Energetic and Neuromuscular Demands of Unresisted, Parachute- and Sled-Resisted Sprints in Youth Soccer Players: Differences Between Two Novel Determination Methods

The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in terms of (1) muscle activation patterns; (2) metabolic power (MP) and energy cost (EC) estimated via two determination methods (i.e., the Global Positioning System [GPS] and electromyography-based [EMG]); and (3) the apparent efficiency (AE) of...

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Main Authors: Gabriele Grassadonia, Michele Bruni, Pedro E. Alcaraz, Tomás T. Freitas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/22/7248
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author Gabriele Grassadonia
Michele Bruni
Pedro E. Alcaraz
Tomás T. Freitas
author_facet Gabriele Grassadonia
Michele Bruni
Pedro E. Alcaraz
Tomás T. Freitas
author_sort Gabriele Grassadonia
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in terms of (1) muscle activation patterns; (2) metabolic power (MP) and energy cost (EC) estimated via two determination methods (i.e., the Global Positioning System [GPS] and electromyography-based [EMG]); and (3) the apparent efficiency (AE) of 30-m linear sprints in seventeen elite U17 male soccer players performed under different conditions (i.e., unloaded sprint [US], parachute sprint [PS], and four incremental sled loads [SS15, SS30, SS45, SS60, corresponding to 15, 30, 45 and 60 kg of additional mass]). In a single testing session, each participant executed six trials (one attempt per sprint type). The results indicated that increasing the sled loads led to a linear increase in the relative contribution of the quadriceps (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.98) and gluteus (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.94) and a linear decrease in hamstring recruitment (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.99). The MP during the US was significantly different from SS15, SS30, SS45, and SS60, as determined by the GPS and EMG approaches <i>(p</i>-values ranging from 0.01 to 0.001). Regarding EC, significant differences were found among the US and all sled conditions (i.e., SS15, SS30, SS45, and SS60) using the GPS and EMG methods (all <i>p</i> ≤ 0.001). Moreover, MP and EC determined via GPS were significantly lower in all sled conditions when compared to EMG (all <i>p</i> ≤ 0.001). The AE was significantly higher for the US when compared to the loaded sprinting conditions (all <i>p</i> ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, muscle activation patterns, MP and EC, and AE changed as a function of load in sled-resisted sprinting. Furthermore, GPS-derived MP and EC seemed to underestimate the actual neuromuscular and metabolic demands imposed on youth soccer players compared to EMG.
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spelling doaj-art-8c9de2b8956249ae9efd877e325802cd2025-08-20T01:53:57ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202024-11-012422724810.3390/s24227248Energetic and Neuromuscular Demands of Unresisted, Parachute- and Sled-Resisted Sprints in Youth Soccer Players: Differences Between Two Novel Determination MethodsGabriele Grassadonia0Michele Bruni1Pedro E. Alcaraz2Tomás T. Freitas3UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30107 Murcia, SpainUniversity eCampus, 220060 Novedrate, ItalyUCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30107 Murcia, SpainUCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30107 Murcia, SpainThe aim of this study was to analyze the differences in terms of (1) muscle activation patterns; (2) metabolic power (MP) and energy cost (EC) estimated via two determination methods (i.e., the Global Positioning System [GPS] and electromyography-based [EMG]); and (3) the apparent efficiency (AE) of 30-m linear sprints in seventeen elite U17 male soccer players performed under different conditions (i.e., unloaded sprint [US], parachute sprint [PS], and four incremental sled loads [SS15, SS30, SS45, SS60, corresponding to 15, 30, 45 and 60 kg of additional mass]). In a single testing session, each participant executed six trials (one attempt per sprint type). The results indicated that increasing the sled loads led to a linear increase in the relative contribution of the quadriceps (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.98) and gluteus (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.94) and a linear decrease in hamstring recruitment (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.99). The MP during the US was significantly different from SS15, SS30, SS45, and SS60, as determined by the GPS and EMG approaches <i>(p</i>-values ranging from 0.01 to 0.001). Regarding EC, significant differences were found among the US and all sled conditions (i.e., SS15, SS30, SS45, and SS60) using the GPS and EMG methods (all <i>p</i> ≤ 0.001). Moreover, MP and EC determined via GPS were significantly lower in all sled conditions when compared to EMG (all <i>p</i> ≤ 0.001). The AE was significantly higher for the US when compared to the loaded sprinting conditions (all <i>p</i> ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, muscle activation patterns, MP and EC, and AE changed as a function of load in sled-resisted sprinting. Furthermore, GPS-derived MP and EC seemed to underestimate the actual neuromuscular and metabolic demands imposed on youth soccer players compared to EMG.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/22/7248apparent efficiencyenergy costmetabolic powerspeed lossEMGGPS-IMU
spellingShingle Gabriele Grassadonia
Michele Bruni
Pedro E. Alcaraz
Tomás T. Freitas
Energetic and Neuromuscular Demands of Unresisted, Parachute- and Sled-Resisted Sprints in Youth Soccer Players: Differences Between Two Novel Determination Methods
Sensors
apparent efficiency
energy cost
metabolic power
speed loss
EMG
GPS-IMU
title Energetic and Neuromuscular Demands of Unresisted, Parachute- and Sled-Resisted Sprints in Youth Soccer Players: Differences Between Two Novel Determination Methods
title_full Energetic and Neuromuscular Demands of Unresisted, Parachute- and Sled-Resisted Sprints in Youth Soccer Players: Differences Between Two Novel Determination Methods
title_fullStr Energetic and Neuromuscular Demands of Unresisted, Parachute- and Sled-Resisted Sprints in Youth Soccer Players: Differences Between Two Novel Determination Methods
title_full_unstemmed Energetic and Neuromuscular Demands of Unresisted, Parachute- and Sled-Resisted Sprints in Youth Soccer Players: Differences Between Two Novel Determination Methods
title_short Energetic and Neuromuscular Demands of Unresisted, Parachute- and Sled-Resisted Sprints in Youth Soccer Players: Differences Between Two Novel Determination Methods
title_sort energetic and neuromuscular demands of unresisted parachute and sled resisted sprints in youth soccer players differences between two novel determination methods
topic apparent efficiency
energy cost
metabolic power
speed loss
EMG
GPS-IMU
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/22/7248
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