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Chen C, Cao R, Gómez Ruano MÁ, Zhou Y, Cui Y. Modelling women's team line-ups based on effectiveness and quality. J Sports Sci 2023; 41:2176-2186. [PMID: 38404147 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2024.2317637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Understanding how different player rotations may impact team performance allows basketball coaches to select effective line-ups for specific tactical scenarios. The study aimed to i) assess how different line-ups or player combinations impact a team's game performance; ii) explore the variations in line-up utilization among different national women's basketball teams; and iii) examine how the offensive efficiency of each line-up evolves during the game. Data from 3,387 ball possessions in 23 international women's basketball games were collected across four major competitions over six years. Offensive and defensive ratings, along with other features, were calculated. Then, a Markov chain model distinguished overperforming and underperforming line-ups of Chinese women's basketball team, determining long-term probabilities for each rating level. The results indicated that i) the most dominant offensive line-up of the Chinese women's basketball team, is PG-G-SF-PF-C, while G-G-F-PF-PF had the highest defensive rating; and ii) US and Australian women's basketball teams favour using line-ups with three guards, while the Chinese women's basketball team heavily relies on centre players. These results offer valuable insights for coaches regarding the performance of different line-ups in FIBA Female Basketball Competitions, optimizing line-up performance and aiding talent selection and recruitment at the international level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuqi Chen
- School of Sports Engineering, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
| | - Run Cao
- School of Sports Engineering, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
| | - Miguel Ángel Gómez Ruano
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Yunjing Zhou
- School of Sports Engineering, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
| | - Yixiong Cui
- School of Sports Engineering, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
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Modric T, Versic S, Winter C, Coll I, Chmura P, Andrzejewski M, Konefał M, Sekulic D. The effect of team formation on match running performance in UEFA Champions League matches: implications for position-specific conditioning. SCI MED FOOTBALL 2023; 7:366-373. [PMID: 36093788 DOI: 10.1080/24733938.2022.2123952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effect of team formation on position-specific match running performance (MRP) at highest-level football. Players' MRP (n = 226) was observed in four team formations: 3-5-2 (n = 24), 4-4-2 (n = 44), 4-2-3-1 (n = 77) and 4-3-3 (n = 81). Central defenders in the 3-5-2 formation achieved a greater amount of high-intensity running distance than in the 4-3-3 formation (mean difference (MD) [95% confidence interval] = 144 m [12, 267], medium ES). Fullbacks in the 4-4-2 formation covered less total distance than in 3-5-2 (MD = -762 m [-1431, -94], large ES) and 4-2-3-1 (MD = -662 m [-1055, -269], medium ES). Central midfielders' total distance in the 4-4-2 formation was lower than that in the 3-5-2 (MD = -645 m [-79, -1211], medium ES) and 4-3-3 (MD = -656 m [-1181, -132], medium ES) formations. Wide midfielders' walking distance in the 4-4-2 formation was lower than that in the 4-3-3 (MD = -484 m [-742, -226], very large ES) and 4-2-3-1 (MD = -535 m [-789, -282], very large ES) formations. Forwards' high-intensity running in the 4-2-3-1 formation was lower than that in the 4-3-3 (MD = -363 m [-613, -112], large ES) and 4-4-2 (MD = -396 m, [-688, -103], large ES) formations. These findings show that conditioning programs for players on all playing positions should be tailored according to the formations of their teams. .
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni Modric
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Sime Versic
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Split, Croatia
- HNK Hajduk Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Christan Winter
- Institute of Sport Science, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ian Coll
- HNK Hajduk Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Paweł Chmura
- Department of Team Games, Wrocław University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marcin Andrzejewski
- Department of Methodology of Recreation, Poznań University of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland
| | - Marek Konefał
- Department of Human Motor Skills, Wrocław University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Damir Sekulic
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Split, Croatia
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Abstract
This study aimed to examine the position-specific evolution of technical and physical parameters in the Spanish LaLiga over an eight-season period. Match performance data of players were analysed for eight consecutive seasons from 2012/2013 to 2019/2020. A total of 32,775 individual match observations were analysed using a computerised tracking system (TRACAB, Chyronhego, New York, USA). The players were classified into five positional roles: central defenders (CD; match observations = 9,089), external defenders (ED; match observations = 7,876), central midfielders (CM; match observations = 8,276), external midfielders (EM; match observations = 3,949), and forwards (F; match observations = 3,585). Generalised linear models were used to analyse the differences in players' match performance according to the season and playing position. Total distance decreased by 3.2% in the final season versus the first season (p < 0.01, effect size = 0.37) in all playing positions. The number of efforts made at high-intensity running (HIR) increased across the eight seasons (ranging from 14.6% in ED to 9.2% in EM). However, whereas CD (+8.2%), ED (+9.5%), CM (+9.3%), and F (+8.0%) increased HIR distance from 2012 to 2020, no significant differences were found for EM (+1.7%). Overall, no differences were found in the number of total passes, short passes, long passes, and pass accuracy. Interestingly, CD increased the number of total passes (30.60%), short passes (31.5%), and long passes (26.5%). Finally, players performed 46.0% less tackles, 40.8% less clearances, and 10.0% more interceptions over the eight-season period. These findings may be useful for position-specific technical and physical training and talent identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Lago-Peñas
- Faculty of Educacion and Sport Sciences, University of Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
| | | | | | - Ricardo Resta
- Department of Competitions and Mediacoah, LaLiga, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ezequiel Rey
- Faculty of Educacion and Sport Sciences, University of Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
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Wittkugel J, Memmert D, Wunderlich F. Substitutions in football - what coaches think and what coaches do. J Sports Sci 2022; 40:1668-1677. [PMID: 35830508 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2022.2099177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Substitutions are probably the most important opportunity for football coaches to actively influence a match in progress. The present article presents two studies investigating substitutions in football from two different methodological perspectives: Study I, a survey reporting the opinions of 73 licensed coaches, and Study II, data-based analysis of a total of 41,301 substitutions from 7,230 matches in seasons 2014/15 to 2018/19 of the top four European football leagues. The coaches stated to prefer offensive substitutions over defensive substitutions and additionally indicated that changing the current score was more likely to be a reason for substitution than keeping the score. The analysis of the data revealed that not offensive, but neutral substitutions, where the player is replaced by a player of the same playing position, were most frequent. However, offensive players participated significantly more frequently in substitutions. In addition, a high level of score dependence was found, as more than half of the defensive substitutions were made while winning and more than half of the offensive substitutions were made while losing. The present study sheds light on the substitution behaviour of coaches in football and intends to stimulate discussion on the optimal timing and the type of substitutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris Wittkugel
- Institute of Exercise Training and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Daniel Memmert
- Institute of Exercise Training and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Fabian Wunderlich
- Institute of Exercise Training and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Zhai Z, Guo Y, Li Y, Zhang S, Liu H. The Regional Differences in Game-Play Styles Considering Playing Position in the FIBA Female Continental Basketball Competitions. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:ijerph17165827. [PMID: 32806539 PMCID: PMC7460529 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17165827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify regional differences based on playing position in terms of the technical performances among FIBA Female Continental Basketball Championships by controlling the influence of situational variables including the game outcome, game type, teams and opponent quality. The samples comprised of 9208 performance records from 471 games in the America, Africa, Asia and Europe Championships during 2013-2017 and were collected and analyzed by generalized mixed linear modeling. Our study highlighted that, although positional differences were clear among different continental championships, it is worth noting that African guards, forwards, and centers made more turnovers (TOV) compared with the corresponding positional players from other continental championships. In addition, European guards presented the lowest number of steals (STL) compared with African (ES = 0.28), Asian (ES = 0.21), and American guards (ES = 0.24). The results provide coaches to have a better understanding of game-play styles among FIBA Female Continental Basketball Competitions, which could optimize the development of female basketball and the selection and recruitment of female players at the international level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongpeng Zhai
- School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (Z.Z.); (Y.G.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yongbo Guo
- School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (Z.Z.); (Y.G.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yuanchang Li
- School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (Z.Z.); (Y.G.); (Y.L.)
| | - Shaoliang Zhang
- Division of Sports Science and Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Correspondence: (S.Z.); (H.L.)
| | - Hongyou Liu
- School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (Z.Z.); (Y.G.); (Y.L.)
- Correspondence: (S.Z.); (H.L.)
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Chiu YK, Pan CY, Chen FC, Tseng YT, Tsai CL. Behavioral and Cognitive Electrophysiological Differences in the Executive Functions of Taiwanese Basketball Players as a Function of Playing Position. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10060387. [PMID: 32575360 PMCID: PMC7349797 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10060387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of the predominant playing position of elite basketball players on executive functions using both behavioral and electrophysiological measurements was investigated in the present study. Forty-six elite basketball players, including 27 guards and 19 forwards, were recruited. Event-related potential (ERP) signals were simultaneously recorded when the athletes performed the visual Go/NoGo task. Analyses of the results revealed that the guards and forwards groups exhibited comparable behavioral (i.e., reaction time (RTs) and accuracy rates (ARs)) performance. With regards to the electrophysiological indices, the guards relative to the forwards exhibited a shorter N2 latency in the Go condition, a longer N2 latency in the NoGo condition, and a smaller P3 amplitude across the two conditions. These results suggested that although the guards and forwards exhibited similar abilities in terms of behavioral inhibition, different neural processing efficiencies still exist in the basketball playing positions, with guards showing divergent efficiencies in the target evaluation and response selection of the target and non-target stimuli and fewer cognitive resources during premotor preparation and decision-making as compared to the forwards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Kang Chiu
- Institute of Physical Education, Health and Leisure Studies, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan;
| | - Chien-Yu Pan
- Department of Physical Education, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Kaoshiung 802, Taiwan; (C.-Y.P.); (F.-C.C.)
