The role of crowd support on home advantage during COVID-19 restrictions on Italian football competitions. Comparison between 2018-19 and 2020-21 seasons of the Italian Serie A and Serie B championships

The home advantage (HA) affects football competitions, especially due to the presence of crowd support. Even though several studies demonstrated that HA (which is influenced by the crowd) decreased in recent years, the empty stadia caused by COVID-19 restrictions offered unique situations to explore and quantify HA. For this reason, we aimed to assess HA in two seasons of the major Italian Championships. We conducted an observational study with the data from the last three seasons of the Italian football championship A-B series, analyzing a total of 2.964 individual game scores. To quantify the HA, the number of points won at home was calculated as a percentage of the total number of points won, home and away. In every season and for every team classification, HA was found (scored points > 50% in home matches). We reported a difference in HA median score for Serie B. Additionally, a difference was found in Serie A for middle-ranking HA median scores in the two seasons compared (p-value = 0.017), which was similarly found in Serie B (p-value = 0.009). The number of penalties was lower in the season with a crowd compared to one without a crowd (p = 0.001). The HA did not disappear in empty stadiums, so there must be other contributing factors. Additionally, we found that the referees were biased by the presence of the crowd in favor of the home teams, and this result could be considered by the football association during referees' training and formation

Coronavirus disease (Covid-19): how does the exercise practice in active people with Type 1 Diabetes change? A preliminary survey

Aims Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) could lead persons with pre-existing medical conditions to severe respiratory infections. The Italian Government introduced quarantine to limit viral transmission. This measure could lead people with type 1 diabetes (PWT1D) to disrupt daily care routine including PA practice with difficulties in glycemia management. This study aims to explore PA level in PWT1D before and during quarantine and to describe variation in glycemia values. Methods An online survey investigating medical factors and the perceived and PA level in pre-established period before and after the introduction of quarantine was developed. Comparison between pre and post quarantine was assessed by Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test for continuous variables. Results A total of 154 subjects satisfied the eligibility criteria (54.5% males, 44.8±12.5 years). We found a decrease of PA level (Godin Scale Score 25±1.7vs38.6±1.7 points), steps number and minutes of exercise (respectively 12.606±5026vs4.760±3.145 and 66±4vs38±3) and an increase of glycemia values (142.1± 25.4 mg/dLvs150.8±29.4 mg/dL) Conclusions PWT1D reported a decrease in exercise and worst glycemia. Although PWT1D tried to remain active, their PA level was inadequate to prevent glycemia rising. The difficult to maintain a glycemic control could expose patients to diabetes complications and to an higher risk to counteract infections

International fitness scale (IFIS): association with motor performance in children with obesity

Background Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health; and compared with their normal-weight peers, these individuals tend to have a lower level of self-confidence, and consequently lower physical activity adherence. Due to these self-perceived barriers, the aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of an online training program on self-reported physical fitness (SRPF) in children with obesity (OB). Methods A total of 32 children with OB carried out physical fitness (PF) tests and were asked to complete the International Fitness Enjoyment Scale (IFIS) questionnaire. The physical fitness tests were the Standing Broad Jump (SBJ), the 6-Min Walking Test (6MWT) and the 4 × 10 m sprint test. Children participated in a 3-weekly 60-min training session through Zoom platform. Before the beginning of the training protocol, OB children were compared with normal weight (NW) ones for PF batteries and the IFIS questionnaire. Changes in performances after the training were assessed by paired Student t and Wilcoxon tests. Results After the online training program children increased their performance in 6MWT (mean difference (MD) = 54.93; p < 0.0001) in SBJ (MD = 10.00; p = 0.0001) and in 4 × 10 m sprint test (MD = −0.78; p < 0.0001). No differences were found in children’s physical fitness perception. Discussion Our study highlighted how a structured online training program can lead to improvements in PF of children with OB. Instead, the lack of differences in SRPF after the training suggests interesting questions to be explored on the aspects linked to self-perception. Therefore, even if our training protocol could not directly improve SRPF in children with obesity, the enhancement of their PF could be a starting point for achieving this result with a longer training period and consequently improve PA participation for children with OB

Effects of the lockdown period on the mental health of elite athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review

none9Purpose This review aimed to assess the effects of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on mental health to elite athletes. The emotional background influenced their sport career and was examined by questionnaires. Methods We included original studies that investigated psychological outcomes in elite athletes during COVID-19 lockdown. Sixteen original studies (n = 4475 participants) were analyzed. Results The findings showed that COVID-19 has an impact on elite athletes' mental health and was linked with stress, anxiety and psychological distress. The magnitude of the impact was associated with athletes' mood state profile, personality and resilience capacity. Conclusion The lockdown period impacted also elite athletes' mental health and training routines with augmented anxiety but with fewer consequences than the general population thanks to adequate emotion regulation and coping strategies.noneCarnevale Pellino, Vittoria; Lovecchio, Nicola; Puci, Mariangela V; Marin, Luca; Gatti, Alessandro; Pirazzi, Agnese; Negri, Francesca; Ferraro, Ottavia E; Vandoni, MatteoCarnevale Pellino, Vittoria; Lovecchio, Nicola; Puci, Mariangela V; Marin, Luca; Gatti, Alessandro; Pirazzi, Agnese; Negri, Francesca; Ferraro, Ottavia E; Vandoni, Matte

Six minute walk distance and reference values in healthy Italian children: A cross-sectional study

The 6-minute walking test (6MWT) is a simple assessment tool to evaluate exercise capacity. The result of the test is the distance that a subject can walk at a constant and normal pace within 6 minutes (6MWD) and reflects the aerobic/fitness performance related to walking function. Use of 6MWT has been relevant to assess exercise tolerance either in healthy children or in patients with, heart, lung and metabolic diseases. Our aim was to find 6MWT reference values in healthy Italian children. The 6MWT was performed in 5614 children aged 6-11 years recruited from primary Italian schools. Age related reference percentiles of the covered distance were gender-modeled. A linear and quadratic regression model was used to predict 6MWT performance. Males walked longer distances than females, respectively 598.8\ub183.9 m vs 592.1\ub177.6 m (p = 0.0016). According to the regression analysis, 6MWD was positively related to age, gender and height, while it was negatively related to body weight [(6MWD =-160.16 + 93.35 7 age (years)-4.05 7 age2 (years) +7.34 7 gender (m) +2.12 7 weight (kg) -2.50 7 height (cm)]. Reference values were established for the 6MWT in healthy children. The age related 6MWD percentiles provided a useful tool in the assessment of capacity in 6-11 year children, in fact they may be helpful to evaluate the effect of a given treatment or rehabilitation program and represent a feasible measure as to prevention within the primary school context. It was found a substantial difference from other countries for 6mwd values. In our study, factors such as age, weight and height were relevant for the prediction of 6MWD, similarly to other studies. Therefore, these variables should be taken into account in context of exercise performance

Correction: Six minute walk distance and reference values in healthy Italian children: A cross-sectional study (PLoS ONE (2018) 13, 10 (e0205792) DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0205792)

.The 6-minute walking test (6MWT) is a simple assessment tool to evaluate exercise capacity. The result of the test is the distance that a subject can walk at a constant and normal pace within 6 minutes (6MWD) and reflects the aerobic/fitness performance related to walking function. Use of 6MWT has been relevant to assess exercise tolerance either in healthy children or in patients with, heart, lung and metabolic diseases. Our aim was to find 6MWT reference values in healthy Italian children. The 6MWT was performed in 5614 children aged 6-11 years recruited from primary Italian schools. Age related reference percentiles of the covered distance were gender-modeled. A linear and quadratic regression model was used to predict 6MWT performance. Males walked longer distances than females, respectively 598.8\ub183.9 m vs 592.1\ub177.6 m (p = 0.0016). According to the regression analysis, 6MWD was positively related to age, gender and height, while it was negatively related to body weight [(6MWD = -160.16 + 93.35 7 age (years) -4.05 7 age2 (years) +7.34 7 gender (m) +2.12 7 weight (kg) -2.50 7 height (cm)]. Reference values were established for the 6MWT in healthy children. The age related 6MWD percentiles provided a useful tool in the assessment of capacity in 6-11 year children, in fact they may be helpful to evaluate the effect of a given treatment or rehabilitation program and represent a feasible measure as to prevention within the primary school context. It was found a substantial difference from other countries for 6mwd values. In our study, factors such as age, weight and height were relevant for the prediction of 6MWD, similarly to other studies. Therefore, these variables should be taken into account in context of exercise performance

School self-efficacy is affected by gender and motor skills: findings from an Italian study

Background: Perceived school self-efficacy (SE) is an important variable in students\u2019 activities as it affects their motivation and learning. Further, self-efficacy might represent a good predictor of performance, persistence and perseverance. Motor skills and other physical health determinants are extensively debated and linked to cognitive function in children of developmental age. However, inconclusive evidence supports a definitive relationship between perceived school SE and motor skills among schoolchildren. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 6\u201311-year-old schoolchildren to evaluate the extent by which perceived school SE and physical health determinants were related. Methods: A SE questionnaire and motor performance battery tests were administered to primary school pupils recruited from 154 sampled schools of northwest Italy. Perceived SE at school was assessed via 12 items from the Caprara\u2019s questionnaire. Motor performance scores were obtained from motor skill tests: 4 7 10 m shuttle run test, SRT; standing broad jump, SBJ; six-minute walking test, 6MWT. Results: A total of 3,962 children (M = 2,019; F = 1943) were studied and 68% were normal weight. Overall, a 58% of the sample perceived a high SE, while, as to gender differences, a greater percentage of females perceived high levels of school SE with respect to any other level (\u3c72 = 38.93, p &lt; 0.0001). Results from multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that: (i) females perceived higher SE compared to males; (ii) children who performed better in SRT and 6MWT showed higher levels of perceived school SE; (iii) no significant effect was registered for the body weight. Alternative strategies are encouraged to enhance SE through physical education: structured interventions might enhance both complex motor skills and high-order cognitive skills, like SE, in young children