Validity, Reliability and Reproducibility of OctoBalance Test as Tool to Measure the Upper Limb Compared to Modified-Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test

The articular evaluation of range of motion (ROM) is currently used to observe imbalance or limitations as possible risk factors or predispositions to suffer future injures. The main aim of this study is to verify the concurrent validity, reliability and reproducibility of the OctoBalance Test (OB) as a valid and reliable tool to measure articular ROM of the upper limb compared to the modified-Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (mUQYBT). The twenty-five participants were male athletes. All of them were assessed with OB and mUQYBT in medial, superolateral, and inferolateral directions in both right and left arms with a three-minute break during these attempts. The process was repeated a second time with a week gap between measurements. Pearson correlation and linear logarithmic regression were used to examine the relationship between scores obtained with OB and mUQYBT. In order to verify the reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used (3.1). Concordance and reproducibility were assessed using Bland–Altman’s graph. A perfect correlation and an almost linear logarithmic regression (R2 = 0.97) were observed between both measurement systems, with values of 73.531 ± 21.226 cm in mUQYBT and 69.541 ± 16.330 cm in OB. The differences were minimal between week one and week two. The assessment with Bland’s graph showed the concordance and reproducibility of scores, showing the dispersion and the upper and lower limits. OB is shown as valid in comparison to the other test as a reliable and reproducible tool for the assessment of the articular ROM in the upper limb, and it could be used for the evaluation of injuries

Reliability and usefulness of the 30-15 intermittent fitness test in male and female professional futsal players

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and usefulness of the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) in professional male and female futsal players. Thirteen male (24.4 ± 5.6 years; 174.5 ± 10.3 cm; 70.3 ± 9.9 kg) and fourteen female (23.3 ± 4.5 years; 165.8 ± 6.2 cm; 61.7 ± 5.5 kg) professional futsal players performed the 30-15IFT on two occasions, separated by 5 days. Maximal intermittent running velocity (VIFT) and heart rate at exhaustion (HRpeak) data were collected for both tests. Reliability was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), typical error (TE) expressed as a coefficient of variation (CV), and smallest worthwhile change (SWC). VIFT demonstrated very good reliability between sessions, both for male (ICC = 0.92) and female (ICC = 0.96) players. As the TE for VIFT and HRpeak was similar to the calculated SWC for both male and female players, the usefulness of the test was rated as “medium”. A change in performance of at least 2 stages in male players, or a change of more than 1 stage in female players could be interpreted as a meaningful change in aerobic futsal fitness. The results of this study demonstrate that the 30-15IFT is both a reliable and useful test for male and female professional futsal players

Detection of Upper Limb Asymmetries in Athletes According to the Stage of the Season - A Longitudinal Study

Sports injuries can affect the performance of athletes. For this reason, functional tests are used for injury assessment and prevention, analyzing physical or physiological imbalances and detecting asymmetries. The main aim of this study was to detect the asymmetries in the upper limbs (right and left arms) in athletes, using the OctoBalance Test (OB), depending on the stage of the season. Two hundred and fifty-two participants (age: 23.33 ± 8.96 years old; height: 178.63 ± 11.12 cm; body mass: 80.28 ± 17.61 kg; body mass index: 24.88 ± 4.58; sports experience: 12.52 ± 6.28 years), practicing different sports (rugby, athletics, football, swimming, handball, triathlon, basketball, hockey, badminton and volleyball), assessed with the OB in medial, superolateral, and inferolateral directions in both arms, in four moments of the season (May 2017, September 2017, February 2018 and May 2018). ANOVA test was used with repeated measures with a p ≤ 0.05, for the analysis of the different studied variances. Significant differences were found (p = 0.021) in the medial direction of the left arm, between the first (May 2017) and fourth stages (May 2018), with values of 71.02 ± 7.15 cm and 65.03 ± 7.66 cm. From the detection of asymmetries, using the OB to measure, in the medial, superolateral and inferolateral directions, mobility and balance can be assessed. In addition, it is possible to observe functional imbalances, as a risk factor for injury, in each of the stages into which the season is divided, which will help in the prevention of injuries and in the individualization of training.The APC was funded by Universidad Europea del Atlántico

Influence of body composition on vertical jump performance according with the age and the playing position in football players

Body composition and vertical jump are two factors in the multifactorial approach to talent identification in soccer with implication on performance monitorization and injury rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to describe the anthropometric attributes and vertical jump performance in young soccer players based on their playing position.four hundred and thirty-four young soccer players from 7 to 25 years (13.4 ± 3.45 yrs; 156 ± 17 cm; 47.9 ± 15.4 kg), who trained 3 days/week for 1.5 hours/ day, took part in the study. All were split up based on their age or soccer category (U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, U25) and playing position (goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and forwards). Then, body composition was measure using the anthropometric method and vertical jump performance was analysed by three vertical jump test Squat Jump (SJ), Counter-movement Jump (CMJ) and Abalakov Jump (CMJA).significant differences among playing positions were mainly detected in categories U13, U15 and U25. Goalkeepers from U13 category reported a significantly higher fat free mass, appendicular lean body mass, area of the thigh and area of the calf (P < 0.05). While, defenders from U25 category showed a significantly greater vertical jump performance compared to midfielders for SJ, midfielders and forwards for CMJ and all playing position for CMJA (P < 0.05).in addition to biological age and muscle mass development, playing position should be taken into consideration as a relevant variable in the utilization of body composition and vertical jump performance as talent detection factors.Actividad Física y Deport

Influencia de la composición corporal sobre el rendimiento en salto vertical dependiendo de la categoría de la formación y la demarcación en futbolistas

Introduction: body composition and vertical jump are two factors in the multifactorial approach to talent identification in soccer with implication on performance monitorization and injury rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to describe the anthropometric attributes and vertical jump performance in young soccer players based on their playing position. Methods: four hundred and thirty-four young soccer players from 7 to 25 years (13.4 ± 3.45 yrs; 156 ± 17 cm; 47.9 ± 15.4 kg), who trained 3 days/week for 1.5 hours/ day, took part in the study. All were split up based on their age or soccer category (U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, U25) and playing position (goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and forwards). Then, body composition was measure using the anthropometric method and vertical jump performance was analysed by three vertical jump test Squat Jump (SJ), Counter-movement Jump (CMJ) and Abalakov Jump (CMJA). Results: significant differences among playing positions were mainly detected in categories U13, U15 and U25. Goalkeepers from U13 category reported a significantly higher fat free mass, appendicular lean body mass, area of the thigh and area of the calf (P < 0.05). While, defenders from U25 category showed a significantly greater vertical jump performance compared to midfielders for SJ, midfielders and forwards for CMJ and all playing position for CMJA (P < 0.05). Conclusions: in addition to biological age and muscle mass development, playing position should be taken intoconsideration as a relevant variable in the utilization of body composition and vertical jump performance as talent detection factors.Actividad Física y Deport

Body composition features in different playing position of professional team indoor players

The aim of the present research was to analyze the body composition (BC) and the differences in BC among different playing position in professional basketball, handball and futsal players. BC was assessed in 70 professional indoor team sport players. Players were divided in 4 groups depending on the playing position: group 1, point guard, center/wings and defense; group 2, shooting guard/small forward, handed and midfielder; group 3, power forward/center, pivot and forward; and group 4 goalkeeper. Significant differences between playing positions in basketball in body mass (BM), height, proteins, minerals and arms, legs and trunk BM were found. In handball, significant differences between center/wings and pivot in BM and muscle mass, and between goalkeepers and handed in percentage of fat were measured. Significant differences were also found in BM of each playing position groups in the three sports and in arms and legs BM in groups 1 and 2, and trunk BM and height in group 2. Group 3 presented significant differences between futsal and basketball in skeletal muscle mass and trunk BM, and between basketball and handball in left leg BM and total BM. In group 4 significant differences in BM, height and trunk and leg BM between futsal and handball were found. BC in indoor team sports depend on the playing position and the sport discipline, the BC being result of the specific game actions of each playing position.Actividad Física y Deport

Análisis fisiológico de las tareas de entrenamiento en fútbol sala

It is important to be able to accurately monitor training load during futsal drills intended for physical development to allow the optimization of training parameters. The aim of this study was to analyze the conditional profile of futsal drills. Eight professional futsal players were assessed for heart rate, blood lactate, duration, and intervention time responses to 8 commonly used futsal training drills. Statistical analysis was realised with SPSS 20.0, and comprises general descriptive statistics and two ANOVA with Bonferroni correction. The results showed that real game exercises not reached the physiological load of matches. Furthermore, speed endurance drills reached bigger lactate concentration than the other futsal training activities. Finally, transition, mobility, full field, 4x4 and fly-goalkeeper drills had similar conditional characteristics, near to mixed endurance and anaerobic threshold. In conclusion, analyzed drills are adequate for the development of the metabolic pathways essential in futsal.El objetivo del estudio fue obtener un perfil condicional de las tareas en fútbol sala, analizándolas en función de 5 variables (tiempo de intervención, duración, FCMáx, FCMedia y concentración de lactato). Participaron 8 jugadores profesionales, con una muestra total de 70 tareas agrupadas en 8 subcategorías. El análisis estadístico fue realizado con el SPSS 20.0, y consta de análisis descriptivos generales y dos pruebas ANOVA de un factor con corrección de Bonferroni. Los resultados muestran que las tareas de juego real no alcanzan la carga fisiológica de la competición. Además, las tareas de resistencia a la velocidad alcanzan una lactacidemia superior al resto. Finalmente, las tareas de transición, movilidad, campo completo, 4x4 y portero-jugador tienen características condicionales similares, adecuadas para el desarrollo de la resistencia mixta y umbral anaeróbico. Se concluye que las tareas analizadas sirven para el desarrollo de las diferentes vías metabólicas características del fútbol sala

Influencia de la composición corporal sobre el rendimiento en salto vertical dependiendo de la categoría de la formación y la demarcación en futbolistas

Introduction: body composition and vertical jump are two factors in the multifactorial approach to talent identification in soccer with implication on performance monitorization and injury rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to describe the anthropometric attributes and vertical jump performance in young soccer players based on their playing position. Methods: four hundred and thirty-four young soccer players from 7 to 25 years (13.4 ± 3.45 yrs; 156 ± 17 cm; 47.9 ± 15.4 kg), who trained 3 days/week for 1.5 hours/ day, took part in the study. All were split up based on their age or soccer category (U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, U25) and playing position (goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and forwards). Then, body composition was measure using the anthropometric method and vertical jump performance was analysed by three vertical jump test Squat Jump (SJ), Counter-movement Jump (CMJ) and Abalakov Jump (CMJA). Results: significant differences among playing positions were mainly detected in categories U13, U15 and U25. Goalkeepers from U13 category reported a significantly higher fat free mass, appendicular lean body mass, area of the thigh and area of the calf (P < 0.05). While, defenders from U25 category showed a significantly greater vertical jump performance compared to midfielders for SJ, midfielders and forwards for CMJ and all playing position for CMJA (P < 0.05). Conclusions: in addition to biological age and muscle mass development, playing position should be taken intoconsideration as a relevant variable in the utilization of body composition and vertical jump performance as talent detection factors.Actividad Física y Deport