Latest research in football - week 45 - 2022

#1 A classification of specific movement skills and patterns during sprinting in English Premier League soccer

Reference: PLoS One. 2022 Nov 11;17(11):e0277326. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277326. eCollection 2022.

Authors: Paul Caldbeck, Thomas Dos'Santos

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9651586/pdf/pone.0277326.pdf

Summary: The aim of this study was to quantify and contextualize sprinting actions (≥ 7.0 m/s) of English Premier League (EPL) soccer match-play with respect to the movement skills and patterns employed. Video footage (3.2.6, Premier League DVMS, ChyronHego) and raw video-based locomotor coordinates of 901 sprint efforts from 10 matches of an EPL soccer team (2017-2018), were evaluated using the Football Sprint Movement Classification System pertaining to transition, initiation, and actualisation of sprint movement skills and patterns. The results from a one-way ANOVA or independent t-test revealed that, generally, most sprinting actions begun from a linear initiation position compared to lateral or rear (63%, d = 5.0-5.3, p < 0.01), without a change of direction (COD) (48%, d = 4.9-5.6, p < 0.01) compared to lateral, front-back, back-front, and from forward travelling (linear and diagonal) transition movements (68%, d = 2.1-5.7, p < 0.01) compared to lateral or rear. Additionally, most sprints were initiated with a rolling acceleration (66%, d = 3.2, p < 0.01) compared to explosive acceleration, often performed with a degree of curvature (86%, d = 7.2, p < 0.01) compared to linear, with torso rotation (62%, d = 2.7, p < 0.01) compared to no rotation, and typically end with an action such as duelling with an opponent or involvement with the ball (49%). Additionally, the sprint movement characteristics proportions slightly differed across playing positions. Overall, this study confirms that sprints during EPL soccer matches are initiated from and performed with a variety of different movement skills and patterns in relation to different sport-specific outcomes. This data can be used to assist in the development of more effective physical preparation programmes, inform position-specific contextualized sprinting drills to achieve better specificity and potential transfer of training, while also informing speed testing protocols.

 

 

#2 Dehydration, Wellness, and Training Demands of Professional Soccer Players during Preseason

Reference: Biomed Res Int. 2022 Nov 7;2022:8054449. doi: 10.1155/2022/8054449. eCollection 2022.

Authors: César Leão, Francisco Tomás González-Fernández, Halil İbrahim Ceylan, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Hadi Nobari, Miguel Camões, José Maria Cancela Carral

Download link: https://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2022/8054449.pdf

Summary: Our study is aimed at analyzing the relationships between water loss and a professional soccer team's internal and external training load throughout the first three months of a season, covering all the preseason and the first two months of the competitive season. This study followed an observational analytic design. Twenty-seven athletes (age: 25.5 ± 4.1 years, height: 180.7 ± 8.2 cm, and body mass: 78.4 ± 8.7 kg) were included in the study, conducted over the first three months of the season. Players were weighed at the beginning and end of all training sessions to estimate fluid losses. They were asked to complete a wellness questionnaire and indicate the color of the first urine of the day upon their arrival at the practice session. Additionally, all sessions were monitored for locomotor demands. We found a positive correlation between urine color and sprint distance (r = 0.46, p = 0.01) and a positive correlation between dehydration and rating of perceived exertion (r = 0.44, p = 0.015), whereas a negative correlation between dehydration and number of acceleration (r = -0.39, p = 0.034).

Conclusions: Dehydration increased perceived physical exertion. Regularly monitoring training load and changes in body mass, as well as raising awareness about hydration, can contribute to cognitive and physical performance.

 

 

#3 Associations among Maturity, Accumulated Workload, Physiological, and Body Composition Factors in Youth Soccer Players: A Comparison between Playing Positions

Reference: Biology (Basel). 2022 Nov 2;11(11):1605. doi: 10.3390/biology11111605.

