Paolo Riccardo Brustio

A Longitudinal Study on the Relationship Between Aerobic Endurance and Lower Body Strength in Italian Sedentary Older Adults

Functional aging processes are characterized by a loss of performance capabilities for most physiological systems, such as aerobic endurance and lower body strength, which are important for independent living and active aging. The present study examines the direction of influence between aerobic endurance and lower body strength over time in Italian sedentary older adults. A three-wave longitudinal model was tested using cross-lagged analysis for 202 individuals aged over 65 years (mean = 73.92, SD = 5.84; 140 females). Analysis revealed that aerobic endurance and lower body strength decline over time. In addition, greater aerobic endurance positively affected lower body strength over time; however, the converse was true only during the first period (first 6 months). These findings emphasize the importance of these relationships for the design and implementation of effective physical intervention for older adults.

Age-related differences in dual task performance: A cross-sectional study on women

Simultaneous performances of motor and attention‐demanding tasks are common in activities of everyday life. The present cross‐sectional study examined the changes and age‐related differences on mobility performance with an additional cognitive or motor task, and evaluated the relative dual‐task cost (DTC) on the motor performance in young, middle‐aged and older women.

Changes in temporal parameters during performance of the Step Test in older adults

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the changes in the temporal parameters measured during the performance of the Step Test, to evaluate the relationship between age and these measurements and to determine their relationships to aerobic endurance, muscular strength and mobility in a sample of older adults. Eighty-eight older adults (mean age = 73.0 years, SD = 5.4) participated in the study. During the Step Test, we collected measurements of the following temporal parameters using the Optojump system: step number, support time and executive time. We also evaluated the performance of the Six-Minute Walk Test, the 30-Second Chair Rise Test and the Timed Up and Go Test. We observed a significant decrease in the step number and an increase in the support time and executive time (p = .001) during each minute of the test. The results revealed that the relationship between age and Step Test performance was attenuated when we controlled for potential confounding variables. Controlling for age, gender and BMI, variance in support time during the Step Test was accounted for by variance in 30-Second Chair Rise Test performance (partial r = -.224). Moreover, variance in executive time was accounted for by variance in 30-Second Chair Rise Test (partial r = .234) and Timed Up and Go Test performance (partial r = -.259). Understanding the factors that are associated with the performance of the Step Test may provide new insights into the development of specific intervention programmes for older adults.

Fear of falling and activities of daily living function: mediation effect of dual-task ability

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the association between fear of falling (FOF), dual-task ability during a mobility task, and the activities of daily living (ADL) in a sample of older adults. Methods: Seventy-six older adults (mean age M = 70.87 ± 5.16 years) participated in the study. Data on FOF (using the Falls Self-Efficacy Scale-International), walking ability during both single- and dual-task performances and ADL were collected. Results: Mediation analysis demonstrated the mediation effect of dual-task ability (β = 0.238, p = 0.011) between FOF and ADL level (β = 0.559, p < 0.001). Moreover, significantly lower performances were observed during dual-task condition [F (2, 73) = 7.386, p < 0.001], and lower ADL levels were also found in older adults with FOF [F (2, 73) = 13.734, p < 0.001]. Conclusion: The study underlines the relationship between FOF, dual-task ability and ADL level. These results could be used to develop specific intervention programmes for successful ageing.

Age-related decrements in dual-task performance: Comparison of different mobility and cognitive tasks. A cross sectional study

This cross-sectional study investigated the age-related differences in dual-task performance both in mobility and cognitive tasks and the additive dual-task costs in a sample of older, middle-aged and young adults. 74 older adults (M = 72.63±5.57 years), 58 middle-aged adults (M = 46.69±4.68 years) and 63 young adults (M = 25.34±3.00 years) participated in the study. Participants performed different mobility and subtraction tasks under both single- and dual-task conditions. Linear regressions, repeated-measures and one-way analyses of covariance were used, The results showed: significant effects of the age on the dual and mobility tasks (p<0.05) and differences among the age-groups in the combined dual-task costs (p<0.05); significant decreases in mobility performance under dual-task conditions in all groups (p<0.05) and a decrease in cognitive performance in the older group (p<0.05). Dual-task activity affected mobility and cognitive performance, especially in older adults who showed a higher dual-task cost, suggesting that dual-tasks activities are affected by the age and consequently also mobility and cognitive tasks are negatively influenced.

Neuromotor training in older women living in long-term care setting: A pilot study

This pilot study identified the effect and the feasibility of neuromotor training in a group of ageing women living in a long-term care setting. Thirty-five older women (mean age, 84.18 years; SD = 5.92 years) participated in the study. Twenty women were in the intervention group, and 15 women were in the control group. Data on mobility, activities of daily living (ADL) and fear of falling were collected before and after the 16-week training period. The neuromotor training program was based on concepts from motor control and motor learning. All participants completed the training program, and no adverse events occurred. The intervention group showed steady and significant improvements in mobility, ADL and fear of falling after the intervention, but the control group did not exhibit significant changes. Moreover, mediation analysis demonstrated the role of mobility as a mediator between participation in physical training and fear of falling.

