New from the departement of Neuromotor behavior and exercise

We want to investigate brain activity associated with motor responses in a reaction time task. A particular focus will be on the differences between younger and older individuals. Interested students should be able to work independently with MATLAB and/or Python or acquire these skills in order to analyse EEG data according to instructions. It is possible to expand the existing data set with your own EEG measurements. If you have any questions or are interested, please contact Stephanie Fröhlich! Up to two people can work on this topic.

Prof. Voelcker-Rehage spoke on the 12. Medicine+Sports Conference in Düsseldorf about the importance of regular physical activity for brain health in old age. She emphasized the different effects of different forms of physical activity and the effect of combined cognitive and physical training. She also presented findings on the influence of physical activity on depressive symptoms.

At the recent Interreg Program Event, Claudia Voelcker-Rehage presented the "Parkinson Vibrating Socks" project in a brief, interview-based video. She discussed the collaborative ideation and teamwork involved in the project proposal, as well as the significance of the project for the region and expectations for the Interreg program. You can view the full video here.

From 29th to 30th October, the Kick-Off Camp of the TReND doctoral network took place at the University of Münster. TReND is an EU MSCA Doctoral Network funded by the EU, UKRI and SERI. We are happy to have had a successful and productive official start of the doctoral training programme with the TReND fellows and their supervisors.  Of the twelve TReND fellows, seven fellows came to Münster with their supervisor(s), while three participated remotely. The kick-off camp was used to work on a theoretical framework for the research of the TReND consortium, but also for getting to know each other and growing as a consortium, which everyone really enjoyed!
 

We warmly welcome Sofía Avila Pérez, who joins our team in the Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise department as an MSCA fellow in the TReND Doctoral Network. She will be working on her PhD researching the relationship between cognition and motor variability in ageing and patients with Parkinson’s Disease. Before joining us Sofía received a Master’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience and Clinical Neuropsychology from the University of Padova and was a research assistant at Leiden University studying cognition in Parkinson’s Disease.

"The 56th Autumn Meeting of Experimental Cognitive Psychology, also known as Herbsttagung für experimentelle Kognitionspsychologie (HexKop), took place in Paderborn from September 30th to October 2nd, 2024. This year, the Department of Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise was represented by Piesie Asuako. Piesie presented a poster on the topic “Effect of Modality Mappings on Dual-task Performance in a More Naturalistic Environment”. In his presentation, Piesie demonstrated how modality compatibility influences dual-task performance in everyday activities."
 
 

A group of international experts in the exercise–cognition field disagree with the conclusion of the meta-analyses of Ciria et al.: Evidence suggests that physical exercise benefits cognition across the lifespan1,2. Nevertheless, in an umbrella review of 24 meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials, Ciria et al. concluded that there is no support for a causal effect of physical exercise on cognitive performance in healthy populations. A group of international experts in the exercise–cognition field, disagrees with this conclusion due to methodological and theoretical limitations that have received little consideration. They believe the authors’ warning of caution for the World Health Organization’s recommendations2 regarding the cognitive benefits of exercise is unwarranted. You'll find the full length paper here.

The European College of Sport Science (ECSS) 2024 conference was held from July 2nd to July 5th in Glasgow, Scotland. This year, the University of Münster's Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise Department was proudly represented by Dr. Ross Julian.
Dr. Julian presented in an invited symposium titled "Searching for the Holy Grail: Understanding Women's Soccer for Performance and Injury Prevention." In his 20-minute presentation, Dr. Julian shared the latest research on the menstrual cycle and its impact on training and performance in elite female soccer players. His insights provided practical strategies for integrating the menstrual cycle into the daily training routines of elite female soccer teams.
 

Lena Kopnarski and her horse Disandro have been nominated for the European Championships in TREC riding, which are being held this year in Schaijk (Netherlands). TREC stands for "Techniques de Randonnée Equestre de Compétition" (loosely translated: the technique of trail riding in competition) and, as the name suggests, originates from France. We wish Lena all the best and every success at the TREC European Championships in September!
 

Distractions while driving have a direct influence on driving behavior. A recent study by the Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise Department also shows that braking reaction time is still increased more than 10 seconds after a distraction. This finding could be attributed to so-called task-sets, which have to be reconfigured after a distracting task (e.g. adjusting the radio) for a subsequent task (e.g. sudden braking), which can lead to an increased reaction time. You can find the full article here

The closing event of the CRC Hybrid Societies took place on 26 June in Chemnitz. At this event, we looked back on joint successes and results and discussed the lessons learnt. Furthermore, the PhD candidates presented their research in a poster presentation. Lena Kopnarski also discussed her PhD process with the short title “Kinematics and Dynamics in Handover Actions” with her colleagues. At the end of the day, the last 4.5 years of research were celebrated at Chemnitz' Club Atomino.

 

This first publication in the ParViS (Parkinson Vibrating Socks) project has enabled the group led by Dr. Stojan and PD Dr. Kutz to lay the foundation for the course of the ParViS project. The current publication describes a method with which gait data and neurophysiological processes can be recorded with high temporal synchrony in the virtual reality of the GRAIL system. The synchronous measurement of spatially high-resolution combined EEG and fNIRS measurements (64 EEG channels and 43 fNIRS channels) with kinematic and kinetic data is achieved by using the Labstreaming Layer environment, a photodiode and a Raspberry Pi. You can find the article in full length here.
 

A new interdisciplinary research project led by the University Medical Center Mainz and the MSB Medical School Berlin is investigating the effectiveness of an innovative form of care for multimorbid, elderly people with depression: BRIDGE is an activation program that immediately follows a hospital stay in geriatrics or geriatric psychiatry. It is intended to contribute to more physical activity and positive experiences in patients' everyday lives. The aim of the care program is to reduce depressive symptoms and improve patients' quality of life.

The international conference of the Society for the Neural Control of Movement took place from 15-19 April in Dubrovnik, Croatia. A total of 520 scientists from all over the world presented their research findings in the field of neuromotor control in presentations, panel discussions and poster sessions. This year, the Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise Department of the University of Münster was represented by Lena Kopnarski. She presented her research in one of the poster sessions entitled "The influence of object weight on handover actions in young and old adults".
 

Prof. Michael Brach and Ellen Bentlage from the Movement Science department, as well as Prof. Claudia Voelcker-Rehage and Piesie Asuako Gyimah from the Neuromotor Behaviour and Exercise department attended the self-organised PhysAgeNet event at the Lithuanian Sport University. They contributed in various roles over four days to the workshops and the PhysAgeNet/EGRAPA scientific conference on the topic of “Evidence-based physical activity in old age”. Further information: here and here

Researchers from the natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences provided insights into this at the third symposium on individualization hosted by the JICE Institute, which is supported by Bielefeld University and the University of Münster. In this interview, Münster sports scientist Professor Dr Claudia Voelcker-Rehage and Bielefeld economist Dr. Niels Boissonnet explain what makes the institute’s interdisciplinary approach so valuable for their research. They explain how the focus on individualization enables innovations in a wide range of areas—from optimizing performance in sport to ethical questions of resource distribution. Read the full interview.

Handover actions refer to the transfer of an object from one person to another. In a recently published study by our research group, it was shown that people observe the movements of their partners in handover actions. In this task, for example, receivers pay attention to the velocity of the giver in order to obtain information about the handover object. We were able to show that receivers are able to estimate the weight of objects by observing the giver's kinematics. You can find the article in full length here.

Robert Stojan recently presented the 'Parkinson Vibrating Socks' project (funded by InterregVI) to an audience of numerous members of the Parkinson Forum Kreis Steinfurt e.V.. The project is centred on cross-border cooperation between universities, clinics and companies in Germany and the Netherlands. The aim of the project is the scientifically supported development of a vibrotactile cueing system for people with Parkinson's disease who suffer from the symptom of freezing of the gait. The cueing system is intended to improve the mobility and quality of life of affected people. Further information about the project and the opportunity to participate in studies can be found on our homepage.


 

Today (1st March 2024) is the official launch of the EU-funded doctoral network TReND, coordinated by the Department of Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise at the University of Münster. Within this network, 12 doctoral students at 8 participating institutions across Europe will conduct research to transfer fundamental knowledge about motor control and motor learning to clinical applications. The goal is to promote the rehabilitation of neurological diseases. Further information about the network can be found here.

We warmly welcome Stefan Maas, who joins our team in the Neuromotor and Training department to do his PhD in the "Parkinson Vibrating Socks" project. Having already gained valuable experience as a student assistant in the "Joint Action" project for three years, Stefan is now continuing his scientific journey with us. His previous work on the Joint Action project and his Master of Education provide a solid foundation for his success in our research project."

From January 15th to 19th, 2024, Dr. Julian Rudisch, PD Dr. Dieter Kutz, and Prof. Dr. Claudia Voelcker-Rehage were invited to the 12th Annual Winter Academy of the Department of Movement and Training Science at the University of Bern in Blatten-Belalp, Switzerland. The event was held under the motto "Sensorimotor Uncertainty and Functional Variability." The hosting colleagues from Bern, Damian Beck, Dr. Stephan Zahno, and Prof. Dr. Ernst-Joachim Hossner, are partners in the EU-funded MSCA Doctoral Network TReND, which officially launches on March 1st, 2024. The meeting was therefore utilized to engage in intensive discussions about the fundamental theoretical understanding of dealing with sensorimotor uncertainty and the relevance of functional variability for motor control in neuromotor disorders.

 

Two new employees have recently joined our team. We welcome Frank Landgraf as system programmer/administrator and Philipp Müller as programmer for virtual worlds of the GRAIL (Gait-Realtime-Analysis-Interactive-Lab) system.

A new study from our department demonstrates the importance of maintaining fitness into old age because the current fitness status of 80 + -year-olds is positively associated with cognitive performance and neuronal resources. Interestingly, the analysis of event-related and motor-related cortical potentials (as pictured) showed that fitter older adults might have more neuronal resources for early visual processing and motor response generation. Read the full-length publication here.

Handover actions are joint actions between two people in which an object is transferred from a giver to a receiver. This requires precise coordination of both the hand kinematics and the scaling of the gripping forces of both actors. A measurement object is presented that synchronously records the gripping forces of both actors on the instrument and the kinematic data of both actors as well as the position and orientation of the instrument in space using an optical motion capture system.

Sensors 2023, 23(24), 9694; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23249694

Robert Stojan has been honored with the University of Münster's dissertation prize for his exceptional work on "Brain Functional Aspects of Cognitive Aging During Ecologically Valid Motor-Cognitive Behavior". This prestigious award is presented annually during the summa cum laude event, recognizing the best dissertations in each faculty. Here you will find a brief summary of this year's honored dissertations. Heartfelt congratulations on this achievement!

The international conference of the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) took place in Washington D.C. from 11-15 November. The SfN offers neuroscientists from all over the world a platform to present and discuss their work in poster sessions and symposia. Four posters from the Neuromotor and Training research area were presented by Claudia Voelcker-Rehage & Piesie Asuako, Julian Rudisch, Robert Stojan and Lena Kopnarski. The posters were attended by a large number of interested parties, with whom inspiring discussions were held.
 

We are delighted to welcome another new face to our team, Johanna Jost. She completed her Master's degree at our Institute of Sports Science and is currently in the final stages of her PhD in Medical Sciences at Münster University Hospital. Her research focuses on the integration of sports therapy in oncology, especially in brain tumor patients. She will support us in the application for the Cluster of Excellence "SOFI - Science of Individualization" as well as in teaching.

We warmly welcome our colleague Berit Labott, who will support the PROGRESS project. Berit Labott is a dedicated junior researcher with a Master's degree (M.Sc.) in Sport and Exercise Gerontology.  Her research interests focus on the multiple effects of physical activity interventions on the health and well-being of older people. She already gained teaching experience at vocational schools for physical and occupational therapy and is now also active in university teaching.

Last week, the dvs Hochschultag 2023 took place in Bochum under the title "Leistung steuern, Gesundheit stärken, Entwicklung fördern". Just as diverse as the conference itself were the contributions from the Neuromotor behavior and exercise Department at the University of Münster. With the symposium presentations "The influence of object weight on handover actions" (Lena Kopnarski), "Cardiovascular fitness is associated with motor-related cortical potentials and reaction times in 80+-year olds" (Stephfanie Fröhlich) and "Injuries and Injury Prevention in competitive ice speed skating - limited current evidence, multiple future priorities: A Scoping Review" (Matthias Hendricks), as well as with a contribution to the workshop "Women in sports science" by Claudia Voelcker-Rehage, the Neuromotor behavior and exercise team was well represented in various topics of sports science.

Bimanual movement skills require coupling of the two hands to coordinate their individual contributions towards a common goal. Since the two hands are controlled each by their contralateral hemisphere, coupling requires Information exchange (crosstalk) through the corpus callosum. If not processed appropriately, however, crosstalk can lead to involuntary movements (such as mirror movements) in the other hand. In this study, we showed that the relationship between brain (network connectivity) and behaviour (bimanual coupling) is task-dependent, but that predominantly left frontocentral networks are involved. These results can help us further our understanding on the mechanisms and impact of different neuromotor and cognitive disorders on bimanual coordination. Here you'll find the new paper   
 

Leisure-time physical activity, occupational physical activity and the physical activity paradox in healthcare workers
This review confirmed that leisure-time and occupational physical activity of healthcare workers are opposed in their duration and intensity. Moreover, leisure-time and occupational physical activity seem to be negatively related and should be analyzed according to their relation to each other in specific occupations. Furthermore, results support the relationship between the paradox and cardiovascular parameters.
You can read the full length paper here

Older adults use a variety of strategies to cope with the complex demands of daily life, such as when they have to perform an additional mentally demanding task while walking. Compared to younger adults, they generally show higher activation in anterior brain areas when doing so. However, it is not clear whether this increased activation is due to age-related inefficient neural processing or neurophysiological compensatory strategies. In a recent study in which we examined brain activation during walking in a complex virtual environment, our results tend to suggest inefficient neural processing, as older individuals with higher brain activation showed poorer behavioral performance than older individuals with lower activation, among other interesting results. Read the study here

The results of a systematic literature review on handover actions of human dyads, shows that different scientific disciplines, such as movement sciences, psychology, computer science and robotics, are interested in object handovers. In our proposed framework, we provide clear definitions of terms and distinct phases within the handover action. This framework enables a clear language between the different scientific disciplines and thus promotes research on common handover actions.
You'll find the full length paper here


 

Matthias Hendricks, Swantje Buse and Dr. Ross Julian (Department of Neuromotor Behaviour ans Exercise) visited the training camp of the junior squad of the German speed skaters in Inzell. The athlete monitoring system REGmon, which was used as part of the MonitorEis project, was presented on site. From now on, athletes can use REGmon to provide various information on their training load, well-being and health status on a daily basis in order to identify symptoms of fatigue as early as possible. Information that can then be used by trainers to customize the training. MonitorEis is a service research project funded by the Federal Institute for Sports Science, which is carried out in cooperation with the German Speed Skating and Shorttrack Association.

Investigation of the acute effects of physical exercise (bicycle ergometer) with different intensities on brain activity patterns using EEG.
The goal is to evaluate and (statistically) interpret an existing large EEG data set using specific analyses in Matlab (EEGlab, FieldTrip) and/or MNE-Phython.
Prerequisites:
- Strong interest in neuroscience research in the context of physical training and brain activity
- advanced expertise and skills in programming with Matlab and/or Phython
- good knowledge of statistics
- enjoyment of self-directed research and motivation for self-directed scientific work 
Interested? Then contact Dr. Nils H. Pixa for further information

At the Department of Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise, the project "Parkinson Vibrating Socks" will start in July 2023 ( running until June 2027). In close collaboration between partners from science, industry and clinical practice, a vibrotactile cueing system for individualized improvement of freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease will be developed over the next four years. The Department of Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise will take the lead of the consortium and is responsible for the scientific evaluation of the cueing system in everyday like virtual environments. The total budget of the project is 4.246.012€. It is financed by the European Union and the InterregVI program Germany-Nederland. More information about the project and funding can be found here. 

The UT-WWU Collaboration Grants are funded with 80,000 Euro each and are financed 50 % each by the University of Münster and the University of Twente for a period of twelve months. Thanks to this funding, the department of Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise, together with collaborators from the University of Twente, Medisch Spectrum Twente and other partners from the Netherlands and Germany (feelSpace GmbH, Sherpa, Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen), were able to successfully apply for a project grant from the InverregVI program Germany-Netherlands, which aims to develop a vibrotactile cueing system for Parkinson's patients with Freezing of Gait. The final meeting of the multidisciplinary team took place in June in Enschede. More info can be found here.

We are looking for enthusiastic students who are interested in experimental research in the field of multitasking. This bachelor’s thesis offers the opportunity to gain experience in psychological research under more ecologically valid conditions using a driving simulator. Are you interested in the thesis? Then please contact Piesie Asuako and/or Dr. Robert Stojan. Topic:  Factors influencing the modality compatibility effect in a classical laboratory environment and in a more naturalistic driving environment.

Older adults show reduced motor skills, which is attributed to three factors: Decrease in central and peripheral sensorimotor functions, decrease in information processing and/or changes in the motor system. Therefore, older subjects sometimes show pauses in movements (inter-segment intervals / ISI), which consist of individual movement segments. ISIs are generally longer or more variable when participants' motor control or planning is reduced. Therefore, measuring ISIs during target movements is a useful measure for assessing human movement control. You'll find the full length paper here 
 

Congratulations to Robert Stojan from the Department of Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise for successfully completing his doctoral defense titled "Brain Functional Aspects of Cognitive Aging during Ecologically Valid Motor-Cognitive Behavior." We are delighted to announce that Dr Stojan has been awarded the esteemed distinction of "summa cum laude" by his committee members, Prof. Dr. Claudia Voelcker-Rehage (Münster), Prof. Dr. Otmar Bock (Köln), and Prof. Dr. Louis Bherer (Montreal), for his exceptional presentation and defense

As part of the PROCARE project, a new paper was published in which Prof. Voelcker-Rehage from the Neuromotorik und Training department participated. The paper highlights the dramatic health situation of nursing staff and the importance of health promotion in the sector. You can access the full length paper here

The "iHand" innovation project is the development of an AI-based assistance system for controlling hand therapy using a rehabilitation robot. Two partners from the AIMECA innovation network - LIME medical GmbH and the Neuromotor and Training department of the Institute for Sports Science at the University of Münster - are working together on the data-based solution.

Last week, the first international conference on Hybrid Societies took place in Chemnitz, where Lena Kopnarski, Dr. Julian Rudisch and Prof. Dr. Claudia Voelcker-Rehage were able to make two contributions with their work within the HAnD-AI project.
Lena Kopnarski presented her work, which was done in collaboration with the mathematics PhD student Laura Lippert (TU Chemnitz). With her presentation "Predicting Object Weights from Giver's Kinematics in Handover Actions" she was able to contribute to the session "Motion Tracking & Prediction", which was chaired by Prof. Dr. Claudia Voelcker-Rehage.
Prof. Dr. Claudia Voelcker-Rehage presented together with Prof. Dr. Fred Hamker (Professorship of Artificial Intelligence at TU Chemnitz) a systematic literature review with the title "Observational Learning in Humans and Machines". With this they were part of Dr. Julian Rudisch chaired session "Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning".

Also this year, the children of the 3rd and 4th grades of the Annette von Droste Hülshoff elementary school in Nienberge created a great atmosphere in the athletics hall. Students of the seminar "Running Jumping Throwing" (Matthias Hendricks) had prepared the traditional sports festival with a total of 5 exciting stations. Team performance and having fun in (team) competitions are the focus of children's athletics. This morning again showed impressively that athletics packaged in a child-friendly way includes much more than the individual idea of ​​competition and performance.

Dr. Nils H. Pixa is new member of the Otto Creutzfeld Center for Cogntive and Behavioral Neuroscience (OCC) at the University of Münster.
https://www.uni-muenster.de/OCCMuenster/news/index.html
 

As part of the AEQUIPA Prevention Research Network, the use of technology to promote physical activity in older people over 65 years of age was investigated in different settings and from various interdisciplinary perspectives, including technology development and evaluation for older adults.
Detailed information can be found here

The role of executive functions and physical fitness.
Cognitive-motor multitasking in everyday life, such as crossing the street while simultaneously using a mobile phone, consists of a number of action components with different demands. For example, while walking and standing place particularly high motor demands, smartphone use is associated with particularly high cognitive demands.
The results of a recent study suggest that the performance of the action components with high motor demands is mainly determined by the level of motor fitness, whereas the performance of the action components with high cognitive demands is mainly determined by the level of executive functions.

The full-length paper can be found here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-26438-x
Further information and contact: Melanie Mack
 

Libet's experiment (Libet 1985) is considered proof that human action is not preceded by intentional decisions. In contrast, most philosophers assume that prior intentionality is constitutive for human action (e.g. Nida-Rümelin, 2022). A group led by Florian Kolb (LMU Munich) and Dieter Kutz (WWU Münster) has now been able to make a further contribution to this discourse. In a deliberation task, realised as a colour-word-stroop task, the participants had to decide with which hand to give a motor response or not to trigger a motor response, depending on the colour and meaning of the word. Analyses of EEG recordings show that the deliberation process is based on a two-stage decision: The first decision is characterised by the choice to move or not. The second decision resulted in the final choice of which index finger to use. In particular, the latter decision can be tracked by the local spread of neuronal activity.
Further information can be found in the publication at:
https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.14814/phy2.15522

The main aim of the COST Action PhysAgeNet is to establish a sustainable network that will foster evidence-based research and practice of physical activity in older adults and will enhance integration of innovative ICT solutions based on open data consolidated research information, in order to promote health and reduce the burden of inactivity in ageing populations. Detailed Information can be found at: https://physagenet.eu/
 

On the occasion of the 9th conference of the Asian South Pacific Association of Sports Psychology, Prof. Claudia Voelcker-Rehage gave a keynote lecture addressed to the topic "Old age on the move - approaches to improve motor-cognitive performance across the lifespan".

The 54th annual meeting of the asp took place from 16-18.06.2022 after 2 digital years again in presence in the Fürstenberghaus in Münster. Under the motto "One brain, lots of movement - variability and plasticity across the lifespan" 350 participants discussed in 25 working groups and 13 practical workshops within a diverse program. In addition to 3 keynote lectures by Prof. Dagmar Sternad on "Variability in Exploring, Learning and Forgetting", Prof. Caterina Pesce on "Dealing with Complexity and Variability in Research" and Prof. Karen Li on "Cognitive and Physical Training Approaches to Improve Cognitive-Motor Multitasking in Older Adults", Prof. Ulrike Ungerer-Röhrich gave a talk on "Movement Coaches in Daycare Centers".

In the new "Handbook of Human Multitasking" Claudia Voelcker-Rehage together with Bettina Wollesen and Hermann Müller, contributed the chapter "Training based on Multitasking - With a Specific Focus on Motor-Cognitive Multitasking".

Research is still lacking regarding the question as to how programs to promote healthy ageing should be organized in order to increase acceptance and thus effectiveness. For older adults, ecological factors, such as the physical distance to program sites, might predict participation and retention. Thus, the key aim of this analysis was to examine these factors in a physical activity intervention trial.

