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Objectives To compare time-motion variables, heart rate and players’ tactical behaviour according to game pace (slow, normal or fast), status (winning and losing) and team unbalance (superiority and inferiority) in football 5-a-side small-sided games. To identify the most discriminating variables in classifying performances according to these constraints. Design Cross-sectional field study. Methods The data were gathered using global positioning systems (5 Hz) in 5-a-side small-sided games (7 × 5 min) played by twenty-four footballers. The tactical performance was measured using dynamical positioning variables, processed by non-linear signal processing techniques (approximate entropy). ANOVA models were used to compare between constraints and discriminant analyses to identify the variables that best discriminate between pacing and status × unbalance constraints. Results The fast paced games had the highest mean speed value, followed by normal and slow paced games (8.2 ± 0.6 km h −1 , 7.8 ± 0.5 km h −1 and 6.2 ± 0.4 km h −1 , respectively). The stronger predictor variables of pacing were the randomness in distance to team centroid and the distances covered above 13 km h −1 . The results also changed according to game status and team unbalance. The strongest predictor variables were the distance covered bellow 6.9 km h −1 , distance and randomness to team centroid, with higher values when winning in superiority conditions. Conclusions Practice task design manipulating game pace, status and team unbalance significantly influenced the emergent behavioural dynamics. Collective positioning variables were more accurate in discriminating these constraints and, therefore, need to be considered when planning and monitoring performance.

The purpose of this study was to identify the variation of heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and technical actions between 2 soccer small-sided games (SSGs; 3 × 3 and 4 × 4) in 3 game type constraints (when playing only offense [OFF], playing only defense [DEF], and both situations [GAME]). Sixteen high-level young male players were analyzed (age 15.75 ± 0.45 years; height 172.4 ± 4.83 cm; body mass 64.5 ± 6.44 kg; HRmax199.1 ± 9.08 b·min(-1); and 8.06 ± 1.98 years of soccer practice). All tasks were performed in 4 periods of 4 minutes interspersed with 2 minutes of active recovery. The HR was measured continuously and then analyzed by the time spent into 4 training zones according to individual %HRmax (zone 175%; zone 2 75-84.9%; zone 3 85-89.9%; and zone 4 ≥90%). Results identified that players were most frequently in zones 2 and 3. The 3 × 3 SSGs elicited higher HR and RPE and the most intense situation was GAME. Despite the known higher frequencies from technical actions in SSGs with fewer players, player effectiveness in 3 × 3 and 4 × 4 was identical. The use of GAME, OFF, and DEF game type constraints should be carefully planned. Using the 3 × 3 format seems more adequate when aiming for aerobic performance optimal effects; however, DEF situations should only be used to promote aerobic recovery effects. The inclusion of an additional player in SSGs had different interactions in game type constraints, and only GAME presented adequate intensity.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two different training interventions (Intermittent versus Continuous training) on semi-professional male soccer player's speed, jump and repeated-sprint ability. Thirty four play- ers were divided into an intermittent training group (INT, n=18, age=26.7±4.7, height=175.3±5.2cm, weight=72.9±4.8Kg) and a continuous training group (CONT, n=16, age=26.6±5.1, height=174.9±5.9cm, weight=73.2±7.2Kg). The study lasted for 12 weeks and consisted of 20 minutes per training session in physical conditioning following either CONT or INT training guidelines. The players were tested 3 times during 1st, 6th and 12th week of the season. Testing consisted of 15m and 30m sprint time, squat-jump and countermovement jump height and Bangsbo modified sprint test. Two-way re- peated measures ANCOVA (group: INT, CONT x TIME-POINT: Week1, Week6, Week12) showed that INT was faster than CONT in the 6 th and 12 th weeks for the squat jump, 15m, 30m and Bangsbo Modified Sprint Test and that INT re- covered better from intense efforts than CONT. Our results suggest that both training interventions were able to maintain initial values of speed and jump. However, the INT exhibit larger improvements in repeated-sprint ability. Therefore, the power endurance training (intermittent high intensity exercise) may be more beneficial to prepare soccer players accord- ing to the game cardiovascular and metabolic specific determinants.

The present study explored how football players' dynamic positional data can be used to assess tactical behaviour by measuring movement patterns and inter-player coordination. A pre post-test design was used to assess the effects of a 13-week constructivist and cognitivist training program by measuring behaviour in a 5 × 5 football small-sided game, played on a 60 × 40 m outdoor natural turf pitch. Data was captured at 5 Hz by GPS devices (SPI Pro, GPSports, Canberra, Australia) and analysed with non-linear signal processing methods. Approximate entropy values were lower in post-test situations suggesting that these time series became more regular with increasing expertise in football. Relative phase post-test values showed frequent periods with a clear trend to moving in anti-phase, as measured by players' distance to the centre of the team. These advances may open new research topics under the tactical scope and allow narrowing the gap between sports sciences and sports coaching.

