The Relative Age Effect on YoungAthletes of Para-Athletics: Birth quartile analysis and performance in individual athletic events / El Efecto de la Edad Relativa en los Atletas Jóvenes de Paratlético: Análisis de cuartil denacimiento y desempeño en eventos atléticos individuales / O Efeito da Idade Relativa em Jovens Atletas de Paraatletismo: Análise do quartil de nascimento e do desempenho em eventos individuais de atletismo

El Efecto de la Edad Relativa (EER) es un fenómeno caracterizado por una sobrerrepresentación significativa de atletas nacidos en los primeros meses del año competitivo en la misma categoría deedad que se ha observado en categorías juveniles de atletismo. Sin embargo, hay una falta de investigación para investigar este fenómeno y su relación con el deporte para, y no está claro si este efectoestá presente en los jóvenes atletas. Por lo tanto, nuestro estudio examinó la existencia de EER en jóvenes atletaspara-atléticos (categorías U16, U18 y U20) y el rendimiento en eventos deportivos individuales según el cuartil denacimiento (Q1, Q2, Q3 yQ4). Las fechas de nacimiento se recogieron de 700 jóvenes atletas masculinos de deportes para que participaran en eventos deportivos individuales entre 2018 y 2019 en las categorías U16, U18 y U20. En resumen, se observó una distribución desigual de las fechas de nacimiento por cuartil cuando un mayor número de jóvenes para-atletas nació en el primer trimestre del año para U16 (χ²3= 18.785; p = .0003; Phi efecto = 0.45), U18 (χ²3= 6.846; p= .05; Phi efecto = 0.17), y U20 (χ²3= 10.156; p = .017; Phiefecto = 0.17). Sin embargo, cuando comparamos el desempeño de los atletas por evento (eventos de atletismo) y por separado por cuartil, no se encontró diferencia significativa (p> .05). En conclusión, nuestro estudio evidenció el papel influyente de laedad relativa en atletismo, pero parece que este fenómeno no está relacionado con el rendimiento en atletismo.(AU)

The Relative Age Effect (RAE) is a phenomenon characterized by a significant over-representation ofathletes born in the first months of the competitive year in the same age category that has been observed in athletics juvenile categories. However, there is a lack of research to investigate this phenomenon and its relationship with para-sport, and it isnot clear whether this effect is present in young para-athletes. Thus, the present study aims to examine the existence of RAE in young para-athletics athletes (U16, U18, and U20 categories) and the performance in individual athletic events according to the birth quartile (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4). Birth dates were collected from 700 young male athletes from para-sport who participated in individual athletic eventsbetween 2018 and 2019 in the U16, U18, and U20 categories. In summary, unequal distribution of birth dates per quartile was observed where a greater number of young para-athletes was born in the Q1 of the year for U16 (χ²3= 18.785; p = .0003; Phi effect = .45), U18 (χ²3= 6.846; p= .05; Phi effect = .17), and U20 (χ²3= 10.156; p= .017; Phi effect =.17). However,when we compared the performance of the athletes by event (track and field events) and separately by quartile, no significant difference was found (p> .05). In conclusion, our study evidenced the influential role of relative age in track and field para-athletes, but it seems that this phenomenon is not related to performance in track and field events.(AU)

O Efeito da Idade Relativa (EIR) é um fenômeno caracterizado por uma significativa representação de atletas nascidos nos primeiros meses do ano competitivo na mesma faixa etária que tem sido observada em categorias juvenis de atletismo. No entanto, há ainda uma lacuna em termos de investigaçãopara analisar esse fenômeno e sua relação com o para-desporto. Assim, o obejtivo do presente estudo foi analisar a existência de EIR em atletas jovens de para-atletismo (categorias Sub-16, Sub-18 e Sub-20) e sua relação com o desempenho em eventos atléticos individuais de acordo com o quartil de nascimento (Q1, Q2, Q3 e Q4). As datas de nascimento foram recolhidas de 700 jovens atletas do sexo masculino de paradesporto que participaram de eventos de atletismo individuais entre 2018 e 2019 nas categorias Sub-16, Sub-18 e Sub-20. No geral, observou-se uma distribuição desigual das datas de nascimento por quartil, onde um maior número de jovens para-atletas nasceu no Q1 do ano para Sub-16 (χ²3= 18.785; p = .0003; Phi effect = .45), Sub-18 (χ²3= 6.846; p= .05; Phi effect = .17), e Sub-20 (χ²3= 10.156; p= .017; Phi effect = .17). Entretanto, quando comparamos o desempenho dos atletas por evento (provas de atletismo) e separadamente por quartil, não houve diferenças significativas (p> .05). Em conclusão, nosso estudo evidenciou o papel influente da idade relativa em paraatletas de atletismo, mas parece que esse fenômeno não está relacionadoao desempenho em eventos desta modalidade.(AU)

Is There a Relationship Between Birth Quartile and Vertical Jump Performance Among Young Male Elite Volleyball Athletes?

Vertical jump is an important skill that influences volleyball performance. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between vertical jump performance and birth quartile of Brazilian male youth volleyball players. We calculated chi-square goodness-of-fit tests to compare the athletes' birthdate distributions in quarters of their birth years (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) according to player age categories (U17, U18, U19, and U21). We calculated one-way ANOVAs to compare spike jump and block jump heights of players born in different quarters of the same year. Overall, we found a relative age effect (i.e., more players with birth dates early in the birth year) in U17 (p < .001), U18 (p < .001), U19 (p < .001), and U21 (p = .04). Regarding vertical jump performance, U18 athletes born in Q2 reached higher spike jump heights (p = .006) and block jump heights (p = .002) than athletes born in Q4, and U19 athletes born in Q1 reached higher block jump heights than athletes born in Q3 (p = .049). There were no significant differences in vertical jump performance across birth quartiles among U17 and U21 athletes. Thus, a relative age effect was present in all age categories but not always reflected in vertical jump performance. Volleyball coaches and policymakers are still advised to employ strategies to ensure fairer opportunities for players born later in the year of their eligibility dates, as we found RAE to be sometimes, but not always, related to higher spike or block jump heights even among these older adolescents and young adult athletes.

Brazilian South-South Scientific Collaboration and The Sustainable Development Goals.

We look at Brazilian collaboration in Scientific papers based on SciVal and Incites regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Data were collected from InCites® and SciVal® (2012-2021). Groups of Global South countries were formed (ASEAN, Asia, Africa, BRICS, Caribbean, Central and Latin America). Analyses included Cluster (Author position, impact/citations, open access, journal quartil), principal component, path and analysis of variance to see the effect of region and SDGs in Brazilian publishing. Scopus data were analysed in Vosviewer® for creating country networks through publication, citation and bibliographic coupling, as well as keyword analysis. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) dominates all Brazilian scientific collaborations with the various country groups. While gender equality shows greater importance in ASEAN and African countries, Life Below Water (SDG14), on Land (SDG15), and Climate Action (SDG13), are important in all regions. SDGs 1, 8, 10, 12, and 16 show less importance in this collaboration overall. Brazil is relatively more active in Zero Hunger (SDG2) and Life on Land (SDG15) than worldwide. Brazil South-South collaboration in published documents shows higher impact than North South in some areas. Collaboration priorities vary by region and triangulation with countries is high depending on language and region.

The Decision-Making of High-Level Volleyball Setters in the 2021-2022 Volleyball Men's Superliga: Does the Opponent Matter?

Our primary objective in this study was to investigate the offensive strategies employed in the attack phase of men's volleyball, specifically focusing on side-out as stratified by the type of confrontation that was determined by the opponent's team performance. We analyzed 5524 attacking actions during 22 games of the 12 teams that participated in the Volleyball Men's Superliga (season 2021-2022). Based on their final rankings in the championship, we classified these teams into three tiers: high-performance, intermediate-performance, and low-performance. Subsequently, we examined the dynamics of these matches using Social Network Analysis. We found that the opponent teams' performance levels did not influence the game dynamics. Notably, the eigenvector values were prominently higher for Attack Zones 2 and 4, wherein the middle-blocker jumped to attack close to the setter across all networks. Thus, setters opted for traditional and low-risk strategies to minimize errors, disregarding available information about the skill level of the opposing team, making their offensive tactics predictable.

Using inertial measurement units for quantifying the most intense jumping movements occurring in professional male volleyball players.

The purpose of this study was to use an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to analyze variations in the jump outcomes concerning weekly training days, and the dependencies between the number of jumps per minute and the jump height. An experimental research design was adopted across three weeks of the final play-off of a volleyball championship. Through an IMU, the external load of seven male elite volleyball athletes of a top rating team from Portuguese 1st Division (age: 30.5 ± 3.5 years; height: 200.2 ± 6.3 cm; body mass: 93.0 ± 8.1 kg; BMI: 23.1 ± 2.3 kg/m2) was monitored. Repeated measures ANOVA was executed to compare the outcomes between training days. It was observed a similar density of jumps during the week. However, when comparing MD-1 to MD-2, a more significant average number of jumps per minute was observed in MD-1 (1.3 ± 0.2 vs. 1.0 ± 0.2). Additionally, a positive, large and significant correlation was registered between the number of jumps and the height of the jump. Those results highlight the benefits of the specific training, leading to greater stimulation and improvement, in a game-like context, of the stretching-shortening cycle, observed in every jump action in volleyball.

