Efectos de una sesión de juegos reducidos basados en balonmano sobre la atención selectiva, sostenida y amplitud atencional en una muestra de adultos jóvenes / Efeitos de uma sessão de jogo pequeno baseado em handebol na atenção seletiva e sustentada e atenção em uma amostra de adultos jovens / Effects of a small-sided handball game on selective, sustained attention and attentional amplitude in a sample of young adults

Estudios previos han puesto de relieve los efectos crónicos y agudos que el ejercicio físico tiene sobre el funcionamiento cognitivo. Sin embargo, es necesario seguir profundizando para obtener información precisa sobre qué tipo de ejercicio es más favorable sobre determinadas capacidades cognitivas. Así, el objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar los efectos de una sesión de juegos reducidos basados en el balonmano sobre la atención selectiva, sostenida y amplitud atencional en una muestra de adultos jóvenes. Formaron parte de este estudio 52 participantes con edades entre 21 y 25 años (M = 21.83; DT = .94) procedentes de la ciudad de Málaga (España). Se empleó un diseño de investigación cuasiexperimental intersujetos con grupo control y experimental. Mediante análisis estadísticos no paramétricos (U Mann Whitney y Wilcoxon) se trató de explorar los efectos de la sesión de actividad físico/deportiva sobre cuatro pruebas de amplitud atencional, dos de atención selectiva y una de atención sostenida. Los resultados mostraron efectos estadísticamente significativos sobre las pruebas de atención selectiva y amplitud atencional, aunque no en la prueba de atención sostenida. Los hallazgos encontrados sugieren que la actividad físico-deportiva colectiva podría tener un efecto agudo significativo sobre la atención, aunque sería necesario seguir indagando sobre qué dimensiones específicas de la atención, dadas las diferencias encontradas entre unos parámetros y otros. (AU)

Previous studies have highlighted the chronic and acute effects that physical exercise has on cognitive functioning. However, it is necessary to go deeper in order to obtain precise information on what typeof exercise is more favorable for certain cognitive abilities. Thus, the objective of this work was to analyze the effects of a session of small games based on handball on selective, sustained attention and attention span in a sample of young adults. Fifty-two participants between the ages of 21 and 25 (M= 21.83; SD= .94) from the city of Malaga (Spain) took part in this study. A quasi-experimental intersubject's research design was used with a control and experimental group. Using non-parametric statistical analyzes (U Mann Whitney and Wilcoxon) we tried to explore the effects of the physical/sports activity session on four tests of attention span, two of selective attention and one of sustained attention. The results showed statistically significant effects on the selective tests and attention span, although not on the sustained attention test. The findings suggest that collective physical-sporting activity could have a significant acute effect on attention, although it would be necessary to continue investigating the specific dimensions of attention, given the differences found between some parameters and others. (AU)

Estudos anteriores destacaram os efeitos crônicos e agudos que o exercício físico tem no funcionamento cognitivo. No entanto, é necessário aprofundar este conhecimento para obter informações mais precisas sobre qual tipo de exercício mais favorável para determinadas habilidades cognitivas. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar os efeitos de uma sessão de pequenos jogos baseados no andebol na atenção seletiva, sustentada e capacidade de atenção numa amostra de adultos jovens. Cinquenta e dois participantes com idades compreendidas entre 21 e 25 anos (M= 21,83; DP= ,94)da cidade de Málaga (Espanha) participaram deste estudo. Um projeto de pesquisa intersujeitos quase-experimental foi usado com um grupo de controlo e experimental. Através de análises estatísticas não paramétricas (U Mann Whitney e Wilcoxon) procurámos explorar os efeitos da sessão de atividade física/desportiva em quatro testes de capacidade de atenção, dois de atenção seletiva e um de atenção sustentada. Os resultados evidenciaram diferenças estatisticamente significativos nos testes de atenção e seletivos, mas não no teste de atenção sustentada. Os resultadosencontrados sugerem que a atividade físico-desportiva coletiva pode ter um efeito agudo significativo na atenção, embora seja necessário continuar a investigar as dimensões específicas da atenção, dadas as diferenças encontradas entre alguns parâmetros. (AU)

La modalidad de actividad físico-deportiva practicada determina el nivel de atención dividida en adultos jóvenes / O tipo de atividade físico-esportiva praticada determina o nível de atenção dividida em adultos jovens / The type of physical-sports activity practised determis the level of divided attention among young adults

El propósito del presente estudio fue determinar las diferencias en el nivel de atención dividida en función de la modalidad de práctica físico-deportiva realizada. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 610 deportistas (66.55% género femenino), con edades entre 20 y 35 años (M ± DT = 22.53 ± 2.72). Para evaluar la atención dividida se utilizó el Test de Círculos, el cual pertenece al software Procesos Atencionales y que está alojado en la plataforma de evaluación online MenPas 1.0 (www.menpas.com). Los resultados obtenidos pusieron de relieve que la práctica de actividad físico-deportiva de tipo colectiva estuvo asociada a una mejor puntuación en el Test de Círculos, encontrándose las mayores diferencias entre las modalidades colectivas e individuales. Estos hallazgos sugieren que practicar actividades físico-deportivas de tipo colectivo, debido a las características de estos deportes, podría contribuir a un mejor desarrollo de capacidades cognitivas como la atención dividida. (AU)

This study aims to determine the differences in levels of dividided attention according to the type of physical-sports activity practised. The sample consisted of 610 athletes (66.55% females) aged between 20 and 35 years (M ± DT = 22.53 ± 2.72). Divided attention was assessed using The Circles Test of the Attentional Processes software hosted on the MenPas 1.0 online assessment platform (www.menpas.com). The result show that the practice of collective physical-sport activity was associated with a better score in the Circles Test, with the greatest differences being between collective and individual modalities. These findings suggest that due to the characteristics of these collective physical-sports, they may contribute to improve Development of cognitive abilities such as divided attention. (AU)

O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar as diferenças no nível de atenção dividido de acordo com a modalidade de prática físico-esportiva realizada. A amostra foi composta por 610 atletas (66,55% do sexo feminino), com idade entre 20 e 35 anos(M ± SD = 22,53 ± 2,72). Para avaliar a atenção dividida, foi utilizado o Teste dos Círculos, que pertence ao software Processos de Atenção e está hospedado na plataforma de avaliação online MenPas 1.0 (www.menpas.com). Os resultados obtidos destacaram que a prática de atividade físico-esportiva coletiva esteve associada a uma melhor pontuação no Teste de Círculos, sendo as maiores diferenças encontradas entre as modalidades coletiva e individual. Esses achados sugerem que a prática de atividades físico-esportivas coletivas, devido às características desses esportes, poderia contribuir para um melhor desenvolvimento de habilidades cognitivas como a atenção dividida. (AU)

Validación de un protocolo de Finger Tapping Test Informatizado / Validation of a Computerized Finger Tapping Test protocol

El Finger Tapping Test (FTT) es una prueba neurofisiológica con largo bagaje en el campo de la neuropsicología, utilizada para examinar el control motor. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue validar una versión informatizada del FTT, estimando su validez concurrente con pruebas estandarizadas de ansiedad y ansiedad precompetitiva. Formaron parte del estudio 102 participantes, de los cuales 47 practicaban actividad físico-deportiva de forma habitual y 55 no. El 34’31% de la muestra fueron hombres y el 65’68% mujeres. Se utilizaron dos versiones informáticas del FTT, junto a los cuestionarios Inventario del Estado de Ansiedad en Competición-2 (CSAI2), Cuestionario de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo (STAI), Inventario de Situaciones y Respuestas de Ansiedad (ISRA), Inventario de Ansiedad Competitiva (SCAT) y Cuestionario de Regulación Emocional (ERQ). Se encontraron correlaciones entre los pulsos de la modalidad clásica y versión movimiento y con algunas de las escalas de los cuestionarios utilizados como fue supresión emocional, ansiedad cognitiva y somática y, especialmente, autoconfianza. Los resultados obtenidos ponen de relieve la alta validez concurrente del programa. (AU)

