Unveiling individuality in the early phase of motor learning: a machine learning approach for analysing weightlifting technique in novices.

Introduction: Despite the growing body of evidence highlighting the individuality in movement techniques, predominant models of motor learning, particularly during the acquisition phase, continue to emphasise generalised, person-independent approaches. Biomechanical studies, coupled with machine learning approaches, have demonstrated the uniqueness of movement techniques exhibited by individuals. However, this evidence predominantly pertains to already stabilised movement techniques, particularly evident in cyclic daily activities such as walking, running, or cycling, as well as in expert-level sports movements. This study aims to evaluate the hypothesis of individuality in whole-body movements necessitating intricate coordination and strength among novice participants at the very beginning of an acquisition phase. Methods: In a within-subject design, sixteen highly active male participants (mean age: 23.1 ± 2.1 years), all absolute novices in the learning task (i.e., power snatch of Olympic weightlifting), participated in randomised snatch learning bouts. These bouts comprised 36 trials across various motor learning models: differential learning contextual interference (serial, sCIL; and blocked, bCIL), and repetitive learning. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected from three standardised snatch trials performed following each motor learning model bout. The time-continuous data were input to a linear Support Vector Machine (SVM). We conducted analyses on two classification tasks: participant and motor learning model. Results: The Support Vector Machine classification revealed a notably superior participant classification compared to the motor learning model classification, with an averaged prediction accuracy of 78% (in average ≈35 out of 45 test trials across the folds) versus 27.3% (in average ≈9 out of 36 test trials across the folds). In specific fold and input combinations, accuracies of 91% versus 38% were respectively achieved. Discussion: Methodically, the crucial role of selecting appropriate data pre-processing methods and identifying the optimal combinations of SVM data inputs is discussed in the context of future research. Our findings provide initial support for a dominance of individuality over motor learning models in movement techniques during the early phase of acquisition in Olympic weightlifting power snatch.

Acute Effect of Simultaneous Exercise and Cognitive Tasks on Cognitive Functions in Elderly Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

The increasing prevalence of age-related cognitive decline, alongside the aging global population, underscores the urgent need for innovative and effective preventative strategies. While the advantages of combining physical and cognitive exercises have been recognized as a promising approach to address these socioeconomic challenges, the acute effects of such interventions on cognitive functions remain understudied. This study aimed to investigate whether simultaneous physical and cognitive exercise has a greater beneficial impact on the cognitive functions of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) than physical exercise alone or reading activities. A total of 44 MCI patients (75% females aged between 65 and 75 years) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: aerobic exercise alone (EG group, n = 15), aerobic combined with cognitive exercises (CEG group, n = 15), or a reading task for controls (CG group, n = 14). Attention, memory, and problem solving were assessed before and after the acute intervention using the Tower of Hanoi, Digit Span, and Stroop tasks, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that both of the experimental interventions appeared to enhance cognitive function scores (p < 0.05), except for the number of moves in the Tower of Hanoi task, where no improvement was noted. In contrast, no significant differences in any cognitive performance measures were observed following the reading session. Notably, the CEG group exhibited a more pronounced positive impact, especially on working memory. This advantage was specifically evident in the digit span tasks, where significantly greater percentage gains were found in the CEG than in the CG (p = 0.02), while no significant difference existed between the EG and CG. Simultaneous combined exercise has proven to be a more effective method than aerobic physical exercise alone for improving cognitive function. The results of this study are recommended for inclusion in clinical practice guidelines to maintain the mental health of older adults, as simultaneous exercise seems to offer a time-efficient strategy to enhance cognitive performance in adults with MCI.

Effects of Different Caffeine Dosages on Maximal Physical Performance and Potential Side Effects in Low-Consumer Female Athletes: Morning vs. Evening Administration.

