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Purpose: The monitoring of training loads and quantification of physical performance are common practices in youth soccer academies to support coaches in prescribing and programming training for individuals. The interaction between training load and physical performance is unknown during a preseason period in youth soccer players. The current study assessed changes in training load and physical assessments across a 4-week preseason period. The relationship between physical performance and match playing time in youth male soccer players was also investigated. Methods: The training loads of 25 professional youth academy male soccer players were monitored throughout a 4-week preseason period. Assessments of power, agility, speed, and aerobic capacity were undertaken in the first training session. Session ratings of perceived exertion (sRPE) and well-being questionnaires were collected during all training sessions and preseason matches. Playing time during subsequent competitive matches was recorded. Results: T test and 30-m-sprint assessments, conducted on the first day of preseason, were predictors of sRPE throughout preseason (t test χ2/df = 2.895, poor adjustment; 30-m sprint χ2/df = 1.608, good adjustment). YoYo Test performance was related with changes in perceived fatigue (χ2/df = 0.534, very good adjustment). Faster players reported higher values of sRPE, and players with higher aerobic capacity reported higher levels of fatigue across preseason. Well-being, perceived fatigue and soreness, and sRPE decreased across preseason. Greater match durations were related to higher levels of fatigue during preseason (P <.05). Conclusion: The current study highlights the relationship between training load, physical assessments, and playing time. Coaches and practitioners can use physical test data at the start of preseason as an indication of players that report higher sRPE, perceived fatigue, and reduced well-being across preseason, supporting decisions around individualized training prescriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The backbone of the eukaryotic tree of life contains taxa only found in molecular surveys, of which we still have a limited understanding. Such is the case of Picozoa, an enigmatic lineage of heterotrophic picoeukaryotes within the supergroup Archaeplastida, which has emerged as a significant component of marine microbial planktonic communities. To enhance our understanding of the diversity, distribution, and ecology of Picozoa, we conduct a comprehensive assessment at different levels, from assemblages to taxa, employing phylogenetic analysis, species distribution modeling, and ecological niche characterization. Results: Picozoa was among the ten most abundant eukaryotic groups, found almost exclusively in marine environments. The phylum was represented by 179 Picozoa's OTU (pOTUs) placed in five phylogenetic clades. Picozoa community structure had a clear latitudinal pattern, with polar assemblages tending to cluster separately from non-polar ones. Based on the abundance and occupancy pattern, the pOTUs were classified into four categories: Low-abundant, Widespread, Polar, and Non-polar. We calculated the ecological niche of each of these categories. Notably, pOTUs sharing similar ecological niches were not closely related species, indicating a phylogenetic overdispersion in Picozoa communities. This could be attributed to competitive exclusion and the strong influence of the seasonal amplitude of variations in environmental factors, such as temperature, shaping physiological and ecological traits. Conclusions: Overall, this work advances our understanding of uncharted protists' evolutionary dynamics and ecological strategies. Our results highlight the importance of understanding the species-level ecology of marine heteroflagellates like Picozoa. The observed phylogenetic overdispersion challenges the concept of phylogenetic niche conservatism in protist communities, suggesting that closely related species do not necessarily share similar ecological niches. 9DjsWS8J_yUMTxizMfQ8ty Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Animal Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In soccer, knee and hip muscle strength assessments have been recommended for injury prevention. The aims of this study were threefold: (1) to compare knee and hip muscle strength between professional players competing at different levels; (2) to compare strength performance according to the preferred leg (PL) and the non-preferred leg (NPL); and (3) to compare knee and hip muscle strength performance at two moments of the season. This study included 33 professional soccer players: 13 were in the elite group (EG), and 20 were in the sub-elite group (SEG). Body composition, isokinetic knee strength at 60°/s, and hip adduction strength were assessed at two different moments (M1 and M2). Values of peak torque (PT), peak torque/bodyweight (PT/BW), and the hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio (H:Q) for knee extensors (KEs) and knee flexors (KFs) for both legs were used for analysis. The statistical analysis included the Mann-Whitney U and the Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests. At M1, the EG presented a significantly better performance in KF PT/BW and in the squeeze strength test for the PL and the NPL (p ≤ 0.01). At M2, the EG performed substantially better in KE PT/BW and KF PT/BW (p ≤ 0.01). No substantial strength differences were observed in knee and hip muscle performance between the PL and the NPL. From M1 to M2, significant increases were found in knee strength in both groups (p ≤ 0.01). Overall, the EG players outperformed significantly their lower-division peers in strength assessments. The results indicate significant knee and hip muscle strength increases during the season, probably as a response to the exposure to training and competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reactive strength index (RSI) is a performance measure previously used to assess lower extremity performance; however, this study addresses limitations in its interpretation that need to be readdressed. The purpose of this study is twofold: to test the correlation of a new variable denominated integral reactive strength index (IRSI) with the RSI and to compare the flight time, ground contact time, jump height, RSI, reactive capacity, and IRSI between Olympic athletes in 100 m and 400 m. Ten elite male track and field athletes who qualified for the Olympics participated in this study (age = 24.9 ± 2.42 years; height = 1.75 ± 5.0 cm). They were divided into two groups, the first with five 100 m sprinters and the second group with five 400 m sprinters. The drop jump (DJ) attempts from 0.20 m were performed with the force plate 0.10 m away from the jump box. The DJ 0.30 m and DJ 0.40 m had a 0.15 m separation, and the DJ 0.50 m and DJ 0.60 m had a 0.20 m separation. The correlation analysis showed a high correlation (r = 0.805; p = 0.02) between the RSI and the IRSI. The comparisons between 400 m sprinters versus 100 m sprinters showed that there are no significant differences between the groups for any of the reactive strength variables (p > 0.05). Coaches of these sports' specialties should take these criteria into account when developing plyometric programs and introduce the IRSI as an accurate measurement for evaluating DJ performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The value of sport is extensively documented; however, there are still groups who do not have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of sport due to lack of investment, particularly important for people with disabilities. A gap persists in understanding the effectiveness of inclusive sport programs in addressing equity-related targets, particularly on the effective methods of financing inclusion in sport for individuals with disabilities. Therefore, providing a platform for stakeholders to express their perspectives becomes crucial. Through focus groups and the World Café approach, the aim of this study was to gather insights from athletes, parents, professionals, and sport club managers regarding the funding of inclusive sport for people with disabilities. A total of 72 participants took part in nine focus groups in Portugal, Slovenia, and Hungary: 27 athletes with disabilities, 22 coaches, other technicians and parents, and 23 club managers/directors. Findings were divided into five topics: (1) perspectives on current funding satisfaction; (2) perspectives on sources and criteria for funding; (3) perspectives on ideal funding; (4) perspectives on ideas to reach decision-makers; and (5) proposals on ideal criteria for funding. Based on these findings, six measurable criteria for fair funding allocation were suggested that could develop a properly weighted system of criteria for decision-makers to assess the allocation of funding among inclusive sport organizations with the potential to catalyze broader policy and societal changes. Additionally, there is a pressing need to develop a funding model for inclusive sport for individuals with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stretching has garnered significant attention in sports sciences, resulting in numerous studies. However, there is no comprehensive overview on investigation of stretching in healthy athletes. Objectives: To perform a systematic scoping review with an evidence gap map of stretching studies in healthy athletes, identify current gaps in the literature, and provide stakeholders with priorities for future research. Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 and PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed. We included studies comprising healthy athletes exposed to acute and/or chronic stretching interventions. Six databases were searched (CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) until 1 January 2023. The relevant data were narratively synthesized; quantitative data summaries were provided for key data items. An evidence gap map was developed to offer an overview of the existing research and relevant gaps. Results: Of ~ 220,000 screened records, we included 300 trials involving 7080 athletes [mostly males (~ 65% versus ~ 20% female, and ~ 15% unreported) under 36 years of age; tiers 2 and 3 of the Participant Classification Framework] across 43 sports. Sports requiring extreme range of motion (e.g., gymnastics) were underrepresented. Most trials assessed the acute effects of stretching, with chronic effects being scrutinized in less than 20% of trials. Chronic interventions averaged 7.4 ± 5.1 weeks and never exceeded 6 months. Most trials (~ 85%) implemented stretching within the warm-up, with other application timings (e.g., post-exercise) being under-researched. Most trials examined static active stretching (62.3%), followed by dynamic stretching (38.3%) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching (12.0%), with scarce research on alternative methods (e.g., ballistic stretching). Comparators were mostly limited to passive controls, with ~ 25% of trials including active controls (e.g., strength training). The lower limbs were primarily targeted by interventions (~ 75%). Reporting of dose was heterogeneous in style (e.g., 10 repetitions versus 10 s for dynamic stretching) and completeness of information (i.e., with disparities in the comprehensiveness of the provided information). Most trials (~ 90%) reported performance-related outcomes (mainly strength/power and range of motion); sport-specific outcomes were collected in less than 15% of trials. Biomechanical, physiological, and neural/psychological outcomes were assessed sparsely and heterogeneously; only five trials investigated injury-related outcomes. Conclusions: There is room for improvement, with many areas of research on stretching being underexplored and others currently too heterogeneous for reliable comparisons between studies. There is limited representation of elite-level athletes (~ 5% tier 4 and no tier 5) and underpowered sample sizes (≤ 20 participants). Research was biased toward adult male athletes of sports not requiring extreme ranges of motion, and mostly assessed the acute effects of static active stretching and dynamic stretching during the warm-up. Dose–response relationships remain largely underexplored. Outcomes were mostly limited to general performance testing. Injury prevention and other effects of stretching remain poorly investigated. These relevant research gaps should be prioritized by funding policies. Registration: OSF project (https://osf.io/6auyj/) and registration (https://osf.io/gu8ya). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Speed and agility have been described as crucial abilities for soccer players. The purpose of this study was to analyze, in detail, the variance in speed and agility tasks explained by lower-body power after controlling for age and body composition. The participants were 96 male soccer players aged 16.1 ± 1.6 years. Body composition (stature, body fat percentage—BF%, body mass, and fat-free mass—FFM), lower-body power (countermovement jump—CMJ, and squat jump—SJ), speed (5-, 10-, and 35 m sprints), and agility (t-test) were assessed. Among body composition parameters, BF% presented the highest number of significant relationships with speed and agility, with the strength of correlations ranging from small (5 m sprint, r = 0.25) to large (35 m sprint, r = 0.52). The strongest correlation coefficient emerged between FFM and the 35 m sprint (r = −0.65). Significant correlations were found between vertical jump performance and the 35 m sprint (CMJ: r = −0.68; SJ: r = −0.69), followed by the t-test (CMJ: r = −0.35; SJ: r = −0.47). The hierarchical multiple regression model could explain 22% to 67% of the variance observed in agility scores and speed. BF% remained the most statistically significant negative predictor of all regression models. The CMJ remained a statistically significant positive predictor of the 35 m sprint (β = −0.581, p ≤ 0.01) after controlling for age and body composition. Integrating programs targeting lower-body power might be important to enhance speed and agility performance in youth soccer. On the other hand, future research based on multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the effects of nutritional strategies in reducing or preventing gains in BF% is still needed, which remained a significant predictor of sprint and agility performance in the final models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the present study was to develop a concise predictive model to determine the likelihood of winning in female rink hockey based on various situational variables. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the individual impact of each predictor on match outcomes. The analysis encompassed a dataset of 840 matches during five consecutive seasons (from 2018–2019 to 2022–2023) in the Spanish first division (OkLiga). Employing the comprehensive method of all possible regressions, the most effective predictive logistic model for match outcomes was identified. This entire model featured five categorical predictor variables (match location, team level, opponent level, scoring first, and match status at halftime) and one binary outcome variable (match outcome). Subsequently, the final model, which exhibited a sensitivity and specificity surpassing 80% for a cut-off point of 0.439, emerged. This model was applied to predict winning a match in 18 frequent situations determined from a two-step cluster analysis. Within this predictive framework, match status at halftime emerged as the most influential predictor impacting the match outcome, followed by opponent level, team level, and match location. The implications of our findings extend to rink hockey coaches and practitioners. Recognizing the significant impact of situational variables on match outcomes empowers them to customize game plans and design more specific strategies, thereby enhancing game understanding and elevating the overall performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tensiomyography (TMG) has been described as an effective method for identifying differences in muscle response to athletic training stimuli. However, there is a lack of studies that evaluated changes in muscle contractile properties in response to anaerobic effort and related these changes to Wingate test parameters in more than one lower limb superficial muscle. The main contribution of this work is to evaluate changes in the contractile properties of muscles in response to anaerobic exercise. In a group of 20 physically active men, the body composition analysis was performed using a Tanita DC-360 device. The anaerobic effort was assessed by a Wingate test (30 s), and the contractile properties of muscles were measured using a TMG S2 device. The TMG parameters were measured in selected superficial muscles of the dominant lower limb. The study also calculated indices of the differences (d) and the size of the effect (r). An anaerobic effort in the form of the Wingate test resulted in greater stiffness (Dm) in the vastus lateralis muscle (p = 0.0365; r = 0.47) and a delayed response to stimulus (Td) in the vastus lateralis (p = 0.0239; r = 0.51) and vastus medialis (p = 0.0031; r = 0.66) muscles. The half relaxation time (Tr) (p = 0.0478; r = 0.44) and sustained contraction time (Ts) (p = 0.0276; r = 0.49) in the rectus femoris muscle were also increased. In contrast, a prolonged stimulus-response time (Td) with a decrease in sustained contraction time (Ts) was observed in the gastrocnemius lateralis (Td: p = 0.0054; r = 0.64 and Ts: p = 0.0012; r = 0.74) and gastrocnemius medialis (Td: p = 0.0229; r = 0.52 and Ts: p = 0.0054; r = 0.64) muscles. A significant decrease in contraction time (Tc) (p = 0.0051; r = 0.63) occurred only in the soleus muscle. In addition, significant correlations were shown between selected changes in contractile properties of muscle and parameters of the Wingate anaerobic test. Anaerobic exercise has a significant effect on changes in skeletal muscle contractility parameters. TMG is an effective method for identifying differences in muscle response to sports training stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This study aims to explore disparities in locomotor metrics such as total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR), accelerations (Acc), decelerations (Dec), and maximum speed (MS) across five soccer positions - centre defenders, fullbacks, midfielders, wingers, and forwards - during the 1-, 3-, and 5-minute match intensity periods (MIP). Additionally, it seeks to assess the difference in those locomotor metrics between the first and second halves of the match. Methods. An observational, retrospective cohort study was undertaken with a professional team covering 32 official matches. A total of 20 soccer players participated in this study. Data were collected using a 10-Hz GNSS unit (Apex pro series, StatSports, Northern Ireland). The MIP considered different time durations (1, 3, 5 min in the 1st and the 2nd halves). Results. Soccer players exhibited position-specific differences in locomotion, with Wingers covering the most distance and forwards showing the highest Acc and Dec. HSR was most notable in the fullbacks. The second half saw varied changes, with midfielders increasing in distance covered. ANCOVA revealed significant positional differences in TD during longer MIPs and between match halves. HSR varied across positions but only differed between halves in the 5-minute MIP. Acc and Dec displayed half-time differences, while maximal speed was consistently higher in the second half. Conclusions. This study highlights the impact of player position and matches progression on locomotor metrics in soccer, underscoring the need for customised training and strategic adaptability to maximise performance throughout the game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the effects of with (WC) or without conducting a warm up on youth soccer players immediately before performing physical and cognitive tests. Fourteen youth soccer player (age 11.64 ± 0.50) participated in a counterbalanced cross-sectional study in which three conditions were tested: (a) basal lineal condition; (b) WC (immediately before the physical and cognitive tests); and (c) without WC (passive resting for 15 min between the warm-up and physical and cognitive tests). A 30-m sprint test, countermovement jump, and psychomotor vigilance task were also applied. The WC revealed significant improvements in countermovement jump (p < .05), 30-m sprint test performance (p < .05), and reaction time in psychomotor vigilance task (p < .05) in comparison to basal lineal condition and without WC. A 15-min rest after a warm-up has a meaningfully decremental effect on the physical and cognitive readiness of youth soccer players, in comparison with when they warm-up immediately before the demands are imposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the influence of stick grasping on the performance of elite youth rink hockey players in 10 m linear sprints and 180° change of direction (COD) tasks. Forty-nine rink hockey players (age = 18.40 ± 2.12 year; body mass = 73.52 ± 6.02 kg; height = 1.82 ± 0.07 m; BMI = 23.61 ± 1.69; sports experience = 6.42 ± 1.41 years; 4.89 ± 0.68 years' post-peak height velocity) participated in this cross-sectional study. Measurements included 10 m sprint time and COD 180° performance with and without stick grasping. Results revealed non-significant differences when carrying a stick in the 10 m linear sprint (1.90 s ± 0.08 with stick vs. 1.89 s ± 0.08 without stick; p = 0.71; d = 0.05), neither did COD 180° for the left limb (2.75s ± 0.11 with stick vs. 2.76 s ± 0.11 without stick; p = 0.91; d = 0.02). However, for the right limb, significantly better performance in COD 180° was found when players held the stick (2.72 s ± 0.11 with stick vs. 2.75 s ± 0.09 without stick; p = 0.03; d = 0.32). These findings imply that the distinctive biomechanics and requirements of rink hockey, especially the lateral movements inherent in skating, might alleviate the negative impacts associated with implement grasping observed in other sports. This study highlights that stick grasping did not hinder COD ability and may even have a facilitating effect on certain movements, emphasizing the importance of considering sport-specific biomechanics in rink hockey performance analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this study was to systematically investigate the physiological and physical fitness adaptations resulting from small-sided games (SSGs) training programs in basketball players competing at youth competitive levels, as compared to other training approaches and/or control groups. To achieve this, we conducted a literature search on PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. From the initial 626 studies retrieved, five were considered eligible for the current study. Among the five included articles, four conducted comparisons between the effects of SSGs and running-based high-intensity interval training. Regarding this, the four studies revealed a significant improvement in the final velocity during the 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test, ranging from 4.07% to 7.29% following SSG-based interventions. This improvement was not significantly different from the comparator group. Additionally, two studies indicated that the SSGs group showed a significant advantage in change-of-direction time, with improvements ranging from −2.11% to 6.69% after interventions, and these results were not significantly different from the comparator group. However, the effects on repeated sprint ability yielded contradictory findings; two studies reported significant improvements ranging from −5.00% to −2.16%, while two others did not show significant effects following SSGs-based interventions. Similarly, in the linear sprint, the results of SSGs-based interventions were inconsistent. In summary, based on the available research, it can be concluded that SSG-based training is effective in significantly enhancing aerobic performance and change of direction, comparable to alternative approaches. However, the effects on repeated sprint ability and sprint performance are not consistently demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial published in Frontiers in Psychology titled "Training methodology: a multidimensional approach for team sport, volume II." The editorial emphasizes the importance of training methodology in achieving optimal athletic performance. It discusses the various dimensions of training methodology, including training loads, methods, and the management of athletes' physical and mental well-being. The editorial advocates for an integrative approach to research, encouraging collaboration across disciplines such as sports psychology and nutrition. The document also provides a summary of articles included in the research topic, covering topics such as swimming, football, and yoga. [Extracted from the article]

The increase in the economic value of soccer occurred in parallel with an increase in competing demands. Therefore, clubs and federations evolved to greater specialization (e.g., state-of-the-art facilities and high-profile expertise staff) to support players' performance and health. Currently, player preparation is far from exclusively club or national team centered, and the lack of control in each player's environment can be more prevalent than expected. For example, an elite group of professional players faces disruptions in the season club-oriented planification due to involvement in national teams. Moreover, as elite players' financial resources grow, it is common for them to employ specialized personal staff (e.g., strength and conditioning, nutritionist, and sports psychologist) to assist in their preparation, resulting in complex three-fold relationships (i.e., club, player's staff, national team). Although efforts have been made to improve communication with and transition from the club to the national team supervision, this new reality (club-players' staff) may generate serious compound role-related problems and difficulties in monitoring load and training adaptation and having a unified message. Therefore, efforts must be implemented to ensure a more informed management of the players' performance environment, where the existence and impact of these various personal staff are considered to avoid a long-term non-zero sum for all intervening parties. If left unchecked, current professional thinking may collide or overlap, potentially triggering conflict escalation and impairing athletic performance or health, especially if effective communication routes are not adequately established. Moreover, diluted personal responsibility regarding performance may ensue, resulting in decreased productivity from all involved, which may cause more harm than benefits for the player's overall health and performance. This emerging reality calls for developing a joint working framework (i.e., between the player's personalized support team and the clubs' team) and better managing of a player-centered process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Physical trainers (PTs) are integral for managing load, reducing injury and optimizing performance in professional soccer. However, little is known about how this practitioners operate in the applied setting and how some of the nuances experienced influence practice. Methods: This study explored the contemporary practices of PTs in professional soccer. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with eight PTs from different professional teams in European and South American leagues. Interview questions were designed to extract information on the evaluation of physical abilities, monitoring and control of training and injury prevention. Subsequently, the interviews were video-recorded, transcribed, translated and analyzed using a content analysis approach. Results: The results suggest that the evaluation of physical capacities is carried out by PTs at the beginning of the preseason. It also appears that it is attempted that this process of regular testing is applied during the competitive period, with most participants conducting partial physiological and physical evaluations at different stages throughout the competitive season. In relation to themonitoring and control of training, subjective feedback scales are used to estimate the internal load, and the use of GPS devices is common to quantify external loads. Injury prevention programmes were implemented by all participants and were generally in amulti-component format focused on preventing or optimizing physical capabilities. Discussion: These insights can be used as a scientific reference point to inform applied practice in professional soccer, especially for practitioners that are inexperienced and aspiring to enhance how they operate in the field. Future investigations should explore the practices of PTs in detail and across a wider network in order to gain deeper and comprehensive insights into the applied soccer environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscle strength and balance ability have been related to injury prevention and game actions performance in football. The aims of this study are twofold: (1) to examine bilateral asymmetries in isokinetic strength and balance assessments, and (2) to evaluate the relationship between muscle strength and balance measures. Eighty-eight male adolescent football players were assessed for body composition (InBody 770), isokinetic strength (Biodex System 4 Pro Dynamometer), and balance performance (Biodex Balance System). Paired samples t-tests were conducted to determine bilateral differences in strength and balance. Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression analyses evaluated the relationship between strength and balance. No significant bilateral strength differences were observed in knee flexors (KF) and knee extensors (KE) peak torque (PT) scores. No bilateral differences were found for balance measures, except in the lateromedial stability index, which was better while performing with the preferred leg (p ≤ 0.01; d = 0.29). Significant correlations were found between KE PT and balance tasks (p ≤ 0.01). KF and KE PT shared between 18 and 22% of the common variance in the overall stability index in the non-preferred and preferred leg, respectively. Monitoring strategies of bilateral asymmetries may be crucial to enhance performance in tasks underpinned by unilateral movements, such as changes of direction and sprints, and to identify players at risk of injury. Adopting these strategies during the early stages of football training might be crucial for players' long-term development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Iberoamericana de Diagncstico y Evaluacicn Psicolcgica is the property of Asociacion Iberoamericana de Diagnostico y Evaluacion Psicologica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The importance of soccer referees is widely accepted by international soccer organizations and governing bodies, although there is little research summarizing and appraising the literature on soccer referees. The aim of this study was to systematically review the information related to physical demands, nutrition and physiological profiling of soccer referees. Methods: Conforming with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, searches of three electronic databases (Web of Sciences, PubMed and Scopus) were conducted on 24 April 2022. The following search terms were used: (Soccer OR football AND refer*) AND (physical OR physiolo* OR load* OR "body composition" OR "fat mass" OR "fat free mass" OR "body size" OR "nutrition*" OR "nutritional assessment" OR "nutritional intake" OR "macronutrient*" OR "micronutrient*"). The inclusion criteria of the manuscripts written in English were that articles with male and/or female soccer referees and included relevant data concerning performance, physical testing, nutrition, body composition, body size and/or physiology of soccer referees. The tools developed by the National Institute of Health were used to assess risk of bias according to the study design. Results: In total, 110 manuscripts were included in the present review. Match activities of soccer referees and assistant referees are not comparable. Variation in performance is influenced by competitive level and competitive schedules. Additionally, match performance is often used to validate field protocols. The associations between match indicators and field protocols were not constant across the included studies, particularly in short-maximal tests. An age decline in physical performance was not conclusive. Body size did not discriminate between referees and assistant referees, as well as referees of different competitive levels. Few studies focused on nutritional guidelines among referees, particularly exercise energy expenditure. Energy intake was comparable across studies, but referees did not follow the daily dietary recommendations. Aerobic output was frequently assessed, and it was not comparable to the values for soccer players. Conclusions: Although there are decreases in the running profiles of older referees, they maintain the same distances from the ball, and thus, age per se should not be used to define participation at the international level. The assessment of physical fitness warrants future consideration given the levels of fatigue that are apparent at the end of matches. In order to attain ideal levels of body composition, future studies need to provide guidelines for daily energy expenditure and nutritional intake. Trial registration: The protocol was published in INPLASY (International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) with the registration number 202280052 and https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2022.8.005. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this review we highlight the relevance of biodiversity that inhabit coastal lagoons, emphasizing how species functions foster processes and services associated with this ecosystem. We identified 26 ecosystem services underpinned by ecological functions performed by bacteria and other microbial organisms, zooplankton, polychaetae worms, mollusks, macro-crustaceans, fishes, birds, and aquatic mammals. These groups present high functional redundancy but perform complementary functions that result in distinct ecosystem processes. Because coastal lagoons are located in the interface between freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, the ecosystem services provided by the biodiversity surpass the lagoon itself and benefit society in a wider spatial and historical context. The species loss in coastal lagoons due to multiple human-driven impacts affects the ecosystem functioning, influencing negatively the provision of all categories of services (i.e., supporting, regulating, provisioning and cultural). Because animals' assemblages have unequal spatial and temporal distribution in coastal lagoons, it is necessary to adopt ecosystem-level management plans to protect habitat heterogeneity and its biodiversity, ensuring the provision of services for human well-being to multi-actors in the coastal zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goals scored are the most important performance indicator and may be a good tool to analyze game style predominance within different leagues. The aims of this study are to describe how goals are scored in the two major soccer leagues in the season of 2020/21, and to compare both leagues to watch possible differences in the offensive sequences that lead to goal-scoring. The aims of this study were: to evaluate goal scoring trends among two main soccer leagues and to compare the two leagues. A total of 1409 goals were observed using notational analysis. The total results show a dominance of positional play/fast attack (n = 38%), followed by set pieces as the second means to score (n = 32%) with corner kicks having a great impact (n = 36%) within set pieces goals. The most goals were scored by short possessions (n = 50%) with short passes number (n = 57%), with the recovery of the ball in the offensive third (n = 47%) and the huge dominance of finalization in central areas inside the box (n = 78%). Spanish La Liga scored more by positional play/fast attack, with most of the possessions starting in the medium third and using more the "central wing goal area" and "between wings left in the box" end zones when compared with English Premier League. The latter has more goals from counterattacks and corner kicks with very long possessions. Most of the possessions start in the offensive third and more goals are scored in "central wing between penalty and goal area" in comparison with Spanish La Liga. Coaches must be aware of the trends of the game and of the differences across leagues to prepare themselves when working in different countries to each specific characteristic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review provides critical and propositional information on criteria for determining the volume and intensity of drop jumps during plyometric training programs. Eligibility criteria were defined according to PICOS: Participants: male or female athletes, trained or recreationally active (16-40 years). Intervention duration: more than 4 weeks. Comparators: passive or active control group during a plyometric training program. Outcomes: information on improvement with Drop Jump or Depth Jump, with other jumps, acceleration, sprint, strength, and power output. Design: randomized controlled trials. We searched articles published in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Scopus. The search was conducted until 10 September 2022 for English-language articles only. The risk of bias was assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) for randomized controlled studies. We identified 31495 studies, of which only 22 were included. We found that six groups presented results with women, 15 presented results with men, and the remaining four presented mixed studies. Of the 686 people recruited, 329 participants aged 25.79 ± 4.76 years were involved in training. Methodological problems in training intensity, volume distribution, and individualization were noted, but methodological recommendations for their solution are also provided. It is concluded that the drop height should not be understood as the intensity determinant of plyometric training. Intensity is determined by ground reaction forces, power output, and jump height, among other factors. Furthermore, the athletes' experience level selection should be based on the formulas recommended within this research. These results could be helpful for those who intend to conduct new plyometric training programs and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Engaging in physical activity increases energy expenditure, reducing total body fat. Time spent in sedentary behaviours is associated with overweight and obesity, and adequate sleep duration is associated with improved body composition. This systematic review aimed to analyse the relationship between compliance with the 24-h movement guidelines and obesity indicators in toddlers, children and adolescents. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched from inception to December 2021. Cross-sectional and prospective studies that analysed the relationship between 24-h movement guidelines and overweight and obesity written in English, French, Portuguese or Spanish were included. PROSPERO registration number is CRD42022298316. Results: The associations between meeting the 24-h movement guidelines and standardised body mass index were null in the two studies for toddlers. Seven studies analysed the relationship between compliance with the 24-h movement guidelines and overweight and obesity among preschool children. Of these seven studies, six found no association between compliance with 24-h movement guidelines and body composition. Among children and adolescents, 15 articles were analysed. Of these 15 studies, in seven, it was found that children and adolescents who meet the 24-h movement guidelines were more likely to have lower risks of overweight and obesity. The meta-analysis yielded a pooled OR = 0.80 (95% CI = 0.68 to 0.95, p = 0.012, I2 = 70.5%) in favour of compliant participants. Regarding participants' age groups, compliance with 24-h movement guidelines seems to exert greater benefits on overweight and obesity indicators among children-adolescents (OR = 0.62, p = 0.008) compared to participants at preschool (OR = 1.00, p = 0.931) and toddlers (OR = 0.91, p = 0.853). Conclusion: Most included studies have not observed a significant relationship between compliance with the 24-h movement guidelines and overweight and obesity in toddlers, children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review provides critical and propositional information on criteria for determining the volume and intensity of drop jumps during plyometric training programs. Eligibility criteria were defined according to PICOS: Participants: male or female athletes, trained or recreationally active (16-40 years). Intervention duration: more than 4 weeks. Comparators: passive or active control group during a plyometric training program. Outcomes: information on improvement with Drop Jump or Depth Jump, with other jumps, acceleration, sprint, strength, and power output. Design: randomized controlled trials. We searched articles published in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Scopus. The search was conducted until 10 September 2022 for English-language articles only. The risk of bias was assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) for randomized controlled studies. We identified 31495 studies, of which only 22 were included. We found that six groups presented results with women, 15 presented results with men, and the remaining four presented mixed studies. Of the 686 people recruited, 329 participants aged 25.79 ± 4.76 years were involved in training. Methodological problems in training intensity, volume distribution, and individualization were noted, but methodological recommendations for their solution are also provided. It is concluded that the drop height should not be understood as the intensity determinant of plyometric training. Intensity is determined by ground reaction forces, power output, and jump height, among other factors. Furthermore, the athletes' experience level selection should be based on the formulas recommended within this research. These results could be helpful for those who intend to conduct new plyometric training programs and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterotrophic respiration of organic matter (OM) is thought to dominate over aquatic primary production (PP) in most freshwater lake ecosystems. This paradigm implies that lateral transport of OM from the terrestrial biosphere subsidize the major fraction of aquatic respiration and that many lakes are a net source of carbon dioxide (CO2) to atmosphere. Nevertheless, African lakes were absent of the datasets upon which this paradigm was built. Here, we report a comprehensive and methodologically consistent data set of pelagic PP and community respiration (CR) obtained over the last decade in contrasting non-humic African lakes including 5 of the East African Great lakes (Tanganyika, Kivu, Edward, Albert, Victoria) and smaller shallow lakes located in Eastern Africa. Also, we determined the partial pressure of CO2 in surface waters and examined the sources and dynamics of organic and inorganic carbon by means of stable isotope tools across a wide range of physical and chemical conditions and productivity status. Our observations revealed that the threshold value at which the equivalence between PP and CR is met is substantially lower in Africa (10 mmol C m−3 d−1) than at higher latitude (25 mmol C m−3 d−1), suggesting that non-humic African lakes tend to be more autotrophic than expected from empirical relationships derived from data collected in boreal and temperate regions. Integrated at the regional scale, we estimate that PP is about 20 times higher than the organic carbon burial in sediments. It implies that a large fraction (< 90%) of PP is effectively recycled in the warm water column of non-humic African lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soda lake environments are known to be variable and can have distinct differences according to geographical location. In this study, we investigated the effects of different environmental conditions of six adjacent soda lakes in the Pantanal biome (Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil) on bacterial communities and their functioning using a metagenomic approach combined with flow cytometry and chemical analyses. Ordination analysis using flow cytometry and water chemistry data from two sampling periods (wet and dry) clustered soda lakes into three different profiles: eutrophic turbid (ET), oligotrophic turbid (OT), and clear vegetated oligotrophic (CVO). Analysis of bacterial community composition and functioning corroborated this ordination; the exception was one ET lake, which was similar to one OT lake during the wet season, indicating drastic shifts between seasons. Microbial abundance and diversity increased during the dry period, along with a considerable number of limnological variables, all indicative of a strong effect of the precipitation-evaporation balance in these systems. Cyanobacteria were associated with high electric conductivity, pH, and nutrient availability, whereas Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Betaproteobacteria were correlated with landscape morphology variability (surface water, surface perimeter, and lake volume) and with lower salinity and pH levels. Stress response metabolism was enhanced in OT and ET lakes and underrepresented in CVO lakes. The microbiome dataset of this study can serve as a baseline for restoring impacted soda lakes. Altogether, the results of this study demonstrate the sensitivity of tropical soda lakes to climate change, as slight changes in hydrological regimes might produce drastic shifts in community diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Referees' activity can be an instrument for training students with an impact on health-related physical fitness (PF). This study aimed to investigate the differences in PF and body composition between students without sports practice (G1), students with regular sports practice (G2), and student referees in team invasion games (G3). Methods: This study followed a cross-sectional design. The sample comprised 45 male students between 14 and 20 years old (16.40 ± 1.85). Three groups (G1, G2, and G3) of 15 participants each were selected. PF was assessed by a 20 m shuttle run, change-of-direction test, and standing long jump. Body composition was determined by body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) and the percentage of body fat (%BF) predicted by skinfold. Results: After controlling for age as a covariate, the block of variables used to characterize PF was statistically different between sports practice groups favoring student referees (p < 0.001; r = 0.26). Similar results were achieved for body composition (i.e., BMI and %BF) (p < 0.001; r = 0.17). However, when the dependent variables were evaluated separately, there were only differences between groups in %BF (p = 0.007; r = 0.21). Student referees had statistically significantly lower values than the remaining groups. Conclusion: Refereeing activity benefits PF related to health and performance, including body composition. This study confirms the benefits related to health in children and adolescents who are involved in refereeing activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The extra-time (ET) period of soccer is competed during fixture congested schedules with often limited recovery time between matches. The aim of this study was to assess muscle damage recovery following 90- and 120-min (i.e., incorporation of ET) of simulated soccer match-play. Methods: Twelve semiprofessional soccer players completed 90 and 120-min treadmill-based soccer-specific exercise in a counterbalanced order. Creatine kinase (CK), creatinine, urea, aspartate aminotransferase, perceived muscle soreness, pain pressure threshold, reactive strength index, countermovement jump height, and isokinetic strength assessments of eccentric knee flexors at 60, 180 and 270 deg‧s−1 were taken at baseline and immediately-, 24, 48 and 72-hr post-exercise to assess recovery. Results: No significant between-trial interactions except for CK were found. Pairwise comparisons detected a 53% increase in CK at 24-hr (455 ± 29 μ∙L−1) following 120-min of simulated match-play vs. the corresponding post 90-min time-point (299 ± 29 μ∙L−1; p <.01). The 120-min trial caused a 58% higher CK response at 72-hr (244 ± 25 μ∙L−1) vs. post 90-min comparisons (154 ± 29 μ∙L−1; p =.02). No interaction effects were detected for any other recovery variables. Creatine kinase and perceived muscle soreness remained elevated up to 72-hr in both trials (p <.01). Conclusions: These data indicate that 120 min of simulated soccer match-play delays the time-course of CK recovery up to 72-hr post-match. However, 120 min of simulated soccer has no additional impact on functional recovery and perceived muscle soreness vs. 90 min. Recovery should be investigated following 90- and 120-min of actual match-play.Trial registration The study was pre-registered on the Open Science Framework (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/VGU6T Date: 10/06/2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agility is a fitness-skill-related component that should be a part of the standard physiological testing for soccer players and one of the key performance indicators in soccer. The present study aimed to assess the reliability of the CRAST as a research tool in the study of soccer skills. Twenty-one university soccer players (chronological age: 19.3 ± 1.4 years; body mass: 69.6 ± 8.2 kg; stature: 173.5 ± 6.5 cm; federated training experience: 9.7 ± 3.6 years) volunteered for the testing protocol. The CRAST requires players to complete random courses six times as quickly as possible. In addition, the CRAST requires players to control and dribble the markers (four different colors: green, yellow, blue, and red). The soccer players completed three trials, each separated by one week. The first trial accounted for familiarization; the second and third were considered for analysis. The correlation for overall performance was very strong. The reliability of the CRAST was slightly better for total time than that for the penalty score (0.95 vs. 0.93). The TEM and the associated CV range of 7.04–7.54% were for the penalty score and the total time, respectively. For both measurements, the ICC values also represent excellent reliability, as both values were over 0.900. The CRAST is a reliable protocol for assessing agility in soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: This study aims to analyze the evolution of the finalist teams in five years of the EHF Champions League and compare winning teams with defeated teams, presenting their evolution along the competition from the quarterfinals to the final; (2) Methods: A total of 35 games were analyzed, corresponding to four games per team over five seasons. Tendency lines were created according to the 13 offensive indicators of winning teams, divided into three macro categories: game actions, goals, and effectiveness of shots; (3) Results: The results indicated 21 linear tendency lines valid for the study. Winning teams presented five increasing lines (ascending line) and 16 decreasing lines (negative slope) during the competition. Assists, goals from the 6 m, and effectiveness at 6 m shots presented an increasing tendency line for winning teams, and the effectiveness of shots, the effectiveness of the organized attack, and the effectiveness of shots from 9–6 m presented a decreasing tendency line; (4) Conclusions: winning teams have more constancy during the competition. Due to the expected increased difficulty in successive matches, tendency lines tend to present decreasing slopes as teams advance toward the final. Nevertheless, winning teams need to adapt to the increasing challenge, describing growth in some key indicators, and being more regular than other teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Field-based tests are important since they can guarantee ecological validity. Although most such tests are designed to assess physical fitness, tactical and technical dimensions are also determinants in a full battery of tests. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to (a) summarize the criterion validity and reliability of technical and tactical field-based tests applied in soccer and (b) list valid and reliable technical and tactical field-based tests. Methods: A systematic review of EBSCO, PubMed, Scielo, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. The eligibility criteria included (i) population (soccer players from any age group, competitive level, or sex); (ii) exposure (exposure to technical and/or tactical field-based tests covering individual technical skills, tactical behaviours, tactical knowledge, and decision-making in the field); (iii) comparator (a laboratory test and/or a criterion field-based test); (iv) outcome (measures of reliability); and (v) no restrictions concerning study design. The synthesis of results focused on the outcomes considered in the eligibility criteria. Results: A total of 5008 titles were identified, of which 21 met the eligibility criteria. Eight studies' analyses centred on tactical tests. Of those, six studies tested the same instrument (FUT-SAT), one study examined divergent thought, and one study used a soccer-specific skills test Among the 10 included studies involving technical tests, only two repeated the same test (the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test). Three studies included tests concurring with physical ones. According to the main findings, the eight studies that used tactical tests revealed that the outcomes obtained from the tests and observers were reliable. The 10 studies that used technical tests, as well as the three concurrent studies, revealed similarly high reliability. Of the eight studies that used tactical tests, seven involved youth participants. Furthermore, three of the 10 studies that conducted technical tests were done on adults. Of the concurrent tests, three involved youth athletes. Only one study including a tactical analysis presented values for validity, while three others provided information about validity. The four studies provided information about test validity. Conclusions: Overall, the selected technical and tactical tests, most of which were carried out on youth players, revealed their validity and reliability. Although most studies focused on reliability (which was confirmed regardless of the test included), criterion validity was also observed in the few studies that analysed such factors. Thus, the tests currently proposed for assessing technical and tactical behaviours possess acceptable criterion validity and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the type of relationship between measures of maximal force (dynamic and isometric), maximal power, and mean propulsive velocity. In total, 355 recreational athletes, 96 women (age 20.5 ± 2.5 years; height 158.2 ± 17.3 cm; weight 61.8 ± 48.4 kg) and 259 men (age 21.0 ± 2.6 years; height 170.5 ± 12.6 cm; weight 65.9 ± 9.2 kg) were evaluated in three sessions separated by 72 h each in isometric midthigh pull exercise (ISOS) (kg), bench press maximum strength (1RM MSBP) (kg), jump height (CMJ) (m), and maximum pedaling power (WT) the maximum squat strength (1RM MSS) (kg), the mean propulsive velocity in the bench press (MPVBP) (m·s−1), and the peak power (PPBP) (w), mean propulsive squat velocity (MPVS) (m·s−1), peak power (PP) (w), maximum handgrip force (ISOHG) (kg), and 30 m movement speed (V30) (s). Significant correlations (p ≤ 0.01) were identified between 95% of the various manifestations of force, and only 5% presented a significance of p ≤ 0.05; however, when the magnitude of these correlations is observed, there is great heterogeneity. In this sense, the dynamic strength tests present the best correlations with the other strength and power tests used in the present study, followed by PPBP and PP. The results of this study complement what is reported in the literature regarding the correlation between different types of force manifestations being heterogeneous and contradictory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research on composition and physical fitness is lacking in school-aged children from Madeira. This study aimed to examine the frequencies of overweight and obese participants and, in addition, to compare the fitness levels of Madeira youth with reference data. Methods: The sample comprised 521 participants (n = 258 boys; n = 263 girls) aged 10.0–18.9 years old. Methods: Height and weight were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and percent fat was derived from skinfolds. Tests detailed on FITESCOLA battery were performed. BMI was plotted against U.S. reference data and physical assessment contrasted with the cut-off points of FITESCOLA protocol and corresponding data developed in Portuguese youth. Results: The percentages of overweight and obesity were 15% (overweight) and 14% (obesity) for boys and 16% (overweight) and 6% (obesity) for girls. The median values of fat mass percentage were closely related to the cut-off standards; however, substantial variation was noted. Boys and girls tended to be below the recommendations of cardiorespiratory fitness. Conclusions: Sport participation should be promoted in Madeira to attain acceptable values of body composition and physical fitness levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were twofold: (i) to examine differences in physical activity (PA) variables regarding the length of Physical Education (PE) lessons (45 vs. 90 min) and teaching methodology (Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) or hybrid TGfU-sports education (SE)); and (ii) to estimate the percentage of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous (MV) PA assessed via an accelerometer based on total step count, BMI, age, and sex, considering the pedagogical models and the class length. This study was carried out in three classes of invasion games in PE. Two classes were taught based on TGfU (44 students, 18 males, 12.6 ± 0.55), and one was taught based on a hybrid TGfU-SE (17 students, 9 males, 13.7 ± 0.90). The same students were assessed twice, first in a 45 min class and then in a 90 min class. The students' MVPA was assessed using the Actigraph GT3X Activity Monitor. The results revealed significant differences in PA intensity regarding the length of the PE lesson (45 vs. 90 min) and the teaching methodology. The 45 min classes using TGfU were more intense and had less sedentary time than the 90 min classes. When using a hybrid TGfU-SE, the 90 min classes had higher intensities than the 45 min classes. Generally, when comparing the two types of pedagogical intervention, the TGfU model provided more active lessons and less sedentary time in class than a hybrid TGfU-SE. The TGfU model is more profitable for increasing MVPA in class. Due to the issues related to the organization and management of sports practice in class, several recommendations for maximizing MVPA in a hybrid TGfU-SE class must be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional soccer is characterized by its physical demands, making players' exposure to high injury risks a growing problem. It is crucial to study the factors associated with injuries in professional soccer. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between age, body composition, and others variables related with the injury profile of professional soccer players of a specific Portuguese team. Also, it analyzed the impact of the injury profile on soccer's variations in body fat (BF%), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and total body water (TBW) throughout the season. The sample comprised 31 male professional soccer players competing in the First Portuguese Soccer League. Older players had a higher prevalence of muscular injuries. Midfielders and forwards showed the highest number of muscular injuries during the season being quadriceps the most affected zone. Considering players' BF% [Wilks' Lambda = 0.42, F (7, 23) = 4.61, p = 0.002, r = 0.58], SMM [Wilks' Lambda = 0.59, F (6, 23) = 2.70, p = 0.039, r = 0.41] and TBW [Wilks' Lambda = 0.54, F (7, 23) = 2.80, p = 0.029, r = 0.46] there was a substantial main effect for the assessments performed throughout the season and the injury status. Age assumes relevance in explaining the injury profile. The impact of the injury profile on soccer's variations in BF%, SMM and TBW throughout the season must be analyzed considering the clinical relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This paper examines the convergence of the opinions of European higher education institution (HEI) experts on possible implementation of dual career policies and provision areas at university level. Methods: An online 32-item questionnaire encompassing 26 dual career aspects collected the opinion of European HEI experts as the last phase of a Delphi method preceded by i) focus groups with student-athletes who aimed to identify needs for dual careers and ii) a workshop with 21 dual career experts to generate the statements to be included in the survey. Seventy-one HEI experts from 12 EU member states participated in the survey, rating each dual career aspect identified in previous phases. Results: The relative position of each aspect has been plotted based on relevance (x-axis) and feasibility (y-axis). The Quadrant IV of the resulting scatterplots identified the following nine aspects rated as highly relevant and highly feasible for implementation: tutorship/mentorship, psychological support, programmes based on integration of academic departments and sports services, and adaptable programmes to the needs of each student-athletes (assistance/tutorship area), individual study plans and distance learning (curricula requirements area), publicity for student-athletes and initiatives for increasing the awareness of student-athletes and knowledge of dual career issues (social support area), and access to educational facilities (logistic support area). Discussion and conclusions: The HEI experts' views represent a coherent and useful starting point to develop a deep understanding of the considered 26 aspects founded on a phenomenological lifeworld-led approach and emphasizes the need for a minimum standard for dual career policies and provisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review analyzed the effects of recreational soccer programs on physical fitness and health-related outcomes in youth populations. Studies were sought in the following databases: (i) PubMed, (ii) Scopus, (iii) SPORTDiscus, and (iv) Web of Science. The eligibility criteria included (1) population: youth (<18 years old) populations with no restrictions on sex or health condition; (2) intervention: exposure to a recreational soccer training program of at least four weeks duration; (3) comparator: a passive or active control group not exposed to a recreational soccer training program; (4) outcomes: physical fitness (e.g., aerobic, strength, speed, and change-of-direction) or health-related measures (e.g., body composition, blood pressure, heart rate variability, and biomarkers); (5) study design: a randomized parallel group design. The search was conducted on 6 September 2022 with no restrictions as to date or language. The risk of bias was assessed using the PEDro scale for randomized controlled studies. From a pool of 37,235 potentially relevant articles, 17 were eligible for inclusion in this review. Most of the experimental studies revealed the beneficial effects of recreational soccer for improving aerobic fitness and its benefits in terms of blood pressure and heart-rate markers. However, body composition was not significantly improved by recreational soccer. The main results revealed that recreational soccer training programs that are implemented twice a week could improve the generality of physical fitness parameters and beneficially impact cardiovascular health and biomarkers. Thus, recreational soccer meets the conditions for being included in the physical education curriculum as a good strategy for the benefit of the general health of children and young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are oxidized in the muscle and result in stimulating anabolic signals—which in return may optimize performance, body composition and recovery. Meanwhile, among athletes, the evidence about BCAA supplementation is not clear. The aim of this study was to review the effects of BCAAs in athletic populations. The research was conducted in three databases: Web of Science (all databases), PubMed and Scopus. The inclusion criteria involved participants classified both as athletes and people who train regularly, and who were orally supplemented with BCAAs. The risk of bias was individually assessed for each study using the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2.0). From the 2298 records found, 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. Although BCAAs tended to activate anabolic signals, the benefits on performance and body composition were negligible. On the other hand, studies that included resistance participants showed that BCAAs attenuated muscle soreness after exercise, while in endurance sports the findings were inconsistent. The protocols of BCAA supplements differed considerably between studies. Moreover, most of the studies did not report the total protein intake across the day and, consequently, the benefits of BCAAs should be interpreted with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Soccer Science / Revista Brasileira de Futebol is the property of Revista Brasileira de Futebol and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose. The main purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the tactical-technical behaviour of football goalkeepers (GKs) across 5 small-sided games (SSGs) formats with temporary numerical variability. Methods. The sample involved 4 male under-17 GKs from the same team aged 16.1 ± 0.52 years. Three sessions were held on 3 different days to collect information. On each day, the 10-minute SSGs exercise with temporary numerical variability was repeated twice. The numerical ratio of players changed every 2 minutes without interrupting the practice. The exercise always started with a situation of 3 vs. 3 + GK ('+ GK' for both teams in each format), going through 4 vs. 3 + GK, 5 vs. 3 + GK, 3 vs. 4 + GK, and 3 vs. 5 + GK. Results. The 3 vs. 3 + GK format and the numeric superiority by 1 and 2 (4 vs. 3 + GK and 5 vs. 3 + GK) induced fewer defensive tasks in comparison with numeric inferiority (3 vs. 4 + GK and 3 vs. 5 + GK). From an offensive perspective, 3 vs. 3 + GK caused more offensive tasks in comparison with numeric superiority by 1 and 2 (4 vs. 3 + GK and 5 vs. 3 + GK). However, the game formats in numeric inferiority (3 vs. 4 + GK and 3 vs. 5 + GK) induced more offensive tasks. Conclusions. This study suggests the use of temporary numerical variability SSGs to increase offensive and defensive GK tactical-technical behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For a long time, in sports, researchers have tried to understand an expert by comparing them with novices, raising the doubts if the visual search characteristics distinguish experts from novices. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to review and conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the dierences in visual search behavior between experts and novices in team sports athletes. Methods: This systematic review with meta-analysis followed the PRISMA 2020 and Cochrane’s guidelines. Healthy team athletes were included, which engaged in regular practice, from any sex or competitive level, specifically classified a priori as expert or novice in the original research (i.e., if they were classified after the experiment, based on one of the tests, the study would be excluded). We considered only research published in peer-reviewed journals, with no limitations regarding date or language. It was considered healthy team sport athletes engaged in regular practice. The scenarios could be in situ or film-based. The databases of EBSCO (Academic Search Complete, Academic Search Ultimate, APA PsycArticles, and APA PsycINFO), PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were used to perform the searches. The risk of bias was calculated through the RoBANS tool Results: From a total of 6,257 records, of which 985 were duplicates, titles and abstracts of 5,272 were screened, and 45 required full-text analysis. Of those, 23 were excluded due to not fulfilling the eligibility criteria regarding participants. In the end, 22 studies were selected, however, as two studies were part of the same trial and were analyzed conjointly. Discussion: Experts showed to be older and with more years of practice. The ability to distinguish experts from novices was not so clear regarding the variables analyzed. This could be due to the strategies chosen in each study, which were specific to each scenario, and when grouping all together, it was lost information within non-representative averages. The distinction between experts and novices was not clear, showing a lot of heterogeneity in the included studies. The expert classification itself may have been the conditioning aspect for these results, retaining the doubt and the need for more studies in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]