RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The dietary supplements market is growing, and their use is increasing among professional athletes. Recently, several new protein supplements have been placed in the marketplace, including energy bars enriched with insect flour. Edible insects, which are rich in protein content, have been promoted as the food of the future and athletes could be a reference sample for their continued emphasis on higher protein demand. The present study investigated the potential motivations to accept an energy protein bar with cricket flour, among a group of selected Italian professional athletes. A second aim was also to measure how an information treatment about the benefits of edible insects would have impact on acceptance. METHODS: 61 Italian professional athletes (27 females) completed a structured questionnaire regarding supplements and eating habits, food neophobia, nutrition knowledge, willingness to taste edible insects and the associated factors. A question about sports endorsement was also posed at the end of the survey. RESULTS: all subjects consumed supplements, generally recommended by medical personnel, even though their general knowledge of nutrition was poor (47.8%). Our main results shown that on a seven-point Likert scale, the protein content (5.74 ± 1.01) and the curiosity about texture (5.24 ± 0.98) were the main drivers to taste the cricket energy bar; whereas the feeling of disgust (5.58 ± 1.08) justified the rejection of tasting insects. In addition, the level of food neophobia increases with age (p < 0.05) and reduces willingness to endorse the cricket bar (p < 0.05). Male athletes (4.47 ± 1.69) were more likely to endorse the product than females (3.3 ± 1.49). An increase in willingness to taste was observed after the information treatment (z = 4.16, p < 0.001). Even though the population under investigation is unique, it is important to mention that this study involves a relatively small and convenience sample, and therefore generalizability of the results should be done with caution.
RESUMO
STUDY DESIGN: In this observational study, we compare fluid inclinometer and smartphone measures to analyze active cervical range of motion (ACROM) in healthy individuals. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and the criterion validity of a smartphone application to analyze head movements. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Recent studies on the reliability and the validity of customized smartphone applications to measure ACROM show good results for frontal and lateral planes' movement analysis, but poor results for the transverse plane. This can be due to the surrounding magnetic fields that affect the compass application used during head rotation valuation. METHODS: Twenty-three individuals were asked to perform neck maximal (end-range) movements (frontal flex-extension and left-right side flexion in the sitting position, left-right rotation in the prone position). Two separate examiners took all ACROM measures and were assigned to each device (iPhone 5c and the inclinometer) contemporary for each individual. RESULTS: All measurements were taken twice to assess the intraobserver reliability. Interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities were evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The criterion validity between the 2 instruments was also assessed in terms of the ICC. The procedures used in this investigation for measuring ACROM yielded good validity (Pearson r≥0.99 and ICC≥0.99) between the 2 instruments for all movements. The Bland and Altman's 95% LoA ranged from -1.8 to 1.15 degrees. Percentage error values ranged from 1% to 3%. The intrarater and the interrater reliabilities were good (ICC≥0.9) for both instruments in all movements including the rotation movements (ICC>0.95). The minimal detectable change (MDC95) ranged from 4 to 8 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that the tested smartphone is valid and reliable to measure ACROM on the frontal and the sagittal planes; furthermore, it also demonstrates its usefulness for rotation movement analysis, using the inclinometric application.