The Finger Tapping Test (FTT) is a neurophysiological test with a long history in the field of neuropsychology, used to examine motor control. The objective of the present investigation was to validate a computerized version of the FTT, estimating its concurrent validity with standardized tests of anxiety and precompetitive anxiety. A total of 102 participants took part in the study, of which 47 practiced physical activity and sports on a regular basis, and 55 did not. 34.31% of the sample were men and 65.68% were women. Two computerized versions of the FTT were used, along with the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory 2 (CSAI2), State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire (STAI), Situation and Response Anxiety Inventory (ISRA), Competitive Anxiety Inventory (SCAT) and Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Correlations were found between the pulses of the classic modality and movement version and with some of the scales of the questionnaires used, such as emotional suppression, cognitive and somatic anxiety, and, especially, self-confidence. The results show that the FTT has stability in terms of its evaluation, as well as high concurrent validit (AU)

MenPas 1.0: Plataforma online de evaluación psicosocial / MenPas 1.0: Online psychosocial Assessment Platform

El uso de instrumentos informatizados y en línea se ha incrementado notablemente en las últimas décadas. Sucesos como la COVID-19 han influido en la consolidación de su uso, siendo herramientas de trabajo muy útiles para evaluación e investigación. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue analizar una plataforma de evaluación online denominada MenPas 1.0, explorando sus áreas de trabajo y el flujo de datos de los últimos años. Se ha seguido una estrategia descriptiva para analizar las posibilidades que ofrece la plataforma, así como el tráfico de datos que posee y número de usuarios. Los resultados muestran que esta plataforma ofrece herramientas vinculadas a las siguientes áreas: ansiedad, atención, autoconcepto, autorregistros, burnout, búsqueda de talentos, calidad de vida, dinámica grupal, entrenamiento mental, inteligencia emocional, estrés, generalizabilidad, hipnosis, liderazgo, motivación, observación, organizaciones/calidad, socialización, toma de decisiones o visualización. Actualmente, tiene más de 16 mil usuarios registrados y acumula más de un millón trescientos mil sucesos. Algunos de los cuestionarios alojados han sido respondidos más de 60.000 veces. Además, sus usuarios proceden de múltiples países europeos y asiáticos, americanos o de Oceanía. Los resultados ponen de relieve el amplio espectro de uso que tiene la plataforma, las posibilidades de almacenamiento y procesamiento de datos que permite y la universalización de los recursos informatizados. (AU)

Computerized online instruments use has been increased significantly in recent decades. Influenced by events as COVID-19, consolidating its use in assessment and research. Present work main goal is to analyze the online assessment platform named MenPas 1.0, by exploring its working areas as well as the traffic communication data in the last years. A descriptive strategy has been followed in order to analyze the several possibilities offered by the platform as well as its data traffic and number of users. The results show that this platform offers a set of for the following areas: anxiety, attention, self-concept, self-registers, burnout, talent search, quality of life, group dynamics, mental training, emotional intelligence, stress, generalizability, hypnosis, leadership, motivation, observation, organizations/quality, socialization, decision making or visualization. Currently, it has more than 16 thousand registered users and accumulates more than 1.3 million events. Some of the hosted questionnaires have been run more than 60,000 times. In addition, users come from many European, Asian, American, and Oceanian countries. The results highlight the wide using spectrum of the platform joined to the data storing and processing possibilities what allows the computerized resources universalization. (AU)

Revisión sistemática sobre la incidencia de los programas de actividad física en la mejora cognitiva en la infancia y adolescencia / Physical activity programs incidence in cognitive improvement of children and adolescents: A systematic review

