The Loughborough Soccer Passing Test has impractical criterion validity in elite youth football

Reliability and Validity of the 30-15 Intermittent Field Test With and Without a Soccer Ball

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the 30-15 Intermittent Field Test (30-15IFT) with and without a ball. Methods: Twenty-four collegiate female soccer players (19.46 ± 1.22 years; 167.01 ± 7.23 cm; 60.95 ± 7.84 kg) performed 1 trial of the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery (YYIR) test, 3 trials of the 30-15IFT, and 3 trials of the 30-15IFT with a ball (30-15IFT-B), separated by a minimum 48 hours. Maximal intermittent running velocity (VIFT), heart rate at exhaustion (HRpeak), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) between trials demonstrated good reliability during the 30-15IFT in VIFT (ICC = 0.88) and HRpeak (ICC = 0.89), in addition to the 30-15IFT-B VIFT (ICC = 0.83) and HRpeak (ICC = 0.87). VIFT was significantly reduced in 30-15IFT-B (15.82 km h-1) compared to 30-15IFT (17.52 km h-1; p < .001), regardless of trial. HR and RPE were significantly greater in 30-15IFT compared to 30-15IFT-B (p < .05). Estimated maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) YYIR and estimated VO2max of 30-15IFT and 30-15IFT-B was very strongly (r = 0.82) and strongly (r = 0.68) correlated. Conclusion: The 30-15IFT is considered valid and reliable and the 30-15IFT-B was reliable in female soccer players.

Negative Effects of Mental Fatigue on Performance in the Yo-Yo Test, Loughborough Soccer Passing and Shooting Tests: A Meta-Analysis

We aimed to examine the effects of mental fatigue on the Yo-Yo test and Loughborough soccer passing and shooting tests performance using a meta-analysis. The search for studies was performed through eight bibliographic databases (Academic Search Elite, AUSPORT, Cochrane Library, PsycInfo, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science). The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the PEDro checklist. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed for data analysis. After reviewing 599 search results, seven studies with a total of ten groups were included in the review. All studies were classified as being of good methodological quality. Mental fatigue reduced the distance covered in the Yo-Yo test (Cohen's d: -0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.66, -0.32). In the Loughborough soccer passing test, mental fatigue increased the original time needed to complete the test (Cohen's d: -0.24; 95% CI: -0.46, -0.03), increased penalty time (Cohen's d: -0.39; 95% CI: -0.46, -0.31), and decreased performance time (Cohen's d: -0.52; 95% CI: -0.80, -0.24). In the Loughborough soccer shooting test, mental fatigue decreased points per shot (Cohen's d: -0.37; 95% CI: -0.70, -0.04) and shot speed (Cohen's d: -0.35; 95% CI: -0.64, -0.06). Overall, the findings presented in this review demonstrated that mental fatigue negatively impacts endurance-based running performance as well as soccer passing and shooting skills.

Lateral Preference and Inter-limb Asymmetry in Completing Technical Tasks During Official Professional Futsal Matches: The Role of Playing Position and Opponent Quality

This study had the purpose of analyzing dominant and non-dominant limb performances (frequency of use and accuracy) during match-play technical actions with ball possession (receiving, passing, and shooting a ball) in professional futsal and also check for the possible influence of playing position and the quality of opponent. We have analyzed data pertaining to eight matches of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012™ in which 76 male professional senior futsal players participated (44 right-footed and 32 left-footed). In total, we coded 5,856 actions (2,550 ball receptions, 3,076 passes, and 230 shoots). Our main findings were that (a) players used the dominant limb more frequently than the non-dominant limb for all actions considered [p < 0.001; effect size (ES) medium-to-large]; (b) accuracy was generally greater when using the dominant limb, regardless of the quality of opponent (p < 0.01; ES large); and (c) in shooting actions, pivots showed similar accuracy between dominant and non-dominant limbs (p = 0.51; ES small). The study suggested that when completing technical actions with the ball in futsal, high-level players depended to a greater extent on the use of their dominant lower limb during official matches. Excepting a similarity detected between limbs on shooting performance of pivots, players from all positional roles generally showed a higher accuracy rate in receiving, passing, and shooting a ball when using their dominant limb as compared to their non-dominant one during match-play and the limb usage and accuracy seemed to be independent of the quality of opponents.

The Q-Pass Index: A Multifactorial IMUs-Based Tool to Assess Passing Skills in Basketball

Despite being a key sport-specific characteristic in performance, there is no practical tool to assess the quality of the pass in basketball. The aim of this study is to develop a tool (the quality-pass index or Q-Pass) able to deliver a quantitative, practical measure of passing skills quality based on a combination of accuracy, execution time and pass pattern variability. Temporal, kinematics and performance parameters were analysed in five different types of passes (chest, bounce, crossover, between-the-leg and behind-the-back) using a field-based test, video cameras and body-worn inertial sensors (IMUs). Data from pass accuracy, time and angular velocity were collected and processed in a custom-built excel spreadsheet. The Q-pass index (0–100 score) resulted from the sum of the three factors. Data were collected from 16 young basketball players (age: 16 ± 2 years) with high (experienced) and low (novice) level of expertise. Reliability analyses found the Q-pass index as a reliable tool in both novice (CV from 4.3 to 9.3%) and experienced players (CV from 2.8 to 10.2%). Besides, important differences in the Q-pass index were found between players’ level (p < 0.05), with the experienced showing better scores in all passing situations: behind-the-back (ES = 1.91), bounce (ES = 0.82), between-the-legs (ES = 1.11), crossover (ES = 0.58) and chest (ES = 0.94). According to these findings, the Q-pass index was sensitive enough to identify the differences in passing skills between young players with different levels of expertise, providing a numbering score for each pass executed.

Acute Effects of Warm-Up, Exercise and Recovery-Related Strategies on Assessments of Soccer Kicking Performance: A Critical and Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

A number of reviews have collated information on the impact of warming-up, physical exertion and recovery strategies on physical, subjective and physiological markers in soccer players yet none have solely analyzed their potential effects on components of kicking performance.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically analyse the influence of warm-up, exercise and/or recovery-related strategies on kicking performance in male soccer players and provide a critical appraisal on research paradigm related to kicking testing constraints and data acquisition methods.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed (until July 2020) in PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, Scopus and ProQuest. Studies in male soccer populations, which included the effects of warm-up routines, physical exercise and/or recovery-related interventions, reported on comparisons pre-post or between experimental conditions and that computed at least one measure of kicking kinematics and/or performance were considered. Methodological quality and risk of bias were determined for the included studies. Constraints related to kicking testing and data acquisition methods were also summarized and discussed.

RESULTS

Altogether, 52 studies were included. Of these, 10 examined the respective effects of a warm-up, 34 physical exercise, and 21 recovery-related strategies. The results of eight studies showed that lower limb kinematics, kicking accuracy or ball velocity were improved following warm-ups involving dynamic but not static stretching. Declines in ball velocity occurred notably following intermittent endurance or graded until exhaustion exercise (three studies in both cases) without inclusion of any ball skills. In contrast, conflicting evidence in five studies was observed regarding ball velocity following intermittent endurance exercise interspersed with execution of ball skills. Kicking accuracy was less frequently affected by physical exercise (remained stable across 14 of 19 studies). One investigation indicated that consumption of a carbohydrate beverage pre- and mid-exercise demonstrated benefits in counteracting the potentially deleterious consequences of exercise on ball velocity, while four studies reported conflicting results regarding kicking accuracy. Most evidence synthesized for the interventions demonstrated moderate level (77%) and unclear-to-high risk of bias in at least one item evaluated (98%). The main limitations identified across studies were kicks generally performed over short distances (50%), in the absence of opposition (96%), and following experimental instructions which did not concomitantly consider velocity and accuracy (62%). Also, notational-based metrics were predominantly used to obtain accuracy outcomes (54%).

CONCLUSIONS

The results from this review can help inform future research and practical interventions in an attempt to measure and optimise soccer kicking performance. However, given the risk of bias and a relative lack of strong evidence, caution is required when applying some of the current findings in practice.

PROSPERO ID

CRD42018096942.

A Novel Approach for Comparison of Reception Performance in a Technique Test and Small-Sided Games

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between soccer players' performance of receptions of passes in tests of both isolated technical skills and more match-realistic situations in small-sided games (SSGs). In addition, this study investigated whether the involvement in SSGs (number of receptions) correlated with the quality of receptions in the respective SSGs. The participants were 13 male outfield youth soccer players from teams in the first division of the regional U18 league. The quality of receptions was scored by educated coaches according to set criteria of performance. Statistical analyses of correlations were determined using Spearman's rank-order correlation coefficient (r_s). The main results were (1) a significant correlation in the quality of ball reception between 4vs1 SSGs and 5vs5 SSGs (r_s = -0.61, p < 0.01) and (2) a trend towards moderate correlation between the quality of ball reception using a ball projection machine and 5vs5 SSGs (r_s = -0.48, p = 0.10). (3) A significant correlation was found between the number of receptions in 5vs5 SSGs and the quality score of receptions in 5vs5 SSGs (r_s = -0.70, p < 0.01). The trend towards moderate correlations between 5vs5 SSGs and the isolated technical reception test could imply the importance of training in the technical aspects of ball reception. Moreover, it seems as though the players with the best reception performance are the players who are most involved in SSGs, that is, having the most receptions.

Methodological Issues in Soccer Talent Identification Research

Talent identification research in soccer comprises the prediction of elite soccer performance. While many studies in this field have aimed to empirically relate performance characteristics to subsequent soccer success, a critical evaluation of the methodology of these studies has mostly been absent in the literature. In this position paper, we discuss advantages and limitations of the design, validity, and utility of current soccer talent identification research. Specifically, we draw on principles from selection psychology that can contribute to best practices in the context of making selection decisions across domains. Based on an extensive search of the soccer literature, we identify four methodological issues from this framework that are relevant for talent identification research, i.e. (1) the operationalization of criterion variables (the performance to be predicted) as performance levels; (2) the focus on isolated performance indicators as predictors of soccer performance; (3) the effects of range restriction on the predictive validity of predictors used in talent identification; and (4) the effect of the base rate on the utility of talent identification procedures. Based on these four issues, we highlight opportunities and challenges for future soccer talent identification studies that may contribute to developing evidence-based selection procedures. We suggest for future research to consider the use of individual soccer criterion measures, to adopt representative, high-fidelity predictors of soccer performance, and to take restriction of range and the base rate into account.

Observation Criteria for Physical Education Teachers to Identify Gifted Children through Invasion Games

Whilst in other curriculum subjects, it exists observation criteria to detect gifted pupils, there is a paucity of information in Physical Education. For that reason, we aimed to reveal the observation criteria for identifying gifted pupils in Physical Education in an invasion game. Physical Education (PE) talent was evaluated combining results of questionnaire to experts, parents, and students. A validated nomination scale (NSIFT) and the Game Performance Evaluation Tool (GPET) were used. The research approach used in this study was transversal, descriptive, and inferential. The talent pool was composed of 18 gifted pupils aged 8-14 (M_age = 11.67, SD = 1.53). The results showed that the most discriminating criteria to identify PE talent were found to be precocity in both execution and decision-making in the acquisition of tactical principles and tactical-technical skills. Getting free was the skill that they best mastered. In conclusion, the importance of tactical principles and decision-making as observation criteria is emphasized. Future studies should focus on developing mentoring programs in Physical Education.

The Validity and Reliability of Live Football Match Statistics From Champdas Master Match Analysis System

The aim of the present study was to investigate the validity of match variables and the reliability of Champdas Master System used by trained operators in live association football match. Twenty professional football coaches voluntarily participated in the validation of match variables used in the System. Four well-trained operators divided into two groups that independently analyzed a match of Spanish La Liga. The Aiken’s V averaged at 0.84 ± 0.03 and 0.85 ± 0.03 for the validation of indicators. The high Kappa values (Operator 1: 0.92, 0.90; Operator 2: 0.91, 0.88), high intra-class correlation coefficients (varied from 0.93 to 1.00), and low typical errors (varied from 0.01 to 0.34) between the first and second data collection represented a high level of intra-operator reliability. The Kappa values for the inter-operator reliability of were 0.97 and 0.89. The intra-class correlation coefficients and typical errors ranged from 0.90 to 1.00 and ranged from 0.01 to 0.24 for two independent operators within two data collections. The results suggest that the Champdas Master system can be used validly and reliably to gather live football match statistics by well-trained operators. Therefore, the data obtained by the company can be used by coaches, managers, researchers and performance analysts as valid match statistics from players and teams during their professional tasks and investigations.

Mental Fatigue and Soccer: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Fatigue is a complex state with multiple physiological and psychological origins. However, fatigue in soccer has traditionally been investigated from a physiological perspective, with little emphasis on the cognitive demands of competition. These cognitive demands may induce mental fatigue, which could contribute to the fatigue-related performance decrements observed during and after soccer matches. Recent research investigating the relationship between mental fatigue and soccer-specific performance supports this suggestion. This leading article provides an overview of the research in this emerging field, outlining the impact of mental fatigue on soccer-specific physical, technical, decision-making, and tactical performances. The second half of this review provides directions for future research in response to the limitations of the existing research. Emphasis is placed on translating the current body of knowledge into practical applications and developing a greater understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the negative impact of mental fatigue on soccer performance. A conceptual model is presented to help direct this future research.

Futsal task constraints promote transfer of passing skill to soccer task constraints

This study investigated how learning a passing skill with futsal or soccer task constraints influenced transfer to a new task. Futsal (n = 24, 13.6 ± 1.2 years old, 7.0 ± 1.6 years of experience) and soccer (n = 24, 13.6 ± 1.2 years old, 6.8 ± 1.2 years of experience) players performed two 5v5 + goalkeeper modified games - a futsal-like task (small playing area with the futsal ball) and soccer-like task (large playing area with the soccer ball). Participants' passing accuracy and their orientation of attention were assessed during the two tasks. The futsal group improved their passing accuracy (ES = 0.75 ± 0.61) from the futsal-like to the soccer-like task, and they were more accurate than soccer players (ES = 2.98 ± 2.96). Conversely, the soccer group's passing accuracy remained stable across the two tasks (ES = 0.10 ± 0.52) and it was similar to the futsal group in the futsal-like task (ES = 0.58 ± 1.93). This indicates a higher magnitude of transfer (and adaptability) from performing passes in a small playing area with short time to act - futsal task constraints - to a larger playing area with longer time - soccer task constraints - than vice-versa. Furthermore, the futsal group showed a higher adaptation of attention orientation to the affordances that emerged with the soccer task constraints, which is suggested to be one of the main mechanisms promoting skill transfer. These results encourage soccer practitioners to introduce futsal task constraints to fast-track players' ability to functionally adapt perception-action coupling.

Test design and individual analysis in wheelchair rugby

OBJECTIVES

Use a task vehicle of sprint testing in wheelchair rugby (WCR) to explore the impact of small changes to test design using both group and individual analysis.

DESIGN

Exploratory, repeated measures, on-court study METHOD: 25 national or international level wheelchair rugby players completed 5×5m sprints under two conditions: (i) an acceleration from standstill in their own time, and (ii) an 'active' start, simulating a key aspect of performance. Video analysis and accelerometer data were used to measure key kinematic and performance variables with a focus on the first three strokes. Each player was grouped into a high-, mid-, or low-point group based on their sport-specific classification score. Group (paired sample t-tests) and individual (meaningful differences, performance coefficients, and Cohen's d effect sizes) analysis assessed differences between the two conditions.

RESULTS

The low-point classification group performed significantly slower in the active start (p<0.05). There were no differences in sprint time for the high- and mid-point groups. Mid-point players achieved greater peak accelerations for strokes two and three in the active start (p<0.05). Individual sprint performances varied substantially, ranging from 8% decrease to 14% increase in sprint time for the active start. Meaningful differences in peak accelerations were demonstrated for 23 out of the 25 players.

CONCLUSIONS

Small amendments to test design can lead to significant differences in individual athlete performance. Traditional group analyses masked important individual responses to testing conditions. There is need to further consider representative test design, and individual analysis for monitoring physical and skill performance.