
The mission of CIPER is to generate and promote knowledge of human performance to improve the quality of life of individuals and society, and to improve sports performance.
This mission is accomplished through education, research, and service in the following areas:
- To design, validate, model and simulate tools to study human behavior and sports performance.
- To develop integrated experimental methodologies for the optimization of motor behavior.
- To establish common conceptual framework and criteria to different disciplines regarding the study of human performance and health behavior self-regulation.
In order to accomplish activities in these areas, it was considered paramount:
- To reinforce links with community projects creating new supporting programs concerning advice and scientific supervision.
- To strengthen the interaction with national and foreign research units as well as stakeholders, leading to common programs and networks.
- To enhance the international impact of the research unit, namely by publishing in peer reviewed journals.
- To create a hosting program for students at different academic levels, from initiation research to post-doctoral students.
Research Group
Biolad
Research Overview
BIOLAD’s research is focused in sport sciences, both at the biological and behavioral levels of adaptation to sport and exercise environments.
Healthy Weight
Research Overview
Research on physical activity and sedentary behavior methods, mechanisms, and sustained evidence-based interventions to improve health and energy regulation.
Neuromechanics
Research Overview
Neuromechanics’s research is focused on biomechanics and morphological sciences applied in the field of sports sciences, physical education and rehabilitation.
Self-Regulation
Research Overview
Research on self-regulation and motivational processes underlying volitional physical activity and eating behaviors, and on developing and testing interventions aimed at lifestyle changes.
Featured publications
Cross-cultural validation of children’s assessment of participation and enjoyment Portuguese version
Vila-Nova, F., Oliveira, R., & Cordovil, R. (2019b). Cross-cultural validation of children’s assessment of participation and enjoyment Portuguese version. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 7, 33. doi: 10.3389/fped.2019.00033.
Serious games based on kinect and leap motion controller for upper limbs physical rehabilitation
Postolache, G., Carry, F., Lourenço, F., Ferreira, D., Oliveira, R., Girão, P. S., & Postolache, O. (2019). Serious games based on kinect and leap motion controller for upper limbs physical rehabilitation. In S. C. Mukhopadhyay, K. P. Jayasundera, & O. A. Postolache (Eds.), Modern Sensing Technologies, (pp. 147 – 170). Cham: Springer.