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- Learning to cycle: a cross-cultural and cross-generational comparisonPublication . Cordovil, R.; Mercê, Cristiana; Branco, Marco A. C.; Lopes, Frederico; Catela, David; Hasanen, Elina; Laukkanen, Arto; TORTELLA, Patrizia; Fumagalli, Guido; Sá, Cristina; Jidovtseff, Boris; Zeuwts, Linus; De Meester, An; Bardid, Farid; Fujikawa, Ricardo; Veldman, Sanne LC; Zlatar, Silvija; Estevan, IsaacBackground: Learning to cycle is an important milestone for children, but the popularity of cycling and the environmental factors that promote the development and practice of this foundational movement skill vary among cultures and across time. This present study aimed to investigate if country of residence and the generation in which a person was born influence the age at which people learn to cycle. Methods: Data were collected through an online survey between November 2019 and December 2020. For this study, a total of 9,589 responses were obtained for adults (self-report) and children (parental report) living in 10 countries (Portugal, Italy, Brazil, Finland, Spain, Belgium, United Kingdom, Mexico, Croatia, and the Netherlands). Participants were grouped according to their year of birth with 20-year periods approximately corresponding to 3 generations: 1960–79 (generation X; n = 2,214); 1980–99 (generation Y; n = 3,994); 2000–2019 (generation Z; n = 3,381). Results: A two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of country, F(9,8628) = 90.17, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.086, and generation, F(2,8628) = 47.21, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.122, on the age at which individuals learn to cycle. Countries with the lowest learning age were the Netherlands, Finland and Belgium and countries with the highest learning age were Brazil and Mexico. Furthermore, the age at which one learns to cycle has decreased across generations. There was also a significant country x generation interaction effect on learning age, F(18,8628) = 2.90, p < 0.001; however, this effect was negligible (η2p = 0.006). Conclusions: These findings support the socio-ecological perspective that learning to cycle is a process affected by both proximal and distal influences, including individual, environment and time.
- Learning to Cycle: Are Physical Activity and Birth Order Related to the Age of Learning How to Ride a Bicycle?Publication . Mercê, Cristiana; Branco, Marco A. C.; Catela, David; Lopes, Frederico; Rodrigues, Luis P.; Cordovil, R.The present article aimed to verify whether the age at which children learn to ride a bicycle is related to their physical activity or birth order. Data were collected from an online structured survey between November 2019 and June 2020. A total of 8614 responses were obtained from 22 countries. The results reveal significant differences in learning age depending on the frequency of physical activity (F(5, 7235) = 35.12, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.24). People who engaged in physical activity less than twice a month learned to cycle later (M = 7.5 ± 5.3 years) than people who engaged in physical activity on a daily basis (M = 5.7 ± 2.2 years) (p < 0.001). There were also significant differences in learning age according to birth order (F(2, 3008) = 7.31, p = 0.00, ηp2 = 0.005). Only children had the highest learning age (M = 5.5 ± 2.4 years), whereas those who were born last had the lowest, (M = 5.1 ± 1.9 years) (p = 0.013). Creating opportunities for children to be engaged in play and physical activity and social modulation through their older siblings seem to be key conditions to encourage children to learn how to ride a bicycle from a young age and to foster their motor development.
- Déficits no comportamento de atividade física em crianças com transtorno do desenvolvimento da coordenação: revisão sistemáticaPublication . Mercê, Cristiana; Cordeiro, Jéssica; Romão, Catarina; Branco, Marco A. C.; Catela, DavidThe Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) affects about 5 to 6% of school-aged children, being one of the most common developmental problems in childhood. A dated review identified that DCD children had lower levels of physical activity than their peers however, they did not investigate the implications of this lower activity in the children's lives. The present systematic review aimed to identify: i) differences in physical activity levels between children with developmental coordination disorder (pDCD) and typical development, ii) the repercussions of these differences, and iii) main instruments used in the measurement of physical activity. A comprehensive search in five databases was performed (Science Direct, PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Cochrane), including grey literature. After finding 785 publications, 16 studies were included. This review verified that pDCD children have lower levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity, with possible implications at physical (e.g., higher percentages of fat mass) and psychological (e.g., increased levels of frustration) levels. This review confirms that children with pDCD are less active than children with typical development and have a higher risk of developing cardio-metabolic diseases. Parents, teachers, schools and communities should create motivational environments for youngsters with DCD to engage and maintain physical activity as they move into adulthood.
- Affording heading in preschool and club childrenPublication . Mercê, Cristiana; Catela, David; Pereira, M.; Teixeira, G.; Figueiredo, M.; Coelho, R.; Serrão-Arrais, Ana; Brígida, NancyHeading is an identitary skill of European football, that requires a balance between physical safety and acquisition, achievable through balloons with minimal impact and slow approach. This study aimed to investigate whether preschool children (P) (N=44, M=3.91±0.87 years, ♀=24) can perform self-heading using this educational solution and whether they demonstrate a performance similar to boys in football schools (F) (N=14, M=4,57±,65 years). They were asked to perform as many consecutive self-headings as possible with a balloon, in 3 trials, without attempt restrictions. The balloon afforded to head in 3-years-old, without gender differences, reinforcing the importance of equal gender opportunities for practice. A transition is observed from 3 to 4 years, with an increase in frequency and a reduction in the time between headings. At 4 and 5 years old, the F performs better than the P. In both groups, individualized motor competence occurred. The balloon should be used to explore heading in children aged 3, with advantages in P, compared to the limited recruitment capacity found in group F. The age of 3 years may be characterized as the beginning of the sensitive period for the acquisition of heading.
- Efeito da intervenção com exercício físico em adolescentes com perturbação no desenvolvimento da coordenação (dcd): revisão sistemáticaPublication . Bernardino, Mafalda; Catela, David; Branco, Marco A. C.; Mercê, CristianaA perturbação no desenvolvimento da coordenação (DCD), é uma condição motora que afeta a capacidade de realizar habilidades motoras coordenadas grossas e finas, com impacto negativo significativo no dia a dia. O exercício físico (EF) ajuda a mitigar os efeitos negativos da DCD em crianças, porém não existe sistematização nesta área com a população adolescente. Esta revisão objetivou investigar quais os efeitos do EF em adolescentes com DCD. A pesquisa foi realizada na PubMed, e a avaliação da qualidade através da escala de PEDro. Foram selecionados 5 artigos, que evidenciaram efeitos significativos do EF na competência motora em adolescentes com DCD. O EF deve ser incluído nos hábitos de vida de adolescentes com DCD, preferencialmente através de programas, com uma duração mínima de 13 semanas, orientados por profissionais com qualificação adequada, para melhoria da competência motora e desenvolvimento das habilidades motoras.
- 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.
- Effect of slow diaphragmatic breathing technique on heart rate, blood pressure and peripheral oxygen saturation in hypertensive elderlyPublication . Catela, David; Mercê, CristianaSlow breathing can be used as a complement for hypertension treatment. The aim of the study was to verify the effect of a breathing technique on cardiac autonomic function in elderly (N = 22, 76.36 ± 7.93 years old, 13 women); thirteen had optimal to Normal High Blood Pressure (ONH group) and nine had Mild to Moderate Isolated Systolic Pressure (MMS group). In both groups, vital signs were collected in two breathing conditions: i) Baseline (B)- participants breath at their normal pace; ii) Diaphragmatic (D)- participants breath at a slow pace, predominantly abdominal. Considering all participants, results revealed that during D condition Respiratory Frequency (RF) and Heart Rate Frequency (HR) were significantly reduced, and Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO2), High Frequency (HF) and Heart Rate Variability Index (HRVi) significantly augmented, a significant reduction of. In D condition, both groups significantly augmented SpO2. Additionally, in B condition, MMS group had significantly less SpO2 than ONH group; but, in D condition no significant difference was found between groups. Similarly, in B condition, MMS group had significantly higher Diastolic Pressure (DP), but in D condition no significant difference was found between groups. Also, compared to B condition, in D condition MMS group significantly reduced Systolic Pressure (SP), DP and Pulse (P- the difference between SP and DP). Consequently, during the D breathing, MMS subjects benefited of better blood pressure and peripheral oxygenation conditions, with probable enhancement of Heart Rate Variability (HRV). Results of this study support the hypothesis that an easily learned diaphragmatic breathing technique, inexpensive and non-intrusive, can help elderly with isolated systolic hypertension, to remediate its effects on vital signs, as a non-clinical complementary treatment.
