Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level Research Articles

Effect of Verbal Encouragement on Physical Fitness, Technical Skill and Physiological Response during Small-Sided Soccer Games

This study aimed to determine the impact of teacher verbal encouragement on physical fitness performance, technical skill, and physiological responses during small-sided soccer games (SSGs) of adolescent female students’ during a physical education session. Fifty-two adolescent female students were divided into a verbal encouragement group (VEG, 15.57 ± 0.50 years) and a contrast group (CG, 15.50 ± 0.51 years). Anthropometric measurements, soccer-specific cardiorespiratory endurance (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1; YYIRT1), muscle power (countermovement jump (CMJ); 5-jump-test (5JT), agility (t-test), sprint speed (30 m)), technical skill, and heart rate (HR) responses during SSG were measured. Additionally, heart rate (HR) was recorded throughout the SSG, and video analysis was used to quantify technical actions. The independent samples Student’s t-test was used to compare the difference between the verbal encouragement group and the CG. There was no difference between the verbal encouragement group and the CG in anthropometric characteristics and 30 m speed (p > 0.05). The total distance measured with YO-YOIRT level 1, t-test performance, CMJ, and 5JT performance results of the verbal encouragement group were considerably higher than the CG (p = 0.001, ES = 1.8, large; p = 0.001, ES = 1.09, large; and p = 0.001, ES = 1.15, large, respectively). Furthermore, the ball contacts, successful balls, and average heart rate were higher in the verbal encouragement group compared with the CG (p = 0.001, ES = 3.69, large; p = 0.001, ES = 5.25, large; and p = 0.001, ES = 5.14, large, respectively). These results could inform teachers of the usefulness of verbal encouragement in the teaching-learning process in the school setting during small-sided soccer games.

The relationship between body composition and biomotor performance parameters in U18 football players

Background and Study Aim. This study aimed to determine the relationship between body composition and biomotor performance parameters in male football players under 18 years of age (U18).
 Material and Methods. Eighteen male football players who play in the U18 category in the local football league in Muş province, Turkey voluntarily participated in this research. The players underwent body analysis measurements and performed the following tests: 10-m and 20-m sprints, T agility, vertical jump, and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (level 1). The SPSS package program was used for relational and descriptive analysis of the data. The Pearson correlation test was performed to determine relationships between variables in normally distributed data, while the Spearman correlation test was used for non-normally distributed data.
 Results. A weak negative correlation was observed between the 20-m sprint test and fluid (liquid) mass (r=-.448; p=.047). There was a weak positive correlation between vertical jump heights and lean mass (r=.475; p=.034), muscle mass (r=.475; p=.034), and basal metabolic rate (r=.461; p=.041), while vertical jump and fluid mass (r=.574; p=.008) exhibited a moderate positive correlation. A weak positive correlation was found between the 10-m sprint test and visceral fat (r=.489; p=.029). No significant association existed between the T agility and Yo-Yo tests and body composition parameters (p>.05).
 Conclusions. Higher levels of lean mass, muscle mass, fluid mass, and basal metabolic rates correlated with improved vertical jump performances. As the fluid mass of the participants increased, their 20-m sprint times also increased; a similar relationship was observed between visceral fat proportions and 10-m sprint times. In order to improve the physical performances of football players, we propose inhibiting the accumulation of body fat while increasing fluid and muscle levels.

Use of Exploratory Factor Analysis to Assess the Fitness Performance of Youth Football Players.

