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- Social Networks and Performance in Distributed Learning CommunitiesPublication . Cadima, Rita; Ojeda, Jordi; Monguet, Josep M.Social networks play an essential role in learning environments as a key channel for knowledge sharing and students’ support. In distributed learning communities, knowledge sharing does not occur as spontaneously as when a working group shares the same physical space; knowledge sharing depends even more on student informal connections. In this study we analyse two distributed learning communities’ social networks in order to understand how characteristics of the social structure can enhance students’ success and performance. We used a monitoring system for social network data gathering. Results from correlation analyses showed that students’ social network characteristics are related to their performance.
- Prescription and Effects of Strength Training in Individuals with Intellectual Disability - A Systematic ReviewPublication . Jacinto, Miguel; Oliveira, Rafael; Brito, João P.; Martins, Alexandre D.; Matos, Rui; Ferreira, José PedroThe practice of physical exercise (PE), especially strength training (ST), has health benefits in the healthy population; however, the literature is scarce in the recommendations related to the population with intellectual disability (ID). This study represents the first analysis on the topic and aims to examine the structure and efficacy of ST experimental intervention programs in individuals with ID. This systematic review was carried out between January and April 2021, using the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases, according to the PRISMA guidelines. From a total of 166 studies, eight were included in the present systematic review. The studies included a total of 280 individuals (18.23 ± 2.86 years old). The main features of the exercise programs are: 12 weeks average duration, three weekly sessions of 45–60 min, six to seven exercises targeting the main muscle groups, two to three sets, 6–12 repetitions, and avoiding free weights for safety reasons. The main results showed increments in strength, balance and fat-free mass and decrements in fat mass and waist circumference. It is a useful guideline for PE technicians to prescribe and adjust correctly in order to not only promote physical fitness, but improve the quality of life of individuals with ID.
- Short-Term 8-Foot up and Go Responsiveness in Institutionalized vs. Community-Dwelling Older AdultsPublication . Rodrigues, Filipe; Monteiro, Diogo; Forte, Pedro; Monteiro, A. M.This study aimed to examine the combined effects of Body Mass Index (BMI) and living setting on fall risk trajectories in older adults over a 16-week period. A total of 124 older adults were recruited from nursing homes (n = 65; Mage: 84.4 ± 7.7 years) and community settings (n = 59; Mage: 70.3 ± 3.6 years). Participants were stratified by BMI (normal weight, overweight, and obesity) and assessed for functional mobility using the 8-foot Timed Up and Go test at baseline and after 16 weeks. A 3 × 2 × 2 repeated-measures GLM using the multivariate approach (Pillai’s Trace) revealed significant main effects for time (p < 0.001) and Living Setting (p < 0.001), but not for BMI (p = 0.408). A significant time × living setting interaction (p < 0.001) indicated that institutionalized older adults demonstrated a significant reduction in 8-foot Up-and-Go completion time (~16%), whereas community-dwelling peers maintained their baseline levels. These findings suggest that the observed reduction in time reflects a test familiarization effect rather than physiological improvement. Analysis revealed that the living setting profile was strongly associated with performance, showing a more significant link to functional decline than BMI-defined weight status, as no significant differences were found across BMI categories.
- Interactions Between BMI and Age on Fall Risk in Older AdultsPublication . Rodrigues, Filipe; Monteiro, Diogo; Monteiro, A. M.; Forte, PedroBackground/Objectives: The aging process is typically marked by a reduction in functional fitness, which heightens the likelihood of falling. Although obesity is established as a determinant of poor mobility, the interplay between excess weight and advanced age is still a topic of research interest. Therefore, this research investigated how age, sex, and Body Mass Index (BMI) interact to influence fall risk among older adults living in the community. Methods: This cross-sectional investigation involved 815 participants (Mage = 70.45 ± 6.10 years), stratified by age (sexagenarians, septuagenarians, octogenarians) and BMI (normal weight, overweight, obesity). Fall risk was assessed using the Timed Up and Go test. A Three-Way ANOVA examined the main and interaction effects. Results: No significant three-way interaction (p = 0.334) or main effect of sex (p = 0.079) was found. However, a significant age x BMI interaction was observed (p = 0.007). In sexagenarians and septuagenarians, obesity was associated with significantly slower fall risk performance compared to normal weight (p < 0.001). Conversely, in octogenarians, this difference was not significant (p = 1.000) with normal-weight individuals. Conclusions: Obesity may be a significant risk factor for falls, especially in adults aged 60 to 79 years. In octogenarians, the protective benefit of normal weight disappears, revealing a “weight paradox” likely driven by sarcopenia. Fall risk assessments and weight management strategies should be tailored to age, focusing on preserving muscle mass in octogenarians.
- Body Image Satisfaction, Overweight Dissatisfaction, and Exercise Persistence: A Self-Determination Theory ApproachPublication . Salvador, Rogério; Naranjo, Lucio; Castuera, Ruth-Jiménez; Rebelo-Gonçalves, Ricardo; Monteiro, DiogoGrounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study tested the hypothesis that body image perception delineates distinct motivational pathways, linking the perceived interpersonal style of exercise professionals to basic psychological needs, motivation quality, and long-term exercise persistence intentions. A sample of 821 regular exercisers was divided into two groups based on body image: “Satisfied” (n = 276) and “Dissatisfied due to Overweight” (n = 545). Participants completed validated measures of perceived interpersonal behaviors (supportive/thwarting), basic psychological need satisfaction/frustration, motivational regulation, and exercise persistence intention. A clear divergent pattern emerged, strongly supporting the main hypothesis. The “Satisfied” group reported a positive pathway: perceiving more need-supportive behaviors from instructors was associated with greater satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, which in turn correlated with more self-determined motivation and stronger persistence intentions. Conversely, the “Dissatisfied” group reported a negative pathway: perceiving more need-thwarting behaviors was associated with greater need frustration, which correlated with more non-self-determined motivation and weaker persistence intentions. Measurement invariance confirmed these pathways are comparable across groups. The findings highlight that body image perception is a key correlate of distinct motivational experiences in exercise settings. Crucially, they underscore the significant association between the professional’s perceived interpersonal style and these pathways. Fostering need-supportive environments that enhance autonomy, competence, and relatedness is associated with more adaptive motivation and adherence, offering a valuable framework for practitioners aiming to support clients, particularly those with body image concerns.
- Relationship between Postural Reeducation Technique During Sleep and Relaxation Technique in Sleep QualityPublication . Desouzart, Gustavo; Filgueiras, Ernesto; Matos, RuiThe common sense warn that the quality of our day depends on the quality of our previous night. Among the main factors contributing to a better sleep quality is the postural behavior during the sleep period. However, little or nothing is known about the actual influence of these behaviors on people sleep quality. This paper presents a study which aims to: i) Check if people can take on a new postural behavior during the sleep period after a training period aware of this behavior and; ii) Check if a postural recommendations can aims to induce positive changes in the perception on the indices of Sleep quality in young adults, according to ecological and environmental approach. A sample of 21560 observations, which corresponds to 595 hours of sleep hours of 24 young adults, 12 male military and 12 female undergraduate, participated in this study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to measure the perception of sleep quality before and after six consecutive months of appliance of the Postural Intervention program. Results shown that the Postural reeducation group improved self-perception of sleep quality (from bad to good) and a significant difference between the periods of the study (p = 0.008), according to the Student's T-Test and, ideal posture while sleeping using the ideal placement and amount of pillows (1.34% to 81.48%). Findings of this study allow us to suggest to health care professionals, in particular the rehabilitation professionals, new strategies and solutions for ergonomic change in posture in bed and improve the sleep quality indices.
- Implemented Data Mining and Signal Management Systems on Spontaneous Reporting Systems’ Databases and their Availability to the Scientific Community - A Systematic ReviewPublication . Lima, Luis Miguel de Almeida Vieira; Nunes, Nuno Goncalo Sales Craveiro; Dias, Pedro Goncalo Pires da Silva; Marques, Francisco Jorge BatelAdverse drug reactions’ spontaneous reporting systems are an important element in worldwide pharmacovigilance, gathering potentially useful information for post-marketing drug safety surveillance. Data mining and signal management systems, providing the capability of reading and interpreting these systems’ raw data (data that has not been subjected to processing or any other manipulation), improve its analysis process. In order for this analysis to be possible, both data mining and signal management systems and raw data should be available to researchers and the scientific community. The purpose of this work was to provide an overview of the spontaneous reporting systems databases reported in literature as having implemented a data mining and signal management system and the implementation itself, evidencing their availability to researchers. A systematic review was carried out, concluding that they are freely provided to researchers within institutions responsible for maintaining the spontaneous reporting systems, but not to most researchers within the scientific community.
- Authentic leadership promoting employees' psychological capital and creativityPublication . Rego, Arménio; Sousa, Filipa; Marques, Carla; Pina e Cunha, MiguelTwo hundred and one employees report their psychological capital, as well as their supervisors' authentic leadership. Supervisors describe the employees' creativity. The main findings show that authentic leadership predicts employees' creativity, both directly and through the mediating role of employees' psychological capital. The study empirically validates theoretical arguments that suggest integrating authentic leadership and psychological capital in research, and indicates that both may foster employees' creativity, a crucial resource for helping organizations to face competitive challenges, take advantage of business opportunities, and improve organizational effectiveness.
- Landscape and Regionalism in Portugal: The Case of the Leiria RegionPublication . Magalhães, FernandoThis article aims to explore the landscape appropriation process in the affirmation of the Portuguese region of Leiria. National and foreign leaders cultivated the landscape as a metaphor of the nation. Like other European countries, in the nineteenth century, the landscape was fundamental to understanding the building process of the Portuguese national community. Nowadays aside from the nation, the regional communities also seek cultural affirmation both in the national space as well in the global space. So, local and regional leaders claim the landscape particularities to affirm their regions in the global space.
- Formar para Intervir: reflexões sobre trabalho colaborativo a partir de metodologias ativas de aprendizagem no Ensino SuperiorPublication . Mónico Lopes, Sara; Sousa, JennyO presente trabalho analisa a utilização de metodologias ativas de aprendizagem no Ensino Superior, com foco no trabalho colaborativo desenvolvido nas unidades curriculares de Métodos e Técnicas de Investigação Social e de Serviço Social de Casos, Grupos e Comunidades, da licenciatura em Serviço Social de uma universidade portuguesa. Centradas na participação ativa dos estudantes, as unidades curriculares assentam em metodologias promotoras da construção coletiva do conhecimento, do pensamento crítico e da interligação entre teoria e prática. Este artigo pretende analisar e discutir a perceção dos estudantes inscritos nestas duas Unidades Curriculares relativamente ao trabalho colaborativo realizado com recurso a metodologias ativas de aprendizagem, bem como identificar as competências por eles adquiridas e a importância que atribuem a estas experiências para a sua formação académica. A abordagem metodológica consistiu num estudo de caso descritivo-exploratório, privilegiando-se o inquérito por questionário como instrumento mais adequado para a recolha de dados. Foram obtidas informações quantitativas, analisadas estatisticamente, e dados mais descritivos e textuais(n=20), recorrendo-se a uma interpretação do seu conteúdo. Os resultados demonstram que o trabalho colaborativo entre Unidades Curriculares que utilizam metodologias ativas de aprendizagem favorece, por um lado, o desenvolvimento de competências fundamentais para a prática profissional,como a comunicação com públicos diferenciados, a adaptabilidade e flexibilidade,e por outro, estimula a reflexão crítica e o exercício de práticas investigativas e interventivas desde a formação inicial. Conclui-se que a utilização deste tipo de metodologia, especialmente no campo do Serviço Social, fortalece a aprendizagem significativa e prepara os estudantes para os desafios da prática profissional na sociedade atual.