Soccer Clubs Research Articles

Critical application of TGfU in sports coaching

ABSTRACT Background The foundational nature of the ‘Teaching Games for Understanding’ (TGfU) approach [Thorpe, R., D. Bunker, and L. Almond. 1986. Rethinking games teaching. Loughborough: University of Technology.] has led to considerable interest from researchers and practitioners since its inception [Stolz, S., and S. Pill. 2014. “Teaching Games and Sport for Understanding.” European Physical Education Review 20 (1): 36–71. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X13496001]. Consequently, many variations of TGfU have come to the fore [Mitchell, S., J. Oslin, and L. Griffin. 2020. Teaching sport concepts and skills: A tactical games approach. 4th ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.]. Despite the considerable interest from physical education related researchers, those in sports coaching have been slower to embrace the TGfU approach, particularly in competitive adult settings [Kinnerk, S., S. Harvey, C. MacDonncha, and M. Lyons. 2018. “A Review of the Game-Based Approaches to Coaching Literature in Competitive Team Sport Settings.” Quest.]. Indeed, there is a lack of consensus about the TGfU’s efficiency and studies have shown that practitioners lack knowledge on how to implement it in their own context [Karagiannis, K., and S. Pill. 2017. “A Case Study Exploring Coaching Practice and Coaching Perspectives at One Soccer (Football) Club.” Scientific Journal of Education, Sports, and Health 18 (1): 140–150.]. Purpose Therefore, the aim of this study was to critically explore the utility of TGfU as a pedagogical approach within a competitive sports coaching setting, whilst considering its impact on the coach and players’ learning. Methodology An Action Research (AR) methodology involving progressive cycles of practice over the course of a full eight-month volleyball season. The participants of the study were the players (n = 13) and the first author as the coach. Data were drawn from focus groups and reflective field notes. Data collection proceeded in tandem with a combination of inductive and deductive analysis. Findings Results indicated the need to adapt the approach to the context critically rather than safely, which demands a well-developed knowledge of the field and engagement with reflection. This suggests a close consideration of the coaching context and the interpretation of TGfU as a flexible approach rather than a rigid model, which has been widely understood to evolve based on contextual needs [Casey, A., MacPhail, A., Larsson, H. & Quennerstedt, M. (2021). Between hope and happening: Problematizing the M and the P in models-based practice. Physical education and sport pedagogy, 26(2), 111–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2020.1789576]. Findings suggest a reconceptualisation of the well-established notion of ‘player-centred’ [Metzler, M. 2011. Instructional Models for Physical Education. 3rd ed. Scottsdale, Arizona: Holcomb Hathaway, Publishers, Inc.] to that of ‘interaction-centred’ (between the coach and the players) as crucial to effective practice. Here, the use of questioning played a key role in mediating the interaction between the coach and the players. Finally, the current study demonstrated that, despite not being a linear process, the players’ game understanding and overall performance improved throughout the season. Such improvement was instigated by facilitating the players’ ability to reflect, progressing to being able to reflect on themselves, the team, and to some extent on the opposition.

Exploring the dynamics of financing, fan influence, and leadership and governance in soccer club performance

Introduction: Managing football clubs is a challenging and rewarding experience, requiring a combination of leadership skills and strategic decision-making. Objective: to examine the dynamics of financing soccer clubs, fan influence, leadership, and governance on Ethiopian Premier League soccer club performance. Methodology: A correlational study was conducted. Twenty-one seven-point linker Amharic version questionnaires, known for their validity and reliability, were used from a sample of 307 participants selected through the simple random sampling method. Frequency, percentage, correlation, and multiple linear regression analyses (with a significance level of P < 0.05) were performed. Results: The main finding revealed that football clubs (M = 5.55, SD = 1.28), leadership and governance (M = 5.21, SD = 1.62), and fan influence (M = 3.74, SD = 1.31). There is no significant association between fan influence (r = 307), .074, p > .005) and soccer club performance; unlikely financing has a significant correlation (r = 307), -.348, p < .001) with football club performance; and leadership and governance (r = 307), -.626, p > .005), with soccer club performance and All dependent variables can make a 45.4% prediction Discussion: These findings suggest that fan influence and financing soccer clubs play a crucial role in predicting the success of soccer clubs. The study highlights the importance of effective leadership and governance in driving club performance. Conclusions: Fan influence and financing of football clubs play a significant role in predicting soccer club performance, while leadership and governance also have a strong impact.

The Black Continental African Soccer Club as a diasporic resource: (Not) playing to the whistle in men's recreational soccer

This study explores the centrality of the Black Continental African Soccer Club (BCASC) as a “diasporic resource” for members of the new African diaspora who play in an over-35 men's recreational soccer league in a Western Canadian city. Drawing from a multiyear ethnography, we critically examine how the BCASC serves as a crucial Black sporting institution for its members to collectively navigate anti-Black racism and the set of limits and pressures that come with being typecast as model minorities—the dominant representational figure for multiculturalism in the Canadian political economy—as they aspire to be, and live, as their fully fledged, and culturally authentic Black selves. Like other historic Black and ethnic sporting institutions, the BCASC and its related practices of fraternal sociality and solidarity serve as identity-affirming and redemptive, sanctuary sites where team members confront dominant and exclusionary forms of whiteness and its subordinating customs, all while palliating “homing desire” through nostalgic expressions of home.

Injury incidence, prevalence, and burden in an Argentinian male youth soccer academy: one-season descriptive study

ABSTRACT Objective To prospectively describe the incidence, severity, and burden of injuries in the youth divisions of an Argentinian professional soccer club during a competitive season. Methods Two hundred and twelve male soccer academy players were grouped by age categories and maturity offset as pre-peak height velocity (PHV), circa-PHV and post-PHV. Injury characteristics were recorded as the International Olympic Committee suggests. Results A total of 235 time-loss injuries were sustained by 101 different players. The overall injury incidence rate was of 5.8 injuries per 1000 hours (h), with a training and match injury incidence rate of 4.9 and 9.7 injuries per 1000 h, respectively. The prevalence over the season was 47%. Most of the injuries (202) affected the lower limbs (86.6%) and most of them were classified as muscle/tendon injuries (n = 117, 49.8%). Hamstring structural injury was the diagnosis with the highest burden in both circa and post-PHV groups. Conclusions The incidence, prevalence, and injury burden reported in this study would add valuable information to Argentinians’ youth soccer institutions. Post-PHV players had higher incidence, severity, and burden compared to circa-PHV. Structural/functional injuries to the muscle/tendon represented the highest burden for type of injuries (41.1 per 1000 h), suggesting a need for implementing preventive measures.

Professional Male Soccer Players' Perspectives of the Nutrition Culture Within an English Premier League Football Club: A Qualitative Exploration Using Bourdieu's Concepts of Habitus, Capital and Field.

Professional soccer players' self-reported dietary intakes often do not meet recommended sport nutrition guidelines. Although behaviour change models have previously explored barriers and enablers to nutritional adherence, the cultural factors influencing players' nutritional habits also warrant investigation. Accordingly, we aimed to explore players' perceptions of the nutrition culture within the professional soccer environment. An interpretivist paradigm, which emphasises that reality is subjectively and socially constructed, underpins this study. Qualitative, face-to-face semi-structured interviews (comprising open-ended questions) were conducted with purposively sampled male soccer players from the English Premier League (EPL) (five British, five migrant; mean age: 26 ± 6years; mean EPL appearances: 106 ± 129). Data were abductively analysed using thematic analysis according to Bourdieu's concepts of habitus, capital, field and doxa practices. This study revealed five key themes: (1) players' habitus, as shaped by familial, ethnic and religious backgrounds, influences their dietary habits; (2) social capital, via managers (head coaches), teammates and online influences, impact players' dietary practices; (3) the increase in both soccer clubs' and players' economic capitals has advanced nutrition provision; (4) an unequal distribution of economic capitals has led to hierarchical practice in the performance nutrition field with personalised nutrition being somewhat enacted at the higher levels; and (5) body composition measurement is a 'doxic' practice in professional soccer that warrants challenge. Soccer players' habitual nutritional practices are influenced by personal upbringing and the club context, including economic resources and social capital from managers. The performance nutrition field within professional soccer is also shaped by stakeholders' doxic beliefs surrounding the perceived optimal body composition of players, with managers exerting social capital.

