Impact of experience on the sensitivity, acceptability, and intrusive of two subjective mental workload techniques: The NASA TLX and workload profile.

BACKGROUND: Today's work environments have high cognitive demands, and mental workload is one of the main causes of work stress, human errors, and accidents. While several mental workload studies have compared the mental workload perceived by groups of experienced participants to that perceived by novice groups, no comparisons have been made between the same individuals performing the same tasks at different times. OBJECTIVE: This work aims to compare NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) to Workload Profile (WP) in terms of their sensitivity. The comparison considers the impact of experience and task differentiation in the same individual once a degree of experience has been developed in the execution of the same tasks. It also considers the acceptability and intrusivity of the techniques. METHODS: The sample consisted of 30 participants who performed four tasks in two sessions. The first session was performed when participants had no experience; the second session was performed after a time of practice. Mental workload was assessed after each session. Statistical methods were used to compare the results. RESULTS: The NASA-TLX proved to be more sensitive to experience, while the WP showed greater sensitivity to task differentiation. In addition, while both techniques featured a similar degree of intrusivity, the NASA-TLX received greater acceptability. CONCLUSION: The acceptability of WP is low due to the high complexity of its dimensions and clarifying explanations of these may be necessary to increase acceptability. Future research proposals should be expanded to consider mental workload when designing work environments in current manufacturing environments.

Psychological State after an Acute Coronary Syndrome: Impact of Physical Limitations.

The aim of this study was to investigate how physical limitations after ACS influence patients' quality of life and health perception. This was a longitudinal clinical study. We recruited 146 patients diagnosed with ACS. The patients performed a stress test (Bruce's protocol) for the evaluation of physical limitations and were classified according to the test result: without physical limitations (more than 10 METS), with some physical limitations (7 to 9 METS), and with high physical limitations (less than 6 METS). Significant differences were found between the three groups immediately after the diagnosis of ACS and after a period of three months, regarding health perception, anxiety, depression, sexual relationships, distress, and adjustment to disease. These differences resulted larger between the group with less limitations and the group with higher limitations. After 3 months, however, there was an overall improvement in all variables. In conclusion, physical limitations after ACS seem to influence perceived quality of life determined by measuring general health, vitality, total adaptation, emotional role, social adaptation, depression, and anxiety. Therefore, the highest the physical limitations, the poorer the psychological conditions and vice versa, even 3 months after ACS diagnosis.

Corrigendum: The Use of Online Training Tools in Competition Cyclists During COVID-19 Confinement in Spain.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.622905.].

The Use of Online Training Tools in Competition Cyclists During COVID-19 Confinement in Spain.

COVID-19 confinement has supposed a challenge to the whole wide world, especially in athletes that have frustrated their expectations about training programs and competitions. Specifically, competition cyclists during confinement had lot of difficulties to train due to the need to train outside their homes. However, the increase of online training sessions, or virtual training tools could help to overcome training difficulties due to confinement although there are not studies that analyse the effects of using these types of tools in cyclists. This study aims to test how the use of online training tools in competition cyclists during confinement is related to training frequency and duration, and emotions. 329 cyclists filled an online questionnaire about feelings during confinement and the use of online training tools, before and during confinement. Results showed that the use of online training tools was associated with higher frequency and duration of trainings. Moreover, those who used these tools felt more positively about their future and preparation to compete, feeling more energy than those who did not used online tools. In addition, cyclists that started using these online tools (including virtual roller training) during confinement increased the frequency of training. In conclusion the use of online training tools for cycling could be appropriate to maintain training levels and energy and positive feelings about their future.

Positive emotion induction improves cardiovascular coping with a cognitive task.

Feeling positive emotions seems to favour an adaptive cardiovascular response (greater heart rate variability, HRV), associated with improved cognitive performance. This study aims to test whether the induction of a positive emotional state produce such cardiovascular response and therefore, enhance coping and performance in Tower of Hanoi (ToH). Forty-two Participants were randomly distributed into two groups (Experimental and Control). Experimental group was subjected to the evocation of a memory of success, while control group was subjected to an attentional task before performing ToH. Heart Rate Variability (HRV), activity of the zygomatic major muscle (ZEMG) and emotions were measured. Emotional induction increased ZEMG activity, feelings of emotional valence and HRV, but the performance in ToH was not different from control. Experiencing positive emotions seems to favour an adaptive psychophysiological response when faced with a complex cognitive task. These results are discussed in relation to clinical practice and health.

Habits and Psychological Factors Associated With Changes in Physical Activity Due to COVID-19 Confinement.

The confinement that COVID-19 has brought about has had a negative influence on people's psychological health. However, this impact is not widespread throughout the population, and men and women may be affected differently and it is not known what protective factors may exist. In this sense, physical activity has classically been shown to be a habit associated with psychological health. The study aimed to analyze the impact of confinement on psychological health (psychological well-being, coping, emotions, and perception of daily difficulties), taking into account gender, and perceived changes in physical activity. After the project was approved by the University's Ethics Commission, the participants, after signing the informed consent, completed the online questionnaires during the days from 6 to 20 April, the time when, in Spain, confinement was in place and the highest peak of deaths and infections from COVID-19 occurred. A total of 457 Spanish participants (247 men and 210 women) were evaluated in psychological well-being, in its adaptation to Spanish, in coping, with the Spanish adaptation of the COPE Inventory, in daily habits and difficulties (ad hoc questionnaire) and the level of physical activity they had (sedentary, active, and federated players) was recorded. Besides, the perceived change in physical activity due to confinement was recorded. The results showed that perceived emotions, difficulties for certain routines, psychological well-being, and coping differed according to sex. On the other hand, depending on the change in physical activity habits, it was observed that participants who increased their physical activity responded differently in the perception of emotions, and difficulties for routines and in psychological well-being. Finally, differences were also observed in most variables between sedentary, active, and federated participants. Results are discussed highlighting the importance of physical activity as a moderating factor of the impact of confinement.

The Relationship Between the Burnout Syndrome Dimensions and Body Mass Index as a Moderator Variable on Obese Managers in the Mexican Maquiladora Industry.

Burnout syndrome (BS) and obesity are two growing conditions that affect employees' health and company productivity. Recently, several studies have pointed to a possible relationship between both phenomena. However, such a relationship has not been clearly defined. This research analyzes the relationship between BS dimensions and body mass index (BMI), the latter being treated as a moderator variable among obese senior and middle managers in the Mexican maquiladora industry through a structural equation model. A total of 361 senior and middle managers (124 of them classified as obese under the World Health Organization's criteria) completed both the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey [with emotional exhaustion (EE), cynicism, and professional efficacy (PE) as subscale dimensions] and a sociodemographic questionnaire (which included BMI). The results showed a statistically significant relationship between EE and PE (P < 0.001; ß = -0.320), with BMI acting as a moderator variable. The results showed that when BMI increases as a moderator variable, the strength of the relationship between EE and PE also changes. For example, although PE had a negative value of 0.14 before the moderator effect, the value increased up to 0.32 when the BMI was factored into the relationship. Therefore, maquiladora industries are being advised to increase their investments on the identification and prevention of employees' EE and obesity. Such interventions would promote a better quality of life and could prevent economic losses resulting from poor employee performance.

Stress, Professional Lifestyle, and Telomere Biology in Elite Athletes: A Growing Trend in Psychophysiology of Sport.

Professional lifestyle and championship period often put a great deal of pressure on athletes, who usually experience highly stressful periods during training for competitions. Recently, biomarkers of cellular aging, telomere length (TL) and telomerase activity (TA), have been considered to investigate the effects of stress and lifestyle factors. Studies in non-athletic populations have shown that stress and poor lifestyle decrease TL and TA. On the other hand, it has been shown that in general, exercise increases TL and its activity, although the underlying mechanisms remained largely unexplored. TL and TA outcomes in elite athletes remain inconclusive and mainly affected by confounding factors, such as age. Elite athletes, therefore, might offer a unique target group for studying exercise-telomere hypothesis for further investigation of the roles of stressors on telomere-related biomarkers. In this perspective, we highlight the potentials for studying these psychophysiological markers in elite athletes in order to understand stress-aging relationship and potential underlying mechanisms. Moreover, we present important methodological aspects that could help in the development of future experimental designs.

