As previous literature updates, I have performed a PubCrawler search looking for football articles in NCBI Medline (PubMed) and GenBank databases.

Following studies were retrieved for this week:

1 Electrophysiological differences in inhibitory control processing between collegiate level soccer players and non-athletes in the absence of performance differences

Reference: Brain Cogn. 2024 May 23:178:106179. doi: 10.1016/j.bandc.2024.106179. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Zai-Fu Yao, Hao-Lun Fu, Chien-Wei Liang, Yu-Jui Li, Chun-Hao Wang
Summary: Inhibitory control, the ability to manage conflicting responses and suppress inappropriate actions, is crucial for team sports athletes, including soccer players. While previous studies have shown that soccer players possess superior inhibitory control, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this advantage remain unclear. Thus, this research aimed to investigate the neural processes involved in conflict resolution and response inhibition, comparing collegiate level soccer players with non-athletes. Participants completed a novel go/no-go task that involved conflict resolution and response inhibition, while their electroencephalograms were recorded. Despite no significant difference in behavioral performance between the two groups, soccer players exhibited notable N2 and frontal midline theta modulations in response to conflict resolution and inhibition, which were comparatively weaker in non-athletes. Our findings suggest that expertise in team sports may enhance neural sensitivity to subtle yet significant information, even without a discernible behavioral advantage.

2 Groin pain in soccer players: anatomy, clinical presentation, biomechanics, pathology and imaging findings

Reference: Skeletal Radiol. 2024 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s00256-024-04699-z. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Julia Calatayud Moscoso Del Prado, María Ángeles Fernández-Gil, Ángel Bueno Horcajadas, Ara Kassarjian
Summary: Groin pain is extremely common in soccer players, especially male soccer players, with nearly a third experiencing groin pain over the course of their careers. Despite its high prevalence, there continues to be some confusion and controversy regarding the detailed anatomy and recommended terminology related to groin pain in athletes. This article will review the anatomy, clinical presentation, biomechanics, patholog

3 Lower-Body Power, Body Composition, Speed, and Agility Performance among Youth Soccer Players

Reference: Sports (Basel). 2024 May 16;12(5):135. doi: 10.3390/sports12050135.
Authors: Cíntia França, Élvio Rúbio Gouveia, Francisco Martins, Andreas Ihle, Ricardo Henriques, Adilson Marques, Hugo Sarmento, Krzysztof Przednowek, Helder Lopes
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/12/5/135
Summary: Speed and agility have been described as crucial abilities for soccer players. The purpose of this study was to analyze, in detail, the variance in speed and agility tasks explained by lower-body power after controlling for age and body composition. The participants were 96 male soccer players aged 16.1 ± 1.6 years. Body composition (stature, body fat percentage-BF%, body mass, and fat-free mass-FFM), lower-body power (countermovement jump-CMJ, and squat jump-SJ), speed (5-, 10-, and 35 m sprints), and agility (t-test) were assessed. Among body composition parameters, BF% presented the highest number of significant relationships with speed and agility, with the strength of correlations ranging from small (5 m sprint, r = 0.25) to large (35 m sprint, r = 0.52). The strongest correlation coefficient emerged between FFM and the 35 m sprint (r = -0.65). Significant correlations were found between vertical jump performance and the 35 m sprint (CMJ: r = -0.68; SJ: r = -0.69), followed by the t-test (CMJ: r = -0.35; SJ: r = -0.47). The hierarchical multiple regression model could explain 22% to 67% of the variance observed in agility scores and speed. BF% remained the most statistically significant negative predictor of all regression models. The CMJ remained a statistically significant positive predictor of the 35 m sprint (β = -0.581, p ≤ 0.01) after controlling for age and body composition. Integrating programs targeting lower-body power might be important to enhance speed and agility performance in youth soccer. On the other hand, future research based on multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the effects of nutritional strategies in reducing or preventing gains in BF% is still needed, which remained a significant predictor of sprint and agility performance in the final models.

4 If You Want to Prevent Hamstring Injuries in Soccer, Run Fast: A Narrative Review about Practical Considerations of Sprint Training

Reference: Sports (Basel). 2024 May 15;12(5):134. doi: 10.3390/sports12050134.
Authors: Pedro Gómez-Piqueras, Pedro E Alcaraz
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/12/5/134
Summary: Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) are one of the most common injuries in sprint-based sports. In soccer, the ability to sprint is key, not only because of its relation to performance but also due to its possible protective effect against HSIs. Although many authors have focused on the „how“, „when“, and „what“ training load should be implemented, there is a lack of practical proposals for sprint training in a high-level professional environment. The objective of this narrative review is, after a deep review of the scientific literature, to present a practical approach for sprint training, trying to answer some of the questions that most strength and conditioning coaches ask themselves when including it in soccer. Once the literature published on this topic was reviewed and combined with the practical experience of the authors, it was concluded that sprint training in soccer, although it presents an obvious need, is not something about which there is methodological unanimity. However, following the practical recommendations from this narrative review, strength and conditioning coaches can have a reference model that serves as a starting point for optimal management of the internal and external training load when they wish to introduce sprint training in the competitive microcycle in professional soccer players, with the aim of reducing HSIs.

5 Analysis of player speed and angle toward the ball in soccer

Reference: Sci Rep. 2024 May 23;14(1):11780. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-62480-7.
Authors: Álvaro Novillo, Antonio Cordón-Carmona, Abraham García-Aliaga, Ignacio Refoyo Roman, Robeto López Del Campo, Ricardo Resta, Javier M Buldú
Summary: The study analyzes how the magnitude and angle of the speed of soccer players change according to the distance to the ball and the phases of the game, namely the defensive and attacking phases. We observed how the role played in the team (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, or forward) strongly determines the speed pattern of players. As a general trend, the speed’s modulus is incremented as their position is closer to the ball, however, it is slightly decreased when arriving at it. Next, we studied how the angle of the speed with the direction to the ball is related to the distance to the ball and the game phases. We observed that, during the defensive phase, goalkeepers are the players that run more parallel to the ball, while forwards are the ones running more directly to the ball position. Importantly, this behavior changes dramatically during the attacking phase. Finally, we show how the proposed methodology can be used to analyze the speed-angle patterns of specific players to understand better how they move on the pitch according to the distance to the ball.

6 Sequencing Effects of Concurrent Strength and Endurance Training on Selected Measures of Physical Fitness in Young Male Soccer Players: A Randomized Matched-Pairs Trial

Reference: Sports Med Open. 2024 May 23;10(1):62. doi: 10.1186/s40798-024-00726-4.
Authors: Roland Blechschmied, Matthijs Hermse, Martijn Gäbler, Marije Elferink-Gemser, Tibor Hortobágyi, Urs Granacher
Summary: Various physical fitness qualities such as muscle strength, speed and endurance are related to soccer performance. Accordingly, the combination of strength and endurance training (i.e., concurrent training [CT]) is an often-encountered training regimen in soccer. Less is known about the effects of CT sequencing on performance in young soccer players. The aim of this study was to assess the sequencing effects of strength and intermittent endurance training applied within the same training session (intrasession) on measures of physical fitness and soccer performance in young soccer players. Fifty male adolescent soccer players volunteered to participate in this study which was conducted in the Netherlands in 2019. Players were randomly assigned to a strength-endurance (SE) or an endurance-strength (ES) group in matched pairs based on their countermovement jump (CMJ) performance at baseline. Both groups completed a 12-weeks in-season training program with two weekly CT sessions. Training sessions consisted of 15 min plyometric exercises and 15 min soccer-specific intermittent endurance training. Both groups performed the same training volumes and the only difference between the groups was the CT intrasession sequencing scheme (SE vs. ES). Pre and post intervention, proxies of muscle power (CMJ, squat jump [SJ]), linear sprint speed (30-m sprint test), agility (Illinois test with / without ball), and soccer performance (ball kicking velocity) were tested. Data from 38 players aged 14.8 ± 1.0 years (body height 172.9 ± 8.1 cm, body mass: 57.0 ± 7.2 kg, soccer experience: 8.8 ± 2.8 years, age from peak-height-velocity [PHV]: +1.2 ± 1.0 years) were included. Significant main time effects were found for CMJ (p = 0.002, d = 0.55), SJ (p = 0.004, d = 0.51), the Illinois agility test with ball (p = 0.016, d = 0.51), and ball kicking velocity (p = 0.016, d = 0.51). Significant group-by-time interactions were observed for 30-m linear sprint speed (p < 0.001, d = 0.76) with ES showing greater improvements (p = 0.006, d = 0.85, Δ-5%). Both CT-sequencing types improved performance in the tests administered. The intrasession CT sequencing (SE vs. ES) appears not to have a major impact on physical fitness adaptations, except for linear sprint speed which was in favor of ES.

7 Analysis of player speed and angle toward the ball in soccer

Reference: Sci Rep. 2024 May 23;14(1):11780. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-62480-7.
Authors: Álvaro Novillo, Antonio Cordón-Carmona, Abraham García-Aliaga, Ignacio Refoyo Roman, Robeto López Del Campo, Ricardo Resta, Javier M Buldú
Download link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-62480-7.pdf
Summary: The study analyzes how the magnitude and angle of the speed of soccer players change according to the distance to the ball and the phases of the game, namely the defensive and attacking phases. We observed how the role played in the team (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, or forward) strongly determines the speed pattern of players. As a general trend, the speed’s modulus is incremented as their position is closer to the ball, however, it is slightly decreased when arriving at it. Next, we studied how the angle of the speed with the direction to the ball is related to the distance to the ball and the game phases. We observed that, during the defensive phase, goalkeepers are the players that run more parallel to the ball, while forwards are the ones running more directly to the ball position. Importantly, this behavior changes dramatically during the attacking phase. Finally, we show how the proposed methodology can be used to analyze the speed-angle patterns of specific players to understand better how they move on the pitch according to the distance to the ball.

7 Effect of vertical, horizontal, and combined plyometric training on jump, sprint and change of direction performance in male soccer players

Reference: PLoS One. 2024 May 23;19(5):e0295786. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295786. eCollection 2024.
Authors: Jason Moran, Norodin Vali, Anders Sand, Marco Beato, Raouf Hammami, Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo, Helmi Chaabene, Gavin Sandercock
Download link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0295786
Summary: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of vertical (VPT), horizontal (HPT) and combined vertical and horizontal (V+HPT) plyometric training on sprint, jump and change of direction (COD) performance in adult male soccer players. Participants were randomly allocated into VPT (n = 8), HPT (n = 8) and V+HPT (n = 8) groups which undertook eight weeks of PT, executing 100 foot contacts per session, twice weekly. Though demonstrably effective, no specific one of the three applied programmes enhanced performance to a greater extent than another with only the 40 m sprint for the HPT group (mean difference = 0.07 s [HPT] vs. 0.04 s [VPT] and 0.04 s [V+HPT]) and the vertical jump for the V+HPT group (mean difference = 4.5 cm [V+HPT] vs. 4.0 cm [VPT] and 3.25 cm [HPT]) appearing to deviate from a uniform pattern of group level adaptation across the performance tests. A total volume of 100 foot contacts per session, twice per week for eight weeks was sufficient to achieve the observed changes. Though jump and changing direction performance were enhanced, linear sprint performance was largely unchanged and so a more complete and intense programme may have been warranted. No method was superior to another in eliciting changes across these tests and a directionally-specific pattern of adaptation was not apparent.

8 The effects of two different fatigue protocols on movement quality during anticipated and unanticipated change of directions in female soccer players

