Sandra Celina Fernandes Fonseca

Scopus Publications

Cardiovascular Response to Exercise with and Without Alcohol Consumption: Evidence of an Interaction Between Distance Covered and Perceived Exertion
Thiago Ferreira de Sousa, Aline de Jesus Santos, José Carlos Aragão-Santos, Sandra Celina Fernandes Fonseca
Nutrients, 2026
Background: Acute alcohol consumption may interfere with the dynamics between internal and external load during exercise, potentially attenuating cardiovascular responses. Objective: This study investigated the association between distance covered during a running test and mean heart rate, while examining the moderating role of the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) under conditions with and without acute alcohol ingestion. Methods: This crossover experimental study included 12 physically active male university students (23.7 ± 3.7 years). Participants completed two intermittent running sessions (control and alcohol conditions), separated by ≥48 h. In the alcohol condition, participants consumed 0.4 g of ethanol/kg of body mass. Heart rate was continuously monitored using a Polar RCX5 monitor, and total distance covered and RPE (Borg 6–20 scale) were assessed immediately after test completion. Analyses included paired comparisons, Pearson correlations, and linear regression models with interaction terms. Results: No significant associations between variables were observed in the control condition. With alcohol consumption, distance covered was positively associated with mean heart rate, and RPE significantly moderated this relationship. Conclusions: Acute alcohol ingestion may modify the interaction between external load, perceived exertion, and cardiovascular response during running. These results highlight the importance of integrated monitoring of internal and external load, especially in contexts involving recent alcohol consumption.
Predictive Factors of Mental Health in Athletes from the Paralympic Preparation Program During Social Isolation: The Role of Sleep, Competitive Status, and Motivation
Eduarda Coelho, Carla Lourenço, Antonino Pereira, Maria Isabel Mourão-Carvalhal, Sandra Fonseca
Sports, 2026
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges for elite athletes, disrupting training routines and affecting mental health. This study examined the impact of social isolation on training, sleep, motivation, and psychological well-being among Portuguese Paralympic athletes. Methods: Forty-five athletes (31.36 ± 10.81 years) from the Paralympic Preparation Program participated, divided into the Paralympic Preparation Project (PPP; n = 21) and the Paralympic Hopes and Talents Project (PHTP; n = 24). Training routines before and during social isolation were compared. Sleep duration, training motivation, and mental health were assessed using the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5). The analysis employed paired and independent t-tests and a multiple linear regression (Enter method) to examine predictors of mental health. Results: Daily training duration declined by 34.3% (p < 0.001), though weekly frequency remained stable (p = 0.061). PPP athletes reported higher mental health scores than PHTP athletes (66.24 vs. 60.37; p = 0.048). The regression model explained 42.8% of the variance in mental health (R2 = 0.428). Sleep duration was positively associated with mental health and showed the highest standardized coefficient in the regression (β = 0.351; p = 0.008), followed by PPP status (β = 0.315; p = 0.024) and motivation (β = 0.278; p = 0.041). Conclusions: Maintaining biological routines, particularly sleep and motivation, supports mental health under social isolation. Higher well-being among PPP athletes underscores the need for targeted interventions for less experienced athletes. Sports organizations should prioritize sleep hygiene and psychological support to mitigate vulnerability during crises.
Benefits of a therapeutic garden on the health and well-being of patients with mental illness: A case study
Motricidade, 2025
Analysis of the dietary supplement consumption profile in Brazilian athletes subjected to doping control between 2015 and 2022
Motricidade, 2025
Brazilian footballers and the self-report of medicine intake: The show must go on
Motricidade, 2025
Physical activity practice and negative self-rated health among university students during COVID-19
Juliana de Souza Soares, Thiago Ferreira de Sousa, Maria Isabel Martins Mourão-Carvalhal, Sandra Celina Fernandes Fonseca
Mundo Da Saude, 2025
Physical activity practice and negative self-rated health among university students during COVID-19
Juliana de Souza Soares, Thiago Ferreira de Sousa, Maria Isabel Martins Mourão-Carvalhal, Sandra Celina Fernandes Fonseca
Mundo Da Saude, 2025
Factors associated with changes in physical activity practices among Brazilian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Motricidade, 2025
Negative self-rated health, physical activity and sitting time in Brazilian adolescents: moderating effects of sociodemographic and behavioural aspects
Motricidade, 2025
Impact of Physical Exercise on Quality of Life, Self-Esteem, and Depression in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study
Eduarda Maria Rocha Teles de Castro Coelho, Helena Isabel Azevedo Mendes, Carla Afonso Varajidás, Sandra Celina Fernandes Fonseca
Onco, 2024
Controlled study designs usually report that physical exercise improves the health of women living with breast cancer. However, many of these women are not sufficiently active to experience the benefits of exercise. The main objective was to analyze the effect of a physical exercise program on quality of life, self-esteem, and depression in breast cancer survivors. Thirteen participants (46.54 ± 6.31 years old) completed the exercise intervention. Three patient-reported questionnaires were used: Supplementary Questionnaire Breast Cancer Module (QLQ-BR23), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). All participants had significantly improved self-esteem (p = 0.004). Although there were no statistically significant changes in depression, there was a notable decrease in scores (6.39 ± 4.75 vs. 5.00 ± 4.75; p = 0.080). Regarding quality of life, significant improvements were observed in “future perspectives” (p = 0.047) and “arm symptoms” (p = 0.015). No significant changes were noted in the other variables. Our results suggest that physical exercise is an effective strategy that positively affects breast cancer survivors’ quality of life and self-esteem. The results reinforce the need for community-based exercise programs for breast cancer survivors. Healthcare professionals should promote physical exercise to improve health outcomes before, during, and after treatment.
Enhancing Elderly Nutrition: A Qualitative Evaluation of Menus in a Social Solidarity Institution in the North of Portugal
Sandra Celina Fernandes Fonseca, Suzanne Carvalho Barroso, Maria Cristina Teixeira Santos
Nutrients, 2024
Nutritional risk assessment in institutionalized elderly in a Private Social Solidarity Institution, in Vila Real, Portugal
Sandra FONSECA, Suzanne CARVALHO, Claudia AFONSO, María Cristina TEIXEIRA SANTOS
Nutricion Clinica Y Dietetica Hospitalaria, 2022
What are the characteristics that influence the sitting time in university students?
Thiago Ferreira de Sousa, Ferdinando Oliveira Carvalho, Emanuele dos Santos Silva, Fernanda Carneiro Mussi, Sandra Celina Fernandes Fonseca, et al.
Revista Brasileira De Cineantropometria E Desempenho Humano, 2022
Prevalence and risk factors associated with physical inactivity among university students from Ceará, Brazil
Sandra Fonseca, Michelle Ponte, Eduarda Coelho, João Da Fonseca, Isabel Mourão-Carvalhal
Nutricion Clinica Y Dietetica Hospitalaria, 2021
Mothers’ and fathers’ learning needs during pregnancy
Anabela Figueiredo, Sandra Fonseca, Alexandrina Cardoso
Revista De Enfermagem Referencia, 2021
Exercise with music: An innovative approach to increase cognition and reduce depression in institutionalized elderly
Revista De Psicologia Del Deporte, 2020
Oxidative stress function in women over 40 years of age, considering their lifestyle
Maria Paula Gonçalves Mota, Zirlene Santos, Jorge Soares, Ana Pereira, Sandra Fonseca, et al.
Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2017
Factors associated with body image dissatisfaction in Portuguese adolescents: Obesity, sports activity and TV watching
Eduarda Maria Rocha Teles de Castro Coelho, Sandra Celina Fernandes Fonseca, Graça Sofia Monteiro Pinto, Maria Isabel Martins Mourão-Carvalhal
Motricidade, 2016
How can age and lifestyle variables affect DNA damage, repair capacity and endogenous biomarkers of oxidative stress?
Jorge Pinto Soares, Amélia Maria Silva, Sandra Fonseca, Maria Manuel Oliveira, Francisco Peixoto, et al.
Experimental Gerontology, 2015
Hematological and biochemical markers after a Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament in world-class athletes
Felipe Brandão, Helder Miguel Fernandes, José Vilaça Alves, Sandra Fonseca, Victor Machado Reis
Revista Brasileira De Cineantropometria E Desempenho Humano, 2014
42 – Obesity related to free time activities in Portuguese children
M. Duncan, Luke James, Layla Griffiths, K. Anyfandakis, G. Dali, et al.
Public Health Nutrition, 2012
80 – Body dissatisfaction in Portuguese adolescents: Gender and obesity prevalence
Public Health Nutrition, 2012
ELSa interventional portuguese health program to promote physical activity
Maria Isabel Martins Mourão Carvalhal, Sandra Fonseca, Eduarda Maria Rocha Teles de Castro Coelho
International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 2011

Sandra Celina Fernandes Fonseca

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Scopus Publications