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Dr. Valerio Giustino
University of Palermo (Italy)

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0 Physical Education
0 Posture
0 physical activity
0 Adapted Physical Activity
0 Posturography

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Posture
physical activity
Postural control
Posturography
Postural Balance

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Research paper
Published: 13 August 2021 in The Journal of Physiology
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Key points Repeated static-stretching interventions consistently increase the range of motion about a joint and decrease total joint stiffness, but findings on the changes in muscle and connective-tissue properties are mixed. The influence of these stretch-induced changes on muscle function at submaximal forces is unknown. To address this gap in knowledge, we estimated the changes in neural drive to the plantar flexor muscles after a static-stretch intervention. Neural drive to the plantar flexor muscles during a low-force contraction increased after repeated static stretches. These findings suggest that adjustments in motor unit activity are necessary at low forces to accommodate reductions in the force-generating and transmission capabilities of the muscle-tendon unit after repeated static stretches of the calf muscles. Abstract Static stretching decreases stiffness about a joint, but its influence on muscle-tendon unit function and muscle activation is unclear. We investigated the influence of three static stretches on changes in neural drive to the plantar-flexor muscles, both after a stretch intervention and after a set of maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs). Estimates of neural drive were obtained during submaximal isometric contractions by decomposing high-density electromyographic signals into the activity of individual motor units from medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius, and soleus. Motor units were matched across contractions and an estimate of neural drive to the plantar flexors was calculated by normalizing the cumulative spike train to the number of active motor units (normalized neural drive). Mean discharge rate increased after the stretch intervention during the 10% MVC task for all recorded motor units and those matched across conditions (all, p = 0.0046; matched only, p = 0.002), recruitment threshold decreased for motor units matched across contractions (p = 0.022), and discharge rate at recruitment was elevated (p = 0.004). Similarly, the estimate of normalized neural drive was significantly greater after the stretch intervention at 10% MVC torque (p = 0.029), but not at 35% MVC torque. The adjustments in motor unit activity required to complete the 10% MVC task after stretch may have been partially attenuated by a set of plantar-flexor MVCs. The increase in neural drive required to produce low plantar-flexion torques after repeated static stretches of the calf muscles suggests stretch-induced changes in muscle- and connective-tissue properties. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

ACS Style

Melissa R. Mazzo; Logan E. Weinman; Valerio Giustino; Bailey Mclagan; John Maldonado; Roger M. Enoka. Changes in neural drive to calf muscles during steady submaximal contractions after repeated static stretches. The Journal of Physiology 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Melissa R. Mazzo, Logan E. Weinman, Valerio Giustino, Bailey Mclagan, John Maldonado, Roger M. Enoka. Changes in neural drive to calf muscles during steady submaximal contractions after repeated static stretches. The Journal of Physiology. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Melissa R. Mazzo; Logan E. Weinman; Valerio Giustino; Bailey Mclagan; John Maldonado; Roger M. Enoka. 2021. "Changes in neural drive to calf muscles during steady submaximal contractions after repeated static stretches." The Journal of Physiology , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 03 March 2021 in Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
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Patients with vertebral fragility fractures often experience chronic pain, postural and balance disorders, and poor quality of life (QoL). Although several studies have investigated the role of rehabilitation in severe osteoporosis, the effectiveness of this intervention in patients with multiple vertebral fractures is poorly known. The aim of our longitudinal cohort study is to evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation, including postural training, resistance exercises, and visual stabilization exercises, for a 7-week period, on the pain, postural balance, and QoL of subjects with at least two vertebral fragility fractures receiving denosumab and vitamin D. We investigated, before (T0) and after (T1, at 7 weeks) rehabilitation, the following outcome measures on 28 patients: pain (Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)), self-perceived QoL (36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) and Mini-Osteoporosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini-OQOL)), dizziness (Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI-I)), mobility (Timed-Up and Go (TUG) test), and instrumental posturographic assessment (FreeMed posturography system). At the end of the treatment, improvements of pain and QoL were recorded. Pain relief was highly obtained in patients with more than two vertebral fractures. Moreover, a significant functional improvement (TUG test) was found in those with two vertebral fractures, without any statistically significant change reported for other outcomes. Our findings suggest that combined intervention, including anti-osteoporotic drugs and postural rehabilitation, should be proposed to osteoporotic patients with multiple vertebral fractures.

