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Phase-specific force–time adaptations in basketball jump shots under environmental constraints
Publication . Amaro, Catarina M.; Mendes, Rui; Castro, Maria António; Rice, Hannah; Gomes, Beatriz B.
This study examined whether task-related and environmental constraints influence the vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) waveform during the basketball jump shot, with a focus on phase-specific adaptations across shooting positions. Eighteen senior basketball players performed jump shots from three shooting positions (45° right, middle, 45° left) under three conditions: baseline, simulated defensive opposition, and simulated gym audience noise. vGRF signals were recorded using a force platform and time-normalized to 0–100% of the movement cycle. One-dimensional Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) was applied using a hierarchical region-of-interest (ROI) approach, focusing on the unweighting, braking, and propulsive phases. Group-level effects were tested using a two-way SPM{F} ANOVA (Constraint × Position). Exploratory intra-individual SPM{t} analyses were conducted to examine athlete-specific adaptations. No significant main effects of constraint or position, and no constraint × position interactions were observed at the group level in any ROI (α = 0.05). Exploratory intra-individual analyses revealed heterogeneous, athlete-specific adaptations to external constraints and shooting position, predominantly during the braking and propulsive phases, with substantial variability in the timing and presence of significant clusters across athletes.
The results indicate that experienced basketball players preserve a stable force–time organization during the jump shot despite environmental and task-related constraints. While group-level mechanical patterns remain invariant, individual athletes may exhibit phase-specific adaptations that do not generalize across the population. These findings underscore the importance of hierarchical and individualized analytical approaches for understanding skilled performance and support the use of ROI-based SPM for the biomechanical analysis of complex movement tasks.
Factors Promoting and Threatening Hope Among Adolescents and Young People Living With HIV in Brazil: A Qualitative Study
Publication . Piran, Camila Moraes Garollo; Laranjeira, Carlos; Mori, Mariana Martire; Cargnin, Alana Vitoria Escritori; Harmuch, Camila; Charepe, Zaida Borges; Furtado, Marcela Demitto; Webel, Allison
The objective of our study was to explore the factors that promote and threaten hope among adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with HIV from northwestern Paraná, Brazil. A qualitative study was conducted with 22 AYA living with HIV receiving care at the Specialized Care Service located in the Paraná region (Brazil). Data were collected between September and November 2024 through semi-structured interviews based on an adaptation of the Mutual Aid Intervention Model for Promoting Hope. Two categories emerged from the data analysis: (a) “I have a strong will to live, I have a lot to live for”: factors that promote hope; (b) “Society’s prejudice and my own”: factors that threaten hope. Factors that promote hope generate motivation, self-confidence, trust, strength, tranquility, and optimism. Those that threaten hope generate insecurity, anxiety, sadness, shame, guilt, and fear. Therefore, health care professionals should look for strategies to promote hope and thereby increase mental health for AYA living with HIV.
Barriers to the prevention of violence against children identified by healthcare professionals: a scoping review
Publication . Rodrigues, Joana Rita Guarda da Venda; Luz, Sílvia Vinagre; Custódio, Susana Margarida Rodrigues; Pastorinho, Ana Isabel dos Santos; Santos, Susana Queiroz; Caldeira, Ana Sofia Lopes; Ramos-Pichardo, Juan Diego; Barbieri-Figueiredo, Maria do Céu; Cabral, Ivone Evangelista
Objective: To map the barriers identified by healthcare professionals to the prevention of violence against children. Method: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The search was conducted using the MedLine, CINAHL, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, ERIC, Cochrane, MedicLatina, Scopus, Webof Science, RCAAP, and MedNar databases. Results: A total of 1,674 publications were identified, with 45 studies included in the review. Barriers were most frequently reported in relation to the identification and reporting of violence against children. Recurrent challenges included deficits in knowledge and training, professional insecurity, excessive workload, and limited time availability. Cultural, social, and organizational factors also emerged as significant cross-cutting obstacles. Conclusion: The need for targeted training, improved working conditions, and strengthened inter-institutional collaboration is highlighted as a priority area identified in the literature to address the complex and interconnected barriers faced by healthcare professionals in the prevention and combat of violence against children.
