Special topics

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of vitamin D supplementation and regular physical activity on 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone turnover marker concentration in footballer.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of mental fatigue (MF) on the psychophysiological responses, kinematic profiles, and technical performance of young soccer players in small-sided games (SSGs).

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of playing 1 vs 3 matches in a one‑week period on physical performance in young soccer players.

In this review we examined variations and evolutionary trends in endurance-related parameters of professional players.

The physiological demands of soccer challenge the entire spectrum of the response capacity of the biological systems and fitness requirements of the players. In this review we examined variations and evolutionary trends in neuromuscular parameters of professional players.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of tactical behavior on physical performance of the three best Spanish soccer teams.

This study aimed to investigate the external and internal training loads (ITLs; session-RPE method) of 18 elite U20 soccer players undertaking a tactical-conditioning training program with special reference to small-sided games (SSGs). 

This study aimed to examine the Spanish professional soccer players’ high metabolic load distance profile, comparing competitive level and playing positions.

The aim of this study was to identify the external training load (ETL) variables that are most influential on the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) during elite soccer training.

The study aims to investigate the effects of circuit training with a core exercise program on physical performance in competitive amateur soccer players.

As previous literature updates, I have performed a PubCrawler search looking for football articles in NCBI Medline (PubMed) and GenBank databases. 

Following studies were retrieved for this week:

The aim of this study was to compare the weekly training load on a standard microcycle in starters (START) and non-starters (NoSTART) of a sub-elite youth football academy.

This study evaluated the effects of an a short time warm-up consisting of a small number of intermittent high-intensity sprints on explosive muscle strength performance in soccer players and to identify recovery times after performing the sprints. Reliability of a smartphone app for jumping performance was established.

This study aimed to compare the physiological demand between three vs. three small-sided games (SSGs) with (3vs.3WITH) and without (3vs.3WITHOUT) the offside rule, as well as the within and between-session reliability.

This study aimed to quantify the external match loads (EMLs) of a Portuguese U23 soccer team, competing at the highest national level for the age group, comparing players with different starting status throughout a competitive season and specific blocks.

The genetic profile that is needed to identify talents has been studied extensively in recent years. The objective of this investigation was to approach, the study of genetic variants in several polygenic profiles and their role in elite endurance and professional football by comparing the allelic and genotypic frequencies to the non-athlete.

This study aimed to compare the significant turning demands of English Premier League soccer match play relative to playing position using LiDAR technology.

The aim was to determine the area per player (ApP) in small- (SSG) or large-sided games (LSG) to replicate the official match demands in elite youth soccer players.

This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of hype energy drink (HED) to ameliorate liver and muscle damage enzymes and cardiovascular indices-induced by a soccer match.

The FIFA 2022 World Cup is about to kick off and it feels interesting to have a closer look on the estimated transfer value running around on the pitch.

The aims of this study were to compare the load of three tasks designed to train features of soccer: a transition game (TG), a small sided game (SSG) with a change of playing area, and a large-sided game (LSG).

The purpose was to 1) examine the periods in which maximal intensity sprints occurred and 2) analyze the maximal intensity sprints registered in match play considering the effect of playing position and other contextual variables.

The purpose was to examine the relationship between sprinting and eccentric hamstring strength by monitoring total weekly sprint distance and weekly efforts > 90% and >95% of maximum velocity (VMax).

This study aimed to explore which offensive variables best discriminate the ball possession duration according to players specific role (defenders, midfielders, attackers) during a 3vs3+Gk football small-sided games (SSG).

This cohort study describes the relationship between workload parameters and the occurrence of non-contact injuries, during weeks with high and low workload in professional soccer players throughout the season.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the between-session and within-player variability of heart rates and locomotor responses of young male soccer players in 3v3 and 5v5 small-sided game formats.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of tactical behavior on physical performance of the three best Spanish soccer teams.

The aim of this study was to quantify the training load in two microcycles (Ms) from pre- and another two from in-season and to analyze playing position influences on the load experienced by professional soccer players.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a soccer small-sided game (SSG) on performance, inflammatory, muscle damage and hormonal indicators.

The purpose of the study was: (i) to analyze the relationships of physiological and locomotor demands between small-sided games (3v3 and 5v5) and official matches (11v11); (ii) to analyze the relationships between small-sided games demands and the physical fitness of youth soccer players.

Trunk stability is key in controlling body balance and movements. Trunk Stabilization Exercises (TSE) and Conventional Trunk Exercises (CTE) are performed to improve dynamic balance. The aim was to compare the immediate effect of TSE with that of CTE on dynamic balance in trained soccer players.

The aim of this study was two-fold: (i) analyze the within-group physical fitness adaptations promoted by a detraining period (4 weeks) followed by an intervention period (4 weeks) using small-sided games (SSGs) or running-based high intensity interval training (HIIT); and (ii) analyze the between-group differences aiming to identify the effectiveness of each training intervention on the physical fitness of youth male soccer players.

This study aimed to examine the effects of in-game changes in tactical formation on match performance and to analyze coach-specific differences.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of small-sided games (SSGs) and running-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the body composition and physical fitness of youth female soccer players.

The aim of this study was (i) provide reference data of metabolic power-based measures during professional football matches; and to (ii) analyze the between-position and between-halves differences of power-based measures during professional football matches.

The purposes of this study were (a) to determine the variations in internal and external measures of training monotony (TM) and strain (TS) in professional soccer players according to periods of the season and playing positions, and (b) to analyze the relationships between internal and external measures of TM and TS.

To profile the etiology and recovery time-course of neuromuscular function in response to a mixed-content, standard training week in professional academy soccer players. We concurrently examined physical performance, cognitive function, and perceptual measures of mood and wellness states to identify a range of simple tests applied practitioners could use in the field as surrogate measures of neuromuscular function.

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.