AimTo determine differences in physical activity level and functional fitness between young elderly (60–69 years) and old elderly (70–80 years) people with the hypothesis that an age-related decline would be found.MethodsA total of 1288 participants’ level of physical activity was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire: 594 were male (mean ± standard deviation: body height 175.62 ± 9.78 cm; body weight 82.26 ± 31.33 kg) and 694 female (mean ± standard deviation: body height 165.17 ± 23.12 cm; body weight 69.74 ± 12.44 kg). Functional fitness was also estimated using the Senior Fitness Test: back scratch, chair sit and reach, 8-foot up and go, chair stand up for 30 seconds, arm curl, and 2-minute step test.ResultsSignificant differences (P < 0.05) were found for all Senior Fitness tests between young elderly (60–69 years) and old elderly (70–80) men. Similar results were found for the women, except no significant differences were found for the chair sit and reach and the 2-minute step test. From the viewpoint of energy consumption estimated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, moderate physical activity is dominant. In addition, with aging, among men and women older than 60 years, the value of the Metabolic Equivalent of Task in total physical activity significantly reduces (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThis study found that the reduction in physical activity level and functional fitness was equal for both men and women and was due to the aging process. These differences between young and old elderly people were due to the reduction of muscle strength in both upper and lower limbs and changes in body-fat percentage, flexibility, agility, and endurance.

The popularity of female soccer is increasing as well as the number of females playing soccer. Similarly, over the last twenty or so years, research in soccer has increased significantly, but a large disparity exists in the volume of studies involving male and female players. As a consequence of this, female players remain less well understood compared to males. The purpose of the present narrative review was to describe morphological characteristics, physiological demands, physical abilities and injuries in female soccer players. Physiological demands are similar between men’s and women’s soccer, but competitive women’s matches were characterized by nearly 33% less distance covered, although at higher intensity levels (maximum speeds greater than 15 km/h) than typically found in the men’s game. Sub-elite female players also tended to run less at higher intensity levels at the end of both halves in comparison with elite female players. High intensity running is an important factor of success in soccer since many critical moments of the game occur under this condition. The ability to rapidly change direction also determined elite, sub-elite and amateur levels. The implementation of functional training, which focused on soccer-specific drills and plyometric exercises, to improve explosive power, may improve conditioning in female soccer players as well as decrease the risk of injuries which was 3-8 times higher in females compared to males. This review presents an in-depth overview of the most influential factors for determining success in female soccer.

Although neuromuscular training (NMT) emphasizes injury prevention training, there is little information about its effects on performance in young athletes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of eight-weeks NMT on motor competence and physical performance in 10-to 12-year-old female volleyball players. Sixty-six participants (mean ± SD; 11.05 ± 0.72 years) were randomized into either the NMT group (NTG; n = 32) or control group (CON; n = 34). Sprint on 10-m, modified T-test, plank, vertical jump, and medicine ball throw tests were used to assess the physical performance. The Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK) was used to assess the subjects' motor competence. The NMT was performed twice a week during the first 30 min of each regularly scheduled 90-minute volleyball training. Participants in the CON group attended only their regular volleyball training.

The present study aimed to investigate whether recreational volleyball organized as small-sided games could improve fitness and health profiles of middle-aged men after 10 weeks of training. Twenty-four healthy men aged 35–55 were randomized in a small-sided recreational volleyball group (RV = 12; age: 44.7 ± 6.34 years; body mass index: 25.85 ± 1.74) and control group (CON = 12; age: 42.9 ± 8.72 years; body mass index: 25.62 ± 1.48). The RV group carried out a volleyball training program, whereas the CON group continued their daily life activities during this period. The participants in the RV group performed 2/3 training sessions of 90 min per week. Results from a repeated measure ANOVA indicated a significant group × time interaction for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (F = 6.776, p = 0.016, partial ƞ2 = 0.235) and for resting heart rate (F = 11.647, p = 0.002, partial ƞ2 = 0.346) in favor of the RV group. No significant changes were observed for body weight, body mass index, and diastolic blood pressure. Results for physical fitness indicated a significant interaction for Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test–level 2 (F = 11.648, p = 0.003, partial ƞ2 = 0.380), with no significant changes in both groups for handgrip strength. Recreational small-sided volleyball can be an effective training modality to stimulate a decrease in LDL cholesterol and resting HR with small improvements in cardiovascular fitness. Recreational volleyball played only two times per week shows positive cardiovascular fitness and health-related adaptations, which may contribute to the reduction of the risk of developing lifestyle diseases.

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in physical performance after a 6-week skill-based conditioning training program in male competitive volleyball players. Sixteen male volleyball players (mean ± SD: age 22.3 ± 3.7 years, body height 190.7 ± 4.2 cm, and body mass 78.4 ± 4.5 kg) participated in this study. The players were tested for sprinting (5- and 10-m sprint), agility, and jumping performance (the vertical-jump test, the spike-jump test, and the standing broad jump [SBJ]). Compared with pretraining, there was a significant improvement in the 5- and 10-m speed. There were no significant differences between pretraining and posttraining for lower-body muscular power (vertical-jump height, spike-jump height, and SBJ) and agility. Based on our results, it could be concluded that a preseason skill-based conditioning program does not offer a sufficient stimulus for volleyball players. Therefore, a general conditioning and hypertrophy training along with specific volleyball conditioning is necessary in the preseason period for the development of the lower-body strength, agility and speed performance in volleyball players.

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Regular exercise during school hours is encouraged since childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Moreover, a great majority of adolescents do not meet the recommendations for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The present study aimed to determine the effects of school-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and nutrition intervention on body composition and physical fitness in overweight adolescent girls. Forty-eight girls were included in the study, of whom 24 (age = 15.5 ± 0.7 years) were randomized to a experimental group (EXP) (HIIT and nutrition intervention school-based program) and 24 (age = 15.7 ± 0.6 years) to a control group (CON) that maintained their usual physical education activities. HIIT consisted of 10 stations of own bodyweight exercise and was done three times per week for eight weeks. Moreover, the EXP participated in the nutrition program led by a nutritionist two times a week. Apart from body composition assessment, participants performed countermovement jump (CMJ), medicine ball throw, hand-grip test, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 Test (YYIRT1). A significant effect of group (EXP vs. CON) x time (pre vs. post) interaction was observed for weight [F(1,44) = 7.733; p = 0.008], body mass index [F(1,44) = 5.764; p = 0.020], body fat (in kg) [F(1,44) = 17.850; p < 0.001], and body fat (in %) [F(1,44) = 18.821; p < 0.001]. Moreover, a significant interaction was observed for the medicine ball throw [F(1,44) = 27.016; p < 0.001] and YYIRT1 [F(1,44) = 5.439; p = 0.024]. A significant main effect for time was found for hand grip [F(1,44) = 9.300; p = 0.004] and CMJ [F(1,44) = 12.866; p = 0.001].The present study has demonstrated that just eight weeks school-based HIIT and nutrition intervention, including three sessions a week, can improve body composition and muscular and physical aerobic performance in overweighted adolescent girls.

. The aim of this research was to determine the differences between body composition and physical match performance among female soccer players according to the team's position. Twenty two elite female soccer players (aged 23.95 ± 4.52, height 168.82 ± 7.19 cm, body mass index 21.5 ± 1.3kg) from Serbian A-national team participated in this study. Players were tested for aerobic endurance, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (YYIRL1), body mass and body height. The percentage of body fat and body mass index (BMI) was determinate according to body height and body weight parameters. The average value of body weight among female soccer players has been 61.4±6.0kg. The biggest average value for body weight has been found among midfielders 62.7±7.7kg, while the smallest values have been found among goalkeepers 59.5±10.6kg. Opposite to the body weight, goalkeepers have been the tallest players with average body high of 172.5±3.5cm, than the defenders with 170.0±7.2cm, while the midfielders (168.7±8.7cm) and the attackers (164.7±5.0cm) have shown the smallest average values. The YYIRL1 test's results have shown that all positions have similar value within range of 880-930m, which indicates group homogeneity. The average values of the body fat was 25.9±2.0%. Significant difference between the tested variables according to the player's position in the team could not be established (p<0.05). The selection process and the orientation towards specific team position represent an important aspect of the realization of the top athletic results, but it cannot be based merely on morphological and functional results. According to this research, differences cannot be precisely defined in both morphological and functional abilities of the women soccer players based on their position in the team.