While previous studies have explored a range of factors governing the optimal use of caffeine (CAF) in athletes, limited research has explored how time of day (TOD) affects the ergogenic effects of various CAF dosages on physical performance. This study aimed to increase knowledge about how different recommended CAF doses (3 mg/kg vs. 6 mg/kg) ingested at different TODs affected maximal high-intensity physical performance and the perception of potential side effects in female athletes. In this double-blind, randomized, and counterbalanced study, 15 low CAF consumer athletes (aged 18.3 ± 0.5 y) underwent six trials, including three testing conditions assessed across two TODs: one in the morning (08:00 a.m.) and one in the evening (06:00 p.m.). During each condition, the participants ingested either a placebo, 3 mg/kg CAF (CAF (3 mg)), or 6 mg/kg CAF (CAF (6 mg)) capsules 60 min before each test with an in-between washout period of at least 72 h. In each trial, the participants performed a countermovement jumps test (CMJ), a modified agility t test (MATT), a repeated sprint ability (RSA), a rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and finally, a CAF side effects questionnaire. Our findings indicate the absence of an ergogenic effect on CMJ, MAT, and RSA performance in the evening after administering CAF (3 mg) or CAF (6 mg) compared to a placebo. Likewise, when CAF was ingested in the morning, there was an improvement in these performances with both CAF (3 mg) and CAF (6 mg), with greater improvement observed after CAF (6 mg). Additionally, neither the CAF dosage nor the TOD had a significant effect on the RPE. The occurrence of side effects increased significantly after the evening ingestion of CAF, particularly with a moderate dose of CAF (6 mg). Our findings indicate that the effectiveness of CAF depends on the TOD and CAF dosage. When ingested in the morning, a moderate dose of CAF (6 mg), rather than CAF (3 mg), is more effective in improving short-term physical performance without affecting CAF side effects in female athletes. Nevertheless, when ingested in the evening, neither dose was sufficient to enhance short-term physical performance, and both dosages increased the incidence of CAF side effects, particularly at a moderate dose.

Acute Effects of Caffeine Ingestion on Postural Balance, Functional Capacity and Cognitive Function in Patients with End Stage Renal Disease.

Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) display many cognitive and physiological alterations resulting from renal failure and physical inactivity. Caffeine intake has been reported to improve cognitive/physical performance in several studies. However, whether the benefits of caffeine intake apply to patients with ESRD remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of caffeine intake on postural balance, cognitive function and functional capacity in patients with ESRD. In a randomized order, 12 patients with ESRD (age: 33.85 ± 8.57 years; Female: 45.5%) performed a battery of tests after either caffeine (CF) (400 mg) or placebo (PLA) ingestion. Postural balance was evaluated using a stabilometric platform. Functional capacity was assessed with the sit-to-stand and up-and-go tests, and for cognitive performances, reaction time test and a vigilance test were used. Results showed a significant improvement in up-and-go test (p = 0.01) and sit-to-stand test performances with CF compared to PLA (p < 0.01). Time of reaction test and vigilance test (p < 0.01) performances were significantly higher with CF. No significant difference was observed in postural balance between CF and PLA. The results of this study suggest that acute caffeine ingestion positively enhances cognitive function and functional capacity in patients with ESRD.

Napping and heart rate variability in elite athletes.

Sleep and autonomic nervous system (ANS) influence each other in a bidirectional fashion. Importantly, it has been proposed that sleep has a beneficial regulatory influence over cardiovascular activity, which is mostly controlled by autonomic regulation through the activity of sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways of the ANS. A well-established method to non-invasively assess cardiac autonomic activity is heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. We aimed to investigate the effect of a 40-min nap opportunity on HRV. Twelve professional basketball players randomly accomplished two conditions: 40-min nap (NAP) and control (CON). Nocturnal sleep and naps were monitored by actigraphic recording and sleep diaries. Total sleep time (TST), time in bed (TIB), sleep efficiency (SE), sleep onset latency (SOL), and wake after sleep onset (WASO) were analyzed. HRV was analyzed in 5-min segments during quiet wake before and after each condition with controlled breathing. Were analysed high (HF) and low frequency (LF) bands, the standard deviation of NN interval (SDNN), HRV index and stress index (SI). Wellness Hooper index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were assessed before and after both conditions. There was no significant difference in TIB, TST, SE, WASO, and VAS between NAP and CON. A significant increase in SDNN, HRV index, and LF and a significant decrease in HF, SI, ESS, and Hooper's stress and fatigue scores were observed from pre- to post-nap. In conclusion, napping reduces sleepiness, stress and fatigue, and might provide an advantage by preparing the body for a much-required sympathetic comeback following peaceful rest.

