Information
Contact:
Address : Department of Neuromotor and Biomedical Sciences,
University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta S. Donato, 2 - 40126 Bologna
Telephone: 0039 051-2091715
Fax: 0039 051-2091737
e-mail: alessandro.piras3@unibo.it
Education
PhD in Sport Science – Exercise Physiology
Obtained the May 10, 2010 at University of Bologna
Title of dissertation: Visual scanning in sports actions: comparison between Soccer Goalkeepers and Judo Fighters
Master degree in Sport Science
Obtained the March 27, 2006 at University of Bologna with mark 110/110 cum laude
Title of dissertation: A study of saccadic eye movement dynamics in volleyball. Comparison between athletes and non-athletes
Improver Courses
November 2011 - March 2012 Scientific supervisor for health prevention and wellness. High educational course “Girolamo Mercuriale – Safe Gym- Prevention and Wellness for public health” approval from Regione Emilia-Romagna n. 1154, August 1, 2011
April 2011 operator “Transplant…..and sport” organized by FITOT and promoted by National Transplant Center, course hold at Isokinetic Study Center, Bologna, Italy
February – May 2007 obtained habilitation for “Training coach for professional soccer players” hosted in Federal Technical Center of Coverciano, Firenze, Italy
Scientific research
From September 2015 to August 2016 research fellowship at the Department of Neuromotor and Biomedical Sciences, section of Human and General Physiology, University of Bologna, piazza di porta S. Donato 2, Bologna, Italy. P.I. Dr. Di Michele Rocco
- Title of the project: Effect of different strength training methodologies on running energetic cost
- Biomechanical analysis and energetic cost of running, evaluation of strength parameters and measures of hormonal markers.
From January to December 2013, research fellowship at the Department of Neuromotor and Biomedical Sciences, section of Human and General Physiology, University of Bologna, piazza di porta S. Donato 2, Bologna, Italy. P.I. Dr Milena Raffi
- Title of the project: Influence of optic flow on postural stability: stabilometric and electromyographic study
- Surface electromyographic technique (sEMG) and stabilometric measurement (force platform) for the study of the postural control during optic flow visual stimuli
- During this time we have collected and analyzed postural stability of 24 healthy subjects during the presentation of full field, peripheral and foveal optic flow stimuli. Surface electromyographic analysis was done on tibialis anterior, grastrocmemius medialis, biceps femoris and vastus medialis of both legs, synchronized with center of pressure signals.
From December 2010 to July 2012 research fellowship at the Integrated Department of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Geriatric at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
- Monitor Heart Rate Variability (HRV) data of the S.E.E.D.S (Safety and Efficacy of Exercise for Depression in Seniors) project entitled: “Efficacy of exercise and socialization activity on depressed elderly people. A randomized control trial”
- My duty was to collect electrocardiogram and analyze heart rate variability data from 104 untrained, depressed elderly people treated with tricyclic antidepressants. Subjects, without cardiovascular disease, had to perform one hour of training three times a week for 24 weeks. They were randomly assigned to an aerobic and non-aerobic conditions, and compared to a control group.
From February 23 to September 01, 2009 “research visit” at the Neuro-Motor Psychology Lab, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Cognition and Gaze Control Program
- During this time I took part in two projects where I learned the methods and techniques developed in the lab. In the first project, baseball, I was involved as a trainee. I learned to operate the eye tracker and peripheral equipment and conduct a perception-action experiment. In the second, soccer penalty kick, I applied for ethics (and received this from University of Calgary), recruited 7 elite goaltenders from the Calgary area and successfully completed data collection and analysis of their coupled motor and gaze data during kicks using two techniques.
From April 1, 2005 to December 31, 2009 I worked in the laboratory of “Integrative Neurophysiology of visuo-oculomotor system”, Department of Human and General Physiology, University of Bologna, as:
Doctoral student in Sport science, XXII course; Postdoctoral fellow from April 01, 2006 to December 31, 2006; Student for preparation of master thesis
- Eye-tracking technique with EyeLink II® system (Sr-Research, Ontario, Canada)
- Surface electromyographic registration and analysis during visual stimulation with Pocket EMG® (BTS, bioengineering)
- Measurement and analysis of cardiocirculatory responses with Portapres® device (Finapress Medical System)
- Measurement and analysis of gas exchange breath-by-breath (VO2, VCO2), stress ECG and spirometry with Quark b2® device (Cosmed)
Teaching activity
From A.A. 2007 to Present I taught in the Faculty of Sport Science, University of Bologna and Rimini. Tester for exams and supervisor for descriptive and experimental thesis at the same faculty.
AA 2015/16:
Practical exercitations, 24 hours, in the course of Applied Physiology for master students, (cardiocirculatory, blood pressure, respiratory and metabolic parameters)
AA 2014/15:
Professor of Integrated Course of Applied Physiology, 22 hours – 3 CFU, Rimini
Practical exercitations, 12 hours, in the course of Applied Physiology for undergraduate students, (EMG, cardiocirculatory, blood pressure, respiratory and metabolic parameters)
Practical exercitations, 8 hours, in the course of Applied Physiology for master students, (EMG, cardiocirculatory, blood pressure, respiratory and metabolic parameters)
Tester for exams at the Faculty of Sport Science, University of Bologna e Rimini, from AA 2007/08 to date
Supervisor for descriptive and experimental thesis at the Faculty of Sport Science, University of Bologna e Rimini from AA 2007/08 to date
AA 2013/14:
Professor of Integrated Course of Applied Physiology, 11 hours – 3 CFU, Rimini
Practical exercitations, 12 hours, in the course of Applied Physiology for undergraduate students, (EMG, cardiocirculatory, blood pressure, respiratory and metabolic parameters)
Practical exercitations, 8 hours, in the course of Applied Physiology for master students, (EMG, cardiocirculatory, blood pressure, respiratory and metabolic parameters)
AA 2012/13:
Professor of Integrated Course of Applied Physiology, 37 hours – 5 CFU, Rimini
Practical exercitations, 12 hours, in the course of Applied Physiology for undergraduate students, (EMG, cardiocirculatory, blood pressure, respiratory and metabolic parameters)
Practical exercitations, 8 hours, in the course of Applied Physiology for master students, (EMG, cardiocirculatory, blood pressure, respiratory and metabolic parameters)
AA 2011/12:
Professor of Integrated Course of Applied Physiology, 37 hours – 5 CFU, Rimini
Practical exercitations, 12 hours, in the course of Applied Physiology for undergraduate students, (EMG, cardiocirculatory, blood pressure, respiratory and metabolic parameters)
Practical exercitations, 8 hours, in the course of Applied Physiology for master students, (EMG, cardiocirculatory, blood pressure, respiratory and metabolic parameters)
AA 2010/11:
Professor of Integrated Course of Applied Physiology, 37 hours – 5 CFU, Rimini
Practical exercitations, 12 hours, in the course of Applied Physiology for undergraduate students, (EMG, cardiocirculatory, blood pressure, respiratory and metabolic parameters)
Professor of Integrated Course of Applied Physiology, 22 hours – 3 CFU, Bologna
Practical exercitations, 24 hours, in the course of Applied Physiology for undergraduate students, (EMG, cardiocirculatory, blood pressure, respiratory and metabolic parameters)
AA 2009/10:
Tutor at Integrated Course of Human and Applied Physiology, 50 hours
Practical exercitations, 24 hours, in the course of Applied Physiology for undergraduate students, (EMG, cardiocirculatory, blood pressure, respiratory and metabolic parameters)
AA 2008/09:
Tutor at Integrated Course of Human and Applied Physiology, 50 hours
AA 2007/08:
Tutor at Integrated Course of Human and Applied Physiology, 50 hours
References
Prof. Salvatore Squatrito
Department of Neuromotor and Biomedical Sciences,
Section of Physiology,
University of Bologna, Piazza di porta S. Donato 2, Bologna, Italy – Italy
Prof. Joan Vickers
Human Performance Laboratory
Department of Kinesiology, University of Calgary
Room: KNB 2230
Calgary, Alberta, Canada. T2N 1N4
Prof. Mirco Neri
Integrated Department of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Geriatric
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Via Pietro Giardini, 1355 – loc. Baggiovara, 41126 Modena
Dr. Milena Raffi
Department of Neuromotor and Biomedical Sciences,
Section of Physiology,
University of Bologna, Piazza di porta S. Donato 2, Bologna, Italy – Italy
Publications
Piras A, Raffi M, Malagoli Lanzoni I, Persiani M, Squatrito S. (2015) “Microsaccades and prediction of a motor act outcome in a dynamic sport situation”. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 56(8), 4520-4530.
Persiani M, Piras A, Squatrito S, Raffi M. (2015) “Laterality of stance during optic flow stimulation in males and females young adults”. Biomed Research International, special issue “Motor Functional Evaluation from Physiology and Biomechanics to Clinical and Training Application”. Vol. 2015, Article ID 542645, 9 pages, doi:10.1155/2015/542645.
Piras A, Persiani M, Damiani N, Perazzolo M, Raffi M. (2015). “Peripheral heart action (PHA) training as a valid substitute to high intensity interval training to improve resting cardiovascular changes and autonomic adaptation”. European Journal of Applied Physiology 115(4): 763-773
Piras, A., Lobietti, R., Squatrito, S. (2014). “Reaction time, visual search strategy and anticipatory skills in volleyball players”. Journal of Ophthalmology.
Raffi M, Persiani M, Piras A, Squatrito S. (2014) Optic flow neurons in area PEc integrate eye and head position signals. Neuroscience Letters, 568, 23-28.
Piras, A., Pierantozzi, E., Squatrito, S. (2014) “Visual search strategy in Judo fighters during the execution of the first grip”. International Journal of Sport Science and Coaching 9(1)185-198
Raffi M, Piras A, Persiani M, Squatrito S (2014) Importance of optic flow for postural stability of male and female young adults. European Journal of Applied Physiology 114 (1): 71-83
Piras, A., Vickers, J.N. (2011). “The effect of fixation transitions on quiet eye duration and performance in the soccer penalty kick: instep versus inside kicks”. Cognitive Processing 12 (3): 245-255.
Piras, A., (2010). “Visual scanning in sports actions: comparison between soccer goalkeepers and judo fighters”. Doctoral Dissertation, http://amsdottorato.cib.unibo.it/3064/
Piras, A., Lobietti, R., Squatrito, S. (2010). “A study of saccadic eye movement dynamics in volleyball. Comparison between athletes and non-athletes”. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 50(1), 99-108.
Pierantozzi, E., Nerozzi, E., Piras, A., Lubisco, A. (2008) “Analisi della fase di Combattimento che precede le prese nelle finali del Campionato Mondiale di Judo 2007”. Athlon, 10, 56-59.
Papers submitted
Piras A, Malagoli Lanzoni I, Raffi M, Persiani M, Squatrito S. “The within-task criterion to determine successful and unsuccessful expert table tennis players”. Submitted to International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching
Piras A, Gatta G. “Evaluation of the effectiveness of compression garments on autonomic nervous system recovery following exercise”. Submitted to International Journal of Sports Medicine
Abstracts
Belvederi Murri M, Neri M, Amore M, Toni G, Bagnoli L, Zocchi D, Assirelli B, Ermini G, Tripi F, Menchetti M, Neviani F, Cerri M, Piras A, Ferrara S, Spezia C, Tola G, Gagliardo L, Cremonini A, De Matteis M, Buffa A, Mussi C, Piepoli M Alexopoulos GS, Bertakis K, Zanetidou S (2015) Late life major depression: psychosomatic pathways to recovery. World Congress on Psychosomatic Medicine, 19-22 August, Glasgow, Scotland.
Toni G, Belvederi Murri M, Zanetidou S, Menchetti M, Ermini G, Tripi F, Piras A, Mussi C, Piepoli M, Amore M (2014) Physical exercise for late life Major Depression: the SEEDS study. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, 8-10 May, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Persiani M, Raffi M, Piras A, Squatrito S (2012) Postural sway adaptation induced by optic flow, Acta Physiologica, Vol. 206, Supplement 692, p.144. 63rd meeting of the Italian Society of Physiology (SIF), Verona 21-23/09/2012.
Raffi M, Persiani M, Piras A, Squatrito S (2012) Importance of optic flow for postural stability, Acta Physiologica, Vol. 206, Supplement 692, p.36. 63rd meeting of the Italian Society of Physiology (SIF), Verona 21-23/09/2012.
Piras A., Raffi M., Persiani M., Squatrito S. (2012) “Effect of central vs. peripheral optic flow stimuli on postural responses revealed by surface electromyography” Perception Vol. 41 supplement, p. 251, 35th European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP), 2-6 September 2012, Alghero – Italy.
Piras A., Persiani M., Raffi M., Squatrito S. (2012) “Influence of optic flow stimuli on postural response. I. Electromyography” 17th annual congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Book of Abstracts, p.79, 4-7 July 2012, Bruges – Belgium.
Persiani M., Piras A., Raffi M., Squatrito S. (2012) “Influence of optic flow stimuli on postural response. II. Stabilometry” 17th annual congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Abstract Book, p.79, 4-7 July 2012, Bruges – Belgium.
Toni G, Belvederi Murri M., Senaldi R., Ferrara S., De Bei L, Rizzo R., Tola G., Comastri D., Piras A., Cerri M., Spezia C., Magagnoli M., Morini M., Buffa A., Zanetidou S., Bagnoli L., Ermini G., Zocchi D., Amore M. , Neri M. (2012) “Physical exercise and geriatric major depression: the SEEDS study” XXXII World Congress of Sport Medicine, Abstract Book, 27-30 September, Rome - Italy
Piras A, Lobietti, R., Squatrito, S. (2011). “Reaction time and ocular movements in volleyball” (Ed.). IASK library series: vol.28. Final Program & Book of Abstracts of 12th Conference of Sport Kinetics, “ The Present and Future of Researches on Science about Human Movement”. Cracow, 22-24.09.2011 p.68-69.
Piras A, Scott, M., Vickers, J.N. (2010). “Visuomotor control of soccer goalkeepers in a penalty kick situation”. Oral presentation at the 2nd World Conference on Science and Soccer, 8-9 June 2010, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Pierantozzi E, Nerozzi E, Piras A, Lubisco, A. (2008). “Analysis of the first grip in the finals of the Judo World Championship 2007”. I European Scientific Congress of Judo, 10th April, 2008, Lisbon- Portugal.
Language
English: written and spoken
Software and computer science
Operation system: MS-DOS, Windows
Languages: Visual Basic, Matlab
Eyelink II; Esperiment Builder; Eyelink Data Viewer; SceneLink (SR-Research Ltd, Ontario, Canada)
Mobile Eye (Eye Tracker Technology, Applied Science Laboratory, Bedford, MA, USA)
SPSS e Statview (statistical software)
Kubios HRV_2.0. (Heart Rate Variability Analysis Software)
Pocket EMG (BTS Bioengineering)
K4 b2 e Quark CPET (Metabolic and cardiopulmonary test systems, Cosmed, Italy)
Portapress (Blood pressure monitoring and displays hemodynamic parameters, Finapress medical system)
Reviewer
- Cognitive Processing
- European Journal of Applied Physiology
- International Journal of Sport Science and Coaching
- European Journal of Sport Science
Associations
European College of Sport Science since 2012
Awards and Honors
2012 Grant from “Regione Emilia Romagna – Servizio Sanitario Regionale”, project: S.E.E.D.S (Safety and Efficacy of Exercise for Depression in Seniors) “Efficacy of exercise and socialization activity on depressed elderly people. A randomized control trial”
2009 Grant from “Marco Polo” program at the University of Bologna for travelling and spending time (6 months) at the Dr. Vickers’s laboratory (Neuro-Motor Psychology Lab, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
