Executive Functions, Physical Abilities, and Their Relationship with Tactical Performance in Young Soccer Players.

While tactical performance in soccer is associated with the players' and teams' collective actions in the context of game stimuli, how tactical performance relates to players' executive functions (EFs) and physical abilities should be examined. In this study, we examined these relationships among 81 Under-15 male soccer players who underwent tactical evaluation (FUT-SAT), EF tests (i.e.,(Stop-Signal Test and Design Fluency Test)), and physical tests (i.e.,(Maturity Offset, Yoyo Endurance Test II, Sargent Jump Test, and Sprint Test)). Multiple linear regression modeling with the stepwise method showed that approximately 48% of overall game tactical performance variance was explained by inhibitory control, biological maturation, and sprint capacity (p = .004; d = .54; r2 = .479), whereas 35% of offensive tactical performance variance was explained by the same dimensions (p = .001; d = .91; r2 = .353). In addition, approximately 28% of defensive tactical performance variance was explained by cognitive flexibility and aerobic resistance (p = .007; d = .39; r2 = .280). These results reflect the combined importance of EFs and physical abilities for tactical performance in young soccer players, suggesting that these abilities may be targets for training when trying to improve young players' performance.

Análise temporal dos gols em uma competição estadual e a relação do primeiro gol com o resultado final da partida / Time analysis of goals in a state competition and the relationship of the first goal with the final result of the match

O estudo teve como objetivo analisar a incidência temporal de gols em uma competição estadual e a relação do primeiro gol com o resultado final da partida em diferentes categorias. Foram analisadas 526 partidas das categorias sub-15, sub-17, sub-20 e profissional, de três competições estaduais de futebol do ano de 2018, realizadas no estado do Rio de Janeiro. A coleta dos dados foi feita a partir do site da Federação de Futebol do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Foi realizada análise descritiva (média e desvio padrão) e o teste de Shapiro-Wilk para verificar a distribuição dos dados. Na comparação dos gols por intervalo de tempo, foram realizados os testes de Kruskal Wallis (distribuição não normal) e Anova (distribuição normal). Na relação do primeiro gol com o resultado final da partida, foi realizado o teste de Friedman para identificar a existência de diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os resultados da partida e o teste de Wilcoxon para verificar onde houve diferença. O valor de significância adotado foi de p<0,05. No estudo observou-se não haver diferenças significativas na incidência de gols entre os intervalos de tempo. Já na relação do primeiro gol com o resultado final da partida, foram encontradas diferenças significativas (p< 0,001) para todas as categorias na comparação entre vitória e derrota e na comparação entre vitória e empate. Neste estudo, foi possível observar como marcar o primeiro gol pode aumentar a probabilidade de uma equipe alcançar a vitória. (AU)

The study aimed to analyze the temporal incidence of goals in a state competition and the relationship of the opening goal with final match scores in different age/competitive levels. We analyzed 526 matches from the under-15, under-17, under-20 and professional levels from three state soccer tournaments in 2018, held in the state of Rio de Janeiro, were analyzed. Data was obtained through the website of the Rio de Janeiro State Soccer Federation. Descriptive analysis (means and standard deviation) and the Shapiro-Wilk normality test were performed. The Kruskal Wallis (non-parametric data) and ANOVA (parametric data) tests were performed to compare goals according to time interval. The association between the opening goal and the final match score was verified using the Friedman test. The Wilcoxon test was used for pairwise comparisons. The significance level was set at p <0.05. No significant differences between the time intervals were observed regarding the incidence of goals. With respect to the association between the opening goal and the final match score, significant differences were found (p <0.001) for all age levels in the comparison between wins and losses and in the comparison between wins and draws. It was possible to infer that scoring the opening goal may increase a team's probability of winning the match. (AU)