Developing the Physical Performance in Youth Soccer: Short-Term Effect of Dynamic-Ecological versus Traditional Training Approach for Sub-Elite U13 Players-An Ecological Exploratory Cluster Randomised Trial.

Currently, research in youth soccer consists of methodological choices that can raise activity volumes and exercise intensity to promote proper training for youth soccer demands. Therefore, the present cluster randomised trial aims to evaluate the effects of the dynamic-ecological approach on the physical performance parameters compared with a traditional one in a group of sub-elite U13 players. Thirty-five male children (age 12.16 ± 0.55 years; weight 45.59 ± 7.15 kg; height 145.5 ± 4.2 cm; BMI 15.8 ± 2.1 kg·m-2) were recruited for this trial from two teams belonging to sub-elite soccer schools and randomly assigned to a dynamic-ecological approach (DEA) or a traditional training (TTG) group. The training program lasted six weeks and consisted of 18 training sessions of 90 min each (3 sessions per week). The sample was evaluated by the standing long jump (SLJ), hop test (HT), 10 m sprint (10 m), 10 × 5 m shuttle run test (SRT), and leg raise test (LR). The DEA group showed significantly higher results in the SLJ (p < 0.001), HT left leg (p < 0.001), 10 m sprint (p < 0.001), and SRT (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the dynamic-ecological approach provides higher performance adaptations. Therefore, this approach can be considered a suitable method to optimise pre-pubertal player training, mainly when no fitness or strength coach is available.

The effect of exercise on mental health and health-related quality of life in individuals with multiple sclerosis: A Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A large body of evidence has tested the effect of exercise interventions on mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of exercise interventions on mental health and HRQoL in PwMS. METHODS: We searched four databases up to April 2023, and included randomized controlled trials that: 1) involved PwMS ≥18 years old; 2) delivered an exercise intervention; 3) measured subjective well-being, psychological well-being, social well-being, or HRQoL as outcomes. We reported standardized differences in means (d) with a 95 % confidence interval (CI), for continuous outcomes and an incidence rate ratio (IRR) with a 95 % CI for dichotomous outcomes. RESULTS: Forty-nine studies (n = 2,057 participants) were included. Exercise improved overall well-being (d = 0.78; 95 % CI 0.483, 1.077; moderate certainty evidence), subjective well-being (d = 0.666; 95 % CI 0.405, 0.928; moderate certainty evidence), social well-being (d = 1.046; 95 % CI 0.569, 1.523; low certainty evidence), and HRQoL (d = 0.568; 95 % CI 0.396, 0.74; moderate certainty evidence). CONCLUSION: Exercise interventions can improve well-being and HRQoL in PwMS. Future studies should focus on PwMS ≥ 65 years or with higher level of impairments.

Physical strength levels and short-term memory efficiency in primary school children: a possible match?

BACKGROUND: Physical strength stimulation and, in general, physical activity induces brain plasticity (functional and structural adaptations) in different cerebral areas, benefiting executive function, cognition, attention and academic performance, which is usually estimated by measuring the Intelligent Quotient (IQ), and IQ is related to short-term memory, generally during school age. However, very little is known about the role of physical strength on short-term memory efficiency. Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to examine whether the level of physical strength can positively impact short-term memory efficiency in primary school children. Additionally, if this effect is observed, the secondary goal of this study is to determine whether the age of the participants plays a role in mediating and moderating this influence. METHODS: Seventy-five children from a primary school in the metropolitan area of Turin were recruited for this study. Each subject performed the overhead medicine ball toss (backwards) test to assess physical strength and the Digit Span test from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) to evaluate short-term memory efficiency. Firstly, a simple mediation model was used to identify the possible impact of physical strength levels on short-term memory efficiency and the potential role of participants' chronological age. Secondly, a moderation model was carried out to observe if age could moderate the impact of physical training on short-term memory efficiency and the different significance levels of the moderator. Significance was assumed at P<0.05. RESULTS: The results showed a statistically significant direct effect of physical strength on short-term memory (Β=0.429, t(72)=3.247, P<0.01). On the contrary, age was not statistically significant (Β=0.167, t(72)=3.247, P=0.211). Furthermore, a significant interaction between strength and age was identified by the moderation model (ß=-0.270, P<0.01). Specifically, the impact of physical strength levels on short-term memory increased for individuals who were above the mean age (ß=0.755, P<0.001). but not for those under the mean age (ß=0.215, P=0.153). This model explains 37.2% of the variance in memory (R2=0.372, F(3, 71)=14.031, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that physical strength can positively influence short-term memory. In addition, this impact is enhanced in older-age children. Thus, primary school programs should stimulate physical strength to help children develop cognitive abilities.

The Influence of Subjective Perceptions and the Efficacy of Objective Evaluation in Soccer School Players' Classification: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: The first objective was to investigate the influence of subjective perceptions and the efficacy of objective evaluation regarding the classification of soccer school players by their level of performance. The second objective was to advise on accurate collocation according to objective assessment of players' performance. METHODS: An objective evaluation of the players' motor performance abilities and coaches' subjective perceptions of the players' levels of performance was conducted with 34 young football players (U11) from Torino FC soccer school. The players were allocated to three groups based on their perceived performance level at the start of the season. The players were evaluated using a field test battery, and team coaches provided subjective ratings of the players' abilities. RESULTS: MANOVA showed significant differences between the playing levels (F = 2.185, p < 0.05; partial η2 = 0.34) in the 10 × 5 shuttle run, 20 m sprint test (objective evaluations), heading, understanding of the game, positioning on the field, speed and agility (subjective perception) (F = 1.951, p < 0.05; partial η2 = 0.43). A discriminant analysis of the field test scores revealed that 76.5% of players were correctly categorised in one of the three performance-level groups. However, the first group (the best players) had the lowest predictive accuracy rate (58.3%). By comparison, the second group (the average players) had a much higher predictive accuracy rate (83.3%), and the third (the weakest players) had the highest (90.0%). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the role of objective performance evaluation in categorising players of different skill in soccer schools.

