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.

The Impact of Wearing Different Face Masks on Vigorous Physical Exercise Performance and Perceived Exertion among COVID-19 Infected vs. Uninfected Female Students.

Under certain circumstances, masks are an effective and immediate solution to reduce the spread of viral infection. However, the impact of masks on the ability to perform vigorous exercise remains an area of concern. Primarily, this impact has been explored in healthy subjects, yielding contradictory findings, and little is known of it among COVID-19-infected individuals. This study examined the effects of surgical masks, N-95 masks, and unmasked conditions on the performance and perceived exertion (RPE) of infected vs. non-infected young women during high-intensity, repeated sprint exercise (5mSRT). Following a familiarization session, eighty-three (42 COVID-19-previously infected (PIG) and 43 non-infected (NIG)), female participants (age 20.02 ± 1.05 years, BMI 21.07 ± 2.1 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to one of three mask conditions: unmasked, surgical mask, or N95 mask. All participants attended three test sessions (i.e., one session for each mask condition) at least one week apart. At the beginning of each test session, data related to participants' physical activity (PA) and sleep behaviours during the previous week were collected. In each test session, participants performed the 5mSRT, during which performance indicators (best distance (BD), total distance (TD), fatigue index (FI) and percentage decrement (PD)) were collected, along with RPE. ANOVA indicated no significant main effects of Groups and Masks, and no significant interaction for Groups × Masks for BD, FI, PD, RPE and most sleep and PA behaviours (p > 0.05). For TD, the Groups × Mask interaction was significant (p = 0.031 and ƞp2 = 0.042). Posthoc analysis revealed, in the unmasked condition, there was no difference in TD between PIG and NIG (p > 0.05). However, when wearing a surgical mask, PIG covered lower TD compared to NIG (p < 0.05). Additionally, different types of masks did not affect TD in NIG, while PIG performed the worst using the surgical mask (p < 0.05). These results suggest post-COVID-19 individuals can maintain physical fitness through regular exercise (i.e., sport science curricula) in unmasked conditions, but not when wearing a surgical mask. Furthermore, the impact of different types of face masks on physical performance seems to be minimal, particularly in uninfected populations; future research is warranted to further explore this impact in post-COVID conditions.

Intervention Based on Psychomotor Rehabilitation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD: Effect on Postural Control and Sensory Integration.

Postural stability and control are essential motor skills for successfully performing various activities of daily living. However, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit significant sensorimotor impairments. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of psychomotricity training on postural control (PC) of children with ASD. We recruited thirty children (age = 8.01 ± 1.2; weight = 31.66 ± 8.1 kg; height = 129.7 ± 10.8 cm) diagnosed with ASD (intellectual quotient > 50) to participate in this study. They were divided into two groups: the experimental group (n = 16) and control group (n = 14). Children in the experimental group were trained with psychomotor activities two times a week for nine weeks. Statistic postural balance was assessed before and after intervention and on different vision conditions. The results showed that the psychomotor training significantly improved PC in standing position under different conditions when compared to the control group, in all parameters (CoPA; CoPLX; CoPLy) (p < 0.01). Our preliminary findings suggest the usefulness of the psychomotor training in children with ASD on static PC.

The combined effects of napping and self-selected motivation music during warming up on cognitive and physical performance of karate athletes.

