Publications by authors named "Joao Paulo Vilas-Boas"

Runners achieve forward locomotion through diverse techniques. However, understanding the behavior of the involved kinematical variables remains incomplete, particularly when running overground and along an intensity spectrum. We aimed to characterize the biomechanical and physiological adaptations while running at low, moderate, heavy and severe intensities.

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This study aimed to synthesise the body of knowledge on kinematics, active drag and energetics determinants of energy cost variability in the breaststroke technique. Methodological procedures considering the standards for systematic reviews according to the '"Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses"' were employed. Searches were conducted in four prominent databases.

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This study aimed to compare active drag (D), coefficient of hydrodynamic force (C) and, total external mechanical power (P) between two breathing patterns in breaststroke: breathing every stroke versus every two strokes. A 6-week intervention program was conducted. Fifteen swimmers carried out two all-out bouts of 25 m using the velocity perturbation method in each breathing pattern.

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  • This study introduces a method to analyze decomposed electromyographic signals for better understanding motor units (MUs).
  • It consists of two main steps: clustering MUs based on firing rates, recruitment thresholds, and action potential amplitude, followed by data segmentation at specific times.
  • The research investigates MUs during knee extension, revealing distinct differences in firing rates, clustered groups, and segmented MU data for different contraction types.
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Breaststroke and butterfly are complex swimming techniques requiring refined motor skills to perform successfully, with coordinated and consistent interaction between propulsive and resistive forces being decisive when considering swimmers expertise. The current study analysed those techniques intercycle kinematic variation in two swimmers cohorts. Twenty elite and 15 national level swimmers performed one 25 m breaststroke and one 25 m butterfly sprints, with an underwater camera recording images at 120 Hz in the sagittal plane.

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  • Strength training programs are effective at preventing swimmer's shoulder, but there's a lack of studies using electromyographic (EMG) analysis in this area.
  • This study compares EMG activity of key shoulder muscles using two different strength training methods: elastic bands and weights.
  • Results showed that using elastic bands increases muscle activity during certain rotations, while weights boost activity in scapular punches, indicating that the choice of equipment impacts muscle engagement.
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The effects of occlusal splints on sport performance have already been studied, although their biomechanical impacts are often overlooked. We investigated the kinematical changes during running until exhaustion at severe intensity while wearing a mandibular advancement occlusal splint. Twelve trained runners completed (i) an incremental protocol on a track to determine their velocity corresponding to maximal oxygen uptake and (ii) two trials of square wave transition exercises at their velocity corresponding to maximal oxygen until exhaustion, wearing two occlusal splints (without and with mandibular advancement).

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The current study aimed to examine the relationship between sociodemographic variables (i.e., sex, age, marital status, educational level, socioeconomic status, and working mode) and physical activity levels declared by Chilean adults.

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We investigated the acute biophysical responses of changing the mandibular position during a rowing incremental protocol. A World-class 37-year-old male rower performed two 7 × 3 min ergometer rowing trials, once with no intraoral splint (control) and the other with a mandibular forward repositioning splint (splint condition). Ventilatory, kinematics and body electromyography were evaluated and compared between trials (paired samples -test, ≤ 0.

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Cardoso, F, Costa, MJ, Colaço, P, Vilas-Boas, JP, Pinho, JC, Pyne, DB, and Fernandes, RJ. Ventilatory and perceived ergogenic effects of mandibular forward repositioning during running at maximal oxygen uptake intensity. J Strength Cond Res 39(1): e13-e19, 2025-Wearing an intraoral dental splint may enhance ventilatory function and exercise performance.

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We aimed to conduct a biophysical comparison of angular (Biorower) and linear (Concept2) rowing ergometers across a wide spectrum of exercise intensities. Sixteen (eleven male) skilled rowers, aged 29.8 ± 8.

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Purpose: This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Mini-BESTest into European Portuguese and to evaluate its psychometric properties in individuals with sensorimotor impairments.

