The overall aim of the study is to gain knowledge about the impact of respiratory training on reaction time and other components of performance in young football players.
The specific aims of the study are to answer whether physical training extended with respiratory exercises increases reaction time, agility, speed and endurance in young football players. An application goal of the study is to gain knowledge whether physical training supplemented with breathing exercises improve reaction time, agility, speed, and exercise capacity in young football players. The study will include 50 healthy football players aged 13 to 15 (born in 2011-2013), who have been playing football for at least two years and are members of the MTS Rybnik Football Academy. After obtaining written consent to participate in the study and meeting the inclusion criteria all participants will be assigned to the experimental group and the control group (25 people in each group). Randomization will be conducted using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes (SNOSE).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
50
Week 1 Relaxation exercises using gentle diaphragmatic breathing, learning the correct diaphragmatic breathing, elements of prolonged exhalation exercises, final relaxation. Week 2 The session will be extended with diaphragmatic breathing with a gradual increase in resistance, achieved by controlled increase of resistance of the abdominal tissues and short rest phases between exercises. Week 3 and 4 The respiratory training will be supplemented with: diaphragmatic breathing with resistance manually dosed by the supervising physiotherapist, through a gentle, controlled pressure on the abdomen during the inhalation phase, exercises aimed at activating the lower ribs muscles activity, short elements of chest breathing as a supplementary exercise, final relaxation. The protocol is based on methods used in respiratory training in clinical studies involving athletes, including young soccer players with a proven beneficial effect on exercise capacity and fatigue tolerance. +4-week follow-up
Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
Katowice, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland
MTS Rybnik Football Academy in Rybnik
Rybnik, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland
Reaction time test using BlazePod sensors
Reaction time test using BlazePod sensors - assessment of selective reaction time. Rapid visuomotor reaction is an important element of football, in which the player makes decisions in dynamically changing field conditions \[Nakamoto, Mori 2008\]. To assess the reaction time, the BlazePod light-sensor system will be used, which enables an objective measurement of reaction speed to randomly appearing visual stimuli and is widely used in sports training. Sensors will be placed on the ground, and the subject's task will be to touch the randomly illuminated sensor as quickly as possible. Each player will perform five assessments, and for statistical analysis the mean of the three best results will be used.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks
T-Drill Test
T-Drill Test - assessment of agility and speed of change of direction of movement The T-Drill Test is a commonly used tool for assessing agility, acceleration, and the ability to quickly change the direction of movement in team sports, including soccer \[Pauole et al. 2000\]. Four cones will be set up in the shape of the letter "T". The player starts from a standing position at the central point, runs forward for a distance of 10 meters, then performs lateral movements to the left and to the right, returns to the center, and runs backward to the starting location. Time measurement will be carried out using an electronic stopwatch or photogates. Each player will perform two trial runs and then two proper trials; for statistical analysis the best obtained result will be used.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks
Sprint over 30 meters
Sprint over 30 meters - assessment of running speed Running over a distance of 30 meters is a standard method for assessing speed and acceleration ability, constituting an important predictor of the effectiveness of offensive and defensive football playing \[Haugen et al. 2012\]. Time measurement will be conducted over a 30-meter section. The player will start the run from a standing position. Running time will be measured using photogates or an electronic stopwatch. The test will be performed twice, and for statistical analysis the best of the obtained times will be considered.
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Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks
Yo-Yo IR1 Test
Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Yo-Yo IR1) - assessment of exercise capacity The Yo-Yo IR1 Test is a widely used and well described in the literature tool for assessing aerobic and anaerobic capacity in intermittent sports, such as football \[Bangsbo et al. 2008\]. The test allows assessing the ability to perform repeated high-intensity efforts and the effectiveness of recovery between them. The player performs shuttle runs between lines spaced 20 meters apart, accordingto the pace set by an audio signal. After each double shuttle run (2 x 20 m), a short active break is performed, including a jog over a distance of 5 meters and a return to the start line. The test is ended at the moment when the athlete is unable to reach the line twice within the allotted time. Test will be conducted one time.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks