Does observance of Ramadan affect sleep in athletes and physically active individuals? A systematic review and meta-analysis

This article presents a systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide an accurate description of the effect of Ramadan observance on sleep duration, sleep quality, daily nap duration, and daytime sleepiness in athletes and physically active individuals

Globally altered sleep patterns and physical activity levels by confinement in 5056 individuals:ECLB COVID-19 international online survey

Symptoms of psychological distress and disorder have been widely reported in people under quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic; in addition to severe disruption of peoples' daily activity and sleep patterns. This study investigates the association between physical-activity levels and sleep patterns in quarantined individuals. An international Google online survey was launched in April 6th, 2020 for 12-weeks. Forty-one research organizations from Europe, North-Africa, Western-Asia, and the Americas promoted the survey through their networks to the general society, which was made available in 14 languages. The survey was presented in a differential format with questions related to responses "before" and "during" the confinement period. Participants responded to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. 5056 replies (59.4% female), from Europe (46.4%), Western-Asia (25.4%), America (14.8%) and North-Africa (13.3%) were analysed. The COVID-19 home confinement led to impaired sleep quality, as evidenced by the increase in the global PSQI score (4.37 +/- 2.71 before home confinement vs. 5.32 +/- 3.23 during home confinement) (p &lt; 0.001). The frequency of individuals experiencing a good sleep decreased from 61% (n = 3063) before home confinement to 48% (n = 2405) during home confinement with highly active individuals experienced better sleep quality (p &lt; 0.001) in both conditions. Time spent engaged in all physical-activity and the metabolic equivalent of task in each physical-activity category (i.e., vigorous, moderate, walking) decreased significantly during COVID-19 home confinement (p &lt; 0.001). The number of hours of daily-sitting increased by similar to 2 hours/days during home confinement (p &lt; 0.001). COVID-19 home confinement resulted in significantly negative alterations in sleep patterns and physical-activity levels. To maintain health during home confinement, physical-activity promotion and sleep hygiene education and support are strongly warranted.</p

Learning of animated soccer scenes : Effect of instructional designs and expertise

Comment les animations pédagogiques doivent-elles être conçues pour améliorer l'apprentissage? Quels sont les facteurs qui doivent être pris en compte lors de du design des animations? Les récents progrès dans le domaine d'enseignement assisté par ordinateur ont permis de créer des visualisations dynamiques telles que les animations pour présenter des informations dynamiques qui changent au cours du temps et dans l'espace. Cependant, plusieurs recherches ont montré que les animations imposent de lourdes demandes sur les ressources de la mémoire de travail entraînant une diminution des résultats d'apprentissage. En se basant sur une perspective de la charge cognitive, nous avons essayé de manager la charge cognitive imposée par des animations de football à travers l'utilisation de différents designs pédagogiques. Les résultats ont indiqué des interactions significatives entre ces designs et le niveau d'expertise des joueurs, conduisant au phénomène connu sous le nom d'effet du renversement de l'expertise. Selon cet effet, les designs pédagogiques qui sont efficaces pour les joueurs novices peuvent devenir inefficaces, voire même nuisibles pour les joueurs experts. Les résultats soulignent l'importance d'ajuster les designs pédagogiques aux changements du niveau d'expertise du joueur.How instructional animations should be designed in order to enhance learning? What factors need to be taken into account in the design of animations? Recent advances in computer-based instruction have made it possible to produce dynamic visualizations such as animations to depict dynamic information that change over time and space. However, there has been increasing evidence accumulated that animations often impose significant working memory demands resulting in decreased learning outcomes. Based on a cognitive load perspective, in this thesis, we tried to effectively manage cognitive load imposed by soccer animations through the use of different forms of instructional designs. The results indicated significant interactions between these instructional designs and levels of player expertise, leading to the phenomenon known as the expertise reversal effect. According to this effect, the instructional designs that are effective for novice players may become ineffective or even detrimental for expert players. The findings argue for the importance of tailoring instructional designs to changing levels of player expertise

Dental Trauma First-Aid Knowledge and Attitudes of Physical Education Teachers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Literature with Meta-Regressions

