Specificity of eccentric hamstring training and the lack of consistency between strength assessments using conventional test devices

AbstractHamstring injuries are endemic, but influences of test-specific training and the application of different test methods on decision making remain elusive. Sport-students were randomised to isokinetic (IG) or Nordic hamstring (NG) exercise or a control group (CG) for six weeks. Training and testing procedures were matched to biomechanical parameters. Hamstring strength (EPT), work, muscle soreness (visual analogue scale (VAS)), biceps femoris (BFlh) muscle size and architecture were assessed. Anthropometrics and strength parameters did not differ at baseline. Yet, body mass normalised EPT, and work revealed a significant group × time × device effect, with a significant main effect for devices. Experimental conditions triggered meaningful increases in EPT compared to the control group, but the effects were higher when recorded on the training device. Despite significant group × time interactions, normalised average work on the NHD was only higher in the NG compared to CG of the left leg (+ 35%). No effects were found for BFlh parameters. Hamstrings showed a high training specificity, but adaptations likely remain undetected owing to the low sensitivity of conventional test devices. Moreover, strength increase of ~ 15% does not necessarily have to be reflected in BFlh parameters.

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Effects of a resistance training program on muscular performance adaptations: comparing three vs. four times per week

Biomedical Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/bhk-2020-0019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 149-156

Author(s):

Hossein Firoozi ◽

Hamid Arazi ◽

Abbas Asadi

Keyword(s):

Resistance Training ◽

Bench Press ◽

Muscle Size ◽

Whole Body ◽

Control Group ◽

Resistance Training Program ◽

Significant Group ◽

Group Time ◽

Before And After ◽

Muscular Adaptations

SummaryStudy aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 8 weeks of resistance training (RT) with three vs. four sessions per week and equated training volume on muscular adaptations in men.Materials and methods: Thirty-three healthy young men volunteered to participate in the study and were randomly assigned to three times per week whole-body RT (RT3, n = 11), four times per week whole-body RT (RT4, n = 11) or a control group (CG, n = 11). Before and after training, participants were evaluated for one-repetition maximum (1RM) and muscular endurance (i.e., 60% of 1RM to failure) for the leg press and bench press. In addition, thigh, arm, chest, and calf circumferences, and percent body fat were assessed before and after training.Results: The findings revealed significant main effects of time for chest and thigh circumferences (p ≤ 0.05). There were no significant group × time interactions for chest and thigh circumferences (p > 0.05), but the RT4 showed greater changes (effect size [ES]: 0.48 vs. 0.15) in chest circumference, while the RT3 showed greater changes (ES: 0.77 vs. 0.35) in thigh circumference. Significant group × time interactions were observed for the 1RM of leg and bench presses (p < 0.05). Post-hoc analyses showed greater improvements for RT3 in comparison to RT4 in 1RM bench press (p = 0.01, ES: 0.77 vs. 0.6) and leg presses (p = 0.009, ES: 0.94 vs. 0.86).Conclusions: These results suggest that RT induces meaningful adaptive effects to improve strength and muscle size in men and RT3 appears to be more effective to induce muscular adaptations.

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Using automatic speech recognition technology to enhance EFL learners’ oral language complexity in a flipped classroom

Australasian Journal of Educational Technology ◽

10.14742/ajet.6798 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 110-131

Author(s):

Michael Yi-Chao Jiang ◽

Morris Siu-Yung Jong ◽

Wilfred Wing-Fat Lau ◽

Ching-Sing Chai ◽

Na Wu

Keyword(s):

Speech Recognition ◽

Automatic Speech Recognition ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Flipped Classroom ◽

Interaction Effects ◽

Control Group ◽

Significant Group ◽

Repeated Measures Design ◽

Time Interaction ◽

Group Time

The present study examined the effects of using automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology on oral complexity in a flipped English as a Foreign Language (EFL) course. A total of 160 undergraduates were enrolled in a 14-week quasi-experiment. The experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG) were taught with a flipped approach, but the EG students needed to undertake an additional pre-class task with ASR technology. In each unit, all students’ in-class task performance was recorded, based on which the metrics of oral complexity were coded and computed. A two-way between- and within-subjects repeated measures design was conducted to examine the effects of the group factor, the time factor and the group × time interaction effects. The results showed that the EG students performed statistically better than their counterparts in the CG on lexical complexity and syntactic complexity. Moreover, significant improvement in phrasal complexity was witnessed over time in both groups. Significant group × time interaction effects were witnessed on overall complexity or subordination complexity. The gradients of the EG trajectories of the two metrics were greater than those of the CG. However, on phrasal complexity, the interaction effect was not significant.

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Greater Power but Not Strength Gains Using Flywheel Versus Equivolumed Traditional Strength Training in Junior Basketball Players

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18031181 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 1181

Author(s):

Marko D. M. Stojanović ◽

Mladen Mikić ◽

Patrik Drid ◽

Julio Calleja-González ◽

Nebojša Maksimović ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Strength Training ◽

Training Group ◽

T Test ◽

Control Group ◽

Basketball Players ◽

Significant Group ◽

Sprint Time ◽

Change Of Direction ◽

Time Interaction ◽

And Control

The main aim of the present study was to compare the effects of flywheel strength training and traditional strength training on fitness attributes. Thirty-six well trained junior basketball players (n = 36; 17.58 ± 0.50 years) were recruited and randomly allocated into: Flywheel group (FST; n = 12), traditional strength training group (TST; n = 12) and control group (CON; n = 12). All groups attended 5 basketball practices and one official match a week during the study period. Experimental groups additionally participated in the eight-week, 1–2 d/w equivolume intervention conducted using a flywheel device (inertia = 0.075 kg·m−2) for FST or free weights (80%1 RM) for TST. Pre-to post changes in lower limb isometric strength (ISOMET), 5 and 20 m sprint time (SPR5m and SPR20m), countermovement jump height (CMJ) and change of direction ability (t-test) were assessed with analyses of variance (3 × 2 ANOVA). Significant group-by-time interaction was found for ISOMET (F = 6.40; p = 0.000), CMJ (F = 7.45; p = 0.001), SPR5m (F = 7.45; p = 0.010) and T test (F = 10.46; p = 0.000). The results showed a significantly higher improvement in CMJ (p = 0.006; 11.7% vs. 6.8%), SPR5m (p = 0.001; 10.3% vs. 5.9%) and t-test (p = 0.045; 2.4% vs. 1.5%) for FST compared to the TST group. Simultaneously, th FST group had higher improvement in ISOMET (p = 0.014; 18.7% vs. 2.9%), CMJ (p = 0.000; 11.7% vs. 0.3%), SPR5m (p = 0.000; 10.3% vs. 3.4%) and t-test (p = 0.000; 2.4% vs. 0.6%) compared to the CON group. Players from the TST group showed better results in CMJ (p = 0.006; 6.8% vs. 0.3%) and t-test (p = 0.018; 1.5% vs. 0.6%) compared to players from the CON group. No significant group-by-time interaction was found for sprint 20 m (F = 2.52; p = 0.088). Eight weeks of flywheel training (1–2 sessions per week) performed at maximum concentric intensity induces superior improvements in CMJ, 5 m sprint time and change of direction ability than equivolumed traditional weight training in well trained junior basketball players. Accordingly, coaches and trainers could be advised to use flywheel training for developing power related performance attributes in young basketball players.

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How negative mood hinders belief updating in depression: results from two experimental studies

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291721002798 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Tobias Kube ◽

Lukas Kirchner ◽

Thomas Gärtner ◽

Julia Anna Glombiewski

Keyword(s):

Performance Feedback ◽

Negative Mood ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Positive Mood ◽

Control Group ◽

Belief Updating ◽

Significant Group ◽

Negative Beliefs ◽

Clinically Depressed ◽

Happy Mood

Abstract Background In two experimental studies, we tested the hypothesis that negative mood would hinder the revision of negative beliefs in response to unexpectedly positive information in depression, whereas positive mood was expected to enhance belief updating. Methods In study 1 (N = 101), we used a subclinical sample to compare the film-based induction of sad v. happy mood with a distraction control group. Subsequently, participants underwent a well-established paradigm to examine intra-individual changes in performance-related expectations after unexpectedly positive performance feedback. In study 2, we applied the belief-updating task from study 1 to an inpatient sample (N = 81) and induced sad v. happy mood via film-clips v. recall of autobiographic events. Results The results of study 1 showed no significant group differences in belief updating; the severity of depressive symptoms was a negative predictor of belief revision, though, and there was a non-significant trend suggesting that the presence of sad mood hindered belief updating in the subgroup of participants with a diagnosed depressive episode. Study 2 revealed that participants updated their expectations significantly less in line with positive feedback when they underwent the induction of negative mood prior to feedback, relative to positive mood. Conclusions By indicating that the presence of negative mood can hinder the revision of negative beliefs in clinically depressed people, our findings suggest that learning from new experiences can be hampered if state negative mood is activated. Thus, interventions relying on learning from novel positive experiences should aim at reducing state negative mood in depression.

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Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Gait Training Assisted by Multichannel Functional Electrical Stimulation in Early Stroke Rehabilitation: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair ◽

10.1177/1545968320981942 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 131-144

Author(s):

Maijke van Bloemendaal ◽

Sicco A. Bus ◽

Frans Nollet ◽

Alexander C. H. Geurts ◽

Anita Beelen

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Functional Electrical Stimulation ◽

Step Length ◽

Gait Training ◽

Control Group ◽

Significant Group ◽

Gait Symmetry ◽

Gait Parameters ◽

Walking Capacity ◽

Experimental Group

Background. Many stroke survivors suffer from leg muscle paresis, resulting in asymmetrical gait patterns, negatively affecting balance control and energy cost. Interventions targeting asymmetry early after stroke may enhance recovery of walking. Objective. To determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of up to 10 weeks of gait training assisted by multichannel functional electrical stimulation (MFES gait training) applied to the peroneal nerve and knee flexor or extensor muscle on the recovery of gait symmetry and walking capacity in patients starting in the subacute phase after stroke. Methods. Forty inpatient participants (≤31 days after stroke) were randomized to MFES gait training (experimental group) or conventional gait training (control group). Gait training was delivered in 30-minute sessions each workday. Feasibility was determined by adherence (≥75% sessions) and satisfaction with gait training (score ≥7 out of 10). Primary outcome for efficacy was step length symmetry. Secondary outcomes included other spatiotemporal gait parameters and walking capacity (Functional Gait Assessment and 10-Meter Walk Test). Linear mixed models estimated treatment effect postintervention and at 3-month follow-up. Results. Thirty-seven participants completed the study protocol (19 experimental group participants). Feasibility was confirmed by good adherence (90% of the participants) and participant satisfaction (median score 8). Both groups improved on all outcomes over time. No significant group differences in recovery were found for any outcome. Conclusions. MFES gait training is feasible early after stroke, but MFES efficacy for improving step length symmetry, other spatiotemporal gait parameters, or walking capacity could not be demonstrated. Trial Registration. Netherlands Trial Register (NTR4762).

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How Downward and Upward Comparisons on Facebook Influence Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissists’ Self-Esteem—A Priming Study

Behavioral Sciences ◽

10.3390/bs11030039 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 39

Author(s):

Phillip Ozimek ◽

Hans-Werner Bierhoff ◽

Elke Rohmann

Keyword(s):

Social Networking Sites ◽

Online Survey ◽

Social Comparisons ◽

Past Research ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Self Report ◽

Control Group ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Vulnerable Narcissism ◽

And Control

Past research showed that social networking sites represent perfect platforms to satisfy narcissistic needs. The present study aimed to investigate how grandiose (GN) and vulnerable narcissism (VN) as well as social comparisons are associated with Facebook activity, which was measured with a self-report on three activity dimensions: Acting, Impressing, and Watching. In addition, the state self-esteem (SSE) was measured with respect to performance, social behavior, and appearance. One hundred and ten participants completed an online survey containing measures of SSE and Facebook activity and a priming procedure with three experimental conditions embedded in a social media context (upward comparison, downward comparison, and control group). Results indicated, as expected, that high VN was negatively associated with SSE on each subscale and the overall score. In addition, it was found that VN, but not GN, displayed positive associations with frequency of Facebook activities. Finally, it was proposed and confirmed that VN in interaction with the priming of downward comparisons negatively affected SSE. The conclusion drawn is that VN represents a key variable for the prediction of self-esteem as well as for the frequency of Facebook activity.

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Self-Management Micro-Video Health Education Program for Hemodialysis Patients

Clinical Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/10547738211033922 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 105477382110339

Author(s):

Qingli Ren ◽

Suhua Shi ◽

Chen Yan ◽

Yang Liu ◽

Wei Han ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Education ◽

Education Program ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Hemodialysis Patients ◽

Self Management ◽

Control Group ◽

Group Comparison ◽

Health Education Program ◽

Significant Group ◽

Problem Solving Skills

Self-management in hemodialysis patients is critical; however, is generally low. This study aimed to examine the effects of a theory-based micro-video health education program on the improvement of self-management, hemodialysis knowledge, and self-efficacy in hemodialysis patients. A pre-test post-test control group quasi-experimental design was used to recruit 80 hemodialysis patients in a dialysis center. The participants were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive routine care or a 3-month micro-video health education program. Between-group comparison showed that patients in the intervention group had significantly greater improvement in hemodialysis knowledge than those in the control group ( p < .05). However, no significant group differences were observed in terms of self-management and self-efficacy. Within-group comparison showed that the overall self-management level of patients in both groups improved significantly, particularly in problem-solving skills and self-care dimensions. Therefore, micro-video health education can improve the self-management and hemodialysis knowledge in Chinese patients undergoing hemodialysis. Trial Registration: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with study number (ChiCTR1800018172; http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx ).

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The Effect of a Food Addiction Explanation Model for Weight Control and Obesity on Weight Stigma

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12020294 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 294 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kerry S. O’Brien ◽

Rebecca M. Puhl ◽

Janet D. Latner ◽

Dermot Lynott ◽

Jessica D. Reid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Control ◽

Food Addiction ◽

Public Support ◽

Personal Control ◽

Weight Stigma ◽

Control Group ◽

Significant Group ◽

Significant Group Difference ◽

Diet And Exercise ◽

And Control

There is increasing scientific and public support for the notion that some foods may be addictive, and that poor weight control and obesity may, for some people, stem from having a food addiction. However, it remains unclear how a food addiction model (FAM) explanation for obesity and weight control will affect weight stigma. In two experiments (N = 530 and N = 690), we tested the effect of a food addiction explanation for obesity and weight control on weight stigma. In Experiment 1, participants who received a FAM explanation for weight control and obesity reported lower weight stigma scores (e.g., less dislike of ‘fat people’, and lower personal willpower blame) than those receiving an explanation emphasizing diet and exercise (F(4,525) = 7.675, p = 0.006; and F(4,525) = 5.393, p = 0.021, respectively). In Experiment 2, there was a significant group difference for the dislike of ‘fat people’ stigma measure (F(5,684) = 5.157, p = 0.006), but not for personal willpower weight stigma (F(5,684) = 0.217, p = 0.81). Participants receiving the diet and exercise explanation had greater dislike of ‘fat people’ than those in the FAM explanation and control group (p values < 0.05), with no difference between the FAM and control groups (p > 0.05). The FAM explanation for weight control and obesity did not increase weight stigma and resulted in lower stigma than the diet and exercise explanation that attributes obesity to personal control. The results highlight the importance of health messaging about the causes of obesity and the need for communications that do not exacerbate weight stigma.

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Serum Zinc, Copper, and Other Biometals Are Associated with COVID-19 Severity Markers

Metabolites ◽

10.3390/metabo11040244 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 244

Author(s):

Anatoly V. Skalny ◽

Peter S. Timashev ◽

Michael Aschner ◽

Jan Aaseth ◽

Lyubov N. Chernova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Severity ◽

Regression Models ◽

Serum Zinc ◽

Lung Damage ◽

Severe Illness ◽

Control Group ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Significant Group ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Metal Levels

The objective of the present study was to evaluate of serum metal levels in COVID-19 patients with different disease severity, and to investigate the independent association between serum metal profile and markers of lung damage. The cohort of COVID-19 patients consisted of groups of subjects with mild, moderate, and severe illness, 50 examinees each. Forty-four healthy subjects of the respective age were involved in the current study as the control group. Serum metal levels were evaluated using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. Examination of COVID-19 patients demonstrated that heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, C-reactive protein levels, as well as lung damage increased significantly with COVID-19 severity, whereas SpO2 decreased gradually. Increasing COVID-19 severity was also associated with a significant gradual decrease in serum Ca, Fe, Se, Zn levels as compared to controls, whereas serum Cu and especially Cu/Zn ratio were elevated. No significant group differences in serum Mg and Mn levels were observed. Serum Ca, Fe, Se, Zn correlated positively with SpO2, being inversely associated with fever, lung damage, and C-reactive protein concentrations. Opposite correlations were observed for Cu and Cu/Zn ratio. In regression models, serum Se levels were inversely associated with lung damage independently of other markers of disease severity, anthropometric, biochemical, and hemostatic parameters. Cu/Zn ratio was also considered as a significant predictor of lower SpO2 in adjusted regression models. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that metal metabolism significantly interferes with COVID-19 pathogenesis, although the causal relations as well as precise mechanisms are yet to be characterized.

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Differentiating the effect of antipsychotic medication and illness on brain volume reductions in first-episode psychosis: A Longitudinal, Randomised, Triple-blind, Placebo-controlled MRI Study

Neuropsychopharmacology ◽

10.1038/s41386-021-00980-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sidhant Chopra ◽

Alex Fornito ◽

Shona M. Francey ◽

Brian O’Donoghue ◽

Vanessa Cropley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antipsychotic Medication ◽

Brain Volume ◽

First Episode Psychosis ◽

Common Finding ◽

First Episode ◽

Control Group ◽

Grey Matter Volume ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Significant Group ◽

Episode Psychosis

AbstractChanges in brain volume are a common finding in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies of people with psychosis and numerous longitudinal studies suggest that volume deficits progress with illness duration. However, a major unresolved question concerns whether these changes are driven by the underlying illness or represent iatrogenic effects of antipsychotic medication. In this study, 62 antipsychotic-naïve patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) received either a second-generation antipsychotic (risperidone or paliperidone) or a placebo pill over a treatment period of 6 months. Both FEP groups received intensive psychosocial therapy. A healthy control group (n = 27) was also recruited. Structural MRI scans were obtained at baseline, 3 months and 12 months. Our primary aim was to differentiate illness-related brain volume changes from medication-related changes within the first 3 months of treatment. We secondarily investigated long-term effects at the 12-month timepoint. From baseline to 3 months, we observed a significant group x time interaction in the pallidum (p < 0.05 FWE-corrected), such that patients receiving antipsychotic medication showed increased volume, patients on placebo showed decreased volume, and healthy controls showed no change. Across the entire patient sample, a greater increase in pallidal grey matter volume over 3 months was associated with a greater reduction in symptom severity. Our findings indicate that psychotic illness and antipsychotic exposure exert distinct and spatially distributed effects on brain volume. Our results align with prior work in suggesting that the therapeutic efficacy of antipsychotic medications may be primarily mediated through their effects on the basal ganglia.

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