Seasonal Variation in Physical Performance–Related Variables in Male NCAA Division III Soccer Players

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the effects of a specific goal-setting program on physical performance over the course of a competitive athletic season. Subjects were 24 members of an NCAA Division III men’s lacrosse team who were matched on ability and playing position and then randomly assigned to either a goal-setting or do-your-best control group. The experimenter met with each athlete at the beginning of the season to provide goals, as well as during the season to reevaluate the goals, if necessary. Performance was measured on offensive assists, offensive ground balls, defensive ground balls, and defensive clears. Manipulation checks revealed that players accepted their goals, felt their goals were realistic, and tried hard to reach their goals. Although statistical tests indicated no significant performance differences, the magnitude, direction, and consistency of the differences in favor of the goal group offers some support for the effectiveness of specific goals across an athletic season.

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Significant differences in dietary intake of NCAA Division III soccer players compared to recommended levels

Journal of American College Health ◽

10.1080/07448481.2020.1728279 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kaneen Gomez-Hixson ◽

Ericka Biagioni ◽

Melissa L Brown

Keyword(s):

Dietary Intake ◽

Ncaa Division Iii ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Division Iii

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Validity and reliability of a 6-a-side small-sided game as an indicator of match-related physical performance in elite youth Brazilian soccer players

Journal of Sports Sciences ◽

10.1080/02640414.2019.1608895 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (23) ◽

pp. 2639-2644 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rodrigo Aquino ◽

Bruno Melli-Neto ◽

João Victor S. Ferrari ◽

Bruno L. S. Bedo ◽

Luiz H. Palucci Vieira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Performance ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Validity And Reliability

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Associations between Inter-Limb Asymmetries in Jump and Change of Direction Speed Tests and Physical Performance in Adolescent Female Soccer Players

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18073474 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 3474

Author(s):

Elena Pardos-Mainer ◽

Chris Bishop ◽

Oliver Gonzalo-Skok ◽

Hadi Nobari ◽

Jorge Pérez-Gómez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Performance ◽

Age Groups ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Adolescent Female ◽

Specific Training ◽

Countermovement Jump ◽

Change Of Direction ◽

Percentage Difference ◽

Hop Test ◽

Physical Tests

The association between asymmetries in jump and change of direction (COD) with physical performance in several sports show inconclusive results. The purposes of this study were to: (1) measure inter-limb asymmetries in three distinct groups in adolescent female soccer players and, (2) to determine the association between inter-limb asymmetries and physical performance in different age groups. Fifty-four players were distributed in three age groups: U-18, U-16 and U-14. All of them performed a series of jumps, sprints and change of direction speed tests. Asymmetries were assessed as the percentage difference between limbs, with the equation: 100/Max value (right and left) * in value (right and left) * −1 + 100. Mean inter-limb asymmetries were 2.91%, 4.82% and 11.6% for 180° COD, single leg hop and single leg countermovement jump tests respectively, but higher percentages of asymmetries were observed in many players individually. U-18 and U-16 showed significant differences on 180° left COD compared to U-14. Effect size (ES): 0.80 and 0.74, respectively; U-18 presented differences on single left leg hop test compared to U-14, ES: −0.72; U-16 also showed differences on 40 m speed compared to U-14, ES 0.87 (All p < 0.05). Jumping and COD physical tests show asymmetries in adolescent female soccer players, but these asymmetries do not interfere with physical performance. The largest asymmetry was observed in the single leg countermovement jump, and no asymmetries between groups were found. Due to the high variability in the direction of asymmetries, it is recommended to consider players’ individual asymmetries for designing specific training programs.

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The effect of a weekly flywheel resistance training session on elite U-16 soccer players’ physical performance during the competitive season. A randomized controlled trial

Research in Sports Medicine ◽

10.1080/15438627.2020.1870978 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Javier Raya-González ◽

Daniel Castillo ◽

Kevin L. de Keijzer ◽

Marco Beato

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Training Session ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Competitive Season

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Attitudes and Motivations of Students Toward Athletic-Event Attendance at a Midsize Division III University: Recommendations for Communicators

International Journal of Sport Communication ◽

10.1123/ijsc.2016-0011 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 321-339 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Evan K. Perrault

Keyword(s):

Theory Of Planned Behavior ◽

Planned Behavior ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Ncaa Division Iii ◽

Student Attendance ◽

Division Iii ◽

Sports Programs ◽

Individual Sports ◽

Total Enrollment

Despite being the largest subset of the NCAA, Division III sports programs have had very little research dedicated to them regarding student attendance motivations. This study surveyed 620 undergraduate students at a midsize Division III school (total enrollment 10,902) to determine their attitudes toward attending athletic events and potential motivators for getting them into the stands. Students who had personally interacted with an athlete or coach had better attitudes toward university athletics than those who had not. Results also supported predictions of the theory of planned behavior, finding that attitudes toward individual sports were the strongest predictor of intentions to attend future games. Open-ended responses also asked students why they do not attend games and what would get them to attend more games. Analyses of these responses are followed by key recommendations for communications professionals at similar-size institutions seeking ways to increase student attendance at their athletic events.

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Effects of Short-Term Plyometric Training on Agility, Jump and Repeated Sprint Performance in Female Soccer Players

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052274 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2274

Author(s):

Marcin Maciejczyk ◽

Renata Błyszczuk ◽

Aleksander Drwal ◽

Beata Nowak ◽

Marek Strzała

Keyword(s):

Physical Performance ◽

Sprint Performance ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Plyometric Training ◽

Countermovement Jump ◽

Short Term ◽

Jump Performance ◽

Squat Jump ◽

Repeated Sprint ◽

Before And After

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of short-term (4 weeks, twice a week: 8 sessions) plyometric training on agility, jump, and repeated sprint performance in female soccer players. The study comprised 17 females performing this sports discipline. The players were randomly divided into two groups: with plyometric training (PLY) and the control (CON). All players followed the same training program, but the PLY group also performed plyometric exercises. Tests used to evaluate physical performance were carried out immediately before and after PLY. After implementing the short PLY training, significant improvement in jump performance (squat jump: p = 0.04, ES = 0.48, countermovement jump: p = 0.009, ES = 0.42) and agility (p = 0.003, ES = 0.7) was noted in the PLY group. In the CON group, no significant (p > 0.05) changes in physical performance were observed. In contrast, PLY did not improve repeated sprint performance (p > 0.05) among female soccer players. In our research, it was shown that PLY can also be effective when performed for only 4 weeks instead of the 6–12 weeks typically applied.

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