The usefulness of Integrative Neuromuscular Training to counteract obesity: a narrative review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The association between physical activity and diet has a valuable impact in weight status management to counteract obesity. In this context, within different training strategies (i.e., endurance, resistance training, concurrent training, agility training) the Integrative Neuromuscular Training (INT) represents a structured training mode focused on global human movement pattern development with the aim to enhance motor control, mobility and stability. In this narrative review we aimed to discuss the feasibility of INT interventions on physical fitness and body composition outcomes in individuals with obesity. SUBJECTS: Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar including were searched before 1st February 2023 without restrictions on publication year. METHODS: Two researchers extracted data from published trials. Randomized controlled trials or clinical trials, Body Mass Index of children and adolescents at the 95% percentile or greater, and for adults to be above 30 kg/m2, detailed intervention description, randomization process and allocation into an experimental or a control group, trials must have been written in English, were included. RESULTS: We included a total of 19 studies complying with the inclusion criteria for the review process. There is evidence that INT promotes positive adaptations in fitness levels in both younger and older participants with concomitant ameliorations during a shorter, medium and longer time period. Moreover, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, balance, postural control and body composition reached significant remarkable improvements following a specific intervention based on INT principles compared to other training mode. However, Body Mass Index, fat mass percentage and waist circumference showed similar changes overtime. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these findings support the effectiveness of INT in ameliorating physical fitness (i.e., health-related and skill related components) without negative changes in body composition. Nevertheless, fitness coaches and therapists may consider this training modality a feasible option when prescribing physical exercise in outpatients with obesity.

Self-Regulated Learning Assessment in Young Soccer Players: Beyond Competitive Levels.

ABSTRACT: Trecroci, A, Cavaggioni, L, Rossi, A, Bongiovanni, T, Invernizzi, PL, Formenti, D, and Longo, S. Self-regulated learning assessment in young soccer players: beyond competitive levels. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-This study explores self-regulated learning (SRL) among young soccer players, transcending the traditional focus on competitive levels. One hundred twenty-four soccer players of regional and provincial levels from under 14 to under 17 age groups voluntarily participated in the study and were combined into a single group. A median-split method based on total time performance was used to separate players into low performers (LPs) and high performers (HPs) from a 90° change of direction dribbling test. The self-regulation of learning-self-report scale for sport practice (SRL-SRS-SP) with a 5-factor solution (planning, reflection, effort, self-efficacy, and self-supervision) and 31 items was used. The score was based on a 1-5 Likert scale. The level of significance was set at p -value < 0.05. The SRL-SRS-SP total score by HP players differed significantly from that of LP players ( p = 0.015). Regarding each subscale, HP players showed significantly higher scores than LP players ( p = 0.011) for planning, whereas no differences were observed for the remaining factors ( p ≥ 0.05). The main observation of this study revealed that HP soccer players had a greater level of engagement in the learning process with a remarkable ability to plan for specific improvement than LP peers. This suggests that the competitive level might not be the sole determinant of differences in SRL. Therefore, strength and conditioning coaches should emphasize metacognitive and motivational components because of their crucial role in enhancing technical and physical performance.

Seasonal Changes in Breathing Pattern, Trunk Stabilization, and Muscular Power in Paralympic Swimmers.

The purpose of this study was to monitor the changes in breathing pattern, trunk muscle stabilization, and upper-body muscular power in Paralympic swimmers throughout a competitive season over three time points: October (T1), March (T2), and August (T3). Six top-level Paralympic swimmers voluntarily participated in this study. The Friedman test, the Bonferroni-Dunn multiple comparison post hoc analysis, and Kendall's W concordance coefficient for the measure of effect were used. A significant difference was found in the breathing pattern, trunk stability, and upper-body power variables from the T1 to T3 season (p < .05). However, no significant changes were found in the T2 season. A long-term assessment of these fitness parameters may be of practical importance for better tailoring the training programs of top-level Paralympic swimmers.

Importance of anthropometric features to predict physical performance in elite youth soccer: a machine learning approach.

