Stabilometric Correlates of Motor and Motor Imagery Expertise

Motor Imagery (MI) reproduces cognitive operations associated with the actual motor preparation and execution. Postural recordings during MI reflect somatic motor commands targeting peripheral effectors involved in balance control. However, how these relate to the actual motor expertise and may vary along with the MI modality remains debated. In the present experiment, two groups of expert and non-expert gymnasts underwent stabilometric assessments while performing physically and mentally a balance skill. We implemented psychometric measures of MI ability, while stabilometric variables were calculated from the center of pressure (COP) oscillations. Psychometric evaluations revealed greater MI ability in experts, specifically for the visual modality. Experts exhibited reduced surface COP oscillations in the antero-posterior axis compared to non-experts during the balance skill (14.90%, 95% CI 34.48–4.68, p < 0.05). Experts further exhibited reduced length of COP displacement in the antero-posterior axis and as a function of the displacement area during visual and kinesthetic MI compared to the control condition (20.51%, 95% CI 0.99–40.03 and 21.85%, 95% CI 2.33–41.37, respectively, both p < 0.05). Predictive relationships were found between the stabilometric correlates of visual MI and physical practice of the balance skill, as well as between the stabilometric correlates of kinesthetic MI and the training experience in experts. Present results provide original stabilometric insights into the relationships between MI and expertise level. While data support the incomplete inhibition of postural commands during MI, whether postural responses during MI of various modalities mirror the level of motor expertise remains unclear.

Energetics of Floor Gymnastics: Aerobic and Anaerobic Share in Male and Female Sub-elite Gymnasts

Background Artistic gymnastics is a popular Olympic discipline where female athletes compete in four and male athletes in six events with floor exercise having the longest competition duration in Women’s and Men’s artistic gymnastics (WAG, MAG). To date no valid information on the energetics of floor gymnastics is available although this may be important for specific conditioning programming. This study evaluated the metabolic profile of a simulated floor competition in sub-elite gymnasts. Methods 17 (9 male, 8 female) sub-elite gymnasts aged 22.5 ± 2.6y took part in a floor-training-competition where oxygen uptake was measured during and until 15 min post-exercise. Additionally, resting and peak blood lactate concentration after exercise were obtained. The PCr-LA-O2 method was used to calculate the metabolic energy and the relative aerobic (WAER), anaerobic alactic (WPCr) and anaerobic lactic (WBLC) energy contribution. Further, the athletes completed a 30 s Bosco-jumping test, a countermovement jump and a drop jump. Results The competition scores were 9.2 (CI:8.9–9.3) in WAG and 10.6 (CI:10.4–10.9) in MAG. The metabolic profile of the floor routine was mainly aerobic (58.9%, CI: 56.0–61.8%) followed by the anaerobic alactic (24.2%, CI: 21.3–27.1%) and anaerobic lactic shares (16.9%, CI:14.9–18.8%). While sex had a significant (p = .010, d = 1.207) large effect on energy contribution, this was not the case for competition duration (p = .728, d = 0.061). Relative energy contribution of WAG and MAG differed in WAER (64.0 ± 4.7% vs. 54.4 ± 6.8%, p = .004, d = 1.739) but not in WPCr (21.3 ± 6.1% vs. 26.7 ± 8.0%, p = .144, d = 0.801) and WBLC (14.7 ± 5.4% vs. 18.9 ± 4.2%, p = .085, d = 0.954). Further no correlation between any energy share and performance was found but between WPCr and training experience (r = .680, p = .044) and WBLC and competition level (r = .668, p = .049). Conclusion The results show a predominant aerobic energy contribution and a considerable anaerobic contribution with no significant difference between anaerobic shares. Consequently, gymnastic specific aerobic training should not be neglected, while a different aerobic share in WAG and MAG strengthens sex-specific conditioning. All in all, the specific metabolic share must secure adequate energy provision, while relative proportions of the two anaerobic pathways seem to depend on training and competition history.

