Immune inflammation markers and physical fitness during a congested match play period in elite male soccer players.

Background/objective: Cellular immune markers of inflammation such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) are frequently used in patient care. The adoption of these markers to elite sports, e.g.

Impact of Technical-Tactical and Physical Performance on the Match Outcome in Professional Soccer: A Case Study.

Match outcomes and championship rankings are the consequence of the team's technical, tactical, and physical variables. This study aimed to compare physical and modern technical-tactical performance variables between matches with different outcomes for a professional soccer team. Total distance covered, distance covered between 20.

Thermoformed products from high-density polyethylene and Softwood kraft pulp.

Plastic recycling, waste minimization such as process outfall valorization promotes a circular economy. Herein, food trays have been produced in the moulded pulp thermoforming process. To this end, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) outfall has been dispersed in water via Poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) addition in a Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft Pulp (NBSKP) slurry.

From dry-land to the water: training and testing practices of strength and conditioning coaches in high level French sprint swimmers.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to explore training and testing practices from Strength & Conditioning (S&C) coaches who manage groups of high-level French swimmers in elite training centers. The transfer of abilities from dry-land to condition was also investigated.

Methods: 24 French S&C coaches completed a survey via an online platform.

Associations between load-velocity profiling and race parameters of elite swimmers in the 100 and 200m freestyle events.

Introduction: Improving swimming performance involves assessments of biomechanical variables of the stroke, and it can be achieved using semi-tethered swimming tests. The aim of this study was thus to investigate the associations between load-velocity (L-V) profiles, from a semi-tethered swimming protocol and race variables in the 100 m and 200 m freestyle events.

Methods: Eight swimmers completed a L-V profiling protocol consisting of four sprints (25 m, 25 m, 20 m, 15 m) against increasing loads (0.

There is no rush to upgrade the tennis racket in young intermediate competitive players: The effects of scaling racket on serve biomechanics and performance.

Introduction: Scaling the equipment of young athletes is justified by the constraints-led approach introduced in motor learning. The aim of the present study is to analyze the effect of racket scaling on the serve biomechanics and performance parameters for young tennis players (between 8 and 11 years-old).

Methods: Nine young intermediate competitive tennis players (age: 9.

Influence of shoe torsional stiffness on foot and ankle biomechanics during tennis forehand strokes.

Tennis shoe characteristics need to minimise the risk of athletes suffering ankle injuries and improve players' feet performance. This study aims to evaluate the influence of shoe torsional stiffness on running velocity, stance duration, ground reaction forces and ankle biomechanics during two different tennis forehand runs and strokes. Ten right-handed advanced male tennis players performed two specific tennis forehand runs and strokes at maximal effort (a shuttle run with a defensive open stance forehand - SRDF and a lateral jab run with an offensive open stance forehand - JROF) with four different pairs of tennis shoes with different torsional stiffness.

Effects of different training intensities in high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on maximal aerobic velocity, hematological and muscle-damage markers in healthy young adults.

This study aimed to examine the effects of two high-intensity interval training programs (HIIT) on maximal aerobic velocity (MAV), hematological variations and muscle damage markers in young healthy adults. Twenty-nine male physical education students, aged 20.3 ± 3.

Automatic Swimming Activity Recognition and Lap Time Assessment Based on a Single IMU: A Deep Learning Approach.

This study presents a deep learning model devoted to the analysis of swimming using a single Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) attached to the sacrum. Gyroscope and accelerometer data were collected from 35 swimmers with various expertise levels during a protocol including the four swimming techniques. The proposed methodology took high inter- and intra-swimmer variability into account and was set up for the purpose of predicting eight swimming classes (the four swimming techniques, rest, wallpush, underwater, and turns) at four swimming velocities ranging from low to maximal.

Visual tracking assessment in a soccer-specific virtual environment: A web-based study.

The ability to track teammates and opponents is an essential quality to achieve a high level of performance in soccer. The visual tracking ability is usually assessed in the laboratory with non-sport specific scenarios, leading in two major concerns. First, the methods used probably only partially reflects the actual ability to track players on the field.

Multiple Players Tracking in Virtual Reality: Influence of Soccer Specific Trajectories and Relationship With Gaze Activity.

The perceptual-cognitive ability to track multiple moving objects and its contribution to team sports performance has traditionally been studied in the laboratory under non-sports specific conditions. It is thus questionable whether the measured visual tracking performance and the underlying gaze activity reflected the actual ability of team sports players to track teammates and opponents on a real field. Using a Virtual Reality-based visual tracking task, the ability of participants to track multiple moving virtual players as they would do on a soccer field was observed to pursue two objectives.

A musculoskeletal modelling approach of the assessment of the risk of hamstring injuries in professional soccer players: a pilot study.

Evaluating and minimising the risk of hamstring injury remains complex as it lacks reliable field-testing. Kinematic analysis provides global external insights but fails to apprehend musculoskeletal loading. This study aimed to evaluate the association between hamstring function and prior injury using a novel functional test combined with a musculoskeletal approach.

Biochemical Markers and Wellness Status During a Congested Match Play Period in Elite Soccer Players.

Objectives: To analyze biochemical markers, wellness status, and physical fitness in elite soccer players in relation to changes in training and match exposure during a congested period of match play.

Methods: Fourteen elite soccer players were evaluated 3 times (T1, T2, and T3) over 12 weeks (T1-T2: 6-wk regular period of match play and T2-T3: 6-wk congested period of match play). Players performed vertical jump tests, repeated shuttle sprint ability test, and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test at T1, T2, and T3.

Hematology, Hormones, Inflammation, and Muscle Damage in Elite and Professional Soccer Players: A Systematic Review with Implications for Exercise.

Background: Knowledge of the long-term effects of soccer training on hematological, hormonal, inflammatory, and muscle damage markers and physical performance may help to better design strength and conditioning programs for performance development and injury prevention for the individual player and the team.

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to summarize and discuss evidence on the long-term effects of soccer training on selected hematological, hormonal, inflammatory, and muscle damage markers and physical performance in elite and professional soccer players. A second goal was to investigate associations between selected physiological markers and measures of performance.

Impact of Power Output on Muscle Activation and 3D Kinematics During an Incremental Test to Exhaustion in Professional Cyclists.

This study aimed to quantify the influence of an increase in power output (PO) on joint kinematics and electromyographic (EMG) activity during an incremental test to exhaustion for a population of professional cyclists. The hip flexion/extension and internal/external rotation as well as knee abduction/adduction ranges of motion were significantly decreased at 100% of the maximal aerobic power (MAP). EMG analysis revealed a significant increase in the root mean square (RMS) for all muscles from 70% of the MAP.

Can the Open Stance Forehand Increase the Risk of Hip Injuries in Tennis Players?

Background: The open stance forehand has been hypothesized by tennis experts (coaches, scientists, and clinicians) to be more traumatic than the neutral stance forehand as regards hip injuries in tennis. However, the influence of the forehand stance (open or neutral) on hip kinematics and loading has not been assessed.

Purpose: To compare the kinematics and kinetics at the hip joint during 3 common forehand stances (attacking neutral stance [ANS], attacking open stance [AOS], defensive open stance [DOS]) in advanced tennis players to determine whether the open stance forehand induces higher hip loading.

Influence of the forehand stance on knee biomechanics: Implications for potential injury risks in tennis players.

The open stance forehand has been hypothesized to be more traumatic for knee injuries in tennis than the neutral stance forehand. This study aims to compare kinematics and kinetics at the knee during three common forehand stroke stances (attacking neutral stance ANS, attacking open stance AOS, defensive open stance DOS) to determine if the open stance forehand induces higher knee loadings and to discuss its potential relationship with given injuries. Eight advanced tennis players performed eight repetitions of forehand strokes with each stance (ANS: forward run and stroke with feet parallel with the hitting direction, AOS: forward run and stroke with feet perpendicular to the hitting direction, DOS: lateral run and stroke with feet perpendicular to the hitting direction) at maximal effort.

The Interplay Between Plasma Hormonal Concentrations, Physical Fitness, Workload and Mood State Changes to Periods of Congested Match Play in Professional Soccer Players.

Background: The regular assessment of hormonal and mood state parameters in professional soccer are proposed as good indicators during periods of intense training and/or competition to avoid overtraining.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze hormonal, psychological, workload and physical fitness parameters in elite soccer players in relation to changes in training and match exposure during a congested period of match play.

Methods: Sixteen elite soccer players from a team playing in the first Tunisian soccer league were evaluated three times (T1, T2, and T3) over 12 weeks.

Uncovering EEG Correlates of Covert Attention in Soccer Goalkeepers: Towards Innovative Sport Training Procedures.

Advances in sports sciences and neurosciences offer new opportunities to design efficient and motivating sport training tools. For instance, using NeuroFeedback (NF), athletes can learn to self-regulate specific brain rhythms and consequently improve their performances. Here, we focused on soccer goalkeepers' Covert Visual Spatial Attention (CVSA) abilities, which are essential for these athletes to reach high performances.

Virtual reality to assess and train team ball sports performance: A scoping review.

Virtual reality (VR) is a widespread technology drawing an increasing interest for players and coaches, especially in team ball sports as it offers a simple tool to simulate, analyse and train situations that are often too complex to reproduce in the field. In this review we aimed at (1) providing an overview of methodologies and outcomes of research studies using VR in team ball sports; (2) better evaluating the potential interest of VR to analyse or train team ball sports situation and (3) identifying limitations, gaps in knowledge and remaining scientific challenges. The MEDLINE and Web of Science Core Collection databases were searched, using predefined combinations of keywords.

Detection of deceptive motions in rugby from visual motion cues.

Frequently, in rugby, players incorporate deceptive motions (e.g., a side-step) in order to pass their opponent.

Effects of Neuromuscular Training on Agility Performance in Elite Soccer Players.

Background: Agility in general and change-of-direction speed (CoD) in particular represent important performance determinants in elite soccer.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of a 6-week neuromuscular training program on agility performance, and to determine differences in movement times between the slower and faster turning directions in elite soccer players.

Materials And Methods: Twenty male elite soccer players from the Stade Rennais Football Club (Ligue 1, France) participated in this study.

Estimation of 3D Knee Joint Angles during Cycling Using Inertial Sensors: Accuracy of a Novel Sensor-to-Segment Calibration Procedure Based on Pedaling Motion.

This paper presents a novel sensor-to-segment calibration procedure for inertial sensor-based knee joint kinematics analysis during cycling. This procedure was designed to be feasible in-field, autonomously, and without any external operator or device. It combines a static standing up posture and a pedaling task.