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PLoS Computational Biology May 2024On any given day, we make countless reaching movements to objects around us. While such ubiquity may suggest uniformity, each movement's speed is unique-why is this?...
On any given day, we make countless reaching movements to objects around us. While such ubiquity may suggest uniformity, each movement's speed is unique-why is this? Reach speed is known to be influenced by accuracy; we slow down to sustain high accuracy. However, in other forms of movement like walking or running, metabolic cost is often the primary determinant of movement speed. Here we bridge this gap and ask: how do metabolic cost and accuracy interact to determine speed of reaching movements? First, we systematically measure the effect of increasing mass on the metabolic cost of reaching across a range of movement speeds. Next, in a sequence of three experiments, we examine how added mass affects preferred reaching speed across changing accuracy requirements. We find that, while added mass consistently increases metabolic cost thereby leading to slower metabolically optimal movement speeds, self-selected reach speeds are slower than those predicted by an optimization of metabolic cost alone. We then demonstrate how a single model that considers both accuracy and metabolic costs can explain preferred movement speeds. Together, our findings provide a unifying framework to illuminate the combined effects of metabolic cost and accuracy on movement speed and highlight the integral role metabolic cost plays in determining reach speed.
Topics: Humans; Movement; Male; Energy Metabolism; Female; Adult; Models, Biological; Young Adult; Computational Biology; Psychomotor Performance
PubMed: 38820571
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012169 -
Neurology India Mar 2024Practicing neuroendoscopic skills like hand-eye coordination is mandatory before embarking on actual surgeries. Synthetic models are able alternatives for cadavers and...
BACKGROUND
Practicing neuroendoscopic skills like hand-eye coordination is mandatory before embarking on actual surgeries. Synthetic models are able alternatives for cadavers and animals. Presently available models in the literature are either very costly or lack a feedback mechanism, which makes training difficult.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to make a basic low-cost neuroendoscopic hand-eye coordination model with a feedback mechanism.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
An electronic circuit in series was designed inside a clay utensil to test inadvertent contact of the working instrument with implanted steel pins, which on completion lighted a light-emitting diode (LED) and raised an alarm. Two exercises-moving-a-rubber exercise and passing copper rings of multiple sizes were made and tested by 15 neurosurgeons.
RESULTS
The moving-a-rubber exercise was completed by 6/15 (40%) neurosurgeons in the first attempt, 6/15 (40%) in the second, and 3/15 (20%) in the third attempt. For the 1.5 cm copper ring passing exercise, 12/15 (80%) successfully performed in the first attempt; for 1 cm copper ring, 6/15 (40%) performed in the first; and for the 0.5 cm copper ring, 1/15 (6.6%) performed in the first attempt. The time to finish all the exercises significantly decreased in the third successful attempt compared to the first.
CONCLUSION
The model gave excellent feedback to the trainee and examiner for basic neuroendoscopic hand-eye coordination skills.
Topics: Pilot Projects; Humans; Psychomotor Performance; Neuroendoscopy; Hand; Feedback; Learning; Clinical Competence; Neurosurgeons
PubMed: 38817178
DOI: 10.4103/neuroindia.NI_167_21 -
Italian Journal of Pediatrics May 2024To evaluate the progression of physical fitness (PF), basic motor competence (BMC), and executive function (EF) over one year in children aged 4-5 years at a health...
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the progression of physical fitness (PF), basic motor competence (BMC), and executive function (EF) over one year in children aged 4-5 years at a health center.
METHODS
In this longitudinal analysis, children's BMC was evaluated using the MOBAK KG test for object and self-movement. The PREFIT Battery gauged PF through handgrip strength, standing long jump, and other fitness measures, while the Early Years Toolbox appraised EF.
RESULTS
Adjustments for confounding factors showed notable improvements in BMC, particularly in object movement (OM; mean difference 0.789, p = 0.044) and self-movement (SM; mean difference 0.842, p = 0.037), with overall MOBAK scores also increasing (mean difference 1.632, p = 0.018). Enhancements in the standing long jump (mean difference 9.036 cm, p = 0.014) and EF tasks "Mr. Ant" (mean difference 0.669, p < 0.001) and "Go/No-Go" (mean difference 0.120, p < 0.001) were evident, signifying substantial BMC gains and some progress in PF and EF.