Authors: Hadi Nobari, Özgür Eken, Pablo Prieto-González, João Paulo Brito, Rafael Oliveira

Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/11/11/1605/htm

Summary: The purposes of this study were: (i) to analyze the correlation between accumulated workload (AW)-based on season periods-with maturity, linear sprints, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), maximum heart rate, and body composition; and (ii) to compare the playing positions based on the mentioned parameters. Twenty-one elite soccer players under the age of 14 participated in the study. They were divided into five groups based on playing positions. The in-season weekly AW was recorded for 26 weeks into two separated periods of 13 weeks (AW-1 and AW-2). Similarly, the following parameters were assessed: body mass, standing and sitting height, body mass index, body fat percentage, maturity offset, age at peak height velocity (PHV), sprinting ability (10 m and 30 m), and VO2max. The main significant differences between playing positions were found for weight, height, sitting height, and sprinting at 10 m and 30 m. No correlation was observed between AW (based on periods) and maturity or between VO2max and AW-2. AW-1 denoted a large positive correlation with AW-2. AW-1 had a moderate negative correlation with VO2max, whereas PHV and maturity presented a strong negative correlation. Young soccer players' maturity statuses and fitness levels do not imply differences between AW-1 and AW-2. However, the higher the AW in the first half of the season, the higher the AW in the second half. The absence of significant differences between player positions could be associated with the similar training regardless of the playing position. Moreover, soccer positively influences performance in short sprints (10 m), midfielders being the fastest.

 

 

#4 Maturation Selection Biases and Relative Age Effect in Italian Soccer Players of Different Levels

Reference: Biology (Basel). 2022 Oct 24;11(11):1559. doi: 10.3390/biology11111559.

Authors: Stefania Toselli, Mario Mauro, Alessia Grigoletto, Stefania Cataldi, Luca Benedetti, Gianni Nanni, Riccardo Di Miceli, Paolo Aiello, Davide Gallamini, Francesco Fischetti, Gianpiero Greco

Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/11/11/1559/htm

Summary: Soccer is a sport practiced all over the world, in which players are expected to show specific physical and technical skills. Soccer academies look for young talented individuals to develop promising players. Although several parameters could affect the players' performance, the relative age effect (RAE) and the maturity status appeared debated. Therefore, this study compared the differences in RAE and biological maturity among the players of two Italian soccer teams of different levels and to understand their interaction effects with the competition level on youth players' physical characteristics and abilities. One hundred and sixty-two young soccer players from the U12 to U15 age categories of the elite (n = 98) and non-elite (n = 64) teams were recruited. The prevalence of maturity status and RAE was observed. Many anthropometric parameters, BIA vectors, and motor tests (CMJ, Sprint, RSA) were carried out. The maturity status had a greater effect on several anthropometric characteristics and on 15 m sprint, while it affected the CMJ only in U12 (F = 6.187, p ≤ 0.01). Differently, the RAE seemed to priorly affect the U13 and U15 categories in body composition, whereas its effect appeared on the 15-m sprint (F(3, 45) = 4.147, p ≤ 0.01) and the RSA (F(3, 45) = 3.179, p ≤ 0.05) in the U14 category. In addition, early matured players or those who were born in the first six months presented cellular characteristics similar to adult elite players. Soccer professionals should be encouraged to monitor the maturity status to better interpret changes in the physical performance of young soccer players to guide adequate training plans.

 

 

#5 Variations in Accumulated-Training Load Parameters and Locomotor Demand with Consideration of Puberty in Elite Young Soccer Players

Reference: Biology (Basel). 2022 Oct 30;11(11):1594. doi: 10.3390/biology11111594.

Authors: Hadi Nobari, Hamed Kia Shemshaki, Okan Kamiş, Rafael Oliveira, Pablo Prieto González, Elena Mainer-Pardos

Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/11/11/1594/htm

Summary: The study's purposes were to examine the associations of training load parameters with locomotor demand and puberty status in elite young soccer players and to predict the percentage of changes in their performance ability with adjustments to the training load parameters, using multivariate regression analysis, while considering PHV and maturity offset. Seventeen male players (15-16 years old) participated in this study. Anthropometrics, body composition, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and puberty status (for calculating PHV) and maturity offset were assessed. The results demonstrated substantial differences between the PHV, VO2max, and load parameters (acute and chronic workload (CWL)) over a soccer season. A substantial relationship existed between the workload parameters (VO2max, CWL, and training monotony (TM)) and maturity offset. All of the variables, except for training strain, demonstrated significant variances in relation to the differences between the first and second halves (p < 0.05). Aerobic performance can be estimated using the CWL, TM, and maturity offset values (R2 = 0.46). On the contrary, aerobic power performance can be explained using the acute:chronic workload, TM, and PHV values (R2 = 0.40). In conclusion, the biological maturity state of young soccer players has a substantial impact on their functional potential. Variations in accumulated load contribute significantly to aerobic resistance, whereas weight and height contribute significantly to sprint and vertical-jump performance, respectively.

