Latest research in football - week 29 - 2021

#1 Do hip and groin muscle strength and symptoms change throughout a football season in professional male football players? A prospective cohort study with repeated measures

Reference: J Sci Med Sport. 2021 Apr 10;S1440-2440(21)00083-9.  doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2021.03.019. 

Authors: P van Klij, R Langhout, A M C van Beijsterveldt, J H Stubbe, A Weir, R Agricola, Y Fokker, A B Mosler, J H Waarsing, J Verhaar, I Tak 

Download link: https://www.jsams.org/action/showPdf?pii=S1440-2440%2821%2900083-9

Summary: Groin injuries are common in professional male football and result in significant complaints, time-loss and cost. We aimed to study: 1. Normal values of hip muscle strength and self-reported hip and groin function (Hip And Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS)). 2. Changes in these values throughout the season. 3. If previous (groin) injuries, leg dominance or league were associated with these outcome measures. 313 professional male football players (11 clubs) participated. Player characteristics and previous injuries were registered. Hip muscle strength (hand-held dynamometer) and HAGOS measurements were done at the start, middle and end of the season. Data from 217 players were analysed. Adduction strength (mean±standard deviation, Nm/Kg) was 3.40±0.72 (start), 3.30±0.65 (mid) and 3.39±0.74 (end) (p=0.186). Abduction strength was 3.45±0.67, 3.14±0.57 and 3.28±0.61 (p<0.001). Adduction/abduction ratio was 1.00±0.21, 1.07±0.22 and 1.05±0.23 (p<0.001). Statistically, the HAGOS-subscale 'Pain' (median [interquartile range]) deteriorated slightly during the season (p=0.005), especially from mid-season (97.5 [90.6-100.0]) to end-of-season (95.0 [87.5-100.0]) (p=0.003). Other subscale scores remained unchanged between time points; 85.7 (symptoms), 100.0 (daily living), 96.9 (sports and recreation) 100.0, (physical activities) and 90.0 (quality of life). Previous injuries were associated with lower HAGOS-scores. Dominant legs had higher abduction strength (p<0.001) and lower adduction/abduction ratio (p<0.001). No differences between leagues were found for hip muscle strength and HAGOS-scores. In Dutch male professional football players, hip muscle strength and HAGOS-scores remained relatively stable throughout the season. Pain increased slightly, which while statistically significant, was not clinically relevant.

 

 

#2 Influence of the artificial turf certification on physical performance and muscle damage in football players (QUALTURF PROJECT)

Reference: Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 21;11(1):8625.  doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-88192-w.

Authors: Javier Sanchez-Sanchez, Jose Luis Felipe, Antonio Hernandez-Martin, David Viejo-Romero, Vicente Javier Clemente-Suarez, Leonor Gallardo, Jorge Garcia-Unanue

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8060304/pdf/41598_2021_Article_88192.pdf

Summary: This study aimed to analyse the influence of the FIFA Quality PRO certification of artificial turf pitches on the physical, physiological performance and muscle damage in soccer players. Fifteen healthy male players (21.2 ± 1.4 years; 178.2 ± 4.3 cm; 79.1 ± 8.3 kg) from a university football team were selected to participate in the research. Mechanical properties related to surface-player interaction were assessed on the two surfaces selected for this study. A randomized design was used and the players performed the Ball-sport Endurance and Sprint Test (BEAST90) on the different artificial turf fields. Average time of the 20 m sprints was longer on the FIFA Quality Pro surface than on the non-certified pitch (+ 0.13 s; p < 0.05; CI 95% - 0.01 to 0.27; ES: 0.305). The players' perceived effort was higher in the first (+ 2.64; p < 0.05; CI 95% 0.92 to 4.35; ES: 1.421) and the second half (+ 1.35; p < 0.05; CI 95% - 0.02 to 2.72; ES: 0.637) of the test on the FIFA Quality Pro field. Comparative analysis between surfaces showed no significant differences in the time spent in each of the heart rate zones and higher concentrations of CK (+ 196.58; p > 0.05; CI 95% 66.54 to 326.61; ES: 1.645) were evidenced in the non-certified pitch surface. In response to a simulated match protocol, markers of post-exercise muscle damage may be reduced on accredited artificial turf fields. These insights can provide the opportunity to maximize the efficiency of training sessions and reduce the risk of injury during the season.

 

 

#3 Safety and Effects of Football in Skeletal Metastatic Prostate Cancer: a Subgroup Analysis of the FC Prostate Community Randomised Controlled Trial

Reference: Sports Med Open. 2021 Apr 20;7(1):27.  doi: 10.1186/s40798-021-00318-6.

Authors: Eik Dybboe Bjerre, Sarah Weller, Mads Hvid Poulsen, Søren Sørensen Madsen, Rie Dybboe Bjerre, Peter Busch Østergren, Michael Borre, Klaus Brasso, Julie Midtgaard

Download link: https://sportsmedicine-open.springeropen.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s40798-021-00318-6.pdf

Summary: Skeletal metastatic disease excludes many cancer patients from participating in exercise and physical activity due to safety concerns. Empirical evidence from high-quality trials is warranted to guide clinicians and patients.The aim was to evaluate the safety and potential benefits of high-impact aerobic exercise in patients with prostate cancer with skeletal metastases. Exploratory subgroup analysis of a pragmatic, multicentre, parallel randomised controlled trial. The trial recruited 214 patients from five hospital urological departments in Denmark. Patients with prostate cancer with skeletal metastases (n = 41). Six months of football training twice weekly at a local club or usual care. Both groups received brief information on physical activity recommendations at the time of randomisation. Safety, defined as falls, fractures and hospital admissions were used as outcome measures. Effects were evaluated on the primary outcome (prostate cancer-specific quality of life) and secondary outcomes (lean body mass, fat mass, hip and spine bone mineral density, and general physical and mental health). The original trial comprised 214 participants, 41 of whom had skeletal metastases at enrolment. Of these, 22 were allocated to football and 19 to usual care. The trial retention rate was 95% at 12 weeks and 88% at 6 months. Football participants attended 13 sessions on average at 12 weeks and 23 at 6 months. There were two falls, one in each group after 6 months, and no fractures. There were four unplanned hospital admissions in the study period, all four in the usual care group. Statistically significant between-group difference was observed in the primary outcome change in prostate cancer-specific quality of life at 12 weeks (7.6 points [95% CI 0.5 to 15.0]; P = 0.038). No statistical changes were found in the secondary outcomes. The analysis showed that football training was safe in patients with skeletal metastatic prostate cancer and significantly improved quality of life. Larger analyses and/or trials are warranted to confirm the safety of exercise more broadly in cancer patients with skeletal metastatic disease.

 

 

#4 Physical Activity Levels of Adult Virtual Football Players

Reference: Front Psychol. 2021 Mar 26;12:596434.  doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.596434. eCollection 2021.

Authors: Ana M Pereira, Evert Verhagen, Pedro Figueiredo, André Seabra, António Martins, João Brito

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8044777/pdf/fpsyg-12-596434.pdf

Summary: Esports, including virtual football, are a worldwide phenomenon. Yet, little is known about the physical activity levels of individuals engaged in virtual football game play. Therefore, we aimed to perform a preliminary evaluation of the levels of physical activity, sedentarism, and habits of physical training of adults engaged with virtual football in Portugal. This was a cross-sectional investigation based on a structured online survey using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and a set of questions regarding habits of physical training. The participants (n = 433) reported spending a median of 5,625 MET-min⋅week-1 being physically active. Still, the participants spent 320 min/day sitting, and 150 min/day practicing virtual football. According to the IPAQ scores, high physical activity levels were reported by 84.5% of the participants, and 87.1% were considered physically active considering the WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior. Overall, 60.0% of the participants reported planning their own physical training. Maintaining or improving overall physical health was one of the main reasons for doing physical training (66.7%), with only 6.1% responding being active to improve virtual football performance. Overall, the results showed that virtual football players accomplished the standard recommendations for physical activity, with high levels of physical activity, and encompassing regular physical training focused mostly on health promotion, rather than improved virtual football performance.

 

 

#5 Staying on the ball during COVID-19 pandemic: impact on training modalities in football players

Reference: J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2021 Apr 19.  doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.21.12256-X. Online ahead of print.

