Monitoring of physical activity levels of guide dog owners – a preliminary study

Despite the well-documented benefits of regular physical activity, people with disabilities are often challenged with too many barriers that discourage an active lifestyle. This is particularly evident among people with visual impairments (VI). Previous studies have shown that adults with VI are significantly less active than the general population, and do not meet the physical activity recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, most study samples are based on participants using a white cane. Owning a guide dog is often described as a factor for increased mobility and has the potential to increase physical activity. Therefore, the purpose of this preliminary study was to objectively assess the physical activity of adults with VI assisted by a guide dog

Physical Activity Patterns in Adults who are Deaf

The benefits of physical activity for health are well known, but there is limited information about its patterns in some disability groups. The main purpose of this study was to measure physical activity in a sample of adults who are Deaf. Sixty-two Deaf adults (18-65 years) from both genders (64.3% women) participated. Physical activity was measured by accelerometers worn near the right hip for at least three days. Twenty-nine (~59%) of the 49 participants that met the accelerometer criteria reached the recommendation of 30 min per day of moderate-to-vigorous PA. However, no one achieved that goal in bouts of at least 10 minutes. Participants spent 71% of the accelerometer wear time in sedentary behaviour. It seems that hearing impairment has a lower impact on physical activity habits than other types of disability. Nonetheless, the levels of physical activity could be improved among the Deaf community, especially considering the international recommendations that aerobic activities should be performed in bouts of at least 10 minutes. Future research should collect information on the main barriers and facilitators for physical activity in adults who are Deaf, and strategies should be implemented to promote their engagement in longer bouts of physical activity

Educação STEM na aprendizagem de combustíveis, energia e ambiente : um trabalho com alunos do 12º ano

Relatório da Prática de Ensino Supervisionada, Mestrado em Ensino de Física e de Química no 3º Ciclo do Ensino Básico e Ensino Secundário, 2022, Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto de EducaçãoO presente estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a influência de uma abordagem STEM na aprendizagem do tópico “combustíveis, energia e ambiente” em alunos de 12.º ano. De forma concreta, pretendeu-se investigar a evolução das estruturas cognitivas dos alunos após a abordagem STEM sobre o tópico, qual a mudança de intenção em seguir carreiras STEM após a abordagem STEM sobre o tópico e quais as aprendizagens realizadas pelos alunos quando envolvidos numa abordagem STEM. Nesse sentido, foi desenvolvido uma sequência de tarefas sobre o tópico “combustíveis, energia e ambiente” de acordo com as aprendizagens essenciais em vigor. Para o presente estudo seguiu-se um método de investigação misto, tendo sido utilizados como instrumentos de recolha de dados um teste de associação de palavras, antes e após a abordagem STEM (WAT – Word Association Test), um questionário sobre motivação para as áreas STEM, antes e após a abordagem STEM, a observação (naturalista) e documentos escritos pelos alunos. Os resultados do presente estudo permitiram concluir sobre uma evolução das estruturas cognitivas dos alunos após a abordagem STEM, através da comparação dos resultados do WAT antes e após a abordagem STEM, e que foram desenvolvidas aprendizagens nos domínios conceptual, processual, de raciocínio, de comunicação e de articulação STEM com a abordagem STEM. Relativamente à mudança de intenção em seguir carreiras STEM após a abordagem STEM, não se verificaram resultados conclusivos, sendo que a amostra de respostas foi também baixa. Este estudo evidencia aspetos positivos da utilização de uma abordagem STEM, particularmente ao nível da evolução das estruturas cognitivas e aprendizagens realizadas pelos alunos, devendo ser uma ferramenta utilizada por professores, promovendo o interesse dos alunos nas áreas científicas, bem como o desenvolvimento de competências transversais e integradoras, fundamentais num mundo cada vez mais tecnológico e em constante mudança.The present study aimed to know the influence of a STEM approach on the learning of the topic “fuels, energy and environment” in 12th grade students. Specifically, it was intended to investigate the evolution of students' cognitive structures after the STEM approach on the topic, what is the change of intention in following STEM careers after the STEM approach on the topic and what the students learned when involved in an approach STEM In this sense, a sequence of tasks was developed on the topic “fuels, energy and environment” according to the curricular objectives in force in the Portuguese educative system. For the present study, a mixed research method was followed, using as data collection instruments a word association test (WAT), before and after the STEM approach, a questionnaire on motivation for careers in the STEM areas, before and after the STEM approach, observation (naturalistic) and documents written by students. The results of the present study allowed us to conclude on an evolution of the students' cognitive structures after the STEM approach, through the comparison of the WAT results before and after the STEM approach, and that learning was developed in the conceptual, procedural, reasoning, communication domains and articulating STEM concepts with the use of a STEM approach. Regarding the change in intention to pursue STEM careers after the STEM approach, there were no conclusive results, as the sample of responses was also low. This study highlights positive aspects of the use of a STEM approach, particularly in terms of the evolution of cognitive structures and learning carried out by students, and should be a tool used by teachers, promoting interest in students' interaction in scientific areas, as well as the development of transversal and integrative skills, fundamental in an increasingly technological and constantly changing world

