A new injury prevention program 'FUNBALL' improves cognitive performance of young football (soccer) players: A cluster randomized controlled trial.

The youth football injury prevention program 'FUNBALL' contains exercises requiring high cognitive demands, which are performed concurrently to the training of the respective motor task. This study evaluates whether the program increases cognitive performances of young football players. 1253 football players (aged 13-19 years old) were randomly assigned to either a control (CON) or an intervention (INT) group. The INT group performed the 'FUNBALL' program at least twice per week in their training sessions for one season (9 months). The CON group continued their training routine. From the total sample, the cognitive performance of 304 players (n=135 CON; n=169 INT) was assessed at the beginning and the end of the season using the Cogstate® Brief Battery, with the following subtests: One Back test (accuracy), Two Back test (accuracy), One Card Learning test (accuracy), Chase Test (correct moves per second), Set Shifting (accuracy), Identification test (speed), Detection test (speed), Groton Maze Learning Test (accuracy), and Groton Maze Learning Test Delayed Recall (accuracy). A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) on the cognitive performance improvements from pre- to posttest showed that the INT group improved their performances more strongly than the CON group for all cognitive tests, namely for working memory, visual learning, visual motor control, attention, psychomotor function, memory, and executive function. The present study indicates that the exercise-based injury prevention program 'FUNBALL' may improve the cognitive performance of young football players. Future research should include an active control group, and should investigate whether the improvement in cognition also has beneficial effects on in-game performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: AsPredicted (https://aspredicted.org/2kb3b.pdf).

Cognitive performance from childhood to old age and intergenerational correlations in the multigenerational Young Finns Study.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive performance changes during the lifespan, but the information is gathered from studies on separate age cohorts. Computerized neurocognitive testing enables efficient and similar assessments for all ages. We investigated (i) the effect of age at different stages of life and (ii) intergenerational correlations across cognitive domains in the multigenerational Young Finns Study. METHODS: Participants in three familiarly related generations (n = 6486, aged 7-92 years) performed the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Overall cognitive performance and domains representing learning and memory, working memory, information processing, and reaction time were extracted by common principal component analysis from the cognitive data with several age groups. Linear models were used to study the association of age, sex, and education with overall cognitive performance and in the cognitive domains. Age-adjusted intergenerational correlations were calculated. RESULTS: Learning and memory peaked earlier during the lifespan compared to working memory and information processing, and the rate of decline toward old age differed by domain. Weak intergenerational correlations existed between two consecutive generations but were nonsignificant between grandparents and grandchildren. There was no systematic sex-specific transmission in any cognitive domain. CONCLUSION: This study describes the natural course of cognitive performance across the lifespan and proves that cognitive performance changes differently across cognitive domains with weak intergenerational transmission.

Integrative Neuro-social cognitive Strategy Programme for Instilling REcovery (INSPIRE): a community-based cognitive remediation trial-study procotol.

BACKGROUND: Adults with schizophrenia experience a range of neurocognitive problems that affect their daily functioning. Evidence for the efficacy of cognitive remediation in schizophrenia has been established, but its implementation in under-resourced community-based settings is less well-studied. In recent years, interventions have also focused on the strategy-learning approach in favor of drill-and-practice. Moreover, there is an increasing recognition to address social cognition and negative symptoms alongside neurocognition. This study attempts to carry out cognitive remediation in a community mental health setting. The Neuropsychological and Educational Approach to Remediation (NEAR) is used as the cognitive remediation intervention. Neurocognitive and social cognitive games will be introduced during the computer-assisted cognitive exercises sessions. In addition, the instructional technique will foster the use of metacognition and cognitive strategies. Moreover, metamotivation training will be the focus of some bridging sessions to enhance motivation to engage in goal-directed learning behaviors. The aims of the study are to 1) investigate the effects of cognitive remediation on neurocognition, social cognition and functional outcomes of participants with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorders in community mental health settings; and 2) explore the mediators for change (eg: metamotivation, metacognition and negative symptoms) in cognitive performance and functional outcomes. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial will be conducted in three Singapore Anglican Community Services (SACS) centers, where standard psychiatric rehabilitation is delivered. Participants who are randomized to the experimental arm will receive cognitive remediation and psychiatric rehabilitation, while those randomized to the control arm will receive standard psychiatric rehabilitation only. Cognitive remediation is carried out three times a week for 12 weeks. It consists of computer-assisted cognitive exercises, as well as bridging groups to aid transfer of learning to daily living. Baseline, post-intervention and eight-week follow-up measurements will be collected. Group by time differences in cognitive performance, negative symptoms, metamotivation, metacognition, functioning and recovery will be analyzed across the three time points. Mediators for improvement in cognitive performance and functioning will also be explored. DISCUSSION: Findings of this research will add to the body of knowledge about the key therapeutic ingredients within a strategy-based cognitive remediation program and improve its implementation within under-resourced community settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT06286202). Date of registration: 29 February 2024. Date of last update: 21 May 2024.

