Percorrer por autor "Serpa, Sidónio"
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- Characteristics of gym-goers performance-enhancing substance usePublication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Carolino, Elisabete; Rosado, António; Calmeiro, Luís; Serpa, SidónioThe use of prohibited performance-enhancing substances (PES) in fitness and gym settings is a public health concern as knowledge concerning its short-term and long-term adverse health consequences are emerging. Understanding the underlying psychosocial mechanisms of PES use and the characteristics of the gym-goers who use PES could help identify those who are most vulnerable to PES use. The aim of this study was to investigate the profile (e.g., sociodemographic factors, exercise profile, gym modalities, peers, and social influence) and psychosocial determinants (e.g., attitudes, subjective norms, beliefs, and intentions) of PES users in gym and fitness contexts. In total, 453 gym-goers (mean age = 35.64 years; SD = 13.08) completed an online survey. Neural networks showed a global profile of PES users characterized by a desire to increase muscle mass, shape their body, and improve physical condition; being advised by friends, training colleagues, and coaches or on the Internet; less formal education, and more positive beliefs for PES use. These results may support public health and clinical interventions to prevent abusive use of PES and improve the health and well-being of gym-goers.
- Determinants of the intention to use performance-enhancing substances among Portuguese gym usersPublication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Rosado, António; Marôco, João; Calmeiro, Luis; Serpa, SidónioThe purpose of this study is to examine the determinants of the intentions to use prohibited performance-enhancing substances (PES) and to test the Theory of Planned Behavior's usefulness in predicting self-reported PES use in both genders. A convenience sample of Portuguese gym users (n = 453) completed an anonymous web-based survey. Structural equation modeling, multigroup analysis, and t-test with the Welch correction for heterokedastic variances were used. At the structural level, results support attitudes, beliefs, and subjective norms in predicting intentions of PES use in gym users, with subjective norms being its strongest predictor. Moreover, results showed a significant association between self-reported PES use and intentions to use. The predictive model was invariant across genders; however, compared to males, females believed less in the performance-enhancing effects of PES, were less prone to the influence of significant others, and had weaker intentions to use these substances. Psychological strategies should be based on subjective norms, alongside beliefs and attitudes, toward PES use as these variables influence the intention to use PES in this particular population.
- Performance enhancing substances in exercise settings: a systematic reviewPublication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Serpa, Sidónio; Horta, Luís; Rosado, AntónioPerformance enhancing substances (PES) is used by gym/fitness users. This situation implies a public health problem since it has been shown that drugs such as Steroids, Stimulants, Erythropoietin, and Human Growth Hormone has significant performance-enhancing effects, which can lead to dangerous side effects or even fatal with long-term use. This systematic review aimed to analyze studies that describe attitudes, beliefs and knowledge, as conceptualized in Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) influenced by the use of PES by gym/fitness center users and provide a framework on the state of the art in this theme, and thus allow the design and foundation of future research lines. Twenty-six articles were identified from a systematic approach following the PRISMA Statement via electronic databases and hand-searching bibliographies of reference lists. Only peer-reviewed primary research published in English, Portuguese and Spanish (1997-2016), focusing on gym/fitness center users regardless of age and gender and provide some information on psychosocial factors towards using PES were included in this review. Emergent themes conceptualized with the TBP concluded that the main reasons pointed for young male bodybuilders using steroids as a prevalent drug, regards aesthetic issues, improve muscle size, strength and performance. Important influences come from groups and instructors. Drugs are obtained from a variety of sources. Predisposition related to steroid use increase with years of physical training. Although some steroid users indicated a general lack of knowledge of the potentially harmful effects of drugs, others had high knowledge about drug's side effects. The TPB illustrated a relationship between psychosocial factors influencing gym users to use PES. TPB could be used in future research to provide a template when developing prevention programs to reduce the use of PES and promote new lines of investigation on this study groups, as well as different PES than steroids.
- Portuguese gym-goers versus performance enhancing substances: what do we know?Publication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Carolino, Elisabete; Teques, Pedro; Calmeiro, Luís; Serpa, SidónioThe use of prohibited performance-enhancing substances (PES) in gyms is a public health concern due to emerging adverse health effects. While psychological and social factors (intentions, attitudes, and beliefs) influencing PES use are known, understanding reasons for non-use is crucial. Demographic factors like being male, having less education, being unemployed, training frequently, and bodybuilding are linked to PES use. The study aims to identify the profile of gym-goers who do not use PES to distinguish risk characteristics from preventive ones.
