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 Evolution of soccer talent identification criteria: a systematic review from global perspectives (1976-2024)
Reference: Front Psychol. 2026 Mar 19:17:1739010. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1739010. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Yikang Gong, Weichao Jiang, Yuan Li, Jinrong He, Wei Zhang, Wenzhe Li, Shiqin Chen, Chong Luo
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13045062/pdf/fpsyg-17-1739010.pdf
Summary: This systematic review synthesizes the evolution of indicators used in global soccer talent identification (TID) between 1976 and 2024, with particular emphasis on how technological innovation, policy frameworks, and cultural contexts have shaped selection systems. In the context of accelerating globalization, TID criteria have progressively shifted from predominantly subjective, experience-based judgments to multidimensional and integrative evaluation models. A systematic review of empirical research published from 1976 to 2024 was conducted. Thirty-eight empirical studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria were synthesized to map historical shifts in TID indicators and to develop an evolutionary framework describing changes in identification practices over time. The reviewed evidence supports a three-stage progression in soccer TID indicator development. The early stage (1976-1999) was dominated by anthropometric measures and basic physical fitness assessments. The developmental stage (2000-2015) featured the integration of technical performance metrics with physiological testing, reflecting expanding methodological capacity and sport-science uptake. The active stage (2016-2024) was characterized by multidimensional integration, with increased incorporation of psychological attributes and social adaptability alongside physical, technical, and physiological domains. Across stages, technological advancement and intensifying global competition emerged as major drivers of indicator expansion and methodological refinement. Tools such as wearable sensor systems, GPS tracking, and multidimensional assessment frameworks broadened the scope of quantifiable indicators and promoted more standardized evaluation workflows. Europe has been particularly influential in advancing standardization and disseminating related practices internationally. However, the review also demonstrates persistent regional differentiation: European systems generally emphasize data-driven precision and procedural standardization, whereas South American and African contexts more often prioritize the detection of latent potential and context-dependent performance under game-like conditions. Global soccer TID indicators have evolved toward increasingly comprehensive, technology-enabled assessment systems, yet the trajectory of development remains shaped by regional philosophies of talent and contextual constraints. The findings underscore that effective TID systems should balance standardization with contextual sensitivity, integrating robust measurement with an appreciation of culturally embedded selection logics and ecologically valid performance demands.
2 Exploring the determinants of salary valuations in women’s professional soccer
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Mar 20:8:1720173. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1720173. eCollection 2026.
Author: Thadeu Gasparetto
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13047095/pdf/fspor-08-1720173.pdf
Summary: This paper examines the determinants of salary valuations in women’s professional soccer, a topic that has been largely overlooked in academic research. Using a unique dataset derived from the FIFA video game series, the study analyzes how player quality, age, skills, and international reputation are associated with salary valuations using Ordinary Least Squares regression. The findings indicate that observable measures of talent, age, technical skills, and reputation are systematically related to salary valuations, broadly aligning with patterns documented in men’s professional soccer. This similarity suggests increasing convergence in how player attributes are valued across genders as women’s soccer continues to professionalize. The study contributes novel evidence on salary-setting patterns in women’s soccer and offers insights relevant to the sport’s ongoing development, particularly with respect to visibility, commercialization, and efforts to reduce the gender pay gap.
3 Enhancing the response inhibition skill of soccer players with repeated tDCS: a randomized controlled ERP study
Reference: Front Hum Neurosci. 2026 Mar 19:20:1738168. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2026.1738168. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Kaihao Chen, Huan Yu, Shaokun Zhang, Zhikang Li, Jeho Song
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13043647/pdf/fnhum-20-1738168.pdf
Summary: This study investigated the effects of repeated transcranial direct current stimulation on response inhibition and sought to elucidate the underlying neurobehavioral mechanisms. In a randomized, triple-blind, sham-controlled, 36 male soccer players were assigned to active-tDCS, sham-tDCS, or no-intervention control groups. The active-tDCS group received 20-min 1.5 mA tDCS over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) five times weekly for 4 weeks, alongside regular training. The sham-tDCS group received 1-min 1.5 mA tDCS with regular training, and the no-intervention control group only regular trained. Pre- and post-intervention, all participants performed a Go/No-go task while behavioral and event-related potential (ERP) data were recorded. Behavioral metrics: Go reaction time (RT), Go accuracy (ACC), and No-go accuracy. ERP metrics: P3 amplitude and latency. Behavioral: Only the active-tDCS group showed significantly shorter Go RT post-intervention compared to baseline and the control group. The ACC for the three groups of Go and No-go tasks remained unchanged. ERP: Only the active-tDCS group exhibited increased P3 amplitude and reduced P3 latency during both Go and No-go trials. A significant three-way interaction indicated that latency shortening in No-go trials was most pronounced at central sites Cz/Cpz. The sham-tDCS group and the no-intervention control group showed no significant changes in P3 amplitude and latency between pre-tests and post-tests. These preliminary findings suggest that repeated tDCS over the right prefrontal cortex may enhance behavioral response speed in soccer players, accompanied by neurophysiological changes indicative of optimized processing efficiency (increased P3 amplitude and shortened latency). However, given the exploratory nature and modest sample size, these results warrant confirmation in larger-scale studies.
4 The Effect of Therapeutic Exercises and Ultrasound for Rehabilitation of Partially Injured Hamstring Muscles in Elite Soccer (Football) Players: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Reference: Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2026 Apr 1;21(4):440-452. doi: 10.26603/001c.156100. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Kamal Hadib Abdulridha, Iman Kadhim Hani Al-Tameemi, Alhasan Hadi Abdulhameed Alzaidi, Juan Nicolás Cuenca-Zaldivar, Alejandra Aguilar Latorre, Isabel Gómez-Soria, Estela Calatayud
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13046458/pdf/ijspt_2026_21_4_156100.pdf
Summary: Hamstring injuries are common among athletes, particularly in high-intensity sports such as soccer (football), which involves rapid acceleration and frequent changes of direction. Reported risk factors include neuromuscular fatigue, older age, low muscle strength, and reduced flexibility. Recurrent injuries are often related to previous tears, especially smaller tears in the biceps femoris muscle. The primary objective is to describe the protocol for a randomized controlled trial designed to assess the efficacy of a combined program of therapeutic exercises and therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) compared with therapeutic exercises alone for the rehabilitation of partially injured hamstring muscles in elite soccer players. Study protocol for a parallel-group randomized controlled trial. A total of 150 elite soccer players with a history of hamstring injury from eight professional clubs will be randomly allocated to two groups: 75 players in the intervention group will receive TUS combined with a structured therapeutic exercise program, and 75 players in the control group will follow the same exercise program without TUS. All participants will be actively engaged in training and matches and will have clinically and radiologically confirmed partial hamstring strains without other relevant medical conditions. The trial will evaluate whether combining TUS with exercises improves rehabilitation outcomes, reduces time to return to full team training, and contributes to injury prevention in high-performance athletes. This protocol describes a randomized controlled trial that will evaluate the effects of therapeutic exercises with and without TUS in the rehabilitation of partially injured hamstring muscles in elite soccer players. The findings are expected to inform sports medicine practitioners about the potential role of TUS as an adjunct to exercise-based rehabilitation. Given the mixed evidence regarding the effectiveness of TUS in musculoskeletal conditions, this study will contribute additional data on its possible benefits in this specific athletic population.
5 Effects of different training on lower limb explosive power in youth soccer players: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Reference: Front Physiol. 2026 Mar 19:17:1769079. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1769079. eCollection 2026.
Authors: HuaiBin Tan, ZhiGao Yan, Cong Shao, YiFei Lin
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13043373/pdf/fphys-17-1769079.pdf
Summary: Football demands high lower-limb explosive power for sprinting and jumping. Traditional youth training often emphasizes aerobic endurance and heavy resistance training, which may not optimally develop such power. The aim was to compare the effects of five different training modes, including optimal power load (OPL), resistance training (RT), high-intensity interval training (HIIT), jump training (JT) and combined training (CT), on the lower limb explosive strength of 12-19 years old adolescent soccer players. A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted, with 29 studies identified from databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang, and VIP. Data were analyzed using Stata 17.0, with effect sizes calculated for 10 m and 30 m sprint times, squat jump (SJ), and countermovement jump (CMJ). All five training interventions showed statistically significant improvements lower-limb explosive power compared to control training. Network meta-analysis suggested that CT might be the most effective for improving SJ height (MD = 4.86 [95%CI:2.67 to 7.05], P < 0.01, SUCRA = 82.7) and CMJ height (MD = 3.33 [95%CI:2.15 to 4.52], P < 0.01, SUCRA = 65.7), while the conventional meta-analysis suggested that OPL might be the most effective for reducing 10 m sprint time (MD = -1.47 [95%CI: -2.68 to -0.26] and 30 m sprint time (SMD = -2.06 [95%CI: -3.40 to -0.72]). The effects of other interventions such as RT, HIIT, and JT were also significant, but the effects were relatively small. Subgroup analyses suggest that this effect may be most pronounced in younger athletes, with diminishing returns observed in older adolescents. Combining resistance and plyometric training is likely to be a highly effective strategy to optimize limb explosive power development in youth football players within the training parameters examined. The findings suggest that coaches could consider incorporating CT and OPL into their programs to enhance both sprinting and jumping capabilities. Future research may need to explore the long-term impacts and physiological mechanisms underlying these training effects.
6 The effect of augmented feedback with velocity-based training on post-activation performance enhancement in college soccer players
Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Apr 6. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01667-z. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Ziren Zhao, Xin Zheng, Yuanhang Li, Tao Zhong, Jiawei Tian, Kaixiang Zhou
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13102-026-01667-z_reference.pdf
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of visual augmented feedback with velocity-based training (VBT) on postactivation performance enhancement (PAPE) in college soccer players. Methods: Eighteen male college soccer players participated in a crossover trial. They were randomly assigned to receive three resistance activation protocols (85% of 1RM barbell squats) to induce PAPE. The three activation protocols consisted of a visual feedback protocol based on 5%VL (VF5%VL), a fixed 12-repetition visual feedback protocol (VF12reps.), and a fixed 12-repetition protocol without visual feedback (NVF12reps.). We assessed the PAPE using 20-meter sprint performance metrics (5-meter and 20-meter sprint times, maximum speed, maximum acceleration) at 4, 8, 12, and 16minutes following barbell squat activation in soccer players. We analyzed those metrics using two-way repeated measures ANOVA and calculated the effect size (η2 p). The η 2 p were categorized as trivial (η 2 p < 0.01), small (0.01 ≤ η 2 p < 0.06), moderate (0.06 ≤ η 2 p < 0.14), and large (η 2 p ≥ 0.14) effects. We also calculated the smallest worthwhile change (SWC) to evaluate practical meaningfulness. SWC was defined as 0.2 × the between-subject standard deviation (SD) of the control condition (NVF12reps.), and changes ≥ SWC were interpreted as practically meaningful. p < 0.05 was statistically significant. Results: There was no time × protocol interactions for the metrics (p > 0.05). The main effect of protocol was found for 5-m sprint time (F = 4.553, p = 0.037, η 2 p = 0.211) and maximum acceleration (Amax) (F = 3.680, p = 0.036, η 2 p = 0.178). In pairwise comparisons, VF5%VL showed a significant improvement compared to NVF12reps. in 5-meter sprint time (mean difference = −0.04 s, p = 0.019, 95% CI: −0.067 to −0.007) and Amax (mean difference = 0.28 m/s², p = 0.018, 95% CI: 0.053 to 0.500). VF12reps. showed no significant difference compared to NVF12reps. (5- meter sprint time: p = 0.067; Amax: p = 0.241). No significant differences between VF5%VL and VF12reps. (5 m: p = 0.616; Amax: p = 0.133). No significant differences were observed for 20-meter sprint time (p = 0.221, η 2 p = 0.090) or maximum speed (Vmax) (p = 0.380, η 2 p =0.060). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that visual augmented feedback VBT can meaningfully enhance sprint start acceleration in soccer players. However, its effectiveness in improving maximal sprint speed remains inconclusive, warranting further investigation into physiological mechanisms.
7 A Video Analysis Study Examining Neuromuscular Training Warm-Up Practices in Youth Soccer
Reference: Clin J Sport Med. 2026 Apr 8. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000001423. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Destiny Lutz, Carla van den Berg, Matthew G Neill et al.
Summary: The aim was to investigate time spent completing neuromuscular training (NMT) exercises in youth soccer team warm-up across a season considering sex, level of play, session type, and coach exposure and awareness of NMT. Tier 1-3 youth (U13-U18) soccer teams (n = 22) from 6 clubs during the 2022 outdoor season (11v11) participated in this study. Across a 5-month season (May-September), 10 warm-ups (1 practice, 1 game) were filmed for each team at each time point. Time spent (s) by NMT components (aerobic, balance, strength, agility, head-on-neck control). Coaches‘ current knowledge of NMT was also collected in relation to current warm-up structure. Twenty-two teams completing 171 warm-ups (87 practices, 84 games) were analyzed. Mean active time (seconds; s) spent in warm-ups was 322.4s (95% CI, 250.3-394.5). NMT components account for 202.2s (95% CI, 150.3-254.2), with majority spent in aerobic (156.9s, 95% CI, 137.3-176.6) and less than 1 minute (22.3%) in more critical components (balance, strength, agility). No head-on-neck components were observed. Changes in warm-up composition did not change across time points. Female elite teams spent 335.8 s (95% CI, 257.8-413.8) less than elite males in practices. There were not differences in elite game warm-ups or across nonelite groups. Of 13 coaches, 38.5% knew about NMT warm-up programs, whereas only 3 (23.1%) reported implementing NMT warm-up programs. Despite previous implementation efforts, time spent in critical NMT component (balance, strength, agility), apart from aerobic, was limited. Increased engagement and evaluation of head-on-neck control should be considered. Targeted implementation strategies are essential to maximize injury prevention efforts.
8 The „Bunny Tail“ Lesion: An MRI Pattern of Proximal Biceps Femoris Tendon Injury With Rapid Return to Play in Elite Soccer Players-a Retrospective Observational Case Series
Reference: Orthop J Sports Med. 2026 Apr 3;14(4):23259671261427748. doi: 10.1177/23259671261427748. eCollection 2026 Apr.
Authors: Alessandro Corsini, Alice Patrignani, Luca Vergani et al.
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13051135/pdf/10.1177_23259671261427748.pdf
Summary: Hamstring injuries are the leading cause of time lost in professional soccer. Among these, tendon-related lesions of the biceps femoris (BF) are associated with longer recovery and higher reinjury risk. Emerging magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings suggest the existence of morphological subtypes with different prognostic implications. The aim was to describe an MRI pattern of proximal BF tendon injury-the „Bunny Tail lesion“-and report its management and outcomes in elite soccer players. Over 2 competitive seasons (July 2023-June 2024), all acute hamstring injuries in a Serie A club were prospectively recorded and retrospectively reviewed. Players were eligible if MRI showed focal peritendinous edema at the distal tip of the proximal tendon of the BF long head, with increased intratendinous signal and preserved tendon continuity. Three musculoskeletal radiologists independently classified lesions using the British Athletics Muscle Injury Classification (BAMIC). Interobserver agreement was assessed with Fleiss κ. Rehabilitation followed a structured, football-specific program with standardized return-to-training and return-to-play (RTP) criteria. Eight professional players met inclusion criteria. All lesions showed a well-circumscribed ovoid peritendinous edema surrounding the distal extremity of the proximal BF tendon, with preserved structural continuity. Lesions were variably categorized as BAMIC 2b to 2c, with one graded 3c by a single radiologist. Interobserver agreement for combined grade and tissue classification was very low [Fleiss κ close to 0]. All athletes were managed conservatively and returned to training after 14.6 ± 3.0 days and to play after 26 ± 6 days. No reinjuries occurred during a mean follow-up of 395 ± 202 days. This small series describes a consistent MRI pattern of proximal BF tendon injury characterized by focal ovoid peritendinous edema at the distal tendon tip, preserved continuity, and relatively rapid RTP despite predominantly tendinous BAMIC classification. This pattern may represent a less severe variant within the spectrum of proximal BF tendon injuries.
