Coppola, S., Vastola, R., Scatigna, M., & Fabiani, L. (2015). Training and health in gymnastics. J. Hum. Sport Exerc., 9(Proc1), pp.S391-S398. The aim of this study was to analyze the training regimens of top level rhythmic gymnasts and their state of health. The research also focused on the information provided to the athletes about the relationship between sport and health. The sample consisted of fourteen high-level Italian gymnasts aged thirteen to eighteen. The instrument used was a structured medical history interview conducted by a doctor and a graduate student in physical education. A descriptive approach was used for the data analysis. The distribution of the variables collected in the group of athletes was studied. The results showed that, on average, throughout the year the athletes do from three to five hours of training five days a week, and travel from two to sixteen days a year for competitions. Given the age of the gymnasts in particular ten to fourteen who are under fifteen years old, it is a major undertaking. Gymnasts complained some non-specific symptoms, such as weakness and dizziness, with frequencies among more than half of the sample interviewed, especially close to competition dates. This finding suggests a reaction to stress, although the simple detection is insufficient for a correct interpretation. The data collected regarding the information provided to athletes on the risks associated with strenuous and demanding exercise shows that female athletes were not informed enough about the consequences. Self-assessment of health status is within the range of 6 to 10 (mean 7.7), despite the fact that they were not undergoing any kind of treatment at the time of the assessment and the medical history did not reveal any indication of disease or injury. In conclusion, based on the results obtained in this study it can be stated that: the young athletes need an approach to education / teaching that would enable them to deal consciously and adequately the competitive commitments, which are demanding in relation to the resources of preteens; the critical aspects regarding the non-specific signs and symptoms of health problems that emerged from the self-report and from the perception of health status scale need to be studied in further depth; the scientific debate on the problematic aspects with regards to the protection and promotion of the health of young athletes may provide those elements of knowledge, health education and support to growth, which can improve the overall management and self-awareness of the athlete without compromising the performance.

The early identification of motor difficulties through psychomotor assessment is fundamental for the planning of individualized and differentiated educational programs. In the field of motor activity, observation plays a crucial role. This is characterized by the knowledge of the level of psychomotor and auxiological development, the definition of aims and methodology, and the allocation of timing required for observation. Therefore, psychomotor assessment not only measures performance, but it also analyzes an array of aspects linked to it in a multidisciplinary view. In this study, a qualitative assessment of the motor performance of 379 preschool children residing in the province of Salerno was carried out using the Movement ABC checklist. In particular, the data obtained from observations on the motor behavior of the child was analyzed, in reference to the relationship between the body and the environment for the first four sections. The results showed a discontinuity in relation to the linear progression in terms of difficulty of motor tasks, as presented in the checklist. This highlighted features of everyday life and classroom activity that could help in guiding teaching for the recovery, development and enhancement of psychomotor skills.

The present study was implemented in the context of the Erasmus+ program titled "AFTERMATCH -Life Beyond Sport", the purpose of which was to investigate whether athletes acquire any skills from their involvement with sport that they can transfer in their profession after they finish their sporting career. The methodology employed was quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (interviews). The sample consisted of 23 active athletes, 64 former athletes and 39 employers / HR managers of companies in five different European Union countries (Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland, Slovenia). A descriptive approach was used for the data analysis. The results showed that athletes acquire certain skills from their engagement in sport and those who realize it and use them make their transition to the labour market easier.

Background: the study of physical self-perception is fundamental to understand how children perceive their movement skills, identify their level of perception of physical self-efficacy as well as their opinion on their motor skills. It can provide useful key information to give appropriate feedback and to plan some programmes aimed to develop fundamental movement skills. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the perceived competences and physical selfefficacy in a sample of young, sedentary subjects and athletes, through a fact-finding survey. The core of the investigation was to verify whether there were substantial differences between subjects who practice sports at a competitive way and in sedentary one. Methods: The study was carried out from 100 young people aged between 8 and 14 years. 75 athletes (38 F 38 M) were recruited in three small sport associations the same district in southern Italy and 25 students who do not participate organized sports (13 F, 12 M), were recruited in a secondary school in the same district. Written consent was obtained in through a formal letter to parents explaining the study's goals, procedures, and methods. The selection of the investigation tools ware carried out by identifying two tests validated in the literature. Two tests were used: the Perceived Motor Competence Questionnaire in Childhood (PMC-C) (Dreiskaemper, 2018) and the Self-efficacy scale (Colella, 2008). The data were analysed by SPSS statistical software. The two observations were analysed separately; for each item and groups (sedentary subjects, swimmers, soccer players and gymnasts), were calculated mean value, standard deviation and level of significance. These values have been highlighted in the descriptive tables and in the histogram graphs. The differences between gender and between groups (sedentary subjects and athletes) have been calculated with the Mann-Whitney test. Results: the data shows significant differences in both tests highlighting a strong relationship between sport activity and self-related aspects. The comparison of means between sedentary subjects and athletes confirms a significant difference between the two groups with p < .01 both in Self-Efficacy Test and Perception of Motor Competence test.

Abstract:The dominant element in ballet is the search for flawless performance. The specific training required from early years may cause some changes compared to the normal human anatomy and physiology. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of motion analysis technologies for the evaluation of frequent changes in biomechanics of posture and dance. This paper presents an overview of the literature on the main postural compensation employed by the dancer; more specifically on the training effect of the fundamental basic techniques in ballet. It then focuses on the characteristics and potential of motion analysis technologies for the biomechanical evaluation of the dancer. The technologies investigated in this study are the optoelectronic system of gait analysis, which is one of the most advanced technologies for multifactorial motion analysis, integrated with the use of the force platform and the electromyography. These technologies enable a quantitative three-dimensional integrated multifactorial motion analysis in relation to kinematics and dynamics. Through specific systems of motion analysis, the instrumental analysis can describe objectively and with reasonable accuracy the biomechanics, the postural compensation, and the gait of the dancer.

Optoelectronic systems represent the gold standard of technologies used in the motion analysis for the evaluation of kinematics. Trials, a specialty of mountain biking, differ a lot from other cycling specialties, because in addition to pedaling, they require jumping techniques to overcome obstacles that involve the whole body. In this sport, more than in others, the evaluation of technical movements using optoelectronic systems goes far beyond simply assessing the biomechanics of pedaling or the correct positioning on the bike. Starting from a previous study conducted with video analysis technique applied to the lateral jumping technique, two versions of this technique were compared, considering the kinematics of the act, taking into account both the data relating the subject and the bicycle. The joint angles of the lower limbs and the angles described by the bicycle on the three space plane were considered. The major differences have been found in the "leap over" phase, about the bending of the lower limbs and the angles described by the bicycle.

Abstract:Gait is a key function of human movement which plays an important role in motion analysis. Both in the clinical field and in rehabilitation, gait analysis is useful to evaluate the parameters that are modified following the administration of a protocol of adapted physical activity (APA). Gait parameters could be measured using traditional rating scales, such as the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and technologies as a support to provide an assessment of gait quality. The aim of this study is to increase the objectivity of gait data obtained before and after a targeted APA program for a group of elderly people by integrating the traditional SPPB rating scale with the G Walk digital system. The former is an assessment tool to evaluate the functioning of lower extremity, in terms of chair stand, walk, and standing balance; whereas the latter can objectively evaluate the parameters of the gait. The sample was composed of 11 adults aged between 67 and 94 years. The participants were chosen on the basis of a number of tests carried out to analyze their levels of autonomy, intellectual capacities and motor functioning. It has planned a six months APA protocol: before and after it, SPPB and G-Walk were administered. The results showed that space-time characteristics generally improve after APA intervention; therefore, the use of technology is a useful support for the evaluation scales.

This study is part of a research project on testing the effectiveness of an APA (adapted physical activity) protocol aimed at promoting the maintenance and development of autonomy and wellbeing among the elderly. The research was carried out in two elderly people centers located in Salerno (Southern Italy). The sample consisted of 33 people aged between 69 and 97 years (81.53 ± 7.02). The experimental group consisted of 18 participants aged between 70 and 92 (81.11 ± 6.85), while the control group of 15 participants were between 69 and 97 years old (82 ± 7.43). The effects of the APA protocol, was measured using the SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery) before and after the 18-week intervention, which included two weekly sessions of structured training modules focusing on the coordinating and organic conditioning of the elderly. The results obtained found a substantial improvement in motor performance in the experimental group compared to the control group (72.2% vs. 33.3%) and hence suggest the need for further research on the effects of APA interventions, across a larger range of subjects.