Top-class women's soccer performance: peak demands and distribution of the match activities relative to maximal intensities during official matches.

The aims of the current study were to determine the most demanding passages of match play (MDP) and the distribution of match activities relative to maximum intensities during official matches in top-class women soccer players. Twenty-eight women players competing in European championship and international UEFA competitions were monitored during 38 official matches (277 individual samples). Maximum relative (m · min-1) total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSRD), very high-speed running (VHSRD), sprint, acceleration and deceleration distances were calculated across different durations (1-5, 10, 15, 90 min) using a rolling average analysis. Maximum intensities (1-minpeak) were used as the reference value to determine the distribution of relative intensity across the whole-match demands (90-minavg). Time and distance higher than 90-minavg (> 90-minavg) were also calculated. MDP showed moderate to very large [effect size (ES): 0.63/5.20] differences between 1-minpeak vs all durations for each parameter. The relative (m · min-1) 1-minpeak was greater than 90-minavg of about +63% for TD, +358% for HSRD, +969% for VHSRD, +2785% for sprint, +1216% for acceleration, and +768% for deceleration. The total distance covered > 90-minavg was ~66.6% of the total distance covered during the 90-minavg for TD, ~84.8% for HSRD, ~97.4% for VHSRD, ~100% for sprint, ~99.1% for acceleration and ~98.2% for deceleration. The relative distance > 90-minavg was higher (P < 0.05) than the 90-minavg for each metric (ES: 2.22 to 7.58; very large). The present results may help coaches and sport scientists to replicate the peak demands during training routine in top-class women soccer players.

Association between match physical activity and neuromuscular characteristics in youth football.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the associations between maximal and submaximal neuromuscular field tests, match physical activity levels and biological maturation in youth football players. METHODS: Sixty-four football players from under 14 to under 17 age groups were assessed. Players performed a repeated-sprint ability test, counter movement jump, 10-m, and 30-m sprint test, as well as an assessment of peripheral muscle function following a multi-stage incremental (i.e., four intensity levels) change of direction test (COD). Knee extensors peak-torque (PTmax) and the decrement of torque values (dec) were considered as COD outcomes. Physical match activities were tracked by GPS technology, while rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed using the CR10 Börg Scale. Pearson's correlations (90% confidence interval) were used to examine the relationships. RESULTS: Small associations were found between field tests and match activities. The relationships increased from small to moderate for some tests when match data with RPE>5 were considered. The largest associations were found between distance covered <-2.5m·s-2 and both COD PTmax and dec when RPE>5. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study provide further evidence of a small-to-moderate association between muscular performance and match work-rate in young football players. Although physical and physiological evaluations fail to precisely estimate the quantity of physical activities performed during matches, it is suggested that they can be utilized to monitor the training effect over time in young football players.

Ecological and Construct Validity of a Repeated Sprint Test in Male Youth Soccer Players.

ABSTRACT: Fernandes-Da-Silva, J, Castagna, C, Teixeira, AS, Carminatti, LJ, Francini, L, Póvoas, SCA, and Antonacci Guglielmo, LG. Ecological and construct validity of a repeated sprint test in male youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 35(7): 2000-2009, 2021-This study aimed to examine the relationship between a repeated sprint ability (RSA) test (5 bouts of 30-m sprints interspersed by 30 seconds of recovery) and match-related physical performance in male youth soccer players. Although 60 outfield players were evaluated, only data from players who participated in the full matches (n = 39) were retained (8 central defenders, 7 external defenders, 8 central midfielders, 8 external midfielders, and 8 forwards). To verify the ecological validity of this RSA protocol, the association between the best (RSAbest) and mean (RSAmean) sprint time in the 5 × 30-m and physical match performance during friendly youth soccer games was examined. Physical match demands were assessed using global positioning system technology (10 Hz) considering distance covered in selected arbitrary speed categories. The absolute speed thresholds were the same for all the players. Players were categorized into 2 groups based on the 5 × 30-m performance: RSAmean times below (i.e., faster) and above (i.e., slower) the median value. Players with faster RSAmean times covered significantly more distance sprinting during friendly matches (606 ± 204 m, +47.0%; t = 4.953; effect size = 1.88, 1.24; 2.52, p ≤ 0.001) compared to their slower counterparts (322 ± 145 m). A large negative correlation (r = -0.63, -0.77; -0.44, p ≤ 0.001) was found between RSAbest time (4.59 ± 0.27 seconds) and match sprint distance (457 ± 229 m). Likewise, RSAmean time (4.76 ± 0.25 seconds) was also largely associated (r = -0.60, -0.75; -0.39; p ≤ 0.001) with in-game sprinting performance. The results of this study provided evidence to support the construct and ecological validity of the 5 × 30-m protocol in male youth soccer players. Furthermore, differences in 5 × 30-m performance explained the amount of sprinting activity performed during the match.

Association Between Match Activity, Endurance Levels and Maturity in Youth Football Players.

The aim of the study was to examine the associations between maximal and submaximal field tests with match physical activity and biological maturation in youth football players. Sixty-eight youth football players (U14, U15, U16, U17) performed maximal and submaximal field endurance tests. Biological maturity was estimated calculating the distance from peak height velocity (Y-PHV). Physical match activities were tracked using GPS units and players' post-match rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded. Mainly moderate associations were found between field tests and match activities. Large correlations were found between Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test level 1, distance covered at high and very high-speed running, the quantity of very high and maximal metabolic power running. Small to moderate associations between match activities and Y-PHV were observed. The magnitude of correlation between match activities and field tests increased from moderate to large when matches with an RPE>5 were considered. The results provide further evidence of the association between young football players' aerobic performance and match work rate. Submaximal field tests demonstrate ecological validity and may constitute a practical alternative to performing maximal tests. Maturation was found to have a moderate effect on youth players' match work rate.

Long-Sprint Abilities in Soccer: Ball Versus Running Drills.

PURPOSE: To examine the acute effects of generic drills (running drills [RDs]) and specific (small-sided-games [SSGs]) long-sprint-ability (LSA) drills on internal and external load of male soccer players. METHODS: Fourteen academy-level soccer players (mean ± SD age 17.6 ± 0.61 y, height 1.81 ± 0.63 m, body mass 69.53 ± 4.65 kg) performed four 30-s LSA bouts for maintenance (work:rest 1:2) and production (1:5) with RDs and SSGs. Players' external load was tracked with GPS technology (20-Hz), and heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration (BLc), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were used to characterize players' internal load. Individual peak BLc was assessed with a 30-s all-out test on a nonmotorized treadmill (NMT). RESULTS: Compared with SSGs, the RDs had a greater effect on external load and BLc (large and small, respectively). During SSGs players covered more distance with high-intensity decelerations (moderate to small). Muscular RPE was higher (small to large) in RDs than in SSGs. The production mode exerted a moderate effect on BLc while the maintenance condition elicited higher cardiovascular effects (small to large). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed the superiority of generic over specific drills in inducing LSA-related physiological responses. In this regard production RDs showed the higher postexercise BLc. Individual peak blood lactate responses were found after the NMT 30-s all-out test, suggesting this drill as a valid option to RDs. The practical physiological diversity among the generic and specific LSA drills here considered enable fitness trainers to modulate prescription of RD and SSG drills for LSA according to training schedule.

Short-term prospective study of prescribed physical activity in kidney transplant recipients.

Regular physical exercise plays a role in improving cardiovascular and muscular fitness in many metabolic diseases. This study aims to verify any possible benefits, including the eventual influence on any associated risk factors, in a group of kidney transplant recipients after a short period of personalized training programs with mixed exercises. In January 2013, at the Sports Medicine Center of the University of Florence, Italy, we began studying a group of 20 kidney transplant recipients. After 6 months of exercise, they underwent Cardiopulmonary Test (CPET), ECG, skin fold, bioimpedance analysis and stress test for the lower and upper limbs. EF increased significantly from 63.38 ± 4 to 67.30 ± 5.9 with p < 0.05; the anaerobic threshold improved from 14.48 ± 6.3 to 20.24 ± 3.7 (p < 0.05) with good stress tolerance, estimated by CR10 scale; weight decreased significantly (70.06-65.03 kg) as did skin folds at pectoral level (p < 0.002). Upper limb muscular strength increased significantly (p < 0.005). Regular mixed exercise is a proposed program in post-transplant syndrome with the expectation of improving cardiovascular performance and enhancing exercise tolerance. Muscle strength improves with physical fitness with consequent reduction of risk factors linked to visceral fat. Proof of an eventual positive impact on other complex aspects associated with post-transplant metabolic syndrome will require a longer follow-up.

Exercise as prescription therapy: benefits in cancer and hypertensive patients.

UNLABELLED: PURPOSE Exercise therapy in patients with metabolic chronic disease produces several positive response. This study aims to verify the effects of fast walking associated to a resistance exercise to reduce cardiovascular risk factor. METHODS: Two groups of subjects (10 cancer survivors and 19 hypertensive patients) were evaluated by 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), bioimpedance, the Sit & Reach Test (S&R) evaluate the flexibility, Handgrip and 30" Chair Test for muscular strength. Patients were tested before and after 3 months of regular physical exercise. RESULTS: A significant change in anthropometric parameters was observed (BMI: T0 = 29.2±6.8, T3= 27.4±4.4 kg/m2 p<.001; waist circumference: T0=92.5±14.1, T3=92.1±12.8 cm, p<.05) in the hypertensive population. A predominant improvement of the cardiovascular parameters was observed in the cancer survivors (rest DBP T0=76.4±6.5, T3=72.2±7.1 mmhg p<.05; 6MWT: T0=487.8±116.0, T3= 525.6±117.3 m p<.05; S&R: T0= 0.4±7.4, T3=4.1±6.1 cm p<.05). CONCLUSION: A combined aerobic and resistance exercise programme can improve cardiovascular risk factors in hypertensive subjects. The same programme induces improvement in exercise tolerance and flexibility variables in cancer survivors.