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional cross-cultural adaptation and validation study was conducted according to the COSMIN guidelines and the STROBE statement. The study included 100 participants with sensorimotor impairments who were able to walk 6 m.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study compares the effectiveness of inertial measurement units (IMUs) versus traditional speedometers in measuring swimming velocity, specifically during maximum speed breaststroke sprints.
  • Sixteen swimmers participated, with data collection involving an IMU attached to the sacrum and a speedometer fixed on the lumbar region while they swam 25-meter sprints.
  • Results indicate that IMUs and speedometers produce different velocity patterns, with IMUs measuring lower speeds, and suggest that these two methods should not be seen as interchangeable for analyzing intracycle velocity variations.
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Chronic spinal pain (CSP) is a prevalent condition, and prolonged sitting at work can contribute to it. Ergonomic factors like this can cause changes in motor variability. Variability analysis is a useful method to measure changes in motor performance over time.

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The electrical stimulation of pedicle screws is a technique used to ensure its correct placement within the vertebrae pedicle. Several authors have studied these screws' electrical properties with the objective of understanding if they are a potential source of false negatives. As titanium screws are anodized with different thicknesses of a high electrical resistance oxide (TiO), this study investigated, using analytical, numerical, and experimental methods, how its thickness may affect pedicle screw's resistance and conductivity.

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  • The study aimed to compare two underwater pullout breaststroke techniques (Fly-Kick first and Combined) among 16 swimmers.
  • Results indicated that female swimmers performed better using the Fly-Kick first technique, achieving higher mean velocities and greater underwater distances.
  • The findings suggest that different kinematic profiles exist for each technique, with the Fly-Kick first potentially enabling improved performance in breaststroke swimming.
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This study aimed to systematically review and summarise the evidence about the effect of muscle fatigue on the knee proprioception of trained and non-trained individuals. A search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and EBSCO databases and Google Scholar was conducted using the expression: "fatigue" AND ("proprioception" OR "position sense" OR "repositioning" OR "kinesthesia" OR "detection of passive motion" OR "force sense" OR "sense of resistance") AND "knee". Forty-two studies were included.

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In everyday life, we recurrently perform two tasks simultaneously, which is called dual-tasking. A common dual task is smartphone use while standing or walking. According to previous studies, this task can compromise postural stability.

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Purpose: Neural and peripheral effects of induced muscle pain on explosive force production were investigated.

Methods: Nine participants performed two maximal, six explosive, and six electrical stimulations induced (twitches and octets) isometric knee extensions before and after (15 min of rest) receiving an intramuscular injection of hypertonic saline (pain inducer) or isotonic (placebo) infusions in two laboratory visits separated by 7 days.

Results: It was observed a reduction of peak torque production in maximal voluntary contraction in both conditions (9.

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Non-linear and dynamic systems analysis of human movement has recently become increasingly widespread with the intention of better reflecting how complexity affects the adaptability of motor systems, especially after a stroke. The main objective of this scoping review was to summarize the non-linear measures used in the analysis of kinetic, kinematic, and EMG data of human movement after stroke. PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed, establishing the eligibility criteria, the population, the concept, and the contextual framework.

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Musicians' body behaviour has a preponderant role in audience perception. We investigated how performers' motion is perceived depending on the musical style and musical expertise. To further explore the effect of visual input, stimuli were presented in audio-only, audio-visual and visual-only conditions.

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Rowing performance depends on the design and building materials used for competition. Recently, attempting to improve rowing performance, the Randall foil has been attached to the top edge of a rowing Big blade, making it spoon shaped. The current study aimed to analyse the differences between Big blades with and without Randall foils in force-related variables.

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Our aim was to investigate if using a warm-up routine that included parachute-resisted sprints with large hand-paddles improves 50 m freestyle performance in trained collegiate swimmers. Twelve swimmers (23.9 ± 2.

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The analysis of the external forces of swimming starts has revealed how swimmers propel themselves out of the block, but data should be properly interpreted to fully understand force-generation mechanisms. This study aimed to assess horizontal and vertical forces in the backstroke start based on swimmers' structural and propulsive actions. Firstly, a simulated structural force was estimated by two transient backstroke-start inter-segmental realistic body positions: a maximally tucked position and an extended one (just before the hands-off and the take-off, respectively).

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Enhancing recovery is a fundamental component of high-performance sports training since it enables practitioners to potentiate physical performance and minimise the risk of injuries. Using a new sports legging embedded with an intelligent system for electrostimulation, localised heating and compression (completely embodied into the textile structures), we aimed to analyse acute recovery following a fatigue protocol. Surface electromyography- and torque-related variables were recorded on eight recreational athletes.

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