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This study aimed to determine whether caffeine gum influenced perceptual-cognitive and physical performance during the extra-time period of simulated soccer match-play. Semiprofessional male soccer players (n = 12, age: 22 ± 3 years, stature: 1.78 ± 0.06 m, mass: 75 ± 9 kg) performed 120-min soccer-specific exercise on two occasions. In a triple-blind, randomized, crossover design, players chewed caffeinated (200 mg; caffeine) or control (0 mg; placebo) gum for 5 min following 90 min of soccer-specific exercise. Perceptual-cognitive skills (i.e., passing accuracy, reaction time, composure, and adaptability) were assessed using a soccer-specific virtual reality simulator, collected pre- and posttrial. Neuromuscular performance (reactive-strength index, vertical jump height, absolute and relative peak power output, and negative vertical displacement) and sprint performance (15 and 30 m) were measured at pretrial, half-time, 90 min, and posttrial. Caffeine gum attenuated declines in reaction time (pre: 90.8 ± 0.8 AU to post: 90.7 ± 0.8 AU) by a further 4.2% than placebo (pre: 92.1 ± 0.8 AU to post: 88.2 ± 0.8 AU; p <.01). Caffeine gum reduced composure by 4.7% (pre: 69.1 ± 0.8 AU to post: 65.9 ± 0.8 AU) versus placebo (pre: 68.8 ± 0.8 AU to post: 68.3 ± 0.8 AU; p <.01). Caffeine gum did not influence any other variables (p >.05). Where caffeine gum is consumed by players prior to extra-time, reaction time increases but composure may be compromised, and neuromuscular and sprint performance remain unchanged. Future work should assess caffeine gum mixes with substances like L-theanine that promote a relaxed state under stressful conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Monitoring player readiness to train and perform is an important practical concept in football. Despite an abundance of research in this area in the male game, to date, research is limited in female football. The aims of this study were, first, to summarize the current literature on the monitoring of readiness in female football; second, to summarize the current evidence regarding the monitoring of the menstrual cycle and its potential impact on physical preparation and performance in female footballers; and third, to offer practical recommendations based on the current evidence for practitioners working with female football players. Conclusions: Practitioners should include both objective (eg, heart rate and countermovement jump) and subjective measures (eg, athlete-reported outcome measures) in their monitoring practices. This would allow them to have a better picture of female players' readiness. Practitioners should assess the reliability of their monitoring (objective and subjective) tools before adopting them with their players. The use of athlete-reported outcome measures could play a key role in contexts where technology is not available (eg, in semiprofessional and amateur clubs); however, practitioners need to be aware that many single-item athlete-reported outcome measures instruments have not been properly validated. Finally, tracking the menstrual cycle can identify menstrual dysfunction (eg, infrequent or irregular menstruation) that can indicate a state of low energy availability or an underlying gynecological issue, both of which warrant further investigation by medical practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trans-contextual model (TCM) offers a heuristic-based theoretical framework to understand fifth-grade Danish schoolchildren's motivation to participate in the 11 for Health in Denmark educational football concept, as well as their intention and behaviour to participate in vigorous physical activity (PA) in a leisure-time context. The implementation of this model framework in a validated web-based version of the 3-part TCM questionnaire battery requires transparent, qualitative cross-cultural translation and adaptation so that effectiveness of the 11 for Health concept can be evaluated in a Danish context. The focus of this translation and adaptation process was on content validity and conceptual, item, semantic, and operational equivalencies. This study consisted of three parts: (1) translation and creation of a web-based questionnaire version, (2) cognitive debriefing interviews in two independent groups of schoolchildren (ten boys and six girls, M[subscript age] = 11.65 years) and (3) observation during implementation of the questionnaire battery. Through analytical triangulation of interviews and observations, we identified four themes: considerations to be taken into account in creating the web-based questionnaire battery, adjustments needed when translating the questionnaire battery, required personal information, and response categories. Further, we identified and resolved problems with regard to the introduction of the questionnaire battery, to 23 out of 57 questions, to providing personal information, and to response categories. The translated and adapted TCM questionnaire battery seems to be suitable for 10- to 12-year-old Danish schoolchildren and shows content validity. The Danish web-based version of the TCM is now ready for large-scale testing of its psychometric properties.

