The aim of this study was to compare the agreement of the movement demands data during a soccer match (total distance, distance per minute, average speed, maximum speed and distance covered in different speed sectors) between an optical tracking system (Mediacoach System) and a GPS device (Wimu Pro). Participants were twenty-six male professional soccer players (age: 21.65 ± 2.03 years; height: 180.00 ± 7.47 cm; weight: 73.81 ± 5.65 kg) from FC Barcelona B, of whom were recorded a total of 759 measurements during 38 official matches in the Spanish second division. The Mediacoach System and the Wimu Pro were compared using the standardized mean bias, standard error of estimate, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), coefficient of variation (%), and the regression equation to estimate data for each variable. In terms of agreement between systems, the magnitude of the ICC was almost perfect (> 0.90–1.00) for all variables analyzed. The coefficient of the variations between devices was close to zero (< 5%) for total distance, distance per minute, average speed, maximum speed, and walking and jogging, and between 9% and 15% for running, intense running, and sprinting at low and at high intensities. It can be observed that, compared to Wimu Pro the Mediacoach System slightly overestimated all the variables analyzed except for average speed, maximum speed, and walking variables. In conclusion, both systems can be used, and the information they provide in the analyzed variables can be interchanged, with the benefits implied for practitioners and researchers.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el tipo de acciones de subida a la red y su eficacia en función del nivel de competición y el contexto de juego en pádel. Se analizaron un total de 416 acciones de intercambio de posiciones (del fondo a la red) pertenecientes a 14 partidos de torneos masculinos: ocho finales del circuito profesional World Pádel Tour (WPT) y seis finales de un torneo de la Primera Categoría Federada Extremeña (CEP). De cada acción de intercambio, se analizó el tipo de golpeo previo a la subida de la red en zona defensiva distinguiendo entre el uso o no de globos. Se utilizaron regresiones logísticas binarias y el análisis de clasificación en árbol (CHAID) para determinar un modelo predictor del uso y la eficacia de las acciones para subir a la red. Los principales resultados muestran una prevalencia significativa en el uso del globo frente a otras acciones técnicas (60.6% vs. 39.4%), aumentando además la probabilidad de continuidad del punto (65.9% vs. 47.0%). No se encontraron influencias en las variables contextuales sobre el tipo de acción de subida a la red. Sin embargo, el análisis CHAID clasificó por orden de importancia las variables más influyentes en las acciones de subida a la red, sirviendo de guía para estudios futuros.Abstract. The aim of this study was to analyse the use and effectiveness of actions to approach net in padel, based on competition level and game context. A total of 416 rallies (from baseline to net) were recorded from14 male matches: eight finals of World Padel Tour (WTP) tournaments and six championship matches of the Extremadura Padel Federation first category (CEP) circuit. The analysis included baseline shots performed before approaching the net, categorizing them depending on the use/non-use of lobs. Binary logistic regression and tree classification analyses (CHAID) were used to predict the use and effectiveness of the actions carried out to approach the net. Main results revealed a significant prevalence of lobs compared to other types of shots (60.6 % vs. 39.4%); further, performing lobs increased the likelihood of continuity of rallies (65.9% vs. 47.0%). No influences of game contextual variables were observed. CHAID analysis provided with a ranking of variables that influence the most the action of approaching the net, which could represent a useful guideline for future studies.

This study aimed to analyze and compare the match running performance during official matches across four seasons (2015/2016–2018/2019) in the top two professional leagues of Spanish football. Match running performance data were collected from all matches in the First Spanish Division (Santander; n = 1520) and Second Spanish Division (Smartbank; n = 1848), using the Mediacoach® System. Total distance and distances of 14–21 km·h−1, 21–24 km·h−1, and more than 24 km·h−1, and the number of sprints between 21 and 24 km·h−1 and more than 24 km·h−1 were analyzed. The results showed higher total distances in the First Spanish Division than in the Second Spanish Division (p < 0.001) in all the variables analyzed. Regarding the evolution of both leagues, physical demands decreased more in the First Spanish Division than in the Second Spanish Division. The results showed a decrease in total distance and an increase in the high-intensity distances and number of sprints performed, although a clearer trend is perceived in the First Spanish Division (p < 0.001; p < 0.01, respectively). Knowledge about the evolution of match running performance allows practitioners to manage the training load according to the competition demands to improve players’ performances and reduce the injury rate.

