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Copyright of PODIUM- Revista de Ciencia y Tecnologia en la Cultura Física is the property of Universidad de Pinar del Rio 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 Journal of Physical Education (20736452) is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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.)

Although research into various dimensions of Hungarian football academies has become more intensive over the recent years, there is still a wide range of questions and problems to be addressed, most of which can be identified in the educational-pedagogical dimensions of the academies. Our present research concentrates on the players of 3 academies in the provinces and 3 in the capital city (N=560). As a method of the research, we opted to use an inventory to collect the answers of the players (Rábai, 2021). We interviewed them about the way they imagine their future and their responses were, at each question, analysed in a comparison of the provinces and the capital. We assumed that there were considerable differences between the two groups, based upon the review and findings of the relevant literature. We found significant differences between the answers of the players of the two groups of academies, primarily in the aspirations to achieve vocational qualifications (p=0,039), the students' views about their prospects of a professional career (p=0,000) and a career abroad (p=0,047) (Rábai, 2021). Our findings suggest that the majority of the young football players we contacted have a largely positive vision of their future. It especially applies to the students of academies in the capital city. In a number of their responses, students in the capital city provided answers that were highly confident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the conditions for competitive football around the globe dramatically. Several competitions and leagues have been cancelled or postponed. Players have firstly been forced to training in solitude. In a second stage, players start training in small groups with strict contact restriction and return to competitive play might occur after only few weeks of normal team training preparation. These special circumstances are likely to impact football performance and injury risk in the upcoming competitions. Thus, clubs, coaching and medical staff, as well as players are challenged on the prioritization of fitness and performance, which easily can create several "catch-22-dilemmas". The present article presents views on fitness training, physical preparation and recovery during these uncommon conditions, and how elite football players can return to the competitive field well-prepared for post-crisis football endeavours around the world. Due to the multifaceted physiological demands in elite football, the long recovery requirements after match-play and an upcoming reality with many games within a short period, elite football players, managers and clubs may face extraordinary challenges associated with return to play under the current circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has led to an unprecedented situation, forcing governments to take urgent measures and confine the population. These measures have also affected sports. Soccer competitions and training sessions were interrupted worldwide, causing the need to adapt training sessions to the new situation. The objective of this study is to observe and analyse training habits carried out during the COVID-19 confinement by Spanish professional soccer players of both sexes. An observational study was based on an ad-hoc telematic questionnaire during the COVID-19 state of alarm in Spain. The results showed that strength and conditioning training was of great importance in the training habits developed during the COVID-19 confinement, fundamentally that of strength and endurance capacities. Specificity was low as conditional capabilities were affected by contextual limitations. The findings of this study yielded very useful information related to the training habits of professional soccer players of both sexes and offered an unpublished reference database that could be used to address training planning at specific periods of the year (transition, vacations, emergencies, ...), with the aim of resuming competitive activity in the best conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Medicine & Science of Physical Activity & Sport / Revista Internacional de Medicina y Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte is the property of Revista Internacional de Medicina y Ciencias de la Actividad Fisica y del Deporte 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 Nigde University Journal of Physical Education & Sport Sciences / Nigde Üniversitesi Beden Egitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Journal of Physical Education & Sports Science 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.)

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to investigate youth soccer players’ development in Amazonas state. Fifty-three young soccer players participated in this study (15,3?1,27 years). Participation History Questionnaire was used to investigate the different practice contexts that Amazonas soccer players were engaged during their development process (macro-structure of practice). We also observed three training sessions and calculated the time allotted for each type of training tasks used by the coach (training form, playing form and inactivity) (micro-structure of practice). It was possible to observe that soccer players from Amazonas state accumulated more time engaged in deliberate practice than deliberate play (p

Purpose: To compare the effects of 2 repeated-sprint training programs on fitness in soccer. Methods: Fifteen semiprofessional soccer players (age: 24 ± 4 y; body mass: 77 ± 8 kg) completed 6 repeated-sprint training sessions over a 2-week period. Players were assigned to a straight-line (STR) (n = 8; 3-4 sets of 7 x 30 m) or change of direction (CoD) (n = 7; 3-4 sets of 7 x 20-m) repeated-sprint training group. Performance measures included 5-, 10-, and 20-m sprints, countermovement jump, Illinois agility, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 (YYIRTL1) performance. Internal (heart rate) and external (global positioning system-derived measures) training loads were monitored throughout. Data were analyzed using magnitude-based inferences. Results: Internal and external loads were higher in the STR group than in the CoD group with large differences in maximum velocity (28.7%; ±90% confidence limits, 3.3%), moderate differences in mean heart rates (7.0%; ±1.4%) and PlayerLoad (17.6%; ±8.6%), and small differences in peak heart rates (3.0%; ±1.6%). Large improvements in 5-m (STR: 9.6%; ±7.0% and CoD: 9.4%; ±3.3%), 10-m (STR: 6.6%; ±4.6% and CoD: 6.7%; ±2.2%), and 20-m (STR: 3.6; ±4.0% and CoD: 4.0; ±1.7%) sprints were observed. Large and moderate improvements in YYIRTL1 performance were observed in the STR (24.0%; ±9.3%) and CoD (31.0%; ±7.5%), respectively. Between-groups differences in outcome measures were unclear. Conclusions: Two weeks of repeated-sprint training stimulates improvements in acceleration, speed, and high-intensity running performance in soccer players. Despite STR inducing higher internal and external training loads, training adaptations were unclear between training modes, indicating a need for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate if making the skill acquisition phase more difficult or easier would enhance performance in soccer juggling, and if this practice has a positive intertask transfer effect to ball reception performance. Twenty-two adolescent soccer players were tested in juggling a soccer ball and in the control of an approaching ball at a pre, post and retention test. The participants were randomly divided in a small ball size and bigger ball size training group that both trained four times per week for 6 weeks. At the post and retention test both groups enhanced performance in soccer juggling test with no difference between groups and no increase in ball reception performance at these tests. It was concluded that about intra task transfer and retention of soccer juggling skills, it does not matter if you increase (small balls) or decrease the difficulty (larger balls) when using the same amount of practice time within the skill acquisition phase in soccer juggling. In addition that for ball juggling and ball reception (inter task) these two tasks differ too much in afferent information and movement characteristics that no positive transfer between these two skills no positive intertask transfer can be expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte is the property of Redprint Editora Ltda. 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.)

As the world's largest sport, football has affected a wide area and a large number of participants and had a great impact on political economy and culture, which has become the best embodiment of the social function of football. Throughout the experience of football in developed countries in the world, the stable development of youth football is the best way to improve the level of football in a country, and the Chinese Football Association has invested more energy in professional leagues and national teams. The development of youth campus football is basically in a state of no management. Therefore, people gradually realize the concept that "football should serve education." In order to solve the problem of football players' lack of exercise in multiple subjects, it is particularly important to design systems and make plans for their respective physical characteristics. After the failure of various important competitions, the Chinese national football team reflected on the specific factors of backwardness. Under today's system, no one manages the specific development of youth campus football. Especially for young people, training programs that adapt to their individual characteristics should be formulated according to their growth stage and physical characteristics. It can effectively improve the efficiency of football teaching and training (FTT) by managing football players' training information and coaches' teaching information in an intelligent and informatized way. The different sports in which athletes participate in training are identified through the motion recognition layer. The data generated during the entire exercise process, including exercise time, number of exercises, score settlement, and other data, are stored, and the data are finally uploaded to the server, to carry out scientific analysis and management and generate sports training prescriptions in line with their own characteristics. This paper proposes research methods based on the intelligent integrated system of FTT, including literature retrieval, questionnaire survey, training empirical method, comparative analysis method, interview method, and support vector machine model for action recognition, which are used in football teaching and the design experiment of the intelligent integrated system for training; the overall architecture design of the football teaching intelligent integration system and the specific design of the football teaching intelligent integration system are proposed. The experimental results of this article show that 90.70% of players like the teaching mode of intelligent FTT, and the intelligent FTT system can help improve the enthusiasm of players in training and learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inquiry survey has been carried out among 147 Bulgarian football trainers on the theme - their opinion regarding the early specialization of football players, as well as the place of diversification of training means and methods in the course of many-years football preparation. The inquiry is consisted of seven questions, each one of several possible replies, and the data has been analyzed by the methods of frequency analysis and two-dimensional allocation basing the categories „license" and „age" of the individuals, under inquiry. The opinion of trainers has been successfully analyzed regarding the early sport specialization of children-football players, the ability if Bulgarian football experts to manage the many-years sport-technical preparation, as well as the role of diversification of training means and methods in the course of sport-pedagogical process with children-football players. The achievement of high results is impossible without early specialization, deemed by the Bulgarian experts as suitable to start between 8-12 years of age, reporting the risks it hides. Planning and management of training process is a serious challenge for trainers, diversification is absolutely necessary at the training process with growing up football players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Training load quantification plays an important role in performance maximization and injury prevention in elite soccer. The aim of the present study was to quantify the internal training load (TL) of elite soccer players during an 8-week preseason period. A second aim was to investigate the relationship between total internal TL measures and changes in aerobic fitness during the preseason period. The quantification of internal TL of sixteen elite professional soccer players was assessed using the session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) and a heart rate (HR) based method (Edwards-TRIMP) during an 8-week preseason period. Aerobic capacity was measured both in field (interval shuttle run test-ISRT) and a using VO2max laboratory test before and after the preseason. Total s-RPE, TL, and Edwards-TRIMP were significantly (p<0.05) higher during the second and third weeks compared to the other weeks of preseason. The VO2max, v-VO2max, and distances completed during ISRT were significantly (p < 0.05) improved after the preseason period by 3.3+2.1%, 14+6%, and 29+16%, respectively. No relationship was found between the changes in aerobic parameters and total s-RPE TL or Edwards-TRIMP during the preseason period. The relative time spent in high heart rate zone (90-100% HRmax) was significantly correlated (p<0.01) with the relative changes in distance completed during ISRT. These results provide critical information about the periodization of internal TLs during preseason in elite professional soccer players. In addition, the proportion of time spent in high HR zone during preseason is an essential load monitoring factor, which is correlated with aerobic improvements during the preseason in elite soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the relationship between cognitive processes and saccadic eye movements has been outlined, the relationship between specific cognitive processes underlying saccadic eye movements and skill level of soccer players remains unclear. Present study used the prosaccade task as a tool to investigate the difference in saccadic eye movements in skilled and less skilled Chinese female adolescent soccer players. Fifty-six healthy female adolescent soccer players (range: 14–18years, mean age: 16.5years) from Fujian Youth Football Training Base (Fujian Province, China) took part in the experiment. In the prosaccade task, participants were instructed to fixate at the cross at the center of the screen as long as the target appeared peripherally. They were told to saccade to the target as quickly and accurately as possible once it appeared. The results indicated that skilled soccer players exhibited shorter saccade latency (p =0.031), decreased variability of saccade latency (p =0.013), and higher spatial accuracy of saccade (p =0.032) than their less skilled counterparts. The shorter saccade latency and decreased variability of saccade latency may imply that the attentional system of skilled soccer player is superior which leads to smaller attention fluctuation and less attentional lapse. Additionally, higher spatial accuracy of saccade may imply potential structural differences in brain underlying saccadic eye movement between skilled and less skilled soccer players. More importantly, the results of the present study demonstrated that soccer players' cognitive capacities vary as a function of their skill levels. The limitations of the present study and future directions of research were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Regular exercise affects the expression of several genes, proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) in time- and intensity-dependent manner promoting longevity. We previously identified from GeneChip Array analysis several differentially expressed genes and miRNAs in muscle from veteran football players (VPG) compared to active untrained elderly subjects (CG); here we focussed on miRNA-1303 (miR-1303). The aims of the present research were: to analyse the effects of football training on the expression of miR-1303 and to identify its putative target involved in the longevity pathways in skeletal muscle from VPG compared to CG. Methods: RNA samples from 12 VPG and 12 CG muscle biopsies were used to validate miR-1303 expression. Crossing four different bioinformatic algorithms, we identified 16 putative targets of miR-1303; from these, BAG-2, KLHL7 and KBTBD6 were chosen for further validation by Western blot analysis in LHCN-M2 human myoblasts transiently transfected with miR-1303. Results: Football training down-regulates miR-1303 expression in muscle from VPG compared to CG and the expression of BAG-2, a chaperon protein involved in the autophagy pathway, inversely correlated to overexpression of miR-1303 in a time-dependent manner, indicating that it is a miR-1303 potential target. Conclusions: This is the first report, to our knowledge, describing miR-1303 regulation in skeletal muscle by football training and the identification of a target protein, BAG-2, involved in the autophagy pathway. This result contributes to the enlargement of knowledge on the molecular mechanisms linking football training, autophagy and longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to examine (a) the width and length dimensions of the playing area in 4v4 situations during competition, (b) the influence of the pitch zone where the ball is on 4v4 dimensions, and (c) the influence of match status on the dimensions of 4v4 situations. Data were collected from 25 matches from the Spanish La Liga of the 2007–2008 season using the Amisco system. Length, width, and individual playing area (IPA) of the rectangle that included the nearest 4 players to the ball from each team were collected in a total of 8,727 4v4 game situations. The pitch zone and match status were also considered for these 4v4 situations. To determine factors that affect 4v4 game situations, 1-way analysis of variance was used. The influence of the pitch zone where 4v4 situations took place showed significant differences (p, 0.001) between the zones where different principles of the game apply. The areas of the 4v4 situations ranged from 14.70 64.69 317.18 66 to 17.09 65.16 320.34 65.93 m, and the IPA of the 4v4 playing rectangle ranged from 46.33 6 20 to 35.48 6 16.95 m2, being larger in the central zones of the pitch. The length of the 4v4 rectangle showed a significant reduction in the closer zones to the goal. Match status did not affect the dimensions of these 4v4 game situations significantly. The findings of this study suggest that the size of 4v4 situations proposed for training should be designed according to the pitch zone where playing actions take place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the application and psychological elements associated with antagonistic training in football instruction. The author conducts tests on the School of Management's Sports Teaching Department, and students enrolled in the football option class, separated into two experimental and two control groups. After 32 weeks of training at a rate of four hours per week, a significance test was performed on the exercise indices of the two groups of students. The control group's physical fitness indicators trail behind those of the experimental group, with substantial differences in the two indicators being 30m and 1500m; while the two indications of 100m and standing long jump have extremely significant discrepancies. The control group's football skill indicators trail behind the experimental group. The experimental group's antagonistic training influenced students' sprinting ability, lower limb explosiveness, and football abilities. Simultaneously, psychological development is critical in football training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Studies & Reseaches of Sport Education is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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: Compared with other sports, soccer is an activity with a relatively high incidence of injury. To decrease the number of injuries, prevent early retirement, and provide a healthy and safe environment for players, preventive programs are highly recommended. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Sportsmetrics Soccer Training (SMST) on Landing Error Scoring Systems (LESS) and dynamic balance in soccer players. Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial with pretest-posttest design and training (TG) and control (CG) groups. The statistical population comprised young soccer players over 18 years old recruited from Zulfaqarnasab Soccer Academy in Sanandaj City, Iran. The study participants were 29 soccer players with three years of experience in soccer clubs. The subjects were randomly assigned into TG (n=14, mean±SD age=18.40±0.5 years, mean±SD height=180.40±6.86 cm, mean±SD weight=70.47±9.62 kg) and CG (n=15, mean±SD age=18.64±0.08 years, mean±SD height=179.57±6.72 cm, mean±SD weight=64.64±6.61 kg). The TG group performed SMST three times a week for six weeks (each session lasted 35 to 45 minutes). The CG did not receive any intervention. The LESS (intraclass correlation [ICC]=0.82- 0.99) and the Y-balance (ICC=0.91-0.99) were used for assessing landing errors and dynamic balance. The obtained data were analyzed using the Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) (P≤0.05) in SPSS (version 24). Results: The TG showed a significant improvement in scores of LESS (F=48.23, P=0.0001), anterior reach (F=18.26, P=0.0001), posteromedial reach (F=21.15, P=0.0001), and posterolateral reach (F=17.94, P=0.0001) in posttest compared to their baseline results. Conclusion: The present study results showed that SMST could improve LESS score and Y-balance, so we recommend that soccer coaches use SMST to prevent injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-sided games have been adopted as an integral part of soccer training, however, the use of task constraints by the coach and the action capabilities of both players and teams require further investigation. The aim of this investigation was to explore the age-category effects (under-11: U11, under-15: U15 and under-23: U23) on external training workloads (total distance covered, distance covered while walking, running and sprinting, number