Rui Lucena

Mr. Rui Lucena

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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6 July 2024
Verified
Book Chapter
Closed access
PDF file
LQLuís Quinto
Luís Quinto
JSJoni Santos
Joni Santos
PFPaulo Fernandes
Paulo Fernandes
RLRui Lucena
Rui Lucena
MSMiguel Tavares da Silva
Miguel Tavares da Silva
PSPaula Simões
Paula Simões


3 July 2026
Verified
Book Chapter
Closed access
FAFrancisco Abreu
Francisco Abreu
NANuno Almeida
Nuno Almeida
RSRenato Santos
Renato Santos
RLRui Lucena
Rui Lucena
PSPaula Simões
Paula Simões

27 October 2025 in Brain Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DJDariusz Jamro
Dariusz Jamro
JDJohn Dewey
John Dewey
GZGrzegorz Zurek
Grzegorz Zurek
RLRui Lucena
Rui Lucena
Maciej LachowiczMaciej Lachowicz
Maciej Lachowicz
Background: Executive functions may underpin performance in live-fire tasks, whereas evidence for global physical fitness is mixed. We quantified the associations between cognitive flexibility (CF), inhibitory control (IC), overall physical fitness, and rifle marksmanship in cadets, and derived a parsimonious predictive model. Methods: Twenty second-year male airborne cadets (mean age 21.7 ± 2.2 years) completed a live-fire Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) qualification (40 targets at 50–300 m); the Color Trails Test (CTT-1 and CTT-2; interference index) to index CF and processing speed; a stop-signal–style task (CogniFit) to assess IC indexed by NO-GO accuracy and GO-trial response time; and the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). Associations were examined with Spearman correlations. Multiple linear regression with backward elimination and Bayesian model comparison evaluated predictive models. Results: Faster CTT-2 performance was associated with higher BRM scores (ρ = −0.48, p = 0.032), with a similar association for CTT-1 (ρ = −0.46, p = 0.042). The best-fitting regression model included CTT-2 time and IC–accuracy (adjusted R2 = 0.345; RMSE = 7.03), with CTT-2 time the only significant predictor of BRM (b = −0.330, p = 0.006). Bayesian model comparison independently favored a parsimonious CTT-2–only model (P(M|data) = 0.222; BFM = 5.41; BF10 = 1.00; R2 = 0.352). ACFT scores were not significantly associated with BRM. Conclusions: CF and processing speed are key correlates of live–fire rifle marksmanship in cadets, suggesting value in integrating executive–function elements into marksmanship training. Replication in larger cohorts is warranted.