Association between vitamin B2 intake and cognitive performance among older adults: a cross-sectional study from NHANES.

The impact of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) intake on cognitive performance among older adults in the United States (US) remains inadequately understood. This study aimed to explore the association between vitamin B2 intake and cognitive performance among non-institutionalized elderly people in the US. Weighted logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between vitamin B2 intake and cognitive performance. Vitamin B2 intake was determined from the mean of two 24-hour dietary recall interviews. Three cognitive ability assessment tests, namely the Immediate Recall Test (IRT), Animal Fluency Test (AFT), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), were performed. Participants included all older adults over 60 who underwent cognitive scoring, with cut-offs defined based on the lowest quartile (25th percentile) for each test (the cut-offs for the three scores were 15.625, 12, and 33, respectively). Sensitivity analysis, including dose-response curves, subgroup analyses, interaction effects, per 1 standard deviation (SD), recommended dietary allowance (RDA), and residual energy model analysis, were performed to solidify the solid association between vitamin B2 and cognitive performance. A total of 2893 individuals aged over 60 were included, with a mean age of 69 (7) years, and 46% were men. There was a significant association between vitamin B2 intake and all three cognitive scores (IRT, Odds Ratio = 0.77, 95% confidence interval: [0.65,0.92]; AFT, 0.75, [0.64,0.88]; DSST, 0.72, [0.59,0.88]). Moreover, vitamin B2 intake above the RDA reduced the risk of low cognitive performance (IRT, 0.66, [0.46,0.93]; AFT, 0.83, [0.62,1.11]; DSST, 0.65, [0.45,0.92]) compared to intake below the RDA. Dose-response curves indicated that higher vitamin B2 intake was negatively associated with the risk of low cognitive performance. Physical activity may modify the association between vitamin B2 and cognitive performance. Vitamin B2 intake was positively associated with cognitive performance among older adults. Adequate vitamin B2 intake could help protect cognitive function.

No Effects of Auditory and Visual White Noise on Oculomotor Control in Children with ADHD.

BACKGROUND: White noise stimulation has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing working memory in children with ADHD. However, its impact on other executive functions commonly affected by ADHD, such as inhibitory control, remains largely unexplored. This research aims to explore the effects of two types of white noise stimulation on oculomotor inhibitory control in children with ADHD. METHOD: Memory guided saccade (MGS) and prolonged fixation (PF) performance was compared between children with ADHD (N = 52) and typically developing controls (TDC, N = 45), during auditory and visual white noise stimulation as well as in a no noise condition. RESULTS: Neither the auditory nor the visual white noise had any beneficial effects on performance for either group. CONCLUSIONS: White noise stimulation does not appear to be beneficial for children with ADHD in tasks that target oculomotor inhibitory control. Potential explanations for this lack of noise benefit will be discussed.

Backyard running: Pushing the boundaries of human performance.

