Background and Objectives: This study analyzes the effects of proprioceptive training on the physical fitness and soccer-specific technical skills of young professional soccer players. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight male professional soccer players from the Türkiye Football Federation’s Third League, aged 20.46 ± 1.60 years (average), participated voluntarily. Body composition was assessed with the Inbody270 bioelectrical impedance analyzer, while agility and maximal VO₂ cardiorespiratory fitness were measured using the ChronoJump smartspeed mat. Soccer-specific technical skill assessments were also conducted. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22, with paired sample t-tests for comparisons, Cohen’s d test for effect size, and repeated measures two-way ANOVA for interaction effects (group × time). Eta squared (η²) values were reported for effect size. A 95% confidence level and p = 0.05 were used. Results: Proprioceptive training significantly improved body fat percentage (p < 0.05; η² = 0.006) and soccer-specific technical skills, including free juggling (p < 0.05; η² = 0.302), alternating foot juggling (p < 0.05; η² = 0.271), right foot juggling (p < 0.05; η² = 0.250), and shooting performance (p < 0.05; η² = 0.513). Conclusions: A 12-week proprioceptive training program, when incorporated into soccer practice, significantly enhances soccer-specific technical skills and reduces body fat percentage.

This study examines the effects of two plyometric training interventions over an eight-week preparatory period on straight punch impact force, cardiovascular fitness, and muscle strength in national-level boxers. Twenty male professional boxers participated voluntarily, with an average age of 22.64 ± 3.12 years and an average training experience of 5.11 ± 0.88 years. Their mean body weight and height were 70.20 ± 10.13 kg and 184.28 ± 5.38 cm, respectively. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1, the Plyometric Stair Jump group, consisted of ten male boxers, while Group 2, the Plyometric Reaction Box Jump group, also included ten male boxers. To assess maximum punching velocity (PVmax), an accelerometer was embedded within the boxing glove, capturing data during three maximal-speed jabs with each arm to evaluate both rear-arm (RA) and lead-arm (LA) punches. Upper-body strength was assessed using a one-repetition maximum (1RM) bench press (BP) test, while maximum velocity at various percentages of 1RM was recorded via a linear encoder. Significant correlations were observed between the right arm punch velocity maximum (RA PVmax) and the bench press velocity at all submaximal intensities in both intervention groups (p < 0.05). However, no correlation was found between left arm punch velocity maximum (LA PVmax) and bench press velocity at any intensity within the Plyometric Reaction Jump (PRJ) group. Conversely, in the Plyometric Stair Jump (PSJ) group, a velocity at 80% of 1RM was the sole significant predictor of RA PVmax at submaximal bench press intensities. Adjusting for the strength-to-weight ratio significantly influenced the predictive values in intergroup comparisons (p < 0.005). These findings suggest that high-load bench press exercises (e.g., at 80% 1RM) may serve as reliable predictors of performance in specific boxing movements. However, since no significant relationship was observed with LA PVmax in this study, further research is warranted to identify exercises and intensities that may explain left arm punch velocity.

Bu araştırmanın amacı havalı tabanca atıcılarının somatotip özelliklerini incelemektir. Araştırmaya Ankara ilinde atıcılık spor kulübünde yarışan yaş ortalaması 16.4 ± 2,8 olan kadın (n=13) ve yaş ortalaması 15,8 ± 1,0 olan erkek (n=12) elit atıcı gönüllü olarak katılmıştır. Atıcıların vücut ağırlığı, boy uzunluğu, vücut kütle indeksi, vücut yağ yüzdesi ve somatotip özellikleri tespit edilerek aritmetik ortalamaları ve standart sapma değerleri hesaplanmıştır. Gruplar arasındaki farklılıklar parametrik olmayan analiz yöntemlerinden biri olan Mann-Whitney U testi ile analiz edildi. Araştırma bulgularına göre kadın ve erkeklerde sırasıyla; beden küle indeksi 22 ± 2.6 ve 21.8 ± 2.5, vücut yağ yüzdesi 27.6 ± 3,1 ve 18,2 ± 4.2, somatotip değerleri 4.3-4.2-2.3 ve 3.0-4.8-3.1 olarak tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca, kadın ve erkek atıcılar arasında vücut ağırlığı, boy uzunluğu, vücut yağ yüzdesi ve endomorfi değerlerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılık tespit edilmiştir (p<0.05). Sonuç olarak, erkek havalı tabanca atıcılarının dengeli mezomorfi, kadın sporcuların ise mezo-endomorf somatotip özelliklerine sahip olduğu söylenebilir.

