Does high state anxiety exacerbate distractor interference?

Effects of Psychological Capital and Sport Anxiety on Sport Performance in Collegiate Judo Athletes

Objectives: In this paper, we explore the relationship between the psychological capital, sport anxiety, and sport performance of collegiate judo athletes. Methods: The research object is the collegiate first-division judo athletes in Taiwan. Convenience sampling was used to conduct an online survey. A total of 106 questionnaires were issued, 102 valid questionnaires were returned, and the effective response rate was 96.23%. The data were analyzed by using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: The psychological capital of collegiate judo athletes has a significant positive impact on sport performance; moreover, the sport anxiety of collegiate judo athletes has a significant negative impact on psychological capital. Through psychological capital, sport performance can be improved. Therefore, psychological capital has an intermediary effect. Conclusion: This study shows the higher the level of mental capital of collegiate judo athletes, the better the positive impact on sport performance; in addition, the higher the sport anxiety, the lower the psychological capital. However, sport anxiety can improve sport performance through psychological capital; therefore, we recommend that the training plan of collegiate judo athletes focus on strengthening the athletes' mental skills to improve their sport performance.

Evolution of Gross Forelimb and Fine Digit Kinematics during Skilled Reaching Acquisition in Rats

The ability to learn dexterous motor skills is a fundamental aspect of human behavior. However, the underlying neural circuit mechanisms for dexterous skill learning are unclear. Advancing our understanding of motor skill learning requires the integration of modern neuroscientific techniques with a rigorously characterized dexterous task. The development of automated rodent skilled reaching with paw tracking allows detailed analysis of how reach-to-grasp kinematics evolve during learning. We assessed how both "gross" forelimb and "fine" digit kinematics changed as rats learned skilled reaching. Rats whose success rates increased (learners) consistently reduced the variability in their reach trajectories. Refinement of fine digit control generally continued after consistency in gross hand transport to the pellet plateaued. Interestingly, most rats whose success rates did not increase (non-learners) also converged on consistent reach kinematics. Some non-learners, however, maintained substantial variability in hand and digit trajectories throughout training. These results suggest that gross and fine motor components of dexterous skill are, on average, learned over different timescales. Nonetheless, there is significant intersubject variability in learning rates as assessed by both reaching success and consistency of reach kinematics.