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 Competition-level and positional differences in match running performance of Vietnamese professional soccer players: a GPS-based season analysis
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Jul 24:8:1890629. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1890629. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Viet Nam Huynh, Tuan Hung Pham, Rangsarit Jamrern, Piyathida Thongchai, Phornpot Chainok
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2026.1890629/full
Summary: This study aimed to quantify the match-running performance of Vietnamese professional football players utilizing global positioning system (GPS) technology and investigate variations based on competition level and position and establish a composite performance score (CPS) framework for player assessment and categorization. A longitudinal observational study was executed throughout the 2024-2025 season, encompassing 57 official matches involving six professional clubs from V-League 1 and V-League 2, comprised 497 player-match observations from 160 outfield players. External-load variables were gathered utilizing 10 Hz GPS devices and encompassed total distance (TD), maximum velocity (Vmax), high-speed running distance (HSR), sprint distance and accelerations/decelerations. Statistical analyses included independent-samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA with Tukey HSD post hoc comparisons and correlation analyses. V-League 1 players displayed significantly greater HSR, sprint distance, Vmax, accelerations and decelerations (p < 0.05) than V-League 2 players but TD was similar between competition levels. There were significant differences between positions for TD, TD/90, Vmax, HSR and sprint distance (all p < 0.001) with forwards showing the greatest high-intensity locomotor outputs and defenders covering the greatest running volumes. The performance of Vietnamese players in HSR and sprint-related areas was significantly lower than elite European benchmarks. CPS classification indicated that the majority of observations were classified as Average (57.5%) with Elite classifications only accounting for 3.1% of observations. These findings indicate that high-intensity locomotor capacity is an important physical determinant in professional Vietnamese football and that the CPS framework provides a practical multidimensional tool for performance profiling, individualized training and longitudinal athlete monitoring.
#2 Neuromuscular responses and inter-limb asymmetry in relation to external load across two sequential pre-season training camp contexts in soccer players
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Jul 24:8:1860316. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1860316. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Adam Lipčák, Ana Carolina Paludo, Jan Cacek, Kryštof Cacek, Michal Hrubý, Tomáš Kalina
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2026.1860316/full
Summary: Different pre-season training camp contexts may be accompanied by distinct neuromuscular responses, including changes in fatigue and inter-limb asymmetry, in soccer players. However, limited research has examined how players‘ neuromuscular responses differ across sequential conditioning-focused and game-based camp contexts and how these responses relate to external load. Fourteen male national-level soccer players were assessed before and after a 10-day conditioning camp and an 11-day game-based camp separated by 14 days. Neuromuscular performance was evaluated using countermovement jump (CMJ) and Nordic hamstring strength (Nordic Curl), while external load was monitored using GPS-derived metrics, including total distance, high-speed running (HSR), and sprint distance. Percentage changes and correlations between neuromuscular variables and accumulated external load were analyzed using an exploratory descriptive approach. Following the conditioning-focused camp context, players showed greater neuromuscular changes, including increased CMJ performance (Δ = 3.82%), reduced hamstring strength (Δ = -3.43% and -0.62% for the left and right limbs, respectively), and increased inter-limb asymmetry, whereas only trivial changes were observed following the game-based camp context. Accumulated external load differed between the two camp contexts, with higher total distance and high-speed running during the conditioning-focused camp context and slightly higher sprint distance during the game-based camp context. Relationships between external load and neuromuscular changes differed between camps. During the conditioning camp, higher external load was associated with a smaller increase in asymmetry, whereas during the game-based camp, external load was related to reductions in CMJ performance and increases in hamstring strength. Players showed different neuromuscular responses across the two sequential camp contexts, and load-response relationships appeared to be context dependent and individual. Given the small sample and exploratory design, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Integrating external load monitoring with neuromuscular assessments may improve training and recovery strategies in team sports.
#3 Trends, impact, and future directions of ankle injury research in soccer players: A bibliometric analysis
Reference: Medicine (Baltimore). 2026 Aug 7;105(32):e49984. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000049984.
Authors: Hua Zhang, Aihua Li, Zhi Zhang, Shaolan Zhao
Affiliations Expand
Download link: https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/780756/1-s2.0-S2059775426X2003X/1-s2.0-S2059775426000714/main.pdf?X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjELX%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJGMEQCICllxRyn1HJMYpxpgFRywck3sAgBbLirNJih2JvF6a9wAiA3Xx3eWhzmJE89%2F3I7%2Fiag6mAxtdC0oINmphtTTGrXvyqzBQh%2BEAUaDDA1OTAwMzU0Njg2NSIM3TjRZO%2BzoO4%2FgO5wKpAFpBICbmGhGbKfN9XNd%2BOW5t2n3wIPg5dy7FAcL5%2FNDwu3UT8kZ8%2Bo2%2BfkRMxizKv9vzyQUApPTE0GQ1XyI1GCgYc%2BySz40rcjvthlFJTyXPCtgCQ23Epvf6pTReqmtly9auwM1zA07hi67%2B4mCn%2BO7QwGjtZgXMeC23N5OGVCSjBoS0%2Bqlh%2FsV%2Bd4zdH9aiMl9cF%2B7fKdPtLhA8YxIff4xoH23YtZUVI7m%2FrR8FxxsK8LUKCelxtvoA%2FWnglMeye%2FGwSoWCuXaK3xE695IBBGsMnyDR78t9%2BSgKcGBmDIfqF%2BypA5s4bNYJwpj7qu%2BfkSzBKnhmBNxZ2Sp9VwwjVCVXjyAc9lWduqIVvFPnE%2Bnvj7BfvD3gD%2BLydSg%2FlHdLT9v6D9UYZ0sD1VNzyOUi6LQUFu3a6ZNzE218h%2BMYpopRYNGtYecIOtkg43E2JB8tN84kPUdGOlmsRcvnJQjILuEiquGEG4GPltI9yErZ%2F1xr%2B0LF7yKyZrLlhk5fQw3dGeHFIHjMNv4gSydAuzNMGqYwYh7L5oraNUsM3GOasPrQ7KqqOLZroRABjpWPAxrfymjxJV0ZwYW2sbs5xKhJDKEECfmnaW2Aj46MFnELSWorP7yBQ8%2FeimoQ4PTWFSSpQEuOCeZRkagu87oG40LHdKeRCICNwT5QcrDPYiyQ5bD7fsk7i1M4e%2FQpQJvcwJHRbGkmaB0gARynH2WNxTIanMzDoZvC631Vws57ErUdwn0zqQcVzxCv7B9poq1Rs7flqgYyexAksydl5Wtixlyybsit%2FBUEB6vWkmMWlMBD7DUnQYTdr1aO7zZpb8rv68MP9K0twbjxWeZ1GzelzqhhgIAgtVhkXw%2Bzj5uqYNPwJeiDAwyJDg0wY6sgHOe20ikNlr91P1DL5wcbU33CmuxQF3Nv8dogVMks4Y%2BjLocy%2B5HA7YJ9VHLQqTLTqoj5pMJ7n6k0fvOAp9WGo0j%2F4EYJoEegGkqjbvuhu1F%2Fj43eCBUhRgTU5Ji4U1dFJZVVDgSVYd77336OHy82EUTW0%2BzUCNZbUu9EPEBg8n9QdBn%2BK28kUXy7iCKLQxQKahlWNY1X2e4zRC4QyldTPfREa5UWPM9PCOOoh4TI8f9mMZ&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Date=20260809T051905Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=300&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAQ3PHCVTY4AGPTQOB%2F20260809%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Signature=fd128297bbcfac4242d85006512aa5710edbec2181558f442237f1d0cd8a8cb8&hash=f5b404da169a3aa2ae1f71c0e0be5b5b419f522ae6f12831f4f2f69c325e070e&host=68042c943591013ac2b2430a89b270f6af2c76d8dfd086a07176afe7c76c2c61&pii=S2059775426000714&tid=spdf-2d08617e-42c1-4951-b6e9-ccf3afab4639&sid=17a93eca8f2cf74eed286636e2c31b72f41dgxrqa&type=client&tsoh=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&rh=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&ua=1e03045259565b06070452&rr=a2844dcd2d38dca2&cc=de
Summary: This study presents a bibliometric analysis of research trends in ankle injuries among soccer players, aiming to inform prevention and treatment strategies. A comprehensive search of the Web of Science Core Collection database was conducted on July 2, 2024, for English-language original articles on ankle injuries in soccer/football players (published 1983 to July 2, 2024) using a predefined topic query. Publication trends, collaboration networks (countries/institutions/authors), journal analyses, keyword co-occurrence, and citation bursts were evaluated with VOSviewer 1.6.20, CiteSpace 6.3.R1, and R 4.3.3. Publication output increased substantially over the study period, with the United States leading in research output. The American Journal of Sports Medicine was a key publication venue. Author-level analyses showed contributions from multiple highly cited researchers and collaborative teams, indicating that the field has been shaped by diverse international efforts rather than by any single researcher. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was the leading institution. Recent keyword analyses emphasized risk factors, injury management, and balance, reflecting increased research attention to prevention and rehabilitation. Overall, the findings demonstrate a clear evolution in the field, highlighting the shift toward proactive strategies for reducing the risk and impact of ankle injuries and improving athlete care.
