
Antonino BiancoUniversity of Palermo | UNIPA · Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement
Antonino Bianco
Full Professor - University of Palermo. Italy
About
423
Publications
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Introduction
Trust me, I'm a nice person.
Additional affiliations
November 2019 - August 2020
January 2013 - December 2017
Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI)
Position
- Consultant
September 2013 - January 2015
Education
February 2009 - October 2020
January 2005 - April 2008
January 1999 - June 2004
Publications
Publications (423)
Background: Artificial intelligence is based on algorithms that enable machines to perform tasks and activities that generally require human intelligence, and its use offers innovative solutions in various fields. Machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence, concentrates on empowering computers to learn and enhance from data autonomously;...
Purpose:
This systematic review aims to synthesize the current research on doping in combat sports, examining the prevalence, detection methods, prevention strategies, and overall impact on combat sports.
Design/methodology/approach:
Of the 21 identified articles, six met the inclusion criteria. A systematic approach was used, including content...
Background
Manual dexterity is the ability to manipulate objects with precision and efficiency, using hands and fingers to achieve a specific objective. This study investigated how the practice of Capoeira, a sport that stimulates coordination skills, affects manual dexterity in children regularly engaged in physical activity or in sedentary childr...
Introduction
Knee osteoarthritis is a common orthopaedic disease, is the leading cause of disability in the elderly, and can lead to pain, loss of function, and reduced quality of life. This research aims to determine how PA programs can be effectively classified and customised to align with the stages of knee OA according to the KL classification....
Introduction
This study aimed to evaluate the angular kinematics of the hip, knee, ankle, and the linear kinematics of the barbell during the back squat (BS) at different load intensities in powerlifters and weightlifters.
Methods
Seventeen athletes were recruited (n = 14 powerlifters; n = 3 weightlifters). The 1-RM of the BS of each participant w...
Data-driven training prescription based on previous training or match data is thought to be associated with better training outcome, compared to prescription without considering any monitoring data. Understanding the complex relationship between training load, physical performance, fitness status, fatigue and injury risk represents a challenge for...
Introduction: While pedaling, cyclists rest their pelvis on the saddle, generating pressures on it. The pressures generated on the saddle are influenced by several factors. This study aimed to evaluate whether the flexibility of hamstring and lower back muscles could be considered a predictor of pressures in the anterior region (PAR) on the saddle....
Background
This study aimed to compare and examine the local and non-local effects of a foam rolling (FR) and static stretching (SS) intervention applied to the plantar flexor (PF).
Methods
Fourteen female participants were investigated. Each participant underwent three conditions in a random order at least 48h apart and at the same time of the da...
Practicing physical activities or sports that involve frequent jumping and landing can strain the muscles and joints of the lower limbs, especially in those who do not have adequate physical preparation. The objective of this study was to (a) determine the correlation between ankle range of motion (ROM) and landing stability following jumps; (b) as...
BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating alterations in cardiac biomarkers in rapid sport-associated weight loss (RWL) and high-intensity sport-specific training (HISST) are lacking. This pilot study aimed to examine the effects of RWL and HISST on heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac biomarkers, and left ventricular systolic function. Nine elite male judokas...
This narrative review aimed to identify young cancer survivors’ behaviours, experiences, and perspectives concerning physical activity, and identify useful strategies for promoting a healthy lifestyle. A manual search on the following databases was conducted: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search was conducted between June 1, 2023, and Apr...
Background
The movement of the barbell has been detected as success factor for the snatch and the clean and jerk events. As the barbell’s movement has been shown to be related to the athlete’s body movement, we hypothesized that the latter could be a success factor also for the back squat (BS) event. Hence, this study aimed to investigate postural...
Background
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of velocity-based strength training (VBT) and percentage-based strength training (PBT) on absolute strength, explosive power, speed, and agility, as well as markers of muscle damage after 6 weeks of exercise programs and a total of 12 training sessions.
Materials and methods
The study...
Objective: The main project objectives will be to characterize the lifestyle behaviours of young cancer survivors (YCS) and to examine the associations of physical activity, balanced nutrition and sustainability and nature behaviours with mental well-being and quality of life. Methods: The present cross-sectional project will include YCS between 15...
Purpose of Review
This consensus statement from the Italian Society of Motor and Sports Sciences (Società Italiana di Scienze Motorie e Sportive, SISMeS) and the Italian Society of Phlebology (Società Italiana di Flebologia, SIF) provides the official view on the role of exercise as a non-pharmacological approach in lipedema. In detail, this consen...
