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(1) Background: The objective of the study was to verify the effects of COVID-19 confinement on motor skills through a longitudinal study in Portuguese children who were one year old at the beginning of the pandemic. (2) Methods: The sample consisted of 88 children of both sexes, in the pre-COVID-19 assessment, they were 13.31 ± 2.4 months old and in the post-COVID-19 assessment, the same children were already 49.31 ± 2.5 months old. Motor skills were assessed using the PDMS-2 scales. For the statistical analysis, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used to test normality, and the Wilcoxon test was used to compare the results of the two assessments in the same sample. (3) Results: There were statistically significant differences in all motor skills assessed, with children presenting, on average, worse results in all global motor skills in the post-COVID-19 assessment, as opposed to fine motor skills, showing better results in the post-COVID-19 assessment. (4) Conclusions: These results show the negative impact of the pandemic on children evaluated with a special emphasis on global motor skills, with the majority demonstrating values considered below average for their age, noting that the pandemic protocols may have had serious consequences on children's motor development, warning professionals who deal daily with children in these age groups about the importance of stimulating global motor skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This brief narrative review assesses how digital technologies—such as wearables, mobile health apps, and various digital tools such as computers, game consoles, tablets, smartphones, and extended reality systems—can influence sedentary and physical activity behaviors among community-dwelling older adults. Each section highlights the central role of these technologies in promoting active aging through increased motivation, engagement and customized experiences. It underlines the critical importance of functionality, usability and adaptability of devices and confirms the effectiveness of digital interventions in increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior. The sustainable impact of these technologies needs to be further investigated, with a focus on adapting digital health strategies to the specific needs of older people. The research advocates an interdisciplinary approach and points out that such collaborations are essential for the development of accessible, effective and ethical solutions. This perspective emphasizes the potential of digital tools to improve the health and well-being of the aging population and recommends their strategic integration into health promotion and policy making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to analyse and compare behavioural changes in swimming teachers, after retrospective reflection between two swimming teaching sessions. 10 individuals were analysed, characterized by gender, level of experience, coaching graduation and level of students practice. To analyse behaviours, the SOP (teacher observation system) was applied, comparing the moments of Instruction, Feed-back, Organization and Observation. In the statistical comparison, two non-parametric tests were applied: the Wilcoxon test, which allowed comparing the same behaviours between the first and second sessions, and the Mann Whitney test, which allowed comparing the same behaviours between the first and second sessions of each session. It was found that there were significant differences in Instruction and Organization behaviours between the first and second sessions among the swimming teachers analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imagery (IM) is one of the most popular psychological techniques used by athletes and coaches to improve performance at competition level. The aim of the study was to investigate if there were statically significant differences in the use of the imagery modalities of MIQ-3 (kinaesthetic, Visual Internal, Visual External) between futsal and soccer practitioners. Seventeen-three subjects (soccer: n = 24; age = 11.33 ± 0.48 years old; futsal: n = 49; age = 10.08 ± 1.77 years old) volunteered to participate in this study. All the participants had at least two years of regular practice in federated competition. The subjects signed an informed consent form. To assess IM ability, the Portuguese version of MIQ-3 was used. The normality of the data was verified by the Shapiro-Wilk Test. The mean and standard deviation were computed as descriptive statistics. T-test Student and Mann-Whitney tests for independent samples were used to verify differences between groups. Our results demonstrated no significant differences between groups (p > .5), values were higher in futsal practitioners in VI, VE and MIQ-3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Judo, each motor action depends greatly on the behavioural and technical variability of each judoka, which largely determines the options and the predominance of biomechanical actions inherent to the movements themselves. It is, therefore, important to understand the biomechanical action trends implemented by judokas in the dynamics of current judo, allowing for more assertive competitive preparation. The objective was to biomechanically analyse the technical actions used in the 2021 European Judo Championships based on combat time and gold score. The study sample focused on 400 combats of the European Judo Championship 2021. We used an observation system created for this purpose, according to the classification system proposed by Sacripanti. Cross-frequency tables were produced, where the association degree between variables was analysed using the Chi Square test, where the significance level was set at p = .05. We complemented the association analysis between variables by calculating the adjusted standardized residuals. In both genders and phases of combat, the use of torque techniques predominated over lever techniques, with the hierarchy of technical resources used by judokas being identical. In golden score, women showed a significant association with the use of torso-leg binary techniques. Throughout the fights, women registered differences in the use of groups of techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to verify whether the application of additional sessions of flexibility training improves this capacity in athletes who practice acrobatic gymnastics. The study included 28 children (10.57 ± 2.5 years), aged between 7 and 15 years of both genders (F, N = 24, 11.00 ± 0.5 years; M, N = 4, 8.00 ± 0.4 years), divided into two groups, experimental group (N = 14, 8.43 ± 1.01) and control group (N = 14, 12.71 ± 1.51). The athletes in the experimental group performed 20 specific training sessions for different types of flexibility over approximately 3 months. The Shapiro-Wilk test was applied to verify normality and the Wilcoxon test (to assess intra-group differences) was used. After analysing the results, we found that although there were not many statistically significant differences, on average the experimental group presented better results after the intervention in the various variables evaluated, whereas the control group presented, on average, and in some of the study variables, little or no evolution. These results agree with the study by (Publio, 1988) who carried out an investigation evaluating the flexibility of Olympic gymnasts through training, where they obtained significant results in gymnasts with an average age of ten years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to verify if there were differences in terms of the development of strength and impulsion of the lower limbs in athletes practicing Acrobatic Gymnastics. In this study participated 12 athletes aged between 10 and 15 years (12.50 ± 0.97) all female, divided into two groups, an Experimental Group (N = 5, 12.40 ± 0.92) and a control group (N = 7, 12.57 ± 0.36). To assess the strength of the lower limbs, the Chronojump software was used and to verify the body composition, the "Inbody" Bioimpedance scale was used. Athletes in the experimental group performed 20 specific training sessions for different types of strength over approximately 3 months. The Shapiro-Wilk test was applied to verify normality and the Wilcoxon test was used (to assess intra-group differences). The main results obtained refer that both groups evolved, however it was the experimental group (subject to complementary training) that obtained better results and greater evolution, with statistically significant differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine whether physical activity has a positive effect on the mood of elderly people living in institutions. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire was used to study a sample of three individuals over the age of 65. The questionnaire was completed at four different time points: 5 minutes before an aquatic exercise session, 5 minutes after the session, 30 minutes after, and finally 60 minutes after the session. The results of the study showed that depression and fatigue decreased significantly, while little change was observed in tension, hostility, vitality, and confusion. These findings have important implications for medical professionals, exercise scientists, and professionals working with older adults. In particular, they offer insights into promoting active aging, especially with regard to psychological and emotional well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examined the effects of multi-component training on the mood state of older women. As part of a multiple-case study, we collected data from three elderly women over the age of 65 using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed at four different time points: 5 minutes before exercise, 5 minutes after, 30 minutes after, and 60 minutes after exercise. The results showed that multi-component training had a positive effect on the vitality-activity factor, as all participants experienced improvements. These results have important implications for medical professionals, technicians, and sports scientists interested in promoting active aging, especially from an emotional perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of aquarobics on the mood of elderly people. Using the POMS - Profile of Mood States questionnaire, we collected data from three participants, two men and one woman, all over 65 years old. The questionnaire was completed at four different time points: 5 minutes before water exercise, 5 minutes after, 30 minutes after, and 60 minutes after. Our results showed that a single session in water had a positive effect on the state mood of seniors. It was observed that fatigue, depression and tension decreased, while vitality increased. These results are of great importance to medical professionals, sports scientists and advocates of active aging, especially with regard to psychological and emotional well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Agility is characterized by the athlete's capacity to perform rapid whole-body movements with a change of velocity or direction in response to a stimulus. This study aimed to verify the differences in agility performance between young soccer and futsal players. A total of 57 young players (futsal: n = 23; 14.13 ± 2.69 years old [age], 1.66 ± 13.18 m [stature], 56.76 ± 15.79 kg [body mass]; soccer: n = 34; 14.09 ± 2.68 years old [age], 1.63 ± 13.91 m [stature], 55.33 ± 14.67 kg [body mass]) volunteered to participate in this study. The participants performed three different agility tests, namely: 'T-Test' (seconds), 'Three Cone Test' (seconds), and 'Reactive Agility Test' (seconds). The normality of the data was verified by the Shapiro-Wilk Test. The mean and standard deviation were computed as descriptive statistics. T-test Student and Mann-Whitney tests for independent samples were used to verify differences between groups. Our results demonstrated significant differences in the 'Three cone test', with futsal players presenting better time (seconds). No significant differences were observed for 'T-Test' and 'Reactive Agility Test'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. We intend to know the aspects to which the students pay attention during the different moments of the Physical Education class. 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, 2010; Santos et al., 2019), in which the students signalized what they were thinking of at certain moments of the Physical Education classes. The final results indicate that there are no significant differences in terms of statistics, because after the application of the test of "Qui-Quadrado" to associate the variable "Attention" and the variable "Signal", we can verify the value of (p = .373). From the analysis performed, we can infer that in relation to students' attention profile study, there are no statistically significant differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This intervention project aimed to improve psychomotor factors in older people living in nursing homes. We carefully randomly selected six participants to obtain a heterogeneous group consisting of three women and three men with an average age of 86 years (SD = 1.4 years). In order to assess the effect of psychomotor activities, we conducted an initial study using the Geronto-Psychomotor Examination. At the end of the project, a re-evaluation was conducted to measure the effectiveness of the intervention. The intervention consisted of weekly sessions over a three-month period, with each session lasting 45 minutes. We developed a comprehensive application protocol based on a thorough assessment and observation methodology that included both quantitative and qualitative measures. The results of our study suggest that this intervention project has the potential to make a positive contribution to the well-being of older people in residential care, particularly in a preventive context. We believe that these findings should be incorporated into programs for the elderly to better serve this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of a sedentary lifestyle has led to significant health consequences for the population. However, research shows that being more physically active can help prevent falls, improve cardiovascular capacity, and increase muscle strength in older adults. To better understand these behaviours, it is important to consider the social and environmental context in which they occur. The aim of this study was to describe the daily physical activity of older adults living in rural areas of Portugal using ecological momentary assessment. A total of 19 participants with an average age of 74.7 years (SD = 8.5) were included in the study. Data were collected using diary entries at 20-minute intervals. Results showed that older adult's physical activity is mainly focused on housework, tending the vegetable garden, and occasional outdoor walks, most of which take place at home and occasionally outdoors. This information demonstrates the importance of promoting physical activity specifically to ensure the overall health and well-being of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)