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 Effects of muscle warm-up phases on proprioception, vertical jump, agility, and balance in elite adolescent soccer players: a repeated-measures experimental study
Reference: Int J Adolesc Med Health. 2026 Jul 27. doi: 10.1515/ijamh-2026-0007. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Neslihan Altuntaş Yılmaz, Muhammet Talha Doğan
Summary: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different muscle warm-up phases on knee joint proprioception, vertical jump, agility, and balance in professional youth athletes. Twenty-five professional adolescent football players under the age of 18 (mean age: 16.5 ± 1.2 years) were included in the study (n=25). Dominant knee joint proprioception was measured at 30° using a digital inclinometer. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Y-balance test (in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions), explosive power was evaluated with the Sargent vertical jump test, and agility was measured using the T-test. All assessments were conducted during three muscle warm-up phases (rest, warm-up, and post-training). The analysis revealed significant differences in all parameters depending on the muscle’s warm-up state (p<0.001). Proprioception, explosive power, agility, and dynamic balance were measured at their best when the muscles were warmed up. Proprioception was found to be weakest in the fatigued muscle condition (2.42°). Explosive power and dynamic balance were lowest in the resting muscle condition. Agility did not differ between the resting and fatigued conditions (p=0.874). Muscle warm-up phases positively influence proprioceptive accuracy, agility, and balance in elite youth soccer players, whereas fatigue impairs these parameters. These findings suggest that optimal warm-up protocols should be incorporated to enhance performance and reduce injury risk.
#2 Soccer Players‘ Physical Performance After Loaded Plyometric-Jump Training: A Systematic Review
Reference: J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2026 Jul 20;11(3):280. doi: 10.3390/jfmk11030280.
Authors: Miguel Alarcón-Rivera, Joaquín Salazar-Méndez, Eduardo Guzmán-Muñoz, Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo, Ivan Castillo Montecinos, Luis Arturo Gómez-Landero
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/11/3/280
Summary: This systematic review examined the effects of loaded plyometric-jump training (LPJT) on physical performance outcomes in soccer players. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase covered all records from database inception to February 2026, with an additional update performed in March 2026. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials comparing LPJT with unloaded plyometric-jump training (UPJT) or passive control conditions. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale, risk of bias using RoB 2, and certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach. Findings were synthesized narratively. Six randomized controlled trials involving 214 soccer players met the inclusion criteria. In general, LPJT showed favorable within-group changes in selected physical performance outcomes, particularly horizontal jump performance and some strength- and power-related variables. However, comparable improvements were also observed after UPJT in several outcomes, including vertical jump performance, linear sprint performance, change-of-direction and agility performance, and soccer-specific outcomes. Five studies raised some concerns, and one study presented a high overall risk of bias. The certainty of evidence ranged from low to very low across outcomes. Current evidence remains highly uncertain and does not allow firm conclusions regarding the superiority of LPJT over UPJT or passive control conditions. LPJT may therefore be considered a possible alternative to UPJT rather than a demonstrably superior approach. LPJT may be associated with favorable changes in selected performance outcomes. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the small evidence base, limited sample sizes, methodological heterogeneity, residual risk of bias concerns, and low to very low certainty of evidence. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify whether LPJT provides additional benefits beyond conventional unloaded plyometric training.
#3 Relationship Between Echo-Intensity Bands of the Vastus Lateralis and Rectus Femoris Muscles and Torque Parameters of Knee Extensors in Soccer Players
Reference: J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2026 Jun 30;11(3):261. doi: 10.3390/jfmk11030261.
Authors: Maria Rita Dos Santos Lara, Silas Nery de Oliveira, Luiz Henrique Rufino Batista et al.
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/11/3/261
Summary: Echo intensity (EI) derived from ultrasound imaging is widely used to assess muscle quality and has been proposed as a potential indicator of neuromuscular performance. Recently, EI band analysis has been suggested as an alternative approach to provide additional information beyond mean EI. However, evidence linking EI bands to functional outcomes remains limited. Forty-eight male soccer players (26.2 ± 3.6 years) underwent ultrasound assessment of the vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF) muscles. EI was analyzed as mean values and as pixel distribution across five bands (0-50, 51-100, 101-150, 151-200, and 201-255 A.U.), with correction for subcutaneous adipose thickness. Knee extensor peak concentric torque and total work were assessed using isokinetic dynamometry at 60°/s. Generalized linear regression models were used to examine associations between EI variables and mechanical outcomes. No significant differences were observed between limbs for EI mean or EI band distribution in either muscle. The 0-50 A.U. band exhibited the highest pixel percentage for both VL and RF. Mean EI of the RF was negatively associated with peak torque (β = -4.10; 95% CI: -7.35 to -0.86) and total work (β = -3.89; 95% CI: -6.34 to -1.45) of the right knee extensors. No significant associations were found for EI bands or for any EI variables of the VL muscle. In male soccer players, mean EI of the rectus femoris, but not EI band distribution, is associated with knee extensor torque and work output. These findings suggest that mean EI remains a more informative indicator of muscle quality related to strength performance than band-based EI analysis in this athletic population.
