Compression socks are used by a very diverse group of individuals and may potentially have a greater impact on physically diminished or impaired individuals as opposed to healthy individuals. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of sub-clinical (SC) and clinical (CL) compression socks among healthy (CON), copers (COP), and individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Postural stability was evaluated in 20 participants (11 males and 9 females) using Balance Tracking System Balance platform (BTrackS™) during the modified clinical test of sensory integration in balance (mCTSIB) and limits of stability (LOS) tests. Postural sway parameters were analyzed using a mixed model repeated measures analysis of variance 3 (group: CON, COP, and CAI) by 3 (compression condition: BF, SC, and CL) × 4 (balance condition: EO, EC, EOF, and ECF) for mCTSIB and a 3 (group: CON, COP, and CAI) by 3 (compression condition: BF, SC, CL) × 4 (balance condition: FL, BL, BR, FR) for LOS. Results revealed significantly greater postural stability with both SC and CL compression socks when compared to barefoot conditions. However, no significant differences were observed among groups for compression socks grades. Both SC and CL compression socks may be effective in increasing postural stability.

Cognitive performance is negatively affected by the presence of noise, which is seen as a distractor and a stressor, especially in hazardous occupational environments. The addition of musculoskeletal fatigue that commonly accompanies occupational work due to noise interruption can further elevate risk and compromise safety. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of both individual and a combination of noise interference and physical workload on simple and choice response time tasks. Sixteen healthy male and female participants (age: 20 ± 1 years; height: 169.48 ± 8.2 cm; weight: 67.93 ± 12.7 kg) performed a simple (SRT) and choice response task (CRT) with three Blazepod™ light response time systems by striking with the dominant lower extremity from a seated position while listening to noises from a construction site (65–85dB) through headphones. Participants then performed a low-intensity musculoskeletal fatigue task and completed the above measures again. Response times (RT) (ms) from three trials of SRT and CRT, both without and with noise interference, before (PRE) and after the workload (POST), were averaged, and a 2 (Noise) × 2 (workload) × 2 (task) repeated measure ANOVA and a 2 (Noise) × 2 (workload) repeated measure ANOVA were performed for SRT and CRT, respectively, using JASP at an alpha level of 0.05. Results revealed a significant interaction between workload task (p = 0.041), as well as a main effect significance for the workload (p = 0.007) and noise (p = 0.044). The main effect significance also existed for workload in SRT (p = 0.009) and for noise in CRT (p = 0.002). In SRT, RT was significantly faster during the POST fatigue measure, suggesting a possible cognitive arousal and a learning effect improvement rather than a negative fatigue effect. In both SRT and CRT, as well as individually in CRT, RT was significantly slower due to noise interruption, negatively impacting performance, especially in the more challenging CRT compared to SRT. Thus, findings from the current study suggest that the impact of noise interruption is significant when the complexity of the response task is greater, and the potential cognitive arousal due to the workload and potential learning effects may influence response time performances. Finally, a lower extremity cognitive–motor task demonstrates response time behavior similar to such upper extremity cognitive–motor tasks.

Occupational workers at altitudes are more prone to falls, leading to catastrophic outcomes. Acrophobia, height-related anxiety, and affected executive functions lead to postural instabilities, causing falls. This study investigated the effects of repeated virtual height exposure and training on cognitive processing and height-related anxiety. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (age 20.48 ± 1.26 years; mass 69.52 ± 13.78 kg) were recruited and tested in seven virtual environments (VE) [ground (G), 2-story altitude (A1), 2-story edge (E1), 4-story altitude (A2), 4-story edge (E2), 6-story altitude (A3), and 6-story edge (E3)] over three days. At each VE, participants identified occupational hazards present in the VE and completed an Attitude Towards Heights Questionnaire (ATHQ) and a modified State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Questionnaire (mSTAIQ). The number of hazards identified and the ATHQ and mSTAIQ scores were analyzed using a 7 (VE; G, A1, A2, A3, E1, E2, E3) x 3 (DAY; DAY 1, DAY 2, DAY 3) factorial repeated measures analysis of variance. The participants identified the lowest number of hazards at A3 and E3 VEs and on DAY 1 compared to other VEs and DAYs. ATHQ scores were lowest at G, A1, and E1 VEs. Cognitive processing is negatively affected by virtual altitudes, while it improves with short-term training. The features of virtual reality, such as higher involvement, engagement, and reliability, make it a better training tool to be considered in ergonomic settings. The findings of this study will provide insights into cognitive dual-tasking at altitude and its challenges, which will aid in minimizing occupational falls.

The purpose of the study was to examine static postural control/balance in young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and typically developing (TD) young adults before, during, and after an inclusive badminton intervention. Eight participants (four IDD-BADM and four TD-BADM) participated in a 12-week inclusive badminton intervention, with the other eight participants as matched controls (four IDD-CONTR and four TD-CONTR) (74.19 kg ± 9.8 kg, 171.96 cm ± 5.4 cm; 21.7 ± 1.8 years of age; nine females and seven males; eight with IDD and eight TD). The study followed a repeated measures design (pre, mid, post) before the intervention, at 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks. Static postural sway conditions included: bilateral stance eyes open (20 s), eyes closed (10 s), foam eyes open (20 s), foam eyes closed (10 s), and unilateral stance eyes open (10 s) and foam eyes open (10 s). Sway measurements included: average anterior/posterior (A/P) displacement (in), average medial/lateral (M/L) displacement (in), average 95% ellipsoid area (in²), and average velocity (ft/s). Significant time × group interactions were reported for average velocity (EO) (p = 0.030), average length (EO) (p = 0.030), 95% ellipsoid area (EO) (p = 0.049), and average A/P displacement (1LEO) (p = 0.036) for IDD-BADM. Significant time main effects were reported for average A/P displacement (FEO) (p = 0.040) for IDD groups. Significant time main effects were reported for average M/L displacement (EO) (p = 0.001), (EC) (p = 0.004), (FEO) (p = 0.005), (FEC) (p = 0.004), and average A/P displacement (EO) (p = 0.006) and (FEO) (p = 0.005) for TD groups. An inclusive badminton program indicated evidence of improved static postural control for those with IDD. However, no significant differences were reported for TD peers.