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Purpose This study investigates the association between different goal kick strategies and the success of the offensive sequence in games of the Men’s UEFA Euro 2020. The study hypothesis is that using the short pass as the goal kick strategy may generate more successful offensive sequences than the long pass strategy. Methods The data collection was accomplished by observing 595 goal kicks collected from 51 games of the referred competition. The analysed variables were the type of goal kick (short or long) and the result of the offensive sequence (successful and unsuccessful). These variables were collected through an observational instrument. The logistic regression and the association chi-square test were used to analyse the association between the type of goal kick and the offensive outcome. Results The results indicate significant associations between the variables ‘type of goal kick’ and ‘result of offensive sequence’ ( p = 0.021, z = 2.1). The regression analysis revealed that the model accurately predicts 64% of the offensive outcome based on the goal kick strategy. The short goal kick strategy was related to the unsuccessful offensive sequences, and the long goal kick strategy was associated with the successful offensive sequences. These results are contrary to the initial study hypothesis. Conclusions This study concludes that the long goal kick strategy showed more efficiency than the short goal kick strategy in obtaining possession of the ball in the offensive half.

The present study investigated the effects of different intensities of FIFA11+ on the physical performance of U-15 soccer players. Eighteen U-15 soccer players (13.3 ± 0.7 years) performed five randomized conditioning activities (CA), with each CA separated by 3–7 days. The five CA were: 1) FIFA11+ at level 1 (F1); 2) FIFA11+ at level 2 (F2); 3) FIFA11+ at level 3 (F3); 4) FIFA11+ at reduced version (FR); and 5) Standard warm-up of the players (Control). The subjective session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE), countermovement jump (CMJ), 10-m sprint, and 505 agility test were measured 5 min after each CA. CMJ was higher in the FR (29.6 ± 5.5 cm) compared to the F1 (27.7 ± 4.6 cm) (p0.05). The sprint performance was higher in the Control (1.937±0.166 s) and FR (1.931±0.123 s) compared to the F1 (2.006±0.113 s) (p0.05). Agility performance did not differ between conditions (FR: 2.756±0.205 s; F1: 2.7286±0.229 s; F2: 2.832±0.228 s; F3: 2.804±0.209 s; CON: 2.756±0.205 s; p>0.05). Session-RPE was considered hard for all CA, with no significant differences among conditions (p>0.05). The internal training load was higher in the F1, F2, and F3 compared to the FR and CON (p

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cumulative school soccer matches separated by 24-h or 48-h intervals on recovery status of U-19 players. Thirty-four school athletes (17.6 ± 1.1 years) who played an U-19 school soccer competition (composed of one group with four teams and another group with three teams, followed by semifinals and final) were examined before three matches, which lasted 70 min. Seventeen athletes had 24-h of rest interval between each match (GGG group), while 18 athletes had an interval of 48-h between the second and third matches (GG48hG group). Total Quality Recovery, countermovement jump, 10-m sprint, and maximum lumbar isometric strength were measured. The internal load of each match was calculated by the product of the session Rating of Perceived Exertion and match time. There was a 22% reduction in Total Quality Recovery (p< 0.001) and 12% in 10-m sprint performance (p< 0.001) before the third match in the GGG group, while the GG48hG group did not show changes for the same variables (p> 0.05). The countermovement jump decreased before the second match in both groups (GGG= 12% and GG48hG= 10%; p< 0.001), with no difference between groups (p> 0.05). In addition, both groups did not show changes in the isometric strength and in the internal load match over the games (p> 0.05). Despite not providing a complete muscle recovery, 48-h interval between the second and third matches seems to have minimized the effect of consecutive matches in muscle performance reduction.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of fruit and vegetable drink supplementation on muscle recovery after resistance exercise. Methods: 11 men performed two experimental conditions 12 days apart, in a randomized and double-blind manner: 1) Supplementation with Smoothie - drink based on pineapple, mint, sage, ginger, and pomegranate; and 2) Placebo - drink based on artificial pineapple juice. Participants ingested 400 mL of Smoothie or Placebo drinks daily for 9 days, starting one week before performing the exercise (10 sets of 10 unilateral maximum repetitions in leg press 45º). The perceived subjective recovery (PSR), thickness (MT) and soreness (MS) in the anterior thigh muscles, and maximum isometric strength (MIS) were measured before, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after exercise. Results: There was a reduction in MIS and PSR and an increase in MS 24 h after exercise (p < 0.05). In both situations, MIS returned to baseline values at 72 h (p > 0.05), while PSR and MS returned to baseline values 96 h after exercise. There was no change in MT (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Supplementation with pineapple, mint, sage, ginger, and pomegranate drinks did not accelerate muscle recovery over 96 h after the 45º leg press exercise.