Repeated Measures GLM Research Articles

School Based Physical Activity Intervention to Reduce Obesity and Increase Physical Fitness Obese Elementary Children

Background: The prevalence of obesity is extremely high and increasing in elementary school children in the US, but recent systematic reviews have concluded that there are no simple, generalizable and successful obesity prevention strategies available. Objective: To assess whether an 8-week-school-based physical activity intervention would reduce BMI percentiles and improve physical fitness in both normal weight and obese children. Material and Methods: One hundred and one children were consented to the study (mean age 8.12 ± 0.10 years). BMI and BMI percentiles for age and gender were determined using EpiInfo. Participants were classified as Obese (OB) (n=48) if they had a BMI percentile of ≥ 95% for their age and gender. Normal weight (NW) was (n=53) classified as having a BMI percentile lower than 75% for age and gender. Intervention consisted of an 8-week enhanced physical activity program in school (100 minutes/week). Physical fitness was assessed using the FITNESSGRAM test battery. Repeated measures GLM was used to assess within and between subjects’ effects from pre- to post-testing. Results: GLM showed significant results within subject and between subject for BMI percentile, trunk lifts, push-ups, sit ups, sit and reach and the 1-mile run (p’s <0.01). However, our results also showed that there was a significant reduction in BMI percentile (0.001), weight (p=0.05) and waist/hip ratio (p=0.01) for the obese group. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that an 8-week physical activity intervention was successful in improving physical fitness in NW and OB children. The 8-week program also was successful in reducing BMI percentile in the OB group. Future studies should consider increasing both the duration of the program and the sample size.

A-63 Adolescent Males Demonstrate Greater Reduction in Dizziness Compared to Females after Vestibular Therapy Post-Concussion

Abstract Purpose To examine sex differences in treatment response to vestibular therapy following subacute concussion. Methods This secondary analysis of a double-blind RCT recruited adolescent concussion patients with vestibular dysfunction and randomized to either a vestibular intervention group (VESTIB) or a behavioral management group (CONTROL). Participants completed The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) at initial evaluation, 2, and 4 weeks (±5 days) postintervention. The intervention was administered by concussion specialized vestibular therapists. A 2x2x3 repeated-measures GLM was conducted to examine sex differences (male, female) on DHI score at 3 time points (initial evaluation, 2 and 4 weeks postintervention) for both groups (CONTROL, VESTIB). Results VESTIB (n=12, 6F/6M) and CONTROL (n=15, 10F/5M) participants were 15.39+/-1.57 years old, injured within 21 days of initial evaluation. Results of the repeated-measures GLM supported a main effect for decrease in DHI (F[2,22]=30.47, p<.001, Wilks'Λ=.27, partial η2=.74) across visits. There was a significant group x gender x time interaction for DHI (F[2,22]=4.45, p=.024, Wilks'Λ=0.71, partial η2=.29), in which the males in the VESTIB group had a more significant decrease in DHI, while similar change in DHI was observed across genders for the CONTROL group. A main effect for group on DHI score fell short of significance (p=.06). Conclusions Our preliminary study suggests adolescent males may experience a faster resolution of dizziness compared to females' post-concussion when receiving vestibular therapy, but behavioral management supported similar dizziness reduction rates between sexes. Future research should examine mechanisms for differences in treatment response, such as adherence to treatment or underlying physiological differences.

BASELINE PURPOSE IN LIFE PREDICTS FUNCTIONAL HEALTH ACROSS 16 WEEKS IN OLDER ADULTS WITH PROGRESSIVE VISION LOSS

Abstract Greater purpose in life is associated with various positive outcomes in later life, such as, lower mortality risk, protection against cognitive decline, and lower spending on medical care and emergency room visits. Recent research from the Health and Retirement Study has shown that older adults with greater purpose in life have fewer physical limitations after four years. There has been no research to investigate purpose in life in older adults with progressive vision loss. The aim of this study is to examine whether purpose in life predicts functional health (i.e., activities of daily living) across a 16-week period of time in a sample of older adults (aged 60–96) with vision loss due to macular degeneration who were enrolled in a resilience building program (Nf 122). A repeated measures GLM showed that functional health did not change across 16 weeks (ns). Age (F(1, 112)=8.91, p=.003, ηp2=.07) and purpose in life (F(1,112)=13.21, p < .001, ηp2= .11) were significant overall predictors of functional health across time. Gender, education, cognition, marital status, depression, and loneliness at baseline were not associated with overall functional health. People who were younger were more likely to have better functional health over 16 weeks; purpose in life added 11% of explained variance. Because purpose in life is malleable and also significantly associated with better functional health in older adults with progressive vision loss, future interventions that enhance purpose in life should be studied with this population.

A 10 Week Study to Determine the Effects of Live Vs Virtual Delivery of Transitions Program on Body Image

Home exercise regimens and digital streaming of exercise programs have become increasingly popular. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a 10 week delivery of in-person versus virtual delivery of the WELLBEATS™ Transitions group exercise class on body image. The study was conducted with sedentary women between the ages of 40 and 65 who volunteered for the study. The results indicated that a repeated measures GLM revealed a significant multivariate within group effect for participation in both exercise programs (pre-posttest), Wilks’ λ = .335, F (10, 30) = 5.96, p <. 001, partial eta squared = .665 indicating that participation in Transitions Live and Virtual fitness exercise programs impact participants’ perceptions on body image, body weight, eating issues, and physical appearance. Based on the findings in the current study either an in-person or virtual exercise program lasting 10 weeks can have a positive impact on body image in sedentary middle-aged women.

Sex moderates the effects of experimentally induced musculoskeletal pain on alcohol demand in healthy drinkers

BackgroundPain may serve as an antecedent for alcohol use, increasing risk for hazardous drinking and associated consequences. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) induction produces clinically relevant but time-limited musculoskeletal pain. This study was conducted to determine whether DOMS induction on the dominant elbow flexors influenced alcohol demand using the Alcohol Purchase Task (APT). We hypothesized DOMS would increase alcohol demand relative to a sham control. Based on existing studies of pain self-medication, we expected DOMS-related increases in alcohol demand would be greatest in men. MethodsParticipants (N = 53; 57 % women) were randomly assigned to a DOMS (eccentric exercise) or sham condition (concentric exercise). Participants completed the APT pre-exercise and 48 -hs post-exercise. Repeated measures GLM was used to characterize group by sex by time interactions on APT indices, including intensity, breakpoint, essential value (EV), Omax, and Pmax. ResultsThe DOMS procedure significantly increased pain ratings at the elbow flexors. Men had significantly higher demand intensity than women across groups and time points. Significant interactive effects were detected for breakpoint and EV. From pre- to post-test, breakpoint significantly increased in men in the DOMS group. However, breakpoint and EV significantly decreased in women in the DOMS group. ConclusionsIncreased alcohol demand in men in the DOMS group was consistent with epidemiological data suggesting men are at higher risk for self-medicating pain with alcohol than women. However, decreased demand in women was unexpected. Taken together, results indicate DOMS induction may be a useful means to characterize pain as an antecedent for alcohol use.

The effect of religiosity–morality interaction on auditor independence in Egypt

Purpose This paper aims to examine the effect of religiosity on the degree of auditor independence given the significance of symbolic gestures constructed by client economic conditions in different situations before and after considering the degree of auditors’ moral development. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses an experimental design based on running mixed factorial analysis of variance (SPANOVA) using mainly repeated measures GLM to test the interaction effects between (and within) variables on auditor independence. Findings The main findings indicate that there is a significant interactional effect between the degree of moral development and intrinsic religiosity on the degree of auditor independence, given the stimulating effect of the client’s economic gestures/conditions. Practical implications The Egyptian economy is growing and ensuring that auditor independence is paramount to sustaining the local, as well as foreign investors’ interest. Hence, this study is very important in highlighting factors that might lead to some impairment of auditors’ independence. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to test the interactional effect between the religious orientation rather than religious affiliation and moral development on the degree of auditor independence, such a relationship has not been tested before in the literature. Additionally and most importantly, it uses statistical measurement through its experimental design, as there is a lack of studies in terms of auditor independence in Egypt. The existing literature follows the perceptional assessment rather than the real measurement of the degree of auditor independence.

Engaging leadership training – fostering social interaction skills through e-learning and blended solutions

The Engaging Learning Environment (ELE) model was introduced into a company’s work-place to support the learning and well-being of the employees. The participants were 107 middle managers: E-learning group (n = 42) and a comparison group (n = 42) as well as a blended ELE intervention group (n = 23) assigned by the company that combined e-learning and face-to-face sessions. All groups participated in pre- and post-tests. The participants’ knowledge was assessed by 16 MCQs and their application skills by the Dealing with Challenging Interaction (DCI) method which consisted of case studies. The descriptions of how to act in case situations were content analysed. A repeated measures GLM was used to determine whether knowledge and skills changed during the leadership training, and whether their belonging to one of the groups had any bearing on this. The analysis showed that the e-learning group improved their performance more than the comparison group and the results of the ELE intervention group improved even more. Therefore, it is possible to learn communication skills online.

Evaluation of an Online Group Intervention to Improve Test-Taking Self-Efficacy and Reduce Licensure Test Anxiety

ABSTRACTWe evaluated whether a synchronous online group intervention, using the Association for Social Work Boards Group Review Practice Test© items, increased students’ LMSW licensure test-taking confidence and decreased their test anxiety. A non-equivalent comparison group study was used to measure change in 59 graduate students’ confidence in test-taking and test anxiety. Almost 45% of students reported test anxiety in the clinical range at pretest. Using a repeated measures GLM, we found that students in the intervention group experienced a significant increase in confidence from pretest posttest. For overall anxiety, impairment anxiety, and worry anxiety, students in the intervention group experienced less anxiety over time, and students in the comparison group experienced more anxiety over time. Implications for programs are discussed.

Lithium monotherapy associated longitudinal effects on resting state brain networks in clinical treatment of bipolar disorder.

Lithium is one of the most effective and specific treatments for bipolar disorder (BP), but the neural mechanisms by which lithium impacts symptoms remain unclear. Past research has been limited by a reliance on cross-sectional designs, which does not allow for identification of within-person changes due to lithium and has not examined communication between brain regions (ie, networks). In the present study, we prospectively investigated the lithium monotherapy associated effects in vivo on the brain connectome in medication-free BP patients. In particular, we examined the within-person impact of lithium treatment on connectome indices previously linked to mania and depression in bipolar disorder. Thirty-nine medication-free subjects - 26 BP (13 (hypo)manic and 13 depressed) and 13 closely matched healthy controls (HC) - were included. fMRI data were obtained at 3 timepoints: baseline, after 2weeks, and after 8weeks (total of 117 scans: 78 BP and 39 HC scans). BP subjects were clinically treated with lithium for 8weeks while HC were scanned at the same time points but not treated. Graph theory metrics and repeated measures GLM were used to analyze lithium treatment associated effects. Consistent with hypotheses, lithium treatment was associated with a normalizing effect on mania-related connectome indices. Furthermore, shifts in both mania- and depression-related connectome indices were proportional to symptom change. Finally, lithium treatment-associated impact on amygdala function differed depending on baseline mood. Present findings provide deeper insight into the therapeutic neural mechanisms associated with lithium treatment.

A novel patient decision aid for aftercare in breast cancer patients: A promising tool to reduce costs by individualizing aftercare

ObjectiveA patient decision aid (PtDA), was developed to support breast cancer patients making choices about their aftercare. The aim of this pilot was to test the effects of the PtDA on Shared Decision Making (SDM), Decision Evaluation (DES) in patients, consultation time, choice of aftercare and hospital costs. MethodsA prospective before-and-after study including a control (no PtDA-usage) and experimental group (PtDA-usage during consultation) was conducted in six hospitals. Patients were offered a choice between intensive (face-to-face consultations) and less intensive (telephonic or on demand consultations) aftercare. All patients filled out three validated questionnaires (baseline (T0), directly after the consultation (T1), three months later (T2)), assessing demographics (T0), SDM(T1) and DES (T1, T2). Hospital costs and choice of aftercare were assessed from the patients' files (T2). Effect sizes ( ɳp2: 0.01 = small; 0.06 = medium; 0.14 = large; φ: 0.1 = small, 0.3 = medium, 0.5 = large) and p-values were calculated using both univariate and multivariate GLMs, a repeated measures GLM and chi-square-tests. ResultsA small improvement in SDM ( ɳp2 = 0.02) and an effect ( ɳp2 = 0.10) on DES was found in the experimental group. Significantly more PtDA-users (51% vs. 29%, φ = 0.22) chose less intensive aftercare, leading to a small reduction of hospital costs (122 vs. 92 Euro, ɳp2 = 0.01), and a large increase in average consultation time (12.5 min; ɳp2 = 0.29). ConclusionThis pilot study showed promising effects of the PtDA on SDM and hospital costs. The PtDA can be developed further to potentially reduce the increased consultation time.

Biomechanics of Walking in Healthy Adults at Different Gait Speeds

Lower extremity biomechanical parameters during gait are of interest in degenerative pathologies, such as knee osteoarthritis. However, few investigations have looked at the effect of walking speed on knee biomechanics (e.g., moments). METHODS: 10 healthy volunteers (25.6 ± 5.0 years, 1.68 ± 0.11 m, 70.3 ± 18.0 kg) completed 3 trials each of walking at 4 different speeds [preferred (PS), fast (FS), slow (SS), & very slow (VSS)]. The range for each speed was determined by measuring a percentage of the participants PS: FS = (120 ± 5%), SS = (80 ± 5%), and VSS = (50 ± 5%). Speed was determined using timing gates (Power Systems Brower) placed 2.4 meters apart. Data was collected using a motion capture system (VICON, 200Hz) while participants walked across a ~6-meter walkway; 4 in-line force plates (Bertec, 1000Hz) captured ground reaction force. Sagittal and frontal plane kinematics and kinetics at the knee were calculated for the 4 speeds using Visual 3D. Differences between the 4 speeds were analyzed using a repeated-measures GLM with pairwise comparisons (p<0.05). RESULTS: Average speed for the 4 conditions were: PS = 1.06 ± .17 m/s, FS = 1.29 ± .21 m/s, SS = .90 ± .16 m/s, and VSS = .73 ± .11 m/s. There was a significant main effect for speed (F2, 8 = 28.7, p = 0.034). Pairwise comparisons indicated a statistically significant difference in knee flexor moment for PS versus FS (PS = .181 ± .019, FS = .079 ± .015, p < .05) as well as in knee internal adductor moment for FS versus PS, SS, and VSS (FS = .026 ± .083, PS = -.437 ± .068, SS = -.579 ± .170, VSS = -.363 ± .112, p < .05). Knee flexor moments were smaller for FS versus PS, while FS was also smaller than PS, SS, and VSS for the knee adductor moment. CONCLUSION: Our findings agree with previous research that identified differences in knee flexor and adductor moments at different gait speeds. For pathological populations it is important to understand the effect of gait speed on knee adductor moment since it is a surrogate measure for joint loading. However, our sample size was small; therefore, the effect of gait speed on knee flexor and adductor moments should be further investigated. Future studies will seek to understand the relative contribution of the quadriceps’s muscles at different speeds and its impact on knee joint loads.

The Short Selling Regulation in the EU: Assessing the Authorization Granted for ESMA to Prohibit Short Selling

The paper discusses the renewed short selling regulation (Regulation (EU) No 236/2012) in the European Union. The focus is on the provisions that deal with prohibiting short selling in exceptional market circumstances. The Regulation further enforces certain obligations to report and disclose short positions. It is concluded that banning short selling is not an effective tool to contain extreme price volatility. The difference-in-differences regression and repeated measures GLM were used to test whether short selling bans were successful in containing volatility of those Spanish and Italian stocks that were subject to two back-to-back prohibitions during the years 2011-2013. The results are consistent with the majority of previous research, suggesting that the effectiveness of short sale constraints in reducing volatility is limited at best. Furthermore, there are evidence of counterproductive effects: constraints on short selling may actually increase volatility as well as deteriorate liquidity. However, based on theory and previous studies, reporting and disclosure requirements shall be favored provided they improve market efficiency as well as supervisory work of regulatory bodies.This paper discusses the renewed short selling regulation (Regulation (EU) No 236/2012) in the European Union. The focus is on the provisions that deal with prohibiting short selling in exceptional market circumstances. The Regulation further enforces certain obligations to report and disclose short positions. It is concluded that banning short selling is not an effective tool to contain extreme price volatility. The difference-in-differences regression and repeated measures GLM were used to test whether short selling bans were successful in containing volatility of those Spanish and Italian stocks that were subject to two back-to-back prohibitions during the years 2011-2013. The results are consistent with the majority of previous research, suggesting that the effectiveness of short sale constraints in reducing volatility is limited at best. Furthermore, there are evidence of counterproductive effects: constraints on short selling may actually increase volatility as well as deteriorate liquidity. However, based on theory and previous studies, reporting and disclosure requirements shall be favored provided they improve market efficiency as well as supervisory work of regulatory bodies. &lt;w:LsdException Locked="fal

Cognitive Training in a Large Group of Patients Affected by Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease can have Long-Lasting Effects: A Case-Control Study

Introduction: Cognitive training in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has recently started to demonstrate its efficacy. We used our ‘puzzle-like’ task (GEO) as training for a large group of early-stage AD patients, to detect its effects over time.Method: AD patients (N = 40) and healthy controls (N = 40) were involved. Participants were administered the Geographical Exercises for cognitive Optimization (GEO) task. Participants underwent individual sessions with GEO three times a week for 2 months, and then their performance was recorded again. Lastly, at the 12-month follow-up the GEO task was administered for the last time.Results: Patients’ scores were significantly worse than controls’ scores only on a few neuropsychological tests. We ran a repeated measures GLM by considering groups’ performance on the GEO task at the assessment points. Results showed a significant main effect of group, and a significant effect of the interaction between group and time: patients’ performances both at the end of the training and at the follow-up were virtually identical to controls’ performances.Conclusions: Patients effectively acquired new procedural abilities, and their achievements were stable at follow-up. This study suggests the GEO is a useful strategy for cognitive training in AD, and should prompt further investigations about the degree of generalisability of patients’ acquired skills.

Micro-CT Evaluation of Non-instrumented Canal Areas with Different Enlargements Performed by NiTi Systems

The aim of this study was to compare the percentage of non-instrumented area of root canals prepared with different enlargements using single-file reciprocating systems (Reciproc and WaveOne) and a conventional multi-file rotary (BioRaCe) system by micro-computed tomographic analysis. Thirty mesial roots of mandibular molars with moderate curvature (10° to 20°) presenting a type II Vertucci canal configuration and similar internal volume were chosen and scanned at an isotropic resolution of 14.16 µm. The sample was assigned to 3 groups (n=10) according to the system used for root canal preparation: Reciproc, WaveOne, and BioRaCe groups. Second and third scans were taken after the canals were prepared with instruments sizes 25 and 40, respectively. The recorded images of the surface area voxels of the canals, before and after preparation were examined from the furcation level to the apex to quantify the non-instrumented surface. Statistical data were compared using GLM for repeated-measures with a significance level set at 5%. Instrumentation systems did not influence the percentage of untouched root canal surfaces (p=0.690) whilst a significant reduction in the percentage of static voxels was observed after the enlargement of the root canal (p=0.010) in all groups (p=0.507). None of the systems was able to prepare the entire surface area of the mesial root canal of mandibular molars. The increased final apical size resulted in a significant positive effect on the shaping ability of the tested systems.

The effect of a home-based strength training program on type 2 diabetes risk in obese Latino boys.

To determine the effects of a home-based strength training (HBST) intervention on insulin sensitivity (SI), compensatory acute insulin response and β-cell function, body composition measures, and maximum strength in obese Latino boys. A total of 26 obese Latino males aged between 14 and 18 years were randomized to either a twice-weekly (n=15) or a control group (C; n=15) for 16 weeks. HBST for 16 weeks, composed of two 1-h sessions per week. Outcome measures were assessed pre-and post-intervention/control condition and included SI, acute insulin response to glucose (AIR) and disposition index (DI), fasting glucose, 2-h glucose, body composition using waist-hip circumferences, body mass index (BMI), dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, blood pressure, and strength by 1-repetition maximum. A repeated measures GLM was used to assess differences in changes in outcome measures, between the C and the HBST groups. There were no significant overall intervention effects on any of the outcome variables (p<0.05). These results suggest that an HBST does not improve SI, maximal strength or decrease adiposity in obese Latino boys.

Illness-course modulates suicidality-related prefrontal gray matter reduction in women with bipolar disorder.

Explore interrelationships between suicide attempt history (Objective 1) or suicide attempt severity (Objective 2) with prefrontal cortex gray matter (PFCGM ) volume and illness-course in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Ninety-three women with BD-I or -II diagnosis (51 with and 42 without suicide attempt history) underwent structural MRI and filled out questionnaires. Measured were GM volumes of 11 PFC regions, BD illness-course, and attempt history and severity. Effects were examined with repeated measures GLM or logit analyses. Objective 1: Attempt history was associated with increased trait impulsivity and aggression, and higher prevalence of BD-I, past drug use disorder, and past psychiatric hospitalization. PFCGM volume was lower in patients with than without attempt history in those with past psychiatric hospitalization. PFCGM volume was higher in patients with than without attempt history in those without hospitalization. Higher trait aggression predicted attempt history. Objective 2: Increased frontal pole volume and younger age at first hospitalization predicted many suicide attempts. Attempt history in patients with BD related to PFCGM volume reduction or increase. Volume modulation by psychiatric hospitalization could reflect effects of illness-course or care. Attempt severity was not related to volume reduction. Research on suicidality-brain relationships should include illness-course and attempt severity measures.

Effects of in vivo exercise on ankle cartilage deformation and recovery in healthy volunteers: an experimental study

To monitor ankle cartilage 3D volume changes after in vivo exercise and during recovery. Based on 3D MRI, 3D volumes of talar and tibial cartilage were calculated before and after 30 bilateral knee bends in 12 healthy volunteers. 3D volumes were calculated at five time points (one pre- and four post-scans) determining deformation and recovery for both cartilage plates of interest. Post-scans ran immediately after the exercise and were repeated according to a 15 min interval. 3D volumes were subjected to repeated measures GLM. Additionally, relative surface area use during deformation was compared between plates using a Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test and its correlation with deformation was investigated using Spearman's rho. Mean 3D volume change percentages for talar cartilage after the exercise were: -10.41%, -8.18%, -5.61% and -3.90%. For tibial cartilage mean changes were: -5.97%, -5.75%, +0.89% and +1.51%. For talar cartilage changes were significant, except following 30 min post-exercise. For tibial cartilage no changes were significant. At all time points, no significant differences in relative volume changes between both cartilage plates existed. Although no significant differences in relative surface area use between plates were revealed, a moderate to strong correlation with deformation existed. Ankle cartilage endures substantial deformation after in vivo loading that was restored within 30 min for the talus. Overall cartilage contact area involvement might be associated with cartilage quality maintenance in the upper ankle. Talar cartilage is suggested to play a critical role in intra-articular shock attenuation when compared to tibial cartilage.

The Effects of an Acute Overspeed Warm-Up on Sprint Performance in Collegiate Athletes

Overspeed training, which can be performed in various ways including the use of elastic cords or downhill slopes, accelerates the athlete to speeds above that which they could achieve in flat running. To date, no known research has directly examined the use of overspeed techniques in a warm-up to improve sprint performance. PURPOSE: To determine whether an acute overspeed warm-up before a short sprint (60 M) can improve running speed. It was hypothesized that overspeed warm-ups would improve running speed compared to a traditional warm-up. METHODS: Participants (N = 23, 12 female) completed two days of testing which consisted of a 10-15 warm-up followed by one timed and videotaped 60 M dash. The overspeed intervention consisted of 4 30 M bungee runs done following the warm-up and before the 60 M sprint. The order of the intervention was randomized and counterbalanced. RESULTS: A 2 (condition) by 3 (segment; 0-20M, 20-40M, 40-60M) repeated measures GLM for time revealed a significant segment effect but no significant condition effect, F(2, 40) = 500.62, p <.01. Time was significantly greater for the first 20 meters (3.36± 0.05) than the second 20 meters (2.41±0.03) or the third 20 meters (2.46±0.05). The times for segment 2 and 3 were not different. The condition by segment interaction failed to reach significance, F(2, 44) = 3.07, p =.08. A 2 (condition) by 4 (segment; 0-10M, 10-20M, 25-35M, 45-55M) repeated measures GLM for stride length revealed a significant segment effect but no significant condition effect or condition by segment interaction, F(3, 60) = 287.06, p <.01. Stride length in meters from 0-10M (1.37 M) was shorter than that from 10-20M (1.86 M), 25-35M (2.06 M), and 45-55M (2.10 M). Stride length from 10-20M was shorter than that from 25-35M and 45-55M while there was no difference between 25-35M and 45-55M. CONCLUSION: While no significant differences were found between the overspeed warm-up and the traditional warm up, absolute differences were observed. It is possible that this small difference could have an impact on performance. Future research should incorporate more subjects and athletes who are familiar with overspeed techniques to determine the magnitude of this absolute difference.

The effect of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug on two important predictors for accidental falls: Postural balance and manual reaction time. A randomized, controlled pilot study

Accidental falls in older individuals are a major health and research topic. Increased reaction time and impaired postural balance have been determined as reliable predictors for those at risk of falling and are important functions of the central nervous system (CNS). An essential risk factor for falls is medication exposure. Amongst the medications related to accidental falls are the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). About 1–10% of all users experience CNS side effects. These side effects, such as dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, mood alteration, and confusion, seem to be more common during treatment with indomethacin. Hence, it is possible that maintenance of (static) postural balance and swift reactions to stimuli are affected by exposure to NSAIDs, indomethacin in particular, consequently putting older individuals at a greater risk for accidental falls. The present study investigated the effect of a high indomethacin dose in healthy middle-aged individuals on two important predictors of falls: postural balance and reaction time. Twenty-two healthy middle-aged individuals (59.5 ± 4.7 years) participated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover trial. Three measurements were conducted with a week interval each. A measurement consisted of postural balance as a single task and while concurrently performing a secondary cognitive task and reaction time tasks. For the first measurement indomethacin 75 mg (slow-release) or a visually identical placebo was randomly assigned. In total, five capsules were taken orally in the 2.5 days preceding assessment. The second measurement was without intervention, for the final one the first placebo group got indomethacin and vice versa. Repeated measures GLM revealed no significant differences between indomethacin, placebo, and baseline in any of the balance tasks. No differences in postural balance were found between the single and dual task conditions, or on the performance of the dual task itself. Similarly, no differences were found on the manual reaction time tasks. The present study showed that a high indomethacin dose does not negatively affect postural balance and manual reaction time in this healthy middle-aged population. Although the relatively small and young sample limits the direct ability to generalize the results to a population at risk of falling, the results indicate that indomethacin alone is not likely to increase fall risk, as far as this risk is related to abovementioned important functions of the CNS, and not affected by comorbidities.

Parents' Psychological Stress Over Time may Affect Children's Cortisol at Age 8

To examine possible relations between parents' psychological stress and children's saliva cortisol levels in connection with a mild stressor (drawing a blood sample). Parenting stress and serious life events at birth, age 1, age 2, age 5, and age 8 were assessed. Eighty-two paired saliva samples collected from their 8-year-old children just before and 30 min after blood was drawn were analyzed. Instead of increasing, cortisol levels significantly decreased. Repeated measures GLM indicated a significant relation between higher parenting stress at child age 1 and at age 8, and elevated cortisol levels. A t-test indicated that cortisol levels after the blood draw were significantly higher in children whose parents reported a serious life event at age 8. Parenting stress could be a relevant factor for children's adjustment of the HPA axis with long-term effects and leave children more vulnerable to experiences of stress.