9 High School Soccer and Risk for Depression and Suicidality in Adulthood: Findings From a National Longitudinal Study
Reference: Clin J Sport Med. 2026 Apr 9. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000001439. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Douglas P Terry, Grant L Iverson, Alicia Kissinger-Knox
Summary: This study examined whether playing soccer in high school was associated with higher rates of mental health problems in early to middle adulthood. The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health („Add Health“) databases were analyzed. There were 221 individuals (53.8% women) who participated in high school soccer (without participating in football) and 2388 (67.2% women) who denied participating in soccer or any contact sports during high school. This study includes longitudinal data from individuals assessed at Wave I (n = 6503; median age = 15), Wave III (median age = 22), Wave IV (median age = 29), and Wave V (n = 4196; median age = 38). We compared those who played soccer with those who did not engage in contact sports on several mental health outcomes. When comparing those who played high school soccer with those who did not play contact sports, there were no differences in the proportion who had a lifetime diagnosis of depression, lifetime diagnosis of anxiety or panic disorders, suicidal ideation in the past year, psychological counseling in the past year, or current depressed mood at Waves III, IV, or V (all P-values > 0.05). In addition, we matched soccer players to control participants on biologic sex, race, and educational attainment to control for potential confounds; the results were similar and nonsignificant. Individuals who played soccer in high school did not have an increased rate of mental health difficulties at multiple follow-up time points during early to mid-adulthood.
10 ACL injury in female soccer players: Risk, resilience, and prevention in the modern game
Reference: Sci Prog. 2026 Apr-Jun;109(2):368504261428994. doi: 10.1177/00368504261428994. Epub 2026 Apr 9.
Authors: Riccardo D’Ambrosi, Philipp Baumert, Christian Fink
Download link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/00368504261428994
Summary: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most impactful conditions in female soccer, with major consequences for knee function, osteoarthritis risk, and professional longevity. As participation and competitive demands in women’s football continue to rise, the disproportionate ACL burden has become a critical clinical and public health concern.This narrative review provides a contemporary synthesis of current evidence on ACL injury in female soccer players, integrating data on epidemiology, injury mechanisms, intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors, surgical outcomes, return to sport (RTS), and prevention strategies. Across multiple cohorts, female players sustain ACL injuries at rates two to nine times higher than males, predominantly through noncontact mechanisms. Video analyses indicate that approximately 90% of injuries occur during cutting, pressing, deceleration, or landing tasks.Key intrinsic risk factors include a reduced hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio, quadriceps dominance, generalized joint laxity, hip abductor weakness, and longer playing experience. Biomechanical deficits such as dynamic knee valgus, trunk instability, and suboptimal change of direction mechanics further increase susceptibility. Psychological factors, particularly fear of reinjury, also influence movement patterns and RTS.Although ACL reconstruction generally yields favorable outcomes, reinjury remains a major concern in athletes returning to pivoting sports, with reported RTS rates ranging from 70% to 78%. Neuromuscular-based prevention programs, including FIFA 11+-derived protocols, can reduce ACL incidence by 40-45% when consistently implemented; however, adherence and limited sex-specific tailoring remain significant barriers.ACL injury in female soccer players is a multifactorial and largely preventable condition, requiring integrated, sex-specific prevention and rehabilitation strategies to effectively reduce risk and support long-term athletic health.
11 Is the dominant leg also the stronger leg in vertical and horizontal jump performance in young male soccer players?
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Mar 25:8:1785376. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1785376. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Juan Rabal-Pelay, Rafael Albalad-Aiguabella, José Luis Arjol-Serrano, Demetrio Lozano, Alberto Roso-Moliner, Elena Mainer-Pardos
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2026.1785376/full
Summary: Unilateral actions are important in soccer and may create functional differences between the lower limbs. It is unclear whether the dominant leg, usually defined as the preferred kicking leg, corresponds to the stronger limb in unilateral jump tasks. This study aimed to examine the association between dominant leg preference and the strongest leg, and to compare jump performance between dominant and non-dominant legs across age groups in young male soccer players. One hundred and sixty-one male soccer players (16.13 ± 1.38 years) from the same soccer academy participated in this cross-sectional study. Players were classified into four age groups (U14, U16, U18, and U19). Unilateral performance was assessed using the single-leg countermovement jump (CMJ) and the single-leg horizontal jump (HJ). Leg dominance was identified based on the preferred limb for soccer-specific actions. Associations between dominant and strongest leg were analyzed using chi-square tests, and differences between dominant and non-dominant legs were examined using paired comparisons. Significant associations between dominant leg and strongest leg were found only in isolated cases: for HJ performance in the U14 group (p = 0.010) and for CMJ performance in the U18 group (p = 0.008). No significant associations were observed in the U16 or U19 groups. Additionally, no significant differences were found between dominant and non-dominant legs in unilateral CMJ or HJ performance across any age group. Dominant leg preference does not consistently reflect superior unilateral jump performance in youth soccer players. Isolated associations were observed in specific age groups (U14 horizontal jump, U18 vertical jump), but overall performance was similar between dominant and non-dominant legs. These findings emphasize the task-specific and individual nature of unilateral performance and suggest that leg dominance should not be assumed as an indicator of greater physical capacity.
12 The biopsychosocial benefits of amputee soccer: perspectives from members of the American Amputee Soccer Association
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Mar 25:8:1791418. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1791418. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Daniel Joseph Lee, Rosalia Casanova, James Pierre-Glaude, Eric M Lamberg
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2026.1791418/full
Summary: Individuals with limb deficiency and limb loss (LD/LL) may suffer a negative impact to their biopsychosocial function as a result of their disability. Adaptive sports is a recognized avenue in which individuals with disability can improve their biopsychosocial function beyond what is experienced without participation. Our study explored the impact of participating in amputee soccer on biopsychosocial function from the perspective of the playing members of the American Amputee Soccer Association (AASA). The study utilized a qualitative design and followed the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research. Data were collected using survey questions and semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for survey data and inductive coding to generate codes and themes. Fifteen participants completed both the survey and interview. Survey results were consistent with a high quality of life. Three themes were generated from the data: 1) More than a Sport, it is a Community, 2) Benefits Body and Mind, and 3) Call to Action: Advocating for Others. Participants in the AASA reported a high quality of life and positive biopsychosocial benefits from playing amputee soccer. The benefits of participating in amputee soccer may exceed participating in a support group alone.
13 Mental fatigue in football: methodology and experimental protocol
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Mar 25:8:1788854. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1788854. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Diogo Aveiro, Fernando Martins, Mário Pereira, Rodrigo Coimbra, Rodrigo José Mendes, João Pinto, John Kiely, Francisco Campos
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2026.1788854/full
Summary: Mental fatigue, induced by prolonged cognitive demands, impairs attention, decision-making, and motor coordination, potentially compromising performance in cognitively demanding sports such as football. This study presents a randomised controlled experimental design pre-test/post-test protocol designed to investigate the effects of mental fatigue on neurophysiological, visual, technical, and motor performance in football players. Thirty-four athletes (17 men, 17 women; aged ≥18 years; ≥1-year competitive experience) will be randomly assigned to either a cognitive fatigue induction group (30 min Stroop Task) or a low cognitive load control group. Data collection will include EEG (theta and alpha bands), eye tracking (fixation, saccades, pupil dynamics), sport-specific tasks (Loughborough Soccer Passing Test, Y-Shaped Agility Reaction Test), and subjective fatigue ratings (Fatigue Assessment Scale; Visual Analogue Scale). Statistical analyses will encompass intra- and inter-group comparisons, correlation and regression models. By integrating subjective, physiological, and performance indicators in a sport-specific, ecologically valid design, this protocol aims to deepen understanding of how mental fatigue affects performance and to inform individualized monitoring and intervention strategies in high-performance contexts. As a protocol paper, no data are yet available. However, based on previous literature, mental fatigue is expected to be associated with changes in EEG oscillatory activity, less efficient gaze behaviour, and impaired football-specific performance compared to the control condition.
14 Short-term detraining in semi-professional male football players: impact of a 5-day mid-season break on performance – an observational study
Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Apr 9. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01654-4. Online ahead of print.
Authors: João G Saldanha, Francisco Santos, Diogo V Martinho et al.
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13102-026-01654-4_reference.pdf
Summary: Detraining is a partial reduction or total stoppage of training workloads, resulting in physical and physiological modifications. Prior studies have shown significant reductions in strength and power typically after long-term interruptions (i.e., > 4 weeks), whereas evidence for short-term detraining (i.e., < 4 weeks) remains inconclusive. This observational study describes acute changes in the physical abilities of football players associated with a 5-day in-season break under real-world conditions. In this uncontrolled observational study, repeated sprinting ability (primary outcome), body composition, vertical jump performance, and maximum thigh adduction and abduction strength were assessed in 17–21 semi-professional male football players (n = 17 for the primary outcome; other tests ranged from 17 to 21) before and after a 5-day in-season break (age: 21.5 ± 1.37 years; height: 178.96 ± 6.59 cm). Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used for comparisons. Intra-individual differences were also calculated. After the 5-day break, repeated sprinting ability was significantly worse. Total time to complete the RAST was approximately 1.0 s higher (before: 29.89 ± 1.14 s; after: 30.77 ± 1.62 s, p = 0.009, d = 0.634). Peak power and maximal velocity showed mean reductions of 55 watts (before: 892.34 ± 125.46 W; after: 837.54 ± 108.92 W, p = 0.049, d = -0.427) and 0.65 km.hˉ¹ (before: 26.86 ± 1.03 km.hˉ¹; after: 26.21 ± 1.35 km.hˉ¹, p = 0.030, d = -0.489), respectively, indicating small-to-moderate effect sizes. Vertical jump performance showed slight, non-significant improvements. No significant changes were found for maximum thigh strength or body composition. A brief 5-day in-season break under uncontrolled, real-world conditions was associated with small-to-moderate impairments in repeated sprinting ability, while body composition, maximal strength, and vertical jump performance were largely maintained. These findings underscore the need for practitioners to prioritise targeted interventions for repeated sprinting ability following short in-season breaks, alongside strategies to restore performance without compromising technical-tactical demands.
15 REST, Exploring Sleep Patterns and Influencing Factors in Elite Female Football Athletes
Reference: Sci Data. 2026 Apr 9;13(1):546. doi: 10.1038/s41597-025-06331-8.
Authors: Matthias Boeker, Andreas Alexandersen, Vajira Thambawita, Cise Midoglu, Dag Johansen, Michael A Riegler, Pål Halvorsen
Download link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-025-06331-8.pdf
Summary: This paper presents a novel dataset of 21 elite female football athletes comprising 17 days of actigraphy, well-being, caffeine consumption, screen time, and a daily hand strength test. This dataset aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between lifestyle factors, sleep, and athletic performance. Sleep is a crucial process for physical and mental recovery, memory retention, and brain development. The quality of athletes‘ sleep is significantly impacted by factors such as rigorous training schedules, stress, light exposure, and caffeine consumption. By examining these factors in detail, this dataset can aid in the development of personalised training models that take into account each athlete’s individual sleep patterns and recovery phases. Such an approach aims to optimise training and recovery strategies to improve athletes‘ overall performance and well-being.
16 Alterations in knee biomechanics and motor performance following 3 months training with the Football+ and 11+ warm-up programs among amateur female players. A three-armed cluster allocated, non-randomized intervention study
Reference: J Exerc Sci Fit. 2026 Apr;24(2):200463. doi: 10.1016/j.jesf.2026.200463. Epub 2026 Mar 14.
Authors: Mojtaba Asgari, Martin Hägglund, Benedikt Terschluse, Maximilian Sueck, Kevin Nolte, Marcus Schmidt, Thomas Jaitner
Affiliations Expand
Download link: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1728869X26000249/pdfft?crasolve=1&r=9eb00f01ce5d91e1&ts=1775974128958&rtype=https&vrr=UKN&redir=UKN&redir_fr=UKN&redir_arc=UKN&vhash=UKN&host=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&tsoh=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&rh=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&re=X2JsYW5rXw%3D%3D&ns_h=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&ns_e=X2JsYW5rXw%3D%3D&rh_fd=rrr)n%5Ed%60i%5E%60_dm%60%5Eo)%5Ejh&tsoh_fd=rrr)n%5Ed%60i%5E%60_dm%60%5Eo)%5Ejh&hc=~rrr)n%5Ed%60i%5E%60_dm%60%5Eo)%5Ejhwrrr)n%5Ed%60i%5E%60_dm%60%5Eo)%5Ejhwrrr)n%5Ed%60i%5E%60_dm%60%5Eo)%5Ejh&iv=5c431fd8b3b3c05a8772756eb8aae137&token=6432306531326432326436616166666534363262656238653938316563343964383662623236633934643837633364336537366135623931343333633334393733666239323063336464343166353136333834346437653436323463373232386232396434643161353736383661373330376164336162633a306537373464393366333138363263383764336666316561&text=e9fad9f21cb8bc2d266c4a042fb29d6128ef9ef690b448d5b87880e1d63241311507d0ba70b9a11bfb543349870c9b857520d4ee688ad61bab57cdfd687cd0d00c0b29a21191f1331ea1de2e9a6a7c8fdbdec39cf939e8637103361b881419917082f96533307af4dd2f9d6af535e14fcfa6cb1c72ec8a5ec831f56cb7048aace98eecd9e0f0c7110f74fabbaf31d1be40199fecfe4e029ee7c5e54958e762905916e798989890a9a7b45bae893a1128c1ec72a0c99fb9f02e1b1fbaef0f65ee60ffc846bbe4b5bbb7e8a29e402c18aa059f8651c63960f46d2a82aebf3cb112c9204aa18eb522bbbff94863d5550962fd46191e9d2f5cc5d489bfe1e2b281ba15107bea009f6ed185d2366d8546dbcb965cbd57b3eb4afa2a11004d77e68fc4e4406fc48b39777e0931f2f108a93cb8&original=3f6d64353d3431366265326531623864653539633163613132623730383035383635366461267069643d312d73322e302d53313732383836395832363030303234392d6d61696e2e706466&chkp=1c&rack=9eb00f01ce5d91e1
Summary: This cluster alocated comparative study (DRKS00036644) primarily evaluated the effects of the Football+ and the established FIFA 11+ (the 11+) on knee biomechanical risk factors. A secondary outcome included performance measures and their retention following a 10-week no-intervention period. Three German amateur women’s teams (24.3 ± 5.3 years, 1.73 ± 0.07 m, 64.3 ± 8.0 kg) completed the introductory sessions and were team allocated into the Football+ (n = 22), 11+ (n = 19), or control (n = 16) groups. Baseline assessment included a standardized 3D motion analysis of knee biomechanics during single-leg landing and cutting maneuvers and a performance test battery (sprinting, counter movement jump (CMJ), agility, and dribbling speed. Following a 3-month, twice-weekly supervised intervention, post-intervention testing was performed. A 10-week follow-up tested retention of the performance outcomes. Statistical significance was set at α ≤ 0.05. ANOVA revealed significant time and time × group interactions across multiple knee biomechanical variables. The Football+ showed consistently larger magnitudes of change compared with the 11+, while the control group demonstrated limited changes (p = .005-0.047; η2 = 0.14-0.24). Similar interaction effects were observed for sprinting, agility, and dribbling performance (p = .002-0.01; η2 = 0.13-0.23). Performance improvements were not retained after a 10-week no-intervention period. The Football+ and 11+ programs improved high-risk movement patterns associated with an increased risk of knee injury, with more consistent and larger effects observed for the Football+. Improvements in performance measures were observed only following the Football+, supporting its potential as a time-efficient, dual-purpose warm-up. The performance improvements were not maintained following the no-intervention period.
