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 Gastrocnemius Muscle Strain Injury Characteristics in Elite Male Australian Football Players: A 10-Year Longitudinal Cohort Study

Reference: J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2025 Oct;55(10):1-8. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2025.13526.
Authors: Caleb Gray, Tania Pizzari, Myles C Murphy, Anthony G Schache, William H Breidahl, Sven Klinken, Tahnee Bell, Brady Green
Summary: The aim was to describe the injury type (index/recurrent), location (medial head/lateral head), mechanism, player demographics, and prognosis (recovery/recurrence) in gastrocnemius injuries affecting elite male players.  Injury data from 2014 to 2023 were extracted from the Soft Tissue Injury Registry of the Australian Football League. Data items were injury type and circumstances, player demographics, and prognostic outcomes (functional milestones and recurrence). Demographics, injury characteristics, and prognoses were described. Recovery (time to return to play) was compared (survival analysis) for injury type (index vs recurrent), location (medial head vs lateral head), mechanism, intrinsic factors, and training history. Eighty-two magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed gastrocnemius injuries were included (68 index, 14 recurrent). Medial head injuries were most prevalent (78%). The median (interquartile range) time to reach functional milestones was 3 days (3) to walk pain free, 14 days (11) to run at >90% of the maximum speed, 14 days (15.5) to return to full training, and 19 days (16) to return to play. A recent change in loading prior to injury (P = .02), a running-related mechanism (P = .03), and older age (P = .01) resulted in longer recovery. Acceleration was the most common running injury mechanism, occurring in 13 cases. Twenty-nine injuries lacked a specific inciting mechanism. Recurrences occurred <6 months after the index injury in 79% (n = 11) of cases.  Gastrocnemius injuries predominantly affected the medial head. More than 1 in 6 cases were recurrent. 

2 Nonexercise Estimation of V̇O2peak Using Seismocardiography in Female Subelite and Male Elite Football Players

Reference: Eur J Sport Sci. 2025 Oct;25(10):e70047. doi: 10.1002/ejsc.70047.
Authors: Mikkel Thunestvedt Hansen, Tue Rømer, Ronni Eg Sahl, Kristine Kjær Lange, Axel Illeris Poggi, Kristoffer Furbo, Jennie Brask Augsburg, Paweł Chmura, Bo Nielsen, Malte Nejst Larsen, Peter Krustrup, Jørn Wulff Helge
Summary: A novel method for estimating V̇O2peak using seismocardiography (SCG eV̇O2peak) at rest was developed some years ago, and this study investigates an updated version using data from a trained population. Forty five subelite female and Sixty seven elite male football players were tested and included in a cross-sectional accuracy comparison between SCG eV̇O2peak and V̇O2peak obtained from an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) performed on a treadmill. In addition, the ability of the method to detect changes over time was assessed by comparison of changes in V̇O2peak over 3 months (female and male, n = 60), 6 months (female, n = 17), and 1 year (male, n = 18) for CPET and SCG, respectively. No difference and a fair agreement were found between combined sex cross-sectional SCG eV̇O2peak and CPET V̇O2peak (bias ± 95% CI: -1.0 ± 0.9 mL·min-1·kg-1 and limits of agreement [95%]: ± 9.1 mL·min-1·kg-1), with similar agreement between sexes. The standard error of estimation and mean absolute percentage error were 4.8 mL·min-1·kg-1 and 7.4%, respectively. V̇O2peak was only increased over 6 months for females (CPET: 2.2 ± 1.1 mL·min-1·kg-1, SCG: 1.2 ± 1.1 mL·min-1·kg-1, and p < 0.05) with no difference between methods (p = 0.170). A correlation between ΔV̇O2peak for CPET and SCG was found for 1-year analyses (male, R2 = 0.62, and P < 0.05) but no other correlations were significant. The SCG method is accurate in estimating V̇O2peak in both subelite and elite football players, with fair agreement and low estimation errors. The SCG method was able to detect an association of 1-year changes but not for changes over shorter times; however, these results require more investigation due to small sample sizes.

3 Physical performance measures of young male football players with Down syndrome and mild intellectual disability versus untrained peers

Reference: Acta Bioeng Biomech. 2025 Aug 26;27(2):171-177. doi: 10.37190/abb/207535. Print 2025 Jun 1.
Authors: Ewa Puszczałowska-Lizis, Sabina Lizis, Weronika Ryba, Wioletta Mikuľáková
Summary: The present study aimed to assess physical performance and its relationship with age and BMI in young male football players with Down syndrome and mild intellectual disability compared to their untrained peers.  The study included 60 boys with Down syndrome and mild intellectual disability aged 11-13 years, assigned to the study group (trained football at the Futbol+ Sports Academy) and the control group (untrained peers). Research tools was the Eurofit Special test. The data were analyzed based on the using chi-squared test, Student’s t-test for independent variables, or Mann-Whitney U-test, Pearson’s linear correlation or Spearman’s rank correlation.  Young male football players with Down syndrome scored better for Standing Long Jump ( p < 0.001), Bent Knee Sit-ups in 30 seconds ( p < 0.001), 2 kg Medicine Ball Forward Push with one hand ( p < 0.001), and Walking on a Gymnastic Bench in the Upright Position ( p = 0.001), while for 25 m Run from a High Start, boys from the control group achieved better results ( p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant relationships of Eurofit Special test results with age and BMI. Football training improves physical performance of boys with Down syndrome and mild intellectual disability, especially dynamic balance, muscle strength of the lower limbs, upper limbs and abdomen. It can therefore be assumed that these characteristics are the most important indicators of the effectiveness of football training in these individuals. Age and BMI should not be considered as determinants of motor fitness in children and adolescents with Down syndrome and associated mental retardation.

4 Physical demands and movement characteristics of veterans football players

Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2025 Sep 4:7:1602127. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1602127. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Florian Egger, Vivian Graf, Shaan Kotecha, Sohag Saleh, Tim Meyer
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1602127/full
Summary: This study aimed to investigate physical demands and movement characteristics of veterans football (VF) players. VF players were recruited from the West and South London Leagues. A 15 m shuttle run test was used to assess maximum heart rate (HRmax), and continuous heart rate was monitored to evaluate the cardiocirculatory strain during matches. Video analysis was performed to analyze movement characteristics, such as step counts, number of passes and sprints, changes of directions (COD), and standing time. A total of 91 male VF players (age, 45 ± 6 years; BMI, 26.3 ± 4.0 kg/m2) participated in the study. The mean heart rate was 147 ± 14 min-1 corresponding to 80 ± 8% of HRmax, with 57 ± 14% of match time completed above 80% HRmax. Midfielders completed more sprints (90 ± 10) compared with forwards (34 ± 6, p < 0.001) and defenders (50 ± 10, p < 0.01). Standing time was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in forwards (740 ± 87 s) and defenders (649 ± 111 s) than in midfielders (181 ± 17 s). During a match time of 86 ± 36 min, players covered 5,790 ± 963 steps, equivalent to approximately 6 km, and made 120 ± 59 COD and 128 ± 62 passes. The cardiocirculatory strain in VF football seems to be considerably high. Therefore, one VF match appears to be sufficient to meet the minimum of current guidelines on health-promoting activities. Position-specific differences in VF are evident for midfielders, who are potentially exposed to higher physical demands compared with other field positions.

5 Differences in physical and technical performance characteristics between 11v11 chronological and bio-banded soccer match-play format in youth soccer

Reference: J Sci Med Sport. 2025 Sep 18:S1440-2440(25)00437-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2025.09.006. Online ahead of print.
Authors: J Salter, D Forsdyke, L Arenas, Z Dawson, M King, N Myhill, J Robinson, C Towlson, M Springham, L Walsh, S Mallinson-Howard, S Barrett
Summary: Bio-banding groups athletes by maturity rather than chronological age, to promote more equitable competition and development opportunities. We investigated whether physical and technical performance differed between chronological and bio-banded 11v11 match-play formats in youth soccer. A secondary aim was to examine whether these differences varied by maturity status and timing. Twelve Junior Premier League teams (N = 139 players) from the U13, U14, and U15 age groups participated. Each team played six, 20-minute matches: three in chronological age and three in bio-banded formats. Bio-banding was based on the percentage of predicted adult height: pre-peak height velocity (<90 %), mid-peak height velocity (90-96 %) and post-peak height velocity (>96 %). Players wore foot-mounted inertial measurement units to record physical (distance covered, high-speed running >4 m/s, sprinting >5.5 m/s, and accelerations/decelerations ±2.6 m/s/s) and technical (total touches, possessions, time on ball and one-touch/short/long possession counts) performance characteristics. Data were analysed using t-tests and analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction. Significance was set at p < 0.05, and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were calculated. A multivariate analysis was also conducted. Whole sample analysis showed significantly more time on the ball per possession (d = 0.17), and fewer one-touch actions (d = 0.25) in bio-banded matches. Post-peak height velocity players covered significantly more high-intensity distance (d = 0.63) but recorded fewer total touches (d = 0.60), total possessions (d = 0.65) and one-touch possessions (d = 0.71) in the bio-banded format. There were significant differences between pre- and mid-peak height velocity players for all physical metrics across both chronological and bio-banded matches (d = 0.48-72), and between maturity groups (pre-post-peak height velocity, mid-post-peak height velocity) for technical actions in chronological format but not mirrored in bio-banding matches. Bio-banding was associated with altered physical and technical demands, especially for post-peak height velocity players. Findings suggest bio-banding may provide an appropriate competition format, exposing players to different developmental challenges, which may support more equitable and balanced experiences.

6 Staying in the game: protective and risk factors for burnout in soccer coaching

Reference: Front Psychol. 2025 Sep 16:16:1617521. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1617521. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Karol Wasielewski, Andrzej Szwarc, Dominika Maria Wilczyńska
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1617521/full
Summary: Burnout is a noticeable problem both in education and in sports. Soccer coach operates in both. The purpose of this study was to investigate how age, coaching experience, education, professional qualifications and professional development -interact to predict burnout among soccer coaches. The study sample consisted of 412 participants. Coaches were asked to complete the Soccer Coach Questionnaire, which consists of the following sections: demographic variables, personal development, coaching experience, and satisfaction with salary. Afterwards, they were asked to fill out Link Burnout Questionnaire (LBQ). Statistical analysis was performed in the Automated Statistical Description System (SZTOS). Age was found to be negatively associated with soccer coaches‘ burnout, particularly among those motivated by earning points for license renewal. Also, it was showed that coaching experience is inversely associated with coaches‘ burnout, but primarily among those coaches who were motivated by earning education points for license renewal. The satisfaction with salary did not moderate any of the association with measured variables as the authors expected. Among coaches motivated by earning points for license renewal, age was found to be negatively correlated with burnout (p = 0.006). Similarly, coaching experience was shown to be inversely correlated with burnout among coaches motivated by earning points for license renewal (p = 0.008). The effect sizes limit the generalizability of findings. The satisfaction with salary did not moderate any of the association with measured variables as the authors expected. The results suggest that professional burnout may affect younger and less experienced coaches to a greater extent particularly in the context of retraining. Along with age and experience, the rigor of scoring positively affects coaches which suggests a variable pathway of retraining depending on these factors. A greater number of led teams has a positive effect on burnout but not in coaches with higher specialist training suggesting their need for self- actualization and fulfilment. The authors suggest a further need for research into professional burnout in soccer coaches.

7 Variation in weekly internal training load in professional soccer players

Reference: Sci Rep. 2025 Sep 30;15(1):33992. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-11773-6.
Authors: Unai Azcárate, Ana Beatriz Bays-Moneo, María M Antón, Javier Yanci
Download link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-11773-6.pdf
Summary: Quantification of weekly training load (w-TL) in professional soccer players often shows minimal variation at the team level throughout the season. The study aimed (a) to analyze respiratory and muscular weekly perceived exertion, and (b) to determine the variability during pre-season and in-season period considering each player individually. Twenty-one professional soccer players belonging to a 2nd Division soccer team were monitored over 44-weeks (i.e., 6-week of pre-season and 38-week of in-season). Internal load was assessed using differential RPE (dRPE), and statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, coefficient of variation (CV), and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Leg local-muscular in weekly training load (w-TLmus) was significantly higher (p = 0.001 & p = 0.012) than central-respiratory in weekly training load (w-TLres) during pre-season and in-season period. Moreover, larger w-TL were also greater during pre-season compared to in-season periods. Total weekly loads were also greater in pre-season than in-season. Intra-player variability was higher during pre-season (CV: from 30.4 to 75.4% and from 15.3 to 76.9%) than in-season period (CV: from 21.2 to 46.1% and from 22.1 to 44.2%), respectively. These findings suggest that players perceive and respond to training loads differently across seasonal phases, highlighting the need for individualized monitoring to optimize performance and reduce injury risk.

8 Training Load and Acute Performance Decrement in Soccer

Reference: Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2025 Sep 30:1-9. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2025-0109. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Marco Montini, Alessandro Scotto di Palumbo, Valerio Cotugno, Massimo Augusto, Massimo Sacchetti, Andrea Nicolò
Summary: We investigated the association between training metrics commonly used in soccer and the acute performance decrement (APD) observed after 3 training sessions differing in exercise intensity and duration. In separate randomized visits, 16 male soccer players performed a Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery level 2 test (Yo-Yo IR2) at baseline or 5 minutes after 3 different training sessions consisting of a 10-minute small-sided game (SSG), a 26-minute passing and shooting drill (PSD), or 60 minutes of technical drills (Tech-D). The APD was computed as the percentage reduction in the Yo-Yo IR2 distance from baseline. Training was quantified using metrics of training impulse, a metric based on perceived exertion, movement load, energy expenditure, total distance, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). A lower (P < .017) Yo-Yo IR2 distance was covered after SSG and PSD than at baseline and after Tech-D. The APD was higher (P < .022) for SSG (45.6% [19.3%]) than for PSD (31.9% [21.3%]) and Tech-D (9.1% [24.6%]). However, the APD response dissociated from the response of several training metrics recorded. Indeed, higher values (P < .05) were found in Tech-D and/or PSD than in SSG for training impulse, perceived exertion, movement load, energy expenditure, and total distance. Conversely, the response of the NASA-TLX broadly resembled that of APD. Several training metrics used in soccer dissociate from the APD observed after training sessions differing in intensity and duration, unlike the often-overlooked NASA-TLX. These findings suggest revising the combination of training intensity and duration to improve soccer metrics.

