scholarly journals PETTLEP imagery and tennis service performance: an applied investigation

Author(s):  
Nafih Cherappurath ◽  
Masilamani Elayaraja ◽  
Dilshith A. Kabeer ◽  
Amila Anjum ◽  
Paris Vogazianos ◽  
...  

AbstractTennis is one of the most popular and widely played sports enjoyed by players of different age groups and genders as a profession as well as a mode of recreation. A novel method, PETTLEP imagery combines both conventional and non-conventional style of training of an athlete and improves one’s performance. This study aimed to analyze the tennis service performance of junior tennis players based on PETTLEP imagery training. Forty-four junior male tennis players (Mage=13.22 years, SD=0.42) were selected for the study. The investigator handed over the MIQ-R questionnaire to all the participants in which they scored 16 and above points as per previous research. The participants were equally divided (n=11) into three experimental groups (E1, E2, and E3) and a control group. The service performance outcomes of all the players were compared before and after a training session. The three experimental groups were assigned with service-specific training, service-specific training combined with PETTLEP imagery training, and PETTLEP imagery training alone, respectively, for three days per week for 12 weeks. They were tested on their service accuracy based on the International tennis number (ITN) manual on-court assessment test. The data were assessed for normality and analyzed using non-parametric methods to reveal main effects (each training method alone) as well as to calculate the combined effect of PETTLEP and service-specific training. Certain significant improvements in tennis service were observed with service-specific training alone. Though it marginally outperformed the PETTLEP imagery method, the most improved services were observed with both PETTLEP and service-specific training utilized together. This implies an additive effect when both methods are used together.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Ouergui ◽  
Emerson Franchini ◽  
Hamdi Messaoudi ◽  
Hamdi Chtourou ◽  
Anissa Bouassida ◽  
...  

This study investigated the effect of area sizes (4 × 4, 6 × 6, and 8 × 8 m) and effort-pause ratios (free combat vs. 1:2) variation on the physiological and perceptive responses during taekwondo combats (Study 1). In a second study, the effects on physical performance of 8 weeks of small combat-based training added to regular taekwondo training were investigated (Study 2). In random order, 32 male taekwondo athletes performed six (i.e., two effort-to-pause ratios × three area sizes conditions) different 2-min taekwondo combats (Study 1). Thereafter (Study 2), they were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (4 × 4, 6 × 6, and 8 × 8 m) and an active control group (CG). Regarding Study 1, blood lactate concentration [La] before and after each combat, mean heart rate (HRmean) during each combat, and rating of perceived exertion (CR-10) immediately after each combat were assessed. Regarding Study 2, progressive specific taekwondo (PSTT) to estimate maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), taekwondo-specific agility, and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests were administered before and after 8 weeks of training. Study 1 results showed that 4 × 4 m elicited lower HRmean values compared with 6 × 6 m (d = −0.42 [small], p = 0.030) and free combat induced higher values compared with the 1:2 ratio (d = 1.71 [large], p < 0.001). For [La]post, 4 × 4 m area size induced higher values than 6 × 6 m (d = 0.99 [moderate], p < 0.001) and 8 × 8 m (d = 0.89 [moderate], p < 0.001) and free combat induced higher values than 1:2 ratio (d = 0.69 [moderate], p < 0.001). Higher CR-10 scores were registered after free combat compared with 1:2 ratio (d = 0.44 [small], p = 0.007). For Study 2, VO2max increased after training [F(1, 56) =30.532, p < 0.001; post-hoc: d = 1.27 [large], p < 0.001] with higher values for 4 × 4 m compared with CG (d = 1.15 [moderate], p = 0.009). Agility performance improved after training [F(1, 56) = 4.419, p = 0.04; post-hoc: d = −0.46 [small], p = 0.04] and 4 × 4 m induced lower values in comparison with 6 × 6 m (d = −1.56 [large], p = 0.001) and CG (d = −0.77 [moderate], p = 0.049). No training type influenced CMJ performance. Smaller area size elicited contrasting results in terms of metabolic demand compared with larger sizes (i.e., lower HRmean but higher [La] and CR-10), whereas free combat induced variables' consistently higher values compared with imposed 1:2 ratio (Study 1). Taekwondo training is effective to improve VO2max and agility (Study 2), but small combat training modality should be investigated further.