Reference: PLoS One. 2024 May 22;19(5):e0302144. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302144. eCollection 2024.
Authors: Mohammad Alimoradi, Elham Hosseini, Mansour Sahebozamani, Thomas Dos’Santos, Shima Sheikhbahaie, Roya Bigtashkhani, Aryan Kabiri
Download link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0302144
Summary: This study compared neuromuscular control under two fatigue protocols during anticipated and unanticipated change of direction (COD) maneuvers and evaluated their effects on the risk of non-contact ACL injuries. Forty-five female soccer players (mean age: 22.22 ± 2.24 years; mean height: 166.24 ± 3.33 cm; mean mass: 59.84 ± 5.03 kg) were divided into three groups: functional fatigue (Soccer specific fatigue ptotocol-SOFT90), non-functional fatigue (Bruce protocol), and control group. Before and after the implementation of neuromuscular control fatigue protocols were evaluated using the cutting motion assessment score tool (CMAS). Two-dimensional (2D) videos were recorded during anticipated and unanticipated COD trials for both dominant and non-dominant legs. Significant time effects (p < 0.05) and group-time interactions (p < 0.05) were observed in both anticipated and unanticipated conditions for both dominant and non-dominant legs after the fatigue protocols. The functional fatigue group exhibited higher CMAS changes, indicating poorer movement quality following fatigue. Notably, the non-dominant leg displayed amplified deficits during unanticipated COD maneuvers following the functional fatigue protocol. Fatigue significantly impairs neuromuscular control, particularly in unanticipated COD situations, which increases the risk of non-contact ACL injuries. To mitigate this risk, coaches, trainers, and medical professionals should prioritize targeted training and injury prevention strategies, focusing on the non-dominant leg during unanticipated COD maneuvers.

9 Effects of fasting during Ramadan month on soccer-specific technical performance, cognitive function, and perceptions in soccer players

Reference: J Sports Sci. 2024 May 21:1-9. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2024.2357467. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Yousri Elghoul, Ahmed Ben Kahla, Fatma Bahri, Khaled Trabelsi, Hamdi Chtourou, Mohamed Frikha, Abdul Rashid Aziz
Summary: We aimed to examine the effects of Ramadan fasting (RF) and high-intensity short-term maximal performance on elite soccer players‘ shooting accuracy, executive function (EF), and perceptions. Sixteen Muslim elite players fasting during Ramadan underwent assessments before (BR), during (DR), and after Ramadan (AR). Soccer-specific technical performance was evaluated using the Loughborough Soccer Shooting Test (LSST) before and after a 5-metre shuttle run test (5mSRT), conducted at the same time-of-day (17:00 h). Performance metrics recorded included higher distance (HD), total distance (TD), and fatigue index (FI). RPE after a 5-min warm-up and each repetition of the 5mSRT were obtained, and the mean RPE score was calculated. Trail Making Test (TMT Parts A and B) were used after the warm-up and the 5mSRT. Perceived difficulty (PD) was assessed following the LSST. HD, TD, and FI were not affected by RF (p > 0.05). DR, RPE and accuracy scores in the LSST were significantly lower after the 5mSRT compared to BR (1.29 vs. 1.24 AU; 1.29 vs. 1.24, respectively). In conclusion, RF had no adverse effects on physical performance. However, when combined with high-intensity running sessions, RF may impact accuracy and PD, and these adverse effects seem to have been translated into EF.

10 Evaluation of muscular and functional inter-limb asymmetries during mid-season in young male soccer athletes

Reference: J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2024 Apr:38:605-614. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.03.067. Epub 2024 Mar 28.
Authors: Melissa Talita Wiprich, Elias Franzoi Eberle, Guilherme Faria Balbinot, Matheus Pauletti Cecconi, Fernando Binotti, Gerson Saciloto Tadiello, Leandro Viçosa Bonetti
Summary: The aim was too identify inter-limb asymmetries through the knee’s muscular and lower limb functional performance in young male soccer athletes. Twenty male soccer athletes aged 17 to 19 from an under-20 team performed isokinetic tests at 60°/s., 120°/s., 180°/s., and 240°/s. To assess the knee extensors and flexors muscles and functional tests (hop tests and Y-balance test). There were no significant differences between the dominant limb (DL) and non-dominant limb (NDL) in the knee extensors and flexors peak torque and hamstrings (H)/quadriceps(Q) conventional ratio. Moreover, no angular velocities observed inter-limb asymmetries seen by values higher than 10% in the isokinetic parameters. However, the H/Q conventional ratio shows borderline values in low angular velocities (60°/s. and 120°/s.). No significant changes were observed in the functional test performance between the DL and NDL. Furthermore, we did not see inter-limb asymmetries in both hop and Y-balance tests. On the contrary, the anterior distance reached was lower than found in the literature, and the composite score of the Y-balance test demonstrated values below the normative (>94%). The data demonstrated that soccer athletes have muscular and functional inter-limb symmetry. However, they tend to have knee muscle imbalance in low velocities and dynamic balance deficits that might increase the risk of musculoskeletal injury.

11 Epidemiology of Injury and Illness in North American Professional Men’s Soccer: Comparing COVID-19 Lockdown With Previous Seasons

Reference: Sports Health. 2024 May 18:19417381241253227. doi: 10.1177/19417381241253227. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Stacey Hardin, Richard Silverman, Robert Brophy, Margot Putukian, Holly Silvers-Granelli
Summary: After COVID-19 lockdown, studies across Europe and Asia examined its effect on professional soccer injury rates and severity; however, COVID-19 lockdown influence on injuries in United States men’s professional soccer has not been evaluated. We hypothesized that injury and illness rates during the 2020 season were higher than the previous 2 seasons. Medical staff from participating Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs entered injuries and athletic exposures during the study period into a league-wide electronic medical record system. Injury rate and severity were analyzed to examine differentials between the 2020 COVID season and historical controls. The injury incidence rate per 1000 hours in 2020 was 10.8, ie, higher than 2018 (5.4) and 2019 (5.0) (P < 0.05). Training injury incidence rate increased in 2020 (8.9) compared with 2018 (2.5) and 2019 (2.6) (P < 0.05), whereas match injury incidence decreased in 2020 (18.3) compared with 2018 (24.0) and 2019 (22.7) (P < 0.05). Incidence rates of lower extremity muscle injuries (6.04), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries (0.17), and concussions (0.49) were also higher in 2020 compared with 2018 (2.5, 0.07, 0.27) and 2019 (2.36, 0.05, 0.22) (P < 0.05). More injured players in 2020 missed >90 days (17.7%) than in 2018 (10.2%) and 2019 (10.1%) (P < 0.05). Incidence of all non-COVID-19 illness was higher in 2020 (3.93) than 2018 (1.53) and 2019 (1.32) (P < 0.05). During 2020, there were significant increases in incidence rates of overall injuries, training injuries, lower extremity muscular injuries, ACL injuries, concussions, and non-COVID illness, along with a higher percentage of players missing >90 days compared with the 2 previous seasons. These results may help clarify the effects of future MLS inseason work stoppages and periods of restricted training.

12 DEXA Body Composition Asymmetry Analysis and Association to Injury Risk and Low Back Pain in University Soccer Players

Reference: Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024 Apr 28;21(5):559. doi: 10.3390/ijerph21050559.
Authors: Nicolas Vaillancourt, Chanelle Montpetit, Victoria Carile, Maryse Fortin
Summary: Soccer is a laterally dominant sport owing to the repetitive nature of unilateral kicking. The relationship between functional and body composition asymmetries related to limb dominance in soccer players has yet to be established. When present, asymmetries can increase the risk of injury and low back pain. Our study investigated whether lateral dominance is associated with limb asymmetries in a comprehensive body composition assessment among varsity soccer players. Twenty-seven varsity soccer players (age 20.4 ± 1.7 years old; BMI 22.6 ± 4.6 kg/m2) participated in this study. Body composition was assessed through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. Results showed low lower limb asymmetry indices in both males (3.82%) and females (3.36%) compared to normal ranges. However, upper limb lean mass exhibited high asymmetry, surpassing thresholds in males (7.3%) and females (4.39%). Significant differences were found in total bone mass among males and total lean body mass among females. Male players exhibited higher asymmetry indices in both arm and trunk mass compared to females. Despite these asymmetries, no significant correlations were found between asymmetry indices and occurrences of lower limb injury or low back pain. The study suggests that while evaluating body composition for injury prevention in soccer shows potential, lateral dominance may be influenced by factors extending beyond sport-specific adaptations.