Does Relative Age Effect Exist in Paralympic Sport? A Study With Brazilian Paralympic Swimmers.

A Relative Age Effect (RAE), by which young athletes with birthdates early in a calendar year have experienced a team selection advantage that persists throughout their careers, has been found to be prevalent in many sports. However, this phenomenon has not been investigated in the Paralympic sports context. Thus, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of RAE among male and female Brazilian Paralympic swimmers. Data from 694 ranked athletes were collected from the 2021 Brazilian Paralympic Swimmers National rankings. Athletes' birthdates were divided into four quarters (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) according to their month of birth. Chi-Square (χ2) goodness-of-fit tests were used to compare the observed and expected distributions of athletes born in each quarter, based on sex (male and female), impairment type (physical, visual, and intellectual), and swim stroke competition (freestyle, medley, backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke). The observed birthdates distributions were different from expected in males (χ2 = 11.647; p = 0.009) and females (χ2 = 8.899; p = 0.031), for athletes with physical impairments (χ2 = 10.443; p = 0.015); and for athletes who competed in freestyle (χ2 = 16.683; p = 0.001), medley (χ2 = 12.343; p = 0.006) and backstroke (χ2 = 8.025; p = 0.045) races. Even though our results demonstrated asymmetric distributions of Brazilian Paralympic swimmers' birthdates in many of the analyses, we could not establish the classical prevalence of athletes born at the beginning of the year that defines RAE. Therefore, the selection process of Brazilian Paralympic swimmers does not seem to be influenced by the athletes' time of birth.

Inter e intra-variability of the best ranked teams: A network analysis in male high-level volleyball.

The present research objective was to analyze the offensive phase from Complex I in high-level male volleyball teams in a macro- and micro-level view, through the inter e intra-team variability analysis of eight best teams of the 2018 Men's Volleyball World Championship over the social network analysis and eigenvector centrality. The sample consisted of 22 matches and 2,743 offensive actions, resulting in 8 sub-networks with 368 nodes and 6221 edges. The results showed from macro view the variables that presented highest centrality values were Attack Zone 4 (range 0.56-0.90), Attack Tempo 2 (0.65-0.87), Power Attack (0.62-0.94), No Touch Block (0.61-1), Attack Effect Continuity (0.59-0.94), and Middle Blocker Centralized (0.60-0.95). In a micro view, Reception Effect, Play Position, Reception Zone, and Block Composition showed high variability in each sub-network. The intra- and inter-team variability presented the importance of to respect each team idiosyncrasies and to consider the different approaches to the game and success.

A formação inicial em Educação Física: análise do ensino do voleibol através dos jogos reduzidos a partir das ementas de universidades federais / The initial formation in Physical Education: analysis of the teaching of volleyball through Small-sided Games from the itinerary of federal universities / La formación inicial en Educación Física: análisis de la enseñanza del Volleyball a través de juegos reducidos y condicionados a partir de los menús de las universidad federales

Os jogos reduzidos e condicionados são uma estratégia eficaz no ensino e aprendizagem de competências tático-técnicas no voleibol. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se os jogos reduzidos e condicionados no voleibol fazem parte do ementário dos cursos de Educação Física das universidades federais brasileiras. Utilizamos a investigação documental com a coleta de dados nas universidades federais cadastradas na base de dados do e-MEC. Os resultados mostram que há indicação de utilização dos jogos reduzidos e condicionados em duas disciplinas de voleibol analisadas. Concluímos que deve haver mudanças no ensino dos jogos reduzidos e condicionados para que as universidades federais possam atualizar suas ementas no intuito de formar recursos humanos cada vez mais qualificados (AU)

The Small-sided Games are an effective strategy in the teaching and learning of tactical and technical skills in volleyball. The objective of this study was to verify if the Small-sided Games in volleyball are part of the itinerary of Physical Education courses in Brazilian federal universities. A documental investigation was used with data collection from federal uni-versities registered in the e-MEC database. The results show there is an indication of the use of reduced and conditioned games in two volleyball disciplines analyzed. The conclusion is that there must be changes in the teaching of Small-sided Games so that the federal universities can update their curriculum in order to form more qualified human resources (AU).

Los juegos reducidos y condicionados son una estrategia efi-caz en la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de habilidades tácticas y técnicas en el Volleyball. El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar si los juegos reduci-dos y condicionados en Volleyball hacen parte del plan de estudios de los cursos de Educación Física de las universidades federales brasileñas. Se utilizó una investigación documental con recolección de datos de univer-sidades federales registradas en la base de datos e-MEC. Los resultados muestran que hay indicios del uso de juegos reducidos y condicionados en dos disciplinas de voleibol analizadas. La conclusión es que debe ha-ber cambios en la enseñanza de los juegos reducidos y condicionados para que las universidades federales puedan actualizar sus pan de es-tudios con el fin de formar cada vez más recursos humanos calificados (AU).

Influência do efeito da idade relativa no futsal masculino escolar de Mato Grosso: análise de acordo com a categoria / Influence of the relative age effect on male school futsal in Mato Grosso: a category-based analysis / Influencia del efecto de la edad relativa en el fútbol sala escolar masculino de Mato Grosso: análisis de acuerdo con la categoría

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a existência e a influência do Efeito da Idade Relativa (EIR) em estudantes-atletas de futsal masculino de Mato Grosso de acordo com a categoria etária. A amostra foi composta por 486 estudantes-atletas masculinos de futsal de Mato Grosso das categorias A (15 a 17 anos) e B (12 a 14 anos) que disputaram os Jogos Escolares Mato-grossenses e os Jogos Estudantis de Seleções Mato-Grossenses de 2021. Para análise, foram realizados testes qui-quadrado (χ2) de aderência. Os resultados mostraram a presença do EIR na análise geral e nas categorias A e B, com maior representação de atletas nascidos no primeiro trimestre do ano. Conclui-se que o EIR é um fenômeno presente em estudantes-atletas de futsal masculino do estado de Mato Grosso.

The objective of this study was to analyze the existence and influence of the Relative Age Effect (RAE) in male Mato Grosso's futsal student-athletes according to age category. The sample consisted of 486 male futsal student-athletes from Mato Grosso, in categories A (15 to 17 years old) and B (12 to 14 years old) who competed in the 2021 Mato Grosso School Games and the Mato Grosso Student Selections Games. For analysis, chi-square (χ2) goodness of fit tests were performed. Results showed the presence of RAE in the overall analysis and in categories A and B, with a greater representation of athletes born in the first quarter of the year. It is concluded that RAE is a phenomenon present in male futsal student-athletes in the state of Mato Grosso.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la existencia e influencia del Efecto de la Edad Relativa (EER) en estudiantes-atletas de fútbol sala masculino de Mato Grosso de acuerdo con la categoría de edad. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 486 estudiantes-atletas masculinos de fútbol sala de Mato Grosso de las categorías A (15 a 17 años) y B (12 a 14 años) que compitieron en los Juegos Escolares de Mato Grosso y los Juegos Estudiantiles de Selecciones de Mato-Grosso (Brasil) de 2021. Para el análisis, se realizaron pruebas estadísticas de ajuste chi-cuadrado (χ2). Los resultados mostraron la presencia del EER en el análisis general y en las categorías A y B, con una mayor representación de atletas nacidos en el primer trimestre del año. Se concluye que el EER es un fenómeno presente en estudiantes-atletas de fútbol sala masculino del estado de Mato Grosso.

The Relative Age Effect in Male and Female Brazilian Elite Volleyball Athletes of Varied Competitive Levels.

Volleyball is a popular sport in Brazil, and the relative age effect (RAE) is known to occur within it; but less is known of how RAE relates to elite Brazilian volleyball players' age, sex, and competitive levels. We aimed to investigate RAE prevalence with data from two seasons of play among players in the Superliga A (2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons), and Superliga B (2021 and 2022 seasons) made available from the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV), the club's official website, or direct consultation with the CBV. After removing duplicate data, we grouped these 1,063 athletes by their dates of birth, sex, and competition level (Superliga A or B). We divided players' birth dates into quarters (Q1: January-March, Q2: April-June, Q3: July-September and Q4: October-December) and into semesters, and we performed chi-square (χ2) tests to investigate RAE prevalence according to the players' sex and competitive level. RAE was prevalent overall (χ2 = 33.198; p < .001), among males (χ2 = 24.48; p < .001) and females (χ2 = 11.23; p < .011). Regarding competition level, RAE was evident among males in both Superliga A (χ2 = 14.581; p = 0.002), and B (χ2 = 13.985; p = 0.003), and among females in Superliga B (χ2 = 9.204; p = 0.027), but not Superliga A (χ2 = 4.012; p = 0.26). Thus, the RAE phenomenon operated differently for male and female Brazilian volleyball players according to their competitive level. We discuss the implications of these findings.

Sleep quality and regular physical activity in reducing cardiac risk.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents with sedentary behavior, spending many hours in front of the television and electronic devices, develop early involvement of cardiovascular disease and obesity. These sedentary behaviors increased significantly in this age group during the pandemic of 2020/2021. Sleep directly influences aspects of health, such as blood pressure and cardiac autonomic balance and exercise has a protective effect on these same physiological parameters. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine whether or not physically active adolescents positively influence HRV and cardiovascular parameters despite poor sleep quality. METHODS: This is an analytic and transversal study. Sleep quality, physical activity levels, blood pressure, and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured. Two-way ANOVA and Tuckey post hoc test evaluated the difference between groups. RESULTS: Among 352 adolescents entrolled, mean age was 15.8 ± 0.24 years. It was observed that compared to the physically active group with poor sleep quality, the sedentary poor sleep quality group presented a more significant deficit in blood pressure and autonomic parameters such as pNN50, SD1, and HF. CONCLUSION: Adolescents who practiced physical activity regularly have shown better HRV and sleep quality compared with sedentary adolescents.

Iniciação esportiva universal + escola da bola: impactos no conhecimento tático processual de escolares / Universal sports initiation + ball school: impacts on the procedural tactical knowledge of schoolchildren

RESUMO A capacidade tática nos jogos esportivos coletivos se baseia na relação com os conhecimentos que o praticante possui por meio de suas experiências anteriores, e a escola deve oportunizá-las, a fim de promover a formação geral dos alunos. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os impactos no conhecimento tático processual (CTP) de escolares em formação esportiva geral após um programa híbrido de ensino. Participaram 40 escolares (20 no grupo experimental-GE e 20 no grupo controle-GC) com idades entre 8 e 10 anos (7,85 ± 0,48), de ambos os sexos. Aplicou-se o Teste de Conhecimento Tático Processual: Orientação Esportiva para avaliação do CTP antes e após 17 sessões de aulas com um programa híbrido de ensino que utilizou conteúdos das propostas metodológicas da Iniciação Esportiva Universal (IEU) e da Escola da Bola (EB). A intervenção no GE provocou melhora significativa no CTP dos escolares para as ações em ataque e defesa com mãos e pés quando comparado ao CG com tamanho de efeito grande. Conclui-se que a utilização desse programa híbrido de ensino (IEU + EB) aplicado nas aulas de educação física (EF) foi capaz de melhorar o CTP de escolares.

ABSTRACT The tactical capacity in team sports is based on the relationship with the knowledge that the practitioner has through his previous experiences, and the school must provide them in order to promote the general formation of the students. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts on the procedural tactical knowledge (PTK) of students in general sports formation after a hybrid teaching program. Participants were 40 students (20 in the experimental group-EG and 20 in the control group-CG) aged between 8 and 10 years old (7.85 ± 0.48), of both sexes. The PTK test: Sports Orientation was applied to evaluate the PTK before and after 17 sessions of school classes with a hybrid teaching program that used contents of the methodological proposals of the Universal Sports Initiation (USI) and the Ball School (BS). The intervention in the EG caused a significant improvement in the PTK of the students for the actions in attack and defense with hands and feet when compared to the GC with large effect size. It is concluded that the use of this hybrid teaching program (USI + BS) applied in physical education classes was able to improve the PTK of students.

Prevalence of the Relative Age Effect in Elite Brazilian Volleyball: An Analysis Based on Gender, the Playing Position, and Performance Indicators.

Athletes born closer to an arbitrary cut-off date are more likely to reach an elite level in sport, which is supported by a phenomenon called the relative age effect (RAE). It is important to determine whether this phenomenon is present in a sport to minimize this selection bias. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of RAE in elite volleyball athletes, considering the influence of gender, the playing position (Setter, Middle, Libero, Opposite, and Outside Hitter) and the performance level (attack points, aces, and block points). The sample comprised 203 male and 193 female athletes competing in the Superliga A in the 2020/2021 season, which was equivalent to all of the teams of the championship. The data collection was performed during May and June, 2021. Athletes were organized according to gender, the playing position, and performance in the Superliga. For performance variables, athletes were separated based on the median value (90.0), and classified as high- or low-performance. Chi-squared tests were performed to verify differences between birth date distributions in relation to the aforementioned variables. Results indicated overrepresentation of relatively older male athletes (Q1 = 35.96%; Q2 = 27.59%; Q3 = 19.21%; Q4 = 17.24%), especially in Middles, Opposites, and Outside Hitters, regardless of their performance level. Considering females, no differences were found. Our findings suggest that RAE operates differently for men and women in elite Brazilian volleyball. The characteristics of the games played by male and female elite athletes may lead to different talent selection processes, affecting the likelihood of RAE prevalence.

Within-week differences in external training load demands in elite volleyball players.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the within-week differences in external training intensity in different microcycles considering different playing positions in women elite volleyball players. METHODS: The training and match data were collected during the 2020-2021 season, which included 10 friendly matches, 41 league matches and 11 champions league matches. The players' position, training/match duration, training/match load, local positioning system (LPS) total distance, LPS jumps, accelerations, decelerations, high metabolic load distance (HMLD), acute and chronic (AC) mean and AC ratio calculated with the rolling average (RA) method and the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) method, monotony and strain values were analyzed. RESULTS: All the variables except strain, Acc/Dec ratio and acute mean (RA) showed significant differences among distance to match days. Regarding the players' positions, the only difference was found in the AC ratio (EWMA); in all microcycles, the middle blocker player showed workload values when compared with the left hitter, setter and libero. CONCLUSION: Overall, the analysis revealed that the intensity of all performance indicators, except for strain, acc/dec and acute mean load (RA), showed significant differences among distance to match day with moderate to large effect sizes. When comparing players' positions, the middle blocker accumulated the lowest loads. There were no significant differences among other positions.

Differences in visual search behavior between expert and novice team sports athletes: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: For a long time, in sports, researchers have tried to understand an expert by comparing them with novices, raising the doubts if the visual search characteristics distinguish experts from novices. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to review and conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the differences in visual search behavior between experts and novices in team sports athletes. Methods: This systematic review with meta-analysis followed the PRISMA 2020 and Cochrane's guidelines. Healthy team athletes were included, which engaged in regular practice, from any sex or competitive level, specifically classified a priori as expert or novice in the original research (i.e., if they were classified after the experiment, based on one of the tests, the study would be excluded). We considered only research published in peer-reviewed journals, with no limitations regarding date or language. It was considered healthy team sport athletes engaged in regular practice. The scenarios could be in situ or film-based. The databases of EBSCO (Academic Search Complete, Academic Search Ultimate, APA PsycArticles, and APA PsycINFO), PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were used to perform the searches. The risk of bias was calculated through the RoBANS tool. Results: From a total of 6,257 records, of which 985 were duplicates, titles and abstracts of 5,272 were screened, and 45 required full-text analysis. Of those, 23 were excluded due to not fulfilling the eligibility criteria regarding participants. In the end, 22 studies were selected, however, as two studies were part of the same trial and were analyzed conjointly. Discussion: Experts showed to be older and with more years of practice. The ability to distinguish experts from novices was not so clear regarding the variables analyzed. This could be due to the strategies chosen in each study, which were specific to each scenario, and when grouping all together, it was lost information within non-representative averages. The distinction between experts and novices was not clear, showing a lot of heterogeneity in the included studies. The expert classification itself may have been the conditioning aspect for these results, retaining the doubt and the need for more studies in the field. Systematic review registration: The protocol was pre-registered in OSF (project https://osf.io/3j4qv/, register https://osf.io/dvk2n).

Small-sided games in volleyball: A systematic review of the state of the art.

Studies on small-sided games (SSG) in team sports have increased in recent decades. However, the literature concerning this training strategy in volleyball is sparse. This study aims to summarize and analyse the scientific evidence on SSG in volleyball. For this purpose, electronic searches were conducted in August 2021 in PubMed, Scielo, ScienceDirect, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases. As result, a total of 22 studies (3 cross-sectional, 7 quasi-experimental, and 12 randomized controlled trial) that used SSG in volleyball were included in the qualitative synthesis after applying the eligibility criteria. Despite the few studies available for each outcome, our results suggest that the SSG can be used as a methodological resource for volleyball teaching and training of educational, recreational, and high-performance character. In conclusion, the use of SSG in volleyball is a pedagogical and training alternative with positive effects on populations with different levels of training (school and university students, recreational adult players, and athletes) considering instructional approaches, sport knowledge, participation in Physical Education classes, health markers, physical fitness, and physiological, psychological, and tactical-technical variables. However, more studies need to be carried out using SSG in volleyball in different contexts, with different manipulations and variables.

Relative age effect on elite men’s futsal according to region and playing position:A study of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021 / Efecto de la edad relativa en el fútbol sala masculino de elite según la región y la posición de juego: Unestudio de la Copa Mundial de Fútbol Sala FIFA Lituania 2021 / Efeito da idade relativa no futsal de elite masculino de acordo com a região e posição de jogo: Um estudo daCopa do Mundo de Futsal FIFA Lituânia 2021

Objective: To investigate the existence of relative age effect (RAE) in male futsal athletes that participated in the “FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021”,according to region and playing position.Methods: The birthdates of 384 male futsal athletes participating in the competition were collected from official websites. Players were divided accordingto their continents and playing positions, and the chi-square goodness-of-fit tests ( 2) were performed to compare the expected and the observed birthχ2) were performed to compare the expected and the observed birth-date absolute distributions for each group. Also, specific effect sizes (⍵) were calculated for each of the chi-square tests performed. Additionally, OddsRatio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the first and the last quarters of the year, as for semesters. Results: The overall analysis of the athletes indicated no presence of RAE in this sample, since an even distribution of birthdates was found ( 2 = 5.949; pχ2) were performed to compare the expected and the observed birth= 0.114; = 0.124). The regions analysed also indicated no presence of RAE. When playing positions were considered, once again analyses indicated noω = 0.124). The regions analysed also indicated no presence of RAE. When playing positions were considered, once again analyses indicated noRAE to elite international futsal athletes, since no differences were found between the observed and expected birthdate distributions.Conclusion: RAE is not prevalent on the international male elite futsal context. This effect was not associated with region or playing positions. From apractical perspective, it is important that selection processes consider the incidence of the RAE and give similar opportunities to athletes regardless oftheir birthdate.(AU)

Objetivo: Investigar la existencia del efecto de la edad relativa (EER) en atletas masculinos de fútbol sala que participaron en la “Copa Mundial de Fútbol Sala FIFA Lituania 2021”, según región y posición de juego.Métodos: Las fechas de nacimiento de 384 atletas masculinos de fútbol sala que participaron en la competencia fueron obtenidas de los sitios web oficiales. Se dividieron los jugadores de acuerdo con sus continentes y posiciones de juego, y se realizaron los testes de chi-cuadrado goodness-of-fit ( 2) χ2) were performed to compare the expected and the observed birthpara comparar las distribuciones absolutas de fecha de nacimiento esperada y observada para cada grupo. Así, se calcularon tamaños de efecto específicos ( ) para cada tests de chi-cuadrado Además, se calcularon Odds Ratio (OR) e intervalos de confianza del 95% para el primer y último ⍵trimestre del año, al igual que para los semestres. Resultados: El análisis general de los atletas indicó que no existe EER en esta muestra, ya que se encontró una distribución uniforme de las fechas de nacimiento ( 2 = 5.949; p = 0.114; = 0.124). Los análisis de regiones también no indicaron presencia de EER. Cuando se consideraron las posiciones deχ2) were performed to compare the expected and the observed birthω = 0.124). The regions analysed also indicated no presence of RAE. When playing positions were considered, once again analyses indicated nojuego, una vez más los análisis no indicaron EER para los atletas, ya que no se encontraron diferencias entre las distribuciones de fechas de nacimiento observadas y esperadas.Conclusiones: El EER no prevalece en el contexto internacional del fútbol sala de élite masculino. Este efecto no se asoció con la región o las posiciones de juego. En la práctica, es importante que en el proceso de selección considerérese la incidencia de EER y que hay oportunidades similares a los atletas independientemente de su fecha de nascimiento.(AU)

Objetivo: Investigar a existência de efeito de idade relativa (EIR) em atletas masculinos de futsal que participaram da “Copa do Mundo de Futsal FIFALituânia 2021”, de acordo com a região e posição de jogo.Métodos: As datas de nascimento de 384 atletas masculinos de futsal que participam da competição foram coletadas de sites oficiais. Os jogadores foramdivididos de acordo com seus continentes e posições de jogo, e os testes qui-quadrado de aderência ( 2) foram realizados para comparar as distribuiçõesχ2) were performed to compare the expected and the observed birthabsolutas esperadas e observadas de nascimento para cada grupo. Assim, foram calculados tamanhos de efeito específicos ( ) para cada um dos testes⍵qui-quadrado realizados. Adicionalmente, foram calculados Odds Ratio (ORs) e intervalos de confiança de 95% para o primeiro e último trimestres doano, assim como para os semestres.Resultados: A análise geral dos atletas não indicou a presença de EIR nesta amostra, uma vez que foi encontrada uma distribuição uniforme das datas denascimento ( 2 = 5.949; p = 0.114; = 0.124). As análises das regiões também não indicaram a presença de EIR. Ao considerar as posições de jogo, maisχ2) were performed to compare the expected and the observed birthω = 0.124). The regions analysed also indicated no presence of RAE. When playing positions were considered, once again analyses indicated nouma vez as análises não indicaram EIR para atletas de elite do futsal internacional, uma vez que não foram encontradas diferenças entre as distribuiçõesde datas de nascimento observadas e esperadas.Conclusões: O EIR não é prevalente no contexto internacional de futsal de elite masculino. Este efeito não foi associado à região ou às posições de jogo. Naprática, é importante que o processo de seleção de talentos considere a incidência do EIR e forneça oportunidades similares aos atletasindependentemente da sua data de nascimento.(AU)

Within-Week Variations and Relationships between Internal and External Intensities Occurring in Male Professional Volleyball Training Sessions.

The purpose of the study was to test the within-week variations of the internal and external training intensity outcomes organized by days of the week. An 8-month observational period was conducted during the 2020-2021 season. The training sessions and matches of an elite volleyball team were monitored daily. The data comes from 14 players (two setters, five middle blockers, five outside hitters, and two opposites) of an elite team from the Portuguese 1st League (age: 21.7 ± 4.19 years of age; experience: 6.2 ± 3.8 years; body mass: 85.7 ± 8.69 kg; height: 192.4 ± 6.25 cm; BMI: 23.1 ± 1.40 kg/m2). The CR10 Borg scale was applied daily to measure the training intensity. The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and the session-RPE were extracted as the internal outcomes. The external intensity was measured using an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The number of jumps, height average of jumps (JHA), minimum jump (MJ), maximal jump (MXJ), range jump (RJ), number of jumps (NJ), and training session density (D) were extracted as external intensity outcomes. The results showed that there was a difference between RPE and S-RPE (F (1.98) = 6.31, p = 0.01, η2 = 0.36, and F (1.73) = 28.30, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.72), as well as JHA and NJ (F (2.14) = 4.76, p = 0.02, η2 = 0.30, and F (1.77) = 4.77, p = 0.02, η2 = 0.30) within the microcycle. When analyzing the correlations between internal and external intensity, it was observed that there was a negative correlation between the Maximum Jump (4, 3, and 1 days before the Match day) (r2 = 0.34, r2 = 0.40, r2 = 0.41, respectively) and the Range Jump (3 and 1 days before the Match day (r2 = 0.33, r2 = 0.38, respectively) with the RPE (4 days before the Match day) and Maximum Jump (5, 4, 3, and 1 days before the Match day (r2 = 0.35, r2 = 0.39, r2 = 0.44, r2 = 0.34, respectively) and Range Jump (5, 4, 3, and 1 days before the Match day) (r2 = 0.34, r2 = 0.35, r2 = 0.40 and r2 = 0.36, respectively) with S_RPE (4 days before the Match day). Such findings show that higher internal intensities are correlated with lower external intensities in sessions further away from the game day. Such results could be an important tool for coaches to reflect, plan, monitor, and execute the training unit according to the temporal distance to the competition.

Construct Validity Evidence in the Motor Coordination Test with Ball - MCTB.

Our purpose with this study was to analyze construct validity evidence for the Motor Coordination Test with Ball (MCTB). Our participant sample included 1620 students (741 girls; 879 boys) aged between 10-12 years. Evidence for construct-validity of the four tasks using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and adequacy indices confirmed a good fit of a final two-dimensional model (BTS = .000; KMO = .83; loading .53 to .91; communalities ranging from .31 to .86; explained variance of 63.5%; goodness-of-fit index (GFI) = .99; adjusted GFI (AGFI) = .97; RMSR = .03), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (X2/df = 4.9; GFI = .97; comparative fit index (CFI) = .92; TLI = .90; Root-Mean-Square Error of Aproximation (RMSEA) = .03). We concluded that, in a Brazilian sample, the MCTB has good construct validity for motor coordination tests with balls; this helps qualify this test for use in schools and in the sports context.