Perroni, F, Castagna, C, Amatori, S, Gobbi, E, Vetrano, M, Visco, V, Guidetti, L, Baldari, C, Luigi Rocchi, MB, and Sisti, D. Use of exploratory factor analysis to assess the fitness performance of youth football players. J Strength Cond Res 37(7): e430-e437, 2023-Football performance involves several physical abilities that range in aerobic, anaerobic, and neuromuscular domains; however, little is known about their interplay in profiling individual physical attributes. This study aimed to profile physical performance in youth football players according to their training status. One hundred seven young male soccer players (age 13.5 ± 1.4 years; height 168 ± 7 cm; body mass 57.4 ± 9.6 kg; and body mass index 20.2 ± 2.1 kg·m -2 ) volunteered for this study. Players' physical performance was assessed with football-relevant field tests for sprinting (10 m sprint), vertical jump (countermovement jump), intermittent high-intensity endurance (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1, YYIRT1), and repeated sprint ability (RSA). The training status was assumed as testosterone and cortisol saliva concentrations; biological maturation was estimated using the Pubertal Development Scale. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed 3 main variables depicting anthropometric (D1, 24.9%), physical performance (D2, 18.8%), and training status (D3, 13.3%), accounting for 57.0% of total variance altogether. The level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. The RSA and YYIRT1 performances were largely associated with D2, suggesting the relevance of endurance in youth football. This study revealed that for youth football players, a 3-component model should be considered to evaluate youth soccer players. The EFA approach may help to disclose interindividual differences useful to talent identification and selection.

Changes After a Conventional vs. an Alternative Therapy Program on Physical, Psychological, and Injury-Related Parameters in Male Youth Soccer Players With Patellar Tendinopathy During Return to Competition.

Niering, M and Muehlbauer, T. Changes after a conventional vs. an alternative therapy program on physical, psychological and injury-related parameters in male youth soccer players with patellar tendinopathy during return to competition. J Strength Cond Res 37(9): 1834-1843, 2023-Changes after a conventional (CON) vs. alternative (ALT) therapy program on physical, psychological, and injury-related or pain-related parameters in soccer players with patellar tendinopathy (PT) during return to competition were examined. Thirty-four male youth soccer players (15-16 years) with PT were randomly assigned to a CON ( n = 18) or ALT ( n = 16) program. The ALT program consisted of 60 minutes of balance training, eccentric and isometric exercises, static stretching, and a dual-task progression. The CON program consisted of 30 minutes of eccentric and isometric exercises and static stretching. Both programs were conducted until painlessness was reported during full training load. Assessments of muscle power (drop jump, jump and reach), change of direction speed (CODS) (acyclic sprint), speed (tapping, 30-m linear sprint), endurance (Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level-1), the Achievement Motives Scale Sport, and injury-related or pain-related correlates were performed immediately, 6 weeks, 16 weeks, and 20 weeks after the respective therapy program. Players in the ALT group required a shorter program duration (ALT: 47.1 ± 15.6 days, CON: 58.2 ± 24.6 days) and achieved the same (muscle power, speed, endurance) or greater (CODS) improvements in physical performances, the same enhancements in psychological measures (achievement motives), and better values for injury-related or pain-related correlates (injury incidence, pain-related training interruptions). Results indicate that both programs effectively improve relevant outcome parameters in players with PT. The ALT therapy is more time efficient than the CON therapy. Therapists should consider this multimodal training program for effective treatment of athletes to shorten their return to competition time and minimize the risk of secondary injuries.

Analysis of yo-yo intermittent recovery test level-1 between batter and bowler in cricket

Analysis of yo-yo intermittent recovery test level-1 between batter and bowler in cricket

Futbolcularda Sabah Akşam Yapılan Yo-Yo Aralıklı Toparlanma Testinin (Seviye 1) Hematolojik Parametreler Üzerine Akut Etkisi

Bu çalışmanın amacı, sabah ve akşam yapılan Yo-Yo aralıklı toparlanma testinin seviye 1 (YIRT1) hematolojik parametreler üzerine akut etkisinin incelenmesidir. Çalışmaya Süper Amatör liginde oynayan bir futbol takımından 18 erkek futbolcu gönüllü olarak katılmıştır. Sporculara 2 farklı günde, sabah ve akşam olmak üzere YIRT1 testi uygulanmıştır. Kan örnekleri testten önce, testten sonra ve testten 2 saat sonrasında alınmıştır. Test sırasında, deneklerin kat ettikleri mesafe kaydedilmiştir. Test bitiminde kan laktat değerleri ölçülmüştür. Tam kan sayımı için lökosit (WBC), Nötrofil (NEU), Nötrofil yüzde (NEU %), Lenfosit (LYM), Lenfosit yüzde (LYM %), Eritrosit (RBC), Hemoglobin (HGB), Hematokrit (HCT) ve Trombosit (PLT) değerleri incelenmiştir. İstatistiksel analizde verilerin normal dağılıma uygunluğu Shapiro Wilk testi ile incelenmiştir. Veriler normal dağılım gösterdiğinden, bağımlı grup farklılıkların karşılaştırılmasında bağımlı gruplarda t test ve Tekrarlı ölçümlerde tek yönlü varyans analizi testi (ANOVA) kullanılmıştır. YIRT1 testi sonrasında hematolojik parametrelerde, kan laktat ve test sonu kat edilen mesafe değerlerinde sabah ve akşam ölçümleri arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark vardır (p<0.05). Sonuç olarak futbolculara uygulanacak YIRT1 testinin akşam saatlerinde yapılması önerilebilir. Oyuncuların fiziksel kapasitesini belirlemek için kullanılan bu testin hematolojik değerleri etkilediği bulunmuştur.

Resting Heart Rate and Cardiovascular Endurance of Provincial Cricketers and Middle-Distance Runners: an Observation

Resting heart rate is a reliable biomarker for measuring fitness in terms of cardiovascular health as well as analyzing an athlete’s recovery.
 The study purpose was to explore the resting heart rate and cardiovascular endurance of the cricketers and middle-distance runners of West Bengal.
 Materials and methods. Forty male sub-elite athletes with a mean age of 19.8±2.4 years, height of 1.66±0.05 m, and body mass of 55.5±7.0 kg were randomly selected and categorized as cricketers (20) and middle-distance runners (20). Five-minute RR intervals were recorded during a resting state in the supine position using a Polar V800 smart watch along with a Polar H10 chest strap and a Polar H7 heart rate sensor. Cardiovascular endurance (predicted VO2max) was measured using the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test Level 1.
 Results. Mean resting heart rate, SDNN, rMSSD, pNN50, and predicted VO2max of cricketers and middle-distance runners have been found to be 57.2±5.9 bpm, 53.5±26.6 ms, 68.4±36.8 ms, 40.9±23.2%, and 48.4±1.7 ml/kg/min and 61.7±7.3 bpm, 47.0±18.8 ms, 59.2±27.3 ms 32.4±20.9%, and 49.0±2.2 ml/kg/min, respectively. No significant difference was observed in time domain parameters and predicted VO2max, but a significant difference (p=0.033) was observed in resting heart rate of two groups. A significant negative (r= -0.62, p=<0.001) association has been observed between resting heart rate and predicted VO2max.
 Conclusions. The low resting heart rate of the cricketers may possibly have come from higher training load borne by the young players. Based on the players’ predicted VO2max, it looks like having good cardiovascular fitness is just as important in modern cricket as it is in middle-distance running.

Effects of High-Intensity Position-Specific Drills on Physical and Technical Skill Performance in Elite Youth Soccer Players.

Cuong Le, C, Ma'ayah, F, Nosaka, K, Hiscock, D, and Latella, C. Effects of high-intensity position-specific drills on physical and technical skill performance in elite youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 37(5): e332-e340, 2023-Soccer physical preparation has been extensively researched with previous emphasis on high-intensity interval running and small-sided games. However, neither approach considers positional differences. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and short-term effects of a novel position-specific conditioning training (PSCT) paradigm on physical and technical abilities of young soccer players. Fifteen male Vietnamese professional youth soccer players (16.1 ± 0.4 years, 171.7 ± 4.8 cm, 63.9 ± 3.8 kg) undertook a 3-week control period followed by a 3-week intervention with PSCT drills performed twice per week. Position-specific conditioning training comprised purposely designed drills for attackers, defenders, and wingers, respectively. The intensity and duration were the same for all drills (4 × 4 minutes at ∼90% heart rate maximum [HRmax], separated by a 4-minute recovery at 70% HRmax) but differed in the technical and tactical actions performed. Outcome measures included Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1, repeated sprint ability, 10-m and 30-m sprint time, and the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test for technical skills in a fatigued and nonfatigued state. Position-specific conditioning training drills induced a desirable intensity for effective conditioning purpose (89.0 ± 2.1% HRmax) with low interplayer variability (coefficient of variation = 2.4%). Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 performance improved ( p < 0.05) after the control (Δ178.7 ± 203.3 m) and intervention (Δ176.0 ± 225.7 m) periods without a difference between. These results confirmed the feasibility of PSCT as a novel high-intensity training approach for soccer players. Improvements in aerobic capacity were noted, despite no effect on other physical and technical measures. PSCT may be suitable for individual training, return-to-play stages of rehabilitation, during off-season, or in academy settings when time is not a constraint.

