Pub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2024-11-05DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.144410
Fan Zihan, Fu Yanqing, Wu Ying
The aim was to explore the impact of ischemic conditioning (IC) before or after strength training (ST) on recovery and to compare IC with traditional recovery methods (static stretching and foam rolling). Thirtyseven healthy males were divided into four groups: CON (no intervention), TRA (stretching and foam rolling after ST), IPC (IC before ST), and PEIC (IC after ST). The ST protocol consisted of five sessions, spaced every two days. Muscle soreness, thigh circumference (TC), countermovement jumps (CMJ), knee isokinetic muscle strength (peak torque [PT], relative peak torque [RPT]), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured at baseline, 24 h after the first intervention (1st-24 h), and 24 h and 48 h after the fifth intervention (5th-24 h, 5th-48 h). No significant differences were found in CMJ in PEIC at all timepoints (P > 0.05), while IPC had lower CMJ at 1st-24 h than baseline (P < 0.05). Right quadriceps RPT and PT in TRA were unchanged at all timepoints (P > 0.05), whereas IPC and PEIC had lower values at 1st-24 h than baseline (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in LDH and IL-6 in IPC and PEIC at all timepoints (P > 0.05), but TRA showed significant differences in LDH at 1st-24 h and in IL-6 at 1st-24 h and 5th-24 h than baseline (P < 0.05). Results indicated acute PEIC better maintained CMJ than IPC. Acute TRA promoted faster recovery of lower extremity strength than IC, while IC led to a faster recovery of muscle damage and inflammation than TRA.
{"title":"The effects of different ischemic conditioning on strength training recovery.","authors":"Fan Zihan, Fu Yanqing, Wu Ying","doi":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.144410","DOIUrl":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.144410","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim was to explore the impact of ischemic conditioning (IC) before or after strength training (ST) on recovery and to compare IC with traditional recovery methods (static stretching and foam rolling). Thirtyseven healthy males were divided into four groups: CON (no intervention), TRA (stretching and foam rolling after ST), IPC (IC before ST), and PEIC (IC after ST). The ST protocol consisted of five sessions, spaced every two days. Muscle soreness, thigh circumference (TC), countermovement jumps (CMJ), knee isokinetic muscle strength (peak torque [PT], relative peak torque [RPT]), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured at baseline, 24 h after the first intervention (1<sup>st</sup>-24 h), and 24 h and 48 h after the fifth intervention (5<sup>th</sup>-24 h, 5<sup>th</sup>-48 h). No significant differences were found in CMJ in PEIC at all timepoints (P > 0.05), while IPC had lower CMJ at 1<sup>st</sup>-24 h than baseline (P < 0.05). Right quadriceps RPT and PT in TRA were unchanged at all timepoints (P > 0.05), whereas IPC and PEIC had lower values at 1<sup>st</sup>-24 h than baseline (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in LDH and IL-6 in IPC and PEIC at all timepoints (P > 0.05), but TRA showed significant differences in LDH at 1<sup>st</sup>-24 h and in IL-6 at 1<sup>st</sup>-24 h and 5<sup>th</sup>-24 h than baseline (P < 0.05). Results indicated acute PEIC better maintained CMJ than IPC. Acute TRA promoted faster recovery of lower extremity strength than IC, while IC led to a faster recovery of muscle damage and inflammation than TRA.</p>","PeriodicalId":55365,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Sport","volume":"42 2","pages":"237-248"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11963143/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2024-09-06DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.142642
Zuoming Fang, Zhaoyang Wang, Xueliang Li, Miguel-Angel Gómez, Hongyou Liu
This study aims to investigate the changes in physical and technical performance of professional soccer players during effective playing time after the worst-case scenario (WCS) identified by the high-intensity running (HIR) distance using rolling average. A total of 576 matches (n = 13,298 observations) from the 2019 to 2021 season of the Chinese Super League (CSL) were analyzed by a video tracking system. Generalized mixed linear models were established to determine the mean changes in the value of 7 physical and 24 technical performance-related parameters in the effective playing time from the 5 min of WCS (Peak5) to the initial 5 minutes post-WCS (Post5). Results showed that: (1) For all the players in the Post5 total distance, HIR distance, and Sprint decreased by 16.6% (ES; ± 99%CL: 0.57; ± 0.04), 77.2% (2.78; ± 0.06), and 86.1% (2.11; ± 0.08), respectively. The number of efforts, average duration, average speed, and average length of HIR declined by 70.8% (2.26; ± 0.06), 31.7% (0.78; ± 0.05), 3.1% (0.52; ± 0.05), and 22.9% (0.83; ± 0.05), respectively; (2) In the Post5, a substantial decrement in the number (0.23; ± 0.03), average speed (0.32; ± 0.06) and average length (0.37; ± 0.06) of running with the ball, and average speed receiving the ball (0.5; ± 0.05) was observed for all players. While only trivial changes were detected in all the other technical performance-related parameters. It can be concluded that, in the Post5, there is a temporary decline in physical output and the physical-related technical parameters for players, however, there are no meaningful changes in other technical performancerelated parameters.
{"title":"Physical and technical performance in and after the worst-case scenario in matches of the Chinese Super League of soccer.","authors":"Zuoming Fang, Zhaoyang Wang, Xueliang Li, Miguel-Angel Gómez, Hongyou Liu","doi":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.142642","DOIUrl":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.142642","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aims to investigate the changes in physical and technical performance of professional soccer players during effective playing time after the worst-case scenario (WCS) identified by the high-intensity running (HIR) distance using rolling average. A total of 576 matches (n = 13,298 observations) from the 2019 to 2021 season of the Chinese Super League (CSL) were analyzed by a video tracking system. Generalized mixed linear models were established to determine the mean changes in the value of 7 physical and 24 technical performance-related parameters in the effective playing time from the 5 min of WCS (Peak5) to the initial 5 minutes post-WCS (Post5). Results showed that: (1) For all the players in the Post5 total distance, HIR distance, and Sprint decreased by 16.6% (ES; ± 99%CL: 0.57; ± 0.04), 77.2% (2.78; ± 0.06), and 86.1% (2.11; ± 0.08), respectively. The number of efforts, average duration, average speed, and average length of HIR declined by 70.8% (2.26; ± 0.06), 31.7% (0.78; ± 0.05), 3.1% (0.52; ± 0.05), and 22.9% (0.83; ± 0.05), respectively; (2) In the Post5, a substantial decrement in the number (0.23; ± 0.03), average speed (0.32; ± 0.06) and average length (0.37; ± 0.06) of running with the ball, and average speed receiving the ball (0.5; ± 0.05) was observed for all players. While only trivial changes were detected in all the other technical performance-related parameters. It can be concluded that, in the Post5, there is a temporary decline in physical output and the physical-related technical parameters for players, however, there are no meaningful changes in other technical performancerelated parameters.</p>","PeriodicalId":55365,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Sport","volume":"42 2","pages":"95-103"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11963117/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2024-08-30DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.139859
Qi Xu, Rui Miguel Silva, Piotr Zmijewski, TingYu Li, Dong Ma, LiuXi Yang, GuiYang Liu, Filipe Manuel Clemente
This study aimed to investigate the effects of 8-week programmes based on recreational soccer (SCG) and basketball (BCG) conditioned games compared to self-exercise (SECG) and inactive (ICG) control groups on anthropometry, body composition, resting heart rate (RHR), and blood pressure among sedentary overweight and obese men and women. The study included 90 volunteers (aged 19.8 ± 1.5 years; 45 women) who were assessed twice, before and after the intervention, for the waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and body composition (skinfold sum and %body fat), RHR and systolic (BPs) and diastolic (BPd) blood pressure. Members of the experimental groups participated in three training sessions per week, while the control groups either maintained their routines or engaged in self-regulated exercises. Time × group interactions were found for BMI (p < 0.001; = 0.339), body fat (p < 0.001; = 0.317), WC (p < 0.001; = 0.429), skinfold sum (p < 0.001; = 0.818), RHR (p < 0.001; = 0.572), BPs (p < 0.001 = 0.534) and BPd (p < 0.001; = 0.633). Between-group analysis revealed greater improvements in BMI (p < 0.05), body fat (p < 0.05), WC (p < 0.05), skinfold sum (p < 0.05), RHR (p < 0.001), and BPd (p < 0.001) in the SCG and BCG compared to the SECG and ICG. No differences in improvements between the groups were observed. No time × group interactions were observed for sex (p > 0.05). The results suggest that intervention programmes based on recreational games such as basketball or soccer are effective in improving anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and cardiovascular health in sedentary overweight and obese men and women, and are independent of sex. The effectiveness is greater when accompanied by a more significant reduction in energy intake. Engaging in self-controlled physical activity proved to be beneficial when compared to remaining inactive, despite changes in dietary intake.
{"title":"Recreational soccer and basketball improve anthropometric, body composition and health-related outcomes in overweight and obese young adults: A randomized multi-arm study.","authors":"Qi Xu, Rui Miguel Silva, Piotr Zmijewski, TingYu Li, Dong Ma, LiuXi Yang, GuiYang Liu, Filipe Manuel Clemente","doi":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.139859","DOIUrl":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.139859","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to investigate the effects of 8-week programmes based on recreational soccer (SCG) and basketball (BCG) conditioned games compared to self-exercise (SECG) and inactive (ICG) control groups on anthropometry, body composition, resting heart rate (RHR), and blood pressure among sedentary overweight and obese men and women. The study included 90 volunteers (aged 19.8 ± 1.5 years; 45 women) who were assessed twice, before and after the intervention, for the waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and body composition (skinfold sum and %body fat), RHR and systolic (BPs) and diastolic (BPd) blood pressure. Members of the experimental groups participated in three training sessions per week, while the control groups either maintained their routines or engaged in self-regulated exercises. Time × group interactions were found for BMI (p < 0.001; = 0.339), body fat (p < 0.001; = 0.317), WC (p < 0.001; = 0.429), skinfold sum (p < 0.001; = 0.818), RHR (p < 0.001; = 0.572), BPs (p < 0.001 = 0.534) and BPd (p < 0.001; = 0.633). Between-group analysis revealed greater improvements in BMI (p < 0.05), body fat (p < 0.05), WC (p < 0.05), skinfold sum (p < 0.05), RHR (p < 0.001), and BPd (p < 0.001) in the SCG and BCG compared to the SECG and ICG. No differences in improvements between the groups were observed. No time × group interactions were observed for sex (p > 0.05). The results suggest that intervention programmes based on recreational games such as basketball or soccer are effective in improving anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and cardiovascular health in sedentary overweight and obese men and women, and are independent of sex. The effectiveness is greater when accompanied by a more significant reduction in energy intake. Engaging in self-controlled physical activity proved to be beneficial when compared to remaining inactive, despite changes in dietary intake.</p>","PeriodicalId":55365,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Sport","volume":"42 2","pages":"21-33"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11963134/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2024-12-13DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.144412
Emma Wilkinson, Tannath Scott, Matthew Green, Adam Hewitt, Mitchell Naughton
The Australian Football League Women's (AFLW) is the premier national women's competition in Australian Rules football. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the neuromuscular fatigue response to match-play and the external load correlates of this response in AFLW. Players (n = 22) wore a 10 Hz GNSS device and completed immediately pre- and post-match countermovement jumps (CMJ) on dual force plates for each match in the 2022 AFLW competitive season. Concentric, eccentric, and composite CMJ variables were selected a priori based on previously established validity, reliability, and sensitivity to detect neuromuscular fatigue. The change in each variable from pre- to post-match was analysed using linear mixed effect models and rank bi-serial correlation (rbs) effect size statistic. Linear mixed models were also constructed to examine the relationship between external load variables and the change in CMJ metrics. Each player was included as a random effect in these models. Match-play resulted in large negative effects to eccentric mean force, eccentric peak force, and force at zero velocity (all rbs = 0.808 - 0.813), concentric impulse (rbs = 0.646), flight time:contraction time (rbs = 0.528), and jump height (rbs = 0.491). Modelling identified high-speed running distance, repeated highintensity effort bouts, and acceleration load as significant (p < 0.05) correlates of the change in CMJ variables from pre- to post-match. The variance explained in these models was low (Conditional R2 = 0.128-0.186). Identified CMJ variables may be important to monitor fluctuations in neuromuscular fatigue, whilst external load variables may be useful in examining neuromuscular fatigue correlates in AFLW. Given the exploratory nature of this study, further research is necessary to explore these findings in a hypothesis driven framework.
{"title":"The effect of match-play on acute post-match neuromuscular fatigue following Australian Football League Women's (AFLW) competition.","authors":"Emma Wilkinson, Tannath Scott, Matthew Green, Adam Hewitt, Mitchell Naughton","doi":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.144412","DOIUrl":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.144412","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Australian Football League Women's (AFLW) is the premier national women's competition in Australian Rules football. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the neuromuscular fatigue response to match-play and the external load correlates of this response in AFLW. Players (n = 22) wore a 10 Hz GNSS device and completed immediately pre- and post-match countermovement jumps (CMJ) on dual force plates for each match in the 2022 AFLW competitive season. Concentric, eccentric, and composite CMJ variables were selected a priori based on previously established validity, reliability, and sensitivity to detect neuromuscular fatigue. The change in each variable from pre- to post-match was analysed using linear mixed effect models and rank bi-serial correlation (<i>r</i> <sub>bs</sub>) effect size statistic. Linear mixed models were also constructed to examine the relationship between external load variables and the change in CMJ metrics. Each player was included as a random effect in these models. Match-play resulted in large negative effects to eccentric mean force, eccentric peak force, and force at zero velocity (all <i>r</i> <sub>bs</sub> = 0.808 - 0.813), concentric impulse (<i>r</i> <sub>bs</sub> = 0.646), flight time:contraction time (<i>r</i> <sub>bs</sub> = 0.528), and jump height (<i>r</i> <sub>bs</sub> = 0.491). Modelling identified high-speed running distance, repeated highintensity effort bouts, and acceleration load as significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) correlates of the change in CMJ variables from pre- to post-match. The variance explained in these models was low (Conditional R<sup>2</sup> = 0.128-0.186). Identified CMJ variables may be important to monitor fluctuations in neuromuscular fatigue, whilst external load variables may be useful in examining neuromuscular fatigue correlates in AFLW. Given the exploratory nature of this study, further research is necessary to explore these findings in a hypothesis driven framework.</p>","PeriodicalId":55365,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Sport","volume":"42 2","pages":"257-264"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11963120/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782082","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2024-08-30DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.142639
Dawid Koźlenia, Michał Krzysztofik
This study examined the mediating effect of force and velocity changes on power output enhancement after isometric submaximal conditioning activity (CA) in trained males. Males aged 19-25 years, with at least three years of continuous resistance training, were randomly assigned to experimental (EG; n = 14) and control (CG, n = 12) groups. The CA consisted of four three-second sets of isometric bench presses, using a load of 70% one-repetition maximum (1RM) with a 60-second rest interval. Bench press throw (BPT) was performed at 30% 1RM at baseline (3 minutes before CA) and at 1, 4, 7, and 10 minutes after the CA. Set mean velocity (sMV), set mean force (sMF), and set mean power output (sMP) were analyzed. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant improvements in sMV (F = 6.10; p < 0.01) and sMP (F = 5.03; p < 0.01) with no significant differences in force values (F= 0.47; p = 0.55). The enhancements in sMV and sMP were observed at 4 minutes after the CA compared to baseline (p < 0.01) and were sustained during the subsequent minutes (p < 0.05). Mediation analysis confirmed the observed improvements in power output were mediated by velocity enhancement (β = 0.37; p < 0.01) with an insignificant impact on force (β = -0.03; p = 0.61). Using a moderate submaximal load in hold isometric muscle action, the examined CA protocol effectively enhanced upper body power output through increased barbell velocity while showing no changes in force production.
{"title":"The mediating effect of force and velocity changes on power output enhancement in bench press throw after submaximal isometric conditioning activity in trained males.","authors":"Dawid Koźlenia, Michał Krzysztofik","doi":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.142639","DOIUrl":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.142639","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examined the mediating effect of force and velocity changes on power output enhancement after isometric submaximal conditioning activity (CA) in trained males. Males aged 19-25 years, with at least three years of continuous resistance training, were randomly assigned to experimental (EG; n = 14) and control (CG, n = 12) groups. The CA consisted of four three-second sets of isometric bench presses, using a load of 70% one-repetition maximum (1RM) with a 60-second rest interval. Bench press throw (BPT) was performed at 30% 1RM at baseline (3 minutes before CA) and at 1, 4, 7, and 10 minutes after the CA. Set mean velocity (sMV), set mean force (sMF), and set mean power output (sMP) were analyzed. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant improvements in sMV (F = 6.10; p < 0.01) and sMP (F = 5.03; p < 0.01) with no significant differences in force values (F= 0.47; p = 0.55). The enhancements in sMV and sMP were observed at 4 minutes after the CA compared to baseline (p < 0.01) and were sustained during the subsequent minutes (p < 0.05). Mediation analysis confirmed the observed improvements in power output were mediated by velocity enhancement (β = 0.37; p < 0.01) with an insignificant impact on force (β = -0.03; p = 0.61). Using a moderate submaximal load in hold isometric muscle action, the examined CA protocol effectively enhanced upper body power output through increased barbell velocity while showing no changes in force production.</p>","PeriodicalId":55365,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Sport","volume":"42 2","pages":"13-19"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11963137/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2024-09-06DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.142643
José M Oliva-Lozano, Farzad Yousefian, Paweł Chmura, Tim J Gabbett, Rick Cost
The aim of the study was to analyze the FIFA 2023 Women's World Cup match performance according to match outcome and phase of the tournament. Match performance data were analyzed from a total of 64 games, which included a total of 32 national teams. The variables collected from the post-match summary reports were calculated according to match time (i.e., data per minute) and were categorized in four groups: key statistics, in possession and out of possession variables, out of possession defensive pressure variables, and physical performance variables. When it comes to match outcome, significant differences were observed in key statistics (e.g., there were significantly greater possession, goals, attempts at goal on target, total passes, total passes completed, defensive line breaks, and receptions in the final third when winning compared to drawing or losing), in possession variables (e.g., wins showed significantly greater build up unopposed compared to losses and draws), out of possession variables (e.g., wins showed significantly greater high press than losses), and out of possession defensive pressure variables (e.g., losses showed significantly greater total pressure, pressing direction outside, and ball recovery time compared to wins or draws). There were no significant differences in any physical performance variable, except for distance covered in zone 1 (losses > draws). When it comes to the phase of the tournament, no significant differences were observed in any variable, except for distance covered in zone 1 (knock-out > groups). Furthermore, significant interactions were observed between match outcome and phase of the tournament in the following variables: attempts at goal on target, pass completion %, progressions, and average pressure duration. Quantifying and comprehending match-play characteristics hold significant importance in guiding practices within women's soccer. Therefore, this study serves as a resource for the staff of national teams to understand performance according to match outcome and phase of the tournament in an international women's soccer tournament.
{"title":"Analysis of FIFA 2023 Women's World Cup match performance according to match outcome and phase of the tournament.","authors":"José M Oliva-Lozano, Farzad Yousefian, Paweł Chmura, Tim J Gabbett, Rick Cost","doi":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.142643","DOIUrl":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.142643","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of the study was to analyze the FIFA 2023 Women's World Cup match performance according to match outcome and phase of the tournament. Match performance data were analyzed from a total of 64 games, which included a total of 32 national teams. The variables collected from the post-match summary reports were calculated according to match time (i.e., data per minute) and were categorized in four groups: key statistics, in possession and out of possession variables, out of possession defensive pressure variables, and physical performance variables. When it comes to match outcome, significant differences were observed in key statistics (e.g., there were significantly greater possession, goals, attempts at goal on target, total passes, total passes completed, defensive line breaks, and receptions in the final third when winning compared to drawing or losing), in possession variables (e.g., wins showed significantly greater build up unopposed compared to losses and draws), out of possession variables (e.g., wins showed significantly greater high press than losses), and out of possession defensive pressure variables (e.g., losses showed significantly greater total pressure, pressing direction outside, and ball recovery time compared to wins or draws). There were no significant differences in any physical performance variable, except for distance covered in zone 1 (losses > draws). When it comes to the phase of the tournament, no significant differences were observed in any variable, except for distance covered in zone 1 (knock-out > groups). Furthermore, significant interactions were observed between match outcome and phase of the tournament in the following variables: attempts at goal on target, pass completion %, progressions, and average pressure duration. Quantifying and comprehending match-play characteristics hold significant importance in guiding practices within women's soccer. Therefore, this study serves as a resource for the staff of national teams to understand performance according to match outcome and phase of the tournament in an international women's soccer tournament.</p>","PeriodicalId":55365,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Sport","volume":"42 2","pages":"71-84"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11963132/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2024-08-30DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.142646
Jorge Sanmiguel Codina, Rafael Ballester Lengua, Claudio A Casal, Florentino Huertas Olmedo
Despite the growing interest in research on women's football, few approaches have analysed the primary performance indicator in football, which is the goal. This study describes the goal scoring patterns and explores technical-tactical behaviours associated with the scorer location in the 2022 UEFA Women's European Championship. The sample was made up of all the 95 goals scored by the 16 teams in the 31 games played. Three UEFA Pro coaches designed an ad hoc observational instrument, and one observer coded the data after a training process, ensuring intraobserver reliability. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted. Assistant location was significantly associated with scorer location (p < 0.005, ES = 0.930). The highest percentage of assists came from the lateral corridors outside the penalty area (23.2%). The most frequent shot zones being the projection from the goal line to the penalty spot (48.2%). It is also remarkable that half of the goals came from an aerial ball (51.2%), the leg (66.3%) and a first contact shot (69.8%) being the most common finishing situations. A similar distribution was noted concerning the areas where shots crossed the goal line (40.0% near post vs 41.3% far post). Our findings reveal goal-scoring patterns in elite women's football to consider in the coaching process, for instance, to design drills to promote the replication of the most common finishing situations (aerial, leg and first contact) and contexts where most recurrent assisting and shooting zones could be considered. Raising awareness among coaches and players about these practical aspects can improve goal-scoring situations.
{"title":"Analysis of goal scoring patterns in the UEFA Women's EURO 2022.","authors":"Jorge Sanmiguel Codina, Rafael Ballester Lengua, Claudio A Casal, Florentino Huertas Olmedo","doi":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.142646","DOIUrl":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.142646","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite the growing interest in research on women's football, few approaches have analysed the primary performance indicator in football, which is the goal. This study describes the goal scoring patterns and explores technical-tactical behaviours associated with the scorer location in the 2022 UEFA Women's European Championship. The sample was made up of all the 95 goals scored by the 16 teams in the 31 games played. Three UEFA Pro coaches designed an ad hoc observational instrument, and one observer coded the data after a training process, ensuring intraobserver reliability. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted. Assistant location was significantly associated with scorer location (p < 0.005, ES = 0.930). The highest percentage of assists came from the lateral corridors outside the penalty area (23.2%). The most frequent shot zones being the projection from the goal line to the penalty spot (48.2%). It is also remarkable that half of the goals came from an aerial ball (51.2%), the leg (66.3%) and a first contact shot (69.8%) being the most common finishing situations. A similar distribution was noted concerning the areas where shots crossed the goal line (40.0% near post vs 41.3% far post). Our findings reveal goal-scoring patterns in elite women's football to consider in the coaching process, for instance, to design drills to promote the replication of the most common finishing situations (aerial, leg and first contact) and contexts where most recurrent assisting and shooting zones could be considered. Raising awareness among coaches and players about these practical aspects can improve goal-scoring situations.</p>","PeriodicalId":55365,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Sport","volume":"42 2","pages":"45-56"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11963121/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2024-08-30DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.139470
Monika Michałowska-Sawczyn, Kinga Humińska-Lisowska, Krzysztof Chmielowiec, Jolanta Chmielowiec, Aleksandra Strońska-Pluta, Aleksandra Suchanecka, Łukasz Zadroga, Myosotis Massidda, Carla Maria Calò, Remigiusz Recław, Anna Grzywacz
Research into sports participation has increasingly pointed to inherent biological mechanisms as influential factors alongside psychosocial and environmental elements. The dopaminergic D2 receptor is a strong candidate gene for physical activity behaviour, given its role in locomotor control and reward mechanisms. Hence, this study aimed to analyse the association of the DRD2 gene Tag1B rs1079597 polymorphism with personality traits in elite athletes. The study group consisted of 395 volunteers. Of these, 163 were professional athletes (22.56 ± 5.9; M = 114, F = 49), and 232 were controls (22.07 ± 4.3; M = 150, F = 82). The MINI-International Neuropsychiatric Interview and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory were administered in both groups. Genotyping was performed using the real-time PCR method. Statistical analysis was performed: genotypes and alleles frequencies were compared using the chi-square test and the relations between DRD2 Tag1B rs1079597 variants, professional athletes and control participants and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory were analysed with the factorial ANOVA. Statistically significant differences were found in the frequency of DRD2 Tag1B rs1079597 genotypes and alleles in the group of professional athletes group compared to the control group. The GG genotype and G allele were significantly more frequent in the group of professional athletes (G/G 0.79 vs G/G 0.66; A/A 0.04 vs A/A 0.03; A/G 0.17 vs A/G 0.31, p = 0.0056; G 0.87 vs. G 0.81; A 0.13 vs. A 0.19, p = 0.0281) compared to the control group. The professional athletes' participants, compared to the controls, obtained significantly higher scores in the assessment of NEO-FFI Extraversion (p = 0.0369) and Conscientiousness (p < 0.0001) scales. Additionally, there was a statistically significant effect of DRD2 rs1079597 genotype association with being a professional athlete on the Openness scale (F2.3389 = 3.07; p = 0.0475; η2 = 0.015) and on the Conscientiousness scale (F2.3389 = 3.23; p = 0.0406; η2 = 0.016). This study highlights the significant associations between the DRD2 Taq1B polymorphic site and personality traits in a group of professional athletes. It also demonstrates the association of Taq1B polymorphism and professional sportsmanship with personality traits measured by NEO-FFI. The results suggest that genetic factors and professional sportsmanship both shape an athlete's personality traits.
{"title":"Association analysis of the dopaminergic receptor 2 gene <i>Tag1B</i> rs1079597 and personality traits among a cohort of professional athletes.","authors":"Monika Michałowska-Sawczyn, Kinga Humińska-Lisowska, Krzysztof Chmielowiec, Jolanta Chmielowiec, Aleksandra Strońska-Pluta, Aleksandra Suchanecka, Łukasz Zadroga, Myosotis Massidda, Carla Maria Calò, Remigiusz Recław, Anna Grzywacz","doi":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.139470","DOIUrl":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.139470","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Research into sports participation has increasingly pointed to inherent biological mechanisms as influential factors alongside psychosocial and environmental elements. The dopaminergic D2 receptor is a strong candidate gene for physical activity behaviour, given its role in locomotor control and reward mechanisms. Hence, this study aimed to analyse the association of the <i>DRD2</i> gene <i>Tag1B</i> rs1079597 polymorphism with personality traits in elite athletes. The study group consisted of 395 volunteers. Of these, 163 were professional athletes (22.56 ± 5.9; M = 114, F = 49), and 232 were controls (22.07 ± 4.3; M = 150, F = 82). The MINI-International Neuropsychiatric Interview and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory were administered in both groups. Genotyping was performed using the real-time PCR method. Statistical analysis was performed: genotypes and alleles frequencies were compared using the chi-square test and the relations between <i>DRD2 Tag1B</i> rs1079597 variants, professional athletes and control participants and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory were analysed with the factorial ANOVA. Statistically significant differences were found in the frequency of <i>DRD2 Tag1B</i> rs1079597 genotypes and alleles in the group of professional athletes group compared to the control group. The GG genotype and G allele were significantly more frequent in the group of professional athletes (G/G 0.79 vs G/G 0.66; A/A 0.04 vs A/A 0.03; A/G 0.17 vs A/G 0.31, <i>p = 0.0056</i>; G 0.87 vs. G 0.81; A 0.13 vs. A 0.19, <i>p</i> = 0.0281) compared to the control group. The professional athletes' participants, compared to the controls, obtained significantly higher scores in the assessment of NEO-FFI Extraversion (<i>p</i> = 0.0369) and Conscientiousness (p < 0.0001) scales. Additionally, there was a statistically significant effect of DRD2 rs1079597 genotype association with being a professional athlete on the Openness scale (F<sub>2.3389</sub> = 3.07; <i>p</i> = 0.0475; η<sup>2</sup> = 0.015) and on the Conscientiousness scale (F<sub>2.3389</sub> = 3.23; <i>p</i> = 0.0406; η<sup>2</sup> = 0.016). This study highlights the significant associations between the <i>DRD2 Taq1B</i> polymorphic site and personality traits in a group of professional athletes. It also demonstrates the association of <i>Taq1B</i> polymorphism and professional sportsmanship with personality traits measured by NEO-FFI. The results suggest that genetic factors and professional sportsmanship both shape an athlete's personality traits.</p>","PeriodicalId":55365,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Sport","volume":"42 2","pages":"35-43"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11963129/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2024-10-23DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.144294
Robert M Malina, Diogo V Martinho, Tomas Oliveira, Jorge M Celis-Moreno, António J Figueiredo, Andre Seabra, Jan M Konarski, Sean P Cumming, Manuel J Coelho-E-Silva
Annual increments in height and weight were estimated in a mixed-longitudinal sample of Portuguese male soccer players 11-14 years at baseline. This study aims to compare estimated increments with reference values for the general population and also with estimates from youth soccer literature. The sample included 87 under-13 (U13) and 72 under-15 (U15) players. Allowing for drop-outs and/or transfers, participants were followed over five seasons. Annual measurements of height and weight were taken for the total mixedlongitudinal sample of 571 players, from which annual increments were calculated for 409 occasions. Mean heights and weights of the sample and median annual increments were compared with corresponding estimates for the general population in addition to soccer players based on studies spanning 2000-2015. Mean heights of the sample were slightly but consistently less than the reference, while mean weights were below the reference at 11-13 years and approximated the reference at 14-18 years. Median annual height and weight increments of the soccer players approximated the respective medians for the general population, but increments among individual players varied considerably with age. In contrast, the heights and weights of the Portuguese players were below the means for the composite sample of soccer players except at 18 years, but estimated increments were similar to the composite sample. In summary, increments in the heights and weights of the Portuguese players approximated the general population and means for other soccer players, while mean heights were consistently less than the reference except at 18 years.
{"title":"Estimated annual increments in stature and weight among soccer players 11-18 years.","authors":"Robert M Malina, Diogo V Martinho, Tomas Oliveira, Jorge M Celis-Moreno, António J Figueiredo, Andre Seabra, Jan M Konarski, Sean P Cumming, Manuel J Coelho-E-Silva","doi":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.144294","DOIUrl":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.144294","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Annual increments in height and weight were estimated in a mixed-longitudinal sample of Portuguese male soccer players 11-14 years at baseline. This study aims to compare estimated increments with reference values for the general population and also with estimates from youth soccer literature. The sample included 87 under-13 (U13) and 72 under-15 (U15) players. Allowing for drop-outs and/or transfers, participants were followed over five seasons. Annual measurements of height and weight were taken for the total mixedlongitudinal sample of 571 players, from which annual increments were calculated for 409 occasions. Mean heights and weights of the sample and median annual increments were compared with corresponding estimates for the general population in addition to soccer players based on studies spanning 2000-2015. Mean heights of the sample were slightly but consistently less than the reference, while mean weights were below the reference at 11-13 years and approximated the reference at 14-18 years. Median annual height and weight increments of the soccer players approximated the respective medians for the general population, but increments among individual players varied considerably with age. In contrast, the heights and weights of the Portuguese players were below the means for the composite sample of soccer players except at 18 years, but estimated increments were similar to the composite sample. In summary, increments in the heights and weights of the Portuguese players approximated the general population and means for other soccer players, while mean heights were consistently less than the reference except at 18 years.</p>","PeriodicalId":55365,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Sport","volume":"42 2","pages":"151-160"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11963133/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2024-12-18DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.145911
Tim Havers, Lukas Masur, Eduard Isenmann, Stephan Geisler, Christoph Zinner, Billy Sperlich, Peter Düking
Large Language Models (LLMs) are increasingly utilized in various domains, including the generation of training plans. However, the reproducibility and quality of training plans produced by different LLMs have not been studied extensively. This study aims to: i) investigate and compare the quality of muscle hypertrophy-related resistance training (RT) plans generated by Google Gemini (GG) and GPT-4, and ii) the reproducibility of the RT plans when the same prompts are provided multiple times concomitantly. Two distinct prompts were used, one providing little information about the training plan requirements and the other providing detailed information. These prompts were input into GG and GPT-4 by two different individuals, resulting in the generation of eight RT plans. These plans were evaluated by 12 coaching experts using a 5-point Likert scale, based on quality criteria derived from the literature. The results indicated a high degree of reproducibility, as indicated by coaching expert evaluation, when the same distinct prompts were provided multiple times to the LLMs of interest, with 27 out of 28 items showing no differences (p > 0.05). Overall, GPT-4 was rated higher on several aspects of RT quality criteria (p = 0.000-0.043). Additionally, compared to little information, higher information density within the prompts resulted in higher rated RT quality (p = 0.000-0.037). Our findings show that RT plans can be generated reproducibly with the same quality when using the same prompts. Furthermore, quality improves with more detailed input, and GPT-4 outperformed GG in generating higherquality plans. These results suggest that detailed information input is crucial for LLM performance.
{"title":"Reproducibility and quality of hypertrophy-related training plans generated by GPT-4 and Google Gemini as evaluated by coaching experts.","authors":"Tim Havers, Lukas Masur, Eduard Isenmann, Stephan Geisler, Christoph Zinner, Billy Sperlich, Peter Düking","doi":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.145911","DOIUrl":"10.5114/biolsport.2025.145911","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Large Language Models (LLMs) are increasingly utilized in various domains, including the generation of training plans. However, the reproducibility and quality of training plans produced by different LLMs have not been studied extensively. This study aims to: i) investigate and compare the quality of muscle hypertrophy-related resistance training (RT) plans generated by Google Gemini (GG) and GPT-4, and ii) the reproducibility of the RT plans when the same prompts are provided multiple times concomitantly. Two distinct prompts were used, one providing little information about the training plan requirements and the other providing detailed information. These prompts were input into GG and GPT-4 by two different individuals, resulting in the generation of eight RT plans. These plans were evaluated by 12 coaching experts using a 5-point Likert scale, based on quality criteria derived from the literature. The results indicated a high degree of reproducibility, as indicated by coaching expert evaluation, when the same distinct prompts were provided multiple times to the LLMs of interest, with 27 out of 28 items showing no differences (p > 0.05). Overall, GPT-4 was rated higher on several aspects of RT quality criteria (p = 0.000-0.043). Additionally, compared to little information, higher information density within the prompts resulted in higher rated RT quality (p = 0.000-0.037). Our findings show that RT plans can be generated reproducibly with the same quality when using the same prompts. Furthermore, quality improves with more detailed input, and GPT-4 outperformed GG in generating higherquality plans. These results suggest that detailed information input is crucial for LLM performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":55365,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Sport","volume":"42 2","pages":"289-329"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11963122/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}