Optimal Level Of Arousal Research Articles

Psychophysiological strategies for enhancing performance through imagery–skin conductance level analysis in guided vs. self-produced imagery

Athletes need to achieve their optimal level of arousal for peak performance. Visualization or mental rehearsal (i.e., Imagery) often helps to obtain an appropriate level of activation, which can be detected by monitoring Skin Conductance Level (SCL). However, different types of imagery could elicit different amount of physiological arousal. Therefore, this study aims: (1) to investigate differences in SCL associated with two instructional modalities of imagery (guided vs. self-produced) and six different scripts; (2) to check if SCL could differentiate respondents according to their sport expertise. Thirty participants, aged between 14 and 42 years (M = 22.93; SD = 5.24), with different sport levels took part in the study. Participants listened to each previously recorded script and then were asked to imagine the scene for a minute. During the task, SCL was monitored. We analysed the mean value, variance, slope and number of fluctuations per minute of the electrodermal signal. Unsupervised machine learning models were used for measuring the resemblance of the signal. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for distinguishing guided and self-produced imagery, and The Mann–Whitney U test was used for distinguishing results of different level athletes. We discovered that among others, self-produced imagery generates lower SCL, higher variance, and a higher number of fluctuations compared to guided imagery. Moreover, we found similarities of the SCL signal among the groups of athletes (i.e. expertise level). From a practical point of view, our findings suggest that different imagery instructional modalities can be implemented for specific purposes of mental preparation.

Noise and dynamic decision making

Dynamic decision-making (DDM) is a cognitive skill where real-time interdependent decisions are made in an environment which is changing, for example for emergency services, firefighting, battlefield, and aircraft operations to name a few. These are all situations where moderate noise is present, yet little is known about its effect on DDM. A series of research studies investigated the effect of 75 dBA broadband noise on performance for a simulated water distribution task that requires constant DDM. The effect of the noise on performance was found to be moderated by workload, sex, and task familiarity. The noise was detrimental to females’ performance at low workload but not at high workload. Males were generally unaffected by noise regardless of the workload level. This suggests that an optimum level of arousal or stimulation may trigger individuals’ effort to maintain performance in stressors. Furthermore, there may be some benefit from moderate broadband noise for individuals experiencing high cognitive workload. Not unexpectedly, increased task familiarity, through increased experience and extended task instructions, helped reduce the negative noise effect, which is consistent with Maximal Adaptability Theory.

0122 Sleep Moderates Arousal and Executive Functioning in Autistic Children

Abstract Introduction Arousal dysregulation (over- or under-arousal) and executive functioning (EF) difficulties are positively correlated and often experienced by autistic children. Arousal and task performance (e.g., EF) are connected, such that there is an optimal arousal level for an optimal performance and arousal dysregulation reduces task performance. Up to 80% of autistic children experience sleep problems, and sleep problems are positively correlated with arousal dysregulation and EF difficulties. Thus, sleep may moderate the relationship between arousal and EF in autistic children. Given that sleep is modifiable through behavioral sleep treatment, it is important to better understand these relationships in autistic children. This study examined whether subjective and objective sleep moderated the relationship between HRV and EF among autistic children. Methods Children with autism spectrum disorder (N=65), verbal IQ >70, and parent reported sleep complaints (Mage=8.95, SD=2.01, range 6-12; 74% male) completed 14 days of sleep diaries (with parental assistance) and actigraphy, Holter Monitoring (8-mins at rest), and the Connor’s Continuous Performance Test (CPT)-III (ages 8+) or Connor’s Kiddie CPT-II (ages 4-7.11). Multiple regressions (SPSS PROCESS) examined whether sleep (subjective/objective wake after sleep onset-WASO, total sleep time-TST) moderated associations between arousal (standard deviation of normal-to-normal R-R-intervals-SDNN, proportion of adjacent R-R intervals differing by >50 ms-PNN50) and EF (CPT-perseverations, omissions, commissions). Analyses controlled for age. Results Objective WASO moderated associations between SDNN and CPT-perseverations (R2=.27, p=.03). At highest WASO, higher SDNN was associated with greater perseverations, t(1,65)=5.00, p=.029. Subjective TST moderated associations between PNN50 and CPT-perseverations (R2=.32, p=.01). At highest TST, higher PNN50 was associated with greater perseverations t(1,65)=4.27, p=.04. Conclusion When autistic children sleep more and have greater sleep fragmentation, EF may suffer (i.e., greater response repetition) if arousal is not high enough. While our finding for sleep fragmentation (indicative of poor sleep) is consistent with existing literature, that for greater sleep (indicative of better sleep) is not. This suggests the relationships amongst these constructs are complex in autism, and more research using longitudinal and experimental methodology and perhaps even examining other aspects of TST (e.g., variability) are needed. Support (if any) DOD Autism Research Program (McCrae, PI; W81XWH2010399); NIAMS (R01AR055160/R01AR005160- S1; P1,McCrae).