Türkiye İşitme Engelli Erkek Milli Basketbolcularda Dinlenme ve Yorgunluk Görsel-Motor Reaksiyon Sürelerinin Karşılaştırılması

Basketbolun oyun hızı düşünüldüğünde reaksiyon süresi çok önemli bir yere sahiptir. Ancak işitme engelli olimpik basketbolcuların reaksiyon sürelerine ilişkin sınırlı sayıda çalışma bulunmaktadır. Yorgunlukta reaksiyon süreleri üzerine yapılan çalışmalar ise daha da azdır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye işitme engelli erkek milli basketbolcuların dinlenme ve yorgunluk halindeki görsel-motor reaksiyon sürelerinin araştırılmasıdır. Çalışmaya 13 basketbolcu (Olimpiyat düzeyinde işitme engelli sporcular) (yaş 25.92±4.9 yıl, boy 184.15± 10.22 cm; vücut ağırlığı 88.53± 20.29 kg) katılmıştır. Deneklere standart bir ısınma uygulanmış ve ardından baskın elde ve diğer ele 3 kez fit-light reaksiyon cihazında (Fitlight Sports Corp., Kanada) görsel-motor reaksiyon testi uygulanmıştır ve en iyi süreleri kaydedilmiştir. Ardından, yorgunluk yaratmak için deneklere yo-yo aralıklı toparlanma testi seviye1 (Yo-Yo IR1) uygulanmıştır. Katılımcılar Yo-Yo IR1'i tamamladıklarında hemen sonra görsel-motor reaksiyon testine başlamışlardır. Ortalama reaksiyon süresi fitlight cihazı tarafından otomatik olarak kaydedilmiştir. Verilerin analizinde SPSS paket programı kullanılmış ve eşli karşılaştırmalarda paired sample t-testi kullanılmıştır. Baskın ve baskın olmayan ellerin ön test ve son test süreleri karşılaştırıldığında (dinlenme ve yorgunluk arasında) anlamlı bir farka rastlanmamıştır. Ayrıca, dinlenme ve yorgunlukta baskın ve baskın olmayan eller arasında anlamlı bir fark bulunamamıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre işitme engelli oyuncuların görsel tepki sürelerinin bireysel özelliklerine ve antrenman seviyelerine göre değişiklik gösterebileceği söylenebilir.

The Effects of Small-Sided Games and Behavioral Interventions on the Physical and Motivational Outcomes of Youth Soccer Players.

The objective of this study was to test the effects of two types of intervention, one based on small-sided games (SSGs), and the other one that had, in addition, a behavioral component consisting of goal setting, public posting, and positive reinforcement. The participants were 16 male soccer players aged 12-14 years old who participated in a couple of training sessions per week between August and November 2021. We used Playr Catapult GPS devices to assess the effect of the intervention on the total distance covered and total sprint distance in the task of playing SSGs. We used Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 to test the effect of the intervention on players' aerobic capacity and the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire to investigate levels of motivational climate. Multiple two-way mixed ANOVAs were conducted and the results indicated that our intervention had a positive effect on the total distance and total sprint distance covered during SSGs. For aerobic capacity, even if the results were not significant, they indicate a high effect size. The effect of the intervention on task-oriented motivational climate and ego-oriented motivational climate was not significant. Discussions focus on the application of the intervention in team training settings.

