Ana Carita - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Ana Carita

Science & Sports, Oct 1, 2016

Summary Aim The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 16-week strength-training ... more Summary Aim The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 16-week strength-training program applied to Chinese soccer players 15–19 years old. Methods Twenty-eight Chinese adolescent male soccer players (16.2 years ± 1.1) from Wsports Seven Team took part in this study. During 16 weeks after one-hour football training, the players took part in a supervised strength-training program. This strength-training protocol was administered three times a week, lasted 40 min approximately and in each session they split the muscles trained. On Tuesdays, they would train chest and biceps, legs and shoulder on Wednesday and back and triceps on Friday. In the beginning and after the 16-week intervention, we evaluated body composition, resting heart rate and blood pressure, maximal oxygen uptake, upper body resistance and one maximum repetition in the bench press and lat machine. Results Significant differences were observed in upper body endurance and strength from pre-test to post-test with an increase in push-up repetitions (43.7 ± 13.8 vs 54.1 ± 12.7) and one maximum repetition in the bench press (57.2 ± 14.5 vs 74.8 ± 15.1). In what concerns maximal oxygen uptake, a significant improvement during the intervention period was also observed (53.3 ± 2.4 vs 54.7 ± 3.3). Conclusion The 16-week strength-training program applied in Chinese soccer players (15–19 years old) was successful in improving muscular endurance and maximal strength together with a better body composition. This study supports the introduction of strength training in the yearly soccer player planning.

Manual Therapy, Feb 1, 2016

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 32-week resistance and stretching training program ... more This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 32-week resistance and stretching training program applied in Physical Education classes on forward head posture and protracted shoulder posture of Portuguese adolescents (15e17 years old). The detraining effects after a 16-week period were also measured. Methods: This prospective, randomized and controlled study was conducted in two secondary schools in Portugal. One hundred and thirty adolescents with forward head and protracted shoulder posture were randomly assigned to a control or experimental group. The sagittal head, cervical and shoulder angle were measured before and after a 32-week time intervention period. The control group (n ¼ 46) did only the Physical Education classes whereas the exercise group (n ¼ 42) received a posture corrective exercise programme in addition to Physical Education classes. A 16 week detraining period followed the 32-week. Results: Significant increase were observed in the cervical and shoulder angle in the experimental group following the 32 week-intervention period. After the 16-week detraining period no significant differences were observed in the three postural angles in the intervention group. Conclusions: The exercise intervention was successful at decreasing forward head and protracted shoulder in adolescents. Detraining period was not sufficient to reduce the overall training effects. This study supports the postural training and rehabilitation performed during Physical Education classes, with the aim of preventing and managing upper quadrant musculoskeletal pain. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02190331.

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 16-week resistance and stre... more Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 16-week resistance and stretching training program applied in physical education (PE) classes on forward head posture and protracted shoulder posture in Portuguese adolescents. Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted in 2 secondary schools. One hundred and thirty adolescents (aged 15-17 years) with forward head and protracted shoulder posture were randomly assigned to a control or experimental group. Sagittal head, cervical, and shoulder angles were measured with photogrammetry and Postural Assessment Software. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Assessment was used to assess shoulder pain, and neck pain during the last month was self-reported with a single question. These variables were assessed before and after a 16-week intervention period. The control group (n = 46) attended the PE classes, whereas the exercise group (n = 84) received a posture corrective exercise program in addition to PE classes. Results: A significant increase in cervical and shoulder angles was observed in the intervention group from pretest to posttest (P b .05). For the shoulder pain scores in both groups, there were no significant changes after the 16 weeks. Conclusions: A 16-week resistance and stretching training program decreased forward head and protracted shoulder postures in adolescents. (

Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 2018

The aim of this paper is to review the available literature on goal scoring in elite male footbal... more The aim of this paper is to review the available literature on goal scoring in elite male football leagues. A systematic search of two electronic databases (SPORTDiscus with Full Text and ISI Web Knowledge All Databases) was conducted and of the 610 studies initially identified, 19 were fully analysed. Studies that fitted all the inclusion criteria were organised according to the research approach adopted (static or dynamic). The majority of these studies were conducted in accordance with the static approach (n=15), where the data were collected without considering dynamic of performance during matches and were analysed using standard statistical methods for data analysis. They focused predominantly on a description of key performance indicators (technical and tactical). Meanwhile, in a few studies the dynamic approach (n=4) was adopted, where performance variables were recorded taking into account the chronological and sequential order in which they occurred. Different advanced analysis techniques for assessing performance evolution over time during the match were used in this second group of studies. The strengths and limitations of both approaches in terms of providing the meaningful information for coaches are discussed in the present study.

Journal of Human Kinetics, 2018

The aim of this study was to examine the sequences of the first two goals scored in soccer matche... more The aim of this study was to examine the sequences of the first two goals scored in soccer matches in accordance with a range of different match contexts. Data from 1506 matches played in the Portuguese Premier League during six consecutive competitive seasons (2009-10 to 2014-2015) were analysed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test in order to verify the association between variables and a Cox regression analysis was used to predict the time the second goal was scored in function of the time of the first goal scored in the match and the scoreline. The results revealed a higher frequency of the second goals being scored in the second half of a match (58%) and in the last 5 min periods of each half. A positive association was found for home teams and score-doubling goals (58%), as well as for away teams and score-equalizing goals (56%). For home and away teams the score-doubling goal of a match was strongly and positively associated with a win outcome for home (93%) a...

Isokinetics and Exercise Science, 2012

In this case control study we aimed at characterizing elbow and shoulder muscular strength profil... more In this case control study we aimed at characterizing elbow and shoulder muscular strength profile in male judokas. Isokinetic variables pertaining to shoulder internal and external rotation and elbow flexion and extension were measured at 60 and 180 ◦ /s, in a group of 22 national male judokas and in a control group of 22 healthy participants. The judo athletes were significantly stronger than the non-athletes. The mean values of ER:IR ratio observed in the judokas group were lower than in the control group. The mean values of elbow Flex:Ext ratio were similar in both groups at 60 ◦ /s, but significantly higher at 180 ◦ /s in the judokas group. These findings indicate sport specific muscular adaptations in the dominant shoulder and elbow in male judo athletes. The results of this study provide information that may be of importance for developing training and rehabilitation programs for judo athletes.

Tipo de Estudo: Estudo de Fiabilidade e Validação Nível de Evidência: II Declaração de conflito d... more Tipo de Estudo: Estudo de Fiabilidade e Validação Nível de Evidência: II Declaração de conflito de interesses Este estudo teve o apoio da Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (nº Bolsa: SFRH/BD/77633/2011).

Clinical Biomechanics, 2000

Objective. To investigate the eects of the magnitude of the external load, applied on the hand, o... more Objective. To investigate the eects of the magnitude of the external load, applied on the hand, on the orientation of the shoulder girdle (scapulo-humeral rhythm). Design. Thirty subjects performed both arms' elevation in three planes of elevation: sagittal (ante¯exion), frontal (abduction), and scapular (scaption). Measurements were performed against ®ve levels of external load (0±4 kg), on each plane of elevation. Background. Some controversy exists whether additional load in¯uences the SHR. Moreover, no data are available on the SHR during arm abduction and ante¯exion. Methods. The SHR was recorded by means of a six degree of freedom electromagnetic tracking device. Results. The external load applied on the hand aects scapular three-dimensional position: scapular protraction is particularly aected on abduction and scaption; scapular latero-rotation on ante¯exion and abduction; and scapular spinal tilt on ante¯exion. Conclusions. The magnitude of the external load, applied on the hand, in¯uences the scapular position and the scapulo-humeral rhythm, particularly on abduction. Those eects are visible on scapular latero-rotation and spinal tilt, during ante¯exion, and on scapular protraction during scaption. Additionally, the initial position of the shoulder girdle seems to play an important role on the de®nition of the individual SHR pattern. Relevance This study can provide a basis for evaluation of shoulder pathology associated with abnormal scapular kinematics.

Psychiatry Research, 2008

This cross-sectional study examined the relationships between clinical and neuropsychological var... more This cross-sectional study examined the relationships between clinical and neuropsychological variables and self-reported quality of life (QoL) in 30 euthymic bipolar I patients, 23 remitted schizophrenic patients, and 23 healthy controls. Participants were administered the World Health Organization Quality of Life Measure-Abbreviated Version (WHOQOL-BREF) to assess QoL. Moreover, a broad neuropsychological battery was also administered. Bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia patients demonstrated significantly lower scores on the physical, psychological, and social domains of the WHOQOL-BREF compared with controls, but there were no significant differences between the two patient groups on those domains. More symptomatic BD patients reported worse QoL, especially in the physical and environmental domains, which was also associated with worse neurocognitive performance. In schizophrenic patients, neurocognitive performance was not associated with self-reported QoL, but more symptomatic patients reported lower QoL. Substantial impairments in QoL, similar in severity, were found in both patient groups. In patients with schizophrenia, QoL was more strongly related to levels of psychopathology, whereas in BD patients, both psychopathology and neurocognitive deficits were strongly associated with lower QoL. Clinical recovery is essential in schizophrenia and BD. The association between cognitive functioning and QoL in bipolar patients suggests that these patients may also benefit from psychological interventions addressed to improve cognitive deficits and enhance the functional recovery.

Clinical Rheumatology, 2008

The objective of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and validate the Portuguese version of ... more The objective of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and validate the Portuguese version of the Knee Outcome Survey-Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS). This version was obtained with forward/backward translations, consensus panels and pre-testing. The Portuguese KOS-ADLS and Medical Outcomes Study, 36-item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaires, visual analogue scales (VAS) of pain, disability and discomfort, and a form for patient's characteristics were administered to 168 subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Reliability was acceptable (Cronbach's alpha=0.91; ICC=0.97). There were significant correlations with SF-36 physical component subscales, all VAS, and duration of knee OA. The subjects with bilateral knee OA and that need walking aids obtained lower scores (p<0.001). No floor/ceiling effects were detected. Responsiveness to physical therapy was showed (standardized effect size=0.62; standardized response mean=1.02). The Portuguese KOS-ADLS evidenced acceptable reliability, validity, floor/ceiling effects, and responsiveness.

Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 2013

Research on the effect of caffeine on energy expenditure (EE), physical activity (PA), and total ... more Research on the effect of caffeine on energy expenditure (EE), physical activity (PA), and total sleep time (TST) during free-living conditions using objective measures is scarce. We aimed to determine the impact of a moderate dose of caffeine on TST, resting EE (REE), physical activity EE (PAEE), total EE (TEE), and daily time spent in sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous intensity activities in a 4-day period and the acute effects on heart rate (HR) and EE in physically active males. Using a double-blind crossover trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01477294) with two conditions (4 days each with 3-day washout) randomly ordered as caffeine (5 mg/kg of body mass/day) and placebo (maltodextrin) administered twice per day (2.5 mg/kg), 30 nonsmoker males, low-caffeine users (<100 mg/day), aged 20–39, were followed. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. PA was assessed by accelerometry, while a combined HR and movement sensor estimated EE and HR on the ...

Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2019

Oral communication abstracts Results: 204 women were included. We found a significant association... more Oral communication abstracts Results: 204 women were included. We found a significant association between delta-HPD and duration of vacuum extractions. The adjusted hazard ratio for vaginal delivery using delta-HPD as continuous variable was 1.04 (95% CI 1.01-1.08). Mean delta-HPD was 7 mm (-10 to 37). Delta-HPD was either negative or ≤2 mm in the lowest quartile. Overall, 7/50 (14%) were delivered with Caesarean section in this group compared to 8/154 (5%) if delta-HPD was > 2 mm (p < 0.05). There was no significant association between umbilical artery pH and delta-HPD groups. Conclusions: Lack of fetal head movement during active pushing assessed with transperineal ultrasound was associated with longer duration of operative vaginal delivery and higher frequency of Caesarean section.

Purpose: People vary in flexibility regarding maximum joint angle, resistance to stretch and mech... more Purpose: People vary in flexibility regarding maximum joint angle, resistance to stretch and mechanical responses during stretching exercises. Body composition (BC) has been been mentioned as one of the factors for flexibility differences. The aim of this study was to determine how body composition and anthropometric measures of the lower limb is associated with passive knee extension (PKE) torque-angle (T-A) response. Methods: Twenty-five male subjects with poor flexibility performed a maximal PKE repetition (velocity of 2°/s; 90 seconds in the static phase). Knee passive T-A, vastus medialis and semitendinosous electromyographic activity were recorded during the protocol. Viscoelastic stress relaxation (VSR) amplitude, knee passive stiffness (KPS), lower limb body composition assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and anthropometry measures were determined. Results: Thigh skeletal muscle and bone mass, as well as thigh perimeter, showed a moderated correlation with

Performance Analysis of Sport IX

International Sportmed Journal, 2013

Background : The shoulder external rotator muscles and the different portions of the trapezius mu... more Background : The shoulder external rotator muscles and the different portions of the trapezius muscle have never been studied in exclusivity. However, the literature has provided several exercises which have been used in this study. Purpose : To quantify electromyographic activity of the shoulder external rotator muscles and the upper, middle and lower trapezius in seven exercises. Methods : 20 healthy males performed 7 exercises in random order. Surface electromyography was recorded for the posterior deltoid, infraspinatus, teres minor, upper, middle and lower trapezius. Results : The four prone exercises presented the highest levels of EMG activation in the External Rotators Synergy (the average activation of arm external rotator muscles group) and in the Trapezius Synergy (the average activation of the three portions of trapezius). The infraspinatus muscle obtained the highest activation values in exercises 1 (prone horizontal abduction at 90° with full external rotation, thumb u...

