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Purpose: To examine whether menstrual cycle affects body composition and bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA) patterns, jumping and sprinting ability, and flexibility in elite soccer players. Methods: A total of 20 elite female soccer players (age: 23.8 [3.4] y, height: 1.63 [0.04] m, body mass: 61.4 [5.9] kg, and body mass index: 22.5 [2.4] kg/m2) were monitored during the early follicular and ovulatory phase across 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. Bioimpedance analysis was performed using foot-to-hand technology, and total body water and fat mass were determined by specific equations developed for athletes. Bioelectrical resistance and reactance were adjusted according to the BIVA procedures and plotted as a vector within the resistance–reactance graph. In addition, countermovement jump, 20-m sprint, and sit and reach were assessed. Results: A time effect (P <.05) was found for body mass, total body water, bioelectrical resistance and reactance, and flexibility. Specifically, body mass increased (P =.021) along with a gain in total body water (P =.001) from the ovulatory to the early follicular phase, while it decreased from the early follicular to the ovulatory phase during the second menstrual cycle. The BIVA vector shortened during the early follicular phases (P <.001). No change in jumping and sprinting capacity was observed (P >.05). Flexibility was impaired during the early follicular phases (P <.05). Conclusions: Specific bioelectrical impedance analysis and BIVA procedures are able to detect menstrual cycle–induced changes in body composition in elite soccer players. The early follicular phase resulted in fluid accumulations and BIVA vector shortening. In addition, while menstrual cycle did not affect performance, a fluctuation in flexibility was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All allergic responses to food indicate the failure of immunological tolerance, but it is unclear why cow's milk and egg (CME) allergies resolve more readily than reactivity to peanuts (PN). We sought to identify differences between PN and CME allergies through constitutive immune status and responses to cognate and non-cognate food antigens. Children with confirmed allergy to CME (n = 6) and PN (n = 18) and non-allergic (NA) (n = 8) controls were studied. Constitutive secretion of cytokines was tested in plasma and unstimulated mononuclear cell (PBMNC) cultures. Blood dendritic cell (DC) subsets were analyzed alongside changes in phenotypes and soluble molecules in allergen-stimulated MNC cultures with or without cytokine neutralization. We observed that in allergic children, constitutively high plasma levels IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 but less IL-12p70 than in non-allergic children was accompanied by the spontaneous secretion of sCD23, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12p70, IFN-γ and TNF-α in MNC cultures. Furthermore, blood DC subset counts differed in food allergy. Antigen-presenting cell phenotypic abnormalities were accompanied by higher B and T cell percentages with more Bcl-2 within CD69+ subsets. Cells were generally refractory to antigenic stimulation in vitro, but IL-4 neutralization led to CD152 downregulation by CD4+ T cells from PN allergic children responding to PN allergens. Canonical discriminant analyses segregated non-allergic and allergic children by their cytokine secretion patterns, revealing differences and areas of overlap between PN and CME allergies. Despite an absence of recent allergen exposure, indication of in vivo activation, in vitro responses independent of challenging antigen and the presence of unusual costimulatory molecules suggest dysregulated immunity in food allergy. Most importantly, higher Bcl-2 content within key effector cells implies survival advantage with the potential to mount abnormal responses that may give rise to the manifestations of allergy. Here, we put forward the hypothesis that the lack of apoptosis of key immune cell types might be central to the development of food allergic reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bodybuilders are athletes characterized by high muscle mass. During competitions, the evaluation is performed based on aesthetic parameters. The study aims to provide normative references of body composition with the vector bioimpedance methodology (BIVA). A second aim is to compare BIVA assessments performed on both sides and the upper and lower body. A group of 68 elite bodybuilders (41 males aged 30.1 ± 9.2 years and 27 females aged 32.1 ± 8.0 years) was enrolled. A BIVA assessment was performed the day before the 2021 World Natural Bodybuilding Federation Italian Championships. As a result, male and female bodybuilders ranked to the left in the BIVA ellipse relative to the general population. Furthermore, unlike females, males also ranked lower than the general athletic population. In addition, in the symmetry assessment, males show a significantly greater upper body than the lower, right, and left