Authors: Dominik Schüttler, Wolfgang Hamm, Simone Krammer, Julius Steffen, Eileen Deuster, Michael Lauseker, Florian Egger, Tim Meyer, Stefan Brunner

Summary: COVID-19 pandemic has affected worldwide sports competitions and training in both amateur and professional leagues. We thus aimed to investigate changes in different training modalities in elite and amateur football players following COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020. In this cross-sectional study we applied a Likert scale-based questionnaire with 20 items to quantify and classify time spent at standard training methods in 47 professional and 54 amateur football players from 12 Austrian clubs before and during lockdown.  Additionally, McLean score was calculated to assess perceived training fatigue. Weekly amount of training time at endurance exercises (cycling) increased in both professional (37.5 [IQR 46.5] min/week vs. 187.5 [IQR 127.5] min/week, p<0.001), and amateur players (0.0 [IQR 45.0] min/week vs. 37.5 [IQR 112.5] min/week, p=0.015) during COVID-19 lockdown. Time on diverse muscle strengthening workouts was significantly elevated in both cohorts. Total training time at ball declined for professionals (from 472.5 [IQR 150] min/week to 15.0 [IQR 112.5] min/week, p<0.001) and amateurs (from 337.5 [IQR 285] min/week to 0.0 [IQR 37.5] min/week, p<0.001). Videoguided training was intensified in both groups (p<0.001 each). Location shifted from football fields and gyms to home and outdoors. Overall McLean score remained unchanged in amateurs (p=0.42) while elite players showed a trend towards an increase (p=0.056). COVID-19 lockdown compromised football training, especially training concepts with ball. Consequently, resulting changes in exercise loads and muscular burden might impact susceptibility for injuries and impair performances especially in amateur players, especially as they lacked training supervision and professional training plans. Minimum effective dose of training workload in order to maintain endurance- and neuromuscular-related performance parameters should be prescribed.

 

 

#6 Modulators of Change-of-Direction Economy After Repeated Sprints in Elite Soccer Players

Reference: Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2021 Apr 19;1-7.  doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2020-0740. Online ahead of print.

Authors: Filippo Dolci, Andrew E Kilding, Tania Spiteri, Paola Chivers, Ben Piggott, Andrew Maiorana, Nicolas H Hart

Summary: The purpose was to investigate the acute effect of repeated-sprint activity (RSA) on change-of-direction economy (assessed using shuttle running economy [SRE]) in soccer players and explore neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory characteristics that may modulate this effect. Eleven young elite male soccer players (18.5 [1.4] y old) were tested on 2 different days during a 2-week period in their preseason. On day 1, lower-body stiffness, power and force were assessed via countermovement jumps, followed by an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion to measure maximal aerobic capacity. On day 2, 2 SRE tests were performed before and after a repeated-sprint protocol with heart rate, minute ventilation, and blood lactate measured. Pooled group analysis indicated no significant changes for SRE following RSA due to variability in individual responses, with a potentiation or impairment effect of up to 4.5% evident across soccer players. The SRE responses to RSA were significantly and largely correlated to players' lower-body stiffness (r = .670; P = .024), and moderately (but not significantly) correlated to players' force production (r = -.455; P = .237) and blood lactate after RSA (r = .327; P = .326). In summary, SRE response to RSA in elite male soccer players appears to be highly individual. Higher lower-body stiffness appears as a relevant physical contributor to preserve or improve SRE following RSA.

 

 

#7 Male collegiate soccer athletes with severe ankle laxity display increased knee abduction during side-cutting tasks compared to those with only perceived ankle instability

Reference: Res Sports Med. 2021 Apr 20;1-10.  doi: 10.1080/15438627.2021.1917407. Online ahead of print.

Authors: Shun Kunugi, Takashi Koumura, Ryota Myotsuzono, Akihiko Masunari, Naruto Yoshida, Shumpei Miyakawa, Naoki Mukai

Summary: This study aimed to examine lower limb kinematics during a side-cutting task in male collegiate soccer athletes with severe ankle laxity. Forty-seven participants with a history of ankle sprains and perceived ankle instability were categorized into non-laxity (n = 17), laxity (n = 19), and severe laxity (n = 11) groups using stress radiography tests. Three-dimensional kinematic data during the stance phase of a 45° side-cutting task were analysed. The frontal plane kinematics of the knee significantly differed between the three groups (p < 0.05). The severe laxity group exhibited a greater abduction angle than the non-laxity group (p < 0.05). The horizontal and sagittal plane kinematics of the rearfoot differed between the three groups during the end of the stance phase (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that collegiate soccer athletes with both perceived ankle instability and severe ankle laxity exhibit greater knee abduction movement during a 45° side-cutting task compared to those with only perceived ankle instability.