 

 

#6 A Pilot Study on the Prediction of Non-Contact Muscle Injuries Based on ACTN3 R577X and ACE I/D Polymorphisms in Professional Soccer Athletes

Reference: Genes (Basel). 2022 Nov 2;13(11):2009. doi: 10.3390/genes13112009.

Authors: Kathleen Y de Almeida, Tiago Cetolin, Andrea Rita Marrero, Aderbal Silva Aguiar Junior, Pedro Mohr, Naoki Kikuchi

Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/13/11/2009/htm

Summary: Muscle injuries are among the main reasons for medical leavings of soccer athletes, being a major concern within professional teams and their prevention associated with sport success. Several factors are associated with a greater predisposition to injury, and genetic background is increasingly being investigated. The aim of this study was to analyze whether ACTN3 R577X and ACE I/D polymorphisms are predictors of the incidence and severity of muscle injury in professional soccer athletes from Brazil, individually and in association. Eighty-three professional athletes from the first and second divisions of the Brazilian Championship were evaluated regarding the polymorphisms through blood samples. Nighty-nine muscle injuries were identified during the seasons of 2018, 2019 and 2020 and categorized according to severity. ACTN3 XX individuals had a higher frequency of severe injuries compared to the RX and RR genotypes (p = 0.001), and in the dominant model (compared to RX+RR), with p < 0.001. The trend p-value test showed an increased number of injuries/season following the order XX > RX > RR (p = 0.045). Those with the ACE II genotype had almost 2 fold the number of injuries per season compared to those with the ID+DD genotypes (p = 0.03). Logistic regression showed that the polymorphisms are predictors of the development of severe injury (ACTN3 R577X model with p = 0.004, R2: 0.259; ACE I/D model with p = 0.045, R2: 0.163), where ACTN3 XX individuals were more likely to suffer from severe injury (OR: 5.141, 95% CI: 1.472-17.961, p = 0.010). The combination of the ACTN3 577X allele and the ACE II genotype showed an increased number of injuries per season, enhanced by 100% (1.682 injuries/season versus 0.868 injuries/season, p = 0.016). Our findings suggest that both polymorphisms ACTN3 R577X and ACE I/D (and their interaction) are associated with the susceptibility and severity of non-contact muscle injury in soccer players.

 

 

#7 Comparison of the Effects of Different Forms of Nutrition Education on Adolescent Male Soccer Players

Reference: Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 24;19(21):13803. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192113803.

Authors: Ziyu Gao, Sicheng Wang, Lianlian Peng, Lei Sun, Peng Qiu, Bingyi Bai, Qingqing Zhang, Junyu Wu, Yu Zha, Fenglin Zhu, Qirong Wang

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9658494/pdf/ijerph-19-13803.pdf

Summary: The purpose of this study was to compare the educational effects on nutrition knowledge of two teaching methods targeting adolescent male soccer players through learning online from WeChat account articles (WeChat group) or taking classroom courses (classroom group). The study investigates whether such teaching methods can improve self-efficacy and nutrition knowledge for athletes. A total of 41 U15 (age 15) youth male soccer players, 21 in the classroom group and 20 in the WeChat group, participated in the experiment by receiving the same nutrition education separately for 12 weeks. An athlete nutrition KAP questionnaire and self-efficacy questionnaire were conducted before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and 6 weeks and 12 weeks after the intervention. As a result, the nutritional knowledge score and the total score of the athlete nutrition KAP questionnaire in the classroom group increased significantly and were notably higher than those in the WeChat group. Self-efficacy scores improved significantly in both groups. In conclusion, the study showed that the level of nutritional knowledge of U15 male soccer players was mediocre, and both forms of nutrition education can significantly improve the level of nutritional knowledge and self-efficacy of the players. In comparison, the educational effect of classroom teaching is significantly greater and more consistent than that of learning from WeChat public articles.

