Effects of Maturation on the Magnitude and Direction of Asymmetry in Jumping and Change of Direction Speed in Young Elite Football Players.

Gonzalo-Skok, O and Bishop, C. Effects of maturation on the magnitude and direction of asymmetry in jumping and change of direction speed in young elite football players. J Strength Cond Res 39(1): 70-78, 2025-Physical performance is often affected by maturation in young athletes and provides an interesting challenge to optimize performance.

Age-Related Differences and Reliability of a Field-Based Fitness Test Battery in Young Trained Footballers: The Role of Biological Age.

Background: the purpose of this study was to analyze the reliability of a field-based fitness test battery in young trained football players, according to biological age.

Methods: 197 young trained football players (12-19 years old) participated in the study. We measured anthropometric measurements (i.

Assessment of the Relationship Between Physical Performance and Percentage Change-of-Direction Deficit in Highly Trained Female Football Players.

Purpose: Different studies indicate that female players in team sports such as soccer tend to have a lower change-of-direction (COD) deficit (CODD) than their male counterparts and that players who performed better in linear and curved sprints tended to have a worse CODD, suggesting that maximum speed does not equate to a faster COD. This study assessed how performance variables related to speed and jumping influence the variability of %CODD among adult highly trained female soccer players.

Methods: Fifty-two highly trained female soccer players (age 23.

Injury Risk in Elite Young Male Soccer Players: A Review on the Impact of Growth, Maturation, and Workload.

Ribeiro, N, Martinho, DV, Pereira, JR, Rebelo, A, Monasterio, X, Gonzalo-Skok, O, Valente-dos-Santos, J, and Tavares, F. Injury risk in elite young male soccer players: a review on the impact of growth, maturation, and workload. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-The long-term development of young male soccer players involves a prolonged period of significant adjustments, highlighting the importance of studying the complex interaction between dynamic variables, including workload, and inherent elements like growth and maturity.

Fluctuations of Jump Height in Male Basketball Players: Analysis of a Competitive Season.

The present study aimed to determine whether neuromuscular fatigue monitored through countermovement jump height was a reliable and helpful marker for monitoring acute (session) and chronic (between sessions/periods of the season) fatigue throughout an entire basketball season. A longitudinal observational study analyzed the neuromuscular performance (i.e.

Seasonal Variations in Performance and Asymmetry Data for Jump and Change of Direction Abilities in Female Soccer Players.

Mainer-Pardos, E, Bishop, C, and Gonzalo-Skok, O. Seasonal variations in performance and asymmetry data for jump and change of direction abilities in female soccer players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-The study aimed to evaluate the progression of the percentage-based change of direction (COD) deficit (%CODD) over a competitive season, along with its correlation with performance tests and to examine the impact of the magnitude and direction of asymmetry at 4 stages of the season.

Effects of Mitoquinone (MitoQ) Supplementation on Aerobic Exercise Performance and Oxidative Damage: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Contracting skeletal muscle produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) originating from both mitochondrial and cytosolic sources. The use of non-specific antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, during exercise has produced inconsistent results in terms of exercise performance. Consequently, the effects of the mitochondrial-targeted coenzyme Q10, named Mitoquinone (MitoQ) on exercise responses are currently under investigation.

Analysing the Influence of Speed and Jumping Performance Metrics on the Percentage Change of Direction Deficit in Adolescent Female Soccer Players.

Studies show that although female soccer players often have shorter change of direction (COD) deficits than males, indicating different biomechanical profiles, there is a lack of research on the impact of physical metrics on COD performance in females. The purpose of this work was to analyse whether performance metrics based on speed and jumping could explain the variation in %CODD in young female soccer players. Thirty-three highly trained adolescent female soccer players with an age of 16 ± 0.

Influence of Vertical-Oriented vs. Horizontal-Oriented Combined Strength Training in Young Basketball Players.

Sánchez-Sabaté, J, Gutiérrez, H, Marco-Contreras, LA, Younes-Egana, O, Gonzalo-Skok, O, and Piedrafita, E. Influence of vertical-oriented vs. horizontal-oriented combined strength training in young basketball players.

Chronological age-based vs. Bio-banded friendly football tournament: Effects on physical performance and spatial exploration behaviour in 7v7 match play.

Biological age-based competitions have been suggested to mitigate maturation bias among youth football players. This study analysed the physical demands and spatial exploration behaviour when playing football matches against biological or chronological age-based opposition. One-hundred and sixteen U-13 and U-14 male regional-level football players were recruited from five Portuguese football academies.

Biological maturation, contextual factors, and future career in basketball: A possible interrelationship?

This study aimed to analyse the relationship between the maturational state and contextual factors with future basketball career success in Under-16 (U16) Portuguese youth preparing for the U16 European Basketball Championships. Eighty-five Under-15 (U15) and U16 male basketball players (height: 189.7 ± 6.

Current Guidelines for the Implementation of Flywheel Resistance Training Technology in Sports: A Consensus Statement.

Background: Flywheel resistance training has become more integrated within resistance training programs in a variety of sports due to the neuromuscular, strength, and task-specific enhancements reported with this training.

Objective: This paper aimed to present the consensus reached by internationally recognized experts during a meeting on current definitions and guidelines for the implementation of flywheel resistance training technology in sports.

Methods: Nineteen experts from different countries took part in the consensus process; 16 of them were present at the consensus meeting (18 May 2023) while three submitted their recommendations by e-mail.

The Inclusion of Preplanned and Random and Unanticipated/Unexpected Events During Strength Training Improves the Ability to Repeat High-Intensity Efforts Under Uncertainty.

Purpose: To compare the effects of unilateral flywheel training (FT), using a rotational conical pulley, including multidirectional movements with either preplanned or random unanticipated/unexpected executions on functional performance in football players.

Methods: A total of 32 young male football players were randomly assigned to an FT program including preplanned unilateral multidirectional movements (PTG, n = 11), an FT executing the same unilateral movements through random (ie, right or left leg) unanticipated (ie, verbal or visual cue) or unexpected (ie, moment where the cue was provided) situations (UTG, n = 11), or a control group (n = 10) that followed their football training routine. FT consisted of 1 set × 5-12 repetitions of 4 exercises performed once a week for 10 weeks.

Are change of direction speed and agility different abilities from time and coordinative perspectives?

This study aimed to test whether agility and change of direction speed (COD) are independent capacities using the same movement pattern (1) in terms of the completion time and (2) the entropy. Seventeen semi-professional female football players participated in the study. The agility task consisted of a Y-shaped (45° COD) task with three possible exit options (center, right and left) performed pre-planned or in reaction to the movement of two testers (i.

Assessing Limb Dominance and Interlimb Asymmetries Over Multiple Angles During Change of Direction Speed Tests in Basketball Players.

Gonzalo-Skok, O, Dos' Santos, T, and Bishop, C. Assessing limb dominance and interlimb asymmetries over multiple angles during change of direction speed tests in basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 37(12): 2423-2430, 2023-The aims of this study were to establish whether directional dominance is displayed during change of direction (COD) tasks across various angles, to determine the angle-variation data for the asymmetry magnitude and direction, and to analyze the relationships in COD performance (completion time and COD deficit) across tasks.

Change of direction speed and deficit over single and multiple changes of direction: Influence of biological age in youth basketball players.

The study analysed the difference in change of direction (COD) deficit among young male basketball players of different age groups and biological ages and analysed the relationships in COD performance (time and deficit) across single and multiple CODs depending on their biological age. Fifty-four highly-trained male players (U-13 and U-17) were tested on sprinting (25-m) and COD ability over single and multiple CODs through total times and the percentage-based COD deficit (CODD). Results showed that older age groups performed significantly (ES = 0.

Influence of Maturation and Determinants of Repeated-Sprint Ability in Youth Basketball Players.

Gonzalo-Skok, O, and Bishop, C. Influence of maturation and determinants of repeated-sprint ability in youth basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): 325-333, 2024-The main aims of the current study were (a) to determine the main predictors of general and specific repeated-sprint ability (RSA) tests, (b) to analyze the relationships between RSA tests and independent measures of physical performance, (c) to examine whether between-age differences exist, and (d) to assess whether maturation affects those mentioned above in young basketball players.

Validity and Reliability of the V-Cut Dribbling Test in Young Basketball Players.

Purpose: Change of direction while dribbling appears to be of interest for on-court performance in basketball. The study aim was to assess the validity and reliability of the V-cut dribbling test (VcutBk) in young basketball players.

Methods: Ninety-two young basketball players from 8 to 21 years old (74% male) were classified in relation to peak height velocity (PHV) offset.

Lockdown: Conditioning Strategy and Adaptation to In-Game Regulations during COVID-19 Pandemic Prevented an Increase in Injury Incidence.

The first division of Spanish professional football () was suspended for 12 weeks as part of the policies enforced by health authorities during the first wave of COVID-19. During this period, players were confined to home for 8 weeks, followed by a club-based retraining period of 4 weeks. Afterwards, teams completed 11 matches, with approximately 3 days of recovery between matches, to finish the competition.

Effects of Direction-Specific Training Interventions on Physical Performance and Inter-Limb Asymmetries.

This study analyzed the effects of two different training programs on functional performance and inter-limb asymmetries in basketball players. Twenty-four elite youth basketball players were randomly assigned to a training program including variable unilateral horizontal movements (VUH, n = 12) or unilateral lateral movements (VUL, n = 12). Eccentric-overload training (EOT) was performed twice a week for a six-week period.

Effects of Three Different Combined Training Interventions on Jump, Change of Direction, Power Performance, and Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Male Youth Soccer Players.

Background: This study compared the effects of performing different unilateral combined training interventions on diverse vertical and horizontal jumping performance parameters, change of direction, concentric and eccentric mean power, and their associated inter-limb asymmetries in young soccer players.

Methods: Forty-seven young male soccer players (age: 15.5 ± 0.

Comparison of Three Eccentric Overload Training Strategies on Power Output and Interlimb Asymmetry in Youth Soccer Players.

Background: The present study compared the effects of performing the lateral squat exercise in three different formats from eccentric overload training on concentric/eccentric peak/mean power and inter-limb asymmetries in young soccer players.

Methods: Forty-five young male (U-17) soccer players were distributed into three groups. Two groups performed the same training volume with both legs, beginning with the weaker leg (SVW, = 15) or with the stronger leg (SVS, = 15).

Age-related differences in linear sprint in adolescent female soccer players.

Background: Several studies have observed the contribution of chronological age, biological maturation, and anthropometric characteristics to sprinting performance in young soccer players. Nevertheless, there are no studies that have analysed the contribution of these characteristics to running speed qualities in adolescent female soccer players.

Objective: This study investigated age-related differences in sprint performance in adolescent female soccer players.

Associations between Inter-Limb Asymmetries in Jump and Change of Direction Speed Tests and Physical Performance in Adolescent Female Soccer Players.

The association between asymmetries in jump and change of direction (COD) with physical performance in several sports show inconclusive results. The purposes of this study were to: (1) measure inter-limb asymmetries in three distinct groups in adolescent female soccer players and, (2) to determine the association between inter-limb asymmetries and physical performance in different age groups. Fifty-four players were distributed in three age groups: U-18, U-16 and U-14.

Enhancing High-Intensity Actions During a Basketball Game After a Strength Training Program With Random Recovery Times Between Sets.

Arede, J, Leite, N, Tous-Fajardo, J, Bishop, C, and Gonzalo-Skok, O. Enhancing high-intensity actions during a basketball game after a strength training program with random recovery times between sets. J Strength Cond Res 36(7): 1989-1997, 2022-To examine the effects of a strength training program with random recovery times between sets in consideration of several physical parameters, high-intensity actions, and spatial exploration index during a simulated basketball game.