Title: Loading analysis of soccer players during different form of small-side games Objectives: The main goal of thesis was analyze physiological changes of the body in various forms of small football games by selected players of the pupil category U14. To analyze was used a total of four skill games, always with the same number of players, but with a different size of the board. Next goal of research was to find which size of the pitch is the most effective for the players of this category in terms of response to physiological functions. Methods: The test group was consisted of 16 Football players aged 13-14 years old. Testing took place in two training units, in each of training units players having completed two forms of playable games with four repeating. In work is used indirect (mediated) observation because the data was recorded by using the devices. The data from the devices was subsequently processed into the result form. During the testing was used this device GPSports and sporttester "Polar RS800". Results: The results of the work inform about the physiological responses of the organism in individual forms of preparatory games and also compare one another. Based on results was found, that different size of playing table will cause both internal and external changes in the response of...

Considerando que a duração do combate de judô pode variar entre poucos segundos até um período superior a 5 min, a caracterização da demanda fisiológica do combate na sua duração regulamentar e fracionada, assim como a relação dessas respostas com o nível de aptidão aeróbia e anaeróbia dos atletas é relevante para o aperfeiçoamento dos métodos de treinamento. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a aptidão física, ações técnicas e respostas fisiológicas durante a luta de judô com diferentes durações. Para tanto, 12 atletas de judô foram submetidos a 10 sessões de avaliação. Nas duas primeiras sessões foram realizados quatro testes físicos para caracterização da aptidão aeróbia e anaeróbia dos membros superiores e inferiores. Nas demais sessões, os atletas foram submetidos a 15 combates simulados de judô (3 condições x 5 durações - 1, 2, 3, 4 e 5 min) com o mesmo oponente, em ordem aleatória e vendados quanto à duração do combate. Em uma das condições, os atletas simularam um combate real. Na segunda condição, os atletas lutaram usando um analisador de gases para mensurar o consumo de oxigênio, para a estimativa da contribuição dos sistemas de transferência de energia. Nessa condição foram impostas algumas adaptações de movimento. Para verificar se o uso do analisador de gases modificou as respostas obtidas, na terceira condição, os atletas lutaram com as mesmas adaptações, porém não usaram o equipamento. Em cada sessão foram conduzidos dois combates, intercalados por 60 min de recuperação. Foram quantificadas as respostas fisiológicas, perceptivas, de desempenho, de estrutura temporal e ações técnicas em todos combates. A comparação das variáveis dependentes foi realizada com uma análise de modelos mistos para medidas repetidas, seguida do post hoc de Bonferroni. As associações entre a aptidão aeróbia e anaeróbia com as variáveis do combate foram verificadas por meio da correlação de Pearson. Para todas as comparações pareadas significantes foi calculado o tamanho do efeito (d de Cohen). Em todas as análises foi adotado 5% como nível de significância. Os principais resultados demonstraram aumento da contribuição aeróbia com concomitante redução da contribuição dos sistemas anaeróbios com o transcorrer do combate, sendo a contribuição aeróbia superior à contribuição dos sistemas anaeróbios a partir do primeiro min de combate. O sistema anaeróbio lático contribuiu com a menor proporção do custo energético do combate de judô. As taxas de incremento das respostas fisiológicas e perceptivas por min de combate foram reduzidas com o transcorrer do combate, sendo as principais modificações observadas no início do combate, sugerindo que os atletas podem apresentar estratégia para modular seus esforços. Com o transcorrer do combate observou-se manutenção do tempo médio de esforço e ações aplicadas, porém houve aumento do tempo médio dos períodos de pausa. Após a realização do combate observou-se declínio da resistência muscular dinâmica dos membros superiores, manutenção da força isométrica máxima de preensão manual e melhora da potência muscular dos membros inferiores. As variáveis de aptidão aeróbia e anaeróbia relacionaram-se com menor queda do desempenho, maior taxa de golpes de perna e maior tempo médio de combate. Assim, observou-se predominância do sistema aeróbio para suprir a energia necessária para a realização do combate de judô. Além disso, maiores níveis de aptidão aeróbia e anaeróbia estão associados positivamente com o desempenho durante a luta / Considering that judo combat can last from a few seconds to up to more than 5 minutes, characterization of the physiological demands of combat in different time frames, and the relationship of these responses to an athlete\'s level of aerobic and anaerobic fitness is relevant to improving training methods. Thus, the objective of the present study was to describe the