Luca P Ardigò | NLA University College (original) (raw)

Papers by Luca P Ardigò

Qeios, Jan 26, 2023

This manuscript aims, above all, at selecting a set of indicators suitable for evaluating public ... more This manuscript aims, above all, at selecting a set of indicators suitable for evaluating public health efficiency and wellbeing in Italian provinces. In spite of some minor issues detailed below, author manages to fulfill sufficiently his main aim. Minor comments (Introduction, 1 st paragraph) From Andrews et al., 1976, it is indicated p. 4, whereas in references' list pp. 63-106 are indicated for the same ref; (References) please, detail ref Easterlin, 1974; … Health equity in England: the Marmot review 10 years on… please, detail ref Saltelli et al., 2008. (1. Theoretical framework, 1 st par) please, introduce QUARKS; (5 th par) … health. "Il sole 24 ore" published… (6 th par and elsewhere throughout MS, as well) please, do not start sentences with acronyms/symbols; … since Art. 32 of the Italian Constitution stipulates… (2. Public health efficiency index, 1 st par and elsewhere throughout MS, as well, regarding first " placement) … is "Health for All",… (2 nd par) 1 st equation looks truncated ((1)?); … under variable return to…

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2019

PURPOSE: 1) to examine the effect of suspension training on functional movement, assessed via the... more PURPOSE: 1) to examine the effect of suspension training on functional movement, assessed via the FMS and MAPS and 2) to identify the correlation between the FMS and MAPS. METHODS: Twenty-seven participants (19 females; 8 males; Age = 26.0 ± 11.1 yrs; Height = 167.9 ± 9.1 cm; Body Mass = 69.6 ± 14.1 kg) completed 28 exercise sessions over a 14-week course. Throughout each 40-minute exercise session, six body positions were utilized on the suspension training straps which included push, pull, rotational, squat, and lunge movements; participants also engaged in functional training utilizing stability balls and resistance bands. Pre-and post-fitness assessments included the FMS, MAPS, body composition, muscular endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility. Dependent t-tests were used to determine if there were mean changes in functional movement status. Due to multiple comparisons, Bonferroni correction was used, therefore, alpha level was set at .007. RESULTS: There were significant positive changes in FMS (14.6 ± 2.7 to 15.9 ± 2.1, p<0.001) and MAPS (52.9 ± 10.3 to 56.3 ± 9.7, p<0.001) values, as well as mean quantity of push-ups (24.9 ± 11.5 to 29.4 ± 13.9, p=0.004) and handgrip dynamometer (78.0 ± 21.7 kg to 85.6 ± 24.0 kg, p= 0.006). There were no significant changes in mean body mass, fat mass, lean mass, percent body fat, and sit-and-reach values. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between FMS and MAPS both at pre-and post-testing. At both time points, pre-and posttesting, the correlations were significant (r = .52 and .43, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Participation in suspension training produced significant improvements in overall functional movement, muscular strength, and endurance. Although there were significant positive changes in both FMS and MAPS from pre-to post-assessment, a weak correlation existed between the FMS and MAPS assessments.

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2014

Education Sciences, Oct 18, 2022

Goalball has been highlighted as a reference disabled sport from educational levels to its partic... more Goalball has been highlighted as a reference disabled sport from educational levels to its participation in the Paralympic Games, where the effects of this sport on balance and its relevance have been investigated. The aim of the systematic review was to systematically review those studies that evaluated the effects of goalball on balance in goalball athletes. A systematic review of PubMed and FECYT (Web of Sciences, CCC, DIIDW, KJD, MEDLINE, RSCI, and SCIELO) was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The articles were included if they met the following inclusion criteria: (i) participants were goalball players; (ii) athletes playing goalball; (iii) outcomes were related to balance; and, (iv) original articles without language restriction. From the 85 studies initially identified, 7 were fully reviewed, and their outcome measures were extracted and analyzed. In conclusion, the levels of balance seem to be closely related to the success of competitions, leading coaches to consider its development during training sessions. In this sense, the general practice of goalball may be sufficient at children's levels, while the practice of 2 days or 5 h per week seems to be an adequate reference. However, athletes with partial levels of visual loss should not be subjected to continuous blinding during training sessions because it could lead to an accelerated reduction in balance levels.

