A Compound Hop Index for Assessing Soccer Players’ Performance

Athletes regularly have to pass a series of tests, among which one of the most frequently used functional performance measures are single-leg hop tests. As the collected individual results of tests constitute a large amount of data, strategies to decrease the amount of data without reducing the number of performed tests are being searched for. Therefore, the study aimed to present an effective method to reduce the hop-test battery data to a single score, namely, the Compound Hop Index (CHI) in the example of a soccer team. A male, first-league soccer team performed a battery of commonly used single-leg hop tests, including single hop and triple hop for distance tests and the six-meter timed hop test. Gathered data, including Limb Symmetry Indexes of the three tests, normalized to body height for the single- and triple-hop-tests distance separately for right and left legs, and the time of the six-meter timed hop test separately for right and left legs were standardized to z-scores. Consecutively, the z-scores were averaged and formed CHI. The developed CHI represents a novel score derived from the average of z-scores that significantly reduces, clarifies, and organizes the hop performance-measures data.

Anthropometric and capacitive analysis of the Ecuadorian senior national women's soccer team (Análisis antropométrico y capacitivo del equipo nacional femenino de fútbol de mayores de Ecuador)

The development of women's football worldwide points to the resignification of the approach to team preparation, where anthropometric and capacitive variables play an important role. Ecuador shows no precedent for studies in high-level female soccer players. Accordingly, the objective focused on analyzing the state of anthropometric and capacitive variables of 22 soccer players of the Ecuadorian senior women's national team, which represent 100% of the population. It started from the morphological diagnosis of equipment applying 19 measurements under the protocol of marking and measurement of the International Society for the development of Kineanthropometry (ISAK), the evaluation of the explosive force through three jumps (Tests SJ, CMJ and Abalakob ( AB) and speed (35 meters), The data were subjected to normality criteria (Shapiro-Wilk test), the result of which indicated that the values ​​did not follow a normal distribution, therefore the non-parametric ANOVA test of a Kruskal - Wallis Factor for independent samples. The study was preceded by three research hypotheses. It is shown that there are no significant differences in the variables analyzed by position, being p> 0.05, H0 is accepted in all cases. The results allowed to characterize the team morphologically with a Meso-Endomorph somatotype, irregularities were found in some variables of the morphology of the soccer players (IDG / IMO), suggesting how conclusion a nutritional dietary planning, and enhance muscle mass in the lower extremities from the management of physical direction. Resumen. El desarrollo del fútbol femenino a nivel mundial, apunta hacia la resignificación del enfoque de la preparación de los equipos, donde juega un rol importante las variables antropométricas y capacitivas. Ecuador no muestra precedentes de estudios en mujeres futbolistas de alto nivel. En concordancia el objetivo se centró en analizar el estado de variables antropométricas y capacitivas de 22 futbolistas del equipo nacional femenino de mayores de Ecuador, las cuales representan el 100% de la población. Se partió del diagnóstico morfológico de equipo aplicando 19 mediciones bajo el protocolo de marcaje y medición de la Sociedad Internacional para el desarrollo de la Cineantropometría (ISAK), la evaluación de la fuerza explosiva a través de tres saltos (Tests SJ, CMJ y Abalakob (AB) y la rapidez (35 metros), Los datos se sometieron a criterios de normalidad (test de Shapiro-Wilk), cuyo resultado indicó que los valores no siguen una distribución normal, en virtud de ello se empleó la prueba no paramétrica ANOVA de un Factor de Kruskal - Wallis para muestras independiente. El estudio estuvo precedido por tres hipótesis de investigación. Se demuestra que no existen diferencias significativas en las variables analizadas por posición; al ser p>0,05 se acepta H0 en todos los casos. Los resultados permitieron caracterizar morfológicamente al equipo con un somatotipo Meso-Endomorfo, se comprueba irregularidades en algunas variables de la morfología de las futbolistas (IDG/ IMO) sugiriendo como conclusión una planificación dietético nutricional, y potenciar la masa muscular en las extremidades inferiores desde la gestión de la dirección física.

Practice versus Game External Load Measures in Starters and Non-Starters of a Men’s Collegiate Soccer Team

Monitoring external loads may minimize injury risk and improve physical performance. The purpose was to describe the external loads of a men’s collegiate soccer team during practice and games at the start of in-season play. In the first 2 weeks of the competitive season, National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I soccer athletes (n=19; mean±SD, age: 20.3±0.9 yr; body mass: 77.9±6.8kg; body height: 178.87±7.18cm; body fat: 10.0±5.0%; VO2max: 65.39±7.61mL/kg/min) wore a global positional system device (GPS/GNSS) during practices (n=8) and games (n=3). Starters were classified as players who maintained a minimum playing time of 45 minutes per game (n=10); other players were considered non-starters (n=9). External load metrics collected were: total distance (TD), player load (PL), high-speed distance (HSD, >13 mph (5.8 m/s)), high inertial movement analysis (IMA, >3.5m/s2), and repeated high intensity efforts (RHIE). Multivariate and repeated measures analyses of variance assessed differences in external load measures for practices and games in starters and non-starters. Relative to game loads, practices were quantified as high (>1 SD above the mean), medium (1 SD below the mean), low (2 SD below the mean) and very low (3 SD below the mean). For starters and non-starters, TD, PL, HSD, IMA, and RHIEs were lower in practices compared to games (p<0.001). No practices were classified as high or medium for any external load measure, with the majority of practices (75-100%) being classified as very low. Therefore, practice did not simulate game volumes or intensities. An individualized approach to monitoring is recommended to ensure starters receive adequate recovery and non-starters receive exposure to game-load physical stress.

Contextual Variation in External and Internal Workloads across the Competitive Season of a Collegiate Women’s Soccer Team

As sports technology has continued to develop, monitoring athlete workloads, performance, and recovery has demonstrated boundless benefits for athlete and team success. Specifically, technologies such as global positioning systems (GPS) and heart rate (HR) monitors have granted the opportunity to delve deeper into performance contributors, and how variations may exist based upon context. A team of NCAA Division I women’s soccer athletes were monitored during games throughout one competitive season. Individual athlete, positional groups, and team external and internal workloads were explored for differences based upon game location, opponent ranking, game result, and the final score differential. Game location and opponent ranking were found to have no effect on team-wide absolute or relative external workloads, whereas game result and score differential did. Internal workloads across the team tended to only vary by game half, independent of game context; however, the HR of defenders was determined to be higher during losses as compared to wins (p = 0.0256). Notably, the games that resulted in losses also represented the games with the fewest number of substitutions. These findings suggest high value in monitoring performance and workloads that are characteristic of varying, often multifaceted, contexts. It is hoped that this information can lead to more informed approaches to vital game-time and coaching decisions.

5-A-SIDE SOCCER: PREVALENCE OF SPORTS INJURIES IN BRAZILIAN TEAM PLAYERS

ABSTRACT Introduction: 5-a-side soccer is a sports modality exclusively for athletes with vision impairment (VI) classified as blind - B1 (Blind 1) by the visual classification process. Type of impairment and high-performance training are factors that contribute to the development of sports injuries. Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the prevalence of sports-related injuries in visually disabled athletes of the Brazilian 5-a-side soccer team. Methods: The method was defined as a descriptive, longitudinal, epidemiological study. The sample was composed of ten male athletes, members of the Brazilian 5-a-side soccer team, including two athletes without VI and eight athletes with the B1 visual classification, who participated in competitions in 2014. The questionnaire for the data collection was based on the Sport Injuries Protocol for Paralympic Sports (PLEEP), expressing quantitative data analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: The results showed that, in 2014, five athletes with VI had seven sports injuries, with a prevalence of 62.5%, clinical incidence of 0.87 injuries per athlete per year, and 1.4 injuries per injured athlete. The main sports injuries were muscle strain (28.6%), groin pull (athletic pubalgia) (28.6%), and shin splints (periostitis) (28.6%). All sports injuries occurred in the lower limbs, affecting legs (71.4%) and hips (28.6%). Overload was the most frequent mechanism (57%), reported after the technical kick movement and linked to the muscle imbalance between dominant and supporting lower limbs, in addition to the postural misalignment typical of people with visual impairments. Conclusions: In summary, the Brazilian 5-a-side soccer athletes presented a pattern of overload injuries resulting from the repetition of the technical kick movement, occurring predominantly in sports competitions. Epidemiological data can contribute to the development of strategies to prevent injuries in this sport. Level of evidence II, Progressive prognostic study.