physiological demands of judo combat. Twelve judo athletes performed 10 experimental sessions. In the first and second sessions, four physical tests to characterize the aerobic and anaerobic fitness of the upper and lower limbs were performed. In the other sessions, the athletes performed 15 judo combat (involving 3 conditions x 5 durations of time: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes) randomly determined, against the same opponent, on different days and blinded for time duration. In one condition, the athletes simulated actual combat. In the second condition, the athletes fought while using a gas analyzer to measure oxygen consumption in order to estimate the contribution of the energy systems. In this condition some motion adjustments were imposed. To verify if the use of the gas analyzer modified the responses obtained, in the third condition the athletes fought with the same adjustments, but did not use the equipment. These combat periods were divided into 8 sessions with two different conditions, separated by an interval of 60 minutes. The physiological, perceptual, performance, time-motion, and technical action responses were quantified in all matches. The comparison of the dependent variables was performed with an analysis of mixed models for repeated measures, followed by a post hoc Bonferroni. The associations between aerobic and anaerobic fitness to combat variables were verified using Pearson\'s correlation. For all significant pairwise comparisons the effect size (d Cohen) was calculated. A 5% level of significance was adopted for all analyses. The main results showed an increase in aerobic contribution with a concomitant reduction of the anaerobic contribution in the course of combat, given that the aerobic contribution was greater than the anaerobic contribution from the first minute of combat. The lactic anaerobic system contributed to the smaller proportion of energy cost in judo combat. The increment in rate of the physiological and perceptual responses per minute of combat decreased throughout the course of the combat, with the highest changes occurring at the beginning of combat, which suggest that judo athletes seem to modulate their effort. In the course of combat, maintenance of the average time of effort and actions occurred, but there was an increase in the average time of pause. After the combat, a decline in the dynamic strength endurance of the upper limbs was observed, while maximal isometric handgrip strength was maintained, and improvement of muscle power in the lower limbs was noted. The aerobic and anaerobic fitness variables were associated with lower fall performance, higher rate of leg attacks and a higher average time of standing combat. Thus, a predominance of the aerobic system in supplying the energy needed for the realization of judo combat was observed. In addition, higher levels of aerobic and anaerobic fitness are positively associated with performance during the combat

The objective of this dissertation was to examine the action profiles of elite field hockey players in relationship to the 2015 FIH rule change. The following are major findings of the dissertation: The following are major findings of the dissertation: Study 1 – Relative action profiles before the rule change revealed that defenders work at a lower meter per minute (m/min) when compared with all other positions, and that forwards, midfielders, and screens perform similar m/min during a game. Examination of pre rule change difference from the 1st to the 2nd half play showed that elite level field hockey players are able maintain high-intensity actions in zone 6 throughout the game by increasing actions in zones 1 and 2, and decreasing actions in zones 4 and 5. Study 2 – Action profiles after the rule formatting change revealed the team was unable to match the percent of distance covered in zones 4 and 5 during the 1st quarter all in subsequent quarters. The low intensity actions in zone 1 and 2 gradually increased, while m/min gradually declined. However the percent of distance covered in zone 6 showed no statistically significant change. When positional differences were examined forwards covered the greatest percent of distance in zones 5 and 6, followed by midfielders, screens, and defenders. This pattern varies for zone 4, within which the midfielders possesses the greatest percent distance covered. 3 Study 3 – Relative action profile comparisons for the team, pre to post the 2015 rule change did not indicate a significant change in zones 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. However zone 1 experience a statistically significant decrease. Positional analysis showed statistically significant changes for midfielders only. The changes were a decrease in zone 1, and increase in zone 5 and 6 during the first half of the game, and decrease in zone 1 and m/min during the second half of the game. A major focus of the US Women’s National Team is to develop the athletes’ physical capacity to maintain and repeat high intensity actions. The combination of physical preparation and tactical strategies allow the team to express high m/min and numerous high intensity actions throughout a match.

This thesis comprises one review paper and five experimental studies, all of which are presented in the form of journal article submissions. These six research papers attempt to further our understanding of the physiological and metabolic requirements of repeated-sprint activity, specific to field-based team sports. Although coaches and sport scientists have suggested that repeated-sprint ability is an important fitness component of team sports, this area of investigation has only become more common in the past 10 years.

Considerando que a duração do combate de judô pode variar entre poucos segundos até um período superior a 5 min, a caracterização da demanda fisiológica do combate na sua duração regulamentar e fracionada, assim como a relação dessas respostas com o nível de aptidão aeróbia e anaeróbia dos atletas é relevante para o aperfeiçoamento dos métodos de treinamento. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a aptidão física, ações técnicas e respostas fisiológicas durante a luta de judô com diferentes durações. Para tanto, 12 atletas de judô foram submetidos a 10 sessões de avaliação. Nas duas primeiras sessões foram realizados quatro testes físicos para caracterização da aptidão aeróbia e anaeróbia dos membros superiores e inferiores. Nas demais sessões, os atletas foram submetidos a 15 combates simulados de judô (3 condições x 5 durações - 1, 2, 3, 4 e 5 min) com o mesmo oponente, em ordem aleatória e vendados quanto à duração do combate. Em uma das condições, os atletas simularam um combate real. Na segunda condição, os atletas lutaram usando um analisador de gases para mensurar o consumo de oxigênio, para a estimativa da contribuição dos sistemas de transferência de energia. Nessa condição foram impostas algumas adaptações de movimento. Para verificar se o uso do analisador de gases modificou as respostas obtidas, na terceira condição, os atletas lutaram com as mesmas adaptações, porém não usaram o equipamento. Em cada sessão foram conduzidos dois combates, intercalados por 60 min de recuperação. Foram quantificadas as respostas fisiológicas, perceptivas, de desempenho, de estrutura temporal e ações técnicas em todos combates. A comparação das variáveis dependentes foi realizada com uma análise de modelos mistos para medidas repetidas, seguida do post hoc de Bonferroni. As associações entre a aptidão aeróbia e anaeróbia com as variáveis do combate foram verificadas por meio da correlação de Pearson. Para todas as comparações pareadas significantes foi calculado o tamanho do efeito (d de Cohen). Em todas as análises foi adotado 5% como nível de significância. Os principais resultados demonstraram aumento da contribuição aeróbia com concomitante redução da contribuição dos sistemas anaeróbios com o transcorrer do combate, sendo a contribuição aeróbia superior à contribuição dos sistemas anaeróbios a partir do primeiro min de combate. O sistema anaeróbio lático contribuiu com a menor proporção do custo energético do combate de judô. As taxas de incremento das respostas fisiológicas e perceptivas por min de combate foram reduzidas com o transcorrer do combate, sendo as principais modificações observadas no início do combate, sugerindo que os atletas podem apresentar estratégia para modular seus esforços. Com o transcorrer do combate observou-se manutenção do tempo médio de esforço e ações aplicadas, porém houve aumento do tempo médio dos períodos de pausa. Após a realização do combate observou-se declínio da resistência muscular dinâmica dos membros superiores, manutenção da força isométrica máxima de preensão manual e melhora da potência muscular dos membros inferiores. As variáveis de aptidão aeróbia e anaeróbia relacionaram-se com menor queda do desempenho, maior taxa de golpes de perna e maior tempo médio de combate. Assim, observou-se predominância do sistema aeróbio para suprir a energia necessária para a realização do combate de judô. Além disso, maiores níveis de aptidão aeróbia e anaeróbia estão associados positivamente com o desempenho durante a luta / Considering that judo combat can last from a few seconds to up to more than 5 minutes, characterization of the physiological demands of combat in different time frames, and the relationship of these responses to an athlete\'s level of aerobic and anaerobic fitness is relevant to improving training methods. Thus, the objective of the present study was to describe the physiological demands of judo combat. Twelve judo athletes performed 10 experimental sessions. In the first and second sessions, four physical tests to characterize the aerobic and anaerobic fitness of the upper and lower limbs were performed. In the other sessions, the athletes performed 15 judo combat (involving 3 conditions x 5 durations of time: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes) randomly determined, against the same opponent, on different days and blinded for time duration. In one condition, the athletes simulated actual combat. In the second condition, the athletes fought while using a gas analyzer to measure oxygen consumption in order to estimate the contribution of the energy systems. In this condition some motion adjustments were imposed. To verify if the use of the gas analyzer modified the responses obtained, in the third condition the athletes fought with the same adjustments, but did not use the equipment. These combat periods were divided into 8 sessions with two different conditions, separated by an interval of 60 minutes. The physiological, perceptual, performance, time-motion, and technical action responses were quantified in all matches. The comparison of the dependent variables was performed with an analysis of mixed models for repeated measures, followed by a post hoc Bonferroni. The associations between aerobic and anaerobic fitness to combat variables were verified using Pearson\'s correlation. For all significant pairwise comparisons the effect size (d Cohen) was calculated. A 5% level of significance was adopted for all analyses. The main results showed an increase in aerobic contribution with a concomitant reduction of the anaerobic contribution in the course of combat, given that the aerobic contribution was greater than the anaerobic contribution from the first minute of combat. The lactic anaerobic system contributed to the smaller proportion of energy cost in judo combat. The increment in rate of the physiological and perceptual responses per minute of combat decreased throughout the course of the combat, with the highest changes occurring at the beginning of combat, which suggest that judo athletes seem to modulate their effort. In the course of combat, maintenance of the average time of effort and actions occurred, but there was an increase in the average time of pause. After the combat, a decline in the dynamic strength endurance of the upper limbs was observed, while maximal isometric handgrip strength was maintained, and improvement of muscle power in the lower limbs was noted. The aerobic and anaerobic fitness variables were associated with lower fall performance, higher rate of leg attacks and a higher average time of standing combat. Thus, a predominance of the aerobic system in supplying the energy needed for the realization of judo combat was observed. In addition, higher levels of aerobic and anaerobic fitness are positively associated with performance during the combat

Worldwide research regarding the movement patterns, heart rate recordings and work–to–rest ratios of rugby union referees is very limited. It is therefore very important to extend research regarding this topic. The first objective of this dissertation was to determine the frequency, duration and intensity of movement patterns and work–to–rest ratio of different refereeing panels of South African Rugby Union referees during match–refereeing at the National Club Rugby Championship in Stellenbosch during 2007. The second objective was to compare the two halves of the match with regard to the frequency, duration and intensity of the different movement patterns and the work–to–rest ratios of various of SARU referees during match–refereeing at the National Club Rugby Championship in Stellenbosch during 2007. The South African Rugby Union referees were monitored during match–refereeing by means of video and heart rate recordings for a total of 16 matches within a week tournament. The frequency and duration of the different movement patterns during both halves of the matches were analysed using a Dartfish TeamPro analysis software package. Heart rates were recorded during the matches to determine the movement pattern intensities of the referees for the duration of each match using a Suunto Team pack heart rate monitoring system. The work–to–rest ratios were determined by comparing the time (in seconds) spent working (lateral movements and sprinting) to the time spent resting (standing still, walking and jogging). The results revealed a moderate practical significant difference (d=0.51) between the mean frequency of jogging movement patterns for the different refereeing panels. A moderate practical significant difference was also found between the mean duration of jogging (d=0.43) and sprinting (d=0.43) movement patterns of different refereeing panels. The mean intensity of the movement patterns by the different refereeing panels showed large practical significant differences between the anaerobic threshold (d=3.68) and sub–threshold (d=1.36) levels and a moderate practical significant difference for the maximal heart rate zones (d=0.43). Both the provincial and contender panel referees had work–to–rest ratios of 1:4 during match–refereeing. In comparing the two halves of rugby match–refereeing, a large practical significant difference was found between the mean frequency of movement pattern values for standing still (d=2.53), walking (d=2.50), jogging (d=2.42), lateral movements (d=2.86) and sprinting (d=1.31) as well as for mean duration of movement pattern values for standing still (d=2.05), lateral movements (d=0.76) and sprinting (d=0.77). Large practical significant difference were found between the time spent in the maximal threshold (d=2.07), anaerobic threshold (d=0.92) and sub–threshold (d=7.90) heart rate zones measured during the two halves of match–refereeing. Average work–to–rest ratios of 1:3.5 and 1:5 were found for the first and second halves of rugby match–refereeing, respectively. The information gained regarding the activity profile of SARU referees could be used to determine the influence of rugby refereeing experience on the movement patterns and work–to–rest ratio of rugby referees. It can also provide information for constructing specific training programmes and drills in the development of rugby match–required fitness standards for referees. A key component of a rugby union referee’s game is positioning. Being in the right place at the right time is vital. The results of this study suggest that movements associated with positioning ? namely standing still, walking and lateral movements are the major components of the game of referees’ movement during match–refereeing. However, further research is required on this topic of research. / Thesis (M.A. (Sport Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Worldwide research regarding the movement patterns, heart rate recordings and work–to–rest ratios of rugby union referees is very limited. It is therefore very important to extend research regarding this topic. The first objective of this dissertation was to determine the frequency, duration and intensity of movement patterns and work–to–rest ratio of different refereeing panels of South African Rugby Union referees during match–refereeing at the National Club Rugby Championship in Stellenbosch during 2007. The second objective was to compare the two halves of the match with regard to the frequency, duration and intensity of the different movement patterns and the work–to–rest ratios of various of SARU referees during match–refereeing at the National Club Rugby Championship in Stellenbosch during 2007. The South African Rugby Union referees were monitored during match–refereeing by means of video and heart rate recordings for a total of 16 matches within a week tournament. The frequency and duration of the different movement patterns during both halves of the matches were analysed using a Dartfish TeamPro analysis software package. Heart rates were recorded during the matches to determine the movement pattern intensities of the referees for the duration of each match using a Suunto Team pack heart rate monitoring system. The work–to–rest ratios were determined by comparing the time (in seconds) spent working (lateral movements and sprinting) to the time spent resting (standing still, walking and jogging). The results revealed a moderate practical significant difference (d=0.51) between the mean frequency of jogging movement patterns for the different refereeing panels. A moderate practical significant difference was also found between the mean duration of jogging (d=0.43) and sprinting (d=0.43) movement patterns of different refereeing panels. The mean intensity of the movement patterns by the different refereeing panels showed large practical significant differences between the anaerobic threshold (d=3.68) and sub–threshold (d=1.36) levels and a moderate practical significant difference for the maximal heart rate zones (d=0.43). Both the provincial and contender panel referees had work–to–rest ratios of 1:4 during match–refereeing. In comparing the two halves of rugby match–refereeing, a large practical significant difference was found between the mean frequency of movement pattern values for standing still (d=2.53), walking (d=2.50), jogging (d=2.42), lateral movements (d=2.86) and sprinting (d=1.31) as well as for mean duration of movement pattern values for standing still (d=2.05), lateral movements (d=0.76) and sprinting (d=0.77). Large practical significant difference were found between the time spent in the maximal threshold (d=2.07), anaerobic threshold (d=0.92) and sub–threshold (d=7.90) heart rate zones measured during the two halves of match–refereeing. Average work–to–rest ratios of 1:3.5 and 1:5 were found for the first and second halves of rugby match–refereeing, respectively. The information gained regarding the activity profile of SARU referees could be used to determine the influence of rugby refereeing experience on the movement patterns and work–to–rest ratio of rugby referees. It can also provide information for constructing specific training programmes and drills in the development of rugby match–required fitness standards for referees. A key component of a rugby union referee’s game is positioning. Being in the right place at the right time is vital. The results of this study suggest that movements associated with positioning ? namely standing still, walking and lateral movements are the major components of the game of referees’ movement during match–refereeing. However, further research is required on this topic of research. / Thesis (M.A. (Sport Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.