key: cord-0073664-dangftjs
authors: nan
title: XII National Congress SISMES Padua, 8–10 October, 2021
date: 2022-01-15
journal: Sport Sci Health
DOI: 10.1007/s11332-021-00838-4
sha: f015d7dbeed6bcfe24a8fc4ca109af046e554093
doc_id: 73664
cord_uid: dangftjs

nan

time (? 144.7 ± 147.8 min/day), in mean glycaemic values (? 25.4 ± 33.4 mg/dL) and insulin delivery (71.8% of patients). 37% of invited patients attended the training program, 46% took part in AB and 54% in FT. The AB was carried out for 90% of the total duration, while the FT for 31%, both perceived as moderate intensity effort. Conclusions: A decline of participation in sport activities and a subsequent increase of sedentary time influence the management of T1D of children, increasing the risk of acute/long-term complications. Online exercise program may contrast the pandemic's sedentary lifestyle. References Long-term impact of COVID -19 on children's physical activity Ilaria Tosi 1 , Francesco Casolo 1 , Christel Galvani 2 1 Universita`Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Pedagogia, Milan, Italy; 2 Universita`Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Psicologia, Milan, Italy

Purpose: The WHO provided guidelines on physical activity (PA) and sedentary (SED) behaviour for children (WHO, 2020) . The emergency pandemic situation and related restrictions that the population has experienced since February 2020 has greatly changed the habits and time spent on extracurricular sports (Stockwell, 2021). Methods: The study was designed as a school-based controlled trial targeting primary schoolchildren and has been carried out between November 2019 and December 2020. 121 subjects attending the first and second years of primary school were involved. The assessment was performed three times, November 2019 (Nov19), October 2020 (Oct20) and December 2020 (Dec20). PA level and SED habits in leisure time was evaluated using 3 Day Physical Activity Recall (3DPAR) questionnaire (Weston, 1997), filled out by the parents of the subjects. During the first assessment the surrounding reality was in a condition of normality for what concerns the socio-sanitary situation. The second monitoring was carried out during the resumption of activities following a general lockdown period. The last one was carried out during a period of partial lockdown characterized by the full suspension activities of gyms, swimming pools and sports centers. Results: On average, less than half (39,1%) of children undertook the recommended 60 min of PA and all children spent more than 2 h (285 min) each day in SED activities. During the period of restrictions, children carried out alternative activities in the domestic context, which resulted in a reduction of sedentariness (Nov19: 304 ± 40, Oct20: 273 ± 40, Dec20: 278 ± 41 min; p,0001), but also in a net reduction of vigorous activities (Nov19: 25 ± 27, Oct20: 33 ± 31, Dec20: 9 ± 14 min; p \ 0,0001).

The pandemic situation has changed the extracurricular habits of children. Ensuring children can access to indoor or outdoor non-structured vigorous physical activities, and parents' support are important prerequisites for enabling children to practice healthy movement behaviours during lockdown. 

Purpose: Haematological cancer patients (HCP) usually report reduced physical activity (PA) and increased sleep deficiency. Sleep deficiency and PA's emerging and beneficial roles are intensely studied in solid cancer patients. However, there has been less attention to these issues in HCP. HCP's sleep deficiency is usually described as one of the five symptoms affecting these patients, and it is linked to higher levels of cancer-related fatigue (C-RF). C-RF also prevent HCP from being physically active. Indeed, C-RF and PA act in a vicious circle in these subjects, and the reduced PA could negatively interact with the side effect of the disease and its treatment. Moreover, most of the studies are focused on patients' conditions during or after chemotherapy. The present study assesses the differences in sleep by comparing PA and fatigue among HCP at the onset of chemotherapy. Furthermore, it investigates the relationship between sleep, PA and fatigue. Methods: The sample consisted of 58 newly diagnosed HCP (47.1 ± 15.4 years; 51.7% males). Participants filled in five questionnaires within two weeks from starting treatment: PSQI, a visual analogue scale, MFI-20, HADS, and EORTC QLQ-C30 to assess sleep, PA, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and quality-of-life, respectively. ANCOVA analysis investigated the differences between good and bad sleepers, while Mediation analysis described the relation between sleep, PA and fatigue. SPSS software was used to run the analysis.

Results: HCP reported more sleep problems than the German population norm even at the chemotherapy onset. The HCP classified as good sleepers were less represented than those classified as bad sleepers (25% and 75%, respectively) and showed less frequent PA (p = 0.04), higher fatigue (p = 0.032), anxiety (p = 0.003), depression (p = 0.011) and pain (p = 0.011). The mediation analysis disclosed PA as a mediating factor between sleep and fatigue; in other words, it revealed significant indirect effects of sleep on fatigue through PA.

Conclusions: Haematological cancer patients are described as predominantly sleep impaired even at the onset of chemotherapy. Bad sleep quality is associated with less frequent PA and higher fatigue. In addition, it highlights the combined action of sleep and PA on fatigue: an increment in PA frequency could be beneficial for fatigue improvements. PA and sleep could represent meaningful intervention Sport Sci Health targets to improve a patient's status before and at the onset of chemotherapy. 

The choice (choose health, oncological patients centered exercise): a phase II randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Secondary upper limb lymphedema (LE), which is among the most dreaded chronic complications in breast cancer (BC) treatment's outcomes, with risk proportional to the extent of axillary lymph node dissection and radiotherapy, results from lymphatic system obstruction or disruption. In BC survivors, chronic LE can cause psychophysical sequelae jeopardizing quality of life (QoL) and, owing to the lack of effective therapies, represents a major challenge for healthcare professionals. Recent researches support the positive effects deriving from regular participation in structured adapted physical activity (APA) programs in preventing or attenuating cancer treatment-related impairments with an overall improvement of QoL. In this context, the aim of our study was to investigate the possible effects of an APA intervention in reducing LE and improving both upper limb's strength and mobility, as well as QoL of BC survivors. Methods: BC survivors (n = 16) with chronic moderate/severe LE attending the Cancer Rehabilitation Center in Florence were assessed before and after 8-week APA. The protocol, consisting of both APA specialist-supervised and self-leaded sessions, was centered on a specific motor gesture performed using an innovative purpose-designed proprioceptive board named ''Hand Walk''. Body mass index and bioimpedance parameters were measured. Indirect upper limb volume measurement and ultrasonography were also performed and functional tests (i.e. wrist flexion/extension and hand strength) were executed. QoL, depression/anxiety and pain intensity were evaluated by ULL27, HADS, distress thermometer and NRS questionnaires, respectively. Results: Although the bioimpedance measurements unchanged, the ultrasound and volumetric measures revealed a trend toward a LE reduction after the APA protocol. of note, wrist mobility, hand strength, pain perception, depression and QoL were all significantly ameliorated after APA. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a multidisciplinary treatment approach, also involving APA professionals, is required in the management of BC-related LE in order to improve patient psychophysical outcomes and QoL. 

Effect of unexpected platform shifting on postural balance control in young healthy subjects Purpose: It is well known that fear of falling influence the control of postures and postural threat increase the conscious control of postures, the general strategy for providing protection against a loss of balance is to limiting large body movements. The aim of the present study was to verify how subjects exposed to conditions that presented different levels of postural threat respond to an external perturbation. We investigated how the CNS adjusts the central motor commands through the modulation of APA (anticipatory postural adjustments) and CPA (compensatory postural adjustments) for optimizing body stability under postural threat. Methods: Eighteen healthy subjects participated in this study. Subjects stood in front of a pendulum at two different heights above ground level: 2 cm (Low) and 80 cm (High). They were instructed to receive a series of perturbations, induced by a pendulum, and to maintain their balance for at least 5 s after the impact. EMG signals were recorded from 6 muscles on the dominant side of the body: tibialis anterior (TA), medial gastrocnemius (GM), rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), erector spinae (ES), rectus abdominis (RA). EMG signals were used to quantify APAs and CPAs, as well as the co-activation (C-Index) and reciprocal changes (R-Index) in the activity of agonist-antagonist pairs. Results: In the APA phase, RF was greater with High compared to Low threat. GM muscle showed a larger deactivation with High compared to Low condition. During the compensatory (CPA) phase, the activity of TA muscle was found higher with Low compared High, while GM muscle showed larger activity with High than Low postural threat. Overall, higher C-indexes values than R-indexes were observed during the CPA phase, while R-indexes showed higher values during APA phase. Interestingly, R-Index was found higher with Low than High condition for the TA/GM pair muscles during the APA phase, while R-and C-index for RF/BF pair muscles showed higher values with High compared Low threat condition. Conclusions: The results suggest that the CNS sends central commands for anticipating postural adjustments by adopting primarily a muscle reciprocal activation instead of a muscle co-contraction strategy. More importantly, when in condition of postural threat, this latter strategy is further emphasized. For CPAs mainly co-contractions strategies took place, and particularly for the muscles pairs that were presenting less involvement in the APAs. References 

Morphological evaluation of the effect of exercise and sedentary behaviour on interstitial telocytes in skeletal muscles of rats intervention was split into two 8-week phases to allow for an alter-24 Correcting procedure to remove relative age effect from jumper performances: a practical tool to improve talent identification Purpose: Technologies in physical education (PE) represent a useful tool to increase levels of physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior, but their effectiveness on motor competence development is still unclear. The aim of the study is to assess the effects of physical education intervention based on linear and non-linear didactic approach integrated with technology on motor competencies development.

Methods: The sample consisted of 120 primary school children (F: 54; M: 66), ranged from 10 to 11 years, divided in Normal weight (Nw) and Overweight-Obese (Ow-Ob) according to BMI. Children and assigned to Experimental Group (EG) and Control Group (CG). The intervention protocol provided the proposal of different executive variants of motor tasks based on MOBAK-5-6 basic motor competencies, concerning self-movement areas and object control. Both the EG and the CG have planned activities with the use of the video projector in the gym: for each video-exercise were structured 3 levels of difficulty and increasing intensity. EX followed a non-linear didactic approach, using different teaching styles, proposing different variants of motor tasks, and soliciting various learning methods, while in CG teachers explained and demonstrated only one variant of the proposed task, with children practicing and performing sequentially what was proposed. The intervention protocol was proposed for 8 weeks, while the assessment was carried with the MOBAK-5-6 one week pre-and post-intervention. Results: Results evidenced positive effects on both Nw and Ow-Ob groups in EG, and on total sample, improving scores in all MOBAK subtest and total motor qualifications, while less positive effects could be observed in CG for Normal-weight sample.

Conclusions: The integration of technology into physical education lessons, combined with non-linear didactics approaches represents an innovative and effective way to develop motor competencies in primary school. Technological tools and devices are instruments used by teachers to enhance motor experience, re-oriented the traditional setting in physical education, contextualizing and adapting motor tasks, expanding, and strengthening the relationship between motor learnings in different ways (i.e. active breaks, exergames, active videogames, hybrid learning environment, etc.). However, further studies are needed to confirm the results obtained. Purpose: To explore self-esteem as mediators between physical activity and academic performance in overweight schoolgirls, based on the assumption that high self-esteem encourages high performance. Moreover, it was aimed to find out the relationship between BMI and academic performance, starting from the premise that high self-concept led students to achieve academically, as they proved optimistic feelings for themselves on account of previous achievements obtained.

Methods: 140 schoolgirls (14-15 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 70) that performed a cardio-dance program, or a control group (n = 70). At baseline and after training, a battery of standardized assessment motor tests (Standing long jump test, Harvard step test, sit and reach test, and butt kicks test), and Rosenberg self-esteem scale were administered. BMI was used as indicator of correlation with body fat and academic achievement. Academic performance had been measured through scholastic grades. Results : In comparison to the control group, experimental group's self-esteem scores were higher after the intervention program (F1,138 = 271.43, p \ 0.001, g2p = 0.66). They also reported considerably lower BMI (F1,138 = 199.77, p \ 0.001, g2p = 0.59) as consequence of the intervention. Students who improved self-esteem and BMI were also those who reported best grades (p \ 0.001).

The results indicated that physical activity, self-esteem and academic performance were positively related. In particular, selfesteem seemed to play a significant role in mediating the relationship between physical activity and academic performance. Lastly, the results also indicated that BMI may affected academic performance. Purpose: Sport, physical activities, and bodily practices are more and more recognized as part of the new welfare system. An enhancement on the project development and studies, has been given by the EU White Paper on sport in 2007 in which the social aspects of sport have been emphasized at political level. Recently, the Work Plan for sport 2021-2024 and the Italyn National Resilience Plan 2021 have empowered the matter also in connection with school's drop-out, sport overall accessibility, and urban regeneration. However, despite the growth of programs and activities, the lack of scientific literature does not allow to assess the long-lasting effects in terms of sport participation, education, and social inclusion. Frequently, studies present an acritical view of sport as cure-all for every social problem. Focusing on youth discomfort, the research will in-depth investigate the literature, the programs, and the activities carried out at national and international level aiming to find the success criteria.The hypothesis is that, to be successful, an intervention should be durable, integrated with the opportunities given by the welfare system, managed by educators and sport operators sharing competences and common backgrounds. The latest aspect is also challenging the academic disciplinary formation and the continuing education. Methods. A systematization -more than a review -of the scientific literature, as well the projects and programs report, is a methodological keystone in a so dispersed field. The research will be idiographic and qualitative. The contexts of investigation (sports organizations, social cooperatives, and schhols) will be chosen according to the meaningfulness of the cases. Interviews, observations, focus groups, shadowing will be the main tools.

Results. The expected results are to identify success criteria and limits of the interventions in relation with the congruences with the interdisciplinary education, the support given by organizations and the welfare integrated system allowing the sustainability of the outcomes.

Conclusions. The research, due to its not-so-explored, anyway relevant, subject, is expected to offer a novel view and a basis for further research and a platform to guide decision making processes. 

An internet-supported continuing professional development training with secondary school physical education teachers: study protocol for the physical education for moving (PE4MOVE) trial are insufficiently physically active (WHO, 2018) . The role of physical education (PE) in promoting students' PA has been widely recognized and one of the most frequently reported suggestion is that PE teachers need to be specifically trained in guiding and motivating students to be more physically active. The aim of this study is to present the protocol of the PE4MOVE project, developed (1) to monitor Marche Region's secondary-school students' PA practice, factors related to engagement in PA and physical fitness; (2) to train PE teachers on strategies to foster students' PA participation; (3) to evaluate the effectiveness of a Continuing Professional Development training (CPDt), with both teachers and their students. Methods: The PE4MOVE project is inspired by the Erasmus ? Sport Project IMPACT (Papaioannou et al., 2020). Through the collaboration with the USR Marche, 65 secondary schools and 148 teachers have been recruited, they will then invite a group of approx. 7.000 students to participate in the study. Using a cluster randomized design, PE teachers and their students will be allocated to either an intervention group (IG) or a waitlist-control group (CG). PE teachers of both groups will attend the same CPDt, but on different time periods. The CPDt will consist of a series of webinars and online laboratories, based on the concept of physical literacy and on the most popular theories, models and techniques used in youth PA promotion. Teachers' motivations, intentions, attitudes, self-efficacy, behaviours and teaching practices to foster PA will be analysed. Students' selfreported and objectively measured (with Actigraphs GT3X) PA, physical fitness (adopting the FitBack test battery: 6-MWT, handgrip and seat-and-reach) and factors associated with PA participation and intention to practice will also be studied. Data will be collected before and after the CPDt, during the 2021/22 and 2022-23 school years. Conclusions: The study will add knowledge about PA of a large sample of Italyn secondary-school students and the effectiveness of a CPDt on teachers and students. Results will be useful to design and plan intervention in other Italyn and European regions and to advise educational Authorities and stakeholders on the importance of PE to promote out-of-school students' PA. References

Purpose: Despite a mass of evidence that assigns motor coordination a significant role in movement education and health promotion (Robinson, 2015; Fransen, 2012; Vandorpe, 2012; Pesce, 2016; Faigenbaum, 2012), there are some serious obstacles to study and structurally promote this aspect of motor skills. The main purpose of our cross-sectional research was to verify the current level of gross motor coordination, measured with the ''Körperkoordinations Test für Kinder (KTK)'' (Kiphard, 1974) of northeast Italyn boys and girls between 6 and 13 years. Secondary purposes were to study the genders differences and the four KTK subtests trends with ages. Methods: KTK data were collected from 1135 schoolchildren (girls: n = 1050; boys: n = 1156). Results were compared with the German References proposed by Kiphard (1974) (Biancalana, 2018) . The aim of this study is to enhance English learning through psychomotor activity. Methods: The study included 36 students (18 females; 18 males) aged between 6 and 7 years, attending first grade primary school, divided into 2 groups: the gold group work group (9 females; 9 males) and the silver group control group (9 females; 9 males). An entrance test and an exit test (which involved translating English words into Italyn) were used for the initial and final assessment of the level of knowledge of the English language, respectively. The psychomotor activity protocol included 3 psychomotor games aimed at facilitating the learning of English words (parts of the human body, colours and animals). The games were proposed as the final moment of the weekly English lesson, for a total of 6 lessons.

Results: The exit test (average value of 97.5 ± 3.9 and 59.6 ± 18.8 for the gold group and silver group, respectively) showed an increase in knowledge of English words for both groups compared to the entrance test (average value of 54.3 ± 19.7 and 54.6 ± 25.6 for the gold group and silver group, respectively); the increase of the gold group was higher. The average values of the exit test showed a greater and highly significant difference of the gold group compared to the silver group (p \ 0.001). Having regard to the gender difference, the exit test revealed higher values among females than among males, both in the gold group (average value equal to 98.3 ± 3.4 and 96.5 ± 4.1 for the females and males, respectively) and in the silver group (average value equal to 64.6 ± 23.7 and 55.6 ± 10.8 for the females and males, respectively).

The results demonstrated that psychomotor activity could provide an effective support tool for school learning. Purpose: The human aging is one of the phenomena of greatest impact globally during twenty-first century. Aging is associated with a decline in skeletal muscle mass and function, causing changes in strength, physical performance and movement. The aim of this crosssectional study was to investigate the possible association between lower limb strength, muscle mass and composition and balance ability in elder subjects. Methods: 16 older participants (Age: 66 ± 6 years; BMI: ± ; male = 4 and female = 12) were assessed for muscle strength (maximum isometric strength of knee extensors by digital dynamometer and one repetition maximum by leg-press, 1RM), balance and gait capacity (Mini-BESTest), body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (obtaining Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Index, ASMMI), magnetic resonance imaging of thigh muscles to evaluate Intermuscular Adipose Tissue (IMAT) and muscle Cross Sectional Area (CSA).

Results: A significant positive correlation between 1RM leg press and ASMMI (r2 = 0.30; p = 0.028) and thigh CSA (r2 = 0.28 p = 0.036) was detected whereas no significant correlation was observed between 1RM leg press and IMAT (r2 = 0.15; p = 0.1435). Significant positive correlations between knee extensors strength and ASMMI (r2 = 0.34; p = 0.0185) and thigh CSA (r2 = 0.26; p = 0.0447) were observed.

Conclusions: The positive correlation between lower limbs muscle mass and strength highlights that muscle size is an important factor to generate force in elders. Improving muscle health in subjects over 60 years of age could reduce frailty and risk of falls. 

Facilitators and barriers to practicing physical activity and complying who guidelines during pregnancy: a survey to investigate women' and midwives' perception through focus group Results : A total number of 4 focus group were conducted, involving 10 pregnant women (aged 30-46) and 10 midwives (aged 43-61). The majority of the sample had already experience in practicing PA (10/10 women and 5/10 midwives) and overall reported to be aware about the importance of PA during pregnancy. Moreover, WHO recommendations were considered to be feasible by both groups. However, PW expressed the following barriers related to PA practice: lack of specific indications and opportunities concerning PA practice, low levels of self-efficacy and motivation. Similarly, midwives reported a lack of specific information and knowledge related to PA promotion in pregnancy and lack of confidence in managing PA, as main obstacles.

Conclusions: Both groups perceptions indicate that PA represents a positive element for the mother's and baby's well-being. However, findings suggest that both midwives and women need to be trained in order to tackle barriers and support PA promotion during pregnancy, in a sustainable view. In light of this, the COM-B model can be used to implement new intervention strategies involving midwives to reach the goal, given that their role is crucial, especially in enhancing women' self-efficacy and empowerment. Finally, these results can be used as a started point to target specific PA interventions in order to improve PA among pregnant women. References Purpose: Physical inactivity and poor physical fitness are important targets to address in order to improve clinical outcomes after kidney transplantation [1] . Emilia-Romagna Region has promoted an exercise network to improve physical fitness in kidney transplant recipients (KTr) [2] . In this study we aimed to compare adherence and outcomes after a prescribed exercise program conducted with an exercise specialists supervision in a selected gym classes or at home. Methods: Twenty-one KTr being treated at a Nephrology Unit were contacted from the Unit of Rehabilitation Medicine for possible inclusion. Patients underwent a baseline testing sessions including a Balke-Ware treadmill test for the evaluation of the maximal oxygen consumption estimation (VO2peak), 6-min walking test (6MWT), 5-time sit-to-stand test (5STS). Thereafter, patients were proposed to perform the prescribed exercise under supervision in a specialized physical activity center (SUP) or at home (HB). KTr who choosed SUP underwent a 3weekly 60-min training sessions including warmup, aerobic (treadmill or cycling) exercise, strength training (isotonic machines) stretching and cool down. Those selecting HB performed an inside-home progressively-increasing interval walking training (walk-sit ratio 1:1) for 10 min per day [3] . At the end of 6-month program, the testing session was readministered for both groups.

Results: Seventeen patients (81%) adhered, 8 selecting SUP and 9 HB. At baseline, KTr of SUP group were younger (55 ± 11 vs 63 ± 2; p = 0.04) with greater 6MWT (480 ± 62 vs 356 ± 112 m; p = 0.03) than HB subjects. After 6-month, 6 subjects of SUP group (two dropped out for health reasons) and all 9 subjects of HB group safely completed the program, with a high adherence (exercise sessions executed [ 80% respect to the prescribed). Both groups significantly improved all outcomes, with greater variations observed in HB for 6MWT (SUP: ? 15 vs HB ? 52 m), 5STS (SUP: -1.2 vs HB -5.0 s) and VO2 (SUP: ? 1.2 vs HB ? 3.1 ml/100 g/min). The betweengroup comparison corrected for baseline covariates highlighted a significant difference in favor of HB for 6MWT variations (p = 0.046).

Conclusions: Physical activity is effective in improving cardiovascular fitness in KTr both supervised in specialized gyms and carried out at home through prescribed structured programs for subjects unable or unwilling to attend certified gyms.

lumbar spine and hip, and improve control of the posture, static and dynamic balance, and breathing. Ten volunteer individuals were recruited with mean age 64.4 ± standard deviation 4.5 years, mean weight 63.25 ± 5.75 kg, mean height 164.39 ± 1.58 cm, of which five men and five women without previous experience with the method.

Results: During the sessions of the Pilates method (MP), heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion according to Borg scale 0-10 (RPE-CR10) were monitored at each exercise to determine the estimate of the maximum volume of oxygen consumed per minute (VO2Max) and energy expenditure (EE) with linear regression equation. VO2Max was estimated using the submaximal Astrand-Ryhming step test. The mean values and SD for HR and RPE were calculated for each exercise and the percentages of the mean values for HRmax and RPEmax in each exercise showed a significant, strong and positive correlation (r = 0.82; p = 0.001). In 10 exercises the HR value was 60% higher than HRmax, the mean values of EE Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPTII) deficiency, the most frequent inherited disorder regarding muscle fatty acid metabolism, leads to a reduced mitochondrial long-chain fatty acid oxidation during endurance exercise. This condition results in a clinical syndrome characterized by muscle fatigue and/or muscle pain with a variable annual frequency of severe rhabdomyolytic episodes. While since the CPTII deficiency discovery remarkable scientific advancements have been reached in genetic analysis, pathophysiology and diagnoses, the same cannot be said for the methods of treatments. The current recommendations remain those of following a carbohydratesrich diet with a limited fats intake and reducing, even excluding, physical activity, without, however, taking into account the long-term consequences of this approach. Suggestions to use carnitine and medium chain triglycerides remain controversial; conversely, other potential dietary supplements able to sustain muscle metabolism and recovery from exercise have never been taken into consideration. Clarification of biochemical mechanisms related to nutrition and physiological aspects of muscle metabolism in CPTII deficiency allows to propose new theoretical bases of its treatment and opens new avenues onto the application of exercise-nutrition integrated approach in metabolic muscular diseases.

Anthropometry and physical exercise: new insights on bone loss prevention Purpose: Osteoporosis is a multietyhiological skeletal disorder characterized by an increased bone fragility. Researches showed the influence of mechanical strain on bone metabolism, indicating physical exercise as a preventive tool against osteopenia and osteoporosis. Nevertheless, there is still lack of information concerning the influence of each sport category on Bone Mineral Density (BMD), especially when considering sex, age and lifestyle of a subject. Aim of this preliminary study is to analyse the relationship between sport categories and bone mineral density (BMD) in a group of Italyn men and women, by also considering anthropometric variables. Methods: 160 volunteers (81 men, 79 women) practicing different sports underwent anthropometric and BMD measurements. Body composition, Handgrip Strength (HS) and weight status were collected following the standards proposed in Lohman et al. (1988) . BMD was collected by Phalangeal Quantitative Ultrasonometry (Sonic Bone Profiler IGEA). A new questionnaire concerning information on sport practice and lifestyle behaviours that could increase the risk of low BMD was also administered. Results : Preliminary results showed good correlations between BMD and anthropometric variables (HS, Fat Mass percentage, Waist to Hip Ratio, Waist to Height Ratio); all correlations were stronger especially in the women group. The comparison of BMD between athletic and sedentary was significant in women and in the younger age group (20-30). Moreover, BMD in women practicing high-impact/intensity sports was significantly higher than BMD in those practicing sports characterized by lower impact levels. Concerning lifestyle-related risk factors, women represent the most sedentary group (54,4%), especially in the 50-59 (72,8%) and 60 ? groups (78,6%); women also showed to be more prone to smoking (21,5% vs 9,9%). Alcohol consumption was similar in the two groups, with a slightly higher frequency in men (75,3% vs 69,6%). Nevertheless, men tend to be less sedentary (12,3%) and to practice high-intensity sports (39,5% vs 16,4%), as well as high-impact sports (30,9% vs 8,9%) and resistance training (39,5% vs 16,4%).

Conclusions: Preliminary results showed that anthropometric variables can be directly associated to BMD levels. Moreover, the importance of lifestyle-related factors is highlighted, along with the need of a specific questionnaire to consider a proper association between sport practice and risk factors. References Purpose: It has been shown that for an athlete undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) the most critical phase with respect to the risk of non-contact re-injury is the early return to play. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms of motor programming alterations leading to abrupt and uncoordinated movements are not clear yet. Subjects with ACL-R in the first 5 months of sport repractice would show improvements in electromyographic and kinematic patterns performing landing tasks compared to healthy individuals.

Methods: Ten ACL-R male athletes were recruited. 11 Healthy male athletes formed the control group. All the participants underwent two testing sessions. ACL-R subjects were tested at T0 (6.0 ± 1.3 months after surgery) and T1 (12.2 ± 2.5 months after surgery). Healthy controls were tested in season, at baseline and 5 months apart from baseline. Four different single-leg-landing tasks were performed. Normalized vertical ground reaction force, knee angular displacement on the sagittal plane and Electromyographic (EMG) activity of Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis, Rectus Femoris, Biceps Femoris and Semitendinosus muscles were recorded during the landing phase.

Results: ACL-R subjects significantly reduced pre-impact EMG duration from T0 to T1 for knee extensors (T0: 110.8 ± 22.1, T1: 65.8 ± 5.5 ms) and flexors (T0: 194.6 ± 28.9, T1: 172.3 ± 7.4 ms) compared to healthy participants (extensors T0: 73.2 ± 7.5, T1: 67.5 ± 6.5 ms; flexors T0: 165.5 ± 10.0, T1: 172.5 ± 8.6 ms). Initial Contact knee angle did not show significant changes in time in both groups. Maximum knee flexion angle significantly improved for ACL-R subjects (T0: 40.4 ± 0.8°, T1: 53.2 ± 5.2°) compared to controls (T0: 51.8 ± 6.7°, T1: 55.2 ± 5.2°). ACL-R subjects showed significantly lower normalized peak vGRF after 5 months of sport repractice (T0: 3.4 ± 0.25, T1: 3.1 ± 0.1) but not as much as to approach the values of healthy participants (T0: 2.7 ± 0.2, T1: 2.6 ± 0.1).

Conclusions: After 5 months of sport re-practice ACL-R subjects compared to healthy controls did improve motor programming of single leg landings. On the contrary, impact absorption capacity remained impaired. Purpose and methods: In order to identify peripheral biomarkers of impaired oxidative metabolism during exercise following a 10-day bed rest (BR), 10 males performed an incremental exercise (to determine peak pulmonary VO2 [VO2p]) and moderate-intensity exercises, before (PRE) and after (POST) BR. Blood flow response was evaluated in the common femoral artery by Eco-Doppler during 1-min passive leg movements (PLM). The intramuscular matching between O2 delivery and O2 utilization was evaluated by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Mitochondrial respiration was evaluated ex vivo by high-resolution respirometry in isolated muscle fibers, and in vivo by NIRS by the evaluation of skeletal muscle _ VO2 ( _ VO2m) recovery kinetics. Resting _ VO2m was estimated by NIRS. Results: Peak _ VO2p was lower in POST vs. PRE. The area under the blood flow vs. time curve during PLM was smaller (P = 0.03) in POST (274 ± 233 mL) vs. PRE (427 ± 291). An increased (P = 0.03) overshoot of muscle deoxygenation during a metabolic transition was identified in POST. Skeletal muscle citrate synthase activity was not different (P = 0.11) in POST (131 ± 16 nmol.min-1.mg-1) vs. PRE (138 ± 19). Maximal ADP-stimulated mitochondrial respiration (66 ± 18 pmol.s-1.mg-1 [POST] vs. 72 ± 14 [PRE], P = 0.41) was not affected by BR. Apparent Km for ADP sensitivity of mitochondrial respiration was reduced in POST vs. PRE (P = 0.04). The VO2m recovery time-constant was not different (P = 0.79) in POST (22 ± 6 s) vs. PRE (22 ± 6). Resting VO2m was reduced by 25% in POST vs. PRE (P = 0.006). Conclusions: Microvascular-endothelial function was impaired following a 10-day BR, whereas mitochondrial mass and function (both in vivo and ex vivo) were unaffected or slightly enhanced. Peripheral impairments of oxidative metabolism after 10 days of complete inactivity are mainly upstream of mitochondrial respiration. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate how visual search behaviours are designed in a dynamic manner by the different constraints imposed by the task, the environment, and the individual characteristics of the performer (Williams et al. 2004 ). We investigated eye movements of soccer goalkeepers during the prediction of a ball kicked from different distances (11 m vs. 6 m), different players (left-footed vs. right-footed) and different environment (soccer pitch vs. futsal pitch). Methods: Eight intermediate-level male goalkeepers, one right and one left-footed male kicker volunteered for the experiment. Placed in front of a screen, in which videos of penalties were back projected, goalkeepers, wearing an eye-tracker and two inertial sensors for eye and body movement recordings, were instructed to predict the ball future direction. Response accuracy, reaction time, and gaze behaviour were collected for analysis. Results: During penalties kicked from 11 m, goalkeepers successfully predicted than missed penalties (60% vs 40%), while no significant difference was found from 6 m. They were slower when predicted compared to missed penalties (4706 ms vs. 4646 ms). Analysis of gaze behaviour showed greater microsaccade rates and a lower saccade rates during penalties kicked from 6 m than from 11 m. Pupils size increased as the goalkeepers' perception of the penalty taker's intention developed, reaching the greatest value just before the goalkeepers' final movement initiation. Conclusions: When the spatiotemporal constraint is less severe (far, at 11 m), the goalkeepers choose a visual search strategy with more fixations and small saccades. When the spatiotemporal constraint is more severe (near, at 6 m), goalkeepers rely on peripheral vision to monitor kicker's movements through the use of microsaccades. 

Impact of cognitive training on motor control skills and brain function in high school students Purpose: Mental retardation (MR) and disorders of psychological, behavioral or emotional development (DPBE) represent heterogeneous conditions that share cognitive deficits and motor control difficulties. The use of computerized cognitive training (CTT) and cognitive motor training (CMT) is receiving increasing interest as a possible treatment for people with neurological diseases. However, evidence of effectiveness is still limited and controversial [1] . This research aims to assess if and to what extent CCT and CMT impact on cognitive deficits and motor control ability in students affected by MR and DPBE compared to healthy, age-matched controls. Methods: 25 high school students (17.7 ± 0.9 years) participated to the study: 16 healthy controls (CS) (6 females) and 9 students (4 females) diagnosed with either MR (ICD F70-F79) or DPBE (ICD F80 -F98) [2] (DS) undertook a 2-months training consisting of 4 sessions per week (30 min 9 3 of CCT ? 30 min of CMT per week). CCT and CMT were performed with the online platform BRAIN HQ (Posit Science, USA) and the platform WITTY SEM (Microgate Srl, Bolzano), respectively. Before (T0) and at the end of the trainings (T1) the motor control was evaluated with a march in place test and the cognitive function by comparing the results of 3 

Muscle synergies during isometric maintenance of upright standing posture under directional pulling forces Purpose: Muscle synergies have been defined as coordinated recruitment of groups of muscles with specific activation balances and time profiles. They have been proposed as building blocks employed by the CNS to simply the generation of task-specific forces and movements with a redundant neuromuscular system. Muscle synergies capture muscle coordination during reactive postural responses under mechanical perturbations and across different biomechanical contexts. However, the characterization of muscle synergies during static upright standing posture has not been investigated yet. Here we explore a novel experimental paradigm to characterize muscle synergies during isometric maintenance of upright standing posture while Sport Sci Health directional pulling loads are applied to modulate EMG (electromyography) activity in leg and lower-back muscles. Methods: Eleven healthy adults (24 ± 2.4 years), 7 males and 4 females, participated in the experiment. Participants were asked to stand on a force platform while feedback on the 2-D position of center of pressure (COP) was provided as a circular cursor (0.5 cm dimeter) displayed on a monitor. Pulling forces of two different magnitudes (5% and 10% of body weight) were applied at the level of the waist in 8 evenly spaced directions in the horizontal plane. As soon as the pulling force was applied the participant was asked to maintain the COP within a circular target (2.5 cm diameter) for at least 15 s. The target represented the participant's COP position in the steady-state upright standing posture. Surface EMG signals were recorded from 16 postural muscles of the participant's dominant side. Five trials for each of the 16 conditions were recorded (8 horizontal directions 9 2 pulling forces). Muscle synergies and activation coefficients were extracted for each condition using the non-negative matrix factorization. Results: Results show that isometric contractions of postural muscles under small external forces during static upright standing posture can be characterized by a set of muscle synergies. The synergies recruitment coefficients demonstrate a subject-specific tuning related to the direction and magnitude of pulling forces. Conclusions: These results lay the foundations for further studies investigating the use of myoelectric control and muscle synergies for the development of novel rehabilitation tools for recovering functional postural control. References Purpose: Cognitive-motor interference can be defined as a decrease in cognitive and/or physical performance due to concurrent cognitive and physical tasks (dual-tasking), when compared to the same tasks performed in isolation (single-tasking). The aim of the study was to investigate the validity and reliability of two novel cognitive-motor interference tests in military personnel. Methods: 24 participants from the Royal Engineers and Royal Air Force Cadets attended four experimental visits. In visits 1 and 3 they performed a 10-min loaded marching, a 10-min Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT), and the two tasks combined.

Step length, step frequency, reaction time, and number of lapses were measured. In visits 2 and 4 they performed a 5-min running time trial, a 5-min Word Recall Task, and the two tasks combined. Running distance and number of words recalled were recorded.

In comparison to single-task condition, significant higher step frequency and shorter step length were found in dual-task (p \ 0.001). No differences were observed for reaction time and number of lapses (p [ 0.05). Running distance and number of words recalled were reduced in dual-task condition, compared to single-task (p \ 0.001). Good to excellent reliability was found for all cognitive and physical variables in both, single and dual-task conditions, apart from the number of lapses, with low reliability in both conditions. Purpose: Complete inactivity, usually simulated by bed-rest (BR), is known to lead to a reduction in maximal O2 uptake (V'O2max) [1] which appears to be quantitatively related to the duration of the BR period [2] . Decrease in V'O2max has been classically associated to ''central factors'' (reduced maximal cardiac output (Q'max) and O2 delivery), whereas substantially unchanged maximal capacity of O2 extraction has been described [3] . Nevertheless, complete inactivity induces significant impairments at skeletal muscle level, such as lower microvascular blood flow, reduced volume density of mitochondria, and impaired oxidative enzyme activities [4] . 

Neuromuscular alterations in response to 10 days of complete inactivity Purpose: Inactivity induces skeletal muscle atrophy, alterations in muscle architecture and a significant decline in neuromuscular func-tion1. Such ''signatures'' of disuse are already detectable after 2-3 days of complete unloading2. Since muscle force is lost to a much greater extent than muscle mass1,3, the aim of this study was to investigate the early determinants of such disproportionate loss of muscle force with respect to the decrease in muscle size in response to 10 days of complete inactivity. Methods: Ten male volunteers (22.9 ± 4.7 y) were recruited for 10 days of a bed rest (BR) intervention. At baseline (BR0) and post-BR (BR10), quadriceps femoris (QF) and vastus lateralis (VL) volume, together with knee-extensors force (MVT) were obtained by MRI and dynamometry, respectively. A time-course of QF and VL changes in muscle cross-sectional area and architecture was assessed by ultrasound images. At BR0 and BR10 blood samples and a biopsy from the vastus lateralis (VL) were collected. Neuromuscular junction (NMJ) stability (serum levels of C-terminal Agrin Fragment -CAF) and myofibre innervation status (positivity for neural cell-adhesion molecule -NCAM-staining) were assessed, together with single fibre mechanical properties and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium handling. Results: From BR0 to BR10, QF volume and MVT respectively decreased by 5.2% (p.01) and 14.3% (p.01). QF and VL midthigh CSA decreased by 3.3% and 5.8%, respectively, whereas VL pennation angle showed a significant decrease already after 8 days of BR (5.7%, p \ 0.01). A significant increase of NCAM positive fibres was found compared to baseline at BR10 (26.1-fold, p \ 0.01), accompanied by a 19.2% increase in serum CAF levels at BR10 (p \ 0.05), reflecting increased instability of the NMJ. Fast fibre CSA decreased by 15% (P = 0.055) at BR10, while single fibres maximal tension (force/CSA) was unmodified. Nonetheless, the handling of Ca2 ? by the sarcoplasmic reticulum was altered as calcium release induced by caffeine decreased at BR10 by 35.1% (p \ 0.01) and 30.2% (p \ 0.01) in fast and slow fibres, respectively. Conclusions: Our data show that the early onset of neuromuscular junction instability and impairment in calcium dynamics involved in E-C coupling precede the detection of morphological alterations of skeletal muscle. Such mechanisms are proposed as determinants to the greater decline in muscle force than in muscle size during unloading. References Purpose: The effects of ageing on neuromuscular fatigue has been extensively studied during local (i.e. single-joint) isometric and dynamic fatiguing tasks. We aimed to investigate performance fatigability during isometric, dynamic and locomotor fatiguing tasks performed at similar duty-cycle and workload to provide a direct comparison between tasks and ages. Methods: Preliminary data were used for the present Thirteen young men (\ 35 yr), four older men ([ 60 yr) and five very old men ([ 80 yr) randomly performed three testing sessions: an isometric (ISO) and a dynamic (DYN) incremental intermittent task for the kneeextensors on an isokinetic dynamometer, and a similar test on a validated ergometer (BIKE). Increments were calculated relatively to the participants' body weight using device-specific equations (ISO and DYN: 5% of body weight; BIKE: 0.3 W.kg-1). Performance was quantified as test duration and performance fatigability as the loss in maximal isometric force. Voluntary activation (VA%) and contractile function (potentiated resting twitch amplitude, TwPOT) were evaluated using percutaneous nerve stimulation and the interpolated twitch technique. Results: Performance decreased with age for all the tests (P \ 0.05). Performance fatigability was significantly higher in young men (-30 ± 13%) than very old men (-20 ± 10%; P = 0.006), but not old men (-26 ± 11%; P = 0.176), independent of the test. Decrease in TwPOT showed significant age effect, but the post-hoc analysis showed no differences between the young (-44 ± 25%), old (-32 ± 15%) and very old (-33 ± 13%). Finally, difference in VA% was similar across sessions and ages (4 ± 7%, 3 ± 5% and 1 ± 6% for young, old and very old men, respectively). Those results were probably influenced by the low number of participants included in this preliminary analysis.

Conclusions: Those preliminary results suggest different performance and fatigability across ages, with young adults performing better and tolerating a larger amount of fatigability, mainly from peripheral contractile factors. The completed dataset with a sufficient number of participants will elucidate the interaction between age and fatiguing task. References 1. Krüger, R., Aboodarda, S., Samozino, P., Rice, C., & Millet, G. Conclusions: In athletes with LLA the injury has a negative impact in itself on the bone health of the I_HIP, with athletes with AKA having a higher risk of demineralization than those with BKA. These results suggest that the practice of an adapted sport may not be sufficient to prevent the reduction in aBMD in the I_HIP of athletes with LLA and support the prescription of specific exercises aimed at improving the aBMD in this athletic population. References Purpose: Amputee soccer is a variation of conventional soccer in which athletes with lower and upper (goalkeeper) limb amputation participate. The athlete with lower limb amputation plays using crutches. Sprinting during the match on crutches represents one of the crucial motor tasks in amputee soccer1,2. This study aims to determine the relationship between upper and lower limb strength and sprint performance in Italyn amputee soccer players. Methods: Twelve amputee soccer players recruited from two different teams participated in this study. Seated medicine ball and handgrip strength tests were used to assess the upper limb strength, while countermovement jump (CMJ) was used to evaluate lower limb strength. In addition, sprint tests (10, 20 and 30 m), T-square and L-drill tests were measured to assess sprint and agility performance. The goalkeepers were also evaluated but not included in the statistical analysis. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between upper and lower limb strength on sprint and agility performance. Moreover, to determine the impact of the amputee level on performance, the participants were divided into athletes with above-knee amputation (AKA) and below-knee amputation (BKA), respectively. Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze the performance outcomes difference between AKA and BKA groups. Purpose: People with mental illnesses tend to engage in less physical activity than the rest of the population and have higher cardiovascular risk factors. Recently they were associated to an increased risk for Covid-19 mortality. Aim of this study was to enrol schizophrenic subjects in a long-term moderate-intensity physical activity program and to evaluate its effects on their cognitive functions and cardiovascular risk factors. An additional outcome of the study has been the comparison of the adherence to the physical activity program before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Forty sedentary patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (mean age 46.4 ± 9.6) followed by the Local Public Mental Health Department were included and allocated to a 1-year walking program (WG n = 28), consisting of two guided walking sessions/week, or to a control group (CG n = 12) basing on their willingness. VO2peak, walking speed, blood pressure and anthropometric variables were assessed only in the subjects following the walking program. In all subjects, cognitive functions were assessed with the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) questionnaires. Results: After 1-year, the 20 subjects completing the walking program displayed significant improvements of cognitive functions. A positive correlation between SCIP score and the number of attended sessions (R = 0.86, p \ 0.0001) was evident in the patients attending at least 75 of the 100 walking sessions. Walking speed and VO2peak increase significantly and an increase of body weight, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was also observed. All the 12 CG patients completed the program. They did not display significant improvements of cognitive functions. The adherence to the walking program registered during Covid-19 period did not differ from that observed before the pandemic. To note that during Covid-19 period 21 additional subjects attended to the walking program.

The main finding of this study is the improvement in cognitive functions documented in the subjects participating to the walking program with a significant correlation between this improvement and the number of walking sessions, evident only in the patients who attended to at least 1.5 sessions/week. The walking program, guided by exercise specialist, proved to be an effective and enjoyable activity for people with mental disorder, even during the physical activity pandemic due to Covid-19. References Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the construction of LUs on healthy lifestyles requires the determination of an educational network between family, school and social environment. The school should encourage children to carry out extracurricular activities in groups or with their parents using challenges helpful in monitoring the activities. Without this educational network, which starts from the school and return to it, it would not seem possible to obtain time and space for an effective education in healthy lifestyles involving children, adolescents and families. particular, creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) have been identified as markers of muscle damage. Moreover, nutrition also plays a key role in sport performance, indeed a correct intake of vitamins helps bone and muscle metabolism, reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, and protects against injuries. The purpose of this study is to identify any changes in serum levels of vitamins A and E, CK and LDH respectively as markers of oxidative stress and muscle damage. Methods: 15 Professional basketball athletes and 15 sedentary controls were recruited. Serum parameters were measured at time 0 (September), before the start of the sports season, and at time 1, 2 months later (November Purpose: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is characterized by the co-presence of low muscle mass and high body fat1. This risk and prevalence increase with age, particularly in adults aged 65 and older2. Furthermore, the intervention that combined strength training and nutrition intake may be a useful strategy to counteract SO, even if the literature is conflicting. We investigated whether 5 months of strength training (ST) alone or combined with amino acids supplementation might give positive effects on physical performance and muscle strength in individuals affected by SO. Methods: 29 women and men (67.6 ± 4.7 years) affected by SO were recruited into a supervised ST with upper and lower body exercises at 70-80% of 1-repetition maximum (1-RM), 3 times/week, 60 minsession and followed a moderately hypocaloric diet. Participants were randomized into three double-blind groups with different dosages of oral amino acids: placebo (n = 11), AA-2 (4 g/day, n = 8) and AA-2 (8 g/day, n = 10) amount of amino acids. Before and after intervention, we examined: physical performance with Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), muscle strength with a handgrip (HG) dynamometer and 1-RM at lat machine, chest and leg press. Results: During the 5 months of ST training, adherence was above 80% and did not differ between the three groups (p [ 0.05). After the intervention, there was a significant change over time for gait speed as a score (p = 0.032), chair stand in seconds (p = 0.004), total score of SPPB (p = 0.048) and peak handgrip (p = 0.002). Within-group analyses revealed an improvement in P and AA-1 groups for chair stand as a second (-23.3%, -11.3%, respectively) and in P group for chair stand as a score (19.4%). Regarding muscle strength, there was a significant change over time for 1-RM in all groups, with an increase in 1-RM at chest press (ranging from 39 to 42%, p \ 0.001), lat machine (ranging from 30 to 37%, p \ 0.001) and leg press (ranging from 37 to 43%, p.001 

Acute effects of whole body electromyostimulation in early parkinson's disease Purpose: Parkinson's disease (PD) patients lead a sedentary lifestyle, being unable or unwilling to exercise conventionally, due both to physical and mental limitations. Physical activity has been identified as a possible treatment for cognitive impairment [1] and could upregulate neurotrophic factor levels, counteracting dyskinesia [2] . Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) seems a promising exercise modality for this population inducing a global-body electrical myostimulation activating up to 8-10 different muscle groups synchronously, while the patient performs functional movements during the stimulation. WB-EMS are not previously applied to an exercise program for PD patients. The aim of this study was to assess the acute effects of a single session of WB-EMS on physical and cognitive performances and neurotrophic factor levels in PD patients. Methods: Ten subjects (aged 72.60 ± 6.82) underwent 20-min physical activity with superimposed WB-EMS (Miha Bodytec equipment-GmbH, Augsburg, Germany) and, after four weeks, the same protocol with no WB-EMS. WB-EMS was conducted with intermittent stimulation 4 s WB-EMS /4 s rest, at 85 Hz, 350 ls.

The RM-ANOVA showed significant improvements in Sitto-Stand (p \ 0.01), Arm Curl (p \ 0.01), Handgrip (p \ 0.01) and Soda-POP test (p \ 0.01) after WB-EMS intervention. Significant improvements were found in Rey auditory verbal learning test (p = 0.002) and Trail making test (p = 0.010) after control group condition. Higher proNFG serum levels were observed in the WB-EMS condition compared to the no WB-EMS after 60 min post intervention (p = 0.0163).

Conclusions: WB-EMS could be a promising strategy to improve motor and non-motor symptoms in PD patients. Such as time-efficient solution this strategy may improve their adherence to physical activity programs and to increase their wellbeing. The decrease of cognitive performances after WB-EMS intervention could be due to the greater fatigue effects induced by physical activity superimposed with electrical myostimulation.

Purpose: We previously showed in a pilot study that a 12-week protocol consisting of 3 sessions per week of 60 min brisk walking with (strength-walk group) or without (walk group) 30 min resistance training, improved physical performance, lipid profile and inflammatory markers in people living with HIV (PLWH)1. The aim of this study was to assess the effects on body composition, bone mineral density and bone remodeling biomarkers in PLWH.

Methods: Twenty-five cART-treated participants [19/25 male; age: 51 (48-56) years; CD4 ? : 576 (463-701) median (25%-75% quartiles)] were assessed: 15 in the walk group and 10 in the strength-walk group. Assessments at baseline (BL) and week 12 (W12) included fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM) at arms, limbs, and total body, appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMMI), bone mineral density (BMD), t-score, and z-score at spine, femoral neck and trochanter by total body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and bone turnover biomarkers, including osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL), serum crosslaps (CTX) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP). Changes between BL and W12 were assessed by Wilcoxon match-paired signed rank test, BL values, and percent change differences between groups by Mann-Whitney test.

Results: All participants completed the 12-week program with a median adherence of 64% (59%-75%). Eight (32%) participants had sarcopenia (cut off points ASSMI: \ 5.5 g/m2 women; 6.5 kg/m2 men) at BL, 3 (12%) had osteoporosis and 20 (80%) osteopenia. Concerning body composition, significant W12 improvements from BL were observed in legs FM, total FM, and ASMMI in both groups; in arms FM in the walk group and in arms FFM, legs FFM, and total FFM in the strength-walk group only. Percent increases from BL differed significantly between the two groups for BMI, ASMMI, total FFM, arms FFM and legs FFM. At W12, 6 of the 8 participants with sarcopenia, normalized ASMMI. As for bone parametres, significant changes of BMD, T-score and Z-score at spine, femoral neck and trochanter, at W12 vs. BL were neither observed in the whole group nor in the two training groups. Significant W12 increases from BL Purpose: Through interactions between health and non-health facilities called ''Palestra della Salute'', the Supervised Exercise Training (SExT) can be adapted for elder individuals and those with chronic diseases by exercise physiology (LM-67), in order to improve or maintain health. The aim of the current study is to describe the characteristics of the facility's clients, how they were referred to the gym and their level of satisfaction with the proposed SExT programmes.

Methods: The clients referred to the Esercizio Vita (EV) (Ferrara, Italy) facility between September 2011 and June 2021 were enrolled in the present study, an innovative start-up in the field of health gyms. Customers info such as personal data, medical condition at the time of admission and method of access to the facility were analyzed in an internal database. The level of Satisfaction was assessed through an anonymous survey administered after 2 month of training. The collected data were then analyzed retrospectively.

Results: 5447 clients were enrolled in the study (M:F, 2238:3209), mean age was 63 years old (SD: ± 18y). The mean amount of pathologies per patient was 1.8 (range:0-8). Regarding the modality of access to the gym, 27% of patients were referred by healthcare providers (specialist physician 18%, general practitioner 2%, physiotherapist 7%). The remaining 73% of clients were referred by wordof-mouth (25%), advice of a previous client (19%) or a relative (8%), advertising (4%), organizations (2%) and others (15%). The level of satisfaction was excellent in 95.3% of cases and almost half of the patients (48.4%) continued to train for at least 2 years. Conclusions: The number of patients enrolled in this study highlights the importance of EV design for the elderly population and those with comorbidities. The rate of referral to the facility by healthcare providers shows an interest in managing risk factors and maintaining residual abilities through SExT. The ''Palestra della Salute'' act as a link between healthcare facilities and the territory in the field of chronic diseases, with programs offered by highly trained and qualified professionals in the field of exercise physiology. References 

The mediating role of stress in the relationship between mood and performance in elite canoe polo players Purpose: The home confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed most people to unprecedented stressful situations. Staying home, while was a safe measure, have unintended negative consequences since such efforts to avoid human-to-human transmission of the virus may have led to reduced mood, motivation to train, sleep quality and physical activity (PA). Recent studies have underlined a strong health rationale for continuing PA while taking precautions. In this context, a study was conducted to analyze the effect of the first lockdown (March-April 2020) on mood, motivation, readiness to train, sleep quality and PA in cyclists.

Methods: 9 male master cyclists (Mage: 45 ± 5 years) were evaluated before and during the first lockdown: they continued to train safely at home under the tele-supervision of a trainer with a master's degree in Sport Sciences. They filled daily the POMS questionnaire and two ad hoc items assessing motivation and readiness to train for a month (M: 35 ± 9 days). Sleep was continuously monitored by actigraphy and a sleep diary throughout the entire study protocol.

Results: Repeated-measures ANOVA and bivariate correlation analysis were conducted on considered parameters. Actigraphy-based sleep parameters did not change across the study weeks. Anaerobic exercises were positively associated with positive mood and negatively associated with negative moods. Motivation and readiness to train remain positive and stable along the analyzed period. Sleep Efficiency (SE) and normalized athletic efficiency were positively correlated. SE and Training Stress Balance (TSB, a measure of fatigue) were negatively correlated: a higher SE was associated with lower TSB.

The results indicate that maintaining the same training volume and intensity during home confinement under the tele-supervision of a trainer can lead to minimal variations in mood, motivation, readiness to train, sleep quality and PA. The sleep quality of the participants was good along the analyzed period which coincided with the first lockdown. They showed positive mood (high vigor and low negative moods), a medium-high motivation and readiness to train while continuing exercise safely. Regular PA had a positive influence on mood, motivation to train and sleep quality showing that even during the Covid19 pandemic maintaining a regular PA routine was a key strategy to protect physical and mental health. Purpose: In the last sixty years, many empirical studies have focused on the systematic deviations that human beings produce with respect to what is normally expected regarding their decisions. The aim of the present paper is to highlight the importance of recognizing the main and variegated ''mental shortcuts'' affecting our evaluations and decisions with emphasis in the motor sciences context.

Methods: After a short revision of recent literature, an exemplifying paper on the role of persuasion with deceit in 84 tennis player professionals is discussed. To half of them, incorrect information has been instilled in the athletes' thinking, aiming to understand whether their evaluation processes complied with the hypothesized previsions or not.

Results: In the sub-group of suggested tennis players their evaluations were in accordance to the suggestions preliminary provided. The degree of persuasion turned out to be inversely proportional to their level category. Conclusions: We cannot precisely be aware of our hidden mental and unconscious shortcuts because they are easier to ignore, but we can still overcome them. Even if a lot of judgement has no connection with reality, increased awareness of our mental pitfalls could help. If our system is indisputably noisy our aim is to let it be more disciplined. References Purpose: Persistent quadriceps strength deficits are common following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and are related to increased risk of reinjury. The underlying adaptations occurring in the activity of spinal motoneurons are still unexplored. This study examined the discharge characteristics of large populations of motor units (MUs) in the vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) muscles following ACLR. Methods: Nine ACLR soccer players and ten controls performed unilateral isometric knee extensions at 35%, 50% and 70% of the maximal voluntary isometric force (MVIF). High-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) was used to record the myoelectrical Sport Sci Health activity of the VL and VM muscles of both lower limbs. HDsEMG signals were decomposed with a convolutive blind source separation method and MU properties were extracted and compared between sides and groups.

Results: The reconstructed side of the ACLR group showed a lower MVIF compared to the contralateral side (P \ 0.001). This deficit in MVIF was accompanied by reduced MU discharge rates (P \ 0.05), lower absolute MU recruitment and derecruitment thresholds (.05) and lower input-output gain of motoneurons (P = 0.009). The side-toside difference in MVIF was associated with the side-to-side difference in MU discharge rates (P \ 0.05) and with the side-to-side difference in absolute MU recruitment and derecruitment thresholds (P \ 0.05). A strong between-side correlation was found for MU discharge rates of the VL of ACLR individuals (P.01). There were no significant between-group differences (P [ 0.05).

These results indicate that mid-to-long term quadriceps strength deficits after ACLR may be explained by a reduced neural drive to the vasti muscles, with potential changes occurring in both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. These findings provide novel insights on the neural underpinnings of quadriceps weakness following ACLR. A full understanding of this impairment can help to develop effective rehabilitation protocols to regain muscle strength and reduce the risk of reinjury. References Purpose: To investigate how leg preference affects net efficiency (gnet), we examined central and peripheral hemodynamics, muscle fiber type, muscle activation and force of preferred (PL) and nonpreferred (NPL) leg. Our hypothesis was that PL greater efficiency could be explained by adaptations and interactions between central, peripheral factors and force. Methods: Fifteen young participants performed single-leg extension exercise at absolute (35 W) and relative (50%peak power-output (Wpeak)) workloads with PL and NPL. Oxygen uptake, Sport Sci Health photoplethysmography, Doppler ultrasound, near-infrared-spectroscopy (NIRS), integrated electromyography (iEMG), maximal isometric force (MVC), rate of force development (RFD) and muscle biopsies of both vastus lateralis, were studied to assess central and peripheral determinants of gnet.

Results: During exercise executed at 35 W, gnet was 17.5 ± 5.1% and 11.9 ± 2.1% (p.01) in NP and NPL respectively, while during exercise at the 50% of Wpeak, was in PL = 18.1 ± 5.1% and in NPL = 12.5 ± 1.9 (p \ 0.01). The only parameter correlated with gnet was iEMG which showed an inverse correlation for absolute (r = -0.83 and -0.69 for PL and NPL) and relative workloads (r = -0.92 and -0.79 for PL and NPL). MVC and RFD were higher in PL than in NPL but not correlated to gnet.

Conclusions: This study identified a critical role of leg preference in the efficiency during single-leg extension exercise. The whole spectrum of the central and peripheral, respiratory, circulatory and muscular determinants of gnet did not explain the difference between PL and NPL efficiency. Therefore, the lower muscle activation exhibited by the PL is likely the primary determinant of this physiological phenomenon. References Purpose: The hamstrings (HS) muscle group plays a fundamental role in maintaining knee stability, thus contributing to the prevention and rehabilitation of lower limb musculoskeletal injuries1. However, little is known about HS structural adaptations after periods of disuse/ inactivity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological changes in the HS during 10 days of bed rest (BR). Methods: Ten young healthy males underwent a 10-d BR. Before (BR0) and after (BR10) the BR period, HS muscle volume was assessed by MRI, while biceps femoris long head (BFlh) muscle architecture was evaluated by ultrasound (US). BFlh fascicle length (Lf) was obtained using 1) panoramic US (extended-field-of-view -EFOV-technique), 2) the manual linear extrapolation (MLE) method, and 3) two trigonometric equations (Eq A and B) from a single B-Mode US snapshot. Purpose: Heart, kidney, and liver transplant recipients (HTx, KTx, and LTx, respectively) are characterized by poor level of cardiorespiratory fitness; in fact, they suffer from reduced peak pulmonary O2 uptake and slower pulmonary uptake (VO2p) kinetics when compared to healthy mates of similar age. For a given constant work rate of moderate intensity (CWR-MOD), the slower the VO2p kinetics response, the greater the time for the VO2p to attain the steady state, and the higher intracellular perturbation (e.g., accumulation of H ? and depletion of PCr) will occur, indicating an impaired muscular metabolic stability. Hence, sluggish kinetics would herald a reduced exercise capacity and tolerance. Exercise training is known to improve VO2p kinetics in healthy subjects and in clinical populations; therefore, we investigated the effects of single and double leg cycling endurance training (SL-ET and DL-ET, respectively) on VO2p kinetics in 33 transplanted recipients (HTx = 13, KTx = 11, and LTx = 9 Purpose: Cigarette smoking is a well-known risk factor for cardiopulmonary disease and a major cause of mortality, leading to systemic modifications that affect the cardiorespiratory response to exercise. Indeed, nicotine stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, elevating the cardiac work. Likewise, tar impairs oxygen diffusion across the alveolar-capillary interface and carbon monoxide causes a less efficient oxygen transport and extraction. Despite the impact of acute cigarette smoking on the cardiorespiratory and metabolic response to exercise has been already assessed, the effect of long-term cigarette smoking has not been yet investigated. Methods: Six trained male smokers (SM; 13 ± 5 cigarette/day; age: 21 ± 2 yr., body mass: 77 ± 6 kg; mean ± SD) and five non-smokers (CTRL; age: 26 ± 4 yr., body mass: 81 ± 11 kg) were enrolled. After assessing the maximum pulmonary oxygen uptake (V'O2max) on a cycle ergometer, the participants performed in different days two sets, each consisting in two step transitions to a 6-min moderate exercise (90% of gas exchange threshold) separated by a 30-min resting recovery. Cycling cadence was constrained to remain between 60-70 rpm. Expiratory ventilation (V'E), carbon dioxide production (V'CO2), V'O2 and heart rate (fH) responses were fitted by a monoexponential function. The amplitude (AMP), starting value (Y0) the time constant (s) of all parameters were calculated during the increasing and decreasing phases.

Results: Despite a similar V'O2max between the two groups, the fH Y0 was higher in SM than in CTRL in the increasing (89 ± 8 vs 77 ± 6 bpm, respectively; P = 0.02) and decreasing phase (146 ± 11 vs 132 ± 10 bpm, respectively; P = 0.06). No differences in the metabolic parameters were observed.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that the long-term cigarette smoking slowed down only the off-phase of the cardiac response to a moderate exercise transition. On the contrary, the respiratory and metabolic kinetics seemed to be unaffected by chronic smoking, likely because of the high fitness level of the participants. References Our results show that in active young subjects a HI-CT and a long work interval HIIT regime (50-30) represent an optimal training stimulus to elicit higher physiological and metabolic responses compared to short work interval HIIT regimes (30-30 and 10-20), being the most effective for stressing both the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems. Coaches can choose and balance the level of aerobic/anaerobic energy requirements and neuromuscular engagement associated with the three HIIT regimes and a HI-CT protocol based on the expected physiological and metabolic adaptations as well as neuromuscular characteristic and ability level of the athlete/subject individual profile.

Effects of 3-month polarized training vs. high intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and fat metabolism in obese adults Purpose: The relationship between heart rate (HR) and pulmonary oxygen uptake (VO2), namely HRvsVO2, has been already extensively evaluated to assess the validity of HR as a sensitive indicator of the metabolic demands during different physical activities. The assessment of HRvsVO2 as an indicator of the aerobic system engagement has been demonstrated during soccer-specific exercises, whereas it has been rejected during badminton simulations and indoor climbing. Whether or not shuttle runs present a HRvsVO2 similar to that obtained during standard forward running test is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the validity of HR as a valid indicator of aerobic demand by comparing HRvsVO2 obtained during traditional forward running to that obtained during shuttle runs at different speeds. Methods: Thirteen participants (age: 21 ± 2 years.; body mass: 71.3 ± 5.9 kg; stature: 1.73 ± 0.07 m; mean ± standard deviation) performed a discontinuous incremental test (IIAT) on a treadmill for maximum VO2 and maximum aerobic velocity (VAM) assessment, during which metabolic and HR data were collected. On a different day, the HRvsVO2 was evaluated during two 5-min shuttle runs sets at different speeds: 50% (low speed, LS) and 75% (high speed, HS) of the VAM, and compared with the values determined during IIAT. A paired t-test was used to check for possible differences in cardiorespiratory and metabolic parameters between HS and LS, and between slopes and intercepts of HRvsVO2 obtained during the IIAT and shuttle tests.

Results: VO2 and HR were significantly higher at HS than LS (? 15% and ? 16%, respectively; p \ 0.05). Both slope and intercept of HRvsVO2 during shuttle tests were similar to those obtained during the IIAT (p = 0.942 and p = 0.526 for slope and intercept, respectively). Conclusions: A similar HRvsVO2 was observed during shuttle runs and standard incremental test, suggesting the use of HR as a sensitive indicator to monitor the aerobic demand during shuttle tests. These findings provide support for all those sport activities with frequent occurrence of changes of direction, such as small-sided games. References In this scenario, classroom-based PA program, such as Active Breaks in the I-MOVE study, could represent a proposal to re-increased the recommended level of PA and reduce the sedentary behaviour, especially in boys.

Purpose: Chronic kidney disease (CKD), pathological condition that induces or aggravates sarcopenia, is characterized by the loss of muscle mass and strength. CKD decreases the physical capacity (PC) and the quality of life and increases the cardiovascular mortality. Literature data suggest that regular physical activity (PA) in combination with dietetic-nutritional treatments are effective to counteract CKD progression and comorbidities. This pilot study evaluates the potential beneficial effects of 12-weeks online PA protocol, combined with functional bars supplementation on quality of life, functional parameters and CKD progression. Methods: 10 CKD patients, aged 60 ± 5.1 years, were enrolled and randomized in 2 homogeneous groups for age and gender: A) PA protocol combined with functional bars that were analysed for active metabolites and total antioxidant capacity; B) only PA protocol. Quality of life using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), PC, strength and laboratory parameters were evaluated at baseline (T0) and after 12 weeks (T2).

Results: Currently, we analysed preliminary data. Purpose: Activation of lower limb muscle pump together with ankle joint mobilization play fundamental role in enhancing venous and lymphatic drainage. Recently has been demonstrated the effectiveness of a thermal aquatic exercise program on clinical outcomes related to chronic venous disease (CVD) compared to dry-land environment.The lack of physical activities is numbered among the CVD risk factors for this reason the aim of the present investigation is to assess the potential effect of the proposed thermal water exercise program on physical fitness and QoL in CVD patients. Methods: Sixteen (16) consecutive CVD patients (11F/5 M, mean age 61 ± 11 years; BMI 27 ± 5 kg/m2) were included in the study. The cohort underwent an adapted physical activity program aimed to activate all the lower limb muscle pumps, to mobilize the main lower limb joint and to stimulate balance. Water pletismography, senior fitness test, resting pulse (HR) and blood pressure (BP), validated questionnaire were used to assess leg volume, physical fitness and QoL respectively, following 5 standardized exercise sessions in thermal water pool.

Results: At the end of the exercise program a significant improvement of the outcomes related to the lower limb strength (p \ 0.0001), endurance (p.006), rapidity and balance (p.05) together with a significant decrease in resting HR (-1.8%, p.0001) and systolic BP (-1.1%, p \ 0.04) was recorded. Moreover, a significant leg volume reduction was found (-16%; p \ 0.002) following the 5 exercise sessions. Finally, a significant improvement of bodily pain (p \ 0.0005) and social function (p \ 0.002) QoL items was found.

The thermal water exercise program demonstrates to be an effective conservative treatment option for CVD patient, impacting also on cardiovascular and musculoskeletal outcomes. The reported data can be helpful in clinical CVD disease management, as well as in further research development on the topic. References Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our daily habits. The lockdown and other related restrictions have exposed people to sedentary behaviors and unhealthy nutrition, increasing the risk to develop diseases (1) . The present study aimed to investigate physical activity, nutrition, and sleep habits in university students. Methods: 533 university students from the University of Milan, Italy, were recruited. Students filled out a questionnaire concerning anthropometric characteristics (weight, height), age and their habits in different areas of life: physical activity was evaluated by the Godin-Shephard Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire; nutrition was investigated by the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents; sleep was evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index proposed for both weekday (WD) and weekend (WE). Moreover, we investigated the consumption of cigarettes and the consume wine and alcohol. The students were divided into two groups according to the degree course followed: Sport Sciences (S) (275 students) and Nursing (N) (258 students) and compared for all variables.

Results: The two groups showed statistically significant difference in weight (p = 0.001) and height (p \ 0.001), but not in age and BMI. S showed higher levels than N in physical activity (p \ 0.001) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p \ 0.001). By contrast, S slept better compared to N during both WD (p \ 0.001) and WE (p = 0.002). These results suggest that S are more active, sleep better and have great adherence to the Mediterranean diet compared to N students. Moreover, the smokers were significantly higher in N (28%) compared to S (15%) (p.001), while no differences were found for the consumption of alcohol (S: 26% and N: 25%) or wine (S: 31% and N: 35%).

Conclusions: Results showed how Sport Sciences university students, who usually more active, adopt a healthy lifestyle even during the COVID-19 lockdown. The present study showed the importance to promote strategies to maintain a healthy lifestyle even in situations of restrictions like during the lockdown to reduce the onset of diseases. References Questionnaire. The items about the perception of exercise in oncology, drawn from previous studies, were based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and concerned the safety, importance and beneficial effects of exercise, the capability of patients to practice it and the role of support by family/caregivers or oncologists for patients. Descriptive and correlation analyses were performed. Results: 224 subjects anonymously completed the questionnaire. The majority were male (52%) and had at least a high school degree (43%). Only 7% of participants had a cancer diagnosis, and 6% were healthcare providers. Only 31% of participants were sufficiently active (LSI [ 24). The items concerning the opinion of the respondents showed that the majority agreed or strongly agreed that exercise is beneficial (65%) and important (67%) for cancer patients. About 55% believe that the oncologist should advise patients to exercise, and 57% think that caregivers should encourage patients to exercise. Only 12% strongly agreed that exercise is safe for patients and only 6% think that patients are able to practice during the period of treatments. Most (60%) of the subjects reported that less than 20% of cancer patients engage in a sufficient level of physical activity. A significant correlation was found between higher EX levels of participants and the importance given to exercise for patients with cancer (p = 0.048). Socio-economics conditions did not influence the perception, whereas it seems that healthcare providers are more conscious about the benefits of EX in oncology.

Conclusions: This study shows that a large percentage of subjects has a positive opinion about EX-oncology, even if safety issues and concerns about patients' capability of exercising have emerged.

Adapted physical activity for women with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture: the point of view of the OSTEO-AFA/2014 study participants Purpose: Osteoporosis (OP) and consequent fractures represent a major health concern worldwide, having a substantial impact on quality of life (QoL). Thus, a multi-modal approach including exercise is required. However, exercise alone, even if in the right dosage, seems to be not enough to improve QoL. For this reason, the aim of the present analysis was to investigate the effect of an adapted physical activity (APA) program specifically tailored for women with OP and vertebral fractures, on QoL and participants' experience of illness.

Methods: A convenient sample of women from the OSTEO-AFA/ 2014 study were asked to be interviewed to assess the QoL, the experience of illness and the role of the APA program carried out 1-h session twice a week for 6 months. Semi-structured interviews, have been conducted according to the methodology of qualitative research McGill Illness Narrative Interview (MINI). The analysis was performed using Nvivo software, version 12 plus. Results: Seven women (aged 60-75) with at least one vertebral fracture (range: 1-3), were interviewed and included in the qualitative analysis. All the participants reported to be fully aware about the fact that some daily life actions were no longer executable, after the illness and particularly fracture. The role of APA, as the women indicated, was fundamental not only for the reacquisition of some autonomy at physical level, but also as psychological support, reflecting an improvement in QoL. In addition, all of them claim to feel better after performing the APA, especially because it was carried out in a group. Moreover, the majority states that has learned to control and move their body safely. Finally, after the conclusion of the OSTEO-AFA/ 2014 study intervention, 5 out of 7 women decided to continue the APA program paying a fee. The main motivations emerged from those who have not extended the participation were distance from the gym and lack of time.

Conclusions: Overall, the words of the participants confirmed that APA, conducted by trainers able to deal with this condition, is a valuable means of improving the QoL through an educational approach to the movement that allowed them to acquire awareness of their body, regain autonomies in performing daily life activities and finally a better state of psycho-physical well-being. References Purpose: Coaches normally prescribe training based on a 3 zone intensity model (Z) [1] . Z1 normally corresponds to intensities below the first ventilatory or lactate threshold (LT1), Z2 between LT1 and the second threshold (LT2) and Z3 above LT2. Previous studies have identified specific RPE breakpoints corresponding to the 3 intensity zones on the CR10 scale [2] to help coaches in monitoring training sessions for cross-country skiers [1] and open-water swimmers [3] . However, the RPE breakpoints were different between these 2 modes of locomotion leading to conclude that the RPE breakpoints corresponding to the LT could be sport-specific. Race walking is an endurance activity showing a specific locomotor pattern different from both walking and running [4, 5] , that may affect the relationships between RPE and Zs. This study aimed to evaluate the correspondence between Zs, race-pace speeds and RPE in elite racewalkers. Methods: Six elite racewalkers (3 males and 3 females), all part of the National Olympic Team, performed a total of 16 incremental tests on track: 7 9 1600 m. Lactate concentration (Lactate Pro 2, Kyoto, Japan), HR and RPE (CR-10 Italyn language [6] ) were collected at the end of each step. Lactate, HR, speed and RPE values were interpolated through a third-degree polynomial to determine the estimated value for each RPE scale point. LT1 was estimated by the highest workload not associated with a rise in lactate concentration (estimated by visual and Wilcoxon test) from the average baseline lactate at rest; LT2 was estimated by a rise of 3 mM above the first rise in lactate concentration [7] . Results: Z1 lies between 0 and 2 on the CR10 scale and up to 77-81% HRmax, Z2 lies between 2.5 and 6 RPE and up to 91-93% HRmax and Z3 C 7 RPE and above 93% HRmax. The 50 km race pace speed corresponds to a CR10 value of 3 and 84% HRmax and the 20 km race pace speed to a value of 5 and 90% HRmax.

Conclusions: Prescription of training based on the RPE scale needs to rely on correct intensity zone breakpoints calculated by physiological tests. Compared to other sports, in racewalking Z1 seems to lie in a very narrow range of RPE values. In fact, RPE values corresponding to Z1 B 4 were found in cross-country skiers [1] , and B 3 in openwater swimmers [3] . Probably the increase of race walking speed leads to a sharp increase in muscle metabolism, for the decreasing energysaving role of the tendons [5] , determining a substantial increase in energy cost and fatigue.

The energetic cost of forward vs shuttle running in marathon runners and soccer players 

Home advantage is influenced by the timing of the events during rugby union domestic competition Purpose: Although performance analysis was extensively implemented in rugby, it has primarily only focused on discrete, descriptive, and comparative statistics. Therefore, using a dynamical system analysis approach (Colomer, 2020 ) the present study aimed to identify patterns for successful game results in rugby union from sequences outcomes. Methods: A 234 performances of the 2019-20 Top14 competition (French top-level clubs) were analyzed. Data were obtained from the Ultimate Rugby web domain (https://www.ultimaterugby.com/#). In particular, the regular 80 min playing time was divided into different periods according to 3 different scenarios (i.e., 8 9 10-min, 4 9 20-min, 2 9 40-min periods). Events (i.e., try, kick-at-goal, conver sions, substitution, cards) were then coded in relation to the period (e. g., try scored in the first quarter), the fixture (i.e., home vs away), and the power balance between teams. A 3 Exhaustive CHAID decision trees (DT) were grown using win/loss as the binary response variable using a 10 sample folds training cross-validation. Minimum cases in parent and child node were set to 100 and 50, respectively. The DT with the higher classification reliability and with more than 1 node was considered.

Results: 12 ± 3 events occurred during each of the 234 performances. DT in the 4 9 20-min scenario was more reliable compared to the others one and produced more than 1 node. The 4 9 20-min scenario DT was able to correctly classify 76.6% of wins and 74% of loses (vs 55.9 and 98.4% for 8 9 10-min and vs 76.6 and 74% for the 2 9 40-min). Playing home led to 72.6% winning performances compared to 22.2% away. In the playing home scenario lower winning occurrences (53.2%) happened within the first 3 events of the game when failing a kick-at-goal attempt, or when a substitution was made in the second and the third quarter, or when opponents scored a try in the first or the second quarter.

In line with other studies on international rugby union (Thomas et al., 2008 , Vaz et al., 2012 , home advantage occurred in the national club competition. From the perspective of a dynamical system analysis, this advantage is associable to specific match periods in which the game events observed in this study occur. In particular, failing to score points (i.e., kick-to-goal attempt failed) and conceding a try in the 1st or 2nd quarter of the game may reduce the home advantage.

Purpose: Elite cross-country skiers are usually tested in laboratory settings, for both physiological and biomechanical aspects. However, on-field measurements during races or training sessions could be useful to assess athletes' performance during real sport conditions. Here we present methodology employed and data collected during a training session aimed at evaluating performance during a roller skiing sprint simulation. 

Discussion: Elite female cross-country skiers maintained an even pacing strategy across the laps of the simulated race, even though metabolic work increaseed significantly. The effect of fatigue seems not to alter the gross-cycle kinematics across the laps, but an acute effect of fatigue appeared within each lap. Such type of evaluations offer interesting data to athletes and coaches for a general and individualized performance evaluation during real training session. Athletes' monitoring on the field should be further developed and considered as an integral part of elite athlete evaluation, in addition to standardized lab tests, in order to better address training. References Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of mental fatigue (MF) on 20-min daytime napping characteristics and the subsequent effects on sleepiness, perceptions of MF, and cognitive performance in endurance athletes. Methods: Nine amateur master athletes (age: 38.4 ± 9.1 years; BMI: 20.1 ± 1.1; VO2peak: 62 ± 5 mLÁkg-1Ámin-1) performed in a randomized, counterbalanced, and crossover order, two identical experimental sessions separated by an interval of one week: a mental fatigue (MF) and a control session (CON). In CON, the participants underwent a 20-min nap between 14.00 and 15:00 and, in MF, also a 30-min pre-nap battery of cognitive tasks was included. Sleepiness was monitored by the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the perceptions of MF before (PRE), immediately after (POST1) and 30-min after the day time nap (POST30). Further, cognitive performance was evaluated at POST30 with a 5-min flanker task. Sleep was continuously monitored by actigraphy and a sleep diary throughout the study protocol. Results: MF did not negatively influence the actigraphy-based sleep characteristics of daytime nap whereas subjects reported higher subjective sleep quality of the nap in CON compared to MF (7 Purpose: the spontaneous transition between walking and running occurs at about 7-8 km/h and the underpinning mechanism of this transition is still partially understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of the lower limbs muscle-tendon mechanical behavior in explaining the walk to run transition. Methods: we combined ultrasound data of Gastrocnemius Medialis (GM) with kinematic and metabolic data during walking and running at matched speeds (6, 7 and 8 km/h). In addition, the F-L and F-V relationships of GM was experimentally assessed by means of dynamometric measurements (Monte et al., 2020). Combining the ultrasound data collected during these experiments with those obtained during the locomotion trials, the F-L and F-V potential as a function of speed was obtained (Bohm et al., 2019). Belly (Gb = belly length/fascicle length) and tendon (Gt = MTU length/Belly length) gearing were calculated for each locomotor trials as well as energy cost (Cnet = VO2net / v). Results: Cnet increased as a function speed in walking (from 2.6 to 4.2 J/kg/m) and was unaffected by speed in running (4.2 J/kg/m). Gb decreased with speed and was larger in running than in walking; Gt was unaffected by speed in walking and increased with speed in running, the two functions crossing at 8 km/h, as is the case for Cnet. The F-L and F-V potentials decreased as a function of speed and were higher for running than walking (i.e. muscles fascicles operate at higher F-L and F-V potentials during running).

