Mediation effects of basic psychological needs and motivation among coach leadership style on the subjective well-being of adapted sports athletes' members of the special olympics.

INTRODUCTION: Subjective well-being has numerous indicators of global well-being, however, the most important are life satisfaction and attachments, which can be both positive and negative. The leadership of the coach is an integral part of the process that cares for the relationship of the athlete and coach, where the coach has a fundamental role on the athlete, and consequently on his subjective well-being. OBJECTIVE: The study has the purpose to analyse if and in what way the Basic Psychological Needs-relationship, autonomy and social relationship (mediator 1, M1) and the autonomous motivation (mediator 2, M2) mediate the relationship of the variables of democratic style (independent variable, X) with subjective well-being-life satisfaction and positive attachment (dependent variable, Y). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, participated 94 athletes with Intellectual and Developmental Difficulty (IDD), aged between 11 and 63 years (x = 32.6 ± SD = 13.8 years) of both genders. Statistical analysis was performed using multiple serial mediation models, using the macro PROCESS for SPSS, version 3 (model 6), using the bootstrap method with 10000 samples. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: There is a mediation effect between those of basic psychological needs and autonomous motivation, exercised between the democratic leadership profile of the coach and the subjective welfare of the athlete. On the other hand, autocratic style has a significant direct effect on the increase in basic psychological needs and controlled motivation. However, the democratic style is more consistent in this type of analysis. Our results reinforce the importance of promoting a democratic leadership style on the part of the coach in their athletes, enhancing a direct effect on life satisfaction and positive attachment in athletes adapted with IDD members of the Special Olympics.

Analysis of anthropometric and physical performance variables in U-17 soccer players.

Introduction: Soccer is considered a multifaceted collective sport, and to reach an elevated level, players must have moderate to high power, good agility, joint flexibility and muscle development. Also, players must be able to generate high torques during fast movements, which implies the development of different capacities, understood as multifactorial preparation. The objective was to analyse the effects of training (aerobic and continuous) on the leg power, fatigue levels, speed, agility, body fat, muscle mass and bone mass of these players. Methods: Seventy-two soccer players, male and under 17, from 4 teams participated. The teams performed 3 times a week training sessions of about 60-90 min each. Informed consent requests were given to their parents for authorisation to participate in this investigation. Data was collected in two different time points, about ten months apart. Specific tests were performed for each variable: the vertical jump with Bosco System for leg power, the T-Test for agility, the linear sprint test for speed and the RAST test for fatigue levels. A precision Tanita scale was used for the anthropometric tests such as body fat, muscle mass and bone mass. Statistical procedures were applied through the Wilcoxon test to compare the two time points of evaluation. Results: Improvements were found between evaluations regarding the level of anthropometric and physical fitness variables. Conclusions: The implemented training improved all the analysed variables with significant statistical values for leg power, speed, bone mass, muscle mass and fat mass.

Hormetic Effect Caused by Sublethal Doses of Glyphosate on Toona ciliata M. Roem.

This study aimed to evaluate the response of Toona ciliata seedlings to sublethal doses of glyphosate. The increasing use of glyphosate in agriculture concerns the scientific community, as the drift of this pollutant into aquatic systems or atmospheric currents can affect non-target species. Therefore, we need to understand how non-target species respond to small doses of this herbicide. T. ciliata seedlings (clone BV-1110) were exposed to sublethal doses of glyphosate (0, 9.6, 19.2, 38.4, 76.8 g ae ha-1). Anatomical, physiological, and photochemical analyses were performed 60 days after herbicide application, and growth assessments were carried out after 160 days of cultivation. We found that sublethal doses of glyphosate above 19.2 g ae ha-1 induced toxicity symptoms in Toona ciliata leaves. These symptoms were mild in some cases, such as chlorosis, but severe in other cases, such as tissue necrosis. We observed a positive relationship between increased plant height and photochemical yield with plant exposure to sub-doses 9.6 and 19.2 g ae ha-1. A sublethal dose of 38.4 g ae ha-1 improved the photosynthetic rate and carboxylation efficiency. Thus, we confirmed the hypothesis of a hormetic effect when T. ciliata was exposed to sub-doses of glyphosate equal to or lower than 38.4 g ae ha-1. However, the sublethal dose of 76.8 g ae ha-1 must be considered toxic, impacting photosynthetic activity and, consequently, the height of T. ciliata. The stem diameter of T. ciliata responded positively to increasing glyphosate doses. This occurs to compensate for the negative effect of glyphosate on water absorption. Further research will provide valuable information for harnessing the potential benefits of hormesis to improve the productivity of T. ciliata.

An online home-based exercise program improves autonomic dysfunction in breast cancer survivors.

Introduction: Exercise interventions for breast cancer survivors have proved their potential to improve clinical, physical, and psychosocial outcomes. However, limited studies have explored exercise effects on autonomic dysfunction and the measurement of exercise tolerance and progression through daily heart rate variability (HRV). Purpose: To analyze the effects of a 16-wk exercise intervention on the autonomic modulation of breast cancer survivors, as well as to examine the evolution of daily measured HRV and its interaction with exercise sessions in this population. Methods: A total of 29 patients who had undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy were randomly assigned to the exercise group or to the control group. The exercise intervention was delivered remotely through online meetings and consisted of supervised training resistance and cardiovascular exercise 3 times per week. During the intervention all patients measured their HRV daily obtaining the napierian logarithm of the root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (lnrMSSD) and the napierian logarithm of the standard deviation of the interbeat interval of normal sinus beats (lnSDNN) values at four moments: day 0 (the morning of the training sessions), 24, 48, and 72 h after exercise. Results: The results revealed a significant interaction between group and months during the intervention period for lnrMSSD and lnSDNN (p < 0.001). Additionally, there were significant differences in lnSDNN recovery time between months (p < 0.05), while differences in lnrMSSD become apparent only 24 h after exercise (p = 0.019). The control group experienced a significant decrease in both variables monthly (p < 0.05) while exercise group experienced a significant increment (p < 0.05). Conclusion: HRV is daily affected by exercise training sessions in cancer patients. Although results strongly support the role of exercise as a post-chemotherapy and radiotherapy rehabilitation strategy for breast cancer survivors to improve autonomic imbalance, further research is necessary to validate these initial findings.

The morphoanatomy of Serjania erecta Radlk (Sapindaceae) provides evidence of biotrophic interactions by endophytic fungi within leaves.

Background: The leaves of Serjania erecta Radlk (Sapindaceae) are renowned in ethnobotany for their medicinal properties and are significant as a medicinal resource for traditional Brazilian communities. As necrotic spots are common on these leaves, indicating interaction with phytopathogenic fungi, it was hypothesized that biotrophic fungal species colonize the leaf tissues of S. erecta. Methods: To test this hypothesis, we employed standard techniques in plant anatomy, which enabled us to investigate the interaction of fungal structures with plant tissues and describe the morphoanatomical and histochemical characteristics of the epidermis and limbus of S. erecta. Results: The anatomical analysis showed the existence of leaf teeth on the leaf tips. Additionally, hyphae, conidiospores, and spores of Bipolaris/Curvularia species were detected on the adaxial epidermis. Moreover, melanized microsclerotia were found in glandular areas of the leaf teeth and the phloem, providing evidence of biotrophic behavior. The hypothesis that biotrophic phytopathogenic fungi interact with S. erecta leaf tissues was confirmed, despite the presence of many bioactive compounds (such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and essential oils), as evidenced by histochemical analyses. The presence of tector, glandular, and scabiform trichomes on the leaf teeth and epidermis was also revealed. This study presents, for the first time, the synthesis of essential oils and alkaloids in the leaves of S. erecta. Additionally, it investigates previously unexplained aspects of the anatomy and histochemistry of the species, as well as its interaction with resident microorganisms. Therefore, it is recommended that future research focus on extracting and characterizing the oils and alkaloids of S. erecta, as well as exploring other aspects related to its microbiome and its relationship.