The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injury in youth and male soccer athletes: an evaluation of 17,108 players over two consecutive seasons with an age-based sub-analysis

Objectives To evaluate the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in male athletes from professional soccer clubs over two consecutive seasons (2018-2019) with a sub-analysis based on age category: under-13 (U-13), under-15 (U-15), under-17 (U-17), and under-20 (U-20) years. Methods A total of 17,108 young male soccer players were retrospectively reviewed from sixty-three professional clubs in the four highest Brazilian soccer divisions. Data regarding the number of athletes and the number of ACL injuries confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams in the 2018 and 2019 seasons were collected. Incidence of ACL injury were compared by season, age category (under-13; under-15; under 17; and under-20), demographic region, and club division. Results Clubs from all regions of Brazil participated in the study. A total of 336 primary ACL injuries were diagnosed over the two seasons (8,167 athletes during the 2018 season and 8,941 athletes during the 2019 season) among all athletes, which corresponds to 2% of the included athletes. There were 11 cases (0.3%) in the under-13, 53 cases (1.3%) in the under-15, 107 cases (2.5%) in the under-17, and 165 cases (3.8%) in the under-20 age category. There was a higher incidence of ACL injury in the older age groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion A total of 336 ACL injuries were identified in 17,108 youth soccer players from 63 professional clubs with an overall incidence of 2% over 2 seasons of competition. ACL injury rate ranged from 0.3% to 3.8% and was higher in the older and more competitive club divisions.

Interlinking financial stability regulation and governance in German professional soccer: contribution and implications.

This study explores the integration of financial stability regulation in professional soccer within the framework of sport governance, focusing on the German context. The research examines how financial regulations influence key governance principles such as accountability, transparency, and sustainability, while also addressing the challenges posed by the dynamic nature of professional soccer. A qualitative methodology was employed, using focus group discussions with nine experts, including representatives from soccer clubs, auditing firms and other relevant stakeholders. The discussions aimed to capture diverse perspectives on the impact of financial stability regulation on governance practices within the German soccer league and clubs. The findings reveal that financial stability regulation is effective in promoting financial discipline and accountability at both league and club levels. However, the study also identifies challenges, such as the need for greater harmonization of regulatory frameworks across different levels of professional soccer and the potential benefits of implementing incentive mechanisms within the financial stability regulation to improve governance at the league and club levels. The study underscores the importance of a multi-dimensional approach to financial stability regulation, considering political, systemic, and organizational dimensions. It highlights the potential for improving governance through the adoption of independent governance models and more practical applications of governance principles. Future research could further explore these areas, offering insights that could enhance the effectiveness of financial regulation in professional soccer and potentially other sport contexts.

Does Employing Skilled Immigrants Enhance Competitive Performance? Evidence from European Football Clubs

We investigate the effect of employing skilled immigrants on the competitive performance of organizations by studying European football (soccer) clubs in Germany, Italy, France, England, and Spain from 1990 to 2020. Microdata from this setting offers unusual transparency about players’ birthplaces and their contributions to organizational performance. Further, country-level rules govern how many immigrant players clubs can deploy. Using changes to these rules as the basis for instrumental variables, we find that the number of immigrant players in the club’s starting lineup has a positive local average treatment effect on the club’s performance. We show that this occurs for two related reasons. First, immigrants exhibit higher individual talent. Second, immigrants play a coordinating role that enables the organization to broaden the variety of on-field strategies and actions it uses to outperform rivals. The latter mechanism is novel to the literature. This paper was accepted by Olav Sorenson, organizations. Funding: F. Morales acknowledges research funding from Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, Chile (Fondecyt de Iniciación) [Grant 11200342]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.03356 .

Prevalence of Asymptomatic Changes in the Groin Region Among Adult Professional Soccer Players and Their Association With Limb Dominance.

To investigate the prevalence of asymptomatic radiologic groin region findings in adult professional soccer players using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and examine the influence of age and limb dominance on their occurrences. Cross-sectional trial. Soccer club medical service, private practice. Forty-seven male professional soccer players. Players underwent a groin presigning MRI scan with a magnetic field induction of 1.5 Tesla. Image analysis of their pubic bones was performed according to The Copenhagen Standardized MRI protocol to assess the pubic symphysis and adductor regions of players. The prevalence of various changes in the symphysis, pubic bone, and adjacent areas. Fifty images of pubic bones and adjacent regions (53.2%) highlighted 1 to 4 changes, while another 44 images (46.8%) demonstrated 5 or more changes. The most frequent changes observed in the pubic bone were joint surface irregularities (100%), symphyseal sclerosis (93.6%), pubic bone swelling (56.3%), parasymphyseal high-intensity line (55.3%), fatty infiltration in bone marrow (38.3%), and adductor tendinopathy (34%). When comparing the prevalence of different changes in the dominant and nondominant limbs, no statistically significant differences were found. In adult professional soccer players with no prior groin pain complaints in recent history (12 months), asymptomatic changes are extremely common in the pubic joint and adjacent areas, including those that are very likely to be considered the main cause of pain when investigated in soccer players with groin pain. None of these changes were associated with limb dominance.

