Latest research in football - week 39 - 2021

#1 Lower-Limb Muscle Strength, Anterior-Posterior and Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Professional, Elite Academy and Amateur Soccer Players

Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2021 Jan 30;77:135-146.  doi: 10.2478/hukin-2020-0058. eCollection 2021 Jan.

Authors: Marco Beato 1, Damien Young 2, Adam Stiff 1, Giuseppe Coratella 3

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8008310/pdf/hukin-77-135.pdf

Summary: Given the importance of the lower-limb strength and strength balance in soccer players and its relationship with injury prevention and performance, the present study compared quadriceps and hamstrings strength, the conventional (Hconc:Qconc), functional (Hecc:Qconc) hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio and inter-limb strength asymmetry in professional, elite academy and amateur male soccer players. In this cross-sectional study, two hundred-six soccer players (professional = 75, elite academy = 68, amateurs = 63) volunteered to participate. Quadriceps and hamstrings isokinetic peak torque was investigated at 60° .s-1 in both the concentric and eccentric modality and at 300°.s-1 in the concentric modality. The conventional Hconc:Qconc, functional Hecc:Qconc ratio and quadriceps and hamstrings inter-limb strength asymmetry were then calculated. Professional players presented greater quadriceps and hamstrings strength than elite academy (effect size from small to moderate) and amateur players (moderate to very large). Both the conventional Hconc:Qconc and functional Hecc:Qconc ratio were greater in professional than elite academy and amateur players (small to moderate). Overall, quadriceps and hamstrings inter-limb strength asymmetry was greater in amateurs than professional (small to very large) and elite academy (trivial to large) players. The present findings provide coaches and medical staffs with normative lower-limb muscle strength data on professional, academy and amateur soccer players. Overall lower-limb muscle strength and inter-limb strength asymmetry could be used to evaluate possible inference on injury prevention and performance. The hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio poorly differentiates between the soccer players background and offers limited prediction for injury prevention and performance.

 

 

#2 Heading in Soccer: Does Kinematics of the Head-Neck-Torso Alignment Influence Head Acceleration?

Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2021 Jan 30;77:71-80. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2021-0012. eCollection 2021 Jan.

Authors: Stephan Becker, Joshua Berger, Oliver Ludwig, Daniel Günther, Jens Kelm, Michael Fröhlich

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8008297/pdf/hukin-77-071.pdf

Summary: There is little scientific evidence regarding the cumulative effect of purposeful heading. The head-neck-torso alignment is considered to be of great importance when it comes to minimizing potential risks when heading. Therefore, this study determined the relationship between head-neck-torso alignment (cervical spine, head, thoracic spine) and the acceleration of the head, the relationship between head acceleration and maximum ball speed after head impact and differences between head accelerations throughout different heading approaches (standing, jumping, running). A total of 60 male soccer players (18.9 ± 4.0 years, 177.6 ± 14.9 cm, 73.1 ± 8.6 kg) participated in the study. Head accelerations were measured by a telemetric Noraxon DTS 3D Sensor, whereas angles for the head-neck-torso alignment and ball speed were analyzed with a Qualisys Track Manager program. No relationship at all was found for the standing, jumping and running approaches. Concerning the relationship between head acceleration and maximum ball speed after head impact only for the standing header a significant result was calculated (p = 0.024, R2 = .085). A significant difference in head acceleration (p < .001) was identified between standing, jumping and running headers. To sum up, the relationship between head acceleration and head-neck-torso alignment is more complex than initially assumed and could not be proven in this study. Furthermore first data were generated to check whether the acceleration of the head is a predictor for the resulting maximum ball speed after head impact, but further investigations have to follow. Lastly, we confirmed the results that the head acceleration differs with the approach.

 

 

#3 A New Foot-Mounted Inertial Measurement System in Soccer: Reliability and Comparison to Global Positioning Systems for Velocity Measurements During Team Sport Actions

Reference: J Hum Kinet. 2021 Jan 30;77:37-50. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2021-0010. eCollection 2021 Jan.

Authors: Mark Waldron, Jamie Harding, Steve Barrett, Adrian Gray

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8008313/pdf/hukin-77-037.pdf

Summary: The aims of this study were to i) compare a foot-mounted inertial system (PlayerMaker™) to three commercially available Global Positioning Systems (GPS) for measurement of velocity-based metrics during team sport movements and ii) evaluate the inter-unit reliability of the PlayerMaker™. Twelve soccer players completed a soccer simulation, whilst wearing a PlayerMaker™ and three GPS (GPS#1, #2 and #3). A sub-sample (n = 7) also wore two PlayerMaker™ systems concurrently. The PlayerMaker™ measured higher (p < 0.05) total distance (518 ± 15 m) compared to GPS#1 (488 ± 15 m), GPS#2 (486 ± 15 m), and GPS#3 (501 ± 14 m). This was explained by greater (p < 0.05) distances in the 1.5-3.5 m/s zone (356 ± 24 m vs. 326 ± 26 m vs. 324 ± 18 m vs. 335 ± 24 m) and the 3.51-5.5 m/s zone (64 ± 18 m vs. 35 ± 5 vs. 43 ± 8 m vs. 41 ± 8 m) between the PlayerMaker™, GPS#1, GPS#2 and GPS#3, respectively. The PlayerMaker™ recorded higher (p < 0.05) distances while changing speed. There were no systematic differences (p > 0.05) between the two PlayerMaker™ systems. The PlayerMaker™ is reliable and records higher velocity and distances compared to GPS.

 

 

#4 Regular football training down-regulates miR-1303 muscle expression in veterans

Reference: Eur J Appl Physiol. 2021 Jul 1. doi: 10.1007/s00421-021-04733-1. Online ahead of print.

Authors: A Mancini, D Vitucci, F M Orlandella, A Terracciano, R M Mariniello, E Imperlini, E Grazioli, S Orrù, P Krustrup, G Salvatore, P Buono

Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00421-021-04733-1.pdf

Summary: Regular exercise affects the expression of several genes, proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) in time- and intensity-dependent manner promoting longevity. We previously identified from GeneChip Array analysis several differentially expressed genes and miRNAs in muscle from veteran football players (VPG) compared to active untrained elderly subjects (CG); here we focussed on miRNA-1303 (miR-1303). The aims of the present research were: to analyse the effects of football training on the expression of miR-1303 and to identify its putative target involved in the longevity pathways in skeletal muscle from VPG compared to CG. RNA samples from 12 VPG and 12 CG muscle biopsies were used to validate miR-1303 expression. Crossing four different bioinformatic algorithms, we identified 16 putative targets of miR-1303; from these, BAG-2, KLHL7 and KBTBD6 were chosen for further validation by Western blot analysis in LHCN-M2 human myoblasts transiently transfected with miR-1303. Football training down-regulates miR-1303 expression in muscle from VPG compared to CG and the expression of BAG-2, a chaperon protein involved in the autophagy pathway, inversely correlated to overexpression of miR-1303 in a time-dependent manner, indicating that it is a miR-1303 potential target. This is the first report, to our knowledge, describing miR-1303 regulation in skeletal muscle by football training and the identification of a target protein, BAG-2, involved in the autophagy pathway. This result contributes to the enlargement of knowledge on the molecular mechanisms linking football training, autophagy and longevity.

 

 

#5 Effect of Resisted Sprint and Plyometric Training on Lower Limb Functional Performance in Collegiate Male Football Players: A Randomised Control Trial

Reference: Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jun 22;18(13):6702. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18136702.

Authors: Shahnaz Hasan, Gokulakannan Kandasamy, Danah Alyahya, Asma Alonazi, Azfar Jamal, Radhakrishnan Unnikrishnan, Hariraja Muthusamy, Amir Iqbal

Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/13/6702/htm

Summary: The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the short-term effects of resisted sprint and plyometric training on sprint performance together with lower limb physiological and functional performance in collegiate football players. Ninety collegiate football players participated in this three-arm, parallel group randomized controlled trial study. Participants were randomly divided into a control group and two experimental groups: resisted sprint training (RST) (n = 30), plyometric training (PT) (n = 30), and a control group (n = 30). Participants received their respective training program for six weeks on alternate days. The primary outcome measures were a knee extensor strength test (measured by an ISOMOVE dynamometer), a sprint test and a single leg triple hop test. Measurements were taken at baseline and after 6 weeks post-training. Participants, caregivers, and those assigning the outcomes were blinded to the group assignment. A mixed design analysis of variance was used to compare between groups, within-group and the interaction between time and group. A within-group analysis revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) when compared to the baseline with the 6 weeks post-intervention scores for all the outcomes including STN (RST: d = 1.63; PT: d = 2.38; Control: d = 2.26), ST (RST: d = 1.21; PT: d = 1.36; Control: d = 0.38), and SLTHT (RST: d = 0.76; PT: d = 0.61; Control: d = 0.18). A sub-group analysis demonstrated an increase in strength in the plyometric training group (95% CI 14.73 to 15.09, p = 0.00), an increase in the single leg triple hop test in the resisted sprint training group (95% CI 516.41 to 538.4, p = 0.05), and the sprint test was also improved in both experimental groups (95% CI 8.54 to 8.82, p = 0.00). Our findings suggest that, during a short-term training period, RST or PT training are equally capable of enhancing the neuromechanical capacities of collegiate football players. No adverse events were reported by the participants.

 

 

#6 Relationship between Posture and Non-Contact Lower Limb Injury in Young Male Amateur Football Players: A Prospective Cohort Study

Reference: Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jun 14;18(12):6424. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18126424.

Authors: Suzanne J Snodgrass, Kathleen E Ryan, Andrew Miller, Daphne James, Robin Callister

Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/12/6424/htm

Summary: Posture, a potentially modifiable injury risk factor, is considered important in injury screening/prevention in athletes, yet few studies investigate relationships between posture and injury. This prospective cohort study investigated whether static posture is associated with lower limb injury risk in male football players (n = 263). Nine aspects of static standing posture (left and right rearfoot, knee interspace, lateral knee, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, scoliosis S and C, forward head) were assessed from photographs during the pre-season using the modified Watson and Mac Donncha scale, which was dichotomised for analysis (deviated or normal). Player characteristics (age, height, mass, body mass index, competition level), match/training exposure, and previous and in-season non-contact lower limb injuries were recorded. Binary logistic regression investigated relationships between posture and injury (previous and in-season). Eighty previous and 24 in-season lower limb injuries were recorded. Previous injury was not associated with any postural variable. In-season injury was associated with previous injury (OR = 3.04, 95% CI 1.20-7.68, p = 0.02) and having a normal thoracic curve compared to kyphosis (OR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.15-1.00, p = 0.05) but no other postural variables. Static postural deviations observed in male football players in the pre-season are not typically associated with non-contact lower limb injury risk; thus, they are unlikely to add value to pre-season screening programs.

 

 

#7 Sustainability in the football industry: An approach to the gap between theoretical formulation and practical application, through the results of the social fair play project

Reference: Heliyon. 2021 Jun 16;7(6):e07318. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07318. eCollection 2021 Jun.

Authors: Roberto Fernández-Villarino

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8237602/pdf/main.pdf

Summary: This paper discusses the first experiences and results of a project titled Social Fair Play (SFP), whose objective is to install the principles of sustainability and social responsibility (SR) at the core of Spanish professional football. The project was implemented in clubs and foundations belonging to some of the categories of the Spanish National Professional Football League (LaLiga). Generally speaking, the football industry, despite its strong economic and social impact, has entered the debate on strategic management in SR late. This study's interest lies in determining whether these first results and evidences can contribute to the debate, reflected in the specialised literature, around the gap between the theoretical formulation and the practical application of SR and sustainability principles. A second source of interest is the question of whether, on the basis of this experience, a system of social performance measures can be developed for the whole industry which would enable us to compare results and ease their communication, along the lines of other economic sectors, taking as a model internationally recognised standards such as the GRI.

 

 

#8 Danger zone assessment in small-sided recreational football: providing data for consideration in relation to COVID-19 transmission

Reference: BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2021 Jan 11;7(1):e000911. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000911. eCollection 2021.

Authors: Morten B Randers, Nikolas Sten Knudsen, Manuel Mounir Demetry Thomasen, Jeppe Panduro, Malte Nejst Larsen, Magni Mohr, Zoran Milanovic, Peter Krustrup, Thomas Bull Andersen

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7802394/pdf/bmjsem-2020-000911.pdf

Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, physical inactivity has increased, and a wide range of sporting activities locked down, with possible long-term implications for public health. Football is the most popular sport worldwide, and recreational football training leads to broad-spectrum health effects. Football is, however, deemed a contact sport with frequent close contact important to consider during COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated time spent with close contact (danger zone (DZ) within 1.5 m), number of contacts and time per contact, and compared game formats in recreational small-sided football games for young and adult male football players. Movement analyses were performed on 10 Hz Global Positioning System (GPS) data collected during various small-sided football games prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. Time spent in the DZ was 4.3-7.9 s/h per per cent infected players, corresponding to 34.3-114.8 s/h if one player was infected. Number of contacts with one infected player was 23.5-87.7 per hour, with an average contact time of 1.1-1.4 s, and a total number of contacts of 311-691 per hour with all players. 53%-65% of all contacts were shorter than 1 s and 77%-85% shorter than 2 s. Trivial to small effects were found for number of participants and area per player, whereas standard of play and playing with/without boards had no effect. This study demonstrated that during small-sided football limited time is spent within DZ and that player contacts are brief. Recreational football may therefore more appropriately be deemed as sporting activity with brief, sporadic contact.

 

 

#9 Physical workload and fatigue pattern characterization in a top-class women's football national team. A case study of the 2019 fifa women's world cup

Reference: J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2021 Jun 29. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.21.12811-7. Online ahead of print.

Authors: Farzad Yousefian, Hannah Hüttemann, Mats Borjesson, Pontus Ekblom, Magni Mohr, Dan Fransson

Summary: With the growing scientific interest in women's football it is critical to understand the match demands and fatigue patterns during a top-class women's competition. Physical characteristics and performance of top-class women football matches during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup was investigated from data collected using global positioning system for 21 outfield players during the tournament. Relative total distance (TD; mˑmin-1) was moderately lower (p≤0.05, ES:0.6) in the final match (96.1 ± 5.0 mˑmin-1) compared to the first (104.1±5.9 mˑmin-1) match. Performance in relative total high-speed running (THSR; mˑmin-1) declined -27.5% (p≥0.05) throughout the tournament following peak performance in M3 (5.3±1.7 mˑmin-1). Match performance between halves was reduced -25.4±0.13% (p≤0.05, ES:1.2-2.3) across all measures in M3. Relative high-intensity running (HIR; 25.9±3.5 mˑmin-1) and THSR (9.8±1.5 mˑmin-1) were greater (p≤0.05, ES:0.2-0.7) for forwards, while midfielders performed greater (p≤0.05, ES:0.6) relative total distance (102.0 ± 5.5 mˑmin-1), compared to central defenders (HIR: 16.1±3.7 mˑmin-1; THSR: 3.1±1.6 mˑmin-1; TD: 92.5±5.7 mˑmin-1). Reductions in relative HIR between halves (-10.9%), within the first half (-31.0%), and the start and end of the match (-36.9%) were most pronounced for midfielders (p≤0.05, ES:0.6-2.3). Across all matches, relative THSR performance was reduced, with moderate to large differences (p≤0.001, ES: 0.7-0.8) observed between halves, within the first half, and throughout the match. In conclusion, specific fatigue patterns observed within and between matches throughout the women's World Cup, may be influenced by playing positions, the rank of the opposition, as well as the stage of the tournament.

 

 

#10 Summated Training and Match Load Predictors of Salivary Immunoglobulin-A, Alpha-Amylase, Testosterone, Cortisol and T:C Profile Changes in Elite-Level Professional Football Players: A Longitudinal Analysis

Reference: Eur J Sport Sci. 2021 Jun 28;1-30.  doi: 10.1080/17461391.2021.1949638. Online ahead of print.

Authors: Matthew Springham, Sean Williams, Mark Waldron, Chris Mclellan, Robert U Newton

Summary: We examined how summated training and match load measures relate to salivary immunological and hormonal profile changes in professional football players. Data were collected from 18 elite-level professional male football players from one English Championship team across a complete 40 wk competitive season. Daily training (micro-technology) and match (computerised tracking) measures of total, high-speed and high-metabolic load running distance and sprint, acceleration, deceleration and sRPE load were converted into exponentially weighted moving average 'acute' (7d), 'chronic' (28d) and acute:chronic composite load measures. Bi-weekly morning saliva samples were analysed for immunoglobulin-A, alpha-amylase, testosterone, cortisol and testosterone:cortisol. A two-stage data reduction technique using partial least squares modelling and a backward stepwise selection procedure determined the most parsimonious model for each salivary variable. Testosterone had non-linear relationships with chronic total (P=0.015; Cohen's D: large), high-metabolic load (P=0.001;small) and high-speed (P=0.001;trivial) running distance and linear relationships with chronic sRPE (P=0.002;moderatei) and acute:chronic high-speed running distance (P=0.001; trivialh). Cortisol had a non-linear relationship with chronic high-speed running distance (P=0.001;trivial). Testosterone:cortisol had non-linear relationships with chronic decelerations (P=0.039;small) and chronic summated acceleration and deceleration load (P=0.039;small). Non-linear relationships typically indicated optimal hormonal responses at squad mean loads. No load variables clearly related to salivary immunoglobulin-A or alpha-amylase changes. We conclude that chronic total and high-intensity load measures relate to hormonal changes and might be useful indicators of player readiness. Acute load variables were not related to immunological or hormonal changes and consequently, should not be used as surrogate measures of player readiness in isolation.

 

 

#11 Time to Be Negative About Acceleration: A Spotlight on Female Football Players

Reference: J Strength Cond Res. 2021 Jun 28. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004061. Online ahead of print.

Authors: Jesse Griffin, Sean Horan, Justin Keogh, Melissa Andreatta, Clare Minahan

Summary: Women's football requires players to perform frequent changes in velocity (i.e., speed and direction) for successful performance. Although increases in velocity ("acceleration") are important, decreases in velocity ("deceleration") should also be considered equally important to performance and load monitoring. Currently, there is a disproportionate focus on acceleration and creating faster players. The aim of this review is to provide an understanding of deceleration for female football players. Given the limited research in this area, data from studies involving male football players and from other team-sport athletes were used to supplement the review where necessary. Most research focused on eccentric strength and its relationship with deceleration ability, highlighting the importance of slow eccentric strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings to deceleration. Technical and kinematic characteristics of deceleration were also investigated. Importantly, with deceleration being a unilateral motor skill, development requires similar amounts of training for both legs. Imbalances between legs in skill and strength characteristics may compromise performance or increase the risk of injury. Given the dependent nature of deceleration, several contextual factors were identified as important when considering deceleration as a part of training programs and performance. Deceleration is affected by the following factors: an athlete's momentum, the approach speed, change of direction angle, time or distance, anticipated or unanticipated task, fatigue, and the positional requirements of female football players. Further research is needed into deceleration and the physical characteristics associated with deceleration performance, particularly for female football players.

 

 

#12 Muscle metabolism and impaired sprint performance in an elite women's football game

Reference: Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2021 Jun 25. doi: 10.1111/sms.13970. Online ahead of print.

Authors: Peter Krustrup, Magni Mohr, Lars Nybo, Dimitrios Draganidis, Morten B Randers, Georgios Ermidis, Christina Ørntoft, Line Røddik, Dimitrios Batsilas, Athanasios Poulios, Niels Ørtenblad, Georgios Loules, Charikleia K Deli, Alexios Batrakoulis, Jakob L Nielsen, Athanasios Z Jamurtas, Ioannis G Fatouros

Summary: The present study examined skeletal muscle metabolism and changes in repeated sprint performance during match play for n = 20 competitive elite women outfield players. We obtained musculus vastus lateralis biopsies and blood samples before, after, and following intense periods in each half of a friendly match, along with 5 × 30-meter sprint tests and movement pattern analyses (10-Hz S5 Global Positioning System [GPS]). Muscle glycogen decreased by 39% and 42% after an intense period of the second half and after the match, respectively, compared to baseline (p < 0.05). Post-match, 80% type I fibers and 69% type II fibers were almost empty or completely empty of glycogen. Muscle lactate was higher (p < 0.05) after the intense period of the first half and post-match compared to baseline (14.3 ± 4.6 (±SEM) and 12.9 ± 5.7 vs. 6.4 ± 3.7 mmol/kg d.w.). Muscle phosphocreatine was reduced (p < 0.05) by 16% and 12%, respectively, after an intense period in the first and second half compared to baseline. Blood lactate and glucose increased during the match and peaked at 8.4 ± 2.0 and 7.9 ± 1.2 mmol/L, respectively. Mean 5 × 30 m sprint time declined by 3.2 ± 1.7 and 7.0 ± 2.1% after the first and second half, respectively, and 4.7 ± 1.6% (p < 0.05) after an intense period in the first half compared to baseline. In conclusion, match play in elite female football players resulted in marked glycogen depletion in both fiber types, which may explain fatigue at the end of a match. Repeated sprint ability was impaired after intense periods in the first half and after both halves, which may be associated with the observed muscle metabolite perturbations.