 

 

#8 Comparison of the Physical, Physiological, and Psychological Responses of the High-Intensity Interval (HIIT) and Small-Sided Games (SSG) Training Programs in Young Elite Soccer Players

Reference: Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 24;19(21):13807. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192113807.

Authors: Zied Ouertatani, Okba Selmi, Santo Marsigliante, Bilel Aydi, Nadhir Hammami, Antonella Muscella

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9655920/pdf/ijerph-19-13807.pdf

Summary: We investigated the effects of high-intensity interval (HIIT) and small-sided games (SSG) training programs on physiological and psychological responses in young soccer players. Twenty-four male soccer players (age 16.7 ± 0.9 years) were divided into two groups (HIIT and SSG) and completed a 6-week training programs consisting of two training sessions a week. HIIT consisted of intermittent runs lasting 15 s at the 110% maximum aerobic speed followed by a passive recovery lasting 15 s; SSG was instead structured in a 4 versus 4 players games on a playing field of 25 × 35 m. The muscular power of the lower body was assessed before and after each training session using the 5-jump test to leg length, and two incremental field tests (VAMEVAL test and modified agility t-test). Our results show that HIIT and SSG have similar beneficial effects on the variables connected to the soccer-specific performance and the endurance with little influence on neuromuscular performances. Psychological responses were assessed using the "physical activity enjoyment scale", the Hooper index and the POMS variables. Results showed that SSG offers greater perceived enjoyment than what can be achieved with HIIT. In conclusion, SSG can be considered an effective, more motivating, and fun soccer-specific training that brings about physiological responses and neuromuscular adjustments in young soccer players.

 

 

#9 Physical Impact of a Typical Training Session with Different Volumes on the Day Preceding a Match in Academy Soccer Players

Reference: Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 24;19(21):13828. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192113828.

Authors: Tom Douchet, Christos Paizis, Nicolas Babault

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9655752/pdf/ijerph-19-13828.pdf

Summary: French academies almost all implement reactivity drills and small-sided games (SSG) the day preceding a match (MD-1). The present study aimed to determine the physical impact of different training durations on MD-1 on the subsequent matchday performance (MD). Eleven elite U19 academy soccer players conducted three typical training sessions lasting 45 min (TS45), 60 min (TS60) and 75 min (TS75) on MD-1. During TS60, warm-up, reactivity and SSG were 10, 15 and 24 min, respectively, plus coaches' feedback or water breaks. Durations of all training components decreased by 25% for TS45 and increased by 25% for TS75. Tests were conducted on MD-4 (CONTROL) and MD before the match (TEST). Tests consisted of a counter movement jump (CMJ), 20 m sprint, Illinois agility test (IAT) and Hooper questionnaire. CONTROL values were similar over the three experimental conditions. TEST on MD revealed greater CMJ for TS45 (42.7 ± 5.1 cm) compared to TS60 (40.5 ± 5.5 cm, p = 0.032) and TS75 (40.9 ± 5.7 cm, p = 0.037). 20 m time was lower for TS45 (3.07 ± 0.10 s, p < 0.001) and TS60 (3.13 ± 0.10 s, p = 0.017) compared to TS75 (3.20 ± 0.10 s). IAT time was lower on TS45 (14.82 ± 0.49 s) compared to TS60 (15.43 ± 0.29 s, p < 0.001) and TS75 (15.24 ± 0.33 s, p = 0.006). Furthermore, the Hooper index was lower at TEST for TS45 (7.64 ± 1.50) compared to TS60 (11.00 ± 3.49, p = 0.016) and TS75 (9.73 ± 2.41, p = 0.016), indicating a better readiness level. We concluded that, as training session duration increases, performance decreases on MD. A 45 min training session including reactivity and SSG exercises is therefore recommended on MD-1.

 

 

#10 The Effects of Small-Sided Games and Behavioral Interventions on the Physical and Motivational Outcomes of Youth Soccer Players

Reference: Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 29;19(21):14141. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192114141.

Authors: Rareș-Mihai Pop, Vlad Teodor Grosu, Emilia Florina Grosu, Alexandru Zadic, Liliana Mâță, Tatiana Dobrescu

Download link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9657566/pdf/ijerph-19-14141.pdf

Summary: The objective of this study was to test the effects of two types of intervention, one based on small-sided games (SSGs), and the other one that had, in addition, a behavioral component consisting of goal setting, public posting, and positive reinforcement. The participants were 16 male soccer players aged 12-14 years old who participated in a couple of training sessions per week between August and November 2021. We used Playr Catapult GPS devices to assess the effect of the intervention on the total distance covered and total sprint distance in the task of playing SSGs. We used Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 to test the effect of the intervention on players' aerobic capacity and the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire to investigate levels of motivational climate. Multiple two-way mixed ANOVAs were conducted and the results indicated that our intervention had a positive effect on the total distance and total sprint distance covered during SSGs. For aerobic capacity, even if the results were not significant, they indicate a high effect size. The effect of the intervention on task-oriented motivational climate and ego-oriented motivational climate was not significant. Discussions focus on the application of the intervention in team training settings.

 

 

#11 Despite Good Correlations, There Is No Exact Coincidence between Isometric and Dynamic Strength Measurements in Elite Youth Soccer Players

Reference: Sports (Basel). 2022 Nov 10;10(11):175. doi: 10.3390/sports10110175.

Authors: Carl-M Wagner, Konstantin Warneke, Christoph Bächer, Christian Liefke, Philipp Paintner, Larissa Kuhn, Torsten Brauner, Klaus Wirth, Michael Keiner

Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/10/11/175/htm

Summary: Speed strength performances are substantially dependent on maximum strength. Due to their importance, various methods have been utilized to measure maximum strength (e.g., isometric or dynamic) with discussed differences regarding transferability to sport-specific movements dependent upon the testing procedure. The aim of this study was to analyze whether maximum isometric force (MIF) during isometric back squats correlates with maximum strength measurements of the one repetition maximum (1RM) in the squat, with countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, and with drop jump (DJ) performances in elite youth soccer players (n = 16, 18.4 ± 1.5 [range: 17-23] years old). Additionally, concordance correlation coefficients (CCC, [ρc]) between isometric and dynamic measurements were calculated to verify whether one measurement can actually reproduce the results of the other. To improve comprehension, differences between isometric and dynamic testing values were illustrated by providing differences between both testing conditions. For this, the mean absolute error (MAE) and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were calculated. To reach equality in scale, the 1RM measures were multiplicated by 9.81 to obtain a value of N. The 1RM demonstrated correlations of τ = |0.38| to |0.52| with SJ and CMJ performances, while MIF demonstrated correlations of τ = |0.21| to |0.32|. However, the correlations of both 1RM and MIF with the DJ reactive strength index (RSI = jump height /contact time) from different falling heights were of no statistical significance. The data showed significant correlations between both the absolute (τ = |0.54|) and the relative (τ = |0.40|) performances of 1RM and MIF, which were confirmed by CCC of ρc= |0.56| to |0.66|, respectively. Furthermore, the MAE and MAPE showed values of 2080.87 N and 67.4%, respectively. The data in this study show that, despite good correlations, there is no exact coincidence between isometric and dynamic strength measurements. Accordingly, both measurements may only represent an estimation of maximal strength capacity and cannot be substituted for each other. Therefore, maximal strength should be tested by using high similarity in the contraction condition, as it is used in the training process to counteract underestimation in strength because of unfamiliarity with the testing condition.

 

 

#12 Monitoring Internal Training Intensity Correlated with Neuromuscular and Well-Being Status in Croatian Professional Soccer Players during Five Weeks of the Pre-Season Training Phase

Reference: Sports (Basel). 2022 Nov 2;10(11):172. doi: 10.3390/sports10110172.

Authors: Josip Maleš, Ibrahim Ouergui, Danijela Kuna, Frane Žuvela, Andrea De Giorgio, Goran Kuvačić

Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/10/11/172/htm

Summary: This study aimed to investigate the changes in internal training intensity, well-being, and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and to determine their relationship across five weeks of the pre-season training phase in professional soccer players. A total of 22 professional male soccer players (age = 21.7 ± 4 years, body height = 185.9 ± 6.3 cm, body weight = 79 ± 6.3 kg, BMI = 22.8 ± 1.4 kg·m-2; VO2max = 52.9 ± 3.2) from the Croatian Second League voluntary participated in this study. The players spent 2230 ± 117 min in 32 technical/tactical and strength/conditioning training sessions, mostly at the low intensity zone (61%), and played 8 friendly matches at a high intensity (>90%). A one-way repeated measure of analysis ANOVA revealed a significant difference between weeks in CMJ performance (F(1,22) = 11.8, p < 0.001), with CMJ height in weeks 4 and 5 being likely to very likely higher than that noted in week 1. Moreover, significant differences between weeks were found in all internal training intensity measures (average [F(1,22) = 74.8, p < 0.001] and accumulated weekly internal training intensity [F(1,22) = 55.4, p < 0.001], training monotony [F(1,22) = 23.9, p < 0.001], and training strain [F(1,22) = 34.5, p < 0.001]). Likewise, differences were observed for wellness status categories (fatigue [F(1,22) = 4.3, p = 0.003], sleep [F(1,22) = 7.1, p < 0.001], DOMS [F(1,22) = 5.7, p < 0.001], stress [F(1,22) = 15.6, p < 0.001]), mood [F(1,22) = 12.7, p < 0.001], and overall well-being status score (F(1,22) = 13.2, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed large negative correlations between average weekly internal training intensity and fatigue (r = -0.63, p = 0.002), DOMS (r = -0.61, p = 0.003), and WBI (r = -0.53, p = 0.011). Additionally, fatigue was significantly associated (large negative correlation) with accumulated weekly internal training intensity (r = -0.51, p = 0.014) and training strain (r = -0.61, p = 0.003). Small, but non-significant, correlations were found between CMJ performance and wellness status measures. These findings highlight the utility and simplicity of monitoring tools to improve athletes' performance.

 

 

#13 Reliability and Validity of a Novel Reactive Agility Test with Soccer Goalkeeper-Specific Movements

Reference: Sports (Basel). 2022 Oct 31;10(11):169. doi: 10.3390/sports10110169.

Authors: Yosuke Abe, Hisataka Ambe, Tomoyasu Okuda, Masao Nakayama, Noriteru Morita

Download link: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/10/11/169/htm

Summary: The purpose of this study was to develop a reactive agility test with soccer goalkeeper (GK)-specific movements (G-RAT) and to examine the reliability and validity of college-aged GKs. We designed a five-branch star-shaped course with diving and ball-catching movements under reactive conditions. In the setup, a start-goal line was set on the top of a branch and 3.5 m away from the center of the star-shaped setting. Content validity was assessed by six experts, and the item-content validity index (I-CVI) was calculated. Thirty-three male GKs performed the test trial twice. One test trial of G-RAT consists of three shuttles from the start-goal line to diving and ball-catching. For the reactive condition, GKs were instructed on which ball directions should dive when their body trunk reached 1.5 m away from the start-goal line. GKs were classified into regular (R) or non-regular (NR) groups. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to assess the reliability and predictive power as convergent validity. The I-CVI was 0.83, which was greater than the acceptable level of 0.78. The ICC value was 0.94 (p < 0.01; 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 0.88-0.97). The GKs completed the test 14.3 ± 0.7 and15.3 ± 1.0 sec in the R and NR group (p < 0.01; Cohen's d = 0.89), respectively. The area under the curves of G-RAT was 0.80 (95%CI, 0.64-0.96). These results show that a GK-specific agility test under reactive conditions would have sufficient reliability and both content and convergent validity in college-aged GKs.

 

 

#14 The Influence of Different Training Load Magnitudes on Sleep Pattern, Perceived Recovery, and Stress Tolerance in Young Soccer Players

Reference: J Strength Cond Res. 2022 Oct 20. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004235. Online ahead of print.

Authors: Ayrton Bruno de Morais Ferreira, Bruno Laerte Lopes Ribeiro, Elias Dos Santos Batista, Matheus Peixoto Dantas, Arnaldo Luis Mortatti