Impact of COVID-19 on Hematology-Oncology Trainees: A Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment

PURPOSE: Graduate medical and research training has drastically changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with widespread implementation of virtual learning, redeployment from core rotations to the care of patients with COVID-19, and significant emotional and physical stressors. The specific experience of hematology-oncology (HO) fellows during the COVID-19 pandemic is not known. METHODS: We conducted a mixed-methods study using a survey of Likert-style and open-ended questions to assess the training experience and well-being of HO fellows, including both clinical and postdoctoral trainee members of the American Society of Hematology and ASCO. RESULTS: A total of 2,306 surveys were distributed by e-mail; 548 (23.8%) fellows completed the survey. Nearly 40% of fellows felt that they had not received adequate mental health support during the pandemic, and 22% reported new symptoms of burnout. Pre-existing burnout before the pandemic, COVID-19–related clinical work, and working in a primary research or nonclinical setting were associated with increased burnout on multivariable logistic regression. Qualitative thematic analysis of open-ended responses revealed significant concerns about employment after training completion, perceived variable quality of virtual education and board preparation, loss of clinical opportunities to prepare for independent clinical practice, inadequate grant funding opportunities in part because of shifting research priorities, variable productivity, and mental health or stress during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: HO fellows have been profoundly affected by the pandemic, and our data illustrate multiple avenues for fellowship programs and national organizations to support both clinical and postdoctoral trainees.

The Status of First Aid Skills Mastery and Training Preferences of College Students: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Objective： Bystander first aid can improve the survival rate after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest or trauma, College students are potential bystanders of first aid in society. In the research, we aim to determine the universality of first aid training and the mastery of first aid skills among college students in order to implement first aid. Methods：From January to October 2021, Carry out questionnaire surveys by WeChat push, A random cross-sectional study was conducted on students from five universities in Wenzhou. In order to understand the knowledge and skills of first aid, Respondents accepted the first aid scenario that answered two hypotheses. Results：Among the 1,171 college students interviewed. Among them, 37.23% are males and 62.77% are females; 78.31% have first aid training experience, and 21.69% have no first aid training experience; 71% of college students acquire theoretical knowledge and practical skills through first aid training conducted by the Red Cross, medical emergency centers or hospitals, etc. 22% of college students study through the information network; All college students interviewed expressed their willingness to participate in first aid training. But 21.69% of college students have not received first aid training, The reason for the inability to participate in the training is that they do not understand the ways to participate in first aid training, accounting for 37.01%; Lack of confidence accounted for 19.69%, and lack of time accounted for 35.04%; In the hypothetical emergency scene, In the male group, 48.96% were willing to treat the injured, and 36.19% in the female group. There is a statistical difference between the two (P＜0.01); The junior college student group and the undergraduate student group are 28.09% and 44.09% separately. The medical professional group and the students with the first aid training group are 60.4% and 43.51% separately, The willingness to implement first aid has a clear advantage over the non-medical and non-trained two groups. The comparison between the two groups was statistically significant (P <0.01). The first aid skills are well mastered: chest compression 46.19%, judgment awareness 35.95%, hemostasis bandaging 32.88%, The worse ones were artificial respiration 24.67%, open airway 23.56%, and fracture fixation 8.96%. Conclusion: College students have a positive attitude towards learning first aid knowledge. However, it was found that the first aid skills were not well mastered, and the training was insufficient. Colleges and universities should provide first aid-related courses, extracurricular intensive training and other methods, Increase the knowledge of college students to deal with emergencies and improve basic first aid skills. Incorporating first aid skills training into university curricula and implementing it is a long-term strategy. Improve college students' awareness of first aid knowledge to obtain better social benefits. Key words: Attitude, First aid skills, college student training.

An Interprofessional Approach to Chronic Pain Management and Education

Background and Objectives: The opioid epidemic highlights the importance of evidence-based practices in the management of chronic pain and the need for improved resident education focused on chronic pain treatment and controlled substance use. We present the development, implementation, and outcomes of a novel, long-standing interprofessional safe prescribing committee (SPC) and resulting policy, protocol, and longitudinal curriculum to address patient care and educational gaps in chronic pain management for residents in training. Methods: The SPC developed and implemented an opioid prescribing policy, protocol, and longitudinal curriculum in a single, community-based residency program. We conducted a postcurriculum survey for resident graduates to assess impact of knowledge gained. We conducted a retrospective chart review for patients on chronic opioid therapy to assess change in morphine equivalent dosing (MED) and pain scores pre- and postintervention. Results: A postcurriculum survey was completed by 20/26 (77%) graduates; 18/20 (90%) felt well-equipped to manage chronic pain based on their residency training experience. We completed a retrospective chart review on 57 patients. We found a significant decrease in MED (-20.34 [SE 5.12], P&lt;.0001) at intervention visit with MED reductions maintained through the postintervention period (-9.43 per year additional decrease [SE 5.25], P=.073). We observed improvement in postintervention pain scores (P=.017). Conclusions: Our study illustrates the effectiveness of an interprofessional committee in lowering prescribed opioid doses and enhancing chronic pain education in a community-based residency setting.

