Cristiana Mercê

Prof. Dr. Cristiana Mercê

Escola Superior de Desporto de Rio Maior
+1
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

11Years (2016-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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6 July 2016 in BMC Health Services Research
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
CTCatarina Cardoso Tomás
Catarina Cardoso Tomás
EOEmanuel Oliveira
Emanuel Oliveira
CACeleste Alves
Celeste Alves
SGStefan Gisin
Stefan Gisin
ECElisabete Catarino
Elisabete Catarino
ATAna Maria Teixeira
Ana Maria Teixeira
S1 Health literacy and health education in adolescence Catarina Cardoso Tomás S2 The effect of a walking program on the quality of life and well-being of people with schizophrenia Emanuel Oliveira, D. Sousa, M. Uba-Chupel, G. Furtado, C. Rocha, A. Teixeira, P. Ferreira S3 Diagnosis and innovative treatments - the way to a better medical practice Celeste Alves S4 Simulation-based learning and how it is a high contribution Stefan Gisin S5 Formative research about acceptability, utilization and promotion of a home fortification programme with micronutrient powders (MNP) in the Autonomous Region of Príncipe, São Tomé and Príncipe Elisabete Catarino, Nelma Carvalho, Tiago Coucelo, Luís Bonfim, Carina Silva S6 Safety culture of the patient: a reflexion about the therapeutic approach on the patient with vocal pathology Débora Franco S7 About wine, fortune cookies and patient experience Jesús Alcoba González O1 The psychological impact on the emergency crews after the disaster event on February 20, 2010 Helena G. Jardim, Rita Silva O2 Musculoskeletal disorders in midwives Cristina L. Baixinho, Mª Helena Presado, Mª Fátima Marques, Mário E. Cardoso O3 Negative childhood experiences and fears of compassion: Implications for psychological difficulties in adolescence Marina Cunha, Joana Mendes, Ana Xavier, Ana Galhardo, Margarida Couto O4 Optimal age to give the first dose of measles vaccine in Portugal João G. Frade, Carla Nunes, João R. Mesquita, Maria S. Nascimento, Guilherme Gonçalves O5 Functional assessment of elderly in primary care Conceição Castro, Alice Mártires, Mª João Monteiro, Conceição Rainho O6 Smoking and coronary events in a population of Spanish health-care centre: An observational study Francisco P. Caballero, Fatima M. Monago, Jose T. Guerrero, Rocio M. Monago, Africa P. Trigo, Milagros L. Gutierrez, Gemma M. Milanés, Mercedes G. Reina, Ana G. Villanueva, Ana S. Piñero, Isabel R. Aliseda, Francisco B. Ramirez O7 Prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries in Portuguese musicians Andrea Ribeiro, Ana Quelhas, Conceição Manso O8 Hip fractures, psychotropic drug consumption and comorbidity in patients of a primary care practice in Spain Francisco P. Caballero, Jose T. Guerrero, Fatima M. Monago, Rafael B. Santos, Nuria R. Jimenez, Cristina G. Nuñez, Inmaculada R. Gomez, Mª Jose L. Fernandez, Laura A. Marquez, Ana L. Moreno, Mª Jesus Tena Huertas, Francisco B. Ramirez O9 The role of self-criticism and shame in social anxiety in a clinical SAD sample Daniel Seabra, Mª Céu Salvador O10 Obstruction and infiltration: a proposal of a quality indicator Luciene Braga, Pedro Parreira, Anabela Salgueiro-Oliveira, Cristina Arreguy-Sena, Bibiana F. Oliveira, Mª Adriana Henriques O11 Balance and anxiety and depression symptoms in old age people Joana Santos, Sara Lebre, Alda Marques O12 Prevalence of postural changes and risk factors in school children and adolescents in a northern region (Porto) Clarinda Festas, Sandra Rodrigues, Andrea Ribeiro, José Lumini O13 Ischemic stroke vs. haemorrhagic stroke survival rate Ana G. Figueiredo O14 Chronobiological factors as responsible for the appearance of locomotor pathology in adolescents Francisco J. Hernandez-Martinez, Liliana Campi, Mª Pino Quintana-Montesdeoca, Juan F. Jimenez-Diaz, Bienvenida C. Rodriguez-De-Vera O15 Risk of malnutrition in the elderly of Bragança Alexandra Parente, Mª Augusta Mata, Ana Mª Pereira, Adília Fernandes, Manuel Brás O16 A Lifestyle Educational Programme for primary care diabetic patients: the design of a complex nursing intervention Mª Rosário Pinto, Pedro Parreira, Marta L. Basto, Ana C. Rei, Lisete M. Mónico O17 Medication adherence in elderly people Gilberta Sousa, Clementina Morna, Otília Freitas, Gregório Freitas, Ana Jardim, Rita Vasconcelos O18 Hospitalization for cervical cancer of residents in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, 2012 to 2014 Lina G. Horta, Roger S. Rosa, Luís F. Kranz, Rita C. Nugem, Mariana S. Siqueira, Ronaldo Bordin O19 Oncologic assistance of high complexity: evaluation of regulating accesses Rosiane Kniess, Josimari T. Lacerda O20 Perceived barriers for using health care services by the older population as seen by the social sector: findings from the Vila Nova de Gaia Gerontological Plan Joana Guedes, Idalina Machado, Sidalina Almeida, Adriano Zilhão, Helder Alves, Óscar Ribeiro O21 Sleep difficulties and depressive symptoms in college students Ana P. Amaral, Ana Santos, Joana Monteiro, Mª Clara Rocha, Rui Cruz O22 Psychopathological symptoms and medication use in higher education Ana P. Amaral, Marina Lourenço, Mª Clara Rocha, Rui Cruz O23 Sexually transmitted diseases in higher education institutions Sandra Antunes, Verónica Mendonça, Isabel Andrade, Nádia Osório, Ana Valado, Armando Caseiro, António Gabriel, Anabela C. Martins, Fernando Mendes O24 Alcohol consumption and suicide ideation in higher education students Lídia Cabral, Manuela Ferreira, Amadeu Gonçalves O25 Quality of life in university students Tatiana D. Luz, Leonardo Luz, Raul Martins O26 Male and female adolescent antisocial behaviour: characterizing vulnerabilities in a Portuguese sample Alice Morgado, Maria L. Vale-Dias O27 Risk factors for mental health in higher education students of health sciences Rui Porta-Nova O28 International classification of functioning disability and health as reflexive reasoning in primary attention in health Tânia C. Fleig, Éboni M. Reuter, Miriam B. Froemming, Sabrina L. Guerreiro, Lisiane L. Carvalho O29 Risk factors and cardiovascular disease in Portalegre Daniel Guedelha, P....

23 November 2021 in Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Cristiana MercêCristiana Mercê
Cristiana Mercê
JPJoana Vilar Pereira
Joana Vilar Pereira
Marco BrancoMarco Branco
Marco Branco
DCDavid Catela
David Catela
RCRita Cordovil
Rita Cordovil
Background: The bicycle is a popular means of transportation, exercise, recreation and also socializing for children worldwide, allowing them several physical and psychological benefits. Several methodologies and types of bicycles have been used for learning how to cycle, however, the best approach is still unclear. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review and summarize the existent studies of programmes that aim to teach children how to ride a bicycle independently, in order to identify which possibilities lead to a more efficient intervention. Methods: A comprehensive search was performed in seven electronic databases (TRID, CENTRAL, Web of Science, SCOPUS, EBSCO, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses and Google Scholar), including grey literature and the citations of relevant articles, from their inception to April 2020. Studies were included according to the eligibility criteria: children and youths aged 18 or less, with and without disabilities; intervention programmes that aimed to teach how to ride a bicycle with a pre- and post-intervention assessment regarding the ability to ride. The Downs and Black checklist was used for quality assessment. Results: Nine intervention studies, including a randomized controlled trial, were included. The mean quality score was 11.8 ± 3.6 points. Just one of the included studies was targeted at children without disabilities. Different facilitating constraints and barriers were identified, which resulted in a list of tips for future intervention programmes to teach children how to ride a bicycle. The facilitating constrains were using a progressive learning strategy; using an individualized approach; making bicycle adjustments; having motivated children and having family support throughout the learning process. The barriers were: the fear of falling; lack of parents’ support; and lower leg strength. Learning to cycle was also associated with a decrease in sedentary time, increase in physical activity, improvement in leg strength, and a positive influence on body composition, indicating that it can be a solution to disrupt the cycle of consistent weight gain over time in children with disabilities. Conclusions: There is a gap concerning intervention studies to teach children without disabilities how to cycle. The best strategy is probably a progressive learning strategy by using simpler training bicycles that enable the child to explore balance from the beginning, and simpler exercises first. Teaching programmes should adopt an individualized intervention, feedback and motivation, considering each child’s specific characteristics.

