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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.

This study sought to assess the reliability of a manipulative eye–segmental (hand and foot) coordination task, known as the Wall Drop Punt Kick and Catch test (WDPK&C), over a period of two weeks. A total of forty-one children and adolescents, comprising 18 boys and 23 girls, with an average age of 10.2 years (SD = 1.62), were recruited for the assessment. Participants were given 30 seconds to execute as many ball impacts as possible on a wall located two meters away, following a drop punt kick, wall rebound, and catch sequence. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC = 0.896) for individual measurements, Cronbach Alpha (α = 0.945), and Lin’s Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC = 0.896) provide robust evidence of reliability when considering two successive measurements. These findings further reinforce the reliability of the WDPK&C test within a sample of Portuguese children and adolescents. Consequently, the WDPK&C test is deemed suitable for application to Portuguese children and adolescents. Future studies should extend the assessment of this test's reliability to diverse age groups, as it is intended to serve as a test suitable for a wide range of ages.

Ethics studies moral values and defines good and bad conduct in research and researchers. In the area of research with human beings, it plays a crucial role in imposing limits, reducing abuses, and providing fair lines of research. The use of control groups in this type of research has been addressed and seems to be an effective method to assess the effects of an intervention, but it has raised doubts about the ethical challenges it involves. Therefore, this narrative review aims to address the ethical challenges in the use of control groups in research projects. In the analysed studies on populations with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), it was found that most researchers favoured the use of control groups which, during the research period, did not engage in any activity other than the usual activities in their daily lives. However, they should ensure that the control group has the opportunity to perform an intervention equal to the one performed by the experimental group, after the end of the research. In addition, it was possible to verify that, for the most part, the authors ensure the follow-up of ethical standards in studies with human subjects.

The global impact of physical activity and physical exercise on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), is not known, nor is the most effective type of exercise training for promoting these variables. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of the effect of physical exercise on BMI and WC in individuals with IDD through a systematic review with meta-analysis. Nine manuscripts met the eligibility criteria for the study. For BMI, the Z-value was Z=-2.176 and p=0.03. The highest magnitude of the effect was from the intervention with combined training showed the highest magnitude of effect (difference in means: -0.399, with a value of Z=-1.815 and p=0.07). For WC, the Z-value is Z=-3.306 and p=0.001. The intervention with continuous cardiorespiratory training showed the highest magnitude of effect (difference in means: -0.786, with a value of Z=-2.793 and p=0.005). Regular physical exercise seems to prevent an increase in BMI and WC in individuals with IDD. Similarly, the prescription of aerobic exercise seems to be more effective in promoting WC and the prescription of combined exercise in promoting BMI.

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the impact of a multicomponent exercise program and a concurrent exercise program on muscle strength among elderly individuals living in the community. Analysis using repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated significant main effects for the group factor (F(1,15) = 66.59, p < 0.001, η2 = .81) and the group*time factor (F(1,15) = 16.95, p < 0.001, η2 = .53) in relation to the 30-second chair test. For the 30-second arm curl, significant main effects were observed solely for the group factor (F(1,15) = 19.28, p < 0.001, η2 = .56). The timed up and go test revealed significant main effects for the group factor (F(1,15) = 35.56, p < 0.001, η2 = .70) and the group*time factor (F(1,15) = 11.68, p < 0.001, η2 = .43). Additionally, the group*time factor showed significant main effects for handgrip strength (F(1,15) = 5.19, p = 0.038, η2 = .25). The multicomponent exercise group exhibited a higher average increase compared to the concurrent exercise group. Although both exercise programs proved effective in enhancing muscle strength among elderly individuals living in the community, the multicomponent exercise group displayed superior outcomes across various physical fitness measures compared to the concurrent exercise group. These findings suggest that implementing a multicomponent exercise program may offer greater benefits for improving muscle strength in this specific population.

The increase in overweight and obesity among individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) also increases the deterioration of functionality and the risk of developing chronic diseases. Physical exercise has been identified as an effective strategy for reducing overweight and obesity and promoting health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an indoor and outdoor exercise programme on individuals with IDD. Were split by convenience into three groups twenty-one adults with IDD (43.04 ± 11.18 years): i) an indoor training group (IG; N=7; 24-week machine-based gym intervention), ii) an outdoor training group (OG; N=7; 24-week outdoor intervention with low-content materials), and iii) a control group (CG; N=7). Various variables were assessed, including indicators of health and neuromuscular capacity. The Shapiro-Wilk (n

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.