International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport

Scoring the first goal in football could be crucial for winning a match. The aim of this study wa... more Scoring the first goal in football could be crucial for winning a match. The aim of this study was to identify the performance indicators that influence the time the first goal is scored in high-level football matches. A total of 240 matches of the Portuguese Premier League played in 2009/10 season were analysed. The difference between the total number of goals scored and conceded during the competition up until the match considered, total ball possession time, shots on goal, set plays, disciplinary sanctions and substitutions were selected as predictor variables for the time the first goal is scored and loaded on a Cox regression model with time-dependent covariates. A greater goal difference (p < 0.05) and a larger number of shots on goal (p < 0.01) had a positive significant influence on the time the first goal was scored in the match by home teams; at the same time disciplinary sanctions (p < 0.01) and substitutions (p < 0.01) had a negative significant effect on the time of the first goal.

Musculoskeletal science & practice, Jan 20, 2018

Longitudinal descriptive exploratory study. Evaluate the normal width of the linea alba in first-... more Longitudinal descriptive exploratory study. Evaluate the normal width of the linea alba in first-time pregnant women during pregnancy and postpartum. There are normative values on the width of the linea alba for nulliparous women, but limited knowledge about the normal width of the inter-rectus distance (IRD) in pregnant and postpartum women. Ultrasound images were recorded in 84 primiparous women, at 3 locations on the linea alba (2 cm below the umbilicus, and 2 and 5 cm above the umbilicus) and at 4 time points (gestational weeks 35-41 and 6th to 8th, 12th to 14th, and 24th to 26th weeks postpartum). The 20th and 80th percentiles were used to define the normal width of the linea alba. During pregnancy, the 20th and the 80percentile corresponded to 49-79 mm below the umbilicus, 54-86 mm at 2 cm above the umbilicus and 44-79 mm at 5 cm above the umbilicus. At 6 months postpartum, the 20th and the 80percentile corresponded to 9-21 mm at 2 cm below the umbilicus, from 17 to 28 mm at 2...

Physiotherapy

competency domain. Results: Consensus was reached in eight competency domains (average level of a... more competency domain. Results: Consensus was reached in eight competency domains (average level of agreement): clinical skills (97%), professionalism (92%), collaboration and communication (91%), evidence-based physiotherapy (85%) (scholar), clinical prevention and health promotion (82%) (health promoter), health systems and policy (77%) (manager and leader), population (public health practitioner) and community aspects of health care (71% and 77%) (agent of change and community developer). Conclusion(s): Clinical competencies remain the cornerstone of the undergraduate curriculum. Four other domains agreed with the roles of CanMEDS, with clinical prevention and health promotion and public health as additional domains. Community aspects of health care featured strongly. The model has been implemented at the University of Pretoria and it could also be tested in other institutions. The most suitable teaching and learning and assessment strategies for each competency domain need to be evaluated.

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, 2016

There are multiple factors affecting maximal knee flexion (MKF) after total knee arthroplasty (TK... more There are multiple factors affecting maximal knee flexion (MKF) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aim of the study was to investigate whether patient-specific factors (PSF) and surgically modifiable factors (SMF), measured by means of a computer-assisted navigation system, can predict the MKF after TKA. Data from 99 patients collected during a randomized clinical trial were used for this secondary data analysis. The MKF of the patients was measured preoperatively and 1-year post-surgery. Multiple regression analyses were performed to investigate which combination of variables would be the best to predict the 1-year MKF. When considering SMF alone, the combination of three factors significantly predicted the 1-year MKF (p = 0.001), explaining 22 % of its variation. When considering only PSF, the combination of pre-op MKF and BMI significantly predicted the 1-year MKF (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001), explaining 23 % of its variation. When considering both groups of potential predictors simultaneously, the combination of five SMF with two PSF significantly predicted the 1-year MKF (p = 0.001), explaining 32 % of its variation. Computer navigation variables alone could explain 22 % of the variance in the 1-year MKF. The larger proportion (32 %) of the 1-year MKF variation could be explained with a combination of SMF and PSF. The results of studies in this area could be used to identify patients at risk of poor outcomes. Level II, Prognostic study.