Search Results (308)

Background/Objectives. Increasing evidence suggests that nutrition and sport participation may positively influence cognitive functioning, readiness for learning, and academic achievement during adolescence. However, limited research has investigated the combined effects of structured breakfast programs and cognitively oriented sport-based interventions implemented in real school settings. The present study aimed to examine the associations between participation in an integrated school-based program consisting of structured breakfast and morning sport sessions and executive functions, physiological well-being, school engagement, and academic achievement in adolescent students. Methods. A 16-week quasi-experimental pre–post study with class-based allocation was conducted in a secondary school in Southern Italy. A total of 110 students aged 14–16 years participated in the study. The experimental group, comprising 55 students, participated in a structured breakfast program combined with cognitively oriented morning sport-based sessions conducted three times per week for 40 min before regular lessons, whereas the control group continued ordinary school activities. Cognitive assessment included the Stroop Color and Word Test and the Digit Span Test in both forward and backward conditions. Physiological measures included body mass index, resting heart rate, and the 20 m shuttle run test. Nutritional habits, school engagement, and academic achievement were also evaluated through questionnaires and school records. Results. Compared with the control group, students participating in the integrated program showed more favorable changes in selective attention, inhibitory control, working memory performance, cardiorespiratory fitness, breakfast habits, and school engagement over the study period. Moderate positive changes in academic achievement were also observed, whereas no substantial anthropometric changes emerged during the study period. Conclusions. The findings suggest that participation in an integrated school-based program combining structured nutrition and cognitively oriented sport activities was associated with improvements in cognitive functioning, healthy habits, and academic outcomes during adolescence. These findings highlight the potential value of multidimensional educational approaches integrating health promotion and learning processes within school environments. Full article

Anxiety disorders pose an increasing challenge to the mental health of individuals, particularly in regions with limited healthcare access. This study investigated the potential of integrating a brain–computer interface for processing electroencephalography (EEG) data with deep learning models to accurately classify anxious and non-anxious states. In the first phase, a convolutional neural network (CNN) was developed and validated on the public GAMEEMO dataset, achieving a classification accuracy of 95.72%. In the second phase, we conducted a separate experimental validation with seven participants (aged 18–60 years) using a within-subjects design. The protocol comprised a custom Stroop test to elicit acute cognitive stress and anxiety-related arousal, followed by a guided 4–7–8 breathing exercise to induce relaxation. EEG data from this experiment were used to classify anxious versus non-anxious states with the same CNN architecture after domain adaptation. On this self-collected dataset, the CNN achieved an accuracy of 86.58%. These results demonstrate proof-of-concept transferability while highlighting the performance gap between controlled benchmark data and real-world, small-sample recordings. The deep learning model can subsequently be coupled with neurofeedback techniques to manage anxiety levels. Overall, the findings support the potential of the developed automated system for detecting stress-induced anxious states, with possible future integration into neurofeedback-based management systems. Full article

A key mechanism in the pathogenesis of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is endothelial dysfunction associated with impaired metabolism of nitric oxide (NO) and its main substrate, L-arginine. The aim of the study was to assess parameters of L-arginine metabolism and their association with MRI-defined brain damage in CSVD patients. A total of 100 CSVD patients (according to MRI STRIVE standards) and cognitive impairment (CI) of varying severity, as well as 20 healthy volunteers, were analyzed. Levels of L-arginine and its metabolites—L-ornithine, L-citrulline, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)—were measured; diffusion tensor MRI, MRI volumetry, and morphometry were performed. A threshold level of L-arginine (51.25 μmol/L) was identified, above which an association with CI was observed. Patients with L-arginine ≥ 51.25 μmol/L demonstrated poorer performance on cognitive tests (Stroop test, trail-making test (TMT)-B, TMT B–A, 10-word test) and more severe brain damage, reflected by greater severity of MRI markers (white matter hyperintensities, microbleeds), changes in brain component volumes, cortical atrophy in specific regions, and impairment of white matter microstructural integrity. The obtained data indicate a pathogenetic link between disturbances in L-arginine homeostasis and the development of CSVD with CI and support the need for further studies aimed at refining approaches to their correction. Full article

Background: New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) is an anthocyanin-rich supplement with reported ergogenic effects in endurance exercise; however, its effects in resistance-trained adults remain largely unexplored. Objective: This study aimed to examine whether seven days of low- or high-dose NZBC supplementation improves resistance exercise performance, anaerobic capacity, and cognitive function in resistance-trained adults. Methods: Twenty resistance-trained adults completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with four conditions: no-capsule control (CON), placebo (PL), low-dose blackcurrant (LDBC; 250 mg·day⁻¹), and high-dose blackcurrant (HDBC; 600 mg·day⁻¹), each for seven days. Outcomes included bench press and leg press 1RM, total lifting volume, Tendo-derived bench press power, 30 s Wingate performance, Stroop Color–Word Test scores, readiness, perceived exertion, hemodynamic responses, and adverse events. Results: LDBC and HDBC increased bench press 1RM versus CON and PL, with increases versus CON of +3.33 kg (ES = 0.72; p = 0.005) and +2.34 kg (ES = 0.49; p = 0.041), respectively. Leg press 1RM was higher in PL, LDBC, and HDBC versus CON, with the largest effects observed for LDBC (+37.2 kg, ES = 1.33; p < 0.001) and HDBC (+25.8 kg, ES = 1.11; p < 0.001). Leg press total lifting volume was substantially higher with LDBC (+2627 kg, ES = 1.56; p < 0.001) and HDBC (+1025 kg, ES = 0.74; p = 0.004) versus CON. Bench press volume showed no significant overall treatment effect (p > 0.05). For Tendo-derived power, HDBC exceeded PL for peak (+79.5 W; p = 0.006) and mean power (+46.2 W; p = 0.026). Wingate outcomes did not differ across conditions (all p > 0.05). LDBC exceeded PL on Stroop Color, Color–Word, and total scores (all p < 0.05); HDBC exceeded PL on Color–Word only. Hemodynamic responses and adverse events were comparable across all conditions. Conclusions: Short-term NZBC supplementation improved selected resistance-exercise and cognitive outcomes, with the strongest evidence observed for outcomes that exceeded both CON and PL. The PL response relative to CON suggests that non-specific capsule, expectancy, repeated testing, or period effects may have contributed to some of the lower-body improvements; therefore, placebo-controlled contrasts should be emphasized when interpreting NZBC-specific efficacy. Wingate performance was unaffected, and both doses were well tolerated over the short-term supplementation period. Full article

Sleep deprivation (DS) is a reduction in sleep duration due to voluntary or external factors. The mechanisms underlying the psychological and cognitive consequences of DS are complex and incompletely understood; one proposed pathway involves alterations in the serotonin (5-HT) and melatonin (MLT) systems. This study aimed to assess the effects of a single night of DS on the tryptophan (TP)-5-HT-MLT system and to examine their associations with mood and cognitive performance. Eighty healthy adults underwent polysomnography (PSG) and actigraphy-monitored DS. Blood samples, mood assessments, and cognitive tests (BEHCT, TMT, Stroop) were performed before and after PSG and DS. Levels of serotonin transporter (SERT) mRNA, TP, 5-HT, and MLT were measured. Participants were classified as Responders (RE) or Non-Responders (NR) based on post-DS mood change. DS significantly decreased TP and MLT overall. In NR, 5-HT increased and MLT decreased, unlike in RE. ΔBEHCT correlated positively with ΔTP (RE), Δ5-HT (overall), and ΔMLT (overall and RE), and negatively with ΔSERT mRNA (NR). In RE, ΔSERT mRNA negatively correlated with ΔStroop performance and positively with ΔTMT. Acute DS disrupts the TP–5-HT–MLT axis, with effects differing by mood response. These changes may influence cognitive outcomes after sleep loss. Full article

