Relative Age Effect for Different Playing Positions in Adolescent Female Volleyball Players.

Understanding the Relative Age Effect (RAE) in female volleyball can provide a deeper insight into potential developmental advantages and selection biases between playing positions and volleyball-related performance characteristics. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of the RAE in adolescent female volleyball players according to the playing position and the possible differences in anthropometric and performance characteristics between the relative age groups. The study involved 193 young female volleyball players from 12 different regions and 108 sports clubs from all over Greece, with an average age of 14.

The Effect of Pilates on Quality of Sleep, Aerobic Capacity and Anaerobic Power in Premenopausal Women.

Pilates is a holistic exercise focused on respiration, body control, and accuracy of movements, and it improves respiratory muscle strength, balance, quality of life, and overall physical performance. However, little is known about the effect of Pilates on sleep quality. The purpose of the present prospective observational study was to evaluate the effect of four months of Pilates training on the quality of sleep, aerobic capacity, and anaerobic power in premenopausal women.

Effect of Plyometric Training on Jumping, Sprinting and Change of Direction Speed in Child Female Athletes.

Background: This study examined the effects of 8 weeks of plyometric training on jumping, sprinting, and change of direction (COD) performance.

Methods: Fifty female 7-9-year-old gymnasts were randomly assigned to a plyometric training group (PG; = 33), that performed supplementary plyometric training twice per week, and a control group (CG; = 17) that continued regular training. The following tests were performed before and after the intervention: 10 and 20 m sprints, 5 + 5 m and 10 + 10 m COD tests, one-leg and two-leg countermovement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ), squat jump (SJ), and standing long jump (SLJ).

Determination of the exercise intensity corresponding with maximal lactate steady state in high-level basketball players.

The purpose of the present study was to define the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) in high-level male basketball players and to compare it with the lactate turnpoint (LTP) and the respective point derived form a prediction method (MLSS). Twelve high-level basketball players underwent one maximal and several submaximal tests on a treadmill on different days where MLSS and LTP were measured. MLSS was observed at 75% of the maximal treadmill speed, at 77% of VO, at 88% of HR and at [La] of 3.

Time Course of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Muscle Damage Markers for 5 Days After a Soccer Match: Effects of Sex and Playing Position.

Souglis, A, Bogdanis, GC, Chryssanthopoulos, C, Apostolidis, N, and Geladas, ND. Time course of oxidative stress, inflammation and muscle damage markers for 5 days after a soccer match: Effects of sex and playing position. J Strength Cond Res 32(7): 2045-2054, 2018-This study examined the influence of sex and playing position on the time course of selected oxidative stress, inflammation, and muscle damage markers after an official soccer match.

Efficacy of the "pick and roll" offense in top level European basketball teams.

Team offense in basketball games consists of a set of offensive actions carried out with the cooperation of two or more players. Of these actions, the most commonly used in the last decade is the on-ball screen called the "pick and roll." The aim of this study was to analyze all of the pick and rolls conducted in the Euroleague championship from all of the 24 participating teams and to investigate the possible relationships between success in the pick and roll and overall success of the teams.

Comparison of inflammatory responses to a soccer match between elite male and female players.

The aim of this study was to compare the inflammatory responses between male and female soccer players for a period of 48 hours after an official match. Blood samples were taken from 83 subjects (22 elite male and 21 elite female soccer players and 20 male and 20 female inactive individuals) in the morning of the game day, immediately after the soccer game and 24 and 48 hours after the match. Average relative exercise intensity during the match was similar in male and female players, as indicated by mean heart rate that was 86.

Performance level affects the dietary supplement intake of both individual and team sports athletes.

Dietary supplement (DS) intake is high in elite level athletes, however few studies have investigated the impact that the performance level of the athletes has on supplementation intake in individual and team sports. The purpose of the study was to determine and compare the DS intake among individual and team sport athletes of various performance levels. A total of 2845 participants (athletes: 2783, controls: 62) between the ages of 11 and 44 years old participated in the study.

Relationship of smoking and coffee and alcohol consumption with seroconversion to Helicobacter pylori: a longitudinal study in hospital workers.

Background And Aim: There are few data concerning the relationship between Helicobacter pylori seroconversion, and smoking habits and coffee and alcohol consumption. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between smoking habits, coffee and alcohol consumption, and H. pylori seroconversion.