Search

(1) Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a 10-week neuromuscular training program (NMT) on the sum of six skinfolds (Σ6S) and body composition variables in elite female soccer players. (2) Methods: Forty-four Spanish elite female soccer players (age: 24.0 ± 4.2 years; height: 164.3 ± 5.5 cm; body mass: 60.4 ± 5.5 kg; body mass index (BMI): 22.4 ± 2.2 kg/m 2 ) were randomly assigned to a control group (CG) or to an experimental group (EG). Participants in the EG completed a specific NMT program of 24 min, three times per week, which included exercises from six different categories (mobility, dynamic stability, anterior chain strength, lumbopelvic control, posterior chain strength, and change of direction). The CG followed their normal strength and conditioning program. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included anthropometric measurements (weight, height, limb circumferences, and bone breadths), and subsequently, body composition factors BMI, Σ6S, body mass, muscle mass, and lean body mass were calculated. Nutrition was standardized by a nutritionist and also load monitored. (3) Results: A two-way mixed analysis of variance (group × time) revealed that there was a significant ( p ≤ 0.001) group × time interaction between body mass, fat mass, and Σ6S in favor of NMT. A significant interaction was also observed for body skeletal muscle mass and lean body mass favoring NMT. (4) Conclusions: The application of an NMT program seems to be a useful strategy to improve body composition in elite female soccer players.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the physical demands and technical-tactical actions for each playing position according to game location and final outcome in professional soccer players., Methods: A convenience sample was obtained from twenty-one professional male soccer players, belonged to same soccer team of the Spanish Second Division. Players' physical demands were monitored during each match using a portable 18 Hz GPS unit and 600 Hz triaxial accelerometer. These analysed demands were total distance, moderate speed running distance (>14.4 km·h -1 ), high-speed running distance (>19.8. km·h-1), sprint distance (>25.0 km·h -1 ), number of accelerations between 2 and 4 m·s -2 and above 4 m·s -2 , and number of decelerations between 2 and 4 m·s -2 and above 4 m·s -2 . The data related to technical-tactical actions were obtained from WyScout®, a computerized multiple-camera tracking system based on the OPTA® track analysis tool. The obtained indicators were general, defensive and offensive., Results: For all players, higher total distance (p = 0.045; effect size [ES] = 0.24, small effect) was covered and greater deceleration 2-4 m·ss -2 (p = 0.001; ES = 0.68, medium effect) was performed when the team plays at home and lose and for all players, playing at home and winning demanded higher defensive volume (p =0.014; ES = - 1.49, large effect) and nº interceptions (p =0.031; ES = - 1.40, large effect) in comparison to playing at home and losing., Conclusions: The physical demands and technical-tactical actions vary when contextual game factors (i.e., match location and final outcome) are considered. We can confirm that, although the training of physical demands does not influence the final result of the match, the training of technical tactical actions could help to achieve an optimal performance of the team to win matches., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: This study compared the effects of performing different unilateral combined training interventions on diverse vertical and horizontal jumping performance parameters, change of direction, concentric and eccentric mean power, and their associated inter-limb asymmetries in young soccer players., Methods: Forty-seven young male soccer players (age: 15.5 ± 0.9 years) were distributed into three groups. Two groups performed the same training volume with both legs, beginning with the weaker leg (Stronger Volume Weaker leg group (SVW), n = 14) or with the stronger leg (Stronger Volume Stronger leg group, (SVS), n = 15). The third group executed double the volume with the weaker leg and also commenced with such leg (Double Volume Weaker leg group (DVW), n = 16) during a 10-week period. Pre- and post-intervention tests included a single-leg hop, single-leg lateral hop, triple hop, bilateral and unilateral countermovement jumps, a change of direction speed test, concentric and eccentric mean power during the lateral squat test, and their corresponding asymmetries., Results: Single-leg hop weaker leg, triple hop weaker leg, and bilateral countermovement jump improvements were achieved in the SVW (ES: 0.29 to 0.46) and DVW (ES: 0.55 to 0.73) groups. Between-groups analysis showed better results in single-leg hop in the SVW and DVW compared to group SVS. The DVW group achieved better improvements in countermovement jump in comparison to groups SVS and SVW., Conclusions: Groups that started with the weaker leg seemed to achieve a greater volume of significant changes than when starting with the stronger leg. Performing a double volume on the weaker limb does not guarantee further improved performance compared to other groups.

