
Antonio PaoliUniversity of Padua | UNIPD · Department of Biomedical Sciences - DSB
Antonio Paoli
MD, BSc FECSS FACSM
About
361
Publications
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Introduction
I am currently Professor and Chair of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Director of the Nutrition & Exercise Physiology Laboratory at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy. I am also professor and Chair of Strength Training and sport Nutrition at the Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain. My research interests include the interaction of exercise and diet on skeletal muscle metabolism with special interest on ketogenic diet and fasting; the molecular bases of exercise training adaptation; and the sports biomechanics. I am a consultant for several professional sports athletes and team.
Additional affiliations
January 2012 - present
January 2000 - present
Publications
Publications (361)
Short‐term unloading experienced following injury or hospitalisation induces muscle atrophy and weakness. The effects of exercise following unloading have been scarcely investigated. We investigated the functional and molecular adaptations to a resistance training (RT) programme following short‐term unloading. Eleven males (22.09 ± 2.91 years) unde...
Introduction
Academic environments are known for their high demands, often resulting in significant distress among employees. Thus, identifying effective intervention strategies to mitigate workplace stress is essential. The present study aims to evaluate the potential benefits of mind–body interventions (i.e., Yoga and Tai Chi) on the psychologica...
Purpose
Body composition can be estimated using anthropometric-based regression models, which are population-specific and should not be used interchangeably. However, the widespread availability of predictive equations in the literature makes selecting the most valid equations challenging. This systematic review compiles anthropometric-based predic...
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...
The use of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is now well established in healthcare as an essential support tool for patient management in various clinical settings. Its use in sports is rapidly expanding due to the valuable insights it offers, helping to better structure athletes’ diets and training programs, thereby optimizing their performan...
Background
Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a dietary regimen that limits food intake for at least 12 h daily. Unlike other fasting protocols, TRE does not dictate what or how much to eat but rather focuses on the timing of meals. This approach has been previously demonstrated to improve body composition in individuals with obesity or metabolic impa...
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...
Background Degeneration of the motoneuron and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and loss of motor units (MUs) contribute to age-related muscle wasting and weakness associated with sarcopenia. However, these features have not been comprehensively investigated in humans. This study aimed to compare neuromuscular system integrity and function at different...
Purpose
While cycling offers several health benefits, repetitive loading and maintenance of static postures for prolonged periods expose cyclists to low back pain (LBP). Despite high LBP prevalence in cyclists, underlying pathomechanics and specific lumbar region muscle activation patterns during cycling are unclear. Here, we compared lumbar erecto...
The gut microbiome plays a significant role in physiological functions such as nutrient processing, vitamin production, inflammatory response, and immune modulation, which, in turn, are important contributors to athlete health and performance. To date, the interpretation, discussion, and visualization of microbiome results of athletes are challengi...
Background
Degeneration of the motoneuron and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and loss of motor units (MUs) contribute to age‐related muscle wasting and weakness associated with sarcopenia. However, these features have not been comprehensively investigated in humans. This study aimed to compare neuromuscular system integrity and function at different...
Obesity is defined as a complex, systemic disease characterized by excessive and dysfunctional adipose tissue, leading to adverse health effects. This condition is marked by low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic abnormalities, including mitochondrial dysfunction. These factors promote energy dysregulation and impact body compositi...
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...
Purpose of review
The gut microbiome regulates several health and disease-related processes. However, the potential bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiome and physical exercise remains uncertain. Here, we review the evidence related to the gut microbiome in athletes.
Recent findings
The effect of physical exercise on the intestinal...
The appropriate use of predictive equations in estimating body composition through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) depends on the device used and the subject’s age, geographical ancestry, healthy status, physical activity level and sex. However, the presence of many isolated predictive equations in the literature makes the correct choice cha...
Purpose of the Review
The use of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for monitoring body composition during the ketogenic diet has experienced a rapid surge. This scoping review aimed to assess the validity of procedures applying BIA in the ketogenic diet and to suggest best practices for optimizing its utilization.
Recent Findings
We conducted...
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...
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...
Purpose
Dragon Boat discipline has become a popular type of physical exercise among women with breast cancer. The present study aims to investigate the effects of Dragon Boat activity on body composition, physical function, and psychosocial aspects (i.e., body appreciation and quality of life [QoL]) in women operated for breast cancer.
Methods
Thi...
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...
Concurrent activation potentiation (CAP) increases athletic performance by activating muscles not involved in the performed activity. Among the CAP strategies, jaw clenching is the most practical to implement in sports contexts. Muscle strength and balance control are essential among rugby players to cope tackles. Besides combat sports, mouthguard...
Background Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a rapid and user-friendly technique for assessing body composition in sports. Currently, no sport-specific predictive equations are available, and the utilization of generalized formulas can introduce systematic bias. The objectives of this study were as follows: (i) to develop and validate new p...
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...
