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New FCT Approved Projects
| Project: |
PTDC/DTP-DES/1328/2012 |
| IP: |
José Carlos Ribeiro |
| Title: |
Intervention Program in children and adolescents to promote Physical Fitness, Physical Activity and Nutritional Knowledge. |
| Abstract: |
The recognition of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as a problem in children has grown in recent years. Atherosclerotic lesions, subclinical states of some CVD, have already been described in youth. Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) as hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and low levels of cardio-‐respiratory fitness (CRF) and physical activity (PA) have been reported in adolescents. The CVRF tend to aggregate and maintain their levels of childhood until adulthood, increasing future risk of CVD. In young people, reduced values of CRF align themselves with the clustering of CVRF. The relationships between volumes and the intensities of PA and CRF levels on the prevalence and clustering of CVRF have not yet been completely clarified. The need to develop and implement strategies for primary prevention of CVD in early ages is an established consensus. Assuming that inadequate levels of PA and suitable diets would influence the CRF, the body fat and, therefore, the metabolic profile, it seems prudent to intervene on sedentary behaviours and unhealthy habits to improve cardiovascular health from an early age. This study aims to assess nutritional knowledge and dietary habits of physical activity in a cohort of adolescents before and after an intervention program of nutritional food education and physical activity. Will be examined differences in results between subsamples: active and non-‐active and obese not obese and assets not active members. Studies involving both the two major determinants of health in these ages: food and exercise are fundamental to the establishment of effective health policies and reasoned. Thus, the project aims are: (1) validation of Nutritional Knowledge Quiz for young people (NKQ) (2) explore the associations between CRF, PA and food knowledge; and (3) evaluating the effects of an intervention program (IP) based at school and on the internet, involving the promotion of PA and healthy nutrition behaviours relating to PA and to nutrition, about the levels of PA and CRF. For these purposes, the CRF will be estimated by using the equations developed for this purpose. PA will be measured by accelerometers and food habits and knowledge through food skills questionnaire (Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire). The IP will be a experimental study based at school and on the internet for promoting healthy behaviours related to AF and the healthy nutritional choices, supported by theories of behavioural change. Will be developed during 9 months involving students, parents, teachers and school departments in curricular and extracurricular activities. The sample for this research consists of 1000 children and adolescents aged 12 – 18 years from the District of Porto (500-‐ intervention school; 500 control school). |
| Project: |
PTDC/DTP‐DES/1246/2012 |
| IP: |
António Ascensão |
| Title: |
Effects of life-long physical activity on brain function in Alzheimer Disease and Aging - Relevance of mitochondrial-mediated mechanisms. |
| Abstract: |
With the increasing average life span, age-related cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are a major health concern in nowadays. The brain is particularly sensitive to cumulative oxidative damage of proteins, lipids and DNA, which occurs during normal aging process due to the high metabolic demands of the brain tissue and low levels of antioxidant defences. Perturbations of energy metabolism including mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of signalling pathways leading to cell death that culminate in functional deficits are observed in aged and AD brains. Therefore, important targets for prevention and longterm treatment of early stages of age-related AD should include mitochondrial protection with subsequent reduction of oxidative damage and associated apoptotic signalling. Physical exercise is a widely recommended intervention for most disease conditions, known to promote brain plasticity and to improve cognitive functions. Regular exercise improves hippocampus plasticity, increasing neurogenesis and angiogenesis, which are coupled with metabolic energetic adaptations such as regulation of glucose uptake [1]. Results of proteomic and molecular studies revealing exercise-mediated alterations in mitochondrial energy producing systems correlate well with improved mitochondrial activity [2-4]. Moreover, exercise reversed chronic stress-induced mitochondrial–mediated apoptosis initiation [5]. However, effects of lifelong exercise against deleterious brain mitochondrial sequels associated with aging and AD conditions have not been studied, which makes this submission highly innovative. |
| Project: |
PTDC/DTP-DES/1071/2012 |
| IP: |
António Ascensão |
