The influence of physical fitness qualities, individual characteristics and contextual factors on youth basketball players' perceived exertion and recovery responses to official games.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the influence of physical fitness qualities, individual characteristics, and contextual factors on perceived exertion and recovery responses to official games in youth basketball players. METHODS: Twenty-six males (age: 15.8±1.2 years; 12 guards, 9 forwards, and 5 centers) and 7 females (age: 16.1±0.9 years; 3 guards, 4 forwards) were monitored for an entire basketball season (N.=635 observations). Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery (level 1) and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests were administered, with players categorized as high and low Yo-Yo and CMJ groups according to test results. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected after each official game. Before the game and the day after, the Total Quality of Recovery (scores) were collected, and the difference between post- and pregame TQR was calculated (TQRΔ). Separate linear mixed models evaluated the effects of sex (M; F), fitness qualities (high Yo-Yo; low Yo-Yo) (high CMJ; low CMJ), playing position (guard; forward; center), game outcome (won; loss) and game location (home; away). RESULTS: Male players reported higher RPE (7.0±0.3) than females (5.5±0.4) (P=0.003, effect size [ES]: moderate). Players with high Yo-Yo performance also reported higher RPE (6.7±0.4) than low Yo-Yo (5.8±0.3) (P=0.049, ES: small). TQRΔ was higher in guards (-1.3±0.2) than forwards (-0.8±0.2) (P=0.041, ES: trivial), and lower after lost games (-0.8±0.2) compared to won games (-1.2±0.2) (P=0.002, ES: small). CONCLUSIONS: In youth basketball, postgame perceived exertion and recovery responses are influenced by players' sex, intermittent endurance capacity, and game outcome. Current findings can help youth basketball practitioners to better understand their players' performances and perceptual responses.

The influence of tactical formation on physical and technical performance across playing positions in the Chinese super league.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of tactical formations on the physical and technical performance of professional football players in the Chinese Super League (CSL). A sample of 800 games from the 2015-2021 CSL was analyzed, and players' physical (total distance covered, distance covered while ball in play, number of sprints, sprint distance, and high/middle/low-speed running) and technical (gain/loss of possession, ball retention percentage, challenges, challenge success percentage, passes, and pass success percentage) performance was assessed across six team formations: 3-5-2 (n = 137), 4-3-3 (n = 77), 4-2-3-1 (n = 391), 4-4-2 (n = 257), 3-4-3 (n = 41), and 4-1-4-1 (n = 107). Linear mixed models were used to assess variations in performance indicators across positions and formations. The results demonstrated that central defenders traveled significantly more total and low-speed running distances in the 3-5-2 formation than in the 4-2-3-1 formation (ES range: 0.33-0.34, p < 0.01). Fullbacks in the 3-5-2 formation demonstrated more high-speed running than did those in the 4-4-2 formation (ES = 0.27, p = 0.04). The central midfielders exhibited significantly more sprints and longer sprint distances in the 4-2-3-1 formation than in the 4-4-2 formation (ES range: 0.2-0.24, p < 0.01). Regarding technical performance, central defenders displayed significantly greater ball retention percentages, passes, and pass success rates in the 3-4-3 than in the 3-5-2 formations (ES range: 0.58-0.65, p < 0.01). Moreover, fullbacks and central midfielders executed markedly more passes with superior pass success rates in 4-back formations than in 3-5-2 formations (ES range: 0.2-0.53, p < 0.01). These findings can help coaches and academic staff understand the physical and technical requirements of various positions in various tactical formations, thus optimizing the training process.

Female basketball game performance is influenced by menstrual cycle phase, age, perceived demands and game-related contextual factors.

This study evaluated the influence of physical and perceived game demands, menstrual cycle phase, perceived recovery, individual and game-related contextual factors on competitive performance in professional, female basketball players.11 professional female players (age: 20.6 ± 2.7 years) were monitored for game-related statistics (Performance Index Rating, PIR; rebounds, REB; effective field goal %, eFG%; turnovers, TO), objective (PlayerLoad per minute, PL·min-1) and subjective (RPE) game loads, pre-game perceived recovery (Total Quality Recovery, TQRpre), menstrual phase (follicular; luteal) and game-related contextual factors (game location; game outcome; score differential; opponent level) during 12 official games. Separate linear mixed models were used to evaluate the influence of RPE, PL·min-1, TQRpre, menstrual phase, contextual factors, and individual characteristics (age; playing position) on game-related statistics.Higher PIR and eFG% were found for older players and those who reported higher RPE (all p < 0.05). Higher age also led to less TO (p = 0.042). eFG% was higher when players reported higher TQRpre ;(p = 0.010). Better shooting (eFG%) and rebounding (REB) performances were found during the follicular menstrual phase (p < 0.05). More REB were collected in won games (p = 0.002).This study suggests that the co-influences of perceptual, menstrual-related, individual and game-related contextual factors should be considered to optimise female basketball players' performance.

