Browsing by Person "Unnithan, Viswanath"

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Changes in body composition in elite soccer players in response to pre-season training [Oral Presentation]
(Isokinetic Medical Group, 2018-06-04) McEwan, Gary; Drobnic, Franchek; Lizarraga, Antonia; Gómez Díaz, Antonio; Pons, Eduard; Dello Iacono, Antonio; Unnithan, Viswanath
Changes in markers of body composition of professional male soccer players during pre-season
(Chengdu Sport University, 2020-09-06) McEwan, Gary; Drobnic, Franchek; Lizarraga, Antonia; Gómez Díaz, Antonio; Pons, Eduard; Dello Iacon, Antonio; Unnithan, Viswanath
To evaluate changes achieved in whole-body and regional (upper limbs, lower limbs, and trunk) estimates of body composition, twenty professional male soccer players (7 defenders, 7 midfielders, 6 forwards) underwent dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) analysis at the beginning and end of pre-season. Measures included: mass, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), and body fat per cent (BF%). Players’ activity during on-field training sessions was monitored using Global Positioning System (GPS) units, with GPS data used to obtain estimations of energy expenditure (EE). Whole-body mass remained unchanged across the pre-season. Moderate significant increases and decreases were achieved in whole-body FFM (Pre: 59.58 ± 5.27 kg; Post: 60.61 ± 5.18 kg; p = 0.001; d = 0.87) and FM (Pre: 10.60 ± 1.88 kg; Post: 9.56 ± 1.81 kg; p = 0.001; d = 0.85), respectively. Moderate significant decreases were achieved in whole-body BF% (Pre: 14.4 ± 2.3%; Post: 12.9 ± 2.0%; p < 0.001; d = 0.94). No significant inter-positional differences were observed for the changes achieved in any global or regional estimate of body composition. Total EE was significantly correlated with ΔFM (r = 0.65, p = 0.002), ΔFFM (r = 0.46, p = 0.03), and ΔBF% (r = 0.67, p = 0.002). The total EE of pre-season training accounted for 42%, 21%, and 45% of the variance in ΔFM, ΔFFM, and ΔBF%, respectively. These findings suggest that the pre-season period is a suitable time for initiating favourable alterations in body composition following the off-season in elite soccer players.
Development and validation of the Referee Training Activity Questionnaire (RTAQ): Towards a better understanding of the training practices of soccer match officials [Oral Presentation]
(European College of Sport Science, 2019-09-03) McEwan, Gary; Unnithan, Viswanath; Easton, Chris; Arthur, Rosie
INTRODUCTION As the training of soccer referees is typically self-led, direct observation and monitoring of training is seldom possible (1). Consequently, relatively little information currently exists on the training practices of soccer referees (2). Efficacious and accessible methods of monitoring referee training are therefore required. Accordingly, we sought to develop and validate a novel measurement tool, termed The Referee Training Activity Questionnaire (RTAQ), for assessing the training practices of soccer referees. METHODS To develop and validate the RTAQ, we employed a systematic multi-stage process: 1) item generation; 2) assessments of content and face validity; and 3) assessments of criterion validity (3). In stage 1, we generated items based upon a review of the literature and semi-structured interviews with a sample of refereeing experts (n = 8). In stage 2, items were assessed for content and face validity by a sample of referees and academics experienced in questionnaire design (n = 6), with the content validity index (CVI) calculated (4). In stage 3, a sample of referees (n = 25) completed the RTAQ and subsequently recorded a detailed 7-day training diary. Additionally, we obtained objective estimates of physical training activity through heart rate data which was used to corroborate the self-report data of the training diaries. RESULTS Following stage 1, we constructed the preliminary RTAQ to include items pertaining to: 1) general training information (16 items); and 2) specific-training practices (66 items). In stage 2, content validity was confirmed for 66 items (CVI ≥ 0.78) with 16 items being deemed invalid (CVI < 0.78). We used participant feedback, alongside content validity indices, to discard or revise problematic items. In stage 3, estimates of training activity derived from the training diaries and heart rate monitors were found to be strongly related (r > 0.96; P < 0.001). Additionally, negligible mean biases, moderate 95% LOA, and significant correlations were observed for most items with those exhibiting insufficient agreement (11 items) subsequently excluded or modified as per participant feedback. CONCLUSION The present results provide initial evidence that the RTAQ is a valid and reliable means of acquiring insight into the training practices of soccer referees. The development of a self-report measure in the form of the RTAQ will provide practitioners and researchers with a practical means of monitoring the training practices of soccer referees.
Development and validation of the Referee Training Activity Questionnaire (RTAQ): Towards a better understanding of the training practices of soccer officials
(Routledge, 2020-08-10) McEwan, Gary; Unnithan, Viswanath; Easton, Chris; Arthur, Rosie
To develop and assess the validity of the Referee Training Activity Questionnaire (RTAQ), a systematic process was employed: 1) item generation; 2) assessments of content and face validity; and 3) assessments of criterion validity. In stage 1, items were generated following semi-structured interviews with an expert panel (n = 8). Following content analyses, the RTAQ was developed and comprised 3 primary sections (12 sub-sections) assessing: 1) attributes perceived to underpin soccer officiating performance; 2) general training information; and 3) specific training practices. In stage 2, the preliminary RTAQ was assessed for content and face validity by a sample of experts (n = 6). Based upon the content validity index (CVI), content validity was confirmed for 8 sub-sections (CVI ≥ 0.78) with 5 sub-sections being deemed invalid (CVI < 0.78). Various amendments were carried out in accordance with participant feedback. In stage 3, the RTAQ was completed by a cohort of officials (n = 25) who subsequently recorded a detailed training diary. Negligible mean biases, wide 95% LOA, and significant Pearson correlations were observed between the RTAQ and training diaries for most training activities, suggesting the RTAQ holds promise as a useful and effective alternative of acquiring insight into the training practices of soccer officials.
Validity and reliability of physiological and perceptual responses during a treadmill-based Soccer Referee Simulation (SRS) [Oral Presentation]
(European College of Sport Science, 2021-09) McEwan, Gary; Unnithan, Viswanath; Easton, Chris; Glover, A. J.; Arthur, Rosie