Antonino Bianco | Università degli Studi di Palermo (original) (raw)

Papers by Antonino Bianco

Research paper thumbnail of Time Trials versus Time to Exhaustion Trials: : Effects on Critical Power, W' and Oxygen Uptake Kinetics

Research paper thumbnail of The effects of physical training without equipment on pain perception and balance in the elderly: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Research supports a link between exercise and falls prevention in the older populatio... more BACKGROUND: Research supports a link between exercise and falls prevention in the older population. OBJECTIVES: Our aims were to evaluate pain perception and balance skills in a group of elderly subjects and to examine the consequences of a standardized equipment-free exercise program intervention on these variables. The study utilized a randomized controlled trial method.
METHODS: 92 subjects were recruited from a rural Sicilian village (Resuttano, Sicily, Italy). Subjects were randomly split into two groups, an experimental group (EG; n = 49) and a control group (CG; n = 43). Qualified fitness instructors delivered the standardized physical exercise program for the EG whilst the CG did not receive this exercise intervention. The Berg Balance Scale and the Oswestry Disability Index were administered in both groups before (T0) and after the intervention (T1).RESULTS: At T1, the EG group significantly improvement in balance (p < 0.0001) and pain perception (p < 0.0001). No significant differences were found within the CG both in BBS and ODI, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that a 13-weeks standardized exercise equipment-free program is effective in improving
balance and perception of pain in the elderly. This type of intervention can consequently provide a low cost strategy to
counteract the rate of disability in elderly.

Research paper thumbnail of Front Page Time Trials versus Time to Exhaustion Trials.docx

Purpose: To investigate single-day time-to-exhaustion (TTE) and time trial (TT) based laboratory ... more Purpose: To investigate single-day time-to-exhaustion (TTE) and time trial (TT) based laboratory tests values of critical power (CP), Wprime (W') and respective oxygen kinetics responses. Methods: Twelve cyclists performed a maximal ramp test followed by three TTE and three TT efforts interspersed by a 60-min recovery between efforts. Oxygen uptake was measured during all trials. The mean response time (MRT) was calculated as a description of the overall V ̇O2 kinetic response from the onset to 2 min of exercise. Results: TTE determined CP was 279 ± 52W and TT determined CP was 276 ± 50W (P = 0.237). Values of W' were 14.3 ± 3.4 kJ (TTE W') and 16.5± 4.2 kJ (TT W') (P = 0.028). Whilst a high level of agreement (-12 to 17 W) and a low prediction error of 2.7% was established for CP, for W' limits of agreements were markedly lower (-8 to 3.7 kJ) with a prediction error of 18.8%. The mean standard error for TTE CP values was significantly higher than that for TT CP values (2.4 ± 1.9% vs. 1.2 ± 0.7% W). The standard error for TTE W'and TT W'were 11.2 ± 8.1% and 5.6 ± 3.6%, respectively. The V ̇O2 response was significantly faster during TT (~22 s) than TTE (~28 s). Conclusions: The time-trial protocol with a 60-min recovery period offers a valid, time-saving and less error containing alternative to conventional and more recent testing methods. Results however cannot be transferred to W'.

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of the stomatognathic system on explosive strength: a pilot study

Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 2016

[Purpose] Recent findings suggest there is an interesting interaction between the stomatognathic ... more [Purpose] Recent findings suggest there is an interesting interaction between the stomatognathic system and the musculoskeletal system. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the influence of the temporomandibular joint on the explosive strength of the lower limbs. [Subjects and Methods] An observational study was carried out. The subjects were 60 male football players who voluntarily participated in the investigation. After a warm-up phase of 10 minutes, each participant performed three Squat Jumps (SJ) with different mandible positions: mouth closed and mouth open. SJ heights were recorded using a Sensor Medica force platform and the FreeMed system. [Results] Sixty participants were enrolled in this study (age: 24 ± 7 yrs; height: 174 ± 4.6 cm; weight 63.7 ± 7.6 kg). The SJ heights with the mouth closed, 38.50 ± 4.0 cm, were shorter than those with the mouth open, 40.4 ± 4.1 cm. Statistical analysis showed there was a statistically significant difference between the performances. [Conclusion] This pilot study highlighted that occlusal factors can influence physical performance and this could have practical applications in sports and exercise science. However, our results have to be confirmed in studies with larger numbers of participants and supported by other investigations.

Research paper thumbnail of What Is Fitness Training? Definitions and Implications: A Systematic Review Article

Iranian journal of public health, 2015

This review based upon studies searched from the major scientific libraries has the objective of ... more This review based upon studies searched from the major scientific libraries has the objective of clarifying what is fitness training in modern days, the implications that it has on health in both youth and elderly and finally discuss fitness training practical implications. The PRISMA statement was partially adopted and a number of 92 items were selected, according to the inclusion criteria. Results were discussed in 4 main sections: 1. Children and adolescents fitness levels; 2. Fitness training in the elderly; 3. Pathology prevention through fitness training; 4. Training through Fitness activities. This review pointed out the fact that nowadays there is a large variety of fitness activities available within gyms and fitness centers. Even though they significantly differ with each other, the common aim they have is the wellbeing of the people through the improvement of the physical fitness components and the psychological balance. Fitness instructors' recommendations should be ...