 

 

#8 Hamstring and Quadriceps Muscle Strength in Youth to Senior Elite Soccer: A Cross-Sectional Study Including 125 Players

Reference: Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2021 Apr 22;1-7.  doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2020-0713. Online ahead of print.

Authors: Lasse Ishøi, Kasper Krommes, Mathias F Nielsen, Kasper B Thornton, Per Hölmich, Per Aagaard, Juan J J Penalver, Kristian Thorborg

Summary: Increasing age, high quadriceps strength, and low hamstring muscle strength are associated with hamstring strain injury in soccer. The authors investigated the age-related variation in maximal hamstring and quadriceps strength in male elite soccer players from under-13 (U-13) to the senior level. A total of 125 elite soccer players were included from a Danish professional soccer club and associated youth academy (first tier; U-13, n = 19; U-14, n = 16; U-15, n = 19; U-17, n = 24; U-19, n = 17; and senior, n = 30). Maximal voluntary isometric force was assessed for the hamstrings at 15° knee joint angle and for the quadriceps at 60° knee joint angle (0° = full extension) using an external-fixated handheld dynamometer. Hamstring-to-quadriceps strength (H:Q) ratio and hamstring and quadriceps maximal voluntary isometric force levels were compared across age groups (U-13 to senior). Senior players showed 18% to 26% lower H:Q ratio compared with all younger age groups (P ≤ .026). Specific H:Q ratios (mean [95% confidence interval]) were as follows: senior, 0.45 (0.42-0.48); U-19, 0.61 (0.55-0.66); U-17, 0.56 (0.51-0.60); U-15, 0.59 (0.54-0.64); U-14, 0.54 (0.50-0.59); and U-13, 0.57 (0.51-0.62). Hamstring strength increased from U-13 to U-19 with a significant drop from U-19 to the senior level (P = .048), whereas quadriceps strength increased gradually from U-13 to senior level. Elite senior soccer players demonstrate lower H:Q ratio compared with youth players, which is driven by lower hamstring strength at the senior level compared with the U-19 level combined with a higher quadriceps strength. This discrepancy in hamstring and quadriceps strength capacity may place senior-level players at increased risk of hamstring muscle strain injuries.

 

 

#9 A case of an injured calcaneus secundarius in a professional soccer player

Reference: BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021 Apr 22;22(1):374.  doi: 10.1186/s12891-021-04246-0.

Authors: Kepka Sabrina, Morel Marc, Garnier Franck, Pietra François, Marjanovic Nicolas, Zeller Pascal, Bilbault Pascal, Kremer Stéphane, Bierry Guillaume 

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8063446/pdf/12891_2021_Article_4246.pdf

Summary: The calcaneus secundarius (CS) is an accessory ossicle of the anterior facet of the calcaneus and is usually asymptomatic. This accessory bone can be frequently mistaken for a fracture of the anterior process of the calcaneus. Few reports of symptomatic CS have been published, and physicians need to be familiar with imaging strategies when encountering chronic ankle pain or in case of suspicion of fracture of the anterior process of the calcaneus. We describe the case of symptomatic CS in a professional soccer player injured during a match. First, computed tomography showed a large CS. Second, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated synchondrosis between the CS and the calcaneus, as well as edema (high MR T2 signal) within it, corresponding to posttraumatic edema. The patient was successfully treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy; no surgical management was necessary. At the 4-week follow-up, he was pain-free and returned to activity. This case illustrates the role of imaging for the diagnosis of CS in cases of acute pain of the foot. CT, as well as MRI, helped to confirm the diagnosis of CS traumatized synchondrosis, which can be mistaken for a fracture.

 

 

#10 Effects of sprint distance and repetition number on energy system contributions in soccer players

Reference: J Exerc Sci Fit. 2021 Jul;19(3):182-188.  doi: 10.1016/j.jesf.2021.03.003. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Authors: Süleyman Ulupınar, Serhat Özbay, Cebrail Gençoğlu, Emerson Franchini, Necip Fazıl Kishalı, İzzet İnce

Summary: This study aims to compare the effect of sprint distance and repetition number on performance, physiological responses, and energy systems contributions. Eighteen male university league soccer players (age: 19.9 ± 1.6 years, height: 177.9 ± 4.7 cm, body mass: 72.4 ± 6.3 kg, percentage body fat: 8.9 ± 1.8, training experience: 7.4 ± 1.6 years) completed two different repeated sprint protocols: 20 × 20 m (20 × 20) and 10 × 40 m (10 × 40) with 15s and 30s rest intervals, respectively. Oxygen uptake (VO2) were measured during the rest, exercise, and recovery phases. Rest and peak blood lactate concentrations were determined. Using VO2 and lactate values, the energy system contributions were calculated using a mono-exponential model and mathematical calculations. Energy systems contributions and total energy expenditure (TEE) were calculated both for the entire protocol (overall) and for the sprints only. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), peak and mean heart rate (HR) responses were significantly higher in the 20 × 20 whereas lactate response was higher in the 10 × 40. TEE was similar between the 10 × 40 (586.3 ± 60.8 kJ) and 20 × 20 (595.6 ± 57.5 kJ). For overall estimations, the 10 × 40 and 20 × 20 presented similar results of oxidative (47.5 ± 5.4 vs 45.7 ± 5.1 kJ min-1) and phosphagen (44.7 ± 5.4 vs (42.9 ± 4.8 kJ min-1) systems contributions whereas glycolytic contribution was higher in the 10 × 40 (15.5 ± 2.2 vs 12.8 ± 2.3 kJ min-1). For sprints only estimation, the phosphagen (257.6 ± 31.5 vs 225.2 ± 28.2 kJ min-1), glycolytic (89.4 ± 13.4 vs 67.3 ± 12.5 kJ min-1), and oxidative (76.9 ± 6.9 vs 72.0 ± 7.9 2 kJ min-1) systems contributions were higher in the 10 × 40. Although HR and RPE responses were higher in the 20 × 20, phosphagen (during sprints) and glycolytic (during both sprints and overall protocol) were higher in the 10 × 40 protocol. Therefore, the 10 × 40 protocol seems more reasonable for developing or evaluating the anaerobic systems.

 

 

#11 A Goal Scoring Probability Model for Shots Based on Synchronized Positional and Event Data in Football (Soccer)

Reference: Front Sports Act Living. 2021 Mar 29;3:624475.  doi: 10.3389/fspor.2021.624475. eCollection 2021.

Authors: Gabriel Anzer, Pascal Bauer

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8056301/pdf/fspor-03-624475.pdf

Summary: Due to the low scoring nature of football (soccer), shots are often used as a proxy to evaluate team and player performances. However, not all shots are created equally and their quality differs significantly depending on the situation. The aim of this study is to objectively quantify the quality of any given shot by introducing a so-called expected goals (xG) model. This model is validated statistically and with professional match analysts. The best performing model uses an extreme gradient boosting algorithm and is based on hand-crafted features from synchronized positional and event data of 105, 627 shots in the German Bundesliga. With a ranked probability score (RPS) of 0.197, it is more accurate than any previously published expected goals model. This approach allows us to assess team and player performances far more accurately than is possible with traditional metrics by focusing on process rather than results.

 

 

#12 Internal, external and repeated-sprint demands in small-sided games: A comparison between bouts and age groups in elite youth soccer players

Reference: PLoS One. 2021 Apr 28;16(4):e0249906.  doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249906. eCollection 2021.

Authors: Richard Hauer, Paul Störchle, Bettina Karsten, Harald Tschan, Arnold Baca

