Acute effects of prismatic adaptation on penalty kick accuracy and postural control in young soccer players: A pilot study.

Background: Prismatic adaptation (PA) is a visuomotor technique using prismatic glasses that are capable of moving the visual field and to affect the excitability of certain brain areas. The aim of this pilot study was to explore potential acute effects of PA on penalty kick accuracy and postural control in youth soccer players. Methods: In this randomized crossover study, seven young male soccer players performed three PA sessions (rightward PA, r-PA; leftward PA, l-PA; sham PA, s-PA) with a washout period of 1-week between them. Immediately before and after each PA session, penalty kick accuracy and postural control were assessed. Results: We detected an increase in penalty kick accuracy following PA, regardless of the deviation side of the prismatic glasses (F1,5 = 52.15; p = 0.08; ηp2 = 0.981). In detail, our results showed an increase in the penalty kick accuracy toward the right target of the football goal following r-PA and toward the left target of the football goal following l-PA. We detected a significant effect on the sway path length (F2,12 = 10.42; p = 0.002; ηp2 = 0.635) and the sway average speed (F2,12 = 9.17; p = 0.004; ηp2 = 0.605) parameters in the stabilometric test with open eyes following PA, regardless of the deviation side of the prismatic glasses. In detail, our results showed a significant difference in both the stabilometric parameters (p = 0.016 and p = 0.009, respectively) only following l-PA. Conclusion: The findings of this pilot study indicate that PA could positively affect penalty kick accuracy and postural control suggesting that PA could be used as a visual training technique in athletes.

Optimizing strength training protocols in young females: A comparative study of velocity-based and percentage-based training programs.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of velocity-based strength training (VBT) and percentage-based strength training (PBT) on absolute strength, explosive strength, speed, and agility, as well as markers of muscle damage after 6 weeks of exercise programs. The study included 30 young female individuals, divided into three groups of 10 participants: VBT, PBT, and control group. The main findings indicated that the VBT group and PBT group showed significant improvement in 1RM squat exercise (Δ% 27.87 and Δ% 8.98, respectively) and 1RM bench press (Δ% 14.47 and Δ% 8.65, respectively), but a greater enhancement was observed in the VBT group. In addition, VBT induced substantial changes in SJ (Δ% 14.32) and CMJ height (Δ% 7.69), while PBT had an improvement only in the SJ test (Δ% 6.72). The improvement noted in the VBT group could be attributed to its ability to tailor training intensity according to the speed of movement execution. This approach allows athletes to perform each repetition as fast as possible, thus maintaining an optimal intensity for explosive strength development. The capacity of VBT to adapt training intensity based on the speed of movement execution may be the key factor contributing to these results. Therefore, coaches and athletes should consider implementing VBT as a valuable tool to optimize strength and power development. In conclusion, VBT induced greater improvement in the 1RM squat, 1RM bench press, SJ, and CMJ compared to the group that performed the traditional strength training modality. Therefore, VBT is considered a more effective training tool regarding the development of absolute and explosive strength in young women.

Not Only Protein: Dietary Supplements to Optimize the Skeletal Muscle Growth Response to Resistance Training: The Current State of Knowledge.

Regarding skeletal muscle hypertrophy, resistance training and nutrition, the most often discussed and proposed supplements include proteins. Although, the correct amount, quality, and daily distribution of proteins is of paramount importance for skeletal muscle hypertrophy, there are many other nutritional supplements that can help and support the physiological response of skeletal muscle to resistance training in terms of muscle hypertrophy. A healthy muscle environment and a correct whole muscle metabolism response to the stress of training is a prerequisite for the increase in muscle protein synthesis and, therefore, muscle hypertrophy. In this review, we discuss the role of different nutritional supplements such as carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, creatine, omega-3, polyphenols, and probiotics as a support and complementary factors to the main supplement i.e., protein. The different mechanisms are discussed in the light of recent evidence.

