in tapping rate over the successive, 10-sec. periods. Declines were found in tapping rate in older participants in association with increased intertap variability. Men had higher tapping rates than women in all age ranges. The computerized finger tapping test is an efficient and precise measure of tapping speed and kinetics of potential utility in research and clinical studies of motor performance.
55 citations
TL;DR: Overweight children showed lower performance on gross motor skills, manual dexterity, and intelligence compared to healthy weight children, even after controlling for the effects of social class and immigration status.
Abstract: Gross and fine motor skills and cognitive performance in obese and overweight children were compared to healthy weight children. Participants were 1,543 children (797 boys and 746 girls) ages 43 to 84 months, attending childcare centers in Munich, Germany. According to German Body Mass Index (BMI) standards for age and sex, 4.6% of the children were classified as obese (percentile greater or equal 97), 6.8% as overweight (percentile greater or equal 90 and less than 97), 5.9% as underweight (percentile less than 10), and 83.1% as being of healthy weight. Dependent variables were physical characteristics (height, weight, skinfold thickness), physical fitness (standing broad jump, shuttle run, hanging), body coordination (balancing forward, balancing backward, lateral jump, hopping), manual dexterity (right and left hand), and cognitive performance (intelligence, verbal ability, concentration). Higher proportions of children from lower socioeconomic and immigrant backgrounds were overweight. There was no association between weight and sex. Overweight children showed lower performance on gross motor skills (coordination and fitness), manual dexterity, and intelligence compared to healthy weight children, even after controlling for the effects of social class and immigration status.
53 citations
TL;DR: The group with intellectual disability performed at a statistically significantly lower level on the Gross Motor Quotient, Locomotor, and Object Control subtests of TGMD–2, compared to the group without intellectual disability.
Abstract: This investigation examined differences in motor skill development between Finnish children (12 boys, 8 girls) with mild intellectual disability and typically developing Finnish children between the ages of 7 and 11 years. Ulrich's Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD) assessed the performances of 20 children with intellectual disability and an age- and sex-matched sample of 20 children without disabilities. Videotaped performances were assessed by the authors who were very familiar with the TGMD-2. The group with intellectual disability performed at a statistically significantly lower level on the Gross Motor Quotient, Locomotor, and Object Control subtests of TGMD-2, compared to the group without intellectual disability. The delay was equivalent to 3 to 4 years behind the Finnish normative group in gross motor development. In five out of 12 subtests, the group with intellectual disability achieved 0% mastery. Given low gross motor skills, children with intellectual disability require additional fundamental motor skill training in their active school or free time.
50 citations
TL;DR: The professional group had higher scores compared to semi-professional and amateur groups with regard to confidence, positive cognition, and determination, and supported previous work that athletes performing at higher levels have superior mental toughness.
Abstract: Summary.—This study investigated whether mental toughness distinguishes mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes competing at different levels. It was theorized that higher mental toughness would separate those competing at the professional level compared to lower levels. Male MMA competitors (N = 136, M age = 27.1 yr., SD = 4.8) were categorized as amateur, semi-professional, or professional and assessed by questionnaire using the Psychological Performance Inventory–A and the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire. There were statistically significant differences between the three groups on mental toughness. The professional group had higher scores compared to semi-professional and amateur groups with regard to confidence, positive cognition, and determination. The findings supported previous work that athletes performing at higher levels have superior mental toughness.
48 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that fine and gross motor difficulties of children with ASD may be related to their delayed sensory processing to visual, auditory, tactile, and movement stimuli, and that this hypothesis needs to be tested in future research.
