Adolescent Football Research Articles

Functional movement screen and Y balance tests in adolescent footballers with hip/groin symptoms

ObjectivesTo assess the correlation between the functional movement screen (FMS) and Y balance test (Y-BT) performance, and the self-reported hip/groin problems, and to compare healthy with hip/groin pain participants. Designa cross-sectional study. SettingSports hall in a football club. Participants43 elite adolescent football (soccer) players. Main outcomeThe Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS), Anterior, posterolateral and posteromedial distance of Y-BT, FMS score. MeasuresY balance and FMS test kit, HAGOS questionnaire. ResultsThe posterolateral, posteromedial distance and composite reach score of the Y-BT were lower in participants with hip/groin problems (p < 0.05). FMS performance was similar in healthy and hip/groin groups. There was a weak correlation (r = 0.32, p= 0.03) between the HAGOS Activities of Daily Living subscale and FMSstabil. In the Y-BT the posterolateral reach was weakly correlated with Symptoms (r = 0.35–0.44, p < 0.02) and moderately correlated with Pain (r = 0.44, p < 0.01) subscales. Posteromedial direction reach with the right leg was weakly correlated with Symptoms (r = 0.32, p = 0.04) and Pain (r = 0.39, p = 0.01). The Y-BT composite score was moderately correlated with Symptoms and Pain (r = 0.42–0.44, p < 0.01). ConclusionsThe Y-BT and the FMS subtests were weakly or moderately correlated with self-reported hip/groin problems. Thus, these tests should be investigated further in adolescent footballers because they may have potential to predict hip and groin problems.

The Effect of Block Versus Daily Undulating Periodization on Strength and Performance in Adolescent Football Players.

Purpose: Muscle mass, strength, and power are important factors for performance. To improve these characteristics, periodized resistance training is used. However, there is no consensus regarding the most effective periodization model. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of block (BLOCK) vs daily undulating periodization (DUP) on body composition, hypertrophy, strength, performance, and power in adolescent American football players. Methods: A total of 47 subjects participated in this study (mean [SD] age = 17 [0.8]y, strength training experience = 0.93 [0.99]y). Premeasurements and postmeasurements consisted of body mass (BM); fat mass; relative fat mass; fat-free mass (FFM); muscle mass (MM); muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and triceps brachii (TB); 1-repetition-maximum back squat (BS) and bench press (BP); countermovement jump (CMJ); estimated peak power (Wpeak) from vertical jump performance; medicine-ball put (MBP); and 40-yd sprint. Subjects were randomly assigned in either the BLOCK or DUP group prior to the 12-wk intervention period consisting of 3 full-body sessions per week. Results: Both groups displayed significantly higher BM (P < .001), FFM (P < .001), MM (P < .001), RF (P < .001), VL (P < .001), TB (P < .001), BS (P < .001), BP (P < .001), CMJ (P < .001), Wpeak (P < .001), and MBP (P < .001) and significantly lower sprint times (P < .001) after 12 wk of resistance training, with no difference between groups. Conclusions: Resistance training was effective to increase muscle mass, strength, power, and performance in adolescent athletes. BLOCK and DUP affect anthropometric measures and physical performance equally.

Are internal load measures associated with injuries in male adolescent Gaelic football players?

This study aimed to examine internal loads in male adolescent Gaelic footballers and their association with musculoskeletal injury. Written training diaries were completed by 97 male adolescent Gaelic footballers weekly and injuries, defined as any injury sustained during training or competition causing restricted performance or time lost from play, were assessed by a Certified Athletic Therapist. Daily load was determined for each player (session rating of perceived exertion by session duration) and summed to give weekly load. Univariate and multiple logistic regressions were conducted to determine the association with injury. Twenty-two injuries were recorded with match injuries significantly more common than training injuries. Periodic variations in weekly load and injuries were evident throughout the season. Univariate analysis identified weekly load (OR = 2.75; 95%CI = 1.00–7.59), monotony (OR = 4.17; 95%CI = 1.48–11.72) and absolute change in load (OR = 3.27; 95%CI = 1.15–9.32) greater than the team average were significant injury risk factors. Multiple logistic regression with 2-weekly and 3-weekly cumulative loads, absolute change, monotony, strain, ACWR and age as independent variables identified internal load measures (monotony, strain and absolute change) were associated with injury with high specificity (96.0%) but low sensitivity (25.0%). The findings highlight the need to monitor team and individual loads to avoid sudden week-to-week changes or excessive weekly loads. Open communication between players, parents, coaches and sports medicine clinicians enables effective load monitoring that can reduce injury risk and may subsequently minimise dropout, improve team success and overall sport enjoyment and promote life-long sports participation.

