Latest research in football - week 41 - 2017

#1 Effects of Unloaded vs. Loaded Plyometrics on Speed and Power Performance of Elite Young Soccer Players
Reference: Front Physiol. 2017 Sep 26;8:742. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00742. eCollection 2017.
Authors: Kobal R, Pereira LA, Zanetti V, Ramirez-Campillo R, Loturco I
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5623051/pdf/fphys-08-00742.pdf
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of loaded and unloaded plyometric training strategies on speed and power performance of elite young soccer players. Twenty-three under-17 male soccer players (age: 15.9 ± 1.2 years, height: 178.3 ± 8.1 cm, body-mass (BM): 68.1 ± 9.3 kg) from the same club took part in this study. The athletes were pair-matched in two training groups: loaded vertical and horizontal jumps using an haltere type handheld with a load of 8% of the athletes' body mass (LJ; n = 12) and unloaded vertical and horizontal plyometrics (UJ; n = 11). Sprinting speeds at 5-, 10-, and 20-m, mean propulsive power (MPP) relative to the players' BM in the jump squat exercise, and performance in the squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) were assessed pre- and post-training period. During the experimental period, soccer players performed 12 plyometric training sessions across a 6-week preseason period. Magnitude based inferences and standardized differences were used for statistical analysis. A very likely increase in the vertical jumps was observed for the LJ group (99/01/00 and 98/02/00 for SJ and CMJ, respectively). In the UJ group a likely increase was observed for both vertical jumps (83/16/01 and 90/10/00, for SJ and CMJ, respectively). An almost certainly decrease in the sprinting velocities along the 20-m course were found in the LJ group (00/00/100 for all split distances tested). Meanwhile, in the UJ likely to very likely decreases were observed for all sprinting velocities tested (03/18/79, 01/13/86, and 00/04/96, for velocities in 5-, 10-, and 20-m, respectively). No meaningful differences were observed for the MPP in either training group (11/85/04 and 37/55/08 for LJ and UJ, respectively). In summary, under-17 professional soccer players increased jumping ability after a 6-week preseason training program, using loaded or unloaded jumps. Despite these positive adaptations, both plyometric strategies failed to produce worthwhile improvements in maximal speed and power performances, which is possible related to the interference of concurrent training effects. New training strategies should be developed to ensure adequate balance between power and endurance loads throughout short (and high-volume) soccer preseasons.


#2 Soccer-based promotion of voluntary medical male circumcision: A mixed-methods feasibility study with secondary students in Uganda
Reference: PLoS One. 2017 Oct 9;12(10):e0185929. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185929. eCollection 2017.
Authors: Miiro G, DeCelles J, Rutakumwa R, Nakiyingi-Miiro J, Muzira P, Ssembajjwe W, Musoke S, Gibson LJ, Hershow RB, Francis S, Torondel B, Ross DA, Weiss HA
Download link: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0185929&type=printable
Summary: The Ugandan government is committed to scaling-up proven HIV prevention strategies including safe male circumcision, and innovative strategies are needed to increase circumcision uptake. The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a soccer-based intervention ("Make The Cut") among schoolboys in a peri-urban district of Uganda. The intervention was led by trained, recently circumcised "coaches" who facilitated a 60-minute session delivered in schools, including an interactive penalty shoot-out game using metaphors for HIV prevention, sharing of the coaches' circumcision story, group discussion and ongoing engagement from the coach to facilitate linkage to male circumcision. The study took place in four secondary schools in Entebbe sub-district, Uganda. Acceptability of safe male circumcision was assessed through a cross-sectional quantitative survey. The feasibility of implementing the intervention was assessed by piloting the intervention in one school, modifying it, and implementing the modified version in a second school. Perceptions of the intervention were assessed with in-depth interviews with participants. Of the 210 boys in the cross-sectional survey, 59% reported being circumcised. Findings showed high levels of knowledge and generally favourable perceptions of circumcision. The initial implementation of Make The Cut resulted in 6/58 uncircumcised boys (10.3%) becoming circumcised. Changes made included increasing engagement with parents and improved liaison with schools regarding the timing of the intervention. Following this, uptake improved to 18/69 (26.1%) in the second school. In-depth interviews highlighted the important role of family and peer support and the coach in facilitating the decision to circumcise. This study showed that the modified Make The Cut intervention may be effective to increase uptake of safe male circumcision in this population. However, the intervention is time-intensive, and further work is needed to assess the cost-effectiveness of the intervention conducted at scale.


