bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serial Color-Word Test Predicts Outcome of Pharmacological Treatment for Panic Disorder
Authors: Rubino I. Alex , Scarpellino Angelo , Romeo Domenico , Della Rosa Alberto
Published: August 2011

A group of 50 outpatients with Panic Disorder were given the Serial Color-Word Test at the beginning of a standard pharmacological treatment (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and benzodiazepines). A single treating psychiatrist, blind to test results, judged therapy outcome at a 5-mo. follow-up. Among the main types of adaptation to conflict assessed by the test (Stabilized, Cumulative, Dissociative, and Cumulative-Dissociative), the Stabilized pattern predicted .1 good therapy outcome. Response to therapy among the patients with a Stabilized pattern was judged as more often good and less often moderate or poor, compared with the members of the other three adaptation classes ( p = .004), and specifically with the patients resorting to a Cumulative strategy ( p= .005).
Dynamometer Measurements of Hand-Grip Strength Predict Multiple Outcomes
Authors: Bohannon Richard W.
Published: August 2011

Hand-grip strength, which can be measured easily and objectively using a dynamometer, is predictive of multiple outcomes among a variety of subjects. Although the literature is not fully consistent, it tends to support grip strength as a predictor of postoperative complications, mortality, and functional decline. Hand-grip dynamometry may merit broader application as a screening procedure.
Perceived Exertion Scales Attest to Both Intensity and Exercise Duration
Authors: Garcin Murielle , Billat Veronique
Published: August 2011

The present purpose was to study the relationships between perceived exertion (RPE, ETL) and exercise duration for all-out runs eliciting vVO2 max. 12 endurance-trained men performed three exhausting exercises on an indoor track. The first test was an incremental exercise to measure their maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), the velocity associated with VO2 max (vVO2 max), the velocity of the lactate concentration threshold (vLT) and the velocity delta 50 (vA50: the velocity halfway between vVO2 max and vLT). The second and third tests were a constant load all-out run at vVO2 max and vA50 to measure the time to exhaustion at these intensities (dim vVO2 max and dimvA50, respectively). vA50 corresponded to 90.1 ± 2.5% vVO2 max; dim vVO2 max and tlimvA50 were equal to 286 ± 71 sec. and 547 ± 157 sec., respectively. For a same given relative time (%tlim), athletes perceived exercise as harder and felt that they could endure less for vVO2 max than vA50. When subjects began to perceive exercise as “hard” (RPE=15), they had run for only 36.4 ± 26.8%tlim at vVO2 max, whereas they had run for 46.1 ± 15.7 %dim at vA50. These results indicate that RPE and ETL scales were a combined subjective estimation of both intensity and exercise duration for all-out runs at 90 and 100% vVO2 max. Therefore, this scale could be used to assess duration as well as intensity of exercise for the practical application in sport. Moreover, it could be suggested that exercise duration can be prescribed as a function of perceived exertion for healthy normal people. Consequently, perceived exertion could be an important tool to individualize the prescription of a training program.
After-Effects of Using a Weighted Bat on Subsequent Swing Velocity and Batters' Perceptions of Swing Velocity and Heaviness
Authors: Otsuji Tamiki , Abe Masafumi , Kinoshita Hiroshi
Published: August 2011

In baseball and Softball, warm-up swings with a weighted bat have been believed to increase swing velocity when an ordinary bat is used in the subsequent competitive situation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the aftereffects of using a weighted bat on subsequent swing velocity and batters' perceptions of swing velocity and heaviness. Eight men in varsity Softball and baseball hit a ball suspended from the ceiling 45 times (3 sets of 15 trials). For each set, the initial 5 trials were done using an ordinary 920-g wooden bat (Control condition), and the following 5 trials by a bat with an 800-g bat ring (Weighted condition), and the final 5 trials again by the ordinary bat (post-Weighted condition). Analysis of variance showed a significant decrease of 3.3% in the measured linear velocity of the bat prior to impact with the ball for the first swing of the post-Weighted condition compared with the Control condition. From the second swing the velocity returned to the level of the Control condition. Subjective judgment of the heaviness and velocity of swings for the Weighted and post-Weighted conditions by each participant showed that the ordinary bat felt lighter and swing speed felt faster for the post-Weighted condition. The advantage of the warm-up with a weighted bat was thus psychological and not biomechanical.
Effects of Single Trial of Heart-Rate Biofeedback during Ramp Bicycling Exercise
Authors: Inoue Yumiko , Sadamoto Tomoko
Published: August 2011

We examined whether a single trial of heart-rate biofeedback was effective to attenuate heart-rate responses during ramp exercise despite a lack of biofeedback conditioning. 35 healthy women exercised in two trials while they tried to attenuate their heart rate by watching biofeedback signals or they only exercised without biofeedback signals (Control trial). 17 subjects were able to attenuate the heart rate during Biofeedback trial (Can group) whereas the remaining subjects were not (Cannot group). In the Can group, the magnitude of heart-rate attenuation in all exercise time was equivalent to 11 ±3% of the preexercise heart rate. Since the heart-rate reduction was similar to that achieved after the heart-rate biofeedback conditioning in previous studies, it is likely that the single trial of heart-rate biofeedback was effective for almost half the subjects to attenuate the heart-rate responses during ramp exercise.
Lack of Association of Computer Use and Ability with Spontaneous Mental Visualization
Authors: Antonietti Alessandro , Colombo Barbara , Pérez-Fabello Maria José
Published: August 2011

Relationships between frequency of computer use or ability to use the computer effectively with the tendency to construct and process visual mental images were investigated by administering a computer-use questionnaire and a visualization questionnaire to a sample of 185 Italian and Spanish undergraduates. Analysis did not support associations between either (a) frequent computer use of any kind or (b) high competence in using the computer for various purposes and spontaneous use of imagery.
Color and Number Preferences of Patients with Psychiatric Disorders in Eastern Turkey
Authors: Kuloğlu Murat , Atmaca Murad , Tezcan A. Ertan , Unal Ahmet , Gecici Omer
Published: August 2011

Color and number preferences have not been studied in healthy subjects and psychiatric patients in Turkey. The study group consisted of a total of 500 patients who had been referred to Firat University Medical Faculty Psychiatry Clinic between March and July 2000 and diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder according to DSM-IV criteria. Preferred colors were requested as a selection from the Lüscher Color Test. Then the patients were told to choose a number between 0 and 9. Green was the most frequently preferred of all colors and the number 3 was the most preferred number. Our results demonstrate that patients' choice of color and number reflect the region's religious and cultural milieu.
Use of an Ecologically Based Program for Teaching Motor Skills in a Naturalistic Setting to Individuals with Disabilities
Authors: Zhang Jiabei , Berkey Debra
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this action study was to apply an ecological program for teaching motor skills to individuals with disabilities in naturalistic settings. The program was developed based on an ecological survey. Participants were 22 individuals with disabilities, ages 7 to 26 years in the Fall of 1998 and 18 individuals with disabilities, ages 7 to 24 in the Winter of 1999. In each semester, a participant received one or two 50-min. training session(s) per week for 10 weeks. The number of steps in a motor-activity task performed correctly by a participant was measured in the first and last sessions in each semester. The magnitude of increase in the motor performance by participants and answers to questions in a short survey by participants' parents were used to describe the group performance. Analysis showed group performance of targeted motor skills could be improved using this ecological program in this local learning lab for special physical education.
A Warning about Statistical Significance Tests Performed on Large Samples of Nonindependent Observations
Authors: Zimmerman Donald W.
Published: August 2011

When sample observations are not independent, the variance estimate in the denominator of the Student t statistic is altered, inflating the value of the test statistic and resulting in far too many Type I errors. Furthermore, how much the Type I error probability exceeds the nominal significance level is an increasing function of sample size. If N is quite large, in the range of 100 to 200 or larger, small apparently inconsequential correlations that are unknown to a researcher, such as .01 or .02, can have substantial effects and lead to false reports of statistical significance when effect size is zero.
Geophysical Variables and Behavior: XCVII. Increased Proportions of the Left-Sided Sense of Presence Induced Experimentally by Right Hemispheric Application of Specific (Frequency-Modulated) Complex Magnetic Fields
Authors: Tiller S. G. , Persinger M. A.
Published: August 2011

12 young men and women who were not aware of the stimulus order were exposed to 8 configurations of weak (1 microTesla) magnetic fields for 5 min. each, applied primarily over the right parietotemporal region. The numbers of sensed presences along the left side, right side, or front/back, as inferred by button presses at the time of the experience, were recorded. There were significantly (η2 =.37) more experiences along the left side than the right side during the presentations of a frequency-modulated (Thomas) pattern with 3-msec. point durations compared to the presentation of its temporally reversed structure or to patterns that were more or less complex. 40% of all left-sided presences occurred during the 5-min. presentation of this specific frequency-modulated pattern. These results suggest that the subjective lateralization of a sensed presence to the left during right hemispheric stimulation by weak magnetic fields is enhanced by the specific temporal structure of the applied field.
Sex Differences in Susceptibility to the Poggendorff Illusion
Authors: Declerck Carolyn , De Brabander Bert
Published: August 2011

This study presents experimental results indicating that there are sex differences in the susceptibility to a geometric optical illusion. Participants (57 male and 39 female undergraduate students) performed 3 trials on a test involving the Poggendorff illusion. Analysis indicated that the magnitude of the illusion diminished significantly with each trial and that the percent perceived error was significantly larger for women than for men. This finding is consistent with the numerous studies which have indicated better visuospatial abilities for men than for women.
Temporal Accuracy of Mentally Simulated Transport Movements
Authors: Munzert Jörn
Published: August 2011

Several studies have indicated a clear correspondence in the durations of active versus mentally simulated actions. The present study examined whether this would also be found when a new and unfamiliar task (the pedalo) was given to 15 sports students aged 21 to 27 years, and the range of mental simulation was extended to cover two different modalities. Despite several modifications of experimental procedure, results always showed high correlations between actual and mental durations similar to those reported for walking by Decety, Jeannerod, and Prablanc in 1989. There were also higher scores on absolute error. However, there were no significant differences between mental simulations with open versus closed eyes. It is concluded that the timing of the execution and mental simulation of closed and cyclical movements is interrelated and based on common mechanisms.
Amount of Newspaper Coverage of High School Athletics for Boys and Girls on Sports Page and Newspaper Circulation
Authors: Pedersen Paul M. , Whisenant Warren A.
Published: August 2011

This study analyzed the amount of coverage for high school athletics in 43 newspapers with small circulation by devoting 40% of their interscholastic athletics coverage to girls in athletics, printed significantly more articles about girls' athletics than did the newspapers with medium (33%) or large (32%) circulation. Therefore, the smaller the newspaper circulation, the more equitable the coverage of athletics for girls and boys. This finding was consistent with some prior work but not all.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Group Environment Questionnaire with Co-Acting Sports
Authors: Sullivan Philip J. , Short Sandra E. , Cramer Kenneth M.
Published: August 2011

To assess whether the Group Environment Questionnaire is applicable to athletes in co-acting sports such as track and field, the factor structure of the Group Environment Questionnaire among a heterogeneous sample of 199 co-acting team sport athleres was investigated. A confirmatory factor analysis did not support the hypothesized four-factor model. A subsequent exploratory facror analysis yielded two independent factors chat had no interpretable pattern of the four Group Environment Questionnaire factors within them. While this finding requires replication and confirmation, rhe four-factor model of the Group Environment Questionnaire does nor appear ro be as valid for co-acting sports as for interacting sports.
EEG Correlates of Behavioural Laterality: Ear Dominance
Authors: Papousek Ilona , Schulter Günter
Published: August 2011

To examine whether ear dominance in a dichotic pitch-discrimination task is associated with asymmetrical activation of the two cortical hemispheres, ear dominance scores and electroencephalographic (EEG) laterality were correlated in two independent samples ( ns = 46 and 128). The results indicate that ear dominance can partly be attributed to a relatively stronger activation of the contralateral prefrontal cortex. The observed association may reflect the tendency to direct attention preferably to one ear.
Visual Search Strategies of Baseball Batters: Eye Movements during the Preparatory Phase of Batting
Authors: Kato Takaaki , Fukuda Tadahiko
Published: August 2011

The aim of this study was to analyze visual search strategies of baseball batters during the viewing period of the pitcher's motion. The 18 subjects were 9 experts and 9 novices. While subjects viewed a videotape which, from a right-handed batter's perspective, showed a pitcher throwing a series of 10 types of pitches, their eye movements were measured and analyzed. Novices moved their eyes faster than experts, and the distribution area of viewing points was also wider than that of the experts. The viewing duration of experts of the pitching arm was longer than those of novices during the last two pitching phases. These results indicate that experts set their visual pivot on the pitcher's elbow and used peripheral vision properties to evaluate the pitcher's motion and the ball trajectory.
Reliability of the WMS–III Discrepancy Comparisons
Authors: Charter Richard A.
Published: August 2011

Internal consistency reliabilities for the WMS–III Primary Indexes, Primary Index subtest, and Ability–Memory discrepancy scores are provided. The reliabilities ranged from .00 to .89.
Age and Distraction by Telephone Conversation in Task Performance: Implications for Use of Cellular Telephones While Driving
Authors: Lyda Laramée , Osborne Virginia M. , Coleman Pamela , Rienzi Beth
Published: August 2011

Predicted to diminish task performance were (a) distraction by telephone conversation and (b) older age. 38 participants pointed to letters on a randomized or alphabetized letter matrix during distraction by telephone conversation or no distraction. In a within-subjects design telephone conversation negatively affected completion time but there were no age differences. Implications for cellular telephone use while driving are discussed.
Instructors' and Classroom Characteristics Associated with Exercise Enjoyment by Females
Authors: Wininger Steven R.
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between exercise enjoyment and participant's perceptions of selected characteristics of the exercise instructor and exercise class. Women ( N = 296) attending aerobics classes at a university fitness center were surveyed. Analysis yielded significant correlations among exercise enjoyment and the four characteristics of instructor and five for classroom. Correlations ranged from .16 to .32. Stepwise regression analysis was also conducted. Three of the nine characteristics entered into the model: (1) instructor's personal fitness, (2) instructor's ability to communicate instruction, and (3) liking of other participants in the class. The three variables combined accounted for only 17% of the variability for enjoyment of exercise.
Changes in Ratings of Figure Preference in Girls Ages Five to Seven Years
Authors: Tiggemann Marika , Lowes Jacinta
Published: August 2011

12 girls ages 5 to 7 years indicated their figure preferences two times, 15 months apart. There was no difference in selection of current and ideal figures at Time 1, but 15 months later the girls rated their ideal figure significantly smaller than the current figure as have older girls and women.
Correlations for the Stroop Color and Word Test with Measures of Reading and Language Achievement
Authors: Leverett J. Patrick , Lassiter Kerry S. , Buchanan Gray M.
Published: August 2011

The present investigation examined the relationships for scores on the Stroop Color and Word Test with measures of reading and language achievement within an adult population. The Stroop Color and Word Test, Nelson-Denny Reading Test, Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery–Revised, and Wide Range Achievement Test-3 were administered to 99 men ranging in age From 18 to 27 years. Pearson product-moment correlations indicated that the Stroop Word task was positively associated with scores on the WRAT–3 Spelling task, the Woodcock-Johnson Basic and Broad Reading tasks, and the Nelson-Denny Reading Rate and Comprehension tasks. These and other significant relationships were discussed in terms of possible implications regarding the assessment of reading achievement.
About Spatial Intelligence: I
Authors: Eliot John
Published: August 2011

Spatial intelligence is characterized in terms of a continuum of research perspectives which range from a physiological or sensory awareness to a complex thought and cultural emphasis.
Alexithymia is Not Related to Tolerance for Cold Pressor Pain
Authors: Jackson Todd , Nagasaka Takeo , Fritch April , Gunderson Jennifer
Published: August 2011

To test the hypothesis that higher scores on alexithymia are associated with reduced tolerance for cold pressor pain, 116 college undergraduates completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale–20 of Bagby, Parker and Taylor and engaged in the cold pressor test. Their alexithymia scores were not associated with tolerance for cold pressor pain, suggesting that individuals scoring high on alexithymia do not show a general hypersensitivity to a cold stimulus.
Influence of Generalized Complexity of a Musical Event on Subjective Time Estimation
Authors: Bueno José Lino Oliveira , Firmino Érico Artioli , Engelman Arno
Published: August 2011

This study examined the variations in the apparent duration of music events produced by differences in their generalized compositional complexity. Stimuli were the first 90 sec. of Gustav Mahler's 3rd Movement of Symphony No. 2 (low complexity) and the first 90 sec. of Luciano Bério's 3rd Movement of Symphony for Eight Voices and Orchestra (high complexity). Bério's symphony is another “reading” of Mahler's. On the compositional base of Mahler's symphony, Bério explored complexity in several musical elements—temporal (i.e., rhythm), nontemporal (i.e., pitch, orchestral and vocal timbre, texture, density), and verbal (i.e., text, words, phonemes). These two somewhat differently filled durations were reproduced by 10 women and 6 men with a stopwatch under the prospective paradigm. Analysis showed that the more generalized complexity of the musical event was followed by greater subjective estimation of the duration of this 90-sec. symphonic excerpt.
Examination of Residuals to Vancouver Crisis Call Data by Using Hidden Markov Models
Authors: Laverty W. H. , Miket M. J. , Kelly I. W.
Published: August 2011

Three years of daily crisis calls ( N=2,513,478) were examined in a regression analysis with terms for effects for weekday, end and beginning of the month, holiday, seasonal trend, and long-term linear trend. This was followed by an analysis of residuals using hidden Markov models, with three states best fitting the residuals. These states may reflect economic or environmental variables which researchers should clarify in further work.
Laterality of Lesions and Trait-Anxiety on Working Memory Performance
Authors: Killgore William D. S.
Published: August 2011

An asymmetry of anterior cerebral activation favoring the right hemisphere has been associated with dispositional negative affect including trait-anxiety, while the opposite appears true of cerebral asymmetry favoring the left hemisphere. It was hypothesized that an asymmetry of cerebral activation, as defined by scores on a measure of trait-anxiety, ipsilateral to the side of an anterior brain lesion would be associated with less efficient cognitive processing than greater activation in the hemisphere contralateral to the lesion. Patients with anterior left ( n = 16) or right ( n = 15) hemisphere lesions completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and several neurocognitive tasks. Of the abilities tested, only Digit Span scores showed an interaction between side of lesion and presumed activation asymmetry. Patients with right- but not with left-hemisphere damage showed significant differences in working memory performance depending on the presumed direction of asymmetry of the two hemispheres, supporting the dual roles of the right hemisphere in affective processing and directed attention.
Metamotivational States Displayed Using Differential Digital Photoplethysmograms While Listening to Music and Noise
Authors: Matsuura Miharu
Published: August 2011

The theory of psychological reversal postulates that individuals switch between paratelic and telic metamotivational states. To observe the paratelic state as an actual phenomenon using a physiological index, a correlation between changes in P-wave amplitudes of differential digital photoplethysmograms (ΔDPG) of 24 undergraduate students while listening to music and changes in mood pre to postlistening was investigated. Elevation in arousal of the sympathetic nervous system, as indicated by ΔDPG, was related to improvement in mood. It was assumed that the subjects who were aroused more while listening to music enjoyed the high arousal more and were more susceptible to a pleasant state. This was interpreted as a paratelic state. In listening to a noise condition using another 24 undergraduate students, however, the correlation was inverse of that for the music condition. It was assumed that the subjects who spent more effort in identifying stimuli showed more elevation in arousal of the sympathetic nervous system and more aggravation in mood. This was interpreted as a telic state.
Singaporean Graduate Majors in Education Perceptions of Workplaces and Roles of Psychologists
Authors: Tan Ai-Girl , Lim Kam-Ming
Published: August 2011

