Motricidade

Mario Trindade’s Training Method: The Journey to 100m Wheelchair Gold Medal at European Championships in Berlin (2018)

Eduarda Coelho, Tiago M. Barbosa, Pedro Forte, Fávia Costa, José Vilaça-Alves — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

This article aims to present Paralympic athlete Mario Trindade’s training to become the European Champion at the 100-meter wheelchair race in Berlin 2018. The lack of information on this specific training has impaired the beginning of this journey. However, the daily monitoring of this athlete over 20 years has permitted us to realise that the training methods of athletes with disabilities are not very different from those of others. Thus, it is important to understand the different responses to exercise. The degree of improvement after a training program depends on the characteristics of the vertebral-medullary lesion, the training history, and the training ability of the athlete, which is determined by the amount of active muscle mass available. Considering these aspects, we aim to describe the summer training macrocycle that is developed for the 100 m wheelchair race, which is a combined work developed by a multidisciplinary team. We will start by providing a theoretical background on para-athletics events, specifically wheelchair competitions. Afterwards, we will characterise the athlete and discuss his track and strength training, which prepared him to obtain the gold medal in 2018.

How Brazilian football teams coped with remotely/online strength and conditioning training

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

The present study aimed to investigate the communication/training strategies and technological tools used by fitness coaches from Brazilian football teams during home-based training according to age categories (professional and youth), competitive level (1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd/4^th divisions) and sex (male and female). An online questionnaire was applied to collect data. Eighty-two fitness coaches from sixty-seven male and female football teams (professional and youth teams) answered the questionnaire. Message apps were the main communication route between fitness coaches and players during home-based training. Online spreadsheets were frequently used to control the training. Regarding equipment provided to players for training, 70.7% of male professional players used some equipment. In contrast, most female professional and youth players (both sexes) did not receive any equipment, respectively (p< 0.01). Male players who compete in the 1^st and 2^nd divisions received more equipment for training than those who compete in the 3^rd and 4^th divisions (p< 0.01). The main physical fitness variables trained by all players during home-based training were muscle strength, strength-endurance, and aerobic capacity. Training load and training response were applied through series/repetitions/time and effort perception scales, respectively. In conclusion, the financial differences between professional and youth teams and between males and females and competitive levels can induce different home-based training conditions in Brazilian football teams during lockdown-like situations, especially related to equipment available for training targeted physical qualities. Thus, players should be monitored closely during lockdown-like situations and provided appropriate support to facilitate their training.

Relationship between physical tests with internal load and time spent in high intensity for male soccer players U-20 of regional level

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

The relationship between performance in physical tests and the match intensity from the heart rate (HR) response has not been studied in soccer. Thus, this study aimed to verify the correlation between the performance in physical tests and the intensity of the soccer match. Eleven Under-20 soccer players from the first division were evaluated in 2 official matches. The Yo-Yo intermittent aerobic test level 1 (YYIR1), 10-m and 30-m speed, repeated sprints ability (RSA, 6 x 20-20 m), the squat (SJ) and countermovement (CMJ) jump tests were performed. The heart rate (HR) was used to calculate the impulse training (M-TRIMP) by Edwards’s methods, and the time spent above 90% of HR_max (HR_>90%) was considered a high-intensity parameter. Pearson's correlation was applied, considering the significance level of p < 0.05. Significant correlations occurred between YYIR1 and M-TRIMP (r = 0.72) and the time in HR_>90%(r = 0.51) and between the best time in RSA (RSA_best) and HR_>90% (r = -0.50). YYIR1 was the best test related to the match intensity measured by the HR. RSA_best was also a good high-intensity indicator of the match, while jump and speed tests were not.

Cognitive Stimulation and Dementia: Traditional Interventions vs. Computer-Based Methodologies

Liliana Mendes, Miguel Castelo-Branco, Joana Oliveira — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

We aim to examine the role of cognitive stimulation interventions applied to healthy older adults or older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia. The most important benefits and differences between using these programs without computerised tasks compared to computer-based assistive technologies are also addressed. We conducted a literature review which includes empirical studies in the cognitive stimulation field, applied to healthy older adults or in participants with some type of dementia. All studies include cognitive stimulation intervention using traditional methods or computer-based assistive technology. We included a total of 35 studies in our review. In general, our findings provide support for applying cognitive stimulation programs, using traditional methods or computer-based assistive technology, specifically for older people with dementia. However, we found heterogeneity regarding methods, design of intervention, and procedures in both types of methodology.

This review adds value towards a systematisation of heterogeneous data existing in this field. However, it remains difficult to perform unbiased comparisons. Future studies should provide a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of cognitive stimulation programs using computer-based assistive technology involving older adults at various stages of dementia, as well as the efficacy and reliability of this type of intervention, practical effects and the potential to delay or prevent dementia.

Technical Direction in Gyms and Health Clubs: An Exploratory Study on the Perception of Physical Exercise Professionals

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

The position of the technical director was introduced into Portuguese law in 2012, but little research has been produced to understand how it has developed its action since. This study analysed the perceptions of the physical exercise technicians (TEF) regarding i) the importance of the functions of technical directors (as defined in the law) and ii) the way technical directors fulfil and develop their roles, contrasting the results by market segment. A descriptive and frequency analysis was made of a sample of 194 exercise professionals, with a mean age of 34.46 years (SD = 8.78) and a mean years of experience of 9.04 years (SD = 6.84), who voluntarily participated in this study. The present work showed that the TEF value the role attributed to the technical director expressed in the law. The regularity of the technical director's support was found to be quite heterogeneous, with almost 50% of the respondents classifying it as non-existent or not very regular. It was also found that around 45% of the TEF considered the performance of the technical directors to be very weak or weak. From the analysis by market segment, the low cost generally presented the worst percentage results, while the premium segment presented the best results.

Familiarisation, reproducibility and agreement analysis of vertical jump height with countermovement on the force platform in young men

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

The aim of the present study was to analyse the familiarisation, reliability and agreement analysis of the vertical jump with counter movement obtained on the force platform. Twenty-three adult men (24.0 ± 4.8 years) participated in the study. In the first session, three familiarisation jumps, and three test jumps (measure 1) were performed. In the second session, only three test jumps were performed (measure 2). The vertical jump height values did not show statistically significant differences between familiarisation, measures 1 and 2 (p > 0.05). The vertical jump height showed higher reliability and sensitivity between measurements 1 and 2 (CV = 5.0%; TE = 1.4 cm; MMD = 3.9 cm) than between familiarisation and measure 1 (CV = 5.8%; TE = 1.6 cm; MMD = 4.5 cm). The Bland and Altman plot showed a bias of 0.9 ± 2.3 cm (-5.4 – 3.6 cm) between familiarisation and measure 1 and a bias of 0.1 ± 1.9 (-3.6 – 3.8 cm) between measures 1 and 2. The findings of the present study showed that familiarisation did not influence vertical jump height. However, a better sensitivity of the measurement was verified when familiarisation procedures were performed.

Functional fitness and quality of life in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: an exploratory study

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Despite physical exercise is a good indicator of health promotion, the population with intellectual and developmental disabilities tends to have high levels of physical inactivity that influence their physical fitness, health, and quality of life (QoL). The present study aimed to analyse the functional physical fitness and QoL, as well as the associations between them, of a sample of the population with IDD. Thirty-seven individuals (42,54±11,12 years) with IDD were evaluated through the tests standing up and sitting on a chair, timed up and go and walking for 6 minutes, with the purpose of analysing physical fitness and the Personal Outcome Scale (POS) to measure physical well-being. Pearson's correlations were applied and the correlation between physical well-being and the tests stand up and sit down and walk for 6 minutes was verified. The results indicate an association between functional skills measured through the tests and physical well-being, suggesting that the promotion of these skills can positively influence the physical well-being of the sample used.

An overview of the effects of physical exercise programs on individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Being aware of the relevance of physical exercise in individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), we intend to conduct a brief review on the importance of regular physical exercise for this population. An approach will be taken in order to acknowledge the barriers to the high rates of sedentary lifestyles in this population, the potential benefits of physical exercise, and the essential aspects for a correct assessment, prescription, and implementation of these programs in the population with IDD, through a reflection supported by scientific evidence. The current overview aims to provide relevant information regarding the health benefits of physical exercise in individuals with IDD, as the basis for QoL promoting more active and healthier lifestyles, namely through structured physical exercise. In addition, it is also a useful tool for consultation by exercise professionals since adjusted indoor and outdoor exercise programs are listed.