Browsing by Author "Figueiredo, Pedro"
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- Analysis of Swimming Individual Anaerobic ThresholdPublication . Figueiredo, Pedro; Sousa, Marisa; Gomes, Mónica; Jesus, Kelly; Ribeiro, João; Fernandes, Ricardo
- Application of Individualized Speed Zones to Quantify External Training Load in Professional SoccerPublication . Rago, Vincenzo; Brito, João; Figueiredo, Pedro; Krustrup, Peter; Rebelo, AntónioThis study aimed to examine the interchangeability of two external training load (ETL) monitoring methods: arbitrary vs. individualized speed zones. Thirteen male outfield players from a professional soccer team were monitored during training sessions using 10-Hz GPS units over an 8-week competitive period (n = 302 observations). Low-speed activities (LSA), moderate-speed running (MSR), high-speed running (HSR) and sprinting were defined using arbitrary speed zones as <14.4, 14.4-19.8, 19.8-25.1 and ≥25.2 km·h-1, and using individualized speed zones based on a combination of maximal aerobic speed (MAS, derived from the Yo-yo Intermittent recovery test level 1), maximal sprinting speed (MSS, derived from the maximal speed reached during training) and anaerobic speed reserve (ASR) as <80% MAS, 80-100% MAS, 100% MAS or 29% ASR and ≥30% ASR. Distance covered in both arbitrary and individualized methods was almost certainly correlated in all speed zones (p < 0.01; r = 0.67-0.78). However, significant differences between methods were observed in all speed zones (p < 0.01). LSA was almost certainly higher when using the arbitrary method than when using the individualized method (p < 0.01; ES = 5.47 [5.18; 5.76], respectively). Conversely, MSR, HSR and sprinting speed were higher in the individualized method than in the arbitrary method (p < 0.01; ES = 5.10 [4.82; 5.37], 0.86 [0.72; 1.00] and 1.22 [1.08; 1.37], respectively). Arbitrary and individualized methods for ETL quantification based on speed zones showed similar sensitivity in depicting player locomotor demands. However, since these methods significantly differ at absolute level (based on measurement bias), arbitrary and individualized speed zones should not be used interchangeably.
- Are resistance and aerobic exercise training equally effective at improving knee muscle strength and balance in older women?Publication . Marques, Elisa A.; Figueiredo, Pedro; Harris, Tamara B.; Wanderley, Flávia A.; Carvalho, JoanaThis study aimed to compare the magnitude of knee muscle strength and static and dynamic balance change in response to 8 months of progressive RE and AE training in healthy community-dwelling older women. A secondary aim was to assess the relationship between muscle strength and balance changes (up and go test (UGT), one-leg stance test, and center of pressure measures). This study was a secondary analysis of longitudinal data from a randomized controlled trial, a three-arm intervention study in older women (n=71, mean age 69.0y). The results suggest that both interventions elicited likely to almost certain improvements (using magnitude-based inference) in balance performance. Leg strength was improved after RE whereas it was unclear following AE. Improvements in strength were almost certainly moderate after RE and possibly trivial after AE, with very likely greater improvements following RE compared to AE. A large and significant negative correlation (r=-0.5; CI 90%: -0.7 to -0.2) was found between ΔUGT and change in both knee extension and knee flexion strength after 8-month RE. In conclusion, our results showed that both types of training improve balance, but RE was also effective at improving leg strength. In addition, improvements in both knee extension and flexion strength after RE appear to make an important contribution to meaningful improvements in static and dynamic balance.
- Associations of 24-hour sleep duration and CT-derived measurements of muscle and bone: The AGES-Reykjavik StudyPublication . Marques, Elisa A.; Figueiredo, Pedro; Gudnason, Vilmundur; Lang, Thomas; Sigurdsson, Gunnar; Sigurdsson, Sigurdur; Aspelund, Thor; Siggeirsdottir, Kristin; Launer, Lenore; Eiriksdottir, Gudny; Harris, Tamara B.Although the importance of sleep on preservation of several physiological functions is well known, the relationship with the two interconnected tissues - muscle and bone is less understood.
- Associations of Quadriceps Torque Properties with Muscle Size, Attenuation, and Intramuscular Adipose Tissue in Older AdultsPublication . Frank-Wilson, Andrew W; Chalhoub, Didier; Figueiredo, Pedro; Jónsson, Pálmi V; Siggeirsdóttir, Kristín; Sigurdsson, Sigurdur; Eiriksdottir, Gudny; Guðnason, Vilmundur; Launer, Lenore; Harris, Tamara BAtrophy and fatty infiltration of muscle with aging are associated with fractures and falls, however, their direct associations with muscle function are not well described. It was hypothesized that participants with lower quadriceps muscle attenuation, area, and greater intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) will exhibit slower rates of torque development (RTD) and lower peak knee extension torques.
- AVALIAÇÃO DA COORDENAÇÃO ENTRE MEMBROS SUPERIORES NA TÉCNICA DE CROL EM NADADORES INFANTISPublication . Silva, Ana; Figueiredo, Pedro; Renato, Paulo; Amaral, Inês; Sousa, Marisa; Sampaio, António; Soares, Susana; Vilas-boas, J.Paulo; Fernandes, Ricardo J.
- Bioenergetics and Biomechanics of Handcycling at Submaximal Speeds in Athletes with a Spinal Cord InjuryPublication . Fischer, Gabriela; Figueiredo, Pedro; Ardigò, Luca PaoloA study aimed at comparing bioenergetics and biomechanical parameters between athletes with tetraplegia and paraplegia riding race handbikes at submaximal speeds in ecological conditions.
- Biomechanical analyses of synchronised swimming standard and contra-standard scullingPublication . Gomes, Lara Elena; Diogo, Vera; Castro, Flávio Antônio de Souza; Vilas-Boas, João Paulo; Fernandes, Ricardo J.; Figueiredo, PedroSynchronised swimming involves a variety of sculling movements essential for body support and propulsion but its study is scarce. We aimed to biomechanically compare standard and contra-standard sculling techniques, and to observe the relationship between measures. Six synchronised swimmers performed two, 30 s maximal intensity, fully tethered standard and contra-standard sculling motions. Kinetic and kinematic data were obtained using a load-cell and underwater cameras, respectively. Force decreased along both techniques' bouts, but no differences in-between techniques were noted for any kinetic variables. Standard sculling presented a higher cycle rate and a lower elbow mean angle than the contra-standard sculling (2.4 ± 0.3 vs. 2.0 ± 0.2 cycles/s and 134.1 ± 5.8 and 141.5 ± 4.7°, p < 0.05). In the standard sculling, by removing and maintaining the variation between participants (r w and r, respectively), the absolute mean force was directly related with cycle rate (r w = 0.60) and wrist angular velocity during flexion (r = 0.82), while in the contra-standard condition the force was inversely associated with wrist mean angle (r = -0.95) and directly with hand speed (r w = 0.76), and elbow angular velocity (r w ≈ 0.60). Therefore, technique learning and training require different attention by coaches and swimmers.
- Biomechanics, energetics and coordination during extreme swimming intensity: effect of performance levelPublication . Ribeiro, João; Figueiredo, Pedro; Morais, Sara; Alves, Francisco; Toussaint, Huub; Vilas-Boas, João Paulo; Fernandes, Ricardo JorgeThe present study aimed to examine how high- and low-speed swimmers organise biomechanical, energetic and coordinative factors throughout extreme intensity swim. Sixteen swimmers (eight high- and eight low-speed) performed, in free condition, 100-m front crawl at maximal intensity and 25, 50 and 75-m bouts (at same pace as the previous 100-m), and 100-m maximal front crawl on the measuring active drag system (MAD-system). A 3D dual-media optoelectronic system was used to assess speed, stroke frequency, stroke length, propelling efficiency and index of coordination (IdC), with power assessed by MAD-system and energy cost by quantifying oxygen consumption plus blood lactate. Both groups presented a similar profile in speed, power output, stroke frequency, stroke length, propelling efficiency and energy cost along the effort, while a distinct coordination profile was observed (F(3, 42) = 3.59, P = 0.04). Speed, power, stroke frequency and propelling efficiency (not significant, only a tendency) were higher in high-speed swimmers, while stroke length and energy cost were similar between groups. Performing at extreme intensity led better level swimmers to achieve superior speed due to higher power and propelling efficiency, with consequent ability to swim at higher stroke frequencies. This imposes specific constraints, resulting in a distinct IdC magnitude and profile between groups.
- Biophysical Determinants of Front-Crawl Swimming at Moderate and Severe IntensitiesPublication . Ribeiro, João; Toubekis, Argyris G.; Figueiredo, Pedro; de Jesus, Kelly; Toussaint, Huub M.; Alves, Francisco; Vilas-Boas, João P.; Fernandes, Ricardo J.To conduct a biophysical analysis of the factors associated with front-crawl performance at moderate and severe swimming intensities, represented by anaerobic-threshold (vAnT) and maximal-oxygen-uptake (vV̇O2max) velocities.