Acute ingestion of acetaminophen improves cognitive and repeated high intensity short-term maximal performance in well-trained female athletes: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

This study examined the effect of acute acetaminophen (ACTP) ingestion on physical performance during the 5 m shuttle run test (5mSRT), attention, mood states, and the perception of perceived exertion (RPE), pain (PP), recovery (PRS), and delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) in well-trained female athletes. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial, fifteen well-trained female athletes (age 21 ± 2 years, height 165 ± 6 cm, body mass 62 ± 5 kg) swallowed either 1.5 g of ACTP or 1.5 g of placebo. The profile of mood states (POMS) and digit cancellation (DCT) were assessed 45 min postingestion, and 5mSRT was performed 60 min postingestion. The RPE and PP were determined immediately after each 30-s repetition of the 5mSRT, and the PRS and DOMS were recorded at 5 min and 24 h post-5mSRT. For the 5mSRT, ACTP ingestion improved the greatest distance (+ 10.88%, p < 0.001), total distance (+ 11.33%, p = 0.0007) and fatigue index (+ 21.43%, p = 0.0003) compared to PLA. Likewise, the DCT score was better on the ACTP (p = 0.0007) than on the PLA. RPE, PP, PRS, and DOMS scores were improved after ACTP ingestion (p < 0.01 for all comparisons) compared to PLA. POMS scores were enhanced with ACTP ingestion compared to PLA (p < 0.01). In conclusion, this study indicates that acute acetaminophen ingestion can improve repeated high intensity short-term maximal performance, attention, mood states, and perceptions of exertion, pain, recovery, and muscle soreness in well-trained female athletes, suggesting potential benefits for their overall athletic performance and mood state.

Light load jump squat and plyometric training enhance jumping, sprinting, change of direction, and balance performance of male soccer players (U-19): a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In sports science, optimizing athletic performance is pursued through an emerging approach that combined light-loaded squat (LLS) training and plyometric jump training (PJT), targeting strength, power, and neuromuscular adaptations, particularly beneficial for the dynamic demands of youth soccer. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a combined LLS training and PJT program on athletic performance and balance in youth soccer players. METHODS: Thirty-two male players were randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group (EG: N.=16; age: 18.56±0.51 years; body mass: 66.87±4.99 kg; height: 1.78±0.07 m) and a control group (CG: N.=16; age: 18.68±0.47 years; body mass: 67.93±4.58 kg; height: 1.77±0.07 m) from the same U19 team of a professional club voluntarily participated in the study. Squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), horizontal jump (HJ), drop jump (DJ), 30 m sprint (30 mS), change of direction ability (4×5 m sprint test [S 4×5 m]) and static balance (the stork balance) performance tests were carried out in the week before and the week after the 8 weeks with combined LLS and PJT period. The two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for all tests. RESULTS: The results of this study show that the EG had significantly greater improvements than the CG in all tests (all P<0.001). Also, EG experienced higher performance between preintervention and post intervention measures (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the 4×5mS performance (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that coaches may be advised to use the combined LLS and PJT since it is as effective as traditional methods and perfect for sports and activities requiring fast, explosive movements during the in-season period than regular training.

Effectiveness of Simultaneous Combined Intervention for Enhancing Cognitive Function in Patients with Moderate Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: The evidence supporting the effectiveness of combined interventions in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients remains inconclusive. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the mid- and long-term effectiveness of physical training, alone or combined with cognitive games, on cognitive performance in patients with moderate AD. Methods: Seventy-nine AD patients (≈73% females, age of ≈70±1 years) were randomly divided into three groups: aerobic-based training (AT-group, n = 27), aerobic-based training plus cognitive games (ACT-group, n = 25), and a control group engaged in reading (CG, n = 26), two sessions per week. Cognitive performance was evaluated at the start, 4th week (W4), end of the 8th week (W8), and after a 4-week detraining period (W12), using problem-solving (Tower-of-Hanoi), selective attention (Stroop-test), and working memory (Digit-Span-test) assessments. Stress levels and quality of life were also evaluated.Results:: Aerobic and combined training induced a positive effect on all cognitive functions tested at W4 (except problem-solving) and W8 (all p < 0.001) with greater improvements in working-memory and problem-solving in ACT-group (p < 0.05). Depression levels also decreased significantly, and quality of life improved at W8 (p < 0.001) in both groups. After 4 weeks of detraining, the beneficial effect of AT and ACT was still observed. The CG did not show any significant improvements at all time points.Conclusions:: Physical and cognitive interventions appear effective for improving cognitive-functions, quality-of-life, and reducing depression in AD patients. Combined training emerges as a more effective strategy to mitigate AD progression. Further research is necessary to validate these results and explore their potential for preventing early cognitive decline.