Revista de artes marciales asiáticas, Apr 24, 2024

Human Movement, Jun 28, 2024

Scientific reports, Jun 21, 2024

To assess the effects of warm-up music and low dose (3 mg•kg −1) of caffeine (CAF) on female taek... more To assess the effects of warm-up music and low dose (3 mg•kg −1) of caffeine (CAF) on female taekwondo athlete's activity profile and psychophysiological responses during simulated combat. In a double-blinded, randomized, crossover study, 16 female athletes participated in simulated combats under one control and 5 experimental conditions [i.e., CAF alone (CAF), placebo alone (PL), CAF with music (CAF + M), PL with music (PL + M), and no supplement with music (M)]. After warming-up, athletes rated their felt arousal (FAS). Mean (HR mean) and peak (HR peak) heart rate values were determined for each combat. After fighting, athletes rated their perceived exertion (RPE), feeling scale (FS), FAS, and physical enjoyment (PACES). Time-motion and technical-tactical variables were analyzed. CAF + M induced shorter skip and pause time, while attack time increased compared to other conditions (p < 0.05). Moreover, CAF + M increased single attacks, combined attacks, counterattacks (p < 0.001), and defensive actions (p < 0.05) than other conditions. HR mean and HR peak were lower under CAF + M than other conditions (p < 0.05). Additionally, higher FAS post-combat, FS, and PACES were observed under CAF + M, while RPE was lower (except CAF condition) compared to the other conditions (p < 0.05.Using CAF with warm-up music may increase combat cadence and improve the psychological state in female athletes more effectively than either strategy alone.

PloS one, May 24, 2024

Combat sports, encompassing a range of activities from striking and grappling to mixed and weapon... more Combat sports, encompassing a range of activities from striking and grappling to mixed and weapon-based disciplines, have witnessed a surge in popularity worldwide. These sports are demanding, requiring athletes to harness energy from different metabolic pathways to perform short, high-intensity activities interspersed with periods of lower intensity. While it is established that the anaerobic alactic (ATP-PC) and anaerobic lactic systems are pivotal for high-intensity training sessions typical in combat sports, the precise contribution of these systems, particularly in varied training modalities such as single (SMT) and intermittent (IST) forms of the 30-second Wingate test, remains inadequately explored. This study aims at comparing performance outputs, physiological responses and gender differences during the SMT and IST forms of the 30-second Wingate test. Thirty-three highly trained combat sports athletes (17 women, 16 men; 10 boxing, 8 wrestling, 8 taekwondo and 7 karate) randomly performed SMT and IST. The IST consisted of three 10-second all-out attempts separated by 30 seconds of passive recovery, whereas the SMT was a single 30-second maximal effort. Resting, exercise and post-exercise oxygen uptake and peak blood lactate value were used to determine the metabolic energy demands via the PCr-LA-O 2 method. The findings showed that total metabolic energy expenditure (TEE), ATP-PCr system contribution and the output of mechanical variables were higher in the IST than in the SMT form (all p<0.001). In contrast, the contribution of glycolytic and oxidative systems was higher in the SMT form (all p<0.001). However, exercise form and gender interaction were not significant (p>0.05). In combat sports, performance is not only determined by physiological and technical skills but also by metabolic energy input and efficiency. Therefore, our results can provide a comparison regarding the effects of exercise type and gender on metabolic energy metabolism to design the training of combat sports athletes.

Children, Apr 11, 2024

Context: In today's ever-changing world, fostering personal and social responsibility is essentia... more Context: In today's ever-changing world, fostering personal and social responsibility is essential for building strong and compassionate communities. This study aimed to provide a quantitative synthesis focusing on the emotional and social outcomes of Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) model-based Physical Education (PE) programs. Methods: A comprehensive literature review covering the period from November 2022 to September 2023 identified 637 articles published between 2005 and 2023. Of these, 20 met the inclusion criteria. Data from these articles were coded, and a comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted, incorporating 28 effect sizes. Methodological quality was assessed using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument. Hedge's g served as the effect size measure and emotional and social outcomes subgroups were consolidated. Heterogeneity was evaluated with Cochran's Q and I 2 . Meta-regression and ANOVA-like models addressed categorical moderators, whereas publication bias was assessed through funnel plot, failsafe number, and Egger's linear regression. Results: A significant and positive effect of the TPSR model on product outcomes (Hedge's g = 0.337, 95% CI = 0.199 to 0.476) was found. Despite considerable heterogeneity (I 2 = 83.830), a random effects model was justified. Assessment of publication bias indicated a low likelihood. Moderator analyses revealed that publication countries significantly influenced the effect, with stronger effects in Turkey. Publication type (article vs. thesis) also played roles in moderation. The meta-regression analyses did not reveal significant effects for the grade level, duration of intervention, publication year or sample size on the TPSR model's impact on product outcomes. The TPSR model positively impacts emotional and social outcomes in PE, enhancing children' skills and behaviour. However, variations across cultures highlight the need for further research, considering limitations like language constraints and potential biases in study selection and data extraction.

