Degree in Sports and Physical Education (ISMAI).
Master in Sports for children and youth (FADE-UP).
PhD in Sports Sciences (FADE-UP).
RESEARCH INTERESTS
The current research interests are: (i) motor control, (ii) youth sports performance, (iii) cognitive performance in sports. She is a coordinator of the Fit4Alz Project granted by the UE 2022.
Psychological outcomes across the natural menstrual cycle in active women and athletes: A systematic review Tiago D. Ribeiro, Miguel Peralta, Beatriz Iglésias, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Ana Filipa Silva, Adilson Marques Performance Enhancement and Health, 2026 Psychological responses to training and competition can vary across the menstrual cycle, yet phase-specific patterns in active and trained women remain poorly characterised. To synthesise current evidence on psychological outcomes across the phases of the natural menstrual cycle in active women and athletes. This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines. Studies were eligible if they assessed psychological outcomes across at least two menstrual cycle phases in women with natural menstrual cycles (≥18 years) who were engaged in structured training or physically active (≥150 min of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week) for at least 3 months. Five studies were identified through database searches (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus) and screened independently by two reviewers. Outcomes were analysed narratively due to the heterogeneity of results. The methodological quality of the included studies was independently assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Across studies, the menstrual and luteal phases were associated with reductions in positive mood and motivation, increased somatic complaints, and elevated emotional tension. Cognitive-affective outcomes such as attention and perceived performance were also impaired, particularly in the late luteal phase. In contrast, the follicular phase showed more favourable psychological functioning. The ovulatory phase was often not verified in the studies. Perceived interference and negative menstrual attitudes moderated several outcomes independent of physiological measures. Psychological states may vary across the menstrual cycle, with evidence suggesting greater vulnerability during the luteal and menstrual phases. These findings support the relevance of cycle-informed monitoring and the potential value of individualised support strategies in sport contexts.
Physical Fitness and External Training Load Represent Distinct Dimensions of Performance in Female Football Players During the Pre-Season Artur Avelino Birk Preissler, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Ewerton Luiz Bourscheid da Rocha, Rui Miguel Silva, Ana Filipa Silva, Jocelito Bijoldo Martins, Pedro Schons Sports, 2026 Monitoring performance in football often combines physical testing and GPS-derived external-load measures, although their relationships remain unclear. This study examined the relationships between physical-test outcomes and GPS-derived external-load variables during the pre-season in professional female football players and whether these measures appear to capture distinct dimensions of performance. This observational study monitored 24 outfield players from a Brazilian Women’s First Division team during a 6-week pre-season. Players performed the countermovement jump, 10 m and 30 m sprints, change-of-direction test, and 30–15 intermittent fitness test while external load was recorded across field sessions. Associations were examined using Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlations, and principal component analysis (PCA) was applied. Significant correlations were more frequent within than between domains. Total distance correlated with accelerations (ρ = 0.740, p < 0.001), decelerations (ρ = 0.684, p < 0.001), Z3 distance (ρ = 0.595, p = 0.003), and Z4 distance (ρ = 0.584, p = 0.003), while sprint count correlated with sprint distance (r = 0.950, p < 0.001). Estimated VO2max correlated positively with CMJ (r = 0.533, p = 0.007) and negatively with 10 m (r = −0.445, p = 0.029) and 30 m sprint times (r = −0.476, p = 0.019). PCA identified two components explaining 61.4% of the total variance: external load (40.6%) and physical performance (20.8%). These findings indicate that both approaches capture distinct and complementary aspects of performance.
Comparison of Anthropometric and Physical Performance Profiles in Elite Judo and Jiu-Jitsu Athletes Artur Avelino Birk Preissler, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Marcela Zimmermann Casal, Rui Miguel Silva, Ana Filipa Silva, João Vitor Silveira, Pedro Schons Sports, 2026 Combat-sport performance depends on the interaction between technical skills and physical capacities, yet direct comparisons between grappling disciplines remain limited. The aim of this study was to compare the anthropometric profile and physical performance of elite judo and jiu-jitsu athletes. This cross-sectional study included 25 elite male athletes (judo—n = 12; jiu-jitsu—n = 13) assessed during a preparatory training phase. Anthropometric measures included age, training experience, height, and body mass, while physical performance was evaluated using dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), medicine ball throw with and without countermovement, and dynamic and isometric judogi-grip pull-up tests. Between-group comparisons were performed using independent sample tests, with effect sizes (ES) calculated. Judo athletes had greater training experience (13.25 ± 2.73 vs. 7.85 ± 4.36 years; p = 0.001; ES = 1.472) and higher SJ performance (38.71 ± 6.69 vs. 33.82 ± 4.74 cm; p = 0.045; ES = 0.850) compared to jiu-jitsu athletes. No significant between-group differences were observed for the remaining variables (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that no statistically significant differences were detected in most anthropometric and physical performance variables between elite judo and jiu-jitsu athletes, and the initially higher squat jump performance observed in judo athletes was no longer statistically significant after adjustment for training experience.
The effects of active breaks on sustained attention among sports college students Ana Filipa Silva, Rui Miguel Silva, Francisco Tomás González-Fernández Health Education Journal, 2026 Objective: This study aimed to analyse the acute effects of active breaks (AB) on vigilance among sports college students in Portugal. Methods: Thirty-two students following a sports degree programme (24 males and 8 females, aged 20.7 ± 2.5 years) voluntarily participated in this crossover randomised study. All participants completed a psychomotor vigilance task (PVT), a reaction time task widely used to assess sustained attention and alertness, during a regular class session. Afterwards, they attended a 60-minute lecture before repeating the PVT. A 10-minute break ensued: half the participants remained seated passively (control condition), while the other half performed moderate-intensity individual calisthenic exercises (AB condition). A three-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to examine the effects of condition (control vs AB), time-on-task (minutes 1–5) and assessment moment (baseline, pre, post). Results: No significant main effects of condition were found; however, a significant three-way interaction between condition, time and assessment moment ( p = .025) was evident. Post hoc comparisons revealed a significant increase in reaction time from minute 3 to minute 5 during the post-intervention PVT in the AB condition, suggesting potential fatigue or reduced vigilance over time. Conclusion: These findings indicate that ABs may transiently affect vigilance, but their effects may not persist during prolonged tasks. Further research is warranted to determine the optimal parameters for implementing ABs in an academic context, particularly among physically active populations.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a non-invasive tool for assessing brain and muscle adaptation to exercise training in older age: a scoping review into existing research Oron Levin, Ivica Just, Radka Klepochova, Shannon Helsper, Wouter Vints, Ana Filipa Silva, Antoine Langeard, Salit Bar Shalom, Christina Karatzaferi, Maryam Ziaei, Michel Audiffren, Claudia Voelcker-Rehage, Yael Netz, Nerijus Masiulis, Uwe Himmelreich, Martin Krššák Experimental Gerontology, 2026 BACKGROUND: Exercise training has attracted increasing attention as a non-pharmacological intervention approach to counteract age-related deterioration of brain and muscle function, yet objective biomarkers are needed to understand mechanisms and optimize interventions. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides non-invasive, in vivo assessment of metabolic profiles altered by aging and exercise. However, MRS-based exercise research in older populations remains limited. This scoping review aims to identify brain and muscle metabolites detectable by MRS that can serve as markers of exercise training effects in aging. METHODS: We conducted a literature search from inception to October 2024 in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus. Inclusion criteria comprised randomized control trials (RCT) and observational studies including older adults (≥60 years) who underwent exercise training interventions which were preceded/followed by brain/muscle MRS scanning. RESULTS: P muscle MRS demonstrated an increase in phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery rate from pre-to-post exercise suggesting an improvement of mitochondrial function following exercise when applying exercise interventions with an emphasis on improving cardiometabolic functions. CONCLUSIONS: Despite limited guidance on methods and biomarkers, this scoping review supports MRS as a promising tool for monitoring exercise-induced metabolic changes in muscle and brain of older adults. However, standardized methodologies and larger number of studies are required to determine which metabolites reliably reflect exercise benefits in aging brain and muscle.
Decoding Positional Variability in U18 Semi-Professional Soccer Players: A Principal Component Analysis Utilizing Inertial Measurement Units to Identify Key Determinants José Carlos Barbero-Álvarez, José Antonio Sánchez Fuentes, Luis Manuel Martínez-Aranda, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Ana Filipa Silva Applied Sciences Switzerland, 2026 This study investigates the performance characteristics of U18 semi-professional soccer players by examining both technical load (TL) and physical load (PL) variables across various playing positions during the 2021/2022 Spanish Football U18 National League Championship. Methods: Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to simplify the dataset, which comprised 246 match records from 49 athletes (mean age 17.9 ± 0.7 years; height ~177.6 ± 6.3 cm; body mass ~72.0 ± 7.2 kg) across ten matches. This analytical approach aimed to facilitate a deeper understanding of player performance dynamics. Results: Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) values varied across positions (technical load: 0.20–0.93; physical load: 0.27–0.91). This indicates acceptable sampling adequacy for several positional models, but low adequacy for others; therefore, results for positions with low-KMO values should be interpreted cautiously. Factor analysis for both technical and physical load variables identified two components each, explaining substantial total variance (technical load: 63.75–86.65%; and physical load: 71.74–88.92% across position), with significantly high factor correlations (p < 0.001). The findings further indicate that players occupying defensive positions, such as goalkeepers and center-backs, generally exhibit lower levels of physical intensity and technical engagement compared to their counterparts in more dynamic roles, including full-backs, wingers, and forwards. The latter groups demonstrate higher involvement in high-intensity running and offensive actions. Conclusions: The observed performance patterns highlight the necessity for tailored training programs that align with the specific demands of each playing position. This approach is expected to optimize individual player performance and enhance overall tactical efficiency. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of developing individualized conditioning strategies that address the unique physical and technical requirements inherent to each role on the field. This analytical approach using PCA provides a more structured and data-driven understanding of these positional differences, reinforming the need for tailored training programs and individualized conditioning strategies.
Repeated sprint training induces prolonged residual fatigue compared to other high-intensity interval training modalities in middle-distance runners Kai Yang, Yang Xia, Ana Filipa Silva Biology of Sport, 2026 This study aimed to monitor the kinetics of neuromuscular fatigue and inflammation indices in middle-distance runners following exposure to three different high-intensity interval training (HIIT) modalities: short-interval HIIT, long-interval HIIT, and repeated sprint training (RST). A crossover repeated-measures design was used involving 33 male middle-distance runners (19.6 ± 2.3 years) who completed short-interval HIIT, long-interval HIIT, and RST. Neuromuscular performance was assessed using the countermovement jump (CMJ) and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), while inflammatory (salivary IL-6) and perceptual markers (delayed onset muscle soreness, DOMS and perceived recovery scale, PRS) were measured at rest, immediately post-exercise, and at 24 and 48 hours post-exercise to evaluate changes over time. All variables showed significant main effects of time and modality, as well as interactions (p < 0.001). Immediately post-exercise, RST consistently induced the greatest acute fatigue, evidenced by larger declines in CMJ (9.6%) and IMTP (6.7%), an increase in IL-6, and a 56.8% drop in PRS. At 24 hours post-exercise, RST still showed significantly reduced performance (CMJ and IMTP) and elevated inflammation (IL-6) compared to short and long-HIIT. DOMS peaked at 24 hours in the RST group, which also reported lower perceived recovery. By 48 hours, performance and inflammatory markers largely returned to baseline across all groups. However, RST continued to show higher DOMS and lower PRS than both short and long-HIIT (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that RST induces a more pronounced and prolonged recovery period compared to both short- and long-interval HIIT. Coaches should consider that recovery following RST sessions may require up to at least 48 hours, which is longer than for short- or long-interval HIIT.
