Vicente Luis-Del Campo, Jesús Morenas Martín, Juan Luis León Llamas, Juan Francisco Ortega Morán, Jesús Díaz-García, Tomás García-Calvo
{"title":"Influence of the time-task constraint on ocular metrics of semi-elite soccer players.","authors":"Vicente Luis-Del Campo, Jesús Morenas Martín, Juan Luis León Llamas, Juan Francisco Ortega Morán, Jesús Díaz-García, Tomás García-Calvo","doi":"10.1080/24733938.2023.2172203","DOIUrl":"10.1080/24733938.2023.2172203","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study novelty aimed to investigate the influence of manipulating the available time to perform the training tasks on soccer players´ ocular metrics, following training. Specifically, pupillary response (pupil diameter) and saccadic features (latency, accuracy, velocity, and number) were measured with a portable eye tracker following training to reflect the mental load accumulated by players during the training sessions. Nine semi-elite soccer players performed two training sessions, based on large-sided games, on an artificial grass field. These two sessions were composed of the same tasks but varying the required time to complete the task goals (<i>Session 1</i>: No time limitations to perform the tasks; <i>Session 2</i>: Limited time to perform the tasks). The participants performed, before (pre-test) and after (post-test) each training session, a prosaccade task in a room near the playing field. Findings revealed a differentiated effect of the available time to complete the training tasks on ocular metrics because significant differences were found in all variables after training (<i>p</i> < .001 for pupil diameter; <i>p</i> < .01 for saccade accuracy and number of saccades; <i>p</i> < .05 for saccade velocity and latency). Ocular metrics could be a promising tool to evaluate mental load following practice because they were sensitive to the time-task constraint, providing researchers a valuable information for a better planning of the mental workload when designed training tasks.</p>","PeriodicalId":74767,"journal":{"name":"Science & medicine in football","volume":" ","pages":"179-186"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9134795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Claire Mills, Mark De Ste Croix, David James, Stephen-Mark Cooper
{"title":"Development of novel calibration model(s) to predict whole-body density in professional football players.","authors":"Claire Mills, Mark De Ste Croix, David James, Stephen-Mark Cooper","doi":"10.1080/24733938.2023.2166680","DOIUrl":"10.1080/24733938.2023.2166680","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Questions continue to be raised about the validity that is in existence to estimate D<sub>b</sub>, in professional male footballer players.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Phase 1: <i>n</i> = 28 anthropometric variables were used on <i>n</i> = 206 footballers, using regression analyses to determine standard error of estimate and <i>R</i><sup>2</sup>. A cut-off correlation coefficient set at <i>r</i> = 0.950 and 90% <i>R</i><sup>2</sup>. Phase 2: all variables (<i>z</i>-scores, <math><mover><mi>x</mi><mo>-</mo></mover></math> = 0.0, SD = ±1.0) to help reduce heteroscedasticity, β, <i>r</i>, <i>t</i>, significance of <i>t</i> and <i>P-</i>values were calculated. Phase 3: a forced stepwise-backwards regression analysis approach with nine predictors which met the acceptance criteria (<i>r</i> = 0.950, <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 90% and β weights) was used to develop a '<i>best fit</i>' and a '<i>practical</i>' calibration model. Phase 4: cross-validation of the two newly developed calibration method using LoA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The 'best fit' model SEM (0.115 g ml<sup>-1</sup>), the highest <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> (6.6%) (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.005), whereas the 'practical' calibration model SEM (0.115 g ml<sup>-1</sup>), <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> (4.7%) (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.005) with <i>r</i> values = 0.271 and 0.596 and <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> (%) coefficients = 0.3526 for the 'best fit' and 'practical' calibration models, respectively (<i>P</i> = 0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The two calibration models supported an ecologically and statistically valid contribution and can provide sound judgements about professional footballers' body composition.</p>","PeriodicalId":74767,"journal":{"name":"Science & medicine in football","volume":" ","pages":"170-178"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10538940","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elaine Ribeiro, Júlia Barreira, Dayse Carraco, Larissa Galatti, Martin Götze, Cesar Cavinato Cal Abad
{"title":"The relative age effect in under-17, under-20, and adult elite female soccer players.","authors":"Elaine Ribeiro, Júlia Barreira, Dayse Carraco, Larissa Galatti, Martin Götze, Cesar Cavinato Cal Abad","doi":"10.1080/24733938.2022.2164608","DOIUrl":"10.1080/24733938.2022.2164608","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To investigate the RAE in elite female soccer players, the absolute and relative birthdate distributions of players who disputed the Women's World Cup were assessed. Differences between observed and expected distributions were analyzed using chi-square and effect sizes. The birthdates of 1224 female soccer players were assessed in Under-17 (<i>N</i> = 336), Under-20 (<i>N</i> = 336) and adult (<i>N</i> = 552) categories. There was no significant RAE in adult category for different playing positions and players in general (including all playing positions per age category). There was significant RAE for midfielders and players in general with mainly small effect sizes for the U-17 and U-20. In both age categories, players born in Q1 were over-represented with the highest quartile ratio for midfielders. In regard of RAE and success defined by final ranking at the World Cup, we found no significant differences between the birthdate distributions of players who participated in either the group stages or finally the knockout phases. Coaches should consider this information to avoid bias in talent programs designed to promote and select female soccer players independently of their birthdates. Young female players should be encouraged to learn to play in different field positions before to reach high-level performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":74767,"journal":{"name":"Science & medicine in football","volume":" ","pages":"153-160"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10545528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction.","authors":"","doi":"10.1080/24733938.2023.2188709","DOIUrl":"10.1080/24733938.2023.2188709","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":74767,"journal":{"name":"Science & medicine in football","volume":" ","pages":"187-188"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9727879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leander Forcher, Leon Forcher, Stefan Altmann, Darko Jekauc, Matthias Kempe
{"title":"The keys of pressing to gain the ball - Characteristics of defensive pressure in elite soccer using tracking data.","authors":"Leander Forcher, Leon Forcher, Stefan Altmann, Darko Jekauc, Matthias Kempe","doi":"10.1080/24733938.2022.2158213","DOIUrl":"10.1080/24733938.2022.2158213","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recently, the availability of big amounts of data enables analysts to dive deeper into the constraints of performance in various team sports. While offensive analyses in football have been extensively conducted, the evaluation of defensive performance is underrepresented in this sport. Hence, the aim of this study was to analyze successful defensive playing phases by investigating the space and time characteristics of defensive pressure.Therefore, tracking and event data of 153 games of the German Bundesliga (second half of 2020/21 season) were assessed. Defensive pressure was measured in the last 10 seconds of a defensive playing sequence (time characteristic) and it was distinguished between pressure on the ball-carrier, pressure on the group (5 attackers closest to the ball), and pressure on the whole team (space characteristic). A linear mixed model was applied to evaluate the effect of success of a defensive play (ball gain), space characteristic, and time characteristic on defensive pressure.Defensive pressure is higher in successful defensive plays (14.47 ± 16.82[%]) compared to unsuccessful defensive plays (12.87 ± 15.31[%]). The characteristics show that defensive pressure is higher in areas closer to the ball (space characteristic) and the closer the measurement is to the end of a defensive play (time characteristic), which is especially true for successful defensive plays. Defensive pressure is a valuable key performance indicator for defensive play. Further, this study shows that there is an association between the pressing of the ball-carrier and areas close to the ball with the success of defensive play.</p>","PeriodicalId":74767,"journal":{"name":"Science & medicine in football","volume":" ","pages":"161-169"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10381188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
João Barreira, João Brito, Júlio A Costa, Pedro Figueiredo
{"title":"Sleep duration is associated with overnight changes in perceived fatigue in elite women soccer players.","authors":"João Barreira, João Brito, Júlio A Costa, Pedro Figueiredo","doi":"10.1080/24733938.2022.2163511","DOIUrl":"10.1080/24733938.2022.2163511","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The current study aimed to describe sleep habits and analyze the associations between sleep indices, changes in perceived fatigue (Δ Fatigue) and external training load measures in women soccer players during a 7-day training camp. Sixteen elite women soccer players (age: 25.4 ± 3.6 years; mean ± SD) from the Portuguese Women's National Team participated in the study. Sleep indices (sleep duration and efficiency) were measured using a wrist-worn accelerometer. External training loads measures were measured using GPS devices. Players also reported perceived fatigue using a Likert