 

 

#13 Relationship between age, category and experience with the soccer referee's self-efficacy

Reference: PeerJ. 2021 Jun 10;9:e11472. doi: 10.7717/peerj.11472. eCollection 2021.

Authors: José López Aguilar, Alfonso Castillo-Rodriguez, José L Chinchilla-Minguet, Wanesa Onetti-Onetti

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8199919/pdf/peerj-09-11472.pdf

Summary: Soccer referees (SRs) encounter stressful situations during competitions and sometimes even outside them, which may affect their decision making. Therefore, it is important that they possess or acquire optimal levels of self-efficacy, since it is related to less stress during competition, also guaranteeing sports performance and prevent sports abandonment. The objectives of this study were to characterize the profile, in terms of self-efficacy, of SRs depending on their category, age, and experience and to determine the relationship of these factors on SR self-efficacy. Two-hundred fifty-six Spanish referees participated in this study and Referee Self-Efficacy Scale was administered and completed. The results indicated that the SRs older than 25 years, of national category, and with experience greater than or equal to 8 years, have higher levels of self-efficacy than those with the least (p < .01). Likewise, moderate positive correlations were also observed between global self-efficacy and the category, age, and experience of the SRs. In conclusion, age, category and experience factors relate the self-efficacy of the SR, which can explain up to 17% of the variance, affecting decision-making and other decisive behaviors in the competition. These findings are of interest to delegations and referee committees seeking to implement psychological intervention programs to prevent burnout and abandonment of sports practice due to the consequences of low self-efficacy.

 

 

#14 Association Between Mental Imagery and Change of Direction Performance in Young Elite Soccer Players of Different Maturity Status

Reference: Front Psychol. 2021 Jun 10;12:665508. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.665508. eCollection 2021.

Authors: Dorsaf Sariati, Hassane Zouhal, Raouf Hammami, Cain C T Clark, Ammar Nebigh, Mokhtar Chtara, Anthony C Hackney, Nizar Souissi, Urs Granacher, Omar Ben Ounis

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8222513/pdf/fpsyg-12-665508.pdf

Summary: Previous studies have not considered the potential influence of maturity status on the relationship between mental imagery and change of direction (CoD) speed in youth soccer. Accordingly, this cross-sectional study examined the association between mental imagery and CoD performance in young elite soccer players of different maturity status. Forty young male soccer players, aged 10-17 years, were assigned into two groups according to their predicted age at peak height velocity (PHV) (Pre-PHV; n = 20 and Post-PHV; n = 20). Participants were evaluated on soccer-specific tests of CoD with (CoDBall-15m) and without (CoD-15m) the ball. Participants completed the movement imagery questionnaire (MIQ) with the three- dimensional structure, internal visual imagery (IVI), external visual imagery (EVI), as well as kinesthetic imagery (KI). The Post-PHV players achieved significantly better results than Pre-PHV in EVI (ES = 1.58, large; p < 0.001), CoD-15m (ES = 2.09, very large; p < 0.001) and CoDBall-15m (ES = 1.60, large; p < 0.001). Correlations were significantly different between maturity groups, where, for the pre-PHV group, a negative very large correlation was observed between CoDBall-15m and KI (r = -0.73, p = 0.001). For the post-PHV group, large negative correlations were observed between CoD-15m and IVI (r = -0.55, p = 0.011), EVI (r = -062, p = 0.003), and KI (r = -0.52, p = 0.020). A large negative correlation of CoDBall-15m with EVI (r = -0.55, p = 0.012) and very large correlation with KI (r = -0.79, p = 0.001) were also observed. This study provides evidence of the theoretical and practical use for the CoD tasks stimulus with imagery. We recommend that sport psychology specialists, coaches, and athletes integrated imagery for CoD tasks in pre-pubertal soccer players to further improve CoD related performance.

 

 

#15 Monitoring Elite Soccer Players Physical Performance Using Real-Time Data Generated by Electronic Performance and Tracking Systems

Reference: J Strength Cond Res. 2021 Jun 28. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004082. Online ahead of print.

