Elite Professional Football Players Research Articles

Hamstring muscle architecture and myotonometer measurements in elite professional football players with a prior strained hamstring

The purpose of this study was to compare the fascicle length, angle pennation and mechanical properties of the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) in dominant and non-dominant limbs in previously injured and uninjured professional football players. Fifteen professional football players were recruited to participate in this study. Seven players had suffered a BFlh injury during the previous season. Myotonometry mechanical properties were measured in the proximal, common tendon and distal BFlh using MyotonPRO, and angle pennation and fascicle length were also measured. We observed significantly higher distal BFlh frequency, stiffness, decrement, relaxation and creep than in the common tendon and proximal BFlh. The previously injured players showed significantly higher frequency and stiffness, and lower relaxation and creep in the dominant BFlh than did uninjured players. There were no significant differences between the fascicle length and angle pennation in previously injured and uninjured BFlh. Myotonometric measurement provides a quick and inexpensive way to check the properties of the BFlh in professional football players. Professional football players with previous BFlh injury showed higher intrinsic tension and a poorer capacity to deform than did players with no injury to the BFlh.

Assessing the Efficacy of Video Telestration in Aiding Memory Recall Among Elite Professional Football Players

Elite football clubs have invested heavily in the use of video telestration software in recent years, however, little is known regarding the benefits of this technology in aiding players’ ability to recall events. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of video telestration in aiding memory recall of information amongst professional male football players. A randomised controlled trial was conducted, where an experimental group (n = 7) experienced telestration and a control group (n = 7) experienced no telestration over five sessions in 15 days. Following watching the telestrated or non-telestrated clips, each individual completed a questionnaire 24-hours later comprising of questions regarding possession, chances creation and set-piece. The study revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) in recall percentages for total recall, possession, chance creation and set-piece categories between the telestrated and non-telestrated groups. Set piece information was recalled the most when supplemented with video telestration and recalled the least in its absence (86.86% ± 7.20% vs 48.00% ± 9.24%). Subsequently, the results validate the investment in this technology, and it is suggested analysts and coaches should consider the use of telestration to support the wider performance analysis and coaching process to aid recall and facilitate player learning.

Scanning, Contextual Factors, and Association With Performance in English Premier League Footballers: An Investigation Across a Season.

Scanning in football (soccer) denotes an active head movement where a player’s face is temporarily directed away from the ball to gather information in preparation for subsequently engaging with the ball. The aim of this study was to learn more about the ways that 27 elite professional football players in an English Premier League club use scanning in competitive matches, the conditions under which this behavior is exhibited, and the relationships between these behaviors and performance. Players were filmed across 21 matches, producing a total number of 9,574 individual ball possessions for analysis. Close-up video analyses of scanning show positional differences (with central midfielders and central defenders scanning most frequently, forwards least) and contextual differences (with relatively lower scanning frequency in situations with tight opponent pressure, in positions wide in the field and closer to the opponent’s goal, and under certain game state conditions). Players scan more frequently prior to giving passes than when they dribble, shoot, or only receive it, as well as prior to more long/forward passes compared to short/backward ones, although these differences are small. A Bayesian hierarchical model, which accounts for individual player differences and pass difficulty, suggests that the more a player scans, the higher the probability of completing a pass. In conclusion, match demands are likely to constrain the extent to which highly elite players scan, and scanning seems to have a small, but positive role in elite football players’ performance.

Deconstructing celebratory acts following goal scoring among elite professional football players.

Goal celebration in sport is mostly spontaneous and is manifested via vocal expressions and bodily gestures aimed at communicating emotions. The aim of this study is to deconstruct the celebratory acts among elite professional football players in the European Champions League following scoring a goal, and to capture the multiple acts and functions of the celebrations. In examining the 2018/19 season of the European Champions League tournament, we draw attention to the players' celebrations and their corresponding social and individual functions. All goals/celebrations (K = 366) were used for the analyses. To analyze the goal celebration acts, a socio-psychological model was established which is comprised of several theories. To describe the goal celebration acts across the competition stages (e.g., preliminary and final), match location (i.e., home or away), time phase (0-15, 15-45, 45-75, 75-90, 90+ minutes), scoring mode (i.e., prior to the goal, after the goal), and players' continent origin (Europe, Africa, Asia, South/Central, and North America), the number and percent of all the celebratory acts were counted and presented in their respective mode (i.e., single, double, and team). The main findings indicate that (a) most of the goal celebration acts were performed interactively by the scoring player and his teammates, (b) the interactive modes of celebration lasted longer than the modes which were performed non-interactively, (c) the celebration lasted longer following goal scoring in the final stage than in the preliminary stage, (d) the celebration duration lasted the longest time when the goal was scored during the overtime phase (90+ min) of the final but not the preliminary stage, and (e) players from Africa and South America demonstrated religious acts more than their European counterparts. We assert that our conceptual model enables the categorization of a variety of personal and social meanings to the celebrations on the field during the most thrilling moments of the game.

ACTN3’s R577X Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Allele Distribution Differs Significantly in Professional Football Players according to Their Field Position

Introduction: Football is characterised by intermittent high-intensity efforts varying according to the field position of a player. We aimed to ascertain whether polymorphisms in the ACTN3 gene are associated with different playing positions in elite professional football players. Subjects and Methods: Genotyping of the ACTN3 gene was conducted in 43 elite professional football players of a single team. Playing position was recorded based on the player’s most frequent position. Results: The genotype distribution was not significant between positions (p = 0.057), while the allele distribution differed significantly (p = 0.035). Goalkeepers (p = 0.04, p = 0.03), central defenders (p = 0.03, p = 0.01), and central midfielders (p = 0.01, p = 0.00) had a significantly different allele distribution compared with wide midfielders and forward players. Conclusions: Genetic biomarkers may be important when analysing performance capability in elite professional football. Identifying the genetic characteristics of a player to adapt his playing position may lead to orientation of positions based on physical capabilities and tissue quality in young football players, and also to performance enhancement in those who are already playing in professional teams.

ACTN3 single nucleotide polymorphism is associated with non-contact musculoskeletal soft-tissue injury incidence in elite professional football players.

Muscle injuries are common in professional football, even though prevention protocols are being implemented. Genetics constitutes a novel field for studying intrinsic injury risks and performance. Since previous studies involving single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have shown that SNPs influence muscle injury rate, injury severity and recovery time, the aim was to study the association the SNP of ACTN3 has with those parameters in professional football players. The medical staff team recorded non-contact musculoskeletal soft-tissue injuries in 43 professional football players in 7 different seasons (2007-2012 and 2015-2016). Injury rate, injury severity and injury recovery times were established. Players were genotyped by extracting DNA from a blood sample and using a polymerase chain reaction. Injury rate was associated with the SNP of ACTN3 (p = 0.003). The 577R allele was more frequent in subjects than in a normal population by showing presence in 93% of the subjects and suggesting that it could influence football performance. No statistically significant differences in injury severity and recovery time were associated with the SNP of ACTN3. Genetics is gaining in importance when assessing injury risk and performance in professional football. ACTN3 can be regarded as a biomarker of injury susceptibility in this discipline. Identifying those players with the highest injury susceptibility through genetics could lead football teams to individualise workloads and prevention protocols. III.

Posterior ankle impingement syndrome in football players: Case series of 26 elite athletes

ObjectiveTo describe a clinical treatment algorithm for posterior ankle impingement (PAI) syndrome in professional football players. Material and methodsA case series of 26 elite professional football players diagnosed and treated for posterior ankle impingement syndrome were included for the study. All of the athletes received conservative treatment with physical therapy modalities initially. If the first line medical treatment and rehabilitation was ineffective to alleviate the symptoms, ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection was proposed and thereafter the patients underwent posterior ankle arthroscopy if the complaints are still unresolved. The pain scores (AOFAS, VAS), and time to return to play were the main outcome measures. ResultsThe complaints of 18 (69.2%) players were subsided with non-surgical treatment whereas three of acute cases and five of the chronic cases did not respond to medical treatment and arthroscopic surgery was performed for eight athletes. Eighteen players returned to training for a mean time of 36.3 days (24–42 days) after conservative treatment. The patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery returned to training for a mean time of 49.8 days (42–56 days) after the surgery. All athletes returned to their previous level of competition after treatment without any complications or recurrence in a mean follow-up 36.5 months (19–77 months). ConclusionNon-surgical treatment modalities were effective in 2/3 of posterior ankle impingement syndrome in elite football players. On the other hand, posterior ankle arthroscopy is safe and effective treatment option for posterior ankle impingement syndrome if the conservative treatment fails. Level of evidenceLevel IV, Therapeutic study

