Is the Field Test of FUT-SAT a Better Experimental Design to Identify the Specific Characteristics of Tactical Performance according to Youth Male Soccer Players' Positional Roles?

This study aimed to compare soccer players' tactical performance according to their positional roles in the field test of FUT-SAT. The sample consisted of 54 male players from elite youth clubs (Medellín-Colombia), U16 and U17 categories. Participants trained five times per week (Tier 3). We used the System of Tactical Assessment (FUT-SAT), which evaluates tactical behaviour and performance through core tactical principles of soccer. The field test is structured in a numerical configuration of a goalkeeper + 3 players vs. 3 players + a goalkeeper played during 4 min on a playing field 36 m long by 27 m wide. All teams were structured with one player in each positional role (one defender, one midfielder, and one forward).To determine the differences between the positional roles, the following factors were analysed: the number of actions, the percentage of correct actions, the place of action related to the principles, and the Tactical Performance Index of core tactical principles. A total of 2891 tactical actions distributed in nine games were analysed. A Kruskal-Wallis test for the independent groups (defenders, midfielders, and forwards) or a one-way ANOVA was used. There was no difference in soccer players' tactical performance and behaviour between players of different positional roles in the field test of FUT-SAT.Therefore, teams need to be evaluated with the system of play with players in all field sectors in medium or large sided games. The system of play can be chosen according to the category given that competitions are held in reduced spaces and with fewer players.

The relative age effect in under-17, under-20, and adult elite female soccer players.

To investigate the RAE in elite female soccer players, the absolute and relative birthdate distributions of players who disputed the Women's World Cup were assessed. Differences between observed and expected distributions were analyzed using chi-square and effect sizes. The birthdates of 1224 female soccer players were assessed in Under-17 (N = 336), Under-20 (N = 336) and adult (N = 552) categories. There was no significant RAE in adult category for different playing positions and players in general (including all playing positions per age category). There was significant RAE for midfielders and players in general with mainly small effect sizes for the U-17 and U-20. In both age categories, players born in Q1 were over-represented with the highest quartile ratio for midfielders. In regard of RAE and success defined by final ranking at the World Cup, we found no significant differences between the birthdate distributions of players who participated in either the group stages or finally the knockout phases. Coaches should consider this information to avoid bias in talent programs designed to promote and select female soccer players independently of their birthdates. Young female players should be encouraged to learn to play in different field positions before to reach high-level performance.

Percepción subjetiva del esfuerzo, la ansiedad y la autoconfianza en jugadores de fútbol semiprofesionales / Rating of perceived exertion, anxiety and self-confidence in semi-professional soccer players

Resumen Objetivo: analizar la percepción subjetiva del esfuerzo y de los estados de ansiedad (cognitiva y somática), autoconfianza en jugadores de fútbol semiprofesionales. Método: han participado 18 jugadores españoles semiprofesionales con experiencia mínima de tres años en la categoría nacional (edad: 26.4 años, peso: 75.8 kg, altura: 181 cm) clasificados en dos porteros, tres defensas centrales, tres defensas laterales, cuatro centrocampistas, tres extremos y tres delanteros. Se analizaron 10 partidos (cinco como locales y cinco como visitantes) y se usó el cuestionario Competitive State Anxiety Inventory 2 y escala Category Ratio 10 de Borg para la percepción subjetiva del esfuerzo. Se realizó el test de análisis de la varianza de un factor (posición de juego) y t-test para muestras independientes (localización y rol). Resultados: se han obtenido diferencias significativas en estas variables psicofisiológicas en relación con las posiciones de juego, localización y rol de juego. Conclusión: en este estudio de caso, los jugadores con rol defensivo y los que juegan como visitantes tienen menor percepción subjetiva del esfuerzo y los atacantes presentan mayor ansiedad somática y autoconfianza previos a la competición deportiva.

Abstract Objetive: To analyze the rate of perceived exertion and anxiety states (cognitive and somatic), self-confidence in semi-professional soccer players. Method: 18 semi-professional Spanish soccer players with at least 3 years' experience in the national category participated (age: 26.4; weight: 75.8 kg; height: 181 cm), classified as two goalkeepers, three central defenders, three internal defenders, four midfielders, three wingers, three forwards. Ten matches were analyzed (five at home and five as visitors) and the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory 2 questionnaire and Borg's Category Ratio scale 10 for the rate of perceived exertion were used. A one-way analysis of variance test (game position) and t-test for independent samples (location and role) were performed. Results: Significant differences have been obtained in these psycho-physiological variables in relation to game positions, location, and game role. Conclusion: In this case report, players with a defensive role and those who play as visitors have lower rate of perceived exertion and attackers have higher somatic anxiety and self-confidence prior to the sports competition.

Are there differences in the attention of elite football players concerning playing positions?

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the attention performance, by playing position, in elite Brazilian football players. METHODS: A total of 66 professional players competing in the first division of the Brazilian Championship were evaluated. They were grouped according to their playing positions into 7 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 15 fullbacks, 8 defensive midfielders, 13 attacking midfielders, and 15 forwards. The attention was evaluated using the QuotientTM ADHD System equipment. The group performances were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis Test and the post-hoc analysis using the Mann-Whitney Test. RESULTS: Fullbacks showed less attentive behavior than defenders (U = 9.000, p = 0.001), defensive midfielders (U = 12.500, p = 0.002), offensive midfielders (U = 48.000, p = 0.007) and forwards (U = 27.000, p = 0.001). Fullbacks also had impulsive behavior longer than defenders (U = 10.500, p = 0.001) and defensive midfielders (U = 12.000, p = 0.002), as well as offensive midfielders had impulsive behavior longer than defenders (U = 16.0000, p = 0.004) and defensive midfielders (U = 19.500, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Players of defensive positions, as defenders and defensive midfielders, were more attentive and less impulsive than players of hybrid positions, responsible for both defensive and offensive actions, such as fullbacks and attacking midfielders. The present finding indicates that the defenders were the players who maintained the attention level for more time, while the fullbacks maintained for less time. Players in offensive playing positions (fullbacks and attacking midfielders) maintained their impulsive behavior for longer when compared to defensive positions (defenders and defensive midfielders).

The height importance of male athletes for the classification in the world handball championships

Abstract Aim: The main purpose of the study was to investigate the height factor and player position concerning final team ranking in the three age categories, youths, juniors, and seniors. Height data were checked. Methods: Data was analyzed from 24 participating teams for seniors (n = 972, age = 27.3 ± 4.5), juniors (n = 622 age = 19.9 ± 1.0), and youths (1035 age = 18.8 ± 0.2) from official data from the selected last male World Handball Championships of 2013-2019. For each participating player, his position was noted too: backs (left and right), pivot (line player), goalkeeper, back (center), and wings (left and right). The final team ranking was recorded and the 24 teams were divided into 3 ranking groups of 8 teams. Results: The ANOVA test proved that mean heights were significantly different between the three age groups (seniors: 190.04 ± 7.33, juniors: 187.28 ± 8.13, youths: 186.84 ± 7.55, F(2,3095) = 61.1 p < 0.001). Effect size 0.039. In all ranked groups and all categories, the heights of the players were significantly different between different player positions. The discrimination ability of height in all three categories and player positions represented an overall percentage of around 70% classifying the three 8-team ranking tiers. Conclusion: Height is a factor that differentiates high-level performance for both players' position and age categories. The practical results can help the national federations and coaches apply more effective strategies for player selection.

Influence of Match Status on Players' Prominence and Teams' Network Properties During 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The analyses of players and teams' behaviors during the FIFA World Cup may provide a better understanding on how football tactics and strategies have developed in the past few years in elite football. The Social Network Analysis (SNA) has been carried out in the investigations about passing distribution, improving the understanding on how players interact and cooperate during a match. In football official matches, studies have used the SNA as a means of coding players' cooperation and opposition patterns. However, situational variables such as match status were previously investigated and associated with changes on teams' dynamics within and/or between matches, but were not considered in studies based on Social Network Analysis. This study aimed to analyze the influence of match status on teams' cooperation patterns and players' prominence according to playing positions during 2018 FIFA World Cup. Fourteen matches of the knockout stage were analyzed. Macro and micro network measures were obtained from adjacency matrixes collected for each team, in each match status (winning, drawing, and losing). A one-way ANOVA was used to compare teams' networks (macro-analysis variables) within each match status, while a two-way ANOVA (match status × playing position) was used to compare the micro-analysis variables. Results showed no differences between match status for macro analysis. Winning situations induced higher prominence in central midfielders (0.107; p = 0.001), wide midfielders (0.093; p = 0.001), and center forward (0.085; p = 0.001), while in losing situations lower prominence levels were observed for goalkeepers (0.044; p = 0.001) and center forward (0.074; p = 0.001). Data revealed that teams do not change macrostructures according to match status. On the other hand, the microstructures showed important adaptations regarding game styles, with changes in players' behaviors according to playing positions. In general, the levels of centrality and prestige in players of different positions indicated a more direct play style in winning situations and a more build-up style in losing situations. These results allow a better understanding about the influence of match status on players' and teams' performance during high-level football competitions and may help coaches to improve athletes' performance in these situations.

Características antropométricas, composición corporal, somatotipo y rendimiento anaeróbico y aeróbico de mujeres juveniles baloncestistas chilenas / Anthropometric characteristics, body composition, somatotype and anaerobic/aerobic performance of young chilean female basketball players

El objetivo del estudio fue describir y comparar las características antropométricas, la composición corporal, el somatotipo y el rendimiento de las variables anaeróbicas y aeróbicas de un grupo de mujeres juveniles baloncestistas chilenas en función a la posición de juego. Fueron evaluadas 16 atletas juveniles con una media de 16,9±1,3 años, donde fueron medidas 10 variables antropométricas con el propósito de determinar la composición corporal y el somatotipo, así como los niveles de saltabilidad (Squat Jump, Counter Movement Jump, Saltos 15s, Abalakow), velocidad 20 m., distancia de 0-5m y el componente aeróbico mediante la predicción del VO2max. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó la estadística descriptiva de media aritmética, desviación estándar y para verificar las diferencias significativas entre las posiciones de juego se aplicó ANOVA y la prueba de especificidad (P<0,001). Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas (p<0,001) en relación a la estatura y peso corporal entre pivotes (Estatura=1,721±0,03m, Peso=70,3±4,6kg), bases (Estatura=1,647±0,0, Peso=61,4±2,1) y aleras (Estatura=1,664±0,02, Peso=65,8±8,0), así como en relación a la velocidad de 0-5m entre bases (0,93±0,13) con aleros (1,15±0,1) y pivotes (1,13±0,08) respectivamente. Sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en las variables del somatotipo, % de grasa, velocidad 20 m, test de saltos, Abalakow y VO2max, ya que el presente grupo estudiado muestra relativamente homogeneidad en su rendimiento físico. Finalmente se concluye que los resultados muestran comparativamente rangos inferiores en relación con las características antropométricas con referencias internacionales.

The objective was to describe and compare the anthropometric, body composition, somatotype and performance of anaerobic and aerobic variables of a group of young female basketball players according to Chilean playing position. 16 young athletes were evaluated with an average of 16.9 ± 1.3 years old; 10 anthropometric variables were measured in order to determine body composition, somatotype and jumping levels (Squat Jump, Counter Movement Jump, Jumping 15s, Abalakow), speed 20m., 0-5m distance and aerobic component by predicting VO2max. For statistical analysis, descriptive statistics were used for arithmetic mean, standard deviation and to verify the significant differences between playing positions ANOVA was applied and tested for specificity (P <0.001). The results show significant differences (p <0.001) in relation to height and body weight between pivots (Height = 1.721 ± 0.03 m, weight = 70.3 ± 4.6 kg), bases (Height = 1.647 ± 0.0, Weight = 61.4 ± 2.1) and eaves (Height = 1.664 ± 0.02, weight = 65.8 ± 8.0) and in relation to the speed of 0-5m between bases (0.93 ± 0.13) with eaves (1.15 ± 0.1) and pivots (1.13 ± 0.08) respectively. However, we found no significant difference in the somatotype variables, % fat, Speed 20m, jumping test, abalakow and VO-2max, as this study shows a relatively homogeneous group in their physical performance. Finally it was concluded that the results show comparatively lower ranks in relation to anthropometric characteristics with international benchmarks.