Sime Versic

University of Split · Faculty of Kinesiology

This study investigated the effect of opponent team formation on physical performance during professional soccer matches. Physical performance was measured from all teams (n = 32) in all UEFA Champions League matches (n = 125) during the 2022/23 season. Metrics included total distance (TD) and running at low-(LIR), moderate (MIR), and high-intensit...

The main aim of the study was to determine the difference in the effects between the two applied protocols (Unilateral and Bilateral), on the ability of planned agility and acceleration. For this research, the sample were active soccer players (N=30; 14 years in average). Two equal groups were formed randomly, unilateral group (EG=15) and bilateral...

Rowing races require extreme physical and psychological effort from every athlete. This study aimed to determine the dynamics of the salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase, as well as blood lactate throughout the specific load represented by a 6 km rowing race, conducted on a rowing ergometer. The sample consisted of 11 junior and senior rowers from H...

This study aimed to compare match performance in the group and knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) for players in different playing positions. The information on physical and technical performances was collected during all UCL matches (n=125) in the 2022/23 season. Players’ observations (n=1387) were classified according to their play...

To develop specific preventive strategies, it is necessary to investigate in detail the occurrence of injuries in young football players. This study aimed to provide details about the type, location, severity, and contact nature of muscle injuries in elite U15 Croatian football players. A total number of 130 muscle injuries occurred during the six...

This study aimed to examine the differences in physical performance when winning and losing in UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches. Data were collected using an optical tracking system from all UCL matches (n = 125) in the 2022/23 season. A linear mixed model was used to examine the differences in physical performance in won and lost matches while...

Background The available literature referring to the return to play (RTP) and performance after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has already been comprehensively summarized in team sports such as basketball or American Football. Therefore, in this sense, it is necessary to synthesize evidence relating to the mentioned parameters in...

This study examined the effect of a morning priming session consisted of stretching, mobility, core and lower-body resistance, and reactive agility exercises on match performance in elite-level soccer players. Information on physical and technical performance was collected during competitive matches (n = 32) and subsequently classified as those pre...

This study aimed to determine differences in match running performance (MRP) of elite soccer players (n 5 31) during matches played on artificial turf (AT) and natural grass (NG). The players' MRP (AT; 131 observations, NG; 135 observations) were collected during official matches (n 5 32) using global positioning system and classified according to...

There is a global consensus that physical literacy (PL) is an important determinant of physical fitness (PF), but studies have rarely examined the effects of PL-based interventions on PF. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of specific online video-based PL intervention on PF indices in high-school students from Croatia. Part...

This study aimed to evaluate the external training load (ETL) of elite-level goalkeepers considering days before match day (MD minus) and playing status in subsequent matches. The ETL of three goalkeepers from the Croatian highest national football competition were analyzed, quantifying goalkeeping-specific physical performance variables (i.e., dis...

Olympic weightlifting (OW) is sport with high strength and power demands where athletes need to explosively lift heavy weights. It is consisted of barbell lifting snatch and clean and jerk disciplines. In the strength and conditioning training, OW techniques are often used as a method for speed and power development. The aim of this study was to de...

The influence of environmental factors on key physical parameters of soccer players during competitive match-play have been widely investigated in the literature, although little is known on the effects of sub-zero ambient temperatures on the performance of adult elite soccer players during competitive matches. The aim of this study was to assess h...

This study aimed to compare the daily training load (TL) in first-team and U-18 soccer players from an English Premiership club. 36 first-team (age 23.2 ± 5.9 years, weight 75.2 ± 8.1 kg, height 1.83 ± 0.06 m), and 22 U-18 players (age 17.5 ± 1.1 years, weight 71.1 ± 8.2 kg, height 1.78 ± 0.08 m) participated. GPS metrics were measured during all p...

Flexibility is an important determinant of dynamic balance, but studies rarely examined the chronic effects of flexibility training on changes in balance capacity. This study aimed to determine the influence of different forms of flexibility exercises on dynamic balance in female professional football players. Participants were 30 female profession...

Based on the assessment and diagnosis, the rest period following a moderate/severe injury may lead to de-conditioning for the injured player and therefore an association with a prolonged rehabilitation, reconditioning and return to sport is observed post-injury. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of all injuries on match running...

The purpose of this research was to investigate the running performance of professional soccer players in relation to seven phases which resulted in the changing or maintaining the match status in the UEFA Champion League games during season 2020/2021. Moreover, we aimed to defne which match status phases occur at the earliest stage of regular game...

