scholarly journals Physical Fitness, Selective Attention and Academic Performance in a Pre-Adolescent Sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6216
Author(s):  
José A. Páez-Maldonado ◽  
Rafael E. Reigal ◽  
Juan P. Morillo-Baro ◽  
Hernaldo Carrasco-Beltrán ◽  
Antonio Hernández-Mendo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Selective Attention ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Vertical Jump ◽  
Cohen’S D ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Adolescent Sample ◽  
Cardio Respiratory Fitness ◽  
Cohen's D

The purpose of the current study is to analyze the relationships between physical fitness, selective attention, and academic performance in pre-teens. The sample here consists of 135 participants between the ages of 10 and 12 (M = 11.05; SD = 0.61), with 39.26% female (n = 53) and 60.74% male (n = 82) participants. Horizontal and vertical jump distances, speed, and cardio-respiratory fitness were evaluated to assess physical fitness. The d2 Test of Attention was used to evaluate selective attention. In addition, data were obtained regarding participant academic performance by analyzing the academic performance. The results show significant relationships between the measures analyzed, highlighting positive associations between physical fitness, cognitive functioning, and academic performance. Thus, participants who were fitter scored better on tests of attention (Z133 = −4.07; p < 0.00007, Cohen’s d = 0.75, 95% CI (0.39, 1.11)) and concentration (t133 = −3.84; p < 0.0007, Cohen’s d = 0.69, 95% CI (0.33, 1.05)), as well as having higher academic performance (Z133 = −2.84; p < 0.0035, Cohen’s d = 0.39, 95% CI (0.04, 0.75)). Cardiorespiratory fitness was the measure of physical fitness that best explained these relationships. The results suggest that maintaining and improving the physical fitness of children and adolescents may help their brain function develop better.

scholarly journals Exploring the long-term associations between adolescents’ music training and academic achievement

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 512-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos dos Santos-Luiz ◽  
Lisete S. M. Mónico ◽  
Leandro S. Almeida ◽  
Daniela Coimbra
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Ninth Grade ◽  
Music Students ◽  
Seventh Grade ◽  
Music Training ◽  
Achievement Data ◽  
Cohen’S D ◽  
Cohen's D

There is a positive relationship between learning music and academic achievement, although doubts remain regarding the mechanisms underlying this association. This research analyses the academic performance of music and non-music students from seventh to ninth grade. The study controls for socioeconomic status, intelligence, motivation and prior academic achievement. Data were collected from 110 adolescents at two time points, once when the students were between 11 and 14 years old in the seventh grade, and again 3 years later. Our results show that music students perform better academically than non-music students in the seventh grade (Cohen’s d = 0.88) and in the ninth grade (Cohen’s d = 1.05). This difference is particularly evident in their scores in Portuguese language and natural science; the difference is somewhat weaker in history and geography scores, and is least pronounced in mathematics and English scores ( η2 p from .09 to .21). A longitudinal analysis also revealed better academic performance by music students after controlling for prior academic achievement ( η2 p = .07). Furthermore, controlling for intelligence, socioeconomic status and motivation did not eliminate the positive association between music learning from the seventh to the ninth grade and students’ academic achievement ( η2 p = .06). During the period, music students maintained better and more consistent academic standing. We conclude that, after controlling for intelligence, socioeconomic status and motivation, music training is positively associated with academic achievement.

scholarly journals Secular Trends in Anthropometric Characteristics and Health-Related Physical Fitness in Macedonian Children: the Makfit Studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-18
Author(s):  
Abdulla Elezi ◽  
Gresa Elezi ◽  
Seryozha Gontarev ◽  
Georgi Georgiev
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Secular Trends ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Cohen’S D ◽  
Standing Long Jump ◽  
Anthropometric Characteristics ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Long Jump ◽  
Cohen's D ◽  
Shuttle Run

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the secular trends in anthropometric characteristics and health-related physical fitness (i.e., flexibility, muscular strength and speed/agility) in Macedonian children between 2012 and 2019. Materials and methods. We analyzed the secular trends in anthropometric characteristics and health-related physical fitness in Macedonian children between 2012 and 2019. Two representative population studies were conducted 7 years apart in children (6-10 years) from Skopje (Mаcedonia). Both studies used the same anthropometric measures and tests to assess physical fitness: height, weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, muscle mass percentage, sit and reach, handgrip strength, standing long jump, 30 sec sit ups, and 4 × 10 m shuttle run.  Result. The boys and girls measured in 2019 had significantly better performance in the sit and reach (Cohen’s d ~0.4 and ~0.5, respectively), 30 sec sit ups (Cohen’s d ~0.3 and ~0.2, respectively), and 4 × 10 m shuttle run (Cohen’s d ~0.7 and ~0.8, respectively) tests compared to those measured in 2012–2013. Levels of the standing long jump were significantly lower in 2019 in boys and girls (Cohen’s d ~0.6 for both).  Conclusions. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that Macedonian children measured in 2019 have higher levels of flexibility, abdominal muscle strength and coordination, speed and agility, but lower levels of explosive force of the lower limbs than their counterparts measured. 7 years ago, no statistically significant differences were found in anthropometric measures and measures of body weight.

