Effects of different strength and velocity training programs on physical performance in youth futsal players.

Futsal is a high intensity team sport with intermittent actions of short duration, so it is necessary to include different training strategies to improve explosive actions. There is a gap in the scientific literature regarding training programs that improve the performance of young futsal players. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different strength and velocity training programs on lower body physical performance in youth futsal players. Forty-two youth futsal players were divided into control group (CG, n = 14) and a strength intervention group (SG, n = 14), which included a weekly session for 8 weeks of eccentric strength training, plyometrics and core strengthening, and a velocity intervention group (VG, n = 14), which included a weekly session during 8 weeks of training with linear speed exercises and with change of direction, accelerations with resistance bands and core strengthening. SG significantly improved horizontal jump (HJ) (p:0.02), V-CUT (p:0.91) and change of direction deficit (CODD) (p:0.01). VG showed significant improvements in HJ (p:0.01), in 25 m sprint (p:0.01), in total repeated sprint ability time (p:0.01), in V-CUT (p:0.01) and in CODD (p:0.01). SG showed significant intergroup differences (p:0.01) in COD variables with respect to CG and VG. In conclusion, SG and VG showed significant improvements in lower body performance variables in youth futsal players. In addition, the SG has substantial changes in COD compared to the other two groups, so it has a greater effect.

The Acute: Chronic Workload Ratio and Injury Risk in Semiprofessional Football Players.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the association and predictive capacity between the acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) and non-contact injuries in a semiprofessional football team. Seventeen football or soccer players from a Spanish Third Division football team participated voluntarily in this study. A prospective longitudinal study was developed during the 2020/2021 season. Twenty-four weeks were analyzed from October to March, including a regenerative microcycle due to the absence of competition during Christmas. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and session-rate of perceived exertion (sRPE) were registered for every training and game session. Afterward, acute and chronic workloads were calculated, and ACWR was subsequently derived from them. Furthermore, non-contact injuries were registered during the period mentioned. The main findings were that there is a poor correlation between the ACWR and non-contact injuries (r=0.069 (p<0.05)), and the use of the ACWR by itself is insufficient to predict the occurrence of non-contact injuries in a semiprofessional football team. Consequently, the ACWR is not an useful predictive tool for injuries in semiprofessional football teams.

Does the Menstrual Cycle Impact the Maximal Neuromuscular Capacities of Women? An Analysis Before and After a Graded Treadmill Test to Exhaustion.

ABSTRACT: Morenas-Aguilar, MD, Ruiz-Alias, SA, Blanco, AM, Lago-Fuentes, C, García-Pinillos, F, and Pérez-Castilla, A. Does the menstrual cycle impact the maximal neuromuscular capacities of women? An analysis before and after a graded treadmill test to exhaustion. J Strength Cond Res 37(11): 2185-2191, 2023. This study explored the effect of the menstrual cycle (MC) on the maximal neuromuscular capacities of the lower-body muscles obtained before and after a graded exercise test conducted on a treadmill to exhaustion. Sixteen physically active women were tested at -11 ± 3, -5 ± 3, and 5 ± 3 days from the luteinizing peak for the early follicular, late follicular, and midluteal phases. In each session, the individualized load-velocity (L-V) relationship variables (load-axis intercept [L0], velocity-axis intercept [v0], and area under the L-V relationship line [Aline]) were obtained before and after a graded exercise test conducted on a treadmill to exhaustion using the 2-point method (3 countermovement jumps with a 0.5-kg barbell and 2 back squats against a load linked to a mean velocity of 0.55 m·second-1). At the beginning of each session, no significant differences were reported for L0 (p = 0.726; ES ≤ 0.18), v0 (p = 0.202; ES ≤ 0.37), and Aline (p = 0.429; ES ≤ 0.30) between the phases. The MC phase × time interaction did not reach statistical significance for any L-V relationship variable (p ≥ 0.073). A significant main effect of "time" was observed for L0 (p < 0.001; ES = -0.77) and Aline (p = 0.002; ES = -0.59) but not for v0 (p = 0.487; ES = 0.12). These data suggest that the lower-body maximal neuromuscular capacities obtained before and after a graded treadmill test are not significantly affected by MC, although there is a high variability in the individual response.

Asimetrías en jugadores alevines de fútbol de una cantera de élite: diferencias entre sexos / Assymetries in junior football players from an elite youth academy: differences between sexes

El objetivo de este estudio fue detectar las asimetrías en jugadores/as de fútbol a través de una batería de test, analizar las asimetrías del lado dominante y no dominante, y comparar la correlación entre ambos sexos. 25 jugadores de fútbol del Real Racing Club de Santander, pertenecientes a la categoría Alevín, 13 jugadoras femeninas y 12 masculinos, fueron evaluados en diferentes test neuromusculares para detectar las asimetrías del miembro inferior: Single Hop Test (SHT), Triple Hop Test (THT), Salto de contramovimiento unilateral (SLCMJ), y test de cambio de dirección (505 COD). Con el fin de identificar el índice de asimetrías (ASI) neuromusculares entre los miembros inferiores se comparó la pierna dominante (PD) con la no dominante (PND) a través de la siguiente fórmula: ASI = ((PD-PND)/PD)x100. En los hallazgos se encontraron diferencias significativas (p <0.05) al comparar las asimetrías neuromusculares entre ambos sexos en los diferentes test. En cambio, no se encontraron diferencias entre pierna dominante y no dominante. Además, se observó que un 36% de la muestra de jugadores/as obtuvo un ASI >10%, considerado un factor de mayor probabilidad de sufrir una lesión en el miembro inferior. En conclusión, se ha podido comprobar a través de este estudio que se han encontrado diferencias significativas en las asimetrías del miembro inferior en función del sexo, pero no entre la pierna dominante y no dominante. En definitiva, son necesarios más estudios donde analicen las asimetrías en diferentes sexos con el fin de obtener un mayor análisis de los resultados. (AU)

The present study uses a cross-sectional design of independent and related samples whose objectives were: to detect asymmetries in football players through a battery of tests, to analyse the asymmetries of the dominant and non-dominant side, and to compare the correlation between both sexes. A total of 25 football players from Real Racing Club de Santander belonging to the Alevín category, 13 female players and 12 male players were evaluated in different neuromuscular tests to detect lower limb asymmetries: Single Hop Test (SHT), Triple Hop Test (THT), Unilateral Countermovement Jumping (SLCMJ), and Change of Direction Test (505 COD). In order to identify the neuromuscular asymmetry index (ASI) between the lower limbs, the dominant leg (PD) was compared to the non-dominant leg (PND) using the following formula: ASI = ((PD-PND)/PD)x100. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found in the findings when comparing the neuromuscular asymmetries between both sexes in the different tests. In contrast, there is no difference between dominant and non-dominant leg. In addition, it was observed that 36% of the sample of players had an ASI >10%, which is considered to be a factor of increased likelihood of lower limb injury. The highest asymmetry was detected at 20% in the SLCMJ test, which may be the most suitable jump test for identifying asymmetries. In conclusion, this study has shown that significant differences were found in lower limb asymmetries according to sex, but not between the dominant and non-dominant leg. (AU)

The relationship of muscle oxygen saturation analyzer with other monitoring and quantification tools in a maximal incremental treadmill test.

Introduction: The study aims to explore whether NIRS derived data can be used to identify the second ventilatory threshold (VT2) during a maximal incremental treadmill test in non-professional runners and to determine if there is a correlation between SmO2 and other valid and reliable exercise performance assessment measures or parameters for maximal incremental test, such as lactate concentration (LT), RPE, HR, and running power (W). Methods: 24 participants were recruited for the study (5 women and 19 men). The devices used consisted of the following: i) a muscle oxygen saturation analyzer placed on the vastus lateralis of the right leg, ii) the Stryd power meter for running, iii) the Polar H7 heart rate band; and iv) the lactate analyzer. In addition, a subjective perceived exertion scale (RPE 1-10) was used. All of the previously mentioned devices were used in a maximal incremental treadmill test, which began at a speed of 8 km/h with a 1% slope and a speed increase of 1.2 km/h every 3 min. This was followed by a 30-s break to collect the lactate data between each 3-min stage. Spearman correlation was carried out and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The VT2 was observed at 87,41 ± 6,47% of the maximal aerobic speed (MAS) of each participant. No relationship between lactate data and SmO2 values (p = 0.076; r = -0.156) at the VT2 were found. No significant correlations were found between the SmO2 variables and the other variables (p > 0.05), but a high level of significance and strong correlations were found between all the following variables: power data (W), heart rate (HR), lactate concentration (LT) and RPE (p < 0.05; r > 0.5). Discussion: SmO2 data alone were not enough to determine the VT2, and there were no significant correlations between SmO2 and the other studied variables during the maximal incremental treadmill test. Only 8 subjects had a breakpoint at the VT2 determined by lactate data. Conclusion: The NIRS tool, Humon Hex, does not seem to be useful in determining VT2 and it does not correlate with the other variables in a maximal incremental treadmill test.

Pacing and packing behaviour in elite and world record performances at Berlin marathon.

HighlightsPrior to participation in meet marathon races such as Berlin marathon, elite runners should select the group that they will join during the race according to their current performance level as a preassigned pace set by a pacemaker will be adopted.Athletes could follow an even rather than positive pacing behaviour which will allow them to achieve a more optimal performance.Female runners should consider being paced by a male runner of greater performance level as runners of both sexes are allowed to run the race altogether during this type of races.

Effect of the Menstrual Cycle When Estimating 1 Repetition Maximum From the Load-Velocity Relationship During the Bench Press Exercise.

ABSTRACT: García-Pinillos, F, Lago-Fuentes, C, Bujalance-Moreno, P, and Pérez-Castilla, A. Effect of the menstrual cycle when estimating 1 repetition maximum from the load-velocity relationship during the bench press exercise. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): e55-e58, 2022-This study aimed to examine the effect of the ovulatory menstrual cycle (MC) when estimating the 1 repetition maximum (1RM) from the individual load-velocity relationship during the bench press (BP) exercise. Nine resistance-trained eumenorrheic women (age: 28.7 ± 3.6 years) were tested in 3 different phases across the MC: menstrual or early follicular phase (i.e., testing between days 1-3), follicular or late follicular phase (i.e., testing between days 7-10), and luteal or mid-luteal phase (i.e., testing between days 19-21). Each testing trial consisted of an incremental loading protocol against 4 loading conditions (≈50-70-80-90% 1RM) in the concentric-only BP exercise. A smartphone application (MyLift) was used to collect the mean velocity (MV) of all repetitions. The 1RM was estimated from the individual load-velocity relationship by applying a linear regression model as the load associated with an MV of 0.17 m·s-1. In addition, the MV obtained at each %1RM (i.e., from 20% 1RM to 80% 1RM in 20% increments), the load-velocity slope (i.e., the decrease in MV per each 1% of increment in the %1RM), and the y-intercept (i.e., the estimate of MV at 0% 1RM) were computed from the individual load-velocity relationships. No significant differences were observed between the 3 phases of the MC for any of the measured load-velocity relationship parameters (corrected p-value ≥0.495; effect size ≤0.24). The results suggest that the estimation of the BP 1RM from the load-velocity relationship seems not to vary over the 3 different phases of the MC (i.e., menstrual, follicular, and luteal phases).

