Effects of Two Different Low-Volume Resistance Training Programs Applied During the Off-Season Period on the Speed-Power Performance of Elite Youth Soccer Players.

ABSTRACT: Loturco, I, Nunes, RFH, Lampert, RR, Silva, RLP, Hespanhol, JE, Novack, LF, Conde, JHS, Pereira, LA, and McGuigan, MR. Effects of two different low-volume resistance training programs applied during the off-season period on the speed-power performance of elite youth soccer players. . J Strength Cond Res 38(3): 571-576, 2024-The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in the speed-power performance of elite youth soccer players submitted to 2 different low-volume resistance training programs during the off-season period. Twenty under-17 players were randomly allocated to "traditional nonballistic" or "ballistic training" groups. Countermovement jump (CMJ), 20-m sprinting speed, and half-squat (HS) power tests were performed after the final match of the season (pretesting session) and at the beginning of the subsequent season (post-testing session), after 4 weeks of detraining. Between-group differences were assessed using a 2-way ANOVA with repeated measures followed by the Tukey's post hoc test. Performance variations were individually analyzed with the use of the "true changes" calculation. At post-tests, CMJ height and HS power remained unchanged ( p > 0.05) but similar and significant improvements in sprint speed were observed in both groups ( p < 0.05). However, notably, a larger number of players in the ballistic group exhibited "true changes" in HS power (i.e., 55 vs. 33%, compared with the traditional group, respectively). In conclusion, either low-volume ballistic or traditional resistance training schemes were able to increase sprint speed and maintain power output during a short interseason break in youth soccer players. Despite this apparent similarity, at the individual level, ballistic movements were more efficient at improving lower-body power. Practitioners can use the strategies described here to improve the sprint and power performance of soccer players during short periods of soccer-specific training cessation.

Sand and grass surfaces are equally effective in promoting positive adaptations in the sprint performance of elite young soccer players.

This study compared the effects of two sprint-jump training programmes, performed on either sand or grass surfaces, on the sprint and jump performance of elite young soccer players over an 8-week training period. Fifteen under-20 soccer players were randomly allocated to the sand (n = 7) or grass (n = 8) group. Athletes performed 12 training sessions, comprising vertical and horizontal jump exercises, and linear and change-of-direction (COD) sprint drills. Pre- and post-measurements were completed in the following order: vertical jump, sprint speed at 10 m and 17 m, curve sprint (CS), and modified Zigzag COD tests. Between-group differences were determined using a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures and effect sizes (ES). No improvements in jump performance were found in either group. Significant increases were observed in the sand group for acceleration in 0-10 m and for 10- and 17-m linear sprint velocity (ES = 1.15, 1.16, and 1.81, respectively; P < 0.05). In contrast, no significant differences were detected for acceleration and linear sprint velocity in the grass group, comparing pre- and post-tests (ES ranging from 0.01 to 0.47; P > 0.05). Both sand and grass groups revealed similar increases in the CS and COD velocities after the training period (ES ranging from 0.98 to 1.93; P < 0.05). In conclusion, sprint-jump training programmes performed on both grass and sand surfaces elicited significant improvements in CS and COD performances, whereas acceleration and linear sprint velocity increased only in the sand group, after a short-term training period. The sand training surface was proven to be a practical strategy to improve sprint performance in all its forms in soccer players, which is of great interest and importance for coaches and sport scientists working in elite soccer.

The Importance of Crowd Support and Team Quality to Home Advantage in Brazilian Soccer League First Division.

Our aims in the present study were to analyze home advantage (HA) and number of goals scored in consideration of the presence or absence of crowd support and the influence of team quality during the last 11 seasons of the Brazilian Soccer League first division. We analyzed data from 4162 matches played in the Brazilian Soccer League in seasons 2012-2022 (3563 matches with an audience and 599 matches without an audience). We calculated HA by comparing the number of points won at home as a percentage of the total number of points gained, and we also recorded the number of goals scored by home and away teams. For analyses, we divided the teams based on home and away matches, with and without crowds, and we classified teams into three ability groups, based on the points scoring percentage of the team at the end of the season. There was a HA in all seasons analyzed (i.e., home teams won more than 50% of the total points won at home); but in matches in empty stadiums, the HA was reduced significantly, compared to matches with crowd support (66.6% with crowd vs. 57.2% without crowd, p < 0.05). The number of goals in all seasons was higher for home teams than for away teams; however, away teams scored more goals in empty stadiums than in stadiums with crowd support (p < 0.05). The HA was greater in matches with crowd support than in matches without crowd support (p < 0.01), independent of the team's ability level; but, top teams scored more goals than weaker teams (p < 0.01). In conclusion, in the Brazilian Soccer League, the HA and number of goals scored were affected by the presence or absent of an audience in the stadiums. While top teams scored more goals than weaker teams, the HA was lower without than with crowds, independent of team quality.

