9 research outputs found
hUGO, a Humanoid Robot for Training Memory: A Pilot Study on Healthy Younger and Older Adults
No full textLow birth rates and higher life expectancy are shaping a society that is aging very quickly. Indeed, in 2023 the EU Statistical Office estimated that one-fifth of the EU population was aged 65 years old and over. More importantly, the number of older adults destined to live alone in the future has increased and society is facing a strong positive correlation between health costs and age. This aging population will need more medical and psychological support and will impact the healthcare system and healthcare costs by increasing the number of healthcare workers necessary in critical sectors. Moreover, successful aging, has led to yet another crucial issue to be faced by modern society. The need to identify a sufficient number of qualified individuals to support older adults' healthcare needs and successful aging. In recent years, there has been a significant growth in studies concerning the use of robots in social assistance contexts, a field of study known as Socially Assistive Robotics (SAR), where the acronym SAR is used to refer to robots providing social assistance. One of the most frequently used robots in assistive settings is NAO. This small humanoid robot has great potential in social applications. The characteristics and capabilities of the NAO robot, such as motor skills, functionality, and affective abilities, have been studied in various contexts. The present pilot study evaluates the feasibility of the hUGO (Humanoid to GO) platform (developed by the first author of this contribution, based on the NAO robot), to replace the human trainer in the administration of a memory training protocol developed to actively sustain working memory in aging individuals
A Hierarchical Intermodal Network Optimization Model for the Gasification of Recycled Plastic in Southern Ontario: The Case of McKeil Marine
No full textIn this research, we apply the hierarchical fixed charge uncapacitated facility location model to optimize the supply chain network of a gasification plant. The model determines the optimal location of shredding facilities on the network that are required to supply plastic feedstock to the gasification plant in Hamilton, Ontario. To construct the model, we will determine an optimized transportation network for the gasification plant, which faces a fixed demand during the period of one-year. The transportation routes to the plant and the associated costs are determined with the use of geographic information systems software. Our research finds (1) the optimal number of shredding facilities and their locations (2) the production of each facility and allocation of demand in a one-year period and (3) an optimized transportation network that attempts to utilize intermodal transportation in order to minimize the cost function of the entire network. The model determines that transporting the plastic via truck and locating a single shredding facility in Hamilton is more cost effective than decoupling the shredding process from the plant or transporting the plastic via an alternative modality. This leads the author to the conclusion that the network’s scale is too small and that there is not a large enough volume of plastic flowing through the network to justify the utilization of an intermodal transportation network
Artificial intelligence-generated marathon training programs: reliable tools in exercise prescription for athletic performance?
No full textMarathon running has evolved into a global phenomenon, with rising participation across age and experience groups. Training for a marathon requires adherence to well-established principles involving pacing, training volume, and periodization. With the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare and fitness, it remains unclear whether AI can reliably prescribe evidence-based training programs for such demanding endurance events. We conducted a descriptive study using outputs from leading AI models: Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 3.5 Haiku (Free), ChatGPT 4.0 (o-model), ChatGPT 0.1, ChatGPT 4 (free), Gemini 2.0 Flash, Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking, and DeepSeek R1. Each was prompted to generate a 6-month marathon training plan tailored to three athlete levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Outputs were compared with peer-reviewed literature on the determinants of marathon training. Most AI systems identified key training components: weekly mileage progression, tapering, and intensity distribution (>80% at low intensity), which aligns with current endurance training theory. AI responses varied in accuracy and completeness. Some engines omitted key details (e.g. weekly mileage), failed to differentiate clearly between athlete levels (intermediate and advanced have been merged as if they were the same level), or offered inconsistent pacing data, especially for advanced runners. This descriptive analysis evaluated qualitative adherence to evidence-based training principles rather than quantitative outcomes requiring statistical inference. AI demonstrates strong potential in accessible, structured training content. When properly prompted, outputs often align with contemporary training principles, though significant limitations regarding personalization and professional oversight necessitate further validation before clinical implementation. Future studies should evaluate the real-world outcomes of AI-generated programs in randomized trials including the integration of personal physiological data. Inizio moduloFine modulo. [Abstract copyright: © The Author(s) 2026. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact [email protected] for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact [email protected].
Highest oxygen consumption prediction by forced vital capacity in athletes.