The present study aimed to determine the contribution of soccer players' anthropometric features to predict their physical performance. Sixteen players, from a professional youth soccer academy, were recruited. Several anthropometric features such as corrected arm muscle area (AMAcorr), arm muscle circumference (AMC) and right and left suprapatellar girths (RSPG and LSPG) were employed in this study. Players' physical performance was assessed by the change of direction (COD), sprint (10-m and 20-m), and vertical jump (CMJ) tests, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 (Yo-Yo IRT1). Using an extra tree regression (ETR) model, the anthropometric features permitted to accurately predict 10-m sprint, 20-m sprint and Yo-Yo IRTL 1 performance (p < 0.05). ETR showed that upper-body features as AMAcorr, and AMC affected 10-m and 20-m sprint performances, while lower-body features as RSPG and LSPG influenced the Yo-Yo IRTL 1 (Overall Gini importance ≥ 0.22). The model predicting COD and CMJ presented a poor level of prediction, suggesting that other factors, rather than anthropometric features, may concur to predict their changes in performance. These findings demonstrated that the upper- and lower-body anthropometric features are strictly related to sprint and aerobic fitness performance in elite youth soccer.

Facial asymmetry in the resting state reflects anxiety status on young males.

Facial asymmetry is considered a marker of psychological, emotional and physiological distress, while anxiety is a behavioural, psychological and physiological response to a threat to well-being. Since individuals respond to anxiety with specific patterns (e.g., muscular tension), it is reasonable to hypothesize that anxiety could contribute to facial tension and therefore facial asymmetry. Instead, since facial asymmetry is perceived as "unpleasant" from peers, its presence may be a hindrance to social adaptation contributing to generate anxiety. In this study, we investigated whether resting facial asymmetry and anxiety are associated in young population. Full frontal facial photographs of 56 Caucasian males were taken in resting state to obtain indices of asymmetry in six facial landmarks. Anxiety status was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y). Analysis of the face showed that asymmetry and laterality of specific facial landmarks were associated with anxiety. State anxiety was associated with eyebrow and lateral angle of the eye, while trait anxiety was associated with eyebrow and lateral angle of the mouth. Moreover, as compared with contralateral landmarks, the left landmarks were lifted/expanded in subjects with elevated trait/state anxiety, whereas the right landmarks were lifted/expanded in subjects with low-trait/state anxiety.

Effects of traditional balance and slackline training on physical performance and perceived enjoyment in young soccer players.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 12-week balance and slackline training programs on physical performance and perceived enjoyment scale in young soccer players. Forty-one preadolescent soccer players were assigned to two experimental groups performing traditional balance (BLT) or slackline training (SLT), and a control group. Pre-post assessment encompassed Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), Star Excursion Balance test (SEBT), sprint with 90° turns (S90), and countermovement jump (CMJ). The rate of perceived enjoyment scale (PACES) was applied at the end of the experimental period. SLT and BLT improved similarly in BESS, SEBT and S90. No changes were detected in the CMJ. Regarding PACES score, SLT presented significantly higher values than BLT. Young athletes may benefit from a motivating training approach, thus, a designed program based on slackline drills should be preferable to improve physical performance in terms of balance and change of direction ability in preadolescent soccer players.

Jump Rope Training: Balance and Motor Coordination in Preadolescent Soccer Players.

