Examination of the sprinting and jumping force-velocity profiles in young soccer players at different maturational stages

The aim was to determine the relationships among components of the force-velocity (F-V) profiles in jumping and sprinting, with both biological and chronological ages in 89 young soccer players belonging to categories from U10 to U18. Participants performed countermovement jumps (CMJ) and 20-m sprint tests. F-V components assessed were associated with both maturity offset and chronological age, using correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. Horizontal (i.e., maximal theoretical force [F0 ] and velocity [V0 ], maximal power [Pmax ] and F-V slope) and vertical (i.e., [F0 ] and [Pmax ]) F-V components displayed very large correlations (i.e., 0.79 ≤ r ≤ 0.92) with both chronological age and maturity offset. The combination of sprinting Pmax and training experience and jumping F0 and training experience explained up to 94% of the variances in maturity offset and chronological age. Furthermore, similar correlations were found between sprinting and jumping performances, and components of the F-V profiles, and both maturity offset and chronological age. Identification of vertical jump and sprint mechanical determinants may assist in strengthening those components of the F-V profile which are weaker throughout the training process. Sprinting and jumping capabilities can be indistinctly monitored with respect to their chronological age or maturity offset in young soccer players

Relationship between vertical and horizontal force-velocity-power profiles in various sports and levels of practice

This study aimed (i) to explore the relationship between vertical (jumping) and horizontal (sprinting) force–velocity–power (FVP) mechanical profiles in a large range of sports and levels of practice, and (ii) to provide a large database to serve as a reference of the FVP profile for all sports and levels tested. A total of 553 participants (333 men, 220 women) from 14 sport disciplines and all levels of practice participated in this study. Participants performed squat jumps (SJ) against multiple external loads (vertical) and linear 30–40 m sprints (horizontal). The vertical and horizontal FVP profile (i.e., theoretical maximal values of force (F0), velocity (v0), and power (Pmax)) as well as main performance variables (unloaded SJ height in jumping and 20-m sprint time) were measured. Correlations coefficient between the same mechanical variables obtained from the vertical and horizontal modalities ranged from −0.12 to 0.58 for F0, −0.31 to 0.71 for v0, −0.10 to 0.67 for Pmax, and −0.92 to −0.23 for the performance variables (i.e, SJ height and sprint time). Overall, results showed a decrease in the magnitude of the correlations for higher-level athletes. The low correlations generally observed between jumping and sprinting mechanical outputs suggest that both tasks provide distinctive information regarding the FVP profile of lower-body muscles. Therefore, we recommend the assessment of the FVP profile both in jumping and sprinting to gain a deeper insight into the maximal mechanical capacities of lower-body muscles, especially at high and elite levels

Differences between adjusted vs. non- adjusted loads in velocity-based training: consequences for strength training control and programming

Strength and conditioning specialists commonly deal with the quantification and selection the setting of protocols regarding resistance training intensities. Although the one repetition maximum (1RM) method has been widely used to prescribe exercise intensity, the velocity-based training (VBT) method may enable a more optimal tool for better monitoring and planning of resistance training (RT) programs. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two RT programs only differing in the training load prescription strategy (adjusting or not daily via VBT) with loads from 50 to 80% 1RM on 1RM, countermovement (CMJ) and sprint. Twenty-four male students with previous experience in RT were randomly assigned to two groups: adjusted loads (AL) (nD13) and non-adjusted loads (NAL) (nD11) and carried out an 8-week (16 sessions) RT program. The performance assessment pre- and post-training program included estimated 1RM and full load-velocity profile in the squat exercise; countermovement jump (CMJ); and 20-m sprint (T20). Relative intensity (RI) and mean propulsive velocity attained during each training session (Vsession) was monitored. Subjects in the NAL group trained at a significantly faster Vsession than those in AL (p < 0.001) (0.88 - 0.91 vs. 0.67- 0.68 m/s, with a 15% RM gap between groups for the last sessions), and did not achieve the maximum programmed intensity (80% RM). Significant differences were detected in sessions 3- 4, showing differences between programmed and performed Vsession and lower RI and velocity loss (VL) for the NAL compared to the AL group (p < 0.05). Although both groups improved 1RM, CMJ and T20, NAL experienced greater and significant changes than AL (28.90 vs.12.70%, 16.10 vs. 7.90% and -1.99 vs. - 0.95%, respectively). Load adjustment based on movement velocity is a useful way to control for highly individualised responses to training and improve the implementation of RT programs

Effects of Acute Vitamin C plus Vitamin E Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Runners: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Considering the existing controversy over the possible role of acute antioxidant vitamins in reducing exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), this doubled-blind, randomized and controlled trial aimed to determine whether supplementation with vitamins C and E could mitigate the EIMD in endurance-trained runners (n = 18). The exercise protocol involved a warm-up followed by 6 to 8 bouts of 1 km running at 75% maximum heart rate (HRmax). Two hours before the exercise protocol, participants took the supplementation with vitamins or placebo, and immediately afterwards, blood lactate, rate of perceived exertion and performance were assessed. At 24 h post-exercise, CK, delayed onset muscle soreness and performance were determined (countermovement jump, squat jump and stiffness test). The elastic index and vertical stiffness were calculated using a stiffness test. Immediately after the exercise protocol, all participants showed improved maximum countermovement jump, which only persisted after 24 h in the vitamin group (p 0.05). Vitamin C and E supplementation does not seem to help with EIMD in endurance-trained individual

Análisis de variables medidas en salto vertical relacionadas con el rendimiento deportivo y su aplicación al entrenamiento

