The aim of this study was to compare the weekly average training monotony new body load (wTMNBL) and strain (wTSNBL), as well as the weekly average training monotony metabolic power average (wTMMPA) and strain (wTSMPA) between four periods of a season (preseason, early-season, mid-season, and end-season), considering starters and non-starters. Twenty-one professional soccer players (age: 28.27 ± 3.78 years) were monitored throughout a season in the highest level of professional football Premier League in Iran. Data were captured by Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. Independent samples T-tests were applied to analyze the between-group differences for all dependent derived-GPS variables for the full season and its different periods (preseason, early-season, mid-season, and end-season). Based on the amount of time attending in match and training, players were divided into two groups (starters and non-starters) each week. The magnitude of the between-group difference revealed a very large significant greater weekly average TMNBL ( p<0.001, d = −2.42), TSNBL ( p<0.001; d = −2.74), TMMPA ( p<0.001; d =–2.79) and TSMPA ( p<0.001; d = −3.27) for starters when compared to non-starters during the early-season. The findings also revealed a very large significant difference when starters were compared to non-starters during the mid-season (TMNBL: p<0.001, d = −2.89; TSNBL: p<0.001, d = −2.99; TMMPA: p<0.001, d = −3.28; and TSMPA: p<0.001, d = −3.25) and end-season (TMNBL: p<0.001, d = −2.89; TSNBL: p<0.001, d = −3.07; TMMPA: p<0.001, d = −3.16; and TSMPA: p<0.001, d = −3.58). In summary, the results of this study revealed that starters present regularly higher values of NBL, MPA-based weekly training monotony, and training strain than non-starters. This result must be taken into account when planning weekly workloads for these groups. Specifically, starters might experience high values of external workloads because of match-related demands. Therefore, weekly adjustments in their training workload are required to reduce injury risk.

This study aimed to compare the perceived training load (session-RPE) and wellness status (muscle soreness, stress, fatigue, and sleep quality) within and between regular (one-match) and congested (two matches) weeks. Fifteen professional basketball players from a European First league club participated in this study. Wellness status (Hooper’s questionnaire) and perceived training loads (session-RPE) were measured for each training session and matches over a full season. Regular weeks presented moderately greater session-RPE than congested weeks (p = 0.201; d = 2.15, moderate effect). Both regular and congested weeks presented a decrease in perceived training load before matches, which was accompanied by improved wellness status on a match day. Congested weeks presented moderately lower sleep quality (p = 0.421; d = 1.320, moderate effect) and moderately greater fatigue (p = 0.468; d = 1.401, moderate effect) than regular weeks. Regular and congested weeks presented minimum differences for DOMS and stress. Lower wellness in congested weeks may be associated to an accumulative effect of training and match loads. Tapering phases before matches seem to play an important role for improving athletes’ wellness and preventing overtraining.

Futsal has grown in popularity globally yet additional research is necessary to enhance understanding of the technical, tactical and phyical demands of the game. Anecdotal and scientific evidence suggests that futsal can aid talent development for 11 aside soccer owing to the potential transfer of skills and the game constraints. The aim of this study was to examine physical (internal and external loads) and technical performance characteristics in international futsal match-play and discuss potential returns for soccer talent development. Performance was investigated in players (n=16, 25.7±4.71 years) in a team during an international futsal tournament. Pretournament fitness testing determined maximum heart rate (MHR) via the Yo-Yo IR1 test (194.58±11.08 beats min-1) whichwas then used to examine heart rate during match-play. External load (accelerations and decelerations) was also measured during match-play using an inertial movement unit. Post-tournament match-analysis of technical events was performed. Analysis reported a mean heart rate value during 'court time' of 164.77±22.30 beats min-1 , which as a percentage of participants' MHR was 87.69%±4.44%, with mean peak MHR of 98.30±2.47%. Results showed 2.16±0.25 accelerating () and 2.78±0.13 decelerating () events per minute, a possible key characteristic of futsal. Match analysis of technical performance showed that 77.26% of ball receptions were completed with the sole of the foot. Assessment of two-footedness showed 80.11±16.65% of individual possessions used the dominant foot to receive and 84.13±10.74% to pass the ball thereby displaying strong foot dominance. Team statistics reported substantial numbers of passing, dribbling and set play events. These results have quantified certain characteristics of elite futsal match-play thereby enhancing understanding of the game. Accordingly, the potential learning returns deriving from environmental and task constraints of Commented [CC1]: ? or just anecdotal? Commented [CC2]: Either one decimal or two, be consistent Commented [CC3]: Add definition values Commented [CC4]: High amounts compared to soccer? If so add at end of sentencea possible key characteristic of futsal when compared to values for soccer… Commented [CC5]: Too vague, need numbers

The analyses of players and teams’ behaviors during the FIFA World Cup may provide a better understanding on how football tactics and strategies have developed in the past few years in elite football. The Social Network Analysis (SNA) has been carried out in the investigations about passing distribution, improving the understanding on how players interact and cooperate during a match. In football official matches, studies have used the SNA as a means of coding players’ cooperation and opposition patterns. However, situational variables such as match status were previously investigated and associated with changes on teams’ dynamics within and/or between matches, but were not considered in studies based on Social Network Analysis. This study aimed to analyze the influence of match status on teams’ cooperation patterns and players’ prominence according to playing positions during 2018 FIFA World Cup. Fourteen matches of the knockout stage were analyzed. Macro and micro network measures were obtained from adjacency matrixes collected for each team, in each match status (winning, drawing, and losing). A one-way ANOVA was used to compare teams’ networks (macro-analysis variables) within each match status, while a two-way ANOVA (match status × playing position) was used to compare the micro-analysis variables. Results showed no differences between match status for macro analysis. Winning situations induced higher prominence in central midfielders (0.107; p = 0.001), wide midfielders (0.093; p = 0.001), and center forward (0.085; p = 0.001), while in losing situations lower prominence levels were observed for goalkeepers (0.044; p = 0.001) and center forward (0.074; p = 0.001). Data revealed that teams do not change macrostructures according to match status. On the other hand, the microstructures showed important adaptations regarding game styles, with changes in players’ behaviors according to playing positions. In general, the levels of centrality and prestige in players of different positions indicated a more direct play style in winning situations and a more build-up style in losing situations. These results allow a better understanding about the influence of match status on players’ and teams’ performance during high-level football competitions and may help coaches to improve athletes’ performance in these situations.

The aim of this study was to analyze the variations of acute load (AL), acute: chronic workload ratio (ACWR), training monotony (TM), and training strain (TS) of accelerometry-based GPS measures in players who started in three matches (S3M), two matches (S2M), and one match (S1M) during congested weeks. Nineteen elite professional male players from a Portuguese team (age: 26.5 ± 4.3 years) were monitored daily using global positioning systems (GPSs) over a full season (45 weeks). Accelerometry-derived measures of high metabolic load distance (HMLD), high accelerations (HA), and high decelerations (HD) were collected during each training session and match. Seven congested weeks were classified throughout the season, and the participation of each player in matches played during these weeks was codified. The workload indices of AL (classified as ACWR, TM, and TS) were calculated weekly for each player. The AL of HMLD was significantly greater for S2M than S1M (difference = 42%; p = 0.002; d = 0.977) and for S3M than S1M (difference = 44%; p = 0.001; d = 1.231). Similarly, the AL of HA was significantly greater for S2M than S1M (difference = 25%; p = 0.023; d = 0.735). The TM of HD was significantly greater for S2M than S3M (difference = 25%; p = 0.002; d = 0.774). Accelerometry-based measures were dependent on congested fixtures. S2M had the greatest TS values, while S3M had the greatest TM.

-his study aimed to compare the tactical behavior of young soccer players during small-sided games played with team composition criteria based on procedural tactical knowledge, aerobic power and speed performance. Eighteen male soccer players played 3vs.3 small-sided games with teams balanced according to players' performance on Sprint Test, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test and the ield test of the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer. Data related to the incidence of tactical principles were analyzed through the proportions chi-square test with Bonferroni's correction. One-way ANOVA was used to compare players' ofensive and defensive tactical performance. Results showed diferent incidence of ofensive and defensive tactical principles in games with diferent teams' composition criteria. It has also been shown a higher defensive performance when the teams' composition criteria was based on players' procedural tactical knowledge.

Athletes must distribute their attention to many relevant cues during a match. Therefore, athletes’ ability to deal with dual-tasks may be different from the non-athlete population, demanding a deeper investigation within the sports domain. This study aimed to systematically review the acute and chronic effects of dual-tasks in motor and cognitive performances in athletes from different modalities. The search for articles followed all the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The keywords used were: “dual-task” OR “double task” OR “multi-task” OR “divided attention” OR “secondary task” OR “second task” AND “working memory” OR “visual” OR “decision making” OR “gaze behavior” OR “attention” AND “sports” OR “athletes” OR “players”. The Scopus, Pubmed, and Web of Science databases were screened for studies comparing single and dual-tasks, in which the participants were athletes competing at any level, and in which at least one of the following variables were investigated: working memory, decision-making, visual search behavior, perception, anticipation, attention, or motor tasks. Articles were screened using pre-defined selection criteria, and methodological quality was assessed by two researchers independently. Following the eligibility criteria, we included 18 articles in the review: 13 on the acute effects, and five on the chronic effects. This review showed that the acute effect of dual-tasks impairs the motor and cognitive performances of athletes (dual-task cost). However, training with dual-tasks (chronic effect) improved working memory skills and attentional control. We conclude that dual-tasks acutely and chronically impacts motor and cognitive performance.

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