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Infrared thermography (IRT) is a non-invasive, contactless and low-cost technology that allows to record the radiating energy that is released from a body, providing an estimate of its superficial temperature. Thanks to the improvement of infrared thermal detectors, this technique is widely used in biomedical field to monitor the skin temperature for different purposes (e.g. assessing circulatory diseases, psychophysiological state, affective computing). Particularly, in sports and exercise science, thermography is extensively used to assess sports performance, to investigate superficial vascular changes induced by physical exercise, and to monitor injuries. However, the methods of analysis employed to treat IRT data are not standardized, hence introducing variability in the results. This review focuses on the methods of analysis currently used for thermal imaging in sports and exercise science. Firstly, the procedures employed for the selection of Regions of Interest (ROIs) from anatomical body districts are reviewed, paying attention also to the potentialities of morphing algorithms to increase the reproducibility of thermal results. Secondly, the statistical approaches utilized to characterize the temperature frequency and spatial distributions within ROIs are investigated, showing their strength and weakness. Moreover, the importance of employing tracking methods to analyse the temporal thermal oscillations within ROIs is discussed. Thirdly, the capability of employing procedures of investigation based on machine learning frameworks on thermal imaging in sports science is examined. Finally, some proposals to improve the standardization and the reproducibility of IRT data analysis are provided, in order to facilitate the development of a common database of thermal images and to improve the effectiveness of IRT in sports science.
David Perpetuini; Damiano Formenti; Daniela Cardone; Chiara Filippini; Arcangelo Merla. Regions of interest selection and thermal imaging data analysis in sports and exercise science: a narrative review. Physiological Measurement 2021, 42, 08TR01 .
AMA StyleDavid Perpetuini, Damiano Formenti, Daniela Cardone, Chiara Filippini, Arcangelo Merla. Regions of interest selection and thermal imaging data analysis in sports and exercise science: a narrative review. Physiological Measurement. 2021; 42 (8):08TR01.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDavid Perpetuini; Damiano Formenti; Daniela Cardone; Chiara Filippini; Arcangelo Merla. 2021. "Regions of interest selection and thermal imaging data analysis in sports and exercise science: a narrative review." Physiological Measurement 42, no. 8: 08TR01.
This study aimed to compare the effects of non-sport-specific and sport-specific training methods on physical performance and perceptual response in young football players. Seventy-nine under 11 participants were selected and assigned to non-sport-specific (NSSG), sport-specific (SSG), and control (CNTG) groups. The NSSG training protocol consisted of combined stimuli based on balance, agility, and jump rope drills. The SSG training protocol included technical exercises, defensive and offensive game-based drills, and a small-sided game. The CNTG included the participants not taking part in any sport training. All participants were tested for general motor coordination (Harre test), dynamic balance (Lower Quarter Y-balance test), and dribbling before and after 10 weeks of training (NSSG and SSG) or habitual activity (CNTG). At post-intervention, perceived enjoyment was requested by the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). A two-way repeated measure analysis of covariance was used to detect interactions and main effects of time and groups controlling for baseline values. Whereas, a one-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate PACES-related differences between groups. NSSG gained greater improvements (p < 0.05) compared with SSG in the Harre and Lower Quarter Y-balance tests, while dribbling skills improved similarly in both groups. Regarding PACES, NSSG and SSG presented a comparable perceived enjoyment. These findings suggest that a 10-week non-sport-specific training is an enjoyable practice capable to promote greater improvements in general motor coordination and dynamic balance compared with sport-specific training in youth football players. This can occur without impairment of football-specific skills.
Damiano Formenti; Alessio Rossi; Tindaro Bongiovanni; Francesco Campa; Luca Cavaggioni; Giampietro Alberti; Stefano Longo; Athos Trecroci. Effects of Non-Sport-Specific versus Sport-Specific Training on Physical Performance and Perceptual Response in Young Football Players. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 1962 .
AMA StyleDamiano Formenti, Alessio Rossi, Tindaro Bongiovanni, Francesco Campa, Luca Cavaggioni, Giampietro Alberti, Stefano Longo, Athos Trecroci. Effects of Non-Sport-Specific versus Sport-Specific Training on Physical Performance and Perceptual Response in Young Football Players. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (4):1962.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDamiano Formenti; Alessio Rossi; Tindaro Bongiovanni; Francesco Campa; Luca Cavaggioni; Giampietro Alberti; Stefano Longo; Athos Trecroci. 2021. "Effects of Non-Sport-Specific versus Sport-Specific Training on Physical Performance and Perceptual Response in Young Football Players." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 4: 1962.
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between basic cognitive functions and sport-specific physical performance in young volleyball players. Forty-three female volleyball players (age 11.2 ± 0.8 years) were tested for cognitive performance by measuring simple reaction time (clinical reaction time), executive control (Flanker task), and perceptual speed (visual search task). Moreover, a set of tests was used to assess physical abilities as volleyball-specific skills (accuracy of setting, passing, and serving) and motor skills (change of direction, vertical jump, and balance). A cumulated value for both cognitive and sport-specific physical performance tests was computed by adding up each test’s domain outcomes. Pearson’s r correlation analysis showed a large positive correlation (r = 0.45, d-value = 1.01) of the cumulated score summarizing cognitive functions with the cumulated score summarizing sport-specific physical performance. Moreover, small-to-medium correlations (d-value from 0.63 to 0.73) were found between cognitive and motor skills. Given the cumulative scores, these results suggest that volleyball athletes with superior basic cognitive functions present better sport-specific physical performance. Our findings encourage to extend the knowledge of the associations between cognitive and motor skills within a sports performance context.
Athos Trecroci; Marco Duca; Luca Cavaggioni; Alessio Rossi; Raffaele Scurati; Stefano Longo; Giampiero Merati; Giampietro Alberti; Damiano Formenti. Relationship between Cognitive Functions and Sport-Specific Physical Performance in Youth Volleyball Players. Brain Sciences 2021, 11, 227 .
AMA StyleAthos Trecroci, Marco Duca, Luca Cavaggioni, Alessio Rossi, Raffaele Scurati, Stefano Longo, Giampiero Merati, Giampietro Alberti, Damiano Formenti. Relationship between Cognitive Functions and Sport-Specific Physical Performance in Youth Volleyball Players. Brain Sciences. 2021; 11 (2):227.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAthos Trecroci; Marco Duca; Luca Cavaggioni; Alessio Rossi; Raffaele Scurati; Stefano Longo; Giampiero Merati; Giampietro Alberti; Damiano Formenti. 2021. "Relationship between Cognitive Functions and Sport-Specific Physical Performance in Youth Volleyball Players." Brain Sciences 11, no. 2: 227.
Background: Effective sprinting requires large acceleration capabilities. To accelerate, large amount of force must be produced and applied effectively. The use of different implements such as sleds and vests can increase the amount of force produced and alter sprinting effectiveness. We propose the use of increasing overload via the Bulgarian Bag (BB) as a means to modify athletes’ sprint and acutely increase force and power production. Methods: 24 young athletes performed three sprints over 20 m in three different conditions: unloaded (BW) and loaded with BB weighing 2.5% (BB2.5) and 5% (BB5) of the athlete’s body mass. Sprint times at 2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20 m were acquired and used to compute the force–velocity relationship for the sprints. Maximal velocity (V0), peak force (F0), peak power (PP), and decrease in ratio of force (DRF) were computed. Results: the additional load caused a decrease in sprint times (p < 0.05) and V0 (p = 0.028), conversely no differences were found for F0 (p = 0.21), PP (p = 0.50), and DRF (p = 0.83). Conclusions: Based on those findings, BB can be an alternative method to effectively overload sprint training toward improving sprinting performance.
Marco Duca; Athos Trecroci; Enrico Perri; Damiano Formenti; Giampietro Alberti. Kinematics and Kinetics of Bulgarian-Bag-Overloaded Sprints in Young Athletes. Life 2020, 10, 282 .
AMA StyleMarco Duca, Athos Trecroci, Enrico Perri, Damiano Formenti, Giampietro Alberti. Kinematics and Kinetics of Bulgarian-Bag-Overloaded Sprints in Young Athletes. Life. 2020; 10 (11):282.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Duca; Athos Trecroci; Enrico Perri; Damiano Formenti; Giampietro Alberti. 2020. "Kinematics and Kinetics of Bulgarian-Bag-Overloaded Sprints in Young Athletes." Life 10, no. 11: 282.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mental fatigue on physical activity, technical and decision-making performance during small-sided games. Nine sub-elite soccer players were enrolled in the study. The players performed two small-sided games on two occasions within a crossover experimental design. Before each game, they underwent a mental fatiguing task (Stroop task) and a control task (documentary watching) in a randomized, counterbalanced order. Players’ physical activity, technical, and decision-making performance were obtained during small-sided games by GPS and video scouting. Results showed that distance in acceleration covered per min, negative passes, passing accuracy, and shot accuracy were likely impaired than control task after a mental fatiguing protocol. Decision-making performance of negative passes, passes accuracy, and dribbling accuracy resulted also likely decreased compared with control task. These findings demonstrated that mental fatigue impacted on technical, GPS-derived, and soccer-specific decision-making performance during SSG. In conclusion, avoiding cognitively demanding tasks before playing soccer-specific activities may be advisable to preserve players’ physical activity, technical, and decision-making skills.
Athos Trecroci; Gabriele Boccolini; Marco Duca; Damiano Formenti; Giampietro Alberti. Mental fatigue impairs physical activity, technical and decision-making performance during small-sided games. PLOS ONE 2020, 15, e0238461 .
AMA StyleAthos Trecroci, Gabriele Boccolini, Marco Duca, Damiano Formenti, Giampietro Alberti. Mental fatigue impairs physical activity, technical and decision-making performance during small-sided games. PLOS ONE. 2020; 15 (9):e0238461.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAthos Trecroci; Gabriele Boccolini; Marco Duca; Damiano Formenti; Giampietro Alberti. 2020. "Mental fatigue impairs physical activity, technical and decision-making performance during small-sided games." PLOS ONE 15, no. 9: e0238461.
Background: Recent evidence has suggested that chronic physical activities including balance exercises have positive effects on cognition, but their acute effects are still unknown. In the present study, the authors tested the hypothesis that an acute bout of balance exercise would enhance cognitive performance compared with aerobic activity. Methods: A total of 20 healthy middle-aged adults completed 2 acute 30-minute balance and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise sessions on 2 counterbalanced separate occasions. To assess cognitive functions, performance tasks in executive control, perceptual speed, and simple reaction time were tested before and immediately after each exercise session. Results: Although there were no significant interactions (time × exercise condition, P > .05), the main effects of time were significant in executive control (P < .05), perceptual speed (P < .05), and simple reaction time (P < .001), showing improvements after both exercises. Conclusions: These findings highlight that both types of exercise (aerobic, more metabolic and less cognitively demanding; balance, more cognitively and less metabolically demanding) were able to positively affect simple reaction time performance, perceptual speed, and executive control independently of physiological adjustments occurring during aerobic or balance exercise.
Damiano Formenti; Luca Cavaggioni; Marco Duca; Athos Trecroci; Mattia Rapelli; Giampietro Alberti; John Komar; Pierpaolo Iodice. Acute Effect of Exercise on Cognitive Performance in Middle-Aged Adults: Aerobic Versus Balance. Journal of Physical Activity and Health 2020, 17, 773 -780.
AMA StyleDamiano Formenti, Luca Cavaggioni, Marco Duca, Athos Trecroci, Mattia Rapelli, Giampietro Alberti, John Komar, Pierpaolo Iodice. Acute Effect of Exercise on Cognitive Performance in Middle-Aged Adults: Aerobic Versus Balance. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 2020; 17 (8):773-780.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDamiano Formenti; Luca Cavaggioni; Marco Duca; Athos Trecroci; Mattia Rapelli; Giampietro Alberti; John Komar; Pierpaolo Iodice. 2020. "Acute Effect of Exercise on Cognitive Performance in Middle-Aged Adults: Aerobic Versus Balance." Journal of Physical Activity and Health 17, no. 8: 773-780.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of a five-week compound training (with strength and plyometric exercises performed on separate days) on sprint, change of direction, and vertical jump in young soccer players. Eighteen novices in strength and plyometric training were assigned to either a compound training (CMPT) or a control condition (CNT). Both groups trained three times per week. One session was dedicated to soccer-specific drills. The other two weekly sessions were dedicated to circuit-based training routines employing on one-day strength exercises and on the other day plyometric exercises in the CMPT group. At the same time, the CNT group performed two weekly soccer-specific training sessions. All players were tested by 15-m sprint, change-of-direction and acceleration test (CODAT), squat jump, and countermovement jump with arms swing tests. CMPT group improved CODAT, squat jump and countermovement jump to a higher extent compared to CNT group (large vs small or trivial effects, p < 0.05), while both groups had similar 15-m sprint performance (p > 0.05). These results support the use of compound training to improve change of direction and vertical jump performances in young novice soccer players, which are unfamiliar with structured and advanced strength and plyometric training.
Athos Trecroci; Marco Duca; Damiano Formenti; Giampietro Alberti; F. Marcello Iaia; Stefano Longo. Short-Term Compound Training on Physical Performance in Young Soccer Players. Sports 2020, 8, 108 .
AMA StyleAthos Trecroci, Marco Duca, Damiano Formenti, Giampietro Alberti, F. Marcello Iaia, Stefano Longo. Short-Term Compound Training on Physical Performance in Young Soccer Players. Sports. 2020; 8 (8):108.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAthos Trecroci; Marco Duca; Damiano Formenti; Giampietro Alberti; F. Marcello Iaia; Stefano Longo. 2020. "Short-Term Compound Training on Physical Performance in Young Soccer Players." Sports 8, no. 8: 108.
Background In youth, the development of change of direction (COD) and sprint performance is a key component for successfully competing in soccer across age. During a COD, the presence of directional asymmetries may be detrimental due to the unpredictable nature of the sport. Therefore, the aims of the study were to investigate asymmetries in COD ability and to examine the differences in COD and sprint performance across age in young soccer players. Methods Sixty-eight sub-elite soccer players of different age categories (U18, U17, U16, U15) were tested on a 10-m linear sprint test and 90°COD (5-m entry and exit) test in both directions. Asymmetric index (AI) of COD deficit was obtained for dominant (fastest) and non-dominant directions (slowest). Results The results showed that U16 were more asymmetrical than U18, U17, and U15 from large to moderate effects. The sprint time improved linearly across age with U18 and U15 displaying the fastest and slowest 10-m sprint performance (p < 0.01), respectively. Moreover, COD ability measured by COD deficit did not change across age (p > 0.05). Conclusion Given the results of this study, practitioners are encouraged to assess asymmetries between dominant and non-dominant directions rather than solely players’ COD ability in young soccer players.
Athos Trecroci; Alessio Rossi; Thomas Dos’Santos; Damiano Formenti; Luca Cavaggioni; Stefano Longo; F. Marcello Iaia; Giampietro Alberti. Change of direction asymmetry across different age categories in youth soccer. PeerJ 2020, 8, e9486 .
AMA StyleAthos Trecroci, Alessio Rossi, Thomas Dos’Santos, Damiano Formenti, Luca Cavaggioni, Stefano Longo, F. Marcello Iaia, Giampietro Alberti. Change of direction asymmetry across different age categories in youth soccer. PeerJ. 2020; 8 ():e9486.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAthos Trecroci; Alessio Rossi; Thomas Dos’Santos; Damiano Formenti; Luca Cavaggioni; Stefano Longo; F. Marcello Iaia; Giampietro Alberti. 2020. "Change of direction asymmetry across different age categories in youth soccer." PeerJ 8, no. : e9486.
Background: The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of an eight-week physical education program based on circuit training to better improve the overall physical and military-specific performance compared to a conventional physical education program in military high school students. Methods: Sixty-four students were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned to an experimental (EG, circuit training) or a control group (CG, traditional physical education program). Immediately before and after the eight-week training period, participants were tested on strength and endurance performance, circuit training tests, and military tests. Moreover, the acquisition of the educational objectives and the pleasantness of the experimental intervention were tested using a qualitative approach. Results: Despite the higher workload in EG than CG during the training period, the effect of the experimental intervention compared to the control was only possibly to likely positive for a few strength and endurance performances and circuit training tests, respectively. A trivial effect was shown in the military tests. On the contrary, the high percentage of motivation (76%), understanding (78%) and collaboration (86%) showed by the students suggests the achievement of acquisition of the educational objectives and a fair pleasantness of the lessons. Conclusions: A lack of clear and marked effect of the experimental intervention could be ascribed to an insufficient exposure time to the training and a high subjective overall workload encountered in military high school students.
Pietro Luigi Invernizzi; Gabriele Signorini; Maurizio Pizzoli; Giampietro Alberti; Damiano Formenti; Andrea Bosio. Circuit Training during Physical Education Classes to Prepare Cadets for Military Academies Tests: Analysis of an Educational Project. Sustainability 2020, 12, 5126 .
AMA StylePietro Luigi Invernizzi, Gabriele Signorini, Maurizio Pizzoli, Giampietro Alberti, Damiano Formenti, Andrea Bosio. Circuit Training during Physical Education Classes to Prepare Cadets for Military Academies Tests: Analysis of an Educational Project. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (12):5126.
Chicago/Turabian StylePietro Luigi Invernizzi; Gabriele Signorini; Maurizio Pizzoli; Giampietro Alberti; Damiano Formenti; Andrea Bosio. 2020. "Circuit Training during Physical Education Classes to Prepare Cadets for Military Academies Tests: Analysis of an Educational Project." Sustainability 12, no. 12: 5126.
This study aimed to examine the agreement between asymmetries of dribble and change of direction (COD) deficits and to determine their potential difference to each other. Sixteen young elite football players were recruited and tested for sprint (over 10 m), dribbling (90°CODdribbling) and COD (90°CODrunning) performance in dominant (fastest) and non-dominant (slowest) directions. Dribble and COD deficits were computed to express dribbling and COD ability without the influence of acceleration. The asymmetric index (AI%) of both dribble and COD deficits were obtained for both directions. The level of agreement between dribble and COD deficits was assessed by Cohen’s kappa statistic (κ). Results showed that AI% measured by dribble and COD deficits presented a poor level of agreement (κ = −0.159), indicating their imbalance did not favor the same direction. Moreover, AI% of the dribble deficit was significantly higher than those of the COD deficit. This study demonstrated that asymmetries in dribbling and change of direction performance (measured by dribble and COD deficit) were not in agreement to favor the same direction, also displaying a significant difference to each other. Practitioners should consider the task-specificity of asymmetry to reduce the imbalance in dribbling and COD performance.
Athos Trecroci; Tindaro Bongiovanni; Luca Cavaggioni; Giulio Pasta; Damiano Formenti; Giampietro Alberti. Agreement Between Dribble and Change of Direction Deficits to Assess Directional Asymmetry in Young Elite Football Players. Symmetry 2020, 12, 787 .
AMA StyleAthos Trecroci, Tindaro Bongiovanni, Luca Cavaggioni, Giulio Pasta, Damiano Formenti, Giampietro Alberti. Agreement Between Dribble and Change of Direction Deficits to Assess Directional Asymmetry in Young Elite Football Players. Symmetry. 2020; 12 (5):787.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAthos Trecroci; Tindaro Bongiovanni; Luca Cavaggioni; Giulio Pasta; Damiano Formenti; Giampietro Alberti. 2020. "Agreement Between Dribble and Change of Direction Deficits to Assess Directional Asymmetry in Young Elite Football Players." Symmetry 12, no. 5: 787.
Formenti, D, Trecroci, A, Duca, M, Vanoni, M, Ciovati, M, Rossi, A, and Alberti, G. Volleyball-specific skills and cognitive functions can discriminate players of different competitive levels. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2020—The aim of this study was to investigate whether volleyball-specific skills, physical performance, and general cognitive functions differ between players of different competitive levels. Twenty-six female volleyball players competing at 2 different levels (n = 13, regional; n = 13, provincial) were tested on volleyball-specific skills (accuracy and technique of setting, passing, spiking, and serving), change of direction speed (COD) by the modified T-test, countermovement jump (CMJ) and general cognitive functions (executive control by Flanker task and perceptual speed by visual search task). Four machine learning models were tested to detect the best one to predict players' level. Regional players presented higher passing, spiking, serving accuracy (p < 0.05) and setting, passing, spiking, and serving technique (p < 0.05) than provincial players. Regional players had also better performance in COD and CMJ than provincial players (p < 0.05). Regional players presented lower response time than provincial players in both congruent and incongruent conditions of the Flanker task, and in both 10 items and 15 items conditions of the visual search task (p < 0.05). Decision tree classifier was the machine learning model with the highest performance to discriminate regional and provincial players (93% precision and 73% recall) by considering passing technique, congruent and incongruent condition of the Flanker task, 15 items and 10 items condition of the visual search task, and spiking technique. These findings demonstrated the importance of assessing volleyball-specific skills and cognitive functions as playing a role to discriminate players of different competitive levels.
Damiano Formenti; Athos Trecroci; Marco Duca; Marta Vanoni; Miriam Ciovati; Alessio Rossi; Giampietro Alberti. Volleyball-Specific Skills and Cognitive Functions Can Discriminate Players of Different Competitive Levels. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 2020, Publish Ah, 1 .
AMA StyleDamiano Formenti, Athos Trecroci, Marco Duca, Marta Vanoni, Miriam Ciovati, Alessio Rossi, Giampietro Alberti. Volleyball-Specific Skills and Cognitive Functions Can Discriminate Players of Different Competitive Levels. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2020; Publish Ah ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDamiano Formenti; Athos Trecroci; Marco Duca; Marta Vanoni; Miriam Ciovati; Alessio Rossi; Giampietro Alberti. 2020. "Volleyball-Specific Skills and Cognitive Functions Can Discriminate Players of Different Competitive Levels." Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Publish Ah, no. : 1.
Although an increasing interest in vision training for sport performance, whether it may have a transfer to sport-specific skills and whether such transfer could be mediated by cognition remain open issues. To enlighten this point, we tested the effect of 6-weeks sport vision training programmes (requiring generic or volleyball-specific motor actions) in non-sport-specific context compared to a third group performing traditional volleyball training in sport-specific context. Fifty-one female volleyball players were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Before and after training period subjects were tested on accuracy of volleyball-specific skills and cognitive performance (clinical reaction time, executive control, perceptual speed). Accuracy of volleyball-specific skills improved after traditional volleyball training with respect to the vision training groups. Conversely, vision training groups improved cognitive performance (clinical reaction time, executive control and perceptual speed), as compared to traditional volleyball training group. Our results have shown that vision training in non-sport-specific context (both generic or with specific motor actions) improved cognitive performance, but seems to be less effective for improving sport-specific skills. These evidences suggest that environment in which exercises were performed plays a key role to improve perception and action in sport-specific skills, supporting the ecological approach to sport learning.
Damiano Formenti; Marco Duca; Athos Trecroci; Leslie Ansaldi; Luca Bonfanti; Giampietro Alberti; Pierpaolo Iodice. Perceptual vision training in non-sport-specific context: effect on performance skills and cognition in young females. Scientific Reports 2019, 9, 1 -13.
AMA StyleDamiano Formenti, Marco Duca, Athos Trecroci, Leslie Ansaldi, Luca Bonfanti, Giampietro Alberti, Pierpaolo Iodice. Perceptual vision training in non-sport-specific context: effect on performance skills and cognition in young females. Scientific Reports. 2019; 9 (1):1-13.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDamiano Formenti; Marco Duca; Athos Trecroci; Leslie Ansaldi; Luca Bonfanti; Giampietro Alberti; Pierpaolo Iodice. 2019. "Perceptual vision training in non-sport-specific context: effect on performance skills and cognition in young females." Scientific Reports 9, no. 1: 1-13.
Trecroci, A, Formenti, D, Rossi, A, Esposito, F, and Alberti, G. Short-term delayed effects of Kinesio taping on sprint cycling performance. J Strength Cond Res 33(5): 1232–1236, 2019—The aim of this study was to assess short-term delayed effects of Kinesio taping (KT) on maximal cycling performance. A design with repeated measures was used. Fifteen healthy trained subjects underwent 3 conditions: no KT (without tape), KT (Kinesio tape applied longitudinally on the thighs), and sham taping (Kinesio tape applied horizontally on the thighs). Each subject performed 2 sets of 3 × 6-second sprints (separated by 3 minutes) interspersed by 30 minutes of rest on a cycle ergometer. Allometric scaling of peak power (PP) and average power (AP) values were computed and analyzed for each sprint performance. Both PP and AP decreased significantly after 30 minutes (between set 1 and set 2) in all conditions, with a greater decrease in no KT condition compared with KT and sham (p < 0.01). No significant differences were observed between KT and sham conditions. The application of KT on thigh muscles attenuated the performance decrease that occurred after 30 minutes of rest between the 2 sets compared with the no KT condition. This finding suggests athletes may use KT to better manage their performance during delays in competition events.
Athos Trecroci; Damiano Formenti; Alessio Rossi; Fabio Esposito; Giampietro Alberti. Short-Term Delayed Effects of Kinesio Taping on Sprint Cycling Performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 2019, 33, 1232 -1236.
AMA StyleAthos Trecroci, Damiano Formenti, Alessio Rossi, Fabio Esposito, Giampietro Alberti. Short-Term Delayed Effects of Kinesio Taping on Sprint Cycling Performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2019; 33 (5):1232-1236.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAthos Trecroci; Damiano Formenti; Alessio Rossi; Fabio Esposito; Giampietro Alberti. 2019. "Short-Term Delayed Effects of Kinesio Taping on Sprint Cycling Performance." Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 33, no. 5: 1232-1236.
Damiano Formenti; Nicola Ludwig; Alessio Rossi; Athos Trecroci; Giampietro Alberti; Marco Gargano; Arcangelo Merla; Kurt Ammer; Andrea Caumo. Is the maximum value in the region of interest a reliable indicator of skin temperature? Infrared Physics & Technology 2018, 94, 299 -304.
AMA StyleDamiano Formenti, Nicola Ludwig, Alessio Rossi, Athos Trecroci, Giampietro Alberti, Marco Gargano, Arcangelo Merla, Kurt Ammer, Andrea Caumo. Is the maximum value in the region of interest a reliable indicator of skin temperature? Infrared Physics & Technology. 2018; 94 ():299-304.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDamiano Formenti; Nicola Ludwig; Alessio Rossi; Athos Trecroci; Giampietro Alberti; Marco Gargano; Arcangelo Merla; Kurt Ammer; Andrea Caumo. 2018. "Is the maximum value in the region of interest a reliable indicator of skin temperature?" Infrared Physics & Technology 94, no. : 299-304.
Background One of the mechanisms responsible for enhancing muscular hypertrophy is the high metabolic stress associated with a reduced muscular oxygenation occurring during exercise, which can be achieved by reducing the speed of movement. Studies have tested that lowered muscle oxygenation artificially induced by an inflatable cuff, could provoke changes in prefrontal cortex oxygenation, hence, to central fatigue. It was hypothesized that (1) exercising with a slow speed of movement would result in greater increase in cerebral and greater decrease in muscle oxygenation compared with exercises of faster speed and (2) the amount of oxygenation increase in the ipsilateral prefrontal cortex would be lower than the contralateral one. Methods An ISS Imagent frequency domain near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) system was used to quantify oxygenation changes in the vastus lateralis muscle and prefrontal cortex (contra- and ipsilateral) during unilateral resistance exercises with different speeds of movement to voluntary fatigue. After one maximal repetition (1RM) test, eight subjects performed three sets of unilateral knee extensions (∼50% of 1RM), separated by 2 min rest periods, following the pace of 1 s, 3 s and 5 s for both concentric and eccentric phases, in a random order, during separate sessions. The amount of change for NIRS parameters for muscle (ΔHb: deoxyhemoglobin, ΔHbO: oxyhemoglobin, ΔHbT: total hemoglobin, ΔStO2: oxygen saturation) were quantified and compared between conditions and sets by two-way ANOVA RM. Differences in NIRS parameters between contra- and ipsilateral (lobe) prefrontal cortex and conditions were tested. Results Exercising with slow speed of movement was associated to larger muscle deoxygenation than normal speed of movement, as revealed by significant interaction (set × condition) for ΔHb (p = 0.01), and by significant main effects of condition for ΔHbO (p = 0.007) and ΔStO2 (p = 0.016). With regards to the prefrontal cortex, contralateral lobe showed larger oxygenation increase than the ipsilateral one for ΔHb, ΔHbO, ΔHbT, ΔStO2 in each set (main effect of lobe: p < 0.05). Main effects of condition were significant only in set1 for all the parameters, and significant interaction lobe × condition was found only for ΔHb in set1 (p < 0.05). Discussion These findings provided evidence that speed of movement influences the amount of muscle oxygenation. Since the lack of oxygen in muscle is associated to increased metabolic stress, manipulating the speed of movement may be useful in planning resistance-training programs. Moreover, consistent oxygenation increases in both right and left prefrontal lobes were found, suggesting a complementary interaction between the ipsi- and contralateral prefrontal cortex, which also seems related to fatigue.
Damiano Formenti; David Perpetuini; Pierpaolo Iodice; Daniela Cardone; Giovanni Michielon; Raffaele Scurati; Giampietro Alberti; Arcangelo Merla. Effects of knee extension with different speeds of movement on muscle and cerebral oxygenation. PeerJ 2018, 6, e5704 .
AMA StyleDamiano Formenti, David Perpetuini, Pierpaolo Iodice, Daniela Cardone, Giovanni Michielon, Raffaele Scurati, Giampietro Alberti, Arcangelo Merla. Effects of knee extension with different speeds of movement on muscle and cerebral oxygenation. PeerJ. 2018; 6 ():e5704.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDamiano Formenti; David Perpetuini; Pierpaolo Iodice; Daniela Cardone; Giovanni Michielon; Raffaele Scurati; Giampietro Alberti; Arcangelo Merla. 2018. "Effects of knee extension with different speeds of movement on muscle and cerebral oxygenation." PeerJ 6, no. : e5704.
Although moderate relationships (|r| ∼ 0.5) were reported between skin temperature and performance-related variables (e.g., kinetic), it remains unclear whether skin temperature asymmetry reflects muscle force imbalance in cycling. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess whether a relationship exists between kinetic and thermal asymmetry during a fatiguing exercise. Ten elite cyclists were enrolled and tested on a maximal incremental cycling test. Peak crank torques of both legs were obtained at the initial and final workload. Likewise, bilateral skin temperatures were recorded before and after exercise. Asymmetric indexes were also calculated for kinetic (AIK) and skin temperature (AIT) outcomes. The bilateral peak crank torques showed a larger difference at the final compared to the initial workload (p < 0.05) of the incremental exercise. Conversely, the bilateral skin temperature did not show any differences at both initial and final workload (p > 0.05). Additionally, trivial relationships were reported between AIKand AIT(−0.3 < r < 0.2) at the initial and final workload. The obtained results showed that changes in bilateral kinetic values did not reflect concurrent changes in bilateral skin temperatures. This finding emphasizes the difficulty of associating the asymmetry of skin temperature with those of muscle effort in elite cyclists. Lastly, our study also provided further insights on thermal skin responses during exhaustive cycling exercise in very highly-trained athletes.
Athos Trecroci; Damiano Formenti; Nicola Ludwig; Marco Gargano; Andrea Bosio; Ermanno Rampinini; Giampietro Alberti. Bilateral asymmetry of skin temperature is not related to bilateral asymmetry of crank torque during an incremental cycling exercise to exhaustion. PeerJ 2018, 6, e4438 .
AMA StyleAthos Trecroci, Damiano Formenti, Nicola Ludwig, Marco Gargano, Andrea Bosio, Ermanno Rampinini, Giampietro Alberti. Bilateral asymmetry of skin temperature is not related to bilateral asymmetry of crank torque during an incremental cycling exercise to exhaustion. PeerJ. 2018; 6 ():e4438.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAthos Trecroci; Damiano Formenti; Nicola Ludwig; Marco Gargano; Andrea Bosio; Ermanno Rampinini; Giampietro Alberti. 2018. "Bilateral asymmetry of skin temperature is not related to bilateral asymmetry of crank torque during an incremental cycling exercise to exhaustion." PeerJ 6, no. : e4438.
The importance of using infrared thermography (IRT) to assess skin temperature (tsk) is increasing in clinical settings. Recently, its use has been increasing in sports and exercise medicine; however, no consensus guideline exists to address the methods for collecting data in such situations. The aim of this study was to develop a checklist for the collection of tsk using IRT in sports and exercise medicine. We carried out a Delphi study to set a checklist based on consensus agreement from leading experts in the field. Panelists (n = 24) representing the areas of sport science (n = 8; 33%), physiology (n = 7; 29%), physiotherapy (n = 3; 13%) and medicine (n = 6; 25%), from 13 different countries completed the Delphi process. An initial list of 16 points was proposed which was rated and commented on by panelists in three rounds of anonymous surveys following a standard Delphi procedure. The panel reached consensus on 15 items which encompassed the participants' demographic information, camera/room or environment setup and recording/analysis of tsk using IRT. The results of the Delphi produced the checklist entitled "Thermographic Imaging in Sports and Exercise Medicine (TISEM)" which is a proposal to standardize the collection and analysis of tsk data using IRT. It is intended that the TISEM can also be applied to evaluate bias in thermographic studies and to guide practitioners in the use of this technique.
Danilo Gomes Moreira; Joseph T. Costello; Ciro J. Brito; Jakub G. Adamczyk; Kurt Ammer; Aaron J.E. Bach; Carlos M.A. Costa; Clare Eglin; Alex A. Fernandes; Ismael Fernández-Cuevas; José J.A. Ferreira; Damiano Formenti; Damien Fournet; George Havenith; Kevin Howell; Anna Jung; Glen P. Kenny; Eleazar S. Kolosovas-Machuca; Matthew J. Maley; Arcangelo Merla; David D. Pascoe; Jose I. Priego Quesada; Robert G. Schwartz; Adérito R.D. Seixas; James Selfe; Boris G. Vainer; Manuel Sillero-Quintana. Thermographic imaging in sports and exercise medicine: A Delphi study and consensus statement on the measurement of human skin temperature. Journal of Thermal Biology 2017, 69, 155 -162.
