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- Characterization of Static Strength, Vertical Jumping, and Isokinetic Strength in Soccer Players According to Age, Competitive Level, and Field PositionPublication . Gouveia, JoĂŁo Nuno; França, CĂntia; Martins, Francisco; Henriques, Ricardo; Nascimento, Marcelo de Maio; Ihle, Andreas; Sarmento, Hugo; Przednowek, Krzysztof; Martinho, Diogo V.; Gouveia, Élvio RĂşbio: Muscular strength is strongly related to speed and agility tasks, which have been described as the most decisive actions preceding goals in the soccer game. This study aimed to characterize the players’ strength indicators and to analyze the variation associated with age, competition level, and positional role. Eighty-three male soccer players from A team (n = 22), B team (n = 17), U-23 (n = 19), and U-19 (n = 25) participated in this study. Handgrip strength was assessed using a hand dynamometer (Jamar Plus+), countermovement jump (CMJ) and the squat jump (SJ) were evaluated using Optojump Next, and a Biodex System 4 Pro Dynamometer was used to assess the isokinetic strength of knee extension/flexion. Team A players showed increased lower-body strength compared to their peers, mainly through their increased vertical jumping capacity (i.e., CMJ and SJ; ps < 0.019), and superior performance in isokinetic assessments (i.e., peak torque, total work, and average power). Overall, older players outperformed their younger peers regarding vertical jumping, static strength, and average power in isokinetic strength (ps < 0.005). This study emphasizes the superior strength levels of professional soccer players compared with their lower-division peers, even after controlling by age. This information is of great value to sports agents and coaches, underlining the need to design and include strength-specific content during soccer training.
- Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Madeira YouthPublication . Martinho, Diogo V.; Gouveia, Élvio RĂşbio; França, CĂntia; Lopes, Helder; Ihle, Andreas; Marques, Adilson; Rodrigues, Ana; Alves, Ricardo; Sarmento, HugoResearch on composition and physical fitness is lacking in school-aged children from Madeira. This study aimed to examine the frequencies of overweight and obese participants and, in addition, to compare the fitness levels of Madeira youth with reference data. Methods: The sample comprised 521 participants (n = 258 boys; n = 263 girls) aged 10.0–18.9 years old. Methods: Height and weight were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and percent fat was derived from skinfolds. Tests detailed on FITESCOLA battery were performed. BMI was plotted against U.S. reference data and physical assessment contrasted with the cut-off points of FITESCOLA protocol and corresponding data developed in Portuguese youth. Results: The percentages of overweight and obesity were 15% (overweight) and 14% (obesity) for boys and 16% (overweight) and 6% (obesity) for girls. The median values of fat mass percentage were closely related to the cut-off standards; however, substantial variation was noted. Boys and girls tended to be below the recommendations of cardiorespiratory fitness. Conclusions: Sport participation should be promoted in Madeira to attain acceptable values of body composition and physical fitness levels.
- Changes in Estimated Body Composition and Physical Fitness of Adolescent Boys after One Year of Soccer TrainingPublication . França, CĂntia; Martinho, Diogo V.; Gouveia, Élvio RĂşbio; Martins, Francisco; Marques, Adilson; Ribeiro, Tiago; Nascimento, Marcelo de Maio; Lopes, Helder; Rodrigues, Ana; Ihle, AndreasSports participation is one of the most popular forms of physical activity among youngsters. This study aimed to examine the changes in the estimated body composition, strength, and flexibility of adolescent boys after 12 months of soccer training compared with those of age-matched controls with non-sports participation. We assessed 137 boys (62 soccer players and 75 controls) at baseline (TM1) and 12 months later (TM2). The differences in estimated body composition, strength, and flexibility were investigated using a repeated measure analysis of variance. The analysis revealed a significant main effect of soccer training on fat mass (F = 73.503, p ≤ 0.01, η2 = 0.59) and fat-free mass (F = 39.123, p ≤ 0.01, η2 = 0.48). Over time, the soccer group decreased their fat mass and increased their fat-free mass, while the opposite results were observed for the controls. Among physical fitness tests, a substantial effect of soccer training was evidenced for the sit-up performance (F = 16.224, p ≤ 0.01, η2 = 0.32). Regarding the time factor, significant effects were noted for height and handgrip strength. No significant differences were detected for flexibility. Overall, the benefits of soccer training were exhibited by the larger improvements in fat mass, fat-free mass, sit-ups, and handgrip strength performance, underlining the important role of soccer participation during adolescence.
- A systematic review of the physical, physiological, nutritional and anthropometric profiles of soccer refereesPublication . Martinho, Diogo V.; Field, Adam; Rebelo, André; Gouveia, Élvio R.; Sarmento, HugoBackground The importance of soccer referees is widely accepted by international soccer organizations and gov erning bodies, although there is little research summarizing and appraising the literature on soccer referees. The aim of this study was to systematically review the information related to physical demands, nutrition and physiological profling of soccer referees. Methods Conforming with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guide lines, searches of three electronic databases (Web of Sciences, PubMed and Scopus) were conducted on 24 April 2022. The following search terms were used: (Soccer OR football AND refer*) AND (physical OR physiolo* OR load* OR “body composition” OR “fat mass” OR “fat free mass” OR “body size” OR “nutrition*” OR “nutritional assessment” OR “nutritional intake” OR “macronutrient*” OR “micronutrient*”). The inclusion criteria of the manuscripts written in English were that articles with male and/or female soccer referees and included relevant data concerning perfor mance, physical testing, nutrition, body composition, body size and/or physiology of soccer referees. The tools devel oped by the National Institute of Health were used to assess risk of bias according to the study design. Results In total, 110 manuscripts were included in the present review. Match activities of soccer referees and assis tant referees are not comparable. Variation in performance is infuenced by competitive level and competitive sched ules. Additionally, match performance is often used to validate feld protocols. The associations between match indi cators and feld protocols were not constant across the included studies, particularly in short-maximal tests. An age decline in physical performance was not conclusive. Body size did not discriminate between referees and assistant referees, as well as referees of diferent competitive levels. Few studies focused on nutritional guidelines among refer ees, particularly exercise energy expenditure. Energy intake was comparable across studies, but referees did not follow the daily dietary recommendations. Aerobic output was frequently assessed, and it was not comparable to the values for soccer players. Conclusions Although there are decreases in the running profles of older referees, they maintain the same dis tances from the ball, and thus, age per se should not be used to defne participation at the international level. The assessment of physical ftness warrants future consideration given the levels of fatigue that are apparent at the end of matches. In order to attain ideal levels of body composition, future studies need to provide guidelines for daily energy expenditure and nutritional intake.
- The Impact of Different Pedagogical Models on Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity in Physical Education ClassesPublication . Gouveia, Élvio RĂşbio; Lizandra, Jorge; Martinho, Diogo V.; França, CĂntia; Ihle, Andreas; Sarmento, Hugo; Antunes, HĂ©lio; Correia, Ana Luisa; Lopes, Helder; Marques, AdilsonThe aims of this study were twofold: (i) to examine differences in physical activity (PA) variables regarding the length of Physical Education (PE) lessons (45 vs. 90 min) and teaching methodology (Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) or hybrid TGfU-sports education (SE)); and (ii) to estimate the percentage of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous (MV) PA assessed via an accelerometer based on total step count, BMI, age, and sex, considering the pedagogical models and the class length. This study was carried out in three classes of invasion games in PE. Two classes were taught based on TGfU (44 students, 18 males, 12.6 ± 0.55), and one was taught based on a hybrid TGfU-SE (17 students, 9 males, 13.7 ± 0.90). The same students were assessed twice, first in a 45 min class and then in a 90 min class. The students’ MVPA was assessed using the Actigraph GT3X Activity Monitor. The results revealed significant differences in PA intensity regarding the length of the PE lesson (45 vs. 90 min) and the teaching methodology. The 45 min classes using TGfU were more intense and had less sedentary time than the 90 min classes. When using a hybrid TGfU-SE, the 90 min classes had higher intensities than the 45 min classes. Generally, when comparing the two types of pedagogical intervention, the TGfU model provided more active lessons and less sedentary time in class than a hybrid TGfU-SE. The TGfU model is more profitable for increasing MVPA in class. Due to the issues related to the organization and management of sports practice in class, several recommendations for maximizing MVPA in a hybrid TGfU-SE class must be considered.