ACS Style

Dalila Scaturro; Serena Rizzo; Valeria Sanfilippo; Valerio Giustino; Giuseppe Messina; Francesco Martines; Vincenzo Falco; Daniele Cuntrera; Antimo Moretti; Giovanni Iolascon; Giulia Letizia Mauro. Effectiveness of Rehabilitative Intervention on Pain, Postural Balance, and Quality of Life in Women with Multiple Vertebral Fragility Fractures: A Prospective Cohort Study. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 2021, 6, 24 .

AMA Style

Dalila Scaturro, Serena Rizzo, Valeria Sanfilippo, Valerio Giustino, Giuseppe Messina, Francesco Martines, Vincenzo Falco, Daniele Cuntrera, Antimo Moretti, Giovanni Iolascon, Giulia Letizia Mauro. Effectiveness of Rehabilitative Intervention on Pain, Postural Balance, and Quality of Life in Women with Multiple Vertebral Fragility Fractures: A Prospective Cohort Study. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 2021; 6 (1):24.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dalila Scaturro; Serena Rizzo; Valeria Sanfilippo; Valerio Giustino; Giuseppe Messina; Francesco Martines; Vincenzo Falco; Daniele Cuntrera; Antimo Moretti; Giovanni Iolascon; Giulia Letizia Mauro. 2021. "Effectiveness of Rehabilitative Intervention on Pain, Postural Balance, and Quality of Life in Women with Multiple Vertebral Fragility Fractures: A Prospective Cohort Study." Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 6, no. 1: 24.

Journal article
Published: 14 February 2021 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
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To abate the spread of the COVID-19 virus, different restriction measures were imperative, limiting the possibility to be engaged in physical activity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity (PA) levels expressed as energy expenditure (MET-min/week) and sedentary behaviour in Kosovo. The possible association between PA levels and other factors was analyzed. 1633 participants (age range: 13 to 63 years; mean: 24.70 ± 9.33 years; body height: 172 ± 10.57 cm; body mass: 69.10 ± 13.80 kg; BMI: 23.09 ± 3.63 kg/m2) participated in the study, categorized by age, gender, BMI, and living area. An online survey, including an adapted version of the IPAQ-SF, was administered once during lockdown to assess PA levels and sedentary behaviour both before and during COVID-19 lockdown. The Wilcoxon signed-rank, Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis rank of sum tests were used for statistical analysis. COVID-19 restrictions had a negative impact on the types of and overall PA levels MET-min/week (p < 0.001). Sedentary behaviour significantly increased during COVID-19 restrictions (p < 0.001). Higher decreases in MET-min/week during lockdown were observed among males, young and young adults, overweight, and urban-living participants. Finally, COVID-19 restrictions decreased the PA levels and MET-min/week, and increased sedentary behaviour also in a relatively young cohort. Such differences were dependent on several factors.

ACS Style

Masar Gjaka; Kaltrina Feka; Antonino Bianco; Faton Tishukaj; Valerio Giustino; Anna Parroco; Antonio Palma; Giuseppe Battaglia. The Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown Measures on Physical Activity Levels and Sedentary Behaviour in a Relatively Young Population Living in Kosovo. Journal of Clinical Medicine 2021, 10, 763 .

AMA Style

Masar Gjaka, Kaltrina Feka, Antonino Bianco, Faton Tishukaj, Valerio Giustino, Anna Parroco, Antonio Palma, Giuseppe Battaglia. The Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown Measures on Physical Activity Levels and Sedentary Behaviour in a Relatively Young Population Living in Kosovo. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2021; 10 (4):763.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Masar Gjaka; Kaltrina Feka; Antonino Bianco; Faton Tishukaj; Valerio Giustino; Anna Parroco; Antonio Palma; Giuseppe Battaglia. 2021. "The Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown Measures on Physical Activity Levels and Sedentary Behaviour in a Relatively Young Population Living in Kosovo." Journal of Clinical Medicine 10, no. 4: 763.

Journal article
Published: 10 February 2021 in European Journal of Translational Myology
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The aims of this paper was to determine the effect of self-myofascial release (SMFR) on postural stability and to analyze if it can influence migraine condition. Twenty-five subjects (age 49.7± 12.5) affected by migraine were enrolled. Assessments included a stabilometric analysis in order to evaluate balance and plantar support, with eyes open (OE) and closed (CE); cervical ROM measurement; evaluation of upper limb strength through handgrip. All the analysis were carried out before and after the administration of a single SMFR protocol, using medium density small balls laid in the three most painful trigger points in migraine patients: trapezius, sternocleidomastoids and suboccipital muscles. Performing a T test for paired samples, there was a significant increase in two ranges of the stabilometric analysis: ellipse surface, both with open and closed eyes (p value EO = 0.05; p value EC = 0.04) and length of the sway path, but just with closed eyes (p value = 0.05). SMFR might have a positive impact on postural stability in subjects with migraine. Further investigation should be conducted to confirm the hypothesis.

ACS Style

Alessandra Amato; Giuseppe Messina; Valerio Giustino; Jessica Brusa; Filippo Brighina; Patrizia Proia. A pilot study on non-invasive treatment of migraine: The self-myofascial release. European Journal of Translational Myology 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Alessandra Amato, Giuseppe Messina, Valerio Giustino, Jessica Brusa, Filippo Brighina, Patrizia Proia. A pilot study on non-invasive treatment of migraine: The self-myofascial release. European Journal of Translational Myology. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alessandra Amato; Giuseppe Messina; Valerio Giustino; Jessica Brusa; Filippo Brighina; Patrizia Proia. 2021. "A pilot study on non-invasive treatment of migraine: The self-myofascial release." European Journal of Translational Myology , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 10 February 2021 in European Journal of Translational Myology
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The aims of this paper was to determine the effect of self-myofascial release (SMFR) on postural stability and to analyze if it can influence migraine condition. Twenty-five subjects (age 49.7± 12.5) affected by migraine were enrolled. Assessments included a stabilometric analysis in order to evaluate balance and plantar support, with eyes open (OE) and closed (CE); cervical ROM measurement; evaluation of upper limb strength through handgrip. All the analysis were carried out before and after the administration of a single SMFR protocol, using medium density small balls laid in the three most painful trigger points in migraine patients: trapezius, sternocleidomastoids and suboccipital muscles. Performing a T test for paired samples, there was a significant increase in two ranges of the stabilometric analysis: ellipse surface, both with open and closed eyes (p value EO = 0.05; p value EC = 0.04) and length of the sway path, but just with closed eyes (p value = 0.05). SMFR might have a positive impact on postural stability in subjects with migraine. Further investigation should be conducted to confirm the hypothesis.

ACS Style

Alessandra Amato; Giuseppe Messina; Valerio Giustino; Jessica Brusa; Filippo Brighina; Patrizia Proia. A pilot study on non-invasive treatment of migraine: The self-myofascial release. European Journal of Translational Myology 2021, 31, 1 .

AMA Style

Alessandra Amato, Giuseppe Messina, Valerio Giustino, Jessica Brusa, Filippo Brighina, Patrizia Proia. A pilot study on non-invasive treatment of migraine: The self-myofascial release. European Journal of Translational Myology. 2021; 31 (1):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alessandra Amato; Giuseppe Messina; Valerio Giustino; Jessica Brusa; Filippo Brighina; Patrizia Proia. 2021. "A pilot study on non-invasive treatment of migraine: The self-myofascial release." European Journal of Translational Myology 31, no. 1: 1.

Review
Published: 18 July 2020 in Heliyon
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Background Goalball is a Paralympic sport for visually impaired athletes. Although it is widely practiced, a great variety of tests are adopted to evaluate athletes' physical fitness. Therefore, the objective was to identify the physical fitness tests adopted in this sport to find the common aspects between them and, eventually, to propose a standard operating procedure. Methods The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines were adopted. The studies were extracted from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. A selection process by title, abstract, and full-text, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, was performed. The results were discussed with narrative synthesis. Results A total of 7 papers and 222 participants were included. A wide variety of tests were adopted and the Brockport Physical Fitness Test (BPFT) was the only battery included to evaluate general athletes' well-being. Conclusions Although few literature exists on Goalball, the BPFT could be the battery for evaluating Goalball athletes though the test battery should be standardized to the characteristics of this sport.

ACS Style

Luca Petrigna; Valerio Giustino; Daniele Zangla; Samantha Aurea; Romilda Palma; Antonio Palma; Giuseppe Battaglia. Physical fitness assessment in Goalball: A scoping review of the literature. Heliyon 2020, 6, e04407 .

AMA Style

Luca Petrigna, Valerio Giustino, Daniele Zangla, Samantha Aurea, Romilda Palma, Antonio Palma, Giuseppe Battaglia. Physical fitness assessment in Goalball: A scoping review of the literature. Heliyon. 2020; 6 (7):e04407.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Luca Petrigna; Valerio Giustino; Daniele Zangla; Samantha Aurea; Romilda Palma; Antonio Palma; Giuseppe Battaglia. 2020. "Physical fitness assessment in Goalball: A scoping review of the literature." Heliyon 6, no. 7: e04407.

Journal article
Published: 04 July 2020 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Background: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is an endocrine disease with a precocious significant impairment of growth and neuromotor development. Thyroid hormones are essential for central nervous system development, maturation, and myelination. Furthermore, thyroid hormone deficiency affects the function of several systems, including the musculoskeletal system. The disease has a significant incidence in the general population (1:3000–1:2000 newborns in Italy). The aim of the present study was to evaluate any differences in upper and lower limb strength, body sway, and plantar loading distribution in children with CH compared to healthy children. Methods: In this study, the case group was composed of children with CH (CHG), while the control group included healthy children (CG). Both groups comprised 19 children (CHG: female = 12; CG: female = 9). The maximum isometric handgrip strength and explosive-elastic lower limb strength were assessed with the handgrip test and the Sargent test, respectively. The stabilometric and baropodometric analyses were used to measure the Center of Pressure displacements and the plantar loading distribution between feet, respectively. The differences between groups were analyzed by a univariate analysis of covariance using as covariates weight and height with the significant level set at < 0.05. Results: We found that CHG children were shorter and thinner than CG ones (p < 0.05). No significant difference in the upper and lower limb strength was found between groups. CHG exhibited a significant greater Sway Path Length (p < 0.01) and Ellipse Surface (p < 0.05) than CG. Moreover, CHG displayed an asymmetric plantar loading distribution with a significant lower percentage in the right than in the left foot (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant lower plantar loading percentage in the right foot of CHG than in the right foot of CG was observed (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings seem to suggest that CH does not affect muscle strength in early treated children. However, these patients show poor postural control ability and asymmetric plantar loading distribution. Increasing the physical activity in these children could improve their body posture.

ACS Style

Jessica Brusa; Maria Cristina Maggio; Valerio Giustino; Ewan Thomas; Daniele Zangla; Angelo Iovane; Antonio Palma; Giovanni Corsello; Giuseppe Messina; Marianna Bellafiore. Upper and Lower Limb Strength and Body Posture in Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism: An Observational Case-Control Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 4830 .

AMA Style

Jessica Brusa, Maria Cristina Maggio, Valerio Giustino, Ewan Thomas, Daniele Zangla, Angelo Iovane, Antonio Palma, Giovanni Corsello, Giuseppe Messina, Marianna Bellafiore. Upper and Lower Limb Strength and Body Posture in Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism: An Observational Case-Control Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (13):4830.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jessica Brusa; Maria Cristina Maggio; Valerio Giustino; Ewan Thomas; Daniele Zangla; Angelo Iovane; Antonio Palma; Giovanni Corsello; Giuseppe Messina; Marianna Bellafiore. 2020. "Upper and Lower Limb Strength and Body Posture in Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism: An Observational Case-Control Study." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 13: 4830.

