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teste In partnership with the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, the Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD) organised the international congress on October 12 and 13, 2023. After an unprecedented pandemic situation that led to the postponement of the organisation of this congress, we had the pleasure of hosting this edition in a unique eco-campus, surrounded by a mix of nature and urbanism in Vila Real at the gates of the Douro Valley in the region of Trás-os-Montes. The International Congress CIDESD 2023 (ICCIDESD2023) was dedicated to showcasing the latest research and innovations in sports sciences, exercise, and health, reflecting the collective endeavours of researchers who face a daily challenge of communicating the evidence to the practitioners shaping the interaction between theory and practice. With more than 300 participants, the programme included several plenary sessions, free communication sessions, an industry exhibition, the presentation and discussion of research projects and various networking activities. As the realm of sports sciences and health is witnessing unprecedented growth, driven by a deeper understanding of the confluence of various disciplines, the ICCIDESD focused on topics such as applied technology for sport, exercise and health, outdoor sports, well-being and sustainability, physiology and sports nutrition, psychology, social sciences and human development, exercise medicine and health, sports training and performance analysis. CIDESD is an R&D Unit organised as a consortium of educational institutions spread across the country, in which UTAD has been playing a decisive role in strategic definition and consolidation in close coordination with national and European science policies. This event took place at a time coinciding with the start of the evaluation of R&D Units by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, which includes the evaluation of activities for the period 2018-2022 and the plan for 2024-2027. This process will result in a quality rating, determining multi-annual funding. Also, because of this disruptive moment, the ICCIDESD2023 event was particularly important as a forum for internal debate on the present and future of CIDESD. This abstract book serves not only as a record of the scholarly contributions presented at the conference but also as a resource for ongoing education and inspiration. It is designed to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration, allowing readers to delve into the latest research findings, methodologies, and discussions driving progress in the field.

The aim of this study was analyze the effect of playing against biological matched and un-matched opposition, on physical performance and spatial exploration behavior of youth basketball players. Thirty under-14 to 16 basketball players were assigned to different teams according to maturity status (Pre-, Mid-, and Post-Peak Height Velocity [PHV]), and participated in basketball matches against matched (same maturity status), and un-matched (different maturity status) opposition. Maturity status was estimated considering the percentage of predicted adult height. Workload data was collected via inertial devices (IMUs) and Ultra-Wide Band (UWB)-based system. Heart rate was recorded with individual HR monitors. The Pre-PHV performed significantly more accelerations and decelerations and explored more space against matched opposition. Against un-matched opposition, the Pre-PHV presented higher average speed, body impacts, and Player Load. Both Mid- and Post-PHV covered more distance against matched opposition than against Pre-PHV. Games against Pre-PHV involved lower distance covered, average speed, Player Load, and higher accelerations and decelerations, than against Mid- and Post-PHV. The Pre-PHV athletes performed a higher number of accelerations and decelerations comparing to the Mid and Post-PHV players. Also, a significant interaction effect (group x time) was found in distance covered, average speed, body impacts, and Player Load. The type of opposition influenced physical performance and spatial exploration behavior during basketball matches, particularly of less-mature players. Based on present findings, practitioners can select the most suitable game format, considering the physical, technical, tactical, and psychological development needs, individualizing training stimulus.

Team Sports has been suggested as a suitable environment to investigate creative behavior. This study's purpose was two-fold: first, it intended to identify the effects of the Skills4Genius sports-bases training program in thinking, motor, and in-game creative behavior in team sports. Second, it aimed to investigate the relationship between creative thinking and in-game creativity. Forty children from primary school were allocated into control (n = 18, age: 9.2±0.4) and experimental (n = 22, age: 9.5±0.7) groups. The experimental group participated in a five-month training program involving either creative thinking, diversification, physical literacy, and nonlinear pedagogy approaches (Skills4Genius). Variables in the study included: a) creative thinking; b) motor performance (vertical jump, speed, and agility); c) in-game individual creative behavior (attempts, fluency, and versatility); and d) in-game collective behavior (positional regularity). The results suggested that the Skills4Genius program fostered creative thinking, agility, and speed performance. Moreover, it stretched the in-game individual creative behavior mainly through the improvement of the attempts and versatility of the player's actions. Lastly, it nurtured a better learning of the tactical principles, whereas the children were more coordinated with their teammates' and opponents' positioning. Additionally, this study presents a positive correlation linking creative thinking and in-game creative performance. These findings highlighted that creativity is facilitated while players become more thinking and game-skilled. Coaches and educators may apply this functional environment to inspire children's disposition to move outside the box and trigger a creative spark in team sports players. Notwithstanding, the sports environment is ideally suited for fostering creative behavior, a higher-order disposition that will go on to differentiate the everyday life of a child.

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of growth and maturation (GAM) research in youth basketball. A systematic search of Web of Science (up to August 2024) identified 1160 records; after screening per bibliometric review guidelines, 141 relevant studies were selected. Descriptive analysis indicates an 11.59% annual increase in GAM publications since 2003, underscoring significant expansion of this field. The 576 authors contributing to these studies show a high degree of collaboration, averaging 5.42 co-authors per paper, and 52.60% of publications involve international partnerships. Citation network analysis reveals that GAM research on basketball players predominantly addresses sports performance, strength, and injuries. Core themes (e.g., maturity/maturation) are well integrated, while foundational topics such as growth, strength, and age, although central to the field, remain underexplored. These gaps highlight the need for more targeted investigations. Practically, the findings guide coaches, trainers, and sports administrators in designing developmentally appropriate training programs, implementing targeted injury-prevention strategies, and refining talent identification initiatives. By identifying key areas for further inquiry, this study seeks to strengthen youth basketball programs through growth-stage-specific training methods, optimized injury-prevention protocols, and a holistic approach to athlete development.

The aim of this study was to identify the acute effects of a differential-learning training program on football kicking performance and countermovement jump. Twenty youth Portuguese under-15 football players participated in this study. All players were exposed to two training approaches: i) traditional, in which the players performed a total of 36 kicks in a blocked and repetitive approach; and ii) differential learning, which consisted in the 36 kicks using differential variations in each kick. Football kicking impact and velocity were assessed using a Stalker radar gun, while the kicking accuracy was assessed by aggregating the total number of points achieved during 12 kicks into a goal, which was divided into quantifiable scoring zones. Lastly, leg power was measured using a countermovement jump. Measurements were performed at baseline, post-intervention, and following a 35-minute training match. The comparisons between the baseline and post-test revealed that the differential learning approach promoted a possibly ~5% increase in the countermovement jump (small effects) and a likely ~3% increase in the average velocity (small effects) when compared with the traditional training approach. From the accuracy perspective, there was a moderate decrease from the baseline to the post-test and post-match in accurate kicks into zone 1 (centre of the goal) and a moderate decrease from the baseline to the post-match in accurate kicks into zone 5 (lateral zones at short height) in the differential intervention. In turn, a small increase in the accurate kicks into zones 4 and 6 (lateral zones of the goal and nearest to the bar, respectively) was found from the baseline to the post-match in the differential intervention. Overall, the differential learning intervention was more beneficial than a traditional training protocol with respect to acute improvements in countermovement jump performance, football kicking velocity and higher scoring zones kicking accuracy.

Background: This study aimed to analyze and compare the internal and external training load responses in U16 female basketball players participating in a micro-cycle with the U18 team from the same club. Methods: Twelve U16 and six U18 female basketball players completed two U18-team training sessions (MD-3 and MD-1; 90 min each). The internal load (heart rate metrics) and external load (accelerations, decelerations, speed, and distance) were measured using Polar Team Pro sensors. Differences between groups were analyzed using t-tests and Cohen’s d effect sizes. Results: No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between age categories for either the internal or external load variables. U16 players showed slightly higher maximum heart rate percentages (96.5% vs. 94.7%, ES = 0.29) but similar average heart rate and time in heart rate zones. For the external load, both groups exhibited comparable values in total distance, average speed, and movement across speed and acceleration/deceleration zones. Effect sizes were mostly small, with moderate differences found in specific acceleration and deceleration zones. Conclusions: U16 players training with the U18 team experienced similar internal and external loads, suggesting that they can cope with the physical and physiological demands of older-age-group training. These findings support the inclusion of younger players in higher-age-group training environments as part of their long-term athletic development.

Negative-pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is an uncommon complication of acute airway obstruction, classically resulting in non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) occurring in the setting of NPPE is exceedingly rare but can be life-threatening. We present the case of a young adult who developed NPPE complicated by DAH following a brief episode of acute upper airway obstruction. The patient exhibited sudden hemoptysis and respiratory failure, with imaging confirming pulmonary edema and new bilateral infiltrates consistent with hemorrhage. Bronchoscopic evaluation and laboratory workup excluded other causes of DAH. Supportive management, including airway protection, mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure, and careful hemodynamic support, led to rapid clinical improvement. The patient made a full recovery with complete resolution of pulmonary infiltrates. This case underscores that even short-lived airway obstruction can precipitate DAH via NPPE, highlighting the importance of prompt recognition and management of this unexpected complication.

