The influence of play behavior on the brain was investigated through plasticity and metaplasticity methodology. Regions in both cortical and sub-cortical areas were investigated. Animals in both studies either experienced play with juvenile partners or did not experience play by being paired with an adult. Play experience alone was shown to affect the plasticity in the prefrontal cortex, although it did not show structural changes to sub-cortical regions. If animals were given nicotine after play experiences, the affects of play in the prefrontal cortex were abolished. In addition, playful behaviors appear to prime some sub-cortical regions of the brain for expression of later plasticity. Thus, play appears to alter the structure of multiple brain areas, but do so in different ways. / ix, 67 leaves ; 29 cm

Title: Fulfilling the principles of fair play tennis with players from age categories under 12 and 14 Objectives: The goal was to implement and evaluate the interview focused on compliance with the principles of fair play among tennis players in the age categories under 12 and 14. The research was based on the findings of randomly selected match participants made in the context of competition mixed tennis teams to provide insight into the present situation of fair play in these age categories, to identify problematic issues and provide recommendations for practice. Methods: The research method was a structured interview containing questions enclosed or semi-enclosed. Results: The object of the research were players of tennis in ages under 12 and under 14 born in 2003 - 2005, respectively 2001 - 2002. The results of the two-month research showed that the most serious transgressions, which are contrary to the principles of fair play, include break of game rules and inappropriate behavior. Failure to shake hand with an opponent and expressions of superiority over weaker opponents occurred to a lesser extent. Apart from view of one player under 12 allowing the use of doping substances in certain circumstances none mentioned that the use of these means is generally approved. Tennis environment and...

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 244-258).

Stress is thought to be antithetical to play. However, this thesis shows that mild stress (e.g., social deprivation) enhances rough-and-tumble play, as opposed to other social behaviors, in adolescent rats. Social deprivation results in both higher levels of corticosterone (a stress hormone) and higher levels of play. When non-socially deprived rats were injected with ACTH (a precursor to corticosterone), the frequency of play was elevated to levels comparable to that seen when juveniles were socially deprived. Moreover, corticosterone was reduced by the opportunity to play, but not when given social contact (but no play) or solitary exercise (i.e. a running wheel). Therefore, this thesis provides evidence that play is not only enhanced by mild stress, but that it is used by animals to reduce stress. / vi, 70 leaves ; 29 cm.

Macaques (Macaca) are the most geographically widespread and behaviourally diverse primate genus, and although macaque species share the same basic social structure, they display broad interspecific variation in patterns of social behaviour. Based on these patterns, macaque species have been arranged along a 4-grade scale for social style. At one end of the scale, there are grade 1 species (e.g., Japanese macaques) that have highly hierarchical and despotic social systems, and at the other end, grade 4 species (e.g., Tonkean macaques), that have more relaxed and egalitarian social systems. In this study, the play fighting of juvenile Tonkean and Japanese macaques was compared to determine whether or not play behaviour co-varies in a manner similar to that of adult social behaviour. As predicted, Tonkean macaques exhibit a relatively cooperative style of play fighting, whereas Japanese macaques exhibit a relatively competitive style of play fighting. / x, 174 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm. --

children

This study investigates the effectiveness of response preclusion on stereotypic behavior (climbing and licking) and on play for a child with autism. Data were collected on stereotypic responses, play behavior, and the types of play materials the participant contacted. Implementation of response preclusion was followed by both a decrease in stereotypic behavior as well as an increase in play behavior. Play behavior did not return to baseline levels of responding during reversals to baseline, and stereotypic behavior decreased across reversals. These results suggest the current antecedent manipulation not only reduces stereotypic behavior, but also can establish an environment that is more conducive to learning new, desired behavior.

Play is a behavior mainly observed in young individuals that can differ greatly between species in both function and appearance. Presence of play indicates positive experiences in animals, making play a useful assessment tool for animal welfare. Commercial hatcheries expose chicks to several stressors that can affect both behavior and welfare. Unfortunately, our understanding of play behavior in chickens is still limited as only a few studies have been conducted.Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the ontogeny of various play behaviors in modern laying hens and to investigate how stress affects play behavior in chicks. A total of 80 chicks were used whereas 40 were hatched at a hatchery and 40 were hatched under controlled conditions. The chicks were tested in groups of four in enriched test arenas twice a week during five weeks. Each test lasted 30 minutes and novel objects were placed inside the arena after 10 and 20 minutes. Behaviors were noted while analyzing videos from the experiment using one–zero sampling and later divided into the categories of solitary, social, and total play. A linear mixed model with repeated measures was used to investigate how treatment, age, and the interaction treatment*age affect play behavior. Chicks played more during certain ages and all forms of play showed a similar change with age over both treatments. The amount of play did not differ significantly between treatments but there was a numerical (non-significant) tendency for hatchery chicks to play more, which may indicate compensatory play.

This chapter begins by describing the appearance of motor abilities, social and play behavior, sexual maturity, and sensory function in laboratory rats. It then discusses cognitive function, the development of simple stimulus associations made in conditioned taste aversion, and complex associations necessitated in spatial memory. The development of brain structures and their possible role in these behaviors are also discussed.

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