Menarche, somatic maturity, and physical fitness in Portuguese girls: an intergenerational analysis based on the Mirwald equation Ana Filipa Silva, Samuel Honório, Mario Espada, Francisco González-Fernández Human Movement, 2026 Purpose This study aimed to assess age at menarche in Portuguese girls and compare it with their mothers, examine its association with somatic maturity estimated by the Mirwald equation, and characterise physical fitness in pre- and post-pubertal girls. Material and methods 71 Portuguese girls (10–13 years, post-menarche) completed a questionnaire on menarcheal age (self and mothers), anthropometric assessments (height, sitting height, body mass, waist circumference), and physical fitness tests (handgrip, isometric mid-thigh pull, 3-min Kasch Pulse Recovery Test). Somatic maturity was estimated with the Mirwald equation. Analyses included paired and independent t-tests, effect sizes, correlations, and agreement (Bland–Altman, Lin’s CCC). Results Pre-PHV girls had negative maturity offset values (–0.58 ± 0.62 years), while post-PHV girls were beyond PHV (1.28 ± 0.91 years). Mean age at menarche was 10.87 ± 0.93 years, significantly earlier than their mothers (12.00 ± 1.44 years; mean difference = –1.09, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Post-PHV girls showed higher absolute strength (handgrip right: 18.86 ± 3.68 vs. 12.74 ± 3.10 kg, <i>d</i> = 1.72; IMTP: 63.46 ± 12.54 vs. 45.58 ± 11.93 kg, <i>d</i> = 1.44), while relative strength differences were smaller (handgrip: 0.35 ± 0.08 vs. 0.30 ± 0.09 kg/kg, <i>d</i> = 0.67). Endurance did not differ. The Mirwald equation underestimated years since menarche by 0.94 ± 1.10, with weak agreement (Lin’s CCC = 0.37). Conclusions Biological maturation strongly influenced absolute strength, largely explained by body size. Relative strength and maturity offset-based estimates of years since menarche showed weaker validity, highlighting the need for refined prediction models.
Improving Motor Competence of Children: The “Super Quinas” Intervention Program in Portuguese Primary Schools Luis P. Rodrigues, Rita Cordovil, Júlio A. Costa, André Seabra, José Guilherme, Susana Vale, Carlos Luz, Fábio Flôres, Maria João Lagoa, Gabriela Almeida, Vítor P. Lopes, Cristiana Mercê, Pedro Tiago Esteves, Sara Santos, Vanda Correia, João Serrano, Rui Mendes, Rui Matos, Vânia Loureiro, Carlos Neto, _ _ Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2025
Relative age effects on speed trials in Brazilian athletics Rui Barboza-Neto, Hadi Nobari, Felipe J. Aidar, Paulo Francisco Almeida-Neto, Ana Filipa Silva, Radamés Maciel Vítor Medeiros, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Victor Sabino de Queiros, Dihogo Gama de Matos, Luiz Felipe da Silva, Georgian Badicu, Paulo Moreira Silva Dantas, Breno Guilherme de Araújo Tinôco Cabral BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2023
Within-week differences in external training load demands in elite volleyball players Zeki Akyildiz, Henrique de Oliveira Castro, Erhan Çene, Lorenzo Laporta, Coskun Parim, Emre Altundag, Cengiz Akarçeşme, Giovanni Guidetti, Giovanni Miale, Ana Filipa Silva, Hadi Nobari, Filipe Manuel Clemente BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2022
Evaluation of Ibuprofen Use on the Immune System Indicators and Force in Disabled Paralympic Powerlifters of Different Sport Levels Felipe J. Aidar, Guacira S. Fraga, Márcio Getirana-Mota, Anderson Carlos Marçal, Jymmys L. Santos, Raphael Fabricio de Souza, Lucio Marques Vieira-Souza, Alexandre Reis Pires Ferreira, Dihogo Gama de Matos, Paulo Francisco de Almeida-Neto, Nuno Domingos Garrido, Alfonso López Díaz-de-Durana, Beat Knechtle, Breno Guilherme de Araújo Tinoco Cabral, Eugenia Murawska-Ciałowicz, Hadi Nobari, Ana Filipa Silva, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Georgian Badicu Healthcare Switzerland, 2022