Abstract: Research to examine both sensory processing and motor skill performance in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is limited This study assessed whether children with ASD would show sensory and motor delays compared to typically developing children and examined the relationship between sensory processing and motor performance 32 children diagnosed with ASD were assessed using the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) and the Movement ABC-2 (MABC-2) The SSP measures children's sensory processing in daily life and the MABC-2 measures children's fine and gross motor skill performance Overall, the samples' scores on the SSP indicated atypical sensory processing and scores on the MABC-2 showed poorer fine and gross motor performance as compared to age-matched norms Furthermore, the samples' scores for sensory processing were positively correlated with their motor performance The results suggest that fine and gross motor difficulties of children with ASD may be related to their delayed sensory processing to visual, auditory, tactile, and movement stimuli, and that this hypothesis needs to be tested in future research
46 citations
TL;DR: The effects of a novel, 8-session, robot-child interaction protocol on the imitation and praxis skills of 15 typically developing children and one child with autism between 4 and 7 years of age were examined.
Abstract: Interactions between a robot and a child (robot-child interactions) provide a unique context to engage children in whole body movements through a reciprocal imitation game. The effects of a novel, 8-session, robot-child interaction protocol on the imitation and praxis skills of 15 typically developing children and one child with autism between 4 and 7 years of age were examined. A quasi-experimental observational comparison of pretest and posttest performance was conducted. A task-specific robot imitation test and a standardized praxis measure were coded for changes in imitation and praxis errors at pretest and posttest. All children showed improvements in task-specific imitation and generalized praxis. Interpretation is limited by the lack of a control group. These findings serve as a foundation for further investigation of robot-child interactions as a potential training tool for children with dyspraxia.
43 citations
TL;DR: Defensive speed, measured as the speed of the defence in response to the attacking line, was a statistically significant predictor of breakdown wins and preventing the attacking team from advancing towards the gain line.
Abstract: Success in rugby union competition is dependent partly on the defensive strategies of a team. Despite this, little empirical evidence exists about effective defensive strategies used during play. This study attempted to identify defensive characteristics associated with increased likelihood of a successful outcome in rugby union, while considering the game situation. Twenty-one matches of the 2010 Super 14 competition were analysed, amounting to 2,394 coded tackle contacts. The likelihood of the defending team winning the breakdown (the post-tackle contact situation where opposing teams compete for possession of the ball) increased as the match progressed. Defensive speed, measured as the speed of the defence in response to the attacking line, was a statistically significant predictor of breakdown wins and preventing the attacking team from advancing towards the gain line. Identifying the relative effectiveness of such strategies allows understanding of rugby match behaviour and may be applied to improve organisation, design, training, teaching and learning the game.
42 citations
TL;DR: Caffeinated gum is a viable means of rapidly attenuating sleep inertia, suggesting that the adenosine receptor system is involved in sleep maintenance.
Abstract: Naps are an effective strategy for maintaining alertness and cognitive performance; however, upon abrupt wakening from naps, sleep inertia (temporary performance degradation) may ensue. In the present study, attenuation of post-nap sleep inertia was attempted by administration of caffeine gum. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, 15 healthy, non-smoking adults were awakened at 1 hr. and again at 6 hr. after lights out (0100 and 0600, respectively) and were immediately administered a gum pellet containing 100 mg of caffeine or placebo. A 5-min. psychomotor vigilance task was administered at 0 min., 6 min., 12 min., and 18 min. post-awakening. At 0100, response speed with caffeine was significantly better at 12 min. and 18 min. post-awakening compared to placebo; at 0600, caffeine's effects were evident at 18 min. post-awakening. Caffeinated gum is a viable means of rapidly attenuating sleep inertia, suggesting that the adenosine receptor system is involved in sleep maintenance.
42 citations
TL;DR: Higher intrinsic motivation predicted better aerobic fitness, and stronger, introjected regulation predicted higher body fat composition, which has implications for fitness professionals and physical educators.
