Abstract
The human possibility of becoming old - the so called Nestor Effect -, as an evolutionary adaptation, is beneficial only if there is some preservation of a certain cognitive character. Differing neuropathological conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases, due to an abnormal aggregation of certain proteins, may induce chronic inflammatory processes. As so, physical activity increases aerobic fitness and the brain's blood flow capacity, contributing to the decrease of the central nervous system's chronic inflammation, promoting neuroplasticity, and neural circuitry's reorganisation.

Abstract

Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between achievement goals, anxiety, selfconfidence and subjective well-being (positive and negative affect, and satisfaction with life) through path analysis. The sample consisted of 169 Brazilian athletes (140 males and 29 females), aged between 17 and 59 years, of different sports and competitive levels. The questionnaires TEOSQ, CSAI-2, EBES and SWLS were applied the day before the competition, on-site training of athletes. Main results partially demonstrated that anxiety and self-confidence mediated the relationship between motivational orientations and subjective well-being. Based on modification indices of the structural model, regression coefficients were specified between ego orientation and negative affect, and between task orientation and the positive dimensions of well-being (positive affect and satisfaction). Results were discussed taking into account the theoretical and practical implications of these relationships. © FTCD/FIP-MOC.

Abstract

Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine the reliability, factorial validity evidence, invariance (by gender, type of sport and competitive level) and evidence of convergent validity of the CSAI-2. The total sample consisted of 375 athletes (284 males and 91 females). For evidence of convergent validity, the sample consisted of 163 athletes (115 males and 48 females). The athletes responded to the instruments (CSAI-2 and reduced version of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory - STAI) an hour before starting competitions. The results showed reliability (alpha > .70) and good indices of fit (CFI = .959, GFI = .942 and RMSEA = .044) for the reduced model of 17 items (CSAI-2R). The invariance and the evidence of convergent validity were supported. The Brazilian reduced version of CSAI-2 showed good psychometric properties, supporting its use in Brazilian athletes.

Abstract
The use of Virtual Reality (VR) technology to train professionals has increased over the years due to its advantages over traditional training. This paper presents a study comparing the effectiveness of a Virtual Environment (VE) and a Real Environment (RE) designed to train firefighters. To measure the effectiveness of the environments, a new method based on participants' Heart Rate Variability (HRV) was used. This method was complemented with self-reports, in the form of questionnaires, of fatigue, stress, sense of presence, and cybersickness. An additional questionnaire was used to measure and compare knowledge transfer enabled by the environments. The results from HRV analysis indicated that participants were under physiological stress in both environments, albeit with less intensity on the VE. Regarding reported fatigue and stress, the results showed that none of the environments increased such variables. The results of knowledge transfer showed that the VE obtained a significant increase while the RE obtained a positive but non-significant increase (median values, VE: before - 4 after - 7, p = .003; RE: before - 4 after - 5, p = .375). Lastly, the results of presence and cybersickness suggested that participants experienced high overall presence and no cybersickness. Considering all results, the authors conclude that the VE provided effective training but that its effectiveness was lower than that of the RE.