Muscle injuries and subsequent reinjuries significantly impact athletes, especially in football. ... more Muscle injuries and subsequent reinjuries significantly impact athletes, especially in football. These injuries lead to time loss, performance impairment, and long-term health concerns. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of muscle reinjuries, delving into their epidemiology, risk factors, clinical management, and prevention strategies. Despite advancements in rehabilitation programs and return-to-play criteria, reinjury rates remain alarmingly high. Age and previous muscle injuries are nonmodifiable risk factors contributing to a high reinjury rate. Clinical management, which involves accurate diagnosis, individualized rehabilitation plans, and the establishment of return-to-training and return-to-play criteria, plays a pivotal role during the sports season. Eccentric exercises, optimal loading, and training load monitoring are key elements in preventing reinjuries. The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting and prevent...
European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, May 1, 2022
Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Long Covid Syndrome (LCS) is u... more Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Long Covid Syndrome (LCS) is used to describe signs and symptoms that continue or develop after acute COVID-19 infection. Natural history and treatments of this syndrome is still poorly understood. In literature there is currently a lack of data on the real effectiveness of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program based on structured physical exercise (SPE) in these patients. Purpose To evaluate safety, effectiveness and feasibility of a structured individualized rehabilitation program in improving physical and psychological parameters in patients with LCS. Methods Twenty-eight patients with LCS (19 males, mean age 57 years) underwent an accurate medical screening process, body composition evaluation, cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), muscular strength assessment, quality of life (QoL), psychological assessment and counselling, before and after a 12-sessions SPE program. Results At baseline, all LCS patients showed severe impairments in physical performance, QoL and psychological parameters. No adverse effects and dropouts were observed during training session. After the rehabilitation program, significant improvement in CPET parameters, upper and lower limb muscular strength, perceived physical and mental health, body composition, depression and anxiety and Covid residual symptoms was observed. Conclusions The present study confirms severe impairment of patients with LCS and suggest that a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program based on SPE could promote their physical and psychological recovery.
Background Preparticipation screenings have been conceived for the potential to prevent sudden ca... more Background Preparticipation screenings have been conceived for the potential to prevent sudden cardiac death in young athletes by early identification of hidden cardiac diseases. Commonly used protocols include family history collection, physical examination, and resting electrocardiogram. Transthoracic echocardiography has been hypothesized to have a primary role in the preparticipation screening. Aims The present study aimed to evaluate the additional role of echocardiogram in identifying cardiovascular abnormalities that might be undetected by commonly used preparticipation screening. Methods We retrospectively reviewed Ferrari Formula Benessere, a corporate wellness program database, and analyzed data recorded from 2017 to 2022 to compare two medical models: a ‘standard’ preparticipation screening including medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram and exercise stress testing versus an ‘advanced’ preparticipation screening comprising history, physical examination, electrocardiogram, exercise stress testing and echocardiography. Results From an initial sample size of 7500 patients, we included 500 patients (420 male, 33.69 ± 7.9 mean age) enrolled for the first time in the corporate wellness program between 2017 and 2022. Three hundred and thirty-nine (67.8%) patients had no abnormal findings at ‘standard’ preparticipation screening and, even if they would have not required further evaluation, we performed echocardiography anyway (‘advanced’ preparticipation screening): 31 (9.1%) showed some abnormal cardiovascular findings at echocardiography, such as patent foramen ovalis, bicuspid aortic valve, aortic root ectasia or mitral valve prolapse. Conclusions Screening echocardiogram showed an additional value (about 10% more) in detecting patients with cardiovascular abnormalities, otherwise undiagnosed with the ‘standard’ preparticipation screening protocol.
Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology
Stem cells have demonstrated significant potential for tissue repair and regeneration, making the... more Stem cells have demonstrated significant potential for tissue repair and regeneration, making them a promising therapeutic avenue in sports medicine. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on the application of stem cells in sports medicine. We will discuss the types of stem cells used, their mechanisms of action, and the clinical outcomes of stem cell therapy in different sports-related injuries. Furthermore, we will delve into the challenges and ethical considerations associated with stem cell therapy, as well as future directions and potential applications of stem cells in sports medicine.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon of the human body, and it is frequently ... more The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon of the human body, and it is frequently injured during sports activity. The incidence of Achilles tendon pathologies has increased over recent decades, especially in the last few years, because of increased sports participation among the general population and due to the diffusion of competitive sports at a high level. Tendinopathies are common in athletes and in middle-aged overweight patients. The term “tendinopathy” refers to a condition characterised clinically by pain and swelling, with functional limitations of tendon and nearby structures, and consequently to chronic failure of healing response process. Tendinopathies can produce marked morbidity, and at present, scientifically validated management modalities are limited. Despite the constantly increasing interest and number of studies about Achilles tendinopathy (AT), there is still not a consensual point of view on which is the best treatment, and its management is st...