Download link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0249906

Summary: This study investigated the activity profile during small-sided games (SSG) in elite youth soccer players. Internal load (IL) including heart rate (HR) and external load (EL) such as distance covered in different speed-zones (SZ) were collected from forty-eight players of three different teams (U15, U16, U18). The investigation included a total of eighteen 5vs.5 SSGs, each consisting of four 2-minute bouts on a 40x32m pitch during spring season. Total group results (n = 48) showed a reduction in total-distance (p = 0.001; [Formula: see text] = 0.12), high-intensity-running (p = 0.009; [Formula: see text] = 0.09), and low-intensity-running distance (p = 0.028; [Formula: see text] = 0.07) between bouts. Similarly, a reduction in the number of both acceleration-low (p = 0.001; [Formula: see text] = 0.12) and deceleration-high (p = 0.003; [Formula: see text] = 0.11) values was observed. Additionally, time spent in HR-zones 3 and 4 (p≤0.007; [Formula: see text] ≥ 0.10), increased, with a reduction in HR-zone 1 (p = 0.000, [Formula: see text] = 0.25). Age group comparison showed less distance covered in SZ 1 (p≤0.000; [Formula: see text] = 0.56) and greater deceleration-high values (p≤0.038; [Formula: see text] = 0.32) in U15 players compared to other age groups. Further, U15 showed lower values in low-intensity-running compared to U18 (p = 0.038; [Formula: see text] = 0.22). No age-related differences were found for IL and repeated sprint ability (RSA) values. The higher EL in younger age groups should be taken into account when implementing soccer specific SSGs. In addition, HRmean values between 80-85% of HRmax and RSA numbers, which are similar to match-play data, indicate SSGs as an effective training tool to prepare youth soccer athletes for the demands of competition.

 

 

#13 Experience of cold-water immersion on recovery efficiency after soccer match

Reference: Tunis Med. 2021 Feb;99(2):252-258.

Authors: Mostafa Farkhari Babak, Mohammad Mosaferi Ziaaldini, Attarzadeh Hoseini Seyyed Reza

Summary: immersion in cold-water is one of the most common recovery and rehabilitation techniques among athletes. However, several factors such as shocking induced by cold water can affect the effectiveness of this technique. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 4 weeks cold water habituation on the effectiveness of CWI recovery technique on muscle damage and function indices of young soccer players. Twenty young men with no previous experience of CWI participated in this study. Output power and RSADec of subjects were measured. The subjects then performed a simulated soccer test and, after collecting blood samples, were immediately immersed in 15 ° C water for 15 minutes. Twenty-four hours later blood sampling and functional tests were repeated. Subjects then were divided randomly into two groups of exercise with CWI recovery and exercise with passive recovery. After four weeks, the blood sampling and performance tests repeated like the pre-test.

Results: The CWI had no significant effect on serum levels of AST and LDH before and after 4 weeks of CWI (P> 0.05). Also, there was no significant difference in power output and RSADec after CWI before and after cold water habituation (P> 0.05). It seems that the experience of recovering by immersion in cold-water has no effect on the effectiveness of this method. Therefore, soccer coaches and athletes should think more about using this recovery method.

 

 

#14 Intra- and Inter-week Variations of Well-Being Across a Season: A Cohort Study in Elite Youth Male Soccer Players

Reference: Front Psychol. 2021 Apr 9;12:671072.  doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.671072. eCollection 2021.

Authors: Hadi Nobari, Maryam Fani, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Jorge Carlos-Vivas, Jorge Pérez-Gómez, Luca Paolo Ardigò

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8062971/pdf/fpsyg-12-671072.pdf

Summary: This study describes the weekly variations of well-being ratings relative to fatigue (wFatigue), stress (wStress), delayed-onset muscle soreness (wDOMS), sleep quality (wSleep), and Hooper questionnaire (wHQ) throughout the season. In addition, the well-being variables for the playing position in different moments of the season were discussed. Twenty-one elite young soccer players U17 took part in this study. From the beginning of the pre-season, well-being status was monitored daily by the HQ method throughout 36 weeks, including four periods: (1) pre-season, (2) early-season, (3) mid-season, and (4) end-season. Players trained at least 3 times per week throughout the season. The main outcome was that, in weeks 33 and 28, the highest [wFatigue: 15.85 ± 3.38 arbitrary units (AU); wHQ: 48.86 ± 9.23 AU] and the lowest (wFatigue: 5.38 ± 1.88 AU; wHQ: 20.43 ± 5.49 AU) wFatigue and wHQ occurred, respectively, although the lowest level of wDOMS happened in week 28 (4.86 ± 2.15 AU), while the highest wDOMS was observed in week 5 (14.65 ± 4.16 AU). The highest wSleep (13.00 ± 2.12 AU) and wStress (11.65 ± 2.92 AU) were observed in weeks 8 and 34, respectively, while the lowest wSleep (5.81 ± 2.29 AU) and wStress (3.76 ± 0.94 AU) were marked in week 29 coincidentally. In the HQ between every weekday, except recovery day, and the day of the match (MD), considerable highest HQ was only revealed in 2 days after MD in contrast to overall team comparison. In the present study, we observed that the well-being changes between different phases of the season as well as between weeks and days of the week with the MD are significant. These results provide a great point of view for coaches and practitioners about well-being variations over a season in elite youth soccer level. As a result, coaches will be more aware about non-functional overreaching and taking measures to prevent it.

 

 

#15 From the Laboratory to the Field: IMU-Based Shot and Pass Detection in Football Training and Game Scenarios Using Deep Learning

Reference: Sensors (Basel). 2021 Apr 28;21(9):3071.  doi: 10.3390/s21093071.

Authors: Maike Stoeve, Dominik Schuldhaus, Axel Gamp, Constantin Zwick, Bjoern M Eskofier

Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/9/3071/htm

Summary: The applicability of sensor-based human activity recognition in sports has been repeatedly shown for laboratory settings. However, the transferability to real-world scenarios cannot be granted due to limitations on data and evaluation methods. On the example of football shot and pass detection against a null class we explore the influence of those factors for real-world event classification in field sports. For this purpose we compare the performance of an established Support Vector Machine (SVM) for laboratory settings from literature to the performance in three evaluation scenarios gradually evolving from laboratory settings to real-world scenarios. In addition, three different types of neural networks, namely a convolutional neural net (CNN), a long short term memory net (LSTM) and a convolutional LSTM (convLSTM) are compared. Results indicate that the SVM is not able to reliably solve the investigated three-class problem. In contrast, all deep learning models reach high classification scores showing the general feasibility of event detection in real-world sports scenarios using deep learning. The maximum performance with a weighted f1-score of 0.93 was reported by the CNN. The study provides valuable insights for sports assessment under practically relevant conditions. In particular, it shows that (1) the discriminative power of established features needs to be reevaluated when real-world conditions are assessed, (2) the selection of an appropriate dataset and evaluation method are both required to evaluate real-world applicability and (3) deep learning-based methods yield promising results for real-world HAR in sports despite high variations in the execution of activities.

 

 

#16 Differences in Maturity and Anthropometric and Morphological Characteristics among Young Male Basketball and Soccer Players and Non-Players

Reference: Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 8;18(8):3902. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18083902.

Authors: Stefania Toselli, Francesco Campa, Pasqualino Maietta Latessa, Gianpiero Greco, Alberto Loi, Alessia Grigoletto, Luciana Zaccagni 

Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/8/3902/htm

Summary: An aspect that influences sport performance is maturation status, since, within the same chronological age group, boys who have advanced maturation outperform their late maturing peers in tests of muscular strength, power, and endurance. Therefore, the aims of the present study were: (i) to investigate the differences in biological maturation and anthropometric and morphological characteristics among three groups of Italian adolescents, two of which were sportive (practicing basketball and football) and one non-sportive, and (ii) to identify the anthropometric and morphological predictors that best discriminate these three groups. Methods: Sixty-one basketball and 62 soccer players and 68 non-sportive youths were measured (mean age = 13.0 ± 1.1 y). Anthropometric characteristics were taken and body mass index, cormic index, body composition parameters, and somatotype were derived. An estimation of maturity status was carried out considering the years from peak height velocity (PHV). Two-way 3 × 3 ANOVAs was performed on all anthropometric characteristics to test the differences within sport groups and maturity status groups. Discriminant function analysis (stepwise criteria) was then applied to anthropometric and body composition variables to classify subjects into the three different sport categories. Results: Differences in anthropometric characteristics were detected among the three groups. For somatotype, differences among all of the considered groups were higher for endomorphy (p < 0.001; effect size = 0.13). Biological maturity influences the differences in the anthropometric characteristics and body composition among subjects of the same chronological age during adolescence. The variables that best discriminated the three groups were represented by body composition parameters, body proportions, and body build. Conclusions: This study confirms that boys who practice sport present healthier body composition parameters, with lower level of fat parameters. The assessment of maturity status is a fundamental factor in explaining anthropometric and body composition differences among peers in this period. Its comprehension may assist coaches and technical staff in optimizing competitive efficiency and monitoring the success of training regimes.