| Title: |
Exercise-induced cardioprotection - Effect of life-span voluntary exercise against anti-cancer therapy-induced cardiac and mitochondrial dysfunction. |
| Abstract: |
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a highly effective antibiotic used to treat several types of cancer. Unfortunately, the clinical use of DOX is limited by the occurrence of a dose-‐related cardiac toxicity that results in life-‐threatening cardiomyopathy. It has been described that DOX-‐induced cardiomyocyte dysfunction is associated with increased levels of oxidative damage and apoptosis, with the involvement of mitochondrial alterations. Many preventive and therapeutic strategies have been explored to counteract DOX toxicity and dysfunction, such as the antioxidant supplementation and exercise. Our previous works have demonstrated that exercise prevents DOX-‐induced mitochondrial alterations and apoptotic signaling in rodent models. However, the mechanisms related to this protection targeting mitochondria remain elusive. In fact, mitochondria have a central role cellular energy production, regulation of pH, calcium homeostasis and cell signaling. One particular aspect of mitochondrial physiology which is very relevant during normal function or during cell death signaling is the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mtPTP). It has been described that DOX-‐treatment leads to augmented mtPTP, which is associated with mitochondrial oxidative stress and calcium overload. Nevertheless, the non-‐ pharmacological modulation afforded by exercise against deleterious mtPTP induction in DOX-‐treated animals was not studied so far, being the central concern of this innovative project. |
| Project: |
PTDC/DTP-DES/1328/2012 |
| IP: |
António Ascensão |
| Title: |
Intervention Program in children and adolescents to promote Physical Fitness, Physical Activity and Nutritional Knowledge |
| Abstract: |
The recognition of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as a problem in children has grown in recent years. Atherosclerotic lesions, subclinical states of some CVD, have already been described in youth. Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) as hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and low levels of cardio-‐respiratory fitness (CRF) and physical activity (PA) have been reported in adolescents. The CVRF tend to aggregate and maintain their levels of childhood until adulthood, increasing future risk of CVD. In young people, reduced values of CRF align themselves with the clustering of CVRF. The relationships between volumes and the intensities of PA and CRF levels on the prevalence and clustering of CVRF have not yet been completely clarified. The need to develop and implement strategies for primary prevention of CVD in early ages is an established consensus. Assuming that inadequate levels of PA and suitable diets would influence the CRF, the body fat and, therefore, the metabolic profile, it seems prudent to intervene on sedentary behaviours and unhealthy habits to improve cardiovascular health from an early age. This study aims to assess nutritional knowledge and dietary habits of physical activity in a cohort of adolescents before and after an intervention program of nutritional food education and physical activity. Will be examined differences in results between subsamples: active and non-‐active and obese not obese and assets not active members. Studies involving both the two major determinants of health in these ages: food and exercise are fundamental to the establishment of effective health policies and reasoned. Thus, the project aims are: (1) validation of Nutritional Knowledge Quiz for young people (NKQ) (2) explore the associations between CRF, PA and food knowledge; and (3) evaluating the effects of an intervention program (IP) based at school and on the internet, involving the promotion of PA and healthy nutrition behaviours relating to PA and to nutrition, about the levels of PA and CRF. For these purposes, the CRF will be estimated by using the equations developed for this purpose. PA will be measured by accelerometers and food habits and knowledge through food skills questionnaire (Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire). The IP will be a experimental study based at school and on the internet for promoting healthy behaviours related to AF and the healthy nutritional choices, supported by theories of behavioural change. Will be developed during 9 months involving students, parents, teachers and school departments in curricular and extracurricular activities. The sample for this research consists of 1000 children and adolescents aged 12 – 18 years from the District of Porto (500-‐ intervention school; 500 control school). |
| Project: |
PTDC/DES/116586/2010 |
| IP: |
- |
| Title: |
Importância da actividade física no controle de peso durante a gestacao e pos-parto bem como nos parâmetros morfo-funcionais das crianças nos 2 primeiros anos de vida. |
| Abstract: |
