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Background: Although outdoor water sport activities are gaining increasing attention for their therapeutic potential in the social and care management of populations with chronic diseases, these practices are currently underutilised. Moreover, the available body of literature on the topic has not been critically and comprehensively assessed yet. Aims: (1) To appraise the health effects of outdoor water sport activities for chronic disease populations; (2) to preliminarily assess the potential size and scope of the available research literature for this emerging field and identify potential gaps and avenues of development. Methods: A literature search was performed scanning PubMed (including MEDLINE), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and Scopus from inception to December 2021. A scoping review was carried out by appraising all the available evidence on outdoor water sport interventions specifically designed for therapeutic purposes for individuals with chronic disease. The quality score of each study was calculated with the Tool for the assEssment of Study qualiTy and reporting in Exercise (TESTEX) tool. Results: Fifteen studies (five RCTs, seven non-RCTs and three CTs with healthy subjects as controls) met the inclusion criteria and were assessed. Among the studies selected, two focused on canoa kayak, one on stand-up paddle, two on surfing, two on sailing activity, and eight on dragon boat padding. The median TESTEX score for study quality and reporting was 6/15, i.e., "very low" (range 5–8). Based on the qualitative analysis, the few individual studies that could be included reported generally positive results, ranging from improvements in antioxidant action and cardiovascular function for dragon boating, to beneficial effects on balance, postural control, and flexibility for on-water paddle board activities. Overall, outdoor water sport interventions were associated to higher rates of adherence than conventional trainings. Conclusions: Very low to low quality evidence from a limited set of pilot studies seems to suggest beneficial effects of outdoor water sports for chronic disease populations. However, such preliminary findings need to be replicated through large, high-quality RCTs to be conducted in target populations. Avenues of development, scoping directions and translational perspectives for this specific research field are proposed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Physical exercise has been shown effective for bone health, across lifespan, if proper characteristics have been ensured during exercise prescription and conduction. The aim of our study was to verify if workout organization, in postmenopausal women, may have a central role in determining the entity of the osteogenic effect of a physical exercise program. Methods: Thirty-two postmenopausal women (mean age 59.35 ± 3.65 years) were eligible for the study. Plasma BAP and CTx-I were collected, and DEXA, anthropometry, dietary habits, and fitness tests have been ascertained before and after their participation in 12-week supervised workouts. One sub-group (TWs-s) was trained according to a traditional workout scheme, while the other sub-group (BBs-s) was trained following a bone-based scheme of exercise rotation. Results: BBs-s significantly increased BAP plasma values ( p = 0.004) and Six-Minute Walking Test result ( p < 0.001), while TWs-s not. Both the sub-groups significantly increased Flamingo Balance Test ( p = 0.05), Plank Position Test ( p < 0.001), Handgrip Test ( p = 0.004), Squat Test ( p < 0.001), and Arm Curl Test ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: When bone health is considered, the establishment of the right exercise order, in a circuit training workout, is very important, because it could amplify or delay mechanoreceptor desensitizing. The experimented bone-based scheme of exercise rotation seems able to furnish positive effects on bone, muscle, and aerobic fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The analysis of daily physical activity characteristics is an important starting point to favor the promotion of proper physical activity against obesity. The aim of our study was to characterize physical activity organization, among the different intensities and across age and ponderal status, to verify whether the normal-weight condition has the same physical activity characteristics across ages. Methods: We recruited 381 female participants; 100 were between 6 and 10 years old; 134 were between 35 and 54 years, and 147 were between 55 and 69 years. The body mass index of participants ranged from normal weight to obese. Daily physical activity was objectively recorded in the period between 15 June and 15 July, from 2011 to 2014. The effects of age, ponderal status, and their interaction on daily physical activity were studied. Results: Normal-weight children (NW-C) have higher daily METs and more vigorous physical activity than other sub-samples, while overweight and obese children (OW-C, O-C) have the same daily physical activity characteristics as normal-weight adults and older adults (NW-A, NW-OA). Conclusions: In female population, the intensity of daily physical activity is a distinctive characteristic of NW-C, while time engaged in moderate physical activity is a distinctive characteristic for NW-A and NW-OA. As OW-C and O-C have the same physical activity characteristics as NW-A and NW-OA, it is suggested that an age-related approach in the field of physical activity promotion should be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]