Central Region Of Portugal Research Articles

Recent Trends in Fire Regimes and Associated Territorial Features in a Fire-Prone Mediterranean Region

Fire regimes in Mediterranean countries have been shifting in recent decades, including changes in wildfire size and frequency. We sought to describe changes in fire regimes across two periods (1975–1995 and 1996–2018) in a fire-prone region of central Portugal, explore the relationships between these regimes and territorial features, and check whether these associations persisted across periods. Two independent indicators of fire regimes were determined at parish level: fire incidence and burn concentration. Most parishes presented higher values of both indicators in the second period. Higher values of fire incidence were associated with lower population densities, lower proportions of farmland areas and higher proportions of natural vegetation. Higher levels of burn concentration were associated with smaller areas of farmland and natural vegetation. These associations differed across periods, reflecting contrasting climatic and socio-economic contexts. Keeping 40% of a parish territory covered by farmland was effective to buffer the increased wildfire risks associated with different management and climate contexts. The effectiveness of higher population densities in keeping fire incidence low decreased in the last decades. The results can improve the knowledge on the temporal evolution of fire regimes and their conditioning factors, providing contributions for spatial planning and forest/wildfire management policies.

Local Journalism: How the War in Ukraine Imposed Itself on the Production Routine of the Local Press

The local press finds its vocation in the community it addresses and in its territory of deployment, taking proximity as the main news value in the choice of events. The war in Ukraine, as an international theme, has imposed itself on the national media agenda, and, as such, we have proposed to evaluate its presence in the regional media agenda. For this case study, we have selected the local daily newspapers Diário As Beiras and Diário de Viseu (located in the center region of Portugal) and analyzed twelve consecutive editions of each newspaper, starting on the first day of the conflict, 24 February 2022. The results point to an appreciation of the event, either from an international perspective or through a regional lens, essentially evident in the coverage of solidarity actions and tributes. The sources used by the newspapers are mostly institutional, which leads us to a “seated journalism” in line with previous studies specific to the local press. This analysis also highlights the emphasis on the information obtained from the prism of sources on the Ukrainian side of the conflict, which, in the case of Diário de Viseu, is underlined by biased discourse and some marks of subjectivity.

Understanding Building Resistance to Wildfires: A Multi-Factor Approach

In terms of researching fire-related structure loss, various factors can affect structure survival during a wildfire. This paper aims to assess which factors were determinants in house resistance in the specific context of a case study of an extreme wildfire in the Central Region of Portugal and therefore which factors should be taken into account in the definition of a municipal mitigation strategy to defend buildings against wildfires. In this context, it is possible to conclude that various factors presented a predominant influence, some in building destruction and others in building survival. The existence of overhanging vegetation and lack of defensible space constitute major factors for structure destruction. the inherent wildfire severity, the location in the forest area, and the structure’s isolation from major roads were equally important factors that induced house destruction. Building survival was determined by its increasing distance from the forest and by its location in a dense urban agglomeration. Thus, a strategy to enhance resilience should include the prohibition of roof overhanging vegetation and the restriction of building permits in forest areas, in isolated locations, and/or very far from major roads. These orientations can be extrapolated to municipalities with similar susceptibility and vulnerability to wildfires.

Importance attributed by adolescents to sexual education: correlation with their attitudes, knowledge, and sexual behavior

Introduction: Sexual education plays an important role in the prevention of risk-taking sexual behaviors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the importance attributed to sexual education by adolescents, correlating it with the assessment they make of their attitudes and with their knowledge towards sexuality. Methods: This observational study included adolescents who attended elementary or high school in the central region of Portugal. A characterization of sociodemographic and sexual data was made and the Adolescent Students’ Attitudes Scale towards Sexuality (E3AS) was applied. Results: We included 394 adolescents with a mean age of 14.9 ± 1.4 years. The majority (89.3%) attributed importance to sexual education. Adolescents that gave more importance to sexual education were the ones that ranked higher the information they learned about sexuality (r = 0.236), had less unprotected sex due to lack of information (r = -0.363) or because they were under the effect of alcohol and/or drugs (r = -0.365) and had a superior classification in F2 (r = 0.380), F5 (r = 0.402) and in the total scale (r = 0.531). Discussion and conclusion: Adolescents that attributed greater importance to sexual education were the ones that ranked higher the information they possessed about sexuality. After initiating sexual activity, a greater importance attributed to sexual education seems to have a protective effect on risk-taking sexual behaviors.

