0000000000723974
AUTHOR
Nuno Leite
Want to Impact Physical, Technical, and Tactical Performance during Basketball Small-Sided Games in Youth Athletes? Try Differential Learning Beforehand
This study aimed to analyze the acute effect of small-sided games, based on differential learning, on the physical, technical, and positioning performance of young basketball players. Eight basketball players under 13 (U13) participated in this study. A total of eight sessions involving half-court small-sided games (4 sets ×
Rotational flywheel training in youth female team sport athletes: could inter-repetition movement variability be beneficial?
Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of an inter-repetition variable rotational flywheel training program (Variable) over standard rotational flywheel training (Standard). Methods: Twenty-four youth female team-sports players were randomly assigned to both training groups (Variable, n = 12; Standard, n = 12), which consisted of 1 set of 3 rotational flywheel exercises x 10-12 repetitions, biweekly for a period of 6-weeks. The participants included in Variable group were instructed to perform the movement randomly in one of the three directions (0o, 45o right, and 45o left). Measurements included reactive strength, jumping, change of direction, and sprinting tests; pa…
Transition from Youth categories to Elite cycling: relationships between early career performance and UCI World Tour success
BACKGROUND The present study aimed to describe the possible roles of cyclists' early career performance, on the transition process to elite cycling categories. METHODS Data from national and international databases, and results achieved during the UCI World Championships, were retrospectively analysed considering the Italian national Youth-U16, Junior-U18, and U23 categories, and international Junior-U18 and UCI World-Tour categories. RESULTS The 15% of Youth-U16, the 38.8% of Junior-U18 and the 60% of U23 athletes who ranked top-10 between 2007 and 2013, scored points in UCI World Tour competitions between 2012 and 2018. The 1.6% of Youth-U16, the 8.3% of Junior-U18 and 25% of U23 athletes…
Always pay attention to which model of motor learning you are using
This critical review considers the epistemological and historical background of the theoretical construct of motor learning for a more differentiated understanding. More than simply reflecting critically on the models that are used to solve problems—whether they are applied in therapy, physical education, or training practice—this review seeks to respond constructively to the recent discussion caused by the replication crisis in life sciences. To this end, an in-depth review of contemporary motor learning approaches is provided, with a pragmatism-oriented clarification of the researcher’s intentions on fundamentals (what?), subjects (for whom?), time intervals (when?), and purpose (for what…
Differential Learning as a Key Training Approach to Improve Creative and Tactical Behavior in Soccer
The aim of this study was to identify the effects of a differential-learning program, embedded in small-sided games, on the creative and tactical behavior of youth soccer players. Forty players from under-13 (U13) and under-15 (U15) were allocated into control and experimental groups and were tested using a randomized pretest to posttest design using small-sided games situations.The experimental group participated in a 5-month differential-learning program embodied in small-sided games situations, while the control group participated in a typical small-sided games training program. In-game creativity was assessed through notational analyses of the creative components, and the players' posit…
Rotational flywheel training in youth female team sport athletes: could inter-repetition movement variability be beneficial?
Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of an inter-repetition variable rotational flywheel training program (Variable) over standard rotational flywheel training (Standard). \ud \ud Methods: Twenty-four youth female team-sports players were randomly assigned to both training groups (Variable, n = 12; Standard, n = 12), which consisted of 1 set of 3 rotational flywheel exercises x 10-12 repetitions, biweekly for a period of 6-weeks. The participants included in Variable group were instructed to perform the movement randomly in one of the three directions (0º, 45º right, and 45º left). Measurements included reactive strength, jumping, change of direction, and sprinting t…
The Influence of Contextual Aspects in Talent Development: Interaction Between Relative Age and Birthplace Effects in NBA-Drafted Players
The aims of this study were two-fold: (1) to inspect separately for the relative age and birthplace effects for players selected in the National Basketball Association (NBA) draft; (2) to explore the interaction among these factors and analyse this interaction in players' career performance. The database was obtained from the official records of the players (n = 1,738), who were selected during the annual editions of the NBA Draft from 1990 to 2019. The participants' date of birth was analyzed according to the month of birth and divided into four quartiles. The place of birth was compared to the distribution of the general population' places of birth based on different communities' sizes. C…