A Multilayer Network Model for Motor Competence from the View of the Science of Complexity.

Motor competence is related to a large number of correlates of different natures, forming together a system with flexible parts that are synergically and cooperatively connected to produce a wide range of motor outcomes that cannot be explained from a predetermined linear view or a unique mechanism. The diversity of interacting correlates, the various connections between them, and the fast changes between assessments at different time points are clear barriers to the study of motor competence. In this manuscript, we present a multilayer framework that accounts for the theoretical background and the potential mathematical procedures necessary to represent the non-linear, complex, and dynamic relationships between several underlying correlates that emerge as a motor competence network.

The effects of simultaneous point gains and losses on human persistence.

Four experiments assessed the effects of simultaneous point gains and losses on human responding on a moving response button. Experiments 1 and 2 examined the effects of point loss arranged in variable-time (VT) and variable-interval (VI) schedules on persistence. For that purpose, a multiple schedule was in force.

Are we assessing motor competence? Evidence-informed constructs for motor competence in preschoolers through an Exploratory Graph Analysis.

Motor competence (MC) is conceptually defined as a multidimensional latent construct that covers the proficient performance in motor skills and its underlying mechanisms This study aimed to statistically provide arguments that MC is a network of interconnected constructs, such as FMS, coordination, and its underlying mechanisms, which are responsible for preschoolers' proficiency in motor tasks. Participated 102 preschoolers (65 girls, age = 4.22 ± 0.

Resistance to change as a function of response speed.

This study examined the effects of different response-speed requirements on resistance to change. Undergraduates were exposed to a simulated scenario aiming to destroy pollution sources by clicking on moving targets. During baseline, a multiple variable interval (VI) 15 s VI 15 s was in effect.

Sex differences in 3- to 5-year-old children's motor competence: A pooled cross-sectional analysis of 6241 children.

There is some, albeit inconsistent, evidence supporting sex differences in preschoolers' motor competence (MC), with these observations not uniform when analyzed by age, and cultural groups. Thus, this study examined sex differences across ages in 3- to 5-year-old children's MC. A cross-country pooled sample of 6241 children aged 3-5 years (49.

Compliance with the 24-h movement behaviors guidelines among urban and rural Brazilian preschoolers.

Background: The importance of movement behaviors for health is well-known, although few studies have examined the compliance with movement guidelines in preschoolers from different living contexts. This study reported the compliance with the 24-h movement behaviors guidelines among low-income Brazilian preschoolers from rural and urban areas, according to age.

Methods: A total of 453 preschoolers (n = 222 urban), aged between 3 and 5 years, provided physical activity (PA) data (Actigraph wGT3X).

Motor Competence and Body Mass Index in the Preschool Years: A Pooled Cross-Sectional Analysis of 5545 Children from Eight Countries.

Background And Objective: One in five preschool children are overweight/obese, and increased weight status over time increases the risks of poorer future health. Motor skill competence may be a protective factor, giving children the ability to participate in health-enhancing physical activity. Yet, we do not know when the relationship between motor competence and weight status first emerges or whether it is evident across the body mass index (BMI) spectrum.

Crucial workload variables in female-male elite Brazilian Beach Handball: An exploratory factor analysis.

This study aimed to identify the most important variables of male and female beach handball workload demands and compare them by sex. A total of 92 elite Brazilian beach handball players (54 male: age 22.1 ± 2.

Pharmacist Intervention in Portuguese Older Adult Care.

Healthy ageing has become one of the most significant challenges in a society with an increasing life expectancy. Older adults have a greater prevalence of chronic disease, with the need for multiple medications to appropriately control these issues. In addition to their health concerns, ageing individuals are prone to loneliness, dependence, and economic issues, which may affect their quality of life.

Swollen Finger - An Atypical Place for a Metastatic Lesion.

Unlabelled: Acrometastasis, referring to metastases located distal to the elbow and knee, is a rare observation. The most common primary cancer site is the lungs, followed by colorectal, breast and genitourinary tract locations. We present a case of a 54-year-old woman with a 25-pack-year smoking history, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and squamous cell carcinoma of the lung diagnosed at age 50.

Sport-Specific Skills Differentiate Performance Levels Better Than Anthropometric or Physiological Factors in Beach Handball.

Beach handball is characterized by high- and low-intensity efforts on an unstable surface. Players are expected to display high levels of physical performance on sand, though there are no data concerning success in elite players. : This study aimed to address anthropometric, fitness, and sport-specific skills components in beach handball, by comparing elite national team beach handball players (world champions) to sub-elite players (playing at a regular club).

Fitness and Performance Testing of Male and Female Beach Soccer Players-A Preliminary Investigation.

This study aimed to compare performance on sand and a firm surface and to describe the physical capacity of male and female beach soccer players. Sixty-six male and 29 female competitive beach soccer players voluntarily participated in this study. Firstly, within-subjects test scores were compared to scores on a firm surface (criterion validity; = 15 men) and reconducted on a second occasion (reliability; = 51 men).

24-hour movement behaviors and fitness in preschoolers: A compositional and isotemporal reallocation analysis.

This study analyzed the associations between the 24-hour movement behaviors composition and fitness in preschoolers and investigated predicted changes in fitness when time in active behaviors is reallocated. This cross-sectional study was carried out with 270 preschoolers (132 boys; 3.97 ± 0.

Adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines in low-income Brazilian preschoolers and associations with demographic correlates.

Background: The importance of movement behaviors for health is well known, although few studies have examined the adherence to movement guidelines in low-income preschoolers from a middle-income country, as Brazil. This study reports the proportion of preschoolers meeting the 24-hour movement guidelines and investigates its associations with demographic correlates in Brazilian low-income preschoolers.

Methods: Two hundred and seventy preschoolers (132 boys, means age = 3.

Renal myxoma: An unforeseen diagnosis.

Myxomas are rare tumours that can be found in many anatomical locations. There are only 17 cases of renal involvement documented. Our case is an 85 year-old man followed in our consultation with recurrent hematuria after a transurethral resection of a bladder tumour.

Physical fitness profile in elite beach handball players of different age categories.

Background: The aims of this study were to compare anthropometric and fitness variables of high-level beach handball players across Under-19 (U-19), Under-21 (U-21) and senior male categories, and between male and female senior players; and to test the correlations among those measures.

Methods: A total of 70 high-level players (53 male of different ages) were evaluated for 5-m acceleration, 15-m sprint, horizontal jump, handgrip strength, specific beach handball throwing velocities, and anthropometric variables. Differences between age groups were tested using ANOVA.

Twenty-four-hour movement behaviours and fundamental movement skills in preschool children: A compositional and isotemporal substitution analysis.

Studies that have analysed the association between the different movement behaviours and fundamental movement skills (FMS) have considered it in an independent manner, disregarding the compositional nature of 24-h movement behaviours (24-h MB). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the 24-h MB and FMS in preschoolers using a compositional data analysis . Two hundred and four preschoolers (4.

Effect of a pilot multi-component intervention on motor performance and metabolic risks in overweight/obese youth.

This study evaluated the effect of a multi-component intervention on motor performance (MP) and metabolic risk markers (MRM) in overweight/obese youth. A secondary aim was to examine whether changes in MP are associated to changes in MRM. A 3-month multi-component intervention was performed, consisting of physical exercise sessions (twice/week;1h), nutritional education sessions (once/month), and parental support (twice/week).

Meningioma and breast cancer: survival of patients with synchronous and metachronous meningioma and breast cancer.

The prognosis of the association between Breast Cancer (BC) and Meningioma (M) is unknown. To evaluate the survival impact of tumor exposure sequence in patients with both tumors. Patients were divided in groups according to the tumors sequence: BC before M (group 1), synchronous BC + M (group 2) and BC after M (group 3).

Predicting progression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia using neuropsychological data: a supervised learning approach using time windows.

Background: Predicting progression from a stage of Mild Cognitive Impairment to dementia is a major pursuit in current research. It is broadly accepted that cognition declines with a continuum between MCI and dementia. As such, cohorts of MCI patients are usually heterogeneous, containing patients at different stages of the neurodegenerative process.

Physical Activity is Related to Fatty Liver Marker in Obese Youth, Independently of Central Obesity or Cardiorespiratory Fitness.

Unlabelled: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most frequent complications associated with excess adiposity and has been identified as the leading cause of liver disease in pediatric populations worldwide. Because cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is related to physical activity (PA) levels, and increased PA plays a protective role against NAFLD risk factors, the aim of this study was to analyze the association between PA and a fatty liver marker (alanine aminotransferase - ALT) in obese children and adolescents, independently of central adiposity or CRF. 131 obese children (83 girls, 7-15 year-olds) involved in a PA promotion program comprised the sample.

Influence of the composition of the initial mixtures on the chemical composition, physicochemical properties and humic-like substances content of composts.

The influence of the proportion of C- and N-rich raw materials (initial C/N ratio) and bulking agent on the chemical functional groups composition, humic-like substances (HS-like) content and physicochemical properties of composts was assessed. To achieve these goals, seven initial mixtures (BA1-6 and C1) of dog food (N-rich raw material) were composted with wheat flour (C-rich raw material). Composts were analyzed in terms of chemical functional groups, physicochemical, maturity and stability parameters.

Recovery of humic-like susbtances from low quality composts.

The quality of four commercial composts produced from poultry litter and municipal solid wastes was assessed based on their physic-chemical, stability and maturity parameters. These properties varied among the analysed composts; it was found that electric conductivity, heavy metals content and maturity were the parameters that limited the composts quality. Therefore, the feasibility of using them to obtain liquid fertilisers rich in humic-like substances (HS) was assessed.

Streptococcus pneumoniae nasopharyngeal carriage in children attending day-care centers in the central region of Portugal, in the era of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine became available in Portugal in 2001. Although not included in the national immunization program, vaccination coverage is high (over 60%). We studied for the first time the rates of nasopharyngeal (NP) carriage of pneumococci, antibiotic resistance patterns and serotypes among children attending day-care centers (DCCs) in Coimbra, a city in the Central Region of Portugal.