CONCLUSION
This research underscores the positive impact of regular training on BMC and PF in young children. Significant BMC development and associated improvements in PF and EF over the study period highlight the importance of structured activities in early childhood. These findings advocate for standardized training programs to enhance childhood health and encourage active lifestyles.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
NCT05741879. Registered February 14, 2023, Version 1.
Topics: Humans; Child, Preschool; Male; Physical Fitness; Longitudinal Studies; Female; Executive Function; Motor Skills; Primary Health Care
PubMed: 38816854
DOI: 10.1186/s13052-024-01674-1 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Numerous efforts have been made to test the OPTIMAL theory of motor learning in healthy children and adult populations. However, only a small number of studies have... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Numerous efforts have been made to test the OPTIMAL theory of motor learning in healthy children and adult populations. However, only a small number of studies have tested this theory in children with cognitive-motor disorders, such as developmental coordination disorder (DCD). The present study aims to examine the individual and additive effects of a visual illusion and self-controlled practice on a golf putting task in children at risk for DCD based on the OPTIMAL theory. Forty children at risk for DCD (mean age = 8.57 ± 1.05 years) were randomly assigned to four experimental groups (1-small visual illusion + self-controlled practice; 2-big visual illusion + self-controlled practice; 3-small visual illusion + yoked; 4-big visual illusion + yoked). Following 12 pretest trials of a golf putting task, the participants completed 5 blocks of 12 trials of practice on the first day. A retention test (12 trials) and a transfer dual-task test (12 trials) were conducted on the second day. The results indicated that in retention test the big visual illusion + self-controlled practice group was significantly better than the small visual illusion + yoked group (p = 0.01), while there was not any other significant difference between groups at retention test as well as between all groups at practice phase and transfer test (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). In other words, an additive effect has been observed just in the retention test but not the practice phase as well as transfer test. In general, the results of this study support the OPTIMAL theory of motor learning in children at risk for DCD and suggests to all educators who work with these children to use the combination of the visual illusion with self-controlled practice to improve the motor learning of children at risk for DCD.
Topics: Humans; Motor Skills Disorders; Child; Male; Female; Illusions; Learning; Motor Skills; Psychomotor Performance
PubMed: 38816488
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63387-z -
PloS One 2024Motor Competence (MC) is related to the development of healthy lifestyles in children and adolescents, and many studies have compared it with different variables,...
INTRODUCTION
Motor Competence (MC) is related to the development of healthy lifestyles in children and adolescents, and many studies have compared it with different variables, including sports participation. This investigation aimed to characterize the components and total scores of MC regarding different physical activity practices, such as physical education (PE) classes, futsal, volleyball, and ballet, and to compare MC regarding sports, sex, and age-groups.
METHODS
Using a cross-sectional study, 398 Portuguese children and adolescents (398 participants: 200 boys and 198 girls; 12.649±3.46 years) were conveniently chosen between 2022 and 2023. Four groups of different sports were created: PE classes (n = 187), futsal (n = 80), volleyball (n = 101) and ballet (n = 30), and four different age groups: 7 to 9 years old (n = 117); 10 to 12 years old (n = 65), 13 to 15 years old (n = 96) and, 16 to 19 years old (n = 120). All participants reported to participate in at least two training sessions per week (1 hour each) for at least two years. MC was assessed with Motor Competence Assessment (MCA) comprising three components with six tests (two tests for each component). Participants' total MC was calculated as the average of the three components of the MCA. Data were analyzed by applying ANOVA one-way with LSD post-hoc.
RESULTS
Differences were found in MC among groups, where futsal participants showed better scores in general. Sex comparison showed that boys have a higher MC when practicing futsal, especially compared to volleyball players. Age-group analysis showed that younger participants had better MC levels compared to older ones.
