20-m Sprint Research Articles

BUILDING A PROFILE OF SPECIFIC FITNESS INDICES FOR MALE TEENAGE CHINESE SPRINTERS

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed to construct a profile of specific fitness indices for male teenage sprinters on the Chinese National Team to provide sprinting fitness assessments for teenage training. Material and Methods: 229 male teenage sprinters at the same level were recruited to participate in this test for the indices. The t- and Kruskal-Wallis tests were conducted for the first selection of fitness indices. In the second selection, principal components analysis was applied to select common factors with greater characteristic values. The fitness indices chosen were height, leg length, measurement B (ankle circumference/heel length×100%) and measurement A (thigh circumference/leg length×100%), hemoglobin, 60m sprint time, 100m sprint time, countermovement jump (CMJ), maximum countermovement jump velocity, CMJ flight time, CMJ maximum force, and CMJ force. Results: Thirteen indices were chosen for the specific fitness of male teenage Chinese male sprinters with 3 general categories and 9 subcategories. The weight of each fitness index was confirmed and used to construct a standard fitness assessment scale. Conclusion: Anthropometric indices indicate the athlete’s innate limits in the structure of the sprinting motion. Physiological indices indicate the athlete’s potential to expend energy and recover in a short time. Motor indices indicate the athlete’s maximum sprinting ability, lower limb reaction strength, power, and maximum strength. Level of evidence II, Diagnostic studies - Investigation of a diagnostic test.

Fundamental Movement Skills and Physical Fitness Are Key Correlates of Tactical Soccer Skill in Grassroots Soccer Players Aged 8–14 Years

One hundred and twenty-one children (58 boys and 63 girls) aged 8–14 years (mean ± SD = 12 ± 1 years) who were regularly engaged in grassroots soccer participated in this study. Participants undertook assessments of fundamental movement skill (FMS) using the Test of Gross Motor Development-3, perceived ability using the Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children, physical fitness via 15-m sprint time, standing long jump distance, and technical skill using the university of Ghent dribbling test. The Procedural Tactical Knowledge Test was employed as a measure of tactical skill from which metrics for positioning and movement and recognizing spaces were derived. Maturation was determined from anthropometric measures. Analysis of covariance examined gender differences in tactical skills accounting for FMS, fitness, perceived ability, technical skill, maturation, and age. Results indicated no significant differences in tactical skills between boys and girls (p > .05). For recognizing spaces, 56% of the variance was explained with FMS (p = .001), physical fitness (p = .02), and technical skill (p = .02) contributing to the model. For positioning and movement, a significant model explained 55% of the variance in this element of tactical behavior with FMS (p = .002) and technical skill (p = .02) significantly contributing to the model.

The impact of plyometric training program on sprinting speed and jumping ability in american football players of a german amateur club

Background: The profile of requirements for an American Football game is characterized by good sprinting and jumping performance. The literature highlights the benefits of plyometric training on sprinting speed and jumping ability. Due to an increasing professionalization of American football in Germany, a transfer to the training practice is obsolete. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the impact of additional participation in a plyometric training program on sprinting speed and jumping ability of players of the American Football Team in Germany. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in May 2014, with 20 players of an amateur American Football Club in Germany including the treatment group of 10 participants (age: 22.44 3.4 years) and the control group of 10 participants (age: 17.10 1.20 years). The treatment group followed a plyometric training routine once per week for 2 months while the control group was attending only the team training. The variables assessed at baseline and after 2 months included the speed measurements of a 30 m sprint and acceleration in the first 5 m, and the results of CMJ, SJ, and DJ performed from the heights of 16cm, 24cm, and 32cm. Results: Analysis of variance did not confirm statistically significant improvements in sprint time in the 30m sprint and jumping performance in SJ and DJ in the treatment group. The sprint time in the first five meters of the 30-meter sprint showed a highly significant increase of 1.66%. In the CMJ, a marginally significant increase in jump height of 6.37% was found. Conclusions: significant improvements as a result of the plyometric strength training can be only found in the jump height in the CMJ. In order to reach more comprehensive conclusions, physical fitness of the subjects, a longer intervention duration, and a higher training volume should be taken into account in future studies.

Leg dominance and performance in change of directions tests in young soccer players

The present study aimed to examine the influence of leg dominance on the change of direction (COD) performance. In this study participated 94 healthy young highly trained male soccer players belonging from two categories (n = 27 vs. n = 67; 14.81 ± 0.40 vs. 16.64 ± 1.25 years of age; 170.61 ± 5.61 vs. 173.73 ± 7.19 cm of height; 64.74 ± 8.44 vs. 66.70 ± 7.95 kg of weight, for U16 and U18, respectively). Fitness assessments were performed two times in a period of three months, and included: (1) anthropometry measures, (2) 30–15 IFT, (3) 10-m sprint test, (4) 505-COD test, 90° COD test and cross-over hop test. A paired sample t-test was performed to evaluate the asymmetries at the intragroup level in each of the COD’s tests. A symmetry index was used to analyse the asymmetries between categories, and an independent sample t-test was used to compare the variability between the two categories in each of the three tests performed. The effect size was also evaluated. Analysis demonstrated that evidence a trend for a better performance with the preferred leg in the cross-over hop and 505-COD tests, and with the non-dominant leg in the 90° COD. However, in the intragroup analysis, only the 505-COD test registered differences, and no differences were notice din the intergroup comparison. Only in the 505-COD test the percentage of variability (CV) was statistically significant (7.03 ± 4.18% vs. 4.03 ± 2.02% from U16 and U18, respectively). In sum, bilateral differences were noticed in the intragroup comparison, although only in 505-COD test the leg dominance showed to influence performance. In the intergroup analysis any difference was noticed between age categories.

Effect of 6 weeks of short intermittent running training versus small-sided games on heart rate variability, aerobic and anaerobic performance in Indian elite soccer players

Background: Soccer is characterized by long periods of low to moderate intensity activity interspersed with periods of high-intensity actions, such as single and repeated sprints. Therefore, a well-prepared soccer player must be able to endure long periods of low- to moderate intensity activity and sustain periods of explosive match effort intensification. Objective: To evaluate the effects of 6-weeks short interval running training and Small Sided Games on Heart Rate Variability measurements, aerobic capacity and performance in well trained Indian elite soccer players. Methods: A pretest – posttest experimental design was used in our study. 90 elite male soccer players was assigned into three groups by computer generated block randomization. Group I- Short Interval running Training (N-30), Group II- Small sided game Training (N-30) and Group III- Generic Training (control group, N-30). Autonomic control by HRV, vertical jump height, agility, 10m-30m sprint performance and VO2max by multistage fitness test was analysed. Result: Pre- intervention and post- intervention results was analysed and compared. The difference in agility, vertical jump height, 10m sprint time and VO2max was more in the SIRT group as compared the SSG and Generic (control) group. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.001).

Physiological and locomotor demands during small-sided games are related to match demands and physical fitness? A study conducted on youth soccer players

AimThe purpose of the study was: (i) to analyze the relationships of physiological and locomotor demands between small-sided games (3v3 and 5v5) and official matches (11v11); (ii) to analyze the relationships between small-sided games demands and the physical fitness of youth soccer players.MethodsThe observational study lasted three weeks. In the first week participants performed the 5v5 (50 × 31 and 40 × 25 m) repeatedly over four days. In the third week they repeatedly performed the 3v3 (39 × 24 and 32 × 19 m) over four consecutive days. Twenty youth soccer players (age: 16.8 ± 0.41) were tested twice for their final velocity at 30–15 Intermittent Fitness test (VIFT), peak speed attained at 30-m sprint test (peak speed), and anaerobic speed reserve (ASR). The heart rate responses and locomotor demands were monitored in the SSGs (3v3 and 5v5) and matches (11v11) occurring once a week. The Polar Team Pro was used as the instrument to monitor heart rate and locomotor demands. Three official matches were also monitored during the period.ResultsResults revealed no significant correlations (p > 0.05) between small-sided games and match physiological or locomotor demands. However, VIFT and ASR were significantly correlated with distance covered at 5v5 (r = 0.483; p = 0.031; and r = − 0.474; p = 0.035, respectively), average speed (r = 0.474; p = 0.035; and r = − 0.453; p = 0.045, respectively), while VIFT was also significantly correlated with distance covered at Z2 intensity (r = 0.510; p = 0.022).ConclusionsThe results suggest that the physiological and locomotor demands occurring in small-sided games are significantly different from those occurring in official matches. Thus, physiological and locomotor similarities between small-sided games and official matches are scarce. Considering the second purpose of this study, the results suggest that VIFT and ASR are important physical fitness parameters to modulate the amount of distance covered by the players in 5v5, the average pace, and also the distance covered at high intensities.

