RESEARCHERS

My research focuses on sports training and performance, with particular emphasis on three main areas: the use of small-sided games as drill-based tasks for team sports training, the application of training load monitoring tools and assessment tests to guide the training process, and the development of metrics and measures for assessing team sports performance. This encompasses diverse populations, including both men and women, and encompasses various age groups, ranging from youth to adult amateurs and professionals.In the realm of small-sided games, a significant portion of my research is evident in original scientific articles n70), systematic reviews n4), meta-analyses n4), and published books n3). For instance, a randomized parallel study design comparing small-sided games with running-based high-intensity interval training HIIT) during detraining periods demonstrated the effectiveness of small-sided games in enhancing physical fitness. This study received an Honorable Mention at the Sports Science Award by the Portuguese Olympic Committee in 2023. Additionally, I have translated key findings into technical books for the Portuguese coaching community, published by PrimeBooks in 2015 Treinar jogando) and 2022 Pequenos jogos para treinar em grande). An English-language book, Small-sided and conditioned games in soccer training, was also published by Springer. These manual books offer benefits to coaches and practitioners, enabling them to more easily access documents that bridge the gap between science and practice. A bibliometric analysis in 2023 recognized me as the main worldwide author in this field, representing 10 of total publications.Combining the effects of small-sided games with fatigue monitoring, Clemente was granted by FIFA from 2021 to 2022 with an individual research grant related with the project “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” which aimed to identify i) the impact of extreme small-sided games on the decision-making of young soccer players, measured through an eye-tracking system and an instrument recording the declarative and executive quality of the players tactical behavior; and ii) to analyze the effects of a 4-week training program based on small-sided games on the decision-making of young soccer players. The report submitted to the FIFA Study Center revealed that interventions based on small-sided games were effective in improving both offensive and defensive tactical behavior, although they did not significantly alter visual behavior. In the second research line, focusing on training load monitoring and assessment, I have contributed through original research n50), systematic reviews n5), funded projects n2), and books n3). The goal is to facilitate the integration of monitoring and assessment into sports training, providing coaches and sports scientists with valuable data. For example, an article in the Journal of Sports Sciences in 2023 compared a linear sprint test with an analytical-based soccer drill to detect peak running speed in young adult soccer players. Another study compared three intermittent running-based field tests to assess locomotor demands in youth male soccer players. A proposed measure, the training/match ratio, introduced in 2019, helps coaches identify the representativeness of training loads compared to match competition.To bridge the gap between knowledge and practice, Ive published two national books by PrimeBooks: Avaliar para treinar in 2021, summarizing methods for incorporating assessment into the training process, and Treinar para render in 2023, presenting scientifically-based training methods after player evaluation. Additionally, as the project coordinator for the Erasmus+ sport project in 2022, titled Electronic Monitoring and Assessment Resources for Coaching: Digital empowerment of sport coaches, I oversaw the development of a web-based platform with educational content and a data analytics module to help coaches integrate training monitoring and assessment into their daily routines.Additionally, I am a research member of the FCT-funded project titled Ongoing Bidirectional Feedback between Assessment and Implementation in Educational Environments: A Longitudinal, Randomized, Exploratory Intervention with Female Volleyball Players EXPL/CED-EDG/0246/2021). This project seeks to elucidate the impact of implementing ongoing bidirectional feedback to support coaches in modifying their training plans for female volleyball players.Within the field of physical assessment, I am proud to be a member of a national and international patent titled Portable system for progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run test method THEREOF PCT/IB2022/061542 | WO202311902). This innovative system serves as a visual-guide stimulus, designed to assist participants during progressive field-based aerobic tests.Beyond academic supervisions section 2b), Clemente dedicated to supporting the career development of sports scientists and coaches. Clemente consistently contributes to pro-bono professional and scientific events. He has presented lectures and conducted workshops at universities in Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Poland, Norway, and Tunisia, totalling 49 engagements since 2018. Noteworthy places include the University of Bern in Switzerland, or the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Norway, as well as sports federations such as the Portuguese Football Federation. Additionally, Clemente organizes the annual Journeys of Sports Training CTeSP, bringing together sports scientists and strength and conditioning coaches to integrate science and practice for the development of coaches and future coaches.Clemente is a frequent participant in scientific committees at international congresses, including notable events such as the World Congress on Science and Soccer the premier conference for soccer worldwide) and the International Congress of Futsal the largest Futsal congress in Brazil).