Journal article
Published: 26 May 2020 in Sustainability
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Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Italian government has adopted containment measures to control the virus’s spread, including limitations to the practice of physical activity (PA). The aim of this study was to estimate the levels of PA, expressed as energy expenditure (MET–minute/week), among the physically active Sicilian population before and during the last seven days of the COVID-19 quarantine. Furthermore, the relation between this parameter and specific demographic and anthropometric variables was analyzed. Methods: 802 Sicilian physically active participants (mean age: 32.27 ± 12.81 years; BMI: 23.44 ± 3.33 kg/m2) were included in the study and grouped based on gender, age and BMI. An adapted version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—short form (IPAQ-SF) was administered to the participants through an online survey. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test were used for statistical analyses. Results: As expected, we observed a significant decrease of the total weekly energy expenditure during the COVID-19 quarantine (p < 0.001). A significant variation in the MET–min/wk in the before quarantine condition (p = 0.046) and in the difference between before and during quarantine (p = 0.009) was found for males and females. The male group decreased the PA level more than the female one. Moreover, a significant difference in the MET–min/wk was found among groups distributions of BMI (p < 0.001, during quarantine) and of age (p < 0.001, both before and during quarantine). In particular, the highest and the lowest levels of PA were reported by the young and the elderly, respectively, both before and during quarantine. Finally, the overweight group showed the lowest level of PA during quarantine. Conclusion: Based on our outcomes, we can determine that the current quarantine has negatively affected the practice of PA, with greater impacts among males and overweight subjects. In regards to different age groups, the young, young adults and adults were more affected than senior adults and the elderly.

ACS Style

Valerio Giustino; Anna Maria Parroco; Antonio Gennaro; Giuseppe Musumeci; Antonio Palma; Giuseppe Battaglia. Physical Activity Levels and Related Energy Expenditure during COVID-19 Quarantine among the Sicilian Active Population: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey Study. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4356 .

AMA Style

Valerio Giustino, Anna Maria Parroco, Antonio Gennaro, Giuseppe Musumeci, Antonio Palma, Giuseppe Battaglia. Physical Activity Levels and Related Energy Expenditure during COVID-19 Quarantine among the Sicilian Active Population: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey Study. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (11):4356.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Valerio Giustino; Anna Maria Parroco; Antonio Gennaro; Giuseppe Musumeci; Antonio Palma; Giuseppe Battaglia. 2020. "Physical Activity Levels and Related Energy Expenditure during COVID-19 Quarantine among the Sicilian Active Population: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey Study." Sustainability 12, no. 11: 4356.

Journal article
Published: 01 May 2020 in Sustainability
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Previous research has reported that children with idiopathic short stature (ISS) showed functional and cognitive impairments. The purpose of this study was to compare muscle strength and body posture between children with ISS treated with growth hormone (GH) and healthy peers (healthy children, HC), and to analyze whether these parameters were affected by physical exercise. Eighteen children for the ISS group (mean age: 10.96 ± 1.68 years) and 26 children for the HC group (mean age: 10.19 ± 1.06 years) were recruited for the study. All participants performed the following assessments: handgrip and Sargent test for the muscle strength evaluation; baropodometric and stabilometric test for the posturographic measures. Data were analyzed with analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) using height and weight as covariate. Groups were then stratified into active and inactive and independent t-tests were used to determine differences between variables. Significance level was set to p < 0.05. Our results showed a significantly lower performance for both hands (p < 0.01) and a greater difference of plantar loading distribution between feet in the ISS compared to the HC groups (p < 0.01). In relation to physical exercise, the HC active group showed the highest handgrip strength values for both hands among the analyzed groups and, moreover, handgrip strength of both ISS active and inactive groups was significantly lower than corresponding CH peers for both hands. Although ISS and HC inactive groups reported an unequal plantar loading distribution between feet (p < 0.05), this asymmetry was not present in both ISS and HC active groups. We assume that GH therapy integrated with physical exercise in young patients with ISS could be suggested to increase muscle strength and body posture improving their quality of life.

ACS Style

Jessica Brusa; Maria Cristina Maggio; Daniele Zangla; Valerio Giustino; Ewan Thomas; Romilda Palma; Giuseppe Messina; Antonio Palma; Giovanni Corsello; Marianna Bellafiore. Comparison of Postural Features and Muscle Strength between Children with Idiopathic Short Stature and Healthy Peers in Relation to Physical Exercise. Sustainability 2020, 12, 3639 .

AMA Style

Jessica Brusa, Maria Cristina Maggio, Daniele Zangla, Valerio Giustino, Ewan Thomas, Romilda Palma, Giuseppe Messina, Antonio Palma, Giovanni Corsello, Marianna Bellafiore. Comparison of Postural Features and Muscle Strength between Children with Idiopathic Short Stature and Healthy Peers in Relation to Physical Exercise. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (9):3639.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jessica Brusa; Maria Cristina Maggio; Daniele Zangla; Valerio Giustino; Ewan Thomas; Romilda Palma; Giuseppe Messina; Antonio Palma; Giovanni Corsello; Marianna Bellafiore. 2020. "Comparison of Postural Features and Muscle Strength between Children with Idiopathic Short Stature and Healthy Peers in Relation to Physical Exercise." Sustainability 12, no. 9: 3639.

Journal article
Published: 29 March 2020 in Sustainability
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Background: The Geriatric Unit of the University of Palermo developed the “Passiata Day” model, a green exercise intervention consisting of a one-hour walk, once/week, in a city park. The purpose of this study was to assess body balance in older people who walked regularly compared to sedentary people. Methods: 106 older people (75 women and 31 men; mean age: 72.3 ± 8.2 years) without fall history were invited to participate voluntarily in this natural environment walking program. After six months, both the participants who had taken part regularly in the walk (i.e., the physical activity group (PAG; n = 72; 54 women and 18 men; mean age: 70.7 ± 7.2 years)), and who had not accepted to be included in the outdoor walking program (i.e., the sedentary group (SG; n = 34; 21 women and 13 men; mean age: 75.5 ± 9.4 years)), performed a stabilometric test with open eyes (OE) and with closed eyes (CE). Results: Our preliminary results showed significant differences between groups on the ellipse sway area both in the OE (p < 0.05) and in CE condition (p < 0.01). Moreover, we found a significant difference on sway along the frontal plane both in the OE (p < 0.05) and in the CE condition (p < 0.01), and on sway along the sagittal plane for the test with CE (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Based on our preliminary findings, we suggest that walking regularly in an outdoor setting could lead to a greater body balance in older people and could be recommended by geriatricians for preventing the risk of falls. The next step will be to investigate the effect of an experimental outdoor walking program structured in terms of intensity, frequency and volume.

ACS Style

Giuseppe Battaglia; Valerio Giustino; Giuseppe Messina; Mariangela Faraone; Jessica Brusa; Anna Bordonali; Mario Barbagallo; Antonio Palma; Ligia-Juliana Dominguez. Walking in Natural Environments as Geriatrician’s Recommendation for Fall Prevention: Preliminary Outcomes from the “Passiata Day” Model. Sustainability 2020, 12, 2684 .

AMA Style

Giuseppe Battaglia, Valerio Giustino, Giuseppe Messina, Mariangela Faraone, Jessica Brusa, Anna Bordonali, Mario Barbagallo, Antonio Palma, Ligia-Juliana Dominguez. Walking in Natural Environments as Geriatrician’s Recommendation for Fall Prevention: Preliminary Outcomes from the “Passiata Day” Model. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (7):2684.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Giuseppe Battaglia; Valerio Giustino; Giuseppe Messina; Mariangela Faraone; Jessica Brusa; Anna Bordonali; Mario Barbagallo; Antonio Palma; Ligia-Juliana Dominguez. 2020. "Walking in Natural Environments as Geriatrician’s Recommendation for Fall Prevention: Preliminary Outcomes from the “Passiata Day” Model." Sustainability 12, no. 7: 2684.

Editorial
Published: 30 September 2019 in Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
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We are glad to introduce the seventeenth Journal Club. This edition is focused on several relevant studies published in the last years in the field of Overtraining and Exercise Addiction, chosen by our Editorial Board members and their colleagues. We hope to stimulate your curiosity in this field and to share with you the passion for the sport seen also from the scientific point of view. The Editorial Board members wish you an inspiring lecture.

