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 Trunk muscle morphology and lumbopelvic stability in adolescent soccer players with unilateral lumbar spondylolysis: a cross-sectional study

Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Nov 21;17(1):347. doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01387-w.
Authors: Toshiharu Tsutsui, Wataru Sakamaki, Suguru Torii
Download link: https://bmcsportsscimedrehabil.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s13102-025-01387-w.pdf
Summary: Lumbar spondylolysis (LS) is a common cause of low back injury in adolescent athletes; however, little is known about the relationship between trunk muscle morphology, lumbopelvic control, and LS. This study aimed to clarify trunk muscle morphology and clinical test characteristics in adolescent male soccer players with unilateral lumbar spondylolysis (uni-LS). In total, 19 of the 107 adolescent male soccer players were enrolled and categorized into a uni-LS group, based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and an age-, height-, and weight-matched control group. MRI-derived cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the L4/5 vertebrae were extracted, and the psoas major (PM), multifidus (MF), and erector spinae (ES) muscles were analyzed. Active straight leg raise (ASLR) and hip extension (HE) tests were performed, and lumbopelvic depression was evaluated. Two-way analysis of variance was applied to determine trunk muscle CSA differences between groups, and the two-sided Fisher’s exact test was employed to evaluate the association between uni-LS and clinical findings. A significant main effect [F (1,35) = 15.1, p < 0.001] and interaction effect [F (1,35) = 4.1, p = 0.047] were found in the PM, indicating a smaller PM on the LS side in the uni-LS group. A significant association was also observed between uni-LS and ASLR on the LS side, with 13 of 16 players (81.2%) showing positive ASLR corresponding to the uni-LS group (p = 0.003). A smaller PM and lumbopelvic depression during ASLR on the LS side characterize adolescent soccer players with uni-LS. These findings may provide useful information to help clinicians understand potential characteristics of uni-LS.

2 Improved Functional Movement Skills Reduce Drop Landing Injury Risk Movement Patterns in Male and Female Youth Soccer Players

Reference: Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2025 Nov 21:1-8. doi: 10.1123/pes.2025-0039. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Michael J Duncan, Jason Tallis, Lucas Guimaraes-Ferreira, Ricardo Martins, Matteo Crotti, William Pattison, Raouf Hammami, Mark Lyons
Summary: This study examined the relationship between Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) scores, a tool to assess anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk, in youth soccer players. Following institutional ethics approval and informed consent, 105 children (54 boys and 51 girls), 13-16 years of age (14.2 [1.1] y), took part. ACL injury risk was determined using the LESS and the FMS used to assess functional movement performance. Pearson product-moment relationships were significant between FMS and LESS for the whole sample and boys and girls separately (all P < .001). Backward linear multiple regression (P = .001, adjusted R2 = .584) explained 58% of the variance in LESS scores, with only FMS (P = .001) significantly contributing to the model. Chi-square analysis for the whole sample and for boys and girls separately (all P = .0001) indicated that children who were classed as „poor“ for the FMS were significantly more likely to be classified as poor for the LESS, and children classed as good for the FMS were significantly more likely to be classed as excellent for the LESS. This study provides evidence to support that functional movement skills may be important in reducing high-risk movement patterns associated with ACL injury in youth soccer.

3 Challenges and solutions to talent (de)selection and development in a youth soccer academy: the implementation of a multidisciplinary athlete profiling tool

Reference: Front Psychol. 2025 Nov 4:16:1636386. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1636386. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Sam Barraclough, Kevin Till, Adam Kerr, Stacey Emmonds
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12625675/pdf/fpsyg-16-1636386.pdf
Summary: Youth male soccer is more competitive than ever as clubs strive to recruit, develop, and produce future elite soccer players. Within youth soccer academies, it is important to recognise that, talent development (TD) and (de)selection are on-going and complex multidisciplinary processes with several challenges. Part 1 of this paper presents three real-world practical challenges including: (1) the ability to differentiate between performance and potential, (2) understanding and alignment to develop talented players, and (3) decision-making processes and (de)selection of players. The paper then presents a possible solution to these challenges demonstrated through the application of a multidisciplinary profiling tool created and utilised within a youth male soccer academy in the UK (Part 2). Finally, Part 3 of the paper identifies the applied challenges associated with implementing such a tool within a TD environment and provides possible solutions for effective implementation. The creation and implementation of the multidisciplinary athlete profiling tool can facilitate TD, and support (de)selection decisions. The solutions provided may serve as principles that can be flexibly implemented across a variety of sports and environments to augment TD and (de)selection processes.

4 Analysing the influence of numerical imbalance on individual tactical behaviour in soccer ball possession across different age categories

Reference: J Sports Sci. 2025 Nov 19:1-12. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2025.2592000. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Nuno André Nunes, Martin Corsie, Gibson Moreira Praça, Jack Hancock, Bruno Travassos
Summary: This study explored the impact of unbalanced ball possession small-sided games (SSGs) on individual tactical actions within three age groups: Under-11 (U11), Under-15 (U15), and Under-23 (U23). A total of 52 academy-level soccer players participated in 4v2, 4v4, and 4v6 SSGs aimed at maintaining ball possession. The analysis, conducted from both opposition-based (4vX) and cooperation-based (4v2+X) perspectives, utilised the Kruskal-Wallis and Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner tests to evaluate the effects on individual tactical actions such as Blocking, Tackling, Intercepting, Passing, Receiving, and Dribbling. Results indicated that older players (U23) demonstrated a higher proficiency in passing and receiving in numerically superior scenarios, showcasing their advanced tactical understanding. In contrast, younger players (U11 and U15) displayed greater variability, particularly in dribbling and tackling, reflecting their developmental stages. The findings suggest that numerical superiority enhances the frequency and quality of individual tactical actions across all groups, underscoring the need for age-specific and numerically balanced training to optimise player development. This research supports the implementation of tailored training regimes that align with players‘ developmental stages, using unbalanced SSGs to refine specific individual tactical skills and simulate real-match conditions, to develop decision-making and overall team performance.

