Guglielmo Pillitteri, Alessio Rossi, Tindaro Bongiovanni, Giuseppe Puleo, Marco Petrucci, F Marcello Iaia, Hugo Sarmento, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Giuseppe Battaglia
{"title":"Elite Soccer Players' Weekly Workload Assessment Through a New Training Load and Performance Score.","authors":"Guglielmo Pillitteri, Alessio Rossi, Tindaro Bongiovanni, Giuseppe Puleo, Marco Petrucci, F Marcello Iaia, Hugo Sarmento, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Giuseppe Battaglia","doi":"10.1080/02701367.2024.2358956","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2024.2358956","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Purpose</b>: Monitoring players' training load allows practitioners to enhance physical performance while reducing injury risk. The aim of this study was to identify the key external load indicators in professional U19 soccer. <b>Methods</b>: Twenty-four-professional Italian young (U19) soccer players were monitored by using the rating of perceived exertion (CR-10 RPE scale) and a wearable inertial sensor during the competitive season. Three main components were detected by a Principal Component Analysis (PCA): i) volume metabolic related component, ii) intensity mechanical stimuli component, and iii) intensity metabolic/mechanical component. We hence computed two scores (i.e. Performance [PERF] and total workload [WORK]) permitting to investigate the weekly microcycle. <b>Results</b>: Correlation analysis showed that scores (i.e. PERF and WORK) are low correlated (<i>r</i> = -0.20) suggesting that they were independent. Autocorrelation analysis showed that a weekly microcycle is detectable in all the scores. Two-way ANOVA RM showed a statistical difference between match day (MD) and playing position for the three PCA components and PERF score. <b>Conclusion</b>: We proposed an innovative approach to assess both the players' physical performance and training load by using a machine learning approach allowing reducing a large dataset in an objective way. This approach may help practitioners to prescribe the training in the microcycle based on the two scores.</p>","PeriodicalId":94191,"journal":{"name":"Research quarterly for exercise and sport","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141565469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marc Madruga-Parera, Pedro T Esteves, John F T Fernandes, Vicente Beltrán-Garrido, Stephen Bird, Nuno Leite, Daniel Romero-Rodriguez, Jorge Arede
{"title":"Inclusion of Game-Based Stimulus During Flywheel Resistance Training Positively Influences Physical Performance in Handball Players.","authors":"Marc Madruga-Parera, Pedro T Esteves, John F T Fernandes, Vicente Beltrán-Garrido, Stephen Bird, Nuno Leite, Daniel Romero-Rodriguez, Jorge Arede","doi":"10.1080/02701367.2024.2359603","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2024.2359603","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Handball is a body-contact Olympic ball sport that is characterized by fast-paced defensive and offensive actions. Players must coordinate explosive movements (e.g. changing of direction) and handball-specific skills (e.g. passing). Maximizing performance requires a systematic approach to training that includes physical, psychological, technical, and tactical preparation. <b>Purpose:</b> The aim of this study is to determine the effects of movement-based (MOV; unspecific sport stimulus) or game-based (GAM; sport-specific stimulus) flywheel resistance training intervention in highly trained youth handball players. <b>Method:</b>Twenty-five highly trained youth male handball players completed two sessions per week of flywheel resistance training (MOV, <i>n</i> = 12; GAM, <i>n</i> = 13) over the 7-week intervention period. Change-of-direction tests (180º change-of-direction speed test of both legs and test) and handball-throwing test were conducted before and after the intervention. <b>Results:</b> Both groups significantly improved <i>V</i>-cut, and 180º Change-of-direction speed test performance (<i>p</i> < .05; <i>d</i> = 0.79-2.05). Notwithstanding, the GAM group demonstrated greater improvements in <i>V</i>-cut and COD180<sub>ASY</sub> compared with the MOV group (<i>p</i> < .05) with small effect. Handball throwing speed performance remained unchanged independently of training condition (<i>p</i> > .05). <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings provide further support for the training principle of \"specificity\" and highlight the importance of including a game-based training stimulus during resistance training. This is a key consideration for coaches wanting to enhance physical performance in youth handball players.