The main objective of the present review is to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of physical education (PE) teachers concerning dental trauma first-aid through a systematic appraisal of the literature, meta-analysis and meta-regressions. The entire content of PubMed and ISI/Web of Science was mined. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies were studies evaluating dental trauma first-aid knowledge and/or attitudes and/or the effectiveness of mouthguards use by PE teachers. Articles written in any language and published or accepted by peer-reviewed journals were considered. Methodological quality was assessed using an adapted version of the Downs and Black instrument. Of 15 selected articles, three were of strong quality, three were moderate, and the remaining nine were rated as weak. The majority of studies showed that PE teachers had an inadequate knowledge of the initial management of dental trauma. Specifically, there was a lack of knowledge concerning an appropriate washing and transporting medium and the extra-alveolar period of an avulsed tooth. Due to the inadequate knowledge of PE teachers regarding dental trauma management, specific education should be added to PE classes to improve the emergency treatment of dental injuries

Ramadan observance is associated with higher fatigue and lower vigor in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses examining the effects of Ramadan observance on athletes’ mood states are lacking. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify the impact of Ramadan observance on athletes’ mood states assessed using validated scales. Six electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Wiley, Taylor & Francis, Scielo) were used to search for relevant studies conducted among athletes during Ramadan. Studies that included assessments of mood states, using validated scales, in athletes were included. The quality of the selected studies was scored using the QualSyst assessment checklist. Eighteen studies were selected, of which 15 were of strong quality and the remaining three studies were rated as moderate quality. Ramadan observance resulted in significantly higher fatigue scores (g = 0.781, 95% CI 0.481–1.08, p .05). Continuation of training during Ramadan increased feelings of fatigue and lowered vigor. Collaboration between mental and physical fitness coaches is needed to maintain the balance between workload and recovery during Ramadan observance. Future primary studies with greater methodological rigor are warranted

The effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on sleep-wake behaviour and daytime sleepiness in team sport referees

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of Ramadan fasting on sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in team sport referees. Seventy-eight male amateur team sport referees (age: 31.1 ± 10.8 years) participated in this study. Participants responded to the Arabic version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) questionnaires before (10-days prior) and during (last 7-days) the month of Ramadan. PSQI and ESS scores increased significantly during Ramadan (both p < .001, ES = 0.56 and 0.54, respectively) with 83.3% of participants scoring ≥5 in the PSQI. The percentage of participants suffering from severe excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS score ≥ 16) was 3.8% before vs. 7.7% during Ramadan (p < 0.001). Sleep duration decreased by ~ 1 h during Ramadan (p < .001, ES = 0.61) and was associated with a delay in bedtime of ~ 2 h (p < 0.001, ES = 0.7) and of wake-up time of ~ 1 h (p < 0.001, ES = 0.5). The score for daytime dysfunction and subjective sleep perception, as components of the PSQI, increased (both p < 0.001; ES = 0.79, ES = 0.57, respectively), whereas the score for the use of sleep medication decreased during vs. before Ramadan (p = 0.041, ES = 0.47). Ramadan fasting impaired sleep quality and increased daytime sleepiness in team sport referees. Future studies, using objective assessment tools, are warranted

Effects of COVID-19 home confinement on physical activity and eating behaviour Preliminary results of the ECLB-COVID19 international online-survey

Abstract Background Public health recommendations and governmental measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have enforced numerous restrictions on daily living including social distancing, isolation and home confinement. While these measures are imperative to abate the spreading of COVID-19, the impact of these restrictions on health behaviours and lifestyle at home is undefined. Therefore, an international online survey was launched in April 2020 in seven languages to elucidate the behavioral and lifestyle consequences of COVID-19 restrictions. This report presents the preliminary results from the first thousand responders on physical activity (PA) and nutrition behaviours. Methods Thirty-five research organisations from Europe, North-Africa, Western Asia and the Americas promoted the survey through their networks to the general society, in English, German, French, Arabic, Spanish, Portugese, and Slovenian languages. Questions were presented in a differential format with questions related to responses before and during confinement conditions. Results 1047 replies (54% women) from Asia (36%), Africa (40%), Europe (21%) and other (3%) were included into a general analysis. The COVID-19 home confinement had a negative effect on all intensities of PA (vigorous, moderate, walking and overall). Conversely, daily sitting time increased from 5 to 8 hours per day. Additionally, food consumption and meal patterns (the type of food, eating out of control, snacks between meals, number of meals) were more unhealthy during confinement with only alcohol binge drink decreasing significantly. Conclusion While isolation is a necessary measure to protect public health, our results indicate that it alters physical activity and eating behaviours in a direction that would compromise health. A more detailed analysis of survey data will allow for a segregation of these responses in different age groups, countries and other subgroups which will help develop bespoke interventions to mitigate the negative lifestyle behaviors manifest during the COVID-19 confinement