This study compared traditional rugby union (RU) games to a modified small-sided game (SSG) aimed at improving opportunity for physical activity and enjoyment in children. Twenty-six school rugby players (aged 10 y) played 10 RU matches. Five traditional games on a full-sized field with 10–12 players per team and five SSG on a modified field with seven players per team. Movement patterns, enjoyment, involvements (e.g., possessions, passes, tackles, rucks and tries), and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) was measured at the end of each game and used to calculate game load (sRPE x duration). Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Individuals covered greater distances (total, low and high speed) overall and relatively (per min) and had higher HR whilst playing traditional format RU. Despite covering greater distances, perceived exertion and game load were similar and importantly, enjoyment was high for both game formats. Individual player match involvements (overall and relative possessions and passes, and relative tackles) were higher in SSG. Given that players enjoyed both game formats, movement pattern and physiological data suggest traditional games may be more suitable for improving physical activity and fitness, while individual involvement data suggest SSG may be more suitable for improving opportunities for participation and skill development.

ABSTRACT:De Marco, K, Goods, PSR, Baldwin, KM, Hiscock, DJ, and Scott, BR. Resistance training prescription during planned deloading periods: A survey of strength and conditioning coaches across varying sporting codes. J Strength Cond Res 38(12): 2099-2106, 2024-The aim of this study was to investigate the resistance training (RT) prescription practices of strength and conditioning coaches throughout 4 common planned deloading periods (taper, competitive season, tournament, and travel). An anonymous online survey was shared globally to coaches, with data from 204 subjects included in analysis (current level of athlete coached: world class n = 68, elite/international n = 62, highly trained n = 64, trained n = 10). Coaches only provided answers about prescription for deloading periods, which they reported encountering. Where a coach indicated not prescribing RT for specific deloading periods, they detailed any barriers preventing RT prescription. Weekly deload RT prescription was typically reported as follows: 1-2 sessions, 30-60 minutes, 1-3 sets, 1-6 repetitions, and between 60 and 84% 1 repetition maximum. Most coaches reported decreasing volume during all deloading periods (taper: 89.1% [163/183 respondents], competitive season: 70.4% [133/189], tournament: 84.1% [74/88], travel: 74.6% [88/118]), with the most common reduction in RT volume reported as 0-25%. Most coaches also decreased intensity during a taper (52.9% [82/155]), tournament (54.8% [40/73]), and travel (53.6% [52/97]), with a 0-25% reduction the most common. Travel had the highest incidence of coaches not prescribing RT (38.5% [75/195]). The most cited barriers by these subjects were "scheduling/time" (60.0% [45/75]) and "lack of equipment and facilities" (57.3% [43/75]), which were also common in other periods. To address common barriers experienced by coaches, researchers should investigate time-efficient RT strategies requiring minimal equipment for periods of planned deloading to maintain training stimulus.

Purpose : This study examined performance and physiological adaptations following 3 weeks of repeated-sprint training (RST) with blood-flow restriction (BFR) or without (non-BFR). Methods : Twenty-six semiprofessional and amateur adult male team-sport players were assessed for repeated-sprint ability, anaerobic capacity, leg lean mass, neuromuscular function, and maximal aerobic capacity before and after RST. Participants completed 9 cycling RST sessions (3 sets of 5–7 × 5-s sprints, 25-s passive recovery, 3-min rest) over a 3-week period with BFR or non-BFR. Results : During RST sessions, the BFR group demonstrated lower mean power output compared with non-BFR (−14.5%; g = 1.48; P = .001). Significant improvements ( P < .05) in mean and peak power output during repeated-sprint ability (+4.1%; g = 0.42, and + 2.2%; g = 0.25, respectively) and anaerobic capacity (+4.8%; g = 0.47, and + 4.7%; g = 0.32, respectively) tests, leg lean mass (+2.0%; g = 0.16), and peak aerobic power (+3.3%; g = 0.25) were observed from pretesting to posttesting without any between-groups differences. No significant changes ( P > .05) were observed for maximal isometric voluntary contraction and maximal aerobic capacity. Peak rate of force development decreased ( P = .003) in both groups following RST (−14.6%; g = 0.65), without any between-groups differences. Conclusions : Repeated-sprint ability, anaerobic capacity, leg lean mass, and peak aerobic power improved following 3 weeks of RST; however, the addition of BFR did not further enhance adaptations. Interestingly, comparable improvements were achieved between groups despite lower external loads experienced during RST sessions with BFR.

