Latest research in football - week 39 - 2019

#1 Preseason Hip/Groin Strength and HAGOS Scores Are Associated With Subsequent Injury in Professional Male Soccer Players
Reference: J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2019 Sep 17:1-34. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2020.9022. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Bourne MN, Williams M, Jackson J, Williams KL, Timmins RG, Pizzari T
Summary: Hip and groin injuries are a significant cause of time lost from training and competition in elite soccer. Therefore the aim was to explore the association between pre-season assessments of 1) isometric hip adductor and abductor strength using a novel field-test; and 2) the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS), and subsequent hip/groin injury in professional male soccer players. In total, 204 elite male soccer players from ten professional Hyundai A-League and English Championship League clubs had assessments of hip adductor and abductor strength and completed the HAGOS in the 2017-18 pre-season. In-season hip/groin injuries were reported by team medical staff. Data reduction was conducted using principal component analysis. The principal component for HAGOS and three principal components for strength and imbalance measures were entered with age and prior hip/groin injury into a multivariable logistic regression model to determine their association with prospectively occurring hip/groin injury. Twenty-four players suffered at least one hip/groin injury throughout the 2017-18 season. The principal component for between-limb abduction imbalance (peak strength in the preferred [kicking] limb - non-preferred limb) (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.38 to 0.90, p = 0.011), the principal component for peak adduction and abduction strength (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.50 to 1.00, p=0.045), and the principal component for HAGOS (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.62 to 0.96, p = 0.022), were independently associated with a reduced risk of future hip/groin injury. Receiver operator curve analysis of the whole model revealed an area under the curve of 0.76, which indicates a fair combined sensitivity and specificity of the included variables but an inability to correctly identify all subsequently injured players. Hip abduction imbalance, favouring the preferred kicking limb, higher levels of hip adductor and abductor strength, and superior HAGOS values, were associated with a reduced likelihood of future hip/groin injury in professional soccer players.


#2 Intra-individual variability of sleep and nocturnal cardiac autonomic activity in elite female soccer players during an international tournament
Reference: PLoS One. 2019 Sep 17;14(9):e0218635. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218635. eCollection 2019.
Authors: Costa J, Figueiredo P, Nakamura F, Rago V, Rebelo A, Brito J
Download link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0218635&type=printable
Summary: The aim was to describe individual sleeping patterns and nocturnal cardiac autonomic activity of National team female soccer players during an international tournament. Twenty elite female soccer players (aged 25.2±3.1 years) wore wrist actigraph units and heart rate (HR) monitors during night-sleep throughout 9 consecutive days (6 day-time training sessions [DT], 2 day-time matches [DM], and 1 evening-time match [EM]) of an international tournament. Training and match loads were monitored using the session-rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) and wearable 18-Hz GPS (total distance covered [TD], training and match exposure time, and high-speed running [HSR]) to characterize training and match loads. Individually, s-RPE, TD, exposure time, and HSR during training sessions ranged from 20 to 680 arbitrary units (AU), 892 to 5176 m, 20 to 76 min, and 80 to 1140 m, respectively. During matches, s-RPE, TD, exposure time, and HSR ranged from 149 to 876 AU, 2236 to 11210 m, 20 to 98 min, and 629 to 3213 m, respectively. Individually, players slept less than recommended (<7 hours) on several days of the tournament, especially after EM (n = 8; TST ranging between 6:00-6:54 h). Total sleep time coefficient of variation (CV) ranged between 3.1 and 18.7%. However, all players presented good sleep quality (i.e., sleep efficiency ≥75%; individual range between: 75-98%) on each day of the tournament. Most of the players presented small fluctuations in nocturnal cardiac autonomic activity (individual nocturnal heart rate variability [HRV] ranged from 3.91-5.37 ms and HRV CV ranged from 2.8-9.0%), while two players presented higher HRV CV (11.5 and 11.7%; respectively). Overall, this study highlights the substantial individual variability in sleep and HRV measures, suggesting the adoption of an individual approach to monitor sleep, training and match loads and recovery, to better understand how players cope with highly demanding competitions.


#3 The neuromuscular, endocrine and mood responses to a single versus double training session day in soccer players
Reference: J Sci Med Sport. 2019 Sep 5. pii: S1440-2440(18)31114-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.08.291. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Sparkes W, Turner AN, Cook CJ, Weston M, Russell M, Johnston MJ, Kilduff LP
Summary: This study profiled the 24h neuromuscular, endocrine and mood responses to a single versus a double training day in soccer players. Twelve semi-professional soccer players performed small-sided-games (SSG's; 4 vs 4+goalkeepers; 6×7-min, 2-min inter-set recovery) with neuromuscular (peak-power output, PPO; jump height, JH), endocrine (salivary testosterone, cortisol), and mood measures collected before (pre) and after (0h, +24h). The following week, the same SSG protocol was performed with an additional lower body strength training session (back-squat, Romanian deadlift, barbell hip thrust; 4×4 repetitions, 4-min inter-set recovery; 85% 1 rep-max) added at 2h after the SSG's. Between-trial comparisons revealed possible to likely small impairments in PPO (2.5±2.2Wkg-1; 90% Confidence Limits: ±2.2Wkg-1), JH (-1.3; ±2.0cm) and mood (4.6; ±6.1AU) in response to the double versus single sessions at +24h. Likely to very likely small favourable responses occurred following the single session for testosterone (-15.2; ±6.1pgml-1), cortisol (0.072; ±0.034ugdl-1) and testosterone/cortisol ratio (-96.6; ±36.7AU) at +24h compared to the double session trial. These data highlight that performance of two training sessions within a day resulted in possible to very likely small impairments of neuromuscular performance, mood score and endocrine markers at +24h relative to a single training session day. A strategy of alternating high intensity explosive training days containing multiple sessions with days emphasising submaximal technical/tactical activities may be beneficial for those responsible for the design and delivery of soccer training programs.


#4 Pre-exercise hypohydration prevalence in soccer players: a quantitative systematic review
Reference: Eur J Sport Sci. 2019 Sep 17:1-18. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2019.1669716. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Chapelle L, Tassignon B, Rommers N, Mertens E, Mullie P, Clarys P
Summary: Pre-exercise hypohydration can impair soccer performance and has been extensively studied in different soccer populations. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to report hypohydration prevalence, measured by blood or urine samples, in different soccer populations based on sex (males and females), performance level (professional and recreational players) and context (training sessions and games). The Pubmed, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus databases were systematically searched until November 2018. Data were pooled to compare hypohydration prevalence between the different subgroups. Following the systematic search selection process, 24 studies were included. The results indicated that overall pre-exercise hypohydration prevalence was 63.3 %, 37.4 % and 58.8 % for urine specific gravity (USG), urine osmolality (U Osm) and urine colour, respectively. Furthermore, no study implemented blood samples to examine hypohydration prevalence in soccer players. The subgroup analyses using USG data indicated that pre-exercise hypohydration prevalence was significantly higher amongst males (66.0 %; p = 0.001), professional soccer players (66.2 %; p = 0.020) and before a training session (79.6 %; p < 0.001). Pre-exercise hypohydration prevalence was 46.8 % among female soccer players, 55.6 % in recreational soccer players and 41,3 % before a game. The subgroup analyses using U Osm data indicated that hypohydration prevalence was significantly higher before a training session (52.6 %; p = 0.023). Based on these results, it can be concluded that hypohydration prevalence in soccer players is of major concern. Future research should explore how pre-exercise hydration status can be improved in a sustainable way.


#5 Analysis of static balance performance and dynamic postural priority according to playing position in elite soccer players
Reference: Gait Posture. 2019 Sep 5;74:148-153. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.09.008. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Jadczak Ł, Grygorowicz M, Wieczorek A, Śliwowski R
Summary: Balance performance and postural priority are important components of motor skill development. No published reports have investigated the differences in static balance abilities and postural priority among professional soccer players according to field position. We hypothesized that static balance as well as dynamic postural priority is influenced by playing position in professional soccer players. The study covered a group of 101 elite professional soccer players who were divided into six subgroups according to playing positions: goalkeepers (G) (n = 10), central defenders (CD) (n = 15), external defenders (ED) (n = 15), central midfielders (CM) (n = 23), external midfielders (EM) (n = 15) and forwards (F) (n = 23). All participants completed the Delos Postural System Test using the standard protocol. The tests were performed unilaterally on non-dominant (NL) and dominant leg (DL) under static conditions (with open and closed eyes) standing on a stable platform and under dynamic conditions on an unstable base. In the static test with open eyes (ST OE) there were no statistically significant differences between the legs and positions. In the static test with closed eyes (ST CE), the differences are statistically significant only between positions. Players on the CM position have significantly higher differences than G. In the dynamic postural priority test (DPPT) there is a difference between positions and legs. In fact, the statistically higher differentiation refers to players in the CM position relative to ED, CD, EM and F. We noticed a significantly greater difference in the NL compared to the DL. Static balance performance and postural priority varied with playing position in elite soccer players. Midfield players have better postural priority than players in other positions. Professional soccer players present greater balance postural priority on the non-dominant leg.