The Feasibility and Effects of Acupuncture on Muscle Soreness and Sense of Well-being in an Adolescent Football Population.

The aims of the study were to assess the feasibility of performing acupuncture on multiple adolescent athletes in a warm weather, high-intensity training environment and to measure perceived effects of acupuncture on delayed-onset muscle soreness and sense of well-being. This is a prospective feasibility study (registered clinical trial NCT03478800). Forty-two healthy male participants, aged 13-18 yrs, were involved in at least 1 of 5 treatment days for a total of 147 individual treatment sessions. Fifteen-minute treatments of traditional needle acupuncture were administered at the football field. Time, cost, adverse effects, and participant/provider ratio were observed. Effect on delayed-onset muscle soreness and sense of well-being were measured via pretreatment and posttreatment visual analog scale (0-10) rating analyses. The results are as follows: time required by research staff on treatment days, 75 mins; total cost, US $700; temperature range, 21°C-28°C; and largest participant to acupuncturist ratio, 7-10:1. No major adverse effects occurred; 55% reported minimal adverse effects, such as mild focal numbness or tingling. Overall pretreatment to posttreatment effect on delayed-onset muscle soreness (average over 5 days) demonstrated significantly improved posttreatment scores (pre 4.6 ± 2.0; post 2.9 ± 2.2, P < 0.001). There was no significant effect on sense of well-being (P = 0.12). Effectively providing acupuncture to multiple adolescent football players in their training environment is feasible with appropriate staff and resources. Despite mild adverse effects, treatment was well tolerated. This study provides guidance on acupuncture delivery to other athletes in their training environments.

The effect of the change of football turf on knee kinematics of adolescent male football players.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the change of football turf on knee kinematics of adolescent male football players. Thirteen adolescent male football players were tested by a portable infrared motion analysis system based on markers. The angular displacements of flexion/extension,valgus/varus and internal/external rotation were calculated respectively when players performed 90° shuttle running on artificial turf and natural turf. The maximum valgus angle and range of valgus/varus were larger when they were changed from artificial turf to natural turf (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the maximum flexion angle, maximum extension angle, range of flexion/extension, maximum varus angle, maximum internal rotation angle, maximum external rotation angle and range of internal/external rotation (P>0.05). The change of football turf has a significant effect on knee kinematics of adolescent male football players. The risk of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is increased when players who are changed from artificial turf to natural turf.

Tibial Tuberosity Fracture in a Male Adolescent Football Player

Tibial Tuberosity Fracture in a Male Adolescent Football Player

Echocardiographic diagnosis of congenital coronary artery abnormalities in a continuous series of adolescent football players.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in children and adolescents is rare. Several studies have reported a higher risk of SCD during athletic competition. High risk congenital coronary artery abnormalities are the second leading cause of SCD in young athletes in the USA. Echocardiographic assessment of coronary arteries has not been routinely used in screening programmes for junior athletes so far. Prospective cohort study in 1045 consecutive adolescent elite football players. All athletes underwent a standardized cardiovascular screening protocol with a medical history, a physical examination, 12-lead resting electrocardiogram and a complete transthoracic 2D-echocardiography. Two athletes (0.19%) showed a high-risk coronary artery abnormality (CAA) with a right coronary artery originating abnormal from the aorta and coursing inter-arterial. Low-risk CAAs were found in 16 athletes (1.53%). There was an ectasia of the left coronary artery (+3.9z and +4.3z) and a fistula from the left coronary artery in two cases (0.19%), respectively. In 1.05% ( n = 11) we found a high take-off (2.3-6.8 mm) and in one case (0.096%) there was a tangential take-off of the right main coronary artery. Variants of coronary arterial anatomy were identified in 335 of 1045 athletes (32.06%). Basic pre-participation screening tests including 12-lead or exercise electrocardiogram do not safely identify high-risk CAAs. In adolescent athletes an expert cardiologist is able to describe the origin and the proximal course of the coronary arteries and identify major abnormalities in most of the cases by transthoracic 2D-echocardiography.

Relationships between Anxiety, Emotional Intelligence, and Motivational Climate among Adolescent Football Players.

