PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Pigozzi

Publications and source records attributed to F Pigozzi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Performance characteristics according to playing position in elite soccer.

The paper provides a large-scale study into the motion characteristics of top class soccer players, during match play, according to playing position. Three hundred top-class outfield soccer players were monitored during 20 Spanish Premier League and 10 Champions League games using a computerized match analysis system (Amisco Pro, Nice, France). Total distance covered in five selected categories of intensity, and the mean percentage of playing time spent in each activity were analyzed according to playing position. Midfield players covered a significantly greater total distance (p < 0.0001) than the groups of defenders and forwards did. Analyzing the different work rates showed significant differences (p < 0.5 - 0.0001) between the different playing positions. There were no significant differences between halves in the total distance covered, or in distances covered at submaximal and maximal intensities. However, significantly more distance was covered in the first half compared to the second in medium intensities (11.1 - 19 km/h). The current findings provide a detailed description of the demands placed on elite soccer players, according to their positional role at different work intensities, which may be helpful in the development of individualized training programs.

Humans↗
PubMed2006

Effects of the training status on the hormonal response and recovery from high-intensity isokinetic exercise: comparisons between endurance-trained athletes and sedentary subjects.

AIM: Aims of the study were: to determine the differences in the mechanical, hormonal and lactate responses to a high-intensity isokinetic exercise in two groups of endurance-trained athletes (EA, n = 11) and sedentary subjects (SED, n = 11); to evaluate the relationships between the hormonal and lactate responses; to evaluate the effects of the training status on the pituitary responsiveness to the exercise. METHODS: EA and SED completed, for each leg, 4 sets of 20 maximal concentric contractions of the knee extensor muscle groups at 180 degrees s-1 angular velocity. Blood and saliva for hormonal and lactate determinations were sampled before, immediately after the test and during the subsequent recovery of 2 hours. RESULTS: The exercise was completed by all subjects and elicited significant mechanical and biochemical responses both in EA and in SED subjects. No differences were found between the two groups both in the mechanical performances and in the increases of lactate and hormones of the pituitary-adrenal axis or in the comparison of the slopes of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone recovery after the peak. The correlation analyses showed significant positive relationships between lactate peak values and percentages of change for ACTH (r2 = 0.16, P < 0.05), salivary cortisol (r2 = 0.42, P < 0.01), and serum cortisol (r2 = 0.56, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The adrenocortical activation was found, in this particular setting, at least partly dependent on the muscular lactate production, while no effect of the training status on the pituitary responsiveness to exercise was evident, as it was indirectly confirmed by no abnormalities in the rates of hormonal recovery after the exercise session.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed2006

Autonomic and psychological adaptations in Olympic rowers.

AIM: Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability has been used to assess the time course of neurovegetative adaptations to training. This study was undertaken: 1) to evaluate whether and which indicator(s) of autonomic cardiac regulation and psychophysical stress can identify successful athletes during a training season culminating with the Olympic Games and 2) to evaluate the feasibility of a quasi-on-line assessment of autonomic cardiac regulation from training field, by a telematic approach. METHODS: This study was conducted on the group of male athletes composing the Italian national team of rowing (n=34), in the season preceding the 2004 Olympic Games. Complete results are from 18 subjects (age 25.3+/-0.5 years), who were selected to participate to the Athens' Olympic games. Athletes were studied while partially detrained, at mid-training season and close to the games. The RR interval was obtained through a miniature transtelephonic-ECG recorder in the supine and standing posture, thus allowing the evaluation of cardiovascular responses to a sympathetic challenge. Data were downloaded through a telephone line, to the referral center where RR-interval variability data were analyzed with the autoregressive method. Also, in each study sessions, athletes filled a self-administered questionnaire of stress perception and somatic symptoms (4S-Q). RESULTS: All ECG recordings were transmitted successfully by phone to the referral center. No significant difference was detected in any marker of autonomic cardiac regulation between athletes who won a medal at the Olympic Games and those who did not. However, respiratory rate was faster in medal winners (P=0.02), while the questionnaire addressing stress (4S-Q) provided greater scores in the group that did not win a medal (F=5.55, P<0.022) at mid-training season and close to the Olympic Games. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study would suggest the possibility of an early detection of psychosomatic symptoms resulting from long duration and elevated stress of preparing for top level competitions, whose better handling might identify the most successful athletes. In addition, it indicates the feasibility of a quasi-on-line assessment of autonomic cardiac adaptations to strenuous training directly from field to be possibly used for improving individual training programs, allowing athletes evaluation in their natural environment.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2005

