The relative age effect in under-17, under-20, and adult elite female soccer players.

To investigate the RAE in elite female soccer players, the absolute and relative birthdate distributions of players who disputed the Women's World Cup were assessed. Differences between observed and expected distributions were analyzed using chi-square and effect sizes. The birthdates of 1224 female soccer players were assessed in Under-17 (N = 336), Under-20 (N = 336) and adult (N = 552) categories. There was no significant RAE in adult category for different playing positions and players in general (including all playing positions per age category). There was significant RAE for midfielders and players in general with mainly small effect sizes for the U-17 and U-20. In both age categories, players born in Q1 were over-represented with the highest quartile ratio for midfielders. In regard of RAE and success defined by final ranking at the World Cup, we found no significant differences between the birthdate distributions of players who participated in either the group stages or finally the knockout phases. Coaches should consider this information to avoid bias in talent programs designed to promote and select female soccer players independently of their birthdates. Young female players should be encouraged to learn to play in different field positions before to reach high-level performance.

Perceived training load and jumping responses following nine weeks of a competitive period in young female basketball players.

The aims of this study were to describe the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), total quality recovery (TQR), and variations in countermovement jump (CMJ) height throughout nine weeks of a competitive period in young female basketball players. In total, 10 young female basketball players (17.2 ± 0.4 years; 71.8 ± 15.0 kg; 177.2 ± 9.5 cm) participated in this study. The sRPE and TQR were assessed in each training session, whereas the CMJ height was assessed prior to the first weekly training session. The magnitude-based inferences method was used to compare the sRPE, TQR, and CMJ height across the nine weeks of training. The training loads accumulated in weeks 1, 2, and 3 were likely to almost certainly be higher than in the following weeks (ES varying from 0.67 to 2.55). The CMJ height in week 1 was very likely to be lower than in weeks 2, 5, 7, and 8 (ES varying from 0.24 to 0.34), while the CMJ height of the 9th week was likely to almost certainly be higher than all previous weeks of training (ES varying from 0.70 to 1.10). Accordingly, it was observed that when higher training loads were accumulated, both CMJ and TQR presented lower values than those presented during periods with lower internal training loads. These results highlight the importance of using a comprehensive and multivariate approach to effectively monitor the physical performance of young athletes.

Loaded and unloaded jump performance of top-level volleyball players from different age categories.

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in loaded and unloaded jump performances between different age categories of top-level volleyball players from the same club. Forty-three volleyball players were divided into four age groups: under-17, under-19, under-21 and professional. Vertical jumping height for squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) and CMJ with arm swing (CMJa) and mean propulsive velocity (MPV) in the loaded jump squat exercise with 40% of the athlete's body mass were compared among the different age categories, considering body mass as a covariate. SJ and CMJ jump height values were higher for professional and under-21 players than under-17 players (p<0.05). CMJa height was higher for under-21 players than under-19 and under-17 players (p<0.05). MPV in the loaded jump squat was higher for under-21 players than under-17 players (p<0.05). From a general perspective, these results suggest that aging per se is not capable of substantially improving loaded and unloaded vertical jump performances across different age categories of top-level volleyball players. Therefore, to increase the vertical jumping ability of these team sport athletes throughout their long-term development, coaches and strength and conditioning professionals are encouraged to implement consistent neuromuscular training strategies, in accordance with the specific needs and physiological characteristics of each age group.

Improving Sprint Performance in Soccer: Effectiveness of Jump Squat and Olympic Push Press Exercises.

Training at the optimum power load (OPL) is an effective way to improve neuromuscular abilities of highly trained athletes. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of training using the jump squat (JS) or Olympic push-press (OPP) exercises at the OPL during a short-term preseason on speed-power related abilities in high-level under-20 soccer players. The players were divided into two training groups: JS group (JSG) and OPP group (OPPG). Both groups undertook 12 power-oriented sessions, using solely JS or OPP exercises. Pre- and post-6 weeks of training, athletes performed squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), sprinting speed (5, 10, 20 and 30 m), change of direction (COD) and speed tests. To calculate the transfer effect coefficient (TEC) between JS and MPP OPP and the speed in 5, 10, 20, and 30 m, the ratio between the result gain (effect size [ES]) in the untrained exercise and result gain in the trained exercise was calculated. Magnitude based inference and ES were used to test the meaningful effects. The TEC between JS and VEL 5, 10, 20, and 30 m ranged from 0.77 to 1.29, while the only TEC which could be calculated between OPP and VEL 5 was rather low (0.2). In addition, the training effects of JS on jumping and speed related abilities were superior (ES ranging from small to large) to those caused by OPP (trivial ES). To conclude, the JS exercise is superior to the OPP for improving speed-power abilities in elite young soccer players.

