Browsing by Author "Schott, Nadja"

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Open Access
Analysis and systematization of the training structure of professional breakers
(2024) Lindner, Sophie Manuela; Nonnenmann, Jens; Schott, Nadja; Steinberg, Claudia
Including breaking in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games entails numerous structural changes, such as developing a scientifically based training system for national squad athletes. So far, breaking has been chiefly practiced without access to trained coaches with a sports science background, and no research has addressed its training structure. This study aims to identify breakers’ existing training strategies by analyzing their training through video observation and interviews. Demographic data were collected via online questionnaires from 12 professional breakers (29.8 ± 3.5 years) worldwide. On average, participants had 15.1 ± 3.6 years of breaking experience, dedicating 24 ± 10.2 hours per week to training. All participants stated that they organized their breaking training independently, without supervision from a national coach. Training strategies were identified and grouped into three training phases: warm-up, breaking training, and cool-down. Warm-up routines were incorporated by all participants, with emphasis placed on knee and shoulder joints. However, only 7 participants performed a cool-down. Specific warm-up routines involved toprock, footwork, and freeze positions. Breakers often trained individually or in small groups, engaging in full-out dance rounds and simulated battles. Incorporating new steps required trial and error, with breakers utilizing various learning techniques including movement dissection and speed reduction. Overall, the obtained data revealed a diverse and multifaceted category structure regarding the training strategies of professional breakers. This study shows that the training structure is often decided by the dancers themselves, who tend to be autodidacts. Subsequently, recommendations were made from a sports science perspective for effective breaking training.
Open Access
Assessing the well-being of residents in nursing facilities : translation and validation of the German version of the Laurens Well-being Inventory for Gerontopsychiatry (LWIG-GER)
(2021) Schott, Nadja; Johnen, Bettina; Klotzbier, Thomas J.
Well-adapted and validated well-being (WB) instruments for the nursing home population are scarce. To our knowledge, the Laurens Well-Being Inventory for Gerontopsychiatry (LWIG) is a practical and reliable well-being assessment tool that has never been validated for German nursing home populations. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to (1) translate and crossculturally adapt the LWIG to a German context and (2) test the reliability and validity of the German LWIG in a group of older nursing home residents using the Raschmodel. Methods. This study has a cross-sectional, descriptive study design. Cross-cultural adaption of the LWIG-GER from English to German was performed according to a standardized method. The data obtained from 104 long-term nursing home residents (57 women, 47 men) aged 60–99 years (mean 79.5, standard deviation ±9.11) were analyzed for psychometric testing (exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, item fit, McDonald’s ω, convergent validity, and known-group validity, Rasch). Results. The final LWIG-GER consists of 19 items with three subscales, including “psychologicalWB”, “socialWB”, and “physical WB”. The LWIG-GER showed good overall reliability with McDonald’s ω of 0.83; the LWIG-GER dimensions’ scores were significantly correlated with depression, functional performance, activities, fear of falling, and education. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that the German language version of the LWIG is a reliable and valid tool for measuring WB in nursing home residents. Furthermore, we propose that the LWIG-GER questionnaire can broaden and deepen our understanding of residents’ perception of quality of care and their environment.
Open Access
Associations of motor performance and executive functions: comparing children with Down syndrome to chronological and mental age-matched controls
(2022) Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Holfelder, Benjamin; Schott, Nadja
Background. Children with Down syndrome (DS) exhibit lower motor and cognitive performance than typically developing children (TD). Although there is a relationship between these two developmental domains, only a few studies have addressed this association in children with DS compared to groups of the same chronological age (CA) or mental age (MA) within one study. This study aimed to fill this research gap. Method and Procedures. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 and the Trail-Making Test was used to assess motor and cognitive performances in 12 children (M = 10.5 ± 10.08) with DS, 12 CA-matched, and 12 MA-matched controls. Results. There are significant group differences in the motor dimension (total test score; p < 0.001, η2p = 0.734), for processing speed (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.396), and cognitive flexibility (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.498). Between TD-CA and both other groups, the differences in the magnitude of correlations for the motor dimension balance are also significant (compared to DS: z = −2.489; p = 0.006, and to TD-MA: z = −3.12; p < 0.001). Conclusions. Our results suggest that the relationships depend on the studied cognitive and motor skills. It seems crucial to select a wide range of tasks for both domains that are as isolated as possible for future studies, to better understand the relationships between cognitive and motor skills in children with DS.
