Association between match-related physical activity profiles and playing positions in different tasks: A data driven approach.

Assessing the intensity characteristics of specific soccer drills (matches, small-side game, and match-based exercises) could help practitioners to plan training sessions by providing the optimal stimulus for every player. In this paper, we propose a data analytics framework to assess the neuromuscular or metabolic characteristics of a soccer-specific exercise in relation with the expected match intensity. GPS data describing the physical tasks' external intensity during an entire season of twenty-eight semi-professional soccer players competing at the fourth Italian division were used in this study. A supervised machine-learning approach was tested in order to detect difference in playing positions in different sport-specific drills. Moreover, a non-supervised machine-learning model was used to profile the match neuromuscular and metabolic characteristics. Players' playing positions during matches and match-based exercises are characterised by specific metabolic and neuromuscular characteristics related to tactical demands, while in the small-side game these differences are not detected. Additionally, our framework permits to evaluate if the match performance request is mirrored during training drills. Practitioners could evaluate the type of stimulus performed by a player in a specific training drill in order to assess if they reflect the matches characteristics of their specific playing position.

Relationship between external and internal load indicators and injury using machine learning in professional soccer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study verified the relationship between internal load (IL) and external load (EL) and their association on injury risk (IR) prediction considering machine learning (ML) approaches. Studies were included if: (1) participants were male professional soccer players; (2) carried out for at least 2 sessions, exercises, or competitions; (3) correlated training load (TL) with non-contact injuries; (4) applied ML approaches to predict TL and non-contact injuries. TL included: IL indicators (Rating of Perceived Exertion, RPE; Session-RPE, Heart Rate, HR) and EL indicators (Global Positioning System, GPS variables); the relationship between EL and IL through index, ratio, formula; ML indicators included performance measures, predictive performance of ML methods, measure of feature importance, relevant predictors, outcome variable, predictor variable, data pre-processing, features selection, ML methods. Twenty-five studies were included. Eleven addressed the relationship between EL and IL. Five used EL/IL indexes. Five studies predicted IL indicators. Three studies investigated the association between EL and IL with IR. One study predicted IR using ML. Significant positive correlations were found between S-RPE and total distance (TD) (r = 0.73; 95% CI (0.64 to 0.82)) as well as between S-RPE and player load (PL) (r = 0.76; 95% CI (0.68 to 0.84)). Association between IL and EL and their relationship with injuries were found. RPE, S-RPE, and HR were associated with different EL indicators. A positive relationship between EL and IL indicators and IR was also observed. Moreover, new indexes or ratios (integrating EL and IL) to improve knowledge regarding TL and fitness status were also applied. ML can predict IL indicators (HR and RPE), and IR. The present systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021245312).

Athletic bioimpedance-based equations underestimate fat free mass components in male elite soccer players: development and validation of new soccer-specific predictive models.

BACKGROUND: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a rapid and user-friendly technique for assessing body composition in sports. Currently, no sport-specific predictive equations are available, and the utilization of generalized formulas can introduce systematic bias. The objectives of this study were as follows: (i) to develop and validate new predictive models for estimating fat-free mass (FFM) components in male elite soccer players; (ii) to evaluate the accuracy of existing predictive equations. METHODS: A total of 102 male elite soccer players (mean age 24.7 ± 5.7 years), participating in the Italian first league, underwent assessments during the first half of the in-season period and were randomly divided into development and validation groups. Bioelectrical resistance (R) and reactance (Xc), representing the bioimpedance components, were measured using a foot-to-hand BIA device at a single frequency of 50 kHz. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was employed to acquire reference data for FFM, lean soft tissue (LST), and appendicular lean soft tissue (ALST). The validation of the newly developed predictive equations was conducted through regression analysis, Bland-Altman tests, and the area under the curves (AUC) of regression receiver operating characteristic (RROC) curves. RESULTS: Developed models were: FFM = - 7.729 + (body mass × 0.686) + (stature2/R × 0.227) + (Xc × 0.086) + (age × 0.058), R2 = 0.97, Standard error of estimation (SEE) = 1.0 kg; LST = - 8.929 + (body mass × 0.635) + (stature2/R × 0.244) + (Xc × 0.093) + (age × 0.048), R2 = 0.96, SEE = 0.9 kg; ALST = - 24.068 + (body mass × 0.347) + (stature2/R × 0.308) + (Xc × 0.152), R2 = 0.88, SEE = 1.4 kg. Train-test validation, performed on the validation group, revealed that generalized formulas for athletes underestimated all the predicted FFM components (p < 0.01), while the new predictive models showed no mean bias (p > 0.05), with R2 values ranging from 0.83 to 0.91, and no trend (p > 0.05). The AUC scores of the RROC curves indicated an accuracy of 0.92, 0.92, and 0.74 for FFM, LST, and ALST, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of generalized predictive equations leads to an underestimation of FFM and ALST in elite soccer players. The newly developed soccer-specific formulas enable valid estimations of body composition while preserving the portability of a field-based method.

Laser Flare Photometry to Monitor Childhood Chronic Uveitis: A Preliminary Report of a Monocentric Italian Experience.

Background: Childhood chronic non-infectious uveitis (cNIU) is a challenging disease that needs close monitoring. Slit lamp evaluation (SLE) is the cornerstone of ophthalmological evaluation for uveitis, but it is affected by interobserver variability and may be problematic in children. Laser flare photometry (LFP), a novel and objective technique, might be used in children with uveitis. Aim: The aim of this study was to attempt the use of LFP in cNIU clinical practice. Methods: Children, attending the Rheumatology Unit and who were scheduled to receive ophthalmological evaluation, were prospectively enrolled to concomitantly receive SLE and LFP. SLE was performed blind to LFP measure. Demographic, laboratory, clinical, and ophthalmology data were collected. Results: A total of 29 children (58 eyes) were enrolled, including 3 with juvenile idiopathic arthritis without uveitis (JIA-no-U), 15 with JIA-associated uveitis (JIA-U), and 11 with idiopathic chronic uveitis (ICU). We observed significantly higher LFP values in the eyes of children with uveitis compared to the others (10.1 IQR 7.1-13.6 versus 6.2 IQR 5.8-6.9, p = 0.007). Accordance between the SLE and LFP measures, at baseline (ρ.498, p < 0.001) and during the follow-up (LFP II ρ 0.460, p < 0.001, LFP III ρ 0.631, p < 0.001, LFP IV ρ 0.547, p = 0.006, LFP V ρ 0.767, p = 0.001), was detected. We evaluated significant correlation between LFP values and the presence of complications (ρ 0.538, p < 0.001), especially with cataract formation (ρ 0.542, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this cohort, LFP measurements showed a good correlation with SLE. LFP values showed a positive correlation with the presence of complications. LFP might be considered as a reliable objective modality to monitor intraocular inflammation in cNIU.

Toward a New Conceptual Approach to "Intensity" in Soccer Player's Monitoring: A Narrative Review.

ABSTRACT: Pillitteri, G, Clemente, FM, Petrucci, M, Rossi, A, Bellafiore, M, Bianco, A, Palma, A, and Battaglia, G. Toward a new conceptual approach to "intensity" in soccer player's monitoring: A narrative review. J Strength Cond Res 37(9): 1896-1911, 2023-In the last decade, monitoring physiological and match-related demands in soccer has become an increasingly common practice in sports sciences. One of the great challenges during monitoring process is the identification of key indicators that permit to generalize evidence and sustain decision-making process during training prescription. Actually, one of the major debates in the scientific community and among practitioners is the identification of the "intensity" concept. Defining a given training session or exercise based on "intensity" is difficult due to the fact that a huge amount of indicators are available (related both to the performed activities and to the athletes' psychophysiological responses). These indicators can lead to specific outcomes with different interpretations. The current narrative review aims to discuss the different measures approaches used in soccer to describe the intensity for both internal and external demands. In addition, a second purpose of this review is to propose general recommendations for combining intensity indicators with the aim of defining an overall intensity score of a training session or drill.

