Tactical Demands Research Articles

How Do Technical and Tactical Demands of Football Matches Affect the Physical Performance of Elite Football Referees? Exploring the Role of Experience.

Martinez-Torremocha, G, Alonso-Callejo, A, Garcia-Unanue, J, Gallardo, L, Sanchez-Sanchez, J, and Felipe, JL. How do technical and tactical demands of football matches impact the physical performance of elite football referees? Exploring the role of experience. J Strength Cond Res 38(11): e664-e669, 2024-This study aimed to analyze whether the physical demands on elite football referees during matches are influenced by both the physical intensity of the game and the technical-tactical context, to assess the impact of elite experience on the physical demands of referees, and to compare the physical performance of the referees with the performance of the players divided by positions in each match analyzed. Physical demands were recorded on 20 Spanish male football referees during the 2020/21, 2021/22, and 2022/23 seasons over a total of 73 official matches, using Global Positioning Systems for physical demands (total distance [TD], high-speed running [HSR], sprint, and high-intensity acceleration [HI ACC] and deceleration) and WyScout for technical-tactical actions (ball circulation, possession, shot, passes, total turnovers, quick turnovers, and long passes). Referees showed lower values for all variables except in TD (p < 0.05). No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in referees' physical demands based on experience. Low-experience referees correlated HSR and sprint distances with high-intensity decelerations distances in matches. Medium-experience referees linked HSR, sprinting, and HI ACC distances with greater sprint distances in matches. High-experience referees correlated HSR distance with HSR, sprint, and HI ACC distances match demands. Low-experience referees positively correlated HSR and sprint distances with ball circulation, passes, quick turnovers, and forward passes. In conclusion, referees' experience influenced the adaptation of their physical demands to the technical-tactical and physical factors of competitive matches. This information will help professionals working with referees to develop training programs that better prepare referees for specific challenges.

Professional soccer player’s perceptions of the English Football Association 4 corner model in supporting first team transitions

ABSTRACT The English Football Association (FA from hereon in) 4 Corner Model is a multidisciplinary framework that aims to enhance player talent identification and development, and is characterised by physical, social, technical/tactical and psychological components. Despite the framework being prominent within English football development pathways, player insights into the effectiveness of the framework in supporting academy to first team transitions are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore established first team professional footballer’s perceptions of the FA 4 Corner Model, in relation to the attributes that they perceived to facilitate the successful transition to a professional first team environment. Twelve current (n = 8) and ex (n = 4) professional players who had successfully transitioned from a youth academy, and subsequently became an established first team player, were interviewed for the study. Interpretations across the qualitative data set highlighted the importance of players adapting to physical and tactical demands, while also dealing with different psychosocial factors when entering a first team setting. The study highlights that disparities can exist between players, coaches, practitioners, and sport scientists perceived development needs, a situation that could hinder players progression through the player pathway.

Association between match-related physical activity profiles and playing positions in different tasks: A data driven approach

ABSTRACT Assessing the intensity characteristics of specific soccer drills (matches, small-side game, and match-based exercises) could help practitioners to plan training sessions by providing the optimal stimulus for every player. In this paper, we propose a data analytics framework to assess the neuromuscular or metabolic characteristics of a soccer-specific exercise in relation with the expected match intensity. GPS data describing the physical tasks’ external intensity during an entire season of twenty-eight semi-professional soccer players competing at the fourth Italian division were used in this study. A supervised machine-learning approach was tested in order to detect difference in playing positions in different sport-specific drills. Moreover, a non-supervised machine-learning model was used to profile the match neuromuscular and metabolic characteristics. Players’ playing positions during matches and match-based exercises are characterised by specific metabolic and neuromuscular characteristics related to tactical demands, while in the small-side game these differences are not detected. Additionally, our framework permits to evaluate if the match performance request is mirrored during training drills. Practitioners could evaluate the type of stimulus performed by a player in a specific training drill in order to assess if they reflect the matches characteristics of their specific playing position.

Coach and player rating of perceived challenge (RPC) as a skill monitoring tool in Rugby union

Objective To determine the relationship between player and coach rating of perceived challenge (RPC) for different training sessions over a competitive rugby union season. A secondary aim was to explore the relationship between player RPC and player session rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Methods We used an observational longitudinal study design to monitor 51 male highly-trained under 21 rugby union players and four coaches over an 11-week competitive rugby season (a total of 1798 training session observations). Player RPC (0 to 10 arbitrary units (AU)) and RPE ratings (0 to 10 AU) were collected after team sessions (a technical and tactical field-based session with all players training together), split sessions (a technical and tactical field-based session where players trained separately according to their positional grouping (forward and backs)) and gym sessions (non-field-based session with all players training together). Coach RPC ratings were only collected after team sessions and split sessions. Results A weak positive relationship (rho = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.09–0.42; p &lt; .001) was found for split sessions (player RPC: 4.40; 95% CI: 3.87–4.87 AU; coach RPC: 4.25; 95% CI: 3.92–4.60 AU), while a moderate positive relationship (rho = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.31–0.43; p &lt; .001) was found between player RPC (4.29; 95% CI: 4.00–4.55) and coach RPC (4.96; 95% CI: 4.89–5.05) for team sessions. Forwards had a higher RPC (5.33; 95% CI: 4.50–5.65) compared to backs (3.45; 95% CI: 2.88–4.00) for split ( p &lt; .001) and team sessions (forward's RPC: 4.66; 95% CI: 4.37–4.94; back's RPC: 3.84; 95% CI: 3.38–4.26; p &lt; .001). Conclusions In conclusion, using a rating to quantify the perceived challenge of training, we found coaches may be overestimating how challenging their training sessions are. Forwards-rated field sessions more challenging than backs, which likely represents their additional technical and tactical demands from training scrums, line-outs and mauls. While the RPC has strong theoretical justification as a rating tool to potentially fulfil the gap of quantifying the perceived challenge of training, thoughtful validity studies are yet to be conducted on the scale, which are the required next steps if the RPC is going form part of a coach's and practitioner's toolbox to optimise skill training.

Applying Different Strategies of Task Constraint Manipulation in Small-Sided and Conditioned Games: How Do They Impact Physical and Tactical Demands?

This study aimed to investigate how different strategies of task constraint manipulation impact physical and tactical demands in small-sided and conditioned games (SSCG). Ten recreational U-17 soccer players participated in this study (16.89 ± 0.11 years). We used different strategies of task manipulation to design two 4 vs. 4 SSCG: Structural SSCG and Functional SSCG. In Structural SSCG, pitch format and goal sizes were manipulated, while in Functional SSCG, players were allowed to kick the ball twice and at least 5 passes to shoot at the opponent’s goal. Players participated in four Structural and Functional SSCG, of five minutes duration with a two-minute interval in between. Players’ physical performance and tactical behavior were assessed using the WIMU PROTM inertial device. Structural SSCG stimulated players to cover more distance in sprinting (p = 0.003) and high-speed running (p < 0.001). Regarding tactical behavior, Structural SSCG stimulated players to explore game space better (p < 0.001). Moreover, Functional SSCG stimulated players to be closer to the ball, decreasing the effective playing space (p = 0.008). We conclude that these strategies of task constraint manipulation impact physical and tactical demands of the game.

