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Abstract Background Skill and health-related components are required for the assessment of football players’ functional performance, and there is a lack of literature available to measure football players’ functional performance. The study mostly focuses on developing and validating the tool for football players between the ages of 18 and 25. Methods This study used a research methodology that focused on the development and verification of a scale. The research consisted of two distinct stages, namely tool development and validity testing. Firstly, the expert panel did a comprehensive analysis of the items and domains of the questionnaire. Subsequently, the Delphi approach was used to assess the content validity of the questionnaire. Later on, the evaluation tool was officially named the complete functional performance assessment battery (CFPA) for football players in India. Result The CFPA’s newly developed tool has excellent scale-level content validity, which was more than 0.78 for each item in the tool, i.e., 1 (indicated as extremely relevant), the content validity ratio was bigger than 0.49, and each item’s kappa value was found to be 1, which is excellent. Each item’s universal acceptance was found to be 1 for both the item’s quality and content and Aiken’s V index is also greater than 0.81. Conclusion The CFPA is a valid tool in India that can be used to check the functional performance of football players.

Background: Skill and health-related components are required for the assessment of football players' functional performance, and there is a lack of literature available to measure football players' functional performance. The study mostly focuses on developing and validating the tool for football players between the ages of 18 and 25. Methods: This study used a research methodology that focused on the development and verification of a scale. The research consisted of two distinct stages, namely tool development and validity testing. Firstly, the expert panel did a comprehensive analysis of the items and domains of the questionnaire. Subsequently, the Delphi approach was used to assess the content validity of the questionnaire. Later on, the evaluation tool was officially named the complete functional performance assessment battery (CFPA) for football players in India. Result: The CFPA's newly developed tool has excellent scale-level content validity, which was more than 0.78 for each item in the tool, i.e., 1 (indicated as extremely relevant), the content validity ratio was bigger than 0.49, and each item's kappa value was found to be 1, which is excellent. Each item's universal acceptance was found to be 1 for both the item's quality and content and Aiken's V index is also greater than 0.81. Conclusion: The CFPA is a valid tool in India that can be used to check the functional performance of football players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is limited data on the vitamin D status of UK-based professional academy footballers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to report total 25(OH)D, free 25(OH)D and free 1, 25(OH)2D at the end of the winter (March) and summer periods (October) in a cohort (n = 27) of professional academy footballers in northern England. Blood samples were collected to measure total 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D binding protein, albumin and calcium. Free 25(OH)D and 1, 25(OH)2D were calculated. Dietary vitamin D intake and retrospective summer sunlight exposure were also collected. At the end of winter, 2/27 (7.4%) players were vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D < 30 nmol/l) and 11/27 (40.7%) were insufficient (25(OH)D > 30 nmol/l < 50 nmol/l). By the end of summer, none were deficient but 3/14 (21.4%) were still insufficient. Median total 25(OH)D (82.2 nmol/l [IQR: 50.3-90.2] vs. 54.2 nmol/l [IQR: 36.8-71.9]; P = .02), free 25(OH)D (25.8 pmol/l [IQR: 15.1-33.1] vs. 13.2 pmol/l [IQR: 9.0-14.9]; P = .005) and free 1, 25(OH)2D (389 fmol/l [IQR: 209-594] vs. 212 fmol/l [IQR: 108-278]; P = .034) were significantly higher at the end of summer than the end of winter. At the end of winter, free 25(OH)D was lower (P = .003) in those vitamin D insufficient (8.8 pmol/l [IQR: 5.5-11.8]) vs. sufficient (13.7 pmol/l [IQR: 12.0-17.0]). There was a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency at the end of the winter. Free 25(OH)D was also lower at the winter timepoint and in players that were insufficient vs. sufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is limited data on the vitamin D status of UK-based professional academy footballers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to report total 25(OH)D, free 25(OH)D and free 1,25(OH) 2 D at the end of the winter (March) and summer periods (October) in a cohort ( n = 27) of professional academy footballers in northern England. Blood samples were collected to measure total 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D binding protein, albumin and calcium. Free 25(OH)D and 1, 25(OH) 2 D were calculated. Dietary vitamin D intake and retrospective summer sunlight exposure were also collected. At the end of winter, 2/27 (7.4%) players were vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D 30 nmol/l < 50 nmol/l). By the end of summer, none were deficient but 3/14 (21.4%) were still insufficient. Median total 25(OH)D(82.2 nmol/l [IQR: 50.3–90.2] vs. 54.2 nmol/l [IQR: 36.8–71.9]; P = .02), free 25(OH)D (25.8 pmol/l [IQR: 15.1–33.1] vs. 13.2 pmol/l [IQR: 9.0–14.9]; P = .005) and free 1, 25(OH)2D (389 fmol/l [IQR: 209–594] vs. 212 fmol/l [IQR: 108–278]; P = .034) were significantly higher at the end of summer than the end of winter. At the end of winter, free 25(OH)D was lower (P = .003) in those vitamin D insufficient (8.8 pmol/l [IQR: 5.5–11.8]) vs. sufficient (13.7 pmol/l [IQR: 12.0 17.0]). There was a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency at the end of the winter. Free 25(OH)D was also lower at the winter timepoint and in players that were insufficient vs. sufficient.

