Prefrontal Cortex Activity Predicts Mental Fatigue in Young and Elderly Men During a 2 h “Go/NoGo” Task

Background: Although the effects of mental fatigue on cognitive–motor function and psychological state in young adults are well-documented, its effects in the elderly are not completely understood. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of prolonged cognitive load on the indicators of psychological, cognitive, and motor functions.Methods: Fifteen young and 15 elderly men were asked to perform a 2 h “Go/NoGo” task. Psychological state (mood and motivation), cognitive (prefrontal cortex activity and cognitive performance), and motor (motor cortex excitability and grip strength) functions were measured before and after the task. During the 2 h task, both groups had a significantly similar increase in the number of “Incorrect NoGo” errors. Only in young men reaction time (RT) of “Incorrect NoGo” and intraindividual variability of RT of “Incorrect NoGo” significantly increased during task. After the task, handgrip strength decreased for the young men, whereas latency of motor evoked potentials prolonged both groups. Nevertheless, both groups indicated that they felt fatigue after the 2 h task; we observed that mental demand increased, whereas intrinsic motivation and mood decreased only in young men. Prolonged task decreased the switching/rest ratio of oxygenated hemoglobin for the young and the elderly men; however, greater for elderly than young men. Interestingly, the more the prefrontal cortex was activated before the 2 h task during the switching task, the fewer of “Incorrect NoGo” errors made by the young men and the greater the number of errors made by the elderly men.Conclusion: Because of the greater mental load and (possibly) greater activation of prefrontal cortex during the 2 h “Go/NoGo” task, there was greater mental and neuromuscular performance fatigue in young men than in elderly men

Adaptation and validation of the Lithuanian-language version of the Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale (PEAS)

Problem Statement: Research evidence suggests athletes’ attitudes toward doping may be a strong predictor of doping behaviour. Therefore, it is important to assess attitudes and facilitate cross-cultural comparisons using validated instruments. Aim: The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the Lithuanian version of the Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale (PEAS). Material and Methods: Research participants were 205 university students (142 males and 63 females) in sports sciences. Adaptation of the PEAS in Lithuanian was conducted through forward/backward translation. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to assess the scale’s structure, and Cronbach’s alpha was applied to measure the internal consistency. Pearson’s correlation was used to assess the relationship among the PEAS and intention to dope and attitudes toward fair play in sport as evidence of convergent validity. Results: The study results did not prove a one-dimensional structure of the 17-item PEAS scale. A two-factor 11-item structure was established by confirmatory factor analysis. The scale showed good acceptable levels of internal consistency. As expected, athletes with less positive attitudes toward doping were less likely to use doping and had more positive attitudes toward fair play in sport. It was found that female athletes had significantly less positive attitudes toward doping than males. Comparing attitudes toward doping in relation to competitive level, a significant difference was not found. Limitations of the study and further research perspectives are also discussed. Conclusion: The study results indicate the 11-item scale is a valid and reliable instrument and should be used with Lithuanian-speaking athletes

Adaptation and validation of the Lithuanian-language version of the Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale (PEAS)

Problem Statement: Research evidence suggests athletes’ attitudes toward doping may be a strong predictor of doping behaviour. Therefore, it is important to assess attitudes and facilitate cross-cultural comparisons using validated instruments. Aim: The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the Lithuanian version of the Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale (PEAS). Material and Methods: Research participants were 205 university students (142 males and 63 females) in sports sciences. Adaptation of the PEAS in Lithuanian was conducted through forward/backward translation. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to assess the scale’s structure, and Cronbach’s alpha was applied to measure the internal consistency. Pearson’s correlation was used to assess the relationship among the PEAS and intention to dope and attitudes toward fair play in sport as evidence of convergent validity. Results: The study results did not prove a one-dimensional structure of the 17-item PEAS scale. A two-factor 11-item structure was established by confirmatory factor analysis. The scale showed good acceptable levels of internal consistency. As expected, athletes with less positive attitudes toward doping were less likely to use doping and had more positive attitudes toward fair play in sport. It was found that female athletes had significantly less positive attitudes toward doping than males. Comparing attitudes toward doping in relation to competitive level, a significant difference was not found. Limitations of the study and further research perspectives are also discussed. Conclusion: The study results indicate the 11-item scale is a valid and reliable instrument and should be used with Lithuanian-speaking athletes

Повышение грамотности академической честности и преодоления возможных проявлений коррупции в системе высшего образования Литвы