Arthroscopic treatment of shoulder ochronotic arthropathy: a case report and review of literature.

Alcaptonuria is an inherited hereditary metabolic disorder, which is associated with various systemic abnormalities and related to the accumulation of homogentisic acid and a derived melanine-like pigment in the connective tissues; the latter is termed ochronosis. We present the arthroscopic findings in the shoulder of a 58-year-old female with ochronotic arthropathy and discuss the role of arthroscopy in the diagnosis and management of this rare metabolic disorder.

Alkaptonuria↗
PubMed2005

Role of exercise stress test in master athletes.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of cardiovascular screening in minimising the risk of athletic field deaths in master athletes is not known. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of ST segment depression during a stress test in asymptomatic apparently healthy elderly athletes. METHODS: A total of 113 male subjects aged over 60 were studied (79 trained and 34 sedentary); 88 of them (62 trained and 26 sedentary) were followed up for four years (mean 2.16 years for athletes, 1.26 years for sedentary subjects), with a resting 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG), symptom limited exercise ECG on a cycle ergometer, echocardiography, and 24 hour ECG Holter monitoring. RESULTS: A significant ST segment depression at peak exercise was detected in one athlete at the first evaluation. A further case was seen during the follow up period in a previously "negative" athlete. Both were asymptomatic, and single photon emission tomography and/or stress echocardiography were negative for myocardial ischaemia. The athletes remained symptom-free during the period of the study. One athlete died during the follow up for coronary artery disease: he showed polymorphous ventricular tachycardia during both the exercise test and Holter monitoring, but no significant ST segment depression. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of false positive ST segment depression in elderly athletes, although still not fully understood, may be related to the physiological cardiac remodelling induced by regular training. Thus athletes with exercise induced ST segment depression, with no associated symptoms and/or complex ventricular arrhythmias, and no adverse findings at second level cardiological testing, should be considered free from coronary disease and safe to continue athletic training.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

Heterotopic ossification of the ulnar collateral ligament: a description of a case in a top level weightlifting athlete.

The purpose of this paper is to describe a case of heterotopic ossification of the ulnar collateral ligament in a 29-year-old top level weightlifter. Plain radiography of the elbow determined the extent and location of heterotopic ossification. Ultrasound and MR imaging completed the instrumental set-up. This symptomatic case had the resolution of pain after 2 months of a supervised rehabilitation program. At one year follow-up the athlete is asymptomatic referring occasional minor pain only in the periods of vigorous training.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Vigorous exercise training is not associated with prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias in elderly athletes.

