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This study investigated the psychometric nature of preference for and tolerance of exercise intensity in physical activity. It initially re-examined the Preference for and Tolerance of the Intensity of Exercise Questionnaire (PRETIE-Q) among Portuguese exercisers, looking at its applicability to different exercise activities and exercise experiences. Then, to investigate the applicability of the measure in different groups, its invariance was examined. The sample consisted of 1117 participants (528 male, 589 female) aged 18–81 years old (Mage = 36.81, SD = 11.89). All participants reported at baseline that they were exercising, on average, 3.93 days (SD = 1.36) per week. The exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) displayed the best fit. The ESEM did show invariance when tested for multigroup analysis. The conclusion of this research is that the ESEM demonstrated the best fit, displaying invariance in multigroup analysis. Furthermore, when assessing preference and tolerance in various exercise modalities, the PRETIE-Q should be primarily used as a multidimensional instrument due to the differential recognition of preference and tolerance in seemingly similar physical activity circumstances, highlighting the importance of employing context-verified measures to evaluate exercise-intensity preference and tolerance based on sample characteristics or real-time context. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Assessing quality of life (QoL) is important to provide personalized and individualized support plans with the purpose of improving personal outcomes. Based on the conceptual model of QoL, the aim of this study was to assess the congruence between the perceptions of institutionalized individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the perception of a third party, regarding QoL. Forty-two individuals participated in this study, including twenty-one with mild to severe IDD and their family members/caregiver/reference technician, who responded to the Personal Outcomes Scale (Portuguese version). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between reports in the personal development (t = −2.26; p = 0.024), emotional well-being (t = −2.263; p = 0.024), physical well-being (t = −2.491; p = 0.013) and total QoL (t = −2.331; p = 0.02). The results further show that most third-party reports tend to undervalue the QoL of the individual with IDD, and that there is no congruence in any of the QoL domains. The inclusion of self-reports in the QoL assessment is important. In addition to the assessment of third-party reports, the process of making decisions appropriate to the context and individual characteristics is equally important. On the other hand, the inclusion of third-party reports is an opportunity to promote communication among all stakeholders, recognize and discuss differences, and promote QoL, not only of individuals with IDD, but also of families. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between age, body mass index, muscle strength, and balance in physically active, aged adults. Methods: Eighty-five participants were recruited for this study, having an average age of 70.31 years (SD = 9.90), ranging from 50 to 92 years. Twenty-six (30.6%) participants were male and fifty-nine (69.4%) were female. The participants had an average body mass index of 27.30 kg/m2 (SD = 3.62), ranging from 20.32 to 38.58 kg/m2. Participants undertook the Timed-Up and Go to test balance, and the chair-stand test to assess lower body strength. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. Three models (Model 1, 2, and 3) were tested to assess their relationships with balance: M1—Lower body muscle strength; M2—Lower body muscle strength and body mass index; M3—Lower body muscle strength, body mass index, and age. Results: All hierarchical models displayed significant variance. The third model explained 50.9% of the variance in dynamic balance, [F(3, 81) = 27.94, p < 0.001, R = 0.71, Ra2 = 0.51]. The difference in Ra2 between the first, second, and third models was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Age, body mass index, and lower body muscle strength had significant (p < 0.05) correlations with balance. In terms of the significant impact of each predictor, age had the strongest association with balance (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results are useful to understand mechanisms or diagnose people at risk of fall. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion