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 high-intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness, jump, and sprint performance in male under-20 soccer players: a systematic review
Reference: Front Physiol. 2026 Jul 30:17:1828517. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1828517. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Jordan Hernandez-Martínez, Joaquín Perez-Carcamo, Izham Cid-Calfucura, Edgar Vásquez-Carrasco, Sebastian Canales-Canales, Tomás Herrera-Valenzuela, Leonardo Vidal Andreato, Braulio Henrique Magnani Branco, Pablo Valdés-Badilla
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1828517/full
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiorespiratory fitness, jump performance and sprint performance in male under-20 soccer players. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Medline, SportDiscus, CINAHL Complete, Scopus, and Web of Science up to March 2026. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials involving male soccer players younger than 20 years exposed to HIIT interventions. Methodological quality was assessed using the TESTEX scale, risk of bias with RoB 2, and certainty of evidence with GRADE. Eight randomized controlled trials involving 203 participants were included. Interventions lasted 5 to 12 weeks, with two to three sessions per week. Meta-analysis showed that HIIT significantly improved VO2max compared with active comparator/control conditions (Hedges‘ g = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.90; p = 0.0284), while no significant effect was observed for Yo-Yo test performance (Hedges‘ g = 0.26; 95% CI: -0.58 to 1.09; p = 0.4911). Narrative synthesis showed inconsistent findings for jump and sprint performance, although some studies reported improvements in 30-m sprint performance. The certainty of evidence was low due to serious risk of bias. HIIT may improve selected physical performance outcomes, particularly VO2max and longer sprint performance, in male under-20 soccer players.
#2 Relative, individualized, or normalized? A conceptual clarification of running speed terminology in soccer
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Jul 29:8:1873257. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1873257. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Ricardo Pimenta, Hugo Antunes, José Afonso, Fábio Yuzo Nakamura
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2026.1873257/full
Summary: There is inconsistency in quantifying, defining and interpreting running speed nomenclature in soccer. In particular, the terms „relative“, „individualized“, and „normalized“ are frequently used interchangeably, despite referring to different conceptual and methodological approaches. This lack of clarity may affect the interpretation of running intensity and limit comparability across studies. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to clarify the conceptual distinctions between these terms in the context of soccer performance analysis. We distinguish between absolute thresholds (e.g., a value expressed without context), relative comparisons based on external references, individualized reference values (e.g., a value obtained during treadmill protocol), and normalized metrics that express running speed as a proportion of an individual’s physiological characteristic (e.g., percentage of the maximum speed). Using theoretical arguments and applied examples, it was shown that many approaches described as „relative“ or „individualized“ correspond, in methodological terms, to normalization. Moreover, it was also highlight that the interpretation of normalized intensity depends on the reference used, as different tests (e.g., linear sprint tests vs. intermittent field tests) reflect distinct physiological and mechanical characteristics. Clarifying these distinctions is important to improve methodological rigor and consistency in the analysis of running demands. By contextualizing running demands according to each athlete’s maximum speed registered until the point of monitoring, this approach may better approximate the normalized locomotor stimulus imposed by a given training load, in relation to the player’s true, albeit inherently unknown, maximal potential exposure. Future research should adopt more precise terminology and clearly report the reference values and scaling procedures used when quantifying running demands in soccer.
#3 Integrating mechanical, physiological, and muscle oxygenation responses during field-based tethered repeated-sprint exercise in male professional soccer players
Reference: Physiol Rep. 2026 Aug;14(15):e71054. doi: 10.14814/phy2.71054.
Authors: Fúlvia Barros Manchado-Gobatto, Ricardo Silva Torres, Felipe Marroni Rasteiro, Allan Pinto, Pedro Paulo Menezes Scariot, Anita Brum Marostegan, João Pedro Cruz, Juan Bordon Orsi, Lara Soares de Araujo, Claudio Alexandre Gobatto
Download link: https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.14814/phy2.71054
Summary: Repeated-sprint ability is a key determinant of soccer performance. However, some mechanical and physiological responses underlying this task remain incompletely understood. This study characterized mechanical responses (force, velocity, and power) and regional muscle oxygen saturation (rSmO2) in the vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps brachii (BB) during field-based tethered repeated-sprint exercise (RSE). Associations between muscle oxygenation and mechanical performance, as well as post-exercise rSmO2, heart rate (HR), and blood lactate (LAC), were also examined. Ten professional soccer players performed a tethered Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (6 × 35-m all-out sprints separated by 10-s intervals), while mechanical variables and rSmO2 were continuously recorded. Muscle oxygenation differed according to muscle function throughout exercise and recovery. The VL exhibited greater deoxygenation during sprints, whereas the BB showed a more preserved oxygenation profile. Associations between rSmO2 and mechanical performance were observed only during the fifth and sixth sprints. Furthermore, only VL integrated rSmO2 was positively correlated with the velocity fatigue index, whereas BB oxygenation provided complementary information on the physiological adjustments associated with RSE. Post-exercise HR and LAC were not correlated with rSmO2 in both muscles. Simultaneous assessment of locomotor and non-locomotor muscles provides complementary insights into fatigue development and post-exercise recovery RSE.
#4 Effects of Three Consecutive Days of Diurnal Intermittent Fasting on Cognitive Function, Psychomotor Vigilance, and Sleep Quality in Adolescent Male Soccer Players: A Quasi-Experimental Parallel-Group Study
Reference: Nutrients. 2026 Jul 30;18(15):2475. doi: 10.3390/nu18152475.
