The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of regular audio-visual relaxation combined with Schultz's autogenic training on: (1) the results of behavioral tests that evaluate work performance during burdensome cognitive tasks (Kraepelin test), (2) changes in classical EEG alpha frequency band, neocortex (frontal, temporal, occipital, parietal), hemisphere (left, right) versus condition (only relaxation 7-12 Hz). Both experimental (EG) and age-and skill-matched control group (CG) consisted of eighteen athletes (ten males and eight females). After 7-month training EG demonstrated changes in the amplitude of mean electrical activity of the EEG alpha bend at rest and an improvement was significantly changing and an improvement in almost all components of Kraepelin test. The same examined variables in CG were unchanged following the period without the intervention. Summing up, combining audio-visual relaxation with autogenic training significantly improves athlete's ability to perform a prolonged mental effort. These changes are accompanied by greater amplitude of waves in alpha band in the state of relax. The results suggest usefulness of relaxation techniques during performance of mentally difficult sports tasks (sports based on speed and stamina, sports games, combat sports) and during relax of athletes.
Background: Achievements in sports shooting are associated with the level of attention and agitation control, which improve to a significant extent the effectiveness of shooters in sports competition. The purpose of this study was to analyse changes in the level of attention and activation in sports shooters after neurofeedback-EEG training. Material and methods:The study included students of the Military University of Technology (27 subjects). The Vienna Test System was used: a test for assessing attention (COG) and a test for assessing the functional activation (FLIM). The measurements were carried out before and after 20 neurofeedback-EEG training sessions oriented towards strengthening the beta frequency (12-22 Hz). To reduce any non-specific effects, investigators were informed not to motivate the subjects. All sessions consisted of 10 rounds. Results:The differences between the first and the second measurement show that the shooters included in the study improved their abilities in terms of the attention level. The subjects performed the task more quickly and accurately during the second measurement. No significant changes were observed in terms of the arousal level. Conclusions:Neurofeedback-EEG training improved the level of attention in shooters but it had no effect on the optimal arousal level in shooters.
People working at computers often suffer from overload-related muscle pain, and physical and mental discomfort. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of chair massage, conducted in the workplace among white-collar workers, in relieving symptoms of musculoskeletal strain related to prolonged sitting posture. The study was conducted in 124 white-collar workers, 55 women and 69 men, aged 33.7 ± 7.6 years. Subjects were randomly assigned to three groups: chair massage program, relaxing music sessions, and a control group, each of four-week duration. Each group was evaluated before and after the program completion. Pain perception was assessed algometrically as a threshold for compression pain of neck muscles, measured in kg/cm. The relaxation level was assessed from the heart rate variability. We found that the chair massage increased both the pain threshold in all tested muscles (p < 0.001) and the relaxation level from 31.9% to 41.6% (p < 0.05). In the group with music sessions, muscle pain threshold remained unchanged, except for the trapezoid muscle where it decreased (p < 0.05), while the relaxation level increased from 26.0% to 33.3% (p < 0.05). In both massage and relaxing music groups, there was a significant decrease in muscle tension (p < 0.01). Changes in the control group were inappreciable. We conclude that the chair massage performed in the workplace is an effective method for prevention of musculoskeletal overstrain related to prolonged sitting posture. The program seems worth implementing in various occupational environments.
Summary Study aim: The aim of the study was to empirically evaluate the structure of autotelic personality of athletes in the context of engagement under competitive conditions. Material and methods: The study examined fifty athletes (volleyball players, basketball players, track and field athletes, rugby players and mountain bikers) following competitive events. The methodologies used included NEO-FFI Personality Inventory by Costa and McCrae to determine the level of personality traits and Flow Questionnaire (Csikszentmihalyi) to measure the level of subjective feeling of the state of engagement. Results: Other significant relationships (p < 0.001) between the personality traits of athletes and the feeling of the state of engagement during competition (positive correlations of consciousness with concentration of attention on current tasks, with autotelic experiences and with transformation of the sense of time; negative correlations between neuroticism/ extroversion with unequivocal understanding of information). Conclusions: Personality traits and feeling of the state of engagement during sports competitions determine the structure of autotelic personality of athletes, which is a predicator of engagement in sport.
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