FROM THE ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP TO THE PARALYMPIC PODIUM: ELABORATION OF A NOVEL APPROACH OF DRY-LAND TRAINING IN ÉLITE SWIMMERS WITH DISABILITY

The present Ph D. thesis describes the longitudinal evolution of the physical, postural and functional parameters of three top-level Paralympic swimmers (classes S9-SB8-SM9, S7-SB6-SM7, S5-SB4-SM5) during two years of training promoting a novel approach of \u201cdry land\u201d training based on quality of movement. It is divided into three sections. PART I: in according to available literature, it is described the importance to shift the focus from a movement expressed in quantity (the parameters evaluated are basically related on the athlete\u2019s fitness level) to a movement quality which means a more economic, efficient, biomechanically correct motion and their related assessments procedures. The foundations of human movement patterns are posture and breathing. PART II: two studies, based on aspects that have been an important part to the Paralympic swimmer\u2019s training method, are exposed. The aim of the first research was to evaluate the difference between traditional core training and the abdominal training corrected by diaphragmatic breathing pattern on abdominal fitness, quality of movement and pulmonary function during 4 weeks of training, in two groups (N=32; 29\ub13 years): the Experimental Group performed abdominal exercises characterized on muscular chain stretching accompanied by a diaphragmatic breathing pattern with vocal sound emission, conversely Traditional Group performed traditional core exercises like crunches or isometric planks. The purpose of the second study is to show a different modality of strength training without external devices which effects are similar to those obtained with Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Training. This method is characterized by the modulation of muscle action velocity using moderate intensities (low loads) and slow speed without pause between repetitions nor between phases. PART III: The aim is to show the longitudinal evolution three \ue8lite Paralympic swimmers during two years of training. Methods: related to their disability each subject underwent a specific dry-land training comprising a diaphragmatic breathing technique, aimed to improve their body alignment, mobility and trunk stabilization, as well as a slow-velocity resistance training aimed to improve their muscle strength. They were tested for functional movement by using FMSTM tests, a morphological analysis to describe their body posture, a MARM evaluation for the breathing patterns and the strength measured by vertical jump test with the infrared device Optojump. All data were collected over two years, from the Paralympic games in London in August 2012 to the IPC European Championship in Eindhoven in August 2014. Results: all swimmers improved both the single and the composite scores of the FMSTM assessment, indicating the achievement of a better postural control. They ameliorate their body alignment reaching a better balance between thoracic and diaphragmatic breathing pattern. The male athlete, also increased his strength parameters showing a +14% from December 2012 to August 2013 and an additional 2.6% from August 2013 to August 2014. All athletes won medals (silver and bronze ones) in the major international competitions, especially the male athlete won two bronze medals in London 2012, ended up five gold medals in Eindhoven 2014. Conclusion: These results show that a two-year specific dry-land training comprising body balance, breathing, and slow-velocity resistance training is capable of enhancing the functional, postural and strength performance of three top-level Paralympic swimmers. We conclude that such a gentle approach of training contributed to improved performance in world-class competitions, thus enabling them to reach consistently the highest step of the podium

Change of direction asymmetry across different age categories in youth soccer

Background In youth, the development of change of direction (COD) and sprint performance is a key component for successfully competing in soccer across age. During a COD, the presence of directional asymmetries may be detrimental due to the unpredictable nature of the sport. Therefore, the aims of the study were to investigate asymmetries in COD ability and to examine the differences in COD and sprint performance across age in young soccer players. Methods Sixty-eight sub-elite soccer players of different age categories (U18, U17, U16, U15) were tested on a 10-m linear sprint test and 90°COD (5-m entry and exit) test in both directions. Asymmetric index (AI) of COD deficit was obtained for dominant (fastest) and non-dominant directions (slowest). Results The results showed that U16 were more asymmetrical than U18, U17, and U15 from large to moderate effects. The sprint time improved linearly across age with U18 and U15 displaying the fastest and slowest 10-m sprint performance (p 0.05). Conclusion Given the results of this study, practitioners are encouraged to assess asymmetries between dominant and non-dominant directions rather than solely players’ COD ability in young soccer players

Multi-Teaching Styles Approach and Active Reflection: Effectiveness in Improving Fitness Level, Motor Competence, Enjoyment, Amount of Physical Activity, and Effects on the Perception of Physical Education Lessons in Primary School Children