| | - Fu-Chen Chen
- Department of Physical Education, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Kaoshiung 802, Taiwan; (C.-Y.P.); (F.-C.C.)
| | - Yu-Ting Tseng
- Department of Physical Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan;
- Research Center for Education and Mind Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Liang Tsai
- Institute of Physical Education, Health and Leisure Studies, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-933-306-059 or +886-6275-7575 (ext. 81809); Fax: +886-6276-6427
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Sæterbakken A, Haug V, Fransson D, Grendstad HN, Gundersen HS, Moe VF, Ylvisaker E, Shaw M, Riiser A, Andersen V. Match Running Performance on Three Different Competitive Standards in Norwegian Soccer. Sports Med Int Open 2019; 3:E82-E88. [PMID: 31624770 PMCID: PMC6795532 DOI: 10.1055/a-0943-3682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to compare running performance of three competitive standards and to examine the effects of being promoted to a higher league in Norwegian football. One clubʼs first and second team were included. The first team consisted of professional soccer players playing at Level 2 (2015 season) and Level 1 (2016 season). The second team consisted of amateurs playing at Level 4. A fully automatic tracking system was used to examine running performance, divided into different running-speed categories and playing position. Forty-one matches were included containing 278 observations. Level 1 performed 61 and 51% sprinting compared to Level 2 and Level 4 but similar high-speed running. Similar high-speed running distances were observed only for the different playing positions at Level 1 compared to Level 2 and 4. The sprinting distance was greater for the central defender and attacker, and the number of accelerations was greater for central midfielders and wide midfielders’ playing at Level 1 compared to lower competitive standards. In conclusion, better competitive standards resulted in greater high-intensity actions than lower leagues in Norwegian soccer. Furthermore, only central defenders and attackers increased their high-intensity locomotions when the team was promoted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atle Sæterbakken
- Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Hogskulen pa Vestlandet - Campus Sogndal, Sogndal, Norway
| | - Vebjorn Haug
- Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Hogskulen pa Vestlandet - Campus Sogndal, Sogndal, Norway
| | - Dan Fransson
- Departement of Food, and Nutrition and Sport Science, Center of health and Performance, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | | | - Vegard Fusche Moe
- Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Hogskulen pa Vestlandet - Campus Sogndal, Sogndal, Norway
| | - Einar Ylvisaker
- Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Hogskulen pa Vestlandet - Campus Sogndal, Sogndal, Norway
| | - Matthew Shaw
- Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Hogskulen pa Vestlandet - Campus Sogndal, Sogndal, Norway
| | - Amund Riiser
- Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Hogskulen pa Vestlandet - Campus Sogndal, Sogndal, Norway
| | - Vidar Andersen
- Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Hogskulen pa Vestlandet - Campus Sogndal, Sogndal, Norway
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Vázquez-Guerrero J, Fernández-Valdés B, Gonçalves B, Sampaio JE. Changes in Locomotor Ratio During Basketball Game Quarters From Elite Under-18 Teams. Front Psychol 2019; 10:2163. [PMID: 31616351 PMCID: PMC6763949 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantifying game and training demands in basketball allows to determine player’s readiness and optimizes preparation to perform and reduce injury risks. Available research is using tracking technology to perform general descriptions of the game activities at professional levels, but somehow, is not exploring the possibilities of gathering data from new variables that can contribute with complementary information for the coaching staffs. The aim of this study was to identify changes in locomotor ratio, at higher and lower speeds, during the game quarters from elite under-18 basketball teams. Ninety-four male players participated in the study (age: 17.4 ± 0.74 years; height: 199.0 ± 0.1 cm; body mass: 87.1 ± 13.1 kg) from different playing positions, Guards (n = 35), Forwards (n = 42), and Centers (n = 17). Data were gathered from an international tournament and players’ movements were measured using a portable ultra-wide band position-tracking system (WIMU PRO®, Realtrack Systems, Almeria, Spain). The following variables were measured: (1) relative distance in different speed zones: walking (<6.0 km·h−1), jogging (6.0–12.0 km·h−1), running (12.1–18.0 km·h−1), high-intensity running (18.1–24.0 km·h−1), and sprinting (>24.1 km·h−1); and (2) player load, vector magnitude expressed as the square root of the sum of the squared instantaneous rates of change in acceleration in each of the three