SUMMARY: There are many pressures on elite footballers. They work in a meritocracy, where only the best are selected and play at the highest levels. From the moment they enter an academy to their retirement there is a fear of deselection and rejection. Elite players need to contend with criticisms from fans and via social media; team and management dynamics can be stressful. Fears of injury are major concerns. In addition, the players are likely to face everyday difficulties experienced by the rest of society, such as relationship, family and financial problems. There is a great deal of stigma associated with mental health problems in footballers, hence approaches are required that are destigmatising. This article presents two frameworks conceptualising stress in footballers: the Power Threat Meaning Framework, which describes stress in non-diagnostic terms; and the Yerkes–Dodson curve, which describes how stress can affect footballers' mental and physical performances on the pitch. Both frameworks can combine to enable therapists to understand players' distress and its impact and to guide towards appropriate treatments, as we show in a fictitious case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It has been hypothesized that sports injury risk is explained by muscle metabolism. The objective was to evaluate the muscle oxygen saturation slopes (ΔSmO2 slopes) and muscle oxygenation asymmetry (MO2Asy) at rest and to study their associations with injuries during the pre-season. Methods: A total of 16 male and 10 female footballers participated in this study. Injuries were diagnosed and classified by level of severity during the pre-season. The workload was also evaluated using the rate of perceived exertion × training time, from which the accumulated loads. The SmO2 was measured at rest in the gastrocnemius muscle using the arterial occlusion method in the dominant and non-dominant legs. The repeated measures ANOVA, relative risk, and binary logistic regression were applied to assess the probability of injury with SmO2 and workload. Results: Higher MO2Asy and ΔSmO2 Slope 2 were found among footballer who suffered high-severity injuries and those who presented no injuries. In addition, an MO2Asy greater than 15% and an increase in accumulated load were variables that explained a greater probability of injury. Conclusion: This study presents the new concept of muscle oxygenation asymmetry in sports science and its possible application in injury prevention through the measurement of SmO2 at rest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying playing styles in football is highly valuable for achieving effective performance analysis. While there is extensive research on team styles, studies on individual player styles are still in their early stages. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on player styles and identify research areas required for further development, offering new directions for future research. Following the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews, we conducted a search using a specific strategy across four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus). Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the initial search results, ultimately identifying twelve studies suitable for inclusion in this review. Through thematic analysis and qualitative evaluation of these studies, several key findings emerged: (a) a lack of a structured theoretical framework for player styles based on their positions within the team formation, (b) absence of studies investigating the influence of contextual variables on player styles, (c) methodological deficiencies observed in the reviewed studies, and (d) disparity in the objectives of sports science and data science studies. By identifying these gaps in the literature and presenting a structured framework for player styles (based on the compilation of all reported styles from the reviewed studies), this review aims to assist team stakeholders and provide guidance for future research endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soccer (football) practice can induce a limitation of ankle range of motion (ROM) that is a possible risk factor for injury and other negative consequences over time. The main objective of this research was to investigate the effects of soccer practice on ankle ROM throughout the entire period of a sports career of soccer players (SP). Furthermore, the relationship between ankle ROM and muscle strength in SP of different ages was studied. A total of 204 SP (range 6.7–45.1 years) and 87 controls (range: 7.5–45.2 years) matched for age, body mass index (BMI), and gender, were assessed. Ankle ROM in both plantar flexion (APF) and dorsiflexion (ADF) in addition to handgrip strength (HGS) were evaluated using an inclinometer and the Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer, respectively. The comparison between SP and control groups showed a significant reduction in ankle ROM of both APF (26.3 ± 7.2° vs. 32.6 ± 7.4°; d = −0.90; p < 0.001) and ADF (95.5 ± 15.6° vs. 105.5 ± 15.8°; d = −0.66; p < 0.001). In SP, the results of the ANOVAs test indicate that age had a significant effect on ADF (F = 4.352, p = 0.038, partial eta-squared (ηp2) = 0.015) but not on APF (F = 0.430, p = 0.746, ηp2 = 0.001). Moreover, considering only the SP, a weak inverse correlation between ADF and HGS group ADF was found (rs = −0.27; p < 0.001). Factors such as the non-linear trend of growth in young SP could hinder the definition of the relationship between ankle ROM, age, and muscle strength. However, the appropriate consideration of age and muscle strength could facilitate the management of ankle ROM in PF of different ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are considered high burden injuries in sports with high pivotal activity, especially for professional footballers. A lack of evidence exists about long-term follow up of professional elite athletes who underwent ACL reconstruction. The purpose of the study is to analyze the return to play and the career of professional footballers who underwent ACL reconstruction with hamstrings, to evaluate re-rupture and reoperation at either indexed and contralateral knee, and to assess the long-term clinical subjective outcomes and satisfaction. Methods: Twenty-eight professional footballers that underwent 33 ACL reconstructions were retrospectively included in the study. All surgical interventions were performed using hamstring tendons graft and an over the top technique. Inclusion criteria were: inability to compete due to joint instability caused by total or subtotal ACL lesion, patients contracted to a professional football team at time of surgery. Exclusion criteria were: multi-ligament reconstruction or concomitant meniscal allograft transplantation. Patients were contacted by phone and a brief questionnaire about surgery was administered. Subsequently, a Lysholm knee scoring scale was obtained. After that, an online research was performed on publicly available websites in order to retrieve information of the patients included after surgery. Results: In all cases, ACL Reconstruction was performed with hamstring tendons using a non-anatomic Double-Bundle technique in 16 cases (49%), an Over-The-Top Single-Bundle technique in 9 cases (27%), and an Over-The-Top Single-Bundle plus Lateral Plasty technique in 8 cases (24%); moreover, a meniscal lesion was present in 20 cases (61%). Three (9%) of the 33 ACL reconstruction failed (2/16 Double-Bundle, 1/9 Single- Bundle, 0/8 Single-Bundle + Lateral Plasty; p = n.s.), with two of them within 12 months from surgery. Other procedures, mainly arthroscopic meniscectomies, were performed in 10 cases (30%). The first official match was played after an average of 8.0 ± 3.6 (4.6–18.2) months in 31 cases (94%). Patients were evaluated after 12.6 ± 3.3 years (6.7–17.5) from the indexed ACL reconstruction. The average Lysholm score was 94.2 ± 8.3. Conclusions: In our small case-series, professional soccer players were able to return to play at a competitive level with a hamstrings over the top technique. Patients with long careers had a high percentage of reoperation on the contralateral knee. Level of evidence: IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revue Académique des Études Sociales et Humaines is the property of Hassif Benbouali University of Chlef 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.)

Problem Statement: Soccer practice can induce marked changes in ankle joint mobility (AJM) with dreaded consequences related to the quality of balance, posture and gait. Moreover, a limited ankle range of motion may represent an important risk factor for injuries and negatively affect performance. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a stretching training protocol (STP) on the AJM of adult male soccer players (SP). Material and Methods: 34 amateur male SP (age 29.0±4.6 years) and 24 non-soccer players (control group) matched for age, gender and BMI were included in this study. In both groups AJM and muscle strength were evaluated by inclinometer and Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer respectively. Moreover, data on sports practiced, years of activity, history of injuries, dominant kicking leg, and presence of athletic trainers were collected. SP group performed six months of a STP that included 4 exercises aimed at improving AJM. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the STP was suspended for 4 weeks in the middle period of the study. Results: At baseline, SP group showed reduced AJM compared to controls (116.1±13.1° vs. 137.7±13.6; p<0.001) while muscle strength was similar (45.0±7.5 vs 48.0±8.9 kg). STP produced a non-significant effect on AJM (116.1±13.1 vs 116.8±15.1°). No differences were found between the two groups considered as regards the difference in mobility between the two ankles (right vs left; dominant vs non-dominant). Considering the initial values, there was a direct correlation between HS and BMI (r=0.38; p<0.025), while AJM showed an inverse correlation with years of activity (-0.36; p<0.037). No correlation was found between hand grip test and AJM. Conclusions: SP showed a significant reduction in AJM which was difficult to recover even following a STP. The interruptions of sport activity due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the absence of athletic trainers in the sports clubs involved, in addition to the long history of soccer practice could justify, at least in part, the results obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying playing styles in football is highly valuable for achieving effective performance analysis. While there is extensive research on team styles, studies on individual player styles are still in their early stages. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on player styles and identify research areas required for further development, offering new directions for future research. Following the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews, we conducted a search using a specific strategy across four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus). Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the initial search results, ultimately identifying twelve studies suitable for inclusion in this review. Through thematic analysis and qualitative evaluation of these studies, several key findings emerged: (a) a lack of a structured theoretical framework for player styles based on their positions within the team formation, (b) absence of studies investigating the influence of contextual variables on player styles, (c) methodological deficiencies observed in the reviewed studies, and (d) disparity in the objectives of sports science and data science studies. By identifying these gaps in the literature and presenting a structured framework for player styles (based on the compilation of all reported styles from the reviewed studies), this review aims to assist team stakeholders and provide guidance for future research endeavors.

The aimed of study is analyse the differences in some anthropometric characteristics and body composition be- tween footballers of two clubs in Kosovo, FC Feronikeli and SC Gjilani. The first sample consisted of 21 footballers of FC Feronikeli (22.62±3.46 years), current champion, cup and super cup winner in Kosovo at the time of the mea- surement in January 2020. The second sample consisted of 24 footballers of SC Gjilani (26.38±5.62 years), who was the leader of the Superleague of Kosovo at the time of the measurement in February 2020. Anthropometric characteristics were evaluated with following variables: body height, body weight, triceps skinfold, biceps skin- fold, skinfold of the back, abdominal skinfold, upper leg skinfold and lower leg skinfold. The body composition was evaluated with following variables: body mass index, fat percentage and muscle mass. The parameters of descriptive statistics all variables were calculated. The differences between the footballers of FC Feronikeli and SC Gjilani in the following variables were determined using a t-test. It was found that the footballers of the FC Feronikeli and SC Gjilani don’t have statistically significant differences by the variables.