5 Identifying Relevant Countermovement-Jump Parameters for Academy Soccer Players

Reference: Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2025 Nov 17:1-12. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2025-0320. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Carlos Suarez-Balsera, Pedro Figueiredo, Chris Bishop, Vincenzo Rago
Summary: This study aimed to determine the reliability and relevance of key countermovement-jump parameters in academy soccer players. Twenty-nine bilateral countermovement jump force-time variables were collected using dual force plates from 63 academy soccer players. Two analyses were performed: (1) test-retest reliability was assessed in a convenience sample of 20 players across 2 sessions separated by 7 days, and (2) principal-component analysis was conducted in 47 players using their most representative seasonal trial to reduce data dimensionality. Most outcome-based variables demonstrated acceptable reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥ .81, coefficient of variation [CV] ≤ 13.7%). Nine out of 11 time-based variables showed acceptable reliability (ICC ≥ .67, CV ≤ 12.9%). All asymmetry-based variables showed unacceptable reliability (ICC ≥ .11, CV ≤ 66.4%), while symmetry-based variables generally displayed excellent reliability (ICC ≥ .90, CV ≤ 11.8%). The principal-component analysis revealed 3 principal components within outcome (force and power production during concentric and eccentric phases) and time-based (temporal ratios, concentric duration, and landing characteristics) variables, whereas 2 principal components were revealed for asymmetry- or symmetry-based variables (related to eccentric, concentric, and landing phases). These explained 83.1%, 76.1%, and 81.9% of the total variance for outcome-, time-, and asymmetry- or symmetry-based variables, respectively. Practitioners involved with bilateral countermovement jump testing in academy soccer players can rely on the selected parameters presented in our study. Symmetry parameters could be preferred over asymmetry parameters, due to their superior reliability.

6 Recreational Soccer Enhances Physical Fitness and Cognition Measures in Untrained Female Adolescents: Results of a Single-Site Randomized Trial

Reference: Am J Lifestyle Med. 2025 Nov 11:15598276251396432. doi: 10.1177/15598276251396432. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Amri Hammami, Sofien Kasmi, Narimen Yousfi, Peter Krustrup, Ezdine Bouhlel, Helmi Ben Saad, Karim Chamari
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12611722/pdf/10.1177_15598276251396432.pdf
Summary: Recreational soccer is a practical and engaging strategy to improve health-related fitness, cognitive function, and overall lifestyle in adolescents. This study evaluated the effects of soccer training on selective attention and physical performance in untrained female adolescents. Thirty-two participants were assigned to either a soccer intervention group (n = 16; Age 12.69 ± 0.27 years; Weight 48.65 ± 10.11 kg; Height 1.60 ± 0.04 m; Years from Peak Height Velocity [Y-PHV] 0.52 ± 0.41) or a control group continuing regular physical education (n = 16; Age 12.93 ± 0.11 years; Weight 51.06 ± 11.48 kg; Height 1.60 ± 0.05 m; Y-PHV 0.75 ± 0.37). Pre- and post-intervention assessments included physical fitness tests (medicine ball throw, countermovement jump, sprint, balance) and selective attention using the d2 attention test. The soccer group improved all physical measures: medicine ball throw (+22.8%, Cohen’s d = 0.80), countermovement jump (+18.7%, Cohen’s d = 1.33), sprint performance (-10.3%, Cohen’s d = 1.72), and balance (+43.0%, Cohen’s d = 1.37). Both groups improved concentration, with a larger effect in the soccer group (F = 16.96, Cohen’s d = 1.24), and total errors decreased significantly (F = 21.06, Cohen’s d = 0.52). Recreational soccer in school programs appears to be an effective intervention to enhance physical fitness and cognitive function in adolescent females who are not engaged in regular physical activity.

7 Assessment of the Risk of Orthorexia Nervosa and Attitudes Towards Their Own Bodies among Amateur and Professional Soccer Players

Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2025 May 26:99:275-290. doi: 10.5114/jhk/201971. eCollection 2025 Oct.
Authors: Wiktoria Staśkiewicz-Bartecka, Grzegorz Zydek, Małgorzata Magdalena Michalczyk, Wojciech Mroszczyk, Marek Kardas
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12612830/pdf/JHK-99-201971.pdf
Summary: Orthorexia Nervosa, although not recognized as an official mental disorder, is a behavior characterized by a pathological focus on healthy eating. The purpose of the study was to assess the risk of Orthorexia Nervosa and attitudes toward one’s own body among amateur and professional soccer players. The survey was administered among 137 male soccer players, both amateur and professional, from different Polish leagues. A mixed method survey (direct and electronic) was applied, using the Düsseldorfer Orthorexia Scale and the Body Esteem Scale to assess Orthorexia Nervosa risk and attitudes towards one’s own body. The survey was administered between February and April 2024. The results showed that professional soccer players had higher satisfaction with their bodies compared to amateurs. Approximately 27% of the participants were at risk of Orthorexia Nervosa, regardless of their sports level. The analysis showed a weak but statistically significant correlation between the risk of Orthorexia Nervosa and scores on the upper body strength subscale. The results suggest that professional athletes may have a better relationship with their bodies, which may result from a more systematic and conscious approach to training and diet. At the same time, it is confirmed that Orthorexia Nervosa is present among soccer players. The study underscores the need for awareness of the risk of Orthorexia Nervosa among soccer players and points to the importance of support at both the amateur and professional levels.

