Analyzing the impact of non-participation in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on LaLiga players' physical performance.

Background: Monitoring external load demands in soccer is crucial for optimizing performance and reducing injury risk. However, events like the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and unexpected interruptions can disrupt load management strategies. Understanding the impact of such events on player performance is essential for effective training and recovery strategies. Objective: This study retrospectively assessed the impact of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on the physical performance of LaLiga elite soccer players who were not part of the tournament. The aim was to analyze various external load parameters and determine the direction of their changes post-tournament. Methods: Data from 239 LaLiga players who were not selected for the World Cup were analyzed. External load parameters from 8 matches before and after the tournament were compared. Statistical analyses, including repeated measures ANOVA, were conducted to evaluate changes in performance metrics. Results: Minutes played and total distance covered showed no significant changes post-tournament. However, maximal speed decreased significantly (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.117). High-speed running parameters improved significantly (p < 0.05), except for HSRRelCount (p = 0.074; η2p = 0.013). Sprint-related variables demonstrated significant enhancements, except for SprintAbsAvgDuration, SprintMaxAvgDuration, and Sprints >85% Vel Max. Acceleration metrics showed significant improvements in Accel_HighIntensityAccAbsCount (p = 0.024; η2p = 0.021), while Accel_Accelerations showed no significant changes. Deceleration metrics remained unchanged, but Accel_HighIntensityDecAbsCount and Accel_HighIntensityDecAbsDistance increased significantly post-tournament (p = 0.002; η2p = 0.040, p = 0.001; η2p = 0.044, respectively). Conclusion: Non-participant LaLiga players demonstrated enhanced performance in most external load metrics after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. These findings highlight the importance of effective load management during periods of competition interruption and suggest strategies to optimize performance and reduce injury risk. Further research should consider holistic performance metrics and internal load parameters to provide comprehensive insights into player response to mid-season tournaments.

The effects of isokinetic training in athletes after knee surgery: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To review the effectiveness of isokinetic training as an alternative method to traditional isotonic resistance training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Researchers examined data from PubMed, CENTRAL, MEDLINE COMPLETE, and Web of Science until February 2023. A total of 365 entries were obtained from databases, including studies that analyzed the effects of isokinetic vs. isotonic-based rehabilitation in athletes (16-50 years) after a surgical knee intervention. Return to sport (RTS), strength of the flex/extensor compartment of the thigh, muscle mass of the thigh, and knee function were screened as main outcomes. Two reviewers independently screened the studies for eligibility and assessed the risk of bias of the included ones. RESULTS: Six studies involving 181 athletes were included. Isokinetic training demonstrated significant benefits in peak torque for knee flexor-extensor muscles in four studies. Two studies favored isokinetic training over isotonic for strength. Muscle mass findings were mixed, with one study favoring isokinetic significantly and two showing no significant differences. In terms of returning to sport, the isotonic group displayed slightly better limb symmetry index values, but without significance. Isokinetic training outperformed isotonic in two functionality questionnaire studies, while two others showed no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Isokinetic training appears equally, if not more effective than isotonic, for restoring strength balance between hamstrings and quadriceps. This could lead to more favorable muscle mass changes. Isokinetic training also parallels isotonic rehabilitation for functional outcomes and meeting return-to-sport criteria. Therefore, isokinetic training should be included as one of the main strength restoration strategies after knee surgery, especially in early and middle rehabilitation stages. REGISTRATION NUMBER: The present systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42022370398).

Assessing Content Assimilation in Health Research Methodology: A Comparative Study of Lecture and Flipped Classroom Instruction / Evaluación de la asimilación de contenidos en la metodología de investigación en salud: un estudio comparativo de la conferencia y la instrucción en el aula invertida

Virtual education has evolved significantly, driven by the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Sciences, with their practical components, present unique challenges in virtual education, including maintaining student engagement. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the flipped learning methodology with and without in-class content reinforcement in a virtual classroom for previously assimilated materials within Health Sciences. The study involved students in a Kinesiology program using the Blackboard Learn platform. Two groups were established: one completing a questionnaire at the beginning of the virtual class (FLI group) and the other at the end following a content reinforcement session (FLI+TRA group). While no statistically significant score differences were found between the two groups, the FLI+TRA group showed higher pass rates and improved average scores, indicating practical benefits. These results suggest that combining flipped learning with traditional in-class instruction can enhance content assimilation in virtual education, fostering increased student engagement and participation. However, further research is needed to explore the full implications and adaptability of this approach. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of the FLI+TRA approach to improve learning outcomes in complex subjects like Epistemology and Research Methodology within Health Sciences. As virtual education continues to evolve, educators should consider this hybrid teaching model as a valuable tool to provide a more holistic and effective learning experience (AU)

La educación virtual ha evolucionado significativamente, impulsada por la integración de recursos de Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TIC), especialmente durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Las Ciencias de la Salud, con sus componentes prácticos, presentan desafíos únicos en la educación virtual, incluida la retención del interés de los estudiantes. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar la efectividad de la metodología de aprendizaje invertido (flipped learning) con y sin refuerzo de contenido en clase en un aula virtual para materiales previamente asimilados en Ciencias de la Salud. El estudio involucró a estudiantes de un programa de Kinesiología utilizando la plataforma Blackboard Learn. Se establecieron dos grupos: uno completando un cuestionario al comienzo de la clase virtual (grupo FLI) y otro al final después de una sesión de refuerzo de contenido en clase (grupo FLI+TRA). Aunque no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las puntuaciones entre los dos grupos, el grupo FLI+TRA mostró tasas de aprobación más altas y puntajes promedio mejorados, lo que indica beneficios prácticos. Estos resultados sugieren que la combinación de aprendizaje invertido con instrucción tradicional en clase puede mejorar la asimilación de contenido en la educación virtual, fomentando un mayor compromiso y participación de los estudiantes. Sin embargo, se necesita más investigación para explorar las implicaciones y la adaptabilidad completas de este enfoque. En conclusión, este estudio resalta el potencial del enfoque FLI+TRA para mejorar los resultados de aprendizaje en materias complejas como Epistemología y Metodología de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud. A medida que la educación virtual continúa evolucionando, los educadores deben considerar este modelo de enseñanza híbrido como una herramienta valiosa para proporcionar una experiencia de aprendizaje más holística y efectiva (AU)

Acute and Chronic Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training in Physically Active Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: Muscle atrophy and loss of knee function are common findings after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Rehabilitation through blood flow restriction (BFR) has gained clinical relevance when combined with low loads to improve these disorders in recent years. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rehabilitation effectiveness of ACL reconstruction with the use of BFR on pain, functionality, strength, and muscle mass in physically active people. DATA SOURCES: A search of PubMed, Web of Science, and MEDLINE was performed on March 31, 2023, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized clinical trials with active adults who underwent ACL surgery were included. They had to compare conventional treatments with the use of BFR, reporting values of pain, functionality, strength, or cross-sectional area (CSA). Articles whose participants presented concomitant injuries and whose intervention combined the use of BFR with treatments other than resistance training were excluded. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2. DATA EXTRACTION: Study design, population, cuff pressure, and main outcomes including strength, quadriceps CSA, pain, and functionality. RESULTS: Six studies out of a total of 389 were included (152 participants; 90 men and 62 women). These included studies showed no differences on CSA or strength when comparing BFR training with high loads exercise. BFR has demonstrated improvements in knee functionality and pain compared with other interventions such as immobilization or high loads training. CONCLUSION: The use of low loads combined with BFR improves pain, strength, functionality, and CSA. In addition, knee pain reduction and functionality are greater with BFR compared with the use of high loads or immobilization.

Effects of 6 weeks in-season flywheel squat resistance training on strength, vertical jump, change of direction and sprint performance in professional female soccer players.

Flywheel resistance training devices (FRTD) is shown effective in improving strength, sprinting, jumping and changes of direction (COD) performance in male soccer players, however, this is not elucidated in female soccer players. We aimed to assess the effect of FRTD on these physical abilities in females soccer players. 24 professional female soccer players (age: 20.4 ± 2.6 years) were randomly assigned to a flywheel training group (FWTG) that trained twice a week for 6 weeks on a rotary inertia device with an initial volume of 3 sets of 6 repetitions and an inertia of 0,025 kg · m-2, increasing intensity and volume or a control group (CG) that did not performed any additional resistance training program. Concentric peak torque of the knee extensors (CONEXT) and flexors (CONFLEX), eccentric peak torque of the knee extensors (ECCEXT) and flexors (ECCFLEX) at 60° · s-1 on an isokinetic dynamometer, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, COD and 30-metres sprint were assessed. Significant time by group interactions were found in CONEXT (p = 0.002; η²p = 0.425), CONFLEX (p = 0.037; η²p = 0.22), ECCEXT (p = 0.002; η²p = 0.43) and ECCFLEX (p = 0.008; η²p = 0.334). No time by group effect was found in CMJ (p = 0.061; η²p = 0.182), COD (p = 0.067; η²p = 0.184) or sprint (p = 0.926; η²p = 4.979 · e-4). In conclusion, 6 weeks of flywheel squat training improved strength (especially eccentric strength) but not soccer-specific abilities such as jumping, changing of direction or sprinting in professional soccer players.

The Maximum Flywheel Load: A Novel Index to Monitor Loading Intensity of Flywheel Devices.

BACKGROUND: The main aim of this study was (1) to find an index to monitor the loading intensity of flywheel resistance training, and (2) to study the differences in the relative intensity workload spectrum between the FW-load and ISO-load. METHODS: twenty-one males participated in the study. Subjects executed an incremental loading test in the squat exercise using a Smith machine (ISO-load) or a flywheel device (FW-load). We studied different association models between speed, power, acceleration, and force, and each moment of inertia was used to find an index for FW-load. In addition, we tested the differences between relative workloads among load conditions using a two-way repeated-measures test. RESULTS: the highest r2 was observed using a logarithmic fitting model between the mean angular acceleration and moment of inertia. The intersection with the x-axis resulted in an index (maximum flywheel load, MFL) that represents a theoretical individual maximal load that can be used. The ISO-load showed greater speed, acceleration, and power outcomes at any relative workload (%MFL vs. % maximum repetition). However, from 45% of the relative workload, FW-load showed higher vertical forces. CONCLUSIONS: MFL can be easily computed using a logarithmic model between the mean angular acceleration and moment of inertia to characterize the maximum theoretical loading intensity in the flywheel squat.