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Research on the evolution of performance throughout a season in team sports is scarce and mainly focused on men's teams. Our aim in this study was to examine the seasonal variations in relevant indices of physical performance in female football players. Twenty-seven female football players were assessed at week 2 of the season (preseason, PS), week 7 (end of preseason, EP), week 24 (half-season, HS), and week 38 (end of season, ES). Similar to the most common used conditioning tests in football, testing sessions consisted of (1) vertical countermovement jump (CMJ); (2) 20 m running sprint (T20); (3) 25 m side-step cutting maneuver test (V-CUT); and (4) progressive loading test in the full-squat exercise (V1-LOAD). Participants followed their normal football training procedure, which consisted of three weekly training sessions and an official match, without any type of intervention. No significant time effects were observed for CMJ height (p = 0.29) and T20 (p = 0.11) throughout the season. However, significant time effects were found for V-CUT (p = 0.004) and V1-LOAD (p = 0.001). V-CUT performance significantly improved from HS to ES (p = 0.001). Significant increases were observed for V1-LOAD throughout the season: PS-HS (p = 0.009); PS-ES (p < 0.001); EP-ES (p < 0.001); and HS-ES (p = 0.009). These findings suggest that, over the course of the season, female football players experience an enhancement in muscle strength and change of direction ability. However, no discernible improvements were noted in sprinting and jumping capabilities during the same period.

Under a Creative Commons license. ; [EN]: [Objective]: The aim of this study was to test the effects on blood pressure of a single bout of low-intensity resistance exercise combined with moderate aerobic walk-based exercise performed by active, controlled hypertensive elderly women. [Method]: Forty-two participants were randomized in two types of sessions: exercise session (n = 21), that performed a single bout of combined exercise and control session (n = 21) that keep in rest during the bout. Pre-session, post-session and post-24-hour systolic, diastolic and mean pressure values were evaluated and compared between groups. [Results]: Statistical significant reductions were achieved just after the performed bout (7% of reduction) and 24 hours after the bout (9% of reduction) on the diastolic blood pressure values in the exercise session group. [Conclusions]: In this population, a single bout of combined session is feasible and safe and has a hypotensive effect on diastolic blood pressure in both immediately and after 24 hours post exercise. ; [ES]: [Objetivo]: Comprobar el efecto hipotensivo que una sola sesión de ejercicio combinado puede tener sobre la presión arterial de mujeres hipertensas controladas y mayores de 65 años. [Método]: Cuarenta y dos participantes fueron asignadas aleatoriamente a dos grupos de sesiones: sesión de entrenamiento (n = 21) que realizó una sola sesión de ejercicios combinados y sesión control (n = 21) que mantuvo reposo durante la misma. Antes, después y tras 24 horas desde la sesión, los valores de presión sistólica, diastólica y medios fueron evaluados y comparados entre grupos. [Resultados]: Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos tras la realización de la sesión (7% de reducción) y tras 24 horas (9% de reducción) en los valores de presión arterial diastólica media del grupo experimental. [Conclusiones]: En esta población una sola sesión de ejercicio combinado se propone como aplicable y segura y tiene un efecto hipotensivo en la presión diastólica tanto inmediatamente después como pasadas 24 horas de la intervención. ; The present study was supported by grants from the Government of Andalusia. Andalusia Center for Development Biology provided human and infrastructure resources. Jesús del Pozo-Cruz was awarded a predoctoral fellowship funded by the proyect IMD2010-SC002 from the Andalusia Center of Sport Medicine on behalf of the Government of Andalusia. ; Open Access funded by Consejería de Educación, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía. ; Peer Reviewed