Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its association with rapid weight loss among former elite combat sports athletes in Serbia.

BACKGROUND: In terms of the potential influence of rapid weight loss (RWL) on the metabolic health of former combat sports athletes (CSA), the scientific literature is quite scarce. Therefore, the objective of the presented research was to determine the differences in metabolic syndrome (MetS) parameters and the prevalence of MetS between former athletes who performed RWL and athletes who did not. METHODS: The sample of the presented study comprised 150 participants from Serbia, equally divided into two groups: 75 former athletes who had practiced combat sports and 75 ex-athletes of various other sports who did not practice RWL during their careers. The following parameters related to the MetS were evaluated: waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, and triglycerides. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to assess the participant's body response to sugar. RESULTS: The RWL group had significantly higher both systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) compared to the group of athletes who did not practice weight reduction during their careers. Additionally, a tendency toward statistically significant differences between groups was recorded in the variable triglycerides (p = 0.069). Regarding OGTT, increased values of fasting blood glucose at the final measurement were revealed only in the RWL group (p = 0.003). The prevalence of MetS was substantially higher in CSA than in the control group (39.5% vs. 16.2%, respectively p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that former elite CSA who used RWL during their sports career are susceptible to negative metabolic alterations at the end of their competitive period.

To train or not to train (on match day)? Influence of a priming session on match performance in competitive elite-level soccer.

This study examined the effect of a morning priming session consisted of stretching, mobility, core and lower-body resistance, and reactive agility exercises on match performance in elite-level soccer players. Information on physical and technical performance was collected during competitive matches (n = 32) and subsequently classified as those preceded or not preceded by a priming session. Results showed significantly increased (i) distance covered overall (Cohen's d (d) = 0.34, p = 0.011), in moderate-intensity (d = 0.52, p = 0.001) and high-intensity running (d = 0.30, p = 0.024), and (ii) frequency of duels (d = 0.26, p = 0.050) in matches preceded by a priming session compared to those not preceded by a priming session. These findings show that players' physical performance was notably enhanced due to the pre-match routines that the team implemented on match day, while technical performance was in general similar irrespective of whether a priming session was implemented or not before the match. Therefore, morning priming session implemented on match day can be recommended as an effective pre-match strategy to increase players' physical performance in soccer without negative consequences on technical performance.

Artificial Turf Increases the Physical Demand of Soccer by Heightening Match Running Performance Compared with Natural Grass.

ABSTRACT: Modric, T, Esco, M, Perkovic, S, Basic, Z, Versic, S, Morgans, R, and Sekulic, D. Artificial turf increases the physical demand of soccer by heightening match running performance compared with natural grass. J Strength Cond Res 37(11): 2222-2228, 2023-This study aimed to determine differences in match running performance (MRP) of elite soccer players (n = 31) during matches played on artificial turf (AT) and natural grass (NG). The players' MRP (AT; 131 observations, NG; 135 observations) were collected during official matches (n = 32) using global positioning system and classified according to their playing positions as central defenders, central midfielders, fullbacks, forwards, and wingers. The MRP variables included total distance covered (TD), low-intensity running (LIR), moderate-intensity running (MIR), high-intensity running (HIR), total (Tacc) and high-intensity accelerations (Hacc), and total (Tdec) and high-intensity decelerations (Hdec). The influence of match outcome, location, and opponent quality was controlled for as contextual factors. Playing matches on AT resulted in (a) increased TD (Cohen's d (d) = 0.55, 0.61, and 0.28, respectively), MIR (d = 0.91, 0.79, and 0.49, respectively), and HIR (d = 0.67, 0.44, and 0.38, respectively) for central defenders, central midfielders, fullbacks; (b) increased Tacc (d = 0.38, 0.37, and 0.4, respectively) and Tdec (d = 0.31, 0.34, and 0.31, respectively) for central defenders, central midfielders, and wingers; and (c) decreased Hdec (d = -1.5) for forwards. These results show that playing on AT is more physically demanding for defensive and midfield players than playing on NG. Soccer coaches should consider implementing preparatory strategies that mitigate the increased demands of playing on AT for these players, especially before a competitive period when transitions between pitch surfaces routinely occur.

Injury Occurrence in Amateur Rugby: Prospective Analysis of Specific Predictors over One Half-Season.

Background and objectives: The incidence of injuries in rugby is extremely high, but studies have rarely examined the predictors of injury in amateur players. This study aimed to systematically analyse sports and injury factors as potential predictors of musculoskeletal injuries in senior-level amateur rugby players. Methods: The participants in this study were 101 senior-level rugby players from Croatia (average of 24.64 years old). At baseline, all participants were tested on sociodemographic and anthropometric parameters (age, body height and mass), consumption of dietary supplements, preseason injury status and training volume, and sport factors (position in game). Data on injury occurrence (dependent variable), prevalence of pain, training status, and characteristics of the played match were surveyed prospectively once a week during the three-month period (one half-season). Results: The logistic regression revealed a higher injury occurrence in forward players of the 1st row, 2nd row (OR = 5.07; 95% CI: 1.64-15.69), and center (OR = 4.72; 95% CI: 1.28-14.31), with reference to outside back players. When observed univariately, higher body mass, higher level of competition, more weekly training sessions, self-perceived pain, and playing with pain were significant injury risk factors. The multivariate logistic regression identified pre-season injury (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.09-1.52), higher level of the game/match (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.13-1.76), higher body mass (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05), and pain prevalence (OR = 5.71, 95% CI: 3.22-7.70) as multivariate predictors of injury occurrence over the season. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that among sport factors, the playing position, level of competition, and training exposure represent major injury risk factors. Therefore, in order to reduce the number of injuries, special emphasis should be placed on the specific tackling technique of forward players, which could both increase their situational efficiency and protect them from injuries. Additionally, perceived pain, injury history, and playing with injury were noted among injury factors as the ones that can be predictors of future injuries. In that manner, it is important that coaching and medical staff monitor players with previous injuries and with pain symptoms in order to act preventively against injury occurrence.

Physical literacy in Europe: The current state of implementation in research, practice, and policy.

Background/objective: The holistic concept of physical literacy (PL) embraces different person-centered qualities (physical, cognitive, affective/psychological) necessary to lead physically active lifestyles. PL has recently gained increasing attention globally and Europe is no exception. However, scientific endeavors summarizing the current state of PL in Europe are lacking. Therefore, the goal of this study was to comprehensively assess and compare the implementation of PL in research, policy, and practice across the continent. Methods: We assembled a panel of experts representing 25 European countries. Employing a complementary mixed-methods design, the experts first prepared reviews about the current state of PL in their countries (categories: research, practice/policy). The reviews underwent comparative document analysis, ensuring a transnational four-eyes principle. For re-validation purposes, the representatives completed a quantitative survey with questions reflecting the inductive themes from the document analysis. Results: The document analysis resulted in ten disjunct themes (related to "concept", "research", "practice/policy", "future/prospect") and yielded a heterogenous PL situation in Europe. The implementation state was strongly linked to conceptual discussions (e.g., existence of competing approaches), linguistic issues (e.g., translations), and country-specific traditions. Despite growing scholarly attention, PL hesitantly permeates practice and policy in most countries. Nevertheless, the experts largely anticipate increasing popularity of PL for the future. Conclusion: Despite the heterogeneous situation across Europe, the analysis has uncovered similarities among the countries, such as the presence of established yet not identical concepts. Research should intensify academic activities (conceptual-linguistic elaborations, empirical work) before PL may gain further access into practical and political spheres in the long term.

Match running performance characterizing the most elite soccer match-play.

In order to identify match running performance (MRP) characterizing the most elite soccer match-play, this study aimed to examine position-specific differences in the MRP of players competing in "big five" (BFLTs) and "non-big five" league teams (N-BFLTs). The data were obtained from 24 teams (BFLTs; n = 14, N-BFLTs; n = 10) during the UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches (n = 20) in the 2020/21 season using a semiautomatic video system. The differences in MRP between BFLTs and N-BFLTs, while controlling for contextual factors, were examined using linear mixed model. No differences in overall MRP between fullbacks, central midfielders, wide midfielders and forwards from BFLTs and their peers from N-BFLTs were found, while only central defenders from BFLTs covered more high-intensity running than central defenders from BFLTs (moderate effects size). For players on all playing positions from BFLTs, total- and low-intensity distance covered were lower in offensive phase of game and greater in defensive phase of game compared to their peers from N-BFLTs (all large effect sizes). This study demonstrated that the most elite match-play in soccer is characterized by increased efforts in defensive phase of game, and decreased efforts in offensive phase of game. Soccer training programmes should be adapted accordingly.

