Latest research in football - week 33 - 2021

#1 Contrasting Learning Psychology Theories Applied to the Teaching-Learning-Training Process of Tactics in Soccer

Reference: Front Psychol. 2021 May 4;12:637085. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.637085. eCollection 2021.

Authors: Grégory Hallé Petiot, Rodrigo Aquino, Davi Correia da Silva, Daniel Vieira Barreira, Markus Raab

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8129189/pdf/fpsyg-12-637085.pdf

Summary: Research in sport pedagogy and its applied recommendations are still characterized by a contrast between the different learning theories from psychology. Traditional theories and their corresponding approaches to the specific case of teaching and learning "how to play [team sports like soccer]" are subject to compatibilities and incompatibilities. We discuss how behaviorism as an approach to teaching the game shows more incompatibilities with the nature of tactical actions when compared to constructivism. As coaches strive to teach the game and make their players and team perform, we argue that teaching the game requires teaching approaches that will help develop their way to play (i.e., tactical behavior) without taking away their autonomy and adaptiveness. The teaching-learning-training process for playing the game should then be conducted to harmonize the characteristics of the contents, the context, and the individual(s) at hand. We provide two illustrated examples and portray how the recommended approaches fit key contents of the game that are observed in the tactical behavior. We finally argue that the coherent design of games provides minimal conditions to teaching approaches, and that such a design should be a priority when elaborating the learning activities along the player development process. As a conclusion, the interactionist theory is the one that best serves the teaching of the game and the development of tactical behavior. We therefore defend that its principles can help coaches tailor their own strategy to teach the game with the many tools.

 

 

#2 Soccer goalkeeper expertise identification based on eye movements

Reference: PLoS One. 2021 May 19;16(5):e0251070. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251070. eCollection 2021.

Authors: Benedikt W Hosp, Florian Schultz, Oliver Höner, Enkelejda Kasneci

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8133470/pdf/pone.0251070.pdf

Summary: By focusing on high experimental control and realistic presentation, the latest research in expertise assessment of soccer players demonstrates the importance of perceptual skills, especially in decision making. Our work captured omnidirectional in-field scenes displayed through virtual reality glasses to 12 expert players (picked by DFB), 10 regional league intermediate players, and13 novice soccer goalkeepers in order to assess the perceptual skills of athletes in an optimized manner. All scenes were shown from the perspective of the same natural goalkeeper and ended after the return pass to that goalkeeper. Based on the gaze behavior of each player, we classified their expertise with common machine learning techniques. Our results show that eye movements contain highly informative features and thus enable a classification of goalkeepers between three stages of expertise, namely elite youth player, regional league player, and novice, at a high accuracy of 78.2%. This research underscores the importance of eye tracking and machine learning in perceptual expertise research and paves the way for perceptual-cognitive diagnosis as well as future training systems.

 

 

#3 Influence of Laboratory Index on match performance. A comparison study to evaluate physical performance in professional soccer players of an Italian Elite Team

Reference: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2021 May;25(9):3444-3452. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202105_25825.

Authors: M Pieri, M A Perrone, A Imbrogno, F Tomassetti, R Colombo, L Leone, S Aguzzetti, S Tecce, G Merra, A Bernardini, G Calugi

Download link: https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/3444-3452.pdf

Summary: It was hypothesized that activity exercise at professional levels could lead to an increase in metabolic levels and a decrease in performance parameters. These trends are explained by physical activity as a cellular stressor. We used an algorithm, Laboratory Index which evaluates salivary cortisol, CK and d-ROMs, collected previously from elite Italian soccer players, compared to InStat Index. The last one estimates analytically the athlete's performance in soccer pitch, applying the Heath Maps. A good agreement between the two Index was obtained, especially for two players, who showed an ideal combined trend. We would investigate the clinical and activity profile of soccer players with the aim of providing information for the development of training strategies. Also, the performances, during training and match time, are an objective evaluation of the athlete's physical preparation. As a consequence, the combination of two Index could be used for a new approach to the sports world.

