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 The Impact of Anterior Shoulder Dislocation in Elite Soccer Goalkeepers

Reference: Orthop J Sports Med. 2025 Aug 5;13(8):23259671251358403. doi: 10.1177/23259671251358403. eCollection 2025 Aug.
Authors: Andrea Redler, Alessandro Annibaldi, Cristiano Benelli, Alessandro Carrozzo, Benedetto Carta, Raffaele Iorio, Angelo De Carli, Daniele Mazza, Nicola Maffulli
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12326124/pdf/10.1177_23259671251358403.pdf
Summary: Anterior shoulder dislocation is an injury that can impair a professional goalkeeper’s career. However, few studies have examined return to play (RTP) after surgery in professional goalkeepers. The aim was to assess the RTP, pre- and postinjury performances, and market value of professional goalkeepers who suffered a shoulder dislocation. Professional goalkeepers with a shoulder dislocation between 2011 and 2021 were included. Top European leagues were considered: Serie A (Italy), Premier League (England), Ligue 1 (France), LaLiga (Spain), and Bundesliga (Germany). Player age, height, position, injury history, RTP, and market value were retrieved from a publicly available website. The preinjury season (season -1), the injury season (season 0), and the 2 postinjury seasons (season +1 and season +2) were compared. A total of 19 goalkeepers were included in the study with a mean age of 27.2 ± 5.22 years at the time of injury. All players underwent surgery. The mean RTP was 147.53 ± 64.23 days. The mean percentage minutes per season (MPS) in season -1 was 86.57% ± 13.89%, with a decrease to 37.34% ± 24.66% in the injury season and an increase to 72.72% ± 25.79% in season +1 and 62.69% ± 33.23% in season +2. Significant changes were found in MPS across the 4 analyzed seasons (P < .001). Post hoc comparisons revealed statistically significant differences between season -1 and season 0 (P < .001), season -1 and season +1 (P = .019), and season -1 and season +2 (P = .005). The difference between season +1 and season +2 was not statistically significant (P = .284). The mean market values were €7.13M ±€8.33M (season -1), €8.05M ±€8.25M (season 0), €8.71M ±€11.45M (season +1), and €11.47M ±€22.89M (season +2). Regarding market value, no significant differences were detected among the seasons (P = .285). All goalkeepers returned to play after the surgery, with 1 case (5.3%) at a lower level. All professional goalkeepers returned to play at a competitive level with a significant reduction in the percentage of available minutes played in the 2 seasons after surgery. However, this injury does not seem to influence the market value of these players.

2 The influence of dental occlusion on hamstring muscle isokinetic parameters in active competitive soccer athletes: a randomized controlled trial

Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2025 Jul 23:7:1589934. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1589934. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Stine Hecht, Yoon Jeong Choi, Andrea Stroux, Florian Beuer, Manja von Stein-Lausnitz, Till E Bechtold
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12325298/pdf/fspor-07-1589934.pdf
Summary: The improvement of athletic performance depends on numerous factors including physical health, training status, neuromuscular coordination and psychological state. In recent years, the influence of dental occlusion and jaw position has gained increasing attention. The influence of occlusal bite splints (BS) on the improvement of motor performance, which is related to postural balance, has been the focus of many investigations. However, the extent of impact, that BS can have on muscle strength, has been attested to be unknown. Therefore, we wanted to investigate the influence of occlusion on the isokinetic strength parameters of the thigh muscles. Thirty active male competitive athletes at 18-32 years were included in this study. None had a gnathological or physiological disease. The subjects were randomly assigned to two experimental groups of 15 participants each, using a cross-over design. Concentric isokinetic muscle force measurements of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles were performed using a dynamometer under three occlusal conditions: habitual occlusion (HO), harmonic bite splint (HS), and simulated interference contact/malocclusion (MO). The three muscle force measurements were completed twice, each with one repetition at extension (E) and flexion (F) of the right knee, maximum force, and an angular velocity of 120°/s. Between the measurements, 120 s were scheduled for muscular recovery. The splint (HS) was 3D printed from a methacrylate-based resin and the harmonic occlusion was verified using the T-Scan Novus and occlusal paper. A unilateral punctual malocclusion (MO) made of light-curing methacrylate was individually placed in region 16. Statistical analysis was performed with one-factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc pairwise comparison. There was a significant decrease in maximum torque (Nm) and muscle work (J) during extension movement with the simulated MO is compared to HO and to HS. Muscle power (W) was also decreased with MO compared to HO and HS. In the flexion movement, a significant decrease in muscle power was observed in the MO condition compared to the HS condition. No significance, but a tendency for improvement in extension and flexion movement in maximum torque, muscle work, and muscle power were determined in the HS condition compared in the HO condition. Our results indicate that simulated interfering occlusal contact can lead to a significant decrease and balanced occlusion to a tendency for improvement of isokinetic performance parameters in young, well-trained soccer players. This underlines a presumed importance of a balanced occlusion for muscle performance, especially in terms of maximum strength, muscle work and muscle power. The results show a functional relationship between dental occlusion and the lower extremities, which reflects an underlying anatomical connection in which the central nervous system may play a major role.

