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This study aimed to analyze quantitative differences in the physical demands of male elite soccer players between the first and second halves during official matches, accounting for effective playing time (the duration of play after subtracting the game interruptions) and playing positions. A total of 4,249 individual match observations of 412 outfield players competing in the Spanish first division league (LaLiga) were undertaken during the 2018–2019 season, using a computerized tracking system (TRACAB, Chyronhego, New York, NY). The players were classified into 5 positional roles: central defenders (CD), external defenders (ED), central midfielders (CM), external midfielders (EM), and forwards (F). The main results showed that in contrast to those observed when total playing time was considered, independent of playing position, there were no significant differences on high-speed running (HSR) (5.5 ± 2.4 vs. 5.5 ± 2.4 m·min−1) and sprint (5.3 ± 3.3 vs. 5.4 ± 3.3 m·min−1) distances between the first and second halves in professional soccer players when the effective playing time was considered. However, differences in match running performance at HSR and sprint distances between the first and second halves were dependent on players' playing position. Whereas ED and EM maintained HSR and sprint efforts during the second half, CD and CM significantly increased (p < 0.001) the distance covered at sprint during the second period of the match. Contrarily, F were unable to maintain their HSR (6.2 ± 2.3 vs. 5.9 ± 3.3 m·min−1) and sprint (7.0 ± 3.5 vs. 6.5 ± 3.4 m·min−1) match running performances during the second half. Such findings demonstrate that total playing time could overestimate fatigue-induced performance declines. Thus, effective playing time and playing position should be taken into account when interpreting the match running performance of professional soccer players., Copyright © 2021National Strength and Conditioning Association

BACKGROUND // Drowning represents one of the main causes of child mortality. Water-related incidents are preventable and should be addressed through health education. The aim of this study was to evaluate an educational program for eight-year-old students based on a song with content on drowning prevention. METHODS // A feasibility pilot study was conducted, including forty-six children enrolled in a public school in Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña, Spain). The study was developed in three phases. In the first step, a group of experts and musicians created the educational content and the song. Secondly, the evaluation tool was developed, and finally, the program was implemented based on flag recognition, how to help in a drowning situation, safe swimming attitudes, and information about the emergency phone number 112. The percentage of correct responses by children before and after the educational intervention were compared using the McNemar test. RESULTS // Approximately half of the children were unaware of the meaning of the flags. After listening to the song, all students identified the meaning of the red flag, and over 90% recognized the green and yellow flags (p<0.001). Before the intervention, children correctly identified, on average, 75.3% of the safe water attitude pictograms. This perception of safe attitudes significantly increased post-intervention (p<0.001), with recognition of 86.4% of the correct behaviours. The overall water safety score also significantly improved by 22.7% after the intervention (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS // The educational song is a resource to promote the learning of signals and concepts related to child drowning prevention., FUNDAMENTOS // El ahogamiento representa una de las principales causas de mortalidad infantil. Los incidentes acuáticos son prevenibles y deben ser abordados desde la educación para la salud. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar un programa educativo en alumnado de ocho años basado en una canción con contenido para la prevención del ahogamiento. MÉTODOS // Se realizó un estudio piloto de viabilidad que incluyó a cuarenta y seis niños/as escolarizados en un centro público de Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña, España), siendo desarrollado en tres fases. En el primer paso, un grupo de expertos y músicos crearon el contenido educativo y la canción. En segundo lugar, se elaboró la herramienta de evaluación y, finalmente, se implementó el programa basado en el reconocimiento de las banderas, en cómo ayudar en un ahogamiento, en las actitudes seguras para el baño y en información sobre el teléfono de emergencias 112. El porcentaje de respuestas correctas antes y después de la intervención educativa se compararon utilizando la prueba de McNemar. RESULTADOS // Aproximadamente la mitad de los niños/as desconocía el significado de las banderas. Después de la audición de la canción, todos los escolares identificaron el significado de la bandera roja y más del 90% reconoció la bandera verde y amarilla (p<0,001). Antes de la intervención, los niños identificaron correctamente, en promedio, el 75,3% de los pictogramas de actitudes acuáticas seguras. Esta percepción de actitudes seguras aumentó significativamente postintervención (p<0,001), reconociendo el 86,4% de las conductas correctas. La puntuación general de seguridad del agua también mejoró significativamente después de la intervención un 22,7% (p<0,001). CONCLUSIONES // La canción educativa es un medio para favorecer el aprendizaje de las señales y conceptos sobre la prevención del ahogamiento infantil.

Background: Foam rolling has been extensively investigated, showing benefits in performance and recovery. Recently, vibration has been added to foam rollers, with hypothesized advantages over conventional foam rollers. However, there is no systematic evidence in this regard. Objective: To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis about the effects of vibration foam roller (VFR) on performance and recovery. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and SportDiscus according to the PRISMA guidelines. The outcomes included performance (jump, agility and strength) and recovery variables (blood flow, pain and fatigue) measured after an intervention with VFR. The methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro scale. A random-effects model was used to perform the meta-analysis. Results: Initially, 556 studies were found and after the eligibility criteria 10 studies were included in the systematic review and 9 in the meta-analysis. There was no significant effects on jump performance (SMD = 0.14 [95% CI − 0.022 to 0.307]; p = 0.101; I2 = 1.08%) and no significant beneficial effects were reported on isokinetic strength (SMD = 0.16 [95% CI − 0.041 to 0.367]; p = 0.117; I2 = 9.7%). Recovery appears to be enhanced after VFR interventions, but agility does not seem to increase after VFR interventions. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that VFR could have great potential for increasing jump performance, agility, strength and enhancing recovery. Further research is needed to confirm the effects of VFR on performance and recovery. Trial Registration This investigation was registered in PROSPERO with the code CRD42021238104., CC BY 4.0Correspondence: a.cabo@udc.esNo sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this article.

[Abstract] The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of percussive massage therapy (PMT) on lifeguards’ recovery after a water rescue, in comparison with passive recovery. Methods: A quasi-experimental crossover design was conducted to compare passive recovery (PR) and a PMT protocol. A total of 14 volunteer lifeguards performed a simulated 100 m water rescue and perceived fatigue and blood lactate were measured as recovery variables after the rescue and after the 8-min recovery process. Results: There were no differences between PMT and PR in lactate clearance (p > 0.05), finding in both modalities a small but not significant decrease in blood lactate. In perceived fatigue, both methods decreased this variable significantly (p < 0.001), with no significant differences between them (p > 0.05). Conclusions: PMT does not enhance recovery after a water rescue, in comparison with staying passive. Despite PMT appearing to be adequate for recovery in other efforts, it is not recommended for lifeguards’ recovery after a water rescue.

[Abstract] Background: Foam rolling has been extensively investigated, showing benefts in performance and recovery. Recently, vibration has been added to foam rollers, with hypothesized advantages over conventional foam rollers. However, there is no systematic evidence in this regard. Objective: To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis about the efects of vibration foam roller (VFR) on performance and recovery. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and SportDiscus according to the PRISMA guidelines. The outcomes included performance (jump, agility and strength) and recovery variables (blood fow, pain and fatigue) measured after an intervention with VFR. The methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro scale. A random-efects model was used to perform the meta-analysis. Results: Initially, 556 studies were found and after the eligibility criteria 10 studies were included in the systematic review and 9 in the meta-analysis. There was no signifcant efects on jump performance (SMD=0.14 [95% CI −0.022 to 0.307]; p=0.101; I 2=1.08%) and no signifcant benefcial efects were reported on isokinetic strength (SMD=0.16 [95% CI −0.041 to 0.367]; p=0.117; I 2=9.7%). Recovery appears to be enhanced after VFR interventions, but agility does not seem to increase after VFR interventions. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that VFR could have great potential for increasing jump performance, agility, strength and enhancing recovery. Further research is needed to confrm the efects of VFR on performance and recovery.

Background: Foam rolling has been extensively investigated, showing benefits in performance and recovery. Recently, vibration has been added to foam rollers, with hypothesized advantages over conventional foam rollers. However, there is no systematic evidence in this regard. Objective: To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis about the effects of vibration foam roller (VFR) on performance and recovery. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and SportDiscus according to the PRISMA guidelines. The outcomes included performance (jump, agility and strength) and recovery variables (blood flow, pain and fatigue) measured after an intervention with VFR. The methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro scale. A random-effects model was used to perform the meta-analysis. Results: Initially, 556 studies were found and after the eligibility criteria 10 studies were included in the systematic review and 9 in the meta-analysis. There was no significant effects on jump performance (SMD = 0.14 [95% CI − 0.022 to 0.307]; p = 0.101; I2 = 1.08%) and no significant beneficial effects were reported on isokinetic strength (SMD = 0.16 [95% CI − 0.041 to 0.367]; p = 0.117; I2 = 9.7%). Recovery appears to be enhanced after VFR interventions, but agility does not seem to increase after VFR interventions. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that VFR could have great potential for increasing jump performance, agility, strength and enhancing recovery. Further research is needed to confirm the effects of VFR on performance and recovery. Trial Registration This investigation was registered in PROSPERO with the code CRD42021238104., CC BY 4.0Correspondence: a.cabo@udc.esNo sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this article.

Background: Foam rolling has been extensively investigated, showing benefits in performance and recovery. Recently, vibration has been added to foam rollers, with hypothesized advantages over conventional foam rollers. However, there is no systematic evidence in this regard. Objective: To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis about the effects of vibration foam roller (VFR) on performance and recovery. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and SportDiscus according to the PRISMA guidelines. The outcomes included performance (jump, agility and strength) and recovery variables (blood flow, pain and fatigue) measured after an intervention with VFR. The methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro scale. A random-effects model was used to perform the meta-analysis. Results: Initially, 556 studies were found and after the eligibility criteria 10 studies were included in the systematic review and 9 in the meta-analysis. There was no significant effects on jump performance (SMD = 0.14 [95% CI − 0.022 to 0.307]; p = 0.101; I2 = 1.08%) and no significant beneficial effects were reported on isokinetic strength (SMD = 0.16 [95% CI − 0.041 to 0.367]; p = 0.117; I2 = 9.7%). Recovery appears to be enhanced after VFR interventions, but agility does not seem to increase after VFR interventions. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that VFR could have great potential for increasing jump performance, agility, strength and enhancing recovery. Further research is needed to confirm the effects of VFR on performance and recovery. Trial Registration This investigation was registered in PROSPERO with the code CRD42021238104., CC BY 4.0Correspondence: a.cabo@udc.esNo sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this article.

Background: Foam rolling has been extensively investigated, showing benefits in performance and recovery. Recently, vibration has been added to foam rollers, with hypothesized advantages over conventional foam rollers. However, there is no systematic evidence in this regard. Objective: To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis about the effects of vibration foam roller (VFR) on performance and recovery. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and SportDiscus according to the PRISMA guidelines. The outcomes included performance (jump, agility and strength) and recovery variables (blood flow, pain and fatigue) measured after an intervention with VFR. The methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro scale. A random-effects model was used to perform the meta-analysis. Results: Initially, 556 studies were found and after the eligibility criteria 10 studies were included in the systematic review and 9 in the meta-analysis. There was no significant effects on jump performance (SMD = 0.14 [95% CI − 0.022 to 0.307]; p = 0.101; I2 = 1.08%) and no significant beneficial effects were reported on isokinetic strength (SMD = 0.16 [95% CI − 0.041 to 0.367]; p = 0.117; I2 = 9.7%). Recovery appears to be enhanced after VFR interventions, but agility does not seem to increase after VFR interventions. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that VFR could have great potential for increasing jump performance, agility, strength and enhancing recovery. Further research is needed to confirm the effects of VFR on performance and recovery. Trial Registration This investigation was registered in PROSPERO with the code CRD42021238104., CC BY 4.0Correspondence: a.cabo@udc.esNo sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this article.

Background: Foam rolling has been extensively investigated, showing benefits in performance and recovery. Recently, vibration has been added to foam rollers, with hypothesized advantages over conventional foam rollers. However, there is no systematic evidence in this regard. Objective: To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis about the effects of vibration foam roller (VFR) on performance and recovery. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and SportDiscus according to the PRISMA guidelines. The outcomes included performance (jump, agility and strength) and recovery variables (blood flow, pain and fatigue) measured after an intervention with VFR. The methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro scale. A random-effects model was used to perform the meta-analysis. Results: Initially, 556 studies were found and after the eligibility criteria 10 studies were included in the systematic review and 9 in the meta-analysis. There was no significant effects on jump performance (SMD = 0.14 [95% CI − 0.022 to 0.307]; p = 0.101; I2 = 1.08%) and no significant beneficial effects were reported on isokinetic strength (SMD = 0.16 [95% CI − 0.041 to 0.367]; p = 0.117; I2 = 9.7%). Recovery appears to be enhanced after VFR interventions, but agility does not seem to increase after VFR interventions. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that VFR could have great potential for increasing jump performance, agility, strength and enhancing recovery. Further research is needed to confirm the effects of VFR on performance and recovery. Trial Registration This investigation was registered in PROSPERO with the code CRD42021238104., CC BY 4.0Correspondence: a.cabo@udc.esNo sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this article.

[Abstract] Groin injuries are one of the most prevalent in male soccer players, especially due to the hip adductor muscles’ weakness which is considered as a risk factor in these injuries. The Copenhagen adduction (CA) exercise has been demonstrated to increase the strength of adductor muscles, but its effects on the architectural characteristics of adductor muscles have not been studied yet. This study aimed to analyze the effects of the CA exercise on the muscle thickness of the adductors. Twelve male U-17 soccer players were randomized into two groups: the control group with no intervention and the experimental group with an intervention based on an eight-week training with CA exercise. The muscle thickness of adductors was measured before and after the intervention using ultrasound imaging. A significant increase in muscle thickness was found in both control (p = 0.002) and experimental group (p < 0.001), but the experimental group did not show additional effects in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, an 8-week CA exercise intervention does not increase the muscle thickness of adductors in U-17 soccer players more than their regular training.