Authors: Hamza Baati, Sabra Ouni, Fida Ayachi, Feriel Amor, Mevlüt Yıldız, Halil İbrahim Ceylan, Raul Ioan Muntean, Omaima Chrif, MoezAlIslam E Faris, Wissem Dhahbi
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/15/2475
Summary: While voluntary Islamic intermittent fasting (IF) of three consecutive days (mimicking practices such as Ayyam al-Bid) may be observed by Muslim athletes, its short-term effects on cognitive function and sleep quality in adolescent team-sport athletes remain unexamined. This study investigated the impact of three successive days of dawn-to-sunset IF on memory, attention, psychomotor vigilance, and subjective sleep quality in young male soccer players. A quasi-experimental, parallel-group design was employed. Thirty-five male soccer players (age: 15.6 ± 0.8 years; body mass: 55.07 ± 6.53 kg) were allocated to an IF group (n = 17) or a non-fasting control group (n = 18). The fasting protocol comprised approximately 14 consecutive hours of complete food and fluid abstinence per day (from 04:40 to 18:36, with daily variations of -3 min for the dawn and +2 min for the sunset, local time). Cognitive function was assessed using the CogniFit Cognitive Assessment Battery (CAB) and the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT), and subjective well-being was quantified via the Hooper Index. Both assessment sessions were conducted between 14:00 and 17:00 to control for diurnal variation. The Group × Time interaction for single-item subjective sleep quality reached nominal significance at the unadjusted threshold (Z = 2.18, p = 0.029, r = 0.37) but did not survive Bonferroni correction for the four Hooper Index comparisons (α = 0.0125); this result is therefore interpreted as hypothesis-generating only, reflecting a within-group deterioration in the control group (p < 0.05) alongside a non-significant marginal improvement in the fasting group. No statistically significant Group × Time interaction was detected for any memory subdomain (all p ≥ 0.419, r ≤ 0.14), attention component (all p > 0.176, r ≤ 0.23), or PVT parameter (all p > 0.192, η2p/r ≤ 0.22) under the present study conditions. Within-group improvements in memory and attention observed in both groups were consistent with test-retest learning effects. No statistically significant Group × Time interaction was detected for memory, attention-related executive functions, or psychomotor vigilance in young male soccer players under the present study conditions; the study was not designed as an equivalence or non-inferiority trial and cannot exclude effects smaller than the targeted medium magnitude, alongside a nominally divergent but statistically uncorrected sleep quality trajectory relative to non-fasting controls, which should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating pending replication. These findings provide preliminary, hypothesis-generating evidence that no statistically significant cognitive or psychomotor impairment was detected under the present study conditions; because the study was not designed as an equivalence or non-inferiority trial, compatibility between short-term voluntary IF and adolescent athletic training cannot be inferred from the absence of a significant interaction alone.
#5 Eight-Week Vitamin D3 Supplementation at 4000 IU/Day Was Not Associated with Further Improvements in Speed or Power Performance in Professional Female Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Reference: Nutrients. 2026 Jul 28;18(15):2460. doi: 10.3390/nu18152460.
Authors: Małgorzata Magdalena Michalczyk, Mariola Gepfert, Robert Roczniok, Grzegorz Zydek
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/15/2460
Summary: Vitamin D is involved in musculoskeletal function, but evidence that supplementation improves athletic performance remains inconsistent, particularly in athletes with sufficient baseline vitamin D status. In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 18 professional female soccer players were randomized during the autumn preparatory period (August-September) to receive vitamin D3 (4000 IU/day; n = 9) or placebo (n = 9) for eight weeks. Outcomes included total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] concentrations, hematological variables, RAST total sprint time, 5- and 30-m sprint performance, and countermovement-jump outcomes. At baseline, after summer exposure, 25% of participants had insufficient or deficient 25(OH)D concentrations (≤30 ng/mL). The remaining cohort (75%) had sufficient 25(OH)D concentrations (>30 ng/mL). After eight weeks, no statistically significant between-group differences were observed in vitamin D metabolites, hematological variables, or performance outcomes (Δ25(OH)D: SG +12.4 ± 8.2 ng/mL vs. PG +3.1 ± 6.5 ng/mL; p = 0.12). RAST total sprint time (p = 0.001) and 30-m sprint performance (p = 0.005) improved over time. Vitamin D3 supplementation at 4000 IU/day for eight weeks was not associated with additional improvements in muscle strength, sprint performance, or countermovement-jump outcomes compared with placebo. Because most participants had sufficient baseline 25(OH)D concentrations, larger trials in female athletes with confirmed vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency are needed to determine whether individualized supplementation or longer intervention periods provide additional physiological or performance-related benefits.
#6 Estimation of resting metabolic rate in professional soccer players: A cross-sectional study comparing traditional predictive equations and a preliminary machine learning model against indirect calorimetry
Reference: PLoS One. 2026 Aug 12;21(8):e0354973. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0354973. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Carlos Abraham Herrera-Amante, Rodrigo Yáñez-Sepúlveda, Eduardo Báez-San Martín, César Octavio Ramos-García, Eduardo Guzmán-Muñoz, Rodrigo Olivares, José Francisco López-Gil
Download link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0354973
Summary: Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is a major component of total daily energy expenditure and varies according to age, sex, and body composition. Although indirect calorimetry (IC) is the gold standard, predictive equations are widely used in practice. This study evaluated the agreement between twelve traditional RMR equations and IC in professional soccer players and explored a preliminary machine learning approach. Forty male professional soccer players (22.5 ± 4.4 years) were assessed. RMR measured by IC was compared with twelve predictive equations. A support vector regression (SVR) model was developed using anthropometric variables and evaluated under internal validation. All equations showed poor concordance with IC (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: -0.094 to 0.030) and overestimated RMR (8.38% to 36.38%). The SVR model achieved a mean absolute error of 169.3 kcal·day-1 and root mean square error (RMSE) of 190.7 kcal·day-1. Its prediction error was lower than the RMSE and average bias of traditional equations, indicating improved individual-level accuracy. However, it explained a limited proportion of variance (R2 = 0.169). Traditional equations showed poor agreement with indirect calorimetry in this sample of soccer players. These findings highlight the risks of relying on conventional predictive equations in professional athletes. Preliminary results suggest that machine learning models may improve estimation under internal validation, providing a proof of concept for data-driven approaches in this field. However, their predictive capacity remains limited, and external validation in larger and independent cohorts is required.