Expectation of Teaching and Self-Controlled KR in Motor Skills Acquisition: Are There Additive Effects?

Purpose: Recent evidence suggests learning a motor skill with the expectation of teaching it enhances motor learning. The mechanisms underlying this effect seem to be similar to those of another motor learning condition, the self-control of knowledge of results (KR). Considering the similarities between the mechanisms that underlie these conditions, we aimed to investigate the learning effects obtained through expected teaching and self-controlled conditions, and whether these effects would be additive. Methods: Participants practiced a dart-throwing task under one of the following conditions: a) expecting to teach the skill; b) controlling the KR request; c) combining the two previous conditions; and d) receiving KR in a yoked condition with self-controlled participants. In acquisition phase, motivational aspects, strategies for requesting KR and aspects related to the expectation of teaching were assessed according to each condition. Results: Participants with control over KR and/or with the expectation of teaching the skill showed superior learning of the task compared to the control condition. However, the combination of the experimental conditions did not result in additive learning benefits. Increased perceived competence was found in expecting to teach, self-controlled and combined conditions, compared to the yoked group. Additionally, expecting to teach also affected the way and the frequency learners requested KR. Conclusions: Our findings provide important insights toward understanding the effects of expecting to teach, in addition to demonstrating that expecting to teach affects self-controlled KR scheduling and its use during motor skill acquisition.

Physical literacy in older adults: a scoping review protocol.

Population aging is a prominent phenomenon worldwide. The increase in physical inactivity and co-morbid diseases poses a major challenge to current community health policies. Physical activity guidelines recommended for older people have not been met by this population group. For this reason, a new model, physical literacy, is being innovated and has gained global attention and has emerged as an effective and innovative active aging strategy to improve physical activity participation of this vulnerable group. However, the evidence on physical literacy in the older adult so far is brief and diffuse. Therefore, the aim was to conduct a scoping review protocol to identify and map physical literacy in older people. This scoping review protocol was based on the Joanna Briggs Institute Method. The search will be performed on Embase, IBSS ProQuest, Medline OVID, PsycINFO Ebsco, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Social Services Abstracts ProQuest, Sociological Abstracts ProQuest, Web of Science ISI, Wiley Online Library, Cochrane Library, and ERIC Ebsco databases. All types of studies published since 2001 in English, Spanish, and Portuguese examining physical literacy over the lifespan of older adults were included. Two independent reviewers will organize and select studies according to the objectives and questions of the scoping review. The selected publications will be organized and summarized using a checklist proposed by the PRISMA-ScR. Qualitative data analysis (thematic analysis) will be performed to identify meanings and patterns to answer the research question. The final scoping review will present the main evidence available, key concepts/definitions, research conducted, and knowledge gaps related to physical literacy in older adults, leading to strategies to improve the community health of this population, as well as health literacy.

Apoyo/control docente a las relaciones sociales, cohesión de clase y consecuencias positivas y negativas en educación física / Apoio/controle docente nas relações sociais, coesão de classe e consequências positivas e negativas na educação física / Teacher support/control of social relationships, class cohesion, and positive/negative consequences in physical education

El objetivo del estudio fue examinar la relación entre el apoyo/control docente a las relaciones sociales de los estudiantes y la implicación y las conductas disruptivas, y examinar el efecto mediador de la cohesión de clase. Participaron 718 estudiantes de Educación Física entre los 15 y 18 años (M = 15.65; DT = .70). Los resultados del estudio correlacional mostraron que el apoyo docente hacia las relaciones sociales se relacionó positivamente con la implicación y negativamente con las conductas disruptivas. En cambio, el control a las relaciones sociales se relacionó negativamente con la implicación y positivamente con las conductas disruptivas. Finalmente, los resultados mostraron que la cohesión de la clase medió entre el apoyo a las relaciones sociales y la implicación. En conclusión, el apoyo a las relaciones sociales y la cohesión de clase pueden producir un impacto significativo en la implicación y comportamientos disruptivos. (AU)

