Biology of Sport最新文献

The quantification of physical demands placed upon handball players, segmented by their specific roles and duration of play, is crucial for sustaining high performance and minimizing the risk of injury. Leveraging advanced inertial measurement units, this investigation captured and analyzed the external load data of athletes participating in the EHF Women's EURO 2022. The aim of this study was to provide coaching staff with information on fatigue development during periods of high match density. The study evaluated the effects of playing position and cumulative playing time on external load metrics, using linear mixed models that treated individual players as random effects. The study employed a cutting-edge computational framework integrating sensor network technologies, Local Positioning Systems (LPS), and Big Data Analytics within a descriptive analytics methodology. From over half a billion raw records, we distilled 1,013 data entries from 47 matches for analysis. The findings reveal that the wings demonstrated the highest levels of total and high-speed running distances, though they sustained lower PlayerLoad relative to backs. Interestingly, cumulative playing time did not markedly alter load profiles, which may be attributed to strategic substitution decisions by coaches and the players' own pacing strategies. Notable discrepancies within positional demands were observed over time, such as centers displaying increased distance coverage within the 2-3 hour play interval. This study underscores the efficacy of strategic load management and tailored pacing in sustaining player performance throughout high-stakes tournaments. It elucidates the relationship between managerial tactics and player-specific characteristics in the context of external load distribution.

The ability to generate and maintain high power is a prerequisite for success in many sports, including long-track speed skating. A common method of determining this ability is the Wingate test, but surprisingly, normative data necessary to objectively assess the performance of speed skaters is lacking. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop reference levels for peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) on a Wingatetype test for speed skaters using a Monark 874E ergometer with a load equivalent to 7.5% of body mass. Over 15 years, 635 test results were collected from 120 junior and senior athletes (all national representatives); 380 from men and 255 from women. We found that in men and women, personal best in relative PP and MP (W/kg body mass) correlated significantly (all p < 0.001) with altitude-adjusted times over distances of 500 (r = -0.75 to -0.82) and 1000 m (r = -0.67 to -0.71), thus confirming the validity of this test for assessing the on-ice sprinting ability of speed skaters. Moreover, the two-way ANOVA models revealed significant effects of gender (p < 0.001) and age (p < 0.001) on relative MP and PP (W/kg) values, but the interaction effect was not significant (p > 0.05). The 7-stage classification system constructed on the basis of the obtained results enables the assessment of relative MP and PP in Wingate tests, taking into account the age category and gender of the athletes. This system can be used by sports researchers and coaches to assess the sprinting ability of speed skaters from novice to world-class levels.

This observational, longitudinal study compared daily loads experienced in the weekly microcycle for different match schedules among an A-League Women's professional soccer team. Monitoring data were retrospectively accessed from a team (n = 22) competing in the Australian National A-League Women's soccer competition across the 2022-2023 in-season. Internal (session-rating of perceived exertion [session-RPE] and session-RPE load) and external load (total and relative values for total and high-speed running distance) data were acquired from 54 field-based training sessions and 17 matches across a 20-week period. Weeks were categorized according to schedule as: single-match week played on Saturday; single-match week played on Sunday; condensed week (6 days since the previous match); or double-header week (two matches in the same week). Sessions during each week were classified according to the day on which they were conducted prior to match day (MD) as MD-1, MD-2, MD-3, MD-4, MD-5, or MD-6. Linear mixed effects models and Hedge's g_av effect sizes were used to compare variables between days. All load variables were highest on MD (P < 0.001, g_av = 0.36-7.84, small-to-very large), with the day before matches being generally lower than other training days across schedules (g_av = 0.01-3.89, trivial-to-very large). Further, an extra training day was prescribed in single-match weeks when played on Sunday compared to Saturday, with training microcycles appearing rather consistent across weekly schedules. These data may be used as an initial reference for practitioners working in this competition or women's soccer settings. The relatively similar daily periodization patterns across different match schedules highlight greater consideration of weekly match schedules may be needed when planning weekly microcycles according to the schedule congestion faced.

Swimming training load (TL) is regarded as a major stimulus for hormonal adaptation, but research findings are inconsistent. Methodological limitations also exist (e.g., cross-sectional sampling) with little knowledge of acute hormone responses and hormone-psychological interactions that regulate training outputs. These issues were addressed in a 12-week training study on highly-trained swimmers. Eighteen swimmers (10 males, 8 females) completed a 12-week training programme, involving a stepwise reduction in TL before a major competition. Testing was conducted from Monday-Friday at week one (T1), week five (T2), and week 12 (T3), including measures of salivary testosterone and cortisol, willingness to train, stress, and sleep quality. Post-session hormones were assessed on Mondays and Fridays. Daily-averaged swimming distance decreased by -21% (T2) and -57% (T3), relative to T1 (p < 0.001). We found no significant training effect on the cortisol and testosterone measures, both baseline and acute exercise response, willingness to train, and sleep quality. Only stress varied with training, decreasing significantly at T2 and T3 from T1 in female swimmers. Among male swimmers, daily changes in baseline cortisol and testosterone were related (r = 0.45) at T1, as was sleep quality and stress (r = 0.39) at T3. In summary, highly-trained swimmers showed little or no adaptive changes prior to a major competition. The one exception was self-reported stress among female swimmers, which decreased along with TL. The emergence of daily interrelationships (in male swimmers only) between selected hormonal or psychological outputs could provide a new lens to assess pre-training preparation.

Offensive transitions, (defined as shifts from defense to attack) have an extraordinary impact on goal scoring patterns. Identifying the factors that most significantly influence its achievement is crucial, enabling teams to tailor strategies to their specific characteristics and the particular demands of their championships. The study aims to provide analyzes of the separate and combined impacts of various variables on the success of offensive transitions and their outcomes. The sample comprised 1151 games from nine distinct countries, categorized into three league groups: Top, Marginal, and Emerging. These matches yielded 1649 goals, which were classified as either direct offensive transitions or offensive transitions resulting from positive outcomes (goals scored from set-piece situations following successful offensive transitions). The statistical method employed was binomial logistic regression. A total of 20 to 23% of goals scored by Offensive transitions resulted from positive outcomes. Offensive transitions play a pivotal role in competitive leagues, with 47% of all goals. Top leagues exhibit an even higher proportion (53%) of goals originating from offensive transitions, emphasizing the effectiveness of defensive pressure in specific areas and involving more passes and offensive combinations. All league groups highlighted the central zones of the defensive midfield as essential to initiating successful direct offensive transitions. In Emerging Leagues, they are more likely to succeed with three passes than with two passes. In Marginal leagues, the number of players involved and the passes are related to the starting area. The findings enhance understanding of offensive transition tactics in football for greater scoring impact.

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was scheduled during the in-season period of the European teams, impacting soccer clubs' routines. This study aimed to analyse the influence of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on match running performance in the First Spanish soccer league, considering the players' participation. A total of 11,530 individual match observations from 582 professional soccer players competing in the First Spanish soccer league (n = 370 matches) over the 2022/23 season were collected. Soccer players were classified according to participation in the World Cup: participants and non-participants. Pre-World Cup (1^st-14^th match day) and post-World Cup (15^th-38^th match day) periods were compared. Match running performance was obtained by the Mediacoach video tracking system in accordance with LaLiga. During the pre-World Cup period, no significant differences between groups were found, while in the post-World Cup period, non-participants covered significantly greater total distance, and distances at low, medium, and high speeds compared to the counterparts. No significant differences were observed between the periods for participants, although non-participant players covered a greater total distance, and distances at low, medium, high, and very high speeds, and sprinting during the post-World Cup period compared to the prior period. These results favour the inclusion of a long winter break in LaLiga to maintain or improve the physical performance of soccer players. Additionally, specific periodization of workload and recovery strategies for players participating in an international championship during the in-season period are crucial to prevent a decline of subsequent performance.

Hypnosis is known for its effects on various psychophysiological phenomena, such as perception, emotions, fatigue, and muscle strength. Besides the conflicting evidence on the influence of hypnosis on muscle performance, its role in influencing central or peripheral fatigue remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of a single hypnosis session, terminated with a precise posthypnotic suggestion, on muscle strength, endurance, and myoelectric activity. Thirty participants (M = 17, F = 13) were divided into a Control (CO) and a Hypnosis group (HY). Handgrip strength and endurance were tested in three pre- and post-training phases: i) holding the handgrip as strongly as possible for 5 seconds (i.e. a measure of muscle strength); ii) after a 1-minute passive pause, holding the handgrip as strongly and as long as possible (i.e. a measure of muscle endurance); iii) after a further 1-minute pause, the first trial was repeated. All these procedures were repeated after a 30-minute rest period during which the CO could use the time freely, the HY was subjected to the hypnosis session. During the experimental procedures, surface EMG was applied to the forearm muscles to assess neuromuscular fatigue. Regardless of a stronger improvement between pre- and post-processing in the HY, we found no interaction effect between the groups. This suggests that a single post-hypnotic suggestion is not sufficient to significantly increase the force exerted over time (i.e., impulse), and that the observed HY improvement may be influenced by highly susceptible participants. Furthermore, despite this difference, we found no change in forearm muscle activation. Our results show that a single hypnosis session negligibly altered muscular performance. These findings contribute to the debate on the topic of hypnosis and fatigue but require further investigation, given the observed tendency of the hypnosis group to delay fatigue.

