@phdthesis{Verch2023,
  author    = {Verch, Ronald},
  title     = {Whole-body electrical muscle stimulation superimposed walking as training tool in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-63424},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-634240},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {IX, 78},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Background: The worldwide prevalence of diabetes has been increasing in recent years, with a projected prevalence of 700 million patients by 2045, leading to economic burdens on societies. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), representing more than 95\% of all diabetes cases, is a multifactorial metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance leading to an imbalance between insulin requirements and supply. Overweight and obesity are the main risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. The lifestyle modification of following a healthy diet and physical activity are the primary successful treatment and prevention methods for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Problems may exist with patients not achieving recommended levels of physical activity. Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is an increasingly popular training method and has become in the focus of research in recent years. It involves the external application of an electric field to muscles, which can lead to muscle contraction. Positive effects of EMS training have been found in healthy individuals as well as in various patient groups. New EMS devices offer a wide range of mobile applications for whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) training, e.g., the intensification of dynamic low-intensity endurance exercises through WB-EMS. This dissertation project aims to investigate whether WB-EMS is suitable for intensifying low-intensive dynamic exercises such as walking and Nordic walking. Methods: Two independent studies were conducted. The first study aimed to investigate the reliability of exercise parameters during the 10-meter Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (10MISWT) using superimposed WB-EMS (research question 1, sub-question a) and the difference in exercise intensity compared to conventional walking (CON-W, research question 1, sub-question b). The second study aimed to compare differences in exercise parameters between superimposed WB-EMS (WB-EMS-W) and conventional walking (CON-W), as well as between superimposed WB-EMS (WB-EMS-NW) and conventional Nordic walking (CON-NW) on a treadmill (research question 2). Both studies took place in participant groups of healthy, moderately active men aged 35-70 years. During all measurements, the Easy Motion Skin® WB-EMS low frequency stimulation device with adjustable intensities for eight muscle groups was used. The current intensity was individually adjusted for each participant at each trial to ensure safety, avoiding pain and muscle cramps. In study 1, thirteen individuals were included for each sub question. A randomized cross-over design with three measurement appointments used was to avoid confounding factors such as delayed onset muscle soreness. The 10MISWT was performed until the participants no longer met the criteria of the test and recording five outcome measures: peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), relative VO2peak (rel.VO2peak), maximum walk distance (MWD), blood lactate concentration, and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Eleven participants were included in study 2. A randomized cross-over design in a study with four measurement appointments was used to avoid confounding factors. A treadmill test protocol at constant velocity (6.5 m/s) was developed to compare exercise intensities. Oxygen uptake (VO2), relative VO2 (rel.VO2) blood lactate, and the RPE were used as outcome variables. Test-retest reliability between measurements was determined using a compilation of absolute and relative measures of reliability. Outcome measures in study 2 were studied using multifactorial analyses of variances. Results: Reliability analysis showed good reliability for VO2peak, rel.VO2peak, MWD and RPE with no statistically significant difference for WB-EMS-W during 10WISWT. However, differences compared to conventional walking in outcome variables were not found. The analysis of the treadmill tests showed significant effects for the factors CON/WB-EMS and W/NW for the outcome variables VO2, rel.VO2 and lactate, with both factors leading to higher results. However, the difference in VO2 and relative VO2 is within the range of biological variability of ± 12\%. The factor combination EMS∗W/NW is statistically non-significant for all three variables. WB-EMS resulted in the higher RPE values, RPE differences for W/NW and EMS∗W/NW were not significant. Discussion: The present project found good reliability for measuring VO2peak, rel. VO2peak, MWD and RPE during 10MISWT during WB-EMS-W, confirming prior research of the test. The test appears technically limited rather than physiologically in healthy, moderately active men. However, it is unsuitable for investigating differences in exercise intensities using WB-EMS-W compared to CON-W due to different perceptions of current intensity between exercise and rest. A treadmill test with constant walking speed was conducted to adjust individual maximum tolerable current intensity for the second part of the project. The treadmill test showed a significant increase in metabolic demands during WB-EMS-W and WB-EMS-NW by an increased VO2 and blood lactate concentration. However, the clinical relevance of these findings remains debatable. The study also found that WB-EMS superimposed exercises are perceived as more strenuous than conventional exercise. While in parts comparable studies lead to higher results for VO2, our results are in line with those of other studies using the same frequency. Due to the minor clinical relevance the use of WB-EMS as exercise intensification tool during walking and Nordic walking is limited. High device cost should be considered. Habituation to WB-EMS could increase current intensity tolerance and VO2 and make it a meaningful method in the treatment of T2DM. Recent figures show that WB-EMS is used in obese people to achieve health and weight goals. The supposed benefit should be further investigated scientifically.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{TschornKuhlmannRieckmannetal.2020,
  author    = {Tschorn, Mira and Kuhlmann, Stella Linnea and Rieckmann, Nina and Beer, Katja and Grosse, Laura and Arolt, Volker and Waltenberger, Johannes and Haverkamp, Wilhelm and M{\"u}ller-Nordhorn, Jacqueline and Hellweg, Rainer and Str{\"o}hle, Andreas},
  title     = {Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, depressive symptoms and somatic comorbidity in patients with coronary heart disease},
  series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {1},
  issn      = {1866-8364},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-55731},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-557315},
  pages     = {11},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Objective: Depression and coronary heart disease (CHD) are highly comorbid conditions. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in cardiovascular processes. Depressed patients typically show decreased BDNF concentrations. We analysed the relationship between BDNF and depression in a sample of patients with CHD and additionally distinguished between cognitive-affective and somatic depression symptoms. We also investigated whether BDNF was associated with somatic comorbidity burden, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or congestive heart failure (CHF). Methods: The following variables were assessed for 225 hospitalised patients with CHD: BDNF concentrations, depression [Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)], somatic comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index), CHF, ACS, platelet count, smoking status and antidepressant treatment. Results: Regression models revealed that BDNF was not associated with severity of depression. Although depressed patients (PHQ-9 score >7) had significantly lower BDNF concentrations compared to non-depressed patients (p = 0.04), this was not statistically significant after controlling for confounders (p = 0.15). Cognitive-affective symptoms and somatic comorbidity burden each closely missed a statistically significant association with BDNF concentrations (p = 0.08, p = 0.06, respectively). BDNF was reduced in patients with CHF (p = 0.02). There was no covariate-adjusted, significant association between BDNF and ACS. Conclusion: Serum BDNF concentrations are associated with cardiovascular dysfunction. Somatic comorbidities should be considered when investigating the relationship between depression and BDNF.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{GorupecBrehmerTiberiusetal.2022,
  author    = {Gorupec, Natalia and Brehmer, Nataliia and Tiberius, Victor and Kraus, Sascha},
  title     = {Tackling uncertain future scenarios with real options},
  series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {1},
  issn      = {1866-8364},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-60891},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-608917},
  pages     = {22},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Real options are widely applied in strategic and operational decision-making, allowing for managerial flexibility in uncertaincontexts. Increased scholarly interest has led to an extensive but fragmented research landscape. We aim to measure andsystematize the research field quantitatively. To achieve this goal, we conduct bibliometric performance analyses and bibliographiccoupling analyses with an in-depth content review. The results of the performance analyses show an increasing interest in realoptions since the beginning of the 2000s and identify the most influential journals and authors. The science mappings reveal sixand seven research clusters over the last two decades. Based on an in-depth analysis of their themes, we develop a researchframework comprising antecedents, application areas, internal and external contingencies, and uncertainty resolution throughreal option valuation or reasoning. We identify several gaps in that framework, which we propose to tackle in future research.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{PaoliMoroLorenzettietal.2020,