This study analyzed the physiological and physical demands of recreational team handball (RTH) and the training sessions' (matches) intensity variability in 50--77-year-old postmenopausal women (n = 20) without prior experience with the sport. Heart rate (HR), blood lactate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), distance covered, time spent in different locomotor categories, accelerations, decelerations, Player Load (PL), game actions and fun levels were evaluated in 245 matches, played indoor (n = 130) or outdoor (n = 115), as small-sided games (3 x 15-min periods). Mean and peak HRs were 79 and 88% of maximal HR (%HRmax), showing reliable values across the training sessions, with time spent in the HR zones showing excellent relative reliability, though poor absolute reliability. Time spent > 80 and > 90%HRmax was 48% and 14% of total match time, respectively. Mean and peak blood lactate values were 2.6 ± 0.8 and 2.9 ± 0.9 mmol · l-1, respectively. RPE was 5.5 ± 1.5, showing good relative though poor absolute reliability, and fun levels were 8.4 ± 1.1 (0--10 scale). Total distance covered was 1878 ± 333 m and the participants spent 54%, 3% and < 1% of total match time walking, fast running and sprinting, respectively. Total PL was 224 ± 41 (AU), with 67% of total match time being spent in low-intensity zones. Participants performed a total of 38 specific high-demanding actions per match, mainly throws (10.6 ± 5.8) and stops (11.0 ± 3.6). RTH training, played as small-sided games, is a high-intensity exercise training mode with high aerobic and anaerobic demands, low RPE and high fun levels for 50--77-year-old women without prior experience with the sport. Average cardiovascular demands were consistent across the training sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lifelong team handball/football training on regional bone health and body composition in elderly women. Methods: Seventeen elderly women team handball/football players (65.9 ± 5.7 years) and twenty-one untrained age-matched women (controls) (67.7 ± 5.1 years) participated. Whole-body and regional dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans of arms, legs, and lower spine (L1–L4) were performed. Results: We observed 8% and 9% higher bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), respectively, at the whole-body level and in the legs and 11.5% higher BMC in the legs in team handball/football players compared to untrained age-matched controls (p < 0.05). Higher total and leg lean body mass (p < 0.05), along with lower total body fat percentage (p < 0.05) and higher T- and Z-scores, markers of fragility risk fracture (0.294 ± 1.461 vs. −0.538 ± 1.031; 1.447 ± 1.278 vs. 0.724 ± 0.823, respectively), were also found in team handball/football players compared to controls (p < 0.05). No significant differences in nutritional habits were observed between groups. Conclusions: Our study suggest that the beneficial effects of lifetime handball/football practice on bone preservation in elderly women occur independently from nutritional intake, which emphasize the potential role of team sports in osteoporosis prevention. Future studies should focus on the cofounding factors and causative mechanisms mediated by team sport practice in osteoporosis prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of internal and external load parameters during recreational small-sided football games. Methods: Ten healthy untrained young adult males (age: 20.2 ± 1.9 yr, body mass: 69.2 ± 6.3 kg, height: 175.4 ± 5.9 cm, body fat: 19.7 ± 5.2%) performed two 2 × 20-min sessions of four versus four plus goalkeeper small-sided games (SSG) 1 week apart on a standard, outdoor, 40 × 20-m artificial grass pitch. Twelve external (total distance, peak speed, player load, work rate and distance covered at 0-2, 2-5, 5-7, 7-9, 9-13, 13-16, 16-20 and >20 km/h) and seven internal load parameters (heart rate and time spent in different heart rate zones [<70%, 71-80%, 81-90%, 91-95%, 96-100%, 91-100%]) were measured. Reproducibility was reported as intraclass coefficient correlation (ICC), the coefficient of variation (CV), and the typical error of measurements (TE). Results: No statistical differences (p> 0.05) between sessions were found in any measures. Minimal test-retest variability was noted for mean and peak heart rate (HR[subscript peak]) relative to HR[subscript peak] with CV values of 3.4% and 2.6%, respectively. Acceptable variability (CV<10%) was demonstrated for total distance covered, distance covered at 2-5 km/h, and peak speed. Distance covered in different speed zones (CV = 15.7-47.6%) and percentage of time in each HR zone showed large-to-very large variability (CV = 36.2-128.4%). Mean heart rate (HR[subscript mean]), HR[subscript peak], distance covered at 5-7, 13-16 and >20 km/h, and percentage of time above 95%HR[subscript peak] were the most reliable variables (ICC = 0.74-0.79), followed by total distance covered, peak speed, and percentage of time at 80-90% HR[subscript peak] (ICC = 0.39-0.67). The lowest reliability was observed for distance covered in the moderate speed zones 7-9 km/h (ICC = 0.12) and 9-13 km/h (ICC = -0.09), and percentage of time at 70-80% HR[subscript peak] (ICC = -0.01). Conclusions: Small-sided games can be used when planning training-induced exercise responses in relation to total distance covered, peak speed, and mean heart rate. This evidence further supports the use of SSG when organizing recreational football training, in young adult males, with the purpose of improving health profile due to the high reproducibility of HR[subscript mean] and total distance covered.

