Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology

Research

13 pages, 259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of the Enriched Sports Activities-Program on Executive Functions in Italian Children

by Marianna Alesi, Giulia Giordano, Marcello Giaccone, Michele Basile, Sebastiano Costa and Antonino Bianco

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2020, 5(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk5020026 - 23 Apr 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3661

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) during childhood plays an important role in brain development. This role is played in both the structural domain, prefrontal cortex area, and in the functional domain, involving the higher cognitive functions, including the executive functions (EF). Working memory (WM), inhibition, [...] Read more.

Physical activity (PA) during childhood plays an important role in brain development. This role is played in both the structural domain, prefrontal cortex area, and in the functional domain, involving the higher cognitive functions, including the executive functions (EF). Working memory (WM), inhibition, and switching as fundamental EF were investigated in an Italian children sample before and after four months of an Enriched Sports Activities-Program (ESA-Program). EFs were assessed at pre-test and post-test using, respectively, the digit span test, the color word Stroop test, and the trail making test derived from Millisecond Software. The Italian sample was composed of 141 children aged 8.54 years. The intervention group (IG) was composed of 61 children and the control group (CG) of 80 children. Significant differences in WM (p < 0.05) were found in the IG following the ESA-Program intervention. Children’s performance improved both in forward digit span (FDS1 mean difference = 0.26; p = 0.04; FDS2 mean difference = 0.21; p = 0.01) and backward digit span (BDS2 mean difference = 0.14; p = 0.02). No significant improvements were observed for inhibition and switching processes (p > 0.05). Since this finding suggests that brain functioning is sensitive to lifestyle factors, such as PA, an essential goal for ESA-Program is to emphasize the importance of PA to enhance cognitive skills in childhood and prevent sedentary life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychology of Development and Education Applied to Movement)

14 pages, 307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perceived Well-Being and Quality of Life in People with Typical and Atypical Development: The Role of Sports Practice

by Massimo Ingrassia, Francesco Mazza, Piera Totaro and Loredana Benedetto

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2020, 5(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk5010012 - 13 Feb 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2815

Abstract

Sports and physical activity are recognized as a source of psycho-physical well-being. Therefore, practicing sports can improve the perception of the quality of life (QoL). The study investigated in adults with atypical development (AD) and typical development (TD) if the perceptions of well-being [...] Read more.

Sports and physical activity are recognized as a source of psycho-physical well-being. Therefore, practicing sports can improve the perception of the quality of life (QoL). The study investigated in adults with atypical development (AD) and typical development (TD) if the perceptions of well-being and QoL may depend on the frequency of practicing sports. Participants were 51 AD (age M = 32.98, SD = 7.81; 45.1% female) and 270 TD adults (age M = 26.50, SD = 6.52; 79.3% female) subsequently divided into three groups: 1) people not practicing sports, or 2) practicing it occasionally, or 3) practicing it regularly. We adopted general self-efficacy, life satisfaction, positive well-being, and psychological distress related to physical exercise as measures of well-being, WHOQOL-BREF as QoL, and I-TIPI-R as indicators of Big Five personality factors. Questionnaires were completed online. Practicing sports influenced the perception of well-being and QoL. For the AD group, sporting practice seems to have assumed an equalization effect, eliminating the statistical differences between well-being and QoL measures of AD and TD groups. Associations emerged between Big Five and well-being and QoL indices with some differences as a function of group characteristics. In summary, results suggest that practicing sports is strongly associated with improvements in perceptions of well-being and QoL, especially in disabled persons. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychology of Development and Education Applied to Movement)

13 pages, 263 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Using Physical Activity to Enhance Health Outcomes Across the Life Span

by Dev Roychowdhury

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2020, 5(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk5010002 - 4 Jan 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4509

Abstract

Physical activity has been widely recognized as one of the primary determinants that proliferates positive psychophysiological health in individuals. Despite the numerous benefits of engaging in physical activity, a majority of the global population continues to be physically inactive or sedentary. The aim [...] Read more.

