Design and Reliability of an Observational Framework to Evaluate the Individual Offensive Behavior in Youth Soccer-The INDISOC Tool.

Despite the great development of match analysis in professional soccer during the last decade, very few studies have assessed the individual technical and tactical behaviors of youth soccer players. The purpose of this paper was to design and assess the reliability of an observational instrument to evaluate the INDIvidual offensive behavior in competitive 7 and 11-a-side SOCcer (INDISOC). A total of eight experts in soccer training and analysis were included in the design of the tool by means of meetings and exploratory observations. This process involved design and re-design steps of the INDISOC tool to its final format which includes twelve dimensions related to the spatial, technical, and tactical constraints of individual behavior in soccer. The unit of analysis was the individual ball possession (IBP), described as the time that starts when a player can perform an action with the ball, and which ends when the IBP for another player begins. In the INDISOC tool, the IBP is analyzed taking into account three temporal moments: (1) receiving the ball, (2) processing the ball, and (3) culminating the individual action. Inter-observer and intra-observer analyses were performed and the kappa (K) coefficients were calculated to test the instrument reliability. The K values showed optimal inter (7-a-side: 0.73-0.95; 11-a-side: 0.76-0.98) and intra-observer (7-a-side: 0.84-1;11-a-side: 0.79-1) reliability levels. These results support the notion that the INDISOC observational tool could be a suitable instrument for analyzing the individual offensive behavior in competitive youth (7-a-side), junior and senior (11-a-side) soccer.

Different Pitch Configurations Constrain the Playing Tactics and the Creation of Goal Scoring Opportunities during Small Sided Games in Youth Soccer Players.

The aim of this study was to explore the tactical effects of different pitch configurations on the collective playing tactics and the creation of goal scoring opportunities (GSO) during small sided soccer games (SSG) in youth players. A total of 22 players performed a 7 vs. 7 + 1 floater (including goalkeepers) under three different pitch configurations ("Standard", 53 × 38 m; "Long", 63 × 32 m; and "Wide", 43 × 47 m). Eleven tactical indicators related to the development and the end of the team possessions were evaluated by systematic observation. Friedman tests (non-parametric ANOVA for repeated measures) revealed that the long and wide configurations produced more counterattacks (p = 0.0028; ES = 0.3), higher offensive penetration (p = 0.007; ES = 0.41), and more GSO (p = 0.018; ES = 0.30) than the standard format. Regarding the creation of GSO, the wide configuration produced more assists in the form of crosses than the long and standard formats (p = 0.025; ES = 0.31), more utilization of wide subspaces to assist the final player (p = 0.022; ES = 0.35), more number of headers as the final action (p = 0.022; ES = 0.32), and less assists in the form of passes in behind the defense (p = 0.034; ES = 0.28), than the long configuration. The modulation of the pitch configuration during SSG produced different tactical demands, requiring players to implement different tactical solutions to create GSO.

FACE MASK CONTAMINATION DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIA. A STUDY ON PATIENTS RECEIVING INTRAVITREAL INJECTIONS.

PURPOSE: To investigate the bacterial growth in the surgical face masks used by patients who received intravitreal injections and study the effect of povidone-iodine on the periocular area (PA) of masks. METHODS: Forty patients who attended for intravitreal injections were divided in those with less (<4 hours) and more (>4 hours) than 4 hours of mask use. Each group was divided depending on the application or not of povidone-iodine in the PA of the mask. Bacterial load was studied on PA and mouth area samples. RESULTS: The bacterial load in the PA was higher in the >4 hours group compared with the <4 hours group (13.2 vs. 48.75 colony-forming units/µL; P = 0.03). The contamination in the PA significantly decreased after applying povidone-iodine in the >4 hours group (P = 0.01). The use or not of povidone-iodine was strongly correlated to a positive culture (OR = 9.0, P = 0.00. CI 1.63-49.44). CONCLUSION: Surgical face masks worn for more than 4 hours present higher contamination in the PA than those with less use. Bacterial load in the PA is reduced with povidone-iodine on masks used for more than 4 hours. This contamination should be considered in the asepsis protocol of intravitreal injections.