Are sEMG, Velocity and Power Influenced by Athletes’ Fixation in Paralympic Powerlifting? Ialuska Guerra, Felipe J. Aidar, Gianpiero Greco, Paulo Francisco de Almeida-Neto, Michele De Candia, Breno Guilherme de Araújo Tinoco Cabral, Luca Poli, Mauro Mazini Filho, Roberto Carvutto, Ana Filipa Silva, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Georgian Badicu, Stefania Cataldi, Francesco Fischetti International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022
The Curcumin Supplementation with Piperine Can Influence the Acute Elevation of Exercise-Induced Cytokines: Double-Blind Crossover Study Stéfani Miranda-Castro, Felipe J. Aidar, Samara Silva de Moura, Lucas Marcucci-Barbosa, Lázaro Fernandes Lobo, Francisco de Assis Dias Martins-Júnior, Roberta da Silva Filha, Pedro Alves Soares Vaz de Castro, Ana Cristina Simões e Silva, Danielle da Glória de Souza, Siomara Aparecida da Silva, Kelerson Mauro de Castro Pinto, Guilherme de Paula Costa, Ana Filipa Silva, Filipe Manuel Clemente, William Valadares Campos Pereira, Albená Nunes-Silva Biology, 2022
Editorial: Training Methodology: A Multidimensional Approach for Team Sports Ana Filipa Silva, José Afonso, Hugo Sarmento, Daniel Castillo, Gibson Moreira Praça, Javier Raya-González, Luca Paolo Ardigò, Rodrigo Aquino, Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo, Beat Knechtle, Filipe Manuel Clemente Frontiers in Psychology, 2022
Editorial: Children's Exercise Physiology, Volume II Ana Filipa Silva, Luca Paolo Ardigò, Luis Paulo Rodrigues, Hermundur Sigmundsson, Matthieu E. M. Lenoir, Wook Song, Filipe Manuel Clemente Frontiers in Physiology, 2022
Ultramarathon Evaluation above 180km in relation to Peak Age and Performance Raphael Fabricio de Souza, Mirella Martineli Sousa Santos, Mabliny Thuany, Devisson dos Santos Silva, Micael Deivison de Jesus Alves, Davi Pereira Monte Oliveira, Beat Knechtle, Ana Filipa Silva, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Hadi Nobari, Felipe J. Aidar, Georgian Badicu, Stefania Cataldi, Gianpiero Greco Biomed Research International, 2022
Associations between physical status and training load in women soccer players Lillian Gonçalves, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Joel Ignacio Barrera, Hugo Sarmento, Gibson Moreira Praça, André Gustavo Pereira de Andrade, António José Figueiredo, Rui Silva, Ana Filipa Silva, José María Cancela Carral International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
Editorial: Decision-Making in Youth Sport Ana Filipa Silva, José Afonso, Hugo Sarmento, Sixto González-Víllora, Juan Carlos Pastor Vicedo, Israel Teoldo da Costa, Hermundur Sigmundsson, Luca Paolo Ardigò, Filipe Manuel Clemente Frontiers in Psychology, 2021
The Effects of Agility Ladders on Performance: A Systematic Review José Afonso, Israel Teoldo da Costa, Miguel Camões, Ana Silva, Ricardo Franco Lima, André Milheiro, Alexandre Martins, Lorenzo Laporta, Fábio Yuzo Nakamura, Filipe Manuel Clemente International Journal of Sports Medicine, 2020
Physical Fitness and Somatic Characteristics of the Only Child Luis P. Rodrigues, Ricardo Franco Lima, Ana Filipa Silva, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Miguel Camões, Pantelis Theodoros Nikolaidis, Thomas Rosemann, Beat Knechtle Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2020
