Somatotype and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis of Italian CrossFit® practitioners.

Objectives: CrossFit® is a high-intensity sport characterized by various workouts that require strength, speed, endurance, or agility, impacting participants' body composition. This observational study aimed to determine the morphological (anthropometrical and bioelectrical) profile of CrossFit® athletes and to compare them with other athletic populations. Methods: Anthropometrical measurements and bioelectrical vector analysis (classic and specific approaches) were performed on 145 CrossFit® practitioners (107 men aged 30.7 ± 8.4 years and 38 women aged 28.1 ± 6.7 years). Each participant's relative somatotype was calculated and compared between sexes and with a Spanish CrossFit® athletes' group. Resistance-reactance graphs and Hotelling's T2 test were applied to characterize the sample, compare them with an athletes' reference population, and identify differences between somatotype groups. Results: The most represented somatotype in both groups was the balanced mesomorph (male 3.5-5.2 - 1.7 and female 4.4-4.5 - 1.8). Compared with Spanish CrossFit® athletes, significant differences were denoted for men but not women (SAD = 2.3). The bioelectrical graphs indicated that the distribution of CrossFit® athletes is quite heterogeneous and within average values for the athlete's reference. The mesomorphic and endomorphic components were associated with a higher phase angle. Conclusions: CrossFit® practitioners predominantly present a mesomorphic component and show a body type like other power athletes, although with less pronounced characteristics. The somatotype may influence the vector's position in the RXc graphs. This study provided the bioelectrical tolerance ellipses for CrossFit® practitioners in classic and specific approaches for the first time.

Cardiorespiratory Performance in Kidney and Liver Transplant Recipients: The Dilemma to Combine Lifestyle and Fitness.

It is widely demonstrated that moderate-intensity exercise is associated with improved fitness in non-communicable chronic diseases. However, there are no specific guidelines available for transplant recipients. Body composition is closely linked to exercise capacity, typically estimated by cardiopulmonary testing, but its potential correlation with cardiovascular health outcomes has not been investigated yet. This study aims to evaluate and compare cardiorespiratory performance and body composition in two groups of liver and kidney transplant recipients. A mixed group of transplant recipients (10 kidney and 15 liver) participating in a lifestyle reconditioning program through unsupervised physical exercise prescription was examined. Both groups were assessed using bioimpedance analysis (BIA), lifestyle, and physical activity levels by IPAQ questionnaire and cardiopulmonary testing (CPET). The two groups differed by IPAQ examination: liver transplant patients practiced more physical activity. Statistically significant differences were found in peak VO2/HR (oxygen pulse), which was higher in the kidney group compared to the liver group (15.63 vs. 12.49 with p < 0.05). Body composition did not show significant differences in BMI and the percentage of FM/FFM (FFM: 78.04 ± 7.7 in Kidney T vs. 77.78 ± 7.2 in Liver T). Systolic pressure measured at the peak was significantly higher in the liver group (162.6 vs. 134 with p < 0.01). The correlation between the CPET and BIA parameters showed a positive VO2 max and FFM mass trend. The results suggest differences in cardiorespiratory fitness between the two populations of solid organ transplant recipients despite not being related to the physical activity level. The data support the importance of body composition analysis in sports medicine and the prescription of physical exercise, especially considering the potential correlation with VO2 max, even though home-based exercise does not seem to alter it substantially. BMI does not appear to be a determinant of cardiovascular performance. Other determinants should be investigated to understand the differences observed.

Unsupervised Exercise Intervention vs. Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet Alone: The Role of Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis and Cardiovascular Performance in Liver-Transplanted Recipients.

