Reliability, Validity and Usefulness of 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test in Female Soccer Players

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the reliability, validity and usefulness of the 30-15IFT in competitive female soccer players. METHODS: Seventeen elite female soccer players participated in the study. A within subject test-retest study design was utilized to assess the reliability of the 30-15 intermittent fitness test (IFT). Seven days prior to 30-15IFT, subjects performed a continuous aerobic running test (CT) under laboratory conditions to assess the criterion validity of the 30-15IFT. End running velocity (VCT and VIFT), peak heart rate (HRpeak) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) were collected and/or estimated for both tests. RESULTS: VIFT (ICC = 0.91; CV = 1.8%), HRpeak (ICC = 0.94; CV = 1.2%), and VO2max (ICC = 0.94; CV = 1.6%) obtained from the 30-15IFT were all deemed highly reliable (p>0.05). Pearson product moment correlations between the CT and 30-15IFT for VO2max, HRpeak and end running velocity were large (r = 0.67, p=0.013), very large (r = 0.77, p=0.02) and large (r = 0.57, p=0.042), respectively. CONCLUSION: Current findings suggest that the 30 -15IFT is a valid and reliable intermittent aerobic fitness test of elite female soccer players. The findings have also provided practitioners with evidence to support the accurate detection of meaningful individual changes in VIFT of 0.5 km/h (1 stage) and HRpeak of 2 bpm. This information may assist coaches in monitoring ‘real’ aerobic fitness changes to better inform training of female intermittent team sport athletes. Lastly, coaches could use the 30-15IFT as a practical alternative to laboratory based assessments to assess and monitor intermittent aerobic fitness changes in their athletes. Keywords: 30-15 intermittent fitness test, aerobic, cardiorespiratory fitness, intermittent activity, soccer, high intensity interval training

Effects of different stretching protocols on knee muscles strength and power parameters measured by Biodex dynamometer

Cilj istraživanja je usporedba učinaka dinamičkog istezanja i proprioceptivne neuromuskularne facilitacije (PNF) na izokinetičke parametre jakosti i snage koljenog zgloba. Uzorak čini 50 sportaša muškog spola podijeljenih na poduzorke od 10 ispitanika takmičarske razine karate (19 ± 2,4), tekvando (20 ± 3,6), boksanje (19,8 ± 4,3), nogomet (15,1 ± 0,3) i atletski sprint (18,3 ± 2,6). Izokinetički parametri koljena su mjereni Biodex izokinetičkim sustavom 3, na dvije kutne brzine 60 °/s i 180 °/s. Parametri su mjereni nakon dinamičkog istezanja te 48 sati kasnije nakon PNF protokola. Kod karatista i tekvando boraca nisu utvrđene značajne statistički razlike. Kod boksača, nogometaša i sprintera parametri jakosti i snage su veći nakon protokola dinamičkog istezanja. Rezultati ovog istraživanja potvrđuju da dinamičko istezanje doprinosi ispoljavanju većih vrijednosti izokinetičkih parametara jakosti i snage.Purpose of the research was to compare the effects of dynamic and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching on knee isokinetic strength and power parameters. Sample size of 50 male athletes is represented as male athletes divided into sub-samples of 10 athletes at competitive level in karate (19 ± 2,4), taekwondo (20 ± 3,6), boxing (19,8 ± 4,3), football (15,1 ± 0,3) and track and field sprint (18,3 ± 2,6). Isokinetic parameters of the knee were measured using Biodex isokinetic system3, at two angular speeds 60 °/s and 180 °/s. Parameters were measured after dynamic stretching protocol and again 48 h later after PNF protocol. For karate and taekwondo fighters no statistically significant differences were found. For boxers, football players and sprinters the values of strength and power parameters were higher after dynamic warm-up protocol at a statistically significant level. Results of this study confirmed that dynamic stretching contributes to higher values of the strength and power of thigh muscles compared to proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation

Relations between specific athleticism and morphology in young basketball players

