Definitive conclusions concerning the impact of exercise interventions on children’s mental functioning are difficult to ascertain because of procedural differences among studies. A narrative review of studies was conducted to evaluate the role of two types of exercise interventions on children’s cognition. Acute and chronic exercise interventions were classified as quantitative or qualitat…
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine, using meta-analytic measures, the evidence regarding the optimal exercise intensity at which improvements in speed of cognitive function are triggered. Specifically, it was hypothesized that the catecholamine, lactate, and ventilatory thresholds is the point at which significant improvements in speed of cognitive function are observed. Methods…
Since the 1960’s, hundreds of articles have been published on the effects of exercise on cognition and more recently on executive functions. A large variety of effects have been observed: acute or long-lasting, facilitating or debilitating. Several theoretical frameworks have been proposed to explain these effects with plausible mechanisms. However, as yet none of these models has succeeded i…
The effects of exercise on decision-making performance have been studied using a wide variety of cognitive tasks and exercise interventions. Although the current literature supports a beneficial influence of acute exercise on cognitive performance, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon have not yet been elucidated. We review studies that used single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (…
The literature shows that improvements in cognitive performance may be observed following an acute bout of exercise. However, evidence in support of the biological mechanisms of this effect is still limited. Findings from both rodent and human studies suggest brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a potential mechanism of the effect of acute exercise on memory. The molecular properties of …
Objective: To determine the test–retest repeatability of the Injury Severity Perception (ISP) score in participants with acute whiplash-associated disorders (WADs). Methods: Consecutive patients with WAD, presenting in the acute stage to a primary care center, were asked to complete the ISP score. ISP was measured with a numerical rating scale that ranged from 0 to 10, on which subjects were…
The number of scientific investigations on women’s football specific to the topics of player characteristics and demands of the game has considerably increased in recent years due to the increased popularity of the women’s game worldwide, although they are not yet as numerous as in the case of men’s football. To date, only two scientific publications have attempted to review the main find…
Background: Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) is a risk factor for shoulder and elbow injury in baseball players. Although this evidence forms a basis for recommending stretching, clinical measures of internal rotation range of motion (ROM) do not differentiate if GIRD is due to muscular, capsuloligamentous, or osseous factors. Understanding the contributions of these structures to …
Background: Since it has been shown that spending 18 h under dim light conditions can result in reduced handgrip endurance, it was questioned whether or not a shorter exposure to dim light (i.e., 1 h) would have similar influence upon muscular endurance. Therefore this study compared the number of weighted knee extension lifts that could be done after spending 1 h in either dim or bright light.…
Background: Prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) among college-aged athletes has risen in recent years. Although measures exist for assessing EDs, these measures have not been thoroughly reviewed in athletes. This study reviewed the validity and reliability evidence of the commonly used measures for assessing EDs in athlete populations aged 18e26 years. Methods: Databases were searched for stu…
Background: This preliminary study examined the effects of an 8-week supervised reactive balance training program on reaction time (RT) and foot speed, static balance and balance confidence in healthy older adults compared to an exercise control group. Methods: Twenty-five older adults were randomly assigned to a reactive balance training group (QuickBoard; n ¼ 12; 71.0 8.6 years) or a stat…
Purpose: The present study aimed to examine the effect of static stretching (SS) and a sport-specific dynamic stretching (DS) session at two specific post-stretch time intervals in highly trained female athletes (age 19.90 ± 1.60 years; height 1.80 ± 0.06 m; mass 76.87 ± 9.95 kg) on kinetic parameters of peak force, time-to-takeoff, and rate of force development. Methods: The data were coll…
Background: A positive association between fundamental movement skills (FMS) and physical activity (PA) has been shown in previous research of children with and without disability. This pilot study explored a causal mechanism for such relationship, and hypothesized that when FMS proficiency is improved, enhanced PA uptake will be found in children with and without disability. It was further hyp…
Purpose: The globalisation of artificial turf and the increase in player participation has driven the need to examine injury risk in the sport of football. The purpose of this study was to investigate the surfaceeplayer interaction in female football players between natural and artificial turf. Methods: Eight university level female football players performed an unanticipated cutting manoeuvre…
Purpose: The present study investigated the effects of 16 weeks of small-volume, small-sided soccer training soccer group (SG, n ¼ 13) and oscillating whole-body vibration training vibration group (VG, n ¼ 17) on body composition, aerobic fitness, and muscle PCr kinetics in healthy inactive premenopausal women in comparison with an inactive control group (CO, n ¼ 14). Methods: Training for …
The complexity of the physical demands of soccer requires the completion of a multi-component training programme. The development,planning, and implementation of such a programme are difficult due partly to the practical constraints related to the competitive schedule at the top level. The effective planning and organisation of training are therefore crucial to the effective delivery of the tra…
Purpose: In age-restricted youth sport, the over-selection of athletes born in the first quarter of the year and under-selection of athletes born in the last quarter of the year has been called the relative age effect (RAE). Its existence in youth sports like soccer is well established. Why it occurs has not been identified, however, one thought is that older players, generally taller and heavi…