Background: The present study compared the effects of performing the lateral squat exercise in three different formats from eccentric overload training on concentric/eccentric peak/mean power and inter-limb asymmetries in young soccer players., Methods: Forty-five young male (U-17) soccer players were distributed into three groups. Two groups performed the same training volume with both legs, beginning with the weaker leg (SVW, n = 15) or with the stronger leg (SVS, n = 15). The third group executed double volume with the weaker leg and also commenced with such leg (DVW, n = 15) in the lateral squat during a 10-week period. Pre- and post-intervention metrics included concentric and eccentric peak/mean power during the lateral squat test and their corresponding asymmetries., Results: All groups improved all power variables. Concentric mean and peak power asymmetry were substantially reduced in the SVW (ES: 0.89), DVW (ES: 0.43), and in SVW (ES: 1.60). Eccentric mean and peak power asymmetry were also substantially decreased in SVW (ES: 0.81) and in DVW (ES: 0.68). Between-group analyses showed substantially better performance in concentric and eccentric variables with stronger and weaker legs in SVW and DVW groups compared with SVS., Conclusions: Those groups which started with the weaker leg showed greater both power enhancements and reductions on inter-limb asymmetries.

The aim of this study was to examine the differences in the physical demands and technical-tactical actions encountered by soccer players between two playing formations (1-4-2-3-1 and 1-4-4-2) for each playing position. Twenty-three professional male soccer players who played 31 official matches participated in this study. Players were classified according to their playing position: central defenders (CD), wide defenders (WD), central midfielders (CM), wide midfielders (WM), offensive midfielders (OM) and forwards (FW). The physical demands were collected as total distance (TD), distance covered in different speed thresholds, and number of accelerations and decelerations. Also, the technical-tactical variables were recorded. The results showed that the 1-4-2-3-1 playing formation demanded decelerations between 2-4 m·s 2 ( p = 0.027; ES = 0.26) in comparison with 1-4-4-2 for all players. Likewise, forwards (FW) and central midfielders (CM) registered higher physical demands playing with the 1-4-2-3-1 compared to the 1-4-4-2 formation. Regarding the technical-tactical actions, they showed differences between the playing positions of the two playing formations. The findings suggest coaches prescribe specific training programs based on the influence of the playing formation and playing position on the physical demands and technical-tactical actions encountered by players during official match-play.

Oliver, GS, Julio, TF, Moras, G, José Luis, AS, and Alberto, MV. A repeated power training enhances fatigue resistance while reducing intraset fluctuations. J Strength Cond Res 33(10): 2711-2721, 2019-The present study analyzed the effects of adding upper-body repeated power ability (RPA) training to habitual strength training sessions. Twenty young elite male basketball players were randomly allocated into a control group (CON, n = 10) or repeated power group (RPG, n = 10) and evaluated by 1 repetition maximum (1RM), incremental load, and RPA tests in the bench press exercise before and after a 7-week period and a 4-week cessation period. Repeated power group performed 1-3 blocks of 5 sets of 5 repetitions using the load that maximized power output with 30 seconds and 3 minute of passive recovery between sets and blocks, respectively. Between-group analysis showed substantial greater improvements in RPG compared with CON in: best set (APB), last set (APL), mean power over 5 sets (APM), percentage of decrement, fluctuation decrease during APL and RPA index (APLpost/APBpre) during the RPA test (effect size [ES] = 0.64-1.86), and 1RM (ES = 0.48) and average power at 80% of 1RM (ES = 1.11) in the incremental load test. The improvements of APB and APM were almost perfectly correlated. In conclusion, RPA training represents an effective method to mainly improve fatigue resistance together with the novel finding of a better consistency in performance (measured as reduced intraset power fluctuations) at the end of a dynamic repeated effort.

Purpose: To compare the effects of performing different unilateral strength training interventions on unilateral and bilateral jumping performance and their related asymmetries in young soccer players., Methods: Forty-five young (U-17) male soccer players were randomly assigned to 3 eccentric overload training programs. The first group executed the same volume with both legs starting with the weaker leg (SVW, n = 15); the second group carried out double volume with the weaker leg and also starting with the weaker leg (DVW, n = 15); and the third group performed the same volume with both legs starting with the stronger leg (SVS, n = 15). Jumping-performance assessment included a single-leg horizontal jump test, a triple single-leg horizontal jump test, a bilateral countermovement jump (CMJ) test, and a unilateral CMJ test. Asymmetries were also analyzed in the unilateral jumping tests., Results: CMJ was improved (effect size [ES]: 0.27-0.48) and CMJ asymmetry was possibly reduced (ES: 0.08-0.24) in all groups. Substantial improvements were found in triple hop (ES: 0.52-0.71) in SVW and DVW, and triple-hop asymmetry was substantially decreased (ES: 0.88) in DVW. Between-groups analysis showed a substantially better performance in triple hop and horizontal hop with right leg in SVW and DVW compared with SVS., Conclusions: Unilateral strength training programs were shown to substantially improve bilateral jumping performance, while unilateral jumping was substantially enhanced in the groups that started the training session with the weaker leg. Finally, between-limbs asymmetries in the triple hop were mainly reduced through performing double volume with the weaker leg.

Purpose: To analyze the effects of 2 different eccentric-overload training (EOT) programs, using a rotational conical pulley, on functional performance in team-sport players. A traditional movement paradigm (ie, squat) including several sets of 1 bilateral and vertical movement was compared with a novel paradigm including a different exercise in each set of unilateral and multi-directional movements., Methods: Forty-eight amateur or semiprofessional team-sport players were randomly assigned to an EOT program including either the same bilateral vertical (CBV, n = 24) movement (squat) or different unilateral multidirectional (VUMD, n = 24) movements. Training programs consisted of 6 sets of 1 exercise (CBV) or 1 set of 6 exercises (VUMD) × 6-10 repetitions with 3 min of passive recovery between sets and exercises, biweekly for 8 wk. Functional-performance assessment included several change-of-direction (COD) tests, a 25-m linear-sprint test, unilateral multidirectional jumping tests (ie, lateral, horizontal, and vertical), and a bilateral vertical-jump test., Results: Within-group analysis showed substantial improvements in all tests in both groups, with VUMD showing more robust adaptations in pooled COD tests and lateral/horizontal jumping, whereas the opposite occurred in CBV respecting linear sprinting and vertical jumping. Between-groups analyses showed substantially better results in lateral jumps (ES = 0.21), left-leg horizontal jump (ES = 0.35), and 10-m COD with right leg (ES = 0.42) in VUMD than in CBV. In contrast, left-leg countermovement jump (ES = 0.26) was possibly better in CBV than in VUMD., Conclusions: Eight weeks of EOT induced substantial improvements in functional-performance tests, although the force-vector application may play a key role to develop different and specific functional adaptations.

Purpose: To compare the effects of unilateral and bilateral resistance training on single-leg power output, between-limbs imbalance (BLI), bilateral deficit (BLD), change of direction (COD), and linear sprinting and jumping performance in young elite basketball players., Methods: Twenty-two young (U-16-U-19) male basketball players were randomly assigned either to an exclusive unilateral (UNI) (n = 11) or a bilateral (BIL) (n = 11) resistance-training group during a 6-wk period. Both groups training consisted of 3 unilateral or bilateral 90° back-squat sets. A postdetermined number of repetitions was set until power output dropped to <10% of maximum power (MP) output. In addition, both groups performed 2 sets of 5 unilateral or bilateral drop jumps and 2 sets of 5 unilateral or bilateral countermovement jumps (CMJ). Pre- and posttraining, performance was assessed by an incremental bilateral and unilateral squat-load test, a multiple-COD test (V-cut test), a 15-m-sprint test (7.5 + 7.5 m) with one 180° COD performed with both right (180° RCOD) and left (180° LCOD) legs, a 25-m-sprint test (5- and 15-m split time), and a CMJ test., Results: Within-group analyses showed substantial improvements in 180° RCOD, bilateral and unilateral MP, 25-m-sprint test, and CMJ in both groups. Between-groups analyses showed substantially better results in 180° LCOD, MP with right and left legs, BLI, and BLD in UNI than in BIL., Conclusions: Both training programs substantially improved most of the physical-fitness tests, but only UNI reduced between-limbs asymmetry and achieved greater enhancements in actions that mostly required applying force unilaterally in basketball players.

Purpose: To examine the effects of a low-volume repeated-power-ability (RPA) training program on repeated-sprint and change-of- direction (COD) ability and functional jumping performance., Methods: Twenty-two male elite young basketball players (age 16.2 ± 1.2 y, height 190.0 ± 10.0 cm, body mass 82.9 ± 10.1 kg) were randomly assigned either to an RPA-training group (n = 11) or a control group (n = 11). RPA training consisted of leg-press exercise, twice a week for 6 wk, of 1 or 2 blocks of 5 sets × 5 repetitions with 20 s of passive recovery between sets and 3 min between blocks with the load that maximized power output. Before and after training, performance was assessed by a repeated-sprint-ability (RSA) test, a repeated-COD-ability test, a hop for distance, and a drop jump followed by tests of a double unilateral hop with the right and left legs., Results: Within-group and between-groups differences showed substantial improvements in slowest (RSAs) and mean time (RSAm) on RSA; best, slowest and mean time on repeated-COD ability; and unilateral right and left hop in the RPA group in comparison with control. While best time on RSA showed no improvement in any group, there was a large relationship (r = .68, 90% CI .43;.84) between the relative decrement in RSAm and RSAs, suggesting better sprint maintenance with RPA training. The relative improvements in best and mean repeated-COD ability were very largely correlated (r = .89, 90% CI .77;.94)., Conclusions: Six weeks of lowvolume (4-14 min/wk) RPA training improved several physical-fitness tests in basketball players.

Purpose: To examine the effects of a novel isoinertial eccentric-overload and vibration training (EVT) paradigm on change-of-direction (COD) speed and multiple performance tests applicable to soccer., Methods: Twenty-four young male players were assigned to an EVT (n = 12) or conventional combined (CONV, n = 12) group, once weekly for 11 wk. EVT consisted of 2 sets of 6-10 repetitions in 5 specific and 3 complementary exercises. CONV used comparable volume (2 sets of 6-10 reps in 3 sequences of 3 exercises) of conventional combined weight, plyometric, and linear speed exercises. Pre- and postintervention tests included 25-m sprint with 4 × 45° COD every 5th m (V-cut test), 10- and 30-m sprints, repeat-sprint ability, countermovement jump, and hopping (RJ5)., Results: Group comparison showed very likely to likely better performance for EVT in the COD (effect size [ES] = 1.42), 30-m (ES = 0.98), 10-m (ES = 1.17), and average power (ES = 0.69) and jump height (ES = 0.69) during RJ5. There was a large (r = -.55) relationship between the increase in average hopping power and the reduced V-cut time., Conclusions: As EVT, not CONV, improved not only COD ability but also linear speed and reactive jumping, this "proof-of-principle" study suggests that this novel exercise paradigm performed once weekly could serve as a viable adjunct to improve performance tasks specific to soccer.

The aim of the present study was to assess the reliability, usefulness, validity, age-related differences and responsiveness of a 25- m side-step cutting maneuver test (V-cut test). Fifty young male basketball players performed the V-cut test on 2 occasions separated by 5-7 days to assess test-retest reliability and determine a priori usefulness. Twenty subjects also completed both the L-Run and 505 test to analyze the possible relationships among these 3 tests. Furthermore, 33 players performed the V-cut test 4 times throughout the season to analyze responsiveness. Finally, 53 players (U-14 to U-20) were assessed in the V-cut test to examine the age-related differences. Reliability scores showed high intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC=0.90) and low coefficient of variation (CV=1.4%). The responsiveness of the V-cut test was good, as the typical short- (1.5-1.7%), mid- (1.6-3.1%) and long-term (3.3%) changes in V-cut performance were higher than the CV. Low (r=0.64; CL90%: 0.34; 0.82) to moderate (r=0.76; CL90%: 0.53; 0.88) relationships were found between the V-cut test with the 505 and L-Run test, respectively. Age-related differences analysis showed better V-cut test performance as age increased in adolescent basketball players. The V-cut test is reliable to assess change of direction ability (CODA) and it could be used to monitor CODA in adolescent basketball players., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Background: Physical activity (PA) has been shown to improve the general health of patients with chronic diseases and to prevent the onset of such conditions. However, the association between multimorbidity and PA has not been investigated in detail, and recent studies of this topic yield dissenting results. The objective of this study was to examine whether PA levels were associated with multimorbidity, self-rated health and functional limitation., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on data from the 2009 European Health Interview Survey for Spain. The sample population included 22,190 adults over 15 years of age. The independent variables were multimorbidity (measured as the number of chronic diseases), activity limitations, and self-rated health status. The dependent variable was PA level, measured as a) a continuous variable in metabolic equivalents (METs) and b) a dichotomous variable based on international recommendations (74 years), using multivariate linear and logistic regression models that were adjusted for age, educational level and employment status., Results: An inverse association was found between PA and multimorbidity among older males and young females between 16-24 years. This negative association was also observed among males aged 25-44 years when analysing PA as a dichotomous variable. Self-rated health status was directly related to the achievement of minimum PA levels among middle-aged and older individuals, but the opposite happened among the youngest group of females. Significant associations between the existence of activity limitations and the performance of lower volumes of PA were consistently observed among subjects over 44 years., Conclusions: There is an inverse association between multimorbidity and PA in the youngest and oldest age groups. In addition, both low self-rated health status and the presence of functional limitations were related to lower PA in most of the examined population groups. These features should be considered in the design and implementation of community-based approaches to promoting PA, if further corroborated in longitudinal studies.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the main determinants of an upper-body repeated power ability (RPA) test and to examine its reliability and usefulness. Forty-five highly trained, male, young basketball players performed the RPA test (5 sets of 5 repetitions with 30 seconds of passive recovery within sets) on 2 sessions separated by 5-7 days. Power output was registered using a linear encoder attached to the barbell. Results showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between each set in both sessions and trivial (<0.2) effect sizes in all the analyzed variables. For every set, intraclass correlation coefficient was very high (0.96-0.98) and coefficient of variation was low (3.3%-4.3%). Because the typical error of measurement values were lower or similar than the smallest worthwhile change (SWC0.2 = 0.2 × between-subject SD), the usefulness of most variables was rated as "good" or "OK" considering that small changes would be detected by this test. The percentage of power decrement could only be used to detect large effects (>1.2 × between-subject SD). An almost perfect correlation (r = 0.99; 90% confidence interval, 0.98-0.99) was found between the average power in set 1 (APbest) and the average power over 5 sets (APmean). In conclusion, the main determinant of RPA test is APbest, and because of the high reliability scores obtained, this protocol may be used to assess upper-body RPA in relatively experienced young athletes.