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 Characterizing the spatial structures of competing football teams

Reference: Sci Rep. 2025 Oct 9;15(1):35217. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-97765-y.
Authors: Guy Amichay, Hugo Silva, João Brito, Rui Marcelino
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12511544/pdf/41598_2025_Article_97765.pdf
Summary: Progress in football analytics is hampered by two main reasons: the unavailability of detailed datasets; and a dearth of meaningful metrics that would aid in gaining insight into the collective action of teams. We analyzed a dataset consisting of the full trajectories of all players, from twelve complete matches from three major international tournaments. We studied the teams‘ spatial structure, a topic that has been, to date, relatively unexplored. What has typically been analyzed is the teams‘ convex hull which gives a measure for the overall spread of the team in space, but which ignores the contributions of the players that are within it. Here we computed, for the first time, also the convex hull of those interior players. We then calculated the ratio of the area of the inner convex hull over the area of the outer convex hull, which gives us a single number that encapsulates the geometry of a team for a given point in time. We find a relatively general pattern-the ratio of the areas of these two convex layers almost always dies out at ~ 0.5 (i.e., there are almost no cases where the area of the inner layer exceeds 50% of the area of the outer layer). This result proves to be robust: for instance, it appears in both attacking and defending layouts (which are typically associated with very different team spatial structures). While it remains unclear whether a layer ratio value outside the observed range has practical implications, our findings provide a foundation for future research into the spatial geometry of team sports and its potential strategic relevance.

2 A qualitative examination of football players‘ acceptability and perceptions on the use of virtual reality in football training

Reference: PLoS One. 2025 Oct 9;20(10):e0334167. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0334167. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Anna U Shields, David L Neumann, Matthew J Stainer
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12510607/pdf/pone.0334167.pdf
Summary: Virtual reality (VR) technologies are being increasingly used for training among football teams. Despite this, limited research has examined football players‘ acceptability and perceptions of VR training. It is essential to understand football players‘ perspectives on this training approach to identify any psychological factors that may influence its uptake. A qualitative approach was adopted to explore footballers‘ acceptability and perceptions of VR in training. Fourteen professional and semi-professional football players completed a survey and took part in qualitative semi-structured interviews between May and October 2023. All participants were asked questions about their perspectives of the benefits and barriers of using VR for football training. The interview data was recorded and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Themes regarding the footballers‘ acceptability were interpreted within the framework of the Technology Acceptance Model. Overall, the footballers demonstrated acceptability and emphasised its potential usefulness in football training. Footballers perceived VR as being beneficial for cognitive and perceptual-motor skill training, mental preparation and pressure training through exposure to representative game-like environments, as well as providing greater training flexibility. Alongside these benefits, factors which could hinder optimal uptake were identified, including lack of accessibility, financial costs, and perceptual differences between the VR environments and the real-world. The present study provides insight into experienced football players‘ acceptability and perceptions of VR for training and suggest that VR training has potential to be accepted by football players, particularly when it is promoted to them as a flexible approach that can enhance their on-field performance.

3 Which factors disrupt football players‘ concentration? A qualitative investigation into the opinions of national youth team coaches

Reference: J Sports Sci. 2025 Oct 9:1-13. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2025.2569238. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Mathéo Maurin, Chloé Leprince, Christopher Carling, Jean-Philippe Lachaux, Guillaume Martinent
Summary: The aim of this study was to identify the key situations during a football match that are most likely to disrupt the players‘ concentration. The twelve head coaches of all French national youth football teams were interviewed to obtain their expert views and identify the situations considered to have the most significant impact on match outcomes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the U15 to U20 men’s and U15 to U23 women’s head coaches. An inductive thematic analysis of the qualitative data was conducted to produce a structured categorisation of the situations described. In total, six main categories emerged from the data corpus: 1) match tempo (e.g. match interruptions), 2) individual factors (e.g. substitute role), 3) daily training (e.g. routine during the week), 4) context (e.g. match importance), 5) fatigue (e.g. end of match), and 6) situational factors (e.g. score status). The match tempo category should notably be examined in greater depth since it accounted for more than half of the elementary units of meaning cited by the coaches. These findings offer new perspectives for research by highlighting the need to explore the underlying attentional processes and to develop intervention programs to optimise players‘ concentration especially in these specific match situations.

