Changes in concentration performance and alternating attention after short-term virtual reality training in E-athletes: a pilot study.

In the dynamic landscape of e-sports, where intense competitive gaming demands high cognitive abilities, concentration performance and alternating attention play a pivotal role. E-sports encompass diverse genres, each requiring specific cognitive functions. Maintaining unwavering focus is crucial, as split-second decisions can determine victory. The study explores the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) training to enhance concentration performance and alternating attention, shedding light on the importance and possibilities of optimizing cognitive abilities for e-athletes. VR training emerges as a promising intervention, offering immersive environments for cognitive exercises. The study investigates the impact of VR training on concentration performance and alternating attention in amateur e-athletes, utilizing standardized tests. A randomized controlled trial with 66 participants reveals significant improvements in the VR training group, highlighting the adaptability and plasticity of cognitive processes. The findings suggest that VR training can enhance concentration abilities, providing valuable insights for e-sports and potentially extending to other fields requiring sustained attention and rapid task-switching. The study underscores the convergence of cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and VR technology, paving the way for innovative training methodologies and advancements in e-sports performance.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Visuospatial Memory Stimulation Using Virtual Reality in Head and Neck Cancer Patients-Pilot Study.

The prevalence of Cancer-related Cognitive Impairment (CRCI) in cancer patients necessitates the search for methods to help stimulate cognitive function. An innovative and repeatedly used method in oncology departments is virtual reality (VR). To date, no one has used VR for head and neck cancer patients in an attempt to stimulate their working memory. The goal of our research is to intervene with off-the-shelf VR applications in HNC patients to lower the risk of CRCI. Twenty-two patients with head and neck cancer were enrolled in this pilot study to characterize their visuospatial memory capacity, a form of working memory. During the oncological treatment, the patient had 30 min sessions, three times a week, using publicly available applications of VR. No significant changes were observed in the pre- and post-study. The individual patient results present a favorable trend of changes in their working memory after the intervention: despite oncological treatment, visual-spatial memory did not deteriorate in 88% of patients, including 28% of patients with higher scores than before the intervention. In this pilot study, VR was safely used in patients with head and neck cancer with no negative side effects. The use of VR may prevent CRCI in most HNC patients and, in some, VR may improve their cognitive functioning. A more rigorous study with larger numbers and controls is advised.

Effects of Dominance and Sprint Interval Exercise on Testosterone and Cortisol Levels in Strength-, Endurance-, and Non-Training Men.

The aim of the study was to investigate the response of testosterone and cortisol to sprint interval exercises (SIEs) and to determine the role of dominance. The experiment was conducted in a group of 96 men, divided into endurance-training, strength-training, and non-training groups. Participants performed SIEs consisting of 5 × 10-s all-out bouts with a 50-s active recovery. Using the passive drool method, testosterone and cortisol concentrations were measured in saliva samples at rest at 10 min pre and 12 min post exercise. Participants' heart rate (HR) was measured during the whole exercise. Dominance was assessed by the participants before the study; the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was measured immediately after each bout. The study showed that those who trained in endurance and strength sports had significantly lower mean HRs after five acute 10-s interval bouts than those in the non-training group (p = 0.006 and p = 0.041, respectively). Dominance has an inverse relation to changes in HR; however, it has no relation to hormone response. No significant differences were observed in testosterone and cortisol changes in the endurance-training, strength-training, and non-training groups after SIE (p > 0.05), which may indicate that the exercise volume was too low.

The Effect of Contact with a Horse During a Three-day Hippotherapy Session on Physiotherapy Students' Emotions.

Background: Activities with horses cause many emotional reactions in their recipients, the measurement and analysis of which can provide information about positive or negative attitudes toward hippotherapy activities. The purpose of the study was to explore how horse contact affects the emotions of female and male students experiencing horseback riding during a three-day hippotherapy session. Material and Methods: The study included 252 physiotherapy students from the Medical University of Wroclaw who participated in hippotherapy classes during a three-day didactic and scientific course implemented in the years 2014-2019. The Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE) and the Sanoquell automatic 766 pulse measuring device were used for the study. The SPANE took place at the beginning (study I) and at the end (study II) of the camp. Pulse was measured daily before and after hippotherapy (6 times). Results: Analysis of variance proved the existence of statistically significant difference between the intensity of positive feelings (SPANE-P, p=0.000) and negative feelings (SPANE-N, p=0.000) and in the outcome of overall satisfaction/happiness balance (SPANE-B, p=0.000) in I and II study in the group of women. No such difference was noted for the men. The pulse in women measured on the third day was statistically significantly higher than in men (p=0.0345). Conclusion: Hippotherapy classes bring physiotherapy students an increase in positive feelings and a decrease in negative feelings. Personal experience seems to be the best way to understand and consciously use hippotherapy as a therapeutic method.

Restored Life of Elite Athletes after Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects every aspect of human life: medical, psychological, social, material. People with SCI face a variety of secondary conditions (e.g., chronic pain, urinary tract infections, cognitive impairment) that place a significant emotional burden, resulting in an increased risk of depression and reduced quality of life. The purpose of this study was to better understand the coping strategies and to identify factors that promote or hinder the successful adjustment of elite athletes after SCI. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight top athletes after spinal cord injury. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then thematically analyzed using MAXQDA software. Thematic analysis identified the following categories: coping, athletic identity, and adjustment. The results of the study indicate that loss of functional ability does not cause loss of athlete identity. Elite athletes live a life consistent with this identity, attempting to maintain it despite the loss of physical fitness. Involvement in sports provides meaning and is a positive factor in the process of disability acceptance, which is essential in the process of adjustment to injury and also provides group belonging.

Monitoring Eye Movements Depending on the Type of Visual Stimulus in Patients with Impaired Consciousness Due to Brain Damage.

The eyeballs are often the only way to communicate messages as a result of brain damage. However, it is not uncommon for them to become dysfunctional, thus requiring the introduction of appropriate therapy. The trajectory of eye movements (saccadic movements and gaze fixation) during observation of a static and dynamic point presented with an eye tracker was analyzed in the present study. Twelve patients with brain injury of different etiology, with different degrees of consciousness disorders and not communicating through verbal and motor skills, qualified for the study. All participants demonstrated greater eye movement activity when presented with a dynamic task in which they observed a moving point. The findings suggest that effective eye movement therapy must incorporate dynamic stimuli.

Application of High-Tech Solution for Memory Assessment in Patients With Disorders of Consciousness.

Testing cognitive function in patients after severe brain damage is a major clinical challenge. In the absence of both verbal and motor communication, tests commonly used to assess cognitive function are completely or partially undoable for disorders of consciousness patients. The study involved 12 patients with varying degrees of impaired consciousness due to brain damage, with no verbal and motor communication. Memory was assessed in study participants using oculography. Memory tasks were presented in four categories. The total percentage of correctly completed tasks obtained across the group was 39.58%. The most difficult tasks included category C.4 with tasks involving working memory. Regardless of the subjects' level of consciousness, there was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of correct responses obtained in subgroups distinguished by CRS-R score. Eye tracking technology can be successfully used in the assessment of cognitive function, particularly when eye movements are the only channel of communication in individuals after brain damage. We suggest that the cognitive functions of people after brain damage should be further analyzed using eye tracking.

Implementing New Technologies to Improve Visual-Spatial Functions in Patients with Impaired Consciousness.

The quality of life of patients with severe brain damage is compromised by, e.g., impaired cognitive functions and ocular dysfunction. The paper contains research findings regarding participants of an oculomotor training course aimed at the therapy of visual-spatial functions. Five male patients with brain damage who did not communicate, verbally or motorically, participated in the study. Over a six-week period, the subjects solved tasks associated with recognising objects, size perception, colour perception, perception of object structures (letters), perception of object structures (objects), detecting differences between images and assembling image components into the complete image with the use of an eye tracker. The findings present evidence of oculomotor training effectiveness based on a longer duration of the work with the eye tracker and improved visual-spatial functions.

The Relationship between Cognitive Performance and Quality of Life in Elite Athletes after Spinal Cord Injury.

BACKGROUND: The present investigation was designed to determine cognitive performance and quality of life (QoL) in a group of elite athletes who sustained spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: nine participants suffering a SCI participated in the study. Different cognitive functions were evaluated through the following tests: COWAT, Digit Span, Stroop color-word and QoL through the WHOQoL-BREF scale. RESULTS: Generally, participants positively assessed their overall quality of life and health status. Although the tests conducted indicate reduced cognitive function among the athletes, it did not affect the reduction in QoL. Single correlations between the results of cognitive tests and QoL could be treated as coincidental. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the observed decline in selected cognitive functions, the participants positively assessed their quality of life and physical health.Reduced cognitive functioning could be influenced by the impact of sleep-disordered breathing, pain, depressive disorders and medication. This indicates the need for an individualized approach to define the patient's deficits, needs and best care. Further studies with a larger group of participants are needed.

The Polish adaptation of the Revised NICHD Investigative Interview Protocol.

In this paper, we introduce the Polish adaptation of the Revised NICHD (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Investigative Interview Protocol (2014). The protocol is an evidence-based method for interviewing child witnesses and crime victims. Compared with the Standard NICHD Investigative Interview Protocol (2008), the revised version includes strategies and techniques for providing emotional support to the interviewed child. This paper describes both the standard and the revised versions of the protocol, presents scientific evidence for its efficacy, and introduces the Polish language adaptation of the tool. The recipients of this methodological instrument could include judges and forensic psychology expert witnesses, who are to actively participate in interviewing child witnesses and victims under Article 185 of the Polish Code of Criminal Procedure, as well as students of law, psychology and criminology preparing to perform these roles in the future.

Are Beards Honest Signals of Male Dominance and Testosterone?

The male beard is one of the most visually salient and sexually dimorphic traits and a hypothesized potential marker of other traits, such as dominance, masculinity, social status, and self-confidence. However, as men can easily alter their facial hair, beards may provide unreliable information about the beard owner's characteristics. Here, we examined whether beards are honest signals of biological (testosterone levels) and psychological (self-reported dominance) traits. Young (M = 21.29, SD = 1.54) and healthy men (N = 97) participated in the study. Their beards were measured directly (using digital calipers) and by self-report. Participants provided saliva samples before and after acute exercise (to assess their testosterone and cortisol levels) and reported their dominance on a 5-item scale. The results showed that beard length (directly measured and self-reported) was not related to testosterone levels or dominance; thus, no evidence was found to support the hypothesis that beards are honest (or dishonest) signals of the beard owners' testosterone levels and dominance.

Is Self-Efficacy Related to the Quality of Life in Elite Athletes after Spinal Cord Injury?

BACKGROUND: A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a traumatic event that affects every aspect of life: physical, mental, economic, and social. The main aim of this study was to investigate self-efficacy, quality of life, and their correlations among outstanding athletes who have suffered spinal cord injuries, and to determine whether these individuals have specific psychological characteristics that contribute to a better quality of life. METHODS: The study involved nine athletes with at least national-level achievements in sports prior to an SCI. Participation in the study consisted of an interview via an online communicator, followed by an online questionnaire consisting of a personal questionnaire and two scales: The World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQoL-BREF), and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). RESULTS: Spearman's correlation showed a correlation between general self-efficacy, perception of quality of life, and satisfaction with own physical health, as well as psychological resources and environmental support. CONCLUSIONS: Involvement in an environment that was important to the injured person before the accident, in either a passive (in the absence of functional capacity) or active form, promotes a greater sense of self-efficacy and good QoL, regardless of the time that has passed since the accident, and despite high levels of pain or secondary health issues. To fill the gap in professional long-term healthcare services for athletes after SCIs, intervention programs should be considered that support self-efficacy, which is an important factor that can be subject to improvement.

Association of physical fitness with quality of life in community-dwelling older adults aged 80 and over in Poland: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Aging is a progressive and irreversible process that negatively affects the quality of life (QOL). Older adults face difficulties related to worsening health, lowering the level of physical and mental efficiency. We aimed to analyze the associations between physical fitness and QOL in Polish older adults considering sex differences. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed from March to August 2015. The sample consisted of 100 community-dwelling adults (67 women, 33 men) with a mean age of 82.94 ± 2.67 years. The World Health Organization QOL, Short Form questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Fullerton Functional Fitness Test (FFFT) were used. Biometric data, social and environmental situation, nutritional and lifestyle behaviors have been also collected using a questionnaire designed by the authors. RESULTS: The results obtained in individual domains of WHOWOL-BREF indicate a good level of QOL in all the examined domains. Statistically significant sex differences were obtained in physical (p = 0.01), psychological (p = 0.04) and environmental (p = 0.02) domains in WHOQOL-BREF. It was noted that men perform better in terms of the upper (arm curl, p < 0.001) and lower body strength (chair stand, p = 0.01), aerobic endurance (two-minute step test, p < 0.001), agility and dynamic balance (up and go test, p < 0.001) in FFFT. CONCLUSIONS: Community-dwelling older adults aged 80-93 years in Poland present a good level of QOL, and the higher score was obtained in men. Also, men presented better physical fitness, showed a higher level of independence in daily activities, and assessed better their own QOL than women.

Assessment of Language Functions in Patients With Disorders of Consciousness Using an Alternative Communication Tool.

This study aimed to describe the percentage of tasks involving language functions that were completed by patients diagnosed with disorders of consciousness, as observed during neurorehabilitation conducted for different periods of time using an alternative communication tool. The project involved six participants, who were observed for 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year. The patients were asked to solve tasks involving language functions with the use of an eye-controlled device. The language functions were evaluated on the basis of the average number of tasks performed by the patients, which was 70.45% for the whole subject group. It is not entirely clear what determined the changes in language functions during the research. It is crucial that patients performed the presented tasks even though their state of consciousness, as confirmed through medical documentation (unresponsive wakefulness syndrome), did not suggest the possibility of establishing any contact with them.

Purpose in Life of Elite Athletes after Spinal Cord Injury.

Background: Searching for the meaning of human existence is man's fundamental orientation. People are free to find meaning in their lives, and while they are not always free to choose the conditions of life, they are free to choose their attitude toward the conditions in which they find themselves. When people experience an unchangeable situation, the most important thing is the attitude they take toward it. This study aimed to identify the sense of meaning in life among elite athletes after a spinal cord injury (SCI) and to analyze the different aspects contributing to this domain. Methods: The study involved five athletes with at least national-level achievements in sports prior to a SCI. The study consisted of an interview using a communicator and filling out two online questionnaires-a personal questionnaire and the Purpose in Life Scale. Results: Analyzing the quantitative results, four participants achieved results indicating a high sense of meaning in life, while one participant achieved a significantly lower result. Conclusions: What affects one's purpose in life is not so much the objective physical limitation but how much physicality one perceives to have lost as a result of the injury. Elite athletes stay involved in the sporting environment, which prevents the loss of purpose and maintains a sense of meaning at a high level. Both telling the story of your own illness and listening to the stories of others help the process of self-healing.

Quality of Life after Spinal Cord Injury: A Multiple Case Study Examination of Elite Athletes.

A three-times World Champion in BMX (an acronym for Bicycle Motocross) dirt jumps, a Junior World Champion in ski jumping, and a European karate Champion sustained spinal cord injuries at the cervical and thoracic level. Such a severe trauma is tantamount to the end of a professional sporting career. In such a situation, the athlete's life significantly changes in every aspect of it: health, professional, and social. The greatest sports champions have not yet been portrayed in the context of a strategy they used to deal with an abrupt end of a professional career due to severe injury. A semi-structured interview was conducted with study participants who additionally filled out the WHO Quality of Life Scale. This multiple case series presents the quality of life in elite athletes as well as the social activities they have undertaken regardless of the tragic accident. The results of the research indicate that these people are characterized rather by a positive sense of quality in life, and the way they function in a difficult situation is an inspiration to others.

The relationship between the level of physical activity, independence in daily activities, and life quality and satisfaction in women over 80 living in rural areas - a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Better medicine and health care steadily increases the human life expectancy. Growing number of elderly people and the imbalance of population structure will affect many fields of life, including social security system, joborientation and culture. Therefore it is crucial that the elderly maintain not only good physical health but keep the ability to self-care as long as possible, stay functionally fit and express satisfaction of life in all domains. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyse the factors that affect the quality of life in different domains (physical, psychological, social and environmental), like the independence in performing everyday life activities and the level of physical activity of women above 80 years old, living in own households. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed from March to August 2015 in Opole, Lower Silesia and Silesia voivodeship, mosty in rural areas, on 67 women, age above 80 (average 82.9), who filled the standarized questionnaires of life quality (WHOQOL-BREF), physical activity (IPAQ), and self-maintenance in daily living (IADL, Lawton scale). RESULTS: The results show that the life satisfaction of women above 80 years old living in own households in rural areas is highest in the social and environmental domains, while is the lowest in physical health domain. There is a strong positive correlation between the level of physical activity, the level of self-maintenance and the life quality in four of its domains. CONCLUSIONS: Self-maintenance and higher level of physical fitness, which are the components of functional fitness, positively correlate with self-assesed life-satisfaction in all domains. It is crucial to stress the importance of physical activity in seniors, preferably in way of dedicated exercising of moderate and high intensity, that will bring benefits not only in domain of physical health but in overall well-being and higher life-satisfaction, the significant factors in healthy ageing.

No relationship between the digit ratios (2D:4D) and salivary testosterone change: Study on men under an acute exercise.

The digit ratio (2D:4D) is said to be a potential marker of exposure to prenatal sex steroids. Some studies suggest that the 2D:4D is also linked with the testosterone response to challenging situations due to organizational effect of prenatal hormonal milieu on adult endocrine functioning. However, up to date, there were only four studies (conducted on small samples) that examined the 2D:4D and the testosterone response to a challenging situation (i.e. physical exertion or aggressive context). Here, we examined the relationship between the 2D:4D and the testosterone change under an acute exercise among 97 men. We found that the digit ratios (the right 2D:4D, the left 2D:4D, and the right minus left 2D:4D) were neither predictors of pre-exercise testosterone, nor the change in testosterone level after a cycling task. Our results add a contradictory to previous studies evidence in a discussion on the links of the 2D:4D and the testosterone change.