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.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how maximal power output (P[subscript max]), as measured via the inertial load technique, changes throughout a collegiate soccer season in relation to training load completed. Furthermore, this study also aimed to describe the time course of recovery of [maximal power output] following two collegiate soccer matches in one weekend. The current investigation involved two experimental periods. The first took place throughout the 2010 Big XII soccer season. Nineteen Division I female collegiate soccer players (19.9 ± 1.2 yrs, 165.1 ± 6.6 cm, 61.0 ± 6.8 kg) from the same collegiate soccer team completed regular inertial load testing and perceptual fatigue questionnaires throughout this study period. These athletes' training was not altered in any way by the investigators throughout the 2010 season. During the second experimental period, two off-season matches were played in one weekend during the 2011 off-season. Training was prescribed by coaches, with the aim of simulating an in-season training week. [Maximal power output] and perceptual fatigue responses were monitored every day throughout the second study period. All training and matches throughout the study were monitored via the session RPE method. The results demonstrated that STARTERS experience much greater load throughout the season than NON-STARTERS (p<0.05, 2247 ± 176 AU and 1585 ± 174 AU), accounted for by increased load experienced during matches. This increased training load throughout the season lead to a decline in [maximal power output] in STARTERS (to 92.3 ± 6%, p<0.05) whilst [maximal power output] was maintained in NON-STARTERS (p>0.05) for the duration of the season. Furthermore, STARTERS experienced greater muscle soreness throughout the in-season period compared to NON-STARTERS. During the second experimental period [maximal power output] declined (p<0.05, 93.3 ± 7%) two days following matches played on the weekend and remained reduced for three days. Notably, two heavy training days in the middle of the training week appeared to have detrimental effects on both [maximal power output] and perceptual fatigue responses. The main finding of this study is that [maximal power output] declined throughout the middle and latter parts of the season in STARTERS, after experiencing significantly greater training loads than NON-STARTERS throughout the season. The current findings, combined with previous investigations, suggest that the inertial load technique may be useful in monitoring fatigue in team sport athletes. / text

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Submitted by GABRIEL MOTTA PINHEIRO BRISOLA null (gabriel-brisola@hotmail.com) on 2016-11-18T17:48:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO ÚLTIMA VERSÃO.pdf: 3813641 bytes, checksum: c61ebbd4c02dd51b7b1ae87320fcf1d5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Felipe Augusto Arakaki (arakaki@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-11-24T15:09:44Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 brisola_gmp_me_rcla.pdf: 3813641 bytes, checksum: c61ebbd4c02dd51b7b1ae87320fcf1d5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-24T15:09:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 brisola_gmp_me_rcla.pdf: 3813641 bytes, checksum: c61ebbd4c02dd51b7b1ae87320fcf1d5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-29 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O objetivo geral do presente trabalho foi verificar o potencial ergogênico da suplementação por 4 semanas de β-alanina sobre a potência anaeróbia, habilidade de esforços repetidos e desempenho no polo aquático. 22 jogadores de elite do sexo masculino (média±dp: idade = 18±4 anos, peso = 78,5±9,5 kg e altura = 1,79±0,06 m) participaram do estudo, que foi conduzido de modo randomizado, duplo cego e placebo controlado. Os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos (β-alanina e placebo) de 11 atletas cada e foram submetidos a testes específicos (teste de habilidade de esforços repetidos (RSA) e teste máximo de 30s de salto sob o gol (30CJ)) e semi-específicos (teste de 30s máximo em nado atado (30ATADO), teste máximo de 3 minutos (All Out 3min), teste incremental máximo (GXTATADO) e performance de 200m em nado crawl (P200m)) para a modalidade e um jogo simulado para possibilitar o rastreamento das atividades realizadas por meio de filmagem. As avaliações ocorreram pré e após o período de suplementação (4 semanas). Não foram encontrados efeitos significativos de interação entre os grupos para nenhuma variável do presente estudo. No entanto, alguns ligeiros indícios de melhora com a suplementação de β-alanina foram encontrados como: (1) melhora significativa entre os momentos (pré × pós) no número total de sprints durante o jogo simulado de polo aquático; (2) efeito provavelmente benéfico (análise de inferência baseada na magnitude) para o tempo médio, pior tempo e tempo total na primeira série do teste de RSA (RSA1); (3) melhora significativa entre os momentos na força média e integral de força durante o teste 30ATADO e na P200m; (4) melhora significativa entre os momentos na força pico no teste GXTATADO. Portanto, conclui-se que a suplementação por 4 semanas de β-alanina pode promover apenas melhorar ligeiramente alguns parâmetros relacionados a habilidade de nado no polo aquático como número total de sprints em jogo simulado, tempo médio, pior tempo e tempo total no teste de RSA, força média e integral de força no 30ATADO, P200m e força crítica no GXTATADO. / The overall aim of this study was to investigate the ergogenic effect of 4 weeks β-alanine supplementation on the anaerobic power, ability to performed repeated efforts and performance of water polo. 22 male elite players (mean±SD age = 18±4 years, weight = 78.5±9.5 kg and height = 1.79±0.06 m) participated in the study, which was conducted in order randomized, double blind and placebo controlled. Participants were divided into two groups (β-alanine and placebo) of 11 athletes each and were subjected to specific tests (repeated sprint ability test (RSA) and maximum 30s jump under the goal test (30CJ)) and semi-specific (30s maximal test in tethered swimming (30TS), maximal 3 min effort (AllOut-3min), tethered swimming graded exercise test (GXTTS) and 200m in front crawl (P200m)) for the modality and a simulated game to enable tracking of the activities carried out by video record. Assessments occurred before and after the supplementation period (4 weeks). There were no significant interaction effects between the groups for any variable of this study. However, some slight improvement indications with β-alanine supplementation were found to: (1) significant improvement between moments (pre × post) the total number of sprints during the simulated game water polo; (2) probably beneficial effect (magnitude-based inference analysis) for the mean time, worst time and total time in the first series of the RSA test (RSA1); (3) significant improvement between moments for mean force and integral of force during the 30TS and P200m; (4) significant improvement between moments for peak power at GXTTS. Therefore, it is concluded that supplementation for 4 weeks of β-alanine can promote only slightly improve some parameters related to swimming ability in water polo as total number of sprints in simulated game, mean time, worst time and total time on test RSA, mean and integral of force in 30TS, P200m and critical force in GXTTS. / FAPESP: 2014/02186-7

A tomada de decisão diz respeito a um componente essencial para o desempenho de inúmeras habilidades motoras, principalmente aquelas que envolvem julgamentos e escolhas. Duas correntes teóricas se destacam nesse âmbito: uma, com foco nos níveis de experiência e conhecimento dos indivíduos e, outra, na percepção de variáveis físicas que refletem a coordenação interpessoal. No presente estudo ambas foram consideradas conjuntamente. Investigou-se como indivíduos de diferentes níveis de experiência, conhecimento e habilidade decidiam sobre o passe de bola com base em relações interpessoais angulares. Ângulo foi escolhido como variável coletiva em razão de capturar as relações interpessoais em situações de passes e interceptação de passes. Foram filmados dois jogos de futsal com jogadores experientes e inexperientes entre 13 e 14 anos de idade. As relações interpessoais angulares foram compostas por: ângulo A, interação de vetores ligando o portador da bola com seu marcador e seu companheiro de time; e, ângulo B, interação de vetores ligando o portador da bola com seu companheiro de time e o marcador dele. Essas relações angulares também foram consideradas em relação à taxa de mudança com base em velocidade e variabilidade. Todas as medidas foram calculadas com base nos deslocamentos dos jogadores adquiridos por meio do software TACTO, em relação às coordenadas x e y, numa frequência de 25 Hz. Os dados foram analisados através do teste U de Mann-Whitney, considerando-se o nível de significância de p<=0,05. Os resultados obtidos referentes aos níveis de experiência e de conhecimento não revelaram diferenças significativas em nenhuma das variáveis angulares. Já com relação ao nível de habilidade, diferenças significativas foram encontradas somente para a velocidade angular (B). No que diz respeito à efetividade do passe, os resultados revelaram que independente dos níveis de experiência, conhecimento e habilidade, os passes efetivos foram realizados com base no ângulo (B). Os resultados permitem concluir que os jogadores, independente dos níveis de experiência e de conhecimento, utilizaram as mesmas relações interpessoais angulares para realização do passe, e que o ângulo (B) foi aquele que influenciou na eficiência do passe / The decision-making is an essential component for the performance of a number of motor skills, meanly for those that involve judgments and choices. Two theoretical perspectives highlight in this context: one focusing on the levels of experience and knowledge of individuals, and another, on the perception of physical variables that reflect the interaction between individuals and their environments. In the present study both of them were considered together. We investigated how individuals with different levels of experience, knowledge and skill decided on the pass of the ball based on angular interpersonal interactions. The angle was chosen as collective variable due it be able to capture the interpersonal relationships in situations of passing and intercepting of passing. Two futsal games were filmed with experienced and inexperienced players between 13 and 14 years old. The angular interpersonal relationships were: angle A, passing vector angle to the ball carriernearest defender\'s vector; and angle B, vector angle to the ball carrier-teammate\'s nearest defender\'s vector. These angular relationships were also considered in relation to their rate of change based on velocity and variability. All measures were calculated based on the displacements of the players relative to the x and y coordinates, which were acquired through the TACTO software in a frequency of 25 Hz. The data have been analysed by the U teste of Mann-Whitney considering the level of significance p<=0.05. The results obtained related to the levels of experience and knowledge haven´t revealed significant differences in none of the angular variables. But considering the level of skill, significant differences have been found only towards the angular velocity (B). Regarding the effectiveness of the pass the results showed that despite the levels of experience, knowledge and skill, the effective pass been carried out based on angle (B). The results allow concluding that players, regardless of level of experience and knowledge, used the same angular interpersonal relationships for performing the pass. In addition, that the efficiency of passing was influenced by the angle (B)

The relative age effect (RAE) is associated with (dis)advantages in competitive sports. While the RAE in elite male soccer reveals a skewed birthdate distribution in relation to a certain cut-off date, research of RAE in elite female soccer is affected by small number of samples and conflicting results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the RAE in elite adult German soccer regarding gender and competition level. The sample comprised 680 female and 1,083 male players of the two top German leagues during the 2019/20 season and German national teams (A-Team to Under 19). Differences between the observed and expected birthdate distributions were analyzed using chisquare statistics and effect sizes followed by calculating odds ratios. Results showed a statistically significant RAE with small effect size across all players included for both genders (female players: P < 0.001, W = 0.16, male players: P < 0.001, W = 0.23). The identified RAE was based on an over-representation of players born at the beginning of the year. According to gender and competition level, RAEs were more pronounced in German male soccer. While significant RAEs were found among males in the first two leagues (first league: P < 0.001, W = 0.19, second league: P < 0.001, W = 0.26), the RAE of females was more pronounced in the second league (first league: P = 0.080, W = 0.16, second league: P = 0.002, W = 0.20). The analysis of RAE regarding the national teams revealed a statistically significant RAE with large effect size for only the youngest investigated age group of male players (Under 19: P = 0.022, W = 0.52). Our data show an RAE in female and male German adult soccer, which could be accompanied by a loss of valuable elite players during the youth phase of the career. Consequently, the pool of talented players at the adult level would be limited.

Thesis (PhD (Sport Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The aims of this study were (1) to determine the effect of concurrent respiratory muscle training (RMT) on respiratory muscle (RM) function and aerobic exercise performance in women competitive field hockey players, (2) to determine the effect and time duration of RM detraining on RM function in those who underwent RMT, and (3) to determine the predictors of RM strength and endurance in an athletic population. Twenty two women hockey players underwent a series of kinanthropometric and respiratory muscle function measurements, and were then randomly assigned to an experimental group (EXP, n = 15) who underwent concurrent RMT, and a control group (CON, n = 7) who underwent sham training. Twenty subjects took part in the RM detraining study. Significant improvements in pulmonary function and RM endurance (5 – 9%) were found in both groups after the HT-RMT and HT-ST interventions, while EXP also showed a significant improvement in RM strength variables (13% in MIP, 9% in MEP). MEF50% was the only variable that showed a significant difference in the changes over time after 20 weeks of DT between EXP and CON. RM strength in both groups remained relatively unchanged over the DT period. RM endurance in both groups remained unchanged after 9 weeks of DT, but decreased significantly after 20 weeks of DT in EXP. It was concluded that the intensity and duration of both the HT-RMT and HT-ST programmes were adequate to elicit training adaptations in the RM. In both groups there was a complete reversal in lung volumes after 9 weeks and a tendency of a reversal in RM endurance after 20 weeks of DT. It is suggested that a RMT programme should be incorporated every 9 weeks in the training schedule of field hockey players, to maintain improved RM function.

O objetivo da presente dissertação foi verificar o efeito da participação de jovens jogadores de futebol em competições com calendário congestionado (CC) nas medidas de desempenho físico, e comparar as acelerações (ACC), as desacelerações (DEC), a potência metabólica média (PM), distância total percorrida (DT) e distância percorrida em alta velocidade (DAV) em 24 jogadores de futebol juvenil (sub-15, n = 11 e sub-17, n = 13) expostos a campeonatos de CC e períodos regulares de calendário não congestionados (calendário regular; CR); como critério de retenção dos dados dos jogadores, adotou-se, a participação mínima de 75% do tempo total de jogo em cada partida. Adicionalmente as medidas de desempenho físico foram normalizadas pelo tempo de participação em minutos na partida. Foram analisados 10 jogos internacionais no formato de CC (5 para cada categoria), realizados durante 3 dias sucessivos, incluindo 2 dias com 2 jogos consecutivos jogados com intervalo de 4-5 horas; para estabelecer uma condição \"controle\", 10 jogos de CR, de cada categoria, foram analisados; os jogos de CR foram realizados com um intevalo de pelo menos 7 dias. Os jogadores usavam uma unidade GPS de 15 Hz com um acelerômetro triaxial de 100 Hz alocada em uma veste especial. Uma diferença classificada como digna de consideração (tamanho do efeito; TE> 0,20) entre CC e CR, foi observada para os parâmetros de desempenho físico ACC, DEC e PM, para sub-15 e sub-17, com valores mais elevados no CC. Enquanto que DT e DAV apresentaram valores superiores para CR, apenas para o sub-15. Contrariamente à hipótese levantada, os parâmetros de desempenho físico mostram que os jogadores juvenis de elite avaliados elevaram a intensidade do jogo quando participaram de torneio CC. Uma diminuição em ACC e DEC, do 1° tempo para o 2° tempo foi observada (sub-15 e sub-17) nos diferentes formatos de campeonato. No entanto, observou-se um aumento da PM do 1° tempo para o 2° tempo; com um aumento muito grande para ambas as categorias durante a CR; para o CC, a PM aumentou (1ª para a 2ª metade) para o sub-17, mas diminuiu para o sub-15. Os resultados do presente estudo, sugerem que os perfis de taxa de trabalho dos jogadores não são prejudicados no CC e que o desempenho físico aumentado nesse tipo de competição pode estar associado a uma estratégia de auto-regulação ou \"pacing\" da intensidade de realização das ações. Apesar das semelhanças para os dados de desempenho físico (sub-15 e sub-17), a PM para o sub-17 foi amplamente aumentada no CC (vs CR) em comparação com os valores de PM do sub-15; sugerindo assim, uma maior capacidade dos atletas, com um suposto nível mais elevado de treinamento (sub-17) em otimizar o desempenho físico neste tipo de competição. Estas informações podem servir como um meio alternativo e eficiente de representação do desempenho físico e auxiliar na organização de uma preparação específica de equipes participantes destes formatos de competições (CC); adicionalmente, os resultados indicam a importância de de considerar as medidas de ACC, DEC e PM na análise do desempenho físico de jovens jogadores, ao invés da utilização isolada de medidas relacionadas a DT e DAV / The aim of this study was to compare the physical performances in youth players during congested (CM) versus regular match (RM) schedules. The accelerations (ACC), decelerations (DEC), average metabolic power (MP), total distance covered (TD) and distance covered at high speed (HSD) were compared across congested match (CM; 10 international matches played over 3 successive days, including 2 days with 2 consecutive matches played with a 4-5 hr interval) and 10 regular non-congested match periods (RM), played with a 7-day interval between matches, in elite youth soccer players (U15, n=11; U17, n=13).; as criterion for retention of the players\' data, it was adopted, the minimum participation of 75% of the total match time of each game. In addition, all variables were normalized per min of on-field playing time. Each player wore a 15-Hz GPS unit coupled with a 100 Hz tri-axial accelerometer (SPI Elite, GPSports, Canberra, Australia A difference classified as worthy of consideration (effect size; ES > 0.20), between CM and RM, was observed for ACC, DEC and MP, for U15 and U17, with higher values in CM. While TD and HSD showed lower values for CM for u15. Contrary to the hypothesis, the relative values of the physical performance parameters were higher for CM. A decrease in ACC and DEC, from the 1st half to the 2nd half of the match was observed (U15 and U17) for both CM and RM. However, an increase in MP from the 1st half to the 2nd half of the match was observed; with a very large increase for both categories during the RM; during the CM, MP increased (1st half to the 2nd half) in the U7, but decreased in U15. The present findings suggest that the players work rate profiles are not impaired in CM and that the intensity of the match-play is increased in this type of competition, and might be associated to self-regulation or pacing strategy; despite the similarities for physical performance in U15 and U17), MP was largely increased in U17 during CM (vs CR) compared to U15; this result suggests that the higher the level of the conditioning, the greater the ability of the athlete in optimizing physical performance in this type of match schedule. This information can serve as an alternative and efficient means of representing physical performance and may help coaches to organize and monitor specific preparations of teams participating in these type of competitions (CM); additionally, the results indicate the importance of considering the ACC, DEC and MP measurements in the analysis of physical performance of young players, instead of using only measures related to total distance covered and distances covered at different speeds

O objetivo da presente dissertação foi verificar o efeito da participação de jovens jogadores de futebol em competições com calendário congestionado (CC) nas medidas de desempenho físico, e comparar as acelerações (ACC), as desacelerações (DEC), a potência metabólica média (PM), distância total percorrida (DT) e distância percorrida em alta velocidade (DAV) em 24 jogadores de futebol juvenil (sub-15, n = 11 e sub-17, n = 13) expostos a campeonatos de CC e períodos regulares de calendário não congestionados (calendário regular; CR); como critério de retenção dos dados dos jogadores, adotou-se, a participação mínima de 75% do tempo total de jogo em cada partida. Adicionalmente as medidas de desempenho físico foram normalizadas pelo tempo de participação em minutos na partida. Foram analisados 10 jogos internacionais no formato de CC (5 para cada categoria), realizados durante 3 dias sucessivos, incluindo 2 dias com 2 jogos consecutivos jogados com intervalo de 4-5 horas; para estabelecer uma condição \"controle\", 10 jogos de CR, de cada categoria, foram analisados; os jogos de CR foram realizados com um intevalo de pelo menos 7 dias. Os jogadores usavam uma unidade GPS de 15 Hz com um acelerômetro triaxial de 100 Hz alocada em uma veste especial. Uma diferença classificada como digna de consideração (tamanho do efeito; TE> 0,20) entre CC e CR, foi observada para os parâmetros de desempenho físico ACC, DEC e PM, para sub-15 e sub-17, com valores mais elevados no CC. Enquanto que DT e DAV apresentaram valores superiores para CR, apenas para o sub-15. Contrariamente à hipótese levantada, os parâmetros de desempenho físico mostram que os jogadores juvenis de elite avaliados elevaram a intensidade do jogo quando participaram de torneio CC. Uma diminuição em ACC e DEC, do 1° tempo para o 2° tempo foi observada (sub-15 e sub-17) nos diferentes formatos de campeonato. No entanto, observou-se um aumento da PM do 1° tempo para o 2° tempo; com um aumento muito grande para ambas as categorias durante a CR; para o CC, a PM aumentou (1ª para a 2ª metade) para o sub-17, mas diminuiu para o sub-15. Os resultados do presente estudo, sugerem que os perfis de taxa de trabalho dos jogadores não são prejudicados no CC e que o desempenho físico aumentado nesse tipo de competição pode estar associado a uma estratégia de auto-regulação ou \"pacing\" da intensidade de realização das ações. Apesar das semelhanças para os dados de desempenho físico (sub-15 e sub-17), a PM para o sub-17 foi amplamente aumentada no CC (vs CR) em comparação com os valores de PM do sub-15; sugerindo assim, uma maior capacidade dos atletas, com um suposto nível mais elevado de treinamento (sub-17) em otimizar o desempenho físico neste tipo de competição. Estas informações podem servir como um meio alternativo e eficiente de representação do desempenho físico e auxiliar na organização de uma preparação específica de equipes participantes destes formatos de competições (CC); adicionalmente, os resultados indicam a importância de de considerar as medidas de ACC, DEC e PM na análise do desempenho físico de jovens jogadores, ao invés da utilização isolada de medidas relacionadas a DT e DAV / The aim of this study was to compare the physical performances in youth players during congested (CM) versus regular match (RM) schedules. The accelerations (ACC), decelerations (DEC), average metabolic power (MP), total distance covered (TD) and distance covered at high speed (HSD) were compared across congested match (CM; 10 international matches played over 3 successive days, including 2 days with 2 consecutive matches played with a 4-5 hr interval) and 10 regular non-congested match periods (RM), played with a 7-day interval between matches, in elite youth soccer players (U15, n=11; U17, n=13).; as criterion for retention of the players\' data, it was adopted, the minimum participation of 75% of the total match time of each game. In addition, all variables were normalized per min of on-field playing time. Each player wore a 15-Hz GPS unit coupled with a 100 Hz tri-axial accelerometer (SPI Elite, GPSports, Canberra, Australia A difference classified as worthy of consideration (effect size; ES > 0.20), between CM and RM, was observed for ACC, DEC and MP, for U15 and U17, with higher values in CM. While TD and HSD showed lower values for CM for u15. Contrary to the hypothesis, the relative values of the physical performance parameters were higher for CM. A decrease in ACC and DEC, from the 1st half to the 2nd half of the match was observed (U15 and U17) for both CM and RM. However, an increase in MP from the 1st half to the 2nd half of the match was observed; with a very large increase for both categories during the RM; during the CM, MP increased (1st half to the 2nd half) in the U7, but decreased in U15. The present findings suggest that the players work rate profiles are not impaired in CM and that the intensity of the match-play is increased in this type of competition, and might be associated to self-regulation or pacing strategy; despite the similarities for physical performance in U15 and U17), MP was largely increased in U17 during CM (vs CR) compared to U15; this result suggests that the higher the level of the conditioning, the greater the ability of the athlete in optimizing physical performance in this type of match schedule. This information can serve as an alternative and efficient means of representing physical performance and may help coaches to organize and monitor specific preparations of teams participating in these type of competitions (CM); additionally, the results indicate the importance of considering the ACC, DEC and MP measurements in the analysis of physical performance of young players, instead of using only measures related to total distance covered and distances covered at different speeds

Repeat sprint ability has been investigated thoroughly, however optimal training methodology to improve RSA remains elusive. Both kinetic and physiological viewpoints have been used to scrutinize aspects of RSA including, initial sprint performance (anaerobic power), maximal cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), lactate threshold, anaerobic capacity (mean power), muscle activation (EMG), and local muscle oxygenation kinetics. To our knowledge no study has utilized maximal strength levels as a separate factor among a homogenous group of cardiorespiratory fitness individuals (as determined by peak VO2 during RSA). The purpose of this study was to better understand the relationship between maximal strength, muscular characteristics, and cycling RSA- respective to muscle oxygenation responses. Fifteen participants completed fifteen 10-second maximal effort sprints on a cycle ergometer interspersed with 30-seconds passive recovery. Respiratory, muscle oxygenation, and kinetic responses were monitored continuously and evaluated relationships with maximal strength and muscular architecture as determined by isometric mid-thigh pull and ultrasonography respectively. A series of 2 x 15 mixed design, group x time, ANOVA’s were used to evaluate the effects of group and or sprint on muscle oxygenation kinetics. Strong individuals were found to have significantly greater levels of muscle oxygenation usage, recovery and the respective rates; p = 0.01, p = 0.02, p