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The aims of this study were to compare the running performance of possession and position games and to describe the external load of the same position game played on pitches of different dimensions. Using a GPS system (WIMU Pro, RealTrack Systems, Almería, Spain), the running demands of 25 professional soccer players were monitored during 18 possession (without a standardized role position) and 18 positional (with a specific role position) games of 9 vs. 9 + 2 floaters. Each format was developed in small (< 60 m² per payer), medium (60--90 m² per player) and large (> 90 m² per player) sizes. Position games obtained significantly lower distance covered, peak speed and player load values than possession games (all p < 0.05). However, position games obtained significantly higher values of maximal acceleration, maximal deceleration, accelerations higher than 3 m · s-2 and decelerations lower than -3 m · s-2 than possession games (all p < 0.05). Likewise, large position games obtained significantly higher values of distance covered, distance covered > 21 km · h-1, peak speed and player load than small and medium sizes. Large size also showed significantly higher values of maximal acceleration and deceleration than small size, significantly fewer accelerations and decelerations, and fewer accelerations lower than 3 m · s-2 and decelerations higher than -3 m · s-2 compared to medium and small size (all p < 0.05). Practitioners should keep in mind the use of these games and their size to modify the external load of the players during their training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The training schedule is a factor that influences sports performance optimization. In a sport like soccer, there is often significant disparity in training schedules among different teams within the same club, without considering whether this may affect players' performance. The aim of this study was to describe differences in nutrient intake and body composition in elite youth soccer players from the Spanish league with different training schedules (morning and evening). A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine differences in anthropometric variables and dietary assessment in a sample of Spanish young soccer players. A total of 41 players participated in this study. After comparing the groups according to their training schedule, no differences were observed in body composition between both groups; the evening-night training group showed higher consumption of lipids and saturated fats. In summary, more experimental studies are needed to determine the effects on various health and performance parameters of different training schedules in young population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to determine the effect of different compositions in transition games (TGs) on the load of soccer players and to evaluate their performance in physical tests. Using a GPS system, 18 players were monitored during: 3vs2, 2vs1 and 1vs1. Distance covered (DC), DC 18–20.9 km·h-1 , 21–23.9 km·h-1 ,>24 km·h-1 , peak speed, accelerations (Acc) and decelerations (Dec)>1.0 m·s-2 and>2.5 m·s-2 and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded. Before and after each TG, countermovement-jump (CMJ), 15- (S15) and 30 m (S30) speed tests were assessed. TG3vs2 showed greater DC and Dec>1.0 m·s-2 than TG2vs1 , and DC, DC 18.0–23.9 km·h-1 , Acc>1.0 m·s-2 and Dec>2.5 m·s-2 than TG1vs1 (p <0.01). TG2vs1 achieved higher DC, DC 18.0–23.9 km·h-1 , and Acc>2.5 m·s-2 (p <0.01) but lower peak speed (p =0.02) and RPE (p =0.02) than TG1vs1. Post-intervention, TG1vs1 showed lower CMJ and higher S15 (p =0.02), while TG3vs2 , showed improvements in CMJ (p <0.01). The three tasks showed large variations for DC>24 km·h-1 , Acc>1.0 m·s-2 , Dec>1.0 m·s-2 and Dec>2.5 m·s-2. The load of TGs is sensitive to their player composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the running demands of transition games (TGs) and official matches, analysing their requirements according to the performance of each position. An observational design was used to examine the activity of 20 soccer players during official matches and TGs. GPS technology was used to monitor the total distance covered (DC), distance at speeds between 14–17.9 km·h−1, 18–21 km·h−1, and above 21 km·h−1, peak speed, accelerations and decelerations above 2.5 m·s−2, and Player Load for both activities. All players were assigned to groups: centre-backs (CBs), fullbacks (FBs), defensive midfielders (DMFs), offensive midfielders (OMFs), wide midfielders (WMFs) and strikers (Ss). TGs showed greater total DC, DC 14–17.9 km·h−1, DC 18–21 km·h−1, DC >21 km·h−1, accelerations and decelerations >2.5 m·s−2, and Player Load (p < 0.01). CBs, FBs and Ss showed more DC, DC 14–17.9 km·h−1, DC 18–21 km·h−1, DC >21 km·h−1, accelerations and decelerations >2.5 m·s−2 and Player Load in TGs (p < 0.01). In the midfielder positions, transition game players showed greater DC 18–21 km·h−1, DC >21 km·h−1, accelerations and decelerations >2.5 m·s−2 than in matches (p < 0.05). DMFs showed higher total DC (p < 0.05) and WMFs greater DC and DC 14–17.9 km·h−1 (p < 0.01) in these drills. During transition games CBs showed greater DC 14–17.9 km·h−1 than FBs, and greater DC than Ss (p < 0.05). FBs performed more decelerations >2.5 m·s−2 than DMFs and OMFs (p < 0.05). TGs produced a homogenized load in soccer players, independent of their position, which exceeded the external load of official matches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in internal and external load during Soccer-7 and Soccer-11, comparing positional requirements and neuromuscular fatigue in both modalities. Twenty-four young soccer players were monitored in Soccer-7 and Soccer-11 matches using global positioning systems. Total distance covered (TD), distance covered at high speed (HSR), distance covered at very high speed (VHSR), peak speed, accelerations (Acc) and decelerations (Dec) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded differentiating between central backs (CB), midfielders (MF), external players (EX) and forwards (FW). Neuromuscular fatigue were assessed using a jump test. During Soccer-11, players showed significantly higher TD, HSR and VHSR, with low Acc and greater RPE compared with Soccer-7. During Soccer-11, all positions recorded significantly greater TD, distance at HSR and at VHSR than Soccer-7. In terms of playing position, CB, MF and FW achieved significantly higher Peak Speed during Soccer-1, but there was no difference for EX. During Soccer-7 all positions performed significantly higher numbers of Acc. Although the Soccer-7 modality is considered an optimal format for the development of young soccer players, there is a significant difference in match running activity for all playing positions with respect to the Soccer-11 format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to compare the influence of transition game (TG) size on the external and internal loads of young professional soccer players and to describe the high-speed profile of these drills in response to pitch dimensions. Eighteen young professional soccer players (age: 16.1 ± 0.3 years; height: 178.3 ± 5.4 cm; weight: 70.1 ± 6.2 kg) performed a 3vs2 TG on pitches measuring 40 x 30 m (TG30), 40 x 50 m (TG50) and 40 x 70 m (TG70) m. Distance covered (DC); accelerations-decelerations above 1.0 m ⋅ s-2 and 2.5 m ⋅ s-2; rate of perceived exertion (RPE); maximal heart rate and time above 90%; DC at 18.0 to 21.0 km ⋅ h-1 (DC 18-20.9 km ⋅ h-1); DC at 21.0 to 23.9 km ⋅ h-1 (DC 21=23.9 km ⋅ h-1); DC above 24.0 km ⋅ h-1 (DC > 24 km ⋅ h-1); and peak speed and sprint profile (duration, distance and maximal speed) were measured. TG30 achieved lower DC, DC above 18 km ⋅ h-1, peak speed, sprint distance and RPE than TG50 and TG70 (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) and lower sprint duration and maximal speed sprint than TG70 (p < 0.01). TG30 and TG50 achieved higher Acc > 1.0 and > 2.5 m ⋅ s-2 respectively than TG70 (p < 0.05). TG70 showed greater DC above 21 km ⋅ h-1, peak speed, sprint distance and maximal speed sprint than TG50 (p < 0.01). Soccer coaches should use larger TGs to overload variables related to high speed and sprint demands during training and smaller TG formats to stimulate the accelerations of the soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Safe Landing (SL), a 6-week technique-modification (TM) programme, on cutting and jump-landing movement quality in football players. In a non-randomized design, 32 male semi-professional football players from two Spanish clubs participated in the study: one served as the control group (CG, n = 11), while the other performed the SL (n = 15). Performance and movement quality of drop vertical jump and 70º change of direction (COD70) were evaluated through 2D video footage pre- and post-intervention. In such tasks, the Landing Error Scoring System for first (LESS1) and second (LESS2) landings, and the Cutting Movement Assessment Score (CMAS) were used for assessing movement quality. Pre-to-post changes and baseline-adjusted ANCOVA were used. Medium-to-large differences between groups at post-test were shown in CMAS, LESS1 and LESS2 (p < 0.082, ղ2 = 0.137–0.272), with small-to-large improvements in SL (p < 0.046, ES=0.546–1.307), and CG remaining unchanged (p > 0.05) pre-to-post. In COD70 performance, large differences were found between groups (p < 0.047, ղ2 = 0.160–0.253), with SL maintaining performance (p > 0.05, ES=0.039–0.420), while CG moderately decreasing performance (p = 0.024, ES=0.753) pre-to-post. The SL is a feasible and effective TM program to improve movement quality and thus potential injury risk in cutting and landing, while not negatively affecting performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purposes of the present study were to determine muscle strength and power output characteristics in a group of professional soccer players and to identify their relationships with 2 functional performance tests (vertical jumping height and 15-m sprint time). Maximal strength and power indices attained against different loads in barbell back squat exercise, isometric maximal force of the knee extensor and plantar flexor muscles, isokinetic peak torque of the knee extensors muscles, vertical jumping height in squat and counter-movement jumps, and 15-m sprint time tests were assessed in 21 semiprofessional soccer players (age 20 [+ or -] 3.8 years). Correlation analyses were performed to examine the relationship between each of these measures. The main results of the present study were that (a) maximal power in concentric half-squat exercise was attained with a load of 60% of 1 repetition maximum, representing 112% of body weight; (b) the performance in the functional tests selected was significantly related with all the half-squat variables measured, especially with loads of 75-125% of body weight; and (c) low to nonsignificant correlations were found between functional tests performance and isometric and isokinetic muscle strength measures. It was concluded that in semiprofessional soccer players (a) isometric and isokinetic muscle strength assessed in an open kinetic chain were not movement-specific enough to predict performance during a more complex movement, such as jump or sprint and (b) concentric half-squat exercise was principally related with the functional tests selected when it was performed against external loading within the range of the load in case of which the maximal power output was attained. KEY WORDS soccer, muscle strength, squat, sprinting, jumping

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of sodium bicarbonate (NaHC[O.sub.3-]) ingestion on performance and perceptual responses in a laboratory-simulated bicycle motocross (BMX) qualification series. Nine elite BMX riders volunteered to participate in this study. After familiarization, subjects undertook two trials involving repeated sprints (3 X Wingate tests [WTs] separated by 30 minutes of recovery; WT1, WT2, WT3). Ninety minutes before each trial, subjects ingested either NaHC[O.sub.3-] or placebo in a counterbalanced, randomly assigned, double-blind manner. Each trial was separated by 4 days. Performance variables of peak power, mean power, time to peak power, and fatigue index were calculated for each sprint. Ratings of perceived exertion were obtained after each sprint, and ratings of perceived readiness were obtained before each sprint. No significant differences were observed in performance variables between successive sprints or between trials. For the NaHC[O.sub.3-] trial, peak blood lactate during recovery was greater after WT2 (p < 0.05) and tended to be greater after WT3 (p = 0.07), and ratings of perceived exertion were not influenced. However, improved ratings of perceived readiness were observed before WT2 and WT3 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, NaHC[O.sub.3-] ingestion had no effect on performance and RPE during a series of three WT simulating a BMX qualification series, possibly because of the short duration of each effort and the long recovery time used between the three WTs. On the contrary, NaHC[O.sub.3-] ingestion improved perceived readiness before each WT.