Heterotopic pregnancy is an uncommon and potentially life-threatening condition that presents a significant diagnostic challenge, particularly in spontaneous conceptions. We describe the case of a 38-year-old multigravida who presented to the emergency department with acute abdominal pain and signs of hemorrhagic shock. Point-of-care transabdominal ultrasound revealed a moderate volume of intraperitoneal free fluid with echogenic content, raising suspicion for hemoperitoneum or peritonitis, and also demonstrated a viable intrauterine pregnancy at nine weeks' gestation. Emergency laparoscopy confirmed a ruptured ectopic pregnancy in the right fallopian tube, requiring salpingectomy and peritoneal lavage. Despite initial maternal stabilization, intrauterine fetal death was confirmed on the first postoperative day. This case underscores the need for heightened clinical suspicion in symptomatic pregnant patients, even when an intrauterine pregnancy has been documented and typical risk factors are absent. Timely diagnosis and prompt surgical management remain critical to optimize maternal outcomes.

The differential learning (DL) approach, which destabilises by means of amplifying fluctuations for increased learning rates, has received growing interest beyond the skill acquisition field in sports (Schöllhorn, 2000). Previous research indicated acute effects possibly vary according to the kind of mediating DL (e.g. instructed or self-created) (John & Schöllhorn, 2018). However, little is known about training regimens including the combination of both mediating approaches. This study aimed to determine the effects of a 12-week training intervention involving instructed DL change-of-direction training followed by preferred self-created differential training programs on a series of physical tests in youth basketball players. Thirty-six under-14 to under-18 male participants basketball players were grouped based on their preferred motor skill (Fearnbach et al., 2020) (cutting, n = 14; jumping, n = 13; sprinting, n = 9). Participants completed one session per week of instructed DL applied to change-of-direction (COD) training, which consisted of different change-of-directions and starts throughout the training program (Figure 2). In another weekly training session, participants completed self-created DL, which included their most preferred motor skill. In those training sessions, participants were instructed to perform the maximum of variations (without repetition) of the most preferred motor skill. Before and after the training intervention, participants completed jumping tests (counter-movement jump (CMJ), single-leg CMJs, the modified 505 agility test (M505), straight sprinting tests (0–10 meters split time), and bilateral asymmetry (%ASY) in unilateral jumping were evaluated as well. A significant interaction effect (group x time) was observed on %ASY (F = 5.03, p < 0.05, ŋ2p = 0.23). Within-group analysis showed a significant decrease in bilateral asymmetry for combining DL-COD plus sprinting (p < 0.05, g = 0.84). Also, the group who performed both self-created and instructed DL-COD substantially improved 0-10m sprinting time (p < 0.001, g = 1.13). Combining instruction-based DL-COD with preferred self-created differential training yields similar effects on physical performance in youth basketball players. Regardless of dynamic similarities between their motor skill preference, training, and physical test, between-subjects performance was similar in the post-test compared to the pre-test. Notwithstanding, training response in %ASY may benefit from certain motor skill preference profiles (see Figure 1). The present findings may encourage practitioners to experiment with training strategies that consider athletes' preferences. However, further studies, including non-preferred skills, are warranted for a clear understanding of motor skills preferences in differential training adaptations.

Physical activity (PA) comprises any activity that requires caloric expenditure, which may vary in magnitude, duration, and frequency and plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal health. On the other hand, sedentary lifestyles have been associated with the development of several conditions, including diabetes and obesity (Caspersen et al., 1985). Assessing daily physical activity levels is essential for combating sedentary behaviours and implementing effective strategies to promote an active lifestyle (Cleland et al., 2018). This study aimed to compare the measurement of physical activity levels using accelerometry and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in participants of a pilot exercise program. A total of 16 adults (age=36.2±17.4 years; height=1.69±0.10 m, weight= 67.7±9.5 kg, 9 students, 3 teachers, and 4 non-teaching staff) enrolled in a supervised exercise program at a higher institution participated in this study. The exercise program included cardiovascular and resistance training sessions lasting up to 60 minutes per session, and all participants engaged in a minimum of two sessions per week. Physical activity levels were objectively measured by an accelerometer (ActiGraph, wGT3X-BT) used for seven full days and subjectively measured by IPAQ. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing physical activity levels relative to sedentary time, measured by accelerometry and IPAQ (p<0.05). Analysis of the accelerometer data revealed that most participants engaged in sedentary activity (52.1%), followed by light (35.5%) and moderate or vigorous activity (12.4%) while the IPAQ revealed a large sample percentage perceived less sedentary activity (39.8%) and more moderate or vigorous activity (21.3%). Further analysis by participant role recorded from accelerometry indicated that students demonstrated higher levels of moderate (18.8%) physical activity compared to teachers (12.6%, p=0.04) and non-teaching staff (12.5%, p=0.04). Accelerometry may provide more consistent results compared to the self-reported questionnaire IPAQ. By assessing physical activity levels subjectively, we may inadvertently overestimate time spent in moderate activities compared to more objective measures. Strategies to reduce sedentary behaviours during working hours or a long-term application of supervised exercise programs for teaching and non-teaching populations may be a suitable mechanism to combat levels of physical inactivity.