Factors affecting match running performance in elite soccer: Analysis of UEFA Champions League matches.

This study aimed to examine the independent effect of different match-related factors on match running performance (MRP) in elite soccer. Players' MRPs (n = 244) were collected during UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage matches in the 2020-21 season. All MRP data were collected by the semi-automatic optical system InStat Fitness (InStat Limited, Limerick, Republic of Ireland). Match-related factors included match outcome, team quality, match location, opponent quality and difference in team quality, while MRP included cumulative and relative measures of total distance (TD and R-TD), low-intensity running (LIR and R-LIR) (≤ 4 m/s), moderate-intensity running (MIR and R-MIR) (4-5.5 m/s) and high-intensity running (HIR and R-HIR) (≥ 5.5 m/s). Linear mixed models were used to examine the collective effect of match-related factors on MRPs when controlling for between-player, between-playing position and between-team variation. The main findings were that match outcome was associated with reduced HIR (d = -0.38, p = 0.04), match location was associated with increased TD, R-TD, LIR and R-LIR (d = 0.54-0.87, all p < 0.01), while team quality, opponent quality and difference in team quality were not associated with MRP. These results show that (i) winning UCL matches was not strongly influenced by players' physical performance, (ii) away UCL matches were characterized by a slower match pace and greater match volume, and (iii) players' physical performance was similar irrespective of playing either in or against high- or low-quality teams. The findings from this study may help soccer coaches to ensure optimal physical preparation of players in elite soccer.

The effect of ball possession on physical and technical performance in UEFA Champions league matches.

This study aimed to examine the effects of low-percentage ball possession teams (LPBPT) and high-percentage ball possession teams (HPBPT) on the physical and technical performance of UEFA Champions League (UCL) players. All data were obtained from group stage matches of UCL during the 2020/21 season using a semi-automatic optical tracking system. Linear mixed model was fitted with contextual variables as covariates. Wide midfielders and forwards in LPBPT covered more total distance, low-intensity running, and achieved greater average speed than in HPBPT (all large effect sizes [ES]). Central defenders and fullbacks covered more high-intensity running (small ES), while CMs covered more sprinting (medium ES) in HPBPT than in LPBPT. Players on all playing positions produced greater number of passes and successful passes in HPBPT than in LPBPT (large ES), except forwards who produced more passes in LPBPT than in HPBPT (small ES). Both physical and technical performance were highly dependent on ball possession percentages, with evident position-specific changes, indicating that the effect of ball possession is highly position-dependent. These findings provide information for soccer coaches on physical and technical demands across teams with varying percentage ball possession, which could be used to individualise training programs based on playing style and position.

Differential Effects of Resistance- and Endurance-Based Exercise Programs on Muscular Fitness, Body Composition, and Cardiovascular Variables in Young Adult Women: Contextualizing the Efficacy of Self-Selected Exercise Modalities.

