Science & medicine in football最新文献

This study investigates the evolution of passing networks (PN) at both team and player levels in the FIFA World Cups (WC) from 2010 to 2022. Analyzing 256 matches (7328 player observations) using a multiple-camera tracking system across four WCs, we considered six playing positions: goalkeeper (n = 521), central defender (n = 1192), fullback (n = 1223), midfielder (n = 2039), winger (n = 1320), and central forward (n = 1033). We used 17 network metrics and considered contextual variables such as team formation, and team ranking. Linear mixed-effect models analyzed differences in team and player PN parameters by year and team strength. Results showed a shift from possession-play to direct-play from the 2010 to 2018 WCs, with possession-play returning in 2022. Specifically, high- and low-quality teams significantly decreased their density, average degree (AD), modularity, and average path length in 2018 (p < 0.05). High-quality teams showed increased density, AD, and average weighted degree in 2022 (p < 0.05). Midfielders and central forwards exhibited significantly lower centrality parameters, whereas central defenders and goalkeepers showed increased centrality parameters (p < 0.05). This study highlights the evolutionary trends of passing relationships from a network analysis perspective over twelve years, providing insights into the changing dynamics of team interactions and positional prominence in elite soccer.

Background: Despite the focus on the effect of burnout on athlete health and performance, understanding its impact on their support teams remains limited. Our primary aim was to investigate the prevalence of burnout amongst medical and performance professionals working in professional football in the UK.

Methods: In this cross-sectional design study burnout risk was assessed using the Burnout Assessment Tool-23 (BAT-23).

Results: A total of 162 participants completed the questionnaire. The overall average burnout score indicated a low risk of burnout; however, half (42%) of participants had individual burnout scores indicative of being at risk or very high risk of burnout. There was no statistically significant relationship between profession and burnout risk. There was also no statistically significant relationship between burnout risk and number of years working in professional football.

Conclusion: This study, conducted during pre-season, suggests that medical and performance professionals working in professional football in the UK are not at risk of burnout. Measures to continue to safeguard practitioners against the effects of burnout are proposed.

The aim of this case report was to evaluate the physical performance and capacity to return-to-elite competition of a male elite football player from the Spanish first division (LaLiga EA Sport™) after the diagnosis of a Hodkin lymphoma (HL). A 28-years-old elite football player (height 178.9 cm; weight 72.3 kg; VO_2max 57.0 mL·kg^-1·min^-1) for the Spanish first division participated in this study. Before diagnosis with HL, he participated in 100 Official Matches (OM) in the Spanish second division (LaLiga Hypermotion™). Once discharged, 271 days after the diagnosis, patient played 5 OM in the Spanish second division (season 22/23) and 37 OM in the Spanish first division (LaLiga EA Sport) (season 23/24). After the placement of a reservoir-type central venous catheter and semen cryopreservation, he received Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin Hydrochloride, Vincristine Sulfate (Oncovin), and Prednisone every 21 days for a total of 6 cycles without complications and excellent tolerance. The player began the solo-training on 16th July 2022 until the progressive return to group training on 9th December 2022 and the full incorporation into the group was on 2nd January 2023. Player has not lost performance on his return-to-elite competition and has even improved in some variables (HSR). An adequate strategy in the initial stages during chemotherapy treatment, based on progressively resistance training (from Reps in Reserve 5 to 2) combined with High-Intensity Interval program (15% above the lactate threshold; Rate of Perceived Exertion 9) helps to achieve adequate Return-to-Play and Return-to-Performance values without any loss of performance when return-to-elite competition.

The aim of this study was to investigate the change of direction (COD) frequencies and intensities of high-performance soccer players of the German Bundesliga independent of tactical and match context. COD data were collected from 18 German Bundesliga soccer teams (season 2016-2017; 308 fixtures) by an optical tracking system (OTS) (TRACAB). CODs were tracked using a modified algorithm and were sub-categorized by entry velocity (<3.0 m⋅s^-1, 3.0-5.5 m⋅s^-1, 5.5-7.0 m⋅s^-1 and >7.0 m⋅s^-1) and COD angle (20-59°, 60-119° and 120-180°). COD metric frequencies were compared between playing positions (goalkeepers, centre backs, full-backs, central midfielders, wide midfielders, and strikers). In general, regardless of entry velocity or COD angle, central midfielders consistently executed the highest number of COD actions during matches compared to the other playing positions. About ≈ 55% and ≈ 38% of CODs were <3.0 m⋅s^-1 and <5.5 m⋅s^-1, whereas ≈ 7% were >5.5 m⋅s^-1. The distribution of COD angle types was ≈ 5% for 20-59°, ≈25% 60-119° and ≈ 70% for 120-180° COD angles. Our data provide insights into the COD demands of high-performance soccer in the German Bundesliga in terms of entry velocity and COD angles and their combination based on a large dataset of OTS data, which provides insights to facilitate the development of physical conditioning strategies, position-specific external load management, and multidirectional speed training with adequate test battery selection and return-to-play protocols for soccer players.

1) describe intra-articular features (prevalence and severity) and bony hip morphology (prevalence and size) in elite male Australia Football League (AFL) draftees; 2) examine the relationship between bony hip morphology (cam and pincer morphology) and intra-articular features (cartilage defects and labral tears); and 3) examine the relationship between intra-articular features, bony hip morphology, and the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS). Cross-sectional study. 58 male AFL draftees underwent 3-tesla hip MRI. Alpha angle determined cam morphology and acetabular depth defined pincer morphology. For each hip, intra-articular features were scored semi-quantitatively. All players completed the HAGOS to determine hip/groin symptoms and sports function. Logistic regression determined whether bony hip morphology was associated with labral tears and cartilage defects. Mann-Whitney U tests evaluated the difference in HAGOS subscale scores between football players with and without intra-articular features and bony hip morphology. Cam and pincer morphology were evident in 20% and 19% of hips, respectively. Nearly half of hips (41%) had a labral tear, with only 14% having a cartilage defect. Greater alpha angle was associated with the presence of labral tears (OR 1.14, 95%CI 1.07 to 1.21, p < 0.001) but not cartilage defects. Hip imaging findings were not associated with lower (worse) HAGOS scores. Hip joint imaging findings were common in elite male AFL draftees but not associated with worse pain, symptoms, or sport function. Cam morphology may contribute to the development of labral tears in male AFL draftees.

Decision-making ability in players during match-play is mostly acquired through practice activities with the same underlying structure as competition. However, researchers have not fully investigated how coaches design practice sessions at the participation level of the sport (i.e. 'grassroots'), or why they use a particular activity at a specific time point. This study explores the practice activities employed by youth soccer coaches at the participation level in England and aims to understand their underlying intentions. Twelve male coaches working with players aged 9-11 years across ten clubs in the London region participated. Thirty-five practice sessions were filmed and analysed to assess the proportion of time spent in activities involving 'non-active decision-making' (e.g., technical practices, fitness training) versus 'active decision-making' (e.g., small-sided and conditioned games, skills practice with realistic opposition). A brief on-field interview with the coaches about the session purpose took place immediately after each systematic observation. Coaches allocated similar amounts of time to activities with active (M = 41%) and non-active (M = 42%) decision making, with the remaining 17% being transitions. There was a common progression from non-active decision-making activities early in the session towards increased active decision-making later in the session. Interviews with coaches revealed a belief in the necessity of frequent non-active decision-making practices for technique development, despite potential disparities with improving match performance. Findings highlight a potential gap between scientific understanding and coaching practices for young soccer players at the participation level, suggesting implications for coach education programmes and the optimisation of player development strategies.

This prospective cohort study aimed to longitudinally assess the brain injury biomarker plasma neurofilament light (NfL) and its relationship with football heading exposure in female football players during a competitive season. Forty-nine collegiate female football players were recruited to participate in the study, 29 voluntarily consented and enrolled. Blood samples were collected every 3-4 weeks during season: preseason, midseason 1, 2, and postseason. Heading exposure was estimated every two weeks via HeadCount questionnaire. Linear mixed models for repeated measures were used to determine differences in plasma NfL during the season. Spearman's rank correlation analysis determined the relationship between NfL changes and heading exposure. For analysis, participants were excluded if unable to participate in ≥ 80% of team activities or experienced a concussion during the season; thus, six were excluded resulting in 23 participants' data analyzed. NfL at mid- and postseason did not differ from preseason (mid1: p = 0.57; mid2: p = 0.88; postseason: p = 0.07). Changes in NfL from preseason were unrelated to gameplay heading exposure at any time points and cumulative exposure at midseason 1, 2. Changes in NfL and cumulative heading exposure from pre- to postseason were positively correlated (r = 0.434, p = 0.039), with lower exposures associated with reductions in NfL and higher exposures showing minimal to no elevations. In conclusion, plasma NfL did not elevate in collegiate female football players during a competitive season of heading exposure. However, whether these findings reflect no subtle brain injury or NfL's insensitivity in detecting said injury in young female players remains unclear.

To examine the effect of assigning male football players to an 8-week Copenhagen Adduction (CA) and Adductor Squeeze (SQ) Pragmatic randomized controlled trial, 57 participants (16.7 ± 0.9 years, 175.9 ± 7.3 height and 66 ± 8.4 weight) were individually randomized to an 8-week progressive dynamic training protocol with the CA or an isometric training protocol with the SQ twice per week. Maximal eccentric (EHAD) and isometric (IHAD) hip adductor torque was tested with a handheld dynamometer. Perceived exertion and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were recorded throughout the intervention period. In the intention-to-treat analysis, no significant between-group difference was observed for EHAD (p = 0.478-0.833) nor IHAD (p = 0.084-0.118). There was a significant difference in DOMS between groups in the third to sixteenth exercise session, with the CA group reporting higher values (median varying between 0-3 vs 0-1, p = 0.000-0.009). Perceived exertion was greater for the CA group only in the fifteenth exercise session of the protocol (median of 4 vs 3, p = 0.031). No other significant differences between the groups were observed for DOMS nor perceived exertion. An 8-week adductor training program with either the Copenhagen Adduction or Adductor Squeeze exercise performed with two sets twice a week and adjusted for total volume did not result in significant differences in eccentric nor isometric adduction torque between the groups.

The objective of this study was to describe the experiences of clinicians working within the top 50 FIFA ranked senior men's and women's international football teams regarding (i) feasible best practice in delivering medical care and (ii) the related challenges. A qualitative study was conducted by means of semi-structured interviews. Participants were clinicians from seven men's and five women's FIFA top-50 ranked international football teams, including nine doctors and three physiotherapists. Data analysis applied thematic analysis utilising a pragmatic realist stance. The results of this study are represented by five main themes: (1) communication and relationships, (2) governance, (3) navigating risk-taking, (4) delivering medical care abroad, and (5) resource impact. Concepts relating to clinician-perceived best practice included building relationships with technical staff members, effective communication, and relationships with club medical teams, adherence to practices such as medical screening and emergency scenario preparation, maintaining consent and confidentiality, shared decision-making with players, logistically planning for travel, and supporting staff psychological wellbeing. Challenges included conflict with technical staff and club medical teams, unsatisfactory handovers, club agendas, risk-taking approaches, travel, resource limitations in women's football and staff wellbeing. Clinician experiences of best practice and challenges in the context of medical care in international football have been identified in this study. These findings provide practice-informed insights that may guide improvements in international football medicine.

To evaluate the incidence and characteristics of injuries and illnesses among elite-level national male beach soccer players over a seven-year-period. Injuries and illnesses were documented in accordance with the 'Football-Specific Extension of the IOC Consensus Statement: Methods for Recording and Reporting Epidemiological Data on Injury and Illness in Sport'. A sports medicine physician recorded all cases during training camps and tournaments of the Turkish national male beach soccer team from 1 January 2018, to 1 January 2025. Across 36 camps (382 days, 90 matches, 338 training sessions), 282 injuries (72 time-loss) and 180 illnesses (9 time-loss) were recorded among 45 players. Time-loss injury incidence rates were 51.7/1000 hours (h) in matches and 6.8/1000 h in training. The thigh was the most frequently injured body area leading to time-loss during matches (18.45/1000 h), while the foot was most affected in training (1.76/1000 h). Muscle/tendon injuries were the leading cause of time-loss in both settings (18.45 and 3.52 injuries/1000 h, respectively). Concussion incidence in matches was 7.38/1000 h. Fractures and meniscus injuries resulted in the highest injury burden (132.72 and 129.03 days/1000 h, respectively). The time-loss illness incidence was 1.6 illnesses/1000 player-days. This study highlights the relatively unique injury patterns of beach soccer, with the thigh and foot most frequently affected areas and muscle/tendon injuries the leading cause of time-loss in both matches and training. The findings also emphasize the high burden of knee and head injuries, particularly concussions, and suggest tailored prevention strategies are needed. Future research with more diverse cohorts is warranted.