Effects of a Short Half-Time Re-Warm-Up Program on Matches Running Performance and Fitness Test Performance of Male Elite Youth Soccer Players
, Athanasios Mandroukas, Lazaros Vardakis, Kosmas Christoulas and Thomas Metaxas
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The study is found to be relevant, however a English proof reading is mandatory.
The methodology need to be explained properly, and please check the description of the Illinois test, which I feel ends at F instead of Z.
Author Response
We made the corrections as you can see in the text.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
This paper examines the effects of a half-time re-warm up (RW) on the performance of young soccer players. Basically, the paper is well written. However, I have some major and minor remarks on the manuscript.
MAJOR:
- Introduction:
This section is written about soccer players in general (e.g., Premier League & Championship => adults). However, the study deals with U17 players. Please consider adding appropriate information or address this aspect in the introduction.
- Methods - Statistical Analysis:
Please elaborate on how you arrived at your sample size! Indicate, whether you performed a power analysis! Have results been previously published that might justify your sample size? If you used a convenience sample, please indicate here, also refer to it in the limitations, and be careful in interpreting (non-)significant results in the discussion: Do not simply rely on significant differences in your discussion, but also consider effect sizes!
L. 190: You are not using Cohen's d effect size, but partial eta squared, which has different limit values. Please clarify.
Results:
Consider presenting means and 95% CI for all variables analyzed in table 3, and using individual data plots for change scores (i.e., P(15 mins vs. Post WU AND 3 min RW vs. Post WU)!
MINOR:
- Abstract-Results:
The authors present p-values for the first two variables, then describe the change in body temperature, and finally present percentages for SJ => please adhere to consistent reporting of your results.
- Abstract-Conclusion:
I don't think that the conclusion is justified: RW does not maintain performance (there is a 5% decrease in SJ), and the study does not verify that the effects observed result from varying body temperature changes
- Introduction:
Ll. 51-53: Please provide information on the samples analyzed in the cited studies (references 5 & 6)
Ll. 69-70: (as mentioned above): are data/ studies available that focus on youths/ adolescents (U17)?
- Methods:
L. 88: Is any information available regarding the competition level (league)?
L. 89: I assume that all U17 players also consented, not only their parents/ legal guardians? Please indicate!
Figure 1: consider simplifying both figures. Figure on top by merging the last 2 boxes (right-handed); figure below by merging 1st box "warm up", 2nd box "1st quarter...1st half" and also 4th box "1st quarter... 2nd half".
L. 117: Please concisely but comprehensibly define your randomization technique!
L. 128: Did you also control for circadian rhythmicity of (diurnal effects on) body temperature? If not, please indicate in your limitations section!
L. 144: Please indicate that you refer to the stretch-shortening cycle.
L. 161: Please check: finish F (there is no Z in the figure)
L. 177: Please provide information on the validity and reliability of the system used. If none are available (which I doubt), please indicate this in the limitations.
L. 180: please add: "or mean and 95% confidence interval".
- Results:
L. 194: Please check if this p-value is correct: "p=0.07" (not significant)
L. 198: The use of asterics is a bit confusing (line 199 there are 3 asterics) - please check!
L. 214: "F. Body temperature": it is not clear what the authors are referring to here. Please check.
L. 235: "* denotes significant difference at level p<0.001" => compared to? please clarify!
Table 4: I assume it is 95% CI? Please clarify.
L. 246: This is the mean of, not the change in HR!
Ll. 249-251: What does the "G" in GW and GWOUT stand for? This is a bit confusing!
Discussion:
The line numbers are missing!
Page 16, last paragraph: Which samples do references 2 & 18 refer to? please indicate.
Page 17: Jump performance - please provide a brief explanation regarding possible underlying mechanisms for beneficial or detrimental effects of RW on jumping performance at the end of this paragraph. Currently, this is just an enumeration of previous study results.
Page 18, last paragraph, 2nd line: "no significant difference was found" => but a moderate effect on running performance in favor of the P-condition (by the way, this is in line with the Edholm 2014 study [9]. Do not simply rely on significant differences in your discussion (see missing power analysis), but also consider effect sizes!
I believe that these remarks might well be addressed in a major revision and look forward to reading the revised manuscript version.
Author Response
We made the corrections as you can see in the text
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
the study highlights very important aspects for the fitness performance of these players and has some very importants that can be implemented in training sessions for the improvement of the capacities in games.
Author Response
Thank you for your comments!
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
Comments for author File: 
Comments.docx
Author Response
We made the corrections as you can see in the text
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
All comments have been addressed by the authors in the revised version, by which the quality of the manuscript has improved. Congratulations to the authors!