#4 The association between GPS-derived external workload metrics and soleus muscle injuries in professional football (soccer) players
Reference: J Exp Orthop. 2026 Aug 6;13(3):e70755. doi: 10.1002/jeo2.70755. eCollection 2026 Jul.
Authors: Luca Benedetti, Matthew Buckthorpe, Stefano Di Paolo, Francesco Della Villa, Gianni Nanni
Download link: https://esskajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jeo2.70755
Summary: The aim was to investigate the association between external GPS workload metrics and soleus muscle injuries (SMI) in elite professional football. A retrospective cohort study was conducted across seven consecutive seasons (2017/2018-2023/2024) in a single Italian Serie A first-team squad. One hundred and sixty player-season observations were included (25.4 ± 3.2 years; goalkeepers excluded), with 4704 match-hours and 31,686 training-hours recorded. SMIs were defined as time-loss soleus muscle complaints (excluding contact injuries) diagnosed by the club medical staff in accordance with FIFA consensus definitions and classified as structural or non-structural. External loads were quantified using 50 Hz GPS (Stats Perform) and included total distance, high-intensity distance (≥16 km·h-1), sprint distance (≥25 km·h-1), and acceleration/deceleration distances (≥±2.0 m·s-2). For injured players, workloads were averaged across the 7- and 28-day window preceding injury (excluding injury day) and compared to control periods of equal duration. Between-player comparisons contrasted injured players‘ injury periods with control periods in non-injured players. Twenty-nine SMIs (52% were nonstructural) occurred in 17 players. Injured players were older than noninjured players (29.2 ± 3.9 vs. 25.0 ± 3.2 years; p = 0.041). Most injuries occurred in training (83%); incidence was 0.76/1000 training-hours and 1.06/1000 match-hours; injury burden was 10.86 days/1000 hours. No within-player differences were observed between injury and control weeks for any workload metric (p > 0.05). Over 28 days, injured players demonstrated lower sprint distance versus their control month (-37%; p = 0.014; d = -0.71). For between-player analyses, deceleration distance was higher in the 7-day injury period versus noninjured controls (+17%; p = 0.041; d = 0.44), with no 28-day differences. SMIs imposed a substantial burden in elite football and were not preceded by acute workload spikes relative to players‘ own control periods. Findings suggest SMIs may occur within a context of sustained high training volumes, with modest elevations in short-term deceleration exposure and reduced longer-term sprint distance observed prior to injury.
#5 Player ranking is associated with physical performance and body composition in 12-year-old female soccer players
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Jul 23:8:1823705. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1823705. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Sigurdur Benediktsson, Elvar S Saevarsson, Runa Stefansdottir, Erlingur Johannsson, Vaka Rognvaldsdottir
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2026.1823705/full
Summary: The relative contribution of biological maturation and body composition to performance in youth female soccer remains unclear. This study compared skeletal maturity, body composition, and physical performance across ranking groups in 12-year-old female players within a community club system. Eighty-eight players (11.9 ± 0.3 years) completed bone age (BA) assessment from non-dominant wrist radiographs, DXA body composition testing, and field-based measures including countermovement jump (CMJ), Illinois change-of-direction test with ball (ICODT-BALL), 40-m sprint, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (IR1). Players were assigned by their coaches to three performance-based ranking groups. Between-group differences were analysed using one-way ANOVA with η 2 effect sizes and Holm-adjusted post-hoc comparisons. BA did not differ significantly between ranking groups (p = 0.590). Players in Rank 1 (highest rank) showed lower body fat percentage (Fat%) (p = 0.015), whereas no significant differences were found in fat-free mass index (FFMI). Clear performance differences were observed as Rank 1 demonstrated higher CMJ height (p < 0.001), faster ICODT-BALL times (p < 0.001), and faster 40-m sprint performance (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found for the IR1 test between ranking groups (p = 0.360). Performance ranking at chronological age 12 primarily reflects agility performance with the ball, 40-m sprint performance and CMJ height, but not biological bone age. Higher-ranked players also demonstrated lower Fat%, whereas FFMI did not differ significantly between ranking groups.
#6 Cognitive-motor dual-task training differentially affects visual working memory, multifocal attention, and multisensory integration in youth soccer players
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Jul 22:8:1863511. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1863511. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Szabolcs Székely, Anna Gergely, János Horváth, József Topál
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2026.1863511/full
Summary: Cognitive and physical efforts draw on shared resources that are essential for athletic performance. However, traditional laboratory-based interventions often lack ecological validity and show limited transfer to real-game contexts. Cognitive-motor dual-task (CMDT) training addresses this limitation by integrating cognitively demanding tasks into sport-specific motor practice. This study examined the effects of a 10-month CMDT intervention on visuospatial working memory, multifocal attention, and multisensory integration. The sample comprised 34 youth soccer players (mean age = 9.2 ± 1.82 years) recruited from a talent development center. Participants were evenly allocated to either a CMDT intervention or a control group based on their biological and sporting age as well as their coaches‘ evaluation of player ability. Cognitive performance was assessed using three screen-based tasks – Visuospatial Working Memory (VSWM), Multiple Object Tracking (MOT) and Sound-Induced Flash Illusion (SIFI) – to evaluate pre- to post-intervention changes in both groups. While no significant CMDT-related improvement was observed in spatial transformation and perspective-taking abilities (VSWM task), the primary analyses suggested CMDT-related improvements in multifocal attention (MOT task), and more robust effects were observed for multisensory integration (SIFI task). These findings suggest that embedding cognitive demands into sport-specific motor practice may be an effective approach to strengthening executive functions that are essential for high-level athletic performance.