How diverse are residents’ perceptions of wine tourism impacts in three Portuguese wine routes? The role of involvement with tourism, wine production and destination life-cycle stage

Purpose Wine tourism has been growing considerably over the past decades. The literature highlights its relevance in the social, economic and cultural development of the regions where wine routes are located. However, few studies examine residents’ tourism impact perceptions and even fewer analyse the diversity of these perceptions. This study aims to fill this gap, examining this diversity according to the life-cycle stage of the wine route and residents’ involvement with wine and with tourism activities. Design/methodology/approach Data obtained from a questionnaire-based survey (N = 882) of residents from three wine routes of the Central Region of Portugal – Bairrada, Dão and Beira Interior – were used, with dimensions of perceived impacts tested for internal consistency via Cronbach’s α. T-tests and ANOVA tests were used to compare residents’ perceptions of wine tourism impacts according to the life-cycle stage of the wine route and residents’ involvement with wine and with tourism activities. Findings Generally, residents perceived that wine tourism generates more benefits than costs, with positive economic and socio cultural impacts standing out, while negative environmental and social impacts were perceived less. Some differences are observed according to the life-cycle stage of the wine route, with both the most and the least developed routes presenting more pronounced both positive and negative impact impressions in diverse dimensions. Also, a moderating effect (however not as pronounced) of working in tourism and (even less visible) of working in the wine sector is observed. Possible explanations of these findings and implications on wine route development are discussed. Originality/value This article analyses a subject of great relevance for the sustainable development of wine tourism destinations that has been little studied in the literature. Thus, relevant theoretical and empirical contributions are identified.

A methodology for mapping cybersecurity standards into governance guidelines for SME in Portugal

The digitalization of companies and the implantation of Industry 4.0 concepts are emerging and challenging for micro and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). The benefits are evident for the companies, as their business processes become simplified, and the internationalization and global market penetration turn out to be improved.However, information security and cybersecurity concerns have been raised on SME, as best practices and regulations compliance should be applied. The wide set of these regulations and their broad scope has put constraints on their overall direct mapping and adoption into SME.This paper describes an original methodology to map the Roadmap for Minimum Cybersecurity Capabilities (RMCSC) delivered by the Portuguese Cybersecurity Centre, into the well-adopted international information security ISO 27001:2013 standard. The proposed mapping is oriented toward the characteristics of SME and allows these companies to assess their cybersecurity risk to further mitigate potential identified flaws.The main deliverable of this paper is the developed methodology, which correlates the actions of the cybersecurity capabilities roadmap and the security controls enclosed in the ISO 27001:2013 standard. A questionnaire was developed to support the cybersecurity risk self-diagnosis, and the actions were justified and detailed in this paper. Further developments include the submission of the questionnaire to a case study of SME in the centre region of Portugal.

CULTURA DE SEGURANÇA NA PRÁTICA CLÍNICA DOS ENFERMEIROS OBSTETRAS

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the safety culture dimensions that influence obstetric nurses’ clinical practice. Method: an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study, carried out from September 2018 to May 2019 at two maternity hospitals integrated in a hospital center in the Central region of Portugal. A total of 70 obstetric nurses answered the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture. The data were submitted to descriptive and inferential analysis. The dimensions were considered strong when they presented scores ≥ 75.0% of positive answers, and deemed as problematic with scores ≤ 50.0%. Results: the “Teamwork within units” dimension was the one that obtained scores above 75.0%. The “Supervisor expectations”, “Feedback and communication about errors”, “Communication openness”, “Organizational learning” and “Hospital handoffs and transitions” dimensions obtained scores between 50.0% and 65.0%. The “Non-punitive response to error”, “Frequency of events reported”, “Management support for patient safety” and “Staffing” dimensions had scores below 40.0%. Conclusion: the results of this study show that “Teamwork within units” is a strong safety culture dimension in maternity hospitals. However, the prevalence of a punitive culture, underreporting of adverse events, insufficient number of obstetrical nurses and little commitment of the hospital management are considered as problematic dimensions that influence obstetric nurses' practice. This assessment of the safety culture contributes to planning interventions that reduce the incidence of errors and improve the safety of obstetric care.

