Relationships between performance test and match-related physical performance parameters

Background

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between performance test parameters and match-related physical performance in professional soccer players.

Methods

To determine physical capacity, 28 male soccer players underwent several performance tests at the start of the seasons 2013/2014, 2014/2015, and 2015/2016. The following parameters were assessed: maximum running velocity (v_max), fixed (v_4mmol/l) and individual anaerobic threshold (v_IAS) during an incremental treadmill test; 30-m sprint time in a linear sprint test (LS_30m); in a repeated-sprint test, the 30-m sprint time (RST_30m) and performance decrement (RST_decr); and countermovement jump height (CMJ). Match physical performance was quantified during the first ten official matches of each season using a computerized, camera-based tracking system. The following measures of match physical performance were considered: top running speed (TS), mean running speed (v_Ø), total distance covered (TD), number of sprints (SP), number of high-intensity running (HIR), and aerial duels won (AD+). Pearson correlation coefficients were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Moderate to very large correlations were found between the majority of performance test parameters and match performance variables, with a variability of correlations across the three seasons. Large relationships across all three seasons were only observed between v_max and TD, v_max and v_Ø, LS_30m and TS as well as RST_30m and TS.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the relationship between several performance test parameters and match-related physical performance in professional soccer players, thereby supporting the test parameters’ criterion validity. v_max, LS_30m, and RST_30m seem to be the most consistent parameters.

     

Hochintensives Intervalltraining im Sportunterricht

Background and aim

This study examined the effects of a 6-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs. low-intensity endurance training (LOW), applied during physical education on motor performance, mood and perceived exertion.

Methods

Over a period of 6 weeks, 85 pupils (34 male; 51 female; age: 11.9?±?0.9 years) performed 11 sessions of either HIIT (20?min, intervals from 10?s to 4?min at about 90–100% of average running speed of 6?min run [v_mean]) or LOW (30?min, intervals from 6–25?min at about 65–85% v_mean). Before and after the 6?week intervention each pupils’ anthropometry and motor performance (20?m sprint, standing long-jump, lateral jumping from side to side, push-ups, sit-ups, 6?min run) were assessed. Session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded after each session and mood was assessed by questionnaire following the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 11th session.

Results

RPE (p?<?0.05) was higher and mood more positive (p?<?0.05) with HIIT compared to LOW. Performances in the 6?min run (p?<?0.001; part. η²?=?0.473), 20?m sprint (p?<?0.001; part. η²?=?0.226), standing long-jump (p?<?0.05; part. η²?=?0.056), push-ups (p?<?0.001; part. η²?=?0.523) and sit-ups (p?<?0.001; part. η²?=?0.146) improved following HIIT and LOW with no significant time?×?group interaction (except for the sit-ups [p?<?0.05; part. η²?=?0.048]).

Conclusions

HIIT and LOW improved the performances in 6?min run, 20?m sprint, standing long-jump and push-ups similarly. However, the improvements in HIIT compared to LOW were achieved in 30% less time. As time is limited in physical education classes, HIIT offers a new perspective for improving endurance and motor performance in children. The positive mood associated with HIIT demonstrates the applicability in physical education.

     

Adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines among Portuguese preschool children: the prestyle study

ABSTRACT

Purpose

The 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (24 hMG) provide specific recommendations, including physical activity (PA), screen-time and sleep-duration, which preschoolers should achieve for a healthy day (24 h). The aim of the current study was to analyse preschooler’s adherence with the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines.     

Football practice with youth players in the “Footbonaut”