General physical practice and multidimensional exercises are essential elements that allow young athletes to enhance their coordinative traits, balance, and strength and power levels, which are linked to the learning soccer-specific skills. Jumping rope is a widely-used and non-specific practical method for the development of athletic conditioning, balance and coordination in several disciplines. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a short-term training protocol including jumping rope (JR) exercises on motor abilities and body balance in young soccer players. Twenty-four preadolescent soccer players were recruited and placed in two different groups. In the Experimental group (EG), children performed JR training at the beginning of the training session. The control group (CG), executed soccer specific drills. Harre circuit test (HCT) and Lower Quarter Y balance test (YBT-LQ) were selected to evaluate participant's motor ability (e.g. ability to perform rapidly a course with different physical tasks such as somersault and passages above/below obstacles ) and to assess unilateral dynamic lower limb balance after 8 weeks of training. Statistical analysis consisted of paired t-test and mixed analysis of variance scores to determine any significant interactions. Children who performed jumping rope exercises showed a significant decrease of 9% (p < 0.01, ES = 0.50-0.80) in the performance time of HCT. With regard to the CG, no differences were highlighted (p > 0.05, ES = 0.05-0.2) from pre- to post-training. A training-by-group interaction was found for the composite score in both legs (p < 0.05, Part η(2) > 0.14). Our findings demonstrated that JR practice within regular soccer training enhanced general motor coordination and balance in preadolescent soccer players. Therefore, the inclusion of JR practice within regular soccer training session should encouraged to improve children's motor skills. Key pointsPerforming jumping rope exercises within a regular soccer program can be an additional method to improve balance and motor coordination.The performance improvement in the Harre Circuit Test associated with jump rope training can potentially be attributed to an enhancement of the inter-limb coordination and SSC ability.Results from the present study indicate that young soccer players should be encouraged to practice general physical activities together with sport-specific exercise during their training sessions.

Effects of different core exercises on respiratory parameters and abdominal strength.

[Purpose] This study determined the effects a new modality of core stabilization exercises based on diaphragmatic breathing on pulmonary function, abdominal fitness, and movement efficiency. [Subjects] Thirty-two physically active, healthy males were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 16) and a control group (n = 16). [Methods] The experimental group combined diaphragmatic breathing exercises with global stretching postures, and the control group performed common abdominal exercises (e.g., crunch, plank, sit-up), both for 15 minutes twice weekly for 6 weeks. Pulmonary function (measured by forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and peak expiratory flow) and abdominal fitness (measured with the American College of Sports Medicine curl-up [cadence] test and the Functional Movement Screen(TM)) were evaluated before and after the intervention. [Results] Significant changes in curl-up (cadence) test scores, Functional Movement Screen scores, and all pulmonary parameters were recorded in the experimental group at the posttraining assessment, whereas in the control group, no significant differences over baseline were observed in any parameters. [Conclusion] Compared with traditional abdominal exercises, core stabilization exercises based on breathing and global stretching postures are more effective in improving pulmonary function and abdominal fitness.

Sex differences in cardiometabolic risk factors and in response to lifestyle intervention in prepubertal and pubertal subjects with obesity.

Objectives: Childhood obesity is a growing health problem and requires a tailored treatment. This study explored the sex differences in cardiovascular risk factors in children/adolescents with obesity and in response to a weight loss intervention. Methods: Five hundred and thirty-three children/adolescents with obesity and their parents underwent to a 3-months lifestyle intervention program. Tanner criteria were used to assess the pubertal stage. Before and after 3 months, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure (BP), and biochemical measurements were assessed. Results: Four hundred and forty five participants completed the treatment (age 12.4 ± 2.7 years, males 45.8%, prepubertal 29.2%, BMI z score 2.3 ± 0.2). In comparison to boys, prepubertal girls had higher values of BMI z score (2.4 ± 02 vs. 2.3 ± 0.2, p < 0.05), waist circumference z score (2.2 ± 0.3 vs. 2.0 ± 0.3, p < 0.05), HOMA-IR [2.9 (2.1-4.9) vs. 2.3(1.5-3.6), p < 0.01], prevalence of hypertransaminasemia (41.3% vs. 17.7%, p < 0.05) and lower levels of HDL cholesterol (46.2 ± 9.8 vs. 51.2 ± 10.5 mg/dl, p < 0.05). In the pubertal stage, boys had worse cardiometabolic risk profile than girls, including unfavourable measure of systolic BP (z score: 0.6 ± 1.0 vs. 0.3 ± 1.0, p < 0.01), fasting glucose (87.2 ± 6.1 vs. 84.8 ± 7.7 mg/dl, p < 0.01), ALT (26.9 ± 21.5 vs. 20.2 ± 10.6 U/L, p < 0.001) and uric acid (6.1 ± 1.9 vs. 5.0 ± 1.0 mg/dl, p < 0.001). After the lifestyle intervention, changes in BMI z score (p < 0.05) were higher in pubertal boys than pubertal girls. The systolic blood pressure decrease was greater in pubertal boys than in their female counterpart (Δ systolic BP: -7.2 mmHg in boys vs. -3.6 mmHg in girls, p < 0.05; Δ systolic BP z score: -0.6 in boys vs. -0.3 in girls, p < 0.05). LDL cholesterol showed an improvement only in boys, and ALT in the whole group. Conclusion: Our study showed that a short-term lifestyle intervention is more effective in reducing BMI z score and cardiovascular risk factors in pubertal boys than in their female counterparts. Further investigation is needed to deepen this gender difference, especially to develop a tailor-made intervention.