Does acute aerobic exercise enhance selective attention, working memory, and problem-solving abilities in Alzheimer's patients? A sex-based comparative study.

Introduction: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of acute aerobic exercise on certain cognitive functions known to be affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD), with a particular emphasis on sex differences. Methods: A total of 53 patients, with a mean age of 70.54 ± 0.88 years and moderate AD, voluntarily participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group (EG), which participated in a 20-min moderate-intensity cycling session (60% of the individual maximum target heart rate recorded at the end of the 6-min walk test); and the control group (CG), which participated in a 20-min reading activity. Cognitive abilities were assessed before and after the physical exercise or reading session using the Stroop test for selective attention, the forward and backward digit span test for working memory, and the Tower of Hanoi task for problem-solving abilities. Results: At baseline, both groups had comparable cognitive performance (p > 0.05 in all tests). Regardless of sex, aerobic acute exercise improved attention in the Stroop test (p < 0.001), enhanced memory performance in both forward (p < 0.001) and backward (p < 0.001) conditions, and reduced the time required to solve the problem in the Tower of Hanoi task (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the number of movements. In contrast, the CG did not significantly improve after the reading session for any of the cognitive tasks (p > 0.05). Consequently, the EG recorded greater performance improvements than the CG in most cognitive tasks tested (p < 0.0001) after the intervention session. Discussion: These findings demonstrate that, irrespective to sex, a single aerobic exercise session on an ergocycle can improve cognitive function in patients with moderate AD. The results suggest that acute aerobic exercise enhances cognitive function similarly in both female and male patients, indicating promising directions for inclusive therapeutic strategies.

The effect of last meal "Suhoor" timing on diurnal variations in cognitive performance during Ramadan fasting among female athletes.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the timing of the last meal, "Suhoor", on diurnal variation in cognitive performance during Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF). In a randomized order, 26 adolescent female athletes (aged 15.9 ± 0.9 y) were tested in three sessions at 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. across four different conditions: the 10 days preceding Ramadan (PR); the final 12 days of Ramadan (RO): two different conditions: Early Suhoor (SEarly), and Late Suhoor (SLate); and, ultimately, the 10 days immediately after Ramadan (AR) with an in-between recovery period of ≥24 h. During each test session, the oral temperature (OT), simple reaction time test (SRT), choice reaction time test (CRT), attention test (ATT), and mental rotation test (MRT) were evaluated. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and daily diary intake were assessed across the three periods. Compared to PR, the sleep parameters assessed by the PSQI were significantly lower during the RO and AR periods. However, neither total dietary intake nor OT showed any changes due to RIF. Compared to PR, the afternoon performances of SRT, CRT, ATT, and MRT significantly declined under both the SEarly and SLate conditions. Notably, midday performance decreased only during SLate, while morning performance remained unaffected in both conditions. Additionally, compared to SEarly, these performances were better during SLate in the afternoon and at midday. In summary, nutrient intake timing had a significant effect on the diurnal fluctuations in cognitive functions during Ramadan fasting, particularly around noon and in the afternoon. Our results illustrate the benefits of a late last meal (Suhoor) in preserving optimal morning cognitive abilities and preventing any impairment during the fasted state at midday or in the afternoon, which could affect overall athletic performance.

Correction: Unlocking the power of synergy: High-intensity functional training and early time-restricted eating for transformative changes in body composition and cardiometabolic health in inactive women with obesity.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301369.].