Abstract: This study examined relationships between exercise motives, exercise behavioral regulations, and physical fitness in college students. It was hypothesized that more intrinsic motives and more self-determined regulations would be associated with better fitness. Exercise motives of students participating in physical activity classes (N = 194) were assessed using the Motives for Physical Activity Measure-Revised (MPAM-R) and behavioral regulations were assessed with the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire 2 (BREQ-2). Aerobic fitness was assessed using the PACER run test, and body composition was assessed using hand-held, bio-electric impedance analyzers. MPAM-R and BREQ-2 subscales were regressed onto the two fitness measures. For the MPAM-R, stronger competence and fitness motives predicted better fitness and stronger appearance motives predicted worse fitness. For the BREQ-2, higher intrinsic motivation predicted better aerobic fitness, and stronger, introjected regulation predicted higher body fat composition. These findings have implications for fitness professionals and physical educators.
39 citations
TL;DR: Preliminary findings suggest that chronotype is likely to influence the responses to exercise, mostly with evening-types seeming at a disadvantage when performing a physical task in the morning.
Abstract: The response to sub-maximal physical activity performed in the morning and late afternoon by individuals with different chronotypes was investigated. 22 participants filled out the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire and underwent a self-paced walking task that consisted of walking from the top to the bottom of a hill and back three times (1,836 meters, with a slope of 14.16%). The task was repeated twice: late afternoon (16:30) and early morning (08:30). Walking speed (time for completion in seconds), heart rate, and perceived exertion were measured during each task, with overall results given as a general descriptive analysis. Preliminary findings suggest that chronotype is likely to influence the responses to exercise, mostly with evening-types seeming at a disadvantage when performing a physical task in the morning. Individuals can be classified by circadian typology or chronotype, which is the propensity to be a morning-type, evening-type, or neither-type. The circadian typology, commonly referred to as being a morning person or an evening person or somewhere in between, is involved not only in the expression of physiological rhythms, but also in habits and lifestyles, such as sleeping patterns (Park, Matsumoto, Seo, & Shinkoda, 1999) that emerge especially during adolescence (Park, Matsumoto, Seo, Kang, & Nagashima, 2002) and remain throughout adult life (Koukkari & Sothern, 2006).
TL;DR: The present study investigated various factors influencing pedestrian speed within the city of Hradec Králové and the relationship between urban environmental design and stress reduction.
Abstract: The present study investigated various factors influencing pedestrian speed. Undergraduate students who were registered in psychology courses participated in three studies (Study 1: N = 71, M age = 20.3 yr., 37 women; Study 2: N = 92, M age = 19.6 yr., 48 women; Study 3: N =108, M age = 20.4 yr., 56 women). They were required to walk within the city of Hradec Kralove (Czech Republic) along a route consisting of streets with various amounts of vegetation, traffic intensity, and noise. In Studies 1 to 3, participants tended to walk statistically significantly faster in sections without greenery and with more traffic, higher perceived noise, and more people than in sections with greenery and with less traffic, perceived noise, and fewer people. They also walked statistically significantly faster in less open spaces. In a fourth study, participants (N = 70, M age = 20.7 yr., 35 women) were asked to evaluate their emotional reactions to the environment (dimensions of pleasure, arousal, and dominance), as well as to the restorative qualities of the environment. In sections where participants reported more positive emotions and higher restoration, the walking speed was statistically significantly slower. The results are discussed in terms of the relationship between urban environmental design and stress reduction.
TL;DR: Right-handed boys who stutter may have a defect in the feedforward cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical networks, which may represent a vulnerability that perturbs speech planning/preparation and contributes to inefficiencies in action-perception coupling.
Abstract: A temporal motor defect in speech preparation and/or planning may contribute to the development of stuttering This defect may be linked to a dysfunctional cortical-subcortical network at the level of the striatum To determine whether structural differences exist and whether group differences are associated with stuttering severity or manual laterality, the caudate was measured in 14 children who stutter (CWS) and in a control group of right-handed boys, ages 8-13 years There was a statistically significant hemisphere by group effect for caudate volume CWS had reduced right caudate volume and atypical leftward asymmetry compared to controls Nine of the 13 CWS with atypical caudate asymmetry had atypical manual laterality These anomalies may represent a vulnerability that perturbs speech planning/preparation and contributes to inefficiencies in action-perception coupling that may be an indicator of stuttering susceptibility These results suggest that right-handed boys who stutter may have a defect in the feedforward cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical networks
TL;DR: The findings indicate that athletes wearing red may have an advantage over their opponents in competing against red-clad opponents.
Abstract: This study examined the proposition that competing against red-clad opponents hinders the performance of soccer (football) athletes. 40 experienced players took 10 penalty kicks against a goalkeeper wearing a black jersey and, 1 week later, took 10 penalty kicks against a goalkeeper wearing either a red, green, blue, or yellow jersey. Prior to each set of kicks, participants reported their expectancy of success. Players facing red-clad goalkeepers scored on fewer penalty kicks than those facing either blue- or green-clad goalkeepers, but no differences in expectancy of success emerged. The findings indicate that athletes wearing red may have an advantage over their opponents.
TL;DR: The EEG β and EEG α were effective for measuring visual fatigue in short- and long-duration tasks, respectively, and were the most effective power indexes for the visual fatigue measure.
Abstract: Electroencephalography (EEG) is widely used in cognitive and behavioral research. This study evaluates the effectiveness of using the EEG power index to measure visual fatigue. Three common visual fatigue measures, critical-flicker fusion (CFF), near-point accommodation (NPA), and subjective eye-fatigue rating, were used for comparison. The study participants were 20 men with a mean age of 20.4 yr. (SD = 1.5). The experimental task was a car-racing video game. Results indicated that the EEG power indices were valid as a visual fatigue measure and the sensitivity of the objective measures (CFF and EEG power index) was higher than the subjective measure. The EEG beta and EEG alpha were effective for measuring visual fatigue in short- and long-duration tasks, respectively. EEG beta/alpha were the most effective power indexes for the visual fatigue measure.
TL;DR: To assess the relation between the acceptance of using gamesmanship and cheating in sports and the type of motivational climate created by coaches and parents, the sample consisted of 110 soccer, basketball, and handball players from the Balearic Islands.
Abstract: The goal was to assess the relation between the acceptance of using gamesmanship and cheating in sports and the type of motivational climate created by coaches and parents. The sample consisted of 110 soccer, basketball, and handball players from the Balearic Islands competition (70 boys, 40 girls; M age = 14.7 yr., SD = 2.1, range 10-19). As for the motivational climate generated by coaches, task climate was negatively related to the acceptance of gamesmanship and cheating, but ego climate was related to higher acceptance. Motivational climate generated by parents was not related to acceptance of cheating or gamesmanship.
TL;DR: A principal component analysis involving 322 college students produced four factors including 21 of the original 28 items, which was similar to the original scale with respect to its relations with GPA, attendance, and measures of Academic Entitlement, procrastination, depression, and anxiety.
Abstract: This study presents a revision of Trice's (1985) Academic Locus of Control Scale for College Students. A principal component analysis involving 322 college students produced four factors including 21 of the original 28 items. Inspection of the seven items not included in the four-factor solution suggested that they could be eliminated on both content and technical grounds. The resulting revised scale was similar to the original scale with respect to its relations with GPA, attendance, and measures of Academic Entitlement, procrastination, depression, and anxiety.
TL;DR: The results suggest that the importance of general coordination for sport-specific skills improvements during a sports-specific skill acquisition phase, remains high at the skill refinement phase, and decreases when sport- specific skills have been mastered to near-perfection.
Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationships
between general coordination, sport-specifi c coordination, and sport-specifi c
fi tness of 8- to 17-year-old male basketball players. 312 males with training experience
ranging from one year in the 8-year-old cohort up to 10 years for the 17-yearolds
performed basketball-specifi c fi tness (20 m sprint, Illinois, countermovement
jump), general coordination (20 m run with three obstacles), semi-basketball-specifi
c coordination (20 m sprint dribbling two balls, countermovement jump with
arm swing) and basketball-specifi c coordination (Illinois ball dribbling) tests. There
were moderate to large correlations between the results of both general and basketball-
specifi c coordination with the results of most basketball-specifi c coordination
tests in all age groups. Correlations between general and basketball-specifi c coordination
were large in four age groups (11–14 yr., r = .52 to r = .76), moderate in fi ve
groups (8–10, 15 & 16 yr., r = .37 to r = .46), while not signifi cant in the 17-year-olds.
