Hand Anthropometry of Italian Elite Male Swimmers / Antropometría de la Mano en Nadadores Italianos Masculinos de Élite

SUMMARY: Hand size is part of the anthropometric parameters that are assessed in swimmers to select elite athletes, as certain anthropometric relationships involving hand measurements are significantly correlated with sports performance in various swimming disciplines. The authors present the results of the anthropometric study carried out on the hands of 15 elite male Italian swimmers from to the Italian national open water swimming team. All swimmers participated at least once in World Cup and Absolute Italian Championships, winning at least one medal in their sporting career. In particular, the sample includes a medallist at the World Championships, a winner of the World Cup ultra swim marathon circuit and medallists at the European Championships. The sample consisted of 15 elite male swimmers with a mean age of 28.93 years. The following anthropometric measurements were taken on each athlete: Stature; weight; seven dimensions on each hand: hand length; hand breadth metacarpal; palm length; middle finger length; index finger length; thumb distance; and the distance from the thumb root to first flexure line of the index finger - trigger length. The size of the hands is an important factor in the swimmer's propulsion and push as a larger hand allows for greater support in the water and consequently generates more resistance. The anthropometric characteristics of the hands of Italian swimmers are missing from the anthropometric data already reported in the literature and can be used to make comparisons with elite athletes from other nations. Furthermore, anthropometric measurements could be used as predictors to estimate the swimmers' chance of success.

El tamaño de la mano es uno de los parámetros antropométricos que se evalúan en los nadadores para seleccionar a los deportistas de élite. Los autores presentan los resultados de un estudio antropométrico realizado en las manos de 15 nadadores italianos masculinos de élite pertenecientes al equipo nacional de natación en aguas abiertas. Todos los nadadores participaron al menos una vez en Copas del Mundo y Campeonatos de Italia, ganando al menos una medalla en su carrera deportiva. En concreto, la muestra incluye un medallista en los Campeonatos del Mundo, un ganador de la Copa del Mundo del circuito de ultra maratón de natación y medallistas en los Campeonatos de Europa. La muestra consta de 15 nadadores masculinos de élite con una edad media de 28,93 años. Se tomaron las siguientes medidas antropométricas a cada atleta: estatura; peso; siete dimensiones en cada mano: longitud de la mano, anchura de la mano en el metacarpiano, longitud de la palma, longitud del primer, segundo y tercer dedo, distancia entre la raíz del primer dedo y la primera línea de flexión del segundo dedo. El tamaño de las manos es un factor importante para la propulsión y el empuje del nadador, ya que una mano más grande permite un mayor apoyo en el agua y, en consecuencia, genera más resistencia. Las características antropométricas de las manos de los nadadores italianos faltan en los datos antropométricos recolectados en la literatura y pueden utilizarse para hacer comparaciones con los atletas de élite de otras naciones. Además, las medidas antropométricas podrían utilizarse como predictores para estimar las posibilidades de éxito de los nadadores.

Alimentation and nutrition applied to the new fitness disciplines in Italian gym.

Background: The energy balance between inputs and outputs is essential to avoid a reduction in performance, recovery difficulties, hormonal problems, an increased risk of fatigue, injuries and illnesses. Aim: The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether the energy intake assumed by non-professional sportsmen of the new fitness disciplines on the basis of the guidelines present in the literature, meets the needs required by their sporting activity. Methods: The sample consist of 20 non-competitive adult sportsmen (n.10 females; n.10 males) that were voluntarily enrolled in a gym, belonging to the various fitness disciplines: bodybuilders (n = 2); calisthenics (n = 3); crossfitters (n = 15). The subjects underwent an anamnestic-nutritional interview and used a photographic atlas to estimate the energy intake in the training day (in terms of macronutrients, micronutrients and H2O). Results: The results of the study reported: a lower energy intake, the breakdown of macronutrients was suitable for the nutritional indications reported by bibliographic sources, with the exception for protein intake that was higher than the other macronutrients; a lower intake of fibers, mono/polyunsaturated fatty acids; an higher intake of simple sugars, proteins and H2O, and by a normal parameters of carbohydrates, fats and saturated fatty acids. Conclusions: Generally the study has shown that the sample energy intake is extremely low in the training day. Therefore, it is useful to educate sportsmen, coaches and families in order to avoid deficiencies/excess of calories and nutrients which may not be functional for the sporting activity performed.

