scholarly journals Age-Group Differences in Reactive Strength and Measures of Intra-day Reliability in Female International Footballers

Author(s):  
Brian Doyle ◽  
Declan Browne ◽  
Dan Horan

The aim of this present study was to compare the reactive strength index (RSI) characteristics and trial to trial reliability of U17, U19 and Senior female international soccer players. Fifty – seven elite female soccer player participated in the study, (age:  18.1 + 3.1 years; height: 167.5 + 6.3 cm; weight: 61.84 + 7.7 kg). Participants performed 3 maximal repetitions of the 10/5 repeated jump test (10/5RJT) following a specific warm-up and familiarisation protocol. Senior players possessed higher levels of RSI with large effect size present when compared with the U17 (P= 0.043, ES = .97) and U19 (ES = 0.85) age groups. Trivial differences (ES = 0.17) in RSI existed between the U17 and U19 age categories. Trial-to-trial analyses demonstrated 10/5 RJT RSI to possess adequate levels of reliability with a range of mean coefficients of variance (CV) of 3.1 – 7.3 %   and intraclass correlation (ICC) between 0.95 – 0.98 present across all three age groups. However, large variations in the between – athlete CV for RSI were revealed ranging from 1 – 27 %, 0.4 – 10.3%, and 1 – 7 % for U17, U19 and senior age groups respectively. These results suggest that age group can distinguish reactive strength capabilities. In addition, female international footballers with higher levels of RSI appear to produce more reliable measures of RSI via the 10/5 RJT.

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 1200-1204
Author(s):  
Thomas M. Comyns ◽  
Eamonn P. Flanagan ◽  
Sean Fleming ◽  
Evan Fitzgerald ◽  
Damian J. Harper

Purpose: To examine the interday reliability and usefulness of a reactive strength index (RSI) derived from a maximal 5-rebound jump test (5max RJT) and a maximal 10-rebound jump test (10/5 RJT). Methods: Twenty male field-sport athletes (24.5 [3.0] y, 1.78 [0.1] m, 84.9 [5.2] kg) and 15 female participants (21.1 [0.9] y, 1.65 [0.73] m, 62.0 [5.1] kg) performed 2 maximal repetitions of the 5max RJT and the 10/5 RJT on 2 testing days after a specific warm-up. A 1-wk period separated testing days, and these sessions were preceded by a familiarization session. RSI was calculated by dividing jump height (in meters) by contact time (in seconds). The 5max RJT and the 10/5 RJT trial with the highest RSI on each testing day were used for reliability and usefulness analysis. Results: Both tests were deemed reliable for determining RSI for male, female, and pooled male and female cohorts, as the intraclass correlation coefficients were ≥.80 and the coefficient of variation was ≤10%. Only the 5max RJT was rated as “good” at detecting the smallest worthwhile change in performance for female athletes (smallest worthwhile change: 0.10 > typical error: 0.07). The 5max RJT for men and the 10/5 RJT for men and women were rated “good” in detecting a moderate change in performance only. Conclusions: Both tests are reliable for the determination of RSI, but the usefulness of the tests in detecting the smallest worthwhile change is questionable.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Hill ◽  
Sam Scott ◽  
Darragh McGee ◽  
Sean Cumming

AbstractIndividual differences in biological maturation present challenges for coaches involved with youth soccer players. Youth in the same chronological age group vary in terms of stage of maturity (pre, circum- and post-pubescent) and rate of growth, but how this affects coaches’ evaluations of player performance is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare youth soccer coaches’ evaluations of players match performances before, during and post growth spurt in a professional English soccer academy across four seasons. Two hundred and seventy-eight male soccer players in the under-9 to under-16 age-groups had their performances evaluated by their coach on a 4-point Likert scale. For each game, players were categorised by their maturity status estimated using percentage of predicted adult height at the time of observation. A one-way ANCOVA controlling for the level of opposition and game outcome revealed that coaches’ evaluations declined from the pre- to during growth spurt stages, however, this was only significant in the under 12 age-group. Further, coaches’ evaluations increased again in the post-growth spurt stage, although only significant in the under 15 age-group. Coaches evaluations of player performance appear to vary in accordance with stage of maturity and rate of growth. Practitioners in youth soccer should understand the extent to which maturity status may adversely impact performance and consider this when making talent selection decisions.


Retos ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 968-978
Author(s):  
Alcides Flores Paredes ◽  
Yeny Amaru Maquera

La mujer en el fútbol en las últimas décadas ha tenido grandes avances por su práctica deportiva y apoyo familiar, lo que le ha permitido ganar espacio en el fútbol. La investigación asumió el paradigma cualitativo, con diseño etnográfico mediante 31 entrevistas y dos grupos focales, se ha analizado las influencias socioculturales que enfrenta la mujer futbolista en la liga amateur de Puno-Perú. Algunos resultados de esta investigación señalan que existen influencias socioculturales que enfrenta la mujer futbolista y está asociada con las barreras sociales de desigualdad social y provienen de condiciones económicas media y baja, refieren no recibir apoyo por parte de los directivos y medios de comunicación, además reflejan haber recibido actitudes machistas y estigmas por su género y jugar al fútbol, siendo catalogadas como marimachos y que todos estos aspectos no les limita su práctica del fútbol. Se concluye que en la autoidentificación la mujer puneña muestra su propia personalidad, tiene confianza y maneja su propia vida y se resalta el papel de los padres de familia en la iniciación, práctica y permanencia del fútbol femenino.  Abstract. Women in soccer in recent decades have made great strides due to their sports practice and family support, which has allowed them to gain space in soccer. The research assumed the qualitative paradigm, with an ethnographic design through 31 interviews and two focus groups, the sociocultural influences faced by the female soccer player in the amateur league of Puno-Peru have been analyzed. Some results of this research indicate that there are sociocultural influences faced by the female soccer player and is associated with social barriers of social inequality and come from medium and low economic conditions, they refer not receiving support from managers and the media, they also reflect having received macho attitudes and stigmas due to their gender and playing soccer, being classified as tomboys and that all these aspects do not limit their practice of soccer. It is concluded that in self-identification the woman from Puno shows her own personality, has confidence and manages her own life and the role of parents in the initiation, practice and permanence of women's football is highlighted.


2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  

AbstractPurpose. The aim of this study was to compare the level of declarative tactical knowledge between U-11 and U-15 academy players. Methods. The sample comprised 36 U-11 (n = 18) and U-15 (n = 18) soccer players, with practice time of 1404.00 ± 469.52 hours and 2663.55 ± 594.91 hours, respectively. The players’ practice time was collected through a recording questionnaire. Declarative tactical knowledge was assessed through a verbal report used during a video simulation test. The answers provided during the test were scored as follows: best solution (1 point); second best solution (0.75 points); third best solution (0.50 points); fourth best solution (0.25 points); wrong solution (0 points). For statistical analysis, descriptive analysis was performed, as well as the Shapiro-Wilk and Mann-Whitney tests, with significance level set at p < 0.05. For statistical purposes, the SPSS 22.0 software was applied. Results. Significant differences were observed in declarative tactical knowledge between the U-11 and U-15 age groups. Players of the older age group displayed longer practice time and higher scores than their younger counterparts. Conclusions. Players with longer practice time (U-15) possess greater declarative tactical knowledge than those with less practice time (U-11), and declarative tactical knowledge is a factor that differentiates soccer players aged 11 and 15 years.


2000 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Curtis ◽  
Philip White ◽  
Barry McPherson

This study reports on age-group differences in leisure-time sport and physical activity involvement among a large sample of Canadians interviewed at 2 points during the 1980s. Comparisons are made for 5 age cohorts, for men and women, and without and with multivariate controls. The results contradict the usual finding of an inverse relationship between age and level of physical activity. On measures of (a) activity necessary to produce health benefits and (b) energy expenditure. Canadians over 65 were as active as, or more active than, their younger counterparts, and their activities did not decline over the 7 years between interviews. The extent of change varied by age and across women and men. Among women, increases in involvement were greatest in the middle-aged. Among men, the greatest increase was in the oldest age groups. For both genders, the youngest age cohort showed the smallest change over time, and there was evidence of slight declines in activity levels among young men.


2018 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 414-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn A. Gaesser ◽  
Wesley J. Tucker ◽  
Brandon J. Sawyer ◽  
Dharini M. Bhammar ◽  
Siddhartha S. Angadi

To determine whether age affects cycling efficiency and the energy cost of walking (Cw), 190 healthy adults, ages 18–81 yr, cycled on an ergometer at 50 W and walked on a treadmill at 1.34 m/s. Ventilation and gas exchange at rest and during exercise were used to calculate net Cw and net efficiency of cycling. Compared with the 18–40 yr age group (2.17 ± 0.33 J·kg−1·m−1), net Cw was not different in the 60–64 yr (2.20 ± 0.40 J·kg−1·m−1) and 65–69 yr (2.20 ± 0.28 J·kg−1·m−1) age groups, but was significantly ( P < 0.03) higher in the ≥70 yr (2.37 ± 0.33 J·kg−1·m−1) age group. For subjects >60 yr, net Cw was significantly correlated with age ( R2 = 0.123; P = 0.002). Cycling net efficiency was not different between 18–40 yr (23.5 ± 2.9%), 60–64 yr (24.5 ± 3.6%), 65–69 yr (23.3 ± 3.6%) and ≥70 yr (24.7 ± 2.7%) age groups. Repeat tests on a subset of subjects (walking, n = 43; cycling, n = 37) demonstrated high test-retest reliability [intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), 0.74–0.86] for all energy outcome measures except cycling net energy expenditure (ICC = 0.54) and net efficiency (ICC = 0.50). Coefficients of variation for all variables ranged from 3.1 to 7.7%. Considerable individual variation in Cw and efficiency was evident, with a ~2-fold difference between the least and most economical/efficient subjects. We conclude that, between 18 and 81 yr, net Cw was only higher for ages ≥70 yr, and that cycling net efficiency was not different across age groups. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study illustrates that the higher energy cost of walking in older adults is only evident for ages ≥70 yr. For older adults ages 60–69 yr, the energy cost of walking is similar to that of young adults. Cycling efficiency, by contrast, is not different across age groups. Considerable individual variation (∼2-fold) in cycling efficiency and energy cost of walking is observed in young and older adults.


Author(s):  
Sara J. Czaja ◽  
Joseph Sharit

Findings from research examining age and computer task performance indicate that older people perform less well than younger people on these types of tasks. The present study examined whether age-related performance differences are maintained with task experience. To address this issue one hundred and ten subjects, ranging in age from 20—75 yrs., performed a data entry task over a three day period. The task represented a simulation of a real world job. The data indicated significant age differences in work output (amount of data entered). Further, although there were significant improvements in performance with increased task experience across subjects, age group differences were maintained over time. With respect to errors there were no age effects and there was a significant reduction in errors across the three days. However, the pattern of change varied across age groups. These results are consistent with other studies which suggest that experience does not compensate for age effects for tasks which emphasize speed of processing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Leyhr ◽  
Fynn Bergmann ◽  
Robert Schreiner ◽  
David Mann ◽  
Damir Dugandzic ◽  
...  

