Everybody wins! Poland hosts thrilling competitions of viruses, RNAi and football teams.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Grimm D
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3463971 | biostudies-other | 2012 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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Project description:We investigated the ability of football teams to develop a particular playing style by looking at their passing patterns. Using the information contained in the pass sequences during matches, we constructed the pitch passing networks of teams, whose nodes are the divisions of the pitch for a given spatial scale and links account for the number of passes from region to region. We translated football passings networks into their corresponding adjacency matrices. We calculated the correlations between matrices of the same team to quantify how consistent the passing patterns of a given team are. Next, we quantified the differences with other teams' matrices and obtained an identifiability parameter that indicates how unique are the passing patterns of a given team. Consistency and identifiability rankings were calculated during a whole season, allowing to detect those teams of a league whose passing patterns are different from the rest. Furthermore, we found differences between teams playing at home or away. Finally, we used the identifiability parameter to investigate what teams imposed their passing patterns over the rivals during a given match.
| S-EPMC7661721 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This study investigated the time-motion characteristics of football teams in the Spanish first division, in relation to their final competitive level as defined by league position (Champions League, Europa League, Upper mid-table, lower mid-table and relegation). Match observations (n = 9641) were collected using a multiple-camera computerized tracking system during the 2013-2014 competitive season. The following match parameters were analyzed: total distance, relative distance (m·min-1), distance < 14 km·h-1, >14 km·h-1, between 14-21 km·h-1, >21 km·h-1, and >24 km·h-1. Total distance and distance at different velocities (>14, 21, and 24 km·h-1) in and out of ball possession were also analyzed. A repeated analysis of variance and a comparison of effect sizes were carried out to compare the performance of the teams. The analysis of the data showed differences in physical performance characteristics between competitive levels. The volume of distance covered in the variables analyzed did not relate to success in soccer. Both successful and unsuccessful teams presented the same running requirements at higher velocities. These findings provide valuable information about the physical demands of the running requirements according to their final position in the league table.
| S-EPMC6835315 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveLimiting contact in football practice can reduce the number of head impacts a player receives, but further research is needed to inform the modification of optimal drills that mitigate head impact exposure (HIE) while the player develops the skills needed to safely play the game. This study aimed to compare HIE in practice drills among 6 youth football teams and to evaluate the effect of a team on HIE.MethodsOn-field head impact data were collected from athletes (ages 10–13 years) playing on 6 local youth football teams (teams A–F) during all practices using the Head Impact Telemetry System. Video was recorded and analyzed to verify and assign impacts to a specific drill. Drills were identified as follows: dummy/sled tackling, half install, install, install walk through, multiplayer tackle, Oklahoma, one-on-one, open field tackling, other, passing, position skill work, scrimmage, special teams, tackling drill stations, and technique. HIE was quantified in terms of impacts per player per minute (ppm) and peak linear and rotational head acceleration. Generalized linear models were used to assess differences in head impact magnitude and frequency among drills as well as among teams within the most common drills.ResultsAmong 67 athlete-seasons, a total of 14,718 impacts during contact practices were collected and evaluated in this study. Among all 6 teams, the mean linear (p < 0.0001) and rotational (p < 0.0001) acceleration varied significantly among all drills. Open field tackling had significantly (p < 0.001) higher mean linear acceleration than all other drills. Multiplayer tackle had the highest mean impact rate (0.35 ppm). Significant variations in linear acceleration and impact rate were observed among teams within specific drills. Team A had the highest mean linear acceleration in install, one-on-one, and open field tackling and the highest mean impact rate in Oklahoma and position skill work. Although team A spent the greatest proportion of their practice on minimal- or no-player versus player contact drills (27%) compared to other teams, they had the highest median (20.2g) and 95th percentile (56.4g) linear acceleration in practice.ConclusionsFull-speed tackling and blocking drills resulted in the highest HIE. Reducing time spent on contact drills relative to minimal or no contact drills may not lower overall HIE. Instead, interventions such as reducing the speed of players engaged in contact, correcting tackling technique, and progressing to contact may reduce HIE more effectively.
| S-EPMC11233417 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Possession time in football has been widely discussed in research but few studies have analyzed the importance of the field area in which possession occurs. The objective of this study was to identify the existence of significant differences in the field zone of ball possession between successful and unsuccessful teams and to acknowledge if the match status modulates the possession model. To this end, 2,284 attacks were analyzed corresponding to the matches in the final phase of the UEFA Euro 2016 France, recording possession time and field zone in which possession occurred. Video recordings of matches were analyzed and coded post-event using notational analysis. We have found that successful offensive game patterns are different from unsuccessful ones. Specifically, field zone in which major possession occurs changes significantly between successful and unsuccessful teams (x2 = 15.72, p < 0.05) and through Welch's T significant differences were detected in possession time between successful and unsuccessful teams (H = 24.289, p < 0.001). The former are characterized by longer possession times, preferably in the middle offensive zone, on the other hand, unsuccessful teams have shorter possession times and preferably on the middle defensive zone. Logistic regression also allowed us to identify that greater possession in the middle offensive zone is a good indicator of success in the offensive game, allowing us to predict a greater chance of victory in the match. Specifically, every time the teams achieve possession in the middle offensive zone, the chance of winning the match will increase 1.72 times and, the probability of winning the match making longer possessions in the middle offensive zone is 44.25%. Applying the Kruskal-Wallis test we have also been able to verify how match status modulates the teams possession time, specifically, when teams are winning they have longer possessions x2 = 92.628, p = 0.011. Results obtained are expected to help gain more knowledge about successful offensive game models, as well as performance factors of the offensive phase, which will allow teams to optimize their training process and performance during the match.
| S-EPMC5509942 | biostudies-other
Project description:ObjectivesTo evaluate the use and modification of the Copenhagen Adduction Exercise in football (soccer) teams, including the reasons for modification and alternate injury-prevention strategies.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, staff members from a convenience sample of 50 male elite, academy and amateur football teams in Norway, Germany and Austria completed an online questionnaire focussing on the implementation of the Copenhagen Adduction Exercise. Fourteen of the staff members also completed an interview.ResultsForty-two teams (84%) reported using the Copenhagen Adduction Exercise, but the majority (65%) had modified the original programme. Modifications included changes to sets, repetitions, progressions and frequency and were particularly common among elite teams. The main reasons for modifications were managing overall player load, experiences and beliefs and individualisation. Despite modifications, all teams followed the basic principles of the original programme.ConclusionThe adoption of the Copenhagen Adduction Exercise by football teams is high, but the vast majority of teams modify the programme. Despite these modifications, the basic principles of the programme are maintained.
| S-EPMC11344511 | biostudies-literature
Project description:PurposeReturn-to-play (RTP) is an on-going challenge in professional football. Return-to-play related research is increasing. However, it is unknown to what extent the recommendations presented within research are being implemented by professional football teams, and where there are gaps between research and practice. The purposes of this study were (1) to determine if premier-league football teams worldwide follow a RTP continuum, (2) to identify RTP criteria used and (3) to understand how RTP decision-making occurs in applied practice.MethodsWe sent a structured online survey to practitioners responsible for the RTP programme in 310 professional teams from 34 premier-leagues worldwide. The survey comprised four sections, based on hamstring muscle injury: (1) criteria used throughout RTP phases, (2) the frequency with which progression criteria were achieved, (3) RTP decision-making process and (4) challenges to decision-making.ResultsOne-hundred and thirty-one teams responded with a completed survey (42%). One-hundred and twenty-four teams (95%) used a continuum to guide RTP, assessing a combination of clinical, functional and psychological criteria to inform decisions to progress. One-hundred and five (80%) teams reported using a shared decision-making approach considering the input of multiple stakeholders. Team hierarchy, match- and player-related factors were common challenges perceived to influence decision-making.ConclusionsGeneral research recommendations for RTP and the beliefs and practices of practitioners appear to match with, the majority of teams assessing functional, clinical and psychological criteria throughout a RTP continuum to inform decision-making which is also shared among key stakeholders. However, specific criteria, metrics and thresholds used, and the specific involvement, dynamics and interactions of staff during decision-making are not clear.
| S-EPMC7069905 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Football teams' tactical organization on the pitch is usually represented by the surface area. Considering the different shapes adopted by the teams during the match, the role of the tactical variability for success is lacking. The aim of this study was to explore and to evaluate the association between recurrent states of tactical organization and technical performance during football matches. A total of 28 teams of Brazilian First Division Championships were analysed. Teams' surface area shapes were represented by the maximum value of the Multiscale Fractal Dimension in each timestamp, producing a time series. Recurrences of states of tactical organization were determined via recurrence plots and recurrence quantitative analysis during attacking and defending phases, and considering the whole match. The outcomes were correlated with nine traditional technical performance indicators. The main results showed that structural recurrence or variability on tactical organization is associated with performance success during the defending and attacking actions. Recurrence plot and measures based on the recurrence density proved to be valuable tools to represent teams' dynamics.
| S-EPMC11318918 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The ongoing conflict between viruses and their hosts can drive the co-evolution between host immune genes and viral suppressors of immunity. It has been suggested that an evolutionary 'arms race' may occur between rapidly evolving components of the antiviral RNAi pathway of Drosophila and viral genes that antagonize it. We have recently shown that viral protein 1 (VP1) of Drosophila melanogaster Nora virus (DmelNV) suppresses Argonaute-2 (AGO2)-mediated target RNA cleavage (slicer activity) to antagonize antiviral RNAi. Here we show that viral AGO2 antagonists of divergent Nora-like viruses can have host specific activities. We have identified novel Nora-like viruses in wild-caught populations of D. immigrans (DimmNV) and D. subobscura (DsubNV) that are 36% and 26% divergent from DmelNV at the amino acid level. We show that DimmNV and DsubNV VP1 are unable to suppress RNAi in D. melanogaster S2 cells, whereas DmelNV VP1 potently suppresses RNAi in this host species. Moreover, we show that the RNAi suppressor activity of DimmNV VP1 is restricted to its natural host species, D. immigrans. Specifically, we find that DimmNV VP1 interacts with D. immigrans AGO2, but not with D. melanogaster AGO2, and that it suppresses slicer activity in embryo lysates from D. immigrans, but not in lysates from D. melanogaster. This species-specific interaction is reflected in the ability of DimmNV VP1 to enhance RNA production by a recombinant Sindbis virus in a host-specific manner. Our results emphasize the importance of analyzing viral RNAi suppressor activity in the relevant host species. We suggest that rapid co-evolution between RNA viruses and their hosts may result in host species-specific activities of RNAi suppressor proteins, and therefore that viral RNAi suppressors could be host-specificity factors.
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Project description:Arctic permafrost is thawing due to global warming, with unknown consequences on the microbial inhabitants or associated viruses. DNA viruses have previously been shown to be abundant and active in thawing permafrost, but little is known about RNA viruses in these systems. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed the composition of RNA viruses in thawed permafrost samples that were incubated for 97 days at 4°C to simulate thaw conditions. A diverse RNA viral community was assembled from metatranscriptome data including double-stranded RNA viruses, dominated by Reoviridae and Hypoviridae, and negative and positive single-stranded RNA viruses, with relatively high representations of Rhabdoviridae and Leviviridae, respectively. Sequences corresponding to potential plant and human pathogens were also detected. The detected RNA viruses primarily targeted dominant eukaryotic taxa in the samples (e.g., fungi, Metazoa and Viridiplantae) and the viral community structures were significantly associated with predicted host populations. These results indicate that RNA viruses are linked to eukaryotic host dynamics. Several of the RNA viral sequences contained auxiliary metabolic genes encoding proteins involved in carbon utilization (e.g., polygalacturosase), implying their potential roles in carbon cycling in thawed permafrost. IMPORTANCE Permafrost is thawing at a rapid pace in the Arctic with largely unknown consequences on ecological processes that are fundamental to Arctic ecosystems. This is the first study to determine the composition of RNA viruses in thawed permafrost. Other recent studies have characterized DNA viruses in thawing permafrost, but the majority of DNA viruses are bacteriophages that target bacterial hosts. By contrast RNA viruses primarily target eukaryotic hosts and thus represent potential pathogenic threats to humans, animals, and plants. Here, we find that RNA viruses in permafrost are novel and distinct from those in other habitats studied to date. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened awareness of the importance of potential environmental reservoirs of emerging RNA viral pathogens. We demonstrate that some potential pathogens were detected after an experimental thawing regime. These results are important for understanding critical viral-host interactions and provide a better understanding of the ecological roles that RNA viruses play as permafrost thaws.
| S-EPMC9765123 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Influenza B virus (IBV) undergoes seasonal antigenic drift more slowly than influenza A virus, but the reasons for this difference are unclear. While the evolutionary dynamics of influenza viruses play out globally, they are fundamentally driven by mutation, reassortment, drift, and selection at the level of individual hosts. These processes have recently been described for influenza A virus, but little is known about the evolutionary dynamics of IBV during individual infections and transmission events. Here, we define the within-host evolutionary dynamics of IBV by sequencing virus populations from naturally infected individuals enrolled in a prospective, community-based cohort over 8,176 person-seasons of observation. Through analysis of high depth-of-coverage sequencing data from samples from 91 individuals with influenza B, we find that IBV accumulates lower genetic diversity than previously observed for influenza A virus during acute infections. Consistent with studies of influenza A viruses, the within-host evolution of IBVs is characterized by purifying selection and the general absence of widespread positive selection of within-host variants. Analysis of shared genetic diversity across 15 sequence-validated transmission pairs suggests that IBV experiences a tight transmission bottleneck similar to that of influenza A virus. These patterns of local-scale evolution are consistent with the lower global evolutionary rate of IBV.IMPORTANCE The evolution of influenza virus is a significant public health problem and necessitates the annual evaluation of influenza vaccine formulation to keep pace with viral escape from herd immunity. Influenza B virus is a serious health concern for children, in particular, yet remains understudied compared to influenza A virus. Influenza B virus evolves more slowly than influenza A virus, but the factors underlying this are not completely understood. We studied how the within-host diversity of influenza B virus relates to its global evolution by sequencing viruses from a community-based cohort. We found that influenza B virus populations have lower within-host genetic diversity than influenza A virus and experience a tight genetic bottleneck during transmission. Our work provides insights into the varying dynamics of influenza viruses in human infection.
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