Determining the Optimum Power Load in Jump Squat Using the Mean Propulsive Velocity.

The jump squat is one of the exercises most frequently used to improve lower body power production, which influences sports performance. However, the traditional determination of the specific workload at which power production is maximized (i.e., optimum power load) is time-consuming and requires one-repetition maximum tests. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify whether elite athletes from different sports would produce maximum mean propulsive power values at a narrow range of mean propulsive velocities, resulting in similar jump heights. One hundred and nine elite athletes from several individual/team sport disciplines underwent repetitions at maximal velocity with progressive loads, starting at 40% of their body mass with increments of 10% to determine the individual optimum power zone. Results indicated that regardless of sport discipline, the athletes' optimum mean propulsive power was achieved at a mean propulsive velocity close to 1.0 m.s(-1) (1.01 ± 0.07 m.s(-1)) and at a jump height close to 20 cm (20.47 ± 1.42 cm). Data were narrowly scattered around these values. Therefore, jump squat optimum power load can be determined simply by means of mean propulsive velocity or jump height determination in training/testing settings, allowing it to be implemented quickly in strength/power training.

Transference of traditional versus complex strength and power training to sprint performance.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of two different strength-power training models on sprint performance. Forty-eight soldiers of the Brazilian brigade of special operations with at least one year of army training experience were divided into a control group (CG: n = 15, age: 20.2 ± 0.7 years, body height: 1.74 ± 0.06 m, and body mass: 66.7 ± 9.8 kg), a traditional training group (TT: n = 18, age: 20.1 ± 0.7 years, body height: 1.71 ± 0.05 m, and body mass: 64.2 ± 4.7 kg), and a complex training group (CT: n = 15, age: 20.3 ± 0.8 years, body height: 1.71 ± 0.07 m; and body mass: 64.0 ± 8.8 kg). Maximum strength (25% and 26%), CMJ height (36% and 39%), mean power (30% and 35%) and mean propulsive power (22% and 28%) in the loaded jump squat exercise, and 20-m sprint speed (16% and 14%) increased significantly (p≤0.05) following the TT and CT, respectively. However, the transfer effect coefficients (TEC) of strength and power performances to 20-m sprint performance following the TT were greater than the CT throughout the 9-week training period. Our data suggest that TT is more effective than CT to improve sprint performance in moderately trained subjects.

Efeito do exercício aeróbico e resistido no controle autonômico e nas variáveis hemodinâmicas de jovens saudáveis / Effect of resistance and aerobic exercise on the autonomic control and hemodynamic variables in health young individuals

A prática de exercícios aeróbicos e resistidos provoca ajustes agudos e crônicos distintos. Já foram documentadas diferenças hemodinâmicas e musculares entre os exercícios; todavia, quanto aos ajustes autonômicos, os estudos são escassos e controversos. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as adaptações hemodinâmicas e autonômicas após uma sessão de exercício aeróbico (30 minutos, bicicleta ergométrica) e resistido (três séries de 12 repetições para os principais grupamentos musculares), em indivíduos jovens e saudáveis. Para tanto, utilizamos medidas da pressão arterial (PA), frequência cardíaca (FC), cálculo do duplo produto e análise da variabilidade da FC (VFC) nos domínios do tempo e da frequência e a Plotagem de Poincaré. Neste protocolo, a FC durante o exercício aeróbico foi maior do que no resistido (153,32 ± 2,76 vs. 143,10 ± 3,38 bpm, respectivamente). O exercício aeróbico gerou aumento da PA sistólica durante o exercício (7,25 ± 1,97 mmHg). Já o exercício resistido provocou aumento tanto da PA sistólica quanto da diastólica durante sua execução (14,83 ± 1,53; 11,92 ± 1,69 mmHg, respectivamente). Não foi observada hipotensão pós-exercício para nenhuma das sessões. Ao comparar o exercício aeróbico com o resistido na fase de recuperação, verificamos diminuição na VFC no resistido nas variáveis: RMSSD (37,74 ± 5,30 vs. 19,50 ± 2,32), NN50 (94,13 ± 23,65 vs. 27,63 ± 6,68), PNN50 (16,10 ± 4,72 vs. 3,53 ± 0,89), SD1 (26,65 ± 3,85 vs. 13,73 ± 1,66), SD2 (88,98 ± 10,71 vs. 61,88 ± 5,49) e HF (257,25 ± 45,08 vs. 102,75 ± 18,75 ms²). Concluiu-se que, para os protocolos investigados, o trabalho cardiovascular durante o exercício foi semelhante, resultando principalmente do aumento da FC no exercício aeróbico e do aumento da PAS no resistido. No período de recuperação, o exercício resistido promoveu maior alteração autonômica, compatível com manutenção do balanço simpatovagal aumentado.

