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Effects of Recreational Football on Bone Mineral Density and Isokinetic Muscle Strength in Elderly Men: A Study of Turkish Older Men
Background and Objectives: Recreational football (RF) as a community activity can
provide a positive transformative effect on the musculoskeletal systems necessary for the
self-care and independent life demands of older adults when designed with a geriatric
approach, in addition to its psycho-social benefits. However, studies investigating the
potential value of these practices in older adults living in different ecosystems are needed.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of RF on bone mineral density (BMD)
and knee isokinetic muscle strength (KIMS) at angular velocities of 60◦/s−1 and 120◦/s−1
in older adult men. Material and Methods: A total of 57 elderly men (65.5 ± 2.7 years)
were randomly divided into a football group (FG; n = 28) and a control group (CG; n
= 29). The FG participated in 28 sessions of training, twice a week. Participants were
evaluated using the DEXA and IsoMed 2000. The groups, their pre-test–post-test time
differences, and group*time interactions were analyzed by mixed design ANOVA. Results:
The results were analyzed considering a p < 0.05 significance level. There was no observed
statistically significant difference between the groups for bone mineral density values (p >
0.078), but there was an observed statistically significant difference in the FG group*time
interaction (F = 7.009, p < 0.009, 
2p = 0.060). There was a statistically significant difference
between the groups in the peak torque flexion and peak torque extension values at 60◦/s−1
angular velocity, respectively (p < 0.002, p < 0.011). At 120◦/s−1 angular velocity, peak
torque flexion and extension, total work flexion and extension, and peak power flexion
and extension showed statistically significant differences between the groups, respectively
(p < 0.001, p < 0.0027; p < 0.003, p < 0.025; p < 0.001, p < 0.009). Conclusions: These results
suggest that RF interventions provide positive biochemical and morphological adaptations
in bone mineral density and lower extremity muscle groups, making older adults both
more resistant to potential risks and encouraging exercise as a way of life with its autotelic
flow structure
Exploring the Feasibility of a Telematic Version of Parkinson's Disease-Cognitive Rating Scale (PD-CRS)
Background/objectives: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder frequently associated with cognitive impairment. In the context of increasing interest in remote healthcare solutions, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, this preliminary study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of an online version of the Parkinson's Disease-Cognitive Rating Scale (PD-CRS), a first-level neuropsychological screening tool for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in individuals with PD. Methods: Seventy-nine patients with idiopathic PD were recruited between October 2020 and February 2024. A telematic version of the PD-CRS was administered via video call using adapted materials (e.g., slide-based instructions and webcam-mediated tasks). Both patients and examiners completed a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to rate perceived difficulty. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were used to analyze data. Results: Difficulty ratings were low for both patients (mean VAS = 1.60, SD = 0.88) and the examiner (mean VAS = 1.43, SD = 0.61), with no significant difference (p = 0.176). No demographic or clinical variable predicted difficulty. Conclusions: These findings support the feasibility and usability of an online version of PD-CRS. This approach may facilitate wider access to cognitive screening for PD patients, particularly those with mobility limitations or living in underserved areas
Effects of recreational football on body composition and blood pressure in sedentary older men: a feasibility study
Introduction or background: Hypertension is a critical health risks that significantly affect the quality of life in older adults. Physical activity programs t ailoredtotheneedsofspecificpopulationshaveproveneffectiveinmitigatingtheserisks.
Sources of data: The study employed a single-group pretest–posttest design to evaluate the effects of recreational football interventions on body composition and blood pressure (BP). The independent variable was time (pretest, midtest, and posttest), and the dependent variables were body composition and BP. Nineteen male participants (mean±SD age: 65.9±2.85 years) were included in the study and participated in a 24-week recreational soccer (RS) program consisting of 1-hour sessions twice a week. B odycompositionparameters[bodymass,fatmass,andbodymassindex(BMI)]wereassessedusingdual-energyX-rayabsorptiometry,whileBPwasmeasuredusingasemi-automatedmonitorfollowingguidelines.Statisticalanalyses,includingtheFriedmanandWilcoxonsigned-ranktestswithBonferronicorrection,revealedsignificantimprovementsinbodymass(χ2(2) = 22.73,P≤.001), fat mass (χ2(2) = 22.88,P≤.001), andBMI(χ2(2) = 22.73,P≤.001). Additionally, reductions in sy stolicBP(χ2(2) = 9.08,P≤.011), diastolic BP (χ2(2) = 15.62,P≤.001), and meanBP(χ2(2) = 16.33,P≤.001) were obser ved.
