Latest research in football - week 45 - 2019

#1 Improvements in strength and functional performance after Kinesio taping in semi-professional male soccer players with and without functional ankle instability
Reference: Foot (Edinb). 2019 Jun 27;41:12-18. doi: 10.1016/j.foot.2019.06.006. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Fereydounnia S, Shadmehr A, Attarbashi Moghadam B, Talebian Moghadam S, Mir SM, Salemi S, Pourkazemi F
Summary: The objectives of this study were to compare the immediate effects of two methods of Kinesio taping on muscle strength, functional performance, and balance in athletes with and without functional ankle instability (FAI). The present study investigated the effects of distal taping (muscle application over peroneus longus) and proximal- distal taping (muscle application over gluteus medius and peroneus longus) on the strength of evertor and hip abductor muscles, side hop test, figure of 8 hop test, and star excursion balance test in semi-professional male soccer players with and without FAI (n=15 in each group). A Multifactorial repeated measure ANOVA was used for comparison. There were significant differences for factor effect in all outcome measures (P<0.05), except for the figure of 8 hop test. No significant differences for group effects and group by factor interaction effects (P>0.05) was observed except for the side hop test. Kinesio taping had immediate effects on improving strength, performance and balance. However, there were no differences on the method of application. Clinicians can consider the application Kinesio taping during the rehabilitation process of athletes with FAI, to improve balance and strength. The long-term impacts of taping on the functional, balance and strength measures should be investigated in future studies.


#2 Hip Range of Motion: Which Plane of Motion Is More Predictive of Lower Extremity Injury in Elite Soccer Players? A Prospective Study
Reference: J Surg Orthop Adv. 2019 Fall;28(3):201-208.
Authors: Shah SS, Testa EJ, Gammal I, Sullivan J, Gerland RW, Goldstein J, Sheridan B, Mashura M, Shah AS, Goodwillie A, Cohn RM
Summary: The objective of this study was to determine which plane of hip motion (rotational or sagittal) is more predictive of lower extremity (LE) injury in elite soccer players. A total of 69 athletes (43 professional and 26 collegiate) were examined (mean age, 22.6 years). Bilateral hip internal rotation (IR), external rotation, extension, and flexion measurements were taken along with the modified Thomas test during preseason physicals. There were 42 LE injuries (injury rate 3.74/1000 athlete exposures). Mean IR was 25.2. and 29.9° for injured versus noninjured extremities, respectively (p = .009). There was a significant association between decreased IR (categorized as IR < 28°) and incidence of ipsilateral LE injury (p = .042). Extremities with IR < 28° were 2.81 times more likely to sustain a LE injury (95% CI, 1.15.6.84; p = .023). With a utilitarian focus, the current study has identified a measurement of decreased hip IR with potential for substantial clinical value in collegiate and professional soccer players. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 28(3):201-208, 2019).


#3 Italian consensus statement (2020) on return to play after lower limb muscle injury in football (soccer)
Reference: BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2019 Oct 15;5(1):e000505. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000505. eCollection 2019.
Authors: Bisciotti GN, Volpi P, Alberti G, Aprato A, Artina M, Auci A, Bait C, Belli A, Bellistri G, Bettinsoli P, Bisciotti A, Bisciotti A, Bona S, Bresciani M, Bruzzone A, Buda R, Buffoli M, Callini M, Canata G, Cardinali D, Cassaghi G, Castagnetti L, Clerici S, Corradini B, Corsini A, D'Agostino C, Dellasette E, Di Pietto F, Enrica D, Eirale C, Foglia A, Franceschi F, Frizziero A, Galbiati A, Giammatei C, Landreau P, Mazzola C, Moretti B, Muratore M, Nanni G, Niccolai R, Orizio C, Pantalone A, Parra F, Pasta G, Patroni P, Pelella D, Pulici L, Quaglia A, Respizzi S, Ricciotti L, Rispoli A, Rosa F, Rossato A, Sannicandro I, Sprenger C, Tarantola C, Tenconi FG, Tognini G, Tosi F, Trinchese GF, Vago P, Zappia M, Vuckovich Z, Zini R, Trainini M, Chamari K
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6797382/pdf/bmjsem-2018-000505.pdf
Summary: Return to play (RTP) decisions in football are currently based on expert opinion. No consensus guideline has been published to demonstrate an evidence-based decision-making process in football (soccer). Our aim was to provide a framework for evidence-based decision-making in RTP following lower limb muscle injuries sustained in football. A 1-day consensus meeting was held in Milan, on 31 August 2018, involving 66 national and international experts from various academic backgrounds. A narrative review of the current evidence for RTP decision-making in football was provided to delegates. Assembled experts came to a consensus on the best practice for managing RTP following lower limb muscle injuries via the Delphi process. Consensus was reached on (1) the definitions of 'return to training' and 'return to play' in football. We agreed on 'return to training' and RTP in football, the appropriate use of clinical and imaging assessments, and laboratory and field tests for return to training following lower limb muscle injury, and identified objective criteria for RTP based on global positioning system technology. Level of evidence IV, grade of recommendation D.


#4 Physical Performance Differences Between Starter and Non-Starter Players During Professional Soccer Friendly Matches
Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2019 Oct 18;69:283-291. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2019-0018. eCollection 2019 Oct.
Authors: Giménez JV, Leicht AS, Gomez MA
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6815094/pdf/hukin-69-283.pdf
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the physical performance differences between players that started (i.e. starters, ≥65 minutes played) and those that were substituted into (i.e. non-starter) soccer friendly matches. Fourteen professional players (age: 23.2 ± 2.7 years, body height: 178 ± 6 cm, body mass: 73.2 ± 6.9 kg) took part in this study. Twenty, physical performance-related match variables (e.g. distance covered at different intensities, accelerations and decelerations, player load, maximal running speed, exertion index, work-to-rest ratio and rating of perceived exertion) were collected during two matches. Results were analysed using effect sizes (ES) and magnitude based inferences. Compared to starters, non-starters covered greater match distance within the following intensity categories: >3.3≤4.2m/s (very likely), >4.2≤5 m/s (likely) and >5≤6.9 m/s (likely). In contrast, similar match average acceleration and deceleration values were identified for starters and non-starters (trivial). Indicators of workloads including player loads (very likely), the exertion index (very likely), and the work-to-rest ratio (very likely) were greater, while self- reported ratings of perceived exertion were lower (likely) for non-starters compared to starters. The current study demonstrates that substantial physical performance differences during friendly soccer matches exist between starters and non-starters. Identification of these differences enables coaches and analysts to potentially prescribe optimal training loads and microcycles based upon player's match starting status.


#5 Player Load and Metabolic Power Dynamics as Load Quantifiers in Soccer
Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2019 Oct 18;69:259-269. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2018-0072. eCollection 2019 Oct.
Authors: Reche-Soto P, Cardona-Nieto D, Diaz-Suarez A, Bastida-Castillo A, Gomez-Carmona C, Garcia-Rubio J, Pino-Ortega J
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6815086/pdf/hukin-69-259.pdf
Summary: There has recently been an increase in quantification and objective analysis of soccer performance due to improvements in technology using load indexes such as Player Load (PL) and Metabolic Power (MP). The objectives of this study were: (1) to describe the performance of PL and MP in competition according to the specific role, match-to- match variation, periods of play, game location and match status according to game periods, and (2) to analyze the relationship between both indexes. Twenty-one national-level soccer players were distributed in the following specific positional roles: external defenders (ED) (n = 4), central defenders (CD) (n = 4), midfielders (M) (n = 5), external midfielders (EM) (n = 4) and attackers (A) (n = 4). A total of 12 matches played by a Spanish Third Division team during the 2016/2017 season were analyzed. WIMU PROTM inertial devices (RealTrack System, Almeria, Spain) were used for recording the data. The main results were: (1) a performance reduction in both variables over the course of match time, (2) significant differences in both variables based on the specific position, (3) differences in physical demands during the season matches, (4) winning during a game period and the condition of being the visitor team provoked higher demands, and (5) a high correlation between both variables in soccer. In conclusion, different contextual variables influence the external load demands; both indexes are related so they could be used for external load quantification, and it is necessary to analyze physical demands of the competition for a specific and individualized load design in training sessions.