The Collaboration Grants are each worth 80,000 euros and they run for twelve months. The Universities of Münster and Twente share the funding equally. Financial support goes for example to workshops for setting up new consortia or networking events with industrial partners and companies. Over and above this, the money can be used for purchasing new equipment and research instruments.
 

Simultaneous multi-task training has been used many times in different age groups to improve cognitive as well as motor performance. In adolescents, there are already results that this training can improve academic performance. The scoping review by Wollesen et al. "Effects of cognitive-motor dual task training on cognitive and physical performance in healthy children and adolescents: A scoping review" aimed to summarise the effects of training with simultaneous multi-tasking interventions in the domains of cognition, motor skills and dual-tasking performance.
The full length paper can be found here

Within the framework of the SENDA study, which deals with the detection of cognitive impairment and dementia in people over 80 years of age, it was investigated whether the cognitive status of the participants can be determined on the basis of a simple motor task (finger tapping). The results show that the groups of participants differ significantly in selected movement parameters.

On 04.12.2021 Ross Julian successfully defended his doctoral thesis at the University of Saarland. His doctoral thesis focused on "Physical profiling of the female footballer: Special reference to the menstrual cycle". "Our sincere congratulations to you".

As part of the  SENDA study, two articles were published this year looking at the detection of cognitive impairment and dementia in aging individuals over the age of 80. The article in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience studied the resting EEG of individuals with and without cognitive impairment. The results suggest that parameters from frequency analysis are less useful for detecting dementia-related changes in the very old. The second article in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society reported in detail on the cognitive performance of the older adults (> 80 years) to provide a basis for comparing the cognitive performance of individuals in this growing age group.

Within the PROMOTE project, evidence-based recommendations and materials for movement and exercise for older persons (65 years and older ) have been published.
In the publication by Peters et al. 2021, the physical activity pyramid for the group of persons. The materials were developed in a participatory manner and include the WHO recommendations as well as being adapted to the age group.
More information can be found in the publication at: Fit in the Northwest

The current study aimed at investigating the acute effects of high-intensity cardiovascular exercise on motor performance and learning of a fine motor task and associated changes in oscillatory brain activity via electroencephalography (EEG). The results revealed no improvements in the fine motor learning task due to high-intensity exercise. Interestingly specific changes in the alpha- and especially beta-frequency bands emerged over ipsilateral sensorimotor regions. Future studies are required to investigate whether these changes play a functional role in the acute effects of cardiovascular exercise on motor learning. Journal link

On Thursday 4th of November, Ross Julian presented some initial findings of the BiSp funded project Motorische Leistung in Sand (MotLeistSand). The oral presentation provided information about the validity of using portable devices to measure jumping performance on the sand.

From Monday 08.11.2021 to Thursday 11.11.2021, the annual meeting of the Society of Neuroscience will take place in a virtual format. Robert Stojan and Dr. Melanie Mack will present results of the MIND2 study. The contributions deal with cross-sectional studies on the topic of multitasking in old age.

Our member of the department of Neuromotor Behaviour and Exercise, Ross Julian, has been invited to speak at the “Manchester United Medical Conference” on the 26th November, 2021. The theme of this year's conference is the Medical and Scientific Issues in Women’s Football. Ross’ presentation will discuss the potential limitations of trying to tailor training around the menstrual cycle. The conference is free to register and is open for medical, sports science and healthcare professionals working across all sports; as well as students with an interest in Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy. If you’re interested follow the link to register and tune in:
https://www.manutd.com/medicalconference

Distracting activities can have long-term effects on drivers’ braking responses. Distractors can increase braking reaction time even after a 12 s delay. Persistent effects of distractors on braking responses show little age-dependence.
You can find the full paper here
For more information please contact Robert Stojan

New paper published in experimental gerontology. In a randomized controlled trial, multicomponent exercise was choosen to improve motor functions, cognition and well-being for nursing home residents who are unable to walk. A chair-based intervention over 16 weeks was able to improve those functions in very old age.
You'll find the original paper  here
Informations & Contact Dr. Julian Rudisch

In collaboration with the TSG ResearchLab, the department of Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise (lead Ross Julian) conducted a research project, investgating the acute effects of blood flow restriction exercise in combination with a cooling intervention. Over twenty subjects completed a randomised-control trial exposing themselves to three different conditions.

A warm welcome to Evrim Gökçe who has earned a DAAD fellowship until january 2022, to start her research stay  at the Department of Neuromotor behavior and exercise at the WWU of Münster.

The paper "Somatosensory Influence on Platform-Induced Translational Vestibulo-Reflex in Vertical Direction in Humans" from Kutz et al. has actually been choosen as on paper to be listed in the Editors-Collection of "Frontiers in Neurology" in the running year 2021. Congrats!

You'll find the original paper here
Informations and Contact PD Dr. D.Kutz

Classification of physiological data provides a data driven approach to study central aspects of motor control, which changes with age. To implement such results in real-life applications for elderly it is important to identify age-specific characteristics of movement classification. We compared task-classification based on EEG derived activity patterns related to brain network characteristics between older and younger adults performing force tracking with two task characteristics with the right or left hand.
You'll find the original paper  here
Informations & Contact Dr. Julian Rudisch

On 14.​04.​2021 Melanie Mack obtained her doctoral degree from University of Leipzig. Her doctoral thesis focused on "Performing and observing complex skills in gymnastics - An investigation of prototypical movement patterns and perceptual-cognitive processes". "Congrats"

The working unit neuromotor behavior and training is pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Claudia Voelcker-Rehage has been appointed to the  Editorial Board, as well as  Section Editorial Board in the area 'Behavioral Neuroscience' of the 'Brain Science' Journal. Congrats.

