COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESULTS OF ASSESSMENT OF PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS OF DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF MILITARY PILOTS

The aim of the study was to carry out a comparative analysis of the values and structure of correlation relationships of psychophysiological function of different categories of military pilots (112 – supersonic, 109 – transport and 142 – helicopter aircraft). The analysis of the obtained results was carried out according to the indicators of personified characteristics, neurodynamic and psychomotor functions. A significant identity of the values and structure of the correlation relationships of indicators of psychophysiological functions of military pilots of supersonic and transport aviation was established. The presence of a common system-forming factor in ensuring the reliability of task performance determines the prevalence of indicators of psychomotor functions over those in helicopter pilots for whom the indicators of most neurodynamic functions are reliably better. Respectively, in the groups of military pilots of supersonic and transport aviation, psychophysiological functions are fairly well correlated with each other and are closely related to majority of personal characteristics, forming 45 and 52 % of relationships. Among helicopter pilots, such relationships are significantly less, amounting 24%. There is also a lack of significant influence of personalized characteristics on the formation of the «correlation frame» of psychophysiological functions.

Description of Cognitive Function in Diabetes Mellitus: A Literature Review

Cognitive decline in diabetes mellitus is not fully understood, though is generally ascribed to blood sugar levels exceeding normal (hyperglycemia), hypoglycemia conditions and insulin resistance. Cognitive function consists of aspects of memory, attention, executive function, perception, language, and psychomotor functions which affect the decline in cognitive function, especially in people with Diabetes Mellitus. This study aims to summarize the results of research on cognitive function in people with Diabetes Mellitus. The research method used was a literature review with an assessment using JBI critical appraisal tools. Articles were sourced via the PubMed database and Google Scholar using the search term ‘Cognitive Function AND Diabetes Mellitus’. The inclusion criteria were studies with quantitative design, full text, a population comprised of patients with Diabetes Mellitus, written in Indonesian or English. Six articles were reviewed, all the results state that patients with Diabetes Mellitus experienced a decrease in cognitive function, especially in the Executive Function, Visuospatial, and the Memory Domains. Keywords: Cognitive function, Diabetes mellitus, Literature review

Scientific basis of the physical training of the navy servicemen

Purpose. To conduct structural analysis of physical fitness of the navy servicemen from the position of bioenergetics and development of adaptative potential.Materials and methods. Theoretical analysis and generalization of science literature, structural analysis, developing of theoretical framework.Results and its discussion. The specifics of the professional activity of the Navy servicemen require maintaining the appropriate aerobic-anaerobic structure of physical fitness. The article presents the physiological laws and pedagogical principles of the consistent development of aerobic and anaerobic human capabilities. It also establishes methodological recommendations for solving related tasks — the formation of the regulatory basis of motor actions, which constitute the biomechanical basis of professional activity, and the development of psychomotor functions.

Development of Psychomotor Functions in Preschool Children With Intellectual Disabilities Through The Means of Correctional Eurhythmics

Results: The conducted study demonstrates a positive dynamic in the development of psychomotor functions in preschoolers with intellectual disabilities before and after conducting experimental work using the means of correctional eurhythmics. Discussion and conclusion: The collected data confirms that specially organized work using musical rhythmic games and exercises effectively contributes to the level of development of psychomotor functions in children with intellectual disabilities not only in the motor but also in the cognitive and emotional and volitional components. The prepared materials can be used by specialists and teachers of preschool education organizations interested in the development of psychomotor functions in preschool children with intellectual disabilities by the means of correctional eurhythmics.

Beneficial Effects of Physical Activity on Subjects with Neurodegenerative Disease

Studies on the effectiveness of physical exercise to treat and/or prevent mental disorders are essential and particularly appropriate, given the rapid growth of the elderly population and the consequent increase in the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases. The onset of neurodegenerative diseases is subtle, and progression is irreversible, as there is still no cure capable of stopping them permanently. Therefore, we should not underestimate these diseases and should immediately begin to combine the treatment with physical activity adapted to specific needs. Indeed, it is well known that physical activity has positive effects on mobility, autonomy, and functional capacity, improving not only cognitive functions, but also reducing the risk of developing dementia. Despite several studies in this field, to date there are no specific and effective protocols that promote physical exercise in people with dementia. Based on this evidence, the aim of the present work was to verify whether an adapted physical exercise regimen could promote the maintenance of psychomotor functions in elderly subjects and, therefore, delay the irreversible effects of combinations of dementia and other pathologies associated with aging. Our results clearly show that exercise is very effective in improving psychomotor functions and delaying the progress of neurodegenerative diseases in humans, since we observed that the subjects maintained their cognitive skills after 8 months of physical activity, moreover, two patients presented an amelioration. Based on the results obtained, we recommend that the motor practice, in any chosen form, be considered an integral part of prevention programs based on an active lifestyle in older people. Future studies will be necessary to establish how long lasting the benefits of a specific physical activity are and whether they are enough to delay cognitive decline.

A study of effect of a single dose of second generation antihistaminics on cognitive and psychomotor function in healthy human volunteers

Background: Objective of the study was to assess whether second generation antihistaminic alter psychomotor and cognitive function in comparison with promethazine (marked sedation; altered psychomotor and cognitive impairment).Methods: It was a single blind prospective study. Seventy five healthy human volunteers were registered, divided in five groups. These groups have received placebo, promethazine 25 mg, cetirizine 10 mg, fexofenadine 120 mg and loratadine 10 mg. Cognitive and psychomotor functions were assessed pretreatment and 60 minutes after single dose of drug(post treatment)by using a battery of standard tests (e.g. PST-Perceptual speed test, BVRT-Benton visual retention test,SSS- Stanford Sleepiness Scale, FTT-Finger tapping test etc.). The data were analyzed by student’s t-test and ANOVA test.Results: No significant effect was observed in any test parameter with placebo and fexofenadine. Significant difference with promethazine in PST, BVRT, SSS and cetirizine in DSST, FTT and loratadine in DSST were observed. Significant difference was observed in DSST between the placebo and promethazine, in SSS between promethazine and all other drugs. In FTT and BVRT significant difference between the groups were observed.Conclusions: Significant sedation and altered cognitive and psychomotor function were observed with promethazine. Cetirizine and loratadine do not cause sedation but both affect psychomotor functions. No significant effect was produced by fexofenadine. Thus, fexofenadine can safely be used in persons involved in activity where alertness is required while cetirizine and loratadine should be avoided.

Moderators of the Impact of (Poly)Phenols Interventions on Psychomotor Functions and BDNF: Insights from Subgroup Analysis and Meta-Regression

Background: Recent anti-aging interventions have shown contradictory impacts of (poly)phenols regarding the prevention of cognitive decline and maintenance of brain function. These discrepancies have been linked to between-study differences in supplementation protocols. This subgroup analysis and meta-regression aimed to (i) examine differential effects of moderator variables related to participant characteristics and supplementation protocols and (ii) identify practical recommendations to design effective (poly)phenol supplementation protocols for future anti-aging interventions. Methods: Multiple electronic databases (Web of Science; PubMed) searched for relevant intervention published from inception to July 2019. Using the PICOS criteria, a total of 4303 records were screened. Only high-quality studies (n = 15) were included in the final analyses. Random-effects meta-analysis was used, and we calculated standard differences in means (SDM), effect size (ES), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for two sufficiently comparable items (i.e., psychomotor function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)). When significant heterogeneity was computed (I2 > 50%), a subgroup and meta-regression analysis were performed to examine the moderation effects of participant characteristics and supplementation protocols. Results: The reviewed studies support the beneficial effect of (poly)phenols-rich supplementation on psychomotor functions (ES = −0.677, p = 0.001) and brain plasticity (ES = 1.168, p = 0.028). Subgroup analysis revealed higher beneficial impacts of (poly)phenols (i) in younger populations compared to older (SDM = −0.89 vs. −0.47 for psychomotor performance, and 2.41 vs. 0.07 for BDNF, respectively), (ii) following an acute compared to chronic supplementation (SDM = −1.02 vs. −0.43 for psychomotor performance), and (iii) using a phenolic compound with medium compared to low bioavailability rates (SDM = −0.76 vs. −0.68 for psychomotor performance and 3.57 vs. 0.07 for DBNF, respectively). Meta-regressions revealed greater improvement in BDNF levels with lower percentages of female participants (Q = 40.15, df = 6, p < 0.001) and a skewed scatter plot toward a greater impact using higher (poly)phenols doses. Conclusion: This review suggests that age group, gender, the used phenolic compounds, their human bioavailability rate, and the supplementation dose as the primary moderator variables relating to the beneficial effects of (poly)phenol consumption on cognitive and brain function in humans. Therefore, it seems more advantageous to start anti-aging (poly)phenol interventions in adults earlier in life using medium (≈500 mg) to high doses (≈1000 mg) of phenolic compounds, with at least medium bioavailability rate (≥9%).

The Influence of Prolonged High Altitude Deployment on Psychomotor Functions Among Chinese Military Plateau Motor Vehicle Operators: Does Deployment Duration Matter?

Background:Psychomotor functions are necessary for Chinese military plateau motor vehicle operators (PMVOs) to complete their driving tasks. This study aimed to investigate (1) the influence of chronic exposure to high altitude (HA) on psychomotor functions among PMVOs; (2) whether deployment duration at HA moderated the effect of HA.Methods: 196 male PMVOs in Golmud (average altitude: 2,890 m) and 192 male lowland motor vehicle operators (LMVOs) were recruited as the studygroup (HA group) and control group (LA group). Both groups were in turn categorized into 3 groups by deployment duration: Group A (less than 1 year), Group B (between 1 year and 2 years), and Group C (more than 2 years). All participants completed simple reaction time, bimanual coordination test, fine motor dexterity test, and eye-hand coordination test. Between-altitude and deployment duration differences were explored usinganalysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: HA group participants had slower simple reaction time in comparison to LA group (F(1, 387) = 18.041, p< 0.001, ηp2 = 0.045).HA group needed less time to complete the bimanual coordination test (F(1, 387) = 2295.648, p< 0.001, ηp2 = 0.857). HA group had more error times in fine motor dexterity test (F(1, 387) = 5.980, p = 0.015, ηp2 = 0.015). HA group participants had better left aim index (F(1, 387) = 13.205, p< 0.001, ηp2 = 0.033) and more right hits (F(1, 387) = 3.916, p = 0.049, ηp2 = 0.010) in aiming test. The interaction effect of altitude and duration was significant on hit number with left hand in the tapping test (F(2, 387) = 3.327, p = 0.037, ηp2 = 0.017). Butsimple effect analysis showed that the effect of duration was not significant among HA group (p = 0.129).Conclusions: In this study, we found that prolonged exposure to HA may cause psychomotor slowing and declining fine motor dexterity. But, the moderating effect of deployment duration was not supported by this study.