Uno de los indicadores de la condición física de los atletas es la potencia. La altura del salto es un buen predictor de la potencia muscular, y, por tanto, varios tipos de saltos verticales se han empleado como tests estandarizados del rendimiento deportivo. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la relación entre la capacidad de salto y la capacidad de aceleración en velocistas. Participaron 36 velocistas de nivel nacional e internacional y realizaron los saltos Squat Jump (SJ), el Salto con Contramovimiento (CMJ) y el CMJ con cargas progresivas (CMJc), además de carreras de 20 m y 30 m. En nuestro caso, obtuvimos relaciones significativas entre el CMJ (r=-0,65, p<0,01) y el CMJ con aquella carga que permite generar la máxima potencia en el test de CMPc (r=-0,56, p<0,01), dándose las mayores relaciones para el tramo lanzado de 20 m a 30 m. En conclusión, el tiempo en distancias lanzadas sería la mejor referencia para comprobar la evolución del rendimiento, aconsejando que el control de los cambios producidos por el entrenamiento en la velocidad en la fase de aceleración debería evaluarse en un tramo lanzado. Además, la carga con la que se alcanza la máxima potencia en el salto (CMJMP) debe utilizarse para controlar la evolución de la condición física del deportista en cualquier momento del ciclo de entrenamiento

Aplicación del CMJ para el control del entrenamiento en las sesiones de velocidad

Como respuesta a la necesidad de ajustar las cargas de entrenamiento de los velocistas en las sesiones de velocidad, motivada por la gran variabilidad en el número de series que los entrenadores utilizan y el desconocimiento sobre cuántas series realizar, cuándo deben interrumpir un entrenamiento o qué herramienta usar para controlar de forma óptima el entrenamiento de carrera, se llevó a cabo este estudio, en el que se intentó abordar la relación entre el grado de carga y la fatiga, medida a través de las pérdidas de velocidad y de la capacidad de salto y por el estrés metabólico. Participaron 18 velocistas de nivel nacional e internacional. Realizaron carreras de 40, 60 y 80 m realizadas a la máxima velocidad posible hasta perder un 3% de la velocidad. Se llevó a cabo en tres sesiones diferentes distanciadas en una semana. Antes y después de cada carrera realizaban 3 saltos con contramovimiento (CMJ) y se realizaron tomas de lactato en la primera y última repetición realizada. Las pérdidas producidas en las sucesivas carreras presentó una alta relación entre las distancias y la disminución del salto. En 40 m esta pérdida fue equivalente a la pérdida de velocidad, 3,1% para 40 m, pero aumentó al 6,7% en 60 m y al 8,3% en 80 m. Esta relación entre las pérdidas en CMJ y las distancias recorridas podría utilizarse como indicador del grado de fatiga que producen los distintos tipos de esfuerzos realizados y, por tanto, serían útiles para el control y dosificación de la carga de entrenamiento

Sprint Performance and Mechanical Force-Velocity Profile among Different Maturational Stages in Young Soccer Players

The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of maturation status on the components of the sprint force-velocity (F-V) profile in young soccer players. Sixty-two young male soccer players from the same professional soccer academy took part in the present study. A cross-sectional design was implemented to compare the main components of the sprint F-V profile (i.e., maximal theoretical force (F0), velocity (V0), power (Pmax), and ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force (RFpeak), and decrease in the ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force (DRF)) and sprint performance (5, 20, and 30 m sprint time) among participants&rsquo; maturation stages (i.e., pre-, mid- and post-peak height velocity (PHV) groups). The results show that the ES of differences in 5 min sprint performance, F0, and RFpeak (i.e., strength- and acceleration-related components of the sprint F-V profile) were greater between pre- and mid-PHV groups than those between mid- and post-PHV groups (i.e., large and very large effects (1.24 &le; ES &le; 2.42) vs. moderate, small, and zero effects (0 &le; ES &le; 0.69), respectively). However, the ES of differences in V0 and DRF (i.e., peak speed-related components of the sprint F-V profile) were greater between mid- and post-PHV groups than those between pre- and mid-PHV groups (i.e., large effects (1.54 &le; ES &le; 1.92) vs. moderate effects (&minus;0.59 &le; ES &le; 1), respectively). Once the strength development is achieved to a great extent from the pre- to mid-PHV groups, specific strength training methods may be used for young soccer players to improve their sprint performance

Mental, physical, and phychophysiological responses to FFP2/N95 face mask during HIIT in active women

Training systems based on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) have experienced great influence in recent years within the context of exercise and sport. This study aims to provide insight on whether the immediate outcomes (e.g., central and peripheral acute responses) may be intensified or attenuated when a HIIT protocol is performed using a FFP2/N95 face mask in active healthy adult women. In other words, it strives to provide new findings relative to the use of face masks as a potential performance enhancing tool. In the current study, the same training session was carried out on two occasions under different conditions (i.e., with FFP2/N95 and without FFP2/N95) in a cross-over experimental design. The following study variables were assessed before and after the HIIT in both sessions: Lactate, cortisol, alphaamylase, selective attention, countermovement jump (CMJ), and power output. Additionally, central and peripheral Rates of Perceived Exertion (RPE) were assessed before and during the HIIT. This study makes novel contributions to prior research, showing that the use of FFP2/N95 face mask (vs. no mask) yielded higher alpha-amylase, selective attention, and peripheral RPE scores. No significant differences were found for lactate, cortisol, CMJ, and power output. Interestingly, central RPE scores were significantly lower under FFP2/N95 face mask (vs. no mask) condition. The main suggestion in light of these results is that researchers and practitioners should consider potential peripheral and central responses to training stimuli when using FFP2/N95 face masksThis project was developed thanks to the Autonomous University of Madrid and financially supported by the Public Sports Department of the City of Madrid, grant number: 145500. Such grant was awarded to V.C. This research was also supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacio´n (Spain), grant number: PID2020-116651GB-C33 / AEI / 10.13039/501100011033. Such grant was awarded to J.H