Are Dryland Strength and Power Measurements Associated with Swimming Performance? Preliminary Results on Elite Paralympic Swimmers.

This study aimed to identify the relationship between dryland tests and swimming performance in elite Paralympic swimmers. Fifteen competitive swimmers (age: 27.4 ± 5.4 years, height: 1.70 ± 6.8 m, body mass: 67.9 ± 9.2 kg; 9 males, 6 females) performed a lat pull-down and a bench press incremental load test to determine maximum power (Pmax), the strength corresponding to maximum power (F@Pmax), and the barbell velocity corresponding to maximum power (V@Pmax) from the force-velocity and power-velocity profiles. These outcomes were also normalized by the athlete's body mass. Swimming performance was carried out from the best result in a 100 m freestyle race registered during an international competition. Lat pull-down F@Pmax was significantly associated with 100 m freestyle chronometric time (ρ = -0.56, p < 0.05), and lat pull-down V@Pmax presented a relationship with mean swimming velocity (ρ = 0.71, p < 0.01). Similarly, bench press F@Pmax and the normalized F@Pmax were significantly related to the mean swimming velocity (ρ = -0.51, ρ = -0.62, p < 0.05). Stepwise multiple regression showed that lat pull-down V@Pmax, bench press normF@Pmax, and V@Pmax accounted for 40.6%, 42.3%, and 65.8% (p < 0.05) of the mean swimming velocity variance. These preliminary results highlighted that simple dryland tests, although with a moderate relationship, are significantly associated with 100 m freestyle swimming performance in elite Paralympic swimmers.

A crossover study on attentional focus and gross motor performance in individuals with Down syndrome.

Little is known about the effect of using an attentional focus instruction on motor performance in people with intellectual disabilities. Therefore, this study explored the effects of different attentional focus instructions on gross motor skill performances in individuals with Down syndrome. Seven community-dwelling participants (age 25.2±3.2 yrs, height 1.70±0.04 m, body mass 72.0±6.3 kg) voluntarily participated in the study. Motor performance on 5-meter running (5m sprint), vertical jump (countermovement jump with arm swing, CMJ), broad jump (standing broad jump, SBJ), forward medball throw (FMBT) or overhead medball backward throw (OMBT) and rising-up from a chair (five repetition sit-to-stand, 5STS) were recorded while performing internal-focus (IF) or external-focus (EF) instructions. EF induced significantly (p<0.05) better performance than IF in CMJ (EF: 15±9 cm; IF: 11±8 cm, median ±interquartile range), SBJ (EF: 0.8±1.05 m; IF: 0.5±1.0 m), FMBT (EF: 1.5±1.4 m; IF: 1.4±1.1 m), OMBT (EF: 4.0±1.5 m; IF: 3.6±1.1 m) and 5STS (EF: 14.2±5.4; IF:15.3±7.7 s). The time over the 5m sprint tended to be shorter with EF (4.0±2.0 s) than IF (5.05±3.3 s) but the difference did not reach the statistical significance (p = 0.29). Physical trainers and school teachers should be encouraged to manage different types of attentional focus instructions to improve cognitive and gross motor performances in persons with Down syndrome.