Aim: Female athletic performance is shaped by the convergence of menstrual-cycle timing, circadian rhythms, fatigue, and ergogenic supplementation; yet no prior study has examined these factors simultaneously in a sport-specific setting. This study investigated the independent and combined effects of acute caffeine ingestion, calendar-based testing window, time of day, and match-induced fatigue on psychophysiological, cognitive, and physical performance in trained female volleyball players. Methods: Thirteen elite eumenorrheic female volleyball players (age: 24.23 ± 4.06 years) completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover protocol comprising 12 sessions corresponding to all combinations of testing window (menstrual, follicular, luteal), supplementation (caffeine 6 mg·kg⁻¹ vs. placebo), and time of day (08:00 h vs. 18:00 h). Assessments included the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Spiegel questionnaire, Profile of Mood States, Hooper Index, Stroop task, Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Modified Agility T-Test (MAT), and Reactive Agility Test (RAT), administered before and after a one-hour simulated match. Results: Significant main effects of testing window, caffeine, time of day, and fatigue state were observed across all outcome domains (all p < 0.05). Caffeine reduced daytime sleepiness (F(1,12) = 23.84, p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.665), enhanced vigor (F(1,12) = 114.10, p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.905), and improved MAT performance (F(1,12) = 33.27, p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.735). The follicular window was associated with superior cognitive, neuromuscular, and mood-related outcomes relative to the menstrual and luteal windows. Exploratory higher-order interactions suggested condition-specific caffeine benefits for MAT, RAT, and CMJ, particularly in afternoon post-fatigue conditions; these patterns require replication in larger samples. Conclusions: Acute caffeine ingestion improved several psychophysiological, cognitive, and neuromuscular outcomes in trained female volleyball players, with effects that varied across calendar-based testing windows, time of day, and fatigue state. Individualized supplementation strategies incorporating cycle timing and circadian context remain investigational; prescriptive recommendations require replication in larger, hormonally verified samples before clinical or applied adoption. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cognitive flexibility and working memory are regulated by the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which is closely linked to the progression of cognitive decline. The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for the Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet shows potential to lower cognitive decline risk in older adults. This study aimed to examine the association between Malaysian-MIND diet (MY-MINDD©) scores with brain activation among Malaysian older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among forty older adults aged 60–75 years. Subjects were stratified into quartiles of MY-MINDD© scores with ten subjects per quartile. Dietary intake was evaluated utilising a validated 124-item semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Brain activation was measured using task-based fMRI (N-back and Stroop Colour Word Test). DLPFC activation was analysed in Brodmann’s areas 9, 46, and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). ANCOVA and multiple linear regression were used to evaluate brain activation differences across MY-MINDD© quartiles, accommodating for gender, age, education, and body mass index (BMI). Results: Subjects in the highest MY-MINDD© quartile had significantly greater DLPFC activation during 0-back, 1-back, and SCWT incongruent tasks (p < 0.05). Higher MY-MINDD© adherence is linked to better task performance (p < 0.001). Multivariate General Linear Model (GLM) revealed a significant overall effect on brain activation (Pillai’s Trace = 0.544, F(8,27) = 4.11, p = 0.003). Multiple linear regression demonstrated significant positive associations between MY-MINDD© scores and DLPFC activation (p < 0.0125). Conclusions: Higher adherence to the MY-MINDD© diet was associated with greater brain activation, suggesting its relevance as a proxy for identifying risk of cognitive decline. Full article

