DigitUMa
Repositório Institucional da Universidade da Madeira
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Sex differences in body composition and physical fitness of young basketball players
Publication . França, Cíntia; Martins, Francisco; Santos, Francisco; Teixeira, Francisco; Śliż, Maciej; Przednowek, Krzysztof; Lopes, Helder; Gouveia, Élvio R.; Pestana Martins, João Francisco; Baeta Santos, Francisco José; Lopes, Helder; Gouveia, Elvio Rúbio
Introduction: Throughout adolescence, sex differences are observed for anthropometric, body composition, and physical fitness variables.
Objective: This study’s aims were: (1) to explore differences in anthropometry, body composition, and physical fitness performance between male and female youth basketball players, and (2) to examine the relationships between body composition, strength, and balance performance.
Methodology: Forty-nine regional youth basketball players (27 males; mean age = 14.3 ± 1.2 years), were assessed for body composition, strength, speed, upper-limb coordination, and balance performance.
Results: As expected, males were taller (p = 0.002), with lower body fat (p < 0.001) and increased fat-free mass (p < 0.002) than females. Body fat correlated significantly with strength (handgrip: rs = -0.47, p < 0.001; countermovement jump: rs = -0.72, p < 0.001; squat jump: rs = -0.73, p < 0.001; horizontal jump: rs = -0.76, p < 0.001), upper-limb speed and coordination (rs =-0.32, p = 0.027), and 20-m sprint performance (rs = 0.72, p < 0.001), but not with balance tasks. Body mass and fat-free mass were negatively associated with balance, indicating reduced postural control.
Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of accounting for sex differences when developing training programs for youth basketball players. Also, coaches and their staff should monitor body composition, particularly body fat, to enhance explosive strength and speed. Fat-free mass positively influences balance ability, highlighting the role of body composition in physical fitness.
Physical fitness performance and psychomotor abilities in trained young female handball players
Publication . Śliż, Maciej; Martins, Francisco; França, Cíntia; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Przednowek, Krzysztof; Pestana Martins, João Francisco; França, Cíntia; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio
Physical fitness and psychomotor performance can play a crucial role in decision-making ability, reaction time, and movement time among female handball players at different age levels. Our study aimed to compare the physical fitness performance and psychomotor abilities among trained young female handball players from different age groups (U14 vs. U16). The study group included 61 female handball players (U14 = 26; 13.2±0.8) and U16 = 35; 15.1±0.8). The Mann–Whitney U test was conducted to compare the performance of physical fitness and psychomotor abilities between groups (U14 and U16). Afterward, the Pearson product-moment correlation was used to explore the relationship between physical fitness and psychomotor abilities performance among all participants. Results showed that zig-zag with the ball (s) had a significant correlation with movement time (ms) in the Spatial Attention Test (SPANT) (r = 0.30). The plate tapping test (s) emerged as a strong indicator of psychomotor speed (ms), showing significant correlations with a range of variables, including Simple Reaction Time Test (SIRT) movement time (r = 0.48), Choice Reaction Time Test (CHORT) movement time (r = 0.57), Hand–Eye Coordination Test (HECOR) reaction time (r = –0.48), HECOR movement time (r = 0.69), SPANT reaction time (r = 0.63), and SPANT movement time (r = 0.52). These findings have implications for the development of trained young female handball players. Training programs may benefit from age-specific emphasis, focusing more on fundamental coordination and reaction-based exercises in younger athletes and progressively incorporating cognitively demanding drills for older adolescents.
Physical and physiological characterization of custom-made virtual reality exergames: a pilot study
Publication . França, Cíntia; Noronha, Hildegardo; Freitas, Eva; Campos, Pedro; Ornelas, Rui T.; Gouveia, Élvio R.; França, Cíntia; Noronha, Hildegardo; Pereira Campos, Pedro Filipe; Ornelas, Rui; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio
The continuous growth of the older adult population demands an urgent need to provide innovative ways to stimulate physical activity and promote functional health. This study presents FitFest, a custom-made virtual reality (VR) designed to deliver a complete physical activity (PA) session for older adults. A pilot study involving seven older adults (67.0 ± 3.8 years) was conducted, comprising 18 user testing sessions of two VR exergames: Wine Fest and Flower Fest. PA intensity and heart rate (HR) were measured. The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and the participants’ rating of the system’s usability were also registered. Overall, sessions involved mostly sedentary behavior (56.5 ± 20.4%) and light PA (42.1 ± 19.3%), with an average of 436.7 steps and 92.1 bpm. Wine Fest elicited less sedentary behavior (53.6 ± 22.1% vs. 62.8 ± 16.2%), higher light PA intensity (44.7 ± 20.4% vs. 36.4 ± 17.0%), and a higher step count (503.0 ± 345.4 vs. 291.0 ± 143.1) than the Flower Fest, although not significantly. Tasks requiring cardiovascular effort and strength were rated as more physically demanding. Most participants found the system user-friendly and showed interest in continued use, though technical support was essential due to limited familiarity with VR. The findings suggest FitFest has potential to promote light PA in older adults, highlighting the importance of usability and support in tech-based interventions.
Associations between pulmonary function and muscle strength in turkish national karate athletes
Publication . Tokgoz, Gurkan; Cinarli, Sena; Akyol, Betül; Aygoren, Caner; Beykumul, Aysegul; Larsen, Malte Nejst; Krustrup, Peter; França, Cíntia; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Cinarli, Fahri Safa; França, Cíntia; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio
Background: Respiratory efficiency is considered important in karate due to its role in sustaining muscular performance during high-intensity actions. This study examined the association between pulmonary function and isometric muscle strength in national-level karate athletes. Methods: A total of 23 elite karate athletes (mean age: 23.0 ± 2.3 (mean ± SD) years) participated in the study. Pulmonary function was assessed using a digital spirometer, while isometric handgrip, lower back, and leg strength were measured using a dynamometer. The correlation between pulmonary function and isometric strength was analyzed, and linear regression was employed to examine the predictive capacity of pulmonary parameters for muscle strength. Results: The results revealed significant correlations, ranging from large to very large, between pulmonary function and isometric muscle strength, with correlation coefficients from 0.639 to 0.812 (p < 0.01). Pulmonary function was strongly associated with isometric strength, accounting for 27% to 67% of the variance (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that pulmonary function parameters accounted for 71% of the variance in handgrip strength, 47% in leg strength, and 71% in back strength (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings highlight the strong associations between pulmonary function and isometric muscle strength in elite karate athletes. The results emphasize the importance of pulmonary health and respiratory muscle function in athletic performance, particularly for sports requiring high-intensity, dynamic movements like karate. Future longitudinal studies are needed to explore the mechanisms underlying the association and potential implications, and for training and performance optimization.
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.