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Martinho DV, Field A, Rebelo A, Gouveia ÉR, Sarmento H. A Systematic Review of the Physical, Physiological, Nutritional and Anthropometric Profiles of Soccer Referees. SPORTS MEDICINE - OPEN 2023; 9:72. [PMID: 37561241 PMCID: PMC10415246 DOI: 10.1186/s40798-023-00610-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The importance of soccer referees is widely accepted by international soccer organizations and governing bodies, although there is little research summarizing and appraising the literature on soccer referees. The aim of this study was to systematically review the information related to physical demands, nutrition and physiological profiling of soccer referees. METHODS Conforming with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, searches of three electronic databases (Web of Sciences, PubMed and Scopus) were conducted on 24 April 2022. The following search terms were used: (Soccer OR football AND refer*) AND (physical OR physiolo* OR load* OR "body composition" OR "fat mass" OR "fat free mass" OR "body size" OR "nutrition*" OR "nutritional assessment" OR "nutritional intake" OR "macronutrient*" OR "micronutrient*"). The inclusion criteria of the manuscripts written in English were that articles with male and/or female soccer referees and included relevant data concerning performance, physical testing, nutrition, body composition, body size and/or physiology of soccer referees. The tools developed by the National Institute of Health were used to assess risk of bias according to the study design. RESULTS In total, 110 manuscripts were included in the present review. Match activities of soccer referees and assistant referees are not comparable. Variation in performance is influenced by competitive level and competitive schedules. Additionally, match performance is often used to validate field protocols. The associations between match indicators and field protocols were not constant across the included studies, particularly in short-maximal tests. An age decline in physical performance was not conclusive. Body size did not discriminate between referees and assistant referees, as well as referees of different competitive levels. Few studies focused on nutritional guidelines among referees, particularly exercise energy expenditure. Energy intake was comparable across studies, but referees did not follow the daily dietary recommendations. Aerobic output was frequently assessed, and it was not comparable to the values for soccer players. CONCLUSIONS Although there are decreases in the running profiles of older referees, they maintain the same distances from the ball, and thus, age per se should not be used to define participation at the international level. The assessment of physical fitness warrants future consideration given the levels of fatigue that are apparent at the end of matches. In order to attain ideal levels of body composition, future studies need to provide guidelines for daily energy expenditure and nutritional intake. TRIAL REGISTRATION The protocol was published in INPLASY (International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) with the registration number 202280052 and https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2022.8.005 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo V Martinho
- University of Coimbra, Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems, Interactive Technologies Institute, Funchal, Portugal.
| | - Adam Field
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - André Rebelo
- CIDEFES, Centro de Investigação em Desporto, Educação Física e Exercício e Saúde, Universidade Lusófona, Lisbon, Portugal
- COD, Center of Sports Optimization, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Élvio R Gouveia
- Laboratory of Robotics and Engineering Systems, Interactive Technologies Institute, Funchal, Portugal
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
| | - Hugo Sarmento
- University of Coimbra, Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Coimbra, Portugal
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Bouzas-Rico S, De Dios-Álvarez V, Suárez-Iglesias D, Ayán-Pérez C. Field-based tests for assessing fitness in referees: A systematic review. Res Sports Med 2021; 30:439-457. [PMID: 33678087 DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2021.1895787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
This systematic review was aimed at identifying the psychometric properties of field-based tests for assessing physical fitness in soccer referees. Electronic databases were searched up to May 2020 for studies that informed about the reliability and/or validity of at least one field-based physical fitness test for soccer referees. A total of 13 studies analysed the psychometric properties of the field-based physical fitness tests proposed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) (aerobic endurance, n = 8; anaerobic endurance, n = 3; and speed, n = 8), while seven investigations focused on field-based physical fitness tests specifically designed for assessing aerobic endurance (n = 1) or change of direction (COD) (n = 6). According to the observed reliability and validity values, the Assistant Referee Intermittent Endurance test (ARIET), the 50-m sprint test and the Modified Agility test (MAT) seem, respectively, the best available options for assessing aerobic endurance, speed, and COD in soccer referees. Future investigations should consider the lack of research focusing on assistant and female referees. Further studies on the psychometric properties of anaerobic endurance and short distance speed tests are also needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Bouzas-Rico
- Faculty of Education and Sports Sciences, University of Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Vicente De Dios-Álvarez
- Faculty of Education and Sports Sciences, University of Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain.,Real Club Celta de Vigo & Fundación Celta, Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Ayán-Pérez
- Faculty of Education and Sports Sciences, University of Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain.,Well-Move Research Group, University of Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
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de Albuquerque Freire L, Tannure M, Sampaio M, Slimani M, Znazen H, Bragazzi NL, Aedo-Muñoz E, Sobarzo Soto DA, Brito CJ, Miarka B. COVID-19-Related Restrictions and Quarantine COVID-19: Effects on Cardiovascular and Yo-Yo Test Performance in Professional Soccer Players. Front Psychol 2020; 11:589543. [PMID: 33391113 PMCID: PMC7775546 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.589543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to verify the quarantine's effects during a serious viral outbreak on the cardiovascular and performance associated with the Yo-Yo test in a sample of professional soccer players. 20 high-level soccer players (n = 20; age: 26 ± 4 years-old; weight: 76.85 ± 6.7 kg; height: 179 ± 6 cm) participated in this study. The intermittent Yo-Yo test was performed pre- and post- COVID-19 quarantine in a random order. During each test, the soccer players' running performance outcomes were monitored using a portable 5-Hz GPS with a 100 Hz accelerometer and a paired t-test was conducted at a p-value of ≤ 0.05. The main results demonstrated significant differences between pre- versus post-COVID-19 quarantine in the following variables: relative distance (161.7 ± 5.9 > 141.1 ± 33.8 m/min), maximal speed (18.7 ± 0.9 > 18.2 ± 0.6 km/h), acceleration (60 ± 20 frequency > 52 ± 16 frequency), deceleration (34 ± 13 frequency > 27 ± 6 frequency), sprints > 19 km/h [0.8 (0.2;3)% >0.5 (0;0.5)%], and in high intensity running distance [16.48 (2.68;41.64)m > 0.827 (0.164;3.0)m]. We concluded that COVID-19-related restrictions and quarantine COVID-19 demonstrated adverse effects on professional soccer players' Yo-Yo tests performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas de Albuquerque Freire
- Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, School of Physical Education and Sports, Department of Fights, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Márcio Tannure
- Brazilian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Márcio Sampaio
- Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, School of Physical Education and Sports, Department of Fights, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maamer Slimani
- Postgraduate School of Public Health, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), Genoa University, Genoa, Italy
| | - Hela Znazen
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, College of Education, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (LIAM), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Esteban Aedo-Muñoz
- Biomechanics Laboratory, Chilean High Performance Center, Physical Activity, Sport and Health Sciences Laboratory, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Ciro José Brito
- Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, School of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
| | - Bianca Miarka
- Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, School of Physical Education and Sports, Department of Fights, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Grgic J, Oppici L, Mikulic P, Bangsbo J, Krustrup P, Pedisic Z. Test-Retest Reliability of the Yo-Yo Test: A Systematic Review. Sports Med 2020; 49:1547-1557. [PMID: 31270753 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-019-01143-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Yo-Yo test is widely used both in the practical and research contexts; however, its true test-retest reliability remains unclear. OBJECTIVE The present systematic review aims to identify studies that have examined the test-retest reliability of the Yo-Yo test and summarize their results. METHODS A search of ten databases was performed to find studies that have investigated test-retest reliability of any variant of the Yo-Yo test. The COSMIN checklist was employed to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. RESULTS Nineteen studies of excellent or moderate methodological quality were included. When considering all variants of the Yo-Yo test, the included studies reported intra-class correlation coefficients for test-retest reliability ranging from 0.78 to 0.98 where 62% of all intra-class