Veterans with chronic
TBI demonstrate diminished Implicit Probabilistic Sequence Learning
Kiser, S., Chanpimol, S., Fioriti,
C., & Schwartz, B.
Background:
The goal of this study was to conduct the first experiment
to examine implicit probabilistic sequence learning (IPSL) in Veterans with chronic
TBI. Considerable published work has investigated the impact of various
neurologic disorders on IPSL, a cognitive process which plays an integral role
in motor-skill acquisition and inhibitory control. These are important to
rehabilitation/recovery after physical impairment. This line of research is particularly
important to our Veterans due to the significant risk for TBI. Presently, there
is neither an existing standard measure of IPSL for use in clinical populations
nor a clear understanding of what role nonconscious cognitive processes play in
recovery and functional outcomes.
Methods:
Veterans, 18-60 years of age, were recruited from the
Washington DC VA Medical Center. IPSL was assessed using the Triplets Learning
Task (TLT). In the TLT, learning is measured by calculating the relative
reaction-time between low and high frequency task conditions. Greater implicit
learning is demonstrated by higher reaction time difference between the task
conditions. Participants were unaware of the probabilistic nature of the TLT
and probed afterwards using a recognition test to confirm lack of awareness. A
mixed-factorial design was used to compare IPSL in Veterans with chronic TBI to
a Veteran control group (i.e. no diagnosis of TBI). Exclusion criteria included
a diagnosis of substance abuse within 3 months of enrollment, pre-morbid
history of neurologic disease (e.g., stroke), and prior history of bipolar
disorder, schizophrenia, or severe psychiatric illness as determined by the 22-item
Modified Mini Screen and the medical record. Data were analyzed using
repeated-measures ANOVA and, when necessary, corrected for sphericity and
multiple comparisons using Greenhouse-Geisser and Bonferroni adjustments,
respectively.
Results:
In this preliminary analysis, data were collected from 9
Veterans, 5 with a diagnosis of chronic TBI. Results from the mixed model ANOVA
demonstrated robust effect sizes between overall reaction-time to high and low
frequency events (F(1,7)=22.96; p=.003; η2p=.793) and reaction-times with
practice (F(5,35)=11.90; p<.001; η2p=.665). These results show that Veterans in both the experimental and
control groups demonstrate IPSL and inhibitory control in the experimental
task. However, metrics of implicit learning between groups showed marginal
significance (F(1,8)=4.57, p=0.07), where Veterans with TBI performed worse
than the control group. Statistical analyses of the recognition test revealed
that Veterans were unable to identify probabilistic event structures beyond
chance. These finding shows that IPSL is diminished in Veterans with chronic
TBI, adversely affecting motor-skill learning.
Discussion:
To our knowledge, the present study is the first to investigate
IPSL in Veterans with chronic TBI. The novelty of our findings is twofold.
First, both Veteran groups appear to learn probabilistic regularities in the
TLT, though those with chronic TBI perform worse than controls. Second, these
preliminary results serve as a proof of concept demonstrating the ability to
identify sensitive metrics of IPSL, motor learning, and inhibitory control in
Veterans with chronic TBI. Furthermore, these findings suggest cognitive
deficits not presently accounted for in neuropsychological assessment that
likely contribute to functional outcomes in TBI. Understanding the relationship
between TBI and IPSL should prove useful for informing rehabilitation techniques,
particularly when motor-skill acquisition is required. Additionally, IPSL is a
marker of striatal-dependent learning and could potentially characterize
disease progression following TBI. Previous studies have linked IPSL performance
to poor dopamine regulation in the caudate nucleus of the striatum, which is
shown to decrease into old age (65+ years) and in chronic diseases such as
Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. The pattern of learning exhibited
by Veterans with chronic TBI suggests untimely deterioration of striatal
function and could indicate dopamine dysregulation or depletion. This is
significant because pathophysiology of TBI is expected to impair this kind of
function. Further research is needed to understand why Veterans with chronic
TBI demonstrate reduced IPSL and whether TBI directly or indirectly affects
striatal-dependent learning.
I just bought my first longboard with the intent to ride it between work locations in Washington, DC. Parking being what it is (expensive), it doesn't really make sense to buy two parking passes; one for each workplace. Especially if you only have to work one of those jobs a few hours a couple days each week. Rather, I planned to buy just one parking pass and skateboard to the other location when necessary. I've been giving this a lot of thought over the past few months. I initially thought I'd ride my bike and just lock it outside the buildings where I work. The only problem is that I don't exactly trust people and I kinda like my bike. I don't really have a "beater" bike that I don't care about being stolen or thrashed and purchasing a new bike would be an expensive alternative. Looking further into things, I realized that a skateboard would be handy enough that I could ride it to-and-from and easily pick it up and take it inside with me. What's more, it'd be cost efficient! This would solve so many problems! Only there's one hitch: I don't exactly know how to ride a skateboard.
To paint the full picture, I just recently celebrated my 30th birthday and am as active now as I was when I was a teenager (for the most part!). I have noticed a number of changes that come with getting older, however. For instance: not rebounding after injury, not taking a fall so pleasantly at higher speeds, and general stiffness after most physically rigorous activities. So, why not purchase a skateboard and ride it on the busy streets of Washington, DC? I hope you get the picture!
I've never really been known for making the safest decision and I often enjoy a good thrill despite better judgement. Taken together it's no wonder I've had my fair share of spills over the last, say, 30 years (I really hope I get at least 30 more!). Nevertheless, I am now the proud owner of a Landyachtz Battle Axe 40". Secretly, I have wanted a longboard for quite some time. I've never really been into skateboarding. You know, the shortboard deck you see kids defacing public buildings with as they scrape their trucks across benches, walls, and handrails. Yeah, I'm not into that! But what has always appealed to me are smooth rides and maybe a little speed. Check it out:
I'm willing to bet none of the folks in that video picked up their first longboard in their 30s. In fact, none of them have reached 25, probably... So I'm not sure what will happen at this point, but I have a helmet, some pads, and health insurance! I've already given it a couple tries and haven't died... yet. I'm trying to figure out what works best for me but I currently seem to favor riding fakie (or goofy as some of the kids say). I find I can switch it up and ride dominant foot forward and vice-versa, depending on what I'm doing. However, I still get the wobbles when the terrain is steep - less so when I'm riding fakie.
I'll be sure to check back and report my progress. So far, I really like it! I only wish I had a few years experience under my belt and stood confidently on my board. But for now, I'll take it one day at a time.
Now that the weather has finally "turned the corner" and temperatures are consistently in the 60-70 degree (fahrenheit) range, the season of overtraining begins. Runners are notorious for overtraining and succumbing to injury in an attempt to meet their goals. Whether it's micro-fractures in the tibialis posterior, knee pain, or iliotibial band inflammation, the cause of many injuries are frequently accounted for by an eagerness to see performance gains while skimping on proper preparation and conditioning. Runners are not alone. Injury plagues most anyone training in a number of sports. Personally, I find myself forced to think about causes of injury the older I get. Not only do I fail to bounce back as quickly as I did when I was in my early 20s, but I am more prone to injury during the act; be it running, rock climbing, or trail riding. So, I recently sat down and gathered information about injury prevention. After combing through what seemed an endless amount of suggestions and good advice, I grabbed paper and a pen and compiled a list that made the most sense to me. I also made a list of my recent and recurrent injuries so as to tailor this list to my needs. Before long, I realized that my list could pertain to just about anyone. And once refined, I could likely implement this list as a catch-all for avoiding injury in most any repeated, physically-rigorous activities.
See what you think. I'll compose my list below, being careful to explain each item, and offer some examples I've adapted into my own routines to avoid injury. Keep in mind that I am not trying to create an extensive list nor do I think you should consider this list fool-proof. Like I said earlier, lists like these are generally suggestions and good advice. Same here...
5 Ways to Boost Performance While Preventing Injury
1. Pre- and Post Workout Conditioning
Ok, so this starts out pretty basic. However, it's amazing how many people are willing to shirk-off this very crucial aspect of training. This stage of preparation is usually overlooked by younger individuals who, as they age, come to realize it's importance only after succumbing to injury. I call this era the period of 'injury wake-up calls' and it is in no way ideal because some injuries can be chronic and impede performance for years. Take iliotibial band syndrome for example. Once established, this type of injury can return to greet you time-after-time for many years if not properly dealt with. There are better ways to deal with injuries like these: Don't get injured in the first place...
The body likes to be static. It attempts to store fat and preserve energy in some sort of "survival mode". From a biological stand-point this makes sense, but try abruptly changing this static state and your body might not be up for the challenge. This is why the "warm-up" period is crucial. The body needs time to adapt. The warm-up provides for the body an opportunity to increase heart-rate and blood flow to muscles as well as to temper the the musculoskeletal system for potential shock during intense training. I find that a slow-pace run (jog) for 2 miles in Heart-Rate (HR) Zone 1 to 2 does just the trick - oh and 2 miles is the minimum for me, otherwise my body struggles to adapt. However, there are those days after an intense run that my legs might not be up for the challenge and I need to be taking the day off from running. On these days, I warm-up on my bike. The smooth rotation of the pedals prevent any jarring from impact. Meanwhile, leg movement is a great way to increase HR. I generally stick to HR Zone 1 or 2 for 10 to 20 minutes at ~90 rpms.