parts, while in women, this is observed for the lower part of the body. The differences in the results obtained between males and females can be attributed to the different patterns of endocrine production between the sexes and the different criteria used by the juries to attribute the final score during the competitions. Therefore, BIVA references in bodybuilders could help adjust the training and nutritional program during the peak week before a competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the recent advances in medicine, human life expectancy is increasing; however, the extra years of life are not necessarily spent in good health or free from disability, resulting in a significantly higher incidence of age-associated pathologies. Among these disorders, neurodegenerative diseases have a significant impact. To this end, the presence of the protective blood–brain barrier (BBB) represents a formidable obstacle to the delivery of therapeutics. Thus, this makes it imperative to define strategies to bypass the BBB in order to successfully target the brain with the appropriate drugs. It has been demonstrated that targeting the BBB by ultrasound (US) can transiently make this anatomical barrier permeable and in so doing, allow the delivery of therapeutics. Thus, our aim was to carry out an in depth in vitro molecular and morphological study on the effects of US treatment on the BBB. The rat brain endothelial (RBE4) cell line was challenged with exposure to 12 MHz diagnostic US treatment for 10, 20, and 30 min. Cell viability assays, Western blotting analysis on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and oxidative stress marker evaluation were then performed, along with cytological and immunofluorescence staining, in order to evaluate the effects of US on the intercellular spaces and tight junction distribution of the brain endothelial cells. We observed that the US treatment exerted no toxic effects on either RBE4 cell viability or the upregulation/dislocation of the ER and oxidative stress marker (GRP78 and cytochrome C, respectively). Further, we observed that the application of US induced an increase in the intercellular spaces, as shown by Papanicolaou staining, mainly due to the altered distribution of the tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). This latter US-dependent effect was transient and disappeared 20 min after the removal of the stimulus. In conclusion, our results show that US induces a transient alteration of the BBB, without altering the intracellular signaling pathways such as the ER and oxidative stress that could potentially be toxic for endothelial cells. These results suggested that US treatment could represent a potential strategy for improving drug delivery to the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Aging is a biological and irreversible process characterized by physiological alterations resulting in a progressive decline in biological functions, decreased resistance or adaptability to stress, and increased disease susceptibility. A decline in functional fitness, imbalance between pro- and antioxidant capacity, and/or hormonal dysregulation adversely impact physical capacity, emotional status, and overall quality of life, especially within the elderly population. On the other hand, regular physical activity is considered an effective strategy to prevent and reduce those changes associated with primary aging and concurrent chronic disease, while slowing age-related physical degeneration. However, there is still limited evidence-based information regarding both the intensity and interval of effective interventions on physical functioning in older adults. Thus, the aim of the study was to assess the effects of a 24-week regular multimodal exercise program on functional fitness, oxidative stress, salivary cortisol level, and self-perceived quality of life in a group of eighteen physically active elderly subjects (mean age 72.8 ± 7.5 years). Materials and Methods: A set of anthropometric and physical measurements (grip strength, chair sit to stand, sit and reach and back scratch) assessing the functional fitness performance were evaluated. Moreover, biochemical markers (derived-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and the biological antioxidant potential (BAP) tests, and salivary cortisol levels) and the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 3-Level (EuroQoL 5-D 3-L) self-perceived questionnaire of quality of life were measured before and after the intervention program. All measurements were normally distributed as assessed by D'Agostino and Pearson's omnibus normality test. Student's t-tests were used to evaluate the differences in all the parameters measured at baseline (T0) and after the 24-week physical program (T1). Results: The results showed that an age-tailored structured intervention exercise program (1 h per session, twice per week, for 24 weeks) was effective in improving flexibility and other biomechanical parameters, such as muscle strength and the dynamic balance fitness component, which are key to performing