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As athletes enter a new chapter in their lives retiring from their sport, the challenge of upholding and enhancing personal brands arises. There has been extensive research on athlete brand building via social media; however, there have been few studies analyzing how athletes build their own brands and brand extensions postcareer, particularly former National Football League (NFL) players. Sixteen retired NFL athletes were examined using Goffman's theory of self-presentation to determine strategies used for building personal brand extensions and obtaining follower engagement via Instagram. Through a content analysis, a total of 2,933 Instagram posts were analyzed, and the findings from this study revealed that former NFL players with fewer followers received higher engagement rates, and retired NFL players made more backstage type of posts on personal pages compared with front-stage posts. Implications, recommendations, and future research suggestions also are discussed within the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a growing body of evidence showing the benefits to coaches and players in adopting a game-based pedagogical approach. Whilst the evidence in support of a game-based pedagogy continues to rise it is acknowledged that the complex art form of coaching is a uniquely personal one, where the coach may draw on previous first-hand experiences and traditional coaching practices regarding training methods rather than the use of current evidence-based best practice techniques. Purpose: The aim of this randomised control trial was to evaluate the impact of a coach development intervention (MASTER) on game-based coaching practices of football coaches. Methods: Four clubs were recruited, and 20 coaches were randomised to two groups, MASTER intervention (n = 10) and 10 usual practice (waitlist, n = 10); NSW Australia) which included 200 junior footballers (aged 8–16years). Intervention coaches participated in an 8-week multi-component intervention (which included a coach education workshop focused on positive game-based pedagogy, mentoring, peer evaluations and an online discussion forum) underpinned by positive coaching and game-based coaching practices. Pre- and post-intervention assessments occurred at baseline and 10 weeks. The primary aim was to investigate if the MASTER intervention could increase playing form (PF) and active learning time within training sessions. Three coaching sessions per coach were filmed at baseline and follow-up and assessed using the MASTER assessment tool. Secondary aims investigation included coach confidence and competence to coach (assessed by questionnaire), player game play and decision making (videoed during structured game play using a Game Performance Assessment Instrument), a range of player well-being measures including enjoyment, self-perception, and various motivations (questionnaire) and the parent's perception of their child's enjoyment was assessed by the completion of a questionnaire. Intervention effects were analysed using linear mixed models. Findings: Significant effects were found for the primary outcome which was the percentage of training time devoted to playing-form activities (22.63%; 95% CI 9.07–36.19; P = 0.002, d = 1.78). No significant effect was observed for ALT. Significant interventions effects were also observed for the secondary outcomes of coach perceptions of confidence and confidence; player game skills including defence, support and decision making, wellbeing, physical self-perceptions, enjoyment, learning and performance orientations and motivation; and parent's perception of child's enjoyment (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The MASTER programme was effective in improving game-based coaching practices of football coaches during training sessions, and in facilitating improvements in multiple coach and player outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Diagnosing concussions is problematic, in part due to the invisible nature of concussion symptoms, in addition to personal and interpersonal factors that influence symptom reporting. As a result, observable signs of concussion can ensure concussions are identified and appropriately treated. Here, we define a potential novel sign, the spontaneous headshake after a kinematic event (SHAAKE) and evaluate its utility in the diagnosis of concussion. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study of 347 athletes (age 27, IQR: 25–29; 47.6% female; highest level of play: college—46.1%, high school—41.2%) identified whether SHAAKE occurred, the reasons underlying SHAAKEs, and its utility for self-reported concussion. Sensitivity and positive predictive value were calculated across all sports and these parameters, as well as estimates for specificity and negative predictive value leveraging published helmet sensor data, were calculated for football players. Results: The median number of times participants reported SHAAKE was 5 (IQR: 3–10), with 4 (IQR: 2–7) associated with a self-reported concussion. Overall, 84.9% of participants reported concussion symptoms as the most common reason for their SHAAKEs. Across all sports, SHAAKE had a sensitivity of 49.6% and positive predictive value 72.4% for diagnosing concussion. In football players, SHAAKE had a sensitivity of 52.3%, estimated specificity of 99.9%, positive predictive value of 91.9%, and estimated negative predictive value of 99.5% for diagnosing self-reported concussion. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that nearly three-quarters of athletes reported a SHAAKE associated with a self-reported concussion, which supports the potential for SHAAKE to be used as a concussion screening tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body and anthropometric profiles of football players vary depending on the physiological and technical demands imposed by different positions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the body composition of professional soccer players in relation to their position on the field during a training macrocycle. The Direct Segmental Multi-Frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis method was used to analyze 58 players at six key moments of the macrocycle. The results show that body profiles are adjusted to the specific demands of each position. Midfielders showed the lowest muscle mass, while defenders showed many notable changes. In general, as the season progressed, all field players experienced an increase in trunk body fat. Fat and lean mass values of goalkeepers differed greatly from the rest. The greatest variations in body composition were observed during pre-season and transition in relation to variations in training load and competitive intensity. The results suggest that the phase of the macrocycle has a greater influence on these variations, although the physical characteristics of each position are relevant. Understanding these dynamics allows for the design of more personalized and efficient training programs to optimize the performance of footballers according to their roles and each stage of the season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: This study aims to analyze and compare the somatotypes of professional football players from Slovakia with a non-athletic population. Methods: Comparative analysis of professional soccer players by their positions, goalkeepers (n = 4; 8%), defenders (n = 16; 32%), strikers (n = 15; 30%), and midfielders (n = 15; 30%), in average age 16.88 ± 1.29 years, based on selected anthropometric parameters, somatotype components, and the resultant somatotype using the Heath–Carter method. Results: The average somatotype of the soccer players was categorized as an ectomorphic mesomorph (40%). Goalkeepers showed significantly greater body height (BH 187.98 ± 3.166 cm) and weight (BW 82.33 ± 4.922 kg) than midfielders (BH 179.25 ± 6.126 cm; p = 0.03; BW 68 ± 6.304 kg; p = 0.014) and strikers (BH 176.04 ± 4.998 cm; p = 0.026; BW 68.93 ± 6.591 kg; p = 0.026). Defenders had significantly greater BH (182.14 ± 4.853 cm; p = 0.026) than strikers. Goalkeepers also had a significantly higher BMI than midfielders (23.28 ± 0.698 vs. 21.14 ± 1.282 kg/m2; p = 0.02) and greater epicondylar width of the humerus (EWH 7.36 ± 0.14 cm) compared to strikers (EWH 6.79 ± 0.308 cm; p = 0.014). The average somatotype values identified goalkeepers [2.0–4.1–3.1], defenders [1.6–3.9–3.2], and strikers [1.7–4.2–2.9] as ectomorphic mesomorphs, while midfielders were identified as mesomorph–ectomorphs [1.6–3.7–3.6]. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of somatotype in player position suitability and its impact on physical attributes in football. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has been diagnosed in 91.7% of retired United States National Football League (NFL) players at postmortem. There is no treatment or cure for CTE. Most living former NFL athletes with probable CTE suffer from obesity and its comorbidities. Our previous reviews document the improvement in cognition following metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS) (e.g., gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy). These operations might reduce microglial maladaptive states, thereby attenuating neurodegeneration and CTE-like neurocognitive impairment. The study evaluated former NFL players' views on metabolic surgery in relation to reduction of obesity and CTE risk. Materials and Methods: An online multiple-choice questionnaire (30 items, 125 response options, 10-min completion) developed in the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) system was sent to 1,014 athletes screened in 2017–2022 by the Living Heart Foundation. Results: From 2/2022 to 7/2023, of 700 surveys opened, 72 (10.3%) of the retired players responded. Mean age was 61.6 ± 12.6 years; 45.0% had the disease of obesity with a mean BMI 35.5 ± 4.6 kg/m2. Thirty-three percent reported ≥ 2 obesity-related comorbidities; 40.3% memory-related TBI symptoms; 66.7% ≥ 1 cognitive symptom; 85.0% believed MBS was safe and effective but were unlikely to elect MBS for weight management. Yet, 57.0% of the entire cohort, and 68.8% of players with obesity were more likely to elect MBS if it could also reduce CTE risk. Conclusions: Results of the study bode well for future research recruitment. Most surveyed retired NFL players with obesity believed MBS to be effective and would be more likely to undergo MBS if it also reduced CTE risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Despite robust research endeavors exploring post-play health implications in former NFL players, the impact of former-player status on long-term cardiovascular health has not yet been elucidated. The purpose of this systematic review is to describe the available research on the cardiovascular health in former NFL players. Methods: Relevant studies were included from the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases. Studies were evaluated in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Two independent reviewers conducted the title/abstract screenings and risk of bias determinations. The results of the studies were extracted for inclusion in the review. Results: Sixteen studies met inclusion criteria. Though evidence was discordant among studies, former NFL players appeared to possess more favorable metabolic profiles and decreased mortality compared to community controls. Of note, 90% of former players were found to be overweight or obese. Conclusion: Though cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among former NFL players, they possess comparable metabolic and cardiovascular profiles to community controls. Further research is necessary to ascertain the impact of NFL play on cardiovascular health and develop tailored preventative care strategies for former players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundMethodsResultsConclusionsFormer professional collision sport (CS) athletes, particularly American football players, are at risk of developing chronic health conditions; however, little is known about the health outcomes of amateur athletes.A 60-item health survey examined self-reported symptoms and diagnoses among former Division 1 Collegiate CS athletes and non- or limited-contact sport (non-CS) athletes. Binary logistic regressions tested the association between playing CS and health outcomes.Five hundred and two (6.2%) participants completed the survey: 160 CS athletes (mean age: 59.2, SD = 16.0) and 303 non-CS athletes (mean age: 54.0, SD = 16.9). CS athletes had increased odds of reported cognitive complaints and neuropsychiatric symptoms including memory (Padj < 0.01), attention/concentration (Padj = 0.01), problem solving/multi-tasking (Padj = 0.05), language (Padj = 0.02), anxiety (Padj = 0.04), impulsivity (Padj = 0.02), short-fuse/rage/explosivity (Padj < 0.001), and violence/aggression (Padj = 0.02). CS athletes also reported higher rates of sleep apnea (Padj = 0.02). There were no group differences in cardiovascular and physical health outcomes.Former CS athletes reported more cognitive and neuropsychiatric complaints. The low response rate is a limitation of this study; however, over 500,000 athletes play college sports each year, thus research on long-term health outcomes in this population is critical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to describe the neuromuscular status and training load in the U-21 soccer football from the Czech Republic during an international training camp. Sixteen players were sampled with data from the neuromuscular status by countermovement jump (CMJ), external load by global positioning system (GPS) parameters and internal load by session rate of perceived exertion (RPE). The camp consisted of 5 days of field training and 2 days of friendly matches. CMJ was performed on days 1, 4 and 7. The comparison of variables during the camp was tested by the Friedman test, one-way repeated measure ANOVA, effect size (ES) and percentage of change (p < 0.05). A significant improvement of 6% in jump performance was found from day 1 (49.7 ± 3.98 cm) to day 7 (52.8 ± 4.52 cm) (p < 0.001), with a moderate effect (ES = 0.7). Both internal and external loads presented significant variation during the camp, with higher RPE and GPS parameters on the day of the friendly matches = day 4 and day 7 and lower load on days 5 and 6 (p < 0.05). The study provides a report on a positive neuromuscular status in the Czech football players during an international camp including a congested and competitive fixture, presenting an undulation on training loads across the training sessions, with higher loads on the match days. This study demonstrated that the periodization used by the Czech national football team in this specific congested fixture seems to not impair the neuromuscular status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Previous evidence has shown that American football headgear (e.g., facemasks, visors/eye shields) differentially impairs reaction time (RT) to visual stimuli, most notably in peripheral fields of view. However, this has only been established with stationary RT testing, which may not translate to gameplay situations that require gross motor skills. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to build upon previous findings to elucidate the effects of various American football headgear on gross motor visuomotor drill performance. Methods: Division 1 NCAA football players (n = 16) with normal/corrected-to-normal vision participated and completed two experiments (EXP), each with differing conditions: EXP1- Varying facemask reinforcement and EXP2- Varying visor/eye shield light transmittance. In EXP1, participants completed an agility test for the following conditions: baseline/no helmet (BL), helmet + light (HL), helmet + medium (HM), and helmet + heavy (HH) face mask reinforcement. In EXP2, participants completed an agility test for the following conditions: baseline/no helmet (BL), helmet + clear visor (HCV), helmet + smoke-tinted visor (HSV), and helmet + mirrored visor (HMV). For each condition in EXP1 and EXP2, participants completed a reactive agility task using a FITLIGHT trainer system where five poles were equipped with a total of ten LED sensors and were placed in a semi-circle 1 m around a center point. Participants were asked to step and reach with their hands to hit each ten lights individually as fast as possible upon illumination. Each reactive agility test was repeated for a total of three attempts. Results: Average reaction time was analyzed and compared between conditions and according to visual fields of interest (e.g., central vs. peripheral). Results from EXP1 showed that compared to BL, reactive agility was worsened by HL (p = 0.030), HM (p = 0.034), and HH (p = 0.003) conditions. No differences between facemask conditions existed for overall performance (p > 0.05). For EXP2, HCV (p < 0.001), HSV (p < 0.001), and HMV (p < 0.001) conditions resulted in worsened reactive agility performance compared to BL. No differences between visor conditions existed for overall performance (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Overall, these findings suggest that American football headgear impairs reactive agility, which could result in worsened game performance and safety. Future studies investigating training strategies to overcome impairments are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background. The development path of a football player toward becoming a professional player involves four main aspects: physical, technical, tactical, and psychological ones. Objectives. This study aimed to examine the psychological characteristics of the environment that influence and contribute to the development of football players under 17 years old in Indonesia and Malaysia. Materials and methods. This study used a qualitative approach, namely evolved grounded theory, and the data collection process was conducted using three distinct methods: semi-structured interviews, observation, and document analysis. Twenty-five coaches participated in this study, comprising fifteen coaches from various football academies in Malaysia and ten coaches from Indonesia. All coaches involved in this study have a license and at least five years of experience as coaches under 17. The data collected and analyzed began with open coding, axial coding, and selective coding, and the analysis was assisted by using qualitative research software, namely N-Vivo 14. Results. The findings revealed that several aspects influenced player development, such as policy support, including structured and competitive age group competitions, a healthy football ecosystem; other results have been defined as relationships and cooperation supported by family, friendship between clubs, and teamwork. Finally, the study underscored the significance of involving coaching factors, including passion, patience, and coach psychological treatment abilities. These are the psychological characteristics of the environment that can influence the development of football players. Conclusions. It is hoped that the results of this study can be used as a reference for coaches, the Indonesian Football Association, and the Malaysian Football Association to create a policy that can support football players under 17 years from all aspects, including psychology.

Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) football games are presented in a hypercommercialized manner by television broadcast networks through the targeted use of in-game graphics and corporatized content. While commercialized FBS football broadcast components have been analyzed within the frameworks of a hypercommercialized National Collegiate Athletic Association and media institutional logics, an analysis of commentator language has yet to be examined within the larger institutional field of FBS football broadcasts. Utilizing agenda setting and media framing as frameworks, this case study examined the manner in which commentators frame FBS football players as professionals in a hypercommercialized institutional setting. From a sample of 18 FBS bowl games during the 2019–20 season, discourse and thematic analysis reveal that commentators frame FBS football players in the context of their future professional opportunities (i.e., National Football League). The framing of FBS football players as professionals aligns with extant literature examining the broader institutional field of broadcast media and logics pervasive in the National Collegiate Athletic Association as an organization. The commodification of FBS football players as integral components to strategic programmatic content promoting future broadcast programming is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background and Study Aim. Physical abilities and fundamental skills are essential characteristics of football players requiring in-depth analysis, but the results of previous short-term investigations lack a comprehensive overview. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a longitudinal analysis of physical abilities and fundamental skills development, as well as the simultaneous development of both among young football players. Material and Method. This quantitative longitudinal descriptive study recruited 31 male football players aged 13-15 as participants with weights of approximately 47-60 kg and heights ranging from 146-164 cm. In addition, the instruments used to assess physical abilities included sit and reach, 30-meter sprint, vertical jump, MFT, arrowhead, as well as ball catching and throwing, while dribbling, passing, and receiving were applied for fundamental skills. Collected data were subjected to the Wilcoxon test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Post Hoc analysis performed using SPSS 23. Result. Wilcoxon test results showed that significance levels of 0.000-0.024 < 0.05 were obtained for physical abilities including flexibility, coordination, speed, power, agility, and endurance, while 0.000 < 0.05 was obtained for fundamental skills comprising shooting, dribbling, receiving, and passing. Kruskal-Wallis test results showed a significance level of 0.000 < 0.05 for both characteristics. Conclusion. The first and second-semester tests conducted for physical abilities and fundamental skills yielded significantly different results. Additionally, a simultaneous difference was observed between the physical abilities and fundamental skills explored. The second-semester tests particularly showed better results for both sets of characteristics examined among the Real Madrid Foundation UNY football players.

Introduction: Advancements in technology have recently made it possible to implement effective training solutions across different environmental conditions. This study evaluated the reliability and validity of measures obtained from the innovative motorized device, Alex7 (Inosportas, Lithuania), and differences in speed and kinematic characteristics between resisted and assisted sprinting in young football players. Methods: Twenty-seven male athletes (mean age: 16.5 ± 0.8 years; height: 179.5 ± 6.9 cm; body weight: 67.7 ± 8.3 kg) each performed 30-m sprints twice under three different conditions: regular, resisted, and assisted sprinting. The Alex7 device provided the assistance and resistance during sprints. Results were compared with those from Witty timing gates. Ground contact time, flight time, stride length, and pace were measured using the OptoJump system. Reliability was assessed using two-way mixed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for single measures, the standard error of the mean (SEM), and the coefficient of variation (CV). Pearson's correlation coefficient determined the associations between Alex7 and Witty timing systems. Criterionreferenced validity was based on the mean difference and CV. Systematic bias was determined by limits of agreement using Bland-Altman analysis. Results: Running times obtained using the Alex7 equipment exhibited good to excellent test-retest reliability between sessions (ICC, 0.83-0.94) and good to excellent correlation (Pearson's r = 0.88-0.98) between the Alex7 and Witty systems in both assisted and resisted running conditions. However, the Alex7 device consistently produced longer running times than the Witty device (up to 0.16 s difference, p < 0.001). The different running conditions produced substantial variations in kinematic variables, such as stride length, ground contact time, and running speed (p < 0.001 for all), but the effects on flight time and running pace were smaller. Discussion: The Alex7 device shows high reliability for creating resisted and assisted running conditions for young football players. However, it tends to overestimate running time, necessitating caution when assessing the time parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through analysis of coaches' playing history and players' post-retirement career choices in these fields in Israel, this article identifies significant different patterns in the transition from the role of player to that of a coach in basketball and football. In football the majority of coaches are former senior players, and the majority of senior players go on to become coaches, whereas in basketball the situation is the complete reverse. Explanations for these significant differences are related to the athletes' social status in each field, the substantive and philosophical differences between the fields, and their different social norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Football (soccer) is the world's most popular team sport. Purpose: To comprehensively examine the brain in football (soccer) players, with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. Material and Methods: The study involved 65 football players and 62 controls. The MR examinations were performed using MR 1.5-T system (Optima MR 360; GE Medical Systems). The examinations were carried out in the 3D Bravo, CUBE, FSEpropeller, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences. The 1HMRS signal was obtained from the volume of interest in the frontal and occipital lobes on both sides. Results: The present study, based on structural MRI, shows some changes in the brains of the group of football players. The findings show asymmetry of the ventricular system in four football players, arachnoid cysts in the parieto-occipital region, and pineal cysts. NAA/Cr concentration in the right frontal lobe was lower in the football players than in the controls, and the Glx/Cr concentration in the right occipital lobe was higher. The apparent diffusion coefficient value is lower in football players in the occipital lobes. Conclusion: Playing football can cause measurable changes in the brain, known to occur in patients diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. The present findings fill the gap in the literature by contributing evidence showing that playing football may lead to changes in the brain, without clinical symptoms of concussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the countermovement jump (CMJ) and sprint performance of professional football players, and to determine which strength and speed elements assessed by the CMJ translate into effective running. Methods: The research sample comprised 87 male professional football players (age 23.7 ± 4.20 years; body mass 82.33 ± 6.56 kg; body height 1.86 ± 0.05 m) who performed the CMJ on a dual-force platform, as well as the 30 m sprint test. The time and velocity of the run were recorded by photocells at 0, 5, 10, and 30 m of the distance. Results: No significant differences were noted in the time or velocity of the sprint over the initial 5 m between the groups of football players with a higher and lower braking rate of force development (RFD) in the CMJ (p > 0.05). However, at subsequent intervals (5–10 m and 10–30 m), players with a higher braking RFD achieved significantly better time and velocity than those with a lower RFD. Significant correlations in the group with a lower braking RFD between the CMJ and sprint variables occurred in the propulsion phase of the CMJ and most of them were in the first interval (0–5 m). In the group with a higher braking RFD, significant relationships were visible in both the propulsion (concentric) and braking (eccentric) phases of the CMJ, mainly during the second and third intervals of the sprint test. Conclusions: The noted observations may suggest that the relationship between strength and running performance is more complex than previously indicated, and that higher strength in the CMJ does not fully correlate with better sprinting. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that training aimed at generally increasing strength may not always be fully beneficial for running performance in football players and hence specific training guidelines are suggested for targeted strengthening of the required muscle performance characteristics. This may possibly contribute to reducing the unnecessary muscle overload during both training and matches, thereby preventing sports-related injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subconcussive head impacts are used in the study of long-term sequelae associated with contact sport, such as football. Impact magnitude thresholds are used by scientists to allow for large-scale data collection and remove impacts of lower magnitude that may be attributed to jumping or running rather than actual head impact. However, it is unclear if below-threshold impacts are indeed all invalid. The aim of this study was to characterize below-threshold head impacts in varsity level football. Retrospective video analysis of regular season games was performed during 5 different games on 13 different football players. Below-threshold impacts we coded for mechanism and type of impact as well as play situation. A total of 814 head impacts were analysed and over 18% of them consisted of below-threshold impacts attributed to visible head impacts. Below-threshold impacts ranged in magnitude from 3 to 9 g inclusively. Our study suggests that below-threshold impacts may indeed be caused by actual head impacts and further studies are warranted to evaluate the physiological meaning of such impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Plyometric training, which consists of exercises that involve rapid and repetitive muscle stretching and contraction, has become increasingly popular for its potential in sports conditioning. Objectives. The primary objective of this study was to examine the principles of plyometric training and to assess how it influences the physiological parameters of football players. Materials and methods. This study involved 30 male football players aged 18 to 24, actively engaged in national-level competition. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (n = 15) and the control group (n = 15), with 15 players in each group. The selected physiological parameters for assessment included aerobic capacity, blood pressure, and pulse rate. Aerobic capacity was measured using Cooper’s 12-minute run/walk test, blood pressure was assessed with a sphygmomanometer, and pulse rate was measured using the radial artery method. The six-week plyometric training program, conducted five days a week, involved 60-minute sessions. The experimental group underwent the plyometric training program, while the control group did not engage in any specific exercises. Pre- and post-test scores were analyzed statistically using descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The significance level was set at a confidence level of 0.05. Results. The findings indicate a notable enhancement in physiological parameters among participants in the experimental group as opposed to the control group. The implementation of the plyometric training program proved to be effective in elevating the aerobic capacity, blood pressure, and pulse rate of the football players. Conclusions. The study concludes that a six-week plyometric training program significantly enhances the physiological parameters of football players, including aerobic capacity, blood pressure, and pulse rate. Further research should be conducted to examine the long-term effects and optimal duration of plyometric training, as well as the underlying physiological mechanisms, in order to gain a deeper understanding of its effectiveness and applications in sports conditioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In American football, hand injuries have been shown to negatively impact performance. The purpose of this study is to characterize the prevalence and severity of hand injuries in National Football League (NFL) players. A public online database was utilized to identify hand injuries in NFL players from 2009–2010 to 2019–2020. The primary outcome was to analyze the overall incidence of hand injuries (including wrist, metacarpus, finger, and thumb), injury type by each aforementioned anatomic location, and player position. Injury severity was evaluated based on percentage of injuries in which players returned to play (RTP), number of games missed before RTP, and the percentage of injuries resulting in the player being placed on injured reserve (IR). Of the 6,127 players included, 847 (13.8%) players sustained a hand injury, of which 24.8%, 34.3%, 17.9%, and 22.9% occurred at the wrist, metacarpus, finger, and thumb, respectively. Of the injured players, 97.4% returned to play following their injury, 14.8% were put on IR, and an average of 1.7 (SD 3.3) games were missed. Quarterbacks were the most likely to sustain hand injuries at all anatomic locations. Wrist injuries were associated with the lowest RTP rate (93.3%), the most players placed on injured reserve (28.6%), and the greatest number of games missed (mean 2.5, SD 4.2). Hand injuries decreased in prevalence by 65.6% over the 11 NFL seasons evaluated. This trend coincides with the implementation of several safety rules that relate to components of play involving the hands. Quarterbacks experienced the greatest prevalence and severity for all hand injuries. Wrist injuries represent the anatomic location associated with the greatest severity. These findings may be able to inform tailored injury prevention practices by position, and advocate for the further adoption of safety rules to protect players from further injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the immediate impacts of air pollution is crucial, especially as non-health outcomes like player productivity are covert. This paper focuses on investigating the causal relationship between air pollution and player productivity, which is theoretically established by the health consequences of air pollution and the Grossman health production function. The dataset used comprises over 20,000 observations from 1,440 matches in the Chinese Football Association Super League from 2014 to 2019. The IV estimation results show that a 1% increase in air pollution results in a reduction of 0.101% in the number of passes, which is five times larger than the OLS estimation. Heterogeneity results suggest that possessing an advantage (physical fitness, technical skills, or playing at home) contributes to mitigating the adverse effects of air pollution. This study underscores the critical role of clean air in enabling football players to achieve high productivity in the game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Primitive reflexes (PR) induce involuntary automatic movements in response to specific stimuli. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of active PR in young high-level football players. Methodology: Sixty-nine national-level football players from a French academy were tested (17.0 ± 1.4 years; 69.6 ± 8.0 kg; 178.9 ± 6.9 cm) to evaluate the persistence of PR, following the methodology of the Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology (INPP) and the classification by a global score (GS). Based on the sum of seven tests, each was rated between 0 = null and 4 = max. The GS is classified into five categories from no activity to maximal (0-1=no activity, 2-7 = low, 8-13 =medium, 14-21 = high, and 22-28 =maximal). Result: Around two-thirds (68.1%) of players presented active PR at different activity levels. Among them, a small proportion (7.2%) had medium GS, while 60.9% had a low GS. The GS was not dependent on field position or the age of the players (p > 0.05). However, playing football in an age category higher than their own was associated with significantly more active primitive reflexes (PR) compared to being in their age category (p < 0.01). The results showed that 72.7% of "upgraded" football players had low GS and 18.2% had medium GS, compared to 55.3% and 2.1% in the non-upgraded group. Discussion: The findings of the current study demonstrate that PR could still be active in a healthy population of high-level football players. Practicing a single sport for years and upgrading players could create a negative environment that can ultimately lead to the activation of otherwise integrated PR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess youth-to-senior transition rates, quantify the magnitude of relative age effect (RAEs), and evaluate how RAEs affect these transitions in 9,527 men's national football players of England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Regardless of national team, only-15%, 25%, and 40% of U17, U19, and U21 players successfully transitioned to the senior team, respectively, whilst-14%-24% progressed to senior level without being selected during youth. Data suggested a skewed birthdate distribution favouring relatively older players at U17, U19, and U21 levels across all countries, whereas RAEs were also present in England, Italy, and Spain at senior level. Youth-to-senior transition rates were modulated by birthdate at U17 and U19, whereby Q4 players were-2 and 1.5 times more likely to successfully transition at senior level than Q1 players, respectively. Selection at youth international level does not guarantee selection at senior level, but does make it more likely. Moreover, relatively younger athletes are disadvantaged in youth categories, although are more likely to transition to senior level once they have entered the pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between blood pressure, left ventricular (LV) mass, and systolic function in American football (AF) players in Türkiye using deformation imaging and to compare it with conventional echocardiographic methods. Methods: AF players admitted to the Gazi University, Cardiology Unit between January 2021 and May 2023 were included in our study. The players were grouped as linemen or non-linemen according to their field positions. LV mass and ejection fraction (EF) were assessed using blood pressure measurements and conventional methods. Deformation analysis was performed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, and LV torsion and global longitudinal strain values were calculated. Deformation analyses were compared with blood pressure and LV EF. Results: Players in the lineman position had higher blood pressure measurements. Although both groups of players had similar and intact LV EF values, players in the lineman position had significant changes in LV mass, LV global longitudinal strain, and LV torsion in relation to blood pressure measurements. Conclusion: AF players are at risk of hypertension. LV hypertrophy due to hypertension causes systolic dysfunction. Deformation analysis methods can detect subclinical myocardial damage even if the EF is intact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injuries to the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint are of both historic and modern interest for athletes and non-athletes alike. The thumb metacarpophalangeal joint requires stability in both flexion and extension utilizing a combination of static and dynamic stabilizers. This article reviews the magnetic resonance imaging categorization of thumb ulnar collateral ligament injuries and proposes two additional injury patterns seen in high-level and professional athletes who play American football. In addition to the direct magnetic resonance imaging findings in collateral ligament tears, secondary findings of rotation and subluxation can be seen at the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint due to the altered physiologic forces on the joint. Internal brace augmentation via suture tape of a traditional ulnar collateral ligament repair is a novel surgical technique that provides protection during initial healing and the ensuing remodeling phase following repair or reconstruction, resulting in a faster return to play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how bullying and banter are conceptualised and rationalised by those in male adolescent community football. The authors employ a social constructivist, interpretative phenomenological analysis approach using qualitative, semi-structured interviews. These methods explore the meanings behind the perceptions and experiences of male players (N = 8, M age = 15.4) and coaches (N = 4, M age = 39). Evidence demonstrated that intent was not synonymous with bullying and that bullying and banter behaviours are highly ambiguous depending on the shared understanding of learned barriers despite participants concurring with most aspects of the definitions. Moreover, banter and bullying behaviours in community football have been experienced by participants, with acts being rationalised through moral disengagement and hypermasculinity. The research indicates that although bullying and banter are conceptualised similarly to popular definitions, concrete definitions may be limited due to the fluid nature of bullying and banter and the influence of shared social understandings. Additionally, the findings gathered show bullying and banter being experienced and rationalised in male youth community sport through moral disengagement and masculinity. The implications of these findings for safeguarding players and coaches in community football are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing paper aims to gauge the effect of aerobic training on the quality of agility of football players. The main objective of the paper was to articulate the effect of aerobic training on male football player's agility. Thirty players were chosen from two schools in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and were equally distributed into two groups same in number. Both groups had 15 players in controlled and experimental. The first group underwent aerobic training three times a week over eight weeks, while the second group, serving as the control, continued with their regular activities without any additional training.The control group was placed in one group and give aerobic exercise Three time a week for eight weeks. A shuttle run test was used to assess each participant's agility both before and after the training session. The male football player's agility was greaterly enhanced by aerobic exercise. It was also concluded that regular aerobic exercise can help male football players became more agile. It was suggested that aerobic exercise incorporating into training regimen may enhance the agility of the football players. It was also suggested that providing of paper facilities of the training may improve the agility power of the players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The athlete's stamina supports sports performance, but stamina is supported by various things, one of which is the quality of the athlete's sleep during recovery. This study aims to determine the effect of sleep quality on football performance. The method used in this research is descriptive quantitative with a correlational approach. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling with several considerations, including football school students aged 13-15 years actively participating in football school activities and students are permitted to take part in research from a total population of 10 students consisting of 2 students aged 13 years, six students aged 14 years and two students aged 15 years. The research instruments are PSQI to determine sleep quality and GPAI to assess performance. Based on calculations and data analysis, an average PSQI score of 4.1 was obtained, and the average GPAI score for the criteria included SE 3.4, DM 3.1, and SP 3.6. Based on the correlation value calculation, it was found that there was a negative correlation with a moderate strength of -0.502 for PSQI and SE. In contrast, the correlation value between PSQI, DM, and SP had weak strength and was also harmful to SE at -0.305 but positive for SP, namely 0.255. Conclusion: The influence of sleep quality on football performance has a significant relationship, but the level of influence is at a medium or even low level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study investigated the influence of team formation on goalscoring efficiency through analysing the time required for a goal to be scored in elite football matches. Method: The analysis was conducted using a comprehensive open access dataset encompassing eight major football competitions, including prestigious events such as the World Cup and the UEFA Champions League. It notably focused on the competing risks framework and employed the Fine and Gray model to account for the interplay between two competing events: team A scoring and team B scoring. Results: Through analysis of Team A's goal occurrences, we assessed the offensive capabilities of its formation and the defensive effectiveness of Team B's composition in relation to the time it took for Team A to score a goal. Findings revealed that teams employing the 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations outperformed other formations (3-4-3, 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-5-1, 5-3-2, 5-4-1) regarding goal-scoring efficiency. Discussion: By shedding light on the impact of team formation on goal scoring, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of some of the successful strategic aspects of elite football. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cardiac response to physical exertion is linked to factors such as age, work intensity, and fitness levels. The primary objective of this study was to characterize within-session changes in cardiac response to running in Canadian football athletes, which may indicate physical fatigue. Performance profiles were collected from GPS and heart rate (HR) sensors worn by 30 male Canadian varsity football players (20–26 years old) over 28 games and practices. Running efforts with 60–180 s of rest were detected, and the maximum HR (HRmax) and peak HR recovery (HRRpk) during rest were extracted. Additionally, a new metric of cardiovascular cost (CVC) was developed to reflect the efficiency of the HR response to physical workload. HRmax was higher in games (p < 0.001) and in linemen (p < 0.001), and it increased over time (p < 0.001). HRRpk was higher in skilled players (p < 0.001) and changed over time (p < 0.001) depending on the rest period. CVC was higher in linemen (p < 0.001) and increased over time (p < 0.001). This study demonstrated the utility of HR response metrics to quantify ongoing fatigue experienced by Canadian football athletes and proposed a novel fatigue metric capable of monitoring an athlete's fatigue state in real time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study explored the understanding of maltreatment from the perspective of various personnel working in roles related to safeguarding and welfare in English professional and semi-professional football. Method: Through a social constructivist position, the present study was able to explore multiple understandings and perceptions of maltreatment in football. Individual semi-structured interviews (MDuration = 68.00 minutes, SD = 9.05 minutes) were conducted with 19 participants working across league structures ranging from the English Premier League (EPL) to the English Northern Premier League Division One, as well as individuals working with some of the principal organizations in English professional football. Results: Through reflexive thematic analysis, three general dimensions were highlighted: "current understanding of maltreatment in football," "constituents of maltreatment," and "signs and symptoms of maltreatment." Findings from those working in a safeguarding capacity mirror the research literature around understanding the components of maltreatment but also demonstrate how wrongdoing is nuanced by the football context, in that certain forms of maltreatment are driven by the unique nature of this environment. Discussion: From an applied perspective, the findings also outline how to distinguish both the more overt and covert signs and symptoms of maltreatment, whilst also highlighting the impact of maltreatment on individuals' mental health and their sense of self. Overall, the findings provide a platform for practitioners and researchers to consider in the design of safeguarding and welfare provision by highlighting the need to raise knowledge and awareness of maltreatment whilst intervening to challenge the prevailing workplace culture within professional football. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practitioners routinely use the single leg heel raise (SLHR) to quantify calf function in healthy and injured populations. Despite this, approaches vary and the impact of cueing on SLHR performance and results interpretation in athletesis unknown. The primary aim of this study was to quantify the level of agreement of the cued versus non-cued SLHR tests. The secondary aim was to explore test outcomes and the potential impact of intrinsic factors. Cued and non-cued SLHR tests were conducted in fifty-one Australian football players (23 women, 28 men). Metronome pacing (60 bpm) and five key cues were included in the cued condition. The level of agreement (Bland–Altman) between tests was measured for capacity (repetitions to failure) and asymmetry. Data from 100 legs were included. The non-cued and cued SLHR tests demonstrated poor agreement in both capacity and asymmetry. More repetitions to failure were performed in the non-cued SLHR [Mean (SD) = 33.9 (10.3) vs. 21.9 (5.3), p < 0.001)], and men had greater capacity (36.8 (10.4) vs. 30.3 (9.2), p < 0.001). During the cued SLHR, older players (age ≥ 30 years: −5.1 repetitions, p = 0.01) and Indigenous players (−3.4 repetitions, p = 0.002) and had reduced calf muscle function. Cueing the SLHR test significantly changes the result—outcomes are not comparable or interchangeable with the commonly used non-cued SLHR. These findings can guide practitioners quantifying calf capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to compare the physical performance profile of football players with cerebral palsy (CP), according to their age, consider the sport class (FT1, FT2, and FT3), and analyse the relationship between their age and their physical performance. The physical performance of seventy-five CP football players from the Spanish CP Football National Competition was assessed. A one-way analysis of variance did not reveal physical performance differences between CP football players classified into four age-groups (< 20; 20–29.9; 30–34.9; > 35vyears). The Pearson's correlation analysis did not show a correlation between players' physical performance and their age, except for dribbling ability in the overall sample (r = 0.25; P = 0.037). The linear regression analysis showed that the age only predicted the dribbling ability (β = 0.25; P < 0.05) but with low explained variance (R2 = 0.06). The main finding of the present study reveals no systematic differences in physical performance between CP football players according to their age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Mid‐life cardiovascular risk factors are associated with later cognitive decline. Whether repetitive head injury among professional athletes impacts cardiovascular risk is unknown. We investigated associations between concussion burden and postcareer hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes among former professional American‐style football (ASF) players. Methods: In a cross‐sectional study of 4080 professional ASF players conducted between January 2015 and March 2022, we used an mulitsymptom concussion symptom score (CSS) and the number of loss‐of‐consciousness (LOC) episodes as a single severe symptom to quantify football‐related concussion exposure. Primary outcomes were hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes, defined by current or recommended prescription medication use. Results: The prevalence of hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes among former players (52 ± 14 years of age) was 37%, 34%, and 9%. Concussion burden was significantly associated with hypertension (lowest vs. highest CSS quartile, odds ratio (OR) = 1.99; 95%CI: 1.33–2.98; p < 0.01) and high cholesterol (lowest vs. moderate CSS, OR = 1.46, 95%CI, 1.11–1.91; p < 0.01), but not diabetes. In fully adjusted models, the prevalence of multiple CVD was associated with CSS. These results were driven by younger former players (≤ 40 year of age) in which the odds of hypertension were over three times higher in those in the highest CSS quartile (OR = 3.29, 95%CI: 1.39–7.61; p = 0.01). Results were similar for LOC analyses. Interpretation: Prior concussion burden is associated with postcareer atherogenic cardiovascular risk profiles among former professional American football players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this research was to determine the effects of programmed work on the development of specific motor skills in young soccer players. The sample of subjects in this research were football players aged 11 and 12 and they were divided into two equal groups of 30 entities. All participants are involved in the regular training process in their football clubs. The research problem was to determine whether there are positive effects of programmed work on the development of specific motor skills. A total of 6 variables from the area of specific motor skills were used in the research. The experimental work program was carried out over a period of three months and included 38 training units. After initial testing and successfully implemented programmed work and final testing, a significant impact of programmed work on the development of specific motor skills was determined. Specific motor skills that were evaluated on 6 variables in the experimental group showed a significant difference on 4 variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The athlete's ability to achieve the maximum amplitude of movement in certain sports can be crucial for achieving a top result. Most theorists consider flexibility to be one of the essential motor skills of humans. Flexibility is defined as the ability of the locomotor apparatus to realize movements of optimal amplitude in a certain joint. The goal of this research was to determine the differences in flexibility between football players and karate practitioners (karateka) between the ages of 12 and 14 years, in chronological order. The purpose of this paper is to determine the differences in flexibility between football players and karateka based on the obtained results, and to further determine whether and within which variables of flexibility karateka are more dominant than football players. This research will complete the findings and fill the knowledge gaps that exist about flexibility. The importance of this research is reflected in that it will gather relevant information about the status and differences in flexibility between football players and karateka within the specified age group. The research was carried out on a sample of 40 respondents who make up two subsamples, football players (n=20; age 12.70 ± 0.86) and karateka (n=20; age 12.95 ± 0.82). Tests were applied to determine height and body mass, as well as to determine flexibility (10 variables). The obtained results were processed in the program package IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0. Descriptive parameters were calculated for all collected data, normality of distribution was determined, while differences in tests were determined by T-test for independent samples. The results showed that in terms of body height and mass, there are no statistically significant differences between young football players and karateka, nor in the ability to lower a stick behind the back (MFLISK). In all other flexibility tests (deep front bend off an elevated platform/block, deep bend with legs apart, side split, active straight leg raise while lying on the back (degrees) for both legs, leg raises while lying on the chest, leg raise while lying on the side) a statistically significant difference was obtained at the significance level of .99% (p ≤ 0.01), and all in favor of karateka. We can conclude that the level of flexibility is higher in karate practitioners compared to football players, which was to be expected. The main discovery of this study is the existence of statistically significant differences in almost all flexibility variables, where better values were shown in favor of karatekas, except for the back stick raise test, where no statistically significant difference was found between football players and karateka. The research can serve other researchers who will deal with similar issues, and the findings of this research will complete the mosaic of research regarding flexibility in karate and football. The obtained results will benefit sports teams, researchers, trainers and physical education professors, as a relevant indicator of the importance and significance of flexibility development and flexibility training in sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing massive clinical