Analyzing the within and between Players Variability of Heart Rate and Locomotor Responses in Small-Sided Soccer Games Performed Repeatedly over a Week

Background: Small-sided games (SSGs) are drill-based and constrained exercises designed to promote a technical/tactical and physiological/physical stimulus on players while preserving some dynamics of the real game. However, as a dynamic game, they can offer some variability making the prediction of the stimulus hardest for the coach. Aim: The purpose of this study was to analyze the between-session and within-player variability of heart rates and locomotor responses of young male soccer players in 3v3 and 5v5 small-sided game formats. Methods: This study followed a repeated-measures study design. Twenty soccer players were enrolled in a study design in which the SSG formats 3v3 and 5v5 were performed consecutively across four days. Twenty under-17 male youth soccer players (16.8 +/- 0.4 years old) voluntarily participated in this study. Participants were monitored using a Polar Team Pro for measuring the heart rate mean and maximum, distances covered at different speed thresholds, and peak speed. Results: Between-players variability revealed that maximum heart rate was the outcome with a smaller coefficient of variation (3v3 format: 3.1% to 11.1%; 5v5 format: 6.6% to 15.2%), while the distance covered at Z5 (3v3 format: 82.5% to 289.8%; 5v5 format: 94.0% to 221.1%). The repeated measures ANOVA revealed that the four games tested were different in the within-player variability considering the maximum heart rate (p = 0.032), total distance (p < 0.001), and distances at zone 1, 2, and 5 of speed (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The smaller small-sided game tested promotes greater within-player variability in locomotor demands while promoting smaller within-player variability heart rate responses. Possibly, 5v5 is more recommended to stabilize the locomotor demands, while the 3v3 is recommended to stabilize the heart rate stimulus

Selected vs. Non-Selected Under-20 National Futsal Players: Differences between Physical Performance and Training Intensity Experienced in Training Camps

The authors would like to thank the head coach Adil Amarante, team members, and U-20 Chinese Taipei futsal team players who volunteered for this study. This research was funded by Taipei Veterans General Hospital, VGHUST96-P1-06, and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, MOST-103-2410-H-075-001. In the case of Filipe Manuel Clemente, this work is funded by FundacAo para a Ciencia e Tecnologia/Ministerio da Ciencia, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior through national funds and when applicable co-funded EU funds under the project UIDB/50008/2020.The aim of this study was two-fold: (i) analyze the variations in the physical fitness of selected and non-selected under-20 male national futsal players; and (ii) analyze the variations in training intensity monitored during training camps. Thirty-three Taiwan under-20 national futsal players were monitored for training intensity during 18 training camps. They were divided into two groups: selected (n = 14) and non-selected (n = 17) players. The physical assessments included the following measures: body mass, distance covered at Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test Level 1, final velocity at 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15 IFT), standing long jump, maximum heart rate (HR), and 1-min sit-up. The training intensity was monitored using the rate of perceived exertion (RPE), HR at different intensity zones, and locomotor demands measured at different speed thresholds. The results revealed that the selected players were significantly faster in the 15-m sprint with ball (p = 0.001) and 30-m sprint (p = 0.001). Additionally, the selected players presented significantly greater HRaverage and time spent above 90% maximum HR during the three-to-six-day training camps (p < 0.05) compared to the non-selected players. Interestingly, the NS demonstrated a greater number of sprints during the training camps (p = 0.001), while the selected players presented greater distance/minute and average speed (p = 0.001). A regression analysis showed that the distance/minute and average speed was a significant predictor of maximum HR in the selected players. As conclusions, the physical fitness outcomes are different between the selected and nonselected national futsal players. The selected players spent more time in high intensity HR demands in training sessions.Taipei Veterans General Hospital VGHUST96-P1-06Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan MOST-103-2410-H-075-001Portuguese Foundation for Science and TechnologyEU funds UIDB/50008/202

Relationships between Fitness Status and Blood Biomarkers in Professional Soccer Players

