Epidemiology of injuries and illnesses in national team male beach soccer players: a prospective seven-year cohort study

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of match and training injuries in elite-level national male beach soccer players. Method The incidence, mechanism, location, type, severity, and burden of injuries of the Turkish national beach soccer team were recorded between 2017 and 2019. Results A total of 136 injuries occurred during the study period. Total injury incidence was 238.9 injuries/1,000 match hours (MHs) and 37.7 injuries/1,000 training hours (THs) (p < 0.001). Twenty-seven injuries led to time-loss, and the incidences for match and training injuries were 36.7 and 7.9 per 1,000 hours, respectively. Of medical attention injuries (MAI) caused by trauma, 54.6% (n = 53) were due to another player and, 60.9% (n = 14) of time-loss injuries (TLI) caused by trauma were due to non-contact trauma (p < 0.001). While 82% (n = 91) of training injuries occurred in lower extremities, 29% (n = 9) of match injuries occurred in the head/neck region (p < 0.001). Head injury incidence was 45.9 per 1,000 match hours. Of MAI, 50% (n = 57) were contusion, and 32.1% (n = 9) of TLI were strain (p < 0.001). Also, the most common injury subtype was foot/toe contusion during match and training (19.4%; n = 6, 27.9%; n = 31, respectively). The majority of injuries 91.9% (n = 125) had slight severity. Conclusion Head trauma, tendon injury, and foot/toe contusion are important for clinical practice in beach soccer. Protective measures (rule regulation, use of protective equipment, etc.) should be considered to prevent these injuries.

This study evaluated the characteristics of head injuries in male beach soccer players via video footage. Video recordings of all official beach soccer tournaments played by European national male beach soccer teams from 2018 to 2022 ( n = 516) were analyzed retrospectively. The main collected variables were the injury mechanism, bleeding, the injured player action, whether the injury led to time loss, and whether there were any video signs of possible concussion in an injury case. A total of 214 head injuries were documented, corresponding to 68.3 injuries/1000 player hours. The injury mechanism was apparent in 202 injuries. Of these injuries, 15.3% had video signs of suspected concussion, and 9.9% led to time loss. The most common mechanism was opponent contact (74.8%, n = 151) and the most common submechanism was head-to-head contact (23.8%, n = 36), followed by foot-to-head contact (23.2%, n = 35). A total of 38.1% ( n = 77) injuries were related to heading. Injuries with video signs of suspected concussion were 44.53 times more likely to result in time loss. The findings revealed that head injury in beach soccer is an urgent problem that should be addressed. The authors strongly recommend future studies that include clinical assessments to better understand head injuries in beach-soccer.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the characteristics of match injury in male beach soccer players. Video recordings of all official beach soccer tournaments in which the European national male beach soccer teams participated from 2018 to 2021 were analysed by two sports medicine specialists retrospectively. Regarding each injury, data including the mechanism, location of the injury, whether the injury led to time-loss, and the relationship of the injury to the bicycle kick (BK), etc. were documented. A total of 632 injuries were documented, corresponding to 234.9 injuries/1000 player hours. Video footage was available for 580 injuries. Whilst 79.8% of medical attention injuries occurred due to opponent contact, 19.5% of time-loss injuries occurred due to non-contact, and 12.2% of indirect opponent contact (p < 0.01). The most common location of the BK related injury was the head/neck (68.7%), whereas most common location of the BK unrelated injury was the lower extremity (54.1%) (p < 0.01). The findings demonstrated that beach soccer injury incidence was quite high; the most common injury location was head/neck and head/neck injuries were associated with BK. In light of these results, some rule regulations, particularly those associated with BK, and the use of protective equipment should be considered to prevent these injuries.

The aim of this study was to examine the validity of vertical jump (VJ) performance variables in elite-standard male and female Italian soccer players. One hundred eighteen national team soccer players (n = 56 men and n = 62 women) were tested for countermovement (CMJ) and squatting jump (SJ) heights. The stretch-shortening cycle efficiency (SSCE) was assessed as percentage of CMJ gain over SJ ([INCREMENT]CMJ-SJ), difference (CMJ-SJ), and ratio (CMJ:SJ). Results showed significant sex difference in SJ and CMJ. Differences in SSCE were mainly in the absolute variables between sexes. Cutoff values for CMJ and SJ using sex as construct were 34.4 and 32.9 cm, respectively. No competitive level differences in VJ performance were detected in the male players. Female national team players showed VJ performance higher than the under 17 counterpart. The results of this study showed that VJ performance could not discriminate between competitive levels in male national team-selected soccer players. However, the use of CMJ and SJ normative data may help strength and conditioning coaches in prescribing lower limb explosive strength training in elite soccer players. In this, variations in VJ performance in the range of approximately 1 cm may be regarded as of interest in tracking noncasual variation in elite-standard soccer players.

The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency and characteristics of injuries that occurred during the training camps and matches of the national soccer teams (under-20 [U-20], under-23 [U-23], A men’s national teams). The research data were based on injuries that occurred from January 2016 to December 2017. The athletic trainer, a member of the Korea Football Association, recorded injuries based on the recording sheet of the Asian Football Confederation Daily Medical Report. A total of 1,689 (984 in 2014; 705 in 2017) injuries were reported for the 2 years. Most injuries were sports injuries (95%, sprains, etc.), and other conditions such as respiratory, digestive, and ocular, comprised only 5% of cases. The most injured areas of the national team players were the lower limbs (85%, 1,366). The frequency of the head/trunk and upper extremity injuries were relatively low (8.4%, 135; 6.5%, 105). The frequency of injuries according to positions were as follows: midfielder (40.3%, 648), defender (36.6%, 688), forward (17.8%, 286), and goalkeeper (5.2%, 84). The most common types of injuries were contusions (37.3%, 599), followed by muscle rigidity (29.0%, 466) and sprains (16.8%, 270). The characteristics of injuries amongst national soccer teams, according to age, were similar, but the injury characteristics for each position were different. Therefore, when organizing training programs for prevention and rehabilitation of athlete injuries and improvement of performance, it is necessary to consider the performance characteristics of each position.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of injuries in female national soccer players. The injuries data were recorded by Korea Football Association medical staff using the Daily Medical Report provided by the Asian Football Confederation during a total 21 training camps and friendly and official matches from January 2014 to December 2018. A total of 483 players in the national team training camps and matches participated in the study, of which 377 players experienced more than one injury. Sports injuries accounted for 89% of the total 1,019 injuries; general diseases accounted for the remaining 11%. The number of injuries per 1,000 exposure hours was higher in matches than in training sessions. Most injuries that occurred during training and matches involved the lower extremities (79%). The most common injury diagnosed during training and matches was muscle rigidity (45%), followed by contusions/hematomas/bruises (22%) and sprain (15%). The largest proportions of injuries in terms of absence from soccer play were minimal injury (67%), followed by mild (29%), moderate (3.5%), and severe (1%). As conclusion, the characteristics of injuries during training sessions and matches were different. Rehabilitation and injury prevention programs need to developed for female soccer players to improve the players’ performance.

Beach soccer has gained increasing interest for study in the sports sciences. In this sense, the analysis of activity profiles is important for training design and load individualization. Therefore, the aims of this study were to identify the most important variables to assess the activity profile and to compare them according to the playing position and game periods in international beach soccer matches. A total of 19 matches of the Spanish national beach soccer team were analyzed during their participation in different international competitions during the 2021-2022 season. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to objectively select the external load variables that best explain the data. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin values of 0.705 and Bartlett's Sphericity (p < 0.01) were obtained. Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman tests was performed for playing positions and game period comparisons, respectively. The PCA showed seven components that grouped a total of 20 variables, explaining 66% of the total variance. Only PC1 and PC2 explained more than 15% (23% and 17%, respectively). Differences were found between playing positions (H > 22.73; p < 0.01) and between game periods (X2 > 16.46; p < 0.01). A significant decrease was found throughout the game, with the highest demands in period 1 and the lowest in period 3. The highest workloads were performed by wingers and the lowest by goalkeepers. The differences between positions and game periods were found in the following: Total Distance (m/min), HIBD (m/min), High Acc (m/s), High Dec (m/s), Acc 1-2 m/s2 (m), Acc 2-3 m/s2 (m), Imp 4-5G (n), Imp 5-6G (n), Sprint (n), and Dec 10-6 m/s2 (m) (p < 0.01). In conclusion, physical and tactical demands faced by elite-level beach soccer players will be influenced by playing positions and game periods. Coaches needs to develop position-specific training programs and optimize substitution strategies for enhancing overall team performance.

Annotation. The article presents a detailed examination of modern approaches to selecting players for the national beach soccer team, with particular consideration of the unique characteristics of this sport compared to traditional football. The study identifies and systematizes the key groups of selection criteria necessary for building a competitive team. Among these, medical and biological factors include the overall health status of players and their injury history, which are critical for maintaining consistent performance under challenging conditions. Physical fitness indicators encompass speed endurance, both sprint and distance running on sand, agility, explosive power, and coordination abilities—all essential qualities due to the unstable playing surface. Technical proficiency is evaluated through skills such as ball juggling in motion, lifting the ball from sand, bicycle kicks, volleys, shots from sand, execution of free kicks, and heading, as well as overall ball control. In addition, playing experience at high-level competitions, psychological resilience, strong motivation, and social factors (teamwork, adaptability) are highlighted as decisive components. The article substantiates the necessity of using adapted tests and evaluation standards tailored to the conditions of beach soccer, as the biomechanics and energy demands differ substantially from those of conventional football. Furthermore, expert surveys of leading coaches and match statistics are analyzed to confirm the validity and practical efficiency of the proposed selection model. The findings offer valuable recommendations for optimizing the recruitment process, improving the effectiveness of training programs, and ultimately enhancing the competitive results of the national team on the international stage. This integrated approach ensures the formation of a cohesive, well-prepared squad capable of meeting the demands of elite-level beach soccer competitions.

Injury risks in professional and community rugby union have been extensively described; however, less is known about injury epidemiology at the schoolboy level. To investigate the injury risk in English schoolboy rugby union matches, comparing an elite competition (Achieving Academic and Sporting Excellence [AASE]) with subelite matches (non-AASE). Retrospective cohort study. Rugby union academy, consisting of 16- to 19-year-old males, based at an elite sports college in England. A total of 132 participants (mean age = 17.5 years) were included in the study; 64 athletes experienced a total of 103 time-loss injuries over a 3-season period (2012-2015). All injuries were assessed and recorded by the team therapist using consensus statement definitions. Injury characteristics were recorded and compared between groups. Primary outcome measures were injury incidence (per 1000 h match exposure) and injury burden (days absent/1000 h), and rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals are presented throughout. A total of 131 matches were played (34 AASE, 97 non-AASE) and a total of 103 injuries were recorded (47 AASE, 56 non-AASE). The injury incidence in AASE matches (77/1000 h) was greater than in non-AASE matches (34/1000 h). The concussion incidence in AASE matches (20/1000 h) was 5 times that of non-AASE matches (4/1000 h). The head/face had the highest injury incidence for a specific location, followed by the shoulder region (AASE = 19/1000 h, non-AASE = 5/1000 h), which had the greatest injury burden (553/1000 h and 105/1000 h, respectively) for any specific body location. More than 50% of all injuries were associated with tackles. A much greater incidence of all injuries occurred at the highest level of competition, and the concussion incidence was greater than that reported in any previously published study of youth rugby. Given the high incidence and burden of concussions and shoulder injuries, prevention and management deserve specific focus.

The current case study aimed to quantify within-subjects correlations between training load and well-being in elite male beach soccer players. Data were obtained over three consecutive days during the preparation camp for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Russia 2021. The session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) and external training load metrics using global positioning system (GPS) were recorded. Eleven players reported perceived well-being (sleep quality, fatigue, muscle soreness and stress) using a Likert scale (Hooper Index) before breakfast. Within-subjects correlation coefficients between workload and well-being were calculated. Workload metrics and perceived well-being indices were significantly lower on day three than on days one and two. The Hooper Index presented a very large positive correlation with s-RPE (r = 0.86 [0.67, 0.94], 95% confidence interval, CI), exposure time (r = 0.88 [0.71, 0.95]), total distance (r = 0.83 [0.60, 0.93]), high-speed distance (r = 0.77 [0.50, 0.91]), and number of sprints (r = 0.75 [0.47, 0.90]). Sleep quality presented a moderate to large positive correlation with s-RPE (r = 0.51 [0.11, 0.77]), exposure time (r = 0.50 [0.10, 0.76]), high-speed distance (r = 0.53 [0.15, 0.78]), number of sprints (r = 0.62 [0.28, 0.83]) and total distance (r = 0.41 [0.18, 0.78]). Fatigue presented a large to very large positive correlation with s-RPE (r = 0.85 [0.66, 0.94]), exposure time (r = 0.90 [0.78, 0.96]), total distance (r = 0.86 [0.68, 0.94]), high-speed distance (r = 0.65 [0.31, 0.84]) and number of sprints (r = 0.56 [0.18, 0.79]). Muscle soreness presented a large to very large positive correlation with s-RPE (r = 0.79 [0.56, 0.91]), exposure time (r = 0.83 [0.62, 0.93]), total distance (r = 0.81 [0.59, 0.92]), high-speed distance (r = 0.75 [0.47, 0.89]) and number of sprints (r = 0.59 [0.22, 0.81]). Overall, workload presented a meaningful correlation with perceived well-being indices in elite male beach soccer players during a training camp. These findings suggest that workload metrics and perceived well-being indices can be implemented into the daily routine of an elite beach soccer team, which may assist coaches, sports scientists, and practitioners in better preparing players for beach soccer competitions.

ABSTRACTIn the general population, estimates of left-foot preference are around 20%. In soccer, specific tasks create positional demands, requiring 40% of the players to be left-footed. Whether and how this is related to the selection of players is unknown. To examine the successive selection of soccer players for Dutch national youth teams in relation to foot preference, 280 youth players (age = 16.2 ± 1.08 years) were monitored from the U16 through the U19 teams over the last 5 years. No difference in successive selection between left- and right-footed players was found (p < 0.05). Regardless of foot preference, more than 50% of the selected players were deselected out of a national youth team after 2 years. On average, 31% of the national youth players were left-footed, which is higher than expected, based on population estimates (χ2 (1) = 37.49, p < 0.001, w = 0.27). However, there was an under-representation of left-footed players, based on expected positional demands (i.e., attack, midfield, defence) (χ2 (1) = 16.83, p < 0.001, w = 0.18). The conclusion is that left-foot preference increases the probability of selection in Dutch national youth soccer teams.

Indepth knowledge of injury and illness epidemiology in circus arts is lacking. Comparing results across studies is difficult due to inconsistent methods and definitions. In 2020, the International Olympic Committee...

Population-specific normative data are essential for the evaluation of competitive athletes. At present, there are limited data defining normal electrocardiographic (ECG) and echocardiographic values among elite US soccer players. To describe ECG and echocardiographic findings in healthy elite US soccer players. This cross-sectional study analyzed Fédération Internationale de Football Association-mandated screening sessions performed at US Soccer National Team training locations from January 2015 to December 2019. US women's and men's national team soccer players undergoing mandated cardiovascular screening were included. Normal training-related and abnormal ECG findings were reported using the International Recommendations for Electrocardiographic Interpretation in Athletes. Echocardiographic measurements of structural and functional parameters relevant to cardiovascular remodeling were assessed relative to American Society of Echocardiography guideline-defined normal ranges. A total of 238 athletes (122 [51%] female; mean [SD] age, 20 [4] years; age range, 15-40 years) were included. Male athletes demonstrated a higher prevalence of normal training-related ECG findings, while female athletes were more likely to have abnormal ECG patterns (14 [11%] vs 0 in male cohort), largely accounted for by abnormal T-wave inversions. Echocardiography revealed no pathologic findings meeting criteria for sport restriction, but athletes frequently exceeded normal ranges for structural cardiac parameters responsive to exercise-induced remodeling including body surface area-indexed left ventricular (LV) mass (58 of 113 female athletes [51%] and 67 of 114 male athletes [59%]), indexed LV volume (89 of 115 female athletes [77%] and 76 of 111 male athletes [68%]), and LV wall thickness (37 of 122 female athletes [30%] and 47 of 116 male athletes [41%]). Age-stratified analysis revealed age-dependent increases in LV wall thickness, mass, and volumes among female athletes and LV wall thickness and mass among male athletes. These data represent the first set of comprehensive normative values for elite US soccer players and one of the largest sport-specific echocardiographic remodeling studies in female athletes. Abnormal ECG findings were more common in female athletes, while both female and male athletes frequently exceeded clinical normality cut points for remodeling-associated echocardiographic parameters.

Selecting players for youth national teams – a question of birth month and reselection?

This study assessed the discriminative validity of summarized hip and knee angular accelerations during a standardized training drill. Twenty-eight soccer players performed a standardized training drill that mimics game demands. Discriminative validity was examined by assessment of between-group differences of summarized preferred kicking leg hip and knee angular accelerations, and Playerload between national and regional soccer players for the full training drill, and parts based on locomotor intensity, or additional pass and jumping header activities. Furthermore, relationships were assessed between the summarized hip and knee angular accelerations and conventional load indicators derived from a local positioning measurement system, such as high-intensity running distance and Playerload. National players had higher summarized hip (Mean difference: 62.7 A.U. ES = 0.77, p = 0.049) and knee (Mean difference: 137.1 A.U. ES = 1.06, p = 0.008) angular accelerations. Significant interaction effects were observed during high-intensity running (Hip: 0.2 A.U./m, ES = 0.98, p = 0.005; Knee: 0.61 A.U./m, ES = 1.52, p < 0.001), and sprinting (Hip: 0.3 A.U./m, ES = 1.01, p < 0.02; Knee: 0.56 A.U./m, ES = 1.57, p < 0.001). Between-group differences were not present for additional passing or jumping header activities. Compared to summarized hip and knee angular accelerations, Playerload had less ability to discriminate between players and activities. Moreover, the lower extremity training load indicators were unrelated to conventional load indicators. Together these results confirm discriminative validity of summarized hip and knee angular acceleration training load indicators during a standardised training drill.