When colleagues compete outside the firm

AbstractResearch SummaryCollaboration among employees is the bedrock of an organization, but we suggest that it can be undermined by their extra‐organizational affiliations. We point to the hidden but common constellation of two coworkers who are also affiliated with organizations that compete with one another. We hypothesize that such colleagues collaborate less with one another when performing on behalf of their shared employer. Using data from professional soccer, we provide empirical evidence. We outline implications for research on extra‐organizational affiliations, intraorganizational collaboration, competition and rivalry, and social networks.Managerial SummaryImagine two soccer players who play for the same soccer club – but compete against one another when they perform on behalf of their national team (i.e., the two players have different nationalities). We show that the two soccer players collaborate less (i.e., play fewer passes to each other) at their club after encountering each other as opponents when performing on behalf of their national teams. This finding in the context of sports has implications for firms. Managers of the same firm may serve on boards of directors of companies that compete with each other, and employees may support political parties that compete – eventually hindering internal collaboration.

Creativity in sports: The crucial role of motor skills

What enables athletes to perform creative actions in their sports? In the last two decades, sports studies have predominantly assumed that divergent thinking (DT) is the key ingredient and have developed sport-specific DT tests to assess players’ creativity. However, a fundamental question remains: Do players who score high on sport-specific DT tests perform more creative actions on the field? The DT approach in sports has recently been challenged by the hypothesis that creative actions are primarily enabled (or limited) by players’ motor skill repertoires. Here, predictions based on the DT and motor skill approach are tested in the domain of soccer. Studies 1a and b tested male under-12 players, and Study 2 tested female under-19 players of a professional soccer club. All three studies indicated no correlation between the creativity of actions performed on the field (rated with the Consensual Assessment Technique) and players’ soccer-specific DT. In contrast, moderate to high correlations between on-field creativity and motor skills were found. These results challenge the DT approach in sports and the validity of sport-specific DT tests, highlighting the crucial role of sensorimotor skills in performing creative actions in sports or other domains in which creative performance is embodied through motor actions.

From league champion to community champion: Institutional entrepreneurship in Belgian soccer

Sport clubs traditionally focus on essential tasks such as organising local competitions, facilitating youth sport, and managing their volunteers. This primary focus can sometimes make it challenging to prioritise additional social initiatives such as developing more inclusive sports programs for disadvantaged communities. Despite the inherent difficulties, expanding the scope of sport clubs to embrace social inclusivity can significantly enhance their impact on both members and their local neighbourhoods. Central to addressing this social challenge are institutional entrepreneurs, who serve as exemplary sports clubs advocating the integration of both traditional responsibilities and social values within the sports sector. Recognising the pivotal role played by institutional entrepreneurs, this study aimed to delve deeper into the specific environmental characteristics and actions that trigger sport clubs to become an institutional entrepreneur. For this purpose, we applied the entrepreneurial model of Battilana, Leca & Boxenbaum (2009) . Employing a single-case study design, we focused on a Belgian amateur soccer club, conducting a comprehensive investigation through 22 semi-structured interviews. The findings yielded multiple interesting insights such as the role of the external environment (i.e., the competitive dynamics of soccer and the demographic shift in the club's neighbourhood) in initiating entrepreneurial initiatives. Furthermore, the role of an intrapreneur emerged from the data and proved to be a decisive characteristic in catalysing the call for advocating social values within the club. Consequently, this study contributes to the discussion on how entrepreneurial actions, initiated by the intrapreneur, can bring about social change in the field of sport clubs.

The Evaluation of the Modified Wave Periodization Model Efficiency on the Example of Young Soccer Players' Sprint Tests.

The research aimed to evaluate the modified model of wave periodization efficiency in running speed tests conducted among soccer players aged 12 to 16. Participants included prospective players of a leading Polish top league soccer club. The research was carried out from 2018 to 2022 in June (Testing A) and December (Testing B) of each year. The test involved 30-m straight line running with 5-, 10-, and 30-m split time measurements. For this purpose, electronic photocells were used (FITLIGHT, Canada). The six-month training intervention increased the athletes' speed as there was a considerable decrease in the running time over the distance of 5 m (F = 7.86; p < 0.001), 10 m (F = 73.99; p < 0.001) and 30 m (F = 127.55; p < 0.001). Analysis of running performance of young soccer players aged 12-16 showed a significant improvement in speed at distances of 5, 10 and 30 m, confirming training effectiveness based on the wave periodization model. The negative correlation between testing year and performance suggests the influence of biological development on players' speed. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted training, which was reflected in reduced differences between test scores. Improving initial running technique can contribute to better match results, which emphasizes the need for an individual approach to the physical preparation of players.

Potential financial loss and risk factors for hamstring muscle injuries in elite male Brazilian soccer players: a season-long prospective cohort pilot study.

The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the potential financial loss and a range of potential risk factors for hamstring muscle injuries in elite Brazilian soccer. Thirty-four male players (age: 25 ± 6 years; stature: 180 ± 8 cm; body mass: 78 ± 9 kg; minutes played in matches: 2243 ± 1423 min) from an elite professional soccer club were monitored during a 12-month season. Muscle injury was identified by magnetic resonance imaging and the severity was defined according to the number of days away: minimal (1-3 days), mild (4-7 days), moderate (8-28 days), severe (>28 days). Potential financial loss due to the team's under achievements was determined. Dorsiflexion range of motion, eccentric knee flexor strength and isokinetic tests were performed during the pre-season. Association between dependent variables and the occurrence of injury was evaluated. Nine hamstring muscle injuries with moderate severity were found in 8 athletes. Recovery time was 22 days off the field on average. Potential financial loss was $-43.2 million USD and earnings on merit money was 21%. Previous injury, increased flexor deficit 60° /sec and increased flexor fatigue index 300°/sec were all associated with a greater chance of hamstring muscle injury. Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was significantly lower in the injured group (35.6 ± 3° vs. 39.1 ± 4.9°; p = 0.017, effect size = -0.74). High financial burden was found in elite Brazilian soccer during one full season. Injured athletes had high hamstring fatigue index, knee flexor strength deficit, ankle range of motion restriction and previous hamstring muscle injury when compared to non-injured athletes. Therefore, preventive approaches in professional soccer players with previous hamstring injuries should be a priority.

Talent identification and development strategies in elite women’s soccer: a pan-European perspective

ABSTRACT The question of how best to identify and develop youth soccer players has received considerable attention from the scientific community. Existing literature has, however, largely focused on male players, with comparatively little exploration of the specific approaches employed within women’s soccer. Accordingly, we sought to investigate the key factors deemed important by elite women’s soccer clubs concerning the: 1) identification of potential talent; 2) development of players within the player pathway; and 3) selection of players for the next age group or senior team. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews with 11 key representatives from seven elite women’s soccer clubs. Clubs were purposefully sampled to include the highest performing teams (38 domestic titles and 10 UEFA Women’s Champions League titles) from five European nations (Spain, France, Sweden, Germany, and Italy). Data were analysed using thematic content analysis, resulting in six higher-order themes: 1) prioritising local talent; 2) recruitment from mixed grassroots leagues; 3) creating challenging developmental environments; 4) ensuring player wellbeing; 5) patience in decision-making; and 6) facilitating the youth-to-senior transition through a top-down approach. A total of 17 lower-order themes were subsequently identified. The present study offers novel insights of key strategies deemed important by some of the most successful women’s clubs in top-performing European nations. Future research examining the efficacy of such approaches could help inform the development of evidence-based practices for nurturing the next generation of elite female players.

Anti-Black Racism and Soccer in Canada: Is It Because I’m Black, Ref?

This study critically examines the experiences of members of a sub-Saharan African men’s recreational soccer club with anti-Black racism in a Western Canadian city. Drawing from extensive ethnographic fieldwork, and working at the intersections of Critical Race Theory and Physical Cultural Studies, our analysis focuses on how team members navigate a racial hierarchy that privileges Whiteness and cements their status as outsiders through both overt and subtle forms of racism on the pitch, and the laborious, retraumatizing challenges of “proving” these racist incidents to those in positions of institutional power. We underline the need for anti-racist and anti-oppressive policies and training, and independent judiciaries to monitor and address racist incidents and systemic racism—and its intersections with other forms of oppression—in Canadian sport cultures.