 

 

#4 Do exercise-based prevention programmes reduce non-contact musculoskeletal injuries in football (soccer)? A systematic review and meta-analysis with 13 355 athletes and more than 1 million exposure hours

Reference: Br J Sports Med . 2021 May 17;bjsports-2020-103683. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-103683.

Authors: Italo Ribeiro Lemes, Rafael Zambelli Pinto, Vitor N Lage, Bárbara A B Roch, Evert Verhagen, Caroline Bolling, Cecilia Ferreira Aquino, Sérgio T Fonseca, Thales R Souza

Download link: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/early/2021/05/16/bjsports-2020-103683.full.pdf

Summary: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effect of exercise-based programmes in the prevention of non-contact musculoskeletal injuries among football players in comparison to a control group. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PEDro and SPORTDiscus databases were searched from the earliest record to January 2021. Studies were eligible if they (1) included football players aged 13 years or older, (2) used exercise-based programmes as intervention, (3) presented the number of non-contact musculoskeletal injuries (ie, defined as any acute sudden onset musculoskeletal injury that occurred without physical contact) and exposure hours for each group, and (4) had a control group (eg, usual training, minimal intervention, education). All types of exercise-based prevention programmes were eligible for inclusion. Risk of bias for each included study and overall quality of evidence for the meta-analysis were assessed. Ten original randomised controlled trials with 13 355 football players and 1 062 711 hours of exposure were selected. Pooled injury risk ratio showed very low-quality evidence that exercise-based prevention programmes reduced the risk of non-contact musculoskeletal injuries by 23% (0.77 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.97)) compared with a control group. Exercise-based prevention programmes may reduce the risk of non-contact musculoskeletal injuries by 23% among football players. Future high-quality trials are still needed to clarify the role of exercise-based programmes in preventing non-contact musculoskeletal injuries among football players.

 

 

#5 When and how do elite soccer players sprint in match play? A longitudinal study in a professional soccer league

Reference: Res Sports Med. 2021 May 17;1-12.  doi: 10.1080/15438627.2021.1929224. Online ahead of print.

Authors: José M Oliva-Lozano, Víctor Fortes, José M Muyor

Summary: The aims of this study were to examine the periods in which the maximum speed actions occurred during elite soccer matches and analyse these actions considering the effect of playing position and different contextual variables. Performance-related variables (VMAX: maximum speed; Vo: starting speed; SPD: sprinting distance; ACCMAX: maximum acceleration; DECMAX: maximum deceleration) and sprint-related contextual variables (trajectory, ball possession, role, field area in which the action occurred) from each maximum speed action were collected. The first 15 minutes of each match half elicited most maximum speed actions (44.6% of cases), regardless of playing position (likelihood ratio, LR=13.95; p=0.95). However, playing position had a significant effect on the role of the action (Chi-Squared, χ2=50.68; p=0.001) and the field area in which the sprint occurred (χ2=26.54; p=0.001). Regarding the effect of different contextual variables on the sprint-related performance variables, no significant effect from any contextual variable on ACCMAX, DECMAX or Vo was found (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, the contextual variables had a significant effect on SPD (from ball possession: sprints without ball > sprints with ball; trajectory: non-linear sprints > linear sprints; role: offensive sprints > defensive sprints) and VMAX (from ball possession: sprints without ball > sprints with ball; playing position: midfielders < other positions).

 

 

#6 A new approach to quantify angles and time of changes-of-direction during soccer matches

Reference: PLoS One. 2021 May 17;16(5):e0251292.  doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251292. eCollection 2021.