Apesar dos benefícios descritos, quer para a mãe quer para o bebé, verifica-se ainda uma fraca adesão à prática de exercício físico durante a gravidez. Para isto tem contribuído a baixa frequência de exercício físico antes da gravidez, reflexo da insuficiente adesão da nossa população a estilos de vida saudáveis. Verifica-se que há pouca evidência disponível sobre este tema particularmente em amostras portuguesas. Este projecto tem como principal objectivo, determinar os níveis de actividade física antes e ao longo da gravidez e a sua influência no estado físico e psicológico da mulher, bem como nos parâmetros morfo-funcionais da criança nos dois primeiros anos de vida, sendo para o efeito realizado um estudo longitudinal prospectivo numa coorte de mulheres grávidas. |
| Project: |
PTDC/DES/116586/2010 |
| IP: |
- |
| Title: |
Levels of physical activity throughout pregnancy and its influence on physical and psychological status of women, as well as the morphological parameters of the child in the first two-year of life. |
| Abstract: |
This has contributed to the low frequency of physical exercise before pregnancy, reflecting the insufficient adhesion of our population to healthy lifestyles. It appears that there is little evidence available addressing this issue in Portuguese samples. The project's main objective was to determine the levels of physical activity before and across pregnancy and its influence on physical and psychological status of women, as well as the morphologic parameters of the child in the first year of life.There will be carried out a longitudinal study in a cohort of pregant women. |
| Project: |
PTDC/DES/111807/2009 |
| IP: |
Maria Paula Santos |
| Title: |
Access to parks, Physical Activity behaviors and obesity: an urban population study. |
| Announce: |
Download  |
| Project: |
PTDC/DES/113580/2009 |
| IP: |
António Ascensão |
| Title: |
Can physical exercise be advantageous for the prevention of liver injury-related diseases? Role for mitochondrial-mediated mechanisms. |
| Announce: |
Download |
| Project: |
PTDC/DES/113753/2009 |
| IP: |
Fernando Ribeiro - José Oliveira |
| Title: |
Effects of exercise training on endothelial function, inflammation and autonomic function in coronary artery disease patients. |
| Announce: |
Download |
| Project: |
FCT/ PTDC/DES/70261/2006 |
| PI: |
Joana Carvalho |
| Title: |
Effect of a Physical Activity Program on functionality and socialization of elderly women. |
| Abtract: |
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Aging is one of the more evident and important phenomenon a observed in our community. Quality of life and well-being of this population is actually a mater of concern by different scientific and social entities. Ageing has been described as a process, or group of processes occurring in living organisms that with the passage of time lead to a loss of adaptability, functional impairment, and eventually death. From a public health standpoint it is, therefore, important to identify and develop interventions that can attenuate the gradual degeneration associated with the ageing process. Regular physical activity has been described as an important tool for the prevention of many physical, psychological and social aspects related to the ageing process. However, although the majority of the elderly subjects recognizes the importance of regular physical activity for the functionality and for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, older people are inactive, being this type of behaviour associated with social impositions and with poor self-perception of physical fitness. The purposes of this study are: (1) to describe the physical activity patterns carried-out by elderly women in their daily living and to compare the patterns of the daily activity before and after the physical activity program; (3) to analyze the effects of a generalized physical activity on functionality and physicality; (4) to study how elderly women experience their body in our society and culture. This investigation consists on a longitudinal evaluation of elderly women of 65 yrs or more that live in the area of Porto, submitted to physical activity program during 10 months, consisting of 2 sessions/week. An accelerometer (CSA) will be used during 7 consecutive days to evaluate daily PA before and after training. In order to characterise the habitual physical activity of the participants and to identify possible changes in the daily physical activity during
the experimental protocol, a questionnaire based on the Baecke Questionnaire (Baecke et al., 1982) and validate for older populations by Voorrips et al. (1991) will be also applied to all the subjects.The Fullerton Functional Fitness Test (Rikli & Jones, 1999) will be applied also before and after training in order to evaluated the functional capacity. To understand the way women experience their bodies before and after a physical activity program it will be applied interviews and focus group in different moments of the physical activity program, and submit the data to an inductive analysis and interpretation, using the QSRNVivo.