O objetivo do estudo foi examinar a relação entre o apoio/controle do professor nas relações sociais dos alunos e o envolvimento intraclasse e comportamentos disruptivos, além de examinar o efeito mediador da coesão de classe. Participaram 718 alunos de Educação Física entre 15 e 18 anos (M = 15.65; SD = .70). Os resultados do estudo correlacional mostraram que o apoio do professor às relações sociais foi positivamente relacionado ao envolvimento e negativamente relacionado aos comportamentos disruptivos. Em contraste, o controle das relações sociais foi negativamente relacionado ao envolvimento e positivamente relacionado aos comportamentos disruptivos. Por fim, os resultados mostraram que a coesão de classe mediava o apoio às relações sociais e o envolvimento. Em conclusão, o apoio às relações sociais e à coesão de classe pode ter um impacto significativo no envolvimento e nos comportamentos disruptivos. (AU)

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between teacher support/control of students' social relations and class engagement and disruptive behaviors, as well as to examine the mediating effect of class cohesion. 718 Physical Education students between 15 and 18 years participated (M = 15.65; SD = .70) in this study. The results of the correlational study showed that teacher support for relatedness was positively related to engagement and negatively related to disruptive behaviors. In contrast, relatedness control was negatively related to engagement and positively related to disruptive behaviors. Finally, the results showed that class cohesion mediated relatedness support and engagement. In conclusion, relatedness support and class cohesion can significantly impact engagement and disruptive behaviors. (AU)

¿Influye el liderazgo del entrenador sobre la resiliencia de equipo? Efecto mediador de los conflictos intragrupo y la cohesión grupal / Does coach leadership influence team resilience? Mediating effect of intra-group conflict and group cohesion

Resumen Introducción/objetivo: El presente estudio tiene como objetivo examinar la rela ción entre el liderazgo transformacional del entrenador y las características de resiliencia y la vulnerabilidad bajo presión, así como analizar si los factores del conflicto intragrupo (social y tarea) y de la cohesión grupal (social y tarea), pudieran mediar la relación entre dichas variables. Método: A través de un diseño longitudinal, se incluyó a un total de 301 depor tistas inscritos en los JUDEX, pertenecientes a 34 equipos de fútbol y voleibol, con edades comprendidas entre 13 y 18 años (M = 15.72; DT = 1.33). Resultados: Los resultados mostraron una relación positiva entre el liderazgo transformacional del entrenador y las características de resiliencia, y una asociación negativa respecto a la vulnerabilidad bajo presión. Además, el conflicto intragrupo (social y tarea) actuó como mediador entre la relación del liderazgo trans formacional del entrenador y la resiliencia de equipo. En cuanto al papel mediador de la cohe sión grupal, solo la cohesión tarea actuó como mediadora entre el liderazgo transformacional del entrenador y la resiliencia de equipo. Conclusiones: La presente investigación muestra la importancia del liderazgo del entrenador para mejorar la resiliencia del equipo en categorías de formación, y la influencia positiva que tiene la reducción de los conflictos intragrupo y el aumento de la cohesión tarea durante la temporada.

Abstract Introduction/objective: The present study aimed to examine the relationship be tween transformational coach leadership with the characteristics of resilience and vulnerability under pressure, as well as to analyze whether the factors of intra-group conflict (social and task) and group cohesion (social and task) could mediate the relationship between these variables. Method: Through a longitudinal design, a total of 301 athletes enrolled in the JUDEX, belong ing to 34 soccer and volleyball teams, and aged between 13 and 18 years (M = 15.72; SD = 1.33). Results: The results showed a positive relationship between transformational leadership of the coach and resilience characteristics, and a negative association with respect to vulnerability under pressure. In addition, intra-group conflict (social and task) acted as mediators between the relationship between transformational coach leadership and team resilience. Regarding the mediating role of group cohesion, only task cohesion acted as a mediator between trans formational coach leadership and team resilience. Conclusions: This research draws as main conclusion the importance of the coach's leadership to improve team resilience in youth cate gories, and the positive influence of the reduction of intragroup conflicts and the increase of task cohesion during the season.