Ultrarunning is gaining in popularity but no information is available on the physiological and psychological responses during backyard ultrarunning events. The aim of this study was to determine changes in cognitive function, markers of physiological resilience, and running performance during a backyard-running event. Twelve male ultrarunners (38 ± 8 years old, BMI: 23.5 ± 1.6 kg/m2, and VO2max: 60.8 ± 4.7 mL/min/kg) were monitored before, during, and after the event. Cognitive performance was determined using a cognitive test battery before, during, and after the event. During the event, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), blood lactate concentration, and heart rate (HR) were assessed. Physical performance was investigated using the total number of completed laps and running speed per lap. Athletes completed 34 ± 17 laps equaling 227.8 ± 113.9 km with average speeds starting at 9.0 km/h and slowing down to 7.5 km/h at the end of the event. Physiological resilience (estimated using HR/speed) varied between athletes, with significantly lower values in the more proficient backyard runners at the end of the event (p < 0.05). HR and lactate levels remained constant, whereas a progressive increase in RPE was noticed (p ≤ 0.001). A significantly worsened reaction time was observed for several cognitive tasks after the event compared to baseline measures (p ≤ 0.05). These observations show that physiological resilience differs depending on the level of endurance performance of the athletes. Furthermore, the backyard ultrarunning event negatively impacted psychomotor speed. Therefore, the results suggest that implementing strategies that enhance physiological resilience and/or psychomotor speed could potentially have a positive effect on performance in ultraendurance activities.

Effect of ketone monoester supplementation on elite operators' mountaineering training.

Introduction: Special Operations Forces (SOF) often conduct operations in physiologically stressful environments such as severe heat, cold, or hypoxia, which can induce decreases in a variety of cognitive abilities. Given the promising empirical demonstration of the efficacy of exogenous ketone monoester (KME) supplementation in attenuating cognitive performance decrease during hypoxia at rest in a laboratory setting, we conducted a real-world, field experiment examining KME's efficacy during high-altitude mountaineering, an austere environment in which US SOF have conducted increasing numbers of operations over the past two decades. Methods: Specifically, 34 students and cadre at the US Army 10th Special Forces Group Special Operations Advanced Mountaineering School (SOAMS) participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo (PLA)-controlled crossover trial (KME vs. PLA) over 2 days of tactical mountain operations training. The participants ascended from 7,500 ft in altitude (basecamp) to 12,460 ft on 1 day and 13,627 ft the other day (in randomized order), while performing various training activities inducing high physical and cognitive loads over 8-12 h, and consumed six doses of KME or PLA 2-3 h apart throughout each training day. Results and Discussion: While KME increased blood ketone levels and decreased glucose levels, there were no clear indications that the elevated ketone level enhanced physical or cognitive performance. KME also produced a greater incidence of heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. In these elite operators, high-altitude mountaineering had a limited impact on cognitive performance, and KME supplementation did not demonstrate any benefit.

Epigenetic age acceleration and cognitive performance over time in older adults.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated whether epigenetic age acceleration (AA) is associated with the change in cognitive function and the risk of incident dementia over 9 years, separately in males and females. METHODS: Six epigenetic AA measures, including GrimAge, were estimated in baseline blood samples from 560 Australians aged ≥70 years (50.7% female). Cognitive assessments included global function, episodic memory, executive function, and psychomotor speed. Composite cognitive scores were also generated. Dementia (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders - IV [DSM-IV] criteria) was adjudicated by international experts. RESULTS: Associations between epigenetic AA and cognitive performance over-time varied by sex. In females only, GrimAA/Grim2AA was associated with worse delayed recall, composite cognition, and composite memory (adjusted-beta ranged from -0.1372 to -0.2034). In males only, GrimAA/Grim2AA was associated with slower processing speed (adjusted-beta, -0.3049) and increased dementia risk (adjusted hazard ratios [HRs], 1.78 and 2.00, respectively). DISCUSSION: Epigenetic AA is associated with cognitive deterioration in later life but with evidence of sex-specific associations. Highlights: Epigenetic age acceleration was associated with cognitive deterioration over time.However, these associations differed by sex.In females, accelerated GrimAge appeared to be a better marker of decline in memory.In males, accelerated GrimAge was associated with slower processing speed over time.Association between accelerated GrimAge and dementia risk was found only in males.