PURPOSE: Overactivation of erector spinae (ES) muscles has been identified as one of the potential major causes of low back pain (LBP) in cyclists1. Previous evidence on rowers with LBP reported an altered magnitude and spatial distribution of ES activity2. Conversely, less is known about cyclists’ lumbar region activation patterns. Accordingly, in...
PURPOSE: High-density surface EMG (HDsEMG) provides valuable information about motor units (MUs) properties and their adaptability non-invasively. However, great intersubject variability in identification of MUs exists due to anatomical constraints of the muscle, individual volume conductor properties and the contraction intensity. A recent study s...
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...
Background
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a technique widely used for estimating body composition and health-related parameters. The technology is relatively simple, quick, and non-invasive, and is currently used globally in diverse settings, including private clinicians’ offices, sports and health clubs, and hospitals, and across a spec...
Objective: Alpine skiing requires complex motor skills and fine adjustments to maintain balance in dynamic and challenging conditions. This study aimed to understand whether the balance ability in unspecific (UST) and sport-specific (SST) tasks could depend on the skiers’ ranking level. The balance performance of the dominant and non-dominant limbs...
Background:
Interactive videogames, virtual reality, and robotics represent a new opportunity for multimodal treatments in many rehabilitation contexts. However, several commercial videogames are designed for leisure and are not oriented toward definite rehabilitation goals. Among the many, Playball® (Playwork, Alon 10, Ness Ziona, Israel) is a th...
The translation of the base of support represents a promising approach for the objective assessment of dynamic balance control. Therefore, this study aimed to present a servo-controlled, electrically driven movable plate and a new set of parameters based on the center-of-pressure (CoP) trajectory. Twenty subjects were assessed on a force platform s...
Élite athletes, due to the intense mental and physical demand, may experience injuries and hormonal dysfunction, including overuse injuries and menstrual disorders. Both these factors are influenced by Low Energy Availability (LEA), so this study aims to determine the relationship between menstrual irregularities, stress fractures and LEA in Italia...
Overactivation of erector spinae (ES) muscles has been identified as one of the potential major causes of low back pain (LBP) in cyclists. However, less is known about cyclists’ lumbar region activation patterns. Accordingly, in this cross-sectional study, we compared the activation and spatial distribution of ES muscles in cyclists with and withou...
Background & aims:
The bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) represents a qualitative analysis of body composition. The vector, defined by resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) standardized by stature, can be evaluated compared to the 50%,75%, and 95% tolerance ellipses representative of the reference populations. The tolerance ellipses for h...
The analysis of the center of pressure (CoP) trajectory, derived from force platforms, is a widely accepted measure to investigate postural balance control. The CoP trajectory could be analyzed as a physiological time-series through a general stochastic modeling framework (i.e., Stabilogram Diffusion Analysis (SDA)). Critical point divides short-te...
Because of the biophysical relation between muscle fibre diameter and the propagation velocity of action potentials along the muscle fibres, motor unit conduction velocity could be a non‐invasive index of muscle fibre size in humans. However, the relation between motor unit conduction velocity and fibre size has been only assessed indirectly in ani...
Scientific literature is giving greater importance to dynamic balance in fall prevention. Recently, the validity and reliability of the most employed functional tests for dynamic balance assessment has been investigated. Although these functional tests are practical and require minimal equipment, they are inherently subjective, as most do not use i...
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and anthropometry are considered alternatives to well-established reference techniques for assessing body composition. In team sports, the percentage of fat mass (FM%) is one of the most informative parameters, and a wide range of predictive equations allow for its estimation through both BIA and anthropometry...
Objectives:
The present study aimed to develop and cross-validate a futsal-specific bioelectrical equation for estimating fat-free mass (FFM) in male players.
Methods:
A total of 66 futsal players (age 23.3 ± 5.4 years) from the Major Portuguese Futsal League "LIGA PLACARD" and from the 2nd and 3rd National Futsal Leagues were included in this c...
Stiffness is a fundamental property of living tissues, which may be modified by pathologies or traumatic events but also by nutritional, pharmacological and exercise interventions. This review aimed to understand if specific forms of exercise are able to determine specific forms of tissue stiffness adaptations. A literature search was performed on...
Purpose: Digital imaging systems are increasingly being used in health care settings for quantifying body size and shape, as well as accurate classifications. The potential exists to provide similar anthropometric measures outside of professional settings using smartphone applications (apps). The aim of this study was to compare the waist-to-hip ra...
Dragon Boat (DB) is a discipline that has become more popular in the last few years among women with breast cancer thanks to its psychophysical benefits. The present randomized control trial aims to depict the effects of a DB program on body composition, physical function, and some psychosocial aspects. METHODS: Thirty-two women with a previous dia...
From the second half of the previous century, there has been a shift toward occupations largely composed of desk-based behaviors. This, inevitably, has led to a workload reduction and a consequent lower energy expenditure. On this point, small increments of the non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) could be the rationale to reach health benefi...