4 Impact of COVID-19 on English Football Premier League: Analyzing rankings and home advantage using extended Bradley-Terry models

Reference: PLoS One. 2025 Oct 8;20(10):e0332627. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0332627. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Hong Hong Liu, Jack Battaglia, Tong Tong Wu
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12507229/pdf/pone.0332627.pdf
Summary: COVID-19 significantly impacted sports tournaments, particularly soccer. During the pandemic, restrictions on spectators and frequent team composition changes due to outbreaks, providing a unique opportunity to explore the effects on team performance and home advantage (HA). In this study, we have two focuses. We first introduce a new extended Bradley-Terry model. The proposed model demonstrated several advantages over existing models, particularly in terms of stability, ease of implementation, and interpretation. It can be applied to any sport featuring home and away dynamics. The second focus is to apply the proposed model to data from the English Premier League over the past ten seasons. The analysis aims to evaluate changes in team rankings and home advantage before, during, and after the pandemic disruptions. Our findings indicate marked fluctuations in team performance and home advantage during the pandemic, with a distinct shift in team dynamics and competitive balance under pandemic restrictions.

5 Advancement in real time football analysis using fuzzy based decision-making of the WASPAS method

Reference: Sci Rep. 2025 Oct 6;15(1):34731. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-18432-w.
Author: Jun Ma
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12501037/pdf/41598_2025_Article_18432.pdf
Summary: In order to provide workable solutions for improving football players‘ functional strength training, this study focuses on assessing the effectiveness of intelligent picture-processing approaches employing deep learning algorithms in the context of football. Numerous mathematicians have developed various fuzzy mathematical aggregation operators (AOs). This article explores a potent approach to the circular q-rung orthopair fuzzy set (Crq-ROFS) that is used to mitigate uncertainty and vagueness in human judgments. The discussed fuzzy framework is a broader and extended version of an intuitionistic fuzzy set and q-rung orthopair fuzzy set. Besides the theoretical concepts of circular q-rung orthopair fuzzy information, we modify power aggregation operators to integrate expert’s opinions without any external weights of criteria. Besides the concepts of Crq-ROFSs, a family of Dombi power aggregation operators is also initiated, such as the circular q-rung orthopair fuzzy Dombi power-weighted averaging (Crq-ROFDPWA) and circular q-rung orthopair fuzzy Dombi power-weighted geometric (Crq-ROFDPWG) operators. To show the robustness and applicability of derived aggregation operators, some appropriate properties are also discussed. An intelligent decision algorithm for the weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) method is established to resolve complex real-life applications under multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) problems. The WASPAS method is also applied to investigate the rank of alternatives under different criteria and human opinions. Furthermore, an application related to advancements in real-time football analysis is discussed with the help of numerical examples and mathematical methodologies. A comparison technique is also adopted to reveal the superiority and effectiveness of pioneering approaches with previously developed mathematical algorithms.

6 „It’s not just about football“: experiences of children with cerebral palsy and their parents with frame football

Reference: Disabil Rehabil. 2025 Oct 6:1-10. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2570412. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Fabio Vila-Nova, Sofia Santos, Filipa João, Augusto G Pascoal
Summary: The aim was to explore the experiences of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their parents participating in Frame Football, an adapted sport designed for individuals with walking limitations. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with eight children (aged 9-16 years, GMFCS Levels II-IV) and ten parents. Data was analyzed using the Framework Method, with coding structured around the F-words for Child Development (Function, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends, and Future). Interpretive analysis revealed three overarching themes: (1) Redefining Ability through Adapted Play-assistive devices were reimagined as enabling tools, supporting motor function and participation; (2) Belonging through Shared Experience-participants described emotional safety and social connection through shared challenges and teamwork; and (3) Claiming Identity as a Football Player-children embraced athletic roles, building confidence and pride through symbolic and embodied participation in the sport. These experiences spanned multiple F-words domains and highlighted the program’s social and emotional significance. Frame Football offers a meaningful, inclusive context in which children with CP can engage physically, connect socially, and develop positive self-identities. These findings underscore the potential of adapted sports to promote participation, reframe perceptions of ability, and support holistic development within pediatric rehabilitation.

