Training Dose Research Articles

Professional Development in Phonological Awareness for Early Childhood Educators in Low-Income, Urban Classrooms: A Pilot Study Examining Dosage Effects.

Providing high-quality literacy instruction in early childhood may positively affect the long-term outcomes of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Previous research has shown that educators are generally lacking in their own phonological awareness knowledge and skills which could negatively impact the provision of effective instruction in code-focused early literacy skills. The purposes of this pilot study were to examine the effects of differing dosages of professional development in phonological awareness on early childhood educators' (ECEs) own phonological awareness skills and instructional practices, and to examine the effects on child outcomes. The comparison group consisted of 10 ECEs who were receiving professional development in emergent literacy and a sample of 59 children from their classrooms. The intervention group was composed of 10 similar ECEs who were in the same general professional development program but received an increased dosage of training focused on phonological awareness, and a sample of 53 children from their classrooms. Results showed that ECEs in the intervention group exhibited significantly greater improvements in their own phonological awareness skills and the quality of their instructional practices than the comparison group of ECEs. In addition, children in the intervention classrooms exhibited significantly larger gains on phonological awareness skills and upper-case alphabet knowledge. The results suggest that providing increased dosages of professional development focused on code-focused early literacy skills benefits both the ECEs and children in their classrooms. Implications of the current study and directions for future research are discussed.

The Impact of Single-Dose Debriefing for Meaningful Learning Training on Debriefer Quality, Time, and Outcomes: Early Evidence to Inform Debriefing Training and Frequency.

This study evaluated the impact of a single dose of training in Debriefing for Meaningful Learning (DML) on learner knowledge outcomes and time spent in debriefing. Regulatory bodies recommend that faculty who debrief receive training and competence assessment to ensure positive student learning outcomes, yet there is little literature describing the training needed. There is also little understanding of the impact of a single training on the length of debriefing, debriefer skill, and learner outcomes. Following training, debriefers submitted a recorded debriefing for assessment by experts; their learners completed knowledge assessment tests at three time points. Longer debriefing time led to higher DML Evaluation Scale scores. Learner knowledge scores improved and later decayed. The results of this study contribute to the evidence about the importance of training to debrief well, the impact of training on the length of debriefing time, and subsequent learner outcomes.

DOSE RESPONSE OF PLYOMETRIC TRAINING ON AGILITY IN CRICKET PLAYERS

Aims of Study: From last one decade, advancements in formats of cricket demand agility in the players so that they can play in better way without injury. The aim of this study was to determine which dose of plyometric training is effective to enhance agility in cricket players. Methodology: Randomized Controlled Trial was registered in US clinical Trial registry (NCT04350385). 40 cricket players were recruited in study, out of which n=20 players were placed in experimental group and n=20 players were in control group. Assessments were taken as baseline and after third week and on sixth week through Illinois Agility Run test, T test and Vertical jump test. Data analysis was done through SPSS version 23. Independent t test was used for between group analysis and paired t test for within group. Results: Group comparison through T-agility and Illinois test shows significant effect in experimental group (p>0.009). Post intervention Mean±SD of vertical jump test in experimental group was 31.90±2.55 with significant effect (p=0.001). Limitation and Future Implications: This study can be done on both genders. Players can improve their performance by working on plyometric training and agility. Originality: This was original work and never published before. Conclusion: It is concluded from this study that plyometric training is effective in improving agility of the cricket players. Players can improve their performance by working on plyometric training and agility.