Basketball talent identification: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the anthropometric, physiological and physical performance factors.

Background: The purpose of this study was to do a systematic review and meta-analysis about the anthropometric, physiological, and physical performance that discriminate the physical talent in basketball. Methods: The search was conducted using the most relevant databases as Web of Science, PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Scopus, according to the PRISMA (2020) guideline. Keywords such as "basketball", "talented identification", "anthropometric", "physiology" and "physical performance" were used for the search, in English and following the "PICOS" question model. Eighteen articles' overall methodological quality was assessed using the Critical Review Forms. Results: The study found in basketball, height, body mass, Yo-Yo test, T-test, 20 m sprint, and jump performance had statistical significance between elite and non-elite groups, including different positions and levels. Conclusions: The reviewed literature highlighted a complicated relationship between anthropometric, physiological, and physical performance. Based on the results of the study, it's possible that height, body mass, agility, speed, endurance capacity, and lower lamb power could affect the early development of basketball.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Interventions in Female Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Athletes are almost 3 times more at risk of experiencing urinary incontinence (UI) than sedentary women, with prevalence rates varying from 10.9% in low-impact sports such as cycling to 80% when engaging in high-impact sports such as trampoline gymnastics. To treat UI, pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training (PFMT) is recommended as a first line of treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to perform a meta-analysis of the available literature on the efficacy of PFMT interventions in young, nulliparous female athletes. DATA SOURCES: A literature research was conducted using PubMed, Sport Discus, and Web of Science. STUDY SELECTION: The inclusion criteria were studies with PFMT intervention in female athletes or recreationally active women. Interventions could be carried out for treatment or prevention of pelvic floor dysfunctions. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 5. DATA EXTRACTION: A descriptive analysis of the articles included in the systematic review was carried out. Meta-analyses could be performed on 6 of the included articles, evaluating the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the PFMs, the amount of urinary leakage (AUL), and the vaginal resting pressure (VRP). Random-effects model and standardized mean differences (SMD) ± 95% CI were reported. RESULTS: The meta-analysis showed that PFMT produced a significant increase in MVC (SMD, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.11 to 1.08; P = 0.02) and a significant reduction of AUL (SMD, -1.13; 95% CI, -1.84 to -0.41; P < 0.01) in female athletes. No effects were shown in VRP (SMD, -0.05; 95% CI, -1.27 to 1.17; P = 0.93). CONCLUSION: PFMT is shown to be effective in increasing PFM strength and reducing urine leakage in female athletes, being a powerful tool to prevent and treat pelvic floor dysfunction in this population.

Importance of Maintaining Net Position in Men's and Women's Professional Padel.

The objective of this research was to analyze the importance of maintaining the net position in men's and women's professional padel. The data sample was drawn from 2,756 padel rallies (n = 1,434 men's and n = 1,322 women's) in matches played during the 2021 season of the World Padel Tour circuit. The results showed that there was no net exchange in 50.7% of the women's rallies, while in 65.9% of men's rallies, the servers kept the net. Due to their physical advantages, men servers had more opportunities to finish the rally at the net than women servers, giving them more opportunities to win the rally. However, when either men or women receivers finished the rally at the net, they had more opportunities to win the rally. In addition, both men and women tended to end the rallies with a winner when they were in the net zone and with an error when they were at the back of the court. These findings suggest that wins in padel are closely related to time spent at the net.

An ecological investigation of average and peak external load intensities of basketball skills and game-based training drills.

This study quantified average and peak external intensities of various basketball training drills. Thirteen youth male basketball players (age: 15.2 ± 0.3 years) were monitored (BioHarness-3 devices) to obtain average and peak external load per minute (EL · min-1; peak EL · min-1) during team-based training sessions. Researchers coded the training sessions by analysing the drill type (skills, 1vs1, 2vs2, 3vs0, 3vs3, 4vs0, 4vs4, 5vs5, 5vs5-scrimmage), court area per player, player's involvement in the drill (in percentage), playing positions (backcourt; frontcourt) and competition rotation status (starter; rotation; bench). Separate linear mixed models were run to assess the influence of training and individual constraints on average and peak EL · min-1. Drill type influenced average and peak EL · min-1 (p < 0.05), but with different directions of effects. EL · min-1 was higher in skills and 4vs0 drills, while higher peak EL · min-1 values were obtained in 5vs5 and 5vs5-scrimmage. Similarly, EL · min-1 was higher when involvement % increased (p = 0.001), while there was an opposite trend for peak EL · min-1 (lower with higher involvement %). Court area per player influenced peak (p = 0.025) but not average demands. No effects were found for playing position or competition rotation status (all p > 0.05), except for a moderately higher EL · min-1 in starters compared to bench players. The external load intensities of basketball training drills substantially vary depending on the load indicator chosen, the training content, and task and individual constraints. Practitioners should not interchangeably use average and peak external intensity indicators to design training but considering them as separate constructs could help to gain a better understanding of basketball training and competition demands.