How Do Football Playing Positions Differ in Body Composition? A First Insight into White Italian Serie A and Serie B Players.

The present study aimed to investigate how playing positions differ in specific body composition variables in professional soccer players with respect to specific field zones and tactical lines. Five hundred and six Serie A and B professional soccer players were included in the study and analyzed according to their playing positions: goalkeepers (GKs), central backs (CBs), fullbacks (FBs), central midfielders (MIDs), wide midfielders (WMs), attacking midfielders (AMs), second strikers (SSs), external strikers (ESs), and central forwards (CFs), as well as their field zones (central and external) and tactical lines (defensive, middle, and offensive). Anthropometrics (stature and body mass) of each player were recorded. Then, body composition was obtained by means of bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). GKs and CFs were the tallest and heaviest players, with no differences from each other. Likewise, GKs and CFs, along with CBs, were apparently more muscular (for both upper and lower limbs) and fatter at the same time compared with the other roles. Overall, players of the defensive line (CBs and FBs), along with those playing in central field zones (CBs, MIDs, AMs, SSs, and CFs), were significantly (p < 0.05) superior in almost all anthropometric and body composition variables than those of middle and offensive line and external zones, respectively.

Hydroxytyrosol Reduces Foam Cell Formation and Endothelial Inflammation Regulating the PPARγ/LXRα/ABCA1 Pathway.

Cholesterol accumulation in macrophages leads to the formation of foam cells and increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis. We have verified whether hydroxytyrosol (HT), a phenolic compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, can reduce the cholesterol build up in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells. We have also investigated the potential mechanisms. Oil Red O staining and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assays were utilized to detect cellular lipid accumulation and cholesterol content, respectively, in THP-1 macrophages foam cells treated with HT. The impact of HT on cholesterol metabolism-related molecules (SR-A1, CD36, LOX-1, ABCA1, ABCG1, PPARγ and LRX-α) in foam cells was assessed using real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analyses. Finally, the effect of HT on the adhesion of THP-1 monocytes to human vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) was analyzed to study endothelial activation. We found that HT activates the PPARγ/LXRα pathway to upregulate ABCA1 expression, reducing cholesterol accumulation in foam cells. Moreover, HT significantly inhibited monocyte adhesion and reduced the levels of adhesion factors (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) and pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α) in LPS-induced endothelial cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that HT, with its ability to interfere with the import and export of cholesterol, could represent a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of atherosclerotic disease.

Mitochondrial Aging and Senolytic Natural Products with Protective Potential.

Living organisms do not disregard the laws of thermodynamics and must therefore consume energy for their survival. In this way, cellular energy exchanges, which aim above all at the production of ATP, a fundamental molecule used by the cell for its metabolisms, favor the formation of waste products that, if not properly disposed of, can contribute to cellular aging and damage. Numerous genes have been linked to aging, with some favoring it (gerontogenes) and others blocking it (longevity pathways). Animal model studies have shown that calorie restriction (CR) may promote longevity pathways, but given the difficult application of CR in humans, research is investigating the use of CR-mimetic substances capable of producing the same effect. These include some phytonutrients such as oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, epigallo-catechin-gallate, fisetin, quercetin, and curcumin and minerals such as magnesium and selenium. Some of them also have senolytic effects, which promote the apoptosis of defective cells that accumulate over the years (senescent cells) and disrupt normal metabolism. In this article, we review the properties of these natural elements that can promote a longer and healthier life.

Ankle-Brachial Index and Arterial Stiffness, Modulate the Exertional Capacity of High-Frequency Training Athletes.

Ankle-brachial index and arterial stiffness are associated with leg function in the elderly and in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Little is known about the meaning of these parameters in young and trained subjects and how they are related to physical performance. The main objective was to evaluate the mediating role of arterial stiffness and ankle-brachial index in physical performance. In a cross-sectional, case-control study, 240 male athletes were consecutively enrolled from the Laboratory of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, "G. d'Annunzio" University (Italy). All the subjects underwent the examination protocol for the annual medical evaluation for sport participation. Soccer (football) players compared to runners showed a lower level of ankle-brachial index, higher arterial stiffness, and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In the treadmill stress test, soccer players compared to runners showed a greater maximal aerobic capacity. Differences in cardiovascular performance between soccer players and runners were mediated by better arterial stiffness and low level of ankle-brachial index; the estimated effect was 0.11 ± 0.05 and 0.24 ± 0.06, respectively. Vigorous strength training drops blood pressure and increases arterial stiffness. Taken together, our findings would seem to suggest that ABI and CAVI could be used as markers for athletes' performance.

High fat mass, low muscle mass, and arterial stiffness in a population of free-living healthy subjects: The "al passo con la tua salute" project.

INTRODUCTION: A progressive decline in lean body mass and increase in fat mass occur with aging, and result in progressive weakness and impaired mobility; these features are altogether landmarks of the ageing frailty syndrome. High-fat mass and low muscle mass are both associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and are supposed to be risk factors for arterial stiffness. Little data analyzing the relationship between body composition and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) are currently available. The main objective of this study was to verify whether low muscle mass and/or high fat mass could be associated with arterial stiffness measured by CAVI. METHODS: Data are from the cross-sectional assessment of the "Al passo con la tua salute", a clinical study aimed to promote physical function among free-living elderly subjects.After a screening interview and a clinical visit aimed to exclude ineligible persons, 52 volunteers were enrolled in the study. All underwent: clinical examination, physical performance assessment, an interview on lifestyle and dietary habits, and lastly, a blood sample collection after at least 8 hours of fasting. RESULTS: CAVI was statistically significantly higher in those participants in the highest tertile of distribution for fat mass compared to all other subjects (P = .03). In those participants in the lowest tertile of distribution of muscle mass, compared to all other, CAVI was also statistically significant higher (P = .01) independently of age, sex, body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Low muscle mass and high fat mass were landmarks in the frailty model of aging; therefore, it is not inconsistent that both clinical conditions might share with the "aging vessel" a common pathway, probably mediated through signaling network deregulation and/or through alteration of the balance between energy availability and energy demand.

Walking training and cortisol to DHEA-S ratio in postmenopause: An intervention study.

The literature indicates that the plasma cortisol-to-dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) ratio is a marker of health status after menopause, when a decline in both estrogen and DHEA-S and an increase in cortisol occur. An increase in the cortisol-to-DHEA-S ratio has been positively correlated with metabolic syndrome, all-cause mortality, cancer, and other diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a walking program on the plasma cortisol-to-DHEA-S ratio in postmenopausal women. Fifty-one postmenopausal women participated in a 13-week supervised walking program, in the metropolitan area of Pescara (Italy), from June to September 2013. Participants were evaluated in April-May and September-October of the same year. The linear mixed model showed that the variation of the log10Cortisol-to-log10DHEA-S ratio was associated with the volume of exercise (p = .03). Participants having lower adherence to the walking program did not have a significantly modified log10Cortisol or log10DHEA-S, while those having the highest adherence had a significant reduction in log10Cortisol (p = .016) and a nearly significant increase in log10DHEA-S (p = .084). Walking training appeared to reduce the plasma log10Cortisol-to-log10DHEA-S ratio, although a minimum level of training was necessary to achieve this significant reduction.

Aerobic physical exercise and negative compensation of non-exercise physical activity in post-menopause: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Sedentarism is a risk factor for mortality that is independent of physical exercise. As indicated in the literature, there is negative compensation of non-exercise physical activity due to exercise training. The aim was to investigate potential predictor variables of physical activity compensation in post-menopausal women beginning aerobic physical exercise training. METHODS: One hundred and three post-menopausal women (mean age, 58.31±5.33 years) were eligible for the study. Metabolic markers were measured (plasma leptin, insulin, glucose), together with cardiovascular parameters and body composition. Daily physical activity was recorded objectively. Following baseline measurements, participants walked at moderate intensity on 4 days/week, for 13 weeks. RESULTS: Baseline mean intensity of daily physical activity and leptin-to-fat mass ratio (L/FMkg) were independently and negatively correlated with variations in non-exercise physical activity. High L/FMkg was associated with negative compensation of non-exercise physical activity due to aerobic physical exercise. The same was shown for participants starting their exercise training who showed high daily physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of both L/FMkg and baseline spontaneous physical activity of participants in exercise training are important to programme physical exercise interventions and to prevent negative non-exercise physical activity compensation due to exercise training.

Acute and delayed effects of high intensity interval resistance training organization on cortisol and testosterone production.

BACKGROUND: The use of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is widely diffused as strategy to enhance aerobic fitness and body composition. In order to offer a more complete training, resistance exercises have been added to HIIT (HIIRT). Aims of our study were to characterize both heart rate and hormonal responses elicited by three different protocols of HIIRT having the same exercises, the same load and number of repetitions for each exercise. METHODS: Eight healthy trained men (28.61±3.51 years) performed three different workouts: exercise order, recovery and speed of execution were differently organized according to workout. Salivary samples were collected before and after each workout, at 11:00 p.m. and at 7:00 a.m. of the following day. Salive was also collected during a non-training day. Before and after the workout, plasma lactate was measured while a beat-to-beat heart rate recording was executed during each workout. Cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) were measured in salivary samples. RESULTS: Workouts elicited the same heart rate response while random organization seems to elicit the highest lactate, C and T increases. Also when we studied the effects of workouts on prolonged hormones production we observed that workout organization influenced post-exercise hormonal production until the following morning modifying their physiological trend. CONCLUSIONS: Even if exercises, load and number of repetitions were maintained fixed, exercise order, structured recovery and speed of execution determined different acute and prolonged effects. The knowledge of these responses is very important because may positively or negatively influence performance and health.

Walking training in postmenopause: effects on both spontaneous physical activity and training-induced body adaptations.

OBJECTIVE: Because physical exercise has been widely used for primary and secondary preventions of cardiometabolic diseases arising with menopause, the aim of our study was to determine whether participation in aerobic physical exercise is linked to the modification of spontaneous physical activity and whether this compensation affects aerobic training-related body adaptations. METHODS: Both before and after a 13-week walking training program, 34 postmenopausal women (mean ± SD age, 55.89 ± 3.57 y) were analyzed for lipids, adipokines, glucose, and insulin plasma levels, as well as for body measures, heart rate and blood pressure at rest, maximal aerobic capacity, total daily energy expenditure, mean intensity of daily physical activities, and time and energy spent on physical activities with an intensity of more than three metabolic equivalents. RESULTS: Aerobic training induced significant reductions in body mass, body mass index, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, basal cardiac double product, plasma glucose, leptin, and resistin. Aerobic fitness, the reserve of the cardiac double product, and the quantitative insulin sensitivity index were significantly improved. Cluster analysis of the variations in the total daily energy expenditure, the mean intensity of daily physical activities, and the time and energy spent on physical activities with an intensity of more than three metabolic equivalents identified two subgroups: one showed reduced spontaneous physical activity (GROUP-), whereas the other did not (GROUP+). The subgroups differed significantly only for plasma lipid variation. GROUP+ showed significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol, whereas GROUP- did not show significantly modified plasma lipids. CONCLUSIONS: In postmenopause, participation in a program of aerobic physical exercise can result in a reduction of spontaneous physical activity, which inhibits the positive effects of the aerobic exercise on plasma lipids and lipoproteins.

Order effects of concurrent endurance and resistance training on post-exercise response of non-trained women.

