This study aimed to monitor internal load, well-being, and recovery status in U16 male water polo players during a congested competitive period. Fourteen athletes from an Italian club played 12 matches (seven friendly, five official) over 7 days. The internal match load was measured using the session-RPE method (s-RPE). Perceived enjoyment was measured with the Enjoyment Likert Scale (ENJ), while recovery and well-being were evaluated using the Perceived Recovery Scale (PRS) and the Hooper Index (HI), respectively. No significant main effects were found on s-RPE, PRS, and HI considering friendly and official matches. However, ENJ was significantly higher during official matches (p < 0.005). PRS values were significantly affected by daytime matches (p < 0.005), with better perceived recovery reported for morning matches. Linear mixed model analysis revealed significant associations between s-RPE and HI (p = 0.001), the fatigue item (p = 0.001), and the PRS (p = 0.004). These results suggest that as internal load increases, players experience higher fatigue and report lower recovery and well-being scores. Employing simple, non-invasive tools like the RPE, PRS, and HI can help coaches and support staff to identify early signs of overtraining or insufficient recovery, allowing for more individualized load management and injury prevention in youth water polo athletes.

Background: Jumping ability in volleyball is a key determinant of athletic performance. While different studies focus on methods to enhance vertical jump, few address athletes’ perception and awareness in conjunction with performance metrics. Objective: This study introduces an innovative quanti-qualitative approach, termed the perception-awareness model, to assess and enhance both physical performance and cognitive engagement in volleyball jump training. Methodology: Twelve young female volleyball players participated in a two-month plyometric training protocol. This quantitative and qualitative study, where the qualitative part is understood as qualitative-quantitative because the qualitative measurements can be quantified, aims to assess vertical jump performance through the Vertec test, administered at 3 times: before, during and after training. Concurrently, perception and awareness were assessed through a custom 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. Statistical analyses included repeated measures ANOVA and Wilcoxon tests, followed by a post hoc for multiple comparisons. Results: The results showed significant performance improvements between Pre and Mid (p = 0.0115) and Pre and Post (p = 0.0196) plyometrics training protocol. Questionnaire data revealed progressive increases in athletes’ self-reported perception and awareness, with significant gains across all comparisons (p 0.05). Conclusion: Data underscore the effectiveness of integrating perception-awareness assessments with traditional performance metrics evaluation. This model demonstrates a novel linkage between enhanced perceptual-cognitive insights and measurable improvements in vertical jump performance, highlighting its potential as a comprehensive framework for athlete development.

Background: This study investigated boxers’ activity profiles during the final matches (3 × 3 min format) of the IBA 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships. Methods: Footage of the 12 finals was used to analyse the frequency and duration of fighting (F), punching (P), clinching (C), no-fighting (NF), and arbitral interruption (AI) phases. The analysis was conducted both for weight categories and divisions (lightweight (LWC): 48, 50, 52, 54, 57, and 60 kg; middleweight (MWC): 63, 66, 70, and 75 kg; heavyweight (HWC): 81 and 81+ kg). Results: Pooled data per round revealed significant differences for P (<0.001), C (p = 0.002), NF (p < 0.001), and AI (p < 0.001) phases, as well for P mean duration across rounds (p < 0.001). The MWC division showed significantly shorter F duration compared with the LWC (p = 0.007) and MWC divisions (<0.001). The F/NF total time ratio showed a prevalence of F in the 48, 50, 63, and 81+ kg categories, while NF prevailed in the 54, 57, 60, and 75 kg categories. Conclusions: While HWC primarily relied on C actions, the 54, 57, 60, and 75 kg categories showed higher NF frequency. This fact explains a different strategic match management approach with deliberate rhythm, controlled pauses, and opponent analysis, which coaches should consider for enhancing athletes’ performance by considering weight categories.

Background and Study Aim. Technological advancements are increasingly integrated into sports training to enhance athletic performance. Despite these developments, optimising sprint performance and muscular endurance in youth football players remains a challenge. The introduction of technologies such as the Sprint Resister offers potential new solutions, but its effectiveness for this age group has not been thoroughly investigated, and currently, there is a lack of research analysing its specific effectiveness in young football players. This study evaluates the efficacy of the Sprint Resister in a sample of 18-year-old football players. Materials and Methods. Using a pre-post experimental design with a control group, the study involved 20 players who were randomly assigned to either the Sprint Resister group or a conventional training group. Over an 8-week period, the experimental group performed resistance-enhanced sprint drills, while the control group followed a standard training regimen. Performance was assessed using the Microgate Witty detection system, measuring speeds at 5, 10, 20, and 30 metres. Paired t-tests compared pre- and post-training results within each group, and independent t-tests compared performance changes between the experimental and control groups. Results. The results revealed significant improvements in acceleration and top speed for the Sprint Resister group, with an average 15% increase in overall physical performance compared to the control group. These improvements were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion. These findings suggest that the Sprint Resister is an effective tool for improving the fundamental performance capabilities of young football players, which are essential in modern football.

Background: Recently, elite women’s boxing has undergone significant structural and regulatory changes, including the adoption of the 3 × 3-min-bout format and expanded Olympic categories. Despite increased female participation, scientific literature remains predominantly focused on male athletes. This study aimed to identify the technical and tactical actions that distinguish winner from loser boxers in elite amateur women’s boxing by analysing the final matches of the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. Methods: Twelve final bouts (one per weight-category) were analysed using a customised notational framework based on the offensive–defensive interaction cycle. A total of 1323 offensive and 1456 defensive actions were recorded and categorised using Kinovea (0.9.5 release) software and an Excel dashboard. Offensive Effectiveness Ratio (OER) and Defensive Effectiveness Ratio (DER) were calculated, and Chi-square tests with standardised residuals were applied to detect associations between action types and bout outcomes. Results: Winners performed fewer offensive actions (n = 635) than losers (n = 688) but demonstrated significantly higher OER across all rounds (W: 0.39-0.38-0.39; L: 0.26-0.28-0.29). Winners landed more punches to the head and made greater use of rear-hand hooks and uppercuts. Pivoting and shifting back, particularly when followed by counterattacks, were significantly associated with winners (p < 0.001). Conversely, parrying and single counterpunches were linked to losing outcomes. DER values suggested superior defensive efficiency among winners. Conclusions: Winner boxers showed superior technical effectiveness, selective use of single and rear-hand punches and used more dynamic defensive strategies. These findings support using notational analysis in high-performance coaching and emphasise the need for more research on elite female combat athletes.