Resistance, Motor Control, and Mindfulness-Based Exercises Are Effective for Treating Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis and Dose-Response Meta-Regression.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to analyze the effects and dose-response relationship of the most effective exercises for improving pain and disability in people with chronic nonspecific neck pain. DESIGN: Intervention systematic review with meta-analysis. LITERATURE SEARCH: We searched the PubMed, PEDro, and CENTRAL databases from their inception to September 30, 2022. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials that involved people with chronic neck pain adopting a longitudinal exercise intervention and assessed one pain and/or disability outcome. DATA SYNTHESIS: Restricted maximum-likelihood random-effects meta-analyses were modeled separately for resistance, mindfulness-based, and motor control exercises; standardized mean differences (Hedge's g, standardized mean difference [SMD]) were effect estimators. Meta-regressions (dependent variable: effect sizes of the interventions; independent variables: training dose and control group effects) were conducted to explore the dose-response relationship for therapy success of any exercise type. RESULTS: We included 68 trials. Compared to true control, effects on pain and disability were significantly larger for resistance exercise (pain: SMD, -1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.26, -0.28; |2 = 96%; disability: SMD, -1.76; 95% CI: -3.16, -0.37; |2 = 98%), motor control exercise (pain: SMD, -2.29; 95% CI: -3.82, -0.75; |2 = 98%; disability: SMD, -2.42; 95% CI: -3.38, -1.47; |2 = 94%), and Yoga/Pilates/Tai Chi/Qui Gong exercise (pain: SMD, 1.91; 95% CI:-3.28, -0.55; |2 = 96%; disability: SMD, -0.62; 95% CI: -0.85, -0.38; |2 = 0%). Yoga/Pilates/Tai Chi/Qui Gong exercise was more effective than other exercises (SMD, -0.84; 95% CI: -1.553, -0.13; |2 = 86%) for reducing pain. For disability, motor control exercise was superior to other exercises (SMD, -0.70; 95% CI: -1.23, -0.17; |2 = 98%). There was no dose-response relationship for resistance exercise (R2 = 0.32). Higher frequencies (estimate = -0.10) and longer durations (estimate = -0.11) of motor control exercise had larger effects on pain (R2 = 0.72). Longer sessions (estimate = -0.13) of motor control exercise had larger effects on disability (R2 = 0.61). CONCLUSION: Resistance, mindfulness-based, and motor control exercises were effective for reducing neck pain (very low- to moderate-certainty evidence). Higher frequencies and longer duration of sessions had a significant effect on pain for motor control exercise. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2023;53(8):1-41. Epub: 20 June 2023. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.11820.

The effect of perturbation-based balance training on balance control and fear of falling in older adults: a single-blind randomised controlled trial

BackgroundPerturbation-based balance training (PBT) is an emerging intervention shown to improve balance recovery responses and reduce falls in everyday life in older adults. However, perturbation interventions were heterogeneous in nature and need improvement. This study aims to investigate the effects of a PBT protocol that was designed to address previously identified challenges of PBT, in addition to usual care, on balance control and fear of falling in older adults at increased risk of falling.MethodsCommunity-dwelling older adults (age ≥ 65 years) who visited the hospital outpatient clinic due to a fall incident were included. Participants received PBT in addition to usual care (referral to a physiotherapist) versus usual care alone. PBT consisted of three 30-minute sessions in three weeks. Unilateral treadmill belt accelerations and decelerations and platform perturbations (shifts and tilts) were applied during standing and walking on the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN, Motek Medical BV). This dual-belt treadmill embedded in a motion platform with 6 degrees of freedom is surrounded by a 180° screen on which virtual reality environments are projected. Duration and contents of the training were standardised, while training progression was individualised. Fear of falling (FES-I) and balance control (Mini-BESTest) were assessed at baseline and one week post-intervention. Primary analysis compared changes in outcome measures between groups using Mann-Whitney U tests.ResultsEighty-two participants were included (PBT group n = 39), with a median age of 73 years (IQR 8 years). Median Mini-BESTest scores did not clinically relevantly improve and were not significantly different between groups post-intervention (p = 0.87). FES-I scores did not change in either group.ConclusionsParticipation in a PBT program including multiple perturbation types and directions did not lead to different effects than usual care on clinical measures of balance control or fear of falling in community-dwelling older adults with a recent history of falls. More research is needed to explore how to modulate PBT training dose, and which clinical outcomes are most suitable to measure training effects on balance control.Trial registrationNederlands Trial Register NL7680. Registered 17-04-2019 – retrospectively registered. https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/7680.

