Percorrer por autor "Malheiro, Alexandra"
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- Analysis of thermal patterns in the knee: comparative study between athletes and sedentary individualsPublication . Araújo, Mirela dos Santos; Bernardes Leite, Luciano; Forte, Pedro; Malheiro, Alexandra; Januário, William Martins; Pussieldi, Guilherme de Azambuja; Coelho, Bruno de Cássio; Barreiros, Marta de Oliveira; Barros Filho, Allan Kardec Duailibe; Assis, Miller Gomes de; Navarro, Antônio Coppi; Rodrigues Junior, Jefferson Fernando Coelho; Oliveira, Mario Norberto Sevilio de; Cabido, Christian Emmanuel Torres; Pimenta, Eduardo Mendonça; Veneroso, Christiano EduardoInfrared thermography is a non-invasive technique that detects skin-emitted radiation, providing insights into body temperature and identifying thermal changes related to inflammatory or degenerative processes. This study aimed to compare knee temperatures between sedentary individuals and athletes and to evaluate differences between the anterior and posterior knee regions. A convenience sample included 32 men, 16 sedentary individuals (1.71 ± 0.05 m; 71.7 ± 11 kg; BMI: 24.5 ± 0.39 kg/m²) and 16 athletes (1.79 ± 0.06 m; 73.29 ± 11 kg; BMI: 22.84 ± 2.52 kg/m²). Temperature assessments were conducted using infrared thermography. The results showed that the posterior knee region consistently exhibited higher temperatures than the anterior region in sedentary individuals (p < .001) and athletes (p < .001). Sedentary individuals had lower knee temperatures compared to athletes, both in the posterior regions (right: p = .0006; left: p = .0035) and anterior (right: p < .0001; left: p = .0009). These findings highlight that physical training influences localised thermal responses, with athletes demonstrating higher average knee temperatures and a consistent temperature gradient between the posterior and anterior regions in both groups.
- Associations Between Hydration, Sodium Intake, and Body Mass in Ultra-Endurance Trail Runners Under Ecological Race Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Field StudyPublication . Amorim, Rafael Mendes; Guilherme, Larissa Quintão; Filgueiras, Mariana de Santis; Saborosa, Guilherme Pereira; Pires, Gabrielle Ferreira; Neumann, Nathan de Oliveira; Scheer, Volker; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Forte, Pedro; Malheiro, Alexandra; Quaresma, Marcus Vinicius Lucio dos Santos; Souza, Helton de Sá; Kravchychyn, Ana Claudia PelissariHydration and electrolyte strategies are critical in mountain ultra-endurance events, yet field-based evidence from trail races remains limited. This study examined the relationship between fluid intake, sodium consumption, and body mass changes in trail runners competing under real environmental conditions. Methods: A cross-sectional field study was conducted during La Misi & oacute;n Brasil 2024. Athletes of both sexes competing in the endurance race (35 km; EG: n = 15; age = 37.0 [29.5-46.0] years; 12 men and 3 women) and the ultra-endurance race (80 km; UEG: n = 13; age = 42.0 [37.0-46.0] years; 11 men and 2 women) were included in the study. Pre- and post-race body mass were assessed, and in-race fluid and food intake were collected using an adapted 24-h dietary recall. Water and sodium intake were expressed as total (L and mg, respectively) and per-hour (mL/h and mg/h, respectively) values. Environmental temperature and humidity were obtained from a local weather station. Group comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test, and associations were examined with Spearman's correlation (p < 0.05). Results: EG (n = 15) and UEG (n = 13) showed similar absolute and relative body mass changes (2.6% to -3.0%; p > 0.05). EG runners presented greater weight loss rate (-270 vs. -115 g/h; p = 0.002), while UEG consumed higher total water (7.11 vs. 4.14 L; p = 0.008) and sodium (5789 vs. 2857 mg; p = 0.003). Water intake per hour was higher in EG (626 vs. 427 mL/h; p = 0.017). Body Mass Index was negatively correlated with hourly weight loss (r = -0.605; p < 0.001). Water and sodium intake per hour were positively correlated (r = 0.607; p < 0.001), though neither predicted hourly weight loss. Conclusions: Hydration responses may differ according to environmental stress and pacing demands. Changes in body mass may not necessarily reflect hydration adequacy, suggesting a possible multifactorial nature of hydroelectrolyte balance during mountain endurance events.
