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Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of cognitive and game-based trainings (GBT) on dynamic balance (DB) and speed performance (SP) in healthy young soccer players. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine male soccer players were divided into three groups: cognitive-based neuromuscular training (CBNT; n  = 16; age = 16.93 ± 1.18 years; body mass index [BMI] = 21.37 ± 1.57 kg/m 2 ) group, GBT ( n  = 17; age = 17.05 ± 1.39 years; BMI = 21.10 ± 0.97 kg/m 2 ) group, and control group ( n  = 16; age = 16.75 ± 1.12 years; BMI = 21.95 ± 1.36 kg/m 2 ). The athletes in CBNT and GBT groups took part in one session lasting 1 hour. The Star Excursion Balance Test and the Speed Dribbling Test were used to evaluate DB and SP, respectively. The measurements were taken just before and after the trainings. Statistical analysis of the study was performed using SPSS 22.0 software (Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Inc., Chicago, IL). The Paired Student's t -test and Wilcoxon test were used. For in-group evaluation the ANOVA test was used for comparisons between the three groups. The Tukey's test was used for post hoc analysis. Results: DB significantly improved in all directions in the GBT group ( P  < 0.05). Also, significant improvements were observed in DB in all directions except anterior, anterolateral, and anteromedial in the CBNT group, and except anterior, medial, and anteromedial directons in the control group ( P  < 0.05). SP significantly developed just in the CBNT and GBT groups ( P  = 0.001, P  = 0.003, respectively). CBNT and GBT improved the DB of soccer players by 9.6% and 9.5%, respectively. Also, trainings improved the SP by 3.1% and 2.6%, respectively. Conclusion: CBNT and GBT are promising trainings that can improve DB and SP of healthy young soccer players. Trial number: NCT03739658 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier).

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between elite athletes' imagery abilities and their body awareness, plank stance duration, psychological and social skills. Material and Methods: The study included 53 healthy elite athletes (female:32, male:21). The imagery abilities of the athletes were evaluated using the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3. A Body Awareness Questionnaire was used for body awareness assessment. Plank stance duration, psychological and social skill levels were evaluated using Sport Specific Core Muscle Strength and Stability Plank Test, Athletic Psychological Skills Inventory and Social Skills Inventory, respectively. Results: External and kinesthetic imagery was found to correlate with body awareness (r=0.33, p=0.02; r=0.39, p<0.01). There was a relationship between these imagery abilities and the prediction of body responses (r=0.31, p=0.03; r=0.38, p<0.01) and sleep-wake cycle (r=0.38, p<0.01; r=0.37, p<0.01) subdimensions of body awareness. Kinesthetic imagery also was associated with changes in paying attention to changes and reactions in the body process (r=0.30, p=0.03) sub-dimension. There was no relationship between imagery and other parameters (p>0.05). Conclusion: The external and kinesthetic imagery ability of elite athletes is related to the body awareness level. It should be considered in terms of holistic approach in the performance and rehabilitation processes of the athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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