#3 The Effects of Foam Rolling as a Recovery Tool in Professional Soccer Players
Reference: J Strength Cond Res. 2017 Oct 7. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002277. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Rey E, Padron-Cabo A, Costa PB, Barcala-Furelos R
Summary: Foam rolling (FR) is a common strategy used after training and competition by players. However, no previous studies have assessed the effectiveness of FR as recovery tool in sports populations. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of FR (20 minutes of foam rolling exercises on quadriceps, hamstrings, adductors, gluteals, and gastrocnemius) and passive recovery (20 minutes sit on a bench) interventions performed immediately after a training session on Total Quality Recovery (TQR), perceived muscle soreness, jump performance, agility, sprint, and flexibility 24 hours after the training. During 2 experimental sessions, 18 professional soccer players (age 26.6 ± 3.3 years; height: 180.2 ± 4.5 cm; body mass: 75.8 ± 4.7 kg) participated in a randomized fully controlled trial design. The first session was designed to collect the pre-test values of each variable. After baseline measurements, the players performed a standardized soccer training. At the end of training unit, all the players were randomly assigned to the FR recovery group and the passive recovery group. A second experimental session was carried out to obtain the posttest values. Results from the between-group analyses showed that FR had a large effect on the recovery in agility (Effect Sizes [ES]= 1.06), TQR (ES= 1.08), and perceived muscle soreness (ES= 1.02) in comparison to passive recovery group at 24 h post-training. Thus, it is recommended soccer coaches and physical trainers working with high-level players use a structured recovery session lasting from 15 to 20 min based on FR exercises that could be implemented at the end of a training session to enhance recovery between training loads.


#4 Injury prevention in male youth soccer: Current practices and perceptions of practitioners working at elite English academies
Reference: J Sports Sci. 2017 Oct 11:1-9. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2017.1389515. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Read PJ, Jimenez P, Oliver JL, Lloyd RS
Summary: Forty-one practitioners inclusive of physiotherapists, sports scientists and strength and conditioning coaches from the academies of elite soccer clubs in the United Kingdom completed an on-line questionnaire which examined their: (1) background information; (2) perceptions of injury occurrence and risk factors; (3) screening and return to play; and (4) approach to designing and delivering injury prevention programmes with a response rate of 55% (41/75). Contact injuries were the most common mechanism reported and players between 13-16 years of age were perceived to be at the greatest risk. Pertinent risk factors included: reduced lower limb and eccentric hamstring strength, proprioception, muscle imbalances, and under developed foundational movement skills. Joint range of motion, jump tests, the functional movement screen, overhead and single leg squats were the most utilised screening methods. Training modalities rated in order of importance included: resistance training, flexibility development, agility, plyometrics and balance training. Training frequency was most commonly once or twice per week, during warm-ups, independent sessions or a combination of both. Injury prevention strategies in this cohort appear to be logical; however, the classification of injury occurrence and application of screening tools to identify "at risk" players do not align with existing research. The frequency and type of training used may also be insufficient to elicit an appropriate stimulus to address pertinent risk factors based on current recommendations.


#5 The physical response to a simulated period of soccer-specific fixture congestion
Reference: J Strength Cond Res. 2017 Oct 10. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002257. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Page RM, Marrin K, Brogden CM, Greig M
Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the physiological, perceptual, and mechanical measures associated with the completion of a simulated period of short-term soccer-specific fixture congestion. Ten male semi-professional soccer players completed three trials of a treadmill-based match simulation, with 48 hours intervening each trial. A repeated measures general linear model identified significantly (P= 0.02) lower knee flexor peak torque (PT) recorded at 300 degs[BULLET OPERATOR]s in the second (141.27 ± 28.51 Nm) and third trials (139.12 ± 26.23 Nm) when compared to the first (154.17 ± 35.25 Nm). Similarly, muscle soreness (MS) and PT data recorded at 60 degs[BULLET OPERATOR]s were significantly (P< 0.05) different in the third trial (MS= 42 ± 25 a.u; PT60= 131.10 ± 35.38 Nm) when compared to the first (MS= 29 ± 29 a.u; PT60= 145.61 ± 42.86 Nm). Significant (P= 0.003) differences were also observed for mean Bicep Femoris electromyography (EMGmean) between the third trial (T0-15= 126.36 ± 15.57 µV; T75-90= 52.18 ± 17.19 µV) and corresponding time points in the first trial (T0-15= 98.20 ± 23.49 µV; T75-90= 99.97 ± 39.81 µV). Cumulative increases in perceived exertion, heart rate, oxygen consumption, blood lactate concentrations, EMGmean, and PlayerLoad were recorded across each trial. MS and PT were also significantly different post-trial. There were however no significant main effects or interactions for the salivary Immunoglobulin A, and the medial-lateral PlayerLoad metrics. These data suggest a biomechanical and muscular emphasis with residual fatigue, with implications for injury risk and the development of recovery strategies.


