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- Exploratory study on maturation and competition level in young karate practitionersPublication . Branco, Marco A. C.; Brito, Antonio Vences; Seabra, Ana Paula; Mercê, Cristiana; Rodrigues Ferreira, Mário André; Milheiro, Vitor; Catela, DavidEmparelhar crianças propicia sucesso e reduz lesões no desporto. Apesar das diferenças de maturação entre crianças, a idade cronológica mantém-se o principal critério para equalizar os níveis de competição, mas com uma eficiência limitada. No entanto, no karaté, o peso também é considerado. Fomos verificar se existe associação entre a idade cronológica e os indicadores maturacionais e, encontrar modelos simples que permitam colocar em reflexão novas formas de avaliação da maturação. Foram recolhidos dados em 54 jovens praticantes de karaté (idade: 12,67 ± 2,49 anos; experiência: 4,99 ± 2,44 anos; altura: 150,45 ± 15,25cm; peso: 43,09 ± 14,17 kg, 20 raparigas). A idade correlacionou-se significativamente com auto-observação da maturação sexual (rho = 0,838; p < 0,01), e foi possível encontrar modelos de regressão simples que têm uma explicação moderada na maturação, apenas utilizando variáveis de medição simples, tal como a altura, o peso e o perímetro do braço. Estes resultados devem levar as entidades competentes a refletir acerca do modo de emparelhamento dos atletas nas competições de uma forma justa em termos de maturação.
- Dynamical analysis of the interaction between object location and hand use in a midline crossing task in children with trisomy 21Publication . Catela, David; Abreu, Ana; Seabra, Ana PaulaObjective: The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of spatial constraints on the hand use in children with trisomy 21. Methods: Participants were 31 children with trisomy (13.35 ± 2.78 years old, 18 girls) (T21) and 38 children with typical development (8.62±.79 years old, 22 girls) (TD), with similar APGAR scores at birth (1 mn and 5 mn), but with significantly different mental age in Goodenough test. Children grasped seven colored Styrofoam balls in a semi-circumference arraying; in a pseudorandom condition (R) and in a scaling condition (increasing sequence [IS]- from left to right hemispace; decreasing sequence [DS]- from right to left hemispace). Results: In the R, TD displayed a significantly greater frequency of midline crossing than T21, as in the DS; but not in the IS condition. T21 showed significantly larger hysteresis in the left hemispace, as well as in the midline location, but not in the right hemispace. In R, IS and DS, no significant differences were observed between TD and T21 in the frequency of left-hand use. Conclusion: Spatial constraints highly determined T21 hand-use, as clearly expressed in the pattern of midline crossing and of hysteresis. In T21, the scaling procedure permitted the detection of patterns of interaction among spatial and intrinsic constraints, that the traditional R procedure would not. This perceptual-motor pattern of behavior should be considered as criteria in the planning of perceptual-motor intervention for children with T21. We propose the “task constraints attunement hypothesis”, suggesting that T21 children (and, probably others with developmental problems) reveal more left-handedness and less asymmetry because they are compelled to use the hand in accordance with spatial constraints.
- Orienteering using realistic map (colored aerial photography) with kindergarten childrenPublication . Catela, David; Barroso, Marisa; Seabra, Ana Paula; Figueiredo, Raquel; Franco, RaquelOrienteering is the capacity to be able to locate ourselves in a space and to move to a desired location, using autonomously a map; and develops the capacity of visual perspective, spatial structuring, detection and combination of relevant information (Barroso, Bento, & Catela 2014; Heft, 2013; Jansen-Osmann & Wiedenbauer, 2004). The use of a map implies that the child perceives and associates three-dimensional information (environment) with two-dimensional information (map/photography); being expectable an association between spatial orientation capacity and the development of cognitive abilities (Allen & Ondracek, 1995). From the age of 3 years, children can orient themselves in small spaces (Bluestein & Acredolo, 1979; Blaut, Stea, Spencer, & Blades, 2003), as well as in unknown spaces, looking for hidden objects, if the map they use is realistic, e.g., aerial photography of the space to be explored (Barroso, 2014). If the map has colors, the children's orientation capacity increases (Gouteux & Spelke, 2001; Herers & Spelke, 1996; Jansen-Osmann & Wiedenbauer, 2004). If the map is not aligned with real space, the orientation becomes inefficient (Presson & Hazelrigg, 1984); and, if children can analyze the map before using it, they become faster to orient themselves in the space (Uttal & Wellman, 1989; Sandberg and Huttenlocher, 2001), e.g., at the beginning of the activity, helping them to identify in the map where they are at the moment and to associate space locations with locations represented in the map, other than those that they will search for (e.g., Barroso, 2014). The ability of children to orient themselves in enlarged spaces increases with age (Cohen & Schuepfer, 1980; JansenOsmann & Wiedenbauer, 2004), with no gender differences found (Barroso, 2014). After informed consent and assent, we asked 12 children, aged between 3 and 6 years (4.67 ±, 89, 4 girls) to