Abstract Drag crisis has been described as a drop in the drag coefficient (Cd). This procedure was lately assessed in able-bodied cyclists in time trial position by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the phenomenon of the drag crisis by computer fluid dynamics in transradial and transtibial amputee cyclists in the upright position. A male elite-level cyclist was recruited for this research. The subject was scanned (3D geometry with a 3D Scan) with his competition bicycle, helmet, suit, and shoes. Consequently, transradial and transtibial 3D models were created editing the able-bodied 3D model. To perform the CFD analyses, a domain measuring 7 x 2.5 x 2.5 m (length, width and height, respectively) was created around each bicycle-cyclist model. The domains were meshed with more than 42 million elements. Numerical simulations by CFD were performed in fluent numerical for speeds between 1 m/s and 13 m/s, with increments of 1 m/s. The total Cd decreased with speed. It ranged from 0.84 to 0.55 in the able-bodied, 0.86 to 0.64 in the transradial and 0.90 to 0.61 in the transtibial. The drag crisis phenomenon was observed between 1m/s and 4m/s in all models.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate maximum voluntary contraction through surface electromyography in stabilizer shoulder muscles, as well as the clinical evaluation of shoulder injury in the pre, post, and detraining stages of specific training in child swimmers. Twelve competitive swimmers volunteered for this study. Anthropometric measurements, clinical examination, electromyography (with Delsys® data acquisition system), and pain intensity levels were performed. Clinical examination and EMG data were compared using repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction pre, post, and after detraining. The intervention program lasted for 12 weeks. The pain group presented higher pain intensity values compared to the post-intervention program. Most of the tests presented lower values at the detraining compared to the baseline. After the intervention, pain levels significantly decreased in five tests. Muscle strengthening work is highly recommended because it improves the swimmer’s shoulder performance, reducing injuries and decreasing pain intensity after 12 weeks of intervention.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to verify the impact of two learn-to-swim programs, implemented for 12 weeks, in age school Brazilian children's aquatic readiness and motor coordination. Thirty-one children aged 7-9 years old (mean± SD 8.00± 0.86 years) were randomly divided into two different experimental groups. One was submitted to lessons mainly focused on basic skills development (BS), and the other was mainly focused on the formal skills of swimming techniques (FS). The aquatic readiness (17 skills) and the motor coordination (Körperkoordinationstest Für Kinder test) were evaluated before and after the interventions. After 12 weeks, the total score of the swimming skills was different between groups (F= 24.19, p< 0.01, ηp2= 0.46), changing from 34.35± 9.22 to 50.18± 8.49 points (p< 0.01, d= 2.60) in the BS and from 36.00± 5.86 to 42.64± 7.46 points in the FS (p< 0.01, d= 1.88). Leg kicking with breath control at ventral and dorsal body position, feet-first entry and deep-water immersion were significantly higher after the training in the BS. The motor coordination scores increased in both the BS (135.57± 37.45 to 172.64± 33.17, p< 0.01, d= 2.11) and FS (130.18± 37.71 to 162.71± 40.40, p< 0.01, d= 1.41). These results showed that both swimming practices improved aquatic readiness and motor coordination, with higher aquatic competence after the lessons that mainly focused on basic skills development.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to quantify the participation of male master swimmers during ten seasons (2008/2009 – 2018/2019) in the national master swimmers and predict the results for the 2020/2021 season in the events of 50 100, 200 and 400 m freestyle. Eight age groups were considered, namely, A to H with a total of 5,368 participants, in the four events analysed 50, 100, 200 and 400 m freestyle. The best time of each race was recorded in the selected age groups that took place in the last decade of the National Summer Championship, through the specific website “Swimrakings” (https://www.swimrankings.net/). The resulting equation for the calculation was y= (–) ax2 – bx + c, y being the rate of increase or decrease in swimming performance and the x variation depending on the year of events that one intends to estimate for 2021, x= 13. The results showed an increase in the number of participations in middle age groups (35-49 years) and a prediction of improvements in the results of 21 events for all the swimming races studied. In conclusion, we can verify that prediction becomes essential for the definition of new objectives and evolutionary trends in swimming.

ABSTRACT The warm-up is fundamental to optimize physical activity and exercise performance. However, little is known about the effect of warm-up in resistance training and strength performance. We performed a systematic review to synthesize and analyze the effects of different warm-up strategies in maximal and submaximal strength during resistance exercises. A search for studies was performed on four databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect) for original research published between May 1973 and December 2019. Eleven articles were selected according to the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies evaluated the effects of warm-up on maximal strength and the number of repetitions until failure. The results were not consensual regarding the use of general warm-up followed by a specific warm-up. Moreover, while some studies showed that specific warm-up did not lead to different results than without warm-up, others found that performing only the specific warm-up was the best way to obtain maximal strength performance. It seemed that the maximal strength and the number of repetitions could be positively affected when a specific warm-up is performed at loads close to the maximum. Further studies are needed to deepen the knowledge about the preparation procedures for optimizing resistance exercise performances.

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.

ABSTRACT The present study on the motor development of children in the first months of life aimed to verify the relationship between Motor Skills and Age, and the relationship between Global and Fine motor skills in children from 12 to 46 months. For this purpose, we developed a transversal quantitative study, with a sample of 405 children between the ages of 12 and 46 months of both genders. The instruments used in the study were the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 (PDMS-2). Overall, the results indicate that there is a tendency for positive (mostly moderate and low) positive correlations between the variables Age, Global Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills, emphasizing the moderate positive correlation (p≤0.05; r2=0.265; 0.5≤ r ≤ 0.7) between Age and Fine Motricity in turn a small positive correlation (p≤0.05; r2=0.217; 0.1≤ r ≤ 0.3) between Age and Global Motricity. We can thus see an improvement of these abilities as children grow, emphasizing better results in Fine Motor.

RESUMO O presente estudo sobre o desenvolvimento Motor da criança nos primeiros meses de vida, teve como objetivo verificar a relação entre as Habilidades Motoras e a Idade, e a relação entre as habilidades motoras Globais e Finas em crianças dos 12 aos 46 meses. Para o efeito, desenvolvemos um estudo de natureza quantitativa, com uma amostra de 405 crianças com idades compreendidas entre os 12 e os 46 meses, de ambos os géneros. Os instrumentos usados no estudo foram as Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 (PDMS-2). Em termos globais os resultados indicam que existe uma tendência para correlações positivas (maioritariamente moderadas e baixas) entre as variáveis Idade, Habilidades Motoras Globais e Habilidades Motoras Finas, salientando a correlação positiva moderada (p≤0.05; r2=0.265; 0.5≤ r ≤0.7) entre a Idade e a Motricidade Fina e por sua vez uma correlação positiva pequena (p≤0.05; r2=0.217; 0.1≤ r ≤ 0.3) entre a Idade e a Motricidade Global. Podemos assim contatar, uma melhoria destas habilidades à medida que as crianças vão crescendo, salientando melhores resultados na Motricidade Fina.

RESUMEN El presente estudio sobre el desarrollo motor de los niños en los primeros meses de vida tuvo como objetivo verificar la relación entre las habilidades motoras y la edad, y la relación entre las habilidades motoras globales y finas en niños de 12 a 46 meses. Para ello, desarrollamos un estudio de naturaleza tranversal cuantitativa, con una muestra de 405 niños de edades comprendidas entre los 12 y los 46 meses, de ambos géneros. Los instrumentos utilizados en el estudio fueron las Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 (PDMS-2). En términos globales los resultados indican que existe una tendencia a correlaciones positivas (mayoritariamente moderadas y bajas) entre las variables Edad, Habilidades Motoras Globales y Habilidades Motoras Finas, resaltando la correlación positiva moderada (p≤0.05, r2=0.265, 0.5≤ r ≤ 0.7) entre la Edad y la Motricidad Fina a su vez una pequeña correlación positiva (p≤0.05, r2=0.217, 0.1≤ r ≤ 0.3) entre la Edad y la Motricidad Global. Podemos así constatar, una mejora de esas habilidades a medida que los niños crecen, destacando mejores resultados en la Motricidad Fina.

ABSTRACT The ability to generate and control mental images is present in all of us, but it differs from person to person. Therefore, it is important to understand that imagery ability can be changed through training and experimentation, it is not a fixed ability. The aim of this study is to compare imagery ability in elite, sub-elite and non-elite athletes in a sport which involves closed and continuous motor skills, such as swimming. 79 swimmers (male N = 37; female N = 42) at an average age of 17 took part in this study. In order to assess imagery ability, the Movement Imagery Questionnaire 3 was used, Portuguese version (Mendes et al., 2016). After analysis of the results, these show that in each and every imagery modality, the scores in the three groups differ significantly. In kinesthetic and external visual imagery the elite and sub-elite groups’ scores, although not statistically different from each other, are significantly higher than those of the non-elite group. In internal visual imagery, the differences between all the compared pairs of groups are statistically significant. The elite group got the highest scores, followed by the sub-elite group average scores and finally the non-elite group average scores. According to these results, the conclusion is that athletes with better performance show greater imagery ability and that apparently the external visual imagery proved to be the best intervention method among swimming athletes.

RESUMO A habilidade de controlar e gerar imagens mentais está presente em todos os indivíduos, mas varia de sujeito para sujeito. Consequentemente, é importante entender que a habilidade de imagery é uma capacidade que pode ser modificável com o treino e a experimentação, e não uma habilidade fixa. O objetivo do nosso estudo foi comparar a habilidade de imagery em praticantes de Elite, Sub-Elite e Não-Elite, numa modalidade com habilidades motoras fechadas e contínuas, a Natação. Neste estudo, participaram 79 sujeitos praticantes de Natação (N = 76) (sexo masculino N = 37; sexo feminino N = 42), com uma média de idades de 17 anos (SD = 3.1). Foram definidos três níveis de prática, sendo o grupo de Elite (N = 29), o grupo Sub-Elite (N = 27) e Não-Elite (N = 23). Para avaliar a habilidade de imagery, foi utilizado o Movement Imagery Questionnaire - 3, versão portuguesa (Mendes et al., 2015). Após a análise dos resultados, verificámos que em todas e em cada uma das modalidades do imagery, as médias obtidas nos três grupos (Elite, Sub-Elite e Não-Elite) apresentam diferenças significativas. De acordo com estes resultados, podemos concluir que atletas com melhor performance desportiva revelam uma melhor capacidade de imagery e que aparentemente a modalidade visual externa se revelou como melhor método de intervenção em praticantes de Natação.

RESUMEN La capacidad de controlar y generar imágenes mentales está presente en todos los individuos, pero varía de sujeto a sujeto, por lo tanto, es importante entender que la habilidad de visualización mental es una capacidad que se puede modificar con el entrenamiento y la experimentación, y no una habilidad fija. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue el de comparar la habilidad de visualización mental en practicantes de Elite, Sub-Elite y No-Elite, en una modalidad deportiva con habilidades motoras cerradas y continuas, la natación. En este estudio participaron 79 sujetos practicantes de Natación (N = 76) (género masculino N = 37, género femenino N = 42) con una edad media de 17 años (DE = 3,1). Se definieron tres niveles de práctica, el grupo de Elite (N = 29), el grupo Sub-Elite (N = 27) y No-Elite (N = 23). Para evaluar la habilidad de visualización mental se utilizó el Movement Imagery Questionnaire - 3, versión portuguesa (Mendes et al., 2015). Después de analizar los resultados verificamos que en todas y cada una de las modalidades de visualización mental, las medias obtenidas en los tres grupos (Elite, Sub-Elite y No-Elite) muestran diferencias significativas. De acuerdo con estos resultados podemos concluir que los atletas con mejor rendimiento deportivo muestran una mejor capacidad de visualización mental y que, aparentemente, la modalidad visual externa resultó como el mejor método de intervención para practicantes de Natación.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the present study was to validate the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale in Exercise for fitness instructors. Methods: Data from 477 exercise professionals (319 males, 158 females) was collected. Results: CFA supported the adapted and validated six-factor model: [χ2(237) = 1096.796, χ2/df= 4.63; B-S p < .001, CFI = .930, TLI = .918, SRMR= .0366, RMSEA = .079 (CI90% = .069, .089)], assessing satisfaction and frustration of basic psychological needs in Portuguese exercise professionals. Moreover, the analysis revealed acceptable composite reliability, and construct validity of the adapted version. Results revealed nomological validity, as well as invariance between male and female. No differences were found across latent means, and magnitude effects were trivial between gender. Conclusion: These results support the use of the adapted scale in exercise professionals, showing measurement invariance between gender. This scale is able to measure how exercise professionals experience satisfaction and frustration of basic needs when prescribing exercise to individuals in fitness context.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo consistiu na validação do Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale in Exercise em instrutores de fitness. Métodos: Recolhemos dados de 477 profissionais de exercício físico (319 masculino, 158 feminino). Resultados: A análise CFA suporta o modelo de 6-factores adaptado e validado: [χ2(237) = 1096.796, χ2/df= 4.63; B-S p < .001, CFI = .930, TLI = .918, SRMR= .0366, RMSEA = .079 (CI90% = .069, .089)], avaliando a satisfação e frustração das necessidades psicológicas básicas em instrutores profissionais portugueses de exercício físico. Além disso, a análise revela fiabilidade compósita aceitável e validade dos construtos da versão adaptada. Os resultados revelam validade nomológica, bem como invariância entre sexo masculino e feminino. Não foram encontradas diferenças entre as médias latentes, e a magnitude dos efeitos foi trivial entre géneros. Conclusão: Estes resultados suportam o uso desta escala adaptada em profissionais do exercício físico, mostrando ser invariante entre géneros. Esta escala é capaz de medir como os técnicos profissionais de exercício físico experienciam a satisfação e frustração das necessidades básicas aquando da prescrição de exercício físico para clientes de exercício no contexto do fitness.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo del presente estudio fue validar la Escala de Satisfacción y Frustración de Necesidades Psicológicas Básicas en el Ejercicio para instructores de ejercicio físico. Métodos: Se recopilaron datos de 477 profesionales del ejercicio (319 hombres, 158 mujeres). Resultados: CFA apoyó el modelo de seis factores adaptado y validado: [χ2 (237) = 1096.796, χ2 / df = 4.63; B-S p <.001, CFI = .930, TLI = .918, SRMR = .0366, RMSEA = .079 (CI90% = .069, .089)], evaluando la satisfacción y la frustración de las necesidades psicológicas básicas en los profesionales del ejercicio portugués. Además, el análisis reveló una validez en la confiabilidad compuesta, constructo y nomológica aceptables de la versión adaptada, así como invariabilidad entre hombres y mujeres. No se encontraron diferencias entre las medias latentes, y los efectos de magnitud fueron triviales entre los géneros. Conclusión: estos resultados apoyan el uso de la escala adaptada en los profesionales del ejercicio, que muestran la invariancia de la medición entre los géneros. Esta escala es capaz de medir cómo los profesionales del ejercicio experimentan la satisfacción y la frustración de las necesidades básicas, y cómo regulan los comportamientos interpersonales.

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.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi a tradução e validação do Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale, a partir da versão de Mullen et al., numa amostra de atletas portugueses e a invariância entre gêneros, desportos de natureza e natação, bem como, comprovar critérios de validade externa através da versão portuguesa do BRSQ. Participaram neste estudo 1032 atletas (273 desporto natureza; 759 natação), com uma média de 18,95 ± 6,59 anos de idade. Os dados foram analisados através de análise fatorial confirmatória (método da máxima verosimilhança), análise multigupos (invariância entre grupos) e análise correlacional. Os resultados suportam a adequação dos modelos (1 fator, oito itens), para cada uma das amostras (geral. χ2=181,96, p=<0,01, df=20, SRMR=0,04, NNFI=0,94, CFI=0,96, RMSEA=0,07, RMSEA 90% IC=0,06-0,08; masculino: x2=113,27, p=<0,01, df=20, SRMR=0,035,NNFI=0,95, CFI=0,97, RMSEA=0,07, RMSEA 90%IC=0,06-0,08;feminino: χ2=67,59,p=<0,01, df=20, SRMR=0,03,NNFI=0,94, CFI=0,96, RMSEA=0,07, RMSEA90% IC=0,06-0,09; desporto de natureza: χ2=42,32, p=0,02, df=20, SRMR=0,037, NNFI=0,96, CFI=0,98, RMSEA=0,06, RMSEA90%IC=0,04-0,08; natação:χ2=130,14,p=<0,001, df=20, SRMR=0,04, NNFI=0,943, CFI=0,.96, RMSEA=0,07, RMSEA 90% IC=0,06-0,08), bem como, revelou ser invariante em função dos gêneros e das modalidades (∆CFI<0,01). O divertimento correlacionou-se positivamente com regulação identificada (r=0,82), regulação integrada (r=0,62) e motivação intrínseca (r=0,90), e negativamente com a amotivação (r=-0,25), regulação externa (r=-0,42) e regulação introjetada (r=-0,38). Estes resultados permitem-nos afirmar que a tradução e adaptação do PACES, pode ser utilizada com elevado grau de validade e fiabilidade na avaliação do divertimento em futuros estudos, suprimindo uma lacuna existente.

Abstract The aim of this study was to translate and validate of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) from Mullen et al. version in Portuguese athletes, invariance across genders and nature sports and swimming, as well as, external validity, through the Portuguese version of BRSQ.Athletes (n=1032; 273 nature sports, 759 swimming) with an average age of 18,95 ± 6,59 years participated in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis (maximum likelihood), multigroup analysis (measurement invariance) and correlation analysis were used for data analyzed. Results supported the suitability of the models (one factor which eight items) showing an adequate fit to the data in each sample (general:χ2=181,96, p=<0,01, df=20, SRMR=0,04, NNFI=0,94, CFI=0,96, RMSEA=0,07, RMSEA 90% IC=0,06-0,08; male:χ2=113,27, p=<0,01, df=20, SRMR=0,04, NNFI=0,95, CFI=0,97, RMSEA=0,07, RMSEA 90% IC=0,06-0,08; female: χ2=67,59, p=<0,01, df=20, SRMR=0,03, NNFI=0,94, CFI=0,96, RMSEA=0,07, RMSEA 90% IC=0,06-0,09; nature sports: χ2=42,32, p=0,02, df=20, SRMR=0,037, NNFI=0,96, CFI=0,98, RMSEA=0,06, RMSEA 90% IC=0,04-0,08; swimming: χ2=130,14, p=<0,01, df=20, SRMR=0,04, NNFI=0,94, CFI=0,96, RMSEA=0,07, RMSEA 90% IC=0,06-0,08), as well as, were invariant across genders and nature sports and swimming (∆CFI<0,01). Enjoyment was, on the one hand, found to be positively and significantly correlated with identified regulation (r=0,82), integrated regulation (r=0,62) and intrinsic motivation (r=0,90). On the other, it was negatively and significantly correlated with amotivation (r=-0,25) and external and introjected regulation (r=-0,42; -0,38), respectively. Those findings allow concluding that PACES can be used to measure enjoyment in the future studies, thus filling an existing gap to date.

Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi validar a versão portuguesa da Subjetive Vitality Scale - SVS para a população idosa portuguesa com recurso a uma análise fatorial confirmatória. Foi ainda analisada a existência de diferenças na perceção de vitalidade subjetiva entre idosos suficientemente ativos e insuficientemente ativos. Participaram neste estudo 309 idosos (242 sexo feminino, 67 sexo masculino) de nacionalidade portuguesa, com idades compreendidas entre os 60 e os 90 anos (M= 68.59; DP = 6.60). Do total da amostra, 256 são suficientemente ativos e 53 são insuficientemente ativos. Os resultados alcançados revelam que o modelo apresenta valores satisfatórios de ajustamento aos dados (χ2 = 28.95; df = 9; CFI = .97; TLI = .94; SRMR = .04; RMSEA = .08; RMSEA 90% CI = .05 - .12). Foi, também, obtida validade concorrente com a versão portuguesa da Escala de Satisfação com a Vida. Os dados obtidos permitem concluir que a versão portuguesa da SVS pode ser utilizada como medida de avaliação de vitalidade subjetiva na população idosa portuguesa. Verificou-se ainda, que a percepção subjetiva de vitalidade é maior entre os idosos suficientemente ativos comparados com seus pares que não atingem a quantidade de prática de atividade física recomendada.

Abstract The main aim of the study was to validate the Portuguese version of the Subjective Vitality Scale - SVS for the Portuguese elderly population through of confirmatory factorial analysis. The existence of differences in the perception of subjective vitality among sufficiently active and insufficiently active older adults was also analyzed. A total of 309 Portuguese elderly (242 females, 67 males) aged 60-90 years (M = 68.59, SD = 6.60) participated in this study. Of the total sample, 256 are sufficiently active, while 53 are insufficiently active. The results show that the model was adjusted to data in a satisfactory way (χ2 = 28.95; df = 9; CFI = .97; TLI = .94; SRMR = .04; RMSEA = .08; RMSEA 90% CI = .05 - .12), and show a concurrent validity with the Portuguese version of the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The data obtained allow us concluding that the Portuguese version of the Subjective Vitality Scale can be used as a measure of subjective vitality in the Portuguese elderly population. It was also verified that the subjective perception of vitality is greater among individuals sufficiently active compared with their peers that do not reach the amount of practice of recommended physical activity.

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.