Cardiac regeneration is a critical endeavor in the treatment of heart diseases, aimed at repairin... more Cardiac regeneration is a critical endeavor in the treatment of heart diseases, aimed at repairing and enhancing the structure and function of damaged myocardium. This review offers a comprehensive overview of current advancements and strategies in cardiac regeneration, with a specific focus on regenerative medicine and tissue engineering-based approaches. Stem cell-based therapies, which involve the utilization of adult stem cells and pluripotent stem cells hold immense potential for replenishing lost cardiomyocytes and facilitating cardiac tissue repair and regeneration. Tissue engineering also plays a prominent role employing synthetic or natural biomaterials, engineering cardiac patches and grafts with suitable properties, and fabricating upscale bioreactors to create functional constructs for cardiac recovery. These constructs can be transplanted into heart to provide mechanical support and facilitate tissue healing. Additionally, the production of organoids and chips that accu...
There is an immediate need to optimize cardiovascular (CV) risk management and primary prevention... more There is an immediate need to optimize cardiovascular (CV) risk management and primary prevention of childhood obesity to timely and more effectively combat the health hazard and socioeconomic burden of CV disease from childhood development to adulthood manifestation. Optimizing screening programs and risk management strategies for obesity-related CV risk in childhood has high potential to change disease trajectories into adulthood. Building on a holistic view on the aetiology of childhood obesity, this document reviews current concepts in primary prevention and risk management strategies by lifestyle interventions. As an additional objective, this scientific statement addresses the high potential for reversibility of CV risk in childhood and comments on the use of modern surrogate markers beyond monitoring weight and body composition. This scientific statement also highlights the clinical importance of quantifying CV risk trajectories and discusses the remaining research gaps and c...
Muscle injuries and subsequent reinjuries significantly impact athletes, especially in football. ... more Muscle injuries and subsequent reinjuries significantly impact athletes, especially in football. These injuries lead to time loss, performance impairment, and long-term health concerns. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of muscle reinjuries, delving into their epidemiology, risk factors, clinical management, and prevention strategies. Despite advancements in rehabilitation programs and return-to-play criteria, reinjury rates remain alarmingly high. Age and previous muscle injuries are nonmodifiable risk factors contributing to a high reinjury rate. Clinical management, which involves accurate diagnosis, individualized rehabilitation plans, and the establishment of return-to-training and return-to-play criteria, plays a pivotal role during the sports season. Eccentric exercises, optimal loading, and training load monitoring are key elements in preventing reinjuries. The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting and prevent...
European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, May 1, 2022
Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Long Covid Syndrome (LCS) is u... more Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Long Covid Syndrome (LCS) is used to describe signs and symptoms that continue or develop after acute COVID-19 infection. Natural history and treatments of this syndrome is still poorly understood. In literature there is currently a lack of data on the real effectiveness of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program based on structured physical exercise (SPE) in these patients. Purpose To evaluate safety, effectiveness and feasibility of a structured individualized rehabilitation program in improving physical and psychological parameters in patients with LCS. Methods Twenty-eight patients with LCS (19 males, mean age 57 years) underwent an accurate medical screening process, body composition evaluation, cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), muscular strength assessment, quality of life (QoL), psychological assessment and counselling, before and after a 12-sessions SPE program. Results At baseline, all LCS patients showed severe impairments in physical performance, QoL and psychological parameters. No adverse effects and dropouts were observed during training session. After the rehabilitation program, significant improvement in CPET parameters, upper and lower limb muscular strength, perceived physical and mental health, body composition, depression and anxiety and Covid residual symptoms was observed. Conclusions The present study confirms severe impairment of patients with LCS and suggest that a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program based on SPE could promote their physical and psychological recovery.