Study protocol of a clinical randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of an innovative Digital thErapy to proMote wEighT loss in patients with obesity by incReasing their Adherence to treatment: the DEMETRA study.

Despite the increasing importance of innovative medications and bariatric surgery for the treatment of obesity, lifestyle interventions (diet and physical activity) remain the first-line therapy for this disease. The use of digital devices in healthcare aims to respond to the patient's needs, in order to make obesity treatment more accessible, so our study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of a Digital Therapy for Obesity App (DTxO) for achieving weight loss and its maintenance in patients affected with obesity undergoing an experimental non-pharmacological treatment. Here we present the study protocol of a prospective, multicenter, pragmatic, randomized, double-arm, placebo-controlled, parallel, single-blind study on obese patients who will be treated with a new digital therapy to obtain an improvement in their disease condition through the application of different simultaneous strategies (a dietary regimen and personalized advice program, a tailored physical exercise program, a cognitive-behavioural assessment and program, alerts and reminders, dedicated section on prescribed drugs intake, and chat and online visits with clinical professionals). We believe that DTxO will offer a promising intervention channel and self-regulation tool holding the potentiality to decrease treatment burden and treat more patients thanks to the partial replacement of traditional medical consultation with digital or telephone management, improving self- engagement and reducing the high demands the "obesity pandemic" for both patients and national health services in terms of time, cost, and effort. Clinical trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, identifier, NCT05394779.

A Scoping Review with Bibliometric Analysis of Para-Rowing: State of the Art and Future Directions.

Para-rowing is a format of rowing practiced by people with different types of disabilities, thanks to adapted equipment set-ups and regulations. Para-rowing made its debut recently at the 2008 Paralympic Games. According to the mandate of the "International Paralympic Committee", para-rowers should be enabled to pursue sporting excellence. Therefore, rigorous research is needed in terms of well-designed, high-quality studies. To the best of our knowledge, there are no systematic appraisals of the body of scholarly evidence in the field of para-rowing. As such, a scoping review enhanced by bibliometric analyses was carried out to provide a comprehensive synthesis of knowledge related to para-rowing for the perusal of practitioners and athletes. By mining eighteen major databases, 17 studies were retained in the present review. The included studies were found to focus on a range of aspects involving health, the etiology of injuries (n = 5), psychological and physiological responses (n = 5), performance, biomechanical analysis (n = 4), and new analytical approaches for kinematic assessments and predictions of mechanical outputs in para-rowers (n = 3). The scholarly community on para-rowing consists of 78 researchers, 16 (20.51%) of whom are highly interconnected. The most prolific author was Smoljanovic T., from Croatia, with three items/documents. In total, 93.6% of scholars have authored one single document. Topological features indicated a highly fragmented and dispersed, poorly connected community characterized by a high number of clusters and a low strength of connections. In terms of publication years, the first scholarly article dates back to 2008, with four articles (23.5%) published in the current year, showing an increasing interest in this para-sports discipline. Finally, gaps in current research on para-rowing were identified in terms of overlooked topics, including sports nutrition, doping, and psychological aspects in para-rowers other than those with visual impairment.

Effects of a nasal breathing protocol on physical fitness and pulmonary function in young basketball players.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory muscle training has been shown to provide positive effects for both health and performance purposes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a six-week period of nasal breathing on pulmonary function and cardio-respiratory fitness in young basketball players. METHODS: Thirty-four, male, basketball players were enrolled and assigned either to experimental group (EG) or to control group (CG). All participants were tested for Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1), Shuttle Sprint Test (SST), Forced Vitality Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF). EG group followed reduced breathing frequency training program focused on intermittent running exercises while performing nasal breathing. RESULTS: The main findings were significant interactions in Yo-Yo IR1 test, FVC, FEV1 and PEF (P<0.05) in favor of EG compared to CG. Conversely, no significant changes were detected between EG and CG in the SST total time. CONCLUSIONS: Young basketball players may benefit from nasal breathing protocol during their regular training practice leading remarkable improvements in both physical fitness and pulmonary function.

A Pilot Study on Attentional Focus in Prescribing Physical Exercise in Outpatients with Obesity.

This pilot study compared the effects of two attentional focus strategies on fitness parameters and body composition in outpatients with obesity. This was a randomized, controlled study that enrolled 94 obese individuals and allocated them into an internal focus group (IF) or an external focus group (EF) while performing six weeks of a home-based training program. The home-based exercise program was the same for both groups except for the instructions that shifted the attention to an external or an internal condition. At the beginning and after the intervention period, participants were assessed for functional performance using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), body balance using the Modified Balance Error Scoring System (M-BESS) and muscular strength with the Handgrip Strength Test (HST) and the Five-Repetition Sit-To-Stand (FRSTS) test. Concerning body composition and anthropometric parameters, the body mass index (BMI) and fat mass percentage (FM%) were calculated. Significant improvements, main interactions and effects of time and groups were highlighted in the EF group as compared to the IF group in FMS (35% vs. 21%), M-BESS (42% vs. 18%), HST (13% vs. 7%) and FRSTS (23% vs. 12%) measures, while FM% (5%) and BMI (6% vs. 5%) showed a similar improvement overtime (p < 0.001). In conclusion, our findings provide initial evidence that a 6-week training program performed following external focus instruction is able to promote significant enhancements in movement efficiency, balance and muscular strength as compared to an internal focus cue. Fitness coaches and therapists might consider integrating a specific attentional focus strategy when designing rehabilitation programs in subjects with obesity.

The long-tail effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on Italians' quality of life, sleep and physical activity.

From March 2020 to May 2021, several lockdown periods caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have limited people's usual activities and mobility in Italy, as well as around the world. These unprecedented confinement measures dramatically modified citizens' daily lifestyles and behaviours. However, with the advent of summer 2021 and thanks to the vaccination campaign that significantly prevents serious illness and death, and reduces the risk of contagion, all the Italian regions finally returned to regular behaviours and routines. Anyhow, it is unclear if there is a long-tail effect on people's quality of life, sleep- and physical activity-related behaviours. Thanks to the dataset described in this paper, it will be possible to obtain accurate insights of the changes induced by the lockdown period in the Italians' health that will permit to provide practical suggestions at local, regional, and state institutions and companies to improve infrastructures and services that could be beneficial to Italians' well being.

Changes in Upper-Body Muscular Strength and Power in Paralympic Swimmers: Effects of Training Confinement during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The aim of this case series was to evaluate the effectiveness of a dry-land home-training program conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic period in Paralympic swimmers. Previous evidence showed the importance of muscular strength and power training for Paralympic swimmers due to the positive relationship between severity of impairment, swimming technique and biomechanics parameters. Specifically, we aimed to analyze: (i) the effects of a customized training regime conducted pre, during and post restrictions on upper-body muscular strength and power (one repetition maximum, mean propulsive velocity, and mean relative propulsive power) compared to a regular gym-based program; (ii) the associations between mean propulsive velocity and load during two upper body exercises in order to estimate the one repetition maximum. Four elite Paralympic swimmers were retrospectively analyzed in upper-body muscular strength, mean propulsive velocity and mean relative propulsive power in bench press and lat pull-down exercises at three time points: T0 (prior the Lockdown period), T1 (immediately after the Lockdown confinement), T2 (sixteen weeks after returning to gym training). Our findings suggest a very likely decrement in one repetition maximum, mean propulsive velocity, and mean relative propulsive power during the Lockdown period compared with the T0 period with a subsequent very likely increment in one repetition maximum after returning to gym training (T2) compared with the lockdown period (T0). Conversely, mean relative propulsive power showed an unclear improvement in all athletes in T2 compared with T1. These results were also corroborated by the Friedman's test followed by the Dunn's pairwise comparison that mainly showed a decrement from T0 to T1 (p < 0.05). At the same time, it appears that muscle strength and power could be rapidly restored close to the pre-lockdown levels following an adequate training program in the gym, albeit without significance (p > 0.05). Finally, the close relationship between mean propulsive velocity and load in bench press and lat pull-down exercises was also confirmed in para swimming, making a possible estimation of one repetition maximum.

