Latest research in football - week 13 - 2019

#1 Risk diagnosis of minor muscle injuries in professional football players: when imaging cannot help out biology might
Reference: BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2019 Feb 26;5(1):e000479. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000479. eCollection 2019.
Authors: Volpi P, Chamari K, Bisciotti GN
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6407546/pdf/bmjsem-2018-000479.pdf


#2 Epidemiology of hip and groin injuries in Swedish male first football league
Reference: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2019 Mar 20. doi: 10.1007/s00167-019-05470-x. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Lundgårdh F, Svensson K, Alricsson M
Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs00167-019-05470-x.pdf
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the incidence, pattern, and burden of hip/groin injuries in Swedish professional male football players over five consecutive seasons. Injury history from 16 football teams in the Swedish male first football league was evaluated during five consecutive seasons. The team's medical staff recorded team exposure and time-loss injuries prospectively between 2012 and 2016. In total, 467 time-loss injuries located in the hip/groin area were recorded among 1,687 professional male football players, with an overall incidence and burden of 0.82/1,000 h and 15.6/1,000 h, respectively. There appeared to be an increased risk of hip/groin injuries during the last two seasons (2015-2016); however, the difference was not statistically significant (n.s). Recurrent injury rate was relatively low (14%), and overuse injuries accounted for the majority of injuries and absence days. Muscle injuries were the main injury type, while kicking and sprinting/running were the primary causes of injury. Goalkeepers had the lowest percentage of injuries and absence days. Hip/groin injuries are a substantial problem in football, but does not seem to be an increasing phenomenon in the Swedish male first football league. Index and overuse injuries accounted for the majority of injuries and absence days. Thus, the focus should be on preventing hip/groin injuries to lower the injury rate. These new findings should be taken into consideration when designing and implementing preventive training interventions.


#3 Network-based centrality measures and physical demands in football regarding player position: Is there a connection? A preliminary study
Reference: J Sports Sci. 2019 Mar 20:1-8. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2019.1589919. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Castellano J, Echeazarra I
Summary: This study's main objective is to analyse the relationship between network-based centrality measures and physical demands in elite football players. Thirty-six matches from La Liga, the Spanish league, were analysed in the 2017/18 season. The analysis of networks formed by team players passing the ball included: degree-prestige (DP), degree-centrality (DC), betweenness-centrality (BC), page-rank (PRP) and closeness-centrality (IRCC). A video-based system was used for analysing total distance (TDpos) and distance run >21Km/h (TD21pos) when the team was in possession of the ball. A magnitude-based inference and correlation analysis were applied. There were different styles of play, team-A was characterized by greater ball circulation (e.g. higher values of DP, DC, BC and IRCC) while team-B used a more direct game (lower values in centrality-metrics except with PRP). Furthermore, TDpos was higher in team-A than in team-B, but those differences disappeared for TD21pos between teams with the exception of the forwards. Finally, the correlation among centrality measures and physical performance were higher in team-B. Coaches could identify the key opponents and players who are linked to them, allowing to adjust performance strategies. Furthermore, interaction patterns between teammates can be used to identify preferential paths of cooperation and to take decisions regarding these relations in order to optimize team performance.


#4 Unison of movements in football players with different nervous systems
Reference: Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2019 Feb;65(2):211-215. doi: 10.1590/1806-9282.65.2.211.
Author: Polevoy G
Download link: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/ramb/v65n2/1806-9282-ramb-65-02-0211.pdf
Summary: In this study, we investigated the effect of typological features of nervous system properties on the ability to unite the movements of young football players. A total of 36 young football players aged 11-12 years participated in this experiment. Of them, 18 were engaged in an experimental differentiated method, which is based on using the same exercise and methods for developing the ability to unite movements but with different load components; for players with a strong nervous system (9 children), the load was intensive, but for players with a weak nervous system (9 children) - the load was volumetric. The other 18 athletes made up the control group. After 8 months of the experiment, we observed positive changes in terms of the ability to unite movements in young football players. In the control group, these changes were not significant (P>0.05). In the experimental group studied according to a special method, the indicators changed considerably. The performance of football players with a strong nervous system improved from 6.4±0.2 s to 5.7±0.1 s (P<0.05), and for football players with a weak nervous system from 6.2±0.2 s to 5.6±0.2 s (P<0.05). The study proved the effectiveness of the use of the typological properties of the nervous system as a differentiated method for developing the ability to unite movements in young football players. This approach allows for the improvement of the quality of technical training of young athletes.


