Adaptation to spanish and validation of the sport team socialization tactics questionnaire / Adaptación y validación al español del cuestionario de tácticas de socialización para equipos deportivos

The aim of the study was to adapt and validate the Sport Team Socialization Tactics Questionnaire (STSTQ) with amateur and semi-professional Spanish players. The participants were 437 male and female players aged 15 to 39 (M = 21.90; SD = 5.67). Confirmatory factor analysis was applied to test the three-factor structure: coach-initiated role communication tactics, serial socialization tactics and social inclusionary tactics. According to the results, the Spanish version of the STSTQ presented adequate index values in its original factor structure and acceptable internal consistency values. Moreover, the instrument presented adequate discriminating and concurrent validity and proved to be invariant regardless of the competitive level. These results suggest that the Spanish version of the STSTQ is a valid and reliable tool to assess socialization tactics in amateur and semi-professional team sports. (AU)

El objetivo del estudio era adaptar y validar el Cuestionario de Tácticas de Socialización para Equipos Deportivos (en inglés Sport Team Socialization Tactics Questionnarie, STSTQ) con jugadores españoles amateurs y semi-profesionales. Participaron 437 jugadores de fútbol de género masculino y femenino con edades comprendidas entre los 15-39 años (M = 21,90; DT = 5,67). Se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio para testar la estructura factorial compuesta por tres factores: tácticas de comunicación del rol del entrenador, tácticas de socialización en serie y tácticas sociales de inclusión. Los resultados mostraron que la versión española del STSTQ demuestra índices adecuados en su estructura factorial original y valores aceptables de consistencia interna. Además, el instrumento presentó una adecuada validez discriminante y concurrente y se mostró invariante en función del nivel competitivo. Estos resultados sugieren que la versión española del STSTQ es una herramienta válida y fiable para medir las tácticas de socialización en deportes colectivos amateurs y semi-profesionales. (AU)

How Does Ball Possession Affect the Physical Demands in Spanish LaLiga? A Multilevel Approach.

Purpose: Using a multilevel approach, this study analyzed the relationship between ball possession and distance covered at different speed sections: total distance (TD), distance covered between 14.1-21 km·h-1 (MIRD), 21.1-24 km·h-1 (HIRD), and > 24.1 km·h-1 (VHIRD). Methods: The sample included 1,520 matches played by 80 Spanish professional soccer teams across four consecutive LaLiga seasons (from 2015/2016 to 2018/2019). Two observations were collected per match, one from each team, resulting in a total of 2,950 records (760 per season). Data were collected using Mediacoach®. Results: At match level (i.e., grand-mean centered), ball possession negatively predicted all distances covered. At team level (i.e., group-mean centered), ball possession negatively predicted total distance covered and distance covered between 14.1-21 km·h-1. Furthermore, cross-level interactions (Match X Team) in ball possession negatively predicted all distances covered at speeds above 14.1 km·h-1. Specifically, in high-possession teams, the negative relationship between match ball possession and distances traveled at all speed ranges above 14.1 km·h-1 was stronger than in teams with medium or low possession. Conversely, match ball possession was positively related todistance covered at low intensities, and negatively related at high intensities in low-possession teams. Conclusion: These findings show practitioners and researchers that the distances covered at different speed ranges depend on technical-tactical parameters such as ball possession.

The relationship between running distance and coaches' perception of team performance in professional soccer player during multiple seasons.

This study analyzed how the physical movement profile of soccer matches evolved throughout a season by assessing the variability of different metrics depending on the season phase. In addition, the evolution of running distances was investigated in the relation to the team performance based on the coaches' perception. Games from four consecutives Spanish LaLiga seasons (n = 1520) were recorded using an optical tracking system (i.e., ChyronHego). Total distance (TD), distance covered between 14 and 21 km h-1 (MIRD), 21-24 km h-1 (HIRD), and > 24 km h-1 (VHIRD) were analyzed, as well as the number of efforts between 21 and 24 km h-1 (Sp21) and > 24 km h-1 (Sp24). Seasons were divided into four phases (P): P1 (matches 1-10), P2 (11-19), P3 (20-29), and P4 (30-38). Linear mixed models revealed that soccer players covered significantly greater distances and completed a higher number of sprints in P2 and P3. Also, team performance evaluated by soccer coaches was positively related to TD, HIRD, VHIRD and Sp21 in P1. A negative relationship was observed between team performance and distance covered at speeds below 21 km h-1 in P2 and P3. Team performance was negatively related to TD, MIRD, and HIRD, and Sp21 in P4. As conclusion, the team performance perceived by coaches is related to the movement profile throughout a season, and it significantly influences the evolution of soccer players' movement profiles. Specifically, it seems that the players of the best teams have the best physical performance at the beginning of the season with respect to the rest of the phases.

Relationship between the average slope in the active commuting to and from school and fitness in adolescents: the mediator role of fatness.

Active commuting to and from school (ACS) has been recognized as a potential tool to improve physical fitness. Thus, this study aims to test the relationships between the average slope in the ACS and physical fitness, as well as to verify the mediator role of fatness in the relationship between average slope and physical fitness. A total of 257 participants, 137 boys and 120 girls, from 22 schools belonged to first and second High School grades participated in this study. Based on self-reported measure and Google Earth, participants were grouped into the active commuter (number of trips was ≥5, and the time of the trip was ≥15 min), mixed commuter (number of weekly trips was <5, and the time spent on the trip was <15 min) and passive commuter groups (those who reported traveling regularly by car, motorcycle, or bus). Specifically, in the active commuter group, a positive association between the average slope in the ACS with fatness was found, which in turn was positively related to strength lower limbs and cardiorrespiratory fitness. The average slope was not significantly associated with physical fitness indicators. Furtheremore, fatness did not mediate the relathionship between average slope and physical fitness. This research concluded positive associations between average slope and the body fat in the ACS. The tendency of findings signal that the average slope should be taken into account along with the distance, time and frequency of the active commuting.