There is an evident lack of research simultaneously investigating endurance training (ET) and resistance training (RT) with regard to their potential influence on fitness and health status in young women. This study aimed to determine the effects of RT and ET three times a week over an eight-week period on anthropometric/body composition indices, blood pressure (BP), and muscular fitness in apparently healthy young women who participated in a self-preferred program. The sample of participants comprised 57 young healthy women (23.9 ± 3.08 years, 165.5 ± 5.8 cm, 66.8 ± 7.2 kg) divided into ET (n = 18), RT (n = 19), and non-exercising (C) (n = 20) groups. The variables consisted of anthropometric/body composition indices (body mass, BMI, body fat, and lean body mass), muscular fitness variables (lower body strength, upper body strength, abdominal strength, dynamometric force, and flexibility), and cardiovascular parameters (resting heart rate and systolic and diastolic BP). A pre- and post-testing design, with factorial analysis of variance for repeated measurements (ANOVA: Group × Measurement), including a consecutive post hoc test, was applied. The ANOVA indicated a similar improvement in body composition (increase in lean body mass and decrease in body fat percentage), resting heart rate, and flexibility in both of the exercise groups, with no significant changes in the C group. RT improved the participants' strength and force capacities to a greater extent than ET. BP showed a trend of improvement in both of the training groups, but without statistically significant pre- to post-changes. Correlation analysis calculated with variables of pre- to post-differences (VDs) indicated poor associations between VDs, indicating relative independence of the obtained effects for the different variables in each training group. Although this investigation comprised apparently healthy young women, numerous positive changes indicated the efficacy of both programs in a relatively short period of time. While the participants in this study self-selected training programs, the evidenced positive effects can be at least partially related to this fact.

Analysis of the Relationship between Tobacco Smoking and Physical Activity in Adolescence: A Gender Specific Study.

Background and Objective: Although smoking and the physical activity level (PAL) are important determinants of health status in adolescence, there is a lack of information on the relationship between smoking and PAL in early adolescence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the gender-specific relationship between smoking and PAL in 14-to-16-year-old adolescents. Materials and Methods: The sample included 650 adolescents (337 girls, 14.7 ± 0.5 years at first testing wave) from Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the first testing wave, participants were tested using structured questionnaires. Second testing was commenced after approximately 20 months (16.4 ± 0.6 years). The variables were age, gender, socioeconomic status, living environment, cigarette smoking (predictors), and PAL (criterion). Predictors were measured at the first wave, and criterion at the first-wave and second-wave. Results: For girls, smoking was negatively correlated to PAL at the first-wave (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.55-0.95) and at the second-wave (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.71-0.96). No significant association between smoking and PAL was found for boys. Results suggest that adolescent boys and girls do not follow the equal trajectories when it comes to relationships between smoking and PAL. Conclusions: In developing promotional public health actions related to a decrease of smoking and increase of PAL, a gender-specific approach is highly recommended. Further studies analyzing the cause-effect relationship between consumption of other types of psychoactive substances and PAL in this age group are warranted.

Does aerobic performance define match running performance among professional soccer players? A position-specific analysis.

Aerobic performance is considered an important determinant of match running performance in soccer, but studies have rarely investigated this issue in top-level players. This study examined the possible associations between direct measures of aerobic performance and match running performance in elite soccer players. Aerobic performance was tested at the beginning of the season in laboratory settings. The match-running performance was measured by a global positioning system over a competitive half-season for a total of 82 match performances in professional players from Croatia (age: 23.76 ± 2.64; body height: 181.62 ± 7.09 cm; body mass: 77.01 ± 6.34 kg) and clustered as central player (n = 57) and side player (n = 25) performance. No significant differences in aerobic performance were noted between central and side players. The anaerobic threshold was correlated with high-speed running (19.8-25.1 km/h), sprint running (>25.1 km/h), and high-intensity running (>19.8 km/h) among side players (r = 0.52, 0.53, and 0.59, respectively; p < 0.01). For central players, the aerobic threshold was correlated with the total distance covered, low-intensity running (<14.3 km/h), and distance covered in the zone of running (14.4-19.7 km/h) (r = 0.47, 0.49, and 0.39; p < 0.01, 0.01, and 0.03, respectively). Conditioning for central players should include activities with intensities corresponding to aerobic thresholds, while conditioning of side players should be focused on the development of anaerobic thresholds.