The present data indicate a clear gap between muscle and tendon behaviour in the two locomotion modes; tendon, but not muscle, behaviour could help in explaining the walk to run transition in terrestrial locomotion. References Purpose: The capability to exert useful force in water is a key factor for swimming performance. For this Purpose, tethered swimming is the gold standard method to calculate the thrust force of the swimmer. Moreover, the dynamic pressure approach has been used in swimming research to characterize hands and feet thrust force. In this study, an assessment of the accuracy and reliability of pressure sensors to estimate the hand thrust force of the swimmer was performed.

Methods: Eleven young swimmers at the national level (75.0 ± 6.1% of 50-m World Record) including five males (16.0 ± 0.0 y) and six females (15.0 ± 0.0 y) performed a single bout of 15 s fully tethered swimming only arms. The tethered force (Ftet) was assessed using a load-cell system. The swimmers wore four wireless pressure sensors (SEAL, Platysens) to measure the average differential hydrodynamic pressures (Phand). The sensors were placed between the third and fourth metacarpals on the palm and back of each hand. The product of the average pitch angle of the hand (a = 47°based on previous literature) and hand's surface area (HSA) was calculated to obtain the average force of the hands (Fhand) as Phand * (HSA * a). Accuracy level was evaluated comparing Phand and Fhand with Ftet. Reliability of the pressure sensors was expressed as level of agreement between Phand of ten stroke cycles. Hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pressure calibrations of the sensors were applied to the data. 

Front vs back overhead press: an electromyographic analysis and possible implications for resistance training Purpose: The current study compared the muscles excitation during overhead press performed with the barbell passing in front or behind the head or using a shoulder press device. Methods: Ten competitive bodybuilders performed in random order front (front-BMP) or back barbell military press (back-BMP), and front (front-MSP) or back machine shoulder press (back-MSP Purpose: In modern sprint-cycling competitions, the athletes perform a preparatory counter movement that consists in reaching the backmost standing position, quickly accelerating the body forward at the starting signal. The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinematics of backward standing starts in elite cyclists, as well as the effect of initial crank angle.

Methods: The kinematics of cycling starts was investigated in 7 male elite cyclists belonging to the Italyn track cycling team (23.4 ± 4.1 years; 1.84 ± 0.05 m stature; 78.4 ± 5.5 kg body mass; 15.1 ± 4.0 years of practice). They were asked to perform 30 m sprints (indoor velodrome) from 3 starting positions: i) seated, with the crank of the pushing leg at the self-selected position (S-ss); ii) backward standing, with the crank at the self-selected position (BSt-ss); iii) backward standing, with the crank angle at 90°with the vertical axis (BSt-90°). Average velocity after 5 and 30 m was also measured by means of a photocell system. Results: The starting angle was the same in BSt-ss and S-ss (about 65°) and the fastest speed after 5 and 30 m was attained in BSt-ss. In these starts peak downstroke velocity was the highest and the counter movement occurred earlier than in BSt-90°. The advantage of a quick start was limited to the first downstroke: the following pedaling cycles were not affected by changes in the initial crank position or by the preparatory counter movement.

Conclusions: In backward standing starts, a quick start is associated with an earlier backward movement. Moreover, when the initial crank position is closer to the bottom dead centre (BDC), less time is available to exert force (and hence to increase velocity) in the first pedaling cycle. Thus, in backward starting starts, it is more advantageous to start with an initial crank position closer to 65°than to 90°. References Purpose: The incidence of acute knee injuries, e.g., Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury is growing with regards to young and female athletes' populations. The identification of specific biomechanical patterns involving multiple joints is increasingly claimed in prevention and rehabilitation programs [1] . It is not clear whether such patterns are present in the healthy athletes' population. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of biomechanical risk patterns for ACL injury in a healthy population during the execution of high-dynamics movements. Methods: Thirty-four competitive young, healthy athletes (22.8 ± 4.1 years, 18 males and 16 females, Tegner Level 9) were enrolled. Every athlete performed a frontal deceleration (DEC) and a change of direction at 90°(COD). Three valid repetitions per leg were collected. Kinematical data of ankle, knee, hip, and trunk joints were collected through a set of 15 wearable inertial sensors (Awinda, Xsens Technologies). According to the current literature [1] , nine ACL risk factors were identified across four categories: limited lower limb flexion (knee, hip, ankle), valgus collapse (knee valgus, hip abd/adduction and internal rotation), foot rotation, non-neutral trunk posture (ispilateral bending, contralateral rotation). A movement was considered ''at-risk'' in the presence of at least 5 simultaneous risk factors. The central strike of each task was isolated, and risk factors were assessed at initial contact and at the maximum knee flexion angle. The rate of athletes with at-risk movements was assessed and a Sport Sci Health multivariate regression with gender, age, approaching speed, limb dominance was performed (p \ 0.05). Results: The presence of the injury risk pattern (at least 5 risk factors) was identified in 24 athletes (71%) in at least one movement. Five athletes (15%) exhibited the risk pattern in at least three movements. The overall rate of injury patterns was between 9 and 12%. The COD at maximum knee flexion showed significant odds ratio for approaching speed and gender female (OR = 4.3 and OR = 4.8, respectively). Conclusions: The present study underlined a large presence of biomechanical patterns typical of ACL injury in young and healthy athletes during the execution of complex dynamic movements. Such movements should be investigated in sport-specific environments for a wider comprehension of the actual risk level and preventative trainings might be deployed in at-risk athletes. Purpose: In competitive swimming, backstroke start is widely considered as the most different and challenging start among the other swimming styles [2] . A new backstroke start equipment (Omega OBL2) has been approved by Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) since 2014. Through this device, five different adjustable positions may be set [3] . The aim of this study was to verify the effect of the device position on start biomechanics. Methods: Nine élite swimmers (age 22,7 ± 1,9; height 179.4 ± 7.3 cm; body mass 70.5 ± 8.9 kg; FINA points 811 ± 80.85; percentage PB/WR 93.2% ± 2.64) performed ten backstroke starts in random order, two for each device position, separated by 2 min of passive rest. A body-worn inertial sensor and a video camera were used to analyse the start biomechanical variables [3] . Only the best performance for each position (best time in 5 m) was further investigated through statistical analysis. A repeated measure ANOVA was performed with Bonferroni correction.

Results: Significant differences were observed among different device positions in the following video-based parameters: take-off velocity, head entry distance, and entry difference between head and centre of mass (p \ 0.005). Peak to Peak values for antero-posterior linear acceleration and medio-lateral angular velocity were significantly different only between the two extreme device positions (p \ 0.005). No significant difference was found in the 5 m time duration and in other biomechanical variables.

Conclusions: The Backstroke start is deeply affected by the use of the newly adopted device. Although significant differences in starting biomechanics were highlighted for different device positions, 5 m time duration was similar in each condition; notably, the results obtained are comparable with previous studies. However, the high level of the subjects analysed may have influenced the final results due to possible compensation strategies they might have adopted. Nevertheless, when the device was set in a higher position, a better time was performed by all athletes. It can be speculated that, with a higher device setting, a more comfortable position could be achieved and a higher propulsion force be applied by swimmers. References Purpose: The aims of the present research were to analyse the effects of long-term football training on the miRNAs skeletal muscle expression in veterans football players (VPG) of and on the identification of their putative targets involved in the longevity pathways. Methods: miRWalk database was used to generate predicted and validated miRNA-binding sites of known human genes1. The expression of the identified putative targets were analyzed and validated by western blot analysis both in muscle biopsies from VPG and in myoblast LHCN-M2 cells.

Results: We previously identified 14 miRNAs differently expressed in VPG compared to active untrained subjects (control group; CG) muscle (p \ 0.05)2; among them, miR-1303 and miR-548a2 showed the highest significant score (p \ 0.01). Based on the intersection of different algorithms runned simultaneously by miRWalk we identified many putative targets of miR-1303 and miR-548a2. Among them, we characterized BAG-2, a protein involved in ubiquitination of misfolded protein by CHIP, as a down-regulated species by miR-1303 in human muscle and in LHCN-M2 cells3. Then, we identified PSMDs, components of the 26S proteasome, involved in the ATP-dependent degradation of ubiquitinated proteins as miR-468a2 target.

Conclusions: In conclusion, we demostrated, for the first time, that miR-1303 and miR-548a2 expressions are regulated by long-term football training in veterans' muscle tissues and that their putative targets are involved in protein quality control pathways. These results contributes to the enlargement of knowledge on the molecular mechanisms linking long-term training and longevity, through autophagy pathways. References

Purpose: Aging induces an overall decline in muscle quality and function and impaired tissue regenerative capacity. This physiological process advances slowly with healthy aging and can be rushed by concurrent diseases resulting in risk of developing disability, frailty, and institutionalization in later life. Recently, capillaries have taken on a leading role on the hypertrophic response to resistance exercise (RET), both in young and older individuals. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a metabolic disease associated with a decrease in capillary density and function, which may reduce the hypertrophic capacity following exercise. Thus, the aim of this study was to indagate the angiogenic and myogenic response to RET in a group of healthy and diabetic older adults. Methods: 19 healthy older adults (71.1 ± 4.3 years) and 11 diabetic older adults (69.8 ± 3.4 years) underwent to 12 weeks of RET. Muscle biopsies from vastus lateralis were obtained before and after 12 weeks of training. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to quantify myosin heavy chain isoform expression, cross-sectional area (CSA), satellite cell abundance (SC), capillary and pericytes content. Pre and post study days also included a stable isotope infusion trial wherein subjects ingested an essential amino acid (EAA) to test their anabolic response. Results: Following RET, only healthy older adults increased total fiber CSA (p.05), and the results was driven by a specific increase in fiber type II size (? 23%; p \ 0.05). Healthy older adults also presented a higher capillarization compared to the T2DM pairs (p \ 0.05), but training did not affect this parameter. Pericytes counts increased in the healthy group, but the difference wasn't significant. SC was significant affected by T2DM condition a no effect of training was detected. Ultimately, T2DM didn't show any anabolic response to EAA compared to healthy counterpart.

Conclusions: T2DM seems to be characterized by an anabolic resistance and this may be due to a lower endothelial and SC function. Unfortunately, 12 weeks of RET doesn't seems to be sufficient to reverse this condition. Methods: nine male NPFPs (age: 20 ± 2 years) on the same team are recruited and, in particular, they played and trained each day before, during, and after WBC treatment. We collected NPFPs blood samples immediately before WBC and after 5 once-day sessions, then we evaluated a set consisting of fifty analytes, including hormones profile, hematologic parameters, and serum chemistry. We proceeded with monocytes (Mo) phenotyping and then we investigated the concentration of some plasmatic markers with anti-inflammatory effects (IL2RA, IL1RN) or typically increased during inflammation [CCL2, IL-18, free mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)].

Results: WBC treatment (WBC-t) leads to a decrease not only in mean platelet volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and ferritin levels, but also in testosterone and estradiol levels, even if they remain within the normal ranges. This treatment is also responsible for total Mo increased and, in particular, a reduction of classical Mo has been demonstrated in parallel with an increase of non-classical ones. Moreover, each Mo subset shows lower expression of CXCR4. Considering pro-inflammatory molecules, IL1RA showed a tendency to decrease, while IL1RN and IL18 decreased in plasma after WBC-t. Conversely, circulating mtDNA levels appeared unaltered by treatment.

Conclusions: The differences detected in monocyte subset after WBC-t suggest that, in this condition, Mo could be redistributed into the surrounding tissue. In addition, CXCR4 reduction in Mo subsets could be due to their differentiation process. Hence, WBC could promote Mo differentiation through a mechanism that is still unknown. Since WBC seems to regulate the innate immune system in the enrolled NPFPs, it could have a role in tissue repair beyond a beneficial anti-inflammatory effect. References Purpose: To investigate the impact of different running intensity distributions on the physiological parameters after a variable cycling fraction (triathlon-specific) in sprint triathlon format.

Methods: Thirteen well-trained triathletes (age 36.4 ± 10.8 yy, height 174.8 ± 7.9 cm, mass 70.6 ± 11.1 kg; V'O2max 62.4 ± 8.9 mil min-1 kg-1; mean ± SD) attended the laboratory five times in order to complete two incremental tests and three subsequent experimental sessions that mimed different intensities distribution in triathlon race. Experimental sessions were realized in a randomized order and differentiated by the speed of the 1st running kilometer: SS (slow-start) starting at 95% of vVT2; C (constant) starting at vVT2 and FS (faststart) starting at 105% of vVT2. Measurement of physiological variables like V'O2 and HR were recorded throughout the whole cycle-run session. BLa-and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded at end-bike, 1st, 3rd, 5th and end-run time point. Conclusions: Significant differences in physiological parameters were found mainly on the 1st kilometer of the running bout. These findings are important for athletes (in particular triathletes) to determine the optimal racing strategy and to focus on the best training Methods to perform in medium duration efforts. References Purpose: Despite the lack of scientific evidence, uphill high intensity interval running is considered a milestone in increasing runner's lower limb strength through specific adaptations. However, recent scientific literature proposed downhill running as a type of specific eccentric stimulus for increasing strength parameters and running economy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of uphill high intensity interval treadmill training (UHIIT) and downhill high intensity interval treadmill training (DHIIT) protocol on strength and physiological parameters connected with running performance. Methods: Fourteen recreational runners were recruited to take part in the study and were randomly assigned to UHIIT (n = 7; 43.0 ± 5.4 years; Vo2max 56.0 ± 5.7 mlo2 min-1 kg-1) and DHIIT (n = 7; 44.4 ± 10.3 yy; Vo2max 54.7 ± 7.9 mlo2 min-1 kg-1). Before and after a training period of 6 weeks based on 3 running sessions/week, maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2max), the velocity at Vo2max (vVo2max), maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), maximal dynamic force (1RM) and Running Economy (RE) were evaluated. Results: The UHIIT group have showed significant increases (p \ 0.05) in Vo2max, vVo2max and 2 km running performance, while DHIIT group showed significant increases (p.05) only in Vo2max but significant decrease (p \ 0.05) on 2 km running performance. No differences were found in RE and strength parameters in any groups.

The results of this study indicate that in recreational runners, uphill high intensity interval training (UHIIT) causes increases in metabolic but not strength parameters. Moreover, downhill high intensity interval training (DHIIT) appears to be a safe method in terms of avoiding injuries but not useful for enhancing running performance. References: Purpose: The agility and strength performances gradually improve during the growth, though in a nonlinear way [1] . Nonetheless, such performances are increasingly required in early-age football academies, so the attention to the assessment methodologies. Currently, the assessment is often limited to sliced tests without sport-specific conditions. For example, many agility tests in football are executed without ball or opponents. The aim of the study is to assess agility and strength performances in different aged players with the introduction of a ball variable. The hypothesis of the study was that the execution time of both agility and strength tests would decrease with growth and 

Differences in muscle quality between male and female firefighters

Purpose: Muscle quality index (MQI), which is expressed as muscle strength per unit of muscle mass, has received a great attention by scientific literature as it better reflects muscular conditioning than muscle strength and mass separately [1] . Considering that male (MF) and female (FF) firefighters work side by side performing the same tasks and muscle strength is a critical factor in firefighters' duties [2] , the aim of study was to analyze possible sex differences in MQI. Purpose: As a matter of fact, fitness profiling of elite football players consists of a holistic monitoring with anthropometric and physiological criteria, influenced by nature and nurture. With this study, we aimed to evaluate inter and intra-seasonal differences and the influence of playing position on a set of training and fitness metrics, during the last step to entry in professional soccer. Methods: Sample consisted of 74 male football players (Mdn of age: 18 years; BMI: 22.4 ± 1.3 kg/m2) from the U20 team of an elite Italyn society, tested both at beginning, during and after three consecutive sport seasons. The team of coaches and trainer remained the same across the years, and the training plan and playing style were tailored to the characteristics of the players across seasons. Players underwent anthropometric measurement and were tested for a set of performance tasks; in addition, the GPS-derived measures of metabolic power (MP) and equivalent distance index of every athlete were analysed. A number of linear mixed models were conducted, and participants were considered as the random factor, with random intercept. Purpose: Women continue to be labeled as a 'special population' in many guidelines related to cardiovascular disease (CVD), which remains the leading cause of death in women. The aim of this study was to develop a specific prediction equation for estimating peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) based on a moderate 1-km treadmill walking test (1 k-TWT), in female patients with cardiovascular disease.

Methods: 84 female patients, aged 68 ± 10, completed a ramp-like protocol cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) for directly measured VO2peak and a 1KTWT using a self-regulated intensity of 11 to 13 of 20 on the Borg Scale to estimate CRF (eCRF). The data from the two tests were used to develop an equation for estimating VO2peak (mL/ kg/min) using best subsets multiple regression analysis including age, body weight, height, body mass index, and mean and maximal walking speed during the 1 k-TWT. Data were analyzed by the D'Agostino-Pearson test for normal distribution. Purpose: Progressive ageing of the population has highlighted the importance of the relationship between physical function and frailty in patients with chronic disease. Among the manifestations of coronary artery disease (CAD) include reduced physical function resulting in impaired exercise tolerance, reduced capacity to perform daily activities, and higher rates of disability. The aim of this study was to assess the association between exercise capacity and grip strength (GS) in a cohort of elderly patients with CAD. Methods: 65 outpatients (aged 75 ± 6 years) participating in an exercise-based secondary prevention program were included. Exercise capacity was assessed through the estimation of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak) and the measurement of walking speed (WS) by performing a submaximal Treadmill Walking Test. GS was evaluated in the dominant arm using a hand-held dynamometer. Purpose: Regular practice of aerobic exercise, associated with resistance training has been highly recommended by current international guidelines as an important part of cardiovascular rehabilitation/secondary prevention (CR/SP) programs. Latest evidence demonstrate how physical activity prescription could impact on the reduction of hospitalization and mortality and on an improvement of the quality of life. Aim of this work was to assess the effect of 2-month supervised exercise-based sessions, on muscular strength (MS) and on cardiovascular fitness (CRF) in a cohort of cardiac patients.

Methods: 18 patients aged 60(± 11) years, were involved in a CR/SP program. All patients at baseline (T0) performed a moderate and perceptually regulated (11-13 on the 6-20 Borg scale) treadmill walking test to estimate oxygen uptake (VO2). Furthermore, maximum strength of upper and lower limbs was assessed through an isokinetic test. The program was carried out by using BIOCIRCUIT equipment (by Technogym), alternating aerobic and resistance training, for 45 min, 2/3 times per week. BIOCIRCUIT represents an innovative training system, allowing trainers to programme and modify training loads. Patients performed a reduced eccentric contraction at 70% of the predicted concentric, evaluated during the first test. All physical evaluations were performed both at the baseline(T0) and at the end of the program (T1 Purpose: High sensitivity cardiac troponins I (hs-cTnI) and T (hs-cTnT) and natriuretic peptides (BNP and NT-proBNP) are universally recognized as biomarkers of cardiac damage in patients with acute coronary syndromes and heart failure respectively. The high sensitivity Methods for cardiac biomarkers have provided many answers to fundamental pathophysiological and clinical questions in patients with heart disease. Less information is available on their significance in healthy athletes after high intensity exercise. The aim of this study was to evaluate hs-cTnI and NT-proBNP in highly trained runners after a 50 km ultramarathon. Methods: We have enrolled 20 highly trained male athletes who have run a 50 km ultramarathon. Blood samples were collected 2 h before the start of the race (T0) and 20 min after the end of the race (T1). The blood concentrations of hs-cTnI and NT-proBNP measured before the race were within reference intervals in all runners. Conclusions: Our study showed a significant increase in hs-cTnI and NT-proBNP in highly trained athletes after a 50 km ultramarathon race, with 30% of runners showing values of cardiac biomarkers above URL after the race. More studies are needed to better understand the effects of intense exercise on the heart of trained athletes and their potential clinical significance.

Purpose: The aims of this study was to evaluate the long-term benefits of cardiovascular rehabilitation in patients with chronic peripheral obliterating arteriopathy (AOCP).

Methods: 17 AOCP patients were analyzed (medium age was 69,5). All of the patients underwent a treadmill test according to the Gardner Test (GT). The experimental protocol, lasting 24 weeks, was administered with the same modalities of the GT, by increasing the training load in which the speed is constant and the inclination increases of 2% every 2 min. All patients were instructed to identify, during training sessions, the ischemic threshold and therefore to modify the working parameters to independently manage daily activities, to avoid the appearance of absolute claudication. To evaluate the speed that the patients sustained the following criteria were considered: the relative claudication (when the patient started to feel pain) and the absolute claudication (the beginning of ischemic pain). The following parameters were compared during peak physical activity during the first and last GT: the duration of physical activity, the inclination and the speed of the treadmill. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate a machine learning methodology for the prediction of cardiovascular risk in a large sample of football players. In particular, we tested whether resampling could improve classification performances in an imbalanced dataset.

Methods: A large sample of Croatian male adults, playing football at a competitive level, was assessed during sport medical examinations, from both an anthropometric and clinical point of view. In particular, the athletes were examined by means of electrocardiography (ECG). In case of a positive outcome, the athlete was denied medical clearance for competitive sport practice, and eventually underwent further examinations. As expected, the large majority of the tested individuals were negative. Therefore, the collected data presented an evident class-imbalance. A set of machine learning algorithms, including resampling, was applied to the dataset, in order to predict the class of the athletes, as either positive or negative. In particular, the majority (i.e. negative) class was undersampled, while the minority (i.e. positive) class was oversampled. Results Results: Among a plethora of results, it was found that altitude trekking caused a transient reduction in body fluids and muscle mass, Sport Sci Health despite adequate protein intake. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)derived parameters, i.e., Tot-Hb and tissue saturation index (TSI), were gathered at rest and after bouts of 3-min resistive exercise, both in the quadriceps and in the forearm muscles. TSI decreased with altitude, particularly in forearm muscles (from 66.9 to 57.3%), rather than in quadriceps (from 62.5 to 57.2%); Nepalese porters achieved greater values in thigh TSI than Italyn trekkers. Tot-Hb was increased after exercise. At altitude, such increase appeared to be higher in the quadriceps. We reported a disentanglement between serum ferritin (sFER) and Vit D temporal relationships in response to hypobaric hypoxia exposure, with respect to other pieces of evidence about inflammation or poor iron status. The observed reduction of sFER levels was related to altitude per se as inflammation or anemia were medically excluded. sFER, therefore, may act as a primary factor in the examination of hypobaric hypoxia in field studies. Nocturnal, rather than diurnal, cardiorespiratory function was affected by altitude hypoxia.

Conclusions: In the context of typical respiratory adaptation, even in the absence of a specific mechanistic analysis, we suggest that a decrease in metabolism could reverse the hypoxia-related adaptive augmentation of breathing rate. Several differential responses might be a consequence of the long-term adaptive memory due to the frequent exposures to altitude. High-altitude physiology should take advantage of ecological models for providing novel and original insights. References 

Analysis of fluidity of movement in parkour using one inertial measurement system Purpose: Fluidity is a multi-parametric aspect of movement; its quantification and the evaluation of its variability may guide the performance evaluation, training and rehabilitation decisions. Therefore, this study's primary goal was to establish whether a quantitative measure of fluidity through a single wearable MIMU was accurate enough to highlight meaningful differences between advanced and novice athletes.The secondary goal was to highlight intra-individual differences of fluidity between various parts and subsequent repetitions of the same track. Methods: Seventeen parkour participants, subdivided into two groups based on their expertise, were recruited. A wearable inertial measurement unit was worn on the back of the pelvis by each participant during three sequential repetitions of a specially created parkour routine. Two fluidity parameters, namely smoothness and hesitation, were considered. Smoothness was calculated as the number of inflexions on the so-called jerk graph. Hesitation was defined as the percentage of the drop in the CoM velocity.

The smoothness is an encouraging parameter to quantitatively estimate the fluidity of movement in an acrobatic sport like parkour. In particular, it resulted significantly lower in advanced athletes (mean: 126.4; range: 36-192) than in beginners (mean: 179.37; range: 98-272) during the wall run's parkour movement (Kruskal Wallis; p = 0.02). Moreover, a qualitative analysis of hesitation showed that beginner athletes tend to produce more prominent velocity drops and negative deflection than more advanced athletes.

Conclusions: A MIMU-based system allows measuring fluidity and assessing its variability, providing unique data about sports performance, potentially beneficial to guide and evaluate the training and rehabilitation process. Purpose: Weightlifting technique has always been evaluated through kinematic software, by describing the movement externally. Internal load has always been described by the athlete's own sensations. The aim of this study is to focus on using Infrared Thermography (IRT) to describe the internal load of the muscle, in order to assess the athlete's technique and the thermal response of muscles in relation with workload.

Methods: Five weightlifters, 3 M and 2 F, were asked to perform three lifts of snatch and later three lifts of clean and jerk, at 60-70-80% of 1RM (Repetition Maximum), in front a FLIR SC540 infrared camera placed 3 m from the target. Participants were asked to avoid smoking and using creams that could affect thermal response of the skin. Tests were carried out in a gym respecting guidelines about the use of IRT, with an environmental temperature of 23°C and humidity between 40-70%. Male participants were asked to wear only shorts; female participants wore also training clothing. Participants who needed wrist bandages were allowed to use them. Thermal images and videos were recorded and processed with Research IR Max FLIR software.

Results: Results showed how an incremental correlation between muscle activation and 1RM load exists and is possible to analyse by IRT. The more the subjects went up with loads percentage, the more their muscle temperature raised. Moreover, results suggested that more experienced athletes (more than 4 years of weightlifting practice) with the same load, were able to increase their temperature less than the less experienced athletes. It was also shown that in a symmetric task, the presence of thermal asymmetries can lead to technical issues for athletes and, in worst cases, in pain.

It was possible to demonstrate that IRT is a valid tool to assess internal load as suggested from previous studies, not only in aerobic efforts but also in highly anaerobic ones, such as Olympic weightlifting and is possible to track muscle activation with it. In a symmetric effort, it is possible to look for thermal asymmetries that could describe not only a possible injury, but also a technical error. Purpose: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating and degenerative disease of the central nervous system. MS is characterised by various symptoms that can occur daily or occasionally.

The symptom that affects about 80% of people with this disease is fatigue, which is understood as a feeling of lack of energy, not only physical but also mental.

Objective: The research aims to show that performing a light to moderate intensity physical activity and breathing exercises during work breaks can result in a reduction of the symptom of fatigue. Method: The research lasted 2 months and involved subjects with the following characteristics: age between 31 and 53 years, EDSS scale score between 1 and 6 and with sedentary work. Six subjects participated, four women and two men, undergoing treatment at the Don Gnocchi Institute in Milan. Every day the subjects had to perform the multicomponent physical activity prescribed by the researchers both during the work breaks (mid-morning, lunch break and mid-afternoon) and in the evening before going to rest. By filling in written and oral questionnaires and daily diaries, the progress of the research and the improvement in quality of life and reduction of fatigue perceived by each subject on a weekly basis were monitored. At the end of the month there was a comparison of the results obtained and further evaluation questionnaires were provided. At the end of the 2 months of research all the data obtained were compared in order to evaluate the progress of the activity and the onset of the symptom of Fatigue along the way.

Materials: FSS (Fatigue Scale); SF36 (Standardized Health Status Questionnaire); Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire; Daily Diary; Questionnaires. Results: Only 5 patients achieved a reduction in the appearance of the symptom of fatigue, with a decrease ranging from 23 to 68% compared to the beginning of the course. The protocol was carried out with continuity and constancy by 5 subjects who showed the greatest reduction in symptoms and improvement in quality of life. Purpose: Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain is a common condition in overhead athletes. Conservative treatment with exercise progression should be considered as the first-line approach but no consensus exists on preferred exercise and therapies selection. The aim of this was to assess the effectiveness of a novel exercise protocol, with neuromuscular electrical stimulation superimposed on movement (NMES ?) and isoinertial training for the treatment of rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP) in a master swimmer. Methods: The patient was a 44-year-old master swimmer who began complaining of shoulder pain after the Italyn Championships tournament. Following an orthopaedic examination the subject was diagnosed with supraspinatus tendinopathy and commenced a period of rest, corticosteroids and electrotherapy which led to no benefit to his shoulder symptoms. Subsequently, a structured exercise rehabilitation program including NMES superimposed on movement and isoinertial training was started with the aim of returning to sport avoiding a surgical intervention. A step-by-step rehabilitation exercise protocol was proposed focusing on load and exercise progression with the goal of strength, power and mobility recovery. NMES ? was used to support early rehabilitation, while isoinertial training was used in the mid-late stage of the rehabilitation process. Results: The protocol allowed the subject to successfully return to autonomous gym training and swimming in 10 and 11 weeks respectively, following the rehabilitation exercise program. Conclusion: The novel NMES and isoinertial training approaches may be considered as promising tools in RCRSP rehabilitation. Purpose: It is well established that physical activity and sport participation improves functional status and quality of life among people with disability. Down syndrome (DS) is the most frequent of chromosomal disorders in the world (1). Although sport participation has shown measurable physiologic and psychologic benefits in this population, data on the actual participation in structured activity programs of individuals with DS is scarce. Therefore, the present study aims to provide a clearer framework of sport participation in individuals with DS and on their actual situation in the EU.

Methods: An online survey, translated in 5 European languages, was sent through social networks and personal contacts in different European countries. The ''Individual Survey'' filled in by coaches, aimed to understand sport activity limitations of individuals with DS.

Results: Individual Surveys: 135 individual surveys were collected. Females and males were equally represented (F: 51% M: 49%). DS was the most represented disability (57%) followed by Mental Impairment (20%) and Autism spectrum disorders (6%). 70% were regularly involved in sport activities, the most represented of which were martial arts (63%), swimming (13%) and team sports (10%). Most respondents were newcomers to sport (\ than 3 years of practice), training less than 4 h per week. Although 53% of the coaches reported that their athletes showed difficulties in applying the physical skills required for their sport, 29% reported that this difficulty no longer existed after a systematic training program. The major difficulties reported were movement sequencing and planning skills (61%) and following coaches' instructions (36% Purpose: The maintenance of postural control is essentially a continuous and never-ending sensorimotor integration task. Central nervous system has to generate appropriate motor responses based on the efficient integration of visual, vestibular and somatosensory inputs. Research has reported that individuals with somatosensory deficits rely heavily on visual input. However, those who rely more on proprioceptive strategies have been found to be more stable. Recent studies have shown how an eyes-closed training program allows to switch off the visual mechanisms, thus determining a chronic shift from visual reliance to proprioceptive strategies for balancing. Stroboscopic visual training (SVT), by forcing individuals to perform under a condition of intermittent vision, may induce an eyes-closed level perturbation of the somatosensory system. The efficacy of SVT has never been examined in people with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). Therefore, our aim was to investigate the effect of SVT on balance control in people with iSCI. Methods: Ten patients with chronic iSCI (7 males, 3 females) performed a 6-week, home-based balance training, 3 days per week. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 5) that performed SVT sessions, or a control placebo group (n = 5) that underwent SVT training with non-active strobe glasses. Before and after the intervention, subjects with iSCI were evaluated using stabilometric bipedal and unipedal stance tests, with eyes open and closed. 3 trials were performed for each condition, each lasting 30 s. In addition, balance confidence was also evaluated by means of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale and the Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). Balance performance were also tested on six normal subjects who were enrolled as healthy control group.

Results: Results showed that the mean changes in stability scores and balance confidence were significantly improved in both two iSCI groups. However, small differences were observable in favor of experimental group.

Conclusions: Subjects with iSCI can be trained to adopt proprioceptive strategies to maintain balance. The duration with which the adaptation response remains is yet to be determined. Therefore, the present study's results would encourage future studies to examine the effects of a longer SVT program on balance control in persons with iSCI. References Purpose: Walking is considered the most important goal after an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Only recently it has been demonstrated that balance is a key factor of walking recovery, but no data on the efficacy of balance training in supporting walking function in SCI subjects are available. Previous studies have shown that postural stability and walking capability can enhance by means of a balance training with additional visual feedback in individuals with iSCI. At the same time, recently, advanced technology conceived special eyewear with liquid-crystal technology in the lenses to produce intermittent vision obstruction. This special eyewear named stroboscopic eyeglasses allow individuals to perform dynamic, functional tasks that, otherwise, could be not performed under a complete visual obstruction. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect stroboscopic glasses integrated to a period of home-based balance training in influencing balance and gait in individuals with iSCI.

Methods: The pilot study enrolled 10 patients (7 men and 3 women) with chronic iSCI. Subjects underwent a 6-week home individual balance training program, 3 times per week. Subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 5) that performed stroboscopic visual training (SVT) with active stroboscopic glasses and a placebo control group (n = 5) that attended the identical program with nonactivated glasses. Before and after the training subjects were evaluated regarding the gait and balance capabilities using the Timed Up and Go test, and the 6 Minute Walking Test. In addition, balance and gait confidences were also evaluated by means of the Activitiesspecific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale and the Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). Balance and gait performances were also tested on six normal subjects who were enrolled as healthy control group. Purpose: Triathlon popularity is rapidly increasing, and data about the associated medical conditions' epidemiology are sparse and fragmented.

The primary goal of this study was to describe the epidemiology of injuries at an international triathlon event. The study's secondary objective was to quantify the resources and define some strategies for the organisation of medical support.

Method: This study analysed the data from the medical reports gathered during three consecutive editions of the Ironman Italy, from 2017 to 2019, which included six triathlon races over a medium to long-distance. The data contained in the registration forms and medical reports were examined. We also analysed the data relative to the drugs and dressings used to treat any medical conditions and created a model according to Eating disorders, of which anorexia and bulimia nervosa are the most evident manifestations and have become a real mental health SOS in the last twenty years due to the enormous devastating effects they have on the health and life of preteens and young adults. The medical associations in the USA that deal with these phenomena define them as a real epidemic that crosses all social strata and different ethnic groups.

If not treated in time and with adequate methods, eating disorders can become a permanent condition and in severe cases lead to death, which usually occurs from suicide or cardiac arrest. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), they are the leading cause of death from mental illness in Western countries. It becomes necessary as it is healthy to start practicing sports in developmental age which becomes just like a form of therapy for the solution of this real social problem in the growing adolescent range. Hence the need for a full-fledged teacher of motor science who should be included in the staff of primary schools for an indefinite period. A study published in the English journal The Lancet indicates that research on treatments is much more advanced in the case of bulimia nervosa, where more than fifty studies and trials have been carried out and management according to evidence-based practices is possible. Less attention, however, has so far been devoted to research on possible treatments for anorexia nervosa and other forms of eating disorder.

Perrotta F.,Dietetica e nutrizione nella mentalità sportiva. Una ricerca scientifica e metodologica per migliorare il proprio stile di vita,Editore: Edizioni Goliardiche.

Collana: Scienze educazione motoria e sportiva. Purpose: In subjects with sarcopenic obesity it is essential to reduce body weight preserving lean mass, in order to avoid a worsening of muscle function. were enrolled in a double-blind crossover placebo-controlled study. Subjects were randomized to receive a single dose of CC (for a total of 3.0 g of creatine) or a placebo (PLA) in two successive trials 7 days apart. In both trials subjects completed a REP (a Wingate exercise followed by 3 sets of biceps curling with a dumbbell until exhaustion) 2 h after the ingestion of CC or PLA. Before ingestion and after REP subjects performed isometric contractions of the dominant upper limb, using an isometric-ergometer equipped with a load cell and combining a multichannel surface electromyography (sEMG) recording technique, and RFD, MVC, and TtT at 60% MVC until exhaustion were registered.

Results: No statistical differences were recorded of values in the prepost-REP comparison for all the outcomes considered (RFD, MVC, and TtT). However, for RFD and TtT a positive trend was observed.

Conclusions: Although CC did not give significant results on the outcomes considered, the improvements trends observed for RFD and TtT (i.e. the ability to express the maximal peak force in the shortest time, and the capacity to maintain maximal isometric force at 60% of MVC as long as possible, respectively), leads to consider that the use of creatine can have positive effects on athletic skills that engage power and muscle ''high intensity'' endurance, as confirmed by previous studies, but that these effects cannot be significantly explained through an acute "one shot-type'' administration protocol. Background: The obesity epidemic, as a major risk factor for chronic diseases, overwhelms the cost of public health. To face this burden guidelines recommend changing lifestyles by increasing physical activity and inducing continuous energy restriction. However, there is a growing interest in identifying effective alternative weight loss strategies that involve in limiting food intake to certain periods of the day like the time-restricted eating (TRE). Its effectiveness in terms of weight and fat loss is well known in scientific literature, while its effects on cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory markers is controversial in a non-trained population.

The objective of this study is on the one hand to compare the different TRE protocols in terms of body composition and on the other hand to evaluate if the benefits persist in the following months. Methods: 42 Volunteers were recruited and randomly assigned to a TRE group (16:8, 14:10, 12:12) or a control group (ND). In the TRE group subjects consume an isocaloric food protocol in an 8-or 10-or 12-h' time window while in the ND group they could feed in anytime. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and total body water was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). In addiction strength was measured by handgrip and blood was collected for evaluating the anabolic hormones, inflammatory markers, lipid profile and leptin levels. Lastly, the results of the morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ) and the physical activity levels measured by the international physical activity questionnaires (IPAQ) were considered. Results: Time restricted eating reduced body weight ( p \ 0.05) and fat mass (p \ 0.05) percentage in 16:8 while maintaining the fat-free mass. However, in the other protocols there were no significant differences between groups after 8 weeks versus ND. There was no interaction between either IPAQ or MEQ results with the effects of diet.

Conclusion: TRE with a protocol of 8 h feeding window could produce significant differences in reduction of fat mass versus control without calorie counting while mild effects on the blood counting. Instead, the other TRE protocols have no significant effects compare to control group. Considering other studies in the literature, our findings suggest that these protocols without adherence to a regular physical exercise practice is not effective.

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Effects of parmigiano reggiano cheese on muscle damage induced by eccentric exercise in healthy older adults Purpose: Aging can affect muscle response to high intensity training. However, some nutritional aids could be helpful to assist muscle recovery. Parmigiano Reggiano contains high quality protein sources but also short chain fatty acids, which have interesting anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, the current cross-over study aimed to assess the impact of Parmigiano Reggiano supplementation on recovery of muscle function and muscle soreness response to acute eccentric exercise in healthy older adults.

