Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The study was initiated against the backdrop of an increasing emphasis on the integration of technology in educational paradigms, particularly in dance education. It was structured to address four pivotal research questions: the impact of the ReAL Tool on the learning and recall of dance choreographies, its accuracy in dance assessment compared to subjective methods, its contribution to the ecological validity of dance learning and assessment, and its impact on learner engagement and satisfaction. These questions were explored through a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analyses with qualitative interviews to garner a holistic understanding of the impact of the ReAL Tool.

The findings revealed that the ReAL Tool significantly improved short-term learning and recall of dance choreographies, suggesting its effectiveness in enhancing the immediate learning processes. However, its impact on long-term retention was comparable to traditional methods, indicating a balanced role in different learning contexts. In terms of assessment accuracy, the tool demonstrated high concordance with expert choreographers’ evaluations, as evidenced by Kendall's W test results, thereby establishing its reliability and validity in dance assessment.

Qualitative analyses provided greater insights on the themes of autonomy and participation in learning, and the integration of technology with traditional teaching methods. The ReAL Tool was found to foster a sense of autonomy and reduced reliance on instructors, while providing personalised feedback that enhanced learner motivation and engagement. The ReAL Tool, with its capability to provide immediate, accurate, and personalised feedback, represents a significant advancement in teaching and assessing dance. Therefore, the ReAL Tool, offers a novel approach that can complement traditional pedagogical methods in dance learning and assessment in adult beginner dancers.

Participants from two age groups were recruited for each study: young (aged 21-40) and older adults (aged 65-80). IMSL was assessed via a serial reaction time task (SRTT), which requires participants to repeatedly perform a sequence of finger movements without being aware that a sequence is present. The inclusion of random sequences in between the embedded sequences enables the dissociation between general visuomotor learning (ML) and sequence-specific learning (SSL), which the latter often compromised in older adults.

Study 1 utilised fNIRS to investigate whether RS-FC could predict subsequent SRTT performance. This study revealed an overall weakened RS-FC in the older adults, specifically in the connectivity between PFCLeft, PMARight and M1Right when predicting SSL.

Study 2 utilised Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to assess neural dynamics of the motor network just before a movement is made. Our results indicated that older adults showed a decreased pre-movement excitatory response alongside potential adaptations in cortical inhibition compared to younger adults. These differences might contribute to the absence in SSL in older adults.

Study 3 sought to utilise the above findings on the need to enhance the ageing brain’s readiness for IMSL. A concurrent tDCS- fNIRS approach was employed to induce changes in the SMA and M1, to clarify their contributions during SRTT. Stimulating these areas did not improve SRTT performance but yielded distinct neural responses between the age groups. Specifically in older adults, there were changes in PMALeft and PMARight activity post-M1-stimulation. In younger adults, functional connectivity within the right hemisphere and PFCLeft - PFCRight were enhanced during SMA stimulation. These results highlighted the complexity of neural plasticity across different age groups and suggested that SMA as a promising target for future research and intervention in IMSL.

Overall, weakened interhemispheric connections within the PFC, PMA and M1, as well as altered pre-movement neural dynamics were associated with a decline in IMSL ability in older adults. While tDCS targeting the SMA and M1 elicited age-dependent neural responses, the SMA emerged as a promising stimulation site for enhancing cognitive-motor integration necessary for SSL. However, this premise is contingent upon the development of tailored neuromodulatory interventions that considers individual differences in neural profiles.

Overweightness and obesity are a burgeoning health epidemic. Many diets like alternate-day fasting (ADF) are effective in combatting obesity, but most studies are long in duration (8-48 weeks) which can be challenging and demotivating to people trying to lose weight. Importantly, the weight loss attained comes with significant muscle loss, which has dire health consequences especially among seniors who are at risk of developing sarcopenia.

To combat muscle loss, dietary protein interventions have been examined. Protein stimulates muscle protein synthesis (MPS), a process that helps construct new muscle protein over time. However, there is evidence that increasing protein intake alone beyond normal recommended levels may not improve muscular outcomes. Leucine has been proposed to be the key driver of MPS and is even shown to reduce muscle protein breakdown. One important benefit of leucine over protein is the need to consume fewer overall nutrients and calories to attain the same MPS response: around 2-4 g of leucine maximises MPS compared to 20-40 g of protein. While absolute doses (e.g., 2-4 g) have been examined, a more useful and individualised leucine dose adjusted to body mass (e.g., g/kg) has not been determined. Additionally, the dose-response of different leucine amounts on muscular outcomes have not been investigated.

In this doctoral thesis, a preliminary study was first conducted to ascertain short-term ADF’s effects on weight loss and muscle loss. The results show that short-term ADF over just four weeks is effective in promoting weight and fat loss. However, it also led to significant muscle loss which was not attenuated by increased protein intake on the fasting day.

Study 1 was then conducted to examine the efficacy of body mass-adjusted leucine doses on muscle preservation during weight loss, to determine if it is possible to lose weight without significant muscle loss through increased leucine intake. There were no significant interactions in changes/responses in body composition and muscular outcomes across groups, indicating that increased leucine intake was not efficacious, and a dose-response was not present, in preserving muscle.

In Study 2, the effectiveness of body mass-adjusted leucine or protein supplementation, versus control, on muscular and sarcopenic outcomes during weight loss, was examined, to determine whether it is possible for seniors to lose weight without significant muscle loss through increased leucine and/or protein intake. There were no significant interactions in body composition, muscular or sarcopenic outcomes across groups, indicating that increased leucine or protein intake was not effective in preserving these outcomes.

This thesis affirms ADF as a safe and effective weight loss strategy with high adherence rates among young and older men in Singapore. Increased leucine and/or protein intake is not effective in improving body composition and muscular outcomes during weight loss. While dietary leucine and protein have important roles to play, it is speculated that resistance exercise may be even more important to the muscle building/preservation equation. It is proposed that future studies implement a resistance exercise protocol when investigating the role of body mass-adjusted leucine doses on body composition and muscular outcomes.

This study questions how “Malay/Muslim” identities have been constructed through Singapore’s multicultural education. Importantly, this study is influenced by the critical perspectives of Foucault, using Omi and Winant’s (1986) Racial Formation Theory as the overarching conceptual framework. These allow an assessment of the nexus and direction of power governing the construction of “Malay/Muslim” identities across the macro-, meso- and micro-levels - while taking into consideration Singapore’s wider educational and sociopolitical contexts.

A qualitative case study approach was used, with data collected from: (1) Qualitative semi-structured interviews; (2) Document analysis; and (3) Field-notes. Foucauldian Discourse Analysis was the preferred method of analysis, assessing power from the structuralist and poststructuralist perspectives. Based on the findings and analyses derived, this study argues that constructions of “Malay/Muslim” identities within Singapore’s multicultural education have largely taken place: (i) Through the (Re)production of “Racial Common Sense”; which take place (ii) Within Neoconservative Racial Projects.