Background. Physical conditions are recognized to be optimal after the pre-season (PS) phase in professional sports. Given that blood measures may also reveal variations, which in turn, may present associations with fitness changes. Objective. The aim of this study is to test the changes of blood markers and physical fitness outcomes at the beginning and following the PS phase. Additionally, we aimed also to analyze the associations of training adaptations between blood markers and the physical fitness measures. Methodology. 25 professional male soccer players (28.1 +/- 4.6 years old, 2.0 +/- 7.8kg, and 176.7 +/- 4.9cm) were assessed for hematological and biochemical parameters, and physical fitness measures in the baseline and after the phase of PS. Results. Increases in platelets were observed after the PS phase (p=0.001, eta 2=0.39). Regarding the biochemical parameters, significant increases between PS were found for creatinine (Cre) (p=0.001, eta 2=0.66), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p=0.001, eta 2=0.79), C-Reactive Protein (CRP) (p=0.001, eta 2=0.74), cortisol (C) (p=0.001, eta 2=0.63), and testosterone (T) (p=0.001, eta 2=0.76), whereas significant decreases were found for albumin (Alb) (p=0.004, eta 2=0.29), and calcium corrected (Ca Corr.) (p=0.002, eta 2=0.32). Moderate correlations were found between albumin and the 5-meter linear sprint split (r=-0.44 (95%CI: -0.71; -0.05)) and CRP (r=-0.48 (95%CI: -0.74; -0.10)). Moderate correlations were found between VAMEVAL and hemoglobin (r=0.44 (95%CI: 0.05; 0.71)). Conclusions. The overall physical fitness measures improved after the PS phase. Also, significant variations (decreases/increases) were observed for the case of biomchemical and hematological outcomes. Coaches should carefully consider the adaptative changes observed in blood parameters as the changes in whole organism and metabolism after specific critical phases as the PS in professional players. Thus, optimal management of stimulus/recovery can be warranted to minimize illness and injury rate and to follow the direction and dynamics of adaptative changes.Portuguese Foundation for Science and TechnologyEU funds UIDB/50008/202

Effects of a small‑sided games training program in youth male soccer players: variations of the locomotor profile while interacting with baseline level and with the accumulated load

Purpose: This study aimed to (1) analyze the impact of a small-sided game training program in the locomotor profile of youth male soccer players (while interacting with the baseline level – higher and lower level); and (2) test the relationships between variation in locomotor profile and the accumulated demands in 3v3, 5v5 and match over the period of observation. Methods: The cohort lasted 3-weeks. Twenty under-17 male amateur soccer players (16.8 ± 0.41 years; experience: 6.35 ± 0.67 years) were assessed twice for their final velocity at 30−15 intermittent fitness test (VIFT), peak speed at 30-m sprint test (PSS) and anaerobic speed reserve (ASR). The PSS was estimated using a Global Positioning System, while the VIFT was estimated using the maximum level attained by the players during the test. Based on the baseline levels, the scores were standardized using the Z-score. The total score of athleticism (TSA) was calculated per player to organize the players into two groups: lower TSA and higher TSA. Over the three weeks of observation, the small-sided games of 3v3 and 5v5 and match demands were monitored using polar team pro. The heart rate responses (mean and peak), distance covered (overall and split by speed thresholds), and peak speed in these games were obtained and summed over the weeks. The repeated measures ANCOVA tested the variations (time) of the locomotor profile of players while considering the baseline as covariable and the group as a factor. The Pearson-product correlation test analyzed the relationships between variations in locomotor profile (Δ, post-baseline) and the accumulated demands in 3v3, 5v5, and match. Results: Between-groups analysis (lower TSA vs. higher TSA) revealed no significant differences on VIFT (p = 0.915), PSS (p = 0.269), ASR (p = 0.258) and TSA score (p = 0.138). Within-group (baseline vs. post-observation) analysis revealed significant difference on VIFT (p < 0.001), PSS (p = 0.008), while no significant differences were found on ASR (p = 0.949) and TSA score (p = 0.619). Significant correlations were found between ΔPSS and match total distance (r = 0.444; p = 0.050), match Z2 (r = 0.481; p = 0.032) and match Z3 (r = 0.454; p = 0.044). Significant correlations were found between ΔTSA and match total distance (r = 0.457; p = 0.043), match Z1 (r = 0.451; p = 0.046), match Z2 (r = 0.500; p = 0.025) and match Z3 (r = 0.468; p = 0.037). Conclusion: Significant improvements were observed after the period of observation. However, the fitness baseline level and the accumulated training load in the small-sided games seem to have no significant impact on the observed improvements.Portuguese Foundation for Science and TechnologyEU funds UIDB/50008/202

Early stages of the roman occupation of Lagos, Portugal, from a Julian-Claudian ceramic context

