Nuno Leite

• PhD
• Head of Department at University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Introduction The issue of gender inequality has a significant impact on the sporting world, with a range of implications and consequences. In the field of coaching, women are confronted with inequity throughout their careers, which frequently has a detrimental impact. To gain a deeper insight into the under-representation of women in sport coaching...

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of growth and maturation (GAM) research in youth basketball. A systematic search of Web of Science (up to August 2024) identified 1160 records; after screening per bibliometric review guidelines, 141 relevant studies were selected. Descriptive analysis indicates an 11.59% annual increase in...

This study evaluates the accuracy and validity of the Maturo software, an automated tool for estimating biological age and related maturation metrics, in a sample of 103 actively training teenage athletes aged 9 to 17 years. The sample included 76 males (mean age = 11.74 years, SD = 1.55) and 27 females (mean age = 13.95 years, SD = 1.40), all with...

This study examined the impact of the FIFA 11+ warm-up program on both physical performance and small-sided game (SSG) outcomes in youth soccer players. Thirty male players, aged 11 to 15, were randomly assigned to either a FIFA 11+ intervention group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). Over two 4-week training periods, separated by a 4-week brea...

Integrating cutting-edge technologies has been suggested to be important in the talent identification and development (TID) processes. This paper explored the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in revolutionizing TID in team sports, using published papers indexed on Google Scholar on the last five years. We propose a system li...

Introduction This study aimed to describe the fixation location and the time of the longer fixation of expert and novice futsal coaches before the ball was in play in futsal set pieces. Methods A total of 10 experts (ages 48 ± 5) and 10 novice coaches (ages 40 ± 7) participated in the study. They observed that 38 video clips were created to mimic...

Handball is a body-contact Olympic ball sport that is characterized by fast-paced defensive and offensive actions. Players must coordinate explosive movements (e.g., changing of direction) and handball-specific skills (e.g., passing). Maximising performance requires a systematic approach to training, and this includes physical, psychological, techn...

Featured Application The findings of the present study may inform decision-making for track cycling coaches and practitioners in planning talent identification and development strategies. Moreover, the results presented raise concerns and underscore the importance of distinguishing between primary and secondary factors when aiming to support future...

Biological age-based competitions have been suggested to mitigate maturation bias among youth football players. This study analysed the physical demands and spatial exploration behaviour when playing football matches against biological or chronological age-based opposition. One-hundred and sixteen U-13 and U-14 male regional-level football players...

The aims of this study were to determine the feasibility of the injury prevention program (IPP), to examine the reliability of perceptual response to an IPP and to analyze the acute effects of both external and internal demands of in-court training sessions in the IPP. Twelve young basketball players participated in a national team (NT) training ca...

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the maturational state and contextual factors with future basketball career success in Under-16 (U16) Portuguese youth preparing for the U16 European Basketball Championships. Eighty-five Under-15 (U15) and U16 male basketball players (height: 189.7 ± 6.53 cm; body mass: 81.1 ± 9.96 kg; the age o...

The rules of team sport have been influenced by professional competitions without considering all the factors that differentiate children and adolescents from adults. The aim of this study was to analyse the performance of kinematic variables in two different types of tournaments and the influence of somatic maturation on performance in young baske...

Major events in football, such as the Champions League at the club level or the World Cup at the national team level, serve as showcases for sports science research aimed at enhancing the understanding of performance. For instance, research often focuses on identifying performance indicators that differentiate winning and losing teams (Alves et al....

Successful performances in association football are often distinguished by specific key performance indicators, which can be used to differentiate between winning and losing teams (Dufour et al., 2017), or between qualified versus non-qualified teams (Almeida, 2019). The upcoming QATAR World Cup 2022 presents a unique opportunity for exploring new...

Self-reported screen time, sitting time and sedentary behavior amongst youth athletes from different type of sports: a pilot study. Conflict of interest: nothing to declare. Funding: nothing to declare. The recommendations regarding physical activity and sedentary behaviour in children and youth (aged 5-17 years) include limiting the amount of time...

