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 Acute Effects of Percussive Massage Intensity on Change-of-Direction Performance, Vertical Jump Kinetics, and Neuromuscular Performance Across Morning and Evening Sessions in Trained Male Football Players
Reference: Medicina (Kaunas). 2026 Feb 26;62(3):439. doi: 10.3390/medicina62030439.
Authors: Özgür Eken, İlinsu Demiralp, Birgül Arslanoğlu, Tahir Volkan Aslan, İsmihan Eken, Burak Yagin, Monira I Aldhahi
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/62/3/439
Summary: Percussive massage devices (PMDs) are increasingly used as warm-up tools to enhance neuromuscular performance; however, evidence regarding the optimal intensity and its interaction with circadian variation remains limited. This study examined the acute effects of two percussive massage intensities (low: 28 Hz; moderate: 35 Hz) compared with no massage on change-of-direction (COD) performance, vertical jump kinetics, and neuromuscular variables in trained male football players across morning and evening sessions. Eighteen trained male football players completed a randomized, counterbalanced crossover design involving three protocols (no massage, 28 Hz, and 35 Hz) performed in both morning (09:00-11:00) and evening (17:00-19:00) sessions following a standardized warm-up protocol. COD performance (T-Test and Illinois COD Test), countermovement jump height, and model-derived kinetic variables were assessed. Significant main effects of the protocol were observed for T-test performance, jump height, velocity-related variables, and kinetic outcomes (p < 0.001; large effect sizes), with both percussive massage intensities outperforming the no-massage condition. Significant protocol × time-of-day interactions emerged for jump height, force, and impulse-related variables (p < 0.05), indicating greater morning-specific benefits following moderate-intensity (35 Hz) massage. The Illinois COD Test showed no significant protocol-related changes. Acute percussive massage enhances COD performance and vertical jump-related outcomes in trained football players. While both intensities are effective for general performance enhancement, moderate-intensity massage (35 Hz) appears to be more effective for optimizing force-time characteristics and attenuating morning-related performance decrements. These findings support the inclusion of intensity- and time-specific percussive massage strategies in warm-up routines.
2 Eccentric Hamstring Strength and Interlimb Asymmetry in Professional Football Players: A NordBord-Based Longitudinal Analysis of Two Professional Teams
Reference: Life (Basel). 2026 Mar 23;16(3):532. doi: 10.3390/life16030532.
Authors: Tolga Altuğ, Mehmet Söyler, Coşkun Yılmaz et al.
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/16/3/532
Summary: The aim of this study was to examine temporal changes in eccentric hamstring strength, impulse-based mechanical outputs, and interlimb asymmetry in professional football players performing a football-specific eccentric hamstring training program. Forty male football players (18-25 years) from two teams competing in the Turkish Second Professional Football League participated in this longitudinal cohort study. Eccentric hamstring performance was assessed at three time points (pre-, mid-, and post-season) using the NordBord Hamstring Testing System. Mixed-design repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant main effects of time and significant time × Team interactions for left and right maximal impulse values (p < 0.05). In contrast, maximal eccentric force variables showed no significant time effects, although significant time × Team interactions were observed for both limbs (p < 0.05). Interlimb maximal force asymmetry and mean asymmetry demonstrated significant time effects, while Team effects and interaction terms were not significant. Overall, these findings indicate that temporal changes in eccentric hamstring performance in professional football players may be more clearly reflected in force-time-dependent metrics, particularly impulse, rather than peak force outputs. Accordingly, impulse-based measures may provide additional insight into eccentric hamstring performance changes in professional football players.
3 The Impact of Upward Social Comparison on Smartphone Addiction Among Adolescents: The Moderating Role of Football Participation
Reference: Behav Sci (Basel). 2026 Feb 28;16(3):346. doi: 10.3390/bs16030346.
Authors: Anzu Li, Huarui Huang, Yi Zheng, Nian Li, Yizhou Shui
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/16/3/346
Summary: Against the background of widespread digital technology use and the increasing prevalence of smartphone addiction among adolescents, upward social comparison has been identified as an important trigger of addictive behaviors. However, the moderating role of sports participation and potential differences across types of sports remain unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the effect of upward social comparison on smartphone addiction among adolescents and to test the moderating role of football participation. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 2451 primary and secondary school students from 162 schools across 13 provinces in China. The survey included the Upward Social Comparison Scale, the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, and the Sports Participation Scale. SPSS 27.0 was used to perform descriptive statistics and correlation analyses. Moderation analyses and multi-group comparisons were conducted using PROCESS 4.2. The results showed that upward social comparison positively predicted smartphone addiction among adolescents. Sports participation significantly buffered the association between upward social comparison and smartphone addiction (β = -0.055, p < 0.001). Football participation showed a significant moderating effect (β = -0.062, p < 0.05). Higher levels of football participation were associated with a stronger buffering effect. In contrast, individual sports did not show a significant moderating effect (β = -0.029, p = 0.394). These findings suggest that upward social comparison is a risk factor for smartphone addiction among adolescents. Football participation may effectively reduce this risk, but individual sports did not exhibit a comparable moderating effect. This study provides empirical evidence to support the development of targeted intervention strategies for adolescent smartphone addiction.
