Effects of 6-Week Motor-Cognitive Agility Training on Football Test Performance in Adult Amateur Players - A Three-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial.

Agility, defined as the ability to rapidly respond to unforeseen events, constitutes a central performance component in football. Existing agility training approaches often focus on change of direction that does not reflect the complex motor-cognitive demands on the pitch. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of a novel motor-cognitive dual-task agility training (Multiple-object tracking integrated into agility training) on agility and football-specific test performance parameters, compared to agility and a change of direction (COD) training. Adult male amateur football players (n = 42; age: 27±6; height: 181±7cm; weight: 80±12kg) were randomly allocated to one of the three intervention groups (COD, agility, agility + multiple object tracking). The Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT), a dribbling test with/without cognitive task as well as the Random Star Run (with/without ball) and the modified T-Test were assessed before and after a 6-week training period. Time effects within the T-Test (F = 83.9; p < 0.001; η2 = 0.68) and dribbling test without cognitive task (F = 23.9; p < 0.001; η2 = 0.38) with improvements of all intervention groups (p < 0.05) were found. Dribbling with cognitive task revealed a time effect (F = 7.8; p = 0.008; η2 = 0.17), with improvements exclusively in the agility and dual-task agility groups (p < 0.05). Random Star Run with and without ball exhibited a time (F = 38.8; p < 0.001; η2 = 0.5; F = 82.7; p < 0.001; η2 = 0.68) and interaction effect (F = 14.14; p < 0.001; η2 = 0.42; F = 27.8; p < 0.001; η2 = 0.59), with improvements for the agility and dual-task agility groups. LSPT showed no time, group or interaction effect. The effects of change of direction training are limited to change of direction and dribbling test performance within preplanned scenarios. In contrast, motor-cognitive agility interventions result in notable enhancements in football-specific and agility tests, incorporating decision-making and multitasking components. No differences were observed between agility and agility + multiple object tracking. To achieve a transfer to game-relevant performance, coaches should focus on integrating cognitive challenges into motor training.

Validity of a motor-cognitive dual-task agility test in elite youth football players.

Agility, as the ability to react rapidly to unforeseen events, is an essential component of football performance. However, existing agility diagnostics often do not reflect the complex motor-cognitive interaction required on the field. Therefore, this study evaluates the criterion and ecological validity of a newly developed motor-cognitive dual-task agility approach in elite youth football players and compare it to a traditional reactive agility test. Twenty-one male youth elite football players (age:17.4 ±0 .6; BMI:23.2 ± 1.8) performed two agility tests (reactive agility, reactive agility with integrated multiple-object-tracking (Dual-Task Agility)) on the SKILLCOURT system. Performance was correlated to motor (sprint, jump), cognitive (executive functions, attention, reaction speed) and football specific tests (Loughborough soccer passing test (LSPT)) as well as indirect game metrics (coaches' rating, playing time). Reactive agility performance showed moderate correlations to attention and choice reaction times (r = 0.48-0.63), as well as to the LSPT (r = 0.51). The dual-task agility test revealed moderate relationships with attention and reaction speed (r = 0.47-0.58), executive functions (r = 0.45-0.63), as well as the game metrics (r = 0.51-0.61). Finally, the dual-task agility test significantly differentiated players based on their coaches' rating and playing time using a median split (p < 0.05; d = 0.8-1.28). Motor-cognitive agility performance in elite youth football players seems to be primarily determined by cognitive functions. The integration of multiple object tracking into reactive agility testing seems to be an ecologically valid approach for performance diagnostics in youth football.

[Genetics in sports-muscle injuries]. / Genetische Faktoren bei Muskelverletzungen im Sport.

BACKGROUND: The human genome is the complete set of genetic instructions encoded in an individual's DNA. Genetics plays an important role in the development and progression of muscle injuries. Many genes are involved in muscle development, growth, and repair, and variations in these genes can affect an athlete's susceptibility to muscle injury. SPECIFIC GENES: Several genes have been linked to muscle injury, such as myostatin (MSTN), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and several collagen genes (COL). In addition to genes involved in muscle development, growth, and repair, genes involved in inflammation and pain signaling, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), mu opioid receptor (OPRM1), and interleukin (IL) genes, may also play a role in the development and progression of muscle injury. GENETIC TESTS: Genetic testing can be a helpful tool in the prevention of muscle injuries in athletes. Testing for variations in genes associated with muscle development, repair, and growth, as well as collagen formation, can provide valuable information about an athlete's susceptibility to muscle injury. It is important to note that while genetic testing can provide valuable information for injury prevention, it is only one piece of the puzzle. Other factors such as an individual's training history, general health, and lifestyle habits also play a role in injury risk. Therefore, all injury prevention strategies should be individualized and based on a comprehensive assessment of all relevant factors.

Changes in miRNA expression in patients with peripheral arterial vascular disease during moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity.

BACKGROUND: Walking is the preferred therapy for peripheral arterial disease in early stage. An effect of walking exercise is the increase of blood flow and fluid shear stress, leading, triggered by arteriogenesis, to the formation of collateral blood vessels. Circulating micro-RNA may act as an important information transmitter in this process. We investigated the acute effects of a single bout of 1) aerobic walking with moderate intensity; and 2) anaerobic walking with vigorous intensity on miRNA parameters related to vascular collateral formation. METHODS: Ten (10) patients with peripheral arterial disease with claudication (age 72 ± 7 years) participated in this two-armed, randomized-balanced cross-over study. The intervention arms were single bouts of supervised walking training at (1) vigorous intensity on a treadmill up to volitional exhaustion and (2) moderate intensity with individual selected speed for a duration of 20 min. One week of washout was maintained between the arms. During each intervention, heart rate was continuously monitored. Acute effects on circulating miRNAs and lactate concentration were determined using pre- and post-intervention measurement comparisons. RESULTS: Vigorous-intensity walking resulted in a higher heart rate (125 ± 21 bpm) than the moderate-intensity intervention (88 ± 9 bpm) (p < 0.05). Lactate concentration was increased after vigorous-intensity walking (p = 0.005; 3.3 ± 1.2 mmol/l), but not after moderate exercising (p > 0.05; 1.7 ± 0.6 mmol/l). The circulating levels of miR-142-5p and miR-424-5p were up-regulated after moderate-intensity (p < 0.05), but not after vigorous-intensity training (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Moderate-intensity walking seems to be more feasible than vigorous exercises to induce changes of blood flow and endurance training-related miRNAs in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Our data thus indicates that effect mechanisms might follow an optimal rather than a maximal dose response relation. Steady state walking without the necessity to reach exhaustion seems to be better suited as stimulus.

Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Physical Performance, Sleep Quality, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Professional Youth Soccer Players.

Background: In March 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak led to the declaration of a pandemic. The accompanying restrictions on public life caused a change in the training routines of athletes worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a 13-week supervised home training program on physical performance, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life in professional youth soccer players during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Germany. Methods: Eight professional soccer players (age range 16-19; height: 1.81 ± 0.07 m; body weight: 72.05 ± 6.96 kg) from a Bundesliga team in Germany participated in this study. During the lockdown, they trained 5-6 days per week with home-based training plans and were monitored via tracking apps and video training. To determine the effects of home training, measurements were taken before (March 2020) and after (June 2020) the home training period. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to determine body composition, and an isokinetic strength test and a treadmill step test, including lactate measurements, were used to measure physical performance. Two questionnaires were responded to in order to assess health-related quality of life [Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36)] and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Results: When comparing measurements before and after the home training period, we observed significant increases in the following variables: body weight (72.05 ± 6.96 kg vs. 73.50 ± 6.68 kg, p = 0.034), fat mass (11.99 ± 3.13 % vs. 13.98 ± 3.92 %, p = 0.030), body mass index (22.04 ± 0.85 kg/m2 vs. 22.49 ± 0.92 kg/m2, p = 0.049), and mental health component summary score (MCS) of the questionnaire SF-36 (53.95 ± 3.47 vs. 58.33 ± 4.50, p = 0.044). Scores on the general health (77.88 ± 14.56 vs. 89.75 ± 13.76, p = 0.025) and mental health (81.50 ± 9.30 vs. 90.00 ± 11.71, p = 0.018) subscales of the SF-36 also increased significantly. Conclusion: The COVID-19 lockdown led to an increase in body composition parameters and showed an improvement in the MCS and scores on the general and mental health subscales of the SF-36. Physical performance and sleep quality could be maintained during the home training period. These observations may help trainers for future training planning during longer interruptions in soccer training.

Effects of single bouts of different endurance exercises with different intensities on microRNA biomarkers with and without blood flow restriction: a three-arm, randomized crossover trial.

