Perceived Exertion in Small Sided-Games Internal Load Quantification in Wheelchair Basketball Players / Cuantificación de la carga interna en jugadores de baloncesto en silla de ruedas

The present study seeks to analyse the physiological responses, differential perceived exertion and perceived load of wheelchair basketball (WB) players during a small sided games (SSG) and to analyse the existence or not of differences studied variables according to whether or not they have a spinal cord injury and the age of the players. This study makes a total of 128 observations of a single format SSG (4 vs. 4 players with a duration of 4 min). The players with a spinal cord injury obtain a lower mean heart rate (HR Mean) and a lower peak HR (HR Peak) in the SSG than players without a spinal cord injury (p < 0.001; ES = 0.9 to 1.1; large). However, players with a spinal cord injury show higher respiratory (RPE res) and muscular (RPE mus) perceived exertion than players without a spinal cord injury as well as record a higher respiratory (RPE res TL) and muscular (RPE mus TL) load (p < 0.001; ES = -0.7 to -0.8, moderate-large). Related to age groups, the results obtained demonstrate that players < 30 years old obtain higher HR Mean, HR Peak, tympanic temperature (p < 0.001; ES = -1.1; high), RPE res, RPE mus, RPE res TL and RPE mus TL (p < 0.001; ES = -0.7 to -0.9; moderate-large) than players > 30 years in the SSG. The impairment (whether they have a spinal cord injury or not) and the age of the players can affect the internal load in a SSG and the perceived exertion method can provide additional information about the load, especially among players with a spinal cord injury.(AU)

Efecto de un periodo competitivo sobre el perfil antropométrico de árbitros de fútbol / Effects of a Competitive Period on the Anthropometric Profile of Soccer Referees

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el efecto de un periodo competitivo de 10 semanas sobre las características antropométricas, la composición corporal y el somatotipo de árbitros de fútbol. 14 árbitros de fútbol (28,8 ± 5,1 años) de distintas categorías nacionales de fútbol de España participaron en este estudio. Se observó un descenso significativo tras este periodo competitivo en el sumatorio de ocho pliegues (∆ = -6,07%, p < 0,05, d = 0,38, bajo). Además, se observó un descenso significativo en el porcentaje de masa adiposa (∆= -2,29%, p < 0,05, d = 0,19, trivial) y en el componente endomorfo (∆= -6,82%, p < 0,05, d = 0,32, bajo) en el postest. Un periodo competitivo de 10 semanas parece ser suficiente como para provocar modificaciones en el somatotipo y un descenso del sumatorio de pliegues y de la masa adiposa en árbitros

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of a 10-week competitive period on body composition, anthropometric characteristics and somatotype in soccer referees. Fourteen officials (28.8 ± 5.1 yr) from different national soccer categories of Spain took part in the study. A decrease in the sum of eight skinfold thicknesses (∆ = -6.07%, p < 0.05, d = 0.38, low) was observed after the competitive period. Moreover, decreases in adipose mass (∆= -2.29%, p < 0.05, d = 0.19, trivial) and endomorphic component were also observed. A 10-week competitive period has demonstrated to decrease both skinfold thicknesses and adipose mass, changing the somatotype of the referees

Physiological responses between players with and without spinal cord injury in wheelchair basketball small-sided games.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a comparative study between players with and without spinal cord injury (SCI) during a training task. OBJECTIVE: This study examined physiological responses in commonly used small-sided games (SSGs) in well-experienced wheelchair basketball (WB) players with SCI and without SCI (Non-SCI). SETTING: The study was conducted with a WB team in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain (2014). METHODS: The team was divided into an SCI group (n=6) and a Non-SCI group (n=6). Absolute and relative heart rate (HR) along with tympanic temperature and perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded for both groups. RESULTS: The two groups attained different absolute HR values for the same SSG. However, no significant differences were observed in relative HR between groups (%HRmean, %HRpeak and the percentage of the time spent in each HR zone: low, moderate, high and maximal) nor in tympanic temperature. Moreover, in relation to the bout evolution analysis (4 repetitions of 4 min), the Non-SCI group significantly increased (P<0.05) absolute HRmean and HRpeak during bouts, whereas the SCI group maintained them constant. Furthermore, the variations in the percentage of the time spent in each HR zone only were observed in the Non-SCI group. CONCLUSION: In spite of the Non-SCI group attaining higher absolute HR values, the SCI and Non-SCI groups may have similar HR relative values during a specific WB training task. However, the SCI group reported significantly higher values in respiratory RPE in the last bout than the Non-SCI group for the same SSG.

Change of direction ability test differentiates higher level and lower level soccer referees.

This report examines the agility and level of acceleration capacity of Spanish soccer referees and investigates the possible differences between field referees of different categories. The speed test consisted of 3 maximum acceleration stretches of 15 metres. The change of direction ability (CODA) test used in this study was a modification of the Modified Agility Test (MAT). The study included a sample of 41 Spanish soccer field referees from the Navarre Committee of Soccer Referees divided into two groups: i) the higher level group (G1, n = 20): 2ndA, 2ndB and 3rd division referees from the Spanish National Soccer League (28.43 ± 1.39 years); and ii) the lower level group (G2, n = 21): Navarre Provincial League soccer referees (29.54 ± 1.87 years). Significant differences were found with respect to the CODA between G1 (5.72 ± 0.13 s) and G2 (6.06 ± 0.30 s), while no differences were encountered between groups in acceleration ability. No significant correlations were obtained in G1 between agility and the capacity to accelerate. Significant correlations were found between sprint and agility times in the G2 and in the total group. The results of this study showed that agility can be used as a discriminating factor for differentiating between national and regional field referees; however, no observable differences were found over the 5 and 15 m sprint tests.

Bilateral and unilateral vertical ground reaction forces and leg asymmetries in soccer players.

The purposes of this study were to assess unilateral and bilateral vertical jump performance characteristics, and to compare the vertical ground reaction force characteristics of the impulse and landing phase of a vertical jump between the dominant and non-dominant leg in soccer players. The sample consisted of 20 male soccer players (22.80 ± 2.71 years, 1.88 ± 0.06 m, 76.47 ± 8.80 kg) who competed in the third division of the Spanish football league. Vertical jump performance was determined by testing the impulse and landing phase of a bilateral vertical jump, dominant leg vertical jump and non-dominant leg vertical jump. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between dominant and non-dominant legs were found in counter movement jump (CMJ) flight time (LA = -2.38%, d = 0.33), CMJ flight height (LA = -4.55%, d = 0.33) and CMJ speed take-off (LA = -2.91%, d = 0.42). No significant differences were found between the dominant and non-dominant leg in the F1 and F2 magnitudes during the landing phase, the time from the first contact of the foot with the ground to the production of F1, the time from the second contact of the foot with the ground to the production of F2, and the time to stabilization of the landing phase. Although differences were found between the dominant and non-dominant leg in the impulse phase of the jump, no significant differences were found between dominant and non-dominant legs in the landing phase of vertical jump variables.

Efectos producidos por diferentes programas de interferencia contextual en la agilidad / Effects of different contextual interference programs in agility

En este estudio participaron 76 alumnos de 9-10 años de edad de un colegio público de educación primaria (44 chicos y 32 chicas). Los participantes fueron randomizados en función del resultado del pretest en cuatro grupos: interferencia contextual baja (ICB, n=19), interferencia contextual moderada (ICM, n=19) interferencia contextual alta (ICA, n=19) y Grupo Control (GC, n=19). El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer que método de entrenamiento de la agilidad en función de la interferencia contextual baja, moderada o alta (ICB, ICM e ICA) es más efectivo en escolares de cuarto curso de educación primaria, con el fin de dilucidar qué método de desarrollo de esta capacidad resultó el idóneo en esta etapa de escolarización. La agilidad fue evaluada mediante el test MAT2. Salvo en el grupo control (CG), se obtuvieron diferencias significativas en la agilidad (test MAT2), en todos los grupos después de un programa de intervención de 4 semanas de duración en alumnos del cuarto curso de primaria. Estas diferencias han sido superiores en el grupo de ICM (p<0,01, ES=1,12). Se encontraron diferencias significativas (p<0,05, ES=0,79) en el postest entre el grupo de ICM e ICB (AU)

This study involved 76 students from 9-10 years old in a public elementary school (44 boys and 32 girls). Participants were randomized to the outcome of the pretest into four groups: low contextual interference (ICB, n = 19), moderate contextual interference (ICM, n = 19) high contextual interference (ICA, n = 19) and Control Group (GC, n = 19). The aim of this study was to determine which method of agility training (ICB, ICM or ICA) is more effective in primary school children (9-10 years), in order to figure out what method of development of this capacity was the appropriate at this stage of schooling. The agility was evaluated by MAT2 test. Except in the control group (GC), there were significant differences in agility (MAT2 test) in all groups (ICB, ICM and ICA) after an intervention program of 4-week fourth-year students of elementary school. These differences have been higher in the ICM group (p<0.01, ES=1.12). We found significant differences (p<0.05, ES=0.79) in the posttest between the ICM and ICB group (AU)

Sprint, agility, strength and endurance capacity in wheelchair basketball players.

The aims of the present study were, firstly, to determine the reliability and reproducibility of an agility T-test and Yo-Yo 10 m recovery test; and secondly, to analyse the physical characteristics measured by sprint, agility, strength and endurance field tests in wheelchair basketball (WB) players. 16 WB players (33.06 ± 7.36 years, 71.89 ± 21.71 kg and sitting body height 86.07 ± 6.82 cm) belonging to the national WB league participated in this study. Wheelchair sprint (5 and 20 m without ball, and 5 and 20 m with ball) agility (T-test and pick-up test) strength (handgrip and maximal pass) and endurance (Yo-Yo 10 m recovery test) were performed. T-test and Yo-Yo 10 m recovery test showed good reproducibility values (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.74-0.94). The WB players' results in 5 and 20 m sprints without a ball were 1.87 ± 0.21 s and 5.70 ± 0.43 s and with a ball 2.10 ± 0.30 s and 6.59 ± 0.61 s, being better than those reported in the literature. Regarding the pick-up test results (16.05 ± 0.52 s) and maximal pass (8.39 ± 1.77 m), players showed worse values than those obtained in elite players. The main contribution of the present study is the characterization of the physical performance profile of WB players using a field test battery. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the agility T-test and the aerobic Yo-Yo 10 m recovery test are reliable; consequently they may be appropriate instruments for measuring physical fitness in WB.

Jump landing characteristics in elite soccer players with cerebral palsy.

The aim of the present study was to analyse the parameters that characterize the vertical ground reaction force during the landing phase of a jump, and to determine the relationship among these parameters in elite soccer players with cerebral palsy (CP). Thirteen male members of the Spanish national soccer team for people with CP (mean age: 27.1 ± 4.7 years) volunteered for the study. Each participant performed three counter movement jumps. The characteristics of the first peak of the vertical ground reaction force during the landing phase of a jump, which corresponds to the forefoot contact with the ground, were similar to the results obtained in previous studies. However, a higher magnitude of rearfoot contact with the ground (F2) was observed in participants with CP than in participants without CP. Furthermore, a significant correlation between F2 magnitude and the elapsed time until its production (T2) was not observed (r = -0.474 for p = 0.102). This result implies that a landing technique based on a delay in the production of F2 might not be effective to reduce its magnitude, contrary to what has been observed in participants without CP. The absence of a significant correlation between these two parameters in the present study, and the high magnitude of F2, suggest that elite soccer players with CP should use footwear with proper cushioning characteristics.