How do gender and competition level influence the physical demands in worst-case scenarios of elite football referees?

Background: The aim of this study was to describe and compare the physical demands in Worst-Case Scenarios (WCS) across different competition levels in male and female football of Spanish elite football referees during matches, comparing competitions independently for male and female referees.

Methods: Physical demands (total distance [TD], total distance > 18 km/h [TD18], total distance > 21 km/h [TD21], total distance > 24 km/h [TD24], accelerations (> 3 m/s) [Acc] and decelerations (<-3 m/s) [Dec]) were recorded over different time windows (0.5, 1, 3, 5 and 10 min) on 24 professional male Spanish football referees from male 1st Division, 26 from male 2nd Division and 24 professional female Spanish football referees from female 1st Division during the 2020/21, 2021/22, and 2022/23 seasons over a total of 2,156 official matches, using Global Positioning Systems.

Prediction of Dropout in Physical Activity: The Effect of Time.

Background: Leisure-time physical activity is the preferred domain by the population to follow physical activity recommendations, helping to maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, the main issue in this type of physical activity intervention is massive dropout.

Methods: Using monthly data from 20,908 leisure/fitness center members (2011-2016), we estimate a discrete-time duration model to examine how membership duration influences dropout probability, addressing cross-sectional limitations.

Seasonal changes in the force velocity sprint profile of Spanish youth football players across age categories.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the force-velocity (F-V) profile and 30-metres sprint times of youth football players over a competitive season and across different age groups. Sixty-four players were categorized into five age groups (Under-10 (U10), Under-12 (U12), Under-14 (U14), Under-16 (U16), Under-18 (U18)) and assessed at three time points during the season: the pre-season (P1), mid-season (P2), and end season (P3) using GNSS/GPS technology. Results showed that the theoretical maximum force (F0) increased by the end of the season compared to the baseline in U14, U16, and U18 (p < 0.

Does accumulated physical load in different time windows affect hamstring injuries in elite football players?

Background: This study aims to investigate how accumulated training load over different time windows (7, 14, and 28 days) influences the incidence of hamstring injuries in elite football players.

Methods: A descriptive and longitudinal study was developed in 343 players in three teams (2 Team, U-19 team, and U-18 team) from the academy of an elite football club in Spanish La Liga that also competed in the Union of European Football Associations Champions League during four seasons, from 2017/18 to 2020/21. External load variables (total distance, high-speed running, accelerations, etc.

The Impact of a Congested Match Schedule (Due to the COVID-19 Lockdown) on Creatine Kinase (CK) in Elite Football Players Using GPS Tracking Technology.

The aim was to analyse the consequences of a congested schedule (due to the COVID-19 lockdown) on creatine kinase (CK) in elite football players using GPS tracking technology. A total of 17 elite football players were monitored in training and competition with a global positioning system. Variables including total distance, high-intensity distance, and distance acceleration and deceleration were analysed.

How Do Technical and Tactical Demands of Football Matches Affect the Physical Performance of Elite Football Referees? Exploring the Role of Experience.

Martinez-Torremocha, G, Alonso-Callejo, A, Garcia-Unanue, J, Gallardo, L, Sanchez-Sanchez, J, and Felipe, JL. How do technical and tactical demands of football matches impact the physical performance of elite football referees? Exploring the role of experience. J Strength Cond Res 38(11): e664-e669, 2024-This study aimed to analyze whether the physical demands on elite football referees during matches are influenced by both the physical intensity of the game and the technical-tactical context, to assess the impact of elite experience on the physical demands of referees, and to compare the physical performance of the referees with the performance of the players divided by positions in each match analyzed.

Predictive approach of health indicators from the physical activity habits of active youth.

The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between sport modalities practiced, physical fitness, body composition, and healthy habits in an active young population, using a statistical model for prediction. A total of 2255 (1528 boys and 727 girls) children and adolescents aged 6-17 years old who were involved in extracurricular sports from rural areas of Spain participated. Physical fitness was assessed through validated field test and, body composition was determinated using bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Physical Demands in the Worst-Case Scenarios of Elite Futsal Referees Using a Local Positioning System.

The aim of this study is to analyze the worst-case scenarios of professional futsal referees during the first and second half of official matches in the Spanish Futsal Cup using a Local Positioning System (LPS) for monitoring their movement patterns. Eight professional futsal referees (40 ± 3.43 years; 1.

Validity and Reliability of the Acceleration-Speed Profile for Assessing Running Kinematics' Variables Derived From the Force-Velocity Profile in Professional Soccer Players.

Alonso-Callejo, A, García-Unanue, J, Guitart-Trench, M, Majano, C, Gallardo, L, and Felipe, J. Validity and reliability of the acceleration-speed profile for assessing running kinematics' variables derived from the force-velocity profile in professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 38(3): 563-570, 2024-The aim of this research is to assess the validity and reliability of the acceleration-speed profile (ASP) for measuring the mechanical variables of running kinematics when compared with the force-velocity profile (FVP) obtained by reference systems.

UCLMuevete: Increasing the amount of physical activity, work-ability, and cardiorespiratory fitness capacity in university workers through active breaks.

Background: Active break programs at the workplace are a promising initiative for increasing workers' physical activity (PA) levels, health, work-ability (WA), and social relationship.

Objective: To determine the impact of an Active Breaks workplace program based on Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) aligned with Behavior Change Techniques (BCT) on PA levels, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), WA, and social relationships among university workers.

Methods: #UCLMuévete is a quasi-experimental, 12-week intervention designed according to the TREND and TIDieR-PHP checklists.

Association between physical demands, skin temperature and wellbeing status in elite football players.

The demanding nature of elite football requires players to be closely monitored to ensure optimal performance and minimize injury risk. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between physical demands, skin temperature, and well-being status in 30 elite football players over a 12-week competitive period. Thermography assessments, weekly Well-being questionnaires, and daily training and match load recordings were used to gather data.

Effectiveness of worksite wellness programs based on physical activity to improve workers' health and productivity: a systematic review.

Background: Although the scientific literature has previously described the impact of worksite programs based on physical activity (WPPAs) on employees' productivity and health in different contexts, the effect of these programs has not been analyzed based on the characteristics or modalities of physical activity (PA) performed (e.g., aerobic exercise, strength training, flexibility).

Relationships of BMI, muscle-to-fat ratio, and handgrip strength-to-BMI ratio to physical fitness in Spanish children and adolescents.

This study aimed to determine the relationship of body mass index (BMI), muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR), and handgrip strength-to-BMI ratio to physical fitness parameters in an active young population according to sex across four different time points. A total of 2256 Spanish children and adolescents (aged 5-18) from rural areas participating in an extracurricular sport in different municipal sports schools participated in this study. Participants were divided into children (5-10 years) and adolescents (11-18 years), boys and girls, and across four different time points (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021).

Relationship between Repeated Sprint Ability, Countermovement Jump and Thermography in Elite Football Players.

Football is a very demanding sport which requires players to exert maximum effort, producing fatigue and eventually injuries. Thermography can be used to detect fatigue and prevent its consequences through thermal asymmetries in the bilateral body areas; however, its adequacy for elite footballers has not been widely studied. Therefore, the objective of the present investigation was to determine the suitability of thermography to detect fatigue in male football players.

Modeling Dynamical Positional Physical Data on Field Zones Occupied by Playing Positions in Elite-Level Futsal: A Comparison Between Running Velocities, Accelerations, and Decelerations.

Serrano, C, Felipe, JL, García-Unanue, J, Vicente Gimenez, J, Jiménez-Linares, L, Ibáñez, E, Hernando, E, Gallardo, L, and Sánchez-Sánchez, J. Modeling dynamical positional physical data on field zones occupied by playing positions in elite-level futsal: a comparison between running velocities, acceleration, and deceleration. J Strength Cond Res 37(1): 200-206, 2023-The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of playing positions on the physical demands and the specific court zones occupied during official futsal games.

Effect of playing position and microcycle days on the acceleration speed profile of elite football players.

The aim of this study was to analyse the differences in the A-S profile of elite football players induced by playing position and the microcycle day. Players belonged to a second division club in the Spanish La Liga competition. They were classified into five playing positions: central defenders (CD), full backs (FB), midfielders (MF), wide midfielders (WMF) and forwards (FW).

Physical demands in Spanish male and female elite football referees during the competition: a prospective observational study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the physical demands of elite male and female field referees in match play and compare the physical demands between male and female football referees in the competition.

Methods: Match data were collected from 36 elite football referees (19 males and 17 females) during a total of 409 football matches. Electronic performance and tracking systems based on global positioning systems (GPS) were used in this research.

Effect of the Length of the Microcycle on the Daily External Load, Fatigue, Sleep Quality, Stress, and Muscle Soreness of Professional Soccer Players: A Full-Season Study.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the length of the microcycle (ie, training period from the day after the match to the following match) on the daily external load and perceived wellness of professional soccer players (Spanish LaLiga Smartbank).

Hypothesis: The length of the microcycle has a significant effect on the daily external load and perceived wellness.

Study Design: Longitudinal study.

Association between Fitness Level and Physical Match Demands of Professional Female Football Referees.

The aim of this study was to examine the physical demands for elite female referees during competitive matches and to evaluate the relationship between match performance and fitness levels. Seventeen female elite field referees were fitness-tested (29.0 ± 5.

Differences in body composition and physical fitness parameters among prepubertal and pubertal children engaged in extracurricular sports: the active health study.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the associations of maturity status, chronological age and sex with physical fitness and body composition among active children.

Methods: A total of 1682 children (72% boys; age = 11.22 ± 2.

Physical Demands during the Game and Compensatory Training Session (MD + 1) in Elite Football Players Using Global Positioning System Device.

The aims of this study were to analyze the differences of physical demands of non-starter players regarding the playing time during the competition and to evaluate the physical demands of the compensatory training (MD + 1C) for substitute players in elite football. The match statistics and MD + 1C of substitute players from a professional Spanish LaLiga football club were analyzed using a 10-Hz global positioning system (GPS) Apex GPS system device, which has been validated as a reliable and valid method to analyze performance in team sports, during all games of the 2016/2017, 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons. The starting players showed both lower total distances covered and high-intensity actions compared to the substitutes.

Physical demands on professional Spanish football referees during matches.

Background: Refereeing is a demanding and intermittent activity that combines high-speed and low-intensity action.

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyse the external and internal load of professional Spanish football referees during matches, and to compare the physical demands between halves and between referees in different categories.

Methods: The physical demands on 40 professional football referees from the first and second divisions were recorded using global positioning system (GPS) technology and heart rate bands.

Tracking Systems Used to Monitor the Performance and Activity Profile in Elite Team Sports.

Technology has become established in elite sport in recent years and is used on a regular basis, especially in team sports [...

Influence of Non-Occupational Physical Activity on Burnout Syndrome, Job Satisfaction, Stress and Recovery in Fitness Professionals.

Background: This study aimed (1) to analyse the effect of non-occupational physical activity (NOPA) on the stress levels of fitness professionals, and (2) to apply a questionnaire to workers measuring burnout syndrome, working conditions and job satisfaction, and to compare the results with physiological stress and recovery measured objectively through heart rate variability (HRV).

Methods: The HRV of 26 fitness instructors was recorded during 2-5 workdays using Firstbeat Bodyguard 2. Participants also completed a questionnaire (CESQT) measuring working conditions and job satisfaction variables and occupational burnout syndrome.