Journal Motricidade (ISSN 1646-107X, eISSN 2182-2972) is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Sílabas Didáticas under a continuous publication model, with articles published online upon acceptance and completion of the editorial process. The journal follows a full open-access policy. Journal Motricidade publishes articles that are methodologically sound, theoretically grounded, and that will potentially contribute to the scientific areas of sports, psychology and human development, and health, promoting the international debate on those themes. It is currently indexed in some of the most influential international databases such as Web of Knowledge/Scielo Citation Index (Clarivate Analytics), Elsevier (SCOPUS, EMCare), SCImago (SJR: Medicine, Health Professions), PsycINFO, IndexCopernicus, Scielo, CABI, Qualis, SPORTDiscus, EBSCO, CINAHL, Proquest, DOAJ, Latindex, Gale/Cengage Learning, SIIC Databases, BVS ePORTUGUESe, SHERPA/RoMEO, OCLC, Hinari/WHO, Swets Information Services, among others. Journal Motricidade complies with the guidelines of the International Committee of the Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and the American Psychological Association (APA) for the presentation of scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals.
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The Adult Developmental Coordination/Dyspraxia Checklist (ADC) in Greek Young Adults: a preliminary reliability study
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects motor coordination with a negative impact on daily activities. DCD persists from childhood to adulthood in 50–70% of individuals. The present study was a preliminary evaluation of the reliability of the Greek Adult Developmental Coordination Disorders/Dyspraxia Checklist (ADC) version, a self-reported questionnaire to screen adults for probable DCD. One hundred and three (N=103) young adults (aged 19-26), without a previous diagnosis of neurological disorders or disabilities, who completed the Greek version of the ADC checklist twice, with a three-week interval between test-retest measurements. The results showed that Cronbach's alpha values ranged from 0.77 to 0.92 for each of the three subscales and 0.93 for the total ADC scores, indicating a strong internal consistency. Similarly, test-retest reliability results showed intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.63 to 0.87 across each subscale and the total ADC score. Thus, the results revealed acceptable values and moderate to good reliability for the Greek ADC version. In conclusion, given that motor difficulties associated with DCD persist into adulthood and negatively affect motor coordination and daily activities, the Greek ADC version could be a reliable screening tool for identifying probable DCD in young adults. However, further research regarding validity issues in Greek young adults with and without developmental disorders, including DCD, is encouraged.
Derechos de autor 2025 Motricidade https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Comparison of external load and physical performance of professional soccer players between a cup match and a league match: A preliminary study
Soccer is an intermittent sport characterised by frequent high-intensity actions, with performance varying based on the competition or tournament. This study aimed to compare the activity profiles of professional soccer players in a cup match versus a league match. Data were collected from two official matches played by a professional team from Brazil’s Serie B Men’s Championship during the 2018 season, in which the team participated in regional and national competitions organised by the Brazilian Football Confederation while maintaining regular training routines. The main variables analysed included total distance covered, highspeed running distance, number of sprints, accelerations, and decelerations. The results showed no significant differences in most variables, including heart rate, total distance covered, and number of sprints between the two match types. However, there was a significant reduction in the number of accelerations during the league match compared to the cup match. These findings suggest that league tournaments may feature fewer accelerations compared to cup matches, which could impact players’ physical demands and tactical preparation. Understanding these differences can help coaches optimise training and game strategies tailored to the specific demands of each competition type.
Mario Norberto Sevilio de Oliveira Junior
Development and validation of the transparency index
This study aimed to develop and validate the Transparency Index, a tool designed to measure transparency and integrity within sports organisations. The index comprises 15 items across three domains: governance, operational practices, and financial transparency. After expert review, the index underwent content validation and statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics revealed items ranging from 0.02 to 0.88 and standard deviations from 0.14 to 0.5. Reliability analysis showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.72 for the full index), which improved to 0.74 after removing items 9 and 10 due to their low inter-item correlations. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a four-factor solution, accounting for 56.53% of the variance, with factors representing governance, financial transparency, diversity policies, and collaboration with partners. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant differences between institutional levels (H = 63.29, p < .01), with World and National Federations demonstrating higher transparency scores than Regional Associations. No significant differences were found between evaluators, indicating consistency in scoring. These findings underscore the need for tailored transparency policies across different sports governance levels. The Transparency Index demonstrates potential as a valid and reliable tool for evaluating organisational transparency, with promising applications for enhancing governance practices in sports organisations. Further research is recommended to apply the Transparency Index to a broader sample and refine its dimensions.
Analysis of thermal patterns in the knee: Comparative study between athletes and sedentary individuals
Infrared 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.