scholarly journals Lower Physical Fitness Is Associated with Injuries in Iranian National Futsal Teams: A Prospective Study

2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hooman Angoorani ◽  
Zohreh Haratian ◽  
Hamedreza Farmanara ◽  
Paniz Jahani
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Vertical Jump ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Lower Extremity Strength ◽  
Fitness Parameters ◽  
Cardio Respiratory Fitness ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
And Training

Background: Several studies have investigated risk factors for injury in different sports. However, little scientific information is available in relation to futsal injuries. Objectives: This study prospectively analyzed the influence of physical fitness parameters on the occurrence of futsal injuries in Iranian national teams. Methods: Prior to the season, all 55 players of 3 Iranian national futsal teams took part in a series of tests for physical fitness parameters such as cardio-respiratory fitness, muscle strength, body composition, flexibility, agility, and speed. Team physicians recorded all injuries, medical attention, and time loss due to the injury throughout the match and training sessions. Results: During 18 months, 54 futsal injuries were sustained by 32 players. Injured players had poorer performance at baseline in agility, speed, and vertical jump than players who did not incur an injury during the season. Lower maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) values were associated with a higher injury risk. No differences between injured and uninjured players were observed in age, anthropometric data, flexibility, and lower extremity strength. Conclusions: Some physical fitness parameters were associated with the risk of injuries in futsal. Therefore, improving physical fitness might help to reduce the number of futsal injuries.

Phonologische Verarbeitung bei Grundschulkindern mit schwacher Lesefähigkeit

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Klatte ◽  
Claudia Steinbrink ◽  
Kirstin Bergström ◽  
Thomas Lachmann
Keyword(s):  
Cohen’S D ◽  
Phonologische Verarbeitung ◽  
Cohen's D

Defizite in der phonologischen Informationsverarbeitung werden heute als Kernsymptom der Lese-Rechtschreibstörung betrachtet. In Trainingsstudien mit betroffenen Kindern erwiesen sich Phonemwahrnehmungsfähigkeiten als trainierbar, und Programme, in denen Aufgaben zur phonologischen Bewusstheit mit der systematischen Vermittlung von Phonem-Graphem-Zuordnungen kombiniert wurden, zeigten Transfereffekte auf Lese- und Rechtschreibleistungen. Ausgehend von diesen Erkenntnissen wurde ein computerbasiertes Trainingsprogramm zur Förderung der Phonemwahrnehmung, der phonologischen Bewusstheit und der Graphem-Phonem-Zuordnungen für deutschsprachige Grundschulkinder mit Lese-Rechtschreibstörung entwickelt. Aufgrund der besonderen Relevanz der Vokallänge für die deutsche Orthographie enthält das Programm neben Aufgaben, die auf Konsonanten fokussieren, auch Vokallängenaufgaben. Bei der Konzipierung des Programms wurden etablierte, ursprünglich für andere Sprachen entwickelte Aufgaben an die deutsche Phonologie angepasst und in ein computerbasiertes Format übersetzt. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Studie sollte überprüft werden, ob die konstruierten Trainingsaufgaben die spezifischen Defizite von Kindern mit Lese-Rechtschreibstörung wie intendiert abbilden. Hierzu wurden leseschwache Dritt- und Viertklässler (n = 35) mit mindestens durchschnittlichen Lesern derselben Klassenstufen (n = 75; Kontrollgruppe) hinsichtlich ihrer Leistungen in den Aufgaben verglichen. Die leseschwachen Kinder zeigten in allen Aufgaben schlechtere Leistungen als die Kontrollgruppe. Die Effektstärken der Gruppenunterschiede (Cohen's d) lagen im mittleren bis hohen Bereich (0.50 – 2.19). Die Ergebnisse bestätigen, dass die Aufgaben des Trainingsprogramms die spezifischen Defizite leseschwacher Kinder abbilden. Ein Training mit diesen Aufgaben erscheint daher grundsätzlich sinnvoll. Die Wirkungen eines solchen Trainings auf die schriftsprachlichen Leistungen von Kindern mit Lese-Rechtschreibstörung werden in zukünftigen Studien überprüft.

Political Inclusion Reduces Political Prejudice

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan G. Voelkel ◽  
Dongning Ren ◽  
Mark John Brandt
Keyword(s):  
The Political ◽  
Political Discussion ◽  
Total N ◽  
Cohen’S D ◽  
Promising Strategy ◽  
Political Inclusion ◽  
Cohen's D ◽  
Political Divide ◽  
Scenario Study ◽  
Fair Chance

The political divide is characterized by liberals and conservatives who hold strong prejudice against each other. Here we introduce one possible strategy for reducing political prejudice: political inclusion. We define political inclusion as receiving a fair chance to voice one’s opinions in a discussion of political topics with political outgroup members. This strategy may reduce political prejudice by inducing perceptions of the political outgroup as fair and respectful; however, such a strategy may also highlight conflicting attitudes and worldviews, thereby further exacerbating prejudice. In three preregistered studies (total N = 799), we test if political inclusion reduces or increases prejudice toward the political outgroup. Specifically, political inclusion was manipulated with either an imagined scenario (Study 1) or a concurrent experience in an ostensible online political discussion (Studies 2 &amp; 3). Across all studies, participants who were politically included by political outgroup members reported reduced prejudice toward their outgroup compared to participants in a neutral control condition (Cohen’s d [-0.27, -0.50]). This effect was mediated by perceptions of the political outgroup as fairer and less dissimilar in their worldviews. Our results indicate that political discussions that are politically inclusive do not cause additional prejudice via worldview conflict, but instead give others a feeling of being heard. It is a promising strategy to reduce political prejudice.

scholarly journals Lower Extremity Rehabilitation in Patients with Post-Stroke Sequelae through Virtual Reality Associated with Mirror Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2654
Author(s):  
Roxana Steliana Miclaus ◽  
Nadinne Roman ◽  
Ramona Henter ◽  
Silviu Caloian
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mirror Therapy ◽  
Cohen’S D ◽  
Cohen's D ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Post Therapy

More innovative technologies are used worldwide in patient’s rehabilitation after stroke, as it represents a significant cause of disability. The majority of the studies use a single type of therapy in therapeutic protocols. We aimed to identify if the association of virtual reality (VR) therapy and mirror therapy (MT) exercises have better outcomes in lower extremity rehabilitation in post-stroke patients compared to standard physiotherapy. Fifty-nine inpatients from 76 initially identified were included in the research. One experimental group (n = 31) received VR therapy and MT, while the control group (n = 28) received standard physiotherapy. Each group performed seventy minutes of therapy per day for ten days. Statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric tests. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test showed that both groups registered significant differences between pre-and post-therapy clinical status for the range of motion and muscle strength (p < 0.001 and Cohen’s d between 0.324 and 0.645). Motor Fugl Meyer Lower Extremity Assessment also suggested significant differences pre-and post-therapy for both groups (p < 0.05 and Cohen’s d 0.254 for the control group and 0.685 for the experimental group). Mann-Whitney results suggested that VR and MT as a therapeutic intervention have better outcomes than standard physiotherapy in range of motion (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.693), muscle strength (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.924), lower extremity functionality (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.984) and postural balance (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.936). Our research suggests that VR therapy associated with MT may successfully substitute classic physiotherapy in lower extremity rehabilitation after stroke.

Development of a multimedia intervention to improve pneumoconiosis prevention in construction workers using RE-AIM framework

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jieling Chen ◽  
Cho Lee Wong ◽  
Bernard Man Hin Law ◽  
Winnie Kwok Wei So ◽  
Doris Yin Ping Leung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Asian ◽  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Intervention Mapping ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Cohen’S D ◽  
Cohen's D

Summary Pneumoconiosis is a common occupational lung disease among construction workers. Educational interventions targeting specific ethnic groups of construction workers are of benefit for pneumoconiosis prevention. The aim of this study was to develop a multimedia educational intervention for pneumoconiosis prevention for South Asian construction workers, and to evaluate its feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness in increasing knowledge of pneumoconiosis, modifying beliefs about pneumoconiosis, and enhancing intention to implement measures for its prevention among the workers. This evaluation was performed using the Reach-Effectiveness-Adoption-Implementation-Maintenance framework. A one-group design was adopted and intervention mapping was used to guide the process of intervention development, while the Health Belief Model guided the development of intervention content. The intervention was delivered at construction sites, ethnic minority associations and South Asian community centres. Data were collected via surveys completed at pre-intervention, post-intervention and 3 months after the intervention. A total of 1002 South Asian construction workers participated in the intervention. The participants reported a moderate-to-large increase in knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, cues to action and self-efficacy (Cohen’s d: 0.37–0.89), a small reduction in perceived barriers (Cohen’s d = 0.12) and a moderate improvement in attitudes and intention to practice (Cohen’s d: 0.45, 0.51) at post-intervention. A follow-up survey of 121 participants found that the implementation of preventive measures appeared to increase. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the implementation of a culturally adapted multimedia educational intervention could be an effective approach to improving knowledge, self-efficacy and intention regarding pneumoconiosis prevention among South Asian construction workers.

scholarly journals Explainable AI enables clinical trial patient selection to retrospectively improve treatment effects in schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika S. Mellem ◽  
Matt Kollada ◽  
Jane Tiller ◽  
Thomas Lauritzen
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Patient Selection ◽  
Treatment Effect ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Full Sample ◽  
Cohen’S D ◽  
Explainable Ai ◽  
Cohen's D ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Abstract Background Heterogeneity among patients’ responses to treatment is prevalent in psychiatric disorders. Personalized medicine approaches—which involve parsing patients into subgroups better indicated for a particular treatment—could therefore improve patient outcomes and serve as a powerful tool in patient selection within clinical trials. Machine learning approaches can identify patient subgroups but are often not “explainable” due to the use of complex algorithms that do not mirror clinicians’ natural decision-making processes. Methods Here we combine two analytical approaches—Personalized Advantage Index and Bayesian Rule Lists—to identify paliperidone-indicated schizophrenia patients in a way that emphasizes model explainability. We apply these approaches retrospectively to randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial data to identify a paliperidone-indicated subgroup of schizophrenia patients who demonstrate a larger treatment effect (outcome on treatment superior than on placebo) than that of the full randomized sample as assessed with Cohen’s d. For this study, the outcome corresponded to a reduction in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score which measures positive (e.g., hallucinations, delusions), negative (e.g., blunted affect, emotional withdrawal), and general psychopathological (e.g., disturbance of volition, uncooperativeness) symptoms in schizophrenia. Results Using our combined explainable AI approach to identify a subgroup more responsive to paliperidone than placebo, the treatment effect increased significantly over that of the full sample (p < 0.0001 for a one-sample t-test comparing the full sample Cohen’s d = 0.82 and a generated distribution of subgroup Cohen’s d’s with mean d = 1.22, std d = 0.09). In addition, our modeling approach produces simple logical statements (if–then-else), termed a “rule list”, to ease interpretability for clinicians. A majority of the rule lists generated from cross-validation found two general psychopathology symptoms, disturbance of volition and uncooperativeness, to predict membership in the paliperidone-indicated subgroup. Conclusions These results help to technically validate our explainable AI approach to patient selection for a clinical trial by identifying a subgroup with an improved treatment effect. With these data, the explainable rule lists also suggest that paliperidone may provide an improved therapeutic benefit for the treatment of schizophrenia patients with either of the symptoms of high disturbance of volition or high uncooperativeness. Trial Registration: clincialtrials.gov identifier: NCT 00,083,668; prospectively registered May 28, 2004

scholarly journals Louisiana Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program: Analysis of Learning Outcomes From Dementia Training

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 58-58
Author(s):  
Katherine Kirsch ◽  
Catherine Lemieux ◽  
Laura Ainsworth ◽  
Sarah Choate ◽  
Ashleigh Borgmeyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Program Analysis ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Cohen’S D ◽  
Response Formats ◽  
Cohen's D ◽  
Item Knowledge ◽  
South Louisiana ◽  
Severe Shortage ◽  
Primary Care Professionals

Abstract A recent Alzheimer’s Association report noted that by year 2050, the number of Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) will triple to over 15 million. The report referred to primary care as the front line for meeting this demand, yet the nation faces a severe shortage of ADRD trained, primary care professionals (PCPs). Louisiana Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (LA-GWEP) addresses this demand. The purpose of this study was to examine preliminary data respective to LA-GWEP effectiveness with interdisciplinary education and training seminars, primarily aimed at medical, nursing, and social work PCPs. Three seminars were conducted in south Louisiana: Seminars 1 and 2 addressed effective communication, verbal and nonverbal, among persons with ADRD and caregivers; Seminar 3 offered basic overview of dementia symptomology, stages, and behaviors. Pre- and post-training session data were collected on-site. Participants completed questionnaires that included a 10-item knowledge assessment and 20-item Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS). These measures contained Likert response formats; higher scores indicating greater levels of ADRD knowledge, in patient and caregiver contexts. Paired sample t-tests were conducted to observe any significant pre-to-post improvement, Cohen’s d for effect size. Seminar 1 revealed no significant pre-to-post difference: t = -1.019, p = 0.320. Adjusting content from audience feedback, Seminar 2 revealed significant pre-to-post difference: t = -7.516, p &lt; .001, Cohen’s d = 1.2. Seminar 3 yielded significant improvement on DAS scores: t = -2.96, p &lt; .01, Cohen’s d = 0.34. Implications for seminars in future years of LA-GWEP are discussed.

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