Introduction: It has been established that napping or listening to motivational music during warm-up is an effective strategy to enhance cognitive and physical performances. However, which could provide better enhancement warrants further investigation. This study aimed to examine the effect of a 30-min nap opportunity (N30), a warm-up with self-selected motivational music (WUMM), and the combination of N30 with WUMM (WUMM + N30) on cognitive and physical performances in karate athletes. Method: In a randomized order, 14 national-level male karate athletes performed four experimental sessions: control, N30, WUMM, and WUMM + N30. Simple (SRT) and choice (CRT) reaction times, selective attention, subjective sleepiness (ESS), mood state (POMS), countermovement jump (CMJ), and karate agility test (KAT) were evaluated before and after an all-out exhaustive task [i.e., the Karate Specific Test (KST)]. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured immediately after the KST. Results: Compared to the control, all interventions improved cognitive outcomes, mood, and sleepiness. No effects on physical performances (CMJ and KAT) were found after N30. Compared to N30, WUMM + N30 improved SRT pre- and post-exercise (pre: p < 0.05, d = 0.72; post: p < 0.001, d = 0.14), CRT (pre: p < 0.001, d = 0.07; post: p < 0.001, d = 0.10), attention (pre: p < 0.05, d = 0.06; post: p < 0.01, d = 0.06), mood (pre: p < 0.001, d = 2.53; post: p < 0.001, d = 0.23), and decreased ESS scores (pre: p < 0.01, d = 1.41; post: p < 0.05, d = 1.18). However, there was no significant difference between WUMM and N30. KST performance was not affected by the experimental conditions. However, the KST-induced performance deficit in CMJ and KAT was smaller following WUMM + N30 compared to WUMM and N30. RPE scores were lower following WUMM + N30 and WUMM. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a combination of listening to self-selected motivational music during warm-up with a 30-min nap could be an effective strategy to enhance cognitive and physical performance decline caused by fatigue induced by exercise.

Effects of Ramadan fasting on the diurnal variations of physical and cognitive performances at rest and after exercise in professional football players.

Introduction: Ramadan fasting (RF) is characterized by daily abstinence from food and fluid intake from dawn to sunset. The understanding of the Ramadan effects on the diurnal variations of athletic and cognitive performance is crucial for practitioners, coach and researchers to prepare sport events and optimize performance. The aim of the present study was to reveal the effects of RF on the diurnal variation of physical and cognitive performances at rest and after exercise. Method: In a randomized order, 11 male football players (age: 19.27 ± 0.9; height: 1.79 ± 0.04 cm; body mass: 70.49 ± 3.97 kg; BMI: 21.81 ± 1.59 kg/m2) completed a 30-s Wingate test [i.e., mean (MP) and peak powers (PP)] at 07:00, 17:00, and 21:00 h on five occasions: 1 week before Ramadan (BR); the second (R2); the third (R3); the fourth (R4) week of Ramadan; and 2 weeks after Ramadan (AR), with an in-between recovery period of ≥72 h. Simple (SRT) and choice (CRT) reaction times, mental rotation test (MRT) and selective attention (SA) test were measured before and after Wingate test. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE), body composition, dietary intake, profile of mood states (POMS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were assessed over the five periods. Results: Compared to BR, RF decreased MP at 17:00 h (p < 0.05, d = 1.18; p < 0.001, d = 2.21, respectively) and PP at 17:00 h (p < 0.05, d = 1.14; p < 0.001, d = 1.77, respectively) and 21:00 h (p < 0.01, d = 1.30; p < 0.001, d = 2.05, respectively) at R3 and R4. SRT (p < 0.001,d = 1.15; d = 1.32, respectively), number of correct answers (MRTE; p < 0.05, d = 1.27; d = 1.38, respectively) and SA (p < 0.01, d = 1.32; d = 1.64, respectively) increased during R2 and R3 in the evening before exercise compared to BR. Short term maximal exercise enhanced SRT (p < 0.01, d = 1.15; p < 0.001, d = 1.35, respectively), MRTE (p < 0.001, d = 2.01; d = 2.75 respectively) and SA (p < 0.05, d = 0.68; d = 1.18, respectively) during R2 and R3 in the evening. In comparison to BR, sleep latency and sleep duration increased during R3 (p < 0.001, d = 1.29; d = 1.74, respectively) and R4 (p < 0.001, d = 1.78; d = 2.19, respectively) and sleep quality increased in R2, R3 and R4 (p < 0.01, d = 1.60; p < 0.001, d = 1.93; d = 2.03, respectively). Conclusion: During RF, anaerobic and cognitive performances were unaffected in the morning but were impaired in the afternoon and evening. Short-term maximal exercise mitigates the negative effects of fasting on cognitive performance. Maximal exercise could thus partially counteract the effect of fasting on cognitive function.

The Impact of Exercise Training Intensity on Physiological Adaptations and Insulin Resistance in Women with Abdominal Obesity.

Abdominal obesity has emerged globally as a major public health issue due to its high prevalence and morbidity. The benefits of physical exercise among the obese population are well documented. However, the optimal exercise intensity for reducing body fat and preventing insulin resistance and metabolic disorders is still under debate. This study aimed to examine the effects of three different intensities of combined endurance and strength training programs on anthropometric variables, physiological and muscular adaptations, and insulin sensitivity. Forty-three obese young women (age 26.4 ± 4.7 years, BMI 33.1 ± 2.5 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to one of four groups: a control group (G0), a moderate-intensity training group (G50, exercising brisk walking at 50% heart rate reserve HRR), a high-intensity training group (G75, exercise jogging at 75% HRR), and an alternated-intensity training group (G50/75, exercise brisk-walking/jogging at 50−75% HRR) with additional strength training once a week for each group. Body composition, waist circumference (WC), fasting blood glucose, insulin sensitivity and resistance (Homa-IR), resting heart rate (RHR), 6-min walk distance (6MWD), 1-repetition maximum (1-RM), and time to exhaustion (TTE) at 45% and 75% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) for both the flexor and extensor muscle groups of the knees, were recorded before and after three months of exercise training. All training groups showed significant decreases in body mass, BMI, total body fat, body fat percentage, WC, abdominal and visceral mass (p < 0.001), with a greater reduction of body mass and BMI in G75 (p < 0.05). Lean mass increased significantly only in G50/75 (p < 0.05). The insulin sensitivity and Homa-IR decreased in the three training groups (p < 0.01), with greater enhanced resistance in G50 compared to G75 and G50/75 (p < 0.05). In contrast, there were no pre-post changes in all groups for fasting blood glucose (p > 0.05). 1-RM and TTE of the knee flexor and extensor muscles were improved in the three groups (p < 0.01), with greater improvement in G50/75 for 1RM and G75 in most of the TTE parameters (p < 0.05). RHR decreased and 6MWD increased significantly in the three training groups (p < 0.01), with greater 6MWD improvement in G75 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the three training intensities seem to generate benefits in terms of body composition, physiological and muscular adaptations, and insulin resistance. High training intensity resulted in greater improvements in body mass, BMI, and endurance and strength, whereas moderate training intensity resulted in greater improvements of insulin resistance and homo-IR. Following alternate-intensity training, greater improvements were observed in lean mass and maximal strength performance.

Effect of COVID-19-Related Home Confinement on Sleep Quality, Screen Time and Physical Activity in Tunisian Boys and Girls: A Survey.

COVID-19 home confinement has led to a stressful situation for children around the world and affected their lifestyle. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of these restrictions on sleep quality, screen time (ST) and physical activity (PA) in Tunisian children with a special focus on gender differences. An online survey was launched in April 2020. Questions were presented in a differential format, with expected responses related to "before" and "during" confinement. Participants (52 boys and 48 girls, age: 8.66 ± 3.3 years) responded to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the digital media use, and the Ricci and Gagnon sedentary behavior questionnaires. Findings revealed that COVID19 home confinement had a negative effect on all the considered parameters (p < 0.05). Significant effects of gender were found on sleep disturbances (p = 0.016, np2 = 0.05), subjective sleep quality (p < 0.01, np2 = 0.07), global score of PSQI (p = 0.01, np2 = 0.01) and nocturnal and global screen time (p < 0.001, np2 = 0.09) with poorer sleep and higher screen time in girls compared to boys during home confinement. A significant correlation was shown between Global ST and PSQI score (r = 0.39, p < 0.001). Programs of PA for children and sensitization campaigns against the use of screens have been deemed urgent with special focus oriented to girls.