(1) Background: Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality after liver transplantation. Body composition and cardiovascular performance assessment represent a potential approach for modulating lifestyle correction and proper follow-up in chronic disease patients. This study aimed to verify the additional role of an unsupervised physical activity program in a sample of male liver transplant recipients who follow the Mediterranean diet. (2) Methods: Thirty-three male liver transplant recipients were enrolled. Sixteen subjects followed a moderate-intensity home exercise program in addition to nutritional support, and seventeen received advice on the Mediterranean diet. After six months, bioelectrical vector impedance analysis (BIVA) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were performed. (3) Results: No differences in CPET (VO2 peak: exercise 21.4 ± 4.1 vs. diet 23.5 ± 6.5 mL/kg/min; p = 0.283) and BIVA (Z/H: exercise 288.3 ± 33.9 vs. diet 310.5 ± 34.2 Ω/m; p = 0.071) were found. Furthermore, the BIVA values of resistance correlate with the submaximal performance of the Ve/VCO2 slope (R = 0.509; p < 0.05) and phase angle with the maximal effort of the VO2 peak (R = 0.557; p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Unsupervised physical exercise alone for six months does not substantially modify liver transplant recipients' cardiovascular performance and hydration status, despite their adherence to a Mediterranean diet. The body composition analysis is useful to stratify the risk profile, and it is potentially associated with better outcomes in transplanted subjects.

In-Season Longitudinal Hydration/Body Cell Mass Ratio Changes in Elite Rugby Players.

BACKGROUND: Hydration status has a direct role in sports performance. Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) and Urine Specific Gravity (USG) are commonly used to assess hydration. The study aims to identify the sensitivity and relationship between BIVA and USG in a field sports setting. METHODS: BIVA and USG measurements were conducted five times throughout one rugby season. 34 elite male rugby players (25.1 ± 4.4 years; 184.0 ± 7.8 cm; 99.9 ± 13.4 kg) were enrolled. Differences over time were tested using one-way repeated measures ANOVA, and Bonferroni's post-hoc test was applied in pairwise comparisons. Resistance-reactance graphs and Hotelling's T2 test were used to characterize the sample and to identify bioelectrical changes. A repeated measures correlation test was conducted for BIVA-USG associations. RESULTS: Two clear trends were seen: (1) from July to September, there was a vector shortening and an increase of the phase angle (p < 0.001); and (2) from December to April, there was a vector lengthening and a decrease of the phase angle (p < 0.001). USG reported neither changes nor correlation with BIVA longitudinally (p > 0.05). Vector variations indicated a body fluid gain (especially in the intracellular compartment) and a body cell mass increase during the preseason, suggesting a physical condition and performance improvement. During the last months of the season, the kinetic was the opposite (fluid loss and decreased body cell mass). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggested that BIVA is sensitive to physiological changes and a better option than USG for assessing hydration changes during a rugby sports season.

The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) international database: aims, scope, and call for data.

BACKGROUND: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a technique widely used for estimating body composition and health-related parameters. The technology is relatively simple, quick, and non-invasive, and is currently used globally in diverse settings, including private clinicians' offices, sports and health clubs, and hospitals, and across a spectrum of age, body weight, and disease states. BIA parameters can be used to estimate body composition (fat, fat-free mass, total-body water and its compartments). Moreover, raw measurements including resistance, reactance, phase angle, and impedance vector length can also be used to track health-related markers, including hydration and malnutrition, and disease-prognostic, athletic and general health status. Body composition shows profound variability in association with age, sex, race and ethnicity, geographic ancestry, lifestyle, and health status. To advance understanding of this variability, we propose to develop a large and diverse multi-country dataset of BIA raw measures and derived body components. The aim of this paper is to describe the 'BIA International Database' project and encourage researchers to join the consortium. METHODS: The Exercise and Health Laboratory of the Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon has agreed to host the database using an online portal. At present, the database contains 277,922 measures from individuals ranging from 11 months to 102 years, along with additional data on these participants. CONCLUSION: The BIA International Database represents a key resource for research on body composition.

