The influence of match status on the conditional characteristics of tactical sprint actions in professional soccer players.

This study aimed to analyse the influence of the match status on the conditional characteristics of tactical sprint actions among Spanish professional soccer players, considering playing positions. Thirty-two Spanish male professional soccer players from a LaLiga Spanish Second Division (LaLiga SmarthBank) team participated in this study. Actions above 85% of the players' maximum velocity were analysed based on their tactical purpose. These findings provide valuable information regarding the tactical aspects of sprinting in soccer, emphasizing the influence of playing positions and match status on the distribution of tactical sprint actions. No effects of match status were observed for any game phase. However, when tactical actions were individually studied, it was observed that the maximum velocity in Chase actions was higher when the team was winning, while in Press actions, the maximum velocity was higher when the team was losing and in in Run in behind/Penetrate, the maximum velocity was higher in drawing situations compared to losing situations. No effects of match status on the distance covered during sprinting were observed, and regarding duration, significant differences were only observed in Recovery run actions. In addition, the influence of match status is higher when playing positions are considered, although the within playing positions analysis revealed significant differences only in CM players. These findings provide valuable information for the design of specific training drills considering playing positions, suggesting the need to analyse the previous match in order to structure the training load of the microcycle in a comprehensive manner.

Exploring a holistic training program on tactical behavior and psychological components of elite soccer players throughout competition season: a pilot study.

This study aimed to assess the effects of a training program, considering an ecological/holistic perspective, on both tactical behavior (i.e., principles of play; PP) and psychological aspects (i.e., emotional, and cognitive components) in elite soccer teams consisting of players from the U23 and U21 age groups. The participants were 46 players from the under U-23 and U-21 teams from the same club and the first division of Argentina. A quasi-experimental design was examined after five weeks of intervention through integrated training tasks, where psychological factors were used for the development of the tactical principles of the game. Two evaluations of the improvement of game principles were performed before and after the intervention. The results showed significant changes and differences in both teams concerning the PP during the post-intervention period. Specifically, the results show significant group-by-time interactions with an increase in the percentage of tactical actions and behaviors performed during the competitions in two game principles analyzed in both teams. There were significant in the group-by-time interactions for PP 3 (i.e., the first option to pass forward; p ≤ 0.001, F = 58.96, ηp2 = 0.88) and also, significant changes were in PP 4 (i.e., immediate pressure when losing the ball) through the main effect of time (p ≤ 0.001, F = 105.41, ηp2 = 0.93) and group by time interactions (p = 0.002, F = 20.08, ηp2 = 0.72). In both groups, there were significant changes in post hoc analysis (PP3: U21: p = 0.039 vs. U23: p ≤ 0.001) and (PP4: U21: p = 0.006 vs. U23: p = 0.001). It seems the strategies and constraints used, tactical components, and integrated into the psychological aspects during specific soccer training tasks can help improve the tactical behaviors of both teams in a competition associated with the PP of a soccer team.

Effects of Contextual Variables on Match Load in a Professional Soccer Team Attending to the Different Season Periods.

This study aimed to analyze the effects of contextual variables (i.e., match location and match outcome) and season periods on match load (i.e., internal and external load) in professional Brazilian soccer players. Thirty-six professional players from the same soccer team participated in this study. The season was split into four phases: matches 1-16 (i.e., Phase 1 = P1); matches 17-32 (i.e., Phase 2 = P2); matches 33-48, (i.e., Phase 3 = P3); matches 49-65 (i.e., Phase 4 = P4). Considering match outcome, when the team wins, Cognitive load, Emotional load, and Affective load were significantly higher in away vs. home matches (p < 0.05). Considering season phases, in P3, Mental Fatigue was significantly higher in drawing than in losing matches (p < 0.05). Additionally, considering the match outcome, when the team lost, Total Distance (TD)/min and TD > 19 km·h-1/min were significantly lower in P1 than P2 (p < 0.001), P3 (p < 0.001), and P4 (p < 0.001). These results suggest to strength and conditioning coaches the need to consider the outcome and location of the previous game when planning the week, as well as the phase of the season they are in to reduce fatigue and injury risk.