Associations of Partnership Types and Quality on Cognitive Performance Among Midlife and Older Sexual Minority Men With or Without HIV.

Partnership status among sexual minority men (SMM) is a potentially important yet underexplored predictor of cognitive functioning. Using data from the understanding patterns of healthy aging among men who have sex with men substudy of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, we assessed the associations of partnership status and quality with cognitive performance in middle-aged and older SMM, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical covariates. Partnership status was classified into four types: "only a primary partnership," "only a secondary partnership," "both a primary and secondary relationship," and "neither a primary nor secondary relationship." Partnership quality was assessed based on perceived support or strain from partners. Cognitive performance was evaluated using the z-scores on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Trail Making Test Parts A (TMT-A) and B (TMT-B), and a composite Z-score that summed the SDMT, TMT-A, and TMT-B z-scores. Among 1067 participants (median age 60, 85.7% college educated), having a primary partner was associated with better cognitive performance (Z-score composite ß ^ = 0.41 [95% CI 0.12-0.70]), TMT-A ( ß ^ = 0.16 [95% CI 0.02-0.30]), and TMT-B ( ß ^ = 0.19 [95% CI 0.06-0.33]). Support from secondary partners was also linked to better cognition. Additionally, there was a significant interaction between partnership and HIV status, indicating that SMM with HIV and both primary and secondary partners showed better cognitive outcomes than unpartnered SMM with HIV. These findings suggest that having a primary partner and receiving support from secondary partners may contribute to better cognitive health among middle-aged and older SMM, especially those with HIV.

The effect of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on cognitive performance in human experimental studies: Systematic review and meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this review is to evaluate the associations between short-term exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and cognitive performance in human experimental studies. METHODS: Online databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and EMF-Portal) were searched for studies that evaluated effects of exposure to RF-EMF on seven domains of cognitive performance in human experimental studies. The assessment of study quality was based on the Risk of Bias (RoB) tool developed by the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT). Random effects meta-analyses of Hedges's g were conducted separately for accuracy- and speed-related performance measures of various cognitive domains, for which data from at least two studies were available. Finally, the certainty of evidence for each identified outcome was assessed according to Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS: 57,543 records were identified and 76 studies (80 reports) met the inclusion criteria. The included 76 studies with 3846 participants, consisting of humans of different age, sex and health status from 19 countries, were conducted between 1989 and 2021. Quantitative data from 50 studies (52 reports) with 2433 participants were included into the meta-analyses. These studies were performed in 15 countries between 2001 and 2021. The majority of the included studies used head exposure with GSM 900 uplink. None of the meta-analyses observed a statistically significant effect of RF-EMF exposure compared to sham on cognitive performance as measured by the confidence interval surrounding the Hedges's g or the significance of the z-statistic. For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Attention - Attentional Capacity RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g 0.024, 95 % CI [-0.10; 0.15], I2 = 28 %, 473 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Attention - Concentration / Focused Attention RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g 0.005, 95 % CI [-0.17; 0.18], I2 = 7 %, 132 participants) and probably results in little to no difference in accuracy; it does not reduce accuracy (Hedges's g 0.097, 95 % CI [-0.05; 0.24], I2 = 0 %, 217 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Attention - Vigilance RF-EMF exposure probably results in little to no difference in speed and does not reduce speed (Hedges's g 0.118, 95 % CI [-0.04; 0.28], I2 = 41 %, 247 participants) and results in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g 0.042, 95 % CI, [-0.09; 0.18], I2 = 0 %, 199 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Attention - Selective Attention RF-EMF exposure probably results in little to no difference in speed and does not reduce speed (Hedges's g 0.080, 95 % CI [-0.09; 0.25], I2 = 63 %, 452 participants); it may result in little to no difference in accuracy, but it probably does not reduce accuracy (Hedges's g 0.178, 95 % CI [-0.02; 0.38], I2 = 68 %, 480 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Attention - Divided Attention RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g -0.010, 95 % CI [-0.14; 0.12], I2 = 5 %, 307 participants) and may result in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g -0.089, 95 % CI [-0.35; 0.18], I2 = 53 %, 167 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Processing Speed - Simple Reaction Time Task RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g 0.069, 95 % CI [-0.02; +0.16], I2 = 29 %, 820 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Processing Speed - 2-Choice Reaction Time Task RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g -0.023, 95 % CI [-0.13; 0.08], I2 = 0 %, 401 participants), and may result in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g -0.063, 95 % CI [-0.38; 0.25], I2 = 63 %, 117 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Processing Speed - >2-Choice Reaction Time Task RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g -0.054, 95 % CI [-0.14; 0.03], I2 = 0 %, 544 participants) and probably results in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g -0.129, 95 % CI [-0.30; 0.04], I2 = 0 %, 131 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Processing Speed - Other Tasks RF-EMF exposure probably results in little to no difference in speed and does not reduce speed (Hedges's g 0.067, 95 % CI [-0.12; 0.26], I2 = 38 %, 249 participants); it results in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g 0.036, 95 % CI [-0.08; 0.15], I2 = 0 %, 354 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Working Memory - n-back Task (0-3-back) we found Hedges's g ranging from -0.090, 95 % CI [-0.18; 0.01] to 0.060, 95 % CI [-0.06; 0.18], all I2 = 0 %, 237 to 474 participants, and conclude that RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in both speed and accuracy. For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Working Memory - Mental Tracking RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g -0.047, 95 % [CI -0.15; 0.05], I2 = 0 %, 438 participants). For the domain Perception, subclass Visual and Auditory Perception RF-EMF exposure may result in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g -0.015, 95 % CI [-0.23; 0.195], I2 = 0 %, 84 participants) and probably results in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g 0.035, 95 % CI [-0.13; 0.199], I2 = 0 %, 137 participants). For the domain Memory, subclass Verbal and Visual Memory RF-EMF exposure probably results in little to no difference in speed and does not reduce speed (Hedges's g 0.042, 95 % CI [-0.15; 0.23], I2 = 0 %, 102 participants); it may result in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g -0.087, 95 % CI [-0.38; 0.20], I2 = 85 %, 625 participants). For the domain Verbal Functions and Language Skills, subclass Verbal Expression, a meta-analysis was not possible because one of the two included studies did not provide numerical values. Results of both studies did not indicate statistically significant effects of RF-EMF exposure on both speed and accuracy. For the domain Construction and Motor Performance, subclass Motor Skills RF-EMF exposure may reduce speed, but the evidence is very uncertain (Hedges's g -0.919, 95 % CI [-3.09; 1.26], I2 = 96 %, 42 participants); it probably results in little to no difference in accuracy and does not reduce accuracy (Hedges's g 0.228, 95 % CI [-0.01; 0.46], I2 = 0 %, 109 participants). For the domain Concept Formation and Reasoning, subclass Reasoning RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g 0.010, 95 % CI [-0.11; 0.13], I2 = 0 %, 263 participants) and probably results in little to no difference in accuracy and does not reduce accuracy (Hedges's g 0.051, 95 % CI [-0.14; 0.25], I2 = 0 %, 100 participants). For the domain Concept Formation and Reasoning, subclass Mathematical Procedures RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g 0.033, 95 % CI [-0.12; 0.18], I2 = 0 %, 168 participants) and may result in little to no difference in accuracy but probably does not reduce accuracy (Hedges's g 0.232, 95 % CI [-0.12; +0.59], I2 = 86 %, 253 participants). For the domain Executive Functions there were no studies. DISCUSSION: Overall, the results from all domains and subclasses across their speed- and accuracy-related outcome measures according to GRADE provide high to low certainty of evidence that short-term RF-EMF exposure does not reduce cognitive performance in human experimental studies. For 16 out of 35 subdomains some uncertainty remains, because of limitations in the study quality, inconsistency in the results or imprecision of the combined effect size estimate. Future research should focus on construction and motor performance, elderly, and consideration of both sexes. OTHER: This review was partially funded by the WHO radioprotection programme. The protocol for this review was registered in Prospero reg. no. CRD42021236168 and published in Environment International (Pophof et al. 2021).

Alpha Neurofeedback Training in Elite Soccer Players Trained in Groups.

Neurofeedback training is applied in the world of sports as a means to improve athletes' performance. Training sessions are usually organized on an individual basis, one at a time. Here we investigated if the training could also be organized in groups. Forty-one national-level football (soccer) players (26 females, 15 males) carried out training sessions simultaneously in groups of up to 13, using a wearable device with Bluetooth connection, during their regular training hours at the club. It was possible to obtain good EEG measurements using this setup, albeit with a somewhat higher data loss than usual in standard laboratory sessions. The brain's alpha activity was trained using music-based neurofeedback in a crossover design. A training session consisted of alternating periods of neurofeedback and execution of cognitive tasks. EEG alpha (8-12 Hz) activity was higher in the neurofeedback periods compared to the cognitive task periods, and the reverse was true for beta (13-30 Hz) activity. The training program resulted in an increase of 34% in alpha activity associated with the training, and improved the athletes' performance on task switching and mental rotation tasks. In addition, self-reported sleep duration, as well as scores on the Being in Shape questionnaire (Feeling of Control and Flow) also improved. This study shows that neurofeedback training is feasible in groups of athletes, which can stimulate its application in team sports.

Unraveling the interplay between mental workload, occupational fatigue, physiological responses and cognitive performance in office workers.

Recently, cognitive demands in workplaces have surged significantly. This study explored the intricate relationship among mental workload (MWL), occupational fatigue, physiological responses, and cognitive performance in office workers by using collective semi-parametric models. One hundred office workers were selected from twenty offices involved in cognitive performance. MWL was assessed through the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), and occupational fatigue was measured using the Persian version of the Swedish Occupational Fatigue Inventory. Physiological responses, including respiratory rate, the electrical conductivity of the skin (ECS), Heart Rate (HR), and other heart-related parameters, were recorded from the participants during a work shift. Selective and Divided Attention tests were chosen to evaluate workers' cognitive function based on cognitive task analysis. The mean of MWL and occupational fatigue scores were 66.28 ± 11.76 and 1.62 ± 1.07, respectively. There was a significant moderate correlation between two dimensions, mental demand (0.429) and frustration (0.409), with functional fatigue. Also, Significant and, of course, nonlinear relationships were observed between MWL and HR (R2 = 0.44, P-value < 0.001) and ECS (R2 = 0.45, P-value < 0.001) and reaction time in selected (R2 = 0.34, P-value < 0.001) and divided test (R2 = 0.48, P-value < 0.001). Similarly, nonlinear relationships were observed between physiological responses and cognitive performance with fatigue among participants who had experienced higher levels of occupational fatigue. The MWL and fatigue seem to have a significant and non-linear effect on physiological parameters such as HR and ECS and cognitive parameters such as reaction time. Moreover, MWL can influence the dimension of functional fatigue of workers.

A Comparative Study of Cognitive and Motor Performance in Liver Recipients.

Introduction: Neurocognitive and motor impairments are often observed both before and after liver transplantation, resulting in inefficiencies in dual-task performance. Specific aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the motor-cognitive dual-task performance in liver recipients, with a particular emphasis on cognition, performance status, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: A prospective, cross-sectional, web-based design with a control group was used. The study included 22 liver transplant recipients and 23 controls. Participants completed a motor-cognitive dual-task test (timed up and go test, TUG), a cognitive assessment (mini mental state examination), and a physical performance test (5-repetition sit-to-stand test). The study also used a functional performance status scale (The Karnofsky performance status) and assessed fear of coronavirus disease (fear of COVID-19 scale). Dual-task interference was assessed and the rate of correct responses per second was calculated to assess cognitive performance. Results: The results indicated no statistically significant difference in TUG time and TUG correct responses per second between the groups (group × condition interactions; P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in cognitive and motor dual-task interference during the TUG test between the two groups (P > 0.05). The Karnofsky Performance Status score was significantly correlated with TUG motor dual-task interference (r = -0.424 and P = 0.049). Conclusion: This study suggests that dual-task performance does not differ in cognitive or motor performance between liver recipients and healthy controls under the same dual-task condition. However, further controlled studies are needed to improve the generalizability of these findings.