How the 12th Man Influences Football Matches: The Role of Fans and Referees in the Home Advantage Phenomenon.

Home advantage and referee bias are two sport factors that have been widely studied in the football (i.e., soccer) context. However, the mediating effect of spectators on these factors is not well understood, especially in the Turkish Super League. We examined (a) how variables of home advantage, referee bias, and spectator presence interacted to affect the outcome of past football matches; (b) how these variables have changed over time in the Turkish Super League; (c) and whether home advantage and referee bias differ in matches with spectators and ghost matches (without spectators). We analyzed regular season matches played in the Turkish Super League between the 2014-2015 and 2021-2022 seasons. We found that home teams had a significant advantage over away teams in matches with spectators (p < .001) and in ghost matches (p < .05 and p < .001), with small to medium effect sizes (d = .09 and .34, respectively). Regarding referee bias, away teams received more yellow cards and fewer penalties than home teams in matches with spectators (p < .001; d = -.10), and away teams received fewer yellow cards than home teams in ghost matches (p > .05; d = .05). There was no statistically significant difference between home and away teams on number of red cards in either type of match (p > .05). Thus, our data reveal that home teams have an edge over away teams with and without spectators, but this advantage is reduced during ghost matches (without spectators). We also revealed weak evidence of referee bias in favor of home teams, but only for some variables and only when spectators were present.

Biochemical analysis in congenital neuroblastoma.

Objectives: The incidence of congenital neuroblastoma has increased in the recent years. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical and biochemical characteristics of cases of congenital neuroblastoma diagnosed in our center. Case presentation: We report three cases of congenital neuroblastoma diagnosed in our hospital. In two, diagnosis was made prenatally, whereas the other case was detected in the immediate neonatal period. In the three cases, neuroblastoma was located in the abdominal region and exhibited elevated concentrations of catecholamines or their metabolites in single voided urine samples. Two tumors were classified as stage M, and one as stage L2. The N-MYC oncogen was not amplified in any of the cases studied. Histopathological analysis was favorable in the three cases. The tumor was resected in two patients. The three received chemotherapy. Conclusions: The measurement of catecholamines and their metabolites is essential in the diagnosis of neuroblastoma. When 24 h urine cannot be collected, single voided urine can be used to calculate the index based on creatinine concentrations.

Effects of plyometric training on kicking performance in soccer players: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled effect size (ES) of plyometric training (PT) on kicking performance (kicking speed and distance) in soccer players depending upon some related factors (i.e., age, gender, skill level, and intervention duration). This study was carried out according to the PRISMA guidelines. Four electronic databases-EBSCO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science-were searched for relevant studies. A total of n = 16 studies yielding 17 ES with n = 553 participants were finally included in the meta-analysis. A random-effects model was used to calculate Hedge's g with a 95% confidence interval (CI), which showed that plyometric training had a large-sized positive effect on soccer kicking performance (g = 0.979, 95% CI [0.606, 1.353], p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses were performed according to participants' characteristics (i.e., age, gender, skill level) and intervention duration, demonstrating no significant differences between these subgroups. The study pointed out that plyometric training is a generally effective method to improve soccer players' kicking performance, which plays a crucial role in passing and shooting actions during games. As for soccer players and strength and conditioning coaches, the plyometric training aiming to enhance kicking performance has valuable implications in practice. Therefore, besides well-known training methods like power training in the weight room, plyometric training could be incorporated into the overall strength and conditioning programs for soccer players to reach high standards of kicking performance.

The associations of early specialization, sports volume, and maturity status with musculoskeletal injury in elite youth football players.

