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Background: There is a growing body of evidence showing the benefits to coaches and players in adopting a game-based pedagogical approach. Whilst the evidence in support of a game-based pedagogy continues to rise it is acknowledged that the complex art form of coaching is a uniquely personal one, where the coach may draw on previous first-hand experiences and traditional coaching practices regarding training methods rather than the use of current evidence-based best practice techniques. Purpose: The aim of this randomised control trial was to evaluate the impact of a coach development intervention (MASTER) on game-based coaching practices of football coaches. Methods: Four clubs were recruited, and 20 coaches were randomised to two groups, MASTER intervention (n = 10) and 10 usual practice (waitlist, n = 10); NSW Australia) which included 200 junior footballers (aged 8–16years). Intervention coaches participated in an 8-week multi-component intervention (which included a coach education workshop focused on positive game-based pedagogy, mentoring, peer evaluations and an online discussion forum) underpinned by positive coaching and game-based coaching practices. Pre- and post-intervention assessments occurred at baseline and 10 weeks. The primary aim was to investigate if the MASTER intervention could increase playing form (PF) and active learning time within training sessions. Three coaching sessions per coach were filmed at baseline and follow-up and assessed using the MASTER assessment tool. Secondary aims investigation included coach confidence and competence to coach (assessed by questionnaire), player game play and decision making (videoed during structured game play using a Game Performance Assessment Instrument), a range of player well-being measures including enjoyment, self-perception, and various motivations (questionnaire) and the parent's perception of their child's enjoyment was assessed by the completion of a questionnaire. Intervention effects were analysed using linear mixed models. Findings: Significant effects were found for the primary outcome which was the percentage of training time devoted to playing-form activities (22.63%; 95% CI 9.07–36.19; P = 0.002, d = 1.78). No significant effect was observed for ALT. Significant interventions effects were also observed for the secondary outcomes of coach perceptions of confidence and confidence; player game skills including defence, support and decision making, wellbeing, physical self-perceptions, enjoyment, learning and performance orientations and motivation; and parent's perception of child's enjoyment (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The MASTER programme was effective in improving game-based coaching practices of football coaches during training sessions, and in facilitating improvements in multiple coach and player outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Study Aim. Small-sided games (SSGs) are widely used in football training to replicate match conditions while controlling the physical load on players. Variations in the number of players during these games can significantly influence key recovery markers. This study aims to investigate the effects of variations in player numbers on maximal heart rate, blood lactate levels, and perceived exertion in small-sided games acutely applied in football. Material and Methods. The study involved 28 male football players who were also university students (mean age 24.89±4.59 years, mean height 179±0.04 cm, mean body weight 73.21±4.34 kg). The participants were divided into three groups based on the number of players (2 vs. 2, 4 vs. 4, and 8 vs. 8). Heart rate and lactate levels were measured at three time points: before training, immediately after training, and 30 minutes post-training. Results. The study revealed that post-training maximal heart rates (MHR) and lactate levels were significantly higher across all groups compared to pre-training levels, while measurements taken 30 minutes post-training were significantly lower than post-training levels (P0.05). Post-training MHR values were similar between the 2 vs. 2 and 4 vs. 4 groups (P>0.05), whereas the 8 vs. 8 group showed significantly higher values (P0.05), but the 2 vs. 2 group had significantly lower levels (P0.05), while the 8 vs. 8 group reported significantly higher perceived exertion levels (P

The aim of this article is to investigate the effectiveness of personalized psychomotor programs, particularly focusing on adapted football programs, for children with intellectual disabilities (ID). Twelve participants, with a mean age of 17.42 years underwent a carefully designed intervention program spanning 36 weeks. The program aimed to enhance fundamental movement skills, integrate these skills into specialized football training, and culminate in a Unified 7-a-side Football Match. Results indicate significant improvements in static and dynamic balance. Moreover, the intervention positively impacted social interaction among participants. The statistical analysis in this study involved the utilization of the Paired Samples t-Test (One-Sample), a method for comparing means within paired groups, which enabled a comprehensive examination of the data to assess the significance of observed alterations and understand the intricate interrelationships among variables. Results revealed significant differences between pre- and post-intervention measurements, providing robust evidence of the program's efficacy. The significant associations between physical parameters and social interaction underscore the interdependency between physical fitness and social engagement. Our findings suggest that improvements in physical abilities may contribute to increased social interaction among children with intellectual disabilities, underscoring the holistic nature of our intervention, which addresses multiple dimensions of development simultaneously. The findings underscore the holistic benefits of integrating psychomotor development and adapted football programs for adolescents with intellectual disabilities, emphasizing the importance of promoting inclusive physical activities for their overall well-being. Through psychological analyses, we gained insights into their cognitive and emotional dimensions. Subsequently, we formulated a holistic framework for integrating psychomotor interventions with adapted football programs. Evaluating the advancements achieved through the implemented training programs, we aimed to contribute to the promotion of inclusivity for children with mild ID within society and the educational system. This