Explore the vast range of titles available.

This study investigated the effects of induced mental fatigue on the performance of Australian football (AF) specific skills amongst amateur AF players. Randomised cross over trial. Twenty-five amateur AF players performed a series of standardised tests from the Australian Football League (AFL) Draft Combine after completing a 30-min Stroop test (mental fatigue condition) or 30-min control condition. The AFL Draft Combine tests included the standing vertical jump test, running vertical jump test, agility test, 20m sprint, Matthew Lloyd clean hands test, Brad Johnson goal kicking test and a Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) test. The Stroop test score decreased during the Stroop test (first five trials: mean=84.7, SD=3.5; last five trials: mean=82.2, SD=5.0, p=0.03). The Yo-Yo IR1 test (mental fatigue: median=920m, IQR=400; control: median=1040m, IQR=760; p=0.03) and Brad Johnson goalkicking test (mental fatigue: median=19.0, IQR=5.0; control: median=25.0, IQR=10.0, p=0.048) were negatively affected by mental fatigue. No other Draft Combine tests demonstrated a negative affect from mental fatigue. Mental fatigue had a detrimental influence on the performance of AF specific skills. The findings may have implications for AF players who are required to sustain attention and concentration for prolonged periods before and during matches.

Background Cognition is a multidimensional construct and to our knowledge, no previous studies have examined the independent contribution of specific domains of cognition to health related quality of life. To determine whether executive functions are independently associated with health related quality of life assessed using Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) calculated from the EuroQol EQ-5D (EQ-5D) in older women after adjusting for known covariates, including global cognition. Therefore, we conducted a secondary analysis of community-dwelling older women aged 65-75 years who participated in a 12-month randomized controlled trial of resistance training. We assessed global cognition using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and executive functions using the: 1) Stroop Test; 2) Trail Making Test (Part B) and 3) Digits Verbal Span Backwards Test. We calculated QALYs from the EQ-5D administered at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Results Our multivariate linear regression model demonstrated the specific executive processes of set shifting and working memory, as measured by Trail Making Test (Part B) and Digits Verbal Span Backward Test (p < 0.01) respectively, were independently associated with QALYs after accounting for age, comorbidities, general mobility, and global cognition. The final model explained 50% of the variation in QALYs. Conclusions Our study highlights the specific executive processes of set shifting and working memory were independently associated with QALYs -- a measure of health related quality of life. Given that executive functions explain variability in QALYs, clinicians may need to consider assessing executive functions when measuring health related quality of life. Further, the EQ-5D may be used to track changes in health status over time and serve as a screening tool for clinicians. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00426881.

This study examined the combined effects of breakfast and exercise on short-term academic and cognitive performance in adolescents. Eighty-two adolescents (64 female), aged 14–19 years, were randomized to four groups over a 4-hour morning: (i) a group who fasted and were sedentary (F-S); (ii) a group who ate breakfast but were sedentary (B-S); (iii) a group who fasted but completed a 30-min exercise bout (F-E); and (iv) a group who ate breakfast and completed a 30-min exercise bout (B-E). Individuals completed academic and cognitive tests over the morning. Adolescents in B-E significantly improved their mathematics score (B-E: 15.2% improvement on correct answers, vs. F-S: 6.7% improvement on correct answers; p = 0.014) and computation time for correct answers (B-E: 16.7% improvement, vs. F-S: 7.4% improvement; p = 0.004) over the morning compared with the F-S group. The B-E group had faster reaction times for congruent, incongruent and control trials of the Stroop Color-Word Task compared with F-S mid-morning (all p < 0.05). Morning breakfast and exercise combine to improve short-term mathematical task performance and speed in adolescents.

Executive functioning deficits found in college students with ASD may have debilitating effects on their everyday activities. Although laboratory studies tend to report unimpaired inhibition in autism, studies of resistance to distractor inhibition reveal difficulties. In two studies, we compared a Virtual Classroom task with paper-and-pencil and computerized Stroop modalities in typically developing individuals and individuals with ASD. While significant differences were not observed between ASD and neurotypical groups on the paper-and-pencil and computerized task, individuals with ASD performed significantly worse on the virtual task with distractors. Findings suggest the potential of the Virtual Classroom Bimodal Stroop task to distinguish between prepotent response inhibition (non-distraction condition) and resistance to distractor inhibition (distraction condition) in adults with high functioning autism.

To compare the performance of older experienced Tai Chi practitioners and healthy controls in dual-task versus single-task paradigms, namely stepping down with and without performing an auditory response task, a cross-sectional study was conducted in the Center for East-meets-West in Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. Twenty-eight Tai Chi practitioners (73.6 ± 4.2 years) and 30 healthy control subjects (72.4 ± 6.1 years) were recruited. Participants were asked to step down from a 19-cm-high platform and maintain a single-leg stance for 10 s with and without a concurrent cognitive task. The cognitive task was an auditory Stroop test in which the participants were required to respond to different tones of voices regardless of their word meanings. Postural stability after stepping down under single- and dual-task paradigms, in terms of excursion of the subject’s center of pressure (COP) and cognitive performance, was measured for comparison between the two groups. Our findings demonstrated significant between-group differences in more outcome measures during dual-task than single-task performance. Thus, the auditory Stroop test showed that Tai Chi practitioners achieved not only significantly less error rate in single-task, but also significantly faster reaction time in dual-task, when compared with healthy controls similar in age and other relevant demographics. Similarly, the stepping-down task showed that Tai Chi practitioners not only displayed significantly less COP sway area in single-task, but also significantly less COP sway path than healthy controls in dual-task. These results showed that Tai Chi practitioners achieved better postural stability after stepping down as well as better performance in auditory response task than healthy controls. The improved performance that was magnified by dual motor-cognitive task performance may point to the benefits of Tai Chi being a mind-and-body exercise.

Introduction: The negative effect of mental fatigue appears to be possibly moderated by different factors, such as training status or age. there is a greater tolerance to mental fatigue in trained adult athletes. However, there is not much research that attempted to determine the effect of mental fatigue on sport-specific performance of university soccer players. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of induced mental fatigue on the accuracy and speed of soccer passing in university students playing soccer in sub-elite and university teams. Methods: 19 male university soccer players participated in the field study to identify the effect of two sessions of cognitive loading on accuracy and speed of passing. During the experimental session, the players performed the main protocol of 3 bouts of Loughborough soccer passing test tasks and 3 bouts of 15´ STROOP tasks. Results: Prolonging fatigue induced by solving mental tasks showed negative effect on the speed of passing performance. It was also proved that with the reduced time of performance the passing accurateness decreased. Growing physical as well as mental fatigue showed cumulative effect on the performance of passes. Correlation analysis revealed the potential relationship between the observed variables of passing test and total time with moderate effect. Conclusion: The research proved the hypothesized negative effect of prolonged mental tasks fatigue on the quality of passing skill in soccer players. These findings are crucial for designing training programs to take not only physical but also mental fatigue consequences into consideration. Introducción: El efecto negativo de la fatiga mental parece estar posiblemente moderado por diferentes factores, como el estado de entrenamiento o la edad. Existe una mayor tolerancia a la fatiga mental en los deportistas adultos entrenados. Sin embargo, no existen muchas investigaciones que hayan intentado determinar el efecto de la fatiga mental en el rendimiento deportivo específico de futbolistas universitarios. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar el efecto de la fatiga mental inducida en la precisión y la velocidad de los pases en estudiantes universitarios que juegan en equipos de sub-élite y universitarios. Métodos: Diecinueve futbolistas universitarios participaron en un estudio de campo para identificar el efecto de dos sesiones de carga cognitiva en la precisión y la velocidad de pase. Durante la sesión experimental, los jugadores realizaron el protocolo principal de tres rondas de la prueba de pase de fútbol de Loughborough y tres rondas de la prueba STROOP de 15 minutos. Resultados: La prolongación de la fatiga inducida por la resolución de tareas mentales mostró un efecto negativo en la velocidad de pase. También se demostró que, al reducirse el tiempo de ejecución, la precisión de pase disminuyó. El aumento de la fatiga física y mental mostró un efecto acumulativo en la ejecución de pases. El análisis de correlación reveló la posible relación entre las variables observadas en la prueba de pase y el tiempo total, con un efecto moderado. Conclusión: La investigación demostró el hipotético efecto negativo de la fatiga mental prolongada en la calidad del pase en futbolistas. Estos hallazgos son cruciales para diseñar programas de entrenamiento que consideren no solo las consecuencias de la fatiga física, sino también las mentales.   Introdução: O efeito negativo da fadiga mental parece ser moderado por diversos fatores, como o nível de treino e a idade. Os atletas adultos demonstram maior tolerância à fadiga mental. No entanto, existem poucas pesquisas que tentaram determinar o efeito da fadiga mental no desempenho específico do futebol dos jogadores universitários. Objectivo: O objectivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito da fadiga induzida mentalmente na precisão e velocidade de passe em estudantes universitários que jogam em equipas juvenis e de adultos. Métodos: Dezanove jogadores de futebol universitários participaram num estudo de campo para identificar o efeito de duas sessões de carga cognitiva na precisão e velocidade de passe. Durante a sessão experimental, os jogadores realizaram o protocolo padrão de três rondas do Teste de Passe de Futebol de Loughborough e três rondas do Teste Stroop de 15 minutos. Resultados: O prolongamento da fadiga induzida pela realização da tarefa mental apresentou um efeito negativo na velocidade de passe. Também foi demonstrado que a redução do tempo de execução diminuiu a precisão do passe. O aumento da fadiga física e mental apresentou um efeito cumulativo no desempenho do passe. A análise de correlação revelou uma possível relação entre as variáveis ​​observadas no teste de passe e o tempo total, com um efeito moderado. Conclusão: Esta investigação demonstrou o hipotético efeito negativo da fadiga mental prolongada na qualidade dos passes em jogadores de futebol. Estes resultados são cruciais para o desenvolvimento de programas de treino que considerem não só as consequências da fadiga física, mas também as mentais.