| Project: |
FCT/ PTDC/DES/72160/2006 |
| PI: |
Maria Paula Santos |
| Title: |
Social environment and Gender inequalities in adolescent’s physical activity and sports. |
| Abtract: |
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Studies showed that the decline of physical activity is more pronounced during adolescence, particularly among girls. The differences between male and female adolescents are also pronounced regarding organized and non-organized sports activities during this age period. Research shows that during adolescence boys participated in sports activities at higher levels of intensity than girls. It has been speculated that such preferences are determined by socio cultural factors. In other words, during adolescence boys and girls tend to participate in certain sports because their socio cultural environment facilitates them to do so. However, the underlying reasons for differences in physical activity levels between boys and girls, and why they differ in their sports preferences, still remain largely unknown. It is clear that an answer to this issue of gender differences in physical activity levels and choices requires future research. Fewer studies have evaluated socio cultural neighbourhood features such as social and cultural norms for physical activity that could influence this behaviour and how they can affect boys and girls. (1) to describe physical activity levels of boys and girls from Portuguese high school; (2) to identify choices for organized and non-organized physical activities according to gender; (3) to verify associations between frequency and intensity of physical activities and choices for organized and non-organized sports; (4) to assess perceptions of the neighbourhood environment and the relationship with physical activity levels; (5) to explore the potential role of gender in the link between perceived environment and physical activity; (6) to verify the different opportunities for physical activities according to gender; (7) to identify socio cultural factors that correlate with physical activity choices among boys and girls; (8) to assess factors that limit the regular practice of organized sports. Self-reported measures of physical activity will be used and also qualitative methodologies.
| Project: |
FCT/ PTDC/DES/70757/2006 |
| PI: |
José Alberto Duarte |
| Title: |
Characterization of morphological, functional, biochemical and proteomic alterations induced by age in skeletal muscle mitochondria: influence of lifelong physical activity. |
| Abtract: |
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Biological aging is characterized by a progressive decline of physiological function leading to a general impairment in functional capacity and increased susceptibility to disease. Several theories have been postulated in an attempt to explain the foundations of biological aging. The mitochondrial theory of aging is one of the most prevalent in this field. This theory postulates that aging results from the progressive accumulation of oxidative damage and impairment of cellular function relating several factors, namely mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. The age-related increases in oxidative stress levels and oxidative damage to biomolecules will be the result of an increased production of reactive oxygen species or diminished antioxidant defences, or both, together with an increased susceptibility to oxidative damage, ultimately leading to diminished cellular function. Recent evidences suggest that regular physical activity could be an essential tool to counteract the adverse effects of aging. The global objective of the present project is to characterize the effects of chronological age on skeletal muscle mitochondria, in terms of its morphological, biochemical, proteomic and functional status and to verify the role of lifelong physical activity in the observed alterations. In particular we intend to characterize mitochondria from young, aged and lifelong exercised aged skeletal muscle. Therefore, with isolated mitochondria from skeletal muscle of different ages and with different training status, we will be able to characterize mitochondria itself on the basis of their morphologic, biochemical, proteomic and functional status. In order to achieve these objectives we will use 60 C57BL/6J strain male mice, aged 2 months, further divided into 3 groups (young group- YG; sedentary old group- SOG, and exercised old group- EOG). Animals from YG will be sacrificed immediately at 2 months old. Animals from SOG group will be individually confined to small cages and animals from EOG will be individually placed into cages with free access to a rodent wheel during the whole period of the experimental protocol. Voluntary physical activity will be assessed during the whole period of the experiment in the EOG group (24 months). All animals will be kept at constant temperature (21–25°C) on a daily light schedule of 12 h of light vs. dark, provided with food and water ad libitum. After this period SOG and EOG animals will be sacrificed (aged 26 months) by cervical dislocation and hindlimb muscles (soleus, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and quadriceps) will be extracted for preparation of isolated mitochondria. Skeletal muscle mitochondria will be prepared as previously described by Tonkonogi and Sahlin (Acta Physiol Scand, 161: 345-353, 1997). From the final mitochondrial suspension aliquots will be separated to functional, biochemical, proteomic and morphological analysis. Mitochondrial respiratory function will be measured using a polarographically Clark-type oxygen electrode (Hansatech DW 1, Norfork, UK). The measures will consist in some of the standard respiratory parameters that include state 3 respiration; state 4 respiration; RCR (a measure of the dependence of the respiratory rate on ATP synthesis) and ADP/O (a measure of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation efficiency). To quantify mitochondrial inner membrane permeability and the maximal rate of uncoupled oxidative phosphorylation, oligomycin and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), respectively, will be added during state 3 respiration with saturated amounts of ADP. Data will be presented as respiratory activity/mg mitochondrial protein, respiratory activity/CS activity and respiratory activity/mitochondria. The number of mitochondria will be assessed by transmission electron microscopy morphometric analysis. Regarding the biochemical analysis, oxidative stress markers (GSH/GSSG, sulfhydryl protein groups (SH), aconitase), antioxidant levels (GSH, SOD, and GPx activities), oxidative damage markers (MDA, protein carbonyl derivatives and 8-hydroxiguanine), metabolic activity marker (citrate synthase activitiy) and heat shock protein of the 60 kDa family (HSP60) will be assessed. The proteomic analysis will allow the identification of protein whose expression changes with chronological age. Morphologic evaluation will be assessed by transmission electron microscopy using conventional methods in order to quantitative characterize in the mitochondrial suspension the number of mitochondria per volume (mL), and mitochondrial areas. Statistical analysis will be performed using parametric or non-parametric tests according to the distribution type of the dependent variables. Independent variables are age and voluntary physical activity. Behind the analysis of differences between groups, the correlations between dependent and independent variables will be performed as well.
| Project: |
FCT/ PTDC/DES/72424/2006 |
| PI: |
José Carlos Ribeiro |
| Title: |
Patterns of daily physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents. Contribution of the PE lessons, organized scholars sports and federated sports for the total amount of moderated and vigorous PA. Associations with overweight and physical fitness. |
| Abtract: |
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Physical activity is important for children’s current and future health, and current recommendations call for at least 60 min•d-1 of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. School-based physical education (PE) and organized sports are two of only five interventions to be strongly recommended as a means for increasing physical activity by the Task Force on Community Preventive Service. In addition to being a source for developing knowledge and skills that promote engagement in lifelong physical activity, PE can provide children with a substantial proportion of the physical activity recommended for health purposes. The main objectives of this project are: (1) to describe habitual physical activity (HPA) of boys and girls from primary school to high school; (2) to asses the contribution of PE lessons, scholars sports and federated sports to the total amount of moderated to vigorous PA; (3) to asses the contribution of this different environments to the recommendations of 60 minutes of moderated to vigorous PA (MVPA) a day; (4) to analyse the patterns of MVPA in normal and overweight children; (5) to explore the associations between the total amount of PA and MVPA with the physical fitness of youngsters ; (5) to describe the seasonal patterns of PA (winter/summer). Motion sensors (accelerometers) will be used during 7 days together with a diary to know the patterns of daily physical activity of children and adolescents. Weight, height and BMI will be determined according to standard procedures, and classifications of overweight and obese children are in accordance with IOTF. Physical fitness will be evaluated according to FitnessGram.
New Approved Pos-PhD Projects
| Project: |
PTDC/DES/122763/2010 |
| PI: |
Prof. José Oliveira |
| Title: |
Cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, inflammation and cardiovascular risk: the influence of physical activity |
| Abstract: |
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of premature death in Portugal. It is an important cause of disability and contributes substantially to the escalating costs of healthcare. Death from CVD frequently occurs suddenly and before medical care is available, so the therapeutic interventions are either inapplicable or palliative [1]. The mass occurrence of CVD relates strongly to lifestyles behaviors and to biological modifiable risk factors [1]. Risk factors tend to cluster, being the metabolic syndrome a good example of aggregation of multiple risk factors [10]. In fact, risk factor modifications have been shown to reduce CVD mortality and morbidity, particularly in high-risk patients [1, 2], thus reinforcing the importance of primary prevention. In Portugal the available data regarding the prevalence of metabolic syndrome arises from few studies [14-16] with a high range of values (from 32.9% up to 70.3%), enrolling in general small number of subjects [15, 16] and providing contrasting results comparing to the European studies (overall prevalence is 15%) [13].
