Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS)最新文献

{"title":"Increasing habitual walking in mobility-limited older adults through a personalized GIS-based intervention","authors":"R. Schilling, R. Weibel, E. Giannouli, D. Infanger, A. Sofios, S. Gisler, C. Röcke, T. Rantanen, E. Portegijs, C. Schuster-Amft, A. Mai, A. Schmidt-Trucksäss, T. Hinrichs","doi":"10.36950/2024.2ciss068","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36950/2024.2ciss068","url":null,"abstract":"Background \u0000Ample evidence supports the health benefits of low-intensity physical activity such as walking, which is universally accessible and impacted by neighbourhood environmental factors like green spaces and availability of local amenities. \u0000Aim \u0000The MOBITEC-Routes project will investigate the effects of an individualized GIS-based walking intervention on physical and psychosocial functioning in mobility-limited older adults. \u0000Methods \u0000A randomized controlled trial to promote habitual walking will take place. The sample will include 130 inactive, chronically ill, mobility-limited older adults. The intervention will combine professional consultations with map-based planning and behaviour change techniques derived from the Health Action Process Approach. \u0000Results \u0000Expected outcomes include increase in participants’ daily step count, physical activity levels, physical function, life space mobility, self-efficacy, social participation, and quality of life. \u0000Conclusion \u0000MOBITEC-Routes is poised to offer new insights into personalized GIS-based interventions’ effectiveness in improving mobility and overall well-being in older adults with mobility impairments.","PeriodicalId":415194,"journal":{"name":"Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS)","volume":"17 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139861863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fostering positive affective exercise experiences and affect-related competencies for a physically active lifestyle: The FEEL project","authors":"Martin Buehrer, S. Rosenstiel, Gorden Sudeck, Julia Schmid","doi":"10.36950/2024.2ciss033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36950/2024.2ciss033","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction \u0000Interventions targeting physical inactive individuals have not yielded sufficient impact yet. This may be attributed to two reasons: Firstly, affective processes during physical activity (PA) are often inadequately acknowledged (e. g. shame, feeling bad; Hohberg et al. 2022). Secondly, individuals are often not empowered to PA that positively influences affective wellbeing and mental health (Sudeck & Pfeifer, 2016). The FEEL project addresses these two deficiencies by developing a program promoting pleasant experiences, affect regulation competence, wellbeing and consequently PA. \u0000The program is grounded in Ekkekakis et al.’s (2021) conceptual framework on affective exercise experiences and their antecedent appraisals. It consists of [a] an instructor workshop focused on creating an inclusive, socially supportive atmosphere. Additionally, the program features [b] group exercise sessions covering topics such as attentional focus, preferred intensity, and flexible goal setting. Experiential learning is employed during these sessions, encouraging participants to engage not only physically but also to reflect on and in action. Finally, the program incorporates [c] a PA counseling session, during which participants individual motives for exercise are assessed, and suitable activities are discussed (Schorno et al., 2022). \u0000Methods \u0000We plan a multicenter randomized controlled trial to investigate the impact of the 6-8 week FEEL program. Inactive individuals (meeting less than 75% of recommended PA guidelines) in the age of 16 to 35 will take part in the study. Participants will be recruited via schools, universities, companies, and social work institutions. Around 300 people will be assigned to either the intervention or control group. The control group will undergo a standard fitness program (usual care). The primary outcomes positive affective exercise experiences, affect regulation competence, wellbeing and PA will be measured pre- (0 weeks), post-intervention (6 weeks) and at follow-up (12 weeks). After piloting the FEEL program in April 2024, the main study will start in fall 2024. \u0000Discussion \u0000This study explores the impact of a multifaceted intervention in a primary care context. It may provide valuable insights for effective considerations of affective processes and related competencies in PA programs. Should the FEEL program showcase positive effects, there may be interest in extending its implementation in diverse settings (e.g., rehabilitation). \u0000References \u0000Ekkekakis, P., Zenko, Z., & Vazou, S. (2021). Do you find exercise pleasant or unpleasant? The Affective Exercise Experiences (AFFEXX) questionnaire. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 55, Article 101930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.101930 \u0000Hohberg, V., Kreppke, J.‑N., Cody, R., Guthold, R., Woods, C., Brand, R., Dunton, G., Rothman, A., Ketelhut, S., & Nigg, C. (2022). What is needed to promote physical activity? Current Issues in Sport Science, 7, Article 005 ","PeriodicalId":415194,"journal":{"name":"Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS)","volume":"23 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139798411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Meaning in life of elite athletes: A person-oriented study","authors":"M. J. Schmid, Violetta Oblinger-Peters, Merlin Örencik, Helena Hlasová, Juerg Schmid, A. Conzelmann, Noora J. Ronkainen","doi":"10.36950/2024.2ciss003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36950/2024.2ciss003","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction\u0000The concept of meaning in life has gained significant attention in psychology research in recent years due to its correlational relationship with physical and mental well-being (i.e., objective and subjective health measures, e.g., Steger, 2012). While recent attention has been directed toward this concept in sport psychology using qualitative research methods (e.g., Ronkainen et al., 2015), quantitative investigations into the specific sources of meaning engaged by athletes are notably scarce. This study (1) compares athletes with the general population and (2) employs a person-oriented approach to identify distinct profiles of athletes’ meaning in life and the sources they predominantly tap into.\u0000Methods\u0000A sample of 589 elite athletes from Switzerland (50.9% women, 49.1% men; Mage = 24.86 years, SD = 5.09) participated in this study. Utilizing the Meaning and Purpose Scales (MAPS; Schnell & Danbolt, 2023), participants also provided contextual information about their life situations. The athletes were compared with the general population using t-tests. To identify profiles within the athlete population, we employed a latent profile analysis.\u0000Results\u0000Compared to the general population, athletes exhibit heightened meaningfulness and lower crisis of meaning and prioritise different sources of meaning. Athletes were higher in Growth and Community and lower in Faith, Sustainability and Security. The analysis yielded a three-profile solution based on theoretical considerations and statistical criteria: (1) athletes with below-average meaning in life and sources (n = 127), (2) athletes with above-average meaning in life and faith (n = 109), (3) athletes with above-average meaning in life with balanced sources (n = 353). Athletes in profiles 2 and 3 were characterized by elevated levels of meaningfulness and sources of meaning, and demonstrated greater life satisfaction and self-esteem, relative to the profile with below-average meaning in life and sources.\u0000Discussion/Conclusion\u0000The identified relationships with key mental health constructs align with qualitative findings emphasizing the centrality of meaningfulness in athletes’ lives. On a nomothetic level, elite athletes indicate a high degree of meaningfulness (compared to the population), however, there is a high degree of heterogeneity within the sample, which is why group-specific analysis (i.e., LPA) could help understanding meaning and its sources in elite athletes. In the future this approach could be useful to tailor programs aimed at cultivating meaning in life of elite athletes.\u0000References\u0000Ronkainen,  N.  J., Tikkanen,  O., Littlewood,  M., & Nesti,  M.  S. (2015). An existential perspective on meaning, spirituality and authenticity in athletic careers. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 7(2), 253–270. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2014.926970\u0000Schnell,  T., & Danbolt,  L.  J. (2023). The Meaning and Purpose Scales (MAPS): Development and multi-study validati","PeriodicalId":415194,"journal":{"name":"Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS)","volume":"348 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139799028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effects of eccentric arm crank training on upper body performance in elite athletes with a spinal cord injury","authors":"Fabian Ammann, Ann Knuchel, Anneke Hertig-Godeschalk, Claudio Perret","doi":"10.36950/2024.2ciss025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36950/2024.2ciss025","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction\u0000Eccentric strength training is a promising approach to improving upper body strength in athletes, as this type of training has several advantages over training that involves concentric or isometric muscle action (Hoppeler, 2016). Eccentric training shows greater gains in muscle strength and mass with lower cardiovascular and metabolic demands (Douglas et al., 2017; Roig et al., 2009). This, combined with the time-efficient components, makes eccentric training particularly attractive for use in athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite an increasing number of studies focusing on eccentric training in the lower extremities, little is known about the effects in upper body extremities. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an eccentric arm-crank training protocol and its effects on upper body performance in elite athletes with SCI.\u0000Methods\u0000Nine strength training experienced elite athletes (median (Q1-Q3) age 29 (25–35) years) 6 men, 6 (3-10) years active as elite athlete, 12 (10-13) hours of weekly training) with SCI were recruited. The athletes were active in various wheelchair sports including basketball, cycling and athletics. The athletes performed twenty eccentric arm-crank training sessions (2-3 sessions/week for 10-12 weeks), during which intensity (74-182% of predetermined maximal aerobic power) and duration (8-14 min) were progressively increased. The following parameters were assessed before and after the intervention: maximal strength (one repetition maximum (1RM) bench press, grip strength), anaerobic performance (Wingate test), aerobic performance (V̇O2peak-ramp test), arm circumferences. The normal training routine was continued during the study.\u0000Results\u0000Nine athletes with paraplegia successfully completed the eccentric arm-cranking protocol. The cardiometabolic demands of the training sessions were relatively low at an intensity of 69% (66-76) of maximum heart rate. The athletes improved their maximal aerobic power (+3%, p = 0.047) and increased their arm circumferences (+1-3%, p ≤ 0.027). The further parameters showed no significant improvements, nevertheless most athletes showed individual improvements in all parameters.\u0000Discussion/Conclusion\u0000Twenty sessions of progressive eccentric arm-cranking, added on top of the normal training routine, improved performance in elite athletes with SCI. The individual improvements found in the athletes are clinically relevant as in this well-trained population, any further gains in upper body performance can be difficult to reach. Nevertheless, such progress can make a critical difference in competition. These preliminary data suggest that our protocol is a feasible method for improving upper body performance in elite athletes using eccentric strength training. A future study will assess the effects of eccentric training during primary SCI rehabilitation.\u0000References\u0000Douglas, J., Pearson, S., Ross, A., & McGuigan, M. (2017). Chronic adap","PeriodicalId":415194,"journal":{"name":"Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS)","volume":"280 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139799415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physical activity counseling within the «KiKli Fit»-project: Development and first implementation","authors":"Julia Schmid, B. Schmidli, Lisa Hillebrecht, C. Schindera, N. X. von der Weid, Eva Katharina Brack, V. Benzing","doi":"10.36950/2024.2ciss018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36950/2024.2ciss018","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction\u0000Increasing physical activity (PA) levels in children and adolescents with cancer holds promise for enhancing outcomes both during treatment and into survivorship (Stout et al., 2017). Despite this potential, the promotion of PA within Swiss pediatric oncology units remains largely overlooked. To address this gap, the “KiKli Fit” project has been initiated. This program features personalized training sessions during acute care, accompanied by PA counseling during the transition to the post-acute phase. Importantly, it engages not only the patients but also their families, since they play a crucial role in shaping youth’s PA behavior (Cheung et al., 2021). The PA counseling is designed to enhance motivation, volition, enjoyment, family health-climate, and ultimately, foster an active lifestyle (Schorno et al., 2022). This study aims to outline the theoretical development of the counseling approach and present initial findings from its implementation.\u0000Methods\u0000We plan a two-arm multicenter crossover-controlled trial to investigate the effects of the whole PA program. The trial will compare the PA program (intervention group in Bern, n = 40) with standard treatment (control group in Basel, n = 40). Participants will be aged 6-18, newly diagnosed with cancer and undergoing neurotoxic treatment for at least six weeks. The PA counseling comprises four sessions involving the child or adolescent and their parents. These sessions cover various topics, including parental concerns about their child performing PA, individual preferences in exercise and sports, and ways to be physically active as a whole family. Motivational interviewing techniques are applied across all sessions. The study will start in early 2024. Outcomes will be measured three times (once at admission, after twelve weeks of intervention and for follow-up after six months).\u0000Discussion\u0000The “KiKli Fit”-project is a complex program that aims to promote PA in and after acute care by combining personalized training sessions with PA counseling. The scalability of the PA counseling is a key advantage, allowing it to reach a wide demographic, including those who have completed treatment. Fostering PA in young cancer patients seems to particularly important because it can set a foundation for a healthier lifestyle as they transition into adulthood.\u0000References\u0000Cheung, A. T., Li, W. H. C., Ho, L. L. K., Chan, G. C. F., & Chung, J. O. K. (2021). Parental perspectives on promoting physical activity for their children surviving cancer: A qualitative study. Patient Education and Counseling, 104(7), 1719-1725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2020.11.009\u0000Schorno, N., Gut, V., Conzelmann, A., & Schmid, J. (2022). Effectiveness of individual exercise and sport counseling based on motives and goals: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 44(2), 103-115. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2021-0018\u0000Stout, N. L., Baima, J., Swisher, A. K., Winters-Stone, K. M., & Welsh, J. (","PeriodicalId":415194,"journal":{"name":"Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS)","volume":"1 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139800284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of midsole thickness on physiological responses during running in well-trained athletes","authors":"Gian-Andri Baumann, Mattia Nolé, Christina M. Spengler, F. Beltrami","doi":"10.36950/2024.2ciss026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36950/2024.2ciss026","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction\u0000Modern running shoes have revolutionized long-distance performances by decreasing the amount of oxygen athletes need when running at a given speed, which is termed running economy. In 2022, World Athletics imposed an upper limit of 40 mm for midsole thickness, possibly to prevent shoes from having an overemphasized role in performance. This ceiling, however, seems arbitrary, and a better understanding of whether midsole thickness affects running economy is needed. This study therefore investigated if midsole thickness affects oxygen consumption both indoors and outdoors, as early findings from treadmill studies may not translate to overground running.\u0000Methods\u0000Following a familiarization trial including an incremental test, 16 well-trained male runners (weight 70 ± 6 kg, age 28 ± 5 years, peak oxygen uptake, V̇O2peak 64 ± 4 ml O2･kg-1･min-1, peak running speed 20.0 ± 0.8 km･h-1) completed two testing visits, once on a treadmill and once on a track, each consisting of twelve 5-min runs at submaximal speed (16 km･h-1) alternating three different footwear conditions: an entry-level running shoe (EL, 30 mm midsole thickness) and two carbon-plated modern running shoes with midsole thickness of 40 and 50 mm, respectively. The shoe order was randomized and balanced between each of the four replicates. Gas exchange and heart rate were continuously measured throughout the runs.\u0000Results\u0000Running with 40 mm shoes reduced V̇O2 compared with EL shoes by 2.4 ± 1.1% on the treadmill and 4.0 ± 1.2% when running overground (both p < 0.001). Running with 50mm shoes also decreased V̇O2 compared with EL shoes both on the treadmill (-2.7 ± 1.6%, p < 0.001) and overground (-4.6 ± 1.8%, p < 0.001), but no differences were detected between the modern shoes (40 mm vs. 50 mm treadmill: +0.3 ± 1.3%, p = 0.586; overground: +0.6 ± 1.4%, p = 0.189). Similarly, heart rate was lower compared with the EL shoes in both the 40 mm shoes (treadmill -1.3 ± 0.6%; overground -2.0 ± 0.6%; both p < 0.001) and 50 mm shoes (treadmill -1.6 ± 0.7%; overground -2.3 ± 0.6%, both p < 0.001), but no differences were detected between the modern shoes (40 mm vs. 50 mm treadmill: +0.3% ± 0.6%, p = 0.106; overground: +0.4 ± 0.6%, p = 0.090). Interestingly when running overground V̇O2 decreased over time for the 50 mm shoes, reaching significance between replicates 1 and 4 (p = 0.017), which was not the case for the 40 mm shoes (p = 0.817). The V̇O2 ratio between the 50 mm and 40 mm shoes was 1.003 in replicate 1 and 0.987 in replicate 4 (p = 0.108).