Match Load Physical Demands in U-19 Professional Soccer Players Assessed by a Wearable Inertial Sensor

Background: Wearable inertial sensors are poorly used in soccer to monitor external load (EL) indicators. However, these devices could be useful for improving sports performance and potentially reducing the risk of injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the EL indicators (i.e., cinematic, mechanical, and metabolic) differences between playing positions (i.e., central backs, external strikers, fullbacks, midfielders, and wide midfielder) during the first half time of four official matches (OMs). Methods: 13 young professional soccer players (Under-19; age: 18.5 ± 0.4 years; height: 177 ± 6 cm; weight: 67 ± 4.8 kg) were monitored through a wearable inertial sensor (TalentPlayers TPDev, firmware version 1.3) during the season 2021-2022. Participants' EL indicators were recorded during the first half time of four OMs. Results: significant differences were detected in all the EL indicators between playing positions except for two of them (i.e., distance traveled in the various metabolic power zones (<10 w) and the number of direction changes to the right >30° and with speed >2 m). Pairwise comparisons showed differences in EL indicators between playing positions. Conclusions: Young professional soccer players showed different loads and performances during OMs in relation to playing positions. Coaches should consider the different physical demands related to playing positions in order to design the most appropriate training program

Association between internal load responses and recovery ability in U19 professional soccer players: A machine learning approach

Background The objective of soccer training load (TL) is enhancing players’ performance while minimizing the possible negative effects induced by fatigue. In this regard, monitoring workloads and recovery is necessary to avoid overload and injuries. Given the controversial results found in literature, this study aims to better understand the complex relationship between internal training load (IL) by using rating of perceived exertion (RPE), recovery, and availability (i.e., subjective players’ readiness status). Methods In this cross-sectional study, twenty-two-professional soccer players (age: 18.5 ± 0.4 years, height: 177 ± 6 cm, weight: 67 ± 6.7 kg) competing in the U19 Italian Championship were monitored using RPE scale to assess IL, and TreS scale to detect information about recovery and training/match availability during an entire season (2021–2022). Results Autocorrelation analysis showed a repeated pattern with 7 days lag (weekly microcycle pattern) for all the variables considered (i.e., TL, recovery, and availability). For recovery (r = 0.64, p < 0.001) and availability (r = 0.63, p < 0.001) the best lag for both of them is 1 day. It indicates that recovery and availability are related to the past day value. Moreover, TL was found to be negatively affected by recovery and availability of the current day (lag = 0 day). Cross-correlation analysis indicates that TL is negatively affected by recovery (r = 0.46, p < 0.001) and availability (r = 0.42, p < 0.001) of the current day (lag = 0 day). In particular, lower recovery and availability will result in following lower TL. Furthermore, we found that TL negatively affects recovery (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) and availability (r = 0.39, p < 0.01) of the next day (lag = 1 day). In fact, the higher the TL in a current day is, the lower the recovery and availability in the next day will be. Conclusion In conclusion, this study highlights that there is a relationship between TL and recovery and that these components influence each other both on the same day and on the next one. The use of RPE and TreS scale to evaluate TL and recovery/availability of players allows practitioners to better adjust and schedule training within the microcycle to enhance performance while reducing injury risk

A scoping review on how physical fitness is evaluated in sitting volleyball players

Introduction: Sitting volleyball is a widely practiced paralympic sport. A correct and standardized physical evaluation helps coaches to plan and manage the training. It is also important to evaluate physical fitness accurately and adopt standardized protocols to compare and normalize the data. The aim of the study was to evaluate physical fitness evaluation methods adopted in sitting volleyball and to eventually propose standard operating procedures. Evidence acquisition: English-written and peer-reviewed original articles were included in this review. The population studied was composed only of athletes practicing sitting volleyball. Articles were searched on the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using keywords matched with Boolean operators. Two independent investigators collected and screened the studies against the eligibility criteria. Data were analyzed narratively. Evidence synthesis: Only 7 studies were eligible and included in this review, but a wide testing methodology exists. There are some tests commonly adopted in the studies included and these are the handgrip test, the agility t-test, the speed, and endurance test. These tests with the 2-site skinfold thickness evaluation, the modified push-ups, the shoulder-stretch test, the chest throw test and the simple reaction time task were included in the standard operating procedure. Conclusions: The literature on the topic is poor and standardization of the testing procedure to evaluate the physical fitness of people practicing SV has been provided

A standard operating procedure for the physical performance analysis of wheelchair fencer: a scoping review

Introduction: Wheelchair fencing (WF) is a very practiced sport within the Paralympic world. A careful analysis of the characteristics and data of a WF athlete can be useful for coaches and movement experts to better plan a training program. The objective of the study was to evaluate physical fitness assessment methods adopted in WF and to propose a standard operating procedures (SOP). Evidence acquisition: Original articles written in English were included in this review, and the population studied was composed of athletes who practiced WF. Studies were searched from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases using keywords and Boolean operators. Eight studies were included in this review. Evidence synthesis: Most of the studies converge and agree on the physical, physiological, and technical characteristics of a WF athlete. Conclusions: The scientific literature referring to this sport is very scarce, hence the need for new original studies to optimize the SOP proposed

Patisiran Enhances Muscle Mass after Nine Months of Treatment in ATTRv Amyloidosis: A Study with Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis and Handgrip Strength

Background and aims. Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv) is caused by mutations in the TTR gene, leading to misfolded monomers that aggregate generating amyloid fibrils. The clinical phenotype is heterogeneous, characterized by a multisystemic disease affecting the sensorimotor, autonomic functions along with other organs. Patisiran is a small interfering RNA acting as a TTR silencer approved for the treatment of ATTRv. Punctual and detailed instrumental biomarkers are on demand for ATTRv to measure the severity of the disease and monitor progression and response to treatment. Methods. Fifteen patients affected by ATTRv amyloidosis (66.4 ± 7.8 years, six males) were evaluated before the start of therapy with patisiran and after 9-months of follow-up. The clinical and instrumental evaluation included body weight and height; Coutinho stage; Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS); Karnofsky performance status (KPS); Norfolk QOL Questionnaire; Six-minute walking test (6 MWT); nerve conduction studies; handgrip strength (HGS); and bioimpedance analysis (BIA). Results. Body composition significantly changed following the 9-months pharmacological treatment. In particular, the patients exhibited an increase in fat free mass, body cell mass, and body weight with a decrease in fat mass. A significant increase after 9 months of treatment was observed for the 6 MWT. Coutinho stage, KPS, NIS, NIS-W, nerve conduction studies, Norfolk, COMPASS-31 scale, and HGS remained unchanged. Conclusions. BIA might represent a useful tool to assess the effects of multiorgan damage in ATTRv and to monitor disease progression and response to treatments. More evidence is still needed for HGS. Patisiran stabilizes polyneuropathy and preserves motor strength by increasing muscle mass after 9 months of treatment