The significance of green exercise for the health and wellbeing of Italian immigrants in Norway: a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Green exercise (physical activity in presence of nature) has beneficial effects for health and wellbeing. Green exercise is a popular form of recreation in the Nordic countries, but participation is lower among the immigrant population from non-Western countries. However, no attention has been given to immigrants from the European Economic Area regarding this topic. Given the cultural and structural differences that surround green exercise in Italy and Norway, the case of the Italian immigrants in Norway is of interest to enrich our understanding of green exercise and its significance for health and wellbeing among immigrants in the Nordic countries. METHODS: This convergent mixed methods study investigated the pathways that link green exercise to health and wellbeing among Italian immigrants in Norway. Quantitative data were collected through an online survey (n = 321), which was oversampled to better reflect the sociodemographic profile of the reference population. Logistic regression was used to model the association of green exercise with self-rated health (SRH) or satisfaction with life (SWL) before and after controlling for selected confounders (age, gender, educational level, language proficiency, social support, and childhood experiences with green exercise). Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 14) and analysed thematically. Merging of the two strands was done using a simultaneous bidirectional approach. RESULTS: The logistic regression found a significant bivariate association of green exercise with both SRH and SWL, though the association remained significant only for SWL after controlling for confounders. From the thematic analysis, three themes were identified: Green exercise opportunities contributing to overall satisfaction, Closeness to nature, and Embracing a new lifestyle. The integrated findings indicate that green exercise supported the immigrants' wellbeing, especially by providing stress relief, though socioeconomic status and acculturation may have a major impact on general health. Familiarity, appreciation of nature benefits, social support, and acculturation were identified as facilitating factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides novel insights into how green exercise supports health, wellbeing, and inclusion among immigrants to the Nordic countries and emphasizes the importance of developing culturally adapted strategies to enhance this health-promoting activity among immigrant populations.

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.

Association between internal load responses and recovery ability in U19 professional soccer players: A machine learning approach.

Background: The objective of soccer training load (TL) is enhancing players' performance while minimizing the possible negative effects induced by fatigue. In this regard, monitoring workloads and recovery is necessary to avoid overload and injuries. Given the controversial results found in literature, this study aims to better understand the complex relationship between internal training load (IL) by using rating of perceived exertion (RPE), recovery, and availability (i.e., subjective players' readiness status). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, twenty-two-professional soccer players (age: 18.5 ± 0.4 years, height: 177 ± 6 cm, weight: 67 ± 6.7 kg) competing in the U19 Italian Championship were monitored using RPE scale to assess IL, and TreS scale to detect information about recovery and training/match availability during an entire season (2021-2022). Results: Autocorrelation analysis showed a repeated pattern with 7 days lag (weekly microcycle pattern) for all the variables considered (i.e., TL, recovery, and availability). For recovery (r = 0.64, p < 0.001) and availability (r = 0.63, p < 0.001) the best lag for both of them is 1 day. It indicates that recovery and availability are related to the past day value. Moreover, TL was found to be negatively affected by recovery and availability of the current day (lag = 0 day). Cross-correlation analysis indicates that TL is negatively affected by recovery (r = 0.46, p < 0.001) and availability (r = 0.42, p < 0.001) of the current day (lag = 0 day). In particular, lower recovery and availability will result in following lower TL. Furthermore, we found that TL negatively affects recovery (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) and availability (r = 0.39, p < 0.01) of the next day (lag = 1 day). In fact, the higher the TL in a current day is, the lower the recovery and availability in the next day will be. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study highlights that there is a relationship between TL and recovery and that these components influence each other both on the same day and on the next one. The use of RPE and TreS scale to evaluate TL and recovery/availability of players allows practitioners to better adjust and schedule training within the microcycle to enhance performance while reducing injury risk.

External load profile during different sport-specific activities in semi-professional soccer players.