</p>","PeriodicalId":94191,"journal":{"name":"Research quarterly for exercise and sport","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141565470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Identifying Key Training Load and Intensity Indicators in Ice Hockey Using Unsupervised Machine Learning.","authors":"Vincenzo Rago, Tiago Fernandes, Magni Mohr","doi":"10.1080/02701367.2024.2360162","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2024.2360162","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To identify key training load (TL) and intensity indicators in ice hockey, practice, and game data were collected using a wearable 200-Hz accelerometer and heart rate (HR) recording throughout a four-week (29 days) competitive period (23 practice sessions and 8 competitive games in 17 elite Danish players (<i>n</i> = 427 observations). Within-individual correlations among accelerometer- (total accelerations [Acc<sub>tot</sub>], accelerations >2 m·s<sup>-2</sup> [Acc2], total accelerations [Dec<sub>tot</sub>], decelerations <- 2 m·s<sup>-2</sup> [Dec2]), among HR-derived (time >85% maximum HR [t85%HR<sub>max</sub>], Edwards' TL and modified training impulse) TL indicators, and between acceleration- and HR-derived TL parameters were large to almost perfect (<i>r</i> = 0.69-0.99). No significant correlations were observed between accelerometer- and HR-derived intensity indicators. Three between- and two within-components were found. The K-means++ cluster analysis revealed five and four clusters for between- and within-loadings, respectively. The least Euclidean distance from their centroid for each cluster was reported by session-duration, Acc<sub>tot</sub>, Dec2, TRIMP<sub>MOD</sub>, %t85HR<sub>max</sub> for between-loadings, whereas session-duration, Acc2, t85HR<sub>max</sub> and Dec2/min for within-loadings. Specific TL or intensity variables might be relevant to identify similar between-subject groups (e.g. individual player, playing positions), or temporal patterns (e.g. changes in TL or intensity over time). Our study provides insights about the redundancy associated with the use of multiple TL and intensity variables in ice hockey.</p>","PeriodicalId":94191,"journal":{"name":"Research quarterly for exercise and sport","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141500057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ayrton Bruno de Morais Ferreira, Bruno Laerte Lopes Ribeiro, Iago Medeiros da Silva, John Fontenele-Araújo, Arnaldo Luis Mortatti
{"title":"Effect of Training Load Intensification on the Sleep Pattern of Young Soccer Players.","authors":"Ayrton Bruno de Morais Ferreira, Bruno Laerte Lopes Ribeiro, Iago Medeiros da Silva, John Fontenele-Araújo, Arnaldo Luis Mortatti","doi":"10.1080/02701367.2024.2359608","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2024.2359608","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Purpose:</b> The aim of this study was to examine how intensifying training loads over a week affects the sleep patterns of young soccer players on the nights immediately following the intensified training sessions. <b>Methods:</b> Quasi-experimental study. Fifteen young athletes participants of a team engaged in national level competition, underwent two weeks of training with varying load magnitudes-Week 1: low accumulated training load and Week 2: intensified training loads [40% increase in external training load(ETL)]. To characterize the intensification of the workload, the methods PlayerLoad and RPE-Session were employed to measure ETL and internal training load(ITL), respectively. Total sleep time(TST), total time in bed(TTB), sleep efficiency(SE), sleep latency(SL), and wake after sleep onset(WASO) were obtained using actigraphy and daily sleep log. The variables were compared among the days of week (e.g. Monday of week 1 with Monday of week 2, and so forth). <b>Results:</b> Acute training intensification in week 2 led to significant increases in ETL and ITL on Monday and on Wednesday(<i>p</i> < .05), and ETL(<i>p</i> < .05) on Friday on the second week. Improvements in sleep were observed (Tuesday-TST:+80 min, WASO:-29.3 min, SL:-8 min, SE:+9%; Thursday-TST:+86 min, SL:-4 min, SE:+4%; Saturday-TST:+40 min, SL:+1 min) compared to the same day of the previous week. Correlations between ETL and ITL(<i>r</i> = 0.637), ITL and TST(<i>r</i> = 0.572), ITL and SE(<i>r</i> = 0.548) were found. <b>Conclusion:</b> Intensification of training loads results in alterations in sleep variables, notably an elevated TST and SE in the days subsequent to the acute load increment.</p>","PeriodicalId":94191,"journal":{"name":"Research quarterly for exercise and sport","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141500056","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gabriel Protzen, Bruno Matoso, Kenji Doma, Silvio de Oliveira, Daniel Boullosa
