CATARINA SANTOS SILVA

CATARINA SANTOS SILVA is a researcher affiliated with CIDEFES (Research Group in Sports Behavior, Physical Education, and Exercise and Health Sciences) at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Lusofona University, Lisbon. Her work centers on the integration of physical activity promotion within clinical settings, particularly focusing on physician behaviors and referral systems to exercise professionals.

Her research interests include:

• Physical activity promotion in primary healthcare
• Predictors of clinical practice behavior among physicians
• Design and evaluation of behavioral interventions
• Systematic reviews and meta-analyses in public health

Her recent publications analyze the factors influencing doctors' engagement in physical activity counseling and propose structured interventions for improving referrals to exercise specialists. These studies employ cross-sectional and review methodologies, contributing to evidence-based public health strategies.

Notable scientific contributions:

• Co-authored a 2024 protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis on intervention components for doctor referrals to exercise professionals.
• Published a 2022 cross-sectional study in BMC Medical Education on predictors of physical activity promotion among medical doctors.

She actively collaborates with national and international researchers in public health and exercise science. While no formal advising or grant leadership is mentioned, her involvement in high-impact research suggests active participation in academic and translational projects. She is part of a dynamic research environment focused on behavior change, health promotion, and the role of exercise in disease prevention.