Post-Match Recovery in Soccer with Far-Infrared Emitting Ceramic Material or Cold-Water Immersion.

We investigated the effects of two common recovery methods; far-infrared emitting ceramic materials (Bioceramic) or cold-water immersion on muscular function and damage after a soccer match. Twenty-five university-level soccer players were randomized into Bioceramic (BIO; n = 8), Cold-water immersion (CWI; n = 9), or Control (CON; n = 8) groups. Heart rate [HR], rating of perceived exertion [RPE], and activity profile through Global Positioning Satellite Systems were measured during the match. Biochemical (thiobarbituric acid reactive species [TBARS], superoxide dismutase [SOD], creatine kinase [CK], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]), neuromuscular (countermovement [CMJ] and squat jump [SJ], sprints [20-m]), and perceptual markers (delayed-onset muscle soreness [DOMS], and the perceived recovery scale [PRS]) were assessed at pre, post, 24 h, and 48 h post-match. One-way ANOVA was used to compare anthropometric and match performance data. A two-way ANOVA with post-hoc tests compared the timeline of recovery measures. No significant differences existed between groups for anthropometric or match load measures (P > 0.05). Significant post-match increases were observed in SOD, and decreases in TBARS in all groups (p < 0.05), without differences between conditions (p > 0.05). Significant increases in CK, LDH, quadriceps and hamstring DOMS (p < 0.05), as well as decreases in 20-m, SJ, CMJ, and PRS were observed post-match in all groups (p < 0.05), without significant differences between conditions (p > 0.05). Despite the expected post-match muscle damage and impaired performance, neither Bioceramic nor CWI interventions improved post-match recovery.

Effects of Far-Infrared Emitting Ceramic Materials on Recovery During 2-Week Preseason of Elite Futsal Players.

Nunes, RFH, Cidral-Filho, FJ, Flores, LJF, Nakamura, FY, Rodriguez, HFM, Bobinski, F, De Sousa, A, Petronilho, F, Danielski, LG, Martins, MM, Martins, DF, and Guglielmo, LGA. Effects of far-infrared emitting ceramic materials on recovery during 2-week preseason of elite futsal players. J Strength Cond Res 34(1): 235-248, 2020-We investigated the effects of far-infrared emitting ceramic materials (cFIR) during overnight sleep on neuromuscular, biochemical and perceptual markers in futsal players. Twenty athletes performed a 2-week preseason training program and during sleep wore bioceramic (BIO; n = 10) or placebo pants (PL; n = 10). Performance (countermovement jump [CMJ]; squat jump [SJ]; sprints 5, 10, and 15-m) and biochemical markers (tumor necrosis factor alpha-TNF-α, interleukin 10-IL-10, thiobarbituric acid-reactive species [TBARS], carbonyl, superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT]) were obtained at baseline and after the 1st and 2nd week of training. Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and training strain were monitored throughout. Changes in ΔCMJ and ΔSJ were possibly (60/36/4 [week-1]) and likely (76/22/2 [week-2]) higher in BIO. Both groups were faster in 5-m sprint in week 2 compared with baseline (p = 0.015), furthermore, BIO was likely faster in 10-m sprint (3/25/72 [week 1]). Significant group × time interaction in %ΔTNF-α were observed (p = 0.024 [week-1]; p = 0.021 [week-2]) with values possibly (53/44/3 [week 1]) and likely (80/19/1 [week 2]) higher in BIO. The %ΔIL-10 decreased across weeks compared with baseline (p = 0.019 [week-1]; p = 0.026 [week-2]), showing values likely higher in BIO (81/16/3 [week-1]; 80/17/3 [week-2]). Significant weekly increases in %ΔTBARS (p = 0.001 [week-1]; p = 0.011 [week-2]) and %ΔCarbonyl (p = 0.002 [week-1]; p < 0.001 [week-2]) were observed compared with baseline, showing likely (91/5/4 [week-1]) and possibly (68/30/2 [week-2]) higher changes in BIO. Significant weekly decreases in %ΔSOD were observed compared with baseline (p = 0.046 [week 1]; p = 0.011 [week-2]), and between week 2 and week 1 (p = 0.021), in addition to significant decreases in %ΔCAT compared with baseline (p = 0.070 [week 1]; p = 0.012 [week 2]). Training strain (p = 0.021; very -likely [0/2/98]; week 1) and DOMS was lower in BIO (likely; 7 sessions) with differences over time (p = 0.001). The results suggest that the daily use of cFIR clothing could facilitate recovery, especially on perceptual markers during the early phases of an intensive training period.

