Faculdade de Desporto da Universidade do Porto

About: Faculdade de Desporto da Universidade do Porto is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Body mass index. The organization has 102 authors who have published 88 publications receiving 597 citations.

Bone Quality: The Determinants of Bone Strength and Fragility

Abstract: Bone fragility is a major health concern, as the increased risk of bone fractures has devastating outcomes in terms of mortality, decreased autonomy, and healthcare costs. Efforts made to address this problem have considerably increased our knowledge about the mechanisms that regulate bone formation and resorption. In particular, we now have a much better understanding of the cellular events that are triggered when bones are mechanically stimulated and how these events can lead to improvements in bone mass. Despite these findings at the molecular level, most exercise intervention studies reveal either no effects or only minor benefits of exercise programs in improving bone mineral density (BMD) in osteoporotic patients. Nevertheless, and despite that BMD is the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis, this measure is only able to provide insights regarding the quantity of bone tissue. In this article, we review the complex structure of bone tissue and highlight the concept that its mechanical strength stems from the interaction of several different features. We revisited the available data showing that bone mineralization degree, hydroxyapatite crystal size and heterogeneity, collagen properties, osteocyte density, trabecular and cortical microarchitecture, as well as whole bone geometry, are determinants of bone strength and that each one of these properties may independently contribute to the increased or decreased risk of fracture, even without meaningful changes in aBMD. Based on these findings, we emphasize that while osteoporosis (almost) always causes bone fragility, bone fragility is not always caused just by osteoporosis, as other important variables also play a major role in this etiology. Furthermore, the results of several studies showing compelling data that physical exercise has the potential to improve bone quality and to decrease fracture risk by influencing each one of these determinants are also reviewed. These findings have meaningful clinical repercussions as they emphasize the fact that, even without leading to improvements in BMD, exercise interventions in patients with osteoporosis may be beneficial by improving other determinants of bone strength.

The Effects of COVID-19 Home Confinement in Dementia Care: Physical and Cognitive Decline, Severe Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Increased Caregiving Burden.

Abstract: Purpose:This study aims to analyze home confinement impact on individuals with neurocognitive disorders (NCD) through informal caregiver’s perspective and examine how it has affected caregiving bur...

Princípios Táticos do Jogo de Futebol: conceitos e aplicação

Abstract: There are few researches that study tactical knowledge of soccer players concerning games principles. It occurs because it is difficult to observe and evaluate the tactical knowledge during the game. Definitions of the games principles still are confused in the literature. The authors have used diverse terminologies, references and characteristics to define them. The aims of this paper are to provide a review about some concepts regarding soccer tactical principles, to purpose the addition of more two tactical game principles and to show their practical applications on the offensive and defensive phase.

Motor coordination: influence of age, sex, socio-economic status and levels of adiposity, in peruvian children

Abstract: The objective of this study was to describe motor coordination (CoM) levels, in addition to the infl uence of age, socioeconomic status (SES), sex and subcutaneous adiposity on the CoM of Peruvian children aged six to eleven years. The sample size was 4007 children (n=1889 females; n=2118 males) from several schools in the metropolitan area of Lima, Peru. CoM was assessed with the KTK (Kiphard and Schilling, 1974) test battery that includes 4 tests: balancing backward (BB), hopping on one leg (HO), jumping sideways (JS) and shifting platforms (SP). Subcutaneous adiposity included the sum of several skinfolds: triceps, subscapular and calf. Socioeconomic status (SES) was evaluated according to the physical location of each school (type of neighborhood). Exploratory, descriptive and inferential statistical analyses (ANOVA II as well as regression linear models) were performed using SPSS 15. Signifi cant increases in mean values of CoM were observed in both sexes and across age. Children with high adiposity exhibited lower performance in all tests. Boys outperformed girls. High SES has a greater infl uence only on HO, and a low SES proved relevant to BB performance. It can be concluded that CoM is highly specifi c to each gender. Body fat levels have a negative infl uence on each coordination test, as well as on overall coordination. SES does not seem to be a conclusive predictor of motor coordination in children.

Neighborhood and physical activities of Portuguese adolescents

Abstract: This study examines associations between perceptions of neighbourhood environment and physical activity and sports within Portuguese adolescents. The sample consisted of 4,877 individuals of both genders, with an average age of 14 years. The instrument used was the Health Behavior School-aged Children questionnaire. Perceptions of the neighbourhood being unsafe for children to play and having no place to spend leisure time were associated with lower levels of exercise among adolescents. The perceptions of the neighbourhood being unsafe for children to play (OR = 1.3, p < .005) and the fact of not having a place to spend leisure time (OR = 1.3, p < .005) p < .005) were associated with lower levels of exercise among adolescents. The perception of these variables is associated to a lower probability of exercising. The neighbourhood characteristics are more important to the practice of outdoor sports than of indoor sports. The perceptions of the neighbourhood may influence adolescent's physical activity and sports, in different ways.