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in soccer. Understanding ACL loading mechanisms and risk factors for ACL injury is critical for designing effective prevention programs. The purpose of this review is to summarize the relevant literature on ACL loading mechanisms, ACL injury risk factors, and current ACL injury prevention programs for soccer players. Literature has shown that…
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in some hormonal parameters (cortisol, testosterone, ratio of testosterone/cortisol (T/C)) in professional soccer players during a season. Methods: Fifteen professional players from a soccer club of the first division of the Greek soccer league participated. All sport medical examinations were conducted four times: before the re-bu…
Background: Exercise-associated menstrual dysfunction (EAMD) is a common health problem in female athletes as a part of female athlete triad (FAT), a condition related to low energy availability. In this study, we explored the possibility that carbohydrate supplements can improve the status of EAMD and prevent exercise-induced ovarian injury in a FAT rat model. This research aimed to provide ex…
Abstract—This work demonstrates short-range and highresolution ultrasonic imaging using 8 MHz aluminum nitride (AlN) piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) arrays, which are compatible with complementary metal-oxide semiconductor circuitry and wafer-level mass manufacture. Because AlN has a low dielectric constant, the PMUTs have low capacitance and a custom 1.8 V interface…
Abstract—We designed a one-mask process for all-molybdenum-based laterally actuated anoelectromechanical switches. The damascene-like process is designed to ensure a smooth, high-aspect ratio, and metal-to-metal mechanical contact. Based on the statistical study of 800 devices, very high process yield can be achieved for fixed–fixed beam devices by selecting suitable device dimensions, i.…
Abstract—We have designed and realized two types of proportional microcontrol valves in a silicon nitride surface channel technology process. This enables on-die integration of flow controllers with other surface channel devices, such as pressure sensors or thermal or Coriolis-based (mass) flow sensors, to obtain a proportional gas flow control system on a single chip. One valve design is imp…
Abstract—A cantilever with an end mass is one of the most popular designs for piezoelectric MEMS vibration energy harvesting. The inclusion of a proof mass near the free end of a micro-cantilever can significantly enhances the power responsiveness of a vibration energy harvester per unit acceleration. However, the accommodation of the proof mass comes at the expense of the active piezoelectr…
Abstract—Radiation leakages are a considerable problem when measuring waveguide structures at high frequencies. In order to maintain good electrical contact, flanges need to be tightly and evenly screwed to the device under test. This can be a time-consuming operation, especially with repeated measurements. We present a metamaterial-based adapter, which prohibits leakage even in the presence …
Abstract—A quantitative quality assessment method for capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) arrays based on electrical impedance measurements made at wafer level is proposed. The resonant response in air of CMUTs is described and then used to obtain a quantitative quality value. Several issues that could occur in CMUT arrays as well as their effect on the output of the assess…
Abstract—It has been found that diamond columns can be formed unintentionally in reactive ion etching (RIE) with O2 plasma even without a precoated metal layer. The experimental results indicate that the existence of these diamond columns prevents the effective removal of polycrystalline diamond (poly-C), also known as microcrystalline diamond. A three-step sequential RIE of poly-C thin film…
Abstract—In this paper, we present the optimization of optical and mechanical properties of inductively coupled plasma chemical vapor deposited (ICPCVD) amorphous silicon thin films for fabrication of high-quality optical microelectromechanical systems-based devices operating from visible to short-wave infrared wavelengths (450–3000 nm). Our results indicate that, at relatively high deposi…
Abstract—A complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS)–microelectromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer with stacked pure oxide layers as mechanical structures was developed. Metal layers were confined to the sensing electrodes and electrical routings; the metal–oxide composite in the CMOS–MEMS accelerometer was distributed in limited regions. This design has two major advantag…
Abstract—Nonparametric Bayesian models use a Bayesian framework to learn model complexity automatically from the data, eliminating the need for a complex model selection process. A Hierarchical Dirichlet Process Hidden Markov Model (HDPHMM) is the nonparametric Bayesian equivalent of a hidden Markov model (HMM), but is restricted to an ergodic topology that uses a Dirichlet Process Model to a…
Growing literature has demonstrated that exercise may be an effective prevention and treatment option for drug addiction. In the past few years, many studies have suggested that there were sex differences in all phases of drug addiction. However, very limited research has investigated sex differences in the effectiveness of exercise intervention in drug addiction and rehabilitation. In this min…
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if antioxidant supplementation, moderate exercise, and the combination of both treatments could ameliorate cognitive performance in adult mice and whether the apolipoprotein E (APOE ) genotype as well as sex could influence the functional outcomes of the treatments. Methods: For a period of 16 weeks, separate groups of male and female mice ex…
Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of combining the FIFA 11þ and acute vibration training on reactive strength index (RSI) and 505 agility. Methods: Seventy-four male collegiate soccer players took part in the study and were randomly assigned to FIFA 11þ with acute vibration group (FIFA þ WBV), FIFA 11þ with isometric squat group (FIFA þ IS) or a control group consis…