Compared to normal adult population, athletes of several sport disciplines, such as endurance sports, ball sports, cycling and swimming, have higher use of over-the-counter analgesics (OTC analgesics). The analysis of 114 completed questionnaires of amateur athletes revealed that the use of OTC analgesics was sex dependent, with a higher prevalence of use in female players (60%) versus male players (38%). The main reasons for consumption of OTC analgesics were pain in the head, knee and shoulder. You’ll find the full length paper here.

A new paper published in "Nature-Scientific Reports"  is reported by Dr. Nils Pixa. Is it possible to aplicate non invasive brain stimulation during physical activity? Which effect has combined application to cognitive function? These questions where investigated in a paper recently published by the working unit Neuromotor Behavior an Exercise, together with colleagues from Mainz, China and the USA.

Juggling with three balls, show three trick and in addition/next to it show a challenging balance task. This was part of a required coursework within the coordination class of Prof. Eric Eils of the department neuromotor behavior and exercise.The result is these delightful videos during these special times.

As part of a research project supported by the BiSP MotLeistSand, over the weekend 12th and 13th of February, a small team from the Department of Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise completed a physical performance diagnostic with the Beach Handball males of the DHB, at Blue Beach in Witten.

It is not unusual for soccer teams to play 50-70 matches during a season, with instances of playing three or more matches per week. In Germany when teams play multiple times per week, this is often referred to as an “English week”, owing to the fact that this occurs very often across the leagues in England. Following a recent publication from Julian and colleagues on the effects of a congested match schedule on performance in football (Article here) the research team expanded upon their findings within The Sport and Exercise Scientist (TSES) the official quarterly publication of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

In this paper by Dr. Julian Rudisch from the Department of Neuromotor behaviour and exercise and colleagues from Paderborn, Bad Sassendorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Berlin, five clinical gait analysis systems used in practice were analysed for comparability of data. Highlights of the paper: 1)Overground measurement devices show higher agreement than wearable devices.
2)Basic spatiotemporal parameters show higher agreement than relative phase parameters. 3)Wearable devices agree particularly poorly for relative phase parameters. 4)Correct detection of heel-strike and toe-off is crucial for reliable gait analysis.
The full paper can be found here. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Dr. Rudisch

The institutional editors of the German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research, the Federal Institute of Sport Science (BISp), the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and the German Association for Sport Science (dvs), have appointed Prof. Eils as "Associate Editor". We wish him every success in carrying out this responsible task!

Driving a car is a complex task that includes different sensory, cognitive, and motor processes. Performing additional tasks during driving such as adjusting the navigational system or talking to passengers further increases mental workloads and negatively affects driving behaviour, particularly in older adults. In a current study, researchers from the Department of Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise investigated the brain functional correlates of age differences in driving behavior while simultaneously performing additional tasks. All further information can be found here.

Our colleague Ross Julian has authored a new meta-analysis on the effects of fixture congestion on physical and technical performance, with colleague’s Dr Richard Page of Edge Hill University and Dr Liam Harper of the University of Huddersfield. Published in the journal Sports Medicine, the findings of their systematic review and meta-analysis include that while modern players can still cover great distances in games, they are conserving energy for the kind of intense bursts that occur around a key moment. Their research also shows how coaches, confronted with schedules that see players involved in domestic, European and international games in quick succession, are resting some players in certain positions more than others, with possible consequences for a player’s performance and risk of injury.
The paper is Open Access, if you’re interested, follow the link

In this study, we could show that wearables are an interesting tool for young to middle-aged adults, even when individuals are not especially interested in these technical devices. There was high variability between single subjects in general usage time and in usage behavior over weeks. From week five on, the overall usage behavior was reduced significantly. External factors like temperature, sunshine or day of the week also affected usage behavior. The most prominent reason for (non-)use is the individual person user. We thank Actimonda health insurance (Aachen, Germany) and Original Bootcamp (OBC Europe, Cologne, Germany) for their support. This paper resulted from a coorperation with  Malte Jetzke from the Department for the Social Sciences of Sports and can be read here:
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/22/8532/htm

Numerous studies have reported the beneficial effects of acute exercise on executive functions. Less is known, however, about the effects of exercise on working memory as one subcomponent of executive functions and about its effects on older adults. We investigated the effects of acute moderate-intensity exercise on working memory performance, the respective cortical hemodynamic activation patterns, and the development and persistence of such effects in healthy older adults.
The full length paper could be found at:
Brain Sci. 2020, 10(11), 813; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10110813

Together with our guest editor Prof. Dr. Michael Brach, the German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research, an up-and-coming international journal (and successor to Germany’s leading national journal in sport science: Sportwissenschaft, 1971-2016) invites authors to contribute articles to the thematic issue “Exercise and physical activity for health promotion and rehabilitation in community dwelling very old adults or nursing home residents”. Accepted contributions will be published in August/September 2021 (Vol. 51, Issue 3) We ask authors to submit their papers using the journal’s electronic Editorial Manager system before 1 March 2021. Instructions for authors are available on the journal’s homepage. Only articles written in English will be eligible for peer review.
All Information as PDF-File here

Nursing Home Residents have a very low physical activity of about 1000 steps/day while sitting more than 9 hours daily. This study assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior, as well as the usage behavior, usability, acceptance, and motivational impact of an applied activity tracker among nursing home residents. Physical activity and usage behavior were measured among 22 residents (68 to 102 years) by use of a commercial activity tracker worn during waking hours for 77 days on average. Usability, acceptance, and motivational impact of the tracker were examined using an adapted questionnaire.
You can find the full-length paper here
Corresponding author: Prof. Dr. C. Voelcker-Rehage

A new paper in cooperation with the workunit Neuromotor behavior and exercise, titled "Neither Cathodal nor Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex alone or Applied During Moderate Aerobic Exercise Modulates Executive Function" has actually been published in the Journal Neuroscience

The two researchers Julian Rudisch, Nils Pixa as well as the director Claudia Voelcker-Rehage, contributed to the new edition of "The Routledge International Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Volume 1: Theoretical and Methodological Concepts". The primary work in this project was the chapter motor control. The comprehensive encyclopaedia of Routledge edited by Dieter Hackfort and Robert J. Schinke is an indispensable tool for all experts, scientists and students in the fields of sport science and sport psychology.

