Background: Studies have indicated that there is a positive and indirect relationship between physical activity(PA) and quality of life(QoL). The current study examined this relationship through a social cognitive mod...Background: Studies have indicated that there is a positive and indirect relationship between physical activity(PA) and quality of life(QoL). The current study examined this relationship through a social cognitive model with consideration to the intermediary effects of exercise self-efficacy,and physical(PCS, physical component summary) and psychological(MCS, mental component summary) health. Additionally, this model was widened to include concepts from the ecological theory, and any causal associations among neighborhood environment, PA, and QoL.Methods: Six hundred and eighty-four physically active adults(39.16 ± 13.52 years, mean ± SD), living in Athens, Greece, completed a series of questionnaires measuring PA, QoL, exercise self-efficacy, PCS, MCS, neighborhood environment, and family and friend support for PA. The examined models were analyzed using structural equation modeling.Results: The social cognitive and ecological models proved to be of appropriate fit. Within the social cognitive model, PA positively affected QoL through the mediating effects of exercise self-efficacy, PCS, and MCS. With regards to the ecological model, neighborhood environment positively influenced QoL through the intermediary effects of family support for PA, exercise self-efficacy, PA, PCS, and MCS.Conclusion: Results indicated that the most important mediators in the examined models were exercise self-efficacy and health. Further, findings demonstrated the role of neighborhood environment in enhancing PA and QoL. Future studies should be carried out applying longitudinal data for a better understanding of these associations over time.展开更多
Purpose:This systematic review aimed to describe objective sleep parameters for athletes under different conditions and address potential sleep issues in this specific population.Methods:PubMed and Scopus were searche...Purpose:This systematic review aimed to describe objective sleep parameters for athletes under different conditions and address potential sleep issues in this specific population.Methods:PubMed and Scopus were searched from inception to April 2019.Included studies measured sleep only via objective evaluation tools such as polysomnography or actigraphy.The modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for the quality assessment of the studies.Results:Eighty-one studies were included,of which 56 were classified as medium quality,5 studies as low quality,and 20 studies as high quality.A total of 1830 athletes were monitored over 18,958 nights.Average values for sleep-related parameters were calculated for all athletes according to sex,age,athletic expertise level,training season,and type of sport.Athletes slept on average 7.2±1.1 h/night(mean±SD),with 86.3%±6.8%sleep efficiency(SE).In all datasets,the athletes’mean total sleep time was<8 h.SE was low for young athletes(80.3%±8.8%).Reduced SE was attributed to high wake after sleep onset rather than sleep onset latency.During heavy training periods,sleep duration and SE were on average 36 min and 0.8%less compared to pre-season and 42 min and 3.0%less compared to in-season training periods,respectively.Conclusion:Athletes’sleep duration was found to be short with low SE,in comparison to the general consensus for non-athlete healthy adults.Notable sleep issues were revealed in young athletes.Sleep quality and architecture tend to change across different training periods.展开更多
Globally,population dynamics are shifting towards increased life expectancy,and many countries,including Greece,face significant demographic challenges.Greece is particularly impacted by one of the lowest birth rates ...Globally,population dynamics are shifting towards increased life expectancy,and many countries,including Greece,face significant demographic challenges.Greece is particularly impacted by one of the lowest birth rates in the world and a rapidly aging population.This demographic shift places unprecedented pressure on the nation’s pension systems and economic stability,as more people retire than enter the workforce.This study aims to explore the historical factors contributing to Greece’s demographic situation,analyze the consequences of current trends,and propose strategic solutions.The research utilizes a literature review approach and the case study of Greece to understand the depth and breadth of the demographic crisis.Key areas of focus include the declining birth rate,the economic implications of an aging population,and the potential of migration and policy reform to rejuvenate demographic dynamics.The study evaluates various policy interventions from other countries to propose a tailored,multi-faceted strategy for Greece.These strategies emphasize economic incentives for young families,improved childcare and parental support,healthcare investment,and inclusive migration policies to enhance workforce numbers.This comprehensive approach seeks to provide actionable insights that can help Greece mitigate the effects of demographic decline and foster a more sustainable future,aligning policy interventions with socio-economic and cultural realities.展开更多