3 Load and Recovery Monitoring in Top-Level Youth Soccer Players: Exploring the Associations of a Web Application-Based Score With Recognized Load Measures

Reference: Eur J Sport Sci. 2025 Sep;25(9):e70031. doi: 10.1002/ejsc.70031.
Authors: Jan Anderegg, Stefanie L Brefin, Claudio R Nigg, David Koschnick, Claudia Paul, Sascha Ketelhut
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12327414/pdf/EJSC-25-e70031.pdf
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between a web application-based load and recovery score (LRS) and established load parameters. Seventy-eight elite youth soccer players were recruited from a single top-tier Swiss club. All participants were healthy and injury-free at baseline and actively competing at the highest national youth level, participating in five training sessions per week. Players with recent injuries or chronic health conditions were excluded. Seventy-one players (32.4% female) with an average age of 18 years (SD = 1.2) met the inclusion criteria and were monitored throughout ≥ 35 days, applying a repeated-measure design. Daily assessments of the self-reported LRS, along with measurements of player and trainer session ratings of perceived exertion, total distance covered, and total distance > 20 km/h, were collected. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the influence of load parameters on the following day’s LRS. All training and match load parameters demonstrated significant negative correlations with the subsequent day’s LRS. Player and trainer session ratings of perceived exertion had similar fixed effects (-0.013, 95% CI [-0.017, -0.010] vs. -0.008, 95% CI [-0.011, -0.006]), whereas total distance covered exhibited stronger associations (-0.668, 95% CI [-0.979, -0.355]) than total distance > 20 km/h (-0.009, 95% CI [-0.012, -0.006]). The impact of the different load parameters varied across groups and individuals. The LRS provides an easy-to-use digital tool that summarizes multiple training and recovery factors into one score, helping coaches and staff monitor player readiness in daily field settings. By offering accessible daily feedback, the LRS may help tailor training loads, manage recovery, and reduce the risk of overtraining and injuries.

4 Effects of Different Header Types on Neurocognitive and Vestibular Performance in Youth Soccer Players

Reference: Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Aug 1. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003831. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Rebecca Reeschke, Lena Dautzenberg, Franziska Katharina Mund, Thorsten Koch, Claus Reinsberger
Summary: Repetitive head impacts due to heading in soccer may bear the potential to induce brain changes. To investigate how brain development is affected by heading, effects of heading exposure on neurocognitive and vestibular performance in adolescent soccer players were prospectively examined. In this longitudinal cohort study, male and female high-level youth soccer players of different ages were enrolled in two seasons. Age-matched athletes of other ball sports were included as controls. Before and after each season, neurocognitive performance (6 domain scores), vestibulo-ocular reflex, dynamic visual acuity, and postural control (sway velocity) were objectively assessed in all athletes. Every soccer training and match during the observation period was videotaped to analyze individual heading exposure. Associations between heading frequency (total, in duels, >20 m flight distance) and pre- to post-changes were investigated via Spearman correlation. 103 soccer and 51 control athletes (9-19 years) participated. Neurocognitive scores and sway velocity significantly improved in each season in soccer and control athletes. There were no associations between total heading numbers and changes in any parameter. Over the first season, the more headers played in duels (r = -0.255, 95%CI = -0.474 to -0.006, p = 0.04) and from >20 m distance (r = -0.299, 95%CI = -0.510 to -0.055, p = 0.02) the less psychomotor speed improvement occurred. In the second season, improvements in reaction time were significantly smaller with higher numbers of headers played in duels (r = 0.375, 95%CI = 0.043 to 0.632, p = 0.02) and from >20 m distance (r = 0.359, 95%CI = 0.025 to 0.621, p = 0.03). Potential high-impact headers may have affected neurocognitive improvements, exhibiting small to moderate effects. Therefore, more high-impact headers may be more important to consider than solely the overall heading exposure in discussions about adverse effects in youth soccer.

