Abstract Aim: Grounded on Self-Determination Theory, this study aimed to translate, adapt and validate the Perceived Environmental Supportiveness Scale (PESS) in a sample of Portuguese physical education students. Methods: The global sample was comprised of 964 students (518 females), divided in two groups: the calibration (n = 469) and the validation one (n = 483), all of them enrolled in two Physical Education (PE) classes/week. Results: The analysis provided support for a one factor and 12 items model, which are in line with the values adopted in the methodology (χ² = 196.123, df = 54, p = <.001, SRMR = .035, NNFI = .943, CFI = .954, RMSEA = .074, 90% CI .063-.085). Results express that the models are invariant in all analysis (i.e., calibration vs. validation, male vs. female, and 3rd vs. secondary cycle; three and single factor models). Conclusion: The present study suggests that the PESS with one factor and 12 items has good psychometric properties and can be used to assess perceived need supportive motivational environments provided by PE teachers. Additionally, invariance analysis showed support for the use of the scale in both genders and in the 3rd and secondary cycles.

Abstract AIM This study main aim was to translate and validate one of the most used SDT-based instruments to assess motivation in PE classes, the Perceived Locus of Causality Questionnaire (PLOCQ), to the Portuguese context. METHOD Sample was composed of 652 boys (M=15.4 years; SD=1.90) and 702 girls (M=15.47 years; SD=1.95), enrolled in physical education classes in several Portuguese schools. RESULTS The analysis provided support for a five factors and 18 items model, after excluding two items (χ² = 491.473, df = 125, p = <.001, SRMR = .062, NNFI = .908, CFI = .924, RMSEA = .067, 90% CI .061-.073). Sample and gender invariance procedures were made to ensure proper psychometric validation. Results presented support for the model in both gender and calibration/validation samples. CONCLUSION This study suggests that PLOCQ with five factors and 18 items has good psychometric proprieties and can be used to assess contextual motivation towards PE in the Portuguese context.

This study aimed to verify the relationship between anthropometric measures (AM), blood pressure (BP) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB), predicted BMI z-score, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) variance. A total of 245 children (8.90 ± .80years-old) were recruited from a Portuguese school. WHtR was classified according the reference ≥ 0.5. WC was measured above iliac crest. BP was assessed using a sphygmomanometer, and CRF using 20-m run test. PA and SB were assessed by accelerometers (Actigraph GT3x) and by questionnaire. Participants did not meet recommendations on PA. CRF and vigorous PA (VPA) were inversely correlated with AM. Moderate and vigorous PA were positively correlated with CRF. CRF was inversely correlated with systolic and diastolic BP. CRF and PA explained BMI z-score variance. WC and WHtR variance was predicted by CRF. These results emphasize the importance of international recommendations for PA with the purpose of developing CRF. A new emphasis should be given to CRF and interdisciplinary approaches in international recommendations. This should provide new health implications for primary care providers and school services.

Abstract Aims: Cardiovascular disease risk factors occur more frequently in children with obesity. Project PANK is a multidisciplinary school-based intervention lasting 6 months to improve BMI z-score, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), blood pressure (BP), nutrition, physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG). Methods/DesignA total of 77 children (7-10 years) were recruited from an urban school. The protocol includes PA and SB individual meetings for children/parents; increasing school exercise; PA and SB lessons for children; A goal in the number of steps/day to accomplish in and after school. In nutrition, the protocol includes three individual meetings for children/parents and six lessons for children. ResultsPositive associations were found between the BMI Z-score, WC, and WHtR with TG; the BMI Z-score and WHtR with glucose; the light PA time and HDL-C; the vigorous and moderate-to-vigorous PA with CRF; the caloric intake and lipids with LDL-C, BMI z-score, WC, and WHtR. A negative association was found between CRF and TG. ConclusionBaseline results stress the importance of multidisciplinary school-based interventions. We hypothesized that PANK will improve blood variables, anthropometric measures, and BP, by changing food intake, enhancing PA and CRF, and decreasing SB.

Abstract Regarding psychological responses to exercise, this study aimed to analyze the mediating effects of motivational regulations and intensity in the association between basic psychological needs satisfaction and emotional responses. This was a cross-sectional study of 495 health club members (M = 40.50 years; SD = 13.54); of these, 186 were women (37.6%) and 309 men (62.4%), with an average attendance of 2.61 sessions per week (SD=1.29). Self-determination theory motivational regulations and basic psychological needs (BPN), perceived exercise intensity, and emotional response were measured. Serial mediation procedures were followed to test the interactions of variables. Models with autonomous regulations predicted positive emotional responses. As for the negative emotional response, the models with external regulation presented the highest predictions for negative activation. Results indicate that BPN satisfaction is associated with better emotional response, partially explained by autonomous regulations and perceived exercise intensity. In externally regulated individuals, perceived exercise intensity appears to be important to sustain a better emotional response.

Este estudo descreve o processo de adaptação da versão portuguesa, de 21 itens, da Basic Need Satisfaction in General Scale da teoria de auto-determinação. O instrumento é composto por três subescalas que correspondem às três necessidades básicas (a) competência, (b) autonomia e (c) relações de pertença. Foi administrado em dois estudos independentes, 420 e 408 participantes respectivamente, com amostras de conveniência da comunidade. A primeira fase incluiu tradução, retroversão e retradução; inspecção da equivalência lexical e de conteúdo; e reflexão falada. No processo de adaptação é aferido se a validade de conteúdo está de acordo com a teoria original. O estudo métrico revela valores baixos na consistência interna em algumas das subescalas. Numa análise exploratória inicial, em ambos os estudos, emergem três factores no scree plot, a maioria dos itens apresenta carga factorial apropriada no primeiro factor. Os resultados sugerem que a escala poderá ser utilizada na população portuguesa assumindo os princípios teóricos definidos pelos autores originais e reconhecidos na investigação.

This paper describes the adaptation process of the Portuguese version, comprised of 21 items, of the Basic Need Satisfaction in General Scale of self-determination theory. This instrument consists of three subscales that correspond to the three basic needs of (a) competence, (b) autonomy and (c) relatedness. It was administered in two independent studies, with 420 and 408 participants respectively, with convenience samples extracted from the community. The first phase included translation, back translation and retroversion; inspection for lexical equivalence, content validity and cognitive debriefing. In the adaptation process we evaluated whether the content validity was consistent with the original theory. Psychometric properties reveal low internal consistency in some of the subscales. In an initial exploratory analysis, in both studies, three factors emerged in the scree plot and most of the items displayed appropriate factorial load in the first factor. The results suggest that the scale may be used in the Portuguese population assuming the theoretical principles defined by the original authors and recognized in research.