7 Biomechanical analysis of the knee joint during sidestepping: a fully immersive virtual reality approach to football defending scenarios

Reference: Sports Biomech. 2025 Oct 6:1-22. doi: 10.1080/14763141.2025.2568217. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Andy Man Kit Lei, Kuangyou Bruce Cheng
Summary: Traditional sidestepping experiment often relies on simplified visual stimuli that lack ecological validity. This study aimed to develop a fully immersive, football-specific virtual reality (VR) system to examine knee biomechanics during sidestepping in response to realistic visual stimuli. Twelve male collegiate footballers performed unanticipated sidestepping in response to a virtual footballer avatar executing either non-deceptive (VF-ND) or deceptive (VF-D) dribbling. Despite similar approach velocity and stance time, participants exhibited greater knee flexion angles and abduction and internal rotation moments in VF-D trials. Secondary analyses compared the results with previously reported arrow-preplanned (A-PP) and arrow-unplanned (A-UP) trials from the same participants. Approaching velocity decreased, and stance time increased in the following order: A-PP, VF-ND, VF-D and A-UP. Knee flexion angles and abduction moments increased, while peak internal rotation moments decreased in the same order. These findings suggested that the VR-based approach imposed more realistic visuospatial and temporal constraints than traditional methods, enhancing ecological validity. As in real environment, players in VR can perceive subtle cues, distinguish deceptive from non-deceptive actions and adapt their movements accordingly. Practitioners should design their protocols to resemble real-world scenarios as closely as possible and interpret the biomechanical outcomes cautiously when comparing across different visual stimuli.

8 Challenges in speed and power development across age categories: a comparative study of female and male football players

Reference: Biol Sport. 2025 May 14;42(4):203-209. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.150039. eCollection 2025 Oct.
Authors: Irineu Loturco, Pedro E Alcaraz, Lucas P Oliveira, Lucas D Tavares, Bernardo Requena, Tomás T Freitas, Lucas A Pereira
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12490297/pdf/JBS-42-4-56018.pdf
Summary: The popularity of women’s football has substantially increased over the last few decades. Despite this growing interest, few studies have compared the evolution of the physical performance of female football players across different age categories, and none have been conducted with players from the same club. Similarly, no studies have compared this progression between female and male players. We compared the evolution of speed-power qualities in female and male players from the same club throughout their specialization process, from the under-20 to the senior category. A total of 101 youth and senior female and male football players performed vertical jump, sprint speed, change-of-direction (COD) speed, and jump-squat power tests in this order, each conducted on separate occasions. Additionally, sprint momentum (SM) and COD-Deficit were also computed. Senior players demonstrated superior countermovement jump performance compared to under-20 players in both groups (ES = 0.86-0.93; P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in squat jump and jump-squat power between under-20 and senior players (P > 0.05). Similarly, no differences were found in any speed-related tests between under-20 and senior players in either group (P > 0.05). SM and COD-Deficit were similar across age categories for both sexes; however, SM was higher in men (ES ≥ 2.05), while COD-Deficit was lower in female players (ES ≥ 2.08; P < .001). In conclusion, men outperformed women in all physical tests, with smaller differences in speed-related performance (Difference ≤ 14.2%). This gap was even narrower in more complex speed tasks, such as COD drills (Difference ≤ 4.7%), and may be attributed to the significant difference in SM; greater in male players) and its impact on the COD-Deficit.

9 Acceleration-speed profiles in LaLiga: the influence of initial running speed and differences between positional roles in elite football players

Reference: Biol Sport. 2025 Apr 28;42(4):125-133. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.150035. eCollection 2025 Oct.
Authors: Fabio Nevado Garrosa, Javier Mallo Saiz, José Luis Quintero-Illera, Jorge Rubio-López, Roberto López-Del Campo, Sergio Jiménez-Rubio
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12490324/pdf/JBS-42-4-56014.pdf
Summary: The aim of this study was to examine the accelerations carried out by professional football players during an elite standard competition in relation to the initial running speed. An additional purpose was to determine the acceleration-speed (AS0) profile of the players in relation to the position in the team formation. A total of 8426 match observations from 363 players, categorized into six positional roles, who took part in the Spanish First Division (LaLiga) were examined with a semi-automatic multiple-camera video system during three consecutive seasons (from 2020-21 to 2022-23). The value of every acceleration performed during the games was related to its initial running speed, and the individual maximal and mean AS0 profiles of all the players were calculated using linear regression models. A strong inverse relationship was detected between the acceleration values and the initial running speed for both the MaxAS0 and the MeanAS0 profiles (r = -0.990; p < 0.001 and r = 0.946; p < 0.001, respectively). This trend was consistent across all playing positions, with forwards exhibiting the greatest acceleration capacity and central defenders the smallest. There were differences (p < 0.05-0.001) in the slope of the AS0 profile between playing positions. This study shows that traditional fixed acceleration thresholds might overestimate high-intensity efforts that begin at low movement speeds and underestimate those that start at higher speeds. Thus, AS0 profiles can provide a valuable tool to monitor physical match performance more objectively and help to discriminate the acceleration capacity between playing positions.

