PhD Luís Cerca

On November 28, 2023, Luis Cerca successfully defended his PhD thesis on the topic of 2Job Pressures, Motivation, Engagement, and Burnout in Exercise Professionals: Studies Before and During the Covid-19 Pandemic.

" The defense took place at an esteemed institution, where Luis presented his findings to a distinguished jury composed of Doutores José Soares, João Moutão, Eduardo Silva, Sidónio Serpa, Francisco Carreiro da Costa, Jorge Proença, and his supervisor António Palmeira.

Luis’s research focused on understanding the impact of job pressures on the motivation, engagement, and burnout levels of exercise professionals. His studies encompassed both pre-pandemic and pandemic periods to provide a comprehensive analysis. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the health and fitness industry, making Luis’s research particularly relevant.

After an engaging presentation and rigorous questioning from the jury members, Luis was awarded his PhD degree with distinction. His work sheds light on the importance of supporting exercise professionals in managing job pressures effectively to enhance motivation and engagement while preventing burnout.

Luis Cerca’s groundbreaking research contributes valuable insights that can be utilized by professionals in the field to improve overall well-being and performance in their careers.

One of the works from the thesis may be found here

Cerca, L., Teixeira, D., Carraça, E., Raposo, F., Silva, M., & Palmeira, A. (2022). Experiencia profesional y formación académica de profesionales del ejercicio: Relación entre presiones laborales y necesidades psicológicas básicas en el contexto laboral (Professional experience and academic training of exercise professionals: Relationship between job pressures and basic psychological needs in the work context). Retos, 47, 761–774. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v47.95899