Unlocking the power of synergy: High-intensity functional training and early time-restricted eating for transformative changes in body composition and cardiometabolic health in inactive women with obesity.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term effects of time-restricted eating (TRE), with or without high intensity functional training (HIFT), on body composition and cardiometabolic biomarkers among inactive women with obesity. METHODS: Sixty-four women (BMI = 35.03 ± 3.8 kg/m2; age = 32.1 ± 10 years) were randomly allocated to either: (1) TRE (≤8-h daily eating window, with ad libitum energy intake) group; (2) HIFT (3 sessions/week) group; or (3) TRE combined with HIFT (TRE-HIFT) group. The interventions lasted 12 weeks with a pre-post measurement design. A HIFT session consists of 8 sets of multiple functional exercises with self-selected intensity (20 or 30s work/10s rest). RESULTS: TRE-HIFT showed a greater decrease of waist and hip circumferences and fat mass compared to TRE (p = 0.02, p = 0.02 and p<0.01; respectively) and HIFT (p = 0.012, p = 0.028 and p<0.001; respectively). Weight and BMI decreased in TRE-HIFT compared to HIFT group (p<0.001; for both). Fat-free mass was lower in TRE compared to both HIFT and TRE-HIFT groups (p<0.01 and p<0.001; respectively). Total cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin, and HOMA-IR decreased in TRE-HIFT compared to both TRE (p<0.001, p<0.01, p = 0.015 and p<0.01; respectively) and HIFT (p<0.001, p = 0.02, p<0.01 and p<0.001; respectively) groups. Glucose level decreased in TRE-HIFT compared to HIFT (p<0.01). Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in both TRE-HIFT and HIFT groups compared to TRE group (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02; respectively). CONCLUSION: In inactive women with obesity, combining TRE with HIFT can be a good strategy to induce superior effects on body composition, lipid profile and glucose regulation compared with either diet or exercise intervention alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Number: PACTR202301674821174.

Adapting the athlete sleep behavior questionnaire (ASBQ) for Arabic-speaking populations: Translation, reliability testing, and validation using classical theory and item response theory.

Sleep is essential for athletes' physical performance as well as their general health, well-being, and quality of life. To assess athletes' sleep behaviors, the Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire (ASBQ) was developed in the English language. However, a validated Arabic-version of the ASBQ is lacking. This study aimed to translate the ASBQ into Arabic (ASBQ-AR) and evaluate its reliability and validity among Arabic-speaking athletes. A total of 458 participants (254 athletes, 202 non-athletes) from four Arabic countries completed the ASBQ-AR and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) questionnaires. The psychometric properties of the ASBQ-AR were examined using unidimensional reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Item Response Theory (IRT), and convergent validity. The ASBQ-AR had acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.723, McDonald's ω = 0.725) and a factorial structure, confirming its construct validity. CFA demonstrated improved model fit indices after the removal of two potentially misfitting items (items 4 and 13); however, the model's fit to the data remains suboptimal. IRT results indicated that the majority of items demonstrated a good model fit, suggesting effective measurement of the intended construct without significant interference, except for ASBQ-AR 4. Additionally, ASBQ-AR 4 appears to present the highest level of difficulty for respondents. In terms of convergent validity, the mean ASBQ-AR global score was correlated with the mean ISI global score (r = 0.5, p < 0.0001). The ASBQ-AR is a reliable and valid tool for assessing maladaptive sleep practices among Arabic-speaking athletes. Additional refinements to the ASBQ-AR are warranted to optimize its psychometric properties.

Nocturnal Smartphone Use Affects Sleep Quality and Cognitive and Physical Performance in Tunisian School-Age Children.

Nocturnal smartphone use emits blue light, which can adversely affect sleep, leading to a variety of negative effects, particularly in children. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of acute (AC) (one night) and repeated (RC) (five nights) nocturnal smartphone exposure on sleep, cortisol, and next-day performance in Tunisian children. Thirteen participants (seven girls and six boys, age 9 ± 0.6, height 1.32 ± 0.06, weight 34.47 ± 4.41) attended six experimental nights. The experiment started with a baseline night (BL) with no smartphone exposure, followed by repeated sessions of nocturnal smartphone exposure lasting 90 minutes (08:00 pm-09:30 pm). Actigraphy; salivary cortisol; the Stroop test (selective attention); choice reaction time (CRT); N-back (working memory); counter-movement jump (CMJ), composed of flight time (time spent in the CMJ flight phase) and jump height; and a 30 m sprint were assessed the morning after each condition. Both AC and RC shortened total sleep time (TST) (p < 0.01), with a greater decrease with RC (-46.7 min, ∆% = -9.46) than AC (-28.8 min, ∆% = -5.8) compared to BL. AC and RC significantly increased waking after sleep onset (3.5 min, ∆% = 15.05, to 9.9 min, ∆% = 43.11%) and number of errors made on the Stroop test (1.8 error, ∆% = 74.23, to 3.07 error, ∆% = 97.56%). Children made 0.15 and 0.8 more errors (∆% = 6.2 to 57.61%) and spent 46.9 s and 71.6 s more time on CRT tasks (∆% = 7.22 to 11.11%) with AC and RC, respectively, compared to BL. The high-interference index of the Stroop task, CMJ performance, and 30 m sprint speed were only altered (p < 0.01) following RC (0.36, Δ% = 41.52%; -34 s, Δ% = -9.29%, for flight time and -1.23 m, -8.72%, for jump height; 0.49 s, Δ% = 6.48, respectively) when compared to BL. In conclusion, one- or five-night exposure to smartphones disturbed the children's sleep quality and their performance, with more pronounced effects following RC.