New bioelectrical impedance vector references and phase angle centile curves in 4,367 adults: The need for an urgent update after 30 years.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) represents a qualitative analysis of body composition. The vector, defined by resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) standardized by stature, can be evaluated compared to the 50%,75%, and 95% tolerance ellipses representative of the reference populations. The tolerance ellipses for healthy adults have been provided in 1995 and were developed by mixing underage, adult, and elderly subjects, possibly misrepresenting the actual adult population. The current multicentric, cross-sectional study aimed to provide new tolerance ellipses specific for the general adult population and as a secondary aim to present centile curves for the bioelectrical phase angle. METHODS: R, Xc, and phase angle were measured in 2137 and 2230 males and females using phase-sensitive foot-to-hand analyzers at 50 kHz. A minimum of 35 subjects were included for each sex and age category from 18 to 65 years. RESULTS: The new mean vectors showed a leftward shift on the R-Xc graph with respect to the former reference values (males: F = 75.3; p < 0.001; females: F = 36.6, p < 0.001). The results provided new 3rd, 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, 95th, and 97th percentile curves for phase angle, identifying time point phases of decrement (males: -0.03° per year at 33.0-51.0 years and -0.05° per year after 51 years; females: -0.03° per year from 37.2 to 57.9 years). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the original references, the new data are characterized by a different distribution within the R-Xc graph with a higher phase angle. Thirty years after the BIVA invention, the current study presents new tolerance ellipses and phase angle reference values for the adult population.

Flow Dynamic Pattern in Liver and Renal Transplantation under Exercise Prescription Program.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases in the context of renal and liver transplants remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Physical exercise at a moderate intensity is allowed to contrast the risk profile. Echocardiographic evaluation is essential to stratifying potential cardiotoxicity by the standard and, more recently, the deformation and dynamic study of the intracardiac vortex. This study aims to investigate the vortex echo parameters of solid-organ-transplanted subjects who are physically active compared to a control group of healthy subjects. METHODS: A group of 33 transplanted subjects (16 kidneys and 17 livers) was studied via a transthoracic echocardiography exam, comprehending the myocardial deformation parameters of global longitudinal strain (GLS), twisting of the left ventricle (LV) chamber, and HyperDoppler image acquisition. RESULTS: The subjects enrolled in this study were 50 in total: there were 33 transplanted and 17 healthy subjects. The transplanted subjects presented higher values of interventricular septum in diastole (IVSd p = 0.001), posterior wall diastolic (PWd p = 0.05), and left ventricle mass index (LVMI p = 0.029); ejection fraction (EF) was found to be higher in athletes (p < 0.001). Transplanted subjects presented mild diastolic dysfunction, emerging only from septal E values (p = 0.001). The 4DStrain (p = 0.018) and GLS2c (p = 0.017) were significantly better in the athletes. All of the geometrical and energetical vortex data were in the normal range and no significant differences were found. An interesting positive correlation was evident for the diastolic parameter, particularly the E/A ratio (p = 0.023) and E' septal value (p = 0.049), along with the vorticity fluctuation. This behavior was present for all subjects, particularly those that were transplanted (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In the vortex investigation, especially in cases of normal EF, the positive correlation of some diastolic parameters with the flow dynamic patterns corroborates this hypothesis. The HyperDoppler analysis could be helpful to detecting potential damage earlier in the diastolic time before a systolic deficiency.

Morphological Characteristics of Elite International Soccer Referees: Somatotype and Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis.

This study aimed to assess the physical characteristics of elite international soccer referees, compare them with other referee populations in the literature, and establish reference tolerance ellipses for the bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) point graph. Forty-one elite international soccer referees (age 38.8 ± 3.6 years) participated in the study. The participants underwent body composition assessments, including dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, BIVA, and somatotype. The Somatotype Attitudinal Distance (SAD), the two-sample Hotelling's T2 test and the Mahalanobis test were used to determine somatotype and bioelectrical vector differences with the literature. The average somatotype of the referees was a balanced mesomorph (2.8, 6.5, 2.8). Elite international referees significantly differed from other samples in the literature (SAD = 2.1, 2.6, 2.9 with respect to Zimbabwean, Brazilian, and South African referees, respectively). The bioelectrical vector was significantly different from the general population (T2 ≤ 76.6; F = 38.8; D = 1.44; p < 0.001) and athletes (T2 ≤ 25.3; F = 12.6; D = 0.8; p < 0.001). Somatotype values and tolerance ellipses from this study may be useful as a reference for developing training programs and improving the selection process of referees in soccer.

Bioimpedance Patterns and Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) of Body Builders.

Bodybuilders are athletes characterized by high muscle mass. During competitions, the evaluation is performed based on aesthetic parameters. The study aims to provide normative references of body composition with the vector bioimpedance methodology (BIVA). A second aim is to compare BIVA assessments performed on both sides and the upper and lower body. A group of 68 elite bodybuilders (41 males aged 30.1 ± 9.2 years and 27 females aged 32.1 ± 8.0 years) was enrolled. A BIVA assessment was performed the day before the 2021 World Natural Bodybuilding Federation Italian Championships. As a result, male and female bodybuilders ranked to the left in the BIVA ellipse relative to the general population. Furthermore, unlike females, males also ranked lower than the general athletic population. In addition, in the symmetry assessment, males show a significantly greater upper body than the lower, right, and left parts, while in women, this is observed for the lower part of the body. The differences in the results obtained between males and females can be attributed to the different patterns of endocrine production between the sexes and the different criteria used by the juries to attribute the final score during the competitions. Therefore, BIVA references in bodybuilders could help adjust the training and nutritional program during the peak week before a competition.

Normative values and a new predicted model of exercise blood pressure in young athletes.

OBJECTIVES: Assessing the systolic and diastolic blood pressure during acute physical exertion can allow the discovery of many cardiovascular diseases even at a young age. However, this response depends on the age, sex of the subject, and the modality of the graded exercise test. This study aims to provide sex-and age-related normative values of peak and recovery blood pressure performance and to develop a predicted model of systolic and diastolic blood pressure peak in young athletes. DESIGN: Retrospective-study. METHODS: We analyzed 8224 young athletes (5516 males and 2708 females) aged between 8 and 18. Anthropometric and blood pressure parameters related to the effort are reported. Then, according to sex, graded exercise test modality, and age were calculated 1) the fifth, tenth, fiftieth, ninetieth, and ninety-fifth percentiles for the systolic and diastolic blood pressure at peak and after 1 min of recovery and 2) predictive equations of systolic and diastolic blood pressure at the peak. RESULTS: Younger athletes show lower peak blood pressure values, gradually increasing as they age. Males showed higher peak systolic blood pressure values starting at 12-13 years on the cycle ergometer and 10-11 years on the treadmill, while there was no difference in peak diastolic blood pressure values. CONCLUSIONS: Sex, age, and the specificity of the movement performed must be considered in assessing the blood pressure response in the young population. In addition, providing reference values and predictive equations of blood pressure response to acute physical exertion may allow for a better functional assessment of young athletes.

Normative values for heart rate response to exercise in young athletes at 10-18 years old.

The assessment of the chronotropic response during acute physical exertion can allow the discovery of many cardiovascular diseases even at a young age. However, the increase in heart rate (HR) depends on the age and sex of the subject and the modality of the graded exercise test. This study aims to provide sex- and age-related normative values for heart rate performance in young athletes aged 10-18. A retrospective study was carried out on 7896 young athletes (5356 males and 2540 females) aged between 10 and 18 who underwent pre-participation screening to obtain eligibility for competitive sport. First, anthropometric parameters, performance data, and HR are reported. Thus, each age calculated third, tenth, twenty-fifth, fiftieth, seventy-fifth, ninetieth, and ninety-seventh percentiles for the stage-by-stage HR response, according to sex and graded exercise test modality category. Young female athletes of all ages showed lower performance with fewer stages performed on the cycle ergometer and the treadmill. Young male athletes on treadmill and cycle ergometers show lower HR values at submaximal intensities. The treadmill allows a longer duration than the cycle ergometer for males and females. Sex, age, and the specificity of the movement performed must be considered in assessing the chronotropic response in the young population, particularly for those who carry out a training program. In addition, providing reference values of HR response to acute physical exertion may allow for a better functional assessment of the young athletes.HighlightsGrowth and physical training induce continuous changes in the cardiovascular system. However, each young athlete shows individual features. The chronotropic response to incremental load is a common method for assessing health and fitness.Comparing the heart rate data obtained from the incremental effort with the reference percentiles can provide information in a short time in the evaluation of young athletes and the general youth population. Therefore, this methodology is regularly performed in the evaluation of anthropometric growth.In evaluating the chronotropic response to physical exertion, in addition to age and sex, should take the specificity of the movement performed during the test into account.

