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Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different dryland warm-up protocols on knee isokinetic strength, vertical jumping, and sprint performance in competitive swimmers. Twenty-four male swimmers were randomly assigned to the FIFA 11 + group (n = 12) or the post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) group (n = 12). The FIFA 11 + group performed the FIFA 11 + warm-up program three times per week for 6 weeks, whereas the PAPE group consisted of performing general activities and three sets of five drop jumps. Performance test included concentric (con) and eccentric (ecc) isokinetic strength of the quadriceps (Q) and hamstrings (H) of the dominant (DL) and non-dominant (NDL) limbs at three angular velocities, countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ) and a 50-m time trial. The conventional (Hcon: Qcon) and functional (Hecc: Qcon) ratios were calculated pre- and post- intervention. The FIFA 11 + group showed a significant increase in DL-Hcon (p

Swimming coaches know that a swimmer’s assessment must be specific and ecological. Thus, it is critical to select and employ adequate methodologies. The tethered swimming method can be useful and valid, in addition to being simple to apply. Regular use of this methodology can give coaches tools to intervene with their swimmers and increase performance. The main objective of this manuscript was to analyze the potential for measuring the propulsive forces exerted in water as a biomechanical tool for evaluating and training competitive swimmers. The key results demonstrated that this methodology allows (i) the assessment of upper limb bilateral kinetic asymmetries; (ii) the evaluation of the contribution of the upper and lower limb actions, inferring about the (un)balance between strength and coordination; (iii) the examination of the relationship between the intracyclic variations in speed and force; (iv) the evaluation of the effective application of force to the speed of high-level swimmers. Furthermore, this manuscript suggests advances using mathematical modeling and artificial intelligence (AI) that will provide significant insights into swimming performances. AI developments will promote its integration into sports optimization, and swimming will be no exception.

BackgroundAnkle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are vital in gait rehabilitation for patients with stroke. However, many conventional AFO designs may not offer the required precision for optimized patient outcomes. With the advent of 3D scanning and printing technology, there is potential for more individualized AFO solutions, aiming to enhance the rehabilitative process. ObjectiveThis nonrandomized trial seeks to introduce and validate a novel system for AFO design tailored to patients with stroke. By leveraging the capabilities of 3D scanning and bespoke software solutions, the aim is to produce orthoses that might surpass conventional designs in terms of biomechanical effectiveness and patient satisfaction. MethodsA distinctive 3D scanner, complemented by specialized software, will be developed to accurately capture the biomechanical data of leg movements during gait in patients with stroke. The acquired data will subsequently guide the creation of patient-specific AFO designs. These personalized orthoses will be provided to participants, and their efficacy will be compared with traditional AFO models. The qualitative dimensions of this experience will be evaluated using the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction With Assistive Technology (QUEST) assessment tool. Feedback from health care professionals and the participants will be considered throughout the trial to ensure a rounded understanding of the system’s implications. ResultsSpatial-temporal parameters will be statistically compared using paired t tests to determine significant differences between walking with the personalized orthosis, the existing orthosis, and barefoot conditions. Significant differences will be identified based on P values, with P

The present study aimed to explore the relationships between coping strategies, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, and satisfaction with life among Portuguese workers. A sample of 402 participants (207 male, 195 female), ranging in age from 18 to 70 years (M = 32.90, SD = 11.75), was included in the study. Participants reported varying levels of work experience, ranging from 1 to 45 years (M = 10.62, SD = 4.07). The sample encompassed diverse occupations, including arts and design (n = 28), engineering (n = 23), marketing (n = 27), administration (n = 50), transportation and logistics (n = 57), clerks (n = 63), lawyers (n = 21), factory workers (n = 20), accountant and finance (n = 41), journalism (n = 27), health care (n = 29), and others (n = 16). To examine the associations between each determinant and satisfaction with life, hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. Two models were tested, with predictors entered in blocks based on theoretical and empirical considerations. The second model accounted for 52.4% of the variance in satisfaction with life (F (14, 384) = 3.884, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.27, adjusted R2 = 0.24). Depressive symptoms and stress consistently exhibited a significant association (p < 0.05) with satisfaction with life across all tested models. In terms of coping mechanisms, instrumental support reinterpretation, disengagement, and humor demonstrated a significant association with satisfaction with life (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that employing adaptive coping strategies may help mitigate symptoms of mental distress and enhance satisfaction with life. By understanding the relationships between coping strategies, mental health symptoms, and satisfaction with life, interventions can be developed to promote well-being and improve overall quality of life among Portuguese workers.