- Differential Effects of Low and High Caffeine Doses on Bench Press Muscular Endurance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover StudyPublication . Saborosa, Guilherme Pereira; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Forte, Pedro; Malheiro, Alexandra; Afonso, Pedro Miguel Vaz; Arruda, Dan Holz; Costa, Sebastião Felipe Ferreira; Souza, Helton de Sá; Silva, Sandro FernandesCaffeine contributes to improvements in physical performance by enhancing muscular strength and endurance. However, it is necessary to evaluate the effects of different dosages on resistance training (RT) performance. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of different caffeine doses (i.e., 3 mg·kg−1 and 6 mg·kg−1) on the maximum number of repetitions in a muscular endurance test. The study included 11 male participants (25.7 ± 5.9 years) who completed six in-person visits. During the first visit, a 24 h dietary recall (24HDR) was administered, anthropometric measurements were assessed, and one-repetition maximum (1RM) was determined in the flat bench press (BP). The second visit (baseline; BL) included a new 24HDR, assessment of muscle thickness using portable ultrasound (pre- and post-test), and a muscular endurance test in the BP at 80% of 1RM performed until concentric failure. The four subsequent visits followed the same protocol, with the administration of caffeine or placebo capsules 60 min before testing in a randomized, double-blind manner: low-dose caffeine (3 mg·kg−1; LC), high-dose caffeine (6 mg·kg−1; HC), low-dose placebo (3 mg·kg−1; LP), and high-dose placebo (6 mg·kg−1; HP). The first three interventions were conducted with 48 h intervals, and the remaining interventions were separated by a 7-day interval. The number of repetitions and total workload (TWL) increased in all conditions compared with baseline; however, no significant differences were observed (p > 0.05). LC and HP achieved the highest repetition values (LC: 12.09 ± 3.33 reps; HP: 12.27 ± 2.72 reps). Muscle thickness was greater in all conditions in the post-test assessment, showing a significant increase (p < 0.05). Low- or high-dose caffeine supplementation appears to moderately influence responses in a muscular endurance test, suggesting that caffeine may be a potential supplement for resistance training.
- Effect of 12 weeks differential learning vs. classical learning approaches on motor skills related to shot put in healthy young adultPublication . Fadhlaoui, Hassen; Jebabli, Nidhal; Hattabi, Soukaina; Salhi, Iyed; Boughanmi, Dhaoui; Ouerghi, Nejmeddine; Forte, Pedro; Sortwell, Andrew; Ferraz, Ricardo; Branquinho, Luis; Teixeira, José Eduardo; Afonso, Pedro; Ribeiro, Joana; Malheiro, Alexandra; Rocha, Alberto; García-Perales, Ramón; Abderrahman, Abderraouf BenThe objective of this study was to compare the effect of 12-weeks of differential learning intervention vs. classical learning in the shot-put for healthy and physically active students. Methods In this study, 114 sports science students (64 males; 50 females; age 21.20 +/- 2.15 years; body mass: 67.42 +/- 12.30 kg; body height: 1.73 +/- 0.09 m; BMI: 22.61 +/- 1.20 kg.m-1) participated in this study. A total of 114 students completed the study. Students were divided into a differential learning group (DL) (n = 40), a classical learning group CL (n = 39) and a control group (CG) (n = 35). Both DL and CL groups completed a similar 12-weeks learning program with four intervention assessment: shot put test, medicine ball throw, vertical jump tests, five jump test, flexibility test and sprint test. Results The results showed that the DL and CL programs significantly improved physical performance (p < 0.05) compared to the control group, with the effect size more effective in the DL group than in the CL group after the sixth week (shot-put throw: d(DL) = 0.30), 12 week [shot-put throw: d(DL) = 0.49, d(CL) = 0.18; throw MB kneeling: d(DL) = 0.41; throw MB standing: d(DL) = 0.89; vertical and horizontal tests: d(DL) = (0.55-1.39); sprint tests: d(DL) = (0.57-0.71)] and after retention period (14(th) week) (shot put, d(DL) = 0.28; standing MB throw: d(DL) = 0.48) of learning program. Also, there was a significant improvement for 5JT (p = 0.026; d = 1.29) performances in the DL group compared to CL group 12 week after learning program. However, no significant group*time interaction was observed for the feeling scale. Conclusions Overall, the data suggests that 12-weeks of DL program was more effective and more sustainable than CL in improving technical and physical performance related to shot-put discipline.
- Exploratory Analysis of Physiological and Biomechanical Determinants of CrossFit Benchmark Workout Performance: The Role of Sex and Training ExperiencePublication . Malheiro, Alexandra; Forte, Pedro; Rodríguez-Rosell, David; Marques, Diogo L.; Marques, Mário C.CrossFit performance is influenced by physiological, neuromuscular, and perceptual factors, yet the extent to which these determinants vary by sex or training experience in standardized CrossFit Workouts of the Day (WODs) remains unclear. This study examined whether variables such as lactate accumulation, oxygen uptake dynamics, jump performance loss, and ventilatory responses relate differently to performance when stratified by sex and expertise. Fifteen trained athletes (eight males, seven females; overall mean age 27.7 ± 4.6 years) took part. Assessments included body composition, squat (SJ) and countermovement jumps (CMJ), and maximal oxygen consumption [VO2max]. On a separate day, they performed Fran (21-15-9 thrusters and pull-ups, Rx or scaled) The prescribed (‘Rx’) version used standardized barbell loads (43 kg for men, 29 kg for women), while the scaled version involved reduced loads or pull-up modifications. Respiratory gas exchange and heart rate were continuously monitored, while blood lactate and jump performance were measured pre- and post-WOD. Workout completion time [s] was the primary outcome. Correlation heatmaps explored associations in the overall sample and by sex and expertise. Mean completion time was 422.1 ± 173.2 s (range: 200–840). Faster performance correlated with higher ventilatory responses [ΔVe, r = −0.60, p = 0.018], greater mean VO2 (r = −0.62, p = 0.014), superior jump power [CMJ pre, r = −0.65, p = 0.009], and higher post-WOD lactate [r = −0.54, p = 0.036]. Sex-stratified analyses showed that males relied on ventilatory efficiency and neuromuscular power, whereas females were more constrained by performance loss and higher resting perceived exertion (RPE). Experts depended on ventilatory and neuromuscular efficiency, while initiates showed stronger associations with decrements in jump performance and higher RPE. These findings highlight subgroup-specific performance profiles and reinforce the need for tailored training strategies in CrossFit athletes.
- Exploratory Analysis of the Correlations Between Physiological and Biomechanical Variables and Performance in the CrossFit® Fran Benchmark WorkoutPublication . Malheiro, Alexandra; Forte, Pedro; Rosell, David Rodríguez; Marques, Diogo L.; Marques, Mário C.The multifactorial nature of CrossFit performance remains incompletely understood, particularly regarding sex- and experience-related physiological and biomechanical factors. Fifteen trained athletes (8 males, 7 females) completed assessments of anthropometry, estimated one-repetition maximums (bench press, back squat, deadlift), squat jump (SJ), maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2)max), ventilatory responses ( V E-center dot), and heart rate (HR). Spearman, Pearson, and partial correlations were calculated with Holm and false discovery rate (FDR) corrections. Males displayed greater body mass, lean and muscle mass, maximal strength, and aerobic capacity than females (all Holm-adjusted p < 0.01). Experienced athletes completed Fran faster than beginners despite broadly similar anthropometric and aerobic profiles. In the pooled sample, WOD time showed moderate negative relationships with estimated 1RM back squat (rho = -0.54), deadlift (rho = -0.56), and bench press (rho = -0.65) before correction; none remained significant after Holm/FDR adjustment, and partial correlations controlling for training years were further attenuated. This exploratory study provides preliminary evidence suggesting that maximal strength may contribute to Fran performance, whereas conventional aerobic measures were less influential. However, given the very small sample (n = 15, 8 males and 7 females) and the fact that no relationships remained statistically significant after correction for multiple testing, the results must be regarded as preliminary, hypothesis-generating evidence only, requiring confirmation in larger and adequately powered studies.
- Impact of physical exercise interventions on functional fitness in older adultsPublication . Chen, Cheng; Freire, Cristiana; Fu, Zhiyang; Teixeira, Inês; Adegas, Matilde; Gomes, Rafael; Rabaçal, Ricardo; Silva, Sara; Malheiro, Alexandra; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Reis, António; Monteiro, António M.; Yang, Jing; Xiaolin, Yao; Forte, PedroAging is associated with a decline in functional fitness, compromising the autonomy of older adults. This systematic review evaluated recent randomized clinical trials (2015–2024) on the effects of physical exercise in individuals aged ≥65 years. Ninety-five studies were included, showing that multicomponent programs, resistance training, and supervised protocols improved muscular strength, mobility, balance, gait speed, and body composition. Interventions lasting more than 12 weeks with high adherence yielded more favorable outcomes. Effects on cognitive function were inconsistent. Structured exercises tailored to the capacities of older adults are effective strategies to promote functional independence and healthy aging, although study heterogeneity limits some conclusions.
