The Porto Biomechanics Laboratory (Laboratório de Biomecânica do Porto, LABIOMEPof the University of Porto) has the goal of supporting the development of innovation projects and scientific and technological development of the high capacity of social interaction, as well as the implementation of research projects leading to the development of master and doctoral dissertations. It is aimed to develop projects that involve industrial research leading to the production of new devices, processes or systems, as well as to the significant improvement of the ones already existent. These projects can be developed in partnership with national companies, public or private, or with companies based outside Portugal. LABIOMEP will seek to boost the publications in indexed and reference scientific journals, as well as the registration of patents while ensuring the provision of differentiated services to companies, public or private, such as guidance, execution, applied research and development in Biomechanics. Its mission also comprises dissemination of scientific activity in national and international congresses, organized by LABIOMEP or other, as well as the organization of thematic congresses and seminars in partnership with companies, research centres and clusters with a local and regional target public in coordination with other Universities, associated laboratories and other entities of SCTN (Portuguese Scientific and Technological System).
Susanna Soeres is an Assistant Professor of the swimming department at the University of Porto. She teaches practical swimming, non-competitive aquatic activities and swimming didactics.
Ricardo Fernandes is Associate Professor of Sports Training and Pedagogy at the Faculty of Sport of the University of Porto (FADEUP), Portugal. He is member of the Direction Board of the Porto Biomechanics Laboratory of the University of Porto, and head of the Swimming Department and member of the Research Unit Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport. His research focused on the swimmer’s behaviour in the field of biomechanics, physiology and motor control.
João Paulo Vilas-Boas is Full Professor of Biomechanics at the University of Porto, Faculty of Sport, Portugal, since 2004. He is president of the International Council Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming (ICBMS) and head of the Biomechanics Laboratory of the University of Porto (LABIOMEP-UP). Author of more than 500 scientific and technical papers internationally published under peer review process, he is also connected to the Portuguese swimming federation in which he was elected several times best coach of the year.
Nuno Garrido holds a doctorate in sports science, and worked closely with sport during his entire career, first as a Physical Education Teacher, then as a swimming coach (level 3) and, more recently, as an Assistant professor at University of Trás-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal. Within the scope of his intense professional activity, Nuno guided various internships for future PE teachers and swimming coaches. In addition to being a researcher of high international scientific merit, we emphasize his experience as an Erasmus program coordinator. Nuno is the Director of journal Motricidade, a Scopus indexed journal. At this moment, Nuno is also part of the board of directors of the Portuguese Swimming Coaches Association.
Mário is a Professor at the Faculty of Sport from the University of Porto, member of the Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D) and from the Porto Biomechanics Laboratory. His research focus includes identifying the most determinant factors and quantifying mechanisms underlying aquatic sports. There is also the intention to study and clarify the most appropriate strategies for elementary swimming teaching and to potentiate the benefits of aquatic fitness and/or aquatic rehabilitation classes. With 10 years of experience in swimming coaching, he is now Vice-president of the Portuguese Swimming Coaches Association.
Catarina C. Santos (Ph.D.) is a postdoctoral fellowship at the ALFAC project and a researcher at the Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D, FADE-UP, Portugal) and at the Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD, Portugal). Her research interests encompass the biomechanical determinant factors of aquatic activities, mainly focusing on competitive swimming. She has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and four book chapters.
The Portuguese Swimming Coaches Association is an association that hasexisted for almost 4 decades (founded on 23 November 1977). Its main mission is to develop Portuguese swimming through the promotion and dissemination of technical and scientific knowledge related to it, while representing the interests of its members before other sports organisations.
Aldo Costa holds a Ph.D. in Sports Sciences. His career started as a swimming teacher and then an age group swimming coach for almost 10 years. At the time of Ph.D., he started teaching in the University of Beira Interior, where he is, at this moment, full professor. Aldo is a remarkable researcher as well as an efficient human resource manager. Along with this feature he was the promoter of several Ph.D. and master’s degree candidates. He is the president of the Portuguese Swimming Coaches Association for the second mandate. Aside from his academic tasks he still has the time to engage in projects aiming to call upon the importance of swimming, swimming education and all stakeholders, namely the swimming teachers and coaches.