#7 The relationship between metacognitive beliefs and competitive anxiety among elite and amateur soccer players
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Jul 22:8:1880234. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1880234. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Magnus Ueland Nygaard, Audun Havnen
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2026.1880234/full
Summary: Competitive anxiety is a commonly observed psychological phenomenon within the field of competitive sports such as soccer. Metacognitive beliefs are associated with anxiety in clinical and non-clinical populations, however, few studies have explored the relationship between metacognitive beliefs and competitive anxiety. In this study we aimed to explore the association between metacognitive beliefs and competitive anxiety among Norwegian soccer players. We also investigated differences in competitive anxiety between elite and amateur players, and between women and men. In a cross-sectional study, 150 Norwegian soccer players at elite and amateur level completed the Metacognitions Questionnaire 30 (MCQ-30), the Sport Anxiety Scale 2 (SAS-2), the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), and demographic variables. Independent t-tests were conducted to explore differences in competitive anxiety between elite and amateur and between female and male athletes. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between metacognitive beliefs and total competitive anxiety scores, as well as the three SAS-2 subscales – somatic anxiety, worry and concentration disruption – while controlling for demographic variables and depressive symptoms. Independent t-tests showed significantly higher competitive anxiety scores among amateur than elite players, and female players reported higher scores than male players. Regression analyses revealed that positive metacognitive beliefs were associated with somatic anxiety, while negative metacognitive beliefs and cognitive self-consciousness were associated with the worry subscale of SAS-2. Metacognitive beliefs were not related to the SAS-2 total score and concentration disruption. The results indicate a higher level of competitive anxiety among female and amateur players, and that metacognitive beliefs are relevant to somatic anxiety and worry among soccer players, irrespective of their competitive level. This suggests that interventions aimed at challenging metacognitive beliefs to reduce competitive anxiety should be explored in future studies. Theoretical and clinical implications of the current findings are discussed in light of the metacognitive model.
#8 Sport-Related Concussion Prevention Programs in Soccer: A Scoping Review Using the RE-AIM Framework
Reference: Clin J Sport Med. 2026 Aug 6. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000001504. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Souhail Chebbi, Karim Chamari, Abdulaziz Farooq et al.
Summary: The aim was too map and evaluate the implementation of soccer concussion prevention programs and identify barriers and facilitators across all demographics using the RE-AIM framework. A scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework (10.17605/OSF.IO/DBT8M). Studies were eligible if they reported quantitative outcomes of concussion-related programs implemented in soccer settings. Searches were conducted in 6 electronic databases and gray literature, with the search period limited to 2010 to 2025. Data extraction was completed independently by 2 reviewers. Program characteristics and outcomes were mapped to the 5 RE-AIM dimensions: Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria, primarily from the United States (n = 7) and the United Kingdom (n = 4). Interventions focused on concussion education, baseline neurocognitive testing, guideline implementation, and neuromuscular or neck-strengthening exercises. All studies reported Reach, and most demonstrated short-term improvements in knowledge or recognition (Effectiveness). Adoption and Implementation were inconsistently reported, often limited by organizational and resource constraints. Maintenance was the least addressed dimension, with minimal long-term follow-up and no standardized outcomes beyond 6 months. Evidence for reduced concussion incidence was limited. Concussion programs in soccer seem to produce short-term benefits but remain inadequately evaluated in adoption, implementation, fidelity, and sustainability. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs and comprehensive RE-AIM reporting to support scalable and sustainable concussion program implementation strategies.
#9 Psychological stress in referees during a football (soccer) match: a potential cause of burnout and cardiac risk
Reference: Intern Med J. 2026 Aug 5. doi: 10.1111/imj.70601. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Toby M Plasto, Thomas Buckley, Judith Fethney, Geoffrey H Tofler
Download link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/imj.70601
Summary: Football (soccer) referees are crucial to contol of football matches. Exposure to emotional stressors may precipitate coronary events. The purpose was to characterise emotional stressors, including abuse faced by football (soccer) referees, which may lead to burnout and potential cardiac risk. The survey was disseminated to referees from eight referee associations ranging from grassroots/amateur to professional competitions in Sydney, Australia. The questionnaire assessed the level and type of emotional stressors that football referees faced in the preceding 12 months and whether they had experienced verbal or physical abuse in the prior 12 months or at any time in their career. One hundred thirty-four participants undertook the survey, mean age 44.0 years, 117 (87.3%) male and 17 (12.7%) female, 83.6% Caucasian with 62.7% refereeing grassroots football, 23.9% semi-professional and 13.4% professional football. Most participants had experienced stress (69.8%), anxiety (58.3%), frustration (57.2%) and/or anger (42.9%) during at least one match in the previous 12 months. Younger referees and those refereeing at higher levels reported higher levels of psychological stressors than their colleagues, with age remaining a multivariable predictor. Most participants (93.6%) during their career had experienced verbal abuse while refereeing, while 15.2% reported physical abuse, with younger age being a positive predictor. One in five (21.5%) referees had considered quitting due to the stress they experienced. Findings show a significant emotional stress burden exists with Australian football referees. These findings can guide support and education for referees about stress management techniques and highlight the need to reduce stress and abuse that might contribute to referee burnout and cardiac risk.
#10 Trajectories of 10 m Sprint Time and Countermovement Jump Height Relative to Peak Height Velocity in Male Youth Soccer Players
Reference: J Strength Cond Res. 2026 Aug 5. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000005649. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Maros Kalata, Jakub Lukavsky, Diogo V Martinho et al.
Summary: The aim was to characterize the longitudinal development of 10 m sprint time and countermovement jump (CMJ) height across adolescence in youth male soccer players. Twenty academy players (10.9-16.0 years) were assessed longitudinally over 4-5 years, comprising 145 CMJ and 140 sprint observations. Age at peak height velocity (PHV) for each player was estimated from longitudinal stature records collected at 6-month intervals, by identifying the interval of maximal annual growth and noting its midpoint. Developmental trajectories were aligned relative to years from PHV (Δage) and analyzed using Generalized Additive Mixed Models. Inference was based on estimated trajectories and associated uncertainty. Countermovement jump performance followed a nonlinear trajectory, with a maximal rate of improvement occurring shortly after PHV (+0.20 years; +3.06 cm·y-1). By contrast, early acceleration improved at a relatively constant rate across the observed maturity interval (∼0.04 seconds·y-1), with no clear nonlinear feature around PHV in this data set. No significant relationship was noted between the individual CMJ and 10 m sprint gains (r = 0.04; p = 0.80). The existence, timing, and magnitude of accelerated development of these motor skills are task-specific. Peak height velocity-aligned monitoring may help contextualize periods of more rapid CMJ development in this cohort, whereas sprint acceleration followed a more gradual trajectory across adolescence.