This research aims to explore the interplay between supportive and hindering behaviours, the fulfilment of basic psychological needs, motivation, and intentions to sustain sports participation among athletes. A longitudinal approach was employed to investigate the evolving relationships between these variables over time. A total of 538 athletes (219 male and 319 female), aged between 15 and 32 years (mean age = 22.78; standard deviation = 4.52), participated in this study. The sample encompassed athletes from football (n = 187), basketball (n = 172), and swimming (n = 179). The structural equation model exhibited a good fit. Positive direct and indirect connections were observed between most constructs, with the exception of the associations between controlled motivation and basic psychological need satisfaction. Intentions to continue sports participation accounted for 12% of the variance in athletes' sports persistence. While the mediation model did not reveal any direct effects for need-supportive or need-thwarting behaviours, it did identify significant indirect pathways within the positive aspect of the model. The overall indirect impact of need-supportive behaviours in the model was β = .14 (90% confidence interval = .26; .37), whereas, for need-thwarting behaviours, it was β = -.05 (90% confidence interval = -.11; -.01), indicating a beneficial mediation process. Cultivating autonomous motivation and fostering a supportive environment that meets athletes' basic psychological needs can be instrumental in nurturing enduring commitment, boosting athletes' intentions to persist in sports, and heightening their prospects for long-term success.

The relationship between the levels of autonomy and independence in people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and their levels of functional physical fitness is not clear in the literature. Thus, this study aimed to compare the levels of autonomy and functionality in daily living activities of people with IDD with their functional physical fitness levels and to analyse the effect of a 9-week physical exercise programme (one 1h session per week) on these variables. Seventeen adults (35.17±13.57 years) with IDD participated in this study. Anthropometric data (height, weight, body mass index and muscle mass) and data regarding functionality of daily living activities (WHODAS 2.0) were collected. The functional physical fitness was also assessed (handgrip strength, standing and sitting, and timed up and go test. There was an improvement in the daily living activities functionality (z=-2.19; p=.03) and body composition, namely in body mass index (z=-2.08;p=.04) and muscle mass (z=-1,94;p=.05) in the comparison between two moments. On the other hand, there were no differences in the functional physical fitness variables. Thus, the intervention program seems to have contributed positively to improving the perception of autonomy in daily living activities and body composition but was not enough to improve the participants' functional physical fitness.

The objective of this study was to analyse and compare the goals scored and goals conceded in the top six European football leagues (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, England, and Germany) from 2001 to 2020. The champions in these leagues typically achieved a mean combination score (an indicator that factors in both attack and defence rankings) ranging from 1 to 1.40. Notably, the French and Italian leagues stood out as the only ones where the variation coefficients of this combination score exceeded 50%, with percentages of 71% and 59%, respectively, in contrast to the other football leagues. Further examination revealed significant distinctions between the Portuguese and French leagues compared to Italy concerning the best attack positions of the champions (Z=3.196; p=0.01; η2=0.123). Similarly, when assessing defensive rankings, Portugal and Italy displayed notable differences from France (Z=3.763; p=0.003; η2=1.42). Additionally, the only two countries exhibiting substantial disparities in their positions for goals scored and conceded were France (with a stronger focus on attack than defence; t=-3; p

The present study aimed to compare scored and conceded goals of the top six European football leagues (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, England, and Germany) between the years of 2001 and 2020. The champions have a mean combo (indicator that combines attack and defense ranking) result between 1 and 1.40. The French and Italian leagues were the only ones where variation coefficients of this combo result overpassed 50% (71 and 59%, respectively) compared to the remaining football leagues. Further subsequent analysis showed that the Portuguese and French leagues differ significantly from Italy in terms of the best attack position of the champions (Z=3.196; p=0.01; η2=0.123). In terms of position in the defensive ranking, Portugal and Italy showed significant different results compared to France (Z=3.763; p=0.003; η2=1.42). Besides, the only two countries with significant differences in scored and conceded goals positioning were France (attack better than defense; t=-3; p

A preocupação com a qualidade de vida,bem-estar e saúde mental dos idosos tem sido evidente na literatura, assumindo a prática regular de exercício físico um papel fundamental na sua promoção, especialmente tendo em conta o envelhecimento demográfico a que temos assistido. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar os níveis de bem-estar subjetivo (satisfação com a vida e afeto positivo e negativo), qualidade de vida e sintomatologia depressiva e ansiosa numa amostra de idosos portugueses, incluindo uma análise comparativa destas variáveis em função da frequência semanal de prática de Exercício Físico. Foram ainda analisadas as associações entre as variáveis. Para tal, recorreu-se a uma amostra de 92 idosos portugueses (76,55±9.73 anos), 26 (28,3%) do sexo masculino e 66 (71,7%) do sexo feminino. Foram utilizadas as versões portuguesas da “SWLS”, do “PANAS”, bem da “HADS” e da “EUROHIS-QOL-8”. Os principais resultados revelaram a existência de diferenças significativas na variável afeto positivo (p= 0,01) (idosos que não praticavam exercício físico com valores mais reduzidos) e na variável sintomatologia depressiva (p= 0,01) (idosos com maior frequência de prática de exercício físico com menor sintomatologia depressiva). Destacam-se ainda as associações entre as variáveis em estudo (bem-estar, qualidade de vida e sintomatologia depressiva e ansiosa). Este estudo parece assim dar um importante contributo na compreensão do papel da prática regular de exercício físico, não apenas para a saúde física do idoso, mas também para o seu bem-estar e sintomatologia depressiva e ansiosa.

