Injury incidence in a Spanish sub-elite professional football team: A prospective study during four consecutive seasons

The aim of this study was to investigate the injury incidence and injury characteristics of a Spanish sub-elite professional football team during four consecutive seasons. A team was followed prospectively from the season 2003-2004 to 2006-2007 and individual player exposure and time loss injuries were recorded during all club training sessions and matches. A total of 313 time-loss injuries were recorded. The mean injury incidence was 10.9 injuries/1000 hours (5.2 injuries/1000 training hours and 44.1 injuries/1000 match hours). The injury incidence during competitive matches was higher (p < 0.001) than in friendly matches (55.8 vs. 22.6 injuries/1000 hours). The incidence of major injuries (>28 days absence) was 0.4 injuries/1000 hours. The thigh was the most commonly (35%) injured region and caused 29% of all competitive match absence. Muscle injuries in the four main groups of the lower limbs (hamstrings, adductors, quadriceps and calf muscles) caused 43% of competitive match unavailability. The results of this study show that the risk to sustain a major injury in the course of the season was low for sub-elite footballers in comparison to elite players. Thigh strains were the first cause of absence in competition due to injury.

Longitudinal Changes in Response to a Cycle-Run Field Test of Young Male National "Talent identification" and Senior Elite Triathlon Squads.

This study investigated the changes in cardiorespiratory response and running performance of 9 male ?Talent Identification? (TID) and 6 male Senior Elite (SE) Spanish National Squad triathletes during a specific cycle-run test. The TID and SE triathletes (initial age 15.2±0.7 vs. 23.8±5.6 years, p=0.03; tests through the competitive period and the preparatory period, respectively, of two consecutive seasons: Test 1 was an incremental cycle test to determine the ventilatory threshold (Thvent); Test 2 (C-R) was 30 min constant load cycling at the Thvent power output followed by a 3-km time trial run; and Test 3 (R) was an isolated 3-km time trial control run, in randomized counterbalanced order. In both seasons the time required to complete the C-R 3-km run was greater than for R in TID (11:09±00:24 vs. 10:45±00:16 min:ss, pmenor que 0.01; and 10:24±00:22 vs. 10:04±00:14, p=0.006, for season 2005/06 and 2006/07, respectively) and SE (10:15±00:19 vs. 09:45±00:30, pmenor que 0.001 and 09:51±00:26 vs. 09:46±00:06, p= 0.02 for season 2005/06 and 2006/07, respectively). Compared to the first season, completion of the time trial run was faster in the second season (6.6%, pmenor que 0.01 and 6.4%, pmenor que 0.01, for C-R and R test, respectively) only in TID. Changes in post-cycling run performance were accompanied by changes in pacing strategy but only slight or non-significant changes in the cardiorespiratory response. Thus, the negative effect of cycling on performance may persist, independently of the period, over two consecutive seasons in TID and SE triathletes; however A improvements over time suggests that monitoring running pacing strategy after cycling may be a useful tool to control performance and training adaptations in TID. O2max 77.0±5.6 vs. 77.8±3.6 mL·kg-1·min-1, NS) underwent three TE D EP C C

Bicarbonato ingestion has no ergogenic effect on consecutive all out sprint test in MWX elite cyclists

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on consecutive "all out" sprint tests, analyzing the acid-base status and its influence on performance and perceived effort. Ten elite bicycle motocross (BMX) riders (20.7 ± 1.4 years, training experience 8-12 years) participated in this study which consisted of two trials. Each trial consisted of three consecutive Wingate tests (WTs) separated by 15 min recovery. Ninety minutes prior to exercise subjects ingested either NaHCO(3) (-) (0.3 g kg(-1) body weight) or placebo. Blood samples were collected for the assessment of blood acid-base status: bicarbonate concentration ([HCO(3) (-)]), pH, base excess (BE) and blood lactate concentration ([La(-)]). Performance variables of peak power (PP), mean power (MP), time to peak power and fatigue index were calculated for each sprint. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in acid-base variables [pH before WT1: 7.47 ± 0.05 vs. 7.41 ± 0.03; [HCO(3) (-)] before WT1: 29.08 ± 2.27 vs. 22.85 ± 0.24 mmol L(-1) (bicarbonate vs. placebo conditions, respectively)], but there were not significant differences in performance variables between trials [PP WT1: 1,610 ± 373 vs. 1,599 ± 370 W; PP WT2: 1,548 ± 460 vs. 1,570 ± 428 W; PP WT3: 1,463 ± 361 vs. 1,519 ± 364 W. MP WT1: 809 ± 113 vs. 812 ± 108 W; MP WT2: 799 ± 135 vs. 799 ± 124 W; MP WT3: 762 ± 165 vs. 782 ± 118 W (bicarbonate vs. placebo conditions, respectively)]. Rating of perceived effort (RPE) was not influenced nor ratings of perceived readiness. Sodium bicarbonate ingestion modified significantly the blood acid-base balance, although the induced alkalosis did not improve the Wingate test performance, RPE and perceived readiness across three consecutive WTs in elite BMX cyclists.

