Minute Of Play Research Articles

Metabolic Equivalent Distance Across Game Quarters and Athlete Position in Female Collegiate Lacrosse Players

As a sport, field lacrosse requires seamless transitions between acceleration and deceleration. Unfortunately, linear displacement variables at a constant speed underestimate the energy demand in team sports, as they fail to account for the additional energy expended during acceleration and deceleration. In order to address these additional energy costs and offer a more precise measure of an athlete's workload, the metric called metabolic equivalent distance (MED) was developed. The purpose of the study was to assess the differences in MED across game quarters and athlete positions among female collegiate lacrosse players and determine potential relationships between MED and other workload variables. Seventeen female collegiate lacrosse players wore global positioning systems units, and data were collected over the course of 17 games. Performance variables were analyzed per minute played (min PT) and included: MED (m), total distance (m), accelerations (count), decelerations (count), total sprints (count), metabolic peak power (J), metabolic energy cost (J/kg/m), and equivalent distance index (%). No difference was found between athlete position. Performance variables did not differ between game quarters, except for playing time (p < .001). Athlete playing time was reduced in the 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> quarters compared to quarter 1 (p < .001). MED showed a perfect correlation with total distance and metabolic energy cost (r = 1; p < .001) and a near-perfect correlation with accelerations and total sprints (r = .93; p < .001). Decelerations exhibited a strong correlation with MED (r = .86; p < .001). MED was moderately correlated with metabolic peak power (r = .34; p < .001); whereas equivalent distance index displayed a small correlation (r = .15; p = .02). Athletes exhibited a consistent output in metabolic workload variables across position and game per minute of play. MED could serve as a surrogate workload variable to better understand the athlete’s energy expenditure during high-intensity training and game play.

Parental scaffolding in play: A comparison of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and autism spectrum disorder

BackgroundParental support of child play varies based on child needs; however, how parental play level differs from child play level remains an understudied area of research, especially in relation to specific developmental disabilities. AimsTo preliminarily explore differences in child and parent play levels in age- and IQ-matched children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methodsand Procedures: Parent-child dyads were recorded during free-play sessions. Parent/child play levels were coded for highest level achieved during each minute of play. Mean play level and dPlay (difference in parent versus child play level) were calculated across play sessions for each dyad. Outcomes and ResultsOn average, parents of children with FASD demonstrated higher levels of play than other parents. Children with FASD demonstrated higher levels of play than their own parents. In contrast, the play level of parents of children with ASD did not differ from their child’s. There were no between-group differences in dPlay. Conclusions and ImplicationsThis preliminary exploratory study suggests that parents of children with developmental disabilities may differentially ‘match’ their child’s play level. Further research on developmental play levels during parent-child play is warranted.

Learning While Playing: A Randomized Trial of Serious Games as a Tool for Word Mastery.

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether college students build their vocabularies by playing a serious game that incorporates principles of learning and memory. Design This study used a single-site, prospective, randomized trial with 2 branches: immediate and delayed treatment. Outcome measures were obtained after a 1-month intervention and, for the immediate group only, after a 1-month retention interval. Setting College students from the University of Iowa were recruited via mass e-mail. The intervention took place in the participants' homes; the testing took place in a university laboratory. Participants Forty undergraduates (32 women, 8 men) who planned to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE; Educational Testing Service, 2018) within the year following the treatment participated in the study. Participants were allocated to 1 of the 2 treatment branches via biased coin randomization. Intervention The treatment consisted of vocabulary training on Vocabulary.com for a minimum of 20 min (dose) 4 times per week (frequency) for 4 weeks (treatment duration), for a total cumulative treatment intensity of 320 min. Outcome Measures The prespecified primary outcome measures of word learning were the number of words mastered during Vocabulary.com play and the percentage of mastered words accurately defined. The depth of information included in the definitions was a secondary outcome. The prespecified primary outcome measure of functional impact was change in the verbal GRE practice test scores from pre- to posttreatment. The examiners scoring the definitions were blind to treatment assignment. All other outcomes were measured automatically by the relevant computer program so blinding was moot. Results The participants averaged 5.33 hr of play during the treatment interval and mastered 124 words. Amount of play and mastery were highly correlated. Accuracy of definitions was 55% or 59% (depending on treatment branch) after treatment and 55% 1 month later, an insignificant decline. The game itself did not result in GRE gains, but participants who mastered more words per minute of play had higher GRE scores than other participants. Conclusion Vocabulary.com, an evidence-based game, showed promise as a way to build vocabulary knowledge, but at the intensity of treatment provided, it did not result in gains in high-stakes test performance. Trial Registration This trial was not preregistered. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.9936374.