scale (1 - very, very low to 7 - very, very high) before and immediately after sleep. Players' within-subject coefficient of variation for sleep duration was 5.6%, and 4.6% for sleep efficiency. Individually, 8 players (50%) slept less than 7 h per night throughout the training camp, and the same number of athletes had a sleep efficiency lower than 85%. Similar values (<i>p<</i>0.05) were measured for sleep duration and efficiency between training and match days. A <i>moderate</i> negative within-subjects correlation was found between Δ Fatigue and sleep duration (adjusted for pre-sleep fatigue) [r = -0.32; 95% Confidence Interval (-0.51 - -0.08); <i>p =</i> 0.04]. These findings reinforce the importance of sleep in the recovery process of elite women soccer players, showing that more sleep may help to attenuate fatigue.</p>","PeriodicalId":74767,"journal":{"name":"Science & medicine in football","volume":" ","pages":"145-152"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10452097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Omar Heyward, Kirsty J Elliott-Sale, Gregory Roe, Stacey Emmonds, Katy Hornby, Keith A Stokes, Ben Jones
{"title":"Oral contraceptive use in Premiership and Championship women's rugby union: perceived symptomology, management strategies, and performance and wellness effects.","authors":"Omar Heyward, Kirsty J Elliott-Sale, Gregory Roe, Stacey Emmonds, Katy Hornby, Keith A Stokes, Ben Jones","doi":"10.1080/24733938.2022.2156588","DOIUrl":"10.1080/24733938.2022.2156588","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of oral contraceptive use in domestic rugby union, to compare symptomology by contraceptive use, and to determine symptom management strategies. Additionally, to characterise the perceived influence of oral contraceptive use and non-use on wellness and performance. A total of 238 Premiership and Championship women's rugby union players completed an online questionnaire. The survey was comprised of questions relating to player characteristics, hormonal or non-hormonal contraceptive characteristics, perceived symptomology, symptom management strategies, and performance and wellness characteristics. The prevalence of oral contraceptive users was 26%. Non-hormonal contraceptive users reported greater perceived negative symptomology (i.e., back pain, nausea, sore breasts) and performance and wellness effects (i.e., fatigue, stress, mood, concentration, power, match-play) than oral contraceptive users. The most common symptom management strategies were medication (33%), nutritional interventions (20%), and training modulation (20%). Twelve percent of players had previously spoken to staff about their menstrual cycle (i.e., regular and irregular) or contraceptive use. The most common barriers to speaking to staff were 'male staff' (29%) and 'club culture' (24%). The importance of assisting non-hormonal contraceptive users in managing symptoms is evident. Emphasis on overcoming barriers to staff-player dialogue regarding menstrual/contraceptive cycle is required.</p>","PeriodicalId":74767,"journal":{"name":"Science & medicine in football","volume":" ","pages":"95-102"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10784311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrew Shafik, Pippa Bennett, Craig Rosenbloom, Katrine Okholm Kryger, Sean Carmody, Jonathan Power
{"title":"Sport-related concussion attitudes and knowledge in elite English female footballers.","authors":"Andrew Shafik, Pippa Bennett, Craig Rosenbloom, Katrine Okholm Kryger, Sean Carmody, Jonathan Power","doi":"10.1080/24733938.2022.2161613","DOIUrl":"10.1080/24733938.2022.2161613","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sport-related concussions (SRC) are more common and more severe in women's football than men's yet the knowledge and attitudes of SRC in the women's game are not well understood. The objective of this study was to assess the SRC knowledge and attitude in elite female footballers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An online questionnaire was sent to all registered players in the English Football Association Women's Super League (WSL) and Championship. Respondents completed an amended version of the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey (RoCKAS). Concussion Knowledge Index (CKI) and Concussion Attitudes Index (CAI) scores were derived for all respondents.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>One hundred and twenty-three players completed the survey with 111 fitting the inclusion criteria. The mean CKI score was 20.5 ± 2.3 and the mean CAI score was 63.3 ± 6.3. A weak positive correlation was shown between the CKI and CAI (r = 0.20; p = 0.03). Previous concussion education had a significant impact on increased knowledge (U = 1198; p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in concussion attitudes and knowledge between the WSL and Championship or in those with a previous concussion history and no previous concussion (p > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Previous SRC education demonstrated an increased knowledge around concussion but a limited impact towards concussion attitudes. It is suggested that concussion education should be mandated across the professional game to enhance player welfare.</p>","PeriodicalId":74767,"journal":{"name":"Science & medicine in football","volume":" ","pages":"119-125"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10808810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thomas Sutherland, Jarryd Heasman, Brent Rogalski, Jack Fahey-Gilmour, Peter Peeling