9 Epidemiology of Injury in Elite and Amateur Soccer Referees: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Reference: Sports Med. 2025 Sep 29. doi: 10.1007/s40279-025-02326-y. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Mohammad Alimoradi, Mohammad Alghosi, Mojtaba Iranmanesh, Mohammed Moinuddin, Nicola Relph
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40279-025-02326-y.pdf
Summary: The epidemiology of injury in soccer has traditionally focused on soccer players, rather than match officials. Although injury data on referees exist, no comprehensive review has summarized injury profiles in this population. The aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of injury epidemiology in elite and amateur soccer referees, focusing on injury rates, types, locations, severity, and causes. PubMed (Medline), Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus, covering their entire history up to 19 April 2025 were searched. This review included prospective and retrospective studies reporting injury incidence or prevalence among football match officials, with a study period of at least one season. Studies needed to specify injury definitions and include data on injury location, type, mechanism, or severity. Both male and female officials were eligible. Systematic reviews, commentaries, and letters were excluded. Study quality and risk of bias were evaluated using the STROBE-SIIS, in addition to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and funnel plots. Injury incidence rates were estimated using a random effects Poisson regression, accounting for heterogeneity and moderators. Heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 statistic. A total of 17 studies were included, encompassing 3621 referees. The most frequent injuries were strains and sprains in the knee and ankle. The overall injury incidence was 2.19 injuries per 1000 h of exposure (95% CI 1.30-3.69). On-field referees experienced an incidence rate of 1.46 injuries per 1000 h of exposure (95% CI 0.76-2.81), while assistant referees had a lower rate of 0.84 per 1 h of exposure (95% CI 0.36-1.97). During matches, the injury incidence was 2.24 per 1000 h of exposure (95% CI 1.38-3.64), compared with 0.67 injuries per 1000 h of exposure during training sessions (95% CI 0.36-1.24). However, despite sensitivity analysis, there were still high levels of heterogeneity across included studies. Findings noted higher injury incidence during matches compared with training, and on-field referees compared with assistants. The variation in injury profiles highlights the importance of implementing targeted preventive strategies tailored to the unique demands of refereeing. However, there is still a lack of research in this population, especially in female referees.

10 Effects of 4-week velocity-based HIIT on athletic performance in youth soccer players

Reference: PeerJ. 2025 Sep 23:13:e20066. doi: 10.7717/peerj.20066. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Murat Koç, Niyazi Sıdkı Adıgüzel, Hakan Engin, Barışcan Öztürk, Umut Canli, Aydın Karaçam, Bekir Erhan Orhan, Pablo Prieto-González, Peter Bartik, Shahad Alghemlas, Maria Isip, Peter Sagat
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12466504/pdf/peerj-13-20066.pdf
Summary: Young soccer players need to enhance their athletic performance, including speed and endurance. Traditional training methods may not be effective enough to improve athletic performance in these young athletes. Velocity-based high-intensity interval training (vHIIT) workouts can increase the efficiency of energy systems and improve athletic performance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of four weeks of vHIIT on athletic performance in young soccer players. A total of 14 male soccer players participated in the study (mean age: 18.9 ± 1.0 years, body mass: 76.5 ± 5.3 kg, height: 1.81 ± 0.08 m). Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 7) or a control group (n = 7). While the control group continued their regular soccer training without additional vHIIT intervention, the experimental group underwent vHIIT training at 85-90% intensity twice a week for 4 weeks in addition to their regular training. Change of direction speed (COD), maximum sprint speed (MSS), maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), and the 30-15 intermittent fitness test (VIFT) were assessed twice, in the control and experimental groups, both at pre-test and post-test measurements. The findings indicated a significant decrease in COD time (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.682) and 30-15 IFT (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.735) in the experimental group. However, no statistically significant change was observed in these parameters between the pre-test and post-test in the control group. Additionally, group-time interaction effects were found to be significant in favor of the experimental group in all parameters. Four weeks of speed-based vHIIT training led to improvements in sprint performance, COD, and aerobic capacity in young soccer players. Incorporating vHIIT workouts into conditioning programs for youth soccer players may be an effective strategy for enhancing physical performance components, including speed, agility, and endurance, which are requirements of soccer.