Background: Youth football in schools has experienced rapid growth in China. Despite the increase of players engaging in more frequent, intensive, and organized sports training at their early ages, the controversy over early specialization (ES) still exists. This study aims to: a) investigate the training situation of players in the Chinese School Football Programme and b) examine the associations of early specialization, sports volume, and maturity status with musculoskeletal injury. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used. Players who participated in the National School Football Winter Camp were invited to fill out a questionnaire that included the data of maturity, ES, sports volume, and injury history (n = 88 boys and n = 90 girls). Results: The results have shown that 80.3% of the athletes were classified as ES, while 19.7% of them were classified as non-ES. Almost all athletes (96%) participated in a sport for more than 8 months in a year. Most athletes (75.8%) spent more than twice of the time on organized sports than leisure activities. 30.3% of the athletes trained on average more hours per week than the number of their ages. Binomial logistic regression models reflected the significant differences in the odds ratios (OR) of reporting a history of injury among athletes with different levels of specialization (p = 0.024) and the OR of reporting a history of leg injury among players with different weekly sports volumes (p = 0.038). Significant differences were also shown in the OR of players reporting foot injuries between players with different maturity states (p = 0.046), and the Chi-squared test showed significant differences in the OR of reporting acute injuries between players with different levels of specialization (p = 0.048) and weekly activity (p = 0.022). No significant differences were found between the remaining variables. Conclusion: Most school football elite players follow the ES pathway even though ES increases the risk of injury, especially acute injury. Pre-pubertal and early pubertal players have a higher incidence of foot injuries. Players who train more hours per week than their ages have more leg injuries and acute injuries. Therefore, priority protection and intervention should be carried out for populations with a high risk of injury.

Corrigendum: Pre-shot combinations and game-related statistics discriminating between winners and losers depending on the game location during the NBA COVID-19 season.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.949445.].

Effect of Kegel Exercises on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Young Gymnasts: A Prospective Cohort Study.

IMPORTANCE: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) have been shown to exist in young athletes. The use of pelvic floor muscle training as a preventive strategy at an early age may be useful to avoid possible pelvic floor dysfunction in the future. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to describe LUTS in underaged gymnasts. We also aimed to evaluate the effects of a 12-week Kegel exercise intervention for LUTS and urinary incontinence (UI) and their relationship to bother. STUDY DESIGN: A quasi-experimental (nonrandomized, noncontrolled) pre-post study was conducted. Nineteen gymnasts with a mean age of 13.21 ± 1.84 were selected from a gymnastics club in Madrid, Spain. Outcomes of LUTS and quality of life were measured using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms validated questionnaire at baseline and at the end of the 12-week intervention. RESULTS: The participants presented with certain LUTS such as urgency UI (57.7%) or stress UI (47.4%), which negatively affect their daily lives by feeling annoyed in various aspects (when practicing gymnastics, getting up during the night to urinate or feeling bladder pain among others). No significant differences in LUTS and quality of life variables were observed after the exercise intervention ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of LUTS was observed in a sample of underaged high-level gymnasts. The 12-week Kegel exercise intervention did not significantly reduce the presence of pelvic floor problems and even intensified some of them, probably because of an increased awareness. Pelvic floor muscle training as a preventive strategy at an early age seems to be necessary to avoid possible pelvic floor dysfunction in the future.

Modelling women's team line-ups based on effectiveness and quality.

Understanding how different player rotations may impact team performance allows basketball coaches to select effective line-ups for specific tactical scenarios. The study aimed to i) assess how different line-ups or player combinations impact a team's game performance; ii) explore the variations in line-up utilization among different national women's basketball teams; and iii) examine how the offensive efficiency of each line-up evolves during the game. Data from 3,387 ball possessions in 23 international women's basketball games were collected across four major competitions over six years. Offensive and defensive ratings, along with other features, were calculated. Then, a Markov chain model distinguished overperforming and underperforming line-ups of Chinese women's basketball team, determining long-term probabilities for each rating level. The results indicated that i) the most dominant offensive line-up of the Chinese women's basketball team, is PG-G-SF-PF-C, while G-G-F-PF-PF had the highest defensive rating; and ii) US and Australian women's basketball teams favour using line-ups with three guards, while the Chinese women's basketball team heavily relies on centre players. These results offer valuable insights for coaches regarding the performance of different line-ups in FIBA Female Basketball Competitions, optimizing line-up performance and aiding talent selection and recruitment at the international level.

What Is the Most Sensitive Test to Identify Fatigue through the Analysis of Neuromuscular Status in Male Elite Futsal Players?

The present study aimed to determine which of the neuromuscular status (NMS) monitoring tests (1: Counter-movement jump, CMJ; 2: back squat with additional load) is the most sensitive and effective for evaluating the state of fatigue in futsal players during the preseason. Seventeen professional futsal players were recruited for this study (age: 23.07 ± 6.76 years; height: 1.75 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 75.47 ± 7.47 kg; playing experience in elite: 5.38 ± 2.03 years). All of them were evaluated during the preseason phase in two tests (CMJ and back squat with additional load) before and after each training session (pre- vs. post-test). A jump platform was used to extract jump height during CMJ, while a linear position transducer was used to extract mean velocity (MV) and mean propulsive velocity (MPV) during the back squat exercise. Significant differences were obtained for intra-subject analysis for MV and MPV in loaded back squat exercise (p < 0.001), finding lower values during the post-test. In conclusion, the monitoring of NMS through the back squat provides greater sensitivity and objectivity in comparison with CMJ, due to a more direct neuromuscular extrapolation to the physical demands of futsal.

Pre-shot combinations and game-related statistics discriminating between winners and losers depending on the game location during the NBA COVID-19 season.

Basketball in performance depends on numerous factors, where a stable trend was identified by winning teams with better performances in shooting effectiveness and rebounding. However, there is a need for a better understanding of pre-shot combinations that lead to these performance trends. This study aimed to analyze NBA teams' game-related statistics, pre-shooting combinations, and pick-and-roll differences between winning and losing teams (considering the context: playing at home, away, or in a neutral court) during the COVID-19 season. A retrospective cross-sectional study on the 2019-2020 NBA season (906 games) was carried out. Game-related statistics were gathered from the private company InStat (https://basketball.instatscout.com/). The discriminant analysis and binary logistic regression models were run in order to discriminate the most important features of winning teams depending on the game location. The results showed that defensive rebounds and three-point shooting percentage remained the most important variables that best discriminated winners and losers independently of the game location context. The main results showed that winning teams had a better shooting percentage based on three-pointers, catch-and-shot actions, cuts, pick-and-roll efficacy, and uncontested shots based on a better collective behavior after a successful space creation dynamic through a tactical functional unit. At the same time, teams would need players with the ability to clear those possessions in which the opponents force to an isolation or a contested shot. From a practical application perspective, coaches should focus on composing a team with good shooters, skilled players in isolations, and a good game-time pick-and-roll strategy.

The effect of the video assistant referee (VAR) on referees' decisions at FIFA Women's World Cups.

Video assistant referee (VAR) has been implemented in women's football, aiming to improve referees' decision-making, but its impact has not yet been analyzed. This study intended to explore how the VAR affects refereeing decisions at Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Women's World Cup competitions. The sample includes all 52 matches played in the 2015 tournament before VAR was introduced and all 52 matches played in the 2019 competition where VAR was deployed. For each match, data on ten variables were collected: first half playing time, second half playing time, total playing time, penalties, offsides, fouls, goals, corner kicks, yellow cards, and red cards. The match variables were compared before and after VAR implementation using a Mann-Whitney U test, a Bayesian analysis, a generalized linear model, and a non-clinical magnitude-based inference. The results demonstrated that after VAR was introduced, playing time during the first half [p < 0.001, BF 10 = 547.05, Cohen's d = 1.06, 90%CI (0.71, 1.40)], the second half [p < 0.001, BF 10 = 57.09, Cohen's d = 0.91, 90%CI (0.57, 1.25)], and the entire match [p < 0.001, BF 10 = 1,120.39, Cohen's d = 1.33, 90%CI (0.97, 1.69)] increased significantly with moderate to large effect sizes, while the number of penalties, offsides, and fouls did not vary significantly neither did the number of goals, corner kicks, yellow cards, and red cards. This study has practical implications for professionals in terms of a better understanding of VAR's impact on elite women's football.

Physiological Response of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) to Long-Term Exposure to an Anesthetic Obtained from Heterosigma akashiwo.

Despite the invaluable role of anesthetics as a tool for ensuring animal welfare in stressful situations, there is currently a lack of anesthetic drugs that meet the requirements of intensive aquaculture. In response to the growing interest in anesthetic substances of natural origin, this study evaluated the physiological and health impact of an anesthetic based on an extract of the microalga Heterosigma akashiwo on juvenile salmon (Salmo salar) exposed for a period of 72 h. To simulate a condition closer to reality where fish are subjected to stimuli (e.g., transport), the animals were exposed to 50 mg L-1 of algal extract and to physical stress. Functional, physiological, and histological parameters were evaluated in blood and tissues at different sampling periods (0, 24, and 72 h). There was no mortality and the induction and recovery times observed were within the established criteria for anesthetic efficacy. The anesthetic extract did not induce any side effects, such as stress or metabolic damage, indicating that this extract is a viable option for supporting fish welfare during deleterious events. This study provides information to support that the anesthetic extract tested, derived from H. akashiwo, is a promising candidate drug for operations requiring sedation (e.g., Salmonid transport).