Effects of speed, agility and quickness training programme on cognitive and physical performance in preadolescent soccer players.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a short-term (4 weeks) non-soccer-specific training programme based on speed, agility and quickness (SAQ) and a soccer-specific training programme based on small-sided games (SSG) on cognitive and physical performance in preadolescent soccer players. Twenty-one participants were randomly assigned to SAQ group (n = 11) or SSG group (n = 10). They were tested pre and post interventions on physical (5 m sprint, 20 m sprint and sprint with turns of 90°) and cognitive (inhibitory control by means of the Flanker task and perceptual speed by means of the visual search task) performances. Although no significant time x group interactions were observed, the main effect of time was significant for cognitive performance and 5 m and 20 m sprint, showing improvements after both SAQ and SSG. These findings highlight that 4 weeks of SAQ training programme induced comparable improvements in cognitive and physical performance with respect to a soccer-specific training programme based on SSG in preadolescent soccer players. Non-sport-specific activities targeting speed, agility and quickness combined with cognitive engagement (i.e., SAQ) should be useful strategies as soccer-specific activities to be included within a soccer training programme for promoting both physical and cognitive domain in preadolescent individuals.

Are People with Obesity Attracted to Multidisciplinary Telemedicine Approach for Weight Management?

The forced isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the lifestyle intervention programs for people with obesity. This study aimed to assess: (1) the behaviors of subjects with obesity towards medical care during the pandemic and (2) their interest in following a remotely delivered multidisciplinary program for weight loss. An online self-made survey addressed to subjects with obesity was linked to the official website of our institute. Four hundred and six subjects completed the questionnaire (90% females, 50.2 ± 11.6 years). Forty-six percent of the subjects cancelled any scheduled clinical assessments during the pandemic, 53% of whom had chronic disease. Half of the subjects were prone to following a remotely delivered lifestyle intervention, especially with a well-known health professional. About 45% of the respondents were favorable towards participating in remote psychological support and nutritional intervention, while 60% would practice physical activity with online tools. Male subjects and the elderly were more reluctant than those female and younger, especially for online psychological support. Our survey showed an interest on the part of the subjects with obesity to join a multidisciplinary weight loss intervention remotely delivered. Male subjects and the elderly seem less attracted to this intervention, and this result highlights that, even with telemedicine, the approach to weight management should be tailored.

The Effects of Short-Term Visual Feedback Training on the Stability of the Roundhouse Kicking Technique in Young Karatekas.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of using real-time visual feedback (VF) during a one-week balance training intervention on postural sway parameters in young karatekas. Twenty-six young male karatekas (age = 14.0 ± 2.3 years) were randomly divided into two groups: real-time VF training (VFT; n = 14) and control (CTRL; n = 12). Their center of pressure (COP) displacement (path length, COPpl; distance from origin, COPod) was assessed pre- and post-training on a Wii Balance Board platform in two positions (Flex: knee of the supporting leg slightly bent, maximum hip and leg flexion of the other leg; Kick: knee of the supporting leg slightly bent, mawashi-geri posture for the kicking leg). Both groups trained twice a day for seven days, performing a one-legged stance on the non-dominant limb in the Kick position. During the training, VFT received real-time VF of COP displacement, while CTRL looked at a fixed point. No interaction effect was found (p > 0.05). VFT exhibited greater changes pre- and post-training in Flex COPpl (-25.2%, g = 1.5), Kick COPpl (-24.1%, g = 1.3), and Kick COPod (-44.1%, g = 1.0) compared to CTRL (-0.9--13.0%, g-range: 0.1-0.7). It is possible that superimposing real-time VF to a week-long balance training intervention could induce a greater sport-specific balance-training effect in young karatekas.