Research paper thumbnail of Protein supplementation in strength and conditioning adepts: knowledge, dietary behaviour and practice in Palermo, Italy

Background: It is known that supplement use is a widespread and accepted practice by athletes and... more Background: It is known that supplement use is a widespread and accepted practice by athletes and people who attend commercial gyms. Little is known about protein supplement amongst people undertaking strength training in commercial gyms in Italy when compared to the US. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the use of protein supplementation, alone or in association with other supplements, and dietary behavior amongst regular fitness center attendees in Palermo, Italy. Design: Resistance training information have been collected from 800 regular fitness center attendees for the initial analysis. A specific questionnaire was generated for the experimentation. Data were collected using a face-toface interview method. Supplement users were then compared to the non users and analyzed using a one-way ANOVA, Kruskall-Wallis, chi-square test or exact test of Fisher when appropriate. Results: 30.1% of the respondents use dietary supplements during their training as a believe it is the "way to gain muscles and strength". Whey protein shakes (50.0%) mixed with creatine and amino-acids (48.3%) were the most frequent choices amongst the users. A majority of the subjects (34.0%) appeared to rely on their gym instructors' advice for their intake; a lower proportion (13.0%) consulted physicians, while none of them consulted nutritionists. A high consumption of milk has been noticed in both users (67,7%) and non-users (52,8%); supplement non-users consumed significantly more snacks and bakery products than users per week (P < 0.001), while users consumed significantly more protein-rich foods (P < 0.01) with a particular preference for meat (48.0%). Conclusions: A considerable number of regular strength training adepts consume protein supplements mixed with other products (mainly creatine and amino-acids). Limited numbers consult "dietary specialists" and rely mainly on their instructors. We emphasize on the importance of the dissemination of scientifically based information about supplementation in this environment and the promotion of updated educational programs for the instructors.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of a constant and incremental workload training protocol on upper body strength gains

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, Sep 29, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of International Council for Physical Activity and Fitness Research

Research paper thumbnail of Handgrip strength and 1RM bench press performance: a novel approach to evaluate upper body maximal strength

In the last few years, handgrip strength has been widely recognized as a relevant indicator of ph... more In the last few years, handgrip strength has been widely recognized as a relevant indicator of physical function, nutritional status and quality of life in a clinical population. However, the scientific literature is still lacking of knowledge regarding the use of this indicator within a general healthy and physically active population. The possibility to use the handgrip strength as an indicative value of some specific physical qualities, such as the upper body maximal strength (expressed in terms of 1RM bench press), can be considered an unexplored field and its development might represent a relevant support for the strength and conditioning professionals. Therefore, we hypothesize that a significant association might be found between handgrip strength, body composition and upper body maximal strength and that this association might be used as a specific "performance predictor". Fifteen healthy subjects (8 men / 7 women; age 25.53 ± 7.14 yr;! body mass 65.58 ± 13.26 kg; height 167±10 cm) without habitual intensive exercise participated in this pilot intervention. Body composition, handgrip strength and maximal body upper strength were evaluated. Subjects' body composition was estimated through a bioelectrical impedance analysis and resulted in a mean value of 22.12 ± 8.64% of fat and 77.81 ± 8.5%1 of lean mass. Handgrip (HG) strength was estimated for both dominant and not dominant side, respectively (39.27 ± 14.52 w; 37.59 ± 13.49 w) through the use of a handgrip dynamometer. Subjects' upper body strength was tested using a bench press 1RM test with an already standardized protocol. Subjects' maximal strength resulted in an average of 49.21 ± 23.87 kg. HG and 1RM testing were overseen by the same investigator and conducted with the same equipment. Each subject was instructed to refrain from any strenuous activities for 72 hours before testing d! ay. STATISTICA Software package© for Windows© was adopted wh en appropriate. Overall the findings showed a strong relation (Pearson's r=0.77) between HG and 1RM bench press in both, male (0.41) and female (0.80) but a low association with Free Fat Mass. Unexpectedly, female have higher association than males. These preliminary results shown that the handgrip strength might be associated to the individual maximal strength performance and it might be considered as a valid predictor of upper body strength performance within a sport/fitness context, though the presented pilot intervention we cannot draw any conclusion on the topic, due to the limited sample analyzed.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of physical activity and fitness in children with previous neoplasia

Research paper thumbnail of Determination of a strength index for upper body local endurance strength in sedentary individuals: a cross sectional analysis

SpringerPlus, 2015

A range of balance between flexor and extensor muscles is fundamental in order to prevent patholo... more A range of balance between flexor and extensor muscles is fundamental in order to prevent pathologies caused by bad postures or to ensure health of the joint as a measure of prevention of overtraining in specific muscle groups. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the ratio between &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;pulling&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; and &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;pushing&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; strength in sedentary individuals. 212 healthy participants, of both genders (139 male and 73 female; age 32 ± 13.3 years, weight 70.2 ± 14.1 kg, height 173 ± 9 cm) were retained for investigation. Strength was assessed through a new methodology: Pulling through a lat-pulldown test while pushing strength through a chest-press test. Both tests were performed to exhaustion with an overload of 30 % of each participants bodyweight. Such method aims to prevent excessive overloads in sedentary individuals. Pearson&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s correlations and a t test to assess differences were analyzed. Subsequently, the ratio for both genders of pulling and pushing local endurance strength was assessed by means. A mean number of 57 repetitions was shown with the lat-pulldown while 34 repetition with the chest press. A correlation of 0.42 has been found between the number of repetitions of the two tests. A significant difference (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001) was found between such performances. No correlation was found between the strength measures and the anthropometric parameters of the participants. The lat machine to chest press ratio was 1.36:1 for male while 2.69:1 for female. The results indicate that sedentary participants have higher pulling rather than pushing local endurance strength. Such ratio should be considered as a normative value when starting to perform exercise protocols. Resistance training should be performed in order to improve strength measures of the weaker muscles and reduce such ratio.

