Search Results (198)

Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) are highly prevalent among bass-guitar players due to sustained asymmetrical postures, repetitive finger movements, and prolonged support of instrument weight. This study proposes a Human Digital Biomechanical Twin-driven, simulation-based approach to optimize bass-guitar support systems, integrating biomechanical modelling, motion capture, and musculoskeletal simulation. A preliminary survey among 63 Italian bass-guitar players was performed to define the experimental conditions regarding posture, instrument type, and session duration. Fifteen experienced bassists participated in laboratory trials using motion capture and postural assessment tools, including MediaPipe Pose, RULA, and AnyBody Modelling System. Baseline results highlighted significant activation of the trapezius and spinal extensor muscles (19–26% MVC), confirming high ergonomic risk. Three alternative support configurations were digitally simulated, revealing that a three-point harness system (bilateral shoulder straps plus thoracic anchoring) reduced spinal stabilizer activation by 15–25% across four anthropometric percentiles. Experimental validation confirmed enhanced comfort, reduced fatigue, and improved instrument stability, with the majority of participants preferring the ergonomic configuration. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of a simulation-based, prospective, and human-centred ergonomic design framework, offering a scalable methodology to compare and optimize adaptive instrument-support systems before physical prototyping. Full article

Manufacturing polishing tasks involve repetitive movements and sustained postures that increase exposure to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). This study presents an intersectoral validation of the ergonomic assessment methodology applied to industrial metal polishing operators that considered sociodemographic, anthropometric, and health variables. This study surveyed 41 workers using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and assessed a subsample of 27 workers using the REBA method through AI-based computer vision. Symptom prevalence was highest in the neck (82.9%), shoulders (70.8%), lower back (68.3%), and wrists/hands (65.9%). Using a computer-vision AI-based tool to analyse posture, the REBA method identified moderate (70.3%), high (26.0%) and very high (3.7%) WRMSD risks for the upper arms, neck, and trunk, respectively, with women showing greater susceptibility. Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant associations between age, gender, health perception, and musculoskeletal risks. The findings confirm the ergonomic assessment method’s applicability and reliability for ergonomic risk assessment in industrial polishing tasks, emphasising the need for targeted interventions adapted to gender and age profiles to mitigate occupational hazards. The results support a non-intrusive assessment approach suitable for industrial deployment and for prioritising targeted, worker-stratified ergonomic interventions. Full article

Introduction: Childhood and adolescent obesity is a growing global health challenge associated with early metabolic and cardiovascular complications. This study aims to compare questionnaire-assessed physical activity patterns and lifestyle characteristics among children and adolescents with obesity and normal-weight peers and to explore their associations with clinical measurements and cardiometabolic risk. Assessing resting metabolic rate (RMR) by indirect calorimetry may provide additional insight into metabolic status beyond conventional anthropometric indicators. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included 58 children and adolescents aged 5–18 years with obesity and 30 normal-weight controls evaluated in Sfânta Maria Emergency Children’s Hospital Iași, Romania. Clinical data included anthropometric measurements and available biochemical parameters. RMR was assessed through indirect calorimetry (Fitmate Pro, Cosmed, Rome, Italy). Parents completed a structured lifestyle questionnaire adapted from validated international instruments, collecting information on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and wearable device use. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 22.0, applying descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis. Results: Children with obesity reported higher body mass index (BMI) (30.48 ± 5.31 kg/m²), higher RMR values, lower physical activity levels and greater sedentary time than controls. RMR correlated positively with BMI, central adiposity, blood pressure, waist-to-height, hepatic steatosis and exercise tolerance. Although electronic devices for monitoring physical activity were more frequently used in the obesity group, this was not associated with higher activity levels. Conclusions: Children and adolescents with obesity exhibited a clustered cardiometabolic risk profile and reduced physical activity. RMR measured by indirect calorimetry may contribute to a more comprehensive metabolic assessment in pediatric obesity. Full article

Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by excessive fat accumulation. Irisin, released during exercise, regulates energy metabolism and may contribute to exercise-induced metabolic adaptations. This study aimed to compare the effects of 24 weeks of two different training programs on body composition, physical capacities, and irisin levels in male adults with obesity, and to investigate the relationship between irisin and metabolic parameters. Thirteen male adults with obesity were randomly assigned to polarized (POL) or threshold (THR) training programs. Anthropometric measurements, physical capacity parameters, serum and salivary samples were collected before (T0) and after the training period (T1). Irisin levels were measured by ELISA. After training, body composition significantly improved, with reductions in body mass and body mass index, and an increase in fat-free mass. Maximal oxygen consumption (V’O₂max) significantly increased, while a decrease in HRmax indicated improved cardiac efficiency. Although serum and salivary irisin levels did not significantly increase overall, a trend toward increased irisin was observed in the THR group. Furthermore, serum irisin at T1 positively correlated with V’O₂ at the respiratory compensation point (p = 0.019), and V’O₂max (p = 0.031). Both POL and THR training programs significantly improved body composition and cardiometabolic fitness after 24 weeks. The positive association of irisin with aerobic fitness parameters suggests that irisin may reflect physiological adaptations to exercise. Full article

Aim: Conventional free-fall kinematic models applied to plyometric push-up assessment treat the upper body as a vertically translating point mass, ignoring the curvilinear trajectory imposed by the ankle pivot and systematically biasing flight-time and height estimates. Methods: A planar rigid-body pendulum pivoting about the ankle axis was formulated via two independent derivation pathways (static moment equilibrium and a gravitational-torque coordinate approach), yielding effective pendulum length L = (M_W/M) × L_OS. Closed-form expressions for flight time, arc displacement, maximum height, and mean mechanical power were derived analytically from energy conservation and compared against free-fall predictions across seven pendulum arm lengths (L_OW = 0.50–2.00 m) and 500 initial hand velocities per length, using adaptive Gauss–Kronrod quadrature (relative tolerance 10⁻¹⁰) with ODE cross-validation (maximum discrepancy < 2.5 × 10⁻⁷ s). Results: Flight time equivalence (t^H = t^G) was formally established. The free-fall model overestimated flight time by up to 18.82% (Δt = 0.096 s; L_OW = 0.50 m, V_H,0 = 2.50 m/s) and maximum height by up to 28.43% (Δh = 0.087 m; L_OW = 0.50 m, t_flight = 0.50 s), with both errors growing nonlinearly with initial velocity. Overestimation in height was proportionally larger at shorter pendulum arm lengths (18.18% at t_flight = 0.30 s for L_OW = 0.50 m vs. 10.91% for L_OW = 1.00 m). Conclusions: The pendulum model provides a physically consistent, analytically tractable framework for geometry-adjusted upper-body power assessment from four field-obtainable anthropometric inputs. These results reflect computational self-consistency; prospective experimental validation against force-plate kinematics is required before applied deployment. Prospective empirical validation against dual force-plate and motion-capture reference data is required to establish the model’s accuracy boundaries under real push-up kinematics. Full article

Background/Objectives: This paper investigates the application of radial basis function (RBF) interpolation to adapt the Toyota Human Model for Safety (THUMS) version 6 finite element (FE) models to diverse anthropometric profiles using ANSUR II data. The research focuses on generating personalized human body models (HBMs) across 50th, 80th, and 98th percentiles for both sexes in standing and seated postures, evaluating mesh quality with quantitative metrics, and assessing posture-dependent transformations. Methods: The geometric accuracy for the standing configuration was quantified using DICE similarity coefficients and the 95th percentile Hausdorff distance (HD95). Results: While global whole-body DICE similarity averaged approximately 0.40 due to an inherent variability in distal limb positioning, regional analysis demonstrated strong volumetric overlap in the critical chest and torso regions with DICE values ranging from 0.80 to 0.88. Regional HD95 values were within 20–30 mm across most of the surface area. Surfaces distance analyses showed that more than 95% of the nodes were within $\pm 20$ mm of the target surfaces with the distribution centered near zero across all the percentiles. The mesh quality for both standing and seated morphs demonstrated low violation rates with the aspect ratio being 28% to 30%, while warpage, skewness and, Jacobian determinants were less than 15%. The seated morphs preserved anatomical alignment and posture despite mesh density differences between the postures. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the morphing process preserves anatomical fidelity while highlighting the need for further optimization to mitigate localized distortions in dynamic simulations. Full article