This study aimed to examine the effects of low-percentage ball possession teams (LPBPT) and high-percentage ball possession teams (HPBPT) on the physical and technical performance of UEFA Champions League (UCL) players. All data were obtained from group stage matches of UCL during the 2020/21 season using a semi-automatic optical tracking system. L...

Background and objectives: The incidence of injuries in rugby is extremely high, but studies have rarely examined the predictors of injury in amateur players. This study aimed to systematically analyse sports and injury factors as potential predictors of musculoskeletal injuries in senior-level amateur rugby players. Methods: The participants in th...

The process of becoming a ball kid at the French Open consists of different stages of selection and training. Selection and training of the ball kids is organized by the French Federation of Tennis (FFT) and is intended to be an immersive and educational experience. A sample was made up of ball kids participating at the 2022 French Open (Roland Gar...

In order to identify match running performance (MRP) characterizing the most elite soccer match-play, this study aimed to examine position-specific differences in the MRP of players competing in “big five” (BFLTs) and “non-big five” league teams (N-BFLTs). The data were obtained from 24 teams (BFLTs; n = 14, N-BFLTs; n = 10) during the UEFA Champio...

There are limited data describing clinical patterns and match running performance (MRP) among players with COVID-19 infection before and after infection, particularly related to different predominant SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as in comparison to uninfected players. This observational study was conducted during two consecutive soccer seasons in o...

Reactive agility (RAG) is a crucial factor of success in sports, but there are practically no studies dealing with RAG among children. The main aim of this study was to identify predictors of RAG among early pubescent boys and girls. The participants were primary school boys (n = 73) and girls (n = 59) aged 11-12. The criterion variable was the ori...

Study aim: This study aimed to evaluate predictors of futsal-specific change-of-direction speed and futsal-specific reactive agility in professional male futsal players. Material and methods: The players (n=75) studied were members of seven futsal teams that competed at the highest national level in Croatia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The predic...

Background To clarify does physical performance affect success in highest-level soccer, the purpose of the present study was to identify differences in technical-tactical performance (TP) between teams covering high and low running performance (RP) during the UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches. Methods The RP and TP data were collected from UCL g...

It is widely recognized that there is a decline in match running performance (MRP) towards the end of matches. To clarify whether it is primarily a consequence of fatigue, pacing or situational influences, this study aimed to examine MRP across 15-min match periods for players on different playing positions. Players’ MRP (n = 244) were examined fro...

This study aimed to determine the effect of team formation on position-specific match running performance (MRP) at highest-level football. Players’ MRP (n = 226) was observed in four team formations: 3-5-2 (n = 24), 4-4-2 (n = 44), 4-2-3-1 (n = 77) and 4-3-3 (n = 81). Central defenders in the 3-5-2 formation achieved a greater amount of high-intens...

The aim of this study was to identify the external training load (ETL) variables that are most influential on the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) during elite soccer training. The participants (n = 29) were adult male soccer players from a single team that competed in Croatia’s highest national soccer competition in the 2021/2022 season...

It has been hypothesized that contextual variables (i.e. match location, opponents’ level) could be important deter- minants of running performance (RP) in soccer matches, but empirical studies provided inconsistent evidences. This study aimed to investigate the associations between contextual variables (CV) and RP in Croatian soccer players. Playe...

Background: This investigation aimed to analyze differences in running performances amongst playing positions between the first and second halves of soccer matches and at 5-minute intervals during matches. Methods: Data were collected from 179 soccer players during 20 UEFA Champions League (UCL) 2020/2021 group stage matches. Data were examined...

Background and objectives: The risk of low energy availability is related to various health problems in sports. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify a possible association between various dance factors, anthropometrics/body build, and energy availability with injury occurrence in contemporary dancers. Materials and Methods: The participant...

The aim of this research was to examine the physical match performance and match outcome before and after coach turnover in professional soccer teams compared with a control group containing coaches working continuously for 3 consecutive seasons. Analysed data included 325 performances of teams led by dismissed coaches (DC), 313 of teams led by new...

This study attempted to identify associations between the TP (technical performance) of top-elite football (soccer) players according achievement of their teams and match outcome in UEFA Champions League (UCL). TP were evaluated by position specific InStat index which was calculated on the basis of a unique set of key parameters for each playing po...

Although running performance (RP) is considered an important factor of success in soccer, there is a lack of studies to examine this issue in highest-level soccer competition, such as UEFA Champions League (UCL). Therefore, the main objective of this study was to analyse players’ RP according to the achievement of their teams in UCL. In addition, p...

