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The aims of this study were to compare the internal training load (ITL) in soccer players of two competitive age groups (under-15 [U-15] and under-19 [U-19]) during an 8-week preseason training period and compare the associated changes in physical performance measures. Eighteen U-15 and twelve U-19 players were monitored over an 8-week period during the preseason phase. The ITL was monitored using the session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) method. Before and after the preseason period, physical performance was assessed by best (RSAbest) and mean (RSAmean) times in a repeated sprint ability (RSA) test and peak velocity derived from the Carminatti test (PVT-CAR). Total weekly ITL increased with age (U-15: 13770 ± 874 AU vs. U-19: 33584 ± 2506 AU; p < 0.001). In addition, U-19 players perceived training sessions as heavier than U-15 players (6.1 ± 0.3 vs. 5.3 ± 0.3 AU, respectively; p < 0.001). After the preseason period, very likely to almost certainly positive changes were observed for all performance measures in both age groups. However, the U-15 group had possibly superior gains in RSAbest (+1.40%, 90%CL -0.29 to 3.05, with ES = 0.35) and likely higher effects in RSAmean (+1.89%, 90%CL 0.04 to 3.70, with ES = 0.53) and PVT-CAR (+2.71%, 90%CL 0.35 to 5.01, with ES = 0.37) compared to the U-19 group. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that the U-19 group accumulate higher total weekly ITLs than the U-15 group during the preseason phase due to longer and heavier training sessions. However, the U-15 group obtained superior gains in soccer-specific physical abilities while accumulating half the total ITLs during lighter training sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between different variables of vertical jumps and sprints in professional soccer players. The study consisted of 25 Brazilian elite soccer players (28.1 ± 1 yrs, 78.2 ± 6.8 kg, 1.81 ± 0.12 m, % Fat = 14.2 ± 3.2) who were ran the 10 m (S10m) and 20 m (S20m) sprint tests with change of direction at 40 m (20 + 20 m) (Acyclic Sprint) and the Zig-Zag sprint (ZZT) as well as Squat Jumps (SJ) and Counter Movement Jumps (CMJ). The Pearson's linear correlation and the stepwise linear regression model were used to investigate both the relation and the prediction between variables. All the correlations between the variables were significant (P<0.05). The correlation magnitude between S10m-S20m (r=0.83, P<0.0001), SJ-CMJ (r=0.86, P<0.0001), and ZZT-Acyclic Sprint (r=0.79, P<0.0001) were very large. The S20m variable explained 68% (P=0.002) of the performance in S10m (P=0.001), CMJ explained additional 7%, and ZZT, 4%. The S10m variable explained 68% (P=0.001) and ZZT explained additional 9% (P=0.001) of S20m. The CMJ was the only explanatory variable (74%) for SJ (P=0.001) with additional 5% at S10m. The Acyclic Sprint explained 62% (P=0.001) of ZZT with additional 10% at S10m and S20m (P=0.001). It was concluded that the S10m-S20m, CMJ-SJ, and ZZT-Acyclic Sprint relations in the analyzed sample have dependent attributes between each other. The CMJ and SJ did not help in explaining the ZZT and the Acyclic Sprint; whereas, the S10m and S20m had low explanatory power for sprints with change of direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify the height obtained in the power of lower limb in soccer and futsal players, comparing the counter movement jump (CMJ) among the modalities, game positions and categories. Took part of the study 61 soccer athletes from under-17, under-20 and professional categories and 28 futsal athletes from the under-20 and professional categories. It was used a piezoelectric force platform Quattro jump. It was used descriptive statistics, student "t" test and analysis of variance set at p < .05. No significant difference was reported in the CMJ between the soccer and futsal athletes (p = .85). Among the positions adopted by soccer players it was found significant difference (p = .02) only between those in defensive positions and those in the midfield. In the futsal athletes it was not reported significant difference between positions (p = .69). Compared to other categories no significant differences were found, neither in soccer (p = .12) nor in futsal (p = .47). It can be concluded that the soccer and futsal athletes seems to present similar level of muscle power. Those in defensive positions presented higher levels of power when compared to those in the midfield, but in futsal the athletes presented similar power levels. Independent of the category, both soccer and futsal athletes presented similar level of muscle power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article presents a study which determines the intensity of a power jump (PJ) session by means of heart rate (HR) monitoring. PJ session is considered to be a safe and easy class that also involves intermittent exercises that prolong the time to exhaustion. The HR of the subjects was monitored during a special type of PJ session called mix nine on two different occasions.