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.

When a limb suffers a fracture, rupture, or dislocation, it is traditionally immobilized with plaster. This may induce discomfort in the patient, as well as excessive itching and sweating, which creates the growth of bacteria, leading to an unhygienic environment and difficulty in keeping the injury clean during treatment. Furthermore, if the plaster remains for a long period, it may cause lesions in the joints and ligaments. To overcome all of these disadvantages, orthoses have emerged as important medical devices to help patients in rehabilitation, as well as for self-care of deficiencies in clinics and daily life. Traditionally, these devices are produced manually, which is a time-consuming and error-prone method. From another point of view, it is possible to use imageology (X-ray or computed tomography) to scan the human body; a process that may help orthoses manufacturing but which induces radiation to the patient. To overcome this great disadvantage, several types of 3D scanners, without any kind of radiation, have emerged. This article describes the use of various types of scanners capable of digitizing the human body to produce custom orthoses. Studies have shown that photogrammetry is the most used and most suitable 3D scanner for the acquisition of the human body in 3D. With this evolution of technology, it is possible to decrease the scanning time and it will be possible to introduce this technology into clinical environment.

The aim of this review was to explore the contribution of physical activity and exercise in the control and reduction of modifiable factors of arterial hypertension in telemedicine programs, assuming a multidisciplinary perspective. Searches were carried out following the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses), and the research question defined using the PICOS approach (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes, Study design). The search strategy applied the following terms: blood pressure OR hypertension AND exercise OR physical activity AND telemedicine. The initial search identified 2190 records, but only 19 studies were considered eligible after checking for the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The following training variables were generally included: heart rate and heart rate reserve, respiratory rate, rate of perceived exertion and oxygen consumption, but no resistance training variables were found. The significant improvements on blood pressure parameters of participants diagnosed with hypertension tended to be transient. The exercise prescription was commonly based on general instructions and recommendations for exercise and hypertension. On the other hand, most of the studies including patients in cardiac rehabilitation programs used a personalized training program based on a baseline assessment, particularly following a cardiopulmonary exercise test. The inclusion of exercise professionals in multidisciplinary teams could provide a more person-oriented approach and the long-term maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.

OBJETIVO: Identificar a intenção de uso de tecnologia, com base na influência da percepção de uso, utilidade percebida, percepção de facilidade de uso e a influência das normas subjetivas na intenção de uso de tecnologia dentro do campo de atuação do bacharel em Educação Física de uma universidade do Rio Grande do Sul. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma survey com 110 estudantes do curso. A técnica estatística usada foi modelagem de equações estruturais (MEE) por meio da qual foi testado o modelo conceitual. RESULTADOS: Os resultados indicam bom ajustamento do modelo de acordo com a literatura. Os construtos referentes à facilidade de uso percebida e utilidade percebida apresentaram efeitos positivos na intenção de uso de tecnologia, ao contrário das normas subjetivas. CONCLUSÃO: Esta pesquisa preenche a lacuna de estudos referentes ao uso de tecnologia nas intervenções de acadêmicos do curso de bacharel em Educação Física.

Exercise interventions have shown significant improvements in the older adult population regarding functional and cognitive capacity. However, much research has applied exercise protocols that are expensive both for research and participation. Thus, high investments that are made are currently not ecologically efficient. The aim of the study was to determine whether the impact of a 20-week multicomponent exercise intervention using low-cost material could improve physical fitness in community-dwelling older adults. We tested the feasibility of this three times per week exercise protocol using an inclusive approach. Eligibility criteria included age ≥65 years, the ability to stand and walk with or without assistive devices, being physically inactive; medical clearance, and living in the community. Outcomes were muscle resistance measured using the chair-stand test for lower limbs, cardiorespiratory capacity measured using the 6-min walk test, and agility and balance using the Timed-up and Go test. Flexibility was measured using the chair sit and reach for lower limbs and the back scratch for upper limbs using the dominant leg and arm, respectively. Hand grip strength was measured using a dynamometer. Thirty participants (n = 30) were recruited and included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The mean age of participants was 70 years (±3.62 years), 100% were Caucasians, and 50% were female. There was a significant trend toward a clinically important improvement in the chair-stand (t = −5.23; p < 0.001; d = 0.36), arm curl (t = −5.21; p < 0.001; d = 0.74), 6-min walk test (t = −4.69; p =