No full textStatic spirometry parameters may offer practical alternatives to estimate maximum oxygen consumption (V̇O ) in athletic populations. This study evaluated forced vital capacity (FVC) as a predictor of V̇O across different sports, developing prediction equations for field-based assessment. Four hundred twenty-two athletes (324 males, 98 females; age 22.9 ± 8.5 years) from cycling (n = 123), swimming (n = 68), triathlon (n = 60), multisport (n = 83), and other sports (n = 88) performed spirometry and maximal incremental testing. V̇O was directly measured using breath-by-breath gas analysis. LASSO regression identified predictors, with Bland-Altman analysis assessing agreement. FVC and gender emerged as significant predictors (R = 0.690, P < 0.001). The equation V̇O (L·min ) = (FVC × 0.61) + (Gender × 0.86) yielded SEE = 0.65 L·min . Including additional variables (Maximum voluntary ventilation, body weight, age) marginally improved prediction (R = 0.712) but reduced practical utility. Coefficient of variation between measured and predicted values was 12.1%. Sport-specific analysis revealed highest predictive accuracy in swimmers (R = 0.893). FVC provides reasonable population-level V̇O estimates in athletes, though individual predictions require caution given substantial unexplained variance (31%). Sport-specific equations, particularly for swimming populations, enhance predictive accuracy. These findings offer practical screening tools for coaches lacking access to metabolic testing equipment, though direct measurement remains the gold standard for individual assessment. [Abstract copyright: © 2026. The Author(s).
Correction to: Training during the COVID-19 lockdown: knowledge, beliefs, and practices of 12,526 athletes from 142 countries and six continents
No full textCorrection to: Sports Medicine (2021) 52:933–948
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01573-z
The affiliation of the author Lone Bogwasi, which previously read as: Lone Bogwasi Department of Orthopedics, Nyangabgwe Hospital, Francistown, Botswana; Botswana Football Association Medical Committee, Gaborone, Botswana now reads as: Lone Bogwasi Department of Orthopedics, Nyangabgwe Hospital, Francistown, Botswana; Botswana Football Association Medical Committee, Gaborone, Botswana; Section Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. The original article has been corrected.</p
Delirium in nursing home residents: is there a role of antidepressants? A cross sectional study.
No full textBackground: Delirium is strongly associated with poor health outcomes, yet it is frequently underdiagnosed. Limited research on delirium has been conducted in Nursing Homes (NHs). Our aim is to assess delirium prevalence and its associated factors, in particular pharmacological prescription, in this care setting.
Methods: Data from the Italian "Delirium Day" 2016 Edition, a national multicenter point-prevalence study on patients aged 65 and older were analyzed to examine the associations between the prevalence of delirium and its subtypes with demographics and information about medical history and pharmacological treatment. Delirium was assessed using the Assessment test for delirium and cognitive impairment (4AT). Motor subtype was evaluated using the Delirium Motor Subtype Scale (DMSS).
Results: 955 residents, from 32 Italian NHs with a mean age of 84.72 ± 7.78 years were included. According to the 4AT, delirium was present in 260 (27.2%) NHs residents, mainly hyperactive (35.4%) or mixed subtypes (20.7%). Antidepressant treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) was associated with lower delirium prevalence in univariate and multivariate analyses.
