Special topics

The aim of this study was to investigate whether individualized low-intensity exercise (ILIE) within the recovery domain before lactate threshold 1 (LT1) improves energetic recovery and general endurance capacity in professional soccer players.

We examined the effect of physiological workload on gaze behaviour during defensive performance in 2 vs. 1 + goalkeeper game situations in football.

This study aimed to compare U18 association football players’ performance when manipulating the number of teammates and opponents during football game-based practices.

The aim of this research was to examine the physical match performance and match outcome before and after coach turnover in professional soccer teams compared with a control group containing coaches working continuously for 3 consecutive seasons.

The aim of the study was to examine the impact of the positional role and the individuality on the technical match performance in professional soccer players.

This study’s aims were to describe, week(w)-by-week, workload and time motion analysis between starter and non-starter professional soccer players based on different periods (i.e., pre-, early-, mid-, and end-season) of a full-season (Persian Gulf Pro League, 2019–2020).

This study explored the effect of perception-cognitive tasks interventions on male soccer players’ landing mechanisms at different levels of fatigue.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of changes in resistance loads using different assessment modalities on the magnitude and the direction of inter-limb asymmetry within the same leg.

The aims of this study were to analyze the differences of physical demands of non-starter players regarding the playing time during the competition and to evaluate the physical demands of the compensatory training (MD + 1C) for substitute players in elite football.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between minutes played (MP) with maturity status, fitness, and hormonal levels, and to quantify their influence on minutes played.

Athlete participation in youth international competitions is often regarded as crucial to the attainment of future success. However, the link between participation and performance in sports at youth levels and senior levels is unclear at best.

The aims of this study were to (1) determine the match technical and running performance required by different teams based on their final ranking position in a professional soccer league; (2) analyze the correlation between teams’ success at the end of the season and variables related to match technical and running performance.

The current study analyze the relationships between the recovery kinetics experienced by professional football players and non-contact injury.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the dose-response relationships between load measures and changes in aerobic fitness and intermittent running capacity among a large cohort of professional soccer players.

This study aimed to examine physiological, mechanical and perceptual loading in small-sided games (SSG) using unbalanced player numbers.

The objectives of the current study are to investigate differences in the collective behaviour of youth soccer teams by expertise level.

The aim was to assess the true physiological kinetics (VO2 and heart-rate responses) during the YYIR1 and to evaluate the correlations between the physiological kinetics, sprint kinetics, and YYIR1 performance parameters.

The aim of this study was to test the changes of blood markers and physical fitness outcomes at the beginning and following the PS phase. Additionally, associations of training adaptations between blood markers and the physical fitness measures were analyzed.

The aims of this study were 1) to analyze the influence of chronological age, relative age, and biological maturation on accumulated training load and perceived exertion in young sub-elite football players and 2) to understand the interaction effects amongst age grouping, maturation status, and birth quartiles on accumulated training load and perceived exertion in this target population.

The current study investigated gaze behavior of young soccer players during the execution of a soccer passing task.

Adolescence is a period of increased injury risk in youth footballers; however, no studies have considered the influence of growth-related factors and exposure time upon injury risk.

Research regarding talent indicators that predict selection into professional academies is increasingly multi-disciplinary, though is typically cross-sectional, failing to consider whether the rate of change of those indicators influences selection. The aim of this study was to determine if longitudinal changes in talent indicators are associated with selection into a professional football academy.

The aim of this investigation was to examine the impact of the weekly training load and the match running patterns prior to a muscle injury as potential risk factors of muscle injury in professional football players.

This study aimed to investigate if maturity status was associated with injury risk in male academy soccer

players.

The aim of this study was to describe and compare the in-season variations of acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) coupled, uncoupled, and exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) through session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE), total distance (TD), high-speed running distance (HSRD) and sprint distance (SPRINT) in three different periods of an elite soccer season according to player positions.

The aim of the present study was to analyse the influence of congested periods of matches on the acceleration (Acc) and deceleration (Dec) profiles of professional soccer players.

The main purpose of this research was to demonstrate the changes in 25(OH)D concentration, bone resorption markers, and physical fitness along the one-year training season in young soccer players.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of pre-exercise HRW consumption on repeated sprint performance, lactate, and perceptual responses using a repeated sprint protocol.

Seasonal Training Load Monitoring Among Elite Footballers: Perceived Exertion and Creatine Kinase Variations Between Microcycles.

The aims of this study were to: (a) describe and compare the volume and intensity from the workload of professional footballers between training and MD, and (b) analyse the effect the microcycle length on workload.

Summer break also means transfers.

I have had a look at the most expensive 30 players in Europe and their estimated transfer value.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether tactical formation affects the physical and technical match performance of professional soccer players in the first German Bundesliga.

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in functional capacities and hormonal indices according to biological maturity and seasonal playing time status in young soccer players.

The aim was to  described the internal and external training loads (TLs) experienced by soccer players over a 4-week preseason and to examine their effects on vertical jump (VJ) performance, and investigated the relationships between different TL variables.

The objectives were to a) assess the relationship between LAM ultrasound measurements (elasticity and thickness) and self-reported subscales of the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) and b) compare LAM elasticity and thickness between asymptomatic and symptomatic sides.

