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Challenge and threat responses have been seen to predict success in meaningful performance environments, however, it is not as clear whether challenge and threat states predict academic outcomes. We tested if predictions from the Theory of Challenge and Threat in Athletes (TCTSA) can be extended to an academic context, by considering antecedents and outcomes of challenge and threat states as well as whether cardiovascular markers predicted academic performance. Thirty-six undergraduate students were asked to give speeches on an academic topic, and their cardiovascular responses, overall annual marks, and marks in a specific presentation assessment were recorded. Challenge and threat indexes failed to predict either of the performance measures. Limited support was found for other hypothesised relationships of the TCTSA, with challenge states predicting greater reinvestment, which was opposite to that hypothesised. Results suggest that predictions of the TCTSA may not be as pertinent in understanding goal pursuit in academic settings.

Virtual reality (VR) and 360° video can provide new opportunities for testing and training in sport. Both options offer different benefits in terms of efficacy for training, ease of use, and cost. This creates questions about the implementation of immersive technologies, and research is required to further understand their use. We aimed to gain initial evidence of athletes' perceptions of face validity and fidelity in VR and 360-video. Thirty-nine international pathway cricketers experienced five overs in VR cricket and in a 360-video recording. After trying each technology, players completed questionnaires to measure perceptions of presence and task workload. Participants reported immersive experience in both methods, but higher levels of realism, possibility to act, physical effort, temporal constraints, and task control in VR. 360-video offers a better possibility to visually examine the environment, while VR offers enhanced realism and physical elements, but 360-video may still offer affordable solutions for visual tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A challenge state is associated with superior performance compared to a threat state in a variety of performance domains (e.g., sport, aviation, education). However, in the challenge and threat (C/T) literature, between-subjects variability in past performance is often inconsistently controlled for. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of C/T states on performance using two methods to control for past performance. Experiment 1 used previous performance statistics in a between-subjects design and Experiment 2 used a within-subject design. In Experiment 1, regression analysis showed that cardiovascular correlates of C/T states predicted cricket batting performance in 45 amateur cricketers. In Experiment 2, between- and within-subject analysis found that past performance was the only predictor of subsequent golf putting performance in 40 noncompetitive golfers. Taken together, the findings challenge the role that C/T states play in predicting performance under pressure after controlling for past performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bouts of military load carriage are rarely completed in isolation; however, limited research has investigated the physiological responses to repeated load carriage tasks. Twelve civilian men (age, 28 ± 8 years; stature, 185.6 ± 5.8 cm; body mass 84.3 ± 11.1 kg and maximal oxygen uptake, 51.5 ± 6.4 mL·kg−1 min−1) attended the laboratory on two occasions to undertake a familiarisation and an experimental session. Following their familiarisation session, participants completed three bouts of a fast load carriage protocol (FLCP; ∼65 min), carrying 25 kg, interspersed with a 65‐min recovery period. Physiological strain (oxygen uptake [V̇O2] and heart rate [HR]) was assessed during the FLCP bouts, and physical performance assessments (weighted counter‐movement jump [wCMJ], maximal isometric voluntary contraction of the quadriceps [MIVC] and seated medicine ball throw [SMBT]) was measured pre and post each FLCP bout. A main effect for bout and measurement time was evident for V̇O2 and HR (both p < 0.001 and Ѡ2 = 0.103–0.816). There was no likely change in SMBT distance (p = 0.201 and Ѡ2 = 0.004), but MIVC peak force reduced by approximately 25% across measurement points (p < 0.001 and Ѡ2 = 0.133). A mean percentage change of approximately −12% from initial values was also evident for peak wCMJ height (p = 0.001 and Ѡ2 = 0.028). Collectively, these data demonstrate that repeated FLCP bouts result in an elevated physiological strain for each successive bout, along with a substantial reduction in lower body power (wCMJ and MIVC). Therefore, future research should investigate possible mitigation strategies to maintain role‐related capability. Highlights: Given the progressively greater internal work rate for each successive load carriage bout (of equal external work rate), individuals responsible for load carriage planning should factor this elevated work rate into their operational planning (e.g., estimated maximal work durations).Elevated work rate for successive bouts should also be considered in other domains such as physical employment standards and development of working patterns.Group level perceptual measures appear to provide a good indication of physiological strain and therefore may provide useful information to commanders regarding the physical strain experienced by their team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dismounted military operations require soldiers to complete cognitive tasks whilst undertaking demanding and repeated physical taskings. Objective: To assess the effects of repeated fast load carriage bouts on cognitive performance, perceptual responses, and psychophysiological markers. Methods: Twelve civilian males (age, 28 ± 8 y; stature, 186 ± 6 cm; body mass 84.3 ± 11.1 kg; V̇O2max, 51.5 ± 6.4 mL·kg−1·min−1) completed three ∼65-min bouts of a Fast Load Carriage Protocol (FLCP), each interspersed with a 65-min recovery period, carrying a representative combat load of 25 kg. During each FLCP, cognitive function was assessed using a Shoot/Don't-Shoot Task (SDST) and a Military-Specific Auditory N-Back Task (MSANT), along with subjective ratings. Additional psychophysiological markers (heart rate variability, salivary cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate concentrations) were also measured. Results: A main effect of bout on MSANT combined score metric (p <.001, Kendall's W = 69.084) and for time on the accuracy-speed trade-off parameter of the SDST (p =.025, Ѡ2 =.024) was evident. These likely changes in cognitive performance were coupled with subjective data indicating that participants perceived that they increased their mental effort to maintain cognitive performance (bout: p <.001, Ѡ2 =.045; time: p <.001, Ѡ2 =.232). Changes in HRV and salivary markers were also evident, likely tracking increased stress. Conclusion: Despite the increase in physiological and psychological stress, cognitive performance was largely maintained; purportedly a result of increased mental effort. Application: Given the likely increase in dual-task interference in the field environment compared with the laboratory, military commanders should seek approaches to manage cognitive load where possible, to maintain soldier performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When performing under severe time constraints, sports performers use kinematic and contextual information to facilitate anticipation. We examined the relative importance of these two information sources and their impact on cognitive load and anticipation performance. Cognitive load theory predicts that adding more information sources to a task will increase cognitive load in less-skilled but not skilled performers. Skilled and less-skilled cricket batters anticipated deliveries from bowlers on a life-size screen under 4 conditions that manipulated access to contextual information and included a secondary task. The presence of context enhanced anticipation accuracy for both skilled and less-skilled groups, without affecting cognitive load. Skilled performers used sequencing and game-related contextual information in addition to kinematic information to facilitate anticipation, whereas both groups reported using information pertaining to opponent positioning. Findings highlight the importance of context in anticipation and suggest that the addition of context may not necessarily negatively impact cognitive load.

Pattern recognition is a defining characteristic of expertise across multiple domains. Given the dynamic interactions at local and global levels, team sports can provide a vehicle for investigating skilled pattern recognition. The aims of this study were to investigate whether global patterns could be recognised on the basis of localised relational information and if relations between certain display features were more important than others for successful pattern recognition. Elite (n = 20), skilled (n = 34) and less-skilled (n = 37) soccer players completed three recognition paradigms of stimuli presented in point-light format across three counterbalanced conditions: 'whole-part'; 'part-whole'; and 'whole-whole'. 'Whole' clips represented a 11 vs. 11 soccer match and 'part' clips presented the same passages of play with only two central attacking players or two peripheral players shown. Elite players recognised significantly more accurately than the skilled and less-skilled groups. Participants were significantly more accurate in the 'whole-whole' condition compared to others, and recognised stimuli featuring the two central attacking players significantly more accurately than those featuring peripheral players. Findings provide evidence that elite players can encode localised relations and then extrapolate this information to recognise more global macro patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive literature has shown the effect of "quiet eye" (QE) on motor performance. However, little attention has been paid to the context in which tasks are executed (independent of anxiety) and the mechanisms that underpin the phenomenon. Here, the authors aimed to investigate the effects of context (independent of anxiety) on QE and performance while examining if the mechanisms underpinning QE are rooted in cognitive effort. In this study, 21 novice participants completed golf putts while pupil dilation, QE duration, and putting accuracy were measured. Results showed that putting to win was more accurate compared with the control (no context) condition, and QE duration was longer when putting to win or tie a hole compared with control. There was no effect of context on pupil dilation. Results suggest that, while the task was challenging, performance scenarios can enhance representativeness of practice without adding additional load to cognitive resources, even for novice performers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When using a bimanual tool to strike an object, most people place their preferred hand closer to the striking end. In sports, a player is deemed to adopt a "right- or left-handed" stance depending on the hand that is lower on the club or bat. Research has suggested there is an advantage in going against this convention by placing the preferred hand at the top in a "reversed-stance". This study aimed to establish if the reversed-stance advantage exists in golf, whether it is underpinned by the preferred hand or dominant eye, and why players adopt such a stance. We tested hand preference, eye dominance, and full swing stance in 150 golfers (30 for each handicap category) and conducted follow-up interviews with 12 reversed-stance players. Professional or category 1 golfers were 21.5 times more likely to adopt a reversed-stance. The advantage could not be explained by ambidexterity or the dominant eye but could be explained by the position of the preferred hand. Reversed-stance players cited a variety of reasons for adopting it and were more likely to display a left-hand preference. Findings offer initial evidence of a reversed-stance advantage in golf and can inform work identifying its origins and mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Paralympic Committee requires international federations to develop and implement sport-specific classification guidelines based on scientific evidence. Performance tests are key to developing new evidence-based criteria in football for athletes with vision impairment (VI). Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a valid and reliable test of technical performance for VI football. To assure content and face validity, the Vision Impaired Football Skills (VIFS) test was based on recommendations from experienced players and coaches. To test construct validity, we compared 24 sighted football players split into two groups based on highest-level of performance but matched on experience. To test reliability participants completed the VIFS three times on two separate days. Results supported construct validity through detecting differences in performance times between the two groups (p =.004, g = 1.28 95% CI = 0.41 - 2.15). Bias between visits (.54s ± 2.93s; 95% LoA = -5.21– 6.29) and intraclass correlations (.81, 95% CI =.56 -.92) showed between-day agreement and reliability. Within-day reliability was good after a familiarisation trial. Results support the suitability for the VIFS test for classification research. Future work should establish feasibility for players with a VI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]