Interpersonal and intrapersonal entrainment of self-paced tapping rate

publishedVersio

More pronounced bimanual interference in proximal compared to distal effectors of the upper extremities

Bimanual performance depends on effective and modular bilateral communication between the two bodysides. Bilateral neural interactions between the bodysides could cause bimanual interference, and the neuromuscular system for proximal and distal muscles is differently organized, where proximal muscles have more bilateral interneurons at both cortical and spinal level compared to distal muscles. These differences might increase the potential for bimanual interference between proximal arm muscles, because of greater proportions of bilateral interneurons to proximal muscles. The purpose of the present experiment was to evaluate potential differences in bimanual interference between proximal versus distal effectors in the upper extremities. 14 participants first performed a unilateral primary motor task with dominant arm with (1) a proximal and (2) distal controlled joysticks (condition A). Performance in condition A, was compared with the same effector’s performance when a bimanual interference task was performed simultaneously with the non-dominant arm (condition B). The results showed a significant bimanual interference for both the proximal and distal controlled joysticks. Most interestingly, the bimanual interference was larger for the proximal joystick compared to the distal controlled joystick. The increase in spatial accuracy error was higher for the proximal controlled joystick, compared with the distal controlled joystick. These results indicate that the proximal-distal distinction is an important organismic constraint on motor control, and especially for bilateral communication. There seem to be an undesired bilateral interference for both proximal and distal muscles. The interference is higher in the case of proximal effectors compared distal effectors, and the results seem to map the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological differences for these effectors.publishedVersio

The impact of physical growth and relative age effect on assessment in physical education

Author's accepted version (post-print).This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in European Journal of Sport Science on 30/12/2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/17461391.2016.1268651.Available from 01/07/2018

Relative Age Effects and Gender Differences in the National Test of Numeracy : A Population Study of Norwegian Children

publishedVersio

Interpersonal and intrapersonal entrainment of self-paced tapping rate

Entrainment is a ubiquitous property not only of interacting non-linear dynamical systems but also of human movements. In the study reported here, two premises of entrainment theory were investigated in a tapping task conducted in both interpersonal (i.e. between individuals) and intrapersonal (i.e. between effectors) conditions. Hypothesis 1 was that interacting oscillatory systems should demonstrate synchronisation, which was predicted to emerge as in-phase tapping behaviour in both inter- and intrapersonal conditions. Support for Hypothesis 1 was observed in the in-phase synchronisation of tapping in both individual bimanual trials and uni-manual and bimanual tapping in dyads. By contrast, Hypothesis 2 was that the oscillatory system with the faster initial rate would decelerate, whereas the one with the slower initial rate would accelerate, as manifest in increased self-paced tapping rates amongst participants with initially slower rates and decreased rates amongst ones who initially tapped at faster rates. However, that pattern predicted in Hypothesis 2 was not observed; on the contrary, all participants increased their tapping rates in interpersonal conditions, which occurred significantly amongst participants with the lowest preferred tapping rates. Such an outcome indicates a novel aspect of synchronised movement in humans that warrants further investigation

More pronounced bimanual interference in proximal compared to distal effectors of the upper extremities

Bimanual performance depends on effective and modular bilateral communication between the two bodysides. Bilateral neural interactions between the bodysides could cause bimanual interference, and the neuromuscular system for proximal and distal muscles is differently organized, where proximal muscles have more bilateral interneurons at both cortical and spinal level compared to distal muscles. These differences might increase the potential for bimanual interference between proximal arm muscles, because of greater proportions of bilateral interneurons to proximal muscles. The purpose of the present experiment was to evaluate potential differences in bimanual interference between proximal versus distal effectors in the upper extremities. 14 participants first performed a unilateral primary motor task with dominant arm with (1) a proximal and (2) distal controlled joysticks (condition A). Performance in condition A, was compared with the same effector’s performance when a bimanual interference task was performed simultaneously with the non-dominant arm (condition B). The results showed a significant bimanual interference for both the proximal and distal controlled joysticks. Most interestingly, the bimanual interference was larger for the proximal joystick compared to the distal controlled joystick. The increase in spatial accuracy error was higher for the proximal controlled joystick, compared with the distal controlled joystick. These results indicate that the proximal-distal distinction is an important organismic constraint on motor control, and especially for bilateral communication. There seem to be an undesired bilateral interference for both proximal and distal muscles. The interference is higher in the case of proximal effectors compared distal effectors, and the results seem to map the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological differences for these effectors

