Interactional response during infants’ aquatic sessions

The aim of study was to assess infants’ behaviour during routine swimming sessions using a naturalistic observation method. The study sample included 14 infants (13.7 ± 7.5 months old) with previous aquatic experience. The frequency of occurrences per unit of time (session) in the different dimensions – infant’s motor behaviour and social-affective interaction – was registered over the course of two sessions by two independent experts. The behaviours most frequently observed were accompanied displacement (61.1 %) and interaction with others (41.6 %). Submersions or jumps represented only 8.4 % of the session. Implementing a child-centred methodology leads to positive behaviours during this type of sessions, contributing to the child’s healthy development.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Full Paper: Blockchain Technology Adoption: Factors Influencing Intention and Usage

Blockchain technology is already being discussed as an emerging trend for the upcoming years. Researchers and organizations are beginning to recognize the potential benefits of this technology and are exploring how it can disrupt our world. However, the reality is that there has not been much progress in getting blockchain from a concept to widespread adoption. This study aimed to investigate the factors that influence the adoption of blockchain technology. We proposed a model that incorporated relevant features to blockchain technology adoption, specifically the role of Trust and Security as mediating variables. Data was collected using a questionnaire administered to people working in companies independently of their technology usage. Structural equation modeling using partial least squares (SEM-PLS) was used to analyze the data and construct the model. Results indicated that performance expectancy, social influence, and trust positively influenced people’s actual use or intention to adopt blockchain technology. Additionally, environmental concerns had a negative effect on the intention to adopt. These findings suggest that individuals are more likely to adopt blockchain technology when they perceive it as valuable and trustworthy and receive support from their social networks

Factors Influencing Intention and Usage

Cesario, F., Costa, C. J., Aparicio, M., & Aparicio, J. T. (2023). Blockchain Technology Adoption: Factors Influencing Intention and Usage. In A. R. da Silva, M. M. da Silva, J. Estima, C. Barry, M. Lang, H. Linger, & C. Schneider (Eds.), Information Systems Development, Organizational Aspects and Societal Trends (ISD2023 Proceedings) Instituto Superior Técnico. https://aisel.aisnet.org/isd2014/proceedings2023/managingdevops/1/ --- Funding: The authors acknowledge financial support via ADVANCE- CSG from the Fundação para a Ciência and Tecnologia (FCT Portugal) through research grant numbers UIDB/04521/2020; research grant UIDB/04152/2020—Centro de Investigação em Gestão de Informação (MagIC); and research grant UI/BD/153587/2022.Blockchain technology is already being discussed as an emerging trend for the upcoming years. Researchers and organizations are beginning to recognize the potential benefits of this technology and are exploring how it can disrupt our world. However, the reality is that there has not been much progress in getting blockchain from a concept to widespread adoption. This study aimed to investigate the factors that influence the adoption of blockchain technology. We proposed a model that incorporated relevant features to blockchain technology adoption, specifically the role of Trust and Security as mediating variables. Data was collected using a questionnaire administered to people working in companies independently of their technology usage. Structural equation modeling using partial least squares (SEM-PLS) was used to analyze the data and construct the model. Results indicated that performance expectancy, social influence, and trust positively influenced people’s actual use or intention to adopt blockchain technology. Additionally, environmental concerns had a negative effect on the intention to adopt. These findings suggest that individuals are more likely to adopt blockchain technology when they perceive it as valuable and trustworthy and receive support from their social networks.authorsversionpublishe

Biomechanics of Competitive Swimming Strokes

The aim of this chapter has two folds: (i): to perform a biomechanical characterization of the four competitive swimming strokes, based on the kinematics, kinetics and neuromuscular analysis; (ii) to report the relationships established between all the domains and how it might influence the swimming performance

Relationship between performance, dry-land power and kinematics in master swimmers

The purpose of the study was to analyze the relationships between sprint swimming performance, dry-land power, and kinematics in master swimmers. Twenty-two male master swimmers were separated in two groups based on their chronological age: (i) 30–39 years and; (ii) 40–49 years. Maximum dry-land power was determined through counter movement jump and 3 kg medicine ball throwing (Hmax and Tmax, respectively). Kinematic determinants of performance were measured during a maximal bout of 15, 25 and 50 m front crawl (T15, T25, T50). Stroke frequency (SF), stroke length (SL) and stroke index (SI) were calculated as kinematical aspects of the stroke. In the 30-39 group, SI25 was correlated to T25 (r = –0.76, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.96), the same was observed between SI50 and T50 (r = –0.83, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.96). Only SI50 was significantly correlated to T50 (r = –0.86, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.97) in the 40–49 years age cohort. In dryland power variables, Hmax and Tmax were only correlated in the younger master swimmers group (r = –0.87, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.97). There were no significant differences (p < 0.05) between younger (30–39 years) and older (40–49 years) swimmers groups in dry-land tests (Hmax 28.5 ± 5.9 vs. 26.5 ± 3.9 cm and Tmax 4.2 ± 1.0 vs. 4.2 ± 1.1 m). Our results suggest that swimming performance in younger master swimmers (30–39 years) seem more dependent on kinematic swimming variables than on strength parameters, which were most related to swimming performance in the older master swimmers (40–49 years)

Validação de equações preditivas da área de secção

O objectivo do estudo foi desenvolver e validar equações para estimar a área de secção transversa do tronco (ASTT), em ambos os sexos, de acordo com o nível competitivo, que habitualmente são usadas para avaliar o arrasto hidrodinâmico. Para o sexo feminino, na condição de experts, foi utilizado um grupo de 33 sujeitos para estimar a equação e um grupo de 38 sujeitos para validar a equação, na condição de não experts foi utilizado um grupo de 23 sujeitos para estimar a equação e um grupo de 18 sujeitos para validar a mesma. No caso do sexo masculino, na condição de experts, foi utilizado um grupo de 28 sujeitos para estimar a equação e um grupo de 32 sujeitos para a validar, na condição de não experts, foi utilizado um grupo de 48 sujeitos para estimar a equação e um grupo de 44 sujeitos para validar a equação. Os sujeitos foram fotografados (DSC-T7, Sony, Tóquio, Japão) num plano superior transversal, no meio terrestre, simulando a posição hidrodinâmica. A ASTT foi medida através da foto digital do sujeito com um software específico (Universal Desktop Ruler, v3.3.3268, AVPSoft, E.U.A.). Foram ainda medidas as variáveis antropométricas massa corporal (SECA, 884, Hamburgo, Alemanha), a estatura (SECA, 242, Hamburgo, Alemanha), os diâmetros bi-acromial (DBC) e tóraco-sagital (DTS) com um clip antropométrico (Campbell, 20, RossCraft, Canadá), assim como, o perímetro peitoral (PP) com fita métrica (RossCraft, Canadá). Para sexo feminino experts ASTT=16,498*DTS+10,875*PP-504,705 (R2=0,28; Ra=0,24; p<0,01). Para sexo feminino não experts ASTT=14,836*PP-26,825*DTS-33,149 (R2=0,28; Ra=0,21; p<0,01). Para sexo masculino experts ASTT=19,216*DTS+10,505*PP-575,496 (R2=0,33; Ra=0,27; p<0,01). Para sexo masculino não experts ASTT=30,453*DTS+5,030*PP-371,404 (R2=0,48; Ra=0,45; p<0,01). Em todas as condições, por sexo e nível competitivo, não se verificaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre a média da ASTT medida e da estimada. Os coeficientes de determinação, calculados através da análise de regressão linear, entre a ASTT medida e estimada foram moderados. Para todas as condições, por sexo e nível competitivo, mais de 80% dos plots, na análise de Bland-Altman, encontram-se dentro dos 95% do intervalo de confiança

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FRONT CRAWL PERFORMANCE AND HYDRODYNAMICS IN YOUNG FEMALE SWIMMERS

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between front crawl performance and hydrodynamic variables during leg kicking. Sixteen female swimmers (9.2±0.6 years) participated in this study. The 200m front crawl performance, the 200m front crawl kicking performance and the active drag during leg kicking were measured. The velocity perturbation method was used to determine active drag. The 200m front crawl performance was significantly correlated with performance in 200m kicking (0.89), with hydrodynamic drag force during leg kicking (-0.70), and power output in kicking (-0.64). Drag coefficient was not related to the performance in 200 m front crawl. These findings underline the importance of leg kicking to performance in front crawl swimming in these ages and suggests the important role of kicking tasks during training in young swimmers