Strength, Rate of Force Development, and Force Control Evaluations to Quantify Upper-Limbs Asymmetries Agreement in Professional Male Volleyball Players.

D'Emanuele, S, Boccia, G, Zardo, V, Durigon, V, Schena, F, and Tarperi, C. Strength, rate of force development, and force control evaluations to quantify upper-limbs asymmetries agreement in professional male volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-Asymmetries are known to vary based on the nature of the sport and differ between individuals and the tests used.

Theta Burst Stimulation Modulates Exercise Performance by Influencing Central Fatigue and Corticospinal Excitability.

Purpose: Theta-burst stimulation (TBS) over the primary motor cortex modulates activity of the underlying neural tissue, but little is known about its consequence on neuromuscular fatigue (NMF) and its neural correlates. This study aimed to compare the effects of facilitatory versus inhibitory TBS on the NMF and excitability/inhibition of the corticospinal pathway in an unfatigued/fatigued muscle.

Methods: The effects of three TBS protocols (facilitatory/intermittent: iTBS; inhibitory/continuous: cTBS, and sham: sTBS) were tested on exercise performance, neuromuscular function, corticospinal excitability and inhibition in twenty young healthy participants.

Six months of different exercise type in sedentary primary schoolchildren: impact on physical fitness and saliva microbiota composition.

Introduction: Lifestyle influences microbiota composition. We previously reported a healthier microbiota composition in saliva from active schoolchildren compared to sedentary. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of 6 months of different exercise types on physical fitness and saliva microbiota composition in 8-11-years-old sedentary schoolchildren.

Hamstring and lower back muscles flexibility as predictor of saddle pressures in young off-road cyclists.

Introduction: While pedaling, cyclists rest their pelvis on the saddle, generating pressures on it. The pressures generated on the saddle are influenced by several factors. This study aimed to evaluate whether the flexibility of hamstring and lower back muscles could be considered a predictor of pressures in the anterior region (PAR) on the saddle.

Early bone marrow alterations in patients with adenosine deaminase 2 deficiency across disease phenotypes and severities.

Background: Deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2) is a complex monogenic disease caused by recessive mutations in the ADA2 gene. DADA2 exhibits a broad clinical spectrum encompassing vasculitis, immunodeficiency, and hematologic abnormalities. Yet, the impact of DADA2 on the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment is largely unexplored.

Exploring the Association between Health-Related Physical Fitness and Quality of Life in Patients with Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Whereas an exercise intervention effectively improves patients' quality of life, little information is available about the contribution of each physical fitness component. This study aims to explore the association between physical fitness components and the quality-of-life domain in patients with cancer. Between September 2021 and August 2023, 160 patients with mixed cancer types visiting the Oncology Unit were selected on a consecutive basis according to selection criteria.

Activation of skeletal muscle mechanoreceptors and nociceptors reduces the exercise performance of the contralateral homologous muscles.

Increasing evidence suggests that activation of muscle nerve afferents may inhibit central motor drive, affecting contractile performance of remote exercising muscles. Although these effects are well documented for metaboreceptors, very little is known about the activation of mechano- and mechanonociceptive afferents on performance fatigability. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of mechanoreceptors and nociceptors on performance fatigability.

A cross-sectional study evaluating the exercise discussion with oncologist during cancer consultation: the CONNECT study.

Background: Evidence demonstrates that physical exercise confers several psycho-physical benefits on patients with cancer. This study aims to investigate the role of oncologists in exercise promotion.

Patients And Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire to patients with cancer.

Effects of a similar amount of regular non-structured or competitive physical activity across late adulthood: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Master athletes are examples of successful aging. It is not clear whether it is the competitive-oriented training or just the amount of total regular exercise that reduces the age-related decline in physiological functions. We aimed to compare health-related parameters in competitive (C) and physically active older adults (A) that performed the same weekly physical activity (PA) amount.

Central and peripheral haemodynamics at exercise onset: the role of central command.

Purpose: The involvement of central command in central hemodynamic regulation during exercise is relatively well-known, although its contribution to peripheral hemodynamics at the onset of low-intensity contractions is debated. This study sought to examine central and peripheral hemodynamics during electrically-evoked muscle contractions (without central command) and voluntary muscle activity (with central command).