Physical education (PE) researchers sustain that the teaching styles adopted by PE teachers play a key role in defining children's positive experiences during lessons and have a relevant impact on their psychophysical health. However, a limited number of studies has examined the effect of teaching styles on these aspects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an integrated approach mainly based on integration of multi-teaching styles and active reflection (MTA) on the fitness level, motor competence, enjoyment, self-perception, amount of physical activity (PA), and children's perception of PE, in Italian primary school children. Participants were 121 children from three elementary schools. Children were randomly assigned into two groups: (a) an intervention group (IG) that received PE lessons based on MTA provided by specifically trained PE students, and (b) a control group (CG) that received standard PE lessons (S-PE) from primary school classroom teachers. Both groups engaged in two PE lessons per week lasting 1 h each for 12 weeks. The findings revealed an increase in the children's fitness level, motor competence, enjoyment and amount of PA in the IG compared to those in the CG. Furthermore, the children of the IG spent more time being engaged on a task, reflecting on it, and wasted less time during PE compared to the children of the CG. Finally, the children of the IG reported higher levels of satisfaction with PE lessons and teaching styles compared to children of the CG. Integration of different teaching styles lead by specifically trained educators can be suggested as a valuable strategy to provide learning experiences of children of primary school to have positive effects on their physical literacy development promoting healthy lifestyle

Characterizing the scent and chemical composition of Panthera leo marking fluid using solid-phase microextraction and multidimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry-olfactometry

Lions (Panthera leo) use chemical signaling to indicate health, reproductive status, and territorial ownership. To date, no study has reported on both scent and composition of marking fluid (MF) from P. leo. The objectives of this study were to: 1) develop a novel method for simultaneous chemical and scent identification of lion MF in its totality (urine + MF), 2) identify characteristic odorants responsible for the overall scent of MF as perceived by human panelists, and 3) compare the existing library of known odorous compounds characterized as eliciting behaviors in animals in order to understand potential functionality in lion behavior. Solid-phase microextraction and simultaneous chemical-sensory analyses with multidimensional gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry improved separating, isolating, and identifying mixed (MF, urine) compounds versus solvent-based extraction and chemical analyses. 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine, 4-methylphenol, and 3-methylcyclopentanone were isolated and identified as the compounds responsible for the characteristic odor of lion MF. Twenty-eight volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from MF were identified, adding a new list of compounds previously unidentified in lion urine. New chemicals were identified in nine compound groups: ketones, aldehydes, amines, alcohols, aromatics, sulfur-containing compounds, phenyls, phenols, and volatile fatty acids. Twenty-three VOCs are known semiochemicals that are implicated in attraction, reproduction, and alarm-signaling behaviors in other species

A qualitative investigation of major urinary proteins in relation to the onset of aggressive behavior and dispersive motivation in male wild house mice (Mus musculus domesticus)

The physiological basis for population differentiation of dispersal timing during individual development in male wild house mice is still unknown. As major urinary proteins (MUPs) are known to convey information about competitive ability in male mice, we examined individual MUP profiles defined by isoelectric-focusing (IEF) patterns in relation to developmental timing of dispersive motivation. As an experimental paradigm marking the development of the dispersal propensity, we used agonistic onset between litter mate brothers when kept in pairs under laboratory conditions. Agonistic onset is known to reflect the initiation of dispersive motivation. Hence, we compared individual MUP IEF patterns between fraternal pairs that did or did not develop agonistic relationships before the age of 2 months. Urine was collected on the day of weaning and at the beginning of adulthood. We investigated whether there was a significant co-occurrence of particular MUP IEF patterns with the agonistic onset in male mice. We assumed that, based on this co-occurrence, particular MUP IEF patterns and/or a particular dynamic of MUP IEF expression from weaning to adulthood may be considered a physiological predictor of a specific behavioral strategy in male mice (i.e. submissive-philopatric or agonistic-dispersive strategy). We found that agonistic males expressed more MUP IEF bands than amicable ones at weaning, but these differences disappeared later on. The presence of two particular IEF bands at weaning was significantly associated with early agonistic onset. Our study suggests that MUPs could have a predictive value for the onset of aggressive behavior and dispersal tendency in male wild house mice