Physical and Physiological Demands of Experienced Male Basketball Players During a Competitive Game.

Puente, C, Abián-Vicén, J, Areces, F, López, R, and Del Coso, J. Physical and physiological demands of experienced male basketball players during a competitive game. J Strength Cond Res 31(4): 956-962, 2017-The aim of this investigation was to analyze the physical and physiological demands of experienced basketball players during a real and competitive game. Twenty-five well-trained basketball players (8 guards, 8 forwards, and 9 centers) played a competitive game on an outdoor court. Instantaneous running speeds, the number of body impacts above 5 g, and the number of accelerations and decelerations were assessed by means of a 15-Hz global Positioning System accelerometer unit. Individual heart rate was also recorded using heart rate monitors. As a group mean, the basketball players covered 82.6 ± 7.8 m·min during the game with a mean heart rate of 89.8 ± 4.4% of maximal heart rate. Players covered 3 ± 3% of the total distance running at above 18 km·h and performed 0.17 ± 0.13 sprints per minute. The number of body impacts was 8.2 ± 1.8 per minute of play. The running pace of forwards was higher than that of centers (86.8 ± 6.2 vs. 76.6 ± 6.0 m·min; p ≤ 0.05). The maximal speed obtained during the game was significantly higher for guards than that for centers (24.0 ± 1.6 km·h vs. 21.3 ± 1.6 km·h; p ≤ 0.05). Centers performed a lower number of accelerations/decelerations than guards and forwards (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, the extraordinary rates of specific movements performed by these experienced basketball players indicate the high physiological demands necessary to be able to compete in this sport. The centers were the basketball players who showed lower physiological demands during a game, whereas there were no differences between guards and forwards. These results can be used by coaches to adapt basketball training programs to the specific demands of each playing position.

Examining the skill involvements of under-16 rugby league players during a small-sided game and match-play

This study investigated the correlations between the skill demands of an ‘on-side’ small-sided game (SSG) and match-play in under-16 junior rugby league players. Fifteen Harold Matthews players undertook a SSG (10 vs. 10 on a 68 m by 40 m playing surface for 3 min) in the week leading up to round 6 of their competitive season. The frequency of skill involvements (i.e. offensive, defensive and total) was manually coded using a specific criterion. The defensive and total skill involvements were significantly higher per minute of play in the SSG when compared to match-play. A significant, very large, positive correlation was observed between offensive and total skill involvements during a SSG and offensive skill involvements during a match (r(s) = 0.80, p < 0.01; r(s) = 0.71, p < 0.01, respectively). No significant correlations were evident for defensive skill involvements during SSG and match-play. Overall, it appears that the selected SSG provided players with ample opportunity to practice match-specific skills. In addition, the transfer of these opportunities seems confined to offensive rather then defensive skills.

Practice vs Competition Work Rates in Collegiate Soccer Players

To prepare for the demands of match play, athletes should train at an intensity similar to that experienced during a game. However, this does not always occur, and by developing a method for determining work rate the relative intensity of practices and games can be analyzed and compared across athletes. PURPOSE: To use rate of point accumulation (RPA) to quantify the intensity of practices and games for male and female collegiate soccer players. METHODS: Division I female (N= 18; Mweight = 63.5 ± 3.4 kg; Mage = 20 ± 1.3 yrs; Mheight = 1.65 ± 0.01 m) and male (N= 14; Mweight = 73.8 ± 5.6 kg; Mage =19.9 ± 1.3 yrs; Mheight = 1.78 ± 0.01 m) soccer players were evaluated. Athletes were monitored using the Polar Team2 system to assess workload during the season. Training load (TL) was assessed during practices and games via the Polar algorithm. From this, a work rate was calculated per minute of play and expressed as the rate of point accumulation (RPA). Only players who participated in 2/3 of all games were included in analysis. RESULTS: The mean TL and RPA for practice were 109.1 ± 3.3 pts and 1.2 ± 0.1 pts/min, respectively, across genders. For games, the mean TL and RPA were 184.8 ± 12.5 pts and 3.3 ± 0.1 pts/min, respectively (P<.05). Compared to women, men had a significantly lower practice TL (97.7 ± 4.9 vs 120 + 4.3 pts, P<.05), but a trend towards a significantly higher game TL (207.2 ± 18.8 vs 162.4 + 16.5 pts, P=.083). There were no differences in RPA for men vs women as a function of practice (P>.58). Women spent more time ~85% HRmax compared to the men in practice (P<.01), though men spent more time ~75% HRmax (P<.01). During games, men again spent more time ~75% of HRmax compared to women (P<.01). A trend was observed for women spending greater time ~85% and 95% of HRmax during game play (P<0.1). CONCLUSION: While women had a higher total TL in practice compared to men, normalizing this load as a function of time indicated no difference in actual intensity. Likewise, the higher game TL in men was not significantly different than women when expressed as RPA. In both cases, the RPA in training was almost 3-fold lower than that for games, suggesting that training did not simulate competition. The greater time spent in higher HR zones by women during games may be due to the greater frequency of substitutions, thus allowing them to sustain higher intensities during gameplay.

Exploring Game Performance in the National Basketball Association Using Player Tracking Data.

Recent player tracking technology provides new information about basketball game performance. The aim of this study was to (i) compare the game performances of all-star and non all-star basketball players from the National Basketball Association (NBA), and (ii) describe the different basketball game performance profiles based on the different game roles. Archival data were obtained from all 2013-2014 regular season games (n = 1230). The variables analyzed included the points per game, minutes played and the game actions recorded by the player tracking system. To accomplish the first aim, the performance per minute of play was analyzed using a descriptive discriminant analysis to identify which variables best predict the all-star and non all-star playing categories. The all-star players showed slower velocities in defense and performed better in elbow touches, defensive rebounds, close touches, close points and pull-up points, possibly due to optimized attention processes that are key for perceiving the required appropriate environmental information. The second aim was addressed using a k-means cluster analysis, with the aim of creating maximal different performance profile groupings. Afterwards, a descriptive discriminant analysis identified which variables best predict the different playing clusters. The results identified different playing profile of performers, particularly related to the game roles of scoring, passing, defensive and all-round game behavior. Coaching staffs may apply this information to different players, while accounting for individual differences and functional variability, to optimize practice planning and, consequently, the game performances of individuals and teams.

The Heart Rate Response to Nintendo Wii Boxing in Young Adults

To determine if 30 minutes of Nintendo Wii Sports boxing provides cardiorespiratory benefits and contributes to the daily exercise recommendations for healthy young adults. Twenty healthy 23- to 27-year-olds participated in two sessions to measure maximum heart rate (HR(max)) via a treadmill test and heart rate (HR) response to 30 minutes of Wii Sports boxing. Heart rate in beats per minute (bpm) was measured continuously, and exercise intensity during each minute of play was stratified as a percentage of HR(max). Mixed designs analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson product moment correlations were used to analyze the data. Mean (SD) HR response to boxing was 143 (15) bpm or 77.5% (10.0%) of HR(max). The mean HR response for experienced participants was significantly lower than inexperienced participants, P = .007. The ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between experience and time spent at various intensities, P = .009. Experienced participants spent more time in light to vigorous intensities, inexperienced participants in moderate to very hard intensities. Fitness was not correlated with mean HR response to boxing, P = .49. Thirty minutes of Nintendo Wii Sports boxing provides a moderate to vigorous aerobic response in healthy young adults and can contribute to daily recommendations for physical activity.

Technical and physical demands of small vs. large sided games in relation to playing position in elite soccer

The aim of this investigation was to compare the effects of common rule changes on technical and physical demands for elite soccer players in five playing positions during various 4-min small-sided games (SSGs) in comparison to 11-a-side matches. Forty international players classified into five positional roles participated in the study (25.3±2.4years, 182.4±2.3cm, 77.3±4.1kg; M±SD). Players completed three different conditioned small-sided 4 vs. 4 games (1 ball touch=1T, 2 ball touches=2T and Free Play=FP) as well as two friendly matches. Heart rate (HR), blood lactate ([La]), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) as well as physical and technical performance were analyzed. Compared to match-play, total distance covered per minute of play, high-intensity running activities (sprinting and high-intensity runs), total numbers of duels and lost ball possessions were significantly greater within SSGs for all playing positions (p<.05). In contrast, [La], percentage of successful passes and number of ball possessions were lower (p<.05) within SSGs, particularly with 1T and 2T rules, in comparison with match-play. HR was higher in SSGs compared to match-play for all playing positions, and RPE values were lower (p<.05) during the FP SSG for defensive midfielders, wide midfielders and forwards. In conclusion, this study revealed that 4 vs. 4 SSGs played with 1 or 2 ball touches increased the high-intensity running and the difficulty to perform technical actions, being more specific to match demands. Subsequently, it is of importance for coaches to understand the different physiological demands imposed upon players by varying the rules of SSGs and to understand the differences between positional roles.

Quantifying the Gap Between Under 18 and Senior AFL Football: 2003 and 2009

The understanding of the gap between Under 18 y (U18) and senior-level competition and the evolution of this gap in Australian Football lack a strong evidence base. Despite the multimillion dollars invested in recruitment, scientific research on successful transition is limited. No studies have compared individual players' movement rate, game statistics and ball speed in U18 and senior competition of the Australian Football League across time. This project compared differences in player movement and ball speed between matches from senior AFL competitive matches and U18 players in the 2003 and 2009 seasons. TrakPerformance Software and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology were used to analyze the movement of players, ball speed and game statistics. ANOVA compared the two levels of competition over time. Observed interactions for distance traveled per minute of play (P = .009), number of sprints per minute of play (P < .001), time spent at sprint speed in the game (P < .001), time on field (P < .001), and ball speed (P < .001) were found. Subsequent analysis identified increases in movement patterns in senior AFL competition in 2009 compared with the same level of competition in 2003 and U18 players in 2003 and 2009. Senior AFL players in 2009 were moving further, sprinting relatively more frequently, playing less time and playing at game speeds significantly greater than the same senior competition in 2003 as well as compared with both cohorts of U18 players.

Physical demands of professional rugby league training and competition using microtechnology

Objectives To investigate the physical demands of professional rugby league match-play using microtechnology, and to compare these demands with typical training activities used to prepare players for competition. Design Prospective cohort study. Methods Thirty elite rugby league players participated in this study. Seven hundred and eighty-six. training data sets and 104 data sets from National Rugby League matches were collected over one playing season. Movement was recorded using a commercially available microtechnology unit (minimaxX, Catapult Innovations), which provided information on speeds, distances, accelerations, physical collisions and repeated high-intensity efforts. Results Mean distances covered during match-play by the hit-up forwards, wide-running forwards, adjustables, and outside backs were 3,569 m, 5,561 m, 6,411 m, and 6,819 m, respectively. Hit-up forwards and wide-running forwards were engaged in a greater number of moderate and heavy collisions than the adjustables and outside backs, and more repeated high-intensity effort bouts per minute of play (1 bout every 4.8–6.3 min). The physical demands of traditional conditioning, repeated high-intensity effort exercise, and skill training activities were all lower than the physical demands of competition. Conclusions These results demonstrate that absolute distances covered during professional rugby league matches are greater for outside backs, while the collision and repeated high-intensity effort demands are higher for hit-up forwards and wide-running forwards. The specific physical demands of competitive play, especially those demands associated with collisions and repeated high-intensity efforts, were not well matched by those observed in traditional conditioning, repeated high-intensity effort exercise, and skills training activities. Further research is required to investigate whether modifications need to be made to these training activities to better prepare players for the demands of National Rugby League competition.

Match analysis and heart rate of futsal players during competition

Heart rates were monitored and time – motion analysis performed for 10 players (mean age 25.6 years, s = 2.5; body mass 73.8 kg, s = 5.7 kg; height 1.75 m, s = 0.06) during four competitive futsal matches. Mean heart rate during the match was 90% (s = 2) of maximum heart rate. Heart rate records were classified based on the percentage of time spent in three zones (>85%, 85 – 65%, and <65% maximum heart rate); players spent 83%, 16%, and 0.3% in these three zones, respectively. During the second period, there was a significant reduction (P < 0.01) in the percentage of time spent at an intensity above 85% of maximum heart rate (first vs. second period: 86% vs. 79%). Players' movements were classified as standing, walking, jogging, medium-intensity running, high-intensity running, and sprinting (maximal speed running). Time – motion analysis indicated that the mean distance covered per minute of play was 117.3 m (s = 11.6), of which 28.5% (s = 2.2) was covered while performing medium-intensity running, 13.7% (s = 2) during high-intensity running, and 8.9% (s = 3.4) while sprinting. From the results, we conclude that futsal is a multiple-sprints sport in which there are more high-intensity phases than in soccer and other intermittent sports.

Violence in E-rated video games.

Children's exposure to violence, alcohol, tobacco and other substances, and sexual messages in the media are a source of public health concern; however, content in video games commonly played by children has not been quantified. To quantify and characterize the depiction of violence, alcohol, tobacco and other substances, and sex in video games rated E (for "Everyone"), analogous to the G rating of films, which suggests suitability for all audiences. We created a database of all existing E-rated video games available for rent or sale in the United States by April 1, 2001, to identify the distribution of games by genre and to characterize the distribution of content descriptors associated with these games. We played and assessed the content of a convenience sample of 55 E-rated video games released for major home video game consoles between 1985 and 2000. Game genre; duration of violence; number of fatalities; types of weapons used; whether injuring characters or destroying objects is rewarded or is required to advance in the game; depiction of alcohol, tobacco and other substances; and sexual content. Based on analysis of the 672 current E-rated video games played on home consoles, 77% were in sports, racing, or action genres and 57% did not receive any content descriptors. We found that 35 of the 55 games we played (64%) involved intentional violence for an average of 30.7% of game play (range, 1.5%-91.2%), and we noted significant differences in the amount of violence among game genres. Injuring characters was rewarded or required for advancement in 33 games (60%). The presence of any content descriptor for violence (n = 23 games) was significantly correlated with the presence of intentional violence in the game (at a 5% significance level based on a 2-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test, t(53) = 2.59). Notably, 14 of 32 games (44%) that did not receive a content descriptor for violence contained acts of violence. Action and shooting games led to the largest numbers of deaths from violent acts, and we found a significant correlation between the proportion of violent game play and the number of deaths per minute of play. We noted potentially objectionable sexual content in 2 games and the presence of alcohol in 1 game. Content analysis suggests a significant amount of violence in some E-rated video games. The content descriptors provide some information to parents and should be used along with the rating, but the game's genre also appears to play a role in the amount of violent play. Physicians and parents should understand that popular E-rated video games may be a source of exposure to violence and other unexpected content for children and that games may reward the players for violent actions.

Effects of a 12‐week racquetball program on maximal oxygen consumption, body composition and blood lipoproteins

The impact of a nonsteady state, nonrhythmical exercise training program, such as racquetball, on health and fitness variables has not been adequately defined. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a 12‐week racquetball training program on maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). percentage body fat, and blood lipids and lipoproteins. Eight college‐aged male volunteers participated in a 12‐week, three sessions per week, minimum of 30 minutes per session racquetball training program (EG). Eight inactive college‐aged males served as a control group (CG). VO2max, percentage body fat determined from underwater weighing, and blood lipids and lipoproteins were measured before and after the 12‐week program. Heart rate (HR) was monitored in the EG on three separate days while subjects participated in racquetball play. HR was maintained at or above 75% of the subjects’ maximum HR after the third minute of play. No differences were found between the EG and CG at the conclusion of the 12‐week training p...

Heart Rate Response and Lactic Acid Concentration in Squash Players

Abstract To determine whether the activity of playing squash is sufficiently intense to promote and/or maintain cardiovascular fitness, the heart rate response of ten male subjects (aged 20 to 53 years), was monitored continuously via radio telemetry for a 45-minute playing session. The mean heart rate for the total time of play was determined and intensity was calculated using the Karvonen method of potential heart rate. Maximum heart rate was determined with a continuous, graded bicycle ergometer test. Prior to and 5 minutes after squash play, fingertip blood samples were obtained for lactate analysis. The mean heart rate intensity of squash play was 77.2 ± 6.1 %. Intensities as high as 96% were recorded for 5-minute periods during the playing session. The average game heart rate was attained by the 10th minute of play. Thereafter, a heart rate fluctuation of only six beats was observed for the remaining 35 minutes. Postexercise lactate concentrations ranged from 11 to 57 mg% with a mean of 24.5 ± 13.8 ...