Physical activity has been widely recognized as one of the primary determinants that proliferates positive psychophysiological health in individuals. Despite the numerous benefits of engaging in physical activity, a majority of the global population continues to be physically inactive or sedentary. The aim of this brief commentary is to capture the benefits of engaging in regular physical activity across the life span. In particular, this paper will highlight the benefits of engaging in regular physical activity with respect to age, gender, atypical populations, and lifestyle. Future research and recommendations have also been addressed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychology of Development and Education Applied to Movement)

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Graphical abstract

13 pages, 1470 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationships among Trait EI, Need Fulfilment, and Performance Strategies

by Nadia Barberis, Danilo Calaresi and Maria Cristina Gugliandolo

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2019, 4(3), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk4030050 - 31 Jul 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2992

Abstract

Performance strategies used in sport have been the focus of many sport enhancement interventions, and are considered important factors for describing behavior in sport. Several studies have shown that both trait emotion intelligence (trait EI) and satisfaction of basic needs in sport are [...] Read more.

Performance strategies used in sport have been the focus of many sport enhancement interventions, and are considered important factors for describing behavior in sport. Several studies have shown that both trait emotion intelligence (trait EI) and satisfaction of basic needs in sport are relevant aspects of performance strategies used by athletes; however, it seems these two aspects were never tested concurrently, in an integrated framework. The aim of this study was to test a mediational model of psychological basic needs in the relationship between trait EI and performance strategies in sports. In a sample of 187 participants, aged between 16 and 25 years old (M_age = 20.55; SD = 3.39), instruments were administered to measure trait EI, satisfaction of basic needs, and performance strategies in sport. Results of this study showed that trait EI was related to performance strategies in sport and to satisfaction of basic needs, as well as that satisfaction of basic needs was related to performance strategies in sport. Furthermore, satisfaction of basic needs has shown a mediational role in the relation between trait EI and performance strategies in sport. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychology of Development and Education Applied to Movement)

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Review

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12 pages, 299 KiB

Open AccessReview

Identifying Developmental Motor Difficulties: A Review of Tests to Assess Motor Coordination in Children

by Alice Cancer, Rebecca Minoliti, Maura Crepaldi and Alessandro Antonietti

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2020, 5(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk5010016 - 24 Feb 2020

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 6053

Abstract

The latest guidelines recommend early identification of children with motor impairments using a standardized norm-referenced test. Motor coordination difficulties in developmental age have been studied extensively over recent years, with experimental literature on developmental coordination disorder (DCD) suggesting that motor proficiency assessments depend [...] Read more.

The latest guidelines recommend early identification of children with motor impairments using a standardized norm-referenced test. Motor coordination difficulties in developmental age have been studied extensively over recent years, with experimental literature on developmental coordination disorder (DCD) suggesting that motor proficiency assessments depend on the nature of the task at hand. In this article we reviewed 14 assessment tools to measure movement performance in childhood and adolescence, which are often referred to in an international context. This updated review aims to compare motor tests depending on a) the nature of the tasks included in the battery (i.e., questionnaire and clinical examination), b) psychometric properties, and c) cultural adaptation to relevant developmental norms. Finally, implications for diagnosis and clinical practice are discussed. Considering there are several tests used for DCD, it is important to better define their reliability and validity in different cultures in order to better compare the validation studies and select the most appropriate test to use in the assessment procedure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychology of Development and Education Applied to Movement)

21 pages, 488 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sport Intervention Programs (SIPs) to Improve Health and Social Inclusion in People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review

by Lidia Scifo, Carla Chicau Borrego, Diogo Monteiro, Doris Matosic, Kaltrina Feka, Antonino Bianco and Marianna Alesi

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2019, 4(3), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk4030057 - 15 Aug 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 7092

Abstract

Inactivity is a major issue that causes physical and psychological health problems, especially in people with intellectual disability (ID). This review discusses the beneficial effects of sport intervention programs (SIPs) in people with ID, and aims to provide an overview of the scientific [...] Read more.