These results suggest that the importance of general coordination for sport-specifi c
skills improvements during a sports-specifi c skill acquisition phase, remains high
at the skill refi nement phase, and decreases when sport-specifi c skills have been
mastered to near-perfection.
TL;DR: Electrophysiological evidence is provided that the LPP evoked by emotional faces is modulated by the menstrual cycle, which may be correlated with fluctuations of ovarian hormones.
Abstract: The objective of the present study was to elucidate the time course and neural basis of facial expression recognition as modulated by the menstrual cycle in women. Event-related potentials (ERPs) associated with recognition of different emotional faces were assessed in 29 healthy women during the premenstrual, post-menstrual, and periovulation phases of the menstrual cycle. Accuracy in recognizing different facial expressions was not affected by the menstrual cycle phase. ERP data indicated that only the late positive potential (LPP) was affected by the menstrual cycle phase for all facial expressions: during the periovulation phase, the amplitude of the LPP (750 to 1,000 msec. post-stimulus) was larger than that during the premenstrual phase. A positive correlation between the amplitude of the LPP and facial expression recognition performance was observed only during the periovulation phase. The present study provides electrophysiological evidence that the LPP evoked by emotional faces is modulated by the menstrual cycle, which may be correlated with fluctuations of ovarian hormones.
TL;DR: It is indicated that children from private preschools performed better on locomotor skills than those from public preschools, but no difference was found in object control skills.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of preschool type (public vs private) on motor skill performance in 239 (121 boys, 118 girls) preschool children ages 3 to 6.5 yr. Preschoolers were tested on 12 fundamental motor skills from the Test of Gross Motor Development-Second Edition and 11 anthropometrics (body height, weight, Body Mass Index, waist and hip girths, and body segment lengths). Analysis of variance controlled for anthropometrics and age indicated that children from private preschools performed better on locomotor skills than those from public preschools. However, no difference was found in object control skills. The results suggest that performance of locomotor skills by preschool children is affected by their schools' physical environment.
TL;DR: After structured peer assessment, participants of the trained group became critical of their own work and invested more effort in spontaneous revision to produce higher-quality argumentative writing.
Abstract: Summary.—This quasi-experimental study investigated the effect of structured peer assessment on revision of an argumentative writing. Two intact classes (N = 22, 26) were randomly assigned to be the trained and control groups. The latter received no facilitative resources, while the former participated in structured peer assessment based on Calibrated Peer ReviewTM, a web-based program purposefully designed for students to receive peer-assessment training, assess their peers’ writing, and make written commentary online. At the end of the treatment, both groups revised their writing. The trained group revised their writing more extensively, outperforming the control group on frequency and type of revision, as well as the holistic quality of argumentative writing. After structured peer assessment, participants of the trained group became critical of their own work and invested more effort in spontaneous revision to produce higher-quality argumentative writing.
TL;DR: The findings suggest that students in the intervention group increased their perceived competence, enjoyment, and physical activity over a 6-wk intervention, while the comparison group simply increased physical activityover time.
Abstract: This study was designed to explore the effects of a health-related physical fitness physical education model on students' physical activity, perceived competence, and enjoyment. 61 students (25 boys, 36 girls; M age = 12.6 yr., SD = 0.6) were assigned to two groups (health-related physical fitness physical education group, and traditional physical education group), and participated in one 50-min. weekly basketball class for 6 wk. Students' in-class physical activity was assessed using NL-1000 pedometers. The physical subscale of the Perceived Competence Scale for Children was employed to assess perceived competence, and children's enjoyment was measured using the Sport Enjoyment Scale. The findings suggest that students in the intervention group increased their perceived competence, enjoyment, and physical activity over a 6-wk. intervention, while the comparison group simply increased physical activity over time. Children in the intervention group had significantly greater enjoyment.