Authors: Tomohiro Kai, Shin Hirai, Yuhei Anbe, Yohei Takai

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8128237/pdf/pone.0251292.pdf

Summary: Soccer players frequently perform change-of-directions (CODs) at various speeds during matches. However, tracking systems have shown limitations to measure these efforts. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to propose a new approach to measure CODs using a local positioning system (LPS), and clarify position-related difference in profile of CODs by using the approach. The x- and y-coordinate data for each soccer player were measured with a local positioning system. Speed, acceleration, jerk, and direction of speed were derived from the coordinate data. Based on accelerations of above 2 m/s2, the onsets and ends of CODs derived from jerk were identified (COD duration). Changes of direction of speed (θCOD) were determined for the corresponding period. Six collegiate male soccer players performed CODs according to 13 set angles (0-180°; every 15°) so that differences between θCOD and set angle could be determined (Exp. 1). Relative frequency distributions of θCOD and number of CODs were determined in 79 collegiate and amateur male soccer players during 9 soccer matches (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1, θCOD was positively related to set angle (r = 0.99). Each θCOD was smaller than the corresponding set angle, and the difference became greater with increasing COD angle. In Exp. 2, The number of CODs in a match was 183 ± 39 across all positions. There were no significant position-related differences in the number of CODs. The duration of a COD was 0.89 ± 0.49 s across all positions. The relative frequency distribution of θCOD revealed that the number of CODs at 0-15° and 105-135° tended to be higher than those at other angles during soccer matches. Further, θCOD was affected by the speed at the onset of COD during soccer matches (Exp. 2). The current findings demonstrate that θCOD derived from direction of speed and jerk may be a new indicator for evaluating COD during soccer matches.

 

 

#7 A daytime 40-min nap opportunity after a simulated late evening soccer match reduces the perception of fatigue and improves 5-m shuttle run performance

Reference: Res Sports Med. 2021 May 17;1-14.  doi: 10.1080/15438627.2021.1917400. Online ahead of print.

Authors: Hsen Hsouna, Omar Boukhris, David W Hill, Raouf Abdessalem, Khaled Trabelsi, Achraf Ammar, Khadijah Irandoust, Nizar Souissi, Morteza Taheri, Omar Hammouda, Cain C T Clark, Tarak Driss, Hamdi Chtourou 

Summary: The effect of a 40-min nap opportunity was investigated during the day following a late evening simulated soccer match. Twelve male amateur soccer players (23 ± 3 years; 77.3 ± 5.3 kg; 1.76 ± 0.04 m) performed the Loughborough-intermittent-shuttle test at 21h00 and the following day they completed the sleepiness scale after either a nonap (N0) or 40-min nap (N40) opportunity that began at 14h00. At 17h00, participants performed the 5-m shuttle run test (5mSRT) (6 × 30-s with 35-s in-between; best distance (BD) and total distance (TD) were calculated). After performing the 5mSRT, they provided their rating of the perceived exertion (RPE) and rated their muscle soreness. Sleepiness scores were significantly lower in N40 in comparison with N0 (P < 0.05). A significant increase of TD (+64.5 m) and BD (+9.6 m) after N40 compared to N0 was observed (P < 0.05). The improved performance was associated with reduced levels of muscle soreness and lower RPE. In conclusion, a daytime 40-min nap opportunity after a late evening simulated soccer match improves short-term repetitive maximal performance in soccer players, and has positive effects on perception of sleepiness, muscle soreness, and RPE.

 

 

#8 Reliability of a novel dynamic test of postural stability in high-level soccer players

Reference: Heliyon. 2021 Apr 21;7(4):e06647. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06647. eCollection 2021 Apr.

Authors: Paul E Beelen, Ricardo Okhuijsen, Maarten R Prins, Arnold Huurnink, Tim Hordijk, Christiaan Kruiswijk, Edwin A Goedhart, Peter van der Wurff, Peter A Nolte, Jaap H van Dieën, Idsart Kingma

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8093417/pdf/main.pdf

Summary: Postural stability of athletes is commonly tested with single-leg stance (SLS) tests. However, for this population, these tests are insufficiently challenging to achieve high sensitivity. Therefore, a new dynamic SLS test based on standardized translational surface perturbations was developed. This study aimed to assess reliability, sensitivity to learning effects, and internal and concurrent validity of this novel test. Healthy soccer players (21 females, 21 males) performed 2 test sessions. Each session consisted of 2 trials. For one trial, the participant performed a 30-seconds, unperturbed SLS on each leg, followed by 12 platform perturbations per leg. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) and correlations between outcomes were calculated for the Center of Pressure speed (CoPs) and Time To Stabilization (TTS). ANOVA was used to assess learning effects. CoPs and TTS showed a fair reliability between sessions (ICC = 0.73-0.76). All variables showed improvement over time within and between sessions (all p < 0.01) and were moderately correlated with CoPs during unperturbed SLS (r = 0.39-0.56). Single-leg dynamic postural stability testing through standardized horizontal platform perturbations yielded sufficiently reliable CoPs and TTS outcome measures in soccer players. The moderate correlations with unperturbed SLS support concurrent validity, but also indicates that the new test captures aspects of postural stability that differ from the conventional, unperturbed SLS test.

 

 

#9 Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown on Young Egyptian Soccer Players

Reference: Glob Pediatr Health. 2021 May 8;8:2333794X211012980. doi: 10.1177/2333794X211012980. eCollection 2021.

Authors: May Fouad Nassar, Mohamed Farouk Allam, Mennatallah Osama Shata

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8114258/pdf/10.1177_2333794X211012980.pdf

Summary: The present study was designed to highlight the physical and psychological health hazards that a young Egyptian soccer team faced during the first COVID-19 wave lockdown. The study included 37 young Egyptian male soccer players. History taking and anthropometric measurements were taken. Two questionnaires were filled covering the athletes'` sleep habits and quality of life (QoL). Finally, the mothers were asked to fill in a questionnaire concerned with depression, anxiety, and stress. More than 50% of the enrolled athletes gained weight during the lockdown especially those without compliance to home exercises. The mothers' anxiety score correlated positively with the increased body mass index (BMI) of the athletes. The athletes mean QoL Score worsened significantly and significant negative correlation was found between the increased BMI and the change of QoL. The increased BMI was significantly reported among the athletes who didn't do home exercises and had a negative correlation with their QoL change throughout the lockdown. The mothers' anxiety had a possible reflection on their youngsters' weight gain. These findings highlight the need for weight control when outdoors physical activity is restricted during pandemics with better compliance to home exercising schedules and less screen time.

 

 

#10 Effects of eccentric exercises on improving ankle dorsiflexion in soccer players

Reference: BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021 May 26;22(1):485. doi: 10.1186/s12891-021-04337-y.

Authors: Iris Femmigje Lagas, Duncan E Meuffels, Edwin Visser, Floor P Groot, Max Reijman, Jan A N Verhaar, Robert-Jan de Vos

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8157442/pdf/12891_2021_Article_4337.pdf

Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of targeted eccentric calf muscle exercises compared to regular training on ankle dorsiflexion in healthy adolescent soccer players with a decreased ankle dorsiflexion. Male adolescent players (aged 14-21 years) from two professional soccer clubs were evaluated with the Weight Bearing Dorsiflexion Lunge Test (WBDLT) at baseline and after 12 weeks of this prospective controlled study. One club served as the control group and the other as the intervention group. Players with decreased ankle dorsiflexion (WBDLT) ≤ 10 cm) performed stretching and eccentric calf muscle exercises three times per week next to regular training in the intervention group, and performed only regular training in the control group. Primary outcome was the between-group difference in change in WBDLT between baseline and 12 weeks. Of 107 eligible players, 47(44 %) had a decreased ankle dorsiflexion. The WBDLT (± standard deviation) increased in the intervention group from 7.1 (± 1.8) to 7.4 (± 2.4) cm (95 % Confidence Interval (CI)[-0.493 to 1.108], p = 0.381) and in the control group from 6.1 (± 2.4) to 8.2 (± 2.9) cm (95 % CI [1.313 to 2.659], p < 0.001). The difference in change of WBDLT between both groups was statistically significant (95 % CI [-2.742 to -0.510], p = 0.005). Targeted eccentric calf muscle exercises do not increase ankle dorsiflexion in healthy adolescent soccer players. Compared to regular training, eccentric exercises even resulted in a decreased calf muscle flexibility.

 

 

#11 Altered Knee Laxity and Stiffness in Response to a Soccer Match Simulation in Players Returning to Sport Within 12 Months After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Reference: Am J Sports Med. 2021 May 26;3635465211013020. doi: 10.1177/03635465211013020.

Authors: Stefano Nuccio, Luciana Labanca, Jacopo Emanuele Rocchi, Pier Paolo Mariani, Paola Sbriccoli, Andrea Macaluso

Summary: The acute effects of exercise on anterior knee laxity (AKL) and anterior knee stiffness (AKS) have been documented in healthy participants, but only limited evidence has been provided for athletes cleared to return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). The purpose was to determine if 45 minutes of a soccer match simulation lead to acute changes in AKL and AKS in soccer players returning to sport within 12 months after ACLR. We hypothesized that the reconstructed knee of the ACLR group would exhibit an altered response to sport-specific exercise. A total of 13 soccer players cleared to return to sport after ACLR and 13 healthy control soccer players matched for age, physical activity level, limb dominance, and anthropometric characteristics were recruited. To assess the effects of a standardized soccer match simulation (Soccer Aerobic Field Test [SAFT45]) on AKL and AKS, an arthrometric evaluation was carried out bilaterally before and immediately after SAFT45. To conduct a comprehensive examination of the force-displacement curve, the absolute and side-to-side difference (SSD) values of both AKL and AKS were extracted at 67, 134, and 200 N. The ACLR and control groups showed similar AKL and AKS at baseline (P > .05). In response to SAFT45, laxity increased bilaterally at all force levels by 14% to 17% only in the control group (P < .025). Similarly, AKS at 134 and 200 N decreased in response to SAFT45 only in the control group (10.5% and 20.5%, respectively; P < .025). After SAFT45, the ACLR group had 1.9 and 2.5 times higher SSDs of AKS at 67 and 134 N compared with the control group, respectively (P < .025), as well as a 1.9 times higher SSD of AKS at 134 N compared with baseline (P = .014). Soccer players at the time of return to sport after ACLR showed an altered mechanical response to a sport-specific match simulation consisting of bilaterally unchanged AKL and AKS.

 

 

#12 Effect of the FIFA 11+ soccer specific warm up programme on the incidence of injuries: A cluster-randomised controlled trial

Reference: PLoS One. 2021 May 24;16(5):e0251839.  doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251839. eCollection 2021.

Authors: Assuman Nuhu, Jennifer Jelsma, Kim Dunleavy, Theresa Burgess

Download link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0251839

Summary: Soccer players incur injuries that typically affect their performance. Injuries are caused by intrinsic and extrinsic factors that call for multifactorial preventive interventions. The study examines the impact of the FIFA 11+ warm up programme on the incidence and severity of injuries in second division soccer players in Rwanda. Twelve teams (309 players) were randomised in the intervention group and 12 teams (317 players) in the control group using a cluster randomized controlled trial with teams as the unit of randomization. Intervention group teams implemented the FIFA 11+ soccer specific warm-up programme during training and matches at least three times a week over seven months of the Rwandan soccer season. Control group teams continued with usual warm up exercises. The primary outcome of this study was the overall incidence of training and match injuries. Injuries, training and match exposure as well as severity categories were recorded per the F-MARC guidelines. A lower proportion of players sustained injuries in the intervention group (52%) compared to the control group (63%) (Odd ratio: 0.7; 95%CI: 0.5-0.9). A significantly lower rate ratio was observed in the intervention group for overall (RR = 0.6; 95%CI: 0.5-0.8) and match (RR = 0.6; 95%CI: 0.5-0.8) injuries. Compliance to the injury prevention programme was 77%. In the intervention group, the incidence of injury was similar across all teams and across the medium and highly compliant teams. There was a statistically significant 55% and 71% reduction of the rate of moderate and severe injuries in the intervention group respectively. The 11+ warm up injury prevention programme resulted in a significant reduction in the odds of sustaining injuries. In addition, injuries sustained were less severe. The programme should be rolled out to all teams in Rwanda and may well result in a decrease in the incidence and severity of injury in similar contexts.