This study aimed to examine the independent effect of different match-related factors on match running performance (MRP) in elite soccer. Players’ MRPs (n = 244) were collected during UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage matches in the 2020–21 season. All MRP data were collected by the semi-automatic optical system InStat Fitness (InStat Limited...

In a complex team sport setting, such as during a football game, the match's outcome is determined by numerous factors, such as the technical, tactical, physical and psychological preparedness of all the players, who have to act like a unit. This study aimed to identify anthropometric characteristics and motor and functional abilities that affect t...

Long-term predictors of success in water polo are rarely reported. This study aimed to evaluate the position-specific validity of the swimming and anthropometric/body build tests on the prediction of the long-term success of male water polo players. The participants were 85 top-level players observed at baseline (junior level, when they were 17–18...

Scoring the goal in handball is performed by shooting action. Shooting speed is one of the most important attacking elements that influences successful performance in handball. Anyhow, there is a lack of scientific data considering shooting speed between different playing positions. The main aim of this study was to determine differences in shootin...

Agility is an important factor in football (soccer), but studies have rarely examined the influences of different agility components on the likelihood of being injured in football. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the possible influences of sporting factors, i.e., flexibility, reactive agility (RAG), and change of direction speed (CODS),...

Windsurfing is dynamic water Olympic sport in which surfer is using wind force to generate forward motion on the water while maintaining balance on the board. Although is fast-raising and popular sport, previous studies have not addressed the issue of doping in this sport. The main aim of this study was to identify predic-tors of potential doping b...

Artistic gymnastics belongs to the branch of aesthetically designed sports whose technically complex movements are repeating in acyclic order on gymnastic devices. Complex and often associated motor movements are manifested through numerous gymnastic elements such as jumps, rotations and turns, while the emphasis is on maintaining a controlled and...

Introduction. The Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance Test-Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) is considered a valuable measurement tool in assessing specific soccer endurance. However, there is a lack of recent research validating this test with regard to match running performance (MRP) in elite-level soccer. Material and Methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate t...

The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted professional football in the 2019/2020 season, and football experts anticipate that the consequences of lockdown measures will negatively affect the physical performance of players once competition restarts. This study aimed to evaluate position-specific match running performance (MRP) to determine the effect of CO...

Insufficient physical activity and alcohol consumption (AC) are important health-threatening behaviors in adolescence, but there are controversial findings regarding the association that may exist between AC and physical activity levels (PALs) at this age. This study aimed to prospectively examine the relationship that may exist between AC and PAL...

Citation: Savicevic, A.J.; Nincevic, J.; Versic, S.; Cuschieri, S.; Bandalovic, A.; Turic, A.; Becir, B.; Modric, T.; Abstract: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in sport has been the subject of numerous studies over the past two years. However, knowledge about the direct impact of COVID-19 infection on the performance of athletes is limited, and...

In combat sports, competitors are separated into weight divisions, to create equality between the athletes. Consequently, rapid weight loss (RWL) is a common practice in combat sports. Although the methods used to induce RWL are similar among athletes, currently, there are limited data concerning the RWL methodologies used by sambo athletes. Theref...

Although associations between running performance (RP) with ball possession and team achievement in soccer are often hypothesized, actual knowledge of this association in elite soccer remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate players’ RPs according to ball possession to determine its possible influence on team achievement in the UEFA...

Balance can be defined as keeping the center of gravity of the body within the surface of the support and has crucial role in sport. However, there are insufficient knowledge regarding balance field testing. The main aim of this study was to determine association between Biodex laboratory balance test and Y balance field test. The participants in t...

Verbal encouragement (VE) and listening to preferred music (PM) are considered effective ergogenic methods in strength and conditioning, but studies examining the effectiveness of these two methods simultaneously are lacking. This study analyzed the influence of PM and VE on repeated change-of-direction performance (R-CoD) in elite young basketball...

The aim of our study was to evaluate doping attitudes (DA), and certain correlates of DA in competitive rowing athletes. Study included 53 competitive male rowing athletes from Croatia (age: 20.47±4.17 years). The data was collected by previously validated questionnaires. Apart from descriptive statistics, logistic regression was calculated for cat...

This study aimed to determine the association of morphological characteristics and motor abilities on the results achieved on a rowing ergometer. The participants were 36 students of Faculty of Kinesiology of the University of Split, Croatia (21 males, 15 females). The sample of variables consisted of a total of 22 variables: 11 variables measuring...

This study aimed to determine the differences in situational power performance between playing positions in handball. The following variables were analyzed: body height and weight, fastest shot, fastest sprint, highest jump, and average game time. The study sample comprised 412 handball players who participated at European championships. Backcourt...

Citation: Versic, S.; Pehar, M.; Modric, T.; Pavlinovic, V.; Spasic, M.; Uljevic, O.; Corluka, M.; Sattler, T.; Sekulic, D. Bilateral Symmetry of Jumping and Agility in Professional Basketball Players: Differentiating Performance Levels and Playing Positions. Symmetry 2021, 13, 1316.

There is an evident lack of research simultaneously investigating endurance training (ET) and resistance training (RT) with regard to their potential influence on fitness and health status in young women. This study aimed to determine the effects of RT and ET three times a week over an eight-week period on anthropometric/body composition indices, b...

Endurance training (ET) has multiple beneficial effects on cardiovascular health (CVH), but there is an evident lack of knowledge on differential effects of various types of ET on indices of CVH in women. The aim of this study was to analyse the effectiveness of two different types of ET on changes in indicators of CVH in apparently healthy adult w...

Aerobic performance is considered an important determinant of match running performance in soccer, but studies have rarely investigated this issue in top-level players. This study examined the possible associations between direct measures of aerobic performance and match running performance in elite soccer players. Aerobic performance was tested at...

The aim of this study was (i) to examine associations between training load during the week and match outcomes; (ii) to evidence position-specific differences between playing positions of training load and match running performances in top-level soccer/football. Training load and match running performances were evaluated through external load pa...

Children’s health behaviors are highly influenced by their parents and family. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the parental/familial factors associated with physical activity levels (PALs) among older adolescents. The participants were 766 adolescents, who were prospectively observed at baseline (when they were 16 years of age), at first...

There is an evident lack of studies examining the pursuit of excellence in futsal. The aims of this study were to evaluate anthropometric and physiological variables that may contribute to distinguishing among performance levels in professional futsal players and to evaluate correlates of those variables. The participants were 75 male professionals...

Shooting velocity is one of the most important features that influence successful shooting performance in handball. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine differences in shooting velocity between shooting positions in top level handball. A total of 784 shots were analyzed. Shooting velocity was measured with iBall (SELECT, Denmark), that...

This study aimed to evaluate factors that influence soccer-specific change-of-direction speed (SSCODS) and reactive agility (SSRAG) in youth soccer players, taking into account their biologicalmaturity. The sample comprised 41 youth soccer players (14-15, height: 167.1±8.7 cm, mass: 56.1±4.9 kg) tested on anthropometrics, 10m-sprint, countermovemen...

Running performances (RPs) are known to be important parameters of success in football (soccer), but there is a lack of studies where RPs are contextualized regarding applied tactical solutions. This study aims to quantify and analyze the differences in position-specific RPs in professional football, when games are played with three defensive playe...

Parental/familial factors are important determinants of the physical activity level (PAL) in children and adolescents, but studies rarely prospectively evaluate their relationships. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in physical activity levels among adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina over a two-year period and to determine parental/fami...

The aim of this study was to identify associations between aerobic fitness (AF) and game performance indicator (GPI) in elite football. Participants were professional football players (males, n = 16; age: 23.76 ± 2.64; body height: 181.62 ± 7.09 cm; body mass: 77.01 ± 6.34 kg). AF testing was conducted by direct measurement and included VO2max, run...

Study aim: The aim of this study was to determine the fitness profiles of senior and junior futsal players and to identify potential differences between the studied age groups. Materials and methods: 44 male futsal players from 5 professional futsal teams participated in this study. Subjects were divided into two age groups (seniors [>18 years; n =...

Background: The relationship between the training load and game load considering soccer playing positions has not been sufficiently examined. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the position-specific associations between running performance (RP) during the training and match in professional-level male soccer. Methods: The RPs of 15 pl...

This study aimed to evaluate a specific model of evaluation of cadet players' performance in water polo. The participants in this study were 61 young water polo players, members of Croatian and Montenegrin teams (15-16 years of age). Variables included six indicators of specific water polo performance. Three water-polo experts independently evaluat...

Reactive agility (RAG) and change of direction speed (CODS) are important determinants of success in football (soccer), but there is an evident lack of information on reliable and valid football-specific testing procedures which will be applicable in defining sport-specific RAG and CODS in youth players. This study evaluated reliability and constru...