The Role of a Sensory Diet in Improving the Quality of Psychosocial Functioning of Students in Inclusive Education

Effective sensory processing is necessary for physiological regulation, the generation of appropriate behavioural responses and the development of academic skills. The physical environment in the classroom and at school can impact a child’s ability to become engaged in education. By creating proper sensory diets and a sensory-friendly classroom, teachers can help children achieve an optimal level of arousal and become successful students. That is why paying attention to the possibilities of creating a sensory-friendly environment is so essential as providing the appropriate amount of sensory stimuli tailored to students’ needs and capabilities. An in-depth literature review has been carried out to justify the role of a sensory diet and a sensory-friendly classroom. Analysing the theoretical and scientific context justifies the development of sensory programs in inclusive education. It shows the possibilities for both using and adapting them to the needs of students.

The Effects of Stress Mindset, Manipulated Through Serious Game Intervention, on Performance and Situation Awareness of Elite Female Football Players in the Context of a Match: An Experimental Study.

Background: Performance levels in football are ever more important and no longer are just physical, technical, and tactical skills, the ones that make an athlete stand out. Cognitive variables, such as stress-coping, become more important and seem to be explaining differences in performance, for example, through reaching an optimal level of arousal. In addition, it is suggested that stress-coping skills also affect situation awareness (SA), important for decision-making in the complex and dynamic situations in football. Objective: This study was conducted to examine how stress-coping skills, such as stress mindset, affect performance and SA in the context of a football match. Methods: Twenty elite female football players participated in the study. The final sample size consisted of 15 players for the Stress Mindset Measure (SMM) analysis and 8 players for the multilevel model analyses. Two types of intervention were used to manipulate stress mindset and control over heart rate variability (HRV); a serious game called "Stressjam," and a reflection tool called "Brainjam." Questionnaires for stress mindset and SA and video analysis for performance were used. A total of three matches were assessed. Results: The "Stressjam" intervention resulted in significant differences in stress mindset throughout the intervention [F(1,5) = 7.357, P = 0.008]. Subsequently, multilevel analysis showed a positive, strong, and significant correlation between stress mindset, manipulated through "Stressjam" and SA [r(14) = 0.69, P = 0.014]. A correlation of practical interest, given the confidence intervals, was found between stress mindset, manipulated through "Stressjam," and performance. Conclusion: Cognitive variables, such as stress-coping, correlate significantly with SA in football. A correlation of practical interest was found between stress-coping and performance. Further research is needed to study the relationship between stress-coping and performance in football.

Особенности психологической подготовки лыжника-гонщика

Modern sport is a competitive environment where the bar for the athletes in every aspect of the training is set very high. Psychological preparation of an athlete, along with other types of training, is one of the most important factors in the training process that demands a close attention and should be included in the annual training plan. Ski racing specifics influence the psychologic part of the training process in its own way. The athlete prepares to cope not only with the objective obstacles mostly depending on the weather conditions during the competitions, but with the challenges of a subjective nature due to a human factor. The latter is particularly important during the period of competitions and at the stage immediately preceding the competition. The process of psychological training should be aimed at the adaptation to the process of competitions. The optimal level of arousal and emotional agitation – mental readiness – directly affects the ski racing sport results. Modeling the competitive situation during a training process is a method of reaching that optimal state. The author explores the general and special psychological training methods, discusses the tasks and conditions for their implementation, and highlights the stages of special training.