Profile of self-concept and self-esteem on the academic performance among practitioners of physical education and extracurricular activities in middle-school students.

BACKGROUD: The deprivation of components that exercise the body and mind by children and adolescents can lead to numerous long-term consequences in terms of physical health (cardiovascular diseases, bone problems, high cholesterol, obesity) and mental health (depression, low self-esteem and social isolation). METHODS: This investigation intended to identify a profile of self-concept and self-esteem, on the academic performance of middle-school children between practitioners of curricular physical education and extracurricular sport activities. The participants consisted of a total of 107 students, 55 (51.4%) were males and 52 (48.6%) were female, aged between 10 and 12 years. A total of 41 children (38.3%) attending the fifth grade and 66 children (61.7%) the sixth grade were randomly selected. The data collection instrument, Self-concept of Susan Harter validated for the Portuguese population was used and it was proceeded to a descriptive and inferential statistics data analysis to confront the mean levels of self-concept, global self-esteem and academic performance. RESULTS: As an influence of hours of weekly practice, we found statistically significant differences in terms of academic performance, that is, as the student practices more hours of physical exercise, there is a tendency for the student to obtain better academic results. CONCLUSIONS: Apparently, the practice of extracurricular sport activities by students promotes a significant evolution in the formation of self-concept and academic performance, as well as suggesting a positive evolutionary trend in the formation of self-esteem of students who practice the several extracurricular sports.

Validity and Reliability of the Portuguese Version of the Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire-EVS III.

The main objective of this study was to validate the Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire-EVS III, using confirmatory factor analysis of the measurement model. A total of 822 Portuguese individuals of both genders, aged between 18 and 66 years old (M = 28.43 SD = 12.07), participated in this study, of which 382 were male (46.5%) and 440 were female (53.5%). The main results obtained revealed that the psychometric qualities prove the adequacy of the factor structure of the Healthy Lifestyles Questionnaire-EVS III (7 factors/32 items) and that it has acceptable validity indices: χ2 = 644.6828, p = 0.000, df = 168, χ2/df = 3.84, NFI = 0.901, TLI = 0.902, CFI = 0.921, IFI = 0.922, MFI = 0.900, GFI = 0.909, AGFI = 0.901, RMR = 0.073, SRMR = 0.059 and RMSEA = 0.059, enabling the assessment of factors related to a balanced diet, respect for mealtimes, tobacco consumption, alcohol consumption, consumption of other drugs, resting habits and physical activity habits. The Portuguese version of the Healthy Lifestyles Questionnaire-EVS III can be used with reasonable confidence for the assessment of healthy lifestyles.

Physical Activity Practice and Healthy Lifestyles Related to Resting Heart Rate in Health Sciences First-Year Students.

The expression lifestyle describes a frame of expressed behaviors, usually in the form of patterns of consumption, that defines how an individual or social group fits into society. It presents as a focus of interest by researchers in this field, who classically favor the study of alcohol consumption, tobacco, eating habits, and physical activity. The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between physical activity and healthy lifestyles, especially in terms of eating habits, tobacco, alcohol consumption, resting habits, and resting heart rate (RHR) in Health Sciences first-year students. A total of 177 students of both genders participated, of whom 31 (17.5%) were male and 146 (82.5%) were female, with a mean age of 20.20 years, from 18 to 30 years. The data collection instrument used was the Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire (EVS), using SPSS 21.0 for descriptive statistics and the Cronbach α to evaluate the internal consistency of the questionnaires. A level of significance was adopted with a margin of error of 5% for a probability of at least 95% using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov technique and Mann-Whitney test for comparisons between practitioners' students and genders. The results obtained demonstrate more favorable results in all variables in students practicing physical activity with significant differences in eating habits and RHR. In terms of gender, there were significant differences in all variables except for eating habits. We conclude that students practicing physical activity present more favorable results in terms of lifestyles combined with lower RHR values, considered as positive factors in terms of quality of life.