13 Ultrasound Imaging in Football Players with Previous Multiple Ankle Sprains: Keeping a Close Eye on Superior Ankle Retinaculum

Reference: Bioengineering (Basel). 2024 Apr 25;11(5):419. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering11050419.
Authors: Carmelo Pirri, Nina Pirri, Diego Guidolin, Veronica Macchi, Andrea Porzionato, Raffaele De Caro, Carla Stecco
Summary: The superior extensor ankle retinaculum (SEAR), a transversely fascial thickening positioned above the tibia-talar joint, serves as a crucial anatomical structure in ankle stability. The purpose of this study was to measure and compare by ultrasound (US) imaging the bilateral thickness and echogenicity of SEAR in football players with previous multiple ankle sprains (group 1) and healthy volunteers (group 2). A cross-sectional study was performed using ultrasound imaging to measure longitudinal and transversal axes using a new protocol in a sample of 50 subjects: 25 football players with previous multiple ankle sprains and 25 healthy subjects. The findings for SEAR thickness revealed statistically significant differences for both axes (p = 0.0011 and p = 0.0032) between the healthy side and the previously sprained side, and with the corresponding side of group 2 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.004). Moreover, in group 1, regarding the ROI echogenicity, a statistically significant difference was found between the sides (p = 0.0378). These findings suggest that the football players with previous ankle sprains showed a thicker and inhomogeneous SEAR on the sprain side, unveiling a remodeling of this structure compared to the other side and to the healthy volunteers. In these athletes, during US examination, one needs to keep „a US eye“ on side-to-side SEAR comparisons.

14 Physical and Physiological Demands of Amateur Portuguese Field and Assistant Football Referees

Reference: Sports (Basel). 2024 May 14;12(5):133. doi: 10.3390/sports12050133.
Authors: Ricardo Gomes, Rodrigo Mendes, Amaro Ferreira, Rui Mendes, Gonçalo Dias, Fernando Martins
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/12/5/133
Summary: Referees are crucial elements in football, and they must meet the physical and physiological demands each match poses to them. The aim is to analyse the physical and physiological demands of amateur referees in games at the regional level (4th division), examining the differences between the first and second halves and between assistant (age: 25.10 ± 4.97) and main referees (age: 25.65 ± 5.12). A total of 29 matches were analysed with GPS devices, and internal and external load metrics were analysed. Overall, main referees, due to their central role in game management, showed higher levels of physical and physiological load than assistant referees, with more high-intensity activities, greater distance covered and higher heart rate. The results also revealed that there were no differences between the halves for total distance covered for either the main or assistant referees. However, the main referees covered a greater distance in high-intensity running during the first half (p = 0.05; d = 0.389). These findings emphasise the importance of tailored training protocols to enhance performance and reduce fatigue-related errors, highlighting the significance of endurance, high-intensity running ability, and strategies to manage transient fatigue in referee preparation.

15 Gender Asymmetries: An Exploratory Study of Women’s Experiences in Portuguese Football Organizations

Reference: Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ. 2024 May 4;14(5):1228-1247. doi: 10.3390/ejihpe14050081.
Authors: Maria Helena Santos, António Manuel Marques, Joana Salvador
Summary: The main objective of this exploratory study is to analyze the negative effects associated with the phenomenon of tokenism for Portuguese women in non-playing football roles, as well as their strategies for integration into a context where they are a minority and the social functions are dominated by men. To this end, we carried out semi-structured individual interviews with eight men and eight women, undertaking functions in the fields of coaching, psychology, medical team, planning, refereeing, and management in football organizations, and with their contents then subject to thematic analysis. Our analysis confirms how the football context strongly demarcates gender differences with women being more visible and leads to the stereotypical roles being associated with traditional femininity. The findings also observe how, in order to integrate, women align with the norms imposed by the dominant group (men) and accept being circumscribed to the spaces that hegemonic gender ideologies and practices attribute to them.