BMC public health, Mar 13, 2024

In the present study, we investigated the relationship between personality and motivation for phy... more In the present study, we investigated the relationship between personality and motivation for physical activity while introducing perceived parental support and social physical anxiety in adolescent girls (N = 318, M age : 16.19 ± 0.51 years). The present study was a retrospective correlational study that was conducted to analyze of a path model. Dark triad traits: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy, student's motivation for physical activity, social physique anxiety, and participants' perceptions of parents' behaviors were measured. The findings indicated that psychopathy and Machiavellianism were directly and indirectly associated with motivation for physical activity, but Narcissism could only directly predict the motivation for physical activity. Also, need-thwarting (the most), need-supportive and social physical anxiety could predict motivation for physical activity. This model of the result suggests that among adolescent girls, dark triad personality could, directly and indirectly, predict motivation with need-supportive and need-thwarting and also social physical anxiety. It seems that the sense of importance and more attention to oneself in adolescent girls, which exists in the narcissistic personality, can directly lead to more motivation for physical activity. Also, the duplicitous ways of Machiavellian people in pursuing their motives were confirmed in this research.

Frontiers in nutrition, Feb 9, 2024

Introduction: This investigation aims to elucidate the impact of Ramadan intermittent fasting on ... more Introduction: This investigation aims to elucidate the impact of Ramadan intermittent fasting on performance, physiological responses, and bioenergetic pathway contributions during repeated sprints. Methods: Fourteen active male Muslim athletes (age = 22.4 ± 1.8 years, body weight = 69.5 ± 3.8 kg, height = 176 ± 5.1 cm) executed a repeated sprint protocol, consisting of ten 20-meter sprints with 15-s passive recovery intervals, during both fasting and non-fasting conditions. The fasting session was conducted after a 12-14 h fast following Sahur (the pre-dawn meal during Ramadan). In contrast, the non-fasting session occurred before the Ramadan fasting period began, during the same hours of the day, at a time when fasting was not yet required for the athletes. Bioenergetic pathway contributions during repeated sprints were quantified using the PCr-LA-O 2 method. Results: The mean sprint time during fasting sessions was 3.4 ± 0.3 s compared to 3.3 ± 0.2 s in non-fasting sessions, indicating a trend approaching the threshold of significance for slower times in the fasted state (p = 0.052, effect size (ES) = 0.34). In terms of bioenergetic contributions, the total metabolic energy expenditure (TEE) was slightly lower during fasting sessions (236.5 ± 22 kJ) compared to non-fasting sessions (245.2 ± 21.7 kJ), but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.102, ES = 0.40). Similarly, metabolic energy expenditure per sprint was 23.7 ± 2.2 kJ in fasting conditions compared to 24.5 ± 2.2 kJ in nonfasting conditions (p = 0.106, ES = 0.35). The oxidative energy contribution did not differ significantly between fasting (34.2 ± 4.1 kJ) and non-fasting conditions (34.2 ± 4.1 vs. 35.5 ± 5.2 kJ; p = 0.238, ES = 0.28). Similarly, lactic (60.4 ± 7.6 vs. 59.2 ± 8.3 kJ; p = 0.484, ES = 0.15); and alactic (149.3 ± 19.9 vs. 143 ± 21.5 kJ; p = 0.137, ES = 0.30) energy contributions showed no significant differences between the fasting and non-fasting sessions. The percentage of performance decrement (Pdec) and the percentage contributions of oxidative, lactic, and alactic pathways to the total energy expenditure did not differ significantly

and Chtourou H (2024) Acute effects of plyometric-based conditioning activity and warm-up music s... more and Chtourou H (2024) Acute effects of plyometric-based conditioning activity and warm-up music stimuli on physical performance and affective state in male taekwondo athletes.