La infancia y adolescencia son etapas importantes en el desarrollo cerebral y son la base de la vida adulta. En numerosas ocasiones se ha demostrado los efectos de la actividad física en la salud, así como en el desarrollo cognitivo y moral. No obstante, no toda actividad física llega a causar efectos en las funciones cognitivas al mismo nivel, siendo la actividad vigorosa y el aumento de actividad cardiorrespiratoria las que aportan mayores beneficios. Esta revisión pretende recoger los estudios de los diez últimos años sobre los efectos de programas de actividad física en la cognición en la infancia y adolescencia. Se busca conocer qué tipo de actividad física es más beneficiosa para qué tipo de habilidad cognitiva. Los datos mostraron que la actividad física produce beneficios en la cognición, aunque es la actividad vigorosa la que genera mayor impacto. Los juegos reducidos y las actividades aeróbicas combinadas con coordinación se han visto mejores para inhibición y flexibilidad cognitiva. Aunque parece ser más importante la intensidad de la actividad. Esto puede beneficiar la planificación de los programas de actividad física y los beneficios que conlleva. (AU)

Childhood and adolescence are important stages in brain development and are the basis for adult life. The effects of physical activity on health, as well as on cognitive and moral development, have been demonstrated on numerous occasions. However, not all physical activity can have the same level of effect on cognitive functions, with vigorous activity and increased cardiorespiratory activity providing the greatest benefits. This review aims to collect the studies of the last ten years on the effects of physical activity programs on cognition in childhood and adolescence. The aim is to know which type of physical activity is more beneficial for which type of cognitive ability. The data showed that physical activity produces benefits on cognition, although vigorous activity has the greatest impact. Reduced games and aerobic activities combined with coordination have been found to be better for cognitive inhibition and flexibility. Although the intensity of the activity seems to be more important. This may benefit the planning of physical activity programs and the benefits it brings. (AU)

El tipo de deporte practicado determina el nivel de atención selectiva en adultos jóvenes / O tipo de esporte praticado determina o nível de atenção seletiva em adultos jovens / The type of sport practiced determines the level of selective attention in young adults

El propósito principal del presente trabajo fue determinar las diferencias existentes en atención selectiva entre personas que practicaban regularmente diferentes modalidades de actividad físico-deportiva. La muestra estuvo compuesta por un total de 1038 participantes siendo el 68.30% (n=709) mujeres y el 31.70% (n=329) hombres, con edades comprendidasentre 20 y 29 años (M ± DT = 22.54 ± 2.35). Para evaluar la atención selectiva se utilizó un test informatizado de tachado numérico (matriz 5x5), que forma parte del software Procesos Atencionales y que se encuentra alojado en la Plataforma de Evaluación Psicosocial MenPas 1.0. (www.menpas.com). Los resultados pusieron de relieve la existencia de diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los tipos de deporte en el tiempo de ejecución de la prueba realizada. Específicamente, los practicantes de deportes individuales empleaban más tiempo en la ejecución de la tarea que los que realizaban deportes colectivos (Z = −2.46; p = .014, Cohen’s d = .23, 95% CI (.07, .38)) o de adversario (Z = −2.11; p = .035, Cohen’s d = .19, 95% CI (.01, .38)). En concreto, aquellos que jugaban al pádel y al fútbol fueron los que mejores tiempos de ejecución obtuvieron. Los resultados obtenidos pusieron de relieve que la modalidad de deporte practicado podría tener un impacto diferencial en el desarrollo cognitivo, específicamente en la atención selectiva. (AU)

The main purpose of this study was to determine the differences in selective attention between people who regularly practiced different forms of physical-sports activity. The sample consisted of a total of 1,038 participants, 68.30% (n=709) being women and 31.70% (n=329) being men, aged between 20 and 29 years (M ± SD = 22.54 ± 2.35). The evaluate selective attention, a computerized numerical cross-out test (a 5x5 matrix) was used, which is part of the Attentional Processes software and is hosted on the MenPas 1.0 Psychosocial Assessment Platform. (www.menpas.com). The results highlighted the existence of statistically significant differences between the types of sport in the execution time of the test performed. Specifically, individual sports practitioners spent more time performing the task than those who performed team sports (Z= −2.46; p= .014, Cohen'sd= .23, 95% CI (.07, .38)) or adversary(Z= −2.11; p= .035, Cohen'sd= .19, 95% CI (.01, .38)). Specifically, those who played paddle tennis and soccer were the ones who obtained the best execution times. The results obtained highlighted that the type of sport practiced could have a differentialimpact on cognitive development, specifically on selective attention. (AU)