Florentine Normative Values for Physical Fitness in Adolescents Aged 14-15 Years.

Physical fitness during youth is linked to the health of today's young people and future adults. Therefore, fitness evaluation can direct any physical exercise interventions and verify improvements. The study aims to provide normative values of the physical fitness of the Florentine adolescent population. This cross-sectional study enrolled 1915 subjects aged 14 and 15 from the first and second high school classes. Tests were performed to assess cardiovascular endurance, upper and lower limb strength, running speed and agility, and lower limb muscle flexibility. Sex and age-related percentiles were elaborated. The study included 1028 subjects in the first class (aged 14.3 ± 0.8 years; 54.5% females) and 887 in the second class (aged 15.3 ± 0.7 years; 53.4% females). Males showed higher values than females except for flexibility. Furthermore, both genders show increased results in transitioning from the first to the second class, except for muscle flexibility and running speed. The percentiles of the present study provide normative values of the physical fitness of the 14-15-year-old Florentine adolescent population. These results, characterized by a sociocultural specificity linked to the territory from which they were collected, can contribute to the assessment and improvement of the physical status of young people, promoting current and future health.

Effectiveness of Different Modalities of Remote Online Training in Young Healthy Males.

Since 2020 there has been an increase in demand for home workouts. Therefore, different ways of delivering distance training have been proposed to promote "stay active at home." This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of three different training programs consisting of a total of 15 workouts (three sessions per week): supervised livestreaming (LS), unsupervised following a video recording (VR), and unsupervised following a written program (WP). Changes in anthropometric and cardiovascular variables, muscle fitness, and physical activity levels were evaluated. To provide a meaningful analysis for significant comparisons between small groups, mean differences (∆), 95% confidence interval (95% C.I.), and Cohen's effect sizes (E.S.) were also calculated. The three training modalities increased physical activity levels, with an adherence rate of LS = 93.3%, VR = 86%, and WP = 74%. Although there was no reduction in body weight, waist circumference decreased by 1.3 cm (95% C.I. = −2.1, −0.5; E.S. = 0.170; p < 0.004). Furthermore, where LS, VR, and WP resulted in improvements in muscle fitness, only LS showed changes in cardiovascular variables, such as resting heart rate (∆ = −7.3 bpm; 95% C.I. = −11.9, −2.7; E.S. = 1.296; p < 0.001) and Ruffier's index (∆ = −2.1bpm; 95% C.I. = −3.5, −0.8; E.S. 1.099; p < 0.001). Remote online training proved its effectiveness over a short period of time. However, supervised training proved to be the most effective, highlighting the importance of an experienced trainer.

Proposal of a New Parameter for Evaluating Muscle Mass in Footballers through Bioimpedance Analysis.

The evaluation of muscle mass in athletes correlates with sports performance directly. Bioimpedance vector analysis is a growing method of assessing body composition in athletes because it is independent of predictive formulas containing variables such as body weight, ethnicity, age, and sex. The study aims to propose a new parameter (Levi's Muscle Index, LMI) that evaluates muscle mass through raw bioelectrical data. A total of 664 male footballers underwent bioimpedance assessment during the regular season. LMI was correlated with body cell mass (BCM) and phase angle (PA) to establish efficacy. The footballers were 24.5 ± 5.8 years old, 180.7 ± 5.9 cm tall and weighed 76.3 ± 7.1 kg. The relationships were: LMI-BMI: r = 0.908, r2 = 0.824, p < 0.001; LMI-PA: r = 0.704, r2 = 0.495, p = 0.009 and PA-BCM: r = 0.491, r2 = 0.241, p < 0.001. The results obtained confirm that LMI could be considered a new parameter that provides reliable information to evaluate the muscle mass of athletes. Furthermore, the higher LMI-BCM relationship than PA-BCM demonstrates specificity for muscle mass evaluation in athletes regardless of body weight, ethnicity, age, and sex.