BACKGROUND: Available literature referring to the differences in the efficiency between velocity-based training (VBT) and percentage-based strength training (PBT) relating to the neuromuscular performances and markers of muscle damage in young males is quite scarce. Therefore, the goal of the current study was to investigate the differences between...
July 2023 has been confirmed as Earth's hottest month on record, and it was characterized by extraordinary heatwaves across southern Europe. Field data collected under real heatwave periods could add important evidence to understand human adaptability to extreme heat. However, field studies on human physiological responses to heatwave periods remai...
Background
Padel has spread rapidly in several countries around the world. Although this racket sport seems to have several health benefits, the number of scientific papers on this sport is still very few. This scoping review aimed to systematically map the evidence regarding injuries in Padel players by identifying, synthesizing, and assessing the...
Balance is a fundamental motor skill critical for human life. It is crucial for maintaining proper posture, overall well-being, and performing complex movements, especially in sports (Jaworski et al., 2023; Patti et al., 2023). Assessing the motor abilities of children is crucial for determining their developmental advancement in relation to their...
Purpose
Over the past few decades, the incidence of cancer among adolescents and young adults (AYA) has been increasing. The impact of behaviors, such as physical activity (PA) and nutrition, on disease progression, prognosis, and overall health and quality of life for AYA cancer survivors is of significant importance. This systematic review aims t...
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of velocity-based strength training (VBT) and percentage-based strength training (PBT) on absolute strength, explosive strength, speed, and agility, as well as markers of muscle damage after 6 weeks of exercise programs. The study included 30 young female individuals, divided into three groups of...
Regarding skeletal muscle hypertrophy, resistance training and nutrition, the most often discussed and proposed supplements include proteins. Although, the correct amount, quality, and daily distribution of proteins is of paramount importance for skeletal muscle hypertrophy, there are many other nutritional supplements that can help and support the...
Regarding skeletal muscle hypertrophy, resistance training and nutrition, the most often discussed and proposed supplements include proteins. Although, the correct amount, quality, and daily distribution of proteins is of paramount importance for skeletal muscle hypertrophy, there are many other nutritional supplements that can help and support the...
Restrictive diets, forced fasting, and voluntary reduction of body mass have attracted the attention of scientists, health professionals, and athletes. Reducing weight too quickly is unsustainable and can lead to numerous complications. Short-term body weight regulation is preva- lent in combat sports, where rapid weight loss (RWL) methods are empl...
Background
Sleep disorders are often complained by cancer patients and can last years after the end of therapies, leading to different negative consequences. Non‐pharmacological strategies such as exercise interventions may be considered to counteract this phenomenon. The literature supports the beneficial effects of aerobic training (AT), while ev...
Background
Prismatic adaptation (PA) is a visuomotor technique using prismatic glasses that are capable of moving the visual field and to affect the excitability of certain brain areas. The aim of this pilot study was to explore potential acute effects of PA on penalty kick accuracy and postural control in youth soccer players.
Methods
In this ran...
Life expectancy among young cancer survivors has increased in the last decades. Unfortunately, young cancer survivors might still experience mental and physical issues due to cancer treatment. Moreover, although physical activity is a valid tool for increasing social support and reducing the risk of obesity, sedentary behaviour is very common among...
Background: The ease of administration of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) could represent a methodology for periodically evaluating athletes, preventing ankle instability injuries. This study aimed to achieve three objectives: (a) to evaluate the applicability of the CAIT scale in volleyball; (b) to explore whether ankle instability pr...
Study aim : Dietary and non-dietary weight loss methods are highly prevalent among combat sports athletes (CSA). Most CSA undergo rapid weight loss (RWL) usually a week before the competition to reduce their body mass and thus compete in the lowest weight category possible. The objective of the study was to distinguish the impact of high-intensity...
Changes in cardiac geometry develop after intense and prolonged training. Left ventricular enlargement, increased relative wall thickness, and growing mass of the left ventricle occur after strenuous exercise. Combat sports such as judo can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy. Previous studies have found that there are differences in left ventricu...
Objective. – Rapid weight loss (RWL) has been traditionally practiced in judo. While the effects of it on performance and health have been extensively studied, less attention is dedicated to psychological ramifications of RWL. We sought to investigate the effects of RWL on mood states in judo athletes.
Method. – PubMed and Web of Science were syste...
