Saddle pressures distribution at different pedaling intensities in young off-road cyclists: focus on sex.

Background: The pressures on the saddle depend on several factors and can compress specific neurovascular tissues, leading to acute and chronic genital pathologies. Based on the pelvic differences between males and females, the aim of this study was to explore any differences on saddle pressures distribution according to sex.

Methods: Twenty young off-road cyclists (10 m, 10 f) were recruited.

The impact of sports experience on manual dexterity performances in school-age children.

Background: Manual dexterity is the ability to manipulate objects with precision and efficiency, using hands and fingers to achieve a specific objective. This study investigated how the practice of Capoeira, a sport that stimulates coordination skills, affects manual dexterity in children regularly engaged in physical activity or in sedentary children.

Methods: Eighty-four participants were enrolled in this study, including forty-six males and thirty-eight females (age: 8.

Kinematic analysis of the back squat at different load intensities in powerlifters and weightlifters.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the angular kinematics of the hip, knee, ankle, and the linear kinematics of the barbell during the back squat (BS) at different load intensities in powerlifters and weightlifters.

Methods: Seventeen athletes were recruited ( = 14 powerlifters;  = 3 weightlifters). The 1-RM of the BS of each participant was calculated and, 1-week after, each participant was asked to perform 5 trials of the BS at different load intensities (i.

The Influence of Ankle Mobility and Foot Stability on Jumping Ability and Landing Mechanics: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Practicing physical activities or sports that involve frequent jumping and landing can strain the muscles and joints of the lower limbs, especially in those who do not have adequate physical preparation. The objective of this study was to (a) determine the correlation between ankle range of motion (ROM) and landing stability following jumps; (b) assess the association between the jump height in a counter-movement jump (CMJ) test and ankle ROM; and (c) examine the connection between stabilometry during specific jumps movements present in many sports and in ankle stabilization. Sixty-two healthy amateur volleyball players participated in the study (age: thirty-seven females and twenty-five males; age (years): 16.

Postural control during the back squat at different load intensities in powerlifters and weightlifters.

Background: The movement of the barbell has been detected as success factor for the snatch and the clean and jerk events. As the barbell's movement has been shown to be related to the athlete's body movement, we hypothesized that the latter could be a success factor also for the back squat (BS) event. Hence, this study aimed to investigate postural control during the execution of the BS at different load intensities in powerlifters and weightlifters.

Applicability of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool in Elite Volleyball Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Background: The ease of administration of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) could represent a methodology for periodically evaluating athletes, preventing ankle instability injuries. This study aimed to achieve three objectives: (a) to evaluate the applicability of the CAIT scale in volleyball; (b) to explore whether ankle instability presents a greater risk in lower-level volleyball categories and whether elite athletes demonstrate an ability to mitigate this risk; and (c) to identify potential predictors of ankle instability.

Methods: Eighty female volleyball players participated in this cross-sectional observational study.

Telecoaching as a new training method for elderly people: a systematic review.

Background: The numerous restrictive measures implemented during the recent COVID-19 pandemic have reduced the levels of physical activity (PA) carried out by elderly people and telecoaching (TC) could be a training method to maintain the recommended levels of PA. In fact, TC uses information and digital communications technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to access training services remotely. Thus, this study aimed to systematically review the scientific literature to verify the application, efficacy, and safety of TC training programs.

Effects of sports experience on children's gross motor coordination level.

Background: Gross motor coordination (GMC) development could be influenced by age, gender, weight status, geographical area, living setting, home environment, socio-economic status, sports practice.

Purpose: To verify whether practicing sports and practicing different sports could influence children's GMC level.

Methods: A total of 295 children aged 8-11 years were involved in the study and divided into 5 groups in relation to the sport they practiced: gymnastics group ( = 67; 51F, 16M), cycling group ( = 64; 15F, 49M), athletics group ( = 47; 22F, 25M), swimming group ( = 35; 20F, 15M), control group ( = 82; 42F, 40M).

Effects of Cycling on Spine: A Case-Control Study Using a 3D Scanning Method.

Background: Few studies have investigated the effects of adopting a specific and prolonged posture on cyclists. This study aimed to evaluate the upright spine in a sample of recreational cyclists and compare it with a sample of non-cyclists, though still athletes, through a 3D scanning method.

Methods: Forty-eight participants were enrolled in this observational study.

Manual dexterity in school-age children measured by the Grooved Pegboard test: Evaluation of training effect and performance in dual-task.

Background: Manual dexterity is the ability to manipulate objects using the hands and fingers for a specific task. Although manual dexterity is widely investigated in the general and special population at all ages, numerous aspects still remain to be explored in children. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of the training effect of the execution of the Grooved Pegboard test (GPT) and to measure the performance of the GPT in dual-task (DT), i.

Saddle Pressures Factors in Road and Off-Road Cyclists of Both Genders: A Narrative Review.

The contact point of the pelvis with the saddle of the bicycle could generate abnormal pressure, which could lead to injuries to the perineum in cyclists. The aim of this review was to summarize in a narrative way the current literature on the saddle pressures and to present the factors that influence saddle pressures in order to prevent injury risk in road and off-road cyclists of both genders. We searched the PubMed database to identify English-language sources, using the following terms: "saddle pressures", "pressure mapping", "saddle design" AND "cycling".

The role of school physical education on adolescents' fitness levels during the pandemic period from COVID-19: An observational study of the Italian scientific high school-section sport and physical activity.

Objectives: In Italy, in 2013, a new school curriculum with a sport character was established in high schools, called Sports High School (SHS). The aims of this study were: (1) to assess the fitness levels of SHS students who, respecting all the safety rules to limit the spread of COVID-19, practiced physical education (PE) at school with continuity for almost all of 2021, and to compare them with Traditional High School (THS) students; (2) to evaluate as the SHS may have influenced the fitness levels in adolescents.

Methods: This is a case-control study in which thirty participants were enrolled (SHS: = 15; THS: = 15).

Living in the "Bubble": Athletes' Psychological Profile During the Sambo World Championship.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we conduct daily life, as well as sports training and sports competitions. Given the stress produced by COVID-19, and the "bubble" safety measures for the World Sambo Championship, held in Novi Sad, from the 6th to the 8th of November, 2020, athletes might have experienced more stress than athletes normally would in non-pandemic conditions. Therefore, the current study aimed to create a psychological profile of sambo athletes participating in the Sambo World Championship and living in this condition.

Patterns of rapid weight loss in elite sambo athletes.

Background: Rapid weight loss (RWL) is commonly practiced in combat sports. Both magnitude and methods used to induce RWL are largely similar among combat sports, but currently, there is no data on RWL methodology used by sambo athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine RWL procedures sambo athletes apply to lose weight rapidly.

Rapid Weight Loss Habits before a Competition in Sambo Athletes.

Background: Like other combat sports, sambo has competition rules that divide athletes into categories based on gender, age and weight. Athletes in combat sports often resort to rapid weight loss (RWL) methods to be more competitive in lower weight categories and gain an advantage against lighter, smaller and weaker competitors. The aim of this study was to examine the methodology implemented by two different sambo age categories, junior and senior athletes, in order to attain RWL.