Author(s):  
Jorge Martín-Gutiérrez ◽  
Cristina Roca González ◽  
Melchor García Domínguez

This paper presents the results of a study designed to evaluate the effect of attending an intensive remedial course based on desktop augmented reality exercises to improve the spatial ability of freshman engineering students. Many of these students have problems in managing visual information or in creating mental models of objects represented by their orthographic projections. The study reports about research on comparison tests about the spatial skills of engineering students from two Spanish universities before and after performing a specific training for improving these abilities. The training was completed by 66 students as participants, considering a control group composed of 25 students from both universities. Results show that students from both universities improve their spatial ability and there is no statistical significance between students from both universities, neither before nor after training, so we may conclude that training’s effect on both universities is analogue.


2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (8) ◽  
pp. 1206-1226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Forsberg ◽  
Daniel Fellman ◽  
Matti Laine ◽  
Wendy Johnson ◽  
Robert H Logie

Working memory (WM) training with the N-Back task has been argued to improve cognitive capacity and general cognitive abilities (the Capacity Hypothesis of training), although several studies have shown little or no evidence for such improvements beyond tasks that are very similar to the trained task. Laine et al. demonstrated that instructing young adult participants to use a specific visualisation strategy for N-back training resulted in clear, generalised benefits from only 30 min of training (Strategy Mediation Hypothesis of training). Here, we report a systematic replication and extension of the Laine et al. study, by administering 60 younger and 60 older participants a set of WM tasks before and after a 30-min N-back training session. Half the participants were instructed to use a visualisation strategy, the others received no instruction. The pre-post test battery encompassed a criterion task (digit N-back), two untrained tasks N-back tasks (letters and colours), and three structurally different WM tasks. The instructed visualisation strategy significantly boosted at least some measures of N-back performance in participants of both age groups, although the strategy generally appeared more difficult to implement and less beneficial for older adults. However, the strategy did not improve performance on structurally different WM tasks. We also found significant associations between N-back performance and the type and level of detail of self-generated strategies in the uninstructed participants, as well as age group differences in reported strategy types. WM performance appeared to partly reflect the application of strategies, and Strategy Mediation should be considered to understand the mechanisms of WM training. Claims of efficient training should demonstrate useful improvement beyond task-specific strategies.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaíra Almeida Pereira da Silva Nascimento ◽  
Lorenna Santiago ◽  
Aline Alves De Souza ◽  
Camila De Lima Pegado ◽  
Tatiana Ribeiro ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Gait disorders in individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) may be associated with alterations in the motor control system and aggravated by psychoemotional and cognitive issues. Therapeutic strategies aimed at self-perception and motor regulation seem to be promising. Motor imagery (MI) has been shown to be one of these strategies, but there is still no clear evidence of its applicability in this population. The aim of this trial is to determine the effects of motor imagery training on the gait and electroencephalographic activity of individuals with PD. Methods: The sample consisted of 40 individuals, aged between 45 and 75 years, in the mild and moderate phase of the disease, with the ability to generate voluntary mental images. They will be assessed for cognitive level, degree of physical disability, mental image clarity, kinematic gait variables, electroencephalographic activity and mobility. Next, subjects will be randomly assigned to an experimental (EG) and control group (CG). The EG will perform motor imagery and gait, while the CG will only engage in gait exercises. Twelve training sessions will be conducted lasting up to 90 minutes each, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. They will be reassessed on the kinematic variables of gait, electroencephalographic activity and mobility, one, seven and thirty days after the final training session. Discussion: The results may provide an important advance in neurological rehabilitation. An easy-access and low-cost intervention may help improve gait, electroencephalographic activity and mobility in individuals with PD. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03439800. Registered 15 November 2017. Keywords: Parkinson’s disease; Rehabilitation; Cerebral activation; Neurological gait disorders.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu Hainselin ◽  
Alexandre Aubry ◽  
Béatrice Bourdin