Background: Emotional and motivational factors are fundamental in the context of sport, as they directly relate to sports performance and anxiety. Methods: The present study aimed to analyze the relationships between motivational climate (MC), emotional intelligence (EI), and anxiety within a sample of footballers playing at a low level. The sample was composed of 282 registered football players aged between 16 and 18 years old (16.96 ± 0.77), playing in the lower tier in the province of Jaen (Spain). Data were self-reported, with participants responding to the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ-2), the Schutte Self-Report Inventory (SSRI), and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: The results showed that footballers who reported higher levels of state anxiety and trait anxiety also demonstrated lower EI and more negatively perceived and regulated their emotions. Moreover, an ego-oriented climate was associated with higher levels of anxiety, while a task-oriented climate was related to lower levels of anxiety and higher levels of EI. No relationship was identified between the emotional aspects of young footballers and holding a motivational orientation toward an ego climate. Conclusions: Football players who more greatly perceived a task-oriented climate had higher EI and usually reported lower levels of anxiety related to sport performance. It is therefore important to promote intrinsic motivations and develop the capacity of footballers to regulate their own emotions.

Acute effects of stretching duration on sprint performance of adolescent football players

Acute effects of stretching duration on sprint performance of adolescent football players

Conservative management of an acute avulsion of the iliac apophysis in an adolescent football player: a case report

Conservative management of an acute avulsion of the iliac apophysis in an adolescent football player: a case report

INFLUENCE OF MOTIVATION, SOCIAL SUPPORT AND BASIC NEED SATISFACTION ON BURNOUT AMONG FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN BANGLADESH

Football is ruminated in the guise of the most foremost and modish sports in Bangladesh reminiscent of other countries of the world, as sports are frolicked under prodigious coercion, young football athletes perpetually stumble into divergent circumstances which incorporate affirmative and apathetic scenarios confiding in athlete’s concurrent whereabouts & prospect dispatch which narrates to burnout. The perusal maneuvered motivation as an independent variable, basic need satisfaction which exerted as mediator variable and social support plied as moderator variable that governed young player’s burnout to ebb or to surge. The purpose of the study was to interrogate the relationship among burnout and motivation, social support, basic need satisfaction. The paper pursued quantitative technique to amass accessible data in which five hundred and twelve adolescent football players were surveyed in Bangladesh and their age ranged between 15 to 25 years. The survey questionnaire was in four tranches encompassing Athlete burnout questionnaire, Basic Need Satisfaction scale, Motivation questionnaire & SARASON Social Support scale; furthermore, the study wielded Pearson Correlation analysis, Moderated regression analysis and Process in the course of score reckoning. The study instituted that motivation and social support unconstructively associated with burnout and basic need satisfaction allied moderately with the burnout, when burnout escalates, motivation, social support, and basic need satisfaction went down or when burnout dwindles all of the independent variables augment. The research formed factors relationship with each other and comprehended coping tactic how athletes could trounce their melancholy, fatigue and mental grievance to burgeon their sports recital and would scrutinize players commotion towards their contented & constructive precinct as well. Article visualizations:

Reliability and sensitivity of jumping, linear sprinting and change of direction ability tests in adolescent female football players

ABSTRACTPurpose: The aim of this study was to assess the reliability, sensitivity and performance changes across the season of jumping, linear sprinting and change of direction ability (CODA) tests in adolescent female football players.Materials and methods: A total of 60 female football players (U-16 and U-18) performed bilateral and unilateral countermovement jump tests, a single leg hop test, a 40-m linear speed test, and two CODA tests on two occasions separated by 5–7 days to assess test-retest reliability. Furthermore, test sensitivity was also calculated. Finally, 52 players performed each test three times throughout the season to analyse those performance changes.Results: Reliability scores showed a priori acceptable values in U-16 (ICC = 0.76–0.94; CV = 1.0–4.8%) and U-18 (ICC = 0.75–0.99; CV = 1.0–3.6%) in all tests. All tests were sensitive to detect large changes at both short- and mid-term with the exception of the V-cut test (only at short-tem) in both groups. Seasonal changes were mainly produced between baseline and Test 3 in linear sprinting and jumping measurements in U-16 and U-18, respectively.Conclusions: Jumping, linear sprinting and CODA tests are reliable and can detect moderate to large performance changes and they could be used to monitor their performance in U-16 and U-18 female football players.

Summer training camp decrease food intake in adolescent rugby football players

Summary Sufficient and well-balanced nutrients promote optimal athletic performance. This study investigated appetite and food intake in adolescent rugby football players before and during a summer training camp. Eleven male national-level athletes who took part in a 6-day camp participated in this study. To calculate their physical activity level, participants wore heart-rate monitors during simulated rugby game training and accelerometers at other times. All participants took photographs of the food they ate during camp. The meals provided in the dormitory were recorded with the weighed-food record method. Before and after the camp, an ad libitum buffet test was carried out to assess appetite. Although there was no significant difference between total energy expenditure and total energy intake during the camp (15730 ± 1765 kJ·day−1 vs. 14838 ± 1708 kJ·day−1, respectively), the mean energy deficit was −892 ± 2,107 kJ·day−1 and 82% of participants had insufficient intake. Energy and carbohydrate intake in the buffet test were lower after camp than before (energy: 7122 ± 1385 kJ after vs. 8226 ± 1329 kJ before, P

A 9-Month Jumping Intervention to Improve Bone Geometry in Adolescent Male Athletes

Sports have different effects on bone development and effective interventions to improve bone health of adolescent athletes are needed. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of a 9-month jumping intervention on bone geometry and metabolism in adolescent male athletes. Ninety-three adolescent (14.1 yr old) male swimmers (SWI), footballers (FOO), and cyclists (CYC) were randomized to intervention and sport (INT-SWI = 19, INT-FOO = 15, and INT-CYC = 14) or sport only (CON-SWI = 18, CON-FOO = 15, and CON-CYC = 12) groups. Cross-sectional area, cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI), and section modulus (Z) at the femoral neck were assessed using hip structural analysis and trabecular texture of the lumbar spine using trabecular bone score. Bone mineral content (BMC) at femoral neck and lumbar spine was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Serum N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I, isomer of the carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen, total serum calcium, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were analyzed. INT-CYC acquired significantly higher lumbar spine BMC (4.6%) and femoral neck BMC (9.8%) than CON-CYC. INT-CYC acquired significantly higher cross-sectional area (11.0%), CSMI (10.1%), and trabecular bone score (4.4%) than CON-CYC. INT-SWI acquired significantly higher femoral neck BMC (6.0%) and CSMI (10.9%) than CON-SWI. There were no significant differences between INT-FOO and CON-FOO in any bone outcomes. N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I significantly decreased in CON-SWI, INT-FOO, CON-FOO, and CON-CYC. Carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen significantly decreased in CON-SWI and CON-CYC. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D significantly increased in INT-CYC, CON-CYC, INT-FOO, and CON-FOO. A 9-month jumping intervention improved bone outcomes in adolescent swimmers and cyclists, but not in footballers. This intervention might be used by sports clubs to improve bone health of adolescent athletes.

The effect of a high-impact jumping intervention on bone mass, bone stiffness and fitness parameters in adolescent athletes

SummaryThis study demonstrates that a 9-month jumping intervention can improve bone mass gains and physical fitness performance in adolescent males participating in non-osteogenic sports, such as swimming and cycling.PurposeTo examine the effect of a jumping intervention on bone mass, bone stiffness and fitness parameters in adolescents involved in different sports.MethodsNinety-three adolescent male swimmers (SWI), footballers (FOO) and cyclists (CYC) were randomised to intervention (INT) and sport (INT-SWI = 19, INT-FOO = 15, INT-CYC = 14) or sport only (CON-SWI = 18, CON-FOO = 15, CON-CYC = 12) groups. The 9-month jumping intervention consisted of 3 levels (12 weeks each) of 20 repetitions per set of counter movement jumps (CMJ) using adjustable weight vests (level 1 = 20 CMJ jumps/set, 0 kg, 3 sets/day, 3 times/week; level 2 = 20 CMJ jumps/set, 2 kg, 4 sets/day, 3 times/week; level 3 = 20 CMJ jumps/set, 5 kg, 4 sets/day, 4 times/week). Total body bone mineral content (BMC) at total body less head (TBLH) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and bone stiffness using quantitative ultrasound. Fitness was assessed using the 20-m shuttle run (20mSRT), CMJ and standing long jump (SLJ) tests.ResultsINT-SWI had significantly higher increase in BMC legs and bone stiffness compared to CON-SWI (4.2–12.7%). INT-CYC had significantly higher increase in BMC at TBLH and legs and bone stiffness compared to CON-CYC (5.0–12.3%). There were no significant differences between INT-FOO and CON-FOO in any bone outcomes (0.9–3.9%). The increase in CMJ performance was significantly higher in INT-SWI (3.1 cm) and INT-CYC (3.2 cm) compared to CON-SWI and CON-CYC groups, respectively.ConclusionsA 9-month jumping intervention can improve bone mass, bone stiffness and muscular fitness in adolescent males participating in non-osteogenic sports, such as swimming and cycling.Clinical Trial RegistrationISRCTN17982776.

Accurate Prediction Equation to Assess Body Fat in Male and Female Adolescent Football Players.

The aims of this study were (a)to determine which of the most used anthropometric equations was the most accurate to estimate percentage of body fat (%BF), (b)to develop a new specific anthropometric equation, and (c)to validate this football-specific equation. A total of 126 (13.3 ± 0.6years) football players (86 males and 40 females) participated in the present study. Participants were divided into two groups: 98 players were included in the assessment of existing equations and in the development of the new prediction equation, and 28 players were used to validate it. %BF was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and also estimated with six different %BF anthropometric equations: Johnston, Slaughter, Carter, Faulkner, Deurenberg, and Santi-Maria. Paired t tests were used to analyze differences between methods. A football-specific equation was developed by a stepwise linear regression. The existing anthropometric equations showed significant bias for %BF when compared with DXA (p < .001; constant error ranged from -4.57% to 9.24%; standard error of estimate ranged from 2.46 to 4.20). On the other hand, the developed football-specific equation was %BF = 11.115 + 0.775 (triceps skinfold) + 0.193 (iliac crest skinfold) - 1.606 (sex). The developed equation demonstrated neither %BF differences (p = .121; constant error = 0.57%; standard error of estimate = 0.36) when compared with DXA, presenting a high cross-validation prediction power (R2 = .85). Published anthropometric equations were not accurate to estimate %BF in adolescent football players. Due to the fact that the developed football-specific equation showed neither differences nor heteroscedasticity when compared with DXA, this equation is recommended to assess %BF in adolescent football players.

An interesting case series describing a spate of pelvic avulsion injury in a cohort of elite adolescent footballers

Study designCase series. BackgroundThere is conflicting opinion on the incidence of pelvic avulsion injury within the literature, being depicted as both population and mechanism specific. A recent spate of pelvic avulsion fractures highlighted the condition and the need for greater awareness amongst stakeholders involved in the development of academy footballers. Case descriptionThis case report describes a series of six pelvic avulsion injuries within a category 1 football academy season. It describes the injury mechanism and management process, from initial examination to investigations and treatment discussing this in the context of the existing literature. OutcomesAll players were managed conservatively, successfully completing a 5-phase rehabilitation programme. DiscussionThe report attempts to highlight any underlying factors that may be associated with the recent spate of pelvic avulsion injuries over the 2016-17 academy season and to ultimately encourage dialogue and implementation of viable preventative strategies within an academy programme.

Development of vibrational analysis for detecting early-stage spondylolysis in adolescent male football players

Background: Lumbar spondylolysis refers to a fracture of the vertebral pars interarticularis and is a common disease in adolescent athletes. While the fracture may heal during the early stages of spondylolysis, healing is difficult in advanced stages. Thus, early diagnosis of spondylolysis is necessary to promote healing. Bone fractures can be detected by analyzing vibrational signals following bone stimulation. This vibrational analysis can also be applied to detect stress fractures, including spondylolysis. This study aimed to investigate whether vibrational analysis can be used to detect spondylolysis in adolescent male football players.

Improving awareness and use of the 11+ injury prevention programme among coaches of adolescent female football teams in Victoria

Introduction: The 11+ is an effective injury prevention programme (IPP), yet Australian football (soccer) federations have not systematically promoted or supported its use. This project evaluated the impact of a state-wide football federation-delivered 11+ implementation plan on programme awareness and use among coaches of adolescent female football teams in Victoria, Australia.

Isometric hip strength and strength ratios in elite adolescent and senior Australian Rules Football players: an initial exploration using fixed-point dynamometry.

Introduction: First year Australian Football League (AFL) players have been found to be at higher risk of injury than established elite level players. While risk factors for sporting injuries are complex, muscle strength imbalances or deficits around the hip have been identified as a modifiable risk factors for lower limb (LL) injury. The objective of this study was to investigate hip strength and hip strength ratios in un-injured Australian Football (AF) players, spanning from late adolescence into early adulthood.