OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the impact of different rest periods between short sprint interval training (SSIT) trials on the physiological and performance adaptations of female volleyball players.
METHODS: Twenty-four trained college athletes volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly assigned to 3 SSIT groups with different work-to-rest ratios (1:2 [5-s run:10-s rest], 1:4 [5-s run:20-s rest], and 1:6 [5-s work:30-s rest]). Before and after 6-week training, physiological parameters (maximum oxygen uptake, first and second ventilatory thresholds, and peak and mean power output) and physical performance measures (ie, countermovement vertical jump, 10-m sprint, and T-test change-of-direction speed) were evaluated.
RESULTS: After the training period, all groups improved (P = .001) their sport-related performance and physiological parameters, ranging from moderate to very large effect sizes. Comparative analysis of the magnitude of training effects indicated that the 1:6 SSIT group had in a significantly greater change in countermovement vertical jump (P = .007), 10-m sprint (P = .014), peak power output (P = .019), and mean power output (P = .05) compared with 1:2 SSIT group. By contrast, the 1:2 SSIT group demonstrated significantly (P = .022) greater changes in maximum oxygen uptake than the 1:6 SSIT group. However, the change-of-direction speed and changes in first and second ventilatory thresholds were the same among the groups (P > .05).
CONCLUSIONS: When performing SSIT, longer rest intervals are suitable for physical and anaerobic performance, and shorter rest periods are appropriate for enhancing the cardiorespiratory fitness of female volleyball players\' performance.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of age and intellectual impairment (II) in decision-making in basketball. The current study investigated differences in decision making between equally well-trained adult basketball male players with intellectual impairment (players with II) (n = 93), adults without II (senior) (n = 44) and youth basketball players (under-14, n = 31; under-16, n = 25; under-18, n = 30). A computer test was developed composed by 20 photographs displaying various basketball game-situations, and participants had to decide as fast as possible what the player in ball possession should do: dribble, pass or shoot. Decision time and accuracy were recorded for every situation. Players with II had slower decision time (3.8 ± 1.8 s vs. 1.5 ± 0.5 s, p < 0.001) and less decision-making accuracy (15.7 ± 2.8 correct decisions vs. 17.9 ± 1.2 correct decisions, p < 0.001) compared to senior players without II. Discriminant analysis with speed and accuracy as independent variables classified 91.2% (CCA = 0.769) of the players correctly into their group: players with II or players without II. A Spearman correlation revealed that age correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with the number of correct decisions (rs = 0.269) and mean decision time (rs = -0.331). Our findings support that decision making in basketball develops with age and experience, but is significantly deteriorated in experienced adult players who have II. Decision-making should be considered as an important eligibility criterion to participate in competitive basketball events for male players with II.

UNASSIGNED: In team sports, athletes\' ability to make quick decisions plays a crucial role. Decision-making proficiency relies on the intricate balance of athletes\' perceptual and cognitive abilities, enabling them to assess the competitive environment swiftly and select the most appropriate actions from various options. Virtual reality (VR) technology is emerging as a valuable tool for evaluating and refining athletes\' decision-making skills. This study systematically examined the integration of VR technology into decision-making processes in team sports, aiming to identify more effective methods for presenting and interacting with virtual decision-making systems, thus enhancing the evaluation and refinement of athletes\' decision making abilities.
UNASSIGNED: Following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a thorough search of respected research databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, ScienceDirect, PsycINFO, and IEEE, was conducted using carefully selected keywords.
UNASSIGNED: Twenty research papers meeting predefined inclusion criteria were included after careful evaluation. These papers were systematically analyzed to delineate the attributes of virtual decision-making task environments, the interactive dynamics inherent in motor decision-making tasks, and the significant findings.
UNASSIGNED: This review indicate that (1) the effectiveness of VR technology in assessing and improving athletes\' decision-making skills in team sports; (2) the construction of virtual environments using the Head-Mounted Display (HMD) system, characterized by enhanced ease and efficiency; (3) the potential for future investigations to explore computer simulations to create more expansive virtual motion scenarios, thus efficiently generating substantial task scenario material, diverging from the constraints posed by 360-degree panoramic videos; and (4) the integration of motion capture technology for identifying and monitoring athletes\' decision-making behaviors, which not only enhances ecological validity but also augments the transfer validity of virtual sports decision-making systems. Future research endeavors could explore integrating eye-tracking technology with virtual reality to gain insights into the intrinsic cognitive-action associations exhibited by athletes.

To establish the criterion-assessed energy and fluid requirements of female netball players, 13 adult players from a senior Netball Super League squad were assessed over 14 days in a cross-sectional design, representing a two- and one-match microcycle, respectively. Total energy expenditure (TEE) and water turnover (WT) were measured by doubly labeled water. Resting and activity energy expenditure were measured by indirect calorimetry and Actiheart, respectively. Mean 14-day TEE was 13.46 ± 1.20 MJ day-1 (95% CI, 12.63-14.39 MJ day-1). Resting energy expenditure was 6.53 ± 0.60 MJ day-1 (95% CI, 6.17-6.89 MJ day-1). Physical activity level was 2.07 ± 0.19 arbitrary units (AU) (95% CI, 1.95-2.18 AU). Mean WT was 4.1 ± 0.9 L day-1 (95% CI, 3.6-4.7 L day-1). Match days led to significantly greater TEE than training (+2.85 ± 0.70 MJ day-1; 95% CI, +1.00- +4.70 MJ day-1; p = 0.002) and rest (+4.85 ± 0.70 MJ day-1; 95% CI, +3.13-+6.56 MJ day-1; p < 0.001) days. Matches led to significantly greater energy expenditure (+1.85 ± 1.27 MJ; 95% CI, +0.95-+2.76 MJ day-1; p = 0.001) than court-based training sessions. There was no significant difference in TEE (+0.03 ± 0.35 MJ day-1; 95% CI, -0.74-+0.80 MJ day-1; p = 0.936) across weeks. Calibrated Actiheart 5 monitors underestimated TEE (-1.92 ± 1.21 MJ day-1). Energy and fluid turnover were greatest on match days, followed by training and rest days, with no difference across weeks. This study provides criterion-assessed energy and fluid requirements to inform dietary guidance for female netball players.

Consideration of workload intensity and peak demands across different periods of basketball games contributes to understanding the external physical requirements of elite basketball players. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the average intensity and peak demands encountered by players throughout game quarters. PlayerLoad per minute and PlayerLoad at three different time samples (30 s, 1 min, and 3 min) were used as workload metrics. A total of 14 professional elite male basketball players were monitored during 30 official games to investigate this. A linear mixed model and Cohen\'s d were employed to identify significant differences and quantify the effect sizes among game quarters. The results showed a significant, moderate effect in PlayerLoad per minute between Q1 vs. Q4, and a small effect between Q2 and Q3 vs. Q4. Furthermore, a small to moderate decline was observed in external peak values for PlayerLoad across game quarters. Specifically,, a significant decrease was found for the 3 min time window between Q1 and other quarters. The findings from the present study suggest that professional basketball players tend to experience fatigue or reduced physical output as the game progresses.

The objective was to assess and compare the tactical conduct of players aged U-8, U-10, and U-12 during full- and small-sided games, focusing on tactical modeling and interaction dynamics. Each age group comprised three teams (n = 180; 60 per category; 20 per team), engaging in a tournament where teams faced each other once in both formats - 18 matches; 3 per category in each format. Full-sided games (GK + 10 vs.10 + GK; 100 × 68 m) and small-sided games (U-8: GK + 4 vs. 4 + GK (36 × 20 m); U-10: GK + 7 vs. 7 + GK (52.5 × 34 m); U-12: GK + 10 vs. 10 + GK (68 × 45 m). Standard playing times (3 periods of 12 minutes (U-8s); 3 periods of 15 minutes (U-10s); and 3 periods of 20 minutes (U-12s), with a 5-minute break. Variables were examined using descriptive analysis (mean, standard deviation, and confidence interval), with paired t-tests and Wilcoxon tests employed for inter-format comparisons. Despite players benefiting from more time and space in full-sided games (increased ball receptions and overall ball involvement), results from small-sided games indicate three key advantages: 1) More goals (U-8s: z = -3.44, p = .050) and shots on target (U-8: z = -3.25, p = .001; U-10: z = -2.72, p = .007); 2) Game space management-ball circulation in larger amplitude (U-10: t = -4.20, p = .001; U-12: t = -4.35, p < .001); and with more transitions (U-10: t = -3.60, p = .002; U-12: t = -4.16, p = .001) and 3) Fast decision-making-larger ball velocity circulation (U-08: t = -3.54, p = .003; U-10: t = -5.13, p < .001; U-12: t = -5.80, p < .001).

