scholarly journals Comparisons of summer break effect on anthropometric profile, body composition and somatotype between adolescent swimmers and less active adolescents

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 134-139
Author(s):  
Cesare Altavilla ◽  
Sergio Sellés-Pérez ◽  
Iris Comino-Comino ◽  
Jose Miguel Comeche-Guijarro ◽  
Pablo Caballero-Pérez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Great Increase ◽  
Swimming Activity ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
Central Fat ◽  
Anthropometric Profile

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare changes in anthropometric profile, body composition, and somatotype of adolescent swimmers and less active adolescents. Method: We selected 16 swimmers and 8 less active adolescents. The swimmers were divided based on the amount of swimming activity performed per week. A longitudinal study with repeated measures was carried out. The anthropometric profile, body composition, and somatotype were assessed before and after the summer break from swimming activity. Results: Both groups of swimmers showed more changes in anthropometric profile, body composition, and somatotype than the less active adolescents. The very active swimmers showed a higher increase in the sum of the two central skinfolds than peripheral ones (p = 0.018). Both groups of swimmers had a great increase of the percent change in the sum of the two central skinfolds (medium active swimmers: p = 0.006, medium effect size = 0.72; very active swimmers: p = 0.001, medium effect size = 0.64). Conclusions: The fat component seems to be more variable than the muscular and bone component during 55 – 65 days of summer break from swimming activity. The two groups of swimmers showed a preferential accumulation of central fat after the summer break compared to the less active adolescents. The suprailiac and abdominal skinfolds could be used as early predictive measurements to assess changes in body fat.

Neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Are we making mountains out of molehills?

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (15) ◽  
pp. 2602-2612 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Moritz ◽  
J. P. Klein ◽  
T. Desler ◽  
H. Lill ◽  
J. Gallinat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Neurocognitive Deficits ◽  
Neurocognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Performance Scale ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
Meta Analyses

BackgroundMost original studies and all meta-analyses conducted to date converge on the conclusion that patients with schizophrenia display rather generalized neurocognitive deficits. For the present study, we reopen this seemingly closed chapter and examine whether important influences, such as lack of motivation and negative attitudes towards cognitive assessment, result in poorer secondary neuropsychological performance.MethodA sample of 50 patients with an established diagnosis of schizophrenia were tested for routine neurocognitive assessment and compared to 60 nonclinical volunteers. Before and after the assessment, subjective momentary influences were examined (e.g. motivation, concerns about assessment, fear about poor outcome) for their impact on performance using a new questionnaire called the Momentary Influences, Attitudes and Motivation Impact (MIAMI) on Cognitive Performance Scale.ResultsAs expected, patients performed significantly worse than controls on all neurocognitive domains tested (large effect size, on average). However, patients also displayed more subjective momentary impairment, as well as more fears about the outcome and less motivation than controls. Mediation analyses indicated that these influences contributed to (secondary) poorer neurocognitive performance. Differences in neurocognitive scores shrank to a medium effect size, on average, when MIAMI scores were accounted for.ConclusionsThe data argue that performance on measures of neurocognition in schizophrenia are to a considerable extent due to secondary factors. Poor motivation, fears and momentary impairments distinguished patients from controls and these variables heavily impacted performance. Before concluding that neurocognitive deficits in psychiatric patients are present, clinicians should take these confounding influences into account. Although patients with schizophrenia achieved, on average, worse test scores than controls, a large subgroup displayed spared performance.

scholarly journals Effects of a Single Physical or Mindfulness Intervention on Mood, Attention, and Executive Functions: Results from two Randomized Controlled Studies in University Classes

Mindfulness ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1282-1293
Author(s):  
Christian Müller ◽  
David Dubiel ◽  
Eleni Kremeti ◽  
Manuel Lieb ◽  
Elisabeth Streicher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Mindfulness Intervention ◽  
Randomized Controlled Studies ◽  
Medium Effect Size

Abstract Objectives The primary objective of this study was to examine the effects of one-session physical or mindfulness training on university students’ mood, attention and executive functions in two separate randomized studies. Methods Study 1 (physical activity intervention) was implemented in a seminar with 63 and Study 2 (mindfulness intervention) in another seminar with 28 university students. The physical intervention included stretching exercises, balancing tasks, and medium intensity cardiovascular activities. The mindfulness training included yoga exercises, guided attention, and a body scan. In the control conditions, students watched a 15-min fitness or yoga video, respectively. Several mood and attention scales, as well as executive functions were assessed before and after the intervention or control activity. A randomized within-subject cross-over design was applied in both studies. Results Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that participants in both intervention conditions reported mood to be more positive, more awake and calmer after the intervention compared to the control conditions. These effects were medium to large (Study 1: eta2 = .08-.30, Study 2: eta2 = .15-.30). Attention scores improved more relative to the control condition after the physical intervention (medium effect size, eta2 = .11). Executive function scores improved more relative to the control condition after the mindfulness intervention (medium effect size, eta2 = .17). Conclusions These results indicate that a short bout (15-min) of physical or mindfulness activity in a university learning setting positively affected dimensions of mood and cognition known to support academic learning.

scholarly journals Fluctuations in National Resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3876
Author(s):  
Shaul Kimhi ◽  
Yohanan Eshel ◽  
Hadas Marciano ◽  
Bruria Adini
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Large Effect Size ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
The Government ◽  
Time Frames

The current study measured national resilience (NR) in three different time frames during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Israel (N = 804). We investigated two main issues: first, the direction and extent of NR changes during the crisis, and second, the predictors of NR. The results show the following: (a) the average NR score declined significantly across the three repeated measures, with a medium-size effect. (b) Three of the four identified NR factors declined significantly across the three measurements: belief in the government and the prime minister (large effect size); belief in civil society; and patriotism (medium effect size); while trust in Israeli national institutions was the lowest and did not weaken significantly. (c) Analyzing the prediction of NR factors indicated that the levels of the three NR factors mainly reflected one’s political attitudes, sense of political and economic threats, rather than health threats. One conclusion concerns the importance of trust in leadership as the most sensitive component in the decline of national resilience following a crisis.

scholarly journals An Egocentric Network Contact Tracing Experiment: Testing Different Procedures to Elicit Contacts and Places

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1466
Author(s):  
Andrew Pilny ◽  
C. Joseph Huber
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Physiological Variables ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
Egocentric Network ◽  
Survey Instruments

Contact tracing is one of the oldest social network health interventions used to reduce the diffusion of various infectious diseases. However, some infectious diseases like COVID-19 amass at such a great scope that traditional methods of conducting contact tracing (e.g., face-to-face interviews) remain difficult to implement, pointing to the need to develop reliable and valid survey approaches. The purpose of this research is to test the effectiveness of three different egocentric survey methods for extracting contact tracing data: (1) a baseline approach, (2) a retrieval cue approach, and (3) a context-based approach. A sample of 397 college students were randomized into one condition each. They were prompted to anonymously provide contacts and populated places visited from the past four days depending on what condition they were given. After controlling for various demographic, social identity, psychological, and physiological variables, participants in the context-based condition were significantly more likely to recall more contacts (medium effect size) and places (large effect size) than the other two conditions. Theoretically, the research supports suggestions by field theory that assume network recall can be significantly improved by activating relevant activity foci. Practically, the research contributes to the development of innovative social network data collection methods for contract tracing survey instruments.

scholarly journals Effect sizes and test-retest reliability of the fMRI-based Neurologic Pain Signature

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaochun Han ◽  
Yoni K. Ashar ◽  
Philip Kragel ◽  
Bogdan Petre ◽  
Victoria Schelkun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
Pain Reports ◽  
Nociceptive Input ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Identifying biomarkers that predict mental states with large effect sizes and high test-retest reliability is a growing priority for fMRI research. We examined a well-established multivariate brain measure that tracks pain induced by nociceptive input, the Neurologic Pain Signature (NPS). In N = 295 participants across eight studies, NPS responses showed a very large effect size in predicting within-person single-trial pain reports (d = 1.45) and medium effect size in predicting individual differences in pain reports (d = 0.49, average r = 0.20). The NPS showed excellent short-term (within-day) test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.84, with average 69.5 trials/person). Reliability scaled with the number of trials within-person, with ≥60 trials required for excellent test-retest reliability. Reliability was comparable in two additional studies across 5-day (N = 29, ICC = 0.74, 30 trials/person) and 1-month (N = 40, ICC = 0.46, 5 trials/person) test-retest intervals. The combination of strong within-person correlations and only modest between-person correlations between the NPS and pain reports indicates that the two measures have different sources of between-person variance. The NPS is not a surrogate for individual differences in pain reports, but can serve as a reliable measure of pain-related physiology and mechanistic target for interventions.

L2 writing development through two types of writing task repetition

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsushi Fukunaga
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
Developmental Trajectories ◽  
Writing Development ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Task Repetition ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
Argumentative Essays ◽  
Task Types ◽  
Writing Task ◽  
Measurement Period

Abstract This study investigated whether any remarkable effects emerge in terms of overall complexity, complexity by subordination, accuracy, and fluency in two types of writing task repetition during a single academic semester (16 weeks). The Cognition Hypothesis states that tasks involving different cognitive demands will lead to different L2 output. Thus, this study explored whether any significant differences existed between two task types: descriptive and argumentative essays. The results revealed different patterns in the two types of writing tasks. For the descriptive essays, despite the improvements in overall complexity, complexity by subordination, and fluency with a large effect size, no significant findings were confirmed for accuracy. In contrast, in the argumentative essays, the learners improved all the linguistic aspects, but with a medium effect size. This study also unraveled developmental trajectories to demonstrate how different variables interacted in the two different types of writing tasks throughout the measurement period.

Work satisfaction and burnout risk of gastroenterologists in Germany: results of a nationwide survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (10) ◽  
pp. 960-970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Christian Adarkwah ◽  
Joachim Labenz ◽  
Berndt Birkner ◽  
UIrike Beilenhoff ◽  
Oliver Hirsch
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Work Satisfaction ◽  
Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽  
Personal Accomplishment ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
Federal Organization ◽  
Burnout Risk

Abstract Background More and more gastroenterologists are not satisfied with their working conditions and run the risk of developing burnout symptoms. Little is known about the job satisfaction and burnout risk among physicians working in endoscopy units in Germany. This study examines the risk of burnout and job satisfaction among gastroenterologists in Germany. Methods An electronic survey was distributed to gastroenterologists organized mainly in the Federal Organization of Gastroenterology in Germany (BVGD, Berufsverband Gastroenterologie Deutschland e. V.). In addition to general demographic variables, job satisfaction was determined using the Work Satisfaction Questionnaires (WSQ), and burnout risk was determined using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Results A representative sample of gastroenterologists organized in the BVGD (Berufsverband Gastroenterologie Deutschland e. V.) took part in the study (n = 683, 22 %). Above all, we could demonstrate relevant differences with regard to burnout risk and job satisfaction depending on the place of work, clinic structure, position in the clinic, and age. Younger physicians had significantly higher depersonalization (p < 0.001) and exhaustion scores (p < 0.001) with almost medium and small effect sizes (δt = 0.45 and −0.31). The higher the position in the clinic, the higher the accomplishment scores (medium effect size 0.27). Older physicians were especially more satisfied in the areas of patient care (p < 0.001, medium effect size δt = −0.53). Employed doctors show a higher level of satisfaction in terms of “burden” compared to practice owners (p < 0.001, δt = −0.69). Compared to norms used in the EGPRN study which were adapted to physicians, almost one-third of our sample had high depersonalization scores, about 17 % had high exhaustion scores, and about half had low personal accomplishment scores showing a higher general burden among German gastroenterologists. Conclusion Decreased work satisfaction and risk of burnout are important issues among German gastroenterologists. Specific actions should address this problem in order to avoid negative consequences, respectively.

Zombies vs. Anxiety: An Augmentation Study of Prescribed Video Game Play Compared to Medication in Reducing Anxiety Symptoms

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 553-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew T. Fish ◽  
Carmen V. Russoniello ◽  
Kevin O’Brien
Keyword(s):  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Mild Depression ◽  
Depressive Symptomology ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
The One

Objective. Anxiety is a typical reaction to stress and when uncontrolled, clinical anxiety disorders may develop. Traditional anxiety interventions have established efficacy; however, they are often costly and stigmatizing. This study examined prescribed casual video game (CVG) play added to an SSRI prescription in reducing symptoms of anxiety compared to a two-medication treatment group. Materials and methods. We used data from a larger study examining depression and CVGs. The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomology screened participants for depression using a score of ≥ 5 (mild depression). Participants chose to participate in the alternative (n = 30) or traditional (n = 24) group. Alternative group participants were prescribed CVG play four times per week for 30-45 minutes over a one-month period. Traditional intervention group participants were prescribed a second medication. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to test hypotheses. Results. Repeated-measures ANOVA demonstrated a significant decrease in state anxiety scores after the one-month prescription and a medium to large effect for the alternative group. Trait anxiety results did not demonstrate significance; however, the group had a medium effect size. Conclusion. Clinicians should consider these non-stigmatizing and low-cost CVGs as a feasible intervention for patients who wish not to take additional medication.

scholarly journals Impact of training in Autism on inclusive practices

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Dympna Nolan ◽  
Elizabeth Fraser Selkirk Hannah
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Inclusive Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
Significant Change ◽  
Sector Data

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of training on educational staff attitudes, sentiments, concerns and efficacy in providing support for children with Autism in mainstream settings. Design/methodology/approach The investigation adopted a pre-test/post-test, quasi-experimental, within-subject research design. In total, 35 early years educators, teachers and pupil support assistants from one Scottish Local Authority (LA) undertook training delivered by the LA’s Communication and Language Outreach Service. Measures included the Sentiments, Attitudes, and Concerns about Inclusive Education Revised (SACIE-R) scale and the teacher efficacy for inclusive practices (TEIP) scale pre and post-training. Post-training participants completed a questionnaire employing open and closed questions to assess perceived usefulness of training, application of knowledge and effectiveness of the teaching strategies. Findings Combining data from the three sectors there was a significant change in staff efficacy for inclusive practices (z=−3.406, p=0.001, p<0.05, with a medium effect size r=0.41) although there were differences between the sectors. There was a significant change in SACIE-R total scores (z=−3.945, p=0.000, p<0.05; with a medium effect size r=0.47), sentiments (z=−2.763, p=0.006, p<0.05; with a medium effect size r=0.33) and concerns (z=−3.685, p=0.000, p<0.05; with a medium effect size of r=0.44) subscale scores for the combined sector data. There was no significant change in the attitudes subscale scores for the combined sector data (z=−1.106, p=2.69, p>0.05; with a small effect size r=0.13) although there were differences between the sectors. Research limitations/implications Limitations include: small sample size, minor differences in the training in different sectors, purposeful sampling, use of questionnaire post-training, variability of completion of SCAIE-R and TEIP post-training. Originality/value There appears to be limited research into inclusive practices for children with Autism in the UK context, which this study aims to address.

Effects of Acupressure on Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 353-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doreen W H Au ◽  
Hector W H Tsang ◽  
Paul P M Ling ◽  
Christie H T Leung ◽  
P K Ip ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
Citation Index ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Allocation Concealment ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Physiological Indicators ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Objective To evaluate the evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quantify the effects of acupressure on anxiety among adults. Methodology RCTs published between January 1997 and February 2014, comparing acupressure with sham control, were identified from the databases Science Citation Index/Social Sciences Citation Index, Scopus, PubMed and PsycINFO. Meta-analysis of eligible studies was performed and the magnitude of the overall effect size was calculated for the anxiety outcome. Revised STRICTA (the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture) criteria were used to appraise the acupressure procedures, and the Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. Results Of 39 potentially relevant studies, seven RCTs met the inclusion criteria for review while five studies met the criteria for meta-analysis. All studies reported the positive effect of acupressure on relieving anxiety from the anticipation of surgery or treatment. EX-HN3 ( Yintang), HT7 ( Shenmen) were the commonest points selected and two studies used bilateral points. The acupressure procedure was generally well reported and studies had a low risk of bias. The combined results of the five trials showed a greater overall reduction in anxiety in the acupressure group than in the sham controls (standardised mean differences (SMD)=−1.11; 95% CI −1.61 to −0.61; p<0.0001 heterogeneity: I2=75%; χ2=16.17; p=0.003; r=0.485). Conclusions Acupressure seems to be effective in providing immediate relief of pretreatment anxiety among adults, and has a medium effect size. However, conflicting results were found for the improvements on physiological indicators. More rigorous reporting, including allocation concealment procedure, is needed to strengthen the results.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document