THE EFFECTS OF CREATINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON SINGLE AND INTERMITTENT ANAEROBIC EXERCISES AND BODY COMPOSITION DURING REDUCED TRAINING IN SOCCER PLAYERS

Abstract: BACKGROUNDː Several studies have examined the effects of creatine supplementation in adult athletes in season or pre-season preparation. However, few studies have examined the effects of creatine supplementation in adolescent soccer players during reduced training in an off-season. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the effects of short-term creatine monohydrate supplementation on the anaerobic performance and body composition in adolescent soccer players during reduced training in an off-season. METHODSː Using a double-blind experiment design, 16 soccer players (aged 18.0 ± 0.8 yr) were randomly assigned to 5 days of either 20 g . day-1 creatine monohydrate (Cr) or placebo supplementation. One day before and a day after the supplementation, participants completed squat and countermovement jumps (SJ, CMJ), 10-m running sprint, 6-s single cycling sprint (CST), an intermittent anaerobic test on a bicycle ergometer (10 x 6s, IAnTBE) and measurement of body composition. RESULTSː Cr supplementation had no significant effect (p > .05) on any performance test. However, effect size values indicated medium or small clinical significance in SJ (d = 0.59), CST (6-s power, d = 0.50; peak power, d = 0.48) and IAnTBE (best peak power, d = 0.44; post-exercise blood lactate concentration, d = - 0.59; fatigue index, d = - 0.28 ). Relative to the placebo, Cr supplementation resulted in a significant increase in body weight (BW) (p = .015). CONCLUSIONSː The results of the study suggest that short-term Cr supplementation administered to adolescent soccer players during their off-season significantly increase body weight and could have small/medium clinical significance effect on improve lower-body maximal anaerobic power output and power output recovery during maximal intermittent exercise. The study also confirms that Cr supplementation is safe and without side effects for adolescent athletes.

Anthropometric parameters of elite male runners sprint: are body height and body weight predictors of results

Purpose. Athletic sprint runs are cyclical movements of maximum intensity. Speed, reaction time, agility and explosiveness are of special importance in sprinters. The main goal of the research is to determine the influence of Body height (BH) and Body weight (BW) with the best achieved results of in sprint disciplines (60m,100m,200m).
 Material and methods. In study included 40 competitors, top male sprinters (BH=180,45±6,88cm; BW=78,83±7,69kg). Their achieved best results in sprint disciplines were analyzed (60m, 100m, 200m). Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between body height and body weight and the results of sprint disciplines. Also a univariate model of regression analysis was applied and the relevant coefficients were calculated. The level of acceptance of statistical significance was set to p<0.05.
 Results. The simple regression analysis did not show a statistically significant influence of body height and body weight on the result of sprint running. Low correlations (BH vs. 100m = -0.306), (BW vs. 100m = -0.226) and (BH vs. 200m = -0.221) and insignificant correlations with an inverse relationship between results and anthropometric measures are mainly evident.
 Conclusion. Body height and body weight did not have a statistically significant effect on the results of the 60m sprint, while their influence is evident in the 100m, and especially in the 200m (but without statistical significance). This influence on the result of running 100 and 200m is a consequence of the exceptional motor-functional abilities of the sprinter to show greater force in the last phase of the rebound. Otherwise in the sprint, the rear rebound phase is much more important than the front rebound phase. A long step with the body weight (muscle) of the sprinter produces a higher rebound force, which with a big frequency of steps and good tecnique guarantees a good result.

A 7-min halftime jog mitigated the reduction in sprint performance for the initial 15-min of the second half in a simulated football match.

This study compared the effects of a 7-min shuttle jog during halftime to a control condition (seated rest) on subsequent athletic performance and lower-leg temperature in the second half. Eighteen male football players (22 years, 179 cm, 70 kg, 10 years of athletic career) randomly performed a 20-m shuttle jog (at an intensity of 70% of heart rate maximum) and a seated rest (sitting on a bench) during halftime in two separate sessions. A 5-min football simulation protocol consisting of football-specific activities (jumping, sprinting, kicking, passing, and dribbling at various intensities and distances) was repeated nine times to mimic the first and second half of a football match. Athletic performance (maximal vertical jump height, 20-m sprint time, and the Arrowhead agility test time) recorded during a 15-min period were averaged to represent each time point (first half: T1 to T3; second half: T4 to T6). Lower-leg skin and muscle (using the insulation disk technique) temperature was recorded before and after the first and second half. There was no condition effect over time in maximal vertical jump: F5,187 = 0.53, p = 0.75, Arrowhead agility test time: F5,187 = 1.25, p = 0.29, and lower-leg temperature (skin: F3,119 = 1.40, p = 0.25; muscle: F3,119 = 1.08, p = 0.36). The 20-m sprint time between conditions during the initial 15-min of the second half was different (condition × time: F5,187 = 2.42, p = 0.04) that subjects who performed the shuttle jog ran 0.09 sec faster (3.08 sec, p = 0.002, ES = 0.68), as compared with those who did the seated rest (3.17 sec). The results of our study confirmed that a decremental effect of the static rest on sprinting performance during the initial period of the second halftime can be attenuated by a halftime warm-up.

Relationship between sprint, jump, dynamic balance with the change of direction on young soccer players' performance

The aim of the present paper was to determine the relationship between linear sprinting and jump performance, dynamic balance and change of direction on young soccer players. Ninety-four healthy young highly trained male soccer players belonging to the same high-performance academy agreed to participate in the study [twenty-seven soccer players U16 (14.8 ± 0.4 years; height: 170.6 ± 5.6 cm; body mass 64.7 ± 8.4 kg)] and [sixty-seven soccer players U19 (16.6 ± 1.3 years; height: 173.7 ± 7.2 cm; body mass 66.7 ± 8.0 kg)]. Participants completed 3 testing sessions, 7 days apart. Data from a CMJ, Crossover Hop Test, 10-m sprint test, 505 COD tests and the 90° COD test were collected. Moderate correlations were found in some of the cases (r values were between 0.2 and 0.5 in all cases, being p < 0.05), indicating that linear sprinting, jumping performance and dynamic balance are influential factors in agility but are not the main limiting factor. The highest correlation was found between the cross-over hop test and the 505 COD test (r = 0.44; p < 0.001). The main evidence from the current study suggested that linear sprinting, jumping performance and dynamics balance are determinants of COD, namely explaining the variations in such a skill. The current study revealed that short-distance sprint and jumping performance significantly explain the variations of COD performance on young soccer players.

Immediate Effects of Spinal Manipulative Therapy on the Performance of Elite Brazilian Soccer Players: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial With an Internally Validated Sham Treatment

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of the procedures’ routine, the recruiting rate, the presence of any significant detrimental impact on the players’ training routine, and the sham efficacy in achieving blinding. MethodsA parallel randomized controlled clinical trial was performed with 20 elite soccer players who were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) and sham SMT. All players were from the same team, were injury free, and were naive to SMT. Measured outcome tests (30-m sprint run with a 10-m split and change of direction [COD] test) were performed at the same time by all participants immediately before and after interventions. Photocell devices were used for data acquisition. ResultsTwenty participants were analyzed (10 in each group). There were no changes to the sprint (10 m and 30 m) and COD test results immediately after either of the interventions. All participants in both groups (SMT and sham SMT) answered “yes” to a question after the intervention asking if they were treated by SMT. No adverse effects or training routine impairment were reported. ConclusionThis pilot study protocol showed it was an appropriate design for a confirmatory clinical trial. The study had minimal effect on the team training routine, and the recruitment rate was excellent. The proposed sham SMT strategy was successful in blinding the players. In this sample, SMT did not have any immediate effect on the performance of these elite soccer players, as measured by 10- and 30-m sprint times and COD sprint times.

Higher Running Speed and Cardiovascular Endurance Are Associated with Greater Level of Academic Achievement in Urban Catalan Primary School Children

The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement in a sample of primary-school children. Data of 116 sixth-grade primary-school students (68 girls, 48 boys) from Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain) with a mean (SD) age of 11.4 years (0.4) was analyzed. To determine academic achievement, proficiency scores in the subjects Catalan language, Spanish language, English language, and Maths were derived from the Test de Compètencies Bàsiques. Physical fitness was assessed using the Cooper test (aerobic capacity), 20-m sprint test (linear velocity), and 4 × 10-m test (agility). The results showed that participants with a higher performance in the Cooper and 20-m sprint tests had significantly better academic achievement in the assessed subjects (p &lt; 0.05; d range = 0.93 to −2.98). The findings of this investigation are interesting from a curricular perspective since a positive association between academic achievement and physical fitness indicates a strong reason to raise the physical education status in educational systems, a subject that has traditionally been considered less important by the educational community.

Gender- and Sport-specific Normative Anthropometric and Physical Values in Talent-Identified High School Athletes.

Larkin, P, Sortino, B, Carlon, T, Saunders, T, and Pane, C. Gender- and sport-specific normative anthropometric and physical values in talent-identified high school athletes. J Strength Cond Res 37(3): 606-615, 2023-Youth sport is associated with the identification and promotion of athletes within talent development pathways, with anthropometric and physical performance measures being key assessment and monitoring tools. To adequately evaluate performance within a population, normative reference data are needed; however, currently, there is limited normative values of talent-identified youth athletes. The aim of the current study is to present normative values of talent-identified youth sport academy athletes in relation to gender, age, and sport. Over a 5-year period, a total of 794 talent-identified youth athletes who attended a specialized school sports academy were assessed using anthropometric (i.e., heigh,; body mass) and physical performance (i.e., vertical jump, 20-m sprint, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test 1) measures. In total, 451 male and 343 female athletes (grade 7: 12-13 years; grade 8: 13-14 years; grade 9: 14-15 years; grade 10: 15-16 years) were tested annually. The result demonstrates that for each gender, as age increases, there is a general increase in anthropometric measures (i.e., height and body mass). Furthermore, with increasing age, athletes generally have a higher vertical jump, faster sprint performance, and improved physical endurance. The results highlight sport-specific differences for each measure. Overall, the results of the study provides age-, gender-, and sport-specific normative data of talent-identified youth athletes. These findings provide representative performance profiles of talent-identified high school athletes, with the values potentially being used by coaching staff (i.e., head coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, rehabilitation staff) for comparison purposes.

Strength and Power Testing of Athletes: A Multicenter Study of Test–Retest Reliability

This study examined the test-retest reliability of common assessments for measuring strength and power of the lower body in high-performing athletes. A total of 100 participants, including both male (n = 83) and female (n = 17) athletes (21 [4]y, 182 [9]cm, and 78 [12]kg), were recruited for this study, using a multicenter approach. The participants underwent physical testing 4 times. The first 2 sessions (1 and 2) were separated by ∼1week, followed by a period of 2 to 6months, whereas the last 2 sessions (3 and 4) were again separated by ∼1week. The test protocol consisted of squat jumps, countermovement jumps, jump and reach, 30-m sprint, 1-repetition-maximum squat, sprint cycling, and a leg-press test. The typical error (%) ranged from 1.3% to 8.5% for all assessments. The change in means ranged from -1.5% to 2.5% for all assessments, whereas the interclass correlation coefficient ranged from .85 to .97. The smallest worthwhile change (0.2 of baseline SD) ranged from 1.2% to 5.0%. The ratio between the typical error (%) and the smallest worthwhile change (%) ranged from 0.5 to 1.2. When observing the reliability across testing centers, considerable differences in reliability were observed (typical error [%] ratio: 0.44-1.44). Most of the included assessments can be used with confidence by researchers and coaches to measure strength and power in athletes. Our results highlight the importance of controlling testing reliability at each testing center and not relying on data from others, despite having applied the same protocol.

The Impact of Sleep Inertia on Physical, Cognitive, and Subjective Performance Following a 1- or 2-Hour Afternoon Nap in Semiprofessional Athletes.