\u0000Discussion/Conclusion\u0000Our data suggests that a 50 mm midsole does not offer significant benefits compared with race-legal 40 mm midsole shoes when tested over short durations. The 50 mm shoes cause a noticeable decrease in V̇O2 over time when used outdoors, which may reflect a learning effect to this unfamiliar midsole thickness. Longer test sessions may be necessary to reveal the actual impact on running economy of shoes with over 40 mm midso","PeriodicalId":415194,"journal":{"name":"Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS)","volume":"41 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139800548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The development of Swiss sports clubs: Membership, volunteering, professionalization","authors":"Rahel Bürgi, Angela Gebert, H. Stamm, M. Lamprecht","doi":"10.36950/2024.2ciss010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36950/2024.2ciss010","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction\u0000The Swiss Sports Observatory has been conducting the national club survey since 1996. Every six years, the club managers of all sports clubs belonging to an association affiliated to Swiss Olympic are asked to complete a questionnaire. The survey is supported by Swiss Olympic, the Federal Office of Sport and other partners and provides information on the development of Swiss sports clubs, their structures and performance, as well as their strategies and prospects. The latest club survey was published at the end of 2023 (Bürgi et al., 2023).\u0000Methods\u0000The 2023 club survey is based on an online survey of 6,782 sports clubs. With a total of 18,229 sports clubs contacted, this results in a participation rate of 37.2%. The results were validated and their representativeness checked through various comparisons with other surveys (survey of the associations and the population surveys \"Sport Schweiz 2020\" and \"Freiwilligen-Monitor\").\u0000Results\u0000The number of sports clubs - but not the number of active members - has fallen slightly in recent years. However, the large number of small clubs continues to characterize the Swiss club system. The high density of clubs ensures a wide range of activities, but also ties up a lot of resources and leads to increased fluctuation among members. The vast majority of active members as well as children and young people are active in medium-sized and large clubs. The number of active club members has remained stable for many years. There has been no decline in club memberships, but the clubs cannot profit from population growth and the sports boom. There are also significant changes in the club structure: clubs are growing among children but losing members among adults. This development has an impact on the recruitment of volunteers. Voluntary work therefore remains the foundation of club sport, but also the number one challenge. The problem cannot be solved with increased professionalization. Although there is more paid work in clubs today, the need for volunteers is still growing. Club budgets also place limits on professionalization. Staff cost is already the largest expense item today. The financial situation of Swiss sports clubs has not generally deteriorated in recent years. However, it has not been possible to tap into new sources of income either and membership fees cannot be increased at will.\u0000Discussion/Conclusion\u0000Overall, Swiss sports clubs have coped well with the various challenges of recent years. At the same time, the proportion of clubs facing problems that threaten their existence is increasing. Only with the active further development of club work and differentiated approaches to solutions, which help to meet the growing demands placed on clubs and the associated increased need for volunteers and paid staff, will clubs remain a central pillar of Swiss sport in the future (Lamprecht & Nagel, 2022).\u0000References\u0000Bürgi, R., Lamprecht, M., Gebert, A. & Stamm, H. P. (2023). Sportvereine in der Schweiz ","PeriodicalId":415194,"journal":{"name":"Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS)","volume":"72 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139800651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Finger-specific representations are sharpened during a fatiguing motor task","authors":"Caroline Heimhofer, Susanne Koblitz, M. Bächinger, Nicole Wenderoth","doi":"10.36950/2024.2ciss048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36950/2024.2ciss048","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction \u0000Motor fatigability is a limiting factor in any kind of setting, in which physical performance is required. Motor fatigability can be quantified through the decrease in movement speed, when low-force movements are performed repeatedly with maximal speed. In this study, we measure motor fatigability in healthy participants through fast finger tapping for 30s. Previous research has shown that the decrease in movement speed, also called motor slowing, is associated with a rise in brain activity, a reduction in surround