Ball possession effectiveness in men's and women's elite basketball according to situational variables in different game periods

The aim of the present study was to identify the importance of floorball tactical variables to predict ball possession effectiveness, when controlling quality of opposition and game periods. The sample was composed by 1500 ball possessions, corresponding to 14 games randomly selected from the International Championships played during 2008 and 2010 (World Championship, Four nations tournament and classificatory phases for World Championship) by teams from different competition levels (HIGH, INTERMEDIATE and LOW). The effects of the predictor variables on successful ball possessions according to the three game contexts (HIGH vs. HIGH; HIGH vs. LOW; LOW vs. LOW games) were analyzed using Binomial Logistic Regressions. The results showed no interaction with the game period. In HIGH vs. HIGH games, quality of opposition showed an association with ball possession effectiveness with ending zone, offensive system, possession duration, height of shooting and defensive pressures previous to the shot. In HIGH vs. LOW games the important factors were the starting zone, possession duration, defensive pressure previous to the last pass and to the shot, technique of shooting and the number players involved in each ball possession. Finally, in LOW vs. LOW games, the results emphasized the importance of starting and ending zones, the number of passes used and the technique of shooting. In conclusion, elite floorball performance is mainly affected by quality of opposition showing different game patterns in each context that should be considered by coaches when preparing practices and competitions.

A comparative analysis of visual strategy in elite and amateur handball goalkeepers

The aim of the present study was to analyze the visual strategies prior to a throw from 7 metres in elite and amateur handball goalkeepers. To this end we analyzed the visual fixations in number and order of 10 goalkeepers (29.7±5.4 years; 14.7±8.6 years of experience), 3 elite and 7 amateurs, during the life size projection of 14 different throws, made by different players. During each throw the movement of the eyeballs, the dilation of the pupil (pupillometry) and the subject?s blinking were recorded thanks to a technological system which permitted eye tracking with high speed cameras, and the subsequent presentation of the visual data for each action studied. The elite goalkeepers performed a greater number of visual fixations than the amateur goalkeepers, revealing large and significant differences. Equally the priority zones observed were differed, with the amateur goalkeepers fixating more on the thrower?s face, and the elite goalkeepers paying more attention to the area of the arm/ball. It can therefore be inferred that elite goalkeepers have a greater perceptive capacity and also use different visual strategies from the amateur goalkeepers.

Analysis of dehidration and strenth in elite badminton players

Background: The negative effects of dehydration on aerobic activities are well established. However, it is unknown how dehydration affects intermittent sports performance. The purpose of this study was to identify the level of dehydration in elite badminton players and its relation to muscle strength and power production. Methodology: Seventy matches from the National Spanish badminton championship were analyzed (46 men?s singles and 24 women?s singles). Before and after each match, jump height and power production were determined during a countermovement jump on a force platform. Participants? body weight and a urine sample were also obtained before and after each match. The amount of liquid that the players drank during the match was also calculated by weighing their individual drinking bottles. Results and Discussion: Sweat rate during the game was 1.1460.46 l/h in men and 1.0260.64 l/h in women. The players rehydrated at a rate of 1.1060.55 l/h and 1.0160.44 l/h in the male and female groups respectively. Thus, the dehydration attained during the game was only 0.3760.50% in men and 0.3260.83% in women. No differences were found in any of the parameters analyzed during the vertical jump (men: from 31.8265.29 to 32.9064.49 W/kg; p.0.05, women: from 26.3664.73 to 27.2564.44 W/kg; p.0.05). Post-exercise urine samples revealed proteinuria (60.9% of cases in men and 66.7% in women), leukocyturia (men = 43.5% and women = 50.0%) and erythrocyturia (men = 50.0% and women = 21.7%). Conclusions: Despite a moderate sweat rate, badminton players adequately hydrated during a game and thus the dehydration attained was low. The badminton match did not cause muscle fatigue but it significantly increased the prevalence of proteinuria, leukocyturia and erythrocyturia.