Effects of resistance training on sleep quality and disorders among individuals diagnosed with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disorders are often complained by cancer patients and can last years after the end of therapies, leading to different negative consequences. Non-pharmacological strategies such as exercise interventions may be considered to counteract this phenomenon. The literature supports the beneficial effects of aerobic training (AT), while evidence on resistance training (RT) is scarce. Accordingly, our systematic review aims to investigate the potential novel effect of RT on sleep outcomes in cancer survivors. METHODS: The literature search was conducted on MEDLINE (Pubmed), Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases, including only randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The screening procedure was conducted using the web-based software COVIDENCE. Sleep outcomes assessed through self-reported questionnaires or objective sleep measurements were extracted from RCTs recruiting cancer survivors of any age and gender, on or off treatment. The risk of bias (RoB) for each study was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool for RCTs. Meta-analytic syntheses were performed on sleep quality and insomnia. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies were included in the review. Considering the mean percentage differences of all studies combined, promising positive results were found after combined aerobic and resistance exercise program (COMB) for sleep quality (-19%) and sleep disturbance (-17.3%). The meta-analysis results showed significant improvement for both sleep quality and insomnia (d = 0.28, SE: 0.11, Z = 2.51, p < 0.01, 95% CI: 0.07-0.49 and d = 0.43, SE: 0.20, Z = 2.18, p = 0.029, 95% CI: 0.07-0.49, respectively). CONCLUSION: RT interventions of 60 minutes per session, performed 2-3 times a week for 12 weeks, with exercise intensity ranging from 60% to 80% of one-repetition maximum can be administered to cancer survivors, aiming to improve sleep outcomes.

Applicability of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool in Elite Volleyball Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The ease of administration of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) could represent a methodology for periodically evaluating athletes, preventing ankle instability injuries. This study aimed to achieve three objectives: (a) to evaluate the applicability of the CAIT scale in volleyball; (b) to explore whether ankle instability presents a greater risk in lower-level volleyball categories and whether elite athletes demonstrate an ability to mitigate this risk; and (c) to identify potential predictors of ankle instability. METHODS: Eighty female volleyball players participated in this cross-sectional observational study. The CAIT was administered to evaluate the athletes belonging to some teams in Series A, B, and C. RESULTS: The Spearman's ranks correlation coefficient showed significant correlations between CAIT items. Additionally, the Cronbach's α showed a high internal consistency. Our results showed a significant difference between athletes who reported pain and those who did not (p < 0.001). The multiple linear regression model analysis showed that pain was a predictor of ankle instability (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the CAIT can be used to evaluate ankle stability in volleyball players. This scale could represent a valuable tool for implementing specific intervention programs to prevent ankle injuries in athletes.

Acute effects of static stretching and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on non-local range of movement.

Acute effects of static stretching (SS) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on local and non-local range of motion (ROM) were assessed in 29 participants. Three evaluations were performed one week apart: week-1 Control session (CS); weeks 2-3 either SS or PNF interventions (randomized). Dominant and non-dominant limbs, local (hamstring extensibility) and non-local ROMs (Shoulder extension-ShE) were collected at baseline (T0), immediately after (T1), and fifteen minutes post-intervention (T2). No differences were found between time-points during the CS. Local-ROM significantly increased (p=0.0002, ES=0.74 and 0.0079, 0.56, for dominant and non-dominant lower limbs, respectively) after both SS and PNF. No interaction between time and treatment was detected for ShE in both limbs. However, post-hoc analysis revealed a significant increase in dominant upper limb ShE between T0 and T1 only after SS (p=0.002; +6.5%). Acute bouts of SS and PNF can increase local-ROM, however, no clear effects were observed for non-local ROM.