5 Hip Muscle Strength Ratios Predicting Groin Injury in Male Soccer Players Using Machine Learning and Multivariate Analysis-A Prospective Cohort Study

Reference: Muscles. 2024 Sep 2;3(3):297-309. doi: 10.3390/muscles3030026.
Authors: Afxentios Kekelekis, Rabiu Muazu Musa, Pantelis T Nikolaidis, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Eleftherios Kellis
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12225289/pdf/muscles-03-00026.pdf
Summary: Despite ongoing efforts, the relationship between groin strength and injury remains unclear. The challenge of accurately predicting injuries presents an opportunity for researchers to develop prevention strategies to reduce the occurrence of such injuries. Consequently, this issue requires further investigation to obtain insights into effective mitigation strategies. In 120 male soccer players, the maximum isometric strength of the hip muscle groups was measured, and the strength ratios were calculated. Previous injury and anthropometric data were registered. Injury data were collected following the FIFA/UEFA consensus. k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) was used to predict the incidence of injury, while the significant predictive variables of the k-NN algorithm were fitted into a multivariate logistic regression model (LR) to analyze the likelihood of players sustaining a groin injury. The LR model determined two variables as significant predictors of groin injury. Players were less likely to sustain a groin injury by 76% for each decrease of the adductor/abductor isometric strength ratio in the non-dominant limb (OR = 0.238, CI 95% = [(0.098-0.572]). Players with a history of previous injury had a 67% greater risk of sustaining an injury (OR = 0.333, CI 95% = [(0.1068-1.038]). Isometric hip adductor and abductor strength imbalances of the non-dominant lower limb and a history of previous injury were risk factors for groin injury in soccer players.

6 Association Between Maturity Status, Landing Force, and Jump Performance in Adolescent Male Soccer Players

Reference: Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2025 Aug 1;20(8):1131-1141. doi: 10.26603/001c.142237. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Takahiro Namiki, Mina Samukawa, Eri Takagi, Tomoya Ishida, Mario Bizzini, Naoto Kyotani, Miho Komatsuzaki, Ginji Nara, Yuta Koshino, Satoshi Kasahara, Harukazu Tohyama
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12317790/pdf/ijspt_2025_20_8_142237.pdf
Summary: Maturity status varies among adolescents of the same age, making age an unreliable indicator. Although maturity status affects movement patterns, differences in landing force and jump performance among maturity groups remain unclear. This study compared landing force and jump performance during drop vertical jump in adolescent male soccer players based on classifications by maturity status and age. A hypothesis was formulated that landing force would be greater during the period of peak height velocity (PHV) and jump performance higher in the post-PHV group, showing clearer differences than age. Forty-five male soccer players (13.5 ± 0.9 years) were grouped by maturity status (pre-, circa-, and post-PHV), and by age. Landing forces (peak vertical ground reaction force [PVGRF], time to PVGRF, and loading rate) and jump performance (jump height, contact time, reactive strength index [RSI], PVGRF, and power) were measured using a force plate. A one-way analysis of variance was performed to detect group differences. Landing forces showed no significant differences among maturity groups (PVGRF: p = 0.190; time to PVGRF: p = 0.122; and loading rate: p = 0.255). Jump height was greater in post-PHV (32.87 ± 4.18 cm) than in pre-PHV (25.17 ± 4.85 cm, p = 0.001). RSI was higher in post- (1.33 ± 0.31 m/s) than in pre- (1.00 ± 0.29 m/s, p = 0.024) and circa-PHV groups (1.02 ± 0.23 m/s, p = 0.021). Power was greater in post- (40.40 ± 6.31 W/kg) than in pre- (33.15 ± 7.78 W/kg, p = 0.045) and circa-PHV groups (33.59 ± 5.50 W/kg, p = 0.037). Age-related differences were found only in jump height (p < 0.001). Maturity status classification detected significant group differences in jump height, RSI, and power, but age classification only detected a significant group difference in jump height.