This abstract shows the importance of examining the impact of rapid weight loss (RWL) on physical, mental, and metabolic health, considering contemporary social pressures and aesthetic expectations. The document explores physiological, psychological, and metabolic alterations associated with RWL through a brief scientific review. In conclusion, it...
Background
Physical activity plays an important role in the management of blood glucose levels. However, compelling evidence exists only for aerobic and resistance training. In this review, we aimed to identify the potential effects of stretching exercises on blood glucose levels.
Methods
A systematic literature search was performed using the foll...
Objective To compare time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per week, MVPA per day, and steps per day between individuals that were subjected to the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and healthy control group.
Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
Data sources Web of Science, Scopus...
Background
In terms of the potential influence of rapid weight loss (RWL) on the metabolic health of former combat sports athletes (CSA), the scientific literature is quite scarce. Therefore, the objective of the presented research was to determine the differences in metabolic syndrome (MetS) parameters and the prevalence of MetS between former ath...
Introduction: The objectives of the present study were twofold: first, to identify the specific relative load at which the concentric motion transforms into a purely propulsive action among women, and second, to compare the load-velocity relationships between men and women during the bench press throw.
Methods: Fourteen men and fourteen women parti...
Resistance training is now seen as a powerful tool to improve the health and functionality of cancer survivors. Literature shows that it can be implemented both during and after cancer treatment, with the intent of preserving muscle mass in the former and increasing muscle mass in the latter case. However, currently available data on this matter ar...
Manual dexterity is a key skill in motor development. There are conflicting studies on the influence of sports practice on this skill and on which type of sport trains this ability the most in youth. Manual dexterity is usually assessed with expensive and time-consuming tools not easily available to facilities such as schools or sports clubs. The a...
Study aim : The aim of this study is to assess whether a closed (CG) or open grip (OC) can influence the maximum number of repetitions during the pull-up test to exhaustion.
Material and methods : Ninety-five physically active males (age 23.5 ± 6.2 years, body mass 69 ± 7.9 kg, height 174.0 ± 6.4 cm, BMI 22.9 ± 2.2) randomly performed the pull-up t...
Women continue to be under‐represented in thermoregulatory research despite their undergoing unique physiological changes across the lifespan. This study investigated the biophysical, thermo‐physiological, and perceptual determinants of cool‐seeking behaviour during exercise in younger and older women. Eleven younger (25 ± 5 years; 1.7 ± 0.1 m; 63....
Background:
Few studies have investigated the effects of adopting a specific and prolonged posture on cyclists. This study aimed to evaluate the upright spine in a sample of recreational cyclists and compare it with a sample of non-cyclists, though still athletes, through a 3D scanning method.
Methods:
Forty-eight participants were enrolled in t...
Purpose: This pilot study investigated the effects of rapid weight loss (RWL) combined with high-intensity-sport-specific training (HISST) on heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac biomarkers, and left ventricular systolic function in elite male judokas.
Methods: Nine elite male judokas participated in a crossover investigation. Baseline assessments w...
Purpose: Cardiac remodeling can occur in two ways: physiological o pathological. Pathological cardiac remodeling is the consequence of adverse factors that lead to structural and functional changes in the left ventricle (LV) in response to internal o external damage [1]. Judo is an intermittent combat sport that requires high levels of intra- muscu...
Background
The objective of this study was to summarize available literature that explored the impact of body mass index (BMI) on physical activity participation among individuals who were subjected to the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).
Methods
A total of three electronic databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed,...
The progress in medical sciences has dramatically improved the survival probability of youth affected by cancer. However, young cancer survivors experience might long-term side effects, also from a psychological point of view. One of the tools that could reduce the risk of mental disorders in young cancer survivors could be physical exercise. Healt...
Background:
Padel is a racket sport similar to tennis, which since the COVID-19 pandemic has been gaining popularity among recreational players. Despite its popularity, epidemiological studies are still lacking. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of injuries among Italian recreational padel players and associated risk factors.
Methods:...
Background:
The aim of this manuscript is to investigate if stretching exercise administration order may influence outcomes pertinent to range of movement (ROM).
Methods:
A total sample of 108 participants was randomized into five groups. Eight sets of unilateral static stretching (SS) of 30s duration each with a 30s rest were administered to th...
Over the past 50 years, socioeconomic development has brought a reduction in birth rates, an increase in life expectancy and consequently in the elderly population. For this reason, there has been an increasing focus on physical and mental health of the elderly, promoting the concept of healthy aging. The aim of this study was to explore the associ...
Purpose
Low back pain is the most frequently reported musculoskeletal disorder and represents one of the highest patient burdens in healthcare. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Pilates exercise on pain intensity and functional disability caused by low back pain (LBP).
Materials and methods
A Systema...
Pillitteri, G, Clemente, FM, Petrucci, M, Rossi, A, Bellafiore, M, Bianco, A, Palma, A, and Battaglia, G. Toward a new conceptual approach to "intensity" in soccer player's monitoring: A narrative review. J Strength Cond Res 37(9): 1896-1911, 2023-In the last decade, monitoring physiological and match-related demands in soccer has become an increas...
Preliminary human studies show that reduced skin temperature minimises the risk of mechanically induced skin damage. However, the mechanisms by which cooling enhances skin tolerance to pressure and shear remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that skin cooling below thermo-neutral conditions will decrease kinetic friction at the skin-material in...
The ketogenic diet (KD) is, nowadays, considered an interesting nutritional approach for weight loss and improvement in insulin resistance. Nevertheless, most of the studies available in the literature do not allow a clear distinction between its effects on insulin sensitivity per se, and the effects of weight loss induced by KDs on insulin sensiti...
The current systematic review aims to assess the acute stress-reduction effects of virtual reality (VR) natural environments. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, while the inclusion criteria were established through population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and study des...
Background:
Manual dexterity is the ability to manipulate objects using the hands and fingers for a specific task. Although manual dexterity is widely investigated in the general and special population at all ages, numerous aspects still remain to be explored in children. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of the training effect of t...
Objective Restrictive diets, forced starvation or voluntary weight loss are attracting more and more attention from scientists. Overall trends show that about 80% of combat sports athletes use specific methods of reducing body mass. Rapid weight loss could be a risk factor for kidneyrelated adverse outcomes. This study aimed to examine the impact o...
Background: This study aimed to examine the influence of school-based physical exercise programs on physical fitness and cardiometabolic health in children and adolescents with disabilities.
Methods: Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed were thoroughly searched to identify relevant investigations. To be included in the systematic review, studies need...
The contact point of the pelvis with the saddle of the bicycle could generate abnormal pressure, which could lead to injuries to the perineum in cyclists. The aim of this review was to summarize in a narrative way the current literature on the saddle pressures and to present the factors that influence saddle pressures in order to prevent injury ris...
The physical activity, exercise and wellness sector is rapidly growing and seems to be an exciting field for business and professional development with great potential globally. The purpose of this observational and cross-sectional study was to determine the most popular health and fitness trends in Southern Europe for the first time, including dat...
Upright bipedal posture is the physiological human posture; however, it is not the only possible form of human standing; indeed, an inverted position, a handstand, is required during gymnastics or other sports. Thus, this study aimed to understand the differences between the two standing strategies from a postural and neuromuscular perspective. Thi...
Introduction
Inclusive physical activity games at school can be useful for teachers dealing with students with disabilities. The use of inclusive strategies and games can be directly linked to teachers’ self-efficacy and familiarity with the inclusive strategies, while it could be indirectly influenced by their attitude toward inclusion and, in a s...
Background
Global Positioning System (GPS) devices are widely used in soccer for monitoring external load (EL) indicators with the aim of maximizing sports performance.The aim of this study was to investigate the EL indicators differences in players of different playing positions (i.e., central backs, external strikers, fullbacks, midfielders, stri...
Postural health, today more than ever, is entering a part of everyday life and is associated with the biomechanical analysis of the human body. The ability to obtain or restore a stable state of balance is referred to as postural control (Pollock et al., 2000). Postural control is a complex task, and many factors contribute to good control. The pos...
The aim of the research is to examine the influence of rapid reduction of body mass on the changes in biochemical markers of the skeletal muscles of sambo athletes.
Key words: sambo athletes, rapid weight loss, muscle damage
Differences in skin thermal sensitivity have been extensively mapped across areas of the human body, including the torso, limbs, and extremities. Yet, there are parts of the female body, such as the breast and the pelvis for which we have limited thermal sensitivity data. The aim of this study was to map cutaneous warm and cold sensitivity across s...
Handball is one of the most popular team sports around the world that has become physically very demanding, related to both competitions and daily training sessions. Optimal training programs are necessary to improve performance, especially when taking into account the frequency of jump shots (vertical jumps)