This study aims to clarify the differences between soccer and volleyball players in jump height and jump motion (arm swing and body crouch) in vertical and header jumps with a running start, and the relationships among the parameters. The participants were 35 male Japanese university soccer players and 37 male Japanese university volleyball players. The jump height and jump motion variables (extension angle of the shoulder joint just before the jump and extent of body flexion just before the jump) were significantly higher in volleyball players than those in soccer players in both types of jumps. The growth of jump height, which is a value that subtracts the jump height of the vertical jump from that of a header jump, was significantly higher for volleyball players than soccer players. The significant multiple correlation coefficients between the jump motion variables and jump height was found both in a vertical jump and in a header jump (vertical jump: r = 0.43, r²=0.19; header jump: r = 0.62, r²=0.38). In conclusion, volleyball players jump higher than soccer players in vertical and header jumps with a running start because volleyball players conduct a rational jump motion using both arm swing and body crouch. There is sufficient room to improve soccer players’ jump ability, and soccer players can benefit from improvement in jump motion (arm swing and body crouch).

The purpose of this study was to develop a method to evaluate the agility of rugby players by change of direction using the sidestep while running, and clarify the characteristics of the movement. Subjects were 38 university rugby players (FW: 20, BK: 18, height: 175.2±5.4 cm, weight: 84.8 kg, age: 20.4±0.9 years old). In the agility test employed, the subject stops with both legs after a 5m sprint, and moves 1m sideways using a sidestep to change direction of movement, and then repeats the sprint and sidestep. Measurement times were reproducible (P<0.01), and there was a significant difference in the section where sidestepping took place and in the deceleration section directly before the sidestepping action between the FW and BK groups (P<0.01). Running speed of the FW group was significantly slower than that of the BK group in the sidestepping section (P<0.01). In this study, the running direction was changed by sidestepping instead of making a 180-degree turn. This method was considered useful in evaluating the agility of rugby players, including their skill to evade opponents.

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the indices of respiratory functions during soccer games for three times in physical education classes in individuals with past medical histories of bronchial asthma. Eleven male students with a past medical history of bronchial asthma (=Asthma group) and eleven controls played the soccer game (15 minutes) in physical education classes, in December 2010 (Temperature: 6.8 ℃, Relative humidity: 38.9 %), Japan. They played soccer games for three times, and each game was 15 minutes. We took break for approximate 10 minutes between each game.

Participant’s FEV_1.0, PEF and SpO₂ were measured before the class (Rest) and at the time 5 minutes after each game. We suggested that stress on respiratory system indicated greater during playing a soccer game for 15 minutes in physical education classes under cold environment in individuals with past medical histories of bronchial asthma.

This study was confirmed the characteristics of goal-scoring crosses by location of attack and defense players in FIFA World cup 2010 and UEFA EURO 2012. We analyzed 64 goal-scoring plays involving a cross. The locations of crossers, receivers and three defenders against the crosses were recorded. Analysis of nine tactical items revealed the following factors in goal-scoring crosses: 1) crossers attempted to penetrate the side area to advance to the penalty area and cross by the goal line. In particular, when defense blocks were organized, players cut back crosses to around the penalty spot; 2) more than half of crosses were behind the defense line; 3) half of near-side crosses were concentrated in front of the near-post, and the remaining half were concentrated around the penalty arc; 4) receivers ran toward the front of the goal. In particular, receivers on the far-side cut into the PTA with diagonal or lateral movement; 5) early crosses usually occurred between the penalty spot and the goal area, behind the center of three defenders against the cross; and 6) in early crossing, the nearer the touch line was, the larger the lateral gap was.