Influence of Tactical Behaviour on Running Performance in The Three Most Successful Soccer Teams During the Competitive Season of The Spanish First Division.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of tactical behavior on physical performance of the three best Spanish soccer teams. Team 1 employed a 1-4-4-2 formation with compact defence and direct attacks, Team 2 employed an indirect style of play with a 1-4-3-3 formation and Team 3 used a 1-4-3-3 formation with elaborate attacks and strong counter-attacks. 816 individual situations of 54 professional soccer players categorized as fullbacks (FB), central defenders (CD), central midfielders (MF), wide midfielders (WM), and strikers (S) were included in the analysis. Their performance was examined with a player-tracking system. The analyzed variables included total distance covered, distance covered above 14, 21 and 24 km·h-1, as well as distance covered in possession of the ball and without possession of the ball. Team 2 covered a substantially lower distance >14 km·h–1 than Team 1 and substantially lower distances >14, >21, and >25km·h–1 than Team 3. No differences in running activity were found between Teams 1 and 3. However, there were substantial differences between the specific positions of the three teams. CD in Team 1 covered the lowest distance by a substantial margin in almost all variables analysed, whereas MF travelled substantially greater distances than did other positions. WM in Team 1 covered the greatest distance >18 and >21km·h– 1, while S in Team 2 had the lowest distance covered in almost all the variables, and FB in Team 3 showed the lowest total distance covered and distance covered >14km·h–1. WM in Team 2 had the greatest distance covered in possession, while S in Team 3 had the greatest distance covered out of possession. The results indicate that different team formations and associated tactical demands have a significant influence on running performance.

Relationships between perceived measures of internal load and wellness status during overseas futsal training camps.

Exercise and sport practitioners frequently utilize rating of perceived exertion (RPE) to evaluate the players' psychophysiological strains during training sessions. The subjective rating of physical exertion level during sports training has been shown to have a reciprocal relationship with wellness status during periodic training or competitive seasons. However, the relationship between subjective physical exertions and wellness status during short-term overseas training camps (OTCs) has not been extensively investigated. This study aimed to examine the perceived responses of physical exertions [session-RPE (sRPE), training monotony, and training strain] and wellness status (fatigue, sleep, delayed onset muscle soreness, stress, and mood) measures in elite young adult futsal players from four separate OTCs with different training tasks. Twenty-seven U-20 male national team futsal players voluntarily participated in this study. The players recruited for OTCs were based on their performance during domestic training camps and the tactical demand of the team. The task of each OTCs was defined as: 1) 1st OTC = game-based camp (n = 14); 2) 2nd and 3rd OTC = training-based camp (n = 20 and n = 17, respectively); and 3) 4th OTC = pre-tournament camp (n = 14). The OTCs consisted of 11 training sessions (18.9 hours) and 16 friendly matches (23.8 hours). During daily training sessions and friendly matches, sRPE was used to quantify training load (TL). Additionally, a five-elements general wellness questionnaire was used to evaluate daily wellness status in the morning. The results demonstrated that the mean and sum sRPE in the game-based OTCs were significantly lower compared to the mean sRPE [p < 0.01, effect size (ES) = -4.8; p < 0.01, ES = -2.9] and sum sRPE in the training-based OTCs (p < 0.01, ES = -3.6; p < 0.01, ES = -3.1). The mean (p = 0.01; ES = -2.0) and sum sRPE (p < 0.01; ES = -3.4) in the game-based OTC were also lower than that in the pre-tournament OTC. Conversely, the wellness scores in the game-based OTC were higher compared to the training-based (p = 0.01; ES = 1.8) and the pre-tournament OTCs (p < 0.01; ES = 1.6). There was a negative relationship between mean and sum sRPE and all wellness scores (mean sRPE = r = -0.441 ~ -0.575, p < 0.001; sum sRPE = r = -0.41 ~ -0.559, p < 0.001). Our findings suggested that responses to training sessions, derived from mean and sum sRPE and wellness scores, are dependent upon the task-specific nature of OTCs among elite futsal players. Utilization of mean and sum sRPE and wellness measures to monitor the psychophysiological health during short-term OTCs is recommended.

ANALYSIS OF HIGH-SPEEDRUNNING AND SPRINT RUNNING IN ELITE FEMALE FOOTBALL COMPETITIONS

Introduction: Although football is recognized as the fastest growing sport globally, scientific literature on female footballis still limited. Available published data in understanding the physical demands of female football players have described the necessity of a high level of physical conditioning during matches with average heart rates of 84-86% maximum heart rate and an average of 9.1-11.9 km in total distance covered in the running. The most commonly utilized physical performance measures reported are high-speed running (19km/h-23km/h) and sprinting (&gt;23 km/h). A better understanding of football's physical, technical and tactical demands has resulted from investigations of both training and matches by wearing a global positioning system unit.Objective: This study aimed to assess the running speed and the proportions of different types of running during official competitions in elite female football players.Material and Method: A total of 22 female players (16 seniors and six juniors) that are part of a Romanian First League female football team -Politehnica Timisoara, have been monitored for running speed and covered distance in 6 official matches, which represent a quarter of the championship period. The assessment period was ten weeks (August-October 2021). The monitored parameters (total distance, distance/minute, low speed running, high speed running, sprint running, and maximum speed) wereobtained using K-Sport GPS with a high sampling rate of 50 Hz.Results: During the six analyzed matches the following average values were found: total covered distance -7906.33 ± 1176.68 m, distance/minute -90.83 ± 3.72 m/min, low-speed running distance-7598.50 ± 1102.16 m, high-speed running distance -308 ± 101.31 m, sprint running distance -69.50 ± 28.54 m, and maximum speed -25.13 ± 0.84 km/h.Conclusion: Regarding the monitored parameters (total distance, average speed, proportion of different speed running, maximum speed), we observed a constancy between different matches. During female football matches, high-speed running and sprinting covered 4.77% of the total distance. Based on this data, a future training objective would be the enhancement of this percentage in order to optimize the key moments of the matches.

Brief Review of Methods to Quantify High-Speed Running in Rugby League: Are Current Methods Appropriate?

ABSTRACT High-speed running (HSR) has been documented within rugby league to differentiate playing standard and position and often precedes pivotal match events. Practitioners and researchers place importance on HSR because of its inclusion in assessing the demands of training and match play to help prescribe accurate training loads and recovery methods. HSR can be quantified in absolute terms whereby the same threshold speed is applied to all players (e.g., 5.0 m·s−1). Within rugby league, differences in tactical demand, anthropometric, and physical fitness characteristics exist between positions and players, suggesting that absolute HSR thresholds may not be appropriate because of underestimations and overestimations of HSR data. Alternatively, practitioners may individualize the threshold speed to individual players' physical qualities such as peak sprint speed, maximal aerobic speed (MAS), or the speed at which the ventilatory thresholds occur. Individualizing HSR warrants the practitioner to select a valid and practical test to quantify the HSR threshold speed. It is suggested that using peak sprint speed to quantify HSR can produce erroneous interpretation of HSR data while the practicality of specific physiological derived thresholds can be questioned. Implementing MAS to quantify HSR using a set time/distance trial may be the most appropriate approach for rugby league practitioners.

Different Pitch Configurations Constrain the Playing Tactics and the Creation of Goal Scoring Opportunities during Small Sided Games in Youth Soccer Players.

The aim of this study was to explore the tactical effects of different pitch configurations on the collective playing tactics and the creation of goal scoring opportunities (GSO) during small sided soccer games (SSG) in youth players. A total of 22 players performed a 7 vs. 7 + 1 floater (including goalkeepers) under three different pitch configurations (“Standard”, 53 × 38 m; “Long”, 63 × 32 m; and “Wide”, 43 × 47 m). Eleven tactical indicators related to the development and the end of the team possessions were evaluated by systematic observation. Friedman tests (non-parametric ANOVA for repeated measures) revealed that the long and wide configurations produced more counterattacks (p = 0.0028; ES = 0.3), higher offensive penetration (p = 0.007; ES = 0.41), and more GSO (p = 0.018; ES = 0.30) than the standard format. Regarding the creation of GSO, the wide configuration produced more assists in the form of crosses than the long and standard formats (p = 0.025; ES = 0.31), more utilization of wide subspaces to assist the final player (p = 0.022; ES = 0.35), more number of headers as the final action (p = 0.022; ES = 0.32), and less assists in the form of passes in behind the defense (p = 0.034; ES = 0.28), than the long configuration. The modulation of the pitch configuration during SSG produced different tactical demands, requiring players to implement different tactical solutions to create GSO.

How the COVID-19 Pandemic has Changed the Game of Soccer.

This study explores the influence of corona-specific training and playing conditions - especially empty stadiums - on match performance, contact behavior, and home advantage in the Bundesliga (BL) and Bundesliga 2 (BL2). We analyzed the 2017/18, 2018/19, and 2019/20 seasons and compared matches in rounds 26–34 before shutdown with “ghost” matches after restart. Results show increased running activity for high intensity distance: (+ 6.1%) and total distance covered (+ 4.3%). In BL2 in particular there were also changes in tactical aspects of the game (time in last third: –6.3%, pressure on pass receiver: –8.6%, success of attacking duels: –7.9%, share of long passes completed: + 15.6%, outplayed opponents per pass: –14.7%). Contact time to other players (< 2 m distance) was 15:35 mins per match. After restart, contact was reduced, especially when the ball was not in the last third (–11.2%). Away wins increased by +44.2% in BL and the home-away difference in yellow cards changed in favor of the away team (+31.2%) in BL2. We conclude that empty stadiums have reduced home advantage and decreased referee bias when awarding yellow cards. Player behavior might have been affected by tactical demands and/or conscious or unconscious self-protection.

CORRELATES OF BODY COMPOSITION AND MOTOR PERFORMANCE VARIABLES OF UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN MALE HANDBALL PLAYERS

AbstractMotor performance is crucial for high-level performance in handball but the individual players' body composition determines the attainment of the enormous physical, psychological, technical and tactical demands required for team success. The study examined the correlates of body composition and motor performance variables of university of Ilorin male handball players. The descriptive correlational research design was adopted. All the 14 University of Ilorin male handball players were purposively selected for the study. Standardised instruments: non-elastic tape rule, weight scale, height scale, cones, whistle, measuring tape and stopwatch were used for data collection. Prior to data collection the weight scale and stopwatch were recalibrated while a pilot study was conducted to ascertain the reliability of the instrument. A Spearman rho of 0.89 was obtained as a confirmation of the instruments reliability. The data was analyzed using percentages, means, standard deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation at 0.05 alpha level. The study found moderate to high correlation of body composition with speed, agility and muscular endurance of University of Ilorin handball players. It was recommended that periodic assessment of body composition of the University of Ilorin male handball team should be included as part of the training requirement in other to maintain normal fat mass and fat-free mass for high-level performance.Key words: Fat mass, Whistle, Weight scale, Body Composition

Tactics in tennis doubles: analysis of the formations used by the serving and receiving teams

There are several tactical variants that can be used by the serving and receiving teams before the serve is struck in tennis doubles. The goal is to analyse the frequency and efficiency of the tactical variants of the serving and receiving teams in doubles at the elite level. We analysed 1067 points in 18 doubles matches in professional men's top-level tennis tournaments. Next to the Classical formation, the I-formation was used in 46 % of points when players hit the first serve and in 41 % of cases when the point started with the second serve. Both formations had very equal efficiency, both after the first and second serve. The receiving team preferred a formation where both players were positioned at the baseline (53 %) when returning the first serve, but only in 18 % of points when they faced the second serve. The results summarize strategies and specific tactical variants in current game performance of male doubles at the top tennis level and the results can help to set a default set-up of training volumes of these game situations. The coaches can use the information and adjust the practice sessions according to the tactical demands of professional tennis.

Tactical preference based objectives for solving an evasion problem of fighter in air combat

Evasive maneuvers of fighter only consider the objective of miss distance in traditional air combat decision problems. The amalgamative tactical demands of achieving self-conflicting evasive objectives in actual air combat are taken into account in this paper. A method to generate a strategy of evasive maneuvers based on tactical preference is proposed. Tactical preference is given to higher miss distance, less energy consumption, and higher terminal superiority. The evasion problem in air combat is defined and reformulated into a multi-objective optimization problem, which is solved by a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm. Simulation results show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method, and a set of approximate Pareto-optimal solutions are obtained to satisfy the tactical preference.

Time to embrace the complexity when analysing GPS data? A systematic review of contextual factors on match running in rugby league

ABSTRACT This systematic review aimed to identify and summarise associations between currently identified contextual factors and match running in senior male professional rugby league. Eligible articles included at least one contextual factor and used GPS to measure at least one displacement variable within competitive senior, male, professional rugby league matches. Of the 15 included studies, the identified contextual factors were grouped into factors related to individual characteristics (n = 3), match result (n = 4), team strength (n = 2), opposition strength (n = 3), match conditions (n = 6), technical and tactical demands (n = 6), spatial and temporal characteristics (n = 7), and nutrition (n = 1). Speed was the most commonly reported measure of match running (100%), followed by distance (47%), and acceleration (20%). Inconsistencies were found between studies for most contextual factors on match running. Higher speeds were generally associated with higher fitness, encountered earlier in the match and whilst defending. All 15 studies utilised a univariate approach to quantify associations of a contextual factor. The inconsistencies found in the associations of given contextual factors highlight the complex and multi-faceted nature of match running. Therefore, practitioners should consider contextual factors when analysing and interpreting GPS data.

Evasive Maneuver Strategy for UCAV in Beyond-Visual-Range Air Combat Based on Hierarchical Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm

This study deals with the autonomous evasive maneuver strategy of unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), which is threatened by a high-performance beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile (AAM). Considering tactical demands of achieving self-conflicting evasive objectives in actual air combat, including higher miss distance, less energy consumption and longer guidance support time, the evasive maneuver problem in BVR air combat is defined and reformulated into a multi-objective optimization problem. Effective maneuvers of UCAV used in different evasion phases are modeled in three-dimensional space. Then the three-level decision space structure is established according to qualitative evasive tactical planning. A hierarchical multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (HMOEA) is designed to find the approximate Pareto-optimal solutions of the problem. The approach combines qualitative tactical experience and quantitative maneuver decision optimization method effectively. Simulations are used to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the approach. The results show that the obtained set of decision variables constitutes nondominated solutions, which can meet different evasive tactical requirements of UCAV while ensuring successful evasion.

Drops in physical performance during intermittent small-sided and conditioned games in professional soccer players

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to identify variations in external load measures between sets (3 × 4’/2’ rest) of small-sided and conditioned game formats (goalkeeper + 5 vs. 5 + goalkeeper with specific tactical demands).MethodsOverall, 10 male professional soccer players (age: 28.1 ± 3.8 years, experience: 7.9 ± 2.9 years, height: 180.3 ± 5.8 cm, weight: 76.5 ± 6.3 kg) from a team competing in the first Portuguese league and in the UEFA Europa league participated in the study. Distance covered, high intensity running (HIR), maximal velocity (MV), high speed running (HSR), very high intensity running (VHIR), and player load (PL) were monitored by using global positioning system units.ResultsVery large decreases in HIR (–62.6, effect size [ES]: –2.04) were found from set 1 to set 3. Large decreases in distance covered (–12.8%, ES: –1.28) and MV (–19.4, ES: –1.95) were observed from the first to the third set. Large decreases in HSR (–80.2%, ES: –1.78), moderate decreases in PL (–7.6%, ES: –0.64), and large decreases in VHIR (–83.0%, ES: –1.88) were reported between the first and the third set.ConclusionsThe results of the present study indicate a significant drop in external load performance when comparing the first and the second sets with the third set.

P4336Evaluation of acute psycho-physiological reaction to law enforcement operational stress and tactical driving. 20 years of prospective Italian research

Abstract Background “Fight-or-flight” reaction to perceived danger may affect operational efficiency of police officers (POs), with negative impact on public safety. Therefore, there is a growing interest for methods to investigate stress occurring during highly-demanding operations. Stress-induced reactions are studied in psychophysiology integrating multiple parameters (ECG, EEG, respiration, electrodermal activity, salivary cortisol ...), most of them unrecordable in real-world dynamic situations. Instead ECG, recordable also during physical activity, quantifies stress-related autonomic modulation (AM) through the analysis of heart rate (HR) and its variability (HRVa). We used ECG and a miniaturized wearable wireless telemetric device (mWTD) to monitor AM changes during realistic police tactical training (rPTT), police tactical driving (PTD), oleoresin capsicum exposure (OCE) and live-fire shooting competitions (LFSC). 20 years of research, aimed to understanding of mechanisms underlying human response in force-on-force scenarios and to design more efficient training methods for POs, are reported. Method We selected data of 185 healthy POs (33.6±4.4 years old) investigated during rPTT with different psycho-physiological impact. Until 2015, ECG was recorded with standard ECG-Holter, then the novel mWTD connected to a standard textile sensors garment (Nuubo) has been used featuring simultaneous recording of 3 ECG and 2 Skin potential responses (SPR) for real-time assessment of transient variation of AM with a novel fast algorithm for integration of time-variant HRV spectral parameters (HRVp) and of Root Mean Square value of the two SPR signals (SPRRMS). Results HR increment varied significantly among individuals undergoing the same tasks. Highest HR values (&gt;180 bpm in 66%) were observed during LFSC, often associated with poor operational score. Standard short-term HRVa was inadequate to evidence short-lasting transient changes of AM response due to acute stress (dominant LF at the beginning of task and at medium workload, relative dominance of HF and inversion of LF/HF ratio at the zenith of HR, in high-stress tasks). Under OCE, 83% of POs were able to perform their tasks, despite typical physical symptoms, high HR increment (peak 161 bpm) and HRV decrement with LF prevalence. Discriminant Analysis of HRVp differentiated between physical and psychological stress (accuracy &gt;80%). During PTD good correlation was found between stress-induced increment of SPR activity and driving demands. Conclusion The mWTD is reliable for on-duty compatible recordings and telemetric transmission of AM during highly-demanding operations of POs. Real-time calculation and monitoring of time-varying spectral HRVp with SPRRMS provide immediate multimodal information on AM response to emotional and physical stress reactions to tactical demands. Discriminant Analysis of HRVp is useful to differentiate psychological and physical stress during police operational activity.

Physical and Tactical Demands of the Goalkeeper in Football in Different Small-Sided Games.

Background: Several studies have examined the differences between the different small-sided game (SSG) formats. However, only one study has analysed how the different variables that define SSGs can modify the goalkeeper’s behavior. The aim of the present study was to analyze how the modification of the pitch size in SSGs affects the physical demands of the goalkeepers. Methods: Three professional male football goalkeepers participated in this study. Three different SSG were analysed (62 m × 44 m for a large pitch; 50 m × 35 m for a medium pitch and 32 m × 23 m for a small pitch). Positional data of each goalkeeper was gathered using an 18.18 Hz global positioning system. The data gathered was used to compute players’ spatial exploration index, standard ellipse area, prediction ellipse area The distance covered, distance covered in different intensities and accelerations/decelerations were used to assess the players’ physical performance. Results and Conclusions: There were differences between small and large SSGs in relation to the distances covered at different intensities and pitch exploration. Intensities were lower when the pitch size was larger. Besides that, the pitch exploration variables increased along with the increment of the pitch size.

Characteristics of the handball game at the senior’s level in the current time period

In order to properly prepare a team, it is necessary to act physically, technically, tactically and motivationally to learn to analyze the situations of the game and to solve them in complex conditions. Achieving sporting performance is based on the implementation of an optimal game strategy and concept, from which game models are developed and training models are tailored according to the potential of the team. In order to achieve performance in handball, efficiency is an essential part, and this largely depends on the handball player's experience and his ability to concentrate on key moments of matches. The increasing number of scored goals is a consequence of the increasing number of attacks, the reduction of the duration of the attack and the marking of goals on the counterattack; all these rely on the principles of dynamic and fast pace game. To meet these requirements in the current handball, players have to face the new physical, technical and tactical demands required by the fast and sustained rhythm of the game. The difference in game is done by individual or small group actions and where decisional speed is essential in gaining efficiency and performance, so workouts must focus on: improving the technique and individual tactics; creating the ability to solve the 1-to- 1 relationship in attack and defence; compliance with the established tactical plan; to improve collaboration on small groups (2 to 2, 3 to 3).