Duration Of Rest Research Articles

Metabolic profile in elite badminton match play and training drills.

Aim of the study was to analyze the metabolic profile of badminton matches and training drills. Therefore, 11 male (23.2±3.8years, 182±7cm, 74.4±8.4kg) and five female (19.3±1.5years, 170±6cm, 62.6±9.2kg) elite badminton players participated in either a training match (TM; n=7) and/or three protocols of multifeeding drills (T10, T30, T50; n=13), that varied in interval and rest durations (10s/10s, 30s/30s, 50s/50s). Absolute and relative energetic costs (Wtot and Etot) and contribution to oxidative (WOxid), phosphagen (WPCr), and anaerobic glycolytic (WLa) metabolism were calculated by the three-component PCr-La-O2-method based on an indirect calorimetric approach from oxygen consumption during exercise, post exercise, and net blood lactate concentration. A novel intermittent approach was used to consider replenishment of phosphocreatine during each resting phase. Results show that during TM, Etot was 676±98J·kg-1min-1, while metabolic pathways contributed by 56.9±8.6% (WOxid), 42.7±8.7% (WPCr), and 0.4±0.6% (WLa). In the multifeeding drills Etot was comparable between T10 (1020±160J·kg-1min-1) and T30 (985±173J·kg-1min-1) but higher in T50 (1266±194J·kg-1min-1) (p<0.001). Relative contribution of WOxid was lower in T10 (47.3±7.7%) but similar in T30 (56.5±6.2%) and T50 (57.3±6.0%) (p<0.001). WPCr was highest in T10 (51.1±8.3%) followed by T30 (42.2±6.9%) and lowest in T50 (31.2±7.7%) (p<0.001). WLa was similar between T10 (1.6±1.0%) and T30 (2.1±1.0%) but higher in T50 (11.6±4.8%) (p<0.001). Concludingly, metabolic costs in badminton are predominantly covered by oxidative and phosphagen energetic pathways. Metabolic profiles of the multifeeding drills differ depending on rally/interval duration, with increasing contribution of anaerobic glycolysis and decreasing phosphagen contribution in case of longer intervals.

Comparison of spinal anesthesia and local anesthesia in percutaneous interlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy for L5/S1 disc herniation: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundInterlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy (IELD) is a prevalent method for managing lumbar disc herniation. Local anesthesia (LA) is frequently employed during IELD, albeit with its merits and drawbacks. The spinal anesthesia (SA) represents a feasible anesthetic strategy for IELD; however, the availability of clinical research data is currently limited.MethodsThe propensity score matching was conducted to ensure the comparability of the SA and LA groups. The outcome measures were operation time, intraoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, need for adjuvant analgesia, intraoperative vital signs, blood loss, adverse surgical events, anesthesia-related complications, postoperative bed rest duration, VAS for pain at 2 h postoperatively, Oswestry Disability Index score (ODI), satisfaction with surgical efficacy, and willingness to undergo reoperation at 6 months postoperatively.ResultsFifty-six patients were assigned to each group. Significant differences were found between the groups regarding intraoperative VAS for pain, use of adjuvant analgesics, willingness to undergo reoperation, maximum intraoperative systolic blood pressure, and variability (P < 0.05). Compared to the LA group, the SA group had lower VAS for pain at 2 h postoperatively, a longer operation time, a longer duration of postoperative bedrest, and more anesthesia-related complications (P < 0.05). No significant intergroup differences were detected in intraoperative heart rate variability, blood loss, ODI, satisfaction with surgical efficacy, and surgery-related complications (P > 0.05).ConclusionSA as an alternative anesthesia for IELD surgery holds great promise, exhibiting superior efficacy compared to LA. However, it is crucial to meticulously evaluate the indications due to potential risks associated with this form of anesthesia.

Short Rest Between Flights Is Associated With Increased Serum Stress Hormone Levels in Airline Pilots: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Work-related stress is a critical area of research in civil aviation, given the potential for severe consequences when airline pilots (APs) are overwhelmed or unable to perform optimally. While pilots are traditionally considered to be exposed to various stressors, the impact of specific occupational characteristics on stress in the aviation industry remains inadequately understood. Considering that biomarkers are increasingly being utilized as objective measures of stress in human research, this cross-sectional study investigated the association between occupational variables and serum levels of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) as stress biomarkers in commercial APs. A total of 120 male APs completed a survey assessing the following work-related characteristics: position (captain vs. first officer), years of experience, total flight hours, flight hours in the preceding year, inter-flight rest duration, and flight route length. Serum cortisol and DHEAS concentrations were determined from venous blood samples obtained between 08:00 and 09:00 a.m., following a minimum eight-hour fasting period. The biomarker data were analyzed in relation to the aforementioned occupational characteristics. The mean serum cortisol and DHEAS concentrations in the entire cohort were 8.5±2.1 µg/dL and 214.6±96.4 µg/dL, respectively. There were no significant differences in the levels of the two stress hormones in relation to position, years of experience, total flight hours, flight hours in the preceding year, or flight route length. However, an inter-flight rest period of less than one hour was significantly associated with elevated serum cortisol (P<0.01) and reduced DHEAS levels (P<0.001) compared to longer rest durations. Notably, a stepwise decrease in DHEAS concentrations was observed for rest periods of <1 hour, 1-4 hours, 4-24 hours, and >24 hours. After adjustment for potential confounders in multivariable analyses, a rest period of <1 hour remained independently associated with both serum cortisol (odds ratio [OR]=1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.04-1.13, P<0.01) and DHEAS (OR=0.94, 95% CI=0.92-0.97, P<0.001). Serum stress hormones in APs are associated with short inter-flight rest periods. Optimization of rest durations may contribute to improved pilot well-being and performance. Further research is warranted to determine ideal rest period lengths and develop interventions to mitigate the potential adverse effects of abbreviated rest periods between flights.

Minimally invasive versus mini-open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in managing low-grade degenerative spondylolisthesis

Data backgroundBecause the traditional open-TLIF approach has several drawbacks, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) approaches for TLIF (MISTLIF) have been developed to speed up recovery after surgery and minimize pressure on the para-spinal muscles, necessitating a cost-utility analysis for comparison in healthcare reforms.Objectives and aim of the workThis study aimed to compare the radiological and clinical parameters between mini-open TLIF and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) surgery in patients with single-level lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis.HypothesisThis study hypothesizes that both minimally invasive and mini-open methods using sublaminar trimming laminoplasty (SLTL) (while preserving midline structures) and interbody cages have comparable mid- and long-term clinical and radiological outcomes.MethodsRetrospective analyses were performed on 120 patients who underwent single-level TLIF procedures with a minimum of two years of follow-up utilizing either the mini-open (n = 60) or MIS (n = 60) technique. Records of the operation's time frame, intraoperative fluoroscopy, blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, duration of bed rest, and complications were recorded. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for both groups were utilized to assess improvements in clinical scores, and t tests were employed to statistically compare the outcomes. For comparison, radiological parameters, including lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence (PI), and localized lordosis at the index level, were measured preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the final follow-up. To assess postoperative interbody fusion, the Bridwell grading system was used.ResultsIn the Mini-open TLIF group, the average follow-up time was 24.91 ± 5.7 months, while in the MIS-TLIF group, the average follow-up time was 25.15 ± 4.2 months. In the MIS-TLIF group, the mean operation and radiological time were longer. However, compared to the Mini-open TLIF group, the MISTLIF group experienced less blood loss and a shorter hospital stay. The MIS-TLIF group outperformed the Open-TLIF group in terms of the VAS score for back pain and the ODI at less than 6 months following surgery, and the differences were statistically significant. However, at the final follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences in the VAS score for the back between the two groups, but the ODI score was significantly greater in the MIS-TLIF group. Both groups' lumbar lordosis and focal lordosis significantly improved at the index level, with the Mini-open-TLIF group showing more focal lordosis. The interbody fusion rate did not significantly differ between the two groups.ConclusionMIS-TLIF and mini-open-TLIF can be surgically effective in treating single-level degenerative lumbar spine spondylolisthesis.

The Relationship Between Frequency of Infant Massage and Spa with The Quality of Sleep among Infants Aged 3-6 Months at The City Health Center

The quality of infant rest can be defined as a specific physiological state occurring when the child is at rest. Infants who receive adequate rest without frequent waking tend to be healthier and less irritable the next day. The quality of infant rest can be assessed by the duration of rest and any discomfort experienced during or after rest. According to WHO data from 2012, approximately 33% of infants experience sleep problems. This study aimed to investigate the effect of baby massage and spa frequency on sleep quality in infants aged 3-6 months. Using a quantitative approach, the study sampled 40 mothers and their infants at the City Health Center. The results showed a correlation between baby spa frequency and sleep quality. The study recommends conducting baby spa training and suggests future research explore the combination of massage with other interventions like music or aromatherapy to enhance sleep quality. This research aims to provide insights into the benefits of baby spa and massage for infant sleep quality and to recommend these interventions as part of routine care programs in health facilities

Effects of Resting Conditions on Tensile Properties of Acid Aggregate Hydraulic Asphalt Concrete.

This study addresses the issue of construction stagnation affecting the adhesion and tensile properties of hydraulic asphalt concrete with acid aggregate. It investigates the impact of rest periods on the tensile characteristics of such materials under standard construction conditions. The influence of varying rest durations and asphalt temperatures on the tensile behavior of the concrete is assessed through indoor experiments. The bonding between asphalt and aggregate is examined, along with the tensile property variations of the concrete. The study found that the standstill time significantly affects the adhesion of asphalt, with the adhesion decreasing progressively with increased temperature and rest time, irrespective of the addition of anti-stripping agents. However, the inclusion of these agents can mitigate the reduction in adhesion. Furthermore, the study identified that rest duration has a more substantial impact on adhesion than temperature. The splitting tests demonstrate that the tensile properties of asphalt concrete are considerably affected by the resting time. Over a period of 0, 10, 20, and 30 days of rest, an increase in splitting strength and a decrease in splitting displacement were observed. The findings offer valuable insights for predicting the tensile performance of asphalt concrete in practical engineering applications after a period of rest.

Diel rhythms of fish frequentation in a temperate mesophotic antipatharian forest and sleeping behaviour of the red swallowtail perch Anthias anthias (Linnaeus, 1758)

A 21-day continuous monitoring of a highly tridimensional forest of the black coral Antipathella subpinnata (Ellis and Solander 1786) was carried out in the NW Mediterranean Sea at 63 m depth using an autonomous lander to investigate the diel short-term dynamics of the vagile fauna associated to the forest. The survey allowed to assess several aspects of the forest attractiveness and its use, especially by the ichthyofauna, including (i) the diversity and shifts of the fish community inhabiting three layers of the environment (seafloor, canopy, water column) between four light phases (dawn, day, dusk, night), (ii) the diel rhythm in forest use of the red swallowtail perch Anthias anthias (Linnaeus 1758) and its sleeping behaviour in terms of fidelity towards resting sites, duration of rests, and awakenings triggers, and, finally, (iii) the influence of biotic and abiotic variables on the fish behaviour. Considering that, so far, only spot censuses have been carried out in these habitats, this study provides a dynamic approach to the study of biodiversity in temperate mesophotic coral forests and offers an insight into the functioning of these complex and vulnerable ecosystems.

Effect of rest duration between sets on fatigue and recovery after short intense plyometric exercise

Plyometric training is characterized by high-intensity exercise which is performed in short term efforts divided into sets. The purpose of the present study was twofold: first, to investigate the effects of three distinct plyometric exercise protocols, each with varying work-to-rest ratios, on muscle fatigue and recovery using an incline-plane training machine; and second, to assess the relationship between changes in lower limb muscle strength and power and the biochemical response to the three exercise variants employed. Forty-five adult males were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 15) performing an exercise of 60 rebounds on an incline-plane training machine. The G0 group performed continuous exercise, while the G45 and G90 groups completed 4 sets of 15 repetitions, each set lasting 45 s with 45 s rest in G45 (work-to-rest ratio of 1:1) and 90 s rest in G90 (1:2 ratio). Changes in muscle torques of knee extensors and flexors, as well as blood lactate (LA) and ammonia levels, were assessed before and every 5 min for 30 min after completing the workout. The results showed significantly higher (p < 0.001) average power across all jumps generated during intermittent compared to continuous exercise. The greatest decrease in knee extensor strength immediately post-exercise was recorded in group G0 and the least in G90. The post-exercise time course of LA changes followed a similar pattern in all groups, while the longer the interval between sets, the faster LA returned to baseline. Intermittent exercise had a more favourable effect on muscle energy metabolism and recovery than continuous exercise, and the work-to-rest ratio of 1:2 in plyometric exercises was sufficient rest time to allow the continuation of exercise in subsequent sets at similar intensity.

Behavioral Adaptations in Tropical Dairy Cows: Insights into Calving Day Predictions.

This study examined changes in the activity patterns of tropical dairy cows during the transition period to assess their potential for predicting calving days. This study used the AfiTag-II biosensor to monitor activity, rest time, rest per bout, and restlessness ratio in 298 prepartum and 347 postpartum Holstein Friesian cows across three lactation groups (1, 2, and ≥3). The data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models in SPSS, and five machine learning models, including random forest, decision tree, gradient boosting, Naïve Bayes, and neural networks, were used to predict the calving day, with their performance evaluated via ROC curves and AUC metrics. For all lactations, activity levels peak on the calving day, followed by a gradual return to prepartum levels within two weeks. First-lactation cows displayed the shortest rest duration, with a prepartum rest time of 568.8 ± 5.4 (mean ± SE), which is significantly lower than higher-lactation animals. The random forest and gradient boosting displayed an effective performance, achieving AUCs of 85% and 83%, respectively. These results indicate that temporal changes in activity behavior have the potential to be a useful indicator for calving day prediction, particularly in tropical climates where seasonal variations can obscure traditional prepartum indicators.

The Impact of Abrupt and Fenceline-Weaning Methods on Cattle Stress Response, Live Weight Gain, and Behaviour.

The impact of abrupt (AB) and fenceline (FL) weaning methods on cattle stress response, live weight gain, and behaviour were determined across 14 days. Thirty-two cow-calf pairs were fitted with ear tag sensors (to continuously record behaviour) and allocated to two weaning treatments. After separation, FL calves were maintained in a pen adjacent to the FL cow paddock. The AB calves were transported to a pen removing all contact with the cows. After 7 d, FL cows were transported away from all calf pens. Body weights and salivary samples were collected for all animals on experimental days 0, 7, and 14. Fenceline-weaned calves had a greater duration of rest and rumination with reduced high activity across the first 3 days after separation as compared to abruptly weaned calves in line with the greater occurrences of pacing observed for AB calves. Fenceline-separated cows had greater levels of rest across the first 7 days but similar levels of rumination compared to abruptly separated cows. Fenceline-separated cow activity levels tended to be greater and eating levels were similar across the first three days. Body weight (BW) and cortisol concentrations were similar for AB and FL cattle, but FL cows had lower overall weight gain than the abrupt cows likely due to reduced eating time on days four to seven. Together, these results suggest that calves be fenceline-weaned for three days followed by total separation.

Goal Orientation and Desire for Approval Were Associated With Sports Injuries Among Young Japanese Athletes

IntroductionThis study aimed to clarify the relationship between psychological factors (goal orientation and desire for approval from others) and the severity of sports injuries experienced by young Japanese athletes. Methods560 young Japanese athletes (males = 328 and females = 232) aged 18–24 years completed an online survey in 2022–2023. A web questionnaire was used to investigate participants’ task and ego orientations, desire for approval from others (e.g., coaches and friends/families), and history of injury. The samples were then split into three groups based on the rest duration due to the injury: non-injury group (0 days), mild-to-moderate injury group (1–27 days), and severe injury group (> 28 days). Spearman's test examined a correlation between task and ego orientation scores among all samples. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare the scores between the severe injury and non-injury groups. ResultA significant positive correlation was found between task and ego orientation scores from all samples (rho = 0.27, p < 0.001). The severe injury group had significantly higher task orientation scores and desire for approval scores than those of the non-injury group (ཐ=0.001, p < 0 .001). ConclusionsJapanese young athletes with high task orientation and approval desire may be at risk of severe sports injuries requiring more than 4 weeks to return to sports. The goal orientation profiles should be interpreted with caution. Future research should examine contextual effects such as the perceived motivational climate, in addition to the goal orientation profiles.

Assessment of Isokinetic Strength of Knee Extension/Flexion of Individuals With Intellectual Developmental Disabilities—Systematic Review With Protocol Proposal

ABSTRACT Muscle performance is a crucial determinant of physical function in the daily lives of individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD), with lower strength levels often leading to loss of independence. The isokinetic dynamometer has been established as a reliable method for assessing muscle performance in this population. This article outlines the design of a protocol to be adopted to assess isokinetic knee strength in individuals with IDD. Using systematic review methodology, electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases, including articles published between January 1990 and September 2022. The key terms were combined with the Boolean operator “AND” or “OR”. After the methodological process, 23 studies were included for analysis. The protocol proposal consists of 8 phases, covering previous considerations: (a) warm-up, (b) familiarization; (c) equipment adjustment, choosing the limb to evaluate and in what type of action (concentric and/or eccentric); (d) number of repetitions and sets; (e) the rest duration; (f) angular velocity to be tested; and (g) parameters for analysis. It is intended that this article provide insights into the development of a useful tool for the various stakeholders interested in assessing the isokinetic knee strength of individuals with IDD.

Vocal Fatigue and Its Relationship with Vocal Hygiene and Work-Related Factors in Professional and Nonprofessional Voice Users: A Multiple Linear Regression Model Study

To investigate vocal fatigue severity between professional voice users (PVUs) and nonprofessional voice users (NPVUs), and across different levels of voice users. Also to examine the relationship between vocal hygiene and work-related factors with vocal fatigue. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Four hundred one individuals from different professions were included in total. Participants were divided into four levels of voice users by classification of Koufman and Isaacson. The top three levels of voice users further identified as PVU, and level 4 voice users identified as NPVU. An online questionnaire which included vocal hygiene checklist, work-related factors, and Turkish version of vocal fatigue index (VFI) was submitted by the participants. Vocal fatigue severity of PVUs were found higher than NPVUs in all VFI scores (P<0.05). Level 2 voice users were found to have more vocal fatigue severity than all other levels of voice users. Call center workers (CCWs) had the highest means of vocal fatigue severity. Based on the multiple linear regression model vocal hygiene and the number of vocal rest breaks were found to have related with vocal fatigue the most (P<0.05). There was also a relation with some VFI scores (P<0.05) with voice usage duration at work and vocal rest duration. We found no relationship between working experience and vocal fatigue. The data suggests the relation between vocal fatigue and vocal hygiene, and work-related factors explain a small proportion of the association. However, in CCWs r2 was found 0.44. The change in vocal fatigue severity did not match with Koufman and Isaacson's classification of voice users. We suggest that there may be other contributing factors to vocal fatigue than vocal hygiene, vocal rest, and voice usage duration even those factors may differ from profession to profession.

ACUTE INTERMITTENT HEAT EXPOSURE WITH MORE FREQUENT AND SHORTER COOLING BREAKS ENHANCES PERFORMANCE AND ELICITS COMPARABLE PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO CONTINUOUS HEAT EXPOSURE

INTRODUCTION &amp; AIMS Heat acclimation (HA) is critical to mitigate the adverse effects of heat on exercise performance. While these methods yield physiological adaptations to heat, it also results in greater internal training load. This can potentially compromise training quality and lead to overreaching. Therefore, there is a need for HA protocols that address situations where training quality is crucial, yet the heat stimulus is necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of shorter, more frequent rest breaks with per-cooling (PerC) as an alternative HA session on physiological, perceptual, and self-paced maximal cycling performance, compared to continuous heat exposure. METHODS Thirteen participants completed one continuous and three intermittent heat exposure (IHE) maximal self-paced cycling protocols matched for total exercise and rest duration, in a random order in heat (36°C, 80% relative humidity): 1 x 60-min exercise (CON), 3 x 20-min exercise with 7.5-min rest between sets (IHE-20), 4 x 15-min exercise with 5-min rest between sets (IHE-15), 6 x 10-min exercise with 3-min rest between sets (IHE-10). Mixed-method PerC (crushed-ice ingestion and cooling vest) was applied during rest periods of all IHE protocols. RESULTS Total distance completed was greater in IHE-10, IHE-15, and IHE-20 compared to CON (+11%, +9%, and +8%, respectively), with no difference observed between IHE protocols. Total time spent above 38.5°C core temperature (Tc) was longer in CON compared to IHE-15 and IHE-20 (+62% and +78%, respectively), but similar to IHE-10 (+5%). Furthermore, a longer time above 38.5°C Tc occurred in IHE-10 versus IHE-15 and IHE-20 (+54% and +69%, respectively). Sweat loss did not differ between conditions. CONCLUSION Intermittent heat exposure with PerC may be a viable alternative HA protocol in situations where training quality takes precedence over thermal stimulus, or when both factors hold equal priority.

The effect of rest duration on the physical and chemical quality of Brahman-Cross beef

Brahman Cross (BX) cattle are cattle produced by crossing Brahman cattle with European cattle. Brahman Cross is one of the beef cattle that has high productivity, resistance to high temperatures, resistance to relatively dry tropical environments, and good meat quality. This study was carried out to determine the effect of rest duration on the physical and chemical quality of Brahman Cross cattle on pH, water holding capacity, as well as fat and protein content of meat. The research was conducted at Mabar RPH Medan City. Meat physical and chemical tests were carried out at the Food Chemistry Analysis Laboratory, University of North Sumatera. Furthermore, this study used 48 Brahman Cross cattle and was designed with a statistical T-test consisting of 2 variables and 24 replications. The research treatment consisted of 24 Brahman Cross cattle without rest (0 hours), and 24 Brahman Cross cattle rested for 24 hours. The results showed that the duration of 0 hour rest and 24 hours rest before slaughter had no significant effect (P>0.05) on the pH and protein content, but had a significant effect (P>0.05) on water holding capacity and fat content.

Exploring the Risk Factors for Deep Vein Thrombosis after Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a frequent complication following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), may lead to severe conditions like pulmonary embolism. Current knowledge on postoperative DVT risk factors is, however, limited. The aim of our study was to investigate the risk of DVT after PCNL. A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent PCNL from March 2020 to March 2023 at our institution. Patient demographics and clinical data, including, DVT-specific information, preoperative labs, and surgical details, was evaluated. One hundred patients were included. Thirty-two (20 males, 12 females, mean age 52.5 ± 7.4 years) developed lower limb DVT post-surgery, while the remaining 68 (48 males, 20 females, mean age 51.1 ± 5.5 years) had no DVT symptoms. Analysis revealed significant correlations between hyperlipidemia, operating time, postoperative bed rest duration, D-dimer level on the first day after surgery, Caprini risk assessment model (RAM) score, and DVT risk. D-dimer on the first day after percutaneous nephrolithotomy, postoperative bed rest time and Caprini RAM scores were independent risk factors for DVT after PCNL. Sex, age, hypertension status, diabetes status and smoking and drinking habits were not significantly associated with DVT risk. D-dimer on the first day after PCNL, postoperative bed rest time and Caprini RAM scores were independent risk factors for DVT after PCNL.

Relationship Between Stress, its Management and Public Well-being in Lithuania: Effect of Sociodemographic and Clinical Factors

The aim of the study was to assess the individual stress intensity and its management in Lithuania in the context of public well-being, concentrating on the effects of socio-demographic and clinical factors on stress intensity. To reach the aim, a quantitative study was conducted. 1137 residents of Lithuania participated in the online survey. A visual analogue scale (1–10, VAS) was used to determine stress intensity and management, and the Arizona Integrative Outcome Scale was used to determine the sense of well-being. The research results indicate that 98% of respondents experience stress with an average stress intensity and only 50% of respondents experience a higher-than-average sense of well-being formed by physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual state. The measured relationships between stress, socio-demographic and clinical factors suggest that the marital status, education, profession, nature of work, salary, work experience, duration of work and rest, consequences of COVID-19 have the greatest potential for perceived stress. High-intensity stress is prevalent in Lithuania with moderate management. In the study it was identified, that the main tools for reducing stress are communication with supportive persons, daily regimen and sleep, leisure time for a hobby and rehabilitation, avoiding bad habits, appropriate medical SPA treatments or wellness practices.

Behavioural patterns of boars by breed depending on age, season, and type of ventilation

An important tool for improving the productive characteristics of pigs, including boars, is a thorough study of their behavioural patterns and reactions to compliance with housing conditions, which serves as an indicator of the protocol for assessing the welfare of this sex group in commercial pig farms. The purpose of the experiment was to identify the influence of age, season of the year, and type of ventilation on the duration of behavioural acts of boars by breeds to establish their behavioural patterns in industrial technology. The experiment involved 18 boars of the Large White, Landrace, and Duroc breeds. The boars selected for the experiments were clinically healthy and divided into two groups of 9 animals each. The control group of boars was kept in a room with a transverse ventilation system, and the animals of the experimental group were kept in geothermal air supply conditions for a year. In the process of visualising the behaviour parameters of boars of different breeds, it was found that: the duration of rest was significant (P &lt; 0.001) affected by 49.1-67.6% – age, 10.9-23.2% – season of the year, 0.1-3.0% – type of ventilation; the duration of movement during the day was significant (P &lt; 0.001) affected by 44.7-68.0% – age, 9.1-28.5% – season of the year, 0.5-3.2% – type of ventilation; the duration of admission feed and water were significant affected (P&lt; 0.001) by 49.7-71.9% – age, 7.9-25.9% – season of the year, 0.1-2.4% – type of ventilation. A behavioural act that prevailed in duration and frequency (P &lt; 0.001), especially in the summer-autumn period, was rest, which increased in time with age from 72.3% to 76.4%, regardless of the breed, season of the year, and type of ventilation. In summer and autumn, the transverse air supply system visualised abnormal apathetic behaviour during rest in animals (lying on their sides, stomach, eyes closed, without any reactions to indifferent stimuli, and the time that boars spent on stereotypical behaviour (head banging, jumping and licking the bars of the cage) increased by 3% (P&lt; 0.95) and in the “position of sitting dog” by 2% (P&lt; 0.95). The results obtained allow introducing the use of ethological factors in industrial pig production to increase boar sperm production, and identify individuals with behavioural deviations to develop ways to assess welfare and integrate them into production

Overnight monitoring reveals the behavioral rhythms of a geriatric male elephant: an animal-centered case study of rest and stereotypy

IntroductionMonitoring overnight behavior is important in assessing the overall wellbeing of ex-situ elephant populations, with recumbent rest and stereotypy as key indicators of welfare. However, there have been few studies that address the overnight behavior of singly housed male elephants with a history of stereotypy. We conducted an opportunistic case study of the overnight behavior (i.e., rest and stereotypy) of a singly housed geriatric male Asian elephant at the Oklahoma City Zoo to identify his overnight behavioral rhythms in response to physiological (musth) and environmental changes (habitat access, automatic timed feeders) and guide management strategies.MethodsInfrared cameras were utilized to conduct continuous focal-animal sampling of the elephant’s behavior between 20:00 and 08:00 in indoor and outdoor habitats. Sampling occurred from January 2023 to October 2023, with a total of 179 overnight observations.ResultsThe elephant exhibited recumbent rest for 175.66 ± 6.80 (mean ± SE) minutes per night and was engaged in stereotypy for 175.88 ± 9.68 minutes per night. While there was no significant relationship between stereotypy and the sexual state of musth, musth was associated with reduced durations of recumbent rest. Access to both indoor and outdoor habitats was significantly related to decreased stereotypy compared to indoor-only treatments. Recumbent rest occurred most frequently between 02:00 and 05:00, and stereotypic behavior was most common between 06:00 and 08:00. Contrary to our expectations, automatic feeders did not significantly reduce stereotypy.DiscussionThe results of this study provide insight into the behavioral patterns of a geriatric male Asian elephant, demonstrating the importance of implementing an animal-centered approach to enhance animal wellbeing. As the zoo-housed Asian elephant population grows and continues to age, this case study emphasizes the importance of developing comprehensive welfare strategies for the elephants in our care.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Disorders in School Teachers During the Pre-covid and Pandemic Phases in Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka – a Cross-sectional Study

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among school teachers in Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 254 secondary and pre-university teachers who completed a questionnaire. Results indicated a higher prevalence of MSDs among teachers working from home during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic. Factors such as days worked per week, hours of work per day, duration of rest taken per day, posture while using books, laptops, and phones, working activities, and physical exercises without supervision were identified as contributing factors to MSDs. Interestingly, the study found that the working environment did not significantly affect the prevalence of MSDs. These findings highlight the importance of addressing ergonomic issues and promoting healthy work practices among teachers, especially during periods of remote work.