Improvisational theatre (improv) is supposed to have an impact on cognitive processes (divergent thinking, flexibility, language, memory, problem solving, and co-construction), academic performance, and everyday life in many ways. However, little research studied on the psychological impact of improv, with some results highlighting a divergent thinking enhancement in children and adults, but not with teenagers, one of the most important age groups to practice improv. Therefore, this study aims to assess divergent thinking for middle school students before and after an 11-week session compared to a control group with a sport practice. The Alternative Uses Task was used before and after the session for both groups to evaluate divergent thinking. The improv group had better performance in originality, flexibility and gave less prototypical items after the improv sessions compared to before, while the control group performance was similar before and after. Our results suggest that improv helps teenagers’ divergent thinking to improve, not only with experimental games in the lab context but also after ecological sessions. We urge scientists to study in depth psychological impacts of improvisational theatre and applied improvisation, for a better understanding of improv and as a model to study embodied cognition.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
I.M. Sobko ◽  
O.V. Koliesov ◽  
L.O. Ulaeva

<p><strong>The purpose</strong> – to develop and experimentally substantiate the method of developing the physical qualities of tennis players aged 12–13 years old, using React Balls and stretching.</p><p><strong>Material and methods</strong>. The experiment was attended by 28 tennis players 12-13 years old sport school № 3, Severodonetsk, who were divided into control and experimental group of 14 people. The study was conducted within 8 months from August 2018 to March 2019. Before and after the experiment, tennis players' physical fitness was tested (shuttle run 6x8 m, push-ups 30 s, jumps with skipping-rope, running 6 m, running 30 m, long jump from the spot, throwing ball 1 kg, torso inclination forward from a sitting position, circular rotations in the shoulder joint with a gymnastic stick).</p><p><strong>Results</strong><em>. </em>Complexes of exercises with React Balls and stretch exercises for all muscle groups were developed and introduced into the training process of young tennis players. A significant (p&lt;0.05) increase in the flexibility indicators of athletes from the experimental group, as a result of the use of stretch exercises, was determined. It was revealed that doing exercises with React Balls and tennis balls significantly (p &lt;0.05) increased the level of speed and coordination capabilities in the control and experimental groups. According to the test results «running 30 m», «circular rotations in the shoulder joint with a gymnastic stick», «torso inclination forward from a sitting position» in the experimental group, these figures are significantly higher compared with the athletes of the control group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions.</strong>  It was shown that the use of stretching exercises contributes to the development of greater amplitude of movements, and also forms motor freedom, which affects the development of coordination and speed of movement of a tennis player. It is recommended to use the method of development of physical qualities using React Balls and stretching balls in the training process of young tennis players 12-13 years old.</p>


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaíra Almeida Pereira da Silva Nascimento ◽  
Lorenna Santiago ◽  
Aline Alves De Souza ◽  
Camila De Lima Pegado ◽  
Tatiana Ribeiro ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Gait disorders in individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) may be associated with alterations in the motor control system and aggravated by psychoemotional and cognitive issues. Therapeutic strategies aimed at self-perception and motor regulation seem to be promising. Motor imagery (MI) has been shown to be one of these strategies, but there is still no clear evidence of its applicability in this population. The aim of this trial is to determine the effects of motor imagery training on the gait and electroencephalographic activity of individuals with PD. Methods/Design The sample consisted of 40 individuals, aged between 45 and 75 years, in the mild and moderate phase of the disease, with the ability to generate voluntary mental images. They will be assessed for cognitive level, degree of physical disability, mental image clarity, kinematic gait variables, electroencephalographic activity and mobility. Next, subjects will be randomly assigned to an experimental (EG) and control group (CG). The EG will perform motor imagery and gait, while the CG will only engage in gait exercises. Twelve training sessions will be conducted lasting up to 90 minutes each, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. They will be reassessed on the kinematic variables of gait, electroencephalographic activity and mobility, one, seven and thirty days after the final training session. Discussion The results may provide an important advance in neurological rehabilitation. An easy-access and low-cost intervention may help improve gait, electroencephalographic activity and mobility in individuals with PD.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofien Fekih ◽  
Mohamed Sami Zguira ◽  
Abdessalem Koubaa ◽  
Liwa Masmoudi ◽  
Nicola Luigi Bragazzi ◽  
...  

