Tag Archive for 'salute'

Health and safety management systems in sport

Published on October 15, 2024 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: salute, sicurezza.

Giffin, C.E., Schinke, R.J., Wagstaff, C., Quartiroli, A., Larivière, M., Coholic, D., Li, Y. (2024). Advancing Safe Sport Through Occupational Health and Safety a Thematic Meta-Synthesis Exploring Abuse within Elite Adult Sport Contexts. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 55(1), 1-31.

Occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) promote healthy workplace environments through regulating hazards and health promotion activities. Abuse within elite sports is one hazard that threatens the health and safety of elite adult athletes. Despite the widespread existence of evidence-informed guidelines to safeguard youth athletes, few safeguards have been developed for elite adult athletes, despite sport being their primary occupation. Through a critical realist lens, we used a thematic meta-synthesis to search, appraise and synthesize 20 articles conducted with elite adult athletes who have experienced abuse.

We present three themes to highlight: (a) how abuse types (sexual, psychology, physical, and financial) are fluid and expand over time, (b) the contextual factors that influence abuse (individual, relational, structural, cultural), and (c) temporal impacts of abuse throughout athletes’ early, late, and post-sport careers.

The present work is discussed in relation to perceived advancement of OHSMS and safe sport through protecting athletes from the hazards present within their occupational environments.

Ti piace? Twittalo

Sport increases economy and health

Published on September 18, 2024 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: economia, salute.

Sport and physical activity as a virtuous phenomenon, capable of triggering widespread economic and social benefits for the entire country, starting from increased productivity, employment, and well-being. A continuous increase of 10% in sports participation across the population would lead to a medium- to long-term annual productivity growth of around 1.7%, equivalent to nearly 34 billion more in GDP and about 81,000 more jobs per year. Additionally, the growth of sports participation would result in a healthier population in terms of both physical and mental well-being, reducing healthcare spending by 1.6%.

These are some of the highlights from Deloitte’s report “Sport: a key sector for the social, educational, and economic development of the country.” The multiplier effect of the benefits derived from sport and physical activity represents a true asset for our country, says Fabio Pompei, CEO of Deloitte Italy. In light of this, it is essential to approach sport with an increasingly strategic mindset at the national level, focusing on public-private collaboration and defining key development elements, from social policies to infrastructure, from new skills to sports event planning. Only by following this path will we be able to maximize the positive impact of sport on a national scale, ensuring greater productivity and well-being for our country.

The perception of Italian citizens: sport as a key factor in the educational journey In the daily lives of citizens, sport is a central and deeply ingrained phenomenon, as evidenced by the survey analysis included in Deloitte’s study, conducted with a sample of over 3,000 respondents from five countries (Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom).

Sport is considered a fundamental element in education by 96% of Italians (compared to an average of 90% in other EU countries), and for more than 1 in 2 Italians (54%), it is as important as school. However, according to respondents, Italy is the country where schools least encourage young people in their sporting endeavors: 62% believe schools do not do enough or even penalize children and young people pursuing competitive sports, compared to an average of 45.5% in other countries. Italians have a deep emotional connection with sports (they are the most interested in sporting events, with 75% compared to 69% in other countries) and not only perceive sporting events as a growth factor (70% of Italians compared to 59% of the continental average), but they also believe that our country is capable of organizing international sporting events with a positive impact (57%). In this context, the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games represent an opportunity to capitalize on, and 3 out of 4 Italians believe they will leave a positive legacy for the country.

The economic and social impact of increasing sports participation Increasing sports participation by 10% would lead to a healthier population in terms of physical well-being (3.3% fewer overweight people, 1.9% fewer people with cardiovascular diseases, and 1.6% fewer with musculoskeletal disorders) and mental well-being (1.1% increase in mental health index, 6.4% increase in life satisfaction). Furthermore, it would improve social well-being (9.9% increase in satisfaction with social relationships), help counter deviance (bad habits and addictions: 5% reduction in smoking and 4.9% reduction in alcohol consumption), and reduce crime rates by 5.2%, especially among young people.

Ti piace? Twittalo

Role of the exercise in management of mental health

Published on April 22, 2024 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: benessere, psicopatologia, salute, umore.

Smith PJ, Merwin RM. The Role of Exercise in Management of Mental Health Disorders: An Integrative Review. Annu Rev Med. 2021 Jan 27;72:45-62.

Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated that lower amounts of physical activity (PA) or greater amounts of time spent in sedentary behaviors are associated with greater risk of poor mental health. In a recent study of 1.2 million US adults, in which participants were matched across numerous background and demographic factors, individuals who exercised reported better mental health functioning compared to non-exercisers.

Prospective studies focusing on specific mental health conditions have reported similar findings, suggesting that greater habitual PA may protect against the development of various mental health conditions. For example, a recent meta-analysis of 49 prospective studies across nearly 267,000 individuals demonstrated that higher levels of PA associated with reduced odds of developing depression across age groups.

PA also prospectively associated with lower odds of developing elevated anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders in a recent meta-analysis of more than 80,000 individuals.

Examination of the literature linking exercise to mental health suggests that exercise training is beneficial for a broad array of mental health outcomes, although the strength of treatment benefit appears to vary across populations and training modalities. The present literature base could be characterized as having three overarching mechanistic hypotheses, which are useful in framing hypotheses regarding treatment improvements:

mental health is improved in association with physical/hedonic effects of exercise,
exercise improves mental health via neurobiological mechanisms,
exercise is a vehicle for cultivating behavioral mechanisms of change (e.g., self-regulatory skills and self-efficacy).

We contend that exercise training likely improves mental health through synergistic influences of both neurobiological and behavioral learning mechanisms. Within this framework, training improves neurobiological systems critical for adaptive learning, as well as affective and cognitive control processes, resulting in synergistic improvements in the regulation of both cognitive and affective responses through a “virtuous circle” of reinforcement.

Ti piace? Twittalo

How much physical activity is needed for health?

Published on October 18, 2023 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Libri, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: movimento, salute.

How much physical activity is needed for health?

Everyone can benefit from increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour, including older adults living with chronic conditions or disability. These recommendations are relevant to all, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, income level, or functional ability.

Every move counts, as any amount of physical activity is better than none, and more is generally better. Benefits can be gained from even low levels of activity and everyone should be encouraged to start slowly and increase their regular physical activity.

All physical activity counts and can be undertaken in many different ways that contribute to the health benefits and across multiple settings. For example, walking and cycling, every-day household tasks, gardening, dancing, exercise, and sport all count as physical activity.

It’s never too late to start being active, and certain activities, such as multicomponent exercises done as part of weekly physical activity can help prevent falls among older adults.

Too much sedentary behaviour can be unhealthy and can increase the risk of obesity, poorer fitness and cardiometabolic health and behaviour, and affect sleep duration. Limiting and replacing sedentary time with physical activity of any intensity provides health benefits.

(Source: OMS 2023)

Ti piace? Twittalo

The wellbeing secrets: movement and interpersonal relationship

Published on February 27, 2023 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: amici, benessere, relazioni, salute.

Xu X., Mishra G.D., Holt-Lunstad J., et al. Social relationship satisfaction and accumulation of chronic conditions and multimorbidity: a national cohort of Australian women General Psychiatry 2023;36.

Background Social relationships are associated with mortality and chronic conditions. However, little is known about the effects of social relationship satisfaction on multiple chronic conditions (multimorbidity).

Aims To examine whether social relationship satisfaction is associated with the accumulation of multimorbidity.

Methods Data from 7 694 Australian women who were free from 11 chronic conditions at 45–50 years of age in 1996 were analysed. Five types of social relationship satisfaction (partner, family members, friends, work and social activities) were measured approximately every 3 years and scored from 0 (very dissatisfied) to 3 (very satisfied). Scores from each relationship type were summed to provide an overall satisfaction score (range: ≤5–15). The outcome of interest was the accumulation of multimorbidity in 11 chronic conditions.