Effects of Job Content and Physical Activity on Body Mass Index among Obese Managers of the Mexican Manufacturing Industry.

Mental health disorders resulting from work stressors are increasing in the Mexican manufacturing industry and worldwide. Managerial positions in these contexts are highly stressful, and although physical activity may reduce the negative effects of work stress, the relationships between these two aspects regarding their effects on the body mass index (BMI) of obese managers are scarcely studied. This article aims to study such relationships by using the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) dimensions with the Baecke's physical activity questionnaire dimensions and analyzing their effects on the BMI. A sample of 255 managers from the Mexican industry, with a (BMI > 30) participated by answering the surveys and providing their weight, their height, and certain sociodemographic information. The research hypotheses were tested using WarpPLS® 6.0 for structural equation modeling. The results for three models featuring acceptable reliability to estimate the direct, indirect, and total effects are presented. The first model showed a medium explanatory power, the variable of job decision-making authority having the greatest direct effect on BMI. The second model showed a medium explanatory power, and the variable of physical activity during leisure-time observed the unique direct effect on BMI. Finally, although the integrating model showed a small explanatory power, both work stress and the physical activity exerted observed direct effects on BMI reduction.

Niveles de salud psicológica y laboral en practicantes de Pilates / Levels of Psychological and Occupational Health in Pilates Adherents

Resumen Actualmente, la práctica de Pilates carece de fundamentación científica sólida que establezca beneficios sobre la salud psicológica. El objetivo principal del presente trabajo fue analizar si los participantes que combinan Pilates con otras Actividades Físico-Deportivas (AFD) presentaban puntuaciones más altas en las variables psicosociales y laborales estudiadas que practicantes de Pilates, practicantes de otras AFD diferentes al Pilates y participantes sedentarios. El segundo objetivo fue comprobar si los años de experiencia practicando Pilates, de forma aislada, influían positivamente sobre las variables estudiadas. El cuestionario de autoeficacia (AEG), autoestima (RSE), personalidad situacional (CPS), optimismo (LOT-R), satisfacción laboral (S10/12) y engagement (UWES) fueron completados por 212 participantes con una edad media de 41.83 años (DT = 12.41). Los practicantes de Pilates asistían a centros especializados en la técnica Pilates original. La metodología empleada fue de corte transversal. Las puntuaciones más altas en autoeficacia, estabilidad emocional, autoconcepto, optimismo y satisfacción con las prestaciones recibidas obtenidas por el grupo que combina Pilates con otras AFD no son estadísticamente significativas frente al resto de los grupos. Sin embargo, los minutos semanales de AFD correlacionan significativamente con la autoeficacia, el autoconcepto y la tendencia optimista. Los resultados del segundo objetivo muestran diferencias significativas en las variables autoeficacia y autoconcepto entre los practicantes más expertos de Pilates con respecto a los principiantes. Como conclusión, no se detectan diferencias significativas entre los grupos analizados, pero una práctica continuada y regular de Pilates en el tiempo, superior a 5 años, puede reportar interesantes beneficios psicológicos.

Abstract: Currently, the practice of Pilates lacks a solid scientific foundation that establishes benefits on psychological health. The main objective of the present work was to analyze whether participants who combine Pilates with otherPhysical Sports Activities (PSA) had higher scores in psychosocial and work variables studied than Pilates adherents, devotees of other PSAs other than Pilates and sedentary participants. The second objective was to check whether years of experience practicing Pilates, in isolation, had a positive influence on the variables studied. Two hundred twelve participants completed the self-efficacy questionnaire (GSE), self-esteem (RSE), situational personality (CPS), optimism (LOT-R), job satisfaction (S10/12) and engagement (UWES) questionnaires with an average age of 41.83 years (SD = 12.41). Adherents of Pilates attended centers specialized in original Pilates techniques. The methodology used was cross-sectional. The highest scores on self-efficacy, emotional stability, self-concept, optimism and satisfaction with the benefits received by the group that combines Pilates with other PSAs are not statistically significant compared to the rest of the groups. However, the weekly minutes of PSA correlate significantly with self-efficacy, self-concept and optimistic tendency. The results of the second objective show significant differences in the self-efficacy and self-concept variables among the most expert Pilates adherents with respect to beginners. In conclusion, no significant differences were detected between the analyzed groups, but a continued and regular practice of Pilates over time (more than 5 years), may provide interesting psychological benefits

Relationship between Burnout and Body Mass Index in Senior and Middle Managers from the Mexican Manufacturing Industry.

This research relates Burnout Syndrome (BS) with the Body Mass Index (BMI) among middle and senior managers of the Mexican manufacturing industry. Even though BS incidence is high in the Mexican industrial population, few systematic studies have explored BS and its relationship with other health problems, such as obesity. The goal of this research is to determine the relationship between BS and the BMI in employees with normal weight, overweight, and obesity. We present three structural equation models to relate BS and the BMI. The BMI ranges were determined according to the parameters (normal weight, overweight, and obesity) proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The sample includes 361 employees that voluntarily answered a 31-item questionnaire. We measure the levels of BS using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) and analyze anthropometric and sociodemographic data from the participants. Then, we determine the relationships between the variables through structural equation models and estimate the direct, indirect, and total effects in the three models, which show acceptable reliability. As main findings, the normal weight model has a larger explanatory power than the overweight and obesity models. The same research hypotheses were tested and the effects of BS on the BMI differ across the three models. Such results are presented by taking into account that obesity and overweight require additional factors, such as genetic factors and personal eating habits, to be better explained.

Evidencias de la práctica Pilates sobre la salud mental de personas sanas / Evidence of Pilates practice on the mental health of healthy people

Resumen Introducción: El método de Pilates fue diseñado para crear una conexión entre la mente y el cuerpo, mediante un trabajo combinado de fuerza y flexibilidad, sin someter al cuerpo a una tensión excesiva. Objetivo: Exponer desde una perspectiva analítica-interpretativa los resultados de investigación más relevantes, en relación a la salud mental de personas sanas que practican habitualmente Pilates. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un análisis de los principales beneficios del método Pilates sobre la salud mental, con resultados de investigaciones terminadas; para ello, se accedió a las bases de datos ScienceDirect, PubMed y Dialnet para identificar publicaciones que relacionan Pilates con variables mentales. Resultados: Los 19 estudios revisados muestran evidencias científicas sobre los niveles de humor, autoeficacia, autoestima, estado de ánimo, estrés, calidad de sueño, depresión e identificación con el ejercicio físico. Pero al analizar estudios centrados en la atención, ansiedad-estado, afecto positivo o negativo y calidad de vida; se comprueba que la evidencia es todavía muy limitada. Conclusiones: Son necesarios nuevos trabajos de corte longitudinal con muestras suficientemente amplias que permitan despejar las incógnitas aún existentes en relación a Pilates; esto permitirá determinar si la elevada popularidad del método se asocia con los importantes beneficios reportados sobre la salud.

Abstract Introduction: The Pilates method was designed to create a connection between mind and body through a combined work of strength and flexibility, without submitting the body to excessive stress. Objective: To expose the most relevant research results from an analytical-interpretative perspective, in relation to the mental health of healthy people who habitually practice Pilates. Materials and methods: An analysis of the main benefits of the Pilates method on mental health was carried out, by using the results of finished research. To do this, the databases ScienceDirect, PubMed and Dialnet were accessed to identify publications that relate Pilates to mental variables. Results: The 19 revised studies show scientific evidence on the levels of humor, self-efficacy, self-esteem, mood, stress, quality of sleep, depression and identification with physical exercise. However, studies focused on attention, anxiety-state, positive or negative affect and quality of life proved that the evidence is still very limited. Conclusions: New longitudinal cutting researches using sufficiently wide samples are necessary to clear the unknowns still existing in relation to Pilates. This will determine whether the high popularity of the method is associated with the important health benefits reported.

¿Hay beneficios psicosociales por la práctica Pilates? Un análisis de la literatura científica / Are there psychosocial benefits for Pilates practice? An analysis of the scientific literature / Existem benefícios psicossociais para a prática de Pilates? Uma análise da literatura científica

En los últimos 5 años, las bases de datos analizadas muestran un notable incremento en el número de publicaciones sobre Pilates. La enorme difusión y popularidad del método Pilates podría deberse a los beneficios físicos, psíquicos y sociales que las personas podrían obtener con su práctica. Desde el ámbito científico, existe la necesidad de actualizar y evaluar objetivamente los resultados ya existentes sobre los posibles beneficios que puede producir la práctica de Pilates sobre la salud. Esta revisión, pretende comprobar si hay una suficiente fundamentación científica que justifique sus beneficios en la salud psicológica de los practicantes de Pilates. Para ello se ha realizado una búsqueda sistemática, utilizando como criterio de búsqueda la palabra "Pilates", en las bases de datos: ScienceDirect, Pubmed, Lilacs, Psyc ARTICLES, CSIC-ISOC y Dialnet. Entre las variables psicoló-gicas que han sido estudiadas las más relevantes han resultado ser la calidad de vida, la depresión, el estado de ánimo, la auto eficacia generalizada y los aspectos relativos al sueño. Por otro lado, teniendo en cuenta las singularidades del propio método se van a exponer futuras líneas de investigación (AU)

In the last 5 years, the analyzed databases show a remarkable increase in the number of publications on Pilates. the enormous popularity of Pilates may be due to physical and psychological benefits that people could get to their practice. From the scientific field, there is a need to evaluate objectively the existing results on the potential benefits of the Pilates Method. So this work is to check whether there is a sufficient scientific basis to justify their psychological health benefits practitioners. For this we have performed a systematic search, using as search criteria the word "Pilates" in databases: Science Direct, Pubmed, Lilacs, PsycARTICLES, CSIC-ISOCand Dialnet. Among the psychological variables that have been studied the most relevant have proven the quality of life, depression, mood, generalized self-efficacy and aspects of sleep. Also taking into account the peculiarities of the method itself will narrow future research (AU)

Nos últimos 5 anos, os bancos de dados analisados mostram um aumento notável no número de publicações sobre Pilates. A enorme difusão popularidade do Pilates pode ser devido aos benefícios físicos, mentais isósceles que as pessoas pudem começar a sentir com a sua prática. No campo científico, há uma necessidade de atualizar, objetivar e avaliar os resultados existentes sobre os potenciais benefícos que podem produzir a prática de Pilates na saúde. Esta revisão visa estabelecer a existencia da base científica,que seja suficiente para justificar seus benefícios psicológicos de saúde desta prática. Para isso, foi realizada uma busca sistemática, utilizando como critério de busca a palavra "Pilates" em bancos de dados: ScienceDirect, Pubmed, Lilacs, PsycARTICLES, CSIC-ISOC e Dialnet. Entre as variáveis psicológicas que têm sido estudados os mais relevantes têm comprovado a qualidade de vida, depressão, humor, generalizada auto-eficácia e os aspectosdo sono. Tendo em vista as peculiaridades do método em si vai diminuiras dúvidas referentes a este assunto (AU)

Computer-mediated communication and time pressure induce higher cardiovascular responses in the preparatory and execution phases of cooperative tasks.