Research paper thumbnail of Motor and cognitive growth following a Football Training Program

Frontiers in Psychology, 2015

Motor and cognitive growth in children may be influenced by football practice. Therefore the aim ... more Motor and cognitive growth in children may be influenced by football practice. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess whether a Football Training Program taken over 6 months would improve motor and cognitive performances in children. Motor skills concerned coordinative skills, running, and explosive legs strength. Cognitive abilities involved visual discrimination times and visual selective attention times. Forty-six children with chronological age of ∼9.10 years, were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 24) attended a Football Exercise Program and Group 2 (n = 22) was composed of sedentary children. Their abilities were measured by a battery of tests including motor and cognitive tasks. Football Exercise Program resulted in improved running, coordination, and explosive leg strength performances as well as shorter visual discrimination times in children regularly attending football courses compared with their sedentary peers. On the whole these results support the thesis that the improvement of motor and cognitive abilities is related not only to general physical activity but also to specific ability related to the ball. Football Exercise Programs is assumed to be a &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;natural and enjoyable tool&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; to enhance cognitive resources as well as promoting and encouraging the participation in sport activities from early development.

Research paper thumbnail of The effects of indoor cycling training in sedentary overweight women

The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness

Methods. Fourteen subjects (22.6±2.1 yrs; 25-29.9 BMI) were trained for 12 weeks in a specific in... more Methods. Fourteen subjects (22.6±2.1 yrs; 25-29.9 BMI) were trained for 12 weeks in a specific indoor cycling protocol (ICP) consisting of three sessions/week carried out in a fitness room. Body composition and physiological parameters were taken before the beginning of the study and after 12, 24 and 36 sessions. Results. We observed a reduction of 2.6% and 3.2% in body weight and of 4.3% and 5% in fat mass after 24 and 36 sessions respectively (P<0.05). Lean mass increased by 2.3% and 2.6% respectively after 24 and 36 sessions. Body circumferences diminished in response to ICP. Resting heart rate decreased by 6.5% and 9% respectively after 24 and 36 sessions. After the tenth week, we found a reduction of 11 beats·min -1 in average training heart rate, an increase of 0.5 mL/kg -1 ·min -1 in average training oxygen uptake and an increase of 8.6 Watts in average power output. Moreover, an increase in cardio-respiratory fitness was observed (37.1±4.3 vs. 40.2±4.6 mL/kg -1 ·min -1 ) after 36 sessions. Conclusion. The decrease in body weight, without any restriction on food consumption, and the improvement in cardio-respiratory fitness suggests that ICP may be efficient for losing weight and preventing the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in young overweight women. Indoor cycling can be performed by young sedentary overweight women; however, it is fundamental to formulate training protocols which are intensity and length specific to the fitness level of the participants.

Research paper thumbnail of Parental perception of childhood obesity in an inner-city area of Palermo, Italy

Italian Journal of Public Health

The objective of this study was to evaluate in a sample of parents living in an inner-city area o... more The objective of this study was to evaluate in a sample of parents living in an inner-city area of Palermo, Italy, the perception of weight excess as a problem in childhood and the awareness about the role of physical activity, beliefs about contributors and parties having responsibility in counteracting the obesity crisis. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed on a convenience sample of parents of 6-13 year-old children who attended grades 1, 3 and 5 of primary and grades 1 and 3 of secondary public schools, respectively. Thirteen schools were selected in an inner urban district of Palermo, Italy, this district being characterized by having a population of low to medium income residents. Parents were asked to come to the school and participate in the investigation. The survey was administered in the spring of 2006. After a descriptive analysis, role of specific demographic and social characteristics -education, gender, age class and BMI -of respondents was assessed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Three hundred eleven parents completed the questionnaire. Eighty-three percent believed that being obese in childhood is a serious health hazard, but one third still interpreted the child's weight excess as an expression of health. The most significant contributors to childhood obesity were thought to be junk food and beverages (78.0%) and fast food (63.2%), followed by lack of exercise in school curriculum (48.7%). Beliefs about responsibilities for combating childhood obesity significantly varied according to education level. Conclusions: Public support for environmental changes could more effectively rise with the increasing public awareness that many interrelated obesogenic factors in the modern environment are playing a key role.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of mini trampoline exercise on male gymnasts' physiological parameters: a pilot study

The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness

Research paper thumbnail of A meta-analysis of the validity of FFQ targeted to adolescents

