{"title":"Adding vibration and non-vibration foam rolling to routine soccer training alters muscle strength, flexibility, and dynamic balance in young male semi-professional soccer players: a randomized, controlled comparative study.","authors":"Erhan Secer, Derya Ozer Kaya","doi":"10.1080/15438627.2024.2439271","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15438627.2024.2439271","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to examine the effects of 6-week vibration (VFR) and non-vibration foam rolling (FR) on muscle strength, hamstrings-to-quadriceps (H:Q) ratio, flexibility, and dynamic balance in soccer players. Thirty-six players were included in the study. The players were randomly assigned to either VFR (n=12), FR (n=12), or control group (CG) (n=12). The players in VFR and FR groups performed VFR or FR thrice per week for 6 weeks. The CG did not receive any intervention. Pre- and post-test assessment included muscle strength, H:Q ratio, flexibility, and dynamic balance. Dominant extremity knee flexor and non-dominant extremity knee flexor and extensor muscle strength improved in VFR and FR groups (p<0.05). Flexibility and dynamic balance improved in VFR group (p<0.05). Both 6-week VFR and FR increased muscle strength without affecting H:Q ratio. VFR was more effective than FR for improving flexibility and dynamic balance. The results can be stunning for performance enhancement.</p>","PeriodicalId":20958,"journal":{"name":"Research in Sports Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"156-174"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142802020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Albert Wang, Bethany Koh, Alan McCall, Eva Ferrer, Ritan Mehta, Katrine Okholm Kryger
{"title":"Illness, the overlooked research topic for time-loss in women's football - a scoping review.","authors":"Albert Wang, Bethany Koh, Alan McCall, Eva Ferrer, Ritan Mehta, Katrine Okholm Kryger","doi":"10.1080/15438627.2024.2428603","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15438627.2024.2428603","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The best medical care for female football athletes should be evidence-based, and patient- and context-specific. A 2019 scoping review identified key knowledge gaps relating to the health of female footballers. Since then, research in women's football has been intensifying. To aid in the direction of future research, this study aims to scope peer-reviewed, illness-related research in women's football. Five databases were searched in July 2023. In combination with identified studies from the 2019 review, 72 studies were included for data extraction of sample characteristics (age, playing level, geography), illness characteristics according to IOC guidance, and broader research themes. Results reveal an overall lack of quantity and variety in illnesses investigated, with a growing popularity in mental health research. Minimal female athlete-specific illnesses were identified. Future research must address urgent female-specific illness topics, and also consider where knowledge from adjacent populations might be safe to adapt into women's football.</p>","PeriodicalId":20958,"journal":{"name":"Research in Sports Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"117-128"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142639668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Increased anterior pelvic tilt angle elevates the risk of hamstring injuries in soccer player.","authors":"Ahmet Bayrak, Süleyman Patlar","doi":"10.1080/15438627.2024.2430662","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15438627.2024.2430662","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to determine the impact of increased anterior pelvic tilt angle on hamstring muscle injuries in football players. An independent t-test was performed to compare right and left anterior pelvic tilt angles.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>The study was conducted by monitoring 76 different players from a professional club in the Premier Division of Professional Football League over a period of five years. During this time, the hamstring injuries sustained by the players and their severity were recorded using MRI imaging techniques.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>The comparison of the right and left anterior pelvic tilt angles among players was analysed using an independent t-test for independent groups. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the threshold value that categorizes the right and left angles. According to the results, a significant impact of the variation in right-left anterior pelvic tilt angle on hamstring muscle injuries was observed (<i>p</i> < 0.05). However, no significant effects were found for the Q angle, tibial torsion, or knee posture (<i>p</i> > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In conclusion, it can be stated that an increase in the anterior pelvic tilt angle is associated with a higher frequency of hamstring injuries.</p>","PeriodicalId":20958,"journal":{"name":"Research in Sports Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"129-145"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142681615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paolo Perna, Fearghal Kerin, Neil Greig, Marco Beato
{"title":"Return-to-play criteria following a hamstring injury in professional football: a scoping review.","authors":"Paolo Perna, Fearghal Kerin, Neil Greig, Marco Beato","doi":"10.1080/15438627.2024.2439274","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15438627.2024.2439274","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The present scoping review aims to describe the available criteria to determine Return-To-Play (RTP), propose methodological considerations and new research questions, and provide information to help practitioners in professional football make informed decisions regarding RTP following a hamstring strain injury (HSI) in professional male football. The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed, MEDLINE, web of science and SPORTDiscus using keywords related to HSI in elite football. All types of studies in English reporting at least one RTP criterion for professional football players who sustained an HSI were included. In total, 19 studies met the inclusion criteria. RTP criteria were divided into three categories: clinical, strength and performance criteria. Clinical criteria were also divided into sub-categories: absence of pain, hamstring flexibility, medical staff clearance, psychological readiness, surgeon's opinion and imaging. Practitioners working in professional male football could benefit from using a combination of criteria in their RTP battery of tests.</p>","PeriodicalId":20958,"journal":{"name":"Research in Sports Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"175-194"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142819081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Campos B T, Penna E M, Ogando P H M, Rodrigues J G S, Albuquerque M R, Nakamura F Y, Prado L S
{"title":"Assessing post-competition recovery in judo: insights into muscle damage and performance.","authors":"Campos B T, Penna E M, Ogando P H M, Rodrigues J G S, Albuquerque M R, Nakamura F Y, Prado L S","doi":"10.1080/15438627.2025.2471384","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2025.2471384","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recovery dynamics in combat sports like judo are critical for optimizing performance and reducing injury risk. This study aimed to evaluate the time-course of physiological (creatine kinase, CK) and neuromuscular (countermovement jump, CMJ) recovery in junior judo athletes following competition. Thirteen junior-level judo athletes participated in this study. Assessments of CK and CMJ were conducted at three points: 24 hours before, 24 hours after, and 48 hours after competition. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to analyse differences across time points, and Pearson's correlation measured associations between match duration and recovery markers. CK levels showed a significant increase 24 hours post-competition, returning to baseline by 48 hours, indicating muscle damage peaks shortly after matches. CMJ performance remained stable across all time points, suggesting a different recovery pathway for neuromuscular function. Additionally, match duration correlated with CK increase, reflecting higher physical stress. This study highlights a distinct recovery pattern for CK and CMJ, with CK peaking 24 hours post-match and CMJ showing resilience to acute competition stress. Coaches and athletes can use these findings to tailor recovery interventions, focusing on muscle recovery within the first 24 hours to optimize performance and reduce injury risk in subsequent events.</p>","PeriodicalId":20958,"journal":{"name":"Research in Sports Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143524181","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mark E T Willems, Tess R Flood, Matthew R Kuennen, Ben J Lee
{"title":"Anthocyanin-rich New Zealand blackcurrant extract reduces treadmill running-induced gastrointestinal symptoms in the heat: pilot observations.","authors":"Mark E T Willems, Tess R Flood, Matthew R Kuennen, Ben J Lee","doi":"10.1080/15438627.2025.2471380","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2025.2471380","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We examined the effect of anthocyanin-rich New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract on running-induced gastrointestinal symptoms in the heat. Recreationally active men (<i>n</i> = 12, age: 28 ± 6 yr, BMI: 24.5 ± 1.8 kg·m<sup>-2</sup>, <math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math>O<sub>2max</sub>: 56 ± 6 mL·kg<sup>-1</sup>·min<sup>-1</sup>) volunteered. Participants dosed with 7 days of NZBC extract (CurraNZ®) (210 mg anthocyanins) or placebo. Exercise consisted of treadmill running for one hr at 65%<math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math>O<sub>2max</sub> (34.1 ± 0.1°C, 40.8 ± 0.2% relative humidity) with the recording of gastrointestinal symptoms during and at 60 min following recovery in normal conditions. With placebo, 11 participants (92%) reported gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. belching, stitch), and this was reduced to four participants (25%) with NZBC extract. Using a modified visual analog scale, the accumulated score of gastrointestinal symptoms was lower with 7-day intake of NZBC extract (placebo: 112, NZBC extract: 54, <i>p</i> = 0.04). The prevalence of upper, lower and other gastrointestinal symptoms was reduced (upper, placebo: 75%, NZBC extract: 25%; lower: placebo: 25%, NZBC extract: 17%; other, placebo: 50%, NZBC extract: 25%). With placebo, only two participants reported severe symptoms (one participant for dizziness and nausea with that participant still reporting those in the NZBC extract condition). Seven-day intake of New Zealand blackcurrant extract reduced the incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms during 1-h of running in hot environmental conditions. Future research should examine the efficacy of NZBC extract on exercise-associated gastrointestinal symptoms in conditions in which gastrointestinal symptoms can be expected to be severe.</p>","PeriodicalId":20958,"journal":{"name":"Research in Sports Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143493404","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Federico Genovesi, Marco Tabone, Stefano Nuara, Elena Pasquali, Alessio Rossi, Andrea Perali, Tindaro Bongiovanni
