Pain perception and migraine

Background: It is well-known that both inter-and intra-individual differences exist in the perception of pain; this is especially true in migraine, an elusive pain disorder of the head. Although electrophysiology and neuroimaging techniques have greatly contributed to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in migraine during recent decades, the exact characteristics of pain threshold and pain intensity perception remain to be determined, and continue to be a matter of debate.Objective: The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of clinical, electrophysiological, and functional neuroimaging studies investigating changes during various phases of the so-called "migraine cycle" and in different migraine phenotypes, using pain threshold and pain intensity perception assessments.Methods: A systematic search for qualitative studies was conducted using search terms "migraine," "pain," "headache," "temporal summation," "quantitative sensory testing," and "threshold," alone and in combination (subject headings and keywords). The literature search was updated using the additional keywords "pain intensity," and "neuroimaging"to identify full-text papers written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals, using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. In addition, we manually searched the reference lists of all research articles and review articles.Conclusion: Consistent data indicate that pain threshold is lower during the ictal phase than during the interictal phase of migraine or healthy controls in response to pressure, cold and heat stimuli. There is evidence for preictal sub-allodynia, whereas interictal results are conflicting due to either reduced or no observed difference in pain threshold. On the other hand, despite methodological limitations, converging observations support the concept that migraine attacks may be characterized by an increased pain intensity perception, which normalizes between episodes. Nevertheless, future studies are required to longitudinally evaluate a large group of patients before and after pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to investigate phases of the migraine cycle, clinical parameters of disease severity and chronic medication usage

The influence of maturity on recovery and perceived exertion, and its relationship with illnesses and non-contact injuries in young soccer players

A high training load could increase the risk of injury in soccer players. However, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the effect on young athletes, in whom a different maturity status could lead to different physiological responses to training. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association of internal load markers and recovery status with risk of illnesses and non-contact injuries in young soccer players characterised by different maturity status. Twenty-three U14 soccer players were monitored during a full season and categorised according to years from peak height velocity (PHV). Based on the estimated values, athletes were divided into three different groups: Pre-PHV, Circa-PHV and Post-PHV players. The following internal load markers were monitored: rating of perceived exertion (RPE), session rating of perceived exertion (S-RPE), weekly load (WL), cumulative loads for 2, 3, and 4 weeks (WL2, WL3, WL4), acute to chronic workload ratio for 2, 3 and 4 weeks (A:C2, A:C3, A:C4) and week-to-week percentage variation (%WL). Recovery status was quantified using the total quality recovery (TQR) scale. Z-score transformation was adopted for TQR and RPE values and the difference between the parameters was calculated (Z-TQR-RPE). The Kruskal-Wallis test was adopted to evaluate differences in TQR and RPE with respect to maturity offset. A multinomial regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between internal load markers and risk of illness and non-contact injuries. The variables that showed a significant association were included in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The results revealed that RPE was significantly higher (p < 0.01) and TQR significantly lower (p < 0.05) in Post-PHV compared to Pre- and Circa-PHV. Moreover, RPE, A:C4, TQR and Z-TQR-RPE showed a significant (p < 0.01) association with non-contact injuries. The internal load markers included in ROC curve analysis showed poor predictive ability (AUC ≤ 0.6). A rapid increase in training load together with a decrease in recovery status may produce higher susceptibility to illnesses and non-contact injuries. The contrasting physiological responses found in relation to maturity status could explain the different injury predisposition in young soccer players

Survey on coaching philosophies and training methodologies of water polo head coaches from three different European national schools

The ability to change swimming styles and body positions, involving continuous shifting from horizontal to vertical posture and performing jumps, as well as technical skills play a fundamental role in water polo performance. To face with these demands, the coaching staff of elite and sub-elite water polo clubs might adopt a variety of training methods, also based on their specific coaching philosophies. This point has led to an enlargement of the staff, with higher head coaches’ responsibilities, who may interpret their professional activity according to their own coaching philosophy, education, and their respective national water polo schools. In fact, based on their international sports achievements, some countries can be identified as recognised water polo national schools. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to survey 40 head coaches of three important national water polo schools (Italy, Greece, and Serbia) to identify and compare their coaching philosophies and training methodologies. The survey was based on five sections (Technical staff composition, Team roster, Weekly periodization, Testing and monitoring, Tactics and strategies). Furthermore, using a detailed descriptive statistic, the current study gives interesting information on how 40 high-ranking elite and sub-elite teams of different national championships organize their training during a typical week of the competitive season. A further improvement of this research line could include more national schools, expanding the sample to more countries from all over the world

Effect of Number of Players and Maturity on Ball-Drills Training Load in Youth Basketball

This study aimed to assess the basketball ball-drills workload analyzing: (1) the effect of varying the number of players involved on physiological and technical demands; (2) the temporal changes in players’ responses across bouts; and (3) the relationship of players’ workload with their maturation status and training age. Twelve young male basketball players (mean ± SD; age 13.9 ± 0.7 years; height 1.76 ± 0.06 m; body mass 65.7 ± 12.5 kg; HRmax 202 ± 8 beat·min−1) completed three bouts of 4 min interspersed by 2 min of passive recovery of two vs. two and four vs. four ball-drills. The mean percentage of HRmax (%HRmax) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected. Technical actions (TAs) (dribbles, passes, shots, interceptions, steals, rebounds, and turnovers) were calculated through notational analysis. Players’ genitalia development (GD) and pubic hair (PH) growth were assessed using Tanner scale. Results showed a higher %HRmax (p = 0.018), RPE (p = 0.042), dribbles (p = 0.007), shots (p = 0.003), and rebounds (p = 0.006) in two vs. two compared to four vs. four condition. Furthermore, a statistical difference was found for %HRmax (p = 0.005) and number of passes (p = 0.020) between bouts. In addition, no correlation between GD, PH, and training age with %HRmax, RPE, and TAs was found. These findings suggest that variations of the number of players involved affect ball-drills workload and that ball-drills training intensity varies across bouts. Finally, ball-drills elicit an adequate training stimulus, regardless of players’ maturation status and training age

Investigating the game-related statistics and tactical profile in NCAA division I men’s basketball games

The aim of this study was to analyze the game-related statistics and tactical profile in winning and losing teams in NCAA division I men’s basketball games. Twenty NCAA division I men’s basketball close (score difference: 1-9 points) games were analyzed during the 2013/14 season. For each game, the game-related statistics were collected from the official teams’ box scores. Number of ball possessions, offensive and defensive ratings and the Four Factors (effective field goal percentage; offensive rebounding percentage, recovered balls per ball possession, free throw rate) were also calculated. The tactical parameters evaluated were: ball reversal, dribble in key area, post entry, on-ball screen, off-ball screen, and hand off. Differences between winning and losing teams were calculated using a magnitude-based approach. Winning teams showed a likely higher percentage of 3-point goals made, number of defensive rebounds and steals and a very likely higher number of free throws made and free throws attempted. Furthermore, winning teams showed a likely higher team offensive rating and effective field goal percentage and a very likely higher free throw rate compared to losing teams. Finally, the results revealed a likely higher number of ball reversals and post entries in winning teams compared to losing teams. This study highlighted the game-related statistics and the tactical actions differentiating between winning and losing teams in NCAA Division I men’s basketball close games. Coaches should use these results to optimize their training sessions, focusing on those variables that might increase the possibility to win close games

P019. Transcutaneous supraorbital neurostimulation in “de novo” patients with migraine without aura: the first Italian experience

Transcutaneous supraorbital neurostimulation (tSNS) has been recently found superior to sham stimulation for episodic migraine prevention in a randomized trial. We evaluated both the safety and efficacy of a brief period of tSNS in a group of patients with migraine without aura (MwoA)

High ecological method for quantifying training load in youth water polo players

The assessment of internal training load (ITL) using the session rate of perceived exertion (session-RPE) has been demonstrated to provide valuable information, also in team sports (Impellizzeri et al., 2004; Moreira et., 2012; Scott et al., 2013). Nevertheless, no studies investigated the use of this method during youth water polo trainings. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate youth water polo trainings, showing the correspondent level of reliability of the session-RPE method. Thirteen male youth water polo players (age, 15.6 ± 0.5 y; stature, 1.80 ± 0.06 m; body mass, 72.7 ± 7.8 kg) were monitored during 8 training sessions (80 individuals training sessions) within 10-days. The Edward summated heart rate zone method was used as a reference measure of internal training load; the session-RPE rating was obtained using CR-10 scale modified by Foster. The Pearson product-moment was applied to regress the Edwards’ heart rate zone method against CR-10 session-RPE for each training session and individual data. Analyses reported overall high (r=0.88; R2=0.78) and significant (P&lt;0.001) correlations between Edwards’s heart rate and session-RPE methods. Significant correlations were also showed for each training session (r range: 0.69-0.92; R2 range: 0.48-0.85, P&lt;0.05) and individual data (r range: 0.76-0.98; R2 range: 0.58-0.97, P&lt;0.05). The present results confirmed the session-RPE method as an easy and reliable tool to evaluate ITL in youth water polo, allowing coaches to efficiently monitor their training plans

Effects of running technique training on game-related sprint tests in 10-year soccer players.

