Individual Performance Research Articles

Individual Differences in the Impact of Distracting Environmental Sounds on the Performance of a Continuous Visual Task in Older Adults

Background/Objectives: Vulnerability to sound distraction is commonly reported in older adults with dementia and tends to be associated with adverse impacts on daily activity. However, study outcome heterogeneity is increasingly evident, with preserved resistance to distraction also evident. Contributory factors may include individual differences in distractibility in older adulthood per se, and failure to consider the influence of how difficult a person found the test. Methods: We therefore measured distractibility in a group of older adults by comparing the performance of a primary visual task (Swansea Test of Attentional Control), which includes an adaptive algorithm to take into account how difficult a person finds the test under both no-sound and sound conditions. Results: Analysis revealed no significant difference in group mean performance between no-sound versus sound conditions [t (33) = 0.181, p = 0.858; Cohen’s effect size d = −0.028], but individual differences in performance both within and between sound and no-sound conditions were evident, indicating that for older adults, distracting sounds can be neutral, detrimental, or advantageous with respect to visual task performance. It was not possible to determine individual thresholds for whether sound versus no-sound conditions affected a person’s actual behaviour. Conclusions: Nevertheless, our findings indicate how variable such effects may be in older adults, which in turn may help to explain outcome heterogeneity in studies including people living with dementia. Furthermore, such within-group heterogeneity highlights the importance of considering a person’s individual performance in order to better understand their behaviour and initiate interventions as required.

Untangling the dominant culture in China’s elite universities

AbstractWestern literature has shown that elite universities are not culturally inclusive, presuming that these institutions predominantly reflect the culture of the affluent middle class. While cultural inclusion of socioeconomically disadvantaged students is a globally relevant issue, the overarching presumption does not necessarily apply to non-Western societies. This article reconsiders this assumption in the Chinese context, addressing the lack of systematic research untangling the dominant culture in elite Chinese universities. A two-phase, mixed-methods case study was conducted at two top-ranked universities in eastern and western China. In the first phase, a content analysis of the stories of the universities’ award-winning seniors was combined with a thematic analysis of the in-depth interviews with 49 graduating seniors to untangle the formal and informal dominant culture in China’s elite universities. The findings led to a three-fold model of dominant culture characterized by an emphasis on individual academic performance, loyalty to Communist Party ideology, and the significant influence of students from advantaged family backgrounds. In the second phase, three hypotheses about the impacts of this dominant culture on students’ socio-cultural integration were tested, largely supporting the three-fold model and highlighting the roles of academic and political performance in facilitating cultural inclusion. This study sheds new light on cultural capital studies in non-Western contexts and emphasizes that cultural (dis)advantages should be cautiously examined considering the historical and ideological context shaping higher education.

The Impact of Exercise Load and Intensity on the Performance of China U24 3x3 Women Teams

This study analyzed the exercise load and exercise intensity of the China U24 3x3 women team in multiple games, combined with the performance data of the players in the game, and explored the impact of these factors on exercise performance. The results showed that there was a significant positive correlation between load intensity and average heart rate, and high load intensity usually led to a higher average heart rate. In addition, performance data such as scoring and rebounding were also significantly correlated with load intensity and load volume. Players with higher scores often underwent higher load volume and load intensity in the game. This shows that in high-intensity games, players' physical fitness and performance are closely related, and reasonable monitoring and management of load intensity are crucial to improving player performance and reducing the risk of injury. The study also showed that there were significant differences in load volume and load intensity between the U24 Blue Team and the U24 Red Team in different games, further emphasizing the importance of load management in game strategy and physical training. This study provides empirical evidence for basketball teams to formulate scientific training plans and game strategies, and emphasizes the importance of exercise load and intensity management to improve the overall performance of the team and the individual performance of the players.

Connectome-based Predictive Models of General and Specific Cognitive Control.

Cognitive control, the ability to adapt thoughts and actions to shifting contexts and goals, is composed primarily of three distinct yet interrelated components: Inhibition, Shifting, and Updating. While prior research has examined the nature of different cognitive components as well as their inter-relationships, fewer studies examined whole-brain connectivity to predict individual differences for the three cognitive components and associated tasks. Here, using the Connectome-based Predictive Modelling (CPM) approach and open-access data from the Human Connectome Project, we built brain network models to successfully predict individual performance differences on the Flanker task, the Dimensional Change Card Sort task, and the 2-Back task, each putatively corresponding to Inhibition, Shifting, and Updating. We focused on grayordinate fMRI data collected during the 2-Back tasks after confirming superior predictive performance over resting-state and volumetric data. High cross-task prediction accuracy as well as joint recruitment of canonical networks, such as the frontoparietal and default-mode networks, suggest the existence of a common cognitive control factor. To directly investigate the relationships among the three cognitive control components, we developed new measures to disentangle their shared and unique aspects. Our analysis confirmed that a shared control component can be well predicted from functional connectivity patterns densely located around the frontoparietal, default-mode and dorsal attention networks. In contrast, the Shifting-specific and Inhibition-specific components exhibited lower cross-prediction performance, indicating their distinct and specialized roles. Notably, the Updating-specific component showed significant cross-prediction with the general control factor, suggesting its central role in cognitive control. Given the limitation that individual behavioral measures do not purely reflect the intended cognitive constructs, our study demonstrates the need to distinguish between common and specific components of cognitive control.

Predictors of Individual Work Performance among Private Business Companies for an Enhanced Organizational Human Resource Plan

This study aimed to examine the influence of organizational culture and multi-dimensional self-control as predictors of individual work performance among employees in private business companies. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed, involving 110 respondents from Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte, selected through stratified sampling. Data were collected using three standardized questionnaires, and statistical tools such as Mean, Pearson r, Standard Deviation, and Regression Analysis were applied. The results indicated that both organizational culture and multi-dimensional self-control had significant positive relationships with individual work performance. Specifically, organizational culture was rated with an overall mean of 4.32 (strongly agree), while multi-dimensional self-control scored 3.80 (agree), and individual work performance received an overall mean of 3.75 (agree). These findings suggest that fostering a strong organizational culture and enhancing employee self-control are key strategies for improving work performance, especially in culturally diverse environments. While Presidential Decree No. 442, Article 3, emphasizes the protection of workers' rights and labor laws, its relevance in this study lies in the broader context of promoting effective organizational practices. The study concludes that interventions to strengthen company culture and develop training programs focused on enhancing self-control may significantly boost employee performance. Future recommendations call for more specific and targeted approaches to implement these interventions within organizational frameworks.

Online Versus Offline eSports Tournaments: Prize Structure and Individual Performance

This article examines whether the online context affects tournament theory incentive mechanisms. It investigates the impact of prize structure on player performance in eSports under online and offline conditions. Using a quasi-experimental approach with data from the Counter-Strike Global Offensive eSports scene, the study finds that high prize distributions increase individual output in both settings, but the incentive effect is weaker in online events.

The Communication Performance Analysis of the In Room Dining Division at Hotel “A” as the Basis for the Formation of Organizational Culture

Communication performance and organizational culture are closely related, in the process an individual's communication performance reflects their organization's culture. Every company has its organizational culture, including Hotel “A," which is one of the 5-star international hotels in Jakarta, also experiencing issues with its organizational culture. This study employs descriptive research with a qualitative approach. The method used in this research is interview with employees from the in-room dining division at Hotel “A”, that is a 2 active members of the organization. The research findings reveal problems in the communication performance at Hotel “A”. For instance, in terms of ritual performance, there is a company culture of working overtime. Additionally, in terms of passion performance, the abundance of job tasks in the in-room dining division diminishes the manager's focus, especially for unexperienced leader in a similar divisions. Social performance shows the existence of factions within the organization but with no significant impact on operations. Political performance manifests as a sense of superiority over certain groups (seniority). Lastly, enculturation performance indicates differences in training between staff levels and daily workers, creating clearer disparities. All of these issues stem from the inadequate communication performance in the in-room dining division at Hotel “A”. If left unaddressed, they may lead to demotivation, a decline in work ethic, and feelings of saturation among employees, ultimately impacting the formation of the company's culture. The researcher suggests that management and Human Resources collaborate to address these issues, fostering open communication and welcoming input to establish positive organizational culture.

Analysing elite European basketball players’ performances according to travel demands, game schedule and contextual factors

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of travel demands, scheduling, and contextual factors on individual player performances in the top 10 European basketball teams across the 2020–2021 season. Game-related statistics were analysed (n = 8,824 observations). Players were categorized into high, medium, and low status according to their average playing times. Hierarchical regression models evaluated the effects of distance travelled, hours since the previous game, contextual factors for the prior and current game, and playing position on performance indicators. Medium-status players collected fewer defensive rebounds (p = 0.009) and committed fewer fouls (p = 0.026), with more time between games. Further travelled distances were associated with reduced defensive rebounds (p = 0.017), alongside increased turnovers (p = 0.038) and 3-point shooting percentage (p = 0.032) in high-status players. After facing higher-level teams, high- and low-status players’ shooting worsened (p<0.05). Guards excelled in free-throw shooting and assists, forwards had fewer turnovers, and centers had better 2-point shooting and rebounds.

Independence Relationship to Police Member Performance of Poso Police Station

This study aims to analyze the relationship between independence and the performance of police members. The research approach carried out is quantitative. The data collection technique in this study is a list of questions (questioner). Data was collected through a questionnaire distributed to 155 respondents who were members of the Poso Police. In this study, the results of the analysis showed that there was a significant positive relationship between independence and performance. So, it can be said that there is a relationship between independence and performance. The findings of this study highlight the importance of independence for individual performance. The suggestions that can be given to agencies are that they can be a reference to increase the independence of members in order to improve the performance of their members.

The Graph Becomes the Dataset: Compiling Historical and Current RTG Data into One Place

Radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) technology has a very long and incredibly successful history of providing heat and power to some of humankind’s most successful space exploration missions. Members of the community that support and maintain this technology often like to show the entire history of RTG performance on “The Graph.” Meant to impress, The Graph does its job in that regard. Unless you were connected to the right people, however, it was very difficult to get a copy of The Graph or its underlying data. This made it difficult for many to dive into the technical details or evaluate individual RTG performance from historical missions. To make matters worse, the performance for several missions in The Graph were incomplete. In 2020, with a little extra time on their hands thanks to COVID, the authors reached throughout the RTG community to locate and collate the missing RTG data. This information was then published as an open-source tabular Dataset. Users can now build their own version of The Graph or use the data for a more detailed analysis of RTG performance. Updates to the currently operating missions in The Dataset are expected to occur on a roughly annual basis. This Dataset represents the most comprehensive, authoritative, up-to-date repository of all RTG performance available today.

The Influence of Workplace Incivility, Perceived Supervisor Support, and Job Satisfaction in Mediating Organizational Identification Has an Influence on Employee Performance in Teachers at the Yos Sudarso Karawang School

This research describes the results of the analysis which concludes that workplace incivility has a negative influence on organizational identification, while perceived supervisor support and job satisfaction show a positive influence, although not always significant. Apart from that, it was found that organizational identification has a positive and significant influence on employee performance. These findings support previous research which reports that the relationship between these variables is complex and can influence employee performance. Therefore, this research not only provides a better understanding of the factors that influence teacher performance at the Yos Sudarso Karawang school, but also highlights the importance of paying attention to organizational identification in an effort to improve individual performance in an organizational context. In addition, through clear identification of the problem, scope, problem formulation, objectives and benefits of research, this research also contributes to further understanding of important issues in education in Indonesia.

The Impact of Psychological Empowerment on Individual Performance in Balloon Companies: Is Justice Perception a Mediator?

Today’s organizations inevitably experience rapid changes at every moment. One factor that plays an important role in the success of organizations in this change is their employees. This study aims to examine the intermediary role of justice in the impact of psychological empowerment perceptions of employees working in balloon businesses belonging to the private aviation industry on individual performance. The study used a convenience sampling method, and the data were obtained from 454 employees by questionnaire. The study used the SPSS 25.0 Program and Process Macro v 4.0 application. Frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability analysis were conducted. In addition, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, regression, and mediating effects were analyzed using the bootstrap method developed by Hayes (2013). In addition, the Sobel test was used to examine the significance of the mediating effect. As a result of the study, the relationship between competence and interactional justice (r =.550; p =.000) is higher than other variables. Moreover, psychological empowerment has a significant and positive impact on individual performance (95% CI [.37; .59]; ß=.4553; p=.000). In addition, psychological empowerment has a significant and positive impact on the justice perception (95% CI [.31; .32]; ß=0.191; p=.000). Justice perception has a significant and positive impact on individual performance (95% CI [.32; .47]; ß=.4052; p=.000). Finally, justice perception has a semi-intermediary impact on psychological empowerment and individual performance (ß=.7892) and (95% CI [.1431, .1488]).

Evaluating Educational Outcomes: A Comparative Analysis of Tutoring Institutes and Formal Schools

Background and Aims: A comparative analysis of tutoring institutes and formal schools is essential because it identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each educational setting, guiding improvements in teaching methods and resource allocation. This understanding informs policymakers, educators, and parents about how to improve educational strategies to help students succeed. This paper analyzes the educational outcomes of tutoring institutes and formal schools. Methodology: The methodology effectively combines various data sources and structured analysis tools to compare educational outcomes in tutoring institutes and formal schools. By combining detailed document reviews and thematic analysis, the study provides a thorough understanding of how these educational settings compare to one another. Results: the finding found that the comparative analysis demonstrates that formal schools provide a broad, structured educational framework, whereas tutoring institutes provide personalized support that improves individual academic outcomes. Formal schools benefit from a comprehensive curriculum and standardized assessments, but they may lack flexibility in meeting specific needs. Tutoring, on the other hand, excels at personalized instruction and immediate feedback, even though it can increase costs and stress for students and families. Conclusion: The findings show that formal schools provide a broad, structured education, whereas tutoring institutes provide tailored support that improves individual academic performance. Although formal schools provide a consistent curriculum, tutoring's personalized approach, despite the potential for additional costs and stress, frequently results in more targeted outcomes.

Assessing the Turkish version of the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ) for its validity and reliability

BackgroundsThis study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ).MethodsA total of 340 adult participants who had been working for at least 8 h a day completed the study questionnaire online. The questionnaire consisted of sections on demographics and socioeconomic characteristics, the IWPQ, and the ultrashortened version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-3). Principal component analysis (PCA) with Promax rotation was conducted to assess the e three-factor structure for the Turkish version of the IWPQ. Cronbach’s alpha was used to determine internal consistency. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess test-retest reliability. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated between the IWPQ and UWES-3 scales to evaluate convergent validity.ResultsThe three factors accounted for a total variance ratio of 60.7%. Cronbach’s alphas of three subscales (task performance, contextual performance, and counterproductive work behavior) were 0.894, 0.875, and 0.796, respectively. Test-retest reliability showed high agreement, with ICCs of 0.96, 0.98, and 0.91 for the respective scales. There was a statistically significant correlation between UWES-3 and the task performance subscale (ρ = 0.367 and p < 0.001), a statistically significant correlation between UWES-3 and the contextual performance subscale (ρ = 0.403 and p < 0.001), and a statistically significant correlation between UWES-3 and the CWB subscale (ρ=-0.352 and p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ) identifies work performance.The Turkish version of the IWPQ scales demonstrated validity and reliability in assessing individual work performance.

How the Menstrual Cycle Can Be Utilized During Sports Training, Performance, and Recovery through Wearable Technology: A Narrative Review for Researchers, Physicians, Coaches, and Athletes.

The menstrual cycle (MC) serves as a vital indicator of overall health and metabolic function, regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and involving a complex interplay of hormones. Understanding these hormonal dynamics is crucial for deciphering an individual's physiological status and performance potential, particularly in athletes. Studies regarding the MC's impact on athletic performance and training often lack inclusivity, standardized methodologies, and inconsistent biological definitions, hindering comprehensive conclusions. Moreover, societal inequalities contribute to the underrepresentation of female athletes in research, exacerbating the lack of understanding regarding female physiology in sports medicine. Leveraging wearable technology presents a promising avenue for both tracking MCs and optimizing athletic training/recovery. Wearables offer real-time monitoring of biometrics that often correlate with hormonal fluctuations, and lifestyle trends (diet, sleep, stress) aiding in personalized training schedules and performance optimization. Integrating data collected by MC dynamics and wearable technology into athletic training has the potential to decrease the generally perceived negative impacts MC has on athletic performance. Addressing gaps in research methodologies and promoting awareness among athletes, coaches, and healthcare professionals are essential steps toward maximizing the potential of MC-informed training strategies.

Investigating the relationship between impairment and performance in goalball: A level playing field?

ABSTRACT Currently, all eligible goalball players compete together irrespective of their level of vision impairment, yet it remains unclear whether those with more impairment are disadvantaged during competition. Following the International Paralympic Committee’s requirement for evidence-based, sport-specific classification, this study assessed whether individual goalball performance relates to the level of visual impairment. Using results from the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games, players’ sport classes and in-competition key performance statistics (minutes played, throws per minute, goals per minute, penalties conceded per minute, blocks per minute, and goals per throw) were extracted. Players’ visual acuity and visual field results were obtained through the IBSA Sport Administration System. Results showed no statistically significant differences in performance between classes. Further, there were no significant relationships between vision and performance for all six variables for female players. A small but significant positive correlation was found between visual acuity and the number of penalties conceded for male players. Collectively, the results suggest that currently eligible players compete fairly against one another during competitive goalball matches. Results provide support for the existing system of classification whereby all eligible athletes compete against each other irrespective of their level of impairment.

The Relationship of Preseason Upper Extremity Function, Pain and Training on Normalized DIII Collegiate Swimming Performance.

Shoulder injuries comprise the largest proportion of swimming injuries and there is a large percentage of swimmers participating with pain. Therefore, it is assumed that shoulder pain decreases performance, but studies have not compared collegiate swimmers' performance with and without pain. 1) Determine if individual swimmer's shoulder pain and function are associated with a change in normalized swimming performance over a season.2) Determine if differences in normalized swimming performance exist among 3 collegiate teams. 3) Qualitatively describe and compare team's training regimes. Cross sectional study. Swimmers completed pre-(T1) and post-season (T2) surveys including pain ratings and shoulder function using the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) shoulder and elbow questionnaire. Swimming times were obtained from published meet results. Coaches reported training programs through interviews and tracking logs. 52 NCAA Division III swimmers from 3 teams. Stepwise linear regression was used to determine if pain and function related to performance. Team demographics and normalized swimming performance (reduction in time per lap from season's beginning to end) were compared with ANOVAs with post-hoc tests. Initial KJOC scores, but not pain, related to individual swimming performance. Differences in team performance were found (p=0.006), with Team 3 having greatest reduction in time (1.01 sec/lap), lower percentage of females, a more experienced coach and a periodization schedule with large increases and decreases in yardage. There was a main effect (p=0.043) for baseline demographics with Team 3's swimmers being taller and having longer competitive experience. The initial KJOC score predicting swimming performance improvement demonstrates the need for athletic trainers to prioritize enhancement of pre-season function. Endurance training induced hypoalgesia and motivation may explain the lack of effect of shoulder pain on performance. Further research is needed to elucidate optimal periodization and dryland training.

WuYou decoction effectively reduces neuronal damage, synaptic dysfunction, and Aβ production in rats exposed to chronic sleep deprivation by modulating the Aβ-related enzymes and SIRT1/Nrf2/NF-κB pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceChronic sleep deprivation (CSD) can result in neuronal damage, synaptic dysfunction, Aβ production, neuroinflammation, and ultimately cognitive deterioration. WuYou Decoction (WYD), a contemporary prescription, has shown promise in enhancing sleep quality and cognitive performance in individuals with insomnia. However, the specific molecular mechanisms responsible for the neuroprotective effects of WYD on CSD remain incompletely understood. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of WYD on the CSD model and its molecular mechanism. Materials and methodsUHPLC-MS/MS analysis was utilized to analyze the active ingredients of WYD extract. The study employed the multi-platform water environment method to establish the CSD model in rats. Subsequent to treatment with varying doses of WYD in CSD rats, cognitive function and pathological alterations in hippocampus and cortex, including neuronal damage, synaptic dysfunction, Aβ production, and neuroinflammation, were evaluated through a combination of Morris Water Maze test, HE staining, Nissl staining, Golgi-Cox staining, Transmission electron microscope, ELISA, Immunohistochemistry staining, Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot. ResultsUHPLC-MS/MS analysis revealed a total of 99 active ingredients were identified from the WYD extract. The administration of WYD exhibited a mitigation of cognitive decline in the model of CSD, as evidenced by increased neuron count in the hippocampus and cortex, and improved density and length of dendritic spines in these brain regions. Furthermore, WYD was found to suppress the Aβ production, and inhibit the expression of BACE1, PS1, GFAP, IBA1, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, phosphorylated IκBα (Ser32) and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (Ser536) in the hippocampus and cortex, while also increasing the levels of PSD95, SYN1, ADAM10, IDE, SIRT1 and Nrf2. ConclusionsWYD exhibits neuroprotective properties in CSD, potentially through modulation of the Aβ-related enzymes and SIRT1/Nrf2/NF-κB pathway.

Exploring breed differences in discrimination, reversal learning, and resistance to extinction in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris)

Learning is crucial for shaping domestic dogs’ behaviour through life experiences, yet not all breeds exhibit the same learning aptitude towards a particular task. The current study’s objective was to identify differences in behaviour and learning performance across and within five breed clades and elucidate the underlying factors contributing into these variations. Dogs (n = 111) from five breed clades (UK Rural, Retrievers, Asian Spitz, European Mastiff, and New World) participated in a virtual learning task with their owners. Owners completed validated questionnaires of Impulsivity and Reward Responsiveness. The learning task comprised of reinforcing an arbitrary behaviour (hand-touch) through multiple sessions of Acquisition (reinforcing the hand-touch), Discrimination (reinforcing the hand-touch on one of two hands) and Reversal Learning (reinforcing the hand-touch on the opposite hand), followed by a single session of Extinction (hand-touch not reinforced). Results showed notable differences across the studied breed clades in certain learning and behavioural components. However, the observed disparities may not be entirely attributed to inherent cognitive differences among the breed clades but rather potentially influenced by contextual factors such as the human-dog communication dynamics associated with breeds’ cooperativity. Furthermore, breed clades differed in the contributing factors predicting individual learning performances, which could highlight the potential effect of breeds’ historical function.

Doing social science with conservation: co-reflexivity on the project model in conservation

Abstract The conservation sector increasingly values reflexivity, in which professionals critically reflect on the social, institutional and political aspects of their work. Reflexivity offers diverse benefits, from enhancing individual performance to driving institutional transformation. However, integrating reflexivity into conservation practice remains challenging and is often confined to informal reflections with limited impact. To overcome this challenge, we introduce co-reflexivity, offering an alternative to the binary distinction between social science on or for conservation, which respectively produce critical outsider accounts of conservation or provide social science instruments for achieving conservation objectives. Instead, co-reflexivity is a form of social science with conservation, in which conservation professionals and social scientists jointly develop critical yet constructive perspectives on and approaches to conservation. We demonstrate the value of co-reflexivity by presenting a set of reflections on the project model, the dominant framework for conservation funding, which organizes conservation activity into distinct, target-oriented and temporally bounded units that can be funded, implemented and evaluated separately. Co-reflexivity helps reveal the diverse challenges that the project model creates for conservation practice, including for the adoption of reflexivity itself. Putting insights from social science research in dialogue with reflections from conservation professionals, we co-produce a critique of project-based conservation with both theoretical and practical implications. These cross-disciplinary conversations provide a case study of how co-reflexivity can enhance the conservation–social science relationship.