Abstract Considering the expected increasing demand for cellulose fibers in the near future and that its major source is wood pulp, alternative sources such as vegetable wastes from agricultural activities and agro-food industries are currently being sought to prevent deforestation. In the present study, cellulose was successfully isolated from six agroindustrial residues: corncob, corn husk, grape stalk, pomegranate peel, marc of strawberry-tree fruit and fava pod. Cellulose fibers were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Despite the evident morphological differences among the extracted celluloses, results revealed similar compositional and thermal properties with the wood-derived commercial microcrystalline cellulose used as a control. Trace amounts of lignin or hemicellulose were detected in all cellulose samples, with the exception of corncob cellulose, that exhibited the greatest extraction yield (26%) and morphological similarities to wood-derived microcrystalline cellulose, visible through SEM. Furthermore, corncob cellulose was found to have thermal properties (TOnset of 307.17 °C, TD of 330.31 °C, and ΔH of 306.04 kJ/kg) suitable for biomedical applications.

Despite the widely recognized health benefits of physical activity, participation in regular physical activity falls far short of the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030. More than half of the population does not reach current recommendations, and around one-fourth is not sufficiently active at all. Understanding social-cognitive theories may aid in the creation of interventions to improve long-term physical activity maintenance. The current work covers theory and research on physical activity patterns. It specifically provides an overview of contemporary conceptualizations of motivational and cognitive theories, as well as reviews recent perspectives on how physical activity can be adopted and maintained. Key questions, such as whether physical activity can be executed purely based on cognitive functions, are also addressed. Furthermore, this review identifies possible and effective intervention strategies to promote physical activity.

Regenerative medicine is an exciting field of research, in which significant steps are being taken that are leading to the translation of the technique into clinical practice. In the near future, it is expected that clinicians will have the opportunity to bioprint tissues and organs that closely mimic native human tissues. To do so, imaging of patients must be translated to digital models and then fabricated in a layer-by-layer fashion. The main aim of this review is to elaborate on the possible mechanisms that support four-dimensional bioprinting, as well as provide examples of current and future applications of the technology. This technology, considering time as the fourth dimension, emerged with the aim to develop bioactive functional constructs with programmed stimuli responses. The main idea is to have three-dimensional-printed constructs that are responsive to preplanned stimuli. With this review, the authors aim to provoke creative thinking, highlighting several issues that need to be addressed when reproducing such a complex network as the human body. The authors envision that there are some key features that need to be studied in the near future: printed constructs should be able to respond to different types of stimuli in a timely manner, bioreactors must be developed combining different types of automated stimuli and aiming to replicate the in vivo ecology, and adequate testing procedures must be developed to obtain a proper assessment of the constructs. The effective development of a printed construct that supports tissue maturation according to the anticipated stimuli will significantly advance this promising approach to regenerative medicine.

Background: Post-exercise (i.e., cool-down) stretching is commonly prescribed for improving recovery of strength and range of motion (ROM) and diminishing delayed onset muscular soreness (DOMS) after physical exertion. However, the question remains if post-exercise stretching is better for recovery than other post-exercise modalities.Objective: To provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of supervised randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of post-exercise stretching on short-term (≤1 h after exercise) and delayed (e.g., ≥24 h) recovery makers (i.e., DOMS, strength, ROM) in comparison with passive recovery or alternative recovery methods (e.g., low-intensity cycling).Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO CRD42020222091). RCTs published in any language or date were eligible, according to P.I.C.O.S. criteria. Searches were performed in eight databases. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2. Meta-analyses used the inverse variance random-effects model. GRADE was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies.Results: From 17,050 records retrieved, 11 RCTs were included for qualitative analyses and 10 for meta-analysis (n = 229 participants; 17–38 years, mostly males). The exercise protocols varied between studies (e.g., cycling, strength training). Post-exercise stretching included static stretching, passive stretching, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. Passive recovery (i.e., rest) was used as comparator in eight studies, with additional recovery protocols including low intensity cycling or running, massage, and cold-water immersion. Risk of bias was high in ~70% of the studies. Between-group comparisons showed no effect of post-exercise stretching on strength recovery (ES = −0.08; 95% CI = −0.54–0.39; p = 0.750; I2 = 0.0%; Egger's test p = 0.531) when compared to passive recovery. In addition, no effect of post-exercise stretching on 24, 48, or 72-h post-exercise DOMS was noted when compared to passive recovery (ES = −0.09 to −0.24; 95% CI = −0.70–0.28; p = 0.187–629; I2 = 0.0%; Egger's test p = 0.165–0.880).Conclusion: There wasn't sufficient statistical evidence to reject the null hypothesis that stretching and passive recovery have equivalent influence on recovery. Data is scarce, heterogeneous, and confidence in cumulative evidence is very low. Future research should address the limitations highlighted in our review, to allow for more informed recommendations. For now, evidence-based recommendations on whether post-exercise stretching should be applied for the purposes of recovery should be avoided, as the (insufficient) data that is available does not support related claims.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42020222091.

