The purpose of this study was to compare and characterize the physical demand of official matches among under-17 (U-17), under-20 (U-20), and professional (Pro) female soccer players. All matches were from the U-17, U-20, and Pro National Brazilian Championships. Fourteen Pro matches, nine U-20 matches, and four U-17 matches were analyzed. The external load was measured by the global positioning system (GPS) and the internal workload was assessed by the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) multiplied by the duration of the match. The activity profiles measured were total distance covered (km), total sprint distance (m) (speed > 18 km·h-1), number of accelerations and decelerations (between 1 and 2 m·s-2 and >3 m·s-2), and top speed (km·h-1). For the analysis, we standardized all the metrics (except the top speed) by the time (in minutes) played. The Pro group presented higher sprint distances, number of accelerations and decelerations, and top speeds, compared to U-20 and U-17. There was no difference in the total distance among groups, and there was no difference in any GPS metrics between U-20 and U-17. The RPE was higher in Pro and U-17, compared to U-20; however, the workload-RPE was higher in Pro, compared to both U-17 and U-20 groups. These findings provide important information for the evolution of physical performance according to age categories in elite female soccer players.

Highlights What are the main findings? Pain and comfort levels improved after bikefit and remained stable through 4 months.Even with discrete increase after 3 months, fatigue levels remained significantly lower. What is the implication of the main findings? Ergonomic adjustments through bikefitting improves riding experience for a long period of time, and it can contribute to increase cycling adhesion.With increased riding comfort and reduced pain, participants showed increased fatigue and mileage levels, indicating increased sports practice. The purpose of this study is to analyze the long-term riders’ subjective responses to a standardized bikefitting method on their bicycles. Eighty-six amateur mountain bikers had their riding posture and bicycle components ergonomically adjusted through a 3D kinematic bikefitting method. Validated subjective scales (Feeling, OMNI, and Numerical Rating Pain Scale) were used to assess their overall riding comfort and fatigue along with localized pain for six body parts. Data were collected just before intervention (baseline or pre), immediately after (or post), and 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after the bikefit session. A Student’s t-test comparing before bikefit and after 120 days showed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in localized pain for all six body parts and riding comfort along with a large effect size effect (d = 1.18) for riding comfort. Although initially reduced, fatigue scores gradually increased over the months, showing a high correlation (r = 0.946) with increased monthly training volume. In conclusion, overall riding discomfort and pain were significantly decreased after a standardized kinematic bikefit session even after 120 days post intervention. However, fatigue scores began to rise after 30 days, showing a high correlation with increasing monthly training volume.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a new rule for substitutions (four and five) with the rule before the COVID-19 pandemic (up to three) on recovery status, physical and technical performance, internal workload, and recovery process in elite women soccer players. Thirty-eight matches from 2019 to 2020 from the Brazilian Championships were analyzed. All data for the two conditions (≤3 and 4–5 substitutions) were compared using an independent t-test. The physical demands measured by a global positioning system (GPS) and the technical (obtained from Instat) and internal workload (rating of perceived exertion [RPE]) were assessed. The recovery process was measured by the total quality recovery (TQR) 24 h after each match. No differences were observed in any physical and technical parameters between 4–5 and ≤3 substitutions (p > 0.05). Moreover, 4–5 substitutions demonstrated lower RPE (p < 0.001) and workload-RPE (p < 0.001), higher TQR (p = 0.008), and lower time played by the player (p < 0.001), compared to ≤3. Thus, the new provisory rule for substitutions improved the balance between stress and recovery.

Background It is well known that periods of inactivity generate a loss of muscle strength, a fundamental component of sports performance in soccer. However, little information is available on the decrease in strength levels in professional soccer players after the quarantine lockdown that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim To compare the isokinetic peak torque profiles of professional soccer players from different teams before and after the quarantine period generated by COVID-19. Methods A retrospective observational study was performed using data collected from two different professional elite-level soccer teams just before and immediately after the COVID-19 quarantine period. One team gave individual instructions to its players for conditioning maintenance at home during the quarantine period, while the other team used regular video calls to maintain the player's conditioning status on home training. The main outcomes were the mean peak torque of knee extensors and flexors, from concentric and eccentric contractions of each playing position. Analysis. A two-way ANOVA analysis was used to compare peak torque before and after the quarantine period and between both teams' strategies, showing a statistically significant reduction in eccentric knee flexor peak torque from the team that did not have remote monitoring. Conclusions Remote monitoring programs are recommended so that athletes are less affected by the deleterious effects of confinement.

Abstract Study aim: To compare knee moment profiles of professional soccer players from different playing positions before and after an interseason period. Material and methods: Retrospective study of 467 healthy, professional elite Brazilian soccer players before and after an official championship interseason period during 10-years. Main outcome measures were isokinetic peak moment from knee extensors and flexors from concentric and eccentric contractions. A Two-way ANOVA analysis was used to compare each playing position before and after interseason period. Results: It was found no statistical difference in Ext.CPT (from p = 0.11 to p = 0.97), Ext.EPT (from p = 0.07 to p = 0.85), Flx. CPT (from p = 0.14 to p = 0.90) or Flx.EPT (from p = 0.10 to p = 0.91) between End-Season and Pre-Season evaluations for all playing positions (from Goalkeepers, Defenders, Backsiders, Midfielders and Forwards). Conclusions: Isokinetic peak moment did not have significant differences after an interseason period of 4 to 6 weeks, allowing trainers and coaches to focus their pre-season period on other performance concerns than strengthening.

This study investigated the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with a recovery training session on the well-being and self-perceived recovery of professional female soccer players after official matches. Data from 13 world-class players were analyzed after participating in four official soccer matches of the first division of the Brazilian Women's Soccer Championship (7-, 10-, and 13-day intervals). We applied anodal tDCS (a-tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with 2 mA for 20 minutes (+F3/-F4 montage) the day after each match. Participants underwent two randomly ordered sessions of a-tDCS or sham. Players completed the Well-Being Questionnaire (WBQ) and the Total Quality Recovery (TQR) scale before each experimental condition and again the following morning. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA showed a significant time x condition interaction on the WBQ (F(1,11)=5.21; p=0.043; ηp2=0.32), but not on the TQR (F(1,12) = 0.552; p = 0.47; ηp2 = 0.044). There was a large effect size (ES) for a-tDCS for the WBQ score (ES = 1.02; 95%CI = 0.17;1.88), and there was a moderate WBQ score increase (ES = 0.53; 95%CI = -0.29;1.34) for the sham condition. We found similar increases in the TQR score for a-tDCS (ES = 1.50; 95%CI = 0.63-2.37) and the sham condition (ES = 1.36; 95%CI = 0.51-2.22). These results suggest that a-tDCS (+F3/-F4 montage) combined with a recovery training session may slightly improve perceived well-being beyond the level of improvement after only the recovery training session among world-class female soccer players. Prior to widely adopting this recovery approach, further study is needed with larger and more diverse samples, including for female teams of different performance levels.

there is a paradox between the development of strength-power abilities and the high volume of technical/tactical training in elite soccer players during the pre-season. This concurrent effect between aerobic and neuromuscular training regimes induce impairment in power performance. this study aimed to investigate the effect of an equalized program of strength-power training (4-5 sessions/week) and soccer training (4-6 sessions/week) in power and aerobic performance during 8-weeks of pre-season in elite women soccer players. Vertical jumps [squat jump (SJ); countermovement jump (CMJ)] and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 test (YOYO-R1) were assessed pre- and post pre-season. A paired sample t-test was used to compare differences between pre and post pre-season (Δ%). The level of significance was established at p ≤ 0.05. the women soccer players improved the SJ (p<0.001; Δ%=12), CMJ (p<0.001; Δ%=8.5), and YOYO-R1 (p<0.001; Δ% =28.5). There was a body recomposition observed, lower body fat (p = 0.004; Δ%=15), higher fat free mass (p = 0.001; Δ%=5). our results demonstrated that it is possible to develop aerobic and power abilities of elite women soccer players during pre-season using an equalized ratio of soccer training and strength-power training schedules.

The aim of this study was to examine the associations between linear sprint, curve sprint (CS), change of direction (COD) speed, and jump performance in a sample of 17 professional female soccer players. All athletes performed squat and countermovement jumps, single leg horizontal triple jumps, 17 m linear sprints, CS tests, and a 17 m Zigzag COD test. A Pearson product–moment test was performed to determine the relationships among the assessed variables. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Nearly perfect associations (r > 0.9) were found between linear and CS velocities. Players faster in linear sprints and CS exhibited greater COD deficits. No significant associations were found between COD deficit and either body mass or sprint momentum. Jumping ability was significantly correlated with linear sprint and CS performance, but not to COD performance. These findings may be used by coaches and practitioners to guide testing and training prescriptions in this population. The associations observed here suggest that training methods designed to improve linear sprint and CS velocities may benefit from the implementation of vertically and horizontally oriented plyometric exercises.

ABSTRACT This research aims to assist managers and technical commissions to choose professional soccer goalkeepers. A sample of 64 goalkeepers playing in Argentina and Brazil was studied. Their performance in the matches of two seasons were analyzed considering three criteria: goals against per minute played, percentage of goals and percentage of matches without conceded goals. The Composition of Probabilistic Preferences (CPP) was the method chosen for modeling, considering the random variability in the problem data and in football, considered one of the most unpredictable sports. CPP allowed to compare the choice based on the data analysis to the latest goalkeeper call-ups for these countries’ national teams. The selected goalkeepers corresponded to those presenting the best individual performance, which confirms the model.

ABSTRACT Since December 2019, the world has been fighting the SARS-CoV2 virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Little is known about vaccines and forms of treatment at this point. However, the importance of preventing transmission is very clear, and one of the main measures is social isolation. Major sports tournaments, including soccer championships, have been suspended or cancelled due to COVID-19, on the grounds of our understanding of the importance of social isolation. Accordingly, large clubs have handed over their stadiums for the construction of field hospitals, and have encouraged health care by providing guidance on hygiene and social distancing. The involvement of soccer in the prevention of this pandemic is due to the fact that its managers understand the importance of this sport in the process, and its influence on fans and players. Over the years, soccer has incorporated scientific and technological knowledge into the game, which has frequently served as a role model for other types of sport and for the population. Therefore, in these extreme times of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no reason to believe it would be any different, and standpoints taken by soccer teams serve as an example and reiterate their role in the educational commitment to society and respect for government authorities. As a result, a protocol was drawn up for the resumption of training, in which all recommendations to be followed by players, managers/backroom staff and employees are in accordance with official health agencies of the national and international government. In other words, the resumption of training is subject to the authorization of government authorities. Level of evidence III; Descriptive study.