Based on the incongruent data reporting the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Portugal and on the importance of physical activity in the prevention of the number one cause of death in the developed countries, the main purposes of this project are: 1) to determine the prevalence of CVD risk factors and metabolic risk factors and to characterize the global cardiovascular risk using the Heart Score; 2) to determine the association of CVD and metabolic risk factors, and overall cardiovascular risk assessed by Heart Score with biomarkers of inflammation, daily physical activity, and cardiorespiratory fitness; 3) to determine the weight and contribution of physical (in)activity and cardiorespiratory fitness to the value of the global metabolic and cardiovascular risk and to the levels of the inflammatory biomarkers; 4) to evaluate the effects (at short and long-term – eight months follow up) of a educational and counseling intervention on physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, metabolic and CVD risk factors, biomarkers of inflammation, and global cardiovascular and metabolic risk. To accomplish these purposes we intent to conduct a cross-sectional study (purposes #1 to #3) followed by a single-centre, prospective, randomized controlled study (purpose #4). For the cross-sectional study, 532 subjects will be randomly recruited from the universe of 8,000 subjects registered in the Family Health Unit of Aldoar (Porto). The subjects will be invited to participate and to undergo the following assessments: anthropometrics (height, weight, percentage of fat and fat free mass, and waist circumference), resting heart rate and blood pressure, daily physical activity, dietary intake, cardiorespiratory fitness, heart score, lipid profile and metabolic parameters, circulating levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, phospholipase A2, adiponectin, and leptin. From those 532, 150 will be randomly enrolled (restrict randomization) in the randomized controlled study (50 subjects in each group: SM, high CVD risk and control). The subjects in the intervention groups will participate in a educational and counseling program for 4 months consisting of 3 sessions of interaction with a health professional and receiving educational material (manual) focusing the risk factors and its management, and the importance of physical activity and how to achieve an active lifestyle. The control group will receive usual care. After the intervention period (4 months) and at 4 months follow-up the groups will be assessed for the same parameters assessed at baseline. With the present project we expect to provide a clear view of the prevalence of the cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors in our country, as well as the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Indeed, the available data in our country provide alarming results regarding the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, which is not in accordance with the European data. Additionally, to our best knowledge there is not a single randomized controlled trial assessing the impact of a educational and counseling intervention in the primary care setting in our country, contributing to reinforce the clinical benefits of being physical active. Thus, we expect to provide solid evidence of the importance of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness to the cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors both by evaluating its relationships and predictive value, as well as the effects of an intervention aiming to improve physical activity and, consequently, cardiorespiratory fitness. |
| Title: |
Mechanisms underlying the protective effects of physical activity on the prevention of bone fragility in ovariectomized Wistar rat models |
| Abstract: |
Ageing and estrogen loss are responsible for an exponential increase in bone fracture occurrence in the elder and post-menopausal women. Recently, oxidative stress has been considered as a determinant factor on the etiology of bone fragility due to its effects on bone cells activity. Exercise training has been shown to protect against age and estrogen loss related bone fragility, however the underling mechanisms remain largely unknown. Considering that exercise has been shown to increase anti-oxidant enzyme activity on other organs, we hypothesize that this might be a mechanism by which exercise protects bone losses following estrogen deficiency. To verify this hypothesis we plan to perform a set of experiments on exercised and sedentary ovariectomized Wistar rat models in order to determine if exercise is able to influence oxidative stress levels on bone tissue cells as well as to determine to what extent oxidative stress influences bone mass, structure and mechanical properties. |
| Title: |
“Prestyle Project” - Habitual Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Physical Education Class and Nutrition in Preschool Children: A Longitudinal Study |
| Abstract: |
The prevalence of overweight and obesity, the highly sedentary behavior (SB) and a lack of physical activity (PA) among young children have become a major public problem. They are important risk factors for many chronic diseases and are associated with several lifestyles and environmental factors. Starting from the general concern about the future generation’s health, schools have been found to be potentially main settings to promote positive health behavior, since all children spend a lot of time in the school environment. Physical Education Class is recognized as the most widely available tool for promoting PA among children, as well as improving knowledge and attitudes towards PA and development of a disposition for regular activity throughout life. Although, to the best of our knowledge, there exist few international longitudinal and interventional studies in the preschool age group and no data are available for the Portuguese population. |
