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The study examines the endurance capacity and selected technical-tactical skills of soccer players participating in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The results indicate the significant impact of players' motor preparation level on the execution of technical-tactical actions in top-class soccer tournaments. The covered distance by players during a match is one of the most important indices used for assessment of players' endurance capacity. The analysis revealed that the Spain and Italy national teams which attained very high passing efficiency and total number of passes failed to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament. The analysis of the structure of match performance, especially by elite teams, is necessary for rational programming of endurance training in professional soccer. The knowledge of endurance loads at top-level soccer tournament permits the optimalization of modern soccer training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. During P.E. classes primary school students (grade 4) ought to improve their level of physical fitness, including coordinative motor abilities, as well as to acquire motor skills which enable them to take part in various forms of physical activity in an active and safe way. Unfortunately, in physical education of children and young people the main emphasis is still placed on the improvement of fitness abilities. We have to bear in mind, however, that the level of coordinative abilities limits significantly the improvement of necessary fitness abilities and vice versa. Our research was aimed at determining what dependencies exist between the results of selected coordinative motor abilities and ten-year-old children' results of the tests designed by the International Committee for the standardization of Physical Fitness tests. Material and methods. the research group consisted of 93 students of primary schools in the town of Wołów. In order to determine the level of the particular components of physical fitness we employed the trials of the International Committee for the standardization of Physical Fitness tests (ICSPFT). For assessing the particular coordinative abilities we used the following tests: 'run for the balls', 'stopping the rolling ball', 'long standing jump with 50% of maximum possibilities', 'long standing jump forward and backward'. Results. According to research findings there is a relationship between the improvement of the selected coordinative motor abilities and some of the components of physical fitness. Conclusions. Therefore, a physical education teacher are advised caution in choosing physical exercises and games, taking into consideration comprehensive motor development of students, including their coordinative motor abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Kilit, B, Chmura, P, Arslan, E, Soylu, Y, and Radziminski, Ł. Effects of 2 combined training protocols on the aerobic and anaerobic fitness, technical skills, and psychophysiological responses in young soccer players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-The study compared the effects of combining small-sided soccer games (SSGs) with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and repeated sprint training (RST) on aerobic and anaerobic fitness, technical skills, and psychophysiological responses in young soccer players. Thirty-two male, adolescent, soccer players (aged 13.5 ± 0.3 years) were randomly divided into either the SSGs + HIIT group ( n = 16) or the SSGs + RST group ( n = 16) for combined training 3 times per week for 6 weeks. The players in the SSGs + HIIT group performed 12-18 minutes of runs at intensities (90-95%), whereas the players in the SSGs + RST group consisted of 3-4 sets of 5-7 times 15-m shuttle sprints (all-out efforts). Both training groups played 4 bouts of 2-a-side or 4-a-side SSGs with various game formats at 2-day intervals. Psychophysiological responses were determined during and after all training sessions. Before and after training interventions, the following physical performance tests were used: 5- to 30-m sprint time, countermovement jump, triple-hop distance, zigzag agility with the ball and without the ball, repeated sprint ability (RSA), 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test, 3 corner run test, speed dribbling ability (SDA), Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1, and Y-balance test. Our main findings were that the SSGs + RST group demonstrated greater improvement in 5-m sprint time, SDA time, and RSA in the meantime compared with the SSGs + HIIT ( p ≤ 0.05, d values ranging from 1.50 to 2.25). Moreover, the SSGs + RST group showed greater improvement in agility test responses ( p ≤ 0.05, d values ranging from 2.13 to 2.34) than the SSGs + HIIT group. However, the SSGs + HIIT induced higher perceived exertion, mental effort, and lower greater physical enjoyment meaningfully compared with the SSGs + RST ( p ≤ 0.05, d values ranging from 6.04 to 6.67). In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the SSGs + RST is an effective training program to improve young soccer players' speed and agility-based performance responses., (Copyright © 2024 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Abstract: Modric, T, Clemente, FM, Versic, S, Chmura, P, Andrzejewski, M, Kryściak, J, and Sekulic, D. Environmental heat stress detrimentally affects match running performance of elite soccer teams competing in the UEFA Champions League. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-This study aimed to examine the effect of environmental heat stress (EHS), defined by wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT), on match running performance (MRP) while controlling for match-related contextual factors. For this purpose, 2 approaches were implemented: (a) the MRP in heat stress nonrisking environment (NoEHS) (WBGT <22° C) and heat stress risking environment (EHSrisk) (WBGT ≥22° C) were compared and (b) changes in MRP according to the 1° C increase in WBGT were evaluated. Data on MRP were collected using an optical tracking system from all teams ( n = 32) in all UEFA Champions League matches ( n = 125) during the 2022-23 season. Metrics included total distance (TD), low-intensity (LIR), moderate-intensity (MIR), and high-intensity running (HIR) distances. Results indicated that less TD (108.84 vs. 110.71 km; Cohen's d [ d ] = 0.53), MIR (15.91 vs. 17.09 km; d = 0.85), and HIR (8.75 vs. 9.23 km; d = 0.46) were covered in matches played in EHSrisk compared with the NoEHS. Further investigation indicated that for every 1° C increase in WBGT, TD averagely decreased by 0.16 km ( d = -0.48), MIR by 0.13 km ( d = -1.09), and HIR by 0.06 km ( d = -0.69). These findings demonstrated decreased overall and intensive workload during the matches in EHSrisk, suggesting the detrimental effect of EHS on match volume and intensity in elite soccer. When EHS risk is anticipated, consideration of playing and recovery strategies should be implemented by coaches to achieve tactical goals while minimizing physical strain during a match., (Copyright © 2024 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Substitutions play a key role in modern football and can substantially affect the physical and overall performance of a team, and the recent substitution rule changes are worth investigating. This study explored the characteristics of substitutions, including different substitution rules, game results, sex, competition stages, tournaments and penalty shoot-outs success rates. We analysed data from a total of 3,738 substitutions from the last 10 years (2013-2023) of European Championships and World Cups, both men's and women's games. Non-parametric tests and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis with the significance level set at p < 0.05. With the 5-substitution rule, 48% more substitutions occurred compared to the 3-substitution rule (4.26 ± 1.07 vs. 2.87 ± 0.43, p < 0.05) with a slight increase in the average substitution time (70.6 ± 14.3 vs. 69.2 ± 14.6 min, p < 0.05), and 10% more substitutions in the men's game compared to the women's game (p < 0.05). The timing of the first substitution was slightly different in the knock-out stage compared to group stage (59.8 ± 14.7 vs. 57.2 ± 13.3 min, p < 0.05), and the timing for the winning team and drawing team was later than for the losing team (p < 0.05). A total of 13.2% goals were scored by substitutes, with no significant difference between the 5-substitution rule (15.9%) vs the 3-substition rule (12.5%) (p > 0.05). Interestingly, substitute players had a lower success rate in penalty shoot-out compared to starters (61 vs. 74%, p < 0.05). Additionally, substitute player goal scorers entered the pitch later (p < 0.05) in male games compared to female games and in knock-out stage games compared to group games. This study highlights the importance of substitution rules and timing in modern elite football matches. The timing of the first substitution, introduction of substitutes in knock-out stages, and a lower success rate of substitute players in penalty shoot-outs are crucial factors to consider. Coaches can use this information to make strategic substitution decisions to improve team performance., Competing Interests: The authors report there are no competing interests to declare., (Copyright © Institute of Sport – National Research Instutite.)

Background: The 2022 World Cup introduced new substitution rules, tournament periods and stoppage time calculation methods. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the goal time characteristics during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group stage in comparison with those of the 2018 event, exploring the potential influence on the goal times after the new substitution rules, stoppage time calculation method, and tournament periods., Methods: A total of 242 goals were used for analysis. The timing, zones and ways of goals scored were used for the analyses by χ 2 Test with a significance level set at P<0.05., Results: More goals were scored in the second half than in the first half (64.2% vs. 35.8%; χ 2 =9.633, P<0.05) and a significant difference in the goals scored in 15 minutes intervals in 2022 World Cup group stage (χ 2 =16.000, P<0.05). No difference were observed in the goal scoring time in two World Cups in terms of the different intervals, results, areas, and ways (P>0.05), but more open play goals were scored in the 2022 event (χ 2 =10.200, P<0.05) and substitutes scored more goals in the 2022 World Cup group stage as compared to those in the 2018 event (χ 2 =5.161, P<0.05). Despite more stoppage time in the 2022 event than in the 2018 event (11.6 vs. 7.3 min), no differences were observed in the number of goals scored in stoppage time (χ 2 =0.953, P>0.05)., Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of the insight of goal scoring pattern. Practitioners need to allocate physical fitness to tactical arrangements in a reasonable manner according to the time of the game, improve open play scoring ability and increase substitution awareness.

Background: This investigation aimed to analyze differences in running performances amongst playing positions between the first and second halves of soccer matches and at 5-minute intervals during matches., Methods: Data were collected from 179 soccer players during 20 UEFA Champions League (UCL) 2020/2021 group stage matches. Data were examined using the InStat Fitness semi-automatic video system. Eight variables were selected to quantify players' running performance (RP). Players were categorized based on positional groups: central defenders (CD), fullbacks (FB), central midfielders (CM), wide midfielders (WM), and forwards (FW). Univariate differences in RP were analyzed using ANOVA and the t-test for dependent samples and multivariate differences were identified using canonical discriminant analysis., Results: The main findings were that all positions achieved significantly higher average speeds and walking distances in the first half of the match than in the second half. Furthermore, analysis of positions showed that CM covered more distance than CD in all 5-minute intervals. In addition, WM performed more high-intensity running than CD in all 5-minute intervals and FW performed more high-intensity running than all other playing positions., Conclusions: The findings from the present study should help coaches design training exercises that are specific to parts of a match. Moreover, the findings can help provide better understanding of match demands and individualization of training. Analysis of 5-minute intervals may also help coaches understand the stages of a match where player substitutions will be most effective.

The change of direction (COD) ability is perhaps the most significant fitness component in team sport games. One of the best ways to develop COD as well as other components of the game in soccer is the regular inclusion of small sided games (SSGs) in the training process. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine changes in physiological and kinematic variables in repeated SSGs in youth soccer players. Additionally, we investigated the relationship between selected IMA variables such as acceleration, deceleration and changes of direction. Participants included sixteen U17 soccer players from a 2 nd league professional team with a high aerobic capacity. The study design involved six 3-min 4 × 4 SSGs with goalkeepers and with a 3-min rest interval between games, during two training sessions played on a field of 25 x 35 m. The results showed that the intervention protocol consisting of repeated SSGs generated an intensity below the anaerobic threshold. This allowed for the maintenance of all variables (Heart Rate, Total Distance Covered, Velocity, Acceleration, Deceleration, Change of Direction) at a similar level throughout the subsequent six SSGs. The analysis revealed that in the six SSGs, players performed the most Acc and Dec, then COD Right and the least COD Left. From the third game on, a decrease in the number of COD Right was noticed. We hypothesized that progressive neuromuscular fatigue on the dominant side caused a more symmetrical trend in COD., (© 2022 Marek Konefał, Jan Chmura, Michał Zacharko, Tomasz Zając, Paweł Chmura, published by Sciendo.)

Background: The aim of this study was to determine what physical and technical activities of soccer players in different pitch positions affect significantly the match outcome of professional German soccer players; as well as to examine whether differences in physical and technical activities increase or reduce the probability of a match being won., Methods: The study sample comprised 4393 individual match observations of 350 soccer players competing in the Bundesliga during the 2014/2015 domestic season. Analysis was confined to outfield players (other than goalkeepers) who completed entire matches, and was carried out using the Impire AG motion analysis system. The selection of physical and technical activities to be used in predictive models was achieved using the lasso method., Results: The odds ratio revealed that an mean running speed in the second half that was greater by 0.1 km/h was associated with a 27.0% improvement in the odds of a match being won (OR=1.27; 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.38) (forwards), 15.7% (OR=1.16; 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.23) (wide midfielders), and 10.0% (OR=1.10; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.17) (central midfielders). Furthermore, in the case of wide midfielders, a significant variable was the distance covered at >24 km/h, with an increase of 0.1 km associated with odds of winning the game improved by 31.7% (OR=1.32; 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.66)., Conclusions: Match outcome is affected significantly where peak and mean running speeds in the second half of the match are greater, and where longer distances are covered at speeds in excess of 24 km/h.