Inteligencia emocional y resiliencia en universitarios: Influencia de la cultura, del género y del deporte competitivo / Inteligência emocional e resiliência em universitários: Influência da cultura, gênero e de desporto competitivo / Emotional intelligence and resilience in university students: Influence of culture, gender, and competitive sport

La Inteligencia Emocional (IE) permite identificar y manejar las propias emociones y reconocer las de los demás impactando en la satisfacción vital y bienestar psicológico; a su vez, la resiliencia permite superar adversidades, siendo procesos importantes en el ámbito universitario. Los objetivos de esta investigación consistieron en describir la IE en sus factores atención, claridad, reparación emocional, y resiliencia en estudiantes universitarios y compararlas en función del país (México y España), género y práctica deportiva con fines competitivos. Participaron 423 estudiantes universitarios (M = 22.83; DT = 4.71; 49% mexicanos, 51% españoles; 66.5% mujeres, 32.3% hombres, 1.2% no binarios; 17.5% practican deporte con fines competitivos). A través de un diseño descriptivo, comparativo transversal no probabilístico y transcultural, se completaron los cuestionarios de Escala Rasgo de Metaconocimiento Emocional (TMMS-24) y Escala de Resiliencia Connor-Davidson (CD-RISC). Los hallazgos principales de la prueba t-Student fueron diferencias significativas en: 1) reparación emocional, donde los universitarios de México presentan medias mayores (t = 2.23); 2) atención emocional, reparación emocional y resiliencia en función del género (t = 2.57, -3.46, -4.42); y 3) reparación emocional y resiliencia en función de la práctica de deporte con fines competitivos (t = -2.08, -3.36). El MANOVA reveló significancia en el cruce por país y deporte (F = 3.22). Estos resultados sugieren que la IE y la resiliencia en universitarios, se ven influidas por el país, el género y la práctica de deporte con fines competitivos, aportando evidencia para futuras líneas de investigación transcultural de la IE en el deporte.(AU)

Emotional Intelligence (EI) allows to identify and manage own emotions and recognize them in others impacting on life satisfaction and psychological well-being; on the other hand, resilience allows overcoming adversities, being importantprocesses in the university environment. Therefore, the aims of this research were to describe EI in its emotional attention, clarity and repair factors, and resilience in university students and to compare them depending on the country (Mexico and Spain), gender, and sports practice for competitive purposes. A total of 423 university students participated (M = 22,83; SD = 4,71; 49% Mexican, 51% Spanish; 66.5% women, 32.3% men, 1.2% non-binary; 17.5% practice sports for competitive purposes). Through a descriptive, comparative cross-sectional non-probabilistic, and cross-cultural design, it was completed the Emotional Meta-knowledge Trait Scale (TMMS-24) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) questionnaires. The main findings of the t-Student test were significant differences in 1) emotional repair where university students in Mexico present higher means (t = 2.23); 2) emotional attention, emotional repair, and resilience based on gender (t = 2.57, -3.46, -4.42); and 3) emotional repair and resilience depending on the practice of sport for competitive purposes (t = -2.08, -3.36). The MANOVA revealed significance in the crossover by country and sport (F = 3.22). These results suggest that EI and resilience in university students are influenced by the country, gender, and the practice of sports for competitive purposes, providing evidence for future lines of cross-cultural research on EI in sports. (AU)

A Inteligência Emocional (IE) permite identificar e gerir as próprias emoções e reconhecê-las nos outros impactando na satisfação com a vida e no bem-estar psicológico. Por outro lado, a resiliência permite a superação das adversidades, sendo processos importantes no ambiente universitário. Portanto, os objetivos deste estudo consistiram em descrever a IE nos seus factores atenção, clareza e reparação emocional, e resiliência nos estudantes universitários e compará-los de acordo com o país (México e Espanha), géneroe prática desportiva competitiva. Um total de 423 estudantes universitários (M = 22,83; DT = 4,71; 49% mexicanos, 51% espanhóis; 66,5% femininos, 32,3% masculinos, 1,2% não binários; 17,5% praticantes de desporto para fins competitivos) participaram nesteestudo. Por meio de um delineamento descritivo, comparativo, transversal, não probabilístico e transcultural, foram preenchidos os questionários Escala de Traços de Metaconhecimento Emocional (TMMS-24) e Escala de Resiliência de Connor-Davidson (CD-RISC).Os principais resultados a partir do teste t de Student foram os seguintes: diferenças significativas nareparação emocional com estudantes universitários mexicanos com meios mais elevados (t = 2.23);atenção emocional, reparação emocional e resiliênciaem função do sexo (t = 2.57, -3.46, -4.42); e reparação emocional e resiliência em função da prática desportiva de competição (t = 2.08, -3.36). A MANOVA revelou diferenças significativas no cruzamento por país e por desporto (F = 3,22). Estes resultados sugerem que a IE e a resiliência em estudantes universitários são influenciadas pelo país, gênero e prática desportiva para fins competitivos, fornecendo evidências para futuras linhas de investigação transcultural sobre IE no desporto. (AU)

Does player age influence match physical performance? A longitudinal four-season analysis in Spanish Soccer LaLiga.