Public Health Nutrition, 2015

The present work is aimed at meta-analysing validity studies of FFQ for adolescents, to investiga... more The present work is aimed at meta-analysing validity studies of FFQ for adolescents, to investigate their overall accuracy and variables that can affect it negatively. A meta-analysis of sixteen original articles was performed within the ASSO Project (Adolescents and Surveillance System in the Obesity prevention). The articles assessed the validity of FFQ for adolescents, compared with food records or 24 h recalls, with regard to energy and nutrient intakes. Pearson&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s or Spearman&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s correlation coefficients, means/standard deviations, kappa agreement, percentiles and mean differences/limits of agreement (Bland-Altman method) were extracted. Pooled estimates were calculated and heterogeneity tested for correlation coefficients and means/standard deviations. A subgroup analysis assessed variables influencing FFQ accuracy. An overall fair/high correlation between FFQ and reference method was found; a good agreement, measured through the intake mean comparison for all nutrients except sugar, carotene and K, was observed. Kappa values showed fair/moderate agreement; an overall good ability to rank adolescents according to energy and nutrient intakes was evidenced by data of percentiles; absolute validity was not confirmed by mean differences/limits of agreement. Interviewer administration mode, consumption interval of the previous year/6 months and high number of food items are major contributors to heterogeneity and thus can reduce FFQ accuracy. The meta-analysis shows that FFQ are accurate tools for collecting data and could be used for ranking adolescents in terms of energy and nutrient intakes. It suggests how the design and the validation of a new FFQ should be addressed.

Research paper thumbnail of The role and working conditions of movement science students employed in sport and recreational facilities: An Italian multicenter study

Work, 2015

In Italy, students from Movement Science (MS) Degree Courses often work in sport and recreational... more In Italy, students from Movement Science (MS) Degree Courses often work in sport and recreational facilities before graduation. The employment conditions of Movement Science students working in sport/recreational facilities were investigated, and the management and structural features of the facilities were evaluated, including safety policies. Regional differences were also considered. Questionnaires were administered to undergraduate and graduate students (N = 4,217) in 17 Universities. Students&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; perceptions of the quality of the facilities where they had been employed was evaluated using multivariate analysis. A latent class model with covariates was used to evaluate how variables relating to participants&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;, employment facilities or regions influence their opinions. A high proportion of MS students were employed in sporting facilities (undergraduate level: 33% ; graduate level: 55%), in most cases without any formal employment contracts. Both the structural and hygienic features, as well as the professional knowledge of the staff, were considered good to excellent by the majority of participants (about 70%). Communication of the basic behavioral rules was considered adequate by 61-63% of undergraduate students and 71-75% of graduate students, while nearly half of the participants were dissatisfied with the staff safety training. Correlations between the perceived good structural/hygienic conditions, the presence of regulations and training programs for the staff were investigated. Differences regarding occupational level and safety training among different regions of Italy were also observed. Italian students in Movement Science were easily employed in sport/recreational facilities, but frequently without a formal contract. This is a consequence of the lack of specific regulations in the field of recreational/leisure employment and could have negative implications, especially in terms of safety.

Research paper thumbnail of Asso-FTB

Research paper thumbnail of Increased expression of titin in mouse gastrocnemius muscle in response to an endurance-training program

European journal of histochemistry: EJH

Titin, a sarcomeric giant protein, plays crucial roles in muscle assembly, elasticity and stabili... more Titin, a sarcomeric giant protein, plays crucial roles in muscle assembly, elasticity and stability. Little is known about titin adaptation to endurance exercise. We studied the effects of endurance training on titin expression in mouse gastrocnemius muscles (MGM). Sixty-three ten-week-old male Swiss mice were divided into seven groups. Four groups were composed of untrained control animals (C0, C15, C30, C45) instead the other three included mice trained for 15 (T15), 30 (T30) and 45 (T45) days by treadmill. The training protocol was mainly aerobic, characterized by moderate-intensity, rhythmic and continuous exercises. Titin expression was determined by immunohistochemistry on MGM sections. Results revealed a significant reduction in body weight of the T45 mice and a significant increase in titin expression (% titin immunoreactivity median [range] = 41.11 [20-60] vs. 30.00 [10-50]). It is postulated that the up-regulation of titin expression is an adaptative mechanism to increase ...

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of high- intensity interval resistance training (HIRT) and pyramidal training (PYT) on some muscle and blood parameters

Background: The benefits of exercise are well established but one major barrier for many is time.... more Background: The benefits of exercise are well established but one major barrier for many is time. It has been proposed that short period resistance training (RT) could play a role in weight control by increasing resting energy expenditure (REE) but the effects of different kinds of RT has not been widely reported. Methods: We tested the acute effects of high-intensity interval resistance training (HIRT) vs. traditional resistance training (TT) on REE and respiratory ratio (RR) at 22 hours post-exercise. In two separate sessions, seventeen trained males carried out HIRT and TT protocols. The HIRT technique consists of: 6 repetitions, 20 seconds rest, 2/3 repetitions, 20 secs rest, 2/3 repetitions with 2 0 30″ rest between sets, three exercises for a total of 7 sets. TT consisted of eight exercises of 4 sets of 8-12 repetitions with one/two minutes rest with a total amount of 32 sets. We measured basal REE and RR (TT 0 and HIRT 0 ) and 22 hours after the training session (TT 22 and HIRT 22 ).

Research paper thumbnail of Time Trials versus Time to Exhaustion Trials: : Effects on Critical Power, W' and Oxygen Uptake Kinetics

Research paper thumbnail of The effects of physical training without equipment on pain perception and balance in the elderly: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Research supports a link between exercise and falls prevention in the older populatio... more BACKGROUND: Research supports a link between exercise and falls prevention in the older population. OBJECTIVES: Our aims were to evaluate pain perception and balance skills in a group of elderly subjects and to examine the consequences of a standardized equipment-free exercise program intervention on these variables. The study utilized a randomized controlled trial method.
METHODS: 92 subjects were recruited from a rural Sicilian village (Resuttano, Sicily, Italy). Subjects were randomly split into two groups, an experimental group (EG; n = 49) and a control group (CG; n = 43). Qualified fitness instructors delivered the standardized physical exercise program for the EG whilst the CG did not receive this exercise intervention. The Berg Balance Scale and the Oswestry Disability Index were administered in both groups before (T0) and after the intervention (T1).RESULTS: At T1, the EG group significantly improvement in balance (p < 0.0001) and pain perception (p < 0.0001). No significant differences were found within the CG both in BBS and ODI, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that a 13-weeks standardized exercise equipment-free program is effective in improving
balance and perception of pain in the elderly. This type of intervention can consequently provide a low cost strategy to
counteract the rate of disability in elderly.

Research paper thumbnail of Front Page Time Trials versus Time to Exhaustion Trials.docx

Purpose: To investigate single-day time-to-exhaustion (TTE) and time trial (TT) based laboratory ... more Purpose: To investigate single-day time-to-exhaustion (TTE) and time trial (TT) based laboratory tests values of critical power (CP), Wprime (W') and respective oxygen kinetics responses. Methods: Twelve cyclists performed a maximal ramp test followed by three TTE and three TT efforts interspersed by a 60-min recovery between efforts. Oxygen uptake was measured during all trials. The mean response time (MRT) was calculated as a description of the overall V ̇O2 kinetic response from the onset to 2 min of exercise. Results: TTE determined CP was 279 ± 52W and TT determined CP was 276 ± 50W (P = 0.237). Values of W' were 14.3 ± 3.4 kJ (TTE W') and 16.5± 4.2 kJ (TT W') (P = 0.028). Whilst a high level of agreement (-12 to 17 W) and a low prediction error of 2.7% was established for CP, for W' limits of agreements were markedly lower (-8 to 3.7 kJ) with a prediction error of 18.8%. The mean standard error for TTE CP values was significantly higher than that for TT CP values (2.4 ± 1.9% vs. 1.2 ± 0.7% W). The standard error for TTE W'and TT W'were 11.2 ± 8.1% and 5.6 ± 3.6%, respectively. The V ̇O2 response was significantly faster during TT (~22 s) than TTE (~28 s). Conclusions: The time-trial protocol with a 60-min recovery period offers a valid, time-saving and less error containing alternative to conventional and more recent testing methods. Results however cannot be transferred to W'.

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of the stomatognathic system on explosive strength: a pilot study

Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 2016

[Purpose] Recent findings suggest there is an interesting interaction between the stomatognathic ... more [Purpose] Recent findings suggest there is an interesting interaction between the stomatognathic system and the musculoskeletal system. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the influence of the temporomandibular joint on the explosive strength of the lower limbs. [Subjects and Methods] An observational study was carried out. The subjects were 60 male football players who voluntarily participated in the investigation. After a warm-up phase of 10 minutes, each participant performed three Squat Jumps (SJ) with different mandible positions: mouth closed and mouth open. SJ heights were recorded using a Sensor Medica force platform and the FreeMed system. [Results] Sixty participants were enrolled in this study (age: 24 ± 7 yrs; height: 174 ± 4.6 cm; weight 63.7 ± 7.6 kg). The SJ heights with the mouth closed, 38.50 ± 4.0 cm, were shorter than those with the mouth open, 40.4 ± 4.1 cm. Statistical analysis showed there was a statistically significant difference between the performances. [Conclusion] This pilot study highlighted that occlusal factors can influence physical performance and this could have practical applications in sports and exercise science. However, our results have to be confirmed in studies with larger numbers of participants and supported by other investigations.

Research paper thumbnail of What Is Fitness Training? Definitions and Implications: A Systematic Review Article

Iranian journal of public health, 2015

This review based upon studies searched from the major scientific libraries has the objective of ... more This review based upon studies searched from the major scientific libraries has the objective of clarifying what is fitness training in modern days, the implications that it has on health in both youth and elderly and finally discuss fitness training practical implications. The PRISMA statement was partially adopted and a number of 92 items were selected, according to the inclusion criteria. Results were discussed in 4 main sections: 1. Children and adolescents fitness levels; 2. Fitness training in the elderly; 3. Pathology prevention through fitness training; 4. Training through Fitness activities. This review pointed out the fact that nowadays there is a large variety of fitness activities available within gyms and fitness centers. Even though they significantly differ with each other, the common aim they have is the wellbeing of the people through the improvement of the physical fitness components and the psychological balance. Fitness instructors' recommendations should be ...

Research paper thumbnail of Protein supplementation in strength and conditioning adepts: knowledge, dietary behaviour and practice in Palermo, Italy

Background: It is known that supplement use is a widespread and accepted practice by athletes and... more Background: It is known that supplement use is a widespread and accepted practice by athletes and people who attend commercial gyms. Little is known about protein supplement amongst people undertaking strength training in commercial gyms in Italy when compared to the US. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the use of protein supplementation, alone or in association with other supplements, and dietary behavior amongst regular fitness center attendees in Palermo, Italy. Design: Resistance training information have been collected from 800 regular fitness center attendees for the initial analysis. A specific questionnaire was generated for the experimentation. Data were collected using a face-toface interview method. Supplement users were then compared to the non users and analyzed using a one-way ANOVA, Kruskall-Wallis, chi-square test or exact test of Fisher when appropriate. Results: 30.1% of the respondents use dietary supplements during their training as a believe it is the "way to gain muscles and strength". Whey protein shakes (50.0%) mixed with creatine and amino-acids (48.3%) were the most frequent choices amongst the users. A majority of the subjects (34.0%) appeared to rely on their gym instructors' advice for their intake; a lower proportion (13.0%) consulted physicians, while none of them consulted nutritionists. A high consumption of milk has been noticed in both users (67,7%) and non-users (52,8%); supplement non-users consumed significantly more snacks and bakery products than users per week (P < 0.001), while users consumed significantly more protein-rich foods (P < 0.01) with a particular preference for meat (48.0%). Conclusions: A considerable number of regular strength training adepts consume protein supplements mixed with other products (mainly creatine and amino-acids). Limited numbers consult "dietary specialists" and rely mainly on their instructors. We emphasize on the importance of the dissemination of scientifically based information about supplementation in this environment and the promotion of updated educational programs for the instructors.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of a constant and incremental workload training protocol on upper body strength gains

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, Sep 29, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of International Council for Physical Activity and Fitness Research

Research paper thumbnail of Handgrip strength and 1RM bench press performance: a novel approach to evaluate upper body maximal strength

In the last few years, handgrip strength has been widely recognized as a relevant indicator of ph... more In the last few years, handgrip strength has been widely recognized as a relevant indicator of physical function, nutritional status and quality of life in a clinical population. However, the scientific literature is still lacking of knowledge regarding the use of this indicator within a general healthy and physically active population. The possibility to use the handgrip strength as an indicative value of some specific physical qualities, such as the upper body maximal strength (expressed in terms of 1RM bench press), can be considered an unexplored field and its development might represent a relevant support for the strength and conditioning professionals. Therefore, we hypothesize that a significant association might be found between handgrip strength, body composition and upper body maximal strength and that this association might be used as a specific "performance predictor". Fifteen healthy subjects (8 men / 7 women; age 25.53 ± 7.14 yr;! body mass 65.58 ± 13.26 kg; height 167±10 cm) without habitual intensive exercise participated in this pilot intervention. Body composition, handgrip strength and maximal body upper strength were evaluated. Subjects' body composition was estimated through a bioelectrical impedance analysis and resulted in a mean value of 22.12 ± 8.64% of fat and 77.81 ± 8.5%1 of lean mass. Handgrip (HG) strength was estimated for both dominant and not dominant side, respectively (39.27 ± 14.52 w; 37.59 ± 13.49 w) through the use of a handgrip dynamometer. Subjects' upper body strength was tested using a bench press 1RM test with an already standardized protocol. Subjects' maximal strength resulted in an average of 49.21 ± 23.87 kg. HG and 1RM testing were overseen by the same investigator and conducted with the same equipment. Each subject was instructed to refrain from any strenuous activities for 72 hours before testing d! ay. STATISTICA Software package© for Windows© was adopted wh en appropriate. Overall the findings showed a strong relation (Pearson's r=0.77) between HG and 1RM bench press in both, male (0.41) and female (0.80) but a low association with Free Fat Mass. Unexpectedly, female have higher association than males. These preliminary results shown that the handgrip strength might be associated to the individual maximal strength performance and it might be considered as a valid predictor of upper body strength performance within a sport/fitness context, though the presented pilot intervention we cannot draw any conclusion on the topic, due to the limited sample analyzed.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of physical activity and fitness in children with previous neoplasia

Research paper thumbnail of Determination of a strength index for upper body local endurance strength in sedentary individuals: a cross sectional analysis

SpringerPlus, 2015

A range of balance between flexor and extensor muscles is fundamental in order to prevent patholo... more A range of balance between flexor and extensor muscles is fundamental in order to prevent pathologies caused by bad postures or to ensure health of the joint as a measure of prevention of overtraining in specific muscle groups. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the ratio between &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;pulling&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; and &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;pushing&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; strength in sedentary individuals. 212 healthy participants, of both genders (139 male and 73 female; age 32 ± 13.3 years, weight 70.2 ± 14.1 kg, height 173 ± 9 cm) were retained for investigation. Strength was assessed through a new methodology: Pulling through a lat-pulldown test while pushing strength through a chest-press test. Both tests were performed to exhaustion with an overload of 30 % of each participants bodyweight. Such method aims to prevent excessive overloads in sedentary individuals. Pearson&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s correlations and a t test to assess differences were analyzed. Subsequently, the ratio for both genders of pulling and pushing local endurance strength was assessed by means. A mean number of 57 repetitions was shown with the lat-pulldown while 34 repetition with the chest press. A correlation of 0.42 has been found between the number of repetitions of the two tests. A significant difference (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001) was found between such performances. No correlation was found between the strength measures and the anthropometric parameters of the participants. The lat machine to chest press ratio was 1.36:1 for male while 2.69:1 for female. The results indicate that sedentary participants have higher pulling rather than pushing local endurance strength. Such ratio should be considered as a normative value when starting to perform exercise protocols. Resistance training should be performed in order to improve strength measures of the weaker muscles and reduce such ratio.

Research paper thumbnail of Motor and cognitive growth following a Football Training Program

Frontiers in Psychology, 2015

Motor and cognitive growth in children may be influenced by football practice. Therefore the aim ... more Motor and cognitive growth in children may be influenced by football practice. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess whether a Football Training Program taken over 6 months would improve motor and cognitive performances in children. Motor skills concerned coordinative skills, running, and explosive legs strength. Cognitive abilities involved visual discrimination times and visual selective attention times. Forty-six children with chronological age of ∼9.10 years, were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 24) attended a Football Exercise Program and Group 2 (n = 22) was composed of sedentary children. Their abilities were measured by a battery of tests including motor and cognitive tasks. Football Exercise Program resulted in improved running, coordination, and explosive leg strength performances as well as shorter visual discrimination times in children regularly attending football courses compared with their sedentary peers. On the whole these results support the thesis that the improvement of motor and cognitive abilities is related not only to general physical activity but also to specific ability related to the ball. Football Exercise Programs is assumed to be a &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;natural and enjoyable tool&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; to enhance cognitive resources as well as promoting and encouraging the participation in sport activities from early development.

Research paper thumbnail of The effects of indoor cycling training in sedentary overweight women

The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness

Methods. Fourteen subjects (22.6±2.1 yrs; 25-29.9 BMI) were trained for 12 weeks in a specific in... more Methods. Fourteen subjects (22.6±2.1 yrs; 25-29.9 BMI) were trained for 12 weeks in a specific indoor cycling protocol (ICP) consisting of three sessions/week carried out in a fitness room. Body composition and physiological parameters were taken before the beginning of the study and after 12, 24 and 36 sessions. Results. We observed a reduction of 2.6% and 3.2% in body weight and of 4.3% and 5% in fat mass after 24 and 36 sessions respectively (P<0.05). Lean mass increased by 2.3% and 2.6% respectively after 24 and 36 sessions. Body circumferences diminished in response to ICP. Resting heart rate decreased by 6.5% and 9% respectively after 24 and 36 sessions. After the tenth week, we found a reduction of 11 beats·min -1 in average training heart rate, an increase of 0.5 mL/kg -1 ·min -1 in average training oxygen uptake and an increase of 8.6 Watts in average power output. Moreover, an increase in cardio-respiratory fitness was observed (37.1±4.3 vs. 40.2±4.6 mL/kg -1 ·min -1 ) after 36 sessions. Conclusion. The decrease in body weight, without any restriction on food consumption, and the improvement in cardio-respiratory fitness suggests that ICP may be efficient for losing weight and preventing the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in young overweight women. Indoor cycling can be performed by young sedentary overweight women; however, it is fundamental to formulate training protocols which are intensity and length specific to the fitness level of the participants.

Research paper thumbnail of Parental perception of childhood obesity in an inner-city area of Palermo, Italy

Italian Journal of Public Health

The objective of this study was to evaluate in a sample of parents living in an inner-city area o... more The objective of this study was to evaluate in a sample of parents living in an inner-city area of Palermo, Italy, the perception of weight excess as a problem in childhood and the awareness about the role of physical activity, beliefs about contributors and parties having responsibility in counteracting the obesity crisis. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed on a convenience sample of parents of 6-13 year-old children who attended grades 1, 3 and 5 of primary and grades 1 and 3 of secondary public schools, respectively. Thirteen schools were selected in an inner urban district of Palermo, Italy, this district being characterized by having a population of low to medium income residents. Parents were asked to come to the school and participate in the investigation. The survey was administered in the spring of 2006. After a descriptive analysis, role of specific demographic and social characteristics -education, gender, age class and BMI -of respondents was assessed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Three hundred eleven parents completed the questionnaire. Eighty-three percent believed that being obese in childhood is a serious health hazard, but one third still interpreted the child's weight excess as an expression of health. The most significant contributors to childhood obesity were thought to be junk food and beverages (78.0%) and fast food (63.2%), followed by lack of exercise in school curriculum (48.7%). Beliefs about responsibilities for combating childhood obesity significantly varied according to education level. Conclusions: Public support for environmental changes could more effectively rise with the increasing public awareness that many interrelated obesogenic factors in the modern environment are playing a key role.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of mini trampoline exercise on male gymnasts' physiological parameters: a pilot study

The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness

Research paper thumbnail of A meta-analysis of the validity of FFQ targeted to adolescents

Public Health Nutrition, 2015

The present work is aimed at meta-analysing validity studies of FFQ for adolescents, to investiga... more The present work is aimed at meta-analysing validity studies of FFQ for adolescents, to investigate their overall accuracy and variables that can affect it negatively. A meta-analysis of sixteen original articles was performed within the ASSO Project (Adolescents and Surveillance System in the Obesity prevention). The articles assessed the validity of FFQ for adolescents, compared with food records or 24 h recalls, with regard to energy and nutrient intakes. Pearson&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s or Spearman&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s correlation coefficients, means/standard deviations, kappa agreement, percentiles and mean differences/limits of agreement (Bland-Altman method) were extracted. Pooled estimates were calculated and heterogeneity tested for correlation coefficients and means/standard deviations. A subgroup analysis assessed variables influencing FFQ accuracy. An overall fair/high correlation between FFQ and reference method was found; a good agreement, measured through the intake mean comparison for all nutrients except sugar, carotene and K, was observed. Kappa values showed fair/moderate agreement; an overall good ability to rank adolescents according to energy and nutrient intakes was evidenced by data of percentiles; absolute validity was not confirmed by mean differences/limits of agreement. Interviewer administration mode, consumption interval of the previous year/6 months and high number of food items are major contributors to heterogeneity and thus can reduce FFQ accuracy. The meta-analysis shows that FFQ are accurate tools for collecting data and could be used for ranking adolescents in terms of energy and nutrient intakes. It suggests how the design and the validation of a new FFQ should be addressed.

Research paper thumbnail of The role and working conditions of movement science students employed in sport and recreational facilities: An Italian multicenter study

Work, 2015

In Italy, students from Movement Science (MS) Degree Courses often work in sport and recreational... more In Italy, students from Movement Science (MS) Degree Courses often work in sport and recreational facilities before graduation. The employment conditions of Movement Science students working in sport/recreational facilities were investigated, and the management and structural features of the facilities were evaluated, including safety policies. Regional differences were also considered. Questionnaires were administered to undergraduate and graduate students (N = 4,217) in 17 Universities. Students&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; perceptions of the quality of the facilities where they had been employed was evaluated using multivariate analysis. A latent class model with covariates was used to evaluate how variables relating to participants&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;, employment facilities or regions influence their opinions. A high proportion of MS students were employed in sporting facilities (undergraduate level: 33% ; graduate level: 55%), in most cases without any formal employment contracts. Both the structural and hygienic features, as well as the professional knowledge of the staff, were considered good to excellent by the majority of participants (about 70%). Communication of the basic behavioral rules was considered adequate by 61-63% of undergraduate students and 71-75% of graduate students, while nearly half of the participants were dissatisfied with the staff safety training. Correlations between the perceived good structural/hygienic conditions, the presence of regulations and training programs for the staff were investigated. Differences regarding occupational level and safety training among different regions of Italy were also observed. Italian students in Movement Science were easily employed in sport/recreational facilities, but frequently without a formal contract. This is a consequence of the lack of specific regulations in the field of recreational/leisure employment and could have negative implications, especially in terms of safety.

Research paper thumbnail of Asso-FTB

Research paper thumbnail of Increased expression of titin in mouse gastrocnemius muscle in response to an endurance-training program

European journal of histochemistry: EJH

Titin, a sarcomeric giant protein, plays crucial roles in muscle assembly, elasticity and stabili... more Titin, a sarcomeric giant protein, plays crucial roles in muscle assembly, elasticity and stability. Little is known about titin adaptation to endurance exercise. We studied the effects of endurance training on titin expression in mouse gastrocnemius muscles (MGM). Sixty-three ten-week-old male Swiss mice were divided into seven groups. Four groups were composed of untrained control animals (C0, C15, C30, C45) instead the other three included mice trained for 15 (T15), 30 (T30) and 45 (T45) days by treadmill. The training protocol was mainly aerobic, characterized by moderate-intensity, rhythmic and continuous exercises. Titin expression was determined by immunohistochemistry on MGM sections. Results revealed a significant reduction in body weight of the T45 mice and a significant increase in titin expression (% titin immunoreactivity median [range] = 41.11 [20-60] vs. 30.00 [10-50]). It is postulated that the up-regulation of titin expression is an adaptative mechanism to increase ...

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of high- intensity interval resistance training (HIRT) and pyramidal training (PYT) on some muscle and blood parameters

Background: The benefits of exercise are well established but one major barrier for many is time.... more Background: The benefits of exercise are well established but one major barrier for many is time. It has been proposed that short period resistance training (RT) could play a role in weight control by increasing resting energy expenditure (REE) but the effects of different kinds of RT has not been widely reported. Methods: We tested the acute effects of high-intensity interval resistance training (HIRT) vs. traditional resistance training (TT) on REE and respiratory ratio (RR) at 22 hours post-exercise. In two separate sessions, seventeen trained males carried out HIRT and TT protocols. The HIRT technique consists of: 6 repetitions, 20 seconds rest, 2/3 repetitions, 20 secs rest, 2/3 repetitions with 2 0 30″ rest between sets, three exercises for a total of 7 sets. TT consisted of eight exercises of 4 sets of 8-12 repetitions with one/two minutes rest with a total amount of 32 sets. We measured basal REE and RR (TT 0 and HIRT 0 ) and 22 hours after the training session (TT 22 and HIRT 22 ).