Abstract This study aimed to describe the perception of expert futsal players about the pathway that guides their development to expertise. Twenty-three professional futsal players from Brazil, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Argentina were interviewed. The participants must have reached the elite in futsal by competing in professional leagues, as well as to have participated in international competitions with the national team. Six categories emerged from qualitative analysis: (1) positive influence of context, (2) Abilities/skills of the young player, (3) Educational background, (4) Training stages, (5) Key aspects of training, and (6) Retirement and post-career. Results revealed similar patterns in the pathway to expertise within futsal. Participants considered their family and coaches as key individuals in their careers. They also highlighted psychological and personal skills as the most relevant for a player to reach the elite. Furthermore, most participants considered that both unstructured play and training with better players positively influenced their careers. Our results could help coaches to adjust their long-term talent development models.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo construir uma ferramenta de observação do passe de desiquilíbrio no futsal por meio do software Microsoft Excel® e estabelecer sua validade de conteúdo e confiabilidade intra e interobservador, a partir do cálculo do coeficiente de validade de conteúdo (CVC) e do coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (CCI). Para construção da ferramenta participaram do estudo especialistas de futsal (n=10) com média de idade de 44,1±12,34 anos de experiência na área de 19±7,21 anos, sendo 60% dos especialistas com nível internacional e 50% atuantes na prática e no ambiente acadêmico (professor do ensino superior). Propuseram-se 23 itens para avaliação do passe de rutura no futsal. Foi calculado o CVC, a partir da clareza da linguagem, da pertinência prática e da relevância teórica, para cada item do instrumento e para o instrumento como um todo, o ICC foi calculado a partir da concordância intra e interobservador. O resultado para clareza da linguagem foi de 0,92, para pertinência prática foi de 0,93 e para relevância teórica foi de 0,95, e os valores para confiabilidade da concordância intra e interobservador foram excelentes de acordo com a literatura (>0,75). Conclui-se que os itens propostos na ferramenta obtiveram propriedades psicométricas satisfatórias.

Abstract This study aimed to construct a tool for observing the imbalance pass in futsal through Microsoft Excel® software and to establish its content validity and intra- and interobserver reliability based on the calculation of the content validity coefficient (CVC) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). For the construction of the tool, futsal specialists (n = 10) with an average age of 44.1 ± 12.34 years and 19 ± 7.21 years of experience in the field participated in the study. 60% of the specialists have international-level expertise and 50% are active in practice and in academic field (higher education professor). According to the methodology, 23 items were proposed to assess the imbalance pass in futsal. CVC was calculated based on language clarity, practical pertinence and theoretical relevance for each item of the instrument and for the instrument as a whole; ICC was calculated based on intra- and interobserver agreement. Language clarity, practical pertinence and theoretical relevance revealed a result of 0.92, 0.93 and 0.95, respectively, and the values for intra- and interobserver agreement reliability were excellent according to the literature (> 0.75). Thus, it is concluded that the items proposed in the tool obtained satisfactory psychometric properties.

RESUMO Os comportamentos habituais são repetidos inconscientemente, sem intenção. A medição precisa do hábito é crucial para ajudar os investigadores a desenvolver e aplicar um modelo teórico sobre o hábito, com uma medida empiricamente válida. Desta forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi testar a validade e a fiabilidade do Self-Report Behavior Automaticity Index numa amostra Portuguesa praticante de exercício físico. Foram recolhidos dados de duas amostras independentes, com um total de 590 adultos (mulheres= 311; homens= 279). Realizou-se uma análise fatorial confirmatória do modelo de medida de quatro itens do Self-Report Behavior Automaticity Index e uma análise de invariância entre duas amostras independentes. Adicionalmente, foi testado um modelo de mediação de forma a analisar o papel mediador da frequência semanal de exercício físico entre a experiência passada e o hábito. O modelo de medida do Self-Report Behavior Automaticity Index demonstrou um ajustamento aceitável em cada uma das amostras e os coeficientes de fiabilidade compósita foram adequados. O modelo de medida revelou ser invariante entre amostras, acrescentando, por isso um maior suporte à sua validade para avaliar o comportamento habitual. A frequência do exercício medeia a relação entre a experiência e o desenvolvimento do hábito, acrescentando evidências à teoria do hábito.

ABSTRACT Habitual behaviors are repeated unconsciously, without intention. Accurate measurement of habit is crucial to help researchers develop and apply a theoretical habit model with an empirically valid measure. Thus, the aim of the present study was to test the validity and reliability of the Self-Report Behavior Automaticity Index in a Portuguese sample of exercisers. Data were collected from two independent samples, with 590 adults (women= 311; men= 279). A confirmatory factor analysis of the four-item measure model of the Self-Report Behavior Automaticity Index and analysis of invariance between two independent samples were performed. Additionally, a mediation model was tested in order to analyze the mediating role of the weekly frequency of physical exercise between past experience and habit. The measurement model of the Self-Report Behavior Automaticity Index demonstrated an acceptable fit in each of the samples, and the composite reliability coefficients were adequate. The measurement model proved to be invariant between samples, thus adding greater support to its validity to assess usual behavior. Exercise frequency mediates the relationship between experience and habit development, adding evidence to the habit theory.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the retirement of elite football players in Portugal. Specifically, the quality of retirement and the resources available were evaluated. To develop an understanding of the process of the sporting retirement of elite football players we used data from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with ninety professional players that played in football national team. Fifty per cent of the elite Portuguese footballers retired from sport between 36 and 40 years of age (M = 35.53 ± 3.63 years), their retirement had been involuntary and it had taken them less than a year to accept retirement. Most had only been educated to secondary level and had a strong athletic identity; no plans for their post-football career exist and relied on family as their main psychological support. None of the players had received support from a formal programme. Despite of the findings being consistent with previous research from other Southern European cultures, it seems that the athletic retirement of Portuguese footballers has some particularities.