research endeavors to contribute to the growing body of knowledge surrounding the holistic development and social inclusion of children with ID. This study examines the effectiveness of a comprehensive psychomotor development program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Football education plays a significant role in university education, enriching campus life and promoting holistic student development. However, university football training in China faces challenges due to limitations in popularity, training resources, and environmental conditions. This study addresses issues of decreased detection accuracy caused by occlusion, uneven lighting, and small object size in traditional object detection systems by improving the YOLOv5 network structure. The original CSPDarkNet53 backbone was streamlined to a Mobile Net structure with depth wise separable convolutions, reducing model parameters and improving detection speed. Attention mechanisms were integrated into the YOLOv5 network to enhance target feature extraction and mitigate background interference, addressing occlusion and complex backgrounds. Additionally, the Unscented Kalman Filter was introduced into Deep SORT, replacing IoU with DIoU and employing a cascade matching method, significantly reducing ID switching in target tracking tasks. Experimental results on public datasets demonstrate that the proposed model exhibits superior detection performance, making it suitable for university football training scenarios. This study also highlights the potential of artificial intelligence, particularly object detection technology, to advance the efficiency and effectiveness of football training, contributing to the comprehensive development of student-athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The study aimed to compare the cardiorespiratory fitness levels among male students majoring in football and basketball. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample size of 60 students, divided into two groups: 30 students from the basketball class and 30 students from the football class. The average age of students in the football class was 22.03 ± 0.81, while in the basketball class, it was 22.07 ± 0.74. All participants were male and active strata 1 students in semesters 4 and 6, equivalent to second and third-year students. The cardiorespiratory fitness level was assessed using the Cooper 1.5 mile or 2.4 km Run Test. The data analysis was performed using a twotailed independent sample t-test to determine differences between the two groups at a significance level of less than 5% (p<0.05). Prior to the t-test, normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and homogeneity was assessed using Levene's statistics, with a significance level higher than 5% (p>0.05). Results. The findings revealed that students in the football class showed a higher VO₂max (42.54 ± 5.40) compared to those in the basketball class (37.86 ± 5.62), demonstrating a statistically significant difference (p = 0.002). Conclusions. The study found a significant disparity in cardiorespiratory fitness levels between the football and basketball student groups within the campus setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The objective of our study was to examine, in addition to using the TOCA Football System tool and training method, the effect of a 10-week intervention on elite youth athletes in terms of their sport-specific motor skills and anthropometric variables. Methods: The study covered a group of 32 young players practicing football (U14) (13.45 ± 0.64 years). The junior U14 footballers were randomly assigned to an intervention or TOCA group (TG, N = 15, 13.25 ± 0.58 years) and a control group (CG, N = 17, 13.63 ± 0.66 years). Before starting the test, we performed full anthropometric measurements and assessed the sample's agility with and without the ball and their sport-specific endurance. The measurements were then repeated after the 10-week intervention. Results: Within-group analysis showed significant improvements in muscle mass (p < 0.001), sport-specific endurance (p < 0.001), (p < 0.004) and agility (in TG) both with and without the ball (p = 0.002), (p = 0.004) however, we did not find a significant change in body fat percentage in either group (p = 0.988, p = 0.288). In the CG, "agility with the ball" changed significantly only (p = 0.023). In the between-group analysis with a repeated-measures analysis of variance (mixed-design ANOVA), there was no significant interaction in any performance variables. The main findings of this study indicate that a TOCA Football training program in addition to normal training during the in-season period does not produce additional effects in anthropometric factors, sportspecific endurance and agility performance with the ball (dribbling) and without the ball in comparison with the control condition. Discussion: From a practical point of view, the presented anthropometric and physical profiles of players can be useful for football coaches in optimizing soccer training. Overall, it also can be concluded that the device can be safely used in the sensitive age group in terms of the development of motor skills since we did not find any negative effects during the use of the device in terms of the parameters we examined. In addition to the expansion of the number of elements and the inclusion of other age groups, it is advisable to carry out further complex tests, as the TOCA Football System offers many research opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The study aimed to assess the impact of football training, particularly for goalkeepers, on children's motor skills and aerobic capacity over a 10-month period. Materials and methods. This experimental study focused on evaluating the specific skills of goalkeepers and the aerobic capacities of children who took on the role of goalkeeper after undergoing training. The study involved totally 20 individuals aged 10-14 who played as goalkeepers and who were part of the entire population trained at the Real Madrid Foundation UNY Football School. The changes in the goalkeeper's aerobic capacity, reaction speed, and diving, as well as anthropometric measurements were found in the study. The instruments used for this research included a multi-stage fitness test, a test of the goalkeeper's reaction and diving skills, as well as height and weight measurements. The data analysis technique used was the t-test to determine differences in variables between the pretest and post-test, with a significance level of less than 0.05 (p < 0.05). Results. The results revealed significant improvements in aerobic endurance (p = 0.004), reaction ability (p = 0.007), and goalkeeper diving (p = 0.002) after 10 months of football training. However, there were no significant changes in height, weight, and BMI, as the p value was greater than 0.05. Conclusions. These findings have important implications for evaluating goalkeeper training programs and provide a basis for recommending more effective ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Football tactical training is of great significance to the improvement of football level and the development of football, while the tactical training system is rich in content and diversified in structure, how to coordinate the content of tactical training system has become a key topic to improve the effectiveness of tactical training. In this paper, we design the method of tactical training for college football teams, aiming at building a tactical optimisation and opponent analysis model based on big data mining and machine learning from the reality of tactical training for college high-level football teams. Specifically, the convolutional neural network with two levels of cascade detection and regression in the model adopts the classic ideas of face key point detection and human body key point detection: the idea of cascade regression is used for the detection of the key point location from coarse to fine; the heat map of the key point obtained from the first level network is used as the supplemental information, and the original map is used for the feature fusion; the Heatmap, which has better effect, is used as the Ground Truth of the network; the Heatmap is used as the ground truth of the network; the Heatmap, which has better effect, is used as the ground truth of the network. The second stage regression network uses Heatmap as the Ground Truth of the network, which provides pixel-by-pixel supervision for the regression of the key points' positions and the prediction of whether the key points are visible or not. In addition, this paper combines the idea of adversarial learning to design the loss function to solve the fuzzy problem of regression-to-the-mean when regressing Heatmap. The second-stage network is used as the generator, and the discriminator is designed to define the loss function to judge the reliability of the generated Heatmap. Through the training method of adversarial learning, the second-stage network converges and predicts the reliable Heatmap, and then obtains the key point coordinates to identify the opponents to optimise the tactics of football teams. The final simulation experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the research trends in football training for young players under 18 years old in the last 15 years. Materials and methods. This was a bibliometric analysis and systematic review study. Articles published since 2008 were searched for by the keywords "Football Training" and "Football Exercise" using a comprehensive strategy on SCOPUS research journal databases. There were 1,053 articles with 4802 citations mined on October 17th, 2023. Thereafter, 217 articles were selected for further analysis by using VOS Viewer computer software. Results. The United Kingdom (67), The United States (60), and Spain (41) were the three countries that had the most publications in football training. There were 6 keyword clusters that reflected various research focuses on football training for younger players. Based on the top 10 most cited references in football training for younger players, there were several major themes that covered various aspects of the research trend and development in the last 15 years, i.e. (1) Factors in the Development of Young Football Players, (2) Tactical Analysis and Collective Behavior in Small-Sided Games, (3) Game Intensity and Activity Profile in Young Football Players, (4) Plyometric Training and Its Effects on Preadolescent Players, and (5) Injury Prevention and Neuromuscular Training in Adolescent Football Players. Conclusions. Football research for under-18 players has grown rapidly. This research trend shows that football requires not only physical and technical skills, but also social and mental aspects. Further research can be directed toward understanding and integrating holistic aspects of football coaching, including the development of nonphysical skills, such as leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Further investigation into the use of technology in football coaching, such as video analysis, sensor-based performance measurement, and artificial intelligence applications to provide deeper insight into player progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the research trends in football training for young players under 18 years old in the last 15 years. Materials and methods. This was a bibliometric analysis and systematic review study. Articles published since 2008 were searched for by the keywords “Football Training” and “Football Exercise” using a comprehensive strategy on SCOPUS research journal databases. There were 1,053 articles with 4802 citations mined on October 17th, 2023. Thereafter, 217 articles were selected for further analysis by using VOS Viewer computer software. Results. The United Kingdom (67), The United States (60), and Spain (41) were the three countries that had the most publications in football training. There were 6 keyword clusters that reflected various research focuses on football training for younger players. Based on the top 10 most cited references in football training for younger players, there were several major themes that covered various aspects of the research trend and development in the last 15 years, i.e. (1) Factors in the Development of Young Football Players, (2) Tactical Analysis and Collective Behavior in Small-Sided Games, (3) Game Intensity and Activity Profile in Young Football Players, (4) Plyometric Training and Its Effects on Preadolescent Players, and (5) Injury Prevention and Neuromuscular Training in Adolescent Football Players. Conclusions. Football research for under-18 players has grown rapidly. This research trend shows that football requires not only physical and technical skills, but also social and mental aspects. Further research can be directed toward understanding and integrating holistic aspects of football coaching, including the development of non-physical skills, such as leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Further investigation into the use of technology in football coaching, such as video analysis, sensor-based performance measurement, and artificial intelligence applications to provide deeper insight into player progress.

Background: Studies on the longitudinal effects of intense physical training on cardiac remodeling are limited, especially in American collegiate football players. Hypothesis: College‐level American football training will result in remodeling in a pattern consistent of a sport with moderate static and dynamic demands with increases in both wall and chamber sizes. Methods: We studied 85 American collegiate football players who underwent transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) for asymptomatic or mild COVID‐19‐related illness and compared the changes in echo dimensions to their preparticipation screening TTE. Pre‐ and posttraining variables were compared using a paired t‐test for normally distributed variables. Results: Mean age was 19 years ± 1 and 61% of athletes were Black. Mean follow‐up between TTEs was 21 ± 13 months. There was an increase in left atrial volume index (26.4 ± 5.5 to 32.8 ± 8.4 mL/m2, p <.001), LV end diastolic diameter (5.13 ± 0.4 to 5.27 ± 0.4 cm, p =.003), basal RV diameter (3.28 ± 0.7 to 3.83 ± 0.5 cm, p = <.001), LV mass index (86.7 ± 15.3 to 90.1 ± 15.3, p =.015), and aortic root diameter (3.1 ± 0.4 to 3.2 ± 0.3 cm, p =.03) from pre‐ to posttraining, with a slightly greater magnitude in athletes with >2 years of training. Presence of left atrial enlargement (≥35 mL/m2) increased from 2.9% to 29% pre‐ to postparticipation in athletes with >2 years training. No significant changes in wall thickness, diastolic function, or right ventricular systolic function were observed. Conclusion: American football players college‐level training was associated with increases in left and right ventricular chamber sizes, left atrial size, and aortic root diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this review is to summarize the current scientific knowledge about acceleration and deceleration demands during football training. A systematic search of three electronic databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science) was performed to identify peer-reviewed relevant English-language articles, following PRISMA guidelines. All acceleration and deceleration data were analyzed and organized into four categories: i) training drills variables (i.e. manipulated drills variables such as number of players in small-sided games), ii) training exercises (i.e. different drills such small games or circuit training), iii) players' positions (i.e. demands for each playing position) and iv) training schedule (i.e. training sessions presented as microcycles, season sections or full season). Full-text articles of 42 studies were included in the final analysis. Players' level included: amateur, youth, semi-professional, professional and elite players. All playing positions were considered, including goalkeepers. Six different global position systems brands were used, with the majority measuring data at 10 Hz. Different thresholds and intensities were used in several papers. Lower acceleration and deceleration intensities occurred more often than higher intensities in all four categories. Different exercises elicit different demands and small-sided games presented higher acceleration and deceleration demands than circuit training and other running based drills. Furthermore, manipulating drills variables, as reducing or increasing number of players in small-sided games increase or decrease demands, respectively. Additionally, wide playing positions, such as fullbacks, are generally exposed to higher acceleration and deceleration demands. From a planning point of view, acceleration and deceleration demands decrease as match day approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem statement. Sports in general and football in particular today play an important educational role in the development of young people. The development and training of young players is essential for the future of national and international football. This research aims to resume the development process of young football players. Football practice should not only provide a chance to develop the necessary skills for the game itself but also develop the personal skills of young people in society. In this process, football schools, football academies, clubs, and sports associations play a decisive role. It is important to set goals for each stage, specific to the players' age, mental muscular and physical development, and learning capacity. Knowing the most relevant aspects of the development and training of young football players, we can hope that future elite players will be more efficient and competitive in relation to the demands of modern football. The coach is the most important person in the development of young footballers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper establishes the parameters of the ball trajectory based on the fractional differential equation model. At the same time, this paper quantifies the shooting power of direct free kicks. In this paper, the resistance effect of air on the motion of the center of mass is considered. And the dynamic equation of the football arc motion is established. In this way, we obtain the analytical solution of the differential equation of order. The research shows that the correlation between the fitting equation of the football flight trajectory and the prediction equation is 96.55%. The algorithm model in this paper can effectively predict the flight path of football. The research theory of this paper provides a theoretical basis for football offensive training strategies.

The Covid-19 outbreak has also led to significant changes in football, such as the suspension of leagues, isolation, and the fact that football players are forced to train on their own. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if there were differences in the level of preparation, practices, and motivation for athletic training among young professional football players during the Covid-19 pandemic, depending on the level of competition. The sample of respondents consisted of 82 young football players from Bosnia and Herzegovina, divided into the first league group (n=47, 18.30±0.62 age) and the second league group (n=35, 17.66±0.73 age). The questionnaire for sports preparation and training (SPEQ) was used, which consists of 11 items and was created according to the existing questionnaire for self-assessment of the level of preparation and type of training of athletes during the training process in the Covid-19 pandemic. Also, a questionnaire on sports motivation during the Covid-19 pandemic was used, consisting of 18 items related to motivation to participate in sports, modified according to the Participation Motivation Questionnaire (PMQ). A five-point Likert scale was used for the questionnaire. The questionnaire was available in electronic form and was sent to the football players through a Google form. The difference was found only in the frequency of the type of exercise in two variables, while there were no differences between the groups of young football players in the other variables of training frequency, level of preparation, and motivation in sports training. It was also established that despite the Covid-19 situation, the motivation for sports training among young football players was at a very high level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to train receivers in American football in a targeted and individual manner, the strengths and weaknesses of the athletes must be evaluated precisely. As human resources are limited, it is beneficial to do it in an automated way. Automated passing machines are already given, therefore the motivation is to design a computer-based system that records and automatically evaluates the athlete's catch attempts. The most fundamental evaluation would be whether the athlete has caught the pass successfully or not. An experiment was carried out to gain data about catch attempts that potentially contain information about the outcome of such. The experiment used a fully automated passing machine which can release passes on command. After a pass was released, an audio and a video sequence of the specific catch attempt was recorded. For this purpose, an audio-visual recording system was developed which was integrated into the passing machine. This system is used to create an audio and video dataset in the amount of 2276 recorded catch attempts. A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is used for feature extraction with downstream Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) to classify the video data. Classification of the audio data is performed using a one-dimensional CNN. With the chosen neural network architecture, an accuracy of 92.19% was achieved in detecting whether a pass had been caught or not. The feasibility for automatic classification of catch attempts during automated catch training is confirmed with this result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of soccer players is influenced by morphological, functional, and psychological characteristics that define the optimal playing style and game outcomes. It is generally accepted that soccer is a prolonged, high-intensity, intermittent sport where players must sprint repeatedly and frequently throughout a 90-minute match. The average intensity of their exercise is between 80 and 90 percent of their maximum heart rate or anaerobic threshold. This innovative study aims to determine how high-intensity football affects cardiovascular and pulmonary characteristics. The data for this study are collected using a Likert scale from university soccer players. The research revealed that cardiovascular and respiratory parameters significantly influence high-intensity football training. This study is innovative due to its research concept and substantial implications for theory and practice. The prospective directions of this research are also essential for critically advancing the body of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most defining event in a football match is scoring a goal; therefore, the analysis of the dynamics of the game and the behaviours that lead to scoring goals can provide an important contribution to the identification of each team's most decisive attacking sequences in order to propose an appropriate strategy. Thus, the aim of this study was to set up and assess an ad hoc coding tool to analyse goals in semi-professional, amateur and training football. Based on several action-research processes, and using a set of experts through the Delphi method, a field-format coding tool was designed and assessed where each criterion is an exhaustive and mutually exclusive system of categories. The results demonstrated excellent content validity values, estimated through the degree of agreement (9.37 out of 10) and importance (9.66 out of 10). Similarly, excellent intra-observer reliability values were obtained (k = .87), and good to excellent inter-observer agreement values (k = .62). The evaluation of generalisability using a three-facet design (observers, categories, goals) showed excellent reliability (G > .90), and perfect representativeness (r2 = 1), showing that the variability is explained by the categories facet (in isolation or in interaction with the other facets). In conclusion, this study provides a valid and reliable tool that allows for the identification of the teams' most representative traits through the analysis of their goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. One of the most widely used training methodologies in football is high intensity interval training (HIIT), which aims to improve performance through training sessions characterised by exercises that involve alternating percentage load intensity. In the literature, although there are studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of HIIT in improving quantitative aspects, i.e. different expressions of strength, there are not as many studies that attest to the same effectiveness in improving qualitative components, i.e. elements related to the precision of specific football gestures. The study purpose was to verify whether the application of a specific HIIT protocol for football over a given period of time can be equally effective in simultaneously improving the quantitative and precision components. Materials and methods. The sample analysed consisted of 16 movement players from the ASD Nuova Antoniana sports club, aged between 14 and 15 years. The sample was subjected to a mesocycle of training lasting 8 weeks characterised by the HIIT methodology. Before and after this period, data were collected by means of a battery of tests aimed at assessing rapid, explosive, fast and resistant strength, and passing and shooting skills: the parameters relating to expressions of strength were assessed by means of quantitative tests specific to each parameter; passing and shooting skills were assessed by means of accuracy score tests (from 0 to 4 according to accuracy). Results. The results showed an improvement in all tested parameters (p ≤ 0.05). Therefore, the effectiveness of the protocol in improving football performance in terms of quantity and accuracy is confirmed. Conclusions. This study has increased knowledge of the effects of the HIIT protocol on the performance of young football players.

