Low back pain is one of the main causes of motor disabilities and psychological stress, with the painful process encompassing sensory and affective components. Noxious stimuli originate on the periphery; however, the stimuli are recombined in the brain and therefore processed differently due to the emotional environment. To better understand this process, our objective was to develop a mathematical representation of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) model of pain, covering the multidimensional representation of this phenomenon. Data from the Oswestry disability index; the short form of the depression, anxiety, and stress scale; and pain catastrophizing daily questionnaires were collected through online completion, available from 8 June 2022, to 8 April 2023 (1021 cases). Using the information collected, an artificial neural network structure was trained (based on anomaly detection methods) to identify the patterns that emerge from the relationship between the variables. The developed model proved to be robust and able to show the patterns and the relationship between the variables, and it allowed for differentiating the groups with altered patterns in the context of low back pain. The distinct groups all behave according to the main finding that psychological and pain events are directly associated. We conclude that our proposal is effective as it is able to test and confirm the definition of the IASP for the study of pain. Here we show that the fiscal and mental dimensions of pain are directly associated, meaning that mental illness can be an enhancer of pain episodes and functionality.

The interest in soccer generally starts during childhood, with children and young people often looking for opportunities in sports. New exercise techniques can be effective in improving training. The aim of this study was to compare the effects on the strength and physical posture of a group practicing Pilates with another not practicing Pilates, both undergoing continuous football training. In this controlled randomized clinical trial, the participants were 15 soccer club members, who had a training frequency of least three times weekly. The sample was divided into a control group (n = 7) of players who did not undergo any therapeutic intervention (only the usual training) and a Pilates group (n = 8) of players who participated in the mat Pilates program. The intervention consisted of fifteen sessions. Postural evaluations were performed using biophotogrammetry and force analysis. Significant improvements were obtained in terms of increased muscle strength (p = 0.001) for the Pilates group, but there were no significant postural alterations when comparing the two groups. Five weeks of mat Pilates was sufficient to increase lower limb muscle strength in young football players. This pilot study indicates that Mat Pilates as a method that could be planned to be included in training.

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of a training program with the Pilates Method on muscle fatigue in youth soccer players. Fifteen male soccer players, sub 13-15 category, with a mean age of 13.27 ± 0.45 years, were randomly divided into two groups: Control group (n = 7) and Pilates group (n = 8). In the Pilates group, an additional training protocol was performed with the Pilates Method alone. In both groups, the concentration of cytokines (TNFα, IL-10), the electrical activity of the rectus femoris, rectus abdominis, biceps femoris and gluteus maximus muscles was evaluated and the Side Hop Test was performed. In both groups, there were no significant changes in the cytokine profile and in the electrical activity of the evaluated muscles, but there was a significant difference in the time taken to perform the Side Hop test for the Pilates group. The application of the Pilates method (solo) as an additional training in youth soccer players did not show greater tolerance to muscle fatigue, however it may have generated an improvement in the functional performance of the athletes.

Low back pain is a major cause of disability worldwide, often associated with deficits in trunk extensor strength control. Accurate assessment of trunk extension strength control is crucial for diagnosing impairments and monitoring interventions. This study evaluated the reliability of a dynamometry-based protocol for isometric trunk extension strength control assessment. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (9 females, 19 males) completed two sessions, seven days apart. A single-point load cell system, encapsulated within a 3D-printed structure and connected to a Delsys system^® at a sampling frequency of 2000 Hz, was used for data acquisition. Participants performed maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) and submaximal isometric contractions (SMVC) guided by trapezoidal visual feedback. Key outcome variables included peak force, mean force, and force steadiness. Calibration demonstrated high accuracy (R² = 1) with a low root mean square error (0.55 N). Test–retest analysis showed excellent reliability for peak force (ICC = 0.81, SEM = 0.50, MDC = 1.39), mean force (ICC = 0.93, SEM = 0.17, MDC = 1.08), and steadiness (ICC = 0.87, SEM = 0.85, MDC = 2.36), with no significant intersession differences (p > 0.05). This study demonstrates the high reliability of using dynamometry to assess trunk extension strength during MVC and SMVC, endorsing the dynamometer as a tool for functional assessment and the development of personalized rehabilitation and training strategies.

Falls, a major cause of injury and disability, particularly among older adults, present a significant public-health challenge. Existing methods of balance assessment often lack the sensitivity and specificity needed to identify subtle deviations from normal patterns, hindering early intervention. To address this gap, we introduced a novel artificial intelligence-based tool that leverages anomaly detection to provide a comprehensive assessment of balance performance across all age groups. This study evaluated the tool’s effectiveness in 163 individuals aged 18–85 years who were assessed using a force platform under four conditions: eyes open and eyes closed on firm and foam surfaces. Data analysis, employing an artificial neural network with 19 socio-anthropometric and postural variables, showed the tool’s exceptional accuracy (R = 0.99998) in differentiating among balance profiles. Notably, the model highlighted the significant impact of age and education on balance, with older adults demonstrating increased reliance on visual input, especially when somatosensory information was reduced on foam surfaces. In contrast, younger, more educated individuals exhibited a more integrated sensorimotor approach. These findings demonstrate that our anomaly-detection tool can identify subtle balance impairments often missed by traditional methods, offering valuable insights for personalized fall-risk assessment and intervention. This AI-based approach can provide a holistic assessment of balance, leading to more effective strategies for fall prevention and rehabilitation, particularly in aging populations.

Background: Acute low back pain can impair motor control, yet its effects on force steadiness and cortical activity remain unclear. Methods: Thirty-three healthy adults (25 men, 8 women) performed a sustained spinal extension task at 20% of their maximum voluntary contraction under pre- and during-pain conditions induced by a hypertonic saline injection, as well as pre- and post-isotonic injection. Electromyography was recorded from the right and left longissimus muscles, and electroencephalography was collected from motor cortical areas. Spectral power in the alpha, beta, and gamma bands, along with corticomuscular and cortico-cortical coherence, was analyzed. Results: Acute pain reduced force steadiness and altered cortical activity, with increased beta and gamma band power in the prefrontal cortex and decreased alpha power in the motor cortex. Localized changes in corticomuscular coherence were observed in the Cz region (beta and gamma bands) during pain, suggesting nociceptive modulation of corticomuscular coupling. Conclusions: Experimentally induced acute low back pain disrupts motor control by reducing force steadiness and modifying cortical activation patterns, highlighting the interplay between pain and neuromuscular regulation.