7 Change in Head Impact Exposure following Return-to-Sport in Concussed Football Athletes

Reference: Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Aug 8. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003833. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Jared R Muench, Grant P Sinson, Breanna Glaeser, Alok S Shah, Steven Rowson, Stefan Duma, Jason Mihalik, Alison Brooks, Kenneth Cameron, Christopher Giza, Joshua Goldman, et al.
Summary: Following sport-related concussions, early head impact exposure and premature return-to-sport are known to increase risk of repeat concussion in football athletes, yet athletes‘ true post-injury head impact exposure profiles (i.e., characteristics of recorded head impacts over a given time period) and biomechanical progression have not been explored. Accordingly, this study explored how head impact exposure in American college football athletes was altered during their return to sport from concussion, particularly within the same athletic season. This analysis compared daily volume of head impacts following concussion with pre-injury levels using head impact exposure profiles of fifty-two concussed collegiate football athletes from six NCAA Division I programs, and further compared these athletes to team- and position-matched controls to minimize season- or team-related factors. Additionally, this study provided an analysis of the possible association between duration of recovery and change in head impact exposure following concussion using continuous linear regression. When comparing to pre-injury levels, 75% of concussed athletes reduced their head impact exposure in their immediate return-to-sport, while over 40% of concussed athletes did not reach their pre-injury level of head impact exposure at any point during the remainder of the concussion season segment. Furthermore, concussed athletes significantly decreased their head impact exposure over their immediate return-to-sport period when compared to team- and position-matched healthy, non-concussed athletes over the same time period. Finally, longer post-concussion recovery times were associated with larger decreases in head impact exposure after return-to-sport. This study provides evidence for a shift in head impact exposure after returning from concussion, seen most strongly in the immediate days after return-to-sport. These findings align with the recent shift toward more conservative post-concussion management seen across multiple sports and playing levels.

8 How do gender and competition level influence the physical demands in worst-case scenarios of elite football referees?

Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Aug 6;17(1):226. doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01282-4.
Authors: Gemma Martinez-Torremocha, Antonio Alonso-Callejo, Javier Sanchez-Sanchez, Jorge Garcia-Unanue, Leonor Gallardo, Maria Luisa Martin-Sanchez, Carlos Serrano, Jose Luis Felipe
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12326655/pdf/13102_2025_Article_1282.pdf
Summary: The aim of this study was to describe and compare the physical demands in Worst-Case Scenarios (WCS) across different competition levels in male and female football of Spanish elite football referees during matches, comparing competitions independently for male and female referees. Physical demands (total distance [TD], total distance > 18 km/h [TD18], total distance > 21 km/h [TD21], total distance > 24 km/h [TD24], accelerations (> 3 m/s2) [Acc] and decelerations (<-3 m/s2) [Dec]) were recorded over different time windows (0.5, 1, 3, 5 and 10 min) on 24 professional male Spanish football referees from male 1st Division, 26 from male 2nd Division and 24 professional female Spanish football referees from female 1st Division during the 2020/21, 2021/22, and 2022/23 seasons over a total of 2,156 official matches, using Global Positioning Systems. Results showed that male referees experienced higher physical demands, particularly during the shortest time windows of WCS (0.5 and 1 min), where the highest relative physical loads were observed. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between competitions, with higher demands recorded in the 2nd Division and Champions League. In contrast, female referees faced their greatest physical demands in national competitions, such as the Queen’s Cup, compared to international competitions. Both genders demonstrated higher intensity during shorter time windows, highlighting the need to be prepared for short and high-intensity match periods. The study concludes that physical demands vary according to gender and level of competition. Male referees face higher workloads, and female referees have different demands depending on the competitive context. These findings highlight the need for tailored training programs and recovery strategies to address the specific demands of referees across different match contexts. For male referees, training should emphasize short-duration, high-intensity efforts, especially for competitions such as the Second Division and Champions League. For female referees, programs should replicate the demands observed in national competitions like the Queen’s Cup. These adaptations can improve performance, reduce injury risk, and enhance match officiating quality.

9 Physical Activity Levels of Adolescent Female Football Players in Training and Match Play: Is it Enough for an Active Lifestyle?

Reference: J Sports Sci. 2025 Aug 6:1-12. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2025.2540228. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Jose Coto-Lousas, Jacob Sierra-Díaz, Javier Fernandez-Rio
Download link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/02640414.2025.2540228?needAccess=true
Summary: Football is the most popular sport among adolescents, yet many do not achieve the World Health Organization’s recommended 60 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily. This study investigated whether regular football practice helps meet this recommendation by assessing physical activity through accelerometry in 74 female players from a Spanish football academy (Senior Team, Reserves Team, U16 and U13). A second goal was to assess coaches and players perceptions and coaches‘ interpersonal style. Given the variation in physical demands by playing position, MVPA data were also analysed by player role. Average MVPA minutes per training session and match, with over 60 min played, were: Senior Team: 48.72 ± 3.63 and 57.19 ± 17.51; Reserves Team: 41.87 ± 5.38 and 48.35 ± 13.18; U16: 40.62 ± 5.67 and 44.51 ± 15.98; U13: 39.31 ± 3.04 and 44.29 ± 12.21. Players consistently rated themselves as ‚very well recovered‘ in Total Quality Recovery (TQR) before and after sessions/matches. Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) values for players and Rate of Intended Exertion (RIE) values for coaches were similar during training (coaches: 12.39 ± 0.27, players: 12.66 ± 0.94) but higher for coaches during matches (coaches: 15.25 ± 2.91, players: 13.62 ± 1.98). Results suggest that regular football practice may help adolescent female players meet MVPA recommendations, contributing to an active lifestyle and potential health benefits.

10 Does Reduced Ball Inflation Pressure in Association Football Decrease Head Impact Kinematics?

Reference: Ann Biomed Eng. 2025 Aug 4. doi: 10.1007/s10439-025-03804-0. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Rory England, Suzie Liverseidge, Yusuke Miyazaki, Samuel W Oxford, Ieuan Phillips, Jon Farmer
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10439-025-03804-0.pdf
Summary: Apparent degeneration in brain health due to heading the football is amongst the most pressing and contentious health-related questions in sport (Keogh F, Pirks N (2024) „Pain was sickening“-Ex-players on heading fears. In: BBC). The purpose of this study was to thoroughly explore the effectiveness of reduced inflation pressure as an intervention to reduce head kinematics from a ball to head impact. The influence of impact location, head orientation, neck flexion angle and ball type on the intervention were experimentally investigated. A Hybrid III head and neck was impacted in frontal and oblique locations with two modern footballs that were projected using a bespoke launch device. Peak linear acceleration, peak angular velocity, peak angular acceleration and DAMAGE metrics were calculated for a total of 34 permutations of impact variables at two inflation pressures. Magnitude was decreased (82%) or unchanged (8%) for 90% of impacts with average magnitude changes between – 2 and – 12% across the four metrics. Findings indicated that decreased inflation pressure was a positive intervention towards decreasing kinematic magnitudes in most cases. This was especially true for linear acceleration, angular velocity and angular acceleration, where 100, 97 and 100% of impacts were reduced or unchanged, respectively. Reduced inflation pressure was overall an effective mitigation to reduce the kinematic magnitude of heading in football based upon these four kinematic metrics despite 10% of impacts exhibiting an increase in kinematic magnitude. The DAMAGE predictor of MPS exhibited 12 out of 13 cases where magnitude increased demonstrating the capacity for decreased inflation pressure to result in increased kinematics for an angular response derived metric, indicating that reducing inflation pressure is not a universal solution. Nonetheless DAMAGE still saw a net decrease in magnitude across all impacts. Metric magnitude was found to be sensitive to head orientation, impact location and ball type, demonstrating the importance of the sensitivity analysis in this study. Two impacts were recommended to represent the worst-case ball to head impact, one in each nominal orientation. These locations contrasted with those commonly used in literature, a finding pertinent to future experimental design in football heading research.

11 Return to play after conservative treatment of complete adductor longus tendon rupture in a semi-professional football player: a case report with a 1-year follow up

Reference: Res Sports Med. 2025 Aug 4:1-8. doi: 10.1080/15438627.2025.2543089. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Marcos Quintana-Cepedal, Omar de la Calle, Hugo Olmedillas
Summary: This case report details the conservative management of a complete adductor longus tendon tear in a semi-professional forward footballer. The injury occurred while reaching for the ball with the uninjured limb, with the injured limb in closed kinetic chain. After confirming the injury severity with a magnetic resonance scan, the medical team opted for a conservative approach due to the small tendon retraction. Treatment was based on task progression, ensuring the player could complete exercises with tolerated pain. Rehabilitation consisted of unsupervised gym and on-field exercises progressed separately, including overall strength, mobility, adductor strength, balance, plyometrics, running, kicking and small-sided games. Additionally, pain during the squeeze test and eccentric adduction strength were assessed at different points. The player returned to play 96 days after the injury and has remained active since. The framework supported a safe return to play without surgery or the need for supervised rehabilitation sessions.