Objective: To evaluate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) in an urban Ecuadorian population, with emphasis on the protective role of specific dietary components and body composition. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with 1373 adults aged 18–75 years. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed using the 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS-14), while T2D risk was estimated using the Finnish Diabetes Risk Scale (FINDRISC). Anthropometric and body composition parameters were measured using standardized procedures. Adjusted associations between exposure variables and T2D risk were estimated using Poisson regression with robust variance, and prevalence ratios were calculated after controlling for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Results: Most participants showed low adherence to the MedDiet (85.2%), which was significantly associated with higher T2D risk. Multivariate analysis of individual dietary components showed relevant associations. Regular consumption of sofrito was associated with lower T2D risk (PR = 0.817; 95% CI: 0.682–0.979; p = 0.028). Similarly, low fruit consumption was associated with a substantially higher T2D risk (PR = 1.350; 95% CI: 1.146–1.589; p = 0.001). In addition, higher body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were consistently related to greater T2D risk. Conclusions: Greater adherence to the MedDiet, particularly consumption of key components such as sofrito and fruits, was associated with lower T2D risk. These findings highlight the importance of preventive lifestyle interventions adapted to the Latin American context. Full article

This study investigates the development of workwear designed to withstand harsh conditions and support physically demanding tasks. Its central aim is to create garments that enhance workers’ comfort and mobility by optimizing ergonomic and anthropometric factors. First of all, expert surveys were collected, and the importance of posture adaptability and material comfort was highlighted. To investigate realistic body–garment interactions, the 3D body scans of the upper body from 34 participants in common working poses were captured. These scans revealed the zones of high deformation, guiding the placement of elastic inserts to improve flexibility in targeted areas. The redesigned garments underwent a two-stage evaluation process. First, Clo3D virtual fittings provided qualitative insights into overall jacket fit and movement behavior. Next, stress and strain mapping offered quantitative validation, showing that fabric stress levels remained below 120 kPa, providing evidence that the added elasticity effectively reduced mechanical load and improved wearability. Expert reviewers confirmed the enhanced fit and functional performance. Overall, the study demonstrates an integrated design strategy that unites textile behavior, body dimensions and biomechanics. This approach not only improves workwear but also offers a transferable framework for developing specialized clothing across other physically intensive professions. Full article

Background: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Peripheral Heart Action (PHA) are widely used training modalities, but comparative longitudinal data using standardized anthropometric methods remain limited. Purpose: To compare within-group changes over 12 weeks of HIIT and PHA training on body composition and perceived psychophysical well-being in moderately active young adults. Methods: Twenty-four adults (12 males, 12 females; age 30.9 ± 3.5 years) were allocated to either HIIT or PHA in a non-randomized pilot study, based on training schedule availability and previous training routine, which may introduce selection bias. Training was performed three times per week for 12 weeks. Body composition was assessed using standardized ISAK anthropometry. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Results: Significant effects of Time were found for body mass, BMI, sum of skinfolds, waist circumference, and endomorphy (all p < 0.05). Significant Time × Group interactions were observed for BMI, sum of skinfolds, waist circumference, and endomorphy (p < 0.05), indicating different adaptation patterns. HIIT showed greater reductions in selected skinfolds and higher perceived performance improvement (p < 0.001), whereas PHA showed greater increases in arm circumferences and mesomorphy (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Within-group improvements were observed in anthropometric/body composition indicators over time, with distinct longitudinal adaptation patterns between HIIT and PHA. Full article