#7 Effects of Isometric Priming on the Horizontal Force-Velocity Profile and Multidirectional Speed Performance in Youth Soccer Players
Reference: Sports Health. 2026 Aug 12:19417381261469676. doi: 10.1177/19417381261469676. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Ramón Lorenzo-Alonso, David M Díez-Fernández, Alexis Padrón-Cabo, David Solleiro-Duran, Alejandro Pérez-Castilla, Andrés Baena-Raya
Summary: Priming strategies are used to enhance neuromuscular performance before competition, yet the effects of isometric (ISO) priming on sprint mechanical determinants and change of direction (COD) performance remain unclear in youth soccer players. An ISO priming session may improve COD performance and horizontal force-velocity (FV) profile variables, and participants‘ strength levels may be associated with individual performance responses. Ten male youth soccer players completed 2 conditions during training performed 3 days before match-play: an ISO condition (isometric midthigh pulls [3 × 3 repetitions of 3 seconds, with 10 seconds between repetitions and 2 minutes between sets]) and a control condition comprising their usual soccer training. Horizontal FV profile variables, 30-meter sprint, and modified 505 COD performance were assessed before and 24 hours after each condition. Exploratory regression analyses examined associations between participants‘ strength levels and performance responses. Significant time × condition interactions were observed for FV-profile theoretical maximal force (F0) and modified 505 with the nondominant leg (505-ND), both improving after ISO (P ≤ 0.05). However, sensitivity analyses indicated that the 505-ND response was influenced by condition sequence (P = 0.003). In contrast, ISO decreased FV-profile theoretical maximal velocity (V0) and worsened the decrease in force orientation with increasing velocity (both P ≤ 0.05). No significant interactions were found for 30-meter sprint time or modified 505 with the dominant leg, although 30-meter sprint time increased similarly across both conditions. Relative peak force was associated with changes in 505-ND performance (r = 0.633; P = 0.05). ISO priming may represent a practical, low-fatigue strategy to enhance selected force-oriented performance in youth soccer players, although effects on velocity-oriented sprint outcomes appear limited. Exploratory analyses also suggest that baseline relative strength may influence individual responsiveness to this strategy, particularly for COD performance. ISO priming may help enhance horizontal force production during competitive microcycles in youth soccer players and may provide benefits for selected COD outcomes. However, these benefits may not extend to velocity-dependent outputs, supporting its use as a complementary and individualized priming strategy.
#8 Achilles Tendon Injuries in Major League Soccer: A 10-year Analysis of Injury Rate, Return to Play, and Performance Metrics
Reference: Orthop J Sports Med. 2026 Aug 10;14(8):23259671261449641. doi: 10.1177/23259671261449641. eCollection 2026 Aug.
Authors: Brian Forsythe, Catherine Hand, Francis Hand, Henry Eilen, Matthew Varano, Jared Sasaki, Camden Bohn, Anne Timmermann, Lauren Fertig, Eric Giza, Robert H Brophy, Bert Mandelbaum, Kirk McCullough
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13458101/pdf/10.1177_23259671261449641.pdf
Summary: Injuries to the Achilles tendon, such as tears or ruptures, are commonly observed among elite athletes. These injuries can be debilitating for professional soccer players, leading to prolonged recovery and potential performance declines. The aim was to investigate the annual incidence, return-to-play (RTP) duration, and postinjury performance outcomes of Major League Soccer (MLS) players who sustained Achilles tendon injuries from 2010 to 2021. This retrospective matched-cohort study evaluated MLS players with Achilles tendon injuries from 2010 to 2021, identified through the MLS Injury Surveillance database, and compared outcomes, including RTP duration, between players with ruptured and nonruptured (soreness, contusion, inflammation, irritation, sprain, tendinosis, tendinitis) injuries. Uninjured controls were matched 2:1 by age, position, and MLS experience. Annual injury incidence, RTP duration, and performance metrics, including games played, minutes played, goals, assists, and defensive contributions, were compared between injured and control cohorts. Multivariate linear regression was performed to identify independent predictors of RTP duration, adjusting for age, player position, injury type, mechanism of onset, field type, weather condition, and injury period. Statistical analyses set significance at P≤ .05. The mean RTP for ruptured Achilles injuries (n = 20) was 229 days, with no significant difference between 2010-2015 and 2016-2021 (P = .718). Nonruptured injuries (n = 352) had a significantly shorter RTP of 14.9 days versus rupture injuries with an RTP of 229 days (P < .001). Player age was significantly associated with RTP time, with younger players (≤26 years) exhibiting prolonged RTP durations (303.56 ± 112.97 days) compared to older players (>26 years) (168.09 ± 99.66 days; P = .017). There was no difference in RTP with field type (artificial turf vs grass, P = .59). Reinjury rates increased over time but were not statistically significant (P = .77). Following multivariate analysis, injury type was the only statistically significant factor affecting RTP duration, with ruptured Achilles injuries associated with significantly increased time missed compared to nonrupture injuries (95% CI, 171.15-264.11 days; P < .001). Forwards with ruptured Achilles injuries exhibited a decline in games played in the index year (-9.00 ± 8.49 vs 3.00 ± 1.73 games; P = .041). Midfielders with ruptured Achilles injuries demonstrated a significantly greater increase in goals than controls in the index year (1.00 ± 1.41 vs -0.43 ± 0.25 goals; P = .004) and a smaller decline in assists than controls (-0.50 ± 2.83 vs -1.00 ± 2.31 assists; P = .024) relative to preinjury performance. Among goalkeepers, rupture injuries were significantly associated with declines in games played in the first year postinjury (-20.50 ± 16.26 vs 1.00 ± 1.26 games; P = .050) and in the second year postinjury (-31.00 ± 4.24 vs -3.50 ± 5.85 games; P = .006). Rupture injuries were associated with a greater decline in clean sheets in the first year postinjury (-6.01 ± 0.71 vs -0.75 ± 2.99 clean sheets; P = .041) and second year postinjury (-5.98 ± 0.02 vs -2.50 ± 2.08 clean sheets; P = .024). Our study demonstrated that Achilles tendon ruptures in MLS players were associated with substantial recovery burden and long-term performance declines, particularly among goalkeepers. These findings suggest a potential need for position-specific rehabilitation strategies and structured RTP protocols aimed at optimizing recovery and performance retention in professional soccer players.