The Effects of Stretching Exercise on Levels of Blood Glucose: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity plays an important role in the management of blood glucose levels. However, compelling evidence exists only for aerobic and resistance training. In this review, we aimed to identify the potential effects of stretching exercises on blood glucose levels. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using the following databases: Scopus, NLM PubMed, and Web of Science. Studies regarding the effects of stretching exercise in humans on blood glucose or any related variable were included. Further inclusion criteria were: (1) original articles (published from database inception to October 2022), (2) applying stretching as a unique exercise modality, (3) having either longitudinal or acute interventions, (4) including healthy and pathological populations, and (5) having within each study a pre- and post-intervention measure. Quality assessment of the studies was conducted using the Downs and Black checklist. RESULTS: A total of 13 articles were included. The quality assessment revealed an overall moderate quality of the included records. Ten articles included patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), whereas the remaining three included at-risk populations. A total of 731 people with a mean age of 56.7 ± 6.1 years old were analysed. Fasting blood glucose, 2 h post-oral glucose uptake, post-stretching intervention blood glucose levels, and HbA1c were identified as variables related to blood glucose within the studies. After the stretching interventions, a significant reduction was observed in either blood glucose (ES = - 0.79; p = 0.0174) or HbA1c (ES = - 1.11; p = < 0.0001). Meta-analytic results highlighted greater effects in T2D patients (ES = - 1.15; p = 0.02) and for studies applying stretching as an exercise intervention (ES = - 1.27; p = 0.006) rather than considering stretching as a control exercise modality. CONCLUSION: The results of this systematic review highlight the potential of stretching exercises to reduce blood glucose levels. In particular, if stretching is applied as a specific form of exercise intervention in patients with T2D greater effects are observed. However, further studies with more solid research designs are required, therefore, caution is needed before prescribing stretching as an exercise intervention for glycaemic management.

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Male and Female Judo Athletes.

Changes in cardiac geometry develop after intense and prolonged training. Left ventricular enlargement, increased relative wall thickness, and growing mass of the left ventricle occur after strenuous exercise. Combat sports such as judo can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy. Previous studies have found that there are differences in left ventricular chamber size and thickness between the sexes, with female athletes having smaller wall diameters and less hypertrophy than male athletes. The research aims to examine heart muscle adaptations and remodeling of cardiac geometry among elite judo athletes and to evaluate differences between males and females. A cross-sectional study included a group of 19 (males n=10, females n=9) professional judokas between 20 and 30 years. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected. Cardiac geometry was determined by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. In terms of left ventricular mass and the left ventricular mass index significant differences were found between male and female judokas (233.44±68.75 g vs. 164.11±16.59 g, p=0.009), (105.16±24.89 vs. 84.66±15.06, p=0.044), respectively. A greater enlargement of the heart muscle is observed in male athletes compared to the female group. Left ventricle enlargement is likely to occur among elite-level judokas.

Objectively evaluated physical activity among individuals following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per week, MVPA per day, and steps per day between individuals that were subjected to the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and healthy control group. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Data sources: Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed have been comprehensively searched to identify relevant investigations. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: An observational research that objectively evaluated physical activity among respondents with a history of ACLR. Results: Of 302 records, a total of 12 studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Four hundred and forty-three participants underwent the ACLR, 153 men and 290 women. The mean time between anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery and evaluation of analysed outcomes was 34.8 months. The main findings demonstrated that the ACLR group spent less time in weekly MVPA (standardised mean differences (SMD)=-0.43 (95% CI -0.66 to -0.20); mean = -55.86 min (95% CI -86.45 to -25.27); p=0.0003; τ2=0.00), in daily MVPA (SMD=-0.51 95% CI -0.76 to -0.26]; mean = -15.59 min (95% CI -22.93 to -8.25); p<0.0001; τ2=0.00), and they had fewer daily steps (SMD=-0.60 95% CI -0.90 to -0.30); mean = -1724.39 steps (95% CI -2552.27 to -896.50); p<0.0001; τ2=0.00) relative to their non-injured counterparts. Additionally, available investigations indicated that individuals with a history of ACLR participated in 316.8 min of MVPA per week, 67 min in MVPA per day, and 8337 steps per day. Conclusion: Long-term after ACLR, participants undergoing ACL surgery were less physically active compared with their non-injured peers, and they did not satisfy recommendations regarding steps per day. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023431991.

Sex differences in the determination of prescribed load in ballistic bench press.

