This study sought to examine the variations of internal and external load measures in soccer players when performing different types of 4 vs. 4 small-sided games (SSGs). Ten U-23 professional and sub-elite soccer players, eight outfield players (age: 20.1 ± 1.5 years old; height: 1.83 ± 0.04 m; total body mass: 76.1 ± 3.6 kg) and two goalkeepers (GK) (age: 20.5 ± 2.1 years old; height: 1.91 ± 0.04 m; total body mass: 77.0 ± 1.4 kg) participated in the study. Five SSGs were performed with 3 min duration and 3 min rest interval. SSG1, SSG2 and SSG4 aimed for ball possession play, while in SSG3 and SSG5, two GK were added, defending regular-size goals. The pitch size changed from SSG1 (16 × 24 m) to SSG2 and SSG3 (both 20 × 30 m) and SSG4 and SSG5 (both 24 × 36 m). All players were monitored using WIMU Pro device during the tasks. Anova One-Way and the post hoc Tukey honestly significant difference were used for analysis of statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) and effect sizes were determined by calculating partial eta-squared. The framework was associated with relevant but steady state internal load fatigue and induce a considerable external load stimulus. GK participation in SSGs should be carefully considered as it seems to have a greater impact on physical load measures when compared to the pitch size manipulation.

Background: Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in older women. Physical exercise training programs promote beneficial effects for health and quality of life. However, exercise interruption periods may be detrimental for the hemodynamic and lipidic profiles of hypertensive older women with dyslipidemia. Methods: Nineteen hypertensive older women with dyslipidemia (exercise group: 67.5 ± 5.4 years, 1.53 ± 3.42 m, 71.84 ± 7.45 kg) performed a supervised multicomponent exercise training program (METP) during nine months, followed by a one-year detraining period (DT), while fourteen hypertensive older women (control group: 66.4 ± 5.2 years, 1.56 ± 3.10 m, 69.38 ± 5.24 kg) with dyslipidemia kept their continued daily routine without exercise. For both groups, hemodynamic and lipidic profiles and functional capacities (FCs) were assessed four times: before and after the METP and after 3 and 12 months of DT (no exercise was carried out). Results: The METP improved hemodynamic and lipidic profiles (p < 0.05), while three months of DT decreased all (p < 0.05) parameters, with the exception of diastolic blood pressure (DBP). One year of DT significantly (p < 0.01) decreased systolic blood pressure (7.85%), DBP (2.29%), resting heart rate (7.95%), blood glucose (19.14%), total cholesterol (10.27%), triglycerides (6.92%) and FC—agility (4.24%), lower- (−12.75%) and upper-body strength (−12.17%), cardiorespiratory capacity (−4.81%) and lower- (−16.16%) and upper-body flexibility (−11.11%). Conclusion: Nine months of the exercise program significantly improved the hemodynamic and lipid profiles as well as the functional capacities of hypertensive older women with dyslipidemia. Although a detraining period is detrimental to these benefits, it seems that the first three months are more prominent in these alterations.

Background: Physical inactivity is a primary cause of most chronic diseases. In addition, the negative effects of aging, physical inactivity and dyslipidemia are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases of older women. Exercise is considered fundamental for the treatment and prevention due to the benefits in the health of this population, but detraining periods after exercise can reverse them. Multicomponent exercise (ME) is a combined method of aerobic and resistance training that can improve the lipidic profile of older women with high cholesterol and triglycerides. Methods: Seventeen older women (EG: 65.3 ± 4.7 years, 1.52 ± 4.12 m) followed a supervised ME program of nine months and three months of detraining (DT), and fifteen older women (CG: 66.4 ± 5.2 years, 1.54 ± 5.58 cm) continued their daily routine, without exercise. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), blood glucose (GL) and functional capacity (FC) were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the program and after three months of DT. Results: ME program improved (p < 0.05) lipidic profile: GL (−15.6%), TC (−15.3%), TG (−19.3%) and FC: agility (−13.3%), lower body strength (27.78%), upper body strength (26.3%), cardiorespiratory capacity (11.2%), lower body flexibility (66.67%) and upper body flexibility (85.72%). DT declined the lipidic profile and FC (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Lipidic profile and functional capacity can be improved with nine months of ME. Besides the negative effects of DT, three months were not enough to reverse the benefits of exercise in older women with high values of TG and TC.

