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 Exploring the Use of Thermography for Monitoring Physiological Responses to Training in Division-I Collegiate Female Soccer Players

Reference: J Biophotonics. 2025 Mar 25:e70016. doi: 10.1002/jbio.70016. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Casey J Metoyer, Jonathon R Lever, Valerie Smith-Hale, Cloe Klaus, Cara Ocobock, Alan Huebner, Megan McGinty, Jonathan D Hauenstein, John P Wagle
Summary: This study investigated the use of thermography as a non-invasive tool to monitor physiological responses to mechanical workload in Division-I female soccer players. A total of 29 student-athletes (age: 19.8 ± 1.1 years) participated, with thermographic imaging conducted throughout training across the competitive season. A total of 8106 observations were analyzed, revealing a weak but significant negative correlation between total player load (TPL) and changes in body region temperature (∆t) (βTPL = -0.00047; p < 0.0001). For every one unit increase in TPL, skin temperature decreased by 0.00047°C on average. Similar patterns were observed in high-minute players (βTPL = -0.0046; p < 0.0001) and when excluding goalkeepers (βTPL = -0.00027, p < 0.001). Interestingly, cooler temperatures were linked to higher workloads in field players, contrasting with previous research. These findings suggest thermography may reflect physiological responses to external workload, with position-specific demands requiring tailored metrics for accurate monitoring.

2 The effect of sex, skill level and a defender on cutting kinematics in soccer players

Reference: Sports Biomech. 2025 Mar 25:1-18. doi: 10.1080/14763141.2025.2481496. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Karen Chen, Harry Brown, Sophie Guilmette, Moreno Morelli, Anouk Lamontagne, Shawn M Robbins
Summary: Cutting patterns may be influenced by task complexity and player attributes, ultimately affecting injury risks. This study examines the impact of skill level, sex, and defender conditions on joint kinematics during unanticipated cutting in soccer players. Kinematic data were captured using a three-dimensional motion capture system for 14 competitive and 14 recreational players performing unanticipated sidesteps (45 ± 10 degrees) under three conditions: no obstacle (NO), static-defender obstacle (SO) and dynamic-defender obstacle (DO). Principal component (PC) analysis and hierarchical linear models examined joint kinematics against sex, skill and defender conditions. For the first component of PC, skill effects revealed greater ankle dorsiflexion angles throughout cutting in competitive players (p = 0.01) than recreational players. DO trials showed lower hip flexion (p = 0.001) and ankle dorsiflexion angles (p = 0.01) than NO. SO trials showed greater hip adduction (p < 0.001) and knee abduction angles (p = 0.04), but lower ankle dorsiflexion angles (p < 0.001) than NO. For PC2, SO trials showed greater hip flexion excursions (p = 0.005) than NO. No sex effects were found. Clearance (participant’s distance to the defender) was examined using a three-way analysis of covariance. Greater distances were found in DO by 0.59 m than SO. Differences in cutting patterns highlight potential adaptations to varying defender pressures, providing insights for coaching and prevention programmes.

3 The relationship between resting heart rate variability and sportive performance, sleep and body awareness in soccer players

Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Mar 24;17(1):58. doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01093-7.
Authors: Rabia Tugba Tekin, Savas Kudas, Melike Mese Buran, Salih Cabuk, Oguzhan Akbasli, Veysel Uludag, Hayri Baran Yosmaoglu
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11931859/pdf/13102_2025_Article_1093.pdf
Summary: Heart rate variability (HRV) is a key marker of autonomic nervous system function and has been proposed as a tool for monitoring training adaptations. However, its relationship with performance beyond aerobic capacity remains unclear in football players. This study aimed to examine the associations between resting HRV and aerobic capacity, agility, neuromuscular coordination, sleep quality, and body awareness. Twenty-five male football players (mean age 20 ± 3 years) underwent HRV assessment via the Polar H10 system. Performance tests included the 20 m Shuttle Test (VO2max), Illinois Agility Test, Hexagon Test (neuromuscular coordination), and Vertical Jump Tests (muscular strength). Sleep quality and body awareness were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Body Awareness Questionnaire. HRV Score was positively correlated with VO2max (r = 0.4, p = 0.04), while LF/HF ratio showed a negative correlation with shuttle test distance (rs=-0.52, p = 0.007). Mean RR correlated with neuromuscular coordination (r = 0.56, p = 0.004), sleep quality (r = 0.45, p = 0.024), and body awareness (rs = 0.46, p = 0.019). No significant correlations were found with muscular strength. Resting HRV is associated with key performance indicators in football players, supporting its potential use in monitoring physiological readiness and training adaptations. Future research should establish reference values and evaluate HRV-based interventions for performance enhancement.