{"title":"Post-game recovery of isometric hamstring strength in a high-risk hamstring strain injury group throughout an Australian Football League season.","authors":"Thomas Sutherland, Jarryd Heasman, Brent Rogalski, Jack Fahey-Gilmour, Peter Peeling","doi":"10.1080/24733938.2022.2159061","DOIUrl":"10.1080/24733938.2022.2159061","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study sought to investigate post-game hamstring strength recovery of 26 Australian Football League (AFL) players with a previous hamstring strain injury (HSI) across an AFL season. Maximal unilateral isometric knee flexion strength was assessed using an externally fixed dynamometer, and inter-session reliability was measured during the pre-season period. Linear mixed effects models investigated the influence of numerous variables on post-game hamstring strength decrement (relative change between initial weekly test and individual baseline) and individual within-week strength change following gameplay. The test demonstrated good inter-tester reliability (ICC = 0.81-0.88; CV = 6.73-7.33), and an acceptable level of error (MAE = 5.77-7.14%). Player as a random effect strongly influenced post-game strength decrement and within-week strength change (marginal R<sup>2</sup> = 0.185-0.407; conditional R<sup>2</sup> = 0.455-0.654). Within-week hamstring strength change was strongly determined by post-game strength decrement alone (estimate = 0.51, 95% CI = -0.66- -0.36 ; η<sup>2</sup> = 0.32; <i>P</i>=<0.001) and in interaction with number of days post-game (estimate = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.20-0.66; η<sup>2</sup> = 0.096; <i>P</i>=<0.001). This study shows the importance of early individual assessment of post-game hamstring strength in players with prior hamstring injury and could be valuable to inform post-game hamstring recovery in future applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":74767,"journal":{"name":"Science & medicine in football","volume":" ","pages":"138-144"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10414235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chloe J Otte, Evangeline Mantzioris, Brianna S Salagaras, Alison M Hill
{"title":"Seasonal health tracking of Australian Football League Women's athletes.","authors":"Chloe J Otte, Evangeline Mantzioris, Brianna S Salagaras, Alison M Hill","doi":"10.1080/24733938.2023.2175901","DOIUrl":"10.1080/24733938.2023.2175901","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Studies evaluating the dietary intake of Australian Football League Women's (AFLW) athletes are few and limited to the preseason. This prospective observational study aims to evaluate seasonal changes in dietary intake and health parameters of professional AFLW athletes.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>Dietary intake (3-day weighed food records), body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis, skinfolds), physical performance (global positioning system, GPS), and iron status (fasted blood sample) were assessed in 19 athletes (24 ± 5 years, 170 ± 6 cm, 22.8 ± 2.1 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) at three timepoints: start of preseason, end of preseason, and end of competition season. Sociodemographic information, sports nutrition knowledge (SNK), and risk of low energy availability (LEA) questionnaires were completed at the start of preseason.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean daily energy and carbohydrate (CHO) intakes were lower than recommendations across all seasons (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Mean daily CHO intake was highest at start of preseason (3.6 g/kg/day), decreased during preseason (3.1 g/day) and remained low during competition (3.2 g/day); >80% of players did not meet minimum recommendations at each timepoint (all, <i>p</i> < 0.05). The sum of seven skinfolds and fat mass (%) decreased during preseason (both, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Serum iron fell within recommended ranges for 95% of athletes at all timepoints. The total distance (m) and number of Very High Intensity (>21 km/h) efforts significantly increased across preseason and decreased during competition (all, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Nutrition knowledge was 'poor', and 42% of athletes were at risk of LEA.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>AFLW athletes do not meet energy and carbohydrate requirements across the preseason and competition seasons, which may impact health and performance if deficits are sustained.</p>","PeriodicalId":74767,"journal":{"name":"Science & medicine in football","volume":" ","pages":"103-111"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10693070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}