Selman Kaya

Background and Study Aim. Dynamic balance is a component of athletic performance. It is required in sports involving rapid postural adjustments, single-leg stabilization, and trunk control. Wrestling involves frequent changes in body position and rotational movements, which demand high levels of neuromuscular coordination and trunk stability. Despite the application of core training to improve postural control, its effectiveness in enhancing dynamic balance in elite female wrestlers remains a matter of practical interest. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an eight-week core training program on Y-Balance performance in professional female wrestlers. Materials and Methods. Fifteen elite female wrestlers participated in this study. A single-group pretest–posttest quasi-experimental design was used. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Y-Balance Test for the Lower Quarter in the anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL) directions. Participants completed an eight-week core training program in addition to their regular wrestling training. Reach distances were normalized to leg length. Data were analyzed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results. Significant improvements were observed in Y-Balance performance following the intervention. For the dominant limb, a significant effect of time was found (p < .001). For the non-dominant limb, dynamic balance also improved significantly (p = .005). Composite Y-Balance scores increased significantly for both the dominant (p < .001) and non-dominant limbs (p = .026). Conclusions. Dynamic balance performance improved following the eight-week training intervention in elite female wrestlers. These findings suggest that integrating structured core exercises into wrestling training programs may support improvements in trunk stability and functional balance capacity.

Background and Study Aim. Core training is applied in athletic preparation to improve movement control and physical capacity. Postural stability is often assessed through balance tasks and force-platform indicators that reflect neuromuscular control. Although various training approaches are used, their relative efficiency in modifying postural sway and functional performance remains a point of practical interest.Therefore, the present study examined the effects of an eight-week core training program on change of direction, vertical jump, sprint, and center-of-pressure (COP) postural sway performance in amateur soccer players. Materials and Methods. Thirty male soccer players were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and to a control group (n = 15). The experimental group completed a core training program three times per week over a period of eight weeks, giving a total of 24 training sessions. The control group continued regular training without additional core exercises. Performance testing consisted of 30 m sprint, change of direction and vertical jump assessments conducted before and after the intervention. Postural sway was measured on a force platform under two visual conditions, eyes open and eyes closed. Each condition was tested in double leg stance for three trials of 30 seconds, and center of pressure values were recorded for anterior posterior, medial lateral and total sway. Results. After Bonferroni correction, only vertical jump performance showed significant within group improvement in the core training group (pre 41.57 ± 2.09 cm, post 42.02 ± 1.94 cm, p < 0.001). No significant within group changes were observed in 30 m sprint (pre 4.34 ± 0.11 s, post 4.31 ± 0.10 s, p = 0.042) or change of direction performance (pre 15.84 ± 0.15 s, post 15.82 ± 0.16 s, p = 0.036) after correcting for multiple comparisons. In between group comparisons, the core training group demonstrated greater improvement than the control group in vertical jump performance (post 42.02 ± 1.94 cm vs 40.73 ± 1.03 cm, p = 0.035, ES = 0.83) and showed favorable although not statistically confirmed reductions in change of direction time. No significant differences between groups were found for sprint performance. Conclusions. An eight-week core training program improved physical performance and postural stability in amateur soccer players. These findings indicate the value of incorporating core stabilization exercises to enhance neuromuscular performance among amateur soccer athletes.

