The ageing of the global population, especially in developed countries, is driving significant societal changes. In Portugal, demographic data reflect a marked increase in the ageing index. Understanding gait alterations associated with ageing is essential for the early detection of mobility decline and fall risk. This study aimed to analyse gait patterns in older adults to contribute to a biomechanical ageing profile. Thirty-six community-dwelling older adults (29 female, 7 male; mean age: 74 years) participated. Gait data were collected using the Xsens full-body motion capture system, which combines inertial sensors with biomechanical modelling and sensor fusion. Spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters were analysed using descriptive statistics. Compared to younger adult norms, participants showed increased stance and double support phases, reduced swing phase, and lower gait speed, stride length, and cadence, with greater step width. Kinematic data showed reduced peak plantar flexion, knee flexion, and hip extension, but increased dorsiflexion peaks—adaptations aimed at stability. Despite a limited sample size and lack of clinical subgroups, results align with age-related gait literature. Findings support the utility of wearable systems like Xsens in capturing clinically relevant gait changes, contributing to normative biomechanical profiling and future mobility interventions.

Schizophrenia remains a poorly understood disease, hence the interest in assessing and indirectly characterizing brain activity and connectivity. This paper aims to search for potential biomarkers in schizophrenia with functional magnetic resonance data, between subjects in the resting state. Firstly, we used fMRI from an open database, SchizConnect, of 48 subjects, in which 27 were control subjects, with no apparent disease and the others 21 were patients with schizophrenia. With the SPM tool, we proceeded to manually pre-process the images obtained, at the risk of having influenced the final results. Then, with the AAL atlas as a reference, we divided the brain into 116 areas. Then, brain activity in these areas were analysed, using the LEiDA method, which aims to characterize brain activity at each time point t by phase locking patterns of the BOLD signal. After the application of LEiDA, brain activity was evaluated based on trajectories and bar graphs of functional connectivity states in which the probability of occurrence and their dwell time were calculated for each state. It was also found that the visual cortex was the subsystem that showed significantly more probability of occurrence in schizophrenia patients to be assessed, and may correspond to symptoms of hallucinations by the patients with schizophrenia.

In darts, the dominant limb typically has an advantage due to its superior performance characteristics. However, with training, the non-dominant limb can achieve nearly similar accuracy. Research suggests that left-handed individuals tend to have more balanced dexterity between their hands compared to right-handed individuals, who show a stronger preference for their dominant hand. This may provide a slight advantage for left-handed players. This study analyzed 12 participants (male and female, aged 20–25 years), including one left-handed male and one left-handed female, with the rest being right-handed. Each participant completed 18 throws with both their dominant and non- dominant limbs. The data collection was conducted using the XSENS MVN Awinda motion capture system, which employs inertial sensors placed on the hand, forearm, upper arm, and shoulder of both limbs. The MT Manager software extracted values such as angular variation, acceleration, and angular velocity, ensuring precise and synchronized data for analysis. The results showed higher scores and shorter throw durations when using the dominant hand. The male participants scored higher with both the dominant and non-dominant limb. The left-handed female showed greater dexterity balance between both limbs and the left-handed male showed better coordination, supporting the idea that left-handed individuals may have a natural advantage in dexterity symmetry.

In darts, the dominant limb typically has an advantage due to superior performance characteristics. However, with training, the non-dominant limb can achieve nearly similar accuracy. Research suggests that left-handed individuals tend to have more balanced dexterity between their hands compared to right-handed individuals, who show a stronger preference for their dominant hand. This may provide a slight advantage for left-handed players. This study analysed 12 participants (male and female, aged 20-25 years), including one left-handed male and one left-handed female, with the rest being right-handed. Each participant completed 18 throws with both their dominant and non-dominant limbs. Data collection was conducted using the XSENS MVN Awinda motion capture system, which employs inertial sensors placed on the hand, forearm, upper arm, and shoulder of both limbs. The MT Manager software extracted values such as angular variation, acceleration, and angular velocity, ensuring precise and synchronized data for analysis. Results showed higher scores and shorter throw durations when using the dominant hand. Male participants scored higher with both dominant and non-dominant limb. The left-handed female showed greater dexterity balance between both limbs and the left-handed male showed better coordination supporting the idea that left-handed individuals may have a natural advantage in dexterity symmetry.