Summary: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of 3 weeks on sleep parameters, perceived recovery, and stress tolerance in young soccer players using different training load magnitudes. A total of 13 young male soccer athletes (15.9 ± 0.5 years; 68.7 ± 6.1 kg; 170 ± 7 cm) who performed 3 typical training weeks with different workloads were analyzed. The external training load (ETL) was verified by the PlayerLoad method, and the internal training load (ITL) was determined using the session rating of perceived exertion method. Sleep was monitored using a wrist-actigraphy monitor. Sleep variables, including total time in bed (TTB), total sleep time (TST), sleep latency (SL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), and sleep efficiency (SE), were evaluated across all nights of sleep. The recovery status was assessed with the perceived recovery status (PRS) scale, and the stress tolerance was monitored using the "daily analysis of life demands of athletes" questionnaire. There was an increase in sleep time during the week with the highest training load (week 2) (TTB: +35 minutes, TST: +46 minutes, SL: -5 minutes, SE: +3%). There was no difference in the PRS or in the stress tolerance during the evaluation weeks. A very large within-individual correlation was observed between ITL and ETL (r = 0.78) and moderate within-individual correlation between ETL and TST (r = 0.34), between ITL and TST (r = 0.45), and between ITL and SE (r = 0.359). These results showed that there was an increase in TST during a microcycle with intensified loads, without impairing bedtime and resulting in maintenance of the perceived recovery or stress tolerance values.

 

 

#15 Comparison between predicted and measured resting energy expenditures in Korean male collegiate soccer players

Reference: Phys Act Nutr. 2022 Sep;26(3):25-31. doi: 10.20463/pan.2022.0015. Epub 2022 Sep 30.

Authors: Sihyung Lee, Kuniko Moto, Taewoong Oh, Motoko Taguchi

Download link: https://www.e-pan.org/upload/pdf/pan-2022-0015.pdf

Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the differences between predicted resting energy expenditure (REE), using fat-free mass (FFM)-based prediction equations, and measured REE in Korean male collegiate soccer players. Fifteen male collegiate soccer players (18-21 years) participated in this study. The REE measurements were conducted using the Douglas bag method. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The differences between the measured REE and predicted REE, using the five FFM-based REE equations, were analyzed using the t-test, calculation of errors, regression analysis, and the Bland-Altman method. The Cunningham (1980) and ten Haaf and Weijs (2014) equations showed significantly overestimated REE (1,808 ± 99 kcal/d, p <0.01; 1,838 ± 103 kcal/d, p <0.01; respectively), but the Owen (1988), Taguchi (2011), and Kim (2015) equations' estimations were not significantly different from the measured REE (1,589 ± 106 kcal/d, 1,640 ± 124 kcal/d, and 1,622 ± 68 kcal/d, respectively). The Taguchi equation gave the best prediction of REE with the lowest constant error (-6 ± 125) and effect size (-0.05), and a non-significant proportional bias (p = 0.95). The Taguchi equation is recommended for predicting REE in Korean collegiate soccer players. The selection process of a REE-prediction equation must take into consideration the target population's characteristics. Future studies are recommended to evaluate the validity of the different FFM-based REE-prediction equations in various Korean athletes.

 

 

#16 Acute fuelling and recovery practices of academy soccer players: implications for growth, maturation, and physical performance

Reference: Sci Med Footb. 2022 Nov 9. doi: 10.1080/24733938.2022.2146178. Online ahead of print.

Authors: Reuben G Stables, Marcus P Hannon, Nessan B Costello, Sam J McHaffie, Jazz S Sodhi, Graeme L Close, James P Morton

Summary: Considering that academy soccer players frequently train in the evening (i.e. 17:00-20:00 h), there is often limited time to nutritionally prepare and recover due to schooling, travel and sleep schedules. Accordingly, we assessed the timing and quantity of dietary intake of academy soccer players in the pre-training and post-training period. Over a 3-day in-season training period, male adolescent players (n=48; n=8 from under (U) 12, 13, 14, 15/16, 18 and 23 players) from an English Premier League academy self-reported their dietary intake and physical activity levels (via the remote food photography method and activity diary, respectively) in the four hours before and after training. External training load was also quantified via GPS. Timing of pre-training energy intake ranged from 40 ± 28 mins (U15/U16 players) to 114 ± 71 mins (U18) before training and mean carbohydrate (CHO) intake ranged from 0.8±0.4 g.kg-1 (U23) to 1.5±0.9 g.kg-1 (U12). Timing of post-training energy intake ranged from 39 ± 27 mins (U14) to 70 ± 84 mins (U23) and mean CHO intake ranged from 1.6±0.8 g.kg-1 (U12) to 0.9±0.5 g.kg-1 (U14). In contrast to sub-optimal CHO intakes, all age groups consumed sufficient protein intake in the post-training period (i.e. > 0.3 g.kg-1). We conclude academy soccer players habitually practice sub-optimal acute fuelling and recovery strategies, the consequence of which could impair growth, maturation and physical performance. Player and stakeholder education and behaviour change interventions should therefore target specific behaviours that lead to increased CHO intake before, during and after training.