Bu çalışma, 2023–2024 sezonunda UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi, Avrupa Ligi ve Konferans Ligi’nde çeyrek final aşamasından itibaren oynanan maçlarda atılan golleri analiz etmeyi amaçlamıştır. Toplam 39 maçta kaydedilen 106 gol; gol zamanı, gol bölgesi, vuruş türü ve gol atan oyuncuların mevkisi dahil 11 kategori kapsamında incelenmiştir. Veriler UEFA’nın resmi internet sitesinden toplanmış, normallik Shapiro-Wilk testi ile değerlendirilmiş ve parametrik dağılım sağlanmadığı için ligler arası karşılaştırmalarda Kruskal-Wallis testi uygulanmıştır. Sonuçlar, incelenen parametrelerde ligler arasında anlamlı fark olmadığını göstermiştir (p > .05). Tüm liglerde gollerin çoğunlukla ceza sahası içindeki merkez bölgelerden atıldığı, bitirici vuruşlarda ise direkt şutların yaygın olduğu belirlenmiştir. Şampiyonlar Ligi’nde asist olmadan atılan goller daha fazla görülürken, Avrupa ve Konferans Ligleri’nde merkez bölgelerden yapılan asistlerin öne çıktığı görülmüştür. Bu bulgular, farklı turnuvalarda gol atma bçimlerine ilişkin pratik bilgiler sunmaktadır ve antrenörlerin taktiksel planlamalarına katkı sağlayabilir. Özellikle ceza sahası merkezi bitiriciliği, direkt şut bitiriciliği ve merkezden pas kombinasyonlarına yönelik antrenman planlamalarında kullanılabilir.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between the eccentric utilization ratio (EUR) and sprint, change of direction (COD), change of direction deficit (CODD%), and vertical jump performance, including countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ). A total of 32 elite athletes (16 women and 16 men) participated. Performance was evaluated using force platforms and photocell timing systems during CMJ, SJ, 30 m sprint, and Pro-Agility tests. Pearson correlation and simple linear regression analyses were used to assess the relationships between EUR and performance variables. The results revealed that EUR was significantly associated with CMJ height (r = 0.587, p = 0.017) and 0–10 m sprint performance (r = 0.516, p = 0.041) in female athletes, whereas no significant relationships were found in males (r < 0.20, p > 0.05) for all performance variables. In contrast, strength–power metrics such as eccentric peak power (ECCPP), eccentric mean power (ECCMP), concentric mean power (CONMP), and peak power (PP) showed stronger associations with all performance variables, including COD, sprint segments, and jump tests. In conclusion, although EUR demonstrated limited predictive value particularly in male athletes directly measured strength–power variables appear to be more reliable indicators of athletic performance. These findings highlight the importance of prioritizing eccentric and concentric power outputs in performance assessment and individualized training strategies.

This study aims to examine the effects of psychological skills and mental toughness on aerobic endurance and change of direction abilities in football players. The study included 55 female athletes aged between 13 and 17. Demographic data of the athletes were collected, followed by the administration of the Sport Mental Toughness Inventory and the Psychological Skills Inventory for Sports. Afterward, a 15-minute dynamic warm-up routine was completed, followed by the Illinois Agility Test. The 20-meter shuttle run test was also administered. The two measurement sessions were conducted 48 hours apart. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics software version 26.0. For regression graphics, the Jamovi statistical analysis program version 2.6.2.0 was utilized. Mean, standard deviation (SD), linear regression, and skewness-kurtosis values of the variables were calculated for the entire sample . There is no statistically significant relationship between the change of direction values of the football players and the mental endurance and psychological skill variables. While there is no statistically significant correlation between the endurance values of the football players and mental endurance, there is a moderately positive and statistically significant correlation between the endurance values and psychological skill. Psychological skills have a positive effect on aerobic endurance in adolescent female football players, whereas mental toughness does not appear to have an effect. Additionally, neither psychological skills nor mental toughness were found to have an effect on change of direction performance.

The aim of the study is to determine whether the development of respiratory functions over time was affected in athletes who had Covid-19. This retrospective study included a total of 14 athletes who had Covid-19 (8 in judo and 6 in skiing) as the research group, and a total of 12 athletes who did not have Covid-19 (8 in judo and 4 in skiing) as the control group. Data were collected from routine performance measurements taken in 2019 and 2021. Athletes' respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength were assessed using a digital spirometer (Pony FX Cosmed, Italy). For data analysis, Skewness and Kurtosis values, along with Shapiro-Wilk test results, were considered to examine the distribution. Mixed Design Two-Way ANOVA was used to compare changes over time and between groups, and to determine interaction effects. All statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 25.0 software. It was found that respiratory function test scores and respiratory muscle strength scores increased over time in tests conducted at two different time points. However, Covid-19 did not statistically significantly affect this improvement.The findings of the study may serve as a source for observing the long-term effects of Covid-19 on the development of respiratory parameters.

This study aimed to compare the acute effects of Raise, Activate, Mobilize, Potentiate and traditional warm-up protocols on performance parameters. Sprint, jump, and change of direction abilities, which are critical components of sports performance, were evaluated. Thirteen elite athletes participated in the study. The participants completed two separate test sessions, applying both the Raise, Activate, Mobilize, Potentiate and traditional warm-up protocols. On each test day, pre- and post-warm-up measurements were taken for squat jump, countermovement jump, change of direction, and 30 m sprint. Paired and independent sample t-tests were used to compare the measured values, with the level of statistical significance set at p < .05. The findings showed that the Raise, Activate, Mobilize, Potentiate warm-up protocol resulted in greater improvements in squat jump (countermovement jump), change of direction, and sprint performance compared to the traditional warm-up (p < .01). Significant increases were observed in jump performance following the Raise, Activate, Mobilize, Potentiate protocol, and sprint performance showed statistically significant improvements in the 0–10 m and 10–20 m phases (p < .01). In contrast, the traditional warm-up did not produce significant improvements in sprint or in change of direction performance, except for a small but statistically significant improvement in the 10–20 m sprint phase (p < .05). In conclusion, the Raise, Activate, Mobilize, Potentiate warm-up protocol was found to be more effective than the traditional warm-up in enhancing sprint, jump, and change of direction performance. It is suggested that the Raise, Activate, Mobilize, Potentiate protocol enhances neuromuscular activation, contributing to improvements in explosive strength and acceleration. Therefore, coaches and sports scientists may consider implementing the Raise, Activate, Mobilize, Potentiate warmup, especially in sports requiring rapid muscle contractions. Future studies should examine the long-term effects of the Raise, Activate, Mobilize, Potentiate protocol across different sports and larger sample sizes to provide a more comprehensive contribution to the literature.Cite this article as: Kaya, S. (2025). RAMP vs. traditional warm-up: how different strategies influence sprint, jump, and change of direction performance?. Research in Sports Science, 15, 0029, doi:10.5152/rss.2025.25029.

The aim of this study is to analyze the goal-scoring patterns observed in the UEFA 2024 European Football Championship held in Germany. In this study, 117 goals scored across 51 matches played during the tournament were analyzed. Of the goals scored, 56.4% occurred in the second half, while 43,6% were scored in the first half. The highest number of goals was scored between the 16th and 30th minutes (19,7%), while the fewest goals were recorded between the 90th-105th and 106th-120th minutes. When examining the number of touches before the goal, the majority of goals were scored through direct shots (59%). The analysis also revealed that most assists were made from Zone 4 inside the penalty area (22%) and through short ground passes (34%). Additionally, the study found that the most frequent shot type was with the inside of the right foot (29%) and that midfielders were the players who scored the most goals (35%). VAR decisions were used 25 times, with offside and penalty situations being the most frequently reviewed. This study emphasizes the need for reconsideration of offensive and defensive strategies, suggesting that coaches should develop their game plans based on these findings.

This research examines the reliability, validity, and usefulness of the Jump Power application by comparing it with the reliable and validated Optojump photoelectric cell system in measuring squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) in professional athletes. Twenty-two soccer players volunteered to participate in the research. The participants were the players of the U21 team in the 1st League. All athletes were subjected to SJ and CMJ tests. Jump Power app and Optojump data were acquired simultaneously during SJ and CMJ. Trial procedure was performed on three separate occasions (Session 1, Session 2, and Session 3), with 48 h intervals to examine the reliability of the data from session to session. For reliability analysis, coefficients of variation percent (%CV). Jump power app reliability values CV% is below 5%. In the validity analysis, significant differences were observed between the Optojump photoelectric cell system and the Jump Power App for SJ and CMJ. In conclusion, this study revealed that the Jump Power app is a reliable but not valid tool to measure vertical jumps in soccer players.

This study aimed to determine the validity and between-day reliability of the mean velocity (MV), peak velocity (PV), mean power (MP), and peak power (PP) provided by the Vitruve linear position transducer at different submaximal loads in the free-weight and Smith machine back squat using GymAware as a reference point. Fourteen male sports science students (free-weight back squat one-repetition maximum [1RM]: 132.5 ± 28.5 kg, Smith machine back squat 1RM: 163.9 ± 30.4 kg) performed six experimental sessions, twice per week with 72 hours of rest. The first two included the assessment of the 1RM of both exercises. In the four remaining, both linear position transducers were simultaneously used to record MV, PV, MP, PP of each repetition during an incremental load test (i.e., 20, 40, 60, 80, 90% 1RM) with three minutes of rest between sets. Vitruve displayed both fixed and proportional bias for certain relative loads across all variables. Vitruve did not meet the validity criteria for all (MV, PP) or at least two (MP, PV) relative loads (Coefficient of variation [CV] > 10%; Pearson correlation < 0.70; Effect size > 0.60). MV, PV, MP, and PP recorded by Vitruve displayed acceptable reliability (CV < 10%) with superior reliability observed during a Smith Machine compared to free-weight back squat, and for velocity compared to power variables. Considering GymAware as a reference point, Vitruve was not valid for measuring velocity and power outcomes. Acceptable validity was observed only for PV in the Smith machine back squat, while the other variables—regardless of relative loads and exercise modes—were mostly inaccurate. All variables demonstrated acceptable reliability, with greater reliability noted in the Smith machine compared to the free-weight back squat exercise mode.