Introduction: A myriad of factors underlie pacing-/exhaustion-decisions that are made during whole-body endurance performance. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a brain region that is crucial for decision-making, planning, and attention. PFC oxygenation seems to be a mediating factor of performance decisions during endurance performance. Nowadays, there is no general overview summarizing the current knowledge on how PFC oxygenation evolves during whole-body endurance performance and whether this is a determining factor.Methods: Three electronic databases were searched for studies related to the assessment of PFC oxygenation, through near-IR spectroscopy (NIRS), during endurance exercise. To express PFC oxygenation, oxygenated (HbO2) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb) concentrations were the primary outcome measures.Results: Twenty-eight articles were included. Ten articles focused on assessing prefrontal oxygenation through a maximal incremental test (MIT) and 18 focused on using endurance tasks at workloads ranging from low intensity to supramaximal intensity. In four MIT studies measuring HbO2, an increase of HbO2 was noticed at the respiratory compensation point (RCP), after which it decreased. HbO2 reached a steady state in the four studies and increased in one study until exhaustion. All studies found a decrease or steady state in HHb from the start until RCP and an increase to exhaustion. In regard to (non-incremental) endurance tasks, a general increase in PFC oxygenation was found while achieving a steady state at vigorous intensities. PCF deoxygenation was evident for near-to-maximal intensities at which an increase in oxygenation and the maintenance of a steady state could not be retained.Discussion/Conclusion: MIT studies show the presence of a cerebral oxygenation threshold (ThCox) at RCP. PFC oxygenation increases until the RCP threshold, thereafter, a steady state is reached and HbO2 declines. This study shows that the results obtained from MIT are transferable to non-incremental endurance exercise. HbO2 increases during low-intensity and moderate-intensity until vigorous-intensity exercise, and it reaches a steady state in vigorous-intensity exercise. Furthermore, ThCox can be found between vigorous and near-maximal intensities. During endurance exercise at near-maximal intensities, PFC oxygenation increases until the value exceeding this threshold, resulting in a decrease in PFC oxygenation. Future research should aim at maintaining and improving PFC oxygenation to help in improving endurance performance and to examine whether PFC oxygenation has a role in other performance-limiting factors.

Mental fatigue (MF) is a psychobiological state negatively impacting both cognitive and physical performance. Although recent research implies that some table tennis (TT) performance outcomes are impaired by MF, open skill sports such as TT require a more detailed overview of MF-related performance decrements. Moreover, research into MF and sport-specific psychomotor performance lacks the inclusion of brain-related measurements to identify MF mechanisms. Eleven experienced TT players participated in this randomized counterbalanced crossover trial. Participants were either required to perform an individualized Stroop task (MF condition) or watch a documentary (control condition). The primary outcomes were reaction time on a sport-specific visuomotor task and EEG activity throughout the trial. The subjective feeling of MF was significantly different between both conditions and confirmed that the MF condition induced the mentally fatigue state of participants (p < 0.001), though no behavioral indicators (i.e., decrease in performance on Stroop and flanker task) of MF. MF worsened reaction time on the visuomotor task, while other secondary measurements remained largely ambiguous. Spectral power (i.e., decreases in upper α band and θ band) was influenced by MF, while ERPs measured during the visuomotor task remained unaltered. The present study confirms that MF negatively impacts table tennis performance, specifically inhibitory stimuli during the visuomotor task. These findings also further augment our understanding of the effects of MF on human performance.

It is currently unknown whether mental fatigue occurs throughout a WPT competition and whether consecutive matches affect how mentally fatiguing a match is perceived to be. The objective was to quantify the effects of successive professional matches on mental fatigue. A total of 14 professional players (9 males, Mage = 25, 5 females, Mage = 21) participated during qualified rounds of a WPT with three eliminatory matches: Match 1 (morning) and 2 (afternoon) on day 1 (n = 14), Match 3 (morning) on day 2 (n = 6). Mental fatigue and motivation, with scales, and reaction time, with a 3-min Psychomotor Vigilance Test, were measured at two time intervals (pre and post matches (<30 min)). To analyze the evolution of these variables, a two-way repeated measures MANOVA was performed. An increase in mental fatigue from pre- to post-matches was observed (p < 0.01), with an accumulation of mental fatigue between matches played on day 1 (p < 0.01), maximizing the mental fatigue perceived during Match 2. Padel matches impair motivation and reaction time (p = 0.04), without effects between successive matches, which reinforced the idea that mental fatigue may impair padel performance (i.e., reaction time). Coaches should use training interventions and recovery strategies to counteract/avoid the accumulation of mental fatigue during professional tournaments.