Objective: We examined vastus lateralis (VL), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL), and biceps femoris (BF) muscle architecture and force–time parameters recorded during a countermovement jump (CMJ). Methods: Eighty-nine 9 year-old girls (43 rhythmic gymnasts and 46 recreationally active controls) were assessed in: (a) muscle architecture (fascicle length—FL; angle; muscle thickness; and anatomical cross-sectional area—CSA) using ultrasonography, (b) CMJ performance (maximum force—Fmax; rate of force development—RFD; jump height; and peak power) using force–time data, and (c) anthropometrics and body composition. Results: Rhythmic gymnasts exhibited greater BF fascicle length and muscle thickness than controls (7.84 ± 0.73 vs. 7.26 ± 0.75 cm and 1.76 ± 0.19 vs. 1.61 ± 0.22 cm, respectively, p < 0.001), while VL muscle CSA was larger in controls (p = 0.001). When normalized to the respective segment length (thigh or shank), the FL was longer in gymnasts across all muscles (p ≤ 0.017). Gymnasts also demonstrated greater CMJ height (13.1%, p = 0.005), power scaled to body mass, and RFD (p < 0.005), while controls produced a greater Fmax (16.9%, p = 0.002). Body mass was the strongest predictor of Fmax in both groups (p < 0.001). CMJ power was best predicted by gastrocnemius CSA in gymnasts and by VL CSA combined with maturity offset in controls (all p < 0.001). Maturity offset and gastrocnemius CSA also predicted allometrically scaled power in controls. Conclusions: Rhythmic gymnasts are characterized by muscle-specific adaptations, specifically in the BF muscle FL and muscle thickness, which favor superior CMJ performance. In developing athletes, body mass is primarily related to maximal force, whereas muscle CSA is more closely associated with power output. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ageing is associated with reduced adaptive capacity, which may influence responses to chronic stress and contribute to adverse lifestyle changes. This study examined the relationships among diet quality, nutritional status, and psychosomatic health in adults aged 60+, while considering the role of psychological stress. Methods: A total of 372 participants were assessed using a validated FFQ to evaluate diet quality, the MNA to determine nutritional status, and anthropometric measurements. Psychological functioning was measured using the PSS-10, the 4DSQ, and the geriatric GDS scale. Results: No association was identified between adherence to the MIND diet and depressive or anxiety symptoms. However, depressive symptoms were positively associated with the consumption of unhealthy foods. Gender differences also emerged: women reported higher levels of perceived stress (PSS10 F: 13.5 M: 10.5; p < 0.001), anxiety (F: 0.97; M: 0.39; p < 0.01), and somatisation (F: 6.18; M: 4.22; p < 0.001), suggesting greater vulnerability to everyday stressors. Participants at risk of malnutrition displayed significantly higher levels (p < 0.05) of stress (8.33), depression (0.73), and anxiety (1.76) compared with well-nourished individuals (5.03; 0.33; 0.77, respectively). Conclusions: These findings underscore the significant relationship between nutritional status and mental functioning in older adults. They emphasise the need to integrate nutritional assessment with somatic and psychological evaluation to better support the health and well-being of seniors and to improve understanding of the interactions between diet, stress, and psychosomatic functioning in the ageing process. Full article

The annual soccer training cycle consists of preparatory, competitive, and transition periods. The transition phase is usually characterized by a decrease in training volume, which may lead to detraining and declines in physical fitness. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a structured transitional training program on anthropometric characteristics, aerobic capacity, and jumping performance in young soccer players. Twenty-three under-17 players participated in the study and, following a two-week period of training cessation, completed a three-week program that included aerobic training three times per week (continuous and interval running sessions) and strength progressive resistance training twice per week. Pre- and post-intervention measurements were analyzed using paired-samples t-tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The results revealed significant reductions in body fat percentage (p = 0.016, d = 0.547), body fat mass (p = 0.018, d = 0.535), and resting systolic blood pressure (p = 0.024, d = 0.507). Additionally, time to reach the anaerobic threshold (p = 0.022, d = −0.515) and movement speed at the anaerobic threshold (p = 0.029, d = −0.487) significantly increased. No significant changes were observed in the remaining variables. These findings indicate that a three-week transition-period training program combining structured aerobic running drills with progressive resistance training can induce favorable adaptations in selected anthropometric and physiological parameters in youth soccer players. However, the lack of a control group should be considered when interpreting the magnitude of the program’s effects. Full article

Background: Awkward postures are among the most prevalent ergonomic risk factors in occupational environments, including industrial settings. Conventional ergonomic risk assessments rarely address the relationship between sustained awkward postures and alterations in sagittal spinal curvatures. The primary objective of this study was to analyze the association between sagittal spinal posture parameters and exposure to awkward postures in male workers from the mattress manufacturing industry. The potential confounding effects of age, job seniority, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity level were also examined. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Data collected included age, job seniority, anthropometric variables, and physical activity level. Sagittal spinal posture parameters—head alignment, thoracic kyphotic curvature, lumbar lordotic curvature, and pelvic tilt—were assessed using photogrammetry. Exposure to awkward postures was recorded according to occupational health surveillance criteria. Results: A total of 116 male workers were randomly selected. BMI showed a significant negative association with head alignment (p = 0.001), with a medium effect size (η² = 0.090). Lower BMI values (β = −0.517) were observed in association with a more posterior head position. In addition, participants not exposed to awkward postures presented, on average, a 6.479° lower thoracic kyphotic curvature angle compared with exposed workers (p = 0.050), indicating a greater kyphotic curvature among those exposed. Conclusions: In this sample, lower BMI was associated with a more posterior head position and improved alignment with the upper trunk. Furthermore, exposure to awkward postures was related to a modest increase in thoracic kyphotic curvature, suggesting postural adaptations to occupational demands. Full article

To address the limitations of current prosthetic knees that lack personalized adaptability to users’ gait characteristics and walking speeds, this study proposes a personalized gait parameter prediction–based speed-adaptive control method for a hybrid active–passive intelligent prosthetic knee (HAPK). The proposed system integrates a perceptron-based model to predict individualized gait parameters by mapping anthropometric data and walking speed to key points of the knee trajectory. A fuzzy logic–based damping control for the swing phase and a position–torque control for the stance extension phase are developed to achieve real-time adaptation to different walking speeds and user-specific biomechanics. The hybrid actuation system combines hydraulic damping and motor torque assistance to ensure both compliance and power delivery across gait phases. Experimental results from variable-speed walking tests demonstrate that the proposed control method improves gait symmetry indices—reducing stance and swing asymmetries by approximately 30–38%—and achieves smoother, more natural gait transitions compared to traditional fixed-gait control strategies. These findings validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in achieving continuous, personalized, and speed-consistent gait control for intelligent prosthetic knees. Full article

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a fundamental pillar in the therapeutic pathway of patients with cardiovascular disease, contributing significantly to improving quality of life and reducing the risk of cardiovascular event recurrence. Over the past decades, this approach has progressively evolved, integrating multidisciplinary strategies based on scientific evidence. This study aimed to conduct a detailed analysis of the anthropometric, clinical, and functional characteristics of patients enrolled in the CR Unit of the San Giovanni di Dio and Ruggi D’Aragona University Hospital in Salerno, with particular attention to therapeutic changes, drug titration, and cognitive assessment. Methods: Specifically, the anthropometric, clinical, laboratory, and instrumental data of 95 patients (age 66.56 ± 0.99 years, 75% male) who underwent the CR program between 2023 and 2025 were analyzed. Results: Patients with various diagnoses were enrolled in the CR program: 17% heart failure, 18% cardiac surgery, 20% acute coronary syndrome, 16% chronic coronary syndrome, 29% dyspnea. The patients had numerous comorbidities and risk factors: 73% arterial hypertension, 77% dyslipidemia, 35% diabetes mellitus, 33% smoking, 13% thyroid dysfunction, 47% CAD, 18% CKD, 16% COPD. At baseline, Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) showed a moderately reduced functional capacity (VO₂ peak pre-CR: 14.29 ± 0.53 mL/min/kg; VO₂% predicted pre-CR: 62.19 ± 2.43%), and a significant improvement was recorded in meters at 6 min walk test (6MWT) post-CR (pre-CR: 306.02 ± 9.93 m vs. post-CR: 378.88 ± 13.37 m; p < 0.05). Notably, 22% of patients had a Qmci score < 49.4 points, indicating an MCI. Finally, the cardiovascular therapy was titrated and adapted; specifically, we recorded a significant increase in the use of SGLT2i therapy (pre-RC 22.00% vs. post-RC 34.00%; p < 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, CR proved to be safe and effective in enrolled patients; further studies will be needed to investigate the therapeutic modifications implemented during CR programs in more detail. Full article