Search

Population aging is an increasingly observable fact in several developed countries. In Portugal, the percentage of elderly people is much higher compared to other age groups. We know that this phase of life causes damage at the biological level, psychological and social problems, which means that the quality of life at this age can decrease. Physical activity can be a means of reversing and / or preventing loss of quality of life. This study aims to verify whether elderly people who practice a regular program of formal physical activity have a better perception of their quality of life than non-practicing elderly people. The sample consisted of 64 elderly people (n = 64), residing in Proença-a-Nova in Portugal, divided into two groups, a group of practitioners in elderly programs and another group not practicing formal physical activity. The perception of quality of life was measured using the MOS SF-36v2 questionnaire, while the battery of tests by the Senior Fitness Test by Rikli and Jones (1999; 2001) was used to assess the functional level. The results showed that the perception of quality of life presents few statistically significant differences, with the highest values being that of the group of practitioners. The perception of quality of life reveals a weak correlation with the functional level presented by the two groups. It was concluded that the practice of physical activity does not influence the perception of quality of life, but it has a significant influence on a better functional level.

Population aging is an increasingly observable fact in several developed countries. In Portugal, the percentage of elderly people is much higher compared to other age groups. We know that this phase of life causes damage at the biological level, psychological and social problems, which means that the quality of life at this age can decrease. Physical activity can be a means of reversing and / or preventing loss of quality of life. This study aims to verify whether elderly people who practice a regular program of formal physical activity have a better perception of their quality of life than non-practicing elderly people. The sample consisted of 64 elderly people (n = 64), residing in Proença-a-Nova in Portugal, divided into two groups, a group of practitioners in elderly programs and another group not practicing formal physical activity. The perception of quality of life was measured using the MOS SF-36v2 questionnaire, while the battery of tests by the Senior Fitness Test by Rikli and Jones (1999; 2001) was used to assess the functional level. The results showed that the perception of quality of life presents few statistically significant differences, with the highest values being that of the group of practitioners. The perception of quality of life reveals a weak correlation with the functional level presented by the two groups. It was concluded that the practice of physical activity does not influence the perception of quality of life, but it has a significant influence on a better functional level.

Introduction: Sport activities demand a focused and polarized attention, as necessary condition to learning process. Described as an essential condition to the learning process, attention is considered a powerful mediating variable, because we can notice its influence on the teaching-learning process, as well as its influence on the teacher’s behaviour, the student’s behaviour and the learning results. According to this fact, the focused attention arises as a fundamental condition to the learning process, since the greater the power to keep the focus on a certain object or task, the better the chance of success. Objective: We intend to know the aspects to which the students pay attention during the different moments of the Physical Education class, in individual sportive activities. Methodology: The sample consisted of 156 students from the 3rd Cycle of Basic Education, of both genders (84 female and 72 male). We applied the questionnaire ATEST-EF (Petrica 2003), in which the students signalized what they were thinking of at certain moments of the Physical Education classes, more precisely of Athletics and Gymnastics classes. The results indicate that there are no significant differences, because after the application of the test of “Chi-Square” to associate the variable “Attention” and the variable “Signal” for the individual activities, we can verify the value of (p= .373). From the analysis performed, we can infer that in relation to students' attention profile study in individual sports, athletics and gymnastics, there are no statistically significant differences.

Introduction: Sports practice provides not only physical but also psychological and social benefits. Objective: The subject of Adapted Sport is still very scarce and according to that in this study we evaluated and compared Self-Determined Motivation, Basic Psychological Needs, Life Satisfaction and Affects among Athletes of Adapted Sport and Regular Sport, in Handball and Basketball. Methodology: A total of 183 athletes (N = 183) participated in which 80 were athletes of adapted sports and the remaining 103 were regular athletes, aged between 16 and 69. We used four questionnaires that evaluate the variables described: Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (BRSQ), Basic Psychological Needs Exercise Scale (BPNES), Life Satisfaction Scale (SWLS) and Positive and Negative Affects Schedule (PANAS). Results: Our results were positive that sports practice has a significant positive effect on life satisfaction in regular athletes, who have more hours of weekly practice than athletes in adapted sports. We have proved the Auto-determination Theory, with the positive correlation obtained in the adapted sport athlete’s, between the autonomous motivation and the basic psychological needs, as well as the life satisfaction and the positive affections. We observed that basic psychological needs and positive affects were good predictors of life satisfaction in athletes of adapted sport. In terms of size effect magnitude of adapted sport practice, the number of years of practice showed a reduced to moderate effect in the variables under analysis.

Aquatic activities have been recommended as frequent practices due to the physical properties of water with improvements in body composition of young. Objective: To study if there are differences in body composition and spirometric values in children who practice swimming complemented with water walking and those who only practice swimming. Methodology: 28 individuals (6 to 12 years) were divided into two groups: swimming group (SG: n=9) and swimming complemented with water walking group (SWWG: n=19) in three different moments with 6 weeks between them. For body composition a bio-impedance scale was used and an anthropometric tape for the waist circumference. For spirometric values: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and even peak expiratory flow (PEF) a Cosmed Microquark spirometer was used. For statistical procedures the SPSS (20.0) program for descriptive statistics, the Shapiro Wilk test for testing the normality, inferential statistics (non-parametric Mann-Whitney tests, Friedman's Anova), and for the effect size the d-Cohen test. Results: Regarding the inter-group analysis (comparison between the SG and SWWG) we observed that there were significant differences in weight (p=0,004), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1: p=0,025) and peak expiratory flow (PEF: p=0,033). Concerning intra-group differences (improvements in the SG and SWWG), the SWWG showed significant improvements in weight muscle mass (p=0,029), fat mass (p=0,002), percentage of water (p=0,018),, body mass index (BMI: p=0,000), body percentiles (p=0,000), forced vital capacity (FVC: p=0,003) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1: p=0,008). We have concluded that the practice of swimming and water walking have benefits with differences in the analysed group variables, however, the two activities complemented (swimming and water walking) present improvements much more significant.

Introduction: Athletics is an important sport because it offers a determining basic preparation for other different sports (Sampaio, 2010). Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the motivations that led athletes to practice athletics and to know if the fact that lived in different country regions influences these motivations. The participants were 184 federated athletes from 5 different zones of Portugal (Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Leiria, Santarém and Setúbal). Methodology: To understand the motivations that lead athletes to practice athletics, the questionnaire EMI-2 (Exercise Motivation Inventory version 2 of Markland and Hardy (1993), translated for the Portuguese population by Alves and Lourenço (2003) was applied and were collected during the national championship. For statistical purposes we used descriptive statistics, arithmetic mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics, with the application of One-Way Anova and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: The results showed that the Psychological and Physical Condition motives were the most valued, while the Health and Body Related motives were the least valued by the athletes belonging to the different regions. As for the results of the means, only statistically significant differences were found in the physical fitness motives, more valued by athletes from the regions of Setúbal and Santarém and less valued from the athletes of Coimbra e Castelo Branco. Conclusions: The conclusions showed some uniformity in the importance attributed to the reasons that led the athletes to choose athletics as a federated sports practice.

Introduction: Sports practice provides not only physical but also psychological and social benefits. Objective: The subject of Adapted Sport is still very scarce and according to that in this study we evaluated and compared Self-Determined Motivation, Basic Psychological Needs, Life Satisfaction and Affects among Athletes of Adapted Sport and Regular Sport, in Handball and Basketball. Methodology: A total of 183 athletes (N = 183) participated in which 80 were athletes of adapted sports and the remaining 103 were regular athletes, aged between 16 and 69. We used four questionnaires that evaluate the variables described: Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (BRSQ), Basic Psychological Needs Exercise Scale (BPNES), Life Satisfaction Scale (SWLS) and Positive and Negative Affects Schedule (PANAS). Results: Our results were positive that sports practice has a significant positive effect on life satisfaction in regular athletes, who have more hours of weekly practice than athletes in adapted sports. We have proved the Auto-determination Theory, with the positive correlation obtained in the adapted sport athlete’s, between the autonomous motivation and the basic psychological needs, as well as the life satisfaction and the positive affections. We observed that basic psychological needs and positive affects were good predictors of life satisfaction in athletes of adapted sport. In terms of size effect magnitude of adapted sport practice, the number of years of practice showed a reduced to moderate effect in the variables under analysis.

