BACKGROUND Data concerning the physical demands of soccer (e.g., activity pattern) suggest that a high level of performance requires well-developed neuromuscular function (NF). Proficient NF may be relevant to maintain and/or increase players' short- (intense periods of soccer-specific activity; accelerations, decelerations, and sprinting) and long-term performance during a match and throughout...

This paper describes Soccer Server, a simulator of the game of soccer designed as a test-bench for evaluating multi-agent systems and cooperative algorithms. In real life, successful soccer teams require many qualities, such as basic ball control skills, the ability to carry out plans, and teamwork. We believe that simulating such behaviors is a signi cant challenge for Computer Science, Arti c...

Soccer balls such as the Adidas Roteiro that have been used in soccer tournaments thus far had 32 pentagonal and hexagonal panels. Recently, the Adidas Teamgeist II and Adidas Jabulani, respectively having 14 and 8 panels, have been used at tournaments; the aerodynamic characteristics of these balls have not yet been verified. Now, the Adidas Tango 12, having 32 panels, has been developed for u...

Background Although trainers and athletes consider ‘good timing skills’ to be critical for optimal sport performance, little is known in regard to how sport-specific skills may benefit from timing training. Thus, assuming that all motor performances are mediated by an internal timing mechanism, enhanced motor timing is expected to have positive effects on both planning and execution of movement...

AIM This study investigated how performance was affected after soccer players, in a postprandial state, ingested a 7% carbohydrate (CHO) solution compared to a placebo (0% CHO) during a simulated soccer match. METHODS Using a double-blind placebo-controlled design, 22 trained male league soccer players (age: 24 ± 7 years, wt: 73.4 ± 12.0 kg, VO2max: 51.8 ± 4.3 mL O2/kg/min) completed two tria...

This paper describes Soccer Server, a simulator of the game of soccer designed as a test-bench for evaluating multi-agent systems and cooperative algorithms. In real life, successful soccer teams require many qualities, such as basic ball control skills, the ability to carry out plans, and teamwork. We believe that simulating such behaviors is a signicant challenge for Computer Science, Articia...

This paper describes the design of the RoboRoos, a fully autonomous robot soccer team. A soccer robot has similar needs to a human soccer player; fast and agile motion, good control of the ball, strong kicking ability, robust navigation and coordination of actions with other members of the team. Each robot is mechanically designed to meet these needs of a competitive soccer player. Mechanically...

Plyometric training (PT) is a technique used to increase strength and explosiveness. It consists of physical exercises in which muscles exert maximum force at short intervals to increase dynamic performances. In such a training, muscles undergo a rapid elongation followed by an immediate shortening (stretch-shortening contraction), utilizing the elastic energy stored during the stretching phase...

Since an awareness of key task constraints can be extremely beneficial for coaches, the lack of scientific background about the effects of altered game rules/conditions on individual or team performances during soccer practice is surprising. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of different small-sided game (SSG) playing rules (“free-form”, “two touches” and “four passes to...