This study aims to analyse the evolution of match running performance in relation to the age distribution of professional soccer players using a large-scale analysis. An explorational-longitudinal and retrospective study was designed and a total of 36,883 individual match observations were collected on outfield players competing across four consecutive Spanish LaLiga seasons (from 2015/16 to 2018/19), using an optical tracking system (ChyronHego). Soccer players were divided into 3 age groups: young (18-24 years old), middle-aged (25-30 years old), and seniors (31-41 years old). Relative total distance (TD/min), distance covered at 21-24 km · h-1 (HIRD/min), and > 24 km · h-1 per minute (VHIRD/min) were analysed; also, the number of efforts at 21-24 km · h-1 (Sp21) and > 24 km · h-1 (Sp24) were taken into consideration. Seasons were divided into four phases (P): P1 (matches 1-10), P2 (11-19), P3 (20-29), and P4 (30-38). The results showed that young players covered significantly greater TD, HIRD and VHIRD than the rest of the players (p < .05) in all season phases. In addition, TD significantly decreased along season phases in all player age group (p < .01). Crucially, young players performed significantly greater numbers of Sp21 and Sp24 than the rest of the players (p < .05) in all season phases. In addition, Sp21 and SP24 significantly decreased in middle-aged (p < .01) and senior players (p < .05) across the seasons. This study demonstrated that players' match running performance decreases with increasing years, especially in high-intensity running distances.

Narrative review: The role of circadian rhythm on sports performance, hormonal regulation, immune system function, and injury prevention in athletes.

Objectives: This study was a narrative review of the importance of circadian rhythm (CR), describes the underlying mechanisms of CR in sports performance, emphasizes the reciprocal link between CR, endocrine homeostasis and sex differences, and the unique role of the circadian clock in immune system function and coordination. Method: As a narrative review study, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (core collection) databases using the keywords "circadian rhythm", "sports performance", "hormonal regulation", "immune system", and "injury prevention". Inclusion criteria were studies published in English and peer-reviewed journals until July 2023. Studies that examined the role of CR in sports performance, hormonal status, immune system function, and injury prevention in athletes were selected for review. Results: CR is followed by almost all physiological and biochemical activities in the human body. In humans, the superchiasmatic nucleus controls many daily biorhythms under solar time, including the sleep-wake cycle. A body of literature indicates that the peak performance of essential indicators of sports performance is primarily in the afternoon hours, and the evening of actions occurs roughly at the peak of core body temperature. Recent studies have demonstrated that the time of day that exercise is performed affects the achievement of good physical performance. This review also shows various biomarkers of cellular damage in weariness and the underlying mechanisms of diurnal fluctuations. According to the clock, CR can be synchronized with photonic and non-photonic stimuli (i.e., temperature, physical activity, and food intake), and feeding patterns and diet changes can affect CR and redox markers. It also emphasizes the reciprocal links between CR and endocrine homeostasis, the specific role of the circadian clock in coordinating immune system function, and the relationship between circadian clocks and sex differences. Conclusion: The interaction between insufficient sleep and time of day on performance has been established in this study because it is crucial to balance training, recovery, and sleep duration to attain optimal sports performance.

Teachers' Verbal and Nonverbal Communication, Students' Psychological Needs, and Positive and Negative Outcomes in Physical Education.

Focused on physical education (PE), this study examined the association between teachers' communication and students' psychological needs, enjoyment/boredom, PE usefulness, and students' grade perception. Participants were 1,000 students (572 girls; Mage = 14.58 ± 0.65) from 29 Spanish secondary schools. A path model including variables measured at three times was tested: teachers' verbal/nonverbal communication (Time 1), needs satisfaction/frustration (Time 2), and PE outcomes (Time 3). Verbal communication positively predicted needs satisfaction, which, in turn, positively predicted enjoyment, PE usefulness, and students' grade perception and negatively predicted boredom. Verbal communication negatively predicted needs frustration, which was a positive predictor of boredom. Multigroup analysis showed that gender did not moderate the associations in the path model, whereas mediating effects were found between teachers' communication and consequences via students' psychological needs. Teachers should improve their communicative capacities to satisfy students' psychological needs and promote positive PE  outcomes.

Effects of out-of-school physical activity interventions based on self-determination theory in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the effects of out-of-school physical activity (PA) interventions, based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), on basic psychological needs (BPN), motivation toward PA, and PA levels in youths. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analyses. METHOD: We searched for intervention studies examining the effects of PA interventions based on SDT implemented outside the school published in English and Spanish in six electronic databases up to January 2022. RESULTS: Outcomes of interest were BPN, motivation, and PA levels. In total, nine studies were included in this review. Seven individual meta-analyses were conducted for each variable, revealing nonsignificant clustered effects for the outcomes autonomy satisfaction (g = 0.12, 95% CI [-0.31, 0.55]), competence satisfaction (g = 0.02, 95% CI [-0.28, 0.32]), relatedness satisfaction (g = 0.13, 95% CI [-0.43, 0.68]), autonomous motivation (g = 0.15, 95% CI [-0.38, 0.67]), controlled motivation (g = 0.12, 95% CI [-0.32, 0.55]), amotivation (g = -0.36, 95% CI [-0.88, 0.16]), and PA behavior (g = 0.02, 95% CI [-0.08, 0.12]). CONCLUSION: Meta-analyses suggest that out-of-school PA interventions based on SDT are not effective in increasing levels of needs satisfaction, types of motivation, and PA levels.

Brain endurance training improves shot speed and accuracy in grassroots padel players.

OBJECTIVES: Evidence that mental fatigue impairs sport performance has created a demand for countermeasures. We examined the effects of brain endurance training, a form of fatigue-inoculation, on shot performance in grassroots padel players. DESIGN: A pre-, mid- and post-test design, with participants randomized to brain endurance training (n = 30) or control (n = 31) groups. METHODS: During testing, participants completed a Padel Stroke Performance Test, before and after a demanding 30-min cognitive task (Stroop). Training comprised 3 sessions/week for 6 weeks. In each training session, participants completed 10-min warm-up, 15-min technical drills, 15-min tactical drills, and 20-min simulated games. These physical activities were intermixed with short 4-min periods of Stroop (brain endurance training group) or rest (control group) totaling 20-min. Performance was measured by shot speed and accuracy of padel strokes. Mental fatigue indices were measured before and after the Stroop task using a visual analog scale rating, a psychomotor vigilance task, and a go/no-go task. RESULTS: During testing, the 30-min Stroop task elicited a state of mental fatigue, confirmed by higher subjective ratings, slower responses during the psychomotor vigilance task, and slower saccade latencies during the go/no go task. Compared to pre-testing, in mid- and post-testing, the brain endurance training group hit progressively faster and more accurate padel shots after the Stroop task compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Brain endurance training enhanced skill-based psychomotor performance when fatigued compared to standard padel training. Brain endurance training is a countermeasure that promotes mental fatigue durability.

Effect of interval and continuous small-sided games training on the bio-motor abilities of young soccer players: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study compared the effects of two different small-sided game (SSG) training methods, interval (ISSG) and continuous (CSSG) on the bio-motor abilities of young soccer players. METHODS: Sixteen young soccer players (age: 19.5 ± 0.5 years; height: 177 ± 4.72 cm) were ranked based on the result of a running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST) and randomly divided into two groups: CSSG (n = 8) and ISSG (n = 8). The training protocols were performed for eight weeks, three sessions per week. Participants were assessed twice (pre- and post-intervention) to estimate their anaerobic capacity with the RAST, aerobic capacity with Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test, body fat percentage with a bioimpedance analysis, speed with a 30-meter run test, and agility with the Illinois agility test. During the training session, the rating of the perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate (mean and maximum) were recorded to assess the training load. RESULTS: In general, aerobic and anaerobic capacities improved after ISSG (p < 0.05, for all). The between-group analysis with repeated measures ANOVA revealed higher values for ISSG than CSSG groups post-intervention in anaerobic power (p = 0.042, ηp2 = 0.264). In addition, the independent t-test results indicated that ISSG presented lower values of mean heart rate (p = 0.023, effect size [ES] = 0.85) and RPE (p < 0.05, ES = 0.88) than CSSG. Moreover, higher values for maximum heart rate were revealed for ISSG than for the CSSG group (p = 0.004, ES = 0.85). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the findings of this study suggests that ISSG can lead to better improvements in anaerobic power and aerobic capacity than CSSG. Additionally, the ISSG led to a lower mean heart rate and RPE than the CSSG. Therefore, coaches and trainers may want to consider incorporating ISSG into their training programs for young soccer players to enhance their bio-motor abilities.

An intervention program based on team building during tactical training tasks to improve team functioning.

The study aimed to analyze the effects of an intervention program based on team building developed in technical-tactical training tasks in football. Specifically, it examined the benefits of the intervention in variables related to the conceptual model of team building: role clarity, team identification, intra-team communication, cohesion, intra-group conflict, commitment to the team, inside sacrifice, transactive memory systems, collective efficacy, and perceived performance. The participants were 51 young elite footballers divided into an experimental group (n = 27) and a control group (n = 24). The methodological design was quasi-experimental with a duration of 8 weeks. The data were collected three times: pretest, posttest, and follow-up. The results showed differences favoring the experimental group compared to the control group after the implementation of the intervention program in the following variables: team identification (p < 0.001), role clarity (p < 0.001), intra-team communication (p < 0.001; except distinctiveness), group cohesion (p < 0.05), social conflict (p = 0.001), commitment to the team (p < 0.001), inside sacrifice (p < 0.001), transactive memory systems (p < 0.01; except coordination), collective efficacy (p = 0.02) and team performance (p = 0.001). Consequently, the application of team-building strategies incorporated into specific technical-tactical training tasks in football seems to improve group dynamics in sports teams.

A Multiday Professional Padel Tournament Impairs Sleep, Mental Toughness, and Reaction Time: A World Padel Tour Field Study.

This study aimed to assess, for the first time, how self-reported sleep, mental toughness, and reaction time are impacted by a professional padel tournament. In addition, we evaluated whether sex, age, and/or ranking play a role in this possible effect of a tournament on these variables. Twenty-three professional players (15 men, Mage = 24 ± 6 years; eight women, Mage = 21 ± 5 years) were evaluated on two occasions: (a) baseline, in a noncompetitive week and (b) postmeasure, the morning after an individual was eliminated from the tournament. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Mental Toughness Questionnaire, and the psychomotor vigilance task were used to evaluate the dependent variables. Wilcoxon tests or paired samples t tests were employed to assess the effect of participating in the tournament. To test correlations between variables, Pearson correlation coefficients (quantitative variables) or chi-square distributions (qualitative variables) were employed. Results showed that self-reported sleep (p < .01), mental toughness (p = .01), and reaction time (p = .04) were significantly impaired by the tournament. Exploring moderating variables, results showed that mental toughness did not correlate with sleep impairments (p > .05). In contrast, a nearly significant correlation between sleep impairments and higher reaction times was found (p = .066). No significant effects of age, sex, and ranking were observed. In conclusion, participating in a padel competition impairs the self-reported sleep, mental toughness, and reaction time of professional padel players. A trend toward a significant correlation between the competition-related impairment in sleep and reaction time was observed, whereas age, ranking, and sex were not found to be moderators of any of these impairments.

Age and Maturation Matter in Youth Elite Soccer, but Depending on Competitive Level and Gender.

This study aimed to explore the relevance of the relative age effect (RAE), maturity status and anthropometry, and their influence on coaches' assessment of players' performance, analyzing both genders and different types of academies (elite vs. non-elite). The sample included 603 soccer players (385 male), from the under 12 (U12), under 14 (U14) and under 16 (U16) categories, belonging to elite and nonelite teams. Coaches' assessment of players' performance, chronological age, anthropometric characteristics, maturity offset (MO) and peak height velocity (PHV) were registered. Our results showed that RAE was present in both genders within the elite, but not in the nonelite academies. Early maturity players were overrepresented in the male elite, but not in the female academies. No relationship was found between RAE and anthropometry in male elite academies. Male elite players showed better anthropometric characteristics than nonelite players, while this pattern of results was not found for female players. The coaches' assessment on players' current performance was not influenced by the chronological age nor anthropometry, but it was linked to the PHV. Coaches from nonelite academies rated better in current assessment of performance the taller players. Our findings suggest that maturity status and RAE play an independent and important role in the talent selection process.

Influence of Scoring Systems on Mental Fatigue, Physical Demands, and Tactical Behavior during Soccer Large-Sided Games.

Constraints are common in soccer training to develop physical, technical-tactical, and mental training concurrently. This study examined how different scoring systems influence physical, tactical, and mental demands during large-sided games in soccer. Eighteen youth-elite male (17.39 ± 1.04 y) soccer players completed three 8 vs. 8 large-sided games where the different score systems were i) official score system (OSS; i.e., 1 goal = 1 goal), ii) double the value of the goal-4 min (DVx4; i.e., 1 goal = 1 goal from 0.00 to 7.59 min, and 1 goal = 2 goals from 8.00 to 12.00 min), and iii) double the value of the goal-8 min (DVx8; i.e., 1 goal = 1 goal from 0.00 to 3.59 min, and 1 goal = 2 goals from 4.00 to 12.00 min). Physical demands and tactical behaviors were recorded during tasks using a global positioning system and video camera. Mental fatigue was recorded pre- and post-task using a visual analogue scale. Also, the ratio of perceived exertion and mental load were recorded after tasks were finished. Results reported the highest values of mental and physical demands in DVx4. Mental fatigue increased during all three large-sided games, although this increase was significantly higher in DVx4 compared with OSS (p = 0.006) and DVx8 (p = 0.027). Tactical behavior showed a trend towards more direct play during DVx4, which was less observed during DVx8, and not at all during OSS. In conclusion, changing the scoring system affects physical, tactical, and mental demands.

Influence of the time-task constraint on ocular metrics of semi-elite soccer players.

This study novelty aimed to investigate the influence of manipulating the available time to perform the training tasks on soccer players´ ocular metrics, following training. Specifically, pupillary response (pupil diameter) and saccadic features (latency, accuracy, velocity, and number) were measured with a portable eye tracker following training to reflect the mental load accumulated by players during the training sessions. Nine semi-elite soccer players performed two training sessions, based on large-sided games, on an artificial grass field. These two sessions were composed of the same tasks but varying the required time to complete the task goals (Session 1: No time limitations to perform the tasks; Session 2: Limited time to perform the tasks). The participants performed, before (pre-test) and after (post-test) each training session, a prosaccade task in a room near the playing field. Findings revealed a differentiated effect of the available time to complete the training tasks on ocular metrics because significant differences were found in all variables after training (p < .001 for pupil diameter; p < .01 for saccade accuracy and number of saccades; p < .05 for saccade velocity and latency). Ocular metrics could be a promising tool to evaluate mental load following practice because they were sensitive to the time-task constraint, providing researchers a valuable information for a better planning of the mental workload when designed training tasks.

Mental fatigue changes from regular season to play-offs in semiprofessional soccer: A comparison by training days.

The main purpose was to compare by each training the mental load and fatigue reported by semiprofessional soccer players comparing between regular season phase and the play-offs. Fifty-three players (Mage  = 24.59 years) for two teams participated during the 2020/21 season. Mental load was measured with a Likert questionnaire. Mental fatigue was quantified with a Visual Analogue Scale. Four trainings were recorded each week (Monday = MD+1, Wednesday = MD-4, Thursday = MD-3 and Saturday = MD-1), with a competitive match on Sunday across 10 weeks (five dates of regular season - five dates of play-offs). A Linear Mixed Model was performed with R-studio, using the training days and the competitive phase as independent variables. The influence of time played as co-variable was also checked. Results showed MD+1 as the more mentally fatiguing day in both phases, although MD-4 were the training with higher mental load reported (p = 0.001). Comparing phases, mental fatigue was significantly higher during the play-offs (p = 0.037). With regard time played, players that did not usually play showed a decrease in mental load during the play-offs. Then, we recommend coaches to use recovery strategies for mental fatigue, avoid mentally fatiguing tasks close to competition and considerer the time played as a factor which may contribute to individual differences in player mental fatigue.

Effect of a Four-Week Soccer Training Program Using Stressful Constraints on Team Resilience and Precompetitive Anxiety.

