Underhand ball-throwing test assessing eye-hand coordination in 6-11yr children

Ball-throwing is a basic open skill common to several physical activities and sports. It is strictly related to eye-hand coordination, a neuromuscular ability affecting many expressions of human movement, including daily living activities (Houwen et al., 2008). The accuracy of underhand ball-throwing task was studied in 538 girls and 583 boys aged 6-11yr, with normal or corrected-to-normal vision. Within range of age, the ages of boys and girls did not differ (ANOVA, p>0.05). Using the dominant hand, each participant performed 2 consecutive sequences of 5 repetitions of a standardized underhand ball-throwing test (UBT). It consisted in underhand throwing a tennis ball into the floor area delimited by a 80cm diameter wooden hoop, lying on the floor 9m apart the standing child (Grassi et al., 2006). Within subject, the centered targets of each sequence were scored. Descriptive statistics of UBT were computed within sequence, age, and sex group. The effects of age and sex, and sex × age interaction on UBT scores were compared by ANOVA (statistical significance 5%). UBT scores significantly increased with age (p=0.003). Boys obtained larger UBT scores than those obtained by the girls of the same age (p=0.002). The age-related differences of UBT scores were similar in boys and girls (p>0.05). On average, UBT scores recorded in the second sequence were larger than those of the first sequence. Differences were significant in boys, and increased with age (p<0.01 for all comparisons). The effects of age was similar in boys and girls (p>0.05). UBT could be used in both sport activities and rehabilitation to quantify either the level of motor learning and training or the effects of physiotherapy treatments

Isokinetic strength of foot dorsal and plantar flexor muscles in young male orienteers

Map and compass allow orienteers navigating point to point in unfamiliar and uneven grounds. High levels of fitness and running speed are requested to cover successfully long distances and climbs. Lower limb muscular strength is necessary to sustain challenging descents on rough terrains (Fong et al., 2007). Eight male junior (age, 19±1.6yr) Italian national team orienteers (OR), and 8 cross country track and fields (TF) experienced runners (20±4.5yr), all with right lower limb dominance volunteered. Ages, weights, heights, and BMI of OR and TF did not differ (ANOVA, p>0.05). Each participant performed, and an isokinetic dynamometer measured 5 repetitions of right and left foot dorsal and plantar flexions at the angular speeds of 60-120-180deg/sec respectively. Each value was normalized to the body weight of the respective subject. Descriptive statistics were computed within subject, group, movement, angular speed, and side. For each movement, the effects of group and side on the peak torques at different speeds were compared by ANOVA (statistical significance 5%). On average in both groups, right foot dorsal and plantar flexor muscles were stronger than those of contralateral limb, for all the angular speeds, but no significant differences were found. OR performed peak torques larger than those obtained by TF, in both sides and movements. Differences were significant in foot plantar flexor muscles at 60-120-180deg/sec, and in foot dorsal flexor muscles at 60-120deg/sec (p≤0.04 for all comparisons). The investigation should be extended to a larger group of participants and to other muscular districts. Data could be of interest for athletes, coaches, and physicians to set a correct training planning, to prevent accidental injuries, or to quantify the effects of rehabilitation (Fong et al., 2007)

Immunohistochemical and molecular analysis of bone remodelling pattern in alveolar socket

Following tooth extraction, the alveolar bone remodelling process starts. Bundle bone and buccal wall resorption occur early with horizontal and vertical bone crest reduction [1]. The use of bone substitutes has been proposed to limit bone resorption, thus allowing further dental rehabilitation [2]. Aim of this project was to characterize by a molecular and morphological approach the physiological remodelling of post-extractive alveolar socket and to compare it with the bone remodelling occurring after alveolar bone reconstruction with an alloplastic material. Thirty-six patients needing tooth extraction were enrolled and equally divided into three groups: A) baseline, B) spontaneous healing, C) biomaterial. In each group, 2 biopsies per site were harvested during tooth extraction (group A) or 4-6 months after tooth extraction (groups B and C). In group B, patients recovered spontaneously, while in group C the alveolar socket was filled with a magnesium-enriched hydroxyapatite. One biopsy was processed for immunohistochemistry to localise TNF-α, IL-6, RANK, RANKL and OPG. The second biopsy underwent a Real-Time PCR analysis for the same biomarkers in order to evaluate gene expression. In groups B and C, a third biopsy was retrieved and processed for ground section aiming to assess tissue composition. Differences between the three groups were investigated using Kruskal Wallis test (p<0,05) followed by post-hoc tests. All samples showed a normal structure without inflammatory infiltrate. At immunohistochemical analysis, all biomarkers except for OPG had increased. Significant differences were found between the three groups for TNF-α (p< 0,05), IL-6 (p<0,001), RANK (p< 0,01) and RANKL (p<0,001), between groups A and C for IL-6 (p≤ 0,001), RANK (p≤ 0,01), RANKL (p≤ 0,001) and between B and C for IL-6 (p≤ 0,01). Gene expression did not show statistical differences. Crumbles of biomaterial surrounded by regenerated bone were evident. A higher percentage of mineral component was obtained in group B than in C. The biomarkers selected in the current study were involved in the alveolar remodelling and the biomaterial used for socket preservation did not influence the process