This study explored the associations between physical activity (PA) anxiety levels, and the perception of satisfaction of basic psychological needs (BPN), during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. Thus, 1,404 participants (977 women, 426 men, and one respondent preferred not to answer) ranging from 18 to 89 years old (36.4 ± 11.7 year-old) completed a questionnaire in the period between 1st and 15th April 2021. The survey included sociodemographic data and the following validated instruments: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Basic Need General Satisfaction Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to examine variation in anxiety levels and BPN satisfaction according to PA category (low, moderate, and high). Spearman’s Rho correlations coefficients were used to determine the association between anxiety levels and psychological needs. Individuals presenting a higher level of PA revealed lower levels of anxiety-state (H = 20.14; p < 0.01). Differences between elements from different levels of PA were found for the autonomy (H = 23.52; p < 0.001), competence (H = 18.89; p < 0.001), and relatedness (H = 24.42; p < 0.001) psychological needs, suggesting that those who feel their BPN as more satisfied have higher levels of PA. The study found statistically significant correlations between anxiety-state and the satisfaction of the needs for autonomy (p = 0.01; r = −0.46), competence (p = 0.01; r = −0.40), and relatedness (p = 0.01; r = −0.21). These findings support the importance that PA has in the anxiety levels during social isolation, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary teams in an individual-based approach.

Nowadays and worldwide, the attention is focused on coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and its consequences on mental health are yet to be fully understood. It is important to capture differences in anxiety levels among populations, groups, and the gender-related variation. Therefore, the present study had two main purposes: (1) to characterize the levels of state anxiety and trait anxiety by examining gender-related, sleep-related, and physical activity-related variations in a nonrepresentative sample of the Portuguese population during the first weeks of lockdown; and (2) to explore the possible relationship between trait anxiety and state anxiety and the possible role of gender as a moderator. This cross-sectional study comprised 1,332 Portuguese adults (aged 18–55 years old) recruited online during COVID-19 outbreak measures. Participants answered to sociodemographic data and the Portuguese version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Gender differences were found in both state anxiety (p = < 0.001; d = 0.385) and trait anxiety (p = < 0.001; d = 0.467) with females presenting higher values. People reporting doing more physical activity than usual during COVID-19 lockdown presented lower levels of state anxiety (p = < 0.001; d = 0.200). People reporting more satisfaction with the quality of sleep presented lower levels of both state anxiety (p = < 0.001; d = 0.701) and trait anxiety (p = < 0.001; d = 0.899). Variation associated with the physical activity level (low, moderate, and high) was significantly different among groups in both state anxiety (p = < 0.001) and trait anxiety (p = < 0.001). When analyzing in more detail separating the levels of physical activity, participants performing moderate and high physical activity showed lower values of state and trait anxiety compared to participants with low physical activity. Participants performing high physical activity also showed lower values of state anxiety compared to participants performing moderate physical activity. Higher levels of trait anxiety were related to higher levels of state anxiety, but this association was not moderated by gender. Interventions aiming to support people psychologically during this outbreak should consider anxiety as well as gender and possible behavioral changes in sleep and physical activity, for example. Health professionals should not only consider the anxiety related to the situation we are living but also address trait anxiety to help overcome COVID-19 psychological consequences.

