Centro de Investigação em Desporto, Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano - UID/04045/2025

Financiador

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Organização

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Publicações

Comparison of Frailty and Autonomy Levels in Older Adults According to Place of Residence

Publication . Machado, Andrea; Forte, Pedro; Rodrigues, Filipe

The present study aimed to compare levels of frailty and functional independence in older adults according to their place of residence and to analyze the associations between age, frailty, and autonomy, considering sex. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with a sample of 77 older adults (80.16 ± 8.68 years), divided into community-dwelling (n = 38) and institutionalized (n = 39) participants. Data collection included sociodemographic characterization and the assessment of frailty and autonomy. Results: Older adults in the community showed significantly higher levels of autonomy (94.21 ± 10.81) compared to those who were institutionalized (75.53 ± 23.21; p < 0.001). No significant differences were found in frailty levels between the groups (p = 0.674). Correlation analysis revealed a strong negative association between frailty and autonomy, which was more pronounced in institutionalized older adults (r = −0.64) and in males (r = −0.72). Age was only correlated with the loss of autonomy in men (r = −0.43). Conclusions: Place of residence is a critical determinant of functional autonomy but not of perceived frailty. The results highlight a health-survival paradox, where men exhibit a more abrupt functional decline associated with frailty. The implementation of gerontomotricity programs in residential care facilities is suggested to mitigate learned dependency.

2026Artigo científico

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Lap stability, stroke kinematics, and turn performance in female 200 m short-course finals at the 2019 LEN European Championships

Publication . Oliveira, João P.; Marinho, D.A.; Sampaio, Tatiana; Barbosa, Tiago M.; Silva, A.J.; Arellano, Raúl; Morais, J.E.

The aim of this study was to analyse lap performance stability, stroke kinematic variables in the clean swimming phase and turn performance in the finals of the four 200 m short course (SCM) events (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly). The sample included thirty-two elite female swimmers who competed in the 200 m finals at the 2019 LEN European Short Course Championships in Glasgow. Lap times, stroke kinematics, and turns were analysed using two approaches: (i) official lap time comparison (50 m), and; (ii) comparison of consecutive segments (25 m). Based on the official lap time comparison, performance significantly decreased over time (p < 0.001) with strong effect sizes in all strokes (η2 between 0.89 and 0.96). Pairwise comparisons between consecutive 25 m segments were not significant. Turn time increased in all four strokes with strong effect sizes (p < 0.001; η2 between 0.71 and 0.84). The start contributed ∼6% and turns ∼52% of the total race time. These findings highlight that traditional pacing analysis based on official splits may lead to misleading interpretations of performance in SCM events. Analysing 25 m segments provides a more accurate representation of race dynamics and contributes to a clearer understanding of pacing stability in short-course swimming.

2026Artigo científico

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Physical Fitness and Physical Activity in Young Adults: A Comparative Study Between Two Higher Education Institutions

Publication . Sampaio, Tatiana; Oliveira, João P.; Magalhães, Pedro; Bragada, José A.; Bartolomeu, Raúl Filipe; Vasques, Catarina; Morais, J.E.

Background: Evidence suggests that physical activity and fitness tend to decline during the transition to higher education, yet the influence of institutional environment on these variables remains unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to compare physical fitness and physical activity levels between first-year students from two higher education institutions within the same national context. Methods: Fifty-eight male university students (IPB (Instituto Politécnico de Bragança): n = 31; IPG (Instituto Politécnico da Guarda): n = 27; mean age IPB = 19.2 ± 1.8 years; IPG = 19.8 ± 5.5 years) were assessed for body composition, handgrip strength, mid-thigh pull, standing long jump, stork balance, flexibility, and estimated VO2max (StepTest4all). Physical activity levels were determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and were classified as low, moderate, or high. Between-group comparisons were performed using independent samples t-tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Students from IPB presented significantly higher IPAQ scores (2.97 ± 0.18) compared with those from IPG (2.56 ± 0.64; t = 3.235, p = 0.003, d = 0.90), along with superior standing long jump performance (1.95 ± 0.15 m vs. 2.12 ± 0.24 m; t = −3.239, p = 0.002, d = 0.85). No significant differences were observed for body composition, strength, flexibility, balance, psychological well-being or VO2max (all p > 0.05), although small effects were noted for flexibility (d = 0.50) and VO2max (d = 0.48). The distribution of physical activity categories revealed that 96.8% of IPB students were classified as highly active, whereas IPG students were more evenly distributed across high (63.0%), moderate (28.6%), and low (7.4%) activity levels. Conclusions: These findings indicate that institutional environment and access to exercise opportunities may influence physical activity behavior and lower-limb power in university students. Promoting structured physical activity programs and recreational opportunities within higher education may help sustain adequate fitness and health in this population.

2026Artigo científico

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Descrição

O CIDESD detém acreditação como unidade nacional de I&D desde 2007, inicialmente classificado como "bom", alcançando posteriormente uma classificação de "muito bom" em reavaliações subsequentes em 2013 e 2018. Ao longo dos anos, a unidade tem obtido uma sólida reputação internacional ao implementar planos de atividades ambiciosos com impacto local e global. O CIDESD é agora reconhecido como uma unidade de excelência em I&D que ocupa um nicho único nos campos das Ciências do Desporto e das Ciências do Exercício e Saúde. Este sucesso pode ser atribuído ao formato de consórcio e ao trabalho colaborativo estabelecido entre sete instituições portuguesas, totalizando 103 Investigadores Doutorados Integrados, 47 Investigadores Colaboradores e 80 estudantes de doutoramento. O CIDESD aprofundará a sua estrutura funcional, facilitando o fluxo de atividades através da organização em comunidades de investigação. Estas comunidades servem como núcleos para cientistas seniores e juniores, públicos de diversos setores incluindo câmaras municipais, hospitais, escolas e federações desportivas, estudantes de pós-graduação e parceiros internacionais. As duas comunidades científicas estão focadas nos seguintes objetivos: - ELITE (Enhanced Learning and Integrated Training for Excellence), liderando avanços em metodologias de treino, tecnologias de ponta e abordagens pedagógicas para melhorar o desempenho desportivo juvenil e de elite. - HEART (Health Empowering Activities and Responsive Technology) está na vanguarda da investigação da viabilidade e eficácia do exercício físico, focando-se no envelhecimento saudável e em doenças crónicas como doença renal crónica, doenças cardiovasculares e cancro. As comunidades científicas desempenham um papel crucial no envolvimento da sociedade, liderando programas de intervenção no desempenho desportivo, promoção da saúde e cuidados de saúde. Estes programas abordam questões diversas como desporto para jovens, obesidade e exercício para idosos, integrando o desporto nas escolas e promovendo a integração social. Além disso, o CIDESD está comprometido em fomentar uma cultura de aprendizagem contínua e disseminação do conhecimento em diversos níveis. Em linha com este compromisso, o CIDESD oferece um conjunto abrangente de programas educacionais, atendendo a diferentes públicos e grupos etários. Estes programas incluem licenciaturas, mestrados e doutoramentos, proporcionando aos alunos uma formação académica exigente e oportunidades de investigação nos campos das Ciências do Desporto e das Ciências do Exercício e Saúde.

Entidade financiadora

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Programa de financiamento

Avaliação UID 2023/2024

Número da atribuição

UID/04045/2025