Intra‐arterial blood pressure traits during and after heavy resistance exercise in healthy males

This randomized within‐subjects crossover‐designed study evaluated intra‐arterial blood pressure (BP) traits in seven healthy males (24 ± 1 years) during heavy resistance exercise (HRE) to failure (10 × 5 repetitions, 5RES) and not to failure (10 × 3 repetitions, 3RES), both at 5RM load. By combining few repetitions, avoidance of Valsalva maneuver, and restricting the duration of each contraction, we hypothesized (a) that HRE could be performed without acute excessive elevated BP; (b) a dose relationship regarding acute BP elevation following 5RES versus 3RES; and (c) both modes of HRE to induce post‐exercise hypotension (PEH). BP was measured before, during, and throughout 90 minutes post‐exercise. Systolic BP and mean arterial pressure decreased during 3RES (P P P < .01). Documented by continuous intra‐arterial BP monitoring, this study demonstrates that HRE can be performed without acute excessive elevated BP during exercise, but still induce PEH. These novel results are important, as they may pave way for future studies utilizing HRE in patients where avoidance of excessive elevated BP is important

Intra‐arterial blood pressure traits during and after heavy resistance exercise in healthy males

This randomized within‐subjects crossover‐designed study evaluated intra‐arterial blood pressure (BP) traits in seven healthy males (24 ± 1 years) during heavy resistance exercise (HRE) to failure (10 × 5 repetitions, 5RES) and not to failure (10 × 3 repetitions, 3RES), both at 5RM load. By combining few repetitions, avoidance of Valsalva maneuver, and restricting the duration of each contraction, we hypothesized (a) that HRE could be performed without acute excessive elevated BP; (b) a dose relationship regarding acute BP elevation following 5RES versus 3RES; and (c) both modes of HRE to induce post‐exercise hypotension (PEH). BP was measured before, during, and throughout 90 minutes post‐exercise. Systolic BP and mean arterial pressure decreased during 3RES (P < .001 and P < .05) and increased during 5RES (P < .01 and P < .001). The maximal individual systolic BP observed during exercise was 191 (3RES) and 212 mm Hg (5RES). Both modes of HRE induced PEH with lower systolic and mean arterial pressure (both P < .01). Documented by continuous intra‐arterial BP monitoring, this study demonstrates that HRE can be performed without acute excessive elevated BP during exercise, but still induce PEH. These novel results are important, as they may pave way for future studies utilizing HRE in patients where avoidance of excessive elevated BP is important

More pronounced bimanual interference in proximal compared to distal effectors of the upper extremities

Bimanual performance depends on effective and modular bilateral communication between the two bodysides. Bilateral neural interactions between the bodysides could cause bimanual interference, and the neuromuscular system for proximal and distal muscles is differently organized, where proximal muscles have more bilateral interneurons at both cortical and spinal level compared to distal muscles. These differences might increase the potential for bimanual interference between proximal arm muscles, because of greater proportions of bilateral interneurons to proximal muscles. The purpose of the present experiment was to evaluate potential differences in bimanual interference between proximal versus distal effectors in the upper extremities. 14 participants first performed a unilateral primary motor task with dominant arm with (1) a proximal and (2) distal controlled joysticks (condition A). Performance in condition A, was compared with the same effector’s performance when a bimanual interference task was performed simultaneously with the non-dominant arm (condition B). The results showed a significant bimanual interference for both the proximal and distal controlled joysticks. Most interestingly, the bimanual interference was larger for the proximal joystick compared to the distal controlled joystick. The increase in spatial accuracy error was higher for the proximal controlled joystick, compared with the distal controlled joystick. These results indicate that the proximal-distal distinction is an important organismic constraint on motor control, and especially for bilateral communication. There seem to be an undesired bilateral interference for both proximal and distal muscles. The interference is higher in the case of proximal effectors compared distal effectors, and the results seem to map the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological differences for these effectors