The aim of the present study was to confirm the validity of the 3200-m run test on a soccer field, and provide reference values for this test in order to evaluate aerobic fitness in soccer players at the adolescent growth spurt. Forty-four male pubescent soccer players (7^th grade), aged 12.8 ± 0.2 years, participated in this study for three years. They performed the 3200-m run test once a month for 30 months, as well as VO₂max and V-OBLA tests at a laboratory once a year. In the 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th grades, the 3200-m run test results correlated with V-VO₂max (r = -0.62, -0.64 and -0.71, respectively) and V-OBLA (r = -0.58, -0.66 and -0.73, respectively). The content validity and criterion-related validity of the 3200-m run test to measure aerobic fitness in soccer players at the growth spurt were confirmed. We also demonstrated that this test was easy to prepare and measure, inexpensive, and may be included in aerobic training for players. Finally, reference values for the test for soccer players at these ages were provided.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to quantify the movement of players in rugby matches.

Methods: Players (n=33) were tracked continuously throughout the 2012-2013 season using Global Positioning System (GPS) software. Player positions were defined as: (1) Backs or Forwards; (2) Front, Second and Back Rows, Inside Backs and Outside Backs.

Result: There was a significant difference in the total distance traveled by backs (6257.4±555.52m) and forwards (5763.3±678.29m, p<0.05) during the matches. Approximately half of this distance (Backs: 47.0% vs Forwards: 45.6%) was in the Standing & Walking speed zone (0-6km/h^-1). Forwards covered more distance at Jogging speed than backs did (Backs: 1475.4±283.39m vs Forwards: 1847.8±410.16m, p<0.05). Positive and significant correlation was observed between first and second half distances (r=0.602, p<0.01). Inside backs travelled the farthest (6390.0±520.65m) during matches at the highest average speed (4.4±0.37 km/h^-1). Outside backs were distinguished by their attainment of the highest peak speed (31.2±2.19km/h^-1). Back rows covered significantly more total distance, relative total distance and maximum speed than front rows did (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The current study has highlighted positional differences in rugby. Results suggested that rugby is an intermittent exercise involving high-intensity (sprinting) and low-intensity work (Standing & Walking). Results also indicated the importance of basic physical fitness as well as the planning of training programs specific to individual positions.

The purpose of this study was to examine physiological characteristics of different positions in collegiate women’s football players. Twenty-one female players (age: 19.4±0.9 years old, 5 forwards, 6 midfielders, 8 defenders, 2 goalkeepers) belonging to the Aichi women’s football division I league participated in this study. Three types of vertical jumps, maximal anaerobic power, 20m sprint, step-50, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 were measured before the 2012 season. There was no significant difference among different positions because players had various playing experience in this team. In this study, physical performance, especially repeated intense performance, should be improved in order to increase the competitive standard.

The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of attack-related game aspects within three football leagues (JUL, JL, and CL).

The sample comprised 7,094 attacks, 4,839 of which were forward attacks (i.e., attacks that end near the opposing goal), and the data were collected from 30 matches in total (10 matches each from JUL, JL, and CL competition). The results revealed significant differences in attack time(JUL=12.6 sec, JL=13.7 sec, CL=13.7 sec), forward attack time (JUL=14.0 sec, JL=15.7 sec,CL=15.7 sec), number of successive passes (attack:JUL=2.5,JL=3.0,CL=3.1; forward attack:JUL=2.7,JL=3.3,CL=3.5), and pass tempo (number of passes / time: JUL=0.19,JL=0.21,CL=0.22). In addition, there were significant differences between all three leagues in pass tempo during forward attacks (JUL = 0.18, JL = 0.20, CL = 0.21).

From these results, the characteristics of attack-related performance in different leagues were identified. Future studies should also consider the characteristics of defensive performance.

The distance between players in soccer games is very important. Many instruction books refer to this concept as "Comfort Space." These indications are based on empirical rule. However, actual distance of the space has never been measured and there is no theoretical explanation.

In this paper, we measured the Comfort Space between attackers dribbling the ball and defenders marking the attackers. Subjects were 14 intermediate level members of the university soccer team. The defender who was standing at the corner of penalty area made a signal to indicate when he felt the need to respond to the attacker. At that moment, the distance between players was measured using video images.

