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de Amorim VP, Meira CM, Vickers JN. Pistol shooting performance under pressure: Longitudinal changes in gaze behavior of male and female Army cadets. Hum Mov Sci 2024; 95:103217. [PMID: 38636392 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2024.103217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
We found evidence that Army cadets improved their gaze behavior and performance across time under high and low pressure in a shooting task. The purpose of the study was to determine if male and female cadets developed an optimal quiet eye (QE) onset, a longer QE duration, and decreased pupil diameter variability (PDV) over time under low (LP) and high pressure (HP) conditions. The study was carried out over four sessions, with intervals of 4.5 months. During each session, 16 men and 12 women, first-year cadets of The Brazilian Army Academy, performed ten pistol shots under counterbalanced LP and HP conditions. The cadets shot in the upright position and wore an eye-tracker. Shooting accuracy improved and did not differ for men and women in the LP condition, however during HP the women performed more poorly than the men in session 1 but improved to a level similar to the men in session 4. QE duration Pre (aiming) did not differ during LP, while during HP QE Post (execution) increased across the session for men and women. QE onset 2 (execution) occurred earlier for the men than women during LP, while during HP the women improved to a level similar to the men in sessions 3 and 4. PDV declined across sessions for men and women with the lowest values in sessions 3 and 4. The findings are discussed within social facilitation theory, which states the context of training affects the rate at which improvements in motor skills occur. The results show that women cadets can improve their shooting performance, quiet eye duration, quiet eye onset and pupil diameter variability to a level similar to men if three to four LP and HP training sessions are scheduled across approximately 12-18 months.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cassio M Meira
- University of Sao Paulo, School of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, Sao Paulo/SP, Brazil.
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Tosini L, Gomes AC, Corbetta DM, Magalhães FH, Meira CM. Extroversion-Related Differences in Gaze Behavior during a Computer Task for Assessing Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off: Implications for Sensor-Based Applications. Sensors (Basel) 2023; 23:6483. [PMID: 37514777 PMCID: PMC10383621 DOI: 10.3390/s23146483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The principle of Fitts' law explains that the difficulty of movement increases when targets are farther away and narrower in width, particularly when touching two parallel targets as quickly as possible. Understanding the differences in motor and gaze behaviors between extroverts and introverts when performing tasks that require speed and accuracy is crucial for the development of sensor-based interfaces for games and rehabilitation. This study aimed to investigate such differences in a computer task that assesses the speed-accuracy trade-off (Fitts' task). Twenty introverts and seventeen extroverts wore an eye tracker and an accelerometer attached to their hand while performing 12 trials through six levels of difficulty presented on a computer screen. The results showed that introverts had longer visual fixations at the higher difficulty levels and reduced pupil diameter variability when difficulty was intermediate, suggesting that their gaze behavior may be different from that of extroverts. However, no significant differences were found in the speed and accuracy performance or kinematic variables between extroverts and introverts. These findings have important implications for the design of interventions that require both speed and accuracy in movement, such as in the development of virtual reality/games for rehabilitation purposes. It is important to consider individual differences in motor and gaze behaviors, particularly in those who may struggle with longer visual fixations, for the design of sensor-based applications and to promote successful interventions and recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tosini
- School of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 03828000, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Gomes
- School of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 03828000, Brazil
| | - Daniela M Corbetta
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | | | - Cassio M Meira
- School of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 03828000, Brazil
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Levy-Pereira N, Carriero MM, Maganha SRL, Meira CM, Lázaro TM, Rocha NRA, Maia AAM, Wiegertjes G, Fernandes AM, Sousa RLM. Phagocytotic activity and gene expression of leukocytes isolated from Astyanax lacustris. BRAZ J BIOL 2023; 83:e264570. [PMID: 36651449 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.264570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The constant intensification of aquaculture has considerable increased the stress levels of farmed fish and, consequently, the number and intensity of diseases outbreaks. Thus, studies on fish immune response, especially regarding the interaction of fish leukocytes with potential pathogens and xenobiotics are of great importance in order to develop new prophylactic and curative strategies. We isolated leukocytes from the head kidney of Astyanax lacustris-an important Neotropical fish species for aquaculture and a potential model for Neotropical aquaculture research-using a Percoll centrifugation protocol. The isolated leukocytes were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the expression of genes IL-1β, IL-8, LysC, and LysG were measured. We assessed the phagocytotic activity of leukocytes using Congo red-dyed yeast, a novel and cost-effective protocol that has been developed in this study. The isolated leukocytes responded to LPS induction, exhibiting strong IL-1β and IL-8 upregulation, two of the most important pro-inflammatory interleukins for vertebrates immune reponse. The optimal concentration of yeast for the phagocytic assay was 106 cells mL-1, resulting in acceptable phagocytic capacity (PC) but without excess of yeasts during the counting process, ensuring a high precision and accuracy of the method. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to investigate the in vitro gene expression and phagocytic activity of leukocytes isolated from A. lacustris. Our findings will serve as a reference for future studies on the immunology and toxicology of Neotropical fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Levy-Pereira
- Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos - FZEA, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Higiene Zootécnica, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
| | - M M Carriero
- Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos - FZEA, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
| | - S R L Maganha
- Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos - FZEA, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Higiene Zootécnica, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
| | - C M Meira
- Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos - FZEA, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
| | - T M Lázaro
- Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos - FZEA, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Higiene Zootécnica, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
| | - N R A Rocha
- Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos - FZEA, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Higiene Zootécnica, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
| | - A A M Maia
- Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos - FZEA, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
| | - G Wiegertjes
- Wageningen University & Research, Department of Animal Sciences, Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - A M Fernandes
- Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos - FZEA, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório Multi-usuário de Microbiologia, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
| | - R L M Sousa
- Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos - FZEA, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Higiene Zootécnica, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
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Meira CM, Gomes AC, Cattuzzo MT, Flores-Mendoza C, Tosini L, Massa M. Personality traits and preferred exercise environment of fitness club members. Acta Gymnica 2021. [DOI: 10.5507/ag.2020.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
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Meira CM, Meneguelli KS, Leopoldo MPG, Florindo AA. Anxiety and Leisure-Domain Physical Activity Frequency, Duration, and Intensity During Covid-19 Pandemic. Front Psychol 2020; 11:603770. [PMID: 33447249 PMCID: PMC7802748 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.603770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated relationships between state anxiety and leisure-domain physical activity levels during Covid-19 pandemic. We used frequency, duration, and intensity as key variables of physical activity. Trait anxiety, state anxiety before pandemic, age, gender, and education level were also included in the analysis. Our general hypothesis was that participants who declared doing more physical activity levels would exhibit lower levels of anxiety during the Covid-19 pandemic. A convenient sample of 571 volunteer adults (mean age 39 ± 14 years) was drawn mainly from São Paulo State (89.2% of the sample), the epicenter of Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil. To obtain the participants’ levels of anxiety (trait, state before pandemic, and state during pandemic) we used a validated short-version of the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory. Levels of physical activity were measured via questions from VIGITEL, a validated questionnaire about the individual’s habits on risk factors. Answers were given regarding the first week of March 2020 (before pandemic) and at the very moment the participant was filling in the electronic form (June 2020). Data analyses were conducted through descriptive and inferential techniques, with the use of non-parametric tests and linear regression models. Overall, participants’ responses indicate that anxiety levels were higher during the pandemic compared to the period that preceded the pandemic, and that frequent and long physical activity in the leisure-domain reduced anxiety, regardless its intensity. The regression models revealed an inverse relationship between physical activity and anxiety (the more physical activity, the less anxiety) and independent of gender, age, education level, trait anxiety, and physical activity before pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassio M Meira
- School of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kaique S Meneguelli
- School of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maysa P G Leopoldo
- School of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alex A Florindo
- School of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract
The contextual interference effect (random practice yields better transfer and retention compared to blocked practice) detected in a study of 24 boys and 33 girls randomly selected ( M age = 10.5 yr., SD = .6) performing a linear positioning motor task seemed to dissipate in extended transfer trials.
