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 Therapeutic Effects of Capacitive and Resistive Monopolar Radiofrequency on Muscle Stiffness and Local Hemodynamics of the Rectus Femoris: A Randomized Crossover Study of Female University Soccer Players
Reference: Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2026 May 2;21(5):462-472. doi: 10.26603/001c.160166. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Ryo Sugiyama, Takayuki Miyamori, Masashi Aoyagi, Kimiko Sakamoto, Shunpei Iwaki, Hiroshi Ikeda, Masafumi Yoshimura
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13135486/pdf/ijspt_2026_21_5_160166.pdf
Summary: Capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (CRMF) improves muscle extensibility and local tissue oxygen saturation in the trunk region. However, its effects on the lower extremities, particularly the rectus femoris, remain unclear. The aim was to examine the immediate effects of 448-kHz CRMF on muscle stiffness and hemodynamics of the rectus femoris in female collegiate soccer players. Healthy female collegiate soccer players from a university team were recruited. Those with a history of thigh muscle injury or orthopedic disorders such as fractures within the previous year, any history of neurological or cardiac disease, and presence of a cardiac pacemaker were excluded. Each participant received three interventions (CRMF, hot pack, and sham) in randomized order with ≥2-day washout periods. Muscle stiffness (kPa) was assessed using shear wave elastography; hemodynamics (oxygenated hemoglobin [Oxy-Hb], deoxygenated hemoglobin [deOxy-Hb], total-Hb, and tissue oxygen saturation [StO₂]) were measured using near-infrared spectroscopy at depths of 1.5 and 3.0 cm. Measurements were performed at pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and 30 min post-intervention. 18 female soccer players (mean age ± standard deviation, 20.2 ± 1.4 years) participated in and completed the study protocol. CRMF significantly reduced rectus femoris stiffness immediately post-intervention in the stretch position compared with hot pack (p < 0.001) and sham (p = 0.006). In the resting position, stiffness did not differ significantly across conditions. At 3 cm depth, CRMF and hot pack significantly increased Oxy-Hb immediately compared with sham (p = 0.008 and 0.025, respectively). CRMF also exhibited higher total-Hb at 3 cm immediately (p = 0.028). StO₂ at 3 cm was higher with CRMF than with the hot pack immediately (p = 0.002) and sham at 30 min (p = 0.030). CRMF reduced rectus femoris muscle stiffness in the stretched position and increased deep-tissue Oxy-Hb, total-Hb, and StO₂ in female collegiate soccer players. Effects were immediate, and some hemodynamic responses persisted up to 30 min, suggesting that CRMF may be an effective thermotherapy for improving deep-tissue oxygenation and reducing muscle stiffness in sports and rehabilitation settings.
2 Effects of integrating intermittent training, interval training, and small-sided games on aerobic capacity in youth soccer players using a 3:1 periodized micro-cycle
Reference: Sci Rep. 2026 May 4. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-51709-2. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Armin Gorouhi, Saeid Edriss, Daniel López-López, Miguel Ángel Saavedra-García, Vincenzo Bonaiuto, Hadi Nobari
Download link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-51709-2_reference.pdf
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness of integrating intermittent training, interval training, and small-sided games (SSGs) within a structured 3:1 micro-cycle to enhance aerobic capacity (VO2max) in young soccer players. Over 16 weeks, 30 semi-professional U16 and U19 players completed a periodized training program involving aerobic, strength, speed, and tactical components. VO2max was assessed pre- and post-intervention using Yo-Yo test. One-way ANOVA conducted on post-intervention VO₂max improvement revealed a significant between-group difference (F(1, 28) = 5.47, p = 0.027, η2 = 0.07), with U19 players demonstrating greater improvements (M = 29.49, SD = 12.39) compared with U16 players (M = 22.35, SD = 10.27). A mixed-design ANOVA showed a significant main effect of group across time (F(1, 27) = 131.19, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.83), indicating substantially higher overall aerobic gains in the U19 group. The group × time interaction did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.065), although a trend-level effect suggested a potential influence of age-related factors on training response. Correlation analyses indicated that lateral-position players exhibited stronger associations with VO2max improvement (U16: r = 0.78; U19: r = 0.94) compared with central-position players (U16: r = 0.21; U19: r = 0.17). These outcomes show the impact of integrated training models and mention the importance of age- and position specific conditioning in youth soccer.
3 What is the Functional Role of Obturator Externus Muscle? The Case of a Moderate Tear in a Professional Soccer Player: A Case Report
Reference: Malays Orthop J. 2026 Mar;20(1):162-166. doi: 10.5704/MOJ.2603.021.
Authors: M Abate, G Cocco, L Sammarchi, V Salini
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13133579/pdf/moj-20-162.pdf
Summary: The obturator externus muscle is a pelvic and hip muscle with a complex anatomical arrangement, which is involved in hip stability. This paper presents a new case of an obturator externus muscle tear in a professional soccer player, offering valuable insights into the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and successful conservative management. Additionally, a comprehensive review of the literature on this topic is presented. A 21-year-old player reported anterior hip and adductor discomfort after a game, with no recollection of a specific traumatic event. Clinical examination revealed tenderness and limited range of motion during external hip rotation with flexion. Ultrasonography was inconclusive, but magnetic resonance imaging showed a partial obturator externus muscle tear. The athlete was submitted to a structured exercise program and, despite the injury, continued training and playing without functional limitations. The magnetic resonance imaging, performed after 35 days, revealed a complete recovery. This paper highlights the rarity of obturator externus muscle tears, their potential underreporting, and the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging in identifying these deep-seated injuries. Importantly, the player’s rapid recovery and ability to continue playing suggest that conservative management can lead to excellent functional outcomes. The possible reasons explaining the complete recovery, including the role of this muscle in hip stability and individual anatomical variations, are discussed.
