Purpose: To examine the effects of 2 repeated-sprint ability (RSA) training protocols using short sprints (15 m, RSA-15) and long sprints (30 m, RSA-30) on sprinting, maneuverability, intermittent endurance, and RSA in young soccer players. Method: Thirty-one male U-18 players were randomly assigned to the RSA-15 (n = 15) and RSA-30 (n = 16) groups. The intervention programs were conducted twice a week over 6 weeks. Results: Significant improvements in 5-, 10-, and 20-m sprints, as well as the Yo-Yo test, from pretest to posttest in the RSA-15 group (8.17%, 5.92%, 5.02%, and 16.59%) and the RSA-30 group (9.21%, 7.44%, 5.64%, and 18.79%) were observed. Players in the RSA-30 group demonstrated a significant enhancement in maneuverability from pretest to posttest (4.42%). Both the RSA-15 and RSA-30 protocols resulted in enhancements in RSA, particularly in terms of total time (4.71% and 2.30%, respectively), average time (4.71% and 2.30%, respectively), and fastest time (2.97% and 2.32%, respectively). However, only the RSA-15 protocol significantly enhanced the RSA percentage of decrement (24.06%). Conclusion: The present results provide further evidence that, if the primary focus is to maximize RSA performance, RSA-15 should be preferred. When the goal is to enhance maneuverability, implementing RSA-30 is recommended over using RSA-15.
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Effects of Short- Versus Long-Distance Repeated-Sprint Ability Training on Physical Performance in Youth Male Soccer Players
Diego Fernández-Penedo, Alberto García-Santamaría, Miguel Lorenzo-Martínez, Samuel Carrera, Alexis Padrón-Cabo, Pablo B. Costa, and Ezequiel Rey
Surveillance of Youth Sports Participation in the United States: Strengths, Limitations, and Future Directions
Karin A. Pfeiffer and Kimberly A. Clevenger
Purpose: National surveillance of behaviors, including physical activity and sport can provide insight with respect to population-level trends. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the existing sources of surveillance for organized youth sport participation in the United States and highlight knowledge gaps. Methods: We identified nationally representative and free publicly available surveillance data from 2012 to 2022 and report the prevalence of sport participation, the number of sports in which youth participated, and in which specific sports youth participated overall, and by demographic characteristics. Results: Eight surveillance systems met our inclusion criteria. Across systems, estimates ranged from 39.6% to 81.5% of youth participating in any organized sport, with 21.8% to 30.4% of youth participating in one sport. The most common sports were basketball and soccer. Limited information with respect to characteristics of sport participation was collected across systems. Conclusions: Multiple data sources regarding overall organized youth sport participation are available; there is little information further characterizing this participation (eg, setting, volume, specialization), limiting ability to examine important aspects related to public health. Comprehensive, on-going, national surveillance of multiple youth sport domains is needed in the United States to inform sport-promoting policy and ensure equitable provision of quality sport experiences.
Editor’s Notes
Craig A. Williams
Volume 36 (2024): Issue 4 (Nov 2024)
Volume 36 (2024): Issue S1 (Nov 2024)
Effectiveness of FIFA 11+ Injury Prevention Programs in Reducing Head and Neck Injuries, Including Concussion, Among Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Wesam Saleh A. Al Attar, Ali Majrashi, and Mario Bizzini
The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) 11+ and 11+ Kids injury prevention programs have shown success in reducing overall injury risk in soccer players, yet their specific impact on head and neck injuries remains inadequately explored. Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of FIFA 11+ and 11+ Kids injury prevention programs in reducing the incidence of head and neck injuries among soccer players. Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, 2 investigators independently conducted searches in databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, and PEDro) using keywords like “FIFA 11+,” “football,” “soccer,” and “injury prevention.” Only randomized controlled trials assessing FIFA 11+ programs in soccer players were included. Data analysis used the random effects model with RevMan Meta-Analysis software (version 5). Results: Among 397 studies, 4 met inclusion criteria. Pooled results from 7109 players and 532,341 exposure hours indicated a significant 40% reduction in head and neck injuries per 1000 hours of exposure in the intervention group compared to the control group (injury risk ratio 0.60, 95% CI, 0.41–0.88). Conclusion: Implementing FIFA 11+ injury prevention programs significantly reduces the risk of head and neck injuries in soccer players, offering a compelling alternative to traditional warm-ups. This study contributes valuable evidence for optimizing injury prevention strategies in soccer training regimens.
Association Between Participation in Physical Education Classes and Physical Activity Among 284,820 Adolescents: A Progressive Exposure Gradient Analysis
Raphael H.O. Araujo, André O. Werneck, Gilmar M. Jesus, Valter C.B. Filho, Javier Brazo-Sayavera, Mark S. Tremblay, and Danilo R.P. Silva
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the associations between participation in physical education (PE) classes and days with ≥60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) using different reference categories for participation in PE. Methods: We used self-reported data from 284,820 adolescents. Results: When no participation in PE was the reference, participation on 1 (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.15 [1.12–1.18]), 2 (PR = 1.24 [1.20–1.27]), 3 to 4 (PR = 1.32 [1.28–1.36]), and ≥5 days per week (PR = 1.8 [1.33–1.43]) increased frequency of days of ≥60 minutes of MVPA. Participating in PE on 2 (PR = 1.07 [1.02–1.09]), 3 to 4 (PR = 1.15 [1.12–1.18]), and ≥5 days per week (PR = 1.18 [1.15–1.22]) increased the days of ≥60 minutes of MVPA when participation in PE classes on 1 days per week was the reference. When participation in PE on 2 days per week was the reference, participation in PE classes on 3 to 4 (PR = 1.07 [1.04–1.09]) and ≥5 days per week (PR = 1.12 [1.09–1.15]) increased the days of ≥60 minutes of MVPA. Participating in PE classes on ≥5 days per week increased the days of ≥60 minutes of MVPA (PR = 1.05 [1.03–1.07]) when participation on 3 to 4 days per week was the reference. Conclusions: For those with no participation in PE classes, the addition of any PE classes could positively impact the weekly frequency of days of ≥60 minutes of MVPA. Even in countries/territories with large coverage of participation in PE classes, promoting more PE classes could be useful to increase physical activity.
Intervention Satisfaction and Feasibility of the Active Children Through In-Home, Web-Based Physical Activity (ACTIWEB-PA) Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial in Children
Somya Rastogi, Luis Columna, Kelli Koltyn, Ronald Gangnon, Paul Peppard, Kristen Malecki, and Lisa Cadmus-Bertram
Purpose: We assessed feasibility and satisfaction of the Active Children Through In-Home Web-Based Physical Activity pilot trial, delivering a web-based movement integration intervention to children. Method: Eighty-two children (8–11 y), insufficiently active, were randomly assigned to either exercise intervention (n = 41) or wait-list control (n = 41). The intervention involved 20-minute exercise videos, 5 times weekly for 12 weeks, using the UNICEF Kid Power website at home. Feasibility metrics included recruitment (target: 70%), retention (target: 80%), adherence rates, and satisfaction assessed through surveys and interviews. Retention rate-1 was percentage completing posttest surveys, and retention rate-2 was percentage completing posttest accelerometry. Parent logs assessed adherence. Results: Recruitment, retention-1, and retention-2 rates were 73.6%, 93.9%, and 80.5%, respectively. The intervention group had 5 dropouts; wait-list control had none. Sixty-nine percent showed high intervention adherence. Parents consistently expressed satisfaction, finding the intervention enjoyable and beneficial. Although children initially provided positive reviews, their interest declined over time, with increasing expressions of monotony. Suggestions to increase novelty and incorporate a social component were made by participants. The intervention was also found to be particularly useful during inclement weather. Conclusion: Active Children Through In-Home Web-Based Physical Activity trial exceeded feasibility targets of recruitment and retention and achieved moderate overall adherence. Future trials should emphasize novelty and peer participation for improved adherence and satisfaction.
Maturity-Associated Longitudinal Variations in Exercise-Induced Acute Hormonal Responses in Adolescent Male Athletes
Yuta Sekine
Purpose: To examine longitudinal changes in exercise-induced hormonal responses in adolescent male basketball players. Methods: Fifteen adolescent males were assigned to prepeak height velocity (pre-PHV) and post-PHV groups according to the predicted age at PHV. Salivary testosterone, cortisol levels, and the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio were evaluated before (PRE), immediately after (POST), and 15 minutes after a bodyweight resistance training session, which was repeated after 1 year to analyze longitudinal changes in testosterone and cortisol levels. Results: Resting testosterone levels and acute testosterone responses after bodyweight resistance training increased in both groups after 1 year at all measurement points. The POST testosterone levels at initial measurement and PRE and 15-minute postexercise levels at 1 year in the post-PHV group were significantly higher than those in the pre-PHV group. Cortisol levels significantly decreased in the post-PHV group at baseline and 1 year later. In the post-PHV, the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio after bodyweight resistance training was significantly increased at baseline and 1 year later. Conclusions: Although testosterone levels increase with age, no acute response to bodyweight resistance training was observed after 1 year. The change in anabolic status indicated by the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio was due to a decrease in cortisol levels.
Musculoskeletal Pain in Adolescents Engaged in Impact and Nonimpact Sports—ABCD Growth Study
Santiago Maillane-Vanegas, Wesley Torres, Jefferson R. Cardoso, Marta Gimunová, Evert Verhagen, and Rômulo A. Fernandes
Purpose: This study aimed to identify, through a 28-week follow-up, the association between pain and engagement in different sports among adolescents. Methods: In total, 63 adolescents reported the occurrence of pain, which was tracked weekly. Participants were categorized into 2 groups based on their sports participation: “swimming group” and “other sports group.” Researchers directly measured the time spent in different intensities during sports participation for 1 week using a heart rate monitor. For the covariates, body mass, body fatness, and whole-body lean soft tissue were assessed using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner. Kaplan–Meier plots and risk of pain were calculated for the absence of pain during the follow-up. Results: The association between the sport type and pain occurrence remained significant even after adjusting the models for potential confounders, showing that swimmers had an increased risk of reporting pain in the neck (HR = 3.33; 95% CI, 1.53–7.25), shoulders (HR = 2.21; 95% CI, 1.17–4.21), and trunk (HR = 5.60; 95% CI, 2.28–13.70). Conclusion: The association between the sport type and pain occurrence is evident even when controlling for confounding factors.