Cristiana MercêCristiana Mercê
Cristiana Mercê
Marco BrancoMarco Branco
Marco Branco
DCDavid Catela
David Catela
FLFrederico Lopes
Frederico Lopes
RCRita Cordovil
Rita Cordovil
Background: Learning to cycle is an important milestone in a child’s life, so it is important to allow them to explore cycling as soon as possible. The use of a bicycle with training wheels (BTW) for learning to cycling is an old approach practiced worldwide. Most recently, a new approach using the balance bike (BB) has received increased attention, and several entities believe that this could be most efficient. Drawing on the work of Bronfenbrenner (1995) and Newel (1986), this study aimed to analyse the effect of BB’s use on the learning process of cycling independently. Methods: Data were collected in Portugal from an online structured survey between November 2019 and June 2020. Results: A total of 2005 responses were obtained for adults and children (parental response). Results revealed that when the BB’s approach was used, learning age (LA) occurred earlier (M = 4.16 ± 1.34 years) than with the BTW’s approach (M = 5.97 ± 2.16 years) (p < 0.001); or than when there was only the single use of the traditional bicycle (M =7.27 ± 3.74 years) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Children who used the BB as the first bike had a significantly lower LA than children who did not use it (p < 0.001). To maximize its effects, the BB should be used in the beginning of the learning process.

18 October 2022 in Retos
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Cristiana MercêCristiana Mercê
Cristiana Mercê
JCJéssica Cordeiro
Jéssica Cordeiro
CRCatarina Romão
Catarina Romão
Marco BrancoMarco Branco
Marco Branco
DCDavid Catela
David Catela
Portuguese children spend about eight hours/day in sedentary behaviours, presenting only one hour in active play. This inactivity rate is about 84%. The lower levels of physical activity (PA) trigger several health problems in children and, after, in adulthood. With the appearance of the pandemic of COVID-19 and, consequently, increase of confined tasks like distance learning, has been verified the PA decrease and screen and sedentary behaviours increase in children. The objectives are: i) verify PA levels; ii) compare PA levels between genders, before and during the pandemic. The questionnaire “Cuestinário Pictórico de la Actividad Físca Infantil” has been translated and applied in Portugal, across the platform Google Forms, having been answered by 61 children of average age of 12.0±3.1 years. Before the pandemic, male children practice more PA. During the pandemic, has been verified a practise decrease in both genders. The PA levels settled between “Little active” and “Nothing active”, not checking differences between genders. The child’s age affected positively the formal PA in academies and clubs and, negatively the informal practise. It has been verified that lower PA levels are associated with higher weight values. Portuguese children PA levels are well below the recommended, situation that worsened during the pandemic. In order to combat childhood inactivity and overweight, it is necessary to develop measures to promote PA early specially in situations of pandemic and/or confinement, in which PA reaches even lower levels.

