Degeneracy and long-range correlations.

Degeneracy is a ubiquitous property of complex adaptive systems, which refers to the ability of structurally different components to perform the same function in some conditions and different functions in other conditions. Here, we suppose a causal link between the level of degeneracy in the system and the strength of long-range correlations in its behavior. In a numerical experiment, we manipulated degeneracy through the number of networks available in a model composed of a chain of correlated networks over which a series of random jumps are performed. Results showed that correlations in the outcome series increased with the number of available networks, and that a minimal threshold of degeneracy was required to generate long-range correlations. We conclude that degeneracy could underlie the presence of long-range correlations in the outcome series produced by complex systems. In turn, we suggest that quantifying long-range correlations could allow to assess the level of degeneracy of the system. Degeneracy affords a maybe more intuitive way than former hypotheses for understanding the effects of complexity on essential properties such as robustness and adaptability.

Overcoming spontaneous patterns of coordination during the acquisition of a complex balancing task.

Learning in complex tasks is usually conceived as the problem of mastering the multiple and redundant degrees of freedom of the system. To reduce control requirements, two different strategies are conceivable. The first one consists of a "freezing-freeing" process for most articular joints to reduce the number of active biomechanical degrees of freedom to be managed. The second strategy consists of introducing rigid couplings between the oscillators building the system. In this case, learning implies the dissolution of initial couplings and the emergence of new, more task-specific couplings. The goal of our study was to analyze the spontaneous coordination of beginners and its development in a complex balancing task on a stabilometer, and to examine the emergence of these two strategies. Our results showed that beginners were characterized by strong couplings between the joints of the lower limbs. During learning, new and more task-specific couplings emerged that reflected a new organization of the trunk and a decoupling of some joints of the lower limbs that were initially coupled during the first few trials.

Effect of long duration exercise on the ratings of perceived exertion and perceived difficulty of walking and running at the ventilatory threshold.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to examine if the relationship between physiological changes classically observed with exercise duration and some subjective workload measures would be affected by the complexity of the locomotion mode (running vs racewalking). METHODS: The study was conducted on 24 well trained subjects (12 long distance runners and 12 racewalkers) divided in 3 groups (runners, racewalkers and control). Energy cost of locomotion (C), heart rate (HR), minute ventilation (V(E)), lactate concentration [La], ratings of perceived exertion (RPE 6-20 scale) and ratings of perceived difficulty (RPD 1(-1)5 scale) were recorded during 2 10-min submaximal tests on a treadmill before and immediately after a 3 hour exercise (racewalking or running) conducted at the velocity ventilatory threshold (vVT). RESULTS: No significant variations in physiological parameters and perceived measures were observed in G(c). A significant increase (p<0.05) in energy cost of walking (mean: +9.4%) and running (mean: +7.5%) at the end of exercise was observed. A significant interaction of locomotion mode and exercise duration was found on perceived exertion and perceived difficulty. In racewalkers RPD significantly increased with duration whereas no significant effect was found for RPE. Conversely a significant increase in RPE was found after 3 hours in runners without any significant change in RPD. CONCLUSIONS: This experiment suggests that, for a complex task, the classical relationship between RPE and metabolic load increase during prolonged exercise could be affected by changes in RPD. In this study, stability in RPE and increase in RPD observed in racewalkers may reflect an attentional focus dissociated from internal sensations and directed toward maintaining the required race walking gait.

Influence of an added perceptual motor task on perceived exertion: a test of the dissociation effect.

This experiment showed that adding a perceptual motor task to an effort session on a cycloergometer for 4 men and 4 women led to an increase in perceived exertion. This effect is opposite to the dissociative effect classically reported in the literature. These contrasting results are analyzed according to the rate of processing imposed by the added task.

Selective effects of physical exercise on choice reaction processes.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of an exercise of moderate intensity (60% of maximal aerobic power) on specific information-processing mechanisms. 22 students completed 3 10-min. exercise bouts on a bicycle ergometer. Concomitantly, participants performed six manual-choice-reaction tasks manipulating task variables (Signal Intensity, Stimulus-Response Compatibility, and Time Uncertainty) on two levels. Reaction tests, randomly ordered, were administered at rest and during exercise. A significant underadditive interaction between Time Uncertainty and exercise was found for the highest quartiles of the distribution of reaction times. No other interaction effects were obtained for the other variables. These results reasonably support that moderate aerobic exercise showed selective rather than general influences on information processing.

Influence of physical exercise on simple reaction time: effect of physical fitness.

The influence of physical fitness and energy expenditure on a simple reaction time task performed during exercise was investigated. Two groups of 10 subjects were used, one was composed of trained middle-distance runners and one of students who had no regular physical training. The subjects performed a simple reaction time task while pedalling on a cycloergometer at different relative power output corresponding to 20, 40, 60, and 80% of their own maximal aerobic power and immediately after exercise. During exercise, the results showed a decrease in cognitive performance for both groups whereas no significant effect was found after exercise. A significant effect of physical fitness on simple reaction time was noted during exercise. The data are interpreted in terms of optimization of performance focusing particularly on the relations between energy cost of the physical task and attentional demand.

Self-perception of fitness and personality traits.

Our aim was to analyze how subjects perceive their own physical fitness. In Study 1 the 247 subjects assessed their own fitness, endurance, strength, flexibility, and body composition according to specific category scales. Analyses showed that self-perceived physical fitness was mainly related to perceived cardiovascular endurance. According to sex and age, strength, flexibility, and body composition could have a significant influence. The scores obtained on the five scales were highly correlated, suggesting they were overdetermined by a more general factor assimilated to physical self-worth. In Study 2 the 91 subjects completed the same five scales, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory, and the Bem Sex-role Inventory. Results confirmed the hierarchical model of Fox and Corbin (1989) and showed that physical self-worth is related to self-esteem, anxiety, and masculinity.

Effect of expertise on butterfly stroke coordination.

The aim of this study was to compare the arm-to-leg coordination in the butterfly stroke of three groups of male swimmers of varying skill (10 elite, 10 non-elite, and 10 young swimmers) at four race paces (400-m, 200-m, 100-m, and 50-m paces). Using qualitative video analysis and a hip velocity-video system (50 Hz), key events of the arm and leg movement cycles were defined and four-point estimates of relative phase were used to estimate the arm-to-leg coordination between the propulsive (pull and push of arms and downward movement of leg undulation) and non-propulsive phases (entry, catch, and recovery of arms and upward movement of leg undulation). With increasing race pace, the velocity, stroke rate, and synchronization between the arm and leg key points also increased, indicating that velocity and stroke rate may operate as control parameters. Finally, these changes led to greater continuity between the propulsive actions, which is favourable for improving the swim velocity, suggesting that coaches and swimmers should monitor arm-to-leg coordination.

Effects of integrated or segregated sport participation on the physical self for adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND: The purpose was to examine the effects of the type of athletic programme (integrated vs. segregated) on the athletic domain of perceived competence and on general self-worth. METHODS: Participants were 32 adolescent females with intellectual disabilities (ID), divided equally into four groups: (1) segregated swimming; (2) integrated swimming; (3) adapted physical activity; and (4) sedentary. The experimental treatment was 32 months long; for sport groups, this involved 2 h of training each week and 12 competitive meets. The Harter Self-Perception Profile for Children 11 times was administrated to determine changes in perceived physical competence and general self-worth. RESULTS: Results indicated (1) no change in perceived general self-worth for the four groups; (2) significantly lower perceived athletic competence only for the integrated swimming group, despite the increase in athletic performance. CONCLUSIONS: The integrated sport participation for adolescents with ID placed in segregated school is useful but needs to be well controlled by professional in physical education.

The effects of required amplitude and practice on frequency stability and efficiency in a cyclical task.

From an ecological point of view, motor learning emerges from the interplay of constraints on action, which shape behaviour towards the optimal solution, and practice, conceived as an active exploration of the work-space, to search this optimal solution. In the experiment reported here, we studied this interplay for a cyclical task performed on a ski-simulator. Our aim was to assess the respective effects of amplitude and practice on frequency variability and efficiency. On the basis of previous empirical findings, amplitude was expected, beyond a critical value, to constrain and stabilize the frequency of the movement. Three groups of participants practised during four sessions at three different amplitudes (15, 22.5 and 30 cm). The results showed that participants moving at large amplitude displayed more stable and more consistent frequencies. Nevertheless, there was no interaction effect between target amplitude and practice. On the other hand, movement economy and harmonicity increased with practice, but were not affected by amplitude. Finally, the results of transfer tests showed that the effects of large amplitude on frequency variability were not resistant to a subsequent decrease in target amplitude. These results suggest that constraints and practice act independently on motor behaviour, and that a high constraint could be detrimental to the development of effective search strategies.