Spatial Accuracy and Variability in Dart Throwing in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder and the Relationship with Ball Skill Items.

The present study aimed to examine precision and variability in dart throwing performance and the relationships between these outcomes and bouncing, throwing and catching tasks in children with and without DCD. Children between the ages of 8 and 10 years (n = 165) were classified according to results obtained on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2) and divided into three groups: 65 children with severe DCD (s-DCD), 45 with moderate DCD (m-DCD) and 55 typically developing children (TD). All children performed the dart throwing test and the ball skill items of the Performance and Fitness Test (PERF-FIT). The accuracy and variability of dart throwing tasks were significantly different between TD and s-DCD (p < 0.01), and also between m-DCD and s-DCD (p < 0.01). Participants with s-DCD were also found to perform significantly worse on all PERF-FIT ball skill items than m-DCD (p < 0.001), and m-DCD were significantly poorer than TD (p < 0.001). The dart score and coefficient of variation of the long-distance task appear to be significant predictors for the ball skills and explain between 24 to 29% of their variance. In conclusion, poor results in aiming tasks using darts in children with DCD corroborate with the explanation of deficits in predictive control since the tasks require ballistic movements.

Eye Tracking During Visual Paired-Comparison Tasks: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Diagnostic Test Accuracy for Detecting Cognitive Decline.

Background: Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) progress silently, making early diagnosis challenging, especially in less educated populations. The visual paired comparison (VPC) task, utilizing eye-tracking movement (ETM) technology, offers a promising alternative for early detection of memory decline. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of the VPC task, utilizing ETM as a tool for assessing age-related cognitive changes. Methods: A comprehensive search across five databases and grey literature focused on healthy and impaired memory participants assessed through the ETM-based VPC task. The primary outcomes were novelty preference scores and eye movement metrics. The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2). Random-effects meta-analyses calculated Hedges' g effect size. Sensitivity and specificity of the VPC were meta-analytically pooled. Results: The systematic review included 12 articles, involving 1,022 participants (aged 18 to 90 years, with education ranging from 6.5 to 20.0 years), with a low risk of bias and minimal applicability concerns across all items. Five studies contributed to the meta-analysis, revealing a significant effect favoring the VPC task for recognition memory detection (k = 9, g = -1.03). Pooled sensitivity and specificity analyses demonstrated VPC effectiveness as a recognition memory assessment tool (0.84 and 0.75, respectively). Conclusions: The VPC task, utilizing ETM, may serve as a biomarker for early memory decline detection. Its use as a digital eye-tracking tool presents a possible alternative to traditional tests, warranting further research for application in neurodegenerative disease diagnosis.

Enhancing Skills, Mood, and Performance in Overweight Handball Players: Exploring Individual vs. Collective Verbal Encouragement Strategies.

This comparative study investigates the effectiveness of two teaching methods, individual verbal encouragement and collective verbal encouragement, in enhancing the technical-tactical skills and mood state of obese students during handball matches. This study employs a randomized controlled design and involves 28 overweight students (50% females), age: 17.4 ± 2.08 years and BMI: 26.8 ± 1.5 for females and 27.3 ± 2.1 for males. Technical-tactical skills are assessed through performance metrics (individual evaluation proposal by Gréhaigne) such as Ball Played (BP), Conquered Ball (CB), Lost Ball (LB), Shoots/Goals, Conservation index, and defensive index, while mood states are evaluated using pre- and post-tests (BRUMS Scale). Results reveal that individual verbal encouragement significantly enhances technical-tactical skills and positively influences the mood state of overweight students compared to collective verbal encouragement. Boys in Session 1 with VEI displayed a significantly higher number of ball plays (mean difference = 0.94 standard deviations, p = 0.004) and conquered balls (mean difference = 0.78 standard deviations, p = 0.006) compared to VEC. They also had a lower number of Lost Balls (mean difference = -0.62 standard deviations, p = 0.018) and a higher shooting efficiency (Shoots/Goals ratio, mean difference = 0.67 standard deviations; p = 0.013). Similar trends were observed in Session 2, with VEI, again, demonstrating advantages. Girls exhibited analogous improvements with VEI in both sessions. Notably, these performance enhancements coincided with positive emotional changes, with VEI leading to a greater decrease in depression and fatigue scores for both boys and girls. The study highlights the importance of tailoring teaching methods to the specific needs of overweight students in the context of handball, emphasizing the effectiveness of individualized verbal encouragement for skill development and emotional well-being. These findings offer practical implications for educators and coaches involved in physical education, advocating for personalized approaches to optimize learning experiences for overweight students in sports settings.

Development and Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Evaluating the Nutritional Status of Patients with Serious Mental Illnesses (DIETQ-SMI) in Bahrain.

General food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) have not been tailored for or validated in individuals with psychiatric disorders. Given the unique eating behaviors of patients with serious mental illnesses (SMIs), custom-made tools are needed. Therefore, we developed and validated an FFQ customized to individuals with SMIs. A total of 150 adults with SMIs (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression) were recruited from Bahrain. The participants completed the 50-item Dietary Intake Evaluation Questionnaire for Serious Mental Illness (DIETQ-SMI) FFQ and a 3-day food record (FR). The validity of the FFQ was assessed by comparing nutrient intake to FR intake using correlation and reliability statistics. The DIETQ-SMI demonstrated a good ranking validity compared to the FR based on correlation coefficients (rho 0.33 to 0.92) for energy and macro- and micronutrients. The FFQ had high internal consistency (McDonald's omega = 0.84; Cronbach's alpha = 0.91) and test-retest reliability (ICC > 0.90). The FFQ tended to estimate higher absolute intakes than the FR but adequately ranked the intakes. The FFQ value was correlated with the FR for all the items (p < 0.001). The DIETQ-SMI is a valid and reliable FFQ for ranking dietary intake in individuals with an SMI. It can help assess nutritional status and, subsequently, guide interventions in high-risk psychiatric populations.

Supporting athletes during a challenging situation: recommendations from a global insight of COVID-19 home-based training experience.

BACKGROUND: For athletes, overcoming obstacles in challenging situations like pandemic home training is crucial. Strategies and approaches in this context are not well-documented. Our study aims to investigate such a scenario from a performance standpoint, based on a major global crisis: the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. METHODS: This cross-sectional study surveyed athletes without disabilities using online questionnaires (35 languages) from May to July 2020. Questions included aspects of alternative routines, training monitoring, recovery, sleep patterns, injury occurrence/prevention based on structured answers, and an open-ended question on lockdown training experiences. RESULTS: Of the 11,762 athletes from 142 countries, 63% were male, including at World-Class, International, National, State and Recreational levels. During lockdown, 25% athletes used innovative or modern ways to maintain or improve fitness e.g., virtual reality and tracking devices (favoring World-Class level, 30%). Many athletes, regardless of gender (43%) watched video competitions to improve/maintain their mental skills and performance [World-Class (47%) and International (51%)]. Contact frequency between athletes and their coaches was mainly at least once a week (36%), more among higher-level (World-Class/International) than lower-level athletes (27 vs. 16%). Higher-level athletes (≥ 54%) monitored training load and were assisted by their coaches (21%). During lockdown, stretching (67%) was considered one of the primary means of recovery, especially for higher-level athletes (> 70%). Compared to pre-lockdown, about two-thirds of athletes reported "normal" or "improved" sleep quality and quantity, suggesting a low sleep quality pre-lockdown. On average, 40% utilized injury prevention exercises (at least) once a week [World-Class (51%) and International (39%)]. Most injury occurrences during lockdown involved the knee (18%), ankle (16%), and back (9%). Four key themes emerged regarding lockdown experiences: remote training adaptation (e.g., shifting training focus), training creativity (e.g., using household items), performance enhancement opportunities (e.g., refocusing neglected aspects), and mental and motivation challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Both male and female athletes, particularly those of higher levels, displayed some adaptalibity during the COVID-19 lockdown, employing innovative approaches and technology for training. Many athletes implemented load monitoring, recovery, and attentive of injury prevention, while optimizing their sleep quality and quantity. Athletes demonstrated their abilities to navigate challenges, and utilized different coping strategies in response to the lockdown's constraints.