Methods: A group of healthy older adults (64.00 ± 5.23 years) was randomized to received daily either Parmigiano Reggiano (PR; 50 g/day) or whey protein (WHEY; 15 g/day) for 15 consecutive days with 10 days of wash-out between the interventions. On day 11 of each series they performed an eccentric leg extension protocol. 145

Effects of parmigiano reggiano cheese on muscle damage induced by eccentric exercise in healthy young adults Purpose: Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, due to its nutritional qualities, can be considered as ''functional'' food. In particular, the short chain fatty acids contained in the cheese could interact with the inflammatory response to exercise. Thus, the aim of the present study was to verify the acute effects of its consumption on exercise-induced muscle damage in healthy young adults. Methods: Eight healthy young adults (22.25 ± 2.25 years) were randomized in a cross-over fashion in two groups and were asked to consume a Parmigiano Reggiano supplementation (PR) or a whey protein supplementation (WP) for ten days before an eccentric leg extension protocol (ECC). Subjects were assessed at the baseline and in the five days following the exercise (while continuing to take the supplementation) for inflammatory markers (cytokines, C-reactive protein, and cholesterol), Body Impendence Assessment (BIA), DOMS, knee extension and flexion ROM, thigh volume, handgrip and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of specific resistance training program with or without protein supplementation in the prevention of loss of mass in young untrained women.

Methods: 54 Women (aged 19-35 years, healthy and resistance exercise untrained) were randomly divided in two groups. Protein Group (PG -28 subjects), supplemented with 0.25 g. protein/kg pre and post workout during training days, and Control Group (CG -27 subjects) only exercised. Every subject performed the same training for 9 weeks (1familiarization ? 8training) with 3 supervised session/ week, composed by three pre-post fatigue circuits. At the end of the first conditioning week (T0) and at the end of 8th week (T1) every subject performed 1 RM test at Leg Press machine (LP), Bench Press (BP) and Lat Machine (LM) and was evaluated on height, body weight, body composition with Bioelectrical Impedance Analyser. Differences from T0 were calculated with paired t-test while independent t-test on delta values (T1-T0) assessed differences between groups.

Results: 45 Women completed the study (PG = 24, CG = 21). PG had a significant decrease in fat mass (p \ 0.001) and increase in fat free mass and lean mass (p \ 0.001). Both groups had a significant increase in 1RM in every circuit.

Final strength values were significant higher in both groups suggesting that it was independent from mass gain probably due to a better fiber recruitment. Moreover, results showed that protein supplementation in addition to resistance program influenced body composition likely for a lack of protein for muscle rebuild. These results should be implemented in a larger sample but could drive to new application in the field of woman resistance training. Aim: This study aims to describe age and dominant side differences in the mechanical properties of the Patellar tendon (PT) and gastrocnemius-Achilles tendon unit (GAT) in vivo in young male basketball players. Methods: Sixty-five young male basketball players were recruited. Subjects were divided in three groups according to their age: 12-13 (n = 18; 13.3 ± 0.4 years; 53.9 ± 9.0 kg; 168.0 ± 6.4 cm), 14-15 (n = 34; 15.0 ± 0.6 years; 67.4 ± 10.2 kg; 179.4 ± 7.7 cm) and 16-17 (n = 13; 16.6 ± 0.5 years; 79.1 ± 12.8 kg; 187.1 ± 7.2 cm). The dynamic stiffness of the GAT and PT was measured on both sides using the MyotonPRO device (Myoton AS, Tallin, Estonia). For GAT assessment, participants were in prone position on a massage table with the knees in extension and feet hanging barefoot and unsupported from the edge. The measurement points were at 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, and 20 cm from the plantar aspect of the heel. For the PT assessment, participants were seated with their knees flexed at 90°and completely relaxed. The measurement point was at the midpoint between the distal edge of the patella and the tibial tuberosity. Dominant side was defined as the inside foot during a preferred layup. GAT data was analyzed by means of a two-way ANOVA for independent measures (age and measurement point as independent factors) and PT data was analyzed using a one-way ANOVA with age as independent factor.

Results: The analysis of GAT showed that the age significantly affected stiffness, with youngest participants having lower values and older participants having higher values from 8 to 12 cm. These differences tended to disappear at 16 and 20 cm. No differences were found between dominant and non-dominant sides. PT analysis showed that only the 12-13 group was significantly lower than the other groups, while no differences were found between 14-15 and 16-17 groups. The dominant side of the 12-13 group had higher PT stiffness.

Conclusions: Stiffness can enhance athletic performance, although too much or too little stiffness may increase the risk of injury. The differences found in this study among age groups could be caused by the natural development of tendon tissue on the course of the maturation process, being unclear the effect of training. An earlier development of the preferred layup limb caused by the sport specific skill asymmetry could explain the differences found in the PT stiffness of the 12-13 age group. Purpose: Ultimate frisbee is an invasion team sport played with a plastic flying disc, requiring high levels of agility, aerobic fitness, power, and repeated-sprint ability (RSA) (Palmer et al., 2020) . The purpose of this study was to asses the effects of a training program based on sport-specific drills on RSA in elite women's players.

Methods: 14 Elite female ultimate frisbee players were involved (age: 24.2 ± 3.3 years; height: 166.7 ± 5.7 cm; weight: 61.8 ± 5.6 kg). All athletes completed a training program including two 5-week mesocycles, with two sessions/week. In the first mesocycle, training consisted of acceleration and speed drills performed using the frisbee, whereas the second mesocycle was based on small-sided games. RSA was tested before the program (T0), after the first mesocycle (T1), and after the second mesocycle (T2), using a 6 9 20 ? 20 m sprint protocol. Background: In literature, the effects of detraining in elite footballer skills during COVID-19 quaran-tine were observed recently1. Purpose: Such research analyzed the effects of detraining and home training on coordination and con-ditional skills in a population of young soccer player with age of 17 ± 2 years, during the COVID-19 lockdown confinement, between October and December 2020.

Movement Jump (CMJ) protocols were performed to evaluate the changes in the coordination skills and the strength capacity of the low-er limbs in two groups of footballers: Under 16 (11 players, age 15 ± 1 years and weight 57 ± 11 kg), and Juniors, (9 players, age 18 ± 1 years and weight 69 ± 6 kg). Data were collected in three sessions, T0, T1 and T2. The T0 session was in September 2020, the tests took place in an empty locker room, made available by the company, half an hour before the start of the first weekly training. The sessions T1 (post strength protocol) and T2 (post detraining / home training) were performed in an empty room at the subjects' homes due to the confinement given by the COVID-19 pandemic government disposals. These two requests were carried out at the end of October and mid-December 2020, respectively. Results: The no-parametric ANOVA for repeated measurements Friedman's test was used to analyze the differences of CMJ results among sessions and between groups. Significant difference (p = 0.050) was observed in CMJ results of Juniors in detraining. Solely for Juniors, a Mann-Whitney no-parametric T-test for independent samples found a significant difference (p = 0.026) in the left Active Straight Leg Raise test of the FMS protocol.

The results of the present study suggest a significant decrement of conditioning and co-ordination skills in young soccer players after 7 weeks of detraining and home training in footballers. Purpose: Post activation potentiation (PAP) is a phenomenon that enhances neuromuscular function as a result of a high intensity submaximal effort. The eccentric action provided by isoinertial flywheel machine seems to cause a potentiating effect on subsequent exercises. The aim of this study was to verify the effects of PAP using isoinertial method on jumping performance and dynamic lower limbs muscle strength.

Methods: Sixteen experienced and resistance trained athletes (8 men and 8 women, height: 168.4 ± 9.4 cm, mass 69.6 ± 10.6 kg, age: 28.7 ± 7.1 years) were involved in a crossover study. Following tests were performed: countermovement jump (CMJ) and 1-RM half back squat (HBS) with and without isoinertial preconditioning. Preconditioning phase was performed by a half squat exercise using a flywheel Purpose: The ability to perform a rapid change of direction (COD) is a critical skill for successful performances in numerous field-based sports. COD skill is often measured through agility tests as agility has relationships with trainable physical qualities such as strength, power and technique (1, 2) . Different physical determinants affect COD performance, such as anthropometrical dispositions and technical qualities, straight sprinting speed, and leg strength qualities (3) . Aim of the present pilot study is to investigate the efficacy of a novel training program, specific for futsal referees, able to optimize COD skill by addressing specific motor tasks: 1) pivot foot positioning, 2) distance between the feet and 3) body posture through arm positioning.

Methods: Four male regional futsal referees (age: 28.5 ± 3.1 years; weight: 74,5 ± 6,9 kg; height: 176 ± 6 cm; BMI: 23,99 ± 1,76 kg/ m2), members of Italyn Association of Referees, were recruited for this pilot study. The COD specific training program was added to their weekly standard training schedule (3 days/week) for 6 weeks. It lasts 10 min during which the participants perform a specific sequence, on both sides: lateral running for 11 m, change of direction (acoustic sound), straight sprint for 9 m. The sequence was performed 6 times (3 times/side), focusing on the single motor tasks quoted above, separately. Then the sequence was repeated and videotaped 4 consecutive times (2 times/side), focusing on all motor tasks, and the videos were analyzed by three independent trainers. We tested the efficacy of the proposed COD training by Y-Reactive Agility test.

Results: After 6-week COD-specific training, all participants improved their score at the Y-Reactive Agility test (2,25 ± 0,08 s vs 2,16 ± 0,11 s). The 3 selected motor tasks were evaluated by motion analysis and, after 6week, almost all of them were properly accomplished (3 ± 1 vs 6 ± 2; p \ 0,05).

Purpose: The Spartan RaceÒ (SR) is one of the most famous obstacle course races, involving running from 5 to 50 km on different terrains with different obstacles. SR requires a variety of physical abilities to complete extreme functional movements. Accordingly, endurance, muscle strength and power, as well as flexibility and balance are all factors that may influence SR performance. To date there is no evidence regarding the physical and physiological determinants of SR performance. Therefore, we present a protocol to outline these characteristics and to quantify the relative importance of the selected attributes with the performance level. Methods: The proposed protocol will involve 15 élite (E) and 15 amateur (A) SR athletes. Athletes will be considered as E if they are in the Italyn É lite Spartan RaceÒ ranking or as A if the performed at least one SR. The intervention period will be planned in agreement with the involved athletes and coaches. Athletes will be familiarized with the procedures prior to the testing sessions. They will be tested for anthropometry, aerobic capacity, upper-and lower-body muscle strength, as well as dynamic balance, core-strength and flexibility over a 2-day period during a training camp. The first day, medicine ball throw (upper body muscle strength); vertical jump test (lower body strength); Y balance test (dynamic balance) and core stability test (core strength) will be performed in a randomized order. The second day athletes will perform a multi-stage fitness test (aerobic capacity) and a sit-and-reach test (flexibility) in a randomized order.

The primary outcomes will be anthropometric measures (i.e. height, body mass, skinfolds, segment lengths, breadths, and girths); aerobic capacity (maximum distance covered), upper-(medicine ball throw distance) and lower-body (vertical jump height) muscle strength; dynamic balance (absolute, normalized and composite reach distance), core endurance strength (time of exhaustion) and flexibility (flexion distance).

Conclusions: This study can be considered as a starting point for SR athletes and coaches to improve their training strategies and performance. Indeed, identifying the physical and physiological determinants of SR performance may give valid training recommendation, guide talent identification and development programs, as well as individualize training prescription [1] . References Purpose: Constant physical activity associated with a proper diet has a positive impact on human health. However, many studies have shown that physical exercise causes an adaptive metabolic response of the body which results , in an alteration of concentration of specific biochemical parameters. This alteration may be related to the type, duration or intensity of physical exercise and can lead to the onset of cardiac diseases, liver dysfunctions and muscle damage. In our study, we have focused our attention on alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). They are biomarkers of the decline in liver functions related to the change in the liver of the cell membrane caused by lipid peroxidation induced by the presence of oxygen radicals. ALT, AST and ALP increase their serum concentration especially after a long duration exercise. Furthermore, recent studies have identified that both GSH and GGT can be used as biomarkers for hepatic and/or renal dysfunction and/or as alarm bells of prolonged oxidative stress that could cause liver damage in competitive athletes. The purpose of this study is the analysis of the alterations in the levels of GSH, GGT, AST, ALT and ALP in serum of competitive athletes before and after a specific activity, as an identification data of a possible oxidative stress caused by intense physical activity. Methods: 15 professional basketball athletes and 15 sedentary controls were recruited at time 0, before the start of the sports season, and at time 1, 2 months later; through spectrophotometric analysis we have determined GGT, AST, ALT and ALP, instead the GSH was measured by ELISA assay.

Results: The levels of AST, ALT and ALP of the athletes are within the normal range; athletes' GGT levels are lower than sedentary but it is in the normal range; finally, the GSH levels in the serum of the athletes are slightly increased in the serum of the athletes: CTR vs time 0 or time 1(p \ 0.001).

Conclusions: the levels of AST, ALT and ALP are normal; the levels of GGT in the serum of athletes are lower than in sedentary controls; this result implies that the liver function of athletes is not compromised and the metabolism of GSH works perfectly despite intense physical activity. At the same time, the increase in GSH in the serum of athletes shows that physical activity, promotes an accumulation of ROS, so athletes to counteract this accumulation produce more GSH than sedentary controls. Results: All recorded variables differed when each SSG was compared to the others (p \ 0,05), but for hmpa for attackers. Most performance variables were positively associated to increasing AP (p \ 0,05), but for %ACC and %DEC, and differed among positional roles within the same SSG (p \ 0,05).

Here the general applicability of SSGs, regardless the physical/technical skills of the group of players, to enhance performance is confirmed; furthermore, quantitative advices on AMP and other performance variables are provided to achieve significant improvements in all soccer players of the team.

Low back pain prevalence and risk factors in Italyn adolescent male soccer players: results from an online survey Purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is a widespread musculoskeletal complaint reported by athletes, often from an early age. The purpose of this retrospective survey was to analyse the prevalence of LBP among Italyn adolescent soccer players, and to identify potential risk factors.

Methods: Participants were requested to answer an online survey based on the standardized Nordic questionnaires for musculoskeletal symptoms.

Results: Data were obtained from 204 male soccer players aged 14-17 years competing at the national and regional level. More than half of the players had experienced LBP in their lives. One-way ANOVA revealed that the players with LBP were taller, heavier and with a higher BMI (all p values \ 0.00001). When considering the playing position, ANOVA revealed that 14-15 years-old strikers displayed higher LBP scores than all other roles (all p values .05). Accordingly, strikers were exposed to a higher risk of LBP than midfielders (RR = 1.48; 95%CI:1.10-2.01; p = 0.01) and goalkeepers (RR = 1.48; 95%CI:1.02-2.971; p = 0.04), but not defenders (RR = 1.23; 95%CI:0.93-1.63; p = 0.15). Within the 14-15 age-class, strikers were, again, those most exposed to LBP risk (all p values \ 0.05).

Conclusions: Anthropometric and soccer-related features should be monitored to ensure early identification of potential risk factors for LBP. This information should be considered along with the specific playing position as strikers emerged as the roles most exposed to LBP risk.

May a cross-post activation performance enhancement (pape) exhist between upper and lower body in trained men? Purpose: Acute performance enhancements have been associated with conditioning activities (Seitz and Haff, 2017) . The aim of this study was to establish if a resistance exercise for the upper body may generate a post activation performance enhnancement (PAPE) in the lower body. Methods: Thirteen resistance trained men (age = 26.5 ± 3.4y; body mass = 77.9 ± 6.8 kg; height = 176.6.1 ± 4.9 cm) participated in the present investigation. Participants were tested for upper and lower body power [bench press throw (BPT) and countermovement jump power (CMJP) tests]. Participants were also tested for maximum force and electromyographic activation (EMG) of quadriceps muscles at isometric leg extension. All the assessments were performed pre and 8-min post a high intensity bench press protocol (HI: 5 sets of 1 reps at 90% of 1RM), a high power protocol (POW: 5 sets of 1 rep at 30% of 1RM with maximum explosive intent) and a control trial (CO). Participants performed all the trials in randomized order and in different days.

Results: A significant time x trial interaction was detected for CMJP (p = 0.049). This parameter was significantly increased following the HI protocol only (p = 0.025). A significant interaction was also noted for EMG with a significant improvement following the HI protocol (p = 0.032) and a significant decrese post the POW protocol (p = 0.020).

No other significant effects were detected (p [ 0.05).

Conclusions: Results of this investigation indicate that a HI bench press protocol may produce a PAPE in the lower body power and increase the neuromuscular activation of leg extensor muscles. The POW bench press protocol did not show any positive effects on lower body performance. Interestingly enough, no performance enhancements were detected in the upper body following the HI protocol. Purpose: Scarce scientific attention has been dedicated to the mineral composition of natural spring waters (NMSWs) as related to the average hydro-saline requirements of the different athletic performances. We asked if there was sufficient scientific data to predict that the biological properties of specific NMSWs could optimally respond to the physiological needs of athletes in relation to their specific sport activity and performance. Methods: We reviewed the existing literature to explore the categories of NMSWs, matching mineral compositions, athletic performances, and hydro-saline requirements, trying to assign to each an at least theoretical sport-specificity.

Results: NMSWs are a natural source of water-dissolved minerals that can optimize both pre-and rehydration needs of athletes. Magnesium waters optimize anaerobic performances (short-duration events), favouring muscle strength and power in response to load effort; bicarbonate and/or alkaline waters optimize endurance sports (running, cycling, long-distance and long-duration events, etc.), where the performance is strongly dependent on efficient control of pH levels and fatigue. The presence of calcium ions in both magnesium and bicarbonate waters favours muscle contraction, while sodium content should be accurately controlled, according to the individual needs.

Conclusions: Although this topic deserves a higher scientific attention, available literature supports the idea that specifically chosen NMSWs can integrate athlete's diet replenishing sport-related fluid and electrolyte deficits. Purpose: the quantitative evaluation of motor performance in athlete through wearable sensors reached a worldwide popularity [1, 2] . This study aims at proposing an experimental protocol for the evaluation of both kinematics and muscle activation during a typical soccer team coaching session. Methods: One professional soccer player of the Italyn major league was enrolled in the study. The player was sensorized with four inertial sensors and eight surface electromyography probes to gather the knee mobility and the lower limb muscle activation during running, sprinting, and jumping tasks. Jumping task was performed both in monopodalic and bipodalic mode. Evaluated variables included the knee flexion/extension angles, the activation time (ta) and the average rectified value (ARV) of rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius. Symmetry Index between two lower limb sides was computed for each variable [3] .

Results: Knee angles are in line with the physiological value and no asymmetries were found in all the performed tasks. Asymmetry was instead evident between the right and left biceps femoris in running, with ARV equal to 145 lV and 40 lV for right and left side, respectively. Such difference was less evident in sprinting. For jumping task, a different behaviour was found for the rectus femoris of the two sides; the right one is more activated during the jump preparation and the left one during the flight time. In average, the ARV of lower limb muscle was higher in right monopodalic jump, allowing to strengthen the hypothesis of muscle asymmetry. 

Optimizing endurance performance by appropriate non-sport-specific strength training: a systematic review and meta-analysis Purpose: was to measure the scientific production of two M-EDF academic disciplines researchers relating to recruitment sectors according to scientific field: Physical and sport activity (PSA), Biomedical and Psycho-pedagogical domains.

Methods. The sample was made up of the entire population of full professors (30) plus a proportional representation of the 2 recruitment sectors (7 times more for 06/N2 than 11D2) of associate professors with at least one per university in M-EDF/01 or M-EDF/02 for a total of 78 researchers. For each unit of the sample, the titles of the 10 products with multiple citations in the Google Scholar database were analyzed and the full consistency of the title with the 2 scientificdisciplinary statements was assessed. ANOVA one-way was used between the 2 academic disciplines of the 2 recruitment sectors with the 3 domains to highlight the greater, average and lesser significance of the separate data.

Results. Mean and SD of 3 domains was: biomedical = 5.92 ± 3.79; PSA = 3.38 ± 3.30 and psycho-pedagogical = 0.66 ± 1.60. M-EDF/ 01 in 06/N2 had a significant difference only between biomedical and PSA and between biomedical and psycho-pedagogical (p = 0.000). M-EDF/02 in 06/N2 had a significant difference only between biomedical and psycho-pedagogical and between PSA and psychopedagogical (p = 0.000) while it had no significant difference between biomedical and PSA (p = 0.063). M-EDF/01 in 11/D2 had a significant difference only between biomedical and PSA (p = 0.001). M-EDF/02 in 11/D2 had a significant difference between biomedical and PSA (p = 0.000) and between PSA and psycho-pedagogical (p = 0.000). Discussion. The aggregate data showed a prevalence of the biomedical scientific products over the PSA one and a modest psychopedagogical scientific products in 06/N2 and biomedical in 11/D2. The disaggregated data was the following: a) M-EDF01 in 06/N2 had a significant difference in favor of biomedical and none between PSA and Psycho-pedagogical; b) M-EDF02 in 06/N2 had only a significant difference between physical and sport activity and psycho-pedagogical in favor of PSA; c) MEDF/01 in 11/D2 had a significant difference between biomedical and PSA in favor of the latter, while between PSA and psycho-pedagogical there were no significant difference despite being PSA prevalence; d) MEDF/02 in 11/D2 had a significant difference between Biomedical and PSA, the same occurs between PSA and psycho-pedagogical. References Purpose: In soccer, the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) devices for monitoring external load indicators (Eli), both in official matches and training, is widely adopted to improve sport performance and reduce injuries. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the differences in external load indicators between Official Matches (OM) and sport-specific tasks, in semi-professional soccer players. Purpose: To assess the relationship between the subjective perception of muscle soreness and external and internal load in a youth male beach handball goalkeeper. Methods: One youth male goalkeeper (age: 16 y; height: 181 cm; weight: 76 kg) of the U17 Lithuanian National Beach Handball team was monitored during 14 training sessions. Muscle soreness was obtained by administering the Wellbeing scale 1 and taking into account only the item relative to the muscle soreness. External load was monitored by means of inertial movement units. Internal load was objectively assessed using the summated heart rate zones 2 whereas the subjective internal training load was assessed using the session rating of perceived exertion3. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was calculated to assess the relationship between muscle soreness and external and internal load, respectively. Results: A large negative (r = -0.51) relationship was found between the subjective internal load and muscle soreness, whereas a moderate negative (r = -0.39) relationship was found between the objective internal load and muscle soreness. For the relationship between the external load and muscle soreness a trivial negative (r = -0.04) correlation coefficient was found.

The present results show that muscle soreness is most strongly related with the subjective internal load. This relationship might be related to the peculiarity of the role of the goalkeeper, characterized by fewer movements than field players4. Therefore, in the case of beach handball goalkeepers, subjective internal load monitoring may be more useful than the external workload, with the aim to monitoring players' response to training stimuli and being able to understand excessive player fatigue and be able to act to prevent injuries or overtraining. References Purpose: In last decades serve has become one of the most important shots of elite tennis and use of new materials and training Methods contributed to make it faster and powerful. Nowadays, the role of tennis serve becomes fundamental during match because it allowed to gain points with no or very short rallies. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to investigate the tennis serve related parameters during the Roland Garros tournament and to compare them with the Wimbledon tournament. Methods: The data collected refer to 17 years; in these 17 years n = 2159 were played, of which n = 1632 in the first week and n = 527 in the second week. For each year and each group we evaluated two macro-categories of topics. The first refers in particular to the success of the serve, while the second to the performance of the same fundamental.

Results: Over the years we graphically witness a common trend of the various parameters analyzed, which consists of a rapid increase in the first years, followed by a stabilization of the same. As regards the comparison between the two weeks, highly significant (p \ 0.01) and on average significant (p \ 0.05) changes in parameters can be noted. Purpose: many studies have shown that endurance sports athletes have a biochemical profile of inflammation and high oxidative stress, due to the high load of training. On the other hand recent studies have shown that bergamot, in addition to the already known lipid-lowering properties, also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of bergamot juice on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in professional athletes who practice cross-country skiing. Methods: 10 international-level cross-country skiing male athletes (group I) were enrolled in the study. As a control group, we enrolled 10 national-level cross-country skiing male athletes (group II). We performed a blood sample during the unloading phase of the athletic training (T0) and dosed high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL). The internationallevel athletes took 500 ml/day of bergamot juice, while controls did not. Afterwards, all the athletes started the training load period and after 30 days of intense training (T1) the venous sample was repeated to assess hsCRP and oxLDL. The two groups had the same training schedule but athletes of group I sustained a significantly higher training load than athletes of group II (16,732,6 ± 1729,3 vs 10,756,4 ± 1102,3 METs per week respectively, p \ 0.05).

Results: In group I there was a significant reduction in hsCRP (p \ 0.05), while there was no significant increase in oxLDL despite the greater training load. In group II, on the other hand, there was no significant change in hsCPR levels between T0 and T1, while there was a significant increase in oxLDL (p \ 0.05).

Conclusions: Our data showed that bergamot juice in professional cross-country skiing athletes could reduce inflammation and oxidative stress due to intense training. More studies are needed to understand better the protective role of bergamot in high-level skiing athletes and in athlete's populations of different sport disciplines.

The effects of physical training on cortisol and testosterone concentrations and physical performance in female football referees whilst at the end of the season, the concentration decreased to 33.5 ± 2.8 lg/dl. Thus, between the start of the training period and the end of the season, significant differences were observed in the physical performances of female referees. Our Results showed that performance improved. Indeed, the training sessions to which the football referees were subjected resulted in good aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels, also in women. Thus, female referees possessing the required skills are potentially eligible to officiate male matches that are supposed to impose higher external loads than female competitions.

Finally, further studies including a larger population of female referees. Purpose: Hydrofoil technology has changed sailing, significantly increasing its speed and resulting in spectacularity and mass media interest. Although high speed can expose participants to a risk of high-energy trauma, there are no scientific studies related to trauma in dinghies that exploit this technology. Therefore, this study primarily examines the anatomical distribution and classification of most common injuries in this sport and measures the injury rate while secondarily identifies the traumatic dynamics most often involved and the main risk factors.

Methods: This descriptive epidemiology study examined data relative to injuries and illnesses suffered by 77 sailors (91% males) from 13 nationalities during three international competitions, gathered through a specifically designed questionnaire.

Results: The prevalence of illnesses and overuse injuries during the regatta week were 6.5% and 18.2%, respectively, while the incidence of acute injuries was 16/1,000 sailor-hours. Upper limbs, lower limbs and lumbar spine were involved in 34.6%, 26.9% and 15.4% of cases of musculoskeletal injuries, respectively. None of the acute injuries reached the maximal score of severity, while the higher score value was 63/100. Most of the reported illnesses (80%; n = 4) were upper respiratory tract infections with a prevalence in the week of the regatta of 5.2% and an incidence of 0.51/1,000 sailor-hours. Environmental factors played a role in 77% of the incidents resulting in acute injuries. Conclusions: This study provides valuable information for regatta organizers, boat builders, athletes, coaches, and doctors. In addition, it fosters the importance of ergonomics of boats, adequate clothing and specific physical training for injuries and illnesses prevention. Purpose: The use of rhythm in track and field practice programmes (Alfonsi, 2012) allows one to achieve this result (Calavalle, 2001) . In fact, it has been shown that every athlete can develop a sense of rhythm when he or she is put in the proper conditions (IAAF, 2012). The aim of the study is to understand how to utilize and implement rhythm skills in athletes ages 12-13 years old and to evaluate in which way this coordination ability influences athletic performance. Methods: The sample group was made up of 20 boys divided into a experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). Every subject was assessed on a battery of four tests: standing long jump, 60 m sprint, 60 m hurdles and the Sargeant vertical jump test as T0 and T1. The experimental work was organized into three weekly training sessions for a period of 3 months. The targeted activity with the work group established that a general and specific warm up with hand clapping, using a wooden and an online metronome, be carried out. In the meantime, the control group continued with its usual workouts. The GraphPad Prism programme, the Mann-White test for independent samples and the Wilcoxon test for dependent samples were all used (p \ 0,05). Results : In T1 all the individuals of the GL showed improvements in the 60 m sprint, 60 m hurdles and the Sargeant jump, exhibiting a statistical significance. A substantial statistic with p.05 was found in the individuals from both the EG and the CG groups in the standing long jump test. In this last case the performance of the CG for T0 had better results than the EG, while the results were worse for T1 with respect to the performance of the EG. Conclusions: The experimental work that was conducted made it possible to examine the importance of rhythm based training to improve one's track and field performance. It would be useful to expand the activity of raising rhythm awareness over time. It should be extended to all areas of track and field in order to evaluate the impact of coordination skills on technical abilities. Furthermore, the introduction of rhythmic work enables training sessions to be more varied and makes it easier to correctly memorize certain steps during the learning of basic techniques. References Purpose: During (free) swimming at constant speed propulsive power (Pp = Fp * V) must balance resistive power (Pd = Fd * V, to overcome drag). Pd is only a fraction of the total power (Ptot) a swimmer can generate in water, and propelling efficiency indicates this fraction (np1 = Pd / Ptot). Semi-tethered swimming (STS) is a training method to enhance swimming performance. In STS, a fraction of Ptot must also be utilized to overcome the external load (Pst = Fst * V, where Fst is the semi-tethered force). In this case np2 = ((Pst ? Pd) / Ptot). Ptot can be estimated, during full tethered tests, as Ptmax / npmax (where Ptmax is the maximal power output that can be generated in these conditions and assuming npmax = 0.40). We expect that np2 \ np1 since the former takes into account additional transmission losses. Conclusions: The present study highlights the role of propelling efficiency on power output in STS and suggests that the expression of power is limited by the decline in the capability to exert useful forces in water in these conditions (e.g. a decrease in propelling and transmission efficiency). 

The effects of four-weeks injury prevention training program on ''high-risk'' on-field movements biomechanics in amateur male futsal players Lorenzo Zattoni 1

Universita`, Universita`Di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy 1

Purpose: Landings, decelerations, and changing directions are key movements in recreational Futsal matches. Still, they can be associated with non-contact lower limb injuries, ranging from an ankle sprain to ACL tear, due to biomechanical risk factors, such as dynamic knee valgus. This study proposes a video-analysis methodology to identify biomechanical variables, useful to understand the biomechanical effects of a 4-week multifaceted training program intervention, which looked for modifying injury risk in sport-specific tasks.

Methods: In a randomized, controlled 4-week intervention study, a sample of 44 amateur Futsal players was equally divided into two groups: the Intervention Group (IG, N = 22), which attended a 4-week intervention program, and the Control Group (CG, N = 22). An onfield mobile laboratory was set to deliver a three-task test to each group: Single-Leg Hop (SLH), Deceleration (DEC), and 90°Changing of Directions (COD). In each participant were video-analyzed 4 frontal stability angles (Trunk, Hip, Knee, Ankle), 2 sagittal flexion angles (Hip, Knee), the body center of mass (standing to land), the mean acceleration decelerating, and the distance between CoM and FFC in the 90°COD; in both right and left body parts, pre-to-post intervention. 

The identified biomechanical variables improved limb stability and shock absorption in recreational futsal players after a multifaceted preventive training program. This result provides coaches with a repeatable video-analysis methodology based on a field mobile laboratory, to screen football-specific movements. Future applications should be directed into other recreational sports populations' tasks, and into the youth sports population, investigating the biomechanical variables during the process of growth.

EMG analysis of planche and specific special strengthening exercises Purpose: In the artistic gymnastics rings, the Iron Cross, the Swallow, and the Planche (PL) are among the most used and studied static force elements. The EMG analysis highlighted the importance of the stabilizing muscles of shoulder and trunk. The study of special training, which is fundamental for the performance, is quite investigated on the Swallow, but much less on PL. Therefore, the aim of this research is to evaluate the specificity of training comparing the muscular activity of 8 shoulder/trunk muscles during PL and 5 special exercises. Methods: Seven elite athletes (age 23.9 ± 4 years; height 169.9 ± 2.8 cm; mass 65.5 ± 3 kg) were asked to perform PL and 5 exercises: dumbbells from standing position (DSP), PL with pulley (PLP), elastics in prone decubitus (EDP), PL with supported feet (PLSF) and dumbbells in supine decubitus (DSD). A wireless EMG (Cometa System, Milan, Italy, sampling frequency 2000 Hz) was employed to collect surface EMG signals of pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, anterior dentate, infraspinatus, transverse trapezium and latissimus dorsi.

Results: All special exercises present more or less significant differences in comparison with PL regarding the activation and contribution of the various muscles. The exercise with the least significant differences seems to be DSP (p [ 0.05).

Conclusions: From the point of view of the shoulder flexor muscles activation, the exercise most similar to PL seems to be DSP. PLP and EDP are the most suitable exercises for technique and body attitude. PLSF and DSD, although functional for some specific aspects of PL, are the exercises that need more compensation through auxiliary and special physical preparation. Purpose: Ankle osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating condition, which includes balance impairment, range of movements limitations and a consequence increased risk of falls. Conservative management is the first approach but for severe ankle osteoarthritis, ankle prosthesis should be taken into account. The aim of this study is to measure postural instability and proprioception in subjects with ankle osteoarthritis scheduled for primary total ankle replacement. Methods: Subjects with ankle OA admitted in the Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli waiting for a total ankle replacement were recruited. Delos Postural Proprioceptive System (Delos S.r.l, Turin, Italy) was used to assess postural stability and proprioception. All subjects performed two tests: The Static Riva test, which consists of maintaining a single leg stance with open and closed eyes (OE; CE), and the Dynamic Riva test, a single leg stance in a rocking board with OE. The parameters considered for these tests were the Stability Index (SI) and dynamic stability index (DSI) both are percentage scores where 100% is a theoretical task performed with maximum stability. Results: Subjects recruited were 23 (16 male and 7 Female) aged 56.82 ± 10.63 years with a body mass index of 27.51 ± 3.05. The SI with OE is 70.06 ± 16.82% in the OA ankle and 85.10 ± 10.59% in the healthy ankle (p \ 0.005). The SI with CE is 40.16 ± 14.31% in the AO ankle and 53.89 ± 16.51% in the healthy ankle (p = 0.001). The DSI is 40.78 ± 10.38% in the AO ankle and 46.57 ± 12.74% in the healthy ankle (p.05). There is a strong correlation between the OE and CE results in the OA ankle (r = 0.79; p \ 0.001), instead the same correlation in the healthy limb is moderate (r = 0.04; p = 0.014). The two tests are correlated just for the healthy ankle (r = 0.5; p \ 0.05), instead DSI and SI results of the AO ankle are independents. Age and BMI did not influence the SI and DSI results. Conclusion: Static and Dynamic Riva tests are indicator of postural stability (open eyes tasks) and proprioception (closed eyes and instability board). Subjects showed a consistent difference between OA and healthy ankle in all tests; therefore we suppose that postural stability and proprioception are strongly influenced in a severe ankle osteoarthritis condition due to pain and reduced range of motion. Purpose: In aerobic gymnastics the push-up landing is one of the possible final phases of some difficulties, even with body rotations on the longitudinal axis before landing. Free fall has been identified as a possible test of the athlete's landing management. Therefore, the aim of the study is to understand whether indexes such as Time to Stabilization (TTS) and Asymmetry Index (AI) can provide useful information for injury prevention and performance improvement.

Methods: The study involved 39 athletes (age group 10-19 years) of Gold level in aerobic gymnastics (5 M, 34 W) with average weight (47.8 kg; SD ± 11.8) and average height (1.56 cm; SD ± 9.4) belonging to the categories National Development (8), Age group (13), Junior (15) and Senior (3). Anthropometric, informative and informed consent data were collected. The athletes performed 3 free fall tests landing with their hands on two force platforms with a sampling frequency of 1000 Hz. From the recorded force, the TTS and the AI were computed. Data were analysed using SPSS v23 statistical software. A descriptive statistic was carried out on the sample. An ANOVA was performed to compare the differences between the different groups (athletes with no previous injuries / injured athletes and competition category).

Results: The Results show that both TTS and AI decrease in value in relation to the best technical execution of free fall and therefore the best performances are recorded in the Junior and Senior categories. It has been understood that free fall being a specific basic skill of the discipline is an automated gesture by ''Gold'' level athletes. What is particularly interesting is that the value of AS is not only higher in those who have suffered injuries but also shows greater variability.

Conclusions: this preliminary study highlights the possibility of evaluating, through the free fall test, the AI which is particularly crucial to ensure a balanced landing in arrivals to the push-up. Future studies, on a larger sample, could deepen its validity for evaluative and preventive Purposes. 

Longitudinal functional assessment of a transfermoral amputee patient treated with osseointegration surgery Purpose: Osseointegrated surgery is an emerging alternative to treat transfemoral amputation in patients that have problems in wearing standard socket-type prosthesis [1] . After surgery, a critical functional recovery and specific rehabilitation phase is required. Little functional assessment of these patients has been provided in the literature. The aim of the present study was to provide a functional assessment of a transfemoral amputee patient before osseointegration surgery and after rehabilitation by means of wearable sensors. Methods: A transfemoral amputee patient (male, 47 years, time from amputation 18 years) scheduled for osseointegration surgery was enrolled. The patient was able to walk without aids and performed a gait test the day before surgery with his standard socket-type prosthesis, consisting in 10-m walking in a hospital indoor hall, two at normal self-selected speed and two at the fastest speed possible. The test was repeated 3 months after surgery, after the clearance from the rehabilitation. A set of 15 wearable inertial sensors (Awinda, Xsens Technologies) was used to collect full body kinematics. Complete gait cycles were isolated and spatiotemporal and kinematical parameters were extracted. The differences between the amputee (AL) and the sound (SL) limb and between the normal and fast gait were reported. Results: Shorter step length was noticed for the AL regardless the gait speed. A longer swing phase was noticed for the AL, with greatest differences in the midstance. At follow-up, step length and midstance differences increased, but the loading response of the AL doubled, and swing phase differences decreased. In the AL, no hip and knee abduction, peak ankle plantarflexion, in the swing phase, and of peak flexion in the stance phase were found preoperatively. A greater pelvis forward tilt and obliquity on the amputee limb, trunk forward tilt, and lateral bending were also noticed. At follow-up, asymmetries in hip abd/adduction, hip rotation, and pelvis rotation decreased, and no more trunk forward and lateral tilt were found. Conclusion: The altered spatiotemporal and kinematical parameters found preoperatively were in line with current literature [1] . After rehabilitation, the patient showed higher time spend on the AL and lesser kinematical asymmetries. The excessive trunk and pelvis motion were curtailed. Specific pre-habilitation trainings are required also before surgery to fasten the rehabilitation period. Purpose: According to the two-streams hypothesis the visual input is transformed into perceptual representations in the ventral pathway while the visual control of actions is mediated by the dorsal pathway. Importantly, the visual processing mediated by the ventral stream supports visual awareness while this is not the case for the transformation of visual input into action. We investigated whether the online control of object grasping, which is mediated by the dorsal stream, could get access to information about an object' feature, i.e., orientation, of which the participant is not aware of.

Methods: Participants performed a reach and grasp movement toward a briefly presented Gabor patch that could be slightly tilted either upward or downward with respect to the horizontal axis. The Gabor orientation was selected based on a previous individual threshold assessment (i.e., the orientation that participants reported they could consciously perceive about 50% of the time). Movement precision was estimated by comparing the orientations between the thumb and first digit of one hand with the orientation of the Gabor patch by means of an optical motion capture system. Results: Results showed that participants selected the accurate hand configuration even when they reported to be not aware about the Gabor orientation, suggesting that this information could be unconsciously accessed for controlling the proper action.

Conclusions: These findings are consistent with the two-streams hypothesis: the processing of a visual feature that is usually attributed to the ventral pathway is successfully achieved without awareness through the vision for action dorsal pathway. Purpose: Gross Motor Coordination (GMC) and physical activity (PA) in school children is essential for an adequate active lifestyle and health benefits [1] . Indeed, PA was identified as correlate of gross motor competence in typically developing children [1] . Further, Socioeconomic Status (SES) is often suggested as a factor that influences PA and associated health outcomes [2] . The present longitudinal study investigates the GMC trend in children aged 5 to 7 for 8 months concerning the Socioeconomic Status (SES) and PA-spontaneous. [2, 3] . Methods: 21 subjects (boys), aged 5-7 years, were assessed across 8 months. An evaluation was recorded in October (T0), December (T1), March (T2), April (T3), May (T4). Between T3-T4, subjects were in lockdown due to COVID-19. GMC was evaluated with Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK) using age and sex-specific reference values, defined as motor quotient MQ [4] . Furthermore, it was assessed the anthropometric characteristics (Height, Body mass). Socio-Economic Status (SES) and Spontaneous Motor Play (SMP) it was recorded through a questionnaire [2, 3] and divided into level bands [2, 3] . Furthermore, SMP was evaluated SES using a composite score calculated as the average z-scores based on T0. Results: GMC and anthropometric characteristics will be measured using a composite score calculated as the average z-scores based on T0. The lower level of GMC is at T3 (z-score: -0,02). Height and Body Mass, instead, increase from T0 to T4. Body Mass increases slower between T3 (z-score: 0,74) and T4 (z-score: 0,80) reaching a plateau. Most difference in PA it was showing during T3, in subjects with Low SES, showing a low level of PA (z-score: -2,37) than Medium-(z-score: -1,13) and High-(z-score: -0,95). Conclusions: Results suggesting that during the lockdown period (T3-T4), GMC level decreasing to T0 (7 months before), indicating the difficulty of carrying out PA. These Results are highlighting the magnitude of play GMC activities during childhood. Further, medium-and high-SES subjects show a high level of PA than low-SES subjects even during the lockdown.

The control of postural stability through light touch imagination: disentangling the role of tactile information with the sense of agency Purpose: Standing in an upright position and touching a surface increases the ability to orient in space by improving postural control; this effect is so marked that even a very light touch (less than one Newton) increased body stability by reducing the area described by the center of pressure as demonstrated by several studies. The main goal of this study was to unveil the mechanism underlying this increment of stability, by disentangling the role played by the tactile information per se (surface touching) and the sense of agency (I am using the finger as a potential help for regaining stability in case of a sudden arrival of a perturbation). Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were asked to imagine to produce either less than 15 or 1 Newton of force while thinking to press a surface with their index finger. During the imagination, no movements were allowed. Subjects were tested in two conditions: with or without lying their digits on a surface. TMS was delivered on the Primary Motor Cortex at the level of the hand muscles representation. MEPs (Motor evoked potentials) were recorded through the EMG of three hand muscles: one as a target FDI (Flexor digitorum introssei) and two as control ADM (Abductor digiti minimi) and FDS (Flexor digitorum superficialis). Results: Results showed higher MEPs for the FDI muscle during the imagination with the digits in contact with the surface when compared with the MEPs amplitudes of ADM and FDS. Differences between the 15 N and the 1 N imagery force production were also observed, but again just for the target FDI muscle. Conclusions: This study presents meaningful measures for detaching the role played by the sense of agency along with the tactile information when individuals are asked to maintain postural control. The light touch of the index finger, combined with the mental imagery of low and high forces, leads to the significant amplitude of the FDI MEPs as a consequence of an increment of an internal and specific body representation. Purpose: Two approaches have shown to be successful in improving children's motor performances: one is focusing on movement technique, another is focusing on the goal of the task. To date, a comparison of effectiveness between these two approaches is yet to be investigated in a population of children. In this study, we sought to investigate if and how technique-focus and goal-focus visual instructions possibly differ in improving motor skills across late childhood in a throwing task. Methods: 180 boys and girls (ages 6-11) participated in this study and were divided into technique-focus, goal-focus, and control groups. The task was to throw balls at a target aiming at the bull's eye. The experiment was divided into pretest (5 throws), practice (7 9 3 throws), and retention (7 9 3 throws) phases. Following the pretest phase, the technique-focus and goal-focus groups were shown a video of how to perform the experimental task. For the technique-focus group, the video showed the correct movement preparation (i.e., feet/ hand placement, stance, grip), but not the movement execution (i.e., the ball throwing). For the goal-focus group, the same video was cropped in such a way that only the movement execution was visible. Retention tests were executed the following day. The control group did not watch the video.

Results: Regarding the ball throwing scores, preliminary findings show that the technique-focus group performed significantly better than both the goal-focus group and the control group (p \ 0.05). Specifically, the difference in performance is significant at 10-11 years old. The same results are visible in the retention tests.

Conclusions: When it comes to motor skills enhancing strategies, focusing on the correct movement technique is more advantageous than concentrating on the goal of the task. This appears to be particularly true towards the end of the late childhood developmental stage. These results could allow teachers and youth trainers to efficiently maximize children's motor experience. Further studies are needed to clarify whether a longer retention effect is present and whether specific visual instructions also influence motor performances during adolescence.

The effects of general and local muscle fatigue on anticipatory and compensatory postural adjustments under an external mechanical perturbation Purpose: Neuromuscular fatigue is a physiological phenomenon caused by peripheral and central factors. To date, little is known about its effects on the neural processes regulating human postural control and adaptation (1) . When facing an expected external perturbation, feedforward (anticipatory) and feedback (compensatory) mechanisms are both involved (2) . The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of different fatiguing protocols on the neural processes that control posture by measuring the postural adjustments (EPAs, APAs and CPAs) to an external perturbation. Methods: Fourteen healthy male subjects were exposed to pendulumlike mechanical perturbation before and after three different protocols of fatiguing exercise. Sessions were randomized and performed on separate days. During one session (Loc) participants were exposed to local muscle fatigue via sustained isometric contractions of a muscle involved in the task (m. tibialis anterior), while the other consisted in general fatigue (Gen): subjects performed an incremental arm-ergometer test until exhaustion. The latter session (Con) -serving as the control condition -consisted in sustained isometric contractions of a muscle not involved in the task (m. flexor carpi ulnaris). Subjects were exposed to a total of 41 perturbation trials: 12 before-(PRE) and 29 in the 30 min following the exercise (POST). Cardio-respiratory parameters were recorded throughout the test using a portable system (K5, Cosmed, Rome, Italy). Surface EMG signals from ventral and dorsal muscles of the dominant side were collected using a wireless system (Zerowire, Aurion, Italy).

Results: Cardiorespiratory and metabolic parameters were higher during the Gen session, while Con and Loc session elicited a similar cardiorespiratory response. In each session, we observed an increase of EPAs, APAs and CPAs for the m. tibialis anterior, especially for the first POST trials. For the Loc condition, we observed an increase of CPAs in the first trial POST.

Conclusions: Despite the differences across protocols, the three fatiguing protocols caused a similar effect on postural control. Mechanisms within the central nervous system (CNS) allow to compensate for disturbances due to neuromuscular fatigue (3). Local fatigue seems to challenge the vestibular/somatosensory component of the CNS to a lager extent. Recovery of postural adjustment parameters seems to be faster than the cardio-metabolic recovery.

Development of gross and fine motor competences and the effect of gross motor training on fine motor skills in primary school children Purpose: It is known that development of gross and of fine motor competence are tightly linked during childhood, being domains that share the same higher order neuromotor processes. However, interactions between gross motor practice and fine motor skills have not been adequately addressed to date. In this study we investigate the effects of short gross motor interventions on fine motor skills in primary school children. Specifically, we examined changes in fine motor proficiency following three different sets of gross motor practice sessions. Methods: 240 boys and girls (ages 6-11) participated in this study. Fine motor skills were assessed at the baseline and post gross motor intervention, using the Box and Blocks Test. The gross motor practice sessions were based on the Test of Gross Motor Development-3rd Edition.

Results: Our findings show that gross and fine motor skills proficiencies correlate across all years of primary school, both improving significantly with age. Furthermore, significant differences were found for both gross and fine motor performances between children age 6-8 and children age 9-11. Finally, it appears that short gross motor interventions do not influence significantly fine motor skills.

Conclusions: During the late childhood developmental stage, overall motor development is continuous but non-linear. From age 9 onwards there seems to be a major step-up in both gross and fine motor competence, which teachers/educators should be aware of to shape accordingly motor educational programs. Moreover, while gross and fine motor domains might be functionally integrated for enhancing children's motor performances, further research is needed to better clarify the effects of gross motor practice on fine motor skills enhancement. Purpose: In the last decades, the population intelligence quotients declined and led to the Flynn effect's inversion (Bratsberg 2018 Purpose: Human sport performance is a showcase of skilled cognitive-motor control. A key component of cognitive functions employed in a variety of sport context-related situations is the inhibitory motor control, defined as the ability to retain 'prepotent' response tendency and suppress inappropriate ongoing actions. Recently, research focused on evaluating influences on cognitive function exerted by different sport categories. Indeed, to understand how sport experience modulate the cognitive functioning of athletes might have implications not only for talent identification and development in sport but also encourage specific disciplines as potential intervention for populations with cognitive deficits. In this study we investigated the effect of open-and closed-skills sport practice on proactive and reactive inhibition. To serve this goal we employed for the first time a behavioral method based on a mouse response-registration system. Methods: We compared inhibitory control across tennis players (n = 15), swimmers (n = 16) and sedentary non-athletic controls (n = 16) for a total of 47 participants. Proactive and reactive inhibition was estimated by employing a non-sport-specific cued Go No-Go (GNG) and a Stop stop-signal task (SST), respectively, in which participants inhibited categorizing left/right arrows. For cued GNG, the accuracy rate in inhibiting action was estimated to assess proactive inhibitory performance; for SST, the Stop Signal Reaction Time (SSRT) was calculated to evaluate reactive inhibitory performance. Finally, the new proposed methodology gave the opportunity to explore whether the practice of sport would influence dynamic aspects of inhibitory control by introducing a one-shot and non-one-shot velocity profiles analysis.

Results: Accuracy rate in inhibiting action during No-Go trials showed no differences between tennis players and swimmers or athletes and non-athletes. Moreover, SSRTs were significant shorter for the tennis players and swimmers compared to non-athletes. However, no differences between athletes of different sport categories were observed. Finally, in both cued GNG and SST, velocity profiles analysis evidenced a higher proportion of non-one-shot movements in No-Go/Stop conditions in athletes than non-athletes.

Conclusions: Our findings confirmed that sport practice improves inhibitory motor control mechanisms. However, inhibitory functions do not benefit differently from different types of sport practice. Purpose: The increasing need to face the problem of sedentarism, especially in COVID-19 era, induced teachers and researchers to find new useful intervention methodologies in school context. Active Breaks (ABs) include brief periods of physical activity as a part of the curriculum. A new proposal of different active breaks between academic instruction periods in primary school has been evaluated in terms of attentive and mathematic skill improvements and enjoyment in a primary school. Methods: A total of 141 children (aged 9.61 ± 0.82), divided in 6 classes, participated in this study. Each class was randomly assigned to three groups based on the type of protocol performed during the three ABs scheduled in a school day: fitness experimental group (FIT), creativity experimental group (CREAT) and control group (CON). At baseline and at the end of interventions all participants underwent the Stroop Color and Word test (SCWT) and the Math test (MATH) to assess the level of attention and academic achievement, respectively. The degree of enjoyment was evaluated through the modified Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Results: The Factorial ANOVA showed significant differences between the FIT and CON in MATH test (p = 0.023) and SCWT (p = 0.034). CREAT and FIT groups showed higher degree of enjoyment than CON one (both ps \ 0.001). Significant differences were found in MATH, where medium and high enjoyment groups had higher scores than low group (p = 0.040 and p \ 0.001, respectively); significant differences were found for time of execution in SCWT, where medium and high groups had better scores than low group (p = 0.010 and p \ 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: This study showed a positive acute impact of ABs interventions. These effects are more pronounced when these interventions enhance children's motivation and higher level of enjoyment [1] . FIT positively influenced attentive and math performances more than the CREAT, probably due to the correct work/rest ratio and executive rhythm which allowed children to reach a good level of exertion. Purpose: Running gait analysis for clinical and training purposes is usually performed at a submaximal self-selected intensity to reduce tests' duration. If performed in a large range of absolute/relative intensities (i.e., speed and % VO2max), it may provide relevant data on running patterns adaptations to the increase in running intensity. This study investigates running adaptations during a maximal incremental running test, in function of the increase in speed/%VO2max. Methods: 29 runners (27 ± 11 years, VO2max 51.6 ± 9.3 mL/kg/ min) performed a maximal incremental test on treadmill. The %VO2max at each 1-min step was calculated by using a mobile ergospirometric device. Quantitative (QNTi) and qualitative (QLi) gait indexes were recorded each step by a photosensor system (Optogait, Microgate, Italy) and a video-based system (Graal, Microgate)1,2. QNTis were: contact and flight time (CT, FT), cadence, step length (SL). QLis were: cadence and step length variability (vCad, vSL -by Optogait), Harmony and Synchrony Index (HI, SI-Graal). HI provides a synthetic measure of the global body movements variability, SI of the inter/intra-segmental coordination during gait. Indexes were linearly interpolated as a function of speed and %VO2max. One-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlations were used to study gait indexes vs speed/%VO2max relation. Results: significant differences were found in all QNTis with the increase in speed/%VO2max (p \ 0.0001): CT decreased, FT, cadence, SL increased. For QLis, the increase in speed was related with a decrease of SI (p = 0.017). CT correlated positively with speed/%VO2max while FT, Cadence, SL negatively (p.0001). vCad and vSL were negatively correlated with speed/%VO2max (p.0001), HI did not correlate with them (p [ 0.05) and SI correlated negatively only with speed (p \ 0.0001).

Conclusions: in our sample %VO2max and speed influenced gait almost in the same way. Hence, in short duration runs even at severe intensities, fatigue may not affect gait patterns. To run at high intensities, runners linearly decreased CT and increased FT, Cadence, SL. Speed/%VO2max correlated significantly with vCad and vSL but a main effect was not found, reinforcing the hypothesis that the relation gait variability vs running intensity is not linear but U-shaped. The increase in speed lead to a decrease in SI, probably because the higher mechanical charge on body structures at high speeds makes more difficult to maintain a well-coordinated gai. Laboratory medicine, along with genetic investigations, is playing an increasingly crucial role in sports medicine to monitor the athlete's health condition. Acute or intense exercise can lead to metabolic imbalances, muscle injuries or can emphasizes cardiovascular disorders. The aim of this study was to monitor the health status of a basketball player both through biochemical and genetic investigations, to shed light on the causes of repeated fainting that occurred during training. The results obtained showed that the athlete had abnormal iron, ferritin and bilirubin levels. However, the Multilayer Computed Tomography was the key investigation, showing the presence of an intramyocardial bridge. To understand if it could be caused by an inherited genetic condition, both whole exome sequencing (WES) and array-CGH were performed. WES highlighted the genotype compatible with the Gilbert syndrome the athlete suffered from; no pathogenic mutation related to the patient's cardiological phenotype was detected. The array-CGH showed two intronic macrodeletions, in the MACROD2 and COMMD10 genes.

Both genes are expressed in human embryonic cardiac cells, endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, MACROD2 polymorphisms have been associated to development of Transposition of the Great Arteries. Therefore, we could hypothesize a role for MACROD2 and COMMD10 genes in the heart developing, thereby contributing, at least in part, to the development of congenital heart disorders, including myocardial bridge.

In conclusion, this case report highlights the need to perform a thorough clinical / laboratory / instrumental evaluation in athletes. Moreover, in the presence of suspected signs of myocardial ischaemia. The current finding must push to plan more adequate prevention paths to create ad personam training and treatments, thus avoiding the appearance of diseases and injuries which, if underestimated, can become irreversible disorders leading, in some cases, to the death of the athlete. PHYSICAL EDUCATIONA and SPORT PEDAGOGY. Purpose: It is well known that exercising in the natural environments is associated with positive effects for children and youth. Particularly, access to green spaces Results with improved mental and general well-being. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of physical activity where children practiced the fundamental motor skills in complex and unpredictable natural environments. The objective was to have children exploiting motor skill in unusual and novel contexts that are scarcely experienced in indoor environments, such as gym or schools. Methods: 148 children aged between 8 to 12 years were recruited for the study during the period 2018-2021. They exercised either 2 h twice a week for a year or during an intensive week daily for 8 h (8:30 am-4:40 pm). During the activity the children were required to perform diversified motor skills, such as tree climbing, jumping over the rocks, sloth crawls, quadrupedal movements etc., in green space context as woods, brushwood, undergrowth, and scrubs. Children were asked to perform and complete the motor tasks through motor explorations and problem-solving approaches. Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale was used to evaluate the level of appreciation the activity.

Results: Children showed a meaningful level of satisfaction of the activity, which was also confirmed by a large rate of enrollment of the children to the next season. Namely, 85%, 74% and 85% of the children chose to take part to the following season classes between 2018 and 2019, 2019 and 2020 and 2020 and 2021 respectively. Conclusions: The promising preliminary results of this observational study allow us to envision future research to quantify the level of satisfaction, levels of physical activity, self-esteem and self-efficacy while exercising diversified nature-based learning environments, and eventually to investigate its effect on psychosocial and physiological health outcomes. Purpose: The sport reform has established the new professional kinesiologist profile, access to which is allowed only to graduates in exercise and sports sciences from L22, LM67 and LM68 degree courses. Study plans of the 3 degree courses, in addition to being consistent with the educational objectives of the physical education teacher, also need to be consistent with the profile of the kinesiologist. The problem is, therefore, to evaluate overall the quantity of European credits transfer system (ECTS) of the 3 most significant educational areas for its coherence to educational objectives: Physical and sport activity (PSA), Biomedical and Psycho-pedagogical. The aim is to verify, on the entire population of the degree courses, the relationship between ECTS of the PSA, psycho-pedagogical and biomedical educational areas, to assess whether they are sufficient to achieve the educational objectives as well as the physical education teacher, also of the kinesiologist and are part of a systemic action of the degree courses.

Methods: The population of the degree courses consists of n°41 of L22, n°31 of LM67 and n°20 of LM68. After verifying the normality of data with the Shapiro Wilk test, central tendency and dispersion indices were calculated to analyze the number of credits of the 3 educational areas. Multiple regression was used to verify the relationship between degree courses and the ECTS of the three educational areas of the complexity of the degree courses. Data were analyzed using SPSS.

Results: The result is statistically significant between degree courses and PSA-biomedical areas (p.05), but not between degree courses and psycho-pedagogical ones (p Purpose: Physical education was a subject of curriculum schoolbased. The aim was to support the student (0-19 aged) in motor learning. They could move effectively, efficiently and understanding what they did, from school to life (empowerment, individual decision making for active lifestyle and long-life learning) in accordance with the International Charter of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport (UNESCO, 2015). In the global pandemic COVID19 emergency, education and PE need to rethinking and replanning the teaching and learning processes. Methods: Analysis of international general education documents for guarantee right and access at quality PE in accordance with OECD (2020). Remote learning has become a fundamental tool for education. Digital technology was a temporary solution during a crisis. Distance learning was a revolution for speed and pervasiveness in a global world. In this period the use of technologies digital-based became in short time opportunity for learning and teaching in remote, but it needs the design of the new Integrated Digital Education (IDE) scenarios. (OECD, 2020). Results: Showed a higher percentual of teachers they belive quite bit in the support student by use of the technologies 65% (OECD media) and lower percentual of teachers use frequently or always the ITC in the classwork or in homeschooling 50% (OECD media) Fig. 1 OECD Library. The OECD guidelines (2020) for emergency management showed to rethink the didactic choices and the organization of the curriculum: adoption of collaborative, multidisciplinary, cross-curricular, interdisciplinary learning/teaching models in accordance with the step: prepare; cope; recover; evaluate/reflect; Plan of transformation (Azzi and Shims, 2020) Fig. 2 .

Conclusions: Considering the whole range of Changement of education in the global pandemic COVID19, the PE by ITC were important to support at the teaching/learning processes for guarantee the right at education in presence or hybrid or remote educational setting. The rethinking and re-planning PE items were: a. space was in accordance with the social distance (presence or remote modality, indoor or outdoor); the time was blended in synchrony and asynchrony; the content became a learning task with the mobilization of the personal and collaborative activities; teachers were facilitators of new learning setting based on the needs of the students. (learning personalization . Twenty-six papers were finally included in the review because they were directly linked to school PE teaching/ learning and particularly to online teaching. Twenty articles out of the 26 were journal articles, the rest were abstracts (3), commentary (1), author's position (1), editorial (1). The majority of the studies used qualitative methods (14), followed by quantitative method (11). Online survey (9) was the most frequent method used for quantitative data collection, while semi-structured interview (4) was the most popular method to collect qualitative data, followed by case study (3) .

Other methods used were focus group (1), pedagogical cases (1), reflective journals (1), discussion groups (1) Purpose: Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) are conditions that regard both cognitive and motor development. The relationship between SLD and motor development is evident in literature and it is well known that physical activity can be an important factor to support cognitive development. Thereafter, literature underlines that students with SLD that are involved in sport could achieve better academic Results than their sedentary peers. The aim of this study is to explore relationship among academic performance, SLD and sport in middle (MS) and high school (HS) students.

Methods: This study analysed school grades of 7912 students in Veneto (2844 MS; 5068 HS) crossing data with presence of SLD and sport practice. The data were collected using Google Form asking students to indicate their first quarter school report, information about the sport they practice and presence of SLD.

Results: Results showed a higher percentage of student with SLD compared to the year 2017-18 in Veneto. The data revealed that students with SLD were quite less involved in sport than their peers and that, during the lockdown period, the percentage of students with SLD who practiced sport decreased from 67% to ca 41%. Moreover, we found an important role of gender, SLD, and sport practice on school grades. In both school grades, female, students without SLD and students who practice sport showed better grades in several school subject (e.g.: Italyn, Math, PE, Technology) than, respectively, male, students with SLD and non-active students (p \ 0.001). Furthermore, MS students with SLD that practice sport showed better grades than students without SLD in Italyn (p \ 0.05) and Math, PE, Story, Geography and Science (p.001). HS students with SLD that practice sport showed better grades in Story (p \ 0.05) and Math and PE (p \ 0.001).

Conclusions: This study is aligned with the hypothesis, widely spread in literature, that motor and SLD development are strictly connected.

Results underlined the important role of sport on the school path of all students, included those with SLD, in obtaining better academic performance. However, students with SLD seems to had more barriers in sport participation in general and during the lockdown period. Purpose: The aim of the work is to examine the effects of a training workout with specific rhythmic proposals for a group of young athletes who practice Rhythmic Gymnastics (GR). The GR group requires a perfect partnership between movement and music (FGI, 2017 (FGI, -2020 and to succeed in making the gymnasts aware by increasing their rhythmic skill level becomes a necessary prerequisite in order for them to be good interpreters of the discipline. Methods: The sample group was made up of 9 gymnasts from 8 to 14 years old, who were involved in regional Italyn Gymnastic Federation competitions. The work protocol involved carrying out a workout plan, characterized by the use of rhythms in binary and ternary time. In the last two phases of the exercise programme two small pieces of equipment (a ball and a rope) were also used. The rhythmic performance was marked by a metronome. The validity of the proposal was explored through the execution of 5 types of tests that included a rhythmic part and a part without a rhythmic base to evaluate the internalization of the rhythm on the part of the athlete. Results: Some differences between the values of the parameters of T0 and T1 were registered. All of the gymnasts reduced the number of errors in the final tests, demonstrating an excellent command in their handling of rhythm achieved during the workout. Conclusions: Working on rhythm with specific drills is the key to creating stable technical skills and allows for the continuing evolutionary process in perfecting movements over time. The GR underlines this process, but the workouts should always be designed by starting from a rhythmic base and, above all, the same should represent the majority of the work with young gymnasts. Scoring Code, 2017-2020, Gymnastic Federation of Italy. Purpose: Longitudinal study was important to have a robust approach to consider the variation of growth. Further, allometric modeling permits to avoid incorrect conclusions and misinterpretation of data, accounting separate the developmental growth and maturation factors from other components. The goal of the study was to assess Gross Motor Coordination (GMC) longitudinally, considering anthropometric factors and physical activity (PA) through allometric scaling methodology. Methods: 50 children (only boys) were recruited from North-East Italy. Subjects were assessed from 2017 to 2020. GMC was analyzed with KTK3 while the anthropometric characteristics were, simultaneously, collected. PA was evaluated with a questionnaire (PAQ-C) during 2017, -18, and -20. Results: Allometric modeling suggested nonlinear associations with GMC across the children's developmental years. Further, ectomorph children seem to perform better because of lean body mass. PAQ-C was significantly associated with GMC from 8 to 13 years of age. Conclusions: Growth does not respect linear trends. Lean body mass could be evaluated as a reliable predictor of GMC in children. Gold period to improve GMC seems in 8-10 years. Indeed from 10 to 13-y, it was marked maintenance. One of the learning contexts that is absolutely fertile in promoting the development of these skills can be found in the physical education and sport activities that promote the integrated development of the individual, physical, emotional, intellectual, social and productive human capital (Bailey et al., 2013) .

The objective of this study is to carry out an exploratory survey that focuses on the development of social and emotional skills, in relation to sports practice, to understand if there are differences between who conducts a sedentary lifestyle, and who plays a sport. Methods: The survey was conducted through the administration of the Big Five Questionnaire for Children (BFQ-C) ( Barbanarelli et al., 2003) , internationally validated tool for the evaluation of social and emotional learning: a taxonomy that crosses the skills, measuring, through 65 items, five macro factors such as Extraversion/Energy, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism/Emotional instability, and Openness/Intellect. The study examined a sample of students (N = 118) aged from 8 to 14. The self-completed questionnaire was sent to the students via the school's digital platform. Results: The data were processed with SPSS v.23 statistical software; the five factors of the BFQ-C, analyzed through an ANOVA with comparison between groups (gender, school grades, sports practice), tend to have higher mean values in subjects who practice sport at a competitive level, highlighting the need to understand more this trend through a survey on a larger sample, analyzing the differences between individual and team sports. Conclusions: Participation in sports have been positively associated with the development of personal and social skills by numerous studies. It is necessary to continue to investigate the role played by sport in promoting soft skills which represent not only the opportunity to learn more successfully, but also the possibility to overcome the transition phase into adult life. The sport practiced in Italy involves millions of young people with passion and dedication to train, play and compete under the constant guidance of physical education teachers, coaches and instructors. From my reflection, I wonder why sport is not education in itself, like all other human educational activities. Being based on the physical and athletic difference that is increasingly exalted and emphasized in sports competition, sport is not for everyone and anyone who has had experience in athletics such as racing knows that the important thing is not to participate, but that the very structure of the sports is about looking for victory and you play to win. The task of the instructors, coaches is to lightly move accents where sport is practiced at a youth level: youth sport has its dynamics and its specificity if it wants to be educational, and therefore it must be something more and something different from just sport. Then it should be possible for a teacher or coach who works for the practice of a sports education, focusing on the material elements of the sporting event, such as the rules of the game, the materials, the field, the opponents and transforming them into options education.

The effects of physical activity on motor and psychomotor development in childhood Purpose: Motor activity in developmental age is essential in order to consolidate targeted behaviors that will allow each individual to be able to act in a planned and conscious manner (Goodway J.D., 2003). Sports practice is the basis of psychomotor and organic development, a means of promoting learning and self-learning, (Lapierre A., 2001) whether it occurs by imitation or by exploration. Movement is at the basis of personality development, to respond to the natural needs of socialization, personalization, the establishment of symmetrical and complementary relationships (Miato A., 2007) . The objective of the research was born from the intent to investigate the actual relevance of children who practice physical activity or sports in developmental age. Methods: The research was conducted in the field and is of a qualitative-quantitative type and the sample investigated is made up of 281 children between 6 and 8 years of age. The sample was given a questionnaire to find out how many practiced sports; after obtaining this data, the same sample was administered the APCM-2 protocol (Sabbadini L., 2018), a specific psychomotor screening tool at the service of the clinician for the diagnosis of movement disorder or psychomotor development atypia. Results: From the two micro-samples detected, following the qualitative data obtained with respect to whether physical activity was carried out, differences in both functional and psychomotor performance can be deduced. In fact, the average of children who practice sports is fairly higher than children who do not practice it, a result that confirms how much movement contributes to improving praxic-motor performance.

Conclusions: Physical activity and motor education allow you to counter the difficulties that natural morphofunctional changes entail. Motor activity produces significant effects on motor patterns, contributing to the general motor development of the individual, but to promote physical and sporting activity, especially among the youngest, educators must act in this sense with innovative and diversified teaching proposals. The school needs to redefine the objectives and disciplinary contents of physical education, starting with good practices, also according to the desirable inclusion of the figure of the specialized teacher (Colella D., 2020).

The formative value of motor education through bodily expression activities for an inclusive body Purpose: Motor education offers many training opportunities, therefore, it is essential to have theoretical tools capable of demonstrating its aims and developing appropriate programs. If we start from the assumption of a knowledge based on the possibilities of the body, the study of motor prasseology shows us the communicative-relational nature of body practices, that we must consider as experiences that allow an individual to express himself in the relationship with others and towards the physical world (Bortolotti, 2020).

The new way that allows the school to teach young people the centrality of the body and perceptions is above all the dance movement (Ceciliani, 2020) , through which the being manifests itself through the ways of moving, seeing, perceiving and doing (Husserl, 1950) . Studying dance also means putting the body in the spotlight, as the performing body of a performative art that includes carnal practices and knowledge widely incorporated and that must therefore be scientifically observed how to act bodily. Method: 320 Children between the ages of 9 and 10 were given the Oseretzky-Guilman General Dynamic Coordination and Equilibrium Test in order to assess whether the psychomotor age corresponds to the chronological age and the degree of motor maturation. Results: It has emerged that to investigate the psychomotor development it is necessary to analyze the movement of the body. Children who practice bodily expression activities, develop greater not only motor skills compared to others, but also logical, creativity, intuition and design. Conclusions: With the expressive activities the child is placed in a situation of search, that starting from the lived experience of the body will lead him, through progressive adjustments, to the discoveries of new praxis, ensuring overall body ease in relation to the environment of action. By moving and playing, each child becomes the protagonist of his own inner (Bruner, 2001) and outer world, activating himself in the choice and selection of control and harmonization of one or more movements, both in terms of effectiveness and continuity (Palumbo et al., 2019) . Bodily experiences become communicative and expressive actions of the subject, therefore make him more aware of his own possibilities. 

Evaluation of kinetic chain intervention in a throwing assessment Purpose: Throwing movements are used in training protocols for strength, core stability and special strength in many sports disciplines. The same exercises with the med ball find space in numerous test assessment in different areas, where it is important to evaluate physical efficiency, in particular the strength of the upper body and the ability to express strength involving the entire kinetic chain. The purpose of the study is to understand whether the ability to express explosive strength can be influenced by the intervention of the entire kinetic chain. Methods: The sample consists of a group of students from the middle school (N = 171) aged 12.34 ± 1.24 years, 89 males of 12.46 years ± 1.24, stature 154.11 ± 11.12 cm, weight 45.16 ± 10.75 kg and BMI 18.90 ± 3.53, 82 females of years 12.21 ± 1.23, stature 152.45 ± 8.41 cm, weight 43.76 ± 10.17 kg and BMI 18.67 ± 3.24 The data was collected using the Office Excel program through person's correlation index, significance was set at p \ 0.05. The two tests chosen for the study are ''seated medicine ball throw'' commonly used to measure the explosive strength of the upper limbs and the throwing of the med ball from the chest (Forward Chest Throw).

The analysis of the results shows that there is a significant correlation between the strength expressed analytically by the upper limbs to that expressed by the entire kinetic chain (p [ 0.001). If the correlation is analyzed separately for males and females there is significance for both genders, but with higher values for males (r 0,77) than females (r 0,56). The study confirms what is present in the literature, regarding the correlation between height and performance in throws, in the sample taken into consideration they are dependent in both throws, both in that from the erect station (p \ 0.001) and in the seated one (p \ 0.001). However, there is no correlation between body mass index (B.M.I.) and Forward Chest Throw. Conclusions: In conclusion, it is possible to say that the study shows that, in the structuring of an assessment protocol, the physical education teacher who needs to evaluate the explosive strength of a subject can choose one of the throwing tests. 

Lifelong learning and physical education teachers Purpose: The speed with which society evolves has made lifelong learning a necessity in all professions, not excluding the teachers. The researchers call ''Lifelong Learning'' a real way of life. The aim of the work is to investigate the training priorities and the ways in which teachers of physical education access the updating from childhood to university. Methods: Teachers were offered a questionnaire electronically with some questions aimed at constructing the sample profile and investigating the characteristics of continuing training. 975 teachers participated in the study, 8% in kindergarten, 18% in primary school, 36% in middle school, 35% in high school and 10% at university. The sample is made up of 51.9% of women and 40.9% of men. The age of the participants is heterogeneous with a greater representativeness in the 51-60 age range (37.1%).

Results: From the answers of the teachers it emerges that the areas of greatest interest are the methodological-didactic (80%), the communicative-relational (55%) and disciplinary (37%). Among the ways in which physical education teachers prefer to use the training courses provided by sports agencies that issue certifications (59%), courses provided by the Ministry of Education and territorial school bodies (51%), observation of colleagues (45%), webinars (39%) and support to experienced colleagues (31%). It is important to note that 97% consider lifelong learning very important or important.

The questionnaire was administered during the COVID 19 emergency and this may have influenced teachers' choices. It is certainly important to note that teaching and reporting play a fundamental role for teachers and that formal learning is important for them in terms of how they approach updating, but informal learning is also available through the relationship with colleagues. Finally, most teachers (73.2%) believe that the experience lived during the COVID-19 emergency will change their approach to updating. What emerges from the research can certainly be useful to those who deal with continuing training in schools by orienting their contents and ways in which to plan proposals. ). In addition to the descriptive statistics (M ± SD), ANOVA 2 (group, Nw vs Ow vs Ob) 9 2 (gender) was performed, in relation to the variables considered. All the students performed 4 motor tests (standing long jump; 1 kg medicine ball throw; shuttle run 10 9 4; 6 min WT) and two self-reports: PACES and PSP_C.

The results show that the motor performance and self-report scores of overweight and obese children are lower in both sexes than in the normal weight groups (p \ 0.05).

Conclusions: Sedentary habits influence the motor development and related psychological factors of children, limiting the preventive and protective effects of motor activities. Low levels of motor abilities and motor skills are associated with low physical activity levels. Multicomponent institutional interventions are required, to promote health, fight overweight and obesity, through experimental teaching models that involve the community and public health.

Esercizio Vita Medical Fitness, R&s, Ferrara, Italy 1

Purpose: Non-pharmacological therapy such as Adapted Physical Activity is still poorly applied in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. The following pilot project aims to provide a structural and objectively feasible model of administering physical activity to patients with Alzheimer's, in order to evaluate the impact of physical exercise on the functional capabilities of the participants. Method: The sample was identified among the members of the Alzheimer Association of Ferrara who joined the ''Exercise for people with Alzheimer's disease'' project. All participants, 17 users, performed functional evaluations at the beginning of the project (T0) and after 6 months of activity (T1), exactly 2-Minute Walking Test (2MWT), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB),Timed Up and Go (TUG), and an indirect test for the muscle strength one-repetition maximum (1-RM) for lower limbs, evaluated with leg press (LP) and upper limbs chest press (CP).The proposed activity was supervised twice a week in specialized centers. Recent studies (1) show a slowdown on cognitive impairment associated with an improvement of daily activities (ADL) induced by the practice of physical exercise(2), placating aggressive attitudes at particular times of the day and giving benefits in managing for the caregiver. pandemic, in which social distancing and quarantine were the only ways to keep the spread of the infection under control. In this context, delivering exercise (EX) resulted difficult, especially in vulnerable patients, such as those with cancer. Glioblastoma is a rare cancer type with a low survival rate. Due to the possible side effects, as falls, epileptic seizures, or bleeding, (EX) is rarely offered and tested in this kind of patient. Here, we report the feasibility and the effectiveness of a home-based EX program in a case of a glioblastoma patient undergoing chemotherapy, during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: The EX-program started in March 2020 and lasted 12-week. A tailored instruction manual detailing the program to perform twice a week and a diary to log exercise sessions were provided. EX prescription included: aerobic training and resistance training. The program consisted of aerobic activity (walking or cycling), in which the load slowly increased from 10 to 20 min at a constant intensity of 3-5 on the CR10 Borg Scale of perceived exertion (CR10). Exercises with bodyweight and resistance bands were proposed to increase strength. Each resistance exercise comprised two-three sets of 8-12 repetitions at 3-4 intensity of CR10, which were progressively increased. three groups: combat sports (CS), individual sports (IS) and team sports (TS). Subjects who had been practicing judo were excluded from the study. The subjects took part in a 6-month judo course focused on teaching falls. VAS-FOF was administered to subjects at the beginning of the course, in the middle of the course and at the end of the course. Results: The Results showed that significant differences (p = 0.04) were found among the three sport groups: in particular, subjects who had been playing combat sports had significantly (p = 0.00) lower FOF values than those who had been playing individual or team sports. In all groups FOF values significantly decreased (p = 0.001) over time (T1 = 4.2 ± 2.2; T2 = 3.2 ± 1.8; T3 = 2.8 ± 1.6). No significant sex differences were found. Conclusions: In conclusion, the Results show that taking part to a judo program focused on teaching falls can help reducing the fear of falling. Therefore, judo would appear to be a valid instrument to include in physical activity programs in order to promote injury prevention. Purpose: The most important predictors of the quality of life in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) are balance and gait. Treatments with levodopa aim to compensate for dopaminergic deficits, reducing bradykinesia and rigidity, but causing dyskinesia and greater speed of movement which increases the falls percentage. In addition to pharmacological and surgical therapy, rehabilitation through physical exercise has been re-evaluated in recent years and many studies showed how rehabilitation, through balance and gait exercises, reduces falls and improves the quality of life. Pilates was shown to improve axial stability and core muscle function through a performance of coordinated movement sequences, but the effect on balance and gait wasn't evaluated with markerless pose estimation. Moreover, we combined Pilates with boxing, which has shown to improve functional mobility. Purpose: The S.T.E.P.S. project was born with the purpose to envisage actions through physical activity interventions aimed to improve the general well-being and to reduce the state of loneliness, also through intergenerational activities. Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic imposed an adjustment of the initial project, proposing physical activity at a distance that however guarantees a process of interaction between the subjects involved. In particular, due to the lack of physical exercise during COVID-19 lockdown and the related negative consequences observed in older adults (e.g., reduced mobility function, increased falls and frailty, and decreased quality of life) this first pilot study of the project aimed to verify the adherence and feasibility of a remote exercise program. Methods: Seven older adults (mean age: 68 ± 5 years; 38% females) parteciped in the study. The exercise program consisted of a guided training sessions via telecommunication device (i.e., tablet: Hamlet model) through video calls with Zoom meeting platform. The exercise program was composed of two 40-min sessions per week for 5 consecutive weeks. At the conclusion of each training session, both partecipants and physical teacher completed a questionnaire designed to investigate the acceptability and feasibility of the exercise program.. Purpose: Previous studies have shown that exercise improves body composition and has a positive impact on health status in obese children and adolescents. While it is the most recommended exercise, however, aerobic exercise alone may not be the most effective exercise modality to counteract pediatric obesity. Muscle strength are an important protective factor against chronic disease and all-cause mortality. For this reasons, current physical activity guidelines for young suggest performing also muscle-strengthening activities 3 times per week. We propose the integration of body composition and the assessment of muscle strength in overweight young subjects following an exercise program. Methods: From October 2013 to May 2017, a total sample of 138 overweight/obese young people (75 girls aged 11.6 ± 2.6 years and 63 boys aged 11.1 ± 2.7) were recruited at the C.U.R.I.A.Mo. Center: 88 children (6-12 years) and 50 adolescent (13-17 years). Children were involved in a 6 month lasting exercise intervention program, while adolescents participated in a 3-month intervention. Body composition were assessed by BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height-ratio (WHTR) and Air Displacement Plethysmography (ADP). In children group strength of the lower and upper limbs were assessed by submaximal functional test (Sargent test, or ST, and medicine ball throw, or MBT), while for adolescents group we provided test with isotonic machine. Moreover, in both group strength was measured through Handgrip (HG) test for right and left hand. The effectiveness of the exercise program was established by comparing the baseline parameters with those at the end of the exercise program. Results Purpose: Obesity is a chronic multifactorial pathology caused by environmental, behavioral and genetics factors, with negative impact on general health, quality of life, and increased risk of disability and morbidity. Non-surgical management of obesity consists on a multicomponent approach, including behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapies, and lifestyle change to reduce the energy intake with diet, and increase physical activity. Because few patients achieved an important weight loss with lifestyle change, many undergo to bariatric surgery. Methods: The aim of this study is to evaluate physical functional of patients with obesity before and after sleeve gastrectomy to analyzed changes of maximal oxygen consumption, muscular strength, postural control, level of physical activity and quality of life. One hundred and seventy-four patients with obesity (48 males, 126 females) were recruited and evaluated 1 month before and 6 months after sleeve gastrectomy. Physical functioning evaluation consisted on: cardiopulmonary capacity, muscle strength (handgrip, quadriceps and hamstrings), postural control (static balance), level of physical activity (Global Physical Activity Questionnaire), and quality of life (Short Form Health Survey 36-item). Results: After surgery were recorded significant reduction of body weight (males -28.4%, p \ 0.001; females -26.1%, p \ 0.001), body mass index and waist circumference (males -20.9%, p \ 0.001; females -18.8%, p \ 0.001). Absolute muscular strength of upper and lower limb decreased, while strength adjusted by body weight increased significantly. Quality of life and level of physical activity increased after surgery. Conclusions: After sleeve gastrectomy, all patients reduced body weight, with higher percentage recorded in man. Functional capacity evaluation showed a decreased of absolute cardiopulmonary capacity and muscular strength, the increased of muscular strength corrected by body weight, and partially improved postural control. The level of physical activity increased especially in activity of leisure time and active transport, suggesting the initial change in life-style. Quality of life improved in physical composite domain.

Functional scores improvement after 6-month of an exercise program for women with osteoporosis: a randomized trial Purpose: Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic disease of the skeleton characterized by a reduced bone mass and deterioration of the microarchitecture. There is a consensus on the effectiveness of physical activity in preventing bone loss, falls and, consequently, fractures. The main aim of the study is to evaluate modifications of quality of life (QoL). The second aims concern functional score. Methods: Forty women with OP were enrolled in the randomized trial. The women were divided into 2 groups: OGT and IHT. Both groups performed a specific exercise protocol for 6-month in 2-days/ week 1-h sessions. Moreover, all women were requested to choose an additional third day of the week. The OGT was followed by a trainer through online supervision, while the IHT performed the protocol at home without supervision. The participants were assessed at the baseline and after 6-month of training. The assessed outcomes were: QoL measured through ECOS-16, fear of fall by short FES-I, aerobic capacity and endurance assessed by 6MWT, joints mobility by sit and reach and stick test, muscles force by handgrip and 30 s chair stand test. Results: ECOS-16 showed no changes at 6-month follow-up for both groups and no difference between groups. 6MWT and 30 s chair stand test showed a statistically significant improvement in both groups. The distance travelled of the 6MWT changed in the OGT, from 420 ± 25 m to 457 ± 46 m (p \ 0.005), and from 369 ± 85 m to 415 ± 66 m (p \ 0.05) in the IHT. The repetition number of the 30 s chair stand test changed in the OGT from 12 ± 3 to 15 ± 3 (p\ 0.001) and from 12 ± 2 to13 ± 3 (p.005) in the IHT. Sit and reach and stick test showed not a significant improvement. Conclusions: Despite the difficulty due to the SARS Covid-2 pandemic, the study results showed that participants had maintained the same quality of life after 6-month of training. Moreover, the functional outcomes have increased after the training. These results proved the efficacy of the exercise training in both settings. ; Tf = 51,6 h4,9 ns). * = p \ 0,005. ns = not significant. Conclusions: As already shown in literature, we observed that SEXT is important to reduce the vicious circle of disability and physical inactivity after a stroke [2] . Palestra della Salute (PS) is effective in maintaining the residual motor skills through physical activity and improving physical fitness and quality of life of stroke survivors. Furthermore, it encourages socialization if practiced in a group. [3] PS acts as a link between healthcare facilities and the territory in the field of chronic diseases, with programs offered by highly-trained and qualified professionals in the field of exercise physiology. early adulthood. Data from the German LIBRE study confirmed a significantly lower BC prevalence in BRCA 1/2 women who reported higher PA during their adolescence. In addition, physical activity has also been shown to improve or have a protective effect on sleep in women with a diagnosis of BC. Aim of the present study was to investigate the role of PA and sleep on BC risk factors in BRCA 1/2 women. Methods: Data analysis involved 63 women (47.6 ± 12.4years) with BRCA 1/2 mutations in care at Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan. The participants filled in Godin-Shepard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire and in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for the evaluation of the PA levels and sleep, respectively. Moreover, they underwent to anthropometric, metabolic, and blood sample evaluations. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 27. Results: Through the questionnaires, the women were classified as active (n = 22) and inactive (n = 41), and as good (n = 26) and bad (n = 37) sleepers. Insulin levels were found significantly lower in active compared to the inactive women (p \ 0.05); the active women were found to be good sleepers while the inactive women were bad sleepers. Indeed, there was a statistically significant difference for the PSQI score between the two groups (p \ 0.01). Referring to the sleep behavior, the good sleepers were classified as active while the bad sleepers were classified as inactive. Indeed, there was a statistically significant difference in the PA levels between the two groups (p \ 0.001). In addition, the PA intensities, heavy, moderate and light, were found significantly higher in good sleepers compared to bad sleepers (p \ 0.01; p \ 0.01; p \ 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: These findings suggest that the active BRCA 1/2 women has lower insulin levels and better sleep compared with inactive BRCA 1/2 women. In this population PA can play an important and protective role against BC. References Purpose: Sarcopenia is a pathophysiological process of aging, caused by reduction of muscle strength and quality, and associated with reduced physical performance, increased risk of falls and fractures, physical disability and premature death. Aims of this study will be to assess the benefit of a home-based, app-monitored resistance-training program on muscle health and other measures in elderly and people living with HIV (PLWH) with sarcopenia.

Methods: We plan to enroll 98 elderly and 98 PLWH in a multicentric, 48-week, randomized, parallel-group, superiority trial comparing the effect of a home-based and app-monitored strength exercise intervention versus no intervention. Inclusion criteria will be being sedentary; [ 60 year-old in the elderly or [ 50 year-old in the PLWH group; with sarcopenia, as defined by both relative loss of muscle mass by bioimpedentiometry (BIA) and low muscle strength by handgrip. Participant will be randomized 1:1, separately in each group (elderly and PLWH), to either 1) Exercise group (EG), where participants will perform a home-based, app-monitored resistancetraining program; 2) Control group (CG), without exercise prescription. At baseline (BL), week 12 (W12) and end of study (W48) participants will be tested for muscle strength (handgrip, leg extension), balance and gait (Mini-BESTest), leg function (chair standing, 6 min walking test); body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA, W48 only) and leg muscle volume by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, W48 only); quality of life and profile of mood states (standard questionnaires); blood lipids and soluble and cell biomarkers of inflammation and muscular function (immunoenzymatic assays and flow cytometry). Results: The primary endpoint will be the proportion of subjects with improvement from BL of[20% of handgrip muscle strength at W48. Secondary endpoints will be the changes at W12 of handgrip muscle strength and at W12 and W48 of muscle strength as measured by leg extension, balance, gait and leg function; body composition and leg muscle volume by MRI; quality of life and state of mood; blood lipids; soluble and cell biomarkers. We expect that EG participants of both groups will improve their parameters and that improvements will be higher than in CG. Conclusions: Our approach may be a feasible and immediately available strategy for home-based exercise to reduce sarcopenia in elderly and PLWH.

Resistance training improves physical fitness and reduces pain perception in a group of female workers with upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders: a pilot study Purpose: Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) are a cause of productivity losses and disability. Resistance training (RT) and stretching seems to relief pain, reducing the relative workload via range of motion improvement. Methods: Sixteen women (age: 48.69 ± 5.88 years old, working career: 22.75 ± 2.18) were recruited to participate to a 14 weeks work-based RT and stretching program. Specific exercise training (SET) targeting all body area affected by WRMDs was performed after week 6. Physical fitness was measured via the 2 mins step test (2MST), the back scratch test and the handgrip test (HG). To evaluate the level of pain in cervical spine, shoulder, elbow and wrist the visual analogue scale (VAS) was used. Results: Differences were verified with T test. Cervical spine (p = 0.02) and left wrist (p = 0.04) VAS decreased, while HG for both right (p = 0.01) and left (p = 0.01) hands and 2MST (p = 0.01) improved. Participants with WRMDs affecting the cervical spine reported a 3.72 higher VAS score for the neck at the beginning of the protocol (p = 0.03).

The protocol improved the physical fitness of participants but showed a limited effect on WRMDs pain. SET could reduce the perception of effort reaching the same benefit as compound movement.

Response to long term supervised exercise training (sext) combined with physical activity in copd: a case report Purpose: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and specific exercise training are highly effective treatments for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)(1) but remains underuse across the word. Many patients do not access or complete PR, and long-term exercise maintenance is difficult to achieve after PR(2). Here we present and report clinical outcomes of a case of long-term (8-years) exercise training adherence. The training consisted of regular supervised exercise combined with videoconferencing exercise sessions and telemonitoring of physical activity provided by a center qualified for SEXT to people affected by chronic disease the ''Palestra della Salute''. Methods: Patient's characteristics: 69-year-old female with very severe COPD. She has a 70 pack-year smoking history (stop 2011) and experienced movement-related dyspnea. The patient is regularly visited at a local respiratory unit where she also undergoes pulmonary function tests. The patient attends the center for exercise program twice a week since 2013.The subject received the first indication of structured exercise (2012) in relation to a musculoskeletal problem in 2012. She was also advised to follow a course of SEXT specific for people with chronic diseases. When the patient started the SEXT, (T0) FEV1 was 33% predicted; in the 6MWT, the patient walked a total distance of 297 m without rest; mMRC score was 3.

After the initial exercise capacity assessment and data collection, the subject started the exercise program consisting of aerobic and resistance training as prescribed by American Thoracic Society (ATS) (2) .

The patient underwent 738 SEXT in the gym, 36 videoconferencing exercise sessions and daily regular spontaneous physical activity. Results: After 8 years of follow up and regular SEXT we found: no change in mMRC and walked distance at the 6MWT. These data suggest that the exercise program resulted in stability of the disease rather than progression. Interestingly, the number of exacerbations was reduced from a mean number of 6 events/yr before exercise program to 2 events/yr during follow up. The adherence to exercise remained very high trough the 8 yr of follow up. Conclusions: Long-term exercise maintenance in COPD is feasible. Results suggest that active lifestyle supported by supervised exercise training can prevent deterioration and maintain over time physical performance, health status and quality of life even in fragile subjects such as COPD patients. Purpose: Body modifications during the growth process are many and they can lead adolescents to assume new and sometimes incorrect positions. The alteration of muscle forces during growth, could create some postural and muscular imbalances up to hypotonia and hypotrophy. Postural gymnastic is the most known method to counter these paramorphism; in this study postural exercises were mixed together with rowing practice. The choice of rowing has been made due to its features, since that it is an effort using almost all muscles of posterior back chain and moreover, it stimulates rhytm, coordination and self control. Methods: In this study, a participant (15 years old, 67 kg, 180 cm), previously assessed through a postural and radiological examination, diagnosing lumbar scoliotic attitude to left convexity (D10-L4, 8°), limbs asymmetry, kyphosis attitude and a shortening of the hamstring muscles, went under a program, combining some postural exercises and rowing sessions. Three weekly technical rowing sessions at a moderate intensity (55-65% of RPE) with back muscles stretching sessions and two weekly postural and proprioceptive sessions, were performed by the participant for a period of six months. Two postural and medical evaluations were made, one before starting the protocol and one at the end of it. Results: Results showed how after the mix of rowing and postural exercises, the participant perfomed better at several postural and clinical evaluations. There was an improvement of lumbar and dorsal curvatures, an improvement on mantaining for longer period of time the correct rachid posture and an improvement on controlling hip muscles. There was a slight improvement of the shorter harmsting muscles, but there was still some rigidity after the last assessment. Conclusions: It possible to suggest that rowing, as a total body effort, is actually a valid tool to use in association with postural exercises, in order to control and improve some muscle and postural imbalances. Purpose: After COVID-19 infection respiratory function may be impaired. Previous studies found that respiratory muscle training can improve ventilatory pattern and reduce oxygen desaturation during endurance exercise testing in patients with pulmonary diseases. The study aim was to analyse safety and feasibility of a 4-week homebased respiratory muscle training in patients who recovered from critical COVID-19 infection. Methods: Five patients aged 57-71 were enrolled in the study. They all recovered from a severe COVID-19 infection, with a medium length of hospital stay of 24 days. A control group evaluation was conducted with 3 participants of similar characteristics. Spirometry parameter and indices of respiratory muscle strength as maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP e MEP) were measured at baseline and after the training. Each patient was administered a 6-min walk test (6MWT) at baseline and after the intervention. Respiratory muscle training was prescribed at the hospital after a brief instructional session during control visits, and conducted at home. Purposely, a positive pressure and volume exerciser (Respi-in-outÒ, Medinet Srl) was delivered to each patient. The program was based on two daily 10-min sessions of respiratory muscle training, every day for 4 weeks, with a progressive increase of air resistance. Results: No adverse events were observed in both exercise and control groups. Each patient completed the training, with a mean adherence of 80% respect to the prescribed sessions. At baseline respiratory parameters were similar to predicted values. After training, MVV shows an average increase of 52,36 l (p = 0.10), MIP of 13,00 cmH2O (p = 0.18), MEP of 17,40 cmH20 (p = 0.17). The distance covered during 6MWT increased by 49 m (p = 0.13). No correlations were observed between respiratory muscles function and 6MWT. No changes were observed in the control group, and no between-group differences were noted due to the limited sample size. Conclusions: In a preliminary observation home-based respiratory muscle training appears to be safe and feasible in patients who recovered from a critical Covid-19 infection, with a respiratory improvement concomitant to a functional benefit. Further evaluations are required to assess the impact of a respiratory muscle training program on respiratory parameters of patients who recovered from severe Covid-19 infection, in order to assess if it could be a part of standard rehabilitation protocols. Purpose: Not all individuals having access to hospital care undergo rehabilitation that includes. functional recovery sessions. Home-based exercise is recommended in these cases, following given instructions. Social isolation may also represent a worsening factor. Therefore, certified structures such as Palestre della Salute (PS) can operate as an ally in functional recovery and social reintegration. Methods: This work takes into consideration subjects with symptomatic outcomes of Sars-Covid-19 infection, discharged from the hospital without specific rehabilitation program for the recovery of exercise capacity. Subjects in possession of a prescription of SExT from the pulmonologist were selected among the clients of a certified PS. They performed an initial functional assessment (TI) and a final functional assessment after 6 months (TF) consisting of: 6-Minute Walking Test (6-MWT), Berg Balance Scale(BBS), Sit To Stand (STS), Timed up and go(TUG), 10-Meter Walk Test (10-MWT) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). SExT is based on aerobic capacity, mobility, static and dynamic balance and muscle strengthening with a frequency of at least 2 weeks and a duration of 60 min per session. Results: To this day two subjects have been selected (1F aged 53 and 1 M aged 71), they are completing a training period of 6 months. No adverse events have been reported and they have resumed their usual work activities. The Results are being processed and will be presented directly. at the congress. Conclusions: SExT can be a keystone not only to improve or maintain impaired physical abilities but also for the socializing aspect in subjects who have suffered a long period of isolation during hospitalization. A non-healthcare territorial service, conducted by certified ''PS'' such as the model structured by Esercizio VIta capable of administering scheduled and supervised physical exercise (1)(2) may be essential for the recovery of impaired functionality in subjects who have encountered a Sars-Covid-19 infection. Although gyms are not generally considered as functional recovery in this issue, we believe they are useful to increase the APA.

Purpose: In Italy, the pandemic of COVID-19 imposed the interruption of non-urgent health services. Tele-exercise (TE) has proved to be an effective and satisfactory alternative in supporting the administration of exercise in subjects with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). During the lockdown period, the Department of Pediatric Orthopedics of the University Hospital ''Città di Pavia'' (Pavia, Italy) supported AIS patients with the project ''Scoliosis Online'', to reduce negative effects on the biopsychological component. The aim of the study was to evaluate adherence, perceived pleasantness, and level of satisfaction with the technology used to administer the TE in a group of subjects with AIS. Methods: Between 14 and 20th April 2020, 11 adolescents with AIS were recruited. From 28th April (T0) to 26th June (T1) they autonomously carried out a bi-weekly exercise program using a web platform (YouTube, Google LLC, Mountain View, CA, USA). Each participant accessed to a personal channel, containing videos of the self-correction movement and six exercises, tailored to their type of scoliotic curve. For each exercise video showed execution and number of repetitions to be done. Every 15 days participants received an e-mail encouraging them to give a feedback and to report any problems. To assess adherence, participants wrote date and time of each completed session in a diary. Alike, at the end of each session, Feeling Scale (FS) was filled to express the perceived pleasantness. At T1 the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was administered to evaluate how participants accepted and used the technology employed and their attitude to use it again. Results: Results, expressed as mean and standard deviation, were: completed sessions 13.25 ± 2.19 out of 15, FS total score 1.02 ± 1.34 out of ± 5 and TAM total score 21.78 ± 1.09 out of 28. Conclusions: Adherence to the program was very high as were the scores related to the technology. Results could lead to the children's habit of using social platforms and technologies. Perceived pleasantness achieved positive, but low, values. This could be related to solitary training and the many hours forcedly spent at the computer for distance learning. Limits of the study are the small number of the sample and the self-compilation of the number of sessions performed. Face-to-face work remains the gold standard but in periods of social distancing a TE program could help support the exercise practice of children with AIS.

The effect of exercise training on postural control and proprioception in women with osteoporosis Background: Osteoporosis (OP) is a skeleton systemic disease characterized by a reduced bone mass and deterioration of microarchitecture. OP is often accompanied by an increased risk of fall and consequently a high risk of fracture. Since postural control and proprioception are two of the most significant factors in falls and injury prevention, exercise training, including specific balance and proprioceptive exercises, could be the keys to reducing the risk of fall and fractures. This study was aimed at assessing proprioception and postural control, using Delos Postural Proprioceptive System (DPPS; Delos, Turin, Italy), in persons with osteoporosis, before and after an exercise training. Methods: A cohort of 29 women with osteoporosis aged 66.20 ± 5.80 were involved in the study. The participants will perform training, structured in 2-days per week, to improve joint mobility, muscle force and balance. Moreover, an additional activity between walking, cycling, or swimming was requested to improve endurance and reach the weekly exercise recommended by World Health Organization. Finally, every six weeks, the trainer upgraded the exercise program following the principle of frequency, intensity, time and type. DPPS was used to assess postural control and proprioception in single-limb stance, respectively, with open and closed eyes. The parameter considered is the stability index (SI; percentage score where 100% is a theoretical task performed with maximum stability). Results: No significant differences were found in terms of dominant and non-dominant limbs. Thus, the analysis was performed on the average Results of two limbs. The SI improved from 84.14% ± 10.10 to 86.96% ± 5.60 with opened eyes (p \ 0.05) and from 52.22% ± 13.87 to 56.25% ± 17.60 with closed eyes (p \ 0.05). Conclusion: In people with osteoporosis, fall prevention is essential to decrease the risk of fall, build confidence for performing daily-life activities and improve the quality of life. Moreover, preventing falls decrease the costs for the health care systems. Physical activity should be integrated with pharmacotherapy in osteoporosis treatment since it benefits bone tissue and improves global fitness. In particular, including balance exercises in a training program is effective in improving postural control and proprioception. The latter seems to have greater benefit and is very important in poorly lighting places or conditions of sudden instability. References Purpose: the aim of this study was to investigated the improvement of physical health status and reduce the chronic fatigue associated with that pathology in people with multiple sclerosis following lactacid anaerobic training protocol. Methods: 8 subjects (age: 34,88 ± 4,45) affected by multiple sclerosis (EDSS \ 3.5) were involved in our study. An anaerobic lactacid training was administered for 12 weeks, 2 times a week, an hour and a half for each session. At the beginning (T0), at the end of the study (T1) and after 9 months from the end of the study (Follow-up, FU) physical parameters (body compositions analysis; strength, balance and reaction tests; Visual Analog Fatigue Scale, VAFS) and hematochemicals parameters (lactate and neurotrophins BDNF and DHEA-S) were tested.

Results: Body compositions analysis showed an increase in total body water and in basal metabolic rate (p \ 0.05). Furthermore, an improving trend was detected on the percentages of lean mass and a tendency to decrease was detected on the percentages fat mass (p = 0.05). BDNF levels significant increase from T0 to T1 as well as DHEA-S levels (p \ 0.05) but the latter significant decrease from T0 and FU (p \ 0.05) and from T1 and FU (p \ 0.01). About strength, balance and reaction tests no significant differences was found after lactacid anaerobic training protocol; moreover Magnetic Resonance Imaging and EDSS evaluation show no progression of disease for all the subjects. Furthermore, baseline lactate levels showed a decrease after the protocol training (p \ 0.05) which could be best re-used as energy substrate. VAFS showed statistically significant decrease in fatigue level between T0 and T1 (p \ 0.01).

The results obtained have confirmed that lactacid exercise can influence physical health. Our protocol may increase brain-derived neurotrophic factors and DEHA-S concentrations and their functions that are related to decrease in fatigue level. It's known that fatigue symptom is associated with low levels of DHEA-S in subjects with multiple sclerosis. Lactacid physical exercise appear to act with synergic positive effects on inflammation, neural plasticity, and neuroprotection, by reducing lactate basal level and it can reduce MS symptoms progression.

The exercise facilitator in the dialysis unit promoting attitude and ability to exercise to improve quality of life in the patients with end-stage kidney disease on patients in the early stage of disease, whereas the evidence in the advanced stages is still limited. This feasibility study aims to explore the tolerability and preliminary efficacy of an EX-program in metastatic cancer patients. Methods: A 12-week supervised EX-program was offered to patients with metastatic cancer recruited at the Oncology Unit in the Verona Hospital. A multicomponent (aerobic ? strength) training to perform twice a week was proposed. The aerobic activity progressively increased from 10 to 30 min at moderate intensity, i.e., 3-5 of the 10-point Borg Rating of the Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE). The strength component consisted of body weight or elastic-bands exercises, performed in 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions at moderate intensity, i.e., 3-5 of the RPE. Tolerability of the intervention was measured by adherence to baseline and post-intervention assessments, adherence to the program, and the drop-out rate. Safety was assessed through the number of serious and non-serious adverse events that occurred during the training sessions. Among secondary outcomes, cardiorespiratory fitness was evaluated with the ''Six minutes walking test'' (6MWT), strength by the leg press test and handgrip test, and quality of life (QoL) with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life and Core Questionnaire.

Results: Seven patients with cancer at stage IV were included in the intervention study. The main tumor sites were lung (n = 3), pancreas (n = 2), ovary (n = 1), and breast (n = 1). No drop-out was registered. Adherence to the training sessions was 81.7%, whereas compliance at assessments was 81.7%. Grade 1 (mild) adverse events were registered: delayed onset muscle soreness (n = 3) and dizziness (n = 1). Positive trends were observed for 6MWT (? 29.1 m), for upper (? 2.9 kg) and lower (? 21.0 kg) limb strength, and lower limbs flexibility, although the results were not significant. Upper limb flexibility improved significantly (p \ 0.003). Concerning QoL, the ''social function'' domain increased significantly (p \ 0.04).

Conclusion: A supervised EX intervention is well-tolerated by cancer patients with metastatic disease. A future randomized controlled trial will be able to verify the efficacy.

Purpose: Falls are especially relevant in patients undergoing elective orthopedic procedures. Orthopedic research has been focused predominantly on the risk of falls after lower extremity surgical procedures. On the contrary, little is known regarding the effects of wearing a brace after elective upper extremity surgery on gait performance and falls. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of a 15°shoulder abduction brace (SAB) on walking kinematics and functional mobility in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty and rotator cuff repair. Methods: Non-invasive analyses were carried out on a sample of twenty-three patients (mean age: 56.4 ± 9.9 years) using a wearable inertial device for gait analysis (G-Walk System by BTS Bioengineering). Each patient underwent a gait and functional mobility evaluation performing the 10-m walk test and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test before (T0) and 24 h (T1) after the surgery.

Results: In the 10-m walk test, pelvic rotation (p \ 0.05) and symmetry index (p = 0.01) were significantly lower at T1 than T0. No significant differences for time to perform 10-m test, cadence, speed, pelvic tilt and obliquity were found. Time to perform TUG was significantly higher (p \ 0.05) at T1 than T0. Moreover, the duration of the sitting phase was significantly higher (p.05) at T1 than T0. No significant differences for the duration of the lift and turn-around phases were found during TUG. Purpose: The study aims to evaluate the effects of an adapted physical activity program on a woman with Parkinson's. An 81-yearold woman also presents with arrhythmic heart disease with episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation being treated, osteoporosis, and right hip replacement. Methods: The woman underwent a 3-month adapted physical activity program, a 45-min program two/three times a week; the objectives of the program were to increase joint mobility, muscle strength, static and dynamic balance, motor coordination, and endurance. The subject was evaluated at baseline and after 3 months of activity. The tests performed were: Four Test Balance Scale (FTBS), Chair Stand Test (CST), Timed Up and Go (TUG), evaluation of the range of motion with the goniometer. At the end of the 3 months, in addition to the functional tests mentioned above, the subject completed a questionnaire on the satisfaction of the proposed approach or protocol.

The 3-month follow-up revealed improved right hip mobility (85°to 90°flexion, 5°to 8°extension, 8°to 10°external rotation), on the FTBS (for position standing in tandem at baseline: failure, at follow up: 10 ''), in Timed Up and Go (walking without a walker test at baseline: failure, at follow up: 23 '') Finally, from the questionnaire, it emerged that the subject has acquired awareness of the importance of physical exercise in her state of health and reported an improvement in the quality of sleep in the days in which the activity was practiced, and also a decrease in tremor until from the first sessions.

Conclusions: The right amount of physical activity on a person with Parkinson's disease can slow the progression of the disease and its symptoms. It was also observed that exercise participates in a better emotional state of the subject, also improving the quality of life.

can be helpful to counteract inactivity. The distance tests execution and analysis, however, must be preceded by training with specific executive indications. References Purpose: The conditions of hypoxia and hyperoxia represent two of the problems to which a scuba diver is exposed. Hypoxia while diving represents a potentially fatal event for the diver as it quickly leads to the loss of brain functions and consequent loss of breathing control, all in the absence of warning symptoms. However, hyperoxia in immersion as well represents, a deadly event. Various diving tests with blood gas analysis have been conducted. The pulse oximeter has already been used to work on hypoxia [1, 2] . In a non-invasive and real-time way, SpO2 and ORi (Oxygen Reserve index) monitoring could highlight the oxygen status of a diver while diving to avoid hypo-hyperoxia. Methods: The radial artery of one diver diver was cannulated, and blood sampled during one dive at -15 m (at rest; at the bottom, after 15 min of pedaling on a scuba-bike; and at the end of the dive). Arterial SaO2 and PO2 levels were measured using a point-of-care blood gas analyzer. Two different marinized device for pulse oximetry was applied to the diver, to measure heart rate, SpO2 and ORi (with a forehead sensor inside a mask and through the use of a special sensor inside a waterproof glove).

The diver was normoxic before the dive. After pedaling, at the time of the second sampling, the diver was slightly hyperoxic. On the surface, as soon as he emerged, the diver was again normoxic. SaO2 from sampling and SpO2 from pulse oximeter were comparable in the sampling on the bottom. The increase in PaO2 on the bottom is correlated with an increase in the ORi index during physical exercise on the bottom. Even the ORi on the surface has normalized. Conclusions: These preliminary results seem to confirm that SaO2 and SpO2 in immersion are comparable to avoid hypoxia, that ORi can be used to get information on the diver's initial hyperoxia, but above all that it will be possible to use only non-invasive methods for the study of hypoxia and hyperoxia in scuba divers. Future experiments will try to standardize the method by increasing the number of subjects investigated.

with other Universities and private companies, designed the study. The topics addressed will encompass environmental and exercise physiology, oral medicine, myology, redox biology, microbiota, ophthalmology, bioengineering, human nutrition, psychology, geology, and climatology. Results: We hypothesize that combined stressors of physical exercise and altitude hypoxia will trigger acute cardiorespiratory and inflammatory response and a disruption in the multilayer interaction. These responses may be revealed by both local, systemic and dynamic biomarkers, linked to altered inter-tissue crosstalk and interlocking of biological oscillators. The findings will be controlled by climate condition, nutritional intake, and baseline status of participants.

Conclusions: A set of preliminary Results will be presented during the conference, accounting for a multidisciplinary perspective for defining the acute response to the environmental and physical stressors. As altitude traveling has become popular in the last couple of decades, original insights will be provided for both facing medical emergent problems and allowing novel research possibilities.

Purpose: Excessively increased training volume and/or intensity and competition can lead to the development of overtraining syndrome, causing a performance decrement in athletes. Thus, tracking individual response to exercise intensity is crucial for establishing appropriate recovery strategies.

Methods: Here we assessed the exercise intensity-dependent variability of stress response biomarkers, namely cortisol (C), testosterone (T), sIgA and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), in saliva samples of teenage male water polo players. Saliva was collected using specific devices on a day of training match (T1) and a day of competitive match (T2), at morning, before and after match. Salivary protein content was quantified in order to take into account different salivary flow rate and normalize the concentrations of stress biomarkers. Non-parametric Kruskal Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparison of the three data sets and the two-bytwo comparisons between groups. The Spearman correlation test was applied.

Results: Cortisol/proteins and testosterone/proteins concentrations decreased throughout day T1, while increased throughout day T2. The highest values were measured after match on day T2. sIgA/proteins and AOPP/proteins concentrations increased throughout both days and were higher after T2 match than T1 one. Significant differences between concentrations of different biomarkers recorded on T1 and T2 were found only for AOPP, suggesting an increased oxidative stress after match on day T2. T:C ratio after match on day T2 was lower than that at morning, indicating an increased catabolic response after competitive match. A highly significant positive correlation was found between Cortisol/Proteins and Testosterone as well as IgA/ Proteins on day T1, and between Cortisol/Proteins and AOPP on day T2. Conclusion: Our findings confirm the usefulness of saliva testing as non-invasive way for monitoring the individual response to changes in exercise intensity in teenage elite water polo players.

University of Turin, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Torino, Italy 2

Purpose. Skeletal muscle blood flow (BF) is precisely matched to energy demand at rest and during exercise through the modulation of vascular conductance (VC) by constantly balancing sympathetic vasoconstriction and metabolic vasodilation. The current understanding of how the control mechanisms differ between the sexes in controlling skeletal muscle BF is limited and suggests that muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is lower in young females than males and that it correlates to peripheral VC in males only, suggesting blunted transduction of sympathetic activity into vasoconstriction in females. However, most evidence comes from studies where sympathetic vasoconstriction has been investigated independently and where the effects of metabolic vasodilation were not accounted for. This study assessed whether sympathetic restraining of vasodilation is likewise blunted in young females than males. Methods. 12 males (age 25.7 ± 3.6 yo) and 13 females (age 23.0 ± 2.5 yo) underwent VC and brachial artery (BA) flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) assessment after a 5-min forearm circulatory occlusion, not preceded or preceded by a 3-min cold pressor testmediated acute sympathetic activation (SYMP). Beat-by-beat brachial BF, mean arterial pressure, and BA diameter within 90 s after the cuff release were collected to assess percent BA FMD and cumulative arm VC increase.

Results. BA baseline diameter and baseline VC were 20.4% and 36.6% higher in males than females, respectively. BA FMD without SYMP was higher (4.96 ± 2.07 vs 7.26 ± 2.36%; p = 0.001) in females than males, but similar (3.61 ± 1.99 vs 4.96 ± 1.88%; p = 0.23) during SYMP, which blunted FMD more in females (-1.35 ± 1.08 vs -2.34 ± 1.08%; p = 0.03). However, any sex differences disappeared by normalizing for baseline BA diameter and shear rate. Regardless of SYMP, cumulative VC increases were always higher (p \ 0.001) in males than females when expressed in absolute values, but similar (p = 0.98) between sexes when normalized for baseline VC. Thus, SYMP blunted the %VC increase similarly (-16.4 K ± 6.9 K vs -16.4 K ± 8.8 K %; p = 0.98) between sexes.

Conclusions. This data show the artery and body size accounting for sex differences, but not evident sex differences on neurovascular modulation when VC is assessed dynamically. Indeed, any lower sympathetic vasoconstriction in females may be associated with relatively reduced shear rate and vasodilation function, resulting in similar effects on VC than males.

The effect of prior exercise involving central motor drive on subsequent high-intensity knee-extensors endurance performance Purpose: Endurance performance and neuromuscular fatigue development are affected by a plethora of central and peripheral factors. Moreover, a complex interaction of feedforward (e.g., corollary discharge) and feedback mechanisms contribute to the achievement of the sensory tolerance limit, ultimately limiting exercise tolerance. The aim of this study was to determine whether the involvement of central motor drive during fatiguing exercise plays a role on the subsequent endurance exercise performance and fatigue development.

Methods: Nine healthy young males completed 3 single-leg knee extension dynamic time to exhaustion (TTE) tests at 80% of the peak power output on 3 different days. While in one visit the subjects only performed the dynamic fatiguing task (CON), on the other two occasions fatigue was pre-induced on the exercising leg either by voluntary (VOL) or electrically-evoked (EVO) isometric contractions at * 20% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Neuromuscular fatigue was assessed via MVC, voluntary activation (VA), quadriceps potentiated twitch force (Qtw,pot), performed pre-post exercise, but also after every minute of the pre-fatiguing protocol. The two prefatiguing protocols were matched for peripheral fatigue development and stopped when Qtw,pot declined by * 35%. Corticospinal excitability was also assessed pre-post exercise while electromyography, hemodynamic, ventilatory, and perceptual responses were recorded during exercise. Results: TTE was significantly shorter in EVO (4.4 ± 1.4 min) and VOL (4.7 ± 1.6 min) compared to CON (11.2 ± 3.7 min) (p.01). No difference in TTE was found between VOL and EVO (p [ 0.05). DQtw,pot (EVO: -59 ± 7%, VOL: -55 ± 14%, CON: -61 ± 9%, p [ 0.05) and DVA (EVO: -9 ± 7%, VOL: -8 ± 5%, CON: -7 ± 5%, p [ 0.05) at the end of the dynamic task were not different between conditions. DMVC was lower in CON compared to the both the prefatigue conditions (EVO: -45 ± 8%, VOL: -44 ± 8%, CON: -53 ± 8%, p.05). Rate of perceived exertion was higher (p.05) at the beginning of the dynamic task in VOL (12.2 ± 1.0) than EVO (10.6 ± 1.7) and CON (6.8 ± 0.8), with no difference at exhaustion between conditions (p [ 0.05).

Conclusions: Our Results suggest that the involvement of central motor drive during prior exercise play a negligible role on the subsequent high-intensity endurance performance. Also, these findings support the importance of the peripheral fatigue threshold in achieving the sensory tolerance limit and determining exercise tolerance.

The role of different warm-up protocols on cardiovascular and metabolic responses in dynamic apnoea Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess the physiological response to different warm-up protocols before, during and after a dynamic apnoea performance. We compared the traditional approach, which includes a series of short-mid dives in water (WET warm-up), with a more recent strategy, that consists in exercises performed exclusively outside the water (DRY warm-up).

Methods: Nine freedivers were tested in two different sessions, with the two warm-up protocols executed before a 75 m of dynamic apnoea with fins. Heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity were recorded to evaluate the cardiac autonomic control, haemoglobin concentrations for evaluating the effect of spleen contraction, blood lactate levels to quantify the intensity of physical effort and the recovery process. To quantify the individuals' perception of the physical demand we collected the rate of perceived exertion.

Results: DRY exercises exhibited lower lactate level after the warmup (1.93 vs. 2.60 mmol/L, P = 0.006), higher autonomic parameters and higher bradycardia during the subsequent dynamic apnoea in comparison to WET protocol. We found a significant correlation between the lactate produced after WET warm-up and the duration of the successive dynamic apnoea, indicating that higher lactate level could reduce the diving performance (72 vs. 70 s, P = 0.028). The haemoglobin concentration and the rate of perceived exertion were not significantly different between protocols.

Conclusions: Before the dynamic apnoea performance, the use of the DRY warm-up seems to be a better strategy respect to the WET warm-up since it induces a more pronounced diving response, avoids lactate accumulation pre-apnoea, and reduces the time needed to complete the dive. Finally, the rating of perceived exertion, widely used in many sports, should be well examined and appropriate scales for apnoea disciplines should be developed. Aim: Resistance training (RT) is known to counteract negative agerelated changes in both muscle and tendon tissue. Moderate eccentric (ECC) loading has been advocated as an efficient way to achieve increases in muscle mass and tendon mechanical properties. Indeed, isolated ECC contractions are metabolically less demanding; thus, may be more suitable for older populations. However, whether submaximal (60% 1RM) concentric (CON) or ECC contractions differ in their effectiveness is relatively unknown This study aimed to establish the time course of muscle and tendon adaptations to submaximal CON and ECC RT. Methods: 20 healthy young (24.5 ± 5.1years) and 17 older males (68.1 ± 2.4years) were randomly allocated to either leg-press based isolated CON or ECC RT which took place 3/week for 8 weeks. Patellar tendon biomechanical properties, vastus lateralis (VL) muscle morphology and architecture, and maximal voluntary contraction were assessed every 2 weeks, quadriceps and VL muscle volume every 4 weeks.

Results: Positive changes in tendon Young's modulus were observed after 4 weeks in all groups. Since then, adaptations in young males plateaued, whereas they continued to increase in older males, suggesting a dampened rate of tendon remodelling with age. However, both CON and ECC presented similar overall changes in tendon Young's modulus, in all groups. Muscle hypertrophy and strength increases were similar between CON and ECC in all groups. Nonetheless, contraction-specific adaptations were observed for pennation angle (i.e., greater increases after CON compared to ECC) and fascicle length (i.e., greater increases after ECC compared to CON). Conclusions: Tendon mechanical properties respond equally to CON and ECC RET in both young and elderly groups, suggesting that the patellar tendon may be blind to the loading modality used. However, it may require a longer period for the elderly tendon to fully adapt; albeit this may be due to a lower starting point. Noteworthy, muscle and tendon adaptations appeared to occur in synergy; presumably to maintain the efficacy of the muscle-tendon unit. On a practical perspective, considering the characteristics of ECC loading modality (greater load imposed at a lower metabolic cost), and the greater early hypertrophic responses than of concentric training, moderate-intensity ECC exercise can be recognised as a very efficient training modality for counteract the loss of muscle mass in older individuals.

Use of heart rate variability during an incremental test, for the evaluation of baroceptor and respiratory activity Purpose: The use of HRV heart rate variability has long been used as a reliable tool for measuring and consequently evaluating the state of activity of the central nervous system. But while all most of the studies have focused on the assessment of HRV in a resting state, little is known about the potential of this investigation on subjects during training. In this preliminary study we wanted to investigate how to use the parameters deriving from the ''frequency domain'' to identify the activity of baroreceptors Mayer Waves (MW) during an incremental test and the consequent interaction with the respiratory system. Mayer Waves can be defined as arterial blood pressure (AP) oscillations at frequencies slower than respiratory rate and which show significant association with efferent sympathetic nervous activity (ANS). Methods: Ten male subjects with good training experience performed an incremental test on a cycle ergometer, the protocol provided for 6 min at 80 watts as a warm-up and subsequent increases of 40 watts every 4 min until exhaustion. The heart rate was measured with the Polar H10 belt and subsequently downloaded in R-R format from the Polar Flow web application. The time domain data were processed by analyzing each single predicted fraction with Kubios 3.4.1 software.

Results: In this preliminary study we found an activation of MW between 0.08 and 0.2 Hz at submaximal exercise intensities up to 85% of maximal heart rate. The respiratory frequencies are instead very individual, not giving statistically significant results. Conclusion: The appearance of MW indicates a response activity of the peripheral vascular system in response to physical exercise, at intensities close to the maximum the MW gradually disappear. The analysis of AP adaptation capacity could be used as an individual training parameter. The analysis of respiratory rates can instead be useful for assessing the effectiveness of the respiratory action and the impact this has on the fatigue of the ANS system.

Behaviour of eye movements in a targeting task: the basketball free throw Purpose. In targeting tasks, the function of the gaze behaviour and attention system is to locate a target in space and control the aiming of an object to a specific target area. In these tasks an object is pushed with the hands or feet away from the body in an aiming movement toward a target (Vickers, 2007) . Accuracy and consistency in performance are the ultimate goal of the task. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effective role of gaze behaviour during the execution of basketball free throw. Methods. 24 basketball players (21.04 ± 3.1 years), subdivided in 12 experts (E) and 12 near-experts (NE) were involved in the study. Participants wore an eye-tracker (EyeLink II), and an inertial sensor (Cometa Systems, Italy) placed on their throwing hand, for both eye and hand movements recording. They stand in a basketball field, behind the free-throw line, and shoots a ball into a hoop of 45 cm located at a height of 3.05 m from the floor. Response accuracy and gaze behaviour were recorded for analysis. Sport Sci Health MA 78 ± 8 vs Y 83 ± 8%HRmax, indicative of a vigorous intensity). DBP was significantly higher in MA (84 ± 13 vs 63.0 ± 10 mmHg, main effect of age p \ 0.001), with no main effect of protocol (p = 0.608). No differences were detected in either SBP (overall average 155 ± 5 mmHg) or RPP (overall average 22,493 ± 4463 bpm mmHg, indicative of an intermediate hemodynamic response) in relation to either age group (p = 0.795 and 0.118 for SBP and RPP, respectively) or protocol (p = 0.402 and 0.257 for SBP and RPP, respectively). Conclusion: In middle-age and young individuals alike, squat exercises of either low or high intensity are associated with a similar cardiovascular response. Individuals of both sexes with a healthy blood pressure display hemodynamic responses that are comparable to those of a vigorous aerobic exercise; these responses can be classified as intermediate, based on RPP. References Purpose: Measurements of postural system are critical for figuring out predictors of performance, evaluate musculoskeletal injuries and estimate the effectiveness of physical training and rehabilitation treatments. The present study has the specific purpose of determining the measures to be taken to appraise an individual's behaviour at different conditions of instability.

Methods: The proposed approach allows us to investigate the anticipatory strategies that people apply when asked to release a sphere while maintaining postural control on different proprioceptive boards.

To capture these strategies, Center of Pressure (CoP) migration and the anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) parameters were recorded and analyzed. Healthy people and individuals that have undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, are compared in their ability to cope with eight experimental conditions presenting different levels of instability, from a low-level to a highlevel balance task difficulty.

Results: preliminary results show that, when the tasks were the easiest ones, the ACL group presented the tendency to anticipate more the action when compared to the control group, as expressed by the early detection of the APA onset.

Conclusions: For the two groups different motor strategies emerged: in action anticipation ACL group showed an early onset for compensating the inability to quickly detect sudden changes in muscle length due to the muscle damage suggesting a specific training interventions.

Sleep loss, circadian rhythm, and postural control: a systematic review Purpose: While postural control (PC) assessment is a way to detect those who are susceptible to injuries (e.g., risk of fall), circadian rhythm may change the result of the measurement. That is, physical and mental functions are altered in accordance with the time of day; thus, it is expected individuals experience optimal PC at a specific time of day (1). However, there are contradictory results surrounding this issue in the literature. Similarly, sleep deprivation can alter PC. Specifically, a decrease in normal sleep period and an increase in time of wakefulness may result in a reduction in cognitive function, which in turn can lead to difficulty in maintaining PC. However, the mechanism underlying this process is not well understood. Whereas PC measurement is widely used to detect neuromuscular deficits in addition to specifying sleepiness, which can help to prevent occupational accidents, there is no systematic review in the literature to critically assess the relevant studies to comprehensively understand the effect of circadian rhythm and sleep loss on PC; hence, the aim of the study was to systematically review the studies to understand the effect of circadian rhythm and sleep loss on PC.

Method: This systematic review was carried out based on the PRISMA statement (2) in which PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase were used to detect relevant studies. Only studies that examined the effect of time of day and/or sleep loss on postural control among healthy individuals were included in this systematic review. Results: Forty-nine studies (1296 healthy participants) were included in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Both circadian rhythm and sleep loss had a significant effect on postural control; however, there are contradictory results for optimal postural control in regard to time of day. In terms of sleep loss, all studies reported that sleep deprivation worsens postural control.

Conclusion: This systematic review revealed a negative and meaningful effect of sleep deprivation on PC. Time of day was also determined as a contributory factor that can lead to changes in PC. Hence, it is suggested that clinicians and researchers consider both factors when measuring PC. Purpouse: Cognitive analysis of high-level athletes has always been an interesting topic about sport psychology. The aim of this study was to assess cognitive differences between Rowing athletes (RA) and Sport Practitioners (SP) by using Big Five Questionnaire Test (BFQ). Methods: Thirty-one RA, representing the case group, and thirty SP, representing the control group, were asked to complete the BFQ. Both RA and SP groups have been selected randomly from a population, respectively, of several rowing Sicily sport clubs and several Sport Science classes of University of Messina. Due to COVID-19 pandemic event, BFQ was transposed electronically, with an additional file describing all the procedures and examples about the test. Each participant signed a informed consent explaining aim and duties of the research. Results: Results were assessed with test-t for independent samples with an additional Holm-Bonferroni correction test. SPSS version 20. was used to manage data and tests. Results showed how RA present significative differences than SP, on Energy (p \ 0.0006), Conscientiousness (p = 0.01), Dominance (p \ 0.03). On the contrary, SP scored higher on Agreeableness (p \ 0.05) and Cooperation (p = 0.01). No differences were registered on the other scales. Conclusions: From results emerges a precise description of high-level athletes, in this case rowers. It is possible claiming that, as suggested from previous studies, that there are cognitive traits characterizing high level athletes. Despite BFQ it is not a gold standard method for psychological assessment, however it remains a valid tool to seek for cognitive differences, in this case between RA and SP.

Purpose: A high self-efficacy (SE) is beneficial to sport performance and knowing its correlates may identify targets to increase self-efficacy in athletes. The aim of this study was to test the hypotheses that SE is associated with high levels of both objective and perceived physical ability in football players. Methods: Before the tests of physical ability, 17 male amateur football players (age 21.1 ± 3.3 years) were given questionnaires to measure general SE and role-specific SE, and performance-oriented physical ability (PPA) and motor-control oriented physical ability (MPA). Objective physical ability was measured with various test in the following order: counter movement jump (CMJ), the Illinois agility test and the Yo-Yo test of endurance. Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated depending on the normality of the data. Results: There were significant correlations between PPA and both general SE (r = 0.535, p \ 0.05) and role-specific SE (r = 0.490, p \ 0.05). No significant correlations were found between the objective measures of physical ability and the measures of SE. Moreover, there were no significant correlations between measures of objective and perceived physical ability. Conclusion: As hypothesized, perceived physical ability was significantly correlated with SE in football players. However, objective measures of physical ability did not correlate with SE in this population. The results suggest that his may be due to an incorrect perception of their own abilities possibly due to reduced training and competitions due to COVID-related lockdown in 2020 when the study was performed. Strategies to increase perceived physical ability may improve SE and performance in football players and need to be further investigated.

ensuring maximum safety to avoid injuries. The two gym groups practice activities twice a week (50'per session) for 5 months. The tests evaluate the back muscle flexibility, balance, abdominal and legs strength. The groups, in baseline, are homogeneous in all motor skills analyzed. Descriptive statistical procedures are presented as mean and the percentage changes (D%) were calculated for each study group. A multivariate between-within groups ANOVA was conducted to assess any significant difference in mean variables used. Tukey's post hoc test of critical difference was used to locate significance between means. The significance level was fixed at p \ 0.05. Results: Results of this study showed that the abdominal (p \ 0,05) and lower limb strength (p \ 0,01) improved more in CG than in ExG: lower limb strength: CG D10% (p \ 0.001) CG D21% (p \ 0.001); abdominal strength SG D 14% (p \ 0.001) GG D21% (p \ 0.001). Important results are in flexibility (p \ 0,05) and balance test (p \ 0,01) where the ExG showed a greater improvement than CG: Flexibility: ExG D31% (p = 0.001) CG D24% (p \ 0.001); balance test ExG D93% (p \ 0.0001) and CG D11% (p = 0.1). Conclusions: In light of the results observed on both groups it seems that the sensory deprivation condition is suitable in old people training programs overall in conditioning the balance performance that play a key role on the expectance and quality of life of this special population related to the risk of falls.

fat meat intake were positively and negatively associated with depression and perceived quality of life, respectively (p \ 0.05 for all). Exercise played a role as a mediator between mood states and fruit, vegetables and fish consumption, respectively accounting for 4.2% and 1.8% of the total variance. Conclusions: Poorer psychological states during the COVID-19 lockdown, possibly led to unhealthy dietary habits, which can themselves be associated to negative mood states, as in a vicious circle. Conversely, exercise practice was associated to healthier nutritional choices, mediating the worsening effect of negative mood states. References

The effect of COVID-19 in physical activity levels and its relationship to living environments in kosovan youth Purpose: The purpose of the current study was twofold; firstly, was to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 lockdown in PA levels expressed as energy expenditure (MET-minutes/week) and sedentary behavior among Kosovo youth population, having the living environment as the main factor, and secondly, to investigate the differences in PA levels between males and females considering the living area. Methods: 1130 participants (505 males and 625 females) under the age of 18 years old were enrolled in the current study. A cross-sectional study design was implemented using an online questionnaire, including an adapted version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), created on the Google Forms platform during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Kosovo. The data concerning PA levels during pandemic were collected under the restriction measures of the government, whereas, concerning PA levels before the pandemic were collected retrospectively. To analyze the data Mann-Whitney non-parametric t-test was used. Results: No significant differences in PA levels pre-COVID-19 between urban e rural living populations were found (p = 0.55). The results showed significant reductions in PA levels in both living environments (urban and rural) as a result of pandemic restrictions (p \ 0.001), with higher PA levels decrease among urban living young individuals. With respect to within gender differences, there were no significant differences between pre-COVID-19 in rural vs urban in both, males (p \ 0.58) and females (p \ 0.25), while significant differences in PA levels during-COVID-19 restrictions were observed, showing a decreased PA levels among rural and urban cohorts in both genders (p \ 0.001). Conclusion: COVID-19 restrictions decreased the PA levels and MET-min/week among Kosovan youth, in rural and urban environments, with a higher decrease among the urban living population, while increasing sedentary behavior. 

The effects of a park-based physical activity intervention on active behavior and wellbeing: the Italyn project ''moving parks'' Purpose: Obesity and physical inactivity are global health problems responsible for the risk increment of non-communicable diseases. Sedentary behavior has been identified as an important risk factor for mortality, representing a challenge for public health. To overcome these problems, interventions aimed at increasing physical activity (PA) are necessary, to change the lifestyle of the subjects and improve physical and psychological well-being. The environment in which PA takes place can influence adherence and it is known that green space can have a positive influence in promoting PA, increasing its total amount. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of the project 'The Moving Parks project', which provides for the administration of PA by qualified instructors to citizens within Bologna's parks. This project was carried out for 3 months during the summer period and involved fourteen sports associations offering different types of activities to the citizens. Methods: Ad hoc questionnaire was created to investigate the participants' habits and their health status and was administered before and after the 3 months of outdoor PA among an adult sample from Bologna. Paired sample Wilcoxon test and the chi-squared test were carried out to value the differences (between the two measurements). Results: A total of 329 (257 women and 72 men) adult subjects ([ 18 years) participated to the survey. Weight status did not show any significant differences between baseline and follow-up. Men generally presented a higher percentage of overweight and obese subjects than women, while women showed also underweight subjects. At follow-up, the importance given by the participants to PA practice has increased. All psychosocial parameters showed an improvement after following the 3 months PA program, with a reduction of the state of tension, sadness and fatigue, and an improvement of the state of energy, serenity, and vitality. Conclusions: The impact of the interventions carried out in the ''Moving Parks project'' was positive and appears to be a good strategy for improving health outcomes. In fact, the results confirmed that the urban green plays an important role in promoting PA. A third of the participants reported to have started the practice of PA thanks to this project, so it is important to involve qualified personnel to conduct activities and encourage an increase in participation, creating trust and continuity for the local citizens.

Purpose: Although various studies have reported that children with higher weight status show a lower level of motor skills, this relationship remains inconclusive. Furthermore, there is no evidence on the influence of age and gender on motor coordination. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between different motor skills and variables such as age, gender, and weight status in a large sample of Sicilian children. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 647 Sicilian schoolchildren (319 girls) were recruited and stratified in three age groups (6-7, 8-10, 11-13 years) and four weight status categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese). The Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK) was used to assess the following motor skills: 1) walking backward (WB) on a balance beam of decreasing widths; 2) two-legged jumping sideways (JS) from side to side over a beam for 15 s; 3) one-legged hopping for height (HH) over a foam obstacle of increasing height; 4) moving sideways (MS) on the floor in 20 s. The score of each motor skill test was standardized for age and gender. One-way ANOVA for each motor skill test was performed separately to detect any differences between age groups, gender classes, and weight status categories. Results: The level of the measured motor skills decreased significantly with increasing age (F = 22.87, p \ 0.001 for WB; F = 3.18, p \ 0.05 for JS; F = 17.90, p \ 0.001 for MS). Boys had significantly better JS and HH levels than girls (F = 114.68, p \ 0.001 and F = 60.82, p \ 0.001, respectively). Overweight and obese children showed significantly lower levels than underweight and normal weight children in all the motor skills (F = 16.09, p.001 for WB; F = 4.94, p \ 0.01 for JS; F = 19.88, p \ 0.001 for HH; F = 8.17, p \ 0.001 for MS). Conclusions: Our outcomes denote a sharp decline in motor coordination that is associated with late childhood, female gender, and overweight/obesity. Therefore, to contrast this phenomenon it would be appropriate that schools and families adopt educational strategies to promote an active and healthy lifestyle during childhood.

Four weeks of supervised online burpees training during COVID-19 quarantine improve quality of life, strength and heart rate variability in healthy young adults Salvatore Ficarra 1 , Ewan Thomas 1 Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic caused the population confinement and increased people sedentary level. In order to maintain physical fitness during the quarantine, we designed a short-term intervention with one body-weight exercise (burpee). Therefore, the aim of this study is to understand the effects of a progressive online burpees training in young adults, during the COVID-19 quarantine. Methods: A 4-weeks intervention was administered to 13 young adults (age 22.5 ± 1.39 years, Weight 71.8 ± 10.1 kg) using a telecommunication software to implement a fully supervised online approach. Training sessions presented 3 phases: 1. Wam-up (joint mobility exercises and 10 push-up, 5 squat and 5 squat jump), 2. Main phase, and 3. Cool-down (10 min static stretching exercises). The main phase of each session was implemented trough burpees, a calisthenics body-weight exercise. One minute rest period was administered between each set. The training was administered daily, 5 days a week. Data regarding quality of life (QoL), body composition, posture, Heart Rate Variability (HRV), cardiovascular health, and strength were collected before and after the intervention period. Results: Participants QoL significantly increased after 4 weeks (p = 0.025). Also participants strength improved during the push-up test (p = 0.017). No clear results were found about Systolic blood pressure in pre to post measures, while a significant reduction was found in Diastolic blood pressure. The HRV assessment showed increased mean RR (p = 0.005) and RMSSD (p = 0.014) and decreased mean HR (p = 0.004) (in the time-domain). For the frequency-domain variables we were not able to determine certain conclusions. Also no evident results were noted regarding body composition, posture, handgrip strength and countermovement squat jump height. Conclusions: Our results suggested that a 4-week daily online burpees intervention improves quality of life, upper body strength and Heart Rate Variability in young adults. This non-time consuming approach could be easily administered, in order to promote a healthy living and counteract physical inactivity, during COVID-19 restrictions, thanks to its feasibility, short duration and low cost.

Experimental approach to evaluate foot warmth in a cold environment while wearing mountaineering boots Purpose: More and more frequently, sports companies are turning to specialized research centers to obtain scientific data characterizing their products, to compare and improve different prototypes. Here, we present a pilot study showing the methodological approach used to evaluate foot warmth when wearing mountaineering boots in a cold environment. Methods: Experimental sample and protocol were organized as follows. Five expert alpinists were recruited for the measurements. When testing different boots, they were asked to use the same types of socks and sport wear, perform at the same time of the day standardizing exercise, meals and sleeping routines. To simulate an icefall approach, alpinists entered in a climatic chamber with -15°C and 30% humidity and performed 60 min hiking on a treadmill at 20% of incline and self-selected speed, anchored to the 25th value of the Borg' CR-100 scale (2,5 ± 0.5 km/h). Their right foot was instrumented with 4 temperature probes (sized 2 9 1 9 1 mm, SHT75, Sensirion, Staefa, Switzerland) at the level of the internal end external foot sides, big toe and little finger. Data were acquired continuously via Bluetooth (1 Hz frequency acquisition) by a Raspberry and sent wirelessly to a PC that stored the data. Perception of foot thermal comfort was assessed every 10 min through the scale ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55. Results: Skin temperatures of specific foot zones and thermal comfort trends increased significantly during 60 min hiking at -15°but showing a plateau. Internal side, big teo, little finger and external side temperature raised on average 8, 9, 6 and 6°C respectively during the walking phase, and decreased of about 4, 6, 3 and 3°C during the sitting. The site with the highest temperature changes was the big toe, while both the fingers started with a lower temperature respect to the rest of the foot. When comparing different boot prototypes, no differences in foot thermal perceived comfort were reported, even though punctual differences were highlighted by the probes. Discussion: The protocol proposed was helpful in detecting foot thermal differences in specific zones when wearing different boot' models. Thermal perception represents the average thermal status of the foot when walking and resting in a cold environment but our data showed that it is important to measure punctual temperature in addition to thermal comfort to characterize different mountain footwear from a thermal point of view.

Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable

Short-term changes in running mechanics and foot strike pattern after introduction to minimalistic footwear

Foot strike patterns and collision forces in habitually barefoot versus shod runners

Physiological requirements in triathlon

The effects of strenght training on Performance in endurance athletes

Concurrent Training for Sports Performance:The 2 sidles of the medal

Exercise training in patients after kidney transplantation

Promotion of Pre-and Post-Transplant Physical Exercise in the Emilia-Romagna Region: The Network of the Program ''Transplantation, Physical Activity, and Sport''. Transplant Proc

Exercise in Patients on Dialysis: A Multicenter, Randomized Clinical Trial

CJ (2020) Physical exercise as therapy to fight against the mental and physical consequences of COVID-19 quarantine: Special focus in older people

Impact of COVID-19-Related Lockdown on Psychosocial, Cognitive, and Functional Well-Being in Adults With Down Syndrome

La coerenza tra metodo di raccolta dati e modalità della loro analisi nella ricerca qualitativa

L'analisi semeiotica del Focus Group. Il caso della comunicazione pubblicitaria

Effects of exercise on nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease

The effects of physical activity in Parkinson's disease: A review

Psychological factors affecting sports performance

Biological underpinnings of mood and the role of physical exercise

Stress and Emotion: A new synthesis

Andreassen and Arendt-Nielsen

Physical activity behaviour and screen time in Dutch children during the COVID-19 pandemic: Pre-, during-and post-school closures

Mechanical and neural function of triceps surae in elite racewalking

Performance analysis in rugby union: a critical systematic review. Sports medicine-open

Home advantage in the six nations rugby union tournament. Perceptual and Motor Skills

Analysis of the effect of alternating home and away field advantage during the Six Nations Rugby Championship

miRWalk: An online resource for prediction of microRNAbinding sites

Lifelong Football Training: Effects on Autophagy and Healthy Longevity Promotion

Regular football training down-regulates miR-1303 muscle expression in Veterans

Measuring movement fluency during the sit-to-walk task

The biomechanics of race walking: literature overview and new insights

Warm-Up and Stretching in the Prevention of Muscular Injury-Krista Woods

Acute Effects of Dynamic Stretching on Muscle Flexibility and Performance: An Analysis of the Current Literature-Jules Opplert

Laboratory medicine: health evaluation in elite athletes

Athlete's Passport: Prevention of Infections, Inflammations, Injuries and Cardiovascular Diseases

Dietary Thiols: A Potential Supporting Strategy against Oxidative Stress in Heart Failure Sport Sci Health

A simple method for determining critical speed as swimming fatigue threshold in competitive swimming

Methods to determine aerobic endurance

Critical velocity and lactate threshold in young swimmers

Low back pain in female elite football and handball players compared with an active control group

Low back pain in the adolescent athlete

Low back pain in athletes is associated with general and sport specific risk factors: a comprehensive review of longitudinal studies

Factors Modulating Post-Activation Potentiation of Jump, Sprint, Throw, and Upper-Body Ballistic Performances: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Training Load and Player Monitoring in High-Level Football: Current Practice and Perceptions

Match-running performance of young soccer players in different game formats

Validity and reliability of GPS for measuring instantaneous velocity during acceleration

FIFA 11 ? : an effective programme to prevent football injuries in various player groups worldwide-a narrative review

Biomechanical Determinants of Injury Risk and Performance during Change of Direction: Implications for Screening and Intervention

The 'DEEP' Landing Error Scoring System

Pediatric exercise science

Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder. 2. Ü berarbeitete und ergänzte Auflage. Weinheim: Beltz Test GmbH

Losing my hand. Body ownership attenuation after virtual lesion of the primary motor cortex

Imitation of gestures in children is goal-directed

The effect of attentional focus cues on object control performance in elementary children

Effects of general and local fatigue on postural control: A review

Movement, posture and equilibrium: Interaction and coordination

Muscle fatigue as an investigative tool in motor control: A review with new insights on internal models and posture-movement coordination

Flynn effect and its reversal are both environmentally caused

Effect of biological maturation on strength-related adaptations in young soccer players

Intelligent Testing with the WISC-III

The role of Outdoor Education in child development in Italyn nursery schools

Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder

Validation of a Motor Competence Assessment Tool for Children and Adolescents (KTK3 ?) With Normative Values for 6-to 19-Year-Olds Front

Physical activity: an Understimated investement in human capital?

BFQ-C. Big Five Questionnaire-Children

Uno sguardo sull'educazione. Gli indicatori OCSE

Psicopedagogia dello sport

Biologia e comportamento

Sviluppo psicomotorio degli atleti. Roma: Società Stampa Sportiva

Lo sviluppo mentale nelle ricerche di Jean Piaget

2020) L'educazione motoria nella scuola primaria. Roma: Carocci Editore

Dalla psicomotricità relazionale all'analisi corporea della relazione

Manuale APCM-2, Abilità Prassiche e della Coordinazione Motoria 2a Edizione

Metodi e strumenti per l'insegnamento e l'apprendimento delle scienze motorie. I quaderni della didattica

Le attività ludico-motorie all'aria aperta come espressione di cultura inclusiva, in Ceciliani, A. (2020) L'educazione motoria nella scuola primaria

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Psicomotricità infantile: implicazioni didattiche secondo una prospettiva prasseologica. Formazione & Insegnamento XVII -3 -2019 Pensa MultiMedia Editore

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews

Exercise, prevenction and therapy 220 ''Zero hour'' daily program: effects on fitness and body composition in AA

Exercise programs for people with dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev

Relationship Between Exercise and Alzheimer's Disease: A Narrative Literature Review

Physical Activity for Oncological Patients in COVID-19 Era: No Time to Relax

Which measures of physical function and motor impairment best predict quality of life in Parkinson's disease?

Reliability of Measurements Obtained With the Timed ''Up & Go'' Test in People With Parkinson Disease

Effects of exercise typologies among breast cancer patients and survivors on cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, fatigue and quality of life: a systematic review

The epidemiological burden of obesity in childhood: A worldwide epidemic requiring urgent action

Health benefits of physical activity: a systematic review of current systematic reviews

Methods to Assess Fat Mass in Infants and Young Children: A Comparative Study Using Skinfold Thickness and Air-Displacement Plethysmography

Effect of changes in moderate or vigorous physical activity on changes in healthrelated quality of life of elderly British women over 7 years

Guidelines for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery A Guideline for Healthcare Professionals From the

Physical fitness training for stroke patients

Exercise as medicine-evidence for prescribing exercise as therapy in 26 different chronic diseases

Body dysmorphic disorder: a review of conceptualizations, assessment, and treatment strategies

Modificazioni posturali indotte dal canottaggio in giovani atleti ben allenati

A Physiological and Kinematic Comparison of two Different Lean Back Positions During Stationary Rowing on a Concept II Machine

The COVID-19 pandemic: a global health crisis

Respiratory muscle endurance after training in athletes and non-athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Respiratory muscle training with normocapnic hyperpnea improves ventilatory pattern and Sport Sci Health References 1. Returning to physical activity after covid-19

ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription

Feasibility and acceptability of telemedicine to substitute outpatient rehabilitation services in the COVID-19 emergency in Italy: an observational everyday clinical-life study

Attività Motoria Adattata: dalla teoria alla pratica. Calzetti & Mariucci Editors

Acute exercise increases BDNF serum levels in patients with Parkinson's disease regardless of depression or fatigue

Ambulatory Neuroproprioceptive Facilitation and Inhibition Physical Therapy Improves Clinical Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis and Modulates Serum Level of Neuroactive Steroids: A Sport Sci Health References

A Personalized Patient-Centered Intervention to Empower through Physical Activity the Patient in the Dialysis Center: Study Protocol for a Pragmatic Nonrandomized Clinical Trial

Exercise in Patients on Dialysis: A Multicenter, Randomized Clinical Trial

Exercise and chronic kidney disease: current recommendations

Effects of fatigue on physical activity and function in patients with Parkinson's disease

Effects of aging and Parkinson's disease on motor unit remodeling: Influence of resistance exercise training

Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable

The effect of exercise on quality of life, fatigue, physical function and safety in advanced solid tumor cancers: a metaanalysis of randomized control trials

Vascular effects of walking, nordic walking and circuit training in breast cancer survivors

Weight lifting for women at risk for breast cancer-related lymphedema

Nordic Walking increases circulating VEGF more than traditional walking training in postmenopause

High prevalence of outpatient falls following elective shoulder arthroplasty

Use of a shoulder abduction brace after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: A study on gait performance and falls

Exercise for people with Parkinson's: a practical approach

Adapted physical activity online for tertiary prevention in chronic non-communicable diseases: preliminary feasibility study

During the lockdown period caused by Sars-Cov-2, the ''Palestra Della Salute'' proposed adapted physical activity (APA) online. The study main aim was to verify the feasibility of postural online training in two subjects suffering from osteoporosis (OP) and ankylosing spondylitis (SA). The second aim was to verify if this kind of training was maintainable and effective

We used questionnaires assessing the general state of health (SF-36), the feeling of disability induced by the pathologies (NDI, RDQ), the level of satisfaction of the physical activity (PACES)

Compliance at assessments and adherence to the training sessions was 100%. No adverse events were registered. Both participants reported a better feeling of general health

SA: SF-36 = 75.14%) and a lower perception of disability due to problems cervical (OP: 12% PRE, 10% POST

Furthermore, from this type of intervention, at the level of joint mobility, flexibility and muscle strength, no worsening was observed, but rather, several observable improvements at the scapulohumeral joint level (OP: ? 1.87 cm and ? 3.70 cm; SA: ? 2.63 cm and ? 1.13 cm) and arms strength

According to the study carried out APA online seems to be feasible, safe and tolerable over time. This kind of methodology Sport Sci Health References 1

Pulse oximeter to detect peripheral oxygen saturation in underwater rebreather ECCR diver: a preliminary study

Comparison of metabolic power, energy cost and EMG in a case report in a different sprinting conditions: flat, uphill, downhill and sand

Methods: Data were acquired in a collegiate athlete (25 years old, mass 69.7 kg, height 170 cm) with GPS-IMU SpinItaly v2 and EMG Myontec M-Body 3 resampled at 100 Hz. All sprints were performed in ecological (field) conditions over 50 m. The slope of the uphill and downhill terrain was the same (4

Regarding muscle distribution, compared to the flat condition, our results are statistically significant in quadriceps between flat and sand (p = 0.00 and d = 1.23) and in the gluteus, between flat and other conditions (respectively p = 0.00 and d = 1.68 in uphill

Conclusions: These preliminary results indicate the importance of studying surface changes during running, as temporal and mechanoenergetic changes can induce significant differences in the expression of metabolic power

A comparison of metabolic power and energy cost by GPS with the ''Colli Method'' of profiling and recalculation by EMG detected

Changes in muscle activity with increasing running speed

Methods: A 26-years old male who suffered a traumatic brain injury with consequent diffuse axonal damage at the age of 24 was included in the study. Subject (height 175 cm, weight 84.5 kg) exhibits a lefthanded lower limb hemiplegia. Pre and post a 4-week training program the following evaluations tests were performed: quadriceps maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), rate of force development (RFD)

-MWT), time up and go test (TUG), and 30 00 sit-to-stand test. Also, lower limbs fat and lean mass were measured by means of DXA. The 4-week program, performed 3 times a week, included MST added to the standard training using a seated leg press with 4 sets of 4 repetitions at * 90% of maximal strength of 1 RM and maximal intended velocity in the concentric phase. MST was performed exclusively with the hemiplegic leg, while quadriceps strength testing procedures were performed on both

4%, while no change was detected in VA. Nontrained leg did not exhibit change in any variable. Energy cost of walking greatly improved at each tested speed (-15.8%, -10%, -14% respectively)

Conclusions: Data from this case study suggests that MST positively affects strength components in the trained leg of a traumatic brain injured young subject, but no crossover-effect has been detected on the non-trained leg. However, most importantly seems that MST performed exclusively with hemiplegic leg leads to great improvement of Cw and functional tasks contributing to improve the quality of life and independence of this individual

Impact of maximal strength training on work efficiency and muscle fiber type in the elderly: Implications for physical function and fall prevention

Is the human body able to travel on mars? A review

Commercial spaceflight: Progress and challenges in expanding human access to space

Musculoskeletal Injuries in Astronauts: Review of Pre-flight, Inflight, Post-flight, and Extravehicular Activity Injuries

Exercise countermeasure hardware evolution on iss: The first decade. Aerospace medicine and human

Monte rosa exploration & physiology 2021: preliminary evidence

Trekking at high altitude represents an excellent ecological model to deepen and understand the physiological acute response, with possible translational insights for those disease characterized by hypoxia. In addition, high altitude expeditions represent intriguing field conditions to evaluate the dynamic interconnectedness of physiological systems and sub-systems. Methods: A multidisciplinary expedition at Monte Rosa (Alps, Italy) has been set

Swiss Mountain Guides: Medical Education, Knowledge, and Practice

Early history of high-altitude physiology

Neuromuscular fatigue in individuals with cerebral palsy and healthy peers: a pilot study

Mauro Nardon 1 , Luca Martini 1 , Federico Ruzzante 1 , Massimo Venturelli 1

Central and peripheral components of NMF were assessed via interpolated twitch technique. Maximal voluntary contractions (MVC), electrically evoked resting twitch (Qtw) and voluntary muscle activation (VA) were calculated. During the fatiguing test, metabolic and cardiovascular parameters were recorded. TD subjects performed an additional session, this time exercising with same workload of their CP-match (TLiso), allowing for additional comparisons. Results: Preliminary Results of four CP-TD matches (8 subjects) are discussed

TD: 311 ± 117 s) was higher in participants with CP. During TLiso session, TD participants did not exhaust within 30 min. Fatigue-induced changes in MVC and Qtw were similar in CP and TD in session TL (MVC: -23 and -19%; Qtw: -21 and -45%, respectively), whereas VA was reduced only in CP group (CP: -8, TD: ? 3%). The same parameters did not change in TD after the TLiso session. Conclusions: Findings support our hypothesis. Individuals with CP are weaker than TD peers and characterized by sub-optimal muscle activation. Reduced metabolic efficiency might be explained by muscle co-contractions and alterations in muscle properties. However

Cerebral palsy

Walking function, pain, and fatigue in adults with cerebral palsy: A 7-year follow-up study

Fatigue in cerebral palsy: A critical review

Testosterone and sport: current perspectives

Gennaro Boccia 1 , Samuel D'emanuele 2 , Paolo Riccardo Brustio 2 , Alberto Rainoldi 3 , Federico Schena 2 , Cantor Tarperi 1

During the first (PRE) and last (POST) 10 contractions, we calculated the rate of force development (RFD) over the first 50, 100, and 150 ms of contractions. We also assessed the contractile and EMG responses to electrically-evoked single and octet stimuli. Neural efficacy was calculated as the ratio between octet-evoked and voluntary force during the first 50 ms of contraction. Results: Voluntary RFD decreased by 12% at 50 ms and by and 6% at 100 ms (all P values .01). The root mean square of RMG signal (normalized to M-wave amplitude) 150 ms (P.05). Neural efficacy also declined by 15% (P \ 0.01). Unexpectedly, some of the metrics related to peripheral function increased

Rate of Force Development as an Indicator of Neuromuscular Fatigue: A Scoping Review

Debora Di Mauro 1 , Francesco Naccari 2 , Nadia Ferlazzo 1 , Monica Curro`1, Daniela Caccamo 1

Stress Biomarkers in Biological Fluids and Their Point-of-Use Detection

and Exercise: Tracking Health, Performance, and Recovery in Athletes

At the end of the exercise bout, recovery was performed either with (PECO) or without (CON) suprasystolic circulatory occlusion of the exercised limb. Central hemodynamics and blood pressure were continuously recorded throughout the trial. Cardiac autonomic responses were assessed by HRV, and blood pressure variability (BPV). Data were analysed using three-way ANOVA

men presented an overall increased total peripheral resistances (TPR)

However, no significant sex differences were found in any of the calculated HRV and BPV indices in response to metaboreflex isolation (p(sex vs.session) [ 0.05) between men and women. Significant differences were found in MAP, HRV, and BPV between sessions (p(sex vs.session) \ 0.05), indicating successful metaboreflex isolation

Neural control of the circulation: How sex and age differences interact in humans

Methods of assessment of the postexercise cardiac autonomic recovery: A methodological review

Influence of Sex, Menstrual Cycle, and Menopause Status on the Exercise Pressor Reflex

Are incremental exercise relationships between rating of perceived exertion and oxygen uptake or heart rate reserve valid during steady-state exercises?

Department of Human Sciences For The Promotion of Quality of Life

Scientific Research & Innovation Department

Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine

In the following 4 days, SSEs were performed by running at 60% and 80% of HRR for 15 and 45 min (random order). Post-SSE maximal HR and VO2 were assessed after SSEs. HR and VO2 of GXTs (last 30 s of each 1-min stage) and SSEs (last 5 min of each SSE) were converted into percentages of the reserves (HRR and VO2R) using preexercise and, respectively, maximal and post-SSE maximal values. Individual linear regressions (ILR) were performed between GXTs' RPE (recorded 15 s before the end of each stage-dependent variable) and %VO2R or %HRR (independent variables). Then, RPEs corresponding to SSE %HRR (RPEhrr) and %VO2R (RPEvo2r) were predicted using GXT's ILRs. For each relation (RPE-%HRR and RPE-%VO2R), a 3-way RM-ANOVA (a = 0.025) was used to assess if RPE was affected by exercise Modality

Results: RPEsse and RPEhrr were not different (no significant effect of Modality or its interactions with SSE Intensity and Duration)

RPEsse did not change (mean difference [MD] = -1.4 ± 1.8, p = 0.054) from SSE of 15 (12.1 ± 2.0) to 45 (13.5 ± 2.1) min, while RPEvo2r decreased significantly (MD = 1.3 ± 1.5, p = 0.022) from SSE of 15 (13.7 ± 3.2) to 45 (12.4 ± 2.8) min. This yielded a dissociation between RPEsse and RPEvo2r, with RPEsse lower at 15-min SSE (MD = -1.6 ± 3.0) and higher at 45-min SSE (MD = 1.1 ± 2.8) compared to RPEvo2r. Conclusions: When SSE intensity is prescribed using %HRR, GXTs' RPE-%VO2R associations may under-or over-estimate SSE intensity (VO2R), whereas GXTs' RPE-%HRR associations seem to be preserved during SSE

Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription

Assessing Maximal Oxygen Uptake: Creating Personalized Incremental Exercise Protocols Simply and Quickly

Alessandro Gentilin 1 , Antonio Cevese 1 , Cantor Tarperi 2

Effect of acute sympathetic nervous system activation on flow-mediated dilation of brachial artery

The paradox of sympathetic vasoconstriction in exercising skeletal muscle

The effects of mental stress and the cold pressure test on flow-mediated vasodilation

Sex differences in the TMS-induced relaxation rates of unfatigued and fatigued knee extensors

Chiara Barbi 1 , Massimo Venturelli 2 , Gaia Giuriato 2 , Fabio Laginestra 2 , Camilla Martignon 2

Purpose: Muscle relaxation rate (mRR) refers to the speed at which muscle fibers relax after a contraction. The assessment of the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-induced mRR is an indicator of muscle relaxation proprieties [1] and reveals changes with fatigue

Sex differences in mRR were studied for the elbow flexors, showing a faster mRR in men than in women [1]. However, it has not been reported for the knee extensors (KE)

Methods: Peak mRR (pmRR) was assessed with TMS during maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) in 10 men and 12 women before (PRE), after (POST) a 2-min sustained MVIC, and 4 more times within 8 min of recovery. pmRR was determined from the decrease in KE force during the TMS-induced silent period and calculated as the negative slope over a 10-ms interval (5 ms either side of the steepest instantaneous slope) and normalized to the total force (voluntary plus evoked) prior to the silent period

001) and MVIC declined for men and women at POST (P \ 0.001). The relative reduction was similar (26 ± 10% vs. 27 ± 7% of PRE values

At 8 min recovery, MVIC similarly recovered for men and women (89 ± 11% vs. 93 ± 11%

At PRE, absolute (-7412 ± 1806 vs. -3956 ± 987 N/s; P \ 0.001) and normalized (-13 ± 1 vs

005) mRR were faster for men than women. At POST, absolute and relative pmRR declined for both sexes (P \ 0.001), but more so for men than women

Conclusions: Men had faster mRRs prior to fatigue and slowed more after the fatiguing task than women. It is hypothesized that these results are due to a different distribution of fiber types in men and women KE, with more fast twitch fibers in men [2]. Indeed, when compared to slow-twitch fibers, fast-twitch fibers present a faster KE mRR [3], as well as higher muscle glycolytic enzyme activities and lower oxidative capacity

Use of transcranial magnetic stimulation to assess relaxation rates in unfatigued and fatigued kneeextensor muscles

Sex-based differences in skeletal muscle kinetics and fiber-type composition

Relaxation rate of constituent musclefibre types in human quadriceps

The ''sensory tolerance limit'': A hypothetical construct determining endurance performance

On the influence of group III/IV muscle afferent feedback on endurance exercise performance

Predicting performance in competitive apnea diving. Part II: Dynamic apnoea

Hematological response and diving response during apnea and apnea with face immersion

An effective heterogeneous whole-heart mathematical model of cardiac induction system with heart rate variability

Low-frequency fluctuations in heart rate, cardiac output and mean arterial pressure in humans: what are the physiological relationships?