11 Epidemiology of injuries and illnesses in national team male beach soccer players: a prospective seven-year cohort study

Reference: Sci Med Footb. 2025 Sep 29:1-9. doi: 10.1080/24733938.2025.2567671. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Yavuz Lima, Benjamin Clarsen, Bülent Bayraktar
Summary: To evaluate the incidence and characteristics of injuries and illnesses among elite-level national male beach soccer players over a seven-year-period. Injuries and illnesses were documented in accordance with the ‚Football-Specific Extension of the IOC Consensus Statement: Methods for Recording and Reporting Epidemiological Data on Injury and Illness in Sport‘. A sports medicine physician recorded all cases during training camps and tournaments of the Turkish national male beach soccer team from 1 January 2018, to 1 January 2025. Across 36 camps (382 days, 90 matches, 338 training sessions), 282 injuries (72 time-loss) and 180 illnesses (9 time-loss) were recorded among 45 players. Time-loss injury incidence rates were 51.7/1000 hours (h) in matches and 6.8/1000 h in training. The thigh was the most frequently injured body area leading to time-loss during matches (18.45/1000 h), while the foot was most affected in training (1.76/1000 h). Muscle/tendon injuries were the leading cause of time-loss in both settings (18.45 and 3.52 injuries/1000 h, respectively). Concussion incidence in matches was 7.38/1000 h. Fractures and meniscus injuries resulted in the highest injury burden (132.72 and 129.03 days/1000 h, respectively). The time-loss illness incidence was 1.6 illnesses/1000 player-days. This study highlights the relatively unique injury patterns of beach soccer, with the thigh and foot most frequently affected areas and muscle/tendon injuries the leading cause of time-loss in both matches and training. The findings also emphasize the high burden of knee and head injuries, particularly concussions, and suggest tailored prevention strategies are needed. Future research with more diverse cohorts is warranted.

12 A new lens on football match intensity: from the most demanding passage to extremely demanding passage

Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Oct 3;17(1):290. doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01354-5.
Authors: Zunqi Niu, Jingyun Yang, Jiewei Long, Xinyi Zhang, Zhaoyang Wang, Iyán Iván-Baragaño, Hongyou Liu
Download link: https://bmcsportsscimedrehabil.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s13102-025-01354-5.pdf
Summary: This study examines positional differences in physical and technical performance during the extremely demanding passage (EDP) in the Chinese Super League (CSL), using a 5-minute time window and a high-intensity running (HIR) threshold of ≥ 19.8 km/h. Data from 176 matches (n = 109 players, 438 observations) in the 2019 season were analysed using generalised mixed linear models. Results showed that: (1) The mean HIR distance during the EDP was 50%-60% higher than during the most demanding passage (MDP). (2) During the EDP, central defenders (CD) achieved the fewest total distance (695 ± 51 m) and HIR distance (251 ± 15 m) but excelled in ball control metrics, including the longest running with the ball average length (6.9 ± 8.7 m) and the highest forward passes (1.5 ± 1.2). (3) Central midfielders (CM) covered the most total distance (796 ± 46 m) and HIR distance (343 ± 27 m). These findings underscore the specific physical and technical demands of CDs and CMs compared to other positions during the EDP, necessitating role-specific strategies to optimise performance.

13 Effects of blood flow restriction combined with electrical stimulation on muscle functions and performance in university football players with knee osteoarthritis