Recently, academic integrity literacy and anti-corruption issues have become very topical in education system. Lithuanian domestic and foreign policy is interested in reducing corruption in order to improve Lithuania's international image in all sectors. Research conducted in recent years lacks the anti-corruption theme of public education and the image of impunity is relevant. In the education system, corruption takes many forms and dimensions [37]. In all cases, corruption challenges the quality of education and thus the socio-economic development of the society. The research aim was to analyse documents available to higher education communities aimed at enhancing academic integrity literacy and prevent possible manifestations of corruption in higher education systems. The objectives of the research: to analyse documents which are available to higher education communities and related to academic integrity literacy, to assess the documents visibility and accessibility to the academic community and the public, to establish if the available documents were analysed and examined by the academic community members. Analysis of recent research and publications. Academic integrity literacy and preventing corruption in higher education is a growing topic in educational research. I. Silova, M. Johnson, S. Heyneman (2007), E. Denisova-Schmidt (2016), highlights more how corruption affects the efficiency of the economy. R. Bikulciute and R. Mrazauskaitethe (2013) excluded the problems of academic integrity literacy. N.L. Rumyantseva (2005) represented the taxonomy of corruption in the higher education system. A.L. Osipian (2008), S. Tanaka(2001) G. Mohamedbhai (2015) and others, wrote the manifestations of hidden and open corruption or corruption forms. Research methodology. Aiming at analysing the documents available to higher education communities to enhance academic integrity literacy and prevent possible corruption in the higher education system, analysis of these documents was carried out. Also, their visibility and accessibility to the academic community and the public was assessed. Quantitative research with students and teachers was used to establish how well the academic community members knew the aforementioned available documents. Conclusion. On their websites, higher education institutions publish all documents that regulate their activities including studies, which allows to prevent or partially reduce the existence of not only visible corruption but also hidden forms of corruption. As a preventive measure in higher education, members should be made more aware of the code of ethics and internal rules of work. However, various forms, such as thematic training, seminars or surveys, should be used systematically to fight corruption

Повышение грамотности академической честности и преодоления возможных проявлений коррупции в системе высшего образования Литвы

Recently, academic integrity literacy and anti-corruption issues have become very topical in education system. Lithuanian domestic and foreign policy is interested in reducing corruption in order to improve Lithuania's international image in all sectors. Research conducted in recent years lacks the anti-corruption theme of public education and the image of impunity is relevant. In the education system, corruption takes many forms and dimensions [37]. In all cases, corruption challenges the quality of education and thus the socio-economic development of the society. The research aim was to analyse documents available to higher education communities aimed at enhancing academic integrity literacy and prevent possible manifestations of corruption in higher education systems. The objectives of the research: to analyse documents which are available to higher education communities and related to academic integrity literacy, to assess the documents visibility and accessibility to the academic community and the public, to establish if the available documents were analysed and examined by the academic community members. Analysis of recent research and publications. Academic integrity literacy and preventing corruption in higher education is a growing topic in educational research. I. Silova, M. Johnson, S. Heyneman (2007), E. Denisova-Schmidt (2016), highlights more how corruption affects the efficiency of the economy. R. Bikulciute and R. Mrazauskaitethe (2013) excluded the problems of academic integrity literacy. N.L. Rumyantseva (2005) represented the taxonomy of corruption in the higher education system. A.L. Osipian (2008), S. Tanaka(2001) G. Mohamedbhai (2015) and others, wrote the manifestations of hidden and open corruption or corruption forms. Research methodology. Aiming at analysing the documents available to higher education communities to enhance academic integrity literacy and prevent possible corruption in the higher education system, analysis of these documents was carried out. Also, their visibility and accessibility to the academic community and the public was assessed. Quantitative research with students and teachers was used to establish how well the academic community members knew the aforementioned available documents. Conclusion. On their websites, higher education institutions publish all documents that regulate their activities including studies, which allows to prevent or partially reduce the existence of not only visible corruption but also hidden forms of corruption. As a preventive measure in higher education, members should be made more aware of the code of ethics and internal rules of work. However, various forms, such as thematic training, seminars or surveys, should be used systematically to fight corruption

Changes in biochemical and functional parameters for men during exercise

Benefits of physical activity are undeniable. The aim of the present research was to determine the effects of physical activity and age on cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood, as well as changes in the functional parameters of the cardiovascular system, during stepwise increases in physical load for men employed in the same place, but with different levels of physical activity. The subjects were 95 military officers who were divided into groups according to the level of physical activity of their occupation, with veloergometry used as physical load. Cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood were taken as biochemical indices. The results showed that occupational physical activity had a positive effect on biochemical and cardiovascular functional parameters before, during, and after the physical load. Only the cardiovascular rate (systolic blood pressure) in older subjects was significantly higher than that of the younger persons; for all other parameters, age had no effect at all

Students’ skills and experiences using information and communication technologies in remote physical education lessons

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are rapidly invading education and leading to transformation in this area. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional educational process was moved to a remote environment, and educators faced many challenges in maintaining the same quality as face-to-face teaching. Physical education (PE) lessons should be marked out as a special case. The aim of this research was to determine the relationship of 8–12th-grade Lithuanian students to information and communication technologies and to reveal students’ experiences of participating in remote PE lessons. A total of 268 students selected by the convenience sampling method filled out a questionnaire consisting of four blocks with 53 closed and 4 open questions divided into topics. The relationships between physical activity during quarantine and its predictors were assessed using linear and hierarchical regression analyses. It was estimated that students’ computer literacy skills were slightly higher than average, and positive attitudes of students towards ICT in the educational process would prevail. In remote PE lessons, students usually exercised independently or together using a video communication program. Students’ expectations for remote PE lessons included the performance of sports, interesting and active challenges, and the opportunity to be independent. Older students and students who spent more time with ICT and had lower computer literacy skills were less physically active and fit. During the quarantine, students’ physical activity and fitness decreased

Moral identity and attitudes towards doping in sport: whether perception of fair play matters

Research evidence suggests that athletes’ attitudes towards banned substances are among the strongest predictors of intention to use or actual practice of doping. Previous research has found that personal morality was negatively related to doping attitudes. However, less is known about the role of athletes’ perceptions of fair play on their attitudes towards doping. First, we examined whether moral identity was associated with athletes’ attitudes towards doping and whether their perceptions of fair play mediated this relationship. The second purpose was to determine whether these associations differed among non-athletes. Overall, 365 university students (49.9% males, 55.3% athletes) participated in this study (mean age 22.02, SD = 6.58). They completed questionnaires measuring the aforementioned variables. The results showed that athletes’ moral identity and endorsement of fair play were negatively associated with their attitudes towards doping. The mediation analyses showed that the effect of moral identity on attitudes towards doping was partially mediated by perceptions of fair play (indirect effect, β = −0.10, p < 0.05). Unlike student athletes, non-athletes’ moral identity negatively predicted attitudes towards doping only indirectly, via fair play perception (indirect effect, β = −0.08, p < 0.05). The study provides insights into how a person’s morality and perception of moral values in sport may act as factors related to doping in sport. The practical implications for the promotion of anti-doping attitudes for athletes and separately for student non-athletes were provided together with future research perspecti

Adaptation and validation of the Lithuanian-language version of the Olympic Value Scale (OVS)

Background: The Olympic Games is one of the biggest sports events which should express and promote Olympic ideals. Aiming to generate more insights on the expression of Olympic Values, the Olympic Value Scale (OVS) was developed to assess how people perceive values in relation to the Olympic Games. The aim of the present study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Lithuanian version of OVS (LT-OVS). Methods: The scale construct validity and reliability was tested using a sample of 365 university students (mean age 22.02, SD = 6.58; 49.9% male). After the evaluation of the scale structure, convergent and discriminant validity as well as reliability of the scale were evaluated by assessing composite reliability and average variance extracted (AVE), examining the square root of the AVE. For further validity analysis, associations between the LT-OVS factors and other variables were examined. Results: The original OVS captures three dimensions, which are appreciation of diversity, friendly relations with others, and achievement in competition. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the original three-factor structure of the OVS. The internal consistency values for all three subscales of the LT-OVS were 0.80 and higher. Convergent and discriminant validity criterions were met. Relations between the LT-OVS dimensions and attitudes towards fair play and Olympic Games were also revealed and discussed. Conclusions: This study makes a contribution by confirming the validity of the LT-OVS and encouraging future adaptation of it into other cultures and research on Olympic Values

High-volume intermittent maximal intensity isometric exercise caused great stress, although central motor fatigue did not occur

To establish whether very high-volume, high-intensity isometric exercise causes stress to the body and how it affects peripheral and central fatigue. Nineteen physically active healthy male subjects(21.2 ± 1.7 years; height – 1.82 ± 0.41 m, body weight – 79.9 ± 4.5 kg; body mass index – 24.3 ± 2.1 kg/m2 ) volunteered to participate in this study. They participated in two experiments 3–5 days apart. Each experiment comprised six series of 60-s maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) force (knee extension) achieved as rapidly as possible. This very high-volume, high-intensity exercise (HVHIE) was performed at different quadriceps muscle lengths: short (SL) and long (LL). The MVC and the electrically stimulated contractile properties of the muscle were measured prior to HVHIE, immediately after and 3 min after each series, and at 3, 10, and 30 min after the end of HVHIE. We found that HVHIE caused high levels of stress (cortisol levels approximately doubled, heart rate and the root mean square successive difference of interval (RMSSD) decreased by about 75%); lactate increased to 8–11 mmol/L, voluntary and 100 Hz stimulation-induced force (recorded immediately after HVHIE) decreased by 55% at LL and 40% at SL. However, the central activation ratio during MVC did not change after either exercise. Isometric HVHIE performed using one leg caused high levels of stress (RMSSD decreased, cortisol increased after HVHIE equally at SL and LL; La increased more while exercising at LL) and the voluntary and electrostimulation-induced muscle force significantly decreased, but muscle central activation during MVC did not decrease