  author    = {Paoli, Antonio and Moro, Tatiana and Lorenzetti, Silvio and Seiler, Jan and L{\"u}thy, Fabian and Gross, Micah and Roggio, Federico and Chaabene, Helmi and Musumeci, Giuseppe},
  title     = {The "Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology" Journal Club Series},
  series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {2},
  issn      = {1866-8364},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-51630},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-516306},
  pages     = {11},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {We are glad to introduce the Second Journal Club of Volume Five, Second Issue. This edition is focused on relevant studies published in the last few years in the field of resistance training, chosen by our Editorial Board members and their colleagues. We hope to stimulate your curiosity in this field and to share with you the passion for the sport, seen also from the scientific point of view. The Editorial Board members wish you an inspiring lecture.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{BaritelloKhajooeiEngeletal.2020,
  author    = {Baritello, Omar and Khajooei, Mina and Engel, Tilman and Kopinski, Stephan and Quarmby, Andrew and M{\"u}ller, Steffen and Mayer, Frank},
  title     = {Neuromuscular shoulder activity during exercises with different combinations of stable and unstable weight mass},
  series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {1},
  issn      = {1866-8364},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-50936},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-509366},
  pages     = {16},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Background Recent shoulder injury prevention programs have utilized resistance exercises combined with different forms of instability, with the goal of eliciting functional adaptations and thereby reducing the risk of injury. However, it is still unknown how an unstable weight mass (UWM) affects the muscular activity of the shoulder stabilizers. Aim of the study was to assess neuromuscular activity of dynamic shoulder stabilizers under four conditions of stable and UWM during three shoulder exercises. It was hypothesized that a combined condition of weight with UWM would elicit greater activation due to the increased stabilization demand. Methods Sixteen participants (7 m/9 f) were included in this cross-sectional study and prepared with an EMG-setup for the: Mm. upper/lower trapezius (U.TA/L.TA), lateral deltoid (DE), latissimus dorsi (LD), serratus anterior (SA) and pectoralis major (PE). A maximal voluntary isometric contraction test (MVIC; 5 s.) was performed on an isokinetic dynamometer. Next, internal/external rotation (In/Ex), abduction/adduction (Ab/Ad) and diagonal flexion/extension (F/E) exercises (5 reps.) were performed with four custom-made-pipes representing different exercise conditions. First, the empty-pipe (P; 0.5 kg) and then, randomly ordered, water-filled-pipe (PW; 1 kg), weight-pipe (PG; 4.5 kg) and weight + water-filled-pipe (PWG; 4.5 kg), while EMG was recorded. Raw root-mean-square values (RMS) were normalized to MVIC (\%MVIC). Differences between conditions for RMS\%MVIC, scapular stabilizer (SR: U.TA/L.TA; U.TA/SA) and contraction (CR: concentric/eccentric) ratios were analyzed (paired t-test; p <= 0.05; Bonferroni adjusted alpha = 0.008). Results PWG showed significantly greater muscle activity for all exercises and all muscles except for PE compared to P and PW. Condition PG elicited muscular activity comparable to PWG (p > 0.008) with significantly lower activation of L.TA and SA in the In/Ex rotation. The SR ratio was significantly higher in PWG compared to P and PW. No significant differences were found for the CR ratio in all exercises and for all muscles. Conclusion Higher weight generated greater muscle activation whereas an UWM raised the neuromuscular activity, increasing the stabilization demands. Especially in the In/Ex rotation, an UWM increased the RMS\%MVIC and SR ratio. This might improve training effects in shoulder prevention and rehabilitation programs.},
  language  = {en}
}
@book{PuergstallerNeuber2024,
  author    = {P{\"u}rgstaller, Esther and Neuber, Nils},
  title     = {T{\"a}nzerischer Kreativit{\"a}tstest f{\"u}r 8 bis 12-J{\"a}hrige},
  editor    = {P{\"u}rgstaller, Esther and Neuber, Nils},
  publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Potsdam},
  address   = {Potsdam},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-62704},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-627040},
  publisher      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {83},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {Der t{\"a}nzerische Kreativit{\"a}tstest stellt ein valides Instrumentarium dar, welches auf tanzspezifischen Aufgaben basiert und f{\"u}r die differenzierte und standardisierte Erfassung der t{\"a}nzerischen Kreativit{\"a}t bei Kindern im Alter von 8 bis 12 Jahren konzipiert ist. Mit dem t{\"a}nzerischen Kreativit{\"a}tstest k{\"o}nnen nicht nur Fragestellungen zum Stand sowie zur Entwicklung t{\"a}nzerisch-kreativer F{\"a}higkeiten im Kindesalter bearbeitet werden, sondern er liefert auch wertvolle Informationen f{\"u}r die Optimierung von Trainings-, F{\"o}rder- und Vermittlungsmaßnahmen. Erfasst werden folgende t{\"a}nzerisch-kreativen F{\"a}higkeiten: 1) Vielfalt und Originalit{\"a}t in der Fortbewegung und in K{\"o}rperpositionen sowie 2) Ideenreichtum, Vielfalt und Originalit{\"a}t in der Gestaltung von Bewegungspatterns und -kompositionen. Dieser Test l{\"a}sst sich mit gr{\"o}ßeren Gruppen und minimalem materiellen Aufwand durchf{\"u}hren, ist zeitlich unbeschr{\"a}nkt und erm{\"o}glicht es, unterschiedliche Leistungsniveaus zu identifizieren. Der t{\"a}nzerische Kreativit{\"a}tstest bietet Forschenden und Lehrkr{\"a}ften eine wertvolle M{\"o}glichkeit, die t{\"a}nzerisch-kreativen F{\"a}higkeiten von Kindern zu analysieren und zu f{\"o}rdern.},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Wortmann2023,
  author    = {Wortmann, Hanna Rosalie},
  title     = {Food Neophilie},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-62857},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-628572},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {164},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Trotz der eindeutigen Vorteile einer ausgewogenen Ern{\"a}hrung halten sich viele Menschen weltweit nicht an entsprechende Ern{\"a}hrungsrichtlinien. Um angemessene Strategien zur Unterst{\"u}tzung einer gesundheitsf{\"o}rdernden Ern{\"a}hrung zu entwickeln, ist ein Verst{\"a}ndnis der zugrunde liegenden Faktoren unerl{\"a}sslich. Insbesondere die Gruppe der {\"a}lteren Erwachsenen stellt dabei eine wichtige Zielgruppe f{\"u}r ern{\"a}hrungsbezogene Pr{\"a}ventions- und Interventionsans{\"a}tze dar. Einer der vielen Faktoren, die als Determinanten einer gesundheitsf{\"o}rdernden Ern{\"a}hrung diskutiert werden, ist die Food Neophilie, also die Bereitschaft, neue und unbekannte Lebensmittel auszuprobieren. Aktuelle Forschungsergebnisse legen nahe, dass die Food Neophilie positiv mit einer gesundheitsf{\"o}rdernden Ern{\"a}hrung in Verbindung steht, allerdings ist die bisherige Forschung in diesem Bereich {\"a}ußerst begrenzt. Das Ziel der Dissertation war es, das Konstrukt der Food Neophilie sowie seine Beziehung zu gesundheitsf{\"o}rderndem Ern{\"a}hrungsverhalten im h{\"o}heren Erwachsenenalter grundlegend zu erforschen, um das Potenzial der Food Neophilie f{\"u}r die Gesundheitsf{\"o}rderung {\"a}lterer Erwachsener besser zu verstehen. Dabei wurde im Rahmen der ersten Publikation zun{\"a}chst untersucht, wie sich das Konstrukt der Food Neophilie reliabel und valide erfassen l{\"a}sst, um weiterf{\"u}hrende Untersuchungen der Food Neophilie zu erm{\"o}glichen. Die psychometrische Validierung der deutschen Version der Variety Seeking Tendency Scale (VARSEEK) basierte auf zwei unabh{\"a}ngigen Stichproben mit insgesamt N = 1000 Teilnehmenden und best{\"a}tigte, dass es sich bei der Skala um ein reliables und valides Messinstrument zur Erfassung der Food Neophilie handelt. Darauf aufbauend wurde im Rahmen der zweiten Publikation die Beziehung der Food Neophilie und der Ern{\"a}hrungsqualit{\"a}t {\"u}ber die Zeit hinweg analysiert. Die prospektive Untersuchung von N = 960 Teilnehmenden des h{\"o}heren Erwachsenenalters (M = 63.4 Jahre) anhand einer Cross-Lagged-Panel-Analyse ergab hohe zeitliche Stabilit{\"a}ten der Food Neophilie und der Ern{\"a}hrungsqualit{\"a}t {\"u}ber einen Zeitraum von drei Jahren. Es zeigte sich zudem ein positiver querschnittlicher Zusammenhang zwischen der Food Neophilie und der Ern{\"a}hrungsqualit{\"a}t, jedoch wurde die Food Neophilie nicht als signifikante Determinante der Ern{\"a}hrungsqualit{\"a}t {\"u}ber die Zeit hinweg identifiziert. In der dritten Publikation wurden schließlich nicht nur die individuellen Auswirkungen der Food Neophilie auf die Ern{\"a}hrungsqualit{\"a}t betrachtet, sondern auch potenzielle dynamische Wechselwirkungen innerhalb von Partnerschaften einbezogen. Hierzu erfolgte mittels eines Actor-Partner-Interdependence-Modells eine Differenzierung potenzieller intra- und interpersoneller Einfl{\"u}sse der Food Neophilie auf die Ern{\"a}hrungsqualit{\"a}t. Im Rahmen der dyadischen Analyse zeigte sich bei N = 390 heterosexuellen Paaren im h{\"o}heren Erwachsenenalter (M = 64.0 Jahre) ein Dominanzmuster: W{\"a}hrend die Food Neophilie der Frauen positiv mit ihrer eigenen Ern{\"a}hrungsqualit{\"a}t und der ihrer Partner zusammenhing, war die Food Neophilie der M{\"a}nner nicht mit der Ern{\"a}hrungsqualit{\"a}t des Paares assoziiert. Insgesamt leistet die vorliegende Dissertation einen wertvollen Beitrag zum umfassenden Verst{\"a}ndnis der Food Neophilie sowie ihrer Rolle im Kontext der Ern{\"a}hrungsgesundheit {\"a}lterer Erwachsener. Trotz fehlender Vorhersagekraft {\"u}ber die Zeit hinweg deutet der positive Zusammenhang zwischen Food Neophilie und Ern{\"a}hrungsqualit{\"a}t darauf hin, dass die Fokussierung auf eine positive und neugierige Einstellung gegen{\"u}ber Lebensmitteln eine innovative Perspektive f{\"u}r Pr{\"a}ventions- und Interventionsans{\"a}tze zur Unterst{\"u}tzung einer gesundheitsf{\"o}rdernden Ern{\"a}hrung {\"a}lterer Erwachsener bieten k{\"o}nnte.},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Arntz2023,
  author    = {Arntz, Fabian},
  title     = {Intervention and moderation of physical fitness in children with physical fitness deficits - Results of the SMaRTER study},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-62260},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-622607},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {169},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Background: Physical fitness is a key aspect of children's ability to perform activities of daily living, engage in leisure activities, and is associated with important health characteristics. As such, it shows multi-directional associations with weight status as well as executive functions, and varies according to a variety of moderating factors, such as the child's gender, age, geographical location, and socioeconomic conditions and context. The assessment and monitoring of children's physical fitness has gained attention in recent decades, as has the question of how to promote physical fitness through the implementation of a variety of programs and interventions. However, these programs and interventions rarely focus on children with deficits in their physical fitness. Due to their deficits, these children are at the highest risk of suffering health impairments compared to their more average fit peers. In efforts to promote physical fitness, schools could offer promising and viable approaches to interventions, as they provide access to large youth populations while providing useful infrastructure. Evidence suggests that school-based physical fitness interventions, particularly those that include supplementary physical education, are useful for promoting and improving physical fitness in children with normal fitness. However, there is little evidence on whether these interventions have similar or even greater effects on children with deficits in their physical fitness. Furthermore, the question arises whether these measures help to sustainably improve the development/trajectories of physical fitness in these children. The present thesis aims to elucidate the following four objectives: (1) to evaluate the effects of a 14 week intervention with 2 x 45 minutes per week additional remedial physical education on physical fitness and executive function in children with deficits in their physical fitness; (2) to assess moderating effects of body height and body mass on physical fitness components in children with physical fitness deficits; (3) to assess moderating effects of age and skeletal growth on physical fitness in children with physical fitness deficits; and (4) to analyse moderating effects of different physical fitness components on executive function in children with physical fitness deficits. Methods: Using physical fitness data from the EMOTIKON study, 76 third graders with physical fitness deficits were identified in 11 schools in Brandenburg state that met the requirements for implementing a remedial physical education intervention (i.e., employing specially trained physical education teachers). The fitness intervention was implemented in a cross-over design and schools were randomly assigned to either an intervention-control or control-intervention group. The remedial physical education intervention consisted of a 14 week, 2 x 45 minutes per week remedial physical education curriculum supplemented by a physical exercise homework program. Assessments were conducted at the beginning and end of each intervention and control period, and further assessments were conducted at the beginning and end of each school year until the end of sixth grade. Physical fitness as the primary outcome was assessed using fitness tests implemented in the EMOTIKON study (i.e., lower body muscular strength (standing long jump), speed (20 m sprint), cardiorespiratory fitness (6 min run), agility (star run), upper body muscular strength (ball push test), and balance (one leg balance)). Executive functions as a secondary outcome were assessed using attention and psychomotor processing speed (digit symbol substitution test), mental flexibility and fine motor skills (trail making test), and inhibitory control (Simon task). Anthropometric measures such as body height, body mass, maturity offset, and body composition parameters, as well as socioeconomic information were recorded as potential moderators. Results: (1) The evaluation of possible effects of the remedial physical education intervention on physical fitness and executive functions of children with deficits in their physical fitness did not reveal any detectable intervention-related improvements in physical fitness or executive functions. The implemented analysis strategies also showed moderating effects of body mass index (BMI) on performance in 6 min run, star run, and standing long jump, with children with a lower BMI performing better, moderating effects of proximity to Berlin on performance in the 6 min run and standing long jump, better performances being found in children living closer to Berlin, and overall gendered differences in executive function test performance, with boys performing better compared to girls. (2) Analysing moderating effects of body height and body mass on physical fitness performance, better overall physical fitness performance was found for taller children. For body mass, a negative effect was found on performance in the 6 min run (linear), standing long jump (linear), and 20 m sprint (quadratic), with better performance associated with lighter children, and a positive effect of body mass on performance in the ball push test, with heavier children performing better. In addition, the analysis revealed significant interactions between body height and body mass on performance in 6 min run and 20 m sprint, with higher body mass being associated with performance improvements in larger children, while higher body mass was associated with performance declines in smaller children. In addition, the analysis revealed overall age-related improvements in physical fitness and was able to show that children with better overall physical fitness also elicit greater age-related improvements. (3) In the analysis of moderating effects of age and maturity offset on physical fitness performances, two unrotated principal components of z-transformed age and maturity offset values were calculated (i.e., relative growth = (age + maturity offset)/2; growth delay = (age - maturity offset)) to avoid colinearity. Analysing these constructs revealed positive effects of relative growth on performances in star run, 20 m sprint, and standing long jump, with children of higher relative growth performing better. For growth delay, positive effects were found on performances in 6 min run and 20 m sprint, with children having larger growth delays showing better performances. Further, the model revealed gendered differences in 6 min run and 20 m sprint performances with girls performing better than boys. (4) Analysing the effects of physical fitness tests on executive function revealed a positive effect of star run and one leg balance performance and a negative effect of 6 min run performance on reaction speed in the Simon task. However, these effects were not detectable when individual differences were accounted for. Then these effects showed overall positive effects, with better performances being associated with faster reaction speeds. In addition, the analysis revealed a positive correlation between overall reaction speed and effects of the 6 min run, suggesting that children with greater effects of 6 min run had faster overall reaction speeds. Negative correlations were found between star run effects and age effects on Simon task reaction speed, meaning that children with larger star run effects had smaller age effects, and between 6 min run effects and star run effects on Simon task reaction speed, meaning that children with larger 6 min run effects tended to have smaller star run effects on Simon task reaction speed and vice versa. Conclusions: (1) The lack of detectable intervention-related effects could have been caused by an insufficient intervention period, by the implementation of comprehensive and thus non- specific exercises, or by both. Accordingly, longer intervention periods and/or more specific exercises may have been more beneficial and could have led to detectable improvements in physical fitness and/or executive function. However, it remains unclear whether these interventions can benefit children with deficits in physical fitness, as it is possible that their deficits are not caused by a mere lack of exercise, but rather depend on the socioeconomic conditions of the children and their families and areas. Therefore, further research is needed to assess the moderation of physical fitness in children with physical fitness deficits and, in particular, the links between children's environment and their physical fitness trajectories. (2) Findings from this work suggest that using BMI as a composite of body height and body mass may not be able to capture the variation associated with these parameters and their interactions. In particular, because of their multidirectional associations, further research would help elucidate how BMI and its subcomponents influence physical fitness and how they vary between children with and without physical fitness deficits. (3) The assessment of growth- related changes indicated negative effects associated with the growth spurt approaching age of peak height velocity, and furthermore showed significant differences in these effects between children. Thus, these effects and possible interindividual differences should be considered in the assessment of the development of physical fitness in children. (4) Furthermore, this work has shown that the associations between physical fitness and executive functions vary between children and may be moderated by children's socioeconomic conditions and the structure of their daily activities. Further research is needed to explore these associations using approaches that account for individual variance.