Central and Peripheral Thermal Signatures of Brain-Derived Fatigue during Unilateral Resistance Exercise: A Preliminary Study

Infrared thermography (IRT) allows to evaluate the psychophysiological state associated with emotions from facial temperature modulations. As fatigue is a brain-derived emotion, it is possible to hypothesize that facial temperature could provide information regarding the fatigue related to exercise. The aim of this study was to investigate the capability of IRT to assess the central and peripheral physiological effect of fatigue by measuring facial skin and muscle temperature modulations in response to a unilateral knee extension exercise until exhaustion. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded at the end of the exercise. Both time- ( 06TROI: pre\u2013post exercise temperature variation) and frequency-domain ( 06PSD: pre\u2013post exercise power spectral density variation of specific frequency bands) analyses were performed to extract features from regions of interest (ROIs) positioned on the exercised and nonexercised leg, nose tip, and corrugator. The ANOVA-RM revealed a significant difference between 06TROI (F(1.41,9.81) = 15.14; p = 0.0018), and between 06PSD of myogenic (F(1.34,9.39) = 15.20; p = 0.0021) and neurogenic bands (F(1.75,12.26) = 9.96; p = 0.0034) of different ROIs. Moreover, significant correlations between thermal features and RPE were found. These findings suggest that IRT could assess both peripheral and central responses to physical exercise. Its applicability in monitoring the psychophysiological responses to exercise should be further explored

Misleading echocardiographic diagnosis of anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery

A 1-year-old boy was referred to our hospital for further investigation of mitral regurgitation. Color-Doppler echocardiography revealed the site of the anomalous origin of the left coronary artery which was confirmed by a cineangiographic study. This case is interesting for several reasons: the first is that the anomalous left coronary artery originated from the right pulmonary artery; the second is that two-dimensional echocardiographic findings can be misleading, i.e., a vessel-like structure which seemed to be the left coronary artery arising normally from the aorta was visualized; and the last is that a two-dimensional color-Doppler echocardiogram was useful in the diagnosis of the anomalous origin of the left coronary artery. The patient underwent implantation of the anomalous left coronary artery as well as Kay's plasty of the mitral valve, and has been doing well since then

The UP150: A Multifactorial Environmental Intervention to Promote Employee Physical and Mental Well-Being

Physical activity (PA) is a major health factor and studies suggest workplaces could promote PA by modifying office design, motivational strategies and technology. The present study aims to evaluate the efficiency of UP150, a multifactorial workplace intervention for the improvement and maintenance of the level of physical fitness (PF) and wellbeing. Forty-five employees were randomly divided into the experimental (EG) and control (CG) groups. The PF was assessed pre-post intervention using the cubo fitness test (CFT), the amount of PA was evaluated using the IPAQ questionnaire and accelerometers while the workload was assessed using the NASA-TLX questionnaire and psycho-physical health by using the SF-12 questionnaire. The EG worked in UP150 offices while the CG worked in their usual offices for 8 weeks. The EG and CG came back 4 weeks after the intervention for CFT retention. The EG improved CFT motor efficiency and the amount of moderate PA, while it reduced mental load. The EG retained reached motor efficiency levels 4 weeks after the intervention. No differences were found in IPAQ. The UP150 demonstrated to be a proactive environment and to be efficient in the promotion of PA, improving PF and mental health while decreasing mental load

Lifestyle of Italian University Students Attending Different Degree Courses: A Survey on Physical Activity, Sleep and Eating Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The current study aimed to evaluate the Italian university students’ lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic, considering the degree courses, chronotype, and sex. Five-hundred thirty-three participants (21.46 ± 0.18 yrs, 335 females) filled out: Godin-Shephard Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (GSL-TPAQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), Reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ) to assess physical activity, sleep, nutrition and chronotype. Use of electronic devices, smoking, and drinking habits were also evaluated. Sports science students were more active (60.92 ± 2.96), slept better (4.40 ± 0.15), showed greater Mediterranean diet adherence (5.98 ± 0.31), and smoked less (smokers: 14.5%) than nursing students (GSL-TPAQ: 38.62 ± 2.92, PSQI: 5.29 ± 0.18, KIDMED: 4.23 ± 0.33, smokers: 27.9%). They displayed a higher percentage of beer drinkers (40% vs. 28.7%) and lower use of electronic devices (5.92 ± 0.17 vs. 9.07 ± 1.17). Evening-type students showed worse sleep (5.96 ± 0.30) and lower Mediterranean diet adherence (4.32 ± 0.52) than Neither- (PSQI: 4.58 ± 0.13, KIDMED: 5.13 ± 0.28) and Morning-types (PSQI: 4.33 ± 0.33, KIDMED: 6.71 ± 0.64). Evening-types also showed a higher percentage of smokers (29.9%) and drinkers (beer: 53.3%, wine: 45.8%, alcohol: 40.2%) than Neither- (smokers: 20.3%, beer: 31.4%, wine: 31.4%, alcohol: 23.5%) and Morning-types (smokers: 8.9%, beer: 19.6%, wine: 19.6%, alcohol: 8.9%). Evening-type males used electronic devices longer (9.10 ± 3.05) than females (6.71 ± 0.41). Females showed fewer drinkers (beer: 26.6%, wine: 29.6%) than males (beer: 49.0%, wine: 38.9%). Maintaining a correct lifestyle even in this unusual condition is essential, in particular among the Evening-type students

Cardio-pulmonary evaluation of mentally disabled soccer players

Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardio-pulmonary adaptations during training and during a match of the regular season in a mentally disabled soccer players' team, in order to better organize a training protocol specific to this disability and to provide information for a more accurate clinical decision about the agonistic practice ability carried out in the Sports Medical Centres. Methods. Nine mentally disabled male subjects (group DIS) and seven able-bodied soccer players (group NOR) matched for age, BMI and years of training volunteered the study. Heart rate (FC), oxygen uptake (VO2) and pulmonary ventilation (VE) were monitored either on field, during 1) a session of athletic training; 2) a simulated game-training protocol; 3) a match of the regular season, or in a laboratory setting; 4) during a submaximal ergometric incremental test. A body composition analysis and a standard spirometry were also performed during the laboratory session. Results. Overall, with respect to NOR subjects DIS athletes were overweight and showed an increased fat mass. During simulated training protocol, DIS group reached lower values of FC, VE and VO2 than NOR group. During training and match, FC in the DIS group were similar, and did not seem to be influenced by the surrounding contest. Conversely, during the laboratory incremental ergometric test, DIS group showed higher values of VE and VO2 than NOR group at each submaximal load. Conclusion. Soccer training for mentally disabled players should be mainly centred on aerobic exercises (i.e. 50% VO2max) with a prevalent ludic component. The use of a heart rate monitor during training to control cardiopulmonary effort should be recommended