daily tasks independently. Moreover, biochemical analyses demonstrate that the proposed intervention program has beneficial effects on the balance between plasma ROS production and their neutralization. Conclusions: The results confirm the benefits of regular physical activity in older adults resulting in improved physical strength and flexibility in the functional fitness parameters, and in regulating anti- and pro-oxidant activity and cortisol (stress hormone) levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Body composition assessment in athletes is closely related to sports performance. In sports where alternating aerobic and anaerobic metabolism is required, muscle mass can affect the achievable result. Therefore, the assessment of muscle mass is a field of interest in the sports sciences. Bioimpedance analysis is a method for assessing body composition. Currently, bioimpedance evaluates muscle mass through predictive equations that could provide estimation errors. These errors could be reduced by an evaluation of the raw bioelectrical parameters. Therefore, in this study, we propose a new parameter for assessing the muscle mass in athletes. The evaluation of muscle mass in athletes correlates with sports performance directly. Bioimpedance vector analysis is a growing method of assessing body composition in athletes because it is independent of predictive formulas containing variables such as body weight, ethnicity, age, and sex. The study aims to propose a new parameter (Levi's Muscle Index, LMI) that evaluates muscle mass through raw bioelectrical data. A total of 664 male footballers underwent bioimpedance assessment during the regular season. LMI was correlated with body cell mass (BCM) and phase angle (PA) to establish efficacy. The footballers were 24.5 ± 5.8 years old, 180.7 ± 5.9 cm tall and weighed 76.3 ± 7.1 kg. The relationships were: LMI-BMI: r = 0.908, r2 = 0.824, p < 0.001; LMI-PA: r = 0.704, r2 = 0.495, p = 0.009 and PA-BCM: r = 0.491, r2 = 0.241, p < 0.001. The results obtained confirm that LMI could be considered a new parameter that provides reliable information to evaluate the muscle mass of athletes. Furthermore, the higher LMI-BCM relationship than PA-BCM demonstrates specificity for muscle mass evaluation in athletes regardless of body weight, ethnicity, age, and sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research aims to help industrial biotechnology develop a sustainable economy using green technology based on microorganisms and synthetic biology through two case studies that improve metabolic capacity in yeast models Yarrowia lipolytica (Y. lipolytica) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae). We aim to increase the production capacity of beta‐carotene (β‐carotene) and succinic acid, which are among the highest market demands due to their versatile use in numerous consumer products. We performed simulations to identify in silico ranking of strains based on multiple objectives: the growth rate of yeast microorganisms, the number of used chromosomes, and the production capability of β‐carotene (for Y. lipolytica) and succinate (for S. cerevisiae). Our multiobjective optimization methodology identified notable gene deletions by searching a vast solution space to highlight near‐optimal strains on Pareto Fronts, balancing the above‐cited three objectives. Moreover, preserving the metabolic constraints and the essential genes, this study produced robust results: seven significant strains of Y. lipolytica and seven strains of S. cerevisiae. We examined gene knockout to study the function of genes and pathways. In fact, by studying the frequently silenced genes, we found that when the GPH1 gene is knocked out in S. cerevisiae, the isocitrate lyase enzyme is activated, which converts the isocitrate into succinate. Our goals are to simplify and facilitate the in vitro processes. Hence, we present strains with the least possible number of knockout genes and solutions in which the genes are turned off on the same chromosome. Therefore, we present results where the constraints mentioned above are met, like the strains where only two genes are switched off and other strains where half of the knockout genes are on the same chromosome. This study offers solutions for developing an efficient in vitro mutagenesis for microorganisms and demonstrates the efficiency of multiobjective optimization in automatizing metabolic engineering processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well recognized that functional foods rich in antioxidants and antiinflammation agents including polyphenols, probiotics/prebiotics, and bioactive compounds have been found to have positive effects on the aging process. In particular, fruits play an important role in regular diet, promoting good health and longevity. In this study, we investigated on biological properties of extract obtained from Mangifera indica L. leaves in preclinical in vitro models. Specifically, the profile and content of bioactive compounds, the antimicrobial potential toward food spoilage and pathogenic bacterial species, and