4 Comparison of factors associated with the occurrence of menstruation-related symptoms in Japanese women without exercise habits and female soccer players: a cross-sectional study

Reference: BMC Womens Health. 2025 Mar 24;25(1):139. doi: 10.1186/s12905-025-03655-w.
Authors: Risa Mitsuhashi, Ryoko Mizushima, Hiroaki Natsui, Shuichi Machida, Yoshio Nakata
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11931817/pdf/12905_2025_Article_3655.pdf
Summary: The aims of this study were to identify factors associated with menstruation-related symptoms and compare them between female soccer players and women without exercise habits. This cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2022. Participants were healthy Japanese women aged 18-29 years, divided into two groups for comparison by exercise habits: women without exercise habits and female college soccer players. Participants responded to a self-administered questionnaire pertaining to their physical and menstrual characteristics, menstruation-related symptoms, and lifestyle habits. For menstruation-related symptoms, the Andersch and Milsom Scale was used to assess the severity of each of the 16 symptoms before and during menstruation. Lifestyle habits included stress, sleep, diet, and physical activity, which were assessed using Perceived Stress Scale, Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Food Frequency Questionnaire, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire, respectively. Data were analyzed using the t-test and multiple logistic regression analysis. All analyses were performed with a statistical significance of 5%. A total of 428 women (192 without exercise habits; 236 soccer players) participated in the study, and 244 women (99 without exercise habits; 125 soccer players) were analyzed. For women without exercise habits, long menstrual days (OR = 5.627; 95% CI, 1.046-30.259) and high levels of stress (1.082; 1.011-1.157) were factors before menstruation, and stress (1.131; 1.045-1.225) was a factor during menstruation were significantly associated with severe menstruation-related symptoms. Contrastingly, for soccer players, high body mass index (BMI) (1.460; 1.080-1.973), late bedtime (0.288; 0.110-0.753) before menstruation, older age (1.662; 1.073-2.575), high BMI (1.468; 1.089-1.980), family history of menstruation-related symptoms (3.090; 1.179-8.098), late bedtime (0.358; 0.133-0.958), caffeine consumption ( 0.359; 0.139-0.930), and less frequent breakfast intake (0.807; 0.653-0.997) were significant factors. Additionally, the factors associated with the occurrence of menstruation-related symptoms differed according to the symptom type. The most frequently associated factor in women without exercise habits was stress (13 symptoms). In female soccer players, the most frequently associated factor was BMI (8 symptoms). Women presented different factors for menstruation-related symptoms depending on the presence or absence of exercise habits in their routine.

5 Physical fitness as a predictor of reaction time in soccer-playing children

Reference: PLoS One. 2025 Mar 24;20(3):e0320147. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320147. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Vanessa Santos, Nuno Casanova, Priscila Marconcin, Renata Willig, Josep Vidal-Conti, Denise Soares, Fábio Flôres
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11932477/pdf/pone.0320147.pdf
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between reaction time (RT) and physical fitness (PF) in soccer-playing children, focusing on core strength, agility, flexibility and power. A sample of 89 boys (8.7 ± 2.2 years) participated in this investigation were conveniently chosen in a Portuguese soccer team. All participants were players in a non-competitive level. Data on PF components were collected and analysed to explore their associations with RT. The results revealed negative correlations between abdominal strength, agility, and RT, suggesting that stronger core stability and higher agility contribute to faster RT. However, other components, such as upper limb strength, flexibility, and horizontal jump performance, showed no significant correlation with RT. These findings highlight the importance of focusing on core strength and agility in training programs to enhance RT and overall performance in youth soccer. The study underscores the need for age-appropriate training interventions promoting physical and cognitive development.

6 The influence of soccer-specific exercise on isokinetic angle-specific thigh musculature strength in female soccer players

Reference: J Sports Sci. 2025 Mar 24:1-10. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2025.2482367. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Steven James Eustace, Kirsty Alderman, Katie Murray, Jason Tallis, Tony Myers, Richard Michael Page
Summary: This study assessed the influence of soccer-specific exercise on thigh musculature strength in female soccer players. Eight amateur female soccer players (age 24 ± 6 years; height 163 ± 8 cm; mass 68 ± 11 kg) participated in the study. Participants completed the female match simulation-90 (FEMS-90), replicating a 90-minute match. Isokinetic strength assessments of the concentric knee extensors (conKE), concentric knee flexors (conKF), eccentric knee extensors (eccKE) and eccentric knee flexors (eccKF) for the dominant lower limb were conducted at 60°∙s-1 where conventional ratios (CR) and dynamic control ratios (DCR) were determined. All strength data were expressed as angle-specific torque (AST). A Bayesian approach identified a 66-78% probability that AST of all muscle actions were lower post SSEP, and a 57-66% probability of a difference that CRAST and DCRAST were lower post SSEP across all angles. The results of this study provides unique insight into how female soccer players respond to soccer match-play, and may have implications for potential injury risk, exercise prescription and recovery. Moreover, given the prevalence and burden of knee ligament injuries in female soccer players, this study provides insight into thigh musculature strength acutely responds following simulated match-play.

7 Information-Theoretical Analysis of Team Dynamics in Football Matches

Reference: Entropy (Basel). 2025 Feb 21;27(3):224. doi: 10.3390/e27030224.
Authors: Yi-Shan Cheng, Acer Yu-Chan Chang, Kenji Doya
Summary: Team dynamics significantly influence the outcomes of modern football matches. This study employs an information-theoretical approach, specifically causal emergence, combined with graph theory to explore how team-level dynamics arise from complex interactions among players, utilizing tracking data from 34 J-League matches. We focused on how collective behaviors arise from the interdependence of individual actions, examining team coordination and dynamics through player positions and movements to identify emergent properties. Specifically, we selected relative distance to the field’s center, center of mass (CoM) and clustering coefficients based on velocity similarity and inverse distance as macroscopic features to capture the key aspects of team structure, coordination, and spatial relationships. Relative distance and CoM represent the collective positioning of the team, while clustering coefficients provide insights into localized cooperation and movement similarity among the players. The results indicate that average causal emergence with relative distance and CoM as a macroscopic feature across entire games shows a strong correlation with differences in ball possession rate between home and away teams. In contrast, clustering coefficients based on inverse distance and velocity similarity showed moderate to weak correlations with ball possession rate, indicating that these metrics may capture localized interactions that are less directly tied to team-level emergent behavior compared to CoM. Additionally, relative distance and CoM as macroscopic features yield higher causal emergence in attacking phases than in defending phases before shooting, suggesting that the collective positioning of players may play a more significant role in facilitating successful attacks than in defensive stability. This study offers a novel perspective on team coordination in football, suggesting that effective team coordination may be characterized by emergent patterns arising from collective positioning. These findings have practical implications for understanding coordinated team behaviors and inform coaching and performance analysis focused on enhancing team dynamics.

8 Effects of head trauma frequency and intensity on the neuropsychological functioning and symptoms of high school football players in different positions

Reference: Appl Neuropsychol Child. 2025 Mar 27:1-5. doi: 10.1080/21622965.2025.2478111. Online ahead of print.
Authors: William T Tsushima, Andrea M Siu, Haley N Yamamoto, Nathan M Murata
Summary: Little is known about the effects of repetitive head trauma on football players in different positions. Linemen have the highest frequency of head impact because of their involvement in every play. In contrast, quarterbacks incur less frequent but higher intensity collisions with aggressive tackling. The goal of this study was to assess the neuropsychological functioning of high school athletes playing in football positions with head contacts varying in frequency and intensity. Based on head impact exposure data at different positions in high school football, the study assigned players to three contact groups: High Frequency/Low Intensity (n = 403, e.g., linemen), Moderate Frequency/Moderate Intensity (n = 236, e.g., linebackers), and Low Frequency/High Intensity (n = 414, e.g., quarterbacks). All players had been administered the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) prior to the start of their season. There were no differences in ImPACT scores by contact group. This finding persisted even after adjusting for age, concussion history, and years playing. Football athletes who play in positions that incur high frequency but low intensity head impacts, such as linemen, perform similarly on neurocognitive tests as players who sustain low frequency but high intensity head impacts, such as wide receivers, defensive backs, quarterbacks, and cornerbacks.

