@article{StelzelSchauenburgRappetal.2017, author = {Stelzel, Christine and Schauenburg, Gesche and Rapp, Michael A. and Heinzel, Stephan and Granacher, Urs}, title = {Age-Related Interference between the Selection of Input-Output Modality Mappings and Postural Control}, series = {Frontiers in psychology}, volume = {8}, journal = {Frontiers in psychology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-1078}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00613}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Age-related decline in executive functions and postural control due to degenerative processes in the central nervous system have been related to increased fall-risk in old age. Many studies have shown cognitive-postural dual-task interference in old adults, but research on the role of specific executive functions in this context has just begun. In this study, we addressed the question whether postural control is impaired depending on the coordination of concurrent response-selection processes related to the compatibility of input and output modality mappings as compared to impairments related to working-memory load in the comparison of cognitive dual and single tasks. Specifically, we measured total center of pressure (CoP) displacements in healthy female participants aged 19-30 and 66-84 years while they performed different versions of a spatial one-back working memory task during semi-tandem stance on an unstable surface (i.e., balance pad) while standing on a force plate. The specific working-memory tasks comprised: (i) modality compatible single tasks (i.e., visual-manual or auditory-vocal tasks), (ii) modality compatible dual tasks (i.e., visual-manual and auditory-vocal tasks), (iii) modality incompatible single tasks (i.e., visual-vocal or auditory-manual tasks), and (iv) modality incompatible dual tasks (i.e., visual-vocal and auditory-manual tasks). In addition, participants performed the same tasks while sitting. As expected from previous research, old adults showed generally impaired performance under high working-memory load (i.e., dual vs. single one-back task). In addition, modality compatibility affected one-back performance in dual-task but not in single-task conditions with strikingly pronounced impairments in old adults. Notably, the modality incompatible dual task also resulted in a selective increase in total CoP displacements compared to the modality compatible dual task in the old but not in the young participants. These results suggest that in addition to effects of working-memory load, processes related to simultaneously overcoming special linkages between input- and output modalities interfere with postural control in old but not in young female adults. Our preliminary data provide further evidence for the involvement of cognitive control processes in postural tasks.}, language = {en} } @misc{FuehnerGranacherGolleetal.2021, author = {F{\"u}hner, Thea Heidi and Granacher, Urs and Golle, Kathleen and Kliegl, Reinhold}, title = {Age and sex effects in physical fitness components of 108,295 third graders including 515 primary schools and 9 cohorts}, series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, issn = {1866-8364}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-54982}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-549827}, pages = {1 -- 13}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Children's physical fitness development and related moderating effects of age and sex are well documented, especially boys' and girls' divergence during puberty. The situation might be different during prepuberty. As girls mature approximately two years earlier than boys, we tested a possible convergence of performance with five tests representing four components of physical fitness in a large sample of 108,295 eight-year old third-graders. Within this single prepubertal year of life and irrespective of the test, performance increased linearly with chronological age, and boys outperformed girls to a larger extent in tests requiring muscle mass for successful performance. Tests differed in the magnitude of age effects (gains), but there was no evidence for an interaction between age and sex. Moreover, "physical fitness" of schools correlated at r = 0.48 with their age effect which might imply that "fit schools" promote larger gains; expected secular trends from 2011 to 2019 were replicated.}, language = {en} } @article{FuehnerGranacherGolleetal.2021, author = {F{\"u}hner, Thea Heidi and Granacher, Urs and Golle, Kathleen and Kliegl, Reinhold}, title = {Age and sex effects in physical fitness components of 108,295 third graders including 515 primary schools and 9 cohorts}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {11}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, publisher = {Nature Portfolio}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-021-97000-4}, pages = {1 -- 13}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Children's physical fitness development and related moderating effects of age and sex are well documented, especially boys' and girls' divergence during puberty. The situation might be different during prepuberty. As girls mature approximately two years earlier than boys, we tested a possible convergence of performance with five tests representing four components of physical fitness in a large sample of 108,295 eight-year old third-graders. Within this single prepubertal year of life and irrespective of the test, performance increased linearly with chronological age, and boys outperformed girls to a larger extent in tests requiring muscle mass for successful performance. Tests differed in the magnitude of age effects (gains), but there was no evidence for an interaction between age and sex. Moreover, "physical fitness" of schools correlated at r = 0.48 with their age effect which might imply that "fit schools" promote larger gains; expected secular trends from 2011 to 2019 were replicated.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{VoellerSalzwedelReibisetal.2014, author = {V{\"o}ller, Heinz and Salzwedel, Annett and Reibis, Rona Katharina and Kaminski, S. and Buhlert, Hermann and Eichler, Sarah and Wegscheider, Karl}, title = {Age and fitness level are strongest limitations of exercise capacity during inpatient cardiac rehabilitation}, series = {European heart journal}, volume = {35}, booktitle = {European heart journal}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0195-668X}, pages = {899 -- 899}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Busching2014, author = {Busching, Robert}, title = {Affektive und kognitive Desensibilisierung als Konsequenz von Mediengewaltkonsum : eine experimentelle Untersuchung auf Basis lerntheoretischer {\"U}berlegungen}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-71360}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2014}, abstract = {NutzerInnen von gewalthaltigen Medien geben einerseits oftmals zu, dass sie fiktionale, gewalthaltige Medien konsumieren, behaupten jedoch gleichzeitig, dass dies nicht ihr Verhalten außerhalb des Medienkontexts beeinflusst. Sie argumentieren, dass sie leicht zwischen Dingen, die im fiktionalen Kontext und Dingen, die in der Realit{\"a}t gelernt wurden, unterscheiden k{\"o}nnen. Im Kontrast zu diesen Aussagen zeigen Metanalysen Effektst{\"a}rken im mittleren Bereich f{\"u}r den Zusammenhang zwischen Gewaltmedienkonsum und aggressivem Verhalten. Diese Ergebnisse k{\"o}nnen nur erkl{\"a}rt werden, wenn MediennutzerInnen gewalthaltige Lernerfahrungen auch außerhalb des Medienkontexts anwenden. Ein Prozess, der Lernerfahrungen innerhalb des Medienkontexts mit dem Verhalten in der realen Welt verkn{\"u}pft, ist Desensibilisierung, die oftmals eine Reduktion des negativen Affektes gegen{\"u}ber Gewalt definiert ist. Zur Untersuchung des Desensibilisierungsprozesses wurden vier Experimente durchgef{\"u}hrt. Die erste in dieser Arbeit untersuchte Hypothese war, dass je h{\"a}ufiger Personen Gewaltmedien konsumieren, desto weniger negativen Affekt zeigen sie gegen{\"u}ber Bildern mit realer Gewalt. Jedoch wurde angenommen, dass diese Bewertung auf Darstellungen von realer Gewalt beschr{\"a}nkt ist und nicht bei Bildern ohne Gewaltbezug, die einen negativen Affekt ausl{\"o}sen, zu finden ist. Die zweite Hypothese bezog sich auf den Affekt w{\"a}hrend des Konsums von Mediengewalt. Hier wurde angenommen, dass besonders Personen, die Freude an Gewalt in den Medien empfinden weniger negativen Affekt gegen{\"u}ber realen Gewaltdarstellungen zeigen. Die letzte Hypothese besch{\"a}ftigte sich mit kognitiver Desensibilisierung und sagte vorher, dass Gewaltmedienkonsum zu einem Transfer von Reaktionen, die normalerweise gegen{\"u}ber gewalthaltigen Reizen gezeigt werden, auf urspr{\"u}nglich neutrale Reize f{\"u}hrt. Das erste Experiment (N = 57) untersuchte, ob die habituelle Nutzung von gewalthaltigen Medien den selbstberichteten Affekt (Valenz und Aktivierung) gegen{\"u}ber Darstellungen von realer Gewalt und nichtgewalthaltigen Darstellungen, die negativen Affekt ausl{\"o}sen, vorhersagt. Die habituelle Nutzung von gewalthaltigen Medien sagte weniger negative Valenz und weniger allgemeine Aktivierung gegen{\"u}ber gewalthalten und nichtgewalthaltigen Bildern vorher. Das zweite Experiment (N = 103) untersuchte auch die Beziehung zwischen habituellem Gewaltmedienkonsum und den affektiven Reaktionen gegen{\"u}ber Bildern realer Gewalt und negativen affektausl{\"o}senden Bildern. Als weiterer Pr{\"a}diktor wurde der Affekt beim Betrachten von gewalthaltigen Medien hinzugef{\"u}gt. Der Affekt gegen{\"u}ber den Bildern wurde zus{\"a}tzlich durch psychophysiologische Maße (Valenz: C: Supercilii; Aktivierung: Hautleitreaktion) erhoben. Wie zuvor sagte habitueller Gewaltmedienkonsum weniger selbstberichte Erregung und weniger negative Valenz f{\"u}r die gewalthaltigen und die negativen, gewalthaltfreien Bilder vorher. Die physiologischen Maßen replizierten dieses Ergebnis. Jedoch zeigte sich ein anderes Muster f{\"u}r den Affekt beim Konsum von Gewalt in den Medien. Personen, die Gewalt in den Medien st{\"a}rker erfreut, zeigen eine Reduktion der Responsivit{\"a}t gegen{\"u}ber Gewalt auf allen vier Maßen. Weiterhin war bei drei dieser vier Maße (selbstberichte Valenz, Aktivit{\"a}t des C. Supercilii und Hautleitreaktion) dieser Zusammenhang auf die gewalthaltigen Bilder beschr{\"a}nkt, mit keinem oder nur einem kleinen Effekt auf die negativen, aber nichtgewalthaltigen Bilder. Das dritte Experiment (N = 73) untersuchte den Affekt w{\"a}hrend die Teilnehmer ein Computerspiel spielten. Das Spiel wurde eigens f{\"u}r dieses Experiment programmiert, sodass einzelne Handlungen im Spiel mit der Aktivit{\"a}t des C. Supercilii, dem Indikator f{\"u}r negativen Affekt, in Bezug gesetzt werden konnten. Die Analyse des C. Supercilii zeigte, dass wiederholtes Durchf{\"u}hren von aggressiven Spielz{\"u}gen zu einem R{\"u}ckgang von negativen Affekt f{\"u}hrte, der die aggressiven Spielhandlungen begleitete. Der negative Affekt w{\"a}hrend gewalthaltiger Spielz{\"u}ge wiederum sagte die affektive Reaktion gegen{\"u}ber Darstellungen von gewalthaltigen Bildern vorher, nicht jedoch gegen{\"u}ber den negativen Bildern. Das vierte Experiment (N = 77) untersuchte kognitive Desensibilisierung, die die Entwicklung von Verkn{\"u}pfungen zwischen neutralen und aggressiven Kognitionen beinhaltete. Die Teilnehmer spielten einen Ego-Shooter entweder auf einem Schiff- oder einem Stadtlevel. Die Beziehung zwischen den neutralen Konstrukten (Schiff/Stadt) und den aggressiven Kognitionen wurde mit einer lexikalischen Entscheidungsaufgabe gemessen. Das Spielen im Schiff-/Stadt-Level f{\"u}hrte zu einer k{\"u}rzen Reaktionszeit f{\"u}r aggressive W{\"o}rter, wenn sie einem Schiff- bzw. Stadtprime folgten. Dies zeigte, dass die im Spiel enthaltenen neutralen Konzepte mit aggressiven Knoten verkn{\"u}pft werden. Die Ergebnisse dieser vier Experimente wurden diskutiert im Rahmen eines lerntheoretischen Ansatzes um Desensibilisierung zu konzeptualisieren.}, language = {de} } @article{PinhasShakiFischer2015, author = {Pinhas, Michal and Shaki, Samuel and Fischer, Martin H.}, title = {Addition goes where the big numbers are: evidence for a reversed operational momentum effect}, series = {Psychonomic bulletin \& review : a journal of the Psychonomic Society}, volume = {22}, journal = {Psychonomic bulletin \& review : a journal of the Psychonomic Society}, number = {4}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {1069-9384}, doi = {10.3758/s13423-014-0786-z}, pages = {993 -- 1000}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Number processing evokes spatial biases, both when dealing with single digits and in more complex mental calculations. Here we investigated whether these two biases have a common origin, by examining their flexibility. Participants pointed to the locations of arithmetic results on a visually presented line with an inverted, right-to-left number arrangement. We found directionally opposite spatial biases for mental arithmetic and for a parity task administered both before and after the arithmetic task. We discuss implications of this dissociation in our results for the task-dependent cognitive representation of numbers.}, language = {en} } @article{ChaabeneBehmNegraetal.2019, author = {Chaabene, Helmi and Behm, David George and Negra, Yassine and Granacher, Urs}, title = {Acute Effects of Static Stretching on Muscle Strength and Power}, series = {Frontiers in Physiology}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Physiology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-042X}, doi = {10.3389/fphys.2019.01468}, pages = {8}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The effects of static stretching (StS) on subsequent strength and power activities has been one of the most debated topics in sport science literature over the past decades. The aim of this review is (1) to summarize previous and current findings on the acute effects of StS on muscle strength and power performances; (2) to update readers' knowledge related to previous caveats; and (3) to discuss the underlying physiological mechanisms of short-duration StS when performed as single-mode treatment or when integrated into a full warm-up routine. Over the last two decades, StS has been considered harmful to subsequent strength and power performances. Accordingly, it has been recommended not to apply StS before strength- and power-related activities. More recent evidence suggests that when performed as a single-mode treatment or when integrated within a full warm-up routine including aerobic activity, dynamic-stretching, and sport-specific activities, short-duration StS (≤60 s per muscle group) trivially impairs subsequent strength and power activities (∆1-2\%). Yet, longer StS durations (>60 s per muscle group) appear to induce substantial and practically relevant declines in strength and power performances (∆4.0-7.5\%). Moreover, recent evidence suggests that when included in a full warm-up routine, short-duration StS may even contribute to lower the risk of sustaining musculotendinous injuries especially with high-intensity activities (e.g., sprint running and change of direction speed). It seems that during short-duration StS, neuromuscular activation and musculotendinous stiffness appear not to be affected compared with long-duration StS. Among other factors, this could be due to an elevated muscle temperature induced by a dynamic warm-up program. More specifically, elevated muscle temperature leads to increased muscle fiber conduction-velocity and improved binding of contractile proteins (actin, myosin). Therefore, our previous understanding of harmful StS effects on subsequent strength and power activities has to be updated. In fact, short-duration StS should be included as an important warm-up component before the uptake of recreational sports activities due to its potential positive effect on flexibility and musculotendinous injury prevention. However, in high-performance athletes, short-duration StS has to be applied with caution due to its negligible but still prevalent negative effects on subsequent strength and power performances, which could have an impact on performance during competition.}, language = {en} } @misc{ChaabeneBehmNegraetal.2019, author = {Chaabene, Helmi and Behm, David George and Negra, Yassine and Granacher, Urs}, title = {Acute Effects of Static Stretching on Muscle Strength and Power}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {585}, issn = {1866-8364}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-44003}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-440036}, pages = {8}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The effects of static stretching (StS) on subsequent strength and power activities has been one of the most debated topics in sport science literature over the past decades. The aim of this review is (1) to summarize previous and current findings on the acute effects of StS on muscle strength and power performances; (2) to update readers' knowledge related to previous caveats; and (3) to discuss the underlying physiological mechanisms of short-duration StS when performed as single-mode treatment or when integrated into a full warm-up routine. Over the last two decades, StS has been considered harmful to subsequent strength and power performances. Accordingly, it has been recommended not to apply StS before strength- and power-related activities. More recent evidence suggests that when performed as a single-mode treatment or when integrated within a full warm-up routine including aerobic activity, dynamic-stretching, and sport-specific activities, short-duration StS (≤60 s per muscle group) trivially impairs subsequent strength and power activities (∆1-2\%). Yet, longer StS durations (>60 s per muscle group) appear to induce substantial and practically relevant declines in strength and power performances (∆4.0-7.5\%). Moreover, recent evidence suggests that when included in a full warm-up routine, short-duration StS may even contribute to lower the risk of sustaining musculotendinous injuries especially with high-intensity activities (e.g., sprint running and change of direction speed). It seems that during short-duration StS, neuromuscular activation and musculotendinous stiffness appear not to be affected compared with long-duration StS. Among other factors, this could be due to an elevated muscle temperature induced by a dynamic warm-up program. More specifically, elevated muscle temperature leads to increased muscle fiber conduction-velocity and improved binding of contractile proteins (actin, myosin). Therefore, our previous understanding of harmful StS effects on subsequent strength and power activities has to be updated. In fact, short-duration StS should be included as an important warm-up component before the uptake of recreational sports activities due to its potential positive effect on flexibility and musculotendinous injury prevention. However, in high-performance athletes, short-duration StS has to be applied with caution due to its negligible but still prevalent negative effects on subsequent strength and power performances, which could have an impact on performance during competition.}, language = {en} } @article{LesinskiMuehlbauerBueschetal.2013, author = {Lesinski, Melanie and M{\"u}hlbauer, Thomas and Buesch, Dirk and Granacher, Urs}, title = {Acute Effects of Postactivation Potentiation on Strength and Speed Performance in Athletes}, series = {Sportverletzung, Sportschaden : Grundlagen, Pr{\"a}vention, Rehabilitation}, volume = {27}, journal = {Sportverletzung, Sportschaden : Grundlagen, Pr{\"a}vention, Rehabilitation}, number = {3}, publisher = {Thieme}, address = {Stuttgart}, issn = {0932-0555}, doi = {10.1055/s-0033-1335414}, pages = {147 -- 155}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background: The contractile history of a muscle or a muscle group can result in an acute enhancement of subsequent muscle force output. This phenomenon is referred to as postactivation potentiation (PAP) and it was frequently substantiated in original research manuscripts, systematic literature reviews, and meta-analyses. However, there is a lack in the literature regarding precise dose-response relations. This literature review describes the main determinants of PAP effects and additionally presents the state of the art regarding the acute effects of PAP protocols on measures of strength, power, and speed in subelite and elite athletes of different sport disciplines. Furthermore, an attempt is made to demonstrate evidence-based information concerning the design of effective PAP protocols. Methods: Our literature search included the electronic databases Pubmed, SportDiscus, and Google Scholar (1995 - March 2013). In total, 23 studies met the inclusionary criteria for review. Results: Findings from our literature review indicate that various conditioning activities produce acute PAP effects in subelite and particularly elite athletes. More specifically, conditioning activities that are characterised by multiple sets, moderate to high intensities (60 - 84 \% of the one repetition maximum), and rest intervals of 7 - 10 min. following the conditioning activity have the potential to induce short-term improvements in muscle force output and sports performance. Conclusion: It is recommended that subelite and particularly elite athletes from strength, power, and speed disciplines apply specifically tailored conditioning activities during the acute preparation process for competition to induce performance enhancing PAP effects.}, language = {de} } @article{WerfelliHammamiSelmietal.2021, author = {Werfelli, Hanen and Hammami, Raouf and Selmi, Mohamed Amine and Selmi, Walid and Gabrilo, Goran and Clark, Cain C. T. and Duncan, Michael and Sekulic, Damir and Granacher, Urs and Rebai, Haithem}, title = {Acute Effects of Different Plyometric and Strength Exercises on Balance Performance in Youth Weightlifters}, series = {Frontiers in Physiology}, volume = {12}, journal = {Frontiers in Physiology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-042X}, doi = {10.3389/fphys.2021.716981}, pages = {9}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background: High-intensity muscle actions have the potential to temporarily improve the performance which has been denoted as postactivation performance enhancement. Objectives: This study determined the acute effects of different stretch-shortening (fast vs. low) and strength (dynamic vs. isometric) exercises executed during one training session on subsequent balance performance in youth weightlifters. Materials and Methods: Sixteen male and female young weightlifters, aged 11.3±0.6years, performed four strength exercise conditions in randomized order, including dynamic strength (DYN; 3 sets of 3 repetitions of 10 RM) and isometric strength exercises (ISOM; 3 sets of maintaining 3s of 10 RM of back-squat), as well as fast (FSSC; 3 sets of 3 repetitions of 20-cm drop-jumps) and slow (SSSC; 3 sets of 3 hurdle jumps over a 20-cm obstacle) stretch-shortening cycle protocols. Balance performance was tested before and after each of the four exercise conditions in bipedal stance on an unstable surface (i.e., BOSU ball with flat side facing up) using two dependent variables, i.e., center of pressure surface area (CoP SA) and velocity (CoP V). Results: There was a significant effect of time on CoP SA and CoP V [F(1,60)=54.37, d=1.88, p<0.0001; F(1,60)=9.07, d=0.77, p=0.003]. In addition, a statistically significant effect of condition on CoP SA and CoP V [F(3,60)=11.81, d=1.53, p<0.0001; F(3,60)=7.36, d=1.21, p=0.0003] was observed. Statistically significant condition-by-time interactions were found for the balance parameters CoP SA (p<0.003, d=0.54) and CoP V (p<0.002, d=0.70). Specific to contrast analysis, all specified hypotheses were tested and demonstrated that FSSC yielded significantly greater improvements than all other conditions in CoP SA and CoP V [p<0.0001 (d=1.55); p=0.0004 (d=1.19), respectively]. In addition, FSSC yielded significantly greater improvements compared with the two conditions for both balance parameters [p<0.0001 (d=2.03); p<0.0001 (d=1.45)]. Conclusion: Fast stretch-shortening cycle exercises appear to be more effective to improve short-term balance performance in young weightlifters. Due to the importance of balance for overall competitive achievement in weightlifting, it is recommended that young weightlifters implement dynamic plyometric exercises in the fast stretch-shortening cycle during the warm-up to improve their balance performance.}, language = {en} } @misc{WerfelliHammamiSelmietal.2021, author = {Werfelli, Hanen and Hammami, Raouf and Selmi, Mohamed Amine and Selmi, Walid and Gabrilo, Goran and Clark, Cain C. T. and Duncan, Michael and Sekulic, Damir and Granacher, Urs and Rebai, Haithem}, title = {Acute Effects of Different Plyometric and Strength Exercises on Balance Performance in Youth Weightlifters}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, issn = {1866-8364}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-54310}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-543109}, pages = {11}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background: High-intensity muscle actions have the potential to temporarily improve the performance which has been denoted as postactivation performance enhancement. Objectives: This study determined the acute effects of different stretch-shortening (fast vs. low) and strength (dynamic vs. isometric) exercises executed during one training session on subsequent balance performance in youth weightlifters. Materials and Methods: Sixteen male and female young weightlifters, aged 11.3±0.6years, performed four strength exercise conditions in randomized order, including dynamic strength (DYN; 3 sets of 3 repetitions of 10 RM) and isometric strength exercises (ISOM; 3 sets of maintaining 3s of 10 RM of back-squat), as well as fast (FSSC; 3 sets of 3 repetitions of 20-cm drop-jumps) and slow (SSSC; 3 sets of 3 hurdle jumps over a 20-cm obstacle) stretch-shortening cycle protocols. Balance performance was tested before and after each of the four exercise conditions in bipedal stance on an unstable surface (i.e., BOSU ball with flat side facing up) using two dependent variables, i.e., center of pressure surface area (CoP SA) and velocity (CoP V). Results: There was a significant effect of time on CoP SA and CoP V [F(1,60)=54.37, d=1.88, p<0.0001; F(1,60)=9.07, d=0.77, p=0.003]. In addition, a statistically significant effect of condition on CoP SA and CoP V [F(3,60)=11.81, d=1.53, p<0.0001; F(3,60)=7.36, d=1.21, p=0.0003] was observed. Statistically significant condition-by-time interactions were found for the balance parameters CoP SA (p<0.003, d=0.54) and CoP V (p<0.002, d=0.70). Specific to contrast analysis, all specified hypotheses were tested and demonstrated that FSSC yielded significantly greater improvements than all other conditions in CoP SA and CoP V [p<0.0001 (d=1.55); p=0.0004 (d=1.19), respectively]. In addition, FSSC yielded significantly greater improvements compared with the two conditions for both balance parameters [p<0.0001 (d=2.03); p<0.0001 (d=1.45)]. Conclusion: Fast stretch-shortening cycle exercises appear to be more effective to improve short-term balance performance in young weightlifters. Due to the importance of balance for overall competitive achievement in weightlifting, it is recommended that young weightlifters implement dynamic plyometric exercises in the fast stretch-shortening cycle during the warm-up to improve their balance performance.}, language = {en} } @article{GoeldelKamrathMindenetal.2022, author = {G{\"o}ldel, Julia M. and Kamrath, Clemens and Minden, Kirsten and Wiegand, Susanna and Lanzinger, Stefanie and Sengler, Claudia and Weihrauch-Bl{\"u}her, Susann and Holl, Reinhard W. and Tittel, Sascha Ren{\´e} and Warschburger, Petra}, title = {Access to Healthcare for Children and Adolescents with a Chronic Health Condition during the COVID-19 Pandemic: First Results from the KICK-COVID Study in Germany}, series = {Children}, volume = {10}, journal = {Children}, edition = {1}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel, Schweiz}, issn = {2227-9067}, doi = {10.3390/children10010010}, pages = {1 -- 11}, year = {2022}, abstract = {This study examines the access to healthcare for children and adolescents with three common chronic diseases (type-1 diabetes (T1D), obesity, or juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)) within the 4th (Delta), 5th (Omicron), and beginning of the 6th (Omicron) wave (June 2021 until July 2022) of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany in a cross-sectional study using three national patient registries. A paper-and-pencil questionnaire was given to parents of pediatric patients (<21 years) during the routine check-ups. The questionnaire contains self-constructed items assessing the frequency of healthcare appointments and cancellations, remote healthcare, and satisfaction with healthcare. In total, 905 parents participated in the T1D-sample, 175 in the obesity-sample, and 786 in the JIA-sample. In general, satisfaction with healthcare (scale: 0-10; 10 reflecting the highest satisfaction) was quite high (median values: T1D 10, JIA 10, obesity 8.5). The proportion of children and adolescents with canceled appointments was relatively small (T1D 14.1\%, JIA 11.1\%, obesity 20\%), with a median of 1 missed appointment, respectively. Only a few parents (T1D 8.6\%; obesity 13.1\%; JIA 5\%) reported obstacles regarding health services during the pandemic. To conclude, it seems that access to healthcare was largely preserved for children and adolescents with chronic health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany.}, language = {en} } @misc{GoeldelKamrathMindenetal.2022, author = {G{\"o}ldel, Julia M. and Kamrath, Clemens and Minden, Kirsten and Wiegand, Susanna and Lanzinger, Stefanie and Sengler, Claudia and Weihrauch-Bl{\"u}her, Susann and Holl, Reinhard W. and Tittel, Sascha Ren{\´e} and Warschburger, Petra}, title = {Access to Healthcare for Children and Adolescents with a Chronic Health Condition during the COVID-19 Pandemic: First Results from the KICK-COVID Study in Germany}, series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {812}, issn = {1866-8364}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-57836}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-578363}, pages = {11}, year = {2022}, abstract = {This study examines the access to healthcare for children and adolescents with three common chronic diseases (type-1 diabetes (T1D), obesity, or juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)) within the 4th (Delta), 5th (Omicron), and beginning of the 6th (Omicron) wave (June 2021 until July 2022) of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany in a cross-sectional study using three national patient registries. A paper-and-pencil questionnaire was given to parents of pediatric patients (<21 years) during the routine check-ups. The questionnaire contains self-constructed items assessing the frequency of healthcare appointments and cancellations, remote healthcare, and satisfaction with healthcare. In total, 905 parents participated in the T1D-sample, 175 in the obesity-sample, and 786 in the JIA-sample. In general, satisfaction with healthcare (scale: 0-10; 10 reflecting the highest satisfaction) was quite high (median values: T1D 10, JIA 10, obesity 8.5). The proportion of children and adolescents with canceled appointments was relatively small (T1D 14.1\%, JIA 11.1\%, obesity 20\%), with a median of 1 missed appointment, respectively. Only a few parents (T1D 8.6\%; obesity 13.1\%; JIA 5\%) reported obstacles regarding health services during the pandemic. To conclude, it seems that access to healthcare was largely preserved for children and adolescents with chronic health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany.}, language = {en} } @article{VerhoevenKuegler2015, author = {Verhoeven, Elisabeth and K{\"u}gler, Frank}, title = {Accentual preferences and predictability: An acceptability study on split intransitivity in German}, series = {Lingua : international review of general linguistics}, volume = {165}, journal = {Lingua : international review of general linguistics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0024-3841}, doi = {10.1016/j.lingua.2014.09.013}, pages = {298 -- 315}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The difference in the default prosodic realization of simple sentences with unergative vs. unaccusative/passive verbs (assigning early nuclear accent with unaccusative/passive verbs but late nuclear accent with unergative verbs) is often related to the syntactic distinction of their nominative arguments as starting off in different hierarchical positions. Alternative accounts try to trace this prosodic variation back to asymmetries in the semantic or pragmatic contribution of the verb to an utterance. The present article investigates the interaction of the assignment of default nuclear accent with the predictability of the verb. In an experimental study testing the acceptability of nuclear accent assignment, we confirmed that the predictability of the verb influences accentual preferences (such that highly predictable verbs are preferably not accented). However, the experiment also reveals that the unaccusativity distinction cannot be accounted for by means of pragmatic phenomena of this type: the two verb classes are associated with distinct accentual patterns in the baseline condition, that is, without the predictability manipulation. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Poltrock2010, author = {Poltrock, Silvana}, title = {About the relation between implicit Theory of Mind \& the comprehension of complement sentences}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-52293}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Previous studies on the relation between language and social cognition have shown that children's mastery of embedded sentential complements plays a causal role for the development of a Theory of Mind (ToM). Children start to succeed on complementation tasks in which they are required to report the content of an embedded clause in the second half of the fourth year. Traditional ToM tasks test the child's ability to predict that a person who is holding a false belief (FB) about a situation will act "falsely". In these task, children do not represent FBs until the age of 4 years. According the linguistic determinism hypothesis, only the unique syntax of complement sentences provides the format for representing FBs. However, experiments measuring children's looking behavior instead of their explicit predictions provided evidence that already 2-year olds possess an implicit ToM. This dissertation examined the question of whether there is an interrelation also between implicit ToM and the comprehension of complement sentences in typically developing German preschoolers. Two studies were conducted. In a correlational study (Study 1 ), 3-year-old children's performance on a traditional (explicit) FB task, on an implicit FB task and on language tasks measuring children's comprehension of tensed sentential complements were collected and tested for their interdependence. Eye-tracking methodology was used to assess implicit ToM by measuring participants' spontaneous anticipatory eye movements while they were watching FB movies. Two central findings emerged. First, predictive looking (implicit ToM) was not correlated with complement mastery, although both measures were associated with explicit FB task performance. This pattern of results suggests that explicit, but not implicit ToM is language dependent. Second, as a group, 3-year-olds did not display implicit FB understanding. That is, previous findings on a precocious reasoning ability could not be replicated. This indicates that the characteristics of predictive looking tasks play a role for the elicitation of implicit FB understanding as the current task was completely nonverbal and as complex as traditional FB tasks. Study 2 took a methodological approach by investigating whether children display an earlier comprehension of sentential complements when using the same means of measurement as used in experimental tasks tapping implicit ToM, namely anticipatory looking. Two experiments were conducted. 3-year-olds were confronted either with a complement sentence expressing the protagonist's FB (Exp. 1) or with a complex sentence expressing the protagonist's belief without giving any information about the truth/ falsity of the belief (Exp. 2). Afterwards, their expectations about the protagonist's future behavior were measured. Overall, implicit measures reveal no considerably earlier understanding of sentential complementation. Whereas 3-year-olds did not display a comprehension of complex sentences if these embedded a false proposition, children from 3;9 years on were proficient in processing complement sentences if the truth value of the embedded proposition could not be evaluated. This pattern of results suggests that (1) the linguistic expression of a person's FB does not elicit implicit FB understanding and that (2) the assessment of the purely syntactic understanding of complement sentences is affected by competing reality information. In conclusion, this dissertation found no evidence that the implicit ToM is related to the comprehension of sentential complementation. The findings suggest that implicit ToM might be based on nonlinguistic processes. Results are discussed in the light of recently proposed dual-process models that assume two cognitive mechanisms that account for different levels of ToM task performance.}, language = {en} } @article{HuberLeziusReibisetal.2015, author = {Huber, Matthias and Lezius, Susanne and Reibis, Rona Katharina and Treszl, Andras and Kujawinska, Dorota and Jakob, Stefanie and Wegscheider, Karl and V{\"o}ller, Heinz and Kreutz, Reinhold}, title = {A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism near the CYP17A1 Gene Is Associated with Left Ventricular Mass in Hypertensive Patients under Pharmacotherapy}, series = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {16}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, number = {8}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms160817456}, pages = {17456 -- 17468}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) catalyses the formation and metabolism of steroid hormones. They are involved in blood pressure (BP) regulation and in the pathogenesis of left ventricular hypertrophy. Therefore, altered function of CYP17A1 due to genetic variants may influence BP and left ventricular mass. Notably, genome wide association studies supported the role of this enzyme in BP control. Against this background, we investigated associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in or nearby the CYP17A1 gene with BP and left ventricular mass in patients with arterial hypertension and associated cardiovascular organ damage treated according to guidelines. Patients (n = 1007, mean age 58.0 +/- 9.8 years, 83\% men) with arterial hypertension and cardiac left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 40\% were enrolled in the study. Cardiac parameters of left ventricular mass, geometry and function were determined by echocardiography. The cohort comprised patients with coronary heart disease (n = 823; 81.7\%) and myocardial infarction (n = 545; 54.1\%) with a mean LVEF of 59.9\% +/- 9.3\%. The mean left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was 52.1 +/- 21.2 g/m(2.7) and 485 (48.2\%) patients had left ventricular hypertrophy. There was no significant association of any investigated SNP (rs619824, rs743572, rs1004467, rs11191548, rs17115100) with mean 24 h systolic or diastolic BP. However, carriers of the rs11191548 C allele demonstrated a 7\% increase in LVMI (95\% CI: 1\%-12\%, p = 0.017) compared to non-carriers. The CYP17A1 polymorphism rs11191548 demonstrated a significant association with LVMI in patients with arterial hypertension and preserved LVEF. Thus, CYP17A1 may contribute to cardiac hypertrophy in this clinical condition.}, language = {en} } @article{WarschburgerPetersenvonRezorietal.2021, author = {Warschburger, Petra and Petersen, Ann-Christin and von Rezori, Roman Enzio and Buchallik, Friederike and Baumeister, Harald and Holl, Reinhard and Minden, Kirsten and M{\"u}ller-​Stierlin, Annabel Sandra and Reinauer, Christina and Staab, Doris and COACH consortium,}, title = {A prospective investigation of developmental trajectories of psychosocial adjustment in adolescents facing a chronic condition - study protocol of an observational, multi-center study}, series = {BMC Pediatrics}, volume = {21}, journal = {BMC Pediatrics}, publisher = {BMC pediatrics}, address = {London}, issn = {1471-2431}, doi = {10.1186/s12887-021-02869-9}, pages = {1 -- 13}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background Relatively little is known about protective factors and the emergence and maintenance of positive outcomes in the field of adolescents with chronic conditions. Therefore, the primary aim of the study is to acquire a deeper understanding of the dynamic process of resilience factors, coping strategies and psychosocial adjustment of adolescents living with chronic conditions. Methods/design We plan to consecutively recruit N = 450 adolescents (12-21 years) from three German patient registries for chronic conditions (type 1 diabetes, cystic fibrosis, or juvenile idiopathic arthritis). Based on screening for anxiety and depression, adolescents are assigned to two parallel groups - "inconspicuous" (PHQ-9 and GAD-7 < 7) vs. "conspicuous" (PHQ-9 or GAD-7 ≥ 7) - participating in a prospective online survey at baseline and 12-month follow-up. At two time points (T1, T2), we assess (1) intra- and interpersonal resiliency factors, (2) coping strategies, and (3) health-related quality of life, well-being, satisfaction with life, anxiety and depression. Using a cross-lagged panel design, we will examine the bidirectional longitudinal relations between resiliency factors and coping strategies, psychological adaptation, and psychosocial adjustment. To monitor Covid-19 pandemic effects, participants are also invited to take part in an intermediate online survey. Discussion The study will provide a deeper understanding of adaptive, potentially modifiable processes and will therefore help to develop novel, tailored interventions supporting a positive adaptation in youths with a chronic condition. These strategies should not only support those at risk but also promote the maintenance of a successful adaptation. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), no. DRKS00025125. Registered on May 17, 2021.}, language = {en} } @misc{WarschburgerPetersenvonRezorietal.2021, author = {Warschburger, Petra and Petersen, Ann-Christin and von Rezori, Roman Enzio and Buchallik, Friederike and Baumeister, Harald and Holl, Reinhard and Minden, Kirsten and M{\"u}ller-​Stierlin, Annabel Sandra and Reinauer, Christina and Staab, Doris and COACH consortium,}, title = {A prospective investigation of developmental trajectories of psychosocial adjustment in adolescents facing a chronic condition - study protocol of an observational, multi-center study}, series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, volume = {21}, journal = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Potsdam}, address = {Potsdam}, issn = {1866-8364}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-54995}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-549951}, pages = {1 -- 13}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background Relatively little is known about protective factors and the emergence and maintenance of positive outcomes in the field of adolescents with chronic conditions. Therefore, the primary aim of the study is to acquire a deeper understanding of the dynamic process of resilience factors, coping strategies and psychosocial adjustment of adolescents living with chronic conditions. Methods/design We plan to consecutively recruit N = 450 adolescents (12-21 years) from three German patient registries for chronic conditions (type 1 diabetes, cystic fibrosis, or juvenile idiopathic arthritis). Based on screening for anxiety and depression, adolescents are assigned to two parallel groups - "inconspicuous" (PHQ-9 and GAD-7 < 7) vs. "conspicuous" (PHQ-9 or GAD-7 ≥ 7) - participating in a prospective online survey at baseline and 12-month follow-up. At two time points (T1, T2), we assess (1) intra- and interpersonal resiliency factors, (2) coping strategies, and (3) health-related quality of life, well-being, satisfaction with life, anxiety and depression. Using a cross-lagged panel design, we will examine the bidirectional longitudinal relations between resiliency factors and coping strategies, psychological adaptation, and psychosocial adjustment. To monitor Covid-19 pandemic effects, participants are also invited to take part in an intermediate online survey. Discussion The study will provide a deeper understanding of adaptive, potentially modifiable processes and will therefore help to develop novel, tailored interventions supporting a positive adaptation in youths with a chronic condition. These strategies should not only support those at risk but also promote the maintenance of a successful adaptation. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), no. DRKS00025125. Registered on May 17, 2021.}, language = {en} } @article{SchwarzenthalJuangSchachneretal.2019, author = {Schwarzenthal, Miriam and Juang, Linda P. and Schachner, Maja Katharina and van de Vijver, Fons J. R.}, title = {A multimodal measure of cultural intelligence for adolescents growing up in culturally diverse societies}, series = {International Journal of Intercultural Relations}, volume = {72}, journal = {International Journal of Intercultural Relations}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0147-1767}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijintrel.2019.07.007}, pages = {109 -- 121}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Adolescents growing up in culturally diverse societies need to develop intercultural competence. To better understand how to develop intercultural competence we need measures specifically relating to the everyday intercultural experiences of adolescents. However, few measures of intercultural competence are available for this target group. Based on the cultural intelligence (CQ) model (Earley \& Ang, 2003), we developed a measure that combines a self-report questionnaire and situational judgment tests (SJTs). The latter comprise a brief description of intercultural situations, followed by questions asking the adolescents to interpret and provide a reaction to the situations. The reliability, factor structure, measurement equivalence, and validity of the new measure was tested in two samples of adolescents in culturally diverse regions in North Rhine-Westphalia (N = 631, 48\% female, M-a(ge) = 13.69 years, SDage = 1.83) and Berlin (N = 1,335, 48\% female, M-age = 14.69 years, SDage, = 0.74) in Germany. The self-report CQ scale showed good reliability and a four-dimensional factor structure with a higher-order CQ factor. The responses to the SJTs were coded based on a coding manual and the ratings loaded onto one factor. The measurement models showed metric to scalar measurement equivalence across immigrant background, gender, and grade. The CQ factor and the SJT factor were positively correlated with each other, as well as with related constructs such as openness, perspective-taking, and diversity beliefs. We conclude that the new measure offers a reliable and valid method to assess the intercultural competence of adolescents growing up in culturally diverse societies.