The influence of soccer shoes on plantar distribution in young players in a static condition: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Injuries are a serious problem in soccer for the player but also for the society. It has been noted most of the injuries occurs during non-contact situations and, the soccer shoes have an important role. Unfortunately, few studies investigated the plantar distribution, argument that could help to deeply understand the causes behind the injuries. The objective was to evaluate the influence of the soccer shoes on plantar distribution in young players in a static condition. METHODS: Young soccer players (range 11-18) were recruited and performed two tests on a baropodometric platform, one barefoot and one with technical soccer shoes. A student's t-test was performed to evaluate the differences between the conditions. RESULTS: Significative results were between the left plantar surface (P<0.05) and in the total surface anterior (P<0.05) with and without the soccer shoe. Related to the pressure values, soccer shoes resulted higher than barefoot condition. Statistical significance has been found also between the forefoot and the rearfoot in the left foot, in barefoot condition (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Soccer shoes generally produce a reduction in the contact plantar surface, especially in the anterior zone and the foot load is higher in the forefoot zone.

The surprising influence of family history to type 2 diabetes on anaerobic performance of young male élite athletes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: It is known that family history to type 2 diabetes induces anthropometric changes in various populations. Regular physical activity can induce adaptations in these subjects regularizing body composition and anthropometric parameters. The aim of this study is therefore to understand if family history to type 2 diabetes affects anaerobic performance in young male élite athletes. METHODS: Forty six young male élite athletes were tested. Thirty three without family history to type 2 diabetes (FH-) and thirteen with family history to type 2 diabetes (FH+). Anthropometric parameters, body composition, physiological parameters and athletic performance were assessed. RESULTS: Weight (p 0,0050), BMI (p 0,0019), waist circumference (p 0,0090), hips circumference (p 0,0490) and WHR (p 0,0339) were different between the two groups, showing greater values for the FH + subjects. Body composition showed lower FM and higher FFM percentages for the FH + group compared to the FH-. Anaerobic performance tests showed differences between the groups highlighting that the FH + group had higher anaerobic performance values (Wingate test for FH + 512,77 ± 107,93 W vs Wingate test for FH- 447,94 ± 56,95 W). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The élite athletes with FH + showed better anaerobic performances and a higher body mass. At this stage we cannot generalise, but in a sample of athletes we tested, all who were with FH + showed both interesting and unexpected results; if confirmed, this evidence may represent a remarkable knowledge for fitness coaches and professionals who are daily dealing with track and field athletes and their performances.

Postural stability in subjects with whiplash injury symptoms: results of a pilot study.

CONCLUSIONS: Posturographic tests can be used to assess and confirm the body's imbalance in subjects with whiplash injury. Further studies with larger cohorts are necessary to confirm this pilot study. OBJECTIVES: To verify through a posturographic exam the qualitative and quantitative alterations of postural stability in subjects with previous cervical trauma in comparison with healthy subjects. METHODS: A total of 42 subjects were analysed for the study; 22 as the control group (NM) and 20 (WM) with a positive anamnesis of whiplash injury from 3 to 12 month from diagnosis through a force platform. Centre of pressure (CoP) movements of the two groups with their eyes open and closed were recorded. RESULTS: During the closed eye test, the subjects with cervical injuries displayed a significant increase in the anterior-posterior oscillation velocity (p < 0.05) compared with the control group, with a significant reduction (p < 0.01) of the ratio between the shifting length (SL) of CoP on the polygon support and the total envelope area (EA, mm(2)) of CoP movements in the polygon support (SL/EA-ratio, mm(-1)).

Alcohol consumption and hormonal alterations related to muscle hypertrophy: a review.

Detrimental effects of acute and chronic alcohol (ethanol) consumption on human physiology are well documented in the literature. These adversely influence neural, metabolic, cardiovascular, and thermoregulatory functions. However, the side effects of ethanol consumption on hormonal fluctuations and subsequent related skeletal muscle alterations have received less attention and as such are not entirely understood. The focus of this review is to identify the side effects of ethanol consumption on the major hormones related to muscle metabolism and clarify how the hormonal profiles are altered by such consumption.

Retraction Note: Alcohol consumption and hormonal alterations related to muscle hypertrophy: a review.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1186/1743-7075-11-26.].

The relationship between type 2 diabetes family history, body composition and blood basal glycemia in sedentary people.

The aim of this study was to verify whether there is a positive correlation between family history to type 2 diabetes mellitus and body mass and composition, and alterations in blood basal glycaemia levels in sedentary male and female. Anthropometric variables, blood parameters, body composition and body surface area were evaluated on 183 male and 237 female sedentary individuals. Participants were classified into two groups: FH(+) (family history positive) and FH(-) (familiar history negative) according to their medical history. The FH(+) group showed higher values of body mass and body surface area than FH(-) group. These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for the female subgroup. When compared to the FH(-) group, FH(+) female individuals showed a significantly greater fat mass (p < 0.01) and a significantly lower free fat mass-to-fat mass ratio (FFM/FM ratio) (p < 0.05). FH(+) female individuals showed significant lower levels of basal glucose values for Kg of FFM (p < 0.05), FM (p < 0.01) and BSA (p < 0.01) than FH(-) group. The results of this study indicate that body mass and composition correlate positively to family history to type 2 diabetes. The relationship between family history and body composition is particularly evident in young FH(+) female. Thus, as family history might represent a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes, this could be considered as an important parameter able to predict the onset of the disease itself. This knowledge could be used to improve preventive interventions (i.e. increasing levels of physical activity) promoting healthy lifestyle.

Type 2 diabetes family histories, body composition and fasting glucose levels: a cross-section analysis in healthy sedentary male and female.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes type 2 is a world wide spread disease with a multifactorial pathogenetic evolution. Various factors like obesity, physical inactivity and poor lifestyle habits contribute to its development. The aim of this study was to verify if in young healthy sedentary male and female there is positive correlation between family history to type 2 diabetes and an increase in body weight and fat mass, or alterations in basal glycemia values. METHODS: Totally183 male and 237 female healthy sedentary subjects were analysed in 2012, in Italy. They were divided in three groups: FH(+) with first degree family history, FH(++) with second degree family history and FH(-) with no family history. Anthropometrics, body composition and blood parameters were assessed. RESULTS: Male had the highest BMI values (P<0.01). FH(+) and FH(++) had increased waist and hip circumferences and body weight (P<0.005 for men, P<0.0001 for women), body mass index (P< 0.0001 in both sexes), waist-hip ratio (P< 0.05 for men and women) and triceps skinfold (P< 0.0005 for both sexes). Obesity incidence was higher in FH(+) and FH(++) compared to control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms family history to diabetes type 2 as a risk factor for the development of the illness, mainly in a case of first degree of FH. Preventive interventions are necessary to promote significant life-style changes, such as increased physical activity and controlled quantity and quality of food intake.