Elite Football Research Articles

Australian Football Coaches’ Tales of Mental Toughness: Exploring the Sociocultural Roots

The present study explored how three professional Australian football coaches learned and understood mental toughness. Participants shared stories regarding mental toughness through semistructured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. Creative nonfiction was employed to develop a composite story. All participants’ voices contributed equally to the narrative, which follows Sam (our composite coach) through three periods in his career: as a junior player, an elite footballer, and, finally, a coach in the professional football environment. Mental toughness was fundamentally determined by the sociocultural environment in which one was immersed. Athletes and coaches were expected to internalize dominant understandings of mental toughness and reinforce ideals and were punished if they deviated from mentally tough standards set up in their clubs. Mental toughness was defined by various values, beliefs, and norms that originated from the sociocultural environment, indicating the importance of context in understanding the roots of being mentally tough.

Injuries in elite football (soccer) academy: A 4-year observational cohort study of five categories and 515 players

Background Youth football (soccer) players in professional teams face a higher likelihood of injury compared to adults. The interplay between football and injury hinges on the contextual environment. Despite this, a gap in knowledge persists regarding the epidemiology within Italian elite football academies. Purpose Assessing injury incidence and distribution in an Italian professional football academy ( n = 515 from U14 to U18) during match and training to understand injury incidence, severity, types, and related factors. Study design Observational cohort study. Methods A descriptive epidemiological study was conducted in a football academy (Campionato Nazionale Serie A) from July 2014 to June 2018. We analyzed data from 515 players divided into five age categories (U14 to U18). Injury occurrence was monitored using a custom data reporting tool adhering to FIFA and UEFA injury surveillance protocols. Injury incidence was calculated as the number of injuries/1000 h of exposure. Injury distribution was classified according to severity, location, type, playing position, and period of injuries across different age categories. Results Eight hundred thirty-two injuries were documented with 4.7 injuries/1000 h of training, 12.4 injuries/1000 h of match and 5.9 injuries/1000 h of total exposure. The months with the lowest number of injuries were June, July, and August ( p < .019). Of all injuries, 430 (51.7%) were caused by trauma, while overuse contributed to 402 injuries (48.3%). Conclusion Findings revealed that injury epidemiology within an Italian professional football academy can be compared to other European countries. These data can serve as a reference for clinicians and sports scientists.

Relationships influencing organisational culture in men’s elite football clubs in Norway

This paper examines the relationships within and outside organisations that have the leverage to influence culture in the context of men’s elite football clubs in Norway. Participants from three clubs held positions as Performance Director (n=2), sport psychology practitioner (n = 3), and physiotherapist (n = 2) and participated in semi-structured interviews focusing on the relationships, tensions, and dynamic organisational forces in their respective clubs. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we developed two overarching themes showing (1) Organisational cultures in time frames and (2) Relationships among stakeholders influencing organisational culture. Developing these themes indicated that an organisational culture is not only a point of arrival, but also a point of departure for future activities. Hence, those charged with organisational culture work must maintain awareness of the influence of a club’s history and how it influences dynamic tensions with stakeholders within and outside clubs. It is also critical that cultural practitioners are mindful of players’ and staffs’ individual journeys, which influence how they self-organise into fluid and temporary subgroups. The findings can sharpen our understanding of working with culture in elite football by emphasising other sources of culture besides leaders’ attempts at controlling or steering it in their preferred way. Using the findings provided in this study can help practitioners recognise organisational tensions or slippage towards cultural problems before they lead to traumatic organisational crises.

UEFA Women’s Elite Club Injury Study: a prospective study on 1527 injuries over four consecutive seasons 2018/2019 to 2021/2022 reveals thigh muscle injuries to be most common and ACL injuries most burdensome

ObjectiveInjuries in women’s football (soccer) have scarcely been investigated, and no study has been conducted in the highest competitive level involving club teams from different countries. Our aim was to...

Lower limb strength and training experience in elite and sub-elite female footballers

BACKGROUND: Strength differences between performance levels remain unclear in female football. Furthermore, the relationship between fulltime training and strength has been unexplored despite increased professionalisation in the sport. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this research were to examine knee flexor/extensor and hip adductor/abductor strength differences between elite and sub-elite female footballers, and then determine the relationship of strength performance to age, years of football experience (FE), and years of fulltime training (FTT). METHODS: 15 elite and 15 sub-elite professional female footballers were tested. The main outcomes were concentric isokinetic knee flexor and extensor peak moment at 60, 180, and 300∘/s, and isometric hip adductor (ADD) and abductor (ABD) force. RESULTS: The elite team had higher absolute (300∘/s: 47.13–49.33 Nm vs 37.33–38.93 Nm, p< 0.05) and normalised (300∘/s: 0.76–0.80 Nm/kg vs 0.59–0.62 Nm/kg, p< 0.05) knee flexor values, and higher normalised ADD (5.64–5.66 N/kg vs 4.98–5.05 N/kg, p< 0.05) and ABD force (5.80–6.00 N/kg vs 5.26–5.39 N/kg, p< 0.05), compared to the sub-elite team. Age, FE, and FTT were correlated to knee flexor values (r= 0.381–0.559, p< 0.05). Additionally, FTT was correlated with normalised ADD and ABD force (r= 0.362–0.546, p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sub-elite female footballers may require additional knee flexor and hip strengthening in order to make the step up to the elite level. Those who are younger or have low FTT may also be recommended additional lower limb strengthening ahead of joining a fulltime training environment.

Combined Turmeric, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D Ready-to-Drink Supplements Reduce Upper Respiratory Illness Symptoms and Gastrointestinal Discomfort in Elite Male Football Players.

Elite football is associated with the increased risk of illness, although targeted supplementation can reduce illness risk. This study assessed the effects of a supplement containing turmeric root within a black pepper and fat-soluble blend, vitamin C and vitamin D, on upper respiratory symptoms (URS), gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS), muscle soreness, and markers of inflammation and gut permeability in elite male footballers. Twenty-three footballers completed 3 weeks of no intervention (CON), followed by 16 weeks of daily consuming 60 mL of a commercially available supplement containing raw turmeric root (17.5 g, estimated to contain 700 mg of curcumin), vitamin C (1000 mg), and vitamin D3 (3000 IU/75 mcg) (SUP). URS and GIS were measured daily. Immediately (0 h), 40, and 64 h after six competitive matches (two in CON, four in SUP), the subjective soreness and plasma concentrations of creatine kinase [CK], c-reactive protein [CRP], and intestinal fatty-acid binding protein [I-FABP] were assessed. URS incidence (p < 0.001), GIS (p < 0.05), and plasma [I-FABP] at 0 h (p < 0.05) were greater during CON versus SUP. At 40 h, [CRP] was greater than 0 h during CON (p < 0.01) but not SUP (p = 0.204). There were no differences in soreness or [CK]. This study indicates that turmeric root, vitamin C, and vitamin D supplementation over 16 weeks can reduce URS, GIS, and post-match [I-FABP] in elite footballers.

Characterizing the most demanding passages of kinematic and mechanical activity in elite football: a multifactorial approach.

This study investigated the 5-minute most demanding passages (MDP) of kinematic (distance covered) and mechanical (acceleration and deceleration) activities in elite male football according to multifactorial criterion performance variables. Global positioning systems data were collected from 39 players across 45 matches in the Swedish first division (n = 329 observations). The multifactorial kinematic variable (MDPk) was composed of the concurrent distances covered at moderate-speed running, high-speed running, and sprinting distances, and the multifactorial mechanical (MDPm) considered the concurrent occurrences of high-intensity acceleration and deceleration activities. A moving average method was used to identify the MDP across a 5-minute period. The frequency distribution of the multifactorial variables, and differences in the time of occurrence and magnitude between multifactorial performance variables and their univariate constituent variables were investigated. Frequency distribution analysis revealed MDPk and MDPm peaked in the first 5 min of the match (MDPk: χ 2 (15, N = 329) = 135.88, p ≤ 0.001, W: 0.64, 115.99 ± 32.7 s; MDPm: χ 2 (15, N = 329) = 31.02, p ≤ 0.001, W: 0.31, 101.21 ± 25.1 s; p ≤ 0.0004). Within each half, differences in the MDP commencement time between the multifactorial variables and their respective discrete univariate constituent variables were trivial to small (MDPk effect size (ES): 0.04-0.21; MDPm ES: 0.02-0.11). Linear mixed model analysis demonstrated that the MDP magnitude of multifactorial variables were approximately 8-28% and 8-21% lower across the match and halves, respectively, compared to the MDP of their respective univariate constituent variables (p ≤ 0.001; r = 0.26-0.62). The greatest differences between the respective multifactorial and discrete constituent variables were observed for sprinting (-28%) and high-intensity acceleration (-22%). The results reveal that the MDP is distinguished based on peak kinematic and mechanical demands, which occur at discrete periods and exhibit distinct locomotor profiles across the match and within each half. Practitioners should consider the methods of identifying the MDP, as the selection of univariate and multifactorial kinematic and mechanical performance variables can impact MDP characterization, which can qualify the designing of bespoke training protocols.

Analysing substitutions in recent World Cups and European Championships in male and female elite football - influence of new substitution rules.

Substitutions play a key role in modern football and can substantially affect the physical and overall performance of a team, and the recent substitution rule changes are worth investigating. This study explored the characteristics of substitutions, including different substitution rules, game results, sex, competition stages, tournaments and penalty shoot-outs success rates. We analysed data from a total of 3,738 substitutions from the last 10 years (2013-2023) of European Championships and World Cups, both men's and women's games. Non-parametric tests and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis with the significance level set at p < 0.05. With the 5-substitution rule, 48% more substitutions occurred compared to the 3-substitution rule (4.26 ± 1.07 vs. 2.87 ± 0.43, p < 0.05) with a slight increase in the average substitution time (70.6 ± 14.3 vs. 69.2 ± 14.6 min, p < 0.05), and 10% more substitutions in the men's game compared to the women's game (p < 0.05). The timing of the first substitution was slightly different in the knock-out stage compared to group stage (59.8 ± 14.7 vs. 57.2 ± 13.3 min, p < 0.05), and the timing for the winning team and drawing team was later than for the losing team (p < 0.05). A total of 13.2% goals were scored by substitutes, with no significant difference between the 5-substitution rule (15.9%) vs the 3-substition rule (12.5%) (p > 0.05). Interestingly, substitute players had a lower success rate in penalty shoot-out compared to starters (61 vs. 74%, p < 0.05). Additionally, substitute player goal scorers entered the pitch later (p < 0.05) in male games compared to female games and in knock-out stage games compared to group games. This study highlights the importance of substitution rules and timing in modern elite football matches. The timing of the first substitution, introduction of substitutes in knock-out stages, and a lower success rate of substitute players in penalty shoot-outs are crucial factors to consider. Coaches can use this information to make strategic substitution decisions to improve team performance.

Characterization of injuries among elite football players during a sports season in Burkina Faso: the 2019-2020 sports season

injuries are a major undesirable event in sportsmen's career and prevention depends on their characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of injuries suffered by elite footballers in Burkina Faso during the 2019-2020 sports season. we conducted a cross-sectional study among 160 players who were administered a questionnaire. Proportion and χ2 tests were used to calculate frequencies and determine associated factors, respectively. a total of 157 injuries were recorded in 143 players (89.4%). Muscle injuries (45.85%) and sprains (30.6%) were common. The majority of injuries (52%) were of medium severity. The thigh (30%), ankle (26.5%) and knee (18%) were the most affected areas. The frequency of injuries was higher after physical contact than without physical contact with another player (69.5% versus 30.5; p = 0.009), during matches than during training (82% versus 28%; p = 0.003) and during the return leg than the first leg of the championship (58.5% versus 41.5%; p = 0.02). the frequency of injuries suffered by footballers during the 2019-2020 season was high. These injuries were mostly muscular and tendinous, and the lower limbs were mostly affected. They were associated with physical contact, matches and the return phase of the championship. To be effective, preventive measures should take these characteristics into account.

Characterizing microcycles' workload when combining two days structure within single training sessions during congested fixtures in an elite male soccer team.

This study aimed to describe and compare specific matchdays sessions and playing positions external load during congested fixtures in elite football when combining the objectives from two different training days in one session. Data was collected from 27 players from the 1st Brazilian division (28.7 ± 18.61 years) that participated in the following training days during congested fixtures (n = 16 weeks): a) Match day+1 (MD+1MD-2, session 1 day after the game with tasks from MD+1 and MD-2 sessions, n = 9); b) Matchday-2 (MD-2MD+2, session 2 days prior to subsequent match with tasks from MD-2 and MD+2 sessions, n = 11); c) Matchday-1 (MD-1MD+2, session 1 day prior to subsequent match with tasks from MD-1 and MD+2 sessions, n = 12); and d) Matchday-1 (MD-1MD+3, session 1 day prior to subsequent match with tasks from MD-1 and MD+3 sessions, n = 11). External load was collected with global positioning systems, while internal load with the rating of perceived exertion (RPE). The MD+1MD-2 showed higher total distance covered (F = 116.92, p < 0.001) and player load (F = 56.67, p < 0.001) values than the other three training days, while both the MD+1MD-2 and MD-2MD+2 revealed higher distance covered at high-speed running (F = 22.43, p < 0.001) and high metabolic load distance covered (F = 75.98, p < 0.001) than both MD-1 sessions. Fullbacks covered higher high-speed running distance (F = 3.6, p = 0.033) than center backs, while midfielders reported higher RPE (F = 5.29, p = 0.003) values than defensive midfielders and fullbacks. Coaches may use the MD+1MD-2 to emphasize total distance covered, while both MD+1MD-2 and MD-2MD+2 to promote HSR and HML distance compared to MD-1 sessions. In addition, combining training sessions allows to normalize external load across playing positions with the exception of fullbacks that are exposed to higher stimulus.

Adaptation to environmental condition (Temperature and Humidity): An exploration performance of elite football referees in fitness test

Adaptation to environmental condition (Temperature and Humidity): An exploration performance of elite football referees in fitness test

Playing position and match location affect the number of high-intensity efforts more than the quality of the opposition in elite football players.

This study aimed to examine the impact of playing position (PP), match location (ML), and opposition standard (OS) on team and individual acceleration (ACC) and deceleration (DEC) efforts. Fifty professional football players were monitored across 24 English Premier Development League matches during the 2020/21 season. High-intensity ACC and DEC thresholds were set at > +3 m · s-2 and < -3 m · s-2, respectively. Players were divided into five PPs: centre backs (CB; n = 68), full-backs (FB; n = 24), centre midfielders (CM; n = 54), wide midfielders (WM; n = 15), centre forwards (CF; n = 27). Opposition standard was categorised as Top (1st-4th), Middle (5th-9th), and Bottom (9th-13th) based on final league ranking of the study season. Each match location was classified as Home or Away. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a multivariate ANOVA analysed the independent effect of PP, ML and OS on ACC and DEC efforts, and the interaction of all contextual factors, respectively. Acceleration efforts were affected by PP and ML. FB performed 22% more ACC than WM. All players performed 6% more ACC actions during home matches compared to away fixtures. DEC efforts were only affected by PP, with FB and CM executing 26% and 32% greater DEC efforts than CB, respectively. When playing against top or middle teams at home, CB, CM, and CF tended to perform more high-intensity actions than when playing away. In contrast, when playing against top teams at home, FB and WM performed fewer high-intensity actions than when playing away. Playing position and ML affected ACC and DEC actions but not OS.

The combined effects of growth and maturity status on injury risk in an elite football academy.

This study aimed to explore the interaction between growth rate on specific injury incidence and burden on pre-, circa- and post-peak height velocity (PHV) periods. Injury and stature data collected during the 2000-2020 seasons in an elite football academy were retrospectively analysed. Only players with height measurements from childhood until the attainment of adult height were included in the study (N = 84). Growth data were smoothed using a cubic spline to calculate daily growth rate and height. Growth rate was categorised into three groups: fast (> 7.2 cm/year), moderate (3.5-7.2 cm/year) and slow (< 3.5 cm/year). Percentage of observed adult height was used to classify players as pre-PHV (< 88%), circa-PHV (88-95%) or post-PHV (> 95%). Overall and specific injury incidence and burden and rate ratios for comparisons between growth rate groups were calculated on pre-, circa- and post-PHV periods, separately. Overall injury incidence and burden were greater in pre-PHV players with quicker growth rates compared to players growing moderately and slowly. All in all, players with more rapid growth-rates were at higher risk for growth-related injuries in all pre-, circa- and post-PHV periods. Post-PHV, the incidence and burden of joint/ligament injuries were 2.4 and 2.6-times greater in players growing slowly compared to players growing moderately. Practitioners should monitor growth rate and maturity status and consider their interaction to facilitate the design of targeted injury risk reduction strategies.

Gut microbiota and physical activity level: characterization from sedentary to soccer players.

Evidence of the relationship between physical activity and gut microbiota composition is steadily increasing. The purpose of the study is to compare the gut microbiota composition of a group of elite male soccer players with a group of subjects with different physical activity levels. Cross-sectional studies were performed on 91 healthy young males, in detail: 17 elite soccer players (23.7 ± 4.2 yrs, BMI 23.2 ± 1.2 kg/m2); 14 with high levels of physical training (24.5 ± 5.6 yrs, BMI 22.7 ± 0.8 kg/m2); 23 with moderate levels of physical training (29.3 ± 3.9 yrs, BMI 22.5 ± 0.8 kg/m2); and 37 healthy men without exercise habits (28.1 ± 5.9 yrs, BMI 22.4 ± 1.0 kg/m2). Relative microbiota composition was determined by analyzing DNA extracted from stool samples. The quality and quantity of extracted DNA were assessed using a Qubit Fluorometer. Differences between subjects' populations were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA, and Bonferroni's post-hoc test was employed to identify localized effects. Elite soccer players and subjects with high physical activity levels showed a significantly higher prevalence of the nine microbiota populations analyzed than subjects with moderate physical training or who were sedentary. No differences were found in the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio among the different study populations. This study reports the gut microbiota parameters of elite footballers for the first time. In addition, it brings new insights into the effects of different levels of physical activity on the composition of the gut microbiota.

Depression and anxiety-related disorders and suicide among Swedish male elite football players: a nationwide cohort study

ObjectiveTo assess whether male elite football players, during and after their active career, were at increased risk of depression and anxiety-related disorders and suicide, as compared with the general male...

A study of Croatian-Australian identity and discrimination faced by Croatian-backed clubs in Australia’s elite football leagues

Since the 1960s, Croatian soccer clubs have been a notable feature of all major Australian cities, and a number of regional towns, with the highest-profile of these being Melbourne Croatia and Sydney Croatia, both of which played in Australia’s now defunct National Soccer League (NSL) (1977—2004). By being barred from the new A-League, from 2005-06, these clubs experienced marginalization and discrimination similar to that experienced by Irish-Catholic clubs in Scotland. The aims of this study are to explore both Croatian-Australian identity and discrimination through the lens of Melbourne and Sydney Croatia. The myths about the clubs’ alleged fascist tendencies are also explored. The fascist allegations have obscured the very real discrimination faced by these clubs and their supporters, given that the end of the NSL ‘removed’ both clubs from the national-league when ordinary relegation was not deserved. The article draws upon interviews with two Melbourne Croatia administrators and three leaders of the club’s ‘MCF’ ultras

Analysis of Elite Football Goalkeeper Characteristics : Focusing on 2022 Qatar World Cup

Analysis of Elite Football Goalkeeper Characteristics : Focusing on 2022 Qatar World Cup

EFFECT OF SAQ TRAINING WITH &amp; WITHOUT CARBOHYDRATE SUPPLEMENTATION AMONG ELITE FOOTBALLER'S SPEED

The main objective of the current study was to evaluate the changes in performance (speed) through SAQ training and carbohydrate supplementation of 08 weeks intervention. The study was conducted in the vicinity of Punjab University, Lahore. Participants (n=16) were selected through the inclusion criteria which included elite footballers and the participants were divided into two groups which were groups (A) and (B). Hypotheses of this study were: H0 1 There is no significant difference between the pre-test of group A (speed) and the pre-test of group B (speed). Ha 2 There is a significant difference between the pre-test of group A (speed) and the post-test of group A (speed). Ha 3 There is a significant difference between the pre-test of group B (speed) and the post-test of group B (speed). Ha 4 It is hypothesized that there is a significant difference between training with the Supplementation group (A) and Training without the Supplementation group (B). Group (A) was allowed to follow the 08-week exercise plan (intervention) and carbohydrate supplementation. Only group (B) was allowed to follow the 08-week exercise plan (intervention). Descriptive statistics, means and standard deviations were calculated. The inferential statistics and different tests including paired sample t-test and independent samples t-test were applied to calculate the differences in performance of all studied groups. The data was analyzed and evaluated statistically using Version 22 of IBM SPSS (Statistical Product and Service Solutions) software. The means (with standard deviation) of the speed tests of training with carbohydrate supplementation group (A) and the means (with standard deviation) of the speed tests of training without carbohydrate supplementation group (B) were compared. This study confirms that there was not a significant difference between groups (A) and (B) before training and carbohydrate supplementation. There was a significant difference in speed in, the pre-test of the group (A) compared with the post-test, followed by SAQ Training with carbohydrate supplementation. On the other hand, there was also a significant difference in speed, in the pre-test of group B compared with the post-test, followed by SAQ Training only. The study confirmed that there was a significant change in the speed of footballers' training with carbohydrate supplementation group (A) compared to training without carbohydrate supplementation group (B), after 08 weeks of intervention.

Coping profiles of adolescent football players and association with interpersonal coping: Do emotional competence and psychological need satisfaction matter?

Using a person-centered approach, the present study aimed to investigate the coping profiles of adolescent football players involved in elite football training centers. The purposes were to (1) identify coping profiles based on the reported use of multiple coping strategies in response to competitive stress, (2) explore whether emotional competencies and psychological need satisfaction would predict coping profile membership, and (3) examine the extent to which coping profiles were differently associated with individual and team perceived stress, interpersonal coping, and subjective team performance, as well as demographic characteristics. A sample of 416 young French football players (males = 282; females = 134; Mage = 16.2; SDage = 1.2) from 12 elite football training centers participated in this study. Latent profile analysis results yielded three coping profiles allowing players to be grouped according to their preferences for a combined use of certain strategies (i.e., low copers, high disengaged copers, and high task copers). Results provided further insight into each coping profile membership by indicating the role played by intrapersonal emotional competence and psychological need satisfaction. Finally, differences between coping profiles have been shown in terms of individual perceived stress intensity, interpersonal coping approach, and gender. These findings provide a deeper understanding of adaptive coping profiles within a population of adolescent football players involved in elite training centers. Implications for developing and tailoring psychoeducational interventions for adolescent football players exhibiting a maladaptive coping profile (i.e., disengagement-oriented coping profile) are considered.

English

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of electrocardiographic abnormalities that could endanger the lives of elite and sub-elite professional athletes based on normal, borderline, and abnormal findings described in international recommendations. Material and method: This retrospective observational study was performed only on men elite football players, men elite baseball players, men elite basketball players, and men sub-elite football players (second division, third division, U-15, U-17, and U-20). Data were collected from pre-competition ECGs performed by team-affiliated physicians in the 2012 – 2019 preseasons of active-roster athletes and sub-elite players. The qualitative characteristics of each ECG were analyzed using the international recommendations for electrocardiographic interpretation in athletes to detect accepted training-related ECG findings and findings classified as borderline and abnormal. Results: A total of 716 ECGs were included. Common training-related ECG changes were found in 63.1%; sinus bradycardia was the most prevalent training-related ECG change (47.2%). The prevalence of borderline ECG readings among all the participants was 3.9%; the most frequent change was right axis deviation. The prevalence of abnormal ECG findings overall was 4.2%. Conclusion: Electrocardiographic changes in athletes are frequently seen; however, a constant review of changes within abnormal or borderline parameters is recommended. It is suggested that further research studies should study the electrocardiographic changes in elite and sub-elite athletes and compare these changes considering the biological sex of the athletes to see if there are any differences.