A melhoria da performance dos nadadores, como em qualquer outra modalidade desportiva, assenta na eficiente monitorização do treino. Nas últimas três décadas, as unidades inerciais de medida (IMUs) provaram ser ferramentas extremamente úteis para a análise do movimento humano. Tanto a portabilidade, quanto o baixo custo atraíram grupos de investigação em todo o mundo para a sua utilização em biomecânica do desporto. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi desenvolver um sistema conveniente, prático e de baixo custo, aplicado à prática da natação, incluindo o hardware de aquisição de dados (baseado em um sistema de referência de atitude e direção – AHRS) e um processo de machine learning para análise de dados. Foi colocado como hipótese que este sistema seria capaz de identificar com precisão o percurso realizado e a segmentação das viragens, permitindo a extração das principais caraterísticas influenciadoras do rendimento. O hardware do dispositivo inclui uma unidade inercial de medida (IMU) com um acelerómetro, giroscópio e magnetómetro, todos de 3 eixos, permitindo o cálculo da orientação absoluta do módulo no espaço (Figura 1). A aquisição de dados é efetuada a 200-Hz, registando o tempo [ms], os nove canais do acelerómetro [g], giroscópio [º/s] e magnetómetro [Gauss], e os três ângulos de Euler e de direção [º]. Os algoritmos de processamento de dados foram desenvolvidos para analisar o desempenho do nadador. Os indicadores de desempenho computados pelo sistema incluem: viragens e chegadas (instantes de início e término, bem como a duração de cada percurso e paragens); técnica de nado (técnica utilizada em cada percurso); tempo de percurso (em segundos); contagem de ciclos de nado (número de ciclos por percurso); frequência de ciclo (ciclos/min por percurso); elevação do tronco (ângulo de elevação do tronco em cada percurso); equilíbrio corporal (a amplitude do movimento do corpo angular); rotação do corpo (ângulo do rolamento sobre o eixo longitudinal). Terminado o percurso de nado (série ou treino), é efetuada a transferência da informação para o software desenvolvido que, no imediato, extrai as informações mais relevantes para controlo e avaliação do treino, como exposto na Figura 2. Com os dados recolhidos, foram desenvolvidos algoritmos para a computação dos indicadores de desempenho. Não só foi objetivo fornecer um elevado número de variáveis, mas principalmente para adotar um algoritmo eficiente para fornecer resultados imediatos. Assim, um conjunto de algoritmos foram desenvolvidos usando a linguagem Python, mas com uma interface gráfica, que calculam indicadores de desempenho relevantes (por exemplo, elevação de tronco). Tendo em consideração a importância da posição hidrodinâmica para minimizar o arrasto, controlar a elevação do tronco ao longo de toda uma série típica de treino poderá ser de extrema relevância para examinar a inferência de fadiga e erros técnicos. Similarmente, através de uma rotação de corpo ideal, os nadadores podem otimizar sua trajetória de mão atingindo trajetórias mais longas. E, pela literatura existente, este é o primeiro sistema a recorrer aos ângulos de Euler para executar o processamento e calcular estes indicadores de desempenho em natação.

Ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) are prescribed to improve the patient’s quality of life. Supporting weak muscles or restraining spastic muscles leads to smoother and more stable locomotion. Commonly, AFO are made using thermoplastic vacuum forming, which requires a long time for production and has limited design options. Additive manufacturing (AM) can solve this problem, leading to a faster and cheaper solution. This review aimed to investigate what is the state-of-art using AM for AFO. Evaluating the used manufacturing processes, customization steps, mechanical properties, and biomechanical features in humans would provide significant insights for further research. The database searches combined AM and AFO with no year or publication type restrictions. Studies must have examined outcomes on human participants with the orthoses built by AM. Other types of orthotic devices or different manufacturing techniques were excluded. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. As stated by having all studies conducted in the last nine years, this is a very recent domain. Different AM processes have been used, with the majority relying on Fused Deposition Modeling. Overall, the manuscripts’ quality is deficient, which is critical to promoting further studies with higher samples. Except for one paper, AM-printed AFO was comparable or superior to the thermoplastic vacuum forming AFO in mechanical tests, kinematics, kinetics, and participant feedback.

The aim of this study was to use numerical simulations and analytical procedures to compare a cyclist's performance in three different cycling positions. An elite level road cyclist competing at a national level was recruited for this research. The bicycle was 7 kg and the cyclist 55 kg. A 3D scan was taken of the subject on the competition bicycle, wearing race gear and helmet in the upright position, in the handlebar drops (dropped position) and leaning on the elbows (elbows position). Numerical simulations by computer fluid dynamics in Fluent CFD code assessed the coefficient of drag at 11.11 m/s. Following that, a set of assumptions were employed to assess cycling performance from 1 to 22 m/s. Drag values ranged between 0.16 and 99.51 N across the different speeds and positions. The cyclist mechanical power in the elbows position differed from the upright position between 0 and 23% and from the dropped position from 0 to 21%. The cyclist's energy cost in the upright position differed 2 to 16% in comparison to the elbows position and the elbows position had less 2 to 14% energy cost in comparison to the dropped position. The estimated time of arrival was computed for a 220,000 m distance and it varied between 7,715.03 s (2 h:8 min:24 s) and 220,000 s (61 h:6 min:40 s) across the different speeds and positions. In the elbows position, is expected that a cyclist may improve the winning time up to 23% in comparison to he upright and dropped position across the studied speeds.