Resumen Objetivo: Analizar la relación existente según el género, la edad y el nivel de los jugadores de pádel con la cantidad de lesiones descritas por ellos mismos. Método: Participaron 148 jugadores (75 hombres, 73 mujeres, 33.95 ± 9.87 años). Se registraron un total de 151 lesiones clasificadas en función del tipo de lesión, localización anatómica y situación (entrenamiento o competición). Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo utilizando una adaptación de un cuestionario de lesiones deportivas autocompletado por los jugadores. Se utilizó la prueba de Chi-Cuadrado, los Residuos y la V de Cramer para conocer el grado de asociación entre las variables. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron: i) predominio de lesiones musculares en los miembros inferiores; ii) alto número de lesiones en el tronco en hombres y de los miembros superiores en mujeres (p = 0.046); iii) mayor índice de lesiones musculares en mayores de 35 años y tendinosas en menores de 35 años (p = 0.009); iv) mayor número de lesiones en jugadores de menor nivel, especialmente en tendones y hombro (p = 0.031). Conclusiones: Las lesiones más frecuentes en pádel son las musculares, localizadas en los miembros inferiores. El género masculino presenta más lesiones en el tronco mientras que el número de lesiones en mujeres se centra en el miembro superior. Los jugadores mayores de 35 años presentaron más lesiones musculares mientras que se registró un mayor número de lesiones tendinosas en menores de 35 años. Finalmente, el nivel de los jugadores está relacionado inversamente con el número de lesiones (a mayor nivel, menor número de lesiones). Abstract Objective: To analyze the relationship according to gender, age and level of padel players with the number of self-reported injury history. Method: A total of 148 players (75 men, 73 women, 33.95 ± 9.87 years old) take part in this study, from whom 151 injuries were registered and classified regarding the type, location and injury situation (training or competition). A retrospective, descriptive study was set out, using an adapted version of a self-reported sports injury questionnaire. Chi-Squared, Residuals and Cramer’s V were calculated to study the strength of association between variables. Results: Findings revealed: i) overall predominance of muscle injuries in the lower limbs; ii) greater number of trunk injuries in men and upper limbs in women (p = 0.046); iii) higher rate of muscular lesions in players older than 35 years and tendinosis in younger than 35 years (p = 0.009); iv) higher rate of injuries in lower level players, especially in tendons and shoulder (p = 0.031). Conclusions: Muscular accounted for the majority of injuries in padel, particularly on the lower limbs. Males reported more trunk injuries, whilst females suffered more on the upper limbs. Players older than 35 years informed more muscular injuries; by contrast, tendinous injuries prevailed in younger than 35 years. Finally, the level of players revealed an inverse relationship in the number of injuries (the higher the level, the lower the injury rate).

Mental load and fatigue are important causes of performance decreases and accidents in different activities. However, a robust systematic review, detailing the instruments used to quantify them, is currently lacking. The purpose of this study was to summarize and classify by derivations the validated instruments used to quantify mental load and fatigue. The most representative electronic databases in the scope of this review, PubMed, WOS, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO (until September 2020) were searched for studies that included instruments to analyze mental load and fatigue. The quality of the selected studies was scored using a quality assessment checklist. A total of 40 papers were included. Most of the papers used subjective scales (75%) to quantify mental load and fatigue, with a small presence of behavioral (n = 5) and objective techniques (n = 5). Less is known about the analysis of mental load and fatigue using a combination of derivations. Despite the high cost and complexity of objective techniques, research that applies these measures is important for further analysis of brain processes in mental load and fatigue. The design of a battery of tests that include the three types of derivations also seems necessary.