ACS Style

Antonino Bianco; Silvia Ravalli; Grazia Maugeri; Velia D’Agata; Michele Vecchio; Agata Grazia D’Amico; Vito Pavone; Ludovico Lucenti; Alessandra Amato; Ambra Gentile; Valerio Giustino; Kaltrina Feka; Ewan Thomas; Giuseppe Musumeci. The “Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology” Journal Club Series: Highlights on Recent Papers in Overtraining and Exercise Addiction. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 2019, 4, 68 .

AMA Style

Antonino Bianco, Silvia Ravalli, Grazia Maugeri, Velia D’Agata, Michele Vecchio, Agata Grazia D’Amico, Vito Pavone, Ludovico Lucenti, Alessandra Amato, Ambra Gentile, Valerio Giustino, Kaltrina Feka, Ewan Thomas, Giuseppe Musumeci. The “Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology” Journal Club Series: Highlights on Recent Papers in Overtraining and Exercise Addiction. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 2019; 4 (4):68.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Antonino Bianco; Silvia Ravalli; Grazia Maugeri; Velia D’Agata; Michele Vecchio; Agata Grazia D’Amico; Vito Pavone; Ludovico Lucenti; Alessandra Amato; Ambra Gentile; Valerio Giustino; Kaltrina Feka; Ewan Thomas; Giuseppe Musumeci. 2019. "The “Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology” Journal Club Series: Highlights on Recent Papers in Overtraining and Exercise Addiction." Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 4, no. 4: 68.

Journal article
Published: 02 August 2019 in European Journal of Translational Myology
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Swallowing dysfunction is a frequent disorder among children and refers to an altered tongue posture and abnormal tongue movement during swallowing. Removable functional appliance is one of the treatments applied by dentistry to correct this disorder. The aim of this study was to evaluate any differences on orofacial muscles activity in children with swallowing dysfunction with and without removable functional appliances. 68 children were eligible for the study and divided into the orthodontic group (OG) and the no-orthodontic group (NO-OG). Both groups performed a dental occlusion-class evaluation, a swallowing function test and a myoscan analysis in order to measure perioral forces (i.e. tongue extension force, lip pressure, masseter contraction force). Our results showed a significant difference (P=0.02) between OG and NO-OG for the tongue extension force, whereas no significant differences (P>0.05) were found for the other parameters. Our findings suggest that children with swallowing dysfunction and removable functional appliance show orofacial muscles activity within the range of reference values (except for the lip pressure). However, we hypothesize that orthodontic treatment can achieve more effective results with integration of myofunctional therapy.

ACS Style

Giuseppe Messina; Valerio Giustino; Francesco Martines; Serena Rizzo; Alessio Pirino; Fabio Scoppa. Orofacial muscles activity in children with swallowing dysfunction and removable functional appliances. European Journal of Translational Myology 2019, 29, 8267 .

AMA Style

Giuseppe Messina, Valerio Giustino, Francesco Martines, Serena Rizzo, Alessio Pirino, Fabio Scoppa. Orofacial muscles activity in children with swallowing dysfunction and removable functional appliances. European Journal of Translational Myology. 2019; 29 (3):8267.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Giuseppe Messina; Valerio Giustino; Francesco Martines; Serena Rizzo; Alessio Pirino; Fabio Scoppa. 2019. "Orofacial muscles activity in children with swallowing dysfunction and removable functional appliances." European Journal of Translational Myology 29, no. 3: 8267.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2019 in Human Movement
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ACS Style

Kaltrina Feka; Francesco Pomara; Giuseppe Russo; Maria Cusmà Piccione; Marco Petrucci; Valerio Giustino; Giuseppe Messina; Angelo Iovane; Antonio Palma; Antonino Bianco. How do sports affect static baropodometry? An observational study among women living in southern Italy. Human Movement 2019, 20, 9 -16.

