Browsing by Author "Jacinto, Miguel"
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- Anthropometric measures, muscle resistance, and balance in physically active, aged adultsPublication . Rodrigues, Filipe; Antunes, Raul; Matos, Rui; Jacinto, Miguel; Monteiro, Diogo; Forte, Pedro; Monteiro, A.M.; Barbosa, Tiago M.This study aimed to examine the relationship between age, body mass index, muscle strength, and balance in physically active, aged adults. Methods: Eighty-five participants were recruited for this study, having an average age of 70.31 years (SD = 9.90), ranging from 50 to 92 years. Twenty-six (30.6%) participants were male and fifty-nine (69.4%) were female. The participants had an average body mass index of 27.30 kg/m2 (SD = 3.62), ranging from 20.32 to 38.58 kg/m2. Participants undertook the Timed-Up and Go to test balance, and the chair-stand test to assess lower body strength. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. Three models (Model 1, 2, and 3) were tested to assess their relationships with balance: M1—Lower body muscle strength; M2—Lower body muscle strength and body mass index; M3—Lower body muscle strength, body mass index, and age. Results: All hierarchical models displayed significant variance. The third model explained 50.9% of the variance in dynamic balance, [F(3, 81) = 27.94, p < 0.001, R = 0.71, Ra2 = 0.51]. The difference in Ra2 between the first, second, and third models was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Age, body mass index, and lower body muscle strength had significant (p < 0.05) correlations with balance. In terms of the significant impact of each predictor, age had the strongest association with balance (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results are useful to understand mechanisms or diagnose people at risk of fall.
- Behavioral regulation in sport questionnaire and sport motivation scale-II: a scale comparisonPublication . Bica, Joana; Jacinto, Miguel; Matos, Rui; Amaro, Nuno; Antunes, Raul; Couto, Nuno; Cid, Luís; Forte, Pedro; Monteiro, DiogoThis study compared the psychometric properties of two primary instruments for assessing sport motivation based on Self-Determination Theory: the Sport Motivation Scale-II (SMS-II) and the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (BRSQ). A cross-sectional analysis evaluated the scales' internal consistency, factor structure, convergent and discriminant validity, and model fit, which required post-hoc modifications. Measurement invariance and adherence to the theoretical simplex pattern were also tested. The BRSQ demonstrated generally acceptable reliability, while the SMS-II showed deficiencies in its introjected, external, and amotivation subscales. Both scales faced validity challenges in distinguishing adjacent motivational constructs. Although measurement invariance was supported, correlations deviated from the theoretical quasi-simplex pattern. The BRSQ appears more robust, but neither scale is flawless. Researchers must select instruments aligned with their specific objectives and interpret scores cautiously due to these psychometric limitations. This underscores the need for refined tools to better capture the dynamic complexity of motivation in sports.
- Effects of a 24-week low-cost multicomponent exercise program on health-related functional fitness in the community-dwelling aged and older adultsPublication . Rodrigues, Filipe; Jacinto, Miguel; Figueiredo, Nuno; Monteiro, A.M.; Forte, PedroBackground and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effects of a low-cost multicomponent exercise program on health-related functional fitness in the community-dwelling aged and older adults. As a second objective, this study compared the exercise program between aged adults (<65 years) and those considered elderly ( 65 years). Materials and Methods: Forty-eight participants were included in the exercise program, and their mean age was 64.73 years ( 5.93 years). The Senior Fitness Tests were performed by each participant. A dynamometer was used to assess hand grip strength, and body composition was assessed considering the body mass index. Paired-sample t test was used to compare data at baseline and after the exercise program, considering the total sample. Afterwards, a 2 2 analysis of variance was used to examine differences within and between groups. Results: Statistically significant improvements in the chair stand (t = 14.06; p < 0.001; d = 0.42), arm curl (t = 12.10; p < 0.001; d = 0.58), 2 min step test (t = 9.41; p < 0.001; d = 0.24), timed up and go test (t = 5.60; p < 0.001; d = 0.19), and hand grip strength (t = 3.33; p < 0.001; d = 0.15) were observed. There were also significant differences in the back scratch (t = 6.68; p < 0.001; d = 0.18) and chair sit and reach test (t = 5.04; p < 0.001; d = 0.05), as well as body mass index (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study provides evidence that a 24-week low-cost community-based exercise program can improve functional fitness in aged and in older adults. The exercise program supplied the necessary data to construct further randomized controlled trials that can be performed in the community in an environmentally sustainable fashion and applied, not only to the elderly, but also to those transitioning to this age group.
- Motivational correlates, satisfaction with life, and physical activity in older adults: a structural equation analysisPublication . Rodrigues, Filipe; Jacinto, Miguel; Couto, Nuno; Monteiro, Diogo; Monteiro, A.M.; Forte, Pedro; Antunes, RaulMotivation is a crucial factor in predicting health-related outcomes, and understanding the determinants of motivation can provide valuable insights into how to improve health behaviors and outcomes in older adults. In this study, we aimed to investigate the associations between intrinsic and extrinsic exercise motivation, basic psychological needs, satisfaction with life, and physical activity among the elderly population. Methods: The sample consisted of 268 older adults (59 male, 209 female) aged 65–90 years old (Mage = 68.11, SD = 6.95). All participants reported that they were exercising, on average, 1.65 days (SD = 0.51) per week. Factor analysis was conducted using a two-step approach. First, a confirmatory factor analysis and then a structural equation model considering all variables under analysis was performed. Results: the structural model displayed acceptable fit to the data: χ2/df = 3.093; CFI = 0.913; TLI = 0.908; SRMR = 0.071; RMSEA 0.079 [0.066, 0.092]. Significant direct effects were found as theoretically proposed, namely: (a) intrinsic motivation were positively and significantly associated with basic psychological need satisfaction (p < 0.001); (b) extrinsic motivation were negatively but not significantly associated with basic psychological needs (p < 0.001); and (c) basic psychological need satisfaction were positively and significantly associated with satisfaction with life (p < 0.001) and physical activity (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Intrinsic motivation and basic psychological needs play a crucial role in shaping exercise behavior and overall well-being. By understanding these motivation and needs, exercise and health professionals can work towards fulfilling them and achieving a greater sense of satisfaction in the life of the elderly and promote exercise adherence.
- A pilot study on fear and risk of fall: the impact of a 8-month multicomponent exercise program in community-dwelling aged adultsPublication . Rodrigues, Filipe; Jacinto, Miguel; Antunes, Raul; Morouço, Pedro; Monteiro, A.M.; Forte, Pedro; Monteiro, DiogoThe objective of this study was to investigate the impact of an 8-month multicomponent exercise program in community-dwelling older adults. A comprehensive approach was employed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a thrice-weekly exercise intervention. Aged over 60 years, the capacity to stand and walk with or without assistive equipment, being physically inactive, medical clearance, and living in the community were all eligibility criteria. The Timed-up and Go test and Berg Balance Scale were used to examine risk of falling. The Fall-Efficacy Scale International was used to examine the fear of falling. The community-based exercise program involved thirty-five participants, the average age was 67.54 years (SD = 3.81) and 71% were female. At-tendance rates ranged from 76% to 100% on average. There was a significant trend toward a clinically important improvement in the timed-up and go test (t = 4.66; p < .001; d = 0.20), berg balance scale (t = -11.20; p < .001; d = 1.47) and fall-efficacy scale international (t = 5.81; p < .001; d = 0.88). This study has provided preliminary evidence that an 8-month community-based low-cost exercise program may be effective in improving agility, balance, and decreasing fear of falling in older people.