O presente projeto piloto visa analisar o efeito de um programa de intervenção baseado em jogos lúdico-motores adaptados para as deficiências sensoriais e físicas, com a duração de 5 semanas, em crianças do 1º e 4º anos de escolaridade do 1º ciclo do Ensino Básico, ao nível da perceção das crianças sem deficiência face aos pares com deficiência, nomeadamente no que diz respeito às atitudes de inclusão e da perceção de competências. Participaram 32 alunos, dos quais 15 são do género masculino e 17 do género feminino, com idades compreendidas entre os 6 e os 10 anos. Para a avaliação da implementação deste programa de inclusão inversa, recorremos a uma metodologia mista com a avaliação quantitativa realizada através de um questionário (em processo de validação) e a avaliação qualitativa com a realização de grupos focais. Os principais resultados revelam a existência de diferenças significativas, na dimensão da perceção de competências, entre os dois momentos de avaliação (pré e pós). A análise dos grupos focais também realçou a satisfação com o programa de atividades desenvolvido e perceção da pertinência do mesmo. De uma forma geral, conclui-se que o projeto permitiu aos participantes melhorarem a perceção relativa às competências e dificuldades de uma criança com deficiência, bem como mais conhecedores de estratégias (por exemplo jogos e brincadeiras) para incluir os pares com deficiência.

Esta revisão narrativa tem como objetivo examinar as evidências atuais que suportam a importância do exercício físico e o papel do técnico de exercício físico como promotor de educação para a cidadania, da aptidão física e o seu impacto no desempenho das atividades de vida diária e, por conseguinte, da qualidade de vida de indivíduos com Dificuldade Intelectual e Desenvolvimental. Várias questões são elencadas, de modo a perceber as razões para as elevadas taxas de sedentarismo nesta população, o porquê da escassez de estudos experimentais, quem são os intervenientes na avaliação, prescrição e condução dessas atividades, qual a formação dos intervenientes e que cuidados devem ter com a referida população, no qual, através da uma reflexão suportada pela evidência científica, tentar-se-á dar resposta. Em termos de resultados é clara necessidade do mercado de técnicos de exercício físico com formação de base na área das ciências do desporto e específica em atividades físicas adaptadas, no desenrolar de funções, tarefas e atividades com indivíduos com Dificuldade Intelectual e Desenvolvimental, seja em contexto de ensino regular, de fitness ou modalidade desportiva e, consequentemente, promotores de qualidade de vida em indivíduos com Dificuldade Intelectual e Desenvolvimental.

The goal of this work is to analyze the impact of elderly Portuguese individuals’ global perception of satisfying basic psychological needs in the areas of subjective happiness, subjective vitality and physical activity through a structural equations model. The way of well-being differs according to the amount of physical activity practiced in Portuguese elderly was also analyzed. Participants included 309 elderly people (242 females, 67 males) of Portuguese nationality who practice different levels of physical activity. Their ages range from 60 to 90 years old (M=68.59; DP=6.60). The obtained results show that the perception of basic psychological needs in Portuguese elderly people’s lives are a positive predictor of subjective happiness and subjective vitality. Also, the results verified that elderly people who perceive higher levels of competence practice more physical activity. Consequently, it is also possible to conclude that elderly people who participate in more physical activities perceive greater levels of subjective happiness and subjective vitality.

According Sebire, Standage and Vansteenkiste (2008), goals contents (motives) are the major drivers of behavior, giving rise to the goal content theory, which is in the basis of Goal Content for Exercise Questionnaire (GCEQ: Sebire et al., 2008) development. So, the main goal of present study was to conduct the validation of GCEQ for a sample of Portuguese elderly (n = 311), with equal or higher ages than 60 years old (M = 68.53; DP = 6.69). The main results show us that CGEQ measurement model (5 factors, 20 items) only present adequate fit to data after the elimination of 3 items: S-Bχ²=219.9, df=109, p=.001, SRMR=.049, TLI=.916, CFI=.934, RMSEA=.057, RMSEA 90% CI=.046-.068, PCFI=.747). Besides that, the 5 factors show us acceptable values of composite reliability: between .76 and .88. Those findings allow us to conclude that GCEQ with 5 factors and 17 items can be used to measure goal content in a population of elderly Portuguese people in physical activity domain.