The cool-down is also essential. If running, many folks will tell you to, "slow your pace or walk for 5 to 10 minutes at the end of training." I find that this is beneficial, but only to a point. Doing this allows the body to adjust to a slower pace and reduce impact-stress, all while HR stays elevated (which supports recovery). However, I find that my HR slows down considerably while I'm walking and there can still be awkward impact as I transition from a running stance to a walking stride. Therefore, I go back to the bike. Ten minutes in HR Zone 1 at 90 rpms minimizes impact and I get to control my HR! Afterward, it's time to stretch...
2. Stretch it out!
Without flexibility, injury is just a matter of time. The body can not perform optimally without full range of motion in the muscles. After doing a lot of reading, it appears that inadequate stretching accounts for a large portion of lower leg injuries for runners (including shinsplints, my nemesis!). The first thing to take note of - which I have done by making it two separate items on this list - is that warming up and cooling down is not the same as stretching. Personally, I find the best time to stretch is after a workout, when muscles are warm and elongated. However, there are exceptions such as when I rock climb. Then I stretch my hands and fingers prior to my warm-up. Again, stretching, like pre- and post- workout conditioning, seems more important the older we get but I assure you that everyone should incorporate it into their routine every day. While I do not personally use yoga, it really seems like a good idea!
On a last note for this item, I typically incorporate two stretches for running: touching my toes and alphabet foot/ankle stretches. These really help with shinsplints and have enabled me to be free of shinsplints for over two years. (For a more thorough set of running stretches go to Running World's article on Mastering Common Injuries.) When I'm rock climbing I work a couple light climbs in before I do any serious climbing. That and preemptive hand-stretches prevent shoulder strains and hand/finger pulls.
3. Nutrition
Here is a major item for injury prevention. Everything else should be considered routine maintenance but nutrition should be considered the key to injury prevention. EAT RIGHT! Injuries occur when the body feels sluggish and tired. Pushing yourself to stay motivated and reach your goals while not properly fueled will undoubtedly make you injury prone. And there is no other way to make sure you are getting enough of the right kinds of nutrients than to keep track of what you put into your body. If you have a training schedule and monitor what you are asking out of your body, you need an equal log of what goes into it. Tip: track more than just calories and fat. Consider Vitamins, Minerals, monounsaturated fats, saturated fats, carbs, proteins, and amino acids. Oh, and iron - particularly if you're female - but be careful! Read more about it here: Nutrition Etc...
4. Write It Down
Whether it seems obsessive, compulsive, or both, keeping a log of your training/workouts is essential to injury prevention. Relying on memory to determine how hard you've pushed yourself over the past week is a poor substitute - and a terrible idea - for keeping a proper log of your distance, pace, and how you feel. Like I mentioned above, you should also log what you eat. This approach leads to a more holistic training regimen and will boost performance and keep you injury free.
I typically track as much data as possible. Oh, and it is totally obsessive and compulsive! I track all my workouts using Garmin Connect and my nutrition via MyFitnessPal. Lucky for me, each tracking system is synced and I get an overall report in one hub using Garmin Connect. This really serves two purposes. First, I track performance and nutrition so I train and refuel optimally. Second, social media lets me see my friends' progress which helps me stay motivated. It's the buddy system, even when it's physically impossible to have a running partner (although I prefer the non-digital method when possible).
5. Take Breaks
If you feel like you're pushing too hard, take a break (i.e. day(s) off). You won't necessarily know your limit at first - everything seems very hard initially - but with practice you come to know your body. It's always good to listen to your body to know when it's asking you to chill out. I know this might sound cliche and not very informative, but listing it here is an important reminder that we often push ourselves beyond our limits. This is usually a good thing so long as we don't overextend ourselves to the point of injury. Allow your training schedule to guide you rather than lord over you. If nothing else, you'll be happier.
Lastly, paramount to this item is proper recovery time. Be sure to plan breaks in your schedule. Inadequate rest can account for many shortcomings in your workout - and life in general. So, always be mindful of your sleep hygiene, too!
So, that's the list! Like I said, it's not comprehensive - although I think it hits some major points - and it should only be taken as suggestion. There are countless ways to stay motivated and injury free in order to accomplish your goals. Furthermore, there are endless lists like this one touting ways to stay injury free. However, I hope this list offers a more general but 'to the point' approach compared to other articles and that you can apply it to whatever sport for which you train. I hope it serves me well this season as I plan to achieve my goals unimpeded!