#5 Relationship between External Load and Perceptual Responses to Training in Professional Football: Effects of Quantification Method
Reference: Sports (Basel). 2019 Mar 17;7(3). pii: E68. doi: 10.3390/sports7030068.
Authors: Rago V, Brito J, Figueiredo P, Krustrup P, Rebelo A
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/7/3/68/pdf
Summary: We examined the within-player correlation between external training load (ETL) and perceptual responses to training in a professional male football team (n = 13 outfield players) over an eight-week competitive period. ETL was collected using 10-Hz GPS, whereas perceptual responses were accessed through rating of perceived exertion (RPE) questionnaires. Moderate-speed running (MSR), high-speed running (HSR) and sprinting were defined using arbitrary (fixed) and individualised speed zones (based on maximal aerobic speed and maximal sprinting speed). When ETL was expressed as actual distance covered within the training session, perceptual responses were moderately correlated to MSR and HSR quantified using the arbitrary method (p < 0.05; r = 0.53 to 0.59). However, the magnitude of correlations tended to increase when the individualised method was used (p < 0.05; r = 0.58 to 0.67). Distance covered by sprinting was moderately correlated to perceptual responses only when the individualised method was used (p < 0.05; 0.55 [0.05; 0.83] and 0.53 [0.02; 0.82]). Perceptual responses were largely correlated to the sum of distance covered within all three speed running zones, irrespective of the quantification method (p < 0.05; r = 0.58 to 0.68). When ETL was expressed as percentage of total distance covered within the training session, no significant correlations were observed (p > 0.05). Perceptual responses to training load seem to be better associated with ETL, when the latter is adjusted to individual fitness capacities. Moreover, reporting ETL as actual values of distance covered within the training session instead of percentual values inform better about players' perceptual responses to training load.


#6 Reducing risk of head injury in youth soccer: An extension of behavioral skills training for heading
Reference: J Appl Behav Anal. 2019 Mar 29. doi: 10.1002/jaba.557. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Quintero LM, Moore JW, Yeager MG, Rowsey K, Olmi DJ, Britton-Slater J, Harper ML, Zezenski LE
Summary: Recently, concerns regarding sport-related concussions have increased within the research literature, the media, and popular culture. One potential source of soccer-related concussions involves the purposeful striking of the ball with one's head (i.e., heading). There is currently limited research on an effective teaching method to improve safe heading technique. In the current study, Behavior Skills Training (BST) was evaluated as a method to teach correct heading techniques to youth soccer players. BST increased the percentage of correct steps for each player based on a task analysis of heading. Based on social validity questionnaires administered to players and the coach, BST was rated as an acceptable form of training. After the final training session, experienced coaches rated each player as having improved from baseline to training.


#7 Effects of season long participation on ACL volume in female intercollegiate soccer athletes
Reference: J Exp Orthop. 2019 Mar 28;6(1):12. doi: 10.1186/s40634-019-0182-8.
Authors: Myrick KM, Voss A, Feinn RS, Martin T, Mele BM, Garbalosa JC
Download link: https://jeo-esska.springeropen.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s40634-019-0182-8
Summary: The aim of this study was to characterize the volumetric changes of the anterior cruciate ligament over the course of a competitive soccer season in female athletes. Seventeen Division-I collegiate soccer players were recruited. Two data collection sessions were conducted. The first data collection occurred prior to the start of the soccer season. Each subject completed a brief questionnaire, had height and weight measured, underwent a clinical assessment of their anterior cruciate ligaments and an eight sequence magnetic resonance imagery of their knees. Contours of the anterior cruciate ligaments were outlined in sagittal T-2 weighted MR images and volumes were calculated using Medical Image Processing, Analysis, and Visualization software. Presence or absence of edema within the ligament was determined in pre and post season scans. All subjects were followed during the season to determine if a lower extremity injury had been sustained. Mean ligament volume significantly increased from preseason to postseason (p=.006). There was a 10% increase in the percentage of knees with edema pre to post season. The physical demand of a competitive soccer season in female collegiate athletes appears to cause an increase in volume of the anterior cruciate ligament. The increase in volume may be related to the accumulation of microscopic tears over the course of the season which induce inflammation and edema. The volumetric changes in the ligament may have significant clinical implications, however further studies must be done to determine the relationship between anterior cruciate ligament volume and risk of injury.