Open Access
Camera-based mobile applications for movement screening in healthy adults : a systematic review
(2025) El-Rajab, Inaam; Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Korbus, Heide; Schott, Nadja
Background: In recent years, the proliferation of mobile applications in the health and fitness sector has been rapid. Despite the enhanced accessibility of these systems, concerns regarding their validation persist, and their accuracy remains to be thoroughly evaluated compared to conventional motion analysis methodologies. Furthermore, there is a paucity of evidence regarding real-time feedback and movement quality assessment. Consequently, this systematic review aims to evaluate the current state of camera-based mobile applications for movement screening in healthy adults, focusing on specific types of movement.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in four databases - PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore - covering the period from 2000 to 2024. The search strategy was based on key terms related to four main concepts: screening, mobile applications, cameras, and physical activity. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The study was registered a priori on PROSPERO (Registration ID: CRD42023444355) to ensure transparency and prevent selective reporting of outcomes.
Results: Of the 2,716 records initially identified, eight studies met the specified inclusion criteria. The studies were primarily concerned with fitness exercises, gait analysis, and sport-specific movements. Some studies demonstrated high reliability compared to gold standard systems, while others reported technical limitations such as camera positioning and data interpretation issues. Feedback mechanisms varied, with many applications lacking personalized real-time correction.
Conclusion: Despite the potential of smartphone-based movement screening applications, particularly their accessibility and affordability, challenges remain regarding accuracy and user feedback. Precise measurements comparable to established methods are crucial for application-oriented camera-based movement screening. Equally important are improving real-time feedback, expanding the types of movement that can be assessed, and ensuring broad applicability across different populations and environments to ensure sustainable use of application-based movement screening.
Open Access
CIEMER in action : from development to application of a co-creative, interdisciplinary exergame design process in XR
(2024) Retz, Celina; Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Ghellal, Sabiha; Schott, Nadja
Introduction: Motor-cognitive learning is crucial for achieving and maintaining wellbeing. Exergames can effectively facilitate this type of learning due to their inherent qualities of exertion and game-related disciplines. These qualities can create effectiveness, enjoyment, and meaning in the lives of individuals. To address these aspects equally, the design process for exergame interventions needs to be interdisciplinary from the beginning. Objective: This paper aims to (1) enhance an exergame design process model for interdisciplinary co-creation (CIEM) by an Extended Reflection part (CIEMER). Furthermore, it aims to (2) show a formal process for making the abstract model applicable. In doing so, (3) this paper will also derive methods for conducting the process in an academic seminar. Methods: The study employed the CIEMER to conduct a 2-month academic seminar with 20 students. The seminar consisted of a 3-day intensive workshop, a 6-week work phase, and a 1-week testing phase, creating four Extended Reality prototypes. We used a mixed methods approach to evaluate the model, including feedback interviews with external experts, internal surveys, and written reflections from student designers. Results: Four motor-cognitive learning prototypes in Extended Reality were created using the CIEMER. External expert evaluations highlighted the prototypes’ alignment with effective, enjoyable, and meaningful objectives and potential efficacy while noting shortcomings in discipline-specific theoretical application. Internal feedback from students, collected via surveys and reflections, consistently showed positive outcomes in interdisciplinary collaboration and learning, underscoring the importance of an integrated approach in achieving project goals. Conclusion: The formal process within CIEMER effectively yielded four promising prototypes, demonstrating its sufficiency. Students positively acknowledged the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration, finding it supportive and competence-enhancing. Additionally, the Extended Reflections enabled rapid and targeted iterations, streamlining the reflection of the current state and Creation process.
Open Access
Cognitive, physical and emotional determinants of activities of daily living in nursing home residents : a cross-sectional study within the PROCARE-project
(2023) Wollesen, Bettina; Schott, Nadja; Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Bischoff, Laura Luise; Cordes, Thomas; Rudisch, Julian; Otto, Ann-Kathrin; Zwingmann, Katharina; Hildebrand, Claudia; Jöllenbeck, Thomas; Vogt, Lutz; Schoene, Daniel; Weigelt, Matthias; Voelcker-Rehage, Claudia
Background. Interdependencies of health, fitness, cognition, and emotion can promote or inhibit mobility. This study aimed to analyse pathways and interactions between individual subjective and objective physical performance, cognition, and emotions with activities of daily living (ADLs) as mobility indicators in multimorbid nursing home residents. Methods. The study included n = 448 (77.1% females, age = 84.1 ± 7.8 years) nursing home residents. To describe the participant's demographics, frailty, number of falls, and participating institutions' socioeconomic status (SES) were assessed. ADLs were measured with the Barthel Index (BI; dependent variable). Independent variables included objective physical performance, subjective physical performance, cognition, and emotions. A structural equation model (SEM) with maximum likelihood estimation was conducted with AMOS. Direct and indirect effects were estimated using standardized coefficients (significance level of 0.05). Results. Indices showed (Chi 2 (148) = 217, PCMIN/DF = 1.47; p < .001; Comparative Fit Index = .940; Tucker Lewes Index = .902, RMSEA = .033) that the model fitted the data adequately. While there was no direct association between emotions, subjective physical performance, and ADLs, objective physical performance and cognition predicted higher ADLs (p < .01). Emotions had a strong relationship with subjective physical performance, and cognition had a moderate relationship with objective physical performance. Discussion and conclusion. Objective performance and cognition predicted higher functional status, as expressed by higher BI scores. ADLs, such as mobility, dressing, or handling tasks, require motor and cognitive performance. Subjective performance is an important predictor of ADLs and is only partly explained by objective performance, but to a large extent also by emotions. Therefore, future interventions for nursing home residents should take a holistic approach that focuses not only on promoting objective physical and cognitive performance but also on emotions and perceived physical performance.
Open Access
Cognitive-motor Interference during walking in older adults with probable mild cognitive impairment
(2017) Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Schott, Nadja; Schott, Nadja
Although several studies have shown that dual-tasking (DT) mobility is impaired in Alzheimer’s disease, studies on the effects of DT conditions in probable Mild Cognitive Impairment (pMCI) have not yielded unequivocal results. The objectives of the study were to (1) examine the effect of a concurrent task on a complex walking task in adults with cognitive impairment; and (2) determine whether the effect varied with different difficulty levels of the concurrent task. Furthermore, the study was designed to evaluate the Trail-Walking Test (TWT) as a potential detection tool for MCI. We examined DT performance in 42 young adults (mean age 23.9 ± 1.98), and 43 older adults (mean age 68.2 ± 6.42). The MoCA was used to stratify the subjects into those with and without pMCI. DT was assessed using the TWT: participants completed 5 trials each of walking along a fixed pathway, stepping on targets with increasing sequential numbers (i.e., 1-2-…-15), and increasing sequential numbers and letters (i.e., 1-A-2-B-3-…-8). Motor and cognitive DT effects (DTE) were calculated for each task. ROC curves were used to distinguish younger and healthy older adults from older adults with pMCI. The TWT showed excellent test-retest reliability across all conditions and groups (ICC : 0.83–0.97). SEM% was also low (<11%) as was the MDC95% (<30%). Within the DT conditions, the pMCI group showed significantly longer durations for all tasks regardless of the cognitive load compared to the younger and the healthy older adults. The motor DTEs were greatest for the complex condition in older adults with pMCI more so than in comparison with younger and healthy older adults. ROC analyses confirmed that only the tasks with higher cognitive load could differentiate older adults with pMCI from controls (area under the curve >0.7, p < 0.05). The TWT is a reliable DT mobility measure in people with pMCI. However, the condition with high cognitive load is more sensitive than the condition with low cognitive load in identifying pMCI. The TWT-3 thus could serve as a screening tool for early detection of individuals with pMCI. Future studies need to determine the neural correlates for cognitive-motor interference in older adults with pMCI.
Open Access
Digital interactive experience- and game-based fall interventions for community-dwelling healthy older adults : a cross-disciplinary systematic review
(2025) Ciemer, Celina; Kröper, Lisa; Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Ghellal, Sabiha; Schott, Nadja
Introduction: Falls pose significant health risks to older adults, impacting their quality of life. Preventive strategies are crucial, as research shows that fall prevention interventions can effectively reduce fall risks. However, these interventions often suffer from low adherence and uptake. Digital, interactive interventions, incorporating experience-, and game-related aspects, offer a promising solution, making this topic inherently cross-disciplinary. Objective: This review aims to assess the current landscape of digital interactive experience and game-based fall interventions for community-dwelling, healthy older adults. It focuses on integrating Human Movement Science and User Experience & Game Design perspectives, emphasizing the cross-disciplinary nature of this research.
Methods: We employed a cross-disciplinary literature search framework, searching the databases ACM-DL, IEEE-Xplore, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The review focused on healthy community-dwelling older adults (50+), including those at risk of falling. Excluded were studies involving chronic diseases, non-age-related impairments, other age groups, or individuals receiving care. Only digital, interactive fall prevention interventions without commercial software were considered. Studies published between 2000–2024 were included. A qualitative thematic synthesis was conducted, focusing on four categories: Objectives (O), Design and Development (D), Types of Intervention (T), and Evaluation Methods (E).
Results: The search yielded 2,747 results, with 59 articles included in the final synthesis. Objectives were mainly driven by a combination of HMS and UXG rather than a single aspect. In Design and Development it was observed that concept-based design was scarce, with most being procedure-based. Descriptions of interventions frequently lacked specificity, particularly in-depth experience-related terminology and exercise descriptions. Evaluation methods were found to be more frequently informed by both HMS and UXG, although only four studies used a mixed-method approach to explore their interplay. Among included articles, most aspects incorporated both HMS and UXG across all four categories: O( n = 37), D( n = 37), T( n = 54), and E( n = 21).
Conclusion: The review underscores the importance of digital interactive experience- and game-based fall prevention interventions. It highlights the need for enhanced cross-disciplinary collaboration between HMS and UXG to address gaps, such as the lack of a shared thesaurus and standardized guidelines, which are vital for improving transparency, reproducibility, and the refinement of these interventions.
Open Access
Dual-task interference in children with Down syndrome and chronological and mental age-matched healthy controls
(2022) Holfelder, Benjamin; Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Schott, Nadja
Background. On the assumption that motor actions result from the interaction between cognitive, perceptual, and neurological mechanisms, neuromotor dysfunction - such as in children with Down Syndrome (DS) - is expected to affect the central coordination processes required for dual-task (DT) performance. There are few dual-task (DT) studies in individuals with DS, so the current study examined the effects of dual-tasking (DT) on walking performance in children with DS. Method. In this study, a motor-cognitive DT was used in 12 children with DS (10.5 ± 1.08 years, 6 female), 12 typically developed (TD) children with the same mental age (TD-MA: 5.98 ± 1.21 years, 6 female), and 12 with the same chronological age (TD-CA: 10.5 ± 1.07 years, 6 female). Children were asked to enumerate animals for one minute while walking straight ahead. Results. All groups showed lower performances under the DT condition than the single-task (ST) condition. Children with DS appear to have the most difficulties in motor and cognitive tasks and ST- and DT-conditions. Concerning the DT costs (DTC), difficulties were mainly observed with the motor task, with motor DTC being greater than cognitive DTC. Conclusion. The interplay of different systems seems to play a crucial role in walking, especially in children with DS. DT walking paradigms with directional changes are recommended for future studies, as this is more appropriate for the everyday demands of children.
Open Access
Effectiveness, enjoyment, and meaningfulness of a virtual reality gait-based fall prevention exergame in community-dwelling healthy older adults : an interdisciplinary pilot study
(2025) Ciemer, Celina; Schott, Nadja; Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Ghellal, Sabiha
Introduction: Falls are a prevalent health concern among older adults, potentially resulting in substantial physical, psychological, and social ramifications. Interventions aimed at fall prevention require effectiveness, enjoyment, and meaningfulness (EEM). As gait impairments are a key factor in fall risk, integrating natural locomotion and cognitive skills through single- and dual-task training is essential. We developed EXploVR , a fully immersive virtual reality exergame that integrates natural gait and promotes EEM. This interdisciplinary pilot study examined the EEM of EXploVR in healthy, community-dwelling older adults.
Methods: Forty-six participants were assigned to an intervention or passive control group using a single-blinded, quasi-randomized design. Over three weeks, the intervention group completed two 60-min sessions weekly. Baseline, mid-, and post-assessments included single- and dual-task gait (instrumented normal and tandem walks, counting task), lower limb strength and transitional movement (instrumented Five Times Sit-to-Stand test, 5xSTS), and static postural control (instrumented sway tests). In-game performance (time-to-complete) was recorded. Enjoyment was assessed via the Flow Short Scale (FKS), Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES-S) and adaptations, and Exergame Enjoyment Questionnaire (EEQ). Meaningfulness was assessed via the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scales (ABC-6, ABC-8) and custom questions on perceived safety, fear of falling, daily-life integration, emotional challenges, and perceived effectiveness for fall prevention.
Results: Data from 32 participants (16 intervention, age = 70.00 ± 3.33 years; 16 control, age = 68.38 ± 5.54 years) were analyzed. Significant improvements were found in walking gait speed ( p = 0.019) and tandem gait speed ( p = 0.032). Under dual-task conditions, only tandem gait speed improved significantly ( p = 0.022). 5xSTS showed a significant interaction for total duration ( p = 0.023), while postural sway demonstrated non-significant improvement trends. In-game station completion time improved significantly in 5 of 6 sets ( p < 0.05). Enjoyment remained high or increased, and meaningfulness was supported by positive trends in ABC-6 ( p = 0.094) and significant gains for ABC-8 ( p = 0.026). Custom questions further supported these findings.
Conclusion: This study suggests that EXploVR is effective and enjoyable while fostering meaningfulness. Further research with larger samples and extended interventions is needed to confirm long-term effects and daily-life transfer.
Open Access
Effects of acute exercise at different intensities on fine motor‐cognitive dual‐task performance while walking : a functional near‐infrared spectroscopy study
(2021) Park, Soo‐Yong; Reinl, Maren; Schott, Nadja
Studies on the effects of acute exercises on cognitive functions vary greatly and depend on the duration and intensity of exercise and the type of cognitive tasks. This study aimed to investigate the neural correlates that underpin the acute effects of high‐intensity interval (HIIE) versus moderate‐intensity continuous exercise (MCE) on fine motor‐cognitive performance while walking (dual‐task, DT) in healthy young adults. Twenty‐nine healthy right‐handers (mean age: 25.1 years ± 4.04; 7 female) performed the digital trail‐making‐test (dTMT) while walking (5 km/h) before and after acute exercise. During task performance, the hemodynamic activation of the frontopolar area (FPA), dorsolateral prefrontal (DLPFC), and motor cortex (M1) was recorded using functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Both HIIE and MCE resulted in improved dTMT performance, as reflected by an increase in the number of completed circles and a reduction in the time within and between circuits (reflecting improvements in working memory, inhibition, and decision making). Notably, HIIE evoked higher cortical activity on all brain areas measured in the present study than the MCE group. To our knowledge, these results provide the first empirical evidence using a mobile neuroimaging approach that both HIIE and MCE improve executive function during walking, likely mediated by increased activation of the task‐related area of the prefrontal cortex and the ability to effectively use, among other things, high fitness levels as neural enrichment resources.
Open Access
The effects of the combination of high-intensity interval training with 3D-multiple object tracking task on perceptual-cognitive performance: a randomized controlled intervention trial
(2021) Park, Soo-Yong; Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Schott, Nadja
The ability to process goal-related visual information while ignoring goal-irrelevant information is essential for the human attention system. The study aimed to investigate how perceptual-cognitive performance was affected during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) using a 3D-multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) task called Neurotracker (NT). In an experimental design, 42 healthy adults (age M = 23.3 SD = 2.94, VO2max 52.8 ± 5.66 mL·kg-1·min-1) were randomly assigned to an intervention (HIIT + NT, NT, HIIT) or control group. NT performance (20 trials per session) was measured pre-and post-test (at 5, 15, and 25 min while running on the treadmill). The participants trained twice a week for a 4-week intervention period. There was a significant interaction effect between pre/post-test and groups regarding perceptual-cognitive performance, indicating similar enhancements in the HIIT + NT and the NT group during exercise. HIIT influences physical fitness but did not show any impact on perceptual-cognitive performance. Due to the specific NT task characteristics, improved physical abilities may not directly impact sport-specific perceptual-cognitive performance. Our findings suggest that training resulted in substantial task-specific gains. Therefore, combination training may be proposed as a training program to improve perceptual-cognitive, and physical performance in a time-efficient way.