Last week I embarked on a backpacking trek through the Monongahela National Forest with my brother, Shane. We had been planning this journey to West Virginia for over a month and anxiously awaited the day we'd travel from our respective states to meet up. Me from Maryland and Shane from Kentucky. The hard part had been trying to determine a half-way point that wouldn't require one of us to drive 2/3 the total distance. That said, Shane drew the short straw since most of the state and national forests in WV are located closer to the east! This trip had given my brother and me a topic to discuss during our many phone calls. In all honesty, the trip was very easily planned and logistics absurdly simple, but that didn't hold us back from talking about details of the trip ad nauseam. Despite being raised in the same household and growing up doing basically the same things outdoors, Shane and I have developed a separate set of idiosyncrasies when it comes to backpacking. For one, Shane's a hammock guy! While I have definitely seen my fair share of hammocks in the outdoors and gazed upon the countless, tightly rolled ENO bundles at my local REI, I have never taken the plunge. I might be a little old school, but I can't quite get away from my tent. Once set up, my tent is like a home in the woods to shelter my stuff from inclement weather. Perhaps I'm just too attached to it, I guess. That said, I do own a hammock (Merry Christmas from Shane!) and can attest to it's unparalleled sleeping comfort compared to anything that lies on the ground. Still yet, I rib my brother about the tasty morsel he becomes when delightfully wrapped in his "bear burrito"! Apart from our separate sleeping systems, we diverge further on our choice in food stuffs. I bring dehydrated, prepackaged meals (i.e. just add water), whereas Shane plans and packs a culinary assortment to be braised over a fire or camp stove. While waiting on my pot to boil, Shane is merrily composing his cavalcade of fireside delicacies - usually including dessert! I guess you could say I'm more of a minimalist in this regard but I have to hand it to Shane; his meals usually smell more appealing during the cooking process! All in all, our methods might be different but each has it's merits. I believe choosing one method over the other is simply a matter of personal preference and can be changed a multitude of ways to match the personality of the camper. It's funny, really. Getting to know what's inside someone's backpack is like getting to know the person. It's contents reflect the creature comforts and priorities valued by it's owner. Hmmm, wonder what my rucksack says about me?
The Plan:
The plan had been to park a vehicle on either end of the North Fork Mountain Trail and hike south to north along the 24 mile ridge-line. While hiking, we expected to see some of the most beautiful vistas offered by the region that we had long read about - and the reason we chose this destination. If you have any ambition of hiking this trail yourself, beware: there is only one water-source along the entire trail! The water-source is a spring located 12 miles from either end of the trail. So bring plenty of water. Knowing this we each packed extra water and attempted to ration accordingly. Carrying extra water really adds weight to the pack so we tried to find a balance. In other words, if the spring had been dry, we probably would have been in trouble! Luckily there was rain in the forecast so we were not that worried.
Day 1: The first day promised great weather and a chance to get familiar with the lay of the land. We parked the first vehicle at the north trail head and proceeded south to stop by Seneca Rocks. Along the way there were numerous spines of rock protruding from the hill-sides along the hollows and tight-valley farms. A generous river supplied water to these farms and local shop-keepers offered canoe rentals as well as guided tours of nearby caverns. All in all, there was no shortage of geographical wonders to behold! But we were there with a somewhat singular purpose: North Fork Mountain Trail.
After parking at the foot of Seneca Rocks and looking up, Shane and I were amazed at the size and scale of the monolith. At just over 900 ft from stream to peak, this hunk of tuscarora quartzite boasts over a dozen climbing routes rated up to a 5.13a! While hiking around the east face trail, we noticed several rock climbers ascending and descending the southern face. At that moment, I really wished I had my gear (as well as experience trad-climbing since there are no fixed anchors!). Unfortunately, it was a pipe-dream then and now but it certainly served as an encouragement to take a lead-climbing class.
Making our way up the east face trail, Shane and I stopped to snap a few photos. The day was gorgeous and everything about the mountain was perfect. Once arriving at the top, we disregarded the cautionary signage telling of the 16 climbers that have died since 1971, and made our way to the summit. There is plenty of width to the relatively narrow spine of the summit. However, it probably isn't a great destination for those who experience vertigo. Seneca Rocks has claimed many lives in the past quarter-century, most recently a 49 year old rock climber named Ruth Stine who tragically fell to her death in 2008. It's safe to say that Seneca Rocks has seen it's fair share of tragedy and anyone willing to climb her many pitches need be prepared and ready for the risks.