Background: Regular Physical activity is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Exposure to green or blue environments can enhance both physical and psychological well being (Li et al., 2021; Notthoff & Carstensen, 2017; Oliveira et al., 2018). The EASIER project aims to develop of a mobile app that combines exercise with digital gaming to...

Introduction: The differential learning (DL) approach, which destabilizes by means of increased fluctuations and offered in the most extreme form learning without repetition and without corrections has received growing interest beyond the skill acquisition field in sports (Schöllhorn, 2000). Previous research indicated that differential repeated sp...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5lfvY3Yhqg&list=PLqxKrkoJdIk1FNg5KcTl9mMPNcaV8hA_F&index=15

This study sought to determine whether the inclusion of an opponent on an isoinertial crossover step task influenced the post-activation response and power production. Twenty adult male team-sports athletes participated in a randomized crossover trial. We used a novel design in which the performance of an isoinertial flywheel exercise was tested wi...

Os jovens atletas apresentam atributos distintos ao nível do crescimento e maturação, o que resulta em diferenças interindividuais (Cumming et al., 2017). Este estudo objetivou analisar a influência da idade biológica de jovens futebolistas a nível físico, técnico e académico. Vinte e três futebolistas sub-15 foram divididos em dois grupos de acord...

The differential learning approach, which includes fluctuations that occur without movement repetitions and without corrections has received growing interest in the skill acquisition field. This study aimed to determine the effects of a 9-week training intervention involving differential repeated sprint training on a series of physical tests in you...

Despite its importance to the management of training stress, monotony and recovery from exercise, training load has not been quantified during periods of intensity training in youths. This study aimed to (1) examine and quantify the training load (TL) in youth national team basketball players during a 2-week training camp according to maturity timi...

This study compared the effects of integrative neuromuscular training (INT) versus FIFA 11+ protocols on sprint, change of direction performance and inter-limb asymmetries. Thirty young (U-11) male soccer players (age: 11.2 ± 0.7 years; height: 145.6 ± 6.8 cm; body mass: 72.5 ± 3.0 kg) were randomly assigned to each training group, which consisted...

Talent identification and development have become increasingly relevant in sports performance especially in the last 20 years. A significant body of scientific research discusses longitudinal and non-linear talent identification and development processes, the qualities that underpin elite performance in sport, and how coaches could facilitate talen...

This critical review considers the epistemological and historical background of the theoretical construct of motor learning for a more differentiated understanding. More than simply reflecting critically on the models that are used to solve problems-whether they are applied in therapy , physical education, or training practice-this review seeks to...

This paper seeks to examine the impact of maturity matching upon physical performance and spatial exploration behaviour for pre-PHV basketball players. For this purpose, thirty-two under-14 to 16 basketball players are assigned to different teams according to maturity status (Pre-, Mid-, and Post-Peak Height Velocity [PHV]), and instructed to parti...

This pilot study aimed to determine the effects of differential learning in sprint running with and without changes of direction (COD) on physical performance parameters in female basketball players and to determine the feasibility of the training protocol. Nine female basketball players completed 4 weeks of repeated sprint training (RST) with (COD...

Talent identification and development have become increasingly relevant in sports performance (Sarmento, Anguera, Pereira, Araújo, 2018), especially in the last 20 years. A significant body of scientific research discusses longitudinal and nonlinear talent identification and development processes, the qualities that underpin elite performance in sp...

Purposeː Cycling performance is the result of the interplay among a wide range of variables. Different methodological approaches have been described during last 50 years in order to evaluate and understand cycling performance. Our main aim was to systematically review the applications of muscle oximetry in cycling performance assessment. Methods: A...

Este libro recoge las ponencias del VI Seminario Internacional de Táctica y Técnica Deportiva organizadas por la Cátedra de Deporte y Educación Física - Centro de Estudios Olímpicos de la Universidad de Girona (antiguas Jornadas de la CEEF-CEO) dedicadas a las nuevas tendencias en el desarrollo del talento deportivo. En este libro el lector encont...

Background: The present study aimed to describe the possible roles of cyclists' early career performance, on the transition process to élite cycling categories. Methods: Data from national and international databases, and results achieved during the UCI World Championships, were retrospectively analysed considering the Italian national Youth-U16...

