This study investigated the effect of cold-water hand immersion on selective attention as measured by the Stroop Color Word Test in nomorbaric normoxia and hypoxia. Ten healthy men rested for 60 min, after which they immersed their non-dominant hand into 5 °C water for 15 min. The interference score of the Stroop Color Word Test and thermal sensation were measured at baseline in the final 5 min of resting and in the final 5 min of cold water hand immersion. The interference score was not influenced by hypoxia but was found to be significantly improved compared to resting in both conditions during cold water hand immersion. Selective attention improved during 15 min of cold-water hand immersion, with increased thermal sensations rated as “very cool” of the immersed arm. Cold-water hand immersion may be helpful in improving cognitive function in normoxia and normobaric hypoxia.

The study investigated the effects of a quadriceps-dominant (QD) versus functional (FX) training program on the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), activities of daily living (ADLs), and motor unit (MU) recruitment of the vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps femoris (BF). Twenty-six older adults (68.9 + 5.1yrs) were randomly assigned to a 6-week QD or FX training program. Participants completed ADLs, FMS, and three closed-kinetic chain exercises (CKCs): front lunge (FL), side lunge (SL), and bilateral squat (BLSQ), pre and post-intervention. Electromyography was recorded from the VL and BF during maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) and CKCs. Raw EMG recordings during CKCs were normalized to MVICs, and analyzed for root mean square (RMS). The QD program resulted in improved FMS performance during a deep-squat (p = 0.003), in-line lunge (p = 0.013), and hurdle step (p = 0.034), as well as improved ADL sit-to-stand (STS) and STAIRS (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the QD program resulted in greater RMS of the VL during CKCs (p < 0.05). Lastly, a positive correlation was observed between ADLs and RMS of the VL (p < 0.05, r > 0.6), whereas negative correlations were observed between FMS movements and RMS of the BF (p < 0.05, r < -0.6). The results suggest that a QD program may lead to greater improvements in functional movements, ADLs, and VL MU recruitment compared to a FX program. Additionally, MU recruitment of the VL is essential for functional ability, whereas high MU recruitment of the BF may coincide with reduced functional ability. The results of this study suggest that QD training may improve functional abilities in older adults.

This randomized, counterbalanced crossover study examined the effects of ambient heat on thermal sensation (TS), thermal comfort (TC), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during submaximal and high-intensity cycling. Eleven recreationally active men completed 60 min of cycling at a workload prescribed from 60% of VO₂max, followed by 15 min of seated recovery and a time to exhaustion (TTE) test at a workload prescribed from 90% of VO₂max, in moderate (MT: 22 °C, 45% RH) and hot (HT: 35 °C, 45% RH) conditions. During submaximal exercise, condition by time interactions were observed for TS, TC, and RPE (all p ≤ 0.05), with greater heat sensation, discomfort, and exertion in HT. Achieved oxygen uptake during TTE corresponded to 78.7 ± 1.9% and 85.3 ± 3.8% of VO₂max in HT and MT, respectively. At exhaustion, TS, TC, and RPE did not differ significantly between conditions. Perceptual ratings differentiated the environments during prolonged submaximal exercise but not at the end of the high-intensity TTE test. This convergence should be interpreted cautiously because ceiling effects, the small sample, unequal TTE duration, and differences in achieved metabolic intensity may have contributed.