17 Epidemiology of player injuries in Europe’s top five professional football leagues: trends, risk factors and economic impact
Reference: Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot. 2026 Apr 8:1-10. doi: 10.1080/17457300.2026.2650752. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Alessandro Stasi, Andrea Poggio
Summary: In recent years, professional European football has experienced a substantial increase in player injuries, threatening athlete welfare, team performance and financial sustainability. Utilizing secondary analysis of epidemiological and financial data sets, this study analyses injury patterns, risk factors and economic impacts across the top five European leagues-Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1-between the 2020/21 and 2023/24 seasons. Drawing on data from UEFA, FIFA and the Howden Group, the findings reveal a 37% increase in total injury incidence and a near-doubling of economic losses, exceeding €730 million in 2023/24 alone. Hamstring and soft-tissue injuries dominate, with young players (U21) showing the steepest rise in severity. Fixture congestion, inadequate recovery time and environmental factors such as surface conditions and travel fatigue are identified as key structural drivers. The findings suggest a need for coordinated governance reforms, including mandatory rest intervals, standardized medical protocols and centralized injury databases. The analysis indicates that sustainable football management should integrate player welfare as an economic and ethical priority to safeguard the sport’s long-term integrity.
18 Cleats on, battle real: sustainability and gender equality in women’s football
Reference: Front Psychol. 2026 Mar 23:17:1743515. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1743515. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Serda Ornek, Murat Yalcin Besiktas, Mustafa Serdar Terekli, Mert Erkan, Nalan Aksakal
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13051365/pdf/fpsyg-17-1743515.pdf
Summary: This study aims to examine the rise of women’s football in Turkey and the challenges faced by female footballers both on and off the field from the perspectives of gender and sustainability. Conducted with a phenomenological design, the study involved semi-structured interviews with 18 female footballers playing in the Super League between June and September 2025, using a snowball sampling method. The data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that the experiences of female footballers are shaped at the intersection of individual motivation, environmental support, and structural inequalities. Participants indicated that gender biases, economic constraints, and lack of media visibility limit their career development. Inadequate facilities, scarcity of female coaches, and limited professional opportunities were also identified as key barriers. Women’s football is not only a sporting activity but also a social arena with the potential to foster gender equality and sustainable development. The development of inclusive strategies by the Turkish Football Federation and clubs-such as equal pay policies, sponsorship support, female coach training programs, and „female-friendly“ facility arrangements-is critically important for the sustainable growth of women’s football.
19 Injury patterns in blind football: A cohort analysis from three Paralympic Games (London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020)
Reference: J Sci Med Sport. 2026 Mar 17:S1440-2440(26)00102-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2026.03.008. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Phoebe Runciman, Veruschka Rademan, Pieter Boer, Kristina Fagher, Osman Hassan Ahmed, Wayne Derman
Download link: https://www.jsams.org/action/showPdf?pii=S1440-2440%2826%2900102-7
Summary: Athletes competing in blind football have consistently been highlighted as at risk for injuries and potential concussions. This study described the incidence of injuries sustained by athletes competing in blind football (Football 5-a-side) at the London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. This study described injury proportions and incidences by age, period of competition, onset and mechanism, anatomical area, final diagnosis, and anticipated time loss. This study was a sub-study of the ongoing Paralympic Injury and Illness Surveillance studies conducted at the Paralympic Games. Frequencies, proportions, and univariate unadjusted incidences were reported per 1000 athlete days. Sixty injuries in 49 athletes were reported over the three Paralympic Games, with an incidence of 21.5 injuries per 1000 athlete days. The highest incidences were reported in athletes >35 years (25.8); during the competition period (25.0); and the lower limb (11.0). The second highest incidence was reported for the head, face, and neck injuries (4.4). Most injuries were acute sudden onset (16.0) with direct contact (56%), the main mechanism of injury. No confirmed concussions were reported. Diagnoses varied across anatomical areas and most injuries (61%) resulted in no time loss. This study shows that acute head and lower limb injuries occurring during the competition period are common in blind footballers. There is a need for targeted prevention strategies to mitigate the incidence of acute injuries during active competition. This is especially true for potential concussions, which are suspected to occur in blind football despite low recognition or reporting. Improvement in concussion detection and reporting protocols are crucial to safeguard athletes in the future.