En los últimos años, como resultado de la progresiva renovación y rehabilitación urbana de la ciudad de Lagos, se han realizado en el centro histórico un importante número de intervenciones arqueológicas de urgencia. Las noticias de nuevos hallazgos se han sucedido en el tiempo destacando para el período romano, las relacionadas con la presencia de varias fábricas de preparados piscícolas en la ribera de la ciudad, especialmente concentradas a lo largo de la calle 25 de Abril y la calle Silva Lopes. A pesar de las continuas informaciones que estas intervenciones han proporcionado todavía quedan por aclarar varias cuestiones relacionadas con las dimensiones de la zona fabril y sus ritmos productivos, especialmente las relacionadas con su fecha de inicio. Una reciente intervención en los nos. 72-78 de la calle 25 de Abril, nos ha permitido gracias a un excepcional contexto cerrado de mediados del s. I, profundizar y esclarecer dichas cuestiones. Además, el conjunto cerámico del pozo se postula como un auténtico “contexto de referencia” para el comercio en la región durante los cuartos centrales del s. I d.C.In recent years, as a result of the ongoing urban development at Lagos, a significant number of rescue excavations have been carried out in the historic centre. New discoveries dating back to Roman times have been made in connection with fish salting factories on the city shores, mainly concentrated along 25 de Abril street and Silva Lopes street. Some historical and archaeological questions related to the dimensions of this industrial area, its productive rhythms and, especially, the starting date of salt fishing activities are still elusive. However, at least the last issue can be partially clarified thanks to the archaeological excavation at number 72-78 of 25 de Abril street, which has provided an exceptional ceramic context from a well dated period back in the middle of the 1st century. In addition to that, this ceramic set can be regarded as an authentic “reference context” for trade in the region during the central years of the 1st century A.D

Effects of combined plyometric, strength and running technique training program on change-of-direction and countermovement jump: A two-armed parallel study design on young soccer players

Context and objective: Players must be capable to have a good change-of-direction (COD) skill aiming to be the fastest as possible to react immediately to the opponent or even to help players to be more agile since COD is a physical determinant of agility. Thus, the aim of this study was to test the effects of a six-week combined training intervention in the COD and countermovement jump (CMJ) of young soccer players, while comparing with a control group only performing the regular field-based training sessions.Methods: A sample of 80 non-professional players (40 experimental group and 40 control group) between the ages of ten and twelve was taken [(Age: 10.70 & PLUSMN; 1.02)]. The tests that were carried out from the beginning to the end of the intervention were: CMJ test, 505COD Test and Illinois Test. Paired sample t-test was used for determining differences as a repeated measures analysis (pre- post). An ANCOVA test was performed using the pretest as a covariate and the times pre and post as factors.Results and conclusions: Repeated measures ANCOVA revealed significant influence of baseline level on the 5-0-5 COD (p = 0.001; r/2p=0.170), the Illinois (p = 0.018; r/2p=0.070) and the CMJ (p = 0.047; r/2p=0.050). Significant interactions group*time (p < 0.001; r/2p=0.137), 5-0-5 COD (p < 0.001; r/2p=0.274), and CMJ (p < 0.001; r/2p=0.392) were found, while no significant interactions were found in Illinois (p = 0.293; r/2p=0.014). The current research revealed that a combined training intervention consisting of strength training, plyometrics, and running techniques can be significantly beneficial for improving COD performance and CMJ.Universidad de Granada/CBU

Key odorants of the typical aroma of Sherry vinegar

A representative Sherry vinegar was analysed by gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O). Two GC-O techniques were used targeting compounds with impact on the perceived quality of Sherry vinegar, i.e. detection frequency and aroma extract dilution analysis. A total of 108 aromatic notes were detected and 64 of them were identified. Diacetyl, isoamyl acetate, acetic acid, and sotolon reached the highest frequency and flavour dilution (FD) factors. Ethyl acetate accounted for the maximum frequency but had only a FD factor of 4. Similarity tests were performed between the Sherry vinegar and model solutions of all possible combinations of these compounds. The highest value from the similarity test was observed when diacetyl, ethyl acetate and sotolon were added simultaneously. The profile of this model solution and the representative Sherry vinegar showed a good similarity in the general aroma description, which emphasises the important contribution of these 3 compounds to the global aroma of this vinegar