Larissa Ledochowski

Self reported risk taking and risk compensation in skiers and snowboarders are associated with sensation seeking

In alpine skiing, a controversial discussion has been taking place regarding the potential influence of wearing a ski helmet on the individual level of risk taking behaviour. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether self reported risk taking behaviour and self reported risk compensation are associated with the personality trait sensation seeking (SS) in alpine skiing and snowboarding. In total, 683 persons (36% males and 64% females) completed an online-survey about attitudes and use of protective gear in winter sports including the German version of the sensation seeking scale form V. A logistic regression analysis including gender, age, nationality, preferred winter sport, self reported skiing ability, mean skiing time per season, use of ski helmets, and SS total score was used to estimated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95 CI) for self reported risk taking behaviour. Regression analysis revealed that a more risky behaviour increased with male gender (OR: 2.7), with an age<25 years (OR: 1.6), with skiing (OR: 1.3), higher skill level (OR: 5.7), and a mean skiing time>28 days per season (OR: 2.2). In addition, SS total score was significantly higher in more risky compared to more cautious people (23.8 vs. 20.3, p<.001). Ski helmet use was not found to be predictive for a more risky behaviour (p>.05). Also, skiers and snowboarders with self reported risk compensation while wearing a ski helmet had higher SS total scores compared to those who did not report risk compensation (23.8 vs. 20.9, p=.001). In addition, self reported risk compensation in helmet wearers increased with an age<25 years (OR: 2.2), a higher skill level (OR: 2.5) and a mean skiing time>28 days per season (OR: 2.1). In conclusion, self reported risk taking and self reported risk compensation are associated with higher sensation seeking total scores. The personality trait sensation seeking, not wearing of a ski helmet, appears to be associated with riskier behaviour on the ski slopes.

Acute effects of brisk walking on affect and psychological well-being in individuals with type 2 diabetes

AIM To investigate the effects of an acute exercise bout on affect and psychological well-being in individuals with type 2 diabetes. METHOD Sixteen patients (mean BMI 28.6 kg/m(2)) took part, on separate days, in two randomly ordered conditions, in a within-subject design: a 20 min semi-self-paced brisk walk or passive control (sitting with the opportunity of reading). Ten minutes before, during (5, 10, 15, 20 min) and following (5, 10, 15, 20, 180 min) each, participants completed the Felt Arousal Scale (FAS) for affective activation and the Feeling Scale (FS) for affective pleasure/valence. The Activation Deactivation Adjective Check List (Tense Arousal and Energetic Arousal) was also completed before and after each condition. Heart rate and Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) were assessed during exercise. Glucose levels were obtained from participants before and after exercise and control. RESULTS Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed significant condition by time interaction effects for FS, FAS, Energetic Arousal (EA) and Tense Arousal (TA). Brisk walking increased FS (15 min after exercise p=0.020; 20 min after exercise p=0.034) and FAS (all time points after baseline). EA was significantly higher 5 min after the exercise session (p=0.029) in comparison to the control situation. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that an acute exercise bout has positive influences on affect and psychological well-being. The usefulness of exercise to elevate affective responses (activation and pleasure) should be highlighted when promoting exercise interventions in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Attitudes regarding ski helmet use among helmet wearers and non-wearers.

Objective The aim of this study was to compare attitudes regarding ski helmet use in helmet wearers and non-wearers. Methods In total, 924 persons ≥18 years (52% men and 48% women) participating in sport programmes at the University Sports Institute Innsbruck/Austria were interviewed about their attitudes regarding ski helmets and scored 14 statements on a five-level Likert Scale. A factor analysis was employed to determine clusters of underlying attitudes that have subsequently been used as predictors of helmet non-use in a conditional logistic regression analysis. Results In total, 65% of participants declared to use a helmet during their preferred winter sport activity while more than 80% of helmet wearers and non-wearers totally agreed that helmets protect from head injuries. According to the factor analysis, attitudes about ski helmets clustered around four major dimensions—subjective disadvantages, safety awareness, comfort/style and risk compensation. Adjusted ORs of regression analysis showed that helmet non-use increased with age and decreased with increasing skill level (beginner: OR 5.4, 95% CI 2.6 to 11.1; intermediate: OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.4 to 7.9; advanced: OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.7 to 5.4). In addition, helmet non-use was associated with subjective disadvantages (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.8 to 2.9). However, a negative association between helmet non-use and safety awareness (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2 to 0.4) was found. Conclusion Helmet use was associated with higher safety awareness, while most arguments against helmet use seem to belong to subjective perception and to represent anticipatory negative cognitions, poorly supported by evidence. Therefore, evidence-based information about wearing a ski helmet should be implemented in preventive helmet campaigns focusing on non-wearers. In addition, health communication programmes should be instituted to get non-helmeted skiers and snowboarders to try out helmets to eliminate their potential prejudices.