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Abstract
The Introversion/Extraversion dimension may interact with contextual interference, as random and blocked practice schedules imply distinct levels of variation. This study investigated the effect of different practice schedules in the acquisition of a motor skill in extraverts and introverts. Forty male undergraduate students (M = 24.3 yr., SD = 5.6) were classified as extraverts (n = 20) and introverts (n = 20) by the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and allocated in one of two practice schedules with different levels of contextual interference: blocked (low contextual interference) and random (high contextual interference). Half of each group was assigned to a blocked practice schedule, and the other half was assigned to a random practice schedule. The design had two phases: acquisition and transfer (5 min. and 24 hr.). The participants learned variations of a sequential timing keypressing task. Each variation required the same sequence but different timing; three variations were used in acquisition, and one variation of intermediate length was used in transfer. Results for absolute error and overall timing error (root mean square error) indicated that the contextual interference effect was more pronounced for introverts. In addition, introverts who practiced according to the blocked schedule committed more errors during the 24-hr. transfer, suggesting that introverts did not appear to be challenged by a low contextual interference practice schedule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassio M Meira
- 1 School of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo
| | | | - Carlos R Perez
- 3 School of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sao Paulo
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Abstract
This study examined the effects of trait anxiety and goal setting on learning of the Bachman ladder. It was hypothesized that easy goals would increase learning for individuals with high trait anxiety while hard goals would increase learning for individuals with low trait anxiety. 80 high school students (40 boys, 40 girls; M age = 15 yr., SD = 1.0) filled out the Brazilian State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for trait anxiety. The experiment was divided into four phases: acquisition, immediate transfer (after 5 min.), delayed transfer, and retention (after 24 hr.). On the transfer phases, the participants started climbing the ladder with the foot opposite of that used in acquisition. Participants were assigned to one of four experimental groups combining high and low anxiety traits and hard and easy goals. Variances were analyzed with repeated measurements on the last factor of all phases. The results showed the performance increased during the acquisition phase and no effects were observed in any phases.
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Abstract
Previous studies of contextual interference have shown that practicing several motor skills randomly (high contextual interference) facilitates retention and transfer in comparison to practicing the same tasks in a blocked order (low contextual interference). However, many studies have not supported this phenomenon in motor learning, and some researchers have questioned whether the effect can be tested by using only a few trials on the transfer test. The present study used a different methodological approach in which the number of test trials was increased to assess whether the contextual interference effect is sustained over an extended number of trials in the transfer phase. Undergraduate students (N=32) were randomly allocated to either a blocked or random group. The participants practiced 80 acquisition trials in the dart-throwing task from distances of 300 cm and 420 cm, using two different grips. The transfer test after a 10-min. interval consisted of 40 trials with a new grip at a distance of 360 cm. The results did not support the contextual interference effect since there were no significant differences between groups on transfer. These findings suggest that the contextual interference effect may not be a global learning phenomenon which can be generalized to all learning situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Meira
- Laboratory of Motor Behavior, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
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de Ceballos BS, Oliveira H, Meira CM, Konig A, Guimarães AO, de Souza JT. River water quality improvement by natural and constructed wetland systems in the tropical semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. Water Sci Technol 2001; 44:599-605. [PMID: 11804156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The efficiencies of a natural Typha spp wetland (Wn) formed on a river bed and its effluent treatment in a constructed wetland (Wc, subsurface horizontal flow) were investigated in northeastern Brazil (Paraiba State). The Wc system (12 tanks with stone gravel, 4.13 m2, 0.22 m3, 20 Typha spp rhizomes, m(-2) each, with 38, 29, and 19 mm x d(-1) hydraulic loadings, and 5, 7, and 10 days HRT) was fed daily with effluent from a Wn. Wn removal presented the highest values after Typha spp were cut during the 5th week. Removal values were (1st and 2nd periods or before and after cutting): 75% and 81% BOD5; 10-53% total phosphorus; 13%-55% ammonia; 89%-91% FC; 90-96% coliphages and bacteriophages. Wc removals increased with time with best results on 10 d HRT. Removals were also higher in the 2nd period: 74%-78% BOD5; 58%-82% ammonia; 90% FC; 94-98% FS; and 92%-96% coliphages and bacteriophages. Despite the high remaining values of FC (1.4 x 10(4) CFU/100 ml) and FX (4 x 10(3) CFU/100 ml), the removals were satisfactory and HRT dependent, suggesting a gradual optimization of the system with time. The Wc exhibited good efficiency for improving water quality from polluted river.
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Affiliation(s)
- B S de Ceballos
- Department of Civil Engineering-Environmental and Sanitation Area, Federal University of Paraiba, Campina Grande, Brazil
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