Talent research has recommended that multidimensional assessments of performance are needed to improve the identification and development of talented young athletes. However, factors such as the relative age effect may cloud our ability to assess factors related to performance. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of any relationship between soccer players' chronological and relative age, and objective and subjective performance assessments. Data for highly talented male soccer players selected into the German Soccer Associations' talent promotion program (N = 16,138) for U12 to U15 age groups (Mage = 12.62 ± 1.04 years) were examined. Besides anthropometric assessments, players completed a battery of five motor tests that objectively assessed speed abilities and technical skills (specifically sprint, agility, dribbling, ball control, and juggling). In addition, coaches subjectively rated players on their kicking, tactical, and psychosocial skills, as well as providing holistic evaluations of each player's current and future performance levels. Correlation analyses were used to investigate the extent of any relationships between the chronological and relative age of players and their results for each of the assessments. A strong linear decrease in the frequency of later-born players confirmed the overrepresentation of early-born players in all age groups (0.92 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.95, each p &lt; 0.001). From U12 to U15, significant (each p &lt; 0.001) correlations were found between the chronological age of players and their height (|r| = 0.70), weight (|r| = 0.69), speed abilities (|r| = 0.38), and technical skills (|r| = 0.43). When evaluating each age group separately, small effects were found when correlating relative age with the anthropometric assessments (0.18 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.26), and only trivial effects with speed abilities and technical skills (0.01 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.06). Similarly, low correlations were found for the subjective evaluations of kicking, tactical, and psychosocial skills with chronological age across age groups (0.03 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.07), and with relative age in each age group (0.01 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.11). The results show a skewed distribution toward early-born players and—in reference to their relative age—advanced performance in late-born athletes. However, trends toward a better holistic rating of early-born players for current and future performance levels were found. Coaches should be aware of these effects during talent selection, but also when interpreting results from subjective and objective assessments of performance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eri Kiyoshige ◽  
Mai Kabayama ◽  
Yasuyuki Gondo ◽  
Yukie Masui ◽  
Hiroki Inagaki ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) is an indicator of whether a community-dwelling elderly can live independently. IADL decline was reported to be associated with aging and depression. The present study aimed to investigate whether the association between IADL decline and depressive symptoms differs with aging, using two age groups of community-dwelling Japanese elderly in their 70s and 80s. Methods We conducted longitudinal analysis among participants in their 70s and 80s at the baseline from Septuagenarians, Octogenarians, Nonagenarians Investigation with Centenarians (SONIC) study. IADL was assessed by The Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (TMIG) index of competence. As a main predictor, depressive symptoms were measured by the five-item version of the Geriatrics Depression Scale (GDS-5). As possible confounders, we considered cognitive function, body mass index, solitary living, education, economic status, medical history of stroke and heart disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and sex. We obtained odds ratios (ORs) of IADL decline for having depressive symptoms in each age group (70s/80s) and tested interactions between depressive symptoms and age groups in relation to IADL decline in 3 years by logistic regression. Additionally, to confirm age group differences, we conducted multiple group analysis. Results There were 559 participants in their 70s and 519 in their 80s. Compared to participants without depressive symptoms, those with depressive symptoms had higher OR of IADL decline in 70s (OR [95% CI] = 2.33 [1.13, 4.78]), but not in 80s (OR [95% CI] = 0.85 [0.46, 1.53]). There were significant interactions between depressive symptoms and age groups in relation to IADL decline (p-value = 0.03). Multiple group analyses showed differences between the age groups by Akaike information criterion (AIC), and ORs (95%CI) decline for depressive symptoms was 2.33 (1.14, 4.77) in 70s and 0.85 (0.47, 1.54) in 80s. Conclusion The association of depressive symptoms and IADL decline during the 3 years was significantly different between the 70s and 80s age groups, and significant association was found only in people in their 70s. Detecting depressive symptoms may be a key for preventing IADL decline in people in their 70s and not for those in their 80s.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Will Abbott ◽  
Callum Brashill ◽  
Adam Brett ◽  
Tom Clifford

Purpose: To investigate the effects of tart cherry juice (TCJ) on recovery from a soccer match in professional players. Methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, 10 male professional soccer players from the reserve team of an English Premier League Club (age 19 [1] y, height 1.8 [0.6] m, body mass 77.3 [6.4] kg) consumed 2 × 30-mL servings of TCJ or an isocaloric cherry-flavored control drink (CON) before and after a 90-minute match and 12 and 36 hours after the match. Muscle function (countermovement jump height and reactive strength index), subjective well-being, and subjective muscle soreness were measured before and 12, 36, and 60 hours after each match. Results: Countermovement jump height was similarly reduced in the days after the match after TCJ and CON supplementation, with the greatest loss occurring at 12-hour postmatch (−5.9% [3.1%] vs −5.4% [2.9%], of baseline values, respectively; P = .966; ). Decrements in reactive strength index were also greatest at 12-hour postmatch (TCJ −9.4% [8.4%] vs CON −13.9% [4.8%], of baseline values), but no group differences were observed at any time point (P = .097; ). Muscle soreness increased 12- to 60-hour postmatch in both groups, peaking at 12-hour postmatch (TCJ 122 [27] mm vs CON 119 [22] mm), but no group differences were observed (P = .808; ). No interaction effects were observed for subjective well-being (P = .874; ). Conclusions: TCJ did not hasten recovery after a soccer match in professional players. These findings bring into question the use of TCJ as a recovery aid in professional soccer players.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document