Effects of a Mixed Exercise Program on Overweight and Obese Children and Adolescents: A Pilot, Uncontrolled Study.

Pediatric excess weight has reached severity worldwide, affecting physical health. Decreasing weight and body mass index (BMI) after exercise intervention reduces the cardiometabolic consequences; the role of age and gender on the effectiveness of exercise in overweight youth was debated in this study. A total of 138 overweight/obese young (75 girls, 63 boys) were recruited at Perugia (Italy) University to follow an exercise program. Participants were allocated into two groups (children, n = 88 and adolescents, n = 50). The study aimed to verify the efficacy of a mixed resistance-endurance exercise program in anthropometric and physical performance measures, evaluating the influence of gender and age on two groups of young overweight/obese participants. In children, we observed a statistically significant improvement in fat mass percentage, fat-free mass, waist circumference (WC), fat mass, as well as in strength, endurance, speed, and flexibility measures. We also observed reduced WC and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) values in girls. In the adolescents' subgroup, results showed a statistically significant variation in fat mass percentage, BMI, WC, and WHtR, and strength of the upper and lower limbs; we also observed a weight reduction in girls. A clinical approach, with the combination of strength and dynamometric tests plus the body composition study using air plethysmography methodology, is health-effective and allows for the monitoring of the efficacy of an exercise program in overweight/obese young people.

Reference Percentiles for Bioelectrical Phase Angle in Athletes.

The present study aimed to develop reference values for bioelectrical phase angle in male and female athletes from different sports. Overall, 2224 subjects participated in this study [1658 males (age 26.2 ± 8.9 y) and 566 females (age 26.9 ± 6.6 y)]. Participants were categorized by their sport discipline and sorted into three different sport modalities: endurance, velocity/power, and team sports. Phase angle was directly measured using a foot-to-hand bioimpedance technology at a 50 kHz frequency during the in-season period. Reference percentiles (5th, 15th, 50th, 85th, and 95th) were calculated and stratified by sex, sport discipline and modality using an empirical Bayesian analysis. This method allows for the sharing of information between different groups, creating reference percentiles, even for sports disciplines with few observations. Phase angle differed (men: p < 0.001; women: p = 0.003) among the three sport modalities, where endurance athletes showed a lower value than the other groups (men: vs. velocity/power: p = 0.010, 95% CI = -0.43 to -0.04; vs. team sports: p < 0.001, 95% CI = -0.48 to -0.02; women: vs. velocity/power: p = 0.002, 95% CI = -0.59 to -0.10; vs. team sports: p = 0.015, 95% CI = -0.52 to -0.04). Male athletes showed a higher phase angle than female athletes within each sport modality (endurance: p < 0.01, 95% CI = 0.63 to 1.14; velocity/power: p < 0.01, 95% CI = 0.68 to 1.07; team sports: p < 0.01, 95% CI = 0.98 to 1.23). We derived phase angle reference percentiles for endurance, velocity/power, and team sports athletes. Additionally, we calculated sex-specific references for a total of 22 and 19 sport disciplines for male and female athletes, respectively. This study provides sex- and sport-specific percentiles for phase angle that can track body composition and performance-related parameters in athletes.

Changes in physical activity levels, eating habits and psychological well-being during the Italian COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: Impact of socio-demographic factors on the Florentine academic population.

The confinement and lockdown imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have produced restrictions in the lifestyle of Italian citizens with variations in their psychological well-being. The aim of the study was to identify changes and relationship with socio-demographic parameters. An online survey was administered to 1383 subjects (1007 females and 307 males) working in the University of Florence, Italy. Three validated questionnaires were used for the survey: the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Med Diet Score and the Psychological General Well-Being Index-A. All the subjects were asked to complete the questionnaires twice, in order to attain a picture of the habits before and a later time point during confinement. Our results show that work-related physical activity was decreased, along with an increase in sedentary behaviour (from 07:22±03:20 to 08:49±03:41 h:min; p<0.001, ES = 0.38), whereas recreational physical activity was increased (vigorous exercise varied from 568.5 ± 838.6 to 833.7 ± 1263.0 METs; p<0.002, ES = 0.25). Eating habits changed according to the place where meals were eaten, with an increased habit for breakfast and snacks and a slight increase in alcohol consumption. Psychological well-being decreased (Index from 21.4±3.9 to 18.0±5.3; p<0.001, ES = 0.723), especially in terms of vitality and positive thinking. The socio-demographic variables affecting these variations were mostly represented by age, gender and working conditions: young age and self-employment conditions can be considered factors for the changes in daily habits induced by confinement that may affect psychological well-being.

