The variability of physical enjoyment, physiological responses, and technical-tactical performance according to the bout duration of small-sided games: a comparative study between female and male soccer players.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare various factors, namely perceived enjoyment (PE), percentage of peak heart rate (%HRpeak), blood lactate (La), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and technical-tactical performance among soccer players across different bout durations (CB: continuous bout, MIB: medium intermittent bouts, and SIB: short intermittent bouts) and between male and female players during four-a-side (4vs4) small-sided games (SSGs) including goalkeepers. METHODS: sixteen female soccer players (age: 20.1 ± 0.5 years old) and sixteen professional male adults (age: 20.7 ± 0.7 years old) participated in the study. SSGs (4vs4) were performed in a CB: (1 × 12 min), and in an interval format: MIB: (2 × 6 min), and SIB: (3 × 4 min) with 2 min of passive recovery. PE was collected after each SSGs. The players' heart rate (HR) was continuously measured, whereas ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and, blood lactate concentration ([La]) were determined at the end of each SSGs. Technical-tactical performance were analyzed during each session of SSGs. Pitch dimensions were (length x width) (25 × 32 m), and relative space per players was 100 m2. RESULTS: For female soccer players, medium intermittent bouts (MIB) elicited significantly higher perceived enjoyment (PE) compared to continuous bouts (CB) (p < 0.001) and short intermittent bouts (SIB) (p < 0.01). Conversely, for male soccer players, CB resulted in higher PE compared to MIB (p < 0.001) and SIB (p < 0.001). During CB and MIB, peak heart rate (PeakHR) and percentage of peak heart rate (%HRpeak) were significantly higher in female players compared to SIB (PeakHR: CB: p < 0.001; PeakHR: MIB: p < 0.01; %HRpeak: CB: p < 0.001; %HRpeak: MIB: p < 0.01). Blood lactate (La) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were significantly greater in CB compared to MIB (La: p < 0.001; RPE: p < 0.01) and SIB (La: p < 0.001; RPE: p < 0.001) for female players only. For male players, CB resulted in significantly higher PeakHR, %HRpeak, La, and RPE compared to MIB (peak HR: p < 0.01, dunb = 1.35; %HR: p < 0.01; La: p < 0.01; RPE: p < 0.01) and SIB (peak HR: p < 0,01; %HR: p < 0.01; RPE: md = 0.87, p < 0.05). Regarding technical-tactical performance, in female players, the % of successful passes, successful tackles, and successful duels were higher during SIB compared to CB (p < 0.01; p < 0.001; p < 0.001) and MIB compared to CB (p < 0.01; p < 0.001; p < 0.001), while ball loss was lower during SIB compared to CB (p < 0.001) and MIB compared to CB (p < 0.001). In male players, % of successful passes and tackles were higher during CB compared to MIB (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05) and SIB (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05), while CB had a lower % of ball loss compared to MIB (p < 0.01) and SIB (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the % of successful duels between the bouts for either gender. CONCLUSION: This study showed a difference in physical enjoyment between male and female soccer players depending on the bout duration of SSGs. For that, trainers should consider intermittent bouts for female soccer players and continuous bouts for male soccer players when designing SSGs-based training in order to significantly improve PE, training load, and technical-tactical performance.

Optimizing performance and mood state in competitive swimmers through tapering strategies.

Tapering is a concept that is of great importance in relation to performance, due of its great effect on the psychological and physical condition of the swimmer. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effect of two-week of tapering characterized by a progressive training volume reduction on mood state and swimming performance in competitive swimmers. Twenty-four competitive male swimmers were randomly assigned into two groups. Experimental group (age = 16.9 ± 0.5 years) and control group (16.1 ± 0.4 years). The mood subscales (tension, depression, anger, fatigue, confusion and vigor), total mood disturbance and swimming performance (50-m front crawl) were measured in pre and posttest. Our findings revealed a significant improvement in mood subscales (20.8 to 47.8%), total mood disturbance (14.4%) and in swimming performance (3.5%) after 2 weeks of tapering training. A significant correlation was observed between the total mood disturbance and the 50 m front crawl (r = -0.63) only in the experimental group. It was concluded that a progressive reduction in training volume with a maintain of intensity could improve mood state and swimming performance. In addition, a change in total mood disturbance could affect swimming performance. Swimming coaches are advised to include tapering period according to the standards we mentioned earlier before competitive swimming to improve mental state, which helps the swimmers to overcome the negative influences of overtraining and therefore they can promote sprint-swimming performance.