{"title":"Does the Repeated-Bout Effect Influence Post-Activation Performance Enhancement in Recreational Runners?","authors":"Gabriel Protzen, Bruno Matoso, Kenji Doma, Silvio de Oliveira, Daniel Boullosa","doi":"10.1080/02701367.2024.2353719","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2024.2353719","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Purpose:</b> This study examined how a low dose of an eccentric-oriented lunge exercise could induce the repeated-bout effect (RBE) and affect the subsequent post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in recreational runners. <b>Methods:</b> Twenty male recreational runners (32.1 ± 2.8 years; 173.4 ± 6.1 cm; 73.3 ± 11.5 kg; 57.8 ± 7.2 mL·kg<sup>-1</sup>·min<sup>-1</sup>) were divided into control (<i>N</i> = 10) and experimental (<i>N</i> = 10) groups. In the first and fourth weeks, the groups were assessed for jump capacity, dynamic balance, and submaximal running kinematics before and after an incremental shuttle-run test until exhaustion. The experimental group was also submitted to two sessions of the eccentric-oriented lunge exercise (3 sets of 10 repetitions with 2 min of passive recovery) in the second and third weeks. <b>Results:</b> We observed that the first session promoted muscle damage, which was significantly (<i>p</i> < .05) reduced after the second training session, thus indicating an RBE. Meanwhile, there was no effect of the RBE on dynamic balance and submaximal running kinematics in the post-intervention. However, there was a significant increase in countermovement jump height (<i>p</i> = .008) for the experimental group when compared to the control group, although no PAPE was observed. <b>Conclusions:</b> The current results demonstrate that a simple, low-dose eccentric-oriented exercise may induce an RBE, leading to reduced muscle damage and a possibly improved lower limbs' muscle power in recreational runners. However, the absence of PAPE effects suggests that the RBE may not directly influence the potentiation/fatigue balance after fatiguing running exercises.</p>","PeriodicalId":94191,"journal":{"name":"Research quarterly for exercise and sport","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141500055","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mahmoud Nikseresht, Carlo Castagna, Mehdi Nikseresht
{"title":"Assessing the Validity of Two Non-Exercise Regression Equations for Predicting Maximal Oxygen Consumption.","authors":"Mahmoud Nikseresht, Carlo Castagna, Mehdi Nikseresht","doi":"10.1080/02701367.2024.2354819","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2024.2354819","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Purpose:</b> This study aimed to develop two regression equations to predict maximal oxygen consumption (VO<sub>2max</sub>) using non-exercise data from a substantial cohort of healthy Iranian adult males. Additionally, this study sought to examine the predictive accuracy of these equations across four different levels of physical activity. <b>Methods:</b> A total of 126 participants (age: 34.9 ± 11.3 years, body mass index [BMI]: 24.9 ± 2.7 kg/m², and body fat percentage [BF%]: 18.3 ± 4.9) completed a maximal graded exercise test to measure VO<sub>2max</sub>, with a mean of 45.0 ± 3.4 ml.kg<sup>-1</sup>.min<sup>-1</sup>. Participants also provided information on age, current physical activity rating (PA-R), and either BMI or BF% to estimate VO<sub>2max</sub> using Jackson and colleagues' regression equations. The PA-R was assessed via a standardized questionnaire and categorized into four levels: sedentary, low, moderate, and high. <b>Results:</b> The key findings from this study indicate that both original models significantly underestimated actual VO<sub>2max</sub> in a large cohort of Iranian adults (both, <i>p</i> < .001 and mean differences exceeding 2.19 ml.kg<sup>-1</sup>.min<sup>-1</sup>). Nevertheless, these models provided accurate predictions for VO<sub>2max</sub> among individuals with moderate levels of physical activity (both, <i>p</i> > .08 and mean differences between 0.51 and 1.03 ml.kg<sup>-1</sup>.min<sup>-1</sup>). Furthermore, the models demonstrated moderate validity, as evidenced by an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.841 and a coefficient of variation averaging 10.9%, with a range from 8.5% to 13.6%. <b>Conclusions:</b> While Jackson's two non-exercise models showed limited accuracy in predicting VO<sub>2max</sub> among Iranian healthy male adults, they exhibited reasonable precision, particularly among moderately active men.