AIM: Physical activity, when vigorous, is not devoided of arrhythmic risk. Since the risk of developing arrhythmias increase as an otherwise healthy person ages, the question arises as to whether high intensity physical activity could be dangerous in the elderly person. The present study addressed the incidence of arrhythmias in elderly athletes in comparison to age-matched control subjects. METHODS: We studied 49 male athletes engaged in various sport disciplines, mean age 62.3+/-2.3 and 24 sedentary or moderately physically active healthy males, mean age 62.9+/-1.7 years (Controls). All subjects underwent 2-D, M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic examination, resting ECG and exercise stress test followed by 24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring. RESULTS: No pathological findings were detected in both experimental groups at echocardiographic examination. Exercise performance was greater in athletes than controls (206.9+/-5.2 vs 156.3+/-12 watt, p<0.01). During exercise test, no significant between-groups difference was detected in the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, that is multiple premature ventricular contractions (MPVC), polymorphous premature ventricular contractions (PPVC) and repetitive premature ventricular contractions (RPVC). No subject featured horizontal or downsloping ST segment depression in both groups. At 24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring the incidence of the overall number of premature ventricular contractions was significantly greater in controls than athletes (87.0% vs 63.3%, p<0.05), whereas no significant difference were detected in the incidence of discrete ventricular arrhythmias between athletes (4.1% MPVC, 14.3% PPVC, 8.2% couplets) and controls (0.5% MPVC, 16.7% PPVC, 12.5% couplets). CONCLUSION: These finding indicate that in elderly, otherwise healthy, athletes vigorous training even to competition does not result in a greater incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, although caution should be made for a careful preparticipation evaluation.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in the conservative treatment of pseudoarthrosis.

AIM: The management of pseudarthrosis remains a challenge. Several in vivo animal and controlled clinical studies have demonstrated that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound can influence fracture healing. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal design was used. Fifteen patients (12 males and 3 females; mean age 35.5+/-12.9, range 18 to 60), all amateur athletes, under treatment for pseudarthrosis at different sites (average fracture age: of 336.6+/-60.1 days) were treated with a single 20 min daily application of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (frequency 1.5 MHz and intensity 30 mW/cm2). All patients underwent clinical examination and plain radiography at the beginning of treatment and were followed up clinically and radiographically at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks until the fracture healed. RESULTS: All fractures healed with a mean healing time of 94.7+/-43.8 days. CONCLUSION: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound is effective in the management of long standing fracture non-unions. Prospective randomized studies are needed to confirm the value of this modality of treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Isokinetic evaluation of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: quadriceps tendon versus patellar tendon.

AIM: The goal of this prospective randomized study was to compare the isokinetic recovery of thigh strength after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction by using patellar or quadriceps tendon as graft at the 6th month follow-up. METHODS: The authors evaluated 48 patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using patellar tendon (PT group) or quadriceps tendon (QT group) as autograft after a 6 months follow-up undergoing the following tests: the Ergojump Bosco System springboard and Universal's FITNET computerized isokinetic system. RESULTS: The counter movement jump (CMJ) test showed a 24% (p<0.01) strength deficit in patients operated with patellar tendon and 11% in the quadriceps tendon group. Also in the leg press test the greater differences in strength (p<0.05) were verified in the patellar tendon group, above all the peak torque (PT) test carried out at 3 repetitions (15%). CONCLUSIONS: The strength deficit found in the subjects operated with quadriceps tendon were statistically lower in comparison to that verified in the patellar tendon group. A good recovery in thigh strength after 6 months in patients operated with quadriceps tendon could encourage the use of this kind of graft in order to achieve an easier rehabilitation and a faster release of the patient to daily and sports activity.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Oral theophylline supplementation and high-intensity intermittent exercise.

AIM: The present study was carried out to investigate whether oral theophylline supplementation exerts an ergogenic effect during intermittent high-intensity exercise. METHODS: Ten healthy subjects undertook intermittent exercise (1 min cycling at 120% of VO(2max) with 3 min of recovery until exhaustion). The exercise test was repeated twice, 1 week apart. On each occasion, the subject ingested, in a double blind setting, either theophylline (4.5 mg/kg) or placebo 90 min before commencing the exercise test. RESULTS: Three subjects could not complete both trials due to nausea and dizziness after theophylline had been administered. Time to exhaustion in the remaining subjects was slightly increased after theophylline administration (55.9+/-6 min vs 59.3+/-5.9 min; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Present data indicate that oral theophylline supplementation delays fatigue onset during intermittent high-intensity exercise. The effect, although statistically significant, does not appear to be marked. The possibility of occurrence of negative side effects and the evidence for its ergogenic potential suggests the necessity to include theophylline in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) World Antidoping Agency (WADA) list as a banned or restricted substance.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2003

The stress of competition dissociates neural and cortisol homeostasis in elite athletes.