Background: Acute Achilles tendon ruptures (AATRs) that occur in athletes can be a career-ending injury. The aim of this study was to describe return to play and clinical outcomes of isolated endoscopic flexor hallucis longus (FHL) transfer in active soccer players with AATR. Methods: Twenty-seven active male soccer players who underwent endoscopically assisted FHL tendon transfer for acute Achilles tendon ruptures were included in this study. Follow up was 46.2 (±10.9) months after surgery. Return to play criteria and clinical outcome measures were evaluated. Results: All players returned to playing professional competitive soccer games. Return to active team training was at a mean of 5.8 (±1.1) months postoperatively. However, return to active competitive match play occurred at a mean of 8.3 (±1.4) months. Twenty-two players (82%) were able to return to their preinjury levels and performances and resumed their professional careers at the same soccer club as their preinjury state. One player (3.7%) shifted his career to professional indoor soccer. At 26 months postoperatively, the mean Tegner activity scale score was 9.7 (±0.4), the mean Achilles tendon total rupture score was 99 (±2), and the mean American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score was 99 (±3). No patients reported any great toe complaints or symptomatic deficits of flexion strength. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated satisfactory and comparable return to play criteria and clinical results with minimal complications when using an advanced endoscopically assisted technique involving FHL tendon transfer to treat acute Achilles tendon ruptures in this specific subset of patient cohort. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective cohort case series study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soccer (football) practice can induce a limitation of ankle range of motion (ROM) that is a possible risk factor for injury and other negative consequences over time. The main objective of this research was to investigate the effects of soccer practice on ankle ROM throughout the entire period of a sports career of soccer players (SP). Furthermore, the relationship between ankle ROM and muscle strength in SP of different ages was studied. A total of 204 SP (range 6.7–45.1 years) and 87 controls (range: 7.5–45.2 years) matched for age, body mass index (BMI), and gender, were assessed. Ankle ROM in both plantar flexion (APF) and dorsiflexion (ADF) in addition to handgrip strength (HGS) were evaluated using an inclinometer and the Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer, respectively. The comparison between SP and control groups showed a significant reduction in ankle ROM of both APF (26.3 ± 7.2° vs. 32.6 ± 7.4°; d = −0.90; p < 0.001) and ADF (95.5 ± 15.6° vs. 105.5 ± 15.8°; d = −0.66; p < 0.001). In SP, the results of the ANOVAs test indicate that age had a significant effect on ADF (F = 4.352, p = 0.038, partial eta-squared (ηp2) = 0.015) but not on APF (F = 0.430, p = 0.746, ηp2 = 0.001). Moreover, considering only the SP, a weak inverse correlation between ADF and HGS group ADF was found (rs = −0.27; p < 0.001). Factors such as the non-linear trend of growth in young SP could hinder the definition of the relationship between ankle ROM, age, and muscle strength. However, the appropriate consideration of age and muscle strength could facilitate the management of ankle ROM in PF of different ages.

Copyright of Annals of Theology / Roczniki Teologiczne is the property of Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL & Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawla II 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.)

The aim of this research was to determine the diff erences among the top football players of the Montenegrin club FC Sutjeska-Niksic and Kosovian club FC Besa Peje, the Cup winners in their countries, in the anthropometric measures and body composition. A sample of 41 examinees is divided into two sub-samples. The fi rst sub-sample of the examinees consisted of 23 players of FC Sutjeska-Niksic of the average age of 21.69±4.30, the champions of the Cup of Montenegro in the season 2016/17, while the other sub-sample consisted of 18 players of FC Besa Peje of the average age of 21.83±3.17, the champions of the Cup of Kosovo in the season 2016/17. Football players were tested immediately after the end of the competition season 2016/17. Anthropometric measures in the body composition were evaluated by a battery of 10 variables: body height, body weight, waist size, triceps skin set, biceps skin set, back skin set, abdominal skin set, body mass index, fat percentage and muscle mass. The standard central and dispersive parameters of all variables are calculated. The signifi cance of the diff erences between the players of the top two football clubs in the anthropometric measures and variables for assessing body composition was determined by a t-test for independent samples. It was found that the football players of the two mentioned clubs have statistically signifi cant diff erences by the one variable that estimate the muscle mass in a favor of FC Sutjeska.

Copyright of PODIUM- Revista de Ciencia y Tecnologia en la Cultura Física is the property of Universidad de Pinar del Rio 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.)

Anti-social behavior at football contest is a well-recognized issue. Due to this fact, associations and government have devised variety of interventions and strategy characterized by high tension and tempo among players and spectators which usually generate disorderliness of varying intensify. This study focuses on investigation of etiological factors of anti-social behaviors among players and spectators of football clubs in Nigeria during matches, with a view to coming up with coherent strategies for its enervation. Self-development questionnaire tagged perceived etiology of antisocial behavior among football players and spectators of selected football clubs (SPEABFC) was used for data collection, with reliability value of 0.85. Two thousand seven hundred (2700) out of three thousand (3000) copies of questionnaire administered were retrieved and coded for analysis with adoption of percentages and chi-square x2 tool at 0.05 level at significant. The study copiously found that poor officiating, winning at all costs, conduct of coach and alcohol consumption are significant in causing anti-social behavior among players and spectators. Consequently, it is re-concluded among others that known troublemakers should be disallowed from entering the game venue, sale of alcohol be restricted to a place far from game site .The outcome is highly significant in view of the fact it might be helpful to scientifically develop appropriate strategies to control sale of drugs and alcohol at game site. The study is greatly insightful to sensitizes the management of football competitions to look inward more effective methods capable of making soccer context anti-behavior free. A adage says prevention is better than cure, the research is highly informative to authorities concerned with organization of football competitions map out preventive measures to unethical attitude by players, spectators as well fans for better attendance at game site which is likely to translate into making more profit for the organizers. An adequate provision for police and other security agents will go a long way to reduce anti-social behavior. We are now in the world of business geared towards profitability, any competition occasioned by riot and chaos is likely to negate this objective as attendance may reduce thereby drastically cutting the expected profit. The promoters of competition will be abreast this fact and develop remedies to counter it ahead at planning stage. The erring players should be sanctioned accordingly. The use of credible and competent officials with records of integrity and credibility will in part promote sanity during the matches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Psicoespacios is the property of Institucion Universitaria de Envigado 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.)

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.)

