bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age-Stage Differences in Body Sway during a Static Upright Posture Based on Sway Factors and Relative Accumulation of Power Frequency
Authors: Demura Shin-Ichi , Noda Masahiro , Kitabayashi Tamotsu , Aoki Hiroki
Published: September 2010

This study was done to examine age-stage (preschool children, young adults, and elderly people) differences in the center-of-pressure sway using body-sway factors (unit-time sway, front-back sway, left-right sway, and high frequency-band power), power-spectrum distribution, and relative accumulation of power frequency (25%, 50%, and 75% RAPF) of the center-of-pressure spectrum. The center-of-pressure movement for 1 min. was measured twice using Anima's stabilometer. Data-sampling frequency was set at 20 Hz. Significant age-stage differences were found for 3 factors except for left-right sway, which was larger for preschool children and elderly than for young adults. The power spectrum of body sway in any age-stage was noted mainly in low frequency bands. A marked age-stage difference was found at 75% RAPF. Body-sway characteristics in each age-stage differ, and differences of postural-sway frequency are marked in the low frequency bands.
Perceived Competence and Enjoyment in Predicting Students' Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Authors: Gao Zan
Published: September 2010

This study investigated the predictive strength of perceived competence and enjoyment on students' physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in physical education classes. Participants ( N = 307; 101 in Grade 6, 96 in Grade 7, 110 in Grade 8; 149 boys, 158 girls) responded to questionnaires assessing perceived competence and enjoyment of physical education, then their cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed on the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) test. Physical activity in one class was estimated via pedometers. Regression analyses showed enjoyment ( R2 = 16.5) and perceived competence ( R2 = 4.2) accounted for significant variance of only 20.7% of physical activity and, perceived competence was the only significant contributor to cardiorespiratory fitness performance ( R2 = 19.3%). Only a small amount of variance here leaves 80% unaccounted for. Some educational implications and areas for research are mentioned.
Physiological Responses to Violence Reported in the News
Authors: Ragonesi Amanda J. , Antick Jennifer R.
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between watching the news and activation of the autonomic nervous system. A questionnaire was completed, and a saliva sample was collected from each of 33 participants before and after viewing a news and then a comedy clip. After exposure to the news, cortisol levels did not increase; participants reported a significant decrease in joy and an increase in restlessness. Participants reported a significant decrease in tiredness, sadness, irritation, anxiety, and restlessness, and an increase in relaxation and joy after exposure to the comedy clip. Higher rates of reported stress in the past month were associated with significantly higher rates of reported feeling cold, trembling, close to tears, sweaty palms, difficulty breathing, and restlessness. The implications of the study and directions for research are discussed.
The Mozart Effect: Evidence for the Arousal Hypothesis
Authors: Roth Edward A. , Smith Kenneth H.
Published: September 2010

This study investigated the effect of music listening for performance on a 25-question portion of the analytical section of the Graduate Record Exam by 72 undergraduate students ( M age 21.9 yr.). Five levels of an auditor condition were based on Mozart Piano Sonata No. 3 (K. 281), Movement I (Allegro); a rhythm excerpt; a melody excerpt; traffic sounds; and silence. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the stimuli. After a 5-min., 43-sec. (length of the first Allegro movement) listening period, participants answered the questions. Analysis indicated participants achieved significantly higher mean scores after all auditory conditions than those in the silent condition. No statistically significant pairwise mean difference appeared between scores for the auditory conditions. Findings were interpreted in terms of an arousal framework, suggesting the higher means in all auditory conditions may reflect immediate exposure to auditory stimuli.
Development of Early Language and Motor Skills in Preschool Children with Autism
Authors: Kim Hyun Uk
Published: September 2010

The present study investigated whether the onset of babbling was related (a) to later language ages, (b) later Fine and Gross Motor Ages, and (c) the onset of crawling to later language ages or preschool children with autism. Parents or caregivers of 32 children (6 girls, 26 boys) were given the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales to assess general adaptive behaviors. The onset of babbling and or first words were significantly correlated; however, babbling onset was not related to later language ages nor was it related to Gross and Fine Motor Ages. No significant correlation was observed between the onset of crawling and later language ages.
People, Clothing, Music, and Arousal as Contextual Retrieval Cues in Verbal Memory
Authors: Standing Lionel G. , Bobbitt Kristin E. , Boisvert Kathkyn L. , Dayholos Kathy N. , Gagnon Anne M.
Published: September 2010

Four experiments ( N = 164) on context-dependent memory were performed to explore the effects on verbal memory of incidental cues during the test session which replicated specific features of the learning session. These features involved (1) bystanders, (2) the clothing of the experimenter, (3) background music, and (4) the arousal level of the subject. Social contextual cues (bystanders or experimenter clothing) improved verbal recall or recognition. However, recall decreased when the contextual cue was a different stimulus taken from the same conceptual category (piano music by Chopin) that was heard during learning. Memory was unaffected by congruent internal cues, produced by the same physiological arousal level (low, moderate, or high heart rate) during the learning and test sessions. However, recall increased with the level of arousal across the three congruent conditions. The results emphasize the effectiveness as retrieval cues of stimuli which are socially salient, concrete, and external.
Color Preference and Familiarity in Performance on Brand Logo Recall
Authors: Huang Kuo-Chen , Lin Chin-Chiuan , Chiang Shu-Ying
Published: September 2010

Two experiments assessed effects of color preference and brand-logo familiarity on recall performance. Exp. 1 explored the color preferences, using a forced-choice technique, of 189 women and 63 men. Taiwanese college students ages 18 to 20 years ( M = 19.4, SD = 1.5). The sequence of the three most preferred colors was white, light blue, and black and of the three least preferred colors was light orange, dark violet, and dark brown. Exp. 2 investigated the effects of color preference based on the results of Exp. 1 and brand-logo familiarity on recall. A total of 27 women and 21 men, Taiwanese college students ages 18 to 20 years ( M = 19.2, SD = 1.2) participated. They memorized a list of 24 logos (four logos shown in six colors) and then performed sequential recall. Analyses showed color preference significantly effected recall accuracy. Accuracy for high color preference was significantly greater than that for low preferences. Results showed no significant effects of brand-logo familiarity or sex on accuracy. In addition, the interactive effect of color preference and brand-logo familiarity on accuracy was significant. These results have implications for the design of brand logos to create and sustain memory of brand images.
Changes in Elbow Flexor Power with Intermittent Contractions and Various Loads
Authors: Yamaji Shunsuke , Demura Shinichi , Aoki Hiroki , Yamamoto Kei
Published: September 2010

This study examined intermittent elbow flexion every 2 see. for 1 min. using various loads to study the properties of muscle power output and their relationship to peak power, defined as the maximum power output. 18 young men performed intermittent explosive elbow flexion (30 times × min.−1) using 30%, 40%, and 50% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The power outputs at 30% and 40% MVC slightly decreased (rate of decrease from peak power to average power output during the 26 to 30 contractions was about 5%). However, at 50% MVC, there was a marked decrease (33.6%). Power output for 8 contractions was significantly larger at 50% MVC than at 30% and 40% MVC, but after 9 contractions there was no significant difference between 40% and 50% MVC. In addition, after 27 contractions, 40% MVC was significantly larger than 30% and 50% MVC. That is, the tendency for power output to decrease differed among the various loads. The rate of decrease of power outputs showed no significant correlation with peak power for each load. Therefore, the rate of decrease or power output in intermittent contractions may help sustain the power output and cannot be evaluated as accurately as peak power.
Sex Differences of Intermittent Elbow Flexion Power Using Various Loads
Authors: Yamaji Shunsuke , Demura Shinichi , Yamamoto Kei
Published: September 2010

This study was designed to clarity a sex difference in muscle power output properties by intermittent elbow flexion using various loads. 10 young males and 10 young females performed intermittent elbow flexion power outputs at 30 times × min.−1 for 1 min. using 30%, 40%, and 50% MVC loads. For both sexes, the decreasing peak power showed a similar trend between trials at all loads, and the reliability of each power parameter was good. The power outputs decreased largely with increasing load mass, and the power output in 50% MVC for males markedly decreased to the same level as that during the final phase in 30% MVC. Although the absolute value of regression coefficients for males became significantly larger with increasing load mass, that for females showed a significant difference only between 30% and 50% MVC. In 50% MVC, a large decrease for males was observed. Maximal peak power outputs were significantly larger with increasing load mass for both sexes, but for males more than for females. In both sexes, there were no significant differences among final powers of each load mass, and between total powers of 40% and 50% MVC. For the sum of every 5 consecutive power outputs, males showed significant differences between 30% and 40% MVC in all periods after the 6th contraction, but females did not and also between 30% and 50%. MVC in periods after the 16th contraction. In conclusion, it is considered that power outputs in the latter phases in 50% MVC are affected largely by muscle fatigue, and an intermittent power output test with 50% MVC can measure sustained power (fatigue resistance) in the latter phases, but there is a sex difference in the tendency to decrease.
Construct Validity of the Physical Education State Anxiety Scale: A Multitrait—Multimethod Approach'
Authors: Barkoukis Vassilis , Tsorbatzoudis Haralambos , Grouios George
Published: September 2010

The present study investigated the construct validity of the Physical Education State Anxiety Scale with the employment of multitrait–multimethod analysis with regard to responses of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2. 233 high school students ()Wage= 13.6 yr., SD .9) completed the Physical Education State Anxiety Scale and an adapted physical education version of Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2. Examination of fit indices and anxiety dimensions' correlations indicated satisfactory convergent validity (significant difference in χ2 and CFI emerged). Convergent validities were higher than correlations among other variables suggesting fairly good discriminant validity; however, the fit indices of the confirmatory factor analyses showed relatively low discriminant validity (nonsignificant 6, χ2 and a small CFI difference emerged). Present findings provide evidence on the construct validity of the adapted version and suggest it can be used with high school students to assess state anxiety in physical education.
Utility of the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test—Second Edition in the Assessment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder'
Authors: Allen Ryana A. , Decker Scott L.
Published: September 2010