Prevalence of Asymptomatic Hip Joint Abnormalities Among Adult Professional Soccer Players and Their Association With Age and Limb Dominance

PurposeThe aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of asymptomatic hip joint abnormalities among adult professional soccer players and to determine the relationship between the number of these abnormalities with age and limb dominance as well as the relationship between those abnormalities themselves. MethodsAdult male professional soccer players from one top-division soccer club in a European country underwent magnetic resonance imaging using 1.5 Tesla scanners, the results of which were analyzed independently by two experienced radiologists. The incidence of hip osteoarthritis according to the Kellgren-Lawrence and SHOMRI classifications, femoroacetabular impingement, hip dysplasia, and presence of os acetabuli were analyzed. ResultsA total of 47 subjects were included (age 24.5 ± 5.4 years, height 181.5 ± 5.7 cm, body mass index 22.8 ± 1.3 kg/cm2). From 1 to 5 mri abnormalities were detected in 63 (67%) hip joints. Osteoarthritis of the first and second degree was determined in 46.8% and 18.1% of all hip joints accordingly. The overall prevalence of femoroacetabular impingement was 32%, with pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement occurring in 27.7% of cases, cam-type in 11.7%, and mixed type found in 6.4% of images. These abnormalities are not related to the dominant leg. Significant correlations were found between cam-type femoroacetabular impingement and osteoarthritis (p = 0.007), as well as between pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement and osteoarthritis (p < 0.001). ConclusionFemoroacetabular impingement was found among one-third of the soccer players with no hip complaints. Additionally, a correlation between the presence of femoroacetabular impingement and hip osteoarthritis was observed. However, these abnormalities do not appear to be associated with leg dominance. Level of evidenceLevel IV, prognostic study.

The Relationship between Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) Activities of Professional Soccer Clubs and Club Equity

The Relationship between Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) Activities of Professional Soccer Clubs and Club Equity

Variations in External and Internal Intensities and Impact of Maturational Age on Soccer Training Tasks.

During peak height velocity, adjusting training intensity is crucial for optimizing performance and minimizing injury risk. This cross-sectional study compares external and internal intensities in different training tasks (analytical tasks, small-sided games, and training matches) and analyzes their effect on the maturation age of young players. Fifty-five U-15 and U-16 boys from two soccer clubs in southwestern Spain were monitored using inertial movement units and heart rate monitors to report training intensities. Anthropometric data and birthdates were collected to estimate maturation age. The Friedman test and Durbin-Conover post hoc test identified specific differences between groups, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients assessed variable impacts. Training matches showed significantly higher distance covered, maximum and average speed, and average heart rate compared to small-sided games and analytical tasks. High-intensity actions and sprints were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) during training matches compared to analytical tasks and during small-sided games compared to analytical tasks. Player load per minute was significantly highest (p < 0.05) during training matches, followed by small-sided games, and lowest in analytical tasks. Positive correlations between maturational age and high-intensity actions, accelerations, and decelerations indicated higher intensity (p < 0.05) in more mature players. A negative correlation between player load per minute and maturational age suggested more efficient intensity management in mature players. These findings highlight the importance of considering biological maturation and training task variability in youth athletes' development.

High-intensity resistance training and collagen supplementation improve patellar tendon adaptations in professional female soccer athletes.

We investigated whether 10 weeks of pre-season soccer training (including high-intensity resistance exercise) with hydrolysed collagen (COL) supplementation would confer greater changes in patellar tendon (PT) mechanical and material properties compared with placebo (PLA) in professional female soccer athletes. Eleven athletes from the first team squad of a Football Association Women's Championship soccer club volunteered to participate in this study (age, 25.7±4.2 years; height, 1.68±0.04m; mass, 64.0±4.6kg). Participants were pair-matched for baseline knee extensor maximum isometric voluntary contraction torque, age, height and mass and were randomly assigned to the COL group (n=6) or PLA group (n=5). Participants were given 30g COL or energy-matched (36.5g maltodextrin and 8.4g fructose) PLA, plus 500mg vitamin C before each training session, which consisted of high-intensity lower-limb resistance exercise, plyometric or pitch-based exercise 3 days/week for 10weeks during the pre-season period. We assessed knee extensor maximum isometric voluntary contraction torque and PT properties using isokinetic dynamometry and ultrasonography before and after the intervention. The PT stiffness [COL, +15.4%±3.1% (d=0.81) vs. PLA, +4.6%±3.0% (d=0.32), P=0.002] and Young's modulus [COL, +14.2%±4.0% (d=0.65) vs. PLA, +3.4%±2.8% (d=0.15), P=0.004] increased more in COL than in PLA. There was a main effect of training on PT cross-sectional area (P=0.027), but no interaction effect (P=0.934). To conclude, 10 weeks of pre-season soccer training (incorporating high-intensity resistance exercise) with 30g COL increased PT stiffness and Young's modulus more than training alone in professional female soccer athletes. This has positive implications for improving athletic performance and mitigating injury risk.