Spanish Elite Research Articles

Differences in Diet Assessment and Body Composition among Young Spanish Elite Footballers: Morning Training vs. Evening Training

The training schedule is a factor that influences sports performance optimization. In a sport like soccer, there is often significant disparity in training schedules among different teams within the same club, without considering whether this may affect players’ performance. The aim of this study was to describe differences in nutrient intake and body composition in elite youth soccer players from the Spanish league with different training schedules (morning and evening). A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine differences in anthropometric variables and dietary assessment in a sample of Spanish young soccer players. A total of 41 players participated in this study. After comparing the groups according to their training schedule, no differences were observed in body composition between both groups; the evening-night training group showed higher consumption of lipids and saturated fats. In summary, more experimental studies are needed to determine the effects on various health and performance parameters of different training schedules in young population.

Relationship of Vitamin D Status with Biomarkers of Muscle Damage and Body Composition in Spanish Elite Female Football Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Recently, there has been a growing interest in relation to the female athlete, especially in widespread disciplines such as football. Concerns about vitamin D deficiency status have recently been considered due to its effects on the performance and health status of female footballers. However, its relationship to body composition and muscle damage in female football athletes remains unclear to date. The purpose of the present study was to analyse the association of the vitamin D status of Spanish elite female football players with anthropometric variables and markers of muscle damage. Ethical consent was obtained from a total of 21 players from a Spanish elite women’s football team (20–33 years). Anthropometric analysis was carried out according to the standardised protocol of the International Society for the Advancement of Kineanthropometry (ISAK). The clinical analyses, based on urine and blood samples, were carried out by the club’s medical staff at the start of the season in the early morning in a fasting state. The athletes were also asked about the regularity of their menstrual cycle and some dietary habits. Thirty-three percent of the female athletes had vitamin D levels below the reference values. Significantly higher FM values were observed in athletes with low vitamin D status (p < 0.05), as well as statistically significant negative correlations between vitamin D levels and FM (p < 0.05) in the group of female players with vitamin D levels below the baseline values. No significant associations were observed between markers of muscle damage and the other variables. Complementing an assessment of body composition with a biochemical analysis of vitamin D levels may be an interesting strategy in the process of monitoring the elite female football player throughout the season.

Anxiety, eating disorders and menstrual disturbances risk in Spanish elite female paddlers

Affiliated athletes are frequently subject to higher levels of anxiety due to the intensity of training, competition and many other factors. This anxiety can cause alterations in their health, both physically and mentally, such as menstrual irregularities, eating disorders, etc. In this work we have analysed the anxiety levels of a population of female affiliated paddlers and the possible consequences for their health. The results showed that a third of the female paddlers analysed have a moderate/high risk of suffering from anxiety; and within this group, the less sporting experience the athlete has, the greater the probability is of suffering from anxiety. Moreover, almost half the total of the female paddlers suffers from menstrual dysfunction before an important competition, with this number rising among high performance athletes, even though three out of every four adjust their training schedule to their menstrual cycle. Less-experienced female athletes, who show higher anxiety levels, also present a greater risk of suffering from eating disorders.

Examining social support and self-esteem in high-performance sportswomen in Spain

The purpose of this study was to determine whether perceived social support is related to self-esteem and the type of sport performed by elite female athletes. 243 Spanish elite female athletes completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The results show that the greatest social support for high-performance sportswomen is family. The social support of the family and the group of friends has an impact on their self-esteem. Athletes who practice team sports versus those who practice individual sports have higher self-esteem and perceive friends as their main social support. In addition, family social support predicts self-esteem.

Mapping talent pathways: A comparative study of developmental activities and practice structure in Brazilian and Spanish U-18 elite youth male soccer players

The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to compare the engagement in various types and amounts of soccer activities during childhood and adolescence between Brazilian and Spanish elite youth soccer players; (2) to test what talent development pathway characterizes youth development in elite soccer in Brazil and Spain and (3) to compare the practice structure between elite youth soccer in Brazil and Spain. Participants were 131 U-18 elite male soccer players from Brazil ( n = 68) and Spain ( n = 63) competing in the national league. The Participant History Questionnaire was used to measure the soccer activities undertaken by players. Developmental activities were analyzed for two age periods: childhood (6–12 y/o) and early adolescence (13–15 y/o). In Spain, players started their involvement in practice and competition in soccer earlier compared to Brazilian players ( p < .05). Brazilian players were more involved in structured activities, such as practice in soccer and futsal, and participated in a greater number of sports in childhood and early adolescence ( p < .05). We found a very similar percentual practice structure (individual, pair, drills, group tactics and collective tactics activities) between Spain and Brazil, although Brazilian players accumulated a greater practice volume. It is concluded that Spanish and Brazilian U-18 elite youth male soccer players were differentiated by their milestones in soccer and their engagement in practice activities during childhood and early adolescence. Talent development pathway of male soccer players in Spain was characterized by the early engagement pathway, while the Brazilian system was characterized by the specialized sampling model.

Epidemiology of injuries in Spanish elite throwers

Epidemiology of injuries in Spanish elite throwers

Efecto de la edad relativa en el balonmano profesional español

In sport, classifying players during the training period according to their year of birth generates inequalities in terms of the number of learning opportunities. This study investigates the effect of relative age at the highest levels of Spanish handball. Its presence is analyzed and it is observed whether gender and nationality variables influence it. For this purpose, the dates of birth, gender and nationality of 1141 male and female players in the two main Spanish leagues (Liga ASOBAL and Liga Guerreras Iberdrola) were collected during 3 seasons. After classifying them by year of birth, assuming an equitable distribution, the results only showed significant differences in the case of male handball (χ² = 5.04; p = 0.02) with a RAE Coefficient value of 1.20. The distribution in the case of female players was more homogeneous. When observing the sample based on nationality, the greatest differences occurred in foreign players (χ² = 7.20; p = 0.01) with a RAE Coefficient value of 1.45. Therefore, it can be stated that the RAE due to the year of birth only influences Spanish elite men's handball, caused by those international players who play in the ASOBAL League teams. The presence of these foreign athletes is the cause of the only differences observed between the groups analyzed.

Nitric Oxide in the Field: Prevalence and Use of Nitrates by Dietitians and Nutritionists in Spanish Elite Soccer.

Soccer players make frequent use of dietary supplements to improve performance. One of the most widely used strategies to optimize performance is to increase the bioavailability of nitric oxide through nitrates, as it could delay fatigue during physical exertion, among other benefits. This may be positive for performance in soccer, although there is almost no research in professional soccer. The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of nitrates and behaviours related to their consumption in Spanish elite soccer clubs. Dietitian-nutritionist representatives from 45 teams from the most important Spanish soccer leagues completed an online survey to determine if, when, how and why nitrates are prescribed to soccer players. Of the total sample, 55.6% indicated providing nitrates, always before matches, but only 36% in training. There was a wide variation and lack of consistency in the timing, dosage and form of administration of nitrates. The use of mouthwashes or the protocol of chronic nitrate intake was not taken into account in most cases. The present study indicates a lack of interpretation between scientific knowledge and its application in practice, highlighting the need for future research to better understand how to optimize the use of nitrates in professional soccer.

Anthropometric Values in Spanish Elite Soccer: Differences between Divisions and Playing Positions

Body composition is an important factor in a soccer player’s performance, and anthropometry is one of the most widely used methods of measurement. The physical demands of Spanish soccer have evolved over time, so the ideal body composition requirements must be adapted to the present day. The aim of this study was to describe the anthropometric and body composition profiles of professional soccer players in the second, second B, and third divisions during the 2019–2020 season in order to compare the anthropometric parameters of players among positions and competitive divisions. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine differences in kinanthropometric and derived variables in a sample of Spanish soccer players. A total of 615 soccer players from the second (116 players), second B (310 players), and third (189 players) divisions participated in this study. After comparing the groups according to the playing position and category, it was observed that at higher levels of play, soccer players show lower values of fat mass (FM) and higher values of muscle mass (MM) and bone mass (BM); at lower levels of play, soccer players show more anthropometric differences between playing positions. Lastly, the somatotype of the elite soccer player is balanced mesomorphic, with higher levels of mesomorphy at higher levels of play. In summary, this is the first study to evaluate the body composition of the different Spanish soccer divisions.

Prospective and Retrospective Analysis of the Sporting Success of Elite Spanish High and Long Jumpers.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the sporting progression from U14 to senior categories of elite Spanish high and long jumpers. For prospective analysis, 300 athletes ranked top 20 at U14 were analyzed (153 female and 147 male). For retrospective analysis, 64 athletes ranked in the top 20 in the senior category were included (21 female and 43 male). Ranking positions were registered in each of the seasons where they presented records. Only 6.3% (19) of athletes who reached the top 20 at U14 became successful senior athletes [4.7% (14) of athletes maintained top 20 status throughout their sporting careers from U14 to senior]. The transition rate from U14 to U16 (35.7%) was the most severe drop down in consecutive categories (after this, it ranged from 47.8 to 66.7%). Of the senior top 20 athletes (64), most of them were already ranked top 20 at U16 (59.4%, 38), at U18 (62.5%, 40), at U20 (70.3%, 45) and at U23 (78.1%, 50). Nevertheless, only 34.4% (22) were top 20 when they were U14 athletes. Transition rates in the top 20 senior athletes ranged from 86.7 to 95.5%. Around one out of four (26.6%, 17) of the top 20 senior athletes maintained top 20 status throughout their sporting careers from U14 to the senior category. Although early success is not a good predictor of senior success, successful senior athletes excelled early on and were able to remain in top rankings throughout their sporting careers of national elite jumpers.

Dietary Habits of Elite Soccer Players: Variations According to Competitive Level, Playing Position and Sex.

Soccer is a sport practiced worldwide by both men and women, where nutrition plays a fundamental role in the performance of soccer players, providing them with the nutrients necessary for energy, muscle recovery and injury prevention. The aim of this study is to describe the dietary habits in elite soccer players and their association with their competitive level, playing position and sex. A descriptive and non-experimental comparative study was conducted during the 2021-2022 competitive season. A total of 105 players belonging to a Spanish elite soccer team completed a food frequency questionnaire (FCFQ). It was observed that male players presented a higher consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods (p < 0.05), fermented foods (p = 0.014), frozen foods (p = 0.049) and red meat (p = 0.012) compared to female players, with the exception of lean meats, which were higher in females (p = 0.012). Furthermore, the U16-15 categories stand out for consuming carbohydrate-rich foods such as pasta (p = 0.000), bread (p = 0.004) and sweets (p = 0.046), as well as frozen foods (p = 0.002). Finally, alcohol consumption is higher in the senior categories (42.9%), where men are more likely to drink mixed drinks (6.2%), and beer and wine by women (10.7%). Practically no differences were found between the playing positions. In conclusion, differences were found in FCFQ according to competitive level and sex.

Emotional Intelligence in Spanish Elite Athletes: Is There a Differential Factor between Sports?

Emotional intelligence is a determinant factor in sports performance. The present study analysed differences in total emotional intelligence and its four dimensions in 2166 Spanish athletes (25.20 ± 10.17 years) from eight sports (volleyball, track and field, shooting, football, basketball, handball, gymnastics, and judo). A total of 1200 men and 966 women answered anonymously using a Google Forms questionnaire sent via WhatsApp about demographics and psychological variables. A Pearson correlation was conducted to assess the age-emotional intelligence relationship. An independent T-test and One-Way ANOVA were carried out to check for age differences between biological sex and sport and a One-Way ANCOVA to determine differences between sports controlled by age. Age differences were observed by sex and sport (p < 0.001). An association was found between age and emotional intelligence dimensions (p < 0.001), except for other's emotional appraisal (p > 0.05). Judo was the sport with the highest levels of regulation of emotions, other's emotional appraisal, use of emotion, and total emotional intelligence (p < 0.05). Generally, emotional intelligence was found to be more developed in individual sports than in team sports, except football. Consequently, psychological skills like emotional intelligence could be critical to achieving high performance, depending on the sport.

Incidence of Injuries in Elite Spanish Male Youth Football Players: A Season-Long Study with Under-10 to Under-18 Athletes