At the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), 23 young scientists and one young musician were honored for their outstanding doctoral, master's and other final theses. Under the title "One brain, two hands: The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on bimanual motor skill learning" the dissertation of Nils Pixa, who is now working in the workunit of neuromotor behavior and exercise, was awarded.
Using a systematic research approach, he analysed the effect of so-called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on healthy persons. He was the first to demonstrate that bimanual movements, which are performed permanently in everyday life, can be improved. This is a decisive cornerstone for further research projects on the subject of movement learning and re-learning in the case of neurological impairments and damage.

Further information on the other award winners can be found here.

A new paper regarding the requirements for (web-based) physical activity interventions targeting older adults has been published in cooperation with the working unit neuromotor behavior and exercise.

The focus of the publication is the promotion of physical activity in old age. In the study an IT-based and a print version are compared and evaluated. This publication is part of a larger consortium. The publication can be found under the following links:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32338622

We mourn our very esteemed colleague and friend Holger Heppe. His death is a great loss for us. Our thoughts are with his wife and family and friends.

The department neuromotor behavior and exercise carries out further measurements in boxing sports. This cooperation project with the department sport and exercise psychology includes performance diagnostic parameters as well as cognitive parameters. As can be seen in the video, different punch sequences are queried in the cognitive area. The recordings have been adapted as a result of feedback from the trainers. Further information on the project idea and the measurements can be obtained from the coordinators.
Neuromotor behavior and exercise: Ross Julian
Sport and exercise psychology: Dr. Stijn Mentzel

As of the 1st of February 2020 Ross, has joined the University of Gloucestershire (Department of Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences) in England as a visiting research fellow for the next three years. In this new role his contribution will permeate all areas – teaching, research, further education, and staff development whilst assisting and co-supervising PhD students and projects. This collaboration will help in the transfer of incoming and outgoing international exchanges in order to increase students’ international and intercultural experiences. We congratulate Ross and support his and the University of Gloucestershire’s future endeavours.

The PROCARE programme includes the objectives of promoting health potential and mobility, expanding the resources of multimorbid persons, implementing the setting approach and focusing on caregivers through the participation of all stakeholders. These objectives are to be implemented in six care facilities with a setting in various districts of Chemnitz and the surrounding rural areas. The project, which is funded by the Techniker Krankenkasse, has now published the study protocol. The project under the regional management of Dr. Julian Rudisch (University of Münster, Department of Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise) and Katharina Zwingmann (University of Chemnitz) includes a cooperation multiple deparatements. More Information here

The collaborative project of work units neuromotor behavior and exercise and as well the movement science entered the second round. The aim of the DHB-funded project is the visual recording of the throwing movements during stroke and jump throwing. The focus of the second measurement was to determine the throwing techniques on three differently positioned goals. For this purpose, the measurement was moved into the training hall and the handball field area was marked. Impressions of the measurement can be found in the video. Thanks to the players, who took the time to participate.

The book project "Arbeit, Kognition und Alter - Wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse für die Praxis" edited by Michael Falkenstein and Claudia Kardys is completed. In the book, high-ranking scientists comment on the relevant topics in order to put the findings from theory into practice. One of these experts is Prof. Claudia Voelcker-Rehage, who ist he head of the work unit Neuromotor behavior and exercise. The book is available at Kohlhammer Verlag and also via Amazon.

Springer Nature and the DEAL project have signed the terms and conditions for the globally strongest Open Access agreement. Since the new year, scientists from Germany have been able to submit Open Access (OA) to Springer Nature and receive extensive access to the publisher's content. The head of the work unit "Neuromotor behavior and exercise" Prof. Claudia Voelcker-Rehage at the Institute of Sport Science at the University of Münster is deputy editor of the German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research and very much welcomes this development. More informations can be found under the following Link:

Hogrefe publishing house is looking for a reviewer regarding the expert literature „Bewegungs- und Mobilitätsförderung. Praxisbuch für Pflege und Gesundheitsberufe“. Prof. Claudia Voelcker-Rehage, head of the neuromotor behavior and exercise work unit, co-authored parts of the book. Persons from nursing professions are called upon to practice their assessment to the literature.

The Beachhandball-Projekt is now online! The project was fundet for two years by the Federal Institute of Sport Science and conducted in cooperation with the German Handball Association. A video condensing this project is now launched and accessible here. Thanks a lot to the media lab of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences who moldet the whole project into a meaningful video.

The work unit Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise completed the last measurements in one Joint Action study. The project, led by Prof. Eric Eils, is based on the paper of Curioni et al. (2018) The aim is to compare different reciprocal information flow conditions in coordination tasks based on team performance. In each case, the two participants were considered both under equal responsibility with regard to team performance and in a Leader-Follower relationship. The measurement instruments were independently developed and modified in the work unit. Further information can be found in the paper by  Eils et al. 2017

On 10.11.2019 the Openlab were used from the work unit Neuromotor behavoir and exercise for throwing specific measurements regarding the visualisation in team handball. The cooperation project with the work unit movement science is supported by the German Handball Federation (DHB). The generated and analysed models can then be used by the DHB for further training.

The work unit Neuromotor Behavior is pleased to be funded by the Federal Institute for Sports Science (BISp) for a new project focusing on performance measurements on sand surfaces. Valid and reliable test procedures are to be developed and evaluated to create meaningful performance diagnostics that can be carried out on sand surfaces.

The working unit LuTiS in cooperation with departement of sports psychology are conducting innovative and interesting research, quantifying the acute physiological and cognitive responses to a boxing specific exercise protocol. Here is a short excerpt from the measurement.