Three weeks of mental training changes physiological outcomes during a time trial to exhaustion

Mental training (MT) can increase endurance performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the minimum dose of mental training needed to increase performance and elucidate the physiological mechanisms underlying this improvement. In a randomized between groups pre-test–post-test design, 33 participants visited the lab on 6 separate days. A VO2peak with ventilatory threshold (VT) was performed on day 1. The subsequent visits consisted of time trials to exhaustion (TTE) performed at 10% above VT. Between visit 3 and 6, the MT group (n = 16) watched a video for 10–15 min each day for 3 weeks, while the control group (CON; n = 17) did no mental training. Heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), VAS scores for pain and fatigue, electromyography, and metabolic and neuromuscular data were collected and recorded during the time trials. The GRIT-S and CD-RISC 10 surveys were completed before study days 3 and 6. TTE increased significantly for MT beginning after 2 weeks (10.0 ± 13.1%) with no further change after 3 weeks (10.4 ± 13.2). TTE also significantly decreased during the last TTE for CON (−10.3 ± 12.7). VO2, ventilation, and frequency of breathing were significantly reduced in the latter stages of the TTE for MT. EMG was also significantly decreased for MT as compared for CON throughout the trial. Three weeks of mental training improves performance by reducing EMG, decreasing activation of the muscle and reducing metabolic factors during the latter stages of exercise.

Train Smart Study: protocol for a randomised trial investigating the role of exercise training dose on markers of brain health in sedentary middle-aged adults

IntroductionRegular aerobic exercise is associated with improved cognitive function, implicating it as a strategy to reduce dementia risk. This is reinforced by the association between greater cardiorespiratory fitness and larger...

β2 nAChR Activation on VTA DA Neurons Is Sufficient for Nicotine Reinforcement in Rats.

Mesolimbic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChRs) activation is necessary for nicotine reinforcement behavior, but it is unknown whether selective activation of nAChRs in the dopamine (DA) reward pathway is sufficient to support nicotine reinforcement. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that activation of β2-containing (β2*) nAChRs on VTA neurons is sufficient for intravenous nicotine self-administration (SA). We expressed β2 nAChR subunits with enhanced sensitivity to nicotine (referred to as β2Leu9'Ser) in the VTA of male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, enabling very low concentrations of nicotine to selectively activate β2* nAChRs on transduced neurons. Rats expressing β2Leu9'Ser subunits acquired nicotine SA at 1.5 μg/kg/infusion, a dose too low to support acquisition in control rats. Saline substitution extinguished responding for 1.5 μg/kg/inf, verifying that this dose was reinforcing. β2Leu9'Ser nAChRs also supported acquisition at the typical training dose in rats (30 μg/kg/inf) and reducing the dose to 1.5 μg/kg/inf caused a significant increase in the rate of nicotine SA. Viral expression of β2Leu9'Ser subunits only in VTA DA neurons (via TH-Cre rats) also enabled acquisition of nicotine SA at 1.5 μg/kg/inf, and saline substitution significantly attenuated responding. Next, we examined electrically-evoked DA release in slices from β2Leu9'Ser rats with a history of nicotine SA. Single-pulse evoked DA release and DA uptake rate were reduced in β2Leu9'Ser NAc slices, but relative increases in DA following a train of stimuli were preserved. These results are the first to report that β2* nAChR activation on VTA neurons is sufficient for nicotine reinforcement in rats.

Within-session and between-session effects of auditory biofeedback training on center of pressure location during gait in patients with chronic ankle instability

ObjectivesTo establish preliminary gait training dosage parameters for patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) by determining the within-session and between-session effects of auditory biofeedback training on center of pressure (COP) location during gait. DesignObservational Longitudinal. SettingLaboratory. Participants19 participants with CAI, 8 participants who did not receive auditory biofeedback (NoFeedback group) and 11 participants who did receive auditory biofeedback (AuditoryFeedback group) over an 8-session 2-week intervention. Main outcome measuresCOP location was measured at the start and at each 5-min interval during treadmill walking across all eight 30-min training sessions. ResultsThe AuditoryFeedback group had significant within-session lateral-to-medial shifts in COP location during only session-1 at the 15-min (45% of stance; peak mean difference = 4.6 mm), 20-min (35% and 45%; 4.2 mm), and 30-min time intervals (35% and 45%; 4.1 mm). Furthermore, the AuditoryFeedback group had significant between-session lateral-to-medial shifts in COP location at session-5 (35–55% of stance; 4.2 mm), session-7 (35%–95%; 6.7 mm), and session-8 (35%–95%; 7.7 mm). The NoFeedback group had no significant changes in COP location within-sessions or between-sessions. ConclusionsParticipants with CAI who received auditory biofeedback during gait needed an average of 15-min during session-1 to meaningfully shift their COP location medially and 4-sessions before retaining the adapted gait pattern.

