The potential asymmetries in the birth-date distributions of youth soccer players across ten European countries (2175 age citations) were considered. First, we examined birth-dates representing national teams international competitions. Second, professional club tournaments analysed. Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests used to assess differences between observed and expected distributions. Regression analyses employed examine relationship month birth number different samples. results showed an...

Two studies tested the theory of deliberate practice (Ericsson, Krampe, & Tesch-Romer, 1993) and contrasted results with sport commitment model (Scanlan, Carpenter, Schmidt, Simons, Keeler, 1993a, 1993b). In Part I, international, national, provincial soccer field hockey players recalled amount time they spent in individual team practice, sport-related activities, everyday activities at start their career every 3 years since. II, these were rated terms relevance for improving...

The aim of this study was to examine the physical and perceptual-cognitive demands imposed on UEFA top-class referees assistant during final round Euro 2000 Championship. To investigate workload, heart rates matches were monitored by short-range radio telemetry translated different workloads expressed as a percentage maximal rate. For measurement video-recordings games used obtain average number observable decisions taken referee. On average, performed at 85 +/- 5% 77 7% their rate,...

The consistent asymmetry in the birth-date distribution of senior professional soccer players has led us to investigate whether similar asymmetries emerge throughout youth categories soccer. Birth dates were considered for players, national teams, transferred top and regular league players. Kolmogorov Smirnov tests assessed differences between observed expected distributions. Regression analyses examined relationship month birth number participants at various levels play Results indicated...

Three experiments examined the relative importance of attributes determined largely by efficiency visual/central nervous system versus cognitive domain-specific skills, in determination expertise soccer. In Experiment 1, expert and intermediate soccer players were assessed on various non-specific abilities including: processing (simple reaction time, peripheral visual correction time), optometric (static, dynamic mesopic acuity), perimetric parameters (horizontal vertical range). 2,...

We examined sport expertise as a function of role. In study 1, referees were better than players in video-based decision-making task. This provides evidence that there are role-specific skills within one domain or sport. 2, we the training activities could be influential development sports officials. Elite association football (soccer) retrospectively reported time spent and perceptions for three periods: their first year formal refereeing, 1998 (before programmes available), current (2003)....

Time-motion analyses and physiological measurements were performed to investigate the demands of football referees (n = 15) assistant in international games examine whether high-intensity running (HIR) correlates referees' ability keep up with play. Total distance covered (10.27 +/- 0.90 vs. 6.76 0.83 km) HIR (1.92 0.58 0.97 0.22 was higher (P < 0.05) for than referees, while sprinting not different. Referees 0.89 0.37 km by backwards 1.54 0.66 sideways running. Mean heart rate (150 3 123...

The relative age effect (RAE) refers to an asymmetry in the birth-date distribution favouring players born early selection year and discriminating against participants later year. While RAE was initially reported sport more than two decades ago, there have been few attempts examine whether player strategies changed over time light of our improved understanding phenomenon. We compared distributions professional soccer ten European countries a 10-year period involving 2000-2001 2010-2011...

One of the main characteristics Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are problems with social interaction and communication. Here, we explored ASD-related alterations in 'reading' body language other humans. Accuracy reaction times were assessed from two observational tasks involving recognition 'biological motion' 'emotions' point-light displays (PLDs). Eye movements recorded during completion tests. Results indicated that typically developed-participants more accurate than ASD-subjects...

Abstract In association football, two similar but arguably different refereeing roles are required, those of the referee and assistant referee. Role specificity was investigated with a foul play assessment task an offside decision-making task. Deliberate practice to account for role-specific differences. First, role clearly observed. Second, years officiating, hours per week, number matches officiated were each positively correlated skill. The results support in football refereeing. Further...

The use of technology has been proposed to improve decision-making in sport officials. implementation the video Assistant Referee (VAR) association football is one example how can be used assist decision making, although its impact remains unknown. In 2195 competitive matches across 13 countries, VAR conducted 9732 checks for potential match-changing incidents, with median duration a check being 22 seconds. resulted total 795 reviews, 62.0 s on-field reviews (N = 534) and 15.0 VAR-only...

Sprints and accelerations are popular performance indicators in applied sport. The methods used to define these efforts using athlete-tracking technology could affect the number of reported. This study aimed determine influence different techniques settings for detecting high-intensity global positioning system (GPS) data.Velocity acceleration data from a professional soccer match were recorded via 10-Hz GPS. Velocity filtered either median or an exponential filter. Acceleration derived...

Since 1997 and following the guidelines of International Football Association, Belgian Soccer Federation has used January 1st as start selection year. Previously, August 1 was start. This shift prompted an investigation changes in birth-date distributions throughout youth categories for 1996-1997 compared to 1997-1998 competitive years. Birth dates were considered national league players, ages 10-12, 12-14, 14-16, 16-18 Kolmogorov Smirnov tests assessed differences between observed expected...

Background In comparison to the amount of literature that has examined match demands football refereeing, there been little attempt assess impact high-intensity training. Purpose The main goals were get a better understanding long-term effect specific intermittent Study Design authors cardiovascular strain training sessions and also their on referees’ fitness levels. Methods To examine physical workload during intensive sessions, heart rates recorded analyzed relative maximum rate (HRmax)....

Abstract The objective of this study was to analyse the correctness offside judgements assistant referees during final round FIFA 2002 World Cup. We also contrasted two hypotheses explain errors in judging offside. optical error hypothesis is based on an incorrect viewing angle, while flash-lag refers perceptual associated with effect (i.e. a moving object perceived as spatially leading its real position at discrete instant signalled by briefly flashed stimulus). Across all 64 matches, 337...

Background. Motor imagery has recently gained attention as a promising new rehabilitation method for patients with neurological disorders. Up to now, however, it been unclear whether this practice can also be successfully applied in the of Parkinson disease (PD). Objective. This study aimed investigate motor ability PD is still intact despite basal ganglia dysfunctioning. Methods. A total 14 early- and mid-stage (Hoehn Yahr 1-3) healthy controls were evaluated by means an extensive...

The aim of this study was to examine the kinematic activity profiles, cardiovascular responses and physical fitness top-class football referees (n=11) during FIFA Confederations Cup 2005. Computerised match-analyses (n=9) were performed with a two-dimensional photogrammetric video system, demand imposed on (n=12) measured using heart rate recordings. Total distance covered 10,218, s=643 m which 3531, s=510 at high intensities (>3.6 m.s(-1)). Both total (r2=0.59; P=0.02) high-intensity...

It is well reported that expert athletes have refined perceptual-cognitive skills and fixate on more informative areas during representative tasks. These are also crucial to performance within the domain of sports officials. We examined visual scan patterns elite sub-elite association football referees while assessing foul play situations. situations (open corner kick situations) were presented a Tobii T120 Eye Tracking monitor. The made accurate decisions differences in their search...