The goal of this study was to identify and compare body composition (BC) variables in elite female athletes (age ± years): volleyball (27.4 ± 4.1), softball (23.6 ± 4.9), basketball (25.9 ± 4.2), soccer (23.2 ± 4.2) and handball (24.0 ± 3.5) players. Fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass, percentage of fat mass (FMP), body cell mass (BCM), extracellular mass (ECM), their ratio, the percentage of BCM in FFM, the phase angle (α), and total body water, with a distinction between extracellular (ECW) and intracellular water, were measured using bioimpedance analysis. MANOVA showed significant differences in BC variables for athletes in different sports (F60.256 = 2.93, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.407). The results did not indicate any significant differences in FMP or α among the tested groups (p > 0.05). Significant changes in other BC variables were found in analyses when sport was used as an independent variable. Soccer players exhibited the most distinct BC, differing from players of other sports in 8 out of 10 variables. In contrast, the athletes with the most similar BC were volleyball and basketball players, who did not differ in any of the compared variables. Discriminant analysis revealed two significant functions (p < 0.01). The first discriminant function primarily represented differences based on the FFM proportion (volleyball, basketball vs. softball, soccer). The second discriminant function represented differences based on the ECW proportion (softball vs. soccer). Although all of the members of the studied groups competed at elite professional levels, significant differences in the selected BC variables were found. The results of the present study may serve as normative values for comparison or target values for training purposes.

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the linear running speed (LRS) for 30 m, change of direction speed (CODS), and endurance in young elite Czech soccer players. The following tests were conducted to assess CODS and endurance: Agility 505 turning toward the dominant (A505DL) and non-dominant lower limb (A505NL); Illinois Agility Test (IAT); and intermittent test (Yo-Yo IRT1). During the soccer season, we investigated performance at the following time periods: the start (t1) and the end of the pre-season period (t2); during (t3) and at the end of the competitive period (t4). Repeated measurement analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of time period on selected fitness parameters (p < 0.05). Post hoc analysis for test A505DL revealed significant improvements of performance at t3 (2.71 ± 0.08 s) and t4 (2.72 ± 0.06 s) compared to t1 (2.81 ± 0.09 s). A505NL was significantly different between t1 (2.83 ± 0.09 s) and t2 (2.76 ± 0.09 s), t3 (2.7 ± 0.07 s) and t4 (2.71 ± 0.09 s). Performance of CODS at t1 for the IAT (18.82 ± 0.56 s) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than any other time period (t2 = 18.52 ± 0.63 s, t3 = 17.94 ± 0.51 s, t4 = 17.89 ± 0.66 s). The power of LRS was significantly different at t3 (4.99 ± 0.15 s), and t4 (4.98 ± 0.17 s) compared to t1 (5.15 ± 0.21 s), and t2 (5.07 ± 0.14 s). For the Yo-Yo IRT1 test, we observed a significant increase in performance between t1 (625.26 ± 170.34 m), t2 (858.95 ± 210.55 m), and t3 (953.68 ± 229.88 m). These results show the impact of soccer season time period on young soccer player performance and may further serve as a basis for comparison with similar research conducted by peers. These results may aid sports practice for clinicians, conditioning coaches, soccer coaches and physiotherapeutic coaches.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the speed, agility, aerobic and anaerobic capacities of football players varied by playing positions. Elite youth football players (n = 123, age = 15.7 ± 0.5 years) who played in six different positions, as goalkeepers (GK), full backs (FB), central defenders (CD), wide midfielders (WM), central midfielders (CM), and attackers (AT), were assessed. Multivariate analysis of variances was used to compare the following variables: Linear running sprint for 5 m (S5) and 10 m (S10), flying sprint for 20 m (F20), agility 505 test with turn on the dominant (A505D) and non-dominant leg (A505N), agility K-test, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery (YYIR1) test and repeat sprint ability (RSA) test. The results showed significant influence of playing positions on linear-running sprint performance (F1,123 = 6.19, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.23). Midfielders reached significantly higher performance levels (CM = 2.44 ± 0.08 s, WM = 2.47 ± 0.13 s) in the A505N test compared to GK (2.61 ± 0.23 s). Outfield players had significantly higher performance in both YYIR1 and RSA tests compared to GK (p < 0.01). The results of this study may provide insightful strategies for coaches and clinical practitioners for developing position-specific conditioning programs.

Background Monitoring of physical fitness characteristics in very young players could be helpful for the selection of talented youth or identification of the strengths and weaknesses in motor predispositions for physical performance. Muscular strength tested on an isokinetic dynamometer belongs to the most widely used methods of the identification of knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF) strength in adult soccer players It appears that there is the lack of information concerning monitoring of isokinetic strength of lower limbs and its parameters in very young soccer players. The purpose of the study was to find out the level of isokinetic strength (IS) of KE and KF and to compare the selected characteristics of IS related to the movement velocity and limb dominancy in very young players. Methods Young players (n=16, age 8.8±0.4 years, body height=137.5±6.2 cm, body weight=30.7±4.1 kg) were tested on an isokinetic dynamometer Cybex Humac Norm. Maximum peak muscle torque (PT) of KE and KF, their mutual ratio (H:Q) and bilateral ratio between Q:Q or H:H were assessed during concentric contraction at different velocities (60,180,300°.s-1) in the dominant leg (DL) and nondominant leg (NL). Mixed-design ANOVA was used for evaluation of PT differences between the factors (angular velocity, limb dominancy, muscle groups-KE, KF). For multiple comparisons we used Bonferonni's post-hoc test. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05. Effect size was assessed using the ηp2 coefficient. ResultsThe results of PT during 60,180 and 300°.s-1 were (KE [DL]: 60.9±11.6, 39.2±7.3, 30.9±5.4 N•m, [NL]: 60.8 ±12.2, 41.1±7.8, 33.6±6.3 N•m and for KF [DL]: 34.5 ±6.2, 24.5±4.1, 19.7±4.3 N•m, [NL]: 33.2±5.7, 24.6±5.8, 20.0±4.8 N•m). Movement velocity had a significant effect on the level of PT ( peak torque) in the players F(1.3, 77.9) =414.9, p<0.01, ηp2=0.874 and HQ ratio (F(1.7, 49.8) =7.6, p<0.01, ηp2=0.202. With increasing velocity, significant differences were revealed in PT (L vs M, L vs H, M vs. H p<0.01) and HQ ratio (L vs M, L vs H p <0.05).

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of muscular strength, strength asymmetries, and fatigue on the speed and accuracy of an instep kick in soccer players. We measured ball velocity (BV) and kicking accuracy (KA) in the preferred (PL) and non-preferred leg (NPL) before (PRE) and after (POST) physical load in the PL. Maximum peak muscle torque of the knee extensors and flexors in the PL and NPL as well as ipsilateral knee flexors and knee extensors ratio (H:Q ratio) for both legs were assessed. BV was significantly decreased in POST physical load (5.82%, BV=30.79±1.70 m·s, BV=29.00±1.70 m·s, t=3.67, p=0.00, d=1.05). Instep kick accuracy after the physical load worsened by an average of 10% in the most accurate trials. Results revealed a significant decrease in instep kick accuracy after physical loading (KA=2.74±0.70 m, KA=3.85±1.24 m, t=-3.31, p=0.00, d=1.10). We found an insignificant correlation between H:Q ratio and KA in PRE test value, whereas a lower ipsilateral ratio (higher degree of strength asymmetry) in the POST physical load significantly correlated with KA in all angular velocities (r=-0.63 up to -0.67, p=0.00).