Incidencija, faktori rizika i protektivni faktori ozljeđivanja kod nogometnih sudaca : doktorska disertacija

Ozljeđivanje nogometnih sudaca je polje koje je slabo istraživano. Cilj ovog rada je utvrditi i obrazložiti razinu i karakterističnost ozljeda i mišično-koštanih tegoba među hrvatskim nogometnim sucima različitih nivoa natjecanja, te odrediti faktore rizika i protektivne faktore ozljeđivanja kod hrvatskih sudaca. Metode rada: Uzorak ispitanika činilo je 342 nogometna suca (svi muškarci, dob AS 32.9 ± 5.02god) od čega: glavni suci (MR; N=159; dob AS 31.4±4.9god) i pomoćni suci (AR; N=183; dob AS 34.1±5.1god) podijeljeni na: međunarodne (Union of European Football Associations-UEFA) suce (N=18; 6 MR; 12 AR); 1st (N=79; 32 MR; 47 AR), 2nd (N=90; 45 MR; 45 AR); or 3rd national level referees (N=155; 76 MR; 79 AR). Retrospektivna studija provedena je primjenom upitnika kojem je u prvoj fazi istraživanja provjerena pouzdanost, test-retest metodom. Upitnik je omogućio uvid u skup morfoloških varijabli, varijabli vezanih za suđenje i treninge, te varijabli ozljeda i koštano- mišićnih tegoba i drugih medicinskih pitanja. Rezultati: 29% MR i 30% AR zadobili su ozljedu kroz posljednjih 12 mjeseci, dok je 13% MR i 19% AR ozljedu zadobilo na sudačkim testiranjima. Učestalost ozljeda raste, kako raste rang natjecanja (suđenja), dok su UEFA suci najmanje ozljeđivani. Lokalitet ozljeda vezanje za gornji dio natkoljenice kada su sudačke norme u pitanju, a donji dio natkoljenice i gležanjsu najučestalije ozljeđivani tijekom suđenja utakmica. MR kao tegobu, učestalije su prijavljivali gležanj, dok su AR prijavljivali bol donjeg dijela natkoljenice i donjeg dijela leđa kao najučestalije tegobe. Učestalost ozljeđivanja je podjednaka za oba subuzorka, 5.29 MR i 4.58 AR po 1000 sati suđenja. Tip ozljede koju su najučestalijezadobivali tijekom utakmica su istegnuće mišića (43% od ukupnog ozljeđivanja), zatim uganuće (10%), te ruptura mišića, ozljeda ligamenta i meniska (8-9%). Tijekom sudačkih testiranja najzastupljeniji tip ozljede je istegnuće mišića/tetive (64% ukupnog ozljeđivanja tijekom normi). Ozljede koje su nastupile u posljednjem susretu su u 39% slučajeva ponovljene ozljede, dok se to kod ozljeda pretrpljenih u posljednjih 12 mjeseci događa u 33% slučajeva, a svaka četvrta ozljeda na normama je recidiv (23%). Hrvatski nogometni suci posljedice ozljede u prosjeku osjećaju od 43.07 dana do 50.81, bez treninga su prosječno od 28.75 do 38.70 dana, te u konačnici bez utakmica su u prosjeku od 43.77 do 67.72 dana.Podjednak broj sudaca konzumira (n=165) i ne konzumira (n=169) prehrambenu suplementaciju, a značajnih razlika u incidenciji ozljeđivanja nogometnih sudaca ovisno o korištenju prehrambenih suplemenata ima u varijabli ozljede i tegobe tijekom karijere gdje će korištenje prehrambenih suplemenata smanjiti incidenciju ozljeđivanja. Također, vidljiva je povezanost veće konzumacije alkohola s većim brojem ozljeda. Suđenje samih utakmica pokazalo je relativno nisku stopu ozljeđivanja, za razliku od sudačkih testiranja, koja se pokazuju kao faktor rizika ozljeđivanja hrvatskih nogometnih sudaca. Posebnu pažnju bi trebalo obratiti na ozljeđivanje donjeg dijela natkoljenice tijekom utakmica, te gornjeg dijela natkoljenice za vrijeme testiranja nogometnih sudaca. Bolja fizička pripremljenost je prepoznata kao protektivni faktor ozljeđivanja hrvatskih nogometnih sudaca. Buduće studije bi trebale istražiti specifične prediktore ozljeđivanja nogometnih sudaca.Injury among soccer referees is rarely studied, especially with regard to differences in the quality level of the refereeing. Additionally, we have found no study that has reported injury occurrence during official physical fitness testing for soccer referees. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency, type and consequencesof match-related and fitnesstesting related injuries among soccer referees of different competitive levels. Methods. We studied 342 soccer referees (all males; mean age 32.9 ± 5.02years). The study was retrospective, and a self-administered questionnaire was used. In the first phase of the study, the questionnaire was tested for its reliability and applicability. The questionnaire included morphological/anthropometric data, refereeing variables, and musculoskeletal disorders together with the consequences. Results: The sample comprised 159 main referees (MR; mean age 31.4±4.9years) and 183 assistant referees (AR; mean age 34.1±5.1years) divided into: international level (Union of European Football Associations- UEFA) referees (N=18; 6 MRs; 12 ARs); 1st (N=78; 31 MRs; 47 ARs), 2nd (N=91; 45 MRs; 46 ARs); or 3rd national level referees (N=155; 75 MRs; 80 ARs). In total, 29% of the MRs and 30% of the ARs had experienced an injury during the previous year, while 13% of the MRs, and 19% of the ARs suffered from an injury that occurred during fitness-testing. There was an obvious increase in injury severity as the refereeing advanced at the national level, but the UEFA referees were the least injured of all referees. The results showed a relatively high prevalence of injuries to the upper leg (i.e., quadriceps and hamstrings) during physical fitness-testing for all but the UEFA referees. During game refereeing, the ankles and lower legs were the most commonly injured regions. The MRs primarily injured their ankles. The ARs experienced lower leg and lower back disorders. However, the overall injury rate was equal for both groups, with 5.29 and 4.58 injuries per 1000hours of refereeing for MRs and ARs, respectively. Most common type of injuries during match were muscle strains (43%), calf sprains (10%), muscle ruptures and meniscus lesions (8-9%), while muscle strains was most common injury type during fitness-testing (64%). Injuries which occurred during last match were previously reported (39% of injuries), while 33% previously reported injuries occurred over last 12 month. During fitness-testing almost one-quarter of injuries were previously reported (23%). Referees felt negative consequences of injuries in average 43.07- 50.81. They were out of training in average 28.75-38.7 days, and not refereeing in average 43.77-67.72 days. Conclusion: In addition to the reported risk of injury during soccer games, physical fitness testing should be classified as a risk for injury among soccer referees. Special attention should be given to (I) lower leg injuries during games and (II) upper leg injuries during physical fitness tests. A higher physical fitness level and a qualitative approach to training are recognized as protective factors against injury. Subsequent studies should investigate the specific predictors of injuries among referees

Match Outcome and Running Performance Among UEFA Champions League Soccer Players

This study aimed to examine position-specific differences in running performance (RP) according to the match outcome in UEFA Champions League (UCL). The players’ RPs (n=244) were collected during UCL group stage matches (n=20) in the 2020/21 season using semiautomatic optical system InStat Fitness, and classified according to their playing positions as: central defenders (CD; n=79), fullbacks (FB; n=65), central midfielders (CM; n=55), wide midfielders (WM; n=28) and forward (FW; n=17). The RP variables included: total distance covered, low-intensity (LIR) (<14.3km/h), running (14.4–19.7 km/h), high-speed running (HSR) (19.8–25.1 km/h), and sprinting (>25.2 km/h). Match outcome was observed as win, draw and loss. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine differences in RP according to the match outcome. Significant differences in TD (F-test=4.16, p=0.02) and LIR (F-test=4.51, p=0.01) among match outcomes were observed for FBs. Specifically, FBs covered significantly greater TD when their team won than when lost (p=0.03, d=0.79). In addition, FBs’ LIR was significantly greater in won matches than in drew (p=0.04, d=0.92) and lost matches (p=0.03, d=0.77). The RP of players on all other playing position were similar irrespective to the match outcome (F-test=0.08 to 2.84, all p>0.05). These results indicated that winning UCL matches is not strongly influenced by players’ physical performance, except for FBs who tended to covered greater total- and low- distance when their teams won. This study indicated limited overall influence of RP on success in matches at elite-level soccer. The findings from this study may help soccer coaches to ensure optimal physical preparation of players in elite soccer