4 Menstrual Cycle Characteristics and Injury History in Adult Amateur Female Football Players: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Selected LEAF-Q Items
Reference: Healthcare (Basel). 2026 Mar 19;14(6):773. doi: 10.3390/healthcare14060773.
Authors: Joanna Witkoś, Joanna Kubik, Magdalena Hartman-Petrycka
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/14/6/773
Summary: Increasing training demands in women’s football have heightened interest in female-specific health characteristics, including menstrual health. The aim of this study was to describe menstrual-cycle characteristics and injury history in adult amateur female football players using selected items of the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), with particular focus on prolonged absence of menstrual bleeding and training-associated menstrual changes. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 118 adult amateur (non-elite) female football players (mean age 24.41 ± 4.50 years). Participants reported mean weekly training hours of 4.88 ± 2.45, consistent with amateur-level competitive and recreational participation. Selected items of the LEAF-Q were used, rather than the complete questionnaire; therefore, findings should be interpreted as descriptive indicators of menstrual health and injury history rather than a comprehensive LEA screening. Most participants reported normal menstruation (95.76%), and menarche most commonly occurred between 12 and 14 years of age (92.37%). A history of ≥3 consecutive months without menstrual bleeding (clinically meaningful amenorrhea) was reported by 12.71% of players, while 4.24% reported such an episode at the time of the survey. Training-associated changes in menstrual bleeding were reported by 52.54% of participants, most commonly shorter and lighter bleeding; less frequently, cessation of bleeding (8.93%) or heavier and prolonged bleeding (1.79%) was reported. Injuries in the preceding 12 months were common, with 71.19% reporting one or two injuries and 28.81% reporting three or four injuries. Despite a high prevalence of self-reported regular menstrual cycles, a notable proportion of adult amateur female football players reported episodes of prolonged absence of menstrual bleeding and training-associated changes in bleeding characteristics. These findings highlight the variability of menstrual-cycle characteristics in the context of football training and support the inclusion of routine, confidential menstrual-health monitoring as part of broader athlete health management in women’s football. Football-related injuries were common over the preceding 12 months, reflecting the substantial musculoskeletal demands of the sport.
5 Contemporary trends in tactical formations and team success in Europe’s top-tier football leagues: a comparative analysis
Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Mar 27. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01657-1. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Erdi Tokul, Özgün Miraç Özçilingir, Kaan Kaya et al.
Summary: This study examines the distribution of tactical formations and their relationship with team success across the six major European football leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and TFF Super League) during the 2023–2024 season. A total of 2,132 matches and 4,038 formation data points were collected via OPTA Sportsdata and verified through fbref.com. The formations were grouped into eight main categories according to structural similarities. Statistical analyses included one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-square tests. The findings indicate that the 4–2-3–1 system was the most frequently used formation, while the 3–4-3 provided the highest average points per match. The dominance of 4–2-3–1 was evident in the TFF Super League, whereas the 3–4-3 was more common in the Bundesliga and Serie A, and the 4–4-2 was more prevalent in La Liga. Conversely, five-defender formations yielded lower average points and limited success. In conclusion, the effectiveness of tactical formations is not solely determined by their structural advantages but also by their alignment with league culture, player profiles, and managerial strategies. These findings should be interpreted as a season-specific snapshot of formation usage patterns in the 2023–2024 season, rather than evidence of long-term tactical trends.
