Abstract. This article investigates the way in which communication science researchers use and manage academic social network sites. On this basis, a representative sample of 244 Spanish scholars was selected from the Spanish Association of Communication Researchers, which consists of more than 600 members. This article explores the presence of Spanish communication scholars in two academic networks: ResearchGate and Academia.edu. Furthermore, it examines the way in which researchers are using these platforms of scientific communication, managing their academic profiles, and searching and interacting through these networks. The purpose is to assess the introduction, use, management, popularity, influence, and impact of these social academic networks. An additional aim is to analyze the new metrics generated by the media and digital social networks, studied as systems for disseminating science and managing communication and interaction among scholars. IntroductionThe classical paradigm for the social networks [10], based on the structural, relational, and exchange theories, takes on a special importance regarding the use and development of information and communication technologies. These new tools, which have emerged on the Internet, increase information and communication flows, amplify the mediation and relation systems and bring with them new ways of social organization which affect traditional systems. Changes in technologies and communication have brought with them new ways of using and managing information. Digital social networks, which have been developed from the early years of the present century (Linkedin, 2003; Facebook, 2004; Youtube, 2005; and Twitter, 2006), have become one of the most popular and distinguished phenomena of our time. These generalist social networks, based on a relational and communicational capacity, have preceded the emergence of thematic and specialized platforms, focused on specific interests and professional capital. In this respect, some of the first social networks (Linkedin and Facebook) have also worked towards the same objective. They have refocused their activities to specific circles and groups in order to increase their value.
Este estudo analisou os constrangimentos que influenciam o jogo de tênis e os métodos de treinamento mais valorizados e utilizados pelos treinadores. Para o efeito validou-se um questionário em três línguas: português, inglês e espanhol (estudo piloto). Posteriormente foram inquiridos 140 treinadores de competição. Para a análise dos resultados recorreu-se a uma análise fatorial, que resultou na aceitabilidade de duas estruturas fatoriais: constrangimentos na execução do serviço e meios de treino. Os treinadores consideraram a coordenação, a fadiga central, a autoconfiança, a concentração, o controlo emocional e a motivação como fatores muito importantes no rendimento do primeiro serviço de tênis. Conclui-se que a tendência do treinamento de competição é para a precisão, o jogo condicionado, o treinamento das competências psicológicas na quadra e a potência. Os treinadores sobrevalorizam os fatores intrínsecos em preferência aos extrínsecos e o treinamento é pouco direcionado para a variabilidade motora funcional.
<p style="text-align: justify;">This paper presents and assesses the effects of an Extended School Time project (ESTp), with a working day of 8 contact hours, that aimed to develop the students as a whole in its academic, artistic, sport, social and human dimensions. Based in active and integrated pedagogical practices, the project promoted the integration of knowledges, curiosity, sense of criticism, creativity, sharing solidarity and the conviviality of students. This project was applied to a 6th grade class with 20 pupils (11.2±0.68 years old). Using a qualitative methodology, 13 semi structured interviews were applied to 3 types of participants: 6 pupils, 5 parents (42.6±4.54 years old) and 2 teachers (60±4 years old), in order to analyze their perceptions regarding the project. Results show that each group valued different aspects of the project. The pupils valued activities that emphasized challenge, communication, creativity, and autonomy, as well as activities of academic continuity. The parents focused mostly on the occupational component of Extended School Time (ESTp), and the teachers on its effects on social and self-development of the pupils. This development was reflected in an improved peer-to-peer relationship and in a greater sense of belonging to school. The convergence verified in this ESTp, between cognition and the artistic, social and sport education, sought to promote the main goal of the School, an instruction that promotes a global (including multicultural and universal) development of the pupils’ capabilities.</p>
A participação em health clubs e academias de fitness tem ganho prevalência nos índices de prática desportiva em Portugal ao longo dos últimos anos, e os proprietários dos ginásios e health clubs competem, para atrair para as suas instalações, cada vez mais clientes. O conhecimento acerca do que os clientes esperam do serviço desempenha um papel-chave na adequação do serviço prestado em função do público-alvo. O objetivo deste estudo é caracterizar e comparar a importância atribuída à qualidade dos instrutores, qualidade dos serviços e motivos para a prática, segundo o rendimento líquido mensal. Participaram no estudo 560 praticantes de atividades de fitness, divididos em 7 grupos. Foi utilizado o questionário “Importância Atribuída no Fitness - Motivos de Prática, Qualidade do Serviço e Qualidade do Instrutor”. Em termos gerais, os resultados mostram que os praticantes com maior rendimento apresentam valores mais altos de importância atribuída, nas três dimensões do questionário, particularmente nos Motivos de Prática. “Para melhorar a minha saúde em termos gerais” é mais importante para os clientes com rendimento superior (F = 2.440; p = 0.025; η2 = 0.027), como “para relaxar em termos mentais” (F = 3.815; p = 0.001; η2 = 0.042). Na dimensão Qualidade do Instrutor, “empatia” é mais relevante para clientes com maior rendimento (F = 2.196; p = 0.042; η2 = 0.024). Os proprietários de ginásios e health clubs podem utilizar estes resultados para adaptar o serviço às necessidades e expectativas dos clientes. Abstract: Participation in health clubs and fitness centres have gained prevalence in the overall Portuguese sport participation ratios over the past years, and gym and health club owners compete to attract even more clients to their facilities. Knowledge about what clients expect from fitness services plays a key role in adjusting fitness services to their target population. The aim of this study is to characterise and compare the importance given to the quality of instructors, the quality of services and reasons for practice of fitness clients, according to income. 560 fitness clients participated in this study, divided in 7 income groups. The questionnaire “Importance given in Fitness - Reasons for Practice, Service Quality and Quality of Instructors” was used. Overall results show that clients with higher income show higher values in all three dimensions of the questionnaire, particularly in Reasons for Practice. “To stay or improve health or wellbeing” is regarded as more important for higher income clients (F = 2.440; p = 0.025; η2 = 0.027), as it is “to mentally relax” (F = 3.815; p = 0.001; η2 = 0.042). In the dimension Instructor Quality, “empathy” is more relevant for higher income clients (F = 2.196; p = 0.042; η2 = 0.024). Gym and health club owners may use these results to adapt their services to the clients’ needs and expectations.
Surfing is a sporting activity that has become a major business, integrated in the leisure and tourism industries. Due to the impact of surf tourism and to the surfers’ characteristics featured by the time and effort they invest in surfing and their propensity to travel in search for the perfect wave, it is important to understand if the six serious leisure qualities (perseverance, career, effort, benefits, ethos and identity) are related with socio-demographic characteristics, surfing profile, surf travel behaviour and surfing destination attributes preferences. Aiming to achieve these goals, an online survey (in the form of a questionnaire) was applied to a casual sample of 200 surfers in Portugal. The results of this study demonstrate that surfers exhibit the six serious leisure qualities and have a strong disposition to travel for surfing. Moreover, the results highlight that surfers value mainly the surfing natural conditions when choosing a surfing travel destination. Statistical tests also allowed concluding that socio-demographic variables are not good predictors of serious surfing, although serious surfing is correlated with surfing profile, surf travel behaviour and surfing destination attributes preferences. This data enables to provide important information that can be used to strengthen management strategies by surf tourism industry providers.
The restrictions “imposed” to avoid the spread of Covid-19 disease have strongly conditioned the school life of millions of children and youth. However, little is known about the impact of the pandemic on PE classes in Portugal. The purpose of the present study is to describe the perception of secondary and high school students about the impact of the pandemic on PE classes, after the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. The sample comprised 1419 students aged from 12 to 16 years from the Portuguese Midlands (53% females, mean age 14,4 years-old); participants responded in person to an anonymous and self-report questionnaire. The results revealed that restrictive measures imposed on PE classes at the end of 2020 had a strong influence on selection of PE curricular contents. Physical condition of students has assumed a major role in PE enrolment. It should be also highlighted that participants revealed the school as a safe space to avoid the risks of SARS-CoV2 contagion. The surveyed students expressed greater satisfaction with the face-to-face than virtual PE classes. It should be noted that the pandemic context did not change the appreciation attributed to this subject by students. Keywords: Covid-19; Physical Education; Secondary School.
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