Cuong Le, C, Ma'ayah, F, Nosaka, K, Hiscock, D, and Latella, C. Effects of high-intensity position-specific drills on physical and technical skill performance in elite youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 37(5): e332-e340, 2023-Soccer physical preparation has been extensively researched with previous emphasis on high-intensity interval running and small-sided games. However, neither approach considers positional differences. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and short-term effects of a novel position-specific conditioning training (PSCT) paradigm on physical and technical abilities of young soccer players. Fifteen male Vietnamese professional youth soccer players (16.1 +/- 0.4 years, 171.7 +/- 4.8 cm, 63.9 +/- 3.8 kg) undertook a 3-week control period followed by a 3-week intervention with PSCT drills performed twice per week. Position-specific conditioning training comprised purposely designed drills for attackers, defenders, and wingers, respectively. The intensity and duration were the same for all drills (4 x 4 minutes at similar to 90% heart rate maximum [HRmax], separated by a 4-minute recovery at 70% HRmax) but differed in the technical and tactical actions performed. Outcome measures included Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1, repeated sprint ability, 10-m and 30-m sprint time, and the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test for technical skills in a fatigued and nonfatigued state. Position-specific conditioning training drills induced a desirable intensity for effective conditioning purpose (89.0 +/- 2.1% HRmax) with low interplayer variability (coefficient of variation = 2.4%). Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 performance improved (p < 0.05) after the control (Delta 178.7 +/- 203.3 m) and intervention (Delta 176.0 +/- 225.7 m) periods without a difference between. These results confirmed the feasibility of PSCT as a novel high-intensity training approach for soccer players. Improvements in aerobic capacity were noted, despite no effect on other physical and technical measures. PSCT may be suitable for individual training, return-to-play stages of rehabilitation, during off-season, or in academy settings when time is not a constraint.

This study aimed to determine if children playing field hockey small-sided games (SSG) have different levels of physiological, performance and perceptual responses, compared to traditional hockey. Fifteen school hockey players (10–12 y) played eight matches over four months. Traditional games (n = 4) were played on a full-sized pitch with 11 players per team, and SSG were played as two-separate games (n = 8), with 7 players per team on a half-field pitch. Heart rate, movement data and match involvement were collected during the game. Participants were asked their session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) and completed an enjoyment questionnaire. There were more possessions per player in the SSG format compared to traditional (53.9 ± 2.5 vs. 36.8 ± 6.5, [ d = 3.83]). Number of shots on goal, total goals, penalty corners and circle penetrations were increased in SSG compared to traditional games ( d = 1.11–1.83). Mean and maximum heart rate, sRPE, enjoyment, total distance run, meters per minute, distance run at low velocity and high velocity were similar for both formats, with no significant difference between them. SSG increased match involvements, allowing more participation than the traditional format, without compromising the physiological (e.g. heart rate), performance (e.g. total distance) and perceptual (e.g. sRPE) workload.

ABSTRACT This study examined the influence of differing volume load and intensity (%1 repetition maximum[%1RM]) resistance exercise workouts on session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and endocrine responses. Twelve participants performed a workout comprising four exercises (bench press, back squat, deadlift and prone bench pull) in randomised order as either power (POW); 3 sets × 6 repetitions at 45%1RM × 3 min inter-set rest, strength (ST); 3 sets × 3 repetitions at 90%1RM × 3 min inter-set rest, or hypertrophy (HYP); 3 sets × 10 repetitions at 70%1RM × 1 min inter-set rest in a randomised-crossover design. CMJ performance and endocrine responses were measured immediately pre-, post-, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h post-exercise. POW sRPE (3.0 ± 1.0) was lower than ST (4.5 ± 1.0) (P = 0.01), and both were lower than HYP (8.5 ± 1.0) (P = 0.01). Duration of CMJ decrement was longer (P ≤ 0.05) for HYP (72 h) compared to POW (12 h) and ST (24 h). Testosterone concentration was greater (P ≤ 0.05) immediately post-exercise in HYP compared to POW and ST. In conclusion, less inter-set rest, greater volume load and intensity (%1RM) may increase sRPE, duration of CMJ performance decrement and testosterone responses in resistance exercise.

Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE: 0-10) during resistance training with varying programming demands were examined. Blood lactate (BLa) and muscle activation (using surface electromyography: EMG) were measured as potential mediators of RPE responses. Participants performed three sets of single arm (preferred side) bicep curls at 70% of 1 repetition maximum over 4 trials: Trial (A) 3 sets × 8 repetitions × 120 s recovery between sets; (B) 3 sets × 8 repetitions × 240 s recovery; (C) 3 sets × maximum number of repetitions (MNR) × 120 s recovery; (D) 3 sets × MNR × 240 s recovery. Overall body (RPE-O) and active muscle (RPE-AM) perceptual responses were assessed following each set in each trial. Biceps brachii and brachioradialis muscle EMG was measured during each set for each trial. RPE-O and RPE-AM were not different between Trial A (3.5 ± 1 and 6 ± 1, respectively) and Trial B (3.5 ± 1 and 5.5 ± 1, respectively) (p < .05). However, RPE-AM was significantly greater in Trial C (7.5 ± 1.5) and Trial D (7.5 ± 1.5) than in Trial B (p < .05). There were no significant differences in muscle activation or BLa between trials; however, work rate (tonnage/min) was greater in Trials C and D compared to Trial B. In conclusion, BLa and muscle activation were not related to RPE, but resistance training variables, such as work rate, may impact on RPE when intensity (%1RM) and the number of sets completed remain constant.

Purpose: To determine the relationship between distance covered and player load (PL: sum of accelerations in all 3 planes of movement) in hockey training and competition. Methods: Elite male hockey players (N = 24) wore player-tracking devices in 7 international matches and 7 training sessions. Players were arranged in 4 positional groups (strikers, attacking midfielders, defensive midfielders, defenders) in competition but had generic roles in training. Relationships between distance and PL were assessed in both absolute (m, AU) and relative (m/min, AU/min) terms and were compared between matches and training and between positions within matches, using the Fisher Z test. Results: In competition, the absolute distance PL relationship was very large overall (r = .868), with no differences between positions. The relative distance PL relationship was moderate overall (r = .486) and weaker in strikers than in defensive midfielders (Z = 1.785, P = .037) and defenders (Z = 1.690, P = .045). In training, the absolute distance PL relationship was very large (r = .742), and large (r = .633) in relative terms. The relationship was stronger in competition than training for absolute values (Z = 2.824, P = .005) but not different for relative values. Conclusions: The strong relationship between these variables suggests that PL in hockey is mostly accumulated through running and other locomotor actions, such that PL is not effective in quantifying other activities (evasion, low stance) that contribute to physiological demands, particularly in training.

This study examined the influence of intensity (% 1 repetition maximum [1RM]), tonnage (sets x repetitions x load), rate of fatigue (percentage decrement in repetitions from set to set), work rate (total tonnage per unit of time), rest interval (time between sets), time under load, and session duration on session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE: Borg's CR-10 scale). Here, participants performed a standardized lifting session of 5 exercises (bench press, leg press, lat pulldown, leg curl, and triceps pushdown) as either: (a) x sets x 8 repetitions x 3-minute recovery at 70% 1RM, (b) x sets x 14 repetitions x 3-minute recovery at 40% 1RM, (c) 3 sets x MNR (maximum number of repetitions) x 1-minute recovery at 70% 1RM, (d) 3 sets x MNR x 3-minute recovery at 70% 1RM, (e) 3 sets x MNR x 1-minute recovery at 40% 1RM, or (f) 3 sets x MNR x 3-minute recovery at 40% 1RM. The sRPE for session A (4 +/- 1) was significantly higher than session B (2.5 +/- 1), despite matched tonnage. Protocols involving MNR showed no significant difference in sRPE. Work rate was the only variable to significantly relate with sRPE (r = 0.45). Additionally, sRPE at 15-minute postexercise (5 +/- 2) was not different to 30-minute postexercise (5 +/- 2). In resistance training with matched tonnage and rest duration between sets, sRPE increases with intensity. In sets to volitional failure, sRPE is likely to be similar, regardless of intensity or rest duration between sets.

This study examined the relationship between game movements and team and individual performance in Australian football. Movement data (GPS) was collected from 30 elite players from one club in 17 matches during the 2011 season. Selected movement variables were related to individual (possession number, Champion Data© player rankings and pressure points) and team [quarter points (scored) margin] performance indicators. Playing position (nomadic vs. key position), years of experience, game location (home/away), environmental conditions (wet/dry), time of day (day/night), break between games (6-12 days), quarter number (1-4) and quarter score (+/-) margin were also analysed. Overall, some small-moderate (but inconsistent) positive relationships between individual movement data and performance indicators were observed. Nomadic players had higher movement profiles and performance indicators than key position, whilst players with 7+ years’ experience recorded lower movement profiles than 1-3 and 4-6 years, but were only lower in performance in pressure points. min-1. Dry vs. wet (one exception), home vs. away and day vs. night, saw no differences in movements or performance. A 12 day turnaround saw higher movement profiles and performance indicators than for 6-8 days. For team performance, few moderate, inverse relationships were found between quarter points (scored) margin and movement profiles.