CONCLUSION
The whole group showed the 50th percentile of MC, but volleyball adolescents showed results below this reference. MC is intrinsically linked to an individual's motor experiences and motivations rather than depending directly on the specific practice of the sport.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adolescent; Female; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Motor Skills; Sports; Portugal; Physical Education and Training; Movement; Young Adult; Exercise
PubMed: 38814979
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304524 -
BMC Pediatrics May 2024Deteriorating global physical activity (PA) levels among children warrants new and sustainable approaches to increase PA levels. This study aimed to determine the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Deteriorating global physical activity (PA) levels among children warrants new and sustainable approaches to increase PA levels. This study aimed to determine the immediate and sustainable influences of a 9-week movement program on the PA levels in 7 to 8-year-old school children in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
METHODS
A randomized control trial including two groups (control group (CG) and intervention group (IG)), pre-post-retest (after six months of no intervention) design was used. Seventy school children, mean age 7.12 years (± 0.71) (n = 35 IG; n = 35 CG) participated in the study. A 9-week movement program was followed twice a week for 30 min during school hours. PA was measured for 7 consecutive days using a hip-mounted wGT3X-BT Actigraph accelerometer. The Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Edition (TGMD-3) was used to assess motor skills. Hierarchical Linear Modelling (HLM) was applied to analyze the data with time, sex, and group as predictors. Effect sizes were computed using Cohen's d-cut points to assess the practical significance of changes over time. Estimated regression coefficients were also computed to determine the strength of the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and fundamental movement skills (FMS).
RESULTS
Before the intervention, 60% of the IG met the 60 min of daily MVPA guideline, while light physical activity (LPA) per day was also higher than sedentary behavior (SB) in both groups. No immediate (p < 0.01) or sustainable (p < 0.01) increases in MVPA levels were found and no positive associations emerged between FMS and MVPA levels.
CONCLUSIONS
This intervention had little to no effect on children's MVPA. More understanding of the activity behavior and interests of children is needed to improve their PA behavior through the content of movement programs. Strategies are also needed to communicate clear messages at a personalized but also parental level, focusing on enhancing health through regular PA, especially to promote PA in young children.
Topics: Humans; South Africa; Child; Male; Female; Exercise; Motor Skills; Accelerometry; Health Promotion; Program Evaluation
PubMed: 38811890
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04845-5 -
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience :... Jul 2024Malnutrition remains a pressing health concern in developing nations, contributing to growth delay (stunting) and psychomotor impairments among the youth. Tanzania has...
Malnutrition remains a pressing health concern in developing nations, contributing to growth delay (stunting) and psychomotor impairments among the youth. Tanzania has the highest prevalence of stunting, yet the psychomotor status of its population has not been previously studied. To address this gap, we gathered anthropometric, nutritional, and psychomotor data from 211 children with the aim of assessing the reliability of digital tools as indicators of psychomotor performance in relation to the nutritional status. Collected anthropometric measures included middle-upper arm circumference (MUAC), triceps skinfold thickness (TST), and handgrip strength, while psychomotor variables were assessed using digital finger tapping test (DFTT), eye-tracking test (ETT), and nine-hole peg test (9HPT). Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between age and both MUAC and handgrip strength (R = 0.5, p < 0.001). Moreover, DFTT and 9HPT demonstrated a correlation with each other (p = 0.026) and with MUAC, handgrip strength, and age (p < 0.001). Notably, lower stature was independently linked to slower horizontal eye movements (p < 0.001). Findings underscores the crucial link between nutrition and psychomotor skills in Tanzanian children. Digital tests like DFTT, ETT, and the 9HPT show promise for assessing psychomotor performance. Addressing malnutrition requires comprehensive interventions. Future research should explore long-term effects of interventions in resource-limited settings.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Male; Female; Pilot Projects; Child; Psychomotor Performance; Child, Preschool; Tanzania; Smartphone; Malnutrition; Hand Strength; Nutritional Status; Anthropometry; Adolescent
PubMed: 38810411
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2024.05.031 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder featuring deficits in motor coordination and motor timing among children. Deficits in...
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder featuring deficits in motor coordination and motor timing among children. Deficits in rhythmic tracking, including perceptually tracking and synchronizing action with auditory rhythms, have been studied in a wide range of motor disorders, providing a foundation for developing rehabilitation programs incorporating auditory rhythms. We tested whether DCD also features these auditory-motor deficits among 7-10 year-old children. In a speech recognition task with no overt motor component, modulating the speech rhythm interfered more with the performance of children at risk for DCD than typically developing (TD) children. A set of auditory-motor tapping tasks further showed that, although children at risk for DCD performed worse than TD children in general, the presence of an auditory rhythmic cue (isochronous metronome or music) facilitated the temporal consistency of tapping. Finally, accuracy in the recognition of rhythmically modulated speech and tapping consistency correlated with performance on the standardized motor assessment. Together, the results show auditory rhythmic regularity benefits auditory perception and auditory-motor coordination in children at risk for DCD. This provides a foundation for future clinical studies to develop evidence-based interventions involving auditory-motor rhythmic coordination for children with DCD.
