In-season training periodization of professional soccer players.

The aim of this study was to quantify the seasonal perceived respiratory and muscular training loads (i.e., sRPEres-TL and sRPEmus-TL) completed by elite-oriented young professional soccer players. Twenty-four players (20.3 ± 2.0 years) belonging to the same reserve team of a Spanish La Liga club participated in this study. Only the players that were available to train for a whole week with the team and also to play the weekly game were considered: Starters, players that participated in the match for at least 45 min and Non-Starters, players that did not participate or played less than 45 minutes in the match. The competitive period was analysed after the division into 5x6-8 week blocks and 35x1 week microcycles. Data were also analysed with respect to number of days before the immediate match. Weekly TL variation across the in-season blocks was trivial-small for both groups except between Block 2 and Block 3 (ES= moderate). Substantial TL differences (ES= small-very likely) were found between training days, the TL pattern being a progressive increase up to MD-3 followed by a decrease until MD-1. Except for the match, sRPEres-/sRPEmus-TL was very similar between Starters and Non-Starters. In summary, perceived TL across the season displayed limited variation. Coaches periodized training contents to attain the highest weekly TL 72 hours before the match to progressively unload the players between MD-3 and the match day. The data revealed that the TL arising from the weekly game was solely responsible for the observed higher weekly TL of Starters in comparison with Non-Starters.

Physiological responses between players with and without spinal cord injury in wheelchair basketball small-sided games.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a comparative study between players with and without spinal cord injury (SCI) during a training task. OBJECTIVE: This study examined physiological responses in commonly used small-sided games (SSGs) in well-experienced wheelchair basketball (WB) players with SCI and without SCI (Non-SCI). SETTING: The study was conducted with a WB team in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain (2014). METHODS: The team was divided into an SCI group (n=6) and a Non-SCI group (n=6). Absolute and relative heart rate (HR) along with tympanic temperature and perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded for both groups. RESULTS: The two groups attained different absolute HR values for the same SSG. However, no significant differences were observed in relative HR between groups (%HRmean, %HRpeak and the percentage of the time spent in each HR zone: low, moderate, high and maximal) nor in tympanic temperature. Moreover, in relation to the bout evolution analysis (4 repetitions of 4 min), the Non-SCI group significantly increased (P<0.05) absolute HRmean and HRpeak during bouts, whereas the SCI group maintained them constant. Furthermore, the variations in the percentage of the time spent in each HR zone only were observed in the Non-SCI group. CONCLUSION: In spite of the Non-SCI group attaining higher absolute HR values, the SCI and Non-SCI groups may have similar HR relative values during a specific WB training task. However, the SCI group reported significantly higher values in respiratory RPE in the last bout than the Non-SCI group for the same SSG.

Change of direction ability test differentiates higher level and lower level soccer referees.

This report examines the agility and level of acceleration capacity of Spanish soccer referees and investigates the possible differences between field referees of different categories. The speed test consisted of 3 maximum acceleration stretches of 15 metres. The change of direction ability (CODA) test used in this study was a modification of the Modified Agility Test (MAT). The study included a sample of 41 Spanish soccer field referees from the Navarre Committee of Soccer Referees divided into two groups: i) the higher level group (G1, n = 20): 2ndA, 2ndB and 3rd division referees from the Spanish National Soccer League (28.43 ± 1.39 years); and ii) the lower level group (G2, n = 21): Navarre Provincial League soccer referees (29.54 ± 1.87 years). Significant differences were found with respect to the CODA between G1 (5.72 ± 0.13 s) and G2 (6.06 ± 0.30 s), while no differences were encountered between groups in acceleration ability. No significant correlations were obtained in G1 between agility and the capacity to accelerate. Significant correlations were found between sprint and agility times in the G2 and in the total group. The results of this study showed that agility can be used as a discriminating factor for differentiating between national and regional field referees; however, no observable differences were found over the 5 and 15 m sprint tests.

Jump landing characteristics in elite soccer players with cerebral palsy.

The aim of the present study was to analyse the parameters that characterize the vertical ground reaction force during the landing phase of a jump, and to determine the relationship among these parameters in elite soccer players with cerebral palsy (CP). Thirteen male members of the Spanish national soccer team for people with CP (mean age: 27.1 ± 4.7 years) volunteered for the study. Each participant performed three counter movement jumps. The characteristics of the first peak of the vertical ground reaction force during the landing phase of a jump, which corresponds to the forefoot contact with the ground, were similar to the results obtained in previous studies. However, a higher magnitude of rearfoot contact with the ground (F2) was observed in participants with CP than in participants without CP. Furthermore, a significant correlation between F2 magnitude and the elapsed time until its production (T2) was not observed (r = -0.474 for p = 0.102). This result implies that a landing technique based on a delay in the production of F2 might not be effective to reduce its magnitude, contrary to what has been observed in participants without CP. The absence of a significant correlation between these two parameters in the present study, and the high magnitude of F2, suggest that elite soccer players with CP should use footwear with proper cushioning characteristics.

Assessing relational, emotional, and physical dimensions of young players during the tag game / Evaluación de las dimensiones relacional, emocional y física de jóvenes jugadores durante el juego de pillar / Avaliação das dimensões relacional, emocional e física de jovens jogadores durante o jogo de pega-pega

Many tag games present unstable motor communications between players, that is, the motor communication varies during the play due to role-changing. A holistic point of view provides a more complete assessment of the experience of the players during the traditional tag games. Thus, the aims of the study were to propose and use a specific guide to assess the relational, emotional, and physical dimensions during a traditional motor game in young players. Twenty-two young players took part in the study. The participants played a modification of the classic itmotor game for ten minutes. The relational dimension was assessed by observational methodology analysing counter-communications between the tagger and the runner who experienced the counter-communication. The emotional dimension was assessed by the BECS scale of perceived enjoyment and competence. Physical dimension was assessed by differentiating the tagger, the runner, and the target-player measuring the Total Distance covered per second. The relational analysis provided clues about the social relationship of the group. The high values of enjoyment (4.4 ± 0.6) and perceived competence (4.0 ± 0.6) declared by players (suggested the use of the traditional tag game during physical educationlessons and sport training. The tagger performed significantly greater total distance than the rest of the players (p< .001; Effect Size = 1.53 –2.76), suggesting that the assessment of the physical dimension during motor games should be carried out differentiating the motor roles. The assessment of the experience of the players during the motor games differentiating by roles and from a holistic point of view could help to optimise the pedagogical plan. (AU)

Gran parte de los juegos de pillarpresentan comunicaciones motrices inestables entre los jugadores, es decir, la comunicación motriz (i.e. interacciones de cooperación, oposición o neutras) varía durante el juego debido al cambio de rol. El punto de vista holístico posibilita una valoración más completa de la experiencia de los jugadores durante el juego tradicional de pillar. Por lo tanto, los objetivos del estudio fueron presentar y emplear una propuesta para valorar las dimensiones relacional, emocional y física de jóvenes jugadores durante un juego motor. Veintidós jóvenes jugadores participaron en el estudio. Los jugadores jugaron a una modificación del juego de pillardurante diezminutos. La dimensión relacional fue evaluada mediante la metodología observacional, analizando las contra-comunicaciones entre el pilladory el jugador contra-comunicado, la dimensión emocional mediante la escala BECS de disfrute y competencia percibida, y el análisis de la dimensión física(i.e. Distancia Total recorrida por segundo) diferenciando los roles motricesdurante el juego. El análisis relacional aportó pistas sobre las relaciones sociales del conjuntode participantes. Los altos niveles de disfrute (4.4 ± 0.6) y competencia percibida (4.0 ± 0.6) declarados por los jugadores sugieren el uso del juego tradicional de pillardurante las sesiones de educación física y de entrenamiento deportivo. El pilladorrecorrió una distancia significativamente mayor que el resto de los jugadores (p< .001; Tamaño del Efecto = 1.53 –2.76), sugiriendo que la valoración de la dimensión física debería ser llevada a cabo diferenciando los roles motrices. La evaluación de la experiencia de los jóvenes jugadores durante los juegos motores desde un punto de vista holístico y diferenciando por roles podría ayudara optimizar la intervención pedagógica. (AU)

Grande parte dos jogos de pega-pega apresenta comunicações motoras instáveis entre os jogadores, ou seja, a comunicação motora (i.e. interações cooperativas, opostas ou neutras) varia durante o jogo devido à câmbio de papel. O ponto de vista holístico permite uma avaliação mais completa da experiência dos jogadores durante o jogo tradicional de pega-pega. Portanto, os objetivos do estudo foram apresentar e utilizar uma proposta para avaliar as dimensões relacional, emocional e física de jovens jogadores durante um jogo motriz. Vinte e dois jovens jogadores participaram do estudo. Os jogadores jogaram um jogo de pega-pega modificado por 10 minutos. A dimensão relacional foi avaliada por meio da metodologia observacional, analisando as contracomunicações entre o apanhador e o jogador contracomunicado. A dimensão emocional foi avaliada por meio da escala BECS de prazer e competência percebida. A avaliação da dimensão física foi realizada diferenciando os papéis motrices através da medição da Distância Total percorrida por segundo. A análise relacional forneceu pistas sobre as relações sociais do grupo de participantes. Os altos níveis de prazer (4.4 ± 0.6)e competência percebida (4.0 ± 0.6)declarados pelos jogadores sugerem a utilização do tradicional jogo de pega-pega durante as sessões de educação física e treinamento esportivo. Aquele que o apanha percorreu uma distância significativamente maior (p < .001; Tamanho do Efeito = 1.53 –2.76) do que o restante dos jogadores, sugerindo que a avaliação da dimensão física deve ser realizada diferenciando os papéis motrices. A avaliação da experiênciade jovens jogadores durante os jogos motrices de um ponto de vista holístico e diferenciado por papéis pode ajudar a otimizar a intervenção pedagógica. (AU)

Percepción espacial de futbolistas semiprofesionales en juegos reducidos: Un estudio de caso / Spatial Perception of Semi-Professional Soccer Players in Small Games: A Case of Study

Este estudio pretende: i) describir las exigencias tácticas objetivas (área ocupada por el equipo, AOE) y subjetivas (percepción subjetiva del espacio ocupado, PSEO), ii) identificar la variabilidad inter-sujeto y explorar la relación entre AOE y PSEO, y iii) comparar las exigencias entre defensa y ataque durante la realización de juegos reducidos. Doce jugadores semiprofesionales de fútbol fueron monitoreados mediante dispositivos inerciales WIMU PRO®. Los resultados indican un AOE (ataque=257.6±60.6; defensa=120.3±37.8 m2) y PSEO (ataque=3.5±0.7; defensa=2.7±0.6 a.u.). Se encontraron diferencias entre fase de ataque y defensa en ambas variables (p>0.001; AOE, d=2.72; PSEO, d=1.23) y una alta relación entre ambos indicadores (r=0.92). En conclusión, las variables AEO y PSEO discriminaron el efecto de la fase de juego y el día de entrenamiento. Son necesarias futuras investigaciones con un mayor tamaño muestral para confirmar la validez de la PSEO. (AU)

This study aims to: i) describe the objective tactical demands (surface area occupied by team, AOE) and subjective (spatial perception of occupied area, PSEO), ii) identify the inter-subjects variability and the relationship between AOE and PSEO iii) to compare the demands between offensive and defensive phases during small-sided games. Twelve semi-professional football players were tracked using WIMU PRO®. The results indicated an AOE (attack=257.6±60.6; defense=120.3±37.8 m2) and PSEO (attack=3.5±0.7; 2.7±0.6 a.u.). Differences were found between attack and defense phase in both variables (p>0.001; AOE, d=2.72; PSEO, d=1.23) and high relationship between both indicators (r=0.92). In conclusion, the variables AEO and PSEO discriminated the effect of the game phase and the training day. Future research with a larger sample size is necessary to confirm the validity of the PSEO. (AU)

Efectos producidos por diferentes programas de interferencia contextual en la agilidad / Effects of different contextual interference programs in agility

En este estudio participaron 76 alumnos de 9-10 años de edad de un colegio público de educación primaria (44 chicos y 32 chicas). Los participantes fueron randomizados en función del resultado del pretest en cuatro grupos: interferencia contextual baja (ICB, n=19), interferencia contextual moderada (ICM, n=19) interferencia contextual alta (ICA, n=19) y Grupo Control (GC, n=19). El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer que método de entrenamiento de la agilidad en función de la interferencia contextual baja, moderada o alta (ICB, ICM e ICA) es más efectivo en escolares de cuarto curso de educación primaria, con el fin de dilucidar qué método de desarrollo de esta capacidad resultó el idóneo en esta etapa de escolarización. La agilidad fue evaluada mediante el test MAT2. Salvo en el grupo control (CG), se obtuvieron diferencias significativas en la agilidad (test MAT2), en todos los grupos después de un programa de intervención de 4 semanas de duración en alumnos del cuarto curso de primaria. Estas diferencias han sido superiores en el grupo de ICM (p<0,01, ES=1,12). Se encontraron diferencias significativas (p<0,05, ES=0,79) en el postest entre el grupo de ICM e ICB (AU)

This study involved 76 students from 9-10 years old in a public elementary school (44 boys and 32 girls). Participants were randomized to the outcome of the pretest into four groups: low contextual interference (ICB, n = 19), moderate contextual interference (ICM, n = 19) high contextual interference (ICA, n = 19) and Control Group (GC, n = 19). The aim of this study was to determine which method of agility training (ICB, ICM or ICA) is more effective in primary school children (9-10 years), in order to figure out what method of development of this capacity was the appropriate at this stage of schooling. The agility was evaluated by MAT2 test. Except in the control group (GC), there were significant differences in agility (MAT2 test) in all groups (ICB, ICM and ICA) after an intervention program of 4-week fourth-year students of elementary school. These differences have been higher in the ICM group (p<0.01, ES=1.12). We found significant differences (p<0.05, ES=0.79) in the posttest between the ICM and ICB group (AU)