#4 Exploring the Relationship Between Skeletal Muscle Mass and Muscle Strength in the Limbs of Elite Soccer Players
Reference: Muscles. 2026 Jul 12;5(3):50. doi: 10.3390/muscles5030050.
Authors: Valentina Cavedon, Chiara Milanese, Carlo Zancanaro
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0413/5/3/50
Summary: Understanding the direct relationship between skeletal muscle mass and strength in athletes is paramount for optimizing performance. Such a relationship has been poorly investigated in soccer players. In this work, a large number (n = 225) of elite soccer players aged 14-37 years had whole-body (WB) and regional skeletal muscle mass (SMM) estimated from Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans, together with maximal isokinetic strength of several muscle groups. Results showed a statistically significant (p < 0.001) correlation between limb SMM or muscle strength and body mass (r = 0.84-0.86; r = 0.61-0.97, respectively) and stature (r = 0.58-0.64; r = 0.61-0.93, respectively), whereas the relationship with age was much more variable. A statistically significant (p < 0.001) correlation was found between SMM and muscle strength across all muscle groups (r = 0.55-0.80). Linear regression showed that SMM explained 30% to 64% of the variance in muscle strength. ANOVA showed that playing position had a statistically significant effect (p < 0.001) on all SMM and muscle strength values. Playing position had a significant effect on relative (normalized per-limb SMM) muscle strength during knee and ankle flexion. This work showed that DXA-measured skeletal muscle mass is associated with the strength of several limb muscle groups in soccer players. This association is of variable strength across muscle groups and is partially modulated by playing position.
#5 How Well Do Young Male Semi-Professional Soccer Players Sleep During an Afternoon Nap?
Reference: Clocks Sleep. 2026 Jul 15;8(3):44. doi: 10.3390/clockssleep8030044.
Authors: Charli Sargent, Georgia Romyn, Michele Lastella, Dean J Miller, Gregory D Roach
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2624-5175/8/3/44
Summary: Athletes often experience situations in which they do not obtain adequate sleep at night. One strategy to overcome this issue is to supplement nighttime sleep with a daytime nap. However, little is known about how well athletes sleep during daytime naps. The aims of this study were to (i) determine the ability of athletes to fall asleep during an afternoon nap and (ii) examine the composition of the sleep obtained. In a counterbalanced, repeated-measures cross-over design, 12 young male semi-professional soccer players were given a 1 h (15:00-16:00) or 2 h (14:00-16:00) nap opportunity following a normal night’s sleep (7-8 h time in bed) in a laboratory. Sleep was monitored using polysomnography and variables were compared between naps using generalized estimating equation models. In the 1 h nap, participants took 6.5 min to fall asleep and spent 52/60 min asleep (87% efficiency); in the 2 h nap, participants took 7.5 min to fall asleep and spent 105/120 min asleep (87% efficiency). There was no difference in wake after sleep onset (p = 0.168) or time spent in stage N3 sleep (p = 0.110) between the 1 h and 2 h nap, but participants fell asleep faster (p < 0.001), obtained more sleep (p < 0.001), and spent more time in stage N1 sleep (p = 0.003), stage N2 sleep (p < 0.001), and Stage REM sleep (p = 0.004) in the 2 h nap. Athletes sleep well during 1 h and 2 h afternoon naps and could use this as a strategy to help meet sleep duration recommendations (i.e., 7-9 h).
#6 Low-volume Nordic hamstring training improves change-of-direction performance more than higher volumes in youth soccer players
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Jul 3:8:1818507. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1818507. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Raouf Hammami, Javier Gene-Morales, Pablo Jiménez-Martínez et al.
Summary: Soccer players adopt hamstring-strengthening programs to enhance sprint and change-of-direction (CoD) performance, despite limited information on optimal volume. Therefore, we aimed to compare low, moderate, and high volumes of Nordic curl training on linear sprint and CoD in pubertal soccer players. Sixty male youth soccer players (13.69 ± 0.31years, 159.43 ± 8.55 cm, 48.51 ± 7.93 kg) were randomly assigned into three groups: low- (n = 20; 4 sets of 3 repetitions), moderate- (n = 20; 4 sets of 6 repetitions), and high-volume Nordic curl training (n = 20; 4 sets of 9 repetitions). The training program lasted 8 weeks in-season. Assessments of sprinting (10 and 20 meters) and CoD performance (15-m-dribbling test with and without a ball) were conducted before and after the intervention. While all three groups improved their performance across all tests, a two-way repeated-measures ANCOVA revealed a significant time × group interaction (p = 0.012) for the 10 m linear sprint, with low- (p = 0.022, d = 0.78) and moderate-volume (p = 0.055, d = 0.71) Nordic curl training yielding better results than high-volume Nordic curl training. Nonsignificant between-group differences were encountered for the 20 m sprints. A significant time × group interaction was observed for the CoD without (p = 0.002) and with the ball (CoDB, p = 0.014), with significantly better results for the low-volume Nordic curl training compared to moderate- (CoD, p = 0.012, d = 0.59; CoDB, p = 0.021, d = 0.60) and high-volume (CoD p = 0.004, d = 0.78; CoDB, p = 0.042, d = 0.56) Nordic curl training. Low-volume Nordic curl training is the most effective training dose for improving CoD performance in top-tier youth soccer athletes. For sprint, both low and moderate volumes improve the 10 m sprint more than high volume, and all three volumes improve the 20 m sprint similarly.
#7 The effect of previous team environment on the current motivation in Japanese varsity soccer players
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Jul 3:8:1872084. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1872084. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Yuto Yasuda, Takeshi Hamamura, Kazuki Inagaki, Ken Kato, Masaaki Koido, Hironobu Tsuchiya
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2026.1872084/full
Summary: Sport psychologists have investigated the effect of team environments on athletes‘ performance and mental health, revealing that team environments played salient roles in forming athletes‘ psychological processes. Currently, the scholars‘ interests are towards the effect of the current team environments the athletes are immersed in, and the effect of their past has not gained as much attention. Given that research on social psychology in sports settings has been built on the premise that the athletes‘ minds are shaped through interaction with their environment, the systematic differences across the past team environments should also impact the athletes‘ psychological processes. As such, we examined how past team environments affect varsity soccer players‘ motivation by comparing players from public schools, private schools, and club teams in high school. In the current study, 159 varsity soccer players (86 from public schools, 45 from private schools, and 28 from club teams) completed the questionnaires to measure the degree of resources, performance emphasis within a team, intra-team competition, and self-enhancement motivation, in which players perceive themselves positively. The results demonstrated that club teams showed the highest degree of resources, followed by private school teams, then public school soccer teams. The higher degree of resources was related to the emphasis on the enhancement of individual performance within a team. This emphasis was further associated with intra-team competition, which was eventually related to self-enhancement motivation. The results imply the significance of past team environments on athletes. To deepen the understanding of psychological processes in athletes, the effect of other past team environments in which they were previously immersed is suggested to be further explored.
#8 Echocardiographic Characterization of Major League Soccer Players
Reference: JACC Adv. 2026 Jul;5(7):102945. doi: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2026.102945.
Authors: Aakash Bavishi, Chinyen Chuo, George Chiampas et al.
Download link: https://www.jacc.org/doi/epdf/10.1016/j.jacadv.2026.102945
Summary: There are limited data detailing cardiac structural changes associated with intensive athletic training in professional soccer athletes. The lack of sport-specific cardiac reference ranges may complicate differentiation of physiologic athletic remodeling from underlying cardiac pathology. The objective of the study was to characterize echocardiographic cardiac remodeling patterns in a large cohort of male professional soccer athletes and provide sport-specific reference data for clinical interpretation. We performed a cross-sectional echocardiographic study of 1,368 male Major League Soccer athletes screened during the 2018 to 2023 seasons using standardized transthoracic echocardiography protocols in accordance with American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. Athletes ranged in age from 21 to 39 years (mean age 25.8 [3.7] years). Among the cohort, 324/1,368 (23.7%) athletes were Black, 392/1,368 (28.7%) Hispanic, and 623/1,368 (45.5%) White. Increased left ventricular (LV) internal diameter in diastole (>58 mm) was present in 115/1,368 athletes (8.5%; 95% CI: 7.0%-10.0%), whereas 262/878 athletes (29.8%; 95% CI: 26.8%-32.8%) demonstrated right ventricular enlargement. The mean LV mass index was 97.2 [16.9] g/m2 (95% CI: 96.3-98.1), with 187/1,326 athletes (14.1%; 95% CI: 12.2%-16.0%) meeting the criteria for LV hypertrophy. Eccentric hypertrophy was present in 127/1,326 athletes (9.6%), concentric hypertrophy in 60/1,326 athletes (4.5%), and concentric remodeling in 241/1,326 athletes (18.2%). Increased cardiac dimensions and concentric remodeling patterns are frequently present in professional soccer athletes. These findings provide sport-specific echocardiographic reference data that may assist clinicians in distinguishing physiologic athletic remodeling from cardiovascular pathology in elite soccer athletes.
#9 The relationship between eccentric hamstring strength and eccentric absorption during the landing phase of vertical jumps in soccer players
Reference: Front Physiol. 2026 Jul 8:17:1886499. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1886499. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Sibel Yildirim, Fırat Akyüz, Nihat Özşengezer et al.
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1886499/full
Summary: This study aimed to examine the relationship between eccentric hamstring strength and biomechanical energy absorption parameters during the landing phase of a vertical jump, and the impact of a pre-season preparation period on these variables in professional soccer players. Thirty-one professional male soccer players (n=31, age: 24.81±5.23 years) participated in the study. Eccentric hamstring strength was measured using the NordBord system, and countermovement jump (CMJ) landing kinetics were assessed via ForceDecks dual force plates before and after the pre-season camp. The landing phase was analyzed through Peak Landing Force, Landing Impulse, and Landing Rate of Force Development (RFD). After the preparation period, a significant decrease in Peak Landing Force (5429.89±1865.7N vs. 4939.13±1449.8N; p=0.012) and a significant increase in Landing Impulse (98.2±18.19 Ns vs. 106.54±24.67 Ns; p=0.029) were observed. Furthermore, a statistically significant reduction of 11.6% was found in Landing RFD (p=0.047). A statistically significant increase of 7.4% was observed in normalized Nordic hamstring strength (p=0.021). The pre-season training period enabled soccer players to develop a „softer“ and more controlled landing strategy by enhancing the eccentric braking capacity of the hamstrings. The reduction in impact forces and the increase in impulse indicate more effective absorption of loads on the knee joint. Integrating eccentric hamstring exercises and landing mechanics drills into training programs is recommended to reduce injury risk.
#10 Preventive efficiency of neuromuscular training in reducing lower limb injuries among youth soccer athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Jul 8:8:1853354. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1853354. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Hussain Mohammed Alkishnawi, Hamza Mahmoud Alshater, Eyad A Alakkas et al.
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13387728/pdf/fspor-08-1853354.pdf
Summary: Lower-limb injuries are common in youth soccer. Neuromuscular training (NMT) warm-ups are used, but the preventive effects across injury types in young players are unclear. This review quantified NMT effectiveness for lower-limb injury prevention in 8-18-year-old soccer players. A PRISMA-guided systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted. Four databases were searched up to October 2025 using keywords including soccer/football, neuromuscular training, balance, proprioception, plyometrics, injury prevention, ACL, ankle sprain, and hamstring strain. English-language RCTs (January 2000-present) in youth soccer comparing NMT with standard warm-up or no intervention were included; adult (>18 years), non-soccer, and non-RCT studies were excluded. The primary outcome was the incidence of all lower-limb injuries; secondary outcomes were knee, ankle, ligament, and muscle injuries. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were pooled using random-effects models with the Hartung-Knapp adjustment for outcomes in which at least two trials reported exposure time; the remaining outcomes were summarised using a structured narrative synthesis. Heterogeneity was assessed with I2. Five RCTs (2012-2025; n = 6,447) were included. Two outcomes had sufficient exposure data for meta-analysis: NMT was associated with non-significant reductions in all lower-limb injuries (IRR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.20-1.45; I2 = 83.7%) and knee injuries (IRR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.62-1.19; I2 = 0%). For ankle, ligament and muscle injuries only one trial reported exposure time, precluding pooling; in that trial NMT was associated with significantly lower ankle (IRR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.40-0.88), ligament (IRR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.43-0.90) and muscle (IRR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.47-0.93) injury rates, with the remaining trials reporting fewer injuries in the NMT group. NMT warm-ups may reduce ankle injuries in youth soccer, while evidence for overall and knee injury prevention is inconclusive and heterogeneous. Implementation with adherence support is clinically relevant. Future trials should standardize injury definitions, report exposure/compliance, and evaluate programme dose and components across age and sex groups.
#11 The effect of an eight-week FIFA 11+ program on the landing error scoring system following functional fatigue in adolescent female soccer players with dynamic knee valgus
Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Jul 21. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01906-3. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Fatemeh Asadi, Mansour Sahebozamani, Saeid Bahiraei
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13102-026-01906-3_reference.pdf
Summary: Adolescent female soccer players exhibit a disproportionately high risk of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, with dynamic knee valgus (DKV) representing one of the major modifiable biomechanical risk factors, particularly under conditions of functional fatigue. The FIFA 11+ injury prevention program has demonstrated efficacy in reducing lower extremity injury risk, yet its impact on landing mechanics under fatigued conditions in this population remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-week FIFA 11+ program on Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) scores following a functional fatigue protocol in adolescent female soccer players with DKV. This parallel-group randomized controlled trial included 21 adolescent female soccer players (aged 13-17 years) exhibiting DKV, allocated to an intervention group (n = 11) receiving the FIFA 11+ program or a control group (n = 10) maintaining standard warm-up routines. LESS assessments were conducted before and after a validated youth soccer fatigue simulation protocol (YoSFS⁵) at baseline and after 8 weeks. A 2 × 2 × 2 mixed-design ANOVA examined the effects of group, time, and fatigue on LESS scores. Significant main effects were observed for time (F1,19= 4.90,p = 0.039, partial η² = 0.205) and fatigue (F1,19= 73.49, p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.795). Critically, significant interactions emerged for time × group (F1,19= 13.51,p = 0.002, partial η² = 0.416), time × fatigue (F1,19= 15.95,p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.456), and time × fatigue × group (F1,19= 4.62, p = 0.045, partial η² = 0.196). The intervention group demonstrated substantial reductions in LESS scores post-intervention, particularly under fatigued conditions (-34.2% vs. +3.1% in controls). The 8-week FIFA 11+ program significantly improved landing mechanics and attenuated fatigue-induced deteriorations in adolescent female soccer players with DKV. These findings highlight the program’s potential to improve the maintenance of landing mechanics during high-risk fatigued states, with potential implications for improving biomechanical factors associated with ACL injury risk during fatigue.
#12 Developing an implementation strategy to scale a community-based football intervention for Men’s health: an implementation science study
Reference: Front Health Serv. 2026 Jul 10:6:1835183. doi: 10.3389/frhs.2026.1835183. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Christopher McDermott, Aisling McGrath, Laura Finnegan et al.
Summary: Men experience poorer health outcomes than women and are less likely to engage with traditional healthcare services, highlighting the need for gender-responsive, community-based approaches. The Football Cooperative (FC) initiative in Ireland uses recreational football as a socially engaging setting to support men’s health and wellbeing. Although football-based initiatives demonstrate strong acceptability and health benefits, translating locally successful models into sustainable systems capable of large-scale delivery remains challenging. This study aimed to identify multilevel determinants influencing implementation of the FC initiative and to develop a prioritised implementation strategy to support national scale-up. A two-part qualitative design was employed, comprising (1) multilevel data collection through semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and reflective logs with stakeholders across participant, provider, organisational, and community/system levels, and (2) strategy development and prioritisation through an adapted Delphi consensus process. Data were analysed using a framework-informed approach guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), and scalability was further examined using the Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool (ISAT). Findings indicate that implementation of the FC initiative is underpinned by relational facilitators supporting sustained engagement, including psychological safety, inclusive gameplay, and accessibility and operational practicality at participant level. However, while these support local delivery, they do not readily translate to scale. Critical determinants constraining scale-up were identified across ecological levels, including reliance on volunteer coordination and limited role clarity at provider level, informal administrative and digital systems and limited workforce capacity at organisational level, and the absence of formalised governance, cross-sector collaboration, and sustainable funding at system level. In response, seven implementation strategies were prioritised: maintaining psychological safety and accessibility (participant level); strengthening coordination systems and volunteer capacity and role support (provider level); developing monitoring and digital infrastructure and supporting governance transition and distributed leadership (organisational level); and establishing cross-sector collaboration and funding mechanisms to support scale (community/system level). This study provides a theory-informed, stakeholder-endorsed implementation strategy to support the transition of a community-based men’s health initiative from local delivery to scalable systems. The findings contribute to implementation science by demonstrating how multilevel determinant analysis can be translated into prioritised strategies supporting scale-up of gender-responsive interventions.
#13 Inter-Limb Asymmetry and Its Limited Role in Physical Performance and Match Demands in Football Players with Spastic Hemiparesis-An Exploratory Team Study
Reference: J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2026 Jul 17;11(3):276. doi: 10.3390/jfmk11030276.