The influence of extra-curricular physical activities in the development of coordination in preschool children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to provide information in relation to the coordination ability of preschool children. The study aimed to investigate the influence of preschool physical activity, as part of the enrichment curriculum, on the coordination of the pupils. METHODS: A sample of 120 preschool children (M=63; F=58) aged 4 and 5 years old (M=4.47, SD=0.5), with differing levels of physical activity carried out by the Children Body Coordination Test instrument (TCCI). Proceeded to descriptive statistical analysis of coordinative benefits students, depending on the variables gender, age group, practical activities, years of practice, number of workouts and total weekly sessions of physical activity. We conducted an inferential analysis of data for comparison of means in the variables under study. RESULTS: Practicing enrichment activities has been demonstrated to assist in the development of children's motor skills with those having engaged in such activities achieving a higher level of performance. CONCLUSIONS: The practice of extracurricular physical activities significantly enhances the general coordinative abilities in children aged 4 and 5 years of age, but it was found that 5-year-old children had a significantly higher performance compared to 4-year-old children.

Bem-estar subjetivo em atletas veteranos: um teste prospectivo baseado na teoria da autodeterminação / Bienestar subjetivo en atletas veteranos: una prueba prospectiva basada en la teoría de la auto determinación / Subjective well-being in veteran athletes: a prospective test based on the theory of self-determination

A prática desportiva por atletas veteranos é uma realidade evidente e com perspetivas de expansão. Objetivou-se determinar variáveis preditivas de bem-estar subjetivo em atletas veteranos, atendendo à teoria da autodeterminação. Elaborou-se um modelo de equação estrutural e um modelo de mediação. Participaram 840 atletas veteranos portugueses, entre os 30 e os 76 anos (M=42.54 DT=7.28). Utilizou-se o Basic Psychological Needs Exercise Scale (Moutão, Cid, Alves, Leitão e Vlachopoulos, 2012), o Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (Monteiro, Moutão e Cid, 2018), a Escala de Afetos Positivos e Negativos (Galinha e Pais-Ribeiro, 2005) e a Escala de Satisfação com a Vida (Neto, 1993). O modelo mostrou os seguintes índices de ajuste: χ2 = 674.554, p < 0.001, χ2/fd = 4.08, CFI = 0.94; IFI = 0.94; TLI = 0.92; GFI = 0.92; RMSEA = 0.062; SRMR = 0.061. Nos aletas veteranos, a perceção de satisfação da necessidade psicológica básica de autonomia leva a comportamentos motivados autonomamente, promovendo estes, níveis mais elevados de bem-estar subjetivo. A motivação autónoma revelou-se uma variável mediadora significativa entre a necessidade psicológica básica de autonomia e a produção de afetos positivos. Registaram-se ainda efeitos indiretos da variável mediadorasobre as variáveis de satisfação com a vida e afetos negativos, assim como, efeitos diretos e totais da variável independente e as variáveis de consequência em análise. (AU)

La práctica deportiva por deportistas veteranos es una realidad evidente y con perspectivas de expansión. El objetivo fue determinar variables predictivas de bienestar subjetivo en deportistas veteranos, teniendo en cuenta la teoría de la autodeterminación. Se elaboró un modelo de ecuación estructural y un modelo de mediación. Participaron 840 deportistas veteranos portugueses, de entre 30 y 76 años (M = 42.54 DT = 7.28). Se utilizó la Escala de Necesidades Psicológicas Básicas enel Ejercicio (Moutão, Cid, Alves, Leitão y Vlachopoulos, 2012), el Cuestionario de Regulación Conductual en el Deporte (Monteiro, Moutão y Cid, 2018), la Escala de Afectos Positivos y Negativos (Galinha y Pais -Ribeiro, 2005) y la Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida (Neto, 1993). El modelo mostró los siguientes índices de ajuste: χ2 = 674,554, p <0.001, χ2 / fd = 4.08, CFI = .94; IFI = 0.94; TLI = 0.92; GFI = 0.92; RMSEA = 0.062; SRMR = 0.061. En los deportistas veteranos, la percepción de satisfacción de la necesidad psicológica básica de autonomía conduce a conductas de motivación autónoma, promoviendo estas, mayores niveles de bienestar subjetivo. La motivación autónoma resultó ser una variable mediadora significativa entre la necesidad psicológica básicade autonomía y la producción de afectos positivos. También hubo efectos indirectos de la variable mediadora sobre las variables de satisfacción con la vida y afectos negativos, así como efectos directos y totales de la variable independiente y las variables de consecuencia bajo análisis. (AU)

The practice of sports by veteran athletes is an evident reality and with prospects for expansion. The objective was to determine predictive variables of subjective well-being in veteran athletes, taking into account the theory of self-determination. A structural equation model and a mediation model were developed. In this study participated 840 Portuguese veteran athletes, between the ages of 30 and 76 (M = 42.54 DT = 7.28). The Basic Psychological Needs Exercise Scale (Moutão, Cid, Alves, Leitão e Vlachopoulos, 2012), the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (Monteiro, Moutão e Cid, 2018), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (Galinha e Pais-Ribeiro, 2005) and the Life Satisfaction Scale (Neto, 1993) were used. The model showed the following adjustment indices: χ2 = 674,554, p <0.001, χ2 / fd = 4.08, CFI = 0.94; IFI = 0.94; TLI =0.92; GFI = 0.92; RMSEA = 0.062; SRMR = 0.061. In the veteran athletes, the perception of satisfaction of the basic psychological need for autonomy leads to autonomously motivated behaviors, promoting these, higher levels of subjective well-being. Autonomous motivation proved to be a significant mediating variable between the basic psychological need for autonomy and the production of positive affects. There were also indirect effects of the mediating variable on the variables of satisfaction with life andnegative affects, as well as direct and total effects of the independent variable and the consequence variables under analysis. (AU)

Training and Profile of Special Olympics Portugal Coaches: Influence of Formal and Non-Formal Learning.

Since coaches play an important role in the development of athletes, the process and mechanisms used by Special Olympics Portugal to develop coaches' skills are worthy of research. In this context, the study aims to identify the training paths and profiles of the Special Olympics Portugal coach. It also aims to analyze the relationship between formal and non-formal learning in the profile and training of this type of coach. The research is descriptive and transversal regarding Special Olympics Portugal coaches, with the participation of 50 subjects. Two questionnaires were used, the Coaches' Training Profile Questionnaire to determine the training routes, and the Coaches' Orientation Questionnaire. The results show that the Special Olympics Portugal coaches have an academic background and a somewhat critical profile. It is imperative to build formal and non-formal learning contexts that focus on the theme of adapted sports, in order to allow the training of more qualified coaches, who are consequently more effective in their interventions with this type of athlete.

Using Anthropometric Data and Physical Fitness Scores to Predict Selection in a National U19 Rugby Union Team.

The purpose of this study was to compare measures of anthropometry characteristics and physical fitness performance between rugby union players (17.9 ± 0.5 years old) recruited (n = 39) and non-recruited (n = 145) to the Portuguese under-19 (U19) national team, controlling for their playing position (forwards or backs). Standardized anthropometric, physical, and performance assessment tests included players' body mass and height, push up and pull-up test, squat test, sit-and-reach test, 20 m shuttle run test, flexed arm hang test, Sargent test, handgrip strength test, Illinois agility test, and 20-m and 50-m sprint test. Results showed that recruited forwards players had better agility scores (p = 0.02, ES = -0.55) than the non-recruited forwards, whereas recruited backs players had higher right (p < 0.01, ES = 0.84) and left (p = 0.01, ES = 0.74) handgrip strength scores than their counterparts. Logistic regression showed that better agility (for the forwards) and right handgrip strength scores (for the backs) were the only variables significantly associated with an increased likelihood of being recruited to the national team. In sum, these findings suggest that certain well-developed physical qualities, namely, agility for the forwards players and upper-body strength for the back players, partially explain the selection of U19 rugby players to their national team.