O objetivo principal deste estudo foi determinar as diferenças na atenção seletiva entre pessoas que praticavam regularmente diferentes formas de atividade físico-esportiva. A amostra foi composta por um total de 1.038 participantes, sendo 68,30% (n=709) mulheres e 31,70% (n=329) homens, com idade entre 20 e 29 anos (M ± DP = 22,54 ± 2,35). Para avaliar a atenção seletiva, foi utilizado um teste numérico computadorizado cruzado (uma matriz 5x5), que faz parte do software Processos de Atenção e está hospedado na Plataforma de Avaliação Psicossocial MenPas 1.0. (www.menpas.com). Os resultados evidenciaram a existência de diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os tipos de esporte no tempo de execução do teste realizado. Especificamente, os praticantes de esportes individuais gastaram mais tempo realizando a tarefa do que aqueles que realizaram esportes coletivos (Z= −2,46; p= 0,014, Cohen'sd= 0,23, IC 95% (0,07, 0,38)) ou adversário (Z = −2,11; p= 0,035, d de Cohen= 0,19, IC de 95% (0,01, 0,38)). Especificamente, aqueles que jogaram paddle e futebol foram os que obtiveram os melhores tempos de execução. Os resultados obtidos destacaram que o tipo de esporte praticado pode ter um impacto diferencial no desenvolvimento cognitivo, especificamente na atenção seletiva. (AU)

The Time Course of Audio-Visual Phoneme Identification: a High Temporal Resolution Study.

Speech unfolds in time and, as a consequence, its perception requires temporal integration. Yet, studies addressing audio-visual speech processing have often overlooked this temporal aspect. Here, we address the temporal course of audio-visual speech processing in a phoneme identification task using a Gating paradigm. We created disyllabic Spanish word-like utterances (e.g., /pafa/, /paθa/, …) from high-speed camera recordings. The stimuli differed only in the middle consonant (/f/, /θ/, /s/, /r/, /g/), which varied in visual and auditory saliency. As in classical Gating tasks, the utterances were presented in fragments of increasing length (gates), here in 10 ms steps, for identification and confidence ratings. We measured correct identification as a function of time (at each gate) for each critical consonant in audio, visual and audio-visual conditions, and computed the Identification Point and Recognition Point scores. The results revealed that audio-visual identification is a time-varying process that depends on the relative strength of each modality (i.e., saliency). In some cases, audio-visual identification followed the pattern of one dominant modality (either A or V), when that modality was very salient. In other cases, both modalities contributed to identification, hence resulting in audio-visual advantage or interference with respect to unimodal conditions. Both unimodal dominance and audio-visual interaction patterns may arise within the course of identification of the same utterance, at different times. The outcome of this study suggests that audio-visual speech integration models should take into account the time-varying nature of visual and auditory saliency.

Large-scale network-level processes during entrainment.

Visual rhythmic stimulation evokes a robust power increase exactly at the stimulation frequency, the so-called steady-state response (SSR). Localization of visual SSRs normally shows a very focal modulation of power in visual cortex and led to the treatment and interpretation of SSRs as a local phenomenon. Given the brain network dynamics, we hypothesized that SSRs have additional large-scale effects on the brain functional network that can be revealed by means of graph theory. We used rhythmic visual stimulation at a range of frequencies (4-30 Hz), recorded MEG and investigated source level connectivity across the whole brain. Using graph theoretical measures we observed a frequency-unspecific reduction of global density in the alpha band "disconnecting" visual cortex from the rest of the network. Also, a frequency-specific increase of connectivity between occipital cortex and precuneus was found at the stimulation frequency that exhibited the highest resonance (30 Hz). In conclusion, we showed that SSRs dynamically re-organized the brain functional network. These large-scale effects should be taken into account not only when attempting to explain the nature of SSRs, but also when used in various experimental designs.

Visual information constrains early and late stages of spoken-word recognition in sentence context.

Audiovisual speech perception has been frequently studied considering phoneme, syllable and word processing levels. Here, we examined the constraints that visual speech information might exert during the recognition of words embedded in a natural sentence context. We recorded event-related potentials (ERPs) to words that could be either strongly or weakly predictable on the basis of the prior semantic sentential context and, whose initial phoneme varied in the degree of visual saliency from lip movements. When the sentences were presented audio-visually (Experiment 1), words weakly predicted from semantic context elicited a larger long-lasting N400, compared to strongly predictable words. This semantic effect interacted with the degree of visual saliency over a late part of the N400. When comparing audio-visual versus auditory alone presentation (Experiment 2), the typical amplitude-reduction effect over the auditory-evoked N100 response was observed in the audiovisual modality. Interestingly, a specific benefit of high- versus low-visual saliency constraints occurred over the early N100 response and at the late N400 time window, confirming the result of Experiment 1. Taken together, our results indicate that the saliency of visual speech can exert an influence over both auditory processing and word recognition at relatively late stages, and thus suggest strong interactivity between audio-visual integration and other (arguably higher) stages of information processing during natural speech comprehension.

Cross-modal prediction in speech depends on prior linguistic experience.

The sight of a speaker's facial movements during the perception of a spoken message can benefit speech processing through online predictive mechanisms. Recent evidence suggests that these predictive mechanisms can operate across sensory modalities, that is, vision and audition. However, to date, behavioral and electrophysiological demonstrations of cross-modal prediction in speech have considered only the speaker's native language. Here, we address a question of current debate, namely whether the level of representation involved in cross-modal prediction is phonological or pre-phonological. We do this by testing participants in an unfamiliar language. If cross-modal prediction is predominantly based on phonological representations tuned to the phonemic categories of the native language of the listener, then it should be more effective in the listener's native language than in an unfamiliar one. We tested Spanish and English native speakers in an audiovisual matching paradigm that allowed us to evaluate visual-to-auditory prediction, using sentences in the participant's native language and in an unfamiliar language. The benefits of cross-modal prediction were only seen in the native language, regardless of the particular language or participant's linguistic background. This pattern of results implies that cross-modal visual-to-auditory prediction during speech processing makes strong use of phonological representations, rather than low-level spatiotemporal correlations across facial movements and sounds.

Cross-modal prediction in speech perception.

Speech perception often benefits from vision of the speaker's lip movements when they are available. One potential mechanism underlying this reported gain in perception arising from audio-visual integration is on-line prediction. In this study we address whether the preceding speech context in a single modality can improve audiovisual processing and whether this improvement is based on on-line information-transfer across sensory modalities. In the experiments presented here, during each trial, a speech fragment (context) presented in a single sensory modality (voice or lips) was immediately continued by an audiovisual target fragment. Participants made speeded judgments about whether voice and lips were in agreement in the target fragment. The leading single sensory context and the subsequent audiovisual target fragment could be continuous in either one modality only, both (context in one modality continues into both modalities in the target fragment) or neither modalities (i.e., discontinuous). The results showed quicker audiovisual matching responses when context was continuous with the target within either the visual or auditory channel (Experiment 1). Critically, prior visual context also provided an advantage when it was cross-modally continuous (with the auditory channel in the target), but auditory to visual cross-modal continuity resulted in no advantage (Experiment 2). This suggests that visual speech information can provide an on-line benefit for processing the upcoming auditory input through the use of predictive mechanisms. We hypothesize that this benefit is expressed at an early level of speech analysis.