Methods: Cyclic quadriceps isometric contractions (1 every second), either electrically-evoked (ES; 200 ms trains composed of 20 square waves) or performed voluntarily (VC), were executed by 10 healthy males (26 ± 3 years).

What is the role of physical exercise in the era of cancer prehabilitation? A systematic review.

Purpose: Exercise before surgery, as part of prehabilitation, aiming to enhance patients' functional and physiological capacity, has become widespread, necessitating an in-depth understanding.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted on Pubmed, Cochrane, and Scopus to examine the effect of exercise as prehabilitation, alone or in combination with other interventions, in patients with cancer. Interventional studies applying a single-arm, randomized controlled, or nonrandomized design were included.

External training load and performance recovery after small-sided games in soccer: Insights for return-to-play management.

The return-to-play process' characteristics can vary by injury and sport type but are typically composed of phases of different durations, training targets, and intensities that gradually increase the physiological and mechanical load. In team sports, contact drills are a necessary part of the last phases of this process, and they should be planned using the optimal mechanical load. The present study investigated the external load and kinetic recovery in U19 soccer players performing 6vs6 and 3vs3 small-sided games.

Feasibility of a novel exercise program for patients with breast cancer offering different modalities and based on patient preference.

Purpose: Exercise improves quality of life and reduces the side effects of cancer therapies. Nevertheless, attendance to exercise programs remains a challenge for patients. This study explored the feasibility of an exercise program in which women with breast cancer may be allowed to choose among three exercise delivery modalities.

Fostering quality of life in young adults living with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study of a co-created integrated intervention.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is generally diagnosed at an early age, making the acceptance of this chronic disease challenging. Research dedicated to young adults with MS (YawMS) is still limited. A biopsychosocial co-created intervention for YawMS integrating social, physical and psychological activities was developed (ESPRIMO intervention) in order to improve the quality of life (QoL) and well-being.

Skeletal muscle fiber type and TMS-induced muscle relaxation in unfatigued and fatigued knee-extensor muscles.

The force drop after transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) delivered to the motor cortex during voluntary muscle contractions could inform about muscle relaxation properties. Because of the physiological relation between skeletal muscle fiber-type distribution and size and muscle relaxation, TMS could be a noninvasive index of muscle relaxation in humans. By combining a noninvasive technique to record muscle relaxation in vivo (TMS) with the gold standard technique for muscle tissue sampling (muscle biopsy), we investigated the relation between TMS-induced muscle relaxation in unfatigued and fatigued states, and muscle fiber-type distribution and size.

Sex differences in neuromuscular and biological determinants of isometric maximal force.

Aim: Force expression is characterized by an interplay of biological and molecular determinants that are expected to differentiate males and females in terms of maximal performance. These include muscle characteristics (muscle size, fiber type, contractility), neuromuscular regulation (central and peripheral factors of force expression), and individual genetic factors (miRNAs and gene/protein expression). This research aims to comprehensively assess these physiological variables and their role as determinants of maximal force difference between sexes.

Gross motor coordination in relation to weight status: a longitudinal study in children and pre-adolescents.

Introduction: Gross Motor Coordination (GMC) is crucial for the adequate development of motor competence. Our purpose in this semi-longitudinal study was to evaluate the influence of BMI on GMC in children and pre-adolescents of both sexes, across school years (classes).

Methods: We evaluated 117 subjects (aged 8-13 years) belonging to three different cohorts for 4 consecutive years, providing data over 6 years (classes).

Exploring the feasibility of a combined exercise program for patients with advanced lung or pancreatic cancer.

Objective: This study aims to assess the safety, feasibility, and potential benefits of a combined aerobic and resistance exercise intervention for patients diagnosed with advanced pancreatic or lung cancer.

Methods: A prospective, single-arm study was conducted, enrolling patients with advanced lung or pancreatic cancer. Participants engaged in a 12-week exercise intervention comprising personalized bi-weekly aerobic and resistance training tailored to individual baseline conditions.