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 Association Between Body Composition and Non-Contact Muscle Injury Risk in Elite Soccer Players: A Cox Proportional Hazards Model Analysis

Reference: Res Q Exerc Sport. 2026 Apr 3:1-9. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2026.2636253. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Eduard Bezuglov, Omid Etemad, Georgiy Malyakin et al.
Summary: The study investigated the association between body composition and non-contact muscle injury risk in elite soccer players. Thirty-three elite male outfield players from one Russian Premier League club were monitored across three seasons (2021/22-2023/24). Anthropometry (body-fat %, muscle-mass %, sum of 8 skinfolds, body mass, body mass index) was performed at six standardized time points per season by anthropometrist with The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry certificate. Non-contact muscle injuries were recorded to International Olympic Committee standards. Time-varying Andersen-Gill Cox models were fit on counting-process intervals with multiple imputation and player-clustered inference; covariates included age, position, seasonal period, exposure minutes, body-fat %, and fat-adjusted muscle residuals. Discrimination was summarized by Harrell’s C-index. A total of 54 non-contact muscle injuries were observed in 23 players. Across endpoints, no covariate reached p < 0.05. The body-fat % effect (per 1%-point) was directionally positive for Minimal/Mild injuries (HR = 1.61; 95% CI 0.88-2.93), and closer to null for All (HR = 1.15; 95% CI 0.66-2.01) and Moderate/Severe (HR = 0.62; 95% CI 0.18-2.12). Discrimination was moderate: C-index 0.686 (All), 0.692 (Minimal/Mild), 0.789 (Moderate/Severe). In this cohort of elite soccer players, a higher body fat percentage demonstrated an associational signal with the hazard of minimal and mild muscle injuries, whereas no association was observed for moderate or severe events. Given the observational study design and the potential for residual confounding, these findings should be interpreted as associative rather than causal.

2 Periodization of physical exercise in the rehabilitation of a professional soccer player following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A case report

Reference: J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2026 Jun:46:600-610. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.12.006. Epub 2025 Dec 13.
Authors: Sebastián Rodríguez, Catalina León-Prieto
Summary: The aim was to present the rehabilitation management of a professional soccer player following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft, emphasizing an exercise periodization approach. A 24-year-old professional soccer player (180 cm, 78 kg) sustained a right ACL rupture during an abrupt change of direction, experiencing an audible pop, severe pain, and instability. MRI confirmed the diagnosis. Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction was performed using a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft, secured with interference screws. A structured, accelerated rehabilitation program was implemented, prioritizing joint stability, strength, and neuromuscular control. The rehabilitation followed a periodized model with six macrocycles and 30 microcycles across five phases. Each macrocycle established specific objectives, precautions, interventions, progression criteria, and assessment tests. This structured approach facilitated a systematic recovery, enhancing joint function, muscle strength, dynamic stability, and neuromuscular control. The athlete met all progression criteria and successfully transitioned to soccer-specific training. Periodized rehabilitation optimized recovery, ensuring a safe and progressive return to competition. Macrocycle-based structuring facilitated workload management, minimized re-injury risk, and maximized performance. This approach underscores the importance of periodization in sports rehabilitation, providing a replicable model for high-performance athletes.

3 Effect of 12-week functional training on soccer fitness among boys aged 10-11 years

Reference: J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2026 Jun:46:460-470. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.11.027. Epub 2025 Nov 27.
Authors: Xinyu Zhao, Yang Hong, Zihao Cai, Chang Liu, Yibo Jia, Tao Liu
Summary: This study aimed to test the efficacy of functional training in improving soccer fitness among boys aged 10-11 years. Functional movement screening (FMS) and soccer fitness tests were conducted on 36 boys aged 10-11 years. The participants were randomly allocated to the control group (CG, n = 18) or experimental group (EG, n = 18). The CG was trained following a regular soccer training program, and the EG completed functional training during the warm-up and relaxation periods of the regular soccer training. After training, the FMS score of the EG increased from 16.94 ± 2.61 to 19.38 ± 1.06 (P < 0.01, ES = 1.19), while the CG remained unchanged (17.22 ± 2.39, P > 0.05, ES = 0.11). Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in multiple fitness indicators, including ball-dribbling shuttle run (CG: P < 0.001, ES = 0.17; EG: P < 0.001, ES = 0.88), dribbling around the poles (CG: P < 0.001, ES = 0.32; EG: P < 0.001, ES = 1.01), standing long jump (CG: P < 0.001, ES = 0.11; EG: P < 0.001, ES = 0.45), T-drill (CG: P < 0.001, ES = 0.34; EG: P < 0.001, ES = 2.28), and 400-m run (CG: P < 0.05, ES = 0.80; EG: P < 0.001, ES = 1.02). However, a significant improvement in target-oriented passing and receiving was observed only in the EG (P < 0.01, ES = 0.48). Inter-group comparisons showed that the EG performed significantly better than the CG in dribbling around the poles (P < 0.05, ES = 1.01), standing long jump (P < 0.05, ES = 0.45), and T-drill (P < 0.001, ES = 2.28). However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in ball-dribbling shuttle run (P > 0.05, ES = 0.88), target-oriented passing and receiving (P > 0.05, ES = 0.48), or 400-m run (P > 0.05, ES = 1.02). The functional training program significantly enhanced FMS scores, mobility, and explosiveness, EG improved in the 400-m run performance and target accuracy, but no inter-group difference was observed, suggesting that additional sport-specific technical and endurance components are required to achieve more comprehensive performance gains.

4 Football (Soccer) refereeing and cardiovascular health: A scoping review

Reference: PLoS One. 2026 Apr 2;21(4):e0346360. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0346360. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Toby M Plasto, Geoffrey H Tofler, Tom Buckley
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13046249/pdf/pone.0346360.pdf
Summary: Physical and psychological stress can precipitate Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) events. Football (soccer) is a popular sport globally, with referees covering significant distances, often at high-intensity during a match, and facing potentially intense psychological stress from high-stakes decision-making and potential verbal abuse from players and spectators. The aim of this scoping review was to identify what is known about the cardiovascular health and risk of acute cardiac events in referees during football matches. A librarian-assisted search of six databases was completed, with publications written in English or with English translation available included. The PRISMA checklist was utilised and data were extracted from publications to form both descriptive and thematic analyses. Analysis of the publications identified five key themes: 1) the cardiovascular risk factors profile of football referees (prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes), 2) psychological stress and abuse experienced by referees (both verbal and physical abuse are reported at all levels of football, contributing to stress, anxiety, and anger), 3) physical intensity and activity levels of football referees (distance covered per match), 4) physiological aspects of football refereeing and 5) cardiac events on the football field (referees are rarely involved in providing CPR). Evidence indicates that football referees face significant cardiovascular demands and psychological stress, along with a vulnerability to physical abuse, yet there is a lack of research on educational interventions to promote their cardiovascular health. Additionally, referees may act as first responders during ACS events, highlighting the necessity for them to be knowledgeable about relevant symptoms and trained for effective response.

5 The 30-15 intermittent fitness test in young elite male soccer players: evaluating aerobic performance in relation to maturity offset

Reference: J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2026 Apr 2. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.26.17778-0. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Lucia Imperiali, Sara Bizzozero, Francesco Magenes, Antonio LA Torre, Marcello F Iaia, Roberto Codella, Stefano Borghi
Summary: The developmental trajectory of young elite soccer players is influenced by maturation and physiological parameters. This study examined age-based differences in maturation, physical performance, and positional variations among young elite male soccer players using the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15 IFT) among 113 elite male players aged 11-17. Assessments included peak height velocity (PHV), maturity offset, maximum running speed from the 30-15 IFT (MRS30-15IFT), and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Age-related and positional differences were analyzed to identify significant variations across categories. Significant age-related differences were observed in maturation and performance parameters. U16 and U17 players differed in PHV (P=0.009), while maturity offset varied significantly across most categories except between U16 and U17. Aerobic performance, measured via MRS30-15IFT and VO2max, improved progressively with age; U12 players showed lower values than older groups (P<0.05). Strong correlations emerged between VO2max and maturity offset (r=0.73, P<0.001) and between MRS30-15IFT and maturity offset (r=0.73, P<0.001). Positional analysis revealed that central backs had lower PHV than midfielders and wingers in U12-U14 (P<0.015), while wingers showed higher VO2max than strikers in U15-U17 (P=0.042). Maturation and physiological performance parameters vary significantly across age categories in elite young soccer players. Position-specific differences in growth and aerobic capacity emphasize the importance of individualized training approaches to optimize development and performance.

