Developmental pathway routes to achieve expert performance in portuguese track and field athletes

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to characterize the developmental pathway undertaken by Portuguese expert track and field athletes considering the quantity and type of structured and unstructured activities. Methods: The sample was composed of 24 experts and 35 non-expert athletes who completed a questionnaire designed to gather information about their previous experiences in sports. Results: Results reveal key factors which distinguished expert from non-expert athletes' developmental pathway were related to a greater commitment within track and field in relation to years (U = 251.000, p < 0.01) and hours (U = 212.500, p < .01), as well as with the number of years spent in unstructured activities (U = 284.500, p < .05). Furthermore, a significant association (χ2 = 27.131, p < 0.01) was found between the number of unstructured activities practiced and an expert performance attainment. Conclusions: These findings revealed that more successfully track and field athletes had an early diversified pathway with greater involvement in structured and unstructured activities. Overall, the study provides an insight into the developmental pathway of Portuguese track and field athletes.

Exercise with Music: An Innovative Approach to Increase Cognition and Reduce Depression in Institutionalized Elderly / Ejercicio con música: Un enfoque innovador para aumentar la cognición y reducir la depresión en ancianos institucionalizados / Exercício com música: uma proposta inovadora para otimização da cognição e da redução da depressão em idosos institucionalizados

Concerning dementia and depression prevention, non-pharmacological interventions such as cognitive-training are currently recommended as an alternative for the elderly, for the reason that they produce less side effects. Based on this perspective, the aim of this study was to identify the effects of movement with music upon cognition and depression in institutionalized elderly. A longitudinal study was conducted from November 2013 to February 2014 in Vila Real, Portugal. The sample included thirty-nine institutionalized healthy seniors over 60 years of age who were divided into two groups: music plus movement (MMG, n=20, 80.65±6.59 years) and cognitive training group without music (CTG, n=19, 83.68±6.54 years); both groups were submitted to an intervention period (4 months, 3x/week, 90min/session). Before and after the intervention period the following instruments were applied in both groups: Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (MPCR), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-27). Both interventions proved to improve cognitive function, mental ability and depression. The interaction effect between programs' intervention and time was observed in language, mental ability, and depression indicators. Considering these variables, the magnitude of variation between moments was higher in the MMG in language and depression with a high effect value for depression (η2ρ =.342). In conclusion, this study emphasises the role of music and movement as a broad intervention in mental health, acting simultaneously as cognitive training and an anti-depressive

Actualmente las intervenciones no farmacológicas se recomiendan como alternativas en la prevención de la demencia y la depresión en los ancianos, porque tienen menos efectos secundarios. En esta perspectiva, este estudio tiene como objetivo identificar los efectos de una intervención que combina música y ejercicio en la cognición y la depresión en ancianos institucionalizados. Se realizó un estudio longitudinal de noviembre de 2013 a febrero de 2014 en dos instituciones de ancianos, en la ciudad de Vila Real, Portugal. La muestra incluyó a 39 individuos ancianos sanos institucionalizados mayores de 60 años que se dividieron en dos grupos: "grupo de música y ejercicios" (MMG, n = 20, 80.65 ± 6.59 años) y "grupo de entrenamiento cognitivo" (CTG, n = 19; 83.68 ± 6.54 años). Ambos fueron sometidos a un período de intervención (4 meses, 3 veces por semana, 90 minutos por sesión). Antes y después de la intervención, se utilizaron los siguientes instrumentos en ambos grupos: Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Test de Matrices Coloridas de Raven (MPCR) y Escala de Depresión Geriátrica (GDS-27). Ambas intervenciones mostraron mejoras en la función cognitiva, la capacidad mental y la depresión. El efecto de interacción entre los programas de intervención y el tiempo se observó en el lenguaje, la capacidad mental y la depresión. Teniendo en cuenta estas variables, la amplitud de la variación entre los momentos fue mayor en el lenguaje y la depresión en el grupo MMG, y se encontró un alto valor de efecto para la depresión (η2ρ = 0.342). En conclusión, este estudio enfatiza el papel de la música y del movimiento como una intervención más completa en la salud mental, actuando simultáneamente en el entrenamiento cognitivo y en la depresión