AMA Style

Kaltrina Feka, Francesco Pomara, Giuseppe Russo, Maria Cusmà Piccione, Marco Petrucci, Valerio Giustino, Giuseppe Messina, Angelo Iovane, Antonio Palma, Antonino Bianco. How do sports affect static baropodometry? An observational study among women living in southern Italy. Human Movement. 2019; 20 (1):9-16.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kaltrina Feka; Francesco Pomara; Giuseppe Russo; Maria Cusmà Piccione; Marco Petrucci; Valerio Giustino; Giuseppe Messina; Angelo Iovane; Antonio Palma; Antonino Bianco. 2019. "How do sports affect static baropodometry? An observational study among women living in southern Italy." Human Movement 20, no. 1: 9-16.

Journal article
Published: 09 October 2018 in Asian Journal of Sports Medicine
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Giuseppe Battaglia; Giuseppe Messina; Valerio Giustino; Daniele Zangla; Matteo Barcellona; Angelo Iovane; Antonio Palma. Influence of Vertical Dimension of Occlusion on Peak Force During Handgrip Tests in Athletes. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine 2018, In Press, 1 .

AMA Style

Giuseppe Battaglia, Giuseppe Messina, Valerio Giustino, Daniele Zangla, Matteo Barcellona, Angelo Iovane, Antonio Palma. Influence of Vertical Dimension of Occlusion on Peak Force During Handgrip Tests in Athletes. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine. 2018; In Press (In Press):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Giuseppe Battaglia; Giuseppe Messina; Valerio Giustino; Daniele Zangla; Matteo Barcellona; Angelo Iovane; Antonio Palma. 2018. "Influence of Vertical Dimension of Occlusion on Peak Force During Handgrip Tests in Athletes." Asian Journal of Sports Medicine In Press, no. In Press: 1.

Observational study
Published: 01 April 2018 in Medicine
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Balance is a complex process that involves multiple sensory integrations. The auditory, visual, and vestibular systems are the main contributors. Hearing loss or hearing impairment may induce inappropriate postural strategies that could affect balance and therefore increase the risk of falling. The aim of this study was to understand whether hearing loss could influence balance, cervical posture, and muscle activation in the cervical region. Thirteen patients (61 ± 13 years; 161.8 ± 11.0 cm; 70.5 ± 15.9 kg) with moderate hearing loss (Right ear −60 ± 21 dB; Left ear −61 ± 24 dB) underwent: an audiometric examination, a postural examination (with open and closed eyes) through a stabilometric platform, a cervical ROM examination through a head accelerometer, and a sternocleidomastoid electromyography (EMG) examination. A linear regression analysis has shown a regression coefficient (R2) 0.76 and 0.69 between hearing loss and the posturographic parameters, on the sagittal sway, with open and closed eyes, respectively. The combination of frontal and sagittal sway is able to explain up to 84% of the variance of the audiometric assessment. No differences were found between right and left hemibody between the audiometric, posturographic, cervical ROM parameters, and in EMG amplitude. ROM and EMG parameters have not shown any significant associations with hearing loss, for both right and left head rotation. Hearing loss is associated to increased posturographic measures, especially the sagittal sway, underlining a reduced postural control in people with hearing impairments. No association was found between the heads posture and neck activation with hearing loss. Hearing loss may be associated with an increased risk of falls.

ACS Style

Ewan Thomas; Francesco Martines; Antonino Bianco; Giuseppe Messina; Valerio Giustino; Daniele Zangla; Angelo Iovane; Antonio Palma. Decreased postural control in people with moderate hearing loss. Medicine 2018, 97, e0244 .

AMA Style

Ewan Thomas, Francesco Martines, Antonino Bianco, Giuseppe Messina, Valerio Giustino, Daniele Zangla, Angelo Iovane, Antonio Palma. Decreased postural control in people with moderate hearing loss. Medicine. 2018; 97 (14):e0244.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ewan Thomas; Francesco Martines; Antonino Bianco; Giuseppe Messina; Valerio Giustino; Daniele Zangla; Angelo Iovane; Antonio Palma. 2018. "Decreased postural control in people with moderate hearing loss." Medicine 97, no. 14: e0244.