José Vasconcelos Raposo

Abstract
High-performance sport has evolved into an arena where psychological excellence is as decisive as physical prowess. The ability to effectively regulate emotions, particularly pre-competitive anxiety/negativity (PCA), consistently distinguishes elite performance. This article presents a critical and in-depth analysis of the contemporary literature on emotional management in sport. Beginning with a deconstruction of the athlete’s complex emotional landscape, it delves into the neurocognitive mechanisms and multifactorial antecedents of these states, identifying them as a central obstacle to optimal performance. The core of the work focuses on evaluating a spectrum of evidence-based psychological interventions, ranging from physiological regulation strategies and pre-competitive routines to third-wave approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness training. The analysis reveals a paradigm shift from models aimed at eliminating anxiety/negativity to approaches that promote psychological flexibility and acceptance. It is concluded that the most effective intervention resides in an integrated, periodized, and personalized model—a “toolbox” of psychological skills—adapted to the athlete’s individual needs and the phases of their training cycle. This work argues that the future of sport psychology lies in promoting the athlete’s holistic well-being as the fundamental pillar for sustainable, high-level performance.

Abstract
This systematic review synthesizes contemporary research on the psychological profile of elite athletes, with a focus on self-confidence, anxiety/negativity, attentional control, motivation, imagery, positivity, and competitive attitude. Drawing on 48 empirical studies across diverse sports and global contexts, the review evaluates the dynamic relationships among these constructs, benchmarks psychological training interventions, and critically examines the unique roles of positivity and competitive attitude in elite performance. Findings show that self-confidence inversely correlates with anxiety/negativity, while attentional control and motivation are pivotal for sustaining resilience and competitive drive. Psychological skills training, encompassing imagery, relaxation, and cognitive restructuring, effectively enhance self-confidence and reduce anxiety/negativity, although intervention heterogeneity limits definitive conclusions. Persistent challenges include a lack of standardized measurement tools, a predominance of cross-sectional studies, and insufficient longitudinal and culturally adapted research. The review underscores the need for rigorous, longitudinal investigations and tailored interventions to advance theoretical models and optimize psychological preparation in elite sport.

Abstract
The advantages of Virtual Reality (VR) over traditional training, together with the development of VR technology, have contributed to an increase in the body of literature on training professionals with VR. However, there is a gap in the literature concerning the comparison of training in a Virtual Environment (VE) with the same training in a Real Environment (RE), which would contribute to a better understanding of the capabilities of VR in training. This paper presents a study with firefighters (N = 12) where the effect of a firefighter training exercise in a VE was evaluated and compared to that of the same exercise in a RE. The effect of environments was evaluated using psychophysiological measures by evaluating the perception of stress and fatigue, transfer of knowledge, sense of presence, cybersickness, and the actual stress measured through participants' Heart Rate Variability (HRV). The results showed a similar perception of stress and fatigue between the two environments; a positive, although not significant, effect of the VE on the transfer of knowledge; the display of moderately high presence values in the VE; the ability of the VE not to cause symptoms of cybersickness; and finally, obtaining signs of stress in participants' HRV in the RE and, to a lesser extent, signs of stress in the VE. Although the effect of the VE was shown to be non-comparable to that of the RE, the authors consider the results encouraging and discuss some key factors that should be addressed in the future to improve the results of the training VE.

Abstract
How we perceive and experience the world around us is inherently multisensory. Most of the Virtual Reality (VR) literature is based on the senses of sight and hearing. However, there is a lot of potential for integrating additional stimuli into Virtual Environments (VEs), especially in a training context. Identifying the relevant stimuli for obtaining a virtual experience that is perceptually equivalent to a real experience will lead users to behave the same across environments, which adds substantial value for several training areas, such as firefighters. In this article, we present an experiment aiming to assess the impact of different sensory stimuli on stress, fatigue, cybersickness, Presence and knowledge transfer of users during a firefighter training VE. The results suggested that the stimulus that significantly impacted the user's response was wearing a firefighter's uniform and combining all sensory stimuli under study: heat, weight, uniform, and mask. The results also showed that the VE did not induce cybersickness and that it was successful in the task of transferring knowledge.

Abstract
This study evaluated the impact of a cognitive stimulation program on older adults diagnosed with dementia. The sample comprised 22 participants aged 73-95, randomly assigned to an experimental group (N = 12) and a control group (N = 10). While no statistically significant decreases were observed in the studied dimensions, clinically relevant gains were noted: 41.70% in cognition, 41.60% in quality of life, and 8.3% in functional skills. Although no therapeutic interventions have successfully reversed dementia, healthcare providers reported improvements in participants’ social interactions, behaviors, and engagement in daily institutional routines. These observations suggest tangible benefits from program participation. It’s important to note that staff working closely with these patients daily observed these improvements despite the lack of statistically significant results. This discrepancy highlights the potential limitations of relying solely on quantitative measures to assess such interventions’ effectiveness. In conclusion, the cognitive stimulation program shows promise as a potential tool for slowing dementia-associated degenerative processes, particularly in areas that standard quantitative assessments may not fully capture. Further research with larger sample sizes and more sensitive measures may be warranted to fully understand the program’s impact.