Agreement between an automated video-based system and tethered system to measure instantaneous swimming velocity.

Successful performance in competitive swimming requires a swimmer to maximise propulsion and minimise drag, which can be assessed using instantaneous swimming velocity. Many systems exist to quantify velocity, and therefore, it is important to understand the agreement between systems. This study examined the agreement between an automated video-based system and a tethered system to measure instantaneous velocity.

A comparison of activity demands between trial matches and in-season matches across multiple teams and seasons in semi-professional, male rugby league players.

Trial matches are frequently used for team preparation in rugby league competitions, making it essential to understand the demands experienced to assess their specificity to actual competition. Consequently, this study aimed to compare the activity demands between pre-season trial matches and early in-season rugby league matches. Following a repeated-measures observational design, 39 semi-professional, male rugby league players from two clubs were monitored using microsensors during two trial matches and the first two in-season matches across two consecutive seasons.

Effect of Match Schedule Density on Self-Reported Wellness and Sleep in Referees During the Rugby World Cup.

Purpose: To examine the effect of match schedule on self-reported wellness and sleep in rugby union referees during the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Methods: Following an observational design, 18 international-level male referees participating in the 2019 Rugby World Cup completed a daily questionnaire to quantify wellness status (sleep quality, mood, stress, fatigue, muscle soreness, and total wellness) and sleep characteristics (bedtime, wake-up time, and time in bed) from the previous night across the tournament. Linear mixed models and effect sizes (Hedges gav) assessed differences in wellness and sleep characteristics between prematch and postmatch days surrounding single-game and 2-game congested match schedules (prematch1, postmatch1, prematch2, and postmatch2 days).

Player chronotype does not affect shooting accuracy at different times of the day in a professional, male basketball team: a pilot study.

Athlete chronotype has been documented to underpin diurnal variations in skill execution across various team sports. However, no research has explored the effects of athlete chronotype on basketball-specific skills at different times of the day. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore diurnal variations in basketball shooting accuracy according to chronotype.

The influence of training and competition on sleep behaviour of soccer referees.

Objectives: The aims of the present study were to (1) quantify sleep behaviours of soccer referees and (2) compare sleep behaviours between nights before training, before matches, and after matches.

Methods: Fourteen professional soccer referees from the A-League (mean±SD; age 34 ± 4 years; sex: 11 males, 3 females) participated in this observational study. Referees' sleep behaviours were examined using sleep diaries and wrist activity monitors for 31 consecutive nights during the 2018-2019 A-League season.

Validity of the PUSH band 2.0 and Speed4lifts to measure velocity during upper and lower body free-weight resistance exercises.

Accuracy and test-retest reliability were assessed for two devices, PUSH Band 2.0 (PUSH) and Speed4lifts. Two identical sessions were performed 6-8 days apart.

Transfer of 360° virtual reality and match broadcast video-based tests to on-field decision-making.

This study aimed to assess the level of transfer of two reliable and valid video modes to in-game decision-making performance. Two video-based tests of 25 clips each (360°VR and match broadcast vision) assessed off-field decision-making accuracy in elite Australian football umpires (n=21). Game performance was assessed across four games for each participant, classified into two groups based on this measure; "highly skilled" or 'skilled'.

Player Chronotype Does Not Affect In-Game Performance during the Evening (>18:00 h) in Professional Male Basketball Players.

Sport-specific skills display diurnal variation across various team sports such as badminton and tennis serving accuracy and soccer dribbling, volleying, and chipping execution. However, the effects of athlete chronotype on in-game sport-specific skill performance according to time of day across team sports is not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the effect of player chronotype on in-game basketball performance during evening games.

The impact of a truncated competition on the sleep and wellness of sub-elite netballers.

Background: Sleep and wellness outcomes have been explored in elite netball athletes, but research examining these outcomes in sub-elite athletes is lacking despite high participation rates at the sub-elite level. The aim was to investigate the impact of the scheduling of games over consecutive days during a truncated four-round netball competition on the sleep and wellness outcomes of sub-elite netballers.

Methods: A total of 12 female, sub-elite netball players were examined via sleep outcomes, stress, fatigue, mood, muscle soreness, and overall wellness on the night before, the night of, and for two nights after games during a four-round truncated competition.

The Effectiveness of Above Real Time Training for Developing Decision-Making Accuracy in Australian Football Umpires.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an above real-time video-based training intervention on Australian football umpire decision-making skill. Three groups completed two testing sessions, either side of a five-week, video-based training intervention either in real time (100% speed), above real time (150% speed) or control (no training) condition. Testing included two parts: resting included 25 video clips 10 of Australian football match footage, presented in real time with participants resting; exercise included a separate 25 clips also presented at real time, during a 10 × 300 m run test.

A Comparison of PlayerLoad and Heart Rate during Backwards and Forwards Locomotion during Intermittent Exercise in Rugby League Players.

Limited research has examined the demands of backward locomotion at various speeds using common load monitoring metrics in team sport athletes. Consequently, this study compared the external and internal loads between backward and forward locomotion during intermittent exercise in team sport athletes. Semi-professional, male rugby league players ( = 29) completed the same exercise protocol on two occasions in backward and forward directions.

Validity and Reliability of Using Load-Velocity Relationship Profiles to Establish Back Squat 1 m·s-1 Load.

Elsworthy, N, Callaghan, DE, Scanlan, AT, Kertesz, AHM, Kean, CO, Dascombe, BJ, and Guy, JH. Validity and reliability of using load-velocity relationship profiles to establish back squat 1 m·s-1 load. J Strength Cond Res 35(2): 340-346, 2021-Although measuring movement velocity during resistance exercise is being increasingly used to monitor player readiness for competition in team sports, the validity and reliability of using set target velocities has not been examined.

On-field movements, heart rate responses and perceived exertion of lead referees in Rugby World Cup matches, 2019.

Objectives: Quantify the on-field movements, heart rate and perceived exertion (RPE) of lead referees during Rugby World Cup matches.

Design: Descriptive, observational.

Methods: On-field movements (distance, average speed, high-speed running [>5ms]), heart rate and RPE of 11 lead referees were assessed during 29 Rugby World Cup (Knockout and Pool) matches.

Back squat velocity to assess neuromuscular status of rugby league players following a match.

Objectives: Back squat mean concentric velocity (MV) and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance were examined in sub-elite rugby league players post-match to monitor changes in neuromuscular status (NMS) from baseline. Relationships between changes in back squat MV and CMJ performance variables were used to compare back squat MV to an established method to monitor NMS.

Design: Longitudinal observational design.

The Impact of Self-Reported Sleep Quantity on Perceived Decision-Making in Sports Officials During a Competitive Season.

: While sleep research in athletes is extensive, no research has investigated sleep in sports officials during a competitive season. This study explored the (a) self-reported quantity and quality of sleep obtained by sports officials according to the time of competition (day or evening) and (b) impact of reduced sleep on perceived decision-making ability. : Sports officials (n = 371) from various sporting codes completed an online questionnaire that evaluated self-reported sleep quantity and quality on habitual nights, before competition, and after competition, as well as perceived decision-making constructs.

The Isometric Midthigh Pull in Basketball: An Effective Predictor of Sprint and Jump Performance in Male, Adolescent Players.

Purpose: To examine correlations between peak force and impulse measures attained during the isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) and basketball-specific sprint and jump tests.

Methods: Male, adolescent basketball players (N = 24) completed a battery of basketball-specific performance tests. Testing consisted of the IMTP (absolute and normalized peak force and impulse at 100 and 250 ms); 20-m sprint (time across 5, 10, and 20 m); countermovement jump (CMJ; absolute and normalized peak force and jump height); standing long jump (distance); and repeated lateral bound (distance).

Using 360° virtual reality as a decision-making assessment tool in sport.

Objectives: To examine the reliability, construct validity and ecological validity of 360° VR and match broadcast footage for off-field decision-making assessment in Australian football umpires.

Design: Validation assessments with test re-test reliability.

Methods: Two video-based tests of 60 clips each were developed to assess Australian football umpire decision-making, including 360° video of small-sided Australian football games and match broadcast footage of AFL games.

Incorporating perceptual decision-making training into high-intensity interval training for Australian football umpires.

Existing methods for developing decision-making skill for Australian football umpires separate the physical and perceptual aspects of their performance. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of incorporating video-based decision-making training during high-intensity interval training sessions, specific for Australian football umpires. 20 amateur Australian football umpires volunteered to participate in a randomised control trial.

Physical and Physiological Demands of Elite Rugby Union Officials.

Purpose: To examine the movement and physiological demands of rugby union officiating in elite competition.

Methods: Movement demands of 9 elite officials across 12 Super Rugby matches were calculated, using global positioning system devices. Total distance (in m), relative distance (in m·min), and percentage time spent in various speed zones were calculated across a match.

Analysis of Training Loads in Elite Under 18 Australian Rule Football Players.

Cust, EE, Elsworthy, N, and Robertson, S. Analysis of training loads in elite under 18 Australian rule football players. J Strength Cond Res 32(9): 2521-2528, 2017-Differences in training loads (TLs) between under 18 (U18) Australian rules football (AF) state academy-selected and state academy-nonselected players were investigated.

Physical and psychomotor performance of Australian football and rugby league officials during a match simulation.

The onset of exercise facilitates an improvement in psychomotor performance until the second ventilatory threshold, after which performance is reduced. This inverted-U relationship appears valid for incremental and steady-state exercise, however, not for intermittent exercise. This study examined changes in psychomotor performance of team sport officials during a laboratory-based match simulation.

Physical and decision-making demands of Australian football umpires during competitive matches.

This study examined the physical and decision-making requirements of elite Australian football (AF) umpires during match play. Twenty-nine field umpires were assessed across 20 AF League matches. Physical demands were monitored using global positioning system devices to record the total distance covered and high-speed running (HSR; >14.

The validity and reliability of a customized rigid supportive harness during Smith machine back squat exercise.

Although the back squat exercise is commonly prescribed to both athletic and clinical populations, individuals with restricted glenohumeral mobility may be unable to safely support the bar on the upper trapezius using their hands. The aims of this study were to investigate the validity and reliability of a back squat variation using a rigid supportive harness that does not require unrestricted glenohumeral mobility for quantifying 1 repetition maximum (1RM). Thirteen young men (age = 25.

The match demands of Australian rules football umpires in a state-based competition.

Purpose: The main purpose of the present study was to quantify the match running demands and physiological intensities of AF field and boundary umpires during match play.

Methods: Thirty-five AF umpires [20 field (age: 24.7 ± 7.