#6 Combined Small-Sided Game and High-Intensity Interval Training in Soccer Players: The Effect of Exercise Order
Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2019 Oct 18;69:249-257. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2018-0092. eCollection 2019 Oct.
Authors: Rabbani A, Clemente FM, Kargarfard M, Jahangiri S
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6815089/pdf/hukin-69-249.pdf
Summary: The aim of the present study was to compare combined small-sided game (SSG) and high-intensity interval training (HIT) with different order. Twenty-one semi-professional soccer players were divided into two groups: SSG+HIT (n = 10) and HIT+SSG (n = 11), and underwent similar four-week training programs. Players completed the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) before and after the experiment; maximum speed (VIFT) was recorded. During the experiment, seven sessions of SSG (3 vs 3) and HIT (15"-15" with 95-100% VIFT) were implemented. Weekly accumulated training loads for both groups during the experiment were similar. Moderate improvements in VIFT were observed in both SSG+HIT (+6.2%, 90% confidence limits, [CL] 4.6; 7.7 and Effect Size, [ES] +0.96) and HIT+SSG (+6.9%, 90% CL 4.6; 9.3 and ES +0.97) groups. Between-group difference in changes of VIFT was trivial (+0.7%, 90% CL -1.8; 3.3 and ES +0.11). Combining SSG and HIT in different order elicited the same enhancement in high-intensity intermittent performance in soccer players.


#7 Trends of Goal Scoring Patterns in Soccer: A Retrospective Analysis of Five Successive FIFA World Cup Tournaments
Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2019 Oct 18;69:231-238. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2019-0015. eCollection 2019 Oct.
Authors: Kubayi A, Toriola A
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6815073/pdf/hukin-69-231.pdf
Summary: This study analysed the 795 goals scored during a total of 320 matches played in five successive FIFA World Cup tournaments (1998-2014). Data were obtained through YouTube videos and analysed by means of Longomatch software. The variables analysed included the number of goals scored per half (45-min period), per 15-min period, and per 30-min period of extra time, goal scoring zones, goals scored by substitutes, types of goals scored, and goals scored according to the playing position. With regard to 15-min period analysis, most goals were scored between the 76th and 90th minutes (24.7%) of the game in all five World Cup competitions. Chi-square analyses showed no significant (p > 0.05) differences in the frequency of goal scoring patterns per 45-min and 15-min periods in the five World Cup tournaments. Most goals were scored from inside the goal (23.8%) and penalty (14.6%) areas. The greatest number of goals was scored by strikers (54.2%), followed by midfielders (33.3%) and defenders (2.3%). These findings provide practical implications for improving goal-scoring performance in soccer.


#8 Variability of Technical Actions During Small-Sided Games in Young Soccer Players
Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2019 Oct 18;69:201-212. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2019-0013. eCollection 2019 Oct.
Authors: Clemente FM, Sarmento H, Costa IT, Enes AR, Lima R
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6815080/pdf/hukin-69-201.pdf
Summary: The purpose of this study was three-fold: (i) to test the between-sessions variability of 3 vs. 3 and 6 vs. 6 formats in under-11 players, (ii) to assess the within-session variability of 3 vs. 3 and 6 vs. 6 formats, and (iii) to investigate the variations of technical actions between formats. Sixteen soccer players (10.1 ± 0.3 years old) participated in this study. Both formats of play were played twice within an interval of one week to test the between-session variability and the variables of conquered balls (CBs), received balls (RBs), lost balls (LBs), attacking balls/passes (ABs) and shots (Ss) were analyzed using the Performance Assessment in Team Sports instrument in all matches. Moderate variations on the sum of sets during the 3 vs. 3 and 6 vs. 6 formats were observed in all variables. Considering the variations of technical actions made between sets in the 3 vs. 3 format, likely moderate increases were found in set 2 vs. 1 in terms of RB (37.5%, [-2.7;94.2]), and likely small decreases were found in set 3 vs. 2 for the same variable (-18.3%, [-37.8;7.3]). In the 6 vs. 6 format, only possibly small increases were found for set 3 vs. 1 in S (22.5%, [-7.0;61.3]). Generally (sum of sets), the variables standardized per minute revealed almost certain very large decreases in the 6 vs. 6 vs. the 3 vs. 3 format in the variables of CB (-67.9%, [-75.3;-55.9]), LB (-66.0%, [-73.9;-55.7]), RB (-65.6%, [-74.8;- 53.1]) and S (-87.6%, [-93.1;-77.7]). The results of this study suggest that both formats of play are too noisy to be reproducible. The 3 vs. 3 format largely increased the number of individual technical actions.


#9 Analysis of Successful Offensive Play Patterns by the Spanish Soccer Team
Authors: Amatria M, Maneiro R, Anguera MT
Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2019 Oct 18;69:191-200. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2019-0011. eCollection 2019 Oct.
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6815082/pdf/hukin-69-191.pdf
Summary: Victory is the ultimate aim in soccer and therefore when a team wins an elite European or world championship, attempts will invariably be made to emulate the winning team's style of play. In this study, we performed an in-depth analysis of play by the Spanish soccer team during the 2012 UEFA European Championship, where it was crowned champion. Using observational methodology and T-pattern analysis, we identified hidden patterns of play that ended in a goal for the Spanish team. A generalizability coefficient (e2) of 0.986 demonstrated that the offensive patterns detected are robust and highly generalizable. These patterns were formed by technical actions consisting of ball control and pass, with alternations between short and long passes, in the central area of the rival pitch, with use of both wings to achieve width of play and prioritization of width over depth of play. We also found patterns showing that goals and shots at goal were made on a ball delivered from the opposite direction to the shot and were not preceded by a technical action.


#10 Practical Use of the Navigate Pain Application for the Assessment of the Area, Location, and Frequency of the Pain Location in Young Soccer Goalkeepers
Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2019 Oct 18;69:125-135. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2019-0091. eCollection 2019 Oct.
Authors: Muracki J, Kumorek M, Kisilewicz A, Pożarowszczyk B, Larsen DB, Kawczyński A, Boudreau S
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6815074/pdf/hukin-69-125.pdf
Summary: Next to winning, minimizing injuries during training and matches is one of the primary goals of professional team sports games. Soreness and pain can be early indicators and risk factors for acute or long-term injuries. Monitoring pain intensity and duration, as well as potential sources, are useful for planning practices and can be effective means for preventing injury. The aim of this study was to assess the areas and locations of pain in young soccer goalkeepers during a training camp, and to differentiate the area and frequency between pain arising from the muscles (MP), joints (JP), or as a result of an impact (IP). Recordings of the MP, JP, and IP location along with the area were performed using digital body mapping software (Navigate Pain Android app, Aalborg University, Denmark) installed on a tablet personal computer at the end of each training day across a 5-day training camp. There was a significant difference in the area between the three types of pain (p < 0.001). The post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the pixel areas of IP versus JP (p < 0.001), IP versus MP (p < 0.001), and JP versus MP (p < 0.001). There was no significant time-effect for the IP area between 1-5 days of training (p = 0.610), neither for MP (p = 0.118) or JP (p = 0.797) and no significant difference for all three pain areas between the front and the back side of the body. The body regions most often reported for MP were thighs, while for JP they were groin and hips, and for IP the hips, shoulders, and forearms were most frequently indicated. This is the first study to map and report the pain distribution associated with training across a 5-day training camp in soccer goalkeepers, and these findings emphasize the value of using digital pain drawings clinically as well as for monitoring the health status of soccer players.


