Figueiredo, DH, Figueiredo, DH, Moreira, A, Gonçalves, HR, and Stanganelli, LCR. Effect of overload and tapering on individual heart rate variability, stress tolerance, and intermittent running performance in soccer players during a preseason. J Strength Cond Res 33(5): 1222–1231, 2019—This study evaluates the weekly natural log of the root-mean-square difference of successive R-R intervals (lnRMSSDmean), its coefficient of variation (lnRMSSDcv), training load (TL), stress tolerance (ST), and changes in intermittent running performance in response to a 2-week overload (OL) followed by a 1-week taper (TP) during a preseason. Additionally, we determined the relationships between these variables. Ultra-short lnRMSSD, psychometric responses, and ratings of perceived exertion were evaluated daily among 16 under-19 soccer players. At the end of each training phase, the athletes performed the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test level 1 (Yo-Yo). Group analysis showed a decrease in lnRMSSDmean and ST, increases in lnRMSSDcv, and decreases in the Yo-Yo during OL, with a return to baseline levels and a trivial increase in the Yo-Yo during TP. Small to very large correlations were found between lnRMSSDmean and lnRMSSDcv values, with changes in Yo-Yo, TL, monotony, and strain during the preseason (r values ranging from −0.27 to 0.82). No correlation was found between lnRMSSD responses and ST. During OL, athletes with decreases in lnRMSSDmean and increases in lnRMSSDcv accumulated higher perceived TL, with higher monotony and overall stress, and presented a decrease in ST and intermittent running performance, interpreted as a negative adaptation in response to the maintenance of higher TL. During TP, these responses were reversed, leading to an increase in intermittent running performance. In addition, subjective measures of ST may be used to provide early indicators of training adaptation in soccer players.

The objective of this study was to identify excessive screen time, through the use of TV and other screen-based devices, including computers, videogames, tablets and smartphones, and analyze associated demographic, behavioral and anthropometric correlates. This is a cross-sectional school-based epidemiological study of approximately 17,000 schoolchildren aged 4-20 years who participated in the 2014 Healthy Paraná Project. Anthropometric measurements were collected by applying a questionnaire with structured questions. Excessive screen time was defined as the combined use of TV and other screen-based devices for > 2 hours/day. Data were analyzed using bivariate analysis and hierarchical multiple regression. e overall prevalence of excessive screen time was 70.4% [68.1–72.9]. Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between excessive screen time and age (OR = 1.92; 95%CI: 1.60–2.33), economic status (OR = 2.48; 95%CI: 1.99–3.17), mother’s schooling (OR = 1.98; 95%CI: 1.57–2.68), living area (OR = 1.26; 95%CI: 1.04–1.56) and urbanization (OR = 2.94; 95%CI: 2.41–3.75). Among the behavioral correlates, less physical activity (OR = 1.42; 95%CI: 1.25–1.85), low fruit/vegetable intake (OR = 2.89; 95%CI: 2.25–3.70), consuming sweetened products/soft drinks (OR = 2.07; 95%CI: 1.63–2.70) and fewer hours of sleep (OR = 2.01; 95%CI: 1.60–2.62) were independently associated with excessive screen time. Likewise, excess body weight (OR = 1.81; 95%CI: 1.35–2.51) and abdominal fat (OR = 2.01; 95%CI: 1.62–2.73) were significantly associated with the outcome. In conclusion, the findings of the study suggest that policies and interventions targeting health education programs in school and family settings should include elements that focus on reducing excessive screen time.

Figueiredo, DH, Figueiredo, DH, Moreira, A, Gonçalves, HR, and Dourado, AC. Dose-response relationship between internal training load and changes in performance during the preseason in youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 35(8): 2294–2301, 2021—The aim of this study was to describe training intensity distribution based on the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) and heart rate (HR) methods and examine the dose-response relation between internal training load (ITL) and change in performance of 16 youth soccer players (mean ± SD age: 18.75 ± 0.68 years, height: 175.3 ± 5.5 cm, body mass: 68.7 ± 6.5 kg, and body fat: 10.7 ± 1.2%) belonging to a Brazilian first division team during a 3-week preseason. The sRPE and HR data were registered daily to calculate the ITL and the training intensity distribution, in 3 intensity zones (low, moderate, and high). The Yo-yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 (Yo-yo IR1) was evaluated before and after experimental period. The total time spent in the low-intensity zone (HR method) was greater (p < 0.01) compared with the moderate- and high-intensity zones. No difference was observed between training intensity zones determined by the sRPE method (p > 0.05). Negative correlations were observed between weekly mean sRPE-TL (r = −0.69), Edward's-TL (r = −0.50), and change in Yo-yo IR1. Linear regression indicated that weekly mean sRPE-TL (F 1;14 = 13.3; p < 0.01) and Edward's-TL (F 1;14 = 4.8; p < 0.05) predicted 48.7 and 25.5% of the variance in performance change, respectively. Stepwise linear regression revealed that these 2-predictor variables (F 2;13 = 18.9; p < 0.001) explained 74.5% of the variance in performance change. The results suggest that the sRPE and HR methods cannot be used interchangeably to determine training intensity distribution. Moreover, sRPE-TL seems to be more effective than the HR-based TL method to predict changes in performance in youth soccer players.