#11 Pubic apophyseal MRI findings in asymptomatic elite youth soccer players: a cross-sectional comparison with non-athletes
Reference: Skeletal Radiol. 2026 Aug 5. doi: 10.1007/s00256-026-05329-6. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Vitor Neves Sato, Tatiane Lumi Moriwaki, Adham do Amaral E Castro, Abdalla Youssef Skaf, André Fukunishi Yamada
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00256-026-05329-6.pdf
Summary: The purpose was to determine the prevalence of MRI findings of pubic apophysitis in asymptomatic elite youth soccer players compared with non-athletes and to evaluate other pelvic and hip abnormalities in both groups. This cross-sectional observational study included asymptomatic elite male youth soccer players and male non-athletes matched by age and body mass index. Forty-seven soccer players who underwent pelvic MRI for complaints unrelated to the pelvis and had no current groin pain were recruited. A control group of 114 non-athletes was retrospectively identified from the PACS database. These individuals had undergone pelvic MRI primarily for low back pain or other indications and were asymptomatic for hip and groin pain at the time of imaging. MRI examinations were independently reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists blinded to clinical data and group allocation. Interobserver agreement was assessed for all variables. Between-group comparisons were performed using regression models adjusted for age and body mass index. After application of the eligibility criteria, 40 athletes and 32 controls were included. Compared with controls, athletes showed a higher prevalence of MRI findings related to pubic apophysitis, including subapophyseal bone marrow edema (77.5% vs 18.8%; p < 0.01), bilateral widening between the apophyses and the subapophyseal bone (15.0%-40.0% vs 0%-6.2%; p < 0.05), cortical irregularity of the subapophyseal bone (82.5% vs 25.0%; p < 0.01), and pubic osteophytes (40.0% vs 3.1%; p = 0.01). Other findings more frequently observed in athletes included adductor longus tendinosis, adductor longus peritendinitis, trochanteric bursitis, and iliotibial band syndrome. Interobserver agreement ranged from moderate to almost perfect for most variables. Asymptomatic elite youth soccer players demonstrate a high prevalence of MRI findings related to pubic apophysitis compared with non-athletes.
#12 Sport Injury Profile and Influence of Playing Position in Egyptian Professional Soccer Players: A Prospective Cohort Study
Reference: Orthop J Sports Med. 2026 Aug 3;14(8):23259671261464701. doi: 10.1177/23259671261464701. eCollection 2026 Aug.
Authors: Haitham K Haroun, Sherif A El Ghazaly, Dina S Elzifzaf, Mohamed A Elsayed, Hossam S Labib
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13434064/pdf/10.1177_23259671261464701.pdf
Summary: Despite soccer’s popularity in Egypt, no comprehensive epidemiological studies have examined injury distribution by playing position. The aim was to characterize the injury profile of Egyptian professional soccer players and assess differences by playing position. A prospective cohort study was conducted across 12 soccer clubs in the Egyptian professional league during the 2022 to 2023 season. Player exposure was recorded using a standardized form. Injuries were documented by medical staff. Data were collected on player demographics, injury profile, and diagnostic modalities. Associations between categorical injury variables and position were assessed using chi-square tests with Cramér V, followed by post hoc analysis using adjusted residuals. Among 384 male players, midfielders were the largest group (38.5%), followed by forwards (27.9%), defenders (22.1%), and goalkeepers (11.5%). There were 422 time-loss injuries (incidence: 2.36/1000 player-hours). Goalkeepers were taller (182 ± 5 cm) and heavier (74.5 ± 3.9 kg) than defenders (178 ± 4 cm; 70.2 ± 5.1 kg), midfielders (175 ± 3 cm; 67.2 ± 4.8 kg), and forwards (175 ± 4 cm; 67.1 ± 5.5 kg); all P < .001. Exposure hours differed by position (P = .007): goalkeepers, 403.7 ± 112.9 h; defenders, 405.1 ± 108.5 h; midfielders, 447.3 ± 106.7 h; and forwards, 411.8 ± 108.9 h. Injury incidence showed no positional variation (P = .07): goalkeepers, 2.54 (IQR, 2.1-3.2); defenders, 2.38 (IQR, 2.2-3.2); midfielders, 2.19 (IQR, 1.9-3.1); and forwards, 2.38 (IQR, 2.1-3.2) per 1000 h. Goalkeepers sustained more nervous system/soft tissue injuries, upper limb/head injuries, contact injuries, first-time training injuries, and minimal degree injuries, and were more often diagnosed by imaging. Among outfield players, defenders were taller and heavier, midfielders had more overstretch injuries with shorter layoffs, and forwards had more severe injuries. Outfield injuries relied more on clinical assessment (36.1%). Our study showed that injury patterns among Egyptian professional soccer players vary significantly by playing position. While muscle/tendon and lower limb injuries are common overall, the 4 positions exhibit distinct anthropometric, injury mechanism, site, severity, and diagnostic profiles. These findings recommend position-specific injury prevention and rehabilitation in Egyptian professional soccer.
#13 Scoreless but still scoring: A population-based observational study of removing league tables and playoffs in children’s soccer
Reference: J Sports Sci. 2026 Aug 5:1-11. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2026.2713886. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Stefan Wagnsson, Erik Lundkvist
Summary: Participation in organized sports is generally regarded as a highly valued activity, particularly due to its perceived potential to foster positive youth development, as well as its contribution to psychological and social health benefits. This is primarily attributed to the fact that sports provide opportunities not only for physical activity but also for the development of essential life skills, such as teamwork, goal-setting, managing adversity, conflict resolution, emotional regulation, and the ability to push personal boundaries.
#14 Mid-term outcomes after isolated bone-patellar tendon-bone ACL reconstruction versus hamstring ACL reconstruction combined with lateral extra-articular tenodesis in competitive soccer players: A prospective comparative study
Reference: Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2026 Aug 4:104819. doi: 10.1016/j.otsr.2026.104819. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Ivan Jose Bitar, Damian Gabriel Bustos, Luciano Pezzutti et al.
Summary: Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) has gained popularity as an adjunct to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in high-risk athletes, particularly when combined with hamstring tendon grafts. However, its added value compared with established graft options such as bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the mid-term clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes between isolated BPTB ACL reconstruction and hamstring tendon ACL reconstruction combined with LET in competitive soccer players. We hypothesized that the addition of LET within a surgical strategy combining hamstring tendon ACL reconstruction would not provide superior clinical outcomes nor reduce graft failure rates compared with isolated BPTB reconstruction. This prospective cohort study included 140 competitive soccer players undergoing primary ACLR between 2018 and 2020: BPTB (n = 70) and hamstring tendon plus LET (n = 70), with a minimum follow-up of 5 years. Primary outcomes included International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, Lysholm score, Tegner activity scale, graft failure, and reoperation rates. Secondary outcomes included objective knee stability, return to sport (RTS), and radiographic osteoarthritis. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements from baseline (p < 0.001 for all). At final follow-up, no significant between-group differences were observed in IKDC (87.1 vs 88.3; p = 0.48), Lysholm (91.5 vs 92.0; p = 0.62), or Tegner scores (7.8 vs 7.9; p = 0.71), with small and clinically non-meaningful differences (IKDC + 1.2 [95% CI, -2.1 to 4.5]). Graft failure occurred in 4/70 (5.7%) versus 6/70 (8.6%) (RR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.45-5.01; p = 0.48), and reoperation rates were 8/70 (11%) versus 9/70 (13%) (RR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.46-2.76; p = 0.34). Return-to-sport rates were comparable (60/70 [85.7%] vs 56/70 [80.0%]; p = 0.46). Side-to-side difference improved to 1.8 mm versus 1.7 mm (p = 0.92). Radiographic osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1-2) was observed in 12/70 (17.1%) versus 17/70 (24.3%) (p = 0.30). At mid-term follow-up, HT + LET did not demonstrate statistically significant superiority over isolated BPTB ACL reconstruction in clinical outcomes, knee stability, RTS, graft survival, reoperation, or radiographic osteoarthritis among competitive soccer players. As this was not an equivalence or non-inferiority study, smaller clinically relevant differences cannot be excluded. These findings should be interpreted as a comparison of two surgical strategies, rather than as evidence of the independent effect of LET.
