Search Results (120)

Background/Objectives: Dual task (DT) training consists of practicing exercises while simultaneously performing a concurrent motor or cognitive task. This training modality seems to have beneficial effects on both domains. Various forms of DT training have been implemented for older adults in recent years, but no official guidelines currently exist. This review sought to analyze the studies published on this topic in the last ten years and provide a standard operating procedure (SOP) for healthy older adults in this context. Methods: The review collected articles from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, adopting a designated set of keywords. Selected manuscripts and relevant information were selected, extrapolated, including information related to the training frequency, intensity, time, and type, and secondary tasks adopted. The secondary tasks were grouped according to previously published studies, and the SOP was created based on the frequency of the parameters collected from the included articles. Results: A total of 44 studies were included in the review. Based on the results, the SOP recommends postural balance or resistance training as primary tasks, combined with a mental tracking task as a secondary component. Two 60-min sessions per week for at least 12 weeks are required to achieve measurable results. Conclusions: Despite heterogeneity in the literature reviewed, the findings support the proposal of a SOP to guide future research on DT training in healthy older adults. Given its feasibility and positive effects on both motor and cognitive functions, this type of training can also be implemented in everyday settings. Full article

A primary expectation of college is that students in all majors and disciplines will learn content, skills, and knowledge that support individual growth, job placement, or continued academic endeavors. In short, being a student implies an expectation to learn. Effective learning directly impacts student academic success, and this success has downstream effects on student retention and graduation rates. However, the process of learning is often taken for granted, and, too often, student learning is not successful because students have not received any guidance on the methods of effective learning. Across higher education, students are often left on their own to learn about learning, and their improvised methods frequently involve ineffective techniques such as cramming for exams or rereading assigned materials without deeper engagement. To counter such observations, the University of Iowa implemented a campus-wide learning framework, Learning at Iowa. The initiative is grounded in empirically validated practices from the cognitive and learning sciences, which have been organized around the Three Ms: mindset, metacognition, and memory. This article briefly reviews the relevant literature supporting each of the Three Ms and then discusses the implementation of the framework with students, student-facing staff, and instructors and how the framework supports effective educational practices. Full article

Cold recycling is an advantageous technique from economic and environmental perspectives for asphalt pavement rehabilitation, interventions, and maintenance. This work covered the investigation of dynamic modulus (|E*|) test models and their effects on cold recycled asphalt mixture (CRAM) |E*| data fitting, considering different mixture parameters such as asphalt binder type and content, active filler type and content, aggregate gradation, reclaimed asphalt pavement content, and curing conditions. Multiple mixtures from a dynamic modulus test database were fitted using six different regression models and the results were analyzed by means of different residuals analysis. Finally, the effects of CRAM composition on |E*| data were graphically assessed. For the analyzed specimens, two models were found to be the most adequate for CRAM’s |E*| data regression. The analysis of CRAM composition showed a strong relation between the compaction method and the stiffness of CRAMs. Full article

Objectives: This explorative study aimed to evaluate athletes’ perceptions of how CrossFit^® affects physical, psychological, and social well-being, exploring gender differences. CrossFit^® is a high-intensity functional training modality aimed at enhancing overall fitness and health. Limited research has explored its perceived impact on broader aspects of well-being, particularly considering gender differences. Methods: A total of 202 participants (age 34.3 ± 10.0 years) with at least 6 months of CrossFit^® experience completed an online self-reported questionnaire not previously published but created following published guidelines. The questions explore athletes’ perceptions of their improvements in physical fitness, injury occurrence, and the effects on mental well-being. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and parametric and non-parametric tests to investigate gender differences. Results: In total, 81.2% of participants perceived improvements in strength, while 83.2% reported enhanced aerobic capacity. Significant body composition improvements were noted by 68.3% of the sample, and 87.6% reported changes in eating habits. Injury incidence was lower among women (30.2%) than men (45.3%) (p = 0.02). Regarding psychological outcomes, 95% of respondents indicated a reduction in stress levels, 73.3% reported better sleep quality, and over 90% perceived improvements in self-esteem and daily energy. Furthermore, 98.5% of participants formed new social connections through CrossFit^®, with 79.2% acknowledging a positive impact on social relationships. No significant gender differences were found across most psychological and social outcomes. Conclusions: CrossFit^® is perceived positively by participants, with similar views across genders, except for injury rates. It enhances physical fitness, mental health, and social well-being, with high training adherence and relatively low injury risk. Full article

When students choose their own learning strategies, they often rely on ineffective methods, such as rereading and cramming, which have limited long-term benefits. To improve learning outcomes, previous interventions have utilized explicit instruction about effective strategies and direct experience with those strategies, though with mixed success. Yüksel et al. demonstrated that combining both approaches could foster initial improvements in students’ understanding and use of effective learning strategies. In Study 1, we examined the long-term effects of this combined intervention by contacting participants six months later to assess the stability of outcomes. In Study 2, we extended the scope by surveying all students who had enrolled in the intervention section over the past five years. Participants were asked about their use and perceived effectiveness of various strategies. In both studies, quantitative measures were complemented with open-ended questions to gain deeper insights into study behaviors and obstacles to adopting effective strategies. While students retained an understanding of the effectiveness of various strategies and reported using ineffective strategies less frequently, the adoption of more effective strategies did not show a significant increase. However, compared to the business-as-usual group, the intervention group did not experience a decline in their use of effective strategies. These results suggest that while explicit instruction and experience can enhance knowledge, long-term behavior change remains difficult. Reported obstacles—such as time constraints, limited resources, procrastination, and prioritizing short-term gains—align with metacognitive theories of desirable difficulties and help explain why students still favor less effortful strategies, despite knowing more effective ones that require greater effort and delayed rewards. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cardiometabolic disease (CD) risk factors refer to the conditions that increase the likelihood of developing several health complications. The purpose of this study was to identify latent classes of CD risk factors among Brazilian adolescents and their association with sociodemographic and lifestyle behaviors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 349 adolescents aged 15 to 19 years old. A latent class analysis (LCA) was performed based on body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and blood pressure. Demographic characteristics and lifestyle variables related to screen time (ST), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep duration were assessed through questionnaires. Results: Three CD risk factor classes were identified as follows: “Low Risk” (Class 1 = 79.5% of the sample), “Moderate Risk” (Class 2 = 8.6%), and “High Risk” (Class 3 = 11.9%). Sex and high ST (defined as >4 h/day) were associated with a greater likelihood of belonging to the higher CD risk classes. Adolescents with high ST presented a 4.39 (CI 95% 1.64–11.07) times greater chance of belonging to the “High Risk” instead of the “Low Risk” class. Adolescents with longer MVPA time had a higher probability of belonging to the “Low CD Risk” class. Conclusions: Female adolescents with less MVPA, more ST, and higher SB had a higher probability of being classified as “Higher CD Risk”. Efficient strategies to increase MVPA and reduce ST may contribute to the reduction in body fat accumulation and BP, which are the manifest variables in the proposed model. Full article

Trail running has seen a surge in participants, including individuals with disabilities, particularly in ultratrail running (UTRs). Sleep–wake patterns are crucial for optimal performances in UTRs, which present unique physiological and behavioral challenges. This case study evaluated the sleep–wake cycle of a blind trail ultramarathoner (BTR) and his guide (GTR) before, during, and after an 80 km UTR. Two male participants (BTR: 54 years, BMI: 26.1 kg/m²; GTR: 48 years, BMI: 24.2 kg/m²) were assessed using validated questionnaires (MEQ, ESS, ISI, and PSQI) and actigraphy over 35 days. The BTR exhibited a morning chronotype (MEQ = 63), mild insomnia (ISI = 11), poor sleep quality (PSQI = 5), and prolonged sleep latency (>60 min), while the GTR showed an indifferent chronotype (MEQ = 52), good sleep quality (PSQI = 3), and shorter latency (10 min). Post-competition, both athletes experienced an increased total sleep time (TST): the BTR by 17.8% (05:32:00 vs. 04:25:00) and the GTR by 5.5% (07:01:00 vs. 06:39:00). The BTR demonstrated a greater Wakefulness after sleep onset (WASO 01:00:00 vs. 00:49:00) and awakenings (15.4 vs. 6.1). A time series analysis revealed greater variability in the BTR’s post-competition sleep efficiency and TST, while the GTR exhibited a greater stability of the circadian phase. These findings highlight the intricate sleep challenges faced by blind athletes, informing strategies to optimize recovery and performance. Full article

Background: Assessing sleep quality is essential in sports science, particularly in ultra-endurance sports, where recovery is critical for performance and health. Objective: This study aimed to identify sleep quality patterns among endurance and ultra-endurance athletes using hierarchical clustering analysis, with comparisons by sex and modality. Method: Data were collected during the La Misión Brasil competitions in 2023 and 2024, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The questionnaire was emailed to all registered runners two weeks before the event. A total of 490 athletes participated, including 276 men (mean ± SD age: 43 ± 11 years) and 214 women (mean ± SD age: 43 ± 13 years). Statistical analyses included Cohen’s d and r effect sizes, and a 95% confidence interval for hypothesis testing. Residuals between-cluster proportions were assessed within a range of −3.3, ensuring a 99.7% confidence level for significant differences. Results: The results showed that endurance runners had better sleep quality, with most scoring low on the PSQI. In contrast, ultra-endurance athletes displayed greater variability, with a higher prevalence of poor sleep quality, particularly in women. Conclusions: The hierarchical clustering method effectively identified distinct sleep patterns, providing insights into the dynamics of recovery and performance. These findings highlight the impact of increased physical and psychological demands in ultra-endurance sports and emphasize the need for tailored sleep monitoring strategies to optimize the recovery and performance of athletes. Full article

A brackish water front, where river water meets seawater, is a hotspot for biogeochemical processes. In this study, we examined the quantity and composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) over a 24 h tidal cycle at a brackish water front near the Yangtze River estuary. Utilizing elemental analysis, fluorescence and ultraviolet spectroscopy, and ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry, we observed rapid fluctuations in DOM throughout the tidal cycle. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations ranged from 0.70 to 1.5 mg/L and 0.43 to 0.94 mg/L, respectively. Water samples during low tide exhibited a higher fractional abundance of CHON (17.2 ± 0.1% vs. 14.6 ± 0.4%), CHOS (14.6 ± 4.5% vs. 9.1 ± 3.1%), and CHONS (1.6 ± 0.5% vs. 0.5 ± 0.3%) formulas, and a higher aromatization and average molecular weight, which is consistent with a stronger terrestrial influence. In contrast, at high tide, the water samples contained a greater abundance of CHO compounds (75.7 ± 3.8% vs. 66.5 ± 4.1%), a humic-like fluorescent C1 component, and carboxyl-rich alicyclic molecules (CRAMs), indicating a greater release of refractory DOM from resuspended sediments. However, variations in the DOC concentrations and several optical spectral parameters did not correlate with the changes in the salinity and tidal height. The results of the principal component analysis revealed different controls on specific fractions of DOM that are related to variable DOM sources or biogeochemical processes. The complexity of DOM dynamics underscores the necessity of elucidating DOM compositions at varying levels to enhance our understanding of carbon cycling in estuarine and coastal ecosystems. Full article

Body composition could influence exercise physiology. However, no one has ever studied the effect of visceral fat (VF) on heart rate (HR) trends during and after exercise by using bioimpedance analysis (BIA). This study aims to investigate BIA variables as predictors of HR trends during vigorous exercise. Ninety-six participants (age 22.5 ± 4.8 years) were included in the data analysis. After performing BIA, the HR was recorded at three time points: baseline HR (BHR), peak HR (PHR) at the end of vigorous exercise, and resting HR (RHR) 1 min after the end of the exercise. After BHR, a 30 s squat jump test was performed. Linear regression analysis showed the body fat percentage and VF as a predictor of HR recovery post-exercise (p < 0.01). However, body weight has no association with HR recovery (p > 0.05). On the other hand, BIA variables were not associated with the variation of HR from the baseline to the end of the exercise. The results show that higher VF is associated with a slower HR recovery. To schedule a training program, it would be safer to monitor visceral fat before prescribing recovery time. Full article

This study examined the mechanical behavior characteristics of cold recycled emulsified asphalt bases with RAP 76% and emulsified asphalt 3%, in different cure time, i.e., 0, 7, 14 and 28 days and evaluated in terms of the resilient modulus (RM) and permanent deformation (PD) based on repeated load triaxial tests. The results demonstrated that in the first 7 days, the RM increased by 80% compared to the freshly compacted material and after this period, the subsequent increases were not as significant, ranging, from 10.9% to 19.4%, that shows that initical cure time significantly influences the RM behavior of the mixtures. However, the mixtures showed considerable permanent deformations, even after 28 days of curing. This indicates that the use of asphalt emulsion, with prolonged curing, improves the mechanical properties of the mixture but does not entirely resolve the issue of permanent deformation in cold reclaimed asphalt mixture (CRAM). The plastic deformation behavior observed in the triaxial tests must be taken into account when designing pavements containing RAP and asphalt emulsion. Full article