The Influence of Technical and Contextual Variables of the Last Stroke on Point Outcome in Men’s and Women’s Singles Badminton

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of the technical and context-related variables of last strokes in rallies on the point outcomes of both men’s and women’s players in elite singles badminton matches. A total of 100 matches during the 2018 and 2019 seasons were analyzed, and the data of 4,080 men’s rallies and 4,339 women’s rallies were collected. The technical variables including strokes per rally, forehand strokes, overhead strokes, and defensive action, and the context-related variables including game status, result against serve, importance of rally, and importance of set, were modeled with Probit regression modeling as the predictor variables. The binary variables of “winner or not” and “error or not” were considered the response variables. The results showed that defensive actions had the greatest impacts on the winners and errors of both the men’s and women’s singles players, and the forehand and overhead strokes were negatively associated with the winners and errors of the women’s singles players and the winners of the men’s singles players. No significant effects were found for the strokes per rally on the winners and errors of the men’s singles players, while significant effects were found for the women’s singles players. The context-related variables appeared to have positive effects on the winners and negative effects on the errors of both sexes. These findings can provide important insights for coaches and players to evaluate their performances of last strokes in rallies and to improve training interventions and match tactics and strategies.

A Systematic review of smartphone and tablet use by older adults with and without cognitive impairment

Background and Objectives A systematic review was conducted to explore the use of smartphones and tablet computers as cognitive and memory aids by older adults with and without cognitive impairment, specifically the effects of smartphone and tablet use on participants’ cognition and memory, and the barriers to facilitators to smartphone and tablet use for cognitive and memory support. Research Design and Methods A systematic search of six key databases found 11,895 citations published between 2010 and 2021. Studies were included if they involved community-dwelling older adults with or without cognitive impairment arising from acquired brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, or dementia, and if they evaluated everyday smartphone or tablet device use for cognition, memory, or activities of daily living. Results A total of 28 papers were included in the narrative synthesis. There was some evidence that the use of smartphones and tablets could aid cognitive function in older adults without cognitive impairment, particularly executive function and processing speed. There was modest evidence that smartphone and tablet use could support memory in both older adults without cognitive impairment and those with acquired bran injury and dementia. Discussion and Implications Smartphones and tablets were seen by users as acceptable, enjoyable, and non-stigmatising alternatives to conventional assistive technology devices; however, current use of smartphone and tablet devices is hindered by the digital literacy of older adults, a lack of accommodation for older adult users’ motor and sensory impairments, and a lack of input from clinicians and researchers. Much of the evidence presented in this review derives from case studies and small-scale trials of smartphone and tablet training interventions. Further research is needed into older adults’ use of smartphones and tablets for cognitive support before and after the onset of cognitive impairment in order to develop effective evidence-based smart technology cognition and memory aids.

Mejora de la calidad de vida en cuidadores informales de personas dependientes mediante talleres educacionales

Introduction: The ageing of the population is associated with an increase in the number of dependent people, with an estimate of 15% living with a disability. The provision of care to family members entails an added responsibility associated with care-related problems, which can have a negative impact on caregivers. Therefore, we propose to design and evaluate a caregiving programme based on caregiver education, measuring knowledge, pain perception, emotional burden and health-related quality of life. Objective: The main objective is to improve the quality of life of informal caregivers through training interventions, in order to decrease the disability caused by caregiving tasks.Method: 99 caregivers belonging to the Aljarafe-Northern Seville Primary Care Health District participated, divided into control and intervention groups. We designed two educational workshops on care programmes for informal caregivers. They completed a knowledge questionnaire, and different validated scales related to pain, health states and quality of life.Results: Most of the caregivers presented back problems, for which they received pharmaceutical treatment. The implemented intervention was associated with a decrease in pain during basic activities of daily living, care and rest, as well as a reduction in strain index in both groups.Conclusions: Intervention programmes for informal carers of dependent patients are effective in improving the state of health and quality of life of this group, and their implementation should therefore be encouraged in primary care. Introducción: El envejecimiento de la población está asociado a un incremento de personas dependientes, estimándose que el 15% vive con alguna discapacidad. La prestación de cuidados a familiares supone una responsabilidad añadida asociada a problemas relacionados con el cuidado, que pueden repercutir negativamente en los cuidadores. Por ello, planteamos diseñar y evaluar un programa de cuidados, basado en la educación de los cuidadores, midiendo los conocimientos, la percepción del dolor, la carga emocional y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Objetivo: El objetivo principal es mejorar la calidad de vida de los cuidadores informales mediante intervenciones formativas, con el fin de disminuir la incapacidad causada por las tareas del cuidado.Método: Participaron 99 cuidadores pertenecientes al Distrito Sanitario Aljarafe-Sevilla Norte de Atención Primaria, divididos en grupo control e intervención. Diseñamos dos talleres educacionales sobre programas de atención a cuidadores informales. Cumplimentaron un cuestionario de conocimientos, y diferentes escalas validadas relacionadas con el dolor, los estados de salud y la calidad de vida.Resultados: La mayor parte de los cuidadores presentaban problemas de espalda tomando medicación para ello. La intervención implementada se asoció a un descenso del dolor durante actividades básicas de la vida diaria, los cuidados y el descanso, y disminución del índice de esfuerzo en ambos grupos.Conclusiones: Los programas de intervención en cuidadores informales de pacientes dependientes resultan eficaces para mejorar el estado de salud y la calidad de vida de este colectivo por lo que se debe fomentar su realización desde la Atención Primaria.

