Search Results (293)

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe neuromuscular disorder in which presymptomatic treatment substantially improves survival and motor outcomes, yet newborn screening for SMA remains unevenly implemented across Europe, and evidence from lower-resource health systems is needed to guide scale-up. In this study, we assessed the feasibility, diagnostic performance, and public health implications of implementing neonatal SMA screening in the Republic of Moldova within an established national newborn screening framework. A pilot genetic screening program was conducted using dried blood spot (DBS) samples collected through routine newborn screening workflows; SMN1 exon 7 deletion testing was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and positive findings were confirmed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), alongside the evaluation of operational integration and system-level requirements. Screening was operationally feasible within existing DBS processes and demonstrated high analytical performance, consistent with published international experience, although performance results should be interpreted cautiously due to the limited sample size. Two SMA cases were confirmed in a small cohort, enabling early diagnosis and timely referral for disease-modifying therapy, and integration into the existing program was practical and resource-efficient. These findings support the incorporation of SMA into national newborn screening panels using DBS-based molecular methods, highlighting an implementable model for introducing advanced genetic testing within routine public health services. Full article

Background: Reaction time (RT) is a fundamental measure of information processing speed in cognitive neuroscience and is influenced by both structural and functional brain properties. While prior studies have independently linked white matter microstructure and EEG alpha oscillations to cognitive performance, their joint contribution to distinct aspects of RT remains unclear. This study aims to investigate whether multimodal data can dissociate neural systems underlying cognitive and motor components of processing speed. Methods: We analyzed diffusion tensor imaging, resting-state individual EEG alpha peak frequency (IAF), demographic variables, and behavioral RT measures from a GO/NO-GO paradigm in 24 healthy adults from the Cuban Human Brain Mapping Project. Behavioral metrics included the mean, standard deviation and skewness of reaction times for simple and complex tasks. Sparse multiple canonical correlation analysis was applied to identify multivariate associations across modalities. Results: Two significant latent dimensions were identified. The first dimension linked bilateral fronto-temporal association tracts (SLF, IFOF, UNC) with complex RT performance, reflecting higher-order cognitive processing. The second dimension associated motor and interhemispheric tracts (CGC, CST, ILF, forceps major and minor) with intra-individual asymmetric variability (skewness) across tasks, indicating a motor-execution consistency system. IAF did not significantly contribute to either dimension. Sex showed strong associations with both components. Conclusions: Distinct white matter networks were associated with separable cognitive and motor aspects of processing speed, while resting-state alpha frequency did not show stable contributions with behavioral variability in this sample. IAF showed minimal contribution within the identified sparse multivariate dimensions. These findings highlight the importance of multimodal and multivariate approaches for understanding and potentially disentangling complex brain–behavior relationships. Full article

The integration of artificial intelligence into video-based human behavior analysis enables contactless and continuous monitoring of both motor dynamics and facial reactions. This paper proposes a dual-stream multimodal framework for synchronized modeling of facial expression dynamics and skeletal motion during physical movement from monocular RGB video. The framework consists of two coordinated streams: the motor stream, based on 2D skeletal keypoints, and the facial stream, which extracts features associated with discomfort and affective responses. Person and face detection are performed using YOLO11, while specialized deep learning models handle pose estimation and facial expression recognition. Temporal dependencies and cross-modal relationships are modeled via a bidirectional LSTM, enabling unified temporal modeling of skeletal and facial dynamics. This novel approach allows investigation of how physical movement patterns relate to facial reactions during dynamic activities. By integrating heterogeneous facial and skeletal features in a synchronized temporal model, the framework enables consistent cross-modal analysis of dynamic human behavior. The framework was trained and validated using FER2013 and AffectNet for facial expression recognition, and UI-PRMD and FineRehab for skeletal motion modeling. It achieves 91.2% accuracy in facial expression classification, 94.8% mean Intersection over Union for human detection, and an F1 score of 0.89 for multimodal state assessment. Operating in real-time at 18–28 FPS on standard GPU hardware without requiring wearable sensors, the framework supports applications in behavioral monitoring and safety analysis. Full article

Perceptual–cognitive abilities are essential components of performance in volleyball, where players must quickly interpret visual information and respond effectively to rapidly changing game situations. The present study aimed to examine perceptual–cognitive abilities and reaction performance in competitive female volleyball players and to explore how these abilities may contribute to athlete development and training design. Thirty-nine young female volleyball athletes participated in the study and underwent an evaluation of perceptual–cognitive abilities considered critical for volleyball performance. These abilities were assessed through specially designed computer-based tasks delivered via dedicated experimental software, enabling the measurement of reaction time and response accuracy during perceptual–motor processing. Group comparisons did not reveal significant differences between playing positions or competitive levels in the measured perceptual–cognitive abilities. Multivariate and clustering analyses suggested the presence of potential performance patterns characterized by different combinations of reaction speed, response accuracy, and perceptual–cognitive processing. However, these patterns should be interpreted with caution, as the clustering solution showed limited separation (silhouette score = 0.02), indicating an exploratory and non-definitive structure. Overall, the findings highlight the multidimensional nature of perceptual–cognitive performance in volleyball and suggest that athletes may rely on different perceptual–motor strategies when responding to game-related stimuli. From an applied perspective, integrating perceptual–cognitive challenges into training environments may support athlete development and improve decision-making efficiency in dynamic game situations. Full article

Background: Rhythmic knowledge enables the precise timing of actions in dynamic environments. Although rhythm learning has been extensively studied, it remains debated whether such learning arises primarily from the perceptual encoding of rhythmic inputs or from the repetitive execution of periodic actions. Methods: To address this question, we developed a temporal-rhythm serial reaction time (TR-SRT) paradigm that dissociates rhythmic structures in perceptual inputs from the timing of motor responses. Across three experiments, participants learned rhythms under visuomotor (Experiment 1, N = 27), visual-only (Experiment 2, N = 26), or motor-only (Experiment 3, N = 26) conditions while electroencephalography was recorded. Results: Behavioral learning slopes revealed robust rhythm learning in both the visuomotor and visual-only conditions, whereas no learning emerged when rhythmic structure was confined to motor timing alone. Post-learning awareness tests further indicated that the acquired rhythmic knowledge was predominantly implicit. Consistently, global (whole-brain) theta-band magnitude (4.8–5.2 Hz) was enhanced only in the conditions that supported rhythm learning. Conclusions: These findings indicate that rhythm learning depends primarily on perceptual temporal structure rather than the repetition of rhythmic actions and identify increased global theta oscillations as a neural signature of this perceptually driven and largely implicit learning process. Full article

Background/Objectives: Reaction time, hand–eye coordination, spatial orientation, and attention play a key role in handball, which is characterized by high intensity as well as high cognitive and motor demands. The level of these abilities may change during the season, potentially reflecting training adaptations and increasing physical fatigue. The aim of the study was to compare the level of psychomotor abilities in professional handball players before the start of the competition round and after the end of the league season. The study included 77 handball players playing in the Polish Handball Super League (average age: 25.6 ± 5.2 years). The players were divided according to position: pivot, center, and wing. Methods: Psychomotor abilities were assessed using the Test2Drive computer system, employing tests of simple and choice reaction time, eye–hand coordination, spatial orientation, perception and attention, and movement anticipation. Results: At the end of the season, a statistically significant reduction in reaction time was observed in the choice reaction (p = 0.001), eye–hand coordination (p = 0.002), and spatial orientation tests (p = 0.003). In terms of motor skills, an increase in time was observed in the SIRT test (p = 0.003), CHORT (p = 0.005) and HECOR (p = 0.011) tests, while the time in the PUT test was shortened for both neutral (p = 0.002) and critical (p = 0.025) stimuli. Positional analysis showed that after the season, the pivot player achieved higher effectiveness in the CHORT test than the wing player (p = 0.020). Additionally, statistically significant differences were observed for correct responses in the SPANT test (p = 0.032). In terms of correct answers in the PAMT test, the pivot player had the lowest effectiveness. Conclusions: Participation in the full season of competition coincided with significant changes in the psychomotor profile of handball players, with a simultaneous improvement in reaction speed and deterioration in movement time parameters. Full article

Background: Against the backdrop of global population aging, understanding the mechanisms of age-related cognitive decline has become crucial for improving the health and quality of life in older adults. Methods: This study employed a multimodal approach to investigate the neural modulations induced by a motor cognitive dual task and their relationship with age-related decline. By integrating behavioral assessments, electroencephalography (EEG), and body composition analysis, we comprehensively evaluated performance and neural correlates in 19 younger and 18 older adults. Specifically, EEG analyses focused on comparing pre-task and post-task resting-state recordings to investigate the immediate impact of a single acute cognitive-motor dual-task session on neural oscillations and brain network organization. Results: Key findings include: (1) older adults exhibited significantly inferior performance in task accuracy, reaction time, and composite performance score compared to younger adults (p < 0.001); (2) neural oscillatory analysis of resting-state data revealed a localized increase in gamma-band power at posterior-temporal sites (PO4/T6) in older adults following the dual-task, while younger adults exhibited widespread multi-band (delta to beta) power modulation across frontal, central, and temporal regions in younger adults; (3) brain network analysis demonstrated synergistic enhancement of multi-band (Theta, Alpha, Beta, Gamma) connectivity and optimized topological organization in younger adults post-task, contrasting with network rigidity and localized compensatory patterns in older adults; (4) correlation analyses indicated significant associations between dual-task performance and MoCA-B scores in older adults (r = 0.861, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study innovatively elucidates the neurophysiological characteristics of brain aging. The motor-cognitive dual-task paradigm proves to be a sensitive tool for capturing early cognitive changes, holding significant promise for clinical screening. Full article

Age-related declines in balance and cognitive function increase fall risk and reduce quality of life in older adults and people with neurological disorders. Studying these changes in unimpaired adults provides a normative reference for identifying pathological deviations. However, most dual-task studies focus on single cognitive tasks and static conditions, specifically during gait, limiting understanding of how cognitive demand interacts with postural control while standing and during dynamic challenges. This study identified cognitive and motor outcomes most sensitive to age-related differences during motor–cognitive dual tasks of varying complexity across static and dynamic balance conditions, accounting for minimal detectable change. Sixty healthy adults performed dual-tasks ranging from simple motor activities to complex cognitive challenges (Stroop Test) while standing on a robotic platform. Cognitive performance (reaction time) and balance outcomes, including trunk and center of pressure (CoP) sway area, were assessed. Reaction time was sensitive to aging, with standardized estimates ranging from 0.014 to 0.036. The highest values occurred in the most demanding dual-task condition, enabling detection of meaningful change over short timeframes. Age effects on balance were modest under static conditions but amplified during dynamic perturbations across all dual tasks. In the SCWT 3 condition, standardized estimates for CoP sway area increased from 0.006 in the static condition to 0.047 in the passive condition, reflecting an approximately eightfold increase in age sensitivity. Trunk sway primarily reflected cognitive load, whereas CoP sway was most sensitive to balance perturbations and exceeded minimal detectable thresholds over only a couple of years. These findings support sensitive task–condition combinations for early detection and monitoring of age-related cognitive and balance decline. Full article

Background: In traditional karate, performance effectiveness is determined, among other factors, by the speed of stimulus processing and the precision of the motor response. Body composition may indirectly modulate these abilities; however, data on karate athletes are limited. Methods: The study included 27 men—active members of the Polish national team in traditional karate (18–30 years; training experience ≥ 5 years; black belt). Body composition was assessed using segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 770), and psychomotor abilities were measured with the TEST2DRIVE system: SIRT (simple reaction), CHORT (choice reaction), HECTOR (simple reaction), and SPANT (spatial anticipation). Results: The psychomotor profile showed the longest reaction times in CHORT and the shortest in SIRT. Associations with body composition were selective: in SIRT, the median simple reaction time demonstrated a moderate positive relationship with lean-mass-related parameters, with no associations for motor time. No significant correlations with body composition were found in CHORT or HECTOR. In SPANT, significant associations concerned motor time only, which was positively related to selected indices of adiposity and fat distribution, whereas choice reaction time and accuracy were independent of body composition. Conclusion: In traditional karate athletes, body composition is not an unambiguous predictor of psychomotor performance, and its relevance depends on task characteristics. The findings suggest that potential effects of somatic parameters are expressed mainly in selected execution components; therefore, assessments of competitive readiness should combine body composition monitoring with tests that differentiate the reaction phase from the motor phase. Full article

Background: This study explored the interrelation between motor coordination abilities and cognitive functions in older adults, aiming to establish a preliminary diagnostic tool that may facilitate early detection of motor–cognitive decline. Methods: Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we investigated the efficacy of the Stroop word test in conjunction with various motor coordination measurements to identify markers of cognitive aging in older adults. Results: The analysis revealed significant correlations between asymmetric spatial coordination (AC) and Stroop error effects (SEEs), indicating that better coordination correlates with reduced cognitive errors. Multiple-regression analysis showed that AC, simple reaction time (SRT), and anticipation time (AT) significantly predicted SEE (R² = 0.635), with AC emerging as the strongest predictor (β = −0.475). These results underscore the significance of asymmetric spatial motor coordination as a predictive factor for executive cognitive abilities affected by aging. We propose a potential tool for individuals to monitor their motor–cognitive health. Conclusions: The findings of this study contribute to the growing body of evidence linking physical coordination to cognitive function, emphasizing the importance of integrated diagnostic approaches in the management of aging-related cognitive impairments. Full article

Most existing reactive agility assessments rely on screen-based or light-based stimuli that are spatially separated from the movement execution plane, thereby limiting ecological validity. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a novel projection-based, ground level reactive agility test (RAT) designed to better reflect the perceptual motor demands of soccer. A total of 57 male soccer players (24 professional and 33 amateur) participated in the study. The system projects sport-specific visual stimuli onto the ground and uses a three-dimensional depth camera to track foot–stimulus interactions in real time. Two reactive agility protocols—a randomized simple reaction test and a randomized selective reaction test—were implemented. Construct validity was examined by comparing reactive agility and planned change-of-direction (PCOD) performance between professional and amateur players, as well as by analyzing relationships between PCOD and RAT outcomes. Professional players demonstrated significantly faster performance than amateurs across all tests (p < 0.01), with larger between-group differences observed in reactive agility compared with PCOD measures. Correlations between PCOD and reactive agility outcomes were low to moderate (r = 0.34–0.61), indicating that reactive agility captures performance components beyond planned movement ability. The reactive agility protocols showed excellent test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.92–0.99) with low measurement error (CV = 0.96–3.47%). In conclusion, the proposed projection-based, ground-level RAT provides a valid and reliable assessment of reactive agility in soccer. By integrating sport-specific stimuli and movement execution within the same spatial plane, the system enhances ecological validity and offers a scalable framework for both performance assessment and perceptual cognitive training in open-skill sports. Full article

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are generally less involved in physical activity and sport. Therefore, the present pilot study aimed at determining the effect of a sport-based training program on motor coordination development and functioning in children with ASD. Methods: Twenty children with ASD (age: 8.7 ± 1.6 years, 5 females) were included in a sport-based training program for 6 months. Participants were free to select their own sport discipline. Before and after the program, reaction time was evaluated using a simple (by identifying the targeted stimulus) and a complex (by discriminating the targeted stimulus among confounding signals) reactive test, while fine and gross motor coordination was assessed by transferring pennies, jumping in place (same sides synchronized), tapping feet and fingers (same side synchronized), and the Flamingo test. Results: The analysis showed a significant reduction (p = 0.016, d = 0.16) in complex reactive test (pre: 15.8 ± 14.8 s; post: 13.6 ± 11.1 s) and a significant improvement in transferring pennies test (pre: 6.3 ± 3.4 pt.; post: 7.8 ± 3.8 pt.; p = 0.034, d = 0.42). Furthermore, two of the low-functioning children, who did not perform any motor test before the program, were able to complete both reactive tests and transferring pennies test. No significant differences emerged for the remaining tests. Conclusions: A sport-based extra-curricular program improved reaction time and fine motor coordination in children with ASD. The complex reactive and transferring pennies tests were particularly effective in detecting changes, even in low-functioning children. These findings support the promotion of diverse physical activities to aid physical and cognitive development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Competitive karting places high physiological and cognitive demands on drivers. This field study investigated the acute effects of racing on heart rate variability (HRV), perceived fatigue and neuromuscular function, and cognitive-motor performance during an official event held under persistent rain. Methods: Longitudinal, repeated-measures design across two conditions: control (race video viewing) and competition (qualifying and race). Four drivers (Junior, X30 Senior, X30 Super Shifter) were assessed pre/post-control and post-qualifying/race on Day 1 (Saturday) and pre/post-race only on Day 2 (Sunday). Measures included continuous heart rate, pre/post HRV (HRV4Training; rMSSD, SDNN), perceived fatigue (ROF), bilateral handgrip strength, and visuomotor performance (reaction times and accuracy). Results: On Day 1, SDNN and rMSSD decreased significantly after qualifying versus pre- and post-control (p < 0.05), remaining globally lower post-race; no changes emerged in frequency-domain indexes. Perceived fatigue, handgrip strength, and mean/max reaction times did not change significantly; an improvement in minimum reaction time was observed post-race versus post-control (p = 0.033). rMSSD consistently decreased after racing on both days (p < 0.05) with no day × time interaction observed, and accuracy improved on Sunday, reflected by more correct attempts (hits) and fewer failed attempts (errors) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Racing was associated with lower time-domain HRV indices (rMSSD/SDNN), consistent with heightened autonomic activation without measurable decrements in handgrip-based neuromuscular function or cognitive-motor performance. The improved accuracy on Day 2 may be related to an increased level of physiological activation and readiness associated with race day. Routine HRV monitoring across race weekends is recommended to guide recovery decisions when subjective scales show limited immediate sensitivity. These findings are preliminary due to the small and heterogeneous sample and should be interpreted cautiously. Full article

Background/Objectives: Concussions produce a wide array of symptoms that are often subtle and difficult to quantify. One such symptom involves reaction or response time (RT), consisting of perceptual latency time (LT) and movement time (MT). This pilot study examined the relationship between concussion history, mental health, and perceptual-motor performance among military veterans using a virtual reality (VR)-based assessment. The primary outcome was intraindividual variability (IIV), defined as the standard deviation of an individual’s responses across repeated trials. Methods: Of 78 veterans who volunteered, 29 (22 males, 7 females) provided complete VR data. Participants completed surveys assessing concussion and combat history, mental health issues, and suicide ideation. During VR testing, participants responded to 40 trials requiring neck rotation, arm reach, and a step toward left or right virtual targets. Associations between predictors (e.g., concussion, mental health) and VR outcomes (RT, LT, IIV) were evaluated using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Area Under the Curve (AUC) values. Results: Concussion history was the strongest predictor of performance deficits. IIV metrics were sensitive indicators of both concussion and mental health issues. Univariable analyses yielded AUC values of 0.944–0.806 all of which were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001), and multivariable analyses produced AUCs of 0.950–0.870 all of which were also statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001). Incongruent movements and longer LT values were especially discriminative. Conclusions: Veterans with concussion and mental health histories demonstrated quantifiable perceptual-motor impairments in VR environments. Findings support VR assessment as a feasible, sensitive tool for detecting subtle residual effects of concussion. Full article

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) biofeedback could be considered as a tool to help athletes to optimize their performance. This study aimed to examine the effects of a one-week HRV biofeedback (HRV-BFB) program on physiological indices, sensorimotor functions, and kata performance in Eastern martial arts athletes. Forty high-level martial arts athletes (karate, wushu, taekwondo, kyokushinkai) aged 17–27 years were divided into two groups: a control group (n = 20) and a biofeedback group (BFB, n = 20). Athletes from both groups underwent assessment of sensorimotor functions and the technical quality of their kata routines. The primary outcome was the expert-rated kata performance score. All routines were video-recorded and independently rated by three certified judges. The BFB group completed a hybrid HRV-BFB program consisting of supervised resonance-frequency breathing sessions in the laboratory and one week of home-based practice. During supervised sessions, athletes performed slow abdominal-paced breathing (6 breaths/min). At home, they practiced the same breathing pattern twice daily for one week (5 min per session, smartphone-guided). Nonparametric tests were used because several variables deviated from normality, and the sample size per group was limited (n = 20). After completing the HRV-BFB training, movement oscillation frequency improved significantly, reflected by lower movement oscillation frequency (p = 0.0009, r = 0.79), faster choice reaction time at a tendency level (p = 0.0793, r = 0.39), and an increase in blood volume pulse (BVP) (p = 0.037, r = 0.48) in BFB group compared to control group. Following BFB training, the judges’ scores did not change in the control group, while a significant increase was observed in the BFB group (p = 0.038, r = 0.44), indicating a positive effect of BFB training on kata performance. Regular HRV-BFB training emphasizing slow-paced abdominal breathing may enhance autonomic regulation, fine motor control, and improve the technical execution of kata routines in athletes. Full article