BACKGROUND: Global Positioning System (GPS) devices are widely used in soccer for monitoring external load (EL) indicators with the aim of maximizing sports performance.The aim of this study was to investigate the EL indicators differences in players of different playing positions (i.e., central backs, external strikers, fullbacks, midfielders, strikers, wide midfielder) between and within different sport-specific tasks and official matches. METHODS: 1932 observations from 28 semi-professional soccer players (age: 25 ± 6 years, height: 183 ± 6 cm, weight: 75.2 ± 7 kg) were collected through GPS devices (Qstarz BT-Q1000EX, 10 Hz) during the season 2019-2020. Participants were monitored during Official Match (OM), Friendly Matches (FM), Small Sided Games (SSG), and Match-Based Exercises (MBE). Metabolic (i.e., metabolic power, percentage of metabolic power > 35w, number of intense actions per minute, distance per minute, passive recovery time per minute) and neuromuscular indicators (i.e., percentage of intense accelerations, percentage of intense decelerations, change of direction per min > 30°) were recorded during each task. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were detected in EL indicators between playing positions within each task and between tasks. In particular, results from the two-way ANOVA tests showed significant interaction, but with small effect size, in all the EL indicators between playing positions for each task and within tasks. Moreover, statistical differences, but with small effect size, between playing positions were detected in each task and for each EL indicator. Finally, the strongest statistical differences (with large effect size) were detected between tasks for each EL indicator. Details of the Tukey post-hoc analysis reporting the pairwise comparisons within and between tasks with playing positions are also provided. CONCLUSION: In semi-professional soccer players, different metabolic and neuromuscular performance were detected in different playing position between and within different tasks and official matches. Coaches should consider the different physical responses related to different physical tasks and playing position to design the most appropriate training program.

Match Load Physical Demands in U-19 Professional Soccer Players Assessed by a Wearable Inertial Sensor.

BACKGROUND: Wearable inertial sensors are poorly used in soccer to monitor external load (EL) indicators. However, these devices could be useful for improving sports performance and potentially reducing the risk of injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the EL indicators (i.e., cinematic, mechanical, and metabolic) differences between playing positions (i.e., central backs, external strikers, fullbacks, midfielders, and wide midfielder) during the first half time of four official matches (OMs). METHODS: 13 young professional soccer players (Under-19; age: 18.5 ± 0.4 years; height: 177 ± 6 cm; weight: 67 ± 4.8 kg) were monitored through a wearable inertial sensor (TalentPlayers TPDev, firmware version 1.3) during the season 2021-2022. Participants' EL indicators were recorded during the first half time of four OMs. RESULTS: significant differences were detected in all the EL indicators between playing positions except for two of them (i.e., distance traveled in the various metabolic power zones (<10 w) and the number of direction changes to the right >30° and with speed >2 m). Pairwise comparisons showed differences in EL indicators between playing positions. CONCLUSIONS: Young professional soccer players showed different loads and performances during OMs in relation to playing positions. Coaches should consider the different physical demands related to playing positions in order to design the most appropriate training program.

Can Data-Driven Supervised Machine Learning Approaches Applied to Infrared Thermal Imaging Data Estimate Muscular Activity and Fatigue?

Surface electromyography (sEMG) is the acquisition, from the skin, of the electrical signal produced by muscle activation. Usually, sEMG is measured through electrodes with electrolytic gel, which often causes skin irritation. Capacitive contactless electrodes have been developed to overcome this limitation. However, contactless EMG devices are still sensitive to motion artifacts and often not comfortable for long monitoring. In this study, a non-invasive contactless method to estimate parameters indicative of muscular activity and fatigue, as they are assessed by EMG, through infrared thermal imaging (IRI) and cross-validated machine learning (ML) approaches is described. Particularly, 10 healthy participants underwent five series of bodyweight squats until exhaustion interspersed by 1 min of rest. During exercising, the vastus medialis activity and its temperature were measured through sEMG and IRI, respectively. The EMG average rectified value (ARV) and the median frequency of the power spectral density (MDF) of each series were estimated through several ML approaches applied to IRI features, obtaining good estimation performances (r = 0.886, p < 0.001 for ARV, and r = 0.661, p < 0.001 for MDF). Although EMG and IRI measure physiological processes of a different nature and are not interchangeable, these results suggest a potential link between skin temperature and muscle activity and fatigue, fostering the employment of contactless methods to deliver metrics of muscular activity in a non-invasive and comfortable manner in sports and clinical applications.