#9 The effects of 8-week wearable resistance training on neuromuscular adaptations in soccer players
Reference: Front Physiol. 2026 Jul 28:17:1828654. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1828654. eCollection 2026.
Authors: Bo Tang, Mingyue Hou, Rui Yang
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13457027/pdf/fphys-17-1828654.pdf
Summary: Although wearable resistance training (WRT) has been shown to enhance athletic performance, the underlying neuromuscular and morphological mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of an 8-week in-season WRT program on physical performance and neuromuscular adaptations in collegiate soccer players. Thirty highly trained male soccer players were stratified and randomly assigned to a WRT group (n = 15; age: 22.8 ± 2.9 years; height: 180.1 ± 6.2 cm; body mass: 76.1 ± 7.4 kg; 2% body mass load distributed on the lower limbs) or a control group (CON, n = 15; age: 22.2 ± 3.3 years; height: 178.7 ± 5.5 cm; body mass: 74.3 ± 6.5 kg; unloaded placebo garments). Participants completed three weekly intervention sessions over an 8-week period, integrated into their regular technical-tactical training. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included 10-m and 30-m sprint times, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, 5-0-5 change-of-direction (COD) time, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, knee extensor isometric rate of force development (RFD), normalized vastus lateralis RMS amplitude, and ultrasound-derived vastus lateralis architecture (muscle thickness and pennation angle). Mixed-design ANOVA revealed that the WRT group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than CON in 10-m (Cohen’s d = -1.18, p = 0.025) and 30-m sprint times (d = -0.85, p = 0.016), CMJ height (+10.97%, p < 0.001), and 5-0-5 COD performance (d = -0.95, p = 0.027). Importantly, WRT elicited a significant increase in RFD (+7.95%, d = 1.08, p = 0.049). However, no significant group × time interactions were observed for MVC, sEMG amplitude, or muscle morphology (all p > 0.05). Session-RPE training loads did not differ between groups. Low-load WRT (2% body mass) is an effective modality for enhancing multidirectional explosive performance. The increase in RFD without concomitant changes in maximal strength or muscle morphology suggests that these functional gains are primarily driven by early-phase neural adaptations rather than structural hypertrophy. Practically, WRT represents a time-efficient in-season micro-dosing strategy that may augment explosiveness without significantly increasing perceived internal training load.
#10 Rewriting the narrative: a perspective on youth limb difference, community access and the power of amputee soccer
Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Jul 31:8:1798505. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1798505. eCollection 2026.
Authors: James Kevin Pierre-Glaude, Adriana Saab, Taylor White , Eric M Lamberg
Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2026.1798505/full
Summary: This perspective addresses an important gap in adaptive sport access for youth with limb loss (LL) and limb difference (LD). Although the potential benefits of sport participation are well documented, accessible adaptive sport opportunities remain limited. This article describes the development and implementation of a youth amputee soccer initiative on Long Island, New York. Guided by a biopsychosocial framework and supported by physical therapists, trained coaches, and adult amputee athlete mentors the program was designed to provide a structured and inclusive environment for skill development, peer interaction and enhanced community connection. Descriptive program data and caregiver reported feedback are presented to illustrate the perceived value of the program. Caregiver responses suggest high satisfaction, positive perceptions of social interaction, and appreciation for the mentorship and inclusive environment. These findings are preliminary yet suggest that intentionally designed, community based adaptive sport programs may contribute to expanding opportunity and supporting participation and belonging for youth with LL and LD.
#11 Impacts of ankle sprain on functional performance in under-20 soccer players: a cross-sectional study
Reference: Phys Ther Sport. 2026 Jul 30:81:101964. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2026.101964. Online ahead of print.
