Repositório Científico da Universidade Politécnica de Castelo Branco
RC UPCB - Repositório Científico
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Do basic psychological needs and self-determined motivation outweigh physical activity volume and body composition in explaining subjective well-being among community gym users
Publication . Batista, Marco; Freitas, João; Simões, Vera; Conceição, Ana; Martins, Marta; Teixeira, Eduardo; Rosa, Paulo; Louro, Hugo
This study examined the relative contribution of sociodemographic, psychological, behavioral, and physiological factors to subjective well-being (SWB) among community gym users and investigated the indirect association between basic psychological need satisfaction and SWB through self-determined motivation. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 348 adults (31.53 ± 12.86 years) recruited from community gyms in Portugal. Participants completed validated measures of basic psychological need satisfaction, motivational regulation, life satisfaction, and positive and negative affect. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was assessed through self-reported weekly physical activity, and body composition through bioelectrical impedance. Hierarchical multiple linear regression and mediation analysis were performed. Missing data were addressed using multiple imputation.
Psychological variables produced the largest increase in explained SWB variance (ΔR2 = 0.173, p < 0.001). MVPA added only 0.2% (ΔR2 = 0.002, p = 0.478), while body composition indicators added 1.0% (ΔR2 = 0.010, p = 0.303). The final model explained 21.7% of SWB variance. A significant indirect association through self-determined motivation was observed (B = 0.228, 95% CI [0.139, 0.324]). Psychological variables provided greater explanatory information about SWB than MVPA or body composition. The findings highlight the relevance of psychological experiences in exercise settings, while the cross-sectional
design precludes causal interpretations.
Impact of obstructive sleep apnea on hematocrit levels and erythrocytosis – a clinical study
Publication . Guerra, Patrícia; Alfaiate, Daniel; Pinto, Nuno; Pereira, Telmo; Pereira, Alexandre
Objective - Assess differences between hematocrit levels in a population with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and determine if these differences correlate with disease severity and/or with levels of hypoxemia.
Material and methods - Data was collected from patients who underwent level I polysomnography (PSG) in the sleep laboratory at Hospital Rainha Santa Isabel, Torres Novas, Portugal, between January 2018 and December 2022. The patients' medical data was analyzed and sociodemographic (gender, body mass index (BMI) and age), polysomnographic (Apnea and Hypopnea Index (AHI), mean SpO2, minimum SpO2, Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI), T90 and T85) and laboratory data (hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HGB) and erythrocyte count) were collected. Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD for pairwise comparisons, Pearson’s correlation for associations between polysomnographic and hematological parameters, and multivariate regression to identify independent factors.
Results - HCT levels were found to be higher in the moderate OSA group, particularly compared to the no OSA group (42.34 ± 4.09% vs 40.28 ± 2.75%), with significant differences between groups (p = 0.032). Although HCT levels were shown to be higher in the OSA group, the mean values remained within normal range, so no patient manifested erythrocytosis.
Conclusion - Our results suggest that moderate OSA is associated with increased HCT levels but does not seem to cause secondary erythrocytosis. Future research should further evaluate the hypoxic burden of OSA, as increased HCT may raise the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Class-specific and cumulative effects of psychotropic medication on sleep architecture: a polysomnographic retrospective study
Publication . Alfaiate, Daniel; Silva, Patrícia; Guerra, Patrícia; Pinto, Nuno; Pereira, Alexandre
Objective: This study aims to investigate the impact of psychotropic medication interactions on sleep architecture. With the growing use of psychotropics, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers, this research seeks to understand how these drugs and their cumulative burden may affect key sleep parameters.
Material and methods: This retrospective study analyzed 60 non-psychotropic medication users, as well as 61 psychotropic medication users who underwent hospital polysomnography and met all inclusion criteria. Sociodemographic and polysomnographic data were obtained from a sleep laboratory database, between January 2018 and December 2021. Statistical analysis included normality assessment and appropriate parametric or nonparametric tests for group comparisons. Multivariable general linear models adjusted for age, sex, and BMI with HC3 robust errors evaluated associations. Cumulative psychotropic burden was analyzed as a continuous predictor.
Results: Medicated individuals exhibited reduced sleep efficiency (p = .001), prolonged sleep onset and REM latency (p = .001), increased light sleep, and fewer sleep cycles. Multivariable analyses showed antidepressants markedly increased REM latency (p = .001) and periodic limb movements (p = .015), while anticonvulsants enhanced slow-wave sleep (p = .013) and antipsychotics reduced arousals (p = .004). A dose–response relationship was observed, with greater psychotropic burden independently associated with longer REM latency (p = .029) and reduced arousal index (p = .001).
Conclusion: Psychotropic medications alter sleep architecture in recognizably class-specific ways, and these effects compound as the number of concurrent agents grows. Clinically, this argues for treating total psychotropic burden as a relevant variable in the interpretation of polysomnography, and underscores the need for prospective studies that account for dosage, serum levels, and cognitive outcomes.
Driving agricultural innovation: The role of collaborative networks in the INTERIOR+ Project under the Triple Helix Framework
Publication . Paiva, Teresa; Raposo, Daniel; Andrade, L.P.; Delgado, F.M.G.; Verissímo, Fátima; Coutinho, Paula; Rodrigues, Ana; Brito, Nuno; Raposo, Daniel
Fostering and developing agricultural innovation is critical to addressing global challenges such as food security, climate change, and sustainable develop-ment. This study adopted a descriptive case study design combining document anal-ysis and semi-structured interviews with representatives from academia, industry, and government involved in the INTERIOR+ project. It explores the potential of cross-sectoral collaboration within a triple helix context to accelerate the adoption of innovative practices and technologies in the agriculture sector. The analysis iden-tified key collaborative mechanisms, knowledge sharing, digital connectivity, and stakeholder intermediation, that enhance innovation capacity in low-density agricul-tural territories. Findings show that integrating Collaborative Innovation Networks (COINs) within a Triple Helix framework fosters resilience, accelerates technology adoption, and supports sustainable rural development. Moreover, the study provides practical insights on how to establish and sustain these networks, highlighting the critical role of stakeholders in leveraging the potential of COINs and cross-sectoral collaboration to propel agricultural innovation and development, and, therefore, in designing an intersectoral collaboration strategy.
Strategic design for sustainable futures. Approaches in communication, fashion and product design
Publication . Ferreira, João J.; Gaspar, Marcelo Calvete; Alves, Maria Leopoldina; Serrano, Luis; Raposo, Daniel; Farinha, Luís
This book shows how developments in design research and practice are driving sustainable innovation in different fields. Focusing on applications of generative design, digital visual merchandising, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms, it demonstrates how these methods are redefining customisation, authorship, and production logics.