Acute effects of two different tennis sessions on dorsal and lumbar spine of adult players

The aim of the study was to evaluate the dorsal and lumbar spine of expert and recreational tennis players before (pre) and after (post) two different training sessions. The sample consisted of 17 male tennis players, nine expert and eight recreational males (age 21.2 ± 1.6 years). We assessed the back surface by rasterstereography pre and post two different training sessions both lasting 1.5 h: a standard training and a specific over-shoulder shots training session, respectively. Lordotic and kyphotic angle, length, imbalance, inclination for trunk, pelvic torsion, left and right lateral deviation and surface rotation were measured. Tennis expertise (expert versus recreational) significantly affected the surface rotation and right lateral deviation (P < 0.05). Trunk length was affected by intervention (pre versus post) (P < 0.05). Left lateral deviation differed both for type of session (session 1 versus session 2) and intervention (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). Expert tennis players had higher values on surface rotation and right lateral deviation, around or just above physiological values (0–5° and 0–5 mm, respectively). Type of session significantly affected left lateral deviation, indicating that over-shoulder shots lead to a higher stress for the spine; the workload produced by both single sessions led to a shortening effect on trunk length. A single training session can induce acute modifications in some parameters of dorsal and lumbar spine of players.     

Repeated sprint ability in young basketball players: one vs. two changes of direction (Part 1)

The present study aimed to compare the changes of direction on repeated sprint ability (RSA) vs. intensive repeated sprint ability (IRSA) protocols in basketball. Eighteen young male basketball players performed on RSA [10 × 30-m (15 + 15-m, one change of direction)] and IRSA [10 × 30-m (10 + 10 + 10-m, two changes of direction)]. A correlation matrix between RSA, IRSA, “squat jump (SJ)–countermovement jump (CMJ)”, footstep analysis and total distance in Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 was performed. The best time, worst time, total time and the number of footsteps were significantly smaller in the RSA test compared to IRSA test (P < 0.001), even though they were significantly correlated with each other (r > 0.80, P < 0.05). Blood lactate level and fatigue index did not show any difference between tests. The sensibility of the two tests assessed by the Bland–Altman analysis revealed a small bias (<1.5%) for almost all variables. Moreover, almost all time variables of the two tests were significantly correlated with the SJ (r > 0.478, P < 0.05), CMJ (r > 0.515, P < 0.05) and Yo-Yo (r > 0.489, P < 0.05) performances. The IRSA provided a reliable method for assessing specific sprint ability (with 10-m legs for IRSA ~2.3 s vs. 15 m for RSA ~3 s) with a closer link to basketball game’s actions (~2 s). Besides, IRSA could be an appropriate choice for assessing both RSA and changes of direction capacities in basketball players.     

Metabolic optimisation of the basketball free throw

The free throw (FT) is a fundamental basketball skill used frequently during a match. Most of actual play occurs at about 85% of maximum heart rate (HR). Metabolic intensity, through fatigue, may influence a technically skilled move as the FT is. Twenty-eight under 17 basketball players were studied while shooting FTs on a regular indoor basketball court. We investigated FT accuracy in young male basketball players shooting at three different HRs: at rest, at 50% and at 80% of maximum experimentally obtained HR value. We found no significant FT percentage difference between rest and 50% of the maximum HR (FT percentage about 80%; P > 0.05). Differently, at 80% of the maximum HR the FT percentage decreased significantly by more than 20% (P < 0.001) down to about 60%. No preliminary warm-up is needed before entering game for the FT accuracy. Furthermore, we speculate that time-consuming, cooling-off routines usually performed by shooters before each FT may be functional to improve its accuracy.     

Development of a cultural self-efficacy scale for adolescents (CSES-A)

We developed a cultural self-efficacy scale for adolescents (CSES-A) and tested its psychometric properties using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Cultural self-efficacy (CSE) was defined as person's perception of his/her own capability to function effectively in situations characterized by cultural diversity. On the basis of Bandura's guideline for the development of a domain-specific self-efficacy measure, we tailored 50 items after reviewing literature about cultural competence, adolescents’ school-problems and social self-efficacy scales developed in previous studies in intercultural contexts. After pre-testing and analyzing psychometric properties of the scale, we selected 33 items. Eight hundred sixty-eight adolescents with five different cultural origins completed a set of questionnaires, including the CSES-A, internal control expectancies, general self-efficacy, academic expectancies, number of people from diverse cultures they keep in touch with, acculturation attitudes, perceived enrichment of other cultures, acculturation stress and demographic data. An EFA with MPLUS 2.14 highlighted a five-factor solution with 25 items that was supported by a subsequent CFA. The five factors were: self-efficacy in mixing satisfactorily with other cultures, in understanding different ways of life, in processing information from other cultures, in coping with loneliness and in learning and understanding other languages. The pattern of correlation with internal control expectancies, general self-efficacy and cultural variables supported the validity of the scale. CSES-A may be useful for future research on multicultural contexts, in which self-efficacy in cultural adaptation could be a fundamental variable.     

A new class of gels for the conservation of painted surfaces

The application of a new class of organogels as cleaning tools for painted surfaces is described. It combines some of the most attractive features of cleaning liquids and normal gels while diminishing the deleterious characteristics of both. Thus, the ‘latent’ gellant, polyethyleneimine (PEI), reacts with CO₂ at room temperature in solutions of several organic liquids to produce an ammonium carbamate form (PEICO₂). This charged species organizes itself into 3D polymer networks which immobilize the liquids as gels. The properties of the original solution (i.e. a free-flowing liquid) are re-established immediately after addition of a small amount of a weak acid which displaces the CO₂ molecules and makes the PEI chains positively charged. The visual changes are substantiated by rheological analyses. Results from analytical tests to determine the utility of these gels as cleaning tools for painted surfaces of historical and artistic interest, have been obtained from contact angle and FTIR measurements as well as visual comparisons of the surfaces before and after application of the gels. The analyses indicate that the PEICO₂-based organogels were very effective in removing different surface patinas from painted supports. A surface layer of dammar was completely removed from a test canvas with oil paint, an aged painting from the XIX century, and a XV century oil-on-wood panel attributed to Mariotto di Cristoforo. Finally, a surface acrylic polymeric resin (used in a restoration performed during the 1960s) was also successfully removed from Renaissance wall paintings decorating the Santa Maria della Scala Sacristy in Siena, Italy. The isothermally rheoreversible gel approach described in this work represents a new, highly versatile, and very efficient method for removing aged surface patinas from works of art.     

A new family of high viscosity polymeric dispersions for cleaning easel paintings

The procedures for making and applying a new family of high viscosity aqueous polymeric dispersions based on poly(vinyl alcohol)-borax (PVA-borax) matrices are presented. A specific system of this type has been used to remove an oxidized varnish coating from the surface of “Coronation of the Virgin with Saints”, a 15th century egg tempera painting on wood by Neri di Bicci (Florence, 1418–1492). FTIR spectra showed that the oxidized varnish was constituted of highly aged shellac resin. Good cleaning performance was attained when the liquid portion of the dispersion consisted of a mixture of water and acetone. Rheological investigations indicate that the acetone content does not affect the mechanical properties of the polymeric dispersion. Those mechanical properties permit easy removal of the cleaning agent simply by peeling it from the surface by means of a forceps or spatula once it has carried out its cleaning function. Optical microscopic and FTIR investigations show that the cleaning agent is able to remove the oxidized varnish coating from the surface of the Neri di Bicci painting without leaving detectable residues.     

Prevention of child abuse and neglect through early diagnosis of serious disturbances in the mother-child relationship in Italy

At the obstetrical clinic of Modena University and a family center of the same municipality during the first six months of 1980 a questionnaire based on "Risks of Child Abuse" by Kempe, Gray and others was administered to 33 expectant mothers during the third trimester of pregnancy, a few days after delivery, and a month and one-half after childbirth, for the purpose of examining the mother-child relationship. Two principal groups of "risk factors" which may lead to child abuse and neglect appeared: mothers with preceding personal and social experiences, and cases of medical intervention (e.g., prematurity, caesarean). Use of a questionnaire that permitted early diagnosis made possible help in establishing a good mother-child relationship in the first months of life. Such help can be given by the hospital and public centers both before and after birth.