The Relative Age Effect in Male and Female Brazilian Elite Volleyball Athletes of Varied Competitive Levels.

Volleyball is a popular sport in Brazil, and the relative age effect (RAE) is known to occur within it; but less is known of how RAE relates to elite Brazilian volleyball players' age, sex, and competitive levels. We aimed to investigate RAE prevalence with data from two seasons of play among players in the Superliga A (2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons), and Superliga B (2021 and 2022 seasons) made available from the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV), the club's official website, or direct consultation with the CBV. After removing duplicate data, we grouped these 1,063 athletes by their dates of birth, sex, and competition level (Superliga A or B). We divided players' birth dates into quarters (Q1: January-March, Q2: April-June, Q3: July-September and Q4: October-December) and into semesters, and we performed chi-square (χ2) tests to investigate RAE prevalence according to the players' sex and competitive level. RAE was prevalent overall (χ2 = 33.198; p < .001), among males (χ2 = 24.48; p < .001) and females (χ2 = 11.23; p < .011). Regarding competition level, RAE was evident among males in both Superliga A (χ2 = 14.581; p = 0.002), and B (χ2 = 13.985; p = 0.003), and among females in Superliga B (χ2 = 9.204; p = 0.027), but not Superliga A (χ2 = 4.012; p = 0.26). Thus, the RAE phenomenon operated differently for male and female Brazilian volleyball players according to their competitive level. We discuss the implications of these findings.

Relative Age Effect on Brazilian male elite futsal athletes according to playing position and performance by goals scored on Brazil National Futsal Leagues

Abstract Introduction: The relative age effect is prevalent in different elite team sports. However, little is known about this phenomenon in high-level adult male futsal players. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of relative age effect in Brazilian male elite futsal players, and its relationship with playing position and goals scored on Brazil National Futsal Leagues (BNFL) from 2016 to 2020. Methods: The distribution of birth dates, playing positions, and goals scored by male participants of the Brazil National Futsal Leagues were analyzed. Chi-squared tests were used to analyze the birth dates distribution based on quarters and semesters of the year, according to playing position (defender, winger, pivot, and goalkeeper) and scoring performance (high and low). Results: The overall analysis indicated that the relative age effect is prevalent on the pool of athletes analyzed. However, this effect was position-dependent, since relatively older athletes were overrepresented only in wingers and defenders playing positions. On the other hand, scoring performance was not associated with the relative age effect, since this effect was found in both performance levels. Conclusion: Relative age effects are prevalent in Brazilian male elite futsal athletes, especially for defenders and wingers. Considering the high level of competitiveness for spots in elite futsal teams, coaches and sports administrators must be educated about the prevalence of the relative age effect in this sporting context. This is necessary in order to reduce the inequalities generated by age categories based on arbitrary cut-off dates, which may reduce potential talent loss.

Psychological profiles of gender and personality traces of Brazilian professional athletes of futsal, and their influence on physiological parameters.

The present study aimed to identify the psychological profiles of professional futsal players in terms of the gender schema and to evaluate the physiological parameters (speed, acceleration, strength, and power) and fatigue index of these athletes according to their gender profiles and relative to their positions on the court. The Masculine Inventory of the Self-concept Gender Schemas was used to classify the sample into typological groups, and the Running Anaerobic Sprint Test was used to measure the physiological parameters (speed, acceleration, strength, and power) and the fatigue index. The study sample was composed of 64 male professional futsal players who competed in the National Indoor Soccer league in 2013; the subjects had an average weight of 76.00±6.7 kg. Among the athletes studied, 23 (35.9%) were classified as heteroschematic female, 22 (34.4%) as heteroschematic male, and 19 (29.7%) as isoschematic. Regarding their positions on the court, eleven were goalkeepers (17.2%), 13 (20.3%) were defenders, 28 (43.8%) were midfielders, and 12 (18.8%) were attackers. The players had similar weights even when belonging to different typological groups and having different positions in the court. However, it is worth noting that male heteroschematic players had a greater mean weight (77.11±5.93 kg) and that the goalkeeper was, on average, the heaviest player (79.36±8.14 kg). The results of the physiological parameter analysis relative to typological group showed that, on average, high-level soccer players presented similar performance profiles in different rounds, as statistically significant differences were not found in any of the studied physiological variables (weight, distance, speed, acceleration, strength, power, and fatigue index). Although the results of this research did not reveal statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of the assessed variables, we observed that some results related to personality traits associated with both the male and female components could help to clarify and establish relationships with some strategic aspects inherent to futsal.

Avaliação da composição corporal e dos níveis de aptidão física de atletas de futsal classificados segundo a tipologia dos esquemas de gênero / Body composition and physical fitness level evaluation among futsal athletes classified into gender schemas typological groups / Body composition and physical fitness level evaluation among futsal athletes classified into gender schemas typological groups

INTRODUÇÃO: O autoconceito é uma estrutura formada por redes de esquemas cognitivos, dentre os quais se encontram os esquemas de gênero (esquema masculino e esquema feminino). De acordo com o Modelo Interativo, todos os indivíduos possuem os dois esquemas de gênero, dos quais resultam diferentes perfis psicológicos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar se atletas de futsal que diferem quanto à tipologia dos esquemas de gênero apresentam diferenças na composição corporal e nos níveis de aptidão física. MÉTODOS: A amostra inicial foi composta por 92 atletas do sexo masculino, classificados em grupos tipológicos de esquemas de gênero: Heteroesquemático Masculino (HM), Heteroesquemático Feminino (HF) e Isoesquemático (ISO). Para a classificação da amostra em grupos tipológicos foi utilizado o Inventário Masculino dos Esquemas de Gênero do Autoconceito (IMEGA). Foram utilizados os testes Squat Jump, Counter Movement Jump e Running Anaerobic Sprint Test; para mensurar, respectivamente, força explosiva e potência anaeróbia. Para a análise dos resultados foram utilizadas ANOVA One Way, ANOVA Mista e MANOVA. RESULTADOS: Os resultados demonstraram que os grupos HM, ISO e HF não apresentaram diferenças quanto à composição corporal, mas que os HM apresentaram índice médio de fadiga maior do que os grupos ISO e HF. Na avaliação dos seis tiros executados pelos atletas, observou-se que o grupo HM apresentou maior variação entre a potência máxima inicial e a final, quando comparado aos demais grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados permitem concluir que os diferentes perfis psicológicos adéquam-se melhor ao desempenho de determinadas posições do jogo e/ou a determinadas situações específicas durante o jogo.

INTRODUCTION: Self-concept is a structure formed by cognitive schemas, among of these there are gender schemas (male and female schemas). According to the Interactive Model, all individuals are composed of both schemas resulting in different psychological profile. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate if futsal athletes who differ in gender schemas typological groups present differences in body composition and physical fitness level. METHOD: The initial sample was composed of 92 male athletes, who were classified in the following gender schema typological group: Male Heteroshematic (MH), Female Heteroshematic (FH) and Isoshematic (ISO). In order to classify the sample in typological groups, the Male Inventory of the Self-Concept's Gender Schemas (IMEGA) was used. The Squat Jump, Counter Movement Jump and Running Anaerobic Sprint Tests were used to assess explosive power and anaerobic capacity, respectively. The results were analyzed with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA): One Way, Mixed and Manova. RESULTS: The results showed no differences in body composition, but MH presented more fatigue than the ISO and FH groups. In the assessment of six sprints executed by the athletes, it was observed that MH presented more variation between the initial and final maximum power, when compared with the other groups. CONCLUSION: These results lead to the conclusion that different psychological profiles adapt better to some game positions performance and/or to some specific situations during the game. Finally, it is suggested that the psychological profile must be used as a criterion in the selection of the athletes, considering also physiological and technical factors.

Avaliação do desempenho isocinético da musculatura extensora e flexora do joelho de atletas de futsal em membro dominante e não dominante / Evaluate of dominant and nondominant knee extensors and flexors isokinetic performance in futsal athletes / La evaluación del desempeño isocinético de la musculatura extensora y flexora de la rodilla em jugadores de fútbol sala en miembro dominante y no dominante

OBJETIVO: avaliar o desempenho isocinético da musculatura extensora e flexora do joelho em atletas de futsal nos membros DO e ND. METODOLOGIA: participaram 23 atletas, com idade de 27,1 ± 3,6 anos, massa corporal 72,7 ± 12,6kg e estatura 1,75 ± 6,7m. Realizou-se 6 repetições máximas nas velocidades de 60, 120, 180 e 300º.s-1, em ordem crescente no dinamômetro isocinético. Avaliou-se pico de torque (PT), PT normalizado (PTN), PT médio (PTM), potência média (PM), trabalho total da repetição máxima (TTRM) e quantidade de trabalho total (QTT). RESULTADOS: no movimento de flexão, a PM 180º.s-1 foi 6,7 por cento maior no membro DO (p < 0,05). No movimento de extensão, o ND superou o DO (p < 0,05), sendo: PT 60º.s-1 (+7,6 por cento), PTN 60º.s-1 (+7,0 por cento), TTRM 120º.s-1 (+6,0 por cento), PM 60º.s-1 (+6,6 por cento) e 120º.s-1 (+5,2 por cento), QTT 60º.s-1 (+6,9 por cento) e 120º.s-1 (+7,5 por cento) e PTM 60º.s-1 (+7,3 por cento) e 120º.s-1 (+5,2 por cento). Exceto pela PM e TTRM, todas as variáveis apresentaram maior desempenho a 60º.s-1. CONCLUSÃO: apesar das diferenças entre DO e ND, essas diferenças não os predispõem à incidência de lesões.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the performance of isokinetic muscle extensor and flexor of the knee in athletes of futsal in DO and ND members. METHODS: 23 athletes, with age 27.1 ± 3.6 years, body mass 72.7 ± 12.6kg and height 1.75 ± 6.7m participated of study. Were performed 6 maximum repetitions at 60, 120, 180 e 300º.s-1 speeds, in ascending order on the isokinetic dynamometer. We evaluated peak torque (PT), normalized PT (PTN), medium PT (PTM), mean power (MP), total work of repetition maximum (TTRM) and total work (QTT). RESULTS: in flexion movement, the PM 180º.s-1 was 6.7 percent higher in the DO member (p < 0.05). In extension the ND was higher than the DO (p < 0.05), as follows: PT 60º.s-1 (+7,6 percent), PTN 60º.s-1 (+7,0 percent), TTRM 120º.s-1 (+6,0 percent), PM 60º.s-1 (+6,6 percent) e 120º.s-1 (+5,2 percent), QTT 60º.s-1 (+6,9 percent) e 120º.s-1 (+7,5 percent) e PTM 60º.s-1 (+7,3 percent) e 120º.s-1 (+5,2 percent). Except for PM and TTRM all variables showed higher performance to 60º.s-1. CONCLUSION: despite the differences between DO vs ND, these differences did not predispose the incidence of injuries.

OBJETIVO: evaluar el desempeño isocinético de los musculaos extensores y flexores de la rodilla en atletas de fútbol sala en miembro dominante y no dominante. MÉTODOS: 23 atletas, con edad 27,1 ± 3,6 años, la masa corporal 72,7 ± 12,6kg y la altura de 1,75 ± 6,7m participaron del estudio. Se realizó 6 repeticiones máximas, a velocidades de 60, 120, 180 y 300º.s-1, en orden ascendente en el dinamómetro isocinético. Se evaluó: pico de torque (PT), PT normalizado (PTN), PT medio (PTM), potencia media (PM), trabajo total de la repetición máxima (TTRM) y cantidad de trabajo total (CTT). RESULTADOS: el movimiento de flexión, la PM 180º.s-1 fue de 6,7 por ciento mayor en el miembro DO (p < 0,05). En el movimiento de extensión el miembro ND superó el de DO (p < 0,05), de la siguiente manera: PT 60º.s-1 (+7,6 por ciento), PTN 60º.s-1 (+7,0 por ciento), TTRM 120º.s-1 (+6,0 por ciento), PM 60º.s-1 (+6,6 por ciento) e 120º.s-1 (+5,2 por ciento), QTT 60º.s-1 (+6,9 por ciento) e 120º.s-1 (+7,5 por ciento) e PTM 60º.s-1 (+7,3 por ciento) e 120º.s-1 (+5,2 por ciento). Excepto por la PM y TTRM todas las variables presentaron mayor desempeño a 60º.s-1. CONCLUSIÓN: a pesar de las diferencias entre DO y ND, estas diferencias no predisponen a la incidencia de las lesiones.

