Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-07-01"
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- Blended intensive programs in higher education: an opportunity to engage students, improve knowledge and skillsPublication . Alves Lopes, AntónioIntroduction: Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) are innovative, short-term educational initiatives under the Erasmus+ framework, combining physical mobility with virtual learning components. These programmes are designed to promoteinterdisciplinary learning and introduce innovative teaching methods, making them accessible to students and staff across various academic fields and study cycles. They provide valuable mobility opportunities, particularly beneficial for students unable to commit to traditional long-term exchanges such as semester or year-long programmes. BIPs promote transnational and transdisciplinary collaboration, often focusing on global challenges and emergent topics, aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This study investigates the self-reported impacts on students participating in five BIPs conducted over three years. Methodology: Several higher education institutions from different European countries collaboratively organised five BIPs involving a total of 156 students and more than 50 teachers and facilitators. Typically, each BIP spanned approximately two months, consisting of at least two online sessions complemented by one intensive in-person week, awarding students three ECT credits upon completion. Programme topics included Global Health and Social Challenges, Digital Health and Emerging Technologies in Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its Applications in Learning, Research, and Clinical Practice, and Respiratory Physiotherapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients. Student feedback regarding their experiences, perceived impacts on knowledge and future professional roles, and the overall quality of the programmes were collected via an online questionnaire featuring Likert-scale and open-ended questions. Results: From the 156 student participants, 111 completed the survey. Responses indicated predominantly positive feedback, with participants acknowledging substantial contributions to their knowledge enhancement and professional development. A majority selected "Agree" or "Strongly Agree" regarding these aspects, with fewer participants remaining neutral or expressing disagreement. Lectures and interactive activities were particularly appreciated for promoting knowledge acquisition and skill development, described as informative and beneficial by most respondents. Educators received favourable feedback for their supportive roles during lectures and practical sessions. Overall programme quality was highly rated, with most participants indicating ratings of "Good" or "Very Good." Furthermore, a substantial majority of respondents would recommend the BIPs to peers, reflecting the perceived success and positive impact of these programmes. Conclusions: The study could suggest that these kinds of programs enhance students' knowledge, skills, and professional competencies while fostering engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration. The positive feedback highlights the importance of combining online and in-person learning experiences, suggesting that BIPs could represent a valuable alternative to traditional mobility programmes. Their alignment with global challenges and sustainability further emphasises their potential as an innovative educational tool within higher education institutions. The findings may support the implementation and expansion of such programmes, recommending their broader integration into curricular activities across Europe.
- Comparison of cortical drive and muscle power in older adults with and without fear of falling : a comparative cross-sectional studyPublication . Sousa, Laís Karielly Rodrigues de; Radaelli, RégisIntroduction: Fear of falling (FoF) is a psychological factor that contributes to physical inactivity, social withdrawal, and increased fall risk. Previous evidence suggests age-related changes in cortical drive and muscle power. However, there is a lack of knowledge on how these changes affect FoF. This study aimed to compare corticospinal excitability (CSE), short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF), silent period (SP) and lower-limb muscle power between older adults with and without FoF. Methods: Eighteen communitydwelling older adults (g65 years old) participated and were classified into two groups based on the Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I): NFoF (score <28; n=10) and FoF (score g28; n=8). Cortical drive was assessed using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), with measures of active motor threshold (AMT), CSE, SICI, ICF. Lower-limb muscle power was measured via countermovement jump on a force platform. Physical activity levels were evaluated using the IPAQ-short form. Results: Groups were similar in age, BMI, and height. Participants with FoF had significantly more falls in the past 12 months (p=0.006). No statistically significant differences were found between groups for AMT (p=0.864), CSE (p=0.565), ICF (p=0.999), SICI (p=0.355) or SP (p=0.667). Physical activity levels did not differ significantly between older adults with and without FoF (p=0.342; §= 0.325). No statistically significant differences were found in absolute or relative muscle power between groups (p=0.141; d=0.735 and p=0.150; d=0.717, respectively). Conclusion: The FoF does not appear to influence neurophysiological parameters or lower-limb muscle power in this sample of older adults.
- The association between muscle power and gait complexity in apparently healthy older adults : a correlational studyPublication . Ferreira, Filipa Cristina Luís; Vaz, João Pedro Casaca de RochaThis study explores the relationship between two established biomarkers of age-related functional decline: muscle power and gait complexity. Both are considered robust indicators of motor control decline, appearing before manifestations of age-related changes 1–4, but their interrelation remains unclear. We hypothesized a positive correlation between lower limb muscle power and gait complexity in healthy older adults. In this cross-sectional study, 28 participants aged 60 and above were analysed. Muscle power was assessed through a sit-to-stand task using a Bertec force plate, while gait complexity was measured during a 12-minute treadmill walk with a Bertec treadmill and custom MATLAB code. Correlation analyses showed no significant associations between muscle power (PRF/BW, RFD30/w, RFD100/w) and gait complexity (fractal scaling exponent α, or CV), with all coefficients low and p-values > 0.05. These findings suggest that, although both are early indicators of neuromuscular decline, muscle power and gait complexity may reflect distinct motor control mechanisms. Nevertheless, both remain valuable and complementary markers of functional aging.