6 Development and validation of a questionnaire to assess the sports experimentation phase of young female football players (QEEF-FEM)
Reference: Sci Rep. 2026 Mar 27. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-45712-w. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Julio Cesar da Silva Bispo, Willen Remon Tozetto, Lenamar Fiorese, Juarez Vieira do Nascimento, Michel Milistetd, Paulo Henrique Borges
Summary: The development process of female football players involves understanding the pathways and experiences acquired during childhood and adolescence. In Brazil, instruments designed to assess these early sport experiences are scarce. Therefore, the present study aimed to construct and gather validity evidence for the Questionnaire on Sports Experiences in Women’s Football (QEEF-Fem), a psychometric instrument grounded in the Personal Assets Framework (PAF), to evaluate the sport experimentation phase of young female athletes. The research was conducted in four stages: face validity, content validity, construct validity, and internal consistency. Initially, 45 items were developed and evaluated by athletes and experts. After two rounds of content validation, 38 items remained. For construct validation, 391 female athletes aged between 12 and 17 years (mean age 14.6 ± 1.8 years), representing 15 professional clubs from the southern region of Brazil, were recruited. Psychometric methods were employed to confirm and validate the QEEF-Fem, including Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) with polychoric correlations, Bartlett’s test of sphericity, and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measures. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega, and composite reliability (CR). Results indicated satisfactory factor loadings across the three dimensions of the PAF: Personal Engagement in Activities, Quality Social Dynamics, and Appropriate Settings. Reliability indices reached acceptable thresholds for exploratory studies, confirming the stability of the instrument. Internal consistency indices ranged from Cronbach’s α = 0.561 – 0.669, McDonald’s ω = 0.554 – 0.618, and CR = 0.619 – 0.714, indicating borderline to acceptable reliability for exploratory research purposes. All analyses were conducted using JASP (0.95.2.0). It was concluded that the QEEF-Fem provides valid and reliable evidence to assess early sport experiences in female football, reflecting the interaction between personal, contextual, and relational dimensions of athlete development. The QEEF-Fem represents a culturally adapted tool that can be used to investigate developmental trajectories of young female football players in Brazil.
7 Sensory Processing Patterns and Motor Proficiency in Youth Football Players: A Cross-Sectional Study
Reference: Sports (Basel). 2026 Mar 17;14(3):118. doi: 10.3390/sports14030118.
Authors: Sultan Akel, Çiğdem Öksüz
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/14/3/118
Summary: Sensory processing and motor proficiency contribute to movement regulation in adolescent athletes. While motor competence has been widely studied in youth football, the role of trait-level sensory processing remains underexplored. This study examined associations between sensory processing patterns and motor proficiency in adolescent football players. In this cross-sectional study, 116 male youth football players (mean age: 14.16 ± 1.55 years) from a professional academy completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition, Brief Form (BOT-2 BF). Spearman correlations were computed across 36 sensory-motor comparisons, with false discovery rate (FDR) correction applied. Partial correlations controlled for age and years of training. After FDR correction, sensation seeking showed a moderate positive association with fine motor precision (ρ = 0.49, p < 0.001). Low registration demonstrated a large negative association with fine motor integration (ρ = -0.61, p < 0.001) and small-to-moderate negative associations with bilateral coordination and balance (|ρ| = 0.27-0.32). These associations remained significant after adjustment. Sensory processing patterns were differentially associated with coordination- and balance-related motor domains. Findings should be considered exploratory and warrant longitudinal and sport-specific investigation.
8 Small-Sided Games vs. Running-Based High-Intensity Interval Training: An Exploratory Study of the Effects on Physical Performance and Internal Load in Under-11 Male Football Players
Reference: Sports (Basel). 2026 Mar 13;14(3):114. doi: 10.3390/sports14030114.
Authors: Marco Panascì, Vittoria Ferrando, Carlo Castagna, Gennaro Apollaro, Piero Ruggeri, Emanuela Luisa Faelli
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/14/3/114
Summary: This study aimed, in U11 male football players, (i) to investigate the effects of an 8-week running-based HIIT or SSGs program on aerobic fitness, neuromuscular performance and internal load, and (ii) to compare training-induced changes in performance variables between training modalities. Sixteen U11 football players were randomly assigned to either the SSGs group (4 vs. 4 format, 5 × 3 min with 1 min of rest between bouts) or the HIIT group (5 × 3 min of 15 s running at 100% peak velocity (Vpeak) alternating with 15 s of recovery, and 1 min of rest between sets). The intervention period lasted 8 weeks. Aerobic fitness (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 Children’s Test, YYIR1C), sprint time performance (10 m and 20 m sprints tests) and change-of-direction (COD) ability (Arrowhead Agility Test) were assessed before and after the intervention. Heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed as indices of internal load. Both SSGs and running-based HIIT produced comparable improvements in YYIR1C distance, Vpeak (p < 0.05), with no significant change in the between-group difference. Neuromuscular gains occurred only after SSGs (p < 0.05), with similar 10 m sprint improvements between groups but superior 20 m gains for SSGs (p < 0.01). COD ability improved in both groups (p < 0.05), with broader enhancements following SSGs (p < 0.05). Finally, running-based HIIT elicited greater HRpeak and higher RPE than SSGs (p < 0.05) across most intervention weeks. In U11 male football players, both SSGs and running-based HIIT effectively improved aerobic fitness and COD performance. However, SSGs may offer additional benefits for sprint development with lower perceived psychological stress.
9 Effects of Combined vs. Single-Source Supportive Communication from Parents and Coaches on Mental Health and Self-Regulation in Adolescent Football Players
Reference: Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ. 2026 Feb 27;16(3):33. doi: 10.3390/ejihpe16030033.
Authors: Ameni Essid, Mohamed Mansour Bouzourraa, Hajer Sahli et al.
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/16/3/33
Summary: Adolescent football players are exposed to substantial psychological demands, and psychosocial support within family and sport environments has been shown to influence motivational climate, stress responses, and emotional well-being. However, the comparative effects of coordinated multi-source psychosocial support from parents and coaches versus single-source support on psychological outcomes remain insufficiently examined. The aim was to examine the effects of a multi-component psychosocial program involving parents and coaches on depression, anxiety, stress, and self-regulation in adolescent football players. A total of 60 male adolescent soccer players were recruited and randomly assigned to four groups: combined supportive communication from both parents and coaches (SCCP; n = 15), supportive communication from coaches only (SCC; n = 15), supportive communication from parents only (SCP; n = 15), and a control group (CG; n = 15). Over a 12-week intervention period, participants attended 12 sessions incorporating structured supportive communication and related psychosocial strategies. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), while self-regulation was measured with the Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ). The SCCP group demonstrated the largest improvements across outcomes, with reductions observed in anxiety, depression, and stress, and significant time effects for all mental health parameters. For depression, the time effect showed a (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.93 [Very large]; -45.77%). Anxiety scores also indicated a significant time effect (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.81 [Very large]; -46.55%). Stress demonstrated an exceptionally significant time effect (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.98 [Very large]; -48.29%). Additionally, the self-regulation outcomes showed significant improvements, with a time effect for the Planning subscale of the SRQ indicating (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.86 [Very large]; +66.38%). The findings provide preliminary evidence that a multi-component program involving parents and coaches is associated with improvements in depression, anxiety, stress, and self-regulation among adolescent football players. These results suggest that coordinated psychosocial support across family and sport environments may contribute to adolescent athletes‘ psychological well-being, although replication in other cultural and sporting contexts is required.
10 Uncovering data-driven Football: Topic modeling from a data analytics perspective
Reference: J Sports Sci. 2026 Mar 26:1-35. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2026.2645423. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Marco Klaiber, Manfred Rössle
Summary: Football (soccer) is increasingly adopting data-driven approaches, and emerging Data Science concepts are seen as potential game changers. The increase in the amount of data reinforces this development, and new research directions are arising. Therefore, this article investigates the developments in Football Analytics by presenting a comprehensive overview and a comparative analysis of current approaches, trends, and challenges. For this purpose, a first Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) analysis with 152 articles was conducted. Based on the LDA, we subdivide the research field through a taxonomy into seven different topics. After this, the categorized literature was analyzed on the basis of generic terms derived from the LDA, focusing on current trends and open research directions in the domain. In addition, the individual assigned works are reviewed with regard to Football Analytics, highlighting overarching topics to further advance the research field in terms of challenges and open issues. Based on these results, eight open research fields were ultimately defined, which should be systematically addressed in the future.
11 Effectiveness of yoga training program as a pre-exercise activity on sport anxiety and athletic mental energy in adolescent football players
Reference: Acta Psychol (Amst). 2026 Mar 25:265:106690. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.106690. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Qun Yu, Zheng Liu