English

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of 3-week progressive overloading and 1-week tapering during a preseason on performance, internal training load, stress tolerance, and heart rate variability in under-19 Brazilian badminton players. Material and method: Eight male under-19 badminton players (age 16.1 ± 0.6 years; height 1.68 ± 7.7 m; body mass 57.2 ± 5.8 kg; body mass index 20.3 ± 2.5 kg∙m-2; body fat 8.0 ± 2.7 %), competing at the state level had physical and physiological monitored over four weeks during pre-season. Players underwent a badminton-specific movement agility test, 5-m multiple shuttle test, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test level 1, and performed vertical jumps before and after the pre-season. During the training, the heart rate variability and internal training load were monitored daily, and weekly were stress tolerance was recorded by psychometric responses. Results: The players showed significant improvements in all performance variables assessed after the training period. The internal training load during overloading was higher (1635 ± 109.9; 2490 ± 124; 2850 ± 210 AU) compared to tapering (1335 ± 100 AU). The stress tolerance decreased during overloading (4.0 ± 0.7; 8.2 ± 1.3; 10.1 ± 1.4) and increased during tapering (5.5 ± 1.5). In addition, higher internal training load during overloading resulted in a greater reduction in root-mean-square difference of successive R-R intervals (lnRMSSDmean) (4.2 ± 0.2; 4.1 ± 0.1; 4.0 ± 0.1 ms) and a smaller coefficient of variation (lnRMSSDcv) (4.5 ± 2.6; 2.1 ± 1.2; 1.4 ± 0.9 %), and the significant reduction in the internal training load during tapering led to a decrease in lnRMSSDmean (1.3 ± 0.5 ms). Conclusions: Our results suggest that using badminton training programs during the pre-season, including intermittent high-intensity actions with progressive overloading followed by a tapering is sufficient to result in positive adaptations in performance and led to adaptative changes in internal training load, stress tolerance, and heart rate variability.

Physiological and Sprint Kinetics Associated With the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 Performances in Soccer Players.

The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIR1) is often utilized to indirectly assess the cardiorespiratory fitness of team-sport athletes due to its proposed association with match-play high-speed running performance and predicted maximal oxygen uptake. No previous research has investigated the relationships between YYIR1 performances, actual oxygen uptake recorded during the YYIR1, and true all-out sprint kinetics (eg,maximal sprint speed, maximal force capacity, and maximal power output), which therefore served as the primary objective of this study. To assess the true physiological kinetics (V˙O2 and heart-rate responses) during the YYIR1 and to evaluate the correlations between the physiological kinetics, sprint kinetics, and YYIR1 performance parameters. A total of 23 amateur male soccer players were recruited for the study (age 22.52 [2.86]y; height 1.75 [0.06]m; body mass 65.61 [8.43]kg). Each participant completed a YYIR1 and 2 all-out sprint tests. Significant differences were observed between actual and predicted maximal oxygen-uptake values (Mdiff = 17.57mL·kg-1·min-1, P < .001, r = .63). Shuttle distances showed statistically significant correlations with maximal sprint speed (r = .42, P = .044) and theoretic maximal speed (r = .44, P = .035). However, no other correlations with sprint kinetic parameters (eg,maximal force or power output) were observed. Practitioners should carefully consider the outcomes and utilities of the parameters derived from the YYIR1. The estimations of maximal oxygen uptake from shuttle performances as a proxy for cardiorespiratory fitness are not adequate. However, shuttle distances appear to be positively associated with all-out sprinting capacities.

Effects of Far-Infrared Radiation-Lamp Therapy on Recovery From Simulated Soccer Match Running Activities in Elite Soccer Players.

The authors investigated whether far-infrared radiation (FIR) lamp therapy would reduce muscle damage and enhance recovery from multiple soccer-match-related running activities. Twenty-four elite female soccer players (20-24y) were assigned into a FIR or a sham treatment group (n = 12/group). They performed a daily 90-minute Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) for 6 consecutive days. Maximal voluntary contraction torque of the knee extensors (KEs) and flexors, muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase activity, countermovement jump, and several other performance measures (eg,30-m dash, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1) were taken before the first LIST, 1 hour after each LIST, and 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120hours after the last LIST. All participants received a 30-minute FIR or sham treatment on KEs and knee flexors, respectively, at 2 hour after each LIST and 25, 49, 73, and 97hours after the last LIST. All measures changed significantly (P < .05) at 1 hour after the first LIST without difference (P > .05) between groups. Maximal voluntary contraction torque (eg,the largest decrease of KE for FIR: 13% [4%], sham: 25% [5%]), countermovement jump height (4% [3%] vs 14% [4%]), and other performance measures (eg,Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test: 11% [5%] vs 26% [5%]) decreased less, and peak muscle soreness (eg,KE: 26 [9] vs 51 [18]mm) and plasma creatine kinase activity (172 [32] vs 1289 [610] IU/L) were smaller for the FIR than for the sham group (P < .05), and they returned to the baseline earlier (P < .05) for the FIR group. These results suggest that the FIR therapy provided potent effects on reducing accumulated muscle damage and enhancing recovery.

Gastrointestinal Hormones, Morphological Characteristics, and Physical Performance in Elite Soccer Players.

To determine the relationship between gastrointestinal hormones (leptin, glucagon-like peptide-1), ghrelin, cholecystokinin, peptide YY, morphological characteristics, and physical performances in elite soccer players. Q2 Twenty-two elite male soccer players (age = 23.1 [2.7]y, height = 177.0 [0.1]cm, weight = 70.2 [2.9]kg, body mass index = 22.1 [1.8]kg/m2) completed 3-day food records each week during the 5-week training period. Blood samples were drawn after an overnight fast before and after preseason training to assess gastrointestinal hormones (leptin, glucagon-like peptide-1, ghrelin, cholecystokinin, and peptide YY). Continuous analysis of the training load was used during the training period. Preintervention and postintervention tests assessed jumping (countermovement jump), sprinting (10, 20, and 30 m), and endurance fitness (the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 [YYIRT1]) levels. Preseason training decreased body mass index (P = .001; effect size [ES] = 0.183) and body fat percentage (P = .001; ES = 0.516). There were increases in countermovement jump (P = .032; ES = 0.215), 20- (P = .016; ES = 0.195) and 30-m sprints (P = .001; ES = 0.188), and YYIRT1 performance (P = .001; ES = 0.9). Levels of cholecystokinin, peptide YY, and ghrelin did not change during preseason training, although changes in leptin (P = .001; ES = 0.41) and glucagon-like peptide-1 levels (P = .039; ES = 0.606) were recorded. Leptinemia correlated with anthropometric parameters (body mass index, r = .77, P = .001; percentage of body fat,r = .67, P = .006) and the total distance covered during the YYIRT1 (r = -.54; P = .03). Changes in morphological parameters and physical performance in elite-level male soccer players are related to variations in selected gastrointestinal hormones.

Association between Fitness Level and Physical Match Demands of Professional Female Football Referees.

The aim of this study was to examine the physical demands for elite female referees during competitive matches and to evaluate the relationship between match performance and fitness levels. Seventeen female elite field referees were fitness-tested (29.0 ± 5.2 (SD) years, 163.8 ± 6.7 cm, 54.0 ± 5.1 kg, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIR1) performance 1610 ± 319 m) and were analysed during a total of 187 football matches. Global positioning systems (GPS) were used in this research. The physical demands were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the second half of matches compared to the first half. Regarding the acceleration-related variables, the female referees revealed a higher number of high-intensity actions in the first half compared to the second half. However, higher low-intensity demands were observed for the females referees in the second half compared to the first half in the total number of accelerations (ACC) (~70.48 n; ES = 0.61; p < 0.05) and decelerations (DEC) (~71.11 n; ES = 0.62; p < 0.05); total number of ACC in zone 1 (~85.27 n; ES = 0.70; p < 0.05) and DEC in zone 1 (Z1) (~83.98 n; ES = 0.71; p < 0.05); and distance covered accelerating and decelerating in Z1. The distance covered in YYIR1 and the performance in the repeated sprint ability test correlated with the physical demands during matches for female football referees (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study described the physical performance profile of female football referees and differences between the first and second halves of matches were observed. The results of this study revealed positive correlations between intermittent exercise fitness levels, the repeated sprint ability performance and match performance in female football referees, and thus this information can be implemented in their training plan designs.