Information Sourcing and Managing Behavior of Dairy Entrepreneurs of Kerala

The study was conducted in Kerala state to comprehend the information sourcing and managing behavior of dairy entrepreneurs; by examining the frequency of contact with the information sources, available sources of training, ICT utilization, market orientation and scientific orientation. The data was collected by survey using a structured schedule and the results were exhibited in tables. The overall frequency of contact was found to be medium for majority of the dairy entrepreneurs; the results exhibiting a similar trend also in market orientation. The preferred training centers by most of the entrepreneurs were dairy cooperatives due to their proximity and flexibility. The modern day information tools like android mobiles and television were the preferred ICT sources. Scientific orientation was higher for majority of the dairy entrepreneurs signifying an encouraging impact of the information management. The multiple linear regression model showed that while experience was negatively correlated; annual income, overall frequency of contact and market orientation were positively correlated and significant with scientific orientation. Among the three geographic regions, highland entrepreneurs had high scientific orientation. Nevertheless, overall results suggest the need for extension support and training interventions to improve the information sourcing and managing behavior of dairy entrepreneurs of the state.

The Relationship between Self-efficacy and Emotional Intelligence (EI) among Tour Guides

Self-efficacy is a key determinant of successful performance and plays a critical role in affecting an individual’s motivation and behavior. It refers to individuals’ levels of confidence in their ability to execute a course of action or achieve specific performance outcomes. Emotional intelligence (EI), or the intelligent use of emotions, is being recognized as a significant factor at work, and it can be enhanced through proper EI training interventions. Therefore, this study uses self-evaluation to achieve a better understanding of how EI relates to the self-efficacy among tour guides, who significantly influence tourists’ impressions of a destination. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to examine significant relationships between these factors. The results found all EI variables, including Self-Emotion Appraisal, Others’ Emotion Appraisal, Regulation of Emotion, and Use of Emotion, are positively associated with self-efficiency. The results have practical implications, as the abilities of EI are improved through the proper interventions which in turn allow an individual to become more confident in successfully completing tasks when faced with challenging situations, resulting in an increase in one’s positive mindset.

Global trends on studies with cognitive training: Mapping and bibliometric analysis using CiteSpace

The widespread utility of cognitive training has gained its value in maintaining cognitive performance, reducing neuropsychiatric illnesses, restoring their abilities, and preventing cognitive decline. The objective of this article is to explore the global trends in cognitive training studies. Publication records were obtained from the Web of Science (WoS) core collection for the period of 25 years from 1996 to 2020. CiteSpace 5.7.R5 (64-bit) W version software was used for mapping and bibliometric analysis. Overall, 4,575 records were retrieved and analyzed using bibliometric approaches such as dual-overlay analysis, author co-citation analysis (ACA), document co-citation analysis (DCA), and keyword analysis. It was found that the publication records were increased steadily in the recent five years (2016-2020). The US academic institutions and journals played the dominant role in the field of cognitive training. However, University College London (UCL) had contributed for the highest publication records (128) with a centrality value of 0.12. Few studies were contributed by the developing countries/territories. Author Spector, A had the highest number of publications (47). However, Author Simons, DT as the top-author based on citation burst value (35.15) focused on brain-training interventions. Through the DCA, it was found that working memory training has to be the predominant trend in this domain. The most recent burst keywords such as ‘cognitive intervention,’ ‘plasticity,’ ‘group cognitive intervention,’ ‘virtual reality,’ and ‘prevention’ were considered to be the indicators of emerging trends.

Should aerobic and resistance training interventions for Multiple sclerosis be performed on the same day: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis

Review question / Objective: P (Population) : patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; I (Intervention) : aerobic training and resistance training; C (Comparison) : the efficacy and safety were compared on the same day and different days; O (Outcome) : Evaluates dysfunction, quality of life, fatigue, aerobic capacity or muscle function, mood, cognition, and safety. S (Study Design) : Systematic review and Network meta-analysis. Eligibility criteria: Measures in the intervention group: aerobic training (taijiquan, Baduanjin, qigong, yoga, swimming, cycling, jogging, brisk walking, etc.) and resistance training were used simultaneously, including studies conducted on the same day and on different days. There are no restrictions on training time, frequency and intensity.Control group measures: no intervention or conventional treatment.