The gait patterns of an elite athlete with low vision: a case study

Presentación Póster en ESMAC 2012

A ruína da elite de Jerusalém e Judá em Jeremias 2 - Estudo da profecia do jovem Jeremias

Esta pesquisa exegética parte do método histórico-crítico, inserido na hermenêutica latino-americana, para analisar os textos do jovem Jeremias, mais exatamente, o capítulo 2 do seu livro. Este livro, aliás, pela sua riqueza literária somada ao seu conteúdo profético, é um dos mais amados e lidos pelos cristãos e demais amantes deste tipo de literatura. E a produção de textos referentes a Jeremias na pesquisa exegética é abundante, principalmente as porções da nova aliança (Jr.30-31) e das profecias contra as nações (Jr.46-51), além do bloco 37-45. Todavia, a pesquisa a respeito dos primeiros capítulos de Jeremias, ao contrário, tem sido muito pouco valorizada. Há, ainda, muitas controvérsias sobre onde situar na história esses capítulos iniciais. Porém, alguns críticos, como, por exemplo, Bernhard Duhm, já em 1901, e Thomas Roemer, mais recentemente, consideram esses capítulos iniciais do profeta como os mais antigos de Jeremias e marcam o início da sua atuação. E já notamos que, desde este início, Jeremias tem palavras bem claras de denúncia e juízo contra Jerusalém e Judá: não há esperanças e a ruína está às portas. O profeta não deixa, pois, de nomear os responsáveis por tal situação. A nossa posição aqui nesta pesquisa é a de que Jr 2, de fato, é um texto de Jeremias e marca o início de sua atuação profética, nos anos imediatamente anteriores à reforma de Josias (622 a.C.) Seus conteúdos, apesar de suas experiências do norte e sua influência oseiânica, apontam para Jerusalém e Judá, já que o Reino do Norte desaparecera e Anatote, cidade natal de Jeremias, fora incorporada pela administração real do sul. Trabalhando com essas premissas, acreditamos que Jr 2 relê a profecia de Oséias, porém com a ênfase que é uma das características da sua própria profecia: as escolhas e as práticas das elites levarão Jerusalém e Judá às ruínas: não há saídas; certamente, castigo e destruição vêm.(AU)

A ruína da elite de Jerusalém e Judá em Jeremias 2 - Estudo da profecia do jovem Jeremias

Esta pesquisa exegética parte do método histórico-crítico, inserido na hermenêutica latino-americana, para analisar os textos do jovem Jeremias, mais exatamente, o capítulo 2 do seu livro. Este livro, aliás, pela sua riqueza literária somada ao seu conteúdo profético, é um dos mais amados e lidos pelos cristãos e demais amantes deste tipo de literatura. E a produção de textos referentes a Jeremias na pesquisa exegética é abundante, principalmente as porções da nova aliança (Jr.30-31) e das profecias contra as nações (Jr.46-51), além do bloco 37-45. Todavia, a pesquisa a respeito dos primeiros capítulos de Jeremias, ao contrário, tem sido muito pouco valorizada. Há, ainda, muitas controvérsias sobre onde situar na história esses capítulos iniciais. Porém, alguns críticos, como, por exemplo, Bernhard Duhm, já em 1901, e Thomas Roemer, mais recentemente, consideram esses capítulos iniciais do profeta como os mais antigos de Jeremias e marcam o início da sua atuação. E já notamos que, desde este início, Jeremias tem palavras bem claras de denúncia e juízo contra Jerusalém e Judá: não há esperanças e a ruína está às portas. O profeta não deixa, pois, de nomear os responsáveis por tal situação. A nossa posição aqui nesta pesquisa é a de que Jr 2, de fato, é um texto de Jeremias e marca o início de sua atuação profética, nos anos imediatamente anteriores à reforma de Josias (622 a.C.) Seus conteúdos, apesar de suas experiências do norte e sua influência oseiânica, apontam para Jerusalém e Judá, já que o Reino do Norte desaparecera e Anatote, cidade natal de Jeremias, fora incorporada pela administração real do sul. Trabalhando com essas premissas, acreditamos que Jr 2 relê a profecia de Oséias, porém com a ênfase que é uma das características da sua própria profecia: as escolhas e as práticas das elites levarão Jerusalém e Judá às ruínas: não há saídas; certamente, castigo e destruição vêm.(AU)