Do socially anxious individuals lack behavioural mimicry? Examining the relationships among social anxiety, self-focused attention and mimicry

This dissertation examines behavioural mimicry – defined as the unintentional alteration of one’s behaviour to match that of an interaction partner – within individuals with high social anxiety. Reduced mimicry behaviour among individuals with high social anxiety has been demonstrated in past research using a virtual environment and interaction partner (Vrijsen, Lange, Becker, & Rinck, 2010; Vrijsen, Lange, Dotsch, Wigboldus, & Rinck, 2010). The following studies further examined the relationship between high social anxiety and mimicry behaviour in several contexts. In Study 1 (N = 81), the Automatic Imitation Task (AIT) was used to examine motor resonance, the tendency for corresponding motor activity to occur during observation of another individual acting. It was hypothesized that individuals with high social anxiety would show reduced motor resonance compared to those with low social anxiety; however, individuals with high and low social anxiety did not significantly differ on levels of motor resonance. In Study 2 (N = 84), an experimental environment that simulated a natural human social interaction was used to examine the relationship between mimicry and social anxiety. The simulated interaction involved a confederate (fake participant) who made a series of target movements during the interaction. Individuals with high social anxiety mimicked the confederate less (made fewer target movements) than those with low social anxiety; however, the reduced mimicry finding only occurred during the period in which the participants were talking, but not while they were listening. In addition, during the period in which participants were talking, increased self-focused attention was associated with reduced behavioural mimicry. Study 3 (N = 95) manipulated self-focused attention in participants with high social anxiety before they engaged in the mimicry task outlined in Study 2. Individuals with high social anxiety who were manipulated to have increased self-focused attention did not show reduced mimicry behaviour compared to individuals manipulated to have other-focused attention. However, among participants in the self-focused attention condition, increased self-focused attention was associated with reduced mimicry behaviour during the portion of the experiment when participants were listening, but not while they were talking. Collectively, these three studies provided partial evidence to support the notion of reduced mimicry among individuals with high social anxiety. Future research can further evaluate the contexts in which those with high levels of social anxiety may mimic less, as well as factors that may play a role (e.g., self-focused attention)

Differences in Simple and Complex Reaction Time Test Score Amont College Rodeo Athletes

Various sports rely heavily on reaction time (RT) to produce high levels of performance, and as expected, difference in RT are present within and between sporting activities. The sport of rodeo is a high velocity/intensity sport that require athletes to reaction quickly to the movement(s) of uncooperative livestock. However, no previous studies have investigated the RT profile of rodeo athletes and the differences in RT between rodeo events. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to establish simply and complex RT norms for rodeo athletes and secondly, identify RT difference between rodeo events. METHODS: College rodeo athletes (n = 39) from a mid-sized university in the southwest region volunteered as participates in this study. The athletes were categorized according to their rodeo event: Steer Wrestling (n = 3), Roping (n = 15), Goat Tying (n = 6), Barrel Racing (n = 10), or Rough Stock (n = 5). All rodeo athletes completed two RT tests, simple RT test (sRT) and complex RT test (cRT), which yielded RT measures for average sRT response, average cRT response, total sRT, and total cRT. These RT metrics were utilized to establish rodeo RT norms and describe differences among rodeo events. Basic descriptive statistics were calculated to establish rodeo RT norms and secondly, a MANOVA was utilized to differentiate reaction time scores between rodeo events. RESULTS: There were no significant difference between Steer Wrestling (sRT Ave. Total 30.52±2.95; cRT Ave. Total 34.21±2.70), Ropers (sRT Ave. Total 32.29±4.25; cRT Ave. Total 35.70±4.56), Goat Tying (sRT Ave. Total 32.42±1.74l; cRT Ave. Total 38.3±5.47), Barrel Racing (sRT Ave. Total 32.77±3.45; cRT Ave. Total 35.29±2.46), and Rough Stock (sRT Ave. Total 32.12±3.45; cRT Ave. Total 35.32±4.14) for all reaction time measures. CONCLUSION: The results of the investigation indicated RT performance were similar among all rodeo events. These results additionally provide newly established RT norms for rodeo athletes that could be utilized as baseline target metrics for RT training

Difference in Rate of Perceived Exertion between Cluster- and Traditional-set Lower Body Resistance Training

