Background: Training load and adequate recovery have been identified as essential elements to improve wellbeing and performance in team sports and avoid non-functional overreaching and overtraining. Objective: This cohort study sought to analyze the stress and recovery perceptions, creatine kinase levels (CK), and vertical jump performance of volleyball athletes at different training times during a championship preseason. Methods: Thirteen high-level male volleyball players (23.80 ± 5.40 years, 91.50 ± 8.80 kg, and 193.10 ± 6.40 cm) completed the RESTQ-Sport questionnaire on stress and recovery perception, and blood samples were collected to evaluate CK levels. These measures were performed six times over 16 weeks, while jumps such as squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and countermovement jump arm (CMJA) were performed at three of those times for specific performance evaluation. Results: The stress perception and recovery perception indices increased and decreased, respectively, in the precompetitive phase, while CK levels presented an initial rise, maintenance over the training period, and a drop. Vertical jump heights increased significantly throughout the preparatory period regardless of the type of jump. In all training phases, CMJA values exceeded CMJ and SJ values, and CMJ values exceeded SJ values. Conclusions: Positive adaptations were elicited by training stimuli, resulting in improvements in performance. Conversely, load training variables indicated higher levels of stress and muscle damage, together with lower perceptions of recovery during the championship preseason.

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For male soccer players, the anthropometric profile and physical performance is already known but in women it is not well documented, the knowledge of these differences can qualify the training. Therefore, the aim of this study was two-fold: (i) to compare the anthropometric profile and physical fitness of Brazilian professional female and male soccer players; and (ii) analyze the relationships between anthropometric and physical fitness measures per sex. A cross-sectional study including 92 professional soccer players 44 women and 48 men was conducted. After one week of the end of the pre-season, the players from four different teams were assessed to anthropometric profile assessments and physical performance tests (e.g., jumping, linear sprint, change-of-direction and aerobic based test). Comparisons, correlation, and effect size analysis were performed between groups. Apart from the age and change-of-direction test, all other anthropometric and physical performance variables were significant different between women and men. Men were significantly faster than women in the 20 m linear sprint test (8.87%; p < .001; d = 2.382). The sum of skinfolds was correlated with some physical performance variables; however, body mass and body height were corrected with physical performance only for female soccer players. Thus, men performed better than women for most physical tests and presents differences in the anthropometric profile. Finally, coaches should consider that the anthropometric and performance profile are correlated differently between female and male soccer players. Thus, coaches should consider gender-specific parameters to create goals about the anthropometric and physical performance profile of players.

O futebol 7 é um dos esportes derivados do futebol de campo com um crescimento notório no cenário nacional, culminando na profissionalização de jogadores através de grandes clubes do panorama nacional e consequentemente aumentado suas exigências fisiológicas e cuidados com a parte física dos atletas. Sendo assim, o objetivo do estudo foi descrever e comparar o perfil antropométrico de jogadores amadores e profissionais do futebol 7. A amostra foi constituída de 16 atletas profissionais e 14 jogadores amadores de futebol 7 masculinos. Foi realizada uma avaliação antropométrica, mensurando estatura, massa corporal e dobras cutâneas. Posteriormente, foram estimados os valores percentuais de gordura, massa muscular e realizado o somatório das dobras cutâneas. Os jogadores profissionais obtiveram em média 78,03 ± 12,21 de massa corporal, menor que atletas amadores que obtiveram 88,81 ± 9,93 em média, apresentando uma diferença significativa (p=0,013). Por fim, os jogadores profissionais de futebol 7 apresentaram menor massa corporal se comparados a atletas amadores na região de Porto Alegre-RS.

The evolution of female soccer is related to the increase in high-intensity actions and choosing the abilities that best characterize the players' performance. Determining the capabilities that best describe the players' performance becomes essential for coaches and technical staff to obtain the results more efficiently within the competitive calendar. Thus, the study aimed to analyze the correlations between performance in the 20-m sprint tests with and without the ball and the Zigzag 20-m change-of-direction (COD) test without the ball in professional female soccer players. Thirty-three high-level professional female soccer players performed the 20-m sprint tests without a ball, 20-m sprint tests with the ball, and the Zigzag 20-m COD test without the ball. The shortest time obtained in the three trials was used for each test. The fastest time in the three trials was used for each test to calculate the average test speed. The Pearson product–moment correlation test was applied to analyze the correlation between the performance in the tests. Pearson's product–moment correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between the performance in the trials, with a significance level of α < 0.05. The average speed in the 20-m sprint tests with ball showed very large and significant correlations with the speed in the Zigzag 20-m COD test (r = 0.822; p < 0.001; 95% CI = 0.666 to 0.909). The 20-m sprint tests with ball and 20-m sprint tests without ball showed moderate, positive and significant correlation (r = 0.363; p = 0.038; 95% CI = 0.023–0.628). The tests of 20-m sprint tests without ball and Zigzag 20-m COD test also showed moderate, positive and significant correlation (r = 0.415; p = 0.016; 95% CI = 0.084–0.664). The female–female soccer players with a better ability to change direction may also have a better technical ability to drive the ball at high speed. However, they will not necessarily be the fastest in the linear sprint without the ball. Coaches and technical staff may choose to perform tests seeking efficiency and practicality, especially in a congested competitive period.

No abstract

O futsal feminino é uma modalidade que vem expandindo no Brasil como prática esportiva e competição. Nos últimos anos ocorreu maior investimento na modalidade o que torna a prática do esporte mais competitiva, exigindo mais preparo físico, consciência corporal e conhecimento adequado da técnica. Sendo assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar se existe correlação entre o desempenho nos testes de saltos verticais e a pontuação total da bateria de teste Functional Movement Systems (FMS) em jogadoras de futsal. As participantes foram jogadoras de futsal da equipe da Faculdade SOGIPA do sexo feminino. A amostra foi selecionada por conveniência e composta por 13 jogadoras. A idade média das participantes foi de 20,20 ± 4,76 anos. Foi aplicado o teste de avaliação funcional do movimento pela bateria de teste FMS para identificar os padrões de movimento das jogadoras de futsal e foi mensurada a altura nos saltos squat jump e countermovement jump (CMJ) pelo aplicativo My Jump 2 (Apple Inc. USA). O coeficiente de correlação de Spearman foi usado para determinar a relação entre os testes do FMS e saltos. Os resultados do presente estudo indicaram que a pontuação total do teste FMS possui correlação grande, positiva e significativa apenas com a altura no CMJ (ρ = 0,605, p = 0,029). Conclui-se que existe correlação entre a pontuação total do FMS e a altura no CMJ. Assim, sugerimos que uma melhor qualidade funcional do movimento pode estar associada a melhora do desempenho físico em jogadoras de futsal e isso deve ser considerado na preparação física das jogadoras.

The main objective of this study is to propose a form of walking/running protocol that is capable of evaluating energy expenditure at different types of slopes, considering the same relative intensities (iso-intensity conditions), as well as to assess biomechanical and hemodynamic factors that may be associated. 11 obese adult men (BMI between 30 kg.m-2 and 39.9 kg.m-2) aged between 18 and 35 years, physically inactive. Assessments will be carried out on six different days. On the first day, body composition, familiarization with the equipment, and a maximum incremental test without slope. In the next two days, the maximums tests in positive and negative slope will be performed. In the other three days, biomechanical, energetics, and cardiac variables will be collected in the following conditions: fixed speed (4.5 km.h-1), speed relative to the first, and the second ventilatory threshold, being one day for tests on the positive slope, one on the negative slope and one without slope. From the second day, the tests will be distributed in random order and with an interval of, at least, 72 hours between tests. Metabolic data will be obtained using a gas analyzer, biomechanical data will be obtained through a kinematics system, with six infrared cameras, data Ground Reaction Forces (GRF) are obtained through force sensors installed on the treadmill, and hemodynamic parameters using a Signal-Morphology impedance device. The primary outcome is energy expenditure concerning slopes and speeds and the secondary outcomes are the mechanical work, mean GRF, and hemodynamic aspects. The data will be described by the mean and standard error values. The interactions between slopes and speeds will be tested with Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) and Bonferroni post-hoc, adopting a significance level (α) of 0.05. Also, effect sizes (ES) will be calculated. The energy expenditure should be greater on the positive slope at all speeds. Higher production of positive mechanical work is expected on the positive slope and the impact peaks should be less in this condition. The negative slope should enable higher speeds relative to the thresholds, as well as lower cardiovascular load.