Adjusting the design of small-sided games and selecting the appropriate format can significantly enhance training outcomes and player development in soccer. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of intermittent small-sided games (ISSG) and continuous small-sided games (CSSG) on athletic performance metrics in male soccer players. This pilot study was conducted using a parallel group pre-test and post-test design, with 16 male youth soccer players randomly assigned to two groups: the ISSG group (n = 8, Mean age = 16.50 ± 0.53 years) and the CSSG group (n = 8, Mean age = 16.63 ± 0.52 years), ensuring a balance in pre-test performance and playing positions. The ISSG protocol began with 4 min sets in week one, progressively increasing to 7 min by week four, with 2 min rest intervals. The CSSG protocol involved continuous play, starting at 16 min and progressing to 28 min over the same period. Players underwent pre- and post-tests, with a 4-week training period. Performance metrics assessed included body composition, a 30 m sprint test, agility, horizontal jump, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, and static balance. Training intensity was monitored using the CR-10 Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale throughout the training period. Both groups exhibited improvements in horizontal jump, agility, aerobic and anaerobic power, and static balance, with no significant between-group differences. Sprint performance did not significantly improve in either group. The CSSG group reported higher RPE values and experienced a reduction in body mass index. Our findings demonstrate that both ISSG and CSSG resulted in similar improvements in athletic performance metrics in male youth soccer players. Coaches and practitioners can choose the most appropriate training method based on specific objectives, session duration, and player fatigue levels, thereby optimizing training outcomes.

Background: Congested tournament schedules impose substantial physiological stress in team sports; however, the integrated endocrine and inflammatory responses to real competitive match load in female handball players remain insufficiently characterized. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the acute biochemical responses, including hormonal, inflammatory, muscle damage, and bone metabolism markers, elicited by competitive tournament load in female handball players and to provide practical insights for optimizing recovery strategies and load management during short-term competitive periods. Methods: In a pre–post study design, venous blood samples were collected from competitive female athletes (n = 8; age 20.83 ± 2.93 years) before the first match and after the fourth consecutive match of an official university qualification tournament. Biochemical analyses included cortisol, insulin, IL-6, creatine kinase (CK), IGF-1, irisin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), osteocalcin, and testosterone. Pre-to-post changes were assessed using paired t-tests and effect sizes. Results: Tournament load induced substantial multisystem physiological perturbations. Significant increases were observed in cortisol (p < 0.001), insulin (p = 0.044), IL-6 (p < 0.001), CK (p < 0.001), and osteocalcin (p = 0.005), indicating activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, systemic inflammation, muscle membrane disruption, and enhanced bone turnover. Conversely, IGF-1 (p < 0.001) and testosterone (p = 0.004) significantly decreased, reflecting suppression of anabolic signaling and a shift toward a catabolic hormonal environment under cumulative match stress. LDH significantly decreased (p = 0.002), while irisin showed no significant change (p > 0.05). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that congested tournament schedules provoke an integrated endocrine–inflammatory stress response in female handball players. Importantly, the observed anabolic–catabolic imbalance highlights the need for individualized recovery strategies, optimized load management, and adequate recovery periods to mitigate maladaptation and reduce injury risk during short-term competitive tournaments.

Background. To improve performance, athletes should try different methods. This is why the popularized proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises are essential. Objectives. This study investigated the effects of 6-week PNF stretching exercises on futsal players' balance, circulatory parameters, and motoric adaptations. Methods. A total of 36 volunteer futsal players aged 14-17 ...

Background and Objectives: In modern soccer, players frequently perform curved sprinting (CS) actions that combine speed, agility, and neuromuscular control, highlighting the importance of assessing CS performance in youth athletes. This study aimed to investigate age-related differences in CS performance and its relationship with key components of physical fitness—including aerobic capacity, vertical jump height, and agility-based field tests—in U14 and U16 male soccer players. Materials and Methods: A total of 76 registered players participated, evenly divided between the two age groups. Statistical analyses included t-tests, correlation, and regression modeling to determine key predictors of curve-sprint performance. Results: U16 players showed significant between-group differences, with faster CS times on both the good and weak sides (p < 0.001, d = 0.93–1.08), as well as superior performance in the countermovement jump (p < 0.001, d = 1.12), Illinois Agility Test (p < 0.01, d = 0.70), and 5-0-5 change-of-direction (COD) test (p < 0.01, d = 0.74). Significant negative correlations were found between CMJ height and CS times (r = –0.40 to –0.73), indicating that greater explosive power was associated with better CS performance. Moderate to very strong positive correlations were observed between CS and agility measures (r = 0.43 to 0.79), particularly in the U16 group, whereas VO₂max showed no meaningful relationship with CS performance (r = –0.16 to –0.30, p > 0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that CS may serve as an indicator of neuromuscular power and agility, both of which improve with age. From a practical perspective, regular curve-sprint assessments and multidirectional drills may support talent development by helping coaches monitor neuromuscular efficiency and movement coordination in young players.