From the summit, the valley was amazing. It felt sacred or like hallowed ground. Three mountain hollows converged to form an intersection at the base of the cliffs. Pictures really do it no justice and to experience the full effect you must see it for yourself. After looking east to the valleys we turned our attention west to the ridge-line overlooking our perch. There stood North Fork Mountain and the trail we'd soon be hiking, nearly 3,700 ft above us...
Before nightfall, we drove along RT 33 until we crested the hilltop marking the southern trail head. We looked for parking but there really wasn't any. No one else was around and the likely candidate for parking spots lay along the narrow roadside of a blind, hairpin turn. Shane, who drives a RAM 1500 was concerned to say the least, but had no trouble backing his full-size truck as tightly as possible into the apex of the switchback. We no more than stepped out from the vehicle when the forest ranger pulled up behind us! With a cordial introduction he inquired as to whether we were coming or going. Wanting to comply 100% we told him we had just arrived and intended to overnight on the trail. He was amazingly helpful and told us to park to the side of the road near the guard-rail on the east side of the mountain near a farm-gate. That way, we wouldn't get towed and no one would file any complaints. We were grateful! His advice helped us rest assured we'd come back in 3 days and Shane's truck would still be there (and it was!).
There are a couple signs posted on gates and trees warning that much of the trail on the southern end runs along privately owned land. I'm not sure why this is the case since the trail runs along protected land in the Monongahela National Forest (Teddy Roosevelt would NOT be pleased!). Besides, the terrain is too rocky to be considered beneficial from an agricultural stand-point and the ridge too narrow for any practical use. Nevertheless, for the first 3 miles landowners have taken to painting trees with red paint and posting signs saying not to camp on private property. On the other hand, these landowners permit hiking but restrict hunting and bikes. I can't really complain since these private owners seem practical and have the interest of the ecosystem in mind (very honorable!).
Shane and I hiked through the private land, being mindful to respect the land and it's owners, and set up camp around mile 3. We were bushed but happy. It was time for vittles and sleep: me in my tent and Shane in his burrito!
Day 2:
We awoke to a deluge. The forecast promised rain and the usual climate of April in mid-Appalachia. We had 10 miles to cover and it was first-thing first: breakfast and camp breakdown. While I entertained oatmeal and raisins with peanuts, Shane was hard at work mastering his backwoods culinary skills. I didn't look very hard at his concoction (for fear my breakfast would seem too meager) and honestly do not remember what he ate. It was probably truffle poached eggs and smoked salmon on toast... probably.
After packing up camp, we embarked on our journey. It was wet. In fact, it rained all day. We wouldn't see any reprieve until tomorrow, so we adorned our rain-jackets and slogged, one foot in from of the other, to the spat-sounds of water drops on our jackets.
While the trail was descending on average, from time to time it climbed and this would require Shane and me to take a break. It was during our first break that I realized, while I was perfectly dry and comfortable in my hooded Mammut rain-jacket, Shane had left his detachable hood at home.... We both knew this would lead to lacking comfort (more-so Shane's realization and reality than mine) but that there was no real danger as temperatures were too warm to warrant hyperthermia. So Shane pushed on, without so much as a complaint (or jeer at my half-hearted mocking)!
After many miles we crossed an old gas-line and followed a fire road all the way to our campsite. We had not seen anyone the whole day and it was looking like we wouldn't cross paths with anyone throughout the whole trek. We made camp and found the fresh-water spring where we replenished our water supply. A fire seemed like a good idea so we built one. Despite the rain, we really didn't have much trouble. To ensure our success, Shane brought a flask of lamp oil that we'd use sparingly to get things started. Soon after, we were warming our hands and settling down for a hot meal and sleep. We developed a set routine and our bed-time came early: around 8:30 to 9pm. Just before bed it was apparent that Shane might be dealing with some chaffing (rough!). The remedy for his malady was with his rain-jacket hood... in Kentucky. Again, there were no verbal complaints and he somehow made do with supplies from his first-aid kit (ALWAYS BRING A FIRST AID KIT!).
Day 3:
We awoke on day 3 to dense, thick-as-pea-soup fog. Like the rain from the previous day, it was relentless throughout our entire hike that day. After breakfast and camp-breakdown (everything was wet...), Shane jousted some blisters (he is flat-footed and I can't imagine the adversity he undergoes during 10+ mile stints under the weight of a rucksack) and away we went. ...only we didn't travel too fast. The trail was very difficult to see because the fog made everything impossible to see outside a 20ft radius. Keeping an attentive eye, we maintained the trail under foot and set out for another 10 mile day.
Along the trail we encountered the local wildlife. On occasion we heard wild fluttering and caught a mere glimpse of a winged animal cutting through the brush at break-neck speed. Shane and I discussed the possibility that this was too large to be anything but an owl or red-tailed hawk. The color wasn't right for a hawk, so we were rather stumped. This happened time and time again, but we continued on...
As we neared the halfway point of our prescribed distance that day, we set aside our packs and sat on the ground, leaning against a fallen, moss-covered tree. I rummaged through my pack until I found my gorp. I steadily shoveled peanuts and field corn in my gob before catching eyes with Shane... who had brought fruit-snacks and Oreos. I felt like a feral person two-handing twigs-and-berries down my gullet when I looked on Shane's civilized assortments of candy-crudités. - I seem to remember him nibbling his nosh with his pinky aloft. - After seeing my pitiful expression, he politely offered me a fruit snack which I eagerly snatched and consumed like a squirrel perched on a branch. It was only day 3 and the fabric of my civility was thread-bare.
Courtesy of "Giant Troll"
It must have been my lucky day, because a few miles later Shane and I ran across lute left behind by a trail-fairy. For those of you who aren't familiar with this term, trail fairies refer to fellow hikers who leave behind consumables on long trails where supplies are sparse. In this case, it was a JIF jar filled with Easter candy hanging from a tree. A label on the inside of the jar indicated it was left by "Huge Troll". This is a trail handle - or name - taken by avid hiker usually when thru-hiking a major trail system like the Appalachian Trail. I'm usually cautious and do not partake of gifts left behind by trail-fairies. However, I pilfered a chocolate egg and left the remaining bounty for other hikers.
That evening, the rain resumed. I had just pitched my tent in time to shelter myself from the impending thunderstorm. To his misfortune, Shane opted for a bathroom break and made it back just in time to hang his hammock in the rain. I offered to help but there was really not much I could do but get in the way. So I watched Shane from the shelter of my tent and decided I would keep warm by getting supper underway (the temperature was dropping). At this point I donned my down-jacket and began boiling water with my gas stove in the vestibule of my tent. I wouldn't normally do this, but the thunderstorm wasn't showing any signs of letting up. Shane was warmly tucked away in his hammock by the time my food was ready. I looked through the split of my vestibule to see the rain had stopped. The thunderstorm must have passed. There was still distant booms of thunder but there were also clear signs of sun rays bursting through the clouds.
I grabbed my bag of rehydrated chicken, dumplings, and gravy along with my water bottle and walked up to the crag of rocks no more than 50 ft away. Where before there was nothing visible but a vast void of fog, now there was an expansive view of the Germany Valley immersed in low-lying clouds. The fog along the ridge-line had disappeared and opened up one of the best scenic overlooks we'd seen thus far. I couldn't help myself, so I called down to Shane to come take a look. Of course, he was in the midst of preparing his supper but I assured him he would want to come see while the weather permitted. While I waited, I hung my feet over the tallest crag I could find and ate my meal. It was surreal. It was magical. It was the reason I take to the outdoors!
Later that night I was startled awake by a thunderstorm moving through. Needless to say I was concerned since we were atop the ridge and lightning was striking all around. As I lay, counting seconds between lightning and thunder I couldn't help but grin. I was equally exhilarated and soaked in the thrill. While there was a chance for real danger, I can't say I was truly aware of it. At one point the lightning and thunder cracked together; too fast to acknowledge until after the fact. It was too close for comfort but there was nothing else to do. Let come what may - in the mean time I was going to enjoy every minute of it!
Day 4:
The day had come that we would hike the remaining 2-3 miles then drive home. Dawn broke with a breathtaking sunrise. I soaked it in but it didn't last long before the fog returned. As we broke camp, Shane was eager to get back home to his family. I can't blame him, really. He has 3 beautiful kids and a 4th on the way. They are ridiculously cute and anyone who has met them will tell you the same. Besides, Shane had managed to add a few blisters each day which he jousted and medicated every morning and night and I believe his thoughts of sustaining this routine were unwelcome. I'm sure it was a combination of flat-feet, foot-ware, and the overly rocky trail, but Shane had to have been in sincere pain. But true to his nature, he never complained. Not once!