Sex-specific associations of muscular fitness with overall academic performance and specific school subjects in adolescents: the EHDLA study.

Introduction: Overalll, muscular fitness and academic performance are two variables widely studied in the literature. However, evidence on the relationship between muscular fitness and specific school subjects (e.g., physical education), as well as their differences by sex, is scarce. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the associations between muscular fitness and overall academic performance and between muscular fitness and specific subjects (i.e., language, math, foreign language, and physical education) in a sample of secondary Spanish school students. Methods: For the present study, a sample of 766 students (45% boys, aged 12-17 years). From the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities (EHDLA) study was used. The Assessing the Levels of Physical Activity and Fitness (ALPHA-FIT) battery was used to determine handgrip strength and lower body muscular strength. The performance of the different school subjects was provided by the school centers. Results: Overall, for both boys and girls, higher muscular fitness was associated with greater academic results, with the greatest differences in physical education. However, only significant differences were identified for girls. Discussion and conclusion: Global muscular fitness is important for contributing to cognitive development, both in physical education and in the rest of the subjects of the educational curriculum for adolescents. At the same time, although the association appears to follow the same trend for both sexes, the results seem more evident for girls.

Vitamin D and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional and Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background: Cognitive decline is a prevalent health problem in older adults, and effective treatments remain to be produced. Serum vitamin D, a commonly used biochemical marker, is widely recognized as an indicator of various diseases. Existing research has not fully elucidated the relationship between vitamin D and cognitive function. The aim of this study is to investigate the real relationship between vitamin D and cognitive function and to identify indicators that have a strong predictive effect on cognitive decline. Methods: At first, we used the dataset of the genome-wide association studies studying vitamin D and cognitive performance to conduct Mendelian randomization analysis. Subsequently, we employed linear regression and smooth curve fitting methods to assess the relationship using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Finally, we investigated other predictive features of cognitive performance utilizing a machine learning model. Results: We found that a 1-unit increase in vitamin D is associated with a 6.51% reduction (P < .001) in the risk of cognitive decline. The correlation between vitamin D and cognitive performance is nonlinear, with the inflection point at 79.9 nmol/L (left: ß = 0.043, P < .001; right: ß = -0.007, P = .420). In machine learning, the top 5 predictors are vitamin D, weight, height, age, and body mass index. Conclusion: There is a causal relationship between vitamin D and cognitive performance. 79.9 nmol/L could be the optimal dose for vitamin D supplementation in the elderly. Further consideration of other factors in vitamin D interventions is necessary.

Sex of an Observer Effects on Adults' Motor, Cognitive, and Affective Dart-Shooting Performance.

Men and women are characterized by specific physiological, cerebral and emotional characteristics, as well as by the differing nature of their gestures and behaviors. Here, we examined the effects of an observer's sex on motor, cognitive and affective behaviors during dart-shooting. We compared men and women's kinematic and affective parameters when perfoming alone or when performing in the presence of an observer of a different sex. We found a sex effect on motor and cognitive performance in interaction with participants' emotional states. We observed improved accuracy and reaction time in men compared to women, which we attributed to (a) differences in emotional sensitivities between the two sexes and (b) men's superiority on precision tasks linked to men's higher proportion of cerebral white matter. Our findings also suggested a sex difference in the social effect of an observer's sex on motor and cognitive performance. Although there was no effect on affective aspects of performance, emotional state seemed to interact strongly with this social effect.