20 Intervention components, training dose, and adherence in exercise-based prevention of hamstring strain injury in football: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Reference: Ann Med. 2026 Dec;58(1):2652116. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2026.2652116. Epub 2026 Apr 7.
Authors: Jinfa Gu, Yan Li, Yinhao Wang, Yu Zhang
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13059038/pdf/IANN_58_2652116.pdf
Summary: The aim was to quantify associations between exercise-based prevention programmes and hamstring strain injury (HSI) risk in football participants, and whether training dose and adherence modify effects. Six databases were searched to 1 October 2025. Randomised and cluster-randomised trials comparing HSI prevention programmes with usual practice or warm-up in football participants were included. Random-effects meta-analysis pooled risk ratios (RRs); subgroup analyses and meta-regression assessed effect modification. Fifteen trials (n = 7,465) were analysed. Programmes reduced HSI risk (RR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.36-0.71), with I²=57% and a prediction interval crossing the null (0.18-1.40). Based on a control event rate of 7.8%, absolute risk reduction was 3.8% (38 fewer HSIs per 1000 participants; 95% CI 23-50 fewer). Effects were stronger for shorter interventions (1-6 months; RR = 0.43) than longer interventions (7-10 months; RR = 0.77; P for interaction=0.04), and for elite/semi-professional players (RR = 0.38) than amateur players (RR = 0.77; P for interaction = 0.02). Training frequency and weekly volume did not modify effects, whereas adherence did. High adherence (≥75%) was associated with lower HSI risk (RR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.28-0.48), whereas low adherence (<75%) showed no clear benefit (RR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.68-1.23; P for interaction <0.00001). Each 10% increase in adherence corresponded to an RR multiplier of 0.83 (approximately 17% lower RR). Certainty of evidence was low. Exercise-based programmes reduce HSI risk in football when implementation supports sustained adherence. Effects may be stronger in shorter interventions and elite populations, but evidence remains insufficient to differentiate programme types or components.
21 Match schedule variability, not volume, is associated with severe muscle injury in elite football
Reference: Phys Sportsmed. 2026 Apr 10:1-5. doi: 10.1080/00913847.2026.2657258. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Haneef A Khan, Najeeb Baig, Ilyaas Rasheed, Amina Khan
Download link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/00913847.2026.2657258?needAccess=true
Summary: The purpose was to determine whether week-to-week schedule variability predicts severe muscle injury in elite football when controlling for absolute workload, and to evaluate this relationship using a time-varying exposure model. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 30,097 player-seasons from Europe’s top five leagues between 2012 and 2024. Match schedule variability was calculated using a 4-week rolling window for every week of the season. Match schedule variability, defined as the Coefficient of Variation (CV) of weekly match minutes over the same 4-week rolling window; this term is used consistently throughout to refer to this operational measure. We used logistic regression with clustered standard errors to estimate the odds of severe muscle injury (>28 days absence) in the subsequent week, controlling for mean workload, age, position, and time-varying injury history. Analysis of total volume revealed that rolling match workload was not significantly associated with injury risk (Adjusted OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.99-1.15, p = 0.102). However, schedule variability emerged as an independent risk factor. In multivariable models adjusting for rolling workload, age, position, and prior injury history, a one-standard-deviation increase in 4-week Schedule Variability (CV) was associated with increased odds of severe muscle injury (Adjusted OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.16, p = 0.02). Schedule instability is associated with increased injury risk. Injury prevention strategies should consider prioritizing load smoothing over simple volume restriction.
22 When technology meets judgment: outcome of football referees‘ disciplinary decision-making after the implementation of VAR in the English Premier League
Reference: Front Psychol. 2026 Mar 19:17:1769008. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1769008. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Bjørn Tore Johansen, Per Thomas Byrkjedal, Are Walman Johnsen, Adrian Galdal Madsen, Erik Kaarstein
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13044101/pdf/fpsyg-17-1769008.pdf
Summary: Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is a decision-support system that helps referees make more accurate decisions and eliminate clear and obvious errors. However, the implementation of VAR in world football has been one of the most significant and controversial technological procedures used. This study examines how the introduction of VAR has affected refereeing decisions in the English Premier League (EPL) by examining the number of red cards and penalties per match. Yellow cards were also implemented in the analyses as a possible hypothesis-generating cause. Using match-level data from the 2018/19 season (without-VAR) and the 2023/24 season (with-VAR), and using the English Championship as a control group, we apply a difference-in-differences (DiD) analysis to estimate the contributive effect of VAR’s impact on three key outcomes: red cards, penalties and yellow cards awarded per match. The results suggest a statistically significant increase in all three outcomes in the Premier League following the introduction of VAR, compared to the Championship where VAR was not implemented. The increase in red cards and penalties, both explicitly governed by the VAR protocol, likely reflects improved identification of clear and obvious errors. The observed rise in yellow cards suggests that VAR may exert an indirect influence on referee’s behaviour, although this finding needs further investigation to be verified. Notably, the estimates found in current study reflect only differences between the Premier League and the Championship and no further definitive causal effects should be drawn. This study contributes to the ongoing debate about VAR’s role and potential impact on football referees‘ disciplinary decision-making behaviour and provides a foundation for further empirical research on the broader implications of VAR in football.