The objective of the present study is to analyze the effects of motor mental imagery training on tennis service performance among tennis athletes who fast during Ramadan. Participants were 38 young male tennis players, randomly divided into two groups: Imaging Training (IMG, n = 18) and control group (CG, n = 20). The CG has watched videos on the history of the Olympic Games, while IMG has followed a training program in motor imagery. The performance of the tennis service was obtained by the product between accuracy and speed of typing (accuracy × average speed of all shots (km/h)). The effect of group/time interaction (p < 0.01) was identified for all performance indicators (accuracy, running speed and performance (speed × precision)), with improvement only in IMG (p = 0.01). The results showed that motor imagery training could be an effective strategy for mitigating/counteracting the negative effects of Ramadan on the tennis service performance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 184-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Mannella ◽  
Rachele Antonelli ◽  
María Magdalena Montt-Guevara ◽  
Marta Caretto ◽  
Giulia Palla ◽  
...  

Background The learning process of physiological mechanisms of childbirth and its management are important elements in the education of medical students. In this study, we verify how the use of a high-fidelity simulator of childbirth improves competence of students in this regard.Methods A total of 132 medical students were recruited for the study in order to attend a physiological childbirth in a no-hospital environment after being assigned to two groups. The control group received only a normal cycle of lectures, while the simulation (SIM) group followed a specific training session on the simulator. Subsequently, both groups were assessed for their technical and non-technical skills in a simulated childbirth. Also, a self-assessment test regarding their self-confidence was administrated before and after simulation, and repeated after 8 weeks.Results The SIM group showed better performance in all the domains with a better comprehension of the mechanisms of childbirth, managing and assistance of labour and delivery. In addition, compared to the control group, they presented a better self-related awareness and self-assurance regarding the possibility of facing a birth by themselves.Conclusion The present study demonstrated that the use of a high-fidelity simulator for medical students allows a significant improvement in the acquisition of theoretical and technical expertise to assist a physiological birth.


Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers and the first leading cause of cancer death (25.5%) among women across the world. Oxidative stress and overproduction of free radicals are among the most important reasons for the progression of cancers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic exercise with pomegranate juice on Serum microRNAs levels related to the oxidant/antioxidant system of women recovering from breast cancer. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 40 women recovering from breast cancer with a mean age of 42.45±1.95 were randomly assigned into four equal groups (n=10), including control, pomegranate juice, aerobic exercise, and aerobic-pomegranate. The aerobic and aerobic-pomegranate groups performed eight 60-90-min sessions of exercises three times a week with an intensity of 50% to 70% of the target heart rate. The pomegranate juice group received 100 cc of juice before each training session. Blood samples were collected 48 h before and after the intervention. Oncogenic microRNAs, such as miR-21 and miR-155, were assayed by RT-PCR. The obtained data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, ANCOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc test at a significance level of P≤0/05. Results: In total, eight weeks of aerobic exercise with the consumption of pomegranate juice caused a significant decrease in miR-21 (P=0.001) and miR-155 (P=0.001) levels in women recovering from breast cancer, compared to the control group. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise and consumption of pomegranate juice simultaneously reduced oncogene microRNAs, such as miR-21 and miR-155, in women recovering from breast cancer.


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