6 Time to Blow the Whistle on Mental Fatigue in Soccer Referees: A Current Opinion on the Impact of Cognitive and Physical Demands on Performance and Training Interventions

Reference: Sports Med. 2026 Apr 2. doi: 10.1007/s40279-026-02426-3. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Arthur Le Deuff, Christopher Carling, Mathieu Nedelec
Summary: Soccer referees play a crucial role in maintaining the laws and spirit of the game. Since the early 2000s, research has focused on understanding and enhancing their performance. However, research on mental fatigue in soccer referees remains in its early stages. This Current Opinion article aims to critically summarize current knowledge of this phenomenon in soccer referees and highlight areas requiring future research. It explores how cognitive and physical demands during matches contribute to mental fatigue development, its potential impact on refereeing performance, and how pre-match, half-time, and post-match interventions might help alleviate or aid recovery from this phenomenon. Although only a small number of studies have investigated mental fatigue in soccer referees, evidence suggests that the combination of intense and prolonged cognitive and physical demands makes both field and assistant referees susceptible to mental fatigue during matches. This phenomenon may negatively impact multiple performance components, particularly decision-making accuracy. Although interventions such as brain endurance training, mindfulness practices, structured routines, recovery strategies, and sleep optimization could help mitigate mental fatigue, the application of these modalities in and around match play remains unexplored in refereeing populations, representing a critical research gap.

7 Lower-body strength and power profiles and their relationships with shot velocity and accuracy in elite arena soccer players

Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Mar 17:8:1766063. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1766063. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Minh N Q Nguyen, Caleb Bean, Angeleau Scott, Quincy Johnson, Thayne A Munce, Andrew C Fry
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13036158/pdf/fspor-08-1766063.pdf
Summary: Soccer goals depend on the ability to strike the ball both fast and accurately, yet it is unclear which lower-body neuromuscular qualities best underpin these outcomes in professional arena soccer. This study examined how force plate-derived strength and power characteristics relate to shot velocity, accuracy, and a combined shooting proficiency score in elite arena players. Thirty-two male Major Arena Soccer League players completed a battery of lower-body tests on dual force plates [isometric mid-thigh pull [IMTP], countermovement jump [CMJ], drop jump, and 10/5 repeated ankle hops], followed 24-48 h later by a standardized Rosch Soccer Shooting Test. Shooting outcomes were dominant-foot shot velocity (VEL; radar-derived), shooting accuracy (ACC; summed target-grid score of the best three shots), and a composite proficiency index (PROF = VEL × ACC). Pearson correlations were used to screen for redundancy among neuromuscular variables, and separate forward-entry multiple regression models (standardized predictors) were run for VEL, ACC, and PROF. Shot velocity was significantly associated only with CMJ braking impulse (R = 0.39, R 2 = 0.15, p = 0.03), indicating that players with greater eccentric braking capacity tended to strike the ball faster. Shooting accuracy was best explained by IMTP peak force and 10/5 peak reactive strength index (R = 0.60, R 2 = 0.36, p < 0.001), while PROF was associated with IMTP relative peak force and 10/5 peak reactive strength index (R = 0.55, R 2 = 0.31, p = 0.01). In professional arena soccer players, faster shots were linked to superior eccentric braking ability, whereas more accurate and more proficient shooting were associated with greater maximal strength (especially relative to body mass) and ankle-dominant reactive strength. These findings highlight distinct, trainable neuromuscular profiles for powerful vs. precise shooting that can inform targeted strength and plyometric programming in high-performance soccer.