Authors: Iván Peña-González, Alba Roldán, Bartolomé Leal Barquero, Alejandro Caña-Pino, Manuel Moya-Ramón
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/11/3/276
Summary: Inter-limb asymmetry has been widely studied as a potential determinant of physical performance in able-bodied athletes; however, its functional relevance in athletes with neurological impairments such as spastic hemiparesis remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the associations between lower-limb isometric strength, inter-limb asymmetry, physical performance, and match external-load variables in elite CP football players. Eleven male football players with spastic hemiparesis from the Spanish national team competing at the 2024 IFCPF World Cup participated in this observational cross-sectional study. Maximal isometric strength of the plantar flexors, adductors, and hamstrings was assessed using a belt-stabilised dynamometer. Inter-limb asymmetry was calculated as a percentage difference between affected and non-affected limbs. Physical performance was evaluated using sprint, change-of-direction, dribbling, and intermittent endurance tests. Match external-load variables were collected during official competition using inertial measurement units. Associations were analysed using Spearman’s rank correlations, and between-group comparisons were conducted using a median split based on asymmetry magnitude. Inter-limb asymmetry did not significantly differentiate physical performance outcomes across any field-based tests (p > 0.05). Associations between isometric strength or asymmetry and field-based performance were limited and did not remain statistically significant after false discovery rate correction. In contrast, plantar flexor asymmetry showed significant negative associations with mechanical work (ρ = -0.84; q = 0.010) and metabolic power (ρ = -0.83; q = 0.010), which remained robust after multiple-comparison control. Inter-limb strength asymmetry did not appear to be a primary determinant of field-based physical performance in CP football players with spastic hemiparesis. Most associations between strength, asymmetry, and performance should be considered exploratory. However, plantar flexor asymmetry showed a consistent association with selected mechanical and metabolic match-load variables, suggesting that neuromuscular asymmetry may influence specific aspects of match demands. Given the exploratory team-study design and limited sample size, these findings should be interpreted cautiously and require confirmation in larger cohorts.
#14 Biological Maturation and Physical Performance in Youth Football: Associations Across Professional and Non-Professional Environments
Reference: J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2026 Jun 29;11(3):257. doi: 10.3390/jfmk11030257.
Authors: Manuel Amore, Maria Francesca Piacentini, Vincenzo Sorgente, Francesco Sera, Diego Minciacchi
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/11/3/257
Summary: Biological maturation is a major determinant of physical performance in youth football, although the previous evidence suggests that training context may influence maturation-performance associations. This study investigated the association between biological maturation and physical performance in youth football players from professional and non-professional settings. A total of 302 male football players (Under-10 to Under-14) from a professional academy (n = 122) and non-professional clubs (n = 180) participated. Biological maturation was estimated using maturity offset and age at peak height velocity (aPHV). Physical performance was assessed through standing broad jump, T-test agility, and sit-and-reach tests. General Linear Models and stratified correlation analyses were used to examine the interaction between maturation, age category, and training environment. Relative age distribution was also described. Professional academy players demonstrated superior explosive power, agility, and flexibility across most age categories compared with non-professional players. Significant associations between biological maturation and physical performance were observed mainly in the non-professional environment, particularly for agility and explosive power, whereas few significant relationships emerged in the professional academy. Significant interactions between training environment, age category, and maturation status were found for all performance measures, with the strongest effect observed for agility. A relative age effect emerged only in the older professional categories. Associations between biological maturation and physical performance differed according to training environment in youth football players. Stronger maturation-performance relationships were generally observed in non-professional settings, whereas weaker associations emerged in the professional academy. However, due to the cross-sectional design and the likely interdependence between maturation, selection, and training exposure, causal interpretations cannot be inferred.
#15 Pedagogical intentionality in walking football: fostering sustained participation and development among older adults
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Jul 9:8:1810949. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1810949. eCollection 2026.
Authors: João Gustavo Batista, Júlia Barreira
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2026.1810949/full
Summary: The growing population aging demands physical practices that promote health, inclusion, and autonomy. In this context, Walking Football (WF) emerges as an adapted sport for older adults, characterized by the absence of running and physical contact, creating a safe and inclusive environment. Although the physical, psychological, and social benefits of WF are well documented, less is known about how pedagogical intentionality is enacted in practice and how it supports sustained participation and development. Therefore, this study examined how pedagogical intentionality was enacted through pedagogical mediation and the construction of a learning environment in a WF program for older adults. This study was conducted with twelve participants aged 50 and older with no prior experience in the sport, who participated in a WF sports project for eight months, with sessions held twice a week. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. The findings indicate that sustained participation and development were supported by dialogic pedagogical mediation, continuous adaptation, and the intentional design of a supportive learning environment. Adapting activities proved essential to ensuring safety and equitable participation. Fundamentally, the promotion of a welcoming environment strengthened autonomy and confidence, while social bonds emerged as the central element for motivation. It is concluded that intentional and pedagogical mediation practices transform the practice, reinforcing the sport not merely as an adapted sport, but as a space for learning and social belonging for active aging.
#16 Football, fossil fuels, and public health in the era of climate crisis
Reference: Environ Epidemiol. 2026 Jul 21;10(4):e502. doi: 10.1097/EE9.0000000000000502. eCollection 2026 Aug.
Authors: Manolis Kogevinas, Neil Pearce
Summary: Global professional football (soccer in the United States) is increasingly integrated with fossil fuel-derived capital through club ownership, expansive sponsorship deals, and tournament hosting. While often discussed in ethical or political terms, these developments have received limited attention from an environmental health perspective. This commentary examines the growing alignment between fossil fuel-derived wealth and global football, focusing primarily on club ownership, while situating it within a broader ecosystem of commercial and geopolitical influence. We argue that these relationships function as a commercial determinant of health by shaping social norms, legitimizing carbon-intensive industries, and delaying policy action on climate change. Drawing parallels to the historical regulation of tobacco sponsorship, we highlight how such dynamics contribute to the persistence of exposures that drive climate-related health risks. Climate change is the great public health challenge of the 21st century, just as tobacco was in the 20th century. Greater scrutiny, transparency, and leadership from the public health community with regard to fossil fuel-derived funding of sport are warranted. It is no longer acceptable for major sporting bodies and events to accept tobacco industry funding. It should also be unacceptable for them to accept fossil fuel-derived funding.
#17 The hidden heat penalty of speeding up football
Reference: Exp Physiol. 2026 Jul 22:10.1113/EP094149. doi: 10.1113/EP094149. Online ahead of print.
Author: Edward T Ashworth
Download link: https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1113/EP094149
#18 Ultrafast Return to Sport in International Feminine Football Following Arthroscopic Anatomic Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction Using Gracilis Autograft: A Case Report
Reference: Case Rep Orthop. 2026 Jul 20:2026:5568199. doi: 10.1155/cro/5568199. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Pierre-Jean Lambrey, Germain Saniel, Ronny Lopes
Download link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/cro/5568199
Summary: Lateral ankle instability is a common condition in elite football, but returning to play following arthroscopic anatomic ligament reconstruction (AALR) typically requires 4-6 months. We report the case of a 24-year-old professional female football player who achieved a full return to elite competition and national team duties within 12 weeks following arthroscopic ALR of the anterior talofibular (ATFL) and calcaneofibular (CFL) ligaments using an autologous gracilis graft. Preoperative instability followed recurrent sprains incurred during the World Cup, with examination and imaging demonstrating complete lateral ligament complex insufficiency. Arthroscopic exploration identified a complete ATFL/CFL rupture, anterolateral impingement, and a lateral talar chondral rail lesion, which were treated by synovectomy, debridement, and AALR. Rehabilitation followed an intensive, criterion-based protocol integrating immediate full weight-bearing, progressive range of motion, neuromuscular training, strength symmetry targets, and field-based functional testing. At 12 weeks, the athlete achieved full functional symmetry: AnkleGO score 25/25, FAAM-ADL and FAAM-Sport 100%, ALR-RSI 100%, symmetric hop performance, and unrestricted football-specific metrics. She returned to international duty without restrictions and completed full match participation. This case illustrates that arthroscopic anatomic reconstruction combined with structured high-performance rehabilitation can enable ultrafast return to elite football, challenging conventional timelines while illustrating an accelerated, criterion-based return in a single elite athlete rather than a generalizable target.
#19 Identifying targets for behavior change interventions to integrate biological maturation in German football development programs: A COM-B and Behavior Change Wheel analysis
Reference: J Sports Sci. 2026 Jul 21:1-12. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2026.2702741. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Lukas Arenas, Sabrina Forster, Tim Meyer, Jamie Salter, Monika Frenger
Summary: This study examines enablers and barriers to integrating biological maturation into talent identification and development processes within German football academies. Biological maturation significantly influences physical performance, selection decisions, and injury risk in youth football. Early maturing players are often favoured during talent identification, leading to premature deselection of talented late-maturing athletes. Using the COM-B framework (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behaviour), we investigated stakeholders perceived barriers and enablers to implementing maturation strategies. An adapted COM-B-Qv1 questionnaire was distributed to 990 stakeholders across 56 elite academies and 344 regional training centres (June – July 2025), yielding 142 complete responses (14.3% completion rate). Internal consistency of the adapted scales was acceptable to good (Cronbach’s α = 0.67-0.84). Results showed that 78% of participants conduct maturation assessments, while 24% rarely or never considered it in player development and 51% did so only occasionally. Regional-affiliated stakeholders reported significantly higher barriers than league-affiliated participants (p < 0.05). Opportunity, expressed through the perceived lack of tools, time, and incentives, emerged as the strongest barrier (mean = 3.38 ± 1.30). These findings suggest that targeted training, enablement, and environmental restructuring may be particularly effective for improving the systematic integration of biological maturation in German football academies, especially in regional settings.
#20 Machine learning models for injury risk prediction in football players: A systematic review of predictors, performance, practical applications, and limitations
Reference: J Int Med Res. 2026 Jul;54(7):3000605261469442. doi: 10.1177/03000605261469442. Epub 2026 Jul 20.
Authors: Mehdi Aslani, Mostafa Zarei, Zohreh Yaghoubitajani, Abolfazl Malekahmadi
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13389111/pdf/10.1177_03000605261469442.pdf
Summary: Football is associated with a high incidence of musculoskeletal injuries because of its dynamic, high-intensity, and contact nature. Machine learning methods offer the potential to capture nonlinear relationships among diverse risk factors. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the application, accuracy, and practical utility of machine learning models for predicting injuries in football players. This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. A systematic search was performed in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, along with manual searches, through October 2025. Cohort and cross-sectional studies applying machine learning methods for injury prediction in football players were included (n = 22). Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Prediction model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. We performed a narrative synthesis because of substantial heterogeneity in study design, machine learning models, injury definitions, and predictor variables. Common predictors included training load metrics, previous injury history, biomechanical and neuromuscular characteristics, anthropometric variables, and psychological and biological indicators. Most studies reported moderate-to-high discriminative performance based on area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, and precision metrics. Reported accuracy values ranged from approximately 55% to 96%. However, several studies relied only on accuracy as the primary metric, which is susceptible to misinterpretation in the presence of class imbalance between injury and noninjury observations; metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, F1-score, or area under the curve-ROC would provide a more balanced evaluation. Models generally demonstrated better performance for noncontact and soft tissue injuries than for contact injuries. Machine learning models may have exploratory value for injury risk stratification in football. However, the current evidence remains heterogeneous and methodologically limited. Further studies with large-scale designs, standardized methodologies, external validation, appropriate calibration, and clinical interpretability are required before these models can be recommended for routine injury-prevention practice.
#21 Understanding match performance through productivity modelling in the Chinese super league of football: a data envelopment analysis approach
Reference: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Jul 20. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01880-w. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Liangzhu Feng, Enze Yan, Hongyou Liu
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13102-026-01880-w_reference.pdf
Summary: Understanding match performance from a productivity perspective has become increasingly important in professional football. Although previous studies have examined technical and physical performance indicators, limited research has evaluated productivity-based efficiency across different competitive contexts in the Chinese Super League (CSL). This study aims to model and evaluate team match performance using a productivity-based analytical framework. Data from 1,899 matches across the 2012-2019 CSL seasons were analysed. A two-stage methodological approach was adopted, integrating canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and an input-oriented variable returns-to-scale (VRS) DEA-Malmquist model. Technical and running-performance indicators were treated as input variables, while average points per match were used as the output measure. Contextual factors, including match location and opponent strength, were incorporated. CCA revealed a strong association between the input and output variables (canonical correlation = 0.931, p < 0.001). Technical variables-particularly ball possession and passing accuracy-were strongly associated with match performance productivity. The contribution of physical and defensive indicators varied depending on situational conditions. Higher-ranked teams tended to exhibit higher efficiency through a combination of attacking and defensive execution, whereas lower-ranked teams were more closely associated with basic technical control and physical output. Additionally, defensive actions were more relevant in matches against stronger opponents, while attacking efficiency was more prominent when facing weaker teams. Productivity-related performance patterns in the CSL appeared to be context dependent and varied according to team level, match location, and opponent strength. The findings support the application of a DEA-Malmquist productivity framework for evaluating football performance and provide practical insights for performance monitoring and tactical decision-making.
#22 Weekly External Load in Italian Women’s Football Players: Influence of Playing Time
Reference: J Strength Cond Res 2026 Jun 29. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000005582. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Marco Panascì, Vincenzo Rago, Vittoria Ferrando, Carlo Castagna, Piero Ruggeri, Emanuela Faelli
Summary: This study compared external load distribution during the first round of the season between starters (ST) and nonstarters (NS) in Italian professional women’s football players. Subjects were 18 players (age: 24.3 ± 3.9 years; height: 167 ± 4.2 cm; body mass: 60.4 ± 5.4 kg) from the same team. External load was measured using global positioning system technology. Variables included total distance (TD), high-speed running distance (19.8-25.2 km·h-1), sprint distance (>25.2 km·h-1), and the number of accelerations (ACC; >3.0 m·s-2) and decelerations (DEC; <-3.0 m·s-2). Nine players were classified as ST, defined as those who played at least 60 minutes in 3 consecutive matches during this phase of the season, whereas the remaining 9 players were classified as NS. Results revealed that NS had significantly higher values of TD (p = 0.001), high-speed running (p = 0.002), ACC (p < 0.001), and DEC (p < 0.001) on MD+2 compared with ST. In addition, NS exhibited significantly greater values of TD (p = 0.003), ACC (p = 0.035), and DEC (p = 0.006) on MD-4 compared with ST. No significant differences were observed between groups on MD-3, MD-2, and MD-1. These findings suggest that NS experienced higher external training loads on MD-4 and MD+2, possibly reflecting compensatory training loads because of limited or no match participation.