The effect of combining HIIT and dry-land training on strength, technique, and 100-m butterfly swimming performance in age-group swimmers: a randomized controlled trial.

Combined interventions of pool-based and dry-land workouts are a common practice in swimming training. However, the effects on strength, technique and swimming performance are still not clear. Through a randomized controlled trial study, we investigated the effect of combining high intensity interval training (HIIT) and maximum strength training (MST) on strength, technique and 100-m butterfly swimming performance. Competitive age-group swimmers (N = 22, males) were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group (EG: 14.1 ± 0.3 years old) performed 8 weeks of combined short-moderate HIIT and MST. The control group (CG: 14.5 ± 0.3 years old) subjects performed their usual training. Muscular strength, technique and swimming performance were evaluated before and after 8 weeks. Substantial improvements were observed in maximum muscle strength (mean diff: 22-28%; p < 0.001; d = 3.25-3.61), technique (p < 0.05; d = 0.98-1.96) and 100-m butterfly swimming performance (3.5%; p = 0.001; d = 1.81) when combining HIIT and MST during 8 weeks. Combining short-moderate HIIT and MST during 8 weeks can enhance maximum muscular strength, technique, and 100-m butterfly swimming performance. Coaches should adjust training programmes accordingly since it could yield important differences in swimming performance during competitions.

Effect of High-Volume Training on Psychological State and Performance in Competitive Swimmers.

This study aimed to examine the effect of four weeks of aquatic high-volume training (HVT) on the psychological state (somatic, cognitive anxiety, and self-confidence) and sprint swimming performance (50 m front crawl) compared to the standard training program (moderate volume training) in competitive swimmers. Twenty-eight male competitive swimmers participated in this study and were randomly allocated into two groups: HVT group (n = 14; age = 16.4 ± 0.31 years) and control group that underwent the standard training program (n = 14; age = 16.1 ± 0.30 years). All psychological state variables and swimming performance were measured in pre and post-test. Our findings showed a significant increase in anxiety state (34.13% to 45.83%; ES = 3.26 to 3.38) and a significant decrease in self-confidence (18.43%; ES = 2.39) after four weeks of HVT, while all psychological state variables remained unchanged in the control group (p > 0.05). In addition, our results showed no significant enhancement in swimming performance in both groups (p > 0.05). The sudden increase in training mileage negatively affected the anxiety, decreasing the state of self-confidence of the participants. In addition, four weeks of high training volume are insufficient to improve swimming performance. To conclude, gradually increasing the volume of the training load may be an adequate solution to promote adaptation to the effort, thus maintaining the stability of the psychological state of swimmers. In addition, it is recommended to integrate a concurrent mental preparation program with high-volume training to monitor the psychological state of competitive swimmers.

Effect of Concurrent Resistance Training on Lower Body Strength, Leg Kick Swimming, and Sport-Specific Performance in Competitive Swimmers.

The present study investigated the effect of 9 weeks of combined resistance training (aquatic and dry land resistance) on maximum lower body strength, leg kick, and swimming performance in competitive swimmers. Twenty-two male national competitive swimmers were randomly assigned into two groups: experimental group (EG: age = 16.2 ± 0.3 years) or control group (CG: age = 16.3 ± 0.3 years). The EG performed a combined resistance training while the CG group completed their usual training. One repetition maximum (1RM) back squat, 30 m leg kick, and swimming performance (100 m front crawl, start and turn) were evaluated in pre and post test. The findings showed a significant increase in 1RM back squat (d = 1.90; 14.94 ± 1.32%) after 9 weeks of combined resistance training. In addition, ours results revealed a significant improvement in 30 m leg kick swimming (d = 2.11; 5.84 ± 0.16%) and in all swimming, start and turn performances (d = 1.83 to 2.77; 2.69 ± 0.18% to 15.14 ± 1.06%) in EG. All dependent variables remained unchanged in the CG. To sum up, 9 weeks of combined resistance training can improve the maximum lower body strength and leg kick swimming performance. These improvements can be the essential factors that subsequently positively affected swimming, start and turn performances. Combined resistance training is an effective training that can be incorporated by coaches and swimmers into their programs to improve strength, leg kick swimming, and, subsequently, swimming performance in competitive swimmers.