inhibition in the primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1), and an increase in co-activation of antagonistic muscle groups involved in the movement (Bächinger et al., 2019). However, it remains an open question of whether motor slowing and the associated release of inhibition causes a reduction of signal-to-noise ratio for movement-specific information. Here, we aim to answer this question by assessing finger representations using representational similarity analysis (RSA) when participants perform fatiguing tapping with either the index or middle finger. We hypothesized that a reduction of movement-specific information would be associated with the index and middle finger representations in SM1 getting “blurred” over time due to a gradual break-down of surround inhibition. Thus, if the signal-to-noise ratio of movement-specific information decreases in parallel with motor slowing, we would expect finger representations to become more overlapping. Vice-versa, if the signal-to-noise ratio of movement-specific information increases despite motor slowing, we would expect sharper finger representation. \u0000Methods \u000026 healthy young participants performed a motor slowing task during functional MRI. The participants performed 30s of maximal speed finger tapping with the index and the middle finger, alternating between trials. To quantify motor slowing from the behaviour, we performed a linear regression analysis. For the first-level general linear model of the fMRI data, the fingers were regressed separately and the 30s of tapping were further split into 3 x 10s regressors (time bin 1, bin 2, bin 3). We performed RSA separately on each 10s regressor for the anatomically defined regions of interest M1 and S1 hand area (Diedrichsen et al., 2013; Walther et al., 2016) and therefore obtained a dissimilarity measure for each time bin. A mixed effects model with the factor time was used to test whether dissimilarity changed across time bins. \u0000Results \u0000On the behavioural level, motor slowing could be observed, as tapping speed significantly decreased in each finger over time (F(1, 76) >= 5.78, p <=.05). Concerning the dissimilarity measure, we found an increase over time for S1 as well as M1 (F(2, 50) >= 17.41, p <=.001). \u0000Discussion/Conclusion \u0000We conclude that the finger representations in the sensorimotor cortex become more distinct with motor slowing. This suggests that the signal-to-noise ratio of movement-specific information is increased,","PeriodicalId":415194,"journal":{"name":"Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS)","volume":"158 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139858776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Voices of Swiss Paralympic athletes: Perspectives on mental health and well-being","authors":"Lucas Lüdi, Georg Pfarrwaller, Christian Imboden, Olivia Stoffel, Matthias Schlüssel, Andreas Heiniger, Birgit Kleim, N. Kiselev","doi":"10.36950/2024.2ciss013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36950/2024.2ciss013","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction\u0000The aim of this study is to provide an overview of Paralympic athletes’ views on mental health in a competitive sport context. Although research in the field of Paralympic sport has increased exponentially over the last two decades, mental health and its promotion have hardly been the subject of research so far (Claussen et al., 2022). Previous research shows that the practice of competitive sports influences the mental health of Paralympic athletes both positively and negatively (Swartz et al., 2019). Mental disorders are no exception, even in elite sports. Well-coordinated health care for the prevention and treatment of mental health challenges and mental disorders in elite sports is crucial for this purpose.\u0000Methods\u0000The methodological approach of the present study is based on a qualitative research design. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews and their evaluation with the help of applied thematic analysis (Guest et al., 2012). For the interviews, 15 active, adult, Swiss elite Para athletes were recruited.\u0000Results\u0000The results suggest that athletic success, the athletic activity itself and an improvement in physical health can lead to an increase in mental well-being. On the other hand, athletic failure, pressure to perform, and physical problems can cause psychological stress and facilitate mental disorders. (Lüdi et al., 2023).\u0000Conclusion\u0000In particular, the coordinated handling of mental health challenges and mental disorders among Paralympic athletes seems to need improvement, especially regarding the use of sports psychiatry and psychotherapy services.\u0000References\u0000Claussen, M. C., Imboden, C., Raas, M. I., Hemmeter, U., Seifritz, E., & Hofmann, C. G. (2022). Sportpsychiatrie und -psychotherapie im Leistungssport – Interdisziplinäre und interprofessionelle Versorgung und Zusammenarbeit [Sports psychiatry in competitive sports – Interdisciplinary and interprofessional care and collaboration]. Praxis, 111(4), 213-219. https://doi.org/10.1024/1661-8157/a003849\u0000Guest, G., MacQueen, K., & Namey, E. (2012). Applied Thematic Analysis. SAGE. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483384436\u0000Lüdi, L., Pfarrwaller, G., Imboden, C., Stoffel, O., Schlüssel, M., Heiniger, A., Kleim, B., & Kiselev, N. (2023). Perspectives on mental health and well-being: Voices of Swiss paralympic athletes. Sports Psychiatry: Journal of Sports and Exercise Psychiatry. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1024/2674-0052/a000057\u0000Swartz, L., Hunt, X., Bantjes, J., Hainline, B., & Reardon, C. L. (2019). Mental health symptoms and disorders in Paralympic athletes: A narrative review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53(12), 737-740. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-100731","PeriodicalId":415194,"journal":{"name":"Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS)","volume":"409 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139858904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of pulse width and frequency on evoked responses in electrostimulation: comparison between three muscle groups","authors":"Timothée Popesco, Quentin Gardet, Jonathan Bossard, N. Maffiuletti, N. Place","doi":"10.36950/2024.2ciss022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36950/2024.2ciss022","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction\u0000Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is an innovative and effective (re)training strategy to improve or restore neuromuscular function (Maffiuletti et al., 2018). Contractions induced by NMES differ in many aspects from voluntary contractions, as motor unit (MU) recruitment is random, synchronous and spatially fixed (mostly superficial; Maffiuletti, 2010). Consequently, several limitations, such as higher fatigability (Vanderthommen et al., 1999) and discomfort (Delitto et al., 1992) might restrain its clinical implementation. The use of specific stimulation parameters may partly overcome these limitations. Indeed, the use of wide pulses (≥ 1 ms) delivered at low stimulation intensity leads to a preferential recruitment of Ia sensory axons (Veale et al., 1973) which may promote MU central (reflexive) recruitment. Furthermore, the high stimulation frequencies (> 80 Hz) would facilitate the temporal summation of post-synaptic excitatory potentials and reflexively activate spinal motoneurons through Ia afferents (Dideriksen et al., 2015), which may increase force production. Another potential advantage of wide pulse high frequency (WPHF) NMES is that low stimulation intensities are required to limit antidromic collision, and these lower intensities are associated with less discomfort (Delitto et al., 1992). Therefore, by stimulating at intensities expected to generate ~10% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force, WPHF NMES induces, in some individuals, a progressive increase in force during the stimulation, called ‘extra force’. It can reach up to 80% of the MVC force in plantar flexors (Neyroud et al., 2018) but the response to WPHF NMES in other muscle groups is less documented. Extra force is usually accompanied by a prolongation of the surface electromyographic (EMG) activity after cessation of the stimulation, also called ‘sustained EMG activity’ which is interpreted as MU recruited through the central pathway (Neyroud et al, 2018). The main aim of the present study was to explore the effect of varying stimulation parameters on the NMES-evoked force and sustained EMG activity in the plantar flexors, knee extensors and elbow flexors. It was hypothesized that the plantar flexors would show higher centrally-mediated responses to NMES than knee extensors and elbow flexors, especially with large pulse duration.\u0000Methods\u0000Sixteen volunteers, 2 women and 14 men (29 ± 6 yr, 177 ± 6 cm, 74 ± 11 kg) participated to three experimental sessions - one for each muscle group - in a randomized order. The experimental protocol was similar for the three muscle groups and included twelve 10-s NMES trains separated by at least 2 min of rest and delivered at an intensity set initially to evoke 10% of the maximal voluntary contraction force. Stimulation trains were randomly delivered with a combination of frequencies (20, 50, 100 and 147 Hz) and pulse durations (0.2, 1 and 2 ms). Force was collected using specific isometric ergometers and ","PeriodicalId":415194,"journal":{"name":"Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS)","volume":"73 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139860284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}