This study examined the use of the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test–Second Edition (BGT–II) with children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Previous research has examined the relationship of ADHD and visual-motor functioning based on overall developmental scores or specific emotional indicators. Although several studies have examined the relationship of the previous edition of the BGT–II and ADHD symptoms, psychometric issues associated with the original edition limit the validity of the results. The current study examined the utility of the BGT–II in the assessment of behaviors associated with ADHD. A group of 62 subjects diagnosed with ADHD (M = 11 yr., 5 mo.; 45 male, 17 female) was compared to a control group of 62 subjects randomly selected from the BGT–II standardization data (M= 11 yr., 6 mo; 33 male, 29 female). Several hypotheses were made regarding how areas of deficit, e.g., self-regulation, planning, working memory, and motor control, were expected to manifest in BGT–II performance. With IQ controlled, subjects with ADHD performed more poorly on the BGT–II than subjects with no known disorders; however, the effect size was small (rip2= .07). Emotional indicators intended to assess symptoms of ADHD did not demonstrate diagnostic utility.
Attention and Impulse Control in Children with Borderline Intelligence with or without Conduct Disorder
Authors: van der Meere Jaap , van der Meer Dirk-Jan , Borger Norbert , Pirila Silja
Published: September 2010

This study was designed to investigate attention and impulse control in 21 boys with dual diagnoses of conduct disorder and borderline intelligence and in 19 boys with borderline intelligence only. Using the Continuous Performance Test A-not-X, it appeared that children with the dual diagnosis made substantially more errors reflecting poor impulse control than the other group. The frequency of these errors was associated with scores on Impulsiveness, Aggression, and Delinquency sub-scales of the Child Behavior Checklist (Teacher Version). Also, the group with the dual diagnosis showed signs of a deficit in attention.
Psychometric Characteristics and Practice Effects of the Brunswick Trail Making Test
Authors: Kopp Bruno , Rösser Nina , Wessel Karl
Published: September 2010

Three trail-making tasks were designed to yield measures of visuomotor speed, efficiency of visual search, and cognitive flexibility (attentional switching). Scores on paper-and-pencil trail-making performance tasks were analyzed in 54 neurologically nonimpaired participants (21 men, 33 women; M = 40 yr., SD = 15 yr.). In Study 1, a 5-item 3-task format of the new trail-making test was developed by selecting items based on psychometric characteristics. The tasks were visuomotor trail-making (one item), visual search (two items), and cognitive flexibility (two items). Estimates of internal consistency of the resulting test scores of the Brunswick Trail Making Test yielded acceptable values (.91 and .90). In Study 2, the effects of repeated practice on trail-making tasks were analyzed. Task repetition affected the performance in the three trail-making tasks differentially. On the visuomotor task, effects of repeated task practice were completely carried over to similar trails. Evidence for transfer of learning was obtained neither for the visual search task nor for the cognitive flexibility task. It is concluded that training effects of perceptual-motor and cognitive skills are highly specific. Implications of these findings for cognitive neurorehabilitation are discussed.
Effect of Emotional Valence on Detection of Change
Authors: Graham Loranel M.
Published: September 2010

Two experiments were designed to explore the role of emotion in detection of change using the flicker task. In Experiment 1, the emotional valence of scenes was manipulated, and reaction time to detect change in an altered scene was measured. In Experiment 2, both emotional valence and area of change were manipulated. In each experiment, emotional valence affected detection of change, but with a somewhat different pattern of results. Findings indicate a need for further examination of the role of emotional valence in detection of change.
Mapping Out Spatial Ability: Sex Differences in Way-Finding Navigation
Authors: Cherney Isabelle D. , Brabec Claire M. , Runco Daniel V.
Published: September 2010

This study examined how navigational strategies, map drawing, and map reading skills may be related in spatial perception performance of 124 U.S. undergraduate men and women who completed one of two versions of Collaer and Nelson's Judgment of Line Angle and Position–15 test and Piaget's Water Level Test. Analysis indicated sex differences in performance were eliminated when self-perceptions of map reading, map drawing, and navigational skills were used as covariates. The men used an orientation (cardinal), whereas the women used a landmark way-finding strategy. Introducing a fine motor skill to solve the Judgment of Line Angle and Position–15 eliminated the sex difference. The data suggest spatial perception is in part influenced by map reading and way-finding strategies.
Aerobic Performance by Children in Grades 4 to 8: A Repeated-Measures Study
Authors: Butterfield Stephen A. , Lehnhard Robert A. , Mason Craig A. , McCormick Robert
Published: September 2010