#6 Steroid hormones and psychological responses to soccer matches: Insights from a systematic review and meta-analysis
Reference: PLoS One. 2017 Oct 12;12(10):e0186100. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186100. eCollection 2017.
Authors: Slimani M, Baker JS, Cheour F, Taylor L, Bragazzi NL
Download link: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0186100&type=printable
Summary: The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the perturbations in hormonal and psychological homeostasis in response to soccer match-play. These perturbations were explored according to match outcome (i.e., win versus loss), gender, type of contest (i.e., competitive versus non-competitive fixtures) and competitive level (i.e., novice versus high-level). The review was conducted according to the Population/Intervention or Exposure/Comparison/Outcome(s) (PICO) criteria and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Match outcome, type of contest and competitive levels were moderator variables in the examined steroid hormones responses to a soccer match-play. Different testosterone responses were seen between match winners (increase) and losers (decrease) when compared to pre-game or baseline values (p <0.05), whilst no changes could be detected for cortisol relative to match outcome in female soccer players. Males (Δ% = 6.26; ES = 0.28) demonstrated a marginally lower increase in testosterone levels when compared to females (Δ% = 49.16; ES = 1.00), though not statistically significant. Females (Δ% = 162.7; ES = 0.98) did not demonstrate elevated cortisol match response compared to males (Δ% = 34.60; ES = 1.20). Male novice soccer match-play increased cortisol levels compared to high-level soccer match-play (Q = 18.08, p<0.001). Competitive soccer matches increased cortisol levels compared to non-competitive fixtures (i.e., collegiate tournament). Additionally, competitive levels moderate the relationship between a soccer match and testosterone levels (p <0.001), regardless of gender differences. From the presented systematic review and meta-analysis it appears (1) cortisol changes are associated with cognitive anxiety in starter female soccer players, while (2) testosterone changes are associated with changes in mood state in females and social connectedness in male soccer players. This apparent psycho-physiological relationship may proffer the opportunity for targeted intervention(s) by practitioners to favorably influence performance and/or recovery agendas. Further mechanistic and/or applied evidence is required in this regard in addition to further data sets from females.


#7 Effects of Plyometric Training on Components of Physical Fitness in Prepuberal Male Soccer Athletes: The Role of Surface Instability
Reference: J Strength Cond Res. 2017 Oct 10. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002262. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Negra Y, Chaabene H, Sammoud S, Bouguezzi R, Mkaouer B, Hachana Y, Granacher U
Summary: Previous studies contrasted the effects of plyometric training (PT) conducted on stable vs. unstable surfaces on components of physical fitness in child and adolescent soccer players. Depending on the training modality (stable vs. unstable), specific performance improvements were found for jump (stable PT) and balance performances (unstable PT). In an attempt to combine the effects of both training modalities, this study examined the effects of PT on stable surfaces compared with combined PT on stable and unstable surfaces on components of physical fitness in prepuberal male soccer athletes. Thirty-three boys were randomly assigned to either a PT on stable surfaces (PTS; n = 17; age = 12.1 ± 0.5 years; height = 151.6 ± 5.7 cm; body mass = 39.2 ± 6.5 kg; and maturity offset = -2.3 ± 0.5 years) or a combined PT on stable and unstable surfaces (PTC; n = 16; age = 12.2 ± 0.6 years; height = 154.6 ± 8.1 cm; body mass = 38.7 ± 5.0 kg; and maturity offset = -2.2 ± 0.6 years). Both intervention groups conducted 4 soccer-specific training sessions per week combined with either 2 PTS or PTC sessions. Before and after 8 weeks of training, proxies of muscle power (e.g., countermovement jump [CMJ], standing long jump [SLJ]), muscle strength (e.g., reactive strength index [RSI]), speed (e.g., 20-m sprint test), agility (e.g., modified Illinois change of direction test [MICODT]), static balance (e.g., stable stork balance test [SSBT]), and dynamic balance (unstable stork balance test [USBT]) were tested. An analysis of covariance model was used to test between-group differences (PTS vs. PTC) at posttest using baseline outcomes as covariates. No significant between-group differences at posttest were observed for CMJ (p > 0.05, d = 0.41), SLJ (p > 0.05, d = 0.36), RSI (p > 0.05, d = 0.57), 20-m sprint test (p > 0.05, d = 0.06), MICODT (p > 0.05, d = 0.23), and SSBT (p > 0.05, d = 0.20). However, statistically significant between-group differences at posttest were noted for the USBT (p < 0.01, d = 1.49) in favor of the PTC group. For most physical fitness tests (except RSI), significant pre-to-post improvements were observed for both groups (p < 0.01, d = 0.55-3.96). Eight weeks of PTS or PTC resulted in similar performance improvements in components of physical fitness except for dynamic balance. From a performance-enhancing perspective, PTC is recommended for pediatric strength and conditioning coaches because it produced comparable training effects as PTS on proxies of muscle power, muscle strength, speed, agility, static balance, and additional effects on dynamic balance.