This paper examined perceptions of workplaces and roles of psychologists of 315 Singaporean undergraduate students in education. The participants rated the appropriateness of 21 workplaces and 32 roles of psychologists using a 7-point scale. The group showed restricted views of psychology and psychologists as they related psychologists' work mainly to social and organizational services and referred roles of psychologists to giving social services related to delinquency and disorders.
Information on Cholesterol Program
Authors: Kawada Tomoyuki
Published: August 2011

Factors in low cholesterol values among elderly require very careful monitoring and attention during treatment.
Excess of Mixed-Footedness among Professional Soccer Players
Authors: Grouios George , Kollias Nikos , Koidou Irini , Poderi Anastasia
Published: August 2011

This study concerns the distribution of footedness among professional soccer players ( n = 415) and nonsporting university students ( n = 430). Chisquared showed that there were statistically significant differences between the proportion of mixed-footedness in the two groups ( p <.0001). It appears that mixed-footedness or the ability to use both feet with an almost equal consistency is an important factor in the potential of individuals to reach high skill in soccer play. The mixed-footedness of these professional soccer players can be understood best in terms of both the nature of the game and genetic predisposition. This result is of direct interest in the context of those activities in which structural and functional biases in the lower extremities are important variables in acquisition and performance of motor skill.
Women's Anxiety about Social and Exercise Settings
Authors: Walton Vicki R. , Finkenberg Mel E.
Published: August 2011

This study involved a comparison of social physique anxiety, assessed through the application of a modified version of the Social Physique Anxiety Scale, with 28 women who were new members exercising at all-female facilities compared to 43 new female members exercising at coeducational facilities. Analyses indicated there were no significant differences in means between the groups. The scores of women attending all-female facilities were significantly more influenced by the sex of members when choosing a facility.
Historical Literacy of Advanced Undergraduate Psychology Students: Pedagogical Implications for Courses in the History of Psychology
Authors: Woody William Douglas , Viney Wayne , Johns Jayson C.
Published: August 2011

139 junior and senior students enrolled in courses in the history of psychology at two universities were tested on the first day of class to assess general historical literacy, literacy in the history of psychology, and recognition of 51 important figures in the history of psychology. Serious deficiencies in their historical knowledge present important pedagogical implications for the teaching of the history of the discipline.
Right-Left Discrimination in Younger and Older Children Measured with Two Tests Containing Stimuli on Different Abstraction Levels
Authors: Ofte Sonja H. , Hugdahl Kenneth
Published: August 2011

Two paper-and-pen tests, consisting of line drawings of human figures, viewed from the back, the front, or randomly alternating between back and front drawings, were used to study right-left discrimination in younger and older children. One test, called the Abstract test, had just a circle to indicate heads of the figures. The other test, called the Concrete test, showed facial characteristics and hair in the head circle. The sample consisted of 280 younger and older children, ages 7–8 and 12–13 years, respectively. The main findings were that participants who responded to the Concrete test solved more items correctly compared to those using the old figures in the Abstract test. The error scores did not differ between the tests. The older children solved more items correctly than the younger children. The older children also showed a significant decrease in correct scores on the subtest with the alternating views subtest compared with the other subtests. Their error scores did not differ across the subtests. The younger children solved a similar number of correct items on all subtests; however, they made significantly more errors on the subtest using the front view than on the other two subtests. The results are discussed in relation to theories of hemispheric lateralization, brain development, and cognitive development.
Ratings of Perceived Exertion during Low- and High-Intensity Resistance Exercise by Young Adults
Authors: Lagally Kristen M. , Gallagher Kara I. , Robertson Robert J. , Gearhart Randall , Goss Fredric L.
Published: August 2011

Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) are commonly used to monitor the intensity of aerobic exercise. Whether ratings of perceived exertion can be used similarly during resistance exercise is unclear. To examine this question, perceived exertion was measured at 30% and 90% of the one-repetition maximum (1-RM), while holding work constant between intensities. Ratings for the active muscles and for the overall body were examined during both intensities. 10 male (age = 23.2 ± 3.6 yr.) and nine female (age = 21.8 ± 2.7 yr.) volunteers underwent a one-repetition maximum procedure for each of the following exercises; bench press, leg press, latissimus pull down, triceps press, biceps curl, shoulder press, and calf raise. All subjects then completed two experimental trials on separate days. The high-intensity trial consisted of one set of five repetitions at 90% of the one-repetition maximum. The low-intensity trial consisted of one set of 15 repetitions at 30% of the one-repetition maximum. Active muscle and overall body ratings of perceived exertion were obtained immediately at termination of each of the seven exercises at both intensities. A two-factor (RPE x Intensity) repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed separately for each exercise. Both active muscle and overall body ratings of perceived exertion were higher ( p<.01) for the high-intensity trial than for the low intensity trial. Active muscle ratings were higher ( p<.01) than overall body ratings for all exercises. Ratings of perceived exertion during resistance exercise are related to intensity of the resistance exercise (percentage of the one-repetition maximum). This information suggests that ratings of perceived exertion can provide information regarding the intensity of resistance exercise. Furthermore, sensations of exertion in the active muscles during resistance exercise are greater than sensations for the overall body.
Mood Changes following Exercise
Authors: Lane Andrew M. , Crone-Grant Diane , Lane Helen
Published: August 2011

26 participants completed a mood measure to assess anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, tension, and vigor immediately before and immediately after two exercise sessions. Analysis showed significant mood enhancement for each exercise session. Follow-up univariate results indicated that Depressed mood scores were reduced significantly and Fatigue scores increased significantly following the first exercise session. Scores after the second exercise session indicated that Depressed mood decreased significantly. There was no interaction. Results lend support for the notion that exercise reduces depressed mood scores. It is suggested that researchers should consider the mechanisms that produce changes in mood following exercise.
Rehearsal of Task Variations and Contextual Interference Effect in a Field Setting
Authors: Li Yuhua , Lima Rogerio Pereira
Published: August 2011

The present study showed a consistent pattern with a typical contextual interference effect in motor skill learning ( N = 38 adults). Individuals trained under the high contextual interference condition may receive greater learning benefits than those under the low contextual interference condition during the rehearsal of task variations of a single motor skill in a field setting.
Training and Assessing Complex Decision-Making in a Virtual Environment
Authors: Pleban Robert J. , Matthews Michael D. , Salter Margaret S. , Eakin David E.
Published: August 2011

The current report describes a procedure for training and assessing complex decision-making in a virtual environment. Focusing on small unit leaders, 7 experienced and 7 inexperienced Army platoon leaders performed missions in a combat simulator, where they were required to direct the activities of 3 subordinate leaders and computer-generated forces in 4 different operations in a virtual urban setting. Objective and subjective assessments of the training value of the simulations showed that both experienced an inexperienced platoon leaders improved their decision-making across the four missions, and both groups rated this “virtual environment” training procedure as useful and positive. Lessons learned and implications for designing similar training protocols for other domains are discussed.
Application of Fitts' Law to Individuals with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Gump Alison , Legare Miriam , Hunt Deborah L.
Published: August 2011

Cerebral palsy is a condition that results in motor abnormalities as a direct consequence of injury to the developing brain. Fitts' law, which describes a speed-accuracy tradeoff in visually guided movements, has been shown to characterize the motor behavior of normal subjects during aiming tasks. To assess whether Fitts' law can also describe the aimed movements of persons with cerebral palsy, eight cerebral palsied adults participated in an aimed movement study. 12 targets were used with Indices of Difficulty ranging from 2.19 to 6.00 bits. The impact of Gan and Hoffmann's 1988 ballistic movement factor, A, and Fitts' 1954 Index of Difficulty on subject's movement and reaction times was examined using multivariate linear models. The analysis of the full data set yielded a significant effect of A on movement times and no significant adherence to Fitts' law. However, high error rates that could be the result of oculomotor problems among the subject group were noted, and the method of handling errors had a large effect on the results. Tracking eye position during a Fitts' law task would provide information regarding the effect of oculomotor difficulties on aiming tasks in the cerebral palsied subject group.
Closure Principle: Relations across Domains
Authors: Frederick-Recascino Christina M. , Wisher Judith K.
Published: August 2011

The present study examined a possible relationship between perceptual closure and social need for closure. These closure abilities were not correlated across domains of application.
Long-Term Predictive Validity of the Miller Assessment for Preschoolers
Authors: Parush S. , Winikur M. , Goldstand S. , Miller L. J.
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive validity of the Miller Assessment for Preschoolers in a sample of children in Israel. 30 children ( M age 7 yr., 8 mo.) were selected from a group of typical children registered in 4 Mother and Child Health Care Centers in central Israel; they were originally tested as preschoolers ( M age 3 yr., 10 mo.) on this procedure. They were retested after an interval of 5 to 7 yr. on academically related tests. Correlations between the Total scores and most of the Follow-up test scores indicate significant correspondence (.41-,70). Regression analysis indicated that visuomotor integration and handwriting accounted for 58% of the variance. These results contribute to the empirical evidence regarding the predictive abilities of this procedure and indicate its validity cross-culturally over an extended follow-up interval of 5 to 7 yr.
A Study into Regional, Age, and Sex Differences in Students' Ratings of Cartoon Humor
Authors: Lowis Michael J.
Published: August 2011