Training-Associated Superior Visuomotor Integration Performance in Elite Badminton Players after Adjusting for Cardiovascular Fitness

Badminton is recognized as the fastest racket sport in the world based on the speed of the birdie which can travel up to 426 km per hour. On the badminton court, players are not only required to track the moving badminton birdie (visual tracking and information integration) but also must anticipate the exact timing to hit it back (temporal estimation). However, the association of training experience related to visuomotor integration or temporal prediction ability remains unclear. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by examining the association between training experience and visuomotor performances after adjusting for age, education, and cardiovascular fitness levels. Twenty-eight professional badminton players were asked to perform a compensatory tracking task and a time/movement estimation task for measuring visuomotor integration and temporal prediction, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed a strong association between training experience and performance on visuomotor integration, indicating badminton training may be promoted to develop visuomotor integration ability. Furthermore, the regression model suggests training experience explains 32% of visuomotor integration performances. These behavioral findings suggest badminton training may facilitate the perceptual–cognitive performance related to visuomotor integration. Our findings highlight the potential training in visuomotor integration may apply to eye–hand coordination performance in badminton sport.

Embracing Simulations and Problem-Based Learning to Effectively Pair Concepts of Aeronautics With Flight Safety Training

Cadets, in order to become pilots, apart from successfully passing their flight training program, need to also complete their academic education, where many technical subjects, such as aeronautics, exist. Cadets often face difficulties in comprehending certain concepts in the subject “aeronautics” as well as the applied link between aeronautics and flight safety. To this end, at the Hellenic Air Force Academy, an innovative educational tool is under development so as to facilitate students' understanding of the practical use of aeronautics and its impact on aircraft safety. An important aspect of the proposed educational tool is that it can be easily adopted into the pilots' flight training program and offer a complimentary training experience regarding mid-air crisis scenarios. The new educational tool is based on introducing in-class simulation and problem-based learning, thus combining theory and practice. The aim of this chapter is to describe the development of this educational tool and to demonstrate the way that it can be employed for academic and flight training purposes.

Sense of Self-Worth and Executive Aspects of the Self Among Female Handball Players and Physical Education Students

Introduction. The ambiguous results of research and various contradictory conclusions resulting from them, motivate researchers to undertake further attempts at analyses that could shed additional light on personality determinants of sports success. The authors of the study made 3 dimensions of personality the subject of their research – signifi cant from the point of view of achieving high sports results: self-esteem, hope for success and self-effi cacy. Objective. The aim of the study was to investigate self-esteem and selected personality traits describing the executive functions of the self and empirical verifi cation of the relationship between variables among female handball players and physical education students. Material and methods. The study comprised 3 groups of women: the fi rst – 33 female handball players aged 15-32, players of 1st league sports teams with an average training experience of over 10 years. The second – 42 female physical education students. The control group (non-training), consisted of female 39 philology students. In total, 114 women were included in the study. The following were used: the Polish adaptation of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), the Hope for Success Questionnaire (KNS) by Łaguna, Trzebiński and Zięba, modelled on the basis of the Hope Scale by Snyder et al., and the Polish version of the Generalised Self-Effi cacy Scale (GSES) created by Schwarzer and Jerusalem. Results. Handball players do not diff er in their personality dimensions from female students of physical education, but they have greater willpower than non-trained women. In turn, physical education students, compared to the control group, are characterised by higher self-esteem, greater hope for success (greater willpower and the ability to fi nd solutions) and they have a stronger belief in their own effi cacy. Statistically signifi cant, positive correlations between self-esteem and features describing executive aspects of the self were found in all 3 groups of respondents. Similarly, in all 3 groups of women, a direct relationship between two-dimensional hope for success and self-effi cacy was observed. Conclusions. The study may be a contribution to research on the personality of handball players and have practical applications, being of interest to sports psychologists and coaches working with handball players.