American Football
#1 Heart Rate Variability and Training Load Among National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 College Football Players Throughout Spring Camp
Reference: J Strength Cond Res. 2017 Oct 10. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002241. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Flatt AA, Esco MR, Allen JR, Robinson JB, Earley RL, Fedewa MV, Bragg A, Keith CM, Wingo JE
Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine whether recovery of cardiac-autonomic activity to baseline occurs between consecutive-day training sessions among positional groups of a collegiate football team during Spring camp. A secondary aim was to evaluate relationships between chronic (i.e., 4-week) heart rate variability (HRV) and training load parameters. Baseline HRV (lnRMSSD_BL) was compared with HRV after ∼20 hours of recovery before next-day training (lnRMSSDpost20) among positional groups composed of SKILL (n = 11), MID-SKILL (n = 9), and LINEMEN (n = 5) with a linear mixed model and effect sizes (ES). Pearson and partial correlations were used to quantify relationships between chronic mean and coefficient of variation (CV) of lnRMSSD (lnRMSSD_chronic and lnRMSSDcv, respectively) with the mean and CV of PlayerLoad (PL_chronic and PL_cv, respectively). A position × time interaction was observed for lnRMSSD (p = 0.01). lnRMSSD_BL was higher than lnRMSSDpost20 for LINEMEN (p < 0.01; ES = large), whereas differences for SKILL and MID-SKILL were not statistically different (p > 0.05). Players with greater body mass experienced larger reductions in lnRMSSD (r = -0.62, p < 0.01). Longitudinally, lnRMSSDcv was significantly related to body mass (r = 0.48) and PL_chronic (r = -0.60). After adjusting for body mass, lnRMSSDcv and PL_chronic remained significantly related (r = -0.43). The ∼20-hour recovery time between training sessions on consecutive days may not be adequate for restoration of cardiac-parasympathetic activity to baseline among LINEMEN. Players with a lower chronic training load throughout camp experienced greater fluctuation in lnRMSSD (i.e., lnRMSSDcv) and vice versa. Thus, a capacity for greater chronic workloads may be protective against perturbations in cardiac-autonomic homeostasis among American college football players.


#2 Longitudinal Changes in Body Composition throughout Successive Seasonal Phases among Canadian University Football Players
Reference: J Strength Cond Res. 2017 Oct 7. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002011. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Kim J, Delisle-Houde P, Reid RE, Andersen RE.
Summary: The purpose of this study was to assess changes in body composition during seasonal phases of the training year among Canadian Inter-University Sport (CIS) football players. Forty university football players were assessed for anthropometry, total body composition, regional body composition and central adiposity over a 7-month period including the summer-off-season and the in-season. Baseline testing occurred in April, prior to the summer-off-season, and follow-ups were completed prior to training camp, at the beginning of August, and following the in-season, at the beginning of November. Linemen had the greatest tissue percent fat (25.98 ± 6.56%) at baseline, significantly (p < 0.01) greater than big skill (18.69 ± 3.97%) and followed by skill (14.35 ± 3.39%) who were significantly (p < 0.01) leaner than both other groups. Skill players significantly increased fat mass (0.98 ± 0.30 kg, p < 0.05) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; 0.02 ± 0.01, p ≤ 0.05) during the in-season, and linemen increased visceral fat mass from April to November (0.20 ± 0.06 kg, p ≤ 0.01). All players significantly (-1.26 ± 0.30 kg, p = 0.001) decreased lean mass during the in-season. All groups significantly increased bone mineral content during the summer-off-season (p < 0.05). There was also a significant time × summer training location interaction (p < 0.05) for fat mass with athletes who remained on campus during summer months gaining the least amount of adiposity. Body composition and central adiposity appear to change differentially among positional groups across the annual training season.


#3 Age at First Exposure to Repetitive Head Impacts Is Associated with Smaller Thalamic Volumes in Former Professional American Football Players
Reference: J Neurotrauma. 2017 Oct 7. doi: 10.1089/neu.2017.5145. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Schultz V, Stern RA, Tripodis Y, Stamm JM, Wrobel P, Lepage C, Weir I, Guenette JP, Chua A, Alosco ML, Baugh CM, Fritts NG, Martin B, Chaisson C, Coleman MJ, Lin AP, Pasternak O, Shenton ME, Koerte IK
Summary: Thalamic atrophy has been associated with exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI) in professional fighters. The aim of this study is to investigate whether or not age at first exposure (AFE) to RHI is associated with thalamic volume in symptomatic former National Football League (NFL) players at risk for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Eighty-six symptomatic former NFL players (mean age=54.9±7.9 years) were included. T1-weighted data were acquired on a 3T MRI and thalamic volumes were derived using FreeSurfer. Mood and behavior, psychomotor speed, and visual and verbal memory were assessed. The association between thalamic volume and AFE to playing football, and to number of years playing were calculated. Decreased thalamic volume was associated with more years of play (left: p=0.03; right: p=0.03). Younger AFE was associated with decreased right thalamic volume (p=0.014). This association remained significant after adjusting for total years of play. Decreased left thalamic volume was associated with worse visual memory (p=0.014), whereas increased right thalamic volume was associated with fewer mood and behavior symptoms (p=0.003). In our sample of symptomatic former NFL players at risk for CTE, total years of play, and AFE were associated with decreased thalamic volume. The effect of AFE on right thalamic volume was almost twice as strong as the effect of total years of play. Our findings confirm previous reports of an association between thalamic volume and exposure to RHI. They further suggest that younger AFE may result in smaller thalamic volume later in life.


#4 Anthropometrics and maturity status: A preliminary study of youth football head impact biomechanics
Reference: Int J Psychophysiol. 2017 Oct 3. pii: S0167-8760(17)30580-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2017.09.022. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Yeargin SW, Kingsley P, Mensch JM, Mihalik JP, Monsma EV
Summary: There is a paucity of head impact biomechanics research focusing on youth athletes. Little is known about how youth subconcussive head impact tolerances are related to physical size and maturation. The objective was to examine the effects of age, anthropometric and maturational status variability on head impact biomechanics. Thirty-four male recreational youth football players, 8 to 13yrs participated in this study. Categorized by CDC standards, independent variables were: age, height, mass, BMI, and estimated peak height velocity (PHV). Participants wore a designated head impact sensor (xPatch) on their mastoid process during practices and games. Main outcome measures were Linear acceleration (g) and rotational acceleration (rad/s2). Boys in the older age category had a greater linear (F=17.72; P<0.001) and rotational acceleration (F=10.74; P<0.001) than those in the younger category. Post-PHV boys had higher linear (F=9.09, P=0.002) and rotational (F=5.57, P=0.018) accelerations than those who were pre-PHV. Rotational, but not linear acceleration differed by height category with lowest impacts found for the tallest category, whereas both linear and rotational accelerations by mass differences favored average and heavy categories. BMI overweight boys, had the greatest linear (F=5.25; P=0.011) and rotational acceleration (F=4.13; P=0.260) means. Post-PHV boys who were older, taller and had longer legs, but who were not heavier, had higher impacts perhaps due to the type of impacts sustained. Taller boys' heads are above their peers possibly encouraging hits in the torso region resulting in lower impact accelerations. Obese boys did not have sequential results compared to boys in the other BMI categories probably due to league rules, player position, and lack of momentum produced.