Assessments of training load in elite youth soccer

One of the most popular sports globally, soccer has seen a rise in the demands of the game over recent years. An increase in intensity and playing demands, coupled with growing social and economic pressures on soccer players means that optimal preparation is of paramount importance. Recent research has found the modern game, depending on positional role, to consist of approximately 60% more sprint distance in the English Premier League, which was also found to be the case for frequency and success of discrete technical actions (Bush et al., 2015). As a result, the focus on soccer training and player preparedness is becoming more prevalent in scientific research. By designing the appropriate training load, and thus periodization strategies, the aim is to achieve peak fitness in the most efficient way, whilst minimising the risk of injury and illness. Traditionally, training intensity has been based on heart rate responses, however, the emergence of tracking microtechnology such as global positioning system (GPS) and inertial sensors are now able to further quantify biomechanical load as well as physiological stress. Detailed pictures of internal and external loading indices such as these then combine to produce a more holistic view of training load experience by the player during typical drills and phases of training in soccer. The premise of this research is to gain greater understanding of the physical demands of common training methodologies in elite soccer to support optimal match performance. The coaching process may then benefit from being able to prescribe the most effective training to support these. The first experimental chapter in this thesis began by quantify gross training loads of the pre-season and in-season phases in soccer. A broader picture of the training loads inherent in these distinct phases brought more detail as to the type and extent of external loading experienced by soccer players at these times, and how the inclusion of match play influences weekly training rhythms. Training volume (total distance) was found to be high at the start compared to the end of pre-season (37 kilometres and 28 kilometres), where high cardiovascular loads were attained as part of the conditioning focus. This progressed transiently, however, to involve higher-speed, acceleration and change-of-direction stimuli at the end of pre-season compared to the start and to that in-season (1.18 kilometres, 0.70 kilometres and 0.42 kilometres high-intensity running; with 37, 25 and 23 accelerations >3m/s2 respectively) . The decrease in volume and increase in maximal anaerobic activity was evident in the training focus as friendly matches were introduced before the competitive season. The influence of match-play as being a large physical dose in the training week may then determine the change in weekly periodisation and how resulting training loads applied and tapered, if necessary. The focus of research was then directed more specifically to the most common mode of training in soccer, that also featured regularly in the pre-season period in the present study, small-sided games (SSG). The subsequent studies examined numerous manipulations of this specific form of soccer conditioning, such as player numbers as well as absolute and relative playing space available. In contrast to some previous literature, changing the number of players did not seem to influence training responses significantly, although playing format in the possession style brought about larger effects for heart rate (89.9%HRmax) and average velocity (7.6km/h-1). However, the following studies (Chapters 5, 6 and 7) revealed a greater influence of relative playing space available to players in SSG. The larger area at their disposal brought about greater aerobic responses (~90%HRmax), by allowing higher average and peak velocities (>25km/h-1), as well as greater distance acceleration behaviour at greater thresholds (>2.8m/s2). Furthermore, the data points towards space as being a large determinant in strategy of the player in small-sided games (SSG), subsequently shaping their movement behaviour and resulting physical responses. For example, higher average velocities in a possession format (8km/h-1) reflects higher work rate and heart rate load but makes achieving significant neuromuscular accelerations at a high level difficult given higher starting velocities prior to the most intense accelerations (4.2km/h-1). By altering space available and even through intentional numerical imbalances in team numbers, it may be easier for coaches to achieve the desired stimulus for the session or individual player, whether that is for aerobic and neuromuscular conditioning. Large effects were found for heart rate being higher in the underloaded team (85-90%HRmax) compared to the team with more players (80-85%HRmax) as well as for RPE (5AU versus 7AU). This was also apparent for meterage and therefore average velocity. It would also seem neuromuscular load through high acceleration and deceleration efforts were more pronounced with less numbers (given the need to press and close down opponents, and in a larger area relative to the number of players on the underloaded team. The peak accelerations and deceleration achieved was also higher when playing with less players (3-6.2m/s2 and 3-6.1m/s2) Having detailed ways in which to reach desired physical loading responses in common small training formats, Chapter 8 compared SSG to larger 9v9 formats with full-size 11v11 friendly matches. This enabled absolute and relative comparisons to be made and to understand the extent to which smaller training formats are able to replicate the required movements to be successful in competition. In relative terms, it was revealed that relative acceleration distance and Player Load were higher in smaller 4v4 games than match-play (1.1m.min-1 and 0.3m.min-1 >3m/s2; 16.9AU versus 12AU). Although the smallest format did not replicate the high-velocity demands of matches, the results confirmed their efficacy in providing significant neuromuscular load during the training week, which may then be supplemented by high-intensity interval running in order to gain exposure to more maximal speed work. In summary, the data presented provide valuable information from GPS and inertial sensor microtechnology which may then be used to understand training better to manipulate types of load according to physical conditioning objectives. For example, a library of resources to direct planning of drills of varying cardiovascular, neuromuscular and perceptual load can be created to give more confidence in session outcomes. Combining external and internal load data of common soccer training drills, and their application across different phases and training objectives may give coaches a powerful tool to plan and periodize training.

Use of doubled haploid lines via isolated microspore culture for the introgression of resistance to Fusarium head blight into wheat elite cultivars.

2016

Caracteres morfo-agronômicos e bioquímicos de clones elite de mandioca de mesa com raízes de polpas amarelada e rosada.

A mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) é considerada uma espécie relevante como fonte alimentícia para a população mundial, principalmente para os países subdesenvolvidos e emergentes. A mandioca é fornecedora de energia a partir do amido acumulado em suas raízes de reserva, mas é também importante destacar a presença dos carotenóides com atividade antioxidante. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar, por meio de descritores morfológicos, agronômicos e bioquímicos, clones elite de mandioca de mesa de polpa aparelhada e rosada do programa de melhoramento genético de mandioca da Embrapa Cerrados. Foram caracterizados durante duas safras, 13 clones de mandioca de mesa com polpa amarelada e 8 clones com polpa rosada, em comparação com a variedade testemunha IAC 576-70 (BGMC 753). Para avaliar as características morfológicas foram obtidos 40 descritores qualitativos para cada clone. Tanto nos clones de polpas amarelada quanto naqueles de raízes de polpas rosada, houve diferenças morfológicas, demostrando que nenhum clone apresentou 100% de similaridade. O fator ano/safra não influenciou a expressão fenotípica dos caracteres aferidos. Com base no coeficiente cofenético, verificou-se elevado ajuste entre a representação gráfica via dendrograma de r = 0,80 nas raízes de polpa amarelada e r = 0,92 na rosada e a matriz de dissimilaridade genética. Entre os caracteres aferidos, os que apresentaram maior entropia nas raízes amarelada foram, a coloração da epiderme externa, forma do lóbulo central da folha e cor do córtex da raiz, ao passo que na rosada foi à cor do disco, forma do lóbulo central e cor do pecíolo. Foi realizada também a caracterização com base na altura da planta, altura da primeira ramificação, peso da parte aérea sem a cepa, produtividade em raízes, índices de amido nas raízes determinados por meio do método da balança hidrostática, tempo para a cocção e teor de ácido cianídrico nas raízes. Com base nos caracteres avaliados, os clones que se destacaram com polpa amarelada e rosada respectivamente, no caractere altura da primeira ramificação (273/08 e 259/08) e (390/08, 345/08 e a testemunha IAC 576-70), altura da planta (90/08, 272/08, 273/08, 497/08, 259/08 e 450/08) e (390/08, 345/08 e 378/08), peso da parte aérea sem a cepa (94/08 e 272/08) e (390/08, 406/08, 390/08, 378/08 e 341/08), porcentagem de amido nas raízes (26/08, 272/08, 259/08 e 450/08) e (378/08, 413/08, 390/08 e a testemunha IAC 576-70), produtividade de raízes (215/08) e (testemunha IAC 576-70, 341/08, 406/08, 390/08 e 387/08). Com relação ao tempo de cocção na safra 2011/2012, todos os clones necessitaram de tempo inferior a 30 minutos. Em relação ao teor de carotenóides totais nas raízes os clones de amarelada que se destacaram foram 91/08, 94/08, 215/08, 246/08, 272/08 e 497/08, e, naqueles de raízes rosada, os clones 406/08 e 341/08. Em relação ao teor de proteínas nas raízes amarelada, os clones 26/08, 90/08 e 91/08, foram os melhores enquanto nas raízes rosada se destacaram os clones 406/08 e a testemunha IAC 576-70. Os teores de HCN nas raízes de reserva de mandioca foram inferiores a 100 mg kg-1 em todos os clones avaliados. Diferenças significativas entre clones de mandioca de polpas amarelada e rosada foram verificadas para todas as características agronômicas, morfológicas e bioquímicas avaliadas. Os clones tiveram bom desempenho nas avaliações para o cultivo comercial na região do Cerrado e, alguns destes, têm potencial para utilização no melhoramento visando o incremento de carotenóides. ABSTRACT: Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is considered a relevant species as a food source for the world's population, particularly for developing and emerging countries. The cassava is a provider of energy from starch accumulated in their reserve roots, but it is also important to highlight the presence of carotenoids with antioxidant activity. In this context, this study aimed to characterize, using morphological, agronomic and biochemical, descriptors elite clones from sweet cassava of yellowish and pinkish pulps from the cassava breeding program at Embrapa Cerrados. They were characterized for two crops, 13 edible cassava clones with yellowish pulp and 8 clones with pinkish pulp, compared with the control variety IAC 576-70 (BGMC 753). To evaluate the morphological characteristics were obtained 40 qualitative descriptors for each clone. Both clones the yellowish pulp as those the roots the pinkish pulp, there was morphological differences among clones, showing that no clone showed 100% similarity. The year / crop factor did not influence the phenotypic expression of measured characters. Based on cofenetic coefficient, was found high fit between the graphical representation via dendrogram of r = 0.80 in the roots of yellowish pulp and r = 0.92 in the pinkish of genetic dissimilarity matrix. Among the measured characters, those with the highest entropy in the yellowish roots were, the color of the outer epidermis, the central lobe shape of the leaf and root cortex color, whereas the pinkish was the color to disc, central lobe shape and petiole color. We also performed the characterization based on plant height, the first branch point, and shoot weight without strain, productivity in roots, and index of starch in the roots determines by the method of hydrostatic balance, time for cooking and acid cyanide content in the roots. Based on the evaluated characters, clones stood out with pulps yellowish and pinkish respectively, characters height of the first branch (273/08 and 259/08) and (390/08, 345/08 and the witness IAC 576-70), plant height (90 / 08, 272/08, 273/08, 497/08, 259/08 and 450/08) and (390/08, 345/08 and 378/08), shoot weight without strain (94/08 and 272/08) and (390/08, 406/08, 390/08, 378/08 and 341/08), percentage of starch in the roots (26/08, 272/08, 259/08 and 450/08) and (378/08, 413/08, 390/08 and the witness IAC 576-70), roots of productivity (215/08) and (witnesses IAC 576-70, 341/08, 406/08, 390/08 and 387/08). Regarding the cooking time in the 2011/2012 harvest, all clones showed time less than 30 minutes. Regarding the total carotenoid content in the pulps clones of yellowish roots that stood out were 91/08, 94/08, 215/08, 246/08, 272/08 and 497/08, and, those the clones with pulp pinkish 406/08 and 341/08. Regarding the protein content in yellowish roots the clones 26/08, 90/08 and 91/08, was the best while the pinkish roots highlight clones 406/08 and witness IAC 576-70. The levels of HCN in reserve roots of cassava were less than 100 mg kg-1em all evaluated clones. Significant differences between yellowish and pinkish of pulps cassava clones were checked for all agronomic, morphological and biochemical characteristics evaluated. The clones had well in the ratings for commercial cultivation in the Cerrado region and some of these, clones has potential for use in breeding aimed at increase of carotenoids.

La elite urbana de Santiago de Guatemala (1632-1775): estudios de redes

Resumen Estudia la elite urbana de Santiago de Guatemala entre 1632 y 1775 utilizando la familia como unidad básica para el análisis histórico y el parentesco como paradigma para interpretar las relaciones sociales. Abstract This article focuses on the urban elite of Santiago de Guatemala between 1632 and 1775, using the family as the basic unit of historical analysis and using kinship as a paradigm for the interpretation.

La elite de Santiago de Guatemala y el cabildo colonial. 1700-1770

Resumen Examina la relación entre la elite de Santiago de Guatemala y el cabildo de esa ciudad entre 1700 y 1770. Abstract This essay examines  the relations between the elite of Santiago de Guatemala and the cabildo (municipal council) of that city between 1700 and 1770.

Avaliação de linhagens elite de feijão-caupi com tamanho extragrande do grão para as concentrações de proteína, ferro e zinco.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar um grupo de 20 genótipos de feijão-caupi, sendo 19 linhagens e uma cultivar, com tamanho extragrande do grão para as concentrações de proteínas, ferro e zinco.

Ganho genético esperado com a seleção em linhagens elite de feijão-caupi de porte semiprostrado para as concentrações de ferro e zinco no grão.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo estimar o ganho genético esperado com a seleção em linhagens elite de feijão-caupi de porte semiprostrado para as concentrações de ferro e zinco no grão.

Ganho genético esperado com a seleção em linhagens elite de feijão-caupi de porte semiereto para as concentrações de ferro e zinco no grão.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo estimar o ganho genético esperado com a seleção em linhagens elite de feijão-caupi de porte semiereto para as concentrações de ferro e zinco no grão.

Período de utilização industrial de genótipos-elite de sorgo sacarino.

2016