Mental fatigue impairs time trial performance in sub-elite under 23 cyclists

Purpose This study investigates the effect of a mentally demanding response inhibitory task on time trial performance in sub-elite under 23 cyclists. Methods Ten under 23 road cyclists completed two separate testing sessions during which they performed two different cognitive tasks before completing a 30-min time trial on the cycle ergometer. In the experimental condition, 30 min of a standard cognitive task (Stroop task) was used to elicit mental fatigue; in the control condition, a non-demanding activity was carried out. Subjective workload and mood were measured before and after the treatments, and motivation was recorded before the time-trial. During the time trial, power, cadence, heart rate, and rate of perceived exertion were assessed. Blood lactate concentrations and heart rate variability (using the root mean square of the successive differences) were measured before and after the time trial. Results The Stroop task was rated more mentally (P < 0.001) and temporally (P < 0.001) demanding, effortful (P < 0.001), and frustrating (P = 0.001) than the control task; fatigue (P = 0.002) and vigor (P = 0.018) after the cognitive tasks were respectively higher and lower than in the control task. Mean power output (P = 0.007) and cadence (P = 0.043) were negatively affected by the Stroop task, while heart rate (P = 0.349), rating of perceived exertion (P = 0.710), blood lactate concentration (P = 0.850), and root mean square of the successive differences (P = 0.355) did not differ between the two conditions. Conclusion A mentally demanding activity reduced the subsequent physical performance in sub-elite under 23 cyclists. Thus, avoiding cognitive efforts before training and races could improve performance of high-level athletes

Pacing profiles of Olympic and IAAF World Championship long distance runners

The aim of this study was to analyze the pacing profiles of Olympic and IAAF World Championship long distance finalists, including the relationship with their recent best times. The times for each 1,000-m split were obtained for 394 men and women in 5,000 m and 10,000 m finals at five championships. Athletes’ best times from the previous 32 months were also obtained. Similar pacing profiles were used by athletes grouped by finishing position in 5,000 m races. Women adopted a more even pacing behavior, highlighting a possible sex-based difference over this distance. Pacing behavior over 10,000 m was more similar between men and women compared with over 5,000 m. The main difference between men and women was that in the men's 10,000 m, as in the men’s 5,000 m, more athletes were able to follow the leading group until the final stages. There were large or very large correlations between athletes’ best times from the previous 32 months and their result; the fastest finishers also ran closer to their previous 32 months’ best times. Despite differences in pacing behavior between events, long distance runners should nonetheless stay close to the front from the beginning to win a medal

ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ БАКОВЫХ СМЕСЕЙ ГЕРБИЦИДА И СУПЕР2СМАЧИВАТЕЛЯ CИЛЬВЕТ ГОЛД В ПОСАДКАХ КАРТОФЕЛЯ

Biological and economic  efficiency of the tank mixture herbicide Zenkor Techno and wetting agent Silwet Gold in potato cultivation under the Kaluga region was defined. The absence of significant changes  in the efficiency by varying herbicide application rates (1.0 or 0.8 kg / ha) and the volume of the working solution (3006200 kg / ha) was noted.Определена биологическая и хозяйственная эффективность использования баковых смесей гербицида Зенкор Техно и суперсмачивателя Сильвет Голд в посадках картофеля в условиях Калужской области. Установлено отсутствие значимых изменений эффективности при варьировании норм расхода гербицида (1,0 или 0,8 кг/га) и объемов рабочего раствора (3001200 кг/га).

The risk of telling : a dyadic perspective on romantic partners' responses to child sexual abuse disclosure and their associations with sexual and relationship satisfaction

Essai présenté à la Faculté des arts et des sciences en vue de l'obtention du grade de Doctorat en psychologie clinique (D. Psy.)Les survivants d’agression sexuelle à l’enfance (ASE) doivent souvent composer avec les conséquences à long terme de ce trauma. Toutefois, il existe une grande variabilité quant aux impacts individuels de l’ASE. Certains auteurs croient que la réponse obtenue lors du dévoilement de l’ASE aux proches du survivant, pourrait être l’un des déterminants de cette variabilité. Cependant, le dévoilement à l’âge adulte, notamment au partenaire amoureux, a été peu étudié. La présente étude examine les associations entre les réponses des partenaires amoureux au dévoilement, tels que perçues par les survivants, ainsi que la satisfaction sexuelle et conjugale des deux membres du couple, auprès d’un échantillon de 70 couples de la communauté ayant rapporté une ASE et l’ayant dévoilée à leur partenaire. Les participants ont complété des questionnaires auto-rapportés en ligne. Les résultats d’analyses de trajectoire au sein d’un modèle « Actor-Partner Interdependence Model » (APIM) indiquent que les réponses de « soutien émotionnel » de la part des partenaires durant le dévoilement, telles que perçues par les survivants, étaient positivement associées à leur propre satisfaction sexuelle ainsi qu’à celle de leur partenaire. Les réponses de « stigmatisation/se sentir traité différemment » de la part des partenaires, telles que perçues par les survivants, étaient associées à une moins bonne satisfaction conjugale, à la fois pour les survivants et leurs partenaires. Les résultats suggèrent que les réponses des partenaires au dévoilement d’une ASE, tels que perçues par les survivants, peuvent avoir un impact positif autant que négatif sur la satisfaction conjugale et sexuelle des deux partenaires.Survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) often experience adverse trauma-related long term consequences, which vary widely among survivors. Some authors argued that this variability might be explained in part by the response of others to survivors’ disclosure of the CSA. However, disclosure during adulthood has received little empirical attention, in particular, disclosure to a romantic partner. Among 70 community couples who reported CSA and disclosure to their partner, this study examined associations between survivors’ perception of partner responses to their disclosure, and both partners’ sexual and relationship satisfaction. Participants completed self-report questionnaires online. Results of path analyses within an actor-partner interdependence model indicated that survivors’ perceived partner responses of emotional support to disclosure were associated with their own and their partners' higher sexual satisfaction. Survivors’ perceived responses of being stigmatized/treated differently by the partner were associated with their own and their partners’ poorer relationship satisfaction. Findings suggest that survivor-perceived partner responses to the disclosure of CSA can have both a positive and a negative impact on the sexual and relationship satisfaction of both partners

THE EFFECT OF MENTAL FATIGUE ON SPORT-SPECIFIC PHYSICAL AND TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Introduction: Acute mental fatigue is defined as a psychobiological state that may arise during or after prolonged cognitive activities. Despite several studies showed that mental fatigue appears to impair sport performance, the scientific comprehension of this topic is still limited. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to broaden the knowledge on the effects of mental fatigue on the sport-related performance. Study 1: This study aimed to investigate the effect of mentally demanding cognitive tasks on rowing performance in prepubertal athletes. Seventeen young rowers completed three separate testing sessions during which they performed three different cognitive tasks before completing a 1500 m time trial on the rowing ergometer. In the two experimental conditions, one hour of a standard cognitive task (Stroop task) and an arithmetic school test were used to elicit mental effort; in the control condition a time-matched, not demanding activity was carried out (painting). The performance of the time trial did not differ between conditions; physiological and perceptual measures recorded during the physical task were not affected by the conditions. Study 2: This study investigated the effect of a mentally demanding response inhibitory task on time trial performance in sub-elite under 23 cyclists. Ten under 23 road cyclists completed two separate testing sessions during which they performed two different cognitive tasks before completing a 30-min time trial on the cycle ergometer. In the experimental condition, 30 min of a standard cognitive task (Stroop task) was used to elicit mental fatigue; in the control condition, a non-demanding activity was carried out. Mean power output and cadence were negatively affected by the Stroop task, while heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), blood lactate concentration, and heart rate variability (HRV) did not differ between the two conditions. Study 3: This investigation examined the effects of mental fatigue on soccer-specific physical and technical performance in young players. Twelve under-14 (U14), twelve under-16 (U16) and twelve under-18 (U18) soccer players completed the two parts of the investigation. Part one assessed the soccer-specific physical performance using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test, Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1). Part two assessed the soccer-specific technical performance using the Loughborough Soccer Passing and Shooting Tests (LSPT, LSST). Each part was preceded by 30 min of Stroop task (mentally fatiguing task) or 15 min of reading magazines (control task) performed in a randomised and counterbalanced order. Mental fatigue significantly reduced Yo-Yo IR1 distance in the three age groups, alongside an increase in HR and RPE. Mental fatigue reduced soccer-specific physical performance in U14, U16 and U18 players, without alteration of technical performance, except for LSPT in U18. Study 4: This study investigated whether 4 weeks of endurance training could improve tolerance to mental exertion in untrained participants. Twenty participants completed a 4-week training protocol in a randomised and counterbalanced order. Baseline and follow-up assessment were conducted over three sessions in the week preceding and following the training period. During session 1, participants completed an incremental maximal ramp test. During sessions 2 and 3 participants completed a 15 min cycling time trial preceded by either a mental exertion or control task (counterbalanced). Following baseline assessments, participants were randomised into a physical training or placebo group that completed the training intervention thrice weekly over four weeks. The physical training resulted in increases in peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) relative to the placebo group. Physical training group increased their time trial distance following the mental exertion task to a greater extent than the placebo group. RPE during the time trial and perceptual measures of mental exertion did not significantly change between groups. Conclusions: This thesis provides insight into the effects of mental fatigue on sport-specific physical and technical performance, focusing in broaden the knowledge on different age-groups and evaluating, for the first time, the effect of an endurance training protocol on the ability to tolerate mental fatigue

A retrospective observational cohort study on the postoperative respiratory complications and their risk factors in brachycephalic dogs undergoing BOAS surgery: 199 cases (2019-2021).

OBJECTIVES: To observe the occurrence of postanaesthetic respiratory complications and to determine their prevalence and risk factors in dogs undergoing brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 199 clinical records were retrospectively analysed. Univariable logistic regression followed by multivariable logistic regression was used to identify associations between the dependent variables (set as the postoperative respiratory complications observed in the study dogs) and various independent covariates. The quality of model-fit was assessed using the likelihood ratio test. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Four postoperative respiratory complications were observed: hypoxaemia (n=10/199; 5%), dyspnoea requiring tracheal re-intubation (n=13/199, 7%), dyspnoea requiring tracheostomy (n=10/199, 5%) and aspiration pneumonia (n=12/199, 6%). Univariable logistic regression showed an association between postoperative aspiration pneumonia and increasing body condition score and American Society of Anaesthesiology classification; however, when these covariates were evaluated in the multivariable model significance was not maintained. Risk factors for tracheostomy were preoperative and postoperative aspiration pneumonia (odds ratio: 9.52, 95% confidence interval: 1.56 to 57.93) and increasing brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome grade (odds ratio: 4.65, 95% confidence interval: 0.79 to 27.50). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: High brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome grade and aspiration pneumonia, either developing peri-operatively or as pre-existing condition, may represent risk factors for postoperative tracheostomy. Preoperative diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia may further increase the risk of postoperative complications

EFFECTIVENESS OF USE OF TANKRMIXTURE OF HERBICIDE AND SUPERRWETTING AGENT SILWET GOLD IN POTATO PLANTINGS

Biological and economic  efficiency of the tank mixture herbicide Zenkor Techno and wetting agent Silwet Gold in potato cultivation under the Kaluga region was defined. The absence of significant changes  in the efficiency by varying herbicide application rates (1.0 or 0.8 kg / ha) and the volume of the working solution (3006200 kg / ha) was noted