Background Preparticipation screenings have been conceived for the potential to prevent sudden ca... more Background Preparticipation screenings have been conceived for the potential to prevent sudden cardiac death in young athletes by early identification of hidden cardiac diseases. Commonly used protocols include family history collection, physical examination, and resting electrocardiogram. Transthoracic echocardiography has been hypothesized to have a primary role in the preparticipation screening. Aims The present study aimed to evaluate the additional role of echocardiogram in identifying cardiovascular abnormalities that might be undetected by commonly used preparticipation screening. Methods We retrospectively reviewed Ferrari Formula Benessere, a corporate wellness program database, and analyzed data recorded from 2017 to 2022 to compare two medical models: a ‘standard’ preparticipation screening including medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram and exercise stress testing versus an ‘advanced’ preparticipation screening comprising history, physical examination, electrocardiogram, exercise stress testing and echocardiography. Results From an initial sample size of 7500 patients, we included 500 patients (420 male, 33.69 ± 7.9 mean age) enrolled for the first time in the corporate wellness program between 2017 and 2022. Three hundred and thirty-nine (67.8%) patients had no abnormal findings at ‘standard’ preparticipation screening and, even if they would have not required further evaluation, we performed echocardiography anyway (‘advanced’ preparticipation screening): 31 (9.1%) showed some abnormal cardiovascular findings at echocardiography, such as patent foramen ovalis, bicuspid aortic valve, aortic root ectasia or mitral valve prolapse. Conclusions Screening echocardiogram showed an additional value (about 10% more) in detecting patients with cardiovascular abnormalities, otherwise undiagnosed with the ‘standard’ preparticipation screening protocol.
Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology
Stem cells have demonstrated significant potential for tissue repair and regeneration, making the... more Stem cells have demonstrated significant potential for tissue repair and regeneration, making them a promising therapeutic avenue in sports medicine. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on the application of stem cells in sports medicine. We will discuss the types of stem cells used, their mechanisms of action, and the clinical outcomes of stem cell therapy in different sports-related injuries. Furthermore, we will delve into the challenges and ethical considerations associated with stem cell therapy, as well as future directions and potential applications of stem cells in sports medicine.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon of the human body, and it is frequently ... more The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon of the human body, and it is frequently injured during sports activity. The incidence of Achilles tendon pathologies has increased over recent decades, especially in the last few years, because of increased sports participation among the general population and due to the diffusion of competitive sports at a high level. Tendinopathies are common in athletes and in middle-aged overweight patients. The term “tendinopathy” refers to a condition characterised clinically by pain and swelling, with functional limitations of tendon and nearby structures, and consequently to chronic failure of healing response process. Tendinopathies can produce marked morbidity, and at present, scientifically validated management modalities are limited. Despite the constantly increasing interest and number of studies about Achilles tendinopathy (AT), there is still not a consensual point of view on which is the best treatment, and its management is st...
Cardiac regeneration is a critical endeavor in the treatment of heart diseases, aimed at repairin... more Cardiac regeneration is a critical endeavor in the treatment of heart diseases, aimed at repairing and enhancing the structure and function of damaged myocardium. This review offers a comprehensive overview of current advancements and strategies in cardiac regeneration, with a specific focus on regenerative medicine and tissue engineering-based approaches. Stem cell-based therapies, which involve the utilization of adult stem cells and pluripotent stem cells hold immense potential for replenishing lost cardiomyocytes and facilitating cardiac tissue repair and regeneration. Tissue engineering also plays a prominent role employing synthetic or natural biomaterials, engineering cardiac patches and grafts with suitable properties, and fabricating upscale bioreactors to create functional constructs for cardiac recovery. These constructs can be transplanted into heart to provide mechanical support and facilitate tissue healing. Additionally, the production of organoids and chips that accu...
There is an immediate need to optimize cardiovascular (CV) risk management and primary prevention... more There is an immediate need to optimize cardiovascular (CV) risk management and primary prevention of childhood obesity to timely and more effectively combat the health hazard and socioeconomic burden of CV disease from childhood development to adulthood manifestation. Optimizing screening programs and risk management strategies for obesity-related CV risk in childhood has high potential to change disease trajectories into adulthood. Building on a holistic view on the aetiology of childhood obesity, this document reviews current concepts in primary prevention and risk management strategies by lifestyle interventions. As an additional objective, this scientific statement addresses the high potential for reversibility of CV risk in childhood and comments on the use of modern surrogate markers beyond monitoring weight and body composition. This scientific statement also highlights the clinical importance of quantifying CV risk trajectories and discusses the remaining research gaps and c...
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