planes divided by 100. Afterward, these variables were used to calculate players’ locomotor ratio (player load per meter covered) at higher (running, high-intensity running, and sprinting) and lower speeds (walking and jogging). Results from the locomotor ratio at both lower and higher speeds presented a significant effect for the quarter (F = 7.3, p < 0.001 and F = 7.1, p < 0.001, respectively) and player position (F = 3.1, p = 0.04, F = 9.2, p < 0.001, respectively). There was an increase in the locomotor ratio from game quarter (Q) Q1 to Q4 at lower speeds, but contrary trends at higher speeds, i.e., the values have decreased from Q1 to Q4. Also, forwards and centers of the best teams presented lower values at higher speeds. Altogether, the findings may be used by coaching staffs as a first baseline to elaborate normative behavior models from the players’ performance and also to induce variability and adaptation in specific practice planning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bruno Gonçalves
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, CreativeLab Research Community, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Jaime E Sampaio
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, CreativeLab Research Community, Vila Real, Portugal
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Konefał M, Chmura P, Zając T, Chmura J, Kowalczuk E, Andrzejewski M. A New Approach to the Analysis of Pitch-Positions in Professional Soccer. J Hum Kinet 2019; 66:143-53. [PMID: 30988848 DOI: 10.2478/hukin-2018-0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine how various playing positions affected the number of (and percentage breakdowns for) physical and technical activities of soccer players in the Germany’s Bundesliga. A further objective was to identify and present features distinguishing between the activities of players within the Defender, Midfielder and Forward formations. The study sample comprised 4426 individual match observations of 473 soccer players competing in the Bundesliga during the 2016/2017 domestic season. Data from the Impire AG motion analysis system, and the so-called ”heat maps” it supplies, revealed areas in which players spent most time during a match, with 22 different playing positions on the pitch identified in consequence. Players in the formation comprising Defenders did not differ significantly in relation to the number of accelerations, the number of shots or the percentage of duels won. Furthermore, there were no significant differences among Midfielders in regard to total distance covered, mean running speed, the number of accelerations, the number of duels and the percentage of duels won. Likewise, Forwards did not differ in distances covered at ≥24 km/h, average running speed, the number of sprints, the number of shots, the proportion of on-target passes, the number of duels, or the percentage share of duels won. Irrespective of the formation or position on the pitch, today’s game of soccer also pays great importance to the number of accelerations, as well as the number of duels engaged in, and their effectiveness.
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Cardinale M, Whiteley R, Hosny AA, Popovic N. Activity Profiles and Positional Differences of Handball Players During the World Championships in Qatar 2015. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2017; 12:908-15. [PMID: 27918655 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2016-0314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Handball is an Olympic sport played indoors by 6 court players and 1 goalkeeper with rolling substitutions. Limited data exist on elite players competing in a world championship, and virtually no information exists on the evolution of time-motion performance over the course of a long tournament. PURPOSE To analyze time-motion characteristics of elite male handball players of the last world championships, played in Qatar in 2015. PARTICIPANTS 384 handball players from 24 national teams. METHODS The athletes were analyzed during 88 matches using a tracking camera system and bespoke software (Prozone Handball v. 1.2, Prozone, Leeds, UK). RESULTS The average time on court (N = 2505) during the world championships for all players was 36:48 ± 20:27 min. Goalkeepers and left and right wings were on court most of the playing time (GK 43.00 ± 25:59 min; LW 42:02 ± 21:07 min; RW 43:44 ± 21:37 min). The total distance covered during each game (2607.5 ± 1438.4 m) consisted mostly of walking and jogging. The cumulative distance covered during the tournament was 16,313 ± 9423.3 m. Players performed 857.2 ± 445.7 activity changes with a recovery time of 124.3 ± 143 s. The average running pace was 78.2 ± 10.8 m/min. There was no significant difference between high-ranked and lower-ranked teams in terms of distance covered in different locomotion categories. CONCLUSIONS Specific physical conditioning is necessary to maximize performance of handball players and minimize the occurrence of fatigue when performing in long tournaments.
