Adult Male Players Research Articles

Caffeine supplementation during official basketball games: a randomized crossover study on the effects on game-related statistics and perceptual responses of adult male players.

This study examined the effects of caffeine (CAF) supplementation on game-related statistics and perceptual responses of male basketball players during official games. Eight players (23.5±5.7 years) participated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover study. Sixty minutes before the start of each game, players ingested a dose of either CAF (3 mg/kg body mass) or placebo (PLA) in a randomized order. Game-related statistics were collected. After the games, players reported ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and their perceptions of endurance and power. Separate linear mixed models evaluated the effects of treatment (CAF, PLA), game location (home, away), and opponent level (better, worse) on game-related statistics and perceptual responses. Players committed fewer fouls when taking CAF compared to PLA (P<0.001, ES=0.75, moderate). No effects of CAF were found for the other game-related statistics (all P>0.05). RPE was higher in CAF compared to PLA (P=0.031, ES: 0.49, small). There were no differences in perceptions of endurance (P=0.388) or power (P=0.988). No effects of game location or opponent level were found for game-related statistics or perceptual responses (all P>0.05). This study suggests that caffeine supplementation can improve defensive performance in semiprofessional basketball players while also possibly increasing physical performances, seen the higher RPE.

The Relationship Between Pre-Season Functional Screening Test Performance and Coaches' Perception of Soccer Performance in Adult Male Players

The Relationship Between Pre-Season Functional Screening Test Performance and Coaches' Perception of Soccer Performance in Adult Male Players

The elite male amateur football medical staff’s perception of the current football boots market—a survey-based study of UK academies

The premium football boot is commonly only designed, tested, and manufactured for adult male players. Footwear worn by academy players is therefore not designed with growing athletes in focus. The study objective was therefore to assess the medical staffs’ perception of football boot fit and their interactions with player’s football boots. Medical staff from academy male players from elite category 1 and 2 football academies in the United Kingdom (UK) were surveyed using an validated online survey. Descriptive analysis and thematic analysis of the open ended question were conducted. A total of 49 responses were received of which five responses were removed as they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Only one responder reported no complications with football boots for their academy players. The most reported area of concern in relation to players complain of pain/discomfort and/or fit in their football boots was the heel region (76%). Common concerns included blisters/corns/rubbing, sizing issues, adaptation issues with frequent change of boots, and players prioritizing aesthetics over fit and comfort. Education of players was also desired. The findings of this study highlight the desire for tailored footwear education and assessment programmes. The study also highlighted key concerns about injuries, fit, and performance not currently supported by research.

The side hop test: Validity, reliability, and quality aspects in relation to sex, age and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, in soccer players

ObjectiveTo study the side hop test regarding validity, reliability, and quality in relation to sex, age and ACL-reconstruction in soccer players. DesignCohort study. Participants117 females with a primary ACL-reconstruction, and 119 females, 46 males (age 16–26 years), 49 girls and 66 boys (age 13–16 years) without injury. Main outcome measuresFor convergent validity, one physiotherapist analysed side hops live and later on video. One physiotherapist and two physiotherapy students analysed side hops from 92 players for interrater reliability (video). For intrarater reliability, side hops from 35 players were analysed twice (video). Quality aspects (flaws), i.e. number of times the hopping limb touched the strips, the non-hopping limb touched the floor, and double hops/foot turns with the hopping limb, were registered (video). ResultsConvergent validity was excellent; the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.93–1.0. All reliability measures were excellent (ICC 0.92−1.0). Adult male players had fewest and girls had most flaws, especially double hops/foot turns with the hopping limb, compared with all other players (mean, 11−12 vs 1−6, η2 = 0.18, large effect size). No differences were reported between knee-healthy and ACL-reconstructed females. ConclusionThe side hop test is valid and reliable. Quality aspects differ between sexes and ages.

Comparison of selected performance-associated parameters after off-season and two-month training preparation in professional Czech ice hockey players

Background: In ice hockey, regular off-ice testing can serve as a controlling mechanism for a training program's effectiveness. Objective: The main aim of this study was to describe changes in selected morphological and physiological parameters, intended to be relevant for a complex ice hockey performance, after two months of pre-season training preparation following one month of an off-season period. Methods: The sample consisted of 22 adult male players aged 18-39 years from a top Czech ice hockey league team. Two laboratory testing procedures performed at the end of the off-season and after two months of the pre-season conditioning consisted of basic anthropometry and body composition measurements, countermovement jump (CMJ), and maximal incremental test focused on the assessment of various parameters, including maximal oxygen consumption (V&#775;O2max), maximal power output during the test (Pmax) or estimation of anaerobic threshold intensity (ANT). Results: After the pre-season, we found a significant decrease in body fat (13.7 vs. 11.4%, p &lt; .001) and an increase in fat-free mass (74.2 vs. 76.6 kg, p &lt; .001), V&#775;O2max (relative 48.8 vs. 52.6 ml.kg-1.min-1 p = .001; absolute 4.20 vs. 4.54 L.min-1, p &lt; .001), Pmax (5.26 vs. 5.44 W.kg-1, p = .011), power output at ANT (4.07 vs. 4.35 W.kg-1, p &lt; .001), and CMJ (44.9 vs. 47.1 cm, p = .002). Conclusions: Based on our results, two months of the pre-season training program led to a significant improvement in body composition and physical performance levels in professional Czech ice hockey players.

The influence of fatigue on internal and external load using game-based drills in junior and adult male basketball players

Background: Fatigue demonstrated by decreasing performance seems to occur towards the ends of periods of matches and can lead to a win or loss of the match. Objective: This study aimed to assess the influence of fatigue on internal and external load using game-based drills in junior and adult male basketball players. Methods: A total of 50 elite basketball players participated in this study. Every participant was monitored by the Team Pro Polar system to find out heart rate and activity demands during a game-based drill. Mixed analysis of variance 2 × 4 was used. Results: Significant interactions between age category and playing quarter were found for distance covered (p = .001, &#951;p2 = .25). Significant interactions between age category and playing quarter were found for relative time in zone 3 (running, p = .013, &#951;p2 = .25) and zone 4 (high-intensity running, p = .004, &#951;p2 = .34). When comparing the last three minutes of quarters, a significant main effect was found for playing quarter, when the distance covered (p = .001, &#951;p2 = .47) significantly decreased. A significant main effect was found for playing quarter, whereby relative time spent in zone 3 (p = .012, &#951;p2 = .09; quarter 1 vs. 4: p = .044) significantly increased, and in zone 4 decreased (p = .001, &#951;p2 = .29, moderate effect; quarter 1 vs. 4: p = .010). When comparing heart rate and activity demands during the last three minutes of playing quarters, the significant main effect for the age category was found in distance covered (p = .004, &#951;p2 = .27). It was greater in adult male players compared to junior players. Conclusions: The fatigue affects the distance covered, and intensity of activity demands during the last three minutes of quarters, but not the heart rate response of players.

Energy Expenditure of Female International Standard Soccer Players: A Doubly Labeled Water Investigation.

The purpose of this study is to quantify total daily energy expenditure (TEE) of international adult female soccer players. Twenty-four professional players were studied during a 12-d period where they participated in an international training camp (also inclusive of two competitive games) representing the English national team. The TEE was assessed via the doubly labeled water method during the full 12 d as well as the initial 4-d period before game one. Energy intake was also assessed (via weighed food analysis) during the initial 4-d period to permit estimation of energy availability (EA). Mean TEE did not differ (P = 0.31) between the 12-d (2693 ± 432 kcal·d-1; range, 2105-3507 kcal·d-1; 54 ± 6 kcal·kg-1 fat-free mass [FFM]) versus the 4-d assessment period (2753 ± 359 kcal·d-1; range, 1942-3280 kcal·d-1; 56 ± 8 kcal·kg-1 FFM). Mean 4-d energy intake was 1923 ± 357 kcal·d-1 (range, 1639-2172 kcal·d-1) and mean activity energy expenditure was 1069 ± 278 kcal·d-1 (range, 155-1549 kcal·d-1). When assessed for estimated EA, 88% of players were categorized with low EA status according to the threshold of <30 kcal·kg-1 FFM. Mean daily carbohydrate intake equated to 3.3 ± 0.7 g·kg-1 body mass. When compared with previously published data from adult male players, we demonstrate that the relative daily energetic requirements of engaging in professional soccer training and match play are comparable between sexes. From a practical perspective, data suggest that practitioners should likely focus education and behavior change strategies on "fuelling" for match play and training to optimize both player health and performance.

Epidemiology of Hand Fractures and Dislocations in England and Wales Professional Cricketers.

This study describes hand fracture and dislocation injuries in terms of anatomical distribution, incidence and impact on playing time in registered professional adult male players of all 18 First Class England and Wales County Cricket clubs over a five-year period from 2010-2014. Prospectively collected injury surveillance data for 1st and 2nd Team matches (Twenty20, One day and four-day) and training were analysed. There were 109 hand fractures and 53 dislocations. Hand injury was commonest during fielding (60%, 98/162) compared to batting, bowling or wicket-keeping. Exposed parts of the hand including tips of all digits, the index finger, thumb ray and little finger ray were most frequently injured with 78% (125/160) of all injuries where anatomical location was recorded. Match injury incidence for batsmen was highest in four-day matches (0.071 injuries per 1000 overs batted) but for other player roles it was highest in Twenty20 matches (0.587 per 1000 overs bowled). Player unavailability for selection to play was incurred in 82% (89/109) of hand fractures but only 47% (25/53) of dislocations. This study clarifies the hand fracture and dislocation injury burden for this population.

Mechanical Differences Between Adolescents and Adults During Two Landing Phases of a Drop Jump Task.

Moir, GL, Munford, SN, Snyder, BW, and Davis, SE. Mechanical differences between adolescents and adults during two landing phases of a drop jump task. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-The mechanical differences between the first and second landing phases of a drop jump (DJ) task performed by adolescent and adult male players were investigated. Eleven adolescent basketball players (age: 16.5 ± 0.7 years) and 11 resistance-trained adults (age: 22.3 ± 1.9 years) performed DJs from a height of 0.40 m. Force plates and a 3-dimensional motion analysis system were used to determine mechanical variables, including landing velocity, normalized vertical stiffness, normalized peak impact force, and work as well as mechanical characteristics of the hip, knee, and ankle joints during the absorption phase of each landing. The adolescents produced greater peak impact forces (mean difference [xDiff] = 42 N·kg; effect size [ES] = 1.15) and vertical stiffness (xDiff = 126 N·kg·m; ES = 1.28) during shorter absorption phases (xDiff = 0.09 seconds; ES = 2.67) compared with the adults, despite their lower landing velocities (xDiff = 0.21 m·s; ES = 1.37). Furthermore, the adolescents generated greater peak extensor joint moments at the lower-body joints compared with the adults (xDiff = 2.3 N·m·kg; ES = 1.17), but they did not effectively modulate the energy absorbed by the joint moments in response to the changing demands of the landing tasks. The assessment of the biomechanical characteristics of the 2 landing phases associated with a DJ task revealed that adolescent male basketball players adopt neuromuscular strategies that may increase the risk of incurring musculoskeletal injuries compared with resistance-trained adults.

Signs of cognitive dysfunction in adult players of club level rugby

The objective of this study was to investigate players of club level Rugby Union (hereafter rugby) over one rugby season, for signs of residual cognitive dysfunction due to repeated concussive events incurred during long-term participation in the sport. Adult male players of club level rugby, without a diagnosis of a concussion during the season ( n = 20), were compared with non-contact club level sports participants ( n = 22) of equivalent sex, age, education, and estimated IQ at pre-, mid-, and post-season intervals. Measures included the ImPACT Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites, and the Purdue Pegboard test. Statistical group comparisons revealed consistently poorer performance for rugby players compared with controls for ImPACT Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites at all test intervals, and for the Purdue Pegboard tasks at the first two test intervals. Repeat measures comparisons across the three test intervals demonstrated differential learning patterns between groups on ImPACT Visual Memory, ImPACT Reaction Time, and Purdue Both tasks, suggestive of cognitive vulnerability in the rugby group. Overall, the results reveal deleterious cognitive performance in adult club level rugby players relative to equivalent non-contact sports controls. The finding serves to endorse indications from other studies that demonstrate persistent brain injury effects in association with long-term participation in a contact sport. Recommendations for further research and management of concussion in rugby players are discussed.

High prevalence of medication use in professional football tournaments including the World Cups between 2002 and 2014: a narrative review with a focus on NSAIDs

The use of medication in international football has been monitored since the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Team physicians were asked to provide information on prescribed medication 72 h prior to...

An Investigation into the Questionable Practice of Using Excessive Massively Multiplayer Online Game Play as a Marker of Pathological Video Game Dependence among Adolescent and Young Adult Male Players

The present study explored pathological online video game dependence among adolescent and young adult males in the context of excessive massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) play. Psychological criteria distinguishing high engagement from addiction were used, as a means of examining MMOG play in the context of an excessive and addictive activity. This is a distinction that has been lost in the previous research, setting this study apart from other studies investigating frequency of play in the context of video game addiction. A total of 1121 male students in grades 7 through 12 across 12 schools in and around Seoul, South Korea, participated. The study used a 65-item questionnaire developed to examine constructs related to online video game play. Findings revealed no statistically significant differences between those classified as addicted and those classified as highly engaged with regard to items designed to measure frequency of MMOG play. Furthermore, in comparison to those classified as addicted, those classified as highly engaged reported a higher average number of hours per week they felt was an acceptable amount of time dedicated to game play. All in all, the findings revealed that those classified as highly engaged spent a significant portion of their time playing in massively multiplayer online worlds alongside those classified as addicted. These findings help illustrate the difficulties in using frequency of online video game play, even if viewed as excessive, as a criterion for identifying pathological dependence.

Características antropométricas, morfológicas e do somatotipo de atletas voleibolistas da seleção brasileira masculino: estudo descritivo de 11 anos (1995-2005).

This study analyzed the anthropometric and morphological characteristics of the adult male players in the Brazilian volleyball team for 11 years. The sample comprised 92 athletes selected for the national team from 1995 to 2005. Anthropometric measures were collected and body composition and somatotype components were estimated. One-way ANOVA and the Bonferroni test were used for descriptive statistical analysis, and the level of significance was set at p<0.05. Along the 11 years, there was a significant increase in the flexed arm perimeter, humerus diameter and lean mass. Skinfold thickness and percent body fat tended to decrease. Height increased and was greater than 1.97 m. The somatotype of the volleyball players in the Brazilian team changed along the years. Ectomorphic and mesomorphic somatotypes were the most frequent. In 11 years, the athletes selected for the Brazilian team had an increase in body mass and a decrease in skinfold thickness and percent body fat. The most frequent anthropometric classifications were mesomorph-ectomorph for five years, followed by mesomorphic-ectomorph for three years, which suggests that taller athletes and those with a low body fat percentage were more frequently selected for the national team.

The Effect of Age on Discrete Kinematics of the Elite Female Tennis Serve

The importance of the flat serve in tennis is well documented, with an abundance of research evaluating the service technique of adult male players. Comparatively, the female and junior serves have received far less attention. Therefore, the aims of this study were to quantify the flat serve kinematics in elite prepubescent, pubescent, and postpubescent female tennis players. Full body, racket, and ball kinematics were derived using a 22-camera Vicon motion capture system. Racket velocity was significantly lower in the prepubescent group than in the two older groups. In generating racket velocity, the role of the serving arm appears to become more pronounced after the onset of puberty, whereas leg drive and "shoulder-over-shoulder" rotation mature even later in development. These factors are proposed to relate to strength deficits and junior players' intentions to reduce the complexity of the skill. Temporally, coupling perception (cues from the ball) and action (body movements) are less refined in the prepubescent serve, presumably reducing the "rhythm" (and dynamism) of the service action. Practically, there appears scope for equipment scaling to preserve kinematic relevance between the junior and senior serve and promote skill acquisition.

The Hit & Turn Tennis Test: An acoustically controlled endurance test for tennis players

This study was conducted to validate and evaluate the “Hit & Turn Tennis Test”, an acoustically progressive on-court endurance test for tennis players. Ninety-eight competitive tennis players (53 males, 45 females) of different age groups participated in the study. For validation, the adult male players completed three Hit & Turn tests, one on a clay court and two on a carpet surface, a tennis-specific ball machine test and an incremental treadmill run in a randomized order. A stronger correlation between maximal performance (r = 0.81, P < 0.01) and maximal oxygen uptake (r = 0.96, P < 0.01) was observed between the Hit & Turn test and the ball machine test, than between the Hit & Turn test and the treadmill test. For test–retest, we found a significant correlation between maximal performance on the same (r = 0.83, P < 0.01) and on different surfaces (r = 0.74, P < 0.01). During test evaluation, maximal performance was higher in males than in females (P < 0.01) and increased by consecutive age group in boys (P < 0.01) but not in girls (P = 0.97). In conclusion, Hit & Turn maximum test performance can be recommended as a valid and reliable indicator for tennis-specific endurance.