Playing tactics, contextual variables and offensive effectiveness in English Premier League soccer matches. A multilevel analysis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effects of tactical and contextual indicators on achieving offensive penetration and scoring opportunities in English Premier League (EPL) soccer matches. A total of 1971 team possessions from 20 random matches were evaluated by means of multidimensional observation. The EPL matches had a great proportion of fast attacks (36.0%) followed by combinative (29.6%), direct attacks (24.1%) and counterattacks (9.5%). Multilevel logistic regression models revealed that counterattacks (OR = 3.428; 95% CI: 2.004-5.864; P<0.001) were more effective to create goal scoring opportunities than combinative attacks, while direct attacks showed to be less effective (OR = 0.472; 95% CI: 0.264-0.845; P<0.05). Playing at home increased the probability (OR = 1.530; 95% CI: 1.097-2.135; P<0.05) of creating goal scoring opportunities compared with playing away. These findings show the multifactorial character of soccer and how different contextual and tactical indicators can influence the creation of offensive penetration and goal scoring opportunities in the English Premier League.

Effect of Match Location, Team Ranking, Match Status and Tactical Dimensions on the Offensive Performance in Spanish 'La Liga' Soccer Matches.

The aim of this paper was to study the combined effects of tactical and contextual dimensions on achieving offensive performance in open play possessions from Spanish "La Liga" soccer matches. 1860 team possessions from 20 random matches were evaluated by means of multidimensional observation. Multilevel regression models were constructed to predict the probability to achieve offensive performance according to the tactical and contextual dimensions registered in each possession. Performing penetrative actions after recovering the ball (OR = 1.497; 95% CI: 1.022-2.192; P < 0.05), and progressing by fast attacks (OR = 3.588; 95% CI: 2.045-6.294; p < 0.001) or counterattacks (OR = 7.097; 95% CI: 3.530-14.269; P < 0.001) was more effective to create scoring opportunities than performing a non-penetrative action and progressing by combinative attack, respectively. Also, progressing by long possessions (OR = 5.057; 95% CI: 2.406-10.627; p < 0.001) was more effective than progressing by short possessions to create scoring opportunities. As for contextual dimensions, multivariate analyses showed how playing at home and against high-ranked opponents registered more likelihood of achieving offensive penetration, although no associations were found in the production of scoring opportunities. Tactical dimensions as initial penetration, type of attack and possession length played an important role on achieving offensive penetration and goal scoring opportunities in Spanish Soccer "La Liga".

"REOFUT" as an Observation Tool for Tactical Analysis on Offensive Performance in Soccer: Mixed Method Perspective.

Performance analysis in complex sports like soccer requires the study of the influence of the interaction between both teams during the game on final performance. The mixed methods approach involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data for the same purpose and within the framework of the same study. To build certain observation tools, mixed methods are necessary in order to take advantage of integration between qualitative and quantitative elements. The aim of this study was to develop a new no standard observation tool to analyze soccer offensive performance considering not only the observed team but also some aspects of the opponent behavior, as well as to test its reliability. The process consisted in expert meetings and exploratory observations. Experts carried out several design and re-design steps of the observation tool to its final form which includes two macro-criteria and 31 dimensions. The basic unit of analysis was the "team possession" and the main aims of study were: (a) technical, tactical and spatial characteristics of the start, the development and the end of the team possession and its offensive performance, (b) the behavior of the observed team just after losing the ball possession and its defensive performance. Inter-observer and intra-observer analysis were carried out and kappa coefficient was calculated to test the observation tool reliability and improve the quality of data. Results indicate that optimal inter and intra-reliability levels obtained in this work are high enough as for suggesting that the observation tool for offensive performance in soccer (REOFUT) could be an adequate tool for analyzing offensive play actions and their performance in soccer.

Effect of the Game Design, the Goal Type and the Number of Players on Intensity of Play in Small-Sided Soccer Games in Youth Elite Players.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of game design modification, the type of the goal and the number of players on the intensity of play in small-sided soccer games (SSGs) in youth elite players. Twenty young soccer players (age 13.7 ± 0.5 years, body mass 57.4 ± 7.8 kg, body height 1.67 ± 7.8 m, maximal heart rate 201.1 ± 8.2 beats/min) performed three types of SSGs (possession play (PP) vs. regular goals (RG) vs. small goals (SG)) in both four-a-side and six-a-side formats. The heart rate responses were recorded and analysed as an indicator of the intensity of play. The four-a-side format obtained higher intensity of play than six-a-side for PP (p<0.05), but not for SG and RG. SG showed higher intensity of play than RG for four-a-side (p<0.001), but not for six-a-side. PP registered higher intensity of play than RG (p<0.05), but not than SG in four-a-side, whereas in six-a-side no differences were found between the three formats. In conclusion, the modification of variables such as the number of players, the game design and the type of the goal influences the intensity of play in small-sided soccer games in youth players.

Blood rheology effect of submaximal exercise on young subjects.