In-season monotony, strain and acute/chronic workload of perceived exertion, global positioning system running based variables between player positions of a top elite soccer team

Background The interpretation of the load variations across a period seems important to control the weekly progression or variation of the load, or to identify within- micro and mesocycle variations. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the in-season variations of training monotony, training strain, and acute: chronic workload ratio (ACWR) through session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE), total distance and high-speed running (HSR) according to playing positions in an elite soccer team. Methods Seventeen professional players from an European First League team participated in this study. They were divided four central defenders (CD), three wide defenders (WD), four central midfielders (CM), three wide midfielders (WM) and three strikers (ST). The players were monitored daily over a 41-week period of competition where 52 matches occurred during the 2015–2016 in-season. Through the collection of s-RPE, total distance and HSR, training monotony, training strain and ACWR were calculated for each measure, respectively. Data were analysed across ten mesocycles (M: 1–10). Results The main results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) for TMs-RPE between CD vs. ST (moderate effect) in M2; between CD vs. CM (moderate effect) for TS of s-RPE; between CD vs. ST moderate effect) in M6 for ACWR of s-RPE. In addition, there was significant difference between CM vs. ST (moderate effect) in M2 for TS of TD; between WD vs. ST (moderate effect) in M3 for ACWR of TD. Moreover, there were significant differences for TM of HSR between CD vs. WD (very large effect); CD vs. WD (moderate effect) in M4 for TS of HSR. Conclusions The present study presents new insights to coaches and technical staff about the variation profiling of TM, TS, and ACWR calculated with internal and external load measures, between player positions during 10 mesocycles.

Effect of post-training and post-match antioxidants on oxidative stress and inflammation in professional soccer players (Efecto de los antioxidantes post-entrenamiento y post-partido sobre el estrés oxidativo y la inflamación en jugadores profesionales d

The objective of this study was to determine if the addition of post-activity antioxidants is a useful strategy for improving the specific analytical parameters related to oxidative stress and inflammation. The study was carried out in an Italian Serie A soccer team, between October, 2019 and January, 2020. In October, the measurements were carried out on the players without having taken post-activity antioxidant supplementation. The intervention period corresponded from the end of October to the beginning of January, a period in which post- activity antioxidants were supplemented. The results obtained confirmed that the players who took antioxidants during the intervention period in the form of a mixture of a natural pineapple smoothie with a concentrate of tart cherry, pomegranate, black currant and beet in stick form, significantly improved the parameters associated with oxidative stress, although a significant improvement in the parameters related to inflammation was not observed. The use of antioxidants for a period of seventy days is a post-activity intervention strategy that can be considered effective for improving the reduction of parameters related to the oxidative effect derived from the practice of physical exercise at a professional level in soccer, although more studies are needed to determine the anti-inflammatory effect. Resumen. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si la inclusión de antioxidantes post-actividad es una estrategia útil para mejorar los parámetros analíticos específicos relacionados con el estrés oxidativo y la inflamación. El estudio se llevó a cabo en un equipo de fútbol de la Serie A italiana, entre octubre de 2019 y enero de 2020. En octubre, las mediciones se llevaron a cabo en los jugadores sin haber tomado la suplementación antioxidante post-actividad. El periodo de intervención correspondió desde finales de octubre hasta principios de enero, periodo en el que se suplementaron los antioxidantes post-actividad. Los resultados obtenidos confirmaron que los jugadores que tomaron antioxidantes durante el periodo de intervención en forma de una mezcla de un licuado de piña natural con un concentrado de cereza ácida, granada, grosella negra y remolacha en forma de stick, mejoraron significativamente los parámetros asociados al estrés oxidativo, aunque no se observó una mejora significativa en los parámetros relacionados con la inflamación. El uso de antioxidantes durante un periodo de setenta días es una estrategia de intervención post-actividad que puede considerarse eficaz para mejorar la reducción de los parámetros relacionados con el efecto oxidativo derivado de la práctica de ejercicio físico a nivel profesional en el fútbol, aunque se necesitan más estudios para determinar el efecto antiinflamatorio.

Internal training and match load quantification of one-match week schedules in female first league Portugal soccer team

La cuantificación de la carga de entrenamiento (TL) permite a los entrenadores gestionar la carga durante el entrenamiento con el objetivo de estar en la mejor forma física para la próxima competición. El propósito de este estudio fue comparar la Percepción Subjetiva de Esfuerzo (s-RPE) y el Índice Hooper (HI) entre deportes y partidos de un solo equipo de fútbol de la principal liga femenina portuguesa. En este estudio participaron dieciséis jugadores con una media ± DE edad, altura y peso de 24,0 ± 2,9 años, 164 ± 4,1 cm y 58,5 ± 8,2 kg, respectivamente. Los participantes completaron ≥80% de las sesiones de entrenamiento durante la temporada 2019/20. Los datos evaluados fueron s-RPE y HI, que midieron la calidad de la grasa, la fatiga, el estrés y el dolor muscular (DOMS). Los datos se analizaron en relación al número de días durante un microciclo competitivo (semana de juego), es decir, menos día de juego (MD-) con tres sesiones de entrenamiento por semana (MD-5; MD-4; MD-2). El estudio analizó datos para un total de 12 juegos y 45 sesiones de entrenamiento con ANOVA de medidas repetidas, p≤0,05. Los resultados mostraron diferencias entre MD-5 (85,2 ± 0,3min) vs MD-4 (87,2 ± 0,4min) vs MD-2 (80,6 ± 0.6min) vs MD (62,8 ± 4,9min), todos p <0,05; s-RPE mostró valores más altos en MD-5 (503,8 ± 19,0ua) vs MD-4 (473,2 ± 14,8ua) vs MD-2 (362,1 ± 12,1ua) vs MD (468, 2 ± 40,5ua); El HI mostró valores más altos en MD-5 (13,4 ± 0,5ua) frente a MD-4 (13,4 ± 0,4ua) frente a MD-2 (12,7 ± 0,5ua) frente a MD (11, 9 ± 0,4ua); DOMS reveló diferencias entre MD-4 vs MD-2 (3,1 ± 0,2 vs 2,7 ± 0,2ua), p<0,05. Se ha demostrado que existe una mayor carga de entrenamiento en el MD-5 y MD-4 en comparación con el MD-2. Los resultados de HI mostraron que la grasa, la fatiga, el estrés y DOMS estaban bien controlados por el equipo técnico y los jugadores. Training load (TL) quantification allow coaches to a better load management during training sessions to be in the best physical fitness to the next match. The aim of this study was to compare session rated of perceived exertion (s-RPE) and Hooper Index (HI) between training and match days from the same women’s Portuguese League team. Sixteen players with a mean±SD age, height and weight of 24.0±2.9 years, 164±4.1 cm and 58.5±8.2 kg, respectively, participated in this study. The participants completed ≥80% of the training sessions during 2019/20 in-season. Data was collected through the s-RPE and the HI that measured sleep quality, fatigue, stress, and muscle soreness (DOMS). Data was analysed in relation to the number of days away from the competitive one-match week (i.e., match day minus, MD-) with three training sessions a week (MD-5; MD-4; MD-2). The study analysed data from a total of 12 matches and 45 training sessions with repeated measures ANOVA, p≤0.05. Results showed differences between MD-5 (85.2±0.3min) vs MD-4 (87.2±0.4min) vs MD-2 (80.6±0.6min) vs MD (62.8±4.9min), all p<0.05; s-RPE showed higher values on MD-5 (503.8±19.0au) vs MD-4 (473.2±14.8au) vs MD-2 (362.1±12.1au) vs MD (468.2±40.5au); HI showed higher values on MD-5 (13.4±0.5au) vs MD-4 (13.4±0.4au) vs MD-2 (12.7±0.5au) vs MD (11.9±0.4au); DOMS revealed difference between MD-4 vs MD-2 (3.1±0.2 vs 2.7±0.2au), p<0.05. It was shown that there is a higher TL on MD-5 and MD-4 compared with MD-2. Results from HI showed that sleep, fatigue, stress and DOMS was well fair controlled by coaches and staff. A quantificação da carga de treino (CT) permite aos treinadores uma melhor gestão da carga dos jogadores durante as sessões de treino para que estejam na melhor condição física para o próximo jogo. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os valores da perceção subjetiva de esforço (s-RPE) e o Índice Hooper (HI) entre dias de treino e de jogo numa equipa feminina de Futebol da principal Liga feminina portuguesa. Participaram neste estudo dezasseis jogadoras com média ± DP de idade, altura e peso de 24,0 ± 2,9 anos, 164 ± 4,1 cm e 58,5 ± 8,2 kg, respetivamente. As participantes completaram ≥80% das sessões de treino durante a temporada de 2019/20. Os dados avaliados foram o s-RPE e o HI que mediu a qualidade do sono, fadiga, stresse e dor muscular (DOMS). Os dados foram recolhidos através do s-RPE e do IH que avaliaram a qualidade do sono, fadiga, stress e dor muscular (DOMS). Os dados foram analisados em relação ao número de dias para o jogo competitivo (ou seja, dia de jogo menos, MD-) com três sessões de treino por semana (MD-5; MD-4; MD-2). O estudo analisou 12 jogos e 45 sessões de treino através de medidas repetidas ANOVA, p≤0,05. Os resultados mostraram diferenças entre MD-5 (85,2±0,3min) vs MD-4 (87,2±0,4min) vs MD-2 (80,6±0,6min) vs MD (62,8±4,9min), todos p<0,05; s-RPE mostrou valores mais altos em MD-5 (503,8±19,0au) vs MD-4 (473,2±14,8au) vs MD-2 (362,1±12,1au) vs MD (468,2±40,5au); HI mostrou valores mais altos em MD-5 (13,4±0,5au) vs MD-4 (13,4±0,4au) vs MD-2 (12,7±0,5au) vs MD (11,9±0,4au); DOMS revelou diferença entre MD-4 vs MD-2 (3,1±0,2 vs 2,7±0,2au), p<0,05. Foi demonstrado que existe uma maior CT no MD-5 e MD-4 em comparação com o MD-2. Os resultados do HI mostraram que o sono, fadiga, stress e DOMS foi bem controlado pelos treinadores e staff.

Análise observacional das ações dos guarda-redes de futebol jovem

El portero tiene un papel importante en el proceso ofensivo y defensivo de un equipo de fútbol. El objetivo del estudio era analizar las acciones ofensivas y defensivas de los GR U-17 del fútbol, utilizando la metodología observacional. GR Sub-17 (n=4) fue analizado en Se analizaron treinta partidos del campeonato del distrito de AF Lisboa. La muestra observacional consistió en 286 acciones defensivas y 790 acciones ofensivas. Utilizamos los sistemas de observación de las acciones técnico-tácticas ofensivas y defensivas de los porteros. Las acciones observadas fueron codificadas utilizando el programa informático LINCE versión 1.3. El procesamiento de datos se realizó a través de análisis descriptivos, de la prueba U-Mann Whitney para comparar las acciones en la condición de local y visitante y estadísticas gráficas. Verificamos en las acciones defensivas un mayor número de ocurrencias en forma de intervención fuera de gol (n=140; 4.66±2.57), acción como la última defensa (n=102; 3.4±2.34), forma de ejecución técnica con ambas manos (n= 205; 6,83±3,32) y zona final de la acción técnica 1 (n=155; 5,16±3,19). En las acciones ofensivas registramos más ocurrencias para la forma en que la pelota llegó al portero a través del retardo (n=263; 8.76±3.89), inicio de la acción en la zona 1(n=205; 13,30±4,72), patada de objetivo corto de acción técnica (n=191; 6,36±3,99), ataque posicional de decisión táctica (n=498; 16.60±5.87), fin de la acción de mantenimiento de la posesión (n=593; 19,76±5,81) y zona final de la acción 5 (n=131; 4,36±3,47). En el proceso defensivo, la acción del portero tiene una enorme preponderancia como la última defensa y defensa de la portería. En el proceso ofensivo, las acciones técnicas con los pies son relevantes en la participación en la construcción del ataque posicional. La acción de los porteros está influenciada por la condición del visitante. The goalkeeper (GK) has a major role in the offensive and defensive process of a soccer team. The aim of the study focused on the analysis of the offensive and defensive actions of the U-17 soccer GK, using observational methodology. U-17 GK (n=4) was analyzed in thirty Lisbon FA U-17 championship games. The observational sample consisted of 286 defensive actions and 790 offensive actions. We used the observational systems of the offensive and defensive technical-tactical GK’ actions. The actions observed were codified using the LINCE version 1.3 computer program. Data processing was performed through descriptive analysis, of the U-Mann Whitney test to compare actions in home and away condition and graphical statistics. We verified in the defensive actions a higher number of occurrences in the intervention form come off from goal (n=140; 4.66±2.57), action as last defender (n=102; 3.4±2,34), technical execution form with two hands (n= 205; 6.83±3.32) and final zone of technical action 1 (n=155; 5.16±3,19). In the offensive actions we recorded more occurrences for ball arrives the GK through back pass (n=263; 8.76±3.89), start of the action in zone 1 (n=205; 13.30±4.72), technical action short goal kick (n=191; 6.36±3.99), tactical decision positional attack (n=498; 16.60±5.87), final action maintenance of ball possession (n=593; 19.76±5.81) and final zone of action 5 (n=131; 4.36±3.47). In the defensive process, the action of the GKs has enormous preponderance in the action as the last defense and goal defense. In the offensive process, technical actions with the feet are relevant in the positional attack construction participation. The GK’ action is influenced by the condition of home game or visitor. O guarda-redes (GR) tem uma ação preponderante no processo ofensivo e defensivo de uma equipa de futebol. O objetivo do estudo centrou-se na análise das ações ofensivas e defensivas do GR sub-17 de futebol, recorrendo à metodologia observacional. Foram analisados GR Sub-17 (n=4) em 30 jogos do campeonato distrital da AF Lisboa. A amostra observacional foi de 286 ações defensivas e 790 ações ofensivas. Utilizámos os sistemas de observação das ações técnico-táticas ofensivas e defensivas dos GR. As ações observadas foram codificadas recorrendo ao software informático LINCE versão 1.3. O tratamento de dados foi realizado através da análise descritiva, do teste U-Mann Whitney para comparar as ações na condição de casa e fora e estatística gráfica. Verificámos nas ações defensivas maior número de ocorrências na forma de intervenção saída da baliza (n=140; 4.66±2.57), ação como último defesa (n=102; 3.4±2.34), forma de execução técnica com as duas mãos (n= 205; 6.83±3.32) e zona final da ação técnica 1 (n=155; 5.16±3.19). Nas ações ofensivas registámos mais ocorrências para forma de chegada da bola ao GR através de atraso (n=263; 8.76±3.89), início da ação na zona 1 (n=205; 13.30±4.72), ação técnica pontapé de baliza curto (n=191; 6.36±3.99), decisão tática ataque posicional (n=498; 16.60±5.87), final da ação manutenção da posse de bola (n=593; 19.76±5.81) e zona final da ação 5 (n=131; 4.36±3.47). No processo defensivo, a ação dos GR tem enorme preponderância como último defesa e defesa da baliza. No processo ofensivo as ações técnicas com os pés são relevantes na participação na construção do ataque posicional. A ação dos GR é influenciada pela condição de visitado ou visitante.