Monthly Archive for May, 2019

Which is the dream of Italians

The research “What do the Italians dream of” done by Censis per Conad and presented in Rome showed that two out of three did not want to come out of the euro and are opposed to the concept of national sovereignty as an escape from the EU.

For Italians the essential factors to grow and come back to dream are: more equitable resources, more welfare and social protection, less aggression and resentment towards others while – surprisingly – two out of three do not want to leave the euro and are opposed to national sovereignty as escape from the EU. This is different data from the ones we listen in the talkshow on TV every day.

“1.2% of Italian families has 21% of the country’s wealth: thinking about the development of Italy means intervening on this polarization. We cannot only think of profit, but of what derives from it. At regards at this request for the redistribution of wealth, the Government cannot be excluded “, said the Conad CEO Francesco Pugliese, commenting the research and adding that the country needs a credible governing class, of equity and meritocracy, of a policy that rewards commitment and promotes solidarity, the social context and a sense of responsibility. These are necessary prerequisites for sharing a great collective dream, the most powerful engine of growth.”

Speaking as an entrepreneur, Pugliese concluded: “Once for the companies was relevant their production capacity. Today we talk about reputation and to have a reputation we must know to take a position.”

If this is the feeling of the Italians, how is it possible such a marked difference from what is daily said by the media? “Today news means only bad news; good ones have no dignity to be told. This concept must therefore be overturned.”

Illustrating the research, Francesco Maietta, head of Censis Social Policies, said that “according to the Italians the general situation is getting worse in two aspects: the economy (deteriorated in the last 12 months according to 55.4% of Italians and will worsen further by 48.4%) and security (worsened by 42.3%). The perception of life touches two decisive areas: obviously what it was done by government failed to reverse the trend. The worsening of the economy is perceived more by low incomes, while the perception of insecurity is more distributed.

People trust only in the great scientists (41%), the President of the Republic and the Pope (30%), in the highest levels of the police (25.5%). The problem is that the psychology of the worst has been build, which is the opposite of the dream and there are no mythic solutions. The idea that we must leave Europe does not convince the Italians (66.2% is against the euro exit and 65.8% is against the return to national sovereignty, 52% is against re-establishing customs barriers and walls. The absolute primacy is the individual freedom which is the first aspects of the Italian dream.

Copenhagen Consensus statement 2019: physical activity and ageing

Bangsbo J, Blackwell J, Boraxbekk C, et al Copenhagen Consensus statement 2019: physical activity and ageing. Br J Sports Med Published Online First: 21 February 2019.
Abstract

From 19th to 22nd November 2018, 26 researchers representing nine countries and a variety of academic disciplines met in Snekkersten, Denmark, to reach evidence-based consensus about physical activity and older adults. It was recognised that the term ‘older adults’ represents a highly heterogeneous population. It encompasses those that remain highly active and healthy throughout the life-course with a high intrinsic capacity to the very old and frail with low intrinsic capacity.

The consensus is drawn from a wide range of research methodologies within epidemiology, medicine, physiology, neuroscience, psychology and sociology, recognising the strength and limitations of each of the methods. Much of the evidence presented in the statements is based on longitudinal associations from observational and randomised controlled intervention studies, as well as quantitative and qualitative social studies in relatively healthy community-dwelling older adults.Nevertheless, we also considered research with frail older adults and those with age-associated neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and in a few cases molecular and cellular outcome measures from animal studies.

The consensus statements distinguish between physical activity and exercise. Physical activity is used as an umbrella term that includes both structured and unstructured forms of leisure, transport, domestic and work-related activities. Physical activity entails body movement that increases energy expenditure relative to rest, and is often characterised in terms of intensity from light, to moderate to vigorous. Exercise is defined as a subset of structured physical activities that are more specifically designed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, cognitive function, flexibility balance, strength and/or power.

This statement presents the consensus on the effects of physical activity on older adults’ fitness, health, cognitive functioning, functional capacity, engagement, motivation, psychological well-being and social inclusion. It also covers the consensus on physical activity implementation strategies. While it is recognised that adverse events can occur during exercise, the risk can be minimised by carefully choosing the type of activity undertaken and by consultation with the individual’s physician when warranted, for example, when the individual is frail, has a number of co-morbidities, or has exercise-related symptoms, such as chest pain, heart arrhythmia or dizziness.

The consensus was obtained through an iterative process that began with the presentation of the state-of-the-science in each domain, followed by group and plenary discussions. Ultimately, the participants reached agreement on the 30-item consensus statements.

Book review: Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology – 7th Edition

Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology – Seventh Edition

Robert S. Weinberg and Daniel Gould

Human Kinetics, pp. 663

This updated publication of Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology,Seventh Edition, includes web study guide, with technique videos, expert interviews and interactive activities.

Since many years, this is the leading handbook in sport and exercise psychology, now is back in a revised version, introducing new topics and updating the classical fields of this discipline. In this way, this textbook continues to play its role toward students and practitioners, providing a global and specific vision of sport and exercise psychology and drawing a strong bridge between research data and applied interventions.

In the first part of the book, Robert Weinberg and Daniel Gould describe in this 7thEdition a broader horizon of this field, with a section dedicated to talk about the present and future, centered on counseling and clinical training, the ethics and competence issues, the tension between academic and applied sport psychology, the problems related to the limited full-time positions for applied sport psychologists, the globalization of sport and exercise psychology, the advancement in technology and sport psychology-business link.

There is also a new chapter, in the third part of the book, titled  “Diversity and Inclusion” addressing topics related to gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, and disability. New contents are introduced in different book part related to popular and emerging areas like grit, mindfulness, organizational sport psychology, and technology in sport psychology.

Modern-day practical examples and anecdotes have been choose to better illustrate the concepts. The references have been updated including more current publications.

The updated web study guide represents an important learning tool supporting the educational journey. It includes more than 100 engaging activities, allowing students to apply the concepts from the text by completing activities for each chapter:

  • Use actual sport and exercise psychology instruments to assess their skills
  • Determine how to respond to real-life scenarios (with short answers or essays)
  • Review research studies and experiments
  • Search the Internet for relevant information
  • Apply and test their understanding of principles and concepts of sport and exercise psychology

Many of the study guide activities are completed by audio and video clips showing how sport psychology consultants interact and talk with athletes and coaches to improve their experiences and competences. These clips have been registered by esteemed experts from the field discussing concepts and situations they have encountered and managed during their careers.