find 5 small objects (e.g., Barroso, Bento, & Catela 2014), hidden always in the same places in the playground of their school. The time spent on the task, the number of objects actually found and the number of map reorientations made were obtained. The photograph was in color (Gouteux & Spelke, 2001; Hermer & Spelke, 1996); before starting the activity, the child was helped to locate himself/herself and to identify an existing building on the map (Uttal & Wellman, 1989; Sandberg & Huttenlocher, 2001; Barroso, 2014). A child of 3 years interrupted the activity after arriving at the third place. The Kruskall-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used for intergroup comparisons and the Spearman correlation coefficient for association between variables, for a level of significance of 05; through the IBM-SPSS program, version 24. The results revealed that there were no significant differences between genders (cf., Barroso, 2014) nor between ages. There was a significant direct association between age and number of map reorients performed (rho (12) =,582, p˂,05), and a significant inverse association between age and time spent performing the activity (rho (12) = (-),726, p˂,01). An analysis of the sequence of visited sites reveals that each child did so in it own way; with no common pattern identified among them (cf. Græsli, Bjerva, & Sigurfónsson, 2009). This study confirms Barroso (2014, cf. Barroso, Bento, & Catela, 2014) results, i.e., preschool children can successfully use a photograph as a map to orient themselves in an enlarged space; however, age, as a general indicator, suggests that older children can do it more quickly (Cohen & Schuepfer, 1980; Jansen-Osmann & Wiedenbauer, 2004) and better manage the spatial alignment between the map and real space (cf. Presson & Hazelrigg, 1984). Given the importance of this activity for the development of competences in children (e.g., Heft, 2013, Blaut, Stea, Spencer, & Blades, 2003; Hermer & Spelke, 1996), it inclusion and implementation in the kindergarten education programs, as well as in the formation of teachers for basic education, are strongly encouraged.
- Elderly women’s life styles and levels of physical activity: a pilot studyPublication . Catela, David; Gonçalves, Carlos; Santa, Pedro; Fiúza, Joana; Seabra, Ana PaulaThe International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) is a standardized measure to estimate habitual practice of physical activities. Because of the specificity of different elderly’s life styles, and, consequently, modes of physical activity, the purpose of this pilot study was to analyze differences among ten regular gym practitioners (fitness group) (68,60±3,57 years of age) and ten Senior University students without gym practice (informal group) (71,30±5,54 years of age). The results showed that energy expenditure doesn’t depend solely on regular and controlled physical activity at a Fitness center, and that functional motor activity, as daily life active transportation and domestic and garden activities, resulted in similar energy expenditure. It’s suggested that programs combining energy expenditure and daily life motor activities is a good solution for quality of life enhancement, and an alternative to more standardized fitness practices.
- Atitudes de crianças de 8-10 anos e de suas mães sobre brincar: estudo exploratórioPublication . Catela, David; Seabra, Ana Paula; Dória, Matilde; Sambú, Sabina; Alendouro, Natacha; Serrão-Arrais, AnaÉ objetivo deste estudo analisar atitudes de crianças e mães relativamente a comportamentos, atividades e ambientes de brincar. Foram obtidas 43 respostas de mãe e sua criança (8,74±,62 anos, 27 meninas) a questionários individuais (1,2), durante maio de 2021. Os resultados revelaram duas atitudes distintas por parte das mães, as mais cautelosas, supervisoras e orientadoras; e, as mais informais, facilitadoras e delegadoras. Também nas crianças se detetam duas atitudes- a da criança imersiva, exigindo mais tempo livre e mais tempo para brincar, desejando que a sua comunidade organize atividades; e a da criança que não gosta que lhe diga o que fazer, aborrecida por não ter o que fazer depois da escola e desejosa de atividades divertidas.
- Desenvolvimento motor e brincar em crianças de 3 a 5 anos de idade: estudo exploratórioPublication . Catela, David; Seabra, Ana Paula; Martins, Bárbara; Oliveira, Ana; Penelas, Beatriz; Teixeira, Ana; Maia, Constança; Diogo, Margarida; Serrão-Arrais, AnaAnalisamos a relação entre desenvolvimento motor e dimensões do brincar em crianças pequenas, recorrendo a um questionário fechado sobre marcos motores na 1ª infância, padrão de brincar, coordenação motora, e estatuto socioeconómico, preenchido por mães/pais, entre março e abril de 2021, de 28 crianças (3,89±,88 anos de idade, 14 meninas). Foram detetadas 3 crianças com provável problema de desenvolvimento da coordenação motora (DCD), 2 em risco de DCD, com associação a inferior habilitação da mãe. Crianças que se sentaram mais cedo são reportadas como brincando com maior espontaneidade física e manifestação de alegria. Crianças com melhor cotação na motricidade grossa também a têm no cômputo das dimensões do brincar. Assim, há indícios de associação de desenvolvimento motor na 1ª infância e de desenvolvimento da coordenação motora na 2ª infância com o desenvolvimento do brincar 2ª infância, pelo que um desenvolvimento motor adequado poderá propiciar desenvolvimento do brincar.