Comparison of external load indicators between official matches and sport-specific training in semi-professional soccer players: focus on intensity and strength.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate any differences in external load indicators (ELi) between official matches (OM) and sport-specific tasks in semi-professional soccer players. METHODS: Among 28 semi-professional soccer players, 1932 observations (age: 25±6 years, height: 183±6 cm, weight: 75.2±7 kg; FC Palermo, Palermo, Italy) were collected through GPS devices (Qstarz BT-Q1000EX, 10 Hz; Qstarz International Co., Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan) and the related software (LaGalaColli V: 8.6.4.3; Spinitalia Srl, Rome, Italy) during the season 2019-2020. Participants were monitored during OM, friendly matches (FM), small sided games (SSG), and match-based exercises (MBE), considering the percentage of intense accelerations (%int. acc.), percentage of intense decelerations (%int. dec.), and passive recovery time /min (PrT/m) as Eli. RESULTS: We detected the highest mean value for PrT/m in OM and the lowest in MBE and SSG (18.36±4.38 and 13.4±5.26 and 13.4±4.29 (s/min), respectively). The lowest mean values of %int. acc. and %int. dec. were found in OM and the highest in SSG (8.64±1.52 vs. 13.02±3.14 and 9.25±1.56 vs. 15.68±3.14, for %int. acc. and %int. dec., respectively). Significant differences between the four tasks for all the ELi considered (P<0.001). The post-hoc pairwise comparisons revealed significant differences for all the ELi between all tasks (P<0.001) except for the %int. acc. between MBE vs. FM (P=0.003). No significant difference was found in PrT/m between MBE vs. FM and SSG vs. FM. CONCLUSIONS: ELi are in accordance with the performance model by achieving better values in training than OM, suggesting the fundamental role of GPS for monitoring external load in soccer.

Extended Energy-Expenditure Model in Soccer: Evaluating Player Performance in the Context of the Game.

Every soccer game influences each player's performance differently. Many studies have tried to explain the influence of different parameters on the game; however, none went deeper into the core and examined it minute-by-minute. The goal of this study is to use data derived from GPS wearable devices to present a new framework for performance analysis. A player's energy expenditure is analyzed using data analytics and K-means clustering of low-, middle-, and high-intensity periods distributed in 1 min segments. Our framework exhibits a higher explanatory power compared to usual game metrics (e.g., high-speed running and sprinting), explaining 45.91% of the coefficient of variation vs. 21.32% for high-, 30.66% vs. 16.82% for middle-, and 24.41% vs. 19.12% for low-intensity periods. The proposed methods enable deeper game analysis, which can help strength and conditioning coaches and managers in gaining better insights into the players' responses to various game situations.

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.

Regional Lean Soft Tissue and Intracellular Water Are Associated with Changes in Lower-Body Neuromuscular Performance: A Pilot Study in Elite Soccer Players.

The assessment of body composition over a competitive season provides valuable information that can help sports professionals to evaluate the efficacy of training and nutritional strategies, as well as monitoring athletes' health status. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of changes in body composition and hydration status with changes in lower-body neuromuscular performance in soccer. Twenty-two male professional soccer players (mean ± SD; age: 26.4 ± 4.8 years; height: 184.3 ± 5.7 cm; body mass: 81.1 ± 6.5 kg; body fat: 11.6 ± 1.5%) took part in the study, for which they were tested at the initial and final stage of the competitive season. Total (whole body) and regional (arms and legs) lean soft tissue (LST) were estimated to obtain the body composition profile. Total body water (TBW) content, including extracellular (ECW) and intracellular (ICW) water, was obtained to monitor players' hydration status. Countermovement jump (CMJ) height, power, and strength were used to derive players' lower-body neuromuscular performance. The results showed that changes in legs LST and ICW significantly (p < 0.01) explained (r2 = 0.39) the improvements in CMJ height, power, and strength from the initial to the final stage of the season. Given the high demand imposed on the lower limbs during a soccer season, being more susceptible to change compared to whole-body LST, assessing regional LST and ICW would be more appropriate to provide extended information on players' readiness.

Wellness Forecasting by External and Internal Workloads in Elite Soccer Players: A Machine Learning Approach.