Validation of the Portuguese Version of the Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire.

The main objective of this study was the validation of the Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire (EVS II), using a confirmatory factorial analysis of the measurement model, with veteran athletes. A total of 348 veteran Portuguese athletes of both genders, aged between 30 and 60 years (M = 41.64, SD = 9.83), of whom 200 were males and 148 were females, from several sports. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis demonstrate the adequacy of the adapted version of the EVS II, as the factorial structure (6 factors/24 items) has acceptable validity indexes: χ2 = 305.925, p = 0.000, df = 120.017, χ2/df = 2.549, NFI (Normed Fit Index) = 0.909, TLI (Tucker Lewis Index) = 0.918, CFI (Comparative Fit Index) = 0.944, GFI (Goodness of Fit Index) = 0.944, AGFI (Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index) = 0.909, SRMR (Standardized Root Mean Square Residual) = 0.048, RMSEA (Root Mean Square of Approximation) = 0.060, allowing evaluation of the dimensions of balanced diet, respect for mealtime, tobacco and alcohol consumption, other drugs consumption and resting habits. The adaptation to sport of the Portuguese version of EVS II can be used with reasonable confidence in the evaluation of healthy lifestyles in the context of sport.

Motor learning and COMT Val158met polymorphism: Analyses of oculomotor behavior and corticocortical communication.

Differences in motor learning can be partially explained by differences in genotype. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism regulates the dopamine (DA) availability in the prefrontal cortex modulating motor learning and performance. Given the differences in tonic and phasic DA transmission, this study aimed to investigate whether the greater cognitive flexibility associated with the Val allele would favor the learning of movement parametrization, while the greater cognitive stability associated with the Met allele favors the acquisition of the movement pattern. Furthermore, we investigated if the genotypic characteristics impact visual scanning of information related to parametrization and to the movement pattern, and the level of cortical connectivity associated with motor planning and control. Performance and learning of a sequential motor task were compared among three genotypes (Val/Val, Val/Met, and Met/Met), as well as their oculomotor behavior and level of cortical coherence. The findings show that the cognitive flexibility promoted by the Val allele is associated with a better parametrization. The search for information through visual scanning was specific to each genotype. Also, a greater cortical connectivity associated with the Val allele was found. The combined study of behavioral, electrophysiological and molecular levels of analysis showed that the cognitive stability and flexibility associated with the COMT alleles, influence specific aspects of motor learning.

Association Between the Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met Polymorphism and Manual Performance Asymmetries.

Within the cognitive domain, neuroscience and cognitive psychology researchers have investigated the relationship between handedness and cognitive skills. However, there have been few studies of the three-way association between manual asymmetry, its genetic components, and cognition even though this line of research could further an understanding of asymmetry. One enzyme involved in cognitive functions related to the dopaminergic system and to the prefrontal cortex is the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and it has a trimodal activity distribution in the human population due to its functional polymorphism known as Val158Met. This study investigated whether this COMT polymorphism is associated with asymmetries in the performance of a manual dexterity task. Forty-two right-handed undergraduate students ( Mage = 25.12, SD = 5.84; 15 women, 27 men) performed two trials each of place and remove conditions of the Grooved Pegboard Test with each hand (right and left), counterbalancing the order of the initial or starting hand. We calculated the mean time to perform the task for both hands on both trials and found, as hypothesized, that the Met/Met group gave a more asymmetrical performance than the Val/Met group under the place condition because dopamine levels reduced flexible behavior for the Val/Met group. We suspect that the place condition requires greater interhemispheric connectivity, as it requires a greater cognitive flexibility, and highly asymmetrical individuals are said to be less flexible. The findings of this study suggest a significant association between the COMT polymorphism and manual asymmetry in healthy populations.