- Effect of Slow Abdominal Breathing Technique on Heart Rate Variability in Male SmokersPublication . Catela, David; Seabra, Ana Paula; Mercê, Cristiana; Branco, Marco A. C.Cigarette smoking is one of the highest contributors to the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to verify the effect of a breathing technique on cardiac autonomic function in long-term male smoker subjects, by short-term heart rate variability analysis. The effect of a breathing technique on heart rate variability, in five long-term male smokers was analyzed. For almost all participants in this study, paced and predominantly abdominal breathing was beneficial, because it afforded greater asymmetry in short-term heart rate variability, as expressed by Poincaré plots, reinforced by significantly higher shortterm variability, long-term variability, root mean square of successive differences, differences of successive intervals greater than 50ms, and Approximate Entropy. An easily learned breathing technique, which is inexpensive and non-intrusive, can help smokers to momentarily remedy the nefarious cardiac effects of their smoking habit.
- The influence of sport practices on body composition, maturation and maximum oxygen uptake in children and youthPublication . Mercê, Cristiana; Branco, Marco A. C.; Rodrigues Ferreira, Mário André; VencesBrito, Antonio; Catela, David; Seabra, Ana Paula; Milheiro, Vítor; Cynarski, WojciechSystematic sport practice at younger ages positively influences body composition and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). On the other hand, its influence on maturation is still not consensual, and some studies claim a negative effect. Few studies have approached the differences in this influence according to different sport practices. The present study aims to analyse and compare the influence of karate and swimming practices, and the non-practice of sports, on body composition, VO2max and maturation in children and youth. Data were collected in 126 youth, 54 karate athletes, 36 swimming athletes and 36 participants with no sport practice (M=11.56±2.06 years). The type of sport practice had a different influence on body composition and VO2max, no negative influence was verified on maturation. In general, the sport practices revealed a positive influence in children and youth’s body composition. The karate practice provided significant lower body fat mass and higher lean mass in males. Swimming athletes revealed a significant higher VO2max compared to all other groups, while karate didn´t differed from no-practice group. The different influence of sport practices verified highlighted the importance of a multilateral development of children and youth by practising several sports.
- An Exploratory Behavioral Study in Children of Four Years of Age on the Hypothesis of a Two Streams System in Touch Perception and Language DevelopmentPublication . Catela, David; Silva, Catarina; Reis, Joana; Seabra, Ana PaulaA two streams system seems to exist for tactile perception. We asked kindergarten children to identify (semantic) and describe the function of grasped unseen instruments of their daily life (fork, knife, spoon, brush, toothbrush, pencil, and scissor), and then, to simulate its use (pragmatic). The capacity to describe the function of the set of instruments was significantly superior to that of identifying them by name, although there was a significant direct association between identification and description of the function in the responses to the set of instruments. The simulation of the instrument function was of two types: (i) use―the child simulated how the instrument is grasped and used; and (ii) incorporation―the child simulated the function of the instrument with her/his own hand. The results support the hypothesis of a two streams tactile system (semantic and pragmatic), and that kindergarten children have the ability to incorporate functional properties of instruments of their daily life, probably as a support for language development.
- Estudo exploratório sobre frequência cardíaca e tipo de interferência contextual na realização de nós em crianças de 9-10 anos de idadePublication . Amaral, Nuno; Catela, David; Seabra, Ana PaulaA frequência cardíaca (FC) está directamente associada à complexidade de informação a processar. Fomos verificar se a FC em crianças era sensível à organização da estrutura de prática (IC). 34 crianças (9,41±0,5 anos) foram divididas por 4 grupos experimentais: (i) por blocos (PB), (ii) por séries (PS), (iii) contínuo (C), (iv) aleatório (A); para aprendizagem de três nós. No início da fase de aquisição (FA), o grupo A revelou proporção à FC de repouso (FCR) em média superior aos restantes grupos, e entre o início e o final da FA, uma redução da média da FCR em todos os nós. No final da FA, num dos nós, o grupo A revelou diferença em relação à FC de repouso (DFC) significativamente inferior ao grupo PB. Do final da FA para o teste de retenção, o grupo PB reduziu significativamente a DFC num dos nós e o grupo A aumentou-a significativamente em todos os nós. No teste de transferência, o grupo A revelou FCR e DFC significativamente superiores aos restantes grupos. Os resultados sustentam sensibilidade da FC das crianças à IC, com presumível resposta simpática à elevada IC e presumível predomínio parassimpático quando há necessidade de recuperação de informação. A evolução da FCR e da DFC, sustentam a hipótese distinção/elaboração para o efeito da IC.
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