- Prevalence and determinants of illicit performance-enhancing substances in Portuguese gym usersPublication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Serpa, SidónioResearch on athletic talent has evolved from talent detection to talent development with both perspectives focusing on the individual athlete. This individual focus has been mirrored in the work of coaches and sport psychology practitioners who have primarily focused on athletes’ sport-specific and psychological skills. In contrast, the holistic ecological approach (HEA) to talent development acknowledges the role of the overall environment and mirrors the complexity of talent development in the real world. The HEA highlights two interconnected ways of analyzing athletic talent development environments. First, there is a focus on the structure of the environment, particularly the roles and cooperation of key persons. Second, there is a focus on the organizational culture of the team. Exploratory case studies of successful and less successful environments in different sports have shown that while each environment is unique, they also share a number of features, including: proximal role models; an integration of efforts among the different agents (family, coaches, management, etc.); inclusive training groups; a focus on long-term development, and a “strong and coherent” organizational culture. While this research has its roots in Scandinavia, studies from a broader range of contexts have emerged. In recent years, the HEA has branched out and been used in the study of new areas. As an example, a group of European researchers has developed the framework to accommodate the study of dual-career development environments across Europe. Another example is the study of a basketball talent development environment in an underserved community in the USA, which demonstrated how such an environment has unique challenges and opportunities compared with more affluent environments. On the environment macro level, a third example is studies of successful collaboration between national sports federations, local authorities, and clubs to promote local talent development. From an applied perspective, the HEA calls for sports psychologists to be contextually sensitive and aim to develop not the mental skills of individual athletes but also integrated and coherent environments. Recently, the HEA has provided a basis for designing contextualized interventions to improve talent development environments in local clubs and all the way to national-level policies. In the current presentation, I will provide a status on the talent development environment research and a taste of how the field is evolving.
- Prevalence of performance-enhancing substance use and associated factors among Portuguese gym/fitness usersPublication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Serpa, Sidónio; Horta, Luís; Carolino, Elisabete; Rosado, AntónioBackground: Nowadays, doping is not confined to elite sport, it is also spread throughout gymnasia and fitness centers, and it is seen as a public health concern. Studies focusing on performance-enhancing substances (PES) use among gym users are few and mostly concern the practice of bodybuilding and the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), without providing information about social indicators to further explore why this specific population uses these substances. Objectives: To investigate the extent of PES use and examine the way social indicators, exercise profile and gym modalities influence the use of these substances among a sample of gym users. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study, among a convenience sample of 453 Portuguese gym users, recruited directly by five institutional gyms´ email and Facebook. Data were collected via a structured web-based survey, between October and November 2017. Multiple binary logistic regression, the Chi-Square test or Monte Carlo Simulation or Fisher’s Exact test were used. The odds ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: 11,1% of gym users reported the use of prohibited PES, which varies significantly according to gender, education, exercise profile and type of practice. Gender was associated with the class of PES used. Polypharmacy was a common practice among users, increasing the risk of side effects. Peer effect and media appear to be strikingly important in the misuse of PES. Conclusion: Results provide precise insight into the specific factors associated with PES use, which could support prevention strategies in the gym/fitness context.
- Protective factors of performance-enhancing substances use in a sample of Portuguese gym-goersPublication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Carolino, Elisabete; Teques, Pedro; Calmeiro, Luís; Serpa, SidónioBackground: Nowadays, the increased Performance Enhancing-Substance (PES) use in fitness centers is seen as a problematic phenomenon, since it has the potential to grow, and could be seen as an emerging public health and societal concern. Studies focusing on PES use among gym-goers are few and they do not provide information concerning protective factors that justify the refusing intention to use these substances. Understanding the underlying psychosocial mechanisms of PES use and the protective factors of the gym-goers who refuse the use of these substances could help identify those who are most resistant to PES use. Aim: To investigate the protective factors (e.g., sociodemographic factors, exercise profile, gym modalities, peers, social influence, attitudes, subjective norms, beliefs, and intentions) of PES refusing intention in gym-goers. Participants: A convenience sample of 453 Portuguese gym-goers having a mean age of 35.64 (SD=13.08) Tool: Web self-administered questionnaire containing questions related to sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported use of PES, as well as the QAD-Fit based on the Theory of Planned Behavior which is composed by questions grouped on four dimensions (attitudes, beliefs, intentions, and subjective norms). Procedures: Data was collected using an online self-administrated questionnaire, and results were analysed using Decision Trees, which are a method widely used in classifying and identifying profiles, in machine learning and data mining. Results: 88,9% of gym-goers reported the refusal of prohibited PES, showing that being a woman, training less frequently, not practicing bodybuilding, and having a negative intention to consume PES, could be considered protective factors for PES use. Conclusion: Results identifying the protective factors associated with PES refusal intention, which may support public health and clinical interventions to prevent abusive use of PES and improve the health and well-being of gym-goers.
- Psychometric properties of the Questionnaire of Attitudes towards Doping in Fitness (QAD-Fit)Publication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Serpa, Sidónio; Rosado, AntónioAim: The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric proprieties of the Questionnaire of Attitudes towards Doping in Fitness (QAD-Fit), originally developed by Serpa and colleagues and adapted to Portuguese gym/fitness context. Methods: A cross-sectional survey utilizing a web self-administered questionnaire was used. The sample was composed of 453 gym/fitness center practitioners, aged between sixteen and seventy-nine years old (M = 35.64; SD = 13.08), enrolled in several gym activities. Results: The confirmatory factorial analysis provided support to the four-factor structure proposed. All factors displayed good internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The multi-group analysis revealed cross-validity and the model´s invariance. The correlation between QAD-Fit and the Doping-related Theory of Planned Behavior Measures (DRTPBM) revealed evidence of its concurrent validity. Conclusion: The findings of this research revealed that QAD-Fit is a psychometrically valid and reliable instrument to assess attitudes towards doping consumption in gym and fitness settings.
- Psychosocial factors and performance enhancing substances in gym users: a systematic reviewPublication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Serpa, Sidónio; Horta, Luís; Rosado, AntónioThe use of performance-enhancing substances (PES) occurs among gym/fitness center users. This systematic review aimed to analyze studies describing prevalence, attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge, as conceptualized in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), influenced by the use of PES by this population. Twenty-six articles were identified from a systematic approach following the PRISMA statement via electronic databases (SPORTDiscusTM, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, B-On and Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection) and hand-searching bibliographies of reference lists. Only peer-reviewed primary research published in English, Portuguese and Spanish (1997-2016), focusing on gym/fitness center users and providing information on psychosocial factors (e.g., attitudes, beliefs, intention, social influence/ peer pressure) towards using PES, were included. It was concluded that the most prevalent substance used was anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Attitudes of male bodybuilders using AAS as the prevalent drug are mainly related to aesthetic issues. Important influences come from groups (e.g., friends, training colleagues) and instructors. Although some AAS users indicated a general lack of knowledge of the potentially harmful effects of these drugs, others were aware of the side effects. The TPB illustrated a relationship between psychosocial factors influencing gym users to use PES.
- Versão reduzida do Exercise Motivation Inventory-2p: validação psicométricaPublication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Serpa, Sidónio; Rosado, AntónioO questionário Exercise Motivation Inventory-2 (EMI-2) (Markland & Ingledew, 1997), um dos instrumentos mais utilizados para avaliar os motivos para a prática de exercício, foi traduzido para português por Alves e Lourenço (2003) e validado preliminarmente, no contexto do fitness por Moutão (2005). Devido à sua extensão, Baptista, Monteiro, Alves, Cid e Moutão (2014) desenvolveram uma versão reduzida desta escala em português - Exercise Motivation Inventory-2p (EMI-2p). O EMI-2p mostrou fiabilidade satisfatória, embora o fator - Saúde tenha demonstrado alguma fragilidade na população testada e análises mais refinadas não tenham sido realizadas. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar as propriedades psicométricas do EMI-2p, com a finalidade de fornecer um instrumento psicometricamente válido e confiável.