This study aimed to (1) establish reference values for the match running performances of thirteen specialised positions at the men's UEFA Euro's 2024, (2) examine positional performances across various game periods and (3) add various layers of match context to the demands by combining physical, technical, tactical and individual information. All fifty-one games at the tournament were evaluated by analysing optical tracking data alongside match events. During matches, central and defensive midfielder subsets covered more total distance than other positions (P < 0.01; Effect Size [ES]: 1.4-3.1). Wide defender subsets in addition to attacking midfielders and forwards playing as a pair covered greater high-intensity running and sprinting distance (≥20.0 and ≥25.0 km · h^-1) than centre back subsets, defensive midfielders and lone forwards (P < 0.01; ES: 0.9-2.7 and 1.3-2.1). The peak high-intensity running distance in a 1-min period was greater for wide defender subsets compared to centre backs playing in a four-defender system (P < 0.01; ES: 0.9-1.2). More solo runs into key play areas occurred for attacking midfielders and wide forwards than centre back subsets (P < 0.01; ES: 0.9-2.1). Wide forwards performed more solo runs into the penalty area than other positions (P < 0.05; ES: 0.9-2.0). While centre back subsets recovered the ball more often compared to wide defenders, central and attacking midfielders in addition to forward subsets (P < 0.01; ES: 0.8-2.2). These findings provide contemporary evidence regarding the specific positional demands encountered during international matches. This information could serve as a basic framework for practitioners when developing position-specific training.

This study aimed to 1) describe running outputs during official match-play in elite French female Field (FR) and Assistant Referees (AR), 2) determine whether decrements in outputs occurred in the 2^nd-half and during the final 15-minute interval of each half. A total of 13 elite female game officials participated: 6 AR (age: 28.9 ± 5.1) and 7 FR (age: 28.1 ± 2.0). Outputs were collected using GPS over 3 consecutive seasons (2020/21-2022/23). Competitions included elite senior female/male domestic matches and international female/male youth & senior matches (n = 501; AR = 285, FR = 216). Variables included: total distance covered (km), distances travelled (m) at low- (< 13 km/h) and high-speeds (≥ 13 km/h, ≥ 19 km/h, ≥ 23 km/h) and the frequency of high-intensity acceleration & deceleration events (≥ 3 m · s^-2). Mean outputs per minute were compared across match halves and for the first 15-minute versus the final 15-minute interval in each half using Effect Sizes (ES). Main results showed that FR covered approximately 9.5 km per game of which 24% was at high-speeds (D ≥ 13 km/h) while AR travelled ~5 km (~14% ran at high-speeds). More high-intensity deceleration versus acceleration events were observed for both roles. Outputs generally dropped in the 2^nd versus the 1^st half (FR = small to moderate and AR = small to large ES) and during the final 15-minute intervals in each half versus the first 15-minutes in the 1^st-half (FR = moderate to large and AR = small to large ES). This study has established general match running activity profiles for elite French assistant and field referees and reported a trend for a temporal decline in outputs whilst demonstrating the importance of performing deceleration events.

This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of different game formats (1 v 1, 2 v 2, 3 v 3, 4 v 4, 4 v 3, 3 v 3+1, and 5 v 5) on basketball players' physiological, physical, technical, and tactical responses during SSGs. The data sources utilized were PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Eligibility included basketball players of any age or sex, competing in tier 2 or higher, exposed to at least two different formats. Studies had to report on physiological responses, physical demands, technical performance, and tactical behaviors. Methodological quality was assessed using the MINORS scale. The search identified 4,967 titles, with 16 articles eligible for the review and meta-analysis. Results indicated that extreme SSGs (e.g., 1 v 1, 2 v 2) elicited significantly higher cardiovascular demands, as reflected by greater mean and peak heart rates, compared to larger SSGs (e.g., 3 v 3, 4 v 4), with a moderate effect size favoring extreme formats (Hedge's g = -0.47, p = 0.02). In terms of perceived exertion (RPE), no significant differences were found between extreme and larger SSGs, suggesting similar subjective effort across formats. For technical performance, extreme SSGs (e.g., 1 v 1, 2 v 2) exhibited a higher frequency of actions, such as passes and shots, compared to larger formats, with a moderate effect size favoring smaller formats (Hedge's g = -0.78, p < 0.01). No significant publication bias was found, though high heterogeneity was noted in RPE comparisons. This meta-analysis showed that extreme SSG formats elicit higher cardiovascular demands and more frequent technical actions than larger formats, highlighting their potential for targeting specific physical and technical demands in basketball training.