Small-sided games in amateur players: rule modification with mini-goals to induce lower external load responses.

The aim of this study was to compare the acute physiological (i.e., heart rate-related variables) and neuromuscular responses (i.e., sprint and jump) and time-motion characteristics (i.e., external load variables) when modifying the game design (possession play vs. mini-goals without a goalkeeper) during 4-a-side in amateur senior football players. Male senior football players (n = 16) performed two formats of small-sided games (SSGs) in two different testing sessions (4-a-side with possession play and mini-goals rule). Differences in time-motion characteristics and physiological parameters of players were measured with the Global Positioning System (GPS), and tested before and after (pre- and post-SSG) for neuromuscular assessment. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), with Bonferroni post-hoc test, showed that both SSG formats induced changes in sprint performance (before-after comparison) (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, the results showed that the variables muscle oxygen saturation, rate of perceived exertion, 85-89% heart rate peak, total distance, total distances at low speed, total distances at high speed, m/min, accelerations at low speed, accelerations of ≥ 2.5 m.s-2, maximal speed, and average speed were statistically significantly different among game conditions. The players' performances are affected by the inclusion of mini-goals during 4 vs. 4 SSGs. The results provide useful information for training and task design that replicate specific physical demands (i.e., accelerations of ≥ 2.5 m.s-2, total distances at high speed or total distances at low speed).

Effect of the Menstrual Cycle When Estimating 1 Repetition Maximum From the Load-Velocity Relationship During the Bench Press Exercise.

ABSTRACT: García-Pinillos, F, Lago-Fuentes, C, Bujalance-Moreno, P, and Pérez-Castilla, A. Effect of the menstrual cycle when estimating 1 repetition maximum from the load-velocity relationship during the bench press exercise. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): e55-e58, 2022-This study aimed to examine the effect of the ovulatory menstrual cycle (MC) when estimating the 1 repetition maximum (1RM) from the individual load-velocity relationship during the bench press (BP) exercise. Nine resistance-trained eumenorrheic women (age: 28.7 ± 3.6 years) were tested in 3 different phases across the MC: menstrual or early follicular phase (i.e., testing between days 1-3), follicular or late follicular phase (i.e., testing between days 7-10), and luteal or mid-luteal phase (i.e., testing between days 19-21). Each testing trial consisted of an incremental loading protocol against 4 loading conditions (≈50-70-80-90% 1RM) in the concentric-only BP exercise. A smartphone application (MyLift) was used to collect the mean velocity (MV) of all repetitions. The 1RM was estimated from the individual load-velocity relationship by applying a linear regression model as the load associated with an MV of 0.17 m·s-1. In addition, the MV obtained at each %1RM (i.e., from 20% 1RM to 80% 1RM in 20% increments), the load-velocity slope (i.e., the decrease in MV per each 1% of increment in the %1RM), and the y-intercept (i.e., the estimate of MV at 0% 1RM) were computed from the individual load-velocity relationships. No significant differences were observed between the 3 phases of the MC for any of the measured load-velocity relationship parameters (corrected p-value ≥0.495; effect size ≤0.24). The results suggest that the estimation of the BP 1RM from the load-velocity relationship seems not to vary over the 3 different phases of the MC (i.e., menstrual, follicular, and luteal phases).

Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on Jumping, Sprinting and Force-Velocity Profiling in Resistance-Trained Women: A Preliminary Study.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the menstrual cycle on vertical jumping, sprint performance and force-velocity profiling in resistance-trained women. A group of resistance-trained eumenorrheic women (n = 9) were tested in three phases over the menstrual cycle: bleeding phase, follicular phase, and luteal phase (i.e., days 1-3, 7-10, and 19-21 of the cycle, respectively). Each testing phase consisted of a battery of jumping tests (i.e., squat jump [SJ], countermovement jump [CMJ], drop jump from a 30 cm box [DJ30], and the reactive strength index) and 30 m sprint running test. Two different applications for smartphone (My Jump 2 and My Sprint) were used to record the jumping and sprinting trials, respectively, at high speed (240 fps). The repeated measures ANOVA reported no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05, ES < 0.25) in CMJ, DJ30, reactive strength index and sprint times between the different phases of the menstrual cycle. A greater SJ height performance was observed during the follicular phase compared to the bleeding phase (p = 0.033, ES = -0.22). No differences (p ≥ 0.05, ES < 0.45) were found in the CMJ and sprint force-velocity profile over the different phases of the menstrual cycle. Vertical jump, sprint performance and the force-velocity profiling remain constant in trained women, regardless of the phase of the menstrual cycle.

Training Habits of Eumenorrheic Active Women during the Different Phases of Their Menstrual Cycle: A Descriptive Study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the training habits of eumenorrheic active women during their menstrual cycle (MC), and its perceived influence on physical performance regarding their athletic level. A group of 1250 sportswomen filled in a questionnaire referring to demographic information, athletic performance and MC-related training habits. Of the participants, 81% reported having a stable duration of MC, with most of them (57%) lasting 26-30 days. Concerning MC-related training habits, 79% indicated that their MC affects athletic performance, although 71% did not consider their MC in their training program, with no differences or modifications in training volume or in training intensity for low-level athletes (LLA) and high-level athletes (HLA) with hormonal contraceptive (HC) use. However, LLA with a normal MC adapted their training habits more, compared with HLA, also stopping their training (47.1% vs. 16.1%, respectively). Thus, different training strategies should be designed for HLA and LLA with a normal MC, but this is not so necessary for HLA and LLA who use HC. To sum up, training adaptations should be individually designed according to the training level and use or non-use of HC, always taking into account the pain suffered during the menstrual phase in most of the athletes.

Strength Training Habits in Amateur Endurance Runners in Spain: Influence of Athletic Level.

This study determined the strength training (ST) habits of amateur endurance runners in Spain regarding athletic level. A sixteen-item online questionnaire comprised of (i) demographic information, (ii) performance, and (iii) training contents was completed by 1179 athletes. Five group levels were determined according to the personal best times of the athletes in a 10-km trial (LG1: level group 1, 50-55 min; LG2: level group 2, 45-50 min; LG3: level group 3, 40-45 min; LG4: level group 4, 35-40 min; LG5: level group 5, 30-35 min). Most athletes (n = 735, 62.3%) perceived ST as being a key component in their training program. Resistance training (RT) was reported as a ST type used by 63.4% of the athletes, 66.9% reported using bodyweight exercises, 46.8% reported using plyometric training, 65.6% reported using uphill runs, and 17.8% reported using resisted runs. The prevalence of runners who excluded ST from their training programs decreased as the athletic performance level increased (18.2% in lower-level athletes vs. 3.0% in higher-level), while the inclusion of RT, bodyweight exercises, plyometric training, and uphill and resisted runs was more frequent within higher-level groups. Most athletes included ST using low-to-moderate loads and high a number of repetitions/sets comprised of RT, plyometric training, resisted runs, and core, respiratory, and foot muscles training.

A systematic review on small-sided games in football players: Acute and chronic adaptations.

Small-sided games (SSG) are played on a small pitch, often using modified rules and involving a smaller number of players. This article aimed to critically analyse the literature to determine how small-sided games affect the performance of football players in the short- and long term. Electronic databases were searched for literature dating from January 2000 to July 2018. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the modified Downs and Black Quality Index (cross-sectional studies) and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale (intervention studies). Fifty-three studies, 44 cross-sectional and 9 intervention studies, met the inclusionary criteria for review. Most of the cross-sectional studies focused on describing the differences between SSG protocols, whereas 4 studies focused on making a comparison between "interval" and "continuous" SSG training regimes. On the other hand, intervention studies focused on making a comparison between SSG-based protocols and high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT)-based running protocols, in addition to determine the effect of a SSG-based training programme alone. SSG-based football plans (2 to 4 SSG sessions per week) show athletic performance improvements in football players by improving sprint, repeated sprint ability (RSA) and change of direction (COD) along with muscular and physiological adaptation.

Effects of a small-sided game-based training program on repeated sprint and change of direction abilities in recreationally-trained soccer players.

BACKGROUND: To examine the effects of 6-week periodized small-sided game (SSG) training intervention on change of direction [COD], sprint and repeated sprint ability [RSA] in recreational male soccer players. METHODS: Twenty-three young soccer players (age: 20.86 years) were randomized in a control group (N.=11) and an experimental group (N.=12). The SSG program was included in the experimental group's training sessions. The players completed two variations of a SSG (i.e. 2 vs. 2 and 4 vs. 4 players) during intervention. To examine the changes in physical performance after the 6-week periodized SSG training intervention, all players were tested 6 weeks apart (i.e. pre-test and post-test) in sprint, COD Ability Test, and RSA Shuttle Test. RESULTS: A 2x2 ANOVA showed that 6-week SSG training intervention induced significant improvements (P<0.05, ES>0.7) in COD Ability Test, and variables related to both Sprint Test and RSA in the experimental group, whereas the control group remained unchanged (P≥0.05, ES<0.4). Regarding the response to the RSA Test - in terms of BLa, both the experimental group (P=0.001, ES=1.270) and the control group (P=0.010, ES=0.939) increased BLa after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The current study indicates that a 6-week SSG-based training program could improve decisive parameters in performance in soccer, such as COD, RSA and sprint in recreationally trained soccer players.