The present study aimed at comparing the effects of a 12-week soccer training on sprint ability in 16 pre-pubescent (9.5±0.3 yrs) soccer players. Twice a week the participants were administered the same technical and tactical training and friendly matches, whereas twice a week group 1 was trained exclusively on running techniques, and group 2 was administered multilateral workouts. Before (PRE) and after (POST) the experimental period, sprint ability was ascertained (“Chrono Time” photoelectric cell system; Globus; Codognè, Treviso, Italy) by means of four 20-m sprint tests performed twice with the best trial used for statistical analysis: linear sprint (L), linear sprint with ball possession (LB), sprint with change of direction (CoD), sprint with change of direction and with ball possession (CoDB). A Mann-Whitney U was applied to evaluate differences (P≤0.05) between groups and PRE-POST conditions. Whilst group 1 showed improvements in all sprint performances (L=3.5%, LB=5.4%, CoD=5.0%, CoDB=6.2%), group 2 showed progresses only in LB=5.8%, CoD=2.9%, CoDB=1.7%. However, differences between conditions (p=0.046) emerged only in group 1 for CoDB. Between groups, differences emerged for CoDB (p=0.015) in PRE (group 1: 7.46±0.37, group 2: 7.84±0.42; p=0.046) and POST (group 1: 7.00±0.47, group 2: 7.71; p=0.078) conditions. With respect to multilateral workouts, the present findings indicate that training focused on running techniques seems to be more effective for improving pre-pubescent soccer players’ sprint performances, especially for change of direction with ball possession, which is the most game-related sprint activity. However, further studies need to clarify the optimal balance between multilateral and specialized training for youth soccer players [1]

Efecto del género y del resultado final del partido en competiciones profesionales de pádel

The present study aimed at analyzing the technical and tactical aspects of professional padel matches in relation to gender and match outcome. For this purpose, a notational analysis was performed on 22 official matches of the World Padel Tour 2016 by means of 18 technical and tactical indicators. A non-parametric approach was applied to evaluate differences (P ≤ 0.05) between gender and match outcome subgroups. For gender, differences emerged for the occurrence (P<0.001) and duration (P<0.001) of rallies, backhand strokes (P=0.02) and backhand volley (P=0.027), strokes close to net (P=0.001) and from midfield zone (P=0.012), smashes determining ball out (P<0.001), and first service faults (P<0.001). For match outcome, a difference was found only for the occurrence of winning rallies (in general: P<0.001; in female performance: P=0.009; in male performance: P=0.001). Although findings highlight that padel performance can be discriminated only for gender, whereas winning and losing performances resulted similar, probably for the influence of different playing styles, this study could represent a valuable reference for further analyses and more effective padel training plans.El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar aspectos técnicos y tácticos en pádel profesional en relación con el género y el resultado final del partido. Para ello, se realizó un análisis notacional de 22 partidos oficiales del circuito profesional World Padel Tour 2016 registrando 18 indicadores técnicos y tácticos. Se llevó a cabo un análisis no paramétrico de los datos para comparar las diferencias (P ≤ 0.05) entre los subgrupos de género y resultado final. Para el género, se encontraron diferencias en el número (P<0.001) y duración (P<0.001) de los rallies, golpes de revés (P=0.02) y voleas de revés (P=0.027), golpes cerca de la red (P<0.001) y golpes desde la zona intermedia del campo (P=0.012), remates ganadores por bola fuera del campo (P<0.001) y faltas de primer saque (P<0.001). Para el resultado del partido, se encontraron diferencias únicamente en el número de rallies ganadores (en general: P<0.001; en mujeres: P=0.009; en hombres: P=0.001). Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto importantes diferencias en el rendimiento de pádel en cuanto al género, observando resultados similares entre ganadores y perdedores probablemente como consecuencia de diferentes estilos de juego. Este estudio por tanto puede servir como referencia válida para el desarrollo tanto de futuros análisis como de planes de entrenamiento más efectivos en pádel