DigitUMa
Repositório Institucional da Universidade da Madeira
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Parents and athletes’ perceptions of parental involvement practices in youth basketball
Publication . Lopes, Maria V.; Ihle, Andreas; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Marques, Adilson; Cinarli, Fahri Safa; França, Cíntia; Ihle, Andreas; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Marques, Adilson; França, Cíntia
Parental involvement in youth sports is an increasingly relevant topic because of its key implications for children’s development in youth sports. This study’s aims are threefold: (1) to investigate parental involvement practices based on parents’ previous sports experiences, (2) to examine athletes’ and parents’ perceptions on parental involvement practices across different age categories, and (3) to compare the athletes’ and parents’ overall perceptions on parental involvement practices. In total, 423 participants (151 youth players and 272 parents) completed the Parental Behaviors in Sports (PBSP) questionnaire. The PBSP includes separate versions for parents and athletes, each assessing five key dimensions: (1) sports support, (2) competition attendance, (3) technical influence, (4) performance pressure, and (5) sports expectations. In the parents’ group, 154 participants (56.6%) reported previous sports experience. No statistically significant differences were observed in the PBSP dimensions between parents with and without previous sports experience. Parents’ years of sports experience negatively correlated with performance pressure (r = −0.155, p = 0.013) and expectations (r = −0.149, p = 0.017). Age group analysis showed lower competition attendance in the U18 group and higher expectations in the U12 group. When comparing parents’ and athletes’ responses, statistically significant differences emerged in all PBSP dimensions except for performance pressure. These findings underscore the importance of aligning parental involvement with children’s experiences to foster enjoyment, reduce pressure, and support sustained engagement in youth sports.
Postural stability of polish special forces operators
Publication . Dziadek, Bartosz; Paśko, Wojciech; Podgórski, Rafał; Śliż, Maciej; Krawczyk, Grzegorz; Brożyna, Maciej; Marszałek, Patryk; Iskra, Janusz; Maciejewski, Konrad; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; França, Cíntia; Przednowek, Krzysztof; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; França, Cíntia
The level of balance can play an essential role in a soldier’s performance. For a Special Forces soldier,
the footwear used or extra weight may be important factors affecting their balance level during
combat operations or trainings. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to assess the level of static
balance of Special Forces Operators and to determine the influence of select elements of a soldier’s
combat uniform and equipment on balance levels. The study group consisted of 37 Polish Special
Forces Operators. To assess the level of static balance, the Romberg test was used in three variants
(barefoot, with shoes, and with shoes, helmet, and vest). The measurements were made using the
AMTI AccuGait portable force platform. The results of the analysis showed that the calculated average
values of selected static balance parameters of soldiers differed depending on the variant of the
Romberg test used, and in most cases, those differences were statistically significant (
α<0.
). The
lowest average values of parameters characterizing the level of static balance of Special Forces soldiers
were calculated for barefoot measurements. The measurements with shoes and additional loads
showed a statistically significant increase in almost all analysed parameters compared to barefoot
measurements.
Lower body strength and body composition in female football
Publication . França, Cíntia; Saldanha, Carolina; Martins, Francisco; Nascimento, Marcelo de Maio; Marques, Adilson; Ihle, Andreas; Sarmento, Hugo; Campos, Pedro; Gouveia, Élvio Rubio; França, Cíntia; da Costa Saldanha, Carolina Filipa; Pestana Martins, João Francisco; Marques, Adilson; Ihle, Andreas; Sarmento, Hugo; Pereira Campos, Pedro Filipe; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio
Abstract
Lower-body strength plays a crucial role in football performance and injury prevention, and thus, monitoring of strength variables has become crucial in the training process. This study aims to (1) assess knee muscle strength performance through intra- and inter-limb asymmetries and (2) examine the relationships between knee muscle strength, body composition, and vertical jump performance (squat jump and countermovement jump). Twenty-seven semiprofessional female football players (21.5 ± 4.9 years) were evaluated for body composition, isokinetic knee muscle strength (60º/s and 180º/s), and vertical jump tasks. Peak torque (PT), peak torque/body weight (PT/BW), bilateral strength deficit, and the hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio (H/Q) for knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF) in both the preferred and non-preferred legs. The H/Q ratio and the bilateral strength deficit revealed no significant intra- or inter-limb asymmetries in knee muscle strength. Strong correlations were found between vertical jump performance and KE strength at both 60º/s (p ≤ 0.01) and 180º/s (p ≤ 0.01). Additionally, a significant negative correlation was observed between vertical jump performance and body fat percentage (p ≤ 0.01). These findings highlight the critical role of knee muscle strength in explosive tasks and underline the negative impact of higher body fat on lower-body strength performance.
Psychomotor abilities, body composition and training experience of elite and sub-elite handball players
Publication . Śliż, Maciej; França, Cíntia; Martins, Francisco; Marszałek, Patryk; Gouveia, Élvio Rubio; Przednowek, Krzysztof; França, Cíntia; Pestana Martins, João Francisco; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio
Background: Handball is characterized by fast and dynamic movements requiring appropriate psychomotor abilities and body mass composition. High levels of reaction and movement time can be crucial factors influencing quick reactions and in-time decision-making at the handball court. The aim of this study was to assess psychomotor abilities among elite and sub-elite Polish and Portuguese male and female handball players at the different levels of competition. Methods: Computer Test2Drive systems were used to assess reaction time, movement time and percentage of correct responses of 199 handball players (60 females). Results: Statistically significant correlation was noted between SIRT cr and the Elite group (r = 0.44) and between the CHORT cr and all groups (r = 0.33). A statistical correlation between CHORT MT and total body water (r = 0.44) was also noted in Elite handball players. Conclusions: High level of psychomotor abilities and body composition seems to have impact on the competitive level in male and female handball players.
Da infoexclusão à cidadania digital: um estudo de caso
Publication . Alves, Alexandra Leonor Vieira; Pereira, Maria Gorete Gonçalves Rocha
Este estudo tem como objetivo principal compreender a infoexclusão enquanto problema
social no concelho do Funchal, com foco específico na população com mais de 65 anos.
Pretende-se investigar se esta faixa etária está efetivamente infoexcluída e analisar as
estratégias formativas atualmente aplicadas para a capacitação no domínio das
competências digitais.
Num mundo globalizado, a maior parte da população nasceu imersa em ferramentas e
dispositivos digitais. No entanto, a população mais envelhecida não conseguiu
acompanhar o ritmo acelerado do desenvolvimento tecnológico, originando o fenómeno
da infoexclusão, que decorre da falta de competências para aceder aos serviços online.
Este fenómeno está diretamente relacionado com o avanço das Tecnologias de
Informação e Comunicação (TIC), que promoveram a digitalização dos serviços para
facilitar o acesso da população em geral.
Desta forma, investir na educação e qualificação dos idosos torna-se imprescindível para
o desenvolvimento de competências digitais, garantindo a sua inclusão social e o
exercício pleno da cidadania digital.
Face ao exposto, para a pesquisa, considerou-se utilizar uma metodologia de investigação
qualitativa, recorrendo à análise documental e a entrevistas semiestruturadas como
técnicas de recolha de dados. Para interpretar os resultados utilizou-se a análise de
conteúdo juntamente com a triangulação dos dados.
As conclusões desta investigação apontam para a relevância das iniciativas do Município
do Funchal na promoção da inclusão digital dos idosos, evidenciando o contributo das
aulas de literacia digital para o desenvolvimento de competências e para o
envelhecimento ativo. Embora persistam desafios, conclui-se que o município tem
desempenhado um papel determinante na construção de uma cidadania digital mais
participativa e inclusiva.