Correction to: COVID­19 nationwide lockdown and physical activity profiles among North­western Italian population using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s11332-021-00745-8.].

The impact of physical activity rate on subjective well-being among North-Western Italian population during COVID-19 nationwide lockdown.

BACKGROUND: Several factors influence subjective well-being, and one of them is the rate of physical activity. However, the possibilities to perform physical activity are compromised by the running COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the relationship between self-reported physical activity levels during COVID-19 and subjective well-being. Furthermore, our secondary aim was to investigate whether personal well-being was different between men and women and between people with different self-reported physical activity levels. METHODS: Physical activity rate and subjective well-being were assessed using specific online surveys. Well-being was investigated using the 5-item World Health Organization Well-being Index while physical activity rates using the official Italian short form of IPAQ. Participation was voluntary, and people could fill the questionnaire simply by clicking on a specific link reachable via Social Networks or by email. RESULTS: The final sample size was 595 Italian responders. Male and female were equally distributed (50.3% male and 49.7% female). The multiple regression indicated that the model was a significant predictor of subjective well-being (R2=0.070,F (3,59)=14.68, P<0.0001). The univariate ANOVA detected a statistically significant difference in subjective well-being perception between gender (P<0.05; ƞ2=0.01) and among physical activity rates ([whole sample: P<0.0001, ƞ2=0.03]; Males: F (2,296)=4364, P<0.01, ƞ2=0.03; Females: F (2,293)=5256, P<0.001, ƞ2=0.04). Tuckey's post-hoc identified a difference between Low active and moderate active males (P<0.01) and low active and very active females (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: More vigorous activities are necessary for women to reach the goal of feeling good and satisfied with life than men. Therefore, women should be encouraged to spend more time practising physical activity at a more vigorous rate. This outcome might help practitioners set specific home training programs to be advised during periods of social life restrictions as the running COVID-19 pandemic.

Age-Related Differences in Hamstring Flexibility in Prepubertal Soccer Players: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to investigate the hamstring flexibility rate among prepubertal soccer players from U8 to U12 and the role of age and soccer years of practice on the course of hamstring flexibility. Six hundred eleven young Italian soccer players from a local soccer school in Turin were recruited for this research and assigned to each group according to their chronological age (U8 = 124 players; U9 = 130 players; U10 = 151 players; U11 = 89 players; and U12 = 120 players). Hamstring flexibility was measured using the Sit and Reach Test (SAR), while data analysis was run using a one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA). Furthermore, Tuckey's post hoc was used to determine differences among the classes of age. Finally, a bivariate ordinal regression analysis was used to evaluate a potential association between age categories and hamstrings flexibility. In addition, multivariable ordinal regression was used to analyze this relationship adjusted for the Body Mass Index (BMI). The one-way ANOVA showed significant differences in flexibility among groups (F = 32.76, P < 0.0001). Tuckey's post hoc identified significant differences between U8 and U10 (p < 0.01; -2,39 cm of hamstring stretching), U8 and U11 (p < 0.05; -2.19 cm), U8 and U12 (p < 0.0001; -5.90), U9 and U12 (p < 0.0001; -4.98 cm), U10 and U12 (p < 0.0001; -3.5 cm), U11 and U12 (p < 0,001; -3.70 cm). In the bivariate ordinal regression analysis, there was a negative association between the age categories and hamstrings flexibility (R 2 = 0.137; p < 0.0001). The association persisted in multivariable ordinal regression analysis adjusted for BMI (R 2 = 0.138; p < 0.0001). This study underlines changes in hamstring flexibility across different age groups of prepubertal soccer players. The older and more experienced in soccer are less flexible than the younger, considering the hamstring muscles. Thus, appropriate stretching protocols should be included in prepubertal soccer training to avoid the risk of lead players to excess hamstring tightness.

COVID-19 nationwide lockdown and physical activity profiles among North-western Italian population using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).

BACKGROUND: The role of physical activity in enhancing health is well recognized. However, in the more industrialized countries, physical activity rates are declining, and the emerging COVID-19 pandemic may amplify this scenario. Thus, this study aimed to report the Italian population's physical activity profile living in the North-western regions during the national lockdown. METHODS: Physical activity was assessed using the official Italian short form of IPAQ, intended for Social Networking Services (SNS). Participation was voluntary, and people could fill the questionnaire simply by clicking on a specific link. RESULTS: The final sample size was 612 Italians, male and female, equally distributed (49.1% male and 50.9% female). Data showed a percentage of 15.4% of inactive subjects (MET < 700), 61.8% of moderate-active (MET 700-2500), and 22.9% of active people (MET > 2500). Women were more inactive than men (p < 0.01; 57.4% vs 42.6%). Furthermore, participants were classified into four classes of age: 18-29; 30-44; 45-59; and 60-79. Class 18-29 was prevalent (p < 0.01, 68.3%) and showed higher levels of physical activity (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Italians living in North-western regions maintained a moderate amount of physical activity during the quarantine. This behavior should be encouraged, particularly among women that usually appear to be less active than men.