The aim of this study was to analyse the injuries sustained by youth football players from a professional team of the Spanish League integrated into an elite academy, considering the sporting context, the month, and the category of the player throughout the 2017–2018 football season. A total of 227 players in under (U) age categories from U-10 to U-18, with two age-groups in each category (A and B), except U-18, with three groups (A, B and, C), were evaluated. Of the 242 cases, 196 injuries were observed. Injury recurrence or different injuries were observed in the same football player during the season, specifically in the older age categories. With regard to the location of injuries, sixteen different parts of the body were associated with injuries, with five of those totalizing the majority of incidence (162 injuries): the ankle (19), the foot (10), the hip (22), the knee (27), and the thigh (74). A negative relationship was observed between the sporting context and the number of injuries sustained (Rho = −0.203; p = 0.002), and a positive relationship between the category and the number of injuries was identified (Rho = 0.488; p &lt; 0.001). Of the total, 118 injuries were sustained during training (62.8%), 70 were sustained in competitive moments (37.2%), and the remaining cases were associated with accidents outside football. The majority of injuries were muscular (101), followed by articular injuries (49), with both combined accounting for 150 of the total injuries. Though no relationship was observed between month and number of injuries (Rho = −0.024; p = 0.707), the months associated with the restart of training routines after interruptions (August, September, and January) were the highest, other than May, in which the highest number of injuries was observed. The findings in this study suggested that it is advisable to carry out a greater number of hours of injury prevention training in U-16 and U-18. Coaches should routinely monitor young players’ development in order to adapt and balance training interventions to individual needs, and they should consider implementing specific injury risk mitigation strategies in youth football based on the long-term development of the football players. Additionally, it is our understanding that it is essential to program, perform, and monitor specific training sessions or even specific training tasks considering the player’s category and long-term sporting development.

Relación entre la velocidad de lanzamiento y la fuerza específica evaluada a través de dinamometría electromecánica funcional (DEMF) en jugadores de balonmano

Objective. To study the relationship between the specific strength in handball, assessed with Functional Electromechanical Dynamometer (FEMD), and throwing velocity. Methods. Thirteen Spanish elite handball players were evaluated (28.77 ± 4.81 years, 90.19 ± 13.07 kg y 1.86 ± 0.10 m) during the preseason. A day of familiarization with the throwing velocity and strength test with FEMD was performed. One week later, the assessment of specific strength, including the upper and lower body (unilateral pullover test and step forward test) and throwing velocity was conducted by the subjects. Results. Significant correlations were found between (i) throwing velocity peak and isometric strength mean in unilateral pullover test with the dominant hand (r = 0.548, p = 0.05), and (ii) between throwing velocity peak and step forward test with the dominant leg (r = 0.628, p = 0.02). Conclusion. Training exercises closer to real game situations are positively related to performance enhancement in handball players. Therefore, the use of devices that allow the assessment and training at the same time in specific situations, should be extended in the sport coaches and researches.

MOTNJE HRANJENJA ŠPANSKIH TELOVADCEV IN TELOVADK GLEDE NA SPOL IN RAVEN TEKMOVANJA

&#x0D; The aim of this study was to assess the body composition and the risk of developing an eating disorder (ED) in two groups of Spanish elite acrobatic gymnasts. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted, where 130 acrobatic gymnasts aged 9 to 21 and registered with the Spanish federation voluntarily participated; 56 of them were competing at the international level and 74 at the national level. Height and weight measures were used to calculate body mass index (BMI) and skinfolds were measured to determine the percentage of body fat. The Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-3-RF) was applied to assess the ED variables. The results revealed that the majority of gymnasts presented normal weight (BMI) and a low % body fat, and the international-level gymnasts showed lower values than national-level ones. 52.6% of the gymnasts in this study were at risk of developing an ED. As regards the scales, the scores related to drive for thinness were noteworthy, especially in women competing at the international level, who reported greater concern about weight and body image. The international-level gymnasts met most of the referring criteria; in particular, most senior gymnasts met criterion 3. There was an average percentage of gymnasts at risk of developing an ED. The risk factors were more noticeable among female international-level gymnasts, who presented greater drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction.&#x0D;

Why are there no female coaches in elite women’s soccer? A qualitative study of Spanish female coaches

Spanish soccer coaching is almost exclusively male-dominated. Even in women’s soccer, women rarely have the opportunity to develop as coaches. Although some female ex-players have coached youth teams, very few have made it to directing elite female teams. The objective of this research was to examine the opinions of women coaches who have reached an elite level to understand the shortage of female coaches in Spanish women’s soccer. Fifteen female coaches with a mean coaching experience of 14 years underwent semi-structured interviews. The main factors identified as barriers were work conditions, low pay, gender stereotypes, lack of female role models, and a lack of effective hiring strategies. Despite this, it seems that, besides external discrimination, decisions made by women themselves have contributed to the lack of female coaches in Spanish elite women’s soccer.

A Holistic Vision of the Academic and Sports Development of Elite Spanish Track and Field Athletes.

Combining sports and studies could be stressful, but beneficial for the athletes' career development. This study explores resources and barriers in the combination of the sports and academic life spheres during the lifespan of elite Spanish track-and-field athletes. Seven elite Spanish track-and-field athletes participated in a semistructured interview about their experiences to establish a dual career combining sports and studies/work. Interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) followed to analyze data. Findings show that elite Spanish track-and-field athletes face educational and institutional barriers to developing a dual career. Time management, social support, and additional resources could play a key role in the success or failure to develop a dual career. This study shows that, to overcome dual-career barriers, athletes are resourceful if social support is provided at both the micro (coaches, families, etc.) and macro (political and educational institutions) levels. It also shows that pursuing an academic career can help in alleviating inherent tensions to athletic life and in finding personal balance.

Mortality of Spanish soccer referees and coaches: a retrospective cohort study

ABSTRACT There is evidence that elite soccer players live longer than general population, but there is no information on soccer coaches and referees. We aimed to analyze the longevity of both professionals, comparing them with soccer players and with general population. In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 328 male Spanish soccer coaches, 287 referees, and 1230 soccer players, all born before 1950, were divided in two cohorts, matched 2:1 with coaches and referees. We compared the survival of the cohorts with the Kaplan–Meier estimator and significance with the log-rank test. We calculated hazard ratios of death for coaches and referees compared with male Spanish general population of the same period. Differences in survival among cohorts were found, but they did not reach statistical significance. The estimated median survival time was 80.1 years (95% CI 77.7–82.4) for referees, 78 years (95% CI 76.6–79.3) for coaches, 78.8 years (95% CI 77.6–80) for referees matched with players, and 76.6 years (95% CI 75.3–77.9) for coaches matched with players. Both coaches and referees had lower mortality than general population, but this advantage disappeared after 80 years of age. We found no differences in longevity among Spanish elite soccer referees, coaches and players born before 1950. Both coaches and referees had lower mortality than general population, but this advantage disappeared after 80 years of age.

An Explanatory Model of Doping Susceptibility Examining Morality in Elite Track and Field Athletes: A Logistic Regression Analysis

The aim of the present study was to develop an explanatory model of doping susceptibility among competitive track and field athletes using a logistic regression analysis accounting for some morality-related variables which were not explored in previous studies. A total of 281 Spanish elite track and field athletes (49.5% women, 48.4% have competed with the national team) completed an online survey measuring different constructs in relation to doping susceptibility. The final model demonstrated that nutritional supplements (OR: 2.39; CI: 1.16–4.90; p &lt; 0.05), moral disengagement (OR: 2.17; CI: 1.48–3.19; p &lt; 0.001), acceptance of gamesmanship (OR: 1.29; CI: 1.12–1.49; p &lt; 0.001), and descriptive norms (OR: 1.21; CI: 1.04–1.41; p &lt; 0.05) are the factors better explaining doping susceptibility. The profile of the athlete at risk of being more susceptible to doping is represented by someone who is aged under 20 years, believes that doping is present in his/her sport, has positive attitudes of acceptance of gamesmanship, is morally disconnected from doping, and frequently consumes nutritional supplements. It is recommended to deliver education related to the use of sports supplements and potential ill-effects of performance-enhancing substances or methods, and to engage athletes in doping prevention programs at an early age.

Epidemiology of the Injuries Sustained by Elite Spanish under-18 and under-20 Rugby Players.

This study examines the injuries suffered by players (n=166) of the Spanish national men's under-18 and under-20 rugby teams between 2015 and 2017, and identifies the actions involved in their occurrence. All injuries (total n=78) sustained during matches and training were recorded as recommended by World Rugby, and injury incidence rates per 1000 player-hours (ph) calculated for both types of activity. Injuries occurred more commonly during matches than during training (incidence 105.3 [95% CI: 78.7-131.9] per 1000 [ph] of match play, vs 1.16 [95% CI: 0.69-1.62] per 1000 ph of training), and most days absent per 1000 ph during matches with<3 days rest since the previous match (4209.2 [95% CI: 3516.2-4902.1] per 1000 ph of match play, vs 1947.4 [95% CI: 1511.8-2382.9] per 1000 ph of match play in matches with>3 days rest). These results provide information that may be useful in the development of strategies aimed at reducing the incidence of injuries.