The aim of this study was to examine the development of anthropometric characteristics and physical capacities in a sports season, in young soccer players. A total of 50 players, U-15 (n= 16, 14.0±0.1 years), U-17 (n= 14, 15.6±0.5 years) and U-19 (n= 20, 17.2±0.7 years) were monitored in 3 different moments: after the preparation period (pre-season), after the 1st competitive phase (mid-season) and after the 2nd competitive phase (post-season). To the anthropometric analysis, the height, body mass, muscle mass, fat mass and body girths were evaluated. The aerobic resistance, the work developed by the lower limbs during a vertical jump, the power of the lower limbs during a sprint, the agility and the flexibility were evaluated for the physical capacity analysis. Along the season, there was an increase in body mass and a stabilization of the fat mass due to an increase of the muscle mass. In general, regardless the age group, physical abilities improved from pre-season to mid-season, and then stabilized till the post-season. Understanding the variations through a season, according to the competitive environment and their developmental age, may be a useful tool for control and evaluation of the training process.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease, promoted by abnormal chronic mechanical loading over the joint, for instance, due to excessive body mass. Patients frequently report pain, fatigue, and limitations in specific functional daily activities. Regarding the treatment of OA, two nonpharmacological options are available. However, it is not clear which type and intensity of exercise have better outcomes in treatment and how tissue engineering can be a promising field due to the mechanical load implants will suffer. The aims of this work were to investigate (1) the main characteristics, prevalence, and consequences of OA; (2) the exercise prescription guidelines and whether exercise interventions have a positive effect on OA treatment; and (3) the novel improvements on tissue engineering for OA treatment. Both patients and practitioners should be aware that benefits may come from prescribed and supervised exercise. Recent studies have highlighted that an optimal balance between exercise and nutritional income should be widely recommended. Regarding tissue engineering, significant steps towards the development of implants that mimic the native tissue have been taken. Thus, further studies should focus on the impact that exercise (repetitive loading) might have on cartilage regeneration. Finally, suggestions for future research were proposed.

Due to the extremely high incidence of lesions and diseases in aging population, it is critical to put all efforts into developing a successful implant for osteochondral tissue regeneration. Many of the patients undergoing surgery present osteochondral fissure extending until the subchondral bone (corresponding to a IV grade according to the conventional radiographic classification by Berndt and Harty). Therefore, strategies for functional tissue regeneration should also aim at healing the subchondral bone and joint interface, besides hyaline cartilage. With the ambition of contributing to solving this problem, several research groups have been working intensively on the development of tailored implants that could promote that complex osteochondral regeneration. These implants may be manufactured through a wide variety of processes and use a wide variety of (bio)materials. This review aimed to examine the state of the art regarding the challenges, advantages, and drawbacks of the current strategies for osteochondral regeneration. One of the most promising approaches relies on the principles of additive manufacturing, where technologies are used that allow for the production of complex 3D structures with a high level of control, intended and predefined geometry, size, and interconnected pores, in a reproducible way. However, not all materials are suitable for these processes, and their features should be examined, targeting a successful regeneration.

The applications of tissue engineered constructs have witnessed great advances in the last few years, as advanced fabrication techniques have enabled promising approaches to develop structures and devices for biomedical uses. (Bio-)printing, including both plain material and cell/material printing, offers remarkable advantages and versatility to produce multilateral and cell-laden tissue constructs; however, it has often revealed to be insufficient to fulfill clinical needs. Indeed, three-dimensional (3D) (bio-)printing does not provide one critical element, fundamental to mimic native live tissues, i.e., the ability to change shape/properties with time to respond to microenvironmental stimuli in a personalized manner. This capability is in charge of the so-called “smart materials”; thus, 3D (bio-)printing these biomaterials is a possible way to reach four-dimensional (4D) (bio-)printing. We present a comprehensive review on stimuli-responsive materials to produce scaffolds and constructs via additive manufacturing techniques, aiming to obtain constructs that closely mimic the dynamics of native tissues. Our work deploys the advantages and drawbacks of the mechanisms used to produce stimuli-responsive constructs, using a classification based on the target stimulus: humidity, temperature, electricity, magnetism, light, pH, among others. A deep understanding of biomaterial properties, the scaffolding technologies, and the implant site microenvironment would help the design of innovative devices suitable and valuable for many biomedical applications.