The practice of aerobic and resistance exercises provokes distinct acute and chronic adjustments. Hemodynamic and muscular differences between both exercises have been already documented; nevertheless, regarding the autonomic adjustments, there are few and controversial studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the hemodynamic and autonomic adaptations after one bout of aerobic exercise (30 minutes, ergometric bicycle) and resistance exercise (three series of 12 repetitions to the main muscle groups), in young and healthy individuals. For this purpose, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured, as well as the calculation of the double product and analysis of heart rate variability in time and frequency domains and by Poincaré's Plot. In this protocol, HR during the aerobic exercise was higher than in the resistance exercise (153.32 ± 2.76 vs. 143.10 ± 3.38 bpm, respectively). Aerobic exercise caused an increase in systolic BP during the exercise (7.25 ± 1.52 mmHg) whereas resistance exercise provoked an increase in both, systolic and diastolic BP during its execution (14.83 ± 1.53; 11.92 ± 1.69 mmHg, respectively). Post-exercise hypotension was not observed after none of the exercise sessions. When comparing aerobic exercise with resistance exercise in the recovery phase, it was verified a decrease in HR variability in the resistance session for the following variables: RMMSD (37.74 ± 5.30 vs. 19.50 ± 2.32), NN50 (94.13 ± 23.65 vs. 27.63 ± 6.68), PNN50 (16.10 ± 4.72 vs. 3.53±0.89), SD1 (26.65 ± 3.85 vs. 13.73 ± 1.66), SD2 (88.98 ± 10.71 vs. 61.88 ± 5.49) e HF (257.25 ± 45.08 vs. 102.75 ± 18.75 ms²). In conclusion, in the investigated protocol, the cardiovascular work during the exercise sessions was similar, due to HR increase in the aerobic exercise and of systolic BP increase in the resistance exercise. In the recovery phase, resistance exercise promoted enhanced autonomic alteration, compatible with the maintenance if an increased sympatho-vagal balance.

Metabolismo do lactato: uma revisão sobre a bioenergética e a fadiga muscular / Lactate metabolism: a review on bioenergetics and muscle fatigue

O objetivo desse trabalho foi apresentar os principais eventos que envolvem o metabolismo do lactato muscular, de modo a favorecer a compreensão acerca da utilização das concentrações sangüíneas de lactato ([La-]) na estimativa do metabolismo anaeróbio lático e a sua possível relação com a fadiga muscular aguda. Tradicionalmente, o aumento das [La-] esteve associado à redução do oxigênio mitocondrial. Porém, outros estudos demonstraram que demais substâncias, tais como a epinefrina e o fosfato inorgânico, são capazes de elevarem as [La-]. A associação entre o lactato e o processo de fadiga muscular esteve baseada no aumento da acidose celular. No entanto, investigações recentes demonstraram que a acidose é capaz de restabelecer parcialmente a contração de músculos isolados e estimulados eletricamente. Nesse sentido, talvez a utilização das [La-] na estimativa da contribuição do metabolismo anaeróbio lático seja limitada, bem como a relação deste metabólito com a fadiga muscular possa ser casual.

The objective of this study was to report the main events involved in muscle lactate metabolism in order to contribute to the understanding of the use of blood lactate concentration (BLC) for the estimation of anaerobic lactate metabolism and their relationship with acute muscle fatigue. Traditionally, an increase in BLC is associated with insufficient mitochondrial oxygen supply. However, recent studies have shown that increased BLC might be due to the action of other agents such as epinephrine and inorganic phosphate. Similarly, the relationship between BLC and acute muscle fatigue has been based on an increase in cellular acidosis. However, recent studies have shown that cellular acidosis is able to partially restore the force of isolated and electrically stimulated muscle fibers. These findings suggest that BLC should be used with caution for the estimation of anaerobic lactate metabolism and that the relationship between BLC and acute muscle fatigue is only a casual phenomenon.