ABSTRACT: Short-duration pre-tournament training (SDPT) is a common training technique used to prepare for major competitive football tournament. There is scarcity of report on the effects of SDPT on the cardiovascular parameters of university footballers in Ghana. This study examined the changes in cardiovascular parameters of a-university footballers due to SDPT. Thirteen male footballers (mean age 21.23 ± 1.73 years) who represented the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in the Ghana University Sports Association's competition in 2016 participated in the study. The players engaged in SDPT of moderate to high intensity training for 2 weeks. Blood pressure, heart rate, fasting plasma glucose, haemoglobin, red blood cells, haematocrit, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, absolute content of leucocyte, erythrocyte and platelets were measured pre and post training. There were significance decreases in body mass index (P = 0.002), haemoglobin (P = 0.042), haematocrit (P = 0.003) and white blood cells (P = 0.017), while fasting plasma glucose (P = 0.017) and platelets (P = 0.004) increased significantly. SDPT predisposes a-university footballers to acute inflammatory responses. Appropriately designed training duration and intensity would prevent increase in fasting plasma glucose and improve cardiorespiratory performance in university footballers.

The main aim of this study was to find out the increase level of the differentiated special physical training for different age categories of footballers depending on their positions on the field. A complex test of special physical features has been performed in order to achieve this objective. Revaluation of the training process of children and juniors practicing football is a complex phenomenon that requires training solutions based on multiple information, experiments, research and studies. It has a number of features, mainly due to the peculiarities that are shown by different periods of their development. That’s why the problem of specific differentiated physical training for 10-14 year-old footballers has been approached. The settled current major scientific issue in this area covers a differentiated approach to the development of the young footballers’ specific physical qualities which will further optimize the educational process and enhance its effectiveness. Following the review of literature in the field, teachers’ observations during the experiment, and relying on survey data, there have been prioritized the development of physical qualities specific to young players depending on their game positions, the ways of their manifestations, determining the specific differentiated physical training level in the course of one-year training cycle, which, in their turn, extend and complement the existing layout in the theory and methodology of sports training in football.

Introduction It is believed that football injuries account for up to 3% of all injuries that requires hospitalization. Often the cause of accidents is brutal and incompatible with the game. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sports injuries in football competitors in group of players from Złotoryjski Klub Sportowy. Material and methods The research material was a group of 25 male trainees actively football. The respondents were men aged 16 to 38 years old. Players train average 3 times a week for 90 minutes. In research was used the questionnaire of diagnostic sounding. The answers of the respondents were divided into categories and analyzed statistically. Test results In ZKS Górnik Złotoryja team the most common injuries occured on incorrectly prepared grass pitch, said the vast majority – 75%. In studied group the most common injury was sprain ankle which suffered 16 respondents which gives 41%, other suffered of back pain 13%, 11% suffed of hip-joint, 10% suffered of other injuries such as head injuries. Among other injuries, respondents mentioned: twisted knee-joint, twisted wrist, breaking shoulder, back pain, meniscus damage. Conclusions 1. Players in the vast majority suffered injuries of musculoskeletal system. 2. Due to nature of fooball the most vulnerable to injuries were lower limbs. 3. The most common injuries in surveyed group were sprains and bruises in lower limbs. 4. Among the circumstances in which players suffered injuries pointed on overtrain and direct clash with the opponent. Among technical reasons the most pointed was improperly prepared football pitch.

The aim of this research was to determine the diff erences among the top football players of the Montenegrin club FC Sutjeska-Niksic and Bosnia and Herzegovina club FC Siroki Brijeg, the Cup winners in their countries, in the anthropometric measures and body composition. A sample of 45 examinees is divided into two sub-samples. The fi rst sub-sample of the examinees consisted of 23 players of FC Sutjeska-Niksic of the average age of 21.69±4.30, the champions of the Cup of Montenegro in the season 2016/17, while the other sub-sample consisted of 22 players of FC Siroki Brijeg of the average age of 24.00±6.22, the champions of the Cup of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the season 2016/17. Football players were tested immediately after the end of the competition season 2016/17. Anthropometric measures in the body composition were evaluated by a battery of 10 variables: body height, body weight, waist size, triceps skin set, biceps skin set, back skin set, abdominal skin set, body mass index, fat percentage and muscle mass. The standard central and dispersive parameters of all variables are calculated. The signifi cance of the diff erences between the players of the top two football clubs in the anthropometric measures and variables for assessing body composition was determined by a t-test for independent samples. It was found that the football players of the two mentioned clubs don’t have statistically signifi cant diff erences by the variables.

Definition of sports supplements: A food, a component of the food, a nutrient, or a non-nutritional component is ingested in addition to foods consumed daily in order to achieve specific health and/or beneficial performance. Nutritional supplements should be consumed to supplement a balanced diet, not as a substitute. Nutritional supplements should not be administered by approaching the "Same for All" system; it should be considered that athletes train for different goals (problems with body composition, recovery after injuries) and train with different loads. Sports nutrition products such as sports drinks and protein refreshments are not considered nutritional supplements. The approach to nutritional supplements should be in accordance with the WADA Code (World Anti-Doping Agency) which stipulates that all supplements used do not contain prohibited substances in sports. Nutrient supplements are preparations that have in their composition macronutrients, micronutrients and other edible substances. Protein consumption is crucial for any individual involved in strong, vigorous workouts. 1 gram of protein has 4 calories. Protein is essential for growth and repair.

This study examined whether professional footballers with previous biceps femoris long head (BFLH) injury in the last 3-years present a smaller proximal aponeurosis (Apo-BFLH) size compared to footballers with no previous injury. We examined the Apo-BFLH and BFLH size using magnetic resonance imaging and tested the knee flexor maximal isometric strength in 80 thighs of 40 footballers. Apo-BFLH size parameters were processed using a semi-automated procedure. Outcomes were compared between thighs with (n=9) vs. without (n=71) previous BFLH injury. No differences were observed between injured and non-injured thighs for the Apo-BFLH and BFLH size parameters (p>0.05) except for Apo-BFLH volume, which was higher in the non-injured thighs of athletes with previous injury (3692.1±2638.4 mm3, p<0.006) compared to the left (2274.1±798.7 mm3) thighs of athletes without previous injury. A higher knee flexor isometric strength was observed in the injured limb of athletes with previous BFLH injury (196.5±31.9 Nm, p<0.003) compared to the left (156.2±31.4 Nm) and right (160.0±31.4 Nm) thighs of non-injured athletes. The present results suggest that BFLH proximal aponeurosis size should not be considered as an independent risk factor for strain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To investigate the injury profile of the players of a professional Greek football team that competes in the domestic Greek and European leagues. METHOD An observational prospective study was carried out at the club soccer performance laboratory, involving a total of 123 professional football players. Data were collected over three consecutive seasons, 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018, on 38, 41 and 44 subjects/players, respectively. Their injuries were recorded and assessed, and the clinical injury and rehabilitation rates were estimated. REsulTs The recorded injury prevalence according to season was 78.9% in 2015/2016, 73.2% in 2016/2017 and 75% in 2017/2018, and the mean number of injuries per injured player was 2.6, 1.9, and 2.5, respectively (p>0.05). The clinical incidence was lower in 2016/2017 with 1.39 injuries/player compared with 2.05 injuries/player in 2015/2016 and 1.89 in 2017/2018. The injury incidence in 2016/2017 was 83 injuries/1,000 match exposure hours compared with 137 in 2017/2018 (p<0.05). Rehabilitation days were also recorded, and the highest mean was 49.1 days/injured player in 2015/2016, compared with 18.6 in 2016/2017 and 20.9 in 2017/2018 (p<0.05). The mean rehabilitation days per injury decreased in the third season, from 18.9 days in 2015/2016 to 8.3 days in 2017/2018 (p<0.05). The highest prevalence of "major/severe" injuries (50%) was also recorded in 2015/2016, decreasing significantly in the 2017/2018 season, as did the incidence of lower limb injuries (p<0.05). COnClusIOns Without major changes between the three seasons, about 8 in 10 professional soccer players were affected by injuries, reflecting the high level of competitive demands with a high risk of injury during the football season. Monitoring of injuries will provide the basis for preventive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of the Study: To find the effect of Tabata protocol on exertion level and lower limb explosive strength in recreational footballers. Materials and Methodology: Subjects fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. After taking consent from, the footballers were assessed for their exertion level and lower limb explosive strength using rate of perceived exertion scale(RPE) and vertical jump height (VJH).The footballers were then asked to perform 8 tabata exercises 4 times per week total duration of session is 4 weeks. Prior to tabata exercise the footballers had to do warm up and post exercise, cool down. The entire protocol was supposed to be performed before their practice. After 4 weeks, post assessment was taken for their exertion level using the RPE scale and lower limb explosive strength using VJH. Statistical analysis was done using the paired t -test. Result: The statistical analysis showed considerable extremely significant improvement in RPE and VJH with p value <0.0001. Conclusion: The above study concluded that On the basis of the result of the study, it was concluded that Tabata Protocol is effective treatment protocol on recreational football players. Lower limb explosive strength and exertion level was improved, both clinically and statistically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relevance. Modern trends in the athletes’ training need to find new ways to improve the structure and content of different structural units of the training process. One of the most effective theoretical and methodological approaches in the athletes’ training is programming. The purpose is to launch structural units program of the training process and, on this basis, to increase the efficiency of qualified football players training in the annual macrocycle in terms of higher educational establishments. Results. Research was conducted in student football team. Age of players is 18–23 years old. Sports qualification – candidate masters, athletes of the first category. The study had been conducting during two years. In the first year, a confirmatory experiment was conducted, in the second – forming. Structural units programs of qualified football players training process were launched and experimentally grounded. On the basis of the main competitions calendar, the replayed training cycle of qualified football players was planned. The program of each cycle of the annual macro cycle consists of four blocks: the duration of the preparation, competitive periods and the transition phase; quantitative indicators of trainings; the ratio of training work means and training loads of different orientations; criteria of athletes’ preparation. Conclusions: it is established that the construction of the training process on the basis of structural units programming of the training process allows optimizing managerial influences at different stages of the annual macro cycles, depending on the three phases of the sports form of skillful football players.

Purpose: to accomplish the analysis of influence of the training loadings on the indices of the functional state and physical qualities in different age periods of sportsmen-veterans. Material & Methods: researches were conducted with the sportsmen-veterans (football players) of the different age groups (35–40; 41–45; 46–55) who continued to employ and participate in competitions after finishing of active performances in professional commands. The methods of determination of level of motive qualities and indices of the functional state of footballers-veterans were used. Results were calculated by the methods of mathematical statistics. Results: the results of long-term researches of determination of dynamics of changes of motive qualities level and functional state indices during age period 35–55-years of football players are presented. Conclusions: it is determined that during the research period the most changes of level of physical qualities and indices of functional state are received in the period of 35–40 years, that is caused by plummet of the training and competitive loadings after active employments in professional soccer commands.

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of pre-event massage on anxiety among Nigeria national team football players during the World Cup matches. As secondary outcomes, the effects of massage on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were analysed. Methods. Overall, 17 World Cup players had massage both less and more than 24 hours prior to matches. Holey and Cook massage protocol was used. The Mental Readiness Form version 3 (MRF-3) was applied to assess anxiety level while an electronic BP monitoring kit served to monitor BP and HR before and after massage. Inferential statistic of paired t-test was carried out for the effect of massage on BP and HR. Results. The result of the study showed a significant difference in anxiety after massage with p < 0.05 at periods less and more than 24 hours before the matches. There was also a significant difference between the pre- and post-massage BP and HR at a period less and more than 24 hours before the matches (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Pre-event massage before World Cup matches reduced anxiety among Nigeria national team football players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to study and compare attitudes, beliefs and knowledge about doping of footballers, from elite to under-18 categories.Design: The descriptive exploratory design used an instrument combining a validated questionnaire (Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale: PEAS) with qualitative open-ended questions.Methods: A total of 1324 Spanish football players (average age 22.56 ± 5.62 years) from 88 football teams that ranged from elite to under-18 categories: Elite (ELI, n = 304), non-elite Professional (PRO, n = 308), top Amateur (AMA, n = 330), elite Under-18 (U18, n = 334) and elite Female (FEM, n = 48) composed the sample.Results: PEAS overall scores (range 17-102, with higher scores representing more permissive attitudes) was 34.02 ± 11.08. The overall scores for all groups analysed were: FEM: 33.75 ± 14.73; ELI: 30.61 ± 9.91; PRO: 34.23 ± 11.13; AMA: 35.05 ± 10.35; and U18: 35.93 ± 11.50. Significant differences were observed between ELI and PRO (p < 0.001), ELI and AMA (p < 0.001), and ELI and U18 (p < 0.001). 95% of participants did not know the meaning of WADA; 97.4% did not know the Prohibited List; 5% admitted having used banned substances and 23.7% knew dopers.Conclusions: This study showed different an important lack of knowledge about doping and an high levels of supplement use in this sample of footballers assessed. It which clearly reinforces the idea of implementing a wide educational doping prevention programme in football environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fluid deficits exceeding 1.6% can lead to physical and cognitive impairment in athletes. Sport drinks used by athletes are often hyper-osmolar but this is known to be suboptimal for rehydration in medical settings and does not utilize colonic absorptive capacity. Colonic absorption can be enhanced by fermentative production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) from substrates such as high amylose maize starch (HAMS). This study therefore compared, in elite Australian Football League (AFL) players at the height of outdoor summer training, a novel dual-action sports oral rehydration strategy that contained HAMS as well as glucose, to their usual rehydration practices (Control). The primary outcome markers of hydration were hematocrit and body weight. Methods: A randomized single-blind crossover study was undertaken in thirty-one AFL players; twenty-seven completed the study which was conducted on four days (two days in the Intervention arm and two in Control arm). The Intervention arm was comprised a 50-100 g evening preload of an acetylated HAMS (Ingredion Pty Ltd) followed by consumption of a specially formulated sports oral rehydration solution (SpORS) drink during intense training and recovery. Players followed their usual hydration routine in the Control arm. Quantitative assessments of body weight, hematocrit and urine specific gravity were made at three time-points on each day of training: pre-training, post-training (90 min), and at end of recovery (30–60 min later). GPS tracking monitored player exertion. Results: Across the three time-points, hematocrit was significantly lower and body weight significantly higher in Intervention compared to Control arms (p < 0.02 and p = 0.001 respectively, mixed effects model). Weights were significantly heavier at all three assessment points for Intervention compared to Control arms (Δ = 0.30 ± 0.13, p = 0.02 pre-training; Δ = 0.43 ± 0.14, p = 0.002 post training; and Δ = 0.68 ± 0.14, p < 0.001 for recovery). Between the pre-training and end-of-recovery assessments, the Control arm lost 0.80 kg overall compared with 0.12 kg in the Intervention arm, an 85% lower reduction of bodyweight across the assessment period. Conclusion: The combination of the significantly lower hematocrit and increased body weight in the Intervention arm represents better hydration not only at the end of training as well as following a recovery period but also at its commencement. The magnitude of the benefit seems sufficient to have an impact on performance and further studies to test this possibility are now indicated. Trial registration: Trial is listed on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN 12613001373763). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like bodily, physiological, and psychological skills which are commonly assessed in professional sport, assessment of visual skills is also of high importance. In this regard, and in order to organize teams efficiently, the skills of each player, considering his/her post in the pitch, should be developed for superiority over the opponent. The present study attempts to clarify if there is a meaningful difference between visual skills of players, by considering their posts, age groups and sport records. A group of 100 professional footballers with average age of 25.09±4.47, average height of 178.66±6.53 cm, and average weight of 74.80±7.03 were selected, using an available sampling method. Wilson and Falkel's Sports Vision Test (2004), widely used in many researches, was the assessment tool of visual skills in this research, and is comprised of six skills of accommodation or focusing, tracking, vergence, sequencing, eye-hand coordination and visualization. The results indicated a meaningful difference which existed only in terms of tracking (p≤0.04) between adults and the youth, of which the superiority was shown by the first group. No meaningful difference was observed between post in the pitch (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward) and sport record in terms of visual skills (including accommodation / focusing, tracking, vergence, sequencing, eye-hand coordination and visualization). The results of this study demonstrated a similarity between the exercise programs of team members. Coaches should notice that every post has different characteristics and the fact that in addition to specific physiological needs and skills, each post requires visual skills, and this marks the necessity for specialized planning for every post during the training sessions.