#11 Relationships between the Expression of the ACTN3 Gene and Explosive Power of Soccer Players
Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2019 Oct 18;69:79-87. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2019-0020. eCollection 2019 Oct.
Authors: Domańska-Senderowska D, Szmigielska P, Snochowska A, Jastrzębski Z, Jegier A, Kiszałkiewicz J, Jastrzębska J, Pastuszak-Lewandoska D, Cięszczyk P, Suchanecka A, Wilk M, Brzeziański M, Brzeziańska-Lasota E
Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6815091/pdf/hukin-69-079.pdf
Summary: Muscle strength and maximal speed are factors determining athlete's results during competition. Their association with ACTN3 gene activity has been documented. The purpose of this study was the analysis of ACTN3 gene expression during a 2 month training cycle of soccer players and its correlation with the countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ). The study group consisted of 22 soccer players (aged 17-18). The study material included peripheral blood lymphocytes. The relative expression (RQ) of the ACTN3 gene was analyzed by qPCR and performed before and after the two-month training cycle. Before the training cycle low expression levels of ACTN3 (median RQ = 0.95) were observed, yet after the training cycle they were elevated (median RQ = 1.98) ( p = 0.003). There was an increase in performance of both jumps: SJ (p = 0.020) and CMJ (p = 0.012) at the end of the training cycle. A simultaneous increase in the ACTN3 gene expression level and height in both jump tests was observed in 73% of athletes (p > 0.05). There were no significant relationships between the ACTN3 gene expression level and the results of the CMJ and SJ. However, explosive strength is a complex feature shaped by many different factors and it could be the reason why we did not observe correlations between these variables.


#12 Correlations between body composition, aerobic capacity, speed and distance covered among professional soccer players during official matches
Reference: J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2019 Oct 24. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.19.09979-1. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Radzimiński Ł, Szwarc A, Padrón-Cabo A, Jastrzębski Z
Summary: The importance of sprinting and high-speed running activities during a soccer match is indisputable. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relations between the players' speed, aerobic capacity, body composition and distance covered in different speed zones during official soccer matches and to compare the match performance variables according to playing position. Twenty-three professional soccer players (age: 27.9 ± 4.58 y, body mass: 78.8 ± 7.35 kg, height: 181.7 ± 6.53 cm) participated in this study. During 13 weeks of the competitive season, players participated in 16 official matches and completed body composition analyses, sprint tests, multistage shuttle run tests (MST), and incremental running tests (IRTs). Significant negative correlations were found between sprint distance and percent of fat mass (FM; r = -0.57, p < 0.0001), MST (r = 0.45, p < 0.001), maximal speed (r = 0.44, p < 0.001). High-speed running (HSR) distance covered by the players during the matches was significantly correlated with FM (r = -0.38, p < 0.001) and MST distance (r = 0.30, p < 0.01). These data indicate that professional soccer players with lower fat content and higher levels of aerobic capacity are able to cover longer distances in sprinting and HSR during official matches.


#13 Knee muscle and tendon stiffness in professional soccer players: a shear-wave elastography study
Reference: J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2019 Oct 24. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.19.09938-9. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Taş S, Özkan Ö, Karaçoban L, Dönmez G, Çetin A, Korkusuz F
Summary: It is well known that several risk factors such as fatigue, previous injury, muscle strength deficit or imbalance are related to a higher incidence of knee injuries in professional soccer players. Knee muscle and tendon stiffness may be another factor that is related to knee injuries in professional soccer players. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the differences between professional soccer players and healthy sedentary males in terms of the stiffness of patellar tendon (PT), quadriceps tendon (QT), and rectus femoris muscle (RF) and vastus medialis muscle (VM). The study group was comprised of 17 professional male soccer players in age range of 24-37 years. The control group was comprised of 22 healthy sedentary males in an age range of 21-36 years. Shear-Wave Velocity (SWV) measurements of the selected muscles and tendons were performed using an ultrasonography device with a lineal probe. The professional soccer players had lower SWV of PT (p=0.024) and QT (p<0.001) in the dominant leg compared to the control group; however, SWV of PT (p=0.455) and QT (p=0.827) in the non-dominant leg were similar in both groups. SWV of RF was higher in both dominant and non-dominant legs in professional soccer players compared to the control group (p<0.05); however, SWV of VM was similar in both groups (p>0.05). Professional soccer players had lower PT and QT stiffness. On the other hand, they had higher RF stiffness compared to sedentary individuals. Furthermore, VM stiffness was similar in both groups.