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  • The effect of smoking on lung function changes during a 16-week combined exercise program in middle-aged workers: a latent growth curve analysis
    Publication . Silva, Manuela Fernanda Gomes Moreira da; Ferreira, José P.; Teixeira, Ana M.; Monteiro, Diogo; Duarte-Mendes, Pedro
    Purpose To investigate the longitudinal changes in lung function of sedentary middle-aged workers over a 16-week combined exercise training program. Methods Thirty-six sedentary workers (53.70±6.92 years old) were randomly allocated to either a combined aerobic and resistance training program (n=18) or a control group (n=18). Lung function was evaluated through spirometry using a portable fow spirometer (Spiropalm 6MWT, Cosmed, Italy). Predicted percentages of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the frst second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, and mean forced expiratory fow between 25 and 75% of exhaled FVC (FEF25–75) were analyzed. Assessments were performed at baseline (M1), after 8-week (M2) and 16-week follow-up (M3). The changes in lung function were analyzed using the Latent Growth Curve Modeling that estimated interindividual and intraindividual growth paths. Results Smoking status revealed a signifcant efect on lung function growth with signifcant paths to intercept and slope for all models in both groups. The exercise group participants who are non-smokers revealed higher increases in FVC% (β=.22), FEV1% (β=.08), FEV1/FVC% ratio (β=.19), and FEF25–75% (β=.06) compared to those who are smokers from M1 to M3. The control group revealed a lower growth in lung function from M1 to M3, with a lower slope observed in smokers compared to non-smokers for FVC% (β=−.44), FEV1% (β=−.41), FEV1/FVC% (β=−.98), and FEF25–75% (β=−.52). Conclusion Our fndings suggest that a 16-week combined training program is an efective strategy to improve lung function among sedentary workers, with a higher magnitude of improvement for non-smokers compared to smokers. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04868240. Registered April 30, 2021.
    2025-05-31Journal article Restricted access Show more
  • Tracking tourism waves: insights from automatic identification system (AIS) data on maritime–coastal activities
    Publication . Ramos, Jorge; Drakeford, Benjamin; Costa, Joana; Madiedo Camelo, Ana Maria; Leitão, Francisco
    Abstract: The demand for maritime–coastal tourism has been intensifying, but its offerings are sometimes limited to a few activities. Some of these activities do not require specific skills or certifications, while others do. This study aimed to investigate what type of activities are carried out by tourism and recreational vessels in the coastal area of the central Algarve (Portugal). To this end, data from the automatic identification system (AIS) of recreational vessels was used to monitor and categorise these activities in a non-intrusive manner. A model (TORMA) was defined to facilitate the analysis of AIS data and relate them to five independent variables (distance from the coast, boat speed, bathymetry, seabed type, and number of pings). The results of the analysis of more than 11 thousand hourly AIS records for passenger, sailing, and charter vessels showed that the 14 most regular ones had strong seasonal patterns, greater intensity in summer, and spatial patterns with more records near some coastal cliffs. This study provides valuable information on the management of motorised nautical activities near the coast and at sea, contributing to more informed and effective tourism regulation and planning.
    2025-05-31Journal article Open access Show more