DSpace Collection:

Are teachers missing the beat on students’ motor competence?

2026-03-23T16:39:12Z

Title: Are teachers missing the beat on students’ motor competence? Authors: Flôres, Fábio; Serpa, Joana; Vieira, Fernando; Pombo, André; Soares, Denise; Shabanliyski, Dimitar; Cordovil, Rita Editors: De Conti, Gustavo Abstract: Purpose: Compare physical education (PE) teachers’ perceptions of their students’ motor competence (MC) with students’ objectively assessed actual motor competence. Methods: 20 PE teachers and 340 students participated. Teachers were asked to estimate the student MC. Normative videos of the performance on each test (Standing Long Jump, Shuttle Run, Shifting Platforms, Jumping Sideways, Ball Throwing, and Kicking Velocity) were presented to assess teachers’ perceptions of MC. Paired t-tests with Cohen’s d quantified differences between children’s actual motor competence and teachers’ perceptions, alongside error tendency analyses (accurate, over-, or under- estimation) using a 5% threshold. Associations and agreement between perceived and actual MC were examined using Pearson correlations and Bland-Altman plots. Findings: Teachers overestimated MC in most tests, particularly stability-related tasks such as the Shifting Platforms test (p < 0.001). However, underestimations were evident in the Standing Long Jump test (p < 0.001), where students performed above national values. Also, there was a tendency to underestimate the lateral jumps, but it was not significant. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the need for targeted teacher training programs and curriculum adjustments to improve assessment accuracy, ensuring that PE instruction effectively promotes skill development.

Practical Work in Natural Sciences Education: Development and Validation of a Qualitative Data Collection Instrument

2026-01-26T01:06:06Z

Title: Practical Work in Natural Sciences Education: Development and Validation of a Qualitative Data Collection Instrument Authors: Oliveira, Hugo; Bonito, Jorge Editors: Franke, Todd Michael Abstract: This article presents the development and validation process of a qualitative data collection instrument aimed at analysing natural sciences teachers’ perceptions of practical work in lower secondary education (third cycle) in Portugal. The methodological approach combined a systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines with an analysis of relevant curricular frameworks and legal documents. Based on the triangulation of these sources, a semi-structured interview guide was constructed, validated by a panel of five experts from four Portuguese public universities, and tested through a pilot interview. The final instrument comprised seven dimensions and fourteen subdimensions, totalling 44 items. It demonstrated methodological rigour and practical applicability for qualitative data collection and analysis. Findings indicate that the instrument enables a comprehensive exploration of teachers’ practices and perceptions regarding practical work, offering a valuable contribution to the research on didactics of science and to the professional development of teachers. Also, the application of this instrument will enable teachers and researchers to characterise the dynamics of practical work carried out with young students in natural sciences education across seven structuring dimensions: (1) Conceptual; (2) Limitations; (3) Advantages; (4) Evaluative; (5) Operationalisation; (6) Textbook; and (7) Curricular.

Health Promotion in European Higher Education Institutions: An Integrative Literature Review

2025-12-10T10:51:57Z

Title: Health Promotion in European Higher Education Institutions: An Integrative Literature Review Authors: Lima, Mariana; Conde, Jorge; Bonito, Jorge Editors: Czabanowska, Katarzyna Abstract: Objectives: This research aimed to determine the state of the art of health promotion actions in higher education institutions of European Union member countries. Methods:Toachievetheproposedobjective, an integrative literature review was conducted. The collection of analyzed articles was carried out across four databases and a data compilation, where studies published between 2016 and 2022 were reviewed. The analysis was conducted through the descriptionof theactionsinhealthpromotion(HP).Results: Fourteen articles were selected for analysis. The HP actions described primarily target students. Some of the main topics covered in the studies are health habits related to gender differences, recreational substances and health education. Conclusion: Although research in this area is increasing, it appears necessary to further disseminate the principles of the health promotion universities movement to raise awareness across the entire academic community. This could more easily lead to the development of more effective HP actions directed at the entire academic community and those outside the institutions.

Accuracy in predicting repetitions in reserve during resistance training: Differences Across load intensities, distance from muscular failure, sexes, and exercises

2025-12-10T10:51:48Z

Title: Accuracy in predicting repetitions in reserve during resistance training: Differences Across load intensities, distance from muscular failure, sexes, and exercises Authors: Casanova, Nuno; Gomes, Diana; Russo, Filipe; Mateus, Joana; Vieira, André; Malcata, Gonçalo; Tenfen, Paulo; Soares, Denise; Flôres, Fábio Abstract: Resistance training adaptations depend not only on external load but also on the accurate regulation of effort, particularly the ability to estimate proximity to muscular concentric failure. The Repetitions in Reserve (RIR) scale has emerged as a practical tool to quantify relative intensity, but evidence suggests that several factors may influence the ability for individuals to accurately report RIR. This study investigates the influence of load intensity, distance from muscular concentric failure, sex, and exercise type on the accuracy of predicting RIR during resistance training. Thirty-four healthy young adults aged 21.76 ± 2.35 years old with at least 6 months of resistance training experience participated in the study. Participants performed exercises at 50% and 75% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM), reporting perceived RIR at 3RIR and 1RIR. Results indicated higher accuracy in RIR reporting at 1RIR compared to 3RIR (all p ≤ 0.001, except for the lying leg curl, p = 0.097) and at 75% of 1RM compared to 50% (all p < 0.001). Sex did not impact RIR accuracy except for the cable triceps pushdown (3RIR at 50% of 1RM), and minor differences were observed between exercises in which more accuracy was observed during the lying leg curl. The findings highlight the importance of educating individuals on the intensity of effort and relative intensity ratio (RIR) for effective training intensity regulation. Practitioners should consider these factors, particularly load intensity and distance from muscular concentric failure when prescribing resistance training programs to optimize training outcomes and support the achievement of fitness and performance goals.