Funniness ratings of cartoon humour by 366 university students showed no differences for age, sex, and region of origin, except for higher scores by men on work-related items. Ratings appear to be largely uninfluenced by factors other than how inherently amusing the items seem to be.
Curriculum Enrichment with Self-Testing Activities in Development of Fundamental Movement Skills of First-Grade Children in Greece
Authors: Karabourniotis Dimitrios , Evaggelinou Christina , Tzetzis George , Kourtessis Thomas
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Self-testing activities on the development of fundamental movement skills in first-grade children in Greece. Two groups of children were tested. The Control group ( n = 23 children) received the regular 12-wk. physical education school program and the Experimental group ( n = 22 children) received a 12-wk. skill-oriented program with an increasing allotment of self-testing activities. The Test of Gross Motor Development was used to assess fundamental movement skills, while the content areas of physical education courses were estimated with an assessment protocol, based on the interval recording system called the Academic Learning Time-Physical Education. A 2 × 2 repeated measures analysis of variance with group as the between factor and testing time (pretest vs posttest) as the repeated-measures factor was performed to assess differences between the two groups. A significant interaction of group with testing time was found for the Test of Gross Motor Development total score, with the Experimental group scoring higher then the Control group. A significant main effect was also found for test but not for group. This study provides evidence supporting the notion that a balanced allotment of the self-testing and game activities beyond the usual curriculum increases the fundamental motor-skill development of children. Also, it stresses the necessity for content and performance standards for the fundamental motor skills in educational programs. Finally, it seems that the Test of Gross Motor Development is a useful tool for the assessment of children's fundamental movement skills.
Interaction between Transient Change in Local Muscle Structure and Segmented Leg Motor Responses
Authors: Chong Raymond K. Y. , Do Manh Cuong
Published: August 2011

We investigated the interaction between transient change in the local structure of gastrocnemius muscle fibers and the segmented leg motor responses elicited by toes-up rotation of the support surface. The gastrocnemius muscle in healthy young subjects underwent a sustained 2-min. isometric stretch (Prestretch group), followed immediately by the rotations. Analysis showed that the prestretch affected the amplitude of the monosynaptic but not the automatic components of the medial gastrocnemius muscle responses (monosynaptic response: 93 ±20% of the mean of the last three rotations in the Prestretch group compared to 174 ± 42% in the Control group; automatic response: 128 ± 18% in the Prestretch group versus 123 ± 31% in the Control group). The shortened tibialis anterior muscle response and the onset latencies of responses were not affected by prestretching the gastrocnemius muscle. The prestretch effect on the amplitude of the monosynaptic (mediated by group la afferents) but not the automatic gastrocnemius muscle response (mediated by group II afferents) suggests that the automatic component of the muscle response to platform rotations has a stronger supraspinal influence than the monosynaptic response and is thus less affected by local events such as prolonged stretching.
Recognition Accuracy by Experienced Men and Women Players of Basketball
Authors: Millslagle Duane G.
Published: August 2011

This study examined 30 experienced basketball players' recognition accuracy by sex, playing position (guard, forward, and center), and situations in the game of basketball. The study used a perceptual cognitive paradigm in which subjects viewed slides of structured and unstructured game situations and accurately recognized the presence or absence of the basketball. A significant difference in recognition accuracy by sex, players' position, and Structure of the game situation was found. Male players' recognition accuracy was better than the female players'. The recognition accuracy of subjects who played guard was better than that of subjects who played forward or center. The players' recognition accuracy was more accurate when observing structured plays versus unstructured plays. The conclusion of this study suggested that experienced basketball players differ in their cognitive and visual searching processes by sex and player position within the sport of basketball.
Minority and Majority Students' Retrospective Perceptions of Social Support in Doctoral Programs
Authors: Williams Keith B.
Published: August 2011

This study examined the perceptions of amount and types of social support reported by minority and majority doctoral students during graduate school. Analysis of responses from 803 White, 292 African-American, 179 Asian-American, 151 Hispanic, and 29 Native American doctoral students ( N = 1,454) using the Doctoral Student Survey showed that most doctoral students across groups were moderately satisfied with their programs and they perceived the academic environment and faculty advisors to be strong sources of social support. White doctoral students reported greater program satisfaction, more positive perceptions of the academic environment, and fewer program problems than African-American doctoral students, while the latter reported more negative perceptions of the social environment than the other group.
A Pilot Study of a Dynamical Systems Approach to Examining Changes in Static Balance of Adolescents
Authors: Wicke Jason , Jensen Robert
Published: August 2011

