Pre-competition Period Research Articles

Based on Sportomics: Comparison of Physiological Status of Collegiate Sprinters in Different Pre-Competition Preparation Periods.

This study aimed to assess the impact of pre-competition training by comparing the differences of collegiate sprinters in physiological state between strengthening and tapering training period by sportomics and combining their sport performance. Fifteen collegiate sprinters were investigated or tested on their body composition, dietary habits, energy expenditure, sleep efficiency, heart rate and respiratory rate during training, blood (blood cells, biochemical and immune markers) and urine (urinalysis), gut microbiome distribution, microbiome and blood metabolites, and their functions during the strengthening (Group A) and tapering training period (Group B) prior to competing in the national competitions. We found that 26.67% of sprinters achieved personal bests (PB) after the competition. The limb skeletal muscle mass and lymphocyte ratio of male sprinters in Group B were lower than those in Group A, and the serum creatine kinase (CK) level was higher than Group A (p < 0.05). The levels of serum CK, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and urine-specific gravity (SG) of the two groups were higher than the upper limit of the reference value. The detection rates of urine white blood cell (WBC) and protein in Group B were higher than those in Group A. The gut microbiome health index (GMHI) of Group A was higher than that of Group B, and the microbial dysbiosis index was lower than that of Group B. The ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidota (F/B) in Group A was higher than that in Group B. There were 65 differential metabolites in the A/B group, and the enriched pathway was mainly the NF-kappa B signaling pathway (up); B/T cell receptor signaling pathway (up); Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation (up); phenylalanine metabolism (up); and growth hormone synthesis, secretion, and action (up). There were significant differences in blood metabolites between the A and B groups, with a total of 89 differential metabolites, and the enriched pathway was mainly the NF-kappa B signaling pathway (up), T cell receptor signaling pathway (up), Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation (up), and glycerophospholipid metabolism (down). In conclusion, the imbalance of the gut microbiome and inflammation and immune-related metabolites of collegiate sprinters during the pre-competition tapering training period may be the cause of their limited sports performance.

Особливості психологічної підготовки спортсменів у передзмагальний період

The training process is a constantly developing system that needs constant improvement. The effectiveness of the training process depends on many factors, such as: the athlete's psychological preparation, the trainer's qualifications, the athlete's motivation, training conditions, and material and technical support. Psychological preparation of athletes for competitions is a component of general training. It is aimed at the formation and development of psychological qualities necessary for achieving high results in sports activities. Training of professional sportsmen is carried out on the basis of a system of principles: focus on achieving the maximum result; in-depth specialization and taking into account the individual characteristics of the athlete; unity of general and special training; continuity of the training process; the unity of the gradual and maximal increase of training loads; undulation of load dynamics; cyclical training process; unity of physical, technical, tactical, psychological and theoretical training; scientific and methodological support of the training process; control and correction of the training process. The components of the training process are proposed: physical training, technical training, tactical training, psychological training, theoretical training. The study of individual psychological characteristics of the training process, which allow to understand the psychological characteristics of athletes, is of great importance; make it possible to develop effective methods of psychological training of athletes; contribute to improving the performance of athletes. Failure to take into account individual psychological features during the training process of athletes can lead to a decrease in motivation, loss of self-confidence, increased anxiety, loss of concentration and reduced stress resistance. The psychological features of a football player’s/football player’s training activities include: the formation of the player’s confidence in his own abilities, which is formed under the influence of successful and unsuccessful match results, the direct actions of the player or the player in the match, perception and understanding of the situation (game pattern) during the match, logical thinking under the time of a football match, sudden decision-making on a situation that arose during the game, correct understanding of the task set before the player, and the ways and considerations of the solution, the attitude of the coach to the football player, the level of development of cognitive abilities (introspection, planning, goal setting). The psychological features of the training activity of the male and female players depends on the correctness and accuracy of the tasks during training (in the pre-competition period) and their implementation (application, skillful use/application of the coach's instructions/instructions) directly during the football match. The emotional state of a football player can be positively influenced by external factors - the advice of an experienced coach or sports psychologist. In the professional activity of a sports psychologist, there are methods of multi-stage training correction of the athlete's pre-start emotional states, methods of instructions that take into account the trends of modern sports, correction of emotional states by the method of sports coaching, etc. Peculiarities of psychological training of professional soccer players include: mental training, stress management, motivation to achieve sports results, communication interaction. Psychological preparation helps professional football players to optimize their level of preparation for competitions and achieve better results.

