Publications by authors named "Vitor B Nascimento"

Introduction: Gait stability assessment in older adults is challenged by limited data availability and measurement complexity, particularly among vulnerable populations and in limited resource settings. We address three research questions: (1) can synthetic data accurately replicate the statistical properties of gait parameters in older adults? (2) how effectively do synthetic data-trained models predict the Margin of Stability (MoS) when tested on real-world data? and (3) what specific biomechanical features contribute most significantly to the MoS predictions in older adults? To address these challenges, the present study proposes a novel approach to gait stability prediction by integrating computer vision with a data-centric synthetic data generation (SDG) approach using accessible, low-cost technology.

Methods: Using a public dataset from 14 healthy older adults (86.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: As individuals age, they experience a gradual decline in strength, flexibility, and precision control. While resistance training has shown positive effects on aging, little is known about how beneficial handicrafts could be in effectively promoting motor improvements in aging. This study aimed to compare manual precision, manual grip strength, and upper limb flexibility among three groups of older adult women: (a) regular practitioners of resistance training, (b) regular practitioners of handicrafts, and (c) insufficiently active participants who did not engage in either regular resistance training or handicraft practice.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The current study verified the acute responses of participants to a football match in terms of blood markers. Sixteen elite U-18 male football players were divided into two groups: experimental (EG, = 10), who played a friendly football match; and control (CG), who were not exposed to any physical exertion. Intravenous blood samples were collected from both groups at baseline, pre-match, half-time, and post-match.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The aim of the present study was twofold: (1) to assess the reproducibility of two dynamometers in handrail format to measure handgrip strength and traction force in the young and older adults; (2) to compare the handgrip strength and traction of these two populations.

Approach: Twenty-four volunteers (12 older adults and 12 young adults) performed a functional effort related to handgrip strength and traction force during stair climbing. The participants were evaluated two times (separated by one week) using a coupled dynamometer that quantifies the muscular effort in grip and traction simultaneously to simulate stair climbing in bus service.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In elite-level soccer, the ability to take shots with both limbs from different positions in the pitch may be key to success. This research aimed to: 1) analyze footedness of elite-football players in European leagues during shooting by computing frequency of right- and left-foot use and accuracy; and 2) investigate whether an athlete's distance from the target (goal, penalty, and outside penalty area) and pitch zone (center, left, or right from the goal) can constrain foot selection during shooting. We analyzed 1826 games from the 2017/18 season, divided between: Spanish LaLiga (380 matches); Italian Serie A (380 matches); English Premier League (380 matches); German Bundesliga (306 matches); and French Ligue 1 (380 matches).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The analysis of penalty kick has played an important role in performance analysis. The study aims are to get formal feedback on the relevance of variables for penalty kick analysis, to design and validate an observational system; and to assess experts' opinion on the optimum video footage in penalty kick analysis. A structured development process was adopted for content validity, reliability and agreement on video usage.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF