Analysis of fatigue development during elite male handball matches.

This study aimed at describing the physiological demands and fatigue development during elite male handball matches. Our hypothesis was that players perform multiple high-intensity activities during periods of the game and develop temporary and end-match neuromuscular fatigue. Time-motion analyses and heart rate (HR) recordings were performed in 40 players during 12 competitive matches.

Physiological demands of elite team handball with special reference to playing position.

This study aimed to analyze the physiological demands of match play for different playing positions in elite male team handball. Time motion (N = 30) and heart rate (HR; N = 70) data were recorded throughout 10 official matches. The mean distance covered by backcourt players (4.

Genetic influences of sports participation in Portuguese families.

To estimate familial aggregation and quantify the genetic and environmental contribution to the phenotypic variation on sports participation (SP) among Portuguese families. The sample consisted of 2375 nuclear families (parents and two offspring each) from different regions of Portugal with a total of 9500 subjects. SP assessment was based on a psychometrically established questionnaire.

Evaluating the youth physical activity promotion model among Portuguese elementary schoolchildren.

Background: The Youth Physical Activity Promotion (YPAP) model provides an integrated approach to understanding the predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors influencing physical activity (PA) behavior. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an adapted version of the YPAP model for explaining PA among Portuguese schoolchildren.

Methods: A random cross-sectional sample of 683 children (8-10 years of age) attending elementary public schools in the north of Portugal completed a detailed survey assessing attraction to PA, perceived physical competence, parental influences and leisure time PA.

Psychosocial correlates of physical activity in school children aged 8-10 years.

Background: Understanding correlates of physical activity (PA) among children in different populations may contribute to fostering active lifestyles. This study considered gender differences in relationships between biologic (body mass index, BMI), demographic (socioeconomic sport status, SES) and psychosocial correlates of PA and level of PA in Portuguese primary school children.

Methods: 683 children, aged 8-10 years, from 20 different elementary schools in northern Portugal were surveyed.

Gender, weight status and socioeconomic differences in psychosocial correlates of physical activity in schoolchildren.

Objectives: This study sought to assess differences in attraction to physical activity, perceived physical competence and parental socialization influences across gender, body mass index and socioeconomic status in Portuguese children.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: 683 children, aged 8-10 years, from elementary schools were participants.

Genetics of physical activity and physical inactivity in humans.

Emerging evidence suggests that physical activity and sedentary behavior [reflected in physical inactivity (PI)], might be two different phenotypes that may have distinct underlying physiological mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to summarize the existing literature on the genetic determinants of PA and PI phenotypes in humans, considering them as distinct behaviors. Completed in January 2011, this review includes family studies, twin studies, association studies, genome-wide linkage studies and genome-wide association scan (GWAs) reporting different physical activity/inactivity-related phenotypes.

Training status and match activity of professional soccer players throughout a season.

The purpose of this study was to examine match activity (MA) and fatigue development (FD) during official soccer games in different moments of a season and the influence of training status (TS) on MA and FD. Match activity of 13 professional players was examined by time-motion analysis at 4 time points of a competitive season. In addition, per time point within the 2-week period between the 2 games video-filmed, players performed the following physical tests: countermovement jump, 5- and 30-m sprints, change of direction, knee extensor and flexor isokinetic strength, and Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test-level 2.

Physical and physiological demands of elite team handball.

This study aimed to analyze elite team handball physical and physiological demands during match play. Time-motion (N = 30) and heart rate (HR; N = 60) analyses were performed throughout 10 official matches. The defined locomotor categories were standing still, walking, jogging, fast running, sprinting, backwards movement, sideways medium-intensity movement, and sideways high-intensity movement, and playing actions studied were jumps, shots, stops when preceded by high-intensity activities, changes of direction and one-on-one situations.

Individual match playing time during the season affects fitness-related parameters of male professional soccer players.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of an entire season on physical fitness parameters (PFPs) in male professional soccer players (N = 18). Performance in 5- and 30-m sprint (T5 and T30), countermovement jump (CMJ), agility (T-test), knee extensor (KE) and knee flexor (KF) isokinetic strength, hamstrings/quadriceps strength ratio (H/Q) and bilateral differences (BDs), and Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test 2 (YYIE2) was evaluated in 4 moments (E1-E4) throughout the season. Individual match playing time was quantified.

[Biological and socio-cultural determinants of physical activity in adolescents].

Physical activity is important for health promotion and disease prevention. Effective physical activity programs for adolescents require a proper understanding of the determinants of activity levels. The main purpose of this paper was to review the scientific literature on determinants of physical activity among adolescents: demographic, biological (age, gender, socioeconomic status), and socio-cultural (family, peers, and physical education teachers).

Genetic and environmental factors in familial clustering in physical activity.

The goal of this study was to estimate the familial aggregation and quantify the contribution of genetic and environmental factors on physical activity (PA) habits of Portuguese families. The sample consisted of 2,375 nuclear families (parents and two offspring each) from different regions of Portugal with a total of 9,500 subjects. The assessment of PA was based on a psychometrically established questionnaire.

Sports participation among Portuguese youth 10 to 18 years.

Background: The present study considered age- and sex-associated variation in sports participation (SP) in Portuguese youth.

Method: A national 12,568 students, 10-18 years, was surveyed. Two items of the Baecke et al.

Associations between sport participation, demographic and socio-cultural factors in Portuguese children and adolescents.

Background: The number of studies that focus on factors influencing the sport participation (SP) of children and adolescents is limited. The present study examines the associations between demographic [age, gender and socio-economic status (SES)] and socio-cultural factors (SP of family, and peers and physical educator influences) and the SP of children and adolescents.

Methods: A random sample of 3352 Portuguese children/adolescents, 10-18 years, their parents and siblings was surveyed.