Social Work in the Portuguese empire Health Services

Muitos historiadores, particularmente estrangeiros, que v��em Portugal ���de fora���, t��m-se mostrado cr��ticos do mau desempenho do imp��rio colonial portugu��s.Aintoler��ncia religiosa, uso excessivo de for��a para conseguir o monop��lio de especiarias, s��o alguns aspectos que mereceram cr��ticas mais duras [Devo admitir que fui eu um destes cr��ticos!] mas quase sempre bem fundamentadas e dif��ceis de rejeitar. Mas �� preciso admitir que a hist��ria colonial portuguesa �� tamb��m feita de elementos positivos e menos violentos. Os portugueses devem ser considerados pioneiros de assist��ncia social atrav��s das suas pol��ticas inovadoras que providenciaram cuidados para os doentes e desgra��ados, embora estas pol��ticas n��o abrangessem os sujeitos n��o-Crist��os do imp��rio.

Reported Use of Anabolic Steroids and Ergogenic Substances in Gym/Health Club Settings: Associations with Psychosocial and Exercise Behavior Factors

The industry of ergogenic supplements is increasing rapidly (Cole et al., 2003). Supplements may constitute an important aid for some vigourous exercise routines, but they may also be used as a hypothetical mean to achieve increases in muscular mass. This supposed effect of suplements can lead to its use by individuals who have high levels of drive for muscularity, a condition that is known to be associated with muscular dismorphy (or as it has been called recently vigorexia, Pope et al., 1997). Another psychological factor which can influence supplement consumption is exercise dependence, a borderline problem, as most studies present a prevalence of less than 10% in regular exercisers (Palmeira & Matos, 2006). Symptoms like tolerance or continuity could lead to the use of ergogenic aids to maintain the exercise levels. Also of interest for the understanding of the use of suplements are exercise frequency, volume and intensity, which could explain the ratesof consumption on a more physicological level.