MIND

Our mission is to equip stakeholders (coaches, managers, researchers, and parents) involved in youth sports with information on motor development and performance. The current project aims to better understand the phenomenon of biological maturation as an influence on physical performance development, as well as to avoid early specialization and understand the effects of complementary interventions (in the fields of psychology, nutrition, sleep, among others) on athletes.

Keywords: youth athletes; maturation; human development.

General objective:

• The main objective is to increase knowledge about long-term athlete development models, understanding the biological, psychological, social, and contextual factors that influence and enhance both the performance and health of young athletes.

Specific objective:

• Understand the influence of biological maturation on physical performance abilities;
• Expand knowledge of the applicability of long-term athlete development models;
• Increase coaches' and teachers' knowledge of best practices in youth athlete development;
• Avoid early specialization in athletes;
• Evaluate the effects of complementary interventions (in the fields of psychology, nutrition, among others) on athletes.

References

• Rosa, C. H., Monteiro, C. P., Barata, C., Espada, M. C., Valamatos, M. J., Bento, A., Minhalma, R. J., Reis, J. F. (2024). Cardiorespiratory and muscle oxygenation responses to voluntary hypoventilation at low lung volume in upper body repeated sprints. Eur J Appl Physiol. doi: 10.1007/s00421-024-05569-1.
• Massini, D. A., de Souza Martins, N. D., de Oliveira, T. P., Macedo, A. G., Castro, E.A., Almeida, T. A. F., Santos, F. J., Espada, M. C., Pessôa Filho, D. M. (2023). The effect of the exercise environment and the level of involvement on bone mineral health. J Bone Miner Metab. Jan;41(1):113-123. doi: 10.1007/s00774-022-01387-7
• Silva, A. F., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Ceylan, H. I., Sarmento, H., & Clemente, F. M. (2022). Effects of maturation stage on sprinting speed adaptations to plyometric jump training in youth male team sports players: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine, 13, 41-54. 10.2147/OAJSM.S283662
• Eskandarifard, E., Nobari, H., Clemente, F. M., Silva, R., Silva, A. F., & Figueiredo, A. J. (2022). Associations between match participation, maturation, physical fitness, and hormonal levels in elite male soccer player U15: A prospective study with observational cohort. BMC Pediatrics, 22, 196. 10.1186/s12887-022-03257-7
• Eskandarifard, E., Nobari, H., Clemente, F. M., Silva, R., Silva, A. F., & Figueiredo, A. J. (2022). Associations between match participation, maturation, physical fitness, and hormonal levels in elite male soccer player U15: A prospective study with observational cohort. BMC Pediatrics, 22, 196. 10.1186/s12887-022-03257-7

Funded projects:

1. Research member: Ana Filipa Silva | Tittle: Fighting the fatigue effect on decision-making: effects of decision-making training programs on visual search strategies and tactical behaviour in youth female soccer players | Period: 2021 and 2022 | Funder: FIFA Research Scholarship 2021 | Funding:15.000 dollars
2. Research member: Ana Filipa Silva | Title: The time and influence of maturation in female athletes on physical fitness | Period: 2024-2025 | Funder: SPRINT-IPVC | Funding: 5,000.00 euros
3. Research members: Rui Miguel Silva | Title: Electronic monitoring and assessment resources for coaching: digital empowerment of sport coaches | Period: 2022-2024| ID: 101049096 | Funder: European Comission, ERAMUS-SPORT-2021-SSCP | Funding: 60.000 euros
4. Research members: Ana Filipa Silva | Title: Women Fitness Cycle | Period: 2024-2026 | ID: 101049096 | Funder: European Comission, ERASMUS-SPORT-2024-SCP | Funding: 400.000 euros

Sponsors

• Football Connection (Spain)