Background. Inter-individual differences in size, maturity status, function and behavior among youth of the same chronological age (CA) have long been a concern in grouping for sport. Biobanding is a recent attempt to accommodate maturity-associated variation among youth in sport.Objective. To review the historical basis of the concept of maturity-matching and its relevance to youth sport, and to provide an overview of bio-banding as currently applied.Methods. Historical studies of CA as the criterion for work, school and sport among children and early methods of maturity assessment are reviewed. Currently used methods for maturity assessment and age-grouping in sport and related concerns are summarized, followed by consideration of the details of bio-banding, results of recent studies and variation within and between maturity bands.Results. Maturity-matching in sport has often been noted but has not been systematically applied. Bio-banding is a recent iteration of maturity-matching for grouping youth athletes into "bands" or groups based on a characteristic(s) other than CA. Percentage of predicted young adult height at the time of observation is the estimate of maturity status of choice. Several applications of bio-banding in youth soccer have indicated positive responses from players and coaches. Conclusions. Application of bio-banding has increased in youth soccer and other sports. The potential utility of bio-banding for appropriate training loads, injury prevention, and fitness assessment merits closer attention, specifically during the interval of pubertal growth. The currently used height prediction equation requires further evaluation. 4 KEY POINTS  Bio-banding is a recent iteration of the maturity-matching concept.  Percentage of predicted adult height at the time of observation is a valid indicator of maturity status.  Both youth and their coaches have responded favorably to bio-banded soccer tournaments and to training in bio-banded groups. Bio-banding in soccer appears to benefit both early and late maturing youth by presenting new opportunities and challenges. Bio-banding reduces, but does not eliminate, maturity-association variation.

This study presents a detailed analysis of sprinting activities and distance covered by professional soccer players in two seasons of the Europa League competition. The investigation considered such variables as the mean sprinting distance covered, duration of the rest pause between sprinting activities and maximal running speed recorded during the match. The study involved 147 soccer players participating in 10 matches played at one ground in the 2008–2009 and 2010–2011 Europa League seasons. Players' performance data were divided into two halves of matches and five playing positions. The study was carried out using data from Amisco Pro (version 1.0.2.). Results indicate wide variations in the analyzed variables, depending on the playing position on the pitch and tactical tasks. Individualization of training speed and endurance loads will help to optimize the training process of soccer players at different levels of their athletic skills.

Scarce and inconclusive information on general biological impact of Toxocara invasion on paratenic hosts, and people in particular, has led us to undertake a comprehensive study of the problem. The study has been conducted in a rural environment, which is considered a toxocarosis risk factor. In total 200 soil samples have been screened for Toxocara eggs by flotation, of which 14.5% were positive. Backyards close to households were most heavily contaminated with infectious eggs--21.7% of positive samples. ELISA serological tests performed on 242 lower-secondary students found 14.5% of the studied population to be definitely positive--16.5% of boys and 12.8% of girls, respectively. The odds of being infected with Toxocara were 2 times (CI: 1.15-3.85) more likely for individuals who owned a cat than those who did not own a cat. Strong significant correlation between seropositivity and the presence of a dog in a household was found with boys. The level of developmental age was significantly higher in seropositive than in seronegative students. No significant correlation has been observed between the motor abilities and seropositivity of students. Seropositive boys had significantly lower end-of-year grades than their seronegative counterparts.

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The analysis of literature showed that while football (soccer) has many articles about different match analysis, field hockey has little such publications. Mainly West European Country teams or teams from other continents are studied. Still, there is no such information in reference to eastern hockey, particularly about high level competitors in Poland. Hence, the main aim of this study was to work out the characteristics of external and internal loads on Polish National Team field hockey players, representing a eastern European country. In field hockey, important information about competitive efforts must be taken into consideration to ensure correct design of the training process. For kinematics analysis (distance and velocity) Erdman's method was used, to analyze EE and HR Polar Vantage with software Polar Precision Performance were used. The results were worked out in a basic statistical way and to software Statictica 8.0, was used. It was stated that average distance covered by a player in a match is about 10,080 m (between 9,700 and 10,500 m), mean and instantaneous velocity were 2.40 m/s (between 2.29 and 2.50 m/s) and 8.92 m/s (between 8.49 and 9.22 m/s), EE average value was 947 kcal (between 874 and 1051 kcal), average value of HR and maximal value of HR were 135 bmp (between 126 and 142 bmp) and 187 bmp (between 184 and 189 bmp) respectively. The individual differences in results and playing position were noted. The results of this research bring important and necessary data for preparing precise training programs in field hockey. It can be assumed that using the information provided will allow for optimal preparation of the players to take part in competitions.