Introduction: Sport activities demand a focused and polarized attention, as necessary condition to learning process. Described as an essential condition to the learning process, attention is considered a powerful mediating variable, because we can notice its influence on the teaching-learning process, as well as its influence on the teacher’s behaviour, the student’s behaviour and the learning results. According to this fact, the focused attention arises as a fundamental condition to the learning process, since the greater the power to keep the focus on a certain object or task, the better the chance of success. Objective: We intend to know the aspects to which the students pay attention during the different moments of the Physical Education class, in individual sportive activities. Methodology: The sample consisted of 156 students from the 3rd Cycle of Basic Education, of both genders (84 female and 72 male). We applied the questionnaire ATEST-EF (Petrica 2003), in which the students signalized what they were thinking of at certain moments of the Physical Education classes, more precisely of Athletics and Gymnastics classes. The results indicate that there are no significant differences, because after the application of the test of “Chi-Square” to associate the variable “Attention” and the variable “Signal” for the individual activities, we can verify the value of (p= .373). From the analysis performed, we can infer that in relation to students' attention profile study in individual sports, athletics and gymnastics, there are no statistically significant differences.

Aquatic activities have been recommended as frequent practices due to the physical properties of water with improvements in body composition of young. Objective: To study if there are differences in body composition and spirometric values in children who practice swimming complemented with water walking and those who only practice swimming. Methodology: 28 individuals (6 to 12 years) were divided into two groups: swimming group (SG: n=9) and swimming complemented with water walking group (SWWG: n=19) in three different moments with 6 weeks between them. For body composition a bio-impedance scale was used and an anthropometric tape for the waist circumference. For spirometric values: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and even peak expiratory flow (PEF) a Cosmed Microquark spirometer was used. For statistical procedures the SPSS (20.0) program for descriptive statistics, the Shapiro Wilk test for testing the normality, inferential statistics (non-parametric Mann-Whitney tests, Friedman's Anova), and for the effect size the d-Cohen test. Results: Regarding the inter-group analysis (comparison between the SG and SWWG) we observed that there were significant differences in weight (p=0,004), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1: p=0,025) and peak expiratory flow (PEF: p=0,033). Concerning intra-group differences (improvements in the SG and SWWG), the SWWG showed significant improvements in weight muscle mass (p=0,029), fat mass (p=0,002), percentage of water (p=0,018),, body mass index (BMI: p=0,000), body percentiles (p=0,000), forced vital capacity (FVC: p=0,003) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1: p=0,008). We have concluded that the practice of swimming and water walking have benefits with differences in the analysed group variables, however, the two activities complemented (swimming and water walking) present improvements much more significant.

Introduction: Athletics is an important sport because it offers a determining basic preparation for other different sports (Sampaio, 2010). Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the motivations that led athletes to practice athletics and to know if the fact that lived in different country regions influences these motivations. The participants were 184 federated athletes from 5 different zones of Portugal (Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Leiria, Santarém and Setúbal). Methodology: To understand the motivations that lead athletes to practice athletics, the questionnaire EMI-2 (Exercise Motivation Inventory version 2 of Markland and Hardy (1993), translated for the Portuguese population by Alves and Lourenço (2003) was applied and were collected during the national championship. For statistical purposes we used descriptive statistics, arithmetic mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics, with the application of One-Way Anova and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: The results showed that the Psychological and Physical Condition motives were the most valued, while the Health and Body Related motives were the least valued by the athletes belonging to the different regions. As for the results of the means, only statistically significant differences were found in the physical fitness motives, more valued by athletes from the regions of Setúbal and Santarém and less valued from the athletes of Coimbra e Castelo Branco. Conclusions: The conclusions showed some uniformity in the importance attributed to the reasons that led the athletes to choose athletics as a federated sports practice.