Aerobic capacity reflects consumption of O2 by working muscles during vigorous physical activity and is an indicator of cardiovascular health. This study examined change in aerobic performance by children in Grades 4 to 8 (Ages= 9–14) over 14 mo. 105 healthy children in a small, rural, middle-class school participated. All were tested five times on the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) at 8- or 9-wk. intervals during the 2004–2005 school year, with follow-up measurements the next September and December. Hierarchical Linear Modeling applied to analyze the data showed that overall improvement in aerobic performance from September to May was statistically significant as children increased their PACER scores from 26 to 49 laps. These gains were lost over the summer but returned to the original slope by the second follow-up measurement. Regardless of age, sex, Body Mass Index, or sports participation, children followed a similar pattern: steady improvement during the school year, loss of those gains over the summer, and return to the original slope the following year.
Age Differences in Intensity of Emotional Expression between Younger and Older Infants
Authors: Losonczy-Marshall Marta E.
Published: September 2010

Age differences in the intensity of emotional expression of infants ages 7 to 8 months were compared to those ages 9 through 13 months. All 82 participants (33 boys, 49 girls) were prescreened for normal development. Participants were each presented with a randomized order of 12 stimuli (peek-a-boo, still face, stranger approaches, toy bug, toy taken, parent leaves, toy switch, puppets, toy out of reach, squeaky toy, jack-in-the-box, and loud noise). Emotional responses were video recorded and analyzed. Intensity of emotional expression was measured on an ordinal scale (PEEX: Parameters of Emotional Expression) incorporating MAX facial codes and vocal and bodily items from Lab-Tab. Coding was analyzed for reliability. Older infants were significantly more intense in their emotional expressions than younger infants.
Locomotion through a Complex Environment with Limited Field-of-View
Authors: Toet Alexander , Kahrimanović Mirela , Delleman Nico J.
Published: September 2010

Restrictions of field-of-view are known to impair human performance for a range of different tasks. However, such effects on human locomotion through a complex environment are still not clear. Effects of both horizontal (30°, 75°, 112°, 120°, 140°, 160°, and 180°) and vertical (18° and 48°) field-of-view restrictions on the walking speed and head movements of participants maneuvering through an obstacle course were investigated. All field-of-view restrictions tested significantly increased time to complete the entire course, compared to the unrestricted condition. The time to traverse the course was significantly longer for a vertical field-of-view of 18° than for a vertical field-of-view of 48°. For a fixed vertical field-of-view size, the traversal time was constant for horizontal field-of-view sizes ranging between 75° and 180° and increased significantly for the 30° horizontal field-of-view condition. In the restricted viewing conditions, the angular velocity of head movements made while stepping over an obstacle increased significantly over that for the unrestricted field-of-view condition, but no difference was found between the different field-of-view sizes. Implications of the current findings for the development of devices with field-of-view restrictions are discussed.
Weighted Kappa for Multiple Raters
Authors: Berry Kenneth J. , Johnston Janis E. , Mielke Paul W.
Published: September 2010

Five procedures to calculate the probability of weighted kappa with multiple raters under the null hypothesis of independence are described and compared in terms of accuracy, ease of use, generality, and limitations. The five procedures are (1) exact variance, (2) resampling contingency, (3) intraclass correlation, (4) randomized block, and (5) resampling block. While each procedure possesses strengths and limitations, the resampling contingency procedure is shown to be the most versatile and accurate of the five procedures, provided the number of raters is not too large. The resampling contingency procedure permits any weighting scheme, accommodates both symmetrical and asymmetrical weights, is suitable for both weighted and unweighted kappa, and makes no assumptions about either the data distribution or the probability distribution.
Propulsion and Braking in the Study of Asymmetry in Able-Bodied Men's Gaits
Authors: Potdevin François , Gillet Christophe , Barbier Franck , Coello Yann , Moretto Pierre
Published: September 2010

The present study was designed to test functional differences between both lower limbs in able-bodied gait according to fore-aft force impulse analyses and to assess the existence of a preferential lower limb for forward propulsion and braking. The leg that did more of the braking (Most Braking Limb) and the leg that did more of the propulsion (Most Propulsive Limb) were defined by the higher negative and positive impulses calculated from the anterior-posterior component of the ground reaction force. 24 adult men free of pain and injury to their lower extremities ( M age = 25.9 yr., SD = 4.5) performed 10 walking trials on a 10-m walkway with two force plates flush mounted in the middle. The anterior-posterior component of the velocity of the center of mass ( VAP) was calculated with the VICON system. Results highlighted two forms of asymmetry behaviour: although significant bilateral differences between the legs concerning the propulsive and braking impulses were found in all participants, 70.8% of the participants displayed a different Most Braking Limb than Most Propulsive Limb, whereas 25% used the same leg to produce both more propulsion and braking. High consistency was found in the behavioural strategy. Bilateral differences in VAP according to the gait cycle (Most Propulsive Limb vs Most Braking Limb) suggested a functional division of tasks between the two lower limbs for 70.8% of the participants. The study provides support for the relevancy of a functional categorization to highlight different asymmetry strategies in able-bodied gait.
Digits Backward and the Children's Embedded Figures Test among School-Age Spanish Children
Authors: Guisande M. Adelina , Rodríguez M. Soledad , Almeida Leandro S. , Tinajero Carolina , Páramo M. Fernanda
Published: September 2010