Background: Prematurely menopausal women have a doubled lifetime risk of dementia and a 5-fold increased risk of mortality from neurological disorders, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these risks remain unclear. We hypothesized that ischemia-induced amyloidogenesis may be enhanced in the hippocampus following prolonged loss of ovarian 17b-estradiol (E2), which could contribute to these …
The number of older adults (individuals 65 years), particularly women, in our society is increasing and understanding the impact of exercise on muscle capacity (e.g., strength and power) and subsequently physical function is of utmost importance to prevent disability and maintain independence. Muscle capacity declines with age and this change negatively impacts physical function in older women…
Background: The aim of this study was to compare 6 weeks short-term moderate intensity aerobic exercise and dieting on serum metabolomics and cardio-metabolic risk factors in pre-menopausal women. Methods: Ninety previously inactive overweight and obese (BMI 25e35 kg/m2) women (age 41.5 7.6 years) were randomized to either a 6-week Nordic walking exercise program (EX, n ¼ 45) or dietary cou…
The differences of learning and memory between males and females have been well documented and confirmed by both human and animal studies. The sex differences in cognition started from early stage of neuronal development and last through entire lifespan. The major biological basis of the gender-dependent cognitive activity includes two major components: sex hormone and sex-related characteristi…
Aging is associated with physiological declines, notably a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) and lean body mass, with a concurrentincrease in body fat and central adiposity. Interest in women and aging is of particular interest partly as a result of gender specific responses to aging, particularly as a result of menopause. It is possible that the onset of menopause may augment the physiolo…
superficial layer intrinsic muscles and the function of the longitudinal arch. Our hypothesis was that running in minimal shoes would cause hypertrophy in these muscles and lead to higher, stronger, stiffer arches. Methods: The hypothesis was tested using a sample of 33 healthy runners randomized into two groups, a control group shod in traditional running footwear and an experimental group sh…
Background: Investigations of running gait among barefoot and populations have revealed a diversity of foot strike behaviors, with some preferentially employing a rearfoot strike (RFS) as the foot touches down while others employ a midfoot strike (MFS) or forefoot strike (FFS). Here, we report foot strike behavior and joint angles among traditional Hadza hunter-gatherers living in Northern Tanz…
Purpose: This study examined variation in foot strike types, lower extremity kinematics, and arch height and stiffness among Tarahumara Indians from the Sierra Tarahumara, Mexico. Methods: High speed video was used to study the kinematics of 23 individuals, 13 who habitually wear traditional minimal running sandals (huaraches), and 10 who habitually wear modern, conventional running shoes with…
Background: Running is becoming an increasingly popular activity among Americans with over 50 million participants. Running shoe research and technology has continued to advance with no decrease in overall running injury rates. A growing group of runners are making the choice to try the minimal or barefoot running styles of the pre-modern running shoe era. There is some evidence of decreased fo…
Sedimentation engineering embraces the identification, planning, analysis, and remediation, principally in the context of civil and hydraulic engineering practice, of projects or technical investigations to avoid and/or mitigate problems caused by sedimentation processes. These processes include erosion, entrainment, transport, deposition, and compaction of sediment. External agents and forces …
Background: Forefoot strike (FFS) and rearfoot strike (RFS) runners differ in their kinematics, force loading rates, and joint loading patterns, but the timing of their muscle activation is less clear. Methods: Forty recreational and highly trained runners ran at four speeds barefoot and shod on a motorized treadmill. “Barefoot” runners wore thin, five-toed socks and shod runners wore neut…
Backgound: Barefoot (BF) running has recently increased in popularity with claims that it is more natural and may result in fewer injuries due to a reduction in impact loading. However, novice BF runners do not necessarily immediately switch to a forefoot strike pattern. This may increase mechanical parameters such as loading rate, which has been associated with certain running-related injuries…
Purpose: To observe the relative change in foot-strike pattern, pressure characteristics, surface electromyography (sEMG) recordings, and stride characteristics in forefoot strike runners wearing both minimalist and traditional shoes during a 50-km run. Methods: Four experienced minimalist runners were enrolled in this study. Each runner ran a 50-km simulated run in both minimalist shoes and t…
Background: The forefoot running footfall pattern has been suggested to reduce the risk of developing running related overuse injuries due to a reduction of impact related variables compared with the rearfoot running footfall pattern. However, only time-domain impact variables have been compared between footfall patterns. The frequency content of the impact shock and the degree to which it is a…
Background: Previous studies of foot strike patterns of distance runners in road races have typically found that the overwhelming majority of shod runners initially contact the ground on the rearfoot. However, none of these studies has attempted to quantify foot strike patterns of barefoot or minimally shod runners. This study classifies foot strike patterns of barefoot and minimally shod runne…
Background: Numerous studies about the interaction between footwear (and barefoot) and kinematic and kinetic outcomes have been published over the last few years. Recent studies however lead to the conclusion that the assumed interactions depend mainly on the subjects’ experience of barefoot (BF) walking/running, the preferred running strike pattern, the speed, the hardness of the surface, th…
Synthetic polymers and fibre reinforced polymer composite systems have become increasingly important to the civil and structural engineer over the last decade and now have a wide range of applications in a variety of engineering fields. A large percentage of all fibre reinforced products are made from unsaturated polyester resins reinforced with glass fibre. However, epoxy and toughened…