The aim of this study was to analyse and compare movement visualization ability in federate and non-federate Boccia athletes, and among federate Boccia medical sport groups. Forty-two Boccia athletes (Federate N = 24; Non-federate N = 18) at an average age of 35.8 (SD = 11.19) participated in this study. The Portuguese version of Movement Imagery Questionnaire - 3 (MIQ-3), was used for this study. The participants were evaluated on the internal and external visual imagery. Statistics was carried out following the method of interference based on the magnitude of the effects. Results showed a great effect of expertise in imagery ability. The comparison between federate and non-federate Boccia athletes showed a great effect in the Internal Visual subscale and a moderate effect in the External Visual subscale. It was also observed differences between athletes from different medical-sports groups, revealing that the requirements of the sport linked to their action abilities provides them with different Imagery abilities. These results clearly influence the prescription of imagery training programs for different groups taking into account different medical-practice groups.

O presente estudo investigou a tomada de decisão da trajetória da bola e da superfície de contato do pé com a bola no remate do futebol. Foram filmados 12 jogos de futebol de um campeonato amador na Colômbia. Participaram no estudo 150 jogadores do sexo masculino, com idade entre 17 e 38 anos, e experiência de prática neste esporte de, no mínimo, 7 anos. As imagens capturadas foram analisadas através do software TACTO, e as variáveis espácio-temporais consideradas para análise foram as seguintes: I) ângulo de remate; II) distância entre o atacante e o defensor (interpessoal), III) distância entre o defensor e a baliza (extrapessoal); IV) velocidade e variabilidade de cada uma dessas medidas. Essas variáveis foram analisadas em relação a situações de remates com trajetórias retilíneas e parabólicas da bola, assim como, com a parte interna e peito do pé. Os resultados revelaram que a escolha da trajetória da bola foi influenciada pelas variáveis ângulo de remate e distância interpessoal. Além disso, a escolha da superfície de contato foi influenciada pela variabilidade da distância extrapessoal. Concluiu-se que as escolhas da trajetória da bola e da superfície de contato do remate são influenciadas pela interação espacial entre os jogadores.

This study investigated the soccer players’ decision-making of kicking using different ball trajectories and different foot-ball contact surfaces. Soccer kick events from 12 games of an amateur Colombian championship were selected and analysed using TACTO software. Participants included 150 male players aged between 17-38 years possessing at least 7 years of experience. The spatiotemporal variables considered were: the angle of the kick, the distance between the attacker and the defender (interpersonal) and between the defender and the goal (extra personal), and also the velocity and variability of each variable. The analysis included rectilinear and parabolic ball trajectories shots, and inside of the foot and instep kicks. The results revealed that the choice of kicking using a rectilinear or parabolic trajectory was influenced by the angle of the kick and the interpersonal distance. Inside of the foot or instep kicks were chosen depending on the variability of the extra personal distance. The findings highlight that the choice of kicking using different ball trajectories and different parts of the foot is influenced by spatial interactions between players.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo caraterizar a transição defesa-ataque de uma equipa de futebol com recurso ao método de análise de redes. Foram analisados quatro jogos oficiais da 1ª Liga Portuguesa, registando-se 52 sequências de padrão de jogo. Utilizando o software SocNetV 0.81 foram calculadas as variáveis centralidade de intermediação (% BC) e centralidade de entrada e saída (IDC% e ODC%). Os resultados sugerem que a equipa em análise tem dois padrões preferenciais para este momento de jogo: i) o jogo indireto, tendo o Médio Defensivo como principal elemento para receber bolas na zona central defensiva do campo, apresentando a maior influência sobre a rede de passes, e ii) o jogo direto, tendo como referência o Ponta de Lança para bolas mais longas, sobre a primeira zona central ofensiva, ou na primeira zona ofensiva sobre o corredor lateral direito. Os resultados também sugerem que o número de jogadores que cercam a bola influencia a decisão do tipo de passe utilizado (curto ou longo). Usando este tipo de metodologia é possível identificar e quantificar os padrões de jogo de uma equipa, fornecendo dados objetivos que podem ajudar os treinadores a melhorar o desempenho das suas equipas.

This study aimed to characterize the transition defense-attack in association football using the social networks analysis method. Four competitive matches from the 1st Portuguese League were analyzed with a total of 52 offensive patterns of play identified. Using SocNetV 0.81 software we computed the Betweenness (%BC) and In-Out centralities (%IDC and %ODC). Data showed that the team in analysis have two preferential patterns of play for this moment of game: i) supported play, with the defensive midfielder being the player that received more often the ball in the defensive central zone of the field and present the highest influence on the network of passing balls, and ii) direct play, with the centre forward being the player that received more long balls in the first offensive central zone or on the first right wing zone of the offensive midfield. It is also suggested that the number of players surrounding the ball allow the emergence of a short or long pass. Using this type of methodology is possible to better identify and quantify the patterns of play of a team, providing reliable data that help coaches to improve performance of their teams.