}, language = {en} } @article{SlimaniParavlicGranacher2018, author = {Slimani, Maamer and Paravlic, Armin and Granacher, Urs}, title = {A Meta-Analysis to Determine Strength Training Related Dose-Response Relationships for Lower-Limb Muscle Power Development in Young Athletes}, series = {Frontiers in Physiology}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in Physiology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-042X}, doi = {10.3389/fphys.2018.01155}, pages = {1 -- 14}, year = {2018}, abstract = {It is well-documented that strength training (ST) improves measures of muscle strength in young athletes. Less is known on transfer effects of ST on proxies of muscle power and the underlying dose-response relationships. The objectives of this meta-analysis were to quantify the effects of ST on lower limb muscle power in young athletes and to provide dose-response relationships for ST modalities such as frequency, intensity, and volume. A systematic literature search of electronic databases identified 895 records. Studies were eligible for inclusion if (i) healthy trained children (girls aged 6-11 y, boys aged 6-13 y) or adolescents (girls aged 12-18 y, boys aged 14-18 y) were examined, (ii) ST was compared with an active control, and (iii) at least one proxy of muscle power [squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump height (CMJ)] was reported. Weighted mean standardized mean differences (SMDwm) between subjects were calculated. Based on the findings from 15 statistically aggregated studies, ST produced significant but small effects on CMJ height (SMDwm = 0.65; 95\% CI 0.34-0.96) and moderate effects on SJ height (SMDwm = 0.80; 95\% CI 0.23-1.37). The sub-analyses revealed that the moderating variable expertise level (CMJ height: p = 0.06; SJ height: N/A) did not significantly influence ST-related effects on proxies of muscle power. "Age" and "sex" moderated ST effects on SJ (p = 0.005) and CMJ height (p = 0.03), respectively. With regard to the dose-response relationships, findings from the meta-regression showed that none of the included training modalities predicted ST effects on CMJ height. For SJ height, the meta-regression indicated that the training modality "training duration" significantly predicted the observed gains (p = 0.02), with longer training durations (>8 weeks) showing larger improvements. This meta-analysis clearly proved the general effectiveness of ST on lower-limb muscle power in young athletes, irrespective of the moderating variables. Dose-response analyses revealed that longer training durations (>8 weeks) are more effective to improve SJ height. No such training modalities were found for CMJ height. Thus, there appear to be other training modalities besides the ones that were included in our analyses that may have an effect on SJ and particularly CMJ height. ST monitoring through rating of perceived exertion, movement velocity or force-velocity profile could be promising monitoring tools for lower-limb muscle power development in young athletes.}, language = {en} } @misc{SlimaniParavlicGranacher2018, author = {Slimani, Maamer and Paravlic, Armin and Granacher, Urs}, title = {A Meta-Analysis to Determine Strength Training Related Dose-Response Relationships for Lower-Limb Muscle Power Development in Young Athletes}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {472}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-417738}, pages = {14}, year = {2018}, abstract = {It is well-documented that strength training (ST) improves measures of muscle strength in young athletes. Less is known on transfer effects of ST on proxies of muscle power and the underlying dose-response relationships. The objectives of this meta-analysis were to quantify the effects of ST on lower limb muscle power in young athletes and to provide dose-response relationships for ST modalities such as frequency, intensity, and volume. A systematic literature search of electronic databases identified 895 records. Studies were eligible for inclusion if (i) healthy trained children (girls aged 6-11 y, boys aged 6-13 y) or adolescents (girls aged 12-18 y, boys aged 14-18 y) were examined, (ii) ST was compared with an active control, and (iii) at least one proxy of muscle power [squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump height (CMJ)] was reported. Weighted mean standardized mean differences (SMDwm) between subjects were calculated. Based on the findings from 15 statistically aggregated studies, ST produced significant but small effects on CMJ height (SMDwm = 0.65; 95\% CI 0.34-0.96) and moderate effects on SJ height (SMDwm = 0.80; 95\% CI 0.23-1.37). The sub-analyses revealed that the moderating variable expertise level (CMJ height: p = 0.06; SJ height: N/A) did not significantly influence ST-related effects on proxies of muscle power. "Age" and "sex" moderated ST effects on SJ (p = 0.005) and CMJ height (p = 0.03), respectively. With regard to the dose-response relationships, findings from the meta-regression showed that none of the included training modalities predicted ST effects on CMJ height. For SJ height, the meta-regression indicated that the training modality "training duration" significantly predicted the observed gains (p = 0.02), with longer training durations (>8 weeks) showing larger improvements. This meta-analysis clearly proved the general effectiveness of ST on lower-limb muscle power in young athletes, irrespective of the moderating variables. Dose-response analyses revealed that longer training durations (>8 weeks) are more effective to improve SJ height. No such training modalities were found for CMJ height. Thus, there appear to be other training modalities besides the ones that were included in our analyses that may have an effect on SJ and particularly CMJ height. ST monitoring through rating of perceived exertion, movement velocity or force-velocity profile could be promising monitoring tools for lower-limb muscle power development in young athletes.}, language = {en} } @article{WilliamsEscudero2014, author = {Williams, Daniel and Escudero, Paola}, title = {A cross-dialectal acoustic comparison of vowels in Northern and Southern British English}, series = {The journal of the Acoustical Society of America}, volume = {136}, journal = {The journal of the Acoustical Society of America}, number = {5}, publisher = {American Institute of Physics}, address = {Melville}, issn = {0001-4966}, doi = {10.1121/1.4896471}, pages = {2751 -- 2761}, year = {2014}, abstract = {This study compares the duration and first two formants (F1 and F2) of 11 nominal monophthongs and five nominal diphthongs in Standard Southern British English (SSBE) and a Northern English dialect. F1 and F2 trajectories were fitted with parametric curves using the discrete cosine transform (DCT) and the zeroth DCT coefficient represented formant trajectory means and the first DCT coefficient represented the magnitude and direction of formant trajectory change to characterize vowel inherent spectral change (VISC). Cross-dialectal comparisons involving these measures revealed significant differences for the phonologically back monophthongs /D, , , u:/ and also /3z:/ and the diphthongs /eI, e, aI, I/. Most cross-dialectal differences are in zeroth DCT coefficients, suggesting formant trajectory means tend to characterize such differences, while first DCT coefficient differences were more numerous for diphthongs. With respect to VISC, the most striking differences are that /u:/is considerably more diphthongized in the Northern dialect and that the F2 trajectory of /e/proceeds in opposite directions in the two dialects. Cross-dialectal differences were found to be largely unaffected by the consonantal context in which the vowels were produced. The implications of the results are discussed in relation to VISC, consonantal context effects and speech perception. (c) 2014 Acoustical Society of America.}, language = {en} } @misc{JafarnezhadgeroShadMajlesietal.2017, author = {Jafarnezhadgero, Amir Ali and Shad, Morteza Madadi and Majlesi, Mahdi and Granacher, Urs}, title = {A comparison of running kinetics in children with and without genu varus}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-403326}, pages = {15}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Introduction Varus knee alignment has been identified as a risk factor for the progression of medial knee osteoarthritis. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated yet in children. Thus, the aims of the present study were to examine differences in ground reaction forces, loading rate, impulses, and free moment values during running in children with and without genu varus. Methods Thirty-six boys aged 9-14 volunteered to participate in this study. They were divided in two age-matched groups (genu varus versus healthy controls). Body weight adjusted three dimensional kinetic data (Fx, Fy, Fz) were collected during running at preferred speed using two Kistler force plates for the dominant and non-dominant limb. Results Individuals with knee genu varus produced significantly higher (p = .01; d = 1.09; 95\%) body weight adjusted ground reaction forces in the lateral direction (Fx) of the dominant limb compared to controls. On the non-dominant limb, genu varus patients showed significantly higher body weight adjusted ground reaction forces values in the lateral (p = .01; d = 1.08; 86\%) and medial (p < .001; d = 1.55; 102\%) directions (Fx). Further, genu varus patients demonstrated 55\% and 36\% greater body weight adjusted loading rates in the dominant (p < .001; d = 2.09) and non-dominant (p < .001; d = 1.02) leg, respectively. No significant between-group differences were observed for adjusted free moment values (p>.05). Discussion Higher mediolateral ground reaction forces and vertical loading rate amplitudes in boys with genu varus during running at preferred running speed may accelerate the development of progressive joint degeneration in terms of the age at knee osteoarthritis onset. Therefore, practitioners and therapists are advised to conduct balance and strength training programs to improve lower limb alignment and mediolateral control during dynamic movements.}, language = {en} } @article{JafarnezhadgeroShadMajlesietal.2017, author = {Jafarnezhadgero, Amir Ali and Shad, Morteza Madadi and Majlesi, Mahdi and Granacher, Urs}, title = {A comparison of running kinetics in children with and without genu varus}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {9}, publisher = {PLoS}, address = {Lawrence, Kan.}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0185057}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Introduction Varus knee alignment has been identified as a risk factor for the progression of medial knee osteoarthritis. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated yet in children. Thus, the aims of the present study were to examine differences in ground reaction forces, loading rate, impulses, and free moment values during running in children with and without genu varus. Methods Thirty-six boys aged 9-14 volunteered to participate in this study. They were divided in two age-matched groups (genu varus versus healthy controls). Body weight adjusted three dimensional kinetic data (Fx, Fy, Fz) were collected during running at preferred speed using two Kistler force plates for the dominant and non-dominant limb. Results Individuals with knee genu varus produced significantly higher (p = .01; d = 1.09; 95\%) body weight adjusted ground reaction forces in the lateral direction (Fx) of the dominant limb compared to controls. On the non-dominant limb, genu varus patients showed significantly higher body weight adjusted ground reaction forces values in the lateral (p = .01; d = 1.08; 86\%) and medial (p < .001; d = 1.55; 102\%) directions (Fx). Further, genu varus patients demonstrated 55\% and 36\% greater body weight adjusted loading rates in the dominant (p < .001; d = 2.09) and non-dominant (p < .001; d = 1.02) leg, respectively. No significant between-group differences were observed for adjusted free moment values (p>.05). Discussion Higher mediolateral ground reaction forces and vertical loading rate amplitudes in boys with genu varus during running at preferred running speed may accelerate the development of progressive joint degeneration in terms of the age at knee osteoarthritis onset. Therefore, practitioners and therapists are advised to conduct balance and strength training programs to improve lower limb alignment and mediolateral control during dynamic movements.}, language = {en} } @article{GschwindKressigLacroixetal.2013, author = {Gschwind, Yves J. and Kressig, Reto W. and Lacroix, Andre and M{\"u}hlbauer, Thomas and Pfenninger, Barbara and Granacher, Urs}, title = {A best practice fall prevention exercise program to improve balance, strength/power, and psychosocial health in older adults - study protocol for a randomized controlled trial}, series = {BMC geriatrics}, volume = {13}, journal = {BMC geriatrics}, number = {4}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1471-2318}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2318-13-105}, pages = {13}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background: With increasing age neuromuscular deficits (e.g., sarcopenia) may result in impaired physical performance and an increased risk for falls. Prominent intrinsic fall-risk factors are age-related decreases in balance and strength / power performance as well as cognitive decline. Additional studies are needed to develop specifically tailored exercise programs for older adults that can easily be implemented into clinical practice. Thus, the objective of the present trial is to assess the effects of a fall prevention program that was developed by an interdisciplinary expert panel on measures of balance, strength / power, body composition, cognition, psychosocial well-being, and falls self-efficacy in healthy older adults. Additionally, the time-related effects of detraining are tested. Methods/Design: Healthy old people (n = 54) between the age of 65 to 80 years will participate in this trial. The testing protocol comprises tests for the assessment of static / dynamic steady-state balance (i.e., Sharpened Romberg Test, instrumented gait analysis), proactive balance (i.e., Functional Reach Test; Timed Up and Go Test), reactive balance (i.e., perturbation test during bipedal stance; Push and Release Test), strength (i.e., hand grip strength test; Chair Stand Test), and power (i.e., Stair Climb Power Test; countermovement jump). Further, body composition will be analysed using a bioelectrical impedance analysis system. In addition, questionnaires for the assessment of psychosocial (i.e., World Health Organisation Quality of Life Assessment-Bref), cognitive (i.e., Mini Mental State Examination), and fall risk determinants (i.e., Fall Efficacy Scale -International) will be included in the study protocol. Participants will be randomized into two intervention groups or the control / waiting group. After baseline measures, participants in the intervention groups will conduct a 12-week balance and strength / power exercise intervention 3 times per week, with each training session lasting 30 min. (actual training time). One intervention group will complete an extensive supervised training program, while the other intervention group will complete a short version (` 3 times 3') that is home-based and controlled by weekly phone calls. Post-tests will be conducted right after the intervention period. Additionally, detraining effects will be measured 12 weeks after program cessation. The control group / waiting group will not participate in any specific intervention during the experimental period, but will receive the extensive supervised program after the experimental period. Discussion: It is expected that particularly the supervised combination of balance and strength / power training will improve performance in variables of balance, strength / power, body composition, cognitive function, psychosocial well-being, and falls self-efficacy of older adults. In addition, information regarding fall risk assessment, dose-response-relations, detraining effects, and supervision of training will be provided. Further, training-induced health-relevant changes, such as improved performance in activities of daily living, cognitive function, and quality of life, as well as a reduced risk for falls may help to lower costs in the health care system. Finally, practitioners, therapists, and instructors will be provided with a scientifically evaluated feasible, safe, and easy-to-administer exercise program for fall prevention.}, language = {en} }