Training for success has increasingly become a balance between maintaining high performance standards and avoiding the negative consequences of accumulated fatigue. The aim of this study is to develop a big data analytics framework to predict players' wellness according to the external and internal workloads performed in previous days. Such a framework is useful for coaches and staff to simulate the players' response to scheduled training in order to adapt the training stimulus to the players' fatigue response. 17 players competing in the Italian championship (Serie A) were recruited for this study. Players' Global Position System (GPS) data was recorded during each training and match. Moreover, every morning each player has filled in a questionnaire about their perceived wellness (WI) that consists of a 7-point Likert scale for 4 items (fatigue, sleep, stress, and muscle soreness). Finally, the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was used to assess the effort performed by the players after each training or match. The main findings of this study are that it is possible to accurately estimate players' WI considering their workload history as input. The machine learning framework proposed in this study is useful for sports scientists, athletic trainers, and coaches to maximise the periodization of the training based on the physiological requests of a specific period of the season.

Self-Rated Health Among Italian Immigrants Living in Norway: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Most studies on immigrant health focus on immigrant groups coming from extra-European and/or low-income countries. Little attention is given to self-rated health (SRH) in the context EU/EEA migration. To know more about health among European immigrants can provide new insights related to social determinants of health in the migration context. Using the case of Italian immigrants in Norway, the aim of this study was to (i) examine the levels of SRH among Italian immigrants in Norway as compared with the Norwegian and the Italian population, (ii) examine the extent to which the Italian immigrant perceived that moving to Norway had a positive or negative impact on their SRH; and (iii) identify the most important factors predicting SRH among Italian immigrants in Norway. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adult Italian immigrants in Norway (n = 321). To enhance the sample's representativeness, the original dataset was oversampled to match the proportion of key sociodemographic characteristics of the reference population using the ADASYN method (oversampled n = 531). A one-sample Chi-squared was performed to compare the Italian immigrants' SRH with figures on the Norwegian and Italian populations according to Eurostat statistics. A machine-learning approach was used to identify the most important predictors of SRH among Italian immigrants. Results: Most of the respondents (69%) rated their SRH as "good" or "very good". This figure was not significantly different with the Norwegian population, nor to the Italians living in Italy. A slight majority (55%) perceived that their health would have been the same if they continued living in Italy, while 23% perceived a negative impact. The machine-learning model selected 17 variables as relevant in predicting SRH. Among these, Age, Food habits, and Years of permanence in Norway were the variables with the highest level of importance, followed by Trust in people, Educational level, and Health literacy. Conclusions: Italian immigrants in Norway can be considered as part of a "new mobility" of high educated people. SHR is shaped by several interconnected factors. Although this study relates specifically to Italian immigrants, the findings may be extended to other immigrant populations in similar contexts.

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.

Regional Bioelectrical Phase Angle Is More Informative than Whole-Body Phase Angle for Monitoring Neuromuscular Performance: A Pilot Study in Elite Young Soccer Players.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between regional and total phase angle (PhA) with lower-body neuromuscular performance in young elite soccer players. Methods: Sixteen elite male soccer players (14.3 ± 1.0 years) participated in this study. Lower (LPhA)- and upper (UPhA)-hemisome PhA together with whole-body PhA (WBPhA) were measured by a bioelectrical-impedance analysis (BIA), while appendicular arm and leg lean soft tissue (ALST and LLST, respectively) were estimated. Urine osmolarity (UOsm) and urine-specific gravity (USG) were also considered. Sprints over 10 m and 20 m and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests were employed to evaluate neuromuscular performance. Results: LPhA (p = 0.003) and UOsm (p = 0.012) explained 62% of the variance in the 10 m sprint. UOsm (p = 0.001) and both LPhA (p < 0.001) and WBPhA (p = 0.024) explained 81% of the total variance in the 20 m sprint. The CMJ height was affected by LPhA (p < 0.001) and UOsm (p = 0.024), which overall explained 68% of its variance (p < 0.05), while 93% of the CMJ power variance was explained by LPhA (p < 0.001), ALST (p < 0.001), and WBPhA (p = 0.011). Conclusions: Regional PhA is a relevant and non-invasive tool to monitor lower-body neuromuscular performance in elite youth soccer. Specifically, LPhA may be favored over WBPhA as more informative.