Hoje em dia, as intervenções não farmacológicas são recomendadas como alternativas na prevenção da demência e depressão em idosos, porque apresentam menos efeitos secundários. No âmbito desta perspetiva, o presente estudo tem como objetivo identificar os efeitos de uma intervenção combinando a música e o exercício na cognição e depressão em idosos institucionalizados. Foi realizado um estudo longitudinal de Novembro de 2013 a Fevereiro de 2014 em duas instituições de idosos, na cidade de Vila Real, Portugal. A amostra incluiu 39 idosos saudáveis institucionalizados, com idade superior a 60 anos, que foram divididos em dois grupos: "grupo música e exercício" (MMG, n= 20; 80.65±6.59 anos) e "grupo de treino cognitivo" (CTG, n=19; 83.68±6.54 anos). Ambos foram sujeitos a um período de intervenção (4 meses, 3x/semana, 90min/sessão). Antes e depois da intervenção foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos em ambos os grupos: Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Matrizes Coloridas de Raven (MPCR), e a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (GDS-27). Ambas as intervenções evidenciaram melhorias na função cognitiva, capacidade mental e na depressão. O efeito de interação entre os programas de intervenção e o tempo foi observado na linguagem, capacidade mental e depressão. Considerando estas variáveis, a amplitude da variação entre os momentos foi maior na linguagem e na depressão no grupo MMG, sendo o tamanho do efeito grande na depressão (η2ρ = 0,342). Em conclusão, este estudo enfatiza o papel da música e do movimento como uma intervenção mais completa na saúde mental, atuando simultaneamente no treino cognitivo e na depressão

BMI and self-perceived body shape in Portuguese children

Objetivos: Este estudio examinó la relación entre la percepción subjetiva forma del cuerpo (silueta) y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) en niños portugueses, de acuerdo con el género, y se determinaron los valores del IMC para cada una de las siluetas. Método: Participó una muestra de 4211 niños, de entre 7 y 10 años de edad. La imagen corporal se evaluó utilizando las Siluetas de Imagen Corporal de Collins de la imagen corporal y se utilizaron las Curvas de Cole et al. para definir la obesidad. Resultados: La media del IMC fue mayor cuando el número de la silueta seleccionado aumentaba, excepto en las siluetas 2 y 7 para los niños y para la 7 en las niñas. La mayoría de las personas que seleccionaron la silueta número 5 o superior eran obesos/as. El ANOVA mostró diferencias significativas en el IMC según las figuras seleccionadas en ambos sexos (p < .001). El coeficiente de correlación entre las siluetas de la imagen corporal y el IMC fue de .54 (p < .001) para la muestra total; de .50 (p < .001) para los niños, y de .57 (p < .001) para las niñas. En los modelos de regresión, el porcentaje de varianza explicada del IMC por las imágenes seleccionadas fue del 25.6% en los varones y del 30.8% en las niñas. Conclusiones: El presente estudio sugiere que en la infancia (7-10 años), la conciencia de la forma del cuerpo no se halla estabilizada, y que las niñas son más precisas que los niños. La forma del cuerpo evaluado por la escala correlacionó moderadamente con el IMC, lo que sugiere que las Siluetas de Collins podrían ser una medida válida para evaluar la obesidad en niños portugueses (AU)

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between Portuguese children’s self-perceived body shape and body mass index (BMI) by gender, and BMI values were determined for each silhouette. Method: A sample of 4,211 children aged 7-10 was used. Their body image was assessed using Collins’s body image silhouettes, while cole et al.’s cutoffs were used to define obesity. Results: The higher the number of the selected silhouette, the higher the mean BMI, except in the case of silhouettes 2 and 7 for boys and 7 for girls. Most of the individuals who selected silhouette number 5 or higher were obese. For both sexes, the ANOVA showed significant differences in the BMI depending on the selected figures (p < .001). The correlation coefficient between the body image silhouettes and the BMI was .54 (p < .001) for the total sample, .50 (p < .001) for males and .57 (p < .001) for females. in the regression models, the percentage of variance in the BMI explained by the selected images was 25.6% in boys and 30.8% in girls. Conclusion: The study suggested that in childhood (7-10 years), no stable awareness of body shape has been developed, with girls being more accurate than boys. The body shape obtained with the scale was moderately correlated with the BMI, suggesting that Collins’ silhouettes could be a valid measure for assessing obesity in Portuguese children (AU)