Open Access
Evaluation of the instrumented Timed Up and Go test as a tool to measure exercise intervention effects in nursing home residents: results from a PROCARE substudy
(2021) Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Korbus, Heide; Johnen, Bettina; Schott, Nadja
Background and objectives. To achieve independence in activities of daily living, a certain level of functional ability is necessary. The instrumented Timed Up and Go (iTUG) test provides guidance for appropriate interventions, for example, when considering the subphases within the TUG. Therefore, we evaluated the iTUG as a tool to measure the effects of a multicomponent exercise intervention on the iTUG subphases in nursing home residents. Methods. Fifty long-term nursing home residents (34 women, 82.7± 6.46 [65–91] years; 16 men, 78.6± 7.0 [62–90] years) performed the iTUG test before and after a 16-week intervention period (2× 45–60 min/week). According to the attendance rates, participants were divided into three groups. Results. The total iTUG duration decreased from baseline to posttest, F(2,46)= 3.50, p= 0.038, η2 p= 0.132.We observed significant correlations between the attendance rates and the total iTUG duration (r(50)= 0.328, p= 0.010). However, we did not observe significant group× time interaction effects in the subphases. The Barthel Index moderated the effect between attendance rate and the total duration of the iTUG test, ΔR2= 8.34%, F(1,44)= 4.69, p= 0.036, 95% CI [0.001, 0.027]. Conclusions.We confirmed the effectiveness of the iTUG as a tool to measure exercise intervention effects in nursing home residents, especially when participants exhibit high attendance rates. That said, mobility needs to be considered in a more differentiated way, taking into account parameters in the subphases to detect changesmore sensitively and to derive recommendations in a more individualized way.
Open Access
Exploring motor-cognitive interference effects and the influence of self-reported physical activity on dual-task walking in Parkinson’s disease and healthy older adults
(2025) Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Schott, Nadja; Park, Soo-Yong; Almeida, Quincy J.
Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by motor and cognitive impairments that often manifest as distinct motor subtypes: Postural Instability Gait Difficulty (PIGD) and Tremor-Dominant (TD). Motor-cognitive interference, especially under dual-task (DT) walking conditions, may vary by subtype, providing insights into specific impairments. This study explored DT interference effects in PD subtypes, focusing on the potential impact of self-reported physical activity, which may help mitigate subtype-specific impairments and improve motor-cognitive function. Methods: PD patients classified as PIGD or TD and healthy controls completed single-task (ST) and DT walking assessments involving different cognitive tasks (Serial Subtraction, Auditory Stroop, and Clock Task). Physical activity levels were evaluated using the CHAMPS questionnaire, analyzing the self-reported frequency and duration of weekly exercise-related activities. Results: Interference effects were significantly different between PD patients and controls, with the PIGD group showing greater motor impairment under high cognitive load, primarily affecting gait, than the TD and control groups. Performance differences between groups diminished as cognitive load increased. Self-reported physical activity does not significantly moderate motor performance under DT conditions, suggesting that activity levels in this sample are insufficient to offset motor-cognitive interference. However, like group affiliation, physical activity directly influences motor performance during DT conditions, indicating that both factors independently impact motor-cognitive function in PD. Discussion: These findings suggest that DT assessments help differentiate PD motor subtypes, as group differences were minimal in ST conditions. While physical activity is associated with general improvements in motor ST and DT performance in PD and controls, the lack of a significant moderating effect from self-reported exercise-related physical activity indicates that current activity levels may not be high enough to counter motor-cognitive interference. More intensive or DT-specific exercise may be required to reduce interference effects. Future research should examine the role of structured physical activity programs, potentially incorporating DT training, to evaluate their impact on motor-cognitive interference in PD.
