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The aim of this study was to determine the effects of linear and change of direction high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on physical performance in elite female soccer players. Thirty elite female soccer players (age: 19.6 ± 4.6 years; height: 166.5 ± 4.8 cm; body weight: 60.5 ± 8.3 kg; BMI: 21.9 ± 2.9 kg/m 2 ) were randomly allocated to HIIT linear (HIIT LIN ) and HIIT change of direction (HIIT COD ) training groups. The HIIT LIN group performed linear running for 15, 20 or 25 s by keeping constant pace during the entire distance. In contrast, the HIIT COD group performed three changes of direction (COD) with a 180° turn during each interval run at 15, 20 or 25 s. Physical performance was assessed using sprinting, agility, vertical jumps, repeated sprint ability (RSA) and 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15 IFT). In both groups, all physical performance measurements improved (p ≤ 0.05), except RSAbest in HIIT LIN (p = 0.45). Both interventions significantly improved speed over 10 m, 20 m, 30 m, Pro-agility, Zig-zag, RSAavg, fatigue index, maximal oxygen uptake, and velocity at 30-15 IFT, while moderate improvements were observed in countermovement jump (CMJ), CMJ with arm swing and squat jump. However, HIIT COD did not achieve superior improvements in any of the aforementioned measurements compared to HIIT LIN . Based on the obtained results, we concluded that different types of HIIT training have a positive effect on physical performance in elite female soccer players., Competing Interests: The authors declared no conflict of interest., (Copyright © Institute of Sport – National Research Instutite.)

School-based programmes have shown promising results in the reduction of aggressive behaviour, but the effectiveness of physical activity modalities among adolescents remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a school-based soccer programme on physical fitness and aggression in adolescent students. One hundred and five high school students were randomized to a small-sided soccer training group (SG) or a control group (CG). In addition to the regular physical education classes performed as part of a curriculum, the SG completed eight months of small-sided soccer training twice a week after school. Aerobic fitness (YYIR1), vertical jump (VJ), backward overhead medicine ball throw (BOMBT), and Buss and Perry's aggression questionnaire were evaluated before and after eight months of training. Greater improvements were observed in the SG than in the CG in the BOMBT (%diff=4.3, ŋ p 2 =.308) and YYIR1 tests (%diff=2.2, ŋ p 2 =.159), and physical aggression subscale (%diff=-12.1, ŋ p 2 =.144). Extra, school-based recreational soccer for adolescents was accompanied by a significant improvement in physical fitness, compared to physical education classes only. Moreover, the implementation of recreational soccer into regular physical education classes seems to be a potentially appropriate stimulus for reducing aggression in high-school students., Competing Interests: No potential conflicts of interest were reported by the authors., (Copyright © Biology of Sport 2020.)

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of team size on acute physiological, perceptual, and activity demands of recreational handball to provide a better understanding for the potential prescription of recreational handball to achieve health benefits. Active, male college students (N=22) completed 3-, 4-, and 5-a-side handball game formats across three separate sessions following a repeated-measures, crossover design. Heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration (BLa), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), distance covered, and frequency of accelerations/decelerations were monitored during games. Each game format elicited vigorous intensities with a mean HR in the range 82-85%HR max and post-game BLa in the range 3.9-4.4 mmol·L -1 . No significant differences (P>0.05) in absolute (ηp 2 =0.40), relative mean HR (ηp 2 =0.43), BLa (ηp 2 =0.16), total distance (ηp 2 =0.32), total accelerations (ηp 2 =0.23), or total decelerations (ηp 2 =0.23) were observed between game formats. A significant effect was observed for RPE (ηp 2 =0.51), where 3-a-side games elicited a higher RPE than 5-a-side games (P=0.03, large). Modifying player number has a negligible effect on the physiological and activity demands encountered during recreational handball games. Recreational handball consisting of 3-5 players imposes similar intermittent workloads, resulting in vigorous physiological responses concomitant with those recommended for overall health improvements as part of regular training., (Copyright © Biology of Sport 2020.)

Recreational football has been shown to be an effective health-promoting activity, but it is still unclear how changes in game formats affect external and internal load. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the effect of area per player in recreational small-sided football games. Ten recreational active male football participants (mean±standard deviation, age: 20.1±1.1 years; height: 182.2±7.4 cm; body mass: 75.9±9.8 kg) completed two sessions comprising 2x20 min of 5v5 football with 80 and 60 m 2 per player, during which heart rate (HR) and movement pattern were measured. In 80 m 2 , mean HR (167±9 vs. 160±10 b.p.m., P<0.001, ES=0.70) and peak HR (192±8 vs. 188±9 b.p.m., P=0.041, ES=0.50) were significantly higher than in 60 m 2 . Percentage playing time with HR >90%HR peak was higher in 80 m 2 than 60 m 2 (45±14 vs. 29±16%, P=0.004, ES=1.07). Moreover, a higher number of sprints (8.0±4.8 vs. 3.0±1.3, P=0.014, ES=1.41) and a greater distance in the highest speed zones (>13, >16 and >20 km·h 1 ) were covered in 80 m 2 than 60 m 2 . Peak running speed was also higher in 80 m 2 (24.3±1.7 vs. 22.3±1.4 km·h -1 , P=0.011, ES=1.27), whereas no statistically significant differences were found in total distance covered, player load, or the acceleration-deceleration profiles. In conclusion, the internal and external loading was higher for recreationally active male football players when playing on a pitch with 80 m 2 area per player compared to 60 m 2 ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

The aims of this study were: 1) To determine the effects of a 12-week recreational soccer training programme and continuous endurance running on body composition of young adult men and 2) to determine which of these two programmes was more effective concerning body composition. Sixty-four participants completed the randomized controlled trial and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a soccer training group (SOC; n=20), a running group (RUN; n=21) or a control group performing no physical training (CON; n=23). Training programmes for SOC and RUN lasted 12-week with 3 training sessions per week. Soccer sessions consisted of 60 min ordinary five-a-side, six-a-side or seven-a-side matches on a 30-45 m wide and 45-60 m long plastic grass pitch. Running sessions consisted of 60 min of continuous moderate intensity running at the same average heart rate as in SOC (~80% HRmax). All participants, regardless of group assignment, were tested for each of the following dependent variables: body weight, body height, body mass index, percent body fat, body fat mass, fat-free mass and total body water. In the SOC and RUN groups there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in body composition parameters from pre- to post-training values for all measures with the exception of fat-free mass and total body water. Body mass index, percent body fat and body fat mass did not differ between groups at baseline, but by week 12 were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the SOC and RUN groups compared to CON. To conclude, recreational soccer training provides at least the same changes in body composition parameters as continuous running in young adult men when the training intensity is well matched.