Ultrasound approach as integration of gross anatomy educational path for medical students

For physicians, the human body is the focus of investigation and intervention on a daily basis. It follows that the study of anatomy will continue to be essential to safe medical practice [1]. Anatomical education represents the cultural path that includes the best coexistence of old techniques, and avant-garde. Thus teachers forming future physicians are imposed to find new strategies for the acquisition of adequate professional competences [2]. The gross anatomy course attended by medical students was integrated by ultrasound training. Students were trained either in palpating and recognizing surface body-landmarks, or in the detection of different viscera. Their abilities were then evaluated. For three academic years (since 2009-10 to 2011-12), all the 262 students enrolled in the first year of Medicine and Surgery degree (“San Paolo” Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy) participated. Of them, 16 volunteered in 2009-10, and 17 in each of the next two years, to preliminarily attend ultrasound training that their fellows would attend later. After this preliminary training, volunteers tutored their course fellows as peer tutors. All participants were either models or users. Each training presented three modules: 1) information about ultrasound scanning; 2) musculoskeletal system, major arterial and venous vessels, major nervous trunks, thyroid gland; 3) most thoracic, abdominal and pelvic viscera. Modules 2 and 3 were attended by small groups (6 students, assisted by 2 peer tutors). In module 2, topographical anatomy and subsequent recognition and palpation of surface bodylandmarks were also taught. The study of musculoskeletal system, major vessels and nerve trunks, and thyroid gland was supported by a multi-frequency probe equipped ultrasound machine. Thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic viscera were explored by a new generation pocket-sized ultrasound machine. Acquired skills were verified. The levels of expertise obtained by peer tutors and students were generally satisfactory. Students understood the importance of operative knowledge in human anatomical context. Anatomists found a valid method to consolidate the professionalizing quality of the topic

Spatiotemporal consistency of trajectories in gymnastics : a three-dimensional analysis of flic-flac

Sport performance during the execution of closed skills combines specific body and limb movements into codified patterns where stability and consistency may be more important than variability. Repeated sport movements can be investigated to assess the consistency of body trajectories. More consistent trajectories will result in more repeatable movements. The present study quantified the short-term consistency of body trajectories during the performance of the backward flic-flac, a technique of floor gymnastics. Nine experienced gymnasts (six men, three women), all of national level, performed 10 repetitions of backward flic-flac. An optoelectronic instrument was used for the detection of the three-dimensional movement of 13 body landmarks. The spatiotemporal consistency of repeated landmark trajectories was measured by the standard deviation between standardized trajectories. The results showed smaller standard deviation (larger consistency between landmark trajectories) in female than in male gymnasts. The analysis of the consistency of landmark trajectories could help gymnasts indicating which parts of the body do not repeat a selected movement with sufficient accuracy

Spatiotemporal consistency of trajectories in gymnastics : a three-dimensional analysis of flic-flac

Sport performance during the execution of closed skills combines specific body and limb movements into codified patterns where stability and consistency may be more important than variability. Repeated sport movements can be investigated to assess the consistency of body trajectories. More consistent trajectories will result in more repeatable movements. The present study quantified the short-term consistency of body trajectories during the performance of the backward flic-flac, a technique of floor gymnastics. Nine experienced gymnasts (six men, three women), all of national level, performed 10 repetitions of backward flic-flac. An optoelectronic instrument was used for the detection of the three-dimensional movement of 13 body landmarks. The spatiotemporal consistency of repeated landmark trajectories was measured by the standard deviation between standardized trajectories. The results showed smaller standard deviation (larger consistency between landmark trajectories) in female than in male gymnasts. The analysis of the consistency of landmark trajectories could help gymnasts indicating which parts of the body do not repeat a selected movement with sufficient accuracy