Effects of coach-delivered verbal encouragement on the physiological and psychological responses of adolescent players in small-sided basketball games.

Introduction: The confluence of physiological and psychological dynamics is fundamental to athletic performance, particularly in basketball, where physical skill and mental resilience are imperative. While the role of verbal encouragement (VE) as a catalyst for enhancing performance has been explored in various sports disciplines, its specific effects within the basketball have not been adequately examined. Addressing this gap, the current study zeroes in on the influence of coach-delivered VE on the physiological and psychological responses of adolescent basketball players engaged in small-sided games (SSG), providing a focused analysis of how directed encouragement can modulate performance and experience in young athletes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of coach-delivered verbal encouragement on the psychological and physiological responses of adolescent basketball players. Methods: Sixteen male participants (age: 16.93 ± 0.36 years; height: 176.8 ± 0.8 cm; body mass: 73.43 ± 12.57 kg; BMI: 21.70 ± 3.55) were allocated to a Verbal Encouragement Group (VEG, n = 8, mean age: 16.80 ± 0.44) and a Control Group (CG, n = 8, mean age: 17.06 ± 0.26). Each participant engaged in four sessions of small-sided games (SSGs) consisting of four players per side in a 14 × 10 m pitch. Results: The findings revealed significant benefits of coach-delivered verbal encouragement on both the physical and psychophysiological responses of the players (p < 0.05), including increased physical enjoyment, positive mood state, lower heart rate, and higher physical activity intensity level. Discussion: Coaches should incorporate verbal encouragement strategies during SSGs to enhance player performance and optimize both psychological and physiological adaptations.

Investigating the association between the lunar cycle and sleep, physiological, cognitive, and physical performance in children with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Children with Down syndrome (DS) offer a compelling context within the fieldof human biology for examining potential lunar influences. While the exact mechanisms governing lunar effects are still under investigation, a growing body of scientific inquiry suggests possible connections between lunar phases and physiological, physical, and cognitive parameters. This investigation holds promise for uncovering the intricate interplay between lunar cycles (LCs) and the unique biology of children with DS. This study investigated the potential influence of the LC on physiological, physical, and cognitive parameters in children with DS, focusing on sleep patterns, physical performance, and cognitive abilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen children with DS participated in this study. Sleep data, physical performance metrics, and cognitive test results were collected throughout the LC, including the new moon (NM), first quarter, full moon (FM), and third quarter. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the differences in these parameters across lunar phases. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in sleep patterns, with reduced total sleep time (P < 0.01) and sleep efficiency (P < 0.001) during the FM phase. Heart rates (HRs) before (P < 0.001) and after (P < 0.01) exercise also displayed pronounced changes during LC. Additionally, the reaction time (RT) exhibited a significant difference (P < 0.01) across the lunar phases. However, physical performance metrics, including squat jump (SJ), sprint, and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), did not show significant variations. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that LC may have a moderating effect on sleep patterns, HR, and cognitive performance in children with DS. These findings have practical implications for caregivers and educators and highlight the importance of considering lunar-associated variations in planning schedules and interventions for children with DS.

Peer Verbal Encouragement Is More Effective than Coach Encouragement in Enhancing CrossFit-Specific 1-RM Strength, Functional Endurance, and Psychophysiological Assessment Performance.

This study compares the effects of coach verbal encouragement (CVE) and peer verbal encouragement (PVE) on CrossFit-specific one-repetition maximum (1-RM) strength, functional endurance, and psychophysiological assessments. A total of 36 sports science students (18 males, 18 females; mean age: 21.3 ± 0.5 years) participated in a randomized, counterbalanced crossover study in which 1-RM strength and endurance assessment sessions were undertaken under PVE, CVE, and no verbal encouragement (NVE) on separate days. Here, 1-RM strength was assessed through squat, deadlift, and bench press exercises, while endurance was evaluated using 8 min time trials (8MTT). Following the physical assessments, psychophysiological evaluations were conducted using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and the Feeling Scale (FS). The findings revealed that, after PVE, all the 1-RM strength test, 8MTT, RPE, and FS values exhibited significant increases compared to those of CVE (p [<0.001-<0.01], r = -0.84 [large]) and NVE (p [<0.001-<0.05], r [-0.43-0.52] [small]). Exceptions were noted in 1-RM-deadlift (p > 0.05, r = -0.43 [small]) and 1-RM-bench-press (p > 0.05, r = -0.43 [small]), where CVE demonstrated higher scores (1-RM-squat, 8MTT, RPE, and FS) (p [<0.001-<0.05], r = -0.64 [large]) in comparison to NVE. In conclusion, the study established that PVE is more impactful than CVE in enhancing CrossFit-specific 1-RM strength, functional endurance, and psychophysiological assessment performance. These findings suggest that coaches/teachers should consider involving their athletes in the reinforcement process for evaluated peers. This collaborative approach may not only optimize performance outcomes but also foster a supportive and motivational training environment.

Normative reference and cut-offs values of maximal aerobic speed-20 m shuttle run test and maximal oxygen uptake for Tunisian adolescent (elite) soccer players.

This study aimed to develop reference curves of aerobic parameters of 20 m shuttle run test for Tunisian soccer players. The study was conducted in the 2022/2023 pre-season. The reference curves of the maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were developed according to the Lambda, Mu and Sigma (LMS) method, using data from 742 Tunisian premier league soccer players aged 11-18 years. Measured variables included: weight, height, body mass index and maximal heart rate (HRmax). HRmax was measured when the participants completed the maximal aerobic speed. VO2max was estimated using the 20 m shuttle run test protocol (speed increment every minute). Our results presented the smoothed percentiles (3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 97th) of MAS (km/h) and VO2max (ml/kg•min⁻1) according to age. In addition, raw data showed that VO2 max was positively correlated with age (r = 0.333; P < 0.001), height (cm) (r = 0.279; P < 0.001), weight (kg) (r = 0.266; P < 0.001), practice period (years) (r = 0.324; P < 0.001) and BMI (kg/m2) (r = 0.10; P < 0.05). However, it was negatively correlated to HRmax (bpm) (r = -0.247; P < 0.001). Only the measurements within the age group [12-12.99] are significantly higher (p < 0.001; ES = 0.63) compared with the previous age group [11-11.99]. Finally, regarding prevalence, our findings showed that 15.5 % of the players in our sample had VO2max values above the 87.7th percentile cut-off, while only 0.3 % exceeded the 99.18th percentile. The development of normative curves could help coaches and physical trainers to more accurately detect weaknesses in the aerobic performance of their players in order to sustain high-intensity repetitive actions during a soccer match.

Normative data in resting and maximum heart rates and a prediction equation for young Tunisian soccer players: a cross-sectional study.

Heart rate (HR) is an important indicator of work intensity during physical activity. Maximum heart rate (MHR) is a physiological measure that is frequently used as a benchmark for maximal exercise intensity. The aim of this study was to establish reference curves for maximum heart rate (MHR) and resting heart rate (RHR) and to develop an estimated equation for Tunisian adolescent footballers. The study involved 801 adolescent players, aged 11 to 18, who belonged to five Tunisian first-division soccer teams. The LMS method was used for smoothing the curves and the multivariate linear regression to develop a prediction equation of MHR. Our results showed that MHR and RHR reference curves decrease with age. The values of the median curves of MHR and RHR ranged from 208.64 bpm (11 years) to 196.93 (18 years) and 73.86 (11 years) to 63.64 (18 years), respectively. The prediction equation obtained from the model was MHR= 225.08 - 1.55 X Age (years) (R2 = 0.317; P < 0.001; standard error of the estimate (SEE) = 5.22). The comparisons between the estimated values and the measured values have found that our model (- 0.004 ±5.22 bpm) was to be more accurate than two other widely known models. BOX's equation underestimates the measured MHR values by -3.17 ± 5.37 bpm and TANAKA's equation overestimates by + 4.33 ±5.5 bpm. The reference curves can be used by coaches and physical trainers to classify the resting heart rate (RHR) and maximum heart rate (MHR) of each adolescent player, track their evolution over time, and design tailored training programs with specific intensities for Tunisian soccer players.

Efecto del estímulo verbal del entrenador sobre las respuestas psicofisiológicas durante un partido específico de fútbol en espacios reducidos / Efeito do encorajamento verbal do professor nas respostas psicofisiológicas durante jogos reduzidos de futebol / Effect of teacher’s verbal encouragement on psychophysiological responses during soccer small-sided game

Uno de los factores importantes que mejoran la capacidad de los jugadores de fútbol para participar más en la actividad física es el estímulo verbal del entrenador durante el ejercicio. El propósito del estudio fue investigar el efecto del estímulo verbal del entrenador en los partidos de fútbol en espacios reducidos sobre los parámetros psicofisiológicos. Catorce alumnos varones, especialidad fútbol, ​​completaron cuatro sesiones de juegos reducidos (SSG). Dos sesiones (S1 y S3) realizadas con estímulo verbal (SSGE), y las otras dos sesiones (S2 y S4) sin VE (SSGN). El estado de ánimo se registró antes y después de cada sesión de entrenamiento utilizando el perfil de estado de ánimo (POMS). La calificación del esfuerzo percibido (RPE) se midió después de cada sesión de entrenamiento. La frecuencia cardíaca se registró continuamente. La alteración del estado de ánimo total disminuye significativamente en las sesiones con SSGE (S1: P < 0,05; S3: P < 0,001). Las puntuaciones de RPE en las sesiones S1 y S4 (SSGE) son significativamente más altas (P = 0,035; P = 0,02) en comparación con la sesión S2 (SSGN). Por el contrario, no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las dos condiciones para la frecuencia cardíaca máxima durante la SSG. El estímulo verbal del maestro es un método beneficioso para aumentar la motivación, mejorando así la participación física de los estudiantes en los partidos de fútbol a pequeña escala. (AU)

One of the important factors that improve soccer player's ability to engage more in the physical activity is verbal encouragement. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of the teacher's verbal encouragement in football small-sided games on psycho-physiological parameters. Fourteen male college students, soccer specialty, completed randomly four sessions(S1-S4) of small-sided games with (SSGE) or without verbal encouragement (SSGN). Heart rate, mood state and RPE were recorded. Total mood disturbance decreases significantly in sessions with SSGE (S1: P < 0.05; S3: P < 0.001). Also, RPE was improved significantly in SSGE (P = 0.035; P = 0.02) compared to SSGN. However, no significant differences between conditions were found for maximal heart rate during SSGs. Teacher’s verbal encouragement is a beneficial method of increasing motivation, thereby improving the physical engagement of college students in small-scale football matches. (AU)

Um dos fatores importantes que melhoram acapacidade do jogador de futebol de se engajar mais na atividade física é o incentivo verbal. O objetivo do estudo foi investigar o efeito do encorajamento verbal do professor em jogos reduzidos de futebol sobre parâmetros psicofisiológicos. Quatorze universitários do sexo masculino, especialidade futebol, completaram aleatoriamente quatro sessões(S1-S4) de jogos reduzidos com (SSGE) ou sem incentivo verbal (SSGN). Frequência cardíaca, estado de humor e RPE foram registrados. A perturbação total do humor diminui significativamente nas sessões com SSGE (S1: P < 0,05; S3: P < 0,001). Além disso, o RPE melhorou significativamente no SSGE (P = 0,035; P = 0,02) em comparação com o SSGN. No entanto, não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre as condições para frequência cardíaca máxima durante SSGs. O encorajamento verbal do professor é um método benéfico de aumentar a motivação, melhorando assim o envolvimento físico de estudantes universitários em partidas de futebol de pequena escala. (AU)

Greater effects of high- compared with moderate-intensity interval training on thyroid hormones in overweight/obese adolescent girls.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of 12-week high-intensity- (HIIT) vs. moderate-intensity-interval training (MIIT) on thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) and insulin-resistance in overweight/obese adolescent girls. METHODS: Twenty four adolescent girls (age 16.5±1.36 yrs) were randomly allocated into three groups: (1) HIIT (2 blocks per session of 6-8 bouts of 30 s runs at 100-110% maximal aerobic speed (MAS), with 30 s active recovery between bouts at 50% MAS; n=8), (2) MIIT (2 blocks per session of 6-8 bouts of 30 s runs at 70-80% MAS, with 30 s active recovery between bouts at 50% MAS; n=8) and (3) control group (no exercise, n=8). Each training groups engaged in three sessions per week during three months. Anthropometric parameters, aerobic capacity, homeostasis model assessment index for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) as well as plasma TSH and T4 levels were assessed in all subjects before- and after-training. RESULTS: Following both training programs, body mass, body mass index Z-score, waist circumference and body fat decreased, while aerobic capacity increased. However, TSH and T4 concentrations decreased only after the HIIT (-30.47%, p<0.05, ES=1.42 and -12.86%, p<0.05, ES=1.18; respectively). The HOMA-IR decreased in both training groups (-26.25%, p<0.05, ES=1.87 for MIIT and -21.72%, p<0.05, ES=2.14 for HIIT). CONCLUSION: Twelve weeks of HIIT was effective in reducing circulating TSH and T4 levels, unlike MIIT, in overweight/obese adolescent girls. These findings indicated that the stimulation of pituitary-thyroid function is more sensitive to training intensity than training duration. Further studies are needed to confirm this conclusion.