In today’s leading football training centres, state-of-the-art performance diagnostic systems such as the “Footbonaut” allow controlled and standardized assessments of physical and mental components of agility, e.g. speed of action and ball control, that are considered to be decisive for talent identification and development. However, effects of induced physical and mental strain on performing football-specific practice patterns remain to be elucidated, particularly in youth players, and, thus, characterize the purpose of this study. 33 randomly assigned competitive football players (U14 to U16) performed a standardized Footbonaut practice pattern (i.e. 20 balls randomly drawn at 50?km/h each), prior to and immediately after either mentally demanding tasks (MDT; n?=?11; continuous Vienna Test System’s Stroop task and determination test), physically demanding tasks (PDT; n?=?11; consisted of 4?×?4?min of football-specific high-intensity intervals with 3?min of active recovery in between) or a control condition (CON; n?=?11). Continuous heart rates (HR) as well as self-perceptions of fatigue were assessed. Main findings revealed performances for speed of action (p?=?0.44; f?=?0.01) and ball control (p?=?0.15; f?=?0.03) that were not modulated in the face of induced physical and mental strain as indicated by increased HR following PDT (p?<?0.001; d?>?0.8), or in the face of increased self-perceptions of fatigue following PDT and MDT (both p?<?0.001; both d?>?0.8) compared to CON. This is in line with a suggested talent factor and previous reports on motivational trade-off aspects in youth players. However, the present study’s short-timed practice patterns make it difficult to reliably compare a measuring sensitivity to complex football-specific movement behavioural and technical proficiencies with respect to mental and physical strain of longer-lasting football games and, thus, need further investigation in favour of improving talent identification and development using the Footbonaut.     

Einstellungen von Sportlehramtsstudierenden zur Sprachbildung im Sportunterricht

An assessment of attitudes toward language awareness in physical education classes offers the possibility to evaluate learning and teaching opportunities related to this topic offered at universities. However, valid research instruments for this undertaking are currently lacking. The present article reports on the development and validation of a questionnaire for assessing attitudes toward language awareness in sports classes (“Erfassung von Einstellungen zur Sprachbildung im Sportunterricht,” ESBiS). A validation study of the ESBiS included N?=?254 student physical education teachers, 37.8% female, mean age 22.16 years, standard deviation 2.74 years. Explorative factor analysis identified a five-factor structure with the ESBiS factors linguistic goal and performance transparency, promotion of writing, language-corrective feedback, use of scaffolding, and advancement of technical vocabulary. The analyses indicate good factorial validity and reliability of the individual scales. The ESBiS factors can be satisfactorily modelled using confirmatory factor analyses. The ESBiS instrument thus demonstrates good psychometric quality. Furthermore, in some instances, very low positive correlations of the ESBiS factors with the validation criterion of multicultural attitudes could be shown. Additionally, correlation analyses with individual characteristics of the student physical education teachers showed that the developed instrument has sensitivity and discriminatory ability.     

Visuelle Bewegungskontrolle geführter Kraftübungen bei jungen Erwachsenen und Senioren

In the context of strength training in rehabilitation, visual movement control can be helpful to ensure correct movements. However, there are only a few studies that deal with the effectiveness of feedback during resistance exercises. To investigate the effect of feedback during guided exercise, 18 young adults (28.8?±?5.5 years) and 12 senior citizens (67.9?±?4.1 years) were tested. Subjects performed shoulder press exercises (3 sets, 15 repetitions) with and without visual movement control in a randomized order. On day 1, the subjects trained without load, and on day 2 they trained at 50% of their single repetition maximum. Joint articulation at the elbow was recorded using elbow extension and flexion. Autocorrelation was used to determine the reproducibility of movements. Subjects achieved better reproducibility of the movement with feedback than without (χ²?=?19.73; p?<?0.001). There was no effect of the load on motion accuracy (p?>?0.05), but the age group showed a significant effect (χ²?=?6.00; p?=?0.014). The younger group shows a higher degree of movement accuracy. In summary, visual movement control is useful in guided exercises to control movement execution. In clinical setting, this may be a way to control the motion performance of guided strength exercises and to ensure purposeful muscle work. Further studies should clarify the effect of visual feedback on the movement quality in unguided strength exercises.     