Training variation is an integral part of strength and conditioning programming as it stimulates recovery, various adaptations, enhances athletic performance outcomes, while avoiding overtraining. The structure of set and repetition prescription is often varied to achieve desired adaptive outcomes. Cluster-set (CL), or rest-pause set, training is a method utilized to change the traditional-set (TS) and repetition structure by interrupting the repetitions with a 10-30s rest interval. Results from previous reports describe CL training as optimal for increasing training volume, lift quality, and achieves similar hormonal responses when compared to TS training. However, no studies have examined differences in perceived exertion levels between CL and TS training. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate rate of perceived exertion (RPE) differences between CL and TS training when performing lower body exercises. METHODS: Twenty-two (10 male, 12 female) resistance-trained athletes were divided into control (TS; n = 8) and experimental (CL; n = 13) groups and participated in a 4-weeks lower body resistance training program. Prior to the first training session, participants completed 1-repetition maximum tests for squat (SQ) and deadlift (DL). Participants completed 2 workout (SQ and DL) routines each week, 48-hours of rest was required between routines. The TS training group completed: 4 x 5 (sets x reps) at 75% intensity during week 1; 4 x 4 at 75% during week 2; 5 x 6 at 80% during week 3, 3 x 4 at 77% intensity during week 4. Between-set rest for TS training was set at 120s for each routine and across all weeks. The CL training prescribed volume and rest matching that of TS. Cluster-set routines were as follows: 4 x (1 x 3; 1 x 2) (sets [sets x reps, sets x reps]) at 75% intensity during week 1; 4 x (2 x 2) at 75% intensity during week 2; 5 x (2 x 3) at 80% intensity during week 3; 3 x (2 x 2) at 77% intensity during week 4. Intra-set rest was set at 30s, inter-set rest was set at 90s, totaling 120s rest per set. Each group was asked to report an RPE score, according to Borgs Scale of Rate of Perceived Exertion, upon the completion of each workout session. The average RPE of all sessions was calculated for each group and differences between CL and TS were analyzed using an Independent Sample T-Test (α \u3c .05). RESULTS: The analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between DL TS RPE scores (4.1 ± 0.57) and DL CL RPE scores (5.7 ± 0.85), t(16)=-4.531, p \u3c 0.001. However, no RPE difference (p = .52) was expressed between TS (5.3 ± 0.77) and CL (5.7 ± 1.52) for SQ. CONCLUSION: These results suggest the use of CL training increases the perceived exertion level of participants when completing DL. While no statistically significant difference was yielded, RPE scores were lower for TS during SQ routines. These elevated levels of RPE during CL training assist in explaining previous findings of improved outcomes from CL training in comparison to TS training

A Pilot Study Examining the Relationship between Functional Movement Screening Scores and Rodeo Performance Outcomes

Research has identified diverse levels of flexibility among different sports and the athletes that compete within them. Rodeo, in particular, is a high intensity, high velocity sport, that requires substantial dynamic range of motion during competition. Functional Movement Screening (FMS) is a comprehensive set of tests that is recognized as a valid precursor to identifying potential injury and has established mobility norms for various sports. However, no studies have explored the FMS profile of rodeo athletes and the relationship between FMS and rodeo performance. PURPOSE: This investigation was designed to establish FMS norms for rodeo athletes per event (i.e., rough stock and timed events) and determine the impact of mobility on event specific performance. METHODS: Pre-season FMS was conducted on 29 collegiate rodeo athletes. Rodeo performance outcomes was collected upon the conclusion of the regular spring season rodeo. A spearman\u27s rank order correlation was employed to assess the relationship between FMS scores and rodeo performance outcomes. Alpha levels were set at p \u3c 0.05. RESULTS: Descriptive FMS results (M ± SD) are as follows: Tiedown Ropers (n = 2) 15 ± 1.41; Saddle Bronc Riders (n = 2) 15.5 ± 0.71; Steer Wrestlers (n = 5) 16.6 ± 2.70; Breakaway Ropers (n = 13) 16.6 ± 2.43; Goat Tiers (n = 5) 17.2 ± 1.79; Barrel Racers (n = 6) 16.2 ± 2.14. Strong, significant negative correlations were recognized between Barrel Racers Average Time and Shoulder Mobility (rs(6) = -.878, p = .021), Rotary Stability (rs(5) = -.845, p = .034), Deep Squat (rs(5) = -.878, p = .021), and Total FMS Score (rs(5) = -.812, p = .050). Marginal correlations were identified between Shoulder Mobility and Catch Percentage (rs(5) = .783, p = .118) and In-line Lunge and Average Time (rs(5) = -.707, p = .182) for Steer Wrestlers. A marginal correlation was identified between Hurdle Step and Average Time (rs(13) = -.536, p = .059), and Rotary Stability and Average Time (rs(5) = -.707, p = .182) for Breakaway Ropers. CONCLUSION: These results provide a novel perspective regarding the FMS status of rodeo athletes and highlights the influence sufficient dynamic mobility has on rodeo performance outcomes

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries