Physical activity programs for balance and fall prevention in elderly: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: Due to demographic changes the world's population is progressively ageing. The physiological decay of the elderly adult may lead to a reduction in the ability to balance and an increased risk of falls becoming an important issue among the elderly. In order to counteract the decay in the ability to balance, physical activity has been proven to be effective. The aim of this study is to systematically review the scientific literature in order to identify physical activity programs able to increase balance in the elderly. METHODS: This review is based on the data from Medline-NLM, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, and SPORTDiscuss and includes randomized control trials that have analyzed balance and physical activity in healthy elderly over 65 years of age during the last decade. A final number of 8 manuscripts were included in the qualitative synthesis, which comprised 200 elderly with a mean age of 75.1 ± 4.4 years. The sample size of the studies varied from 9 to 61 and the intervention periods from 8 to 32 weeks. RESULTS: Eight articles were considered eligible and included in the quantitative synthesis. The articles investigated the effects of resistance and aerobic exercise, balance training, T-bow© and wobble board training, aerobic step and stability ball training, adapted physical activity and Wii Fit training on balance outcomes. Balance measures of the studies showed improvements between 16% and 42% compared to baseline assessments. CONCLUSIONS: Balance is a multifactorial quality that can be effectively increased by different exercise training means. It is fundamental to promote physical activity in the aging adult, being that a negative effect on balance performance has been seen in the no-intervention control groups

Motor Learning in Response to Different Experimental Pain Models Among Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review

Learning new movement patterns is a normal part of daily life, but of critical importance in both sport and rehabilitation. A major question is how different sensory signals are integrated together to give rise to motor adaptation and learning. More specifically, there is growing evidence that pain can give rise to alterations in the learning process. Despite a number of studies investigating the role of pain on the learning process, there is still no systematic review to summarize and critically assess investigations regarding this topic in the literature. Here in this systematic review, we summarize and critically evaluate studies that examined the influence of experimental pain on motor learning. Seventeen studies that exclusively assessed the effect of experimental pain models on motor learning among healthy human individuals were included for this systematic review, carried out based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. The results of the review revealed there is no consensus regarding the effect of pain on the skill learning acquisition and retention. However, several studies demonstrated that participants who experienced pain continued to express a changed motor strategy to perform a motor task even 1 week after training under the pain condition. The results highlight a need for further studies in this area of research, and specifically to investigate whether pain has different effects on motor learning depending on the type of motor task

Sex differences in the determination of prescribed load in ballistic bench press

Introduction: The objectives of the present study were twofold: first, to identify the specific relative load at which the concentric motion transforms into a purely propulsive action among women, and second, to compare the load-velocity relationships between men and women during the bench press throw. Methods: Fourteen men and fourteen women participated in a test where they progressively increased the load until reaching their one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the bench press exercise. Linear regression models were employed to elucidate the relationships between load and velocity, as well as load and the propulsive phase (% of total concentric time). Additionally, ANCOVA was utilized to compare the linear regression models between men and women. Results: The results revealed strong and linear associations between load and mean propulsive velocity (MPV) for both men and women, as well as between load and the propulsive phase. Notably, there were significant differences in MPV and the propulsive phase concerning load between men and women. Women transitioned into a fully propulsive concentric phase at approximately 80% of their 1RM, while men achieved this entirely propulsive phase at around 85% of their 1RM. Furthermore, women exhibited reduced velocities when handling lighter relative loads compared to men. Conversely, women demonstrated higher velocities when dealing with loads exceeding 85% of their 1RM in contrast to their male counterparts. Discussion: These findings hold notable implications for prescribing bench press throw loads for women, which should differ from those recommended for men. Further studies are necessary to validate the efficacy of the proposed load recommendations

Race profiles of rowers during the 2014 Youth Olympic Games

Aim: Strategy plays a relevant role. The purpose of this study was to analyze the race profiles of youth athletes competing at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games over a distance of 1000-m. Methods: According to the competition outcome of sculling and sweep events, 48 male and 48 female youth (17\u201318 years) rowers were divided in medallist (W), not medallist (NW), qualified (Q) and not qualified (NQ) athletes. Time at 0\u2013500 m (T1) and 500\u20131000 m (T2) was considered. The average speed for T1 and T2 were normalized in relation to the average speed of the whole race. ANOVA for repeated measures was applied to performance 1xJ and 2-J during qualifying: 2 (sex: females vs. males) 9 2 (outcome: qualified vs. notqualified), repechages and semi-finals: 2 (sex: females vs. males) x 2 (outcome: FB vs. NFB) 9 2 (boat: 1xJ vs. 2-J) and final: 2 (sex: females vs. males) 9 2 (outcome: M vs NM) 9 2 (boat: 1xJ vs. 2-J). Results: Qualifying 1xJ show a difference (F(1, 44) = 57.76, p.001; ES = 0.75) and emerged only between competition sectors, with higher values for T1 (101.9 \ub1 1.7 %) respect to T2 (98.1 \ub1 1.7 %). Similarly, for repechages and semifinals phase 1xJ and 2-J, a difference (F(1,40) = 31.8, p.001; ES = 0.57) was found between competition sectors, with highest values for T1 (101.6 \ub1 2.3 %) and lowest for T2 (98.4 \ub1 2.3 %). For the final phase of the 1xJ and 2-J competitions, no main effect was found. In repechages and semifinals, rowers adopting a positive strategy (88 %), while during the final phase medallist (67 %) adopting a negative strategy. Conclusions: in this study emerges that athletes who adopted a negative strategy had more chance of winning respect to athletes who adopted a positive strategy. Reference Garland SW (2005) An analysis of the pacing strategy adopted by elite competitors in 2000 m rowing. Br J Sports Med 39:39\u201342

Ten kilodalton heat shock protein (HSP10) is overexpressed during carcinogenesis of large bowel and uterine exocervix

In the present study, we evaluated the presence and the level of expression of HSP10 in two carcinogenetic models: the 'adenoma-carcinoma sequence' of large bowel and the 'dysplasia-carcinoma sequence' of uterine exocervix. We found HSP10 was overexpressed during the carcinogenesis of both organs. In particular, HSP10 was overexpressed early in large bowel carcinogenesis, while the expression of this protein in exocervical carcinogenesis gradually increased from normal through dysplastic to neoplastic tissues. The quantitative analysis of immunohistochemistry and the Western blotting confirmed these results. Our previous observations showed overexpression of HSP60 in the same carcinogenetic models. This report correlates the overexpression of HSP10 with that of HSP60 during carcinogenesis in vivo. These results could stimulate further studies on the pathogenetic role of these proteins during the carcinogenesis as well as their use as diagnostic and prognostic tools in oncology. \ua9 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

UNA PANORAMICA SULL\u2019ANEMIA SIDEROPENICA NEGLI ATLETI/AN OVERVIEW ON IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN ATHLETES

Diversi studi in letteratura riportano come la capacit\ue0 prestativa degli atleti di endurance sia fortemente compromessa in seguito all\u2019insorgenza di anemia sideropenica. Questa, infatti, \ue8 una delle pi\uf9 importanti cause di overtraining negli atleti che pratica attivit\ue0 sportive di lunga durata come: la maratona, la marcia, il ciclismo. Tra le diverse cause di anemia ferropriva ricordiamo: una dieta inadeguata a soddisfare le richieste di ferro dell\u2019organismo, una riduzione dell\u2019assorbimento di ferro a livello intestinale e/o un\u2019eccessiva perdita di questo elemento da parte dell\u2019atleta. Il controllo periodico tramite analisi ematochimiche, metaboliche e funzionali potrebbe essere un valido strumento per individuare precocemente il rischio di insorgenza di anemia negli atleti. Una diagnosi precoce di anemia o del rischio di sviluppare questo pericoloso quadro fisiopatologico potrebbe, infatti, aiutare il tecnico e lo staff medico a rimodulare il carico di lavoro e il regime alimentare dell\u2019atleta a rischio.Several studies showed that athletes\u2019 endurance performance is reduced following the onset of iron deficiency anemia. It, indeed, is one of the main causes of overtraining in athletes who play endurance sports, such as marathon, walking race, cycling. Causes of iron deficiency anemia include: inadequate amounts of iron to meet body demands, decreased absorption of iron from gut and/or excessive loss of iron from athlete\u2019s body. Periodic monitoring evaluation process by ematochemical metabolic and functional analysis could be a valid tool to early identify the risk of anemia in athletes. Early diagnosis of anemia or of the risk of developing this dangerous physiopathological phenomenon could help the technical and medical staff modulate the workload and athlete\u2019s diet at risk of anemia

Peripheral nerve responses to muscle stretching: A systematic review

Stretching is commonly used to increase range of motion and flexibility. Therefore, investigations are usually oriented towards the muscle-tendon unit. Limited evidence exists regarding potential effects of stretching on peripheral nerves which lie within muscles. The objective of this investigation will be to elucidate the responses of peripheral nerves to stretching. A literature search was performed using the following databases: Scopus, NLM Pubmed and ScienceDirect. Studies regarding the effects of stretching protocols on responses of peripheral nerves were retrieved for investigation. The NHLBI tool was used for quality assessment. Outcomes included nerve stiffness, nerve displace-ment, pain pressure thresholds and resistive torque. A total of 10 studies were considered eligible and were included in this inves-tigation. The quality assessment of the studies revealed an overall “fair to good” methodological quality across the included studies. All studies except for one involved healthy participants. High het-erogeneity of stretching protocols was retrieved. As a conse-quence of stretching, nerve stiffness (-15.6%) and pain pressure thresholds (1.9kg) increased. Nerve displacements on each movement plane for all the considered nerves and nerve deformation were also frequently observed. Peripheral nerve responses to muscle stretching include decreased nerve stiffness and increased pain pressure thresholds. Nerve displacement also frequently occurs. It is still unclear if reduced nerve displacement may lead to clinical outcomes. There is a lack of longitudinal studies regarding peripheral nerve adaptations to stretching

Upper body strength endurance evaluation: A comparison between the handgrip strength and three body weight tests

BACKGROUND: The hand-grip strength test has been widely adopted to evaluate upper limb strength. Other field based tests as push-ups and pull-ups are commonly used for the same purpose. It is however unclear if these may be used interchangeably for upper body strength evaluation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate strength endurance of the upper body and understand which test could be the most appropriate for upper body evaluation. METHODS: Thirty-eight healthy young male participants were tested with three tests comprised of: 1) push-ups (PS), 2) pull-ups (PL) and 3) parallel dips (PD) performed to exhaustion. Grip strength (GS), total number of repetitions, time-to-complete the test, repetition cadence and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were also retrieved for investigation. RESULTS: Repetitions, time-to-complete the test and repetition cadence significantly differed across the three tests (p< 0.001). No difference in the RPE was present. No correlation was present between GS and the other tests. No correlation was present between RPE and performance values and time-to-complete the tests. BMI was positively correlated to RPE in all tests. All tests strongly correlate to each other (PS vs. PL r= 0.55; PS vs. PD r= 0.64; PL vs. PD r= 0.70) and to time-to-complete the test (PS r= 0.79; PL r= 0.69; PD r= 0.66). Only the results of the PD correlate to their respective repetition cadence (r= 0.66). CONCLUSIONS: GS is not suitable to evaluate strength endurance. PS, PL and PD are all suitable to evaluate strength endurance. However, PD may be preferred to evaluate the upper body, if velocity also needs to be taken into account

Soccer pactice as an add-on treatment in the management of individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia

Abstract: Physical activity is an important aspect of good health for everyone; it is even more important for psychiatric patients who usually live an unhealthy lifestyle. In recent years, there has been growing focus on the use of soccer as a vehicle to improve the health of subjects with severe mental illness. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of soccer practice on the self-reported health quality of life (SRHQL) and sports performance (SP) in psychotic subjects. Eighteen male patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia were randomized into either a trained (TG) or a control group (CG). The TG was trained for 12 weeks using two soccer training sessions per week. The CG did not perform any regular sports activity during the experimental period. Anthropometric measurements, SRHQL, personal time records in a 30 meter sprint test and slalom test running with a ball were evaluated before and after the experimental period. SRHQL was assessed using Short Form-12 questionnaire measuring physical and mental component summary scores. After the training period, the TG showed a relevant decrease by 4.6% in bodyweight (BW) and body mass index compared to baseline. Conversely, the CG showed an increased BW and body mass index by 1.8% from baseline to posttest. Moreover, after 12 weeks we found that control patients increased their BW significantly when compared to trained patients (Δ = 5.4%; P , 0.05). After the training period, comparing the baseline TG’s Short Form-12-scores to posttest results, we found an improvement of 10.5% and 10.8% in physical component summary and mental component summary, respectively. In addition, performances on the 30 meter sprint test and slalom test running with a ball in the TG improved significantly (P , 0.01) from baseline to posttest when compared to CG. Soccer practice appears able to improve psychophysical health in individuals with diagnosis of schizophrenia. Indeed, our study demonstrated that programmed soccer physical activity could reduce antipsychotic medication-related weight gain and improve SRHQL and sports performance in psychotic subjects. Keywords: schizophrenia, mental illness, psychotic subjects, sport, exercise, socce

RUOLO DELL’ESERCIZIO FISICO NELLA QUALITÀ DI VITA DI SOGGETTI CON SCLEROSI MULTIPLA. ROLE OF EXERCISE IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN SUBJECTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.

