José Carlos Barbero Álvarez

Match demands of professional Futsal: A case study

Despite its popularity and competitive status there have been only few scientific studies that have examined Futsal in professional players. Consequently the aim of this study was to examine the physiological responses and activity pattern to Futsal simulated game-play in professional players. Eight full-time professional outfield Futsal players volunteered for this study: age 22.4 (95% CI 18.8-25.3) years, body mass 75.4 (60-91) kg, height 1.77 (1.59-1.95) m and VO2max 64.8 (53.8-75.8) ml kg(-1) min(-1). Physiological measurements were assessed during highly competitive training games (4x10-min quarters) and consisted of game VO2, game blood-lactate concentration ([la](b)) and game heart rates (HRs). Game activities were assessed using a computerised video-analysis system. During simulated game-play players attained 75% (59-92) and 90% (84-96) of VO2max and HR(max), respectively. Mean game VO2 was 48.6 (40.1-57.1) ml kg(-1) min(-1). Peak game VO2 and HRs were 99% (88-109) and 98% [90-106] of laboratory maximal values, respectively. Players spent 46 and 52% of the playing time at exercise intensities higher than 80 and 90% of VO2max and HR(max), respectively. Mean [la](b) was 5.3 (1.1-10.4) mmol l(-1). Players covered 121 (105-137) m min(-1) and 5% (1-11) and 12% (3.8-19.5) of playing time spent performing sprinting and high-intensity running, respectively. On average players performed a sprint every approximately 79 s during play. These results show that Futsal played at professional level is a high-intensity exercise heavily taxing the aerobic and anaerobic pathways.

Effects of intermittent-endurance fitness on match performance in young male soccer players.

Castagna, C, Impellizzeri, F, Cecchini, E, Rampinini, E, and Barbero Alvarez, JC. Effects of intermittent-endurance fitness on match performance in young male soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 23(7): 1954-1959, 2009-The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of specific endurance (Yo-Yo Intermittent recovery test level 1, Yo-Yo IR1) on match performance in male youth soccer. Twenty-one young, male soccer players (age 14.1 ± 0.2 years) were involved in the study. Players were observed during international championship games of corresponding age categories and completed the Yo-Yo IR1 on a separate occasion. Physical (distance coverage) and physiological match demands were assessed using Global Positioning System technology and heart rate (HR) short-range telemetry, respectively. During the match (two 30-minutes halves), players covered 6,204 ± 731 m, of which 985 ± 362 m (16%) were performed at high intensities (speed >13 km·h−1, HIA). A significant decrement (3.8%, p = 0.003) in match coverage was evident during the second half. No significant (p = 0.07) difference between halves was observed for HIA (p = 0.56) and sprint (speed >18 km·h−1, SPR) distances. During the first and second halves, players attained the 86 ± 5.5 and 85 ± 6.0% of HRmax (p = 0.17), respectively. Peak HR during the first and second halves were 100 ± 4 and 99.4 ± 4.7% of HRmax, respectively. Yo-Yo IR1 performance (842 ± 352 m) was significantly related to match HIA (r = 0.77, p < 0.001) and total distance (r = 0.65, p = 0.002). This studys results showed that specific endurance, as determined by Yo-Yo IR1 performance, positively affects physical match performance in male young soccer players. Consequently, the Yo-Yo IR1 test may be regarded as a valid test to assess game readiness and guide training prescription in male youth soccer players.

Effects of Different Practice Conditions on Acquisition, Retention, and Transfer of Soccer Skills by 9-Year-Old Schoolchildren

This study was designed to examine effects of three practice models, blocked, variable, and combined, on the acquisition, retention, and transfer of new motor skills. 67 subjects (M age = 9.5 yr., SD = 3) from the fourth year of primary school (31 boys and 26 girls) were assigned at random to three different practice groups (Blocked = 22, Variable = 23, Combined = 22) to study acquisition of two skills, dribbling a soccer ball and kicking a soccer ball at a stationary target using the dominant foot. All participants received a pretest and posttest, a transfer test, and a retention test 2 wk. later. Analysis showed significant improvement after practice of kicking skills by the three groups but not in the dribbling skills, for which only the combined practice group showed any notable improvement. At the end of acquisition, the combined practice group had significantly better performance on the dribbling task than the other two groups. However, the only differences noted in performance of kicking the ball with the dominant foot were by combined practice and blocked groups.