12 Kinematic Sequencing of the Football Pass Using Inertial Motion Analysis

Reference: Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2025 Aug 2;20(8):1214-1221. doi: 10.26603/001c.142488. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Andre Labbe, William Foret, Madison Troy, Phil Page, Felix Buddy Savoie
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12317801/pdf/ijspt_2025_20_8_142488.pdf
Summary: The kinematic sequencing of overhead throwing demonstrates a series of joint motions to generate the throwing force. The biomechanics of the overhead throw have been heavily researched in baseball players; however, more research is needed on the biomechanics of passing in football quarterbacks. The purpose of this pilot descriptive study was to identify the kinematic sequencing of a football quarterback’s pass using wireless inertial motion technology. Eight young, healthy, right-handed, pain-free quarterbacks (four high school, four collegiate) performed three drop back passes each at three increasing distances (9 total passes at 10, 20 and 30 yards) while wearing Ultium wireless IMUs (Noraxon, Scottsdale AZ) as part of their pre-season assessment. Kinematic data of each pass were identified and marked at four points of interest: foot contact, maximal external rotation, ball release, and maximal internal rotation. Data were analyzed with Noraxon MyoMotion 3.18 using a customized kinematic sequence algorithm to provide mean angles at specific points of interest over the nine throws of each quarterback. Subjects were male, mean age 16.4 +/- 1.8 years (range 14-20). Kinematic sequencing of the extremities revealed shoulder abduction and external rotation peaked respectively at an average of 112° and 134° at the beginning of the acceleration phase, as did elbow flexion (100°). Stride knee flexion remained relatively consistent, increasing from 29° to 46° after maximal shoulder external rotation. The trunk remained relatively upright; however, quarterbacks experienced an average of 23° of lumbar extension at maximal shoulder external rotation. The trunk initiated rotation with an average of 40° to the right at foot contact, which reversed during the acceleration phase to a maximum of 21° to the left. Hip-shoulder separation remained about 20°, initially favoring right trunk rotation in the cocking phase, but quickly reversed to 20° favoring left trunk rotation in the follow-through. Minimal hip-shoulder separation (11°) occurred at ball release. In the kinematic sequence from lower to upper extremity, stride knee flexion remains relatively unchanged, while trunk movement tends to shift away from the throwing side, converging toward a near-neutral position in all three planes just before ball release. This pilot study provided insight into the kinematic sequencing of football quarterbacks. Further research is warranted in evaluating the quarterback pass with inertial motion units.

13 A preliminary multi-club project: Understanding player technical outcomes in European football academies training sessions

Reference: J Sports Sci. 2025 Aug 4:1-7. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2025.2539597. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Nick Gearing, Steve Barrett, Matt Bridge
Download link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/02640414.2025.2539597?needAccess=true
Summary: The optimisation of player development is a key area of interest for professional football academies. Considerable attention has been given to the physical outcomes of training sessions with less work on technical outcomes. Foot-mounted inertial measurement units (Playermaker) were used to track technical actions across 33,156 player-session data points from 11 European academies in five countries. Metrics included Mean Touches per player (MT), Mean Touches per player perminute (MTPM), Mean Releases per player (MR), and Mean Releases per player perminute (MRPM). Comparisons were made between opposed and unopposed training formats and across English Category 1 to 3 academies. Unopposed sessions produced higher MT (150 ± 107) than opposed sessions (98 ± 89) across all age groups. Belgian academies showed the highest technical outputs, while Norwegian and English academies had the lowest. English Category 2 and 3 clubs recorded higher MT and MR than Category 1 clubs, potentially due to more condensed weekly training schedules. Unopposed training activities result in higher MTPM and MRPM than opposed formats. Mixed training designs, incorporating both formats, are widely used across European youth academies and may support more balanced technical development.

14 Tibial tubercle apophyseal pain and maturation in youth elite football

Reference: J Sci Med Sport. 2025 Jul 24:S1440-2440(25)00221-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2025.07.010. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Nienke van Engelen, Johannes L Tol, Gustaaf Reurink
Download link: https://www.jsams.org/action/showPdf?pii=S1440-2440%2825%2900221-X
Summary: Pain provocation tests are commonly used among youth athletes to diagnose tibial tubercle apophyseal-related pain. However, their diagnostic value remains unclear, particularly in relation to tibial tubercle apophyseal-maturation. This study investigated the association between pain provocation tests and 1) reported pain during football, and 2) tibial tubercle apophyseal-maturation in symptomatic and asymptomatic youth male elite football players. We collected data during the annual health evaluation of male football players of U13-U19 teams of an elite Dutch football academy. Outcome measures included reported pain at the tibial tubercle apophysis during football, four pain provocation tests (palpation, stretch, isometric knee extension at 0 and 90°), and ultrasound assessed tibial tubercle apophyseal-maturation categorised in four stages according to the Ehrenborg classification. 548 assessments were completed in 257 individual players over four seasons. All pain provocation tests showed a strong association with reported pain during football (p < 0.001). Of the 341 player seasons with no reported pain during football, 106 (23.7 %) had a positive palpation test. This sensitivity to palpation was observed more frequently in maturation stages B (29.9 %) and C (30.2 %) than in A (17.6 %) and D (15.3 %). Pain provocation tests for tibial tubercle apophyseal-related pain are strongly associated with reported pain during football. Young asymptomatic football players exhibit increased sensitivity to the palpation test, especially during maturation stages B and C. Therefore, a positive palpation test alone may be insufficient for diagnosing tibial tubercle apophyseal-related pain.

15 Energy cost and game dynamics in soccer: comparing sided games and repeated sprint training

Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Aug 15;17(1):239. doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01278-0.
Authors: Ersin Akılveren, Asuman Şahan, Emel Çetin Özdoğan
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12355877/pdf/13102_2025_Article_1278.pdf
Summary: This study aims to propose an alternative solution for determining the optimal training load to meet the high physiological demands of football, encompassing both metabolic and locomotor loads. To this end, two different formats, repetitive sprint training (RST) and sided games (SGs), were evaluated in terms of energy cost (EC), and their similarities were revealed. The study was conducted with 21 men soccer players (age: 18.24 ± 0.63 yrs, training age: 7.24 ± 0.63 yrs, body weight: 73.01 ± 7.47 kg). RST and various-sided games (4 × 4 small-sided games and 6 × 6 medium-sided games) were played according to the rules, with goalkeeper and ball possession rules tailored to different field dimensions. Both training methods were performed separately on matchday + 4 / -3 within a weekly cycle. While all SGs work for 420 s and rest for 4 min, RST performed 720 m. with 20 s rest between bouts and 4 min between sets. EC was measured using global positioning system technology during all training sessions, considering total and equivalent running distance. The study demonstrated that the 4v4 + Goalkeeper SSG and RST energy cost results EC cost results in similar conditioning improvement (5917.76 J/kg and 6181.00 J/kg, respectively). As a result of the study, 4v4 + Gk SSG showed similar results regarding energy cost with RST. Additionally, it was determined that metabolic demands increased as the number of players decreased in SGs with constant m² per player.

16 Comparative Outcomes of Isolated Lateral Meniscal Repair and Meniscectomy in Professional Soccer Players: Implications for Return to Play, Career Longevity, and Performance

Reference: Am J Sports Med. 2025 Aug 15:3635465251362504. doi: 10.1177/03635465251362504. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Jakob Ackermann, Mary Jones, Simon V Ball, Andy Williams
Summary: Treating lateral meniscal injuries in elite athletes is challenging because of the high demands on knee function and the need for rapid return to play (RTP). Although meniscal repair is often recommended, data are lacking that compare outcomes of partial meniscectomy and repair in elite athletes with isolated lateral meniscal tears. The aim was to evaluate subsequent surgery after the treatment of isolated lateral meniscal tears and to compare RTP, career longevity, and performance level between meniscal repair and partial meniscectomy in professional soccer players. A retrospective review was conducted on a consecutive series of professional soccer players who underwent partial meniscectomy or meniscal repair for isolated lateral meniscal tears between January 2011 and September 2022 with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The groups were compared for age, tear configuration, tear location, subsequent surgery, RTP rates, career longevity, and performance level. Repair failure was defined as the need for additional surgery to address a recurrent or persistent meniscal tear after the initial repair or not returning to play. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate career longevity based on treatment modality, adjusting for age. This study included 89 professional soccer players (mean ± SD age, 23.2 ± 5.2 years) who underwent primary isolated lateral meniscal surgery: 49 (55.1%) had partial meniscectomy and 40 (44.9%) underwent repair. Subsequent surgery was required in 15 players (16.9%), with no significant difference between groups (12.2% for meniscectomy vs 22.5% for repair; P = .258). Meniscal repair failure occurred in 6 players (15%), with a mean time to failure of 8.6 ± 8.2 months. RTP was achieved by 98.9% of the total cohort, but meniscectomy led to faster RTP (median, 4 months; range, 0.5-20) than repair (median, 6 months; range, 3-22; P < .001). No significant difference was found in early retirement risk (hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.31-1.3; P = .237) when adjusted for age. At 5 years, retirement rates were 28% (repair) and 32.6% (meniscectomy; P = .789), rising to 45.5% and 58.3% at 10 years (P = .716). Most players (70% for repair and 89% for meniscectomy) returned to the same or higher league, declining to 48.6% and 51.1% at 2 years and 36% and 20.9% at 5 years (P > .05). Partial meniscectomy and repair achieve high RTP rates, with meniscectomy allowing a faster RTP. While 15% of meniscal repairs failed, rates of subsequent surgery and 5- and 10-year professional sport participation did not differ significantly from those after partial meniscectomy, although the lack of statistical significance may be due to the limited sample size. Hence, partial meniscectomy for isolated lateral meniscal tears may be acceptable in carefully selected patients with proper management and recovery.

17 Associations Between Training Load and Acceleration-Speed Profile in Youth Soccer Athletes

Reference: Int J Sports Med. 2025 Aug 14. doi: 10.1055/a-2655-0650. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Pedro Cardoso, Francisco Tavares, Nuno Loureiro, Ruben Ferreira, João Pedro Araújo, Joana F Reis, João R Vaz
Summary: Soccer requires athletes to exhibit high levels of acceleration and speed, both of which are crucial for optimal performance. The acceleration-speed (A-S) profile is increasingly utilized to assess these sprinting capacities in soccer, providing in situ insights into an athlete’s maximal theoretical acceleration (A0) and speed (S0). This study aimed to investigate the association of external load metrics with A0 and S0 across different age groups in elite academy soccer athletes. One hundred thirty-six athletes, ranging from under-14 to B-team, participated in the study. Training sessions and matches were monitored over a season using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology to collect data on the A-S profile and external load metrics. Stepwise regression analysis revealed a positive correlation, in several age groups (under-15, -17, -19, and -23 and B-team), between accumulation of sprint distance (Spr. Dist.) and an increased S0 (R 2: 0.30-0.52). However, no significant correlation was found between any external load metric and A0. These findings highlight the necessity of individualized training interventions and the inclusion of Spr. Dist. throughout the planning of the training load of young soccer athletes for the improvement of sprint capacity. It may also suggest that acceleration in youth soccer athletes may be influenced by other factors, such as strength training.

18 Pelvic Floor Health and Urinary Incontinence in Female Soccer Players: A Comparative Analysis Between Professionals and Physically Active Women: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Protocol

Reference: Diagnostics (Basel). 2025 Jul 26;15(15):1881. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics15151881.
Authors: Julia M Sebastian-Rico, María Jesús Muñoz-Fernández, Luis Manuel Martínez-Aranda, África Calvo-Lluch, Manuel Ortega-Becerra
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12346415/pdf/diagnostics-15-01881.pdf
Summary: Urinary incontinence (UI), defined as the involuntary loss of urine, is common among female athletes. As more women engage in competitive sports, numerous studies have explored UI in young, nulliparous, and physically active women. The objectives of this study were (i) to analyze the prevalence, severity, and characteristics of UI in professional nulliparous female soccer players and (ii) to compare the status of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) between professional soccer players and physically active young women. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included professional soccer players (n = 18) and physically active women (n = 14). UI was assessed using the ICIQ-SF questionnaire, and PFM function was evaluated through intracavitary examination using the PERFECT method. Additional data were collected on body composition and on urinary, bowel, and sexual health. Results: UI affected 35.7% of physically active women and 50% of professional soccer players. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was the most common type, present in 100% of affected soccer players and 60% of affected active women. The severity of UI was mostly mild, with no significant differences between groups. PFM assessment revealed deficiencies in control, relaxation, endurance, and rapid contractions, as well as difficulties performing an effective perineal locking (PL) maneuver during increased intra-abdominal pressure. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for targeted programs focused on strengthening and educating athletes about their PFMs, aiming to prevent UI and improve both performance and quality of life. The study reinforces the importance of preventive strategies for pelvic floor health in sports.

19 Associations Between Bone Age, Body Composition and Physical Performance in Icelandic 12-Year-Old Female Soccer Players

Reference: Eur J Sport Sci. 2025 Sep;25(9):e70029. doi: 10.1002/ejsc.70029.
Authors: Runa Stefansdottir, Hilde Gundersen, Sigurdur Benediktsson, Mona Vestbøstad, Erlingur Johannsson, Vaka Rognvaldsdottir
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12343339/pdf/EJSC-25-e70029.pdf
Summary: Biological maturation significantly influences physical development and performance, with notable differences between sexes. Research using objective measures, such as bone age (BA) assessed with X-ray to evaluate maturity and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess body composition, remains scarce, particularly in females. This study investigated the associations between BA, body composition and physical performance in 12-year-old female soccer players. In total, 89 players (Mage 11.89 ± 0.33 years) from ten local soccer clubs across the greater Reykjavík area participated. BA, measured with X-ray, indicated biological maturity, whereas DXA assessed body composition. Physical performance was measured with a 40-m linear sprint, the countermovement jump (CMJ) and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (IR1-test). Results showed that BA had a small negative correlation with 40-m sprint time (r = -0.253, p = 0.017) but not with other performance tests. Total fat mass and fat percentage positively correlated with 40-m sprint time (r = 0.351 and r = 0.566) and negatively with CMJ height (r = -0.534 and r = -0.632) and peak power (r = -0.490 and r = -0.636; all p < 0.001). Fat-free mass and fat-free mass index were negatively correlated with 40-m sprint time (r = -0.299 and r = -0.301; both p = 0.004) but not with other tests. No body composition measures correlated with the IR1-test. These findings emphasise the importance of understanding female-specific maturation patterns and their impact on physical performance, highlighting the need for targeted research and tailored training programmes for youth female athletes.