Background: This study evaluated the preliminary clinical effects of an eye-tracking-based adaptive learning guide in a self-administered digital therapeutic for children with ADHD. Methods: In this prospective, randomized, parallel-group pilot trial, 40 children with ADHD (aged 6 to under 12 years) were allocated to an experimental group receiving eye-tracking-based adaptive digital therapeutic content or a control group receiving conventional digital therapeutic content, both combined with ongoing pharmacological treatment, for four weeks. Results: The Attention Composite significantly increased from 47.63 at Week 1 to 52.14 at Week 4, with attention-sensitive tasks showing steeper improvement trajectories than standard tasks. Changes in the Attention Composite were positively correlated with CAT score changes (r = 0.519, p = 0.0047). Significant between-group differences were observed in the Stroop Color–Word, Stroop Interference, and K-WISC-V Symbol Search measures, but not in the Word, Color, or Coding measures. Conclusions: These findings suggest that eye-tracking-based adaptive guidance may selectively improve attentional performance and cognitive control in children with ADHD, though larger-scale confirmatory studies are warranted. Full article

Background/Objectives: In this three-stage study, we aimed to adapt an Auditory-Visual Stroop test (AV-Stroop test) for tinnitus subjects, evaluate the correlation between performance in the conventional Stroop test (C-Stroop test) and the AV-Stroop test; assess the effect of cognitive screening test performance on the AV-Stroop test’s results; and apply the AV-Stroop test in participants with tinnitus and controls. Methods: At the First Stage, the AV-Stroop test was adapted using white noise (WN), pure tone (PT), and narrow band (NB) sound stimuli. At the Second Stage, results of the AV-Stroop test, the C-Stroop test, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) were compared (n = 45). At the Third Stage, the AV-Stroop test was applied to participants with and without tinnitus (n = 70). The tinnitus group was assessed with an additional test track (stimuli matched to tinnitus spectral characteristics, Tinnitus Pitch). Results: We adapted 34 training and evaluation tracks for the AV-Stroop test. AV-Stroop test’s results were correlated with C-Stroop test’s total task time (WN, p-value = 0.002; NB and PT, p-value < 0.001 comparing C-Stroop word reading task; and WN, NB, and PT, p-value < 0.001 for C-Stroop color naming task), and number of errors (NB, p-value < 0.001 comparing C-Stroop word reading task, and p-value = 0.012 for C-Stroop color naming task). Participants’ MOCA scores were not associated with AV-Stroop test performance. Participants with tinnitus required more time and made more errors in the AV-Stroop test. Additionally, the tinnitus group made more errors in the Tinnitus Pitch track. Conclusions: The AV-Stroop test proved to be an accessible, easy-to-administer tool for evaluating attentional and inhibitory control in participants with tinnitus. The stimulus with spectral characteristics similar to tinnitus perception was more effective in assessing top-down executive control in participants with the symptom. Full article

Anxiety is a multidimensional construct that influences cognitive performance in complex ways, yet its factor structure and domain-specific effects remain unclear. This study examined (1) the psychometric structure of general and specific anxiety measures, (2) their associations with cognitive performance across different domains, and (3) the predictive power of machine learning models in classifying cognitive performance based on specific anxiety in different domains. A two-stage design was employed: Stage 1 (N = 500) assessed self-reported anxiety (trait, state, generalized, social, spatial, and math anxiety) via questionnaires, while Stage 2 (N = 104) involved a set of experiments measuring cognitive performance (accuracy and reaction time) across numerical, social, spatial, and control tasks. Factor analyses revealed a correlated yet distinct structure. The model treating anxiety measures as independent factors showed the best fit among tested alternatives; however, all CFA models exhibited suboptimal absolute fit indices (TLI/CFI < 0.73). Regression analyses also demonstrated domain-specific effects: after controlling for state and generalized anxiety, trait anxiety showed small but statistically significant positive associations with performance on the social task (OR = 1.03) and spatial task (OR = 1.07). Machine learning models (Random Forest, Decision Trees, SVM) demonstrated limited predictive accuracy, with ensemble methods outperforming linear models. Prediction of reaction time in cognitive tasks, based on anxiety measures, was less powerful, suggesting that non-anxiety factors play a larger role in cognitive performance. These findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between general and domain-specific anxieties in cognitive research and demonstrate the potential of a machine learning approach in modeling anxiety–performance relationships. Full article

Introduction: Growing evidence indicates that diet quality significantly influences metabolic parameters and cognitive functioning. In healthy individuals, higher consumption of minimally processed foods and products rich in omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a more favorable lipid profile and better cognitive performance. Patients with schizophrenia present an increased risk of metabolic disturbances and reduced cognitive functioning. This suggests that this group may be particularly sensitive to nutritional factors. However, relatively few studies have simultaneously examined the relationships between diet, metabolism, and cognitive profile in patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the relationships between the frequency of consumption of selected food categories and metabolic parameters (glycemia, lipid profile, and insulin resistance), as well as cognitive functions (Stroop Test, Trail Making Test, and verbal fluency), in patients with schizophrenia and healthy men. Methods: The study included 21 patients with schizophrenia and 20 healthy men. All participants completed a questionnaire assessing the frequency of food consumption. Blood samples were collected to determine glucose, insulin, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels, and the HOMA-IR index was calculated. Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Stroop Test (RCNb, NCWd) and the Trail Making Test (TMT-A and TMT-B), which measure psychomotor speed and visuospatial working memory, respectively, and the verbal fluency test (semantic and phonological). Correlation analyses were performed separately in both groups. Due to the small sample size, all correlations are treated as exploratory and are analyzed with correction for multiple comparisons. Results: Exploratory analyses identified several patterns of associations between the frequency of consumption of selected food categories, metabolic parameters, and cognitive performance in both healthy men and patients with schizophrenia. The observed patterns differed between groups, suggesting that clinical status and treatment-related factors may modify diet–metabolism–cognition relationships. These findings highlight potential pathways linking dietary habits with metabolic and cognitive outcomes and provide a basis for further hypothesis-driven research. Conclusions: Diet quality may be related to metabolic status and cognitive functioning. However, the pattern of these associations differs between patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals. The findings suggest that diet may play a role in metabolic health and cognitive functioning, particularly in clinical populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Physiological and psychological health could be altered in modern societies due to stressful environments and activities. A multimodal training based on nutrition, physical activity, breathing and hugging was proposed for improving physiological parameters in a group of women compared to a control group. Methods: 33 women (41 ± 15 years old) were enrolled, divided in two groups, and assessed before and after 6 weeks. Heart rate parameters, superficial adipose tissue (SAT), and trunk rotational range of motion (ROM) were measured. Stroop test and Forward Digit Span Task (FDST) were administered, in order to assess cognitive functions. Results: The trained group showed a significant improvement in the very low-frequency domain of heart rate variability (p = 0.002), a reduction in the high-frequency domain (p = 0.003), an improvement in the number of women with a physiological SAT (p = 0.014), and an improvement in memory (p = 0.005). In the control group, only improvements in the performances of memory (p = 0.029) and attention (p = 0.004) at Stroop test were observed. Conclusions: Changes in cardiac parameters and physiological level of adipose tissue showed significant variations following the multimodal training. For attention and memory, the improvements were observed also in the control group and could be related to a learning effect of the tests. Full article

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently present impairments in executive functions and motor skills, which can negatively affect academic performance, adaptive behavior, and daily functioning. Exergames have emerged as a potentially engaging cognitive–motor intervention. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze the effects of exergame-based interventions on executive function components (particularly inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility) and motor skills in children with ASD. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, with the protocol registered in PROSPERO. Electronic searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ERIC. Intervention studies published within the last five years and assessing exergame-based interventions in children with ASD were included. Methodological quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Exergame-based interventions were associated with improvements in executive functions, particularly inhibitory control (reported in two studies using Stroop- and Flanker-type tasks) and cognitive flexibility (assessed in two studies using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test), although results varied depending on intervention duration and design. Acute interventions (single-session) primarily influenced inhibitory control, whereas longer-term programs showed broader cognitive and motor adaptations. Improvements in motor outcomes, including gross motor development, coordination, and fundamental motor skills, were reported in four studies. Methodological quality ranged from 4 to 6 points on the PEDro scale, indicating fair to good quality. Considerable heterogeneity was observed in intervention protocols, duration, and outcome measures. Exergame-based interventions may represent a potentially promising approach for targeting executive functions and motor skills in children with ASD; however, the current evidence is limited and heterogeneous. Not all included studies assessed both cognitive and motor outcomes, and findings should therefore be interpreted with caution. Further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these effects and establish optimal intervention parameters. Full article