Conclusions: The high prevalence of delirium in NHs highlights the need to systematically assess its occurrence in this care settings. The inverse association between SSRIs and delirium might imply a possible preventive role of this class of therapeutic agents against delirium in NHs, yet further studies are warranted to ascertain any causal relationship between SSRIs intake and reduced delirium incidence
Drug Prescription and Delirium in Older Inpatients: Results From the Nationwide Multicenter Italian Delirium Day 2015-2016
No full textObjective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between polypharmacy and delirium, the association of specific drug categories with delirium, and the differences in drug-delirium association between medical and surgical units and according to dementia diagnosis. Methods: Data were collected during 2 waves of Delirium Day, a multicenter delirium prevalence study including patients (aged 65 years or older) admitted to acute and long-term care wards in Italy (2015-2016); in this study, only patients enrolled in acute hospital wards were selected (n = 4,133). Delirium was assessed according to score on the 4 "A's" Test. Prescriptions were classified by main drug categories; polypharmacy was defined as a prescription of drugs from 5 or more classes. Results: Of 4,133 participants, 969 (23.4%) had delirium. The general prevalence of polypharmacy was higher in patients with delirium (67.6% vs 63.0%, P =.009) but varied according to clinical settings. After adjustment for confounders, polypharmacy was associated with delirium only in patients admitted to surgical units (OR = 2.9; 95% CI, 1.4-6.1). Insulin, antibiotics, antiepileptics, antipsychotics, and atypical antidepressants were associated with delirium, whereas statins and angiotensin receptor blockers exhibited an inverse association. A stronger association was seen between typical and atypical antipsychotics and delirium in subjects free from dementia compared to individuals with dementia (typical: OR = 4.31; 95% CI, 2.94-6.31 without dementia vs OR = 1.64; 95% CI, 1.19-2.26 with dementia; atypical: OR = 5.32; 95% CI, 3.44-8.22 without dementia vs OR = 1.74; 95% CI, 1.26-2.40 with dementia). The absence of antipsychotics among the prescribed drugs was inversely associated with delirium in the whole sample and in both of the hospital settings, but only in patients without dementia. Conclusions: Polypharmacy is significantly associated with delirium only in surgical units, raising the issue of the relevance of medication review in different clinical settings. Specific drug classes are associated with delirium depending on the clinical setting and dementia diagnosis, suggesting the need to further explore this relationship
Efecto de un programa de entrenamiento de estabilidad y fuerza en el core sobre la potencia de remate en futbolistas de categorías sub 15 y sub 17
No full textEl core es un componente anatómico que contribuye en diferentes aspectos físicos y técnicos del deporte, específicamente, el remate en el futbol es un gesto técnico que involucra diferentes elementos corporales, por ende, el Objetivo de este estudio es identificar el efecto de un programa de entrenamiento, estabilidad y fuerza del core sobre la potencia de remate del fútbol. Materiales y Métodos: Dos grupos de veintiocho deportistas (n=28); Pumas Pachuca (n=14), edad (17.5±0.65); Capparis FC (n=14), edad (15±0.5), cada grupo se dividió en dos subgrupos: control y experimental. Realizaron un programa de entrenamiento de estabilidad y fuerza de core, durante ocho semanas (tres veces/semana). Se evaluó la estabilidad con las pruebas: plancha en pronación, pancha lateral y resistencia 60°. La fuerza de core: abdominales en 30s y potencia en miembros inferiores: salto de longitud y potencia de remate. Resultados: las diferencias entre los datos pre-post estadísticamente significativas fueron: prueba de potencia de remate con pierna no dominante (grupo 1, P-valor=.001 y grupo 2, P-valor=.001), la prueba de remate con pierna hábil solo mostró resultados significativos en el grupo dos (P-valor=.001), para el resto de las pruebas el programa de entrenamiento fue efectivo (P-valor<0.05) Conclusión: el programa de entrenamiento tuvo mayor efecto en la variable de remate con pierna no dominante y en el grupo con menor experiencia deportiva, se puede decir que el entrenamiento de estabilidad y fuerza de core mejora la potencia de remate en futbolistas que no tengan completo dominio o desarrollo del gesto técnico.The core is an anatomical component that contributes to different physical and technical aspects of the sport, specifically, the soccer slam dunk is a technical gesture that involves different body elements; therefore, the objective of this study is: To identify the effect of a core stability and strength training program on soccer slam dunk power. Materials and Methods: Two groups of twenty-eight athletes (n=28); Pumas Pachuca (n=14), age (17.5±0.65); Capparis FC (n=14), age (15± 0.5), each group was divided into control and experimental group, performed a stability and core strength training program, for eight weeks (three times/week). Stability was evaluated with the following tests: pronated plank, lateral plank and 60° resistance, core strength: abdominal crunches in 30s and lower limb power: long jump and finishing power. Results: the statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-data were power test of backstroke with non-dominant leg (group 1, P-value=.001 and group 2, P-value=.001), the backstroke test with skilled leg only showed significant results in group two (P-value=.001), the rest of the tests the training program was effective (P-value<0.05). 05). Conclusion: the training program had the greatest effect on the variable of finishing with non-dominant leg and in the group with less sporting experience, it can be said that the training of stability and core strength will improve the power of finishing in soccer players who do not have complete mastery or development of the technical gestureIncluye bibliografíaPregradoProfesional en Ciencias del DeporteCiencias del Deport