8 The Impact of Video Speed on Situation Awareness and Prefrontal Cortex Activation in Soccer Players

Reference: Psychol Sport Exerc. 2026 Mar 30:103127. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2026.103127. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Qian Zhou, Zipeng Yang, Qi Li, Yu Zhang, Jie Li
Summary: Situation awareness (SA) is a core construct supporting effective decision-making and performance in dynamic environments and is strongly shaped by temporal constraints. However, it remains unclear how temporal constraints influence the three levels of SA-perception, comprehension, and projection-in sport contexts, and whether expertise modulates these effects in both behavioral performance and neural activity. The present study provides the first level-specific examination of SA under temporal constraints by presenting real-game soccer footage under a normal condition (1.0x) and a temporal-constraint condition (1.5x), while simultaneously recording prefrontal cortical activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Behaviorally, athletes outperformed amateurs across all three SA levels under both video speed conditions, with performance remaining stable despite the increased video speed. Neurally, during perception, activation in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, frontal eye fields, and frontopolar area (FPA) decreased at 1.5x relative to 1.0x in both groups. During projection, athletes exhibited reduced FPA activation at 1.5x relative to 1.0x and showed lower FPA activation than amateurs at 1.5x. In addition, brain-behavior correlation analyses revealed that, at 1.5x, projection performance in amateurs was positively associated with prefrontal activation. Together, these findings indicate an expertise-related advantage in SA under both normal and temporally constrained conditions, accompanied by neural efficiency in prefrontal processing. While behavioral performance remained stable across SA levels, temporal constraints revealed hierarchical and expertise-dependent differences in neural processing. Specifically, increased automaticity was evident at the perception level in both groups, whereas automaticity at the projection level was observed only in soccer athletes.

9 „Too much, too soon?“ Early professional match exposure and career sustainability: a 10-year multileague cohort of professional female soccer players

Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Apr 1. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01652-6. Online ahead of print.
Author: Ibrahim Ebeid
Summary: Debate persists about whether early professional competition compromises long-term career sustainability in youth athletes; evidence in women’s professional soccer is limited. We hypothesized that greater cumulative professional match exposure before age 18 would be associated with increased risk of sustained attrition between ages 18 and 23. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a large multinational cohort of professional female soccer players competing in top-tier leagues in England, France, Germany, and Italy between 2010 and 2020. Players who made their professional debut before age 18 were included. Pre-18 exposure was categorized by cumulative club minutes: ≤250, 251–750, 751–1,750, or > 1,750 min. The primary outcome was sustained attrition, defined as a ≥ 12-month absence from professional competition between ages 18 and 23. Analyses included Kaplan–Meier methods, Cox proportional hazards models, and multivariable regression adjusting for debut age, position, and height. Of 1,148 players, 406 (35.4%) experienced sustained attrition between ages 18 and 23. Higher pre-18 exposure was associated with a lower likelihood of sustained attrition: adjusted hazard ratios were 0.60 (95% CI, 0.47–0.75) for 251–750 min, 0.37 (95% CI, 0.28–0.50) for 751–1,750 min, and 0.26 (95% CI, 0.17–0.38) for > 1,750 min (P < 0.05). Greater pre-18 exposure was also independently associated with higher mean annual playing time and greater match participation between ages 18 and 23. Among professional female soccer players, higher levels of professional match exposure before age of 18 were associated with improved career sustainability. These findings suggest that players capable of accumulating high match volumes in early professional environments are more likely to maintain long-term careers. Rather than viewing early professional competition as an inherent risk, these results support carefully supervised early integration as a means to identify and develop robust athletic trajectories.

10 Brain-derived signals related to ball kicking movement in soccer and technologies employed: a systematic literature review with gap map

Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Apr 1. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01676-y. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Nicole Unsihuay, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Robert Trybulski et al.
Summary: Background: Recent technological advances have enabled the development of portable data acquisition systems that facilitate the collection of brain signals during sports tasks. The main objective of the present systematic review was to collate evidence regarding studies that have analysed brain-derived indices related to ball kicking action. Methods: The PRISMA guidelines were followed in the protocol for this review. Six electronic databases were searched (IEEE Xplore, Scopus, Web of Science, APA PsycNet, EBSCOHost, and PubMed). The search string followed a PICOS/PECOS framework: participants as human ablebodied subjects regardless of age, evaluated while performing a ball kick task, and reported results of brain-derived metrics. The RoBANS tool was used to evaluate the risk-of-bias of the included studies. Results: The database searches resulted in a total of 1748 records, of which 8 original research articles met all the inclusion criteria. Most studies used EEG systems while few employed fNIRS. Qualitative synthesis indicated that skilled ball kicking performance was generally accompanied by phasespecific cortical dynamics (e.g., within frontal, sensorimotor/central, and parieto-occipital regions) whereas anxiety and injury appear to shift cortical engagement toward potentially compensatory, less efficient control strategies. Data on measurement error was limited while blinding aspects were frequently omitted across studies. Finally, one problem identified in this review was that only onefourth studies used an opponent attempting to block the shots. Conclusions: Preliminary evidence suggest that kicking outcomes tended to be linked with specific brain patterns. Future studies need to improve the design of experimental tasks so that they more closely resemble what occurs in a real game.

