Thesis (M.S. in Operations Research)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2008. / Thesis Advisor(s): Royset, Johannes O. "June 2008." Description based on title screen as viewed on September 12, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p. 41-43). Also available in print.

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Exercise enhances aspects of human cognition, but its intensity may matter. Recent research in animal models suggests that vigorous exercising may be optimal as it releases greater amounts of lactate, which in turn, activates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus to support cognitive function. Furthermore, the effects of exercise on cognition may be augmented when exercise is combined with cognitive training. The sport of orienteering simultaneously combines exercise with spatial navigation and therefore may result in greater cognitive benefits than exercising only, especially when performed at a vigorous intensity. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of an acute bout of orienteering at different intensities compared to exercising only on cognition and BDNF. We hypothesized that vigorous-intensity orienteering would increase lactate and BDNF and improve cognition more than moderate-intensity orienteering, or vigorous exercise alone. To test this, we recruited 63 recreationally active, healthy young adults (Mage = 21.10±2.75 years) with no orienteering experience. The orienteering groups navigated a 1.3km orienteering course while exercising at either a vigorous (80-85% of HRR) or moderate (40-50% of HRR) intensity. The control group exercised at a vigorous intensity on the same course without navigation. Peak lactate, heart rate and rating of perceived exertion during the intervention were used to verify exercise intensity. Immediately before and after the intervention, serum BDNF was extracted, and cognitive function was assessed using the Mnemonic Similarity Task for high-interference memory and the Groton Maze Learning Test for spatial learning and memory. The results show that exercising (M = 5.35±2.52 mmol/L) and orienteering (M = 5.94±2.49) at a vigorous intensity elicited greater peak lactate levels than orienteering at a moderate intensity (M = 2.01±1.20). Vigorous exercise (p = .003) and orienteering (p = .043) elicited greater increases in BDNF, and individuals with higher peak lactate had greater increases in BDNF (rs (56) = .28, p = .037). Vigorous exercise also benefited high-interference memory compared to moderate orienteering (p = .019). All groups increased in spatial learning (p’s < .05), but only the vigorous orienteering group improved in delayed spatial memory performance (p = .007). Overall, the results provide evidence for the beneficial effects of combined exercise plus navigation training interventions for spatial cognitions that are closely related to the process engaged during cognitive training. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to examine if simulating an unknown competition terrain with the computer game Catching Features improved orienteers performance in the real terrain compared to a terrain they had not simulated. Method This study examined the effect of simulation by asking elite level orienteers to simulate an unknown terrain with a computer programme for approximately one hour per day, for six days prior to an orienteering test. The participants were divided into two matched groups and one group simulated one forest terrain while the other group simulated another forest terrain. On the test day the participants ran one course in each forest terrain, in a crossover-type design. Results This study shows that simulation of an unknown terrain did not statistically significant increase an orienteers performance, however it had a small effect on orienteering and navigational performance indices. The use of simulation also had a large impact on how well the participants felt they prepared for the race. Conclusions Although simulation of an unknown terrain increases an orienteer’s self-rating of prior knowledge of the terrain, there was no clear improvement in race performance. Terrain simulation had a small effect on navigational performance, possibly at the cost of a slower running speed. This may have been as a result of an increased awareness of the difficulty to relocate in the terrain after simulation, which may have prompted orienteers to try to follow a more detailed terrain model to avoid navigational errors. Following a more detailed model may have cost them as much time as they gained from not making mistakes and this resulted in no change in race performance. In the flat terrain that was tested there were not many challenging route choices and it was not possible to detect any effect on the route choice performance by simulation.

Map position finding is a fundamental skill taught in many map use and interpretation geography courses. Map position finding is also the basic skill required for successful orienteering. At Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University orienteering exercises aid in building students map position finding skills. Unfortunately, the outdoor nature of orienteering limits classroom use. Bad weather, lack of suitable sites and logistical problems may prevent the educational use of orienteering. Advancements in computer technology have led to the development of a computer orienteering simulation. This paper examines the accuracy of subjects' map position finding responses when exposed to a computer simulated environment. This research examined two issues. First, it tested whether the computer program was capable of presenting the necessary visual information to determine a location. Test subjects were asked to locate a map position based on viewing computer images which were manipulated to create a 360 degree panorama. Second, it tested if the ability to pan continuously through 360 degrees increases participants' location accuracy over the individual slide based technique studied by Cox (1986). Results indicate that: 1) subjects were able to locate a specific map position by viewing computer images; 2) differences in accuracy existed between sites and subjects and 3) the ability to continuously pan through 360 degrees with the computer program provided higher accuracy results than the slide based study conducted by Cox (1986). / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Geography / Master / Master of Geographic Information System

The complex physiology of orienteering performance is not well understood but recent advances in technology allow for more in-depth investigation. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate physiological field tests for elite orienteers in Australia. Seven male and three female elite orienteers volunteered to take part in the study. Subjects completed an incremental fixed-distance (803m) trial in Australian forest terrain, paced by a bicycle equipped with a speedometer. This was replicated in the laboratory using a 4.5% grade for treadmill running. Subjects also completed four (males) or three (females) laps of a 1340m terrain loop incorporating uphill, track and downhill sections. Subjects then repeated this test in the laboratory, with treadmill grade manipulated to replicate the gradient profile of each section. Heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake (VCh) were recorded continuously with telemetry during each stage/lap. Blood [La] and RPE were recorded after each stage/lap. In the incremental tests, no significant differences (p=0.05 level) were observed in HR, VO2, blood [La] or RPE between the Field test, and its Laboratory replication over the entire range of speeds tested. The actual speeds run during the Field tests were significantly faster than the Laboratory test at the slowest speed (8 kmh- 1 ) attempted, and slower at the fastest speed (18 km-h-1) attempted. In the time-trial tests, no significant differences were observed in HR, VO2, blood [La] or RPE between the Field test and its Laboratory replication. The running speeds in the Field tests were significantly slower than the Laboratory tests. Running speed appeared inversely related to the course profile and the terrain also affected the speeds that could be achieved. Despite the changes in the course profile, the physiological responses to the course were maintained within a narrow range at a high level (-95% of maximal heart rate, 80-90% of VO2max, blood [La] -10 mM) for the duration of the 20-25 minute test. The Field tests that were developed in this study for elite orienteers in Australian forest terrain were successfully validated by replicating the protocols in a Laboratory setting.

We report on a study of how people look for information within email, files, and the Web. When locating a document or searching for a specific answer, people relied on their contextual knowledge of their information target to help them find it, often associating the target with a specific document. They appeared to prefer to use this contextual information as a guide in navigating locally in small steps to the desired document rather than directly jumping to their target. We found this behavior was especially true for people with unstructured information organization. We discuss the implications of our findings for the design of personal information management tools.

The orienteering problem is one of the newer problems in the field of discrete programming. The formulation of this problem originates from a sport discipline, called orienteering. In the beginning of this thesis a formulation and mathematical model for this problem are introduced. The extension of the problem is the team orienteering problem, described in the next chapters of theoretical part. Many heuristics were published for this problem. While the heuristic of Chao et al. and a path relinking approach are described in detail in this thesis. Practical part deals with the team orienteering problem applied to a real task, specifically a visiting of 23 attractions in the New York in different number of days. The solution is found by optimization program Lingo 90 and by heuristic of Chao el al. Heuristic algorithm was implemented in programming language Visual Basic for Application. A comparison of the results is described at the end of the practical part.