The present study aimed at analyzing the technical and tactical aspects of professional padel matches in relation to gender and match outcome. For this purpose, a notational analysis was performed on ...22 official matches of the World Padel Tour 2016 by means of 18 technical and tactical indicators. A non-parametric approach was applied to evaluate differences (P ≤ 0.05) between gender and match outcome subgroups. For gender, differences emerged for the occurrence (P<0.001) and duration (P<0.001) of rallies, backhand strokes (P=0.02) and backhand volley (P=0.027), strokes close to net (P=0.001) and from midfield zone (P=0.012), smashes determining ball out (P<0.001), and first service faults (P<0.001). For match outcome, a difference was found only for the occurrence of winning rallies (in general: P<0.001; in female performance: P=0.009; in male performance: P=0.001). Although findings highlight that padel performance can be discriminated only for gender, whereas winning and losing performances resulted similar, probably for the influence of different playing styles, this study could represent a valuable reference for further analyses and more effective padel training plans. Resumen El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar aspectos técnicos y tácticos en pádel profesional en relación con el género y el resultado final del partido. Para ello, se realizó un análisis notacional de 22 partidos oficiales del circuito profesional World Padel Tour 2016 registrando 18 indicadores técnicos y tácticos. Se llevó a cabo un análisis no paramétrico de los datos para comparar las diferencias (P ≤ 0,05) entre los subgrupos de género y resultado final. Para el género, se encontraron diferencias en el número (P<0,001) y duración (P<0,001) de los rallies, golpes de revés (P=0,02) y voleas de revés (P=0,027), golpes cerca de la red (P<0,001) y golpes desde la zona intermedia del campo (P=0,012), remates ganadores por bola fuera del campo (P<0,001) y faltas de primer saque (P<0,001). Para el resultado del partido, se encontraron diferencias únicamente en el número de rallies ganadores (en general: P<0,001; en mujeres: P=0,009; en hombres: P=0,001). Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto importantes diferencias en el rendimiento de pádel en cuanto al género, observando resultados similares entre ganadores y perdedores probablemente como consecuencia de diferentes estilos de juego. Este estudio por tanto puede servir como referencia válida para el desarrollo tanto de futuros análisis como de planes de entrenamiento más efectivos en pádel.
This study aimed to define a performance profile of elite hit ball matches. Eighty-six male Italian Serie A hit ball
players (29.3±5.0 yrs) participated in the study. A technical and tactical ...analysis (18 indicators) was performed
on eleven matches; heart rate (HR) was monitored during matches on 25 players; countermovement jump
(CMJ) and maximal grip strength (GS) were measured on all participants before and after match. Differences
(P<0.05) between winning (W) and losing (L) teams for technical and tactical analysis (Chi-square), and between
match phases for HR, CMJ, and GS (ANOVA for repeated measurements) were tested. Hit ball teams
meanly performed 297±10 rallies per match (W: 41±6 goals; L: 23±3 goals, P=0.042). No differences between
quarters emerged for HR (171-190 bpm for 57±21 % of match duration). Opposite trends emerged for CMJ
(after: 36.2±6.3 cm; before: 33.1±4.8 cm; P=0.001) and GS (after: 433±102 N; before: 463±98 N; P=0.018)
performances. Findings show that hit ball is performed at high HR intensity, and that CMJ improves and GS
declines after matches. This could be determined by a neuromuscular activation of lower limbs and repeated
harm concussions due to shots.
El estudio tenía como objetivo definir los perfiles de rendimiento en partidos de hit ball de elite. Un total de 81
jugadores italianos de la Serie A (29.3±5.0 años) tomaron parte en el estudio. El análisis técnico y táctico (18
indicadores) se realizó durante once partidos; la variable frecuencia cardíaca (FC) fue monitorizada durante los
partidos en 25 jugadores; el test de salto en contramovimiento (SCM) y el test de fuerza máxima de prensión
(FMP) se midieron antes y después de cada partido. Las diferencias (P<0.05) entre equipos ganadores (G) y
perdedores (P) en los aspectos técnicos y tácticos se realizó mediante el test de Chi-cuadrado, y para las diferencias
entre las fases del partido en las variables FC, SCM y FMP se empleó el ANOVA de medidas repetidas.
Los resultados mostraron una media de 297±10 rallies por partido (G: 41±6 goles; P: 23±3 goles, P=0.042).
No se encontraron diferencias entre los cuartos de juego para la variable FC (171-190 lpm en 57±21 % de la
duración del partido). Se encontraron tendencias opuestas para el test SCM (después: 36.2±6.3 cm; antes:
33.1±4.8 cm; P=0.001) y para el test FMP (después: 433±102 N; antes: 463±98 N; P=0.018). Los resultados
muestran que el deporte del hit ball se desarrolla con un rendimiento de alta FC, y con mejoras del SCM y descensos
del FMP después del partido. Estos resultados pueden estar determinados por la activación neuromuscular
de los miembros inferiores y el daño repetido de los golpeos debido a los lanzamientos en los brazos.
Ciaccioni, S, Condello, G, Guidotti, F, and Capranica, L. Effects of judo training on bones: a systematic literature review. J Strength Cond Res 33(10): 2882-2896, 2019-The aim of this study was to ...provide a systematic literature review on the osteogenic effects of judo (PROSPERO: CRD42016041803). The online search was conducted according to the inclusion criteria: observational studies and clinical/interventional trials in English from inception to June 2016; bone health, bone mineral density (BMD), diameters, impact force, and bone turnover marker (BTM) outcomes. Thirty-four studies were included and graded for their methodological quality ("fair" quality: 79.4%). The most used assessment method (44.1%) was X-ray absorptiometry. A positive association between judo and bone health/status emerged. Findings support site-specific BMD accrual in children, adolescents, adult athletes, and in premenopausal and postmenopausal female practitioners. Bone turnover markers revealed a hypermetabolic status in high-level judo athletes. The osteogenic stimuli of judo seem to protect athletes from alterations in bone metabolic balance due to weight loss cycling. Sexual dimorphism was found between judoka in bone diameters and mass, and significant differences in bone breadths emerged between elite and nonelite judokas. The fall techniques reduced bone impact force and velocity with respect to "natural" fall. Further longitudinal, cross-sectional, and interventional researches are required. This article provides useful information on bone for health sport scientists, coaches, and practitioners, stimulating future research lines on judo. In particular, coaches and physical trainers should consider introducing judo fall techniques in their training plans to prevent fall-related injuries, especially relevant in the older population. Conversely, coaches are urged to carefully control weight cycling dietary habits of their athletes, which can produce serious metabolic responses on bones.
This study aimed to compare the technical and tactical aspects between winning and losing teams in close (i.e., 1-3 goals of difference) and unbalanced (i.e., >3 goals of difference) elite women's ...water polo games. A notational analysis was performed on 45 games to evaluate occurrence of action, mean duration, action outcome, origin and execution of shot, offensive and defensive role, and arrangement of even, counterattack, power play, and transition situations. Independent 2-sided t-tests were applied to show differences (p < 0.05) between teams. Regarding close games, effects emerged for action outcome (counterattack: lost possessions; power play: goals, no goal shots), origin (even: zone 1, zone 4; counterattack: zone 1, zone 5) and execution (even: off-the-water shots; counterattack: shots after > than 2 fakes; power play: drive shots) of shots, offensive even arrangements (6 vs. 6/5 vs. 5; 2 vs. 2/1 vs. 1), and role. Regarding unbalanced games, differences emerged for the occurrence of action (even, counterattack), duration (even; power play), action outcome (even: goals, penalties; counterattack: goals, no goal shots, penalties; power play: goals, no goal shots; transition: lost possessions), origin (even: zone 2, zone 4; counterattack: zone 5) and execution (even: free throws, drive shots; counterattack: drive shots, shots after > 2 fakes; power play: drive shots, shots after 1 fake) of shots; offensive even arrangements (2 vs. 2/1 vs. 1), and role; and defensive even arrangements (pressing, zones 1-2, zone M, zones 2-3-4). Differences between close and unbalanced games underlining that water polo performance should be analyzed in relation to specific margins of victory. Therefore, water polo coaches and physical trainers can plan a sound training session according to the most important aspects of close (opponent's exclusion, center forward play, and power play actions) and unbalanced (defensive skills) games.
Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are widely used both in the industry and in biomedical applications for their chemical and physical nanomaterial properties. It is therefore essential to go in depth ...into the cytotoxicity mechanisms and interactions between nanomaterials and cells. The aim of this work was to evaluate the dissolution of ZnO nanoparticles and their uptake, from a few minutes after treatments up to 24h. ZnO nanoparticles routes of entry into the human colon carcinoma cells (LoVo) were followed at different times by a thorough ultrastructural investigation and semiquantitative analysis. The intracellular release of Zn(2+) ions by Zinquin fluorescent dye, and phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX) expression were evaluated. The genotoxic potential of ZnO nanoparticles was also investigated by determining the levels of 8-hydroxyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). The experimental data show that ZnO nanoparticles entered LoVo cells by either passive diffusion or endocytosis or both, depending on the agglomeration state of the nanomaterial. ZnO nanoparticles coming into contact with acid pH of lysosomes altered organelles structure, resulting in the release of Zn(2+) ions. The simultaneous presence of ZnO nanoparticles and Zn(2+) ions in the LoVo cells determined the formation of reactive oxygen species at the mitochondrial and nuclear level, inducing severe DNA damage.
With the purpose of designing active patches for photodynamic therapy of melanoma, transparent and soft hydrogel membranes (HMs) have been fabricated by cation‐induced gelation of rod‐like cellulose ...nanocrystals (CNCs) bearing negatively charged carboxylic groups. Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+ have been used as cross‐linkers of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC). The biosafety of this material and of its precursors has been evaluated in vitro in cell cultures. Morphological changes, cell organelles integrity, and cell survival with the tetrazolium salt reduction (MTT) assay were utilized as tests of cytotoxicity. Preliminary investigation was performed by addition of the hydrogel components to the cell culture medium and by incubations of the CNC‐HM in direct and indirect contact with a confluent monolayer of A375 melanoma cells. Direct contact assays suffered from interference of physical stress. Careful evaluation of cytotoxicity was obtained considering the overall picture provided by microscopy and biochemical tests performed with the CNC‐HM in indirect contact with two melanoma cell lines (A375, M14) and human fibroblasts. CNCs have been demonstrated to be a safe precursor material and CNC‐HMs have a good biocompatibility provided that the excess of cations, in particular of Ca2+ is removed. These results indicate that CNC and can be safely used to fabricate biomedical devices such as transparent hydrogel patches, although attention must be paid to the fabrication procedure.
It is still unknown which correlates of physical activity behaviour (PAB) may be effective and how they may influence PAB in UK children. The objective of the current study was to generate a ...conceptual analysis of the correlates of PAB in UK children (5-12 years) using the input of researchers in the field of physical activity (PA experts; PAE) and other fields (non-PA experts; non-PAE). A concept mapping approach was used to identify potential (new) correlates of PAB in children, assess their importance based on rating of potential modifiability and effect, and generate a concept map depicting the associations between them. In the first (brainstorming) stage (n = 32 experts) yielded 93 correlates, including 14 new correlates not identified in previous reviews. In the second (rating and sorting) stage (n = 26 experts), 32 correlates were rated as important and a four-cluster concept map was generated including themes related to Society/community, Home/social setting, Personal/social setting and Psychological/emotional correlates. Two additional concept maps were generated for PAE and non-PAE. From expert opinion, we identified new correlates of PAB that warrant further research and we highlight the need to consider the interaction between intrapersonal and external correlates when designing interventions to promote PA in UK children.
Paralympic table tennis is the third largest paralympic sport for the number of players. Performance analysis was conducted for the rally duration and interval and impact of serve, whilst none ...investigated the shots distribution among classes of physical impairment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct a notational analysis of international competitions in relation to the wheelchair classes. Five matches for each wheelchair class (C1-to-C5) were evaluated from 20 elite male right-handed players. Both players for each match were analyzed for the following performance indicators: strokes type, the area of ball bouncing, and the shots outcome. Backhand shots were the most used technique for all classes. The most used strokes for C1 players were backhand and forehand drive and backhand lob, while for C5 players they were backhand and forehand push and backhand topspin. Similar shots distribution was registered for C2-to-C5 players. The central and far-from-the-net zone was mainly reached by the serve for all classes. Errors shots were similar in all classes, whilst winning shots were more frequent in C1. The current notational analysis provided a meaningful performance modelling of indicators for coaches and athletes that can be used to design training programs for each class.
To date, the scientific literature on socioeconomic correlates and determinants of physical activity behaviours has been dispersed throughout a number of systematic reviews, often focusing on one ...factor (e.g. education or parental income) in one specific age group (e.g. pre-school children or adults). The aim of this umbrella review is to provide a comprehensive and systematic overview of the scientific literature from previously conducted research by summarising and synthesising the importance and strength of the evidence related to socioeconomic correlates and determinants of PA behaviours across the life course.
Medline, Embase, ISI Web of Science, Scopus and SPORTDiscus were searched for systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies investigating the association between socioeconomic determinants of PA and PA itself (from January 2004 to September 2017). Data extraction evaluated the importance of determinants, strength of evidence, and methodological quality of the selected papers. The full protocol is available from PROSPERO (PROSPERO2014:CRD42015010616).
Nineteen reviews were included. Moderate methodological quality emerged. For adults, convincing evidence supports a relationship between PA and socioeconomic status (SES), especially in relation to leisure time (positive relationship) and occupational PA (negative relationship). Conversely, no association between PA and SES or parental SES was found for pre-school, school-aged children and adolescents.
Available evidence on the socioeconomic determinants of PA behaviour across the life course is probable (shows fairly consistent associations) at best. While some evidence is available for adults, less was available for youth. This is mainly due to a limited quantity of primary studies, weak research designs and lack of accuracy in the PA and SES assessment methods employed. Further PA domain specific studies using longitudinal design and clear measures of SES and PA assessment are required.
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