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Team Sports: Health, Fitness & Performance

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Sport and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (12 April 2023) | Viewed by 20082

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. GDOT Research Group, Faculty of Sport, Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30107 Murcia, Spain
2. Instituto Mediterraneo de Estudios de Protocolo, 03003 Alicante, Spain
Interests: beach sports; beach handball; team sports; training monitoring; sport management; sport events
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the field of team sports, there is increasing concern for the integral health of the athlete, as it has been shown that it directly affects their sporting performance. For this reason, this Special Issue will cover research into different areas of sports performance in team sports: resistance or endurance training, recovery, nutrition, mental health, etc. In addition, studies on the evaluation of the individual performance of athletes and referees through the use of technology and big data will be considered. We invite articles describing the following: 

  • Fitness performance analysis in team sports: internal and external load
  • Exercise physiology and health
  • Psychological demands and mental health in team sports performance
  • New technologies for sport performance.

Dr. Juan Antonio Sánchez Sáez
Dr. Javier Sanchez-Sanchez
Dr. Alejandro Martínez-Rodríguez
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • physical fitness
  • training load and control
  • exercise intensity
  • refereeing
  • injury prevention
  • bone health
  • performance analysis
  • nutrition
  • health in performance sport
  • sport setting

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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14 pages, 1681 KiB  
Article
Differences in Psychological Variables and the Performance of Female Futsal Players according to Playing Position, Match Result and Menstruation
by Trinidad Rico-Lara, Adrián Mateo-Orcajada, Lucía Abenza-Cano, Francisco Esparza-Ros and Raquel Vaquero-Cristóbal
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(8), 5429; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085429 - 7 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2364
Abstract
Futsal performance has been extensively investigated in previous studies, demonstrating that the psychological state of the players or the playing position condition performance. However, research with female indoor soccer players is scarce; therefore, menstruation has not been considered as a determinant aspect for [...] Read more.
Futsal performance has been extensively investigated in previous studies, demonstrating that the psychological state of the players or the playing position condition performance. However, research with female indoor soccer players is scarce; therefore, menstruation has not been considered as a determinant aspect for performance in females. Previous research has shown the influence of menstruation on the psychological state and performance of players of different sports; however, there is no known research on female futsal players. For this reason, the aims of the present research were to establish the differences in pre-match psychological variables and offensive performance as a function of playing position, match result and menstruation. A total of 132 s division Spanish players participated in the research. All participants completed the Questionnaire of Psychological Needs of the Athlete-15, and their regular league matches were recorded and subsequently analyzed to determine their offensive performance. The results showed differences according to playing position: pivots and closers showed greater motivation than wings, while the pivots showed greater activation and shots on goal than the wings and closers. Regarding match results, pivots demonstrated more shots on goals than closers only when the match was lost. In addition, the motivation and activation of the pivots, as well as the number of shots on goal, were higher than that of the wings and closers only when they were not menstruating. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Team Sports: Health, Fitness & Performance)
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16 pages, 734 KiB  
Article
Changes in Body Composition and Motor Fitness of Young Female Volleyball Players in an Annual Training Cycle
by Adrian Sieroń, Aleksandra Stachoń and Jadwiga Pietraszewska
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2473; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032473 - 30 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2560
Abstract
Background: Modern volleyball requires a high level of motor preparation, specific body build and optimal body composition. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine changes in body build, body composition and motor skills in young volleyball female players during an annual [...] Read more.
Background: Modern volleyball requires a high level of motor preparation, specific body build and optimal body composition. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine changes in body build, body composition and motor skills in young volleyball female players during an annual training cycle. Methods: The research group was comprised of 36 female athletes aged 14–16 years, who were monitored throughout a whole season using a longitudinal study design. Body composition was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Motor fitness was assessed with the following tests: vertical jumping tests (based on one-handed and two-handed reach, standing vertical jump and running vertical jump), standing long jump and 2 kg medicine ball throw. Measurements were carried out at the beginning of the preparatory period, after its completion, in the middle of the start period, at the end of the start period and during transition periods. Results: The study showed significant changes in body composition and motor fitness level during the annual training cycle. These changes differ in subsequent periods of the macrocycle. The most pronounced changes occurred after the preparatory period and concerned increases in fat-free mass, total water content and cell mass. A significant reduction in fat content was also noted at this point. Conclusions: Systematic monitoring of morpho-functional changes in young female volleyball players over extended periods provides them a chance to maintain their optimal fitness level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Team Sports: Health, Fitness & Performance)
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12 pages, 368 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Visual Skills between Federated and Non-Federated Athletes
by Miguel Ángel Sánchez-Tena, Xabier Rodríguez-Alonso, Clara Martinez-Perez, José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera, Vicente J. Clemente-Suárez, Celia Sanchez-Ramos and Cristina Alvarez-Peregrina
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1047; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021047 - 6 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2119
Abstract
Background: To perform motor tasks, athletes must gather a considerable amount of visual information quickly. Evidence shows that visual skills vary between athletes and non-athletes, and impact athletic performance. However, there is no scientific evidence suggesting that there are any differences between the [...] Read more.
Background: To perform motor tasks, athletes must gather a considerable amount of visual information quickly. Evidence shows that visual skills vary between athletes and non-athletes, and impact athletic performance. However, there is no scientific evidence suggesting that there are any differences between the visual skills of federated and non-federated athletes. As such, the objective of this paper was to compare how visual skills influence the sports performance of federated and non-federated athletes, respectively. Methods: A visual examination has been conducted on a total of 52 athletes between 18 and 37 years of age. The COI-Sport Vision system screen (International Optometry Center, Madrid, Spain) was used to examine static visual acuity, dynamic visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, stereopsis, fixation disparity, visual memory, identification, anticipation time, peripheral awareness, and hand-eye coordination. Results: On average, federated athletes train more hours per day than non-federated athletes (1.4 ± 0.8) (p = 0.046). A significant correlation was observed between the average time of visual memory (β = −0.0683, p < 0.001), the average time of anticipation (β = 0.006, p = 0.009), the average time of peripheral awareness (β = 0.026, p = 0.002), hand-eye coordination (β = 0.028, p = 0.004), dynamic visual acuity (β = 0.055, p < 0.001), and the number of training hours. Conclusion: Results suggest that federated athletes are more concerned about their ocular health. Nonetheless, no differences were found in the oculomotor skills of both groups. Further investigation is required to consider each sport discipline individually. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Team Sports: Health, Fitness & Performance)
21 pages, 2141 KiB  
Article
Physical Fitness as a Predictor of Performance during Competition in Professional Women’s Basketball Players
by Sergio J. Ibáñez, María Isabel Piñar, David García and David Mancha-Triguero
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 988; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20020988 - 5 Jan 2023
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2560
Abstract
The evaluation of physical fitness in team sports is enjoying greater importance in the training of professional teams. The objectives of this research were to characterize physical fitness and game indicators based on the game position. This is an empirical study, with a [...] Read more.
The evaluation of physical fitness in team sports is enjoying greater importance in the training of professional teams. The objectives of this research were to characterize physical fitness and game indicators based on the game position. This is an empirical study, with a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional methodology. In addition, different relationships between the level of physical fitness and the game indicators during the competition were determined. Finally, a predictive analysis of the selected variables was carried out in order to know the importance of the variables in the performance and at what time of the season they had the greatest impact. For this, a professional female basketball team (n = 12) with a mean age of 25.25 ± 7.617 years, height 178.25 ± 9.206 cm and a body mass of 72.33 ± 11.657 kg was analyzed. Each player was equipped with a WIMUPRO inertial device, and all competition statistics were analyzed. The results obtained show that there were no differences among all the skills evaluated and game indicators depending on the game position. Likewise, a relationship was determined between the level of physical fitness and the technical–tactical contribution, being different between different times of the season. Moreover, physical fitness only predicted the player’s final performance in the competition for female player centers in the first and second rounds of the championship, and for forwards in the first round. Four physical-physiological profiles with contributions to the different ones during the competition were also determined. Finally, three groups of female players by playing position were identified according to their sport performance, namely PIR, high, medium and low ratings, associated with physical performances. In all groups, there were significant differences between playing positions, PIR and physical performances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Team Sports: Health, Fitness & Performance)
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8 pages, 604 KiB  
Article
Lactate Threshold and Psychomotor Fatigue Threshold in Hot Conditions: Suggestions for Soccer Players Participating in the Qatar World Cup 2022
by Marek Konefał, Jan Chmura, Małgorzata Charmas, Jadwiga Kotowska, Krzysztof Błażejczyk and Paweł Chmura
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 17028; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192417028 - 18 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2646
Abstract
The study aimed at finding relationships between lactate threshold and psychomotor fatigue threshold during incremental exercise in thermo-neutral climate conditions and conditions for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar simulated in an environmental test chamber. The study included 24 soccer players aged [...] Read more.
The study aimed at finding relationships between lactate threshold and psychomotor fatigue threshold during incremental exercise in thermo-neutral climate conditions and conditions for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar simulated in an environmental test chamber. The study included 24 soccer players aged 21.02 ± 3.22 years old. The following procedures were performed: The incremental exercise test to mark lactate concentration—LA (mmol·l−1); Psychomotor test to determine choice reaction time; Designation of the lactate threshold (TLA) and psychomotor fatigue threshold (TPF). Climate conditions: The procedure was performed twice in the climatic chamber: (1) in thermo-neutral conditions—TNC (ambient temperature 20.5 °C and relative air humidity 58.7%), (2) after 7 days—in Qatar conditions—QC (28.5 ± 1.92 °C) and (58.7 ± 8.64%). It was confirmed that the TPF, which reflects the highest efficiency of CNS functioning, occurs at a higher running speed than the TLA. The temperature of 28.5 °C with 58.7% humidity, which is the lower limit of heat stress, causes the psychomotor fatigue threshold to appear at a lower running speed than in thermoneutral conditions. The data recorded in this work may help to understand the specificity of physiological and psychomotor reactions to various climatic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Team Sports: Health, Fitness & Performance)
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12 pages, 1078 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Neuromuscular Fatigue in a Repeat Sprint Ability, Countermovement Jump and Hamstring Test in Elite Female Soccer Players
by Estrella Armada-Cortés, José A. Benítez-Muñoz, Alejandro F. San Juan and Javier Sánchez-Sánchez
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15069; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215069 - 16 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2627
Abstract
The straight-line run is the most frequent action in soccer goal scoring situations, and it deserves considerable attention. The objective of this study was to evaluate the neuromuscular fatigue produced by an independent repeat sprint ability (RSA) test, a countermovement jump (CMJ) and [...] Read more.
The straight-line run is the most frequent action in soccer goal scoring situations, and it deserves considerable attention. The objective of this study was to evaluate the neuromuscular fatigue produced by an independent repeat sprint ability (RSA) test, a countermovement jump (CMJ) and a hamstring test (HT) in elite female soccer players. Twenty-four elite female soccer players participated in the study. The evaluation protocol included hamstring and CMJ tests before an RSA test (6 × 40 m 30 s rest), and hamstring and CMJ post-tests. Significant differences were found between pre–post HT measurements in the maximum angulation of the right leg (p = 0.012 Effect Size (ES) = 0.27), and the maximum velocity was higher in the left leg after RSA (p = 0.023 ES = 0.34). CMJ height after RSA was significantly lower than before the RSA test (p < 0.001 ES = 0.40). The sprint total time (SprintTT) and percentage difference (%Dif) increased throughout the RSA (p < 0.001, and ES = 0.648 and ES = 0.515, respectively). In elite female soccer players, it seems that the fatigue induced by an RSA test can be assessed through the loss of CMJ height and the different performance variables extracted from the RSA itself (e.g., SprintTT, Ideal Sprint). These findings could contribute to better performance management and injury prevention for elite female soccer players. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Team Sports: Health, Fitness & Performance)
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17 pages, 1860 KiB  
Systematic Review
Effects of Concurrent Strength and HIIT-Based Endurance Training on Physical Fitness in Trained Team Sports Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Jian Kang, Zhijing Ye, Xinxing Yin, Changjing Zhou and Bo Gong
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 14800; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214800 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4253
Abstract
Background: Concurrent strength and HIIT-based endurance training (CT) has merit in time-saving in team sports. However, the effect of CT on physical fitness remained equivocal. This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether CT would produce an interference effect on the development of physical fitness [...] Read more.
Background: Concurrent strength and HIIT-based endurance training (CT) has merit in time-saving in team sports. However, the effect of CT on physical fitness remained equivocal. This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether CT would produce an interference effect on the development of physical fitness when compared to strength training (ST) or HIIT-based endurance training (HET) alone in trained team sports players. Methods: A total of 2478 studies from three databases were screened. 52 full texts were reviewed. Seven studies were finally included and then subgroups were used for quantitative analysis. Results: Compared to ST alone, CT had a significant effect on the development of maximal lower-body strength in trained team sports players (MD 4.20 kg, 95% CI 0.71–7.68, p = 0.02, I2 = 20%), but there was no significant difference between the groups on training adaptation in lower-body power (SMD 0.08, 95% CI −0.23–0.39, p = 0.62, I2 = 26%). Furthermore, a sub-group analysis based on the internal organization order of CT revealed that there was no statistically significant subgroup effect between CT and ST alone in all parameters. Conclusions: Well-designed CT regimens did not interfere with the development of physical fitness of trained team sports players. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Team Sports: Health, Fitness & Performance)
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