correlation coefficients were higher than 0.90, while 97% of intra-class correlation coefficients were higher than 0.80. The coefficients of variation ranged from 3.7 to 19.0%. Regardless of the variant of the test, the participants' familiarization with the test, and previous sport experience, the intra-class correlation coefficients generally seem high (≥ 0.90) and coefficients of variation low (< 10%). CONCLUSIONS The results of this review indicate that the Yo-Yo test (in all its variants) generally has good-to-excellent test-retest reliability. The evidence concerning reliability arises from 19 included studies that were of moderate or high methodological quality. Considering that most of the included studies examined the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 test while including Association Football players, more reliability studies examining Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 2 test and Yo-Yo intermittent endurance level 1 and level 2 tests, and in the context of sports other than Association Football as well as in non-athletic populations, are required. Finally, future studies should explicitly state the type of intra-class correlation coefficient used for the reliability data analysis to allow for better between-study comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozo Grgic
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Luca Oppici
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.,Psychology of Learning and Instruction, Department of Psychology, School of Science, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Centre for Tactile Internet with Human-in-the-Loop (CeTI), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Pavle Mikulic
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jens Bangsbo
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Peter Krustrup
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Sport and Health Sciences Cluster (SHSC), University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Zeljko Pedisic
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
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Gianturco L, Bodini B, Gianturco V, Lippo G, Solbiati A, Turiel M. Left ventricular longitudinal strain in soccer referees. Oncotarget 2018; 8:39766-39773. [PMID: 28199991 PMCID: PMC5503651 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Along the years, the analysis of soccer referees perfomance has interested the experts and we can find several types of studies in literature using in particular cardiac imaging. The aim of this retrospective study was to observe relationship between VO2max uptake and some conventional and not-conventional echocardiographic parameters. In order to perform this evaluation, we have enrolled 20 referees, belonging to Italian Soccer Referees' Association and we have investigated cardiovascular profile of them. We found a strong direct relationship between VO2max and global longitudinal strain of left ventricle assessed by means of speckle tracking echocardiographic analysis (R2=0.8464). The most common classic echocardiographic indexes have showed mild relations (respectively, VO2max vs EF: R2=0.4444; VO2max vs LV indexed mass: R2=0.2268). Therefore, our study suggests that longitudinal strain could be proposed as a specific echocardiographic parameter to evaluate the soccer referees performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Gianturco
- IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Cardiology Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Bruno Bodini
- IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Rehabilitation Unit, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppina Lippo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health University of Milan, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico Mangiagalli Regina Elena, Milan, Italy
| | - Agnese Solbiati
- IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Cardiology Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Turiel
- IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Cardiology Unit, Milan, Italy
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6
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Relationships between Sprint Ability and Endurance Capacity in Soccer Referees. Sports (Basel) 2018; 6:sports6020028. [PMID: 29910332 PMCID: PMC6027545 DOI: 10.3390/sports6020028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the association between sprint ability and endurance capacity in soccer referees. Twenty-three Spanish officials participated in this study. Each referee undertook, in this order, a 40 m linear straight sprinting test (40 m Sprint) and the Yo–Yo intermittent recovery level 1 test (YYIR1) interspersed with a 8 min of self-administered rest. The results in the 40 m Sprint test showed that the time spent by referees was 5.56 ± 0.27 s and achieved a maximum velocity of 31.46 ± 2.85 km·h−1. Furthermore, during the YYIR1 the referees covered 1213.91 ± 432.26 m. The distance covered at YYIR1 was moderately correlated to the velocity achieved in the 40 m Sprint test (r = −0.404, p < 0.05). These results suggest that the ability to reach high speeds is a limiting factor in YYIR1 performance.