Physical exercise is used for the promotion and maintenance of good health and for the improvement of physical fitness. Both endurance and resistance exercises are needed to carry out a complete training program. Because time may be a barrier to physical exercise practice, the aim of this study was to verify whether the order of execution of endurance and resistance exercises, in concurrent training, has different effects on the metabolic responses during recovery. Thirteen healthy women [24.40 (1.67) years, Mean (SD)] were investigated for energy expenditure (EE), oxygen consumption (VO2), ventilation (Ve), respiratory frequency (RF), proportion of oxygen in expired air (FeO2) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) both before and after three concurrent endurance and resistance trainings, carried out in different orders: endurance-resistance training (ERT), resistance-endurance training (RET) and alternating endurance-resistance training (AERT). AERT elicited a significantly greater increase of EE, VO2, and Ve and a greater decrease of FeO2. ERT elicited a lower increase of RPE. Acute post-exercise physiological responses to concurrent endurance and resistance physical exercise seem to depend on the order of execution of the two parts: among the selected protocols, AERT seems to elicit the best responses. Key pointsThe concurrent execution of both endurance and resistance exercise, in the same training session, could be a practical solution to conform to guidelines for health in the presence of lack of time.The order of concurrent execution of both endurance and resistance exercise, in the same training session, influences the amplitude of some post-exercise physiological responses.

Left ventricle relative wall thickness and plasma leptin levels: baseline relationships and effects of 4 months of walking training in healthy overweight postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: Whether leptin has positive or negative influences on cardiac structure and function in healthy sedentary overweight postmenopausal women is unknown. We investigated the role of leptin in cardiac health and whether aerobic fitness enhancement influences any relationships revealed between leptin and echocardiographic measurements. METHODS: Thirty-nine sedentary postmenopausal women were enrolled after an initial screening. The women underwent blood sampling for hormone levels, anthropometric and echocardiographic measurements, dietary habits investigation, and fitness testing, both before and after 4 months of walking training. RESULTS: After the intervention, the women who had an adherence to training of 75% or higher showed significantly reduced percentage fat mass (P = 0.006) and plasma leptin levels (P < 0.001), whereas their maximum oxygen consumption increased significantly (P < 0.001). The women showed a significant reduction in left ventricle relative wall thickness (P = 0.039) and significant increases in both left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (P = 0.040) and left ventricular mass index (P = 0.043). At baseline, a negative correlation was seen between plasma leptin levels and left ventricle relative wall thickness (r = -0.553; P = 0.009). Further negative correlations were seen for the changes in left ventricle relative wall thickness with leptin levels (r = -0.456; P = 0.038) and with tricipital skinfold (r = -0.436; P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In healthy overweight sedentary postmenopausal women with low fitness level, high plasma leptin levels seem to have a protective role against left ventricle relative wall thickness hypertrophy and to participate in its remodeling after 4 months of aerobic training.

Arm vs. Combined Leg and Arm Exercise: Blood Pressure Responses and Ratings of Perceived Exertion at the Same Indirectly Determined Heart Rate.

Pre-participation screening is very important for prescribing and practising exercise safely. The aim of this study was to investigate both ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and blood pressure responses in two different types of exercises with matching duration and indirectly determined working heart rate (HR). Participants were 23 male students, who were generally healthy but sedentary. The time course of their RPE and blood pressure during a 50- minute work-out session on an arm crank ergometer and a cross trainer were compared. RM-ANOVA showed both a higher RPE (p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p < 0.001) response to the arm exercise that were shown significantly correlated (r = 0.883; p = 0.008). Linear regression analysis (p = 0.001) confirmed the ability to predict the time course of DBP by knowing the RPE on the arm crank ergometer. Even if people use the recommended relative intensity, the HR method is not always safe for health without pre-participation screening because exercise characteristics can negatively influence physiological responses. The HR method could be substituted by the RPE method. Key pointsArm Crank Ergometer elicits a higher diastolic blood pressure response respect to Cross Trainer when people exercise at the same heart rate.Arm Crank Ergometer elicits a higher ratings of perceived exertion respect to Cross trainer when people exercise at the same heart rate.Indirect determined working heart rate is not always safe even if the theoretical intensity is that recommended for health.Rating of perceived exertion method should be used instead of heart rate method to avoid the dangerous physiological responses observed.