The relative age effect is larger in Italian soccer top-level youth categories and smaller in Serie A

The relative age effect (RAE; i.e., an asymmetry in the birth distribution) is a bias observed in sport competitions that may favour relatively older athletes in talent identification. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of RAE in elite soccer players competing in the Italian championships, even considering the discriminations of younger and older Serie A players (in relation to the median age of the sample), and different positional roles (i.e., goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, forward) for each observed category. A total of 2051 players competing into the 2017–2018 Italian under-15 (n = 265), under-16 (n = 362), under-17 (n = 403), Primavera (n = 421) and Serie A (n = 600) championships were analysed. The birth-date distributions, grouped in four quartiles (i.e., January-March, Q1; April-June, Q2; July-September, Q3; October-December, Q4), were compared to a uniform distribution using Chi-squared analysis. The week of birth was analysed using Poisson regression. The results showed a large over-representation of players born in Q1 in all soccer player categories. However, the effect size of this trend resulted smaller as age increased. Individuals born in Q1 have about two-folds more chances to become a Serie A player compared to those born in Q4. The Poisson regression analysis showed that RAE was greater for defenders than for forwards among all categories. Therefore, a strongly biased selection emerged among elite soccer players competing in Italian championships, highlighting how young individuals born in the first three months have many more chances to become elite players compared to the others.

Feasibility of implementing an outdoor walking break in Italian middle schools

Brief bouts of physical activity during the school day are an innovative method for increasing physical activity in the school setting. The purpose of the study was to investigate if the introduction of an outdoor active break, based on walking and running, in a middle school in Italy is feasible in terms of implementation (i.e., adherence, costs, safety) and acceptability (i.e., satisfaction, intent to continue use, perceived appropriateness). One hundred and forty students (aged 12 ± 1 years) and 20 teachers (aged 50 ± 8 years) participated in the activity for four months. The activity consisted of walking (or running) one kilometer outside the school buildings during the mid-morning. Data from questionnaires regarding the satisfaction with and the acceptability of the activity were collected. The activity was safely performed three to four days a week, without any costs to the school or to students’ parents. Students and teachers were satisfied with the activity (positive answers from 95% and 89% of each group, respectively). Moreover, the teachers reported that the program was easy to organize and did not negatively influence their teaching activities. The intervention was easily and safely implemented, and it was considered suitable for the daily routine of an Italian middle school. Further studies are needed to examine its impact on physical activity levels and academic achievement.

Dual-task training in older adults: The effect of additional motor tasks on mobility performance

OBJECTIVES Dual-task (DT) performance is common to most activities of daily living and difficulties in DT activities may reduce quality of life in older adults. This study investigated the effect of DT training in a sample of older adults. METHODS Sixty older adults (mean=74.4±3.1years) participated in the study. Twenty-two older adults were included in the control (CG), 19 in the single-task (ST) training and 19 in DT training group. ST group received balance and walking training twice a week for16 weeks, while DT training group performed the same training with additional motor tasks. Data were gathered on 6m timed walk (6MTW), timed up and go test (TUG) and four square step test (FSST). DT conditions required participants to complete 6MTW, TUG and FSST, either (i) while carrying a glass of water or (ii) while carrying a ball on a round tray. RESULTS A significant Group x Time interaction was found in TUG (F [2,57]=29.5; p<0.01; partial η2=0.51) and in FSST (F [2,57]=23.2; p<0.01; partial η2=0.44). After intervention DT showed better scores in overall TUG (mean difference=1.21s [95% CI, 0.82-1.60]; p<0.05) and FSST (mean difference=2.51s [95% CI, 1.67-3.35]; p<0.01), whereas CG and ST did not exhibit significant changes. CONCLUSION Our results suggested that 16 weeks of motor DT training, using motor additional tasks as manipulation of common objects of everyday life, could improve mobility in older age.

Participation in a school-based walking intervention changes the motivation to undertake physical activity in middle-school students

The motivation to perform physical activity is a crucial factor in achieving a persistent active lifestyle. However, motivation decreases with increasing age from childhood to adolescence. The promotion of physical activity in educational settings might be an important tool to increase motivation and, consequently, to decrease sedentary behavior. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of a 4-month school-based walking intervention on motivation to participate in physical activity among Italian middle-school students. This study included 276 students (mean age 13 ± 1 years, 41.3% female). A total of 138 students (intervention group) participated in a brief walking intervention that was added to their routine daily school activity, while a convenience sample of 138 students performed the routine daily school activity. The activity consisted of walking one kilometer outside of school buildings during the morning break. Motivation data were collected before and after the walking breaks using the Participation Motivation Questionnaire (PMQ). Controlling for age, significant interactions between group and time were observed in the “Social Status” [F(1,273) = 4.851; p = 0.028], “Team” [F(1,273) = 6.015; p = 0.015] and “Energy Release” components [F(1,273) = 8.527; p = 0.038]. Specifically, a significant decrease in the “Social Status” components of the PMQ and an increase in the “Team” and “Energy Release” components were observed in the intervention group. On the contrary. control group showed an increase in “Social Status” and a decrease in the “Team” and “Energy Release” components. Within this developmental context, incorporation of the walking activity helped to modify the motivational orientation towards physical activity to include more intrinsic factors, which were related to the possibility of remaining with classmates and peer groups and releasing a surplus of energy.