9 Rule Modification’s Effects on the Feedback Type Given by Coaches at Young Football Levels

Reference: Sports (Basel). 2025 Feb 20;13(3):63. doi: 10.3390/sports13030063.
Authors: Lidia Martinez-Jiménez, Ricardo André Birrento-Aguiar, Verónica Marco-Cramer, Enrique Ortega-Toro
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/3/63#
Summary: An adapted competition should create a favourable environment to tailor the feedback provided to the needs of young athletes. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of rule modification on the type of feedback given by coaches to young football players. The study sample consisted of four under-10 male coaches from four Spanish teams. The analysis was conducted using a quasi-experimental A-B design, in which two tournaments were played: Tournament 1 with the official Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) rules and Tournament 2 with rule modifications. All the feedback provided by the group of coaches during the two tournaments was recorded, yielding a total of 4.386 for Tournament 1 and 3.728 for Tournament 2.
The results showed that in both tournaments, the predominant feedback from the coaches was individual, prescriptive, affective, and non-valuable. However, they indicated that the orientation of the feedback and its autonomy positively varied during the adapted competition. The data obtained align with the results of other studies on the type of feedback given by coaches, despite some differing from scientific recommendations. It can be concluded that the modified rule competition promoted changes in the type of feedback provided by the coaches.

10 Neuropsychological Performance: How Mental Health Drives Attentional Function in University-Level Football Athletes

Reference: Sports (Basel). 2025 Feb 20;13(3):61. doi: 10.3390/sports13030061.
Authors: Sacha Assadourian, Dima Daher, Catherine Leclerc, Antony Branco Lopes, Arnaud Saj
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/3/61#
Summary: This preliminary study investigates the potential relationship between electrophysiological profiles measured by quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) and attentional performance in 34 university American football players. QEEG data revealed patterns associated with burnout, chronic pain, and insomnia among the athletes. Attentional performance was generally average, but players exhibited faster reaction times in the alertness task without warning, fewer errors in the sustained attention task, and lower scores in the divided attention task, favoring visual information over auditory information. Significant negative correlations emerged between QEEG profiles associated with burnout, ADHD, depression, and anxiety and specific attentional subcomponents. These findings suggest a link between mental health-related brain activity and attentional performance. In a clinical context, they emphasize the need for early detection and intervention in mental health problems. This might improve cognitive performance and well-being in athletes. However, due to the small sample size and the lack of a control group, these results are considered preliminary, and further research is required to confirm and expand on these associations.

11 Preliminary Evaluation of a Targeted, School-Based Social and Emotional Learning Intervention for at Risk Youth: Football Beyond Borders

Reference: Eval Rev. 2025 Mar 24:193841X251329459. doi: 10.1177/0193841X251329459. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Qiqi Cheng, Neil Humphrey
Download link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/0193841X251329459
Summary: This brief report provides preliminary independent evidence of the efficacy of Football Beyond Borders (FBB), a targeted, school-based social and emotional learning (SEL) intervention for at-risk youth. FBB includes weekly SEL classroom sessions, activities on the football pitch, 1:1 therapy sessions, holiday support, and rewards trips. Propensity score matching and difference-in-differences estimation were used in a pre-test/post-test control group design to assess the impact of FBB on the mental wellbeing (assessed via the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, SWEMWBS) of participants designated at-risk (N = 46 aged 12-14, 78.3% male), passive learners (N = 72, aged 12-14, 84.7% male), and role models (N = 35, aged 12-14, 85.7% male), with matched control samples derived from a subset of the #BeeWell cohort study (N = 8015). A significant intervention effect was observed for at-risk youth, with FBB leading to an increase of approximately 2.4 SWEMWBS points (d = 0.44). No significant intervention effects were observed for passive learners or role models. These results indicate that FBB can improve the mental wellbeing of at-risk youth. Accordingly, an explanatory trial is warranted.

12 ‚Good communication and good team building, it’s half of the work in managing a player‘: how team doctors perceive communication in the European professional men’s football context

Reference: BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2025 Mar 17;11(1):e002392. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002392. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Caroline Bolling, Jan Ekstrand, Markus Waldén, Håkan Bengtsson, Michael Davison, Evert Verhagen, Martin Hägglund
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11927480/pdf/bmjsem-11-1.pdf
Summary: Communication influences players‘ performance and health and is influenced by the leadership style of coaches, internal team communication and the integration of the medical team in the professional men’s football setting. However, the communication process between medical teams and other stakeholders in professional football has not been described in depth. Therefore, we explored the perspectives of team doctors regarding the communication process within the medical team and with other stakeholders in men’s professional football. We conducted semistructured interviews with 10 team doctors from nine teams in six countries playing at the highest level of European professional football participating in the UEFA Elite Club Injury Study. Data were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. Three main themes described the communication process: (1) communication practices, (2) communication context and (3) communication foundation. The communication practices included involving specific stakeholders, using different communication channels and considering timing. The contextual factors in team structure, available resources and team standings require them to adapt their communication strategies. The foundation of effective communication relied on cultivating trust, acting respectfully, defining clear roles, following ethics and proactively developing relationships over time. In conclusion, the communication process is highly influenced by the context while team doctors constantly communicate with a diverse stakeholder group. This requires the team doctors to adapt to the different scenarios of professional football and dedicate time and effort to cultivating trustworthy relationships with stakeholders.

13 Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) of the Knee in Professional Soccer Players

Reference: Cartilage. 2025 Apr 5:19476035251329571. doi: 10.1177/19476035251329571. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Goetz Hannes Welsch, Marc Regier, Karl-Heinz Frosch, Milena L Pachowsky, Frank Oliver Henes, Gerhard Adam, Kai-Jonathan Maas, Malte Lennart Warncke
Summary: ObjectiveThe goal of our study was to assess the prevalence of osteoarthritis in the knee joint of active male professional soccer players by means of the semi-quantitative Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS).DesignMagnetic resonance imagings (MRIs) of both knees were performed on 85 male professional soccer players during their „medicals“ (age = 24 ± 4 years). All baseline data (age, playing position) were obtained. Based on the WORMS, the status of the cartilage and bone in the medial and lateral femoro-tibial joint (MFTJ and LFTJ), as well as the patellofemoral joint was assessed. Menisci and ligaments were evaluated separately. The final score was the sum of all regional scores.ResultsThe mean WORMS of the 170 knee joints was 13.3 ± 13.5 points (range = 0-111, achievable scores: 0-290). Cartilage changes were the most common pathologies, observed in 141 of the 170 knee joints. Structural cartilage lesions (WORMS ≥ 2) were observed in 54% of the studied knees. Pathologies of the medial meniscus were associated with cartilage damage of the corresponding MFTJ (r = 0.424, P < 0.0001). The same effect was observed for the lateral meniscus and the corresponding LFTJ (r = 0.553, P < 0.0001). However, lateral meniscal lesions could be correlated with more other joint pathologies compared to medial meniscal lesions. Total WORMS correlated significantly with increasing age (r = 0.386, P = 0.001).ConclusionThe provided data show the high incidence of knee joint damage in professional football players. In particular, the lateral meniscus appears to play a critical role.

14 Long-Term Injury Survey in a Japanese University Women’s Soccer Team

Reference: Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2025 Apr 2;20(4):572-582. doi: 10.26603/001c.132248. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Toshihiro Maemichi, Tsukasa Kumai
Summary: Injuries are common in soccer as it is a contact sport. However, longitudinal studies spanning multiple seasons, focused on injuries in female university soccer players in Japan, are lacking. Additionally, broader comparisons on injury patterns remain unexplored. The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate injuries among female university soccer players over three seasons. A total of 108 players from a university women’s soccer team were included. A qualified athletic trainer assessed injury type (injury or disability), site and severity according to injury occurrence (game or practice) over three seasons. An orthopedic surgeon confirmed the resulting injury. The overall injury rate was 1.62/1000 athlete exposures. The game injury rate (9.86/1000 athlete exposures) was higher than the practice injury rate (1.39/1000 athlete exposures). Sprains were the most common injury in games and practices; concussions and meniscal tears were also common during games. The lower limbs, particularly the ankles and feet, were the most common anatomical injury sites in both games and practices. Severe injuries requiring long-term withdrawal were frequently observed during games and practices. These included anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, meniscal injuries, and severe concussions, all of which necessitated prolonged recovery periods and withdrawal from team activities. Injury prevention measures should be prioritized for female university soccer players, especially to address the high injury rate during games and the frequent occurrence of severe injuries.

15 Load distribution across weekly microcycles according to match schedule in a team competing in the Australian national A-League Women’s soccer competition

Reference: Biol Sport. 2025 Apr;42(2):265-277. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.144413. Epub 2024 Dec 13.
Authors: Aaron T Scanlan, Dean Miller, Mia Lundquist, Nathan Elsworthy, Michele Lastella
Download link: https://www.termedia.pl/Load-distribution-across-weekly-microcycles-according-r-nto-match-schedule-in-a-team-competing-in-the-Australian-national-r-nA-League-Women-s-soccer-competition,78,55029,1,1.html
Summary: This observational, longitudinal study compared daily loads experienced in the weekly microcycle for different match schedules among an A-League Women’s professional soccer team. Monitoring data were retrospectively accessed from a team (n = 22) competing in the Australian National A-League Women’s soccer competition across the 2022-2023 in-season. Internal (session-rating of perceived exertion [session-RPE] and session-RPE load) and external load (total and relative values for total and high-speed running distance) data were acquired from 54 field-based training sessions and 17 matches across a 20-week period. Weeks were categorized according to schedule as: single-match week played on Saturday; single-match week played on Sunday; condensed week (6 days since the previous match); or double-header week (two matches in the same week). Sessions during each week were classified according to the day on which they were conducted prior to match day (MD) as MD-1, MD-2, MD-3, MD-4, MD-5, or MD-6. Linear mixed effects models and Hedge’s gav effect sizes were used to compare variables between days. All load variables were highest on MD (P < 0.001, gav = 0.36-7.84, small-to-very large), with the day before matches being generally lower than other training days across schedules (gav = 0.01-3.89, trivial-to-very large). Further, an extra training day was prescribed in single-match weeks when played on Sunday compared to Saturday, with training microcycles appearing rather consistent across weekly schedules. These data may be used as an initial reference for practitioners working in this competition or women’s soccer settings. The relatively similar daily periodization patterns across different match schedules highlight greater consideration of weekly match schedules may be needed when planning weekly microcycles according to the schedule congestion faced.

16 Recreational soccer and basketball improve anthropometric, body composition and health-related outcomes in overweight and obese young adults: A randomized multi-arm study

Reference: Biol Sport. 2025 Apr;42(2):21-33. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.139859. Epub 2024 Aug 30.
Authors: Qi Xu, Rui Miguel Silva, Piotr Zmijewski, TingYu Li, Dong Ma, LiuXi Yang, GuiYang Liu, Filipe Manuel Clemente
Download link: https://www.termedia.pl/Recreational-soccer-and-basketball-improve-anthropometric-r-nbody-composition-and-health-related-outcomes-in-overweight-r-nand-obese-young-adults-A-randomized-multi-arm-study,78,54172,0,1.html
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of 8-week programmes based on recreational soccer (SCG) and basketball (BCG) conditioned games compared to self-exercise (SECG) and inactive (ICG) control groups on anthropometry, body composition, resting heart rate (RHR), and blood pressure among sedentary overweight and obese men and women. The study included 90 volunteers (aged 19.8 ± 1.5 years; 45 women) who were assessed twice, before and after the intervention, for the waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and body composition (skinfold sum and %body fat), RHR and systolic (BPs) and diastolic (BPd) blood pressure. Members of the experimental groups participated in three training sessions per week, while the control groups either maintained their routines or engaged in self-regulated exercises. Time × group interactions were found for BMI (p < 0.001; = 0.339), body fat (p < 0.001; = 0.317), WC (p < 0.001; = 0.429), skinfold sum (p < 0.001; = 0.818), RHR (p < 0.001; = 0.572), BPs (p < 0.001 = 0.534) and BPd (p < 0.001; = 0.633). Between-group analysis revealed greater improvements in BMI (p < 0.05), body fat (p < 0.05), WC (p < 0.05), skinfold sum (p < 0.05), RHR (p < 0.001), and BPd (p < 0.001) in the SCG and BCG compared to the SECG and ICG. No differences in improvements between the groups were observed. No time × group interactions were observed for sex (p > 0.05). The results suggest that intervention programmes based on recreational games such as basketball or soccer are effective in improving anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and cardiovascular health in sedentary overweight and obese men and women, and are independent of sex. The effectiveness is greater when accompanied by a more significant reduction in energy intake. Engaging in self-controlled physical activity proved to be beneficial when compared to remaining inactive, despite changes in dietary intake.

17 Different sizes of position games and official matches in youth professional soccer player

Reference: Biol Sport. 2025 Apr;42(2):177-185. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.144297. Epub 2024 Oct 23.
Authors: Jose A Asian-Clemente, Jose Vicente Beltran-Garrido, Bernardo Requena
Download link: https://www.termedia.pl/Different-sizes-of-position-games-and-official-matches-r-nin-youth-professional-soccer-player,78,55011,1,1.html
Summary: The objectives of this study were to compare the external load of position games and matches in soccer players and to assess the effect of different pitch sizes on position games in relation to competition. Twenty-five players (age: 21.9 ± 1.9 years; height: 177.9 ± 5.2 cm; weight: 75.5 ± 4.8 kg) were evaluated during 37 official matches and 18 position games classified according to their pitch sizes: Small, Medium and Large (50.8 ± 6.6 m2, 80.5 ± 4.6 m2 and 115.9 ± 25.2 m2 relative area per player, respectively). Using a GPS system, total distance (DC), DC > 21 km · h-1, peak speed, and maximal accelerations and decelerations lower and higher than 3 m · s-2 (Acc<3; Acc>3; Dec<3 and Dec>3, respectively) were recorded. Mixed model analyses were used to compare the effects of the game condition and of space dimensions on the dependent parameters. During the position games, lower values of DC, DC > 21 km · h-1, peak speed, Acc<3, Dec<3, maximal accelerations and maximal decelerations were reported than in matches. Position games showed higher values than matches for the Acc>3 and Dec>3. All analysed variables reached statistical significance (all p < 0.001). Small, Medium and Large position games significantly achieved lower DC > 21 km · h-1, peak speed, Acc<3, Dec<3, maximal accelerations and maximal decelerations, but significantly higher Acc>3 and Dec>3 (all p < 0.05) than matches. The data showed that position games of 9 vs. 9 + 2 with a relative area per player ≤ 115.9 m2 present a different external load than matches.

18 Normative cardiorespiratory values in Italian first-division male soccer players: effects of age, playing position and season phase

Reference: Biol Sport. 2025 Apr;42(2):199-206. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.144406. Epub 2024 Oct 25.
Authors: Adriano Di Paco, Pierantonio Laveneziana, Paolo Onorati, Luca Trotta, Gennaro Boccia
Download link: https://www.termedia.pl/Normative-cardiorespiratory-values-in-Italian-first-division-male-r-nsoccer-players-effects-of-age-playing-position-and-season-phase,78,55022,1,1.html
Summary: The study aimed to provide reference values of cardiorespiratory parameters and maximal exercise velocity (MEV) of first-division soccer players measured during a ramp exercise running test. A large (N = 741) database of cardiopulmonary exercise tests collected over a decade on Serie A teams in Italy was scrutinized. The reference values were stratified for age, playing position, and season phase. We found an average ˙VO2V˙O2 peak of 4.78 ± 0.56 l/min, a relative ˙VO2V˙O2 peak of 61.5 ± 5.96 ml/kg/min and an MEV of 19.0 ± 1.3 km/h. Relative ˙VO2V˙O2 peak was constant from 18 to 30 years of age and then decreased, while MEV decreased constantly with increasing age. While the absolute ˙VO2V˙O2 peak was similar for all playing roles (P = 0.782), the midfielders were the players with the highest relative ˙VO2V˙O2 peak (P = 0.020) and they had lower body mass than the others (P < 0.001). This study presents estimates of the influence of age, player position, and season phase on ˙VO2V˙O2 peak in men’s elite soccer. ˙VO2V˙O2 peak values ~62 ml/kg/min fulfil the demands for ˙VO2V˙O2 peak in men’s professional soccer. Midfielders showed larger relative, but not absolute, ˙VO2V˙O2 peak.

19 Does microcycle length influence the external and internal load in professional female soccer players?

Reference: Biol Sport. 2025 Apr;42(2):215-223. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.144408. Epub 2024 Oct 25.
Authors: Manuel Posse-Álvarez, David Solleiro-Duran, Miguel Lorenzo-Martínez, Eliseo Iglesias-Soler, José M Oliva-Lozano, Alexis Padrón-Cabo
Download link: https://www.termedia.pl/Does-microcycle-length-influence-the-external-and-internal-load-r-nin-professional-female-soccer-players-,78,55024,1,1.html
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the effects of microcycle length on external and internal load during training sessions and official matches in a professional female soccer team. A total of 32 microcycles were monitored for 20 outfield players using a portable 10 Hz GPS device. Microcycles were categorized by length as short (5-6 days), regular (7 days), or long (8-9 days). Training load during the microcycles was analyzed relative to the days before or after the match day (MD), considering the following sessions: MD+1, MD-4, MD-3, MD-2, and MD-1. The external load was assessed according to total distance (TD), high-intensity running distance (HIR), sprint distance (SPD), and number of high-intensity accelerations (ACC) and decelerations (DEC). Internal load was measured using the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and session RPE (s-RPE). The results of linear mixed model analyses showed that TD (d = 1.24-1.35), ACC (d = 0.64-0.66), and DEC (d = 0.90-1.04) were significantly higher on MD+1 in short microcycles compared to regular and long microcycles. On MD-4, large differences were observed between long and short microcycles for TD (d = 1.60), ACC (d = 1.28), DEC (d = 1.28), RPE (d = 1.25), and s-RPE (d = 1.61). Similarly, MD-3 of long microcycles showed significantly higher TD (d = 1.25-1.32), HIR (d = 1.18-1.32), and SPD (d = 0.84-1.68) compared to regular and short microcycles. On MD-2, the highest workload was observed in short microcycles, especially for SPD (d = 1.15-1.34). Overall, this study demonstrated that the external and internal load of training sessions vary depending on the length of the microcycles in professional female soccer.

20 Estimated annual increments in stature and weight among soccer players 11-18 years

Reference: Biol Sport. 2025 Apr;42(2):151-160. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.144294. Epub 2024 Oct 23.
Authors: Robert M Malina, Diogo V Martinho, Tomas Oliveira, Jorge M Celis-Moreno, António J Figueiredo, Andre Seabra, Jan M Konarski, Sean P Cumming, Manuel J Coelho-E-Silva
Download link: https://www.termedia.pl/Estimated-annual-increments-in-stature-and-weight-among-soccer-r-nplayers-11-18-years,78,55008,0,1.html
Summary: Annual increments in height and weight were estimated in a mixed-longitudinal sample of Portuguese male soccer players 11-14 years at baseline. This study aims to compare estimated increments with reference values for the general population and also with estimates from youth soccer literature. The sample included 87 under-13 (U13) and 72 under-15 (U15) players. Allowing for drop-outs and/or transfers, participants were followed over five seasons. Annual measurements of height and weight were taken for the total mixedlongitudinal sample of 571 players, from which annual increments were calculated for 409 occasions. Mean heights and weights of the sample and median annual increments were compared with corresponding estimates for the general population in addition to soccer players based on studies spanning 2000-2015. Mean heights of the sample were slightly but consistently less than the reference, while mean weights were below the reference at 11-13 years and approximated the reference at 14-18 years. Median annual height and weight increments of the soccer players approximated the respective medians for the general population, but increments among individual players varied considerably with age. In contrast, the heights and weights of the Portuguese players were below the means for the composite sample of soccer players except at 18 years, but estimated increments were similar to the composite sample. In summary, increments in the heights and weights of the Portuguese players approximated the general population and means for other soccer players, while mean heights were consistently less than the reference except at 18 years.

21 Kinetics of skin temperature in lower limbs of professional soccer athletes

Reference: Biol Sport. 2025 Apr;42(2):345-352. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.145909. Epub 2025 Jan 13.
Authors: Alex de Andrade Fernandes, Miller Gomes de Assis, João Carlos Bouzas Marins, André Gustavo Pereira de Andrade, Maicon Rodrigues Albuquerque, Ciro José Brito, Cristiano Diniz da Silva, Myrian Augusta Araujo Neves do Valle, Eduardo Mendonça Pimenta, Emerson Silami Garcia
Download link: https://www.termedia.pl/Kinetics-of-skin-temperature-in-lower-limbs-of-professional-soccer-athletes,78,55334,1,1.html
Summary: This study investigated the kinetics of skin temperature (Tsk) in the lower limbs of elite soccer players following official matches, with measurements taken at three time points: pre-game (M1), 24 hours after a match (M2), and 48 hours after a match (M3). Additionally, we explored the correlation between Tsk and individualized creatine kinase (CK) levels. Thirty male athletes from a top-tier professional soccer club were assessed during the Brazilian Serie A Championship. CK levels and Tsk in the lower limbs were recorded at M1, M2, and M3. Tsk was significantly elevated at M2 compared to M1 (P < 0.001) and decreased at M3, although it did not return to baseline levels (P < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between Tsk in all regions of interest (ROIs) and the percentage of CK, with the lowest correlation observed at r = 0.52 (P < 0.001). Tsk in the lower limbs showed a pattern similar to CK, being elevated at 24 h after the match and decreasing by 48 h but not fully returning to pre-game levels. These findings suggest that Tsk can complement CK measurements and be useful in training control and recovery strategies for elite soccer athletes.