Alexsander has completed his PhD in Health-related Physical Activity at the Federal University of Santa Catarina – Brazil (2015), which was partly studied at University College London, where he was involved in the project “Promoting Independence in Dementia”. In his thesis, he investigated the Effects of Exergames and Aerobic Exercise on the Motor and Cognitive Performance of older adults.

Alexsander began his academic studies at State University of Ponta Grossa (Brazil), where he obtained a BSc (Hons) in Physical Education (2003), followed by a Specialisation in Exercise Physiology (2005). He successfully completed a Master’s degree in Kinanthropometry and Human Performance at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (2011), studying the Motor performance and habitual physical activity in individuals with and without Parkinson’s disease.

He has over 15 years’ experience working with physical assessment and exercise prescription programmes. He has been responsible for coordinating and planning exercise programmes for people with and without any chronic non-communicable diseases, as well as measuring different domains of physical function to prescribe an appropriate evidence-based physical activity programme and give the best care possible.

Alexsander is passionate about Physical Activity, Health and Ageing, as well as effects of Physical Inactivity on Health of middle age adults and older adults. Especially because it is known that the decreased levels of physical activity are associated with physiological changes that can result in decreased motor performance and daily life activities. These changes also are related to the increased vulnerability of cardiovascular conditions, skeletal muscle disorders, metabolic disorders, cognitive deficits and depression.

His life’s work is to help people live healthier as long as possible with the best quality of life. He has a special interest in the prevention of risk factors related to physical and mental health, with focus on effects of exercise, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep patterns on health, cognitive and physical performance; cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory function; and HEALTHY AGEING.

Alexsander is a member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). He also continues as a collaborator researcher at Research Group on Physical Activity and Health at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil).

Key Publications

Alexsander has published the following academic papers in recent years:

• Active videogame-based physical activity vs. aerobic exercise and cognitive performance in older adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 18(1): 203-09; 2018.
• Exergame vs. Aerobic Exercise and Functional Fitness of Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 17: 740-47; 2017.
• Exergaming-based exercise program for people aged 50 years or older. Brazilian Journal of Physical Activity and Health; 21; 280-84; 2016.
• Perception of the elderly regarding participation in exergaming-based exercise: a qualitative study. Ciência & Saúde Coletiva; 21; 1033-41; 2016.
• Anthropometric indicators and their adequacy in older adults from two towns in distinct Brazilian regions. Medical Express; 2:1-10; 2015.
• Exercise and cognitive performance in older adults: a systematic review. Medicina (Ribeirão Preto);47(4):377-86; 2014.
• Motor performance and habitual physical activity in individuals with Parkinson’s disease In Revista Andaluza de Medicina del Deporte, 6: 96-100; 2013.
• Longitudinal study of strength in women who practice physical activity over 70 years old. Estudos Interdisciplinares sobre o Envelhecimento; 18(1): 77-88, 2013.
• Age and gender differences regarding physical performance in the elderly from Barbados and Cuba. Revista de Salud Pública; (13):54-66, 2011.

Book Chapters

• Parkinson’s Disease and Physical Exercise. In Advances in Medicine and Biology. New York: Nova Science Publishers; 36:67-80, 2012.

Key Congress and Published Abstracts

Alexsander has attended over 35 international congresses.

The last one was the “7th International Society for Physical Activity and Health Congress”, which was held in October of 2018 in London.

• Heart rate variability in older adults undergoing exergames and aerobic exercise training: A randomised controlled trial. 7th International Society for Physical Activity and Health Congress. London,  p. 214. 2018.
• The INTERDEM Academy Summer School. “Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Dementia” – Early Detection and Timely Intervention in Dementia. Nottingham, July 2016.
• Effects of Exergames Vs. Traditional Exercise on Lower and Upper Body Strength in Older Adults. Boston. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 48, p. S24. 2016.
• Effects of exergames on cognitive performance and functional fitness in older adults: pilot study. Washington. Annual Scientific Abstract Book, 63; p S176. 2015.
• Functional limitation and associated factors: data from Brazilian elders. 18h Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. Barcelona, p. 123. 2013.