 

 

#13 Pre-season in soccer: a paradox between a high volume of technical/tactical training and improvement in the neuromuscular performance of elite women soccer players

Reference: J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2021 May 24. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.21.12427-2. Online ahead of print.

Authors: Ronaldo Kobal, Leonardo Carvalho, Cesar C Abad, Bruno Faust, Marcelo Rossetti, Tiemi Saito, Rafael R Klosterhoff, Eduardo O De Souza, Renato Barroso

Summary: There is a paradox between the development of strength-power abilities and the high volume of technical/tactical training in elite soccer players during the pre-season. This concurrent effect between aerobic and neuromuscular training regimes induce impairment in power performance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of an equalized program of strength-power training (4-5 sessions/week) and soccer training (4-6 sessions/week) in power and aerobic performance during 8-weeks of pre-season in elite women soccer players. Vertical jumps [squat jump (SJ); countermovement jump (CMJ)] and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 test (YOYO-R1) were assessed pre- and post pre-season. A paired sample t-test was used to compare differences between pre and post pre-season (Δ%). The level of significance was established at p ≤ 0.05. The women soccer players improved the SJ (p<0.001; Δ%=12), CMJ (p<0.001; Δ%=8.5), and YOYO-R1 (p<0.001; Δ% =28.5). There was a body recomposition observed, lower body fat (p = 0.004; Δ%=15), higher fat free mass (p = 0.001; Δ%=5). Our results demonstrated that it is possible to develop aerobic and power abilities of elite women soccer players during pre-season using an equalized ratio of soccer training and strength-power training schedules.

 

 

#14 Effects of a Competitive Soccer Match on Jump Performance and Interlimb Asymmetries in Elite Academy Soccer Players

Reference: J Strength Cond Res. 2021 Jun 1;35(6):1707-1714. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002951.

Authors: Tom Bromley, Anthony Turner, Paul Read, Jason Lake, Sean Maloney, Shyam Chavda, Chris Bishop

Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a competitive soccer match on jump performance and interlimb asymmetries over incremental time points during a 72-hour period. Fourteen elite adolescent players from a professional English category 3 academy performed single-leg countermovement jumps pre, post, 24-, 48-, and 72-hour post-match on a single force platform. Eccentric impulse, concentric impulse, peak propulsive force, jump height, peak landing force, and landing impulse were monitored throughout. Interlimb asymmetries were also calculated for each metric as the percentage difference between limbs. Significant negative changes (p < 0.05) in jump performance were noted for all metrics at all time points, with the exception of jump height. Interlimb asymmetries were metric-dependent and showed very large increases, specifically post-match, with a trend to reduce back toward baseline values at the 48-hour time point for propulsive-based metrics. Asymmetries for landing metrics did not peak until the 24-hour time point and again reduced toward baseline at 48-hour time point. This study highlights the importance of monitoring distinct jump metrics, as jump height alone was not sensitive enough to show significant changes in jump performance. However, interlimb asymmetries were sensitive to fatigue with very large increases post-match. More frequent monitoring of asymmetries could enable practitioners to determine whether existing imbalances are also associated with reductions in physical performance or increased injury risk.