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Markov2023,
  author    = {Markov, Adrian},
  title     = {Acute effects of exercise order in concurrent training on immunological stress responses and measures of muscular fitness in youth athletes of both sexes},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-61851},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-618517},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {X, 81},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Background and aims: To succeed in competition, elite team and individual athletes often seek the development of both, high levels of muscle strength and power as well as cardiorespiratory endurance. In this context, concurrent training (CT) is a commonly applied and effective training approach. While being exposed to high training loads, youth athletes (≤ 18 years) are yet underrepresented in the scientific literature. Besides, immunological responses to CT have received little attention. Therefore, the aims of this work were to examine the acute (< 15min) and delayed (≥ 6 hours) effects of dif-ferent exercise order in CT on immunological stress responses, muscular fitness, metabolic response, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in highly trained youth male and female judo athletes. Methods: A total of twenty male and thirteen female participants, with an average age of 16 ± 1.8 years and 14.4 ± 2.1 years, respectively, were included in the study. They were randomly assigned to two CT sessions; power-endurance versus endurance-power (i.e., study 1), or strength-endurance versus endurance-strength (i.e., study 2). Markers of immune response (i.e., white-blood-cells, granulocytes, lymphocytes, mon-ocytes, and lymphocytes, granulocyte-lymphocyte-ratio, and systemic-inflammation-index), muscular fitness (i.e., counter-movement jump [CMJ]), metabolic responses (i.e., blood lactate, glucose), and RPE were collected at different time points (i.e., PRE12H, PRE, MID, POST, POST6H, POST22H). Results (study 1): There were significant time*order interactions for white-blood-cells, lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, granulocyte-lymphocyte-ratio, and systemic-inflammation-index. The power-endurance order resulted in significantly larger PRE-to-POST increases in white-blood-cells, monocytes, and lymphocytes while the endur-ance-power order resulted in significantly larger PRE-to-POST increases in the granu-locyte-lymphocyte-ratio and systemic-inflammation-index. Likewise, significantly larger increases from PRE-to-POST6H in white-blood-cells and granulocytes were observed following the power-endurance order compared to endurance-power. All markers of immune response returned toward baseline values at POST22H. Moreover, there was a significant time*order interaction for blood glucose and lactate. Following the endur-ance-power order, blood lactate and glucose increased from PRE-to-MID but not from PRE-to-POST. Meanwhile, in the power-endurance order blood lactate and glucose increased from PRE-to-POST but not from PRE-to-MID. A significant time*order inter-action was observed for CMJ-force with larger PRE-to-POST decreases in the endur-ance-power order compared to power-endurance order. Further, CMJ-power showed larger PRE-to-MID performance decreases following the power-endurance order, com-pared to the endurance-power order. Regarding RPE, significant time*order interactions were noted with larger PRE-to-MID values following the endurance-power order and larger PRE-to-POST values following the power-endurance order. Results (study 2): There were significant time*order interactions for lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocyte-lymphocyte-ratio, and systemic-inflammation-index. The strength-endurance order resulted in significantly larger PRE-to-POST increases in lymphocytes while the endurance-strength order resulted in significantly larger PRE-to-POST increases in the granulocyte-lymphocyte-ratio and systemic-inflammation-index. All markers of the immune system returned toward baseline values at POST22H. Moreover, there was a significant time*order interaction for blood glucose and lactate. From PRE-to-MID, there was a significantly greater increase in blood lactate and glu-cose following the endurance-strength order compared to strength-endurance order. Meanwhile, from PRE-to-POST there was a significantly higher increase in blood glu-cose following the strength-endurance order compared to endurance-strength order. Regarding physical fitness, a significant time*order interaction was observed for CMJ-force and CMJ-power with larger PRE-to-MID increases following the endurance-strength order compared to the strength-endurance order. For RPE, significant time*order interactions were noted with larger PRE-to-MID values following the endur-ance-power order and larger PRE-to-POST values following the power-endurance or-der. Conclusions: The primary findings from both studies revealed order-dependent effects on immune responses. In male youth judo athletes, the results demonstrated greater immunological stress responses, both immediately (≤ 15 min) and delayed (≥ 6 hours), following the power-endurance order compared to the endurance-power order. For female youth judo athletes, the results indicated higher acute, but not delayed, order-dependent changes in immune responses following the strength-endurance order compared to the endurance-strength order. It is worth noting that in both studies, all markers of immune system response returned to baseline levels within 22 hours. This suggests that successful recovery from the exercise-induced immune stress response was achieved within 22 hours. Regarding metabolic responses, physical fitness, and perceived exertion, the findings from both studies indicated acute (≤ 15 minutes) alterations that were dependent on the exercise order. These alterations were primarily influ-enced by the endurance exercise component. Moreover, study 1 provided substantial evidence suggesting that internal load measures, such as immune markers, may differ from external load measures. This indicates a disparity between immunological, perceived, and physical responses following both concurrent training orders. Therefore, it is crucial for practitioners to acknowledge these differences and take them into consideration when designing training programs.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Timme2023,
  author    = {Timme, Sinika},
  title     = {Affective responses during exercise and situated exercise-related decision-making},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-61432},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-614323},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {V, 123},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {The field of exercise psychology has established robust evidence on the health benefits of physical activity. However, interventions to promote sustained exercise behavior have often proven ineffective. This dissertation addresses challenges in the field, particularly the neglect of situated and affective processes in understanding and changing exercise behavior. Dual process models, considering both rational and affective processes, have gained recognition. The Affective Reflective Theory of Physical Inactivity and Exercise (ART) is a notable model in this context, positing that situated processes in-the-moment of choice influence exercise decisions and subsequent exercise behavior. The dissertation identifies current challenges within exercise psychology and proposes methodological and theoretical advancements. It emphasizes the importance of momentary affective states and situated processes, offering alternatives to self-reported measures and advocating for a more comprehensive modeling of individual variability. The focus is on the affective processes during exercise, theorized to reappear in momentary decision-making, shaping overall exercise behavior. The first publication introduces a new method by using automated facial action analysis to measure variable affective responses during exercise. It explores how these behavioral indicators covary with self-reported measures of affective valence and perceived exertion. The second publication delves into situated processes at the moment of choice between exercise and non-exercise options, revealing that intraindividual factors play a crucial role in explaining exercise-related choices. The third publication presents an open-source research tool, the Decisional Preferences in Exercising Test (DPEX), designed to capture repeated situated decisions and predict exercise behavior based on past experiences. The findings challenge previous assumptions and provide insights into the complex interplay of affective responses, situated processes, and exercise choices. The dissertation underscores the need for individualized interventions that manipulate affective responses during exercise and calls for systematic testing to establish causal links to automatic affective processes and subsequent exercise behavior. This dissertation highlights the necessity for methodological and conceptual refinements in understanding and promoting exercise behavior, ultimately contributing to the broader goal of combating increasing inactivity trends.},
  language  = {en}
}