PRR Project

Summary

The proposed position aims to leverage the research track of UMa and ITI/LARSyS, specifically focusing on the interdisciplinary fields of Health Sciences and Sport and Fitness Sciences and their synergies with Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).The candidate will integrate the Department of Physical Education and Sport (DEFD) of UMa, and his/her work aims to deploy innovator approaches based on HCI designed to: (1) assess and monitor sports locomotor activities to optimize performance; (2) to promote overall PA levels, particularly targeting youngsters and older people; and (3) enhancing health-related behaviors.Worldwide, the utilization of advanced technological devices for assessing and monitoring individuals´ performance across various domains, such as physical attributes, body composition, and psychological components, has become increasingly prevalent within the sports industry. Research in sports literature has consistently highlighted significant correlations between players´ profiles and their on-field performance, underscoring the importance of implementing continuous and comprehensive monitoring processes during training and competitive events. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on injury prevention strategies and the evaluation of training periodization methods to enhance overall health and optimize athletic performance.In the meantime, low PA levels have become a major public concern worldwide, being related to a range of physical and psychological disorders affecting the quality of life. A recent report by the World Health Organization on PA levels among youngsters aged between 11 and 17 years described alarming data in Portugal since nearly 80% of boys and 90% of girls do not follow the PA recommendations for their age range. These data are of great interest to public health entities and the wider community since the behaviour acquired during the individual early ages, including health-related behaviours, is more likely to prevail into adulthood. Technology usage is increasingly present in day-to-day life and may be explored to foster more active and healthier lifestyles. For instance, the literature has mentioned that exergames (which are video games requiring PA to play) might emerge as a complementary tool to traditional PA activities promoted in schools and local entities working with the older population due to their ability to motivate users and simultaneously, promoting PA and cognitive abilities.Based on this, the ideal candidate should showcase proficiency in interdisciplinary projects, adeptly integrating knowledge from Health Sciences and Sports and Fitness Sciences. The candidate should demonstrate a track record of successful interdisciplinary collaboration, utilizing user-centered methodologies and participatory processes to design and implement solutions tailored to user needs. This position leverages experiences from the past, drawing from projects like MTL and PHASE and ongoing innovative initiatives like eGames, EFERAM-CIT, TASRAM-CIT, and Walking Football. It capitalizes on the supportive research ecosystem offered by ITI/LARSyS. Furthermore, it enhances the scientific and teaching capabilities of the DEFD/UMa, which has a history of collaboration with ITI/LARSyS.The expected tasks for the position include managing and developing research projects at the DEFD/UMa, coordinating data collection in field and lab settings, documenting outputs, contributing to collaboration networks, publishing in top journals, disseminating work, supporting local activities, mentoring students, participating in teaching, handling administrative tasks, and engaging in meetings. Furthermore, it requires demonstrating independence, leadership, and responsibility in planning, funding, collaborating, publishing, and mentoring. Scientific profile: (i) Ph.D. in Sports Sciences or equivalent discipline; (ii) Background associated with Physical Education. Knowledge and Skills : The ideal candidate should possess strong data analysis skills, encompassing quantitative and qualitative methods, statistical analysis procedures, and an understanding of sampling considerations and bias. Additionally, they should demonstrate excellent oral and written communication abilities in Portuguese and English, facilitating effective public presentations and the clear articulation of complex data and concepts, alongside proficient teamwork capabilities, including interdisciplinary collaboration. Experience: The ideal candidate should have experience in conducting field and laboratory testing, utilizing cutting-edge technological tools to evaluate and track performance across diverse domains and objectives. Moreover, the candidate should exhibit a background in teaching Sports Sciences and engaging in interdisciplinary endeavors merging Sports Sciences with HCI, involving implementing VR systems and design-centric methodologies like participatory design processes.