Inactivity is a major issue that causes physical and psychological health problems, especially in people with intellectual disability (ID). This review discusses the beneficial effects of sport intervention programs (SIPs) in people with ID, and aims to provide an overview of the scientific literature in order to identify the main factors influencing the participation of people with ID in SIPs. Twelve papers were analyzed and compared. The results show a large variety in examined SIPs, concerning participants’ age and disability, intervention characteristics and context, as well as measures and findings. The main factors essential for people with ID partaking in SIPs appeared to be suitable places for the SIP development, adequate implementation of physical activity (PA) programs in school and extra-school contexts, education, and the training of teachers and instructors. The literature review highlights the relevance of using SIPs in order to improve physical and psychological health, as well as increase social inclusion in populations with ID. SIPs should be included in multifactor intervention programs. Nevertheless, the need is recognized for stakeholders to adopt specific practice and policy in promoting social inclusion in order to organize intervention strategies which are able to provide quality experiences in sport and physical activity for people with ID. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychology of Development and Education Applied to Movement)

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Other

Jump to: Research, Review

8 pages, 375 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Assessing Individual Performance in Team Sports: A New Method Developed in Youth Volleyball

by Elisa Bisagno, Sergio Morra, Martina Basciano, Carola Rosina and Francesca Vitali

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2019, 4(3), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk4030053 - 4 Aug 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4072

Abstract

Studying the role of individual differences in team sports performance is a challenge. The main problem is having an available measure of individual performance of each member of the team. In particular, in youth sports, where the level of specialization is reactively low, [...] Read more.

Studying the role of individual differences in team sports performance is a challenge. The main problem is having an available measure of individual performance of each member of the team. In particular, in youth sports, where the level of specialization is reactively low, it appears appropriate that this measure takes the entire performance of the athlete into consideration (i.e., that it assesses all of the athlete’s gestures), while maintaining an ecological validity criterion. Therefore, we devised and calculated an individual assessment measure in volleyball following the subsequent steps: Firstly, we video-recorded at least three volleyball games for each of the 114 youth volleyball players who participated in the study. Then, two independent expert observers evaluated each individual performance by attributing a score to every single gesture performed by the athletes during the games. The derived individual score was adjusted and controlled for the team performance measure, namely the result of each Set the athlete participated in (and for the amount of participation of the athlete to each game). The final measure of individual performance in volleyball proved to be reliable, showing a high level of interrater agreement (r = .841, p < .001) and a significant correlation with the amount of experience in volleyball (r = .173, p < .05). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychology of Development and Education Applied to Movement)

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10 pages, 246 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Influence of a Specific Aquatic Program on Social and Gross Motor Skills in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Three Case Reports

by Giuseppe Battaglia, Gianna Agrò, Pietro Cataldo, Antonio Palma and Marianna Alesi

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2019, 4(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk4020027 - 24 May 2019

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 7348

Abstract

Swimming pool activities revealed to be efficacious to train psychomotor skills and increase adaptive behaviors in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a specific multi-systemic aquatic therapy (CI-MAT) on gross motor [...] Read more.

Swimming pool activities revealed to be efficacious to train psychomotor skills and increase adaptive behaviors in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a specific multi-systemic aquatic therapy (CI-MAT) on gross motor and social skills in three adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Methods: three adolescents with ASD of which two boys (M1 with a chronological age of 10.3 years and a mental age of 4.7 years; M2 with a chronological age of 14.6 and a mental age inferior to 4 years) and one girl (chronological age of 14.0 and a mental age inferior to 4 years). The study was divided into three phases: baseline, 12-week CI-MAT program and Post-Test. Participants were administered a battery of tests incorporating anthropometric measurements, gross motor development test and a social skills questionnaire before and after a 12-week MAT-CI program. Results: Subjects improved locomotors and object control skills following the CI-MAT program in a different way. Concerning social behaviors, the higher proportion of gains was observed in the sensitivity of other’s presence and eye contact, for the contact domain, and in the comply turn for the relationship domain. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the CI-MAT program was effective for the development of gross-motor skills and social behaviors in subjects with ASD. Moreover there is an urge to carry out a whole psychological assessment targeting both motor and adaptive development suitable to provide educational and vocational plans of exercises for people with ASD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychology of Development and Education Applied to Movement)

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