We hiked down toward the northern trail head when we came across an interesting sign. The cliffs along North Fork Mountain were protected and off-limits to hikers! Apparently, North Fork Mountain was a long-time nesting ground for the endangered Peregrin Falcon. Amazing! I honestly had no idea. I had never even seen a Peregrin Falcom before. Well, actually I think I have. Every time Shane and I heard the fluttering of giant wings cutting through the brush and caught a glimpse of the massive birds taking flight, it was undoubtedly the Peregrin Falcon. This wasn't confirmed until we arrived back to my vehicle and started on our way back to the southern trail head to pick up Shane's truck. Alight on a limb over RT33 stood the great Peregrin Falcon. I was in disbelief! It was a giant bird with very distinct coloring. As we approached I slowed my speed to take a longer look. As I did, he took to the air and craned his neck to take one last look before ascending vertical beyond my sight. It was a great send-off from a wonderful trip. I am very happy I got the chance to share it with my brother.
So. The day I received my EnChroma glasses has come and gone. I have been wearing them now a couple days and felt it was time to report on their effectiveness. Now, keep in mind that it is early Spring and the days have not been consistently warm. That means there are not a lot of spectacular colors from burgeoning flora outside. Seeing color outdoors is crucial for me, even though these particular glasses are made for indoor use. However, as long as there is not a lot of light, which according to the label can cause a "washout" in colors, it should not be a problem (it's not like I'm using them instead of sunglasses - EnChroma makes those too). That said, I primarily wanted these glasses for use at work and, mostly, the indoor climbing gym. At work I create multi-color stimuli for psychology experiments. Needless to say, seeing color at work would help me keep up with co-workers instead of waiting for someone else to catch a mistake brought about by my color confusion. Additionally, it doesn't hurt to be able to distinguish line- and bar-graph colors during those long lab meetings I attend (at some point pastel blue, pink, and purple will inevitably rear heads - ugh!). As for the climbing gym, being able to see color is essential for route finding. For some strange reason, route builders find it necessary to place orange and green routes over/beside one another. The same is true for purple/blue routes. This makes it really difficult to have confidence while climbing, especially if bouldering alone. Now that you know my reason for wanting the EnChroma Cx-65 glasses, I will tell you what I have learned since wearing them.
Immediate Impression
If you have watched the EnChroma video, you were probably struck by how emotional it was to watch color-blind people "see color" for the first time. I know I was! To me, the testimonials demonstrate what a world-changing experience it is to see a broader spectrum of colors in a way that is more enriched than my eyes can see on their own. While scanning written testimonials, I read about emotions, tears, and interpersonal connection. That is, a connection with other, color-seeing persons who use color to express emotions in a way I probably do not fully appreciate. I wanted that! So I anxiously awaited the arrival of my EnChroma glasses. Then, there they were, waiting on my doorstep freshly delivered by a pair of brown shorts in a box truck. I told my mom I would capture a video when I first put them on but my feelings in support of doing that were waning. I was afraid to disappoint her if they didn't work (I could tell she was anxious). - I say that because these glasses do not work for everyone. In fact, a good number of red/green color-blind folks are dichromats and these glasses won't help (there's too much overlap between red and green for them to distinguish a difference). You can read about how the glasses work here and their use of notch-filtering. - So I didn't video myself trying the glasses on for the first time. Instead, I texted some friends to let them know my glasses had arrived and surrounded myself with a digital support group. I tried to call my mom to share in the experience, but her phone was dead...
So, I eagerly unboxed the new glasses and slipped them onto my face. At first, the difference was too subtle to notice any changes. Everything was coated in a shade of blue/gray but not all that different. I went outside (it was sunny) and looked around. Nothing. Then the disappointment set it. I expected colors, emotions, interpersonal connection..... but no. I switched back and forth between the glasses and my bare eyes trying to detect any subtle difference. The sky was really blue and the grass was a richer green, but nothing popped. So I turned to walk back inside my house and then there is was. The hardwood floor was different. It was vibrant red. How had I never noticed before. I took the glasses off and, in the shimmer of the sun, it was brown. Maybe there was some orange but it was washed out. I quickly put the glasses back on and there I was, standing on planks of technicolor red. I scanned the room for more red and, subtly, there was more deep reds in the everyday objects I never really noticed before. Wow! I sent my first wave of texts to let friends know about my discovery. I'm sure I was way more excited than I could convey but I felt others had to know the world was full of color lest they miss it! I eventually talked to my mother to let her know the good news.
Later that day, I went to the mall. It was the only place I could think of that would host a cavalcade of colors that would allow me to test the glasses. At the food court I noticed the logo from Taco Bell. I never knew it was purple-ish. It had always looked strictly pink. And now it had a tinge of purple. Dare I say Magenta? It wasn't like magic and the difference wasn't grandiose. It was subtle but it was there. The longer I wore the glasses the better I became at identifying colors I couldn't previously distinguish.
EnChroma Filter Normal
Next stop, Bath and Body Works. This might not be the first place you think to go when you've got new "color-blind" glasses, but let me persuade you to think again. Right now, they have Spring color layouts that demonstrate great diversity in the color spectrum. I could nearly distinguish them all; a feat formerly unfathomable. I'm not saying the colors were, to me, as they were supposed to be or all that different from what I was seeing before. But, it was just different enough. Everything was more vibrant and rich and, most of all, I could contrast colors even if I didn't quite know what the colors were. The important thing was that it didn't look the same as other colors. For the first time I could contrast a wider variety of colors and with very little difficulty.
The most mind-blowing comparison I made was in a cosmetic shop when looking at nail polish. There was a spectrum of colors ranging from pink to purple. On either side was a shade of each color and, when I held them side-by-side, I couldn't tell apart. Then I put the glasses on... Boom! The two looked different. I could even tell which was pink and which was purple. Somehow the purple looked more blue... or maybe the pink looked more red. Maybe both! I'm not sure about that but one thing was for certain - I could tell them apart. I took a picture with my phone with and without the glasses covering the aperture. I posted the picture above. I'm not so sure this difference is as obvious or enlightening for normal color-seeing folks, but hopefully those with red-green color deficiency will look in awe. I was so amazed by my new-found ability that I wanted to share it with the world... and here it is!
The Climbing Gym
Ok, so I had a great appreciation for the benefit provided by the glasses. They seemed to help, even if the world didn't exactly explode with new colors. My understanding is that the glasses don't enable you to see colors the way other normal functioning trichromats see color. Rather, it filters wavelengths of light that "crosstalk" into shorter wavelengths that are distinguishable by red-green color deficient people. This doesn't increase the amount of colors you can see but does adjust the color of objects so that you notice a difference where before there was none. Think of it as reclassifying sound frequency. If you adjust a 7 Hz sound to 12 Hz it can be heard by a person who is def for sounds between 5-10 Hz.
Climbing-hold shadows
It's likely more complicated than that for the EnChroma glasses but I'm willing to bet the principle is the same. In short, wearing these glasses will not allow a person to see more colors. It allows a color deficient person to see differences in colors that were previously indistinguishable. Understanding this, I really hoped the glasses would improve my route-finding ability at the climbing gym. So, the next day I went climbing with my friend Kelly. She really didn't notice any differences when looking through the glasses, other than the blue/gray shade it made everything. On a side note, they totally fit her face better... - Sizing the glasses are hard since they're ordered online. It would be great if EnChroma designed a web-tool that enabled someone to get a feel for the fit of the glasses. They're really expensive to have no guarantee of fit and shipping back a pair due to dissatisfaction is time-consuming. - We talked about how they've helped me see color differences and, looking around the gym, a couple things popped. The Himalayan prayer flags were noticeably different. Strangely, the blue seemed more vibrant and I mislabeled it as purple. Kelly confirmed the color was blue which had me rethinking my confidence. The light in the gym isn't all that great and I was worried it wouldn't be adequate for the glasses. Shortly after, we started our first climb. The route was marked by orange handholds which wouldn't be a problem by itself but they were interspersed among green holds. Trouble ensued. After tying in and chalking up, I put on the glasses and I was on-belay. Reaching for the first few holds was difficult. It was dark and, with overhead lighting, the bottom of each climbing hold was shadowy. This was made worse by the slight tint on the glasses. A few holds later and I was still having problems. I looked down and the worn foot-holds lacked contrast from other holds. Luckily this improved as I climbed since I was rising nearer the overhead lighting. Afterward, I had a moment to reflect. I think the glasses actually impaired my vision in the low-lighting environment. It definitely wasn't an improvement. I tried another route with the same color configuration (orange/green is easily found interspersed at my gym). The lighting was a little better in a new location but still not sufficient to contrast the colors. In the end I realized the glasses really were not going to help in this capacity. I was hopeful but it just wasn't in the cards.
In Summary
Upon reflection I think the glasses are great! They have their limitations (price being one of them!). I think they are advertised correctly and that they work best indoors and with computer screens. I also think they're good to use outside so long as the lighting isn't too bright. Oh, and they're definitely not sunglasses, so don't mistake them for having any sun protection (says so on the box). I think the greatest utility of the glasses will come at work since the glasses definitely help me distinguish colors better. And I am am very optimistic about what I might see in the future. Not only when the flowers bloom and Spring is in full season but also later; after Summer concedes it's long days and warm nights for Fall's beautiful foliage. Fall has always been hard for me. While I love the festivities and comfort feelings of Fall, I simply do not appreciate it's colors. I hope that changes. For the first time I have hope. Fingers crossed that I get to experience the colorful side of Fall.