Enjoyment in academic pursuit and performance improvement

Academic pursuit is a long-term commitment, which can lead to negative consequences, such as lack of motivation, dissatisfaction, and disappointment if performance in an examination is low. Enjoyment in academic pursuits can sustain the interest and focus necessary to learn and perform. The flow theory, optimal level of arousal, positive academic self-perception, and positive emotional environment provide the necessary intrinsic motivation and important directions to develop strategies to enjoy academic pursuit. A framework has been developed to indicate that simultaneous activation of positive academic self-perception and positive emotional environment routes leads to effective learning with consequent improvement in performance. Students can use these devices through continuous academic self-assessment. Research directions and applications are indicated.

Enjoyment in Academic Pursuit and Performance Improvement

Academic pursuit is a long-term commitment, which can lead to negative consequences, such as lack of motivation, dissatisfaction, and disappointment if performance in an examination is low. Enjoyment in academic pursuits can sustain the interest and focus necessary to learn and perform. The flow theory, optimal level of arousal, positive academic self-perception, and positive emotional environment provide the necessary intrinsic motivation and important directions to develop strategies to enjoy academic pursuit. A framework has been developed to indicate that simultaneous activation of positive academic self-perception and positive emotional environment routes leads to effective learning with consequent improvement in performance. Students can use these devices through continuous academic self-assessment. Research directions and applications are indicated.

Caffeine Produces Neutral Effects on Extraverts' and Introverts' Performance of Fundamental Motor Skills.

Extraverts are active and talkative, while introverts are quiet and calm. This difference has been attributed to the cortical activation level (arousal), which is low in extraverts and high in introverts. Thus, to reach an optimal level of arousal, extraverts seek stimulation and introverts avoid it. As caffeine increases arousal levels, our primary aim was to investigate the effect of caffeine on the performance of extraverted and introverted university students in the execution of stability, manipulative, and locomotor tasks. Considering the above, we evaluated side effects, such as restlessness and trembling of hands, we also analyzed the individual's perception regarding caffeine intake and the placebo. Forty two volunteers were classified as 21 extraverts and 21 introverts by the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Participants performed three tasks on two different days, having previously ingested caffeine and a placebo in counterbalanced order. A double-blind technique was employed. The dependent variable was the execution time to perform the tasks. The analyses of variance [2 (extraversion/introversion) x 2 (caffeine x placebo)] for each task did not show significant differences. Regarding the secondary aim, the chi-square test showed that introverts had a better perception of the substance they had ingested than did extraverts. Our findings indicate that in the execution of stability, manipulative, and locomotor tasks, either caffeine or the placebo produced the same effect, regardless of the participants' extraversion score. In addition, introverts were more sensitive to perceive which substance was ingested, caffeine or the placebo, than extraverts.

Unexpected awakenings in severe dementia from case reports to laboratory.

