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Browsing Escola Superior de Educação by Field of Science and Technology (FOS) "Ciências Médicas::Ciências da Saúde"
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- Agreement Between a Wristwatch and a Free Optical Sensor with a Chest Strap in Measuring HR Variations During Front Crawl SwimmingPublication . Bartolomeu, Raúl Filipe; Silva, Vasco; Pereira, Ana; Morais, Gonçalo; Sokołowski, Kamil; Strzała, Marek; Morais, J. E.; Teixeira, José EduardoWearables with optical sensors for heart rate (HR) measurement are widely available in the market. However, their accuracy in water is still underexplored. The aim of the present study was to test the agreement of two different devices for HR monitoring with a chest strap while swimming at different intensities. Twenty male and ten female subjects (mean 19.6 ± 0.7 years old, 173.3 ± 5.4 cm, and 67.1 ± 6.6 kg) performed an intermittent progressive protocol of 3 × 30 s tethered front crawl swimming followed by a 1 min rest period. A chest strap, a wristwatch, and a multi-site optical sensor placed at the temple were used simultaneously. A strong association, an excellent intra-class correlation, and a low mean bias were denoted (R2 = 0.85, ICC = 0.94, b = −1) between HRchest vs. HRtemple. Both indicators increased throughout the test, denoting an increase in accuracy from light to vigorous exercise intensity. HRchest and HRwatch showed a moderate association for the whole test (R2 = 0.23) but a weak association, a poor consistency, and a high mean bias stepwise (0.01 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.06, 0.03 ≤ ICC ≤ 0.42, −48.1 ≤ b≤ −16.1). During swimming, the HR values from the temple showed a better agreement with the chest strap than those from the wristwatch. The temple reading accuracy might be enhanced by using the device during the dryland warm-up routine.
- Can physical exercise modify intestinal integrity and gut microbiota composition? A systematic review of in vivo studiesPublication . Pereira, Stephanie Michelin Santana; São José, Vinicius Parzanini Brilhante de; Silva, Alessandra da; Martins, Karina Vitoria Cipriana; Leite , Luciano Bernardes; Forte, Pedro; Natali, Antônio José; Martino, Hércia Stampini Duarte; Lucia, Ceres Mattos Della; Bressan, JosefinaThere is little evidence about how physical exercise affects the gut microbiota since studies in the field are relatively recent. Thus, we aimed to systematically review the main effects of regular physical exercise on the intestinal integrity and microbiota composition in animal models, discuss the mechanisms involved, and indicate future directions. Searches for original articles were performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. A total of 18 studies were selected. These studies suggest that physical exercise has a significant impact on the gut microbiota. Voluntary running increased the thickness of duodenal villi and microbiota diversity but reduced its richness. Low-intensity treadmill running increased the abundance of the phylum Actinobacteria and the family Bifidobacteriaceae, while that of moderate-intensity reduced the Bacteroides/Prevotella ratio. High-intensity swimming and treadmill running altered the gut microbiota, evidenced by beta-diversity, and increased the Shannon and Chao indices but reduced short-chain fatty acids. Resistance exercise increased the Chao index and altered the functionality of the gut microbiota, increasing carbohydrate metabolism and reducing lipid and amino acid metabolism. Thus, regular physical exercise of different intensities and types can modify the gut microbiota, and the exercise benefits appear to be positively associated with training intensity.
- Case Report: Case study of 100 consecutive IRONMAN®-distance triathlons—impact of race splits and sleep on the performance of an elite athletePublication . Knechtle, Beat; Leite , Luciano Bernardes; Forte, Pedro; Andrade, Marilia Santos; Cuk, Ivan; Nikolaidis, Pantelis Theo; Scheer, Volker; Weiss, Katja; Rosemann, ThomasLong-distance triathletes such as IRONMAN (R) and ultra-triathletes competing in longer race distances continue to extend ultra-endurance limits. While the performance of 60 IRONMAN (R)-distance triathlons in 60 days was the longest described to date, we analysed in the present case study the impact of split disciplines and recovery in one athlete completing 100 IRONMAN (R)-distance triathlons in 100 days. To date, this is the longest self-paced world record attempt for most daily IRONMAN (R)-distance triathlons.To assess the influence of each activity's duration on the total time, the cross-correlation function was calculated for swimming, cycling, running, and sleeping times. The autocorrelation function, which measures the correlation of a time series with itself at different lags, was also employed using NumPy.The moving average for swimming slightly increased in the middle of the period, stabilizing at similar to 1.43 h. Cycling displayed notable fluctuations between similar to 5.5 and 7h, with a downward trend toward the end. The moving average for running remains high, between 5.8 and 7.2 h, showing consistency over the 100 days. The moving average for total time hovered at similar to 15 h, with peaks at the beginning, and slightly declined in the final days. The cross-correlation between swimming time and total time showed relatively low values. Cycling demonstrated a stronger correlation with total time. Running also exhibited a high correlation with total time. The cross-correlation between sleep time and swimming time presented low values. In cycling, the correlation was stronger. For running, a moderate correlation was observed. The correlation with total time was also high. The autocorrelation for swimming showed high values at short lags with a gradual decrease over time. For cycling, the autocorrelation also began strong, decreasing moderately as lags increased. Running displayed high autocorrelation at short lags, indicating a daily dependency in performance, with a gradual decay over time. The total time autocorrelation was high and remained relatively elevated with increasing lags, showing consistent dependency on cumulative efforts across all activities. In a triathlete completing 100 IRONMAN (R)-distance triathlons in 100 days, cycling and running split times have a higher influence on overall times than swimming. Swimming performance is not influenced by sleep quality, whereas cycling performance is. Swimming times slowed faster over days than cycling and running times. Any athlete intending to break this record should focus on cycling and running training in the pre-event preparation.
- Characterization of physical performance and change of direction deficit across age groups in young female volleyball playersPublication . Oliveira, João P.; Marinho, D.A.; Jacinto, Pedro; Sampaio, Tatiana; Morais, J. E.Volleyball performance relies heavily on agility, strength, and the ability to change direction, yet there is limited research investigating these physical attributes across different age groups in youth volleyball players. The change of direction (COD) deficit-a metric that isolates directional efficiency by comparing agility to linear speed-may provide a more nuanced understanding of an athlete's movement capabilities. The aim of this study was to investigate: (i) the differences in anthropometrics, lower limb strength/power, dynamic balance, linear sprint speed, and change of direction (COD) ability between young volleyball age groups; (ii) the effect of age on COD deficit in young volleyball players, and; (iii) the COD deficit predictors. A cross-sectional analysis of young volleyball athletes was conducted. Seventy-seven female volleyball players from three age groups (U13:12.43 +/- 0.89; U16:14.38 +/- 0.52; U18:16.78 +/- 0.93) participated in standardized tests measuring their physical qualities. The older age groups (U18) were significantly taller, heavier, and faster in linear sprints than their younger counterparts. No significant differences between groups were observed in lower limb strength and power or dynamic balance. The U16 group demonstrated the lowest COD deficit. The regression analysis identified drop jump height (DJ) as the sole significant predictor of COD deficit, explaining 6.9% of the variance (R2 = 0.069, p = 0.033), highlighting its relevance as an indicator of reactive strength. These findings suggest that while anthropometric features have increased and sprint performance improved with age, there is no corresponding improvement in lower limb strength, power, or dynamic balance. Drop jump height was the sole predictor of COD deficit, emphasizing the importance of reactive strength in determining agility. Coaches should focus on enhancing lower limb strength and reactive power to optimize COD performance and prevent performance stagnation (training plateaus), particularly in older athletes.
- Comparative Efficacy of Bodyweight and Free Weights Training on Shooting Strength in Roller HockeyPublication . Paiva, Eduardo; Afonso, Pedro; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Teixeira, José Eduardo; Forte, Pedro; Rodrigues, Pedro M.This study evaluated the impact of an 8-week training program on two groups of players, one performing free weights training and the other bodyweight training. The sample consisted of 14 athletes with a mean age of 22.6 years. Assessments of shooting strength were conducted before and after the program, measuring shot speed, acceleration, and strength. The free weights training included exercises with dumbbells and barbells, while the bodyweight training included squats, push- ups, and planks. Sessions occurred twice a week, with gradual progress in the number of sets and repetitions. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism software, with significance set at p<0.05. Data distribution was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and comparisons between pre- and post-intervention assessments were made with paired t- tests. Results showed significant improvements in shot speed, acceleration, and strength in the free weights training group, while the bodyweight training group showed no significant changes. It was concluded that free weights training is more effective for improving shooting strength in roller hockey players.
- Editorial: Training load in sport: current challenges and future perspectivesPublication . Branquinho, Luís; Forte, Pedro; França, Elias de; Ferraz, Ricardo; Teixeira, José Eduardo; Thomatieli-Santos, RonaldoTraining load is a critical component of athletic development, serving as a fundamental determinant of performance enhancement and injury prevention (1). Factors such as training intensity, volume, frequency, and density must be carefully managed to promote positive adaptations in athletes (2). The concept of training load is not merely a measure of the amount of work performed, it is a complex interplay of factors that can significantly influence an athlete’s performance trajectory (3). Understanding how to optimize training load is essential to maximizing athletic performance while minimizing the risks of excessive fatigue, injury, and overtraining, which can negatively impact an athlete’s performance and ability to compete and train effectively, as well as overall health (1).