4 Match-day peaks and post-match compensation: divergent weekly load profiles of starters vs. non-starters in professional women’s soccer
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Apr 17:8:1746747. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1746747. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Pedro Schons, Artur Avelino Birk Preissler, Suellen Dos Santos Ramos et al.
Summary: Recent evidence indicates differences in training and match loads between starters and non-starters in women’s soccer, but little is known about players in Brazil’s elite leagues. This study aimed to compare the external and internal loads of professional women’s soccer players classified as starters and non-starters during training sessions and matches. Twenty-nine players from a professional team competing in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A1 (64.1 ± 6.8 kg; 167.3 ± 6.1 cm) were monitored. Internal load was assessed using the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), while external load variables included total distance, distance in different speed zones, high-speed running distance, number of sprints, maximum speed, accelerations and decelerations, recorded via Global Positioning System devices. Independent t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests compared groups. Starters accumulated higher match-day (MD) loads, with greater total distance (9999.0 ± 1205.7 vs. 5141.1 ± 1290.5 m; p<0.01) and RPE (8.0 [7.0 – 9.5] vs. 4.5 [4.0 – 5.5] A.U.; p<0.01). Conversely, non-starters presented higher values after matches, covering more distance on MD+1 (4655.1 ± 996.1 vs. 2390.4 ± 814.4 m; p<0.01) and MD+2 (4210.0 ± 992.0 vs. 2979.4 ± 526.7 m; p<0.01), along with higher RPE (7.0 [7.0-7.4] vs. 3.5 [2.5-5.0] A.U.; p<0.01, and 6.5 [6.0-7.0] vs. 4.0 [3.5-5.0] A.U.; p<0.01). As conclusion, starters concentrated peak loads on MD, whereas non-starters accumulated higher loads on MD+1/MD+2. These findings support individualized post-match compensation for non-starters and recovery-focused management for starters.
5 Recognition of Soccer Player Actions Using a Synchronized Multi-Camera and mm-Wave Radar Platform
Reference: Sensors (Basel). 2026 Apr 20;26(8):2532. doi: 10.3390/s26082532.
Authors: Daniël Benjamin Keyter, Johan Pieter de Villiers
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13120374/pdf/sensors-26-02532.pdf
Summary: This paper presents a multimodal sensing approach for fine-grained soccer action recognition using synchronized mm-wave FMCW radar and multiview RGB cameras. A TI IWR1443BOOST FMCW radar and three Sony IMX296 global-shutter cameras were used to record seven soccer-related actions in different movement directions in an outdoor environment. Range-Doppler radar processing is applied to extract global mel features and CFAR-localized block representations of mel and radar spectrogram features to capture both coarse and fine micro-Doppler characteristics. Camera features are derived from bounding box, HOG, optical flow, and pose estimations. Classification is performed using logistic regression as the classical model and various deep models. Performance is evaluated using cross-validation. Radar alone achieved moderate performance (0.897 F1macro using TCN), successfully identifying coarse motion but showing limited separability for dribbling-based actions. Camera-only models achieve near-perfect accuracy (≥0.997 F1macro using 1D-CNN), with the confusion matrices being nearly perfectly diagonal already. The best performance is obtained from a cross-modal transformer with multiple cameras (0.998 F1macro). These results demonstrate that a camera by itself performs strongly for the action recognition task but also that radar-camera fusion can improve robustness and enhance the discrimination of finer soccer player movements for outdoor analytics and player monitoring applications.
6 Relationships Between Weekly Dynamic Stress Load Volume and Match-Play External and Internal Load: Half-Specific and Full-Competition Analyses in Professional Soccer Players
Reference: Sensors (Basel). 2026 Apr 17;26(8):2496. doi: 10.3390/s26082496.
Authors: Nikolaos E Koundourakis, Nikolaos Androulakis, Minas Panagiotis Ispirlidis, Dimitra Sifaki-Pistolla, Michalis Mitrotasios, Adam L Owen
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13119589/pdf/sensors-26-02496.pdf
Summary: The aim of the current study was to examine whether weekly dynamic stress load (DSL) volume could be associated with competition internal and external load outcomes in professional soccer players. Weekly DSL volume was recorded across standardized one-match microcycles. Match outcomes included total distance covered (TDC), high-speed running distance (HSRD), sprint distance (SPRD), high-intensity accelerations (HIACC), high-intensity decelerations (HIDEC), high-metabolic-load distance (HMLD), time spent > 85% of maximum heart rate (HRmax), and Edwards training impulse (Edwards‘ TRIMP). Analyses of our results revealed that higher weekly DSL volume was associated with greater time > 85%HRmax in the first half (β = 0.00647; p = 0.002) and second half (β = 0.00764; p = 0.026). In the second half, weekly DSL was negatively associated with HSRD (β = -0.3068; p < 0.001) and SPRD (β = -0.0619; p < 0.001), and positively with HMLD (β = 0.3532; p = 0.002). Across the full match, weekly DSL was negatively associated with TDC (β = -0.5080; p = 0.002), HSRD (β = -0.4159; p < 0.001), SPRD (β = -0.0988; p < 0.001), HIACC (β = -0.0265; p = 0.003), and Edwards‘ TRIMP (β = -0.2251; p = 0.001). Weekly DSL volume may represent an important monitoring tool providing useful information for practitioners aiming to manage fatigue and support competition performance maintenance; however, these findings should be interpreted cautiously until confirmed in larger samples.
7 Injury History and Mental Health Indicators in Young Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study
Reference: Medicina (Kaunas). 2026 Apr 1;62(4):667. doi: 10.3390/medicina62040667.
Authors: Alejo García-Naveira, Carmen Cerezuela Díaz, Laura Gil-Caselles, Aurelio Olmedilla-Zafra
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13117117/pdf/medicina-62-00667.pdf
Summary: The relationship between mental health and sports injuries has become increasingly important in youth soccer, due to developmental changes in this population, the high demands of training, and the competitive pressures of sport. This cross-sectional study examined the association between injury history (no injuries, 1-2, >2 injuries), mental health indicators (anxiety, stress, depression), and differences by sex, competitive category, and playing position. 146 soccer players (79 males, 67 females; ages 12-30; mean age = 16.65, SD = 2.34 years) from youth and senior categories of a professional club in Spain completed the STAI-T (trait anxiety), DASS-21 (state anxiety, stress, depression), sociodemographic and sports-related variables (gender, sports category, playing position), and self-reported injury history: no injuries (n = 39), 1-2 injuries (n = 80), >2 injuries (n = 27). The statistical analyses performed were one-way ANOVA (ηp2), χ2 tests, and Games-Howell post hoc tests. 73.3% of the players reported ≥1 injury (54.8% 1-2 injuries; 18.5% >2), with no differences by gender, position, or category (χ2 range: p > 0.05). The ANOVA revealed significant differences for trait anxiety (F(2, 143) = 3.68, p = 0.029, ηp2 = 0.049; small-to-moderate), and state anxiety (F(2, 143) = 4.63, p = 0.014, ηp2 = 0.061; moderate). No effects were found for stress/depression (p > 0.12). The post hoc test (Games-Howell) indicates that the group with no injuries showed significantly lower trait anxiety (p = 0.038, d = 0.33) vs. 1-2 injuries, and state anxiety (p = 0.012, d = 0.70) vs. >2 injuries. Stress and depression showed a non-significant upward trend. A greater history of injuries is associated with higher levels of anxiety in youth soccer players. The findings suggest routine assessment of anxiety and training in emotional self-regulation for injury prevention and rehabilitation. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the bidirectional relationship.
8 Joint-Specific and Cross-Joint Strength Profiles in Relation to Maximal Soccer Kicking Speed
Reference: Life (Basel). 2026 Apr 18;16(4):688. doi: 10.3390/life16040688.
Authors: İbrahim Orkun Akcan, Sultan Şenyurt, Tolga Altuğ et al.
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13117106/pdf/life-16-00688.pdf
Summary: The purpose of this study was to examine associations between lower-limb mechanical strength, phase-oriented composite strength indices, generalized neuromuscular activation, and maximal soccer ball kicking speed in trained athletes. Twenty-five male soccer players (age: 20.64 ± 2.50 years; height: 179.28 ± 4.27 cm; body mass: 75.80 ± 9.41 kg) participated in this cross-sectional study. Isometric ankle and knee joint torques were assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer, and joint-specific and phase-oriented cross-joint composite indices were computed to represent integrated strength capacity across the kinetic chain. Neuromuscular activation was evaluated via surface electromyography during a standardized squat jump task. Ball-kicking speed was measured using Doppler radar during maximal instep kicks. Associations were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients (p ≤ 0.05) with false discovery rate correction for multiple comparisons. In unadjusted analyses, moderate positive correlations were observed for several ankle torque variables and composite ankle strength indices, while swing-phase composite measures demonstrated moderate correlations (r = 0.43-0.55). Knee strength indices and sEMG variables showed no significant relationships. However, none of the variables remained statistically significant after FDR correction, suggesting limited independent explanatory value of isolated isometric strength and non-task-specific neuromuscular activation assessed during a standardized squat jump for maximal kicking performance.
9 Acute Effects of Small-Sided Games and Tabata High-Intensity Interval Training on Physical, Psychophysiological, and Cognitive Responses in Male Soccer Players
Reference: Life (Basel). 2026 Apr 11;16(4):646. doi: 10.3390/life16040646.
Authors: Alirıza Han Civan, Adem Civan, Mahmut Esat Uzun, Soner Akgün, Enes Akdemir, Ali Kerim Yılmaz
Summary: Small-sided games (SSG) and running-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) are commonly used in soccer conditioning to improve aerobic fitness and performance. Although both modalities induce high cardiovascular stress, their acute neuromuscular, perceptual, and cognitive responses remain incompletely understood when examined within the same cohort. This study compared the acute physical, psychophysiological, and cognitive responses to SSG and Tabata-type HIIT in amateur male soccer players. Thirty-two male amateur players (n = 32; age: 20.53 ± 1.65 years) completed a counterbalanced within-subject crossover design. Participants performed a 4v4 SSG protocol and a running-based Tabata-HIIT protocol (8 × 20 s, 10 s recovery) on separate days (48 h apart). Countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), 20-m sprint, agility t-test, heart rate, perceived exertion (Borg CR-10), mental effort, and cognitive performance (d2 test) were assessed pre- and post-exercise. Parametric variables were analyzed using 2 × 2 repeated-measures ANOVA (time × protocol; η2p), and non-parametric data were analyzed using Friedman and Wilcoxon tests (r) (p < 0.05). Both protocols elicited similar cardiovascular responses (~90% HRmax). A significant protocol × time interaction was observed for CMJ (p < 0.001), showing a decline after Tabata-HIIT, whereas performance was maintained after SSG. No inter-protocol differences were found for SJ, sprint, or agility. Perceived exertion and mental effort during recovery were higher following Tabata-HIIT (p < 0.05). Cognitive performance improved after both protocols (p < 0.001), with no between-protocol differences. Despite comparable cardiovascular load, Tabata-HIIT was associated with greater acute neuromuscular and perceptual strain, whereas SSG preserved neuromuscular performance. Perceptual and mental responses may therefore differ despite similar physiological intensity, which may inform soccer training prescription.
10 Effects of maturational status on physical performance of elite youth football players
Reference: J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2026 May 8. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.26.17661-0. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Joey Schubert, Mikkel Wisler, Mathias Kristiansen, Mads Lerche
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of biological maturation on physical performance in countermovement jump (CMJ), sprint time (5, 10, 25 and 30m) and maximal sprinting speed in adolescent elite football players. One hundred twenty-one male adolescent elite football players from AaB Academy were included in the trial. In total, 515 physical tests on CMJ and sprint performance were carried out during the time of data collection (2020-2023). Maturation status was calculated as percent of predicted adult height (%PAH). Five groups, based on %PAH were formed to investigate the differences in physical performance due to biological maturation status. Anthropometry as well as physical performance differed significantly (P<0.05) between all five maturation groups. The largest effect sizes were detected during the adolescent growth spurt which occurred from just before to just after peak height velocity. This study showed that physical performance of adolescent elite football players measured on CMJ, sprint time (5, 10, 25 and 30m) and maximal sprinting speed varies based on different time points in the biological maturation period. The players located close to peak height velocity experienced a significant increase in performance compared to players located in the remaining bands.
11 Seasonal changes in bone mineral parameters and body composition in youth football players
Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 May 7. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01724-7. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Antonio Hernandez-Martin, Javier Sanchez-Sanchez
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13102-026-01724-7_reference.pdf
Summary: This study aimed to examine seasonal changes in bone mineral characteristics and body composition among youth football players throughout a full competitive season. A total of 60 male participants were recruited and stratified into four competitive age categories (U10, U12, U14, U16). Assessments were conducted at three key timepoints: the beginning (P1), midpoint (P2), and end (P3) of the season. Bone Mineral Content (BMC), Bone Mineral Density (BMD), lean mass, and fat mass were measured using standardized dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) procedures. Significant increases in whole-body BMC and lower limb BMC were observed at P3 compared to P1 and P2 (p < 0.01). Whole-body BMD also exhibited a significant rise at P3 relative to earlier measurements (p < 0.01). Additionally, a significant increase in the percentage of lean mass was detected from P2 to P3 (p < 0.05), accompanied by a general trend of fat mass reduction over time in all the age categories. The most pronounced and rapid improvements in bone parameters were observed in the older age categories (U14 and U16), particularly in whole-body BMC and BMD. Nonetheless, positive adaptations in bone health and body composition were evident across all age groups in football players by the end of the season. These findings describe the physiological adaptations observed during a competitive season, highlighting the musculoskeletal development that occurs in youth players during these key stages of growth.
12 The application of deep learning in tactical analysis of football matches
Reference: Sci Rep. 2026 May 7. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-48082-5. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Wuyu Huang, Sihang Wang, Pei Li
Download link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-48082-5_reference.pdf
Summary: This paper presents a deep learning-based framework for tactical analysis in football, focusing on modeling structured tracking data rather than attempting full end-to-end perception. We introduce two modular components: Tactiformer, a transformer-based encoder that captures spatiotemporal player dynamics with role- and zone-aware attention, and StratGaze, a segment-level reasoning module that identifies recurring tactical motifs using contrastive sequence modeling. Tactiformer learns representations of coordinated multi-agent behavior at the player level, while StratGaze operates at the segment level to extract interpretable tactical abstractions over time. Our framework is fully data-driven, modular, and compatible with standard football analytics pipelines. We evaluate the approach on benchmark datasets including SoccerNet and PASS, demonstrating consistent improvements in event prediction accuracy, trajectory forecasting, and motif clustering quality over existing baselines. In addition to quantitative results, we provide qualitative visualizations of model attention maps and inferred tactical timelines, supporting the interpretability and usability of the system in real-world scenarios. Rather than solving the entire pipeline from detection to tactical inference, this work targets the reasoning layer and shows how structured spatiotemporal representations, combined with inductive priors, can support scalable, interpretable, and data-efficient football analytics tools suitable for analysts and coaching staff.