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Executive Functions in College Students: Evidence from Different Doses

Different doses of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may affect individuals' executive functions (EF). In this study, low-dose HIIT and moderate-dose HIIT were used to explore different doses of HIIT in terms of the impact on the EF of college students. All the participants were randomly divided into three groups. One group was not assigned any HIIT, which was called the control group. One group was assigned one session of HIIT/week, which was called the low-dose group. The last group was assigned wo sessions of HIIT/week, which was called the moderate-dose group. All groups were subjected to EF measurements. The first measurement comprised an EF a baseline measurement (Time 1) before the experiment began; the second measurement was taken (Time 2) after 6 weeks; the third measurement was taken (Time 3) after 12 weeks. Time 1: We found that there was no significant difference in EF among the groups (p > 0.05). Time 2: The moderate-dose group and low-dose group improved in terms of EF. However, the improvement effect was different, and the improvement effect of the moderate-dose group EF was better than that of the low-dose group. The second measurement, EF was better for all exercise groups than for the control group. Inhibition test (reaction time: 3.97-8.24%, p < 0.05, effect size: 0.413); cognitive flexibility (accuracy: 6.66-7.32%, p < 0.05, effect size: 0.203; reaction time: 5.55-7.49%, p < 0.05, effect size: 0.521); working memory (accuracy: 4.05-4.69%, p < 0.05, effect size: 0.515; reaction time: 2.73-5.42%, p < 0.05, effect size: 0.430). Time 3: the moderate-dose group and low-dose group showed a downward trend in terms of EF. Low-dose HIIT and moderate-dose HIIT improved the EF in college students, but moderate-dose HIIT was better. This study suggests that moderate-dose HIIT should be adopted to improve the EF in college students.

An evaluation of the role of the exercise training dose for changes in exercise capacity following a standard cardiac rehabilitation program

BackgroundTo retrospectively characterize and compare the dose of exercise training (ET) within a large cohort of patients demonstrating different levels of improvement in exercise capacity following a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program. MethodsA total of 2310 patients who completed a 12-week, center-based, guidelines-informed CR program between January 2018 and December 2019 were included in the analysis. Peak metabolic equivalents (METpeak) were determined pre- and post-CR during which total duration (ET time) and intensity [percent of heart rate peak (%HRpeak)] of supervised ET were also obtained. Training responsiveness was quantified on the basis of changes in METpeak from pre- to post-CR. A cluster analysis was performed to identity clusters demonstrating discrete levels of responsiveness (i.e., negative, low, moderate, high, and very-high). These were compared for several baseline and ET-derived variables which were also included in a multivariable linear regression model. ResultsAt pre-CR, baseline METpeak was progressively lower with greater training responsiveness (F(4,2305) = 44.2, P < 0.01, η2p = 0.71). Likewise, average training duration (F(4,2305) = 10.7 P < 0.01, η2p = 0.02) and %HRpeak (F(4,2305) = 25.1 P < 0.01, η2p = 0.042) quantified during onsite ET sessions were progressively greater with greater training responsiveness. The multivariable linear regression model confirmed that baseline METpeak, training duration and intensity during ET, BMI, and age (P < 0.001) were significant predictors of METpeak post-CR. ConclusionsAlong with baseline METpeak, delta BMI, and age, the dose of ET (i.e., training duration and intensity) predicts METpeak at the conclusion of CR. A re-evaluation of current approaches for exercise intensity prescription is recommended to extend the benefits of completing CR to all patients.

Assessment of Abuse-Related Discriminative Stimulus Effects of Nicotine Aerosol in Rodents.