Bone health among indoor female athletes and associated factors; a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to compare the bone-mineral-density (BMD), vitamin-D (25(OH)D), serum-calcium and serum-phosphorus levels between female athletes engaged in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing-sport, and to evaluate possible associations among studied variables. Study involved top-level female athletes (age: 16.9 ± 4.4 years) involved in non-weight-bearing- (swimming; n = 14)), and weight-bearing-sport (artistic gymnastic; n = 17). The variables included the BMD of left femoral neck (measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (25(OH)D), body height, body mass, body-mass-index, serum-phosphorus, and serum-calcium levels. Sufficiency for 25(OH)D (>75 nmol/L) was observed in 32.3% of the studied athletes (43% and 23% for swimmers and gymnasts, respectively). The studied athletes had appropriate BMD, with higher BMD in gymnasts compared to swimmers (1.24 ± 0.11 and 0.85 ± 0.09 g/cm2; t-test: 10.26, p < 0.01). Serum-phosphorus was higher in gymnasts (1.46 ± 0.17 and 1.27 ± 1.36 mmol/L, t-test: 2.78, p < 0.01. Serum-phosphorus levels were lower in athletes with 25(OH)D sufficiency (t-test: 2.31, p = 0.03). The 25(OH)D was not correlated to BMD (Pearson's r = -0.18, -0.14, -0.28, all p > 0.05, for total sample, gymnasts and swimmers, respectively). Although 25(OH)D was not correlated with BMD, in further investigations other assays of vitamin-D status (i.e. the bioavailability of the vitamin-D) should be included.

Testosterone, cortisol and alpha-amylase levels during a handball match; analysis of dynamics and associations.

This study evaluated dynamics of testosterone, cortisol and alpha-amylase during a handball match in high-level male players. Ten male professional players (24.1 ± 3.1 years, 188.2 ± 6.4 cm, 94.6 ± 9.6 kg) were tested on salivary-testosterone, -cortisol and -alpha-amylase levels before (prematch), at halftime, and immediately after the game. Analysis of variance for repeated measurements (ANOVA) with consecutive post-hoc analyses and effect-size differences were calculated to identify differences between measurements. The associations among biomarkers were determined by Pearson's product moment correlation (Pearson's r). The ANOVA indicated significant differences in testosterone (F: 14.31, p < 0.01; significant post-hoc differences between prematch and remaining two measurements), and alpha-amylase (F: 9.78, p < 0.01; significant post-hoc differences between all measurements). Significant correlations were evidenced between: (i) alpha-amylase- and testosterone-changes during 1st halftime (Pearson's r: 0.81, p < 0.01), and (ii) alpha-amylase- and cortisol-changes during 2nd halftime (Pearson's r: 0.76, p < 0.05). The results indicated specific dynamics of biomarkers during the handball match, with significant increase in alpha-amylase during the entire match and significant increase in the testosterone level during the first half of the match. Further studies are needed to evaluate the associations between real-game performance and changes in hormonal responses.

Reliability, Validity and Usefulness of a New Response Time Test for Agility-Based Sports: A Simple vs. Complex Motor Task.

The importance of response time (RT) in sports is well known, but there is an evident lack of reliable and valid sport-specific measurement tools applicable in the evaluation of RT in trained athletes. This study aimed to identify the validity, reliability, and usefulness of four newly developed RT testing protocols among athletes from agility-saturated (AG) and non-agility-saturated (NAG) sports. Thirty-seven AG and ten NAG athletes (age: 20.9 ± 2.9; eleven females) volunteered to undergo: three randomized simple response time (SRT-1, SRT-2, and SRT-3) protocols that included a single limb movement, and one complex response time (CRT) protocol that included multi joint movements and whole body transition over a short distance (1.5 and 1.8m). Each RT test involved 3 trials with 5 randomized attempts per trial. Two sensors were placed at the left- and right-hand side for SRT-1 and SRT-2. Three sensors were positioned (left, middle, right) in SRT-3 and CRT. The intra-class-correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated as a measure of reliability. Independent sample t-test, effect size (d), and area-under-the-curve (AUC) were calculated to define discriminative validity of the tests. The results showed the newly developed tests were more reliable and useful in the AG than NAG athletes (i.e., ICC between 0.68 and 0.97 versus 0.31-0.90, respectively). The RT of AG athletes was faster than that of NAG athletes in the CRT test from the left (p <0.01, d = 2.40, AUC: 0.98), centre (p < 0.01, d = 1.57, AUC: 0.89), and right sensor (p < 0.01, d = 1.93, AUC: 0.89) locations. In contrast, there were no differences between the groups in the SRT tests. The weak correlation (i.e., r= 0.00-0.33) between the SRT and CRT tests suggests that response time of the single limb and multijoint limb movements should not be considered as a single motor capacity. In conclusion, this study showed that AG athletes had faster response time than their NAG peers during complex motor tasks. Such enhanced ability to rapidly and accurately reprogram complex motor tasks can be considered one of the essential qualities required for advanced performance in agility-based sports.

The Effects of 3-Month Skill-Based and Plyometric Conditioning on Fitness Parameters in Junior Female Volleyball Players.

PURPOSE: This study compared the effects of skill-based and plyometric conditioning (both performed in addition to regular volleyball training twice a week for 12 wk) on fitness parameters in female junior volleyball players. METHODS: The participants [n = 47; age: 16.6 (0.6) y; mass: 59.4 (8.1) kg; height: 175.1 (3.0) cm] were randomized into a plyometric (n = 13), a skill-based (n = 17), and a control (n = 17) groups. The variables included body height, body mass, calf girth, calf skinfold, corrected calf girth, countermovement jump, 20-m-sprint, medicine ball toss, and sit-and-reach test. RESULTS: Two-way analysis of variance (time × group) effects for time were significant (P < .05) for all variables except body mass. Significant group × time interactions were observed for calf skinfold [η2 = .14; medium effect size (ES)], 20-m sprint (η2 = .09; small ES), countermovement jump (η2 = .29; large ES), medicine ball (η2 = .58; large ES), with greater gains (reduction of skinfold) for plyometric group, and sit-and-reach (η2 = .35; large ES), with greater gains in plyometric and skill-based groups. The magnitude-based inference indicated positive changes in 1) medicine ball toss and countermovement jump for all groups; 2) sit-and-reach for the plyometric and skill-based groups; and 3) 20-m sprint, calf girth, calf skinfold, and corrected calf girth for plyometric group only. CONCLUSION: Selected variables can be improved by adding 2 plyometric training sessions throughout the period of 12 weeks. Additional skill-based conditioning did not contribute to improvement in the studied variables compared with regular volleyball training.

Association Between Conditioning Capacities and Shooting Performance in Professional Basketball Players: An Analysis of Stationary and Dynamic Shooting Skills.

Pojskic, H, Sisic, N, Separovic, V, and Sekulic, D. Association between conditioning capacities and shooting performance in professional basketball players: an analysis of stationary and dynamic shooting skills. J Strength Cond Res 32(7): 1981-1992, 2018-Little is known about the influence of conditioning capacities on shooting performance in basketball. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between different conditioning capacities and shooting performance in professional basketball players. In this investigation, we examined 38 males (all perimeter players; height: 185.5 ± 6.73 cm; mass: 78.66 ± 10.35 kg). Conditioning capacities were evaluated by tests of muscular strength, aerobic endurance, jumping and throwing capacities, sprinting speed, preplanned agility, anaerobic endurance, and fatigue resistance. Shooting performance was evaluated using game statistics, as well as 6 tests of shooting performance performed in controlled settings: (a) 3 tests of static (i.e., nonfatigued) shooting performance (standardized execution of 1- [S1], 2- [S2] and 3-point shots [S3] in stationary conditions), and (b) 3 tests of dynamic (i.e., fatigued) shooting performance (standardized execution of 1- [D1], 2- (D2), and 3-point shots [D3] in dynamic conditions). All 3 dynamic shooting tests and the S1 test were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) correlated with corresponding game statistics. Multiple regression indicated that conditioning capacities were significantly related to D1 (R = 0.36; p = 0.03), D2 (R = 0.44; p = 0.03), S3 (R = 0.41; p = 0.02), and D3 (R = 0.39; p = 0.03) tests. Players with a higher fatigue resistance achieved better results on the D1 test (ß = -0.37, p = 0.03). Preplanned agility (ß = -0.33, p = 0.04), countermovement jump (ß = 0.42, p = 0.03), and fatigue resistance (ß = -0.37, p = 0.02) were significant predictors of D2 performance. The countermovement jump (ß = 0.39, p = 0.04), medicine ball toss (ß = 0.34, p = 0.04), and anaerobic endurance (ß = 0.46, p = 0.04) predicted the results of D3 performance. Jumping, throwing, and anaerobic endurance capacities were good determinants of the skill of dynamic shooting over a long distance. These findings emphasize the importance of explosive power and anaerobic capacity as determinants of shooting performance in high-level basketball players.

Maturity Status as a Determinant of the Relationships Between Conditioning Qualities and Preplanned Agility in Young Handball Athletes.

Hammami, R, Sekulic, D, Selmi, MA, Fadhloun, M, Spasic, M, Uljevic, O, and Chaouachi, A. Maturity status as a determinant of the relationships between conditioning qualities and preplanned agility in young handball athletes. J Strength Cond Res 32(8): 2302-2313, 2018-Studies performed thus far have not accounted for the potential influence of maturity on determinants of preplanned agility. This study aimed to examine how determinants of preplanned agility are affected by the period of peak height velocity (PHV) regarding the anthropometrics and conditioning qualities in young handball players. The sample comprised 56 handball players (male; 12-14 years of age), allocated into 2 groups according to their biological age of maturity: Pre-PHV (N = 34) and Post-PHV (N = 22). Players were evaluated on handball-specific tests of preplanned agility (CODAT and T-HALF). Predictors included anthropometrics, sprinting, horizontal and vertical jumps, and reactive strength index (RSI). The reliability of the tests was appropriate (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.87-0.95; coefficient of variation: 4.4-5.8%). In the Pre-PHV group, 67% variance of the T-HALF accounted for horizontal countermovement jump (ß: -0.83, p < 0.01), 20-m sprint (ß: 0.91, p < 0.01), and body mass (ß: 0.19, p = 0.02). In the Post-PHV group, 80% of the T-HALF variance was explained, with a significant influence of 20-m sprint (ß: 0.52, p < 0.01), RSI (ß: -0.24, p = 0.04), and standing long jump (ß: -0.57, p = 0.03). In the Pre-PHV group, 45% of the CODAT variance accounted for the partial influence of body fat percentage (ß: 0.44, p = 0.04) and a 20-m sprint (ß: 0.74, p < 0.01). In the Post-PHV group, the predictors accounted for 79% of the CODAT variance, with a significant influence of the RSI (ß: -0.26, p = 0.04) and a 10-m sprint (ß: 0.87, p = 0.03). Our results reinforce the need for differential strength and conditioning programs aimed at improving the preplanned agility of young athletes who differ in maturity status.

Examination of Factors Explaining Coaching Strategy and Training Methodology as Correlates of Potential Doping Behavior in High-Level Swimming.

Although coaching is considered an important determinant of athletes' potential doping behavior (PDB), there is an evident lack of studies that have examined coaching-strategy-and-training-methodology (CS&TM) in relation to PDB. This study was aimed to identify the specific associations that may exist between CS&TM -factors and other factors, and PDB in high-level swimming. The sample comprised 94 swimmers (35 females; 19.7 ± 2.3 years of age) and consisted of swimmers older than 18 years who participated in the 2017 National Championship. Variables were collected by previously validated questionnaires, with the addition of questions where athletes were asked about CS&TM to which they had been exposed. Multinomial logistic regression was applied for the criterion PDB (Negative PDB - Neutral PDB - Positive PDB). The higher risk for positive-PDB was found in males (OR: 6.58; 95%CI: 1.01-9.12); therefore, all regressions were adjusted for gender. Those swimmers who achieved better competitive result were less prone to neutral-PDB (0.41; 0.17-0.98). The positive-PDB was evidenced in those swimmers who perceived that their training was monotonous and lacked diversity (1.82; 1.41-5.11), and who were involved in training which was mostly oriented toward volume (1.76; 1.11-7.12). The lower likelihood of positive-PDB is found in those who replied that technique is practiced frequently (0.12; 0.01-0.81), those who replied that coach regularly provided the attention to explain the training aims (0.21; 0.04-0.81), and that coach frequently reviewed and discussed the quality of execution of specific tasks (0.41; 0.02-0.81). The findings on the relationships between the studied variables and PDB should be incorporated into targeted anti-doping efforts in swimming. Further studies examining sport-specific variables of CS&TM in younger swimmers and other sports are warranted.

Evaluation of Basketball-Specific Agility: Applicability of Preplanned and Nonplanned Agility Performances for Differentiating Playing Positions and Playing Levels.

Sekulic, D, Pehar, M, Krolo, A, Spasic, M, Uljevic, O, Calleja-González, J, and Sattler, T. Evaluation of basketball-specific agility: applicability of preplanned and nonplanned agility performances for differentiating playing positions and playing levels. J Strength Cond Res 31(8): 2278-2288, 2017-The importance of agility in basketball is well known, but there is an evident lack of studies examining basketball-specific agility performances in high-level players. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and discriminative validity of 1 standard agility test (test of preplanned agility [change-of-direction speed] over T course, T-TEST), and 4 newly developed basketball-specific agility tests, in defining playing positions and performance levels in basketball. The study comprised 110 high-level male basketball players (height: 194.92 ± 8.09 cm; body mass: 89.33 ± 10.91 kg; age: 21.58 ± 3.92 years). The variables included playing position (Guard, Forward, Center), performance level (first division vs. second division), anthropometrics (body height, body mass, and percentage of body fat), T-TEST, nonplanned basketball agility test performed on dominant (BBAGILdom) and nondominant sides (BBAGILnond), and a preplanned (change-of-direction speed) basketball agility test performed on dominant (BBCODSdom) and nondominant sides (BBCODSnond). The reliability of agility tests was high (intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.81-0.95). Forwards were most successful in the T-TEST (F test: 13.57; p = 0.01). Guards outperformed Centers in BBCODSdom, BBCODSndom, BBAGILdom, and BBAGILnond (F test: 5.06, p = 0.01; 6.57, 0.01; 6.26, 0.01; 3.37, 0.04, respectively). First division Guards achieved better results than second division Guards in BBCODSdom (t: 2.55; p = 0.02; moderate effect size differences), BBAGILdom, and BBAGILnond (t: 3.04 and 3.06, respectively; both p = 0.01 and moderate effect size differences). First division Centers outperformed second division Centers in BBAGILdom (t: 2.50; p = 0.02; moderate effect size differences). The developed basketball-specific agility tests are applicable when defining position-specific agility. Both preplanned and nonplanned agilities are important qualities in differentiating between Guards of 2 performance levels. The results confirmed the importance of testing basketball-specific nonplanned agility when evaluating the performance level of Centers.

Evaluation of different jumping tests in defining position-specific and performance-level differences in high level basketball players.

The importance of jumping ability in basketball is well known, but there is an evident lack of studies that have examined different jumping testing protocols in basketball players at advanced levels. The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of different tests of jumping capacity in identifying differences between (i) playing position and (ii) competitive levels of professional players. Participants were 110 male professional basketball players (height: 194.92±8.09 cm; body mass: 89.33±10.91 kg; 21.58±3.92 years of age; Guards, 49; Forwards, 22; Centres, 39) who competed in the first (n = 58) and second division (n = 52). The variables included anthropometrics and jumping test performance. Jumping performances were evaluated by the standing broad jump (SBJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), reactive strength index (RSI), repeated reactive strength ability (RRSA) and four running vertical jumps: maximal jump with (i) take-off from the dominant leg and (ii) non-dominant leg, lay-up shot jump with take-off from the (iii) dominant leg and (iv) non-dominant leg. First-division players were taller (ES: 0.76, 95%CI: 0.35-1.16, moderate differences), heavier (0.69, 0.29-1.10), had higher maximal reach height (0.67, 0.26-1.07, moderate differences), and had lower body fat % (-0.87, -1.27-0.45, moderate differences) than second-division players. The playing positions differed significantly in three of four running jump achievements, RSI and RRSA, with Centres being least successful. The first-division players were superior to second-division players in SBJ (0.63, 0.23-1.03; 0.87, 0.26-1.43; 0.76, 0.11-1.63, all moderate differences, for total sample, Guards, and Forwards, respectively). Running vertical jumps and repeated jumping capacity can be used as valid measures of position-specific jumping ability in basketball. The differences between playing levels in vertical jumping achievement can be observed by assessing vertical jump scores together with differences in anthropometric indices between levels.