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The present study explored the effects of word list length during the encoding of visual verbal stimuli. The participants received Latvian nouns in lists of different lengths: short (up to 29), medium (30–59), and long (60–160). During the presentation of visual stimuli, the 19–channel EEG was recorded with a sample rate of 512 Hz and cut-off frequencies of 0.1–50 Hz. The memory encoding process was analyzed with the event-related potential (ERP) and time-frequency (TF) methods for selected regions of interest (ROI) electrodes F3, F7, C3, P3, T3, and T5 in the 10–20 system corresponding to language processing brain areas. We compared ERP and TF data regarding the list length in the −100 ms to 700 ms time window. ROI electrodes T3, T5, and P3 indicated significantly different involvement of language processing areas under different list lengths by ERP observation. More lateralized regions (F7, T3) provided evidence for more pronounced differences in the encoding process than less lateralized regions (F3, C3). The analysis of TF revealed differences in theta, alpha, and beta wave bands in the F3 and P3 channels. Medium lists demonstrated higher differences from short and long lists, indicating a nonlinear trend in the involvement of language-processing regions.

The revised European consensus defined sarcopenia as a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder that is associated with an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, physical disability and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and analyse the influence of diet, physical activity (PA) and obesity index as risk factors of each criteria of sarcopenia. A total of 629 European middle-aged and older adults were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometrics were assessed. Self-reported PA and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were evaluated with the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and Prevention with Mediterranean Diet questionnaire (PREDIMED), respectively. The functional assessment included handgrip strength, lower body muscle strength, gait speed and agility/dynamic balance. Of the participants, 4.84% to 7.33% showed probable sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was confirmed in 1.16% to 2.93% of participants. Severe sarcopenia was shown by 0.86% to 1.49% of participants. Male; age group ≤65 years; lower body mass index (BMI); high levels of vigorous PA; and the consumption of more than one portion per day of red meat, hamburgers, sausages or cold cuts and/or preferential consumption of rabbit, chicken or turkey instead of beef, pork, hamburgers or sausages (OR = 0.126–0.454; all p < 0.013) resulted as protective factors, and more time of sedentary time (OR = 1.608–2.368; p = 0.032–0.041) resulted as a risk factor for some criteria of sarcopenia. In conclusion, age, diet, PA, and obesity can affect the risk of having low muscle strength, low muscle mass or low functional performance, factors connected with sarcopenia.

This study explored the effects of partly supervised physical exercise program (PSPEP) intervention compared to fully supervised physical exercise program (FSPEP) on cognitive functions, movement proficiency and problematic internet use (PIU) in adolescents presenting combined unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Method: Over a period of 16 weeks the PSPEP group (n = 14) engaged in strength, balance and flexibility exercises three times per week with one supervised session and two unsupervised. The FSPEP group (n = 13) practiced dance activities for 2 to 4 days per week including in training sessions the same exercises as for the PSPEP group. Prior and after the study adolescents completed the PIU scale, performed movement proficiency and cognitive function tests. Results: The PSPEP had significant effect on improvement of stress tolerance (p < 0.01, g = 1.08), while the FSPEP had significant effect on contributing general intelligence (p < 0.05, g = 0.90), color-word interference of the reading speed or color recognition (p < 0.01, g = 1.33), short- and long-term memory (p < 0.01, g = 1.72) and stress tolerance (p < 0.05, g = 1.06). The PSPEP had significant effect on improvement of the bilateral coordination (p < 0.01, g = 1.08). None of the two programs had effect on PIU. Conclusions: Engagement in PSPEP selectively contributed bilateral coordination and cognitive skills related to reaction to multiple stimuli. The FSPEP had multiple significant effects in improvement of cognitive outcomes.

Information technologies allow using modern and timely effective analyses of EEG waves and the methods of data processing that allows effective usage of this method into pedagogically and psychologically oriented researches. Aim of this study was to develop and validate method of EEG signal spectral properties usage in the investigations of the process of cognition in the process of the perception of music by the choice of professional studies. 23 research participants took part in the research – the students of the University of Latvia, the division of participants \"non-musician\" and \"musician\". The EEG recording synchronized with the musical signal using the generated synchronization signal that given to one of the unipolar input channels of the EEG equipment. The research analyses the basic rhythm of EEG the changes of the maximum frequency and the wave frequency power in the processes connected with the perception and cognition of music for 15 seconds long intervals. During the time of listening to the chorus songs, the range frequency of the range rhythm of alpha and beta does not change to the musicians but during the time of listening to the instrumental music it increases but it was more vivid in the range of beta frequency. Non-musicians reacted differently - while listening to chorus songs and instrumental music the frequency of alfa waves of EEG increased, but the beta wave frequency decreased. EEG as a method of investigation is recommended for pedagogical research to evaluate the neurological functions in the cognitive processes.

Student’s learning motivation and learning outcomes depend on the ability of the teacher to interest students, the chosen teaching methods and proficiency to manage the learning process. Teacher who can successfully choose teaching content, material resources and different teaching methods is able to cause interest about his subject. Teacher who is interested in teaching process himself can help students to learn a subject. The aim of the study was to find out the Latvian teachers' opinion about the disturbing factors affecting the achievement of high learning outcomes for students, the most suitable teaching methods and the possibilities to make lessons interesting. The survey of teachers of different schools in Latvia regarding their students’ learning motivation was carried out. The data from 482 teachers’ answers were analysed. The results of the research showed that the majority of surveyed teachers consider that learning motivation of Latvia students has decreased during the last few years. Teachers point out several factors, which do not allow students to reach high learning outcomes, the most important of them are: the inability of students to link career and success with learning and lack of life goals; inability of students to concentrate attention during lessons; indisposition of students to do homework. The teachers consider laboratory works, discussions, project works, group works and teacher’s presentations and narrative of new material as the most suitable teaching methods. Teachers consider that the most important personality trait of teachers and learning motivation for students to improve their skills is the teacher’s ability to teach the subject in an interesting way. Teachers believe that lessons can be made interesting if modern technologies and teaching methods are used during lessons and when the teacher is able to connect the subject with real life.

Objective: In this study, we explored Internet use-associated psychosocial behavior problems in relationship to adolescents’ subjective health complaints and healthy lifestyle habits. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of Latvian adolescents (N = 570, age range 11-19 years) completed a survey. Problematic Internet use (PIU) was assessed by the Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS) that measures social impairment, emotional impairment, and risky/impulsive Internet use. Subjective health complaints assessed were somatic complaints and psychological complaints. Healthy lifestyle behaviors assessed were daily physical activity, time spent using information technologies (IT), eating habits, and sleep duration. Results: We found that 27.02 % (N = 154) of the participants scored at risk for PIU with significantly higher PIU mean scores in 15-16-year-old girls (p <.05). Also, 15-16-year-old girls reported significantly higher prevalence of subjective health symptoms than boys and girls in other age groups (p < .05). There were statistically significant associations between PIU-related psychosocial behaviors and subjective health complaints and limited physical activity (p < .01). Conclusions: PIU behaviors, subjective health complaints and lack healthy lifestyles were common in adolescents in this study with a significantly high prevalence in 15-16-year-old girls.

The teacher’s skills in conducting the lesson and choice of teaching methods play an essential role in creating students’ interest in biology. The aim of the research was to study the opinion of secondary school students and biology teachers regarding the most successful teaching methods used in biology lessons and viable options to make biology lessons more interesting. The research comprised polling students and biology teachers from several schools, namely: 2 secondary schools in Jelgava, 2 in Riga and 1 in Vecumnieki. The responses revealed that 58% of students find biology lessons interesting. 56% of students indicated that their ability to focus attention during biology lessons depends on the task presented to them. Most of all they prefer watching the teacher’s presentations, listening to their teacher telling about the actual topic as well as performing laboratory work and group-work. Many students like participating in discussions, whereas a far smaller number would do various exercises, individual tasks, fill out worksheets or complete projects. Least of all students wish to work with the textbook. The methods most frequently applied by teachers are as follows: lecture, explanation, demonstration, and discussion. Teachers believe that their students prefer laboratory work and discussions as well as listening to their teacher and watching presentations or films. They also indicate at the necessity to link theory with practice and to involve information technologies. While teaching their subject biology teachers try to establish relationship between theory and real life in order to develop their students’ interest in natural processes.

Modern education is closely connected with implementation and use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the teaching process. ICT is recommended to be used in schools in Europe to develop competences of students to become high-quality professionals and active citizens in the society. A questionnaire survey of teachers and directors of Latvian schools was carried out in order to evaluate the use of ICT in Latvian schools and attitude of teaching staff towards this process. The results of the questionnaire survey showed that Latvian schools are not supplied with ICT to a satisfactory level. It is necessary to raise the competence of many teachers in the field of ICT. The attitude of teachers to the use of ICT in the study process is more positive in comparison with school directors. Important factors for improvement of ICT use in schools are ICT training for teachers, computer accessibility for teaching staff, sufficient supply of qualitative ICT teaching materials and computers in schools and encouragement of teachers to use ICT.

One of the basic principles in organising educational (teaching/learning) process is individualisation, in other words - ensuring opportunities and environment for successful learning considering individual students’ personal characteristics. Approximately 10% of our society is the so called left-handers - people with a dominant left hand. Obviously we encounter them at school, too. Left-handed children differ in the ways how they perceive information, analyse space and time, think and feel, i.e. in their psycho-physiological processes. Our work deals with research results obtained by means of psycho-physiological testing: e.g. the computerised DT (Determination Test) S1 version and MLS (Motor performance series) test from Vienna Test System. The acquired results reveal that left-handers differ from right-handers in such psycho-physiological aspects as attention distribution and stability, information perception and processing, reaction to conflict situations and reactive stress duration. The former also consume more oxygen while under pressure than the latter. The research results indicate that left-handers require an individual educational approach.