Jefferson Fernando C oelho Rodrigues Junior
The Benefits of Ultimate and Disc Sports for Physical and Social Development in Portuguese Schools
Training in Ultimate and disc sports started in Portugal in 2005. The aim of the study is to find out to what extent Physical Education teachers already know and recognise the value and potential of disc sports and ultimate, and what contribution this can make to achieving the predetermined learning outcomes in pupils. This analytical study used a cross-sectional survey design to investigate the perceived importance of disc sports among 450 physical education teachers. Approximately 54.0% of Physical Education teachers use Ultimate because they think it is a different sport, 48.7% because pupils like it and 40.3% because it is self-refereed. The results show that 92.3% of Physical Education teachers believe that disc sports improve pupils’ motor skills. This study highlights the potential of disc sports to enhance Physical Education. The findings suggest the potential for widespread implementation of disc sports in different educational settings and countries.
Dyspraxias in specific motor areas in children with Developmental Coordination Disorders (DCD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Dyspraxias are neurodevelopmental disorders that affect one or more areas of motor development and can be expressed in different ways in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). The aim was to identify dyspraxia in specific motor areas in children with DCD and ADHD. Children (6-10 years old) were recruited from ten Brazilian public schools. The sample consisted of 49 children with ADHD and 11 with DCD. Additionally, 180 children with typical development (TD) were included as controls. The Motor Development Scale was used to identify dyspraxia in specific motor areas. Our findings revealed lower general motor quotient results in children with DCD and with ADHD when compared with TD children. More specifically, the ADHD group showed lower scores in perceptive domains compared to the DCD and TD groups. In the coordinative and proprioceptive areas, the DCD group showed lower scores than the ADHD and TD groups. These data suggest that dyspraxia acts in different motor areas for children with ADHD and DCD. We conclude that specific motor dysfunctions facilitate understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders, can contribute to differential diagnosis, and favour the development of motor intervention programs.
Public and sustainable development sports management applied in the Atlantic Axis of the Peninsular Iberian Northwest
A sustainable development sports program provided by local and regional governance policies will contribute to the well-being of the communities. The aim of the present study was to examine the public sports policies of the municipalities in the Northwest Atlantic Axis of the Iberian Peninsula (the northwest area of Portugal and the south area of Galicia, Spain). A structured questionnaire was applied to 16 municipalities (13 from Portugal and 3 from Spain), addressing the main key sports areas, including organisations, facilities, funding, and sports programs. The sports facilities and sports offering data showed that Portugal had significantly more infrastructure (t = 3.32, p = .0009) and sports activities than Spain (t = 13.74, p ≈ 0). However, the cities of Spain had a significantly higher sports budget than the cities of Portugal (t = -3.17, p = .0015). The findings highlight and provide some insights for managers and policymakers, proposing strategies to enhance the social impact of sports as a tool for inclusion and community development, particularly by promoting dialogue and knowledge exchange between municipalities (both within and beyond the region) to facilitate the adoption of innovative strategies and successful practices, and strengthening research collaborations with universities and research centres.
Unlocking the Fast Track: Exploring the Interplay between Body Composition and Athletes’ Performance in the 100 m Sprint
The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential association between body composition and 100-meter sprinter performance. Eight athletes' body composition parameters were measured using an InBCA (IN-F500) body composition analyzer and compared to their performance time in the 100 m sprint. The study participants (five males and three females) range in age from 21 to 25 years old and are the champion team of the Bangladesh Inter University Athletic Championship 2022. In addition, questionnaires were used to collect participants' demographic information, training history, and dietary habits. The comparison reveals that Athletes' 100 m sprinting performance is highly linked with their body composition characteristics, particularly the appendicular lean mass (R² = 0.7625, p < .001) and skeletal muscle mass (R² = 0.7932, p < .001). However, a weak and insignificant correlation was found with the body fat mass (R2 = 0.029, p > .05). The study's findings reveal that body composition characteristics influence the 100 m sprinting performance of both male and female athletes. We anticipate that these findings will contribute to our understanding of sprinters' body composition and have implications for athlete-specific training, performance improvement, and nutritional strategies.
Motivation for sports practice and its relationship with the level of physical activity and satisfaction with practice in children
This study analysed the relationship between motivation to practice sports, satisfaction with practice, and the level of physical activity in children aged 7 to 11. A total of 1,089 students from public schools in the Midwest of Santa Catarina, Brazil, took part. Motivation was assessed using the Pictorial Scale of Children's Sports Motivation (EPMDI), satisfaction was measured using a visual analogue scale of happiness, and the level of physical activity was evaluated using the Previous Day's Physical Activity Questionnaire (QUAFDA). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the validity and reliability of the EPMDI. Structural equation modelling was used to test the proposed hypothetical model. The results showed that intrinsic motivation was the main predictor of satisfaction with the practice, followed by extrinsic motivation, while demotivation had a significant negative effect. Satisfaction, however, did not directly predict the level of physical activity. Boys were significantly more active than girls, although both showed high levels of intrinsic motivation for sport. The findings highlight the importance of promoting intrinsic motivation in childhood to increase satisfaction with sport. Additional strategies may be needed to transform motivation into greater physical involvement.
Emotional experiences of immigrant students in Physical Education and Health classes in a Chilean school
This study aims to examine the negative emotions that affect the subjective well-being of immigrant students in their curricular experiences in Physical Education and Health. A qualitative methodology was used, with an interpretative-phenomenological perspective and a case study design. Ten female and male students participated, with an average age of 13.5 years. The students attended a Chilean public school in the Central Station district of the Metropolitan Region of Chile, which is known for admitting immigrant students. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview and subjected to inductive content analysis using ATLAS.ti 22. The results present three categories that allude to boredom, fear, shame, and anger. These categories include meanings about motor skills, corporeality, social interactions, and pedagogical dissatisfaction with physical exercise. The results do not directly allude to xenophobia but include indirect meanings that can be associated with implicit and structural discrimination due to migrant status. It is concluded that negative emotions are not only related to immigrant status, but also to interaction with gender stereotypes and lack of empathy. Chilean Physical Education would have the challenge of continuing to strengthen ethical training and inclusive practices in teacher training.
Developing cultural intelligence in sport: A qualitative study of coaches’ perceptions of cross-cultural training
Coaches worldwide are required to interact frequently with people from different cultures. This can create some personal and professional challenges for coaches working with foreign athletes. Coaches' training programmes have the responsibility to give them the right skills and prepare them to work in a global sports market, which involves several cross-cultural interactions. A cross-cultural training programme for sports coaches was implemented with 56 coaches from a Portuguese-speaking country. This research focuses on the qualitative evaluation of a cross-cultural training programme, using Thematic Analysis and NVivo software. The themes identified in the qualitative analysis were: a recommendation of training to other coaches; the importance of the coaching role; the important role of cultural training; the importance of growing as an individual and as a coach; and a recommendation for the training to be part of the coaching courses. The themes related to the Reflective Practice were the following: the experience with different cultures; learning from the cultural experience; and the importance of planning cultural experience beforehand. Future studies should consider recruiting more coaches with international experience during their careers. Interviews or focus groups should also be considered to get more in-depth information about the coaches’ perceptions of cross-cultural training.
Use of reflective journals in initial teacher training in Physical Education in Mexico
This study aims to achieve two goals: 1) To analyse the didactical/teaching experience of physical education teacher education students using reflective journals; and 2) To correlate the learning service methodology and the reflective process within the Experiential Learning cycle. This was a descriptive, qualitative, and hermeneutic study that analysed the reflective journals of ten undergraduate students in physical education teacher education. The data analysis was completed with a systematic design as a reference. The following categories were identified: a) emotional expressions; b) soft skills development; c) learning acquisition; d) performance reflection; e) teaching identity development. These categories were correlated within the Experiential Learning cycle, which allowed us to visualise a way in which the reflective process of students is congruent with Kolb's tenets. It can be concluded that reflective journals can contribute to a better academic performance in teacher education students.
Assessment for Brazilian Children’s Physical Literacy tools: content validity, feasibility, and reliability
Physical literacy is a phenomenon that has the potential to improve our engagement in an active life. However, there are no appropriate and validated instruments for the Brazilian context. This study aimed to present the Assessment for Brazilian Children’s Physical Literacy tools and evaluate their content validity, reliability, and feasibility. Five instruments — the Perception of Motor Competence Scale and Confidence Scale for Involvement in Physical Activity (affective domain), the Sedentary Behavior Scale and Organized Physical Activity Questionnaire (behavioral domain), and the Scale of Knowledge and Understanding of Physical Activity (comprehension domain) — were tested for content validity with a panel of 19 judges (Delphi method). The Content Validity Coefficient (> .8) confirmed the validity for all instruments; subsequently, schoolchildren aged 8 to 13 years (n = 19) answered the instruments. Correlations confirmed the tools’ reliability (good to excellent); feasibility results ranged from good to excellent. These Assessment for Brazilian Children’s Physical Literacy tools proved to be valid, reliable, and feasible for this Brazilian sample.
Change in young swimmers’ anaerobic potential in response to taper
The current study aims to determine the effect of one-week tapering on the anaerobic potential of young swimmers based on a simple and non-invasive test. Twenty competitive young swimmers (12.83 ± 1.08 years) performed an all-out 25 m front crawl sprint coupled to an electromechanical speedometer before and after a week of taper. The variation of the velocity along time [v/(t) curves] was determined for each swimmer. The push-off maximum velocity, push-off velocity decay, maximum and average gliding velocity, maximum and average swimming velocity, fatigue index, swimming velocity decay, velocity variation coefficient, total number of cycles, and total swim time were calculated. An individual anaerobic fatigue threshold was determined by applying a mathematical procedure based on wavelet analysis to the aforementioned v/(t) curves. The number of upper limb cycles performed was registered using video. The blood lactate concentration was measured at rest and after the 25 m sprint. The swim duration time of 25 m (pretaper: 17.91 ± 1.69; post-taper: 17.90 ± 2.18 s, p= .976) and the post-effort blood lactate (pre-taper: 4.92 ± .85 and post-taper: 4.77 ± 1.80 mmol/l, p= .780) did not change with the taper. The other variables also did not change, except for the velocity decay (-1.19 ± .94 vs. -.52 ± .21 m.s-1, p= .016). The moment of occurrence of the anaerobic fatigue threshold was no different after the taper. The one-week taper did not significantly change young swimmers’ anaerobic potential.