There was no significant difference between the E (67%) and NE (70%) for response accuracy (p = 0.63). The free throw duration was shorter in NE than E group (2658 vs. 2990 ms

Regarding gaze behaviour, E made more microsaccades

001) and less saccades (2.42 vs. 2.95 n°/sec; p = 0.009) than NE. Moreover, microsaccade and saccade durations were higher in E, meanwhile saccade and microsaccade peak velocities exhibited higher values in NE group. Finally, the angular distributions of saccade and microsaccade directions have not shown significant differences between groups

The different subtle eye movements found between E versus NE group during an aiming task did not show a direct effect on performance accuracy

Understanding the underlying mechanisms of Quiet Eye: The role of microsaccades, small saccades and pupilsize before final movement initiation in a soccer penalty kick

Perception, Cognition & Decision Training: The Quiet Eye in Action

Blood gases analysis during breath-hold diving activities: the normoxemia at depth paradox

Gerardo Bosco 1 , Matteo Paganini 1 , Tommaso Antonio Giacon 1 , Luca Martani 1 , Danilo Cialoni 1 , Giacomo Garetto 1 , Ennio Talamonti 1 , Jacopo Lion 1

Purpose: Based on theory and experiments conducted in hyperbaric chambers, arterial PO2 and PCO2 in breath-hold (BH) divers progressively increase during descent. While at depth, due to metabolic O2 consumption

Further experiments were then conducted at different depths while evaluating cerebral perfusion. Methods: the radial artery of 6 well-trained BH divers was cannulated, and blood sampled during breath BH dives at -15 m and -42 m (at rest; immediately before the dive; at the bottom; and at the end of the dive, before the resumption of breathing). Arterial PO2 and PCO2 levels were measured using a point-of-care blood gas analyzer. A marinized NIRS apparatus was applied to the forehead to measure heart rate, cerebral volume and cerebral blood oxygen saturation. Results: At -15 m

Hypoxemia was detected at the end of the dive in all the subjects -slightly blunted in the subject hyperoxemic at the bottom. Similarly, only one subject showed high arterial PO2 at -42 m while the others showed less extreme values. All the subjects except one were hypoxemic at the surface. Arterial PCO2 showed slighter variations, with similar trends across the two depths. NIRS confirmed bradycardia and cerebral blood volume reduction during the dives, with significant drops in cerebral oxygen saturation, especially in the -42 m dive. Conclusions: These preliminary Results seem to confirm that a nonnegligible amount of subjects manifest normoxemia at depth, resulting in hypoxemia while resurfacing and important changes in cerebral hemodynamics and blood oxygen saturation

The physiology and pathophysiology of human breath-hold diving

Alveolar gas exchange during simulated breath-hold diving to 20 m

Environmental physiology and diving medicine

Arterial blood gas analysis in breathhold divers at depth

Cardiovascular stress during resistance exercise: effect of age and protocol

Massimo Teso 1 , Luca Ferrari 1 , Gianluca Bochicchio 1 , Tobia Bertuzzo 1 , Amedeo Benedetti 1

Italy 2 A supposedly high acute cardiovascular stress during resistance exercise (e.g. squat) discourages the use of this training modality in ageing adults. Moreover, protocols involving high fractions of 1 repetition maximum (%1RM) are typically avoided to minimize cardiovascular stress. Purpose: To quantify the cardiovascular stress during squat exercise in relation to participant's age and training intensity

moreover, we expressed HR as % of the previously determined maximal value and calculated rate-pressure product (RPP). Data were compared with t-test and two-way ANOVA

1RM was significantly lower in MA

The role of motor action in anticipatory postural adjustments studied with self-induced and externally triggered perturbations

Anticipatory postural adjustments in conditions of postural instability

Early compensatory and anticipatory postural adjustments following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Positive personality-trait-like individual differences in athletes from individualand team sports and in non-athletes

Associations between personality, sports participation and athletic success. A comparison of Big Five in sporting and non-sporting adults

Italyn Version of the Perceived Physical Ability Scale

Una scala per la misurazione delle convinzioni di efficacia personale e collettiva nel calcio

Active breaks study (ABS): reducing physical inactivity

Active Breaks (AB) are emerging as a possible classroom based Physical Activities (PA) strategy to help children in accumulating the required amount of PA. AB are characterised by 10/15 min of PA led by the teachers also during distance learning due to Covid-19 pandemic. The aim of the Active Breaks study (ABS) was to evaluate the feasibility and the efficacy of AB intervention in primary school children in improving the levels of physical activity, the health-related quality of life and classroom behaviour during Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Study design: pre-post study in primary schools (children from 6 to 9 years, from 1st to 5th grade) in Emilia Romagna region, 10 min of AB were performed 3 times per day for 10 weeks. The assessed variables were: self-reported physical activity level (PAQ-c) health related quality of life (Peds-QL) and classroom behaviour (ad Hoc questionnaire). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS

Almost the entire sample (n = 134) reported having fun (84.3%) and enjoying (82.8%) the AB intervention; the 86.6% of student are willing to continue bthis programme. Conclusion: There was a significant positive improvement in selfreported levels of PA confirming the effect of AB in reducing physical inactivity. Our findings suggested that AB, based on children' perception produce positive effect towards student's well-being and time on task. Active Breaks intervention showed to be feasible also during distance learning. References 1

Evaluation of school-based interventions of active breaks in primary schools: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Elvira Padua 1 , Michele Panzarino 1 , Francesca Campoli 1 , Cristian Romagnoli 2 , Anas Alsharam 3 , Vincenzo Manzi 4 , Virginia Tancredi 5 , Mauro Lombardo 6

Methods: 114 subjects (76,3 ± 6 years), 16 men, divided into three groups. An experimental group ExG (51 subjects) that practices regular physical training (PT) with sensory deprivation and a PT group

The Sensorimotor System, Part II: The Role of Proprioception in Motor Control and Functional Joint Stability

Normative values for the unipedal stance test with eyes open and closed

A comprehensive balance and mobility program

Effects of Covid-19 Lockdown on Mental Health and Sleep Disturbances in Italy

COVID-19 Outbreak and Physical Activity in the Italyn Population: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Underlying Psychosocial Mechanisms

Rapid weight loss practices in italyn boxers: exploring factors of influence

The RWLQ provides a validated score that allows a quantitative measure of the aggressiveness of the weightcutting behaviors. Hierarchical clustering analysis was performed on the subjects, and a chi-square test has been used to test differences in weight-cutting strategies used and in participants characteristics between the two clusters. Results: of the 164 athletes, only 20 (12%) reported to have not ever applied acute weight loss strategies before a match. Two clusters have been found to be significant different: Cluster 1 comprised 133 subjects (81%), while 31 subjects (19%) belonged to Cluster 2. The two clusters significantly differ on all the strategies analyzed

Development, validity and reliability of a questionnaire designed to evaluate rapid weight loss patterns in judo players

The Current State of Weight-Cutting in

The International Fitness Scale Sport Sci Health (IFIS): Usefulness of self-reported fitness in youth

Physical self-efficacy is associated to body mass index in schoolchildren

Teachers' perceptions of the effects of a primary school active breaks intervention during COVID-19 pandemic in terms of classroom behaviour: results from the ''active breaks study

Dipartimento Scienze Per La Qualita`Della Vita Unibo

Di Roma 3, Dipartimento Scienze Dell'educazione

Active School Breaks and Students' Attention: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Active Breaks: A Pilot and Feasibility Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Physical Activity Levels in a School Based Intervention in an Italyn Primary School

In this regard, part of the project ''ACTLIFE: Is active lifestyle enough for health and wellbeing?'' (PRIN2017-prot. 2017RS5M44) aims: i) to firstly determine the PAQ-C-it sedentary-active cut-off value; and ii) to consequently evaluate the differences between sedentary and active children in term of physical fitness

2016) was filled by participants. Thus, ROC curves procedure was applied to obtain sedentary-active cut-off point. Data on participants' anthropometric (i.e., body weight, height, waist circumference) and physical fitness (i.e., flexibility: sit and reach; balance: single leg stance; upper and lower strength; handgrip and long jump; sprint: 20-m linear sprint; cardiovascular fitness: shuttle run) indicators were collected. Controlling for gender and age, a multivariate analysis of covariance was used to assess the differences between sedentary and active groups. Results: ROC analysis fixed PAQ-C-it cut-p = 0.002) as well as for flexibility (p = 0.02), lower strength hand (p = 0.004), and sprint (p = 0.024) performances (better performance also for cardiovascular fitness, p = 0.057, and handgrip, dominant hand, p = 0.058, despite only approaching significance). Conclusions: According to the determined PAQ-C-it cut off, the present study reported a higher occurrence of active children with respect to the same-age European

Psychometric Properties of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children in Italy

Objectively measured physical activity in European children: The IDEFICS study

Okkio alla salute

Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour: Web Annex Evidence Profiles

The Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown Measures on Physical Activity Levels and Sedentary Behaviour in a Relatively Young Population Living in Kosovo

Impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak on movement and play behaviours of Canadian chil

Physical Activity for Health-An Overview and an Update of the Physical Activity Guidelines of the Italyn Ministry of Health

Changes in sedentary behaviour in European Union adults between

Effects of park-based interventions on health-related outcomes: a systematic review

Green space and physical activity: An observational study using Health Survey for England data

Correlates of Gross Motor Competence in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Gross motor coordination in relation to weight status and age in 5-to 12-year-old boys and girls: a crosssectional study

COVID-19 and remote training: evaluation of three different strategies

Resistance Training Safety during and after the SARS-Cov-2 Outbreak: Practical Recommendations

The impact of physical activity on psychological health during Covid-19 pandemic in Italy

Physical Activity Levels and Related Energy Expenditure during COVID-19 Quarantine among the Sicilian Active Population: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey Study

Seven quickly administered tests of physical capacity and their use in detecting physical incapacity for motor activity in men and boys: Teachers College, Columbia University; 1940. 296 Influence of grip strength and age on manual dexterity in adult woman

Simone Cuomo 1 , Anna Mulasso 1 , Gennaro Boccia 2

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship among age, hand-grip strength, and manual dexterity in a sample of women, considering the dominance as a factor. Methods: A total of 291 women (47 ± 10 years) participated in the project Wellness@Work for UniTO and were included in the analyses. One hand-grip strength (Mathiowetz et al., 1984) was measured from both hands

Results: Hand-grip strength with dominant limb (b = 0.421; p \ 0.001) influenced the number of taps performed at the FTT more than age (b = -0.108; p = 0.044). The model explained 19.2% of the variance. Similar results were obtained for non-dominant, with a variance of 18.4%. Differently, only age (dominant: b = 0.152; p = 0.012; non-dominant: b = 0.189; p = 0.002), and not hand-grip strength, explained tap variability at the FTT. Results were similar for dominant and non-dominant limbs, with an explained variance of 1.5% and 3.4%, respectively. Conclusion: Hand-grip strength has a major role in explaining the number of tap, while age is the most important feature explaining the variability among touches during FTT. Dominant and non-dominant were influenced by the same variables. References 1

Reliability and validity of grip and pinch strength evaluations

The Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery: Theory and Clinical Interpretation

Elvira Padua 1 , Michele Panzarino 1 , Francesca Campoli 1 , Cristian Romagnoli 2 , Anas Alsharam 3 , Vincenzo Manzi 4 , Virginia Tancredi 5 , Mauro Lombardo 6

Proposal for a physical fitness evaluation test battery of an Italyn elderly population

Motivation, physical activity and active commuting in park: an observational study in arcoveggio park

Alessia Grigoletto 1 , Pasqualino Maietta Latessa 2

References 1. World Urbanization Prospects-Population Division-United Nations

Assessing the Contribution of Parks to Physical Activity Using GPS and Accelerometry

How Active Are People in Metropolitan Parks? An Observational Study of Park Visitation in Aus

Cristian Romagnoli 1 , Giorgio Gatta 1 , Vincenzo Bonaiuto 2

Italyn Canoe/kayak Federation (fick), Italyn Canoe/kayak Federation (fick)

A Multiprotocol Wireless Sensor Network for High Performance Sport Applications. Applied System Innovation

A Pilot Study on the e-Kayak System: A Wireless DAQ Suited for Performance Analysis in Flatwater Sprint Kayaks

Trends supporting the in-field use of wearable inertial sensors for sport performance evaluation: A systematic review

Overall thermal sensation, acceptability and comfort

Goal kick in the serie a 2019/2020 championship: report based on the score situation and finalization

Dante Pertosa 1

the rulebook of football has undergone an important modification of the 16 rule regarding the goal kick: the ball is in play from the first touch which can also take place inside the penalty area. The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate which type of goal kick, standardized in short (GKs), short-long (GKs-l) and long (GKl), has been most used in the Serie A 2019-2020 football championship in relation to the score situation (advantage, disadvantage, draw). Secondly, the percentage of finalization was assessed in relation to the three types of goal kick. Methods: Through the video analysis

GKs [ GKs-l, p \ 0.0001) and draw (GKs [ GKs-l, p \ 0.0001; GKs-l \ GKl, p = 0.0001). Regarding the finalization, significant differences were found between GKs

Since the change to rule 16 was made, this can be considered the first study that research the relationship between different types of goal kicks with the score situation and finalization in the 2019/2020 Serie A championship. References 1. Rodrigo Aquino, Guilherme H Munhoz Martins, Luiz H Palucci Vieira, Rafael P Menezes; Influence of Match location, Quality of Opponents, and Match Status on Movements Patterns in Brazilian Professional Football Players

Acknowledgements. Fondo di Ateneo per la ricerca 2020. Moreover, Authors gratefully thank the football clubs Cagliari Calcio, Sigma Cagliari, ASD Futura Calcio Sales, Scuola Calcio FSD Santos and ASD Atletico Cagliari for their support in participating in this study. Purpose: There is a lack of data regarding the stress and motivation response in adolescent athletes during competitions. The athletic performance can be highly influenced by stress rather than appropriate training, at this age. The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the level of stress markers in adolescent rowers in different competition settings that might alter their stress status and performance. Methods: Adolescent rowing athletes (12-18 years) have been tested for determining saliva content of stress biomarkers, cortisol (C) and testosterone (T), before and after competitions that have been performed indoor and outdoor. Specifically samples have been taken in the morning, before and after the race in 2 different settings: 1) an indoor rowing competition with an ergometer, 2) an outdoor rowing competition on boats.Results: A general reduction in cortisol levels has been observed in athletes right before the race both during indoor and outdoor performances, while testosterone levels increased at the same time point only before the boat competition and kept rising at the end of the race, especially in those who reported a winning score. Significant differences have been found comparing the pre-race with early morning data, and between indoor and outdoor data. Conclusion: Despite the age differences among athletes might have an influence on their hormone levels, these data suggest that rowing athletes subjected to different kind of competitions show a different stress and motivation response profile that might influence their performance.References Acknowledgements: The authors thank the director of the Sport Sciences degree courses for providing us with the subjects of the control group and Domiziana Minissale (Department of Pharmacy, University of Messina) for providing us the contacts of rowing societies.

Purpose: The EU Guidelines on ''Recommended Policy Actions in the Support of Health-Friendly Physical Activity'' (2008) invite to give special attention to physical health and mental issues due to the decreased physical activity in children and adolescents and the related dissemination of sedentary lifestyles and obesity. School time is the ideal place to reach this target. Aims: This project aims at: a) to change the ''structural'' organization in the school timetable inserting breaks during the typical frontal lessons; b) to educate teachers on the benefits of this ''methodological'' novelty, c) to improve behavioral climate and psychophysical well-being of the pupils and all the stakeholders that are involved in school life.Methodology: Three ''Active breaks'' were inserted in the daily school lifetime and additional breaks introduced in the afternoon at school or at home during homework. The teachers were oriented to the choice of the best ''Active break'' to be inserted at the beginning, at the end or during their own class lesson. Taking into consideration COVID-19 limitations, the ''Active breaks'' included 3 levels: 1. ''Light'' to be carried out in the classroom, at own desk; 2. ''Moderate'' to be held in the classroom or in the hall; 3. ''Intense'' to take place in the school yard or gym. A website was created to collect comments, experiences and questionnaires from the schools. Results . In 2020/2021 edition 25 Schools, 415 classes and 7221 pupils and families joined the project. 70 teachers participated to the project; about 20 of them actively contributed to the website. The involvement of the school councils, class teachers and families was respectively 88%, 92%, 86%. About 60% of the participants did the activity 1 to 3 times a week; 15% reported a daily activity. Pupil satisfaction reached the level 'high' or 'very high' for 86% of the responders. Questionnaire reported criticisms in the level of motor coordination and time of attention of the children while education support obtained a great appreciation. Conclusion: This study indicates that enlarging time of physical practice in school lifetime can be feasible even during a challenging period as COVID-19. Educational intervention for the teachers and regular supervision by experts in physical education appear to be key tools to support this kind of projects. A deep renovation of teaching/ learning process, as it has traditionally thought to implement the teaching calendar, is required to apply th.

Development of cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal skills through the paddle Purpose: Firefighters work activities require heavy physical effort1. The present pilot study aims to evaluate the importance of ''Zero hour'' daily program to improve firefighters fitness. Methods: 53 male cadets from the 89th AA.VV.F. course were evaluated from August 2020 to February 2021. All the cadets must underwent to 7-month-daily ''Zero hour'' training program (45-60 min, 5day/weeks); they have no food restrictions or nutritional advices. ''Zero hour'' (adapted from Gunnarsson et al. 2012), program is a circuit training like HIIT comprising warm-up, stretching and breathing exercises; the program was supervised by an expert trainer and was performed in the gymnasium of the Fire Brigade early in the morning before the training activities. Anthropometry (Weight, Height, BMI), cardiorespiratory (1-Mile Jogging Test), musculoskeletal fitness (Push-Up and Jump Test) and flexibility (YMCA S&R and Back Scratch Test) were evaluated at T0 (September), T1 (January) and T2 (March) in all cadets. Results: After 3 and 6 months of ''zero hour'' program an improvement in 1-Mile Jogging Test (T2 vs T1 and T2 vs T0; p \ 0.0001); in Jump Test (T1 vs T0: p \ 0.0001; T2 vs T0: p \ 0.0001); in Push-up Test at (T2 vs T0: p \ 0.001; T1 vs T0: p \ 0.05) and in S&R Test at T2 (T2 vs T0: p \ 0.0001) were observed; no differences in anthropometry were observed (p [ 0.05). Conclusions: Six months of ''Zero hour'' supervised, structured exercise training improves aerobic and muscular fitness, and flexibility in cadets firefighter, reducing risk of musculoskeletal injuries and cardiac acute events.Purpose: The use of cell culture models in exercise oncology has recently received growing interest [1] . Particularly, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models are useful to translational research, mimicking the biological processes related to cancer recurrence and dormancy. We propose a double 3D cell culture approach to evaluate the effects of exercise-conditioned human serum (HS) in both single cell-derived microtumor formation and cancer cell spheroids. Methods: Exercise-conditioned sera were obtained from 12 healthy women before (t0) and immediately after (t1), after 4 h (t2), and 24 h (t3) of a high-intensity endurance cycling (HIEC) session. HIEC consisted of four 5-min stages at 50%, 55%, 60%, and 70% of individual maximal power (Pmax), which were followed by ten 90-s sprints at 90% Pmax separated by 180-s at 55% Pmax. Breast cancer (BC) cells were cultured in semisolid medium (soft agar) and U-shaped low attachment microplates to form microtumors and spheroids, respectively. Results: All of the HIEC-conditioned sera (t1, t2, and t3) markedly impacted the proliferative and the microtumor-forming capacity of BC cells in semisolid medium, while the HS collected from the subjects at rest (t0) did not [2] . The microtumors-forming capacity of HIEC-conditioned HS was less than 30% compared to that induced by HS taken at rest. In addition, the BC spheroids were affected by post-HIEC human sera, showing a decrease in cell viability and spheroidization compared to spheroids cultured with HS taken at rest. Conclusions: These results demonstrated the potential of HIEC bouts in tumor progression control and tumor morphological changes, highlighting the importance of 3D models in advancing knowledge about the mechanisms through which exercise acts on cancer dormancy and recurrence. Moreover, the precise evaluation of the effects induced by exercise at different intensities could identify physiological predictors of cancer progression inhibition, ultimately improving our understanding of the relationship between physical exercise and cancer progression control, allowing us to optimize recommendations and exercise protocols for cancer recurrences prevention. References Purpose: Pharmacological therapies of breast cancer can negatively affect quality of life of breast cancer survivors (BCS). Increasing literature focus the attention on the importance of physical exercise to improve the recovery of BCS, especially for the cardiovascular system, and both aerobic and strength trainings are suggested to optimize the intervention. As it is not common to completely comply international guidelines, the aim of the study was to investigate the effects of Walking (W), Nordic Walking (NW) and Circuit Training (CT) programs on cardiovascular variables (i.e. mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), augmentation index (ABI), pulse wave velocity (AI), intima media thickness (IMT)) of BCS. Methods: Sixty BCS (52.35 h7.59), after a battery of psychophysical and behavioural tests, and after having obtained medical eligibility, were randomly assigned to one of the 3 training groups. After the training period, the tests were repeated. Here, we focus the attention on MABP, measured through electronic spygmomanometer (Omron M6 Comfort, Kyoto, Japan) and on ABI, AI, and IMT, measured through Vascular Explorer (enverdis GmbH, Dusseldorf, Germany). Participants were trained for 12 weeks, 3 times per week. Each lesson lasted 75 min. W and NW group had the following scheme of training, from 1st to 4th week at RPE 10-11, from 5 to 8th week at RPE 12-13, and from 9 to 12th week at RPE 13-14. CT group was trained according to Schmitz et al. (2010) findings. Results: At the end of the study, independently from age, body recomposition and pharmacological treatment, MABP, AI and PWV have been shown modified according to the discipline. W determined the worse reduction of MABP, while it not elicited a significant modification of both AI and PWV. NW determined the best improvement of MABP, AI and PWV. IMT reduction has been shown inversely correlated with the volume of physical exercise. Conclusions: In BCS, physical exercise can improve vascular compliance, reducing arterial stiffness. According to our Results, NW elicits the best improvement of MABP, AI and PWV. Even if this is not the only explanation, this is due to the contemporaneous aerobic use of big muscle masses, eliciting a major production of DHEA-s, adiponectin, VEGF, and nitric oxyde, as showed in our published (Izzicupo et al. 2017 ) and unpublished researches. On the contrary, after 3 months of training, the IMT reduction seems linked to the volume of training, instead of to the discipline. ReferencesPurpose: The first fly in space has been in 1961, in 1969 the Apollo 11 mission landed on the Moon, from 1998 humans can live in the space in the International Space Station but now the new goal is to travel to Mars. The Mars mission will be of at least 1 year and half a and the human physical reaction is unknown. Therefore, the question of this review is to understand if humans are ready to fly to Mars from a physical point of view. Methods: A review of literature was performed. The results were discussed narratively. Only English written manuscripts were included despite the Country of origin. Physical training was the main inclusion criteria. Results: A total of 31 studies concerning long-duration space travels were analyzed. A total of 467 space travelers of both genders were recruited in the study and they were from different Countries. Muscle mass aerobic performance, flexibility and body mass were trained with different methodologies, but from all the space travels, people returned with compromised physical fitness functions.

The main finding is that, up to now, the technologies and the training of space travelers are still not enough to prevent muscle and bone loss, and a decrease in aerobic capacities and muscle flexibility. Consequently, up to now, humans body is still not ready to fly to Mars and come back to the Earth. Are muscle and tendon ''Sensitive'' to the direction of a mechanical stimulus? Adaptations to moderateload concentric vs. eccentric training in young and older men Purpose: Multiple mental alterations were described in Chinese population during COVID-19 pandemic, among these, sleep deprivation as a consequence of social isolation (Sci L. et al., 2020; Gualano M.R. et al., 2020). In Italy, COVID pandemic spread out at the beginning of 2020 and determined severe lockdown periods until May 2021.The aim of our study was to observe the effects of lockdown on sleep and mood in 25 sedentary and 36 trained subjects who continued to train even during the lockdown period for at least 5 weekly hours).Methods: All the 61 subjects of the study were aged from 19 to 35 years. In April 2021, we administered an online semi structured questionnaire consisting of psychometric and anthropometric sections, physical activity levels and lifestyle habits questionnaire. Three categories have been defined: sedentary, non-competitive athletes, elite athletes. All items in the questionnaires were evaluated in percentages and the chi-square test / Fisher's exact test was performed, as appropriate.Results: Preliminary analysis shows that in the three groups we found the same prevalence of difficulty falling asleep (over 30%), tendency of nocturnal awakenings (over 30%) and anxiety (over 38%). 72,73% of the elite athletes declared snoring during sleep vs 42,86% of noncompetitive athletes and 37,50% of sedentary subjects (p = 0,043). No other statistical significative differences were found for trained and sedentary subjects except for perception of being constant in daily activity, which is significantly more reported by trained subjects (p \ 0,005). Conclusions: Our data show a similar scenario of anxiety and sleep disturbances for the two groups of trained and sedentary subjects, suggesting that lockdown by COVID-19 pandemic has partially reverted the known beneficial effects of physical activity on mental health. Further analysis, using appropriate scores, are necessary to better define the phenomenon and the associated risk factors.Purpose: Obesity has been associated with several alterations that could limit physical activity (PA) practice. In pediatrics, some studies have highlighted the importance of enjoyment as a motivation to begin and maintain adherence in PA. Since self-reported physical (SRPF) fitness was related to motivation, the aim of this study was to investigate the existence of differences between SRPF in children with obesity (OB) compared to normal weight (NW). Methods: The International Fitness Enjoyment Scale (IFIS) questionnaire was administered to 200 OB and 200 NW children. In all the subjects, height, weight, and BMI and in OB children adiposity indexes including waist circumference, body shape index, triponderal mass index and fat mass were measured. Results: The NW group showed higher IFIS item scores than the OB group (p \ 0.01), except in muscular strength. In OB, the anthropometric outcomes were inversely correlated to SRPF outcomes except for muscular strength. OB children reported a lower perception of fitness that could limit participation in PA/exercise programs. Conclusions: OB children reported a lower perception of fitness that could limit participation in PA/exercise programs. The evaluation of anthropometric patterns may be useful to prescribe a tailored exercise program considering individual better self-perception outcomes to obtain an optimal PA adherence. References Purpose: Active breaks (AB) are short bouts of physical activity led by teachers inside the classroom. Many studies, focused on AB interventions, showed a general positive effect that requires further analysis on the specific behavioural domains most sensitive to AB. The aim of our study was to evaluate the teachers' perception toward children classroom behaviour after performing AB. Methods: We conducted a pre-post multicentre study, from January to June 2021, in 1118 primary school children performing AB for ten weeks. An online questionnaire (five-points Likert scale) was administered to a female sample of 45 teachers (mean age 50.7 ± 7.9) from different cities (centre-northern Italy), to assess possible differences in perceptions about students' behaviours before and after the AB intervention. Specifically, the 15 items proposed were related to the following domains: student's classroom wellbeing, student time on task and teaching's benefits. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS.22. Results: The pre-post differences (D) were calculated using paired T-test and ANOVA was performed to analyse group differences. Results show a significant improvement in students' classroom wellbeing (? 0.95 ± 3.16; p = 0.048) and children's time on task (? 1.39 ± 3.12; p = 0.005). We reported a trend of improvement in the total score even if not-statistically significant (? 1.30 ± 9.58). No differences were found for children' or teachers' age and social context (city and suburban). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that AB according to teachers' perception produce positive effects on student well-being and time on task behaviour. This intervention appears to be feasible and manageable for all age groups and school-based settings. The AB perceived effects seem to be independent from both children and teachers age, and from the social context. Results support the idea that AB can be applied in all schools and by all teachers without any particular issues or negative effects. References Purpose: COVID-19 quarantine caused a reduction to physical activity levels, PA, all over the Italyn population [1] . The high amount of hours spent seated in a wrong posture expose students to musculoskeletal overload [2] . The outbreak restrictions to daily activities and the increase of seated time due to distance learning might determine a higher predisposition to experience pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate physical activity levels changes and their correlation to musculoskeletal pain among Italyn university students after 1 year of pandemic. Methods: An online survey addressed to students from Italyn universities was developed to investigate the effects of a sedentary lifestyle and presence of musculoskeletal pain due to pandemic restriction. A total of 2044 Italyn university students responded to the survey. The survey was divided into four sections: 1 sociodemographic data, 2 and 3 cervical and lumbar pain aspects, 4 adherence to face-mask usage. Results: Physical activity, PA, levels drastically changed. Before the pandemic 50% of participants had PA C 150 min/week, while 19.9% were physically inactive. During the pandemic PA C 150 min/week reduced to 21.4% while physical inactivity increased to 30.6%. Sedentary behavior was present in 38.8% of participants; with regard to musculoskeletal pain, 43.5% and 33.5% reported neck pain and low back pain presence, respectively. A statistically significant correlation between PA levels, Verbal Descriptive Scale, and pain frequency was observed for both neck and low back pain. Conclusion: After 1 year of restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic, physical activity levels considerably reduced. Those who had PA \ 150 min/week or were physically inactive showed a higher incidence of neck and low back pain. Severe daily restrictions due to pandemic, negatively affected Italyn university students.Purpose: The purpose of this work is to evaluate three different training strategies adopted during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic. The assumption of the study is whether three different training strategies can lead to different levels of adherence, differences in the increase in levels of physical activity and therefore in the results of physical performance. Methods: Twenty-one male subjects, aged 18-25, randomly assigned to three different groups. One group received instruction about the physical activity program from the instructor by a live stream (LS) for each workout, one received instruction by a video recording (VR) for each workout, and the last received instruction by a schedule (S) for each workout. Each group's training program lasted five weeks with a weekly frequency of three sessions. Every participant is subjected to evaluation tests for anthropometric parameters, resting heart rate, muscle strength, balance, mobility and flexibility before the start of the program at baseline and at the end of the training program. Statistical analysis were performed by ANOVA test and T test in order to compare the differences between baseline with final results. Results: At the end of the program show that the LS group reveal greater adherence to the physical activity program (LS = 93.3%; VR = 86%; S = 74%) and show how all three strategies were effective in increase physical activity levels (LS = ? 91.39%; VR = ? 89.43%; S = ? 68.74%) and performance parameters, with a preference for the live stream one, which revealed greater improvements in the measured values such as the waist hip ratio with the most decrease (LS = -1,59%; VR = -1,00%; S = -0,53%), the effort tolerance with an higher reduction (LS = -21.72%; VR = -16.76%; S = ? 6.12%; p.05), the maximal push up with the bigger increase (LS = ? 37.65%; VR = ? 29,78%; S = ? 22.17%; p \ 0.05), the one leg test with the greater increase (LS = ? 200,97%; VR = ? 80.71%; S = ? 135,10% p \ 0.05) and the Laseguè test with the larger increase (LS = ? 12.45%; VR = ? 8.05%; S = ? 6.31%; p \ 0.05). Conclusions: The use of technology that allowed the supervision of the instructor during training together with the possibility of training in company, showed the greatest increases in the measured parameters, indicating how one strategy was the most incisive, the live stream one. The schedule strategy seems to be the least incisive, while the video recording showed the intermediate improvements compared the other two.Purpose: Sarcopenia is a multifactorial syndrome that involves a reduction in strength, changes in muscle architecture and reduced functionality. Eccentric exercise is a model that can be employed with older adults, due to the muscle's ability to combine high muscle force production with a low energy cost. However eccentric protocols normally require greater time to fully recover from the exercise-induced muscle damage. The aim of the study is to compare the recovery process after eccentric exercise between young and older adults. Methods: Eight young (22.33 ± 2.12 years) and eight older adults (64.00 ± 5.23 years) were asked to perform the only eccentric phase of seven set of ten repetition in leg extension. The load employed was the 110% of the one repetition maximum; sets were separated by 3 min of rest. Participants were asked to consume Whey Protein supplementation for 10 days before eccentric exercise and during the 5 days of follow-up. Main inflammatory markers, phase angle for lower limb via BIA (Body Impendence Assessment), Delay-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), Range of Motion (ROM) of the knee extension/flexion, handgrip and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) were evaluated at baseline and following 0, 48, 72 and 120 h from exercise. Results: A significant effect of age (p.05) was observed for ROM, MVC, cholesterol and phase angle measured via BIA. In particular, MVC decreased after 48 h in young (p \ 0.05) and after 72 h from exercise in older adults (p \ 0.05). Markers of cellular repair as total cholesterol and LDL significantly decreased after exercise only in the young volunteers. Also the phase angle, which indicate the ability of a cell to recover, significantly increased at 48 h and 120 h only in the young group. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that muscle recovery after eccentric exercise is impaired in older adults compared to younger pairs. Moreover, protein ingestion doesn't seem to reduce this gap.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effects on motor skills performance in elderly individuals during lockdown period for Covid 19 pandemic conditions. Methods: 83 healthy subjects (15 men and 68 women), free from injury and without any physical problem that could affect the test results were enrolled for this study. The sample was divided into two groups: the old group OG (54 subjects, 73,3 ± 6,6 years) who practiced regularly physical activity (PA) for more than 5 years and the new group NG (29 subjects, 70,4 ± 7,1 years) who practiced for less than 5 years' regular PA. The baseline and the post pandemic battery tests were performed in November 2019 and in May 2021. The battery tests performance consisted on back muscle flexibility, balance, abdominal, legs and handgrip strength assessment. Descriptive statistical procedures are presented as mean and the percentage changes (D%) for each group. A multivariate between-within groups ANOVA was conducted to assess any significant difference in mean variables used. Tukey's post hoc test of critical difference was used to locate significance between means. The significance level was fixed at p \ 0.05. Conclusions: In light of the results observed on both groups, it is possible conclude that the sedentary life associated to the pandemic condition, caused a decline of all recorded physical capacities without any significant difference between the starting physical practice conditions. The percentage differences over time observed in each test on both groups could be related to the starting elderly biological differences participant to this study. These results underline that an imposed long lockdown period could accelerate the decrease of the neuromuscular efficiency in the elderly population with serious consequences for their quality of life. References Purpose: The World Health Organization guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour support that many of the benefits of physical activity (PA) are seen within average weekly volumes of 150-300 min of moderate intensity or 75-100 min of vigorous intensity or an equivalent combination of the two. It is estimated that 3.3 million people die annually worldwide as a result of physical inactivity. Promoting PA is a well-established priority. It was reported that the presence of green spaces helps people to achieve the right quantitative of PA. Even if there is an increasing literature about the practice, the motivation and the intervention related to the increase outdoor PA, few studies have been carried out in Italy. The present study had two aims: (1) to understand the motivations that drive people to reach the park and (2) to value if the practice of PA and the active commuting are enough to meet the minimum levels of PA. Methods: A new questionnaire was created and administered to visitors of the Arcoveggio park in Bologna (9 hectares): it included information about the motivation to use the park, the way they use to reach it and the quality and quantity of the PA carried out in the park. Results: Three hundred and eighty-three subjects taken part in the survey. The main motivations for using the park were related to relaxation (n = 151, 39.42%), to perform physical activity (n = 171, 44.64%) or both (n = 61, 15.92%). Considering only training time, only few people achieved the minimum levels of physical activity (n = 7, 3.02%). But, considering that the largest part of the participants reached the park walking, running or bicycling (n = 331, 86.42%), when the time of active commuting was added to the minutes of training, 50,9% of people achieved the goal of 150 min/week. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the park represents an important element to reach the recommended levels of PA. Even if PA alone was not sufficient for this purpose, adding active transport to reach the park increased the activity levels, making them adequate. All the initiatives to promote activities in the park can represent an important aspect for improving the health of the community.Purpose: On-water measurement systems are required to properly evaluate the effectiveness of the paddling technique by professional kayak athletes. These systems have to be able to measure kinematic (speed, acceleration, roll and pitch of the boat) as well as dynamic parameters (stroke frequency, force acting on paddle and foot brace) by using inertial and force sensors properly synchronized. Methods: We present a wireless multi-node real time data logger customized for flatwater sprint kayaks. The system presents a modular hardware architecture, based on a central unit and wireless sensor nodes, which have been designed to be scaled for use on K1, K2 and K4 boats. It consists of a high frequency (20 Hz) GPS, an Inertial Motion Unit (IMU) with nine DOF and two force channels, respectively placed on the paddle and footrest, for each of the athletes belonging the crew. Data from all the channels are synchronously acquired, processed by a microprocessor unit, wirelessly sent via a Wi-Fi link to client terminals (PC, tablet or smartphone) and also stored in a local memory for future offline analyses. Results : Some results about training sessions of K1 and K2 crews will be presented with the aim of highlighting the features of the system together with its capabilities to obtain specific parameters related to the effectiveness of the paddling technique. Conclusion: Athletes and coach can visualise the training data on a suited web page. It provides real time feedback on some of the main parameters (time, speed, stroke frequency, force symmetry) and, at the end of the training session. Moreover, these can be downloaded to a PC for further deep analysis.