Abstract: The aim of this study is the validation of the Portuguese version of the Basic Need Satisfaction General Scale (BNSG-S) in a sample of Portuguese elderly, and analyze through a structural equations model the effect of the Portuguese elderly individuals’ global perception about the satisfaction of basic psychological needs on subjective well-being. Two samples of Portuguese elderly people aged between 60 and 90 years old were considered in this study. Results revealed that they Model 3 of the BNSG-S (three factors, 11 items) adjusted to the data a (χ² = 103.16, df = 41, SRMR = .05, TLI = .90, CFI = .93, RMSEA = .07, 90% CI = .05-.08). Additionally, structural model analysis, showed a positive and significant effect between satisfaction of basic psychological needs and subjective well-being. In sum we concluded that the Portuguese version of the BNSG-S can be used as a means to evaluate the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs of the older population and, their satisfaction, has a positive effect on subjective well-being in the Portuguese older population.

Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio es la validación de la versión en portugués de la Escala General de Satisfacción de Necesidades Básicas (BNSG-S) en una muestra de personas mayores portuguesas, y analizar mediante el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales, el efecto de la percepción global de los ancianos portugueses sobre la satisfacción de las necesidades psicológicas básicas en el bienestar subjetivo. En este estudio se emplearon dos muestras de ancianos portugueses de entre 60 y 90 años de edad. Los resultados revelan que solo el Modelo 3 del BNSG-S (tres factores, 11 ítems) mostró buenos resultados de ajuste a los datos (χ² = 103.16, df = 41, SRMR = .05, TLI = .90, CFI = .93, RMSEA = .07, 90% CI = .05-.08). En la segunda parte del estudio verificamos que la satisfacción de las necesidades psicológicas básicas tiene un efecto positivo en el bienestar subjetivo en los ancianos portugueses. En presencia de esta evidencia, llegamos a la conclusión de que la versión portuguesa del BNSG-S puede utilizarse como un medio para evaluar la satisfacción de las necesidades psicológicas básicas de la población de mayor edad y su satisfacción tiene un efecto positivo sobre el bienestar subjetivo en la población portuguesa de más edad.

One of the key factors in the swimming teaching-learning process seems to be the variation of water’s depth. However, there are almost no studies about this topic and the existing ones usually follow a basic approach and with no control of the educational program used. It was our purpose to determine the effect of deep versus shallow water differences on developing pre-schoolers’ aquatic skills after 6 months of practice. Twenty-one Portuguese school-aged children of both genders (4.70 ± 0.51 yrs.), inexperienced in aquatic programs, participated in this study. The children were divided into two groups performing a similar aquatic program but in a different water depth: shallow water (n=10) and deep water (n=11). Each participant was evaluated twice for their aquatic readiness using an observation check list of 17 aquatic motor skills: during the first session (T0) and after six months of practice (two sessions per week with a total of 48 sessions) (T1). The aquatic proficiency on each skill was compared between the groups and a stepwise discriminant analysis was conducted to predict the conditions with higher or lower aquatic competence. Results suggested that swimming practice contributed positively to improvements on several basic aquatic skills, in both groups. The results showed that shallow water group managed to acquire a higher degree of aquatic competence particularly in five basic aquatic skills (p< .05): breath control combined with face immersion and eye opening; horizontal buoyancy; body position at ventral gliding; body position at dorsal gliding; leg kick with breath control at ventral body position, without any flutter device. The discriminant function revealed a significant association between both groups and four included factors (aquatic skills) (p< .001), accounting for 88% between group variability. The body position at ventral gliding was the main relevant predictor (r=0.535). Shallow water swimming lessons generated greater aquatic competence in preschool children after a period of 6 months of practice.

The goal of this work is to analyze the impact of elderly Portuguese individuals’ global perception of satisfying basic psychological needs in the areas of subjective happiness, subjective vitality and physical activity through a structural equations model. The way of well-being differs according to the amount of physical activity practiced in Portuguese elderly was also analyzed. Participants included 309 elderly people (242 females, 67 males) of Portuguese nationality who practice different levels of physical activity. Their ages range from 60 to 90 years old (M=68.59; DP=6.60). The obtained results show that the perception of basic psychological needs in Portuguese elderly people’s lives are a positive predictor of subjective happiness and subjective vitality. Also, the results verified that elderly people who perceive higher levels of competence practice more physical activity. Consequently, it is also possible to conclude that elderly people who participate in more physical activities perceive greater levels of subjective happiness and subjective vitality.

According Sebire, Standage and Vansteenkiste (2008), goals contents (motives) are the major drivers of behavior, giving rise to the goal content theory, which is in the basis of Goal Content for Exercise Questionnaire (GCEQ: Sebire et al., 2008) development. So, the main goal of present study was to conduct the validation of GCEQ for a sample of Portuguese elderly (n = 311), with equal or higher ages than 60 years old (M = 68.53; DP = 6.69). The main results show us that CGEQ measurement model (5 factors, 20 items) only present adequate fit to data after the elimination of 3 items: S-Bχ²=219.9, df=109, p=.001, SRMR=.049, TLI=.916, CFI=.934, RMSEA=.057, RMSEA 90% CI=.046-.068, PCFI=.747). Besides that, the 5 factors show us acceptable values of composite reliability: between .76 and .88. Those findings allow us to conclude that GCEQ with 5 factors and 17 items can be used to measure goal content in a population of elderly Portuguese people in physical activity domain.

The purpose of this study was to adapt and validate the Basic Psychological Needs Exercise Scale (BPNESp) to the sport domain, and to measure model invariance across football and swimming. Athletes (n=1382; 623 football, 759 swimming) with an average age of 18.77±SD 7.04 years participated in this study. Results supported the suitability of both the first and second order models, showing that the model was well adjusted to the data. In addition, the model showed the discriminant and convergent validity and composite reliability of the factors, and was invariant between football and swimming (∆CFI≤.01).

The objective of this study was to analyse the changes on gross motor development after five (T5), ten (T10) and 30 (T30) months of swimming or soccer practice. The study sample consists of 33 preschool-aged boys (4.8±0.5 yrs.): 11 soccer practitioners; 11 swimming practitioners; 11 controls (no previous involvement in sports). The Test of Gross Motor Development-Second Edition was used to assess common gross motor skills (locomotion, object control skills). Both experimental groups improved significantly in their gross motor quotient and the standard scores for locomotion and object control skills between T5 and T10. At T10, all soccer practitioners have already reached the maximum descriptive rating for the gross motor quotient. Between T10 and T30, swimming practitioners were able to improve the standard scores for object control skills. Main results showed a positive impact of swimming and soccer participation in motor proficiency.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o efeito de fatores de ordem biológica, sociocultural e motora na prestação da habilidade motora fundamental lançamento, em crianças de 10 e 11 anos de idade. Tratou-se de um estudo transversal envolvendo 96 crianças, 49 rapazes e 47 raparigas (idade decimal, 10.94 ± 0.52). Foi avaliado o produto (distância) e processo (padrão motor) do lançamento. A comparação entre grupos no que respeita à distância do lançamento foi realizada com o t-teste enquanto no que se refere ao padrão de lançamento envolveu os testes de U Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis Recorreu-se à correlação de Pearson para analisar as associações entre as variáveis experimentais. A análise do efeito dos fatores na prestação da habilidade de lançamento envolveu o Modelo Geral Linear. As crianças situadas no estádio maduro de todos os componentes do lançamento tiveram o melhor desempenho (p<0.001). Verificou-se um efeito de elevada dimensão do número de assoalhadas da habitação (h p² = 0.995; p= 0.043), tempo despendido com jogos eletrónicos ao sábado (h p² = 0.995; p= 0.044), estatura (h p² = 0.995; p= 0.045) e sexo do companheiro de brincadeira (h p² = 0.996; p= 0.040) na prestação do lançamento. Conclui-se que em idades pré-pubertárias, para além das variáveis de natureza biológica, as variáveis socioculturais parecem desempenhar um papel fundamental na prestação da habilidade manipulativa lançamento.

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of the biological, sociocultural and motor variables in the performance of the fundamental motor skill throwing in children aged between 10-11 years old. This was a cross sectional study involving 96 children, 49 boys and 47 girls (10.94 ± 0.52 years). It was evaluated the product (distance) and process (motor pattern) of throwing. To analyse the differences between groups in the throwing distance an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a t-test were used. To analyse the differences between groups in terms of the distance of throw we used t-test while U de Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to depict differences in the patterns of throw. The Pearson correlation was used to analyse the associations between experimental variables. The evaluation of the effects of the factors on the performance of throw was performed using the General Linear Model. The children situated at the mature stage of all the throwing components had the best performance (p< 0.001). There was a high-sized effect of the number of rooms of the house (h p²= 0.995; p= 0.043), time spent playing electronic games on Saturday (h p²= 0.995; p= 0.044), height (h p²= 0.995; p= 0.045), and sex of the friend whom the child plays with (h p²= 0.996; p= 0.040) on the throwing performance. We can conclude that beside a biological influence, the performance of the manipulative skill throwing in pre-pubertal ages appears to be relevantly influenced by socio-cultural variables.

Imagery é um processo cognitivo que pode desempenhar um papel importante no planeamento e execução de movimentos ou ações. Vários instrumentos têm sido desenvolvidos com o intuito de avaliar a habilidade de Imagery no desporto. No entanto, nenhum se focou na modalidade cinestésica, visual interna e visual externa. O objetivo deste estudo foi traduzir e validar preliminarmente para a população desportiva portuguesa o Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3, determinando as suas qualidades psicométricas iniciais através de uma análise fatorial exploratória do modelo que a suporta. A amostra foi constituída por 176 sujeitos (N = 176) (sexo masculino N = 134; sexo feminino N = 42) com uma média de idades de 20.08 anos (SD = 5.94), composta por atletas de futebol (N = 113), basquetebol (N = 43) e ténis (N = 20). Numa primeira fase verificou-se que os procedimentos de tradução e adaptação originaram uma versão Portuguesa do MIQ - 3 semelhante à versão original. Numa segunda fase verificamos que as qualidades psicométricas comprovam a adequação da adaptação efetuada, demonstrando que a sua estrutura fatorial é igual à versão original (12 itens agrupados em 3 fatores, com 4 itens cada fator), apresentando índices bastante aceitáveis de validade e fiabilidade (alfa de Cronbach: 0.88 para MIQ - 3, 0.79 para as três modalidades), concluindo que este questionário poderá ser utilizado para avaliar a capacidade de Imagery em atletas Portugueses.

Imagery is a cognitive process that can play an important role in planning and execution of movements or actions. Several instruments have been developed in order to evaluate the ability of Imagery in sport. However, none focused on the kinesthetic, visual internal and visual external modalities. The objective of this study was to translate and validate preliminary for the Portuguese sports population the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3, determining its initial psychometric qualities through an exploratory factor analysis model that supports it. The sample comprised 176 subjects (N = 176) (N = 134 male, female N = 42) with a mean age of 20.8 years (SD = 5.94), consisting of soccer (N = 113), basketball (N = 43) and tennis (N = 20) players. Initially it was found that the procedures of translation and adaptation originated a Portuguese version MIQ - 3 similar to the original version. Secondly we found that the psychometric qualities prove their suitability of adaptation performed, demonstrating that its factor structure is the same as the original version (12 items grouped into 3 factors, with 4 items each factor), with quite acceptable levels of validity and reliability (Cronbach's alpha: 0.88 to MIQ - 3, 0.79 for the three modalities), concluding that this questionnaire can be used to assess Imagery capacity in Portuguese athletes.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi o de analisar a associação entre o ritmo musical e o padrão cinemático angular no movimento básico de Hidroginástica “Balanço Lateral”. A amostra foi constituída por seis instrutoras, com pelo menos um ano de experiência na orientação de programas de Hidroginástica. Foram registadas imagens de vídeo no plano frontal do exercício básico de Hidroginástica “Balanço Lateral”, recorrendo a um par de câmaras, proporcionando assim uma dupla projeção do movimento acima e abaixo do nível da água, em cinco ritmos incrementais (120 bpm, 135 bpm, 150 bpm, 165 bpm e 180 bpm). As imagens foram posteriormente digitalizadas e processadas num software específico (Ariel Performance Analysis Systems). Os resultados demonstraram que ocorreu uma diminuição do período do ciclo ao longo do protocolo incremental. O ângulo relativo entre a coxa e o tronco não apresentou relação significativa com o ritmo. Já o ângulo relativo entre a coxa e a perna e entre o braço e o antebraço diminuíram com o aumento do ritmo musical, embora neste último apenas visível para o membro esquerdo. Constata-se assim que existe uma tendência para a diminuição do deslocamento angular e manutenção da velocidade angular com o aumento do ritmo musical ainda que em pontos articulares isolados.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between the angular kinematic pattern of head-out aquatic exercise sailor jigs” at increasing musical rhythm. Six young women with at least one year of experience conducting this type of head-out aquatic programs were evaluated. The exercise was recorded on video, in frontal plane, using two cameras for double projection at five music cadences (120 bpm, 135 bpm, 150 bpm, 165 bpm and 180 bpm). Images were then digitized in specific software (Ariel Performance Analysis Systems). Results have shown that, the cycle period decreased through the incremental protocol. No significant relationship was found between music rhythm and relative angle between thigh and trunk. In contrast, the relative angle between thigh and leg and between arm and forearm decrease with the music rhythm, at least for the left limb. In conclusion, it seems that there is a trend to decrease the angular displacement and unchanged the angular velocity when increasing rhythm at least in certain anatomical landmarks.

Foi objetivo deste estudo descrever o nível de desenvolvimento motor global de crianças do 1º ciclo do ensino básico, com e sem experiência prévia em programas de ensino da natação. A amostra foi constituída por 140 crianças portuguesas do 1º ao 4º ano de escolaridade: 53 crianças sem experiência em programas aquáticos; e 87 crianças com histórico de participação em programas de ensino da natação no contexto escolar. O desenvolvimento motor global das crianças foi avaliado recorrendo à bateria de testes “Test of Gross Motor Development 2”. Os resultados revelaram a existência de diferenças significativas (p < .05) entre os grupos de crianças no que se refere ao desenvolvimento motor global e à mestria em diversas habilidades motoras globais em todos os anos de escolaridade. A influência da prática da natação parece maior nas habilidades de controlo de objetos. Mesmo assim, a classificação qualitativa do desenvolvimento motor é maioritariamente baixa para ambos os grupos. Em conclusão, os resultados demonstraram que o desenvolvimento motor global das crianças avaliadas é maioritariamente insuficiente, tendo por base a escala normativa Americana. Contudo, as crianças com experiência aquática em contexto escolar parecem agregar um estado otimizado de desenvolvimento motor em diversas habilidades, em particular na manipulação de objetos.

The purpose of our study was to describe the level of global motor development of elementary school-aged children with and without previous swimming practice. The study sample consisted of 140 Portuguese elementary school-aged children, from 1st to 4th grade: 53 children with no previous experience in aquatic programs and; 87 children classified as experienced through participating in previous swimming programs within the school environment. To assess global motor development, the "Test of Gross Motor Development 2" was used. Our results showed significant differences (p < .05) between groups of children regarding to the global motor development and mastery of various skills in all grades. The influence of previous swimming practice seems greater on objects control skills. Nevertheless, the qualitative classification of motor development is mostly low for both groups. In conclusion the current results showed that the level of global motor development of Portuguese elementary school-aged children, based on the proposed American normative scale, is relatively low. Nevertheless, children with prior involvement in swimming programs within the educational context seem to meet an optimized motor development state on several global motor skills but particularly on objects control skills.

"Análise longitudinal da variabilidade intra- e inter-individual da performance e fatores determinantes em nadadores jovens." O objetivo principal do estudo foi acompanhar a variabilidade intra- e inter-individual da performance e dos seus fatores determinantes de nadadores jovens durante duas temporadas competitivas. Trinta nadadores jovens (14 nadadores: 12.33±0.65 anos; 16 nadadoras: 11.15±0.55 anos) foram avaliados ao longo das duas épocas (7 momentos de avaliação). Foi avaliada a performance (100m livres), e variáveis antropométricas, cinemáticas, hidrodinâmicas e de eficiência. Foi observado um efeito do sexo e do nível competitivo. Os nadadores melhoraram em maior quantidade (%) do que as nadadoras. Os nadadores no nível competitivo 2 (ambos os sexos) apresentaram uma intra-variabilidade superior. A performance e as variáveis antropométricas apresentaram uma inter-variabilidade significativa na maior parte dos momentos de avaliação, ao contrário das variáveis hidrodinâmicas, cinemáticas e de eficiência. Dentro de cada nível competitivo as variáveis hidrodinâmicas, cinemáticas e de eficiência foram as que apresentaram uma variabilidade inter-individual superior. Como foi verificado um efeito do sexo e do nível competitivo, treinadores e praticantes devem colocar o foco em treinos específicos e personalizados para cada grupo de nadadores de acordo com o nível competitivo.

The main purpose of this study was to follow-up the intra- and inter-individual variability of young swimmers' performance and determinant factors over two competitive seasons. Thirty young swimmers (14 boys: 12.33±0.65 years-old; 16 girls: 11.15±0.55 years-old) were followed-up throughout two consecutive seasons (seven evaluation moments). Performance (100m freestyle), anthropometric, kinematic, hydrodynamic and efficiency features were evaluated. A gender and skill-level effect was observed. Boys improved in a higher amount (%) comparing to girls. Overall, swimmers in skill-level 2 (both genders) presented a higher intra-individual variability. Performance and anthropometrics showed a significant inter-individual variability in most moments, but hydrodynamics, kinematics and efficiency did not. Within each skill-level hydrodynamics, kinematics and efficiency were the variables that showed a high inter-individual variability. As a gender and skill-level effect was noticed in an age-group of young swimmers, coaches and practitioners should put the focus in specific and customized training plans for each skill-level of swimmers.

"Análisis longitudinal de la variabilidade intra- y inter-individual del rendimiento y sus determinantes en nadadores jóvenes." El objetivo principal del estudio fue el seguimiento de la variabilidad intra- e inter-individual del rendimiento y sus factores determinantes de nadadores jóvenes en dos temporadas competitivas. Treinta nadadores jóvenes (14 niños: 12.33±0.65 años; 16 niñas: 11.15±0.55 años) fueron seguidos a lo largo de dos temporadas competitivas (7 momentos de evaluación). Se evaluó el rendimiento (100m estilo libre), e características antropométricas, cinemáticas, hidrodinámicas e la eficiencia. Se observó un efecto del sexo e del nivel de habilidad. Los niños mejoraron en una cantidad superior (%) en comparación con las niñas. En general, los nadadores de nivel de habilidad 2 (los dos sexos) presentaron una mayor variabilidad intra-individual. El rendimiento y la antropometría mostraron una variabilidad inter-individual significativa en la mayoría de los momentos, lo mismo no ocurrió con la hidrodinámica, la cinemática y la eficiencia. Dentro de cada nivel de habilidad, la hidrodinámica, la cinemática y la eficiencia fueron las variables que mostraron una alta variabilidad inter-individual. Como se ha observado un efecto de sexo e nivel de habilidad, entrenadores y practicantes deben poner el foco en los planes de formación específicos y personalizados para cada nivel de habilidad de los nadadores.

Foi objetivo deste estudo conhecer a organização e a metodologia de ensino da natação desenvolvida no âmbito da Expressão e Educação Físico-Motora no 1º ciclo do ensino básico (1º CEB) em Portugal. A amostra incluiu 89 responsáveis por escolas de natação municipais e 100 professores que ministram as respetivas aulas. Para aferir a organização e a metodologia de ensino foram aplicados dois questionários, cujos resultados foram descritos com base em técnicas de análise estatística descritiva. Os resultados sugerem que a natação no 1º CEB rege-se sobretudo pelas orientações do Ministério da Educação. A restrição orçamental (60.0%) e a dificuldade no transporte dos alunos da escola (54.0%) para a piscina são as razões mais apontadas para a supressão da natação. O ensino é dirigido fundamentalmente para o terceiro e quarto ano (80.1%), com aulas de frequência semanal (64.4%) em classes com um elevado número de alunos (13 a 16 alunos). Os principais objetivos das aulas estão relacionados com a adaptação ao meio aquático, privilegiando-se as habilidades aquáticas básicas (81.4%), num ensino pouco suportado em material pedagógico. Os dados relatados permitiram-nos identificar algumas insuficiências no enquadramento da natação no 1º CEB, provavelmente condicionantes da eficiência do processo de ensino-aprendizagem, ao nível da aquisição de habilidades aquáticas mais complexas.

The aim of this study was to describe the management and the teaching methodology in the primary level Physical Education classes in Portugal to teach swimming motor skills. The sample included 89 public swimming-pools supervisors and 100 swimming teachers. In order to assess the management and the teaching methodology, two questionnaires were used and their results were described based on descriptive statistical analysis techniques. Data suggest that swimming classes in primary schools are designed according to the Ministry of Education guidelines. The most frequent reasons mentioned to justify the inexistence of swimming classes are related to budget constraints (60.0%) and to some commuting issues of the children to and from the swimming pool facilities (54.0%). Swimming programs are mainly conducted with older children from the year 3 and year 4 (80.1%). The classes happen once a week (60.4%) with a large number of students (13 to 16 students). The lessons focused on aquatic readiness (81.4%), developing basic aquatic skills, mostly without any teaching material. The reported data allowed us to identify some weaknesses in the primary school swimming classes, probably affecting the effectiveness of the teaching-learning process, such as the acquisition of more complex and challenging aquatic skills.