The post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) effect has been widely studied; however, studies conducted under real-world conditions remain limited. Furthermore, investigations into how different conditioning activities (CAs) influence PAPE responses are also scarce. Therefore, this study investigates the acute effects of high-intensity barbell hip thrust (BHT) and back squat (BS) exercises, performed after a soccer-specific warm-up (Wup), on physical performance in soccer players. Seventeen male amateur soccer players participated in the study (mean age: 22.29 ± 3.60 years; height: 1.78 ± 0.06 m; body weight: 73.18 ± 8.44 kg). Participants attended 5 experimental sessions. In the first session, after anthropometric assessments, participants were familiarized with the exercises and tests. In the second session, one-repetition maximum (1RM) was tested for BS and HT exercises. In the following three sessions, two PAPE protocols and one traditional (TRAD) protocol were performed in a randomized order. In the TRAD protocol, players performed physical performance tests including countermovement jump (CMJ), 10-m and 30-m sprint, and zigzag agility 16 minutes after a soccer-specific Wup. In the PAPE protocols, players performed CAs (e.g., hip thrust or back squat) at 85% of 1RM for 2 sets of 3 repetitions following a soccer-specific Wup, and completed the tests 8 minutes later. Results from the linear mixed-effects models revealed no significant effect of protocol on any performance variable, including CMJ (F(2,32) = 1.554, p = 0.227), 10 m sprint (F(2,32) = 0.242, p = 0.786), 30 m sprint (F(2,32) = 0.453, p = 0.640), and change of direction (COD) performance (F(2,32) = 0.946, p = 0.399). Marginal R² values indicated that the protocol explained only a minimal proportion of variance in performance outcomes (0.005–0.030), whereas conditional R² and ICC values suggested that between-participant differences accounted for a substantial proportion of variance, particularly for CMJ and 30 m sprint performance. Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons further showed no significant differences between PAPE _BHT , PAPE _BS , and TRAD protocols for CMJ, 10 m sprint, 30 m sprint, or COD performance (all p > 0.05). In conclusion, neither PAPE protocol performed after a soccer-specific warm-up significantly enhanced or impaired subsequent CMJ, sprint, or COD performance compared with the traditional warm-up. These findings suggest that adding PAPE _BHT or PAPE _BS protocols after a soccer-specific warm-up may maintain subsequent performance without inducing measurable decrements; however, their ergogenic effectiveness may depend on individual factors such as players’ strength levels, recovery capacity, training status, and physical characteristics.

The purpose of this research is to examine the chronic effect of core training on swimming performance in different styles. 16 male swimmers with at least 5 years of competitive swimming history participated in this study as subjects. The subjects were divided into two equal groups and core training was applied to the experimental group in addition to the swimming training routine for 8 weeks, while the control group was not given any application other than routine swimming training. Before starting the training, the athletes' height, weight and 50 M Sprint times in 4 different styles were noted and recorded. From the moment I started training, I gave the experimental group core training for 8 weeks and did not take trial sprints. After 8 weeks of loading, I recorded 50 M Sprint times in 4 different styles as a final test. A two-way analysis of variance (2x2) was applied in repeated measurements to analyze the differences between applications. The Greenhouse Geiser correction test was used in measurements where the assumption of sphericity was not met. LSD test was used for post hoc analysis. Statistical results were evaluated at p<0.05 significance level. Statistical analyzes of the differences in the mean freestyle swimming degrees between the pre-test and post-test applications in the control and experimental groups are presented. According to the results of a two-way analysis of variance in repeated measurements, a statistically significant difference was found between groups (F = 7.03, p = 0.033) and between times (F = 38.83, p = 0.001); No statistically significant difference was detected in the group*time interaction (F = 5.19, p = 0.057). As a result, it can be said that core exercises are the reason for strengthening the body part and increasing stability needed in all movements of freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke styles. Article visualizations: