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Abstract: Anthropogenic noise and artificial light at night (ALAN) are expanding globally, acting as pervasive sensory pollutants that can disrupt wildlife behaviour and reproduction. While most research has focused on diurnal species, the effects of these pollutants on the ecological response of nocturnal predators remain poorly understood. Using data from nine European countries, we investigated the effects of traffic noise, ALAN, and road proximity on nestbox occupancy and reproduction in the Tawny Owl (Strix aluco), a nocturnal raptor widespread across Europe. Traffic noise consistently reduced both nestbox occupancy and reproductive success regardless of road proximity. ALAN also impaired occupancy and reproduction, but its negative effect on reproduction changed based on the proximity to roads. Interestingly, the negative effect of ALAN was stronger in sites further from roads, but it attenuated in their proximity, where owls' hatching success and brood size moderately improved. This finding suggests that near roads, where prey abundance and availability are also generally high, owls may either find the prey regardless of ALAN or they may exploit it to facilitate hunting and brood provisioning. However, vicinity to roads might enhance mortality by vehicle collisions, which represents one of the greatest threats for the conservation of owls. Our findings highlight that anthropogenic noise and the co-occurrence between ALAN and roads can affect settlement decisions and breeding performance in nocturnal raptors, with potential consequences across the food chain. Mitigating anthropogenic noise and promoting nighttime-lighting systems that minimize owls' presence close to roads will represent valuable actions to improve their conservation.
Keywords: ALAN, anthropogenic noise, owls, reproductive fitness, roadside habitats, raptor conservation, conservation biology
Published in DiRROS: 14.10.2025; Views: 364; Downloads: 167
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Abstract: The maintenance of variation (i.e., different phenotypes) for heritable traits that are under selection, despite expectations of selection eroding variation and favouring only the fittest phenotype, represents an evolutionary paradox. Here, we studied variation in life-history traits in five populations of colour polymorphic tawny owls (Strix aluco) across Europe that have been individually studied for 13 years. Tawny owls show heritable plumage colour variation ranging from less pigmented (grey) to more heavily pigmented (brown-red). The breeding life span (BLS), lifetime egg production (LEP), lifetime reproductive success (LRS) and the number of years skipped between breeding attempts (NYS) varied between the study populations, with LEP and LRS varying across colour morphs in a population-specific fashion. Thus, grey tawny owl females have higher lifetime fledgling and egg production than brown-red females in some populations, but vice versa in others. Hence, our findings demonstrate disruptive selection of tawny owl plumage colourations across their European range, which may be one factor maintaining variation in heritable tawny owl colourations.
Keywords: colour polymorphism, fitness, geographical range, life-history traits, reproductive investment
Published in DiRROS: 07.05.2025; Views: 623; Downloads: 598
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Abstract: Motor imagery (MI) is fundamentally linked to the motor system. It improves motor learning and optimizes motor actions without physical execution, highlighting its unique role in rehabilitation programs and motor performance. Understanding the developmental trajectories of MI and the factors influencing its variability across ages could enable more effective, age-specific strategies for pediatric rehabilitation. This study assessed 65 children aged 7 to 14 years at two time points 1 year apart. MI ability was assessed using the Movement Imagery Questionnaire for Children, and physical fitness was evaluated using the SLOfit testing battery. Among the three perspectives assessed; internal visual imagery (IVI), external visual imagery (EVI), and kinesthetic imagery (KI), KI was unique in not correlating with age at both time points. The development of MI perspectives varied between athletes and non-athletes, with non-athletes showing a decline in IVI compared with athletes. This differential was further evidenced by significant differences in KI between the groups at the second assessment, with a similar trend observed at the first assessment. Of the physical fitness tests, only the 600-m run correlated consistently with KI at both assessments. Our findings suggest that regular participation in sports significantly affects KI performance, highlighting the importance of sports participation for the development of MI abilities in children. Future research should examine additional assessment points in different age groups and sport experience to better understand the development of MI and its potential implications for pediatric rehabilitation.
Keywords: motor imagery, physical fitness, childhood development, pediatric rehabilitation
Published in DiRROS: 28.10.2024; Views: 1109; Downloads: 547
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Abstract: The aim of this study was to: a) investigate and determine gender differences to-wards factors influencing gym-goers’ choice of fitness trainer; and b) to identify and explain gender differences in gym-goers’ attitudes towards social media exercise con-tents (SMEC). For this purpose, a questionnaire was created. The study was conducted on a sample of 50 gym-goers (N1=13 male and N2=37 female), all attending a gym in Split, Croatia. The variable sample consisted of five groups of variables. Test-retest overlap was performed to determine the reliability (88.20%) of the questionnaire. The results showed that the affirmative attitudes were statistically significant in contrast to the non-affirmative attitudes (Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Test, T=250.00, Z=3.60, p<0.001). In addition, male gym-goers generally have a significantly more affirmati-ve attitude towards SMEC than female gym-goers (Mann-Whitney U-test, U=119.50, Z=–2.68, p=0.007). Furthermore, there are gender differences in choosing a fitness trainer based on their appearance; but there are no gender differences in the attitude towards the number of fitness trainers’ followers on social media as an indicator of tru-stworthiness. As this study was specifically concerned with the attitudes of gym-goers, future studies should focus on sports professionals and their attitudes toward this topic.
Keywords: social media, fitness trainer, exercise, gender
Published in DiRROS: 16.04.2024; Views: 1279; Downloads: 681
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Abstract: Abstract Background There is limited information regarding adaptation of HIIT in female athletes which is important since the adaptation to HIIT may be diferent compared to male athletes. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to summarize the efects of HIIT on physical performance in female team sports athletes. Methods The following databases Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ProQuest and Science Direct were searched prior to September 2nd, 2022. The inclusion criteria were longitudinal studies written in English, elite, sub-elite or college female team sports participants, and HIIT intensity had to be at 80–100% maximal heart rate. There were no exclusion criteria regarding the age of the participants or their training experience. The primary outcome measures were maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), repeated sprint ability (RSA), change of direction speed, speed, explosive strength and body composition. Results A total of 13 studies met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 230 participants. HIIT improved VO2max in fve studies (ES from 0.19 to 1.08), while three studies showed improvement in their RSA (ES from 0.32 to 0.64). In addition, change of direction speed was improved in fve studies (ES from 0.34 to 0.88), while speed improved in four studies (ES from 0.12 to 0.88). Explosive strength results varied (ES from 0.39 to 1.05), while in terms of body composition, the results were inconsistent through observed team sports. Conclusion HIIT has signifcant efects on VO2max, RSA, change of direction speed, speed and explosive strength in female team sports, regardless of the competition level.
Keywords: interval training, output, VO2max, physical fitness
Published in DiRROS: 09.04.2024; Views: 1327; Downloads: 747
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