IntroductionBasketball is a fast-paced intermittent team sport, wherein the players must exhibit different morphologies and fitness levels depending on their position. The aim of this study was to assess the differences in the athleticism of basketball players by playing positions and in its relations with body composition and anthropometric measures. It was hypothesized that calculated athleticism has stronger and better predictive relations with morphology compared to motoric tests alone.Methods47 basketball players were divided into three groups according to playing position [guards (n = 14), forwards (n = 22), centers (n = 11)]. Body composition and anthropometrical measurements were done for all players. Athleticism was presented in terms of overall (OFS), jumping (JFS) and sprinting (SFS) fitness scores.ResultsFitness scores were found to be more strongly related to body composition and anthropometry measurements than motoric tests alone. All three fitness scores were moderate to strongly correlated with skinfold thickness and fat percentage, while body height, fat-free mass, and lean body mass were positively correlated. Significant differences in athleticism fitness scores were found between guards and other groups. Forwards displayed superior athleticism in power and sprint abilities when compared to guards and centers. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that fat percentage, lean muscle mass, skinfold thickness, and arm span exhibited strong predictive capabilities in relation to athleticism scores.ConclusionsCoaches and practitioners should be aware that athleticism includes a multitude of components, and they should use athleticism assessments before designing training regimens that are tailored to each position's unique needs

Is the handgrip strength influential factor on the competition result in elite male artistic gymnasts?

High handgrip strength in men’s artistic gymnastics is crucial, mainly for improving performance and to potentially prevent injuries, as well as for the fact that gymnasts body movements are around immovable apparatuses (pommel horse, rings, parallel bars and high bar) for the extended period of time. Since there are not so many studies that have dealt with this topic and on actual competition, we have aimed to examine the handgrip strength influence on the competition result in elite male artistic gymnasts. The sample of participants were conducted of 37 elite male artistic gymnasts (8–21 years old), from 8 different countries as national team competitors at the International Competition “Laza Krstić and Marica Dželatović” held in Novi Sad, Serbia. Basic anthropometric measurements were included (body height, body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI)), along with training experience and handgrip strength measurement (both dominant and nondominant hand). Kolmogorov-Smirnov Z test (p < 0.05) was used for distribution normality, along with regression analysis with Model 1 (participants age, training experience, body height, body weight and BMI), Model 2 (Model 1 + dominant handgrip strength) and Model 3 (Model 1 + nondominant handgrip strength). SPSS v.20 was used for all statistical analysis. Our study have revealed that there is significant influence of all 3 Models on the parallel bars final result (p = 0.033; p = 0.049; p = 0.031, respectively), in terms of all set of variables, whereas body weight Beta scores (28.6%; 30.3%; 32.7%, respectively) moslty explains the results. Both dominant and nondominant handgrip strength are influential factors only on the parallel bars final result. Since both hands are contributing equally, bilateral training is necessary. In order to expand the knowledge on this topic and completely understand the influential factors, future studies are needed on this sample. Regardless of our main findings, our results should be taken with caution

Is recreational soccer effective for improving VO_2max?:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Soccer is the most popular sport worldwide, with a long history and currently more than 500 million active participants, of whom 300 million are registered football club members. On the basis of scientific findings showing positive fitness and health effects of recreational soccer, FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) introduced the slogan “Playing football for 45 min twice a week—best prevention of non-communicable diseases” in 2010. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to determine the effects of recreational soccer on maximal oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text] ). METHODS: Six electronic databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, CINAHL and Google Scholar) were searched for original research articles. A manual search was performed to cover the areas of recreational soccer, recreational physical activity, recreational small-sided games and [Formula: see text] using the following key terms, either singly or in combination: recreational small-sided games, recreational football, recreational soccer, street football, street soccer, effect, maximal oxygen uptake, peak oxygen uptake, cardiorespiratory fitness, [Formula: see text] . The inclusion criteria were divided into four sections: type of study, type of participants, type of interventions and type of outcome measures. Probabilistic magnitude-based inferences for meta-analysed effects were based on standardised thresholds for small, moderate and large changes (0.2, 0.6 and 1.2, respectively) derived from between-subject standard deviations for baseline fitness. RESULTS: Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Mean differences showed that [Formula: see text] increased by 3.51 mL/kg/min (95 % CI 3.07–4.15) over a recreational soccer training programme in comparison with other training models. The meta-analysed effects of recreational soccer on [Formula: see text] compared with the controls of no exercise, continuous running and strength training were most likely largely beneficial [effect size (ES) = 1.46; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.91, 2.01; I(2) = 88.35 %], most likely moderately beneficial (ES = 0.68; 95 % CI 0.06, 1.29; I(2) = 69.13 %) and most likely moderately beneficial (ES = 1.08; 95 % CI −0.25, 2.42; I(2) = 71.06 %), respectively. In men and women, the meta-analysed effect was most likely largely beneficial for men (ES = 1.22) and most likely moderately beneficial for women (ES = 0.96) compared with the controls. After 12 weeks of recreational soccer with an intensity of 78–84 % maximal heart rate (HR(max)), healthy untrained men improved their [Formula: see text] by 8–13 %, while untrained elderly participants improved their [Formula: see text] by 15–18 %. Soccer training for 12–70 weeks in healthy women resulted in an improvement in [Formula: see text] of 5–16 %. Significant improvements in [Formula: see text] have been observed in patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension and prostate cancer. CONCLUSION: Recreational soccer produces large improvements in [Formula: see text] compared to strength training and no exercise, regardless of the age, sex and health status of the participants. Furthermore, recreational soccer is better than continuous endurance running, albeit the additional effect is moderate. This kind of physical activity has great potential for enhancing aerobic fitness, and for preventing and treating non-communicable diseases, and is ideal for addressing lack of motivation, a key component in physical (in)activity

Increasing postural deformity trends and body mass index analysis in school-age children

The aim of the study was to analyse the deviations of the body posture and to assess the occurrence of spine deformities. Additionally, Body Mass Index in school children was related to the trend in postural deformities for different age groups (5-8 years old, n=112; 9-11 years old, n=205; 12-14 years old, n=212) as part of the project “Spine Lab”, granted from the European Commission IPA founds, investigating the importance of public health issues

The 30-15 intermittent fitness test: A reliable, valid, and useful tool to assess aerobic capacity in female basketball players

Scanlan, AT ORCiD: 0000-0002-0750-8697Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability, validity, and usefulness of 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) in female basketball players. Methods: Nineteen female basketball players (17.82 ± 1.94 yr, 175.4 ± 7.3 cm, 67.9 ± 7.7 kg) competing in the National Croatian League performed one trial of a continuous treadmill running test and two trials of the 30-15IFT. The 30-15IFT involves 30-s runs across a 40-m course interspersed with 15 s of walking, with running speed increasing every 45 s. The continuous treadmill running test was used as the criterion for validation. Results: High to very high reliability across test-retest trials were observed for maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) (CV = 4.9%, ICC = 0.85), the 30-15IFT end-running velocity (VIFT) (CV = 6.0%, ICC = 0.85), and maximal heart rate (HRmax) (CV = 4.8%, ICC = 0.96). Criterion validity was supported for the 30-15IFT with strong to very strong relationships with VO2max (r =0.69), VIFT (r =0.74), and HRmax (r =0.73) attained during the continuous treadmill running test. The typical error (TE) of the 30-15IFT was greater than the smallest worthwhile change for VO2max (1.16 > 0.42 ml/kg/min), VIFT (0.56 > 0.20 km/h), and HRmax (2.15 > 1.89 bpm) adjudging usefulness of the test as marginal. The TE of 0.56 km/h (90% CI = 0.44-0.77 km/h) demonstrates changes in the performance of one to two stages (0.5-1.0 km/h) are meaningful. Conclusions: The 30-15IFT possesses acceptable reliability and validity to assess maximal aerobic fitness capacity in female basketball players. While the usefulness of the 30-15IFT was marginal, meaningful changes in performance consisted of only one to two stages. The present findings support the 30-15IFT as a practical testing option for basketball practitioners to assess fitness capacities in female players

Дія тривалих тренувань помірної інтенсивності на мікроциркуляторні порушення та товщину інтима-медіа сонної артерії в пацієнтів після ендоваскулярного та класичного шунтування

 Research on moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) is closely connected with primary and secondary cardiovascular protection but also can be associated with primary bypass patency and outcome of endovascular treatment for critical iliac stenosis TASC II A and B. After specific surgical or non-surgical treatment, iliac bypass or endovascular revascularization patency still depends on an individual and is still in the eye of scientific research modalities. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is an efficient surrogate parameter in detection and prediction of cerebrovascular events and potential marker of generalized atherosclerosis with prognosis of peripheral arterial disease related to prognosis of atherosclerotic coronary hemodynamic pathology.Materials and methods. A total of 139 patients were observed during 4 years of MICT. Ultrasonography of the distal part of the common carotid artery (CCA) was performed to measure CIMT before and after revascularization procedure. The bypass patency and walking distance was also studied.Results. In the total population, no difference in changes of CIMT from baseline was observed between the standard exercise group and controls in 4 years. However, there was a significant correlation between the effect of exercise training and CIMT within 4 years. CIMT was not significantly reduced in the exercise group compared with control non-diabetic patients.Conclusions. Exercise training in both groups did not significantly change carotid intima-media thickness in the four years following endovascular procedure and Dacron bypass revascularization, but significant beneficial effect of moderate-intensity continuous training on bypass patency was observed in patients with mild or without claudication symptoms as well as on subjective and objective health status. Научное исследование продолжительных тренировок умеренной интенсивности коррелирует с первичной и вторичной сердечно-сосудистой терапией, но и связано с исходом первичного обходного шунтирования и лечения эндоваскулярного подвздошного стеноза TASC II A и B. После специфического хирургического и нехирургического лечения результаты шунтирования или эндоваскулярной подвздошной реваскуляризации все еще зависят от пациента, и данные показатели актуальны для медицинских исследований. Толщина интима-медиа сонной артерии – эффективный замещающий параметр в определении и предупреждении инсульта, а также потенциальный маркер рассеянного атеросклероза с прогнозом поражения периферических артерий в связи с прогнозом коронарной атеросклеротической гемодинамической патологии.Материалы и методы. На протяжении 4 лет исследовали 139 пациентов во время длительных тренировок умеренной интенсивности. Проведена ультрасонография дальней части общей сонной артерии для измерения толщины интима медиа сонной артерии до и после реваскуляризации. Также определили проходимость шунта и дистанцию безболевой ходьбы.Результаты. У всех обследованных не наблюдали отличия в изменении толщины интима-медиа сонной артерии между стандартной и контрольной группами на протяжении 4 лет. Однако отмечена значительная взаимосвязь между действием тренировок и толщиной интима-медиа сонной артерии на протяжении 4 лет. Показатели толщины интима медиа сонной артерии незначительно уменьшились в базовой группе по сравнению с контрольной (у пациентов без диабета).Выводы. На протяжении 4 лет после эндоваскулярной процедуры и реваскуляризации дакроновым протезом тренировки, проводимые в обеих группах, незначительно изменили развитие показателя толщины интима-медиа сонной артерии, но наблюдали значительное позитивное действие продолжительных тренировок умеренной интенсивности на проходимость шунта с незначительными симптомами микроциркуляторных нарушений или их отсутствием в субъективном или объективном статусе пациента. Наукове дослідження тривалих тренувань помірної інтенсивності корелює з первинною та вторинною серцево-судинною терапією, але також пов’язане з результатом первинного обхідного шунтування та лікування ендоваскулярного здухвинного стенозу TASC II A та B. Після специфічного хірургічного та нехірургічного лікування результати шунтування або ендоваскулярної клубової реваскуляризації все ще залежать від пацієнта, і ці показники актуальні для медичних досліджень. Товщина інтима-медіа сонної артерії – ефективний заміщальний параметр у визначенні та запобіганні інсульту, а також потенційний маркер розсіяного атеросклерозу з прогнозом ураження периферичних артерій у зв’язку з прогнозом коронарної атеросклеротичної гемодинамічної патології.Матеріали та методи. Протягом 4 років дослідили 139 пацієнтів під час тривалих тренувань помірної інтенсивності. Виконали ультрасонографію дальньої частини загальної сонної артерії для вимірювання товщини інтима-медіа сонної артерії до та після реваскуляризації. Визначили прохідність шунта та дистанцію безбольової ходьби.Результати. У всіх осіб, яких дослідили, не спостерігали відмінності за зміною товщини інтима-медіа сонної артерії між стандартною та контрольною групами протягом 4 років. Однак виявили значущий взаємозв’язок між дією тренувань і товщиною інтима-медіа сонної артерії протягом 4 років. Показники товщини інтима-медіа сонної артерії несуттєво зменшилися в базовій групі порівняно з контрольною (в пацієнтів без діабету).Висновки. Протягом 4 років після ендоваскулярної процедури та реваскуляризації дакроновим протезом тренування, що відбувалися в обох групах, несуттєво змінили розвиток показника товщини інтима-медіа сонної артерії, але спостерігали значущу позитивну дію тривалих тренувань помірної інтенсивності на прохідність шунта з незначними симптомами мікроциркуляторних порушень або їхньою відсутністю в суб’єктивному чи об’єктивному статусі пацієнта.