<p>In order to investigate activity profiles and external load patterns in elite youth soccer players, we studied high-intensity activity patterns, maximum running speed, and temporary and end-of-match decline in external load in 54 U17 players (96 match observations) over a full season of official match play. <p>Wide midfielders covered most high-intensity running (HIR) distance (1044.2 m), most ...

Introduction: Exercise at high intensity may cause lower affective responses toward exercise compared with moderate intensity exercise. We aimed to elucidate affective valence and enjoyment in high- and moderate-high interval exercise.<p> <p>Methods: Twenty recreationally active participants (9 females, 11 males, age range: 20–51 years) underwent three different treadmill running exercise sessions ...

Studies on females’ decisive physical components to physical match-play performance are sparse and only emphasize endurance tests. Thus, the influence of maximal strength and power on physical performance during match-play is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the association between one repetition maximum (1RM) half squat strength, 5-, 10-, and 15-m sprint times, countermovement ...

The team tactical system and distribution of the football players on the pitch is considered fundamental in team performance. The present study used time-motion analysis and triaxial-accelerometers to obtain new insights about the impact of different tactical systems (1-4-5-1 and 1-3-5-2) on physical performance, across different playing positions, in a professional football team. Player performance ...

Several studies in recent years have reported significant fitness improvements in children after exercise interventions, given sufficient training intensity, frequency and duration. However the knowledge of how fast children respond to exercise is limited and most research protocols are performed on cycle ergometers or other training devices using exercise programs are not applicable for practical ...

<i>Abstract</i>: Background: Changes of direction (COD) repeated sprints (RSs) might have greater relevance to football than linear RSs. We aimed to compare the effects of linear and COD RSs on intermittent high intensity running (HIR) over an entire season. <p> <p><i>Methods</i>: In total, 19 high-level male football players (16–19 years) randomly performed linear RSs or COD RSs twice a week ...

<i>Background</i> - High load (HL: > 85% of one repetition maximum (1RM)) squats with maximal intended velocity contractions (MIVC) combined with football sessions can be considered a relevant and time-efficient practice for maintaining and improving high velocity movements in football. Flywheel (FW) resistance exercise (RE) have recently emerged with promising results on physical parameters associated ...

<i>Background</i> - Maximal strength increments are reported to result in improvements in sprint speed and jump height in elite male football players. Although similar effects are expected in females, this is yet to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of maximal strength training on sprint speed and jump height in high-level female football players.<p> <p><i>Methods</i> ...

The present study evaluated the effect of a smaller, lighter ball on kicking speed and technical- tactical and physical match performance in high-level adult female footballers. In the laboratory test setting, the peak ball velocity was 6 % higher with the new ball (NB) than the standard ball (SB) (26.5 ± 0.5 vs. 25.1 ± 0.5 m · s − 1, p < 0.05). However, during match-play, no differences ...

<i>Background</i>: Previous studies shows that elite and high-level athletes possess consistently higher pain tolerance to ischemic and cold pain stimulation compared to recreationally active. However, the data previously obtained within this field is sparse and with low consistency.<p><p> <i>Purpose</i>: The aim of the present study was to examine the difference in pain perception between elite ...