O presente estudo teve como objectivo avaliar a inserção profissional dos licenciados em educação física e desporto com opção de futebol, pela Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. A amostra foi constituída por licenciados (n=59) que frequentaram a especialização em futebol, entre os anos de 1992 a 2006. Na recolha dos dados utilizámos um questionário, adaptado do Observatório do Percurso Profissional da Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. A análise estatística, essencialmente descritiva, foi realizada através do SPSS. Com base nas respostas dos licenciados ao questionário (34% do universo), verificámos que os licenciados ingressaram na licenciatura por gosto pessoal e devido às boas expectativas de saídas profissionais. A escolha do futebol esteve relacionada com a possibilidade de trabalhar no “mundo do futebol”. Os licenciados estão empregados em 96.6% dos casos, sendo a grande maioria enquanto professores de educação física. No domínio do futebol, 93.2% dos casos já trabalharam nesta área, mas apenas 3.3% dos casos o fazem exclusivamente neste sector de actividade. Destacamos as funções de treinadores, coordenadores técnicos e Scout’s. O vínculo contratual mais usual é o contrato a prazo, mas muitos fazem-no em regime de prestação de serviços (recibos verdes). Os valores auferidos situam-se entre os 1000 e 1500 euros, nos empregos principais. Nos empregos complementares, os valores situam-se entre os 250 e 500 euros. A grande maioria revelou não pretender fazer estudos de pós-graduação, mas quase todos frequentaram ou pretendem frequentar cursos especializados no âmbito do futebol. Concluímos que os licenciados têm uma taxa elevada de empregabilidade. No caso dos licenciados com opção de futebol, na generalidade, exercem funções relacionadas com a sua especialização. No entanto, a baixa remuneração não permite o desempenho destas funções a tempo inteiro. The present study purpose was to evaluate the professional placement of graduate in physical education (soccer specialization) by University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. The sample was constituted by graduate (n=59) since 1992 to 2006. For data gathering we used a questionnaire. The statistic analysis, essentially descriptive, was carried by SPSS. The answers (34% of the universe) permitted us to verify that the graduates have chosen this curriculum based on good professional expectations. Soccer specialization choice was related with the possibility to work in “soccer environment”. The graduates are employed in 96.6% of the cases, being the great majority physical education teachers. In soccer domain in 93,2% of the cases had already worked in this area, but only 3,3% do it exclusively. Functions as coaches, technical coordinators and Scout's were detached. The contractual bond in majority is limited in time, but many of them are freelancers. Income is placed among 1000 and 1500 euros in fulltime jobs and, in second jobs between 250 to 500 euros. The great majority does not intend to do postgraduate studies, but almost all have already attend or intend to attend soccer specialized courses. We concluded that graduates have a high job rate and the ones with soccer specialization work in this domain. However, the low income does not allow them to have this activity a fulltime job.

