Escola Superior de Educação
Permanent URI for this community
Browse
Browsing Escola Superior de Educação by Field of Science and Technology (FOS) "Ciências Médicas::Outras Ciências Médicas"
Now showing 1 - 10 of 15
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Acute Effects of Nitrate-Rich Beetroot Juice on Cardiovascular and Hemodynamic Responses to Flywheel Resistance Exercise: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover TrialPublication . Primo, Mateus Chaves; Viana, Ítalo Santiago Alves; Goulart-Silva, Leonardo Silveira; Machado, Wanderson Matheus Lopes; Leite , Luciano Bernardes; Forte, Pedro; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Monteiro, António M.; Branquinho, Luís; Silva, Sandro Fernandes; Oliveira, Claudia Eliza Patrocínio de; Moreira, Osvaldo CostaBeetroot juice is a popular nutritional resource in sports due to its ergogenic effects, promoting vasodilation, hypotension, improved energy efficiency, and reduced oxygen cost. However, its role in modulating the autonomic nervous system during strength training remains understudied. This study assessed the effects of acute nitrate-rich beetroot juice supplementation on cardiovascular and hemodynamic responses to flywheel resistance exercise. Fifteen male participants (age 22 +/- 3.64 years) from the Federal University of Vi & ccedil;osa completed a crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Each participant consumed either 400 mg of standardized nitrate or a placebo before performing 4 sets of 8-12 repetitions at 100% of their maximum concentric strength using a leg extension exercise, with 90 s recovery intervals. Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and subjective perception of effort were measured after each set. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23, employing the Shapiro-Wilk normality test, t-test for related samples, and MANOVA with time and supplement factors. NO3- supplementation led to a smaller increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) during exercise compared to the placebo and reduced diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in the last set, reflecting decreased peripheral vascular resistance. However, no significant effects were observed for heart rate, rate-pressure product, oxygen saturation, time under tension, or subjective perception of effort. These findings suggest that NO3- supplementation can offer cardiovascular benefits by attenuating blood pressure increases during strength training, highlighting its potential as a low-risk ergogenic aid for healthy young men.
- Beyond the Gym Floor and the Classroom: Physical Education as a Catalyst for Transdisciplinary Physically Active Learning in the Portuguese Educational LandscapePublication . Santos, Artur Jorge; Baptista, Liliana; Amoroso, José; Furtado, Guilherme; Teixeira, Manuela; Lima, Carla Pedroso deThis chapter explores the transformative potential of physical education (PE) when integrated into a transdisciplinary and physically active learning (PAL) framework. By moving beyond the traditional confines of the gym and classroom, we examine how PE can serve as a core component of holistic education. The chapter delves into the theoretical underpinnings of transdisciplinary and active learning, highlighting their alignment with the goals of PE. It will provide practical examples and strategies for implementing transdisciplinary PE programs, emphasizing collaboration with other subject areas and the creation of authentic learning experiences. The chapter will also discuss the role of PE in fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, while promoting physical literacy and well-being. Ultimately, this chapter aims to inspire educators to reimagine PE as a dynamic and essential component of a comprehensive curriculum.
- 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.
- Efeito da intensidade do exercício físico nos valores de tensão arterial pós-exercício em indivíduos adultos atletas e não atletasPublication . Lopes, João Tiago da Silva; Magalhães, Pedro; Ribeiro, FernandoO objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito da realização de duas intensidades diferentes de caminhada e/ou corrida em passadeira rolante nos valores da tensão arterial sistólica e diastólica de indivíduos adultos atletas e não atletas logo após o exercício, e a cada hora pós-exercício até 6 horas. Métodos: A amostra deste estudo foi constituída por 22 homens, com idade média de 23,64 ± 2,54 anos. Relativamente às avaliações físicas os sujeitos participaram em dois momentos de avaliação nos quais realizaram uma sessão de exercício físico, a 50% e 75% da frequência cardíaca de reserva. Cada sessão de exercício teve uma duração de 30 minutos, dividida em 10 minutos de aquecimento e 20 minutos de acordo com a intensidade pretendida. A tensão arterial foi avaliada antes, imediatamente após e a cada hora pós-exercício até 6 horas. Resultados: Os resultados indicam que existem diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre a intensidade de exercício, grupo de estudo e momentos de avaliação com p<0,001. A resposta da TAS à sessão de exercício a 50% da FCres foi significativamente superior no GNA comparativamente ao GA em todos os momentos de avaliação, exceto na primeira hora após o término da sessão. A diminuição da TAD à sessão de exercício a 50% da FCres foi significativamente superior no GA comparativamente ao GNA à 1ª, 5ª e 6ª hora de avaliação. A resposta da TAS à sessão de exercício a 75% da FCres foi significativamente superior no GNA comparativamente ao GA em todos os momentos de avaliação. Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo indicam que existe alterações nos valores de tensão arterial pós-exercício associado à intensidade de exercício, verficado nos dois grupos avaliados e nas duas intensidades exploradas, sobretudo associadas ao efeito hipotensor. O GNA verificou diminuição dos valores de TAS a 50% e 75% da FCres signifcativamentes superiores ao GA, exceto na 1ª hora após termino da sessão a 50% da FCres. O GA apresentou diminuição da TAD a 50% da FCres significativamente superior comparativamente ao GNA à 1º, 5ª e 6ª hora de avalição.
- The Effect of Flywheel Resistance Training on Executive Function in Older Women: A Randomized Controlled TrialPublication . Cota, Amanda dos Reis; Pérez Bedoya, Édison Andrés; Agostinho, Pablo Augusto Garcia; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Schneider, André; Forte, Pedro; Monteiro, António M.; Branquinho, Luís; Teixeira, José Eduardo; Oliveira, Claudia Eliza Patrocínio de; Moreira, Osvaldo Costa; Carneiro-Júnior, Miguel AraújoExecutive function, which includes inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, tends to decline with aging. While traditional resistance training (TRT) has shown positive effects in mitigating these declines, limited evidence is available regarding flywheel resistance training (FRT). This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of TRT and FRT on executive function in older women. In this randomized controlled trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT05910632), 29 older women were allocated into two groups: TRT (n = 15) and FRT (n = 14). The intervention lasted eight weeks with two weekly sessions conducted at the Federal University of Vi & ccedil;osa. The TRT group performed exercises using machines and free weights, while the FRT group used a multi-leg isoinertial device. Executive function was assessed using the Victoria Stroop Test (inhibitory control), Digit Span Test (working memory), and Trail Making Tests A and B (cognitive flexibility). Data were analyzed using a Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (p < 0.05). Results: No significant changes were observed in inhibitory control (p = 0.350). Working memory improved significantly within both groups in forward (p = 0.002) and backward (p = 0.002) span tasks. For cognitive flexibility, Trail Making Test A showed no significant changes (p > 0.05), but Test B showed significant within-group (p = 0.030) and between-group (p = 0.020) improvements. The B-A difference was also significant (p = 0.040). Both resistance training modalities enhanced working memory and cognitive flexibility. However, FRT produced greater improvements in cognitive flexibility, suggesting potential advantages in cognitive aging interventions.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- Freestyle master’s swimming: Nationality, sex, and performance trends in World Aquatics competitions (1986–2024)Publication . Ahmad, Wais; Wilhelm, Matthias; Moreitz, Sascha; Andrade, Marilia Santos; Forte, Pedro; Stanula, Arkadiusz; Nikolaidis, Pantelis Theo; Cuk, Ivan; Thuany, Mabliny; Weiss, Katja; Rosemann, Thomas; Hill, Lee; Seffrin, Aldo; Knechtle, Beat; Emiliano CèIn sports science, freestyle swimming has been thoroughly studied for particular performance-related factors. Nonetheless, it is unknown what countries the top freestyle swimmers are from, especially not for age group swimmers. In addition, the existing research on the performance of master freestyle swimmers has yet to confirm that male swimmers achieve faster times than their female counterparts across all age groups and distances. The current study looked into the nationalities and sexes of the top freestyle swimmers in each age group in World Aquatics competitions for the 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m events from 1986 to 2024. Methods The data (derived from (www.worldaquatics.com/masters/archives/masters-archives) were presented using mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum values, and/or confidence intervals. The year of competition, age, age group, stroke, distance, and first and last names of each swimmer were noted. The nations were then divided into six groups: one group comprising all other countries and the top five nations with the greatest number of appearances in the top 10 fastest freestyle swimming times by distance each year. Results In freestyle swimming, most swimmers (30.6%) competed in the 50m event (n = 25,094, 10,909 female and 14,185 male), followed by the 100m event (25.6%, n = 20,961, 8,796 female and 12,165 male), the 200m event (17.4%, n = 14,309, 6,729 female and 7,580 male), the 400m event (13.4%, n = 10,956, 5,363 female and 5,593 male), and the 800m event (12.6%, n = 10,317, 5,179 female and 5,138 male). The results from the generalized linear models indicate that sex, age group, and the interaction between sex and age group all had significant effects on the 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m races. Specifically, for the 50m races, the effect of sex was significant (x(2) (1) = 3451.941, p < 0.001), as was the effect of age group (chi(2) (13) = 19,295.169, p < 0.001), and the interaction between sex and age group (chi (2) (13) = 654.671, p < 0.001). Conclusion The USA demonstrates quantitative dominance by contributing the greatest number of top 10 performers. Additionally, the study highlights significant sex-based performance differences, with males generally outperforming females in all age categories. This study comprehensively analyzes the performance trends observed in freestyle master swimming for nearly four decades.