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Repositório Institucional da Universidade da Madeira
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Change in spatiotemporal parameters during running at different degrees of inclination: systematic review
Publication . Marszałek, Patryk; Przednowek, Krzysztof; França, Cíntia; Martinho, Diogo V.; Marques, Adilson; Ferrari, Gerson; Paśko, Wojciech; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; França, Cíntia; Martinho, Diogo; Marques, Adilson; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio
Background:Running is one of the simplest and most popular forms of exercise. Biomechanical evaluation of running is one of the elements of evaluating running technique and, consequently, improving sports performance. Running uphill and downhill is one of the components of daily running but also an element of training used by recreational runners. The aim of this study is to optimize running training and minimize the risk of injury by identifying changes in the spatiotemporal structure of running at different inclinations. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The protocol has been registered on the international platform INPLASY under the number INPLASY202430094U2. The search was conducted up to 30 March 2024 using the Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Results: Spatiotemporal parameters were most frequently analyzed at 2.8–3.35 m/s velocities and inclinations in the range of −11% to 11%. Decreases in stride length (SL) and flight time (FT), and increases in step frequency (SF) were the most frequently reported changes from all parameters analyzed as a function of inclination and velocity. Significant increases or decreases in individual parameters were more often observed for positive inclination values than negative ones. Conclusions: The heterogeneous results of the study limit the possibility of determining the changes that occur in the spatiotemporal structure of the run under the impact of different inclinations. The variation in the results for negative inclination values indicates the different characteristics of running uphill and downhill. However, for uphill running, SF, SL, and FT are closely related to the increase in inclination.
A utilização de chatbots e assistentes virtuais na experiência turística: perceções dos turistas da RAM
Publication . Correia, José Manuel Correia; Chagas, Laura; Cardoso, Paula
O setor turístico prevalece como um dos setores mais importantes para a economia
de uma grande parte das regiões mundiais, incluindo a Região Autónoma da Madeira
(RAM). Por sua vez, a atividade turística está a manifestar novos padrões de
comportamento dos seus utilizadores, tais como valorização de experiências
personalizadas, contacto com a natureza e vivência autêntica do destino. Neste contexto,
o Alojamento Local (AL) assume um papel relevante, oferecendo proximidade aos
principais pontos de interesse, flexibilidade e integração na cultura local. Por outro lado,
estes novos padrões originam novas tendências, tal como o uso de ferramentas que
recorrem ao uso de Inteligência Artificial (IA), o que representa, simultaneamente,
oportunidades e desafios para as empresas da indústria hoteleira integrarem algumas
soluções oferecidas pela IA, na expetativa de melhorar a experiência dos turistas.
O presente estudo tem como principal objetivo analisar a utilização de soluções
de IA, nomeadamente Chatbots e assistentes virtuais, por parte de hóspedes de AL na
RAM, no sentido de compreender de que forma eles estão ou não familiarizados com
estas ferramentas, como a sua utilização influencia a experiência turística e quais os
fatores que influenciam a sua adoção.
Através de um estudo descritivo e correlacional com recurso a uma metodologia
quantitativa, concretizada na aplicação de questionários aos hóspedes, perspetiva-se
compreender como os Chatbots e Assistentes virtuais têm ou teriam impacto na
experiência dos turistas da RAM.
Os resultados obtidos indicam que os participantes revelam perceções
moderadamente favoráveis à utilização de Chatbots e Assistentes virtuais, recursos
tecnológicos com elevado potencial para melhorar a experiência turística, sobretudo na
fase de planeamento da viagem, onde se verificou maior predisposição para o seu uso. A
familiaridade com a tecnologia ainda é moderada, o que evidencia a necessidade de
estratégias de literacia digital. Algumas implicações práticas do estudo indicam que a
integração de Chatbots nas unidades de alojamento podem trazer benefícios para a
experiência do hóspede.
