Dr Martina Navarro
Summary
I am a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Portsmouth. My academic background includes a BSc in Sport Science and a PhD in Human Physiology (Neuropsychology), both from the University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil. My doctoral research focused on the impact of training strategies and high levels of stress and anxiety on human cognition—particularly attention, decision-making, and motor control. During my PhD, I had the opportunity to spend time at the MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam at VU University Amsterdam, where I was introduced to the Athletic Skills Model (ASM). Following my PhD, I worked as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at the Federal University of São Paulo and later as a Swiss Government Excellence Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute of Sport Science, University of Bern. My research during that time explored Bayesian Decision theory in sport and human performance.I joined the University of Portsmouth in 2017, where my work continues to focus on human skilled performance from an ecological psychology lens. Alongside my academic career, I have worked with sports consultancy firms, professional teams, and international organisations in the UK, Brazil and the Netherlands.
In July 2024, I led the PLAYCE Pompey project - the first movement-focused affordance-based space in the UK. This was a collaborative project with Portsmouth City Council and ASM, supported by the University and funded by several organisations, including NIHR and South Western Railway.
I currently serve as the Director of the Athletic Skills Model in the UK. In this role, I am leading initiatives to promote and implement ASM principles across the country, with the goal of upskilling the workforce in developing adaptable and versatile athletes.
Research outputs
2025
Designing movement-rich environments: evaluating the Skills Garden for physical activity promotion
Gower, J., Navarro, M., Milligan, G., O’Halloran, J., Savelsbergh, G.
20 Aug 2025, In: Brazilian Journal of Motor Behavior. 19, 1, 10p., e473
Research output: Article
Expert video game domain knowledge and decision-making: applying the critical decision method to Team Fortress 2 players
Smith, C., Howell, P., Navarro, M., Stevens, B.
8 Aug 2025, In: Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports. 3, 1, 14p., jege.2024-0047
Research output: Article
Re-imagining performance spaces and locations in ecological dynamics: implications for pedagogical practices in physical education
Rothwell, M., Bjerke, Ø., Strafford, B., Robinson, T., Haslingden, C., Navarro, M., Davids, K.
1 May 2025, In: European Physical Education Review. 31, 2, p. 279 - 294
Research output: Article
2024
Affordance-based control of braking in cycling: Experience reveals differences in the style of control
Gotardi, G. C., Van der Kamp, J., Navarro, M., Savelsbergh, G. J. P., Rodrigues, S. T.
1 Jun 2024, In: Human Movement Science. 95, 13p., 103225
Research output: Article
Better movers, better football players
Navarro, M., Wormhoudt, R.
12 Feb 2024, In: The Manager. Winter
Research output: Article
2023
The effects of manipulating the visual environment on thermal perception: a structured narrative review
Mayes, H. S., Navarro, M., Satchell, L. P., Tipton, M. J., Ando, S., Costello, J. T.
1 Feb 2023, In: Journal of Thermal Biology. 112, 8p., 103488
Research output: Article
2022
Parkinson’s disease affects gaze behavior and performance of drivers
Gotardi, G. C., Barbieri, F. A., Simão, R. O., Pereira, V. A., Baptista, A. M., Imaizumi, L. F., Moretto, G., Navarro, M., Polastri, P. F., Rodrigues, S. T.
1 Sep 2022, In: Ergonomics. 65, 9, p. 1302-1311, 10p.
Research output: Article
2021
Geração de dados sintéticos para classificação de disléxicos por meio de aprendizado de máquina
da Silva Junior, A. C., Gonçalves, E. C. R., Schor, P., Navarro, M., Mancini, F.
1 Jan 2021, In: Journal of Health Informatics. 13, 1, p. 10-16
Research output: Article
2020
Efeitos da ansiedade e da experiencia em video games sobre a conducao simulada de automoveis: estudo piloto com dados de pupilometria e frequencia cardiaca
Paschoalino, G. P., Libanio, R. J., Gotardi, G. C., Navarro, M., Rodrigues, S. T.
1 Oct 2020, In: Brazilian Journal of Motor Behavior. 14, 4
Research output: Article
Changes in action capabilities influence visually guided braking of experienced cyclists
Gotardi, G. C., Navarro, M., Savelsbergh, G. J. P., van der Kamp, J., Rodrigues, S. T.
1 Oct 2020, In: Brazilian Journal of Motor Behavior. 14, 4, p. 94-95, 2p.
Research output: Article