The Influence of Physical Activity and Positive Affect on the Relationship between Pain Severity and Cognitive Performance in Women with Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia, characterized by chronic pain and cognitive impairments, significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Physical exercise has been shown to improve cognitive functions and reduce pain severity. Additionally, positive affect enhances cognitive flexibility and facilitates better adaptation to chronic pain, suggesting that combining physical activity and positive affect could mitigate cognitive deficits in fibromyalgia patients. Objectives: The objective of this work is to explore the relationship between pain severity and cognitive performance through time spent doing moderate physical activity while taking into account the role of positive affect in fibromyalgia. Methods: This prospective study was structured into two phases of evaluation. First, pain severity, positive affect, and time spent performing moderate physical activity were evaluated, and one week later cognitive performance (assessed through the Stroop test) was also evaluated. The final sample consisted of 231 women with fibromyalgia. Moderated mediation analyses were performed using PROCESS. Results: The moderated mediation model showed that the effect of moderate physical activity on the relationship between pain severity and cognitive performance was significant for low levels of positive affect but not for moderate or high levels. That is, the indirect effect of pain intensity on cognitive performance through time spent doing moderate physical activity only has an effect when patients with fibromyalgia present low levels of positive affect. However, there was no significant indirect effect in the simple mediation model. Conclusions: The findings of this study underscore the importance of considering the level of positive affect when examining the impact of moderate physical activity on cognitive performance in women with fibromyalgia.

Impact of carbon dioxide exposures on sleep latency among healthy volunteers: A randomized order, paired crossover study, evidence from the multiple sleep latency test.

BACKGROUND: Daytime sleepiness affects work efficiency, occupational safety, and public health. Although previous studies have reported an association between environmental carbon dioxide (eCO2) and daytime sleepiness, it has been challenging to draw a firm conclusion due to the lack of standardized sampling and profiling protocols. OBJECTIVE: We examined the effect of pure CO2 exposure at 5000 (ppm, parts per million) on daytime sleepiness. METHODS: Eleven healthy participants (males of 24 ± 3 years, mean ± SD) completed a four-nap multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) protocol in the environmentally controlled chamber under two conditions: the CO2 condition (4851 ± 229 ppm) and the Control condition (1102 ± 204 ppm). The subjective sleepiness level and cognitive performances were also evaluated using the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) questionnaire, Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT), and Stroop test after each nap session. RESULTS: A significant reduction in sleep latency was observed in the CO2 exposure condition (Control vs. CO2 = 13.1 ± 3.3 min vs. 9.7 ± 3.2 min). The subjective sleepiness scores were also significantly higher in the CO2 exposure condition than in the Control condition (Control vs. CO2 = 2.7 ± 0.5 vs. 4.7 ± 0.8). Cognitive responses after naps showed no significant difference across conditions. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that exposure to environmental CO2 at a concentration as high as the upper safety limit at work sites significantly shortened the sleep latency and enhanced subjective sleepiness during naps in the MSLT without affecting cognitive responses after each exposure. Our results demonstrated that exposure to high environmental CO2 induces daytime sleepiness that potentially compromises work efficiency and safety.

Exercise and Acute Cognitive Enhancement.

Substantial research has explored the effects of a single session of exercise on cognitive performance. Meta-analytic reviews provide summary statistics relative to these effects when the cognitive task is performed while exercising and when performed after exercise. When performed concomitantly the effects of exercise are typically small or negative with the exception of moderate effects for speed of cognitive performance during moderate intensity exercise. When cognitive performance is assessed following the cessation of exercise, the effects are typically positive. When considering the effects following exercise, most studies have focused on executive function and episodic memory as the cognitive outcomes of interest with meta-analyses supporting small-to-moderate benefits. When potential moderators related to exercise parameters or participants characteristics are examined, results suggest that 20 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise consistently benefits performance with larger effects evident for executive function tasks with higher cognitive demands, for long-term memory tasks when exercise is performed prior to information encoding, and when considering individuals with lower initial cognitive performance levels. These observed benefits are likely due to the impacts acute exercise can have on physiological arousal, brain function, and brain neurotrophic factors. Advancements in our understanding of the potential of a single session of exercise to benefit cognitive performance are important for exercise prescription and to inform chronic exercise programs designed to benefit cognition.