Antonio Tessitore

Heart rate and match analysis in pre-pubescent soccer players

The aim of this study was to compare match analysis (using video recordings) and the physiological load (heart rate measured every 5s, blood lactate measured after the warm-up, first half and second half) of six 11-year-old soccer players during official games of eleven-a-side on a regular-sized pitch (100×65m) and of seven-a-side on a smaller pitch (60×40m). In both games, heart rate exceeded 170 beats·min-1 84% of the time, while blood lactate ranged from 1.4 to 8.1 mmol·l-1 . No significant differences were recorded for the physiological parameters. For both matches, walking comprised 38% of total time, running 55%, inactivity 3% and jumping 3%. Although there were no significant differences between halves or matches, running for less than 10s was 10% more frequent in the seven-a-side game. In the seven-a-side game, there were significantly more passes and significantly fewer tackles, suggesting that seven-a-side matches played on smaller pitches may be more suitable for pre-pubescent soccer players.

Focusing of visual attention at rest and during physical exercise in soccer players

Abstract In this study, we investigated the focus of visual attention in expert soccer players together with the effects of acute bouts of physical exercise on performance. In two discriminative reaction time experiments, which were performed both at rest and under submaximal physical workload, visual attention was cued by means of spatial cues of different size followed by compound stimuli with local and global target features. Soccer players were slower than non-athletes in reacting to local compared with global targets, but were faster in switching from local to global attending. Thus, soccer players appear to be less skilled in local attending, but better able than non-athletes to rapidly “zoom out” the focus of attention. Non-athletes generally showed faster performance under physical load, as expected according to the hypothesis of exercise-induced increases in arousal and/or activation and in resource allocation. In contrast, soccer players showed a more differentiated pattern of exercise-induced facilitation that selectively affects specific components of the attentional performance and is interpreted by referring to the role played by individual expertise and cognitive effort.

Stress-related hormonal and psychological changes to official youth Taekwondo competitions

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an official Taekwondo competition on the heart rate (HR), salivary α‐amylase (sA‐A), salivary free cortisol (sC), and Profile of Mood States (POMS) in 10 young male (14±0 years) and six female (13±1 years) athletes. POMS and hormones were measured 15 min before and directly after the competition. During the recovery phase (30 and 90 min), sA‐A and sC were also measured. HR measured during the competition was expressed as a percentage of individuals maximal heart rate (%HRmax) to evaluate the intensity of exercise. During the competition, athletes spent 65% of the time working at HR>90% of individuals HRmax. A significant increase (P<0.0001) in sA‐A (115%) was observed at the end of the match. At 30 min of recovery, sA‐A returned to the pre‐competition level. The peak sC values were observed at 30 min of recovery (P<0.001), returning to the pre‐competition level at 90 min of recovery. A gender difference (P=0.01) emerged only for sC, although a similar trend was observed for female and male athletes. Significantly higher post‐match scores emerged for Anger‐hostility (pre: 6.1±1.1, post: 11.2±1.9; P=0.03) and Depression‐dejection (pre: 4.5±0.5, post: 10.2±1.9; P=0.006), whereas the reverse picture was observed for Vigour‐activity (pre: 23.2±1.2, post: 16.3±1.7; P=0.0006). Taekwondo competition results in temporary changes in the stress‐related parameters measured in this study. The present findings suggest that this experimental paradigm can represent a useful model for further research on the effects of various stressors (i.e., training and competition) in Taekwondo athletes of different levels (i.e., novice, international).

Effectiveness of Active Versus Passive Recovery Strategies After Futsal Games

Tessitore, A, Meeusen, R, Pagano, R, Benvenuti, C, Tiberi, M, and Capranica, L. Effectiveness of active versus passive recovery strategies after futsal games. J Strength Cond Res 22(5): 1402-1412, 2008-This study aimed to investigate the effects of immediate postgame recovery interventions (seated rest, supine electrostimulation, low-intensity land exercises, and water exercises) on anaerobic performance (countermovement jump [CMJ], bounce jumping, 10-m sprint), hormones (salivary cortisol, urinary catecholamines), and subjective ratings (rate of perceived exertion [RPE], leg muscle pain, Questionnaire of Recovery Stress for Athletes [RestQ Sport], 10-point Likert scale), and hours of sleep of futsal players. Heart rate (HR), blood lactate, and RPE were used to evaluate the intensity of 4 futsal games in 10 players using a crossover design (P < 0.05), randomly allocating athletes to 1 of the 4 recovery interventions at the end of each game. No significant difference emerged between HR, blood lactate, RPE, and level of hydration of the games. A significant difference (P < 0.001) between games emerged for total urinary catecholamines, with an increase from the first to the second game and a gradual reduction up to the fourth game. After the game, significant reductions in CMJ (P < 0.001) and 10-m sprints (P < 0.05) emerged. No significant difference was found between recovery interventions for anaerobic performances, hormones, muscle pain, and RestQ Sport. Even though a well-balanced diet, rehydration, and controlled lifestyle might represent a sufficient recovery intervention in young elite athletes, the players perceived significantly increased benefit (P < 0.01) from the electrostimulation (7.8 ± 1.4 points) and water exercises (7.6 ± 2.1 points) compared to dry exercises (6.6 ± 1.8 points) and seated rest (5.2 ± 0.8 points.), which might improve their attitude toward playing. To induce progressive hormonal adaptation to the high exercise load of multiple games, in the last 2 weeks of the preseason, coaches should organize friendly games at a level similar to that of the competitive season.

NOTATIONAL ANALYSIS OF ELITE AND SUB-ELITE WATER POLO MATCHES

Lupo, C, Tessitore, A, Minganti, C, and Capranica, L. Notational analysis of elite and sub-elite water polo matches. J Strength Cond Res 24(1): 223-229, 2010-This study aimed at comparing elite (i.e., Euro League and Italian “Serie A1”) and sub-elite (Italian “Serie B”) matches. A notational analysis was performed on 17 mens water polo matches during the 2005-2006 season to evaluate the following technical and tactical parameters of the offensive play: frequency of occurrence of the actions; mean clock-time duration; mean number of players involved and passes; frequency of occurrence of the turnovers; and frequency of occurrence of the number, outcome, position, and type of the shots. All the indicators were analyzed in relation to even (i.e., equal number of offensive and defensive players), counterattack (i.e., higher number of offensive players than that of the defense), and power play (i.e., a team defending for 20 seconds without a player because of an exclusion foul) situations. A multivariate approach (multivariate analysis of variance) was applied to the playing situations (even, counterattack, and power play) as dependent variables and competition levels (Final Four of Euro League Championship, Serie A1 Championship, and Serie B Championship) as between factor (p < 0.05). Significant differences among competition levels emerged in (a) the frequency of occurrence of counterattack and power play actions, (b) the duration of even situations, (c) the mean number of players directly involved during power play actions, (d) the mean number of the passes during even and power play actions, (e) the frequency of occurrence of the shots during counterattack and power play actions, (f) the frequency of occurrence of goals during even actions, (g) the frequency of occurrence of shots originating from different zones of the court, and (h) the type of shots performed. The present results showed that the competition level has a relevant impact on the occurrence of technical and tactical indicators especially in relation to even, counterattack, and power play situations. Thus, notational analysis proved to be a valuable tool for better coaching through the interpretation of technical and tactical aspects of water polo in relation to its competition level.

Effects of official Taekwondo competitions on all-out performances of elite athletes.

Chiodo, S, Tessitore, A, Cortis, C, Lupo, C, Ammendolia, A, Iona, T, and Capranica, L. Effects of official Taekwondo competitions on all-out performances of elite athletes. J Strength Cond Res 25(x): 000-000, 2011-This study investigated physiological and performance aspects of 15 (4 women and 11 men) elite Taekwondo athletes (24.0 ± 5.7 years) during their National Championship. The load of the competition was evaluated by means of heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (La). Pre and postmatch countermovement jump (CMJ), and handgrip performances were compared (p < 0.05). The match imposed a high load (HR > 85% of individual HRmax = 92 ± 12%; La = 6.7 ± 2.5 mmol·L−1) on athletes. After the match, better (p < 0.0001) CMJ (men: 43.9 ± 5.2 cm; women: 30.8 ± 2.3 cm) and worst (p = 0.006) handgrip performances (men: 459 ± 87 N; women: 337 ± 70 N) were found with respect to prematch ones (CMJ: men = 40.8 ± 4.9 cm, women = 28.2 ± 2.5 cm; handgrip: men = 486 ± 88 N, women: 337 ± 70 N). Results indicate that the intermittent activity of the Taekwondo competition elicits a high neuromuscular activation of the lower limbs. Instead, the decreases in grip strength could be because of the repeated concussions on the upper limbs used to protect from the opponents kicks and punches directed toward the scoring area of the torso. Practically, these results urge coaches to structure training sessions that enable athletes to maintain their upper limb strength during their match.

Focusing of visual attention under submaximal physical load

Abstract This study investigated the focusing of visual attention, with and without, a constant submaximal workload (60% VO2max), on a cycloergometer in two experiments. Two main dimensions of attentional focusing were considered: the space/object‐based dimension and the exogenous/endogenous dimension. These dimensions were investigated by means of the following attention task: A cue of varying size was presented centrally and followed, after a variable interval, by a compound letter with global and local features. Participants were required to react to a predefined target letter, which could be either the global form or one of the local elements of the compound letter. Results confirm the effect of reaction time (RT) reduction under submaximal workloads. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the physical load reduces the RT cost, which has to be paid when a misleading cue causes a disadvantageous focusing of attention. This effect of physical load is presumably mediated by increased allocation of attentional resources and enhanced speed of attentional refocusing. This interpretation is discussed both in terms of the type of attentional operations involved (zooming in vs. zooming out) and the type of control exerted on the attentional focusing (exogenous vs. endogenous).

Aerobic and anaerobic profiles, heart rate and match analysis in older soccer players.

The aim of the present study was to provide aerobic (maximal oxygen consumption – VO2max) and anaerobic [jump tests: counter-movement jump (CMJ) and bounce jump (BJ); and running tests: 10 m sprint and 10 m dribbling the ball (10 mDB)] profiles of older soccer players (n = 12), and heart rate (HR), blood lactate accumulation (La) and match analysis (individual motor activity and team behaviour) aspects of a soccer match. The maximal aerobic test values were: HRmax, 154 ± 14 beat min−1; maximal power, 160 ± 24 W; VO2peak, 36.3 ± 11.3 ml kg−1 min−1; peak La, 8.2 ± 1.8 mM. Jump test values were: CMJ, 21.2 ± 4.5 cm; BJ, 17.3 ± 4.8 cm. Running performances were: 10 m sprint, 2.06 ± 0.36 s; 10 mDB, 2.17 ± 0.21 s. Running showed similar values in the two halves (first half, 82%; second half, 88%), while walking lasted longer during the second half. Regarding the technical aspects of the match, 42% of the consecutive passes made in possession of the ball exceeded three passes, indicating that their play was structured in a cooperative manner. Older soccer players succeeded in maintaining good aerobic and anaerobic physical capability.

A physiological, time–motion, and technical comparison of youth water polo and Acquagoal

Abstract The aims of this study were to provide a profile of young water polo players and to compare technical and tactical aspects, movement patterns, and cardiac loads of youth water polo and Acquagoal codes. Ten young (age 12.3 years, s = 0.6) male water polo players underwent anthropometric (stature, body mass, body mass index, chest circumference, hand breadth, and length), strength, and [Vdot]O2max evaluations. Friendly youth water polo and Acquagoal matches were arranged to evaluate heart rates and swimming patterns (horizontal and vertical, with and without the ball) of players, and technical and tactical aspects of matches (number of actions, passes, player involved in an action, lost possessions, shots, goals, and the origin and types of shot). Independent of code, matches imposed a high cardiac load on players. Vertical swimming occurred more frequently (P < 0.05) in Acquagoal (71%) than youth water polo (45%). Technical and tactical measures also differed (P < 0.05), with players performing more passes and shots inside the penalty area and showing a higher goal-to-shot ratio during youth water polo than during Acquagoal. These results indicate that youth water polo better resembles the swimming patterns of adult water polo and facilitates the technical and tactical aspects of play better than Acquagoal.

Technical and Tactical Analysis of Youth Taekwondo Performance

Abstract Casolino, E, Lupo, C, Cortis, C, Chiodo, S, Minganti, C, Capranica, L, and Tessitore, A. Technical and tactical analysis of youth taekwondo performance. J Strength Cond Res 26(6): 1489–1495, 2012—This study aimed to analyze the technical and tactical aspects of young athletes during official taekwondo competitions. Fifty-nine youth taekwondo athletes (43 boys and 16 girls; age range: 10–12 years; weight category range: <24 to >59 kg) with at least 2 years of taekwondo training consisting of three 90-minute training sessions for 3 d·wk−1 participated in this study. Thirty-seven matches (three 1-minute rounds, with 1-minute rest in between) were analyzed to verify the differences (p ⩽ 0.05) in offensive and defensive actions in relation to gender (male, female), match outcome (winners, nonwinners), kicking leg (front, rear), and round (first, second, third). No difference emerged for gender and match outcome. With respect to defensive actions (8.4 ± 12.0%), youth athletes engaged more frequently (p < 0.0001) in offensive actions (91.6 ± 12.0%), which showed a significant decrease (p < 0.016) from the first round (42.3 ± 21.8%) to the second (33.1 ± 14.8%) and third (24.5 ± 16.0%) ones. Kicks performed with the rear leg (94.4 ± 7.8%) occurred more frequently (p < 0.0001) than those performed with the front leg (5.6 ± 7.8%). In considering that a high level of coordination is required to perform front-leg kicks and defensive actions necessitate a high level of tactical skills, these findings might indicate a not-yet complete attainment of fundamental coordinative capabilities in 10- to 12-year-old athletes, independently of match outcome. To enhance coordination capabilities in youth athletes, coaches are recommended to structure their training including skill-ability and sport-ability drills.