Comparação da qualidade de vida entre atletas e paratletas brasileiros de alto rendimento / Comparison of the quality of life among high performance Brazilian athletes and parathletes

O objetivo do estudo foi comparar as características antropométricas e produção de potência aeróbia (pico de velocidade no teste de Carminatti [PVT-CAR]) entre diferentes categorias e níveis maturacionais em atletas de futebol. Cinquenta e três atletas do sexo masculino participaram do estudo divididos entre as categorias sub-11 (n=17), sub-13 (n=16), sub-15 (n=11) e sub-17 (n=9), e realizaram duas visitas: a primeira consistiu em avaliações antropométricas com massa corporal, estatura e dobras cutâneas, e questionário do estado pubertário; e a segunda visita foi avaliada a produção de potência aeróbia realizada com um teste progressivo com 5 séries de corrida vai-e-vem de 12 segundos, com 6 segundos de repouso, até a exaustão voluntária. A distância inicial do teste foi de 15 metros, com aumentos de progressivos de 1 metro a cada série, a maior velocidade atingida no teste (km.h-1 ) foi determinada como máxima produção de potência aeróbia (PVT-CAR). Os resultados demonstraram que as variáveis idade, estatura, massa corporal e PVT-CAR se diferenciam entre as categorias, e estágios maturacionais (púberes e pós-púberes, comparado com pré-púberes) (p<0,05), quanto a gordura corporal, não houve diferença entre as categorias e estágios maturacionais, assim como FCMÁXT-CAR (p>0,05). Em conclusão, a idade cronológica e os estágios maturacionais exercem importante função em relação as variáveis antropométricas e potência aeróbia. Por fim, o PVT-CAR se apresenta como uma ferramenta útil para classificação de um grupo, visto que atletas maturados suportam maiores cargas de treino....(AU)

The aim study was compare anthropometric characteristics and power aerobic production (peak velocity in Carminatt's Test [PVT-CAR]) between differences categories and levels maturational in soccer athletes. Fifty-three male athletes divided between categories under-11 (n=17), under-13 (n=16),under-15 (n=11) and under-17 (n=9) and performed two visits; the first consisted in evaluation anthropometrics with body mass, height and skinfolds, and pubertal status questionnaire; the second visit was evaluated the aerobic power production realized as the progressive test with 5 series running shuttlerun in 12 seconds, with 6 second rest, until the voluntary exhaustion. The distance initial the test was of 15 meters, with progressives increases in 1 meters every series, the highest velocity reached in the test (km.h1) was determined as maximum yield of aerobic power (PVT-CAR). The results demostred that variables age,stature, body mass and PVT-CAR differentiate between categories, and maturational stages (pre-pubertal and pubertal, compared with post-pubertal) (P<0.05), how much the body fat, there was no differences between categories and levels maturational, as HRMÁX-TCAR (P>0.05). In conclusion, the chronological age and maturational stages exert important function on anthropometric variables and aerobic power. Finally,the PVT-CAR presents itself as an useful tool for classifying a group, since mature athletes support higher training loads...(AU)

Comparação das características antropométricas e da potência aeróbia de atletas de futebol em diferentes categorias e estágios maturacionais / Comparation of anthropometric characteristics and aerobic power of soccer athletes in different categories and maturational stages

O objetivo do estudo foi comparar as características antropométricas e produção de potência aeróbia (pico de velocidade no teste de Carminatti [PVT-CAR]) entre diferentes categorias e níveis maturacionais em atletas de futebol. Cinquenta e três atletas do sexo masculino participaram do estudo divididos entre as categorias sub-11 (n=17), sub-13 (n=16), sub-15 (n=11) e sub-17 (n=9), e realizaram duas visitas: a primeira consistiu em avaliações antropométricas com massa corporal, estatura e dobras cutâneas, e questionário do estado pubertário; e a segunda visita foi avaliada a produção de potência aeróbia realizada com um teste progressivo com 5 séries de corrida vai-e-vem de 12 segundos, com 6 segundos de repouso, até a exaustão voluntária. A distância inicial do teste foi de 15 metros, com aumentos de progressivos de 1 metro a cada série, a maior velocidade atingida no teste (km.h-1 ) foi determinada como máxima produção de potência aeróbia (PVT-CAR). Os resultados demonstraram que as variáveis idade, estatura, massa corporal e PVT-CAR se diferenciam entre as categorias, e estágios maturacionais (púberes e pós-púberes, comparado com pré-púberes) (p<0,05), quanto a gordura corporal, não houve diferença entre as categorias e estágios maturacionais, assim como FCMÁXT-CAR (p>0,05). Em conclusão, a idade cronológica e os estágios maturacionais exercem importante função em relação as variáveis antropométricas e potência aeróbia. Por fim, o PVT-CAR se apresenta como uma ferramenta útil para classificação de um grupo, visto que atletas maturados suportam maiores cargas de treino....(AU)

The aim study was compare anthropometric characteristics and power aerobic production (peak velocity in Carminatt's Test [PVT-CAR]) between differences categories and levels maturational in soccer athletes. Fifty-three male athletes divided between categories under-11 (n=17), under-13 (n=16), under-15 (n=11) and under-17 (n=9) and performed two visits; the first consisted in evaluation anthropometrics with body mass, height and skinfolds, and pubertal status questionnaire; the second visit was evaluated the aerobic power production realized as the progressive test with 5 series running shuttlerun in 12 seconds, with 6 second rest, until the voluntary exhaustion. The distance initial the test was of 15 meters, with progressives increases in 1 meters every series, the highest velocity reached in the test (km.h1) was determined as maximum yield of aerobic power (PVT-CAR). The results demostred that variables age, stature, body mass and PVT-CAR differentiate between categories, and maturational stages (pre-pubertal and pubertal, compared with post-pubertal) (P<0.05), how much the body fat, there was no differences between categories and levels maturational, as HRMÁX-TCAR (P>0.05). In conclusion, the chronological age and maturational stages exert important function on anthropometric variables and aerobic power. Finally, the PVT-CAR presents itself as an useful tool for classifying a group, since mature athletes support higher training loads....(AU)

ISOKINETIC ASSESSMENT OF MUSCULAR STRENGTH AND BALANCE IN BRAZILIAN ELITE FUTSAL PLAYERS.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: Strength asymmetries are related to knee injuries in intermittent sports players. The purpose of this study was to examine whether elite futsal players demonstrate strength asymmetries during knee isokinetic testing applying the Croisier et al.21 criteria. METHODS: Forty male elite (27.9 ± 6.5 years) Brazilian futsal players participated in the study. The testing protocol required players to perform concentric contractions of both quadriceps and hamstring muscles at angular velocities of 60 °·s-1 and 240 °·s-1 and eccentric contractions of hamstring at 30 °·s-1 and 120 °·s-1. Conventional (concentric:concentric) and mixed (eccentric:concentric) hamstrings/quadriceps (H/Q) ratios were calculated. Subjects were determined to have an imbalanced strength profile if an athlete had at least two parameters that were asymmetrical across speeds and conditions. Asymmetry was operationally defined as peak torque asymmetry greater than 15% in bilateral comparison, and H/Q ratio less than 0.47 for conventional and 0.80 for mixed conditions. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between preferred and nonpreferred limbs in the concentric contractions of flexors at 240 °·s-1 and eccentric contractions of extensors and flexors at 30 °·s-1 and 120 °·s-1. However, these asymmetries did not exceed 15%. The conventional and mixed H/Q ratios were greater in the preferred than in nonpreferred limbs, but only the mixed hamstringsecc/quadricepsconc in the nonpreferred limbs showed values lower than recommended (<0.80). In addition, 50% of elite futsal players had preseason strength imbalances per the developed criteria. CONCLUSION: The studied elite futsal players had preseason strength imbalances, which may increase the risk of hamstring injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Respostas fisiológicas e perceptuais obtidas durante a caminhada em ritmo autosselecionado por mulheres com diferentes índices de massa corporal / Physiological and perceived responses obtained during gait in self-selected rhythm by women with different body mass indices