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PERCIAVALLE VALENTINA, DI CORRADO DONATELLA, PETRALIA MARIACRISTINA, GURRISI LINO, MASSIMINO SIMONA, COCO MARINELLA. The second-to-fourth digit ratio correlates with aggressive behavior in professional soccer players. Mol Med Rep 2013; 7:1733-8. [PMID: 23588344 PMCID: PMC3694562 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2013.1426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Accepted: 01/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that high levels of testosterone during prenatal life, testified by a low second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), as well as in adulthood affect the aggressive behavior of professional soccer players. Using 18 male professional players from a first level Italian Soccer Team we calculated: i) the 2D:4D ratio of the right hand, ii) the number of yellow and red cards per game, iii) the mean salivary testosterone concentration (Sal/T) and iv) the handling of aggressive impulses as assessed by the Picture Frustration test (PFT). Soccer players with a lower 2D:4D ratio had a higher number of fouls per game. A significant negative correlation was observed between Sal/T and 2D:4D ratio, as well as between 2D:4D ratio and the aggressiveness of players. By contrast, a significant positive correlation of Sal/T and fouls/game score and PFT was detected. No significant correlation was detected between 2D:4D or Sal/T and the playing position of players. Results of this study revealed that in professional soccer players, aggressive behavior, with the consequent increased risk of fouls during the game, is more likely to occur in individuals with high testosterone levels, not only in adulthood, but also during their intrauterine life.
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Affiliation(s)
- VALENTINA PERCIAVALLE
- Department of Sciences of Formation, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - MARIA CRISTINA PETRALIA
- Department of Sciences of Formation, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - LINO GURRISI
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - SIMONA MASSIMINO
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - MARINELLA COCO
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Da Silva CD, Bloomfield J, Marins JCB. A review of stature, body mass and maximal oxygen uptake profiles of u17, u20 and first division players in brazilian soccer. J Sports Sci Med 2008; 7:309-319. [PMID: 24149897 PMCID: PMC3761896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2008] [Accepted: 07/16/2008] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Investigations in the physiological demands of soccer have identified that a significant percentage of energy production in match performance is provided through the aerobic pathways. It is therefore important to assess maximal oxygen uptake (VO2Max) of players in order to evaluate their aerobic fitness status and optimize their physical conditioning. However, it is also important to consider the variation of (VO2Max) profiles for soccer players, with differences having been identified in terms of playing position as well as playing style. This paper reviews the academic literature between 1996 and 2006 and reports on the methodologies employed and the values obtained for stature, body mass and (VO2Max) profiles of soccer players of different positions in professional Brazilian clubs at U-17, U-20 and First Division levels. Indirect measurements accounted for the majority of tests conducted at U-17 (70%) and U-20 (84.6%) levels whereas at First Division level almost half of the (VO2Max) evaluations were performed by direct measurements (47.8%). The mean (VO2Max) profiles obtained for outfield players in U-17 was 56.95 ± 3.60 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1), 58.13 ± 3.21 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1) for U-20 players and 56.58 ± 5.03 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1) for First Division players. In Brazil, the U-20 players appear to have highest VO2Max values, however the profiles reported for all outfield positions in U-17 and First Division levels are often lower than those reported for the same category of players from other countries. This may be a reflection of the style of play used in Brazilian soccer. This is further emphasized by the fact that the playing position with the highest VO2Max values was the external defenders whereas most findings from studies performed in European soccer indicate that midfielders require the highest VO2Max values. Key pointsPhysical and physiological differences exist between Brazilian soccer and European soccer.Players in Brazil appear to be shorter in stature, similar in body mass and have a lower overall aerobic capacity to their European equivalentsIn Brazil, there seems to be a physical development phase for players at U-20 level which prepares them for the demands at First Division level.
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Abstract
AIMS To investigate the relation between somatotype, performance characteristics, and the incidence of injury during the Australian Netball Championships. METHOD Two hundred and forty high performance netball players competed at the Australian Netball Championships in which 213 (89%) were measured using the Heath-Carter somatotype scale. During these championships, in conjunction with the injury assessments, data analysis included a three factor analysis of variance (level of competition, playing position, and injury) for the dependent somatotype variables (endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectopmorphy), and the level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS For the three dependent somatotype variables, there were no main effects between endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy), and the level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS For the three dependent somatotype variables, there were no main effects between endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy and the incidence of injury. However, for the mesomorphy and ectomorphy variables, significant main effects for the playing position were found. No main effects existed between the somatotype variables and levels of competition. CONCLUSION The somatotype variables did not influence the incidence of injury, but mesomorphy and ectomorphy did influence the different playing positions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Hopper
- School of Physiotherapy, Curtin University, Shenton Park, Australia
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