Results Over a 20-year period, 4 484 (58.3%) women reported multimorbidities. Overall, the level of social relationship satisfaction had a dose–response relationship with the accumulation of multimorbidities. Compared with women reporting the highest satisfaction (score 15), women with the lowest satisfaction (score ≤5) had the highest odds of accumulating multimorbidity (odds ratio (OR)= 2.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.94 to 2.83) in the adjusted model. Similar results were observed for each social relationship type. Other risk factors, such as socioeconomic, behavioural and menopausal status, together explained 22.72% of the association.

Conclusions Social relationship satisfaction is associated with the accumulation of multimorbidity, and the relationship is only partly explained by socioeconomic, behavioural and reproductive factors. Social connections (eg, satisfaction with social relationships) should be considered a public health priority in chronic disease prevention and intervention.

Ti piace? Twittalo

Better balance = longer life

Published on September 13, 2022 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Mental coaching, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: anziani, equilibrio, salute.

To underscore the importance of the article published in June by Araujo, C. et al. (2022) “Successful 10-second one-legged stance performance predicts survival in middle-aged and older individuals” in the British Journal of Sports Medicine also Harvard Medical School underlines the relevance of this data for health namely the ability to remain for 10 seconds balanced on one leg writing:

“A study published online June 21, 2022, by the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that people who are unable to stand on one leg for 10 seconds in middle and later life have almost double the usual risk of premature death. Researchers evaluated the health information and balance test results of 1,700 people (ages 51 to 75, and all free of walking problems), and then followed them for seven years. During the study, 123 participants died of various causes. After taking participants’ age, underlying conditions, weight, and other factors into account, scientists determined that failing the balance test was associated with an 84% higher risk of dying within the study period, compared with passing the balance test. The study was observational and found only an association (not a cause-and-effect relationship) between balance ability and early death. But if you want to give the test a try, it happens also to be a good way to boost balance — which reduces your risk of falls, regardless of any possible effect on longevity. Here’s what to do: Stand near a counter (for support if necessary). To balance on your left leg, keep your arms at your sides and slowly place the top of your right foot on your left calf. Stand that way for 10 seconds. Then repeat, reversing leg positions. Practice every day, and see how much your balance improves”.

Ti piace? Twittalo

It’s time to promote the athletes’ and coaches’ mental health

Published on December 4, 2020 in Allenatori, Calcio, Corsa, Generale, Giovani, Libri, Olimpiadi, Stress, Tennis and Tiro a volo. 0 Comments Tags: atleti, atletica, benessere, psicopatologia, salute, UK.

The NGO of Athletic in UK are working with Believe Perform to create new online resources for athletes, coaches and parents around mental health and performance.

Great news!

Immagine

Ti piace? Twittalo

Move and think

Published on December 20, 2019 in Allenatori, Corsa, Generale, Giovani and Stress. 0 Comments Tags: benessere, movimento, pensare, salute.

Why Your Brain Needs Exercise

The evolutionary history of humans explains why physical activity is important for brain health

David A. Reichlen and Gene E. Alexander, Scientific American, January 1, 2020

Brief synthesis

“Why does exercise affect the brain at all?

Physical activity improves the function of many organ systems in the body, but the effects are usually linked to better athletic performance.

Instead exercise seems to be as much a cognitive activity as a physical one. In fact, this link between physical activity and brain health may trace back millions of years to the origin of hallmark traits of humankind. If we can better understand why and how exercise engages the brain, perhaps we can leverage the relevant physiological pathways to design novel exercise routines that will boost people’s cognition as they age—work that we have begun to undertake.

… we demonstrated that people who spent more time engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity had larger hippocampal volumes.

Researchers have also documented clear links between aerobic exercise and benefits to other parts of the brain, including expansion of the prefrontal cortex, which sits just behind the forehead. Such augmentation of this region has been tied to sharper executive cognitive functions, which involve aspects of planning, decision-making and multitasking—abilities that, like memory, tend to decline with healthy aging and are further degraded in the presence of Alzheimer’s. Scientists suspect that increased connections between existing neurons, rather than the birth of new neurons, are responsible for the beneficial effects of exercise on the prefrontal cortex and other brain regions outside the hippocampus.

If we can augment the effects of exercise by including a cognitively demanding activity, then perhaps we can increase the efficacy of exercise regimens aimed at boosting cognition during aging and potentially even alter the course of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

They found an additive effect: exercise alone was good for the hippocampus, but combining physical activity with cognitive demands in a stimulating environment was even better, leading to even more new neurons. Using the brain during and after exercise seemed to trigger enhanced neuron survival.”

… we recently showed that collegiate cross-country runners who train extensively on outdoor trails have increased connectivity among brain regions associated with executive cognitive functions compared with healthy but more sedentary young adults. Future work will help us understand whether these benefits are also greater than those seen in runners who train in less complex settings—on a treadmill, for instance.

Ti piace? Twittalo

First money and second athletes’ health

Published on September 29, 2019 in Allenatori, Corsa, Generale, Giovani and Stress. 0 Comments Tags: atleti, atletica, salute.

What is happening at the World Athletics Championships in Doha is the proof that there are places where if not possible to compete. It is also clear that political and economic interests dominate the world of sport, so that for a long time the most important sporting events have often been organised in areas of the world where, because of the environmental conditions, athletes run serious risks to their health and are unable to provide performances corresponding to their level of competence.

In Doha, 40% of marathon runners retired and the final times of the best performers are worst than their best performances. Moreover, the marathon is certainly the race where these difficulties emerge most clearly but similar facts have happened in other performances on the track.

I don’t remember if any athletics federation protested against this assignment of the World Championship. On the other hand, it’s an old story. We remember that the matches of the 1970 Football World Cup in Mexico were played at an altitude of over 2000 meters and at hours impossible for heat and humidity but useful to be seen in TV in Europe.

There is no chance for the athletes, the only reaction would be not to participate but many do not have a the power to bring forward their rights. Only Eliud Kipchoge has not gone, because he is preparing the attempt to run the marathon in 1h59m in two weeks, financed by a big sponsor like Ineos.

Risultati immagini per maratona donne doha

Ti piace? Twittalo

Walk as a tool to be health

Published on March 28, 2019 in Generale and Stress. 0 Comments Tags: benessere, Camminare, minuti, passi, salute.

Health strongly favored by:

10,000 is the minimum number of steps to do per day
150 are the minutes per week of moderate intensity physical activity
130 steps per minute is the ideal pace for a walk
100 are the walking steps per minute. 25 steps in 15 seconds
5 are the minutes to walk every hour
The world don’t walk so much and the world average is 5.000 steps
Warning: introduce changes to one’s habits through the adoption of habits tailored to one’s psychological and physical conditions and compatible with everyday life

Smartphone data from over 68 million days of activity by 717,527 individuals reveal variability in physical activity across the world.

a, World map showing variation in activity (mean daily steps) between countries measured through smartphone data from 111 countries with at least 100 users. Cool colours correspond to high activity (for example, Japan in blue) and warm colours indicate low levels of activity (for example, Saudi Arabia in orange).

b, Typical activity levels (distribution mode) differ between countries. Curves show distribution of steps across the population in four representative countries as a normalized probability density (high to low activity: Japan, UK, USA, Saudi Arabia). Vertical dashed lines indicate the mode of activity for Japan (blue) and Saudi Arabia (orange).

c, The variance of activity around the population mode differs between countries. Curves show distribution of steps across the population relative to the population mode. In Japan, the activity of 76% of the population falls within 50% of the mode (that is, between the light grey dashed lines), whereas in Saudi Arabia this fraction is only 62%. The UK and USA lie between these two extremes for average activity level and variance. This map is based on CIA World Data Bank II data, publicly available through the R package mapdata (https://www.r-project.org/).© 2017 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature.

Ti piace? Twittalo