Although injury and neuromuscular activation patterns may be common for all individuals, there are certain factors which differentiate neuromuscular activity responses between children, adults and elderly. The purpose...Although injury and neuromuscular activation patterns may be common for all individuals, there are certain factors which differentiate neuromuscular activity responses between children, adults and elderly. The purpose of this study is to review recent evidence on age differences in neural activation and muscle balances around the knee when performing single joint movements. Particularly, current evidence indicates that there are some interesting similarities in the neuromuscular mechanisms by which children or the elderly differ compared with adults. Both children and elderly display a lower absolute muscle strength capacity than adults which cannot fully be explained by differences in muscle mass. Quadriceps activation failure is a common symptom ofall knee injuries, irrespective of age but it is likely that its effect is more evident in children or adults. While one might expect that antagonist co-activation would differ between age categories, it appears that this is not the case. Although hamstring: quadriceps ratio levels are altered after knee injury, it is not clear whether this is an age specific response. Finally, evidence suggests that both children and the elderly display less stiffness of the quadriceps muscle-tendon unit than adults which affects their knee joint function.展开更多
Motor development at late preterm infants has significant importance as it composes the picture of the severe evidences of motor impairments or other developmental difficulties. Early detection is crucial as early int...Motor development at late preterm infants has significant importance as it composes the picture of the severe evidences of motor impairments or other developmental difficulties. Early detection is crucial as early intervention is the unique immediate solution option to catch up the developmental milestones. Method: Α systematic search for scientific articles of the decade 2010-2020 investigating the motor profile of late preterm infants was conducted. Results: The search identified 9 studies, many of which highlighted the risk of motor and developmental delays even at 36 months of age. Conclusions: The stability of motor and developmental delays indicates the need of further investigation at a later age and intervention to avoid possible academic difficulties.展开更多
Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19)has significantly affected different physiological systems,with a potentially profound effect on athletic performance.However,to date,such an effect has been neither addressed nor inv...Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19)has significantly affected different physiological systems,with a potentially profound effect on athletic performance.However,to date,such an effect has been neither addressed nor investigated.Therefore,the aim of this study was to investigate fitness indicators,along with the respiratory and metabolic profile,in post-COVID-19 athletes.Forty male soccer players,were divided into two groups:non-hospitalized COVID-19(n=20,Age:[25.2±4.1]years,Body Surface Area[BSA]:[1.9±0.2]m^(2),body fat:11.8%±3.4%)versus[vs]healthy(n=20,Age:[25.1±4.4]years,BSA:[2.0±0.3]m^(2),body fat:10.8%±4.5%).For each athlete,prior to cardiopulmonary exercise testing(CPET),body composition,spirometry,and lactate blood levels,were recorded.Differences between groups were assessed with the independent samples t-test(p<0.05).Several differences were detected between the two groups:ventilation(:Resting:[14.7±3.1]L·min^(−1)vs.[11.5±2.6]L·min^(−1),p=0.001;Maximal Effort:[137.1±15.5]L·min^(−1)vs.[109.1±18.4]L·min^(−1),p<0.001),ratio VE/maximal voluntary ventilation(Resting:7.9%±1.8%vs.5.7%±1.7%,p<0.001;Maximal Effort:73.7%±10.8%vs.63.1%±9.0%,p=0.002),ratioVE/BSA(Resting:7.9%±2.0%vs.5.9%±1.4%,p=0.001;Maximal Effort:73.7%±11.1%vs.66.2%±9.2%,p=0.026),heart rate(Maximal Effort:[191.6±7.8]bpm vs.[196.6±8.6]bpm,p=0.041),and lactate acid(Resting:[1.8±0.8]mmol·L^(−1)vs.[0.9±0.1]mmol·L^(−1),p<0.001;Maximal Effort:[11.0±1.6]mmol·L^(−1)vs.[9.8±1.2]mmol·L^(−1),p=0.009),during CPET.No significant differences were identified regarding maximal oxygen uptake([55.7±4.4]ml·min^(−1)·kg−1 vs.[55.4±4.6]ml·min^(−1)·kg−1,p=0.831).Our findings demonstrate a pattern of compromised respiratory function in post-COVID-19 athletes characterized by increased respiratory work at both rest and maximum effort as well as hyperventilation during exercise,which may explain the reported increased metabolic needs.展开更多