 

 

#17 Complexity emerges in measures of the marking dynamics in football games

Reference: Phys Rev E. 2022 Oct;106(4-1):044308. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.106.044308.

Authors: A Chacoma, O V Billoni, M N Kuperman

Summary: In this article, we study the dynamics of marking in football matches. To do this, we survey and analyze a database containing the trajectories of players from both teams on the field of play during three professional games. We describe the dynamics through the construction of temporal bipartite networks of proximity. Based on the introduced concept of proximity, the nodes are the players, and the links are defined between opponents that are close enough to each other at a given moment. By studying the evolution of the heterogeneity parameter of the networks during the game, we characterize a scaling law for the average shape of the fluctuations, unveiling the emergence of complexity in the system. Moreover, we propose a simple model to simulate the players' motion in the field from where we obtained the evolution of a synthetic proximity network. We show that the model captures with a remarkable agreement the complexity of the empirical case, hence it proves to be helpful to elucidate the underlying mechanisms responsible for the observed phenomena.

 

 

#18 Chinese football violence: An extended theory of planned behavior model to predict fans' violent behavioral intentions

Reference: Front Psychol. 2022 Oct 31;13:977497. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.977497. eCollection 2022.

Authors: Yuge Tian, Chao Ma, Zhenguo Shi

Download link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.977497/full

Summary: This study introduced deindividuation (DI) variables and constructed a mechanism model of football fans' violent behavioral intentions (FVBI) in China based on theory of planned behavior (TPB). Specifically, taking Chinese football fans as the research subjects, we used a structural equation model (SEM) to explore the specific effects of subjective norms (SNs), perceived behavioral control, DI, and attitude (AT) on violent behavior intentions. Our results showed that SNs (β = -0.132, P < 0.01) had a significant negative predictive effect on FVBI, while perceived behavioral control (β = 0.297, P < 0.01), DI (β = 0.239, P < 0.01), and AT (β = 0.416, P < 0.01) had a significant positive predictive effect. However, we found that AT was the most important factor that predicted the FVBI and played a mediating role between SNs and FVBI, between perceived behavior control (PBC) and FVBI, and between DI and FVBI as well.

 

 

#19 Performance Adaptations to Intensified Training in Top-Level Football

Reference: Sports Med. 2022 Nov 16;1-18. doi: 10.1007/s40279-022-01791-z. Online ahead of print.

Authors: Morten Hostrup, Jens Bangsbo

Download link: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40279-022-01791-z.pdf

Summary: Because physical demands are surging in football (soccer, USA), clubs are more and more seeking players who have a high capacity to perform repeated intense exercise. High-intensity interval training (HIIT), comprising exercise performed at intensities near or exceeding the capacity of aerobic energy systems, effectively enhances the physical conditioning of players. But given that HIIT imposes high loads, it increases the risk of overload-associated match performance decline and injury. This makes some coaches inclined to conduct HIIT in the weeks leading up to the season and during the season. Therefore, the challenge is how to optimize and dose HIIT during these phases, as they can be decisive. Studies have highlighted the utility of conducting periods of intensified training to overcome the risk of overload while at the same time enhancing performance. During intensified training periods of typically a few weeks, intensity is increased by enlarging the amount of HIIT, for example, aerobic high-intensity training or speed endurance training, while volume at low-to-moderate intensity is significantly reduced. The outcome depends on training composition and prescription-most notably, intensity and duration of bouts and recovery. When work intervals are prescribed for a few minutes at intensities > 90% heart rate max (i.e., aerobic high-intensity training), then beneficial adaptations pertaining to aerobic power and capacity are apparent. But when work intervals are conducted at much higher intensities, as all-out efforts or sprinting of typically 10- to 40-s duration with longer recovery periods (i.e., speed endurance training), beneficial adaptations pertaining to anaerobic energy systems, ion handling, and fatigue resilience are commonly observed. In this review, we discuss the utility of conducting intensified training periods to enhance performance in elite football players during the late preparation phase and competitive season.