11 Academic stress and mental fatigue predict subjective but not objective internal load in adolescent soccer players-a prospective cohort study

Reference: Front Psychol. 2026 Mar 17:17:1770781. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1770781. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Rick Nijland, Tynke Toering, Andreas Ivarsson, Johan de Jong, Koen A P M Lemmink
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13035501/pdf/fpsyg-17-1770781.pdf
Summary: Adolescent soccer players aspiring to reach the elite level are usually involved in a dual career. Moreover, they experience rapid physical and psychological development with unique social environments. Non-training stressors, such as educational responsibilities, can induce stress and mental fatigue, potentially negatively affecting training load. The relationship between non-training stressors and training load has received little investigation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between academic stress, mental fatigue and training load; specifically, the extent to which academic stress and mental fatigue predict internal load. Using a prospective cohort study design, 35 players from an Under-16 and Under-18 youth academy team were monitored daily for half a season. Measures for mental fatigue, academic stress, external load and internal load were collected before, during or after on-field training sessions. Using multilevel modelling, academic stress, mental fatigue and external load indicators served as independent variables to predict the rating of perceived exertion and the heart-rate-derived training impulse (TRIMP). Final multilevel models indicated that academic stress and mental fatigue were positively associated with rating of perceived exertion, but academic stress and mental fatigue did not predict TRIMP after controlling for external load indicators. We conclude that academic stress and mental fatigue could lead to unwanted alterations in the rating of perceived exertion. Coaches should therefore remain alert to deviations from normal scores and relatively high levels of academic stress or mental fatigue. Given the multifaceted nature of non-training stressors, a holistic monitoring approach is recommended.

12 Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Professional Soccer: Evidence from Transfermarkt-Based Studies

Reference: Indian J Orthop. 2026 Feb 16;60(3):561-569. doi: 10.1007/s43465-026-01714-4. eCollection 2026 Mar.
Authors: Riccardo D’Ambrosi, Chiara Ursino, Fabrizio Di Feo, Luca Maria Sconfienza, Alessandro Nuara, Nicola Ursino
Summary: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury represents one of the most severe and career-threatening conditions in professional soccer. In recent years, several epidemiological studies have used media-based databases, particularly Transfermarkt, to investigate ACL injury patterns in elite football. To summarize and critically discuss Transfermarkt-based evidence on ACL injuries in professional soccer, focusing on epidemiology, injury distribution, recurrence, return-to-play outcomes, and long-term career impact. This study was designed as a narrative review of peer-reviewed Transfermarkt-based studies investigating anterior cruciate ligament injuries in professional soccer. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, and eligible studies were qualitatively synthesized focusing on epidemiology, injury distribution, recurrence, return-to-play, and career-related outcomes. Across the included studies, ACL injuries occurred predominantly during matches, with a substantially higher risk compared with training. Injury distribution showed consistent seasonal clustering and position-dependent patterns, with defenders and forwards being most frequently affected. A considerable proportion of injuries represented second ACL ruptures. Although return-to-play rates were high, only a limited proportion of players returned to their preinjury competitive level. Moreover, ACL-injured players demonstrated reduced long-term performance and shorter career duration compared with matched uninjured controls. ACL injury in professional soccer is not only an acute traumatic event but also a condition with relevant long-term performance and career consequences. Transfermarkt-based studies provide valuable large-scale epidemiological insight into ACL injury patterns in elite football; however, their findings should be interpreted in light of inherent methodological limitations. Future research integrating medical registries with standardized reporting systems is required to optimize injury prevention strategies and long-term outcome assessment.

13 Interrogating alignment of the 2026 FIFA World Cup event objectives across the Canadian soccer system

Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Mar 13:8:1743648. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1743648. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Georgia Teare, Kristen A Morrison, Kerri L Bodin
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13021600/pdf/fspor-08-1743648.pdf
Summary: Both top-down and bottom-up organizations often have event-related objectives associated with hosting major sport events. The extent to which the objectives of these organizations align within the host region can play a role in objective achievement (e.g., through efficient resource mobilization). This study examines the types and alignment of objectives of sport system stakeholders in each of the Canadian host locations of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A collective case study was employed to interrogate the event-related objectives developed by organizations within the Canadian soccer system. Publicly available documents (n = 36 documents; 1,032 total pages) from organizations‘ websites were analysed according to their objectives and resources dedicated to support objective achievement. Each organization’s objectives were also analysed to interrogate objective alignment across the Canadian soccer system. While some alignment of objectives, particularly among similar types of organizations (i.e., sport, event, non-sport), indicates potential for objective achievement, the lack of clear objectives of some bottom-up organizations may result in missed opportunities. This study contributes to our understanding of event leverage beyond that of sport development and different stakeholder organizations‘ tensions in objective alignment.

14 Earlier Return to Soccer After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Concomitant Meniscal Repair Predict Better Outcomes 3 Years Postoperatively

Reference: Indian J Orthop. 2025 Dec 22;60(3):664-671. doi: 10.1007/s43465-025-01588-y. eCollection 2026 Mar.
Authors: Filippo Familiari, Filippo Anghilieri, Michele Mercurio, Giorgio Gasparini, Robert F LaPrade, Corrado Bait
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13031567/pdf/43465_2025_Article_1588.pdf
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate functional and psychological outcomes to identify successful return to sport (RTS) predictors after arthroscopic meniscal repair with concomitant anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction (ACLR) in soccer players. Forty-three out of forty-six soccer players who underwent primary unilateral arthroscopic anatomic single-bundle ACLR with concomitant meniscal repair were available at follow-up. Postoperatively, knee function, generic health outcomes, and psychological impact were assessed using the IKDC, the SF-12, and the ACL return to sports after injury (ACL-RSI) scale. After a mean follow-up of 34 ± 15.1 months, 82% of soccer players returned to their previous level of play. The mean time to RTS was 7.8 ± 1.6 months (range 6-12 months). A positive strong correlation between IKDC versus ACL-RSI (p < 0.001) was noted. The correlation was moderately positive between IKDC versus SF-12 PCS (p < 0.001), ACL-RSI versus SF-12 PCS (p < 0.001), ACL-RSI versus SF-12 MCS (p < 0.001), and weakly positive between IKDC versus SF-12-MSC scores (p < 0.001). Higher postoperative ACL-RSI scores were directly related to younger age (p = 0.036) and shorter RTS time after surgery (p = 0.027). The multivariate analysis confirmed the association between a higher postoperative ACL-RSI and a shorter RTS time after surgery (p = 0.043). Higher postoperative SF-12 PCS values were affected by a shorter RTS time after surgery (p = 0.005). Higher postoperative ACL-RSI scores were directly related to younger patient age and shorter RTS time after surgery.

15 Planning and periodisation strategies in English professional men’s football: an investigation into current practice

Reference: Sci Med Footb. 2026 Apr 2:1-19. doi: 10.1080/24733938.2026.2650161. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Paul Bower, Stacey Emmonds, John Lyle, Nessan Costello
Summary: Despite the recognised importance of training planning and periodisation in elite football, no published research has examined these practices across the professional men’s English football league pyramid. Increased physical and scheduling demands underscore the need to understand current trends and influencing factors that shape training, recovery, and player preparation. Identifying variations across the English Premier League (EPL), English Football League Championship (CH), League One (L1), and League Two (L2) can provide valuable insights for head coaches, performance staff, and other key stakeholders. To explore how practitioners plan and implement training, recovery strategies, and non-squad match-day activities to optimise player preparation during one- and two-game weeks. Seventy-seven practitioners responsible for performance provision across the professional leagues responded to a survey containing 10 single-choice, 18 multiple-choice, and 1 open-ended question. Findings show that: (1) ultimate decision-making authority predominantly rested with head coaches/managers (91%), rather than performance leads; (2) microcycle periodisation patterns varied substantially within and across leagues, with greater variability and less alignment to established frameworks observed in the EPL and CH compared to L1 and L2; and (3) compensation strategies for non-starting players were inconsistent and potentially inadequate during both one- and two-game weeks across leagues. Conclusions: Periodisation practices in professional men’s football are primarily driven by managerial decision making, showing considerable variability and display greater inconsistency in higher leagues where scheduling demands are more complex. Inadequate compensation strategies for non-starting players, particularly during two-game weeks, represent a key area for improvement in practice and future research.