- Effectiveness of a multicomponent physical exercise program against older adults’ frailty and obesity risk during the COVID-19 pandemic: an experimental, longitudinal, and controlled study with responsiveness analysisPublication . Encarnação, Samuel; Alves, João Ribeiro; Barbosa, Tiago M.; Forte, Pedro; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Monteiro, António M.This study assessed the effectiveness of a multicomponent exercise training against old adults' physical fragility and obesity risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. An experimental, controlled, and longitudinal study was performed in October 2021 (during the pandemic) and after the intervention in March 2023 (during the pandemic), totalizing 16-month intervention. A total of 53 elderly (37 older women and 16 older men), aged 69.2 +/- 12.4 years, participated in this study. After some dropouts, 10 participants in the experimental group (EG) and 10 participants in the control group (CG) accomplished the whole intervention and were analyzed after the post test. Bayesian statistical paired tests were applied to analyze the pre-post changes in physical fitness and body composition components. A responsiveness analysis was performed to identify individualized improvements within the follow-up period.The results demonstrated significant benefits, particularly in body composition, with improvements in BMI, VF, and %BF. Training effectively reduced waist circumference and minimized muscle mass loss. For physical frailty, improvements were noted in LLS, while CG showed worsening in UFL but unexpected improvements in static balance measures like APB and the 95% CI ellipse. In addition, training helped mitigate declines in HG strength, ULS, LLS, ULF, LLF, DB, APB, AF, MLB, and balance measures through responsiveness analysis.The multicomponent exercise training improved lower limb strength and reduced BMI, visceral fat, and body fat percentage, with responsiveness analysis showing protective effects across most variables for participants.
- Effects of a 26 week multicomponent exercise program on cardiovascular and lipid profiles in premenopausal and postmenopausal womenPublication . Figueira, Bruno; Bravo, Jorge; Raimundo, Armando; Reis, AntónioThe present study aimed to examine the effects of a 26-week multicomponent exercise program on lipid and lipoprotein profiles, blood pressure, and anthropometric parameters in healthy, previously sedentary premenopausal and postmenopausal women aged 40-60, as determined by the Baecke physical activity questionnaire. The program, comprising resistance, balance, flexibility, and aerobic exercises performed at 60-80% of maximal heart rate, aimed to identify group-specific responses and establish the program's efficacy in mitigating cardiovascular risks. Seventy-five women were recruited, and 38 completed the intervention. Participants were categorized into premenopausal (n = 18), postmenopausal (n = 10), and control groups (n = 10). Key measures included total cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and anthropometric variables. Statistical analyses employed the Shapiro-Wilk test, paired t-tests, Wilcoxon tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests, with alpha = 0.05. Significant improvements were observed in both groups. Premenopausal women showed superior lipid and glucose reductions (p < 0.01, d = 0.79), while postmenopausal women showed greater blood pressure decreases (p < 0.01, d > 1.40). Anthropometric changes were significant but varied in magnitude. Premenopausal women improved lipid and glucose profiles; postmenopausal women showed greater reductions in blood pressure and waist circumference. Multicomponent training with aerobic, resistance, and flexibility elements should be adapted to each group's clinical targets.
- Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Functional Fitness in Older AdultsPublication . Schneider, André; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Santos, Fernando; Teixeira, José Eduardo; Forte, Pedro; Barbosa, Tiago M.; Monteiro, António M.The global increase in life expectancy has generated growing interest in strategies that support functional independence and quality of life among older adults. Functional fitness—including strength, mobility, flexibility, and aerobic endurance—is essential for preserving autonomy during aging. In this context, physical exercise, particularly High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), has gained attention for its time efficiency and physiological benefits. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of a group-based HIIT program on functional fitness in older adults. Functional outcomes were assessed before, during, and after a 65-week intervention using standardized field tests, including measures of upper and lower body strength, flexibility, aerobic endurance, and agility. This study was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07170579). Significant improvements were observed in the HIIT group across multiple domains of functional fitness compared to the control group, notably in upper body strength, lower limb flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, and mobility. These results suggest that HIIT is an effective and adaptable strategy for improving functional fitness in older adults, with the potential to enhance performance in daily activities and support healthy aging in community settings.
- Effects of theta-binaural beats auditory stimulation on creativity, psychological well-being and mood states of university students: Pilot studyPublication . Mendes, Liliana; Silva, Levi Leonido; Pereira, Antonino; Morgado, ElsaThis study investigates the impact of theta-frequency binaural beats (BB) on creativity, mood, and psychological well-being in university students, addressing the growing interest and controversy surrounding this auditory stimulation technique. A quantitative, correlational, quasi-experimental design was employed, involving 26 university students aged 18–54 (96.2% female, 3.8% male). Participants listened to theta BB (6-Hz beat frequency on a 250 Hz carrier) for 20 minutes daily using the Binaural Beats App. Instruments included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the reduced Creative Personality Scale (EPC), the short Profile of Mood States Questionnaire (POMS), and the Psychological Well-Being Manifestation Scale (EMMBEP). Results revealed significant improvements in creativity, psychological well-being, and reduced total mood disturbance after exposure to theta BB. Significant differences in total mood disturbance across assessment moments highlighted the intervention's time-sensitive benefits. The study highlights the potential of theta-frequency BB to enhance psychological well-being, mood, and creativity among university students. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the utility of BB as a non-invasive tool for improving mental and emotional states. Theta BB may serve as an accessible and cost-effective method for promoting mental health and fostering creativity in educational and therapeutic settings.