13 Characteristics of match-related head injuries in professional women’s football: A prospective cohort study
Reference: J Sci Med Sport. 2026 Apr 23:S1440-2440(26)00149-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2026.04.010. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Sebastian Gautland Nuri, Sara Christina Dahlén, John Bjørneboe, Thor Einar Andersen
Download link: https://www.jsams.org/action/showPdf?pii=S1440-2440%2826%2900149-0
Summary: This study aimed to describe the incidence, severity, burden, and mechanisms of three different match-related head injury categories in professional women’s football. Match-related head injuries in the Norwegian Women’s Premier League were identified by video analysis and reports from team-physiotherapists. The Modified Happy Concussion Questionnaire was used to interview injured players. Incidence rates, severity, burden, and injury mechanisms were presented for three categories: match-related head injuries, suspected sports-related concussions and diagnosed sports-related concussions. Fourteen head injuries were included from a total of 135 matches and 246 players. Across the three injury categories, incidence rates and burden ranged from 0.7 (95% confidence interval: -0.1 to 1.4) to 3.1 (95% confidence interval: 1.5 to 4.8) and 21.1 (95% confidence interval: 20.3 to 21.9) to 32.3 (95% confidence interval: 30.7 to 34.0) per 1000 h of match play, respectively. Across all categories, median severity ranged from 6 (interquartile range: 2.5 to 7.5) to 9 (interquartile range: 7 to 78) days of time loss. Player-to-player contact was the main injury mechanism for match-related head injuries and suspected sports-related concussions, while ball-to-head impact caused most diagnosed sports-related concussions. Incidence rates varied depending on head injury inclusion criteria. Broader inclusion criteria identified a greater number of head injuries (match-related head injuries and suspected sports-related concussions), predominantly associated with shorter time loss and player-to-player contact. Conversely, stricter criteria (diagnosed sports-related concussions) captured fewer injuries characterized by longer time loss and a higher proportion of ball-to-head impacts.
14 Injury incidence, patterns, and severity in cameroon professional Men’s Football: A prospective injury surveillance study
Reference: PLoS One. 2026 May 7;21(5):e0348717. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0348717. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Gilbert Mua Akwa, Tankeng Leonard Tanko, Njowe Serge Ludwig, Ange Veronique Ngo Bilong, Nana Chunteng Theophile
Download link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0348717
Summary: Football injuries are a major source of morbidity among athletes, imposing health and economic burdens on teams and systems. While extensive surveillance exists in Europe, data from sub-Saharan Africa remain scarce. This study described the incidence, patterns, severity, and contextual factors of match-related injuries among professional male footballers in Cameroon. A prospective cohort design was conducted during the 2023/2024 Cameroon Elite 1 and Elite 2 league playoff tournaments. Match-day medical officers recorded all medical-attention injuries using standardized consensus-based forms [1]. Injury incidence was calculated per 1,000 player-hours, and descriptive analyses summarized injury characteristics. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Douala and authorization from the Cameroon Football Federation. Across 139 matches, 171 injuries were recorded giving an incidence of 37.3 per 1,000 player-hours. Elite 2 players had more than double the rate of Elite 1 players (53.6 vs. 26.3). Lower-limb injuries (71.9%) predominated, mainly affecting the thigh (33.9%) and lower leg (17.5%). The most common diagnoses were cramps (20.5%), contusions (19.9%), and sprains (17.5%). Severe injuries (>28 days) represented 20.5%, with tears, fractures, and concussions most frequent. Nearly half injuries occurred in the final 30 minutes of play, and midfielders and attackers sustained 68% of all injuries. This first surveillance study in Cameroon reveals a high match injury burden, particularly in lower-tier leagues. The late-match clustering supports fatigue-related mechanisms, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention focusing on conditioning, workload regulation, and medical readiness in African football.
15 Time to return to sports in football players recovering from lower limb soft tissue injuries: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Reference: BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2026 Apr 30;12(2):e003245. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2026-003245. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Jente Wagemans, Elaheh Ahmadi, Jan Taeymans et al.
Download link: https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/bmjosem/12/2/e003245.full.pdf
Summary: Depict football players‘ average times to return to sports (RTS) after non-contact lower limb soft-tissue injuries. We included records investigating time to return to sports in football players suffering from non-contact lower limb soft-tissue injuries. Time to return to sports was the main outcome. We appraised the quality of the included studies with the QualSyst tool for quantitative research. A random-effects model was wielded for the meta-analyses. 39 studies were included. Time to return to match (RTM) for ligament injuries ranged from 43 days (lateral collateral ligament) to 249.6 days (ACL rupture and repair (ACLR); RTM for muscle injuries ranged from 21 days (hamstring muscle injury) to 69.1 days (soleus); RTM for tendon injuries ranged from 29.4 days (patella tendinopathy) to 220.4 days (Achilles tendon rupture). Time to return to training (RTT) for ligament injuries is also longest for ACLR (212.9 days) and lowest for lateral ankle sprain (19.9 days); RTT for muscle injuries ranged from 8 days (hamstring muscle injury grade 0 to 65.3 days (HMI grade 3)); popliteus tendinopathy (11 days) had lowest RTT among tendon injuries, groin pain had the longest (45 days). This review provides an overview of RTS times-expressed as RTT and RTM-for lower limb injuries in football players. Our results also underscore the existing variability in wielded RTS definitions and injury classifications.
16 Supported implementation enhances injury prevention programme (Prep-to-Play) use in women and girls playing Australian Football: a pragmatic type III hybrid implementation-effectiveness stepped wedge cluster randomised trial
Reference: Br J Sports Med. 2026 May 6:bjsports-2025-110894. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2025-110894. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Brooke E Patterson, Nicole M White, Sallie M Cowan et al.
Summary: Evaluate the effect of supported implementation on a co-created injury prevention programme (Prep-to-Play) use and injury incidence and evaluate the dose response relationship between adherence and injury incidence. In this hybrid implementation-effectiveness stepped wedge cluster randomised trial, 165 women’s/girls‘ Australian Football teams (2481 players) were randomly allocated to transition from unsupported to supported implementation at one of five time points during 2021/2022. Supported implementation included in-person workshops and support visits for coaches/team leaders. Unsupported implementation was access to online resources. Prep-to-Play includes warm-up, contact and strength activities. Primary (Prep-to-Play use) and secondary (concussion, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)) outcomes were reported weekly. Weekly Prep-to-Play use (yes/no) was defined as using ≥75% of programme elements, ≥two-thirds of sessions each week. Analyses compared outcomes between supported and unsupported phases, adjusted for clustering, period, age group, competition level and region. Average weekly Prep-to-Play use by teams was 13.1% (95% CI 11.5% to 14.9%) in the unsupported and 29.7% (95% CI 27.6% to 31.9%) in supported phase (OR 3.7 95% CI 2.4 to 5.7). The concussion and ACL injury incidence (per 1000 game hours) was 6.80 (95% CI 5.75 to 8.05) and 1.36 (95% CI 0.98 to 1.89) in unsupported, and 3.50 (95% CI 2.72 to 4.52) and 0.69 (95% CI 0.44 to 1.15) in supported, respectively, but the effect of supported implementation on injury incidence was unclear (concussion: incidence rate ratios (IRR) 1.36; 95% CI 0.74 to 2.49; ACL: IRR 2.27 (0.56 to 9.12). Higher Prep-to-Play adherence was associated with fewer total injuries (IRR: 0.95 95% CI 0.92 to 0.99). Supported implementation via in-person workshops and support visits was associated with greater Prep-to-Play use compared with unsupported implementation, and greater adherence was associated with fewer injuries.
17 Determinants of Betting Behaviour Among Professional Football Players: Evidence from Administrative Data
Reference: J Gambl Stud. 2026 May 6. doi: 10.1007/s10899-026-10509-z. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Alperen Kocsoy
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10899-026-10509-z.pdf
Summary: Research on athlete gambling is chronically constrained by the under-reporting biases inherent in self-reported surveys. This paper overcomes this limitation by leveraging a unique, population-level administrative dataset arising from the largest single-jurisdiction enforcement action against player betting in football history. In 2025, the Turkish Football Federation sanctioned over a thousand professional players based on actual bookmaker records. We estimate the joint distribution of betting incidence and intensity across the entire four-tier professional pyramid. Using a probit model, we find that betting incidence is driven by structural financial incentives. The sanction rate rises steeply from 3.4 percent in the top division to 29.4 percent in the lowest tier. The probability of receiving a maximum ban follows an inverted-U profile peaking at age 33.4, reflecting an evolving calculus of opportunity costs and diminishing marginal financial need. These findings provide the first objective administrative evidence of player gambling trajectories and demonstrate that the tier gradient driving administrative betting violations identifies the precise population most structurally exposed to match-fixing recruitment.
18 Anthropometric and motor-fitness signatures of defensive efficiency in professional football defenders: a principal component and cluster analysis
Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 May 6. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01711-y. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Jeneviv Nene John, Sam Chidi Ibeneme, Gerhard Fortwengel et al.
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13102-026-01711-y_reference.pdf
Summary: Team-level defensive efficiency is a central determinant of success in professional football, yet defenders‘ physical and motor profiles are rarely examined in relation to ecological defensive outcomes, particularly in under-researched professional leagues. This study investigated anthropometric and motor-fitness signatures of defensive efficiency among professional football defenders in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) using multivariate profiling methods. An observational ecological study was conducted among 36 professional defenders from Enugu Rangers International FC across three competitive seasons (2021/22-2023/24). Standardised anthropometric and motor-fitness assessments (agility, vertical-jump power, reaction time, balance, and coordination) were obtained during pre-season testing. Team-level defensive efficiency was derived from predefined ecological defensive indicators obtained from official league statistics, including goals conceded per match, defensive success index, points per goal conceded, and goal-prevention rate. Analyses included Spearman correlations, Kruskal-Wallis tests with eta-squared effect sizes (η²_H), principal component analysis (PCA), and k-means clustering; no individual-level regression was undertaken. GA/PLD was relatively stable between full seasons (0.79 in 2021/22; 0.87 in 2023/24), whereas DSI and PPGC improved (0.68→0.74; 1.87→2.06), with GPR and GD/PLD also increasing (0.27→0.38; 0.29→0.53), indicating that comparable goals conceded yielded more favourable results. Defenders showed substantial muscularity (mean BMI 25.7 kg/m²; muscle mass 41.2 kg) and good motor fitness (agility 11.0 s). Anthropometric variables were strongly coupled, and BMI and jump classifications showed large effects on muscle mass, body fat, and jump power. PCA yielded three components explaining 72.5% of variance (body size/composition; agility-balance-coordination; power vs. adiposity), and k-means clustering identified three defender archetypes that differed most clearly in agility, separating heavier, slower stoppers from leaner, faster coverage profiles and balanced hybrids. This ecological profiling study shows that, within a single NPFL club, professional defenders cluster into distinct anthropometric and motor-fitness archetypes-ranging from heavier high-mass stoppers to leaner, more agile mobile coverage defenders-while team-level indicators suggest increasingly efficient conversion of broadly stable goals conceded into better results and goal difference. These patterns do not establish individual causal effects but illustrate how multivariate profiling can support role allocation, interpretation of body-size and power metrics, and context-sensitive conditioning in data-limited professional environments. Inferences remain exploratory and are constrained by single-club sampling, lack of player-level event data, and unquantified cluster stability.
19 Trunk muscle thickness and sprint, agility, and jump performance in competitive football players
Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 May 4. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01726-5. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Ozan Ucar, Hilal Er Ulubaba, Ilgın Ali Coskun, Armagan Sahin Kafkas, Fahri Safa Cinarli
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13102-026-01726-5_reference.pdf
Summary: Trunk musculature is increasingly recognized for its role in athletic performance, yet remains less studied than lower limb muscles. This study aimed to examine the associations between trunk muscle thickness and sprint, agility, and jump performance in competitive male football players. Fifteen male football players (tier 3; mean age: 19.73 ± 1.75 years; training experience: 8.06 ± 1.57 years) participated. Thickness of five trunk muscles was measured at rest using B-mode ultrasound. Sprint (20-m), agility (Pro-Agility), and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests were conducted. To control for type I error across 15 comparisons, Bonferroni correction was applied (α_adj = 0.0033). Significant associations were further examined using linear regression. After adjustment for multiple testing, transversus abdominis and internal oblique thickness were significantly associated with 20 m sprint time (r = – 0.739 to – 0.746, p ≤ 0.002). These muscles were also significantly associated with agility performance (r = – 0.704 to – 0.746, p < 0.003). No significant associations were found between trunk muscle thickness and CMJ performance after correction. No bilateral asymmetries were detected (all p > 0.05; d < 0.2). Greater thickness of specific deep anterior trunk muscles appears to be associated with sprint and agility performance in competitive football players. These findings suggest that deep trunk morphology may be associated with sprint and change-of-direction performance, although causal relationships cannot be inferred due to the cross-sectional design.
20 Injury Epidemiology among Malaysian National Men’s and Women’s Football Teams: A Prospective Cohort Study during 2022-2023
Reference: Malays Orthop J. 2026 Mar;20(1):119-127. doi: 10.5704/MOJ.2603.015.
Authors: A H Ahmad-Shushami, Mai Rosidi, M S A-Hamid, K H Hussein, I Saudi
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13133565/pdf/moj-20-119.pdf
Summary: The aim was to determine the injury incidence, burden, and characteristics among Malaysian national football players. Three Malaysian national men’s teams (U-19, U-23, and Senior) and the three Malaysian national women’s teams (U-18, U-20, and Senior) were followed prospectively from June 2022 to June 2023. All training and match injuries, together with exposures, were recorded by the team doctor and physiotherapist. The men’s team recorded a total of 85 injuries during 5153 hours of exposure, equal to an incidence rate of 16.5 injuries per 1000 hours. Match injuries showed greater incidence (65.9 vs 7.8 injuries per 1000 hours) and burden (444.6 time-loss days per 1000 hours against 13.9 time-loss days per 1000 hours) as compared to training. Thigh injuries were the predominant injuries, followed by knee and ankle injuries. In the women’s team, 17 injuries were reported over 1698 hours of exposure, producing a total incidence rate of 10.0 injuries per 1000 hours. Higher injury frequency and burden were seen during match play (47.6 versus 4.1 injuries per 1000 hours and 1272.7 versus 6.81 time-loss days per 1000 hours, respectively). The ankle and quadriceps were the most frequently reported injuries, followed by the knee. The Malaysian national men’s team recorded a higher injury incidence compared to the women’s, however no significant difference in injury burden noted between genders. The incidence of injuries during matches is greater than that during training, with thigh, ankle, and knee injuries being the most prevalent.
21 Rethinking well-being in capitalist value-centered societies: football in Japan as contemporary capitalistic ritual
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Apr 17:8:1717103. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1717103. eCollection 2026.
Author: Yosri Razgui
Downlaod link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13132853/pdf/fspor-08-1717103.pdf
Summary: This paper aims to reflect upon the cultural impact of neoliberal capitalism on the experientiality of contemporary rituals as potential sources of well-being. After modeling a theoretical framework that positions the concepts of rituals, well-being and development within the contemporary context, the paper focuses on the ontology of contemporary capitalistic rituals, a newly proposed category that arguably better situates many modern rituals within the current global context. In conclusion, drawing on an ethnographic case study among Japanese professional football supporters, the paper demonstrates how sports mega-events can be categorized as contemporary capitalistic rituals and play a central role in modeling well-being and happiness in urban settings.
22 The impact of various forms of exercise-induced fatigue on the short-passing performance of sub-elite female football players
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Apr 17:8:1734883. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1734883. eCollection 2026.
Authors: M Sparks, A Strauss, C Pienaar
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13133029/pdf/fspor-08-1734883.pdf
Summary: The purpose of this study was to describe physical and short-passing performance of sub-elite female soccer players and to determine the effects of fatigue induced by different exercise protocols on passing performance. Forty-eight South African female football players participated in the study. Players completed the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT) before and directly following the execution of two fatigue-inducing protocols: a repeated sprint ability (RSA) test and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) test. Peak heart rate and blood lactate concentration were obtained following the fatiguing exercises. A decline in the LSPT performance was found in terms of passing, penalty and total time following both fatiguing exercises. A significant (p < 0.001) increase in penalty time (32.6%) and total performance time (10.1%) was recorded following the Yo-Yo IR1. Penalty time (20.4%) and total performance time (8.5%) also increased following the RSA test. Moderate to high correlations were found between Yo-Yo IR1(r = -0.47 – -0.51) and RSA (r = -0.40 – -0.48) results with baseline LSPT performance. Percentage decline in LSPT performance was not significantly associated with Yo-Yo IR1 and RSA performance. Physical fatigue has a detrimental effect on short-passing ability, with aerobic fatigue influencing passing accuracy more than anaerobic fatigue, resulting in a larger decline in short-passing performance. While higher fitness levels were associated with superior baseline short-passing performance, they did not protect players from the relative deterioration of skills once fatigued.
23 On-Field Assessment of Joint Load in Football Using Machine Learning (Part II)
Reference: Sensors (Basel). 2026 Apr 21;26(8):2562. doi: 10.3390/s26082562.
Authors: Anne Benjaminse, Margherita Mendicino, Eline M Nijmeijer, Pietro Margheriti, Alli Gokeler, Stefano Di Paolo
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13119674/pdf/sensors-26-02562.pdf
Summary: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk is elevated in female youth football, yet knee joint loading has mainly been studied under controlled laboratory conditions. This limits understanding of how injury risk emerges during realistic match situations. This study provided a field-based kinetic characterization of football-specific movements by estimating knee abduction moments (KAMs) using wearable sensors and machine learning. Fifty-two highly talented female youth players performed agility tasks during training, including structured exercises (F-EX) and game-based play (F-GAME). Full-body kinematics were collected with inertial measurement units, and a validated support vector machine model, trained on synchronized motion capture and force plate data, classified trials as high or low KAM. Across 662 change-in-direction trials, 9-12% were classified as high KAM in both conditions, indicating that potentially high-risk loading regularly occurs during routine actions. High KAM trials showed reduced knee and pelvis flexion, increased hip flexion, and greater pelvis rotation toward the cutting direction, reflecting upright, stiff movement strategies. Performance analyses revealed smaller cut angles in exercises and greater approach acceleration in game play, without differences in peak velocity. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of field-based kinetic screening and support a complex-systems perspective on ACL injury risk.
24 Sensor-Based Analysis of the Influence of Score Status and Playing Position on the Most Demanding Passages in Elite Women’s Football
Reference: Sensors (Basel). 2026 Apr 10;26(8):2349. doi: 10.3390/s26082349.
Authors: Baris Karakoc, Alper Asci, Paweł Chmura
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13119922/pdf/sensors-26-02349.pdf
Summary: This study aimed to investigate how score status and playing position affect the most demanding passages (MDPs) in elite women’s football. Data from ten matches from eighteen outfield players of the Turkish Women’s National Team were collected during UEFA Nations League fixtures in the 2024-2025 seasons. Players were monitored using wearable GPS sensors, and all locomotor variables were segmented into one-minute windows to identify peak demands. The analysed variables included total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR), sprint distance (SD), high-acceleration distance (HIAccD), high-deceleration distance (HIDecD), high metabolic power distance (HMPD), and player load (PL). Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE) were used to assess the effects of score status and playing position. Wingers (WG) showed the highest TD, HSR, and HMPD values, while centre backs covered less TD and HSR than WG. Full-backs and forwards (FW) also recorded lower TD, although FW exceeded WG in sprinting (p = 0.045, d values = 0.66 [moderate effect]). Score status influenced MDPs, with TD decreasing when the match was tied and further declining when the team was behind; similar reductions occurred in HSR, HIAccD, HIDecD, and HMPD. In conclusion, both score status and position significantly shaped peak locomotor and mechanical demands. These findings may inform individualised training, recovery programmes, and score-dependent tactical planning in elite women’s football.
25 Injury Epidemiology in Elite U17 Football Players: A Prospective Study Across Six Competitive Seasons
Reference: Life (Basel). 2026 Apr 9;16(4):632. doi: 10.3390/life16040632.
Authors: Tomislav Pranjić, Frane Žuvela, Toni Modrić et al.
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13117052/pdf/life-16-00632.pdf
Summary: Injuries in elite youth football may disrupt training continuity and long-term development, particularly during the post-peak height velocity (post-PHV) period when training and match demands increase. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine injury incidence and describe injury patterns in elite U17 football players across six consecutive competitive seasons, including injury type, anatomical location, mechanism, recurrence, and severity. A prospective longitudinal injury-surveillance design was implemented in one elite football academy from 2016/2017 to 2021/2022. Injuries were recorded in the club’s medical database using the international consensus time-loss definition. Injury incidence per 1000 h was calculated for overall exposure, training, and matches, and injuries were analyzed by diagnosis, mechanism, recurrence, and severity. Across the study period, 331 injuries were recorded. Overall injury incidence was 6.95/1000 h, with markedly higher incidence in matches (20.61/1000 h) than training (5.82/1000 h). Seasonal incidence ranged from 4.49/1000 h in 2019/2020 to 9.31/1000 h in 2021/2022. The proportion of injured players ranged from 48% to 76% per season. The most frequent injuries were contusions and muscle cramps/DOMS, followed by ligament injuries, tendinosis, and muscle ruptures. Knee, thigh, ankle, and hip/groin were the most affected regions. Most diagnoses showed a predominantly non-contact pattern. These findings support targeted prevention and load-management strategies in elite youth football.