The aim of the current study was to examine the match technical performance of the under-13 (U13), U14, U15, U17 and U18 elite soccer players. Fifty seven players from the same academy of a Japanese professional soccer club took part in the study and were video-recorded during the official league matches. All matches were 11-a-side and technical performance was analysed. Total of 118 complete match samples were obtained and each participant took part in 2.1 ± 1.3 matches. The U17 and U18 squads demonstrated the greater number of tackles and touches than the U13 and U14 squads during a match (ES = 0.60-0.70). The U15, U17 and U18 squads showed the greater number of passes, successful passes and ball involvement compared to the U13 and U14 squads during a match (ES = 0.59-0.80). Pass accuracy improved with age from the U13 (67.8 ± 15.3%) to U18 squads (82.1 ± 5.1%) (ES = 0.67-1.00). A positive strong relationship between age and pass accuracy was observed (r_s = 0.50). Therefore, in elite youth soccer players: 1) the greater number of technical events is performed during match play as they age; and 2) pass accuracy during match play improves with age.

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the use of punts in top-level rugby games to clarify their practical use by winning teams. Subjects were punts (n=4737) in the Japan Rugby Top League 2016–2017 season. Punts were first categorized into Time, Area, Start of Possession, R/Ms (Rucks and Mauls) and Position. They were then classified qualitatively into “Effective” or “Ineffective”.

Results reveal that punts achieved greater statistical significance in winning teams in Half Way to Opp 22 (t=5.17, p<.01) , Opp 22 to TRY Line (t=5.18, p<.01) , TURNOVER (t=3.30, p<.01) , RESTART (t=6.91, p<.01) , and 1 R/Ms (t=2.89, p<.01) than in losing teams. They have a better point from the qualitative perspective. Results suggest that the use of punts in these situations is effective from the quantitative and qualitative viewpoints; and it is expected that this research will contribute to rugby in that it focuses on top-level rugby games and is based on a significant number of punts.

The aim of this study was to identify the effects of 24 weeks strength training (ST) program on sprint, jump, agility, throwing and leg extension i n college woman football players to fulfill it, who have little experience in competition. 1 repetition maximum (1RM) test was used for the evaluation of maximum muscle strength of the lower a body, and the target value (Tv) was calculated from 1 RM test compared w ith the actual value (Av). 8 college woman football players had participated in this study (age: 19.8 ± 0.4 years, body height: 158.2 ± 5.0cm, body mass: 54.4 ± 5.9kg). College woman football players followed a ST program twice a week for 24 weeks. ST program was included in 2-3 sets of 8-15 repetitions with the load 55-80% 1RM. Maximum strength ([1RM] Leg Press (LP), Inclination Leg Press (ILP)), running speed (10m-sprint), agility ability (505 agility test), Throwing (TH), jump ability (counter movement jump ; CMJ, standing broad jump ; SBJ) were measured at the beginning week (Pre), 12week (Mid), and 24 week (Post). Mid and Post of the test, TH, CMJ, SBJ and SU were higher (p< 0.05) than for the Pre. In addition, 1RM test LP and ILP of Post were higher (p<0.05) than Mid test. No significant differences were observed from the running speed and agility ability. The results of this study suggested that 24 weeks ST program could improve on dynamic movement such as jump ability rather than sprint and agility abilities. In conclusion, 24 weeks ST program college woman football players could be useful as the development of their physical abilities. Especially, it is effective for college woman football players to fulfill it, who have little experience in competition.

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships among the competitive level, inferiority feelings (that was to debilitate athletic performance), and Sense of Coherence (SOC; that was to advance athletic performance), and was to build the psychological supports for touch rugby players for improving performance. In study, 60 touch rugby players (joining university club or scud of Japan national team) completed questionnaire. First, participants were divided into two groups based on competitive level (experience of Japan national team): High Performance (HP) group and Low Performance (LP) group. Welch’s t-test reveals that LP group have higher inferiority feelings, and HP group have higher SOC. In addition, differences in competitive levels between these groups were analyzed qualitatively using the KJ Method. Some categories were similar to LP group and HP group (eg, “Successes of teammates”, “Practicing proactively”), and some were particularly. As results, it was considered that psychological supports for improving athletic performance.

This aim of this study was to clarify the physical characteristics of university rugby union players with low back pain (LBP). Sixty-two rugby players belonging to a top-level university rugby club participated in this study. Players included 29 backs and 33 forwards. Medical screening results were compared between players with LBP that resulted in time-loss injury during the season (LBP group) and other players (control group). We surveyed each player’s history, body composition, and physical measurements (pelvic tilt angle in the standing position, range of motion, muscle flexibility, and body sway in the standing position). Significant differences were observed, with the LBP group being older and displaying changes such as a smaller pelvic tilt angle and larger body sway. Among the backs, the LBP group exhibited greater height and weight, smaller Thomas test values, greater finger-floor distance, and greater body sway (with eyes closed) than the control group. Among the forwards, the LBP group displayed older age, smaller pelvic tilt angle, smaller difference between the right and left heel buttock distance, and greater body sway than the control group. Thus, differences in physical characteristics of the university rugby players with LBP were related to age, pelvic tilt angle and standing body sway. Differences in physical characteristics were also observed between player positions.