Obesity represents a public health challenge, and dietary interventions to prevent or treat Obesity rely on the ability to accurately determine daily energy requirements - which are based on measures of total energy expenditure. Several prediction equations to estimate resting metabolic rate (RMR) have been developed, however, the validity of these equations is uncertain. The present study aims to determine the accuracy of four commonly used RMR prediction equations in normal weight, overweight and obese Portuguese women aged 18 to 64 years. RMR was measured in 156 women (age: 40.3 ± 10.2 years; Body Mass Index (BMI): 20.6 ± 6.8 kg/m²) using indirect calorimetry. The resulting values were compared with the predictive values from the Harris-Benedict, FAO/WHO/UNU, Schofield and Mifflin-St. Jeor equations across BMI categories. At an individual level, the equations with the highest percentage of accurate predictions were the Mifflin-St. Jeor equation in normal-weight women (41.9%) and the Harris-Benedict equation in overweight (55.4%) and obese (50.9%) women. The accuracy of the RMR prediction equations studied varied by weight status, and due to the low levels of accuracy reported, the present equations might have limited applicability for Portuguese women at an individual level.

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.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a estabilidade da técnica de bruços em cinco nadadores de elite numa prova de 200m usando uma análise qualitativa. A codificação do comportamento de cada nadador durante a execução de vinte ciclos de nado foi alcançado usando um instrumento de observação ad-hoc composto por um sistema de categorias e formatos de campo para detectar os padrões comportamentais (T-patterns); o software foi utilizado para identificar o comportamento técnico de estruturas estáveis. Os resultados indicaram que o comportamento da estabilidade dos nadadores variou de acordo com o nadador, como as variações de códigos em cada ronda produzido configurações distintas para determinar as diferenças entre os ciclos para o mesmo nadador. Concluiu-se que o instrumento utilizado neste estudo desempenha um papel importante, através da existência de um comportamento estável na técnica de nado de peito. Concluiu-se também que existem padrões distintos e comportamentos entre nadadores durante cada percurso de nado.

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyse the stability of the breaststroke technique in five elite swimmers in a 200m event using a qualitative analysis. The codification of the behaviour of each swimmer during the execution of 20 cycles was achieved using an ad hoc observational instrument comprised of a system of categories and field formats to detect the behavioural patterns (T-patterns); software was used for identifying the technical behaviour of stable structures. The results showed that the stability behaviour varied depending on the swimmer, as the variations of codes in each round produced distinct configurations to determine the differences between cycles for the same swimmer. It was concluded that the instrument used in this study plays an important role through the existence of stable behaviour in the breaststroke technique. It was also concluded that there are distinct patterns and behaviours between swimmers during each lap of the race.

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.