AMA StyleDanilo Gomes Moreira, Joseph T. Costello, Ciro J. Brito, Jakub G. Adamczyk, Kurt Ammer, Aaron J.E. Bach, Carlos M.A. Costa, Clare Eglin, Alex A. Fernandes, Ismael Fernández-Cuevas, José J.A. Ferreira, Damiano Formenti, Damien Fournet, George Havenith, Kevin Howell, Anna Jung, Glen P. Kenny, Eleazar S. Kolosovas-Machuca, Matthew J. Maley, Arcangelo Merla, David D. Pascoe, Jose I. Priego Quesada, Robert G. Schwartz, Adérito R.D. Seixas, James Selfe, Boris G. Vainer, Manuel Sillero-Quintana. Thermographic imaging in sports and exercise medicine: A Delphi study and consensus statement on the measurement of human skin temperature. Journal of Thermal Biology. 2017; 69 ():155-162.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDanilo Gomes Moreira; Joseph T. Costello; Ciro J. Brito; Jakub G. Adamczyk; Kurt Ammer; Aaron J.E. Bach; Carlos M.A. Costa; Clare Eglin; Alex A. Fernandes; Ismael Fernández-Cuevas; José J.A. Ferreira; Damiano Formenti; Damien Fournet; George Havenith; Kevin Howell; Anna Jung; Glen P. Kenny; Eleazar S. Kolosovas-Machuca; Matthew J. Maley; Arcangelo Merla; David D. Pascoe; Jose I. Priego Quesada; Robert G. Schwartz; Adérito R.D. Seixas; James Selfe; Boris G. Vainer; Manuel Sillero-Quintana. 2017. "Thermographic imaging in sports and exercise medicine: A Delphi study and consensus statement on the measurement of human skin temperature." Journal of Thermal Biology 69, no. : 155-162.
Facial asymmetry is considered a marker of psychological, emotional and physiological distress, while anxiety is a behavioural, psychological and physiological response to a threat to well-being. Since individuals respond to anxiety with specific patterns (e.g., muscular tension), it is reasonable to hypothesize that anxiety could contribute to facial tension and therefore facial asymmetry. Instead, since facial asymmetry is perceived as “unpleasant” from peers, its presence may be a hindrance to social adaptation contributing to generate anxiety. In this study, we investigated whether resting facial asymmetry and anxiety are associated in young population. Full frontal facial photographs of 56 Caucasian males were taken in resting state to obtain indices of asymmetry in six facial landmarks. Anxiety status was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y). Analysis of the face showed that asymmetry and laterality of specific facial landmarks were associated with anxiety. State anxiety was associated with eyebrow and lateral angle of the eye, while trait anxiety was associated with eyebrow and lateral angle of the mouth. Moreover, as compared with contralateral landmarks, the left landmarks were lifted/expanded in subjects with elevated trait/state anxiety, whereas the right landmarks were lifted/expanded in subjects with low-trait/state anxiety.
Alessio Rossi; Damiano Formenti; Luca Cavaggioni; Alice Morgante; Palmina Caruso; Marco Gargano; Nicola Ludwig; Isabella Merzagora; Giampietro Alberti. Facial asymmetry in the resting state reflects anxiety status on young males. Laterality 2017, 23, 462 -478.
AMA StyleAlessio Rossi, Damiano Formenti, Luca Cavaggioni, Alice Morgante, Palmina Caruso, Marco Gargano, Nicola Ludwig, Isabella Merzagora, Giampietro Alberti. Facial asymmetry in the resting state reflects anxiety status on young males. Laterality. 2017; 23 (4):462-478.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessio Rossi; Damiano Formenti; Luca Cavaggioni; Alice Morgante; Palmina Caruso; Marco Gargano; Nicola Ludwig; Isabella Merzagora; Giampietro Alberti. 2017. "Facial asymmetry in the resting state reflects anxiety status on young males." Laterality 23, no. 4: 462-478.
Damiano Formenti; Daniela Cardone; Arcangelo Merla. Biomedical Applications of Thermal Infrared Imaging. Wiley Encyclopedia of Electrical and Electronics Engineering 2017, 1 -12.
AMA StyleDamiano Formenti, Daniela Cardone, Arcangelo Merla. Biomedical Applications of Thermal Infrared Imaging. Wiley Encyclopedia of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. 2017; ():1-12.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDamiano Formenti; Daniela Cardone; Arcangelo Merla. 2017. "Biomedical Applications of Thermal Infrared Imaging." Wiley Encyclopedia of Electrical and Electronics Engineering , no. : 1-12.
Damiano Formenti; Nicola Ludwig; Alessio Rossi; Athos Trecroci; Giampietro Alberti; Marco Gargano; Arcangelo Merla; Kurt Ammer; Andrea Caumo. Skin temperature evaluation by infrared thermography: Comparison of two image analysis methods during the nonsteady state induced by physical exercise. Infrared Physics & Technology 2017, 81, 32 -40.
AMA StyleDamiano Formenti, Nicola Ludwig, Alessio Rossi, Athos Trecroci, Giampietro Alberti, Marco Gargano, Arcangelo Merla, Kurt Ammer, Andrea Caumo. Skin temperature evaluation by infrared thermography: Comparison of two image analysis methods during the nonsteady state induced by physical exercise. Infrared Physics & Technology. 2017; 81 ():32-40.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDamiano Formenti; Nicola Ludwig; Alessio Rossi; Athos Trecroci; Giampietro Alberti; Marco Gargano; Arcangelo Merla; Kurt Ammer; Andrea Caumo. 2017. "Skin temperature evaluation by infrared thermography: Comparison of two image analysis methods during the nonsteady state induced by physical exercise." Infrared Physics & Technology 81, no. : 32-40.