- Literary tourism in northern portugal: an exploratory perspectivePublication . Sousa, Bruno; Liberato, Pedro; Liberato, Dália; Pereira, Carina; Rodrigues, Cristina; Costa, Adriano; Malheiro, Alexandra; Esteves, Elsa Tavares; Carvalho, PedroThe present study intends to structure a tourist offer based on literary tourism, with the proposal of literary routes in the Northern region of Portugal, in particular the municipalities covered by the Regional Tourism Authority - Entidade Regional de Turismo do Porto e Norte (ERTPNP), through the dynamisation of its literary heritage and its socio-cultural stimulation. It is expected to contribute to the promotion of tourism policies oriented to the development of new products and experiences, based on the identity and specificities of the different territories involved, with relevant authors and works. In addition, it is expected to develop a prototype of an APP for the promotion and dynamisation of one of the literary routes, the most representative of the literary heritage of the region which will provide an immersive and rich experience. A process that will involve the different stakeholders.The project aims to create a territorial database where a literary tourism development model can be applied through tourist routes. The criteria for applying the methodology will be based on: Cultural value of literary activities and their attractiveness to visitors; Literary nature of activities offered; Benefits for the local community; Involvement of the local community in the design of literary experiences; Relationship between visitors, local producers, and the local community; Use of local resources for the development of literary experiences; Use of digital techniques to develop engaging and participatory experiences.
- Machine learning prediction of adolescent obesity using physical fitness dataPublication . Sampaio, Tatiana; Encarnação, Samuel; Amaro, Bruna; Ribeiro, Joana; Branquinho, Luís; Monteiro, António M.; Teixeira, José Eduardo; Hattabi, Soukaina; Sortwell, Andrew; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Malheiro, Alexandra; Rodrigues, Pedro M.; Beat Knechtle; Flores, Pedro Miguel; Forte, PedroThe escalating prevalence of obesity among adolescents has emerged as a critical global public health challenge. Machine learning techniques have been used to predict obesity in adolescents. This study aimed to develop and validate a robust obesity prediction model for adolescents using this hybrid approach, leveraging data from a diverse cross-sectional population-based study. The hybrid method combines statistical inference with non-linear machine learning to enhance prediction accuracy. Physical fitness data were collected from the FITescola® tests. Multiple tests were employed to evaluate physical fitness. Multiple Poisson's multiple regression method was applied to identify the most predictive variables set of the adolescent's body mass index (BMI) classification. The model's goodness-of-fit statistics indicate a strong fit, with a log-likelihood of 8068.6 and a Pseudo R-squared value of 0.8853, where the aerobic fitness (AF), upper limb strength (ULS) and lower limb flexibility (LLF) presented an inverse association with the adolescent's BMI. In contrast the adolescent's core strength presented a positive association with their body mass. The random forest regression showed that an average of 35 repetition on the yo-yo test predicted a healthy BMI percentile [predBMIperc = 0.31]. In addition, the model presented good validity [MAE = 0.36, MSE = 0.20, RMSE = 0.45, R2 = 0.54]. The model's strong fit and accurate random forest regression's predictions suggest that physical fitness components, such as aerobic fitness, upper limb strength, lower limb power, and core strength, play a significant role in obesity risk among adolescents.
- Motivations of literary tourism in northern PortugalPublication . Esteves, Elsa Tavares; Costa, Adrinano; Carvalho, Pedro; Pereira, Carina; Lourenço, Cristina; Malheiro, Alexandra; Liberato, Dália; Liberato, Pedro; Sousa, BrunoThe purpose of this study is to identify the motivations of literary tourism consumers in the northern region of Portugal. The aim of this information is to contribute to the development of literary routes and the promotion of the region's cultural and literary heritage. We hope to contribute to the promotion of tourism policies geared towards the development of new products and experiences, based on the identity and specificities of the different territories involved, with relevant authors and works.