Areas of agreement: The results support previous findings that aerobic and group-based physical activity can improvecardiovascularandmetabolichealthinolderadults.
Areas of controversy:The single-group design and small sample size limit the ability to generalize findings. F uturerandomizedcontrolledtrialsareneededtoestablishcausality.
Growingpoints:ThisstudyprovidesnewevidenceontheuseofRSasafeasible,enjoyable,andeffectiveinterventiontoimprove body composition and BP inolderadults.
Areas timely for developing research: Future studies should focus on the long-term effects of RS, its impact on bone mineral densit y,anditscomparativeefficacyversusotherexercisemodalitiesforagingpopulations
"Se funziona per Mediaset o Rai, va benissimo per Gli occhi del cuore!”. Boris nell’ambito della fiction seriale italiana contemporanea
L’intervento prende soprattutto in esame la relazione instaurata dalle prime tre stagioni di Boris (Fox, 2007-2010) con il singolare, imprescindibile contesto della televisione italiana nel periodo storico che va dalla fine degli anni Novanta del Novecento al primo decennio del Duemila. In tale periodo si verificano alcuni eventi o fenomeni destinati a cambiare profondamente lo scenario televisivo nazionale in generale e la fiction di serie in particolare. Boris appare al contempo l’esito, l’indice (metalinguistico) e la parodia degli importanti cambiamenti avvenuti
Innovazione, cooperazione, reti e comunicazione nelle PMI
L’innovazione rappresenta un elemento strategico sempre più rilevante per il successo di qualsiasi organizzazione. La crescente complessità dei mercati stabilisce che il processo di innovazione deve potersi fondare non solo attraverso l’impiego della conoscenza e dei fattori interni all’azienda, ma anche mediante le sinergie finalizzate all’integrazione della conoscenza esterna. La cooperazione (indotta dalla necessità di ottenere conoscenze e capacità che l’azienda individualmente non possiede) particolarmente diffusa tra le PMI, si configura come una strategia utile a fronteggiare la complessità dei processi d’innovazione e a sviluppare vantaggi competitivi.
L’innovazione non va solo intesa e perseguita come un’opzione strategica indispensabile per ogni organizzazione, ma va necessariamente comunicata al mercato. La comunicazione sull’innovazione deve essere integrata nella comunicazione organizzativa, deve comprendere tutti i mezzi di comunicazione e includere la creazione di valore, le strategie di posizionamento e gestione e deve essere costantemente analizzata, internamente ed esternamente, per la definizione di obiettivi, strumenti e implementazioni tattiche o strategiche
Osservatorio Corte europea dei diritti dell'uomo (Accesso limitato agli “Archivi della repressione sovietica”: violata la libertà di espressione + Mancato recepimento di una direttiva europea e disallineamento remunerativo: rigettata l’istanza presentata dai medici interessati + È discriminatorio il diverso trattamento, basato sull’età, riservato ai detenuti in custodia cautelare + Convenzionalmente illegittimo il divieto opposto a una ONG dal Comune di Chișinău di esporre un manifesto con vignette antidiscriminatorie)
Current Advances in Behavioral Addictions: From Fundamental Research to Clinical Practice
Gambling disorder is the only behavioral addiction recognized as a clinical disorder in DSM-5, and Internet gaming disorder is included as a condition requiring further research. ICD-11 categorizes gambling and gaming disorders as disorders due to addictive behaviors. Additional behavioral addictions may include compulsive sexual behavior disorder, compulsive buying-shopping disorder, and problematic use of social media. This narrative review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding these five (potential) disorders due to addictive behaviors. All five (potential) disorders are clinically relevant and prevalent. Behavioral addictions frequently co-occur with other mental and behavioral problems, such as depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Validated diagnostic instruments exist, with empirical support varying across conditions. No medications have approved indications from regulatory bodies for behavioral addictions, and cognitive-behavioral therapy has the most empirical support for efficacious treatment. Given that behavioral addictions are prevalent, frequently co-occur with psychiatric disorders, may often go undiagnosed and untreated, and have been linked to poorer treatment outcomes, active screening and treatment are indicated. Public health considerations should be expanded, and impacts of modern technologies should be investigated more intensively. Treatment optimization involving pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, neuromodulation, and their combination warrants additional investigation