Introduction: The objectives of the present study were twofold: first, to identify the specific relative load at which the concentric motion transforms into a purely propulsive action among women, and second, to compare the load-velocity relationships between men and women during the bench press throw. Methods: Fourteen men and fourteen women participated in a test where they progressively increased the load until reaching their one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the bench press exercise. Linear regression models were employed to elucidate the relationships between load and velocity, as well as load and the propulsive phase (% of total concentric time). Additionally, ANCOVA was utilized to compare the linear regression models between men and women. Results: The results revealed strong and linear associations between load and mean propulsive velocity (MPV) for both men and women, as well as between load and the propulsive phase. Notably, there were significant differences in MPV and the propulsive phase concerning load between men and women. Women transitioned into a fully propulsive concentric phase at approximately 80% of their 1RM, while men achieved this entirely propulsive phase at around 85% of their 1RM. Furthermore, women exhibited reduced velocities when handling lighter relative loads compared to men. Conversely, women demonstrated higher velocities when dealing with loads exceeding 85% of their 1RM in contrast to their male counterparts. Discussion: These findings hold notable implications for prescribing bench press throw loads for women, which should differ from those recommended for men. Further studies are necessary to validate the efficacy of the proposed load recommendations.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its association with rapid weight loss among former elite combat sports athletes in Serbia.

BACKGROUND: In terms of the potential influence of rapid weight loss (RWL) on the metabolic health of former combat sports athletes (CSA), the scientific literature is quite scarce. Therefore, the objective of the presented research was to determine the differences in metabolic syndrome (MetS) parameters and the prevalence of MetS between former athletes who performed RWL and athletes who did not. METHODS: The sample of the presented study comprised 150 participants from Serbia, equally divided into two groups: 75 former athletes who had practiced combat sports and 75 ex-athletes of various other sports who did not practice RWL during their careers. The following parameters related to the MetS were evaluated: waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, and triglycerides. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to assess the participant's body response to sugar. RESULTS: The RWL group had significantly higher both systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) compared to the group of athletes who did not practice weight reduction during their careers. Additionally, a tendency toward statistically significant differences between groups was recorded in the variable triglycerides (p = 0.069). Regarding OGTT, increased values of fasting blood glucose at the final measurement were revealed only in the RWL group (p = 0.003). The prevalence of MetS was substantially higher in CSA than in the control group (39.5% vs. 16.2%, respectively p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that former elite CSA who used RWL during their sports career are susceptible to negative metabolic alterations at the end of their competitive period.

Biophysical, thermo-physiological and perceptual determinants of cool-seeking behaviour during exercise in younger and older women.

Women continue to be under-represented in thermoregulatory research despite their undergoing unique physiological changes across the lifespan. This study investigated the biophysical, thermo-physiological, and perceptual determinants of cool-seeking behaviour during exercise in younger and older women. Eleven younger (25 ± 5 years; 1.7 ± 0.1 m; 63.1 ± 5.2 kg) and 11 older women (53 ± 6 years; 1.7 ± 0.1 m; 65.4 ± 13.9 kg) performed a 40-min incremental cycling test in a thermoneutral environment (22 ± 1.7°C; 36 ± 4% relative humidity). Throughout the test, participants freely adjusted the temperature of a cooling probe applied to their wrists to offset their thermal discomfort. We continuously recorded the probe-wrist interface temperature to quantify participants' cool-seeking behaviour. We also measured changes in participants' rate of metabolic heat production, core and mean skin temperatures, and skin wetness. Finally, we body-mapped participants' skin heat, cold and wetness sensitivity. Our results indicated that: (1) older and younger women exhibited similar onset and magnitude of cool-seeking behaviour, despite older women presented reduced autonomic heat-dissipation responses (i.e., whole-body sweat losses); (2) older women's thermal behaviour was less determined by changes in core temperature (this being a key driver in younger women), and more by changes in multiple thermo-physiological and biophysical parameters (i.e., physical skin wetness, temperature and heat production); (3) older women did not present lower regional skin thermal and wetness sensitivity than younger women. We conclude that predictions of female cool-seeking behaviours based on thermo-physiological variables should consider the effects of ageing. These findings are relevant for the design of wearable cooling systems and sports garments that meet the thermal needs of women across the lifespan.

