This research aimed to examine the validity and reliability of GPS units located in different positions. Nine recreational soccer players (age: 23.18 ± 2.21 years; height: 176 ± 7.65 cm; and body mass: 71.13 ± 4.67 kg) participated voluntarily in the current study. Athletes were tested through the team sports simulation cycle (TSSC) protocol. This protocol consisted of a total of 1200 m. Each lap consisted of a distance of 150 m, and the athletes were asked to perform eight laps. Two GPS units (OptimEye S5; Catapult Innovations, Scoresby, Victoria) were used for each athlete during the TSSC protocol. The first unit was positioned in the scapula location, and the other GPS unit was positioned in the center of mass (COM) location, and simultaneous data were recorded. A paired-samples t -test was used to determine the difference between the meter values measured in the field and the devices. The main finding of this research was that the player load parameters, which are derived from the accelerometer in GPS units, changes with the player’s position (total player load scapula − total player Load COM p ≤ 0.001, Cohen’ d −2.449). There was no statistical difference between the other parameters (total distance covered, max velocity, deceleration max and acceleration max) examined in the study. CV% and SWC values showing the reliability of total distance covered scapula (CV% = 1.41; SWC = 0.28), total distance covered COM (CV% = 3.64; SWC = 0.73), total player load scapula (CV% = 2.29; SWC = 0.46), total player load COM (CV% = 1.83; SWC = 0.37), deceleration max scapula (CV% = 3.51; SWC = 0.70), deceleration max COM (CV% = 2.78; SWC = 0.56), Acceleration max scapula (CV% = 3.85; SWC = 0.77), and acceleration max COM (CV% = 2.74; SWC = 0.55) were within acceptable limits (CV% 5). The reliability of GPS units in different locations was investigated by CV% SWC analysis. It was found that all values in the scapula and COM locations were measured validly and reliably, but the total player load measurements were statistically different in the scapula and COM.

Günümüzde oldukça popüler spor branşlarının başında gelen futbolda sıkça kullanılan dar alan oyunlarının (DAO) belirli parametrelerinin değiştirilmesi sonucu antrenman şiddetinde azalma ya da artma olmaktadır. Bu araştırma, DAO’nun fizyolojik ve fiziksel performans etkileri göz önünde bulundurularak güncel çalışmaların bir sentezini yapıp, DAO’ya etki eden birçok parametrenin (saha boyutu, oyuncu sayıları, antrenör desteği, kural değişikliği vb.) genel yapısı hakkında bilgi vermek amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bilimsel araştırmalar incelendiğinde oyuncu sayılarında yapılan değişikler, sporcuların kalp atım hızı (KAH), laktat konsantrasyonu (La) ve algılanan zorluk derece puanı (AZD) değerlerinde belirgin farklılıklar yaratmaktadır. DAO’da oyuncu sayılarının az olması belirtilen değerleri yükseltirken oyuncu sayılarının artmasıyla bu değerlerin düştüğü gözlenmiştir. DAO içerisindeki saha ölçülerinde yapılan değişiklikler de birçok performans parametresini etkilemektedir. Antrenörlerin amacına uygun olarak planlanması gereken saha boyutlarında KAH, La ve AZD gibi değerlerin yükseltilebilmesi için saha boyutlarının arttırılması gerektiği ancak teknik taleplerin arttırılabilmesi içinse saha boyutlarının küçültülmesi gerektiği yapılan araştırmalar sonucunda anlaşılmıştır. Ayrıca az sayıda yapılan araştırmalar gösteriyor ki antrenör desteğinin bulunduğu oyunlarda KAH, La ve AZD gibi değerlerin arttığı belirtilmektedir. Antrenörlerin sözel desteği etkili bir biçimde kullanabilmeleri gerektiği ancak çok yoğun ve şiddetli geri bildirimlerin AZD puanlarını arttırmasına rağmen sporcuların oyun performansında düşmelere sebep olduğu görülmektedir. Sporcuların fizyolojik, fiziksel, teknik ve taktik gelişimlerinde etkili olması ve müsabaka şartlarına benzer olması, DAO’yu oldukça önemli bir araştırma konusu haline getirmektedir. Ancak içerisinde bulunan farklı parametrelerin sistemli ve kapsamlı bir şekilde araştırılması gerekmektedir. Yapılacak bilimsel araştırmalar, DAO’yu antrenman içerisinde kullanmak isteyen antrenörlerin veya uygulayıcıların performans ihtiyaçlarını nasıl karşılayabilecekleri konusunda yardımcı olacaktır.

Purpose: Electromyostimulation is a popular training to increase muscle strength during the last years. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of electromyostimulation training on jumping and muscle strength in football players. Material: Volunteered 23 football players between the ages of 18 to 24 were divided into experimental and control groups with simple random sampling. Both groups continued to regular training. Experimental group had additional electromyostimulation training for 6-week, 3-time a week, and 20min a day. Pre- and post-training squat and countermovement jumps, peak torques of dominant and non-dominant knee extensor and flexor muscles were tested. Angular velocities of isokinetic dynamometer were 60, 180, and 300ºs-1. Pre- and post-test comparisons within the groups were analyzed. Results: There were no significant differences between pre- and post-test for isokinetic knee strength parameters at all angular velocities of EG. However, control group had significant pre- and post-test differences in dominant and non-dominant knee extension and flexion peak torque values. Conclusions: EMS and regular training in-season had no effect on the isokinetic strength parameters. On the other hand, the regular training in-season has increased isokinetic strength. Electromyostimulation training additional to regular training may have detrimental effects on outcomes of concurrent training in football players.

Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) are among the most common non-contact injuries in football, often resulting in prolonged rehabilitation, high recurrence r

Background and Study Aim. The aim of the research is to evaluate the 7x34.2 m Repeated Straight Sprint Test (RSST) and 7x34.2 m Repeated Change of Direction Sprint Test (RCST), which are used for improvement, measurement, and evaluation of repeated sprint ability, by using Global Positioning System (GPS). Material and Methods. Twenty-two professional soccer players participated in the research voluntarily. Internal and external load data were examined comparatively by using data as before and after the repeated sprint tests. External load data measured by 10 Hz GPS. Results. When the findings of the research are examined, it is seen that values of blood lactate concentrations which are taken after three and five minutes of the RCST are significantly higher than RSST protocol (p < 0.001***, p = 0.042*, respectively). In the study, the value of lactate which is taken five minutes after the RSST was measured as 9.60 ± 2.65 mM, while the value which is taken three minutes after RCST was measured as 9.75 ± 2.51 mM. Nevertheless, whereas there was a difference between the two tests in terms of lactate values, no significant difference was found in terms of perceived exertion. Conclusions. As a conclusion, according to the analyzes made after the RCST and RSST, we can say that the internal and external load performances of the athletes were very different. It has been observed that coaches, athletes, and practitioners can use two different test protocols for different objectives according to the purposes they set.

Yoga is widely practiced to enhance mental and physical health. This study examined whether yoga experience affects body perception, body composition, respiratory function, and cardiovascular fitness. Forty-two yoga practitioners and 15 female walkers (aged 18–64) participated. Physical activity and body perception were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Body Perception Scale. Body composition index (BMI) and respiratory function were evaluated using a body composition analyzer (Tanita MC-180MA, Japan) and a spirometer (MIR Spirolab III, Italy). Cardiovascular fitness was measured using the Queen’s College Step Test. No significant differences were found among three groups in body perception scores, BMI, or total fat percentage. However, trunk fat mass was higher in the walking group than in both yoga groups. Total and trunk muscle mass were higher in the less experienced yoga group than in the walking group, with no difference between yoga groups. VO2 max was significantly higher in the highly experienced yoga group compared to both other groups. FVC and FEV1 showed no differences. However, FEF 25-75 and PEFR differed significantly between the less experienced yoga and walking groups, with no difference between yoga groups. Yoga experience may improve cardiorespiratory fitness but does not significantly impact respiratory function, body composition, or body perception. Further research is needed to clarify these relationships.