The Training Effects of Dance Aerobics: A Review with an Emphasis on the Perspectives of Investigations

The training effects of contemporary aerobics programmes (hi lo, dance aerobics, step aerobics, aqua aerobics etc.) have been frequently investigated. However, we found no recent paper which reviewed aerobic programmes with regard to their training effectiveness, characteristics of the subjects involved, variables of interest and experimental design. In this paper we summarise the findings of more than 40 studies published in the 2000–2011 period that investigated the training effects of different forms of contemporary aerobics. In this review, the studies are grouped according to their characteristics (sample of subjects, variables of interest, study design, effects, etc.). Around 80% of the investigations dealt with females, with adults being most commonly observed. In the majority of investigations, the authors studied different variables at the same time (morphological anthropometric, motor, cardiovascular, biochemical indices, etc.). In recent studies a trend toward a psychological status examination is evident. In most instances positive training effects on motor-endurance and varsity of physiological variables are declared throughout a training period of 8 to 12 weeks. However, the positive changes in anaerobic endurance are not evidenced. Knowing the tendency of the overall increase of certain psychological disorders in population (including depression) there are indications that future, potentially highly interesting studies will deal with the psychological status of adults and older subjects

E-learning lessons – students’ opinions and attitudes

Rad je usmjeren k ispitivanju stavova studenata doktorskog studija Kineziološkog fakulteta u Splitu vezanih uz „učenje putem interneta” te njihovoj usporedbi s klasičnim načinom poučavanja. Povezanost varijabli testirana je Spearmanovim koefi cijentom korelacije i hi-kvadrat testom. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su da, premda nema bitnih razlika u stavovima prije i nakon učenja, ispitanici generalno preporučuju „učenje putem interneta”, no ipak ga ne doživljuju jednako efi kasnim kao klasično učenje koje se realizira putem predavanja. Također, dokazano je da su viša razina poznavanja rada na računalu i uspješnost upotrebe internetskih usluga negativno povezane sa stavovima prema „predavanju putem interneta“. Pitanjima otvorenog tipa dobivena su mišljenja ispitanika o prednostima i nedostacima „predavanja putem interneta”. S obzirom na limitirani udio ispitanika u istraživanju, prezentirani zaključci moraju se uzeti s rezervom, te stoga ekstenzivnije istražiti u budućim istraživanjima.This paper is focused on attitudes of postgraduate students of the Faculty of kinesiology in Split towards e-learning, and on their comparison with the traditional inclass learning. The relationship between variables was tested by means of the Spearman’s correlation coeffi cient as well as the chi-square test. Although the results haven’t revealed statistically signifi cant differences in attitudes before and after the lessons, subjects in general tend to recommend e-learning, but do not fi nd it as effi cient as traditional inclass learning in the form of lectures. The results have shown that there was a negative correlation between computer-based knowledge, including experience in searching information on the World Wide Web, and attitudes towards e-learning lessons. Subjects’ opinions about advantages and disadvantages of e-learning lessons were discovered by open-end questions. Since this study encloses a limited sample of subjects, presented fi ndings cannot be generalized and should therefore be extensively studied in future investigations

E-learning lessons – students’ opinions and attitudes

Rad je usmjeren k ispitivanju stavova studenata doktorskog studija Kineziološkog fakulteta u Splitu vezanih uz „učenje putem interneta” te njihovoj usporedbi s klasičnim načinom poučavanja. Povezanost varijabli testirana je Spearmanovim koefi cijentom korelacije i hi-kvadrat testom. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su da, premda nema bitnih razlika u stavovima prije i nakon učenja, ispitanici generalno preporučuju „učenje putem interneta”, no ipak ga ne doživljuju jednako efi kasnim kao klasično učenje koje se realizira putem predavanja. Također, dokazano je da su viša razina poznavanja rada na računalu i uspješnost upotrebe internetskih usluga negativno povezane sa stavovima prema „predavanju putem interneta“. Pitanjima otvorenog tipa dobivena su mišljenja ispitanika o prednostima i nedostacima „predavanja putem interneta”. S obzirom na limitirani udio ispitanika u istraživanju, prezentirani zaključci moraju se uzeti s rezervom, te stoga ekstenzivnije istražiti u budućim istraživanjima.This paper is focused on attitudes of postgraduate students of the Faculty of kinesiology in Split towards e-learning, and on their comparison with the traditional inclass learning. The relationship between variables was tested by means of the Spearman’s correlation coeffi cient as well as the chi-square test. Although the results haven’t revealed statistically signifi cant differences in attitudes before and after the lessons, subjects in general tend to recommend e-learning, but do not fi nd it as effi cient as traditional inclass learning in the form of lectures. The results have shown that there was a negative correlation between computer-based knowledge, including experience in searching information on the World Wide Web, and attitudes towards e-learning lessons. Subjects’ opinions about advantages and disadvantages of e-learning lessons were discovered by open-end questions. Since this study encloses a limited sample of subjects, presented fi ndings cannot be generalized and should therefore be extensively studied in future investigations

Efekti 5-tjednog funkcionalnoga i tradicionalnoga treninga s opterećenjem na antropometrijske karakteristike i motoričke sposobnosti

Functional training (FT) refers to exercise training programs designed to imitate the activities and movement patterns that occur in an athlete’s characteristic activity. Its purpose is to make training adaptations more specific and applicable. There is a lack of studies on the effects of FT in young and previously trained subjects. The aim of this study was to determine the training-specific effects of FT and traditional strength training (TRT) on a subset of anthropometric measures, explosive strength, agility, and sprint performance in young (22-25 years of age), previously trained male subjects (N=23) that were divided randomly into two groups (FT, n=11; TRT, n=12). The variables included anthropometric measures (body height, body weight, body fat percentage, lean body mass, and total body water), two agility tests (5-10-5 meter shuttle run and the hexagon test – HEXAGON), jumping ability (air time, peak power – PEAKPWR, jump height, ground contact time – GCT), throwing ability tests (standing overarm medicine ball throw (SMB) and lying medicine ball throw), and sprint variables (10m and 20m dash and 10-20m split time results). The training program consisted of tree either FT or TRT training sessions per week through 5 weeks. Pre- and post-training intragroup differences were established using the dependent samples t-test. The independent samples t-test was calculated to detect inter-group differences. Anthropometric variables did not change significantly during the training period. Intra-group comparisons revealed significant improvements in the SMB and HEXAGON values for FT group, whereas TRT significantly improved GCT, PEAKPWR, and HEXAGON performance but decreased achievement in SMB. In conclusion, FT and TRT influenced differently the explosive strength and agility variables. More precisely, the results demonstrated that TRT increased the energetic potential of trained musculature, which resulted in an overall increase in power qualities, while FT improved postural control and precise coordination. Certain limitations of the study are noted.Funkcionalni trening je trenažni program oblikovan tako da imitira aktivnosti i kretne strukture koje se pojavljuju u karakterističnoj sportskoj aktivnosti. Cilj mu je izazvati adaptaciju na trening što specifičniju za sport te zato primjenjiviju u konkretnom sportu. Evidentan je nedostatak znanstvenih studija koje su proučavale efekte funkcionalnoga treninga u mladih, treniranih ispitanika. Cilj je ovoga istraživanja bio utvrditi specifične efekte funkcionalnoga treninga (FT) i tradicionalnoga treninga snage (TTS) na sklopu antropometrijskih varijabli, varijabli eksplozivne snage, agilnosti i na rezultatima sprinta mladih (22-25 godina), prethodno treniranih muških ispitanika (N=23) koji su nasumično bili podijeljeni u dvije grupe (FT, n=11; TTS, n=12). Uzorak varijabli je uključivao varijable antropometrijskih karakteristika (tjelesna visina, tjelesna težina, postotak masnoga tkiva, bezmasna masa i ukupna tjelesna voda), dvije varijable za procjenu agilnosti (5-10-5 metara shuttle run i heksagon test - HEXAGON), varijable za procjenu skakačkih sposobnosti (vrijeme leta, vršna snaga - PEAKPWR, visina skoka i vrijeme kontakta sa tlom - GCT), testove snage tipa bacanja (bacanje medicinske lopte jednom rukom stojeći - SMB, bacanje medicinske lopte iz ležanja) te varijable za procjenu eksplozivne snage tipa sprinta (sprint na 10m i 20m te međuvrijeme trčanja između 10. i 20. metra). Eksperimentalni program treninga trajao je 5 tjedana, a obje grupe provodile su 3 eksperimentalne trenažne jedinice tjedno. Razlike između inicijalnih i finalnih stanja unutar grupa utvrđene su t-testom za zavisne uzorke. Za utvrđivanje razlika između grupa korišten je t-test za nezavisne uzorke. Varijable antropometrijskih karakteristika nisu se statistički značajno promijenile tijekom primjene eksperimentalnog trenažnog programa. Značajni pozitivni efekti uočeni su unutar grupe FT za varijable SMB i HEXAGON, dok su unutar grupe TTS uočeni pozitivni efekti u varijablama GCT, PEAKPWR i HEXAGON, ali i negativni efekti za varijablu SMB. Zaključno, FT i TTS utječu diferencijalno na eksplozivnu snagu i agilnost. TTS povećava energetske potencijale trenirane muskulature, što rezultira ukupnim povećanjem parametara snage, dok FT trening pretežno djeluje na posturalnu kontrolu i poboljšanje koordinacije. Određena ograničenja ovoga istraživanja su zabilježena u članku

A retrospective survey on injuries in Croatian football/soccer referees

BACKGROUND: Injury among soccer referees is rarely studied, especially with regard to differences in the quality level of the refereeing. Additionally, we have found no study that has reported injury occurrence during official physical fitness testing for soccer referees. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency, type and consequences of match-related and fitness-testing related injuries among soccer referees of different competitive levels. METHODS: We studied 342 soccer referees (all males; mean age 32.9 ± 5.02 years). The study was retrospective, and a self-administered questionnaire was used. In the first phase of the study, the questionnaire was tested for its reliability and applicability. The questionnaire included morphological/anthropometric data, refereeing variables, and musculoskeletal disorders together with the consequences. RESULTS: The sample comprised 157 main referees (MR; mean age 31.4 ± 4.9 years) and 185 assistant referees (AR; mean age 34.1 ± 5.1 years) divided into: international level (Union of European Football Associations-UEFA) referees (N = 18; 6 MRs; 12 ARs) ; 1(st) (N = 78; 31 MRs; 47 ARs), 2(nd) (N = 91; 45 MRs; 46 ARs); or 3(rd) national level referees (N = 155; 75 MRs; 80 ARs). In total, 29% (95%CI: 0.23–0.37) of the MRs and 30% (95%CI: 0.22–0.36) of the ARs had experienced an injury during the previous year, while 13% (95%CI: 0.05–0.14) of the MRs, and 19% (95%CI: 0.14–0.25) of the ARs suffered from an injury that occurred during fitness testing. There was an obvious increase in injury severity as the refereeing advanced at the national level, but the UEFA referees were the least injured of all referees. The results showed a relatively high prevalence of injuries to the upper leg (i.e., quadriceps and hamstrings) during physical fitness testing for all but the UEFA referees. During game refereeing, the ankles and lower legs were the most commonly injured regions. The MRs primarily injured their ankles. The ARs experienced lower leg and lower back disorders. However, the overall injury rate was equal for both groups, with 5.29 (95%CI: 2.23–8.30) and 4.58 (95%CI: 2.63–6.54) injuries per 1000 hours of refereeing for MRs and ARs, respectively. CONCLUSION: In addition to the reported risk of injury during soccer games, physical fitness testing should be classified as a risk for injury among soccer referees. Special attention should be given to (I) lower leg injuries during games and (II) upper leg injuries during physical fitness tests. A higher physical fitness level and a qualitative approach to training are recognized as protective factors against injury. Subsequent studies should investigate the specific predictors of injuries among referees

Efekti 5-tjednog funkcionalnoga i tradicionalnoga treninga s opterećenjem na antropometrijske karakteristike i motoričke sposobnosti

Functional training (FT) refers to exercise training programs designed to imitate the activities and movement patterns that occur in an athlete’s characteristic activity. Its purpose is to make training adaptations more specific and applicable. There is a lack of studies on the effects of FT in young and previously trained subjects. The aim of this study was to determine the training-specific effects of FT and traditional strength training (TRT) on a subset of anthropometric measures, explosive strength, agility, and sprint performance in young (22-25 years of age), previously trained male subjects (N=23) that were divided randomly into two groups (FT, n=11; TRT, n=12). The variables included anthropometric measures (body height, body weight, body fat percentage, lean body mass, and total body water), two agility tests (5-10-5 meter shuttle run and the hexagon test – HEXAGON), jumping ability (air time, peak power – PEAKPWR, jump height, ground contact time – GCT), throwing ability tests (standing overarm medicine ball throw (SMB) and lying medicine ball throw), and sprint variables (10m and 20m dash and 10-20m split time results). The training program consisted of tree either FT or TRT training sessions per week through 5 weeks. Pre- and post-training intragroup differences were established using the dependent samples t-test. The independent samples t-test was calculated to detect inter-group differences. Anthropometric variables did not change significantly during the training period. Intra-group comparisons revealed significant improvements in the SMB and HEXAGON values for FT group, whereas TRT significantly improved GCT, PEAKPWR, and HEXAGON performance but decreased achievement in SMB. In conclusion, FT and TRT influenced differently the explosive strength and agility variables. More precisely, the results demonstrated that TRT increased the energetic potential of trained musculature, which resulted in an overall increase in power qualities, while FT improved postural control and precise coordination. Certain limitations of the study are noted.Funkcionalni trening je trenažni program oblikovan tako da imitira aktivnosti i kretne strukture koje se pojavljuju u karakterističnoj sportskoj aktivnosti. Cilj mu je izazvati adaptaciju na trening što specifičniju za sport te zato primjenjiviju u konkretnom sportu. Evidentan je nedostatak znanstvenih studija koje su proučavale efekte funkcionalnoga treninga u mladih, treniranih ispitanika. Cilj je ovoga istraživanja bio utvrditi specifične efekte funkcionalnoga treninga (FT) i tradicionalnoga treninga snage (TTS) na sklopu antropometrijskih varijabli, varijabli eksplozivne snage, agilnosti i na rezultatima sprinta mladih (22-25 godina), prethodno treniranih muških ispitanika (N=23) koji su nasumično bili podijeljeni u dvije grupe (FT, n=11; TTS, n=12). Uzorak varijabli je uključivao varijable antropometrijskih karakteristika (tjelesna visina, tjelesna težina, postotak masnoga tkiva, bezmasna masa i ukupna tjelesna voda), dvije varijable za procjenu agilnosti (5-10-5 metara shuttle run i heksagon test - HEXAGON), varijable za procjenu skakačkih sposobnosti (vrijeme leta, vršna snaga - PEAKPWR, visina skoka i vrijeme kontakta sa tlom - GCT), testove snage tipa bacanja (bacanje medicinske lopte jednom rukom stojeći - SMB, bacanje medicinske lopte iz ležanja) te varijable za procjenu eksplozivne snage tipa sprinta (sprint na 10m i 20m te međuvrijeme trčanja između 10. i 20. metra). Eksperimentalni program treninga trajao je 5 tjedana, a obje grupe provodile su 3 eksperimentalne trenažne jedinice tjedno. Razlike između inicijalnih i finalnih stanja unutar grupa utvrđene su t-testom za zavisne uzorke. Za utvrđivanje razlika između grupa korišten je t-test za nezavisne uzorke. Varijable antropometrijskih karakteristika nisu se statistički značajno promijenile tijekom primjene eksperimentalnog trenažnog programa. Značajni pozitivni efekti uočeni su unutar grupe FT za varijable SMB i HEXAGON, dok su unutar grupe TTS uočeni pozitivni efekti u varijablama GCT, PEAKPWR i HEXAGON, ali i negativni efekti za varijablu SMB. Zaključno, FT i TTS utječu diferencijalno na eksplozivnu snagu i agilnost. TTS povećava energetske potencijale trenirane muskulature, što rezultira ukupnim povećanjem parametara snage, dok FT trening pretežno djeluje na posturalnu kontrolu i poboljšanje koordinacije. Određena ograničenja ovoga istraživanja su zabilježena u članku

Acute Effects of Different Plyometric and Strength Exercises on Balance Performance in Youth Weightlifters

Background: High-intensity muscle actions have the potential to temporarily improve the performance which has been denoted as postactivation performance enhancement. Objectives: This study determined the acute effects of different stretch-shortening (fast vs. low) and strength (dynamic vs. isometric) exercises executed during one training session on subsequent balance performance in youth weightlifters. Materials and Methods: Sixteen male and female young weightlifters, aged 11.3±0.6years, performed four strength exercise conditions in randomized order, including dynamic strength (DYN; 3 sets of 3 repetitions of 10 RM) and isometric strength exercises (ISOM; 3 sets of maintaining 3s of 10 RM of back-squat), as well as fast (FSSC; 3 sets of 3 repetitions of 20-cm drop-jumps) and slow (SSSC; 3 sets of 3 hurdle jumps over a 20-cm obstacle) stretch-shortening cycle protocols. Balance performance was tested before and after each of the four exercise conditions in bipedal stance on an unstable surface (i.e., BOSU ball with flat side facing up) using two dependent variables, i.e., center of pressure surface area (CoP SA) and velocity (CoP V). Results: There was a significant effect of time on CoP SA and CoP V [F(1,60)=54.37, d=1.88, p<0.0001; F(1,60)=9.07, d=0.77, p=0.003]. In addition, a statistically significant effect of condition on CoP SA and CoP V [F(3,60)=11.81, d=1.53, p<0.0001; F(3,60)=7.36, d=1.21, p=0.0003] was observed. Statistically significant condition-by-time interactions were found for the balance parameters CoP SA (p<0.003, d=0.54) and CoP V (p<0.002, d=0.70). Specific to contrast analysis, all specified hypotheses were tested and demonstrated that FSSC yielded significantly greater improvements than all other conditions in CoP SA and CoP V [p<0.0001 (d=1.55); p=0.0004 (d=1.19), respectively]. In addition, FSSC yielded significantly greater improvements compared with the two conditions for both balance parameters [p<0.0001 (d=2.03); p<0.0001 (d=1.45)]. Conclusion: Fast stretch-shortening cycle exercises appear to be more effective to improve short-term balance performance in young weightlifters. Due to the importance of balance for overall competitive achievement in weightlifting, it is recommended that young weightlifters implement dynamic plyometric exercises in the fast stretch-shortening cycle during the warm-up to improve their balance performance