The current study aims to identify differences in the individual profiles of youth basketball players (U-16, U-18, U-20) as well as to understand if this variation is affected by player-related variables or team final classification. To this end, archival data from 2016-2017 to 2018-2019 (n=1152 game box scores) European youth championships is anal...

The aims of this study were to examine the influence of maturity timing on functional skills and game-related statistics amongst under-16 (U16) national team basketball players, and analyse which of these parameters were related to onward selection to the under-18 (U18) national team. Thirty-six U16 basketball players underwent anthropometric and o...

Changes and relationships between cycling performance indicators following a one-year strength and conditioning training have not been totally clarified. The aims of this study are to investigate (i) the effect of a combined strength and conditioning training programme on performance indicators and the possible relationships between these indicator...

The aim of this study was analyze the effect of playing against biological matched and un-matched opposition, on physical performance and spatial exploration behavior of youth basketball players. Thirty under-14 to 16 basketball players were assigned to different teams according to maturity status (Pre-, Mid-, and Post-Peak Height Velocity [PHV]),...

The aims of this study were two-fold: (1) to inspect separately for the relative age and birthplace effects for players selected in the National Basketball Association (NBA) draft; (2) to explore the interaction among these factors and analyse this interaction in players' career performance. The database was obtained from the official records of th...

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do programa Skills4genius no desenvolvimento da prestação motora, pensamento e comportamento técnico-tático criativo em crianças. Participaram 91 crianças no grupo de intervenção e 72 no grupo controlo, com idades compreendidas entre os 7 e os 10 anos. O programa teve a duração de 5 meses e foi c...

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of somatic maturation in anthropometric, physical, and game-related variables in youth basketball age groups under-13 (U-13) and under-15 (U-15). One-hundred and eighty-five basketball players performed anthropometrical and physical tests during a non-official youth basketball tournament. Predicted...

To examine the effects of a strength training program with random recovery times between sets in consideration of several physical parameters, high-intensity actions (HIA), and spatial exploration index during a simulated basketball game. Twenty male basketball players (age: 19.45 ± 4.36 years) were assigned randomly, either to strength training gr...

This study aimed to analyze the acute effect of small-sided games, based on differential learning, on the physical, technical, and positioning performance of young basketball players. Eight basketball players under 13 (U13) participated in this study. A total of eight sessions involving half-court small-sided games (4 sets × 3 min + 1 min of passiv...

Objective: the purpose of this study was to identify differences in hamstring passive stiffness between the pre-season and in-season periods. Methods: Hamstring strength and passive stiffness were measured in professional male soccer players before and after the pre-season (4 weeks), and after the in-season (6 weeks) periods using an isokinetic...

O objetivo deste estudo foi explorar a influência do estágio maturacional em variáveis antropométricas, físicas e de performance no jogo nos escalões etários de sub-13 e sub-15. Cento e oitenta e cinco jovens basquetebolistas de ambos os sexos realizaram um conjunto de testes antropométricos e físicos durante um torneio de carácter nacional. A dist...

Os objetivos deste estudo foram (i) avaliar a perceção subjetiva de esforço de um programa de prevenção de lesões e, (ii) analisar os efeitos agudos do programa de prevenção de lesões na carga externa e interna durante as sessões de treino de campo. Treze jovens basquetebolistas participaram no estágio na seleção nacional de sub-16, num total de 12...

This study aims (a) to assess and compare the acute mechanical, physiological, and perceptual demands induced by a lower and upper body repeated power ability (RPA) protocols, and (b) to examine how the somatic maturation could predict training response in RPA. Thirteen young male basketball players (chronological age = 15.2 ± 1.1 years; height = 1...

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a BATAK Pro™ training program in combination with regular sport-specific training as compared with sport-specific training alone on motor performance among young athletes. Twenty-two athletes (aged 11–16 years), were recruited and randomly assigned to either an active control group or BATAK traini...

The national team training camp imposes a congested training schedule, and greater fatigue levels can be expected. Cold therapies have been extensively used to improve recovery in team-sport athletes, and their effects at physiological level are well-documented on the literature (2). However, more research is needed to understand the effect of cold...