</p>","PeriodicalId":94191,"journal":{"name":"Research quarterly for exercise and sport","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141494715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effects of Time Point of Pre-Competitions Peaking on Performance in Major-Competitions.","authors":"Wei Xin, Zhong Yaping, Wang Tiantian","doi":"10.1080/02701367.2024.2357648","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2024.2357648","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives:</b> To study the effects of the time points of pre-competition peaking (TPCP, the time point when an athlete's peaking shows up before a major-competition) on the athletes' performances in the major-competition (M-Performance). <b>Design:</b> Mixed design. <b>Methods:</b> We used cluster analysis to classify 892 elite track and field athletes who participated in the 2017 and 2019 IAAF World Championships in Athletics, based on their TPCP and other related factors. Furthermore, we used a fixed-effects model and a mixed-effects model to analyze the relationship between the TPCP and M-Performance. <b>Results:</b> The TPCP of elite track and field athletes were divided into four categories: late, slightly late, slightly early, and early. In speed/power events, athletes in the slightly late category had better M-Performance. In endurance events, athletes in the slightly early category had better M-Performance. In speed/power events, delaying the TPCP did not improve the athletes' M-Performance. In endurance events, advancing the TPCP effectively improved the athletes' M-Performance. <b>Conclusions:</b> To improve M-Performance, athletes in speed/power events should be peaking 2-8 weeks before a major-competition, and athletes in endurance events should be peaking 8-14 weeks before a major-competition. Future research should aim to identify individual factors affecting TPCP, such as the time for the body's adaptation to training and the residual training effect.</p>","PeriodicalId":94191,"journal":{"name":"Research quarterly for exercise and sport","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141478289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Guilherme Caporal, Adroaldo C A Gaya, Augusto Pedretti, Júlio B Mello
{"title":"School-Age Talent Identification in Female Handball by a Mathematical Model: Equation Proposed from Anthropometry, Maturity Offset, Fitness and Technical Field-Tests.","authors":"Guilherme Caporal, Adroaldo C A Gaya, Augusto Pedretti, Júlio B Mello","doi":"10.1080/02701367.2024.2358962","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2024.2358962","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The present study aimed to identify parameters that best discriminate between high-level and scholar-level players for the Brazilian 13-14-year-old girl's handball and propose a mathematical model to identify sports talent for handball. The sample was made up of all available handball players comprising these two groups: 100 girls who participated in the high-level handball championship in Brazil and 53 girls (age 13-14 years) as finalists of the school-level games in one region of Brazil. We assess the anthropometric profile, maturity offset, physical fitness, and technical skills for handball. To propose the equation, the Discriminant Function Analysis method was used. The discriminant function was significant (<i>p</i> ≤ .05), had a good canonical correlation (0.590), and still had an average Wilk Lambda (0.652). The variables considered in the talent identification model included: 1. flexibility, 2. abdominal strength, 3. lower limbs muscle power, 4. agility, 5. defensive movement and 6. slalom with ball. The values from the equation for identifying school-age athletes with high motor skills and performance for handball can be classified by a cutoff point (Y = 0.192). The results showed that the mathematical-model obtained was able to select school-age athletes with high motor skills for handball, and with the profile for participation in high-level championships.</p>","PeriodicalId":94191,"journal":{"name":"Research quarterly for exercise and sport","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141474176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jade O'Brien-Smith, Mitchell R Smith, Matthieu Lenoir, Job Fransen
