10 Fakultät Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://elib.uni-stuttgart.de/handle/11682/11
Browse
9 results
Search Results
Item Open Access Digital assessments of motor-cognitive performance in young and older adults : behavioral and neural correlates(2024) Park, Soo-Yong; Schott, Nadja (Prof. Dr.)Today's technological advances enable us to have a healthy life. Maintaining mental and physical health is one of the most critical aspects of our healthy life with increasing age. Moreover, one of the many ways to stay healthy is to detect problems of motor or cognitive impairment early and accurately in terms of assessment. Digital assessment can help uncover subtle differences in specific motor and cognitive declines. This early detection can lead to an adequate intervention on time, allowing for preliminary prevention before symptoms occur. From a different perspective, exercise effect on our bodies and minds is indescribable. Physical exercise induces cellular and molecular changes in our body, which positively change the structure and function of the brain. These positive changes in our brains can result in improved cognitive function. These effects are attributed to physical activity over a long-term period. However, understanding the acute effects of exercise-induced changes is also essential to potentially explain chronic effects. Also, identifying exercise-induced cortical activation patterns should be considered for cognitive function enhancements. For this reason, it is necessary to investigate the effect of exercise protocol composition, such as exercise intensity and duration, on cognitive function based on neural correlates. Based on these aspects, the present thesis is divided into two parts. In the first part (Part I: Assessment), the paper-pencil version of Trail-Making-Test (ppTMT), a neuropsychological assessment commonly used to investigate cognitive functions, was compared with the digital Trail-Making-Test (dTMT) developed on a tablet version. We verified its reliability and validity by comparing these two versions of TMT. Also, the dTMT was applied in patients with Parkinson's disease to detect subtle differences in fine motor and cognitive performance deterioration. As a strength of the dTMT, the measurement of additional variables for examining the applicability to the clinical field allowed the decomposition of cognitive abilities and observation of changes in performance during the task. The second part (Part II: exercise intervention) investigated the acute effects of exercise-induced cortical activation on cognitive performance using the dTMT. We used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure hemodynamic response in the brain's frontal lobe and motor cortex for immediate and sustained effects of acute exercise with different exercise intensities. Finally, the interaction of these two parts (assessment and exercise intervention) and the neural mechanisms led to the following discussions. First, we confirmed the value of digital assessment as an early detection tool for motor and cognitive impairment. Second, we identified which exercise intervention positively induces cortical changes in our brain by accompanying the improvement of cognitive performance. The present thesis discussed the role of digital measurement and exercise intervention in maintaining our health and in which direction we should go for our future.Item Open Access Skillful and strategic navigation in soccer : a motor-cognitive dual-task approach for the evaluation of a dribbling task under different cognitive load conditions(2024) Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Schott, NadjaSoccer is a competitive sport that relies on distinct motor skills and cognitive processes. However, cognitive aspects are often overlooked, with a focus mainly on motor skills. Limited research has explored screening tests within motor-cognitive navigation dual-task (DT) paradigms. This study aims to validate a sensitive approach for assessing soccer-specific dribbling by evaluating the Trail-Dribbling Test (TDT) as a method to differentiate high-performance (HP) from low-performance (LP) players. Two hundred and seventy-five participants (41 females) aged between 12 and 34 completed the Trail-Making Test (TMT), the Trail-Walking Test (TWT), and the soccer-specific TDT under three levels of cognitive load. Results indicated shorter TDT durations for HP compared to LP players, with increased cognitive load accentuating differences (TDT-M: p = 0.044, d = 0.260; TDT-A: p < 0.001, d = 0.449; TDT-B: p < 0.001, d = 0.653). The TDT effectively discriminated between HP and LP players in the 14-15 (AUC = 0.712-0.820) and 16-17 age groups (AUC = 0.634-0.839). In conclusion, the ecologically valid TDT demonstrates the potential for quantifying soccer-specific dribbling, offering insights into motor and cognitive aspects of dribbling performance, especially among soccer players aged 14-17.Item Open Access Observations on sport and eSport from a systems theory perspective : theoretical reflections on differentiating sport and eSport and on the functions and consequences of an integration(2024) Borggrefe, Carmen; Hoffmann, AndreasThis article takes up the sport policy and sports science debate on the recognition of competitive computer and video games - so-called eSport - as sport and pursues the goal of differentiating sport and eSport on the basis of systems theory considerations and reflecting on the functions and consequences of recognizing eSport as sport. It begins by addressing the questions of how sport can be observed at all with the help of theories and which epistemological position underlies the systems theory approach. This is followed by a consideration of sport in terms of systems theory as a social functional system and by reflection on forms of structural coupling between the sport system and other social functional systems. In light of these theoretical considerations, the connectivity of eSport to the sport system as well as the functions and consequences of such an integration for structural couplings between the sport system and the systems of health, education, the economy, mass media, and politics are analyzed. The article concludes with an outline of perspectives for future scientific observation of sport and eSport.Item Open Access Reference measures of lower-limb joint range of motion, muscle strength, and selective voluntary motor control of typically developing children aged 5-17 years(2024) Scherff, Emily; Schnell, Sabrina Elisabeth; Siebert, Tobias; D’Souza, SoniaBackground: Joint range of motion based on the neutral null method, muscle strength based on manual muscle testing, and selective voluntary motor control based on selective control assessment of the lower extremity are standard parameters of a pediatric three-dimensional clinical gait analysis. Lower-limb reference data of children are necessary to identify and quantify abnormalities, but these are limited and when present restricted to specific joints or muscles. Methods: This is the first study that encompasses the aforementioned parameters from a single group of 34 typically developing children aged 5–17 years. Left and right values were averaged for each participant, and then the mean and standard deviation calculated for the entire sample. The data set was tested for statistical significance ( p < 0.05). Results: Joint angle reference values are mostly consistent with previously published standards, although there is a large variability in the existing literature. All muscle strength distributions, except for M. quadriceps femoris, differ significantly from the maximum value of 5. The mean number of repetitions of heel-rise test is 12 ± 5. Selective voluntary motor control shows that all distributions, except for M. quadriceps femoris, differ significantly from the maximum value of 2. Conclusion: Since typically developing children do not match expectations and reference values from the available literature and clinical use, this study emphasizes the importance of normative data. Excessively high expectations lead to typically developing children being falsely underestimated and affected children being rated too low. This is of great relevance for therapists and clinicians. Level of evidence: 3.Item 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, NadjaBackground 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.Item 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, NadjaIntroduction: 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.Item Open Access Impact of lengthening velocity on the generation of eccentric force by slow-twitch muscle fibers in long stretches(2024) Weidner, Sven; Tomalka, André; Rode, Christian; Siebert, TobiasAfter an initial increase, isovelocity elongation of a muscle fiber can lead to diminishing (referred to as Give in the literature) and subsequently increasing force. How the stretch velocity affects this behavior in slow-twitch fibers remains largely unexplored. Here, we stretched fully activated individual rat soleus muscle fibers from 0.85 to 1.3 optimal fiber length at stretch velocities of 0.01, 0.1, and 1 maximum shortening velocity, vmax, and compared the results with those of rat EDL fast-twitch fibers obtained in similar experimental conditions. In soleus muscle fibers, Give was 7%, 18%, and 44% of maximum isometric force for 0.01, 0.1, and 1 vmax, respectively. As in EDL fibers, the force increased nearly linearly in the second half of the stretch, although the number of crossbridges decreased, and its slope increased with stretch velocity. Our findings are consistent with the concept of a forceful detachment and subsequent crossbridge reattachment in the stretch’s first phase and a strong viscoelastic titin contribution to fiber force in the second phase of the stretch. Interestingly, we found interaction effects of stretch velocity and fiber type on force parameters in both stretch phases, hinting at fiber type-specific differences in crossbridge and titin contributions to eccentric force. Whether fiber type-specific combined XB and non-XB models can explain these effects or if they hint at some not fully understood properties of muscle contraction remains to be shown. These results may stimulate new optimization perspectives in sports training and provide a better understanding of structure-function relations of muscle proteins.Item 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, GavinBackground. 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.Item 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, NadjaBackground: 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.