Within the context of our Beachhandball project, pressure distribution was implemented in addition to the previous measuring instruments. A synchronisation with motion analysis system was developed and special sandals were used to perform the measurement. This subproject deals with the question which pressure conditions are present under the feet when jumping on sand as well as on solid ground.

In the work unit performance and training in sport the last measurements are carried out in the outdoor fitness study under the direction of Anna Hendker. The study included 8 weeks of functional outdoor fitness training in small groups. Similarly, effects of fitness trackers were also determined. At the level of functional exercises, lactate performance diagnostics was performed on more than 100 volunteers. The analysis will now focus on whether outdoor fitness training is an efficient way of training. The work area is looking forward to the upcoming results.

After 9 training weeks, with 2 training units per week and countless jumps in the sand or on indoor ground, the training phase for 48 students within the framework of in jump intervention study of the work unit performance and training in sports is now completed.
Of course, the hard training should also be rewarded. So we met for a convivial final with sausages and cold drinks to award the coveted titles "Training World Champion", "Kampfschwein" and "Drückeberger". Jakob Schlatt and Karsten Wessels organized the training unit as part of their master's thesis in the work unit performance and training in sports and stood on the sidelines as motivating trainers. Before and after the intervention, the participants were put through their paces in the OpenLab with regard to jumping and sprinting performance in the hall and in the sand. The evaluation of the data is currently in progress.
We would like to thank all those who actively supported us in the organisation and implementation - without this commitment this study would not have been possible.

The beach handball project of the Work unit Performance and Training in Sports, which is carried out in cooperation with the German Handball Federation (DHB), has again been expanded by the Federal Institute for Sports Science (BISp). The content of the increase is the visualization of the entire project to create a promotional video for documentation. The funds will be used to finance a student assistant position in the media laboratory for half a year. The funds can also be used to procure high-quality camera material. The video shows a short excerpt from the project.

Further information on the project can be found here

The beach handball project of the sports performance and training division, which works in cooperation with the German Handball Federation (DHB), has again been expanded by the German Federal Institute for Sports Science (BISp). Both personel and material resources were approved.
Further information on the project can be found here

In cooperation with the Department of Movement Science and the DHB, the Department of Performance and Training in Sport is carrying out a project to visualise the throwing movement during jump, punch and fall throwing. The movements are recorded in the Open Lab and transferred into a virtual reality so that the throwing movement can be viewed from all possible angles. The generated videos are made available on an interactive platform, that they can be used for teaching purposes. In the Picture show the raw version of the data of the movement, that are created in a virtual space.

In cooperation with the Department of Movement Science and the DHB, the Department of Performance and Training in Sport is carrying out a project to visualise the throwing movement during jump, punch and fall throwing. The movements are recorded in the Open Lab and transferred into a virtual reality so that the throwing movement can be viewed from all possible angles. The generated videos are made available on an interactive platform, that they can be used for teaching purposes. In the Picture show the raw version of the data of the movement, that are created in a virtual space.

On 19.06.2019 the annual summer festival of sports science took place. In addition to the tradition of a football match student representation against professors, prizes were awarded by the student representation for the best teaching in theory, practice and the entire work area. Here the current student evaluations could be consulted and evaluated by the student representation. The work area Performance and Training in Sport under the direction of Prof. Eric Eils was the best among the students and thus secured the challenge cup for this year. A huge thank you from the work area to the students. We are always trying to improve our teaching.

Ascension Day was used by the work unit Performance and Training in Sport for further measurements in the beach sports project. The beach sports project, which is carried out in cooperation with the DHB, has the possibility to generate further data of the female handball players in the training camp in Ismaning. Jumping and sprint performance as well as the sport-specific agility and endurance performance were on the agenda. Furthermore, two different sand types were used for the jump tests in order to determine possible influences.

More informations about the project you will find here,
or contact: szwajca@uni-muenster.de

Within the framework of the seminar M4 "Neurodynamic" (Head: Tanja Janssen) in the Master of Science Sports, Exercise and Human Performance the study projects will be carried out and test persons will be searched. For 7 VP points 2 weeks of strength training will be distributed. The aim is to determine possible effects on cognitive performance. To this end, short tests will be carried out on attention and interference control.
• Students between 18-35 years are wanted!!!
Exclusion criteria?
• Injured in the last 4 months
• Currently following a resistance training program
• Having followed a resistance training program in the past 4 months
• Pregnancy
• Previously diagnosed high blood pressure or other cardio vascular disease

All further information can be found in the invitation to tender:
Contact:  r_kerr01@uni-muenster.de

In the context of the seminar M11 "Training in neurologic patients" (Head: Anna Hendker; work unit: Performance and Training in sports) the students could accompany the training of spinal cord injuried and neurological patients. The therapy center "Cyberdyne care robotics" in Bochum makes it possible to experience research in practical application up close. The center specializes in the use of neurological feedback techniques and uses the HAL® system, which functions as an exoskeleton. The students were also able to test the system for themselves

The German Football Association (DFB) highlights cognitive performance in football. Within the framework of these performance parameters in team sports, the NeuroTracker is explained as a training and diagnostic tool. In our work area Performance and Training in Sport, the NeuroTracker is also used in studies as well as in various sports. With further interest and future testings we look forward to your inquiries.
Contact: eils@uni-muenster.de oder  tajanssen@uni-muenster.de
Full article is linked:
 

Within the framework of the seminar "Adaptation and Plasticity" in the Bachelor of Science Human Movement in Sports and Exercise, intervention projects will be carried out (Leader Tanja Janssen). For this purpose, volunteers are sought who can receive VP points depending on the amount of time involved. The focus of the seminar is on possible changes of the nervous system through sporting activity. Non-invasive methods such as reaction tests will be used.

Criteria:
•    Age: 18 - 36 years old
•    Male, female, divers
•    Sporty inactive OR active
•    NO planned change in sporting activity within the 4-week study period
•    NO participation in cognitive training programs or the like within the 4-week study period

The contact persons are listed in the tender.