In wheelchair basketball players (WB) shoulder injuries are a common problem (Saleky García Gómez, 2017). It is evident that EMG biofeedback has value when added to an exercise intervention to reduce shoulder pain in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury SCI (Susan Middaugh, 2013). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the e...

Background: This study aimed to analyze and compare the effects of two different resistance training programs. Methods: Fourteen under-17 youth female basketball players were randomly assigned to repetitions in reserve (RIR, n = 7) or maximum effort (RM, n = 7) resistance training programs. The programs consisted of 3-4 sets of 4 exercises x 7-1...

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of an inter-repetition variable rotational flywheel training program (Variable) over standard rotational flywheel training (Standard). Methods: Twenty-four youth female team-sports players were randomly assigned to both training groups (Variable, n = 12; Standard, n = 12), which consis...

Está relacionada la capacidad de potencia repetida en la sentadilla y las demandas físicas durante el 5v5 media cancha? Arede, J.; Leite, N. Introducción: La capacidad de potencia repetida (RPA) es un método adecuado para evaluar las capacidades de potencia de los atletas de baloncesto (1), sin embargo, la relación entre la prueba de RPA y el rendi...

The aim of this study was two-fold: (i) to identify differences in the game performance profiles of basketball players in Euroleague and European national championships; and (ii) to analyse the influence of player-related (e.g. age or court-position) and contextual variables (e.g. distance travelled or game break) in players’ game-related statistic...

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between physical preparation, training sessions (TS) and friendly matches’ (FM) demands, and playing status during European Championship (EC). Method: Twelve under-16 (U-16) basketball players performed physical (jumping, agility, aerobic fitness, and lower limb asymmetry index [ASI]) t...

The aim of this study was to evaluate if maturation affects the composition of youth males and females basketball players age-groups (under-13 and under-15), and the association and strength between 3 sets of measures, namely from anthropometric and maturational, physical and game, which combined can help better understand maturation influence in y...

The aim of this study was to identify the acute effects of a differential-learning training program on football kicking performance and countermovement jump. Twenty youth Portuguese under-15 football players participated in this study. All players were exposed to two training approaches: i) traditional, in which the players performed a total of 36...

The differential learning approach, which takes advantage of fluctuations that occur, without movement repetitions and without corrections has been growing in skill acquisition field (Schöllhorn, 2012). However, in strength training this approach has been mostly neglected (Hegen Polywka, Schöllhorn, 2015), and more research is needed to better unde...

Juvenile basketball athletes show individual variation in maturation that results in interindividual differences at anthropometrical, physical, and technical level (Arede, Ferreira, Gonzalo-Skok, & Leite, 2019). This study aims to compare physical and tactical performance of young basketball players with distinct anthropometrical and maturation dis...

Sedentary behavior (SED) and physical activity (PA) are distinct behavioral domains that must be considered before interpreting individual profiles, particularly for amateur athletes which are considered active. The aim was to describe the PA and SED of master amateur runners and footballers, the main individual and team sports. Sixteen male runner...

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the novel inertial measurement unit (named: Gyko Sport) for the measurement of barbell concentric velocity on the bench-press exercise. METHODS: Ten under-16 (U16) basketball players performed 2 repetitions of the bench press exercise with 6 different loads (40, 50, 6...

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of previous ankle sprain in stride variables during basketball-specific drills and analyse of mediator effect of maturity offset in these analyses. Ten young under-16 (U-16) male basketball players performed 5x5 half court situations (3 sets of 8 minutes, with 5 minutes of rest between sets) using the...

The aims of this study were (a) to investigate the effects of previous strength and conditioning in physical performance; (b) to examine the mediator effect of previous sport experiences in physical performance, according to the training group (c) to examine the relationship between training frequency and physical performance. Twenty-four young und...

The aims of this study were to examine the medium-term effects of previous experiences during early stages of sport development on physical capacities of under-13 (U-13) talented basketball players and, to identify variables that discriminated under-14 (U-14) national team training camp selection. Anthropometrical and physical measurements were col...