The main aims of this systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression were to describe the effect of multidisciplinary neuromuscular and endurance interventions, including plyometric training, mixed strength and conditioning, HIIT basketball programs and repeated sprint training on youth basketball players considering age, competitive level, gender and the type of the intervention performed to explore a predictive model through a meta-regression analysis. A structured search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and PICOS model in Medline (PubMed), Web of Science (WOS) and Cochrane databases. Groups of experiments were created according to neuromuscular power (vertical; NPV and horizontal; NPH) and endurance (E). Meta-analysis and sub-groups analysis were performed using a random effect model and pooled standardized mean differences (SMD). A random effects meta-regression was performed regressing SMD for the different sub-groups against percentage change for NPV and NPH. There was a significant positive overall effect of the multidisciplinary interventions on NPV, NPH and E. Sub-groups analysis indicate differences in the effects of the interventions on NPV and NPH considering age, gender, competitive level and the type of the intervention used. Considering the current data available, the meta-regression analysis suggests a good predictability of U-16 and plyometric training on jump performance. Besides, male and elite level youth basketball players had a good predictability on multidirectional speed and agility performance.

This paper aims to define the principles and technical-tactical contents that characterize the global “fighting knowledge” referring to martial arts and combat sports. From a methodological point of view, we seek to identify the praxical limits of the different martial arts and combat sports disciplines, through the analysis of the convergence points, which can provide consistency as a group of practices, and from where is possible to develop a teaching process. The principles and contents considered in this integrated perspective establish the possibilities of action, independently from institutionalized technical abilities in each combat sport. From the “fighting knowledge technical-tactical structure” we propose the development of the “fighting knowledge” and we emphasize the importance of arising the “tactical intention” of the students. The distribution and categorization of the “fighting actions” presented, try to offer tools and criteria for the martial arts and combat sports initiation process.

Esta contribución muestra los efectos que las prácticas motrices introyectivas (PMI) de cooperación tuvieron sobre la vivencia emocional y el estado de ánimo de un grupo de 91 estudiantes universitarios. Sus objetivos fueron: investigar si las PMI de cooperación afectan a la intensidad de las emociones positivas, negativas y ambiguas en hombres y mujeres; identificar si modifican la intensidad del estado de ánimo; y comprobar si poseer historial deportivo afectaba o no a la intensidad de la vivencia emocional y el estado de ánimo. Los instrumentos de recogida de datos fueron el cuestionario GES (Games and Emotion Scale) y el POMS (Profile of Moods States). El análisis de los datos se realizó mediante un modelo basado en ecuaciones de estimación generalizadas (GEE). Las PMI de cooperación provocaron valores intensos de emociones positivas, valores intermedios de emociones ambiguas y valores inferiores de emociones negativas. Después de las PMI disminuyó significativamente la intensidad del estado de ánimo en los factores de Tensión-Ansiedad; Rabia-Hostilidad y Vigor-Actividad. Se comprobó que los participantes con historial deportivo experimentaron con menor intensidad las emociones negativas y tenían estados de ánimo menos intensos en el factor Tensión-Ansiedad. Puede concluirse que las PMI cooperativas estimulan la vivencia de emociones positivas y tienen efectos positivos en el estado de ánimo de los participantes.

Purpose: Change of direction while dribbling appears to be of interest for on-court performance in basketball. The study aim was to assess the validity and reliability of the V-cut dribbling test (VcutBk) in young basketball players. Methods: Ninety-two young basketball players from 8 to 21 years old (74% male) were classified in relation to peak height velocity (PHV) offset. To examine validity and test–retest reliability, VcutBk was performed in 2 identical sessions separated by 1 week. Participants also performed the V-cut test and linear sprint test with and without dribbling to analyze correlations between tests in different somatic maturity stages. Results: The relationships of the VcutBk with the other tests and skill-time-related deficits were interpreted from large (r > .51) to very large (r > .71). The comparisons between pre-PHV and post-PHV groups of basketball players showed significant and large effect in the VcutBk (d = 2.04; mean difference = 2.59; 95% CI, 1.86 to 3.32). Also, significant main effects when comparing PHV groups were reported in all skill-time-related deficits (P < .001, , moderate to large effect size). Test–retest reliability and signal-to-noise ratio analysis did not show substantial between-trials differences in VcutBk. Reliability scores showed high intraclass correlation coefficient (.95) and low coefficient of variation (0.23%). Conclusions: The VcutBk seems to be a valid and reliable test to assess change of direction while dribbling. VcutBk performance and skill-time-related deficits seem to be sensitive to somatic maturity. Basketball coaches should consider the VcutBk to assess young basketball players.

The application of Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) and Game Centered Approaches (GCA) in team sports initiation generated the need for assessing game performance. In this paper we introduce the Rugby Attack Assessment Instrument (RAAI), a tool to assess the actions of players in attack and their incidence in the generated game situations in rugby. The RAAI focuses the attention on the ball carrier during a 5 vs. 5 situation. The actions of players in possession of the ball are described and codified. A weight is allocated to each simple and combined action in relation to its tactical value. Thus, the codified actions provide a weighted Index of Performance, the team score of the RAAI. Validity and reliability were tested in two different studies. Results suggest that the RAAI is valid and reliable to assess ball carrier’s actions and their influence in attacking game situations of novice rugby union players.