ObjectiveHigh occupational physical activity (OPA) increases cardiovascular risk and aerobic exercise has been recommended for reducing this risk. This paper investigates the effects of an aerobic exercise intervention on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) among cleaners with high OPA.MethodsHundred and sixteen cleaners between 18 and 65 years were randomized. During the 4-month intervention period, the aerobic exercise group (AE) (n = 57) performed worksite aerobic exercise (2 × 30 minutes/week), while the reference group (REF) (n = 59) attended lectures. Between-group differences in 4-month ABP changes were evaluated by intention-to-treat analysis using a repeated-measure 2 × 2 multiadjusted mixed-models design.ResultsRelative to REF, 24-hour ABP significantly increased in AE: systolic 3.6 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-5.7) and diastolic 2.3 mm Hg (95% CI 0.9-3.8). Cleaners with high aerobic workload exhibited particularly high 24-hour ABP increases: systolic 6.0 mm Hg (95% CI 2.4-9.6), and diastolic 3.8 mm Hg (95% CI 1.3-6.4).ConclusionAerobic exercise increased 24-hour ABP among cleaners. This adverse effect raises questions about the safety and intended benefits of aerobic exercise, especially among workers with high OPA and a demanding aerobic workload. http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN86682076. Unique identifier ISRCTN86682076.Clinical trial registrationTrial Number ISRCTN86682076.

To investigate i) if a recreational futsal (RF) training session elicits post-exercise hypotension (PEH), ii) the impact of a 3-month RF intervention on PEH, and iii) the association between PEH in the early phase of the intervention with resting blood pressure (BP) chronic adaptions in men with treated hypertension. BP was measured before and after a RF training session every 5-min (total of 30-min) in the early (weeks 1–2) and the final phases (weeks 11–12) of a 3-month RF intervention, comprising 3 weekly one-hour sessions. Thirty-three men (48 ± 7 years; mean arterial pressure [MAP]: 96 ± 8 mmHg; BMI: 32.2 ± 4.9 kg/m2) participated. In the intervention early phase, systolic BP ([SBP]; −15.4 mmHg; 95% CI: −10.9, −16.8), diastolic BP ([DBP]; −5.4 mmHg; 95% CI: −7.8, −3.0), and MAP (−8.8 mmHg; 95% CI: −11.2, −6.4) significantly decreased 30-min post- compared to pre-training session (n = 33). In the intervention final phase (n = 24), SBP (−8.1 mmHg; 95% CI: −12.0, −3.9) and MAP (−3.0 mmHg; 95% CI: −5.4, −0.7) significantly decreased 30-min post- compared to pre-training session, but not DBP (−0.5 mmHg; 95% CI: −3.7, 2.7). PEH in the final phase was significantly inferior compared to the early phase. PEH in the early phase of the intervention was not consistently associated with chronic BP changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are at increased risk of somatic illnesses and have more somatic complaints compared with the general population. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are highly heritable. Already during childhood, children at familial high risk of schizophrenia (FHR-SZ) or bipolar disorder (FHR-BD) are at increased risk of psychiatric disorders and cognitive and social impairments. Knowledge about physical conditions is sparse. Through blood tests (n = 293), interviews, and questionnaires, we assessed inflammatory markers, somatic complaints, medication – and health care use in 11-year-old children at FHR-SZ, FHR-BD, and population-based controls (PBC). Children at FHR-SZ had higher concentrations of leucocytes (mean 6.41, SD 0.73) compared with PBC (mean 5.78, SD 0.27, p = 0.005) and of neutrophilocytes (FHR-SZ: mean 3.11, SD 1.32, PBC: mean 2.70, SD 0.96, p = 0.024). Compared with PBC (26.6%), more children at FHR-SZ (40.5%, p = 0.007) reported somatic complaints. So did caregivers and teachers to children at FHR-BD. Somatic complaints, higher concentrations of leucocytes, and neutrophilocytes were associated with lower levels of physical activity. Children at FHR-BD with psychiatric disorders reported more somatic complaints compared with those without. Children at FHR-SZ had higher concentrations of leucocytes and neutrophilocytes than PBC. Children at FHR-SZ or FHR-BP displayed more somatic complaints than controls. Our study highlights rarely explored disadvantage of being born to parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. To enhance understanding of how physical conditions in childhood may interplay with later transition to mental disorders in children at FHR-SZ and FHR-BD, further research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. Nonparametric 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveIt is unknown if aerobic exercise overloads or improves the cardiovascular system among workers with high occupational physical activity. This was investigated in a worksite randomized controlled trial (RCT) of aerobic exercise among cleaners.MethodsWe randomized 116 cleaners between 18-65 years. The aerobic exercise group (N=57) performed worksite aerobic exercise (30 minutes twice a week) and the reference group (N=59) received lectures. Cardiorespiratory fitness, blood pressure (BP) and diurnal heart rate (HR) for measuring aerobic workload [% HR reserve (% HRR)] were collected at baseline and after four months. A repeated measure 2×2 multi-adjusted mixed-model design was applied to compare the between-group differences in an intention-to-treat analysis.ResultsBetween-group differences (P