Are self‐reported risk‐taking behavior and helmet use associated with injury causes among skiers and snowboarders?

Over the last 10 years, ski helmet use has steadily increased worldwide. According to the “risk compensation theory,” however, studies found that up to one third of skiers and snowboarders self‐reported to engage in more risk taking when wearing a ski helmet. Therefore, to evaluate whether self‐reported risk taking and ski helmet use affect accident causes on ski slopes, more than 2000 injured skiers and snowboarders were interviewed during the 2011/2012 winter season about accident causes and potential intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors. Chi‐square tests revealed that ski helmet use did not significantly differ between self‐reported risky and cautious people (81% vs 83%). Multivariate regression analysis revealed younger age groups [odds ratios (ORs) 1.8–1.9, P < 005], male sex (OR 2.4, P < 0.001), Austrian nationality (2.2, P < 0.001), higher skill level (1.7, P < 0.001), and off‐slope skiing (OR 2.2, P = 0.060) to be predictive for a risky behavior on ski slopes. Neither the use of skis or snowboards nor accident causes were significantly associated with a riskier behavior on ski slopes. In conclusion, self‐reported risk‐taking behavior and ski helmet use seem not to be associated with accident causes leading to an injury among recreational skiers and snowboarders.

Quality of life, coach behaviour and competitive anxiety in Winter Youth Olympic Games participants

Background To ensure the highest technical performance, speed, safety, excellent control and to improve competitive performance, a successful regulation of competitive anxiety is necessary. Therefore, it seems crucial to identify factors influencing competitive anxiety of adolescent athletes. Research suggests that people reporting high quality of life are more capable to cope with stressful and challenging situations than others. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of quality of life, the involvement of parents in sports career and coachs leadership behaviour on competitive anxiety in Winter Youth Olympic Games participants. Methods During the first Winter Youth Olympic Games 2012 in Innsbruck/Austria, 662 (316 women) participants completed questionnaires and single items to assess quality of life, coachs leadership behaviour, parental involvement in sports career and competitive anxiety. Results Multiple regression analysis revealed positive influences of high quality of life and useful coach instruction on competitive anxiety. Conclusions The relationship between quality of life, coach behaviour and competitive anxiety in young elite athletes competing at the first Winter Youth Olympic Games should be considered in long-term programmes for reducing competitive stress.

Acute Effects of Brisk Walking on Sugary Snack Cravings in Overweight People, Affect and Responses to a Manipulated Stress Situation and to a Sugary Snack Cue: A Crossover Study

Research has shown that acute exercise reduces urges for chocolate in normal weight people. This study aimed to examine the effects of an acute exercise bout on urges to consume sugary snacks, affect as well as ‘psychological and physiological responses’ to stress and a ‘sugary snack cue’, in overweight individuals. Following 3 days of chocolate-abstinence, 47 overweight, sugary snack consumers were assessed, in 2 randomly ordered conditions, in a within-subject design: 15-min brisk walk or passive control. Following each, participants completed 2 tasks: Stroop color–word interference task, and handling sugary snacks. Urges for sugary snacks, affective activation and valence were assessed. ANOVAs revealed significant condition x time interaction effects for: urges to consume sugary snacks, affective valence and activation. Obtained data show that exercise reduces urges for sugary snacks and attenuates urges in response to the stress situation and the cue in overweight people.

Is There a Link Between Physical Activity and Alcohol use

Physical activity (PA) is discussed as a protective factor as well as a risk factor for alcohol consumption. Therefore, this study aimed at exploring a potential relationship between these behaviors. In a population-based cross-sectional study of 15,474 people living in Austria physical activity, alcohol consumption and demographic variables were assessed. Regression analysis including age and gender revealed no significant relationship between PA and alcohol consumption for the total sample. More alcohol consumption was found in men with low PA-levels. Focusing on a part of the population who consumed alcohol the weekend before, men with high PA-levels reported more alcohol consumption in comparison to men with moderate PA-levels. This study does not support a common alcohol–physical activity relationship. Prevention programs to increase PA levels from low to moderate combined with a reduction of alcohol intake in men who regularly drink alcohol should be considered

Is decision making in hypoxia affected by pre-acclimatisation? A randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION Decision making is impaired in hypoxic environments, which may have serious or even lethal consequences for mountaineers. An acclimatisation period prior to high altitude exposures may help to overcome adverse effects of hypoxia. Thus, we investigated possible effects of short-term pre-acclimatisation on decision making in hypoxia. METHODS In a randomized controlled study design, 52 healthy participants were allocated to a hypoxia group (HG: short-term pre-acclimatisation by the use of intermittent hypoxia 7×1h at FiO2=12.6%, equivalent to 4500m) or a control group (CG: sham pre-acclimatisation 7×1h at FiO2=20.9%, equivalent to 600m). The number of risky decisions was assessed using the Game of Dice Task at four time points during a 12-hours stay in hypoxia (FiO2=12.6%). RESULTS 42 (HG: 27, CG: 25) participants completed the study. The number of risky decisions was significantly (p=0.048 as determined by 4×2 ANCOVA) reduced in the hypoxia group compared to the control group, partial η2=0.11, when the age-effect on decision making was controlled. Self-reported positive affective valence prior to decision making was negatively related to the number of risky decisions, r<-0.38. CONCLUSION Short-term pre-acclimatisation might influence decision making in hypoxia in a positive way and might be considered as a risk-reducing preparation method prior to exposures to hypoxic environments. Positive affective states seem to have a medium-sized protective effect against risky decision making.

To What Extent Do Attitudes Regarding Ski Helmets Change After a Period of Utilization

Background: Common reasons reported for helmet non-use are impaired hearing and impaired vision and an increasing level of risk taking. Therefore, health communication programmes should be instituted to get non-helmeted skiers and snowboarders to try out helmets to eliminate their potential prejudices. Aim: to evaluate whether and to what extent attitudes regarding ski helmets change after a period of utilization. Methods: Subjects who wanted to borrow a ski helmet in a ski rental shop had to rate 14 attitudes about ski helmets using a 5-point Likert scale two times (1) before they borrow a helmet and (2) after the return of the helmet. Results: A total of 231 (43.7% females) subjects with a mean age of 35.2 ± 14.3 years participated. A ski helmet was used never before, one time, and more times by 21.2, 16.7, and 62.1%, respectively. There was a significant increase after borrowing in the agreement that all winter sport participants should wear a ski helmet (p = .003), and that a ski helmet damages the hairstyle (p = .021) while there was a decreasing agreement that a ski helmet looks good/is stylish (p = .030). According to a factor analysis, attitudes about ski helmets clustered around two major dimensions—“safety awareness/comfort” and “subjective disadvantages” explaining 42–43% of the overall variance. A significant increase in the dimension “safety awareness/comfort” from pre- 31.8 ± 5.9 to post-borrowing 32.6 ± 5.9 (p < .001) was found while the dimension “subjective disadvantages” did not significantly change (pre: 18.6 ± 4.3 vs. post: 19.1 ± 4.3, p = .091). Regarding subgroup analysis with these two dimensions, previous helmet use (never before vs. one time vs. more times) did not show significant differences in the change in attitudes. Conclusion: The ski helmet-related dimension “safety awareness/comfort” significantly increased after a period of utilization, irrespective of previous helmet use.