Authors: V F Oliveira, L B Mesquita, J E Sousa, V J G Carmo, D S Dantas, R S Melo, A P L Ferreira
Download link: https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/272404/1-s2.0-S1466853X26X2003X/1-s2.0-S1466853X26000854/main.pdf?X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEF4aCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJGMEQCIEz4svJuQF1ckYSFkqSppRimVr8DMs1b9TE0Nca0Meh1AiAFfLCmIo4Mdb%2FNmNJimLyO2CtT7Zl9kKws9LI%2FZ9oGAyqzBQgmEAUaDDA1OTAwMzU0Njg2NSIMOR4N4gnIDqURAq%2FHKpAFHoqwjb0otSxjifvoHF%2Bf7OqijyFMn9EIx5SyUpDozZ2az1ayRIcwz%2BVmVTG%2Bzwy4UOG2T1YvXJNFvhHyHlmFi1B5EyXZn0CYF0Q9HyuURQbPbA9romqepszEqD%2FGEZvVlW923swT279Sncn%2B9amZAZuph3mVL8cgou3Ej5Ogie4HHYGobv876kGTRhLIq8S8Qrfs%2F3xMG5RKzVD2dj3Q4K7WKxLE0vvX2InU%2FSfRHsQ6IWRredxOxIO1l8XHRlqhUL%2BpWpiyEw%2F85gNtm5DxiXQqedCAM2Y8APfPo%2BhjcC5fvwMcOc8khUO5fcG9oqxDlIxUrjVZuGVQimaj9kik3mgiet9B9h%2FFSIC%2BVhhbxIWWZuzDPwyPySSAQ0efORtEsgBouMIrHpnO8bj%2BqNkcOeprW0b9KogrfHWBD%2Bd3JJrAnkp5xw%2BG3nIrwk5K3it38aSr9%2BoZ%2FRvKuky1LQYKG0a6QF4Yycflms7COPnZ9iwRmp5X6GNUFJr9TI6Kuh3iLRNwdHOj7TeNE8MRUqxAHtVx1zzn4vlnD%2FfDXcUDM7w8U9VUIThqFtOmj4cpnMmOwl7UL%2B6G2xDvL8NXy02DDsEliNrSfH6aa7pcgXbdFvRY6fT8iTJ4%2BuZVjYw5fdX6huKYZEXR47JnssDKwfIkLey7o5zIC9jZfk9OzBRhcEllbQlzSqjIIA%2F8wn53HQYOYaXUHSb%2FzARhwh9%2BCvX1PdWXXcWESHn3%2FTz8vbG2dfUsHfX48Nm%2Fl1UADEl9ZLfSA7Dkx9JQN1BaqOU3PScTh0owNq9wdp9z%2BrDhf0A86xbqvld69wnqVRNYjdCOsn6hrFEFdC6M1W0%2Ftl8qyx29GkNWFMOQouPjDdPRe%2FoC3aAwm4%2BF1AY6sgGvTMQSV%2Bdm%2Fki6mRic1o3KTNHs69ywvs8CkEIWN3if3NP4%2BqFlHfSDRKqJE8QodRU%2B7jPEFwuso5fIAgRKJAy2HwYgntilmwZNpSJRL3aVty21BA%2B9WoR%2FUeUbh7jUElUm54%2Bon8nwDylvNtaf4e4J8Qtqfg3z8uwdayr4t3CBW%2FU0s8qCN33UZjCvEslJ3lbVFuPFFVydhlWuLCR7Yn%2FFun5E9eiBY0hjHgeBR25e%2BUz%2B&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Date=20260816T053704Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=300&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAQ3PHCVTY4XIBYXQZ%2F20260816%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Signature=096ca90cfdb1386e22003bfb7872393c573fd4f102a581ad9cbb2d85f9389146&hash=7dcc3881dd9b382d01c93e09ce6dec40539269e9b0175efb9ef1a359fad9b45a&host=68042c943591013ac2b2430a89b270f6af2c76d8dfd086a07176afe7c76c2c61&pii=S1466853X26000854&tid=spdf-3b8c9c02-c1c2-4662-8eab-02ba36bb5896&sid=35027175553cd74147594a476c813867031cgxrqa&type=client&tsoh=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&rh=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&ua=1e03065300005556005151&rr=a2be15c02df030ea&cc=de
Summary: The aim was to compare functional and biomechanical parameters related to ankle mobility, neuromuscular control, and dynamic balance in under-20 soccer players with and without a history of lateral ankle sprain. Seventy-five male soccer players aged 16-20 years from training centers of two professional soccer clubs in Brazil participated in this study. A comprehensive assessment was performed using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) to assess perceived ankle instability, the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) to evaluate self-reported function, the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test (WBLT) to measure ankle dorsiflexion, the Y-Balance Test (YBT) to assess dynamic balance, and the Hop Tests to evaluate lower-limb neuromuscular performance. Athletes with a history of lateral ankle sprain showed lower joint stability (p ≤ 0.005), reduced functionality (p ≤ 0.040), decreased dorsiflexion (p = 0.031), impaired dynamic balance (p = 0.046), and worse performance in hop tests (p ≤ 0.018) CONCLUSIONS: A history of lateral ankle sprain was associated with poorer ankle function, reduced dorsiflexion, impaired dynamic balance, and lower neuromuscular performance in under-20 soccer players. These findings support the use of comprehensive functional assessment to guide rehabilitation and return-to-sport strategies.
#12 Sprint Speed Adaptations in Elite Soccer Players: Are Improvements Greater Over Longer Distances?
