RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common neurological disease that causes disability in youth, does not only affect physical functions but is also associated with cognitive impairment, fatigue, depression, and anxiety and can significantly impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Since MS is generally diagnosed at a young age-a period of great significance for personal, relational, and professional development-adaptation can become highly challenging. Therefore, enhancing the competence of young people to adaptively cope with these potential challenges is of utmost importance in order to promote their potentialities and talents. It has been shown that psychological interventions targeting MS patients can enhance resilience and HRQoL and that regular physical activity (PA) and social engagement can improve psychological well-being. However, literature on the development of global interventions based on the bio-psycho-social model of the disease is missing. Even less attention has been paid to interventions dedicated to young adults with MS (YawMS) and to the involvement of patients in the development of such programs. AIMS: In collaboration with MS patients, this study aims to develop a bio-psycho-social intervention (ESPRIMO) for YawMS, aiming to improve their HRQoL and to explore its feasibility, acceptability, and effects. METHODS: To tailor the intervention to the specific needs of YawMS, "patient engagement principles" will be adopted in the co-creation phase, performing a web survey and focus groups with patients and healthcare professionals. In the intervention phase, a pilot sample of 60 young adults with MS will be enrolled. The co-created intervention, composed of group sessions over a 12-week period, will cover psycho-social strategies and include physical activities. Adopting a longitudinal, pre-post evaluation design, self-report questionnaires measuring HRQoL and other bio-psycho-social features (e.g., resilience, well-being, mindfulness traits, self-efficacy, perceived social support, psychological symptoms, illness perception, committed action, fatigue, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, motivation, perception of autonomy support for PA, barriers and intentions to PA) will be administered, the quantity and quality of PA will be measured, and a questionnaire developed by the authors will be used to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the ESPRIMO intervention.
RESUMEN
Like other athletes, ballroom dancers often compete in short time in different countries under condition of high stress, subjecting them to risk of injury and burnout. In the present study, we measured the aerobic and anaerobic capacities (both during dance and during a simulated ballroom competition), agility, hand and abdominal strength, jumping capacity, flexibility, and balance in 16 top-level couples of ballroom dancers (8 males, 8 females). The in-season level of perceived stress and recovery was assessed using the Rest Q 76 questionnaire, and the relationship with aerobic and anaerobic capacity and with the other tests was studied. Our results show a very high level of aerobic/anaerobic fitness in this population, as well as a high level of stress in males. Balance and experience (age of the subjects) appear to be key characteristics linked to the position in the IDSF World Ranking (world ranking points = 8.67 x age + 5.86 x balance + 1174.65; R2 = 0.740). Emotional stress (r = 0.83, p = 0.04), social stress (r = 0.72, p = 0.032), and sleep quality (r = 0.92, p = 0.001) scales of the Rest Q appear also to be linked with balance but only in females.
