Analysis of the competitive demands in 7-a-side football players with cerebral palsy

Inertial devices allow for obtaining a large amount of information related to external load during official competitions. The study aimed to analyse fatigue in different functional classification players of a Football 7-a-side for people with cerebral palsy or acquired brain injury team, considering the movements, speed changes and impacts during the 2020 Spanish National League matches (n = 12). The analyzed independent variables were the different functional classifications (FC) of the players, FC1, FC2 and FC3, and also time. Regarding the dependent variables, kinematic objective external load (displacements and speed changes), and neuromuscular objective external load (impacts) were considered. This study is an empirical investigation that follows an associative and descriptive analysis, ANOVA test, and a Bonferroni post hoc test (multiple comparisons) were carried out between the external load variables based on FC and time. The results show differences between FC1 for people with greater functional limitation to FC3, and athletes with less functional limitation depending on the time of the match. FC2 players presented greater competitive demands in specific moments of the match than FC3 athletes because of the requirements of the competition. Furthermore, evaluating different FC players with inertial devices in official competitions provides useful information regarding the demands of Fa7PC players, which is fundamental for daily training tasks management and injury risk prevention in Fa7PC. The large number of variables associated with inertial devices data collection during training sessions and official competitions in Fa7PC allows us to understand the demands of CP players, as well as how to make decisions during the games and training process, namely for reducing the injury risk. (AU)

Influence of game period and game action in the physical requirements of basketball referees / Influencia del periodo y acción de juego en las exigencias físicas de árbitros de baloncesto

This study aimed to identify internal and external workload demands in professional referees, and to analyse the influence of the situational variables Game Period and Game Action. Three professional referees of the highest category were monitored during a national elite game. WIMU PRO™ inertial devices were used for workload monitoring via microtechnology, ultra-wide band and heart rate (HR) telemetry. The referees worked at around 82%HRMAX and spent 75% of the time at walking-jogging speed (0-12km/h). Game Action influenced the external workload (total distance and per intensities, impacts, player load, maximum and mean speed) while Game Period influenced the internal load (HRMEAN, HRMAX, %HRMAX and per intensities). Workload quantification in competition and the evaluation of the effect of situational variables are essential for setting up performance profiles and designing individual programmes that improve the training of basketball referees. (AU)

Evolución del rendimiento deportivoen fútbol-7 para personas con parálisis cerebral: 2012-2016 / Sport performance evolution of football 7-a-side for people with cerebral palsy: 2012-2016

El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar los lanzamientos ejecutados durante la competición de Fútbol a 7 para personas con parálisis cerebral de los Juegos Paralímpicos de Londres 2012 y de Río de Janeiro2016, además de conocer las diferencias entre ambas competiciones. Para ello, se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los 875 lanzamientos ejecutados durante la competición, así como de las diferencias entre las variables planteadas en el estudio entre ambas competiciones. Los resultados evidenciaron la importancia de los lanzamientos en el Fútbol a 7 para personas con Parálisis Cerebral. Se han obtenido diferencias significativas entre las competiciones analizadas en las siguientes variables: Equipo, Partido, Clasificación Funcional, Zona de lanzamiento, Posición, Zona corporal, Tipo de golpeo, Oposición y Resultado del lanzamiento. Se tuvo en cuenta el cambio de reglamento en torno a la clasificación funcional, que provocó cambios significativos en determinadas variables, concluyendo que la mayor implicación ofensiva la tienen los jugadores con menor afectación. (AU)

The aim of the present study was to analyze the launches made during the Football 7-a-side competition for people with cerebral palsy of the London 2012 Paralympic Games and Rio de Janeiro 2016, in addition to knowing the differences between both competitions. A descriptive analysis of the 875 launches executed during the competition, as well as the differences between the variables proposed in the study between the two competitions, was carried out. The results evidenced the importance of launches in Football 7-a-side for people with cerebral palsy. Significant differences have been obtained between the competitions analyzed in the following variables: Team, Match, Functional Classification, Launch zone, Position, Body zone, Hit type, Opposition and Launch result. The change of regulation around the functional classification was considered, which caused significant changes in certain variables, concluding that players with less affectation have the greatest offensive implication. (AU)

Comparative external workload analysis based on the new functional classification in cerebral palsy football 7-a-side. A full-season study.

The evolution of functional classification (FT) is important for promoting competitive balance. Technological advances allow the objective monitoring of competitive demands that is required to manage and individualize workloads. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize external workload in all matches from the 2018/2019 season of the CPF7 Spanish National League and to compare demands based on the new FT (FT1, FT2 yFT3) in time-motion (locomotion and speed changes) and accelerometer-based workload (impacts). Statistical analysis was composed of one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc and omega partial squared effect size. Differences were found among all FT in total distance, running, high-intensity, sprinting, very high accelerations and decelerations (FT3> FT2> FT1; p < .01; ωp2= 0.29-to-0.43); and with respect to the highest functional limitation (FT3 = FT2> FT1) in maximum sprinting, moderate-high accelerations and decelerations, total impacts and at very-low intensity (ωp2= 0.13-to-0.29). In conclusion, FT3 players presented a physical advantage with respect to FT2-FT1 players in competition, especially in high-intensity actions that are crucial in team-sports performance. The present results facilitate designing specific training workloads according to FT, players' disability and competition demands, being the first approach to characterize match demands with inertial devices based on the new FT.