This study sought to evaluate the training load in different age category soccer players associated with distinct pitch size small-sided games (SSGs). Twenty-four soccer players (eight in each age category: U-12, U-15, and U-23) performed three consecutive 4 vs. 4 ball possession SSGs (SSG1: 16 × 24 m; SSG2: 20 × 30 m; and SSG3: 24 × 36 m) all with 3 min duration and 3 min rest. Subjects carried ultra-wideband-based position-tracking system devices (WIMU PRO, RealTrack System). Total distance covered increased from SSG1 to SSG3 in all age categories and predominantly in running speeds below 12 km·h⁻¹. Moreover, distance covered in 12–18 km·h⁻¹ running speed was different in all performed SSGs and age categories. Residual or null values were observed at 18–21 km·h⁻¹ or above running speed, namely in U-12, the only age category where metabolic power and high metabolic load distance differences occurred throughout the performed SSGs. Edwards’ TRIMP differences between age categories was only observed in SSG2 (U-12 < U-15). The design of SSGs must consider that the training load of the players differs according to their age category and metabolic assessment should be considered in parallel to external load evaluation in SSGs. Wearable technology represents a fundamental support in soccer.

Background: Resuming a physical exercise program after a period of cessation is common in older women. Monitoring the responses during this detraining (DT) and retraining (RT) may allow us to analyze how the body reacts to an increase and a reduction in physical inactivity. Therefore, we conducted a follow-up training, DT, and RT in prehypertensive older women to analyze the response to these periods. Methods: Twenty-three prehypertensive older women (EG; 68.3 ± 2.8 years; 1.61 ± 0.44 m) performed 36 weeks of the multicomponent training program (MTP) followed by twelve weeks of DT plus eight weeks of RT. Fifteen prehypertensive older women (CG; 66.3 ± 3.2 years; 1.59 ± 0.37 m) maintained their normal routine. Functional capacity (FC), lipid, and hemodynamic profile were assessed before, during 24 and 36 weeks of the MTP, after 4 and 12 weeks of DT, and after 8 weeks of RT. Results: After 24 weeks of the MTP, only SBP did not improve. Four weeks of DT did not affect lower body strength (30-CS), TC, or GL. Eight weeks of RT improved BP (SBP: −2.52%; ES: 0.36; p < 0.00; DBP: −1.45%; ES: 0.44; p < 0.02), handgrip strength (3.77%; ES: 0.51; p < 0.00), and 30-CS (3.17%; ES: 0.38; p < 0.04) compared with 36 weeks of the MTP. Conclusions: Eight weeks of RT allowed patients to recover the benefits lost with detraining, which after only four weeks affected them negatively, and the systematic practice of exercise contributed to greater regulation of BP since 24 weeks of the MTP proved not to be enough to promote positive effects of SBP.

Background: The multicomponent training program (MTP) is a physical exercise strategy used to combat the sedentary lifestyle in older women (OW). However, periods of interruption in training are common in this population. The aim of our study was to analyze the 8-week MTP effects followed by two, four, and eight weeks of interruption on the lipid profile (LP) and functional capacity (FC) of OW. Methods: Twenty-one OW (experimental group [EG], 67.6 ± 3.1 years; 1.55 ± 0.35 m) were subjected to an 8-week MTP followed by a detraining period, and 14 OW (control group [CG], 69.4 ± 4.7 years; 1.61 ± 0.26 m) maintained their daily routine. FC (i.e., 30-s chair stand [30-CS], 8-foot up and go [8-FUG], 6-min walk [6-MWT], handgrip strength [HGS], and heart-rate peak during 6-WMT [HRPeak]), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were assessed before and after MTP and two, four, and eight weeks after MTP. Results: 8-week MTP resulted in higher FC and decreased LP values in EG (p < 0.05); two and four weeks of detraining did not promote changes. After eight weeks of detraining TC (ES: 2.74; p = 0.00), TG (ES: 1.93; p = 0.00), HGS (ES: 0.49, p = 0.00), HRPeak (ES: 1.01, p = 0.00), 6-MWT (ES: 0.54, p = 0.04), and 8-FUG (ES: 1.20, p = 0.01) declined significantly. Conclusions: Periods of more than four weeks of detraining should be avoided to promote a good quality of life and health in OW. If older people interrupt training for a period longer than four weeks, physical-education professionals must outline specific training strategies to maintain the adaptations acquired with MTP. Future studies should establish these criteria based on ideal training volume, intensity, and frequency.