The cardiovascular (CV) response to social challenge and stress is associated with the etiology of cardiovascular diseases. New ways of communication, time pressure and different types of information are common in our society. In this study, the cardiovascular response to two different tasks (open vs. closed information) was examined employing different communication channels (computer-mediated vs. face-to-face) and with different pace control (self vs. external). Our results indicate that there was a higher CV response in the computer-mediated condition, on the closed information task and in the externally paced condition. These role of these factors should be considered when studying the consequences of social stress and their underlying mechanisms.

Computer-mediated communication and time pressure induce higher cardiovascular responses in the preparatory and execution phases of cooperative tasks / La comunicación mediada por ordenador y la presión temporal inducen mayores respuestas cardiovasculares durante la preparación y la ejecución de tareas cooperativas

The cardiovascular (CV) response to social challenge and stress is associated with the etiology of cardiovascular diseases. New ways of communication, time pressure and different types of information are common in our society. In this study, the cardiovascular response to two different tasks (open vs. closed information) was examined employing different communication channels (computer-mediated vs. face-to-face) and with different pace control (self vs. external). Our results indicate that there was a higher CV response in the computer-mediated condition, on the closed information task and in the externally paced condition. These role of these factors should be considered when studying the consequences of social stress and their underlying mechanisms(AU)

Las respuestas cardiovasculares (CV) en situaciones de estrés y reto han sido asociadas a diversos trastornos cardiovasculares, de alta prevalencia en las sociedades actuales. El empleo de nuevos canales de comunicación, el ritmo acelerado y el tipo de información manejada son potenciales factores moduladores de la respuesta psicofisiológica a situaciones comunes en nuestra sociedad, como la cooperación en grupos de trabajo. En este estudio se ha analizado la respuesta cardiovascular ante dos tareas (con información abierta vs cerrada), realizadas mediante distintos canales de comunicación (mediado por ordenador vs cara a cara) y con o sin presión temporal. Los datos muestran mayor frecuencia cardíaca y presión arterial sistólica en la condición mediada por ordenador, con información cerrada y con presión temporal. Estos factores deberán tenerse en cuenta en el estudio de las consecuencias del estrés social y de los mecanismos subyacentes(AU)

Estrés laboral y salud: Indicadores cardiovasculares y endocrinos / Work stress and health: Cardiovascular and endocrine indicators

Hoy día, el estrés laboral afecta a gran parte de la población trabajadora. Como consecuencia ha habido un aumento de las publicaciones en relación con este tema usando fundamentaciones teóricas y metodologías diversas. Sin embargo, los mecanismos psicobiológicos que se encuentran en la base de la relación entre el estrés laboral y la enfermedad no están claros. El objetivo fundamental de este trabajo es revisar los aspectos principales de la investigación sobre estrés laboral desde un punto de vista interdisciplinar resaltando alguna de las variables biológicas implicadas. En primer lugar, haremos una breve introducción resumiendo la metodología utilizada. Posteriormente, describiremos la relación entre el estrés laboral y las patologías cardiovasculares, concretamente el papel de la presión arterial. Además, se expondrá la evidencia existente entre el estrés laboral, los niveles de cortisol y la respuesta matutina del mismo, considerada un indicador de estrés crónico. Finalmente, se plantearán la explicaciones existentes sobre los mecanismos de relación entre estrés laboral y enfermedad(AU)

Nowadays, work stress affects to a great part of the working population. In consequence there was an increasing number of publications using different methodologies and background. However, the psychobiological mechanism that is under work stress and disease relationship is not clear yet. The main objective of this work is to review the main aspects of the work stress investigation from an interdisciplinary point of view pointing out some of the biological variables that are implied. First, a brief introduction will be made, summing up the different methodologies employed. After this, we will describe the relationship between work stress and cardiovascular disease, and concretely the role of blood pressure. Furthermore, we will show the evidence between work stress and cortisol levels, concretely the cortisol awakening response as a marker of chronic stress. Finally, an explanation of the possible mechanisms involved in the work stress and disease relationship will be exposed(AU)