Relationship between Swimming Performance, Biomechanical Variables and the Calculated Predicted 1-RM Push-up in Competitive Swimmers.

One repetition maximum (1RM) push-ups, based upon the load-velocity relationship, are able to predict the maximum upper body strength. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between the predicted 1RM push-up based upon the load-velocity relationship and swimming performance and kinematical variables in competitive swimmers. Thirty-three competitive male swimmers (age = 16.46 ± 0.59 years, body mass = 72.82 ± 8.41 kg, body height = 180.56 ± 5.69 cm) performed push-up exercises without a weight vest and with a 10, 20 and 30 kg weight vests. A load-velocity relationship was established as a product of the load and velocity of the push-up per participant, and the equation was used to establish a predicted 1RM. Our findings showed a predicted 1RM push-up of 82.98 ± 9.95 kg. Pearson correlations revealed a nearly perfect relationship between the 1RM push-up and the 25 or 50 m front crawl (r = -0.968, r = -0.955), and between 1RM push-up and the 25 or 50 m front crawl with arms (r = -0.955, r = x0.941). Similarly, our results revealed significant near-perfect correlations between 1RM push-up and kinematical variables (r = 0.93-0.96) except the stroke index, which had a large relationship (r = 0.56). This study suggests that swimming performance and kinematical variables are correlated with the predicted 1RM push-up. The 1RM push-up based upon the load-velocity relationship is a low cost and time-effective alternative for swimmers and coaches to predict maximum upper body strength to optimize swimming performance in short races.

What Is the Optimal Strength Training Load to Improve Swimming Performance? A Randomized Trial of Male Competitive Swimmers.

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of high, moderate, and low resistance training volume-load of maximum strength training on muscle strength and swimming performance in competitive swimmers. Thirty-three male swimmers were randomly allocated to high (age = 16.5 ± 0.30 years), moderate (age = 16.1 ± 0.32 years) and a low resistance training volume-load group (age = 15.9 ± 0.31). This study was carried out in mid-season (January to March). Pre and post strength (e.g., repetition maximum [1RM] leg extension and bench press tests), swimming (25, 50 m front-crawl), start (speed, time, distance) and turn (time of turn) performance tests were conducted. Our findings revealed a large main effect of time for 1RM bench press: d = 1.38; 1RM leg extension: d = 1.55, and for 25 (d = 1.12), and 50 m (d = 1.97) front-crawl, similarly for start and turn performance (d = 1.28-1.46). However, no significant Group × Time interactions were shown in all strength swimming performances, start and turn tests (p > 0.05). In conclusion, low training loads have been shown to elicit the same results as moderate, and high training loads protocol. Therefore, this study shows evidence that the addition of low training volume-loads as a regular part of a maximal strength training regime will elicit improvements in strength and swimming performance.

The Effect of Concurrent Resistance Training on Upper Body Strength, Sprint Swimming Performance and Kinematics in Competitive Adolescent Swimmers. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study aimed to examine the effect of 9 weeks of concurrent resistance training (CRT) between resistance on dry land (bench press (BP) and medicine ball throw) and resistance in water (water parachute and hand paddles) on muscle strength, sprint swimming performance and kinematic variables compared by the usual training (standard in-water training). Twenty-two male competitive swimmers participated in this study and were randomly allocated to two groups. The CRT group (CRTG, age = 16.5 ± 0.30 years) performed a CRT program, and the control group (CG, age = 16.1 ± 0.32 years) completed their usual training. The independent variables were measured pre- and post-intervention. The findings showed that the one-repetition maximum bench press (1RM BP) was improved only after a CRT program (d = 2.18; +12.11 ± 1.79%). Moreover, all sprint swimming performances were optimized in the CRT group (d = 1.3 to 2.61; -4.22 ± 0.18% to -7.13 ± 0.23%). In addition, the findings revealed an increase in velocity and stroke rate (d = 1.67, d = 2.24; 9.36 ± 2.55%, 13.51 ± 4.22%, respectively) after the CRT program. The CRT program improved the muscle strength, which, in turn, improved the stroke rate, with no change in the stroke length. Then, the improved stroke rate increased the swimming velocity. Ultimately, a faster velocity leads to better swim performances.