Open Access
Hot and cool executive function in elite- and amateur- adolescent athletes from open and closed skills sports
(2020) Holfelder, Benjamin; Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Eisele, Moritz; Schott, Nadja
Open Access
Introducing CRIS : a unified framework for systematic literature searches across disciplines
(2025) Ciemer, Celina; Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Ghellal, Sabiha; Schott, Nadja
Introduction: Cross-disciplinary research approaches have become more necessary in light of the increasing global and societal challenges. As different forms of collaboration emerge, cross-disciplinary systematic reviews that integrate these approaches are increasingly recognized as crucial. A key part of these reviews is conducting a valid and thorough literature search. To comprehend the state of knowledge, integrating diverse findings and ensuring that the literature search captures relevant studies from all viewpoints, including their combinations and collaborations, is important.
Objective: This article presents a framework for conducting cross-disciplinary literature searches that adhere to established best-practice guidelines and reporting standards. The framework seeks to include research across all forms of collaboration across disciplines, including multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary. The objective is to enhance the sensitivity and robustness of literature searches in cross-disciplinary research contexts.
Methods: We developed a framework that integrates a pre-process into the search to support cross-disciplinary literature searches. Additionally, we derived a procedure from specific concepts, including the use of shared thesaurus, focus, and iterative approach, which are applied throughout the various stages of the process. To demonstrate the value of the cross-disciplinary literature search (CRIS) framework, we performed an example search that combines User Experience and Game Design with Human Movement Science. We conducted three literature searches and compared our framework with discipline-specific and an expert overlap perspectives.
Results: By applying our CRIS framework, we observed significant improvements in sensitivity and robustness compared to the other searches, illustrating the framework's effectiveness in cross-disciplinary research settings.
Conclusion: Through our example, which combines User Experience and Game Design with Human Movement Science, we show that our framework substantially enhances the quality of literature searches, underscoring its potential for advancing cross-disciplinary research.
Open Access
Mental rotation abilities of gymnasts and soccer players : a comparison of egocentric and object-based transformations : an exploratory and preliminary study
(2024) Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Schott, Nadja
Background and objectives: The experience obtained from motor expertise may contribute to and enhance the development of particular visuo-spatial abilities. This exploratory and preliminary study compares the response times of a mental rotation task with egocentric and object-based transformation instructions between soccer players of varying performance levels and gymnasts. Methods: Fifty-six male participants were grouped based on their sports experience. Soccer-specific novices (SS-N: n = 19; age = 15.9 ± 0.87), soccer-specific experts (SS-E: n = 17; age = 16.4 ± 0.70), gymnastic-specific experts (GS-E: n = 10; age = 16.6 ± 1.71), and gymnastic-specific novices (GS-N: n = 10; age = 16.0 ± 1.63) were recruited to perform a perceptual task (recognition of soccer-specific poses) and mental rotation tasks with different stimuli (soccer-specific poses, cubes, line-drawings of hands, letters). Results: During the perceptual task with instructions on egocentric transformation and soccer-specific poses, we observed that gymnasts had longer response times than soccer players. Our findings also suggest that experts correctly identified most of the poses in terms of accuracy. In the mental rotation task with object-based transformation, gymnasts processed all stimuli, even the soccer-specific poses, more accurately than both soccer groups. Conclusion: Our results suggest that gymnasts’ motor expertise plays a role in their performance on mental rotation tasks involving both egocentric and object-based transformations, regardless of the stimuli presented.
Open Access
Motor skill competence and moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity : a linear and non-linear cross-sectional analysis of eight pooled trials
(2024) Barnett, Lisa M.; Verswijveren, Simone J. J. M.; Colvin, B.; Lubans, David R.; Telford, Rohan M.; Lander, N. J.; Schott, Nadja; Tietjens, Maike; Hesketh, Kylie D.; Morgan, Philip. J.; Hinkley, Trina; Downing, Katherine L.; Telford, R. D.; Cohen, K. E.; Ridgers, Nicola D.; Abbott, Gavin
Background. Few studies have examined the relationship between motor skill competence and device-measured physical activity in large samples and none have used non-linear modelling. This study assessed the linear and non-linear associations between motor skill competence and physical activity in children using pooled data from eight studies. Methods. Cross-sectional ActiGraph accelerometer and motor skills competence data from 988 children (50.8% boys) aged 3-11 years were included. Total, object control and locomotor skill competence were assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Skill Development. Linear mixed models were fitted to examine linear associations between motor skill competence and physical activity. Then, restricted cubic splines models were used to assess potential non-linear relationships. Interactions by sex and age were assessed. Results. There was evidence of positive linear associations between total skill, and object control and locomotor skills, with moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity; however, the associations with total skill competence and object control better fitted a non-linear model. Non-linear models indicated associations were positive but relatively weak in the low to mid ranges of TGMD/object control scores but at high ranges (~ > 70 out of 100/ and ~ 35 out of 50) the association strength increased for both moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity. There were sex interactions for locomotor skills only, specifically for vigorous activity with boys having a stronger positive association than girls. Conclusions. There appears to be a threshold for object control skill proficiency that children need to reach to enhance their physical activity levels which provides support for a motor skill “proficiency barrier”. This provides a tangible benchmark for children to achieve in motor competence programs.
Open Access
Neighborhood socio-economic status influences motor performance and inhibitory control in kindergarten children : findings from the cross-sectional Kitafit study
(2023) Schott, Nadja; Mündörfer, Andi; Holfelder, Benjamin
Numerous studies have examined the role of socio-economic status on physical activity, obesity, and cognitive performance in youth or older adults, but few studies have examined the role of neighborhood socio-economic status (NSES) on motor or cognitive performance in kindergarten children. This study aimed to examine whether lower NSES (measured by the social data atlas) was associated with lower motor and inhibitory control performance in kindergarten children. One hundred twenty-nine preschoolers were recruited from eight kindergartens in low and high NSES areas in Stuttgart, one of Germany’s largest metropolitan areas. Motor functioning (Movement Assessment Battery for Children, MABC-2; Manual Dexterity, Aiming and Catching, and Balance) and inhibitory control (Flanker Task, Go/NoGo Task) were assessed in a sample of 3- to 6-year-old children within a cross-sectional study. Children from a low NSES background showed the expected difficulties in inhibitory control and motor performance, as indicated by poorer performance than children from a high NSES background. Sex-specific analysis revealed girls from low NSES areas to have the lowest fine motor control; children with low NSES reach a Developmental Coordination Disorder at-risk status of 13% (boys and girls), in contrast to children with high SES (boys 9.1%, girls 0.0%). Motor performance and inhibitory control correlated positively with regard to the group from a low NSES background. Researchers and practitioners are advised to develop a more nuanced picture of motor and academic achievement in heterogeneous neighborhoods when designing early intervention programs, particularly with regard to sex differences, with the most significant disadvantage to girls with lower NSES.
Open Access
Preventing functional loss during immobilization after osteoporotic wrist fractures in elderly patients : a randomized clinical trial
(2014) Schott, Nadja; Korbus, Heide
Background Distal radius fractures are among the most common fractures and account for approximately one-sixth of all fractures diagnosed. Therapy results after distal radius fracture, especially of elderly patients, are often suboptimal. The inevitable immobilization for several weeks leads to reduction in range of motion, deterioration of muscle strength, malfunction of fine motor skills as well as changes of motor and sensory representations in the brain. Currently, there are no strategies to counteract these immobilization problems. The overall aim of the study is to investigate the therapeutic potential of motor-cognitive approaches (mental practice or mirror therapy) on hand function after wrist fracture. Methods/design This study is a controlled, randomized, longitudinal intervention study with three intervention groups. One experimental group imagines movements of the fractured upper extremity without executing them (mental practice). The second experimental group receives a mirror therapy program consisting of the performance of functional movement synergies using the unaffected forearm, wrist, and hand. The control group completes a relaxation training regime. Additionally, all patients receive usual care by the general practitioner. We include women aged 60 years and older having a distal radius fracture and sufficient cognitive function. All groups are visited at home for therapy sessions 5 times per week for the first 3 weeks and 3 times per week for weeks 4 to 6. Measurements are taken at therapy onset, and after 3, 6 and 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure will assess upper extremity functioning (Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation [PRWE]), while secondary outcome measures cover subjective wrist function (Disabilities of the Arm and Shoulder; [DASH], objective impairment (range of motion, grip force) and quality of life (EuroQol-5D, [EQ5D]). Discussion Results from this trial will contribute to the evidence on motor-cognitive approaches in the early therapy of distal radius fractures. Trial registration The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with registration number NCT01394809 and was granted permission by the Medical Ethical Review Committee of the University of Tübingen in June 2011.