16 Analysis of peak locomotor demands in women’s football-the influence of different epoch lengths

Reference: PLoS One. 2024 May 23;19(5):e0303759. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303759. eCollection 2024.
Authors: Ivan Baptista, Andreas K Winther, Dag Johansen, Svein Arne Pettersen
Download link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0303759
Summary: The quantification of peak locomotor demands has been gathering researchers‘ attention in the past years. Regardless of the different methodological approaches used, the most selected epochs are between 1-, 3-, 5- and 15-minutes time windows. However, the selection of these time frames is frequently arbitrary. The aim of this study was to analyse the peak locomotor demands of short time epochs (15, 30, 45, and 60 seconds) in women’s football, with special emphasis over the high-speed metrics. During two seasons, the match physical performance of 100 female football players was collected with Global Positioning System units (STATSports Apex). Peak locomotor demands for the selected variables were calculated by using a 1-second moving average approach. For statistical procedures, linear mixed modelling was used, with total distance, high-speed running distance (>16 km∙h-1), sprint distance (>20 km∙h-1), and acceleration and deceleration distance (±2.26 m∙s-2) considered as the dependent variables and the epoch lengths (15, 30, 45, and 60 seconds) considered as the independent variables. A novel finding was the high ratio observed in the 15 seconds epochs of high-speed running distance and sprint distance (77.6% and 91.3%, respectively). The results show that most peak high-speed demands within 60 seconds are completed within just 15 seconds. Thus, intensity-related variables, such as high-speed metrics, would be better contextualised and adapted into training practices if analysed in shorter epoch lengths (15-30 seconds), while longer periods might be used for volume-related metrics (i.e., total distance), depending on the purpose of the analysis.

17 Changes in the central nervous system in football players: an MRI study

Reference: Acta Radiol. 2024 May 20:2841851241248410. doi: 10.1177/02841851241248410. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Andrzej Urbanik, Wiesław Guz, Maciej Brożyna, Monika Ostrogórska
Summary: Football (soccer) is the world’s most popular team sport. The aim was to comprehensively examine the brain in football (soccer) players, with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. The study involved 65 football players and 62 controls. The MR examinations were performed using MR 1.5-T system (Optima MR 360; GE Medical Systems). The examinations were carried out in the 3D Bravo, CUBE, FSEpropeller, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences. The 1HMRS signal was obtained from the volume of interest in the frontal and occipital lobes on both sides. The present study, based on structural MRI, shows some changes in the brains of the group of football players. The findings show asymmetry of the ventricular system in four football players, arachnoid cysts in the parieto-occipital region, and pineal cysts. NAA/Cr concentration in the right frontal lobe was lower in the football players than in the controls, and the Glx/Cr concentration in the right occipital lobe was higher. The apparent diffusion coefficient value is lower in football players in the occipital lobes. Playing football can cause measurable changes in the brain, known to occur in patients diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. The present findings fill the gap in the literature by contributing evidence showing that playing football may lead to changes in the brain, without clinical symptoms of concussion.

18 Investigation of the relationship between functional movement and respiratory muscle strength in professional football players and sedentary individuals: A controlled trial

Reference: J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2024 Apr:38:346-349. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.01.035. Epub 2024 Feb 2.
Authors: F Ünver, A Yalman, E Kızmaz, O Telli Atalay
Download link: https://www.bodyworkmovementtherapies.com/article/S1360-8592(24)00044-5/abstract
Summary: Functional Movement Screening (FMS) is a battery used for injury prediction, identifying asymmetry and weak connections in basic functional movement patterns. The muscles assessed in FMS are also respiratory muscles. Therefore, FMS scores were thought to be related to respiratory muscle strength. The aim of our study was to examine the relationship between Functional Movement Screen and respiratory muscles strength in professional football players and sedentary individuals. The study included 23 male professional football players (mean age: 25 ± 6.22 years) and 22 sedantery healthy volunteers (mean age: 24.54 ± 2.75 years). Functional Movement Screen tests were applied by the certified researcher. Respiratory muscle strength measurement were measured with an additional mouth apparatus attached to the portable spirometer ‚Pony FX Desktop Spirometry‘ device. Trunk stability push-up (p = 0.01; r = 0.490), rotational stability (p = 0.025; r = 0,519), and Functional Movement Screen total score (p = 0.02; r = 0.568) with maximum expiratory pressure were moderately positive correlated in professional football players. In the sedantery group, Functional Movement Screen sub-parameters were not correlated respiratory muscle strength (p > 0.05). The higher Functional Movement Screen total score in professional football players and their skills in functional movements that require trunk and core stabilization increase expiratory muscle strength were found compared to sedentary individuals. Increase of expiratory muscle strength may be useful in the treatment program when the aim was to Improving functional movement patterns, trunk and core stabilization.