The rapid increase in e-cigarette use highlights the importance of developing relevant, predictive animal models exploring their potential health implications. The goal of the present study was to examine the abuse-related effects of brief, repeated e-cigarette aerosol exposures in rodents modeling human e-cigarette user behavior. We evaluated the discriminative stimulus effects of brief, repeated puffs of inhaled nicotine in rats that had been trained to discriminate injected nicotine from saline. Locomotor activity measurement following exposure to injected and aerosolized nicotine was also assessed as an additional behavioral outcome. We hypothesized that the stimulus effects of nicotine aerosol were central nervous system (CNS)-mediated and comparable to that produced by an injected nicotine training stimulus. We further hypothesized that number of aerosol puffs and the e-liquid nicotine concentration which was aerosolized would impact the substitution of nicotine aerosol for injected nicotine. Both nicotine injections and exposures to nicotine aerosol produced a dose-dependent effect on locomotor activity. Nicotine aerosol under our puffing conditions produced e-liquid nicotine concentration-dependent and puff-number-dependent complete substitution for the injected nicotine training condition. The nicotinic antagonist, mecamylamine, completely blocked nicotine-appropriate responding produce by the training dose of 0.3 mg/kg injected nicotine as well as that resulting from exposure to aerosol puffs generated by e-liquid containing 3 mg/ml nicotine, demonstrating that the stimulus of inhaled nicotine was most likely CNS-mediated and not due to olfactory stimulus properties. Overall, the results support the hypothesis that an aerosol exposure drug discrimination model in rodents has applicability to studying the abuse-related effects of e-cigarettes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Animal models of nicotine aerosol exposure using testing conditions resembling human e-cigarette use are lacking. In this study, we test a novel preclinical model of nicotine vaping in rodents which allows for the exploration of the abuse-related effects of e-cigarettes. This model has the potential to contribute both to our understanding of the abuse-related pharmacological effects of e-cigarettes as well as aid in the development of rationale, evidence-based e-cigarette regulatory policies.

Fitness parameters in young football players are affected by training load and somatic-anthropometric variations

This study aimed at investigating relationship between variations in fitness parameters, variations in somatic-anthropometric parameters and training load variables in Italian elite soccer players during pre/mid and post-puberty. Thirty-six Italian elite young soccer players (Under-14, U14: 18; Under-17, U17: 18) participated in study. Their somatic-anthropometric and fitness parameters were assessed and training load (Session-RPE) was monitored during 119 days in the sporty season. During the observational period meaningful variation in CMJ and 30-15IFT emerged in U17 and only in CMJ in U14. Meaningful correlations emerged between variations in CMJ and variations in numerous somatic-anthropometric parameters in U17 but only variations in ARM-GIRTH in U14. Meaningful correlations were found between variations in 30-15IFT and only variations in SUP-SKIN in U17, training load during match in U14 and U17 and training load during session training only in U17. During puberty, variation in fitness parameters are affected by variations in somatic-anthropometric parameters and training load parameters differently between U14 and U17. Variations of body shape have more influence in U17, match load more influence in U14 and intensity of training influence only in U17. This study offers new interpretations about the effect of anthropometric and somatic parameters, as well as on training dose (volume, intensity and typology) on the variation of fitness parameters during puberty.

Treatment Response Following Adaptive PASAT Training for Depression Vulnerability: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

In recent years, cognitive control training (CCT) has gained momentum as an intervention to remediate cognitive impairments and decrease depressive symptoms. One promising operationalization to train cognitive control is the adaptive Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (aPASAT). In this systematic review and meta-analysis of aPASAT training, the efficacy of the intervention and potential moderators were examined. The PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched for studies examining aPASAT training for depressive symptomatology or rumination. Nineteen studies (n = 1255) were included, comprising of depressed patients, remitted depressed patients, at-risk, and healthy participants. We found small significant effects directly after training for both depressive symptomatology and rumination, with similar effect sizes at follow-up. Subgroup analyses suggest a significantly higher mean effect of aPASAT training in non-healthy populations for rumination immediately following training, but not for depressive symptomatology. The amount of training sessions did not moderate effects of CCT. aPASAT has a small but significant effect on depressive symptoms, with direct effects immediately after training, as well as sustained long-term effects. It is currently unclear how many sessions are required for sustained effects due to heterogeneity in training dosage and absence of sufficient trials. Our results suggest that aPASAT training may be most effective for at-risk, remitted- and clinically depressed populations. The effect sizes resulting from this meta-analysis could be used to adequately power future research, which could investigate a dose-response relationship and examine potential treatment gains when combining CCT with other antidepressant interventions.