{"title":"Exploring the Effects of Instruction and Game Design on Youth Soccer Players' Skill Involvement and Cooperative Team Behaviour.","authors":"Jade O'Brien-Smith, Mitchell R Smith, Matthieu Lenoir, Job Fransen","doi":"10.1080/02701367.2024.2368597","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2024.2368597","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives</b>: The relationship between task constraints and player behaviors is of interest to coaches tasked with designing practice to optimize learning. This study aims to compare the skill involvements and cooperative team behavior of teams of youth soccer players engaged in a goal exaggeration and/or a prescriptive coach instruction condition compared to a free-play control condition. <b>Methods</b>: Twenty male soccer players aged 12-15 participated in small-sided games under four conditions: free-play, goal exaggeration, prescriptive coach instruction, and combination over four weeks. Using video footage, teams' collective skill involvements (shot, pass, dribble) and passing network characteristics (closeness, density, and betweenness) were measured for each game. <b>Results</b>: A Friedmans rank test identified that playing conditions resulted in significant differences in attempted dribbles (<i>p</i> < .001), goals scored (<i>p</i> < .001), network density (<i>p</i> = .001), closeness (<i>p</i> < .001) and betweenness (<i>p</i> = .002). Teams attempted to dribble the most in the free-play and goal-exaggeration conditions, and the most goals were scored in the goal-exaggeration and combination conditions. Additionally, teams exhibited more well-connected passing networks (i.e. higher density, higher closeness, and lower betweenness values) in the combination condition and higher network density in the explicit instruction condition. <b>Conclusions</b>: The results of this study indicate that coach instruction may be more associated with cooperative team behavior, whereas free-play or manipulating task constraints in the absence of instruction may be associated with players attempting more individual actions.</p>","PeriodicalId":94191,"journal":{"name":"Research quarterly for exercise and sport","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141474174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Anabolic/Catabolic Hormone Imbalance but Still Jumping Further? Negative Association of Free Testosterone With Jumping Performance in Elite Handball Players Following a Preparatory Period.","authors":"Kristina Drole, Primož Pori, Aleš Jerin, Aljaž Kren, Armin H Paravlic","doi":"10.1080/02701367.2024.2353715","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2024.2353715","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Purpose:</b> The present study investigated the effects of a 10-week preparatory training period on biomarkers and jumping performance and associations of changes in biomarkers, load, and jumping performance from the beginning (PRE) to the end of the preparatory period (POST) in elite handball players. <b>Methods:</b> Seventeen elite handball players competing in the first Slovenian men's League were recruited. Training, competition and academic loads were reported weekly, while biomarkers and jumping performance were assessed at PRE and POST. <b>Results:</b> At POST, decreased levels of free testosterone (large effect size [ES] = -1.69, <i>p</i> < .001) and free testosterone to cortisol ratio [FTCR] (large ES = -.95, <i>p</i> = .004) were observed; whereas, better performance on the single leg lateral hop test [SLLH] (large ES = .85, <i>p</i> = .007) and single leg triple hop test [SLTH] (large ES = 1.05, <i>p</i> = .002) were observed compared to PRE. Furthermore, changes in FTCR correlated with changes in cortisol (high <i>r</i> = -.751, <i>p</i> = .001), SLLH (moderate <i>r</i> = -.603, <i>p</i> = .022), and SLTH (moderate <i>r</i> = -.643, <i>p</i> = .013), while changes in free testosterone correlated with SLTH (moderate <i>r</i> = -.645, <i>p</i> = .013). <b>Conclusions:</b> High intensity trainings with a saturated competition schedule can result in disturbed anabolic/catabolic hormone ratio observed through FTCR decrease, which could indicate either an optimal state or early exhaustiveness. It seems that SLLH and SLTH are more sensitive to changes in biomarkers than a single leg hop test. Sport professionals may use the results for individualized monitoring of an athlete's health and performance, specifically, as an aid for adjusting training loads accordingly to prevent performance declines and potential injury/illness events.</p>","PeriodicalId":94191,"journal":{"name":"Research quarterly for exercise and sport","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141474173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}