Percorrer por autor "Vaz, Vasco"
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- Abdominal wall muscle ultrasound assessment and level of experience in Pilates - an exploratory studyPublication . Pereira, Mário; André, Alexandra; Dias, Gonçalo Nuno Figueiredo; Castro, Maria António; Mendes, Rui; Martins, Fernando Manuel Lourenço; Gomes, Ricardo; Vaz, VascoThe core refers to a group of muscles that allow optimal force transfer along the body’s kinetic chain and is critical for movement. The goal of this quasi-experimental study was to investigate the relationship between the experience level of Pilates participants and abdominal wall thickness. For this, we compared the thickness of four abdominal muscles—transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and rectus abdominis (RA)—as measured before and after 8 weeks of Pilates training in three conditions, namely, relaxation, abdominal hollowing, and plank exercise. Eighteen participants were distributed into three groups with different levels of Pilates practice—experienced (EG; n=6), inexperienced (IG; n=7), and control (CG; n=5) groups. The RA showed a tendency to increase post-intervention in the EG (all conditions: p=0,002, p=0,006, and p=0,002, respectively for relaxation condition, abdominal hollowing and standing plank). Additionally, significant differences were found in relaxation (p=0.003, d=−0.744) and plank (p=0.009, d=−0.630) conditions in the IG. Significant differences were also registered in the EO muscle in the IG (all conditions: p=0.046, p=0.013, and p=0.008, respectively; d=0.464, d=−0.596, and d=−0.637, respectively). IO muscle thickness tended to increase in the CG in all conditions (p=0.044, p=0.006, and p<0.001, respectively) and the EG in relaxation and plank conditions (p=0.009 and p=0.007, respectively). Within groups, the effects of Pilates practice were more significant post-intervention, with the exceptions being under the contraction condition in the deepest muscles (IO: p=0.109, d=0.083; TrA: p=0.194, d=0.062). Our hypothesis was partially confirmed because 8 weeks of Pilates practice have improved significantly the thickness of the RA and EO muscles in the IG.
- Abdominal wall muscle ultrasound assessment and level of experience in Pilates - an exploratory studyPublication . Pereira, Mário; André, Alexandra; Dias, Gonçalo Nuno Figueiredo; Castro, Maria António; Mendes, Rui; Martins, Fernando Manuel Lourenço; Gomes, Ricardo; Vaz, VascoThe core refers to a group of muscles that allow optimal force transfer along the body’s kinetic chain and is critical for movement. The goal of this quasi-experimental study was to investigate the relationship between the experience level of Pilates participants and abdominal wall thickness. For this, we compared the thickness of four abdominal muscles—transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and rectus abdominis (RA)—as measured before and after 8 weeks of Pilates training in three conditions, namely, relaxation, abdominal hollowing, and plank exercise. Eighteen participants were distributed into three groups with different levels of Pilates practice—experienced (EG; n=6), inexperienced (IG; n=7), and control (CG; n=5) groups. The RA showed a tendency to increase post-intervention in the EG (all conditions: p=0,002, p=0,006, and p=0,002, respectively for relaxation condition, abdominal hollowing and standing plank). Additionally, significant differences were found in relaxation (p=0.003, d=−0.744) and plank (p=0.009, d=−0.630) conditions in the IG. Significant differences were also registered in the EO muscle in the IG (all conditions: p=0.046, p=0.013, and p=0.008, respectively; d=0.464, d=−0.596, and d=−0.637, respectively). IO muscle thickness tended to increase in the CG in all conditions (p=0.044, p=0.006, and p<0.001, respectively) and the EG in relaxation and plank conditions (p=0.009 and p=0.007, respectively). Within groups, the effects of Pilates practice were more significant post-intervention, with the exceptions being under the contraction condition in the deepest muscles (IO: p=0.109, d=0.083; TrA: p=0.194, d=0.062). Our hypothesis was partially confirmed because 8 weeks of Pilates practice have improved significantly the thickness of the RA and EO muscles in the IG.
- Efficacy of pilates in functional body composition : a systematic reviewPublication . Pereira, Mário; Dias, Gonçalo; Mendes, Rodrigo; Mendes, Rui; M. L. Martins, Fernando; Gomes, Ricardo; Gama, José; Castro, Maria António; Vaz, VascoThe aim of this review was to collect and systematize results of studies from the last 5 years concerning the influence of the Pilates method (PM) on functional body composition (FBC). Methods: The criteria of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) were used in this review. We conducted research in three scientific databases: (i) Web of Science Core Collection, (ii) SCOPUS, and (iii) search directory of the library catalog of the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education of the University of Coimbra—EBSCO Discovery Services. We found 334 articles, covering the period between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021. After the selection process, we found 33 eligible articles. Results: The main results seem to point to a tendency to get a better body weight and body fat percentage (BFP), hip circumference (HC), waist, and skinfolds from the chest, abdomen, triceps, and supra-iliac in mostly female samples. Available evidence indicates that, in body composition (BC) and FBC, Pilates practice tends to be effective in reducing obesity as a multifactorial condition. Conclusions: It is concluded that there is a marked trend in the benefits of Pilates in FBC, which is in line with other systematic reviews at the BC level (which includes body weight (BW) and body mass index (BMI)) and in the reduction of the percentage of fat mass (FM). It is also concluded that there is a vast lack of studies on the male population, preventing further scientific development in this area. The limitations of this systematic review can be overcome with studies that bring together multidisciplinary aspects of FBC, better designed and methodologically more robust, which will allow more reliable analyses for the implementation of the Pilates method in terms of FBC. In addition, further studies with a male sample or mixed samples (men vs. women) could confirm the trend of no gender differences in the benefits of Pilates practice.
- Exploring team dynamics through network analysis: A season review of an elite Portuguese soccer teamPublication . Alves, Ricardo; Dias, Gonçalo Nuno Figueiredo; Nunes, Nuno André; Querido, Sérgio; Vaz, VascoSocial network analysis was applied to investigate team dynamics and inter-player connections during matches to offer deeper insights into the organizational framework of an elite soccer team competing in the Portuguese First Division during the 2020–2021 season. This study aimed to assess the impact of match outcomes and the deployment of various tactical systems on the team’s macro network metrics, such as density and clustering coefficients. Data was collected from thirty-four matches, with each match’s passing interactions meticulously analyzed to construct adjacency matrices, thereby quantifying player interconnections. The study’s findings revealed a nuanced relationship between network metrics and match outcomes. Density was significantly higher in matches that ended in losses, suggesting a potential over-reliance on certain players or interactions in adverse scenarios. Conversely, matches won were characterized by higher clustering coefficients, indicating a more cohesive and interconnected team effort. The analysis of five different tactical systems revealed significant differences in density, pointing to the influence of tactical choices on player interactions. No significant differences were found in clustering coefficients across the tactical systems, suggesting a consistent internal team cohesion irrespective of the strategy employed. These insights highlight the utility of network analysis in enhancing the understanding of team dynamics and strategic planning. This study underscores the potential of such analytical approaches to inform better tactical decisions and optimize team performance, ultimately contributing to a more sophisticated level of competitive analysis in professional sports.
- Golf-putting performance in skilled golfers at different distances to the holePublication . Dias, Gonçalo; Couceiro, Micael; Mendes, Pedro; Gomes, Ricardo; Mendes, Rui; Vaz, Vasco; M. L. Martins, Fernando; Gama, José; Castro, Maria AntónioGolf putting occurs under highly variable conditions. Therefore, adapting to different putting distances is a challenge that the golfer faces and understanding the variables underlying performance in this task is important. The main objective of this study was to analyse the golf-putting performance in skilled golfers at different distances to the hole. Fourteen highly skilled golfers, adult male and right-handed (41.5 ± 13.2 years with an average handicap of 2.3 ± 1.7) performed the golf putting on a natural grass green, completing a total of 120 randomly ordered trials, 30 trials at each of the four different practice conditions (1, 2, 3, and 4 m away from the hole). A smart engineered putter (InPutter) was used as the data acquisition instrument to record several process variables at 100 Hz. Results indicated that golf-putting distances constrained movement organisation variables in specific ways. For example, as the distance to the hole changes, so do the informational constraints, shaping how a golfer needs to regulate performance. We concluded that the effects of different golf-putting distances required the implementation of functional solutions uniquely adjusted to each player. Furthermore, the perception that the player withdrew from the properties of the context (e.g., distance to the hole) was important to adapt the golf-putting process variables (e.g., amplitude and duration of the movement, among others). All these factors led to a decisive influence on how the golfer hit the ball and adjusted his performance. A major implication of developing a better understanding of the role of performance in golf putting is that coaches and players should allow functional movement behaviours to emerge during practice.
- Handball Offensive Analysis: Comparative Evolution of Linear Tendency Lines between Finalist Teams in the EHF CLPublication . Vaz, Vasco; Ferrari, Willian; Sarmento, Hugo; Couceiro, Micael; Sousa, Tiago; Dias, Gonçalo Nuno Figueiredo(1) Background: This study aims to analyze the evolution of the finalist teams in five years of the EHF Champions League and compare winning teams with defeated teams, presenting their evolution along the competition from the quarterfinals to the final; (2) Methods: A total of 35 games were analyzed, corresponding to four games per team over five seasons. Tendency lines were created according to the 13 offensive indicators of winning teams, divided into three macro categories: game actions, goals, and effectiveness of shots; (3) Results: The results indicated 21 linear tendency lines valid for the study. Winning teams presented five increasing lines (ascending line) and 16 decreasing lines (negative slope) during the competition. Assists, goals from the 6 m, and effectiveness at 6 m shots presented an increasing tendency line for winning teams, and the effectiveness of shots, the effectiveness of the organized attack, and the effectiveness of shots from 9–6 m presented a decreasing tendency line; (4) Conclusions: winning teams have more constancy during the competition. Due to the expected increased difficulty in successive matches, tendency lines tend to present decreasing slopes as teams advance toward the final. Nevertheless, winning teams need to adapt to the increasing challenge, describing growth in some key indicators, and being more regular than other teams.
- Methodology and Experimental Protocol for Studying Learning and Motor Control in Neuromuscular Structures in PilatesPublication . Pereira, Mário José; André, Alexandra; Monteiro, Mário; Castro, Maria António; Mendes, Rui; Martins, Fernando Manuel Lourenço; Gomes, Ricardo; Vaz, Vasco; Dias, Gonçalo Nuno FigueiredoThe benefits of Pilates have been extensively researched for their impact on muscular, psychological, and cardiac health, as well as body composition, among other aspects. This study aims to investigate the influence of the Pilates method on the learning process, motor control, and neuromuscular trunk stabilization, specifically in both experienced and inexperienced practitioners. This semi-randomized controlled trial compares the level of experience among 36 Pilates practitioners in terms of motor control and learning of two Pilates-based skills: standing plank and side crisscross. Data will be collected using various assessment methods, including abdominal wall muscle ultrasound (AWMUS), shear wave elastography (SWE), gaze behavior (GA) assessment, electroencephalography (EEG), and video motion. Significant intra- and inter-individual variations are expected, due to the diverse morphological and psychomotor profiles in the sample. The adoption of both linear and non-linear analyses will provide a comprehensive evaluation of how neuromuscular structures evolve over time and space, offering both quantitative and qualitative insights. Non-linear analysis is expected to reveal higher entropy in the expert group compared to non-experts, signifying greater complexity in their motor control. In terms of stability, experts are likely to exhibit higher Lyapunov exponent values, indicating enhanced stability and coordination, along with lower Hurst exponent values. In elastography, experienced practitioners are expected to display higher transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle elasticity, due to their proficiency. Concerning GA, non-experts are expected to demonstrate more saccades, focus on more Areas of Interest (AOIs), and shorter fixation times, as experts are presumed to have more efficient gaze control. In EEG, we anticipate higher theta wave values in the non-expert group compared to the expert group. These expectations draw from similar studies in elastography and correlated research in eye tracking and EEG. They are consistent with the principles of the Pilates Method and other scientific knowledge in related techniques.
