Giovanni Angelo Navarra

Background/Objectives: This study compared the effects of high-resistance training (RT) programs, with or without curcumin supplementation, on variables commonly associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), including body composition, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters. Methods: Eighty-one older adults at risk of MetS (BMI > 25 kg/m², fat mass > 32%, and systolic blood pressure > 130 mmHg in half of the participants) were randomly assigned to six groups, which were comprised as follows: four experimental groups involving either accentuated eccentric or maximal strength RT with curcumin or placebo and two control groups receiving either curcumin or placebo. Experimental groups completed a 16-week full-body RT with elastic bands, while controls did not exercise. Results: The results showed that (I) all experimental protocols significantly reduced fat mass (p ≤ 0.001), with the maximal strength RT group supplemented with curcumin (Max-Cur) showing the greatest reduction, at 14.3%; (II) muscle gains were significant and comparable across experimental groups (p ≤ 0.008); (III) both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased similarly across experimental groups (p ≤ 0.001); (IV) metabolic parameters significantly improved across experimental groups (p ≤ 0.037), except for creatinine, which showed an undesirable peak only in the Max-Cur group; (V) curcumin supplementation enhanced the effects of both RT programs; and (VI) between 54% and 100% of participants achieved clinically meaningful improvements in seven out of ten MetS-related variables across experimental groups. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that high-RT programs combined with curcumin supplementation positively impacted all MetS-related variables. The Max-Cur RT group stood out as the most beneficial, with the greatest fat mass reductions, highlighting this approach as a promising strategy to reduce the risk of MetS in older adults.

Little is known about the dose–response of physical education interventions on motor coordination in preschoolers. Our aim was to investigate whether the development of motor skills changed depending on different amounts of a physical education program (PEP) in children aged 3–5 years. One hundred forty-five children were recruited from kindergartens and randomly divided into a control group (CG, n = 28), which did not perform any PEP, and two intervention groups, which performed 4 h/week (I1, n = 78) and 10 h/week (I2, n = 39) of a PEP for 16 weeks. Each lesson was set in the form of a programmed game in order to produce fun, thus increasing enthusiasm for participation. Before and after the intervention, locomotor and object control skills and the gross motor development quotient were assessed with the Italian version of the gross motor development test. Both intervention groups showed a significant increase in the motor skills compared with the control group. Moreover, the level of performance was significantly higher after 10 h/week compared to 4 h/week. These findings can be useful for standardizing PEPs in preschool settings so that they can be applied by teachers for planning effective programs for developing motor skills in early childhood.

Electronic performance tracking devices are largely employed in team sports to monitor performance and improve training. To date, global positioning system (GPS) based devices are those mainly used in soccer training. The aim of this study was to analyse the validity and reliability of the inertial sensor device (ISD) in monitoring distance and speed in a soccer-specific circuit and how their performance compare to a GPS system. 44 young male soccer players (age: 14.9 ± 1.1, range 9–16, years, height: 1.65 ± 0.10 m, body mass: 56.3 ± 8.9 kg) playing in a non-professional soccer team in Italy, participated in the study. We assessed the players trough a soccer running sport-specific circuit. An ISD and a GPS were used to assess distance and speed. Data was compared to a video reference system, and the difference were quantified by means of the root mean square error (RMSE). Significant differences were found for both GPS and ISD devices for distance and speed. However, lower error for distance (dRMSE 2.23 ± 1.01 m and 5.75 ± 1.50 m, respectively) and speed (sRMSE 0.588 ± 0.152 m·s^–1 and 1.30 ± 0.422 m·s^–1, respectively) were attained by the ISD compared to the GPS. Overall, our results revealed a statistically significant difference between systems in data monitoring for either distance and speed. However, results of this study showed that a smaller error was obtained with the ISD than the GPS device. Despite caution is warranted within the interpretation of these results, we observed a better practical applicability of the ISD due to its small size, lower cost and the possibility to use the device indoor.