In a dynamical systems model, movement patterns are dictated by several variables, called control parameters. The goal of this pilot study was to assess whether changes on a static balance task can be described by a dynamical systems model with body inertial properties as one of the potential control parameters. Three aspects of a dynamic system were examined in relation to a 2-ft. static balance task: a relation between the changes in the balance pattern and the control parameter, a relation between the stability of the balance pattern and the stability under perturbed conditions (1-ft. balance task), and during the perturbation lack of relation between the balance pattern and the control parameters. Nine adolescent boys, 15.3 ± 1.0 yr. old were examined twice over a 14-wk. period. During each testing session, participants' body mass, moments of inertia, and radius from the ankle to the center of mass were calculated, after which 1- and 2-ft. balance tasks were performed. Center of pressure coordinates were recorded using a Kistler force plate. The body parameters were used to calculate the natural frequency of the body to represent the control parameter. Significant relations among all three aspects of a dynamic system examined in both the lateral and anterior-posterior axes were found. This investigation was designed for exploratory purposes and limited to correlational analysis; therefore, no concrete conclusions could be drawn. The results, however, suggest a dynamical systems approach to the study of static balance patterns may be possible.
Relation of Maximal Ankle Dorsiflexion Angle and Passive Resistive Torque to Passive-Elastic Stiffness of Ankle Dorsiflexion Stretch
Authors: Gajdosik Richard L. , Williams Ann K.
Published: August 2011

The maximal passive ankle dorsiflexion angle and the maximal passive resistive torque at this angle were measured for 81 women 20 to 84 years of age and correlated with the passive-elastic stiffness (stiffness) of an ankle dorsiflexion stretch. Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analyses were used to examine whether the two clinical measurements could predict ankle stiffness. The maximal passive resistive torque showed a moderate correlation with stiffness in the full stretch range ( r = .69) and high correlation with stiffness in the last half of the full stretch range ( r = .84). The maximal dorsiflexion angle showed a low correlation with stiffness in the full stretch range ( r = .27) and in the last half of the full stretch range ( r = .36). The maximal passive resistive torque and the dorsiflexion angle together accounted for 54% of the stiffness variance in the full stretch range and 76% of the stiffness variance in the last half of the full stretch range. Thus, the clinical measurements of the maximal passive dorsiflexion angle and the maximal passive resistive torque were directly and significantly related to the ankle dorsiflexion passive-elastic stiffness and good predictors of stiffness in the last half of the passive ankle dorsiflexion stretch.
Attention Deficits in Children with Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Nabors Nina A. , Freymuth Angela K.
Published: August 2011

Previous research has suggested that children with sickle cell disease may exhibit cognitive deficits even in the absence of direct cerebrovascular involvement (stroke). This study was designed to assess specific attentional deficits in children with sickle cell disease. 12 children with sickle cell disease (Hb SS) with a prior history of stroke, 14 children with sickle cell disease (Hb SS) without evidence of stroke, and 13 similar aged siblings (Hb AA or Hb AS) were compared on measures of attention, intellectual functioning, achievement, and adaptive Functioning, Significant differences were found between children with sickle cell disease (with or without stroke) and healthy controls on a timed test of visual scanning, the Coding subtest of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Revised, and subtests of Reading, Arithmetic, and Spelling from the Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised. The differences between children with sickle cell disease and their healthy siblings appear to be the result of strokes rather than sickle cell disease itself as children with sickle cell disease without strokes did not significantly differ from controls. Implications for the effects of sickle cell disease and stroke on academic performance are discussed.
Issues in Exercise, Fitness, and Subjective Perceptions of Fitness of Physical Education Teachers
Authors: Shephard Roy J.
Published: August 2011

Several issues arise on reading the paper by Netz and Raviv. Their role in interpretation of the data and stimulating questions for further study is mentioned.
A Theory of Sulcal-Gap Signalization
Authors: Montare Alberto
Published: August 2011

Two sulcal-gap signalization systems are hypothesized to have evolved as emergent functional “exaptations” having the capacity to transmit two-way cortex-to-cortex signals across tissues embedded in opposing sulcal banks. Hypothesis 1 posits that a primary sulcal-gap signalization system evolved the capacity to transmit nonlanguage signals within hierarchically lower-order sensory, motor, and perceptual functional areas of the neocortex having elemental functional units consisting of columns of about 110 neurons. Hypothesis 2 posits that a secondary sulcal-gap signalization system evolved the capacity to transmit language signals within hierarchically higher-order cognitive functional areas of the “neo-neocortex” having elemental functional units consisting of modules of about 4,000 neurons. Neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, neuroevolutionary, and neurodevelopmental evidence is presented in support of these two sulcal-gap hypotheses. It is speculated that the combined cognitive capacities of these two sulcal-gap signalization systems may contribute to the transduction of physiological brain into psychological mind.
Relations among Hand Preference, Craniofacial Asymmetry, and Ear Advantage in Young Subjects
Authors: Dane Şenol , Gümüştekin Kenan , Polat Pinar , Uslu Celil , Akar Sedat , Daştan Ali
Published: August 2011

The relations for hand preference with craniofacial asymmetry and ear advantage, and between craniofacial asymmetry and ear advantage were investigated in young healthy subjects. Ear advantage was recorded as duration of hearing, craniofacial asymmetry by computerized tomography in 44 right-handed and 38 left-handed male and female high school students. Right-handers had a right ear advantage and a larger left craniofacial region, whereas left-handers had a left ear advantage and a larger right craniofacial region. These results are consistent with the speculation that hand preference may be related to craniofacial and consequently aural asymmetries.