No Basquetebol actual, o coordenador técnico tem uma importância estratégica na planificação, ao estabelecer objectivos e decidindo como os concretizar, o que implica sistematização e antecipação do futuro em todo o processo. A sua actividade no planeamento estratégico, enquanto planeamento estruturante, é fulcral, na competitividade e desenvolvimento sustentável do clube, pois, permite definir a direcção das organizações em sentido mais lato e no longo prazo, estabelecendo objectivos abrangentes e posicionando a organização no ambiente em que opera. Assim, o objectivo principal deste estudo foi caracterizar a actividade desenvolvida pelos coordenadores técnicos nos clubes de Basquetebol pertencentes à Associação de Basquetebol de Aveiro, numa visão dinâmica e prospectiva da sua intervenção enquanto gestor profissional, ficando-se a conhecer o seu papel no processo de recrutamento e formação de treinadores e jogadores, e a forma de cooperação entre estes e o Director Técnico Regional. Para responder aos problemas e objectivos do estudo, concebemos um modelo de análise que incidiu sobre uma amostra de vinte e um clubes de Basquetebol, relativa a vinte e um coordenadores técnicos. A recolha dos dados foi realizada através da análise documental e de um questionário aplicado em entrevista. O tratamento foi possível através do registo e codificação dos dados para o software SPSS e com base na análise estatística descritiva e de conteúdo. Os resultados desta investigação permitiram-nos constatar uma grande heterogeneidade nos clubes, podendo até existir mais do que um coordenador técnico, existindo até mesmo alguns casos, quem não apresente este elemento por apenas possuírem uma equipa. Os coordenadores técnicos são maioritariamente do sexo masculino e bastante jovens, possuindo simultaneamente um elevado grau de formação académico e específico em basquetebol. Apesar dos coordenadores técnicos estarem ligados à modalidade há muitos anos, só recentemente passaram a exercer essa função específica, onde encontramos um conjunto algo homogéneo de tarefas, variáveis de acordo com as crenças e filosofia dos clubes. Por último, o Director Técnico Regional estabelece com estes contactos informais, não existindo uma cooperação efectiva. In Basketball, the technical coordinator has a strategic importance in planning, by establishing goals and deciding how to make them real, which involves systematization and anticipation of the future in the whole process. His activity works like a fulcrum, in the competitiveness and sustainable development of the club, allowing organizations to define the long term development philosophy, establishing several goals and positioning the organization in the environment in which it operates. So, the main goal of this study was to characterize the activity developed by the technical coordinators in the clubs of Aveiro Basketball Association, in a dynamic and prospective vision of his intervention while professional manager. The data gathering was carried out through the documentary analysis and a questionnaire applied in interview (n=21). In order to accomplish the register and codification of the data (statistical descriptive analysis and of content) we used software SPSS. The result of this investigation allowed us to note a great heterogeneity in the clubs, being able up to exist more than a technical coordinator, there are even some cases, which do not present this element because they only have a team. The technical coordinators are mainly males and young, having simultaneously a high and specific degree in basketball. About they’re connection to basketball, only recently they started to practise this specific function, where we find a homogeneous set of tasks, which may vary according to the beliefs and philosophy of the clubs.

Este estudo pretende analisar a distribuição das datas de nascimento de jogadores de Futebol em função do escalão competitivo e das suas posições específicas. Os jogadores (n=188) pertenciam na época 2004/2005 à Associação de Futebol de Lisboa e foram divididos pelos respectivos escalões competitivos: Escolas (n=26), Infantis (n=39), Iniciados (n=43), Juvenis (n=39), Juniores (n=21) e Seniores B (n=20) e pelas posições que ocupam dentro de campo: Guarda-Redes (n=24), Defesas (n=51), Médios (n=70) e Avançados (n=43). As datas de nascimento dos jogadores foram distribuídas por trimestre. A distribuição da população total e de cada grupo (por escalão e por posição) foi testada através do teste do Qui-Quadrado. Foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas na distribuição da população total, nos escalões de Infantis, Iniciados e Juvenis e nas posições de Defesas e Médios, revelando uma tendência para os jogadores destes grupos apresentarem datas de nascimento mais próximas do início do ano de selecção. Estes resultados sugerem uma influência da data de nascimento na identificação e selecção de jovens jogadores talentos. This study analysed the distribution of the birthdates from soccer players according to each player’s age-group and specific position on the field. The players from the Lisbon Soccer Association (n=188) were divided into their age-groups during the 2004/2005 season: Under 8s (n=26), Under 11s (n=39), Under 13s (n=43), Under 15s (n=39), Under 18s (n=21) and the Reserve Team (n=20) and according to their specific positions on the field: Goalkeepers (n=24), Defenders (n=51), Midfielders (n=70) and Forwards (n=43). Each player’s birth date was analysed and classified by trimesters. The distribution of all the players and of each group (in level and position) was compared through Chi-Square. Significant differences were found in the distribution of the total group, in the Under 11s, Under 13s and Under 15s levels, and among Defenders and Midfielders, revealing that the players from these groups tend to be born near the beginning of the selection year. These results suggest that the time of year when a player is born has some influence on the identification and selection of talented young players.

A Review on the Effects of Soccer Small-Sided Games Over the last years there has been a substantial growth in research related to specific training methods in soccer with a strong emphasis on the effects of small-sided games. The increase of research in this topic is coincident with the increase of popularity obtained by specific soccer conditioning, which involves training players to deal with soccer match situations. Given the limited time available for fitness training in soccer, the effectiveness of small-sided games as a conditioning stimulus needs to be optimized to allow players to compete at the highest level. Available studies indicate that physiological responses (e.g. heart rate, blood lactate concentration and rating of perceived exertion), tactical and technical skill requirements can be modified during small-sided games by altering factors such as the number of players, the size of the pitch, the rules of the game, and coach encouragement. However, because of the lack of consistency in small-sided games design, player fitness, age, ability, level of coach encouragement, and playing rules in each of these studies, it is difficult to make accurate conclusions on the influence of each of these factors separately.