This study assessed the correlation between obesity markers and mental stress reactivity. Mainly, it evaluated whether physical exercise (PE) influences cardiovascular reactivity to the Stroop color word test (SCWT) in teachers. Thirty-one school teachers were evaluated. The SCWT was carried out under (1) baseline and (2) 30 min after aerobic PE conditions. Teachers performed 30 min of PE. The reactivity to mental stress (Δ) during the SCWT for blood pressure (BP) was determined, with Δ being the highest value observed [Δ2 or Δ4: with pre-test values (0 min)]. Of the teachers, 64.52% were considered overweight/obese and 19.35% had a high clinical BP. However, 67.74% of teachers were considered physically active. Systolic BP (SBP) reactivity to SCWT correlated negatively with obesity markers (Rho = −0.36 to −0.60; p < 0.05). The SBP and diastolic BP (DBP) were higher at 2 and 4 min compared to 0 during the SCWT under both conditions (p < 0.01). Moreover, SBP was always lower after PE (p < 0.01) and DBP was lower at 2 and 4 min after PE (p < 0.01). In summary, SBP reactivity to mental stress correlated negatively with obesity markers. Moderate-intensity acute PE reduced BP reactivity to mental stress in teachers.

The aim of this study was to determine whether chewing gum affects cognitive function and stress relief. Sixty volunteers (mean age 23.3±3.01 years) without general or neuropsychiatric disease were recruited, and Stroop tests and stress surveys were conducted. Volunteers were administered performed a General and Emotional Stroop test with and without chewing gum, and the response time was recorded. The response time after chewing gum was significantly faster while conducting the General Stroop test. Stimulation of chewing gum may increase blood flow to the brain, which results in increased cognitive function. The response time was longer in the incongruent stimuli test compared to the congruent stimuli test, due to the effect of Stroop interference. However, when the chewing gum stimulus was introduced, the possibility of effectively reducing this effect. Stress index and response time of negative stimuli test showed weak positive correlation. This study suggests that chewing gum may play a positive role in increasing cognitive function and relieving stress.

Previous research has shown that habitual chocolate intake is related to cognitive performance and that frequent chocolate consumption is significantly associated with improved memory. However, little is known about the effects of the subchronic consumption of dark chocolate (DC) on cognitive function and neurotrophins. Eighteen healthy young subjects (both sexes; 20–31 years old) were randomly divided into two groups: a DC intake group (n = 10) and a cacao-free white chocolate (WC) intake group (n = 8). The subjects then consumed chocolate daily for 30 days. Blood samples were taken to measure plasma levels of theobromine (a methylxanthine most often present in DC), nerve growth factor (NGF), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and to analyze hemodynamic parameters. Cognitive function was assessed using a modified Stroop color word test and digital cancellation test. Prefrontal cerebral blood flow was measured during the tests. DC consumption increased the NGF and theobromine levels in plasma, enhancing cognitive function performance in both tests. Interestingly, the DC-mediated enhancement of cognitive function was observed three weeks after the end of chocolate intake. WC consumption did not affect NGF and theobromine levels or cognitive performance. These results suggest that DC consumption has beneficial effects on human health by enhancing cognitive function.

Abundant behavioral evidence suggests that the ability to self-control is limited, and that any exertion of self-control will increase the likelihood of subsequent self-control failures. Here we investigated the neural correlates underlying the aftereffects of self-control on future control processes using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). An initial act of self-control (suppressing emotions) impaired subsequent performance in a second task requiring control (Stroop task). On the neural level, increased activity during emotion suppression was followed by a relative decrease in activity during the Stroop task in a cluster in the right lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), an area engaged in the effortful implementation of control. There was no reliable evidence for reduced activity in the medial frontal cortex (MFC) including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which is involved in conflict detection processes and has previously also been implicated in self-control. Follow-up analyses showed that the detected cluster in the right lateral PFC and an area in the MFC were involved in both the emotion suppression task and the Stroop task, but only the cluster in the right lateral PFC showed reduced activation after emotion suppression during the Stroop task. Reduced activity in lateral prefrontal areas relevant for the implementation of control may be a critical consequence of prior self-control exertion if the respective areas are involved in both self-control tasks.