AIM: Stressful situations affect autonomic nervous system activity and hormonal responses. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the stress of sports competition on both endocrine system functioning and neurovegetative control of heart rate (HR) in elite athletes. METHODS: In 7 top-level pentathletes salivary cortisol levels and autoregressive power spectral analysis of HR variability (HRV) were assessed in the morning and in the afternoon on a regular training day (control) and on the day of a competitive selection trial, held 4 weeks apart. RESULTS: HR, as well as low (LF) and high (HF) frequency components of HRV did not differ significantly both between and within the control and the trial days. On the selection day, morning cortisol levels were significant and markedly greater than on the control day and increased further in the afternoon in contrast to the control day, when cortisol levels decreased in the afternoon as expected from the normal diurnal variation. CONCLUSION: These results would indicate a dissociation of the neural and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning in response to the stress of competition in elite athletes, and the considerable extent to which competition may alter selectively the physiology of stress-related hormones while sparing autonomic cardiac regulation.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Complex ventricular arrhythmia induced by overuse of potassium supplementation in a young male football player. Case report.

People practising regular physical activity usually drink hydrosaline beverages. In this study is reported the case of a young football player suffering from premature ventricular beats. He used to take regularly an hydrosaline supplementation which gave him a daily intake of potassium of about 5 g. A stress test on a cycle ergometer showed many monomorphus premature ventricular beats which disappeared when the heart rate was higher than 110 beats/min. Moreover, 3629 polimorphus premature ventricular beats were recorded during a 24 hr ECG monitoring. At the time of the first examination, the plasma potassium concentration was 7,8 mEq x l(-1). The football player was then suspended from practicing sport and he was asked to stop his intake of potassium. The clinical examination was repeated after 3 and 6 months and no ventricular arrhythmias were observed during the stress test as well as during the 24 hours ECG monitoring. The plasma potassium concentration was normal again. The present case report is an example of how the misuse of saline supplementations could result in hyperkalemia and how this condition may lead to ventricular arrhythmias.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Genes and olympic performance: a co-twin study.

