Browsing by Author "Reigal, Rafael E."
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- Efficacy of Electromyographic Biofeedback in the Recovery of the Vastus Lateralis after Knee Injury: A Single-Group Case StudyPublication . Morales-Sánchez, Verónica; Reigal, Rafael E.; Antunes, Raul; Matos, Rui; Hernández-Mendo, Antonio; Monteiro, DiogoElectromyographic biofeedback (EMG-BF) is a technique that can contribute to the improvement of muscle tone and control in the rehabilitation process after injury. The aim of this research was to determine the effectiveness of EMG-BF in increasing the electromyographic activity of the vastus lateralis after knee injury. The sample consisted of four individuals who had undergone surgery or rehabilitation to resolve either a partial meniscal tear or a patellar tendon strain. The intervention consisted of a program of ten sessions of EMG-BF work. Twelve trials were performed in each session, in which participants were instructed to target the muscle tension produced by the vastus lateralis of the uninjured hemilateral limb. Of the twelve trials in each session, the first three and the last three were performed without feedback, and the intermediate six with feedback. The recording of muscle activity was performed using CY-351/2 Mioback equipment, which allowed the amplitude of the electromyographic signal to be evaluated. The results indicated that the sample analyzed reached greater amplitude during the biofeedback trials, both for the maximum (Z = −13.43, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.64, 95% CI (0.27, 1.01)) and mean (Z = −7.26, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.24, 95% CI (−0.12, 0.60)) values. The amplitude also increased throughout the ten sessions, both for the maximum (Z = −3.06, p < 0.01, Cohen’s d = 1.37, 95% CI (0.29, 2.45)) and mean (Z = −3.06, p < 0.01, Cohen’s d = 1.20, 95% CI (0.34, 2.08)) values. Thus, the results highlight the efficacy of this technique in improving muscle activity, suggesting that it is a useful therapeutic procedure in injury recovery.
- Examination of associations across transformational teacher leadership, motivational orientation, enjoyment, and boredom in physical education studentsPublication . Hernández-Martos, Jacobo; Morales-Sánchez, Verónica; Monteiro, Diogo; Franquelo, María A; Pérez-López, Rocío; Hernández-Mendo, Antonio; Reigal, Rafael E.Previous research has highlighted positive associations between teacher transformational leadership and student enjoyment in school. However, there is a dearth of evidence regarding the mediating effect that motivational orientation has on the relationships between transformational leadership and enjoyment in physical education classes. Given that an affinity for physical education fosters healthy behaviors among adolescents outside of school, this study explores the relationships between teachers’ transformational leadership style and enjoyment experienced by students in physical education, examining the mediating role played by motivational orientation in these relationships. A total sample of 478 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years (mean = 14.55; standard deviation = 1.11) participated. To assess the study variables, the Transformational Teaching Questionnaire, the Task and Ego Orientation in Sports Questionnaire, and the Sport Satisfaction Instrument in Physical Education were used. The findings from the applied structural equation model revealed a significant and positive relationship between teachers’ transformational leadership style and students’ perceived satisfaction, while negative relationships were observed with feelings of boredom. Additionally, positive connections were established between task orientation and enjoyment, along with negative associations with boredom. Indirect effects were also found between a transformational leadership style and both enjoyment and boredom, mediated by the variable task motivational orientation. These results underscore the importance of evaluating both students’ motivational factors and their perceptions of teachers, since they may interact with each other to determine their school satisfaction. Consequently, teachers may need to modify their behavior to improve their interactions with students and increase the chances of adherence to physical activity.
- How Does the Level of Physical Activity Influence Eating Behavior? A Self-Determination Theory ApproachPublication . Fernandes, Vanessa; Rodrigues, F.; Jacinto, M.; Teixeira, Diogo; Cid, L.; Antunes, Raul; Matos, R.; Reigal, Rafael E.; Hernández-Mendo, Antonio; Morales-Sánchez, Verónica; Monteiro, D.Physical activity and diet are two predominant determinants of population health status that may influence each other. Physical activity has been identified as a behavior that may lead to a healthier diet and regulates eating behaviors. This research aimed to investigate how the level of physical activity is associated with the motivation related to eating behaviors and, consequently, the eating style individuals have on a daily basis. This was a cross-sectional study in which participants completed an online questionnaire that assessed the following variables: the level of physical activity, the motivation toward eating behavior, and the type of eating behavior. In total, 440 individuals (180 men and 260 women) who regularly exercised in gyms and fitness centers aged between 19 and 64 years (M = 33.84; SD = 10.09) took part in the study. The data were collected following the Declaration of Helsinki and with the approval of the Ethics Committee of the Polytechnic of Leiria. For the statistical analysis, mean and standard deviations were first calculated, as well as bivariate correlations between all the variables of interest. Then, structural equation model analyses were performed considering the levels of physical activity as the independent variable, motivations toward eating behavior as the mediators, and eating styles as the dependent variables. It was concluded that a greater level of physical activity leads to a more self-determined type of eating regulation, which in turn results in less constricted eating behaviors that are influenced by external factors and emotional factors.
- Testing Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance of Basic Psychological Needs in the Digital Version of the Sport ScalePublication . Pérez-Romero, Nuria; Reigal, Rafael E.; Franquelo, María Auxiliadora; Monteiro, Diogo; Castillo, Isabel; Hernández-Mendo, Antonio; Morales-Sánchez, VerónicaMotivation is an important field in sport because it is related to the satisfaction, psychological well-being, or adherence to sport. The Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise Scale (PNSE) is one of the questionnaires that assess motivation from the Self-Determination Theory. Online tools are growing because of the advantages that they offer. The PNSE has been validated in different populations but never in its digital version. The aim of the present study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the digital version of the PNSE hosted on the MenPas platform. The current study included 1050 platform users aged 18 to 58 who engage in regular physical-sports activity. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the 18-item model was conducted, and invariance was performed according to gender and type of sport. The results indicated that the measurement model displayed a good fit to the data: (CFI = 0.93, TLI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.08, SRMR = 0.06; df = 132; B-S p = 0.02–0.07): general sample (χ2 = 934.86, χ2/df = 7.08), female (χ2 = 699.94, χ2/df = 5.30), male (χ2 = 442.42, χ2/df = 3.35) individual sports (χ2 = 753.17, χ2/df = 5.71), and team sports (χ2 = 390.44, χ2/df = 2.96). Appropriate values of invariance, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and composite reliability were obtained. The digital version of the PNSE shows adequate psychometric properties and it could improve the data collection process in future investigations.