基金co-financed by the European Union(European Social Fund-ESF)Greek national funds through the Operational Program“Education and Lifelong Learning”of the National Strategic Reference Framework(NSRF)-Research Funding Program:HeracleitusⅡInvest in knowledge society through the European Social Fund
文摘Background: Studies have indicated that there is a positive and indirect relationship between physical activity(PA) and quality of life(QoL). The current study examined this relationship through a social cognitive model with consideration to the intermediary effects of exercise self-efficacy,and physical(PCS, physical component summary) and psychological(MCS, mental component summary) health. Additionally, this model was widened to include concepts from the ecological theory, and any causal associations among neighborhood environment, PA, and QoL.Methods: Six hundred and eighty-four physically active adults(39.16 ± 13.52 years, mean ± SD), living in Athens, Greece, completed a series of questionnaires measuring PA, QoL, exercise self-efficacy, PCS, MCS, neighborhood environment, and family and friend support for PA. The examined models were analyzed using structural equation modeling.Results: The social cognitive and ecological models proved to be of appropriate fit. Within the social cognitive model, PA positively affected QoL through the mediating effects of exercise self-efficacy, PCS, and MCS. With regards to the ecological model, neighborhood environment positively influenced QoL through the intermediary effects of family support for PA, exercise self-efficacy, PA, PCS, and MCS.Conclusion: Results indicated that the most important mediators in the examined models were exercise self-efficacy and health. Further, findings demonstrated the role of neighborhood environment in enhancing PA and QoL. Future studies should be carried out applying longitudinal data for a better understanding of these associations over time.
文摘Purpose:This systematic review aimed to describe objective sleep parameters for athletes under different conditions and address potential sleep issues in this specific population.Methods:PubMed and Scopus were searched from inception to April 2019.Included studies measured sleep only via objective evaluation tools such as polysomnography or actigraphy.The modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for the quality assessment of the studies.Results:Eighty-one studies were included,of which 56 were classified as medium quality,5 studies as low quality,and 20 studies as high quality.A total of 1830 athletes were monitored over 18,958 nights.Average values for sleep-related parameters were calculated for all athletes according to sex,age,athletic expertise level,training season,and type of sport.Athletes slept on average 7.2±1.1 h/night(mean±SD),with 86.3%±6.8%sleep efficiency(SE).In all datasets,the athletes’mean total sleep time was<8 h.SE was low for young athletes(80.3%±8.8%).Reduced SE was attributed to high wake after sleep onset rather than sleep onset latency.During heavy training periods,sleep duration and SE were on average 36 min and 0.8%less compared to pre-season and 42 min and 3.0%less compared to in-season training periods,respectively.Conclusion:Athletes’sleep duration was found to be short with low SE,in comparison to the general consensus for non-athlete healthy adults.Notable sleep issues were revealed in young athletes.Sleep quality and architecture tend to change across different training periods.
文摘Globally,population dynamics are shifting towards increased life expectancy,and many countries,including Greece,face significant demographic challenges.Greece is particularly impacted by one of the lowest birth rates in the world and a rapidly aging population.This demographic shift places unprecedented pressure on the nation’s pension systems and economic stability,as more people retire than enter the workforce.This study aims to explore the historical factors contributing to Greece’s demographic situation,analyze the consequences of current trends,and propose strategic solutions.The research utilizes a literature review approach and the case study of Greece to understand the depth and breadth of the demographic crisis.Key areas of focus include the declining birth rate,the economic implications of an aging population,and the potential of migration and policy reform to rejuvenate demographic dynamics.The study evaluates various policy interventions from other countries to propose a tailored,multi-faceted strategy for Greece.These strategies emphasize economic incentives for young families,improved childcare and parental support,healthcare investment,and inclusive migration policies to enhance workforce numbers.This comprehensive approach seeks to provide actionable insights that can help Greece mitigate the effects of demographic decline and foster a more sustainable future,aligning policy interventions with socio-economic and cultural realities.