An Olympic gold medalist in a 20 km competitive walking race and his identical twin brother, also an Olympic athlete in the same event but with inferior performance, were tested in order to obtain some further insight into the relative importance of genetic factors in modulating athletic excellence. Both twins had undergone the same strenuous, long-term training for 19 years since the age of 15 under the guidance of the same coach. An assessment of their bio-behavioural profiles at 40 years of age, i. e. 7 years after they ceased training, revealed that intrapair differences were negligible in physiological attributes but divergent in personality traits measured. Respective values for the Olympic winner and his identical counterpart were as follows: Body mass index 23.2 and 22.7, cardiac mass index 85.4 and 84.4 g x m2, squatjumping 25.3 and 27.3 cm, VO2 at running speed 9 km x h(-1) 33.1 and 33.6 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1), VO2 max 57.1 and 58.6 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) (72.5ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) for the Olympic winner at age 22 yrs), reaction to anger 97 and 9 and anger expression 2 and 76 in percentile of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. Findings suggest that although genetic constitution and years of physical training are prerequisites for making an Olympic athlete, success may be largely influenced by personality traits.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Physical activity as a possible aggravating factor for athletes with varicocele: impact on the semen profile.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of physical exercise on seminal parameters of male athletes with varicocele. Sixty healthy male volunteers (athletes and non-athletes, n = 30 + 30) and 60 volunteers affected by varicocele (athletes and non-athletes, n = 30 + 30) were randomly selected for a clinical study. All subjects provided at least two semen samples for routine microscopic analysis. Determinations for basal luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, oestradiol, total and free testosterone under resting conditions were also performed. In both groups with varicocele the percentage of total and progressive forward sperm motility and the percentage of normal spermatozoa were significantly reduced. The percentage of both progressive forward motility and normal spermatozoa were significantly lower in athletes with varicocele compared with non-athletes with varicocele (P < 0.05). Only athletes with varicocele had mean left testis volume significantly lower than the contralateral testis (P < 0.05). No modifications of hormonal parameters at rest were observed in any groups. Physical activity might represent an aggravating factor for spermatogenesis in athletes with varicocele. In countries where sport eligibility is granted by an authoritative body, these results suggest the need to establish general medical criteria to guarantee the continuation of an athlete's training whilst at the same time taking care of his reproductive health.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Spontaneous baroreflex modulation of heart rate and heart rate variability during orthostatic stress in tetraplegics and healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: This study was addressed to investigate the contribution of vagal and sympathetic mechanisms to the genesis of low-frequency (LF) oscillations of RR-interval. DESIGN: To this aim, we utilized the pathophysiological model of tetraplegics, who have intact vagal afferent and efferent pathways of the baroreceptor reflex arc but interrupted medullary-spinal sympathetic pathways. METHODS: We studied nine complete, traumatic, tetraplegics (C4-C7, TET) and 10 normally healthy subjects (NR) at rest and during physiological baroreceptors unloading induced by 70 degrees head-up tilt. Autoregressive power spectral analysis was used to investigate RR-interval and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) variabilities. Baroreflex modulation of sinus node was assessed by the spontaneous baroreflex sequences method. RESULTS: Both at-rest and during-tilt LF and high frequency (HF) components were detected in RR-interval of NR, whereas in TET only the HF component was observed in both conditions (with one exception). Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) did not significantly differ between TET and NR at rest, and underwent a significant and similar decrease during tilt in both groups, being accompanied in NR by a significant increase in LF relative power. Spectral analysis of SAP provided results similar to RR-interval. Tilt also slowed the centre frequency of the LF components of RR-interval and SAP. CONCLUSIONS: During unperturbed physiological conditions, a change in efferent vagal activity to the heart from baroreflex stimulation by spontaneous arterial pressure changes, is unlikely to contribute on its own to the genesis of LF heart period oscillations in humans who lack the ability to modulate sympathetic nerve traffic to the heart. However, the possibility that a baroreflex modulation of LF oscillations require an intact sympathetic control should be carefully considered.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Effects of aerobic exercise training on 24 hr profile of heart rate variability in female athletes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise training on autonomic regulation of heart rate under daily life conditions. METHODS: Twenty-six healthy female athletes (age 24.5 +/- 1.9 yrs) involved in regular physical activity were recruited during a period of yearly rest and randomly assigned to a five-week aerobic exercise training program (n = 13) or to a non-exercise control group (n = 13). MEASURES: Before and after the five-week training, all subjects underwent a bycicle ergometer stress test and a 24-hour dynamic ECG monitoring. Autonomic regulation of heart rate has been investigated by means of both time and frequency domain analyses of heart rate variability (HRV). Spectral analysis of R-R interval variability (autoregressive algorithm) provided markers of sympathetic (low frequency, LF, 0.10 Hz) and parasympathetic (high frequency, HF, 0.25 Hz) modulation of the sinus node. RESULTS: Trained subjects showed a reduced heart rate response to submaximal workload. Before training there was no significant difference between the two groups. After training resting heart rate did not significantly differ between trained and untrained subjects. No significant differences were observed in the different time domain indexes of heart rate variability. The day-night difference in SD and SDRR were significantly less in the trained as compared to the untrained group. Normalized LF and HF components did not significantly differ between trained and untrained subjects, during the awake period. The decrease in the LF and the increase in the HF component during nighttime were significantly less in the trained group. The LF/HF ratio was significantly decreased during the night in the untrained group whereas it was not significantly different from the awake state in the trained group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings of the relative night-time increase in LF and the decrease in the day-night difference in time domain indexes of heart rate variability suggest that, in young female athletes, exercise training is able to induce an increase in the sympathetic modulation of the sinus node which may coexist with signs of relatively reduced, or unaffected, vagal modulation.

Adult↗