Physical activity before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Vojvodina, Serbia.

Background: The physical activity (PA) of the youth and adult population underwent changes during the last 2 years due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and all for the purpose of maintaining the health of the population. The purpose of this study was to estimate the levels of PA in the youth population and the adult population (young and old) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the territory of Vojvodina, Serbia, and to determine the differences between them, as well as to compare these results with the results before the pandemic. Methods: A total of 1,117 subjects (age 36.27 ± 15.08 years) from the territory of Vojvodina, Serbia, participated in the study. Subjects were recruited and assigned to one of the three groups according to their age: youth group (N = 395; age 18-24 years), young adults group (N = 347; from 25 to 44 years), and old adults group (N = 375; age 45-65 years). All participants in this study completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short-Form between July and November 2021, during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Vojvodina, Serbia. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn multiple comparison post-hoc method were used for statistical analyses. Results: The youth showed the highest result in total weekly energy expenditure (3,893.72 ± 2,010.01 MET-min/week) compared to young adults (2,528.20 ± 1,804.11 MET-min/week) and old adults (2,369.07 ± 2,084.95 MET-min/week) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Vojvodina, Serbia. In addition, adults (young and old) spent more time sitting than youth during the same period. Furthermore, the youth achieved greater results in levels of PA during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the situation before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, adult populations achieved lower results during the COVID-19 pandemic than before the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the youth from Vojovida, Serbia, achieved greater results in PA levels than the adult populations. Based on that, we recommend that it is necessary to take steps toward increasing PA in the adult population, especially old adults.

Decline in Running Performance in Highest-Level Soccer: Analysis of the UEFA Champions League Matches.

It is widely recognized that there is a decline in match running performance (MRP) towards the end of matches. To clarify whether it is primarily a consequence of fatigue, pacing or situational influences, this study aimed to examine MRP across 15-min match periods for players on different playing positions. Players' MRP (n = 244) were examined from the UEFA Champions League matches (n = 20) using a semiautomatic optical tracking system. Linear mixed models for repeated measures were adjusted to analyze MRP over the six 15-min match periods while controlling the influence of situational factors. No effects of match outcome, match location, team, and opponent quality on total distance (TD) and high-intensity running (HIR) for players in all playing positions were found (F = 0.03−2.75; all p > 0.05). Significant differences in TD (F = 17.57−53.01; η2 = 0.39−0.52, all large effect sizes) and HIR (F = 3.67−7.64; η2 = 0.05−0.19, small to medium effect sizes) among six 15-minute match periods were found for players in all playing positions. In addition, players in all playing positions covered less TD (d = 1.41−2.15, large to very large effect sizes) and HIR (d = 0.16−0.6, trivial to medium effect sizes) in the last compared to the first 15-min match period. No differences in TD and HIR between the last two match periods in the second half were observed. This study confirmed that soccer players reduce MRP towards the end of matches, and suggest that the decline of MPR in highest-level soccer may be a consequence of pacing strategies.