Objectives

The sports science laboratory aims to (1) enable the development of motor tests and other experiments associated with the assessment of performance and the prescription of physical exercise; and (2) facilitate the use of systems for analysing and observing the performance of coaches, athletes and teams.

Description of the space

The space is organised into two sections. One section is for meetings between teachers/researchers to analyse data and draw up programmes and prescriptions. Another section is for conducting tests and procedures; materials are available for this purpose.

Description of the main equipment

The sports science laboratory consists of multiple materials and equipment such as cardiofrequency meters (Firtsbeat cardiofrequency monitors that allow continuous real-time monitoring of athletes), Actigraph accelerometers (widely used in the assessment of Physical Activity), and software for analysing performance and observing pedagogical intervention. At the same time, various materials have been acquired for nature exploration activities, gyms, team sports and adapted sports that can be used to achieve the objectives set out in (1) and (2).

Functionality/functioning of the equipment

From a pedagogical point of view, given its small size, the space is only used occasionally to fulfil the objectives listed in (1) and (2). The gymnasium at the School of Education is also used to create more favourable spatial conditions for welcoming coaches, athletes and teams. The continued intra-institutional partnership with the School of Health, especially in using its laboratories for the Sports course, has contributed to the quality of the approach and in-depth study of curricular content, and has served to alleviate the small size of the sports science laboratory.

In addition, regarding the scientific dimension, there is a lack of projects and studies by lecturers from the Sports Technical-Scientific Unit that allow for more frequent and concerted use of the laboratory.

Despite this, there are materials and equipment that allow this space to function, bearing in mind the objectives set out in (1) and (2).  

Main Projects 

The Sports Science laboratory enables the development of (a) various data collection activities, specifically discussion groups, interviews, and focus groups, as well as (b) procedures for qualitative data analysis and video analysis.

The aspects described in (a) and (b) are associated with the following projects:

O estado atual do desporto de formação: O papel de treinadores, atletas, dirigentes e pais;A Implementação do ProjetoSCORE! no Contexto Português: Interação Treinador-Pais no Desenvolvimento Positivo dos Jovens 

Criação, Implementação e Avaliação de um Programa de Desenvolvimento Positivo Centrado na Intervenção de Formadores dos Cursos de Treinadores 

Contact person

Fernando Santos (fsantos@ese.ipp.pt)