Spatial learning set acquisition in rats

Development of a learning set reflects the ability to abstract from a given problem the rules and procedures that can be generalized to novel stimuli. This ability has been demonstrated readily in rats only with tasks employing olfactory stimuli, suggesting a modality-specific capability. In the present experiment, rats were tested on a series of three go/no-go spatial discrimination tasks in order to evaluate their ability to develop a learning set in a modality other than olfaction. Each discrimination task was presented in a different room providing unique extra-maze cues. All rats reached the criterion performance of 18 correct responses in 20 consecutive trials on all three discriminations and showed a learning set. Some rats performed the third discrimination perfectly after only a single error. These results indicate that the ability to develop a learning set is not specific to the olfactory modality but reflects a more general cognitive capacity.     

Four Weeks of Neuromuscular Training Improve Static and Dynamic Postural Control in Overweight and Obese Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Thirty-two children with overweight or obesity were randomly divided into a neuromuscular training group (NTG) (n = 16) and a control group (CG) (n = 16). All individuals participated in the measurement of static postural control under two conditions: the double-leg stance with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). The center of pressure variables was obtained. mSEBT was used for dynamic postural control. Neuromuscular training was performed twice per week and lasted 4 weeks. The results of this study indicate that 4 weeks of neuromuscular training improve static and dynamic postural control in children with excess body weight.