8 Effects of Urolithin A supplementation on performance and antioxidant status in academy soccer players during preseason: a pilot randomised controlled trial

Reference: Front Nutr. 2025 Oct 30:12:1674446. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1674446. eCollection 2025.
Authors: Andrea Monsalve Acevedo, Colin Sanctuary, Robert John Aitken, Alex Wilkins, Natasha Harrison, Mitchell Naughton
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12611738/pdf/fnut-12-1674446.pdf
Summary: Polyphenol-derived compounds, such as Urolithin A (UA), may exert beneficial effects to performance adaptations during periods of high training stress through several pathways including a reduction in an oxidative stress and improved mitochondrial function. At present, the benefits of UA supplementation have been observed predominantly in clinical and preclinical models. This pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of UA supplementation on performance outcomes, antioxidant status, and intervention feasibility and acceptability during a six-week preseason period in academy soccer players. Twenty male academy soccer players (age: 17.5 ± 1.0 years) were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive 1,000 mg/day of UA or an isocaloric taste-matched placebo which was given post-training over the course of a six-week training intervention in a single-blinded, parallel-group design. The intervention was delivered alongside the team’s preseason training from November to December 2024. Primary outcome was aerobic endurance (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1), with secondary outcomes including lower-limb strength and power metrics (Countermovement Jump), maximal sprinting speed, and salivary antioxidant capacity using the RoXsta™ System. Each of the primary and secondary outcomes were assessed pre and post the intervention. Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention along with dietary intake was assessed via individual questionnaire, pre and post intervention, while subjective stress-recovery status was assessed via questionnaire administered weekly over the duration of the intervention. Primary and secondary data were analysed using linear mixed effects models, with group (UA/placebo) × time (pre/post) interactions interpreted using estimated marginal means. UA supplementation led to significantly greater improvements in Yo-Yo IRT1 performance compared to placebo (Δ = +239 m, 95% CI [20, 454 m], p = 0.048). For secondary outcomes, countermovement jump height also improved in the UA group relative to placebo (Δ = +3.33 cm, [0.88, 5.95 cm], p = 0.020). No group x time differences were observed in sprint speed, jump power, impulse, or eccentric duration, or saliva antioxidant assays. Antioxidant activity declined significantly over time in the placebo group but did not so in the UA group. Feasibility and acceptability questionnaire responses indicated the intervention as it was delivered was rated with high feasibility and acceptability. Six weeks of UA supplementation during preseason improved aerobic endurance and some measures of jump performance in elite academy soccer players, while preserving aspects of antioxidant status. Confidence limits on the primary and secondary findings were broad. These findings potentially support UA as a feasible and well-tolerated intervention in athletic populations, warranting further research in larger and well powered confirmatory trials 

9 Detection of violence in football sport based on deep learning and optimization algorithm

Reference: Sci Rep. 2025 Nov 19;15(1):40749. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-24469-8.
Authors: Ya Dong Li, Yong Po Zhang
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12630860/pdf/41598_2025_Article_24469.pdf
Summary: Among the various sports activities that are carried out all over the world, football is undoubtedly the most popular, most participated in and most watched activity and sport. The increasing spread of sports has caused it to break down geographical, racial, ethnic, political and ideological boundaries. Social and cultural analysts have conducted research on various customs, rituals, values and social patterns prevalent in football in recent decades. Among the important issues that have attracted the attention of scholars, especially in the last two decades, is the study of violent events and incidents related to football. This paper introduces a real-time violence detection system that uses deep learning techniques, including convolutional neural networks and long short-term memory (LSTM) for extracting spatial features and understanding temporal relationships. The proposed model was then optimized by a modified version of shuffled shepherd optimizer (MSSO) to provide better efficiency by optimal selection of network hyperparameters. The model is then compared with earlier studies to show its superiority to be the most efficient in violence detection.

10 Footwork recognition and trajectory tracking of football goalie using Multi-Sensor technology

Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Nov 19;17(1):344. doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01385-y.
Authors: Guoxi Ye, Lin Liang
Summary: In football penalty kicks, due to limited reaction speed and time requirements of the task, the goalkeeper must predict the direction of the ball’s flight before the opponent’s football touches. This article mainly focuses on the action recognition and tracking of penalty kick technology for football players on the football field. A system that integrates multiple sensors to solve the high requirements, privacy violations, and expensive equipment costs of scenarios and testing environments is proposed based on video image technology. The system collects 1,440 penalty action data from 24 subjects at the 11 m standard penalty spot using a 12 channel IMU embedded in the insole, and establishes a gait dataset. The trajectory analysis section extracts 30 segments from the competition video and manually marks 100 real motion trajectories for verification. The algorithm takes complementary filtering to fuse acceleration and angular velocity, combined with dual-mode convolutional neural network to achieve gait recognition, and completes trajectory tracking with Kalman filter as the core. The experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm achieved an area under the target tracking curve (AUC) of 91.15% in normal scenarios. In the case where members of the same team block the target, the maximum AUC was 67.73%, which was higher than that of comparative algorithms such as Multiple Instance Learning, Online AdaBoost, and Kernel Correlation Filter. This indicates that the proposed method is more accurate in target tracking than pure visual or single sensor schemes and has good robustness. In addition, the error between the estimated distance and the actual distance did not exceed 6%. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system breaks through the limitations of traditional video analysis in field and privacy, which can provide reliable data support for predicting penalty direction and optimizing actions in goalkeeper training.

11 Effects of Simulated Short-Haul Flights on Sport-Specific Performance, Sleep, and Psychophysiological Responses in Football Players

Reference: Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2025 Nov;35(11):e70169. doi: 10.1111/sms.70169.
Authors: Dimitris C Stergiopoulos, Petros G Botonis, Panagiotis G Miliotis, Athanasios X Zavvos, Spiridoula D Ntalapera, Georgios L Papaleontiou, Giannis A Pilatis, Evangelia K Soukara, Nickos D Geladas
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12624380/pdf/SMS-35-e70169.pdf
Summary: The effects of two short-haul air travel (SHAT) of different durations on sport-specific performance, sleep, and psychophysiological indices in highly trained football players were examined. Nineteen participants completed, in a randomized order, two simulated SHAT, 1 week apart, each lasting 4 h and 2 h, followed by a control condition (CON). Generic (10-m sprint, repeated sprint ability; RSA, countermovement jump; CMJ), sport-specific performance (Hoff Test, Loughborough Soccer Passing Test; LSPT), and psychophysiological responses (sleep, heart rate variability [HRV], salivary cortisol and immunoglobulin-A [sIgA], and perceptual recovery) were evaluated before (Baseline) and after each condition. Compared to Baseline, RSA and 10-m sprint declined by 3.5% and 6%, respectively, on the day after travel (D + 1) (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01). Likewise, CMJ and total distance covered during the Hoff test decreased by 5.5% at D + 1 (p < 0.001). LSPT performance decreased only after the 4 h flight (p < 0.05). Total sleep time was reduced the night before SHAT (p < 0.001) compared to Baseline. sIgA was reduced on the day of the travel (DT) and D + 1 after both SHAT, while HRV was decreased at DT only after the 4 h SHAT (p < 0.05). Mood states remained unaffected by travel, regardless of duration. We currently suggest that short-haul air travel, whether 4 or 2 h, induces psychophysiological perturbations and performance deterioration, likely due to the travel restrictive conditions and the inadequate sleep obtained the night before the flight. Since both flights were conducted early in the morning, more research is warranted to investigate the role of departure time on football performance.

12 SHAP-based interpretable machine learning for injury risk prediction in university football players: a multi-dimensional data analysis approach

Reference: Sci Rep. 2025 Nov 17;15(1):40252. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-24144-y.
Authors: Jiacheng Ma, Shengrui Liu, Yuting Pei
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12624042/pdf/41598_2025_Article_24144.pdf
Summary: Sports injury prediction is crucial for university football player health, yet existing research predominantly focuses on professional athletes and lacks interpretability. Using the Kaggle „University Football Injury Prediction Dataset“ (800 Chinese university players), we constructed a comprehensive 18-feature evaluation system across four dimensions: basic information, training factors, physical fitness, and lifestyle habits. We systematically compared 10 machine learning algorithms. The Support Vector Machine achieved optimal performance (95.6% accuracy, 95.7% F1-score, 99.2% ROC-AUC). SHAP interpretability analysis identified stress level (importance: 0.10), sleep duration (0.09), and balance ability (0.08) as key injury risk factors, with psychological stress showing positive correlation and adequate sleep/balance showing protective effects. Notably, lifestyle factors outweighed traditional physical fitness indicators in importance. Despite promising results, this study’s single-dataset design and lack of external validation limit generalizability. Prospective validation is essential before clinical deployment. This work demonstrates the feasibility of interpretable injury risk prediction for university athletes, providing a foundation for evidence-based prevention strategies.

13 Epidemiology of Injuries Treated Among Male Youth Football Players During the 2021 Top Cup in Cameroon

Reference: Cureus. 2025 Oct 15;17(10):e94644. doi: 10.7759/cureus.94644. eCollection 2025 Oct.
Authors: Maurice Douryang, Leonard Tanko Tankeng, Hyacinte Trésor Ghassi, Kelly Jane Tsafack Nanfosso, Ayrton Moiroux-Sahraoui, Florian Forelli
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12617378/pdf/cureus-0017-00000094644.pdf
Summary: The aim was to investigate the epidemiological profile of injuries sustained during the 2021 Top Cup in Dschang, Cameroon, in order to inform prevention strategies and rehabilitation measures. In this retrospective epidemiological study, we recorded the daily number of injury occurrences among male youth football athletes based on the medical staff reports from the 2021 Top Cup held in Dschang, Cameroon. A total of 128 male players were expected to participate in the tournament; however, only 117 players were present and sustained at least one injury. The mean age of the players was 11.9 ± 1.9 years. Most participants were enrolled in secondary school (93.16%). The overall injury incidence was 279.4 injuries per 1,000 player-hours (95% CI: 229.2-330.6). Muscle contusions were the most frequent injury type, accounting for 78 (66.7%) cases, followed by lacerations, 28 (23.9%). Muscle/tendon injuries represented 85 (72.6%) of all injuries. Most injuries were minor, 112 (95.7%), and the majority resulted from contact, 103 (88.0%). The lower limb was the most affected region, 82 (70.1%), particularly the knee, foot/ankle, and leg. Treatment was predominantly conservative, with only one case requiring surgery for a tibial fracture. This study highlights a high incidence of football-related injuries among male players during a youth tournament, with most injuries being minor, contact-related, and affecting the lower limbs. Muscle contusions were the predominant injury type. These findings underscore the need for targeted injury prevention strategies, improved playing conditions, and access to medical supervision in youth sports settings to enhance player safety and support early rehabilitation.

14 Core stability training to optimize physical performance in soccer: Scoping review on intervention protocols

Reference: J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2025 Dec:45:418-430. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.08.007. Epub 2025 Aug 20.
Authors: Sebastián Rodríguez, Edgar Debray Hernández-Álvarez, Catalina León-Prieto
Download link: https://www.bodyworkmovementtherapies.com/action/showPdf?pii=S1360-8592%2825%2900309-2
Summary: The aim was toIdentify, analyze and synthesize core stability training protocols used in soccer players. Scoping review conducted according to Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and reported according to the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Bireme was conducted from database inception through November 15, 2024, employing a strategy designed to identify studies that will employ core stability training in soccer players. Two reviewers conducted article screening on the Rayyan platform in two phases: review of titles and abstracts, and full-text evaluation. Data extraction followed an independent, blinded approach, and the results were synthesized in a descriptive way. Of 2965 articles identified, 42 studies were selected after a rigorous screening process. These included 19 randomized clinical trials (45.23 %), 19 nonrandomized trials (45.23 %), three case series (7.14 %) and one randomized crossover trial (2.38 %). The studies involved 1233 soccer players aged 9-30 years. Six studies were published in Q1 journals, four in Q2, one in Q3, five in Q4, and 25 in non-indexed or de-indexed journals. The training protocols included static, dynamic and combined exercises, with durations of 3-12 weeks and frequencies of 2-5 sessions per week. This review is pioneering in synthesizing core stability programs in soccer players, highlighting the predominance of clinical trials and providing a solid background for future systematic reviews and meta-analyses, facilitating future understanding of the effects of core stability training in soccer players.

15 Case report: L3 Entrapped vertebra syndrome as a rare cause of low back pain in a semi-professional female soccer player

Reference: J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2025 Dec:45:250-254. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.08.029. Epub 2025 Aug 29.
Authors: Sebastián Rodríguez, Nathaly Andrea Mayorga-Pardo, Catalina León-Prieto
Summary: Entrapped Vertebra Syndrome is a newly described, scarcely documented condition characterized by segmental restriction, facet dysfunction and neuromuscular involvement. We present the case of a 26-year-old semi-professional soccer player with chronic and disabling low back pain, exacerbated by sports activity. The clinical evaluation showed a positive lumbar extension test, unilateral pain at L3-L4 and alterations in core activation. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed anterior displacement of L3 without spondylolisthesis, facet hypertrophy, synovitis at L3-L4, thickening of the ligamentum flavum and edema in the L3 nerve root. Differential diagnosis was established with spondylolisthesis, disc protrusion and femoral nerve entrapment. A rehabilitation program based on central stability and motor control was implemented, achieving functional recovery without recurrence of pain. This case highlights the relevance of an accurate diagnostic approach and the role of therapeutic exercise periodization in the treatment of complex lumbar pathologies in athletes.

16 The efficacy of an eight-week core stability exercise program in suspended and stable conditions on the muscle activation and functional disability of amateur soccer players with non-specific chronic low back pain

Reference: J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2025 Dec:45:190-198. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.08.020. Epub 2025 Aug 27.
Authors: Mehdi Aslani, Farhad Ranjbarzadeh Yamchi, Esmaeil Mozafaripour
Summary: Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder in soccer players. Core stability exercises are suggested to be effective in alleviating LBP, but the most effective method remains unclear. This study aims to compare the effects of eight weeks of core stability exercises in unstable and stable conditions on trunk muscle activation and functional disability in soccer players with non-specific chronic LBP. Forty-five athletes with non-specific chronic LBP were randomly divided into three groups: unstable condition exercises, stable condition exercises, and a control group. Subjects in the intervention groups trained three times a week for 8 weeks. Electromyography activity of selected muscles and functional disability levels were assessed using athletes‘ disability assessment questionnaire. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA. After eight weeks of interventions, there was a significant difference in electromyography activity and functional disability among the three groups (p < 0.05). Exercises in unstable conditions showed superior results compared to stable exercises and the control group. Exercises performed under unstable conditions were more effective in improving muscle activity and functional disability in subjects with LBP compared to stable exercises and no intervention. Incorporating instability into exercise routines may be beneficial for managing LBP.

