The Effect of Natural and Artificial Grass on Sprinting Performance in Young Soccer Players
Vasileios Kanaras,
Thomas I. Metaxas,
Athanasios Mandroukas,
Ioannis Gissis,
Andreas Zafeiridis,
Christos S. Riganas,
Evaggelos Manolopoulos,
Vassilis Paschalis,
Ioannis S. Vrabas
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2014
Pages:
1-4
Received:
13 December 2013
Published:
30 December 2013
Abstract: The sprint performance on natural and artificial grass of 5th generation was assessed. Sixty eight young male soccer players, which were divided in two groups according to their age [children (n=36; 12.1±0.5y) and adolescents (n=32; 14.2±0.4y)], performed 30-m sprint tests with and without handling the ball on natural and artificial grass. The performance was recorded during 0-10m, 10-30m, and 0-30m running distances. It was found that children were significantly faster during 0-10m running distance on the artificial compared to natural grass when handling the ball while adolescents revealed no differences in sprint performance between the surfaces irrespectively of the ball condition. In running distances 10-30m and 0-30m, children were significant faster in the artificial compared to the natural grass either with or without ball, while the adolescents were significantly faster in the artificial grass only without handling the ball. Children run faster on artificial than natural grass while adolescent soccer players are faster in artificial grass when they do not have to handle the ball. It is clear that children should be more careful when play soccer on artificial grass because the ball is moving faster and greater skill is needed in order to avoid injuries.
Abstract: The sprint performance on natural and artificial grass of 5th generation was assessed. Sixty eight young male soccer players, which were divided in two groups according to their age [children (n=36; 12.1±0.5y) and adolescents (n=32; 14.2±0.4y)], performed 30-m sprint tests with and without handling the ball on natural and artificial grass. The perf...
Show More
Macronutrient Consumption Prior to, and during, a Mountain Marathon
Elizabeth Mahon,
Allan Hackett,
Timothy Stott,
Keith George,
Ian Davies
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2014
Pages:
5-12
Received:
10 December 2013
Published:
20 January 2014
Abstract: Participation in ultra-endurance events such as mountain marathons is increasing, yet analysis of the nutritional intake and requirements of this group of athletes have received relatively little attention. This field study examined athletes’ food intake prior to, and during a mountain marathon event to assess compliance with recommendations and to identify associations with performance. Nineteen male athletes competing in the Longmynd Hike (LH) completed a 7-day food diary in the week prior to the event and a weighed food inventory of all items consumed during the event. Despite reported intentions to increase carbohydrate (CHO) consumption in the week prior to the event, there was no significant change in consumption across the week. The mean daily CHO intake of 4.5 g/kg/d was below that recommended to effectively enhance glycogen stores. CHO and energy consumption prior to the event were positively associated with performance [energy (kJ/kg/d): r = .56, p = 0.03; CHO (g/kg/d): r = .54, p = 0.04]. Energy and CHO consumption during the event were also positively correlated with performance [energy (kJ/kg/h): r = .80, p < 0.001; CHO (g/kg/h): r = .75, p = 0.001)], despite most participants again failing to meet recommendations for intake. Further research is needed to determine reasons for non-compliance with nutritional guidelines and to investigate to what extent type and timing of macronutrient intake during such events impacts on performance.
Abstract: Participation in ultra-endurance events such as mountain marathons is increasing, yet analysis of the nutritional intake and requirements of this group of athletes have received relatively little attention. This field study examined athletes’ food intake prior to, and during a mountain marathon event to assess compliance with recommendations and to...
Show More
