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Background: Previous research has verified the role of acute cardiovascular exercise on improving motor learning. This study compares the effects of skill random practice and acute cardiovascular exercise on golf putting performance in college students. Method: 24 healthy adults (10 males, 14 females, aged 21.02+0.70 years) with no golf past experience participated in the study. They were randomized into two groups: skill random practice and acute cardiovascular exercise. A set of baseline, acquisition, and 24-hour retention tests were administered, including a 10-ft. golf putt task. A 3 (time periods) x 2 (groups)/I NO 144 was computed for further data analysis. Results: The performance in golf putts made was not improved immediately after the intervention; however, golf putts made were seen to improve 24 hours after practice compared to the baseline. However, no group difference was noted between skill random practice and acute cardiovascular exercise during acquisition and 24hour retention tests. Conclusion: Our findings suggested the temporal effects on motor learning of a golf putting task. Considering this is the first research effort that pairs skill random practice and acute cardiovascular exercise, there is need for further research to examine the role of exercise intensity and exercise modalities between acute exercise and early motor learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato seedlings grown in high-density plug trays are often weak, with excessively elongated stems that are easily damaged, and do not survive well when transplanted into the field. To alleviate this problem, we found that overhead irrigation with 5°C water at 1 -2 d intervals produced strong seedlings with shorter and stronger stems, increased root and shoot dry weights (DW), and elevated levels of chlorophyll. Irrigation with water at 5°C, 10°C, or 15°C showed that 5°C yielded stems with the greatest strength (575 g mm-1) measured with a texture analyser. No significant difference in seedling height was observed with irrigation scheduled at 08.00 h, 13.00 h, or 16.00 h. Stem and growth indices based on the ratios of stem diameter:plant height, and shoot DW:plant height, respectively, indicated that irrigation with 5°C water increased the stem index to 162% and the growth index to 152%, respectively, compared to control (27°C-watered) seedlings. Seedlings were elongated by gibberellin (GA3) treatment and shortened by treatment with the inhibitor of GA3, paclobutrazol. Paclobutrazol acted synergistically with 5°C water irrigation to reduce stem elongation. Silver thiosulphate (STS), an inhibitor of ethylene action, did not inhibit the stem shortening caused by irrigation with 5°C water when the STS was applied immediately following irrigation. These results suggest the possible involvement of GA3 in stem shortening caused by irrigation with 5°C water. We conclude that irrigation with 5°C water acts as a positive stimulus to promote the growth of seedlings with stronger stems, elevated levels of chlorophyll in their leaves, and higher DWs of all tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]