Central and Peripheral Fatigue in Recreational Trail Runners: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Understanding fatigue mechanisms is crucial for exercise performance. However, scientific evidence on non-invasive methods for assessing fatigue in trail running competitions is scarce, especially when vertical kilometer trail running races (VK) are considered. The main purpose of this study was to assess the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity (i.e., central fatigue) and the state of muscle activation (i.e., peripheral fatigue) before and after a VK competition. METHODS: A cross-sectional pilot study was performed. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 8 recreational male trail runners (31.63 ± 7.21 yrs, 1.75 m ± 0.05 m, 70.38 ± 5.41 kg, BMI: 22.88 ± 0.48, running experience: 8.0 ± 3.63 yrs, weekly training volume: 58.75 ± 10.35 km) volunteered to participate and were assessed for both central (i.e., via heart rate variability, HRV) and peripheral (via tensiomyography, TMG) fatigue before and after a VK race. RESULTS: After the VK, resting heart rate, RMSSD (p = 0.01 for both) and SDNN significantly decreased (p = 0.02), while the stress score and the sympathetic-parasympathetic ratio increased (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). The TMG analyses suggest that runners already suffered peripheral fatigue before the VK and that 20-30 min are enough for muscular recovery after the race. In summary, our data suggest that participants experienced a pre-competition fatigue status. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to investigate the mechanisms underlying fatigue during trail running races, while training periodization and tapering strategies could play a key role for minimizing pre-competition fatigue status.

Motives for the Use or Not of Protective Equipment for the Recreational Practice of Skiing and Snowboarding in Spanish Winter Stations.

The objective of this research was to analyze the motives for using or not using protections by recreational ski and snowboard athletes, specifically regarding gender and age in the winter resorts of Sierra Nevada and Alto Campoo (Spain). A total of 520 users participated in Sierra Nevada (n = 306 (58,8%)) and Alto Campoo (n = 214 (42.2%)); 257 of them were men (49.4%) and 263 (50.6%) were women; from 6 to 50 years old; classified by 4 stages of development (Childhood (n = 106 (20.4%); Teenagers (n = 110 (21.2%); Young adults (n = 101 (19.4%); Adults (n = 203 (39.0%)). For the data collection an ad hoc questionnaire was used (socio-demographic data, use/no use of protection, motives for the use). The data revealed that 76.5% used protections equipment, with the women being more likely to use protective equipment than men. Regarding age, young adults and adults were the ones using less protection. In relation to the motives of using protective equipment, security was the main motive for using it, while the reason to avoid using it was, most of the time, discomfort. Additionally, the childhood and teenager groups were the ones who reported, as motivation, family obligation, showing the importance of the influence of the parents.

Protections in the Recreational Practice of Ski and Snowboard-An Age and Gender Discussion? A Case Study in Spain.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the protections taken by ski and snowboard recreational athletes of the winter stations Sierra Nevada and Alto Campoo (Spain), regarding gender, age, and practiced sport. A total of 520 users participated, Sierra Nevada (n = 306 (58.8%)); Alto Campoo (n = 214 (42.2%)), 257 of them were men (49.4%) and 263 (50.6%) were women, from 6 to 64 years old, classified by 4 stages of development (Childhood (n = 106 (20.4%)); Teenagers (n = 110 (21.2%)); Youth (n = 101 (19.4%)); Adults (n = 203 (39.0%))). For the data collection, an Ad Hoc questionnaire was used (Socio-demographic data, use/no use of protection). The data revealed that 23.5% of the participants did not use any protection. Regarding the development stage, 1% of the children did not use any protection, neither did 3.1% of the teenagers, 6.7% of the youth, or 12.7% of the adults (p < 0.001). Regarding gender, a total of 17.1% of men did not use protection, and regarding women, 6.3% of them did not use it (p < 0.001). In relation to the practiced sport, 15.8% of the skiers did not use it against 7.7% of the snowboarders (p = 0.006). The use of protection for the practice in winter sports is not enough to reduce the injury risk in these sports and, in the worst cases, fatal accidents.

Follicular phase of menstrual cycle is related to higher tendency to suffer from severe injuries among elite female futsal players.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the injury incidence according to each phase of menstrual cycle (MC) in professional futsal players along two consecutive season and, secondly, to compare the injury incidence and frequency between different phases of the MC. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTINGS: Elite futsal players. PARTICIPANTS: 179 players. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Players were registered along two consecutive seasons. RESULTS: 191 injuries were reported throughout both seasons. The injury incidence was 30.63 days-off during the follicular phase, 23.6 during ovulatory phase and 17.59 days-off in luteal phase, showing higher incidence during the follicular phase. No statistical differences (p > 0.05) were reported for any variable comparing among the three phases of MC. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests the relevance to track the MC, but reduces its possible relationship or influence on the injury distribution during each phase of the MC. The knowledge of injury incidence, burden and etiology is a key factor to design injury prevention programs with the focus on the most common injuries, where MC could be included as a complementary factor.

Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on Jumping, Sprinting and Force-Velocity Profiling in Resistance-Trained Women: A Preliminary Study.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the menstrual cycle on vertical jumping, sprint performance and force-velocity profiling in resistance-trained women. A group of resistance-trained eumenorrheic women (n = 9) were tested in three phases over the menstrual cycle: bleeding phase, follicular phase, and luteal phase (i.e., days 1-3, 7-10, and 19-21 of the cycle, respectively). Each testing phase consisted of a battery of jumping tests (i.e., squat jump [SJ], countermovement jump [CMJ], drop jump from a 30 cm box [DJ30], and the reactive strength index) and 30 m sprint running test. Two different applications for smartphone (My Jump 2 and My Sprint) were used to record the jumping and sprinting trials, respectively, at high speed (240 fps). The repeated measures ANOVA reported no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05, ES < 0.25) in CMJ, DJ30, reactive strength index and sprint times between the different phases of the menstrual cycle. A greater SJ height performance was observed during the follicular phase compared to the bleeding phase (p = 0.033, ES = -0.22). No differences (p ≥ 0.05, ES < 0.45) were found in the CMJ and sprint force-velocity profile over the different phases of the menstrual cycle. Vertical jump, sprint performance and the force-velocity profiling remain constant in trained women, regardless of the phase of the menstrual cycle.

Gender Differences on Motor Competence in 5-Year-Old Preschool Children Regarding Relative Age.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences on motor competence between 5-year-old boys and girls and to investigate the existence of Relative Age Effect (RAE) on their motor competence. A total of 232 preschool children were evaluated of whom 134 (57.8%) were boys and 98 (42.2%) were girls. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) was used to collect data. The data show a main effect on gender factor; there was a main effect in total score of manual dexterity (MD; p = 0.010), in total score of balance (Bal; p < 0.001), in total test score (TTS; p < 0.001), and in total percentile score (TPS, p < 0.001). In the semester of birth factor, there were differences in aiming and catching (A&C, p < 0.001), in Bal (p = 0.029) and in total percentile score (TPS, p = 0.010). Girls perform better in MD, Bal, TTS, and TPS than boys. Preschool children born in the first semester obtain, in general, a higher percentage and a higher percentile than their peers born in the second one. RAE is present in A&C, Bal, and TPS, with higher scores obtained by preschool children born in the first semester compared to those born in the second one.

Does Arch Stiffness Influence Running Spatiotemporal Parameters? An Analysis of the Relationship between Influencing Factors on Running Performance.

This study aimed to determine the influence of arch stiffness on running spatiotemporal parameters at a common speed for a wide range of endurance runners (i.e., 12 km·h-1). In total, 97 runners, 52 men and 45 women, completed a treadmill running protocol at 12 km·h-1. Spatiotemporal parameters were measured using the OptoGait system, and foot structure was assessed by determining arch stiffness. Since between-sex differences were found in anthropometric and foot structure variables, data analysis was conducted separately for men and women, and body mass and height were considered as covariates. For both sexes, a k-means cluster analysis grouped participants according to arch stiffness, by obtaining a group of low-arch stiffness (LAS group) and a group of high-arch stiffness (HAS group), with significant differences in arch stiffness (p < 0.001, for both men and women). No significant differences between LAS and HAS groups were found in running spatiotemporal parameters, regardless of sex (p ≥ 0.05). For both sexes, the partial correlation analysis reported no significant correlations (p ≥ 0.05) between foot structure variables and running spatiotemporal parameters. The results obtained show no differences in spatiotemporal gait characteristics during running at submaximal velocity between runners with low-arch stiffness and those with high-arch stiffness, regardless of sex. These findings may have important implications for clinicians and coaches by adding more evidence to the debate about the use of static foot classification measures when characterizing the foot and its biomechanics during running.

Training Habits of Eumenorrheic Active Women during the Different Phases of Their Menstrual Cycle: A Descriptive Study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the training habits of eumenorrheic active women during their menstrual cycle (MC), and its perceived influence on physical performance regarding their athletic level. A group of 1250 sportswomen filled in a questionnaire referring to demographic information, athletic performance and MC-related training habits. Of the participants, 81% reported having a stable duration of MC, with most of them (57%) lasting 26-30 days. Concerning MC-related training habits, 79% indicated that their MC affects athletic performance, although 71% did not consider their MC in their training program, with no differences or modifications in training volume or in training intensity for low-level athletes (LLA) and high-level athletes (HLA) with hormonal contraceptive (HC) use. However, LLA with a normal MC adapted their training habits more, compared with HLA, also stopping their training (47.1% vs. 16.1%, respectively). Thus, different training strategies should be designed for HLA and LLA with a normal MC, but this is not so necessary for HLA and LLA who use HC. To sum up, training adaptations should be individually designed according to the training level and use or non-use of HC, always taking into account the pain suffered during the menstrual phase in most of the athletes.

Study of Motor Competence in 4-5-Year-Old Preschool Children: Are There Differences among Public and Private Schools?

The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the presence of preschool children with severe motor difficulties (SMDs) and (2) to evaluate the existence of differences in the motor competence (MC) of preschool children from public and private schools based on gender. A total of 581 preschool children (4.66 ± 0.52 years) from Galicia (Spain) were assessed. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) was used to collect the data. Preschool children from public schools presented a greater number of SMDs (OR = 20.65; CI = 9.99-85.53; p < 0.001). Preschool children from private schools have higher scores on the variables studied (for example, manual dexterity (p < 0.001), aiming and catching (p < 0.001), balance (p < 0.001), total test score (p < 0.001), and total percentage score (p < 0.001)). Regarding the gender factor, differences were found in manual dexterity (p < 0.001), aiming and catching (p = 0.014), balance (p < 0.001), total test score (p < 0.001), total percentage score (p < 0.001), and in the interaction of both factors in balance (p < 0.001), total global score (p = 0.004), and total percentage score (p < 0.001). Preschool children from private schools are less likely to have severe movement problems and score higher on all dimensions of the MABC-2 than preschool children from public schools analyzed in this study. Likewise, girls score higher than boys in all dimensions, except in aiming and catching.

Validity and Reliability of a New Device to Measure Type of Actions in Indoor Sports.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the validity and the reliability of the intensity ranges, number of actions and changes of direction measured by a commercial inertial measurement unit. Eleven elite youth futsal players performed a circuit with different type of displacements as sprinting, running at low-medium intensity, standing up and changes of direction. Data recorded by the Overtraq system were compared with video-analyzer during the six trials of each player. Standard error mean, Intraclass Correlation Coeficient and Coefficient of variation, were calculated to analyze the reliability of the device, as well as the Root Mean Square Error and Confidence Interval with correlation of Pearson for its validity. The results reported good validity for three intensity ranges (R2>0.7) with high reliability (Intraclass Correlation Coeficient: 0.8-0.9), especially for high intensity actions (Intraclass Correlation Coeficient: 0.95, Coefficient of Variation: 3.06%). Furthermore, the validity for the number of different actions was almost perfect (96.3-100%), with only small differences regarding changes of activity (mean error: 2.0%). The Overtraq system can be considered as a valid and reliable technology for measuring and monitoring actions at different intensities and changes of direction in futsal, likewise common actions for other indoor sports.

Strength Training Habits in Amateur Endurance Runners in Spain: Influence of Athletic Level.

