Both objective (OM) and subjective (SM) methods are used in athletic studies, regardless of sport type, to identify and analyze load and recovery status of athletes. As little information exists about the comparison of these two methodologies, the aim of this study is to compare and contrast information that defines the relationship between both methods. Twelve international male lacrosse athletes participated in this study over the course of which participants heart-rate-variability and questionnaire-data were collected. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate changes over time and correlations between used methods. Comparison between baseline values and competition showed a reduction in root-mean-square of successive differences (RMSSD) (p < 0.01) and the proportion of beat-intervals (NN) that differ by more than 50 ms divided by total number of NNs (pNN50) (p < 0.01). Further, RMSSD values showed differences during competition with large effects (p = 0.02; η² = 0.24). SM (p < 0.01) showed different progression during competition. Correlation was found for used SM and OM, when considered separately. No evidence for a reliable prediction of OM values using SM could be found. According to these findings, we recommend using a combination of SM and OM data to quantify the physiological stress of training and competition, respectively.

Hauer, R, Tessitore, A, Hauer, K, and Tschan, H. Activity profile of international female lacrosse players. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3207–3212, 2021—This study was designed to investigate the activity profile in international women's lacrosse match-play. Data were collected of 10 female Austrian lacrosse national team players (29.1 ± 6.1 years; 64.2 ± 5.0 kg; and 165.3 ± 4.1 cm) during 4 games of an international tournament using global positioning system and heart rate monitor devices. The mean average heart rate was 75.3 ± 5.0% of maximum heart rate (HRmax) with 23 ± 6.1% of total playing time spent in HRzone 4 (80–90% of HRmax). The mean distance covered during match-play was 3,791.6 ± 554.5 m, of which 38 ± 6.5% were performed in speed zone 1 (<7.0 km·h⁻¹). Ten ±4 sprints per game were conducted with 55 ± 3.8% of accelerations and 59 ± 3.1% of decelerations in zone 1, respectively. Defenders showed greater total distance covered compared with other positions (attack: p = 0.035; d = 0.87; confidence interval [CI] = 0.18–1.56 and midfield: p = 0.006; d = 1.66; CI = 0.93–2.40). Midfielders covered less distance in speed zone 1 (p = 0.032; d = 1.91; CI = 0.53–3.28) compared with attackers, and lower numbers of accelerations (p = 0.042; d = 0.96; CI = 0.20–1.72) and decelerations (p = 0.021; d = 1.79; CI = 0.61–2.97) in zone 3 compared with defenders. Furthermore, attackers showed less distance covered in speed zone 1 (p = 0.09; d = 1.62; CI = 0.86–2.38) compared with defenders. The provided activity data could help coaches and practitioners in designing competition-specific programs for athletes. In addition, positional differences should be taken into account for tactical and physiological aspects.

This study investigated the activity profile during small-sided games (SSG) in elite youth soccer players. Internal load (IL) including heart rate (HR) and external load (EL) such as distance covered in different speed-zones (SZ) were collected from forty-eight players of three different teams (U15, U16, U18). The investigation included a total of eighteen 5vs.5 SSGs, each consisting of four 2-minute bouts on a 40x32m pitch during spring season. Total group results (n = 48) showed a reduction in total-distance (p = 0.001; ηp2 = 0.12), high-intensity-running (p = 0.009; ηp2 = 0.09), and low-intensity-running distance (p = 0.028; ηp2 = 0.07) between bouts. Similarly, a reduction in the number of both acceleration-low (p = 0.001; ηp2 = 0.12) and deceleration-high (p = 0.003; ηp2 = 0.11) values was observed. Additionally, time spent in HR-zones 3 and 4 (p≤0.007; ηp2 ≥ 0.10), increased, with a reduction in HR-zone 1 (p = 0.000, ηp2 = 0.25). Age group comparison showed less distance covered in SZ 1 (p≤0.000; ηp2 = 0.56) and greater deceleration-high values (p≤0.038; ηp2 = 0.32) in U15 players compared to other age groups. Further, U15 showed lower values in low-intensity-running compared to U18 (p = 0.038; ηp2 = 0.22). No age-related differences were found for IL and repeated sprint ability (RSA) values. The higher EL in younger age groups should be taken into account when implementing soccer specific SSGs. In addition, HRmean values between 80–85% of HRmax and RSA numbers, which are similar to match-play data, indicate SSGs as an effective training tool to prepare youth soccer athletes for the demands of competition.

Zusammenfassung Übergewicht und Adipositas sind ein zentrales Gesundheitsproblem in Europa. Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) erklärte die Prävention von Übergewicht zu einem wissenschaftlichen Forschungsziel mit oberster Priorität. Mit dem Ziel den Gesundheits- und Ernährungsstatus eines repräsentativen Samples von Wiener Schülerinnen und Schülern im Alter von 11 bis 14 Jahren zu erheben und die Auswirkungen einer Intervention mit Ernährungs- und Bewegungsschulungen auf die Körperzusammensetzung, metabolische Faktoren und das Ernährungswissen und -verhalten zu erfassen, wurde im Rahmen des Präventionsprojektes „EDDY“ eine zweijährige Interventionsstudie an vier Wiener Schulen durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen, dass das Ernährungswissen und in einigen Bereichen auch das Ernährungsverhalten durch standardisierte Ernährungs- und Lebensstilintervention verbessert werden können. Hinsichtlich des körperlichen Gesundheitszustandes zeigt sich, dass der Körperfettanteil in der Interventionsgruppe nach Intervention niedriger war als in der Kontrollgruppe. Bemerkenswert sind zudem eine außerordentlich große Anzahl an Probanden mit unzureichender Vitamin-D-Versorgung (86,95 %) sowie ein erheblicher Anteil an Schülern mit Vitamin-B₁₂-Unterversorgung (17,98 %). Bedauerlich ist, dass 28 % der Schüler angaben, keine Freude an körperlicher Aktivität zu empfinden. Hinsichtlich der Infrastruktur in den Schulen muss auf eine zum Teil sehr mangelhafte Qualität und Größe der Turnsäle hingewiesen werden. Darüber hinaus war die ausreichende professionelle Betreuung durch sportwissenschaftlich ausgebildetes Fachpersonal in einigen Schulen nicht gegeben. Auch eine Involvierung der Schulärzte in das Präventionsprojekt war kaum möglich.

The present study was designed to investigate the influence of two distinct small-sided game (SSG) regimes on physiological, perceptual, and technical parameters in male elite lacrosse players. Data were collected in twelve elite male Austrian lacrosse players (25.8 ± 5.5 years; 80.1 ± 7.7 kg; 178.5 ± 6.2 cm). Players’ were assigned to an intermittent (SSG-I) or a continuous (SSG-C) SSG regime, respectively. Regimes were equated for total practice time, but not active playing time. SSG data from eight sessions of 3 vs. 3 self-regulated match-play were collected along a 4-week pre-season period. Players’ YoYo-Level 1 (YYL1) performance before and after the training intervention was recorded. Further, heart-rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES), and technical actions during and after SSG sessions were analyzed. Both SSG regimes showed improvement with medium to very large effect sizes (ES) in YYL1 total distance covered pre- to post-intervention (SSG-C mean-difference ± SD: 840 ± 299 m; p = 0.003; d = 1.08; CI = 0.60 to 1.56 and SSG-I: 607 ± 274 m; p = 0.003; d = 1.25; CI = 0.66 to 1.85 respectively). Higher %HR_max values with very large ES (92 ± 0.6%; p = 0.002; d = 5.33; CI = 2.78 to 7.88) and time spent in HR zone 4 (1248.0 ± 122.7 s; p = 0.000; d = 3.43; CI = 2.31 to 4.55) were observed for SSG-C. No differences between regimes were found for any of the assessed technical actions, global RPE, and PACES scores. Both SSG regimes investigated in this study were effective in improving YYL1 performance. Further, findings indicate that the regime does not influence players’ subjective feelings and technical actions in SSG play. However, SSG-I in lacrosse specific training could have additional benefits such as lower signs of fatigue. Further, breaks can be used to give technical and tactical inputs by coaches.