#6 Contextual Factors Influencing External and Internal Training Loads in Collegiate Men's Soccer
Reference: J Strength Cond Res. 2019 Sep 12. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003361. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Curtis RM, Huggins RA, Benjamin CL, Sekiguchi Y, Adams WM, Arent SM, Jain R, Miller SJ, Walker AJ, Casa DJ
Summary: This study investigated factors influencing training loads (TL) in collegiate men's soccer. Total distance, high-speed running distance (>14.4 km·h), high-intensity heart-rate zone duration (HI HRZ, >70% heart rate relative to maximum), and session rating of perceived exertion were assessed daily from 107 male soccer players competing for 5 National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I teams. Differences between athlete role (starter and reserve), position (defender, midfielder, and forward), season phase (preseason, in-season, and postseason), days relative to match (MD-1 to MD-5+), days between matches (<4, 4-5, >5 days), previous match outcome (win, loss, and draw), and upcoming opponent relative ranking (weaker, trivial, and stronger) were examined. Mean differences (MD) and effect sizes (ESs) with 90% confidence intervals were reported. There were trivial and insignificant differences by player role, position, or upcoming opponent strength, and small-moderate increases in preseason TL compared with in-season (ES [range] = 0.4-0.9). TLs were lower for MD-1 and higher for MD-5+ (ES [range] = 0.4-1.3) when compared with MD-2-4. External loads (ES = -0.40 ± 0.20) were less after wins compared with losses. TLs are increased in the preseason, when training sessions occur greater than 5 days from a match and after losses. Contextualizing factors affecting TLs has implications for developing workload prescription and recovery strategies.


#7 The isokinetic strength profile of semi-professional soccer players according to low back pain
Reference: J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2019 Aug 30. doi: 10.3233/BMR-171109. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Madić D, Obradović B, Golik-Perić D, Marinković D, Trajković N, Gojković Z
Summary: Soccer as a sport has a very high injury rate and low back pain (LBP) is considered to be the most common overuse injury typically occurring in the back and spine in elite soccer players. The objective was to investigate differences in knee muscle strength and muscle imbalances in soccer players according to lower back pain. One hundred and thirty-six male professional soccer players (20.49 ± 3.73 years, 76.57 ± 8.24 kg, 182.63 ± 6.73 cm) volunteered for the study. The isokinetic dynamometer PrimaDOC (EASYTECH, Italy) was used to assess the hamstring and quadriceps strength at the selected speeds of 60∘/s, whereas the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) was used as a health status measure to assess physical disability caused by low back pain. A univariate analysis of variance has shown that there is a statistically significant difference among the groups divided into Absolut peak torque right knee flexors, Absolut peak torque left knee flexors, Ratio between hamstrings and quadriceps strength right leg, Ratio between hamstrings and quadriceps strength left leg based on the RDQ scores. On the other hand, no other significant differences among the groups were found in other parameters. The current study indicates that knee muscle strength variables, resulting from an isokinetic testing, have the potential to discriminate between soccer players with and without a history of low back pain. However, low back pain is a multidimensional phenomenon and knee muscle strength or imbalance alone cannot be expected to explain low back pain.


#8 Physical Performance During Soccer-7 Competition and Small-Sided Games in U12 Players
Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2019 Jul 5;67:281-290. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2018-0082. eCollection 2019 Jun.
Authors: Sanchez-Sanchez J, Sanchez M, Hernández D, Gonzalo-Skok O, Casamichana D, Ramirez-Campillo R, Nakamura FY
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6714356/pdf/hukin-67-281.pdf
Summary: The aim of this study was to compare the activity profile (external loads) during soccer-7 competition versus 6 vs 6 small-sided games ( SSGs) in U12 players. Peak velocity (Vmax), total distance completed (DT), total distance relative to match duration, the percentage of DT in acceleration (%DAC) and in deceleration (%DEA), and the percentage of DT at different speeds were recorded. Six types of SSGs were randomly implemented: without pitch orientation-delimitation and with a limit of three ball-contacts per player (3TOU), with no limit of ball-contacts (MAN), with a greater number of players as internal-offensive wildcard players (2WI) or external-offensive wildcard players (4WE); and with pitch orientation-delimitation and crossing the rival goal-line while dribbling the ball without goalkeepers (INV) or using official goalkeepers (GKP). The physical demands of SSGs were compared with the average of two soccer-7 match plays. During soccer-7 match plays a lower %DAC and %DEA (p < 0.05) were observed compared to 2WI, 4WE, INV and GKP, and to INV and GKP, respectively. The Vmax and %HI were greater (p < 0.05) in soccer-7 match plays compared to all SSGs. In conclusion, the demands imposed on U12 players during different formats of SSGs differ from the soccer-7 match play demands, presenting a low stimulation of the actions performed at high-speed and an adequate simulation of acceleration-deceleration actions.


#9 Effects of Slackline Training on Acceleration, Agility, Jump Performance and Postural Control in Youth Soccer Players
Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2019 Jul 5;67:235-245. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2018-0078. eCollection 2019 Jun.
Authors: Fernández-Rio J, Santos L, Fernández-García B, Robles R, Casquero I, Paredes R
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6714354/pdf/hukin-67-235.pdf
Summary: The goal of this study was to assess the effects of a supervised slackline training program in a group of soccer players. Thirty-four male division I under-19 players (16.64 ± 0.81 years) agreed to participate in the study. They were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). The first group (EG) followed a 6-week supervised slackline training program (3 sessions/week; 5-9 min/session), while the CG performed only regular soccer training. Several variables were assessed in all participants: acceleration (20-m sprint test), agility (90º turns test), jump performance (squat jump, countermovement jump), and postural control (Center of Pressure ( CoP) testing: length, area, speed, Xmean, Ymean, Xspeed, Yspeed, Xdeviation, Ydeviation). Ratings of perceived exertion and local muscle ratings of perceived exertions were also recorded after each slackline training session. At post-tests, there was a significant increase only in the EG in acceleration, agility, squat jump and countermovement jump performance, as well as several CoP variables: area in the bipedal support on a firm surface, and length, area and speed in the left leg on a firm surface. The program was rated as "somewhat hard" by the players, while quadriceps, gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior were the most exerted muscles while slacklining. In conclusion, slackline training can be an effective training tool for young, high-level soccer players.


#10 The Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance Level 2 Test: Reliability of Performance Scores, Physiological Responses and Overload Characteristics in Competitive Soccer, Basketball and Volleyball Players
Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2019 Jul 5;67:223-233. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2018-0091. eCollection 2019 Jun.
Authors: Papanikolaou K, Chatzinikolaou A, Pontidis T, Avloniti A, Deli CK, Leontsini D, Draganidis D, Tsimeas PD, Rafailakis L, Jamurtas AZ, Krustrup P, Mohr M, Fatouros IG
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6714357/pdf/hukin-67-223.pdf
Summary: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of the physiological and overload features of the Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test level 2 (Yo-Yo IE2) in competitive male soccer (n = 20), basketball (n = 11), and volleyball players (n = 10). The participants completed Yo-Yo IE2 tests on three separate occasions with assessment of performance, heart rate, running speed, accelerations, decelerations and body load using GPS instrumentation. The intra-class correlation coefficient index, confidence intervals and coefficients of variation were calculated to assess the reliability of the test. Intra-class correlation coefficients for test-retest trials in the total sample ranged from large to nearly perfect (total distance: 0.896; mean speed: 0.535; maximum speed: 0.715; mean HR: 0.876; maximum HR: 0.866; body load: 0.865). The coefficients of variation for distance, mean speed, HR response, as well as acceleration and deceleration scores for test-retest trials ranged from 1.2 to 12.5% with no differences observed among particular sport disciplines. The CV for shuttles performed ranged from 4.4 to 5.5% in all sports. Similar results were obtained for the three different categories of players tested. These results suggest that the Yo-Yo IE2 test appears to be a reliable alternative for evaluating the ability to perform intermittent high-intensity running in different outdoor and indoor team sports. Players may need one or two familiarization tests to ensure valid assessment of intermittent endurance capacity. It appears that the Yo-Yo IE2 test incorporates accelerations and decelerations in a consistent and reproducible fashion.


#11 Repeated Sprint Ability in Youth Soccer Players: Independent and Combined Effects of Relative Age and Biological Maturity
Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2019 Jul 5;67:209-221. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2018-0090. eCollection 2019 Jun.
Authors: Duarte JP, Coelho-E-Silva MJ, Costa D, Martinho D, Luz LGO, Rebelo-Gonçalves R, Valente-Dos-Santos J, Figueiredo A, Seabra A, Malina RM
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6714374/pdf/hukin-67-209.pdf
Summary: The objective of the study was to examine the effects of the relative age effect (RAE) and predicted maturity status on body size and repeated sprint ability (RSA: 7 x 34.2 m / 25 s interval) in youth soccer. The sample was composed of 197 male players aged 13-14 years. Body mass, stature, and sitting height were measured, RSA was assessed in the field, and age at peak height velocity (APHV) was predicted. Factorial ANOVA tested the independent and combined effects of RAE given by birth quarters (BQs) and maturity status on dependent variables. Players born in the second birth quarter (BQ2) were significantly taller (F = 4.28, p < 0.01) than their peers born in BQ1 and BQ3. Additionally, players born in BQ2 performed better than players born in BQ4 in RSA total time and ideal time (F ranged between 4.81 and 4.90, p < 0.01), while players born in BQ1 exhibited a lower RSA fatigue index compared to those born in BQ4 (F = 2.90, p < 0.05). The interaction of the BQ and maturity status was a significant source of inter-individual variation for body size (F ranged between 64.92 and 105.57; p < 0.01) and RSA output (F ranged between 4.082 and 6.76; p < 0.05). In summary, being relatively older and, simultaneously, advanced in maturity status corresponds to a substantial advantage in characteristics that are related to soccer-specific fitness.