Digital media are widespread among school-age children, and their incorrect use may lead to an increase in sedentary levels and the consequences associated with it. There are still few studies that have investigated whether physical activity levels could be increased through their use. The aim of this study was to systematically review the scientific literature in order to identify whether digital strategies and technologies are capable of increasing the level of physical activity. A literature search was performed using the following databases: Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The main outcomes evaluated the increase in physical activity levels, the number of steps, and the reduction of sedentary behaviors. Two trained researchers independently assessed eligible studies against eligibility criteria, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. The Downs and Black checklist was used to assess the quality of the included studies. A total of 15 studies (1122 children) were included in this systematic review, with a mean age of 8.45 ± 0.70 years. Quality assessment of the studies observed a “moderate quality” of the included records. The results of this systematic review highlight that digital media can be applied as a way to improve the levels of physical activity in children to contrast a sedentary lifestyle. The main limitations of the study are the heterogeneity within the exercise protocols and the paucity of studies involving school-age children. More research is needed to confirm our findings also due to continuing technological progress.

Background: The relationship between mothers and their children’s lifestyle is still unclear, especially in disadvantaged areas. Consequently, the study aims to identify a path explaining the extent to which maternal eating habits and physical activity (PA) level predict food-related aspects, PA practice and Quotient of Gross Motor Development (QGMD) in preschoolers from disadvantaged urban areas. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 79 dyads of mothers and children were recruited from kindergartens. Information related to family socio-demographic aspects, mothers’ and children’s dietary intake frequencies and PA/sedentariness, mothers’ weight and height, mothers’ perception on children’s food intake, and children’s food literacy (FL) was collected with a questionnaire and the Food Literacy Assessment Tool (preschool-FLAT), while gross-motor skills were measured with the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD); weight and height of children were directly collected. Results: Associations were found between mothers’ and children’s food habits; mothers’ and children’s fruit/vegetables consumption, and intake of the other items; mothers’ education or PA level and children’s FL; mothers’ PA or sedentariness and children’s QGMD; mothers’ BMI and food habits and children’s BMI; education and food habits. Conclusions: These findings can be useful to plan effective interventions targeted both to preschoolers and their mothers of disadvantaged urban areas for promoting healthy lifestyles, which have become increasingly difficult to achieve during COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives. The practice of physical activity (PA) and correct food choices since pre-school age can help in obesity prevention and that of other chronic disorders. In this process, mothers have an important role, but the relationship with their children’s lifestyle is still unclear in disadvantaged areas. The aim of this study is to explain the extent to which maternal food habits and PA level predict food-related aspects and PA practice in preschoolers from disadvantaged urban areas. Methods. It is a cross-sectional study. A total of 79 dyads of mothers and children were recruited from kindergartens. A questionnaire was compiled by mothers to collect data on: family socio-demographic aspects; mothers’ and children’s dietary intake frequencies, PA/sedentariness, weight and height; mothers’ perception on children’s food intake, children’s food literacy (FL) and Quotient of Gross Motor Development (QGMD). Results. The following associations were discovered: mothers’ and children’s food habits (beta = 0.66, p < 0.001); mothers’ and children’s fruit/vegetables consumption (OR 16.2, 95% CI 4.68–59.77), and intake of the other items (sugar and carbonated drinks, confectioned sweet and savory snacks, ready meals, breakfast); mothers’ education or PA level and children’s FL (beta −0.25, p < 0.05; beta 0.25, p < 0.05, respectively); mothers’ PA or sedentariness and children’s QGMD (beta 0.26, p < 0.05; −0.21, p < 0.1, respectively); mothers’ BMI and food habits (beta −0.19, p < 0.05) and children’s BMI (beta 0.04, p < 0.05); education and food habits (beta −0.34, p < 0.05). Mothers did not correctly perceive their children’s BMI, PA practicing and food intake (p < 0.05). Conclusions. To delineate the global path of the relationships between mothers’ and children’s lifestyles in disadvantaged urban areas can be useful to planning effective interventions aimed to help children and families in maintaining their healthy habits which suddenly changed during COVID-19 pandemic.