Background Fluid deficits exceeding 1.6% can lead to physical and cognitive impairment in athletes. Sport drinks used by athletes are often hyper-osmolar but this is known to be suboptimal for rehydration in medical settings and does not utilize colonic absorptive capacity. Colonic absorption can be enhanced by fermentative production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) from substrates such as high amylose maize starch (HAMS). This study therefore compared, in elite Australian Football League (AFL) players at the height of outdoor summer training, a novel dual-action sports oral rehydration strategy that contained HAMS as well as glucose, to their usual rehydration practices (Control). The primary outcome markers of hydration were hematocrit and body weight. Methods A randomized single-blind crossover study was undertaken in thirty-one AFL players; twenty-seven completed the study which was conducted on four days (two days in the Intervention arm and two in Control arm). The Intervention arm was comprised a 50-100 g evening preload of an acetylated HAMS (Ingredion Pty Ltd) followed by consumption of a specially formulated sports oral rehydration solution (SpORS) drink during intense training and recovery. Players followed their usual hydration routine in the Control arm. Quantitative assessments of body weight, hematocrit and urine specific gravity were made at three time-points on each day of training: pre-training, post-training (90 min), and at end of recovery (30–60 min later). GPS tracking monitored player exertion. Results Across the three time-points, hematocrit was significantly lower and body weight significantly higher in Intervention compared to Control arms (p

Summary Introduction: Aerobic fitness is changing under the influence of, among others, the level of training. Purpose of the work: The purpose of this study was to assess the level of development of the aerobic capacity of soccer players during the preparatory period. Material and method: Twenty-four players were tested at the beginning and at the end of the preparatory period. Group of respondents was in the age range 17 - 18 years. Trainings were held three - four times a week and a half - two hours. In the subjects, VO2max was assessed using the Astrand test. Results: Average VO2max at the beginning of the preparatory period was (49.11 ± 7.18) compared with the average value at the end (52.67 ± 6.58). A trend of increasing the oxygen ceiling after the preparatory period has been observed. Comparison of VO2max measured at the beginning of the preparatory period and at the end of the preparatory period did not show statistically significant differences (p = 0.077) Conclusions: For players who have been training for five years or more, we have observed high and very high values of the VO2max parameter. The preparatory period in the test run indicates a trend of increase of the VO2max, however difference in the value they are not statistically significant. It can be supposed that the level of training effect on the rate of growth VO2max assessed after the application of a three-month training oxygen. With the increase in the level of training the dynamics of increase of the VO2max is getting slower.

This article examines the challenges sportswriters and footballers faced in Antioquia (Colombia) during the 1950s and 1960s when trying to make of professional football a legitimate job and spectacle. Because in Colombia neither the nation‐state nor collective actors participated directly in professional football and the tournament involved teams from several regions, the history of these challenges illuminates the varying political and cultural conditions under which professional football developed, reveals footballers' agency to promote the sport, and demonstrates that professional football became a field in which different actors contested and forged regional narratives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical training is one of the most important factors in football game. The present and future competitions require a special training in every respect, among which physical training and psycholgical factor (own will) become „sine qua non" conditions. From the very beginning there was a necessity to link the motility qualities of the players to the psychological ones and thus they were called psycho-physical qualities. The main objective of general physical training, no matter the sport, is the improvement of effort capacity. The more the working potential, the easier the body adapts to the increasing requests for physical and psychological training. Similarly, the larger and more powerful general physical training is, the higher the level of biomotility qualities of the player can be. It is important to emphasize the physical potential through general physical training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Clinically, proprioception is evaluated by detecting the externally imposed passive movement or by the ability to reposition a joint to a predetermined position. This research was aimed to find the effect of coordination exercise on proprioception error of knee injured male professional footballers. Effectiveness of specific exercise on proprioception was assessed by photographic analysis to find the outcome. Methodology: The study was a randomized control trial. A total of 106 samples selected on the base of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The samples were randomly divided equally into experimental and control group for the study. The experimental group received coordination exercises, and the control group received traditional stretching and strengthening exercises. Results: The proprioception error for right and left knee joint found significantly reduced in experimental group after coordination exercise program. F ratio for the right and left side was 42.36 and 112.31, respectively, which are more than the table value 3.024, so they are significant at 0.05 levels. Conclusion: The study concluded that coordination exercise can improve proprioception of the knee joint among male professional footballers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The height, weight, diameters, volumes and skin folds were measured on a sample of 242 young soccer players from the Republic of Kosovo and therefore, the body composition, somatotype components, BMI index and maximum oxygen consumption. These were indirectly measured in order to determine their common morphological and functional features and analyze specificity i.e., the likely differences based on the playing positions (goalkeepers, defense, middle players and attackers). Within the statistical analysis, the basic descriptive statistical parameters were calculated, and a multivariate and univariate analysis of variance and post-hoc analysis were applied. Goalkeepers have statistically significantly higher body height and humeral breadth, and lower values of maximum oxygen consumption, in comparison to players who play the other positions on the team and higher body weight regarding the players who play in the middle and the attackers. Defense players have statistically significant higher body weight than the middle players. In the other anthropometric measures and somatotype components, there are no statistically significant differences among the players who play on different positions in the team. The achieved results could serve as normative morphological and functional indicators for regular sports medical examinations of young soccer players in the Republic of Kosovo. They could also be used as a template for comparison of the morphological and functional data of young soccer players at similar level in different countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]