La sclerosi multipla è una patologia neurodegenerativa cronica che ha un impatto considerevole sullo stato fisico, psicologico e sociale dei pazienti, influenzando negativamente la loro qualità di vita. Tra i fattori contribuenti ad una ridotta qualità di vita sono inclusi la presenza di dolore, spasmi, sindromi depressive, l’aumento della fatica e la riduzione della forza muscolare, mobilità ed autonomia nella deambulazione. Accanto alla medicina convenzionale, varie forme di medicina complementare ed alternativa, tra cui l’esercizio fisico, sono utilizzate dai soggetti con sclerosi multipla. Tuttavia, poche sono le prove scientifiche a sostegno della loro efficacia nel ridurre i sintomi derivanti dalla patologia e nel migliorare la loro qualità di vita. L’obiettivo del presente studio è stato quello di illustrare i risultati presenti nella letteratura scientifica riguardo l’utilizzo dell’esercizio fisico quale metodo sicuro ed efficace per migliorare la qualità di vita di soggetti con sclerosi multipla. Nel dettaglio, sono stati presi in considerazione studi che hanno valutato gli effetti dell’esercizio in acqua, dell’allenamento aerobico e degli esercizi di forza e di potenziamento muscolare sull’efficienza cardio-respiratoria, deambulazione e riduzione dei sintomi e della fatica in questi soggetti. In questi studi, i pazienti che hanno svolto programmi di esercizio fisico, hanno mostrato miglioramenti della forma fisica ed in particolare della forza muscolare, mobilità, equilibrio, postura e deambulazione. Inoltre, hanno riportato una riduzione significativa del dolore, della stanchezza, della spasticità, degli spasmi e della depressione. In alcuni casi, questi cambiamenti sono stati mantenuti anche dopo l’interruzione dell’attività fisica. Gli effetti della pressione idrostatica, durante l’esercizio in acqua ha portato, in generale, ad ottimi risultati a livello cardiovascolare e respiratorio. Infatti, l’esercizio fisico ha aumentato il fitness cardiovascolare dei soggetti con SM, come dimostrato dagli incrementi del picco di VO2max permettendo loro di svolgere in maniera più energica le attività quotidiane e ricreative, senza affanno. Dagli studi presi in esame è anche emerso che l’esercizio fisico influenza la sfera psicologica ed emotiva di questi pazienti aumentando l’autostima ed il tono dell’umore. Questo lavoro dimostra l’efficacia clinica dell’attività motoria sia dal punto di vista emotivo che della performance motoria proponendo attività gradite e coinvolgenti che soddisfano i pazienti stessi.Multiple sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease that has a significant impact on the physical, psychological and social situation of patients, adversely affecting their quality of life. Among the factors contributing to a reduced quality of life are included the presence of pain, spasms, depressive syndromes, increased fatigue and reduced muscle strength, mobility and autonomy in walking. In addition to conventional medicine, various forms of complementary and alternative medicine, including exercise, are used by people with multiple sclerosis. However, there is little scientific evidence to support their effectiveness in reducing the symptoms caused by the disease and improving their quality of life. The aim of this study was to illustrate the results from the scientific literature regarding the use of physical exercise as a safe and effective method for improving the quality of life in subjects with multiple sclerosis. In detail, we have been taken into account studies that have evaluated the effects of aquatic, aerobic and strength exercises on cardio-respiratory efficiency, gait and reduced symptoms and fatigue in these subjects. In these studies, patients who performed exercise programs showed improvements in physical form and, in particular, in muscle strength, mobility, balance, posture and gait. In addition, they reported a significant reduction in pain, fatigue, spasticity, spasms and depression. In several cases, these changes were maintained after cessation of exercise. The effects of hydrostatic pressure, during the exercise in water has led, in general, to excellent results in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. In fact, exercise has increased the cardiovascular fitness of people with MS, as demonstrated by increases in peak VO2max allowing them to perform daily and recreational activities in a more energetic way. The studies examined also showed that exercise affects the psychological and emotional aspect of these patients by increasing self-esteem and mood. This work demonstrates the clinical efficacy of physical activity both in terms of emotional and motor performance offering appreciated and engaging activities that satisfy the patients themselves