Biomechanics plays an important role helping Paralympic sprinters to excel, having the aerodynamic drag a significant impact on the athlete's performance. The aim of this study was to assess the aerodynamics in different key-moments of the stroke cycle by Computational Fluid Dynamics. A world-ranked wheelchair sprinter was scanned on the racing wheelchair wearing his competition gear and helmet. The sprinter was scanned in three different positions: (i) catch (hands in the 12h position on the hand-rim); (ii) the release (hands in the 18h position on the hand-rim) and; (iii) recovery phase (hands do not touch the hand-rim and are hyperextended backwards). The simulations were performed at 2.0, 3.5, 5.0 and 6.5 m/s. The mean viscous and pressure drag components, total drag force and effective area were retrieved after running the numerical simulations. The viscous drag ranged from 3.35 N to 2.94 N, pressure drag from 0.38 N to 5.51 N, total drag force from 0.72 N to 8.45 N and effective area from 0.24 to 0.41 m2. The results pointed out that the sprinter was submitted to less drag in the recovery phase, and higher drag in the catch. These findings suggest the importance of keeping an adequate body alignment to avoid an increase in the drag force.

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Copyright of Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte is the property of Cuadernos de Psicologia del Deporte and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

O avanço da tecnologia, associado ao sedentarismo, tem limitado os movimentos corporais do ser humano, sendo considerado um dos graves problemas societais da atualidade (Hill et al., 2012). Num âmbito laboral, onde a posição sentada é predominante e mantida por longos períodos de tempo, as repercussões ao nível da saúde por problemas posturais são evidentes. De facto, a adoção de uma postura inadequada acresce a pressão nos discos intervertebrais, acarretando o surgimento de problemas físicos (e.g. lesões músculo-esqueléticas, de fadiga e sintomas de desconforto).No sentido de prevenir os problemas anteriormente descritos e de promover aos funcionários um tempo de descontração, surgem os programas de Atividade Física Laboral: aulas que consistem em exercícios físicos, alongamentos, exercícios de relaxamento e de flexibilidade, no ambiente de trabalho, e durante o horário laboral. Estes programas são sustentados por investigações recentes que têm demostrando inúmeras vantagens na sua adoção (To et al., 2013). De facto, programas que visem a correção da postura corporal e a redução do stress induzido por movimentos repetitivos, têm sustentado a sua aplicação em diferentes empresas. No entanto, a nível nacional ainda existe alguma relutância na sua adoção como prática comum no Mercado Laboral.Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar possíveis benefícios induzidos por um programa de Atividade Física Laboral, em funcionárias de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior, cuja atividade laboral consiste em 40h por semana numa posição sentada.

A realidade dos nossos dias é a existência de cada vez mais pessoas idosas, tanto em Portugal como em outros países da Europa e Mundo. Daí a necessidade de criar programas de atividade, seja ela física, de lazer ou turismo, perspetivando proporcionar um envelhecimento mais saudável. Assim, emerge a questão sobre o impacto que estes programas têm nesta população. Gostos, motivações, disponibilidades, diferem de grupo para grupo e estudos que atestem os benefícios da atividade física devidamente estruturada, poderão ser relevantes para os profissionais da área. Nomeadamente, no que concerne à escolha das atividades.Atualmente, a hidroginástica é identificada com uma atividade física praticada em meio aquático, muito orientada para a saúde. Verifica-se anualmente uma crescente procura nesta modalidade, quer por homens, quer por mulheres, visto que a sua prática está associada à aptidão física e esta é marcada pelas preocupações com a saúde e autoimagem dos praticantes (Barbosa & Queirós, 2005). Embora escassos, já existem alguns estudos na literatura que analisem os efeitos induzidos pela Hidroginástica. Esses benefícios têm sido coerentes, demonstrando que a modalidade imprime maior aptidão física associada a alterações ao nível da composição corporal. No entanto, e face ao exposto, é importante compreender se esses benefícios também se verificam na terceira idade, independentemente do sexo do indivíduo.Objetivo: Analisar possíveis efeitos da aplicação de um programa de Hidroginástica em idosos (homens e mulheres), ao nível das características antropométricas e capacidades físicas.

O estudo da motivação para a prática desportiva é um aspeto determinante para a sua compreensão. Algumas pessoas apresentam um perfil motivacional que lhes permite ir mantendo esse comportamento desportivo, enquanto outras, à primeira experiência de insucesso, desistem (Steinberg & Maurer, 1999). Os responsáveis pela promoção da atividade física e desportiva acreditam que a motivação intrínseca é o aspeto chave na manutenção de boas performances e envolvimento desportivo (Fernandes et al., 2004). Todavia, a dicotomia intrínseca-extrínseca é muito simplista e redutora para a compreensão da motivação, pela qual uma perspetiva autodeterminada diz que a motivação pode ser caraterizada de formas mais compreensivas, considerando um continuum do mais autodeterminado ao menos autodeterminado (Deci & Ryan, 1985).Objetivo: Analisar os fatores reguladores da motivação autodeterminada para a prática do Trail Running.

Copyright of Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte is the property of Cuadernos de Psicologia del Deporte and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Peripheral vision appears to be more important than central vision for tasks where precision or ocular coordination are essential. To determine whether this effect is observed while performing a task for which precision is not critical, the performance of 34 children (6-9 years old) in standing long jump was tested. Adapted swimming goggles, which induced different levels of constraint of field of vision, were used to provide full field vision, restrict the use of central vision, and restrict the use of peripheral vision. The obtained results showed a strong detrimental effect on standing horizontal jump length (both best and mean results) when the peripheral field of vision was restricted (approximately 5% less; p < 0.001). However, the detrimental effect was not observed when only the central field of vision was absent. These results indicate that peripheral vision is essential for this locomotor task. Although standing long jump can be considered as a non-precision task, the children tested were able to jump farther both when vision was not restricted and when peripheral vision was allowed. A reasonable explanation is that the absence of access to optic flow detection inhibits normal motor behaviour perhaps owing to worse posture and stability. The obtained results suggest that information that arrives through peripheral vision is more important for jumping performance than information from central vision. Furthermore, jumping biomechanics may be more hampered by the absence of these peripheral stimuli than by the impossibility of gazing straight in the jumping direction. Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that special attention should be paid to the use of peripheral vision in physical activity tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The role of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery is not well defined due to a lack of quality randomized controlled clinical trials, comparing different TMJ surgical treatments with medical and placebo interventions. The temporomandibular joint interposal study (TEMPOJIMS) is a rigorous preclinical trial divided in 2 phases. In phase 1 the authors investigated the role of the TMJ disc and in phase 2 the authors evaluated 3 different interposal materials. The present work of TEMPOJIMS – phase 1, aims to evaluate histopathologic and imaging changes of bilateral discectomy and discopexy in Black Merino sheep TMJ, using a high-quality trial following the ARRIVE guidelines. Material and methods This randomized, blinded and controlled preclinical trial was conducted in 9 Black Merino sheep to investigate histopathologic (primary outcome), imaging and body weight (secondary outcomes) changes after bilateral discectomy, discopexy and sham surgery. Results Significant changes were noticed in discectomy group, both in imaging and histopathologic analyses. Body weight changes were most pronounced in the discectomy group in the first 4 months after surgery with recovery to baseline weight 6 months after surgery. Discopexy induced nonsignificant changes in histopathologic, imaging and body weight analyses. Conclusions This study reinforces the importance of developing an effective interposal material to substitute the TMJ disc and the need to explore the molecular mechanisms that underlie TMJ cartilage degeneration. The study design proposed in TEMPOJIMS represents an important progress towards future rigorous TMJ investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The temporomandibular joint interposal study (TEMPOJIMS) is a rigorous preclinical trial divided in 2 phases. In phase 1 the authors investigated the role of the TMJ disc and in phase 2 the authors evaluated 3 different interposal materials. The present work of TEMPOJIMS - phase 1, investigated the effects of bilateral discectomy and discopexy in sheep mastication and rumination. Methods This randomized, blinded and controlled preclinical trial (in line with the ARRIVE guidelines) was conducted in 9 Black Merino sheep to evaluate changes in mastication and rumination after bilateral discectomy and bilateral discopexy, by comparing with a sham surgery control group. The outcomes evaluated were: (1) absolute masticatory time; (2) ruminant time per cycle; (3) ruminant kinematics, and (4) ruminant area. After baseline evaluation and surgical interventions, the outcomes were recorded over 3 successive days, every 30 days, for 6 months. Results The first month after intervention seemed to be the critical period for significant kinematic changes in the discectomy and discopexy groups. However, 6 months after the bilateral interventions, no significant changes were noticed when compared with the control group. Conclusions In this study, bilateral discectomy and discopexy had no significant effect in mastication and ruminatory movement. The introduction of kinematic evaluation presents a new challenge that may contribute to the improvement of future studies on the TMJ domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]