Frontiers in Physiology, Dec 13, 2023

Frontiers in Psychology, Nov 22, 2023

This systematic review summarized the studies that examined the pre-task music effects on perform... more This systematic review summarized the studies that examined the pre-task music effects on performance aspects and quantitatively analyzed their outcomes. A systematic search for controlled studies investigating the acute effects of pretask music on physical performance, cognitive aspects and associated psychophysiological responses was performed through Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases up to 17 May 2023, with thirty studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Data was analyzed using the robust multilevel metaanalysis model of standardized mean difference "SMD" with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and prediction intervals (PI) were reported. Pre-task music induced improvements of completion time (SMD = −0.24; 95% CI = −0.46 to −0.01; PI = −0.82 to 0.35; p = 0.04), relative mean power (RMP) (SMD = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.16 to 0.60; PI = −0.36 to 1.12; p = 0.003) and fatigue (SMD = −0.20; 95% CI = −0.32 to −0.09; PI = −0.36 to −0.05; p = 0.01), moderate effects on relative peak power (RPP) (SMD = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.21 to 0.85; PI = −0.42 to 1.48; p = 0.005), and high effect on feeling scale (FS) (SMD = 2.42; 95% CI = 0.52 to 4.31; PI = −11.43 to 16.26; p = 0.03). Greater benefits were recorded in jumping performance in males than females (p = 0.01), and for active than trained subjects for completion time (p = 0.02), RPP (p = 0.02) and RMP (p = 0.03). Larger benefits were obtained for FS post-warming up than after testing (p = 0.04). Self-selected music induced greater effects than pseudo-and pre-selected for performance decrement index (p = 0.05) and FS (p = 0.02). It could be concluded that pre-task music improved psychological responses and fatigue-related symptoms associated with exercise performance enhancement.

Scientific Reports, Aug 22, 2023

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of acute caffeine supplementation on physical... more The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of acute caffeine supplementation on physical performance and perceived exertion during taekwondo-specific tasks in male and female athletes with varying expertise. In a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study design, 52 young athletes from elite (n = 32; 16 males and 16 females) and sub-elite competitive level (n = 20; 10 males and 10 females) participated. Athletes performed taekwondo-specific tasks including the taekwondo-specific agility test (TSAT), 10 s frequency speed of kick test (FSKT-10 s) and multi-bout FSKT (FSKT-multi) under the following conditions: (1) Caffeine (CAF; 3 mg kg −1), placebo (PLA), and no supplement control (CON). Session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) was determined after the tests. Findings show that regardless of condition, males performed better than females (p < 0.05) and elite athletes had superior performance compared to their sub-elite counterparts (p < 0.05). For the TSAT (p < 0.001), FSKT-10s (p < 0.001), and FSKT-multi (p < 0.001), CAF enhanced performance in elite female athletes compared to sub-elite females. Likewise, CAF ingestion resulted in superior performance in elite males compared to sub-elite males for FSKT-10s (p = 0.003) and FSKT-multi (p < 0.01). The ergogenic potential of CAF during taekwondo-specific tasks appears to be related to a competitive level, with greater benefits in elite than sub-elite athletes.

Routledge eBooks, Jul 16, 2021

Journal of Biomechanics, 1994

European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology, 1994

The hypothesis that Pygmies may differ from Caucasians in some aspects of the mechanics of locomo... more The hypothesis that Pygmies may differ from Caucasians in some aspects of the mechanics of locomotion was tested. A total of 13 Pygmies and 7 Caucasians were asked to walk and run on a treadmill at 4-12 km.h-1. Simultaneous metabolic measurements and three-dimensional motion analysis were performed allowing the energy expenditure and the mechanical external and internal work to be calculated. In Pygmies the metabolic energy cost was higher during walking at all speeds (P &amp;lt; 0.05), but tended to be lower during running (NS). The stride frequency and the internal mechanical work were higher for Pygmies at all walking (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and running (NS) speeds although the external mechanical work was similar. The total mechanical work for Pygmies was higher during walking (P &amp;lt; 0.05), but not during running and the efficiency of locomotion was similar in all subjects and speeds. The higher cost of walking in Pygmies is consistent with the allometric prediction for smaller subjects. The major determinants of the higher cost of walking was the difference in stride frequency (+9.45, SD 0.44% for Pygmies), which affected the mechanical internal work. This explains the observed higher total mechanical work of walking in Pygmies, even when the external component was the same. Most of the differences between Pygmies and Caucasians, observed during walking, tended to disappear when the speed was normalized as the Froude number. However, this was not the case for running. Thus, whereas the tested hypothesis must be rejected for walking, the data from running, do indeed suggest that Pygmies may differ in some aspects of the mechanics of locomotion.