the eventually protective effect in inflammation were examined. Our findings revealed that MLE was rich in polyphenols, showing a content exclusively in the subclass of benzophenone/xanthone metabolites, and these phytochemical compounds demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity and greatest in vitro antibacterial activity toward different bacterial species such as Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Staphylococcus aureus, and St. haemolyticus. Furthermore, our data showed an in vitro anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antifibrotic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known occupational and environmental pollutant worldwide, and its toxicity is widely recognised. Cd is reported to increase the permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and to penetrate and accumulate in the brain. Although many lines of evidence show that Cd toxicity is induced by different mechanisms, one of the best known is the Cd-dependent production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Zinc is a trace element known as coenzyme and cofactor for many antioxidant proteins, such as metallothioneins and superoxide dismutase enzymes. To date, very little is known about the role of Zn in preventing Cd-induced blood–brain barrier (BBB) alterations. The goal of this study was to test the Zn antioxidant capacity against Cd-dependent alterations in a rat brain endothelial cell line (RBE4), as an in vitro model for BBB. In order to mimic acute Cd poisoning, RBE4 cells were treated with CdCl2 30 µM for 24 h. The protective role of ZnCl2 (50 µM) was revealed by evaluating the cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) quantification, cytochrome C distribution, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) protein activity. Additionally, the effectiveness of Zn in counteracting the Cd-induced damage was investigated by evaluating the expression levels of proteins already known to be involved in the Cd signalling pathway, such as GRP78 (an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress protein), caspase3 pro- and cleaved forms, and BAX. Finally, we evaluated if Zn was able to attenuate the alterations of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), one of the tight-junction (TJ) proteins involved in the formation of the BBB. Our data clearly demonstrate that Zn, by protecting from the SOD activity impairment induced by Cd, is able to prevent the triggering of the Cd-dependent signalling pathway that leads to ZO-1 dislocation and downregulation, and BBB damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the Antennapedia class of homeobox genes, known as Hox genes, are believed to be pivotal in vertebrate craniofacial development. Here we show that eight members of paralogous groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 are expressed in the human embryonic hindbrain and branchial arches at 4 weeks of development. The combinatorial patterns of expression of genes representing the first three paralogous groups parallel the patterns described for their homologues in various animal models, demonstrating a high degree of conservation of the branchial Hox code. Arch expression of group 4 genes is defined for the first time in any vertebrate. Furthermore, as development proceeds, individual paralogues of a single paralogous group (group 3), which initially share a common expression domain, are differentially down-regulated in a tissue-, organ-, or site-specific fashion.

In the central nervous system (CNS), dopamine (DA) is involved in motor and cognitive functions. Although the cerebellum is not been considered an elective dopaminergic region, studies attributed to it a critical role in dopamine deficit-related neurological and psychiatric disorders [e.g., Parkinson's disease (PD) and schizophrenia (SCZ)]. Data on the cerebellar dopaminergic neuronal system are still lacking. Nevertheless, biochemical studies detected in the mammalians cerebellum high dopamine levels, while chemical neuroanatomy studies revealed the presence of midbrain dopaminergic afferents to the cerebellum as well as wide distribution of the dopaminergic receptor subtypes (DRD1-DRD5). The present review summarizes the data on the cerebellar dopaminergic system including its involvement in associative and projective circuits. Furthermore, this study also briefly discusses the role of the cerebellar dopaminergic system in some neurologic and psychiatric disorders and suggests its potential involvement as a target in pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two homeobox genes, Otx1 and Otx2, act with two other previously identified homeobox genes, Emx1 and Emx2, to control development of the rostral brain in mice and are homologous with orthodenticle and empty spiracle genes in Drosophila. Thus some vertebrate and invertebrate homeobox genes are now known to be homologues. The four genes govern expression of several regions of the brain including the telencephalon. The genes' expression domains progress in the sequence Emx1, Emx2, Otx1 and Otx2.