Análise da interação entre o estresse, imagem corporal e coordenação motora grossa em escolares do gênero masculino de 7 a 10 anos do município de Cacoal/RO / Analysis of the interaction between stress, body image and gross motor coordination in male scholars of 7 to 10 years from Cacoal city/RO

A coordenação motora é a capacidade do cérebro de equilibrar seus movimentos, mais especificamente dos músculos e das articulações. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a interação entre a imagem corporal, o estresse e a coordenação motora grossa em escolares. O artigo é caracterizado como sendo de campo, ainda tem características descritivas. Tendo um perfil de pesquisa Quali-Quantitativo. Para obtenção dos dados relacionado à aprendizagem motora foi utilizado o Teste Of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2), elaborado por Ulrich (2000) e validado por Valentini (2002). Para a variável Imagem Corporal foi utilizado o protocolo de Collins (1991) e finalmente para a variável Estresse foi utilizado o protocolo de Lipp (1991). No que se refere a correlação entre a imagem corporal real e ideal destes escolares e a habilidade motora, seja ela de locomoção, de controle e total, foi possível verificar correlações positivas entre elas onde Stress x Coordenação motora teve uma relação de 0,21 e p=0,0045, a Imagem corporal real com a coordenação motora mostrou uma relação de 0,25 e p=0,0164 e por fim quando relacionado a coordenação motora com a imagem ideal o valor ficou em 0,21 e p=0,0145, verificando assim uma significância entre essas variáveis, ou seja, p< 0,05. Isso mostra que de alguma maneira a auto percepção destes escolares com relação a imagem corporal esta interferindo na sua habilidade motora. O desenvolvimento motor é afetado por fatores psicológicos, porém, é válido lembrar que infinidades de elementos interagindo entre si são influenciadores na habilidade motora. Com isso o desenvolvimento motor corresponde a um processo em que o organismo estabelece interação com o meio.

Motor coordination is the brain's ability to balance the movements of the body, more specifically of the muscles and joints. The aim was to analyze the interaction between body image, stress, and gross motor skills in scholars. This is was a field study also with descriptive characteristics having Quali-quantitative research profile. To obtain data related to motor learning the test Of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2), developed by Ulrich (2000) and validated by Valentini (2002) was used. To evaluate the Body image the protocol from Collins (1991) was used and finally to the variable stress the protocol from Lipp (1991) was used. There were positive correlations between real and ideal body imageand motor skills of these scholars, p <0.05. This shows that somehow the view of these scholars with respect to their image may be interfering in their motor skills. Motor development is affected by psychological factors, although, it is worth remembering that an infinite number of interacting elements are modifying the motor skill. Thus the motor development corresponds to a process by which the body establishes an interaction with the environment.

Effects of social and environmental determinants on overweight and obesity among Brazilian schoolchildren from a developing region.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the social and environmental determinants most strongly associated with overweight and obesity in Brazilian schoolchildren from a developing region. METHODS: Data were collected from a community-based survey of schoolchildren from the Valley of Jequitinhonha, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The sample was composed of 5 100 school children aged 6-18 years. Overweight and obesity were defined by body mass index based on the current method recommended by the World Health Organization in 2007. Social and environmental determinants were collected by using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 11.1% and 2.7% in girls and 8.2% and 1.5% in boys, respectively. The chance of overweight was higher in schoolchildren who engaged in remunerated work (odds ratio [OR] = 2.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30- 3.26), whose parents had higher education levels (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.12-2.07), who had two or fewer siblings (OR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.21-2.49), and who were in a high economic class (OR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.32-2.85). Schoolchildren who traveled by car to school (OR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.14-1.91), lived < 5 km from school (OR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.06-2.39), and consumed foods sold in the school cafeteria (OR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.19-2.16) presented high odds of being overweight. CONCLUSIONS: The background from a particular region of a country should be considered when implementing preventive measures regarding overweight and obesity, especially for very poor, developing regions like the Valley of Jequitinhonha. Measures taken should consider a multilevel intervention that includes the family, school, and physical environment.

Effects of social and environmental determinants on overweight and obesity among Brazilian schoolchildren from a developing region / Efectos de los determinantes sociales y ambientales sobre la obesidad y el sobrepeso en escolares de una región en desarrollo del Brasil

OBJECTIVE: To identify the social and environmental determinants most strongly associated with overweight and obesity in Brazilian schoolchildren from a developing region. METHODS: Data were collected from a community-based survey of schoolchildren from the Valley of Jequitinhonha, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The sample was composed of 5 100 school children aged 6-18 years. Overweight and obesity were defined by body mass index based on the current method recommended by the World Health Organization in 2007. Social and environmental determinants were collected by using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 11.1 percent and 2.7 percent in girls and 8.2 percent and 1.5 percent in boys, respectively. The chance of overweight was higher in schoolchildren who engaged in remunerated work (odds ratio [OR] = 2.19, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] 1.30- 3.26), whose parents had higher education levels (OR = 1.52, 95 percent CI 1.12-2.07), who had two or fewer siblings (OR = 1.74, 95 percent CI 1.21-2.49), and who were in a high economic class (OR = 1.93, 95 percent CI 1.32-2.85). Schoolchildren who traveled by car to school (OR = 1.50, 95 percent CI 1.14-1.91), lived < 5 km from school (OR = 1.64, 95 percent CI 1.06-2.39), and consumed foods sold in the school cafeteria (OR = 1.56, 95 percent CI 1.19-2.16) presented high odds of being overweight. CONCLUSIONS: The background from a particular region of a country should be considered when implementing preventive measures regarding overweight and obesity, especially for very poor, developing regions like the Valley of Jequitinhonha. Measures taken should consider a multilevel intervention that includes the family, school, and physical environment.

OBJETIVO: Identificar los determinantes sociales y ambientales más firmemente asociados con el sobrepeso y la obesidad en niños que asisten a la escuela en una región en desarrollo del Brasil. MÉTODOS: Se recopilaron los datos de una encuesta comunitaria llevada a cabo en niños inscritos en escuelas del valle de Jequitinhonha, Minas Gerais (Brasil). La muestra estuvo integrada por 5 100 escolares de 6 a 18 años de edad. El sobrepeso y la obesidad se definieron según el índice de masa corporal, con base en el método actualmente recomendado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (2007). Los determinantes sociales y ambientales se recopilaron mediante un cuestionario estructurado. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia del sobrepeso y de la obesidad fue de 11,1 por ciento y 2,7 por ciento en niñas y de 8,2 por ciento y 1,5 por ciento en niños, respectivamente. Las probabilidades de tener sobrepeso fueron mayores en los escolares que desempeñaban un trabajo remunerado (razón de probabilidades [RP] = 2,19; intervalo de confianza [IC] de 95 por ciento, 1,30-3,26); en aquellos cuyos padres tenían niveles superiores de educación (RP = 1,52; IC de 95 por ciento, 1,12-2,07); en quienes tenían dos o menos hermanos (RP = 1,74; IC de 95 por ciento, 1,21-2,49); y en los de clase económica alta (RP = 1,93; IC de 95 por ciento, 1,32-2,85). Presentaron altas probabilidades de tener sobrepeso los niños que viajaban en automóvil a la escuela (RP = 1,50; IC de 95 por ciento, 1,14-1,91), los que vivían a < 5 km de la escuela (RP = 1,64; IC de 95 por ciento, 1,06-2,39) y los que consumían los alimentos que se venden en la cafetería de la escuela (RP = 1,56; IC de 95 por ciento, 1,19-2,16). CONCLUSIONES: Deben tenerse en cuenta las características de cada región particular de un país cuando se ejecutan medidas preventivas del sobrepeso y la obesidad, especialmente en las regiones muy pobres y en desarrollo, como el valle de Jequitinhonha en Brasil. Las medidas que se adopten deben considerar una intervención en varios niveles que incluya a la familia, la escuela y el entorno físico.

ELSa interventional Portuguese health program to promote physical activity.

The aim of the communication was to present the baseline data from incidence of obesity, eating habits, physical activity and sedentary behaviour, before ELSa, interventional Portuguese health program. The sample was composed of 496 children (238 girls and 258 boys) with an average 7.7 (± 2.5) years of age. Thinness, overweight and obesity were calculated by using the BMI and the cut off of Cole et al., 24 h dietary recalls and a general questionnaire was completed by the parents to provide information about eating habits, sedentary behaviour and physical activity. The results indicated high incidence of overweight and obesity, many hours in screen activities and low level of physical activity. The eating habits seemed healthy, but our children's lifestyles were sedentary. To combat the high incidence of obesity it is very urgent to design a multi-level intervention aimed to modify key behaviours: physical activity, screen time and nutrition.