#15 Effects of stroboscopic vision training on visuomotor reaction and soccer-specific reactive agility in male collegiate soccer players: a randomized controlled intervention study
Reference: Front Physiol. 2026 Jul 20:17:1897512. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1897512. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Congcong Weng, Dongxu Gao, Xiushen Dong, Saijun Xu, Jieru Jiang, Jiayu Wang
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13429501/pdf/fphys-17-1897512.pdf
Summary: Soccer is an open-skill sport in which players must rapidly process visual cues and transform them into appropriate motor actions under changing contextual constraints. Stroboscopic vision training has been proposed as a method for enhancing visuomotor processing and sport-related performance, but its value as an embedded visual constraint within regular soccer-specific training remains unclear. This single-site, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled intervention study examined whether a 6-week stroboscopic vision training program combined with soccer-specific practice could improve visuomotor reaction performance and soccer-specific reactive agility in male collegiate soccer players. Thirty-six players were randomly assigned to either a stroboscopic training group or a non-stroboscopic group, with 18 participants in each group. Both groups completed the same soccer-specific training tasks three times per week. The stroboscopic training group wore Senaptec Strobe eyewear with the stroboscopic mode activated, whereas the non-stroboscopic group wore visually similar clear non-stroboscopic eyewear that did not produce visual occlusion or stroboscopic restriction. Outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation during pre- and post-intervention testing. Simple motor time, simple lower-limb visuomotor reaction time, complex reaction speed, with-ball reactive agility time, and without-ball reactive agility time were assessed before and after the intervention. Intervention effects were primarily evaluated using linear mixed-effects models with group, time, and group × time interaction as fixed effects and participant ID as a random intercept. Training experience and weekly training time were included as covariates. ANCOVA was also conducted as an adjusted analysis, with post-test values as dependent variables and corresponding pre-test values and training-related variables as covariates. The linear mixed-effects models showed significant group × time interactions for all five outcomes, indicating greater pre-to-post improvements in the stroboscopic training group than in the non-stroboscopic group. Compared with the non-stroboscopic group, the stroboscopic training group showed larger reductions in simple motor time, simple lower-limb visuomotor reaction time, complex reaction speed, with-ball reactive agility time, and without-ball reactive agility time. The ANCOVA results were consistent with the primary analysis, showing significantly lower adjusted post-intervention values in the stroboscopic training group across all outcomes after controlling for baseline performance, training experience, and weekly training time. These findings suggest that adding stroboscopic vision training to soccer-specific practice may provide additional short-term benefits in visuomotor reaction efficiency and soccer-specific reactive agility. Compared with the same soccer-specific training performed with visually similar clear non-stroboscopic eyewear, adding stroboscopic vision training may further improve visuomotor reaction efficiency and soccer-specific reactive agility in male collegiate soccer players. This approach may be used as an auxiliary strategy for developing soccer-specific reactive ability, although further studies are required to determine whether these gains are retained over time and transferred to match play.
#16 Comment on: Effects of the FIFA 11+ Program on Physical Fitness in Youth and Adult Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis
Reference: Sports Med. 2026 Aug 3. doi: 10.1007/s40279-026-02489-2. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Rohit K Thapa, João Bruno, Exal Garcia-Carrillo
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40279-026-02489-2.pdf
#17 Indirect calculation of metabolic power in soccer: a critical analysis of a popular model
Reference: Br Med Bull. 2026 Jul 3;159(1):ldag022. doi: 10.1093/bmb/ldag022.
Authors: Furio Barba, Johnny Padulo, Nicola Maffulli
Summary: The Global Positioning System (GPS)-based metabolic power model for soccer, proposed by di Prampero and applied by Osgnach, rests on a fixed energy cost (EC) of running of 4.6 J·kg-1·m-1 and a biomechanical equivalence between accelerated level and constant-speed uphill running. A narrative review was conducted via PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using terms like metabolic power, EC of running, GPS soccer, sprint biomechanics, equivalent slope, and running economy (2005-2025). Running EC is relatively speed-independent across submaximal velocities typical of football (~6-18 km·h-1). The geometric principle underlying the accelerated-to-inclined running equivalence is accepted, and GPS metabolic power provides a useful metric for relative load comparisons. A universal fixed EC ignores interindividual variability (~20%), fatigue, surfaces, and drag. The equivalence model has vector orientation inconsistencies, employs the imprecise term ‚equivalent mass‘, and derives its postural reference from sprint-start conditions unrepresentative of match-play accelerations (~2-4 m·s-2). Validation studies show systematic underestimations of 29%-85% relative to indirect calorimetry. Refinements exist but remain unimplemented in most commercial platforms. Individually calibrated EC values, inertial measurement unit integration, and hybrid models combining GPS kinematics with cardiorespiratory data are promising. Force-velocity profiling offers a biomechanically grounded alternative for individual sprint characterization. Priorities include calorimetric validation under match conditions; player-specific EC models incorporating fatigue, surface, and role; implementing model updates in commercial software; and comparing alternative load metrics for injury-risk prediction.
#18 Body composition determinants of aerobic performance in elite soccer players: a partial correlation and regression analysis
Reference: J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2026 Aug 3. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.26.18067-0. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Eduard Bezuglov, Timur Vakhidov, Omid Etemad, Goran Basaric, Esther Esteban-García, Elizaveta Kapralova, Mikhail Vinogradov
Summary: The negative impact of excess adipose tissue on aerobic capacity in endurance athletes is now considered well-established. However, there is a lack of research examining this relationship in team sport athletes. Thirty-eight soccer players (mean age 23.60±4.22 years) from a leading Russian Premier League team participated in the study. On the first day of the pre-season training camp, participants underwent skinfold measurements according to the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry standards and a treadmill test with gas analysis. Correlation analysis showed moderate inverse associations between adiposity markers and VO2-derived outcomes. Higher body fat percentage was associated with lower relative VO2max and vVO2max, while the sum of eight skinfolds showed a similar direction of association. However, after FDR correction, these associations should be interpreted cautiously. In prespecified HC3-robust regression models, each 1 percentage point higher body fat was associated with -1.93 mL·kg-1·min-1 lower relative VO2max and -0.49 km·h-1 lower vVO2max. Each 10 mm higher sum of eight skinfolds was associated with -1.77 mL·kg-1·min-1 lower relative VO2max and -0.38 km·h-1 lower vVO2max. Model performance under leave-one-out cross-validation was limited, indicating weak individual-level predictive accuracy. Higher adiposity markers were directionally associated with lower relative VO2max and vVO2max in elite adult male soccer players. However, the cross-sectional design, modest sample size, high FDR-adjusted q-values, and limited cross-validated performance indicate that the findings should be interpreted as exploratory group-level associations rather than robust individual-level prediction.
#19 Anterior cruciate ligament rupture during a cognitively demanding change-of-direction task in football: biomechanical insights from a laboratory injury
Reference: BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2026 Aug 7;27(1):660. doi: 10.1186/s12891-026-10338-6.
Authors: Dominic Gehring, Clara Ebner, Stefano Di Paolo, Francesco Della Villa, Urs Granacher
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12891-026-10338-6.pdf
Summary: In laboratory-based injury risk assessments, there is always a small and not entirely avoidable risk of injury to participants. This case report describes an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) re-rupture of a female participant during the approach run of a stimulus-response change-of-direction (COD) task. Marker-based kinematic data from the injury trial were compared with 14 successful trials of the same participant. These trials included unanticipated CODs in response to an opponent’s kicking action with varying cognitive demands, including one trial under identical high-demand conditions involving a feint. The participant approached at a speed of 4.08 m/s and the feint was initiated 475 ms before the injury step. The injury trial differed from the non-injury trials in terms of a markedly prolonged flight phase preceding initial contact in combination with deviations in lower-limb and trunk kinematics during the flight phase and the step before. These deviations exceeded the participant’s typical movement range observed during the non-injury trials and included temporally pre-shifted flexion-extension patterns at the knee and hip, a more extended trunk at initial contact, an altered pelvic drop, and reduced ankle inversion. During the injury stance phase, pronounced hip adduction, knee abduction and ankle eversion were observed. The findings substantiate previously theorized mechanisms of non-contact ACL injury and show in a within-subject comparison that critical proximal and distal kinematic deviations at the trunk and lower limbs arise already during the preparatory phase. The occurrence after an opponent’s feint further suggests and highlights the importance of a neurocognitive contribution for ACL injuries.
#20 Prevalence and severity of pubic symphysis radiographic findings in male and female sub-elite football players with and without hip and/or groin pain
Reference: Skeletal Radiol. 2026 Aug 7. doi: 10.1007/s00256-026-05334-9. Online ahead of print.
Authors: David F Hanff, Adam Weir, Rintje Agricola et al.
Summary: The aim was to determine the prevalence and severity of radiographic features of the pubic symphysis in sub-elite football players (soccer and Australian football) with and without hip and/or groin pain, and to compare these features between men and women. Two hundred and thirty-nine football players (184 symptomatic, 55 asymptomatic; 187 men, 52 women) were included. Participants underwent a supine anteroposterior pelvic radiograph. Five pubic symphysis radiographic features were assessed using the Aspetar scoring protocol. Radiographic severity score was defined as the total number of radiographic features present (range 0-5). Two readers independently evaluated all radiographs. Regression analyses adjusted for age, sex (where applicable), body mass index, sport type, and training load compared radiographic feature prevalence and severity between groups. Radiographic feature prevalence and severity did not differ between symptomatic and asymptomatic participants. Men more frequently demonstrated erosion-like configuration (28% vs 10%; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.58, 95% CI 1.32-9.71; p = 0.012) and sclerosis (70% vs 44%; aOR 2.46, 95% CI 1.25-4.84; p = 0.009), whereas bony proliferation and fragmentation were more common in women (54% vs 30%; aOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.18-0.66; p = 0.002 and aOR 0.25, 95% CI 0.08-0.78, p = 0.017, respectively). Radiographic severity score did not differ between men and women (adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) 1.21, 95% CI 0.89-1.66; p = 0.227). The prevalence and severity of radiographic features at the pubic symphysis did not differ between symptomatic and asymptomatic football players. However, sex-related differences in radiographic findings were evident.
#21 Measuring change in domains of health-related quality of life and well-being in Black or African American adolescent football athletes from rural communities across a single football season
Reference: J Clin Transl Sci. 2026 Jul 17;10(1):e137. doi: 10.1017/cts.2026.10794. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Jessica Wallace, Justin E Karr, Danae Delfin Talley et al.
Summary: Physical activity and team sport participation in adolescence are associated with positive health outcomes, stronger social skills, and improved mental health. However, negative health consequences are frequently associated with contact/collision sports like football. The objective of this study was to examine any change in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and pediatric well-being among adolescent males after participating in a single season of football. A cross-sectional study design was utilized in a high school football setting. Participants included Black/African American adolescent male football players (n = 83) from five schools within rural Alabama. Pediatric HRQoL and well-being measures were administered at preseason and postseason, including Life Satisfaction, Emotional Support, Psychological Stress, Physical Stress, Depressive Symptoms, Sleep Disturbance, and Peer Relationships. Based on normative data, participants‘ scores were classified as within normal limits (WNL) (T-score = 40-60) or clinically reduced (T-score < 40) or elevated (T-score > 60) depending on orientation of each questionnaire. Each outcome from pre-to-postseason evaluation was compared using a within-persons t-test. Most participants (69.9-84.3%) had HRQoL/well-being scores WNL and scores remained unchanged at postseason evaluations. However, on average, physical (p = 0.035, d = 0.24) and psychological stress (p = 0.014, d = 0.28) showed small, but significant increases from pre-to-postseason. Modest increases in physical and psychological stress were found from preseason to postseason. Both football and non-football-related stressors could have contributed to this change. Other HRQoL/well-being scores generally showed no change. Though the health risks associated with contact/collision sports deserve attention, current findings suggest a season of football may not be associated with adverse changes in HRQoL/well-being.
#22 Correspondence between motion sensor kinematics and notational analysis of scanning in field-based football gameplay
Reference: Front Psychol. 2026 Jul 23:17:1785026. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1785026. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Masahiro Kokubu, Takayuki Natsuhara, Masaaki Koido, Takumi Mieda, Takahiro Matsutake, Masao Nakayama
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1785026/full
Summary: In football, players frequently engage in scanning, which consists of clearly distinguishable head-orientation changes that support visual exploration and decision-making under time pressure. While previous studies have examined scanning using video-based notational analysis or laboratory-based motion sensors, it remains unclear how scan counts based on angular velocity thresholds align with those obtained from the notational analysis during actual gameplay. This study aimed to examine the correspondence between motion sensor-based scan counts obtained using different angular velocity thresholds and scan counts obtained from video-based notational analysis during field-based football gameplay. Twelve university-level football players participated in a 6-on-6 small-sided game while wearing head-mounted inertial measurement units. Head rotation data were analyzed using four angular velocity thresholds (125, 200, 250, and 300 deg/s). Detection results were compared with the notational analysis conducted by experienced evaluators, who counted clearly distinguishable bidirectional changes in head orientation. Agreement was assessed using ANOVA, Bland-Altman plots, and concordance correlation coefficients (CCC), while detection performance was evaluated using recall, precision, and F1-score. Results showed that the 250 deg/s threshold produced scan counts that did not significantly differ from the notational analysis, yielded the smallest mean difference and narrowest limits of agreement, and achieved the highest CCC (0.932) as well as acceptable detection performance (F1-score = 0.753). In contrast, the previously used 125 deg/s threshold significantly overestimated scan counts relative to the notational analysis and demonstrated weaker agreement and lower detection accuracy. These findings indicated that, among the thresholds examined, a 250 deg/s threshold provided the closest correspondence with notational analysis when quantifying scans during field-based football gameplay. The present results suggest the importance of calibrating kinematic detection thresholds to the dynamic demands of actual sports contexts and highlight the potential of motion sensor technology for analyzing scanning in situ.
#23 Cross-cultural validation of the sports performance questionnaire in Chinese adolescent football players: a confirmatory factor analysis study
Reference: Front Psychol. 2026 Jul 23:17:1837560. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1837560. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Ying Shuai, Garry Kuan, Yee Cheng Kueh, Shaoshen Wang, Yan Sun
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1837560/full
Summary: The assessment of sports performance in youth football requires culturally appropriate and psychometrically sound instruments. The Sports Performance Questionnaire (SPQ) was developed to evaluate performance-related characteristics in youth football players, but its cross-cultural validity in Chinese contexts remains unexplored. This study aimed to validate the Chinese adaptation of the Sports Performance Questionnaire (SPQ-C) among adolescent football players and examine its factorial structure, reliability, and validity. A cross-sectional validation study was conducted with 450 adolescent football players (52.2% male, mean age = 12.94 ± 0.78 years) from 24 schools across urban areas of Shandong Province, China. The SPQ-C was administered as a coach-rating instrument, consistent with the format of the original SPQ. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the original two-factor structure and a unidimensional model. Reliability and validity were assessed using established psychometric criteria. The original two-factor model showed broadly adequate global fit; however, it was not retained because the correlation between the Persistence and Skill factors was extremely high (r = 0.996), indicating empirical indistinguishability and a lack of discriminant validity. The unidimensional model was therefore retained as the final SPQ-C structure. The final model showed adequate global fit, although the RMSEA value was slightly above the stringent good-fit threshold. The SPQ-C demonstrated excellent internal consistency (α = 0.932), satisfactory convergent validity (AVE = 0.559, CR = 0.932), and high preliminary test-retest reliability in a single-school subsample (ICC = 0.935). Standardized factor loadings ranged from 0.609 to 0.841. The SPQ-C provides preliminary evidence of reliability and validity as a unidimensional coach-rated instrument for assessing performance-related characteristics in Chinese adolescent football players from urban areas of Shandong Province. The findings suggest that, in the present Chinese coach-rating context, persistence- and skill-related indicators were not empirically separable. Further validation is needed in more geographically diverse samples and with larger multi-school test-retest subsamples.
#24 Menstrual Cycle Effects on Performance Parameters in Female Football Players: A Systematic Review
Reference: Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2026 Aug 4:1-9. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2025-0432. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Kristine D Rasmussen, Mette S Bisgaard, Mette Hansen
Summary: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the influence of menstrual cycle (MC) phases on performance-determining parameters in female football players. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and SPORTDiscus (last updated January 2026) following PRISMA guidelines. Studies were eligible if they included eumenorrheic female football players and assessed at least one quantitative performance outcome across 2 or more defined MC phases. Outcomes were categorized into aerobic performance (eg, total running distance, Yo-Yo tests), sprint and high-intensity running, and agility and power-related parameters (eg, jumps, change in direction). Methodological quality and MC phase verification were assessed using a modified version of an existing quality tool. Outcomes were synthesized using a structured, domain-based comparison across MC phases. This review was not registered. Fifteen prospective observational studies (total n = 210) met inclusion criteria. Evidence for MC phase effects on performance was inconsistent. Five studies reported reduced aerobic and/or sprint performance in the early follicular phase compared with the late follicular or mid-luteal phases, while 10 studies found no differences. No consistent effect of MC phase was observed on agility and power-related outcomes. Methodological limitations across studies included small sample sizes, inconsistent MC phase verification, and variability in performance tests. Current evidence suggests that aerobic and sprint performance may be slightly impaired during the early follicular phase in female football players, but findings remain inconclusive. Standardized protocols and hormonal confirmation of MC phases are needed to clarify the impact of hormonal fluctuations on sport-specific performance.
#25 Coaches‘ perceptions of injuries in women’s football
Reference: Res Sports Med. 2026 Aug 6:1-16. doi: 10.1080/15438627.2026.2714827. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Lee Pote, James Keenan, Joshua Davidson, Scott Nicholls, Benita Olivier, Jasmine Clarke, Candice Christie
Summary: Despite the growth of women’s football, limited research has examined injury profiles and at a non-elite level. This study aimed to evaluate coaches‘ perceptions of injuries and risk factors in senior non-elite women’s football within the United Kingdom. A quantitative, cross-sectional, online survey was completed by 21 qualified coaches which examined perceived injury types, locations, mechanisms, risk factors, and the influence of the menstrual cycle. Data were analysed using frequency and descriptive statistics. Coaches perceived muscle strains/tears (81%) and ligament sprains/tears (67%) as the most common injuries, with the knee (86%), ankle (62%), and hamstrings (48%) identified as the most frequently injured sites. Injuries were believed to occur predominantly during match play (95%) and in-season (86%), with change of direction (67%) the most commonly reported mechanism. Previous injury (81%) was perceived as the primary internal risk factor, while playing surface (95%) was the leading external factor. Notably, 43% of coaches either considered the menstrual cycle insignificant to injury risk or were unsure of the different phases. Findings align with literature but reveal a substantial knowledge gap regarding female-specific factors, particularly the menstrual cycle. Coach education and targeted professional development are warranted to improve injury prevention strategies and support athlete health.
#26 Ultrasound-derived skeletal maturity estimates of boys and girls selected to football and athletics development programmes: an exploratory study of 716 South African and German adolescents
Reference: Ann Hum Biol. 2026 Dec;53(1):2700420. doi: 10.1080/03014460.2026.2700420. Epub 2026 Aug 6.
Authors: Eirik H Wik, Sean P Cumming, Sindiso Dube, Odelia van Stryp, Wayne Derman, Ludwig Ruf
Download link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/03014460.2026.2700420?needAccess=true
Summary: Differences in maturity status between athletes may affect selection to development programmes. Data supporting this are limited for low- and middle-income countries. This exploratory study aimed to describe the maturity by country, sport and position/event, using data from a convenience sample of South African and German adolescents selected to competitive football (soccer) and athletics (track and field) programmes, and school learners from the same geographical area. We included skeletal age estimates from BAUSport ultrasound assessments of 233 girls (age 10-15 years) and 483 boys (age 10-17 years). South African boys in the athletics group were advanced in maturity compared to football players, who were advanced compared to school learners. Similar patterns could be seen for South African girls (data only available for athletics vs. school learners). German female football players were less mature than the athletics and school samples, with no apparent differences between German male groups. South African boys and girls were delayed in maturity compared to German participants. Our observations may inspire future research aiming to understand the maturity of athletes in development pathways in South Africa using more robust study designs. Such studies should include a suitable control group.
#27 Pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery after head-to-head collision between football players: A case report
Reference: Surg Neurol Int. 2026 Jul 10:17:397. doi: 10.25259/SNI_352_2026. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Gabriela A Brożek, Magdalena M Gołuchowska, Kornelia M Kliś, Borys M Kwinta, Tadeusz J Popiela, Roger M Krzyżewski
Summary: Superficial temporal artery (STA) pseudoaneurysm is an uncommon sequela of arterial injury due to blunt head trauma. We present a case of post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the left STA. Epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical aspects and treatment modalities are also discussed. An 18-year-old male with a history of a head-to-head collision with another football player presented to the emergency department with a pulsatile mass in the left temporal region. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) confirmed a pseudoaneurysm of the left STA. Compression therapy was chosen as the first-line treatment. Follow-up evaluation revealed no significant improvement. The patient was eligible for surgical excision of the aneurysm sac with ligation of afferent and efferent vessels, which was conducted successfully, with no need for further interventions. This case highlights the importance of including the STA pseudoaneurysm in the differential diagnosis for blunt head injuries in the temporal area. The presence of palpable pulsatility enables primary differentiation. Computed tomography angiography and DSA are accurate diagnostic tools. Certain cases are unresponsive to conservative compression therapy and require surgical interventions. The superficial anatomical location may render embolization less favorable.
#28 Lab leaders should follow football’s lead and have coaching qualifications
Reference: Nature. 2026 Aug;656(8126):266. doi: 10.1038/d41586-026-02427-2.
