Pedro Forte ^1* José Eduardo Teixeira ² Daniel Leite Portella ³ Diogo Monteiro ⁴

• ¹ Higher Institute of Educational Sciences of the Douro, Penafiel, Portugal
• ² Instituto Politécnico da Guarda, Guarda, Guarda, Portugal
• ³ Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul, São Caetano do Sul, Sao Paulo, Brazil
• ⁴ ESECS - Polytechnique of Leiria, Leiria, Leiria, Portugal

"Towards a Psychophysiological Approach in Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sports-Volume III" explores the complex interactions between physical activity, exercise, and psychological factors in various populations and analytical contexts. Across studies, a recurring theme is the emphasis on how psychological factors, such as anxiety, self-confidence, and attention control, interact with physiological outcomes like heart rate variability (HRV) and perceived exertion. Key findings include the enhancement of performance through strategic psychological interventions (e.g., mindfulness, positive thinking) and the understanding that physical activity can alleviate mental health symptoms, especially in populations with chronic conditions such as long COVID. Also, the studies collectively underscore the importance of a holistic approach to optimizing performance in individual and team sports, where psychological well-being plays a crucial role in optimizing physical outcomes. The main conclusions drawn from these studies highlight the critical role of psychological factors in enhancing physical performance, particularly in sports and physical activity contexts. Interventions aimed at improving psychological resilience, such as mindfulness, positive thinking, and managing anxiety, have demonstrated effectiveness in boosting athletes' performance and overall well-being. In the context of physical activity, exercise, and sports prescription, these findings suggest that incorporating psychological training into exercise regimens can be highly beneficial, particularly for athletes facing high stress or chronic health conditions. Deeper understanding of the dynamic interaction between the mind and body will be possible through the incorporation of these technologies into research approaches. Research uses neuroimaging to map patterns of brain activity linked to motivation, focus, judgment, and maximizing performance. In the upcoming years, the researchers will investigate novel psychophysiological interventions aimed at enhancing performance and boosting health in a variety of populations, building on the body of current knowledge. All these assumptions have been and will continue to be focuses of interest to explore for a psychophysiological approach to physical activity, exercise and sports.