Disfunção temporomandibular e a sua relação com a Ansiedade perante o Desempenho musical em Violinistas- um estudo transversal

INTRODUCTION Temporomandibular disorder in violinists is a health condition that, in its severe forms, can have negative consequences over time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in violinists and its relationship with anxiety about musical performance. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional study was carried out on violinists from the central region of Portugal. The information was collected through an online survey. The survey included questions for sociodemographic characterization, years of study of the instrument, weekly time dedicated to the study, the disabling temporomandibular pain-screening instrument for screening for pain because of temporomandibular disorders, the index of inability to assess the impact on functionality, as well as the anxiety index towards Kenny’s musical performance. RESULTS Forty-nine violinists participated with a mean age of 27.9±9.3 years, mostly female (n=37, 75.5%). The average number of years of violin study was 17.5±7.5 years, and the average number of hours of study per week was 11.8±8.8 hours. The prevalence of temporomandibular disorders was reported by 28.6% of the participants, and a positive association was observed between the presence of temporomandibular disorders and the disability index of temporomandibular disorders (r=0.63; p<0.001), as well as with anxiety about musical performance (r=0.53; p<0.001). CONCLUSION For the sample studied, at least one in four violinists has temporomandibular disorders, which is associated with disability and anxiety about musical performance. These findings reinforce the need to sensitize instrumentalists and music teachers about the health risks, as well as the potential impact that this may have on musical performance. Future works may deepen the factors that explain the relationship between anxiety and temporomandibular disorders.

Characterisation of institutionalised Portuguese older adult fallers: is there a place for pharmacist intervention? A preliminary study.

Falls are a major public health issue, given their prevalence and social impact. Older adults living in long-term care facilities (LTCF) are at greater risk of injury resulting from a fall due to multiple factors, such as nutritional, functional/cognitive impairment, postural instability, polypharmacy, and the presence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). Medication management in LTCF is complex and often sub-optimal and might be crucial for falls. Pharmacist intervention is important, since they have a unique knowledge of medication. However, studies mapping the impact of pharmaceutical activities in Portuguese LTC settings are scarce. This study aims to assess the characteristics of older adult fallers living in LTFCs and examine the relationship between falling and several factors in this population. We also intend to explore the prevalence of PIMs and their relationship with the occurrence of falls. The study was conducted in two long-term care facilities for elderly people, in the central region of Portugal. We included patients aged 65 and older with no reduced mobility or physical weakness and with the ability to understand spoken and written Portuguese. The following information was assessed: sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, polypharmacy, fear of falling, functional, nutritional and cognitive status. PIMs were evaluated according to the Beers criteria (2019). A total of 69 institutionalised older adults, 45 women and 24 men, with a mean age of 83.14 ± 8.87 years were included. The prevalence of falls was 21.74% Out of these, 46.67% (n=7) fell once, 13.33% (n=2) fell twice, and 40% (n=6) fell 3 or more times. Fallers were mainly women, had lower levels of education, were well nourished, had moderate to severe levels of dependence, and displayed moderate cognitive impairment. All adult fallers had a fear of falling. The main comorbidities of this population were related to the cardiovascular system. Polypharmacy was present in every patient, and at least one PIM was identified in 88.41% of the subjects. Fear of falling (FOF) and cognitive impairment (in subjects with 1 to 11 years of education) showed statistically significant associations with the occurrence of falls (p=0.005 and p=0.05, respectively). No significant differences were found between fallers and non-fallers for any other factors. This present study is a preliminary contribution to characterise a group of older adult fallers living in Portuguese LTCFs and demonstrated that fear of falling and cognitive impairment are associated with the occurrence of falls in this population. The high prevalence of polypharmacy and PIMs emphasises the need for tailored interventions featuring the collaboration of a pharmacist to optimise medication management in this population.

Paleomagnetic techniques can date speleothems with high concentrations of detrital material

The U-series dating of young and ‘dirty’ speleothems is challenging due to difficulties in assessing the isotopic composition of detrital contaminants and the low-abundance of 230Th generated in situ. Here we propose a new dating approach based on the comparison of a speleothem’s paleomagnetic directions to reference curves from global paleomagnetic reconstructions. This approach is demonstrated on a stalagmite collected from the Soprador do Carvalho cave in the Central Region of Portugal. A radioisotopic age model, built using four U-series ages and three 14C, suggests relatively steady carbonate precipitation from ~ 5760 BCE until ~ 1920 CE. Forty-five 6 mm-thick subsamples were analyzed using alternating field and thermal demagnetization protocols, providing well-defined, primary magnetic directions. An age model of the stalagmite was obtained by fitting its paleomagnetic record with the reference paleosecular variation curves obtained by previous paleo-reconstruction models, applying statistical bootstrapping analysis to define their best fit. The resulting age models fit closely with the radioisotopic age model but provide a significantly higher time resolution. We reach the same conclusion when applying this approach to another stalagmite from the Algarve region of Portugal. Our approach thus appears a promising alternative to date young speleothems with high detrital contents.

Uncovering the Fungal Diversity Colonizing Limestone Walls of a Forgotten Monument in the Central Region of Portugal by High-Throughput Sequencing and Culture-Based Methods

Fungal organisms are considered one of the most relevant stone colonizers, and biodeteriogens. They are ubiquitous heterotrophs, metabolically versatile, ranging from generalist to extremophiles. Limestone, a sedimentary rock characterized by high levels of calcium carbonate, has low compressive strength and hardness and high porosity. These features make it highly susceptible to fungal colonization and an exceptional target for biodeterioration. Understanding the mycobiome composition associated with different biodeterioration scenarios is key for the development of effective guidelines and strategies for preventive conservation and viable maintenance of our cultural heritage. In this work, a thorough analysis of the fungal community composition on the Lemos Pantheon, a limestone-built artwork located in Portugal, was performed using high-throughput sequencing complemented with culture-based methods. The combined results allowed a detailed characterization of the fungal communities of each analyzed spot, revealing highly diverse and dissimilar communities according to the type of biodeterioration observed. In addition, we verified that both cultivation and metagenomics methodologies should be employed synergistically to tackle inherent limitations.

Assessment of Woody Residual Biomass Generation Capacity in the Central Region of Portugal: Analysis of the Power Production Potential

Biomass is an alternative energy source with high potential to contribute to the global energy mix and to countries’ energetic independence. The case of Portugal is particularly relevant, given its biomass availability. Thus, the quantification of woody residual biomass is assumed to be urgent. To achieve the objective of quantifying residual woody biomass, various available data were used, namely the Land Cover and Soil Use Map (COS 2018), from which areas occupied by different categories were selected as being the most relevant. Then, based on coefficients previously established, the amounts of residual woody biomass were determined, namely for maritime pine forests, eucalyptus forests, scrubland, vineyards, olive groves, and orchards. Then, the potential for generating electricity was estimated. It was found that for the hypothetical scenario of the total conversion of the recently closed Pêgo coal power plant to biomass, the available amounts of residual woody biomass in the country would not be sufficient to ensure the operation. On the other hand, if the power plant only worked as a backup unit, the available quantities could ensure its operation and contribute to creating a value chain for residual woody biomass of forest and agricultural origin within a circular economy and sustainable development approach.

Changing Perspectives: The Role of Creative Industries in Social Innovation Projects to Empower Local Communities

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the notions of social life as we know them, so it is important to develop and mediate projects that meet the contexts of great social transformation we live. The COVID-19 crisis also affected rural areas that have sought to control rural exodus. However, new opportunities emerged for rural territories as the world adapted to the pandemic. In the central region of Portugal, the Association for the Integrated Development of the Mountain Villages Network, through its Mountain Villages project, seeks to promote the regional development of these cultural territories. For this purpose, it has been developing social innovation projects with enormous potential for the region’s social, economic, and cultural development. The association has begun creating two social innovation projects essential in developing the communities located in the Mountain Villages: the Queijeiras Project and the Cooperativa Coworking Spaces @Mountain Villages. This article presents both projects and emphasizes the importance of practices that lead to the positive development of society through the convening of creativity and creative industries in social innovation projects. The professional work and fieldwork carried out at the Association for the Integrated Development of the Mountain Villages Network and the Mountain Villages territories frame the study conducted, as do interviews and questionnaires with people and entities linked to the projects. The results presented in the article demonstrate how both projects are extremely valuable to understand the importance of building possibilities for the reinterpretation and empowerment of local communities that are often neglected. Furthermore, they also reveal an expansion from the local to the global, that is, an interaction of global environments with local cultures, creating an intercultural space so important in our globalized world.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Diversity in Arbutus unedo L. Fermentations in Association with the Volatile and Sensory Similarities of the Distillates.

The fermentation of Arbutus unedo L. fruit is traditionally carried out in the production of spirits. The present study followed the spontaneous fermentation of A. unedo fruit harvested in October and December 2019 by two producers from the central region of Portugal. The microbiota was studied, and although a great diversity of indigenous yeasts was found, S. cerevisiae isolates could still be grouped into eight clusters, and a good separation between producers was achieved. Based on the results of a multivariate analysis of the physical-chemical and volatile composition of the distillates, a distinction between the distillates from the two producers was determined. Moreover, these findings are corroborated by the similarities in flavor that were found. Along with the variability found in the distillates, S. cerevisiae isolates could be clustered and associated with each producer. On the other hand, the differentiation of the harvesting period was not so clear. The characterization of the indigenous yeasts associated with the fermentation process of Arbutus unedo L. fruit can serve as an important contribution to the preservation of the specific characteristics of its distillates.

Characterisation of the progression of salts in walls of earthen architecture heritage

AbstractTwo hundred years (1750–1950) of earthen architecture represents an important period of construction in the central region of Portugal. Earthen architecture is usually built close to the coast or to rivers and placed in sandy ground. The impact of rising damp is a general problem and efflorescences are a common cause of damage decay. This problem was studied in a building with two types of earthen construction, adobe masonry walls and formed masonry walls. The aim of this research was to characterise the conditions for the appearance and phase transitions of thénardite and mirabilite, and determine how to prevent progression of salt effects in the two types of wall to support future conservation measures. Laboratory capillarity and porosimetry tests with dolomitic air lime mortar and hygrothermal monitoring were pursued along with in situ tests. Visual assessment showed that the progression of salts depends on the composition of the earthen materials. To understand these differences, all crystalline solid phases were analysed by powder X-ray diffraction, and building interior hygrothermal conditions were monitored. An investigation into the influence of surface lime water painting and sacrificial mortar application on the crystallisation of sodium sulfates concluded that these also depend on the wall's composition. Data allowed us to conclude that inside the building the temperature and humidity [relative humidity (RH = 100 pw/p°w > 70)] conditions led to the adobe breakdown by the fast conversion from thénardite to mirabilite. Therefore, contact with wet atmospheres should be avoided and interior hygrothermal conditions should be controlled. Laboratory and in situ tests showed that the environmental conditions of the spaces had effects on the results. The results contribute to understanding of the salt progression and pattern of decay, as well as supporting future recommendations for building conservation, based on the identification of environmental conditions proper to their occurrence.

Analyzing diversity amongst visitors of Portuguese wine routes based on their wine involvement

PurposeThis paper focuses on the wine tourist market in the central region of Portugal, and it aims to analyze the wine tourist’s demographic and travel behavior and preferences profile, based on their level of wine involvement.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents results from an exploratory study with a quantitative design, including a total of 1,029 survey responses from visitors of three wine routes. A K-mean cluster analysis was carried out, and the emerging groups of wine tourists were statistically compared (ANOVA or Chi-squared test).FindingsParticipants present a demographic profile of the wine route visitor similar to that found in other studies, with an average involvement with wine. There were three clusters of wine tourists, with different levels of involvement with wine: less wine-involved; medium wine-involved; and highly wine-involved. Significant differences between the three mentioned categories are visible for gender, age and attractions visited and expenses, suggesting the possibility of a differentiated market approach. Additionally, most respondents report high interest in a variety of attractions that are not exclusively wine-related. This finding supports the conceptualization of (particularly rural) wine tourism as “terroir tourism.”Research limitations/implicationsThe pandemic context in which data collection was undertaken led to a smaller sample than expected, which was also more domestic than would have been in “non-COVID” times.Practical implicationsThis study provides relevant insights about visitors of wine routes in Central Portugal, which may resonate in other wine tourism destinations. Implications for both theory and practice are also discussed.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills an identified need to study the wine tourism market in the Central Region of Portugal and expands our understanding about wine tourists’ profiles, behavior and interests, adding with empirical findings to the debate on heterogeneity in the wine tourist market, the role of wine involvement and of terroir.

Aquatic Event(S) in the Cultural and Nautical Diversity of a Destination

Events are important drivers of attractiveness for tourist destinations. All types of events represent an opportunity for projection for the territory where they are developed. The holding of events has been a strong strategic bet to boost tourism and local economies. The impacts arising from the events affect not only the local community, but the entire territory. Therefore, the events sector has been playing a fundamental role in terms of the attractiveness and competitiveness of tourist destinations. The contribution is notable above all in the impetus given to the creation and development of new tourist products seen as a necessity for the holding of events and the territory where they are held. The development of events leads to investment in spaces conducive to practices associated with the realization of events and the improvement of infrastructure conditions, ending up being catalysts for a “territorial renewal”. It can also lead to awareness of the protection of heritage resources through the promotion of cultural and tourist activities that design these spaces, contributing to a greater knowledge and attractiveness of these resources. In this sense, we intend to present a case study related to the event – “Wakeboard Open Days”. Event related to nautical tourism and carried out geographically in the Central region of Portugal and in a territorial scope linked to the river Zêzere, Medio Tejo. The main objectives of this study are the approach to wakeboard combined with nautical tourism and the verification of the impacts of this practice in the territory where the event is held. To achieve both objectives, a quantitative analysis was carried out. From the preliminary results, some reluctance on the part of residents about knowledge of the wakeboard modality is identified, with practical implications for verifying social impacts, among others. Therefore, there is a need for greater interaction between all managers of the territory to increase the quality of the nautical tourist offer. This study will contribute to a greater perception of the need to expand knowledge about the impacts of this event on the territory, valuing it through fluvial-nautical practice.

Sports Tourism and High-Performance Centres in the Portugal Central Region

Sports Tourism and High-Performance Centres in the Portugal Central Region

Reducing Rural Fire Risk through the Development of a Sustainable Supply Chain Model for Residual Agroforestry Biomass Supported in a Web Platform: A Case Study in Portugal Central Region with the Project BioAgroFloRes

In the European Mediterranean region, rural fires are a widely known problem that cause serious socio-economic losses and undesirable environmental consequences, including the loss of lives, infrastructures, cultural heritage, and ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and the provisioning of raw materials. In the last decades, the collapse of the traditional rural socioeconomic systems that once characterized the Mediterranean region, along with land-use changes, have created conflicts and additional driving factors for rural fires. Within Europe, Portugal is the most affected country by rural fires. This work intends to demonstrate the importance of recovering and valorizing residual agroforestry biomass to reduce rural fire risk in Portugal, and thus contributing to a fire resilient landscape. From the results of the known causes of fires in Portugal, it becomes very clear that it is crucial to educate people to end risky behaviors, such as the burning of agroforestry leftovers that causes 27% of fires in Portugal each year. The valorization of the existing energy potential in the lignocellulosic biomass of agroforestry residues favors the reduction of the probability of rural fires, this being the focus of the project BioAgroFloRes—Sustainable Supply Chain Model for Residual Agroforestry Biomass supported in a Web Platform—introduced and explained here.

The Impact of Thermal Inertia on the Indoor Thermal Environment of Light Steel Framing Constructions

Typically, reinforced concrete and brick masonry construction is the most common construction system of the majority of the southern European residential building stock. However, the lightweight steel framing (LSF) construction system has been progressively assuming a relevant position in the residential sector. Since LSF is not the traditional construction system, the indoor thermal environment of these buildings has not been widely studied and discussed considering the southern European climate context. The low thermal inertia of this construction system is commonly pointed to as a possible weakness in warmer climates. The present work aims to address this research gap by evaluating and comparing the LSF and masonry construction systems in terms of the indoor thermal environment focusing on the level of thermal inertia. The considered methodology lies in a long-term experimental campaign based on the construction and monitoring of two identical experimental test cells, differing only in the construction system. The test cells are in the central region of Portugal. The monitoring period elapsed over an entire year. Dynamic simulations are also carried out with a model experimentally validated to consider a wider range of climatic conditions. It is shown that internally insulating the ground floor has an impact on the indoor thermal environment of the LSF test cell by accentuating the indoor air temperature fluctuations and magnitude of the extreme peak values. However, the results also reveal that the faster and closer response to the outdoor conditions may be beneficial for LSF buildings during the heating season.