Search results for " FLEX"

ACTing for depressive symptoms : a longitudinal study of a brief 4-session acceptance- and value-based intervention for symptoms of depression

2018

The main objective of this study was to investigate a brief 4-session intervention based on a theoretical framework of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and to explore its short- and long-term effectiveness among individuals reporting depressive symptoms. Additionally, the research aimed at further exploring the elements of psychological flexibility and mindfulness associated with improvements in depressive symptoms. The dissertation comprises three studies. Study I investigated the effectiveness of the brief intervention compared to a waiting-list control group. In total, 57 participants were randomized into either the ACT intervention (n = 28) or the waiting-list control (WLC; n = …

Temperament and symptoms of stress and depression among adolescents: The mediating role of psychological flexibility

2023

Abstract Background Early appearing temperamental differences and the psychological flexibility skills of individuals are proposed factors influencing stress and depression among adolescents. We test the theoretical assumption that temperament may form a basis for facing the outer world, while the development of psychological flexibility being another such basis and a mediator in well-being outcomes. Methods Using data on 740 adolescents (Mage = 15.7 years, 57% female) assessed at the beginning and end of the final grade of basic education, structural equation modeling (SEM) with mediation analysis was conducted to examine the associations between the key temperament dimensions, changes in …

High testosterone levels and sensitivity to acute stress in perpetrators of domestic violence with low cognitive flexibility and impairments in their…

2013

Hormonal and neuropsychological impairment in intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators could play a role in domestic violence. For characterizing whether there is a specific psychobiological response to stress, participants who had previously been jailed for IPV and controls were compared for testosterone and cortisol levels, tested for 2D:4D ratio (as an indicator of masculinization), and given several trait questionnaires and neuropsychological tests related to executive functions and theory of mind. After performing the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), IPV perpetrators experienced decreases in salivary testosterone (T) levels, a moderate worsening of mood, slight anxiety, and a saliv…

Individual differences in behavioral consistency are related to sequential access to resources and body condition in a producer-scrounger game

2014

Investigating the evolution of consistent between-individual behavioral differences necessitates to explain the emergence of within-individual consistency. Relying on a recent mathematical model, we here test the prediction that the emergence of differences in within-individual consistency is related to the sequential access to resources in a frequency-dependent foraging game. To this end we used flocks of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) engaged in a producer-scrounger foraging game. Tactic investment (i.e., the proportion of hops with the head down) significantly predicted successful tactic use (i.e., the proportion of seeds produced). In support of predictions, we found that individua…

Reading and Writing Skills in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder Without Intellectual Disability.

2021

The purpose of this study is to extend the knowledge about academic achievement in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To this end, first, we analyzed differences in a wide range of reading and writing skills in adolescents with ASD without intellectual disability (ASD-WID) and adolescents with typical development (TD). Second, these two groups were compared on academic outcomes in core subjects and indicators of successful transition to secondary school. Third, the potential contribution of literacy skills to academic outcomes was examined in the two groups. Participants were 56 adolescents between 12 and 14 years old, 30 with ASD-WID and 26 with TD. Results showed no signific…

2019

Ankle plantar flexor muscles are active in the stance phase of walking to propel the body forward. Increasing walking speed requires increased plantar flexor excitation, frequently assessed using surface electromyography (EMG). Despite its popularity, validity of surface EMG applied on shank muscles is mostly unclear. Thus, we examined the agreement between surface and intramuscular EMG at a range of walking speeds. Ten participants walked overground at slow, preferred, fast, and maximum walking speeds (1.01 ± 0.13, 1.43 ± 0.19, 1.84 ± 0.23, and 2.20 ± 0.38 m s-1, respectively) while surface and fine-wire EMG activities of flexor hallucis longus (FHL), soleus (SOL), medial gastrocnemius (MG…

Effect of footwear on plantar flexor fine-wire electromyography activity in walking

2019

Compared to barefoot walking, walking in footwear seems to alter plantar flexor electromyography (EMG) activity, vertical and horizontal ground reaction forces (Sacco, Akashi, & Hennig, 2010), ankle kinematics and the time of peak activity (Sacco et al., 2010). However, study results are inconsistent regarding the magnitude and direction of these changes. Magnetic resonance imaging showed high inter-individual variability in muscle metabolic activity during walking, suggesting individual-specific activation patterns (Kolk et al., 2015). Additionally, little is known about the role of toe flexors such as flexor hallucis longus (FHL) in walking.

Focusing on Increasing Velocity during Heavy Resistance Knee Flexion Exercise Boosts Hamstring Muscle Activity in Chronic Stroke Patients

2016

Background. Muscle strength is markedly reduced in stroke patients, which has negative implications for functional capacity and work ability. Different types of feedback during strength training exercises may alter neuromuscular activity and functional gains.Objective. To compare levels of muscle activity during conditions of blindfolding and intended high contraction speed with a normal condition of high-intensity knee flexions.Methods. Eighteen patients performed unilateral machine knee flexions with a 10-repetition maximum load. Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the quadrics and hamstring muscles and normalized to maximal EMG (nEMG) of the nonparetic limb.Results. For the …

Computerspielsucht: Ein psychopathologischer Symptomkomplex im Jugendalter

2008

OBJECTIVE Cases of excessive computer gaming are increasingly reported by practitioners in the psychiatric field. Since there is no standardized definition of this symptom complex, the aim of this study is to access excessive computer gaming in German adolescents as an addictive disorder and its potential negative consequences. METHOD Psychopathological computer gaming behavior was diagnosed by applying the adapted diagnostic criteria of substance-related-addictions as defined by the ICD-10. At the same time demographic variables, state of clinical anxiety and underlying cognitive mechanisms were analyzed. RESULTS 6.3 % of the 221 participating pupils - mostly boys with a low educational ba…

Changes in motor unit characteristics after eccentric elbow flexor exercise

2010

Morphological evidence suggests that fast-twitch fibers are prone to disruption of their membrane structures by eccentric exercise. However, it is unclear how this is reflected in the discharge rate and action potential propagation of individual motor units, especially at high contraction levels. High-density surface electromyograms were recorded from biceps brachii muscle and decomposed to individual motor unit action potentials at isometric contraction levels between 10% and 75% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) before intermittent maximal elbow flexor eccentric exercise, and two hours (2H), two days (2D) and four days (4D) post-exercise. Maximal voluntary force decreased by 21.3±5.6…