Playing with confidence: The relationship between imagery use and self-confidence and self-efficacy in youth soccer players

Abstract

Confidence has been one of the most consistent factors in distinguishing the successful from the unsuccessful athletes (Gould, Weiss, & Weinberg, 1981 Gould, D., Weiss, M. and Weinberg, R. 1981. Psychological characteristics of successful and non-successful Big Ten wrestlers. Journal of Sport Psychology, 3: 69–81.  [Google Scholar]) and Bandura (1997 Bandura, A. 1997. Self-efficacy. The exercise of control, New York: W. H. Freeman.  [Google Scholar]) proposed that imagery is one way to enhance confidence. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between imagery use and confidence in soccer (football) players. The participants included 122 male and female soccer athletes ages 11–14 years participating in both house/recreation (n = 72) and travel/competitive (n = 50) levels. Athletes completed three questionnaires; one measuring the frequency of imagery use, one assessing generalised self-confidence, and one assessing self-efficacy in soccer. A series of regression analyses found that Motivational General-Mastery (MG-M) imagery was a signifant predictor of self-confidence and self-efficacy in both recreational and competitive youth soccer players. More specifically, MG-M imagery accounted for between 40 and 57% of the variance for both self-confidence and self-efficacy with two other functions (MG-A and MS) contributing marginally in the self-confidence regression for recreational athletes. These findings suggest that if a youth athlete, regardless of competitive level, wants to increase his/her self-confidence or self-efficacy through the use of imagery, the MG-M function should be emphasised.     

Validity and Reliability of the School Physical Activity Environment Questionnaire

The goal of the current study was to establish the factor validity of the Questionnaire Assessing School Physical Activity Environment (Robertson-Wilson, Lévesque, & Holden, 2007 Robertson-Wilson, J., Lévesque, L. and Holden, R. R. 2007. Development of a questionnaire assessing school physical activity environment. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 11: 93–107. [Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) using confirmatory factor analysis procedures. Another goal was to establish internal reliability and test–retest reliability. The confirmatory factor analysis results of this study supported a slightly altered version of the Questionnaire Assessing School Physical Activity Environment's school physical activity environment subscale. Internal reliability was adequate, while test–retest reliability was questionable. In brief, the pattern of findings indicated that while the original Questionnaire Assessing School Physical Activity Environment is likely adequate for some research purposes, a slightly modified version (Questionnaire Assessing School Physical Activity Environment-R) was psychometrically stronger. However, given the distinct differences in samples used in the original validation study and the current study, more research on the psychometric properties of the Questionnaire Assessing School Physical Activity Environment is needed to determine if the current results and Robertson-Wilson et al.'s (2007 Robertson-Wilson, J., Lévesque, L. and Holden, R. R. 2007. Development of a questionnaire assessing school physical activity environment. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 11: 93–107. [Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) results are sample specific.     

6-Minute Walk Test Performance in Young Children who are Normal Weight and Overweight

PURPOSE

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate 6-minute walk test (6MWT) performance in young children who were normal weight (NW) and overweight (OW).

METHODS

Seventy children, 5-9 years of age, participated in this study. The 6MWT was performed on an indoor walkway. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and oxygen saturation (SaO₂) were measured. A self-reported physical activity questionnaire was completed by a parent/guardian. Data were analyzed with independent t tests, ANOVA, correlation analyses, and logistic regression.

RESULTS

The systolic BP values were higher in the children who were OW compared with their NW peers (resting mean 104.1 (8.9) mmHg vs. 97.5 (7.8) mmHg, P < 0.05; post-6WMT: mean 118.4 (10.78) mmHg vs. 109.9 (9.1) mmHg, P < 0.05). The SaO₂ values were lower in the children who were OW compared to their NW counterparts (resting: mean 97.2 (1.1) % vs. 98.0 (1.0) %, P < 0.05; post-6WMT: mean 96.8 (1.0) % vs. 97.7 (1.0) %, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The children who were OW had higher systolic BP and lower SaO₂ levels at rest and post-6WMT. More research is needed to determine if these differences contribute to children who are OW having difficulty performing exercise.Key Words: obesity, children, exercise capacity     

A dynamical systems approach for the submaximal prediction of maximum heart rate and maximal oxygen uptake

