Down syndrome (DS) is characterised by a duplication of chromosome-21 and is linked to co-occurring physical and mental health conditions, including low self-efficacy and disturbed mood states. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an eight-week prescribed physical and/or cognitive training intervention on measures of mood disturbance, life satisfaction and self-efficacy in a population of adults with DS. Eighty-three participants (age 27.1 ± 8.0 years) from across five continents volunteered. Participants were assigned using matched groups based upon performance in a modified six-minute walk test to either an exercise (EXE) 3 × 30 min of walking/jogging per week, cognitive training (COG) 6 × 20 min per week, a combined group (COM) or the control (CON) who did not complete any intervention. Profile of Mood States (POMS) were assessed using a five-point scale across 65 categories pre- and post-study as well as upon completion of each week of the intervention. In addition, Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and self-efficacy using the Generalised Self-Efficacy scale (GSE) were recorded before and after the intervention. GSE increased for all participants by 1.9 ± 5.2 (p = 0.002) from pre- to post-intervention, while POMS showed significant changes for the whole group from pre- to post-intervention for tension (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.001) and for anger (p < 0.001). In addition, significant correlations were observed between SWLS and ΔTMD, Δtension, Δanger, and Δfatigue (p < 0.05) for EXE. Both COG and EXE provide a framework for empowering enhancements in life satisfaction, self-efficacy and mood states fostering improvements in quality of life.

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.

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.

Observability of threat-related spatial attentional biases may require previous-trial responses associated with threat-related locations. This carryover effect might affect reliability and correlations. In Study 1, a diagonalized Visual Probe Task was completed online (N=131) with colour, anger, fear and disgust stimuli, with questionnaires on aggression, anxiety, depression and impulsivity. Bias towards negative stimuli was found only following previous targets on the negative location. Study 2 aimed to test an interpretation in terms of cue-evoked attention. Task variants were completed (N=101) with and without removal of the cue when targets appeared. Anger and disgust stimuli and aggression, anxiety and depression scales were used. Carryover was replicated with no interaction with cue offset. Over both tasks, reliability was low and no robust correlations with questionnaires were found. Carryover thus determined whether attentional bias to negative facial expressions was observed, but analyses taking this into account did not improve reliability or reveal correlations.

Background: Hot yoga is a collective term used to classify any form of yoga undertaken in warm to hot ambient conditions (≥ 25 °C). This study systematically reviewed the literature concerning hot yoga, with particular focus on acute responses to a single session and identifying prospective health benefits associated with physiological, functional and psychology adaptations following chronic practice. Methods: The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), with searches performed across two main databases (PubMed and SCOPUS). Studies were included if they met the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) criteria, were of English language, peer-reviewed, full-text original articles, and using human participants. Results: Forty-three studies investigated the effects of hot yoga (both acute and/or chronic), totalling 942 participants (76% female). The most common method of yoga performed in hot conditions was Bikram (74%), followed by generalised hot yoga (19%), Hatha (5%) and then Vinyasa (2%). Typical session duration ranged 20–90 min and occurred within 30–52 °C and 20–60% relative humidity. Hot yoga training interventions consisted of 6–36 sessions, that were completed 2–6 times per week, over 1–16 weeks. Acute hot yoga increased body temperature and heart rate, but not the energetic demands when compared to other forms of non-heated yoga. Chronic hot yoga appeared to elicit cardiometabolic (e.g. body composition, lipid profiles and macrovascular function) and functional adaptations applicable for health (e.g., bone mineral density, balance and flexibility) as well as physical performance (e.g., submaximal exercise thresholds). Adaptations appear to occur without negatively impacting kidney function or sleep quality across healthy, sedentary and athletic populations. Hot yoga also presents promising, albeit inconclusive findings concerning the alleviation of psychological and affective disorders, and optimising markers of cognitive function. However, caution is advised as case studies report ill-health following hot yoga practice. Some literature lacks rigorous, high-quality experimental designs and sophisticated measurements that allow for mechanistic investigation. Conclusion: Investigations into hot yoga demonstrate intriguing health and functional benefits. However, claims that hot yoga provides greater health benefits than other forms of yoga or traditional exercise are at present unsubstantiated. Studies describing beneficial effects of hot yoga often do not utilise robust experimental designs or methods that facilitate mechanistic insights. Hot yoga warrants further investigation as a tool to improve health and wellbeing. Researchers should consider the highlighted methodological limitations and recommendations to strengthen experimental work within future research.