As respostas fisiológicas e perceptuais verificadas durante a caminhada vêm sendo amplamente pesquisadas; contudo, poucas investigações buscaram comparar essas respostas em grupos de diferentes índices de massa corporal durante caminhada em ritmo autosselecionado. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar as respostas fisiológicas e perceptuais entre mulheres com peso normal (PN), sobrepeso (SP) e obesas (OB) durante a caminhada em ritmo autosselecionado. Participaram 66 mulheres sedentárias, com idade entre 20 e 45 anos, designadas em três grupos de acordo com o seu índice de massa corporal: (i) PN (18,5 - 24,9kg·m-2, n = 22); (ii) SP (25,0 - 29,9kg·m-2, n = 22); e (iii) OB (> 30,0kg·m-2, n = 22). Cada participante realizou uma sessão de familiarização e duas sessões experimentais (teste incremental máximo e teste de 20 minutos de caminhada em ritmo autosselecionado), a fim de determinar as respostas fisiológicas (frequência cardíaca, FC; e consumo de oxigênio, VO2) e perceptuais (percepção subjetiva de esforço, PSE) de cada sessão. A ANOVA one-way foi empregada para comparar as respostas fisiológicas e perceptuais obtidas durante a caminhada em ritmo autosselecionado entre os três protocolos experimentais, empregando-se o teste post hoc de Tukey com p < 0,05. Embora os sujeitos com obesidade tenham registrado menor velocidade de caminhada (1,30 ± 0,13m·s-1) comparativamente aos com peso normal e sobrepeso (1,69 ± 0,11 e 1,58 ± 0,22m·s-1, respectivamente) (p < 0,05), eles apresentaram similar resposta fisiológica (58,7 ± 8,6; 63,1 ± 12,6; 64,8 ± 11,1 por centoVO2 e 75,1 ± 7,8; 78,8 ± 8,5; 78,7 ± 7,2 por centoFCmax, para os grupos normal, sobrepeso e obeso, respectivamente). Além disso, as respostas perceptuais também não diferiram entre os grupos experimentais (11,6 ± 1,6; 11,7 ± 1,6; 12,2 ± 1,8, respectivamente). Desse modo, pode-se concluir que, independente do IMC, mulheres adultas apresentam respostas fisiológicas e perceptuais ...

Physiological and perceived responses verified during gait have been widely studied; however, few investigations have tried to compare these responses in groups of different body mass indices during gait in self-selected rhythm. The aim of the present study was to compare the physiological and perceived responses among normative (N), overweighed (OW) and obese (OB) women during gait in self-selected rhythm. Sixty-six sedentary women, aged between 20 and 45 years and divided in three groups according to their body mass indices participated in the study: (i) N (18.5 - 24.9kg·m-2, n = 22); (ii) OW (25.0 - 29.9kg·m-2, n = 22) and (iii) OB (> 30.0kg·m-2, n = 22). Each participant performed a familiarization session and two experimental sessions (maximal incremental test and 20m-walking test in self-selected rhythm) to determine the physiological (heart rate - HR and oxygen consumption - O2) and perceived responses (perceived exertion - PE) of each session. One-way ANOVA was applied to compare the physiological and perceived responses obtained during gait in self-selected rhythm among the three experimental protocols, applying the Tukey's post hoc test with p < 0.05. Although the obese subjects have registered lower walking velocity (1.30 ± 0.13m·s-1) compared with the normative and overweighed ones (1.69 ± 0.11 and 1.58 ± 0.22m·s-1, respectively) (p < 0.05), they presented similar physiological response ((58.7 ± 8.6; 63.1 ± 12.6; 64.8 ± 11.1 percentO2 and 75.1 ± 7.8; 78.8 ± 8.5; 78.7 ± 7.2 percentHRmax, for the normative, overweighed and obese groups, respectively). Moreover, the perceived responses did not differ between experimental groups (11.6 ± 1.6; 11.7 ± 1.6; 12.2 ± 1.8, respectively). Therefore, it can be concluded that regardless of the BMI, adult women present similar physiological and perceived responses during gait in self-selected rhythm even when walking in different velocities.