Introduction: The leader, in the coach role, must be able to relate and establish connections with his athletes, and contribute to the construction of an environment conducted by fair and clear norms that do not oppose the organizational culture of the club (Lopes, 2008; Mendo & Ortiz, 2003). Objective: The objective of this research was to identify the leadership behaviours of two coaches from different levels (Under 17 and Seniors), as well as the perception of leadership behaviours of their players. Methodology: The sample consisted of two coaches and 26 players, 12 of them in the “Under 17” level aged between 15 and 17 years, and 14 senior players, aged between 18 and 33 years. We used the Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS) / Leadership Scale in Sport, by Chelladurai & Saleh (1978). In this descriptive and inferential study, the Kolmogrov-Smirnov test was performed for the normality assumptions by choosing the parametric statistic and to analyse the differences between the variables, a Student-T test was performed. Five dimensions were analysed: Training Instruction, Social Support, Reinforcement, Democratic Behaviour and Autocratic Behaviour. The results obtained showed significant differences between the coach's self-perception and the players' perception, as well as their preferences and their comparison between levels. According to coaches, the dimension of training instruction and reinforcement, are the styles of leadership with more emphasis and the smaller is the autocratic.

Introduction: The leader, in the coach role, must be able to relate and establish connections with his athletes, and contribute to the construction of an environment conducted by fair and clear norms that do not oppose the organizational culture of the club (Lopes, 2008; Mendo & Ortiz, 2003). Objective: The objective of this research was to identify the leadership behaviours of two coaches from different levels (Under 17 and Seniors), as well as the perception of leadership behaviours of their players. Methodology: The sample consisted of two coaches and 26 players, 12 of them in the “Under 17” level aged between 15 and 17 years, and 14 senior players, aged between 18 and 33 years. We used the Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS) / Leadership Scale in Sport, by Chelladurai & Saleh (1978). In this descriptive and inferential study, the Kolmogrov-Smirnov test was performed for the normality assumptions by choosing the parametric statistic and to analyse the differences between the variables, a Student-T test was performed. Five dimensions were analysed: Training Instruction, Social Support, Reinforcement, Democratic Behaviour and Autocratic Behaviour. The results obtained showed significant differences between the coach's self-perception and the players' perception, as well as their preferences and their comparison between levels. According to coaches, the dimension of training instruction and reinforcement, are the styles of leadership with more emphasis and the smaller is the autocratic.

The present study was aimed to relate physical activity in the formation of self-concept, self-esteem and school performance in children of basic education. We had a sample of 531 students of the municipalities of Santarém, Torres Novas, Entroncamento and Tomar (Portugal), of which 295 students (55.6%) for males and 236 students (44.4%) than females, with a mean age of the sample of 9.13 years, ranging from a minimum of 8 years and a maximum of 10 years. From this sample, 394 students (74%) have the practice of physical activity at least one formal character extracurricular and 137 students (26%) of the total sample reported no physical activity. As an instrument of data collection used the concept of the Self Susan Harter validated for the Portuguese population (Martins, Peixoto, Mata & Monteiro, 1995), where we analysed descriptive and inferential data in order to confront levels average self-concept in the areas of scholastic competence, social acceptance, athletic competence, physical appearance, behaviour, and global self-esteem. Were also recorded income school students study the subject areas of Mathematics, English and Sciences Studies. The practice of regular physical activity not decisively proved a significant factor in the level of self-concept, self-esteem and academic performance of students. However, the variable self seems to assume an evolution with increasing number of sessions per week of physical activity, as apparently the practice of at least one sport elevates levels of self-esteem. Students with the highest number of weekly hours of physical activity regularly reveal a level of academic achievement significantly higher, compared to students with less hours without registration or practice regular physical activity weekly.

The present study was aimed to relate physical activity in the formation of self-concept, self-esteem and school performance in children of basic education. We had a sample of 531 students of the municipalities of Santarém, Torres Novas, Entroncamento and Tomar (Portugal), of which 295 students (55.6%) for males and 236 students (44.4%) than females, with a mean age of the sample of 9.13 years, ranging from a minimum of 8 years and a maximum of 10 years. From this sample, 394 students (74%) have the practice of physical activity at least one formal character extracurricular and 137 students (26%) of the total sample reported no physical activity. As an instrument of data collection used the concept of the Self Susan Harter validated for the Portuguese population (Martins, Peixoto, Mata & Monteiro, 1995), where we analysed descriptive and inferential data in order to confront levels average self-concept in the areas of scholastic competence, social acceptance, athletic competence, physical appearance, behaviour, and global self-esteem. Were also recorded income school students study the subject areas of Mathematics, English and Sciences Studies. The practice of regular physical activity not decisively proved a significant factor in the level of self-concept, self-esteem and academic performance of students. However, the variable self seems to assume an evolution with increasing number of sessions per week of physical activity, as apparently the practice of at least one sport elevates levels of self-esteem. Students with the highest number of weekly hours of physical activity regularly reveal a level of academic achievement significantly higher, compared to students with less hours without registration or practice regular physical activity weekly.

Adopting and maintaining an active lifestyle for adolescent students, seems to be impaired and influenced by several factors, among them stand out environmental, psychological and social factors. Thus, the general objectives of this study were submitted to study and understand the extent to which these environmental, social and personal factors help and influence the level of physical activity (PA) by the adolescents in school age. More specifically, we will study: (1) the possible association between level of physical activity, age and gender; (2) consider and determine whether there is an association between socioeconomic variables and physical activity level of the population sample; (3) assess on the possible association between environmental variables and perceived physical activity of the adolescents. The sample consisted of 286 high school students, male gender (n = 125) and female (n = 161) aged between 15 and 18 years of age. As an instrument of study, a questionnaire was used. The main results of this study demonstrate a possible relationship between gender and level of PA, while boys tend to be more active than girls and also an association between socioeconomic variables and level of physical activity.

Adopting and maintaining an active lifestyle for adolescent students, seems to be impaired and influenced by several factors, among them stand out environmental, psychological and social factors. Thus, the general objectives of this study were submitted to study and understand the extent to which these environmental, social and personal factors help and influence the level of physical activity (PA) by the adolescents in school age. More specifically, we will study: (1) the possible association between level of physical activity, age and gender; (2) consider and determine whether there is an association between socioeconomic variables and physical activity level of the population sample; (3) assess on the possible association between environmental variables and perceived physical activity of the adolescents. The sample consisted of 286 high school students, male gender (n = 125) and female (n = 161) aged between 15 and 18 years of age. As an instrument of study, a questionnaire was used. The main results of this study demonstrate a possible relationship between gender and level of PA, while boys tend to be more active than girls and also an association between socioeconomic variables and level of physical activity.

This work is aimed at knowing the level of physical aptitude and its degree of association, regarding an urban and a rural area, in children from the primary education schools. The sample consisted of six schools from the primary education of the county of Fundão: Santa Teresinha school (a central school), and the schools of Valverde, Fatela, Enxames, Alcaria and Peroviseu (peripheral schools). The sample has been selected in order to have a certain number of pupils from a peripheral area and another one from a central area of the city. The total sample is represented by 161 pupils, 76 are female and 85 are male and they are aged between 6 and 10. 85 come from an urban area and 76 come from a rural area. The analysis of the physical aptitude had as a reference the battery Prudential Fitnessgram (2002). According to the results obtained in the anthropometry, boys and girls from rural areas are heavier and taller than the boys and girls from urban areas. Regarding the BMI and body fat, it is males in rural areas that show a higher number of pupils in the healthy zone. As far as females are concerned, it is the urban area that has more pupils in that zone. It was also noticed that there are a huge percentage of girls from the rural area in the thin zone. In the differentiation between genders, boys have better results in physical aptitude and obesity levels. Regarding the influence of the living area, there are obviously better results in the urban area than in the rural area. Our study reveals that there are significant differences in the physical aptitude tests when they were applied at two different moments. After the analysis and interpretation of the results, we can conclude that boys and girls coming from rural areas are taller and heavier than the ones from urban areas and that they exhibit a lower body mass index. When defining the percentage of subjects classified in the “healthy zone”, the BMI numbers in boys from rural areas that are in the healthy zone are

This work is aimed at knowing the level of physical aptitude and its degree of association, regarding an urban and a rural area, in children from the primary education schools. The sample consisted of six schools from the primary education of the county of Fundão: Santa Teresinha school (a central school), and the schools of Valverde, Fatela, Enxames, Alcaria and Peroviseu (peripheral schools). The sample has been selected in order to have a certain number of pupils from a peripheral area and another one from a central area of the city. The total sample is represented by 161 pupils, 76 are female and 85 are male and they are aged between 6 and 10. 85 come from an urban area and 76 come from a rural area. The analysis of the physical aptitude had as a reference the battery Prudential Fitnessgram (2002). According to the results obtained in the anthropometry, boys and girls from rural areas are heavier and taller than the boys and girls from urban areas. Regarding the BMI and body fat, it is males in rural areas that show a higher number of pupils in the healthy zone. As far as females are concerned, it is the urban area that has more pupils in that zone. It was also noticed that there are a huge percentage of girls from the rural area in the thin zone. In the differentiation between genders, boys have better results in physical aptitude and obesity levels. Regarding the influence of the living area, there are obviously better results in the urban area than in the rural area. Our study reveals that there are significant differences in the physical aptitude tests when they were applied at two different moments. After the analysis and interpretation of the results, we can conclude that boys and girls coming from rural areas are taller and heavier than the ones from urban areas and that they exhibit a lower body mass index. When defining the percentage of subjects classified in the “healthy zone”, the BMI numbers in boys from rural areas that are in the healthy zone are

The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of the fat mass percentage and age on the mobility of these children. It was used the EK functional motor scale to determine their movement capacity. It was also used skinfolds measures and anthropometric formulas to calculate fat mass percentage, as well as calculated age means. The EK scale was also applied, by a total of five evaluations in six boys with ages from seven to eleven years. All values demonstrated that, as the age value gets higher, the fat mass and EK scale points were higher either, meaning that these individuals have bigger motor limitations. After the application of the Rho Spearman test the correlations values between the variables of fat mass and EK scale, the correlations results showed “Very Good” values, meaning that one gets higher as the other one gets higher too, with a 0.006 significant statistical value, and was also obtained “Very Good” correlation results between age and EK scale (0.000). We didn’t found any significant statistical values, and all variables increase from the first to the fifth evaluation. This study has reveal that fat mass percentage and age affect EK scale, which leads to higher motor limitations.

The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of the fat mass percentage and age on the mobility of these children. It was used the EK functional motor scale to determine their movement capacity. It was also used skinfolds measures and anthropometric formulas to calculate fat mass percentage, as well as calculated age means. The EK scale was also applied, by a total of five evaluations in six boys with ages from seven to eleven years. All values demonstrated that, as the age value gets higher, the fat mass and EK scale points were higher either, meaning that these individuals have bigger motor limitations. After the application of the Rho Spearman test the correlations values between the variables of fat mass and EK scale, the correlations results showed “Very Good” values, meaning that one gets higher as the other one gets higher too, with a 0.006 significant statistical value, and was also obtained “Very Good” correlation results between age and EK scale (0.000). We didn’t found any significant statistical values, and all variables increase from the first to the fifth evaluation. This study has reveal that fat mass percentage and age affect EK scale, which leads to higher motor limitations.