- Fine motricity in finger tapping test with children: variability analysis with lyapunov exponentePublication . Mercê, Cristiana; Catela, David; Brígida, Nancy; Rafael, D.; Olhos, B.; Gonçalves, M.; Branco, Marco A. C.Recent advancements in nonlinear methodologies have allowed deeper analysis of motor control during development. This study aimed to analyse the evolution of the fine motor skills in children aged 6 to 9 years old through the Lypaunov Exponent (LyE). It was asked to 60 children (M=8,141±1,064 years) to perform the finger taping test, 6 trials in each hand, starting with their preferred one. An inertial sensor was attached to the index finger to collect three-dimensional angular velocity. The LyE values were calculated per child, hand, and movement axis. The results highlighted a notable distinction between the 6- and 7-year-old and the 8- and 9-year-old, aligned with the different phases of motor development. The older ones presented higher variability, which can reflect their greater proficiency in this fine motor task, due to their extensive practice at school context. LyE analysis seems to be sensitive to changes that occur during different phases of motor development.
- Recorrence Quantification Analysis during the finger tapping test in children of the primary schoolPublication . Branco, Marco A. C.; Catela, David; Brígida, Nancy; Rafael, Diana; Oliveira, Joana; Olhos, Beatriz; Gonçalves, Mariana; Mercê, CristianaThe Recurrence Quantification Analysis (RQA), applied to fine motor skills in children, may be used to observe the behavior of the state of the child, which allows to study and understand the process that he/she is going through. This study aims to analyze the evolution of the fine motor skills between 6 and 9 years old. An inertial sensor was used to collect 3D data during FTT from 60 primary school children and was calculated Recurrence (REC) and Determinism (DET) of the collected time series. Results shows a decrease of REC and DET along ages and higher values in non-preferred hand. RQA shows great sensibility to evaluate fine motor skills and its visible an onset of differentiation between hands through these ages.
- P3 diaphragmatic breathing technique an example of motor literacy for health in elderly with isolated systolic hypertensionPublication . Catela, David; Mercê, CristianaIntroduction Motor literacy is the acquired repertoire of movement techniques, like breathing techniques, which are assumed to be a complementary non-clinical instrument for health, e.g., slowing breathing frequency enhances respiratory sinus arrhythmia. Objective To verify the effect of learned diaphragmatic breathing on cardiac autonomic function in elderly with Mild to Moderate Isolated Systolic Hypertension (MMS). Methods Vital signs were collected in 22 elderly (76.36 7.93 years old, 13 women); 13 with optimal to Normal High Blood Pressure (ONH group) and 9 with MMS, in the supine position, during 6 min in each of two conditions: i) Baseline (B)- normal pace breath; ii) Diaphragmatic (D)- slow pace learned breath. Interval RR was collected through Polar V800, and gHRV software was used for Heart Rate Variability (HRV) analysis. Results For all sample, during D, RF and Heart Rate significantly reduced; and, SpO2, High Frequency (HF) and Heart Rate Variability Index significantly augmented. In D, both groups significantly augmented SpO2. Additionally, in B, MMS group had significantly less SpO2 than ONH group; but, in D no significant difference was found between groups. Similarly, in B, MMS group had significantly higher Diastolic Pressure (DP), but in D no significant difference was found between groups. Also, compared to B, in D MMS group significantly reduced Systolic Pressure (SP), DP and Pulse (difference between SP and DP). Conclusions During the D, MMS subjects benefited of better blood pressure and peripheral oxygenation conditions, with probable enhancement of HRV. Results of this study support the hypothesis that an easily learned diaphragmatic breathing technique, inexpensive and non-intrusive, can help elderly with isolated systolic hypertension, to remediate its effects on vital signs. Ancient traditional breathing techniques should be considered as a non-clinical complementary health treatment for elderly with MMS.