Authors: José M Oliva-Lozano, Isabel Martín-Fuentes, Paulino Granero-Gil, José M Muyor

Summary: The aims of this technical report were to analyze the validity of real-time data collected by electronic performance and tracking systems (EPTS) and investigate the effect of varying real-time receiver's position on the real-time data collected. Physical performance data were collected from professional soccer players using EPTS. In addition, 3 real-time receivers, which were placed in different positions (i.e., central area of the stadium stands and right and left technical areas), were used to collect real-time data. The real-time data collected by each receiver were visualized on SVivo and compared with the data downloaded directly from the device on SPro. The results showed no statistically significant differences between the data collected by the real-time receivers compared with postsession data in any variable (p > 0.05), except for total distance and high-speed running distance covered, which showed significant differences but trivial effect size (p < 0.05; d = 0.01). The coefficient of determination (R2) and intraclass correlation coefficient were greater than 0.97 and 0.99, respectively. Regarding the analysis of varying the receiver's position on the real-time data collected, the results showed that there was no significant effect of the receiver's position on any variable (p > 0.05). Therefore, valid physical performance data may be obtained by real-time tracking systems such as SVivo, regardless of the position of the real-time receivers and distance to the players. Specifically, high-intensity running actions, distances covered at low and high speed, and accelerometer-derived variables such as player load may be accurately tracked by this real-time tracking software.

 

 

#16 Collective efficacy in soccer teams: a systematic review

Reference: Psicol Reflex Crit. 2021 Jun 26;34(1):18. doi: 10.1186/s41155-021-00183-y.

Authors: Mylena Aparecida Rodrigues Alves, Marcus Vinicius de Souza Lencina, Mayara Juliana Paes, Joice Mara Facco Stefanello

Summary: Collective efficacy, defined as a group's shared belief about its conjoint capability to organize and execute courses of action, plays a pivotal role in understanding the dynamics of sports teams, since it influences what individuals choose to do as team members, how much they invest in motivational terms to perform actions, how much they work collectively, and for how long they persist despite failure. Through a systematic review, it was investigated how collective efficacy has been assessed in the context of soccer and which indicators, attributes, and psychometric properties have been contemplated in the instruments used. Following the PRISMA guidelines, 22 articles were retrieved through electronic databases (APA PsycINFO; SPORTDiscus; Science Direct; BVS; Web of Science; Scopus; PubMed; and Scielo), using as descriptors, in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, collective efficacy and soccer, combined by the Boolean operators AND and OR. The study did not delimit the initial year of publication for the searches carried out, including all articles found until January 14, 2021 (date of the last update). The following eligibility criteria were adopted: scientific articles published in journals; original studies, which specified the instrument used to assess collective efficacy and carried out with soccer athletes. Five instruments (FCEQ, CEQS, CEI, CEC, and CEQsoccer) that evaluated technical-tactical and psychological attributes associated with collective efficacy in soccer players were identified. In most studies, psychometric properties were restricted to content validity and reliability (internal consistency), and there were no suitable validation processes for the instruments used to measure collective efficacy, which can be considered a limiting factor for understanding this psychological construct in soccer modality.

 

 

#17 Step techniques for backward and sideward sprint starts used by high-level male soccer players

Reference: Heliyon. 2021 Jun 18;7(6):e07333. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07333. eCollection 2021 Jun.

Authors: Takahiko Sato, Yusuke Fukuhara, Tadao Isaka

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8239737/pdf/main.pdf

Summary: From standing in a parallel stance, two common techniques for sprint starts are forward and false steps. In the forward step technique, athletes take a first step in the sprinting direction; in the false step technique, the first step is in the opposite direction to the sprinting direction. Although the false step technique, including a redundant step, has generally been considered as an inferior technique, athletes habitually use it to start sprinting in a forward direction. The present study aimed to clarify which step technique is habitually used by high-level male soccer players when they start sprinting in a backward or a sideward direction. From a stationary standing position, 15 male soccer players were instructed to sprint backward and rightward three times each, and the step techniques used to start sprinting were recorded. In the backward sprint start trials, 2 trials were done using the forward step technique and 43 using the false step technique. In the rightward sprint start trials, 27 trials were done using the forward step technique and 18 using the false step technique. While the false step technique was used significantly more than the forward step technique in the backward sprint start trials (p < 0.001), no significant difference was found between the use of either technique in the rightward sprint start trials (p = 0.18). The results demonstrate that high-level male soccer players habitually use the false step technique in a backward sprint start and use both techniques with similar frequencies in a sideward sprint start.