This study examined the impact of sleep inertia on physical, cognitive, and subjective performance immediately after a 1- or 2-hour afternoon nap opportunity. Twelve well-trained male athletes completed 3 conditions in a randomized, counterbalanced order-9 hours in bed overnight without a nap opportunity the next day (9 + 0), 8 hours in bed overnight with a 1-hour nap opportunity the next day (8 + 1), and 7 hours in bed overnight with a 2-hour nap opportunity the next day (7 + 2). Nap opportunities ended at 4:00 PM. Sleep was assessed using polysomnography. Following each condition, participants completed four 30-minute test batteries beginning at 4:15, 4:45, 5:15, and 5:45 PM. Test batteries included a warm-up, self-ratings of readiness to perform, motivation to perform and expected performance, two 10-m sprints, 2 agility tests, a 90-second response-time task, and 5minutes of seated rest. Total sleep time was not different between conditions (P = .920). There was an effect of condition on readiness (P < .001), motivation (P = .001), and expected performance (P = .004)-all 3 were lower in the 8 + 1 and 7 + 2 conditions compared with the 9 + 0 condition. There was no effect of condition on response time (P = .958), sprint time (P = .204), or agility (P = .240), but a large effect size was observed for agility. After waking from a nap opportunity, agility may be reduced, and athletes may feel sleepy and not ready or motivated to perform. Athletes should schedule sufficient time (∼1h) after waking from a nap opportunity to avoid the effects of sleep inertia on performance.

Cognitive and Physical Effects of Warm-Up on Young Soccer Players.

This study analyzed the effects of with (WC) or without conducting a warm up on youth soccer players immediately before performing physical and cognitive tests. Fourteen youth soccer player (age 11.64 ± 0.50) participated in a counterbalanced cross-sectional study in which three conditions were tested: (a)basal lineal condition; (b)WC (immediately before the physical and cognitive tests); and (c)without WC (passive resting for 15min between the warm-up and physical and cognitive tests). A 30-m sprint test, countermovement jump, and psychomotor vigilance task were also applied. The WC revealed significant improvements in countermovement jump (p < .05), 30-m sprint test performance (p < .05), and reaction time in psychomotor vigilance task (p < .05) in comparison to basal lineal condition and without WC. A 15-min rest after a warm-up has a meaningfully decremental effect on the physical and cognitive readiness of youth soccer players, in comparison with when they warm-up immediately before the demands are imposed.

Immediate and Acute Effect of Self Myofascial Release vs Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Flexibility, Strength and Sport-Specific Performance in Young Male Soccer Players

Background: Regular exercise and performance can result in microtrau-ma, which is minor damage to the muscle. The resulting inflammatory response may lead to fascia scar tissue over time, which in turn may lead to muscular dysfunction. Purpose: The purpose of our study was to compare the immediate and acute effects of SMR and IASTM on flexibility, strength and sport-specific performance in young male soccer players. Method: Twenty-seven young male soccer players were randomly assigned to receive either SMR via plain foam roller or IASTM via M2T blade. To compare the effect of interventions, subjects were assessed on measures of flexibility via sit and reach test, power through vertical jump test, agility by Illinois agility test, 20m sprint test and strength test by a dynamometer. Results: A one-way ANOVA was used to analyze differences. To test for the difference between interventions and across 3 assessments, a 3X3 split plot ANOVA with a group (control, SMR, IASTM), time (0 min, 10 mins, 20 mins) and interaction effect (Group X Time) was employed. There was a significant difference in strength during performance without intervention vs. immediately after SMR and IASTM (p=0.03). Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that SMR and IASTM did not improve physical performance in young male soccer players, but they did not hinder performance either. Even if performance does not improve, there does not seem to be any adverse effect by using either SMR or IASTM before physical activity, athletes need not be discouraged from using these tools.

Effect of 3 vs. 3 Soccer Small-Sided Game on Various Performance, Inflammatory, Muscle Damage and Hormonal Indicators in Semi-Professional Players.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a soccer small-sided game (SSG) on performance, inflammatory, muscle damage and hormonal indicators. Twenty-two male soccer players participated and were assigned to either experimental (EXP = 12) or control (CON = 10) groups. Subjective fatigue (RPE) and lactate (La¯) were measured during the SSG; vertical squat jump (SJ), 20-m sprint, creatine kinase (CK), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cortisol (C), and testosterone (T) were measured before (PRE), after (POST), 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after the SSG in the EXP group. The heart rate during the SSG reached 92 ± 3% of their HRmax, whereas La¯ and RPE reached 13.02 ± 1.60 mmol·L−1 and 15 ± 1 after SSG, respectively. The IL-6, different among measurements (F (1.04, 11.50) = 504.82, p < 0.001), peaked (3.52 ± 0.43 pg·mL−1 [95%CI; 3.28–3.77]) after the SSG and returned to baseline 24 h later. The CK, different among measurements (F (1.76, 19.32) = 93.96, p < 0.001), peaked (536.58 ± 124.73U·L−1 [95%CI; 466.01–607.15]) 24 h after the SSG and remained significantly higher than PRE condition in POST and up to 72 h later. The T/C ratio, significantly different among measurements (F (1.73, 19.05) = 12.12, p < 0.001), was at its lowest (0.44 ± 0.16 [95%CI; 0.35–0.54]) immediately after the SSG (p < 0.05) and returned to baseline after 24 h. It seems that 48 h (at the most) after an SSG is adequate time for players to recover, and a high training load should be avoided sooner than 24 h after an SSG.

Exergaming During Ramadan Intermittent Fasting Improve Body Composition as Well as Physiological and Psychological Responses to Physical Exercise in Adolescents With Obesity.

The effects of exergaming on biochemical responses has been investigated; however, no data is available for this effect during Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF). RIF is a daily fasting characterized by abstaining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset for 29–30 days. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exergaming during RIF on body composition, physical performance and hematological parameters in overweight and adolescents with obesity. Twenty-four adolescents with obesity were divided into two groups [control group (CG), n = 12, or cooperative sport exergaming group (EG), n = 12: 45 min per session during five days per week)]. Participants completed a 6-min walking test (6MWT), a squat jump test and a 10 and a 30m sprint tests in four different occasions: before Ramadan (T0), the second week of Ramadan (T1), the fourth week of Ramadan (T2), and after Ramadan (T3). Blood pressure, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), body composition, central obesity index, dietary intake and profile of mood states (POMS) were, also, assessed over the four periods. The results showed that body weight, body mass index and body fat percentage were significantly lower at T2 compared to T0 and T1 in the EG. After RIF, body composition returned to the values recorded before RIF. The POMS score was significantly lower during T2 compared to T0, T1 and T3 in the EG. The vertical jump and the 6MWT distance were significantly higher (i) at T2 compared to T0, T1 and T3 in the EG and (ii) in EG compared to CG at T2. RPE was significantly lower (i) at T2 compared to T0, T1 and T3 in the EG and (ii) in EG compared to CG at T2. Blood pressure was lower during T2 compared to the other periods in EG. The EG experienced significant decreases in total cholesterol and triglycerides during T2. However, no significant changes between groups and periods was reported for all the other parameters. In conclusion, exergaming during RIF has a positive effect on body composition and physiological and psychological responses in adolescents with obesity.

Physical fitness and throwing speed in U13 versus U15 male handball players

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to analyze the shoulder functional profile (rotation range of motion [ROM] and strength), upper and lower body performance, and throwing speed of U13 versus U15 male handball players, and to establish the relationship between these measures of physical fitness and throwing speed.MethodsOne-hundred and nineteen young male handball players (under (U)-13 (U13) [n = 85]) and U15 [n = 34]) volunteered to participate in this study. The participating athletes had a mean background of sytematic handball training of 5.5 ± 2.8 years and they exercised on average 540 ± 10.1 min per week including sport-specific team handball training and strength and conditioning programs. Players were tested for passive shoulder range-of-motion (ROM) for both internal (IR) and external rotation (ER) and isometric strength (i.e., IR and ER) of the dominant/non-dominant shoulders, overhead medicine ball throw (OMB), hip isometric abductor (ABD) and adductor (ADD) strength, hip ROM, jumps (countermovement jump [CMJ] and triple leg-hop [3H] for distance), linear sprint test, modified 505 change-of-direction (COD) test and handball throwing speed (7 m [HT7] and 9 m [HT9]).ResultsU15 players outperformed U13 in upper (i.e., HT7 and HT9 speed, OMB, absolute IR and ER strength of the dominant and non-dominant sides; Cohen’s d: 0.76–2.13) and lower body (i.e., CMJ, 3H, 20-m sprint and COD, hip ABD and ADD; d: 0.70–2.33) performance measures. Regarding shoulder ROM outcomes, a lower IR ROM was found of the dominant side in the U15 group compared to the U13 and a higher ER ROM on both sides in U15 (d: 0.76–1.04). It seems that primarily anthropometric characteristics (i.e., body height, body mass) and upper body strength/power (OMB distance) are the most important factors that explain the throw speed variance in male handball players, particularly in U13.ConclusionsFindings from this study imply that regular performance monitoring is important for performance development and for minimizing injury risk of the shoulder in both age categories of young male handball players. Besides measures of physical fitness, anthropometric data should be recorded because handball throwing performance is related to these measures.