This study examined whether performance on a single working-memory task (Digits Backward) was associated with scores on field-dependence-independence, as measured on the Children's Embedded Figures Test. Four different age groups of children were tested ( N = 144): 33 8-yr.-olds, 40 9-yr.-olds, 33 10-yr.-olds, and 38 11-yr.-olds. Children were classified into three groups (Field-dependent, Field-independent, and Intermediate) within each age range. Analyses of variance indicated performance on the Digits Backward was significantly higher for the children in the 11-yr.-old group than the youngest group (8-yr.-olds). Children in the Field-independent groups also had significantly higher scores than those in the Field-dependent or Intermediate groups. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Personal Conceptions of Intelligence Affect Outcome in a Multimedia Reading Training Program
Authors: Pepi Annamaria , Alesi Marianna , Rappo Gaetano
Published: September 2010

Personal conceptions of intelligence seem to make a significant contribution to overcoming a reading deficit, as indicated in our earlier research. The present aim was to assess improvements in reading-decoding following training of children with reading-decoding problems and different conceptions of intelligence (incremental or entity). It was expected that treatment of children with an incremental representation would improve more. Participants were 20 children (10 girls, 10 boys) whose average age was 8.6 yr., who attended Grade 3 of elementary school, and who were selected from 675 pupils. Children were given a multimedia test to measure motivational factors such as conceptions of intelligence, achievement goals, perception of controllability, and causal attributions. The participants took part in a multimedia training. Posttest evaluations showed more improvement in reading-decoding by children holding an incremental theory of intelligence. The importance of treatment programmes in which account is taken of both specificity of deficits and motivational factors should be explored further as the present sample was very small.
Sensorimotor Therapy: Using Stereotypic Movements and Vestibular Stimulation to Increase Sensorimotor Proficiency of Children with Attentional and Motor Difficulties
Authors: Niklasson Mats , Niklasson Irene , Norlander Torsten
Published: September 2010

The current naturalistic study examined whether sensorimotor therapy utilizing the training program, Retraining for Balance, might be an appropriate technique for sensorimotor proficiency. The 232 children (181 boys, 51 girls), whose mean age was 9.3 yr. ( SD = 2.7), presented attentional and motor difficulties (according to the School Health Care) as indicated by their parents before starting therapy. The children were divided into three groups, i.e., a younger group (7 yr. old or younger, n = 65), a middle group (8 to 10 yr. old, n = 91), and an older group (11 yr. old or older, n = 76). The program has seven parts, including fetal and neonatal movements, vestibular and auditory perceptual stimulation, and gross motor movements, among others. The treatment period was close to 3 yr. on the average. Analyses in a repeated-measures design indicated significant improvement of sensorimotor skills among the three age groups, but the older children performed better than the others on several tests. There were only a few sex differences. Retraining for Balance may be a functional technique for training children and youth with sensorimotor difficulties and might constitute a complement to regular treatment of Developmental Coordination Disorder, Learning Disability, and ADHD, but controlled studies are necessary before more decisive conclusions can be drawn.
Incidental Learning of Incongruent Items in a Manual Version of the Stroop Task
Authors: Lemercier Céline
Published: September 2010

Two experiments refine the incidental learning hypothesis of incongruent items during color-naming. In Exp. 1, the size of the incongruent item set was manipulated in a manual Stroop task. In Version 4, four different incongruent items were presented; in Version 8, eight different incongruent items were presented; and in Version 12, 12 different incongruent items were presented. Analysis showed color-naming response time was roughly equivalent for neutral and incongruent items in Version 4. Conversely, the Stroop effect not only was manifest but also was equivalent in Versions 8 and 12. In Exp. 2, the role of the phonological loop in the Stroop effect was investigated using Version 4 of Exp. 1. The Experimental group repeated aloud the syllable “LA” during the Incongruent color-naming condition. Articulatory suppression resulted in a significant increase in Incongruent color-naming response time. Implications for the interpretation of Stroop data are discussed.
Anthropometry and Pre-Race Experience of Finishers and Nonfinishers in a Multistage Ultra-Endurance Run — Deutschlandlauf 2007
Authors: Knechtle Beat , Duff Brida , Schulze Ingo , Rosemann Thomas , Senn Oliver
Published: September 2010

The effects of anthropometry and pre-race experience on race performance were investigated in male nonprofessional ultra-runners performing a multistage run of 1,200 km over 17 days. Of 24 athletes examined pre-race, 14 (58 %) dropped out during the race due to overuse injuries of the lower limbs. During the race, body mass, thickness of the calf skin-fold, skeletal muscle mass, and percent body fat decreased significantly, while circumference of the upper arm, thickness of triceps, and abdominal skin-fold as well as Body Mass Index decreased significantly in the finishers. Neither anthropometry nor pre-race experience and training volume nor previously finished races were associated with the race time of the finishers. In future studies of ultra-runners, the influence of psychological (cognitive and emotional) predictors on race outcome should be investigated.
Influence of Moving Visual Environment on Sit-to-Stand Kinematics in Children and Adults
Authors: Slaboda Jill C. , Barton Joseph E. , Keshner Emily A.
Published: September 2010

