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The study aimed to assess the immediate effects of re-warm-up strategies using half-squats with elastic looped bands on the performance of youth soccer players. A cross-over study design with repeated measures was implemented in field youth male soccer players (n = 20, age 15.7 ± 0.8 years). Following the first 45-min of match play, players were subjected to one of four re-warm-up (Re-w) interventions of equal duration: no Re-w (PAS), half-squat without elastic looped bands (SQ), half-squat with bands placed on the thighs (SQT), and half-squat with bands placed on the lower legs (SQL). These interventions were compared against a control condition (CON). The Re-w protocols were initiated 10-min after half-time, and players' performance was evaluated through vertical and horizontal jump tests, 20-m linear sprint, and T-agility test. Statistical analysis using ANOVA revealed that the SQT and SQL interventions significantly improved (p < 0.001) several performance metrics compared to the PAS and SQ conditions. These improvements were observed in squat jumps, unilateral squat jumps (both dominant and non-dominant legs), countermovement jumps, horizontal jumps, triple horizontal jumps, the 20-m linear sprint, and T-agility performance. In conclusion, SQT and SQL are equally effective to enhance performance as Re-w strategies after the 1st-half of a soccer match. However, the lack of physiological data and 2nd-half assessments suggests the need for further research to confirm the persistence of these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyse the effects of a 16-week jump training program on the physical performance and lower extremities injury profile in semi-professional male soccer players. Participants were randomly assigned to the control group (CG; n = 13; age = 21.7 ± 3.6 years) or the experimental group (EG; n = 10; age = 22.3 ± 3.5 years). Countermovement jump (CMJ) height (cm), 30 m linear sprint time (s) with split times at 10 m and 20 m distances, and change of direction speed (CODS; 10 + 10 m with 90° turn) time (s) with turns using the dominant or non-dominant leg, were assessed before and after the intervention. Lower extremity injuries sustained throughout the intervention period were collected. Significant within-group improvements were found in EG in CMJ (p = 0.01; effect size [ES] = 1.03; large). Additionally, between-group difference after intervention was found in CMJ (F = 4.42; p = 0.013) in favour of EG. Injury burden was 194.86 (CG) vs 71.37 (EG) days of absence/1,000 h (RR = 2.73; 95% CI 2.10–3.54; p < 0.001). No other significant within-group or between-group differences were found. In conclusion, compared to regular soccer training, jump training was effective to improve jumping ability and burden in soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the effects of a multicomponent training program (ProSAS) on selected measures of physical fitness and joint injuries in Spanish male professional soccer players. Twenty-six professional soccer players (age: 25.2 ± 3.1 years) were randomly assigned to either the experimental (EG; n = 16) or control group (CG; n = 10). Y-balance test (YBT), Single leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ), Single leg hop for distance test (SLH), Side-hop test (SH), Speedy jump test (SpJ), Agility T-test (TT) and Lower extremity functional test (LEFT) were performed before and after an 8-weeks training period. Additionally, any joint injury occurring during the intervention period were recorded. Significant improvements in the EG in all tests (p = 0.001 to p = 0.014), except for SLCMJ (p = 0.632) with the dominant leg were observed. CG displayed decreases in SLCMJ with the non-dominant leg (p = 0.014), SH for both legs (p = 0.001 to p = 0.050), TT (p = 0.005), and LEFT (p = 0.001). Inter-groups differences revealed better results for the EG in all variables (p = 0.001 to p = 0.008) except from SLCMJd (p = 0.555). Moreover, the EG exhibited lower joint injury incidence and burden compared to the CG (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the ProSAS is an effective multicomponent program to improve variables related to risk of joint injuries, and consequently, to reduce the incidence and burden of these injuries in professional soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare external (EL) and internal loads (IL) during training sessions compared to official matches between elite female soccer players according to their playing position. Training and match data were obtained during the 2017/18 season from eighteen players (age: 26.5±5.7 years; height: 164.4±5.3 cm; body mass: 58.56±5.58 kg) from a first Division Spanish team. The EL (total distance covered; high-speed running distance; number of accelerations and decelerations) was assessed with a Global Positioning System (GPS) and triaxial accelerometer. The IL was assessed with ratings of perceived exertion (RPE; and session-RPE). The EL and the IL from official matches were higher compared to training sessions (p<0.05; effect size [ES]:0.6–5.4). In matches, the EL was greater in Attackers (AT) and Central Midfielders (CM) versus Central Backs (p<0.05; ES:0.21–1.74). During training sessions, the EL was similar between playing positions (p>0.05; ES:0.03–0.87). The EL and the IL are greater in matches compared to training sessions, with greater match-related EL in AT and CM players. Current results may help practitioners to better understand and modulate training session's loads according to playing position, potentially contributing to their performance readiness and injury risk reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study determined the strength training (ST) habits of amateur endurance runners in Spain regarding athletic level. A sixteen-item online questionnaire comprised of (i) demographic information, (ii) performance, and (iii) training contents was completed by 1179 athletes. Five group levels were determined according to the personal best times of the athletes in a 10-km trial (LG1: level group 1, 50-55 min; LG2: level group 2, 45-50 min; LG3: level group 3, 40-45 min; LG4: level group 4, 35-40 min; LG5: level group 5, 30-35 min). Most athletes ( n = 735, 62.3%) perceived ST as being a key component in their training program. Resistance training (RT) was reported as a ST type used by 63.4% of the athletes, 66.9% reported using bodyweight exercises, 46.8% reported using plyometric training, 65.6% reported using uphill runs, and 17.8% reported using resisted runs. The prevalence of runners who excluded ST from their training programs decreased as the athletic performance level increased (18.2% in lower-level athletes vs. 3.0% in higher-level), while the inclusion of RT, bodyweight exercises, plyometric training, and uphill and resisted runs was more frequent within higher-level groups. Most athletes included ST using low-to-moderate loads and high a number of repetitions/sets comprised of RT, plyometric training, resisted runs, and core, respiratory, and foot muscles training.