Composição corporal, limiar anaeróbio e consumo máximo de oxigênio de atletas de futsal: analise descritiva entre as posições / Body composition, anaerobic threshold and maximal uptake oxygen in athletes of futsal: descriptive analyses between the positions

o futsal é um esporte dinâmico e dependendo das movimentações do jogo, ocorre grande acúmulo de ácido láctico, tornando a capacidade e a potência aeróbia qualidades físicas essenciais na manutenção das intensas movimentações características desta modalidade. Objetivo: descrever as características da composição corporal, limiar anaeróbio e o consumo máximo de oxigênio nas diferentes posições do futsal. Materiais e métodos: participaram do estudo 22 atletas integrantes da seleção brasiliense de futsal, com idade entre 23 e 32 anos. A composição corporal com as variáveis: peso, estatura e dobras cutâneas foram feitas de acordo com os procedimentos descritos por Petroski, 1995. O VO2 máximo foi mensurado em esteira ergométrica com protocolo de rampa até atingir a fadiga voluntária. As trocas gasosas foram coletadas e medidas a cada ventilação. O limiar anaeróbio foi determinado com base nos equivalentes metabólicos de oxigênio e gás carbônico. A normalidade dos dados foi testada e utilizada a Estatística Descritiva e Analise de Variância com comparações múltiplas através do Bonferroni Post Hoc Test. O nível de significância p < 0,05 foi usado para apontar as diferenças significativas. As análises foram realizadas no programa SPSS 11.5. Resultados: os atletas apresentaram idade média de 26,9 ± 3,6 anos, massa corporal 72,7 ± 12,9kg, estatura 175,2 ± 6,9cm, gordura corporal 13 ± 5,7%, VO2 máximo 52,8 ± 6,4 ml/kg/min-1 e limiar anaeróbio 45,7 ± 5,7 ml/kg/min-1. Conclusão: a massa corporal dos alas foi menor que os goleiros e o VO2 máximo e o limiar anaeróbio dos alas foi superior aos goleiros.

Futsal is a dynamic sport and depending of movements of the game is large accumulation of lactic acid, making the capacity and aerobic power physical qualities essential to maintain the intense movement characteristics of this type modality. Objective: To describe the characteristics of body composition, anaerobic threshold and maximum oxygen consumption in the different positions of Futsal. Materials and Methods: Twenty two elite Brasilia athletes, with ages between 22 and 33 years old, participated in the study. Anthropometric measures with the variables weight, height and skinfolds were measured in accordance with Petroski, 1995 procedure. VO2 maximal was measured in treadmill with ramp protocol until voluntary fatigue. The gas exchange was collected and measures ventilation by ventilation. The anaerobic threshold was determinate on the basis of metabolic equivalents of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The normality of the data has been tested and used the descriptive statistics and analysis of variance with multiple comparisons Bonferroni Post Hoc Test. Value p < 0.05 was adopted to show the significant differences. The analyses were performed through the SPSS 11.5 program. Results: Athletes had a mean age of 26.9 ± 3.6 years, body mass 72.7 ± 12.9 kg, height 175.2 ± 6.9 cm, body fat, 13 ± 5.7%, VO2 maximal 52.8 ± 6.4 ml/kg/min-1 and anaerobic threshold 45.7 ± 5.7 ml/kg/min-1. Conclusion: Body mass of wings was lower than the goalkeepers and VO2 maximal and anaerobic threshold was higher than the wings of goalkeepers.