This study determined the strength training (ST) habits of amateur endurance runners in Spain regarding athletic level. A sixteen-item online questionnaire comprised of (i) demographic information, (ii) performance, and (iii) training contents was completed by 1179 athletes. Five group levels were determined according to the personal best times of the athletes in a 10-km trial (LG1: level group 1, 50-55 min; LG2: level group 2, 45-50 min; LG3: level group 3, 40-45 min; LG4: level group 4, 35-40 min; LG5: level group 5, 30-35 min). Most athletes (n = 735, 62.3%) perceived ST as being a key component in their training program. Resistance training (RT) was reported as a ST type used by 63.4% of the athletes, 66.9% reported using bodyweight exercises, 46.8% reported using plyometric training, 65.6% reported using uphill runs, and 17.8% reported using resisted runs. The prevalence of runners who excluded ST from their training programs decreased as the athletic performance level increased (18.2% in lower-level athletes vs. 3.0% in higher-level), while the inclusion of RT, bodyweight exercises, plyometric training, and uphill and resisted runs was more frequent within higher-level groups. Most athletes included ST using low-to-moderate loads and high a number of repetitions/sets comprised of RT, plyometric training, resisted runs, and core, respiratory, and foot muscles training.

Different race pacing strategies among runners covering the 2017 Berlin Marathon under 3 hours and 30 minutes.

The purposes of this study were 1) to analyse the different pacing behaviours based on athlete's performance and 2) to determine whether significant differences in each race split and the runner's performance implied different race profiles. A total of 2295 runners, which took part in Berlin's marathon (2017), met the inclusion criteria. 4 different groups were created based on sex and performance. Men: Elite (<02:19:00 h), Top 1 (<02:30:00 h), Top 2 (<02:45:00 h) and Top 3 (<03:00:00 h); women: Elite (02:45:00 h), Top 1 (<03:00:00 h), Top 2 (<03:15:00 h), Top 3 (<03:30:00 h). With the aim of comparing the pacing between sex and performance the average speed was normalized. In men, no statistically significant changes were found between performance group and splits. A large number of significant differences between splits and groups were found amongst women: 5-10 km Top 2 vs Top 3 (P = 0.0178), 10-15 km Top1 vs Top 2 (P = 0.0211), 15-20 km Top1 vs Top 2 (P = 0.0382), 20-21.1 km Elite vs Top 2 (P = 0.0129); Elite vs Top 3 (P = 0.0020); Top1 vs Top 2 (P = 0.0233); Top 1 vs Top 3 (P = 0.0007), 25-30 km Elite vs Top 2 (P = 0.0273); Elite vs Top 3 (P = 0.0156), 30-35 km Elite vs Top 2 (P = 0.0096); Top 1 vs Top 2 (P = 0.0198); Top2 vs Top3 (P = 0.0069). In men there were little significant differences based on athletes' performance which implied a similar pacing behaviour. Women presented numerous differences based on their performance which suggested different pacing behaviours.

Epidemiology of Injuries in Elite Female Futsal Players: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Injuries are one of the worst case scenarios for an athlete and a team. The aim of this study was to analyze the injury incidence, characteristics and burden among a cohort of elite female futsal players. A prospective cohort study was designed over a season. Eighty-nine players from seven elite female futsal teams were monitored during the whole season. Eight different variables were recorded when an injury happened, as well as exposure time. A total of 90 injuries were recorded so that 54 out of 89 players (60.6%) sustained an injury. The overall injury incidence was 5 injuries per 1000 h of futsal play exposure. Moderate injuries were the most frequent (1.7 injuries per 1000 h of futsal play exposure). The quadriceps and ankle were the regions where most injuries occurred. Contact injuries were more common during matches than training, and usually happened at the end of the season. Elite female futsal players are exposed to a substantial injury risk, especially on ankle and quadriceps with moderate severity, occurring at the end of the sessions, especially during matches. These results highlight the need of new preventive strategies to reduce the high injury incidence in female futsal players.