Effects of Intensive Versus Distributed Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy for Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Quasi-Randomized Trial

Background Previous studies have compared the effectiveness of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) by different training doses. However, whether the dosing schedule, that is, intensive or distributed, influences the effectiveness of CIMT in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) is unknown. Objective To investigate the effectiveness of intensive and distributed CIMT for children with unilateral CP. Methods Fifty children with unilateral CP were assigned to intensive or distributed CIMT group with a total of 36 training hours. The intensive CIMT was delivered within 1 week, and the distributed CIMT was delivered twice a week for 8 weeks. The outcomes were the Melbourne Assessment 2, Box and Block Test, Pediatric Motor Activity Log-Revised (PMAL-R), Bruininks–Oseretsky test of motor proficiency 2, ABILHAND-Kids and Parenting Stress Index—Short Form. The intensive group was assessed at the initiation of treatment (week 0), at the end of 1 week treatment (week 1), and 8 weeks after the initiation of treatment (week 8). The distributed group was assessed at week 0 and week 8. Results The within-group analyses demonstrated significant differences on all motor outcomes. There were no significant between-group differences at post-treatment, while the intensive CIMT demonstrated larger improvements than the distributed CIMT did on quality of use of the more-affected hand, as rated by parents on the PMAL-R at week 8. Conclusions The 2 dosing schedules of CIMT had similar effectiveness for children with unilateral CP. The intensive CIMT yielded additional improvement on parent rated motor quality of the more-affected hand at 8 weeks after the initiation of treatment. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT03128385)

Machine Learning for Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling

A variety of new recurrent neural networks (RNNs) including the ODE-LSTM, Phased LSTM, CTGRU and GRU-D, were evaluated on modeling irregularly sampled PK/PD data with 6 or 12 time points/day and predicting PD data of unseen dosing regimens and dosing levels. The one-compartment absorption PK model and the Indirect PK/PD model I was used to simulate the PK/PD with inter-individual variabilities in volume of distribution and residual errors in PD measurement. The four RNNs were able to successfully model daily dose (QD) PK/PD and extrapolate to twice daily (BID) dose PD based on BID PK. The RNNs not only captured the additional fluctuations in the BID regimen but also the return phase to the baseline PD. However, extrapolating to unseen dose levels outside of the dose range for training proved to be challenging for all the RNNs tested. Only the GRUD demonstrated reasonable prediction results when extrapolating to unseen doses that were 3 or 10-fold outside the training doses. Overall, these new RNNs were able to overcome some limitations of previous RNNs evaluated and showed promise of integrating neural networks in PK/PD.

Effects of Cognitive Training in Flanker Task on Mobility of Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trail

Introduction: Cognitive function is considered to be correlated with the older adults’ mobility. Flanker task, reflecting the conflict resolution, is barely explored as a simple approach to train the older adults’ cognitive function. Hence, the first aim of this study was to explore the effect of cognitive intervention adopting flanker task on mobility. The second aim of this study was to assess the effect of cognitive training by comparing it with physical training to disclose how much dosage of cognitive training can have the equal improvement of mobility with physical training. Methods: 232 older adults (age, mean ± SD: 66.16 ± 7.08, female: 74.3%) were retrained and assigned into three groups (cognitive intervention group, physical exercise intervention group, and control group). The intervention lasted for 22 weeks (cognitive intervention: flanker task, 30 min per session, 3 sessions a week; physical exercise intervention: 30 min muscle and balance training session, twice a week, and 30 min daily walking and housework, 2–4 times a week). Grip strength, 30-s chair-stand test, single leg balance with eyes closed, and the timed “Up & Go” (TUG) were used as indicators of mobility. A mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA), interaction effect, and simple effect were performed in statistical analysis. Results: Both intervention groups improved mobility, and the results were similar behaviorally. However, the exercise intervention group performed better in 30-s chair-stand test (25.14 ± 0.67 vs. 23.71 ± 0.76 with p = 0.01) and single leg balance with eyes closed (8.15 ± 0.69 vs. 6.14 ± 0.43 with p < 0.001). Conclusion: 22-week cognitive intervention (for total 1,980 min) could improve the older adults’ mobility to the similar extent of mild-to-moderate physical exercises (1,320 min of functional muscle and balance training and 1,980 daily physical activities), which ascertained the far transfer effects from cognition to untrained mobility domain and found a comparable dosage of cognitive and physical exercise training.

Relationships between training dose and record power outputs in professional road cyclists: insights and threats to validity.

Testing short-term (4-8 weeks) correlations between training dose and performance in professional road cyclists can help improve their training and performance. Multilevel mixed-modeling was used to correlate training dose (Time, Edwards' Trimp-eTRIMP, Training Stress Score-TSS, time spent in power output zones-Z1, Z2, Z3, Polarization Index-PI) and Record Power Output (RPO) over 1 minute (RPO1), 5 (RPO5), 20 (RPO20), and 40 minutes (RPO40) across four different time periods: training dose of the previous month with RPOs of the subsequent month (Monthly-analysis); training dose of the 8 weeks preceding All, Grand tours, One-day races with RPOs of these races. In Monthly-analysis, small positive relationships between all the training dose parameters, except for PI, and RPO1, RPO5, RPO20, RPO40 were found (p ≤ 0.001). In Grand tours analysis, Z3 showed a positive association with RPO40 (r: 0.45; p = 0.007, moderate) and was positively related to RPO1 and RPO5 (r between 0.32 and 0.34; p = 0.053-0.059, moderate). PI was small positively related to RPO1 (r = 0.29, p = 0.076, small). In One-day races analysis, eTRIMP was positively related to RPO5 (r = 0.30, p = 0.035, moderate), Z1 negatively related to RPO40 (r = -0.31, p = 0.031, moderate), PI positively related to RPO5 (r = 0.24, p = 0.068, small) and Z2 was negatively related to RPO20 (r = -0.29, p = 0.051, small). A certain degree of responsiveness to training dose exists in professional road cyclists. To improve RPOs an appropriate preparation pattern seems to be increasing high intensity training for Grand Tours and fostering high intensity and overall training load (eTRIMP and TSS) in a more polarized-fashion for one-day races. Systematic and precise data collection during training and racing is highly advocated.

The effect of two sessions of combined jump and sprint training per week on fitness parameters in soccer players. A randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a combined jump and sprint training program, two sessions a week for 6 weeks, on sprinting, change of directions (COD) and jumping performance in semi-professional soccer players. Twenty soccer players were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial (age 20 ± 2 years, body mass 74.3 ± 5.9 kg). Players were randomized into two groups such as training group (TG, n = 10 players) or control group (CG, n = 10 players). Physical tests were performed before and after 6 weeks of training such as sprint 10 m, sprint 30 m, 505-COD test and standing long jump (LJ). The two groups performed the same training except for the combined jump and sprint training performed twice a week by TG. After 6 weeks of training, between-group analysis reported statistical difference in favor of the TG in sprint 10 m (p = 0.015, η2 = 0.295, large), sprint 30 m (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.599, large), in 505-COD (p = 0.026, η2 = 0.154, large), and LJ (p = 0.025, η2 = 0.027, small). These data indicate that combined sprint and jump training, when performed twice a week, for the duration of 6 weeks, in addition to the regular team training, can improve specific physical performance in male soccer players. This study has shown that a volume increment of 10% after 3 weeks of training can be a suitable training dose progression and that a combination of 64-70 jumps and 675-738 m of sprinting training per session can yield benefits in sprint, COD and jump performance.

Enhancing Workforce Capacity to Improve Immunization Data Quality using Low Dose High-Frequency Intervention Approach in Ebonyi State, Nigeria: A Randomized Controlled Study

ABSTRACT Background: Immunization data quality is poor, particularly in developing countries. This study evaluated the effect of a low-dose high-frequency (LDHF) capacity-building training approach in improving immunization data quality in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted in 145 health facilities selected through cluster sampling in Ebonyi State. The intervention comprised low but frequent training doses, supportive supervision, and peer mentoring delivered onsite by immunization officers to facility health workers. Immunization data quality was compared before and 6 months after the intervention using an interviewer-administered validated data quality self-assessment questionnaire. A percentage score ≥ 80% was classified as good quality. Variables were compared with the Student’s t and Chi-square significant tests. Findings: The total mean score of immunization data quality was higher in the intervention group, 66.8 ± 11.0, than in the control group, 55.5 ± 16.6 (P = 0.001). A higher proportion of facilities in the intervention (54.2%) than the control group (24.7%) had overall good quality data (P = 0.001). Similarly, a higher proportion of the intervention than the control group had good quality in the immunization monitoring system elements—recording, reporting, archiving, demographic information, core output, and use of evidence for action (P &lt; 0.05). Health facilities with accurate data were higher in the intervention group, 95.8%, than in the control group, 71.1% (P = 0.001). A higher proportion in the intervention (93.7%) compared to the control group (68.0%) had complete data (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The study found low-quality immunization data, which improved more in the intervention group compared to the control group. This intervention approach should be adopted and scaled up.