TL;DR: Left- to-right readers made more fixations on the left side of images and exhibited a significantly different left-lit image bias than right-to-left readers' choices, which draws attention to the influence that reading direction has on scanning distributions and lighting preferences.
Abstract: Summary.—The first language an individual learns has been shown to influence performance on cognitive tasks. Individuals who first learn to read and write in a left-to-right direction (native left-to-right readers) tend to bisect lines left of centre and draw counterclockwise circles, whereas those who learn to read and write from right-to-left (native right-to-left readers) will bisect lines closer to the objective centre and draw circles in a clockwise direction. The aim of the current study was to assess group differences in image preferences and eye movements when participants are simultaneously presented with an original and mirror image with an obvious illumination difference. Twenty native left-to-right readers (4 men, 16 women) and 25 native right-to-left readers (13 men, 12 women) participated. Left-to-right readers made more fixations on the left side of images and exhibited a significantly different left-lit image bias than right-to-left readers' choices. These results draw attention to the inf...
TL;DR: It is suggested that attentional focus affects children and adults similarly, but task complexity and sex moderate these effects, and an external focus resulted in faster times in retention than an internal focus, but only for males.
Abstract: The study tested whether age, sex, or task complexity moderate the effect of attentional focus on motor learning. Children (24 boys, 24 girls) and adults (24 men, 24 women) were assigned to an internal or external attentional focus, and were timed while riding either a Double Pedalo with handles (simple task) or without handles (complex task) over a distance of 7 meters. A Double Pedalo is a four-wheeled device that involves standing on two connected platforms, and alternately pushing them forward to make it move. Participants completed 20 acquisition trials, followed by a 24-hour retention test. For the simpler task, no time differences due to attentional focus emerged. With the complex task, an external focus resulted in faster times in retention than an internal focus, but only for males. These findings suggest that attentional focus affects children and adults similarly, but task complexity and sex moderate these effects.
TL;DR: RPE was significantly different between sets at 50%, 70%, and 90% when performed to a pre-determined number of repetitions, but not during volitional failure, suggesting that fatigue may confound the relationship between RPE and intensity.
Abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effect of resistance exercise performed to volitional failure on ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) using power as an indication of fatigue. 12 male participants (M age = 21.9 yr., SD = 1.3) performed one set of back squats at three different intensities (50%, 70%, and 90% of one repetition maximum) for both a pre-determined number of repetitions (3) and to volitional failure. RPE was significantly different between sets at 50%, 70%, and 90% when performed to a pre-determined number of repetitions, but not during volitional failure. A decrease in power between the first and the last repetitions in the volitional failure sets suggests that fatigue may confound the relationship between RPE and intensity.
TL;DR: This study tested whether proprioceptive discrimination of movement is a global, general ability, or an attribute that is specific to the joint tested, and found sensitivity to the proprioception that underlies movement control is site-specific.
Abstract: This study tested whether proprioceptive discrimination of movement is a global, general ability, or an attribute that is specific to the joint tested. 40 right-handed, healthy, young adults (19 men, 21 women; M age = 20.4 yr., SD = 1.7) volunteered. A battery of versions of the Active Movement Extent Discrimination Apparatus (AMEDA) were employed to generate the stimuli for movements of different extents at the ankle, knee, spine, shoulder, and finger; discrimination accuracy scores were derived from participants' responses. No significant correlations were found between the discrimination scores from the five sites (all rs ≤ .21, all ps ≥ .20). This finding extends a previous report of non-significantly correlated proprioception test scores at two lower limb sites, and the findings taken together suggest that rather than proprioception being a global, general ability, sensitivity to the proprioception that underlies movement control is site-specific.
TL;DR: It is suggested that an athlete's “internal dialogue” is intensity dependent, and may relate to the more urgent need to self-monitor physical changes and sensations during high-intensity running.
Abstract: This study examined the effect of low- and high-intensity running on cognitive thoughts (an individual's "inner dialogue") and its relationship to ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Cognitive thoughts and RPE of eight runners were collected during a 40-min. treadmill run at either a low (50% peak running speed) or a high (70% peak running speed) exercise intensity. Runners were asked to place their thoughts into one of 10 themed categories, which incorporated a broad association/dissociation classification (Schomer, 1986, 1987). At a low intensity and RPE (6-10), runners reported more dissociative thoughts, while at a high intensity and RPE (16-20) they reported more associative thoughts. Further, although the runners may report a particular RPE, the inner dialogue and description of perceived exertion and fatigue may be markedly different. These findings suggest that an athlete's "internal dialogue" is intensity dependent, and may relate to the more urgent need to self-monitor physical changes and sensations during high-intensity running.
TL;DR: The results showed that the familiarity of the participants regarding the Borg's scale did not affect the scores, and the HR had lower correlations with RPE values when the participants performed both partially dynamic and static exercises.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between the scores collected from Borg's rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale and the heart rates (HR) of young Taiwanese men. Three exercises types (dynamic, partially dynamic, and static) were performed by 12 participants (six were familiar with Borg's scale and 6 were unfamiliar) under nine test conditions of three load levels for each exercise. The effect of familiarity on the relationship between RPE and HR was also examined. The results showed that the familiarity of the participants regarding the Borg's scale did not affect the scores. The relationship between Borg's RPE 6-20 scale and the HR values during dynamic exercise was described by the regression equation HR = 8.88 x RPE + 38.2 (beats/min). The HR had lower correlations with RPE values when the participants performed both partially dynamic and static exercises. The findings may serve as a reference when using Borg's RPE scale to evaluate the physical exertion of young Taiwanese men.
TL;DR: Total mood disturbance and tension increased significantly in the fast-tempo trial when compared with medium and no-music conditions, and no significant changes in performance, physiological, or psychophysical variables were indicated.
Abstract: Summary.—Few studies have investigated the effects of music on trained athletes during high intensity endurance tasks. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of different music tempi on performance, psychological, and physiological responses of well-trained cyclists to time trial cycling. 10 male road cyclists (M age = 35 yr., SD = 7), with a minimum of three years racing experience, performed four 20-km time trials on a Computrainer™ Pro 3D indoor cycle trainer over a period of four weeks. The time-trials were spaced one week apart. The music conditions for each trial were randomised between fast-tempo (140 bpm), medium-tempo (120 bpm), slow-tempo (100 bpm), and no music. Performance (completion time, power output, average speed and cadence), physiological (heart rate, oxygen consumption, breathing frequency and respiratory exchange ratio), psychophysical (RPE), and psychological (mood states) data were collected for each trial. Results indicated no significant changes in performance, physiologic...
TL;DR: Regression analysis revealed that BRIEF subscales explained 38% of the variance in VMI scores, and only two were statistically significant predictors of visual-motor integration: Working memory and Monitoring.
Abstract: The goal of this study was to assess the relationship between visual-motor integration and executive functions, and in particular, the extent to which executive functions can predict visual-motor integration skills in children with intellectual disability. The sample consisted of 90 children (54 boys, 36 girls; M age = 11.3 yr., SD = 2.7, range 7-15) with intellectual disabilities of various etiologies. The measure of executive functions were 8 subscales of the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) consisting of Inhibition, Shifting, Emotional Control, Initiating, Working memory, Planning, Organization of material, and Monitoring. Visual-motor integration was measured with the Acadia test of visual-motor integration (VMI). Regression analysis revealed that BRIEF subscales explained 38% of the variance in VMI scores. Of all the BRIEF subscales, only two were statistically significant predictors of visual-motor integration: Working memory and Monitoring. Possible implications of this finding are further elaborated.