Dispositional Orientations in Competitive Ultimate Frisbee Athletes / Orientaciones disposicionales en atletas competitivos de Ultimate Frisbee / Orientações Disposicionais em Atletas de Competição de Ultimate Frisbee

The purpose of this study to analyze dispositional orientations among Ultimate Frisbee (UF) athletes according to different divisions. Data was collected during the European Beach Ultimate Championship (EBUC) 2019. The sample comprised a total of 484 athletes (34.7±9.7 years of age), from 19 countries. Participants were asked to fill in a sociodemographic questionnaire, and the Perception of Success Questionnaire (POSQ). Participants were grouped in eight competitive divisions: Mixed (n=123), Grand master men’s (n=61), Master mixed (n=59), Master men’s (n=57), Great grand master men’s (n=52), Master women’s (n=51), Men’s (n=50) and Women’s (n=31). The POSQ demonstrated a reasonable internal consistency, with the inter-item reliability coefficients ranging from 0.81 to 0.90. An analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare goal orientation by UF divisions (i.e., women’s, men’s, mixed, master women’s, master men’s, master mixed, grand master men’s, great grand master men’s). On average, UF athletes reported higher levels of perceived task orientations (4.17±0.80 vs. 3.13±0.82). Multivariate analysis of variance demonstrated that there was a significant main effect of UF division on the POSQ scores. The Women’s, Men's and Mixedpresented the higher task values (4.27±0.72, 4.32±0.78, and 4.35±0.67, respectively), while the Master women ́s division presented the highest ego score (3.61±0.71). Our findings indicated that success among UF athletes is defined in self-referenced terms, such as through mastering tasks or improving one ́s own personal skills. (AU)

El objetivo principal de este estudio fue examinar la orientación disposicional entre los atletas de Ultimate Frisbee(UF), según las diferentes divisiones. Los datos fueron recolectados durante el European Beach Ultimate Championship (EBUC) 2019. La muestra estuvo formada por 484 deportistas (34,7±9,7 años) de 19 países. Se pidió a los participantes que completaran un cuestionario sociodemográfico de caracterización individual y el Perception of Success Questionnaire (POSQ). Los participantes se agruparon en ocho divisiones competitivas: Mixto (n=123), Gran máster para hombres (n=61), Máster mixto (n=59), Máster para hombres (n=57), Gran máster para hombres (n=52), Máster femenino (n=51), Masculino (n=50) y Femenino (n=31). El POSQ demostró una coherencia interna razonable, con coeficientes de fiabilidad entre elementos que oscilan entre 0.81 y 0.90. Se utilizó un análisis de varianza (ANOVA) para comparar la orientación de la meta por divisiones de UF, es decir, Femenino, Masculino, Mixto, Máster femenino, Máster masculino, Máster mixto, Grand máster masculino, Great grand máster masculino. En promedio, los atletas del UFrevelaron niveles más altos de orientación a la tarea percibida (4.17±0.80 frente a 3.13±0.82). El análisis de varianza multivariado demostró que había un efecto principal significativo de la división UF en las puntuaciones POSQ. Las categorías Femenina, Masculina y Mixta presentaron los valores más altos para la tarea (4.27±0.72, 4.32±0.78 y 4.35±0.67, respectivamente), mientras que la división Máster femenino presentó la puntuación más alta para el ego (3.61±0.71). Nuestros resultados indicaron que el éxito entre los atletas del UF se define en términos autorreferenciales, mediante el dominio de tareas o la mejora de sus propias habilidades personales. (AU)

O principal objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as orientações disposicionais entre atletas de Ultimate Frisbee (UF), de acordo com as diferentes divisões. Os dados foram recolhidos durante o European Beach Ultimate Championship (EBUC) 2019. A amostra foi composta por de 484 atletas (34.7±9.7 anos de idade), de 19 países. Os participantes foram convidados a preencher um questionário sociodemográfico de caracterização individual, e o Perception of Success Questionnaire (POSQ). Os participantes foram agrupados em oito divisões competitivas: Misto (n=123), Grand master masculino (n=61), Master misto (n=59), Master masculino (n=57), Great grand master masculino (n=52), Master feminino (n=51), Masculino (n=50) e Feminino (n=31). O POSQ demonstrou uma consistência interna razoável, com coeficientesde confiabilidade entre itens variando de 0,81 a 0,90. Uma análise de variância (ANOVA) foi usada para comparar a orientação do objetivo por divisões de UF, ou seja, Feminino, Masculino, Misto, Master feminino, Master masculino, Master misto, Grand mastermasculino, Great grand master masculino. Em média, os atletas de UF revelaram níveis mais elevados de orientações de tarefas percebidas (4.17±0.80 vs. 3.13±0.82). A análise de variância multivariada demonstrou que houve um efeito principal significativo da divisão de UF nos scores do POSQ. As categorias Feminina, Masculina e Mista apresentaram os maiores valores para a tarefa (4.27±0.72, 4.32±0.78 e 4.35±0.67, respetivamente), enquanto a divisão Master feminina apresentou o maior score para o ego (3.61±0.71). Os nossos resultados indicaram que o sucesso entre os atletas de UF é definido em termos auto-referenciados, através do domínio de tarefas ou da melhoria das próprias habilidades pessoais. (AU)

Influence of Skeletal Maturity on Size, Function and Sport-specific Technical Skills in Youth Soccer Players.

This study compared variation in size, function and sport-specific technical skills of youth soccer players associated with differences in biological maturity status. 60 male soccer players of under-14 (U14) and under-17 (U17) categories were submitted to anthropometric and body composition measurements as well as motor and soccer-specific technical skill tests. Skeletal maturity was determined by skeletal age. Athletes of both categories were classified as early, on-time or late-maturing, according to the difference between chronological age and skeletal age. Body mass and height were lower in the late athletes, independent of category (P<0.01). Differences in adiposity were found only between athletes of the U14 (late

Skeletal Maturation and Aerobic Performance in Young Soccer Players from Professional Academies.

The contribution of chronological age, skeletal age (Fels method) and body size to variance in peak velocity derived from the Carminatti Test was examined in 3 competitive age groups of Brazilian male soccer players: 10-11 years (U-12, n=15), 12-13 years (U-14, n=54) and 14-15 years (U-16, n=23). Body size and soccer-specific aerobic fitness were measured. Body composition was predicted from skinfolds. Analysis of variance and covariance (controlling for chronological age) were used to compare soccer players by age group and by skeletal maturity status within of each age group, respectively. Relative skeletal age (skeletal age minus chronological age), body size, estimated fat-free mass and performance on the Carminatti Test increased significantly with age. Carminatti Test performance did not differ among players of contrasting skeletal maturity status in the 3 age groups. Results of multiple linear regressions indicated fat mass (negative) and chronological age (positive) were significant predictors of peak velocity derived from the Carminatti Test, whereas skeletal age was not a significant predictor. In conclusion, the Carminatti Test appears to be a potentially interesting field protocol to assess intermittent endurance running capacity in youth soccer programs since it is independent of biological maturity status.

Longitudinal Development of Explosive Leg Power from Childhood to Adulthood in Soccer Players.

The aim of the this study was to investigate the development of explosive leg power by using 2 similar jumping protocols (countermovement jump and standing broad jump) in 555 Belgian, high-level young soccer players, aged between 7 and 20 years. The total sample was divided into 3 longitudinal samples related to growth and maturation (pre-teenchildhood: (6-10 years;), early adolescence: (11-16 years;) and late adolescence: (17-20 years)), and 6 multilevel regression models were obtained. Generally, both jumping protocols emphasized that chronological age, body size dimensions (by means of fat mass in the late childhood and early adolescence groups, fat-free mass in the late adolescence group and stature--(not for CMJ in late childhood group) and fat mass in the late childhood and early adolescence groups, and fat-free mass in the late adolescence group) and motor coordination (one item of a 3-component test battery) are longitudinal predictors of explosive leg power from childhood to young adulthood. The contribution of maturational status was not investigated in this study. The present findings highlight the importance of including non-specific motor coordination in soccer talent development programs.

Reproducibility of peak power output during a 10-s cycling maximal effort using different sampling rates.

The study was aimed to investigate the reproducibility of performance parameters obtained from 10-s maximal cycling effort against different braking forces in young adult athletes. The sample (n = 48) included male athletes aged 18.9-29.9 years (175.5 ± 6.9 cm, 76.2 ± 10.1 kg). The exercise protocol was performed in a cycle-ergometer against a random braking force (4% to 11% of body mass). Intra-individual variation was examined from repeated tests within one week. Descriptive statistics were computed and differences between sessions were tested using paired t-test. The coefficient of correlation between repeated measures, technical error of measurement (TEM), coefficient of variation and ICC were calculated. Agreement between trials was examined using the Bland-Altman procedure. Mean values of peak power were relatively stable when obtained from sampling rates of 50 Hz and ranged between 1068 watt and 1082 watt (t(47) = 1.149, p = 0.256, ES-r = 0.165) or while corresponding to a sampling rate of 1 Hz (t(47) = 0.742, p = 0.462, ES-r = 0.107). Correlations between repeated measures were high (+0.907, 95% CI: +0.839 to +0.947) and TEM about 59.3 watt (%CV = 5.52%; ICC = 0.951, 95% CI: 0.912 to 0.972). The present study suggests that reproducibility of peak power in male adult athletes tended to be acceptable and within individual error appeared unrelated to braking force.

Allometric multilevel modelling of agility and dribbling speed by skeletal age and playing position in youth soccer players.

This study evaluates the contributions of age, skeletal maturation, body size and composition, training and playing position to the development of agility and dribbling speed in young male soccer players (10-18 years) followed longitudinally. 83 players [defenders (n=35), midfielders (n=27), forwards (n=21)] were followed annually over 5 years (average: 4.4 observations per player). Skeletal age (SA), stature, body mass, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, agility and dribbling speed were measured annually. Body composition was estimated from the 2 skinfolds. Annual training volume was estimated from weekly participation forms completed by coaches. The multiplicative allometric models with the best statistical fit showed that statural growth of 1 cm predicts 1.334 s and 1.927 s of improvement in agility and dribbling speed, respectively. Significant independent effects of fat-free mass and annual volume training were found for agility and dribbling speed, respectively (P<0.05). Predicted agility (from 12 to 18 years of SA) and dribbling speed (from 13 to 18 years of SA) differed significantly among players by playing positions (midfielders>forwards>defenders). The present results provide developmental models for the interpretation of intra- and inter-individual variability in agility and dribbling speed among youth soccer players across adolescence, and may provide a framework for trainers and coaches to develop and evaluate individualized training protocols.

Maturity-associated variation in change of direction and dribbling speed in early pubertal years and 5-year developmental changes in young soccer players.

AIM: The purpose of the current study was to assess the developmental changes in change of direction and dribbling speed in youth soccer players taking into account skeletal age (SA), maturity status, body size, estimated fat mass, aerobic endurance, lower limb explosive strength and annual volume of training. METHODS: Eighty-three male soccer players aged 10-15 years (SA) at baseline were annually followed over 5 years, resulting in an average 4.4 observations per player. After testing for multicollinearity, multi-level regression modeling was used to examine the longitudinal developmental changes on change of direction and dribbling speed. RESULTS: Maturity-associated variability was significant in change of direction and also dribbling speed among young soccer players aged 12-14 years with better scores being performed by late maturers. Moreover, the predicted longitudinal scores for change of direction and dribbling speed improved with SA (P<0.01), SA2 (P<0.01) and skeletal maturity status entered as an additional developmental predictor (P<0.05). Estimated fat-free mass (P<0.01), aerobic endurance (P<0.01) and lower limb strength (P<0.01) were additional predictors in both models. The soccer-specific skill, dibbling speed, was also explained by annual volume of training (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Skeletal maturity status explains inter-individual variability on maximal short-term run performances with and without the ball possession at early ages of participation in competitive soccer. The effects tend to persist across ages combined with longitudinal changes in body composition and functional fitness. In the particular case of the ball test, annual volume of training was also a longitudinal performance predictor.

Modelling developmental changes in repeated-sprint ability by chronological and skeletal ages in young soccer players.

This study investigated the influence of chronological (CA) and skeletal ages (SA), anthropometry, aerobic endurance and lower limb explosive strength on developmental changes in repeated-sprint ability (RSA) in soccer players aged 11-17 years. Participants were annually followed over 5 years, resulting in 366 measurements. Multilevel regression modelling analysed longitudinal data aligned by CA and SA (Model 1 and 2, respectively). After diagnosing for multicollinearity, it was possible to predict RSA with 2-level hierarchical models [Model 1 (CA as Level 2 predictor): Log-Likelihood=1,515.29, p<0.01; Model 2 (SA as Level 2 predictor): Log-Likelihood=1,513.89, p<0.01]. Estimating sum of sprints for young soccer players are given by equations: sum of sprints=84.47 - 1.82 × CA + 0.03 × CA2 - 0.05 × aerobic endurance - 0.10 × lower limb explosive strength -0.09 × fat-free mass + 0.13 × fat mass (Model 1); 73.58 - 0.43 × SA - 0.05 × aerobic endurance - 0.10 × lower limb explosive strength - 0.08 × fat-free mass - 0.45 × training experience + 0.13 × fat mass (Model 2). The models produced performance curves that may be used to estimate individual performance across adolescent years. Finally, the validity of each model was confirmed based on corresponding measurements taken on an independent cross-sectional sample.