EMG Activity of the Biceps and Triceps Brachii During Basketball Chest Pass and Reception: Group Differences Based on Age, Experience, and Limb Dominance
Publication . Amaro, Catarina M.; Castro, Maria António; Amaro, Ana M.
Understanding muscle activation patterns during sport-specific skills is essential for optimizing performance and training strategies. In basketball, upper limb actions such as passing and receiving require precise coordination and effective neuromuscular control. The main goal of this study was to analyze and compare the muscle activity of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii during the execution and reception of the two-handed chest pass in basketball players with different levels of competitive experience. Surface electromyography (EMG) data were collected from 14 federated athletes, aged between 11 and 29 years, using the BioSignal Plux system. Participants were allocated into two groups according to their playing experience. Muscle activation was analysed in terms of activation time (AT) and percentage of muscle activation (%MA), normalised to maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). A linear mixed model was used to evaluate the effects of experience level, limb dominance, and their interaction while accounting for repeated measures within participants. No significant differences were observed between dominant and non-dominant limbs for any variable. Significant differences between experience/ age groups were identified mainly in the triceps brachii, particularly for activation time in the lateral head and %MA in the long head. In general, more experienced/aged athletes demonstrated higher levels of neuromuscular activation and shorter activation times, suggesting different motor control strategies. A significant positive association was found between years of practice and %MA of the long head of the triceps brachii. These findings provide novel insights into neuromuscular recruitment during both the execution and reception phases of the basketball chest pass and may inform training strategies aimed at enhancing technical efficiency across developmental stages.
Prevalence and determinants of infection risk in hospitalised adults: a multicentre cross-sectional study using a structured risk assessment tool
Publication . Bom, Luís Todo; Pragosa, Ângela; Mata, Ema; Costeira, Cristina; Duarte, Hugo; Mendes, Ana Rita; Gonçalves, Telma; Mendes, Maria José; Cunha, Helena; Cunha, Helena; Dixe, Maria dos Anjos; Maria dos Anjos Dixe; Marques, Maria do Céu
Background – Healthcare-associated infections remain a major public health challenge, contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stays, and healthcare costs. Systematic assessment of infection risk is essential to support preventive strategies and improve patient safety however remains insufficiently structured in many clinical settings. Objective – To estimate the prevalence of infection risk among hospitalised adults and to identify intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with high infection risk using a structured risk assessment instrument. Methods – A multicentre, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in adult inpatient wards across multiple Local Health Units of the Portuguese National Health Service during 2025. Infection risk was assessed using the Risk Assessment for Infection (RAC) scale, which evaluates intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors. Risk stratification was performed using complementary approaches, including receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis and percentile-based classification. The study was conducted in accordance with ethical requirements. Results – A total of 1, 092 hospitalised adults were included. Most participants were classified as having moderate (53.6%) or high (11.4%) infection risk according to percentile-based stratification. Higher risk levels were significantly associated with intrinsic factors such as older age, multimorbidity, impaired tissue integrity, and reduced mobility, as well as extrinsic factors including previous hospitalisation, intra- or inter-hospital transfer, prolonged length of stay, invasive procedures, and pharmacological therapy. ROC analysis identified a cut-off point with good discriminative performance, while percentile-based stratification enabled a more granular three-level risk classification. Patients hospitalised in medical wards had significantly higher risk scores compared with those in surgical wards. Conclusion – This study demonstrates a high prevalence of infection risk among hospitalised adults and confirms the multifactorial nature of infection risk in hospital settings. The RAC scale proved to be a useful tool for systematic risk stratification, with the three-level classification providing enhanced clinical applicability. Integrating structured infection risk assessment into routine care may support early identification of high-risk patients, enable targeted preventive interventions, and strengthen infection prevention and control programmes.