Reference: Sci Rep. 2025 Oct 3;15(1):34590. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-18089-5.
Authors: Jinfeng Yang, Na Li, Sheng He, Xiao Peng, Jinqi Yang, Jianxin Chen, Yan Zheng, Yunyan Zou, Yuanpeng Liao
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combining blood flow restriction training (BFRT) with electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on muscle functions and sports performance in football players with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). This parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted on 64 football players diagnosed with KOA at Chengdu Sport University. Participants were enrolled based on predefined eligibility criteria and randomly allocated to four groups: the control group (CTR, n = 16), BFRT-alone group (BFRT, n = 16), EMS-alone group (EMS, n = 16), and BFRT combined with EMS group (CMB, n = 16). Data were gathered via the 10-meter sprint, 20-meter sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ), and Illinois agility test (IAT) to assess sports performance. Additionally, peak torque (PT) was used to measure muscle strength, the root mean square (RMS) was used to assess muscle activation, and the cross-sectional area (CSA) was used to evaluate muscle volume. The data were statistically analyzed via SPSS software, and a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Following the 8-week intervention, the CMB group showed a more pronounced change in the 10-m sprint compared to the CTR group (p < 0.001) and exhibited significant differences in the 20-m sprint (CTR: p < 0.001, BFRT: p = 0.015, EMS: p < 0.001), CMJ (CTR: p < 0.001, BFRT: p = 0.019, EMS: p < 0.001), and IAT (CTR: p < 0.001, BFRT: p = 0.009, EMS: p = 0.018), outperforming the other three groups. To PT, the CMB groups demonstrated significant superiority over the other three groups (CTR: p < 0.001, BFRT: p < 0.001, EMS: p < 0.001), while the BFRT group exhibited a notable difference in PT than the EMS group (p = 0.032). Concerning RMS, the EMS and CMB groups showed significant differences from the CTR (EMS: p < 0.001, CMB: p < 0.001) and BFRT (EMS: p = 0.019, CMB: p < 0.001) groups, whereas the change in the BFRT group was more significant than that in the CTR group (p = 0.007). For CSA, the BFRT and CMB groups presented notable differences from the CTR (BFRT: p = 0.008, CMB: p = 0.002) and EMS (BFRT: p = 0.014, CMB: p = 0.004) groups. In summary, the results suggest that BFRT combined with EMS can increase muscle strength in male football players with KOA through improving muscle volume and neuromuscular recruitment under low-intensity resistance training, thereby increasing explosive power and agility.

14 Social network analysis in football: a systematic review of performance and tactical applications

Reference: Front Psychol. 2025 Sep 17:16:1659603. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1659603. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Ricardo Alves, Gonçalo Dias, Nuno André Nunes, Sérgio M Querido, Vasco Vaz
Summary: This systematic review aims to critically examine the application of social network analysis (SNA) in football, with a focus on its contribution to evaluating team performance, tactical behavior, and player interactions. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus) from January 2017 to October 2024. Fifty-five peer-reviewed studies met the inclusion criteria, addressing network analysis in official men’s professional football matches. Data were extracted and summarized regarding methodological quality, network metrics used, tactical context, and practical implications. Most studies demonstrated that cohesive network structures, characterized by high density, clustering coefficients, and centrality, are associated with successful team performance. Centrality metrics were frequently used to identify key tactical players, typically central defenders and midfielders. Recent methodological advances included dynamic time-window analysis, pitch-passing networks, and spatial-temporal integration using tracking data. However, there remains an overrepresentation of elite men’s football and offensive phases, with limited focus on defensive networks, youth categories, and women’s football. SNA offers a powerful framework to decode the complexity of football performance, evolving from static graphs to dynamic, rolesensitive, and context-rich models. Future research should adopt longitudinal designs, multi-layer network approaches, and closer collaboration with practitioners to enhance the operational utility of network insights in coaching and performance analysis.

15 Effects of change of direction during high-intensity interval training on physical performance in young football players

Reference: Sci Rep. 2025 Sep 30;15(1):33865. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-07256-3.
Authors: Elzan Bibić, Vladan Milić, Milan Radaković, Dejan Ćeremidžic, Slobodan Andrašić, Georgiy Korobeynikov, Nebojša Trajković
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12485011/pdf/41598_2025_Article_7256.pdf
Summary: This study aimed to determine the differences between high intensity interval training (HIIT) with turns and HIIT without turns and what effects these types of HIIT will have on speed, change of direction (COD) speed and agility in young football players during transition period. The participants were 57 young football players (Age: 15.7 ± 1.5 years; Height: 179.2 ± 5.2 cm; Body mass: 69.4 ± 6.6 kg), randomly assigned to a group that performed HIIT with linear sprinting (HIITlinear; N = 28) and another group that performed HIIT training with COD (HIITCOD; N = 29). Players were tested for speed (5,10, 20 m), COD speed and agility. Both groups conducted the program during four weeks with two sessions per week. Results: Significant positive changes within both groups were observed for the linear sprint 5, 10, and 20 m and the Illinois test (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found for COD speed and reactive agility, either between or within the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: HIIT showed significant improvements in linear sprints and Illinois agility test after both types of HIIT training.

16 Stakeholder perspectives on injury prevention training in girls‘ and women’s elite football: A group concept mapping study involving coaches, physical performance coaches, physical therapists, medical doctors, and club management

Reference: Phys Ther Sport. 2025 Sep 13:76:75-82. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.09.004. Online ahead of print.
Authors: E Bandak, K Thorborg, T Alkjær, M K Zebis, E E Wæhrens
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Summary: The aim was to identify factors influencing use of injury prevention training among stakeholders of Danish girls‘ and women’s elite football teams. Head coaches, assistant coaches, physical performance coaches, physiotherapists, medical doctors, and management participated in this study. Thirty-seven stakeholders brainstormed on: „What determines whether injury prevention training is conducted on your team?“ followed by sorting and rating of statements. Subsequent multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis followed by cluster map validation by stakeholders, resulted in a final model comprising eight themes influencing injury prevention training use in Danish girls‘ and women’s elite football: (1) injury prevention is important, (2) prioritizing, (3) physical facilities, (4) players attitudes and understandings, (5) physical performance coach, (6) football coaches, (7) interdisciplinary cooperation, and (8) overall framework with „interdisciplinary cooperation“ rated highest. Stakeholders in Danish girls‘ and women’s elite football identified interconnected factors influencing the use of injury prevention training, with „interdisciplinary cooperation“ rated as most important. The findings reveal a complex interplay across structural, individual, team, and organizational levels, offering insights that can inform context-specific strategies to promote the implementation of evidence-based injury prevention training in Danish girls‘ and women’s elite football.

17 Injuries in Argentinian football: an epidemiological study of six professional clubs of second-division during the 2022 season

Reference: Phys Sportsmed. 2025 Sep 29. doi: 10.1080/00913847.2025.2568379. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Agustin Carlos Baldjian, Matias Sampietro, Cristian Gays, Andres Brusco, Hernan Mohrenberger, German Gimenez, Rodrigo Menayed, Federico Villalba, Eduardo Tondelli, Ben Clarsen
Summary: The aim was to describe the pattern of injuries in the second division of men’s professional football in Argentina. This descriptive prospective multicentric study included 195players from six teams. The methods adhered to the football extension of the international olympic committee (IOC) consensus statement on injury surveillance. A time-loss injury definition was used. Primary outcomes included injury incidence rates, types of common injuries and time loss. The overall injury incidence rate was 3.67 injuries per 1000 hours(h) of football exposure (95% CI: 2.6 – 4.6). In matches, the incidence rate was 26.42/1,000 h(95% CI: 21.55 to 32.08) and in training it was 1.91/1,000 h (95% CI: 1.54 to 2.33). The overall injury burden was84.10 days lost per 1000 h (95% CI 45.81; 122.4). The injury types with the highest time-loss burden were muscle injury (31.56 per 1000 h 95% CI 27.660; 35.630) and ligament sprains (32.799 per 1000 h 95% CI 17.370; 51.080). This study is one of the first surveillance studies of professional men’s football in South America, demonstrating the feasibility of surveillance in the Argentinian Football Association (AFA), and providing valuable insights into the epidemiology of injuries in this region. The results highlight several notable findings, including the relatively high rates of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and training-related injuries, suggesting the presence of a distinctive injury pattern in AFA league compared to other regions worldwide, emphasizing the need for region-specific prevention and management strategies. These findings can inform future policies and practices aimed at reducing injury rates and improving player health and team performance.