of sprints and maximum sprint speed), internal training load metrics (rate of perceived exertion, RPE) and tactical individual actions (passing number with dominant and non-dominant foot, and max passing speed) during 4 vs. 4 ball possession small-sided game constrained within three different playing areas (small: 20 x 15 m, medium: 25 x 20 m, and large: 30 x 25 m). Results revealed substantial differences (all p <.001) for each specific playing area observed across many of the external workload measures. For every area analysed, U23 players covered more distance walking, whereas U11 and U15 players covered more distances at higher intensities. Additionally, significant differences were found for the RPE (small playing area: p =.001; large playing area: p <.001) with U23 and U15 players showing higher scores compared with U11 ones. It can be concluded that a 4 vs. 4 ball possession small-sided game can provide different performance related stimuli to players, depending on age category and the playing surface area. Therefore, coaches and individuals involved with training and development of soccer players across all age groups should be aware of the key variables highlighted in this study before planning training drills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This project investigated adding 8 weeks of biweekly plyometric and short sprints training into standard training in elite youth soccer players. An experimental group (EG, n = 18, age: 17.6 ± 0.6 years, body mass: 67.6 ± 5.8 kg, height: 1.75 ± 0.06 m, and body fat: 11.5 ± 1.6%) and control group (CG, n = 18, age: 17.5 ± 0.6 years, body mass: 68.8 ± 3.6 kg, height: 1.77 ± 0.04 m, and body fat: 11.7 ± 1.2%) participated. Pre-intervention and post-intervention measures were squat-jump (SJ), countermovement-jump (CMJ), standing long jump (SLJ), 5 and 20 m sprints, change-of-direction ability (4 × 5 m sprint test [S 4 × 5 m] and sprint 9-3-6-3-9 m with backward and forward running [SBF]), repeated change of direction (RCOD), and static balance (the stork balance test). For all parameters, significant (p < 0.001, η p 2 > 0.10) time and interaction (group × time) effects were observed. For three parameters (SBF, RCOD fastest time, and SLJ) no significant group effects were observed. The EG consistently showed a significantly higher performance level than the CG and a higher amount of effect sizes d (EG: d range: 1.27–2.61; CG: d range: 0.13–0.79) as an indicator for the development of performance between pre-intervention and post-intervention measures. Adding biweekly plyometric and short sprint training to standard training improves the athletic performance of young soccer players. Such plyometric and short sprint training conditioning can be highly recommended as part of the annual short training program for male elite under-19 (U19) soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we aim to complement the experience acquired so far in pandemic times by addressing the current problem of football from certain specific directions, in the conditions of COVID-19 infection. This study used some models (SIR, SEIR and SIRD) that tried to determine the evolution of the pandemic on the basis of a few defining aspects. In a championship involving 20 teams and 38 stages, an officially registered squad for each team can consist of 34 players (30 field players and 4 goalkeepers), and competition organization in the form of a tournament can include: 14 days competition period + 7 days break => 4 games scheduled every 3 or 4 days; 10 x 14-day modules with 9 x 7-day recovery modules will be required for the competition. The current context is completely new and, in order to train and play during the pandemic, we need to consider the following aspects: the competition system of national football leagues should take the form of the model proposed by us, promoting young players from the academy; the competitions of the national team should take place in the form of tournaments; the referees' activity should be reorganized in relation to the competition system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai, Educatio Artis Gymnasticae is the property of Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania 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.)

The aim of this research is to improve the physical and technical training of the junior players under 17 from the CSM football team Galati by using, during training, games with a reduced number of players. The two groups involved in the experiment are CSM Galati and LPS Galati, teams listed in the National Junior Republican Championship, both teams consisting of 18 players. The experimental research took place on the Danube 2 stadium and the Siderurgistul Stadium in Galati, on standard pitches with synthetic surfaces.. For the evaluation of the subjects, we applied the following tests: for physical preparation (30meter speed run; Yo-Yo intermittent; Strength-standing long jump); for technical preparation (driving, dribbling; shot on goal: precision; long pass). For the statistical analysis we used IBM SPSS Statistics, version 23. The efficiency of the training program, based on games with a reduces number of players was outlined by the results obtained in final testing, both in physical and technical tests, which recorded statistically significant differences (p <0.05) in favor of the experimental group, therefore validating the research hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem statement. Because epidemic generated by the corona virus, sports activities were limited in terms of space and number of players. This mater is similar to football training at all levels. In this sense, we propose a design of training with reduced number of players, compound with the restriction of space. The aim of research. This paper is an essay generated by the special medical situation in context of Covid19 Pandemic in order to find out a better way of football training. Conclusions. The trainers tried to adapt the preparation to the real conditions of football game. These games represent miniature football matches, with technical, tactical and physical aspects. In this kind of training intensity has a decisive role, regardless of the level for which they are designed: juniors or seniors. Working with few players involves same aspects as: physical preparation, especially if the tasks imposed by the coach means high intensity and space limitation with maximum 8 players. In the same time technical and tactical aspects require players to react quickly and efficiently to the trainer task. The use of these games on a small field (40mx20m, 30mx15m) can solve some technical, tactical and physical aspects. The training programs must contain all the components of the training, technical-tactical, physical, but also the other components such as psychological, theoretical and biological, by reducing the time allotted but by increasing the intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Prescrição e Fisiologia do Exercício is the property of Instituto Brasileiro de Pesquisa e Ensino em Fisiologia do Exercicio 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.)

This project investigated adding 8 weeks of biweekly plyometric and short sprints training into standard training in elite youth soccer players. An experimental group (EG, n = 18, age: 17.6 ± 0.6 years, body mass: 67.6 ± 5.8 kg, height: 1.75 ± 0.06 m, and body fat: 11.5 ± 1.6%) and control group (CG, n = 18, age: 17.5 ± 0.6 years, body mass: 68.8 ± 3.6 kg, height: 1.77 ± 0.04 m, and body fat: 11.7 ± 1.2%) participated. Pre-intervention and post-intervention measures were squat-jump (SJ), countermovement-jump (CMJ), standing long jump (SLJ), 5 and 20 m sprints, change-of-direction ability (4 × 5 m sprint test [S 4 × 5 m] and sprint 9-3-6-3-9 m with backward and forward running [SBF]), repeated change of direction (RCOD), and static balance (the stork balance test). For all parameters, significant (p < 0.001, ηp2 > 0.10) time and interaction (group × time) effects were observed. For three parameters (SBF, RCOD fastest time, and SLJ) no significant group effects were observed. The EG consistently showed a significantly higher performance level than the CG and a higher amount of effect sizes d (EG: drange: 1.27–2.61; CG: drange: 0.13–0.79) as an indicator for the development of performance between pre-intervention and post-intervention measures. Adding biweekly plyometric and short sprint training to standard training improves the athletic performance of young soccer players. Such plyometric and short sprint training conditioning can be highly recommended as part of the annual short training program for male elite under-19 (U19) soccer players.

Purpose: To quantify the seasonal training load completed by professional soccer players of the English Premier League. Methods: Thirty players were sampled (using GPS, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion [RPE]) during the daily training sessions of the 2011-12 preseason and in-season period. Preseason data were analyzed across 6 x 1-wk microcycles. In-season data were analyzed across 6 x 6-wk mesocycle blocks and 3 x 1-wk microcycles at start, midpoint, and end-time points. Data were also analyzed with respect to number of days before a match. Results: Typical daily training load (ie, total distance, high-speed distance, percent maximal heart rate [%HR max], RPE load) did not differ during each week of the preseason phase. However, daily total distance covered was 1304 (95% CI 434-2174) m greater in the 1st mesocycle than in the 6th. %HRmax values were also greater (3.3%, 1.3-5.4%) in the 3rd mesocycle than in the first. Furthermore, training load was lower on the day before match (MD-1) than 2 (MD-2) to 5 (MD-5) d before a match, although no difference was apparent between these latter time points. Conclusions: The authors provide the 1st report of seasonal training load in elite soccer players and observed that periodization of training load was typically confined to MD-1 (regardless of mesocycle), whereas no differences were apparent during MD-2 to MD-5. Future studies should evaluate whether this loading and periodization are facilitative of optimal training adaptations and match-day performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the effect of low-volume sprint interval training (SIT) on the development (part 1) and subsequent maintenance (part 2) of aerobic fitness in soccer players. Methods: In part 1, 23 players from the same semiprofessional team participated in a 2-wk SIT intervention (SIT, n = 14, age 25 ± 4 y, weight 77 ± 8 kg; control, n = 9, age 27 ± 6 y, weight 72 ± 10 kg). The SIT group performed 6 training sessions of 4–6 maximal 30-s sprints, in replacement of regular aerobic training. The control group continued with their regular training. After this 2-wk intervention, the SIT group was allocated to either intervention (n = 7, 1 SIT session/wk as replacement of regular aerobic training) or control (n = 7, regular aerobic training with no SIT sessions) for a 5-wk period (part 2). Pre and post measures were the YoYo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIRL1) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Results: In part 1, the 2-week SIT intervention had a small beneficial effect on YYIRL1 (17%; 90% confidence limits ±11%), and VO2max (3.1%; ±5.0%) compared with control. In part 2, 1 SIT session/wk for 5 wk had a small beneficial effect on VO2max (4.2%; ±3.0%), with an unclear effect on YYIRL1 (8%; ±16%). Conclusion: Two weeks of SIT elicits small improvements in soccer players’ high-intensity intermittent-running performance and VO2max, therefore representing a worthwhile replacement of regular aerobic training. The effectiveness of SIT for maintaining SIT-induced improvements in high-intensity intermittent running requires further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The investigation examined adding 8 weeks of bi-weekly loaded plyometric and short sprints training into standard training for U19 soccer players. We report that including bi-weekly loaded plyometric and short sprints training in standard training during the coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic improved the physical fitness of young soccer players. Particularly, the ability to repeatedly change direction benefited most from the intervention. We investigated adding 8 weeks of bi-weekly loaded plyometric and short sprints (LPaSS) training into training for under 19 (U19) soccer players. An experimental group (EG, n = 18, age: 17.5 ± 0.58 years, body mass: 67.4 ± 4.37 kg, height: 1.76 ± 0.05 m, body fat: 11.4 ± 1.55%), and a control group (CG, n = 16, age: 17.5 ± 0.58 years, body mass: 68.7 ± 3.65 kg, height: 1.78 ± 0.03 m, body fat: 11.6 ± 1.14%) participated. The pre- and postintervention measures were: the squat-jump (SJ); the countermovement-jump with arm swing (CMJA); the five jump test (5JT); 10 m and 30 m sprint; the ability to change direction (sprint with 90° turns (S90°) and sprinting 9–3–6–3–9 m, involving running both backwards and forwards (SBF); repeated sprint ability (RSA), and balance (Y-balance test). The EG experienced superior jump (p < 0.001; drange: 1.69–1.89), sprint (p < 0.001; drange: 1.82–2.56), S90° (p < 0.001; drange: 1.64–2.25), RSA (p < 0.001; drange: 3.90–4.17), and balance (p < 0.001; drange: 1.11–2.54) improvement. Comparatively, the pre- to postchanges in the CG ranged from d = 0.36 (dynamic balance) to d = 1.00 (10 m sprint). Therefore, bi-weekly LPaSS training improves athletic performance in young soccer players, particularly RSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study attempts to assess changes in soccer players' physical and technical activity profiles due to thermal stress, measured with the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), in training centres and during matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The study also verifies the theoretical models of soccer players' physiological parameters. The study sample consisted of 945 observations of 340 players of national teams taking part in the World Cup in Russia. The measured variables included physical activities: total distance covered, distances covered with an intensity of 20–25 km/h, number of sprints; technical activities: number of shots, number of passes, pass accuracy and physiological indicators: evaporative water loss and heart rate. In addition, the final ranking places of each national team were also used in the study. The UTCI was calculated based on meteorological data recorded at training centres and during matches. The UTCI records were then classified into two ranges: NTS—no thermal stress (UTCI 9–26 °C) and TS—thermal stress (UTCI > 26 °C). Climatic conditions at soccer training centres assessed as involving "no thermal stress" are found to be more beneficial for increasing the total distance covered and the number of sprints performed by players during a match. The theoretical models for determining soccer players' physiological parameters used in the study reduce the players' heart rate effort and evaporative water loss, which is in line with findings in studies by other authors. The climatic conditions at soccer training centres and during tournament matches should be taken into account in planning preparations for future World Cup tournaments, especially those in hotter countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Estimates of players' maturity status should be taken every 3–4 months during an annual season, with a focus on players approaching and during peak height velocity. • Key stakeholders should be educated about maturation and peak height velocity, particularly in relation to the potential use of bio-banding strategies. • Clear lines of communication should be established with key stakeholders in order to identify the volume of weekly physical activity each child is engaged in. • The prediction error embroiled within each maturity-estimation equation should be considered, along with the implications of additional errors imposed by spurious anthropometric measurements (i.e., self-reported birth-parent stature). • Key stakeholders should be aware of the increased risk of injuries owing to inappropriate training loads across peak height velocity. Biological maturation can be defined as the timing and tempo of progress to achieving a mature state. The estimation of age of peak height velocity (PHV) or percentage of final estimated adult stature attainment (%EASA) is typically used to inform the training process in young athletes. In youth soccer, maturity-related changes in anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics are diverse among individuals, particularly around PHV. During this time, players are also at an increased risk of sustaining an overuse or growth-related injury. As a result, the implementation of training interventions can be challenging. The purpose of this review was to (1) highlight and discuss many of the methods that can be used to estimate maturation in the applied setting and (2) discuss the implications of manipulating training load around PHV on physical development and injury risk. We have provided key stakeholders with a practical online tool for estimating player maturation status (Supplementary Maturity Estimation Tools). Whilst estimating maturity using predictive equations is useful in guiding the training process, practitioners should be aware of its limitations. To increase the accuracy and usefulness of data, it is also vital that sports scientists implement reliable testing protocols at predetermined time-points. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): The present study aims at evaluating third degree football referees’ Health behaviors at the Football Referee Training Centre in Baghdad City. Methodology: Quasi-experimental design, using one group test-retest approach, is carried throughout the present study for the period of October 25th 2019 through March 10th 2021. Non-probability, convenient sample of (40) third degree football referee while they are attending the Referees’ Football Training Centre for the purpose of training. All subjects who have agreed to participate in the study have signed consent form for maintenance of their confidentiality and ethical considerations. Self-report questionnaire is constructed out of the program for the purpose of the study. Such instrument is comprised of two parts; part I: Socio-demographic Information which include age, education, body mass index (BMI) and socioeconomic status (SES) and part II: Third Degree Football Referees’ Health Behaviors Scale that measures the third degree referees’ health behaviors. It is comprised of (4) sections that include body care and general health, smoking, drinking and drug use, psychosocial well-being and abusive behaviors. Content validity of the questionnaire is determined through panel of experts and test-retest reliability for equivalence is obtained throughout a pilot study. Results: Results of the study depict that third degree football referees have experienced positive health behaviors with respect to studied aspects. Further, there is no significant relationship between their health behaviors and the socio-demographic characteristics of age, education, body mass index and socioeconomic status. Conclusion: The study concludes that the third degree football referees’ health behaviors are improving as far as they are involved in the referees training center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the influence of the coaches’ encouragement on the mental and physical load in soccer practices. The participants were 36 semiprofessional Spanish soccer players (Mage = 22.40; SD = 2.25) belonging to two male teams and one female team. Following the same practices’ design and order, two training sessions of each team were completed. In one session, coaches maintained a passive verbal attitude, whereas in the other session, coaches intervened with an active attitude through continuous general encouragement. The mental load and fatigue were measured using self-reported questionnaires (Likert scales), and internal and external physical loads were quantified using the rating of perceived exertion and the Global Position System. A t-test for related samples and magnitude based on an inference spreadsheet was performed. The results demonstrated that mental and internal physical loads increased when coaches participated with active verbal encouragement. Especially, increases in performance satisfaction, mental effort, and RPE values, and decreases in unsafety values were detected due to encouragement interventions. Nevertheless, the external physical load did not show a clear trend. Based on these findings, coaches can use this information to manipulate their verbal encouragement during practices according to their physical and mental objectives with specific soccer strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background and Objectives: Interpretation of the load variations across a period seems important to control the weekly progression or variation of the load, or to identify in-micro- and mesocycle variations. Thus, the aims of this study were twofold: (a) to describe the in-season variations of training monotony, training strain and acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) through session ratings of perceived exertion (s-RPE), total distance and high-speed running (HSR); and (b) to compare those variations between starters and non-starters. Materials and Methods: Seventeen professional players from a European First League team participated in this study. They were divided in two groups: starters (n = 9) and non-starters (n = 8). The players were monitored daily over a 41-week period of competition where 52 matches occurred during the 2015–2016 in-season. Through the collection of s-RPE, total distance and HSR, training monotony, training strain and ACWR were calculated for each measure, respectively. Data were analyzed across ten mesocycles (M: 1 to 10). Repeated measures ANOVA was used with the Bonferroni post hoc test to compare M and player status. Results: The results revealed no differences between starters vs. non-starters (p > 0.05). M6 had a greater number of matches and displayed higher values for monotony (s-RPE, total distance and HSR), strain (only for total distance) and ACWR (s-RPE, TD and HSR). However, the variation patterns for all indexes displayed some differences. Conclusions: The values of both starters and non-starters showed small differences, thus suggesting that the adjustments of training workloads that had been applied over the season helped to reduce differences according to the player status. Even so, there were some variations over the season (microcycles and mesocycles) for the whole team. This study could be used as a reference for future coaches, staff and scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The investigation examined the effectiveness of an 8-week loaded plyometric with short sprints and change-of-direction training program on athletic performance in elite adolescent soccer players. We report that replacing some aspects of typical training with loaded plyometric with short sprints and change-of-direction training improved jump performance, sprinting, agility, and balance performance in soccer players. This project investigated effects of 8 weeks of biweekly loaded combined plyometric and short sprint with change-of-direction training an in-season regimen of young soccer players. An experimental (n = 17, age: 16.5 ± 0.5 years, body mass: 64.5 ± 5.2 kg, height: 1.73 ± 0.07 m,) and control group (n = 17, age: 16.7 ± 0.5 years, body mass: 65.6 ± 4.8 kg, height: 1.74 ± 0.07 m) were tested pre- and post-intervention for squat-jump (SJ), countermovement-jump (CMJ), and five-jump test (5JT), 10 m and 30 m sprint performance, change-of-direction ability, and dynamic balance performance. The experimental group (EG) outperformed the control group (CG) over 8 weeks in jumping (p < 0.001; d = 0.98–1.17), 10 m sprinting (p < 0.001; d = 0.94), change-of-direction ability (p < 0.001; d = 1.24), and dynamic balance performance (p < 0.001; d = 0.53–0.74). We conclude that adding biweekly loaded plyometric with short sprints and change-of-direction training to habitual training improves athleticism of young soccer players. Therefore, loaded plyometric with short sprints and change-of-direction training should be implemented as a part of research-informed soccer training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several hallmarks of aging have been identified and examined separately in previous exercise studies. For the first time, this study investigates the effect of lifelong regular exercise in humans on two of the central aging hallmarks combined. This cross-sectional study involved 129 healthy, non-smoking women, including young elite football players (YF, n = 29), young untrained controls (YC, n = 30), elderly team handball players (EH, n = 35) and elderly untrained controls (EC, n = 35). From a resting blood sample, mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated and sorted into monocytes and lymphocytes. Telomere length, mitochondrial (mtDNA) copy number and key regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis and function (PGC-1α and PGC-1β expression) were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Overall, young women showed significantly longer telomeres and higher PGC-1α and PGC-1β expression, but lower mtDNA copy number compared to elderly subjects. A multivariate analysis showed that YF had 22–24% longer telomeres in lymphocytes and MNCs compared to YC. In addition, YF showed 19–20% higher mtDNA copy number in lymphocytes and MNCs compared to YC. The two young groups did not differ in PGC-1α and PGC-1β expression. EH showed 14% lower mtDNA copy number in lymphocytes compared to EC, but 3.4-fold higher lymphocyte PGC-1α expression compared to EC. In MNCs, EH also showed 1.4–1.6-fold higher PGC-1α and PGC-1β expression. The two elderly groups did not differ in telomere length. Elite football training and lifelong team handball training are associated with anti-aging mechanisms in leukocytes in women, including maintenance of telomere length and superior mitochondrial characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A better understanding of the relative age effect (RAE) in youth will increase the awareness of the need for reducing the bias of (de)selection. Thus, we investigated the RAE in youth female and male soccer and futsal players