ABSTRACT
This study aimed to analyse the influence of the match status on the conditional characteristics of tactical sprint actions among Spanish professional soccer players, considering playing positions. Thirty-two Spanish male professional soccer players from a LaLiga Spanish Second Division (LaLiga SmarthBank) team participated in this study. Actions above 85% of the players' maximum velocity were analysed based on their tactical purpose. These findings provide valuable information regarding the tactical aspects of sprinting in soccer, emphasizing the influence of playing positions and match status on the distribution of tactical sprint actions. No effects of match status were observed for any game phase. However, when tactical actions were individually studied, it was observed that the maximum velocity in Chase actions was higher when the team was winning, while in Press actions, the maximum velocity was higher when the team was losing and in in Run in behind/Penetrate, the maximum velocity was higher in drawing situations compared to losing situations. No effects of match status on the distance covered during sprinting were observed, and regarding duration, significant differences were only observed in Recovery run actions. In addition, the influence of match status is higher when playing positions are considered, although the within playing positions analysis revealed significant differences only in CM players. These findings provide valuable information for the design of specific training drills considering playing positions, suggesting the need to analyse the previous match in order to structure the training load of the microcycle in a comprehensive manner.
ABSTRACT
Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio fue examinar la relación entre el estilo de vida saludable y el compromiso hacia los estudios y el rendimiento académico. Método: Se trata de un estudio transversal y correlacional en el que participaron 359 adolescentes, 162 chicos y 197 chicas, de entre 13 y 20 años de edad. Se analizó el nivel de AF, el tiempo sedentario de pantalla, la duración del sueño, la adherencia a la dieta Mediterránea y el compromiso hacia los estudios a través de cuestionarios previamente validados, mientras que el rendimiento académico se calculó como una nota media de las calificaciones de los adolescentes en las asignaturas de lengua, inglés, matemáticas y educación física. Resultados: Aquellos alumnos con mayores niveles de AF y una mayor adherencia a dieta mediterránea presentaron mayor compromiso hacia los estudios, y aquellos que cumplían con el tiempo de pantalla estipulado y mostraron adherencia por el patrón mediterráneo obtuvieron mejores resultados académicos. No se encontraron resultados significativos para el tiempo de pantalla y el tiempo sueño con el compromiso hacia los estudios, ni tampoco para la AF y el tiempo de sueño con el rendimiento académico. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados resaltan la importancia de promover la AF y la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea para conseguir un mayor compromiso hacia los estudios. También se ha comprobado que los adolescentes que consumen menos tiempo de pantalla y tienen una mayor adherencia al patrón mediterráneo mostraron un mayor rendimiento académico. (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Adolescent , Healthy Lifestyle , Academic Performance , Sedentary Behavior , Diet, Mediterranean , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
Constraints are common in soccer training to develop physical, technical-tactical, and mental training concurrently. This study examined how different scoring systems influence physical, tactical, and mental demands during large-sided games in soccer. Eighteen youth-elite male (17.39 ± 1.04 y) soccer players completed three 8 vs. 8 large-sided games where the different score systems were i) official score system (OSS; i.e., 1 goal = 1 goal), ii) double the value of the goal-4 min (DVx4; i.e., 1 goal = 1 goal from 0.00 to 7.59 min, and 1 goal = 2 goals from 8.00 to 12.00 min), and iii) double the value of the goal-8 min (DVx8; i.e., 1 goal = 1 goal from 0.00 to 3.59 min, and 1 goal = 2 goals from 4.00 to 12.00 min). Physical demands and tactical behaviors were recorded during tasks using a global positioning system and video camera. Mental fatigue was recorded pre- and post-task using a visual analogue scale. Also, the ratio of perceived exertion and mental load were recorded after tasks were finished. Results reported the highest values of mental and physical demands in DVx4. Mental fatigue increased during all three large-sided games, although this increase was significantly higher in DVx4 compared with OSS (p = 0.006) and DVx8 (p = 0.027). Tactical behavior showed a trend towards more direct play during DVx4, which was less observed during DVx8, and not at all during OSS. In conclusion, changing the scoring system affects physical, tactical, and mental demands.
Subject(s)
Athletic Performance , Soccer , Adolescent , Humans , Male , Mental Fatigue , Physical ExaminationABSTRACT
The present study examined the effects of stressful constraints during soccer trainings on psychological skill development and internal load when compared with control (nonstressful) trainings. A total of 51 elite male youth soccer players (27 in the experimental group, M = 16.54 years; 24 in the control group, M = 15.44 years) participated in the study. In a 12-week longitudinal survey, team resilience, using the Spanish version of the Characteristics of Resilience in Sports Teams Inventory, and anxiety, using the Sport Anxiety Scale, were measured at baseline (after 4 weeks of regular trainings), postprotocol (after 4 weeks of control or experimental trainings), and follow-up (after 4 weeks of regular trainings). Results show that, when compared with the control group, a program with stressful constraints helped young soccer players to develop better psychological skills: specifically, increased ability to cope with impairments in resilience (both resilience characteristics and team vulnerability under pressure; p < 0.001). Increases in anxiety (p = 0.06) and decreases in preoccupation (p < 0.001) and lack of concentration (p < 0.001) were also observed. The adaptation of human behavior to specific trainings may explain these results. In conclusion, the regular exposure of young soccer players to stressful situations during trainings shows benefits for their psychological skill development in soccer. Then, benefits on internal load were also observed.
Subject(s)
Athletic Performance , Soccer , Adolescent , Male , Humans , Athletic Performance/psychology , Anxiety , Longitudinal Studies , Anxiety DisordersABSTRACT
The main purpose was to compare by each training the mental load and fatigue reported by semiprofessional soccer players comparing between regular season phase and the play-offs. Fifty-three players (Mage = 24.59 years) for two teams participated during the 2020/21 season. Mental load was measured with a Likert questionnaire. Mental fatigue was quantified with a Visual Analogue Scale. Four trainings were recorded each week (Monday = MD+1, Wednesday = MD-4, Thursday = MD-3 and Saturday = MD-1), with a competitive match on Sunday across 10 weeks (five dates of regular season - five dates of play-offs). A Linear Mixed Model was performed with R-studio, using the training days and the competitive phase as independent variables. The influence of time played as co-variable was also checked. Results showed MD+1 as the more mentally fatiguing day in both phases, although MD-4 were the training with higher mental load reported (p = 0.001). Comparing phases, mental fatigue was significantly higher during the play-offs (p = 0.037). With regard time played, players that did not usually play showed a decrease in mental load during the play-offs. Then, we recommend coaches to use recovery strategies for mental fatigue, avoid mentally fatiguing tasks close to competition and considerer the time played as a factor which may contribute to individual differences in player mental fatigue.
Subject(s)
Physical Conditioning, Human , Soccer , Humans , Young Adult , Adult , Seasons , Linear Models , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Resumen Introducción/objetivo: El presente estudio tiene como objetivo examinar la rela ción entre el liderazgo transformacional del entrenador y las características de resiliencia y la vulnerabilidad bajo presión, así como analizar si los factores del conflicto intragrupo (social y tarea) y de la cohesión grupal (social y tarea), pudieran mediar la relación entre dichas variables. Método: A través de un diseño longitudinal, se incluyó a un total de 301 depor tistas inscritos en los JUDEX, pertenecientes a 34 equipos de fútbol y voleibol, con edades comprendidas entre 13 y 18 años (M = 15.72; DT = 1.33). Resultados: Los resultados mostraron una relación positiva entre el liderazgo transformacional del entrenador y las características de resiliencia, y una asociación negativa respecto a la vulnerabilidad bajo presión. Además, el conflicto intragrupo (social y tarea) actuó como mediador entre la relación del liderazgo trans formacional del entrenador y la resiliencia de equipo. En cuanto al papel mediador de la cohe sión grupal, solo la cohesión tarea actuó como mediadora entre el liderazgo transformacional del entrenador y la resiliencia de equipo. Conclusiones: La presente investigación muestra la importancia del liderazgo del entrenador para mejorar la resiliencia del equipo en categorías de formación, y la influencia positiva que tiene la reducción de los conflictos intragrupo y el aumento de la cohesión tarea durante la temporada.
Abstract Introduction/objective: The present study aimed to examine the relationship be tween transformational coach leadership with the characteristics of resilience and vulnerability under pressure, as well as to analyze whether the factors of intra-group conflict (social and task) and group cohesion (social and task) could mediate the relationship between these variables. Method: Through a longitudinal design, a total of 301 athletes enrolled in the JUDEX, belong ing to 34 soccer and volleyball teams, and aged between 13 and 18 years (M = 15.72; SD = 1.33). Results: The results showed a positive relationship between transformational leadership of the coach and resilience characteristics, and a negative association with respect to vulnerability under pressure. In addition, intra-group conflict (social and task) acted as mediators between the relationship between transformational coach leadership and team resilience. Regarding the mediating role of group cohesion, only task cohesion acted as a mediator between trans formational coach leadership and team resilience. Conclusions: This research draws as main conclusion the importance of the coach's leadership to improve team resilience in youth cate gories, and the positive influence of the reduction of intragroup conflicts and the increase of task cohesion during the season.
ABSTRACT
The main objective of this study was to analyse the changes in external demand parameters (e.g., total distance, high-speed running distance, accelerations/decelerations) in Spanish professional soccer teams after the COVID-19 lockdown considering their on-field ranking (i.e., teams whose ranking worsened after the COVID-19 lockdown [WRS] vs. teams that improved their ranking after the COVID-19 lockdown [IMP]). A total of 23,527 individual match observations were collected on players competing during the 2019/20 season in the First Spanish Professional soccer League (LaLiga). Goalkeepers and players who participated for less than 10 minutes in each match were excluded. Relative total distance (TD/min), distance covered at 21-24 km · h-1 (HIRD/min) and > 24 km · h-1 per minute (VHIRD/min), high metabolic load distance (HMLD), and the number of accelerations (3 m/s2) and decelerations (< 3 m/s2) performed were analysed by the ChryonHego video-tracking system. These variables were analysed during two differentiated periods, before the COVID-19 lockdown (i.e., 27 matches) and after the COVID-19 lockdown (i.e., 11 matches), and teams were classified into two groups according to their ranking (i.e., WRS vs. IMP). R-Studio was employed for data analysis and a mixed linear model was conducted. A decrease in external demands in all teams after the COVID-19 lockdown was observed, and this decrease was greater in WRS. These results suggest that, after an inactive period (i.e., the COVID-19 lockdown), teams that return with better physical performance, mainly related to high-intensity actions, have more possibilities of improving their final qualifying position.
ABSTRACT
Experts have highlighted the importance of coaches knowing the level of mental fatigue (MF) induced by different tasks. This study aimed to compare the mentally fatiguing nature of cognitive, physical, and combined tasks and, additionally, assess the effect of different moderating variables on MF. Twenty-three physically active (16 males: Mage = 24 years; seven females: Mage = 22.57 years) participants performed three experimental sessions: (a) physically fatiguing: 30 min of cycloergometer work (at 65%-75% of maximum heart rate), (b) mentally fatiguing: 30 min of an incongruent Stroop task, and (c) mixed fatiguing: 30 min of combining the physically and mentally fatiguing protocols. Subjective MF (visual analog scale), reaction time (psychomotor vigilance task), and cognitive performance (Stroop) were measured throughout the different protocols. Results showed significant increments in subjective MF after all tasks, with the mental and mixed protocols showing significantly higher increases. Only the mentally fatiguing protocol caused significant impairments in reaction time. No significant effects of sex, years of experience, or degree of mental toughness were observed. These results suggest that the use of all these tasks, and especially the mentally fatiguing exercises, should be avoided immediately prior to competitions due to the negative consequences of MF on performance. Moreover, this effect seems to be independent of the sex, years of experience, or mental toughness of athletes.
Subject(s)
Athletes , Mental Fatigue , Cognition/physiology , Female , Humans , Male , Mental Fatigue/diagnosis , Mental Fatigue/psychology , Reaction Time , Stroop TestABSTRACT
The present study aimed to analyze the influence of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) on match physical demands in the top Spanish professional football league. Match physical demand data from all the matches for two seasons (2017/2018 and 2018/2019) in the First Spanish Division (n = 1454) were recorded using an optical tracking system (ChyronHego®). Total distance, relative total distance covered per minute, distance covered between 14-21 km·h-1, distance covered between 21-24 km·h-1, and distance covered at more than 24 km·h-1 were analyzed; also, the number of sprints between 21-24 km·h-1 and more than 24 km·h-1 were taken into consideration. The times the VAR intervened in matches were also taken into account. Results showed that total distance and relative total distance significantly decreased in seasons with VAR compared to seasons without VAR. Finally, distance covered between 21-24 km·h-1, distance covered at more than 24 km·h-1, and the number of high-intensity efforts between 21-24 km·h-1 and more than 24 km·h-1 increased in seasons with VAR compared to seasons without VAR, but the differences were nonsignificant. Thus, these findings help practitioners to better understand the effects of the VAR system on professional football physical performance and to identify strategies to reproduce competition demands.
Subject(s)
Running , Soccer , Humans , Physical Examination , SeasonsABSTRACT
Mental load and fatigue are important causes of performance decreases and accidents in different activities. However, a robust systematic review, detailing the instruments used to quantify them, is currently lacking. The purpose of this study was to summarize and classify by derivations the validated instruments used to quantify mental load and fatigue. The most representative electronic databases in the scope of this review, PubMed, WOS, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO (until September 2020) were searched for studies that included instruments to analyze mental load and fatigue. The quality of the selected studies was scored using a quality assessment checklist. A total of 40 papers were included. Most of the papers used subjective scales (75%) to quantify mental load and fatigue, with a small presence of behavioral (n = 5) and objective techniques (n = 5). Less is known about the analysis of mental load and fatigue using a combination of derivations. Despite the high cost and complexity of objective techniques, research that applies these measures is important for further analysis of brain processes in mental load and fatigue. The design of a battery of tests that include the three types of derivations also seems necessary.