Changes in body composition and physical performance of professional mixed martial arts athletes between the preparatory and pre-competitive periods

Introduction: Vertical jump performance is an important measure of leg power and explosiveness in sports. Somatotype, referring to body shape and composition. It may relate to vertical jump capacity. This study aimed to compare vertical jump, peak anaerobic power, and relative anaerobic capabilities between ectomorphic-mesomorph and mesomorphic-ectomorph somatotypes among sedentary male students. Methods: A total number of 26 students participated in this study. Participants underwent anthropometric assessments to determine Heath-Carter somatotype ratings. Additionally, countermovement jumps were performed to evaluate vertical jump height, estimate peak anaerobic power via the Sayers equation, and calculate a power-to-body mass ratio. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between ectomorphic-mesomorphs (n=15) and mesomorphic-ectomorphs (n=11) for vertical jump (54.47 ± 8.33 cm vs 57.09 ± 6.28 cm, p = 0.25), peak anaerobic power (3576 ± 542.01 W vs 3473.47 ± 538.71 W, p = 0.64), or power-to-body mass ratio (69.97 ± 10.51 W/kg vs 65.10 ± 7.46 W/kg, p = 0.18). Conclusion: While this initial study suggested no substantial performance differences based on somatotype, further research with increased statistical power through larger sample sizes is necessary to conclusively determine relationships between physique and anaerobic capacities in the general population. Matching and tracking athletes over sports training may also clarify advantages conferred by morphology alone.

Measurement of Training and Competition Loads in Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics: A Systematic Literature Review

In the long-term performance development of rhythmic gymnasts aged 16–17, athletes enter a high-performance training phase, marked by increased training loads and preparation for international competitions. This study aimed to (1) provide an overview of methods used to capture external and internal training/competition loads in elite rhythmic gymnasts, and (2) identify measurements of external and internal training/competition loads and their responses during monitored periods. Conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, the systematic review included 6 studies out of the 815 initially identified. The most common methods for calculating external training load were hours or minutes per week. Internal measures varied and included objective methods such as heart rate monitoring and biochemical, hormonal, and hematological assessments from saliva and blood samples. Among subjective methods, session-RPE was most frequently used, along with other questionnaires examining recovery, well-being, sleep, and competition anxiety. The analyzed studies integrated diverse external and internal training load variables, delving into their impact on athlete’s biochemical parameters, recovery, and well-being. Pre-competitive and competitive training periods were the focal points of measuring loads. The complex training structure of rhythmic gymnastics can complicate the calculation of training loads. Therefore, more studies are needed to explore the dose-response relationships between training load and training adaptations, fatigue, and recovery.

Kinematics of Two Special Endurance Trials: A Methodological Contribution to 400-m Performance.

This study aimed to determine changes in the kinematics of sprint steps based on progressive muscular fatigue during high-intensity 350-m and 500-m trials. Twelve elite healthy male 400-m sprinters with a minimum of six years of regular sprint training experience were recruited. They were divided into two groups for the experiment: a 350-m and a 500-m trial group. Time and kinematics of sprinting step motion for specific segments, i.e., starting to final stages of each trial, were obtained using the Opto Jump-Microgate optical measurement system. The starting phase of each sprint was defined as the section without muscular fatigue (noF), and the final phase was the sprint under muscular fatigue (onF). Each last 25 m of the 50-m evaluated section containing ten complete running steps was selected for detailed statistical analysis. Various patterns of temporal and spatial variables of sprinting efforts were observed between 350-m and 500-m trials. Each trial result was influenced by significant individual changes (p < 0.05). All variables indicated that the two distances differed significantly in terms of running kinematics. This was confirmed by significant differences in the mean step frequency (p < 0.001), which presented a difference of 11.75%, and the mean step speed (p < 0.001). As a result of these changes, a hierarchical intermittent endurance training pattern was defined. The research concluded that special endurance (intermittent sprints) based on 350 m differed significantly in kinematics from sprints over 500 m. Therefore, it should be assumed that the distance of 350 m is more similar in its kinematics to the 400-m competition. This should encourage coaches and athletes to apply a 350-m distance in training developing special endurance, especially in the pre-competitive and competitive periods.

Training of athletes in archery in the pre-competition period

Training of athletes in archery in the pre-competition period

Lactate contents in the blood of highly qualified football players during the pre-competition period

Relevance. In the realm of elite sports, the necessity for a straightforward, lucid, and dependable assessment of adaptive resources and mechanisms cannot be overstated. Given the prevalence of near maximum loads in athletic endeavors, there exists a propensity for athletes to teeter on the brink of overtraining. The body, being a single whole, responds to any impact, including physical activity, with a set of changes in its indicators. Fundamental research in the field of sports biochemistry carried out in recent decades, and, in particular, on changes in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism under the influence of various sports activities, has made it possible to widely use the parameters of energy metabolism in sports practice. Lactate analysis is a reliable tool for monitoring the training process since changes in lactate levels reflect the intensity of physical activity and the body's adaptation to stress.The purpose of the study was to study the lactate content in the blood of highly qualified football players in the pre-competitive period. The work consists of optimizing the training process to achieve high results in competitions.Methods. The content of lactate in the blood of highly qualified football players in the pre-competition period is being studied, which indicates the importance of this parameter in assessing their physical fitness before competitions. Lactate analysis is an important part of monitoring the training process and allows you to optimize it to achieve the highest results in competitions. To conduct blood lactate testing, a portable lactate analyzer Lactate Plus (Sports) was used.Conclusions. Optimization of the training process provides coaches and medical personnel with information about the reaction of football player's bodies to training loads in the pre-competition period and helps adapt training programs to the individual needs of each athlete.

The Cardiorespiratory Endurance (VO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;max), Body Composition and Macronutrient's Intake in the Pre-competitive Period: A Correlation Study among Moroccan Professional Soccer Players

The Cardiorespiratory Endurance (VO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;max), Body Composition and Macronutrient's Intake in the Pre-competitive Period: A Correlation Study among Moroccan Professional Soccer Players

Взаимосвязь психических процессов с технической подготовленностью у баскетболисток 14–15 лет

For effective competitive activity in youth basketball, it is necessary to take into account both external and internal factors, since they influence the quality of technical actions in situations of confrontation with an opponent. Features of feeling and perception, as well as the speed of processing information coming from the outside, are closely related to the issues of players finding optimal solutions, which means that the coach needs to properly influence them. The athlete’s readiness for professional activity at the level of mental processes (switching attention, error correction, perception of information, etc.) becomes increasingly important and determines the relevance of this study. The research aims to reveal correlations between the technical preparedness and mental processes of basketball players aged 14–15 in the pre-competition period of training. The research objective is to determine the level of interrelations between technical preparedness and the nature of the course of mental processes of basketball players aged 14–15 based on a correlation analysis of data using the nonparametric Spearman criterion. The level of technical readiness was determined by the indicator of the shuttle run completion time, dribbling for 20 meters, figure-eight dribbling for 20 meters, dribbling and shooting, execution time and accuracy of hitting shots from medium and long distances, and free throws. Mental processes were assessed according to the data of the type of information perception (visual, kinesthetic, audial), motor response rates, estimates of time intervals, memory capacity, switching, and attention selectivity. The work was carried out in October 2020 and involved 16 female basketball players aged 14–15. The results of the correlation analysis allowed us to establish the presence of triple, double, and single connections between mental processes and indicators of technical preparedness. The largest number of connections was revealed in the following indicators: attention switching, individual minute, number of throws in motion, and long throw. The established direct and feedback links are described at high and medium levels of significance. The presence of numerous links between the indicators of technical preparedness and mental processes associated with the perception and processing of information at high and medium levels indicates the need for targeted training of basketball players aged 14–15 to teach the ability to manage sensory-perceptual processes, distinctive sensitivity, modality of information perception, operational thinking, and attention.

Norwegian double-threshold method in distance running

This study aimed to give a systematic literature review about the training of elite Norwegian long-distance runners (1500-10.000 meters). After a search in databases, we found 7 articles, that have systematically registered the training volume and intensity distribution of 13 elite runners over longer periods (n = 13). The results were the following: the best long-distance runners run 120 to 180 kilometers per week on average. The waist majority of this training (75-80 %) is done at low intensity (62-82% HRmax). Two to four sessions are done at the anaerobic threshold pace (82-20% HRmax), either in continuous or interval format during the base period, often done twice on the same day. One to two times weekly higher intensity sessions (&gt;97% HRmax) are done, in form of short intervals (&gt;800m) or short sprints. Longer intervals, above the anaerobic threshold (92-97 % HRmax) are rarely used during the base period. The training is closely monitored by a lactate meter or heart rate monitor. Before the racing season, in the pre-competition period, the athletes do fewer workouts at an anaerobic threshold pace and increase the number of sessions at a specific race pace.

Different effects of four rest periods after the last weekly training session on young male professional soccer players’ physical performance

The main aim of this study was to analyze the optimal pre-competitive recovery period for young male professional soccer players to be in the best conditions to achieve a higher physical performance. Seventeen young male professional soccer players (age: 20.7 ± 1.0 years) who participated in the Tunisian soccer league participated in this study. Players underwent a fitness test battery after four different recovery periods: 12, 24, 36, and 48h following their last training session. The battery fitness test included a linear sprint test (i.e., 5 and 20m distances), squat jumps (SJ), countermovement jumps (CMJ), ball shooting test, a Yo-yo endurance intermittent test (YYIRT-1) and a 15-m ball dribbling agility test (Ag). The main findings indicated that the 12h recovery period resulted in better performance in the 5m sprint test compared to 36h, as well as in the SJs and CMJs as compared to the 48h recovery period. Additionally, the 24h recovery period showed significantly better results in the 20-m sprint test compared to all other recovery periods, as well as in the SJ and Ag tests compared to the 48h recovery period. In practical terms, these findings suggest that coaches should consider scheduling the last training session for soccer players 12-24h before the match to enhance their physical performance, particularly in linear sprinting, vertical jumps, and agility variables. However, in situations where it is not possible to adjust the timing of the last training session, an alternative approach is to incorporate "priming-day" exercises on the match day, around 6-8h prior to the competition.

Protein expression changes in Tibetan middle-to-long distance runners after the transition from high altitude to low altitude: Implications for enhancing endurance training

The study aims to investigate the differences in protein expressions in Xizang's (Tibetan) middle-to-long distance runners after the transition from high altitude to low altitude and reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying their enhanced middle-to-long distance running performance. In the study, eleven subjects were selected from native Tibetan middle-to-long distance runners to participate in an 8-week pre-competition exercise training program consisting of a 6-week training stage in Kangding City at an altitude of 2 560 meters (m) and a subsequent 2-week training stage in Leshan City at an altitude of 360 ​m. Blood samples were collected twice from the runners before beginning altitude exercise training in Kangding and after going to sea level - Leshan City. Using a label-free quantitative method, peptides in the samples were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Proteomic analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed proteins and predict their biological functions. A total of 846 proteins were identified in the 21 samples, including 719 quantified proteins. In total, 49 significantly differentially expressed proteins (p ​< ​0.05) were identified, including twenty-eight 0.2-fold up-regulated proteins or twenty-one 0.17-fold down-regulated proteins. The up-regulated proteins, including cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and carbonic anhydrase I (CAI), were of particular interest due to their role in regulating the oxygen saturation in deep tissues. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated that these proteins were mainly involved in regulating actin cytoskeleton, local adhesion, biotin absorption and metabolism, immune system, cancer, and membrane transport processes. In conclusion, Tibetan middle-to-long distance runners who resided in high-altitude areas benefited from repeated plateau-plain alternate training mode during the pre-competition period. The training mode induced positive changes in peripheral blood plasma proteins (CFTR and CAI), the biomarkers associated with aerobic capacity. Among the 11 runners, one female athlete won the gold medal in the 3 000-m running event in this competition, demonstrating that the plateau-plain alternate training mode could enhance the aerobic capacity of athletes.

Training Load Is Correlated with Changes in Creatine Kinase and Wellness over a 12-Week Multi-Stage Preparatory Training Block for a Major Competition in International Boxers

Background: There are no published data on the training-load magnitude or distribution in elite international-level boxers preparing for a major competition nor on the training load’s relationship with objective and subjective training markers. Methods: Twelve elite boxers (eight males and four females) preparing for the 2018 Commonwealth Games were monitored during training for 12 weeks. The training load (TL), change in creatine kinase (ΔCK), and wellness variables were measured daily but were amalgamated into average weekly values over the 12-week period for weekly comparisons. The relationships between the TL, ΔCK, and wellness variables were also assessed. Results: The significant (p &lt; 0.001) main effects of the week with large and moderate effect sizes were noted for the TL and ΔCK, respectively, with weeks 9 and 12 in the competition-specific and taper phases showing the greatest differences, respectively. For wellness, only the muscle condition showed a significant change over time (p &lt; 0.001). There were significant (p &lt; 0.05) small–moderate correlations between the TL, ΔCK, and wellness variables. Conclusions: This is the first study to describe the weekly training loads and responses to training of elite international boxers across a 12-week pre-competition training period in preparation for a major competition. The findings within this study report that elite international boxers have high chronic training loads that change between training blocks to put emphasis on different qualities. Monitoring the indirect muscle damage through CK may provide further information on the internal training responses in boxers.

Pharmacological correction of adaptive asthenia in high-class athletes

BACKGROUND: Metabolic protectors containing (Mexicor, Cytoflavin, Metaprot Plus) or not containing (Emoxipin, Riboxin, Metaprot) succinate in their structure showed a sufficiently high clinical efficacy in eliminating or reducing the asthenic symptom complex in athletes with overtraining.&#x0D; AIM: The aim of the study was to develop the principles of rational pharmacological correction of asthenic symptom complex in high performance athletes using succinate-free and succinate-containing metabolic protectors (Mexicor, Riboxin/Cytoflavin, Metaprot/Metaprot Plus).&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 104 high-class athletes of various specializations, which was conducted during the period of the athletes training camps in the pre-competitive period. Due to the high physical and mental stress in the pre-competition period and the focus on competitive selection for responsible international competitions, a short (15 days) study period was used. The maximum loads in athletes were achieved by the end of the 7th day of training, followed by stabilization of the loads and its optimization by the 15th day. The work was performed in compliance with all the rules of evidence-based medicine and ethical standards of work (obtaining informed consent, randomization, the use of a double-blind placebo-controlled method of treatment, valid methods of statistical evaluation).&#x0D; RESULTS: The course prescription of succinate-containing metabolic protectors during the period of preparation for competitions had a favorable effect on the restoration of high functional indicators, which is confirmed by an objective assessment of the functional state of athletes, data from biochemical studies of metabolism (carbohydrate, protein and fat), as well as the oxidative status of athletes. In the groups of athletes who received metabolic protectors, recovery was more active than in the placebo group, this was especially noticeable in the groups that received Metaprot plus, Metaprot and Сytoflavin, to a lesser extent Мexicor and Riboxin. In the latter case, the indicators in the stress tests of Stange and Gench were not fully restored, which was also reflected in the reduced Bogomazov index. It is important to emphasize that the indicators of physical endurance (PWC170) reached the values of the initial period, which indicates the optimization of loads under the influence of metabolic agents.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: The most effective in restoring the functional state of high-class athletes are succinate-containing metabolic agents (Metaprot plus, Cytoflavin, Mexicor) and to a lesser extent (in comparison with them) drugs that do not contain succinic acid (Riboxin, partly Metaprot). LPO indicators, initially somewhat elevated in athletes, showed a tendency to normalize under the influence of the appointment of metabolic protectors. Almost all studied preparations showed activity according to these tests, although the most pronounced positive changes were registered after the appointment of Мetaprot plus, Мetaprot and Сytoflavin. Mexicor and Riboxin were somewhat less active in all studied parameters.

Comparison of Body Compositions among Endurance, Strength, and Team Sports Athletes

Regular monitoring and evaluation of body composition determine an athlete’s output, such as their probability of winning competitions. The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in athletes’ body composition among several sports categories. The data collected were on 251 athletes aged 20 to 30 years during the pre-competition period. The subjects were divided into three groups: endurance, power, and team sports. SECA 515mBCA was used to analyze the athletes’ body composition, which included their body fat percentage (BFP), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), skeletal muscle mass (SMM), total body water (TBW), and extracellular water (ECW). The results showed that all body composition parameters were lowest in the endurance category. Fat composition was lowest in the endurance category but did not differ significantly between categories in male athletes. Meanwhile, in female athletes, there was a significant difference in FM between sports categories (p=0.009). FFM, SMM, TBW, and ECW differed significantly between categories (p&lt;0.05). In female athletes, these variables were higher in the team sports category, as opposed to the power category among male athletes. This study concluded that there were differences in lean body mass composition between sport categories, while fat mass did not differ between sport categories in male athletes. This can be attributed to the differences in training programs and needs of each sport category in maximizing performance. These findings can provide advice to sports professionals that each sport category has its own body composition specifications.

Influence of Practice Periodization and Sleep Duration on Oxidative Stress in High School Judo Athletes.

Numerous research studies have investigated the relationship between exercise, oxidative stress level, and condition in athletes who engage in intense training on a daily basis. However, it is known that oxidative stress is affected by exercise, sleep, and the psychological state, but there are only a few studies that have comprehensively examined oxidative stress based on the actual practice periods and living conditions of athletes. Therefore, our study aimed to explore the influence of three distinct training periods (short training period, intensive training period, and pre-competition periods) as well as life situations (sleep and number of steps) on oxidative stress levels (diacron reactive oxygen metabolites: d-ROMs) in high school judo athletes. The results showed that, among the three periods, the level of oxidative stress increased the most during the pre-competition period, and the value was higher than during the training period, when the intensity of training was highest. The levels of the d-ROMs values during the pre-competition period were negatively correlated with the amount of sleep on the previous day. The findings suggest that, besides the exercise intensity, factors such as sleep duration and other life situations should be regarded as critical considerations for high school judo athletes.

The effect of antioxidants on lipid peroxidation in modern pentathlon athletes

Analysis of the data of modern literature on this problem, as well as the results of previous studies Stankevych L.G, Zemtsova I.I. (2014), showed that a significant acceleration of free radical oxidation processes, under various nonspecific effects on the body, which occurs in tissues and organs during physical activity, can lead to the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids (SFA) of membrane lipids, which causes a change in the physicochemical properties of the membranes and leads to changes in the concentration of a number of organic and inorganic components in the cell, the release of enzymes, amino acids, and trace elements from the cell and subcellular formations, which can reduce sports performance and slow down recovery processes. One of the ways to solve this problem is to use antioxidants in muscle activity; data on their use as nonspecific means of stimulating the effectiveness of training activity are often scattered and contradictory and therefore require further clarification. Objective: To substantiate the possibility of regulating the adaptive reactions of modern pentathlon athletes in the pre-competition period by targeted correction of the state of the AO system with the help of antioxidants. Results: Under the influence of the AO-complex, a decrease in the content of MDA was found both at rest and after exercise, which indicates an increased reserve of the body's AO system. The study of the state of individual links of the AO system under the influence of the AO complex revealed a significant activity of SOD and CAT after exercise (10 km) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusions. The conducted studies of the antioxidant status of the body of athletes are of great practical importance, since they allow us to recommend the use of agents with antioxidant properties for the implementation of anti-stress measures during competitions, to increase the antioxidant reserve of the body and to preserve the health of athletes.

The effect of a nutrition program for weight loss during the pre-competition period on the body composition, hydration, and mood profile of elite Greco–Roman wrestlers

The effect of a nutrition program for weight loss during the pre-competition period on the body composition, hydration, and mood profile of elite Greco–Roman wrestlers

Assessment of the psychophysiological and functional state of basketball students in the pre-competition period

Objective: to assess the psychophysiological and functional state of the body of basketball students in the pre-competition period.Materials and methods: the study involved female basketball students with a sports category (girls, n = 18) in the pre-competition period. The article presents an analysis of the results of the psychophysiological and functional state of the body of the examined, obtained through the use of complex control using psychodiagnostic and functional research methods.Results: indicators of psychodiagnostic techniques characterize the insufficient development of the studied properties of attention for those engaged in playing sports and the fitness of the functional abilities of the leading hand of basketball players. The revealed data of the tapping test correspond to the criterion of the lower limit of optimal performance, which causes insufficient physical readiness for competitive activity. The obtained results of temporal and spectral indicators of heart rate variability were not typical for students engaged in playing sports, which causes an increase in the degree of tension of regulatory systems and characterizes the development of fatigue in the pre-competition period of the surveyed athletes. The use of the spirometric method determined the discrepancy between the results obtained and the proper values characteristic of the weight and height parameters of the subjects, which indicates violations of the ventilatory function of the lungs and reduced respiratory musculature capabilities of basketball students.Conclusion: the analysis of the obtained data on the psychophysiological and functional state of the body of basketball students in the pre-competition period determines the need to build a training process with the inclusion of psychological and pedagogical training aimed at expanding the physiological reserves of functional systems, improving the psychomotor properties of the body that determine the success of competitive activity and increasing the share of training effects aimed at improving the quality of strength endurance.

Effect of 4 weeks of plyometric training in the pre-competitive period on volleyball athletes’ performance

We aimed to evaluate the effect of 4 weeks of plyometric training (PT), performed in the pre-competitive period, on the vertical jump performance of professional volleyball athletes. We recruited 17 professional female volleyball players (age: 19 ± 3 years; weight: 67.2 ± 5.50 kg; height: 1.81 ± 0.22 m; body fat: 14.4 ± 2.12%; squat 1RM test: 75.5 ± 7.82 kg; training time experience: 6.2 ± 3.4 years) to participate in four weeks of training and assessments. They were divided into an experimental group (EG = 9) and a control group (CG = 8). Both groups were submitted to friendly matches, technical, tactical and resistance training (4 weeks/˜9 sessions per week), and internal load monitoring was carried out. The EG performed PT twice a week. At the beginning and end of the four weeks, jump tests were performed. The main findings are: 1) PT when incorporated into the pre-competitive period can induce greater improvements in jumping performance (EG = 28.93 ± 3.24 cm to 31.67 ± 3.39 cm; CG = 27.91 ± 4.64 cm to 28.97 ± 4.58 cm; when comparing the percentage delta, we found a difference between groups with ES of 1.04 and P = 0.02); 2) this result is observed when the training load is similar between groups and increases over the weeks, respecting the linear progression principle. Therefore, including plyometric training in the preparatory period for volleyball, with low monotony and training strain increment, is an effective strategy for further CMJ performance improvement.