data in the field of football players injuries for assisted medical decision support is the core technology and inevitable development trend of smart healthcare. However, due to the characteristics of medical data such as feature redundancy and imbalance of data sample categories, it has been difficult for traditional data mining algorithms to be directly applied in medical data research. In this paper, we propose a data-driven football players injury prediction method based on the experimental study of football players injuries occurring during the learning process of youth professional soccer training, which is based on the machine learning method of decision tree classifier. Through a semester of data statistics and experiments, the model has a high accuracy of injury prediction, which can provide early warning of youth football players injuries and support medical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines four major Financial Fair Play (FFP) cases that have come before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Although significant previous work has addressed FFP in European football, there is a major gap where its treatment at the CAS is concerned. In addition to creating substantial holes in the effectiveness of FFP regulations, the progression of the four cases discussed have let some of FFP's most egregious offenders avoid sanctions they would consider damaging. In considering two especially important cases, this article argues that Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City have provided ample guidance for transforming mediocre clubs through disguised equity infusions to circumvent FFP until a sustainable revenue structure is created. For the CAS, the case line resulting in major FFP offending clubs escaping meaningful sanctions builds upon a body of anti-doping jurisprudence that has had the effect of shifting the cost-benefit analysis of rule breaking. This failure in both the FFP and CAS realms leads into a larger emergent policy reform conversation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The likelihood of injury because of sports is normal, particularly in soccer sports that have the potential for body contact. One of the ongoing injury treatment is using Cold Compression and Kinesio Taping. The aim of this study was to decide the impact of the utilization of Cold Compression combined with Kinesio Taping on Achilles Ligament wounds and Patella wounds of football competitors. The research method used in this study is a quasi-experiment with the research design of The NonEquivalent Control Group Design. In this study we use instruments VISA-A (Victorian Establishment of Game Evaluation Achilles), VISA-P (Patella) and ROM (Range of Motion) to quantify the degree of agony experienced by partisipants. Partisipants in this study were football athlete who suffered an injury adding up to 19 partisipants, going in age from 16 to 24 years. We used a purposive sampling approach used with several participant criteria and incidental sampling. There are two groups, namely the group given treatment in the form of Cold Compression combined with Kinesio Taping, there are 9 athletes in this group with details of 5 Achilles injured athletes and 4 Patella injured athletes. The second group was a control group of 10 athletes with details of 5 Achilles injured athletes and 5 Patella injured athletes. The study was conducted for 8 days with the distribution of 4 days Cold Compression treatment and 4 days Kinesio Taping treatment. The analysis requirements tests used are normality tests, homogeneity tests, and for hypothesis tests using paired sample ttests (parametrics). The results showed a significant effect on the Cold Compression group combined with Kinesio Taping compared to the control group. For future researchers, it is recommended to examine using different methodologies and with different types of injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocardiographic characteristics of children and adolescents present differences compared to adults. The aim of our work was to study electrocardiograms (ECGs) of football male players from childhood to late adolescence and examine if the ECG parameters are influenced by systematic exercise. One thousand fifty-four football players participated and formed four groups. Group A included 89 players aged 5-7 years, group B 353 players aged 8-11 years, group C consisted of 355 football players 12-15 yearsold and group D of 257 players with 16-18 years of age. All participants underwent preparticipation screening, including 12-lead surface ECG. Heart rate (HR), PR, RR, QRS, QT, QTc intervals, QT dispersion (QTdisp) and QRS axis were calculated. All ECGs were evaluated according to the current preparticipation cardiac screening guidelines, that refer to athletes aged 12-35 years and do not include pediatric players. Eleven percent of the participants presented an ECG finding. Group D obtained the lowest values of HR, QTc and the highest of PR, RR, QRS, QT intervals and QTdisp, whereas no differences in QRS axis were reported. Incomplete Right Bandle Branch Block (RBBB) was the most frequent ECG peculiarity, detected in 7.3% of the participants. Years of training were statistically significantly correlated to HR, PR, RR, QRS and QT intervals. In conclusion, guidelines for ECG interpretation of athletes in childhood, early and late adolescence are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing body of research focused on athlete activism and social movements in the sport literature. One lineage of research examined consumer perceptions and reactions to these movements. Such discussions, however, generally concentrate on detecting changes in consumer behaviors rather than understanding the nuance in those changing behaviors. The present study advances the literature by considering how two potential factors – the size of protests and the geographic proximity consumers have to a protest – impact attendance at NFL games. The present study utilizes social protests carried out by professional American football players in 2016–2017 to measure the number of workers who participated in the protests. Specifically, estimations of Tobit and fixed-effects regressions from 1003 games examine whether protests conducted by NFL players impact attendance in local markets. Findings from all estimated models suggest that as the number of players who participated in the protests increased, there was a decline in NFL attendance. Moreover, consumers were sensitive only to protests occurring within their own local market, indicating consumers tended to react to protests for teams located in the same city. Scholars argue that for social movements to be successful in disrupting organizations, many participants are needed. In response to this point, the present research extends the research in sport-based social movements by developing further understanding of how they impact consumer behaviors, and thus affect the management of sport organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating and selecting players to suit football clubs and decision-makers (coaches, managers, technical, and medical staff) is a difficult process from a managerial-financial and sporting perspective. Football is a highly competitive sport where sponsors and fans are attracted by success. The most successful players, based on their characteristics (criteria and sub-criteria), can influence the outcome of a football game at any given time. Consequently, the D-day of selection should employ a more appropriate approach to human resource management. To effectively address this issue, a detailed study and analysis of the available literature are needed to assist practitioners and professionals in making decisions about football player selection and hiring. Peer-reviewed journals were selected for collecting published papers between 2018 and 2023. A total of 66 relevant articles (journal articles, conference articles, book sections, and review articles) were selected for evaluation and analysis. The purpose of the study is to present a systematic literature review (SLR) on how to solve this problem and organize the published research papers that answer our four research questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]