The project STAI BENE 2.0 aimed to implement psycho-oncological and rehabilitative support for the paediatric patient suffering from onco-haematological malignancies in continuity between hospital and home stays. Online home-based and personalized physical exercise is included in the interventions with the final goal of promoting patient well-being...
Background
Recent research suggest that gut microbiome may play a fundamental role in athlete's health and performance. Interestingly, nutrition can affect athletic performance by influencing the gut microbiome composition. Among different dietary patterns, ketogenic diet represents an efficient nutritional approach to get adequate body composition...
Because of the biophysical relation between muscle fibre diameter and the propagation velocity of action potentials along the muscle fibres, motor unit conduction velocity (MUCV) could be a non-invasive index of muscle fibre size in humans. However, the relation between MUCV and fibre size has been only assessed indirectly in animal models and in h...
Although regular physical activity exposure leads to positive postural balance control (PBC) adaptations, few studies investigated its effects, or the one of inactivity, on PBC in populations of different age groups. Thus, this study investigated the impact of a physically active lifestyle on static and dynamic PBC in young and older adults. Thirty...
Background Evidence regarding chronic stretching training is limited. This study aimed to review studies that performed stretching training and evaluated the effects on muscular strength.
Methods Literature search was performed using three databases. Studies were included if compared the effects on strength following stretching training versus a n...
Resistance training has been proposed as a valid practice to counteract the aging effect on body mass and its components, which can be easily evaluated though the bioelectrical impedance analysis. This study aimed to achieve a systematic review with meta-analysis on the impact of resistance training on bioelectrical proprieties in older adults.
A l...
Studies pertaining to muscle dysmorphia (MD) have concentrated the most on males. However, a new body ideal for women is emerging: a very toned, athletic body with flat, smooth muscles. The emphasis on the level of muscularity represents a contribution to the growth of MD symptoms in women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factorial struct...
Numerous studies have examined the relationship between changes in Physical Activity (PA) and mental health during the lockdown. With respect to Italy, there is a lack of studies investigating changes in the type of and in the levels of PA performed pre- and during the lockdown and the relationship among PA changes and psychological variables such...
The high rate of air pollution represents a significant threat to health across the world. At the same time, the level of sedentarism is significantly increasing. In this scenario, new active transportation strategies are needed to address both these problems and e-bikes may be the answer to this need. E-bikes represent a way to promote green susta...
Urban green areas are of fundamental importance for the mental and physical well-being of citizens. However, these areas are often designed without considering the needs of all users, especially people with disabilities and the elderly. To fill this gap, the SHIP project aims at designing and developing urban furniture, rides, and tools for physica...
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a worldwide pandemic illness that is impacting the cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and cognitive function of a large spectrum of the worldwide population. The available pharmacological countermeasures of these long-term effects of COVID-19 are minimal, while myriads of non-specific non-pharmacologi...
Background
Physical fitness status is a key aspect of health and, consequently, it is important to create and adopt appropriate interventions to maintain or improve it, and assess it using valid measures. While in other testing contexts, standard operating procedures (SOPs) are commonly and widely adopted, in physical fitness testing, a variety of...
Objectives
Critical velocity and its related total distance covered above critical velocity can be used to evaluate and monitor the training and competition performance in athletes. While it is well researched in sports such as cycling and running, the literature on critical velocity in swimming is less available. Therefore, the objectives of this...
Neuromuscular fatigue could negatively affect postural balance, but its effects on dynamic postural regulation are still debated. This study aimed to investigate whether a fatigue protocol on calf muscle could affect muscle activation strategies and dynamic balance performance. Seventeen male adults (age 24.1 ± 4.6 years; height 183.9 ± 7.2 cm; wei...
Moro, T, Monaco, L, Naro, F, Reggiani, C, and Paoli, A. Exercise intensity and rest intervals effects on intracellular signals and anabolic response of skeletal muscle to resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 38(10): 1695–1703, 2024—Resistance training (RT) is one of the most important stimuli for muscle hypertrophy, and it may play also an impo...
Rapid weight loss is omnipresent in combat sports [1]. By reducing a substantial amount of weight prior to an official weigh-in and regaining weight after having made into desired weight class, combat athletes try to gain an advantage over their lighter opponents [2]. This type of behavior is often coined weight cycling and can take place on multip...
Background
As combat sports are classified by body mass, many athletes engage in rapid weight loss (RWL) prior to competition so they can gain an advantage over lighter opponents. Following the weigh-in, athletes engage in rapid weight gain (RWG), whereby some athletes have been able to compete up to three weight categories greater than the officia...
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic forced most Italian athletes to cease their regular training activities, with possible consequences on both mental and physical health. The present study aimed at assessing changes in Physical Activity (PA) from pre- to lockdown, and examining the relationships among lockdown PA, quality of life (mental and physica...
Aging and menopause are associated with morphological and functional changes which may lead to loss of muscle mass and therefore quality of life. Resistance training (RT) is an effective training mode to increase muscle mass. We reviewed the existing literature to identify studies implementing RT protocols and evaluating muscle hypertrophy exclusiv...