Confirmatory factorial analysis of the Brazilian version of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2).

The aim of this study was to assess the factorial structure of the Brazilian version of CSAI-2, using several structures suggested in previous studies. Two samples consisted of Brazilian soccer players, 266 from regional level (age 22.87 +/- 4.08 years; athletic experience 11.32 +/- 4.15 years) and 263 from national level (age 23.16 +/- 4.37 years; athletic experience 11.11 +/- 4.78 years) were used. The CSAI-2 is a 27-item inventory that measures negativism, physiological activation and self-confidence in a competitive setting. The results of CFA according to the original structure showed some inadequacy of the model. The model proposed by Cox, Martens, Russell (2003), composed of three factors (17-item), demonstrated better adjustment to the regional level sample (chi2/df = 1.871, CFI = .934, GFI = .916, RMSEA = .057), while the model suggested by Coelho, Vasconcelos-Raposo, Fernandes (2007), composed of two factors (18-item), adapted better to the national level sample (chi2/df = 1.701, CFI = .924, GFI = .914, RMSEA = .052). When we analyzed the two samples together, Coelho et al. (2007) was the better model, because it displayed greater invariance. The use of this model was suggested in the assessment of intensity of negative thoughts and the subsequent confirmation of its psychometric properties is recommended.

Confirmatory factorial analysis of the brazilian version of the competitive state anxiety inventory-2 (CSAI-2)

The aim of this study was to assess the factorial structure of the Brazilian version of CSAI-2, using several structures suggested in previous studies. Two samples consisted of Brazilian soccer players, 266 from regional level (age 22.87 ± 4.08 years; athletic experience 11.32 ± 4.15 years) and 263 from national level (age 23.16 ± 4.37 years; athletic experience 11.11 ± 4.78 years) were used. The CSAI-2 is a 27-item inventory that measures negativism, physiological activation and self-confidence in a competitive setting. The results of CFA according to the original structure showed some inadequacy of the model. The model proposed by Cox, Martens, Russell (2003), composed of three factors (17-item), demonstrated better adjustment to the regional level sample (χ2/df = 1.871, CFI = .934, GFI = .916, RMSEA = .057), while the model suggested by Coelho, Vasconcelos-Raposo, Fernandes (2007), composed of two factors (18-item), adapted better to the national level sample(χ2/df = 1.701, CFI = .924, GFI = .914, RMSEA = .052). When we analyzed the two samples together, Coelho et al. (2007) was the better model, because it displayed greater invariance. The use of this model was suggested in the assessment of intensity of negative thoughts and the subsequent confirmation of its psychometric properties is recommended (AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la estructura factorial de la versión brasileña del CSAI-2, utilizando las estructuras sugeridas en estudios anteriores. Participaron dos muestras de jugadores de fútbol de Brasil, 266 de nivel regional (edad media = 22,87 ± 4.08 años y experiencia deportiva media = 11,32 ± 4,15 años) y 263 del nivel nacional (edad media = 23,16 ± 4,37 años; experiencia deportiva media = 11,11 ± 4,78 años). El CSAI-2 es un cuestionario compuesto por 27 ítems que miden la negatividad, la activación fisiológica y la auto-confianza en un entorno competitivo. Los resultados del AFC de acuerdo a la estructura original mostraron algunos desajustes del modelo. El modelo propuesto por Cox, Martens y Russell (2003), compuesto de tres factores (17 ítems), demostró un mejor ajuste en la muestra de nivel regional (χ2/df = 1,871, CFI = 0,934, GFI = 0,916, RMSEA = 0,057) , mientras que el modelo propuesto por Coelho, Vasconcelos-Raposo y Fernandes (2007), compuesto por dos factores (18 ítems), se ajustó mejor en la muestra de nivel nacional (χ2/df = 1,701, CFI = 0,924, GFI = 0,914, RMSEA = 0,052). Cuando analizamos las dos muestras juntas, el modelo de Coelho et al. (2007) resultó ser mejor, ya que mostró una mayor invarianza. Se sugiere el uso de este modelo en la evaluación de la intensidad de los pensamientos negativos, a la vez que se recomienda la confirmación ulterior de sus propiedades psicométricas (AU)