Download link: https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/272045/1-s2.0-S0001691826X20017/1-s2.0-S0001691826004919/main.pdf?X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEEIaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJIMEYCIQDhy18VKnQyf0ccXZet1hQy%2BWhrFXfVH8RGsCqYaLSECwIhAPc%2B4oB7RjzcrPMPHarI4gfEGe6NeSEAiOAxArwIDwyPKrMFCAsQBRoMMDU5MDAzNTQ2ODY1IgyJ4wq6FXzYinrLpdwqkAUcbB7%2BHMf8NPNRY%2BnlBtslOcoRKqE62MSfRcNZ5JiNMr9zwTMICThOMoNP9fFvv1VWpSDdZNtVRLi24nR0VFgLHGUJd0cnbyrvy8zrxEBY0Q7V2WtcauZ3mHKsUUxYVRy3IR4VLHGKf%2FvycVw%2FcRerJAjGyFDuXLoNqVPXupyG8Q%2BEHhe63nPU9oy8erZHxUeZdfYz31338MjE00p7rr9j%2FUb1ZIRjFGp0KCYjnGCCM9ToMn%2BRk9ClTEejcLu1BIIj3idmgpHBsQkgpwM2ZV8b9V02LiTc%2BEPtSbnRzsTlM6LhufmE4ixZiujX7j7nFsgxaBs7IKtNkb8tz2GhCH9GN6o%2FdORXrZZuDycUBSSM8m1%2FHb%2FnS83uwDFx6JMuQb3%2FPQxjzKjN4qEV3mmeW24gCWlNQ2mGZNCiVvwozj5XcBg2EjbuA1HjuE79RRRiiTJdOUxjw7iN3BkGAurOwbsIAeZ1vS2yOgmAltWIi7lJjUhXwtVuqZLiNRbez2X3k7Am2lTATTku7xbgdiksUEHMVOLd%2FbkIIUEV%2Fa9ZJhkQ%2BZMecSRDT2UsTqiPSJb4npKmYPZD1E0ESNak13YjnWlOZ7QRIBwjgLk5RbN0X2vkrfyzAd9nGXORvHSqpsmUITOxz4NKpf07zG1pmDAeM3EHEv06MBeIbIQuZLwsjLjeZ9JHkw8CY3yvSkCCc5ZZKDYdUfeBd2Yk4Nt21s8yfHv9T1ubVTll%2BIPUcMNeSz73mEnGd7E5a4Z%2BWOQx1h1af1oBRzWm008JOADKwFmZRwSipciZCIToWUQcWlDBYexOTqsfjslTloYnn5Sk0nqiTztA49Fb7P%2F%2BCBORASW3N2xCXkDw4X7DT7UokmY0JRwLIjDI5aPOBjqwAVmj1%2Fhkb722EcGXR9Oh6W53QV%2FuSEsoJ0EYkbynxobzuezZz3MpZa2phaqaaMEKE6%2Fb1uI%2BzM0RuRjjCuhck25QfLdrCeb24d9OKUgB7ewFf7WbD4nFwBL99gzJ4Q1%2FZ3THot3Tz%2BDZr69x%2BkFcE66j2LGs7ZCY8kWpUouS%2FNlRYIq%2FvS3XU57vRd7UXvbYGC0eo2eqKY6p82k6SPef31I%2Bf5I7OV%2FQhqA8b0BWcCwS&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Date=20260329T102652Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=300&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAQ3PHCVTY77G5KTUF%2F20260329%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Signature=e5ad112362a4aa3a5f4339c914b50e47b20cf7e94076d0bb69fb0a7bc1c17a4f&hash=841dd3f328691eb3d980a27ade4bf8e3e116455ce1e0a1ee487ddbcaebabc836&host=68042c943591013ac2b2430a89b270f6af2c76d8dfd086a07176afe7c76c2c61&pii=S0001691826004919&tid=spdf-c0ee289b-de9a-49d9-b5a0-0a78e8556864&sid=e4e6b01788a0d743e41bab16714053ffc817gxrqb&type=client&tsoh=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&rh=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&ua=01025c0b510553000d50&rr=9e3e2dc799d11901&cc=de
Summary: This study examined whether embedding a brief pre-exercise yoga routine into warm-ups relates to lower sport anxiety and higher athletic mental energy in Chinese adolescent football players, and whether these links operate through mindfulness in sport and vary by weekly training load. In a multi-site sample (N = 468; Wuhan, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Xi’an), athletes completed validated instruments: Sport Anxiety Scale-2, Athletic Mental Energy Scale, Mindfulness Inventory for Sport, Yoga Self-Efficacy Scale, and a short form of interoceptive/body awareness; pre-exercise yoga engagement was modeled formatively (frequency, duration, adherence, intensity), and weekly training load was indexed as seven-day session-RPE × minutes. SmartPLS (v4) was used for PLS-SEM with 5000 bootstraps. The measurement model showed strong reliability and validity (composite reliability ≥0.91; AVE ≥ 0.58; HTMT <0.85; Fornell-Larcker satisfied; full-collinearity VIFs <3.3). Pre-exercise yoga practice was also linked with reduced sport anxiety (β = -0.16, p = 0.003), and increased athletic mental energy (2 = 0.14, p = 0.005); yoga self-efficacy was more strongly linked (2 = -0.20, and 2 = 0.24, both p = 0.001), and lower interoceptive/body awareness was more weakly correlated (2 = -0.11 and 2 = 0.12, both = 0.027). The indirect relationships between the predictors and the outcomes of mindfulness in sport were also significantly large, which is in line with the hypothesized mechanistic pattern. The weekly training load moderated a number of engagement and self-efficacy associations (|human| > Some associations between them were stronger under heavier load (=0.07-0.09, p = 0.048). These results indicate the existence of warm-up-compatible, formatively specified yoga exposure and practically significant load boundary, yet are still consistent with the cross-sectional design of the study… Demographic covariates were non-significant. The study’s novelty lies in a warm-up-compatible, formatively specified yoga exposure, a single mechanistic mediator, and a practical load boundary, offering a scalable pathway to reduce anxiety and enhance mental energy without extending training time.
12 Perceptual-cognitive skills in talent development environments: a survey of academy football coaches in the United Kingdom
Reference: Front Psychol. 2026 Mar 10:17:1751602. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1751602. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Andrew O Triggs, Joe Causer, Allistair P McRobert, Matthew J Reeves, Matthew Andrew
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1751602/full
Summary: Perceptual-cognitive skills (PCS) are a strong predictor of future expert performance in football. Theoretical and practical knowledge of PCS are important to inform (de)selection and development decisions. Despite their relevance to player development, limited research has explored how coaches working in talent development environments conceptualise and assess PCS in practice. This study aimed to critically examine perceptions of and engagement with PCS identification and assessment among UK academy coaches. An online survey collected data from 63 academy coaches regarding their understanding and identification of PCS within the age groups they coach. Data indicated agreement between coaches PCS definitions and their importance in player development. However, variations in coaches‘ familiarity, confidence, and frequency of PCS identification, alongside differing views on the importance of specific PCS point to potential knowledge and practice gaps. Further research is needed to understand and develop interventions that support coaches in enhancing PCS identification and assessment within this overlooked area of player development.
13 The impact of alumni football on adult mental wellbeing: a serial mediation analysis of athletic identity and social connectedness
Reference: Front Psychol. 2026 Mar 10:17:1780689. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1780689. eCollection 2026.
Author: Jiao Wang
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1780689/full
Summary: Escalating life pressures among adults are increasingly associated with social isolation. Distinct from general team sports, „Alumni Football“ facilitates a unique dual-mechanism of identity restoration and social reconnection, particularly for adults navigating the loss of former athletic roles. However, the specific pathways through which re-established athletic identity relates to social connectedness and correlates with wellbeing remain under-explored. This study employs a cross-sectional design involving 240 alumni football participants. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), it systematically analyzes the structural relationships between participation, athletic identity, social connectedness, and mental wellbeing. The data analysis delineates a specific chain mediation path: actual participation is positively associated with athletic identity, which is linked to social connectedness, ultimately correlating with mental wellbeing. Notably, while athletic identity serves as a crucial link, it exhibits no significant direct association with mental wellbeing (β = 0.05). This finding implies that athletic identity alone, lacking the support of social connectedness, may be insufficient to relate to improved psychological health during the transition out of competitive contexts. Findings underscore the positive relationship between alumni football and adult mental wellbeing, highlighting social connectedness as the core mediator. The study suggests leveraging alumni networks for mental wellbeing interventions, advocating a strategic pivot from merely emphasizing „exercise volume“ to cultivating identity-based „sporting communities“ to potentially mitigate social isolation risks.
14 Positive Doping Test Linked to Crumb Rubber From Artificial Football Pitch: Case Report
Reference: Drug Test Anal. 2026 Mar 25. doi: 10.1002/dta.70067. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Astrid Gjelstad, Geir Holden, Per Ole M Gundersen et al. , Yvette Dehnes 2 4, Magnus Tvedte 3, Maren Levernæs 4, Åse Kjustad Eriksson 3, Fredrik Lauritzen 1
Download link: https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/dta.70067
15 Exploring stakeholder perspectives on All Abilities Touch Football: Navigating the challenges, opportunities and feasibility of classification framework development
Reference: JSAMS Plus. 2025 Feb 27:5:100093. doi: 10.1016/j.jsampl.2025.100093. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Authors: Taylor M Wileman, Marnee J McKay, Daniel A Hackett, Tania Gardner, Ché Fornusek
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13008428/pdf/main.pdf
Summary: All Abilities Touch Football provides individuals with intellectual and/or physical impairments the opportunity to participate in organised sport. However, the absence of a comprehensive framework to accommodate players with varying types and severities of impairments presents challenges for equitable participation and fairer competition. This study aimed to explore the broader challenges, opportunities and feasibility of implementing a classification framework for All Abilities Touch Football. A mixed methods approach was employed, combining online surveys of players (n = 23), parents/carers (n = 23), coaches (n = 20) with semi-structured interviews from national level coaches (n = 4) involved with All Abilities Touch Football across Australia. Survey data were analysed using counts and percentages, while thematic analysis was applied to interview data. Survey and interview data revealed All Abilities Touch Football effectively promotes physical activity, social integration, and community engagement for individuals with disabilities. However, systemic challenges arise from managing the diverse abilities of players within the sport, with a lack of collaboration among stakeholders, inadequate educational initiatives, and limited resource allocation identified as major barriers to the sport’s advancement. These findings offer valuable insights into the complexities of disability sport programs, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to advance All Abilities Touch Football. They also lay the groundwork for future initiatives aimed at developing a more inclusive and structured approach to the sport’s growth.
16 Give Me a Break: Insights From Vacation Research for Football Recovery
Reference: Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2026 Mar 24:1-5. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2025-0533. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Michel Brink, Wouter Frencken, Jessica de Bloom
• DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2025-0533
Download link: https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/ijspp/aop/article-10.1123-ijspp.2025-0533/article-10.1123-ijspp.2025-0533.xml
Summary: The increasing match load in professional football, driven by higher intensity of play and expanded competitions such as the FIFA World Cup, requires effective recovery strategies for players. While the effects of microcycle recovery methods such as nutritional and sleep interventions are well documented, the concept of extended recovery through vacations remains underexplored in sports science. Purpose: The aim of this invited commentary is to learn from other research domains and develop a better understanding of the concept of vacation in professional football. Specifically, we use insights from occupational health research, where vacations are recognized for their significant benefits on recovery, health, well-being, and performance. Furthermore, we examine the parallels between workplace recovery and football, highlighting the potential advantages of vacations for football players. Despite concerns about detraining effects, vacations may offer essential physical and psychosocial rewards, potentially contributing to long-term health, well-being, and performance. Conclusion: Although findings in other domains cannot be directly transferred to football players, we suggest that the season calendar should include extended breaks for player recovery. Future research should focus on the impact of vacations on both physical and psychosocial recovery in football, considering factors such as vacation length, activities, and individual player needs.
17 The 2026 Men’s FIFA Football World Cup: Evidence-Based Guidelines to Protect Player Health and Performance from Environmental Challenges
Reference: Sports Med. 2026 Mar 24. doi: 10.1007/s40279-026-02398-4. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Chris J Esh, Sarah Carter, Valérie Bougault et al.
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40279-026-02398-4.pdf
Summary: The Men’s 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Football World Cup (FWC) will take place across the USA, Mexico and Canada, with host cities spanning ~ 4300 km east-west and ~ 4000 km north-south. The geographical distribution exposes players to environmental challenges that can negatively impact their health and performance, including: (i) extreme heat; (ii) altitude; (iii) air pollution and seasonal allergens; and (iv) travel. FWCs have never presented this combination of extreme environmental factors. Extreme heat is expected in 14 out of the 16 host cities, with historical maximum wet-bulb globe temperatures ranging from 21 to 35 °C (mean ambient temperatures: 19.1-32.7 °C). Matches in Guadalajara (1566 m) and Mexico City (2240 m) will take place at altitude. Travel requirements and increased human activities during mega-events increase the susceptibility of players/athletes to, and risk and spread of, airborne illnesses. Changes in air pollution and allergens from players‘ domestic club locations and between host cities will also impact player health. Circadian misalignment (up to 19 time zones may be crossed to reach team base camps) and travel fatigue (up to 3 time zones crossed and a 7-h in-tournament flight time) may impact players‘ mental and physical health, decrementing athletic performance. Teams adopting evidence-based guidelines to mitigate the impact of these environmental challenges will be best prepared to protect player health and performance during the tournament. Therefore, this review presents the predicted environmental challenges using the best available data and models and provides evidence-based long- and short-term strategies to best mitigate their impact. Relevant clinical considerations for each challenge are also outlined.
18 Accelerometer-measured physical activity: comparing young adult football players and non-athletic peers
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Mar 5:8:1797369. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1797369. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Sasa Jovanovic, Cerasela Domokos, Željko Sekulić, Martin Domokos, Boštjan Šimunič
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12999900/pdf/fspor-08-1797369.pdf
Summary: While physical inactivity represents a global health concern, the relationship between structured sports participation and overall physical activity patterns remains unclear. This study examined whether football practice enhances adherence to physical activity guidelines and influences lifestyle activity patterns beyond structured practice sessions. Twenty-seven participants [football players (EG) n = 16, age 23.4 ± 2.7 years; non-athletes (CG) n = 11, age 24.1 ± 3.2 years] wore accelerometers for seven consecutive days. Physical activity parameters including overall physical activity (OPA), physical inactivity (PI), light physical activity (LPA), moderate physical activity (MPA), vigorous physical activity (VPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were assessed using validated cut-points. Data were analyzed using multivariate GLM procedures, with separate analyses conducted including and excluding structured practice sessions. Both groups exceeded recommendations for MPA (EG: 449.3 ± 98.8 min/week, p < 0.001; CG: 414.6 ± 86.4 min/week, p = 0.002). However, neither group met VPA recommendations of ≥75 min/week (EG: 60.6 ± 20.5 min/week, 19.3% deficit; CG: 2.8 ± 3.6 min/week, 96.3% deficit). Football players demonstrated 2,064% higher VPA than non-athletes (p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.761). Critically, even when practice sessions were excluded, EG maintained significantly higher VPA (13.6 vs. 2.8 min/week, p = 0.076) and overall activity levels compared to CG, while exhibiting 46.76% lower LPA (p = 0.001, η 2 = 0.376). Structured football participation creates positive transfer effects extending beyond practice contexts, with athletes maintaining higher activity intensities during periods without practice. However, insufficient VPA across both populations highlights the need for targeted interventions to optimize physical activity profiles. These findings support sports participation as a public health strategy while emphasizing the importance of specific high-intensity activity promotion to meet international guidelines.
