Exercise protocol that simulated the demands of a match while responding to filmed sequences of offensive play. HR, blood lactate concentrations, anticipation performance, visual search behaviors, and immediate retrospective verbal reports were assessed. Results High-level players demonstrated superior anticipation compared with low-level counterparts, but both groups showed reduced accuracy across the exercise protocol. Mean HR and blood lactate values increased significantly from the beginning to the end of each half of the match (P < 0.05). Visual search data revealed significant group–test session interactions for the number of locations (P < 0.0001), mean fixation durations (P = 0.003), and number of fixations (P < 0.0001). When compared with low-level participants, high-level players used more fixations of shorter duration to more locations at the beginning of each half; whereas at the end of the exercise protocol, they used fewer fixations of longer duration to a lower number of locations. There was a significant group–type of statement–test session interaction (P = 0.001) for the verbal report data. High-level participants generated a great number of evaluation, prediction (in the beginning of the second half), and deep planning statements (during the first and the last test sessions). In contrast, low-level players used more superficial cognition statements than high-level individuals in both halves. Conclusion The intermittent exercise induced changes in perceptual-cognitive processes in both groups, although high-level players exhibited superior anticipation across test sessions accompanied by more effective search behaviors and elaborate thought processes....

The use of massage guns has become increasingly popular in recent years. Although their use is more and more common, both in a clinical and sports context, there is still little information to guide the practitioners. This systematic review aimed to determine the effects of massage guns in healthy and unhealthy populations as pre- and post-activity or part of a treatment. Data sources used were PubMed, PEDro, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science and Google Scholar, and the study eligibility criteria were based on “healthy and unhealthy individuals”, “massage guns”, “pre-activity, post-activity or part of a treatment” and “randomized and non-randomized studies” (P.I.C.O.S.). Initially, 281 records were screened, but only 11 could be included. Ten had a moderate risk of bias and one a high risk of bias. Massage guns could be effective in improving iliopsoas, hamstrings, triceps suralis and the posterior chain muscles’ flexibility. In strength, balance, acceleration, agility and explosive activities, it either did not have improvements or it even showed a decrease in performance. In the recovery-related outcomes, massage guns were shown to be cost-effective instruments for stiffness reduction, range of motion and strength improvements after a fatigue protocol. No differences were found in contraction time, rating of perceived exertion or lactate concentration. Massage guns can help to improve short-term range of motion, flexibility and recovery-related outcomes, but their use in strength, balance, acceleration, agility and explosive activities is not recommended.

The aim of the present study was to compare the visual search strategy (VSS) and anticipation between two groups of young players of different efficiencies in tactical behavior (TB). A total of 44 Brazilian male soccer players aged 14.00 (± 1.06) years from three regional clubs participated in the study. TB was assessed using FUT-SAT; anticipation score was obtained by a video-based assessment, while VSS was performed using the Mobile Eye-XG® system. The soccer players were divided into two groups based on their TB results into those more efficient and those less efficient. The results showed that soccer players with higher efficiency in TB were better at anticipating and performed a higher number of shorter visual fixations and a greater average amount of fixations per location. They were also able to adjust their VSS in performing a longer fixation time on the player in possession of the ball. Therefore, there is support for an integration of visual search strategy and anticipation within tactical behavior. Visual search strategy and anticipation seem to contribute to the efficiency of tactical behavior in young soccer players.

This study determined whether a multivariate profile more effectively discriminated selected than non-selected elite youth Brazilian soccer players. This examination was carried out on 66 youth soccer players (selected, n = 28, mean age 16.3 ± 0.1; non-selected, n = 38, mean age 16.7 ± 0.4) using objective instruments. Multivariate profiles were assessed through anthropometric characteristics, biological maturation, tactical-technical skills, and motor performance. The Student’s t-test identified that selected players exhibited significantly higher values for height (t = 2.331, p = 0.02), lean body mass (t = 2.441, p = 0.01), and maturity offset (t = 4.559, p < 0.001), as well as performed better in declarative tactical knowledge (t = 10.484, p < 0.001), shooting (t = 2.188, p = 0.03), dribbling (t = 5.914, p < 0.001), speed – 30 m (t = 8.304, p < 0.001), countermovement jump (t = 2.718, p = 0.008), and peak power tests (t = 2.454, p = 0.01). Forward stepwise discriminant function analysis showed that declarative tactical knowledge, running speed –30 m, maturity offset, dribbling, height, and peak power correctly classified 97% of the selected players. These findings may have implications for a highly efficient selection process with objective measures of youth players in soccer clubs.

The phase angle (PhA) of bioelectrical impedance is determined by primary factors such as age, body mass index and sex. The researchers’ interest in applying PhA to better understand the skeletal muscle property and ability has grown, but the results are still heterogeneous. This systematic review with a meta-analysis aimed to examine the existence of the relationship between PhA and muscle strength in athletes. The data sources used were PubMed, Scielo, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science and the study eligibility criteria were based on the PECOS. The searches identified 846 titles. From those, thirteen articles were eligible. Results showed a positive correlation between PhA and lower limb strength (r = 0.691 [95% CI 0.249 to 0.895]; p = 0.005), while no meta-analysis was possible for the relationships between PhA and lower limb strength. Furthermore, GRADE shows very low certainty of evidence. In conclusion, it was found that most studies showed a positive correlation between PhA and vertical jump or handgrip strength. The meta-analysis showed the relationship between PhA and vertical jump, however, little is known for the upper limbs as was not possible to perform a meta-analysis, and for the lower limbs we performed it with four studies and only with vertical jump.