8 June 2021 in Children
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Cristiana MercêCristiana Mercê
Cristiana Mercê
Marco BrancoMarco Branco
Marco Branco
DCDavid Catela
David Catela
FLFrederico Lopes
Frederico Lopes
LRLuis P. Rodrigues
Luis P. Rodrigues
RCRita Cordovil
Rita Cordovil
The present article aimed to verify whether the age at which children learn to ride a bicycle is related to their physical activity or birth order. Data were collected from an online structured survey between November 2019 and June 2020. A total of 8614 responses were obtained from 22 countries. The results reveal significant differences in learning age depending on the frequency of physical activity (F(5, 7235) = 35.12, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.24). People who engaged in physical activity less than twice a month learned to cycle later (M = 7.5 ± 5.3 years) than people who engaged in physical activity on a daily basis (M = 5.7 ± 2.2 years) (p < 0.001). There were also significant differences in learning age according to birth order (F(2, 3008) = 7.31, p = 0.00, ηp2 = 0.005). Only children had the highest learning age (M = 5.5 ± 2.4 years), whereas those who were born last had the lowest, (M = 5.1 ± 1.9 years) (p = 0.013). Creating opportunities for children to be engaged in play and physical activity and social modulation through their older siblings seem to be key conditions to encourage children to learn how to ride a bicycle from a young age and to foster their motor development.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DCDavid Catela
David Catela
JSJúlia Conceição Marques Santos
Júlia Conceição Marques Santos
JOJoana Oliveira
Joana Oliveira
Susana FrancoSusana Franco
Susana Franco
Cristiana MercêCristiana Mercê
Cristiana Mercê
Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is the change in time intervals between heart beats, reflecting the autonomic nervous system’s ability to adapt to psychological and physiological demands. Slow breathing enhances parasympathetic activity, increasing HRV. Pranayama, a yoga breathing technique, affords the conscious regulation of respiration frequency. This study aimed to characterize HRV, blood pressure and peripheral oxygen saturation of basic yoga breathing slow techniques with regular yoga practitioners. Methods: In total, 45 yoga practitioners were included in the study (including 7 males, mean age of 54.04 ± 11.97 years) with varying levels of yoga experience (minimum 3 months, maximum 37 years). Participants performed three breathing conditions: baseline (control) and two yoga techniques (abdominal (adham) and complete (mahat)) breathing, each for 10 min in the supine position (i.e., savasana). For each condition, respiratory frequency, heart rate (HR), blood pressure and peripheral oxygen levels were collected. Results: The findings revealed that both abdominal and complete yoga breathing techniques promoted a decrease in respiratory frequency (p < 0.001, r = 0.61; p < 0.001, r = 0.61, respectively), and an increase in peripheral oxygen saturation (p < 0.001, r = 0.50; p < 0.001, r = 0.46, respectively), along with blood pressure decreases in all mean values, and a significant decrease in systolic pressure, considering all conditions (p = 0.034, W = 0.08). There were significant increases in standard deviation of HR during abdominal and complete yoga breathing techniques compared with the baseline (p = 0.003, r = 0.31; p < 0.001, r = 0.47, respectively), indicating enhanced parasympathetic activity. Moreover, the complete breathing technique exhibited the greatest variability in HRV measures, with several significant differences compared with abdominal breathing (standard deviation of HR, p < 0.001, r = 0.42; SD2, standard deviation of points perpendicular to the Poincaré parallel line, p < 0.003, r = 0.31; SD1/SD2, p < 0.003, r = 0.31), suggesting a more profound impact on autonomic modulation. Conclusions: simple, inexpensive and non-intrusive abdominal and complete yoga breathing techniques can effectively and momentarily enhance HRV and oxygen saturation in adults, mature adults and the elderly.