Case report notions of unexpected memory retrieval in patients with severe dementia near to death are starting to alter the central "irreversible" paradigm of dementia and locate dementia as a problem of memory retrieval, not consolidation. We suggest that the most likely central tenet of this paradoxical memory retrieval is the fluctuation of neuromodulators projecting from the brain stem to the medial prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. The neuromodulation-centric explanation of this phenomenon aims to open the "irreversible" paradigm of dementia up for discussion and suggest a plausible treatment strategy by questioning how the devastating process of death fluctuates memory performance in severe dementia. Supporting demented patients, who are mostly unresponsive, without making demands or asking a question and regarding them as valuable human beings unexpectedly improve their memory performance around the time of death. Around the time of death, neurological signs (hyper-arousal and -attention) of demented people point out that neurotransmitter discharges are dramatically changed. Relatively resistant neuromodulator circuits to neurodegeneration can maintain optimal levels of arousal and attention for memory processing. In this way, unexpected episodes of lucidity can be triggered. Also, corticotropin-releasing peptides might increase mental clarity by increasing the excitability of the neuromodulator circuits. The science of memory retrieval is more complicated and nuanced than retrieval observations in case reports, but the rapid development of new techniques holds promise for future understanding of lucidity in severe dementia. There is no an animal or human model to test this hypothesis; however, the similarities between neurological signs (instantaneous cognitive fluctuations) of delirium and paradoxical lucidity could provide a unique window to understand neural events of terminal lucidity on a modified animal model of delirium. Likewise, similarities between unexpected consciousness signs of terminal lucidity and lucid dreaming suggest that lucid dreaming episodes might be considered a human model for terminal lucidity research.

Dynamic Surface Exercise Training in Improving Trunk Control and Gross Motor Functions among Children with Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Single Center, Randomized Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACTBackground:Dynamic surface provides proprioceptive and vestibular feedback with optimal level of arousal. The activities on unstable environment have greater sensorimotor experiences. There is a lack of evidence examining the benefits of dynamic surface exercise training (DSET) among the children with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy (CP).Aim:The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of dynamic surface exercises on trunk control and gross motor functions in children with quadriplegic CP.Materials and Methods:A total of 30 children with spastic quadriplegic CP with Gross Motor Function Classification System of levels III and IV were recruited by the simple random sampling method (random number generator) to participate in this randomized controlled study. Recruited children were randomly divided into two groups, DSET group and standard physiotherapy training group. Both the groups received active training program lasting for 60 min, 4 days/week for 6 weeks. Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-88 and Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) scores were recorded at baseline, and at the end of 6-week post-intervention.Results:Total 30 children with quadriplegic CP with mean age 6.64 ± 2.15 years in experimental group and 6.50 ±1.59 years in control group participated in the study. Experimental group showed a significant difference for GMFM and PBS scores between pre- and post-intervention with P < 0.005. A significant difference was observed in GMFM scores between experimental and control group with P < 0.005.Conclusion:Six-week dynamic surface exercise therapy along with standard physiotherapy was effective in improving trunk control and gross motor function performance among children with spastic quadriplegic CP aged 6–12 years.

Anticipatory Salivary Cortisol and State Anxiety Before Competition Predict Match Outcome in Division I Collegiate Wrestlers.

Cintineo, HP and Arent, SM. Anticipatory salivary cortisol and state anxiety before competition predict match outcome in Division I collegiate wrestlers. J Strength Cond Res 33(11): 2905-2908, 2019-Anticipation of exercise and other stressors has been shown to result in physiological and psychological changes, which include increased levels of cortisol and anxiety. Combat sports, in particular, typically elicit robust anticipatory responses because of the distinct nature of these sports. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationship between state anxiety scores, anticipatory cortisol response, and performance outcomes in college wrestlers. A secondary purpose was to determine the correlation between anticipatory cortisol and state anxiety scores. Twenty-six collegiate wrestlers were recruited to undergo saliva collection and to complete the State Anxiety Inventory before a wrestling match and again on a rest day in a time-matched, control session. Univariate analyses revealed that both salivary cortisol and anxiety were greater before competition than on a rest day. In addition, it was found that losers had higher levels of anticipatory cortisol and anxiety compared with winners. A significant correlation between salivary cortisol and anxiety was found as well. These data show that higher cortisol and anxiety may negatively affect performance. Athletes and coaches should work together to determine optimal levels of arousal and should aim to replicate this during both training and competition to ensure consistently high levels of performance through appropriate preparation.

SENSATION SEEKING AND RISKY BEHAVIORS IN LIGHT OF GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

The study was conducted on a sample of 171 pairs of adult twins with the aim of determining the level of the genetic and environmental influence on individual differences for an optimal level of arousal (Zuckerman’s sensation seeking construct), and tendencies towards risky behavior (smoking and alcohol abuse). Sensation Seeking Scale and Personal Information Questionnaire were applied. The results have shown that sensation seeking subdimensions belong to the category of highly heritable personality traits (50% - 63%), as well as the smoking addiction (75%). An unshared environmental influence has also proven to be important for these variables. As for the alcohol abuse, it has been proven that it is mostly determined by the effect of the unshared environment (68%). Additionally, the additive genetic factor mainly contributes to covariation between sensation seeking constructs and different risky behaviors.

Effects of Attentional and Motivational Priming on Athletic Performance

The effect of motivational and attentional primes on athletic performance was assessed. Thirty-four male, recreational basketball players shot 10 free throws after completing a word scrambled sentence task that primed either autonomous motivation, fluency, or nothing (control). Results revealed that neither prime significantly increased free throw scores more than the control, but fluency primed participants scored significantly more free throws than autonomous motivation primed participants. Results provide support that athletes should try to relax during high pressure situations that require precision. Focusing on the task at hand will hinder performance, while naturally going through the motions will enhance performance. Results also provided support that there is an optimal level of arousal for performing one’s best. Too low or too high of arousal actually hinders an athlete’s performance.

The Central Amygdala Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) Neurons Modulation of Anxiety-like Behavior and Hippocampus-dependent Memory in Mice

The encoding, consolidation and retrieval of memories is a multifaceted process that depends strongly on the optimal level of arousal but high levels of arousal may trigger anxiety, which negatively impacts the memory processing by the brain. We investigated the role of CRH neurons in the central amygdala (CeA) for their capacity to modulate both, the anxiety-like behavior and hippocampus-dependent memory. First, we activated the CRH neurons in CeA using cre-dependent AAV-DREADD in CRH-cre mice. The activation of CeA CRH neurons increased the anxiety-like behavior in Elevated-O maze (O-maze) and Light-Dark box (LDB). The activation of the CeA CRH also decreased Y-maze memory performance and the discrimination index in novel object recognition test (NOR). The inhibition of CeA CRH neurons with AAV-DREADD had the opposite effects on the anxiety-like behavior and the memory tests. Next, we used a combination of retrograde cre virus injected into locus ceruleus (LC) and cre-dependent AAV-DREADD injected into the CeA. While the excitation of the CeA neurons that project to LC increased the anxiety-like behavior, it also led to a better performance on the memory tests. The behavioral and memory effects were accompanied by increased c-Fos expression in the LC region. Pretreatment with CRH1 receptor antagonist antalarmin hydrochloride blocked the effects that were observed after the activation of the CeA projections to LC. Our findings highlight the role of CeA CRH neuronal population not only as a generator of anxiety but also demonstrate their role in the control of hippocampus-dependent memory.

The role of genetic variation in the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) and mineralocorticoid receptor (NR3C2) in the association between cortisol response and cognition under acute stress

Although HPA – axis reactivity has repeatedly been related to cognitive functioning, ambiguity remains regarding the direction of the effect, i.e. whether it benefits or impairs functioning. Genetic factors that contribute to HPA – axis reactivity on the one hand and to cognitive functioning on the other could therefore help clarify the association between stress and cognition. We genotyped 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the NR3C1 gene (rs10482682, rs33389, rs10482633, rs10515522, rs2963156, rs4128428, rs9324918, rs41423247, rs6189, rs10052957) coding for the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and 4 SNPs on the NR3C2 gene (rs6810951, rs4635799, rs11099695, rs2070950) coding for the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and required N=126 healthy males to perform tasks assessing attention and reasoning before and after experiencing an acute laboratory stressor (the Socially Evaluated Cold Pressor Test, SECPT). Haplotype analyses revealed significant effects of NR3C1 (p=0.011) and NR3C2 (p=0.034) on cortisol stress response. NR3C2 also influenced attentional performance via an interaction with stress-induced cortisol response (p<0.001). Neither NR3C1 haplotype nor NR3C2 haplotype was associated with reasoning abilities.Results suggest that the association between stress induced cortisol reactivity and cognition strongly depends on genetic variation. The idea of an optimal arousal level depending on stress reactivity and genetic disposition is discussed.