This study aimed to identify the effects of playing with additional individual (IND), collective (COL) or individual-collective (MIX) variability on youth football players’ performance during small-sided games.

Coaches must choose wisely between the most efficient methods to improve the physical fitness of players during the preseason. The study compared the effects of plyometric training (PT), sprint interval training (SIT), and small-sided games (SSGs) on the performance of recreationally trained soccer players.

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the time spent in possession by teams and the match-running performance in elite soccer matches.

The aim was to investigate the effects of mental fatigue on soccer-specific physical and technical performance in young players.

The aim of this study was: (1) to investigate the locomotor demands imposed by large-sided games (LSGs) vs  official matches; and (2) to compare the effect of different pitch sizes’ LSG conditions in the locomotor demands.

The aim of the current study was to examine the dose–response relationships between training load (TL) measures and the consequent changes in aerobic fitness.

The aim of this study was to to compare the positional dynamics of 3v3 SSGs with and without the offside rule.

The aim of this study was to quantify the occurrence of near-to-maximal speed-running bouts in elite footballers.

Visual search strategy and anticipation in tactical behavior of young soccer players.

This study aimed to analyze the changes in match performance parameters in professional soccer players after sustaining an injury, which was defined according to injury severity.

Recovery following the extra-time period of soccer: Practitioner perspectives and applied practices.

The aim of this study was to compare weekly accumulative load during the in-season competitive period by professional soccer players according to the amount of time played in official matches (90-min, >60-min, <60-min, and 0-min) regarding the players’ position.

The aim was to determine the age-related effects on curve sprint (CS) performance to both sides, asymmetry, and association with linear sprint (LS).

The study investigated the effect of two warm-up (WU) durations (i.e.10 min: WU10 and 20 min: WU20) in a hot climate (~31 C), on thermal comfort, power output and fatigue after a repeated-sprint test (RSA) in footballers.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of different levels of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) exposure on subjective and objective measures of post-match recovery in footballers during a chronic exposure period.

I have posted some numbers regarding possible cost/benefit of "Having an academy" previously, which was about the possible revenue from academy players.

This post is about clubs actually utilizing their own players and to what extent.

The purpose of this study was twofold: (i) to analyze the seasonal variations in the physical demands of Turkish Super League teams considering their status in the final rankings and (ii) to analyze the seasonal variations in the technical performance of Turkish Super League teams considering their status in the final rankings.

The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of maturation status on the components of the sprint force-velocity (F-V) profile in young soccer players.

The aim of this study was to compare internal and external load profiles of different game profile based training (GPBT) formats among elite young football players.

The aim of this study was to compare weekly accumulative load during the in-season competitive period by professional soccer players according to the amount of time played in official matches (90-min, >60-min, <60-min, and 0-min) regarding the players’ position.

The aim of this study was to identify how positioning the goals in diagonal configurations on the pitch modifies the external training load and the tactical behaviour of young football players during small-sided games (SSG).

No investigation has examined the influence of soccer training and match-play during the season on isometric hip adductor and abductor muscle strength. The authors hypothesised that maximal hip adductor and abductor muscle strength would increase after the preseason, maintain relatively constant levels across the season.

The aim was to evaluate and compare the acute effects of DS as well as DS followed by FR (DS + FR) on flexibility, dynamic balance, and agility in male soccer players.

Effect of bio-banding on physiological and technical-tactical key performance indicators in youth elite soccer.

The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a fascial therapy and strength training, combined with kinesio taping, in improving ankle range of motion, pain, strength and stability in footballers with recurrent sprains.

The aims of this study was to investigate a valid and simple method of testing for a unique combination of cognitive and speed abilities for identifying promising soccer players at mid-childhood.

Foam rolling (FR) has become a popular device for recovery to increase range of motion and decrease pain after sport practice and competition. The aim of this study was to analyze acute effects of FR on blood flow parameters (maximal velocity MVel, maximal volume MVol) measured by ultrasonography in footballers.

Association between offensive and defensive playing style variables and ranking position in a national football league.

The aims of the study were to describe the perceived load, fatigue and recovery profiles during congested and non-congested schedules in international football tournaments.

The aims of the study were two-fold: i) examine the validity and reliability of high-speed kicking actions using foot-mounted inertial measurement unit’s (IMU), ii) quantify soccer players within-microcycle and inter-positional differences in both the frequency and speed of technical actions.

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of this direct youth-to-senior pathway by examining the extent to which club-trained players (CTPs) are currently involved in elite male European soccer.

This study analyzed how the physical movement profile of soccer matches evolved throughout a season by assessing the variability of different metrics depending on the season phase. In addition, the evolution of running distances was investigated in the relation to the team performance based on the coaches’ perception.

In 2019, numerous championships of youth categories soccer national teams were held. The aim was to analyzed the existence of the Relative Age Effect (RAE) in four major male championships that.

The aim of this study is to validate a performance indicator, namely D-Def, measuring passing effectiveness.