#8 Comparing accuracy between global positioning systems and ultra-wideband-based position tracking systems used for tactical analyses in soccer
Reference: Eur J Sport Sci. 2019 Mar 28:1-9. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2019.1584248. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Bastida-Castillo A, Gómez-Carmona CD, De La Cruz Sánchez E, Pino-Ortega J
Summary: Current studies have reported high accuracy in global positioning system (GPS) and recently developed ultra-wideband (UWB)-based tracking systems for monitoring time - motion patterns. The accuracy and reliability of both systems may be different in tactical analysis application, an aspect that has never been studied previously. The aims of the present study were: (i) to determine and compare the accuracy of GPS and UWB technologies in soccer players' positions (ii) to compare the tactical application of both systems. Following institutional ethical approval and familiarisation, 14 well-trained soccer players performed tests around five courses: (a) field perimeter, (b) halfway line, (c) centre circle, (d) perimeter of the penalty area, and (e) semicircle penalty area. Also, a small-sided game was played monitored with WIMUPRO™ to determine real and practical differences in accuracy of both systems in tactical analysis. For the GPS, the mean absolute error (N = 9445) of "x" and "y" coordinates was 41.23 ± 17.31 cm and 47.6 ± 8.97 cm, respectively. For UWB, it was 9.57 ± 2.66 cm and 7.15 ± 2.62 cm. The results of the "x" and "y" accuracy comparison were significantly lower in all cases (p < 0.05) with an ES of 0.78 and 0.95, respectively. In a real practical application, the differences of both systems reached 8.31% in typical tactical variables (ES = 0.11). In contrast to GPS-10Hz, UWB WIMUPRO™-20 Hz has been demonstrated to be an acceptable technology to estimate the position of players on the pitch with high accuracy and be a useful, automatic, and portable instrument for tactical analysis measurement.


#9 Comparative Study of Two Intervention Programmes for Teaching Soccer to School-Age Students
Reference: Sports (Basel). 2019 Mar 26;7(3). pii: E74. doi: 10.3390/sports7030074.
Authors: García-Ceberino JM, Feu S, Ibáñez SJ
Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/7/3/74/pdf
Summary: The objective of this study was to design and analyse the differences and/or similarities of two homogeneous intervention programmes (didactic units) based on two different teaching methods, Direct Instruction (DI) and Tactical Games Approach (TGA), for teaching school-age soccer. The sample was composed of 58 tasks, 29 for each intervention programme. The pedagogical and external Training Load (eTL) variables recorded in the Integral System for Training Tasks Analysis (SIATE) were studied. The two intervention programmes were compared using Chi-Square, Mann-Whitney U and the Adjusted Standardized Residuals statistical tests. Likewise, the strength of association of the variables under study was calculated using Cramer's Phi and Cramer's V coefficients. Both intervention programmes had the same number of tasks (n = 29), sessions (n = 12), game phases (x² = 0.000; p = 1.000), specific contents (x² = 5.311; p = 0.968) and didactic objectives, as well as different levels of eTL (U = 145.000; p = 0.000; d = 1.357); which are necessary requirements to be considered similar. The differences and/or similarities between both intervention programmes will offer teachers guidelines to develop different didactic units using the specific DI and TGA methodologies.


#10 Stress fractures of the medial malleolus in the professional soccer player demonstrate excellent outcomes when treated with open reduction internal fixation and arthroscopic spur debridement
Reference: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2019 Mar 26. doi: 10.1007/s00167-019-05483-6. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Nguyen A, Beasley I, Calder J
Summary: Despite a debilitating effect on athletic performance and an incidence of up to 4% of all stress fractures, there have been only 31 documented cases of medial malleolus stress fractures (MMSF) to our knowledge in the literature. The largest series to date is presented in this study, of 16 professional soccer players undergoing uniform operative treatment. The authors attempt to justify their preferred treatment of MMSFs in the professional soccer player, with an emphasis on patient satisfaction, clinical and radiographic union, and return to high level sport. The authors aim to prove an association between lower limb varus alignment and the development of MMSFs. Sixteen professional soccer players of mean age 23.6 years were analysed. A biomechanic assessment was performed. Preoperative CT+-MRI scan were performed to assess fracture lines and the presence of anteromedial tibial and/or talar spurs; which are the likely pathognomic lesion in the development of MMSFs. All patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation with three screws, as well as arthroscopic debridement of impringement spurs, and concentrated bone marrow aspirate into the fracture site. Patients completed the Ogilvie-Harris score, and all patients had CT scans at 3 months and until union. All the patients in this cohort had causative bony spurs that were debrided at surgery. All of the cohort achieved clinical union. All patients were able to return to professional football; at the same level as prior to the injury. There was complete cohort follow up; and 81% of patients were graded as excellent and 19% as good by the Ogilvie-Harris score. We noted 50% of our cohort demonstrated varus malalignment, either genu varum or hindfoot varus. The authors conclude that open reduction and internal fixation of MMSFs with screws combined with arthroscopic spur debridement results in excellent clinical outcomes. It can be concluded that varus lower limb malalignment is a risk factor for MMSFs. Given the treatment controversy for these injuries, the results herein demonstrate that aggressive multimodal operative treatment produces excellent outcomes in high demand professional footballers. This study is the first to report a biomechanic association, which can alert the clinician to preventative measures; such as hindfoot orthoses.


#11 No Evidence of Association Between Soccer Heading and Cognitive Performance in Professional Soccer Players: Cross-Sectional Results
Reference: Front Neurol. 2019 Mar 12;10:209. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00209. eCollection 2019.
Authors: Rodrigues AC, Lima MDM, de Souza LC, Furtado C, Marques CE, Gonçalves L, Lima MV, Lasmar RP, Caramelli P
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6422927/
Summary: Although the scientific community has focused on the effects of concussions in contact sports, the role of subconcussive impacts, as it can occur during soccer heading, has recently gained attention, considering that it may represent an additional mechanism of cumulative brain injury. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of soccer heading on cognitive functioning in active professional soccer players. Male soccer players (n = 44), from two soccer teams that play in the Brazilian A Series Championship, and non-athletes (n = 47), comparable in age and education, were submitted to cognitive assessment, consisting of computerized and conventional neuropsychological testing (Neupsilin battery). In the computerized cognitive assessment, soccer players performed better than controls on reaction time measures in general motor coordination, executive functioning and memory tests, and on accuracy measures in executive functioning tests. There were no significant differences between groups on the Neupsilin battery. A comparison between two sub-groups of soccer players, based on the self-reported number of headings, did not show significant differences on tests performance. No significant correlations were found between an estimate of exposure to heading during professional soccer career and cognitive performance. Our data demonstrate no evidence of cognitive impairment in soccer players, compared to non-athletes, and no association between heading exposure and performance on neuropsychological tests. Longitudinal investigations, including neuroimaging assessment, will help to clarify whether soccer heading may be associated with brain injury and cognitive dysfunction.


#12 Effect of Creatine Supplementation on the Airways of Youth Elite Soccer Players
Reference: Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2019 Mar 19. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001979. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Simpson AJ, Horne S, Sharp P, Sharps R, Kippelen P
Summary: Owing to its well-established ergogenic potential, creatine is a highly popular food supplement in sports. As an oral supplement, creatine is considered safe and ethical. However, no data exist on the safety of creatine on lung function in athletes. The aim of this project was to evaluate the effects of a standard course of creatine on the airways of youth elite athletes. Nineteen elite soccer players, aged 16-21yr, completed a stratified, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. The creatine group (n=9) ingested 0.3 g/kg/d of creatine monohydrate (CM) for 1wk (loading phase) and 5 g/d for 7wk (maintenance phase), and the placebo group (n=10) received the same dosages of maltodextrin. Airway inflammation (assessed by exhaled nitric oxide, FENO) and airway responsiveness (to dry air hyperpnoea) were measured pre- and post-supplementation. Mild, unfavorable changes in FENO were noticed by trend over the supplementation period in the CM group only (P=0.056 for interaction, η=0.199), with a mean group change of 9 ± 13 ppb in the CM group versus -5 ± 16 ppb in the placebo group (P=0.056, d=0.695). Further, the maximum fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) after dry air hyperpnoea was larger by trend post-supplementation in the CM group compared to the placebo group: 9.7 ± 7.5% versus 4.4 ± 1.4%, respectively (P=0.070, d=0.975). These adverse effects were more pronounced when atopic players only (n=15) were considered. Based on the observed trends and medium-to-large effect sizes, we cannot exclude that creatine supplementation has an adverse effect on the airways of elite athletes, particularly in those with allergic sensitization. Further safety profiling of the ergogenic food supplement is warranted.


#13 Effect of Overload and Tapering on Individual Heart Rate Variability, Stress Tolerance, and Intermittent Running Performance in Soccer Players During a Preseason
Reference: J Strength Cond Res. 2019 Mar 20. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003127. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Figueiredo DH, Figueiredo DH, Moreira A, Gonçalves HR, Stanganelli LCR
Summary:  This study evaluates the weekly natural log of the root-mean-square difference of successive R-R intervals (lnRMSSDmean), its coefficient of variation (lnRMSSDcv), training load (TL), stress tolerance (ST), and changes in intermittent running performance in response to a 2-week overload (OL) followed by a 1-week taper (TP) during a preseason. Additionally, we determined the relationships between these variables. Ultra-short lnRMSSD, psychometric responses, and ratings of perceived exertion were evaluated daily among 16 under-19 soccer players. At the end of each training phase, the athletes performed the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test level 1 (Yo-Yo). Group analysis showed a decrease in lnRMSSDmean and ST, increases in lnRMSSDcv, and decreases in the Yo-Yo during OL, with a return to baseline levels and a trivial increase in the Yo-Yo during TP. Small to very large correlations were found between lnRMSSDmean and lnRMSSDcv values, with changes in Yo-Yo, TL, monotony, and strain during the preseason (r values ranging from -0.27 to 0.82). No correlation was found between lnRMSSD responses and ST. During OL, athletes with decreases in lnRMSSDmean and increases in lnRMSSDcv accumulated higher perceived TL, with higher monotony and overall stress, and presented a decrease in ST and intermittent running performance, interpreted as a negative adaptation in response to the maintenance of higher TL. During TP, these responses were reversed, leading to an increase in intermittent running performance. In addition, subjective measures of ST may be used to provide early indicators of training adaptation in soccer players.


#14 Influence of Different Small-Sided Game Formats on Physical and Physiological Demands and Physical Performance in Young Soccer Players
Reference: J Strength Cond Res. 2019 Mar 15. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003114. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Castillo D, Rodríguez-Fernández A, Nakamura FY, Sanchez-Sanchez J, Ramirez-Campillo R, Yanci J, Zubillaga A, Raya-González J
Summary: The aim of this study was to quantify the acute impact of bout duration and individual interaction space on physical and physiological demands and on physical performance. Ten young male soccer players (age: 14.8 ± 0.6 years) from the same team playing in the National U-16 Division participated. Physical (total distance [TD]; distance covered at different speeds; and maximum velocity [Velmax]) and physiological (peak [HRpeak] and mean [HRmean] heart rate) parameters were collected for every bout during each small-sided game (SSG) format. Moreover, the effects of SSGs on horizontal jump (HJ) and 30-m sprint performances were evaluated. The SSG formats were composed of 6 players a side (including goalkeepers) and included 4 repetitions of 6 minutes in a space of 100 m (SSG1) or 200 m (SSG2) and 6 repetitions of 4 minutes in 100 m (SSG3) or 200 m (SSG4). The TD, the distance covered at different speeds, and Velmax were greater (p < 0.01, effect size [ES] = 1.25-5.95, large) in SSG2 and SSG4 than SSG1 and SSG3, respectively. Furthermore, the HRmean and HRpeak were lower (p < 0.05, ES = 1.53-2.23, large) during SSG3 than other SSGs. In addition, while a significant (p < 0.05, ES = 0.70-2.04, moderate to large) increase in SPR30 time in SSG1 and SSG3 was observed, HJ performance was not affected (p > 0.05, ES = 0.03-0.54, trivial to moderate) by any SSG format. These findings suggest increasing pitch size to induce greater physical demands and to use SSGs with smaller pitch size, and independently of the bout duration, to induce neuromuscular fatigue.