El fútbol siete es practicado por personas con parálisis cerebral. Los participantes se dividen en cuatro clases funcionales (FT5, FT6, FT7, y FT8). El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar y valorar las características somatotípicas y de composición corporal de futbolistas participantes en el 15º Campeonato Brasileiro de Fútbol siete. Las variables antropométricas de masa corporal, estatura, espesor de pliegues cutáneos, circunferencias y diámetros óseos fueron recolectados en 61 futbolistas de sexo masculino. Las medidas recogidas proporcionaron información sobre el índice de masa corporal (IMC), porcentaje de grasa corporal (% GC) y somatotipo. La presentación de los datos fue realizada con base en estadística descriptiva, y la prueba de Kruskal-Wallis fue utilizada con el objetivo de determinar y valorar la diferencia entre las diversas clases funcionales. El análisis de las variables antropométricas y de la composición corporal permite afirmar que no existen diferencias entre las clases funcionales y el perfil de estos futbolistas expresados por los valores medios de IMC (22,78 kg / m2 + 2,24) y % GC de (10,48% + 4,41). Las características somatotipológicas indican que los participantes del estudio, divididos en cuatro clases funcionales, obtuvieron valores del componente de mesomorfia predominante en relación a los demás componentes. En ese sentido, es posible concluir determinaciones en relación a los patrones y perfiles de tamaño, forma y estructura corporal de deportistas masculinos de fútbol siete paralímpico.Abstract. Football seven is played by people who have cerebral palsy. Participants are divided into four functional classes. The objective of this study was to verify somatotype and body composition characteristics of athletes participating in the 15th Brazilian Football-seven Championship. Anthropometric variables of body mass, height, thickness of skinfolds, and bone circumferences and diameters were collected in 61 male footballers. Measures collected provided information on body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (% BF), and somatotype. Data presentation was based on descriptive statistics, and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to verify the difference between the different functional classes. Data analysis on anthropometric variables and body composition showed no differences between the functional classes regarding athletes’profile expressed by mean BMI values (22.78 Kg / m2 + 2.24) and % BF (10.48% + 4.41). With respect to the somatotypological characteristics, results indicated that values of the mesomorphic component were predominant compared to the other components in all participants from our study, divided in four functional classes. In that sense, we may draw determinations regarding size, shape, and body structure patterns and profiles of male footballers of Paralympic football.

The aim of the study was to compare the players characteristics and physical fitness parameters according to playing positions and to identify the relation between body composition and physical fitness in professional soccer players at the beginning of the preparation period. Sixteen professional soccer players participated in this study. Body composition was evaluated by air displacement plethysmography instrumentation (BOD POD®) and physical fitness with specific tests: Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST), Counter Moviment Jump (CMJ), Squat Jump (SJ) and Abalakov jump (ABK), Yo-yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 (Yo-yo IR1), agility test and flexibility. Kruskal Wallis test demonstrated no significant difference in all estimated body composition, age, height and physical fitness parameters according to three playing positions (p < 0.05). We verified a significant negative correlation between body fat percentage and the performance of CMJ, SJ, ABK, peak, mean and minimum power (-.51 to -.87) and a significant positive correlation with the agility parameter (r = .85). Regarding to lean mass percentage, a significant positive correlation was found with performance of CMJ, SJ, ABK and peak, mean and minimum power (.51 to -.82) and significant negative correlation with agility parameter (r = -.85). Based on the results, we concluded that at the beginning of a pre-season a higher body fat percentage is associated with a negative influence in physical fitness, thus confirming that a greater amount of lean mass percentage is positively associated with the initial level of physical fitness of professional soccer players. Resumén: El objetivo del studio fue comparar las características de los jugadores y los parâmetros de aptitud física según las posiciones de juego e identificar la relación entre la composición corporal y la aptitud física em futebolistas profisionales al inicio del período de preparación. Dieciséis futebolistas profesionales participaron em este estudio. La composición corporal se evaluómediante instrumentación de plestimografia por desplazamiento de aire (BOD POD®) y aptitud física com pruebas específicas: capacidade anaeróbia (RAST), saltos verticales (CMJ, SJ y salto abalakov- ABK), resistência aeróbia, prueba de agilidade y flexibilidad. Kruskal Wallis no demostró diferencias significativas em todos los parâmetros estimados de composición corporal, edad, altura y condición física según las três posiciones de juego (p < 0.05). Verificamos uma correlación negativa significativa entre el porcentaje de grasa corporal y el rendimento de CMJ, SJ, ABK, potencia pico, media y mínima (-.51 to -.87) y uma correlación positiva significativa com el parâmetro de agilidade (r = .85). Em cuanto al porcentaje de massa magra, se encontro uma correlación positiva significativa com el rendimento de CMJ, SJ, ABK y potencia pico, media y mínima (.51 to -.82) y correlación negativa significativa com el parâmetro de agilidade (r = -.85). Com base em los resultados, concluimos que al inicio de una pré-temporada um mayor porcentaje de grassa corporal se associa com uma influencia negativa em la aptitud física, confirmando así que uma mayor porcentaje de massa magra se associa positivamente com el nível inicial de aptitud física de los futebolistas profesionales.