This study examined the impact of high adherence to a neuromuscular training (NMT) warm-up on the risk of lower extremity (LE) injuries in children’s soccer.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyse the influence of young soccer players’ perception of their coach’s autonomy-supportive and controlling behaviours on the satisfaction and frustration of their basic psychological needs (BPN) and sport commitment.

This study aimed to: 1) examine differences in physical performance across birth-quartiles and maturity-status, and 2) determine the relationships among relative age, maturation and performance in young footballers.

This study aimed to compare the effects of 6-weeks combined core strength and small-sided games training (SSGcore) vs. small-sided games (SSG) training on the physical performance of young soccer players.

The aim of the current study was: (i) to compare team’s performance when coached by new and old coaches; (ii) to investigate the impact of a coaching change on performance according to coach- and club-related factors.

The main goal was to determine anaerobic and aerobic improvement of young soccer players after six-week high volume (HVT) or small sided games (SSG) training intervention.

The aim of this study was to analyse the physical demands and technical-tactical actions for each playing position according to game location and final outcome in professional soccer players.

The purpose of this study was to assess the acute effect of Accentuated Eccentric Loading (AEL) on countermovement jump height (CMJH), peak power output (PPO) and peak velocity in male professional footballers using loads of 20% or 40% of body mass (AEL20 or AEL40, respectively).

The aims of this study were to identify whether preseason hip adductor and abductor strength and HAGOS subscale scores of male and female elite youth football players are associated with in-season or historical (lifetime) hip and groin pain.

The aim of this study was to analyze the blood measures changes and their relationships with training loads changes after pre-season training.

The aims of this study were threefold: (a) to describe the weekly variations of training monotony (TrMon), training strain and acute: chronic workload ratio ((ACWR) through session Rated Perceived Exertion (s-RPE); (b) to describe weekly variations of Hooper Index [stress, fatigue, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and sleep]; and (c) to compare those variations between playing positions and player status.

The aim of this investigation was to explore the age-category effects on external training workloads, internal training load metrics and tactical individual actions during 4 vs. 4 ball possession small-sided game (SSG) constrained within three different playing areas.

The aim of this investigation was to explore the age-category effects on external training workloads, internal training load metrics and tactical individual actions during 4 vs. 4 ball possession small-sided game (SSG) constrained within three different playing areas.

The aim of this study was to assess antioxidant markers before and after a mid-season of professional soccer players from the 3rd Spanish Division, and to correlate antioxidant markers with competitive performance.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the incorporation of a brief and supplementary training program that involves eccentric, balance, and core exercises into the weekly soccer schedule can cause positive neuromuscular adaptations.

This study's aim was to determine the relationship between lower-limb muscle strength and balance control in elite male soccer players.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 15 weeks (2/week) of two different resistance training (RT) programs [the self-load group (SG) vs. the overload group (OG)] on selected measures of physical performance in young male soccer players.

The current study aims to evaluate potential risk-factors, propose a criteria-based conservative rehabilitation protocol and assess return-to-play outcomes among professional youth soccer players suffering from long-standing (> 6 weeks) pubic-related groin pain (LSPRGP).

This study aimed to investigate the hamstring flexibility rate among prepubertal soccer players from U8 to U12 and the role of age and soccer years of practice on the course of hamstring flexibility.

The purpose of this study was to examine seasonal changes in training load (TL), neuromuscular performance, subjective recovery, and stress state (SS), and to investigate the relationships between acute (ATL) and chronic (CTL) and neuromuscular performance in competitive female soccer players.

The aim was to investigate the relationship between linear deceleration performance and explosive strength capacity of the knee muscles in professional female soccer players.

The Influence of Time Winning and Time Losing on Position-Specific Match Physical Demands in Spanish Football.

This study aimed to investigate the possible influence of RTL on final match outcome in soccer (win, draw, and loss).

The purpose was to investigate the impact of high (HPBPT) and low percentage ball possession teams (LPBPT) on physical and technical-tactical performance indicators in the Chinese Football Super League (CSL).

The aim of this study was to describe the in-season variations of training monotony, training strain, and acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) through session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE), total distance (TD) and high-speed running (HSR) according to playing positions in an elite soccer team.

Pitch Configurations Constrain Tactics and the Creation of Goal Scoring Opportunities during Small Sided Games in Youth Soccer Players.

Below is a video of the UEFA Champions League Pre-Match Warm-up of Wolfsburg FC before their game against Sevilla FC in 2021.

Evidence has emerged that a high volume of sprinting during training is associated with an increased risk of non-contact injuries in professional footballers. Training load has been reported as a modifiable risk factor for successive injury in football.

The purpose of the study was : (1) to analyze the influence of anthropometric and 2D:4D ratio on variations of accumulated training load (ATL) and fitness parameters: maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max), countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric muscular strength of quadriceps (ISQ) and hamstring (ISH); along three stages of evaluation of footballers based on playing positions; (2) to analyze the correlations between 2D:4D ratio and mentioned parameters; and (3) to investigate if variance in fitness levels and ATL can explain the 2D:4D ratio.

This study aimed to analyze the variations of fitness status, as well as test the relationships between accumulated training load and fitness changes in women soccer players.

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of the level of specificity of a CORE stability program on specific football actions.