Reference: J Strength Cond Res. 2026 Aug 11. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000005643. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Irineu Loturco, Lucas A Pereira, Valter P Mercer, Lucas P Oliveira, Tulio B M A Moura, Lucas D Tavares, Bernardo Requena
Summary: This study aimed to examine whether improvements in sprint speed are greater over longer (20 m) than over shorter sprint distances (10 m) in soccer players exposed to different training interventions. A retrospective pooled longitudinal design was adopted using raw data from 11 training interventions conducted over the past 8 years. A total of 248 soccer players from professional clubs competing in the first and second divisions of the Brazilian Championship participated in the study. Players completed various training programs lasting from 4 to 8 weeks, which occurred during either preseason or in-season periods, including resistance training, resisted sprinting, and mixed-method training schemes. Sprint speed over 10 and 20 m was assessed before and after the interventions. Pre- to postassessment comparisons were performed using paired t-tests; effect sizes (ES) were calculated according to Rhea’s thresholds for highly trained athletes. Sprint speed increased significantly at both distances (10 m:+0.52%, p = 0.007, ES = 0.16; 20 m:+0.90%, p < 0.001, ES = 0.29). Although the magnitude of change was trivial at both distances, the improvement in 20-m speed was 75% greater than that observed over 10 m. Coefficients of variation remained low (∼5%), indicating a homogeneous sample of highly trained players. These findings suggest that soccer players experience extremely limited sprint-specific adaptations, particularly during the acceleration phase. However, longer sprint distances (20 m) appear to be more responsive to training than short-distance accelerations (<10 m). As such, practitioners should have realistic expectations about sprint performance improvements in soccer players and should focus on prescribing low-volume and high-velocity training strategies to optimize stretch-shortening cycle efficiency and rapid force production.
#13 Engaging Teenage Grassroots Soccer Players in Sports-Related Concussion Education
Reference: Health Expect. 2026 Aug;29(4):e70813. doi: 10.1111/hex.70813.
Authors: Abid Hussain, Dominic Malcolm
Download link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13454733/pdf/HEX-29-e70813.pdf
Summary: Sports-Related Concussion (SRC) presents potentially significant risks, particularly for teenage grassroots soccer players. Education is frequently proposed as a solution to address these risks; however, the effectiveness of educational interventions remains unproven, particularly for this demographic. This study aimed to explore how grassroots players‘ learning preferences can inform the design of educational interventions to mitigate SRC risks. An applied qualitative research design using Framework Analysis was employed to explore the lived experiences of 20 participants (15 males, 5 females) aged 14-18 years from a grassroots soccer club in an inner-city UK setting. Focus groups were conducted to investigate learning preferences, delivery modes and engagement with SRC education. Analysis was informed by phenomenological principles to attend to participants‘ lived learning experiences. Two overarching themes were identified from the analysis: sources of information and learning approaches. Participants predominantly accessed SRC information through short-form video platforms, particularly TikTok and Instagram, highlighting the importance of familiarity and digital engagement. They expressed a preference for short, structured lessons, which may align with principles of cognitive load management and spaced learning. Hands-on, visually supported instruction was favoured over didactic formats, aligning with experiential and multimedia learning perspectives. Message credibility was central; participants indicated that information was more likely to be accepted when delivered by trusted figures such as elite athletes or peers with lived experience of SRC, underscoring the social dimensions of learning. The findings suggest that SRC education for teenage grassroots soccer players could incorporate short, structured sessions; interactive and practical approaches; online quizzes, and the use of social media platforms and relatable information sources. The study points toward the value of co-design with young athletes when developing contextually relevant educational approaches. However, as the research was conducted within a single grassroots soccer club, these design considerations should be interpreted as provisional and may not transfer directly across broader grassroots sporting environments. Further research is required to evaluate these approaches in practice. Teenage grassroots soccer players were actively involved throughout the study. Participants contributed to intervention development by sharing learning preferences and experiences that informed structure, content and delivery methods. This participatory focus group approach helped to ensure that potential interventions reflected the target group’s learning preferences. Public input was instrumental in shaping practical recommendations for SRC interventions and addressing historical limitations of SRC awareness programmes.
#14 Impact of growth rate on physical performance and inter-limb asymmetry in young elite male soccer players
Reference: J Sports Sci. 2026 Aug 9:1-12. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2026.2713900. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Nuno Ribeiro, Oliver Gonzalo-Skok, Nuno Loureiro, Ruben Ferreira, João Pedro Araújo, Francisco Tavares
Summary: This study examined the relationships among annual growth rate, inter-limb asymmetry, and physical performance in 129 elite youth male soccer players (U14-U19). Players were classified into three groups: fast (>7.2 cm·year⁻1; n=30), mid (3.5-7.2 cm·year⁻1; n=31), and slow (<3.5 cm·year⁻1; n=68). Assessments included bilateral and unilateral countermovement jumps (CMJ, CMJL, CMJR), sprinting, change-of-direction, isometric mid-thigh pull, and Nordic hamstring strength.Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in age, body mass, height, and percentage of predicted adult height (%PAH), with slow growers showing more advanced biological status. Slow growers generally outperformed the other groups in physical tests. However, no significant differences in inter-limb asymmetry were found (p > 0.05), and the directional consistency was low (Kappa: -0.23 to 0.14).The annual growth rate showed strong negative correlations with age and %PAH (r = -0.59) and moderate associations with anthropometric and performance variables (r = -0.48 to 0.45). Within the fast group, growth rate was negatively associated with CMJ and CMJR performance (r = -0.49 to -0.46).These findings highlight the importance of considering growth and maturation in youth performance, although the growth rate does not appear to influence inter-limb asymmetry.
#15 Independent Predictors of Mental Health and Quality of Life in Elite Youth Soccer Players
Reference: Clin J Sport Med. 2026 Aug 10. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000001501. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Sakar Gupta, Kristin Haraldsdottir, Jennifer Sanfilippo-Nackers, Ian Staresinic, Scott Anderson, Andrew Watson
Summary: The aim was to identify the independent predictors of mental health and quality of life (QOL) among elite youth soccer athletes. Study materials were distributed to the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) clubs through an online survey. 668 adolescent athletes aged 13 to 18 years participated in this study. Independent variables included age, sex, previous week sleep duration, athletic identity (AI), previous injury, and racial/ethnic minority status. Main outcome measures were anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and QOL (PedsQL). Separate multivariable regression models evaluated independent predictors of each outcome. Independent predictors of anxiety were age (β = 0.28 ± 0.072, P < 0.001), female sex (β = -1.7±-0.40, P < 0.001), sleep (β = -0.88 ± 0.16, P < 0.001), AI (β = 0.11±-0.034, P = 0.002), and injury (β = 1.2±-0.37, P = 0.001), but not racial/ethnic minority status (β = 0.35 ± 0.39, P = 0.37). Independent predictors of depression included age (β = 0.29 ± 0.070, P < 0.001), female sex (β = -1.4 ± 0.41, P < 0.001), sleep (β = -1.2 ± 0.16, P < 0.001), injury (β = 0.88 ± 0.37, P = 0.019), and racial/ethnic minority status (β = 0.81 ± 0.40, P = 0.004), but not AI (β = 0.049 ± 0.035, P = 0.16). Independent predictors of QOL were age (β = -0.60 ± 0.19, P = 0.001), sleep (β = 2.6 ± 0.43, P < 0.001), injury (β = -3.7 ± 0.98, P < 0.001), and AI (β = -0.22 ± 0.092, P = 0.016), but not sex (β = 1.8 ± 1.1, P = 0.10) or racial/ethnic minority status (β = -1.5 ± 1.0, P = 0.16). In all models, sleep had the greatest relative importance (38%-56%). Among youth soccer athletes, greater age, female sex, previous injury, and less sleep were independent predictors of anxiety and depression, whereas greater age, previous injury, less sleep, and higher AI predicted lower QOL. Sleep emerged as the strongest modifiable factor, highlighting its importance in psychosocial wellbeing, to the extent that sleep contributes to these outcomes.
#16 Diagnostic yield of borderline ECG changes and ectopic beats in football players
Reference: Br J Sports Med. 2026 Aug 13:bjsports-2026-111868. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2026-111868. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Kentaro Yamagata, Jonathan A Drezner, Dan Augustine et al.
Download link: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/early/2026/08/12/bjsports-2026-111868.full.pdf
Summary: The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and clinical implications of so-called ‚borderline‘ ECG findings and ectopic beats in elite football players, in accordance with the 2017 International Criteria (IC17) for ECG interpretation in athletes. A total of 17 685 professional footballers (84.7% males) underwent cardiac screening including a 12-lead ECG and echocardiography between 2017 and 2024. Borderline ECG changes were classified according to the IC17. Supraventricular and ventricular ectopic beats were also analysed. Prevalence of cardiac pathology (major and minor) among athletes with borderline changes was compared with those athletes with normal ECGs. Borderline ECG findings were present in 1389 (7.9%) athletes (8.8% males, 2.6% females; p<0.001), with right atrial enlargement being the most frequently observed pattern (5.5%). Major cardiac pathology was incidentally identified in 2 (1.43%) athletes with isolated left atrial enlargement, compared with 9 (0.06%) athletes with normal ECGs (p=0.004), including 1 case of an anomalous coronary origin and another case with significant aortic root dilatation-both unrelated to the ECG findings. All other borderline patterns as well as ectopy did not reveal any major pathology. No major conditions were identified in 42 athletes with isolated ≥2 borderline ECG findings. Minor cardiac pathology was identified in 18 (1.41%) athletes with isolated borderline findings and in 3 (2.07%) athletes with isolated ectopy. When ≥2 borderline findings were present, 2.38% athletes revealed minor pathology (p=0.463). Minor cardiac pathology was found in 212 (1.34%) of athletes with normal ECGs (p=0.836). Borderline ECG criteria in the IC17 and ventricular ectopy are poor discriminators for major and minor cardiac pathology in athletes. Borderline changes including ≥2 findings do not warrant further evaluation and could be considered normal findings in future iterations of ECG interpretation criteria in athletes.
#17 Understanding working conditions in elite women’s football: a scoping review
Reference: Sci Med Footb. 2026 Aug 12:1-22. doi: 10.1080/24733938.2026.2713527. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Christina Y Le, Alex Culvin, Frankie Brown, Katrine Okholm Kryger, Adam Gledhill, Vincent Gouttebarge, Stacey Emmonds
Summary: Despite recent growth of women’s football, concerns about players‘ working conditions persist. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to summarise and map current evidence on working conditions in elite women’s football. Seven databases were searched from 1 January 2000 to 8 May 2025). Records were included if they described working conditions (factors that can influence players‘ performance, health, and/or well-being) in elite women’s football (participating in the highest or second highest domestic league or with a national team). Primary research articles and grey literature (e.g. theses, organisational reports, governmental reports) were eligible. An inductive content analysis was used to identify working conditions categories and count the number of records that contributed to each category. Of 10,597 potential records, 111 were included. Research articles were the most common record type (n = 78; 70%). Domestic league and national team football were described by 78 (70%) and 31 records (28%), respectively. Most records were published after 2020 (n = 78; 70%), and England was the most studied country (n = 21; 19%). Six working conditions categories were identified: finances (n = 63; 57%), performance support (n = 62; 56%), health support (n = 46; 41%), team environment (n = 35; 32%), organisational environment (n = 42; 38%), and discrimination (n = 23; 21%). The six working conditions categories identified in this review offer a preliminary framework to guide future research and inform policy development toward establishing minimum working standards in the women’s game. Ensuring working conditions that promote player performance, health, and well-being is essential as women’s football continues to grow.
#18 External load metrics and monitoring in women’s football match play: A systematic review
Reference: J Sports Sci. 2026 Aug 11:1-29. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2026.2713876. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Ramdel Caldas, Igor Mattos, Carlos A R Sánchez et al.
Summary: This systematic review aimed to identify the most commonly used variables for monitoring external load during elite women’s football matches and to compare reporting practices internationally and in Brazil. Searches were conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, and SciELO using the PICOS framework between February and March 2026, resulting in the inclusion of 35 studies. The main outcomes analysed were total distance covered (TD), distance covered across speed zones (HSR, VHSR, sprint), number of accelerations and decelerations, and maximum speed. TD and distance covered across speed zones were the most frequently reported indicators (94.3%), followed by HSR (82.8%) and sprint distance (68.5%). Considerable variability was observed in the classification of speed zones and thresholds used to define accelerations and decelerations, limiting comparisons between studies. External load values varied according to playing position and competition level, with international matches generally imposing greater demands than national competitions. Brazilian research remains limited and demonstrates notable methodological variability. This review proposes standardised speed and acceleration/deceleration thresholds based on the most recurrent ranges reported in the literature, supporting improved consistency in monitoring practices across elite women’s football contexts.
#19 Outcomes of cardiovascular screening in professional female football players
Reference: Br J Sports Med. 2026 Aug 10:bjsports-2025-111459. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2025-111459. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Kentaro Yamagata, Sanjay Sivalokanathan, Gherardo Finocchiaro et al.
Download link: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/early/2026/08/09/bjsports-2025-111459.full.pdf
Summary: The purpose was to investigate the results of cardiac screening, prevalence of cardiac diseases and subsequent health outcomes among elite female football players in the UK. Between 2000 and 2024, 3121 elite female football players underwent the English Football Association (FA) cardiac screening programme, comprising a health questionnaire, 12-lead ECG and echocardiogram. The FA registry was interrogated for screening findings, subsequent testing, diagnosis and cardiac morbidity or mortality, including sudden cardiac arrest and death (SCA/SCD). Sex-based comparisons were performed in 2680 females screened between 2017 and 2024, matched 1:2 by age, ethnicity and screening period to 5360 male players screened through the same programme. Female athletes were 19.8±5.4 years old, and the majority (87%) were White. Among 3121 female football players, 193 (6.2%) had an abnormal screening result requiring further evaluation; positive health questionnaires were present in 321 (10.3%), of which two (0.6%) athletes were true-positive for major cardiac conditions. Abnormal ECGs were present in 77 (2.5%), of which four (5.2%) were true positives. Major cardiac conditions were diagnosed in six (0.2%), including four with long QT syndrome, one with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and one with bicuspid aortic valve with moderate to severe aortic regurgitation. No female had cardiomyopathy diagnosed at baseline; however, one (0.03%) was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy 18 months later. During 19 193 person-years of follow-up, no female experienced SCA/SCD. In matched analysis, major cardiac conditions were diagnosed in five females (0.2%) and 29 males (0.5%; p=0.027), with higher estimated screening expenditure per major diagnosis in females (£146 809 vs £51 888). Cardiovascular screening in elite female football players identified a low prevalence of major cardiac conditions, predominantly electrical disorders, with no cardiomyopathy diagnosed at baseline and no SCA/SCD during follow-up. As female participation in elite sport continues to grow, these findings support the need for sex-appropriate interpretation and adequate budgeting for pre-participation cardiovascular evaluation.
#20 The Criteria and Design for Return-to-Play Following Muscle Injury in Football are Not Standardized: A Systematic Review Including Descriptive Analysis of RTP Criteria Distribution and Study Design Heterogeneity
Reference: Sports Med. 2026 Aug 8. doi: 10.1007/s40279-026-02523-3. Online ahead of print.
Authors: Óscar Vicente, Olga Velasco-Roldan, Carles Pedret
Summary: Return-to-play (RTP) decisions after muscle injury in professional football are complex, influenced by biological healing, functional recovery, and sport-specific demands. RTP models have evolved towards multifactorial and individualized frameworks; however, supporting evidence remains largely consensus-based. This systematic review aimed to describe RTP criteria and study design heterogeneity and integration within RTP frameworks in football. This study was conducted as a systematic review. Studies investigating RTP criteria, RTP decision-making, or rehabilitation frameworks following muscle injuries in football players were included. Searches were performed in five databases. Two reviewers assessed risk of bias using Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tools. Ten studies included were classified as Classical-Physical, Consensus-Multifactorial, or Individualized RTP models. Studies reported a median of six RTP criteria (range 4-8); most commonly the absence of pain, ≥ 90% strength symmetry, and functional testing. Psychological readiness and GPS/on-field monitoring were reported after 2020 and were more frequent in multifactorial and individualized frameworks. A gradual shift towards multifactorial and individualized RTP frameworks was observed. No significant associations were identified between RTP model classification and individual RTP criteria (p > 0.05). Reinjury outcomes were rarely reported. The literature shows heterogeneity in RTP criteria and study design after muscle injury, with consensus-based and low-level evidence predominating. RTP decision-making is grounded in expert opinion rather than outcome validation. RTP is a dynamic, multifactorial, and context-dependent process, integrating biological healing, functional recovery, psychological readiness, and load tolerance. Future research should prioritize prospective validation of integrated RTP frameworks and standardized outcome reporting.