19 Heterogeneity in dual-career stress: an integrative person-centered and distribution-sensitive analysis of its asymmetric effects on adolescent football players
Reference: Front Psychol. 2026 Mar 6:17:1789877. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1789877. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Zhengri Quan, Guannan Liu, Hang Yin, Dan Pang
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13002566/pdf/fpsyg-17-1789877.pdf
Summary: This study examined the heterogeneous nature of dual-career stress and its asymmetric associations with on adolescent athletes, aiming to: (1) identify distinct stress profiles based on academic, training, and role-conflict stressors; (2) assess whether stress associations vary across levels of athletic burnout and academic performance; and (3) test whether stress profiles moderate these relationships. A two-wave longitudinal study included 843 adolescent male football players in China. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) categorized participants using three stressor subscales at Time 1. Quantile Regression (QR) at Time 2 (6 months later) analyzed the association between total stress and athletic burnout and academic performance across five quantiles (τ = 0.10-0.90), with stress profile as moderator, controlling for social support, time management, and demographics. LPA revealed four profiles: Balanced Moderates (37.2%), Academically Overwhelmed (28.1%), Sport-Centric Strained (22.0%), and Dual-Track Distressed (12.7%). QR showed the positive association between stress and burnout increased across quantiles (β = 0.41 at τ = 0.10 to 0.78 at τ = 0.90), with the strongest association observed among already burnt-out athletes most. For academic performance, the negative association between stress and performance was strongest at lower quantiles (β = -0.71 at τ = 0.10) and weaker at higher quantiles (β = -0.29 at τ = 0.90). Stress profiles significantly moderate these relationships: the Dual-Track Distressed profile showed the strongest association with on burnout (β = 0.89), while Academically Overwhelmed and Dual-Track Distressed profiles showed the strongest negative association with on academic performance (β = -0.79 and -0.92, respectively). Dual-career stress experiences and impacts are highly heterogeneous. Adolescents cluster into meaningful stress profiles, and stress is most strongly associated with negative outcomes among those already at extremes of burnout or poor academic performance. Findings underscore the need for personalized interventions tailored to athletes‘ specific stress profiles and outcome levels, supporting holistic development in dual-career contexts.
20 What is the prevalence of extra-articular and intra-articular magnetic resonance imaging findings in football players with and without hip and/or groin pain? A cross-sectional study of 166 football players
Reference: Hip Int. 2026 Mar 22:11207000261416847. doi: 10.1177/11207000261416847. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Emma Buckthorpe, Joshua J Heerey, Tom Entwistle, Kay M Crossley, Alex Davies, Matthew G King, Mark J Scholes, Joanne L Kemp
Download link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/11207000261416847
Summary: The primary aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of MRI findings in football players with and without hip and/or groin pain (HGP). We described the prevalence of extra-articular findings (including gluteal, hamstring, iliopsoas, rectus femoris; pubic) and intra-articular (including labral, cartilage, bone marrow oedema, subchondral and paralabral cysts, ligamentum teres) findings on MRI for 215 eligible hips with HGP (132 participants) and 68 eligible asymptomatic hips (34 participants). Imaging of the hip joint included radiographs and a non-contrast 3.0 Tesla MRI, performed at a single imaging centre. There was no difference between groups for prevalence of any extra-articular or intra-articular findings. Pubic (75-85%), labral (70-78%) and chondral (54-60%) findings were most common. ⅓ of hips demonstrated all 3 findings regardless of symptoms (33.5% in HGP group and 35.5% in control group). 96.7% of HGP participants and 95.6% of control participants had at least 1 finding. Our study found that prevalence of extra- and intra-articular hip MRI findings did not differ between football players with and without HGP. Football players with and without pain were likely to have multiple imaging findings in 1 hip. A thorough history and clinical examination should be used to contextualise any imaging findings.