The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of positional data and the inter-unit reliability of an ultra-wide-band (UWB) tracking system. Four well-trained males performed five courses designed for the analysis of x- and y-coordinate accuracy analysis, specifically related to the positional distance variation between the UWB data and the fixed reference lines of a basketball court. This was achieved using geographic information system (GIS) mapping software that calculated, for each interval and participant, the distance from the main axis of displacement and from the opposite side of the court each 0.5 s (x and y coordinate). The accuracy of the results was satisfactory, with a mean absolute error of all estimations for the x-position of 5.2 ± 3.1 cm and for the y-position of 5.8 ± 2.3 cm. Regarding inter-unit reliability, the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) value was high for the x-coordinate (0.65) and very high for the y-coordinate (0.85). The main findings of the study were: (i) The accuracy of UWB tracking systems can be considered suitable for practical applications in sport analyses; (ii) position estimations are very precise and acceptable for tactical analyses; (iii) the error of the position estimations does not change significantly across different courses; and (iv) the use of different devices does not significantly affect the measurement error.

Accelerometry is a recent method used to quantify workload in team sports. A rapidly increasing number of studies supports the practical implementation of accelerometry monitoring to regulate and optimize training schemes. Therefore, the purposes of this study were: (1) to reflect the current state of knowledge about accelerometry as a method of workload monitoring in invasion team sports according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and (2) to conclude recommendations for application and scientific investigations. The Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for relevant published studies according to the following keywords: "accelerometry" or "accelerometer" or "microtechnology" or "inertial devices", and "load" or "workload", and "sport". Of the 1383 studies initially identified, 118 were selected for a full review. The main results indicate that the most frequent findings were (i) devices' body location: scapulae; (b) devices brand: Catapult Sports; (iii) variables: PlayerLoad TM and its variations; (iv) sports: rugby, Australian football, soccer and basketball; (v) sex: male; (vi) competition level: professional and elite; and (vii) context: separate training or competition. A great number of variables and devices from various companies make the comparability between findings difficult; unification is required. Although the most common location is at scapulae because of its optimal signal reception for time-motion analysis, new methods for multi-location skills and locomotion assessment without losing tracking accuracy should be developed.

The Relative Age Effect (RAE) in sport is defined as the age difference in the same sport group. This chronological difference implies a different level of sport experience and performance due to developmental and maturational processes. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relative age effect in elite u-18 basketball according to playing positions. The variables analyzed were: date of birth, playing position and technical-tactical performance indicators in basketball (TTPI). A descriptive analysis was carried out to characterize the sample, a lineal regression was used to analyze the influence of the date of birth on basketball performance and finally an ANOVA and discriminant analysis were performed to identify the differences among different playing positions. The results show the existence of the RAE in the top European Under-18 basketball competition (S1 = 67%; S2 = 33%). Performance indicators which are predictors of the birth quarter (p< .05) were only found in the small forwards (defensive rebounds (β: -.463) and fouls received (β: -.140)) and in the centers (three point throws scored (β: -.321) and tried (β: .342)). These results may be of use for coaches and clubs when recruiting players for each playing position. Older forwards and centers are capable of performing at a higher level. Therefore, clubs have to sign up those players born at the beginning of the year.

Pino-Ortega et al. Competition Load in Elite U'18 Basketball Players an U'18 basketball tournament influenced the kinematic demands experienced by players during official competition. Therefore, each of these contextual factors should be considered in managing the load and developing individualized strategies for players in tournament settings.

Currently, the use of accelerometry to analyze training and competition is on the increase. Thus, accelerometers must be reliable when calculating different variables from raw data. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the reliability of triaxial accelerometers that contain inertial devices for measuring external loads in sports. Four and eight WIMU PROä inertial devices (RealTrack Systems, Almeria, Spain) were assessed in laboratory and specific sport conditions, respectively. The laboratory test was performed in static (with and without stress) and dynamic (10 and 30 Hz vibrations) conditions. In addition, two tests were performed during continuous and intermittent activity: (1) an incremental progressive running test on the treadmill and (2) 5 min of a Soccer-Specific Aerobic Field Test (SAFT 90), where the devices were placed on ankle, knee, lower back and scapulae. Direct assessment of the accelerometers by calculating a vector magnitude, expressed as total acceleration (AcelT), was used for reliability using bias, 695% limits of agreement and coefficient of variation. A t-test and Pearson's r were performed for test-retest reliability. In the laboratory assessments, an excellent within-and between-device static (with and without stress) and dynamic reliability were found (coefficient of variation = 0.23%-0.78%). A very high reliability was also observed in the incremental treadmill test (coefficient of variation = 2.20%) and SAFT 90 (coefficient of variation = 2.96%) with a nearly perfect correlation between devices (r = 0.99-1.00). Finally, in the between-sessions reliability analysis, excellent results (p = 0.46-0.98; t = 0.01-0.73) and a very strong correlation (r = 0.86-0.96) was found with p values greater than 0.05 indicating no differences between the tests. In conclusion, the accelerometers of the tested device have shown excellent results for within-and betweendevice reliability and in test-retest analysis. Thus, this device can calculate all variables that depend on accelerometry measurement such as PlayerLoadä or impacts in different ranges, and in different anatomical locations.

The present study aims to conduct a structured literature review based on the results found concerning the term 5-aside football for individuals with visual impairments. The following keywords were used as descriptors in the reference search: 5-aside football, football, blind and football for the blind and soccer for the blind. The words were introduced in English, Portuguese and Spanish databases. In order to narrow the search, four inclusion criteria were introduced: i) Mention at least one characteristic of 5-aside football for individuals with visual impairments, ii) Any type of document is included, iii) Only documents in full-text or abstract version and iii) Written in English, Portuguese or Spanish. After the review process, 40 papers were found, classified into eleven Sport Science disciplines. In conclusion, literature on 5-aside football for individuals with visual impairments has addressed different research topics in last years.

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Currently, the number of women involved in sport is increasing. Although, research on their characteristics and performance is scarce. A great amount of research on men's basketball is available, but it is unknown if it can be applied to women's basketball. The objective of this research was to characterize the internal and external load performed by female basketball players during training and sports competition according to playing positions through inertial devices. The participants in the following study were 10 amateur basketball players who competed at regional level (21.7 ± 3.65 years; 59.5 ± 12.27 kg, and 168.5 ± 3.56). Data were collected in games of the final phase (n = 8) and from 5 vs. 5 training tasks (n = 47). All the analyses were run according to playing positions. Each player was equipped with a GarminTM Heart Rate Band and WimuTM inertial device that monitored physical activity and movement in real time. The results obtained showed that the load experienced during competition was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than during training (Heart Rate, Player Load, Steps, Jumps, and Impacts). There were also differences according to playing positions, mainly between the backcourt and frontcourt players (p < 0.001). The players must work in higher areas of heart rate during training, mainly in Z4 and Z5, increasing their HRmáx y HRavg. The training doesn't equal the load supported and the distance performed in competition, so it is necessary to pay more attention during training. This information allows us to develop adequate training protocols adjusted to the specific individual requirements of the sports competition.