Creative dance associated with traditional Portuguese singing as a strategy for active aging: a comparative cross-sectional study

Background: Multimodal forms of exercise can influence several physical and mental factors important for successful aging. In the present study, we introduce a new type of multimodal intervention, combining movement (creative dance) with traditional singing. This study aims to compare physical fitness, functional physical independence, depressive symptoms, general cognitive status, and daytime sleepiness among older adults participating in multimodal exercise, those participating in traditional physical exercise, and those not actively engaged in physical exercise. Methods: This cross‑sectional study included 112 people aged ≥ 65 years (75.3 ± 0.7 years) living independently in the community, divided into 3 groups: multimodal exercise (n = 34), traditional exercise (n = 41), and no physical exercise (n = 37). Results: The multimodal exercise group showed greater flexibility of the lower limbs and upper limbs/shoulders and better general cognitive status than the traditional exercise group (p < 0.05). The traditional exercise group had better agility and dynamic balance, aerobic endurance, and strength of the lower and upper limbs than the no‑exercise group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that the two types of programs studied may have different impacts on some of the variables investigated and support the design of future experimental studies that include interventions based on the combination of creative dance and traditional Portuguese singing

Physical Activity Patterns in Adults Who Are Blind as Assessed by Accelerometry

The main purpose of our study was to quantify, by using accelerometry, daily physical activity (PA) in adults with visual impairments. Sixty-three adults (34.9% women) who are blind (18-65 years) wore an accelerometer for at least 3 days (minimum ot 10 hr per day), including 1 weekend day. Nineteen participants (-30%) reached the recommendation of 30 min per day of PA, when counting every minute of moderate or greater intensity. No one achieved that goal when considering bouts of at least 10 min. No differences were found between genders in PA measures. Chronological age, age of blindness onset, and body mass index were not associated with PA. We conclude that adults who are blind have low levels of PA and are considerably less active compared with the general population. Health promotion strategies should be implemented to increase daily PA for people with visual impairments

A cross-sectional study on physical and sedentary activity and health-related quality of life in institutionalized vs. non-institutionalized elderly

Aims: to compare the physical activity, sedentary activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in institutionalized vs. non-institutionalized elderly, and to establish a pattern of relationship and prediction of physical and sedentary activity with physical and mental components of HRQoL. Methods: the sample consisted of 383 elderly with ≥ 75 years old (n=187 institutionalized and n=196 non-institutionalized). Were administered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) for evaluated the physical and sedentary activity and HRQoL. Also was used the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) as exclusion criteria for cognitive problems in the elderly. Results: differences between institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly were found in moderate-intensity activities and walking, a favour of non-institutionalized. The institutionalized elderly remain more minutes in sedentary activity. Also, were observed differences between both groups in physical component of HRQoL, a favour of non-institutionalized elderly. The mental component remained unchanged. The multivariate regression analyses showed that physical activity predicted the physical (8 to 12%) and mental (5 to 8%) components of HRQoL for institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly. Conclusions: non-institutionalized elderly were more physically active, spent less time in sedentary activity and showed better perception physical component of HRQoL that institutionalized elderly. An important and encouraging result of this study was that physical activity is a predictor of improved physical and mental component of HRQoL for institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly

A Systematic Review of the Effects of Pilates Method of Exercise in Healthy People

Objective: To evaluate evidence for the effectiveness of the Pilates method of exercise (PME) in healthy people. Data Sources: Published research was identified by searching Science Direct, MEDLINE, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, PEDro, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Study Selection: Research studies published from inception to May 7, 2011 were selected for evaluation. Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria to selected potential studies. Studies were included if they were published in a peer-reviewed journal, written in the English language, conducted as a randomized controlled trial (RCT) or quasi-RCT in healthy people, had an inactive and/or exercise control group(s), included key study outcomes, and used the PME as the study intervention in at least 1 study arm. Data Extraction: Two reviewers independently extracted data (study, design, subjects, intervention, key outcomes results), applied the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale to assess the method quality of selected studies, and determined the strength of the evidence using the best evidence synthesis grading system. Data Synthesis: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. PEDro scale values ranged from 3 to 7 (mean, 4.1), indicating a low level of scientific rigor. The outcomes studied most often were flexibility, muscular endurance, strength, and postural alignment. The PME appears to be effective in improving flexibility (strong evidence), dynamic balance (strong evidence), and muscular endurance (moderate evidence) in healthy people. Conclusions: There was strong evidence to support the use of the PME at least to the end of training to improve flexibility and dynamic balance and moderate evidence to enhance muscular endurance. Future RCTs should focus on the components of blinding, concealed allocation, subject adherence, intention- to-treat analysis, and follow-up designs

Epidemiology of taeniosis/cysticercosis in Europe, a systematic review : Western Europe

Background: Taenia solium and Taenia saginata are zoonotic parasites of public health importance. Data on their occurrence in humans and animals in western Europe are incomplete and fragmented. In this study, we aimed to update the current knowledge on the epidemiology of these parasites in this region. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of scientific and grey literature published from 1990 to 2015 on the epidemiology of T. saginata and T. solium in humans and animals. Additionally, data about disease occurrence were actively sought by contacting local experts in the different countries. Results: Taeniosis cases were found in twelve out of eighteen countries in western Europe. No cases were identified in Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. For Denmark, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and the UK, annual taeniosis cases were reported and the number of detected cases per year ranged between 1 and 114. Detected prevalences ranged from 0.05 to 0.27%, whereas estimated prevalences ranged from 0.02 to 0.67%. Most taeniosis cases were reported as Taenia spp. or T. saginata, although T. solium was reported in Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Portugal and the UK. Human cysticercosis cases were reported in all western European countries except for Iceland, with the highest number originating from Portugal and Spain. Most human cysticercosis cases were suspected to have acquired the infection outside western Europe. Cases of T. solium in pigs were found in Austria and Portugal, but only the two cases from Portugal were confirmed with molecular methods. Germany, Spain and Slovenia reported porcine cysticercosis, but made no Taenia species distinction. Bovine cysticercosis was detected in all countries except for Iceland, with a prevalence based on meat inspection of 0.0002-7.82%. Conclusions: Detection and reporting of taeniosis in western Europe should be improved. The existence of T. solium tapeworm carriers, of suspected autochthonous cases of human cysticercosis and the lack of confirmation of porcine cysticercosis cases deserve further attention. Suspected cases of T. solium in pigs should be confirmed by molecular methods. Both taeniosis and human cysticercosis should be notifiable and surveillance in animals should be improved.Peer reviewe