Default and individual comparison of physiological responses and time-motion analysis in male and female soccer players during small-sided games

The main purpose of this study was to report sex differences in the distances covered in the respective speed zones during small-sided games using default and individualized time–motion analyses. Eight male and 8 female soccer players performed small-sided games (4vs4, 4x4 min, 3 minutes of active recovery). Time-motion analysis was calculated in two ways. The first analysis was based on default speed zones, whereas the second was performed according to individual potential of each player (velocity at lactate threshold - V/LT and maximal running speed - Smax). The mean Smax and V/LT values in male soccer players were significantly higher (p=0.0002) than that in female soccer players (Smax: 8.38 vs 7.60 m∙s-1, p=0.0002; V/LT: 3.88 vs 3.12 m∙s-1, p=0.0000). The results of the default time-motion analysis demonstrated that men covered a significantly longer distance than women in standing and walking; p=0.0024; running, p=0.0141; high-intensity running (HIR), p=0.0052. In contrast, the results of the individual analysis showed that the distance covered in the HIR was significantly shorter in male soccer players (391.4 vs 590.63 m, p=0.0024). The results of this study show that using the default criteria may result in an underestimation of the distance covered by female soccer players in high-intensity running and sprinting

Die Pfarrkirche St. Johannes des Täufers und St. Johannes des Evangelisten in der Sakraltopographie der Stadt Thorn im Mittelalter

Der Beitrag stellt die Pfarrkirche St. Johannes des Täufers und St. Johannes des Evangelisten in der Sakraltopographie der Alt- und Neustadt Thorn im Mittelalter dar. Er zeigt die Rolle der Pfarrer dieser Kirche in der seelsorgerischen und liturgischen Tätigkeit sowie das Verhältnis zum Rat der Altstadt Thorn. Er zeigt auch die Rolle der Kirchenväter, welche eine Art Pfarreibeirat gebildet haben, im Leben der PfarrkircheThe Parish Church of SS. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist in the Sacred Topography of the City of Toruń in the Middle Ages The article presents the parish church of SS. Johns in the Old Town of Torun on the background of the sacred topography of the Old and New City of Toruń in the Middle Ages. It shows the role of parish priests of this church in the pastoral and liturgical activity along with their relations with the Council of the Old City of Toruń. It indicates the role of parish priests in the functioning of this parish church.Kościół parafialny św. Jana Chrzciciela i św. Jana Ewangelisty w topografii sakralnej miasta Torunia w średniowieczu Artykuł prezentuje kościół parafialny śś. Janów w Starym Mieście Toruniu na tle topografii sakralnej Starego i Nowego Miasta Torunia w okresie średniowiecza. Ukazuje rolę plebanów tego kościoła w działalności duszpasterskiej i liturgicznej oraz ich relacje z radą Starego Miasta Torunia. Wskazuje ponadto na rolę witryków, którzy tworzyli swego rodzaju radę parafialną, w życiu tego kościoła parafialneg

The Level of Selected Blood Parameters in Young Soccer Players in Relation to the Concentration of 25(OH)D at the Beginning and End of Autumn

This study aimed to demonstrate the changes of selected blood parameters in relation to 25(OH)D concentration during the autumn period in young soccer players. A total of 35 participants’ results (age: 17.5 ± 0.6 years, body mass 71.3 ± 6.9 kg) were tested twice: in mid-September and in mid-December and divided into subgroups with regard to two criteria. First, according to the initial level of the 25(OH)D concentration (optimal group—ODG, suboptimal group—SDG), second, according to drops in 25(OH)D concentration (high drop group—HDG, low drop group—LDG). A significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the 25(OH)D concentration was reported in the total group (TGr) and in all subgroups. Blood parameters such as white blood cells, red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrit increased significantly (p < 0.05) in TGr during the analysed period of time. The analysis of changes in the lipid profile did not expose significant differences except triglycerides. The asparagine amino transferase and creatine kinase activity decreased significantly after autumn in all analysed groups. The declining level of 25(OH)D concentration should be compensated (e.g., with vitamin D supplementation) during autumn. Applied training loads could also influence the blood parameters variability in young soccer players. Regular measurements of 25(OH)D concentration are helpful in identifying potential drops and allows for the preparation of individual supplementation plans for the players

The Influence of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on the Physical Performance of Professional Soccer Players: An Example of German and Polish Leagues

[Abstract] The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the in-season pandemic lockdown influenced physical match performance in professional soccer players who participated in the competition of German Bundesliga and Polish Ekstraklasa. The data from 306 games for German Bundesliga and 296 games for Polish Ekstraklasa were divided into before- and after-lockdown periods. The physical performance of German Bundesliga teams after the 63-day COVID-19 lockdown did not differ significantly from that in the first part of the season. In contrast, Polish Ekstraklasa teams, after the 81-day lockdown, displayed significantly shorter total distances (p < 0.001), shorter high-intensity running distances (p = 0.03), and fewer high-intensity actions (p = 0.02). Moreover, when the effective playing time was considered, teams covered significantly less relative total distance (p < 0.001) and relative high-intensity running distance (p = 0.02). The results of the current study suggest that physical performance during the matches of the German Bundesliga was not influenced by the COVID-19 lockdown, contrary to those of the Polish Ekstraklasa. This difference could have been caused by different break lengths and different restrictions implemented in these countries during the pandemic lockdown

Effects of 8-week online, supervised high-intensity interval training on the parameters related to the anaerobic threshold, body weight, and body composition during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

We aimed to assess the effects of an 8-week, online high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on the parameters related to the anaerobic threshold (AT), body weight, and body compo sition in pregnant women. A total of 69 Caucasian women with an uncomplicated singleton preg nancy (age: 31 ± 4 years; gestational age: 22 ± 5 weeks; mean ± standard deviation) were randomly allocated to either an 8-week HIIT program (HIIT group) or to a comparative 8-week educational program (EDU group). Our most important finding was that even with the 8-week progression of pregnancy and physiological weight gain, the HIIT group maintained the same level of parameters related to AT: volume of oxygen at the AT (VO2/AT), percentage of maximal oxygen uptake at the AT (%VO2max/AT), and heart rate at the AT (HR/AT). In contrast, in the EDU group we observed a substantial deterioration of parameters related to the AT. The HIIT intervention substantially re duced the fat mass percentage (median: 30 to 28%; p < 0.01) and improved the total fat-free mass percentage (median: 70% to 72%; p < 0.01). In the EDU group, the body composition did not change significantly. An online, supervised HIIT program may be used to prevent the pregnancy-related risk of excessive weight gain and reduction in exercise capacity without yielding adverse obstetric or neonatal outcomes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The effect of mid-season coach turnover on running match performance and match outcome in professional soccer players

[Abstract]: The aim of this research was to examine the physical match performance and match outcome before and after coach turnover in professional soccer teams compared with a control group containing coaches working continuously for 3 consecutive seasons. Analysed data included 325 performances of teams led by dismissed coaches (DC), 313 of teams led by new coaches (NC), and 580 of teams led by unchanged coaches (UnC). Variables, such as average number of collected points, total distance (TD), total distance per minute (TD/min), high-speed running (HSR), sprinting and number of high-intensity runs (NHIR), were analysed in the last 15 games of DC and 15 matches of NC. These periods were divided into 3 blocks out of 5 matches (5-match blocks). NC collected a significantly higher number of points than DC (p = 0.015), whereas average points collected by UNC were significantly greater than DC (p < 0.001 and NC (p = 0.012). TD and TD/min for DC were significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared with both NC and UnC, whereas significant differences in HSR (p = 0.003) and NHIR (p = 0.03) were identified between DC and NC. The current study reported that mid-season coach turnover may result in short-term improvement in team results and physical match performance. However, this effect disappears after a period of approximately 5 games

Can the supplementation of vitamin D, sun exposure, and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic affect the seasonal concentration of 25(OH)D and selected blood parameters among young soccer players in a one-year training season?

Objective: This study examined the effect of vitamin D supplementation, sunlight radiationradiation, and home isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic on the seasonal changes in 25(OH)D concentration and selected biomarkers in young soccer players along a one-year training cycle. Method: Forty elite young soccer players (age: 17.2 ± 1.16 years, body mass: 70.2 ± 5.84, and body height: 179.1 ± 4.26 cm) participated in the research. Only 24 players completed the measurements during all four time- points (T1-: September 2019, T2-: December 2019, T3-: May 2020, and T4-: August 2020) and were divided into two subgroups: supplemented group (GS) and placebo group (GP). Players from GS received 5,000 IU of vitamin D for 8 weeks (January-MarchJanuary-March 2020). Several biomarkers such as 25(OH)D, white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), muscle damage markersmarkers, and lipid profile were measured. Results: AnalysisThe analysis of the total group demonstrated significant seasonal changes in 25(OH)D, HGB, asparagine aminotransferaseaminotransferase, and creatine kinase along the one1-year training cycle. The level of 25(OH)D concentrationinconcentration in T4 was significantly (p < 0.001, pη [ = 0.82) higher in both subgroups in comparison to T2 and T3. Moreover, the significant (p = 0.023) but poor (r = -0.23) correlation between 25(OH)D and WBC was calculated. Conclusion: Current research confirmed the significant seasonal changes in 25(OH)D concentration during four seasons. 8-weekEight-week vitamin D supplementation had no extended effect on the level of 25(OH)D concentration

Influence of Different Types of Surfaces on the Results of Running Speed Tests in Young Soccer Players

The main purpose of this study was to determine the influence of different types of surfaces on the sprint test results. 33 male football players from two age categories - U15 and U18 - performed sprint tests (7 distances between 5 and 30m) and a 150m shuttle run test on three types of surfaces: natural grass [n], a synthetic surface [s] and a rubber surface [r]. The longer distance a player covers, the more likely it is that the importance of the type of running surface will be noticed. The rubber surface diminishes the negative effects of changeable factors on the reliability of the tests and therefore, in our opinion, is recommended for control tests and especially for longitudinal tests. Comparing the results of running speed tests performed on different surfaces and especially in different weather conditions is unjustified