Acute effects of different administration order of stretching exercises: effects on range of motion and cross-over effect.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this manuscript is to investigate if stretching exercise administration order may influence outcomes pertinent to range of movement (ROM). METHODS: A total sample of 108 participants was randomized into five groups. Eight sets of unilateral static stretching (SS) of 30s duration each with a 30s rest were administered to the right leg. One group underwent SS of the knee extensors (KE), another to the knee flexors (KF), another first to the KE and then to the KF, another first to the KF and then to the KE while the last group was used as control (CG). Each group was assessed for ROM of both lower limbs for either the KE and KF motion (passive hip extention [PHE] and passive straight leg raise [PSLR], respectively). Measures were assessed before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 15 minutes after the intervention (T2). RESULTS: No differences were observed for time (T0 vs. T1 vs. T2) for all measures in the CG for both limbs. Time-x-group interactions were observed only in the intervention limb (P<0.0007 and 0.004, ES 0.73 and 0.55, for KE and KF, respectively). Within the intervention limb, a significant increase in the PHE was observed from T0 to T1 only in the KE and KF/KE groups. For measures of the PSLR, a significant increase was observed from T0 to T1 only in the KF and KE/KF groups. No differences neither for time or group were observed in the control limb. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight that exercise administration order has an effect on ROM outcomes. Measures of ROM significantly increase only for the last stretched muscle in each intervention group. No crossover effect was observed in the contralateral limb.

One more rep! The case for resistance training in young cancer survivors.

Resistance training is now seen as a powerful tool to improve the health and functionality of cancer survivors. Literature shows that it can be implemented both during and after cancer treatment, with the intent of preserving muscle mass in the former and increasing muscle mass in the latter case. However, currently available data on this matter are predominantly derived from adult cancer survivors (ACS), and it is questionable whether the exact same raining regimen should be implemented in young cancer survivors (YCS) given the unique challenges they experience throughout their disease trajectory. Therefore, the goal of this work is to distill the existing evidence on resistance training (RT) interventions in ACS and facilitate discussion on whether the same patterns of RT can be applied in YCS.

The influence of body mass index on physical activity engagement following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A systematic literature review.

Background: The objective of this study was to summarize available literature that explored the impact of body mass index (BMI) on physical activity participation among individuals who were subjected to the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Methods: A total of three electronic databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed, were comprehensively searched to identify relevant investigations. The following inclusion criteria were applied: (1) study design was observational; (2) participants underwent the ACLR; (3) BMI was estimated as a predictor variable; and (4) outcomes evaluated referred to physical activity. The risk of bias was assessed with the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Results: After a database search, 787 studies were found, and only 10 of them met each of the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative analysis. Regarding respondents' characteristics, 7171 individuals underwent ACLR, 4080 males and 3091 females, with a mean age of 25.5 years. Most importantly, the average BMI of the examined population was 24.9 kg/m2. In all studies, physical activity was evaluated subjectively using the Tegner activity scale and the Marx activity scale. The main findings unambiguously demonstrated that a negative relationship between BMI and physical activity engagement was observed. More specifically, there is convincing evidence that BMI over 25 kg/m2 harmfully affected subjectively assessed physical activity in individuals with a history of ACLR. Conclusion: The results obtained in the presented research indicated that increased values of BMI were a factor that correlated with reduced physical activity levels in the ACLR population. Hence, taking into account the clinical and health implications of reduced physical activity participation, stimulation of a healthy lifestyle, such as a combination of adequately designed physical exercise and nutrition, seems necessary for the analyzed population.

Young basketball players have better manual dexterity performance than sportsmen and non-sportsmen of the same age: a cross-sectional study.

Manual dexterity is a key skill in motor development. There are conflicting studies on the influence of sports practice on this skill and on which type of sport trains this ability the most in youth. Manual dexterity is usually assessed with expensive and time-consuming tools not easily available to facilities such as schools or sports clubs. The aim of this study was to assess differences in manual dexterity performance between young basketball players, sportsmen, and non-sportsmen. A further aim was to analyze whether the coin rotation task was a reliable tool for assessing manual dexterity. Based on the characteristics of the sport, we hypothesized that basketball players had better manual dexterity performances. Seventy-eight participants were included in the study and categorized into "basketball", "sports", and "non-sports" groups. Manual dexterity was assessed with the grooved pegboard, the coin rotation task, and the handgrip tests. The basketball group showed better performance in all tests. Significant differences were found between the basketball group and sports group and between the basketball group and non-sport group in the grooved pegboard (p < 0.05) and in the handgrip (p < 0.05) tests. Test-retest reliability of the coin rotation task scores was moderate in the basketball group (ICC2,1 0.63-0.6). Basketball practice could positively influence manual dexterity. The coin rotation task showed an acceptable construct of validity.