Desenvolvimento Positivo, Responsabilidade Pessoal e Social e Desporto… que relação? – “Um Estudo realizado numa Escola portuguesa de intervenção prioritária”
Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar eventuais relações existentes entre a prática desportiva de estudantes portugueses de uma escola considerada Território Educativo de Intervenção Prioritária e os seus níveis de desenvolvimento positivo de jovens e de responsabilidade pessoal e social. Participaram neste estudo 430 alunos, de ambos os sexos (45,6% do sexo feminino), com idades compreendidas entre os 10 e os 20 anos (M = 13,94 e DP = 2,61). Para avaliar o desenvolvimento positivo foi utilizado o questionário Positive Youth Development, versão portuguesa reduzida PYDp/red e para avaliar a responsabilidade pessoal e social foi utilizado o Questionário de Responsabilidade Pessoal e Social. Os resultados mostraram que, de uma forma geral, apenas 24,2% dos jovens praticavam desporto com mais regularidade e que, relativamente ao desenvolvimento positivo de jovens, os indivíduos do sexo feminino apresentavam níveis médios mais elevados na dimensão de Cuidado/atenção. Já no que concerne à dimensão Caráter, verificou-se que os jovens dos escalões mais velhos pareciam apresentar um maior respeito pelas regras, enquanto os do escalão mais novo apresentavam níveis médios mais elevados de Conexão. Constatou-se ainda que a perceção da responsabilidade social era mais elevada do que a da responsabilidade pessoal. Finalmente, foi evidente a existência de uma tendência no sentido de que, quanto mais anos de prática desportiva e frequência semanal, mais elevados eram os valores de desenvolvimento positivo de jovens e de responsabilidade pessoal e social.
Deslocamento ativo de adolescentes para a escola: barreiras de acordo com o sexo, estatuto socioeconômico e zona de moradia
Este estudo analisou as barreiras ao deslocamento ativo de adolescentes para a escola, de acordo com o sexo, zona de moradia e estatuto socioeconômico. As variáveis foram coletadas através de questionários (Neighborhood Impact on Kids e Associação Brasileira de Empresas de Pesquisa). Participaram 1.431 estudantes, com idade entre 12 e 17 anos. As variáveis categóricas dicotomizadas foram analisadas por meio do teste do Qui-quadrado com intervalos de confiança de 95% e significância de p<0,05. As principais barreiras para o deslocamento ativo reportadas foram: Na zona urbana: “o tempo é muito quente e transpiro muito” e “há muito trânsito”; na zona rural: “não existem calçadas ou ciclovias e “a escola fica longe”; moças da zona urbana: “a escola fica longe” e “há muito trânsito”; moças da zona rural: “o caminho era cansativo”; rapazes da zona rural: “o caminho não era bem iluminado”; estatuto socioeconômico: alunos de baixo estatuto socioeconômico da zona urbana e zona rural reportaram “a escola fica longe”. As principais barreiras ao deslocamento ativo referem-se ao clima quente, às escolas distantes, ao trânsito e ao ambiente construído, impactando principalmente escolares de baixo estatuto socioeconômico das duas zonas de moradia, demandando uma tomada de decisão dos entes políticos visando facilitar o deslocamento ativo dos adolescentes.
Exploring the impact of music on strength training performance in physically active women: a randomised crossover
The influence of music on movement velocity and power during strength training has been poorly investigated in female athletes. A total of 14 physically active female participants completed two random visits with different conditions: 1) Music (MUS) and 2) No music (No-MUS). Jumping ability (countermovement jump), movement velocity and power in the back-squat at 50 and 75% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), muscular endurance, rate of perceived exertion and motivation were analysed. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06070064). No differences were found between MUS and No-MUS conditions in jump height, nor in movement velocity and power in the back-squat exercise. With the MUS condition, an increase was observed in the number of repetitions to failure at 75% of 1RM (p= .034), as well as greater motivation (p= .029) and reduced perceived effort (p= .021). Listening to music induced an increase in muscular endurance performance with no effect on movement velocity and power during back-squat in physically active women.
Caracterização psicofisiológica do polo aquático: comparação entre sessões de treinamento de um microciclo
O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever e comparar as características de 3 diferentes sessões de treino de um microciclo de uma equipe masculina de polo aquático de alto rendimento em nível nacional com base nas zonas de intensidade da Frequência Cardíaca (FC) e nas cargas internas e externas. 10 atletas foram monitorados durante 3 sessões: a primeira e a última do microciclo e um jogo-treino. Cada atleta teve a FC monitorada por meio de cardiofrequencímetro. A carga interna foi obtida pela Escala de Percepção Subjetiva de Esforço da sessão (PSEs) e pelo método Training Impulse (TRIMP), enquanto a carga externa foi quantificada pelo volume total nadado e a intensidade programada do treinamento. Os resultados apontaram a sessão 1 com PSEs 400 ± 111 e TRIMP 159 ± 76, a sessão 2 com PSEs 708 ± 79,9 e TRIMP 88 ± 44,3, e o jogo treino com PSEs 71 ± 0 e TRIMP 41 ± 23. Os resultados evidenciaram que a carga externa específica de cada sessão de treino pode gerar percepções de carga interna diferentes. Além disso, a sequência das sessões de treino em um microciclo pode resultar no acúmulo de carga interna durante o treinamento.
Impact of COVID-19 on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and general health status in adults and older adults: a retrospective observational study
The present study aimed to compare physical activity, sedentary behavior, and general health status pre-diagnosis and post-recovery in individuals diagnosed with COVID-19; to assess the influence of COVID-19 signals, symptoms, and clinical outcomes on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and general health status in adults and older adults. A total of 509 individuals (≥ 18 years) diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 2020 and February 2021 in Ribeirão Preto/SP were evaluated. The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess physical activity and sedentary behavior, and the “profile of people diagnosed with COVID-19” questionnaire was used to self-report general health status. Data were collected via telephone regarding the week before the COVID-19 diagnosis (pre-diagnosis) and during the interview (post-recovery). There was a significant reduction in physical activity in adults and older adults (p < .001) post-recovery. Sedentary behavior increased in adults (p = .021). General health status worsened in both adults and older adults (p < .001). Symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, and muscle pain affected physical activity; respiratory difficulty and the need for oxygen support negatively influenced sedentary behavior. Sore throat, fatigue/tiredness, and muscle pain affected general health status in adults and older adults. COVID-19 signals and symptoms negatively influenced physical activity, sedentary behavior, and general health status.
How discrete emotions arise during the "heat" of sport competition: A naturalistic study in Roller Hockey
Emotions have an undeniable influence on sports competition. Therefore, studies focused on their antecedents are essential for understanding emotions in sports. Within the Cognitive-motivational-relational theory (CMRT) framework, this study intended to explore cognitive appraisal processes and discrete emotions during Roller Hockey competitions. Five elite roller hockey players (M = 28.6 years) were interviewed about three different games using a self-confrontational approach. The players identified eleven discrete emotions: happiness, relief, discouragement, anxiety, confidence, anger, disgust, pride, tranquillity, sadness, and shame. Positive emotions were more likely to arise in situations that brought the players closer to their goals, whereas negative emotions were more frequent in situations that threatened their goals. Findings suggest that primary appraisals often precede positive emotions, whereas secondary appraisals are more associated with negative emotions. These findings support the link between cognitive appraisals and emotions and highlight the need for continuing this line of study.
Decoding futsal defensive game situations through the eyes of coaches
Resumo Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo caraterizar e interpretar, pela ótica de treinadores de futsal de elite, a informação crítica sobre diferentes situações defensivas do jogo de futsal (i.e., organização defensiva, esquemas táticos defensivos, defesa estratégica). Métodos: Foram seleccionados dez treinadores de futsal especialistas (idade: 48,30 ± 5,85 anos; experiência 18,10 ± 4,12 anos), que atualmente treinam equipas de futsal de elite. Foram seleccionados trinta e sete vídeos, relacionados com diferentes situações de defesa. Os dados qualitativos foram obtidos através de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e analisados por análise de conteúdo. Resultados. Os resultados mostraram que os treinadores especialistas identificaram e interpretaram diferentes constrangimentos de informação, identificando as possibilidades de ação que surgem no contexto ambiental do jogo. Assim, quando os treinadores pretenderam caraterizar a informação defensiva, centraram-se na compreensão da informação relacionada com a defesa e as estratégias inerentes ao mesmo. Nas situações defensivas, 4 vs 5 e 3 vs 4, em que se verificou uma inferioridade numérica, a defesa foi zonal, recorrendo a saltos de marcação de forma a criar constrangimentos ofensivos aos adversários. Conclusões: Os constrangimentos informativos que sustentam as percepções dos treinadores especialistas para cada momento do jogo defensivo foram específicos, tendo em conta as circunstâncias do jogo. Deste modo, salientamos a necessidade dos cursos de treinadores de Futsal se centrarem na interação entre o conhecimento sobre o meio e o conhecimento do meio. Palavras-chave: Comportamento visual; Localização do olhar; Dinâmica ecológica; Tomada de decisão.
Fatores associados às mudanças na prática de atividades físicas em universitários brasileiros durante a pandemia da COVID-19
O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar fatores sociodemográficos, de vínculo universitário e de estilo de vida associados às mudanças na prática de atividade física durante a pandemia da COVID-19 em universitários brasileiros. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com 1.151 universitários da Universidade Estácio de Sá, Brasil. Fatores relacionados à variável dependente “prática de atividade física moderada” foram analisados via Odds Ratio e intervalo de confiança a 95% por regressão logística multinomial. 35,5% dos universitários relataram aumento da prática e 25,7% relataram redução. Houve maiores chances de redução entre homens, estudantes diurnos, menos estressados para sair de casa e que monitoravam a pressão arterial. Estudantes cursando até três disciplinas tiveram menos chances de redução. Aumentos na prática foram influenciados pelo sexo masculino, residência na capital, cursos na área da Saúde, estudo diurno, redução do comportamento sedentário e monitoramento da pressão arterial. Menor chance de aumento ocorreu em estudantes que mantiveram ou aumentaram o distanciamento físico em ambientes abertos. Fatores sociodemográficos, de vínculo universitário e comportamentos relacionados à saúde se associaram à redução e ao aumento na prática de atividade física.
Coach encouragement feedback during circuit training: is it possible to increase the fitness, grit and technical demands of youth sepak takraw athletes?
This study aims to investigate the impact of coach encouragement feedback circuit training (CEFCT) on the level of fitness, grit, and technical performance of youth sepak takraw athletes. A randomised control trial (RCT) design during 8 weeks was adopted. There were 80 young male sepak takraw athletes allocated into two groups: the CEFCT group (n = 40, 17.4 ± 1.22 years) and the control group (CG, n = 40, 17.5 ± 1.24 years). Paired sample t-test showed significant differences in fitness, grit and technical performance in CEFCT (all, p < .05) and CG (all, p < .05) from pre-test until post-test. In the 2-way ANOVA repeated measures test, we observed a significant time effect on physical fitness (all p < .05), along with a group effect (p < .05); however, there was no effect on the CMJ parameter (p > .05). Moreover, there was an interaction time * group in some parameters (p < .05), but it was not found in 10-mST (p > .05). At the same time, we found a time effect on grit (all, p < .05), but no difference in the group effect (all, p > .05). Furthermore, there was a time * group interaction on grit-maintaining interest (MI) (p < 005), but it was not found in grit-continuing efforts (CE) (p > .05). Finally, we found that there was an effect of time (all, p < .05) simultaneously with group (all, p < .05), but there was no time * group interaction (all, p > .05). The coach must apply encouragement during the circuit to increase the level of physical fitness, grit and technical performance of youth sepak takraw athletes.
Relação entre Flexibilidade e Desempenho do Nado Crawl em Diferentes Metragens
O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a relação entre flexibilidade e desempenho do nado crawl em diferentes metragens. Foi avaliado a flexibilidade nas articulações do ombro, tornozelo e coluna lombar. 29 atletas amadores de natação (16 do sexo masculino e 13 feminino), com idades entre 17 e 33 anos participaram do estudo. Foram realizadas três tomadas de tempo em diferentes metragens (25, 50 e 100m nado crawl) e calculado a velocidade de nado (VM), frequência e comprimento de braçada (FB e CB). Correlações moderadas isoladas entre grupos, articulações, variáveis e metragens, sugerem alguma influência positiva da flexibilidade com o desempenho. Isto é, correlação direta entre extensão de ombro e FB para o sexo masculino na distância de 25m e inversa com o CB para 25 e 50m. No feminino, correlação direta da flexão de ombro com a VM e inversa com o tempo dos 100m e entre flexibilidade plantar com CB para 50 e 100m. Todavia, a maioria das variáveis demonstraram relações fracas e não significativas, o que indica que para a maioria das articulações, níveis normais de flexibilidade são suficientes para prática da modalidade e que possivelmente outros fatores podem exercer maior influência sobre o desempenho de nado.
Autoavaliação negativa de saúde, atividade física e o tempo sentado em adolescentes brasileiros: efeitos moderadores de aspectos sociodemográficos e comportamentais
A atividade física insuficiente e o comportamento sedentário podem repercutir nos níveis de saúde percebidos, que representa um importante marcador da ocorrência de morbidades e mortalidade precoce. Objetivou-se estimar a prevalência e as associações diretas, bem como a consideração de possíveis efeitos moderadores das características sociodemográficas e comportamentais, entre atividade física e tempo sentado com a autoavaliação negativa de saúde, de acordo com o gênero, em adolescentes brasileiros. Este é um estudo transversal com dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) de 2019. O desfecho foi a autoavaliação negativa de saúde. As variáveis independentes foram a atividade física e o tempo sentado. A medida de associação empregada foram as Razões de Prevalências (RP), complementadas pelos valores de intervalo de confiança a 95% (IC95%). As prevalências de autoavaliação negativa da saúde foram de 2,8 (IC95% 2,4–3,3) e 5,8% (IC95% 5,1–6,5) entre rapazes e moças, respectivamente. As prevalências de autoavaliação negativa de saúde nas adolescentes brasileiras foram 1,5 vezes maiores para aquelas com elevado tempo sentado. Adolescentes do sexo masculino mais jovens com tempo sentado ≥ 3 horas/dia, apresentaram prevalências 2,64 (IC95% 1,38–5,05) vezes maiores de autoavaliação negativa de saúde. Conclui-se que moças foram mais propensas a autoavaliação negativa de saúde. Nos rapazes, a idade influenciou a associação do comportamento sedentário com o nível de saúde percebida.
Is the light at the end of the tunnel bright? Associations between preference and tolerance of the intensity, basic psychological needs and behaviour in exercise context
In recent years, sedentary behaviour and physical inactivity have seen an evident increase. Many individuals who embark on an exercise regimen end up leaving it within the first three to six months, often citing barriers such as a lack of time or motivation. Research shows that the pleasure and enjoyment derived from exercise play a crucial role in preventing people from giving up. This suggests that theories related to the emotional aspects of exercise, including an individual’s exercise intensity preference and tolerance, should be integrated into broader motivation theories such as Self-Determination Theory (SDT). This chapter aims to provide a theoretical framework for these theories, emphasised by empirical evidence and proposes potential avenues for future research.
Global research trends on transgenders in sports: a bibliometric analysis
Taking into account the complexity of transgenderism in sports, the sensitive nature of the subject and the wide spectrum of concerned disciplines addressing this theme, a bibliometric network analysis has been carried out. As of December 31, 2024, 454 articles related to transgender individuals in sports were identified. In these articles, we carried out the following network analyses: a) countries and collaborations, b) authors and collaborations, c) journals, and d) high-frequency keywords. The most cited articles were also reported.
Poderão os programas de intervenção motora ter uma associação positiva com a competência motora de crianças com desenvolvimento típico com idades compreendidas entre os 6 e os 10 anos? - Uma revisão sistemática
A competência motora (CM) desempenha um papel significativo na previsão da atividade física nos jovens e é uma componente integral da saúde e do desempenho dos jovens. De acordo com Barnett et al. (2009) e Logan et al. (2015), a CM interage com a atividade física (AF) durante a primeira infância. Este estudo teve como objetivo sintetizar a evidência sobre as associações entre CM e AF, treino/prática desportiva e educação física em crianças. A revisão foi registada na PROSPERO, seguindo as diretrizes PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) e as normas GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations). Foram encontrados 11294 artigos nas seguintes bases de dados: PubMed; Web of Science; Scopus. Após a fase de triagem, a seleção foi reduzida a 18 estudos, todos eles ensaios clínicos aleatórios envolvendo métodos de validade e fiabilidade, de acordo com os critérios de elegibilidade. Os estudos incluíram uma amostra total de 2858 crianças com idades compreendidas entre os 6 e os 10 anos. Como a análise dos artigos revelou que todos os programas de intervenção foram benéficos para o desenvolvimento da CM, independentemente do programa (duração do programa, frequência semanal e duração da sessão) e do instrumento, como proposta para o futuro, e com base nos resultados da nossa investigação, propõe-se um programa de intervenção com a duração de 8 a 12 semanas, com sessões de 45 a 60 minutos e 2-3 vezes por semana. O instrumento proposto para avaliar a competência motora poderá ser o TGMD-2, o TGMD-3 ou o KTK.
Apoio social, resiliência e bem-estar subjetivo em atletas portugueses com deficiência
A experiência esportiva de longo prazo altera o equilíbrio corporal dos atletas? Uma revisão sistemática e meta-análise
A prática esportiva promove adaptações fisiológicas influenciadas pelas características dos estímulos de treinamento e o equilíbrio postural parece desempenhar um papel importante no desempenho atlético. Analisar o controle postural em atletas - obtido a partir dos deslocamentos do centro de pressão (COP) durante a postura ortostática, considerando atletas de elite e grupos controle (não atletas ou atletas de menor nível competitivo). Método: A busca nas bases de dados eletrônicas foi realizada no PubMed, Scopus e Scielo até abril de 2023. Foi realizada uma avaliação da qualidade metodológica dos estudos. Além disso, na metanálise, as principais variáveis ​​do COP utilizadas foram área de oscilação e velocidade média. Resultados: Vinte estudos foram incluídos e a meta-análise mostrou diferenças a favor dos atletas nas condições de apoio unipodal com olhos abertos e olhos fechados, com maior diferença na segunda situação. De modo geral, os atletas apresentaram melhor equilíbrio postural em comparação ao grupo de não atletas e, entre os atletas, aqueles com maior nível competitivo apresentaram a melhor estratégia postural. Conclusões: Os resultados sugerem que o treino desportivo melhora o controlo postural e que as diferenças a favor dos atletas são maiores em condições posturais mais desafiantes/instáveis.
Luis Aureliano Imbiriba da Silva Imbiriba
A holistic approach to the diagnosis of football players: the psychological factor example
The construction of tools is crucial to achieving knowledge advances, as Ian Hacking suggests. In a world where information dictates rules, there is a necessity for solutions that counteract the superficiality imposed by a positivist scientific model. The primary aim of this work is to set the basis to help develop a diagnostic tool that really embraces the complexity and globality of the human (trans)formation process. With a systemic approach to sports, this exploratory and descriptive study aims to justify the conceptual framework that enables the integration of a new vision for sports diagnosis, beginning with a critical reflection on feedback gathered from a sample of top-level football coaches (n= 10) regarding the assessment of psychological competences. The results show consensus about the importance of the psychological performance factor, as well as the necessity for tools to assess it better. We conclude that a holistic perspective on sports diagnosis and intervention, considering data from different fields of knowledge coherently, is needed and already possible.
Elevating Assisted Stretching: Redefining the Operational Technique for Professional Credibility and Stretching Efficiency
Assisted stretching is a prevalent practice in exercise and fitness settings, frequently employed to enhance flexibility, facilitate recovery, and promote relaxation. However, the absence of standardised methodological guidelines has constrained its professional credibility and raised concerns regarding practitioner safety, client comfort, and inappropriate physical proximity. Furthermore, conventional methods often depend heavily on manual force and intrusive body positioning, which may undermine both the effectiveness and ethical standards of the practice. This research note introduces a structured methodological framework for operationalising assisted stretching techniques. The framework is based on four core principles: minimising unnecessary physical contact through clear communication and informed consent; adopting non-intrusive, outward practitioner positioning to respect personal space and enhance postural safety; defining the force-applying and control hands relative to the client’s medial line; and prioritising the use of the practitioner’s body weight over isolated arm strength to apply stretching force efficiently and safely. Illustrative examples and practical applications demonstrate that the proposed approach enables assisted stretching to be performed with reduced physical intrusion, improved biomechanical efficiency, and enhanced safety for both practitioners and clients, including scenarios with significant differences in body mass. This methodological proposal seeks to establish assisted stretching as a credible professional technique by promoting ethical practice, technical consistency, and a more favourable external perception within exercise and rehabilitation contexts.
Bridging the Gap: Integrating Physiology, Strength and Innovation to Enable a Women’s Sub-4 Minute Mile
This Letter explores the physiological, biomechanical and strategic factors underpinning the possibility of a woman running a mile in under 4 min - a barrier historically viewed as symbolic and physiologically prohibitive. Drawing on recent projections, we examine the interplay between aerobic power, anaerobic work capacity, neuromuscular coordination and mechanical efficiency, highlighting how targeted strength training, tendon stiffness, and reactive force development may contribute to bridging the remaining 7.65 s gap (6.42 in a non-official recently made record). The discussion integrates advancements in pacing strategies, oxygen uptake kinetics and footwear technology, alongside sociocultural and institutional enablers. We argue that individualised long-term development models, supported by data-driven monitoring and sex-specific interventions, are critical to this pursuit. Far from a speculative goal, the sub-4 min mile for women now stands as a strategically actionable target. Today, this endeavour is strongly supported by several scientific studies and concepts, but its realisation will require a convergence of current knowledge with the preparation, training organisation and belief that enabled Bannister’s breakthrough in 1954.
The Forgotten World of Coaching Masters Sport in Portugal: Implications for Research and Practice
Master (adult) sports can contribute to healthy ageing and increase the quality of life. Nonetheless, few efforts have been deployed to identify and reflect on guidelines for quality master sports coaching in Portugal that can contribute to these outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this critical commentary is to provide insights into the current status of master sports in Portugal, as well as present implications for researchers and practitioners. In Portugal, eligibility for competition is based on age. Master sports is a structured and competitive physical activity that is associated with teams or individuals with a strong emphasis on formal competition across provincial, national, and/or international championships. There exist efforts by the government to have adult sports play a role in contributing to holistic athlete development throughout the lifespan and towards healthy ageing. This is not incompatible with competition, which is a critical component of the Portuguese sports culture. However, competitions may need to be carefully organised and used as a resource for holistic athlete development, focusing on adult athletes’ health and well-being. Moreover, adult sports may also be positioned as non-structured physical activity, as well as by diverse types of competitive events and activities. Moving forward, there is a need to initiate dialogue between all actors of the sports system and identify alternative ways to position, imagine and use master sports in a challenging contemporary landscape.