{"title":"Injury risk profile for soccer players: identification of the risk factors for soccer-related injuries - an umbrella review.","authors":"Federico Genovesi, Marco Tabone, Stefano Nuara, Elena Pasquali, Alessio Rossi, Andrea Perali, Tindaro Bongiovanni","doi":"10.1080/15438627.2025.2467867","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2025.2467867","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This review aimed to identify risk factors for soccer injuries and provide researchers the needed elements to build a soccer-player's injury risk profile. An umbrella review was conducted following the PRIOR criteria (OSF registration link: https://osf.io/jr7xe/). A literature search was run to identify studies investigating soccer-related injury risk factors. We included systematic reviews published between 2013 and 2023 related to soccer and analysed the identified risk factors to classify these in intrinsic and extrinsic, group in categories and identify relationships between risk factors and injury location. Among 240 risk factors, 181 (75.4%) were classified as intrinsic and 59 (24.6%) as extrinsic. We grouped risk factors in 14 categories. Finally, we found relationships between risk factors and injury locations for 159 factors, with the knee representing the body area most affected by risk factors (<i>N</i> = 101), followed by the ankle (<i>N</i> = 65) and the thigh (<i>N</i> = 65).</p>","PeriodicalId":20958,"journal":{"name":"Research in Sports Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-27"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143477106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marc Guitart-Trench, Javier Sanchez-Sanchez, Xavier Valle, Jorge Garcia-Unanue, Francesc Cos, Antonio Alonso-Callejo, Gil Rodas, Jose Luis Felipe
{"title":"Does accumulated physical load in different time windows affect hamstring injuries in elite football players?","authors":"Marc Guitart-Trench, Javier Sanchez-Sanchez, Xavier Valle, Jorge Garcia-Unanue, Francesc Cos, Antonio Alonso-Callejo, Gil Rodas, Jose Luis Felipe","doi":"10.1080/15438627.2025.2468799","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15438627.2025.2468799","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aims to investigate how accumulated training load over different time windows (7, 14, and 28 days) influences the incidence of hamstring injuries in elite football players.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive and longitudinal study was developed in 343 players in three teams (2<sup>nd</sup> Team, U-19 team, and U-18 team) from the academy of an elite football club in Spanish La Liga that also competed in the Union of European Football Associations Champions League during four seasons, from 2017/18 to 2020/21. External load variables (total distance, high-speed running, accelerations, etc.) for training and competition have been studied considering the volume variables during three different time windows along the different seasons (7 days, 14 days, and 28 days).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results did not show differences in the shortest time windows (7- and 14-week periods), showing that strength and conditioning coaches should analyse longer periods of time and compare them to previous periods with the same length in order to improve workload management and reduce injury risk.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>It is important consider the accumulated load (chronic) in periods of 28 days to avoid an increase that generates a hamstring injury. The control of the training load in blocks of 28-day time windows seems essential to minimize the injury rate in football players.</p>","PeriodicalId":20958,"journal":{"name":"Research in Sports Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143458720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Donor tissue type alters the effects of mesenchymal stem cells on human osteoarthritic chondrocytes and their metabolomic profiles.","authors":"Levend Karaçoban, Merve Gizer, Bilge Başak Fidan, Ozan Kaplan, Mustafa Çelebier, Petek Korkusuz, Egemen Turhan, Feza Korkusuz","doi":"10.1080/15438627.2025.2467871","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2025.2467871","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Early post-traumatic osteoarthritis due to sports injuries is not rare and cell-based therapies are currently used in the treatment. Infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP), synovium (Sy) and subcutaneous adipose (S) tissues were obtained for analysis and MSC isolation. Osteoarthritic (OACs) and normal chondrocytes were co-cultured with MSCs for days seven and 14. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) levels were analysed in the supernatants. Untargeted metabolomic analyses were performed in the collected tissues and co-culture media of the experiment groups. TNFα concentrations were lower in IPFP-MSC and Sy-MSC had lower than OACs on day 14. Likewise, MMP-3 decreased in the same groups on day seven and day 14 (<i>p</i> = 0.036). Metabolomic analysis showed distinct profiles in the tissues and metabolic changes in the co-culture media. The extracellular environment of MSCs derived from the IPFP, Sy and S have distinct features and effects on OACs.</p>","PeriodicalId":20958,"journal":{"name":"Research in Sports Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143458721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hidden support for the lionesses: a breast/bra intervention.","authors":"Joanna Wakefield-Scurr, Melissa Jones, Brogan Jones, Emily Whatling, Ritan Mehta","doi":"10.1080/15438627.2024.2357761","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15438627.2024.2357761","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite health and performance benefits of appropriate breast support in sport, elite women athletes' knowledge of breasts/bras is poor leading to poor bra choices, breast pain and performance decrements. This multiphase intervention assessed breast/bra issues and preferences, individually prescribed sports bras and evaluated outcomes for the England Senior Women footballers. Breast/bra workshops were delivered to England players; all 36 completed pre-intervention surveys and breast/bra assessments, before being prescribed bras six weeks before European and World Championships (2022, 2023). 24 players completed post-intervention surveys. Pre-intervention outcomes identified poor knowledge, poor bra fit, many bra issues, and cultural sensitivities. Breast pain was prevalent (61%), with 25% reporting clinically significant breast pain. Post-intervention, players reported significant improvements with prescribed sports bras. 91% reported improvements in knowledge and benefiting from the intervention. This successful intervention provided an evidence-base for ongoing breast health initiatives with England Teams, plus roll-out to all levels of women's football.</p>","PeriodicalId":20958,"journal":{"name":"Research in Sports Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141070768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}