Influence of contextual factors on match running performance of starters and non-starters in elite youth male soccer players.

This study investigated the effects of match location, quality of opposition (classified into: strong [1st to 4th position]; intermediate [5th to 15th position]; weak [16th to 20th position]), and match outcome on the match running performance of starters and non-starters from a top elite Brazilian soccer team. Absolute measures were calculated using total distance, high-speed (19.8-25.2 km·h-1), sprinting (≥ 25.2 km·h-1), total distance high-acceleration (> 2m·s2), and deceleration (< -2m·s2) were recorded by GPS units from a sample of young soccer players (N = 25) in a total of 17 matches. Relative measures were calculated by dividing absolute measures by the total duration of the matches. Non-starters covered greater total distance (p = 0.02), sprinting (p = 0.02), high-acceleration and deceleration (p = 0.04), sprinting distance relative per minute played (p = 0.005), and high-acceleration and deceleration relative per minute played (p < 0.001) when the team plays at home, strong opponents, and wins the matches. Starters covered greater total distance in high-speed running (p = 0.04), high-acceleration and deceleration (p = 0.03), and high-speed running relative per minute played (p = 0.04) when the team plays strong opponents and wins the matches. These findings highlight the impact of contextual factors during matches on the locomotor performance of young soccer players.

Contemporary practices of Portuguese and Brazilian soccer coaches in designing and applying small-sided games.

This descriptive study aimed to investigate the current practices of Portuguese and Brazilian soccer coaches in the design and implementation of small-sided games (SSGs) in soccer. A total of 187 male coaches participated in the online survey, consisting of 82 Portuguese and 105 Brazilian individuals. These coaches held various positions within the technical staff, with 63 serving as head coaches, 38 as assistant coaches, 38 as physical trainers, and 48 in other roles related to the technical staff. Additionally, the participants represented both youth (n = 102) and adult competitive levels (n = 59), along with some who were not currently associated with a specific group. The survey consisted of 32 questions divided into three main sections: (i) the timing of SSG application, (ii) the methods used for applying SSGs, and (iii) the reasons for applying SSGs. The Chi-square test revealed a statistically significant association between nationality and the frequency of SSGs used in training sessions during the pre-season (p = 0.039) and in-season (p < 0.001). Moreover, significant association between nationality and the time allocated to employing SSGs for targeting aerobic training (p < 0.001) was found. There was a significant association between nationality and the weekly frequency of SSGs use for targeting sprint training (p = 0.019). The Chi-square test identified significant associations between nationality and the use of SSGs for targeting technical training (p = 0.002), as well as for tactical training (p = 0.002). In summary, this study underscores that SSGs are primarily employed to enhance aerobic fitness, change of direction, technical skills, and tactical behaviors. Coaches generally favor employing SSGs two to three times a week, with typical sessions lasting between 16 to 30 minutes. Notably, the major discrepancies between nationalities lie in the importance assigned to the use of SSGs. However, in practice, the formats and objectives for implementing SSGs remain relatively similar.

Effects of Acute Caffeine Ingestion on Cognitive Performance before and after Repeated Small-Sided Games in Professional Soccer Players: A Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Crossover Trial.

Soccer is a team sport that requires players to process a significant amount of information quickly and respond with both speed and accuracy to the ever-changing demands of the game. As such, success in soccer depends not only on physical attributes but also on cognitive abilities such as perception and decision-making. The aim of the current study was to investigate the acute effects of caffeine ingestion on Stroop test performance before and after repeated small-sided games (SSG) in professional soccer players. Twelve professional male soccer players (29 ± 4.1 years; 78.1 ± 7.7 kg body mass) participated in this study. A randomized crossover double-blind placebo-controlled trial was used. Caffeine (5 mg.kg-1) or a placebo was ingested 45 min before a protocol consisting of five 5 min SSG with 1 min rest intervals. A computerized version of the colour Stroop test was completed immediately before and after the exercise protocol. During the Stroop test, words appeared on the computer screen in three different ways: (i) neutral words (neutral condition); (ii) correspondent colour (i.e., "red" painted in red; congruent condition), or; (iii) different colour (i.e., "red" painted in green; incongruent condition). The incongruent condition aimed to cause the interference effect, as the colour and the word did not match. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed after each SSG. RPE increased during the five sets of the SSG protocol (p < 0.001), without differences between the caffeine and placebo trials. The soccer-specific exercise protocol promoted a faster response during the Stroop test (two-way ANOVA main effect for SSG protocol: p < 0.05), with no differences in accuracy (p > 0.05). Caffeine ingestion resulted in slower reaction time during the Stroop test during the congruent and neutral trials but not during the incongruent trial (two-way ANOVA main effect for supplementation: p = 0.009, p = 0.045, and p = 0.071, respectively). Accuracy was lower in the caffeine trial in congruent and incongruent trials (p < 0.05 caffeine vs. placebo both on the pre- and post-SSG protocol). In conclusion, a soccer-specific exercise protocol improved the Stroop test performance in professional soccer players, but acute caffeine ingestion (5 mg.kg-1) was detrimental.

Healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 patients present an inflammatory status and Th2/Th17/Th22 immune profile: findings from before vaccine application in Brazil.

Healthcare workers present an increased risk of contagion for the SARS-CoV-2 virus due to their labor exposure. Here, we describe the clinical, laboratory, and immunological characteristics of healthcare workers, before vaccine application, exposed to SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. We collected sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory information from 50 professionals who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Clinical Hospital of the Northwest in Brazil. The results showed that most workers are women, over 50 years old, and worked as nursing technicians. Approximately 56% of workers were positive for a previous infection by RT-PCR and/or anti-SARS-CoV-2-immunoglobulin tests. Increased levels of hematocrit, neutrophils, NK lymphocytes, and fibrinogen, were found in positive healthcare workers, suggesting a light inflammatory status. The immunological findings showed an increase in IL-17 production and a Th2/Th17/Th22 profile followed by high serology for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG. Those data reveal the importance of studies with healthcare workers to investigate if the continuous exposition to the virus may result in chronic activation of the immune system and/or pulmonary inflammation in this target group.

Effects of match contextual factors on internal and external load in elite Brazilian professional soccer players through the season.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of contextual match factors (quality of opposition, match outcome, change of head coach or playing style) on internal and external load in elite Brazilian professional soccer players, considering the total and effective playing time. Twenty-two professional male outfield soccer players participated in this study (age 28.4 ± 4.9 years; height 1.78 ± 0.1 cm; body mass 72.9 ± 7.1 kg). The internal (rating of perceived exertion-based load [sRPE]) and external load (distance and accelerometry-based measures) were recorded during 38 matches, over the 2021 season of the Brazilian National 1st Division League using a global position system (10 Hz) integrated with an accelerometer (200 Hz). The main results were: (i) matches played against weak opponents presented greater values of sprinting distances compared to matches against intermediate and strong opponents; (ii) players covered greater high-intensity running distances when drawing than winning the matches; (iii) matches with assistant coaches presented higher mean speed relative to effective playing time (MSEPT) compared to coach 1 and coach 2 conditions. In addition, players covered greater MSEPT and high-acceleration in matches with coach 2 vs. coach 3; (iv) finally, small positive correlations were observed between positional attack sequences and MSTPT, total distance covered, and acceleration. Coaches and practitioners should consider these results when interpreting external load variables during elite Brazilian soccer matches.

Contextual variables affect peak running performance in elite soccer players: A brief report.

The current brief research report aimed to investigate the influence of contextual variables on peak running performance in male elite soccer players. We analyzed 29 matches of an elite soccer team during the Brazilian Serie A 2019. Twenty players were tracked using GPS units. Peak physical performance was determined using moving average running values with different time windows (1, 3, and 5-min periods). The variables analyzed were total distance covered, total distance covered in high-intensity running (≥19.8 km·h-1), and the distance in accelerations (≥2 m·s-2) and decelerations ( ≤-2 m·s-2). Four contextual variables were considered: 1) positional status; 2) match location; 3) match outcome; and 4) match status. Central defenders showed a lower 1-min peak total distance in relation to all other positions (p = 0.001-0.03). Peak physical performance was higher in away matches for high-intensity running, acceleration, and deceleration (p = 0.01-0.03). In matches that ended in losses, peak values for high-intensity running and acceleration were higher compared to draws and wins (p = 0.01-0.04). Regarding the match status, higher values were observed in draws than wins and losses (p = 0.01). Peak running performance vary according to contextual variables of the match in male elite soccer players. Positional differences were found for peak periods, and physical performance was higher in away matches.

Does the Number of Substitutions Used during the Matches Affect the Recovery Status and the Physical and Technical Performance of Elite Women's Soccer?

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a new rule for substitutions (four and five) with the rule before the COVID-19 pandemic (up to three) on recovery status, physical and technical performance, internal workload, and recovery process in elite women soccer players. Thirty-eight matches from 2019 to 2020 from the Brazilian Championships were analyzed. All data for the two conditions (≤3 and 4-5 substitutions) were compared using an independent t-test. The physical demands measured by a global positioning system (GPS) and the technical (obtained from Instat) and internal workload (rating of perceived exertion [RPE]) were assessed. The recovery process was measured by the total quality recovery (TQR) 24 h after each match. No differences were observed in any physical and technical parameters between 4-5 and ≤3 substitutions (p > 0.05). Moreover, 4-5 substitutions demonstrated lower RPE (p < 0.001) and workload-RPE (p < 0.001), higher TQR (p = 0.008), and lower time played by the player (p < 0.001), compared to ≤3. Thus, the new provisory rule for substitutions improved the balance between stress and recovery.

Applying Different Strategies of Task Constraint Manipulation in Small-Sided and Conditioned Games: How Do They Impact Physical and Tactical Demands?

This study aimed to investigate how different strategies of task constraint manipulation impact physical and tactical demands in small-sided and conditioned games (SSCG). Ten recreational U-17 soccer players participated in this study (16.89 ± 0.11 years). We used different strategies of task manipulation to design two 4 vs. 4 SSCG: Structural SSCG and Functional SSCG. In Structural SSCG, pitch format and goal sizes were manipulated, while in Functional SSCG, players were allowed to kick the ball twice and at least 5 passes to shoot at the opponent's goal. Players participated in four Structural and Functional SSCG, of five minutes duration with a two-minute interval in between. Players' physical performance and tactical behavior were assessed using the WIMU PROTM inertial device. Structural SSCG stimulated players to cover more distance in sprinting (p = 0.003) and high-speed running (p < 0.001). Regarding tactical behavior, Structural SSCG stimulated players to explore game space better (p < 0.001). Moreover, Functional SSCG stimulated players to be closer to the ball, decreasing the effective playing space (p = 0.008). We conclude that these strategies of task constraint manipulation impact physical and tactical demands of the game.

Memory elicitation, T-cell response and antibody production: an independent study of an inactivated entire virus vaccine (Coronavac).

Health professionals working to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic are one of the main risk groups for the disease, being prioritized for vaccination. Considering this, the aim of this study was to analyze the immune response of these professionals immunized with CoronaVac in the first and second doses. Blood samples were collected after the first and second doses of the vaccine (CoronaVac) and used to investigate hematological and biochemical parameters, analysis of immunoglobulin production, cytokines, and gene expression profile, as well as the identification of subsets of immune cells. Post-first dose immunological phenotypic memory (CD27+) profiles (T CD4+, TCD8+ and CD19+) showed a significant increase, as did Monocyte APCs (CD80+HLA-DR+) in relation to the second dose. The cytokines IL-2, IL-6 and IFN-° showed increased values in relation to the other analyzed cytokines. The Th2/Th17 profile in the second dose was characterized by gene expression analysis. The production of IgM and IgG after vaccination showed statistically significant values in the comparison between doses. CoronaVac showed activation of APCs monocytes, memory response of T and B lymphocytes, with immunoglobulins production. This set of responses is characterized by the Th2/Th17 immunological profile.

Análisis de redes sociales en el deporte desde el punto de vista del enfoque ecológico

Meli Neto, B., Fuini Puggina, E., Pombo Menezes, R., Cláudio Machado, J., Vanella, R., y Aquino, R. (2022). Análisis de redes sociales en el deporte desde el punto de vista del enfoque ecológico. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 20(1), 1-21. El análisis del rendimiento está relacionado con la pedagogía del deporte. Las bases teóricas que sustentan las selecciones metodológicas deben estar bien establecidas para que haya una convergencia entre los instrumentos de evaluación y el proceso de enseñanza y entrenamiento. Este ensayo pretende presentar y discutir la importancia y representatividad del análisis de redes sociales para evaluar el rendimiento en los deportes de equipo. El objetivo principal del análisis de redes sociales es estudiar la relación entre los jugadores para identificar las posibles causas y consecuencias de los eventos durante el partido. Así, el análisis de redes sociales es diferente de los análisis tradicionales, en los que el foco principal está en el sujeto, o de los análisis notacionales, que son más utilizados y acumulan la frecuencia de los eventos ocurridos (por ejemplo, los goles marcados, la posesión del balón, las zonas de remate). Esta herramienta de evaluación, posicionada teóricamente en un enfoque ecológico, se muestra eficaz para la identificación de los patrones de interacción en un grupo y la comprensión de los artificios sociales que ayudan a entender el rendimiento de un equipo. Así, los equipos pasan a ser analizados como grupos sociales y no como sujetos aislados. En este ensayo también se exponen las principales aplicaciones prácticas de esta herramienta de evaluación en diferentes deportes de equipo como el fútbol, el fútbol sala, el balonmano, el baloncesto y el voleibol.

Meli Neto, B., Fuini Puggina, E., Pombo Menezes, R., Cláudio Machado, J., Vanella, R., e Aquino, R. (2022). Análise de redes sociais no esporte pela ótica da abordagem ecológica: um ensaio teórico. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 20(1), 1-21. A análise de desempenho é uma disciplina intimamente relacionada à pedagogia do esporte. As bases teóricas que sustentam as escolhas metodológicas devem ser bem estabelecidas para existir uma convergência entre os instrumentos de avaliação e o processo de ensino e treinamento. Este ensaio teórico teve por objetivo apresentar e discutir a importância e representatividade da análise de redes sociais para avaliar o desempenho em esportes coletivos. O principal objetivo da análise de redes sociais é estudar a relação entre os jogadores para identificar possíveis causas e consequências dos eventos ocorridos durante a partida. Sendo assim, a análise de redes sociais trabalha de forma diferente das análises tradicionais, nas quais o principal foco está no sujeito, ou em análises notacionais que são as mais comumente utilizadas e que buscam a acumulação da frequência dos eventos ocorridos (e.g. gols marcados, posse de bola, áreas de finalização das jogadas). Tal instrumento de avaliação, teoricamente posicionado numa abordagem ecológica, mostra-se eficaz para a identificação de padrões de interação num grupo e o entendimento dos artifícios sociais que ajudam a compreender o desempenho em uma equipe. Assim, as equipes passam a ser analisadas como grupos sociais e não como sujeitos isolados. Neste ensaio, também se apresentam as principais aplicações práticas desse instrumento de avaliação em diferentes esportes coletivos, tais como o futebol, o futsal, o handebol, o basquetebol e o voleibol.

Meli Neto, B., Fuini Puggina, E., Pombo Menezes, R., Cláudio Machado, J., Vanella, R., & Aquino, R. (2022). Social networks analysis in sports through an ecological approach—a theoretical framework. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 20(1), 1-21. Performance analysis is a discipline that is closely related to the pedagogy of sports. The theoretical foundations that undergird methodological choices must be well established in order for a convergence to exist between evaluation instruments and the process of teaching and training. The objective of the present theoretical study was to present and discuss the importance and representativeness of social networks analysis in order to evaluate the performance in group sports. The main purpose of social networks analysis is to study the relationships among players, in order to identify possible causes and consequences of the events that took place during a match. Thus, the analysis of social networks works differently from traditional analyses, whose major focus is on the subject, or in notational analyses that are most commonly used and that look for the accumulation of frequency of the events that have occurred (e.g., goals scored, ball possession, finishing zones). Such an instrument of evaluation, theoretically positioned on an ecological approach, proves effective for the identification of interaction patterns in a group and for understanding the social artifices that help to understand performance in a team. Thus, teams come to be analyzed as social groups instead of isolated individuals. This study also presents the main practical applications of this evaluation instrument in different group sports such as soccer football, indoor soccer, handball, basketball and volleyball.

The Effect of Acute Caffeine Ingestion on Tactical Performance of Professional Soccer Players.

In soccer, physical, tactical, and decision-making processes are highly important facets of successful performance. Caffeine has well established effects for promoting both physical and cognitive performance, but the translation of such benefits specifically for soccer match play is not well established. This study examined the effects of acute caffeine ingestion on tactical performance during small-sided games (SSG) in professional soccer players. Nineteen soccer players (22 ± 4 years) underwent a randomized, counterbalanced, crossover, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. The protocol consisted of 5 bouts of 5-min SSG with 3 players plus a goalkeeper in each team (3 + GK × 3 + GK) with each SSG separated by 1 min rest intervals. Tactical performance was assessed using the system of tactical assessment in soccer (FUT-SAT). Prior to each experimental trial, participants ingested caffeine (5 mg·kg-1) or a placebo 60 min before the protocol. Overall, caffeine ingestion resulted in an increased ball possession time when compared to the placebo. When the offensive and defensive core principles were analyzed, the results were equivocal. Caffeine resulted in positive effects on some tactical decisions during the protocol, but it was deleterious or promoted no observed effect on other of the core tactical principles. Caffeine ingestion resulted in less offensive (during SSG3) and defensive (SSG 2, SSG3, and SSG4) errors. Caffeine ingestion also resulted in higher total offensive success during SSG 1 and SSG2, but it was detrimental during SSG3. Additionally, total defensive success was lower for the caffeine conditions during SSG 2 and SSG5 when compared to the placebo. In conclusion, caffeine influenced aspects of tactical decisions in soccer, resulting in fewer offensive and defensive errors, although it may be deleterious considering other tactical parameters. Future studies may clarify the effects of caffeine ingestion on specific decision-making parameters in soccer.

Effects of congested fixture and matches' participation on internal and external workload indices in professional soccer players.

This study aimed to verify the effects of congested fixture and matches' participation on internal and external workload indexes in professional Brazilian soccer players. Rate of perceived exertion-based training load (sRPE), distance- and accelerometry-based measures were daily monitored over 119 training sessions and 33 matches performed by 29 male outfield players. Weeks were classified as congested (n = 11, two or more matches within a 7-day period) and regular (n = 10, one match or less within a 7-day period). The players were divided based on the matches' participation: (1) players who played ≥ 60 min (G1); (2) players who played < 60 min (G2); (3) players who did not participate of the match (G3). The findings showed that independent of the levels of participation during the matches, regular weeks presented greater acute, monotony, and strain indices for internal and external workload measures than congested weeks. The G1 presented the highest values for most of the workload indices in both regular and congested weeks, except for monotony indices (internal and external load) that G2 showed greater values than G1 and G3. Coaches and practitioners should plan the training "doses" to reduce disparities of these different match's participation and congested schedule weeks.

Automatic Markerless Motion Detector Method against Traditional Digitisation for 3-Dimensional Movement Kinematic Analysis of Ball Kicking in Soccer Field Context.

Kicking is a fundamental skill in soccer that often contributes to match outcomes. Lower limb movement features (e.g., joint position and velocity) are determinants of kick performance. However, obtaining kicking kinematics under field conditions generally requires time-consuming manual tracking. The current study aimed to compare a contemporary markerless automatic motion estimation algorithm (OpenPose) with manual digitisation (DVIDEOW software) in obtaining on-field kicking kinematic parameters. An experimental dataset of under-17 players from all outfield positions was used. Kick attempts were performed in an official pitch against a goalkeeper. Four digital video cameras were used to record full-body motion during support and ball contact phases of each kick. Three-dimensional positions of hip, knee, ankle, toe and foot centre-of-mass (CMfoot) generally showed no significant differences when computed by automatic as compared to manual tracking (whole kicking movement cycle), while only z-coordinates of knee and calcaneus markers at specific points differed between methods. The resulting time-series matrices of positions (r2 = 0.94) and velocity signals (r2 = 0.68) were largely associated (all p < 0.01). The mean absolute error of OpenPose motion tracking was 3.49 cm for determining positions (ranging from 2.78 cm (CMfoot) to 4.13 cm (dominant hip)) and 1.29 m/s for calculating joint velocity (0.95 m/s (knee) to 1.50 m/s (non-dominant hip)) as compared to reference measures by manual digitisation. Angular range-of-motion showed significant correlations between methods for the ankle (r = 0.59, p < 0.01, large) and knee joint displacements (r = 0.84, p < 0.001, very large) but not in the hip (r = 0.04, p = 0.85, unclear). Markerless motion tracking (OpenPose) can help to successfully obtain some lower limb position, velocity, and joint angular outputs during kicks performed in a naturally occurring environment.

Analysis of goal scoring patterns and match outcome during the Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup Dubai 2019

Abstract Aim: To characterize the goal-scoring patterns and investigate the goal process on match outcome during the Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup Dubai 2019. Methods: A set of 35 goal-scoring patterns were grouped into nine macro-categories: Match-period, Court-zone, Set-play, Open-play, Touching by players before the goal, Offensive method, Goalkeeper-line, Number of passes before the goal, and Ball trajectory. Match outcome in regular time was considered the matches resulting in a loss (n=16), draw (n=8), or win (n=16). The offensive sequences that resulted in the goal were analyzed in all 20 matches during the competition (n=138 goals). Results: The most goals were scored in Open-play (69%), during the 2nd and 3rd periods (36% for each), near to goal (Zone 4; 50%), preceded by 1-touch (67%) and 0-pass (29%), using positional attack (46%), without goalkeeper-line (68%), and with high-ball trajectory (51%). In addition, won matches presented a higher number of goals in Zone 4, 1-touch, Counterattack, 4v4 goal-successful, Receiving pass, Sand-touch, and High-ball compared to draw and loss matches (p<0.001−0.03; Effect Size [ES]=1.24−2.58, large). Conclusion: In summary, winning teams scored their goals mainly in open-play situations and without a goalkeeper-line, using counterattacks to achieve zones near the opponent's goals, and implementing a direct offensive style. In addition, goals scored were usually preceded by 1-touch, both through high-ball and sand-touch ball trajectory. Coaches and practitioners may consider these goal processes to train prescription and deep understanding of the process to goal in elite Beach soccer.

Abordagens tradicionais e centradas no jogo para o ensino dos esportes coletivos de invasão: um ensaio teórico / Traditional and game-based approaches to teaching invasion team sports: a theoretical essay / Enfoques tradicionales y centrados en el juego para la enseñanza de los deportes de invasión colectiva: un ensayo teórico

Este ensaio teve como objetivo identificar, comparar e discutir os princípios pedagógicos tradicionais e modelos contemporâneos de ensino dos jogos coletivos esportivizados (JCE). Os JCE podem ser representados como sistemas complexos e dinâmicos, nos quais as equipes são entendidas como um microssistema social. Tradicionalmente, o ensino dos JCE foi sustentado por uma visão de mundo racionalista, com propostas centradas no professor/treinador e pautadas em abordagens e princípios pedagógicos tecnicistas e comportamentalistas. Nessa perspectiva, a reprodução (receita) sobrepõe-se à criatividade (adaptação funcional). Com a mudança de paradigma de ensino dos JCE, surgiram abordagens e modelos centrados nos jogadores/alunos e pautadas no jogo. Neste ensaio, foram discutidas as fundamentações teóricas e as implicações práticas de quatro propostas: i) Ensino de Jogos para Compreensão (Teaching Games for Understanding - TGfU); ii) Modelo de Educação Esportiva (Sport Education - SE); iii) Pedagogia Não-Linear (PNL) e; iv) Pedagogia do Jogo (entendida enquanto abordagem e modelo). Por meio dos princípios pedagógicos do TGfU (seleção do tipo de jogo, modificação-representação, modificação-exagero, ajuste da complexidade tática), da PNL (representação, manipulação de restrições, acoplamento informação-movimento, aprendizagem exploratória, redução do controle consciente do movimento), do SE e/ou da Pedagogia do jogo (pedagogia da rua, ambiente de aprendizagem e ambiente de jogo, incluindo características de desafio, desequilíbrio, imprevisibilidade, representação), é possível que os jogadores/alunos aprendam jogando, podendo inclusive interferir e criar sua aula/treino. O professor/treinador, portanto, é um mediador ativo e passivo que gerencia e medeia as situações-problema e as trocas de conhecimento.

This study aimed to identify, compare, and discuss the traditional pedagogical principles and contemporary teaching models of team sports. The team sports can be represented as complex and dynamic systems, in which teams are understood as a social microsystem. Traditionally, the teaching was supported by a rationalist worldview, with teacher/coach-centered proposals and guided by technicist and behavioral pedagogical approaches. In this perspective, reproduction (recipe) overlaps creativity (functional adaptation). With the change in the teaching paradigm, emerged game-based approaches and player/student-centered. Here, the theoretical foundations and practical implications of four models were discussed: i) Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU); ii) Sport Education Model (SE); iii) Non-Linear Pedagogy (NLP) and; iv) Game Pedagogy (understood as an approach and a model). Through the pedagogical principles of TGfU (game type selection, modification-representation, modification-exaggeration, adjustment of tactical complexity), NLP (representation, manipulation of restrictions, coupling information-movement, exploratory learning, reduction of conscious control of movement), SE and/or Game Pedagogy (street pedagogy, learning environment and game environment, including characteristics of challenge, imbalance, unpredictability, representation), it is possible that players/students learn by playing, and may even interfere and create your class/ training. The teacher/coach, therefore, is an active and passive mediator who manages and mediates problem situations and knowledge exchanges.

Este ensayo tuvo como objetivo identificar, comparar y discutir los principios pedagógicos tradicionales y los modelos de enseñanza contemporáneos para los deportes de equipo. Los deportes de equipo se pueden representar como sistemas complejos y dinámicos, en los que los equipos constituyen un microsistema social. Tradicionalmente, la enseñanza de los deportes de equipo se ha apoyado en una visión racionalista, con propuestas centradas en el docente/entrenador y guiadas por enfoques y principios tecnicistas y pedagógicos conductuales. En esta perspectiva, la reproducción se superpone a la creatividad (adaptación funcional). Con el cambio en el paradigma de enseñanza de los deportes de equipo, surgieron enfoques y modelos centrados en los jugadores / estudiantes y guiados por el juego. En este ensayo se discutieron los fundamentos teóricos y las implicaciones prácticas de cuatro propuestas: i) Enseñanza de los juegos para la comprensión (Teaching Games for Understanding - TGfU); ii) Modelo de Educación Deportiva (Sport Education - SE); iii) Pedagogía no lineal (PNL) y; iv) Pedagogía del juego (entendido como enfoque y modelo). A través de los principios pedagógicos de TGfU (selección del tipo de juego, modificación-representación, modificación-exageración, ajuste de la complejidad táctica), PNL (representación, manipulación de restricciones, acoplamiento información-movimiento, aprendizaje exploratorio, reducción del control consciente del movimiento), SE y Pedagogía del juego (entorno de aprendizaje, entorno de juego, incluidas las características de desafío, desequilibrio, imprevisibilidad, representación), es posible que los jugadores aprendan jugando, e incluso pueden interferir y crear su clase / entrenamiento. El profesor / formador, por tanto, es un mediador activo y pasivo que gestiona y media en situaciones problemáticas e intercambios de conocimientos.

Contextual Variables Affect Running Performance in Professional Soccer Players: A Brief Report.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of contextual variables on running performance in Brazilian professional soccer players. Twenty male players from one club participating in the 1st Division of the Brazilian soccer championship were analyzed during 35 matches. Global Positioning System was used to determine total distance (TD) covered, distance covered and actions in high intensity and sprinting, and the number of accelerations, and decelerations. The independent variables used were match location, match outcome, opposition ranking, change of head coach, and distance traveled to play the matches. Total distance was higher in a way than home matches (9,712 vs. 9,533 m; p ≤ 0.05), and losses than draws and wins (9,846 vs. 9,400 vs. 9,551 m; p ≤ 0.05), whereas distance in sprinting was higher in draws than losses (203 vs. 175 m; p ≤ 0.01). Changing the head coach during the season resulted in overall lower distance covered in high intensity, sprinting, high-intensity actions (p ≤ 0.01), and decelerations (p ≤ 0.05). Higher values for distance covered in sprinting and high intensity were found in matches without travel compared to those with long-travel (p ≤ 0.05). Overall, running performance was affected by the location, match outcome, change of head coach, and distance traveled during the season.

Análise de redes socialis pela óptica da abordagem ecológica: un ensaio teórico / Social networks analysis in sports through an ecological approach: a theoretical framework

Resumo Meli Neto, B., Fuini Puggina, E., Pombo Menezes, R., Cláudio Machado, J., Vanella, R. e Aquino, R. (2021). Análise de redes sociais no esporte pela ótica da abordagem ecológica: um ensaio teórico. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 19(2), 1-19. A análise de desempenho é uma disciplina intimamente relacionada à pedagogia do esporte. As bases teóricas que sustentam as escolhas metodológicas devem ser bem estabelecidas para existir uma convergência entre os instrumentos de avaliação e o processo de ensino e treinamento. Este ensaio teórico teve por objetivo apresentar e discutir a importância e representatividade da análise de redes sociais para avaliar o desempenho em esportes coletivos. O principal objetivo da análise de redes sociais é estudar a relação entre os jogadores para identificar possíveis causas e consequências dos eventos ocorridos durante a partida. Sendo assim, a análise de redes sociais trabalha de forma diferente das análises tradicionais, nas quais o principal foco está no sujeito, ou em análises notacionais que são as mais comumente utilizadas e que buscam a acumulação da frequência dos eventos ocorridos (e.g. gols marcados, posse de bola, áreas de finalização das jogadas). Tal instrumento de avaliação, teoricamente posicionado numa abordagem ecológica, mostra-se eficaz para a identificação de padrões de interação num grupo e o entendimento dos artifícios sociais que ajudam a compreender o desempenho em uma equipe. Assim, as equipes passam a ser analisadas como grupos sociais e não como sujeitos isolados. Neste ensaio, também se apresentam as principais aplicações práticas desse instrumento de avaliação em diferentes esportes coletivos, tais como o futebol, o futsal, o handebol, o basquetebol e o voleibol.

Abstract Meli Neto, B., Fuini Puggina, E., Pombo Menezes, R., Cláudio Machado, J., Vanella, R. & Aquino, R. (2021). Social networks analysis in sports through an ecological approach—a theoretical framework. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 19(2), 1-19. Performance analysis is a discipline that is closely related to the pedagogy of sports. The theoretical foundations that undergird methodological choices must be well established in order for a convergence to exist between evaluation instruments and the process of teaching and training. The objective of the present theoretical study was to present and discuss the importance and representativeness of social networks analysis in order to evaluate the performance in group sports. The main purpose of social networks analysis is to study the relationships among players, in order to identify possible causes and consequences of the events that took place during a match. Thus, the analysis of social networks works differently from traditional analyses, whose major focus is on the subject, or in notational analyses that are most commonly used and that look for the accumulation of frequency of the events that have occurred (e.g., goals scored, ball possession, finishing zones). Such an instrument of evaluation, theoretically positioned on an ecological approach, proves effective for the identification of interaction patterns in a group and for understanding the social artifices that help to understand performance in a team. Thus, teams come to be analyzed as social groups instead of isolated individuals. This study also presents the main practical applications of this evaluation instrument in different group sports such as soccer football, indoor soccer, handball, basketball and volleyball.

Resumen Meli Neto, B., Fuini Puggina, E., Pombo Menezes, R., Cláudio Machado, J., Vanella, R. y Aquino, R. (2021). Análisis de redes sociales en el deporte desde el punto de vista del enfoque ecológico. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 19(2), 1-19. El análisis del rendimiento está relacionado con la pedagogía del deporte. Las bases teóricas que sustentan las selecciones metodológicas deben estar bien establecidas para que haya una convergencia entre los instrumentos de evaluación y el proceso de enseñanza y entrenamiento. Este ensayo pretende presentar y discutir la importancia y representatividad del análisis de redes sociales para evaluar el rendimiento en los deportes de equipo. El objetivo principal del análisis de redes sociales es estudiar la relación entre los jugadores para identificar las posibles causas y consecuencias de los eventos durante el partido. Así, el análisis de redes sociales es diferente de los análisis tradicionales, en los que el foco principal está en el sujeto, o de los análisis notacionales, que son más utilizados y acumulan la frecuencia de los eventos ocurridos (por ejemplo, los goles marcados, la posesión del balón, las zonas de remate). Esta herramienta de evaluación, posicionada teóricamente en un enfoque ecológico, se muestra eficaz para la identificación de los patrones de interacción en un grupo y la comprensión de los artificios sociales que ayudan a entender el rendimiento de un equipo. Así, los equipos pasan a ser analizados como grupos sociales y no como sujetos aislados. En este ensayo, también se exponen las principales aplicaciones prácticas de esta herramienta de evaluación en diferentes deportes de equipo, como el fútbol, el fútbol sala, el balonmano, el baloncesto y el voleibol.

Match running performance in Brazilian professional soccer players: comparisons between successful and unsuccessful teams.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the match running performance between bottom- and top-ranked teams in professional soccer players over the 2020 season of the Brazilian National 2nd Division League. In addition, this study verified the independent and interactive effects of playing position and contextual factors on running outputs between these teams. METHODS: Forty-eight professional male outfield soccer players participated in this study (top-ranked team, n = 24; bottom-ranked team, n = 24). The distance- and accelerometry-based measures were recorded during 69 matches using a global positioning system (10 Hz) integrated with an accelerometer (400 Hz). RESULTS: The top-ranked team covered greater total distance [median (interquartile range); 10,330.0 m (1430.0)] and high-acceleration [97.0 m (32.0)] than the bottom-ranked team, in home and away matches [p < 0.05, effect size (ES) = small]. The midfielders of the top-ranked team covered higher total distance, high-speed running (> 18 km h-1), high acceleration (≥ 3 m s-2), high-deceleration (≤ -3 m s-2), and performed more sprints [(> 25 km h-1) compared to midfielders of the bottom-ranked team (p < 0.05, η2 = small-moderate]. The matches against top-level opponents required high values of high-acceleration and number of sprints only for the top-ranked team (p < 0.05, ES = small). Independent analysis showed that match outcome (loss vs. draw vs. win) was not influenced by running performance for both bottom- and top-ranked teams (p > 0.05; η2 = small). However, the top-ranked team covered greater total distance, high-acceleration/deceleration than bottom-ranked team in loss matches (p < 0.05, η2 = small). CONCLUSIONS: These findings should be considered when the coaches and practitioners interpret the match running outputs and when evaluating the effects of training intervention on these performance indicators.

Gene signatures of autopsy lungs from obese patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Obesity is associated with low grade systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. Although metabolic and immunological changes may contribute to the increased risk for COVID-19 mortality in obese, little is known about the impact of obesity in the lungs of patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We analyzed gene expression profiles of autopsy lungs of a cohort of 14 COVID-19 patients and 4 control individuals. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their comorbidities: hypertension, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. We then identified the molecular alterations associated with these comorbidities in COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: Patients with only hypertension showed higher levels of inflammatory genes and B-cell related genes when compared to those with T2D and obesity. However, the levels of IFN-gamma, IL22, and CD274 (a ligand that binds to receptor PD1) were higher in COVID-19 patients with T2D and obesity. Several metabolic- and immune-associated genes such as G6PD, LCK and IL10 were significantly induced in the lungs of the obese group. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lungs may exacerbate the immune response and chronic condition in obese COVID-19 patients.

Organisation of instep kicking in young U11 to U20 soccer players.

Aim: The main purpose of the study was to investigate kicking kinematics and performance in young-trained soccer players according to age, playing status, and biological maturity.Methods: Youth male soccer players (N = 105) from five age groups (under-11, under-13, under-15, under-17, and under-20) were evaluated. Four digital video cameras (300 Hz) captured the participants' lower extremity and ball kinematics during penalty kick trials using dominant limb.Results: It was possible to identify non-linear differences in angular joint kinematics (displacement and velocity) of hip, knee and ankle across age-groups. Kicked ball speed and lower extremity mechanical factors discriminated among under-15 players with distinct status (e.g., ball speed and foot-to-ball speed ratio: starters > non-starters and non-participating substitutes; effect size = 1.05 to 1.49 [large]). Estimated maturity offset was not correlated with performance outputs in any age-group (r = -0.28 to 0.39; P > 0.05).Conclusion: We conclude that from ages ~10 to 19 years, differences in kicking kinematics and performance vary across time in youth players. Transition phase between under-13 to under-15 appears the most sensible period for powerful instep kick performance development. Kicking speed in youth soccer is discriminated according to player status, but not estimated biological maturity.