Background: This study contributes to expanding the existing literature on learning technical skills in youth soccer by comparing the effectiveness of different training approaches in the development of passing skills. The ecological-dynamic approach, which emphasizes the continuous and adaptive interaction between the athlete and the environment, is analyzed in comparison to the traditional prescriptive approach, which relies on predefined techniques and exercises. The aim of the study is to determine which of the two approaches is more effective in improving the performance of young soccer players. Methods: Thirty players (age 12 ± 1.2 years) were randomly assigned to two groups: the ecological-dynamic group (ECG) and a control group (CON). Both groups underwent an eight-week training program with equal sessions. The ECG group’s training focused on adjusting constraints like the learning environment, game rules, and visual restrictions to boost adaptability and problem-solving skills. The CON group followed a traditional prescriptive approach with specific instructions, goal setting, immediate feedback, and structured exercise progression. Passing abilities were evaluated before and after the program using the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test, with a retention test administered five weeks later. Descriptive statistics, including mean values and percentage improvements, were used. A repeated measures ANOVA compared differences between the groups. Results: The analysis revealed a significant Occasion × Group interaction for all performance variables, indicating that the ECG group experienced greater improvements than the CON group. Specifically, the ECG group showed significant reductions in Trial Time (p = 0.001, η_p² = 0.6), Penalty Time (p = 0.016, η_p² = 0.4), and Overall Performance (p = 0.011, η_p² = 0.8) from pre-test to post-test. However, these improvements did not persist into the retention test (p = 0.131, p = 0.792, and p = 0.192, respectively). The CON group also improved significantly in Trial Time (p = 0.003), Penalty Time (p = 0.002), and Overall Performance (p = 0.001) from pre-test to post-test, but with smaller effect sizes and no sustained gains at retention. Conclusions: The ecological-dynamic approach (EDG) has proven to be more effective in enhancing passing skills compared to the traditional prescriptive approach (CON). Although both methods led to performance improvements, the EDG group achieved more significant progress.

Volleyball primarily focuses on technical and tactical training with a ball. However, there is growing interest in integrating fitness training into volleyball practice, particularly to enhance explosive strength through plyometric methods, but there is a lack of a direct scientific comparison between training with and without the ball. This study aimed to compare the effects of two training protocols on volleyball players. One protocol combined plyometric exercises with technical gestures (wall drills) using the ball, while the other protocol excluded the ball during plyometric exercises. Twenty male volleyball players (aged 18.6 ± 0.3 years, height 189.8 ± 2.2 cm, weight 79.4 ± 1.6 kg) were divided into experimental (with ball) and control (without ball) groups. The analysis of the results highlights significant improvements in both the squat jumps (SJs) and the countermovement jumps with arm swing (CMJas) for both groups. While there were no significant differences between the groups for SJ, significant differences emerged in CMJas, indicating varied training effects. Specifically, the interaction effect was significant (p = 0.004), demonstrating a meaningful distinction in performance improvements between the two groups. The effect size of the interaction is moderate (η_p² = 0.37, 95% CI: 0; 0.91). These results suggest that incorporating a ball into plyometric training can be beneficial for developing explosive strength in a different way, thereby improving performance due to the motivational stimulus provided. However, given the specificity of the sample and the training protocols used, further studies are needed to confirm these results and evaluate their applicability to a larger sample of volleyball players.

Background and Study aim. For the new reform to be applied in the best possible way, it is a priority and useful to promote the development of knowledge on the organization and methods of teaching/learning in physical education in primary school. This study aims to search for a new didactic organizational model for physical education in primary school, starting from the theoretical lines, showing the contrasts of the significant aspects and the uniqueness of heuristic learning, with a consequent theoretical and argumentative elaboration of operational proposals. Material and Methods. For this purpose, an accurate survey of the scientific literature has been analyzed, highlighting the critical issues that characterized the various proposals and attempt to implement physical activity and sports education courses in primary school over the years, up to the recent legislative innovation. Results. The path of the definition of physical education in primary school was marked by stages that did not always enhance the educational and training dimension of the motor and sports experience, making the school discipline assume a marginal and optional role in the face of an extracurricular practice characterized by a widespread organization and more capable of intercepting and responding to the physical exercise and sport needs of society. This complex situation has only generated confusion without solving the problem of the absence of physical and sporting activity in the 5-10 age group, as required by the World Health Organization and the European Union, by adequately and uniquely qualified teachers. It is now useful to promote the development of knowledge on the didactic organization of the primary school, on the different teaching/learning methods in physical education, to contextualize the scope of the new legal provision to the current legal framework Conclusions. The study highlights the value of a new approach in teacher training that aims to ensure the acquisition of key competence, according to the Recommendation of the European Parliament. This perspective can be easily realized by using a core curriculum uniformly applied at the national level.

Objectives. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of sport-specific educational proposals in school-age sports, currently used in planning of sports activities, such as game-based karate training, on social interactions and improving perceptions of one’s motor skills. Materials and methods. The sample consisted of 34 children from the Comprehensive Institute “Matilde Serao” in Ortona, Chieti, attending the third classes of the Primary School, in the school year 2023/2024. The method used was based on the Karate Sport Game protocols in conjunction with the dissemination of the ethical principles inherent to the martial arts. A questionnaire was developed for the purpose of assessing the learners’ levels of satisfaction, as well as the perceptions they had about themselves and in relation to others during this training intervention. Results. In the post-implementation evaluation of the educational proposals’ results, it was shown that 94.1% of participants had a positive experience engaging in the Game-Karate activities, 82.3% reported feeling significantly supported by the Instructors during the project, and 94.1% were very satisfied with the activities. The application of the Chi-Square test revealed two significant relationships with respect to the concept of opportunity for interaction with all peers. The first pertained to the participants’ overall satisfaction with the karate instructional project (p=0.006), while the second concerned the concept of improving teamwork (p=0.006). Conclusion. The findings indicate that Karate Game had a beneficial impact on the participants’ emotional sphere, involvement, perceived improvement in motor skills, and group dynamics. In addition, the significant relationships found underscore the importance of social interaction and collaboration in the context of physical activity. These results suggest that playful and participatory approach to the training process in Karate classes can be a valuable resource for the comprehensive development of children’s personality and motor skills during the developmental age.

The youth soccer is always important especially for the assessment and the data of development of skills. The monitoring of them it could be important for the trainer to reorganize the planning of training and for the adaptation to individual athlete Aim of the study is to recruit the quantitative data about the anthropometric and performance aspects for reutilize to rearrangement of training planning. Method is experimental and has to carry out the usual parameters for monitoring the trainings. Anthropometric data are weight, height, BMI and performance data are Vo2max (Cooper) speed triangle test (three corner run) and speed test with (dribbling) on a sample are 13 athletes of 13 years old that play championship under 14. BMI Data shows 6 weight, 4 in overweight risk and 3 in overweight. Cooper test data shows 2 above-average, 5 average, 5 below average and 1 poor. Mean speed triangle test 32.38 seconds, mean dibbling test 25.39 seconds. The results have to be useful for tool method of training.