This study established the magnitude of systematic bias and random error of horizontal force-velocity (F-v) profile variables obtained from a 1080 Sprint compared to that obtained from a Stalker ATS II radar device. Twenty high-school athletes from an American football training group completed a 30 m sprint while the two devices simultaneously measured velocity-time data. The velocity-time data were modelled by an exponential equation fitting process and then used to calculate individual F-v profiles and related variables (theoretical maximum velocity, theoretical maximum horizontal force, slope of the linear F-v profile, peak power, time constant tau, and horizontal maximal velocity). The devices were compared by determining the systematic bias and the 95% limits of agreement (random error) for all variables, both of which were expressed as percentages of the mean radar value. All bias values were within 6.32%, with the 1080 Sprint reporting higher values for tau, horizontal maximal velocity, and theoretical maximum velocity. Random error was lowest for velocity-based variables but exceeded 7% for all others, with slope of the F-v profile being greatest at ±12.3%. These results provide practitioners with the information necessary to determine if the agreement between the devices and the magnitude of random error is acceptable within the context of their specific application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tbe tactical athletes mindset implies tbe cboice of tbe quickest and most appropriate decision in game situations, trbicb is important in football. Tbe purpose of tbe researcb is to study tbe effect of tbe scheme of training strategies developed witb tbe belp of tbe Tactics Manager program on tbe development of tactical mindset of football students of different ages. To determine tbe parameters of tactical and game thinking, tbe Ball test method was used. Tbe research sample consisted of 316 first: third-, and fiftb-year students studying in four bigber educational institutions of China. Tbe post-test demonstrated an increase in tbe indicators of tactical tbinking of football players: tbe parameter "number of correct answers" increased in group C by 1.97 points, group B - by 1.23 points, and group A - by 2.63 points. Tbe research results can belp shape tbe experience of using computer programs to create effective training strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revue Académique des Études Sociales et Humaines is the property of Hassif Benbouali University of Chlef 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 proper fluid and carbohydrates intake is essential before and during physical exercise, and for this reason most athletes drink beverages containing a high amount of free sugars. Sweetened soft drinks are also commonly consumed by those not doing any sport, and this habit seems to be both unhealthy and also the cause of metabolic problems. Recently, several sweeteners have been proposed to replace sugars in popular beverages. To examine the impact of free sugars and the popular sweetener xylitol on metabolic profile and the markers of kidney function and injury after exercise the present study was conducted with semi-professional football players. All participants were healthy, with a mean age of 21.91 years. Their sports skills were on the level of the 4th-5th division of the league. The subjects took part in four football training sessions. During each session they drank a 7% solution of sugar (sucrose, fructose, glucose) or xylitol. The tolerability of these beverages and well-being during exercise was monitored. Before and after each training session, blood and urine were collected. The markers of kidney function and injury, uric acid, electrolytes, complete blood count, CRP, serum albumin, serum glucose and the lipid profile were analyzed. The main finding of this study was that the xylitol beverage is the least tolerated during exercise and 38.89% of participants experienced diarrhea after training and xylitol intake. Xylitol also led to unfavorable metabolic changes and a large increase in uric acid and creatinine levels. A mean increase of 1.8 mg/dl in the uric acid level was observed after xylitol intake. Increases in acute kidney injury markers were observed after all experiments, but changes in urine albumin and cystatin C were highest after xylitol. The other three beverages (containing "free sugars"- glucose, fructose and sucrose) had a similar impact on the variables studied, although the glucose solution seems to have some advantages over other beverages. The conclusion is that sweeteners are not a good alternative to sugars, especially during exercise. Pure water without sweeteners should be drunk by those who need to limit their calorie consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development in information and communication technologies, the relationship among the disciplines in various fields has become closer, resulting in many new technologies based on interdisciplinary research. This article considers robot soccer training as a research topic by involving related fields, i.e., interdisciplinary research. Compared with the physical robot, its simulation has the advantages of less cost, shorter experimental period, and is beneficial to the real-life studies in this context. This article discusses the practical application and optimization techniques used for robot soccer matches and training evaluation. The main tasks are as follows. First, we analyze and build a simulation platform for robot soccer matches. The basic principles of this platform are learning, and designing a novel optimized SARSA algorithm, built using the state-of-the-art state–action–reward–state–action (SARSA) algorithm. The optimized SARSA is a reinforcement learning algorithm that uses Q-value for making critical decisions about various parameters involved in the football training. Second, this paper simulates and analyzes the proposed optimized SARSA algorithm in a single-entity environment of robot football training. We compare the two algorithms before and after the improvement in a multi-entity environment. Among the simulation results, it is found that the optimized SARSA has a more powerful performance. The simulation results prove that the robot football training evaluation based on machine learning (optimized SARSA) can better formulate the robot football training strategy after applying the reinforcement learning strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses the methods of literature reading, logical derivation and expert investigation to explain and analyze the problem of the basic concept of football training in China from a broad overview of football concepts. It includes many concepts, classification methods and main features of the basic concept of football training, and elaborates the basic concepts in accordance with the three levels of macro-concept, core concept and operational concept, and analyzes the problems existing in the practice of football training in China according to the advanced concept. The study aims to help form a correct understanding of the basic concept of football training through the analysis of a series of problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Sport cultures transmit values for anticipated conduct. Recent events have resulted in injuries/deaths of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student-athletes, usually during off-season football training. Through media reports, strength and conditioning coaches (SCC) have been allegedly involved by incorporating military-style training (MST). Mental toughness (MT) has been associated with hypermasculine subcultures in sports. For the first time, perceptions of collegiate SCCs were chosen to contribute to the development of cultural best practices in sports, via a multiphase mixed-method design (Phase 1, n = 465; Phase 2, n = 72; Phase 3, n = 99). Quantitative and qualitative data were collected aiming to confirm and explore the use of MST in the NCAA, its connection to SCCs, its association with MT development, and the role of the media. MST is uncommon in the NCAA. MST takes place mostly during the off-season in the form of physical, in-scope protocols while football is the most common sport. MST promotes MT. The recent media backlash is considered unfounded. Cultures promoted by SCCs do not indicate conformity of student-athletes to unethical/unhealthy expectations. Future sport psychology research and practice should continue to prioritize culture, cultural identities, and physical and mental well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional way of football training could be subject to some factors such as the field, and the problems and scenes in the training can not be recovered fully. Thus, this paper proposes a football training method based on the improved tiny-yolovs3 model and the virtual reality (VR). Firstly, the paper makes use of the improved tiny-yolov3 model to detect the football in motion. Then, the paper uses the binocular camera to get the coordinates of the football. Finally, the paper reproduces the position of football in the virtual reality environment. The experimental results show that the football training method is feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As computer science and information technology develop rapidly, virtual reality (VR) technology has evolved from theory to application. As a key technology in modern society, VR technology is increasingly influencing more and more aspects of people's daily lives, including sports training. VR technology can be seen as an assistive technology that provides specific support for athletes' sports training through various means such as simulating training scenarios and conducting data analysis. This paper focuses on exploring the application of VR technology in football training and the combination of sports training and VR technology. In addition, a feasibility analysis of the application of VR technology in football is carried out, and software such as Poser 8.0, 3ds MAX, and EON Studio in the virtual football training system are introduced. The aim is to further provide theoretical support for the development and research of virtual football sports system software and to study virtual systems that are not disturbed by external natural conditions. It will break through the limitations of sports training due to factors such as weather, player injuries, lack of training space, and funding. This is conducive to improving teaching and training methods, promoting the mastery of technical movement essentials and the improvement of football skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article is aimed at studying the design and implementation of a football player training management system based on smart images. Based on the analysis of the importance of informatization for scientific football training, system performance requirements and intelligent image detection technology, the football player training management is designed. The overall architecture of the system, and the detailed design of each functional module of the system. It mainly includes football player information management module, football player training plan viewing module, training goal formulation module and training information feedback module. The realization of the training management system relies on intelligent image technology to detect and track athletes. Finally, the performance of the system was tested. The test results show that the expected response time of each module of the system when different numbers of users are accessed is within 3 seconds. The longest actual time is 2.64 s, and the actual shortest time is 1.18 s. It can be seen that the response time of the system meets the demand. At the same time, the system throughput rate meets the requirements of this article, and the user pass rate is also above 95%, indicating that the performance of the football player training management system designed in this article is better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparing to build young football players is one of the most difficult and complex processes, requiring great patience, skill and knowledge of football. When building young players, it is required to make a thorough analysis and research football so that they can be applied to practice. The study aims to make a comparative analysis of the sports readiness of young football players - U 15 of the teams of PFC "Ludogorets 1945" Razgrad and FC "Chernomorets 1919" Burgas, which would help optimize the training process. The subject of research is the physical development and sports preparedness of adolescent football players. The results of the study are processed mathematically and statistically analyses. The subjects were 42 players aged 15 from the teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction - During the football training process, an increase of testosterone levels and a significant increase of ACTH and cortisol blood levels after a maximal exercise test will be considered a positive effect. A depressed adrenal responsiveness to ACTH and a reduced or reversed cortisol responses in exercise are the main hormonal changes, connected with decreased performance and fatigue, where the positive feedback increases ACTH secretion. Finally, the changes of testosterone and cortisol are the physiological indicators of the training influence but do not necessarily indicate overtraining. Aims - To evaluate the changes of stress hormones and testosterone levels, and AnT (km/h) and Max (km/h) after a preparation period of 6 weeks in professional football players of a national team were measured. Material and methods - 25 professional football players (age 21.7 ± 3.32) from a soccer club of our National soccer league performed a maximal exercise test, before and after a preparation period of 6 weeks. Venous blood was taken before and after preparation period, before and after maximal exercise test, and serum levels of testosterone (ng/ml), plasma levels of ACTH (pmmol/ml) and cortisol (mmol/l) were measured by RIA. We measured the T/C (ration between testosterone and cortisol levels) and TII-I, Cortisol II-I and ACTH II-I (exercise inducer answer as a difference of serum and plasma levels of hormones after and before maximal exercise test). During the maximal test, on each stage of maximal exercise test, blood lactate levels (mmol/l) were measured by HP Cosmos analyzer, and the AnT (anaerobic threshold in km/h) and Max (maximal speed of running in km/h) were determined. The means + SD, T-test and correlation were used (p<0.05). Results - There was a significant increase of testosterone (7±1.37; 8.09±0.74) and an insignificant increase of cortisol (239,82±68.5; 271.58±65.3) serum levels after preparation period, either before and after maximal exercise test. There is a significant increase of testosterone (7±1.37; 8.44±1.02) and cortisol (239,82±68.5; 333.61±80.96) levels after maximal exercise test, either before and after preparation period, but for the cortisol levels only before preparation period. There were a significant increase of ACTH (5.18±1.41; 6.27±1.57) plasma levels after preparation period, only after maximal exercise test, and only after preparation period. There were no significant changes of exercise induced answer of stress hormones and testosterone levels and T/C after preparation period. There were no significant increase of AnT (13.42±1.57;13.43±0.73) and Max (15.14±0.76;15.64±0.80). There was only a significant negative correlation (r = - 0.66; p<0.05, r = 0.48) between ACTH II-I and Max (km/h) after the preparation period. Conclusions and discussion - The testosterone changes indicate an increased volume of training in this period, but cortisol, ACTH and AnT changes suggest possible depressed adrenal cortex with no positive effects provoked by this training process. The monitoring of hormone changes could more scientifically and fundamentally assess the football training process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Background Sports and exercise training can attenuate age-related declines in physical function. As people age, they suffer a progressive deterioration of overall muscle structure and function, such as muscle diameter, strength, mass, and power. Therefore, supporting older adults—aged 50 years and above—to continue being physically active is a very important factor. Several forms of exercise (strength, agility, endurance, balance, and flexibility) are recommended. In this regard, football has been repeatedly shown to be an integrative approach to promote measures of strength, endurance, and agility. However, there has been no previous randomized controlled trial that comparatively investigates the effects of football training versus traditional aerobic exercise training on muscle architecture and patella tendon properties in healthy community dwellers. The study protocol is designed to examine whether football differentially affects muscle thickness, muscle length, fascicle length, pennation angle, patella tendon length, and thickness compared to a workload matched traditional aerobic exercise training regimen. Methods The study sample consists of 60 untrained but healthy men (50–60 years old), who will be randomly assigned (strata: age, activate) to two groups: football group (n = 30) and aerobic group (n = 30). The intervention will take place within 12 consecutive weeks, two times a week for 60 min each session. The football group will perform recreational football training as a large-sided game, whereas the aerobic group undergoes a running exercise. Both groups have the same external workload ranging between moderate and high exercise intensity. The outcome measure will be collected before and after the intervention period. Discussion Findings of this study will provide insight into the effects of 24 sessions of both football and aerobic training program on the selected groups of men adults, including detecting their effects on the thigh muscle architecture. Trial registration DRKS—German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00020536 . Registered on 30 January 2020.

Purpose: To investigate the physical and physiological response to different formats of various-sided games. Methods: Eighteen elite women's soccer players wore 15-Hz global positioning system devices and heart-rate (HR) monitors during various-sided games (small, 4 vs 4 and 5 vs 5; medium, 6 vs 6 and 7 vs 7; large, 8 vs 8 and 9 vs 9). Results: Players covered more relative sprinting distance during large-sided games than in small-sided (P < .001, d = 0.69) and medium-sided (P < .001, d = 0.54) games. In addition, a greater proportion of total acceleration efforts that had a commencement velocity < 1 m/s were observed in small-sided games (44.7% ± 5.5%) than in large-sided games (36.7% ± 10.6%) (P = .018, d = 0.94). This was accompanied by a greater proportion of acceleration efforts with a final velocity equivalent to the sprint threshold in large-sided games (15.4% ± 7.7%) than in small-sided games (5.2% ± 2.5%) (P< .001, d= 1.78). The proportion of time spent in HR zone 4 (>85% maximum HR) was greater during small-sided games (69.8% ± 2.5%) than in medium- (62.1% ± 2.8%, d = 2.90) and large-sided games (54.9% ± 3.1%) (P < .001, d = 5.29). Conclusions: The results from this study demonstrate that coaches can use small-sided games as an aerobic conditioning stimulus and to develop players' explosiveness and repeat-sprint ability over short durations. Large-sided games can be used to maintain aerobic capacity and develop maximum speed over longer distances. [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.)

With its advantages of high precision, noncontact, and high intelligence, intelligent visual sensor detection technology meets the requirements for online detection of motion status and intelligent recognition of motion images during sports activities, and its applications are becoming more and more extensive. In order to deeply explore the feasibility of using intelligent vision sensor technology to analyze the three-dimensional action of football, this article uses algorithm analysis method, technology summary method, and physical assembly method, collects samples, analyzes the motion model, streamlines the algorithm, and then creates a model based on intelligent visual sensor technology that can analyze the three-dimensional movement in football training. After the experimental objects are selected, the model is established in the ADM environment. All athletes do a uniform motion, the standard input motion speed is 5 m/s, they all move in the opposite direction relative to their respective coordinate axes, and the motion time is 6 seconds. The results show that the movement curves of the athletes in the three coordinate axis directions are basically the same. When the exercise time is 6 seconds, the coordinate values of the athletes on the three coordinate axes are all 0.992 m. We set six intensities in the experiment: 5%, 15%, 25%, 35%, 45%, and 55%. It can be found that as the noise intensity increases from 5% to 45%, the estimation error gradually increases, but as a whole, it is still at a relatively small level. It shows that the algorithm in this paper still has practical significance. It is basically realized that under the guidance of intelligent vision sensor technology, a model can be designed to successfully and efficiently analyze the three-dimensional movement pattern in training. [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]