Topics: Humans; Child; Motor Skills Disorders; Female; Male; Auditory Perception; Psychomotor Performance; Acoustic Stimulation; Speech Perception
PubMed: 38806554
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62322-6 -
Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford,... Jun 2024Processing speed is a task-independent construct underpinning more complex goal-related abilities. Processing speed is impaired in alcohol dependence (AD) and is linked...
BACKGROUND
Processing speed is a task-independent construct underpinning more complex goal-related abilities. Processing speed is impaired in alcohol dependence (AD) and is linked to relapse, as are the functions it underpins. Reliable measurement of processing speed may allow tracking of AD recovery trajectories and identify patients requiring additional support.
AIMS
To assess changes in reaction time (RT) from baseline (at the start of a detoxification programme) across early abstinence.
METHODS
Vibrotactile RT was assessed in early recovery between days 3 and 7 of treatment in 66 individuals with AD (25 females; aged 19-74, 44.60 ± 10.60 years) and against 35 controls tested on one occasion (19 females; 41.00 ± 13.60), using two multivariate multiple regressions. A mixed multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) of available AD data ( = 45) assessed change in RT between timepoints and between treatment settings (outpatient vs inpatient).
RESULTS
The group (AD vs control) significantly predicted choice RT at baseline and follow-up but did not significantly predict simple RT or RT variability, which is inconsistent with previous findings. At follow-up, mental fatigue was also predicted by the group, and MANCOVA indicated that this had worsened in inpatients but improved in outpatients.
CONCLUSIONS
Recovery of RT measures so early in the treatment journey was not in line with previous research which indicates persisting deficits. The interaction between setting and timepoint indicates that despite being typically less medically complex, outpatients require ongoing support and monitoring during their recovery.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Alcoholism; Adult; Reaction Time; Middle Aged; Alcohol Abstinence; Young Adult; Aged; Processing Speed
PubMed: 38804547
DOI: 10.1177/02698811241254830 -
PeerJ 2024This study aims to examine the relationship between functional movements and golf performance using the Golf Specific Functional Movement Screen (GSFMS).
BACKGROUND
This study aims to examine the relationship between functional movements and golf performance using the Golf Specific Functional Movement Screen (GSFMS).
METHODS
This cross-sectional study included a total of 56 collegiate golfers (aged 20.89 ± 0.99 years, height of 174.55 ± 7.76 cm, and weight 68.48 ± 9.30 kg) who met the criteria, and were recruited from Hainan Normal University in June 2022. The participants' golf motor skills (1-yard putt, 10-yard putt, 25-yard chip, 130/100-yard set shot, driver, and 9-hole stroke play) were tested and the GSFMS (., pelvic tilt, pelvic rotation, and torso rotation) was used.
RESULTS
There were significant weak or moderate correlations between the variables. Furthermore, a multiple linear regression analysis found that pelvic rotation and lower-body rotation abilities can significantly predict golf skill levels, which collectively explain 31.2% of the variance in golf skill levels among collegiate golfers (Adjusted R = 0.312, F = 2.663, < 0.05). Standardised β values indicate that pelvic rotation ( = 0.398) has a more substantial impact on golf skill levels than lower-body rotation ( = 0.315.
CONCLUSIONS
This study found the weak to moderate correlations between the GSFMS and golf performance, and pelvic rotation and lower-body rotation abilities, thus predicting golf skills. Our findings provide novel insights into the relationship between functional abilities and comprehensive skill performance within the context of the Gray Cook's Movement Pyramid model, and provide theoretical support and practical reference for collegiate golf motor-skill learning and sports injury prevention.
Topics: Humans; Golf; Cross-Sectional Studies; Athletic Performance; Male; Young Adult; Motor Skills; Movement; Universities; Female; Rotation
PubMed: 38803584
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17411