Theory of Sustained Optimal Challenge in Teaching and Learning

Yerkes-Dodson law suggests an optimal level of arousal for the best performance in learning tasks. Ideally, the instructors’ expectations should match the abilities and inabilities of students. This study proposes a theory that challenges students optimally and continually over the course of teaching and learning, with proofs using both theoretical and classroom examples. The theory of sustained optimal challenge facilitates student learning by achieving primarily three objectives: (1) continually adjusts the speed and content difficulty levels over the course of teaching and learning; (2) matches the instructors’ expectations with the students’ aptitudes (abilities and inabilities); and (3) finally, reduces the variation in student learning. The effect of central limit theorem, teaching and learning theories, learning outcomes, and student feedback supported the proposed theory in a wide range of disciplines, including, Statistics, Mechanics, Quality, and Ergonomics. Sustained optimal challenges were observed in most courses taught utilizing the proposed theory.

Function and Dysfunction of Hypocretin/Orexin: An Energetics Point of View

The basic elements of animal behavior that are critical to survival include energy, arousal, and motivation: Energy intake and expenditure are fundamental to all organisms for the performance of any type of function; according to the Yerkes-Dodson law, an optimal level of arousal is required for animals to perform normal functions; and motivation is critical to goal-oriented behaviors in higher animals. The brain is the primary organ that controls these elements and, through evolution, has developed specialized structures to accomplish this task. The orexin/hypocretin system in the perifornical/lateral hypothalamus, which was discovered 15 years ago, is one such specialized area. This review summarizes a fast-growing body of evidence discerning how the orexin/hypocretin system integrates internal and external cues to regulate energy intake that can then be used to generate sufficient arousal for animals to perform innate and goal-oriented behaviors.

Behavioral and genetic correlates of the neural response to infant crying among human fathers

Although evolution has shaped human infant crying and the corresponding response from caregivers, there is marked variation in paternal involvement and caretaking behavior, highlighting the importance of understanding the neurobiology supporting optimal paternal responses to cries. We explored the neural response to infant cries in fathers of children aged 1-2, and its relationship with hormone levels, variation in the androgen receptor (AR) gene, parental attitudes and parental behavior. Although number of AR CAG trinucleotide repeats was positively correlated with neural activity in brain regions important for empathy (anterior insula and inferior frontal gyrus), restrictive attitudes were inversely correlated with neural activity in these regions and with regions involved with emotion regulation (orbitofrontal cortex). Anterior insula activity had a non-linear relationship with paternal caregiving, such that fathers with intermediate activation were most involved. These results suggest that restrictive attitudes may be associated with decreased empathy and emotion regulation in response to a child in distress, and that moderate anterior insula activity reflects an optimal level of arousal that supports engaged fathering.

Is There a Correlation in Improvements of TOPS Scores and Improvements in Track and Field Performances in Collegiate Athletes?

This presentation will share the results from a study conducted on college track and field athletes at the NCAA division II level. The study compares the results of scores on the Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS) and, individual athlete’s improvements in their event area according to the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) scoring charts for track and field. A select group of primarily middle distance and distance runners was selected for the study. These athletes were given a baseline TOPS examination to evaluate their prior knowledge and use of mental skills in their athletic experiences. Personal best times in the athlete’s primary events were recorded from the previous year. During the nine weeks of the outdoor track and field season that this study took place; athletes were introduced to a wide array of activities associated with improving their mental skills. Such activities included goal setting, imagery, relaxation, optimum level of arousal, affirmations, and the use of positive self-talk and routines. Athletes would have an organized mental skills session at least twice each of the nine weeks of the season. Athletes also had an individual meeting with the coaches to go over goal setting and the use of their mental skills to enhance their physical skills. After the outdoor season was completed the athletes took a post-examination TOPS. The scores were compared with their pretest scores as well as their improvement in personal best times in their main events on the track.