Nowadays cardiac and metabolic diseases are a matter of concern. Exercise is a valid treatment and method of prevention for not only adults, but also young subjects. Physical activity causes transient blood rheology impairment in adults. However little is known about the effects of exercise on blood flow characteristics in young subjects. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of a light aerobic exercise session on blood rheology in young subjects. Ten young subjects (aged 12-16 years) performed 1 hour of submaximal aerobic exercise (70% HRmax). Blood samples were drawn just before and after exercise. We determined blood and plasma viscosity, fibrinogen, erythrocyte deformability and aggregability. No changes in blood viscosity (p > 0.05), erythrocyte aggregation (p > 0.05) and fibrinogen (p > 0.05) were observed. Hematocrit (p = 0.025) and plasma viscosity (p = 0.018) rose with exercise, while erythrocyte elongation index lowered (p < 0.001). Plasma volume slightly reduced which may explain the lack of changes in blood viscosity. The results of the present study indicate a similar hemorheological response to submaximal exercise in both young people and adults.

Perceived quality of basketball spectators. A measurement scale validation

El objetivo del presente estudio fue obtener una escala de calidad percibida por los espectadores de baloncesto válida, fiable y reducida. Mediante la aplicación de modelos de ecuaciones estructurales se redujo la escala Eventqual a nueve ítems y tres dimensiones con buenos indicadores de fiabilidad y validez. La estructura factorial resultante determinó como dimensiones de calidad para los espectadores de baloncesto a los tangibles, el personal y los servicios complementarios (AU)

The aim of the study was to obtain a valid, reliable and reduced measurement scale of basketball spectators. Trough application of structural equation modelling Eventqual scale was reduced to nine items and three dimensions with good indexes of reliability and validity. The resulting factor structure determined the tangibles, the personnel and the complementary services as quality dimensions for basketball spectators (AU)

A concepção de corpo dos estudantes de graduação em Educação Física / The body conception of undergraduate students in Physical Education

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi identificar quais concepções de corpo/corporeidade têm os estudantes dos cursos de graduação licenciatura em Educação Física da Universidade Estadual de Londrina. Orientado sob a ótica da pesquisa qualitativa em educação, abordagem antropológica de cunho fenomenológico, realizou-se pesquisa de campo por meio de entrevista semiestruturada buscando informações e conhecimentos. A amostra foi selecionada a partir da estratificação proporcional da população que compunha as 05 turmas em conclusão dos cursos no ano de 2008, composta de 15 estudantes, sendo 10% de cada turma, nomeadamente: licenciatura generalista (CFE, 03/87) e licenciatura atual (CNE 01 02/2002). Após análise dos resultados verificou-se que a concepção de corpo/corporeidade assimilada pelos estudantes do currículo licenciatura generalista aproximou-se de corpo físico, dualista e instrumental. Os estudantes do currículo licenciatura atual estão construindo uma concepção de corpo/corporeidade sob a égide do paradigma da unidade e da totalidade, compreendendo o humano que se movimenta intencionalmente.

The aim of this study was to identify the body and corporeality conceptions shared by students attending a degree course in Physical Education at the State University of Londrina (UEL). By adopting a qualitative research paradigm in education as well as an anthropological approach of phenomenological nature, a field research was conducted through semi-structured interviews, which aimed at revealing information and knowledge. The sample was selected based on the proportional stratification of the population that comprised five last year's classes of the aforementioned course in the year of 2008, totalling 15 students, 10% of which corresponded to each separate class, namely: generalist bachelor's degree (CFE, 03/87) and current bachelor's degree (CNE 01 02/2002).After the analysis of the results, it was verified that the conception of body and corporeality assimilated by the students of the generalist bachelor's degree approximated to that of physical body - dualist and instrumental. The students of the current bachelor's degree are developing a conception of body and corporeality under the aegis of the paradigm of unity and totality, acknowledging that humans move intentionally.

Age-related increase in xanthine oxidase activity in human plasma and rat tissues.

This study assessed the role of xanthine oxidase in vascular ageing. A positive correlation between xanthine oxidase activity and age was found in human plasma. Similar results were found in rat plasma. Xanthine oxidase expression and activity in homogenates from the aortic wall were significantly higher in samples from old rats than in their young counterparts (p < 0.01). In rat skeletal muscle homogenates both xanthine oxidase expression and activity showed a similar age-related profile. Superoxide production by xanthine oxidase in aortic rings was higher in aged rats. Uric acid, the final product of xanthine oxidase has been proposed as a risk factor for coronary heart disease and an independent marker of worse prognosis in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic heart failure. These results give a possible explanation for this correlation and underscore the role of xanthine oxidase in ageing.