Effects of short-term strength and jumping exercises distribution on soccer player’s physical fitness

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a short-term (six weeks) preseason strength and jumping exercises distribution program on amateur adult soccer player’s indicators of physical fitness. Twenty male athletes (age 20.1±1.6 years) were randomly divided into two groups that completed a volume-equated training program differing only in exercises distribution: a group that completed three weeks of strength followed by three weeks of plyometric training (TT; n=10) and a group that completed six weeks of combined strength and plyometric drills (S+P; n=10). Athletes completed a triple hop test with the dominant (HOPd) and non-dominant leg (HOPnd), a 15 meters sprint, a change of direction speed (CODS) test (i.e. T test), and a 6×30 meters repeated sprint with change of direction for the best (RSCODb) and mean velocity (RSCODm), and the percentage of decrement (%Dec) in sprint time. Moreover, athletes performed a squat test for maximal power. Both strength and jumping training programs were performed two times per week, equated for exercises, frequency, volume, and intensity per session. The TT group completed the strength training volume during the first three weeks, and the plyometric training volume in the last three weeks, while the S+P combined strength and plyometric training during the six weeks. A 2 (group) × 2 (time: pre, post) ANOVA with repeated measures was used for statistical analysis. Analyses revealed significant improvements for the TT and S+P (HOPd: ES=0.91, 10.28 and 16.69%, respectively; HOPnd: ES=0.86, 11.49 and 14.71%, respectively; RSCODb: ES=0.84, 9.23 and 8.34%, respectively; RSCODm: ES=0.89, 8.56 and 7.51%, respectively). In the post-test there were no significant differences between the groups in any variable analyzed. In conclusion, both training approaches were equally effective at improving jumping and repeated sprinting ability. However, only after the S+P training approach a significant improvement in CODS was observed, with more substantial changes in maximal sprinting speed

Effects of different post-activation potentiation warm-ups on repeated sprint ability in soccer players from different competitive levels

This study aimed to compare the effects of a traditional warm-up with two post-activation potentiation (PAP) warm-up strategies on the repeated sprint ability (RSA) of soccer players from national (NL) and regional (RL) competitive levels. Sixteen young players (NL, n = 8, age = 20.7 +/- 1.4 y, body mass = 68.5 +/- 7.0 kg, body height = 177.4 +/- 5.2 cm; RL, n = 8, age = 20.8 +/- 1.0 y, body mass = 68.7 +/- 4.0 kg, body height = 176.6 +/- 5.6 cm) were recruited to complete a traditional warm-up (CONTROL), a PAP warm-up incorporating squats with a load (similar to 60% 1RM) that allowed a high speed (1 m/s) of movement and a high number of repetitions (PAP-1), and a PAP warm-up with a load (similar to 90% 1RM) that allowed a moderate speed (0.5 m/s) of movement and a reduced number of repetitions (PAP-0.5). A RSA test (six 20-m sprints with 20 s of recovery) was performed 5 min after the PAP warm-up to assess the effects of the different protocols on the fastest sprint (RSAb) and the mean time of all sprints (RSAm). A meaningful improvement of RSA performance was observed with PAP-0.5, attaining a large effect on NL (RSAb, ES = -1.5; RSAm, ES = -1.3) and only a small effect on RL athletes (RSAb and RSAm, ES = -0.2). Moreover, when each RSA sprint performance was compared between NL and RL players, after PAP-0.5 greater performance for all sprints was observed in the NL players. Therefore, adding a heavy strength-based conditioning exercise during the warm-up prior to a RSA test may induce significant performance improvements in NL, but only small effects in RL players

Evaluation of alfalfa varieties in the province of Salamanca

XLV Reunión Científica de la SEEP (Sesión: Producción Vegetal)Se realiza un estudio comparativo de 26 variedades registradas de alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), cultivadas en regadío en la provincia de Salamanca, evaluando la producción y contenido de proteína bruta. El primer año del experimento se realizaron cuatro cortes, siendo la producción en el primer corte significativamente más baja que en el resto. La producción total anual oscila entre 8160 kg ha-1 en la variedad “Baraka” y 10109 kg ha-1 en “Bar MS 82439”, con un valor medio sobre todas las variedades de 9370 kg ha-1. El contenido de proteína bruta oscila entre 19,30% en la variedad “Almar” y 23,47% en la variedad “Aragón”.{ENG}Dry matter production and protein content were evaluated in 26 alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) varieties grown under irrigation in the province of Salamanca. In the first year four harvests were made. The dry matter production of the first haverst was the lowest. The annual dry matter production ranged between 8160 kg ha-1 in “Baraka” and 10109 kg ha-1 in “Bar MS 82439”, with a mean value across varieties of 9370 kg ha-1. The protein content ranged between 19.30% in “Almar” and 23.47% in “Aragón” variety.Este trabajo ha sido realizado con financiación del Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (AGL2002-02766 AGR-FOR

Post-activation potentiation: effects of different conditioning intensities on measures of physical fitness in male young professional soccer players

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different warm-up conditioning intensities on the physical fitness (i.e., post-activation potentiation -PAP), of professional male field soccer players. Athletes (n = 10; age: 21.6 ± 3.2 years) completed a control warm-up and warm-ups aimed to induce PAP, in random and counterbalanced order. After control and experimental warm-up sessions participants completed a triple hop test with the dominant (H3Jd) and a non-dominant (H3Jnd) leg, a squat jump (SJ), a countermovement jump (CMJ), a change of direction ability (COD) test, a repeated sprint with a COD (RSCOD) test and a linear 30-m sprint test (S-30). The control warm-up (WU) protocol was designed according to athlete's regular warm-up practice. The experimental warm-ups included the same exercises as the WU, with addition of one set of half-back squats for 10 repetitions at 60%, 5 repetitions at 80%, and 1 repetition at 100% of 1RM (60%-1RM, 80%-1RM and 100%-1RM, respectively.) Threshold values for Cohen's effect sizes (ES) were calculated and used for group's comparison. Likely to most likely improvements were shown in H3Jd (ES = 0.52), H3Jnd (ES = 0.51), COD (ES = 0.38), fasted sprint (RSCODb) (ES = 0.58) and the total time of all sprints (RSCODt) (ES = 0.99) only after the 80%-1RM protocol in comparison to the WU. Conversely, 100%-1RM and 60%-1RM protocols, compared to WU, induced possibly to most likely poorer performance in all jumps, COD and RSCODb (ES = -0.07 to -1.03 and ES = -0.48 to -0.91, respectively). Possibly to most likely improvements were shown in all jumps, COD, RSCODb and RSCODt after the 80%-1RM warm-up protocol in comparison to the 100%-1RM and 60%-1RM warm-up protocols (ES = 0.35 to 2.15 and ES = 0.61 to 1.46, respectively). A moderate warm-up intensity (i.e., 80%-1RM back squat) may induce greater PAP, including improvements in jumping, repeated and non-repeated change of direction speed in male soccer players

Infection with the fungal endophyte Epichloë festucae may alter the allelopathic potential of red fescue

16 páginas, 3 tablas, 2 figurasRed fescue (Festuca rubra) is a perennial grass used as both forage and turfgrass. Asymptomatic plants of this species are systemically infected by the fungal endophyte Epichloë festucae, which has a beneficial effect on the infected plants. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the endophyte Epichloë festucae on the allelopathic potential of Festuca rubra against four associated pasture species that are also considered as weeds in lawns, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Lotus corniculatus, and Plantago lanceolata. Two experiments were designed to evaluate the allelopathic effect of extracts from the roots and leaves of endophyte-infected (E+) and non-infected (E-) plants on the germination and seedling growth of the four target species. Regardless of the endophyte status of the host plant, leaf extracts elicited a stronger reduction in germination and seedling growth than root extracts. Extracts from E+ plants reduced the speed of germination index of Trifolium spp. to a greater extent than those from E- plants. Radicle length of the target species was the parameter most affected by the presence of the endophyte in F. rubra. Root extracts from E+ plants had a greater inhibitory effect on the radicle growth of the target species than did root extracts from E- plants. A greater concentration in total phenolic compounds was found in the roots of E+ plants than of E-; however, this difference was not observed in the leaves. Thus, the allelopathic potential of F. rubra is altered in infected plants.This work was funded by project AGL2008-01159AGR from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and FEDER. Thanks are due to Dr. Nuria Pedrol for helpful comments in the experimental design and procedures and to Dr. Iñigo Zabalgogeazcoa for comments that improved the manuscript.Peer reviewe

Effects of Different Post-Activation Potentiation Warm-Ups on Repeated Sprint Ability in Soccer Players from Different Competitive Levels

[EN] This study aimed to compare the effects of a traditional warm-up with two post-activation potentiation (PAP) warm-up strategies on the repeated sprint ability (RSA) of soccer players from national (NL) and regional (RL) competitive levels. Sixteen young players (NL, n = 8, age = 20.7 ± 1.4 y, body mass = 68.5 ± 7.0 kg, body height = 177.4 ± 5.2 cm; RL, n = 8, age = 20.8 ± 1.0 y, body mass = 68.7 ± 4.0 kg, body height = 176.6 ± 5.6 cm) were recruited to complete a traditional warm-up (CONTROL), a PAP warm-up incorporating squats with a load (~60% 1RM) that allowed a high speed (1 m/s) of movement and a high number of repetitions (PAP-1), and a PAP warm-up with a load (~90% 1RM) that allowed a moderate speed (0.5 m/s) of movement and a reduced number of repetitions (PAP-0.5). A RSA test (six 20-m sprints with 20 s of recovery) was performed 5 min after the PAP warm-up to assess the effects of the different protocols on the fastest sprint (RSAb) and the mean time of all sprints (RSAm). A meaningful improvement of RSA performance was observed with PAP-0.5, attaining a large effect on NL (RSAb, ES = -1.5; RSAm, ES = -1.3) and only a small effect on RL athletes (RSAb and RSAm, ES = -0.2). Moreover, when each RSA sprint performance was compared between NL and RL players, after PAP-0.5 greater performance for all sprints was observed in the NL players. Therefore, adding a heavy strength-based conditioning exercise during the warm-up prior to a RSA test may induce significant performance improvements in NL, but only small effects in RL players.S

Effects of high-intensity training with one versus three changes of direction on youth female basketball players' performance

To compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIT) with one versus three changes of direction (COD) on young (age, 17.2 +/- 1.1 years) female basketball players' performance, six weeks of regular basketball training (control period) was followed by six weeks of high-intensity training added to regular training, two times per week, with a random allocation of athletes to either HIT with one (HIT-COD1; n=6) or three COD (HIT-COD3; n=6). Before and after the control and HIT-COD training periods athletes performed repeated-sprint ability test (RSA), modified agility T-test (MAT), V-cut, triple standing dominant (TS-D) and non-dominant (TS-ND) jump, TS-D and TS-ND with COD tests, and 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15(IFT)). With the exception of a substantial improvement in V-cut in both groups, no substantial changes occurred during the control period. Both HIT-COD training programs improved V-cut, although only HIT-COD3 substantially improved RSA mean time (RSA(m)), MAT and the final speed reached in 30-15(IFT) (V-IFT). The between-group comparison revealed greater improvements in RSA(m) and V-IFT in HIT-COD3 than in HIT-COD1. In conclusion, supplementation of basketball training with HIT-COD drills adds improvements to young female basketball player's performance, especially when 3 COD are incorporated into HIT

Effects of high-intensity training with one versus three changes of direction on youth female basketball players’ performance

To compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIT) with one versus three changes of direction (COD) on young (age, 17.2±1.1 years) female basketball players’ performance, six weeks of regular basketball training (control period) was followed by six weeks of high-intensity training added to regular training , two times per week, with a random allocation of athletes to either HIT with one (HIT-COD1; n=6) or three COD (HIT-COD3; n=6). Before and after the control and HIT-COD training periods athletes performed repeatedsprint ability test (RSA), modified agility T-test (MAT), V-cut, triple standing dominant (TS-D) and nondominant (TS-ND) jump, TS-D and TS-ND with COD tests, and 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT). With the exception of a substantial improvement in V-cut in both groups, no substantial changes occurred during the control period. Both HIT-COD training programs improved V-cut, although only HIT-COD3 substantially improved RSA mean time (RSAm), MAT and the final speed reached in 30-15IFT (VIFT). The between-group comparison revealed greater improvements in RSAm and VIFT in HIT-COD3 than in HITCOD1. In conclusion, supplementation of basketball training with HIT-COD drills adds improvements to young female basketball player’s performance, especially when 3 COD are incorporated into HIT

Efectos de un entrenamiento con juegos reducidos sobre la técnica y la condición física de jóvenes futbolistas = Effects of small-sided games training on technique and physical condition of young footballers

P. 221-234Durante años los programas de preparación del futbolista carecieron de la especificidad necesaria, confiando el entrenamiento de la mejora de aspectos técnicos y físicos en tareas analíticas y atléticas. El objetivo del estudio ha sido evaluar los efectos de un programa de entrenamiento de juegos reducidos, sobre la técnica y la condición física en futbolistas jóvenes. Los 36 futbolistas participantes (12,69±0,48 años de edad; 39,77±6,20 kg de peso; 146,31±6,36 cm) realizaron 15 sesiones configuradas por juegos reducidos de fútbol (2 contra 2, 4 contra 4 y 8 contra 8). Estas actividades ocupaban 40 minutos de la sesión y se realizaban 2 veces a la semana. El futbolista fue evaluado en dos ocasiones (pre-test y post-test), por medio de 8 test de campo: conducción lineal de balón, conducción de balón y giro, regate, golpeo de balón con la cabeza, tiro a portería con el pie, resistencia aeróbica, salto horizontal y agilidad. El análisis a través de la prueba estadística t de Student, reflejó mejoras significativas en la conducción y el regate (p≤0,01). Con respecto a las variables físicas, sólo hubo mejoras significativas en la agilidad y la resistencia (p≤0,05). Los juegos de fútbol reducido son un estímulo eficaz para la mejora de la ejecución de ciertos gestos técnicos y algunos elementos de la condición física en jóvenes futbolistas. El uso de estas tareas permitirá aprovechar mejor el tiempo e incrementar la especificidad de la intervenciónS

A Scoping Review of the Influence of Mindfulness on Men’s Sexual Activity

Mindfulness practice and mindfulness-based interventions are widely known, especially for women’s sexuality. However, it is currently unknown how this practice affects the experience of male sexuality, possibly due to the existence of pharmacological treatments that are usually the first choice of treatment for men. The objectives of this study are to explore the influence of mindfulness on different components of men’s sexuality from a scoping review of relevant scientific articles existing in the literature. A literature search from 2010 to 2022 was carried out in the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Dialnet, SciELO Citation Index, and Redalyc. Out of the 238 studies, 12 that met the defined selection criteria were selected. The analysis of these studies seems to indicate that the practice of mindfulness favours different variables of male sexuality, such as satisfaction and sexual functioning or genital self-image. Mindfulness-based interventions represent a valuable and promising contribution. No adverse effects were detected from the review of scientific articles considered in this work. Nevertheless, more randomized studies with active control groups are necessary to establish the benefits of mindfulness-based interventions in sex therapy for men