The effect of visual field motion on the sit-to-stand kinematics of adults and children was investigated. Children (8 tol2 years of age) and adults (21 to 49 years of age) were seated in a virtual environment that rotated in the pitch and roll directions. Participants stood up either (1) concurrent with onset of visual motion or (2) after an immersion period in the moving visual environment, and (3) without visual input. Angular velocities of the head with respect to the trunk, and trunk with respect to the environment, were calculated as was head and trunk center of mass. Both adults and children reduced head and trunk angular velocity after immersion in the moving visual environment. Unlike adults, children demonstrated significant differences in displacement of the head center of mass during the immersion and concurrent trials when compared to trials without visual input. Results suggest a time-dependent effect of vision on sit-to-stand kinematics in adults, whereas children are influenced by the immediate presence or absence of vision.
Driving Error and Anxiety Related to iPod mp3 Player Use in a Simulated Driving Experience
Authors: Harvey Ashley R. , Carden Randy L.
Published: September 2010

Driver distraction due to cellular phone usage has repeatedly been shown to increase the risk of vehicular accidents; however, the literature regarding the use of other personal electronic devices while driving is relatively sparse. It was hypothesized that the usage of an mp3 player would result in an increase in not only driving error while operating a driving simulator, but driver anxiety scores as well. It was also hypothesized that anxiety scores would be positively related to driving errors when using an mp3 player. 32 participants drove through a set course in a driving simulator twice, once with and once without an iPod mp3 player, with the order counterbalanced. Number of driving errors per course, such as leaving the road, impacts with stationary objects, loss of vehicular control, etc., and anxiety were significantly higher when an iPod was in use. Anxiety scores were unrelated to number of driving errors.
No Sex Difference in Area Estimation
Authors: Koczkodaj W. W.
Published: September 2010

This paper is a follow-up to Adamic, et al., in which male and female participants estimated the areas of five randomly generated shapes of equal area. There was no significant sex difference in area estimation ability.
Influence of Age and Native Language on Immediate Verbal Repetition
Authors: Burda Angela N. , Bradley-Potter Melissa , Dralle Jessi , Murphy Jane , Ries Sarah , Roehs Andrea
Published: September 2010

Objectives of this quasi-experimental study were to assess whether age of listeners and native language of the speaker affected the accurate repetition of words, sentences, and utterances, including medical vocabulary. Two experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1, 20 young adults and 20 older adults repeated 60 words and 30 sentences produced by native and nonnative English speakers. In Exp. 2, 30 young adults and 30 older adults repeated medically oriented utterances spoken by native and nonnative English speakers. Analysis showed that older adults had significantly lower repetition scores (accuracy) than the young adults on all tasks. Both groups had significantly higher repetition scores on items produced by native English speakers than nonnative English speakers. Investigations should focus on strategies which may aid native English speakers in understanding nonnative English speakers.
Relationships among Visual Awareness, Reaction Time, and Lateralized Readiness Potential in a Simple Reaction Time Task under the Backward Masking Paradigm
Authors: Suzuki Kunitake , Imanaka Kuniyasu
Published: September 2010

The goal of the present study was to examine whether a backward masking paradigm, in which a prime and a mask stimuli were consecutively presented with a short stimulus onset asynchrony affected the time needed for either the perceptual or motor stages of processing and the simple reaction times. The times needed for the perceptual and motor stages were evaluated by measuring the stimulus-locked and response-locked lateralized readiness potentials. The results showed that the onset of the stimulus-locked lateralized readiness potentials under the backward masking paradigm took place earlier than it did under the condition of a mask stimulus presented alone, whereas the onset of the response-locked lateralized readiness potentials did not significantly differ under different stimulus conditions. These results suggested that the participants responded to the masked prime stimulus despite being unaware of the prime stimulus. This may have been mediated by facilitation of the perceptual rather than motor stages.
Gaze Direction Influences Awareness in Recognition Memory for Faces after Intentional Learning
Authors: Daury Noémy
Published: September 2010

Previous research has shown that direct gaze elicits more hits than deviated gaze in face recognition tasks. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the state of awareness that accompanied recognition was different for faces with eye gaze directed toward the observer as compared with faces looking elsewhere. This state of awareness was assessed using the “Remember-Know-Guess” paradigm. Three different experiments were conducted including, respectively, 24 (12 women, 12 men), 24 (12 women, 12 men), and 28 (15 women, 13 men) volunteer participants ages 18 to 31 ( M1 = 20.8, SD1 = 2.8; M2 = 20.7, SD2 = 2.4; M3 = 21.5, SD3 = 3.6). Experiments comprised two incidental learning experiments using, respectively, frontal views and profile views of faces at encoding, and one intentional learning experiment using profile views of faces at encoding. Surprisingly, the effect of direct gaze observed in previous studies was not replicated. The rates of Hits were not significantly higher for faces showing direct gaze than for faces with deviated gaze across the three experiments. However, in the intentional learning experiment, rates of Remember responses were significantly higher in the direct gaze than in the deviated gaze condition.
Sharing Dreams: Sex and other Sociodemographic Variables
Authors: Schredl Michael
Published: September 2010