Background/Objective: Mental fatigue (MF) significantly impairs psychomotor performance in dynamic sports; however, its specific impact on closed-skill precision-demanding tasks remains underexplored. This study investigated the acute effects of experimentally induced MF exposure on psychophysiological responses, mood states, and archery shooting performance. Methods: Fifteen well-trained male compound-bow archers participated in a randomized crossover study. Participants completed an MF condition (30 min modified Stroop task) and a control condition (CON; passive viewing of a neutral documentary), separated by a 72 h washout period. Continuous heart rate (HR), archery shooting accuracy, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), rating scale of mental effort (RSME), state anxiety (VAS-A), mood states, and exercise enjoyment scale (EES) were assessed. Results: The Stroop task successfully induced subjective MF. Consequently, shooting accuracy significantly deteriorated in the MF condition compared to that in the CON condition (p < 0.001; g = 0.731). While HR and VAS-A remained consistent across conditions, the MF condition elicited a significant increase in RPE (p = 0.007; g = 0.836) and RSME (p = 0.010; g = 0.794). Furthermore, MF significantly increased feelings of anger and fatigue while drastically reducing PACES (p < 0.001; g = 1.530). Conclusions: Acute MF significantly degrades fine motor accuracy in precision sports. The pronounced dissociation between elevated RPE and stable peripheral physiological strain suggests that performance decline is driven by top-down cognitive burden rather than physiological limitations. Therefore, systematic monitoring of cognitive load is crucial for optimizing performance in precision sports. Full article

Background: Long-term methamphetamine use disrupts brain function and impairs cognition. Currently, there is a lack of effective treatments for cognitive dysfunction in this population. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different exercise interventions on cognitive function and brain activation in methamphetamine-dependent individuals and to explore the potential neural mechanisms underlying cognitive improvement. Methods: In this randomized, assessor-blind, controlled study, 162 male methamphetamine-dependent individuals in compulsory isolation were randomly assigned to one of four groups: traditional regimen training (TR, n = 41), aerobic exercise (AE, n = 40), multimodal cognitive exercise training (MC, n = 40), and a control group (MA, n = 41). All participants completed an 8-week intervention. Cognitive function was assessed before and after the intervention using the Stroop task, while fNIRS was used to measure task-related hemodynamic responses. In addition, the Memory and Executive Screening (MES) and choice reaction time tests were used to evaluate cognitive and psychomotor performance. Results: After 8 weeks, traditional regimen training (p = 0.006), aerobic exercise (p = 0.024), and multimodal cognitive exercise training (p < 0.001) all significantly improved Stroop task accuracy. Aerobic exercise significantly increased activation in L-DLPFC (p = 0.044), R-DLPFC (p = 0.036), and L-FPA (p = 0.038), improved MES-T scores (p < 0.001) and shortened choice reaction time (p < 0.001). Traditional regimen training increased L-DLPFC activation (p = 0.026), improved MES-T scores (p < 0.001), and shortened choice reaction time (p < 0.001). Multimodal cognitive exercise training increased activation in L-DLPFC (p = 0.006), R-DLPFC (p = 0.014), and L-FPA (p = 0.002), improved MES-T scores (p < 0.001) and shortened choice reaction time (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Cognitive impairment in methamphetamine-dependent individuals may be associated with reduced prefrontal functional activity. Different exercise modalities produced different patterns of cognitive improvement and brain activation, with multimodal cognitive exercise training showing the largest overall benefit. Full article