The present study examined the effects of stressful constraints during soccer trainings on psychological skill development and internal load when compared with control (nonstressful) trainings. A total of 51 elite male youth soccer players (27 in the experimental group, M = 16.54 years; 24 in the control group, M = 15.44 years) participated in the study. In a 12-week longitudinal survey, team resilience, using the Spanish version of the Characteristics of Resilience in Sports Teams Inventory, and anxiety, using the Sport Anxiety Scale, were measured at baseline (after 4 weeks of regular trainings), postprotocol (after 4 weeks of control or experimental trainings), and follow-up (after 4 weeks of regular trainings). Results show that, when compared with the control group, a program with stressful constraints helped young soccer players to develop better psychological skills: specifically, increased ability to cope with impairments in resilience (both resilience characteristics and team vulnerability under pressure; p < 0.001). Increases in anxiety (p = 0.06) and decreases in preoccupation (p < 0.001) and lack of concentration (p < 0.001) were also observed. The adaptation of human behavior to specific trainings may explain these results. In conclusion, the regular exposure of young soccer players to stressful situations during trainings shows benefits for their psychological skill development in soccer. Then, benefits on internal load were also observed.

The relationship among intra-group communication, transactive memory systems, collective efficacy and team performance: A structural equation model analysis with Elite Footballers.

We explored the relationship among intra-group communication, collective efficacy, transactive memory systems and team performance. One hundred and seventy soccer players, aged between 14 and 38 years (M = 18.35, SD = 4.71), from eight national teams participated in this study. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. First, our analysis revealed that intra-group communication was positively related to transactive memory systems. Second, transactive memory systems was positively associated with collective efficacy and team performance. Third, our analysis revealed that collective efficacy mediated the relationship between transactive memory systems and performance. Altogether, our findings advance the literature by highlighting the relationship among intra-group communication, collective efficacy, transactive memory systems and team performance team processes. From an applied perspective, our findings suggest that systemic interventions simultaneously targeting various team constructs are important to enhance team functioning.Highlights The relationship among intra-group communication, collective efficacy, transactive memory systems and team performance were examined in national football teams.A cross-sectional design was developed and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.Players perceptions of high intra-group communication were positively associated with the development of transactive memory systems.Higher levels of transactive memory systems and collective efficacy were associated with better team performance.

The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on soccer positional and physical demands in the Spanish La Liga.

The present study aimed to analyse the playing surface area, dispersion and distance covered of professional football teams comparing the pre-lockdown and post-lockdown periods. Positional and match physical demands data were collected from all matches played in the First Spanish Division (n = 760) during season 2019/2020. Pre-lockdown (1st-27th matchday) and post-lockdown periods (28th-38th matchday) were compared. Variables related to team-level spatial (i.e., convex hull, team width and team length) and physical performance (i.e., total distance and high-speed running distance) were analysed using an optical tracking system (i.e., ChyronHego). In addition, these variables were concerned with respect to the match location contextual variable. Linear mixed models were used to examine the difference between the pre-lockdown and post-lockdown periods following a hierarchical structure considering players, matches and teams. The results revealed that the pandemic lockdown affected the teams' performance when comparing the periods before and after lockdown, showing a general decrease in the average values of the spatial and physical variables measured. The current data could assist practitioners in making informed decisions in order to design and improve training plans for similar situations in which teams return to competition after an unusual period with no training.

The impact of a multicomponent training program on physical fitness and joint injuries in Spanish male professional soccer players.

This study aimed to assess the effects of a multicomponent training program (ProSAS) on selected measures of physical fitness and joint injuries in Spanish male professional soccer players. Twenty-six professional soccer players (age: 25.2 ± 3.1 years) were randomly assigned to either the experimental (EG; n = 16) or control group (CG; n = 10). Y-balance test (YBT), Single leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ), Single leg hop for distance test (SLH), Side-hop test (SH), Speedy jump test (SpJ), Agility T-test (TT) and Lower extremity functional test (LEFT) were performed before and after an 8-weeks training period. Additionally, any joint injury occurring during the intervention period were recorded. Significant improvements in the EG in all tests (p = 0.001 to p = 0.014), except for SLCMJ (p = 0.632) with the dominant leg were observed. CG displayed decreases in SLCMJ with the non-dominant leg (p = 0.014), SH for both legs (p = 0.001 to p = 0.050), TT (p = 0.005), and LEFT (p = 0.001). Inter-groups differences revealed better results for the EG in all variables (p = 0.001 to p = 0.008) except from SLCMJd (p = 0.555). Moreover, the EG exhibited lower joint injury incidence and burden compared to the CG (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the ProSAS is an effective multicomponent program to improve variables related to risk of joint injuries, and consequently, to reduce the incidence and burden of these injuries in professional soccer players.