Comparison of T2* relaxation times of articular cartilage of the knee in elite professional football players and age-and BMI-matched amateur athletes

ObjectiveRecent investigation has underlined the potential of quantitative MR imaging to be used as a complementary tool for the diagnosis of cartilage degeneration at an early state. The presented study analyses T2* relaxation times of articular cartilage of the knee in professional athletes and compares the results to age- and BMI (Body Mass Index)-matched healthy amateur athletes. Materials and methods22 professional football players and 22 age- and BMI-matched individuals were underwent knee Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at 3T including qualitative and quantitative analysis. Qualitative analysis included e.g. meniscal tears, joint effusion and bone edema. For quantitative analysis T2* (22 ET: 4.6-53.6ms) measurements in 3D data acquisition were performed. Deep and superficial layers of 22 predefined cartilage segments were analysed. All data sets were postprocessed using a dedicated software tool. Statistical analysis included Student t-test, confidence intervals and a random effects model. ResultsIn both groups, T2* relaxation times were significantly higher in the superficial compared to the deep layers (p<0.001). Professional athletes had significantly higher relaxation times in eight superficial and three deep cartilage layers in the predefined cartilage segments (p<0.05). Highly significant differences were found in the weight-bearing segments of the lateral superficial femoral condyle (p<0.001). ConclusionElevated T2* values in cartilage layers of professional football players compared to amateur athletes were noted. The effects seem to predominate in superficial cartilage layers.

Improving individual technical and tactical actions in group interactions of young footballers 16 - 17 years

The aim of this study is to theoretically justify and experimentally prove the effectiveness of implementation these match-play activities of the elite professional football players in the training process of young football players 16–17 years. Scientific novelty of the research is determined by the following assertions: – Identified the most important indicators of match-play activities professional teams in each zone of the field. Showed the differences in the quality of main technical and tactical actions of footballers The Barclays Premier League and The Russian Football Premier League in the zones of the field, depending on the position. – Produced the training program and testing program for players aged of 16–17. Determined the level of technical component of young players relatively the identified requirements, match-play practice of high-qualified football players. – Proven the positive influence of the experimental method on the formation of group interactions of footballers 16–17 years. As a result of the study: 1. Determined the key differences in the structure of the gaming activities of footballers of the best English and Russian teams. On this basis, developed the training program and testing program for footballers 16–17 years. 2. Determined the level of technical skills of the players 16–17 years. 3. Confirmed the degree of influence of the experimental method on the quality of group interactions players 16–17 years.

Correlates of j point elevation in male professional football players

Background: The influences of structural changes of the athlete's heart in J point elevation are debated. Aim: To report the prevalence of J point elevation, its clinical, ECG and echocardiographic correlates in elite professional football players. Methods: All clinical, ECG, cardiopulmonary exercise test and echocardiographic data from 235 male professional football players were analyzed. J point elevation was defined as an elevation ≥ 1 mm in at least two contiguous leads. Results: 147 athletes showed isoelectric J point (ISO J group) while 88 showed J point elevation (ELE J group: 20 in anterior, 31 in lateral, 13 in inferior leads, while diffuse in 24). At univariate analysis black race, interventricular septum thickness, lower heart rate and Sokolow Lyon index resulted associated with J point elevation. The multivariable analysis (binary logistic regression stepwise) confirmed the association with lower heart rate (OR 0,968 95% CI 0,945- 0,993; p=0,011), increased interventricular septum thickness (OR 1,224 95% CI 1,014-1,478; p=0,036) and increased Sokolow Lyon index (OR 1,031 95% CI 1,002-1,060, p=0,033). View this table: Table 1 Conclusions: The correlation between J point elevation and increased interventricular septum thickness supports a possible role for exercise induced left ventricular hypertrophy as a structural basis for the electrocardiographic evidence of J point elevation.