Effects of training in the preparatory phase on amateur badminton players’ performance

The aim of the present study was to verify the effect of eight weeks of training during the preparatory phase on performance variables for amateur Badminton players. A second aim was to monitor the internal training load (ITL) during the training period. Seven state-level amateur badminton players performed a battery of tests at pre and post eight training weeks. The following performance tests were performed: vertical jump, badminton-specific movement agility test, 5m-Multiple shuttle test (5m-MST) and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-Yo test). After each training session, ITLs were monitored by session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE). Although there were no statistically significant differences between pre- and post-training, it was found an increase of 5.4 ± 9.3%, 4.7 ± 10.4%, and 4.7 ± 16.7%, respectively, in the 5m-MST, vertical jump performance, and Yo-Yo test after the training period. The ITL demonstrated that the preparatory phase presented a variation (e.g., low to high) during general preparatory phase (GP) and high ITL during specific preparatory phase (SP). Therefore, eight training weeks during the preparatory phase promoted important improvements in individuals’ analysis and percent change values on vertical jump, the 5m-MST, and the Yo-Yo test, although there were no statistically significant differences. Furthermore, the ITLs varied throughout the training period.

Individual and situational factors affecting the movement characteristics and internal responses to Touch match-play during an international tournament

ABSTRACT Purpose To examine the influence of individual and situational factors on the movement characteristics and internal responses of players to an international Touch tournament. Methods Using 47 International Touch players (25 men and 22 women), the associations between the movement characteristics and internal responses with individual (sprint, glycolytic test, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 [Yo-Yo IR1], jump performance and well-being) and situational (sex, squad, position, competition day, points scored/conceded, result, and opposition rank) factors were examined using linear mixed modelling. Results Yo-Yo IR1 distance was associated with all movement characteristics and internal responses (r = −0.29 to 0.37), whilst sprint and glycolytic times only influenced mean heart rate (HRmean) (r = 0.15) and high-speed distance (r = 0.10), respectively. Sex influenced high-speed distance (r = −0.41), whilst squad was associated with playing time and HRmean (r = −0.10–0.33). Other associations included: playing position with all movement characteristics (r = −0.67–0.81); points conceded with relative distance (r = −0.14); winning with high metabolic power and session RPE (r = −0.07–0.09), and opposition rank with HRmean and RPE (r = 0.11–0.35). Conclusions Individual and situational factors can influence the movement characteristics and internal responses to Touch and should be considered when developing the characteristics of players and interpreting responses to match-play.

Influence of Upper and Lower Body Anthropometric Measures on An Aggregate Physical Performance Score in Young Elite Male Soccer Players: A Case Study

Background: The present study aimed to determine the association of anthropometry-based characteristics with an aggregate score (AS) of physical performance in young elite soccer players. Methods: Sixteen under 15 elite players were enrolled. Among numerous anthropometrics variables, upper arm contracted (UACC) and relaxed circumference (UARC), corrected arm muscle area (AMAcorr), arm muscle circumference (AMC), thigh muscle circumference (TMC) and suprapatellar girths were also employed in this study. Players’ physical performance was assessed by the change of direction (COD), 10 m and 20 m sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ) test, sprint with 90∘ turns (with ball), and yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-Yo IRT1). The AS was computed by Principal Components Analysis technique with one component on normalized performance results. A stepwise regression analysis was conducted to assess potential association between anthropometry-based variables and AS. Results: Large negative correlations (r &lt; –0.68) of AS with UACC, UARC, AMAcorr, and AMC were detected. UACC and TMC permits to accurately estimate AS explaining 60% of the total variance (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: These findings demonstrated the importance of including anthropometry-based measures of both upper and lower body to the physical performance potential expressed by AS in elite youth soccer.

Anthropometric, aerobic and muscle power profile of young Costa Rican basketball players

The purpose of this study was to describe an anthropometric, aerobic and muscle power profile of young Costa Rican basketball players according to sex, play positions and age. The assessment was carried outa on 99 young players (43 women and 56 men; 18 guards, 51 forwards and 30 centers; 42 in the U16 category and 57 in the U18 category) from eight different teams. The sports experience of the players was 6.5 ± 3.1 years. The following parameters were assessed: height, weight, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass and body fat percentage, countermovement test (CMJ) and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level I. The main results showed significantly higher values in men than in women in terms of weight, height, skeletal muscle mass, distance covered in the yo-yo test, VO2max, height in CMJ and in flight time. Body fat percentage was higher in women than in men. Centers showed significantly higher height, weight and body fat percentage than other play positions. Guards and forwards covered more meters in the yo-yo test and showed higher VO2max than centers. No significant differences were found between the U16 and U18 categories in any variable. Regression models showed the influence of weight, body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass and age on VO2max and CMJ. In conclusion, these indicators varied according to the sex and play position of the players. Additionally, this information will be useful for processes of promotion, development and training design of youth basketball in Costa Rica.

Effects of High-Intensity Resistance Training on Physical Fitness, Hormonal and Antioxidant Factors: A Randomized Controlled Study Conducted on Young Adult Male Soccer Players.

Simple SummaryWe aimed to analyze the effects of high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) on physical fitness and hormonal and antioxidant factors of adult young male soccer players. We have compared an 8-week intervention using HIRT period with a control group that only performed regular technical/tactical sessions. The soccer players were assessed before and after the intervention for their physical fitness, and hormonal and antioxidant factors. We have found that using HIRT for 8 weeks, with three sessions a week, results in significant improvements in aerobic capacity, sprint at short (10 m) and medium (20 and 30 m) distances, repeated sprint ability, and change-of-direction. This suggests that HIRT combined with regular field-based practice can provide an additional benefit to physical fitness development. Additionally, the group enrolled on HIRT also exhibited significantly decreased levels of cortisol and malondialdehyde, whereas it exhibited significantly increased growth hormone, testosterone, dis-mutase, and glutathione. The results suggest that HIRT can be an interesting approach for improving physical fitness and adjusting the hormonal and antioxidant levels of adult male soccer players.Purpose: The aim of this study was to test the effects of high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) intervention on the physical fitness, hormonal and antioxidant factors of adult male soccer players. Methods: A randomized controlled study design was implemented. Eighteen soccer players (age: 20.3 ± 0.66 years; stature: 174.0 ± 6.01 cm; body mass: 69.1 ± 6.4 kg; body mass index: 22.8 ± 1.6 kg/m2) voluntarily participated in this study. Players were assessed before and after an intervention lasting 8 weeks, with three training sessions a week. Assessments of physical fitness included the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (YYIRT1), 10-, 20-, and 30 m sprint time (ST), running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST) and change-of-direction time (COD). Hormonal tests included cortisol, testosterone and growth hormone (GH), whereas the antioxidant assessment included superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH). Results: Between-group analysis revealed no significant differences at baseline, whereas it revealed that HIRT presented significant better results than the control group on YYIRT (p = 0.032), 10 m ST (p = 0.041), 20 m ST (p = 0.040), 30 m ST (p = 0.044), RAST (p = 0.013), and COD (p = 0.031) after the intervention period. The within group analysis revealed that the HIRT group significantly improved the YYIRT1 (p < 0.001), VO2max (p < 0.001), 10 m ST (p < 0.001), 20 m ST (p = 0.006), 30 m ST (p < 0.001), RAST (p < 0.001) and COD (p < 0.001). Moreover, HIRT group significantly reduced the cortisol (p < 0.001) and MDA (p = 0.021), whereas it significantly increased the GH (p < 0.001), testosterone (p < 0.001), SOD (p = 0.009) and GSH (p = 0.005). Conclusions: The HIRT is effective for improving physical fitness, revealing significant better adaptations than controls. Moreover, hormonal and antioxidant adaptations are also confirmed after HIRT intervention.