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7
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Schenk K, Bizzini M, Gatterer H. Exercise physiology and nutritional perspectives of elite soccer refereeing. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2018; 28:782-793. [DOI: 10.1111/sms.12989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. Schenk
- Department of Sport Science; University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck Austria
- Pro Motus; Bolzano/Bozen Italy
| | | | - H. Gatterer
- Department of Sport Science; University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck Austria
- FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence; Innsbruck Austria
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8
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Castagna C, Bizzini M, Araújo Póvoas SC, Schenk K, Büsser G, DʼOttavio S. Aerobic Fitness in Top-Class Soccer Referees. J Strength Cond Res 2017; 33:3098-3104. [PMID: 29189582 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000002264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Castagna, C, Bizzini, M, Araújo Póvoas, SC, Schenk, K, Büsser, G, and D'Ottavio, S. Aerobic fitness in top-class soccer referees. J Strength Cond Res 33(11): 3098-3104, 2019-The aim of this study was to examine the aerobic fitness status of top-class male soccer officials using a cross-sectional design and known population group constructs. Fifty-two field referees (FRs, age 38.4 ± 3.3 years; height 181 ± 5.6 cm; body mass 76.8 ± 6.8 kg; body mass index [BMI] 23.4 ± 1.7 kg·m; body fat 20.4 ± 3.6%; and international refereeing experience 5 ± 3.5 years) and 104 assistant referees (ARs, age 37.8 ± 4.1 years; height 176.9 ± 7.5 cm; body mass 72.1 ± 7.4 kg; BMI 23 ± 1.6 kg·m; body fat 19.2 ± 3.6%; and international refereeing experience 7 ± 3.8 years) from 53 National Football Associations worldwide, and candidates of the preliminary open-list developed by the FIFA Refereeing Department for the 2014 World Cup Final Tournament, were tested for aerobic fitness in laboratory conditions with a progressive speed treadmill test to exhaustion. Large (+8.54%, d = 0.8) and small (+3.1%, d = 0.3) differences in absolute (L·min) and relative (ml·kg·min) VO2max were found between FR and AR, respectively. Trivial differences (d = 0.07) were shown in running economy (RE) (6 minutes at 8 km·h) between AR and FR. Using the scaling notation (b = 0.64), medium and significant differences were found between match officials for VO2max and RE (FR > AR; d = 0.6 and 0.67, respectively). Using receiver operating characteristic curve statistics, cutoff values of 3.93 L·min and 50.6 ml·kg·min were detected in absolute and relative VO2max for the FR and the AR (FR > AR), respectively. The FR showed superior aerobic fitness compared with AR. Training prescription should consider intensities at anaerobic threshold speed (14 km·h, 91% heart rate max) when aerobic fitness development is the aim in elite officials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Castagna
- Fitness Training and Biomechanics Laboratory, Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Technical Department, Coverciano (Florence), Italy.,University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Bizzini
- Human Performance Lab, Schulthess Clinic, Zürich, Switzerland.,Sports Medicine, Schulthess Clinic, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Susana C Araújo Póvoas
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, University Institute of Maia, ISMAI, Maia, Portugal
| | - Kai Schenk
- Department of Sports Sciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gery Büsser
- Sports Medicine, Schulthess Clinic, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stefano DʼOttavio
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Women's National Team, Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Rome, Italy
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Castagna C, Bizzini M, DʼOttavio S, Araújo Póvoas SC. Sex Differences in Aerobic Fitness in Top-Class Soccer Referees. J Strength Cond Res 2017; 32:3216-3221. [PMID: 29140913 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000002292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Castagna, C, Bizzini, M, D'Ottavio, S, and Araújo Póvoas, SC. Sex differences in aerobic fitness in top-class soccer referees. J Strength Cond Res 32(11): 3216-3221, 2018-The aim of this study was to assess the aerobic-fitness differences between male and female top-class soccer field referees (FRs). This with the purpose to provide cutoff values useful for training prescription in female FRs. Forty female top-class FRs (age 34.18 ± 3.50 years and 5 ± 3.9 years international refereeing experience) and 52 male FRs (age 38.4 ± 3.3 years and 5 ± 3.5 years international refereeing experience) candidates in the preliminary open list developed by the FIFA Refereeing Department for the 2014 and 2015 World Cup Tournaments, participated in the study. The FRs were tested for aerobic fitness under laboratory conditions with a progressive speed treadmill test until exhaustion. Female FRs showed to possess, on average, lower (large effect) levels of aerobic fitness and performance compared with their male counterparts. The female FRs' V[Combining Dot Above]O2max (48.1 ± 4.4 ml·kg·min) was 7% (large effect) lower than the male FRs (51.9 ml·kg·min). Peak treadmill speed was 11% lower (large effect) in female FRs (16.27 ± 0.94 vs. 14.64 ± 0.96 km·h). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis enabled cutoff values (47.8 ml·kg·min for V[Combining Dot Above]O2max) that may be used as preliminary cues to guide physiological selection and training prescription in female FRs aiming to officiate male-soccer matches. Only 2.5% of the female FRs showed V[Combining Dot Above]O2max higher than the mean values of male FRs when using the scaled notation (0.68). Female FRs aiming to officiate male competitions should consider training intensities at anaerobic threshold speed (13 km·h, 95% heart rate max) when developing aerobic fitness. Given the very large sex differences in aerobic performance, strength/power training should be proposed to perspective female top-class FRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Castagna
- Fitness Training and Biomechanics Laboratory, Technical Department, Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Florence, Italy.,University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Bizzini
- Human Performance Lab, Schulthess Clinic, Sports Medicine, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stefano DʼOttavio
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Women's National Team, Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Rome, Italy
| | - Susana C Araújo Póvoas
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), University Institute of Maia (ISMAI), Maia, Portugal
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10
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Negra Y, Chaabene H, Hammami M, Amara S, Sammoud S, Mkaouer B, Hachana Y. Agility in Young Athletes: Is It a Different Ability From Speed and Power? J Strength Cond Res 2017; 31:727-735. [PMID: 28186497 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000001543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Negra, Y, Chaabene, H, Hammami, M, Amara, S, Sammoud, S, Mkaouer, B, and Hachana, Y. Agility in young athletes: is it a different ability from speed and power? J Strength Cond Res 31(3): 727-735, 2017-Agility is an important physical attribute for successful participation in team sports events. Illinois agility test (IAT) and T-test have been widely used within adult team sports players to assess agility performance. The purposes of this investigation are (a) to study the reliability and the sensitivity of both IAT and T-test scores and (b) to explore to what extend the agility is an independent physical ability from speed time and jumping ability. Competitive-level young soccer (n = 95) and handball players (n = 92) participated in this study (i.e., approximately 12 years old). Reliability analyses were established by determining intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC(3,1)) and typical error of measurement (TEM). The sensitivity of agility tests was revealed by comparing TEM to the value of the smallest worthwhile change (SWC). The second aim was examined by means of the principal component analysis. Results revealed that the scores of both IAT and T-test showed a high reliability (all ICC(3,1) > 0.90 and TEM < 5%) and sensitivity (all TEM < SWC). Principal component analysis resulted in one significant component for the soccer and handball group each that explained 72.18 and 80.16% of the total variance, respectively. Significant relationships were recorded between all the selected tests (r = -0.72 to 0.85, p < 0.001). Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that both IAT and T-test provided reliable and sensitive scores. Therefore, these tests could be strongly recommended to evaluate agility within young male competitive-level team sports athletes. In addition, it seems that agility, speed time, and jumping ability assess the same physical attribute in young competitive-level team sports players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yassine Negra
- 1Research Unit "Sport Performance and Health," Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, Tunis, Tunisia; 2Tunisian Research Laboratory "Sports Performance Optimization," National Center of Medicine and Science in Sports (CNMSS), Tunis, Tunisia; and 3Higher Institute of Sports and Physical Education, Manouba University, Tunis, Tunisia
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11
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Castillo D, Cámara J, Castagna C, Yanci J. Effects of the off-Season Period on Field and Assistant Soccer Referees `Physical Performance. J Hum Kinet 2017; 56:159-166. [PMID: 28469754 PMCID: PMC5384063 DOI: 10.1515/hukin-2017-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of referees’ physical fitness has been studied over one or several seasons, however, the variation of the physical performance between the end of the competitive season (T1) and the start of the following pre-season (T2) has not been ascertained. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effects of the transition period on physical performance variables (i.e. linear straight sprint, change of direction ability and endurance) in National Soccer Division referees. Forty-five Spanish referees volunteered to participate in this study. Participants were classified according to competitive status, field referees (FR, n = 23) and assistant referees (AR, n = 22). A loss of performance (p < 0.05) was observed in the 20 and 30 m linear straight sprint between T1 and T2 in both FR (1.64-1.56%, d = 0.29 to 0.32) and AR (2.01-3.41%, d = 0.33 to 0.60). In T2 the FR significantly improved the distance covered (p < 0.05, 13.11%, d = 0.39) in the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test (YYIR1). Besides, significant differences were observed between FR and AR in the distance covered (p < 0.05, −23.55%, d = −0.97) in the YYIR1 test in T2. More research may be necessary to focus on the off-season period in order to implement specific training programs and consequently reduce the loss of sprint ability in field and assistant referees and the decrease in cardiovascular fitness in assistant referees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Castillo
- Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Jesús Cámara
- Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Carlo Castagna
- Football Training and Biomechanics Laboratory, Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Technical Department, Coverciano (Florence), Italy
| | - Javier Yanci
- Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
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12
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Yanci J, Los Arcos A, Camara J, Castillo D, García A, Castagna C. Effects of horizontal plyometric training volume on soccer players' performance. Res Sports Med 2016; 24:308-319. [PMID: 27547851 DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2016.1222280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the dose response effect of strength and conditioning programmes, involving horizontally oriented plyometric exercises, on relevant soccer performance variables. Sixteen soccer players were randomly allocated to two 6-week plyometric training groups (G1 and G2) differing by imposed (twice a week) training volume. Post-training G1 (4.13%; d = 0.43) and G2 (2.45%; d = 0.53) moderately improved their horizontal countermovement jump performance. Significant between-group differences (p < 0.01) in the vertical countermovement jump for force production time (T2) were detected post-training. No significant and practical (p > 0.05, d = trivial or small) post-training improvements in sprint, change of direction ability (CODA) and horizontal arm swing countermovement jump were reported in either group. Horizontal plyometric training was effective in promoting improvement in injury prevention variables. Doubling the volume of a horizontal plyometric training protocol was shown to have no additional effect over functional aspects of soccer players' performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Yanci
- a Faculty of Education and Sport , University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU , Vitoria-Gasteiz , Spain
| | - Asier Los Arcos
- a Faculty of Education and Sport , University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU , Vitoria-Gasteiz , Spain
| | - Jesús Camara
- a Faculty of Education and Sport , University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU , Vitoria-Gasteiz , Spain
| | - Daniel Castillo
- a Faculty of Education and Sport , University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU , Vitoria-Gasteiz , Spain
| | - Alberto García
- b Physical Performance Department , C.D. Tropezón , Torrelavega , Spain
| | - Carlo Castagna
- c Football Training and Biomechanics Laboratory , Technical Department, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) , Florence , Italy
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Validity and reliability of the 45-15 test for aerobic fitness in young soccer players. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2013; 9:525-31. [PMID: 23295221 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2012-0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of a popular field test for aerobic fitness used in soccer (45-15) in Italy. Alternating progressive 45-s runs with 15 s passive recovery until exhaustion, the test considers peak speed (PS) as a reflection of maximal aerobic speed (MAS). The validity and reliability of the 45-15 was assessed in 18 young male soccer players (age 16.7 ± 1.8 y, body mass 70 ± 7.45 kg, height 177 ± 0.5 cm, 55.62 ± 5.56 mL · kg-1 ·min-1) submitted to laboratory testing for aerobic fitness and repeatedly to the 45-15. Results showed that 45-15 PS was significantly related to VO2max (r = .80, P < .001, 95%CI .47-.93) and MAS (r = .78, P = .001, 95%CI .43-.93). No significant bias between MAS 45-15 PS (P = .11) was found during the measurement-consistency study. Receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that 45-15 PS was sensitive in detecting VO2max changes in subjects as revealed by area under the curve (.97; 95%CI .73-1). Players with peak 45-15 speed equal to or above 16.5 km/h (ie, ROC cutoff) may be considered to have good aerobic fitness. In light of this study's findings, the 45-15 test may be considered a reliable and valid test to evaluate meaningful information to direct generic aerobic training in soccer.
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