16 Head acceleration in blind football players: A laboratory-based exploratory study

Reference: J Sci Med Sport. 2026 Mar 16:S1440-2440(26)00101-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2026.03.007. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Branimir Ivanic, Eva Ageberg, Nicholas Ryan, Wayne Derman, Phoebe Runciman, Jan Lexell, Kristina Fagher
Download link: https://www.jsams.org/action/showPdf?pii=S1440-2440%2826%2900101-5
Summary: The aim was to compare head acceleration between blind football players and non-disabled football players, and between anticipated and unanticipated conditions in blind football players. Participants were ten football players (five blind football, five non-disabled; 80% female). Standardized head perturbations were applied in flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation using a custom-built apparatus, under both anticipated and unanticipated conditions. Peak linear (g) and angular (rad/s2) head accelerations were measured. Between-group comparisons did not reveal statistically significant differences; however, a descriptive pattern was observed for peak angular acceleration during rotational perturbations, with blind football players demonstrating higher values in both anticipated (44.75 ± 4.38 vs. 38.09 ± 7.20 rad/s2; p 0.12) and unanticipated (48.0 ± 4.8 vs. 40.9 ± 5.5 rad/s2; p 0.06) conditions. In blind football group, unanticipated perturbations produced higher accelerations than anticipated, with the largest descriptive differences observed in lateral flexion for both peak linear (0.25 ± 0.03 vs. 0.21 ± 0.03 g; p 0.00) and angular accelerations (21.73 ± 4.71 vs. 18.36 ± 6.45 rad/s2; p 0.24). Descriptively higher peak angular acceleration during rotational trials was observed in blind football compared to non-disabled football players, alongside consistently higher head accelerations in unanticipated than anticipated conditions. While the observed patterns suggest that anticipatory control may influence head acceleration responses, adequately powered studies are needed to confirm the observed directional trends in angular head acceleration between blind football and non-disabled football players and clarify their implications for sport-related concussion prevention strategies in blind football.

17 Field assessment of melatonin timing reveals circadian misalignment beyond chronotype in elite female football players

Reference. NPJ Biol Timing Sleep. 2026 Apr 1;3(1):13. doi: 10.1038/s44323-026-00074-4.
Authors: Cátia Reis, Rita Tomás, Vasco Cardoso, Júlio A Costa, João Brito
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13043867/pdf/44323_2026_Article_74.pdf
Summary: Melatonin production is the gold-standard marker of the physiological „biological night“. Assessing it in athletes outside the laboratory enables individualized circadian interventions. This study quantified morning misalignment in elite athletes and examined its association with subjective well-being. Twenty-two elite female athletes (mean age = 26.8 ± 4.3 years) from the same national squad were monitored during a one-week training camp with standardized meal, training and sleep opportunities. Athletes wore actimetry devices to measure sleep and light exposure and completed daily sleep diaries with well-being ratings. On one day, salivary melatonin was self-sampled hourly from four hours before habitual sleep onset to one hour after, and again at wake time and one hour after waking. A longer phase angle between melatonin onset and sleep onset was associated with longer total sleep duration, whereas being an evening chronotype and sharing a room with a dissimilar chronotype were both independently associated with shorter total sleep duration. Elevated melatonin one hour after waking, indicative of morning circadian misalignment, was associated with lower subjective well-being. These findings demonstrate that real-life circadian timing influences both sleep and well-being in elite athletes and support the value of individualized circadian-informed strategies to optimize health and recovery.

17 Stay in Play: a FIFA decision aid for football participation during pregnancy

Reference: Br J Sports Med. 2026 Apr 1:bjsports-2025-110227. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2025-110227. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Sinead Dufour, Emma Brockwell, Ivi Casagrande, Margie H Davenport
Download link: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/early/2026/04/01/bjsports-2025-110227.full.pdf
Summary: Given the uncertain risk of football participation during pregnancy, this study sought to develop and validate a clinical decision aid to support informed participation. Development of the decision aid was founded on the knowledge-to-action cycle through the application of the intervention mapping and knowledge transfer scheme. Five steps were followed: (1) scientific literature review; (2) identifying participation barriers and facilitators; (3) developing the objective and approach; (4) identifying the key health screening components and (5) external review by experts working in football (physicians, physiotherapists and coaches), followed by a preliminary usability, content and criterion-validity assessment. We recommend discontinuing full-contact football beyond 12 weeks of pregnancy. Players may continue modified training, including low-intensity contact, in the absence of medical contraindications. Consultation and testing of the decision aid took place with 34 end users, including players, coaches and medical staff. These perspectives spanned 12 countries, confirming the high utility for players and their multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) at all levels. Strong support was determined across all aspects of the aid; overall (94% approval), a five-stage approach (97% approval) and the Pregnancy Medical and Performance Debrief Form (100% approval). The case study affirmed 94% respondent proficiency in using the decision aid. Qualitative feedback from the respondents was also used to enhance clarity of the decision aid. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association Stay in Play During Pregnancy decision aid is designed for amateur to professional-level football players and their MDTs to support informed and quality decision-making about football participation during pregnancy.

18 Normative values for hip strength and range of motion in Dutch professional female football players – PROFE hip study

Reference: J Sci Med Sport. 2026 Mar 16:S1440-2440(26)00099-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2026.03.005. Online ahead of print.
Authors: S N L Sita Coenjaerts, T P A Tom Beddows, A W Adam Weir et al.
Download link: https://www.jsams.org/action/showPdf?pii=S1440-2440%2826%2900099-X
Summary: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine normative values for hip strength and range of motion in professional female football players and to explore associations of age, playing position, leg dominance, hip/groin symptoms and previous hip/groin injuries. By establishing baseline measures, this study aims to provide reference values that can help guide injury prevention strategies in female football players. 100 professional female football players from the highest Dutch football league (Eredivisie) were assessed at three participating hospitals. Primary outcome measures included normalized eccentric hip adduction and abduction (Nm/kg), hip adduction/abduction ratio, adduction squeeze (N/kg), internal and external hip rotation (°), total hip rotation (°), hip flexion (°) and bent knee fall out (cm). Normative values for hip strength (mean ± SD) were: adduction 3.0 ± 0.6 Nm/kg, abduction 3.1 ± 0.6 Nm/kg, adduction/abduction ratio 1.0 ± 0.1, and adductor squeeze 4.2 ± 0.7. Age showed a positive association with abduction and adduction strength. Goalkeepers had lower values for all strength measurements compared with field players. Normative values for ROM (mean ± SD) were: internal rotation 36 ± 8°, external rotation 49 ± 7°, total rotation 86 ± 10°, hip flexion 128 ± 6°, and bent knee fall out 14 ± 4 cm. Dominant legs showed lower mean values for internal rotation, total rotation, and hip flexion compared to non-dominant legs. This study established normative values for hip strength and range of motion in professional female football players that can be used as reference profiles and can aid in injury prevention strategies and return-to-play protocols.

19 Exercise-Induced Compartment Syndrome in a Middle-Aged Football Player: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review

Reference: Indian J Orthop. 2025 Dec 19;60(3):717-722. doi: 10.1007/s43465-025-01661-6. eCollection 2026 Mar.
Authors: M Jyothiprasanth, C R Jithin, Aarathi Andharjanam, Akhil K Thomas
Summary: Exercise-induced compartment syndrome (EICS) is an uncommon but significant cause of recurrent leg pain in physically active individuals, particularly endurance athletes, runners, and military personnel, arising from increased pressure within a muscle compartment during prolonged or intense physical activity, which restricts blood flow, leads to tissue ischemia, and can result in damage due to the repeated muscle contractions that outpace the body’s ability to manage blood influx and maintain adequate perfusion. This case not only highlights its rarity but also helps familiarize with its presentation, diagnosis, and management. A 30-year-old male presented with complaints of pain, swelling, and difficulty in walking 3 days after playing football without ant history of trauma. He was immediately investigated and diagnosed with exercise-induced compartment syndrome of anterior compartment with deep posterior compartment involvement. Emergency compartment fasciotomy was done, severe muscle necrosis found, and compartment debrided. Post 1-year follow-up, patient had near normal range of motion compared with contralateral side. The rarity of exercise-induced compartment syndrome (EICS) underscores the vital importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment, such as fasciotomy, to significantly improve patient outcomes. Delays in intervention are associated with increased complications and to optimize recovery and prevent adverse effects, implementing a graded rehabilitation program is essential following timely surgical management.