The aim of this study was to examine temporal changes in eccentric hamstring strength, impulse-based mechanical outputs, and interlimb asymmetry in professional football players performing a football-specific eccentric hamstring training program. Forty male football players (18–25 years) from two teams competing in the Turkish Second Professional Football League participated in this longitudinal cohort study. Eccentric hamstring performance was assessed at three time points (pre-, mid-, and post-season) using the NordBord Hamstring Testing System. Mixed-design repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant main effects of time and significant time × Team interactions for left and right maximal impulse values (p < 0.05). In contrast, maximal eccentric force variables showed no significant time effects, although significant time × Team interactions were observed for both limbs (p < 0.05). Interlimb maximal force asymmetry and mean asymmetry demonstrated significant time effects, while Team effects and interaction terms were not significant. Overall, these findings indicate that temporal changes in eccentric hamstring performance in professional football players may be more clearly reflected in force–time–dependent metrics, particularly impulse, rather than peak force outputs. Accordingly, impulse-based measures may provide additional insight into eccentric hamstring performance changes in professional football players.

Because shooting performance in precision sports cannot be fully explained by physical characteristics alone, this study aimed to examine the effects of different training protocols on body composition, handgrip strength, and shooting performance in air rifle athletes. A total of 16 athletes participated and were divided into two groups (n=8 each). Body weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were measured, and right and left handgrip strength were assessed using a dynamometer. Shooting performance was evaluated through success score and total shooting score. All measurements were conducted according to standard procedures, and group comparisons were performed using an independent samples t-test after confirming normal distribution; the level of significance was set at p0.05). No significant differences were found between the groups in right or left handgrip strength (p>0.05). In contrast, the success score of Group 2 (2.88±0.64) was significantly higher than that of Group 1 (2.25±0.46; p=0.042), and the total shooting score was also significantly greater in Group 2 (6181.75±81.96 vs. 6062.88±59.93; p=0.005). Athletes in Group 2 had greater competitive experience than those in Group 1. In conclusion, the findings indicate that differences in air rifle shooting performance are not associated with basic anthropometric characteristics or handgrip strength, but are more closely related to technical proficiency, experience, motor coordination, and psychological readiness.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of plyometric resistance training applied to the Turkish National Junior Men's Boxing Team during the European Championship preparation process. A total of 14 athletes from the Turkish National Junior Men's Boxing Team volunteered to participate in the study. The average age of the boxers was 17.57±1.04 years, the average height was 172.28±5.7 cm, the average weight was 72.14±2.9 kg, and the average body fat percentage was 20.47±1.15%. Participants engaged in a plyometric resistance training program prepared and scheduled by the researchers throughout the preparation camp. Various physical and biomotor parameters of all boxers (weight, BMI, body fat percentage, Squat, vertical jump, reaction time, grip strength, 5-meter speed, 10-meter speed, 40-meter speed, flexibility included) were measured at the beginning and end of the camp. Statistical analyses of all data were performed using the SPSS 22.0 statistical package program. Normal distribution analyses were conducted using the Shapiro-Wilk Test. Wilcoxon Test was used for the pre-test and post-test comparison of Body Mass Index and weight values, while the paired T-test statistic was used for the pre-test and post-test comparison of body fat percentage, Squat, vertical jump, reaction time, grip strength, 5-meter speed, 10-meter speed, 40-meter speed, and flexibility values. A significance value of p < 0.05 was accepted. Statistically significant changes were observed between pre- and post-camp changes. In conclusion, we suggest that a well-designed plyometric resistance training program may positively contribute to the physical and biomotor parameters of national junior male boxers before an important tournament during a preparation camp.