Activity simulation protocols offer useful applications in research and practice; however, the specificity of such protocols to basketball game-play is currently lacking. Consequently, this study aimed to develop a game-specific basketball activity simulation protocol representative of typical playing durations and assess its reliability and discriminant validity. The simulation protocol was modified from an original version (i.e., Basketball Exercise Simulation Test) to incorporate regular breaks indicative of time-outs, free-throws, and substitutions. Twelve competitive male and female adult basketball players competing in the fourth or fifth Spanish basketball division underwent repeated trials of the simulation protocol (min. 4 to max. 14 days apart) for reliability analyses. In turn, 13 competitive male (fifth division), 9 competitive female (fourth division), and 13 recreational male adult basketball players completed the simulation protocol to assess discriminant validity via comparisons between sexes (competitive players) and playing levels (males). A range of physical, technical, and perceptual-physiological variables were collected during and following the simulation protocol. Several physical and heart rate variables displayed the strongest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.72-0.96; coefficient of variation [CV] = 1.78-6.75%), with physical decrement, technical, blood lactate concentration, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) variables having the weakest (ICC = 0.52-0.75; CV = 10.34-30.85%). Regarding discriminant analyses between sexes, males demonstrated significantly greater physical outputs in several variables and lower RPE compared to females (p < 0.05, moderate-to-large effects). Comparisons between playing levels revealed competitive males had significantly greater physical outputs across many variables, alongside higher mean heart rate and lower RPE than recreational males (p < 0.05, moderate-to-large effects). This study presents a novel game-specific basketball activity simulation protocol replicating actual playing durations and game configurations that might be successfully applied for both training and research purposes. Reliability statistics are provided for several variables to inform end-users on potential measurement error when implementing the simulation protocol. Discriminant validity of the simulation protocol was supported for several variables, suggesting it may hold practical utility in benchmarking or selecting players. Future research on this topic is encouraged examining wider samples of male and female basketball players at different levels as well as additional forms of validity for the protocol.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of ingesting different dosages of caffeine (CAF) prior to plyometric jump training (PJT) on sport-related performance and physiological parameters in male basketball players. Twenty-four young athletes were randomly divided into 3 groups and performed 6 weeks of PJT while consuming 3 mg·kg-1 of body mass caffeine (CAF3, n = 8), 6 mg·kg-1 body mass caffeine (CAF6, n = 8) or placebo (PL; n = 8) one hour prior to each training session. Before and after the 6-week PJT, the players were evaluated for field-based basketball-specific performance measures (vertical jump, 20-m sprint, Illinois change of direction speed [CODS], and maximal strength) and lab-based physiological (aerobic capacity and anaerobic power) parameters. CAF3, CAF6, and PL groups demonstrated significant improvements in vertical jump (ES = 1.07, 1.45, and 1.1, respectively), 20-m sprint (ES = - 0.50, - 0.61, and - 0.36), change of direction performance (ES = - 1.22, - 1.26, and - 1.09), maximal strength (ES = 1.68, 2.29, and 1.17), maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) (ES = 1.09, 1.59, and 0.92), and peak (ES = 1.82, 1.85, and 0.82) and average power output (ES = 1.39, 1.32, and 1.07) after 6 weeks of training. Comparative analysis of individual adaptive responses to training indicated that the CAF6 led to insignificantly greater effects in vertical jump (ES = 1.45), maximal strength (ES = 2.29), and V̇O2max (ES = 1.59) with lower residuals in individual changes and lower coefficient of variations (CV) in mean group changes. Regarding sprint and CODS performance, both experimental groups indicated similar changes, residuals in individual changes, and CVs in mean group changes. Overall, consuming 6 mg·kg-1 body mass caffeine induces superior adaptations in aerobic fitness, anaerobic power, and sport-specific performance measures, with lower inter-individual variability in the adaptations and more homogenized changes over the training period.

Maturity status and relative age are two of the determining factors in talent development. The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of biological maturity status and relative age on physical performance in young male and female handball players. The sample included 48 males (14.11 ± 1.17 years) and 41 females (14.25 ± 1.64 years) players from one Spanish professional handball academy. Anthropometric data (height, sitting height, body mass and self-reported biological parent heights) and physical performance data (CMJ, DJ, 20 m speed, T-test and throwing velocity) were collected. Biological maturity status was determined as the percentage of predicted adult height, while relative age was estimated in birth quartiles based on biennial age grouping (Q1-Q8). The results showed a positive correlation between maturity status and CMJ in male players (p < 0.01). Differences in CMJ performance according to maturity status were identified (p < 0.05), with higher jump heights being recorded especially in early maturing boys (p < 0.01) and first lines and wings (p < 0.05). The variance in CMJ test scores could be explained by the maturity status by 42.90% in U-15 (p < 0.05) and 72.60% in U-16 male players (p < 0.001). By contrast, no differences were found in girls (p > 0.05). Moreover, no relationships were found between relative age and indices of physical performance (p > 0.05). Overall, maturity status had greater impacts on the tests of physical performance than relative age. Stakeholders should monitor the maturity status of young handball players to avoid physical performance biases that do not allow them to develop their sporting potential.

World RugbyTM supports dedicated women\'s welfare, injury surveillance and medical/technical interventions, yet breast health has received limited attention. This article aims to provide insights into breast health issues in rugby, including breast impacts and injuries. We discuss how breast anatomy and position may be problematic in rugby. Breast volume relates to body size, which may be increasing in women\'s rugby, suggesting increased breast surface area and mass, potentially increasing injury risk. Breast health issues in rugby have been reported previously, with 58% of contact footballers (including rugby) experiencing breast injuries. There are damaging effects related to these breast health issues, with breast impacts often causing pain and swelling. Breast impacts may lead to haematomas, cysts and fat necrosis which can calcify over time making them difficult to distinguish from breast carcinoma, causing further investigation and anxiety. In sport, poor bra fit and insufficient support are associated with pain, skin strain and performance decrements. This article reports the potential implications of these breast health issues on performance in rugby. Recent breast-related projects supported by rugby communities may address recommendations identified in the literature for robust breast injury classifications, updated injury surveillance systems and prospective data collection on breast injury prevalence, severity and impact in rugby. These data should inform breast injury care pathways and intervention research, including evidence-based bra design. Understanding the implications of breast impacts on tissue properties, health and wellbeing is vital. Finally, data should inform rugby-specific breast education, raising awareness of this aspect of athlete health.