文摘Although injury and neuromuscular activation patterns may be common for all individuals, there are certain factors which differentiate neuromuscular activity responses between children, adults and elderly. The purpose of this study is to review recent evidence on age differences in neural activation and muscle balances around the knee when performing single joint movements. Particularly, current evidence indicates that there are some interesting similarities in the neuromuscular mechanisms by which children or the elderly differ compared with adults. Both children and elderly display a lower absolute muscle strength capacity than adults which cannot fully be explained by differences in muscle mass. Quadriceps activation failure is a common symptom ofall knee injuries, irrespective of age but it is likely that its effect is more evident in children or adults. While one might expect that antagonist co-activation would differ between age categories, it appears that this is not the case. Although hamstring: quadriceps ratio levels are altered after knee injury, it is not clear whether this is an age specific response. Finally, evidence suggests that both children and the elderly display less stiffness of the quadriceps muscle-tendon unit than adults which affects their knee joint function.
文摘Motor development at late preterm infants has significant importance as it composes the picture of the severe evidences of motor impairments or other developmental difficulties. Early detection is crucial as early intervention is the unique immediate solution option to catch up the developmental milestones. Method: Α systematic search for scientific articles of the decade 2010-2020 investigating the motor profile of late preterm infants was conducted. Results: The search identified 9 studies, many of which highlighted the risk of motor and developmental delays even at 36 months of age. Conclusions: The stability of motor and developmental delays indicates the need of further investigation at a later age and intervention to avoid possible academic difficulties.
文摘Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19)has significantly affected different physiological systems,with a potentially profound effect on athletic performance.However,to date,such an effect has been neither addressed nor investigated.Therefore,the aim of this study was to investigate fitness indicators,along with the respiratory and metabolic profile,in post-COVID-19 athletes.Forty male soccer players,were divided into two groups:non-hospitalized COVID-19(n=20,Age:[25.2±4.1]years,Body Surface Area[BSA]:[1.9±0.2]m^(2),body fat:11.8%±3.4%)versus[vs]healthy(n=20,Age:[25.1±4.4]years,BSA:[2.0±0.3]m^(2),body fat:10.8%±4.5%).For each athlete,prior to cardiopulmonary exercise testing(CPET),body composition,spirometry,and lactate blood levels,were recorded.Differences between groups were assessed with the independent samples t-test(p<0.05).Several differences were detected between the two groups:ventilation(:Resting:[14.7±3.1]L·min^(−1)vs.[11.5±2.6]L·min^(−1),p=0.001;Maximal Effort:[137.1±15.5]L·min^(−1)vs.[109.1±18.4]L·min^(−1),p<0.001),ratio VE/maximal voluntary ventilation(Resting:7.9%±1.8%vs.5.7%±1.7%,p<0.001;Maximal Effort:73.7%±10.8%vs.63.1%±9.0%,p=0.002),ratioVE/BSA(Resting:7.9%±2.0%vs.5.9%±1.4%,p=0.001;Maximal Effort:73.7%±11.1%vs.66.2%±9.2%,p=0.026),heart rate(Maximal Effort:[191.6±7.8]bpm vs.[196.6±8.6]bpm,p=0.041),and lactate acid(Resting:[1.8±0.8]mmol·L^(−1)vs.[0.9±0.1]mmol·L^(−1),p<0.001;Maximal Effort:[11.0±1.6]mmol·L^(−1)vs.[9.8±1.2]mmol·L^(−1),p=0.009),during CPET.No significant differences were identified regarding maximal oxygen uptake([55.7±4.4]ml·min^(−1)·kg−1 vs.[55.4±4.6]ml·min^(−1)·kg−1,p=0.831).Our findings demonstrate a pattern of compromised respiratory function in post-COVID-19 athletes characterized by increased respiratory work at both rest and maximum effort as well as hyperventilation during exercise,which may explain the reported increased metabolic needs.