| Title: |
Benefits of physical activity in pediatric cancer (solid tumors): a randomized controlled trial |
| Abstract: |
There is a growing interest in physical activity interventions that can neutralize the adverse effects of treatments and cancer. Such adverse effects are aggravated by physical inactivity, so in nowadays physical activity has been associated with benefits during and after cancer treatments. Studies have been showing that physical activity is safe and feasible during and after cancer treatments. Improvements in aerobic capacity, muscular strength, body composition, fatigue, depression and quality of life were observed in patients engaging in physical activity interventions. However studies in pediatric populations are scarce and there is a clear need for better insight into the biologic mechanisms that relate physical activity to benefits in cancer patients. |
New European Project
| Title: |
Healthy Europe through Learning Practice (HELP) |
| Action: |
LEONARDO DA VINCI Transfer of innovation |
| Abstract: |
Doctors, nurses and public health workers in Europe have an influential role in addressing health concerns in public health, for example, to address growing levels of obesity and coronary disease. To date, there is no one European VET programme that provides training for doctors, nurses and public health workers in this area of public health, and this project aims to address that deficit. The aim of the project is to transfer an obesity and circulatory disease management Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme for doctors, nurses and public health workers, currently provided in the UK, and in collaboration with European partners develop it to incorporate the physical activity intervention evidence and recommendations from across Europe, and transfer this Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme to become an accredited European training resource. This will be accessible online, for VET organisations, and doctors, nurses and public health workers, in the European Union. |
| Program: |
Download |
New Research Project Under The 6th EC Frame-Work
European Network for Action on Ageing and Physical Activity (EUNAAPA)
General Objective:
To improve the health, wellbeing and independence of older people throughout Europe.
Strategic Objectives:
- To establish a self-sustaining network to facilitate the promotion of evidence-based physical activity;
- To foster an intersectoral approach to the promotion of physical activity;
- To identify evidence-based, cost effective and acceptable ways to promote physical activity;
- To facilitate the contribution of Europe scientists to development and implementation of evidence-based physical activity promotion policies in Europe.
PhD Course in Physical Activity and Health (2005-2008)
Approved Projects > see LIST
Role of apoptosis in skeletal muscle atrophy induced by disuse in animal model.
80 Charles River CD1mice, males (30-40g), aged between 10-12 weeks, will be used to investigate the occurrence of apoptosis during skeletal muscle atrophy induced by disuse. The animals, housed in a room with at 22±1°C and ~50-60% humidity, will be assigned to 2 groups: a control group submitted to normal locomotion conditions (n=10), and an experimental group (n=70) submitted to different periods of disuse model (tail suspended). The animals from experimental group will be sacrificed at 2h (n=10), 6h (n=10), 12h (n=10), 24h (n=10), 48h (n=10), 72h (n=10) and 96h (n=10) of tail suspension and their soleus muscles will be completely removed, wet weight in a digital balance, and prepared for posterior biochemical, morphological and immunocytochemical analysis. The morphological analysis will be composed by a qualitative evaluation (at transmission electron microscopy) and by a quantitative evaluation (at light microscopy) for measuring the fiber area, the relationship between number of nuclei / area of fibers, the capillary density and the relationship between number of capillaries per fiber. Biochemical analysis comprise the measuring of markers of apoptosis (Caspases 3, 8 and 9), of inflammatory reaction (Interleukine-1) and total protein content. The immunocytochemical analysis will try to find cells expressing the apoptotic induced factor (AIF), as a marker of apoptosis, and the BNIP3 protein, as a marker of necrotic cells.
The role of Gender, Social Inequalities and health behaviours in obesity.
Some studies suggested that the mechanisms underlying sociodemographic group differences in obesity may vary among men and women. Further it is also suggested that additional factors (eg. diet and physical activity) are likely to act in conjunvction with health behaviors to explain differences in obesity in socioecomnomic groups.This study examine the relation between gender and social inequalities as well as health-related behaviors such as diet and phyaical activity in obesity. Differences in body mass index and body mass composition across sociodemographic groups and gender are hypothesized to be attributable to social group differences in health behaviours like habitual physical activity (assessed at work and leisure) and diet.
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