Effects of Cycling on Spine: A Case-Control Study Using a 3D Scanning Method.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the effects of adopting a specific and prolonged posture on cyclists. This study aimed to evaluate the upright spine in a sample of recreational cyclists and compare it with a sample of non-cyclists, though still athletes, through a 3D scanning method. METHODS: Forty-eight participants were enrolled in this observational study. The sample consisted of 25 cyclists for the cycling group and 23 non-cyclist athletes for the control group. The Spine3D device (Sensor Medica, Guidonia Montecelio, Rome, Italy) was used to evaluate the spine of the participants in both groups. RESULTS: The results showed significantly greater spine inclination in the cycling group compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in lumbar lordosis in the cycling group compared to the control group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This case-control study raises the possibility that the onset of lower back pain in cyclists may be due to a reduction in lumbar lordosis. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that the Spine3D device can be used in sports to monitor the spine of athletes to prevent and reduce musculoskeletal deficits.

Incidence of injuries and associated risk factors in a sample of Italian recreational padel players.

BACKGROUND: Padel is a racket sport similar to tennis, which since the COVID-19 pandemic has been gaining popularity among recreational players. Despite its popularity, epidemiological studies are still lacking. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of injuries among Italian recreational padel players and associated risk factors. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to 127 recreational padel players between January 2022 to March 2022. The questionnaire consisted of questions to collect information regarding intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to padel practice, injury location, and injury typology. Frequencies and proportions were calculated for variable description. Binomial logistic regression was adopted to identify potential risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 127 participants, 100 (78.8%) reported having had an injury during the previous year. Such injury in most cases (37%) resulted in an absence from padel from 8 to 28 days. The most common injury locations were lower leg/Achilles tendon (17.1%) and elbow (13.8%), while the most common injury typologies were tendinopathies (33.6%) and contusions (14.9%). Among the identified risk factors the amount of time played padel (3.5-5 hours/week), racket type (round), and racket weight (either not knowing or 356-375 g) resulted in an increase in the probability of occurring an injury. CONCLUSIONS: Recreational padel results in a high percentage of injuries. These frequently result in tendinopathies of the Achilles tendon and elbow. Inadequate racket characteristics and the amount of time played could contribute to an increase in injury incidence.

Functional fitness, lifestyle and demographic factors as predictors of perceived physical and mental health in older adults: A structural equation model.

Over the past 50 years, socioeconomic development has brought a reduction in birth rates, an increase in life expectancy and consequently in the elderly population. For this reason, there has been an increasing focus on physical and mental health of the elderly, promoting the concept of healthy aging. The aim of this study was to explore the associations between perceived physical and mental health of older adults and a variety of determinants, such as demographic factors, physical functional fitness, physical activity level, adherence to the Mediterranean diet and anthropometric indices, through a structural equation modeling (SEM). A cross-sectional observational study involved 208 elderly (24 men and 184 women) over the age of 60, fully independent and autonomous. Perceived physical and mental health were assessed with the Short Form 12 questionnaire. Basic sociodemographic information was collected; anthropometric features were directly measured, functional fitness was assessed with the Senior Fitness Test, and physical activity level was determined through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire; adherence to Mediterranean Diet (MD) was also collected through the MEDAS questionnaire. The SEM analysis revealed that functional fitness, which was a latent variable of the model described by the six administered fitness tests, was a strong predictor both of perceived physical and perceived mental health in the sample of elderly. Physical activity level was as predictor of the perceived physical component, but not of the mental health, while score of metabolic equivalent task did not result a predictor, as well as the sociodemographic factors and adherence to MD. The present findings suggest that it would be strongly recommended for elderly subjects to engage in physical activity specifically targeted to aged populations, in order to enhance their fitness abilities and enable them to improve the perception of their own health status.