10 Locomotor characteristics of intense accelerations according to the playing position in top Spanish football teams during competition

Reference: Biol Sport. 2025 Jun 24;42(4):299-310. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.151652. eCollection 2025 Oct.
Authors: Joaquín González-Rodenas, Víctor Moreno-Pérez, Adrián Castaño-Zambudio, Roberto López-Del Campo, Fabio Nevado, Juan Del Coso
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12490305/pdf/JBS-42-4-56159.pdf
Summary: This study aimed to characterise the locomotor characteristics of intense relative accelerations (> 50% of maximal acceleration-speed profile) according to playing positions in top-ranked Spanish football teams. A total of 271,535 accelerations performed by 102 football players of the top four teams during the 2023-2024 LaLiga season were registered by a multiple-camera computerised tracking system (TRACAB; ChyronHego, USA). A generalized linear mixed model compared the acceleration characteristics (number, distance, duration, intensity and speed) across playing positions (central defender: CD, full back: FB, central midfielder: CM, attacking midfielder: AM, winger: W and forward: FW) considering the effect of contextual variables. CD exhibited less intense accelerations per minute than the rest of the playing positions (p < 0.05). W exhibited the greatest distance per acceleration (estimated mean (EM) = 9.08 m), longest duration (EM = 2.18 s), highest peak speed (EM = 19.5 km · h-1), and highest speed at maximum acceleration (EM = 12.8 km · h-1) (p < 0.05). FW exhibited the highest peak acceleration per action (EM = 3.14 m · s-2) and average acceleration per action (EM = 1.76 m · s-2) (p < 0.05). AM and CM registered higher initial speed (p < 0.05) and exhibited the lowest values for peak acceleration per action (p < 0.05), compared to the other playing positions. In contrast, CD and CM showed the shortest distances and slowest speeds (p < 0.05). In conclusion, W and FW exhibited higher acceleration intensity than the rest of the playing positions, while CD and CM obtained the lowest values for distance, duration, and speed.

11 Comparison of the worst-case scenarios between training and competition weeks for each playing position in an elite football season

Reference: Biol Sport. 2025 Apr 28;42(4):135-144. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.148538. eCollection 2025 Oct.
Authors: Adrián Díez, A Vanessa Bataller-Cervero, Elena Mainer-Pardos, Alberto Roso-Moliner, José Luis Arjol-Serrano, Demetrio Lozano
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12490310/pdf/JBS-42-4-55767.pdf
Summary: The aim of this study was to examine the worst-case scenarios (WCS) produced during the week in training sessions and compare them with the physical demands of the matches. A total of 194 training sessions and 42 matches were analysed during the 2020/2021 season in the Second Spanish Football League. Data were collected using Global Positioning System devices. Players were grouped according to their playing positions into central defenders, wide players, midfielders (MID), and forwards. The variables analysed were distance, HSR distance, sprint distance, high acceleration, high deceleration, and high metabolic load distance. The most demanding passages were analysed in 1-minute periods using the rolling average method. The most significant differences were found in the HSR distance (p < 0.001; ƞp2 = 0.854), sprint distance (p < 0.001; ƞp2 = 0.882) and high metabolic load distance (p < 0.001; ƞp2 = 0.899) variables on the day furthest from the match day. No significant differences were found in the data analysed for MID in any training session of the week compared with the match, nor in the variables of high acceleration and high deceleration. Knowledge about the worst-case scenario during a competitive microcycle can help understand the physical level and individual requirements that our players need to perform at a high level on the match day, as well as preventing possible injuries or fatigue.

12 From load monitoring to training decisions: a practical approach using drop jump metrics in semi-professional soccer

Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Oct 17;17(1):301. doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01356-3.
Authors: A Sierra-Casas, J A Rodríguez-Marroyo, D Castillo, J Gutiérrez-Arroyo, A Rodríguez-Fernández
Download link: https://bmcsportsscimedrehabil.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s13102-025-01356-3.pdf
Summary: Soccer performance involves frequent high-intensity efforts and often insufficient recovery, making neuromuscular fatigue a critical factor in player monitoring. The drop jump (DJ) test, particularly the reactive strength index (RSI), has gained attention as a practical tool for assessing neuromuscular readiness. This study examined the relationship between accumulated external training load and neuromuscular status, assessed via DJ-derived metrics, in semi-professional soccer players. Nineteen semi-professional outfield players (20.7 ± 1.4 years) were monitored over a 30-week competitive season, including 144 training sessions and 30 official matches. External load was tracked using 10 Hz Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. Neuromuscular performance was assessed weekly via the DJ test, measuring RSI, contact time (CT), and jump height (JH) with Optojump. Repeated-measures ANOVA evaluated longitudinal changes, and individual correlations were calculated across acute (7-day), chronic (28-day), and acute: chronic workload ratio periods. External load metrics varied significantly across microcycles, whereas DJ performance metrics remained stable at the group level. However, individual-level analyses revealed significant associations between external load and DJ-derived metrics (particularly between accelerations, decelerations, and high metabolic load distance with CT and JH) in both acute and chronic windows. Neuromuscular responses to external training load appear highly individual among semi-professional soccer players. RSI and its components (CT and JH) should be interpreted separately to enhance decision-making regarding training and recovery. A multi-metric, individualized monitoring approach is recommended to optimize performance and reduce injury risk.

13 Stronger hearts, weaker leaps? The cardiac power paradox in elite soccer

Reference: Eur J Appl Physiol. 2025 Oct 18. doi: 10.1007/s00421-025-06026-3. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Zacharias Papadakis, Nikolaos Koutlianos, Vassilios Panoutsakopoulos, Evangelia Kouidi
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00421-025-06026-3.pdf
Summary: While elite soccer cultivates concurrent cardiovascular and neuromuscular adaptations, the functional interplay between exercise-induced left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and explosive power remains underexplored. The purpose of the study was to determine if left ventricular mass index (LVMI), a primary marker of cardiac adaptation, is associated with explosive power assessed via a repetitive vertical jump test (RVJT). Nineteen elite male soccer players underwent 2D echocardiography for LVMI and a 15-repetition RVJT on a force plate for maximum jump height (hMAX). The relationship was tested using hierarchical regression (controlling for body mass and experience), Bayesian analysis, and group comparisons based on the clinical LVH threshold (≥ 115 g/m2). An inverse LVMI-hMAX relationship was observed (r = – 0.53, p = 0.02). In the adjusted model, LVMI showed B = – 0.00123 m per g·m⁻2 (SE 0.00046; 95% CI [- 0.00220 to – 0.00026]; standardized β = – 0.63; p = 0.02); after Benjamini-Hochberg correction across five RVJT outcomes, q = 0.10. Athletes with high LVMI exhibited 17% lower hMAX than their normal-LVMI counterparts (0.29 ± 0.04 vs. 0.35 ± 0.04 m; p = 0.003, Hedges‘ g = – 1.51), with moderate Bayesian support (BF10 = 3.47). Other RVJT parameters were unaffected. The findings are preliminary and hypothesis generating, consistent with a potential trade-off between cardiac remodeling and maximal explosive performance in elite male soccer. Greater cardiac mass is associated with attenuated explosive power capacity, a functional „cardio-neuromuscular paradox.“ The RVJT may serve as a practical tool to monitor this systemic balance and inform training adjustments to preserve power in athletes with pronounced cardiac remodeling.

14 Effects of a loaded change of direction training program on physical performance in U-19 elite soccer players

Reference: PLoS One. 2025 Oct 17;20(10):e0335148. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0335148. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Víctor Martín, Mehdi Ben Brahim, Ariadna Hernaiz-Sánchez, Hussain Yassin, Alejandro Sal-de-Rellán
Download link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0335148
Summary: Changes of direction are one of the most repeated actions during football matches, which is why the inclusion of these actions in the training of the football player must be a fundamental aspect. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of 6-week a loaded change of direction (COD) movements training on speed, jump, COD speed, and repeated sprint ability (RSA) in soccer players. Twenty-eight male soccer players (age: 19.12 ± 0.75 years; height: 1.75 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 72.78 ± 4.87 kg; systematic practice: 8.62 ± 1.33 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG, n = 14) or a control group (CG, n = 14). The research was conducted during a training camp. During the intervention period, the EG performed two weekly sessions of loaded change of direction training, while the CG performed FIFA 11 prevention program. EG significantly improved the performance of 5-m, CMJ, SJ, Illinois and the percentage of decrement (%Dec and %Dec-COD). However, CG only showed significant improvements in CMJ and SJ. Between-groups analysis revealed differences in favor of the EG in 5-m, CMJ, SJ. The main results show that the effect of loaded COD movements training using a weighted vest on the physical performance of soccer players is significantly greater compared to the FIFA 11 prevention program. This study shows that including an additional load in COD exercises is a good method to increase performance on key variables for soccer players.

15 Active and sham transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) plus core stability on the knee kinematic and performance of the lower limb of the soccer players with dynamic knee valgus; two armed randomized clinical trial

Reference: AIMS Neurosci. 2025 Jul 21;12(3):312-331. doi: 10.3934/Neuroscience.2025017. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Hadi Mohammadi Nia Samakosh, Maedeh Maktoubian, Seyyed Pedram Rouhani Doost, Rafael Oliveira, Georgian Badicu, Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna, Mahdieh Hassanzadeh, Peyman Amadekhiar, Reza Rezaeain Vaskasi
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12521934/pdf/neurosci-12-03-017.pdf
Summary: Dynamic knee valgus (DKV) is a prevalent risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in soccer players, particularly during noncontact mechanisms. Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) and core stability exercises have shown promise in enhancing motor control and biomechanical alignment, but their combined effects on DKV remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of active versus sham tDCS combined with core stability exercises on knee kinematic alignment and lower limb performance in young male soccer players with DKV. In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 42 male soccer players (aged 18-25 years) with DKV were randomly assigned to either an active tDCS group (n = 21) or a sham tDCS group (n = 21). Both groups underwent 8 weeks of core stability exercises (3 sessions/week, 30 minutes/session) preceded by 15 minutes of active (2 mA) or sham tDCS targeting the primary motor cortex (M1). The primary outcome was the frontal plane projection angle (FPPA) during a single-leg landing task, measured using 2D video analysis. Secondary outcomes included vertical jump height and 8-hop test time. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. A 2 × 2 mixed-model ANOVA with Bonferroni-corrected post hoc tests was used for statistical analysis via SPSS27. The active tDCS group showed significantly greater improvements in FPPA (+5.65% vs. +2.26%, p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.82), vertical jump height (+25.30% vs. +10.45%, p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.75), and 8-hop test time (-21.05% vs. -14.27%, p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.68) compared to the sham group. Both groups improved from baseline, but the active tDCS group exhibited larger effect sizes across all outcomes. Active tDCS combined with core stability exercises significantly enhanced knee kinematic alignment and lower limb performance in soccer players with DKV compared to sham tDCS. These findings suggest that neuromodulation, when paired with targeted exercise, is a promising strategy for injury prevention and performance enhancement in athletes. Further research is needed to explore long-term effects and applicability to diverse populations.

16 Does Anterior Oblique Sling Training Reduce Groin Pain and Enhance Hip Mobility, Adductor Strength, and Performance in Soccer Players with Groin Strain?

Reference: Anesth Pain Med. 2025 Jul 19;15(4):e162623. doi: 10.5812/aapm-162623. eCollection 2025 Aug 31.
Authors: Fatemeh Ahmadi, Hooman Minoonejad, Seyed Hamed Mousavi, Arash Khaledi
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12523628/pdf/aapm-15-4-162623.pdf
Summary: Groin strains are common in soccer and often lead to prolonged recovery and high recurrence. Traditional rehabilitation may overlook the role of integrated trunk-limb coordination, which is essential in multidirectional sports. The anterior oblique sling (AOS) system, involving the obliques, adductors, and abdominal fascia, is key in dynamic stability and force transfer. Evaluate the effects of AOS training on pain, hip mobility, adductor strength, and performance in soccer players with groin strain. In this quasi-experimental study, 30 male semi-professional footballers (18 – 30 years, with ≥ 5 years‘ experience and confirmed groin strain) were allocated to either an 8-week supervised AOS training program (3x/week, 40 – 60 min/session; n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). Outcomes assessed pre- and post-intervention included pain [Visual Analog Scale (VAS)], hip mobility, isometric adductor strength (dynamometer), and change-of-direction and acceleration test (CODAT). The data were analyzed via repeated-measures ANOVA and nonparametric tests. The AOS group experienced a 35.6% reduction in pain (VAS: 4.66 ± 0.61 to 3.00 ± 0.92; P = 0.001), unlike the control group. Hip mobility significantly improved in the AOS group (abduction: +4.47°, flexion: +8.87°, extension: +2.54°, internal rotation: +5.73°, external rotation: +3.93°; all P ≤ 0.04, η2 = 0.14 – 0.36), with no similar gains in the control group. Adductor strength increased by 19.8% in the AOS group (P = 0.001, η2 = 0.32) compared to 4.6% in the control group (P = 0.17). Performance improved by 8.0% in the AOS group (CODAT time: 7.03 ± 0.46 to 6.47 ± 0.41 s; P = 0.001, η2 = 0.51), with no change in the control group. The AOS training effectively reduces groin pain and enhances functional outcomes in soccer players. It offers a promising, chain-based rehabilitation approach for dynamic sports.

17 Effects of plyometric jump training on physical performance in female soccer players across the competitive level: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Reference: Front Physiol. 2025 Oct 1:16:1675849. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1675849. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Jordan Hernandez-Martinez, Bayron Coñapi-Union, Sebastian Canales-Canales, Joaquin Perez-Carcamo, Javier Sanchez-Sanchez, Mario Sánchez, Izham Cid-Calfucura, Edgar Vasquez-Carrasco, Tomás Herrera-Valenzuela, Braulio Henrique Magnani Branco, Pablo Valdés-Badilla
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12521099/pdf/fphys-16-1675849.pdf
Summary: This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to update the analysis of the available body of peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) articles on the effect of plyometric jump training (PJT) on physical performance in female soccer players according to competitive level. Six databases (PubMed, Medline, Collection of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences, CINAHL Complete, Scopus and Web of Science) were searched. The PRISMA, TESTEX, RoB 2, and GRADE instruments were utilized to assess methodological quality and certainty of evidence. Effect sizes (Hedge’s g) for physical performance variables were calculated using both fixed and random-effects models. Subgroup analysis were conducted based on competitive level (amateur/professional), program duration, training frequency, and total number of sessions. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (code: CRD42025634705). Fourteen RCTs were included, with 149 participants in 15 experimental groups and 139 in 14 control groups. Several meta-analysis were conducted, revealing significant improvements in countermovement jump (p = 0.07; ES = 0.59), squat jump (p = 0.00; ES = 0.76), drop jump (p = 0.01; ES = 1.65), maximum jump power (p = 0.00, ES = 0.85), Illinois test (p = 0.00, ES = 1.15), 20-m shuttle run test (p = 0.13, ES = 1.12), and ball kicking (p = 0.00; ES = 1.30). Subgroup studies revealed that PJT was more effective in professional soccer players than in amateur players (p = 0.03, ES = 0.54). Interventions with fewer than 16 sessions (p = 0.003, ES = 0.52), more than 6 weeks in duration (p = 0.05, ES = 1.42), and fewer than 2 sessions per week (p = 0.005, ES = 0.50) resulted in a significant improvement in countermovement jump. In conclusion, PJT significantly improved jump height, agility, speed lineal and kicking power tests in female soccer players.

18 Concussions analysis in 2022-2024 CONMEBOL soccer tournaments

Reference: Front Neurol. 2025 Sep 30:16:1645543. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1645543. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Osvaldo Pangrazio, Francisco Forriol, Alex S Aguirre, Tina Bastin, Alcy R Torres
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12518064/pdf/fneur-16-1645543.pdf
Summary: Sports-related concussions (SRC) are a pressing global health concern. However, countries in the Global South often lack standardized diagnostic criteria, and limited medical resources lead to inconsistent SRC detection. Our study presents a culturally adapted concussion detection protocol implemented by the region’s governing soccer federation, CONMEBOL. The Concussion Fast Recognition Protocol (CFRP) was developed by adapting the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, the Standardized Assessment of Concussion, and incorporating community-level input to ensure cultural relevance. The protocol was written in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. On-field medical teams completed the CFRP after each CONMEBOL match (N = 156) from 2022 to 2024, regardless of whether an SRC occurred. Players included in the study (N = 5,928) ranged in age from 15-44 years. A total of 27 concussions were identified, all of which were immediately removed from play. Most concussions (37.04%) occurred during the 21-45-min period, and 59.26% involved away-team athletes. The incidence rate per 1,000 player-hours was 2.61. Game temperatures ranged from 7 °C to 36 °C, and the maximum altitude reached 4,150 meters. The distance covered by players ranged from 550 to 6,100 meters. Incidence rates per 1,000 player-hours were calculated. This first large-scale, prospective SRC study in South American soccer demonstrates effective implementation of a regional protocol and identifies context-related trends in SRC risk. The findings underscore the importance of a culturally appropriate protocol and contribute novel data to global concussion literature.

19 Injury Risk Reduction Strategies in Professional Football (Soccer): What Is the Evidence?

Reference: Curr Sports Med Rep. 2025 Oct 1;24(10):317-329. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000001290.
Authors: Morteza Khodaee, Matthew Tuttle, Sabiha Gati, David Webner, Cindy J Chang, Tyler Collings, Ricard Pruna, Matthew Buckthorpe, Eduardo Mauri, Jack Spittler
Download link: https://journals.lww.com/acsm-csmr/fulltext/2025/10000/injury_risk_reduction_strategies_in_professional.5.aspx
Summary: Football (soccer) is the most popular sport worldwide. A wide variety of injuries occur at different competitive levels. Some of these injuries are rare, but may have devastating consequences for players, such as anterior cruciate ligament rupture. On the other hand, there are more common injuries, such as mild muscle strains, that usually result in a short return-to-play period. There is a paucity of existing evidence supporting the use of specific preventative practices for certain injuries. The purpose of this review is to highlight current injury prevention measures that are used among professional football players and to review the level of evidence for each specific program. The resources available in professional football can lend itself to conduct high-level research to develop injury prevention programs.

20 Potential Concussion Events of a Leading Team in the Spanish Male Professional Soccer League: Incidence, Refereeing Actions, Medical Consequences and Return-to-Play

Reference: Sports Med Open. 2025 Oct 14;11(1):116. doi: 10.1186/s40798-025-00914-w.
Authors: Enrique Noé, Roberto Llorens, Blanca Melero, Myrtha O’Valle, María Dolores Navarro, Carolina Colomer, Belén Moliner, Joan Ferri
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12521720/pdf/40798_2025_Article_914.pdf
Summary: An increasing number of studies reveal that concussion rates in male soccer are comparable to other contact sports. Due to their possible negative effects on the neurological health, detecting potential concussion events (PCEs) during a match is essential to account for their medical consequences. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of the PCEs, as well as the refereeing and medical consequences, and the return-to-play time, of a leading male soccer team of the first division of the Spanish Professional Soccer League throughout a complete season. A total of 61 PCEs from direct head impacts were identified across the 38 matches played by Real Madrid CF-the 2019-2020 regular season champions and the only team with complete match records, reflecting an incidence of 48.6/1000 h. Most of the PCEs occurred due to „elbow-head“ mechanisms or during „aerial heading duels“, affecting parietal-occipital and frontonasal areas, with increased incidence in defenses, in the penalty areas, during minutes 45 to 60, and with a tie score. No sanction was given in 54.8% of the PCEs. Medical assistance was requested in only 32.2% of the cases, and only 29.0% of cases resulted in a substitution. The players returned to play after a mean of 9.5 (SD: 11.0) days from the event and 74.2% of the players returned to play in or less than 7 days. These results are consistent with previous studies in nearby countries and reveal a high incidence and high likelihood of repeated PCEs, with limited impact on refereeing decisions, minimal medical intervention, and short return-to-play periods. Given the potential neurological risks of concussions, greater awareness is needed among professionals, medical teams, the public, and authorities.