Dream sharing is a common experience for most people. Factors which might be related to dream sharing in a representative German sample were investigated in the present study. As expected, the frequency of positively toned and neutral dreams and the frequency of negatively toned dreams were related to dream sharing. In addition, an effect of sex was found: women shared their dreams more often than men. Dream sharing differing by social class and education might point to class-specific attitudes toward dreams which have not yet been studied in detail.
Voluntary Dehydration and Cognitive Performance in Trained College Athletes
Authors: D'Anci Kristen E. , Mahoney Caroline R. , Vibhakar Arjun , Kanter Jordan H. , Taylor Holly A.
Published: September 2010

Cognitive and mood decrements resulting from mild dehydration and glucose consumption were studied. Men and women (total N = 54; M age = 19.8 yr., SD = 1.2) were recruited from college athletic teams. Euhydration or dehydration was achieved by athletes completing team practices with or without water replacement. Dehydration was associated with higher thirst and negative mood ratings as well as better Digit Span performance. Participants showed better Vigilance Attention with euhydration. Hydration status and athlete's sex interacted with performance on Choice Reaction Time and Vigilance Attention. In a second study, half of the athletes received glucose prior to cognitive testing. Results for negative mood and thirst ratings were similar, but for cognitive performance the results were mixed. Effects of glucose on cognition were independent of dehydration.
Force, Reaction Time, and Precision of Kung Fu Strikes
Authors: Neto Osmar Pinto , Pacheco Marcos Tadeu Tavares , Bolander Richard , Bir Cynthia
Published: September 2010

The goal was to compare values of force, precision, and reaction time of several martial arts punches and palm strikes performed by advanced and intermediate Kung Fu practitioners, both men and women. 13 Kung Fu practitioners, 10 men and three women, participated. Only the men, three advanced and seven intermediate, were considered for comparisons between levels. Reaction time values were obtained using two high speed cameras that recorded each strike at 2500 Hz. Force of impact was measured by a load cell. For comparisons of groups, force data were normalized by participant's body mass and height. Precision of the strikes was determined by a high speed pressure sensor. The results show that palm strikes were stronger than punches. Women in the study presented, on average, lower values of reaction time and force but higher values of precision than men. Advanced participants presented higher forces than intermediate participants. Significant negative correlations between the values of force and precision and the values of force and reaction time were also found.
The Relationship of the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition
Authors: Smith Billy L. , McChristian Chrystal L. , Smith Teresa D. , Meaux Julie
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare scores on the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales (RIAS) with scores on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Third Edition (WAIS–III) in a group of college students diagnosed with a Learning Disability, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or a combination of the two. The RIAS Composite Index score was significantly higher than the WAIS–III Full Scale IQ, although scores on both tests were in the average range. Correlations between the two tests were significant on all measures. Male students were significantly higher than female students on both the RIAS Composite Index and on the WAIS–III Full Scale IQ. Although the ADHD group was higher on IQ than the Learning Disabled and combined disorder groups on all IQ measures, no significant differences were found.
Understanding the Relationship between Perceived Development of the Competition Plan and Sport Performance: Mediating Effects of Self-Efficacy and State Depression
Authors: Arruza Jose Antonio , Telletxea Saioa , de Montes Lorena Gil , Arribas Silvia , Balagué Gloria , Cecchini Jose Antonio , Brustad Robert J.
Published: September 2010

The effectiveness of competition plans on athletes' performance outcomes was assessed while accounting for the mediating influence of state depression and self-efficacy. Competition plans reflect an integrated and personalized plan that consists of a set of decision-making rules based on the principles of self-control and self-efficacy development that are tailored to the specific demands of an upcoming competition in a given sport and highly individualized to take into account the specific qualities of the athlete. The relationship between the development of a competition plan and athletes' evaluations of their competitive outcomes was of interest. 11 elite athletes participating in 104 competitions involving 7 different sports participated. Results support the beneficial effect of a well-developed competition plan in affecting athletes' perceived performance; the relationship was mediated by state depression and self-efficacy Coaches and sport psychologists should devote increased attention to the development and refinement of athletes' precompetition performance plans while also considering participants' self-efficacy and mood characteristics.
Effect of Fixation Point Distances on Allocation of Attention in Real Three-Dimensional Space
Authors: Kimura Takahiko , Miura Toshiaki , Shinohara Kazumitsu
Published: September 2010

Although variation in spatial relations between observer and objects is important when attention functions in three-dimensional space, the effects of changes in spatial relations on attention in real three-dimensional space are still unclear. In Exp. 1, the effects of varying distances of the fixation point on attention in a spatial cuing paradigm were investigated. In Exp. 2, the effects of increase in task demand were examined by making observers detect a blinking fixation point, while performing the same task as in Exp. 1. In both experiments, attention could be manipulated by a precue when the fixation-point distance changed from trial to trial, and in Exp. 2 distribution of attention was manipulated by perceptual load. These findings together indicate that allocation of attentional resources in three-dimensional space varies by task demand.
The Influence of Adiposity on Physiological, Perceptual, and Affective Responses during Walking at a Self-Selected Pace
Authors: DaSilva Sergio Gregorio , Guidetti Laura , Buzzachera Cosme Franklim , Elsangedy Hassan Mohamed , Colombo Heriberto , Krinski Kleverton , Santos Sergio Luiz Carlos Dos , De Campos Wagner , Baldari Carlo
Published: September 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of adiposity (%body fat) on physiological, perceptual, and affective responses during walking. 45 women were divided into low, medium, and high tertiles according to %body fat. Each participant completed a maximal exercise test and a 20-min. bout of walking at a self-selected pace. The preferred walking speed was similar among groups, whereas %VO2 max was greater in the high fertile group compared with the other two groups. Nevertheless, perceptual and affective responses were similar between the groups. These findings suggest that physiological responses relative to maximal capacity, but not perceptual and affective responses, of sedentary women are influenced by adiposity during walking at a self-selected pace. However, when the physiological responses are relative to ventilatory threshold, there are no differences between individuals with different levels of adiposity.
Gaze Shifts Do Not Affect Preference Judgments of Graphic Patterns
Authors: Nittono Hiroshi , Wada Yuka
Published: September 2010

The gaze cascade hypothesis argues that orienting behavior reflected in gaze shift plays an important role in preference formation for an object. Gazing at an object serves as reinforcement, by which the likelihood of gazing at that object again is increased. Evidence for this hypothesis has been obtained mainly from experiments in which people compare two facial stimuli for attractiveness. Two experiments were conducted to examine whether the gaze cascade effect occurs in preference judgments of novel graphic patterns. In Exp. 1, eye movements were tracked during three types of comparison tasks in which participants decided which one of two graphic patterns was more attractive, less attractive, or subjectively brighter. In Exp. 2, stimulus duration (900 or 300 msec.) and gaze shift (with or without) were manipulated. None of the results supported the hypothesis that gaze shifts would affect preference formation. Instead, the mere exposure effect was supported — stimuli that were viewed longer were preferred to those viewed for less time, regardless of gaze shift.
Effects of the Time Dimension and Presentation on Incidental Memory
Authors: Toyota Hiroshi
Published: September 2010

Undergraduates were presented targets on two occasions, and each time they were asked to choose one of two alternatives (past or future) associated with the targets in the orienting task, followed by an unexpected free recall. For the pleasant targets, the spaced presentation led to a better recall than the massed presentation for both past and future time. However, for unpleasant targets, the spacing effect was found in recall of targets associated with the past but the effect was not observed in recall of targets associated with the future. These results were interpreted as indicating that the quantity and the quality of the episodes associated with the targets were processed differently as a function of emotional attribute and time dimension.
The Dissociation of Small- and Large-Scale Spatial Abilities in School-Age Children
Authors: Jansen Petra
Published: September 2010

This experiment with school-age children was designed to assess the extent to which training in a “small-scale space”—so-called manual rotation training—can improve performance in a “large-scale space.” In a preliminary test, 72 9- and 10-yr.-olds completed a direction estimation test. Half of the children then completed manual rotation training or played a nonspatial computer game. All of the children subsequently performed the direction estimation test again. Performance in direction estimation did not differ between the preliminary test and the posttest. Thus, in contrast to the parallel study with adults, the “small-scale spatial ability” was not associated with “large-scale ability.”
Sex Differences Found in Facial EMG Activity Provoked by Viewing Pleasant and Unpleasant Photographs
Authors: Huang Hsin-Yu , Hu Senqi
Published: September 2010

50 male and 50 female participants' facial electromyographic (EMG) activity at the left corrugator and zygomatic muscle regions and self-reports of emotions were recorded while they were viewing Pleasant and Unpleasant photographs. Analysis showed that the ratio of EMG power between the periods of photograph viewing and baseline at the zygomatic muscle region was significantly higher than that at the corrugator muscle region while viewing Pleasant photographs and that the EMG ratio at the corrugator muscle region was significantly higher than that at the zygomatic muscle region while viewing Unpleasant photographs. Further analysis indicated that compared to men, women reported relatively higher feelings of pleasantness and generated significantly higher EMG ratios at the zygomatic muscle region while viewing Pleasant photographs and women reported significantly less feelings of pleasantness and generated significantly higher EMG ratios at the corrugator muscle region while viewing Unpleasant photographs. These results demonstrate the sex effects on emotion expression and associated EMG responses while viewing emotion provoking photographs.