A Wearable Sensor-Based Platform for Surgeon Posture Monitoring: A Tool to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Surgeons are workers that are particularly prone to the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Recent advances in surgical interventions, such as laparoscopic procedures, have caused a worsening of the scenario, given the harmful static postures that have to be kept for long periods. In this paper, we present a sensor-based platform specifically aimed at monitoring the posture during actual surgical operations. The proposed system adopts a limited number of Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) to obtain information about spine and neck angles across time. Such a system merges the reliability of sensor-based approaches and the validity of state-of-the-art scoring procedure, such as RULA. Specifically, three IMUs are used to estimate the flexion, lateral bending, and twisting angles of spine and neck. An ergonomic risk index is thus estimated in a time varying fashion borrowing relevant features from the RULA scoring system. The detailed functioning of the proposed systems is introduced, and the assessment results related to a real surgical procedure, consisting of a laparoscopy and mini-laparotomy sections, are shown and discussed. In the exemplary case study introduced, the surgeon kept a high score, indicating the need for an intervention on the working procedures, for a large time fraction. The system allows separately analyzing the contribution of spine and neck, also specifying the angle configuration. It is shown how the proposed approach can provide further information, as related to dynamical analysis, which could be used to enlarge the features taken into account by currently available approaches for ergonomic risk assessment. The proposed system could be adopted both for training purposes, as well as for alerting surgeons during actual surgical operations.

Lifestyle and resulting body composition in young athletes.

BACKGROUND: Key aspects in a lifestyle analysis are physical activity level and eating habits. An unhealthy lifestyle results in fat mass increase and in a predisposition to non-communicable chronic diseases even in young age. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lifestyle and body composition in young athletes. METHODS: The subjects underwent to an assessment of body composition and they completed two questionnaires, one concerning the level of physical activity and the other regarding eating habits. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-two young athletes (63 females and 89 males) aged 8 to 18 years (13.4±2.5 years, height 159±14 cm) were enrolled in this study. 80.3% of subjects were normal weight (13.4±2.6 years) and 19.7% subjects (13.5±2.5 years) were overweight or obese. Greater sedentary behaviors were found in the overweight or obese participants compared to normal weight (618±125 vs. 523±89 min; P<0.001) and a lower consumption of milk and yoghurt (5.0±3.2 vs. 6.9±4.1 times/week; P=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Although competitive sports often increase physical activity levels in young people, this activity does not seem to reach the daily recommended amount of physical activity during youth. Therefore, it is necessary to have a comprehensive approach to create a primary prevention strategy from even a young age.

The Influence of Maturity Status on Anthropometric Profile and Body Composition of Youth Goalkeepers.

The anthropometric profile assessment is an important aspect to consider during the growth stages of youth sport practitioners due to its usefulness in controlling maturity status and overall health. We performed an anthropometric profile evaluation in a sample of youth goalkeepers (n = 42) during a training camp, dividing them into three categories based on their years from peak height velocity (YPHV). We also checked if the selection of goalkeepers was associated with the birth quartile. The results showed that most of the participants' anthropometric parameters followed the normal trend according to the maturation stages. However, several subjects showed an overweight/obese condition and/or high waist circumference. Non-optimal values were found, mostly in the group of goalkeepers around the PHV. In addition, no selection based on birth quartile was seen. Therefore, the anthropometric profile and body composition of youth goalkeepers are physiologically affected by maturity status. However, several subjects were found to be overweight/obese and at cardiometabolic risk, suggesting that children and adolescents, although practicing sport, should pay attention to potentially contributing factors such as the attainment of the recommended levels of physical activity, lowering sedentary time, and adopt a healthy lifestyle.