PURPOSE: Physical activity is associated with altered levels of circulating microRNAs (ci-miRNAs). Changes in miRNA expression have great potential to modulate biological pathways of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and metabolism. This study was designed to determine whether the profile of ci-miRNAs is altered after different approaches of endurance exercise. METHODS: Eighteen healthy volunteers (aged 24 ± 3 years) participated this three-arm, randomized-balanced crossover study. Each arm was a single bout of treadmill-based acute endurance exercise at (1) 100% of the individual anaerobic threshold (IANS), (2) at 80% of the IANS and (3) at 80% of the IANS with blood flow restriction (BFR). Load-associated outcomes (fatigue, feeling, heart rate, and exhaustion) as well as acute effects (circulating miRNA patterns and lactate) were determined. RESULTS: All training interventions increased the lactate concentration (LC) and heart rate (HR) (p < 0.001). The high-intensity intervention (HI) resulted in a higher LC than both lower intensity protocols (p < 0.001). The low-intensity blood flow restriction (LI-BFR) protocol led to a higher HR and higher LC than the low-intensity (LI) protocol without BFR (p = 0.037 and p = 0.003). The level of miR-142-5p and miR-197-3p were up-regulated in both interventions without BFR (p < 0.05). After LI exercise, the expression of miR-342-3p was up-regulated (p = 0.038). In LI-BFR, the level of miR-342-3p and miR-424-5p was confirmed to be up-regulated (p < 0.05). Three miRNAs and LC show a significant negative correlation (miR-99a-5p, p = 0.011, r = - 0.343/miR-199a-3p, p = 0.045, r = - 0.274/miR-125b-5p, p = 0.026, r = - 0.302). Two partial correlations (intervention partialized) showed a systematic impact of the type of exercise (LI-BFR vs. HI) (miR-99a-59: r = - 0.280/miR-199a-3p: r = - 0.293). CONCLUSION: MiRNA expression patterns differ according to type of activity. We concluded that not only the intensity of the exercise (LC) is decisive for the release of circulating miRNAs-as essential is the type of training and the oxygen supply.

Injury and training history are associated with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit in youth tennis athletes.

A glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) of the shoulder, is associated with an increased risk of shoulder injuries in tennis athletes. The aim of the present study was to reveal the impact of 1) age, sex, specific training data (i.e. training volume, years of tennis practice, years of competitive play) and 2) upper extremity injuries on GIRD in youth competitive tennis athletes.A cross-sectional retrospective study design was adopted. Youth tennis players (n = 27, 12.6 ± 1.80 yrs., 18 male) belonging to an elite tennis squad were included. After documenting the independent variables (anthropometric data, tennis specific data and history of injury), the players were tested for internal (IR) and external (ER) shoulder rotation range of motion (RoM, [°]). From these raw values, the GIRD parameters ER/IR ratio and side differences and TRoM side differences were calculated. Pearson's correlation analyses were performed to find potential associations of the independent variables with the GIRD outcomes.A significant positive linear correlation between the years of tennis training and IR side asymmetry occurred (p < .05). A significant negative linear relation between the years of tennis training and the ratio of ER to IR range of motion (RoM) in the dominant side (p < .05) was found. The analysis of covariance showed a significant influence of the history of injuries on IR RoM (p < .05).Injury and training history but not age or training volume may impact on glenohumeral internal rotation deficit in youth tennis athletes. We showed that GIRD in the dominant side in youth tennis players is progressive with increasing years of tennis practice and independent of years of practice associated with the history of injuries. Early detection of decreased glenohumeral RoM (specifically IR), as well as injury prevention training programs, may be useful to reduce GIRD and its negative consequences.

Injuries and functional performance status in young elite football players: a prospective 2-year monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Motor function, such as strength asymmetries of the lower extremities and impaired dynamic stability, have a predictive value for the risk of injury. The present study aimed to reveal potential associations between injury and motor performance. METHODS: Two hundred and five male youth elite (association) football (soccer) players (mean: 13.5±4.5 years, 57.2±30.2 kg, 168±35 cm) were included. A test battery was conducted twice per season, over two consecutive seasons (four times). Mobility (Sit and Reach Test, SnR), dynamic stability (Single Leg Hop for Distance, SLHD), linear sprinting speed (10 m, 30 m [s]), agility (Zig-Zag test with and without dribbling a ball [s]), jump performance (countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ), in cm) and maximal isometric voluntary force (MIVF, in N) of the knee extensors and flexors were assessed. All injuries occurring over the two-year period, as well as training and competition exposure time, were collected and used as grouping variables for statistical difference testing. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five injuries in 93 players occurred (an injury incidence of 2.7/1000 hours of exposure). Age was associated with injury incidence (r=0.191; P=0.006). Neither DJ, CMJ, SnR nor agility performance were statistically different between injured and non-injured participants (P>0.05). Group differences did occur for sprint and strength (P=0.011; P=0.016), but these lapsed after the inclusion of age as a covariate. Only for SLHD symmetry was a non-significant trend evident after the correction for age (P=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of musculoskeletal injuries in junior football players are, probably, not related to baseline motor function. Group differences between injured and non-injured youth elite football players are mostly explained by age. Only the symmetry in SLHD could be a potential risk factor for injuries and merits further investigation.