17 Effects of core stability training on physical performance in soccer players: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Reference: J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2025 Dec:45:1082-1100. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.10.026. Epub 2025 Oct 25.
Authors: Sebastián Rodríguez, Edgar Debray Hernández-Álvarez, Catalina León-Prieto
Download link: https://www.bodyworkmovementtherapies.com/action/showPdf?pii=S1360-8592%2825%2900421-8
Summary: Soccer players must maintain optimal levels of physical performance, and to achieve this goal, various training strategies are implemented. However, previous studies concerning the impact of core stability training on the physical performance of soccer players have yielded contradictory results. The aim was to determine the effects of core stability training on the physical performance of soccer players. Systematic search of controlled trials until November 2024 in PubMed, Bireme, Scopus and WOS, following the guidelines of the Cochrane handbook and the PRISMA checklist. Two reviewers independently selected studies, with disagreement resolution by a third. The ROB2 tool was used to assess risk of bias, and publication bias was addressed using funnel plots and Egger regression. On the other hand, quality was assessed with checklists (SIGN/CONSORT). Data were analyzed in RevMan-Web using fixed effects meta-analysis, assessing heterogeneity with I2, Chi2 and Galbraith plots. Finally, the certainty of the evidence was determined with the GRADE approach. From 2984 records, 37 studies with 1174 soccer players (9-30 years) were selected. Core stability training improved vertical jump by 1.66 cm (95 % CI: 0.53, 2.79), and also improved agility tests such as the t-drill (-0.71 s [95 % CI: -1.27, -0.14]) and Illinois (-0.56 s [95 % CI: -1.05, -0.06]). No significant improvements were observed in the 30-m sprint (-0.04 s [95 % CI: -0.14, 0.06]) or 20-m sprint (-0.05 s [95 % CI: -0.11, 0.01]).

18 Associations Between Lower-Body Fast Maximal Dynamic and Reactive Strength Tests With Acceleration Performance in Semi-Professional Male Soccer Players

Reference: Eur J Sport Sci. 2025 Dec;25(12):e70056. doi: 10.1002/ejsc.70056.
Authors: Jorge Rubio-Lopez, Víctor Paredes-Hernández, Javier Sánchez-Sánchez, Carlos Balsalobre-Fernández
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12661903/pdf/EJSC-25-e70056.pdf
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations of fast maximal dynamic strength (MDS) and reactive strength capacity with physical match performance. Seventeen male semi-professional soccer players (age = 20.2 ± 1.3 years) performed the countermovement jump (CMJ), drop jump and a modified version of the single-leg triple crossover hop (COav) tests during the season to measure their fast MDS and reactive strength capacities. Strength capacities were compared with the physical match performance measured through Global Positioning System (GPS) in official matches ± 14 days after the test day. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. CMJ significantly predicted the relative number of high-intensity accelerations >4 m/s-2 (ACC>4) (R2 = 42.9%; p < 0.01) and maximum acceleration (ACCmax) (R2 = 30.6%; p < 0.05). The transformed modified reactive strength index (log10 (mRSI)) also significantly predicted ACC>4 (R2 = 37.1%; p < 0.01) and ACCmax (R2 = 26.3%; p < 0.05). COav significantly predicted the worst-case scenario for player load (WCSPL) (R2 = 27.0%; p < 0.05). The present results suggest that different lower-body strength capacities are associated with acceleration match performance.

19 Agreement between perceived and objective sleep duration in highly trained young male soccer players

Reference: Sci Med Footb. 2025 Nov 27:1-9. doi: 10.1080/24733938.2025.2593866. Online ahead of print.
Authors: João Barreira, João Brito, Fábio Yuzo Nakamura, Ricardo Pimenta, Pedro Figueiredo
Summary: This study aimed to assess the agreement between daily self-reported and actigraphy-derived sleep duration in high-level male youth soccer players over a 35-day period. Secondary analyses examined the agreement between daily self-reported sleep duration and objective time in bed (TIB), as well as the agreement between sleep questionnaire responses and averaged actigraphy data. Forty-eight players wore actigraphy devices nightly and completed daily sleep diaries for 35 consecutive days. After the monitoring period, players completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Agreement was assessed using Bland – Altman analysis. Results showed a mean bias of – 60 min between self-reported and objective sleep duration, with wide limits of agreement (-02:09 to +00:15 h), indicating poor agreement. Similar results were observed when comparing self-reported sleep to objective TIB. PSQI responses overestimated average sleep duration for the same time period by 69 min (LoA: -17 to +154 min). Overall, self-reported sleep duration consistently overestimated sleep duration and failed to meet the predefined threshold for acceptable agreement of 30 min. These findings suggest that daily self-report and questionnaire-based sleep estimates may not be reliable proxies for objective sleep data in youth soccer athletes. While subjective methods may still hold practical utility for routine screening, objective tools should be prioritized for sleep monitoring.

20 Anthropometric determinants of change of direction speed in youth soccer players: A cross-sectional study using decision tree regression and machine learning approach

Reference: Medicine (Baltimore). 2025 Nov 21;104(47):e46164. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000046164.
Authors: Akram Fray, Yassine Negra, Halil İbrahim Ceylan, Younes Hachana, Valentina Stefanica, Mevlut Yildiz, Ahmed Attia
Affiliations Expand
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12643758/pdf/medi-104-e46164.pdf
Summary: This study aimed to determine the contribution of classic anthropometric features in young soccer players to predict their speed of preplanned change of direction performance using explainable artificial intelligence methodologies. Fifty-one young soccer players (age: 11.88 ± 1.38 years, body mass: 38.25 ± 7.89 kg) from a professional youth soccer academy were recruited. Several anthropometric features, including calf girth, leg length, sitting height, thigh length, and skinfold thicknesses, were employed following standardized protocols. Players‘ change of direction speed was assessed using the 505-test. Biological maturity was estimated using the Mirwald equation. Five machine learning algorithms were implemented, with decision tree regression (DTR) selected as the optimal approach. Model validation employed leave-one-out cross-validation. The 505-test demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC = 0.86, SEM = 3.54%). Using the DTR model, anthropometric features accurately predicted change-of-direction speed performance (P < .05). The DTR model achieved superior predictive accuracy (R2 = 0.843, RMSE = 0.133, MAE = 0.111), explaining 84.3% of the variance in performance. DTR analysis revealed that demographic and anthropometric features, including sitting height and leg length, significantly affected change of direction speed performance (overall Gini importance > 0.5). Key predictors included maturity offset (16.3%), age (16.8%), leg length (15.8%), sitting height (13.6%), and knee height (10.5%). Youths who are more mature and have shorter sitting heights achieved superior change-of-direction speed performance. These findings underscore the importance of considering anthropometric and maturity characteristics in male youth soccer players to support talent identification, providing evidence-based frameworks for development programs.

21 A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Nutritional Knowledge Gaps and Feasibility of Digital Intervention Among Adolescents Soccer Players in Tunisian Elite Club

Reference: Nutrients. 2025 Nov 18;17(22):3598. doi: 10.3390/nu17223598.
Authors: Saoussen Layouni, Sarra Ksibi, Taieb Ach, Sahbi Elmtaoua, Halil İbrahim Ceylan, Hela Ghali, Bassem Tiss, Mohamed Aziz Ajili, Sonia Jemni, Raul Ioan Muntean, Ismail Dergaa
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12654968/pdf/nutrients-17-03598.pdf
Summary: Adolescence represents a critical period for growth and athletic development, yet young athletes frequently demonstrate significant gaps in nutritional knowledge that can impair performance and long-term health outcomes. Limited research exists on comprehensive nutrition education interventions for adolescent soccer players in North African populations. The purpose was to evaluate both general and sports-specific nutritional knowledge among adolescent soccer players from an elite Tunisian club and assess the feasibility of a digital nutrition intervention using mobile application technology. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between June and August 2024 among 50 male soccer players aged 11-18 years from Étoile du Sahel club in Sousse, Tunisia. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire comprising sections on basic nutrition knowledge, influences on food choices, sports nutrition knowledge and practices, and demographic information. A pilot digital intervention using the FatSecret app was implemented with 8 participants over 4 weeks, involving meal photo uploads and nutritionist feedback. Participants had a mean age of 15.16 ± 1.55 years, with 92% reporting no formal nutrition education. While 90% correctly identified carbohydrates as the primary energy source, only 2% recognized that fat provides the highest energy density. Significant misconceptions existed regarding sports nutrition: 74% incorrectly believed that consuming protein 2-4 h before an event enhances performance, and only 17% knew the recommended pre-event carbohydrate intake. Food choices were primarily influenced by cravings (80%) and sensory appeal rather than health considerations (20%). The digital intervention demonstrated extremely low engagement, with minimal participation in meal photo uploads. This study reveals critical gaps in both general and sports-specific nutritional knowledge among adolescent soccer players in Tunisia, providing important descriptive information about knowledge distribution in this population. While knowledge deficits are substantial, it is important to acknowledge that this cross-sectional assessment documents only knowledge patterns, without measures of actual dietary intake or athletic performance. The persistent misconceptions and the low feasibility of the digital intervention provide important lessons regarding technology-based approaches to nutrition education in this age group, highlighting challenges in sustained engagement that must be addressed in future intervention design.

22 Curve Sprint Ability as an Indicator of Neuromuscular Function and Physical Fitness in Youth Soccer Players: Comparative Insights from U14 and U16 Groups

Reference: Medicina (Kaunas). 2025 Nov 5;61(11):1981. doi: 10.3390/medicina61111981.
Authors: Zarife Pancar, Burak Karaca, Yung-Sheng Chen, José Antonio Sánchez Fuentes, Santiago Navarro Ledesma, José Carlos Barbero-Álvarez, Francisco Tomás González-Fernández
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12654694/pdf/medicina-61-01981.pdf
Summary: In modern soccer, players frequently perform curved sprinting (CS) actions that combine speed, agility, and neuromuscular control, highlighting the importance of assessing CS performance in youth athletes. This study aimed to investigate age-related differences in CS performance and its relationship with key components of physical fitness-including aerobic capacity, vertical jump height, and agility-based field tests-in U14 and U16 male soccer players. A total of 76 registered players participated, evenly divided between the two age groups. Statistical analyses included t-tests, correlation, and regression modeling to determine key predictors of curve-sprint performance. U16 players showed significant between-group differences, with faster CS times on both the good and weak sides (p < 0.001, d = 0.93-1.08), as well as superior performance in the countermovement jump (p < 0.001, d = 1.12), Illinois Agility Test (p < 0.01, d = 0.70), and 5-0-5 change-of-direction (COD) test (p < 0.01, d = 0.74). Significant negative correlations were found between CMJ height and CS times (r = -0.40 to -0.73), indicating that greater explosive power was associated with better CS performance. Moderate to very strong positive correlations were observed between CS and agility measures (r = 0.43 to 0.79), particularly in the U16 group, whereas VO2max showed no meaningful relationship with CS performance (r = -0.16 to -0.30, p > 0.05). These results suggest that CS may serve as an indicator of neuromuscular power and agility, both of which improve with age. From a practical perspective, regular curve-sprint assessments and multidirectional drills may support talent development by helping coaches monitor neuromuscular efficiency and movement coordination in young players.

23 Week-by-Week Predictive Value of External Load Ratios on Injury Risk in Professional Soccer: A Logistic Regression and ROC Curve Analysis Approach

Reference: Medicina (Kaunas). 2025 Oct 30;61(11):1954. doi: 10.3390/medicina61111954.
Authors: Andreas Fousekis, Konstantinos Fousekis, Georgios Fousekis, Gregory Bizas, Sotiris Vino, Gerasimos Paraskevopoulos, Georgios Gounelas, Panagiotis Konomaras, Yiannis Michailidis, Andreas Stafylidis, Athanasios Mandroukas, Nikolaos Koutlianos, Iosif Gavriilidis, Thomas Metaxas
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12654017/pdf/medicina-61-01954.pdf
Summary: This study aimed to assess the week-by-week predictive value of Acute:Chronic Workload Ratios (ACWRs) for non-contact injury risk in professional soccer players. A cohort of 40 elite players was monitored using GPS over two competitive seasons. Binomial logistic regression and ROC curve analyses were performed on ACWR metrics-including total distance, moderate-to high-speed running, sprinting, acceleration, and deceleration-during the four weeks prior to injury (W4 to W1). p-values were further adjusted for multiple comparisons using the false discovery rate (FDR) correction (q < 0.05). Significant predictive models emerged mainly for ACWR metrics related to moderate-speed running (15-20 km/h), sprinting (>25 km/h), and acceleration/deceleration. The ACWR for 15-20 km/h (DSR15-20) demonstrated the highest predictive accuracy, particularly in Week 3 (AUC = 0.811, p = 0.004). Sprinting (DSR>25) was also significantly associated with injury occurrence across Weeks 1-4 (AUC = 0.709-0.755, p = 0.011-0.024). Acceleration (ACC) and deceleration (DEC) metrics showed significant associations prior to correction-ACC in Weeks 3-4 (AUC = 0.737-0.755, p = 0.020-0.026) and DEC in Weeks 3-4 (AUC = 0.720-0.741, p = 0.029-0.043)-but these associations did not retain significance following FDR adjustment (q = 0.052-0.086). In contrast, total distance (ACWR TD) and high-speed running (20-25 km/h) were weaker predictors, reaching only marginal or nonsignificant levels (e.g., Week 3, AUC = 0.675, p = 0.054). After FDR correction, only DSR15-20 and DSR>25 remained statistically significant (q < 0.05), confirming them as robust predictors of non-contact injury risk. Multivariable models adjusted for age and playing position confirmed these findings, with DSR15-20 and DSR>25 retaining their predictive value independent of confounding factors. Injury risk thresholds were established through Estimated Marginal Means (EMMs), defining the „Sweet Spot“ and „Danger Zone“ for each metric, whereas the „Low Load“ zone was treated as exploratory. This weekly ACWR monitoring approach enables practical injury risk profiling, helping training staff optimize load management and minimize non-contact injury risk in elite soccer.

24 NMR-Based Metabolomics Reveals Position-Specific Signatures Associated with Physical Demands in Professional Soccer Players

Reference: Biomedicines. 2025 Oct 22;13(11):2583. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines13112583.
Authors: Suewellyn N Dos Santos, Glydiston E O Ananias, Edmilson R da Rocha Jr, Alessandre C Carmo, Edson de S Bento, Thiago M de Aquino, Ronaldo V Thomatieli-Santos, Luiz Rodrigo A de Lima, Pedro Balikian Jr, Natália de A Rodrigues, Gustavo G de Araujo, Filipe A B Sousa
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12650136/pdf/biomedicines-13-02583.pdf
Summary: Soccer’s varied physical demands require meticulous load monitoring, which is now being advanced by combining GPS for external metrics and NMR-based metabolomics for internal metabolic profiling. This study aimed to investigate how player position influences the metabolomic profile (as a marker of internal load) under known match effort (external load). This was a longitudinal observational descriptive study involving 12 professional soccer players from the U-20 São Paulo Football Club, enrolled in the 2022 São Paulo State Under-20 Football Championship. Players were monitored across six matches during the season, culminating in a total of 49 individual match observations from those players (4-2-3-1 formation: Central Defenders [CD], n = 9; Full Backs [FB], n = 9; Central Midfielders [CM], n = 14; Wide Midfielders [WM], n = 12; Forwards [F], n = 5). Internal load was assessed via urinary metabolomics, with urine samples collected 24 h post-match. A non-targeted, global metabolomics approach was employed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. External load was monitored using GPS tracking devices. Multivariate analyses included partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and heat maps. Metabolomic analysis identified 38 metabolites with a Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) score > 1.0, revealing perturbations in carbohydrate metabolism and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, amino acid and peptide metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and ketone body pathways, and effectively discriminating post-match recovery metabolic profiles. External load metrics varied significantly by player position: CMs covered greater distances below 20 km/h (8702.93 ± 1271.89 m), exhibited higher relative distance (114.29 ± 7.67 m/min), total distance (9193.21 ± 1261.35 m), and player load (945.71 ± 135.82 a.u.); CDs achieved higher peak speeds (31.78 ± 1.20 m/s); and WMs performed greater sprint distances (168.11 ± 91.69 m). Metabolomic profiles indicated that CMs showed stronger associations with markers of muscle damage and inflammation, whereas CDs and WMs were more closely linked to energy metabolism and oxidative stress. These results highlight the importance of a personalized approach to training load monitoring and recovery strategies, considering the distinct physiological and metabolic demands associated with each player position.