Average distance measured was approximately 6m, and the results of measurement indicated that the five defenders who preferred a significantly greater Comfort Space compared to other players also demonstrated higher defensive ability than their teammates. The relevancy of the measured distance and the theory of the personal space were discussed.

The objectives of Study 1 were to develop the Soccer Positive Thinking Scale, and to examine its reliability and validity. The objectives of study 2 were to examine the relationship between positive thinking and individual characteristics, including the degree of demonstration of ability, competition anxiety, and goal orientation. In Study 1, the questionnaire was given to 188 male Soccer players (Mage: 19.0, SD: 1.9). The scale’s psychometric properties were tested using item-level analyses, exploratory factor analysis (major factor method with promax rotation), Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, and an analysis of the correlations between subscales. We created the Soccer Positive Thinking Scale as a questionnaire to assess positive thinking, resulting in four subscales: Self-Encouragement Thinking, Self-Assertive Thinking, Self-Instructive and Control Thinking, and Self-Affirmative Thinking. In Study 2, the questionnaire was administered to male 247 Soccer players (Mage: 18.8, SD: 1.9). We conducted t-tests and analyses of variance to examine whether there was a difference in positive thinking subscale scores based on individual characteristics. Results showed that players with high competition anxiety used Self-Instructive and Control Thinking, whereas those whose goal-orientation profile was task-oriented used Self-Instructive and Control Thinking and Self-Encouragement Thinking. Moreover, those whose goal-orientation profile was ego-oriented used Self-Assertive Thinking and Self-Affirmative Thinking. The results of these studies suggest that it is important to develop the type of positive thinking best suited to the individual.

This study investigated the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of Japanese elite women’s rugby sevens players and compared them with Japanese elite women’s field hockey players. Twenty-three Japanese elite women’s rugby sevens players (age23.1 ± 4.1 years) and twenty-six elite women’s field hockey players (age24.3 ± 3.4 years) underwent measurements of body size and weight, sprint ability (30- and 50-m sprint), agility, and lower body muscular power (squat jump, countermovement jump). Standing height (165.0 ± 4.7vs.161.0 ± 5.9 cm), body weight (64.2±7.3vs.57.8 ± 4.7kg), lean body weight (53.4±5.0vs.48.5±3.2kg), countermovement jump distance (37.9 ± 4.0vs.34.8 ± 3.9 cm), 30-m sprint time (4.69 ± 0.16 vs. 4.82 ± 0.14 sec), 50-m sprint time (7.33 ± 0.24 vs.7.53 ± 0.25 sec), and agility index (1.80 ±0.07vs.1.73±0.05 a.u.) greatly differed between the rugby sevens and field hockey players, respectively. Superior straight sprint ability over distances of 30-m was a physiological characteristic of elite women’s rugby sevens players. These data may assist coaches and national federations in determining individual weaknesses and designing training programs for elite women’s rugby sevens teams.

This study was conducted to investigate the relation between aerobic fitness parameters and match performance of Japanese soccer referees. This study examined 14 Japanese male referees (25.9 ± 3.1 yr) using a submaximal incremental treadmill test to ascertain the running speed at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (s-OBLA) and to estimate VO_2max from the heart rate. Match performances (total distance, high-intensity running (HIR: ≥ 15 km·h^-1) and distances from fouls) were calculated during competitive matches using data recorded from a GPS device and a video camera. The total distance covered during a match was 11.3 ± 0.6 km, of which 1.9 ± 0.4 km was covered by HIR. The mean distance from a foul was 14.4 ± 1.0 m. The s-OBLA was 14.5 ± 1.0 (12.6– 16.3) km·h^-1, which was correlated positively with the distance covered at HIR (r = 0.77; p < 0.05) and negatively with the mean distance from a foul (r = -0.62; p < 0.05). The estimated VO_2max was not related to these variables (p > 0.05). Results suggest that OBLA assessment is a good index of fit referees who can cover longer distances at high speed and judge foul plays from short distances.