Analyzing the effects of competitive fatigue on body composition and functional capacities of youth elite handball players
Publication . Martins, Francisco; França, Cíntia; Sarmento, Hugo; Przednowek, Krzysztof; Śliż, Maciej; Campos, Pedro; Lopes, Helder; Marques, Adilson; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Pestana Martins, João Francisco; França, Cíntia; Sarmento, Hugo; Pereira Campos, Pedro Filipe; Lopes, Helder; Marques, Adilson; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio
Handball demands intense movements like rapid direction changes and physical contact. Consecutive competitions expose player fatigue and weaknesses due to the sport’s exhaustive nature. Therefore, the aims of this study are twofold: (i) to investigate the impact of competitive fatigue on the body composition of youth elite handball players, and (ii) to analyze the impact of concentrated competition on their functional capacity performance. Seventeen young male handball players (age: 16.2 years, height; 177.8 cm, body mass: 73.0 kg) were assessed twenty-four hours before (TM1) and after the competitive period (TM2) in body composition, static strength, lower- and upper-body explosive strength, speed, agility, balance, and flexibility indicators. A Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was conducted to assess differences in body composition and functional capacities assessment between TM1 and TM2. Regarding results, body mass significantly increased in TM2 (p < 0.01), while increases in waist circumference and body fat percentage were not statistically significant. Functional capacity assessments revealed a significant decline in jumping performance (CMJ and SJ; p ≤ 0.01). Speed and agility assessments showed worse performance in TM2, significantly increasing 30 m sprint time (p ≤ 0.01). Balance indicators showed no significant differences, with mixed results in performance across different conditions. In sum, evaluating vertical jumps and long-distance maximum speed (i.e., 30 meters) could be valid tests for measuring and controlling fatigue in young elite handball players. Future research should regularly monitor young handballers after the competition to analyze the entire fatigue recovery process.
Variations in locomotor intensities across soccer match halves concerning player sectorial positions
Publication . Gouveia, Élvio Rubio; França, Cíntia; Henriques, Ricardo; Santos, Francisco; Mâncio, Rui; Przednowek, Krzysztof; Sarmento, Hugo; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; França, Cíntia; Baeta Santos, Francisco José; Sarmento, Hugo
PurposeThis study aims to explore disparities in locomotor metrics such as total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR), accelerations (Acc), decelerations (Dec), and maximum speed (MS) across five soccer positions – centre defenders, fullbacks, midfielders, wingers, and forwards – during the 1-, 3-, and 5-minute match intensity periods (MIP). Additionally, it seeks to assess the difference in those locomotor metrics between the first and second halves of the match.MethodsAn observational, retrospective cohort study was undertaken with a professional team covering 32 official matches. A total of 20 soccer players participated in this study. Data were collected using a 10-Hz GNSS unit (Apex pro series, StatSports, Northern Ireland). The MIP considered different time durations (1, 3, 5 min in the 1st and the 2nd halves).ResultsSoccer players exhibited position-specific differences in locomotion, with Wingers covering the most distance and forwards showing the highest Acc and Dec. HSR was most notable in the fullbacks. The second half saw varied changes, with midfielders increasing in distance covered. ANCOVA revealed significant positional differences in TD during longer MIPs and between match halves. HSR varied across positions but only differed between halves in the 5-minute MIP. Acc and Dec displayed half-time differences, while maximal speed was consistently higher in the second half.ConclusionsThis study highlights the impact of player position and matches progression on locomotor metrics in soccer, underscoring the need for customised training and strategic adaptability to maximise performance throughout the game.
Lower-body power, body composition, speed, and agility performance among youth soccer players
Publication . França, Cíntia; Gouveia, Élvio; Martins, Francisco; Ihle, Andreas; Henriques, Ricardo; Marques, Adilson; Sarmento, Hugo; Przednowek, Krzysztof; Lopes, Helder; França, Cíntia; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Pestana Martins, João Francisco; Ihle, Andreas; Marques, Adilson; Sarmento, Hugo; Lopes, Helder
Speed and agility have been described as crucial abilities for soccer players. The purpose of this study was to analyze, in detail, the variance in speed and agility tasks explained by lower-body power after controlling for age and body composition. The participants were 96 male soccer players aged 16.1 ± 1.6 years. Body composition (stature, body fat percentage—BF%, body mass, and fat-free mass—FFM), lower-body power (countermovement jump—CMJ, and squat jump—SJ), speed (5-, 10-, and 35 m sprints), and agility (t-test) were assessed. Among body composition parameters, BF% presented the highest number of significant relationships with speed and agility, with the strength of correlations ranging from small (5 m sprint, r = 0.25) to large (35 m sprint, r = 0.52). The strongest correlation coefficient emerged between FFM and the 35 m sprint (r = −0.65). Significant correlations were found between vertical jump performance and the 35 m sprint (CMJ: r = −0.68; SJ: r = −0.69), followed by the t-test (CMJ: r = −0.35; SJ: r = −0.47). The hierarchical multiple regression model could explain 22% to 67% of the variance observed in agility scores and speed. BF% remained the most statistically significant negative predictor of all regression models. The CMJ remained a statistically significant positive predictor of the 35 m sprint (β = −0.581, p ≤ 0.01) after controlling for age and body composition. Integrating programs targeting lower-body power might be important to enhance speed and agility performance in youth soccer. On the other hand, future research based on multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the effects of nutritional strategies in reducing or preventing gains in BF% is still needed, which remained a significant predictor of sprint and agility performance in the final models.