Author: Pat Casey
Download link: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-02427-2
#29 Off-the-ball behaviors in elite football using spatiotemporal tracking data: a scoping review
Reference: Sci Med Footb. 2026 Aug 4:1-25. doi: 10.1080/24733938.2026.2713521. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Francesco Esposito, Maurizio Bertollo, Dario Pompa, Maria Angonese, Marco Beato
Summary: Off-the-ball behaviors are central to tactical and technical performance in professional football, shaping individual and collective movements supporting coordinated play. Although spatiotemporal tracking data has made these dynamics observable, the literature remains fragmented, with inconsistent definitions and narrow analytical approaches. This scoping review summarizes how off-the-ball behaviors have been examined through tracking data and highlights computational methods and limitations.Following PRISMA-ScR, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and SportDiscus up to January 2026. Eligible studies involved elite players, tracking data, and analyzed off-the-ball behaviors while providing technical, tactical or kinematic insights. Peer-reviewed empirical studies in English were included. Search identified 4283 records, of which 32 met the criteria. Publications increased after 2020, covering European leagues such as Germany, Spain and the other major competitions. Across studies, 7705 matches were analyzed, with sample sizes ranging from single matches to over 4,000 matches. Tracking systems sampled at various frequencies, with 25 Hz being the most common, and all studies combined positional and event data. Off-the-ball behaviors were assessed at player, subgroup and team levels across phases of play, revealing methodological heterogeneity.Research on off-the-ball behaviors employs diverse spatiotemporal metrics and modeling techniques but remains dispersed across disconnected frameworks. Defensive phases are examined more frequently than attacking ones, and common limitations include context-specific samples, simplified outcomes and limited integration of opponents and situational constraints. Future work would benefit from shared conceptual frameworks, richer contextual modeling and methods that balance sophistication with interpretability for football analytics.
#30 A Novel Dynamic Ultrasound Assessment of T-Junction Hamstring Injury during Gym-Based Exercises: A Case Report in an Elite Football Player
Reference: Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2026 Aug 1;21(8):774-782. doi: 10.26603/001c.165041. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Massimo Zanovello, Javier Franco Cordero, Luis Suarez-Arrones, Luca Vergani, Carles Pedret
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13431045/pdf/ijspt_2026_21_8_165041.pdf
Summary: „T-Junction“ or distal musculotendinous junction (DMTJ) hamstring injuries have become a true enigma for clinicians as demonstrated by the high recurrence rate. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can sometimes fail to provide an accurate assessment of these injuries, probably because of the dynamic function that this structure provides to offer stability at the synchronous movement of the two heads of biceps femoris. The aim of the present case report was to describe a novel method for dynamic ultrasound evaluation of the DMTJ performed during functional loading exercises and to explore its potential role in return-to-play (RTP) decision-making. A 23-year-old male elite football player sustained a DMTJ injury. MRI revealed a complete rupture of the superficial portion (myotendinous) and the deep portion (myoaponeurotic) of the T-Junction. The injury occurred initially during high speed non-linear running action.The initial diagnosis was made using a 3T MRI scan. Subsequently, three dynamic ultrasound evaluations were performed at weeks 3, 6 and 9 during two different gym-based exercises: the single-leg barbell Romanian deadlift and the single-leg hamstrings slider with ipsilateral trunk rotation. Additional 3Tesla MRIs were conducted to assess healing and structural changes at weeks 5,8 and 14. The player returned to competitive activity 10 weeks after the injury and experienced no re-injury during the subsequent 4-month follow-up period. Improvements in the synchronous movement between BFlh and BFsh were seen on the progressive evaluations as well as the scar healing progression. Dynamic ultrasound assessment during the SL-RDL appeared to provide clearer visualization of interhead hamstring movement than during the slider exercise. Further investigation in larger cohorts is warranted to establish the reliability, validity, and prognostic utility of this novel assessment modality for athletes with this injury. In this single case, dynamic ultrasound of the DMTJ provided valuable information regarding interhead synchrony of the biceps femoris. This approach may complement MRI and support informed return to play decision-making following T-Junction hamstring injuries.
#31 Impact of playing position on ACL injury characteristics, risk and career outcomes in football-An analysis of 742 cases of the ACL registry in German football
Reference: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2026 Aug 3. doi: 10.1002/ksa.70566. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Shoichi Hasegawa, Werner Krutsch, Hidejuki Koga, Volker Alt, Dominik Szymski, Lorenz Huber
Download link: https://esskajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ksa.70566
Summary: The aim was to evaluate how playing position affects anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury features, incidence rates and career outcomes across competition levels in male football. Using the prospectively collected ‚ACL Registry in German Football‘, we analysed six seasons (2016-2022) across professional (first to third leagues), semi-professional (fourth to sixth) and amateur (seventh) levels. In professional players, return-to-performance over five seasons was evaluated with linear mixed-effects models, and career outcomes within three seasons after injury were assessed. Injury mechanisms were examined across all levels. Outcomes were stratified by position (goalkeeper [GK], defender [DF], midfielder [MF], forward [FW]). A total of 742 ACL injuries were analysed (professional n = 172, semi-professional n = 316, amateur n = 254). Among professionals, FWs showed the highest rate of a drop in competitive level (47.5%), and GKs a numerically higher rate (54.5%); however, the GK comparison was not statistically significant after correction for multiple testing and should be regarded as exploratory. Mixed-effects models for matches and minutes played showed significant main effects for time and position (all p < 0.001) but no significant interaction (p = 0.064 matches; p = 0.105 min). Match-related incidence was highest in DFs (0.397/1000 player-hours) and MFs (0.370). Injury mechanisms varied by level; direct contact accounted for 66.7% and 46.2% in professional FWs and DFs, respectively, whereas non-contact injuries predominated across all positions in amateur players. The characteristics and outcomes of ACL injuries may vary by position. Match-related injury rates tended to be highest for DFs and MFs, while career-altering effects appeared most pronounced in FWs, with an exploratory, non-significant tendency also for GKs. Injury rate and consequence should be considered separately. Although non-contact injuries are most common overall, direct contact injuries were relatively frequent among professional FWs and DFs. Prevention and rehabilitation strategies could be tailored to each position.
#32 Goalkeeper passing behaviour in women’s football: A graph-based analysis
Reference: J Sports Sci. 2026 Aug 3:1-17. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2026.2711550. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Junyuan Ding, Ben W Strafford, Alliance Kubayi, Joseph A Stone
Summary: As elite women’s football evolves tactically, understanding goalkeeper distribution behaviour is increasingly important for performance analysis and coaching. Traditional approaches rely on isolated passing metrics, providing limited insight into how goalkeeper actions are organised within possession structures. This study applied a graph-based clustering framework to classify goalkeeper passing behaviours in the English Women’s Super League across three seasons. The dataset comprised 29,911 goalkeeper passes from 27,895 possessions. Pass embeddings were represented within a relational graph and clustered using K-means (k = 14), identifying recurrent distribution patterns shaped by spatial context, defensive pressure, and possession phase. Results may indicate that behaviours were organised along continuous gradients rather than discrete categories. Central clusters reflected adaptable distributions, whereas peripheral clusters captured more specialised actions, including long passes under defensive pressure. Lateral tendencies suggested interactions between dominant-side preferences and spatial availability. Phase analysis showed goalkeeper involvement was most prominent during transitional moments, particularly at possession initiation and termination, with comparatively limited involvement in sustained attacking sequences. Collectively, these findings provide a structured account of goalkeeper distribution in elite women’s football and demonstrate how graph-based modelling can support behavioural profiling, tactical interpretation, and evidence-based coaching practice.