This study examines the viability of utilizing a dynamical system model and heuristic parameter estimation algorithm to make predictions for maximum heart rate (\(\mathrm {HR_{max}}\)) and maximal oxygen uptake (\(\dot{\mathrm {V}}{\mathrm {O_{2max}}}\)) using data collected from a submaximal testing protocol. \(\dot{\mathrm {V}}{\mathrm {O_{2max}}}\) is widely considered to be the best single measurement of overall fitness in humans. When a \(\dot{\mathrm {V}}{\mathrm {O_{2max}}}\) assessment is not available, \(\mathrm {HR_{max}}\) is often used to prescribe exercise intensities for training and rehabilitation. In the absence of maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), \(\mathrm {HR_{max}}\) and \(\dot{\mathrm {V}}{\mathrm {O_{2max}}}\) are typically estimated using traditional submaximal prediction methods with well-known limitations and inaccuracies. For this study, 12 regularly exercising healthy young adult males performed a bout of maximal CPET on a cycle ergometer to determine their true \(\mathrm {HR_{max}}\) and \(\dot{\mathrm {V}}{\mathrm {O_{2max}}}\). Participants also performed a submaximal bout of exercise at varied intensities. A dynamical system model and heuristic parameter estimation algorithm were applied to the submaximal data to estimate the participants’ \(\mathrm {HR_{max}}\) and \(\dot{\mathrm {V}}{\mathrm {O_{2max}}}\). The submaximal predictions were evaluated by computing the coefficient of determination \({R^2}\) and the standard error of the estimate (SEE) through comparisons with the true maximal values for \(\mathrm {HR_{max}}\) (\({R^2 = 0.96}\), SEE = 2.4 bpm) and \(\dot{\mathrm {V}}{\mathrm {O_{2max}}}\) (\({R^2 = 0.93}\), SEE = 2.1 mL kg\(^{-1}\) min\(^{-1}\)). The results from this study suggest that a dynamical system model and heuristic parameter estimation algorithm can provide accurate predictions for \(\mathrm {HR_{max}}\) and \(\dot{\mathrm {V}}{\mathrm {O_{2max}}}\) using data collected from a submaximal testing protocol.     

Early Mobilization in the Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review

Purpose

The purpose of this review is to evaluate the literature related to mobilization of the critically ill patient with an emphasis on functional outcomes and patient safety.

Methods

We searched the electronic databases of PubMed, CINAHL, Medline (Ovid), and The Cochrane Library for a period spanning 2000–2011. Articles used in this review included randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials, prospective and retrospective analyses, and case series in peer-reviewed journals. Sackett''s Levels of Evidence were used to classify the current literature to evaluate the strength of the outcomes reported.

Results

Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. According to Sackett''s Levels of Evidence, 9 studies were level 4 evidence, one study was level 3, 4 studies were level 2, and one study was level one evidence. Ten studies pertained to patient safety/feasibility and 10 studies pertained to functional outcomes with 5 fitting into both categories.

Conclusion

A search of the scientific literature revealed a limited number of studies that examined the mobilization of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit. However, literature that does exist supports early mobilization and physical therapy as a safe and effective intervention that can have a significant impact on functional outcomes.Key Words: mobilization, exercise, intensive care unit, critical illness, physical therapy     

Safety and Efficacy of Mobility Interventions in Patients with Femoral Catheters in the ICU: A Prospective Observational Study

Introduction

There are limited data describing mobility interventions provided to patients with femoral catheters. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of femoral catheter related adverse effects during physical therapy (PT) sessions in a cardiovascular intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

This was a prospective, observational study and included patients with at least one femoral catheter. Data were collected after each PT session.

Results

There were 77 subjects with a total of 92 femoral catheters (50 arterial, 15 central venous, and 27 dialysis) treated. A total of 210 separate PT sessions occurred with 630 mobility activities including sitting on side of bed, standing at the bedside, transfers to stretcher chair or regular chair, and walking. There were no catheter related mechanical or thrombotic complications during any of the PT sessions.

Conclusions

Physical therapy sessions, including standing and walking were feasible and safe in cardiovascular ICU patients with femoral catheters who met the criteria for mobility interventions. The results from this study support the hypothesis that early mobilization in patients with femoral catheters is important to minimize functional decline and provide evidence that the presence of femoral catheters alone should not be a reason to limit progressive mobility interventions.Key Words: physical therapy, ICU, early mobilization, femoral catheter     

Using Simulation and Patient Role Play to Teach Electrocardiographic Rhythms to Physical Therapy Students

Purpose

The aims of the study were to differentiate: (1) physical therapy (PT) students’ preferred method for learning electrocardiographic (ECG) recognition utilizing standardized patient (SP) and human patient simulation (HPS) approaches, (2) the impact of HPS or SP on confidence in interpreting ECG, and 3) the effect of HPS or SP on students’ ability to make clinical decisions based upon ECG interpretation.

Methods

“Three educational methods were employed to teach ECG recognition to two different years of novice PT students enrolled in a cardiopulmonary physical therapy class. First, all students had a traditional lecture on ECG. Following the lecture, two problem-based learning (PBL) approaches were utilized. One approach used a SP and paper ECG strips, and the second approach utilized HPS with simulated ECG monitoring.”¹ Following the two PBL approaches, a post instructional survey regarding the learning experiences was conducted. Following instruction, each cohort (n = 24, n = 29) of PT students was given a mixed methods survey about their experience.

Results

Survey return rate amongst both cohorts was 77%. Independent sample of individual cohort and paired t-tests of combined data comparing HPS to SP revealed a strong preference for HPS (p = 0.003 (2008 cohort) and p = 0.0001 (2010 cohort)) and combined cohort (p = 0.0001). There were no significant differences in responses between cohorts or preference between the HPS method and the use of SP and HPS combined. Additionally, 75% of respondents either strongly agreed or agreed that they felt confident with their skill in ECG interpretation as presented with HPS or SP. 90% either strongly agreed or agreed that they understood how the ECG relates to patient treatment. Summative assessment utilizing HPS revealed that students were competent in their performance in ECG recognition and clinical decision making related to patient treatment.¹

Conclusion

Data support that HPS was the preferred method to improve student confidence in ECG recognition and interpretation.Key Words: human patient simulation, electrocardiography, critical care management, educational technology     

Improving the Validity and Reliability of a Health Promotion Survey for Physical Therapists

Purpose

Physical therapists (PTs) have a unique opportunity to intervene in the area of health promotion. However, no instrument has been validated to measure PTs’ views on health promotion in physical therapy practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the content validity and test-retest reliability of a health promotion survey designed for PTs.

Methods

An expert panel of PTs assessed the content validity of “The Role of Health Promotion in Physical Therapy Survey” and provided suggestions for revision. Item content validity was assessed using the content validity ratio (CVR) as well as the modified kappa statistic. Therapists then participated in the test-retest reliability assessment of the revised health promotion survey, which was assessed using a weighted kappa statistic.

Results

Based on feedback from the expert panelists, significant revisions were made to the original survey. The expert panel reached at least a majority consensus agreement for all items in the revised survey and the survey-CVR improved from 0.44 to 0.66. Only one item on the revised survey had substantial test-retest agreement, with 55% of the items having moderate agreement and 43% poor agreement.

Conclusions

All items on the revised health promotion survey demonstrated at least fair validity, but few items had reasonable test-retest reliability. Further modifications should be made to strengthen the validity and improve the reliability of this survey.Key Words: health promotion, physical therapy, validity, reliability     

What Are the Barriers to Mobilizing Intensive Care Patients?

Purpose

Recently there has been increased interest in early mobilization of critically ill patients. Proposed benefits include improvements in respiratory function, muscle wasting, intensive care unit (ICU), and hospital length of stay. We studied the frequency of early mobilization in our intensive care unit in order to identify barriers to early mobilization.

Methods

A 4-week prospective audit of 106 patients admitted to a mixed medical-surgical tertiary ICU (mean age 60 ± 20 years, mean APACHE II score 14.7 ± 7.8) was performed. Outcome measures included number of patient days mobilized, type of mobilization, adverse events, and reasons for inability to mobilize.

Results

Patients were mobilized on 176 (54%) of 327 patient days. Adverse events occurred in 2 of 176 mobilization episodes (1.1%). In 71 (47%) of the 151 patient days where mobilization did not occur, potentially avoidable factors were identified, including vascular access devices sited in the femoral region, timing of procedures and agitation or reduced level of consciousness.

Conclusions

Critically ill patients can be safely mobilized for much of their ICU stay. Interventions that may allow more patients to mobilize include: changing the site of vascular catheters, careful scheduling of procedures, and improved sedation management.Key Words: intensive care units, mobility, physical therapy