in Portugal, using nationwide data. Birthdates of 5,306 female and 126,285 male soccer players, and 2,437 female and 23,988 male futsal players (U7–U19), registered in Portugal during the season 2019–2020, and Portuguese National teams (from U15 to AA soccer teams and from U17 to AA futsal teams) were analyzed. Data were categorized into age groups and certification levels [no certification, basic football training center, football school, and training institution] of the respective clubs/academies. Birthdates were stratified from the start of the selection year using quartiles (Q) and semesters (S). Differences between the observed and expected birthdate distributions were analyzed using chi-square statistics, and RAEs were calculated using odds ratios (OR). In both soccer and futsal, female players, in the age category U9, RAEs were found (Q1 vs. Q4, OR: 1.49 and 1.84, respectively). In male soccer, differences in the birthdate distribution were observed in all age categories (U7–U19) with significant OR between all comparisons (Q and S). In contrast, an over-representation of young male futsal players (Q1 vs. Q4) was observed only in the age categories U7 and U9 (OR: 1.54 and 1.34, respectively). The stratification by certification level showed a significant RAE for all certification levels in male soccer players. In contrast, in male futsal players, the RAE was significant only in clubs and academies with the highest level. For National teams, the RAE was more pronounced in male soccer, particularly in the U16 and U17 (OR: 9.84 and 12.36, respectively). Data showed a RAE in female and male youth soccer and futsal, particularly in male, younger age categories, and in clubs and academies having a higher certification level, which could be accompanied by a loss of valuable elite players during the youth phase of their careers. Thus, adjustments in the systems and structure of talent identification are recommended to prevent RAE-related discrimination in youth soccer and futsal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the most challenging topics in the field of artificial intelligence, soccer robots are currently an important platform for humanoid robotics research. Its fields cover a wide range of fields, including robotics, artificial intelligence, and automatic control. Kinematics analysis and action planning are the key technologies in the research of humanoid soccer robots and are the basis for realizing basic actions such as walking. This article mainly introduces the real-time evaluation algorithm of human motion in the football training robot. The football robot action evaluation algorithm proposed here designs the angle and wheel speed of the football robot movement through the evaluation of the angular velocity and linear velocity of the center of mass of the robot. The overall system of the imitation human football robot is studied, including the mechanical system design. The design of the leg structure, the decision-making system based on the finite state machine, the robot vision system, and the image segmentation technology are introduced. The experimental results in this article show that the action of the football training robot model is very stable, the static rotation movement time is about 220 ms, and the fixed-point movement error is less than 1 cm, which fully meets the accuracy requirements of the large-space football robot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Football is a product in the process of human socialization; it can strengthen the body and enhance the ability of teamwork. The introduction of artificial intelligence into football training is an inevitable trend; this trend must be bound to intensify, but how to apply artificial intelligence to solve the problem of the joint movement estimation method for football players in sports training is still the main difficulty now. The basic principle of football training action pattern recognition is to determine the type of football player's action by processing and analyzing the movement information obtained by the sensor. Due to the complex movements towards football players and the changeable external environment, there are still many problems with action recognition. Focusing on the detailed classification of different sports modes, this article conducts research on the recognition of the joint movement estimation method for football players in sports training. This paper uses the recognition algorithm based on the multilayer decision tree recognizer to identify the joint movement; the experiment shows that the method used in this paper accurately identified joint movement for football players in sports training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac modifications to training are a product of the genetic pre-disposition for adaptation and the repetitive haemodynamic loads that are placed on the myocardium. Elite pre-adolescent athletes are exposed to high-intensity training at a young age with little understanding of the physiological and clinical consequences. It is unclear how right ventricular (RV) structure and function may respond to this type of stimulus. The aim of this study was to compare RV structure and strain across the cardiac cycle and within individual segments in elite soccer players (SP) and controls (CON).Methods: Twenty-two highly trained, male pre-adolescent SP and 22 age-and sex-matched recreationally active individuals CON were investigated using 2D echocardiography, including myocardial speckle tracking to assess basal, mid-wall, apical and global longitudinal strain and strain rate during systole (SRS) and diastole (SRE and SRA).Results: greater RV cavity size was identified in the SP compared to CON (RVD1 SP: 32.3 ± 3.1 vs. CON: 29.6 ± 2.8 (mm/m2)0.5; p = 0.005). No inter-group differences were noted for peak global RV strain (SP: - 28.6 ± 4.9 vs CON: - 30.3 ± 4.0%, p = 0.11). Lower mid-wall strain was demonstrated in the SP compared to CON (SP: - 27.9 ± 5.8 vs. CON: - 32.2 ± 4.4%, p = 0.007).Conclusion: Soccer training has the potential to increase RV size in pre-adolescent players. The unique segmental analyses used in this study have identified inter-group differences that were masked by global strain evaluations. The clinical and physiological implications of these findings warrant further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte is the property of Cuadernos de Psicologia del Deporte 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.)