The confinement and lockdown imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have produced restrictions in the lifestyle of Italian citizens with variations in their psychological well-being. The aim of the study was to identify changes and relationship with socio-demographic parameters. An online survey was administered to 1383 subjects (1007 females and 307 males) working in the University of Florence, Italy. Three validated questionnaires were used for the survey: the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Med Diet Score and the Psychological General Well-Being Index-A. All the subjects were asked to complete the questionnaires twice, in order to attain a picture of the habits before and a later time point during confinement. Our results show that work-related physical activity was decreased, along with an increase in sedentary behaviour (from 07:22±03:20 to 08:49±03:41 h:min; p<0.001, ES = 0.38), whereas recreational physical activity was increased (vigorous exercise varied from 568.5 ± 838.6 to 833.7 ± 1263.0 METs; p<0.002, ES = 0.25). Eating habits changed according to the place where meals were eaten, with an increased habit for breakfast and snacks and a slight increase in alcohol consumption. Psychological well-being decreased (Index from 21.4±3.9 to 18.0±5.3; p<0.001, ES = 0.723), especially in terms of vitality and positive thinking. The socio-demographic variables affecting these variations were mostly represented by age, gender and working conditions: young age and self-employment conditions can be considered factors for the changes in daily habits induced by confinement that may affect psychological well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background PTX is one of the most widely used drug in oncology due to its high efficacy against solid tumors and several hematological cancers. PTX is administered in a formulation containing 1:1 Cremophor® EL (polyethoxylated castor oil) and ethanol, often responsible for toxic effects. Its encapsulation in colloidal delivery systems would gain an improved targeting to cancer cells, reducing the dose and frequency of administration. Methods In this paper PTX was loaded in PLGA NS. The activity of PTX-NS was assessed in vitro against thyroid, breast and bladder cancer cell lines in cultures. Cell growth was evaluated by MTS assay, intracellular NS uptake was performed using coumarin-6 labelled NS and the amount of intracellular PTX was measured by HPLC. Results NS loaded with 3% PTX (w/w) had a mean size < 250 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.4 after freeze-drying with 0.5% HP-Cyd as cryoprotector. PTX encapsulation efficiency was 30% and NS showed a prolonged drug release in vitro. An increase of the cytotoxic effect of PTX-NS was observed with respect to free PTX in all cell lines tested. Conclusion These findings suggest that the greater biological effect of PTX-NS could be due to higher uptake of the drug inside the cells as shown by intracellular NS uptake and cell accumulation studies.

Purpose: Bioelectrical-impedance standards (resistance, reactance, and phase angle) are well established for the normal population or in the clinical setting and are considered indicators for cell mass, cell function, and hydration status. However, such standards do not exist for the male soccer population. Therefore, the goal of the current investigation was to provide a set of bioelectrical-impedance data of a large sample of soccer players with different performance levels. Methods: A sample of 893 players, registered in all Italian soccer divisions, was divided into 5 groups according to their performance level. Whole-body impedance measurements were performed during the first half of the competitive period. Besides estimation of body composition, bioelectrical-impedance vector analysis (BIVA) was performed. BIVA does not depend on equations and displays differences in hydration and body-cell mass (BCM). Individual vectors can be classified by using the 50%, 75%, and 95% tolerance ellipse. Results: In comparison with the other divisions and the normal population, the mean vector of the elite level showed a shift to the left (P < .001). Compared with the elite level, players of a lower performance level had lower phase angles, BCM, and fat-free mass. Conclusions: In conclusion, soccer players belong to a specific population. Muscle mass and function, as indicated by BCM and phase angle, increase with increasing performance level. The soccer-specific tolerance ellipses might be used for classifying individual vectors and to define target regions for low-level players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the skin deterministic damage due to the effect of proton beam irradiation in mice occurred during a long-term observational experiment. This study was initially defined to evaluate the insurgence of myelopathy irradiating spinal cords with the distal part of a Spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP). To the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted highlighting high grades of skin injury at the dose used in this paper. Nevertheless these effects occurred. In this regard, the experimental evidence of significant insurgence of skin injury induced by protons using a SOBP configuration will be shown. Skin damages were classified into six scores (from 0 to 5) according to the severity of the injuries and correlated to ED50 (i.e. the radiation dose at which 50% of animals show a specific score) at 40 days post-irradiation (d.p.i.). The effects of radiation on the overall animal wellbeing have been also monitored and the severity of radiation-induced skin injuries was observed and quantified up to 40 d.p.i. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic changes have been reported in the SOD1‐G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a disorder characterized by progressive motoneuronal loss; however, whether these changes related with the onset and development of motor impairments is still unclear. Here, the functional and anatomical changes taking place in SOD1‐G93A mice and their time course were investigated during ongoing motoneuronal degeneration. Starting from about 4 postnatal weeks, SOD1‐G93A and wild‐type (WT) mice were evaluated in the rotarod test, to be sacrificed at about 12–13 or 19 weeks of age, and their lumbar spinal cords were processed for histo‐ and immunohistochemistry. Compared to age‐matched WT controls, 12 weeks‐old SOD1‐G93A mice exhibited relatively mild or no motor impairments in the rotarod test, in spite of a dramatic (≈60%, as estimated by stereology) loss of choline acetyl‐transferase (ChAT)‐immunoreactive motoneurons which remained virtually unchanged in SOD1‐G93A mice surviving up to 19 weeks. Notably, the functional sparing in SOD1‐G93A mice at 12 weeks was paralleled by a marked ≈50% increase in motoneuron volume and a near‐normal density of acetylcholinesterase‐positive process arborization, which was significantly increased when analyzed as ratio to the decreased number of ChAT‐positive motoneurons. By contrast, at 19 weeks, when motor deficits had become dramatically evident, both measures were found reverted to about 50–60% of control values. Thus, at specific stages during the progression of the disease, robust compensatory events take place in surviving motoneurons of SOD1‐G93A mice, which sustain motor performance, and whose full understanding may highlight a valuable therapeutic opportunity window. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Michelangelo's marble sculpture of David is one of the most admired works of art in the world. It is the most iconic symbol of the Florentine Renaissance, and a representation of the idealized human form in its perfection and proportion. The statue was examined in 2004 by two anatomists who observed the apparent absence of a single muscle. Our re-examination of the statue, from our perspective as clinical geneticists, shows unexpected and hitherto unpublished details of variations and disproportions within the overall context of exceptional harmony and beauty. This apparent contradiction raises the question as to what is considered to be morphologically "normal" and what "is not". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower extremity ulcers represent the most ominous, feared, and costly complications of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this review is to highlight the role of daily life physical activities (PAs) and continuous movement monitoring (CMM) in the prevention of foot ulcers. Peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease are the main causes of foot ulceration and contribute, in turn, to the development of additional risk factors such as foot deformities and/or joint and muscular alterations. Moreover, a deficit of balance, posture abnormalities, followed by gait alterations, increases the risk of ulceration. PA can play a key role in the management of patients with diabetes and in the prevention of ulcers; however, even if it has been reported that some of these risk factors significantly improve after a few weeks of exercise therapy (ET), the real preventive role of ET has not yet been demonstrated. These uncertain results can occur due to some limitations in the management of the same relationship between PA and diabetic foot prevention. Technological advances during the last years enable timely management of overall daily PA. The use of these modern technologies and devices allows CMM assessment and description of daily PA even in the long term. The data collected from these devices can be used to properly manage patients' PA and thus contribute to the prevention of foot ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vertical jump is frequently used for the functional evaluation of athletes and non-sporting subjects. The jump height is often used as an indicator of lower limbs strength. The aim of this study was to verify the presence of a relationship between the maximum height reached and muscle parameters expressed during the vertical jump. In 22 healthy males practicing recreational physical activity (age, mean ± standard deviation: 22.5±1.2 years; body mass: 72.8±13.2 kg; body height: 177.1±7.0 cm) and in 15 female volley players (age: 16.5±0.4 years; body mass: 64.4± 8.4 kg; body height: 175.5±7.9 cm), Jump Height (cm), Muscle Strength (N/kg) and Power (W/kg) were recorded during the jump tests. In the healthy males group, jump height was correlated with muscle power: r = 0.33, p>0.05; a higher correlation resulted between muscle strength and power: r = 0.62, p<0.01. In the female volleyball players group, only the muscle strength and power showed a correlation: r = 0.54, p<0.05. It is therefore possible to confirm that the jump height reached during a vertical jump does not provide clear information on the strength of the lower limbs. At the same time, an improvement in muscular strength of the lower limbs does not guarantee an increase in jump height. Several parameters should be evaluated at the same time for a correct functional assessment of athletes and healthy non-sporting subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]