- Monitoring a national Open Access funder mandatePublication . Carvalho, José; Laranjeira, Cátia; Vaz, Vasco; Mendes Moreira, JoãoAcknowledging the benefits associated with open access (OA) to scientific literature, the Foundation for Science and Technology (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT), the national funding agency for science in Portugal, defined an OA policy that aims at ensuring free, online access to publications arising from FCT-funded research. Key to the implementation of FCT OA policy is the existence of a solid and mature repository infrastructure, the Scientific Open Access Repository of Portugal – RCAAP. Furthermore, RCAAP is part of PTCRIS, an integrated research information ecosystem whose holistic vision of the research information landscape allow us to link implementation of FCT OA mandate to added value services, with great benefits for the research community. In these paper, we describe the strategy adopted to implement and monitor a funder’s OA mandate in an unprecedented integrated manner, using ground-breaking technical solutions built upon an existing infrastructure to address new challenges.
- Movement variability in pilates : a scoping reviewPublication . Pereira, Mário José; Dias, Gonçalo; Mendes, Rui; M. L. Martins, Fernando; Gomes, Ricardo; Gomes, Maria António; Vaz, VascoObjective: This scoping review aimed to identify studies that analyzed movement variability in Pilates. Following a systematic approach to mapping evidence on this topic would highlight concepts, theories, sources, and knowledge gaps in this area. Methods: This review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) criteria for the selection, reading, and analysis of studies in this area. We searched five literature databases (Web of Science, SCOPUS, library catalog of the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education of the University of Coimbra—EBSCO Discovery Services, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar). Eligible articles contained the word “Pilates,” and the human movement variability was analyzed. Any type of study (except reviews) could be eligible and must have been published between 1 January 2002 and 30 November 2022, in Portuguese, Spanish, French, or English. Results: Our search identified five eligible entries. Only one study used the Pilates method in its intervention, pointing to a more significant variability of hip–knee coordination, suggesting more diversified coordination patterns, and maintaining the variability of the angular position of the joint. Conclusion: Very few studies have examined movement variability in Pilates, and only one applied an ecological framework
- Movement variability in Pilates: a scoping reviewPublication . Pereira, Mário José; Dias, Gonçalo Nuno Figueiredo; Mendes, Rui; Martins, Fernando Manuel Lourenço; Gomes, Ricardo; Castro, Maria António; Vaz, VascoObjective: This scoping review aimed to identify studies that analyzed movement variability in Pilates. Following a systematic approach to mapping evidence on this topic would highlight concepts, theories, sources, and knowledge gaps in this area. Methods: This review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) criteria for the selection, reading, and analysis of studies in this area. We searched five literature databases (Web of Science, SCOPUS, library catalog of the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education of the University of Coimbra—EBSCO Discovery Services, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar). Eligible articles contained the word “Pilates,” and the human movement variability was analyzed. Any type of study (except reviews) could be eligible and must have been published between 1 January 2002 and 30 November 2022, in Portuguese, Spanish, French, or English. Results: Our search identified five eligible entries. Only one study used the Pilates method in its intervention, pointing to a more significant variability of hip–knee coordination, suggesting more diversified coordination patterns, and maintaining the variability of the angular position of the joint. Conclusion: Very few studies have examined movement variability in Pilates, and only one applied an ecological framework.