Elite Professional Football Research Articles

Head impacts in elite professional football: a growing concern

Head impacts in elite professional football: a growing concern

A clinical case of post-concussion syndrome in an elite professional football player

Objective: to demonstrate our own clinical case of an athlete with an unusual post-concussion syndrome after repeated concussion of the brain.Materials and methods: presentation of own clinical observation in dynamics of a professional football player with repeated concussion of the brain complicated by post-concussion syndrome with laboratory-instrumental diagnostic methods.Results: a professional football player, as a result of a re-diagnosed concussion of the brain, had headaches, mainly in the temporal and occipital regions, weather dependence, subfebrility, while there was no effect from taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. As a result of instrumental examinations, changes in MCT and MRI were revealed. The conducted examinations, methods of treatment, the plan of an individual rehabilitation program are described.Conclusion: this clinical case is of great interest to practicing sports doctors, due to frequently recurring head injuries, especially in contact sports and the lack of an algorithm for treatment and rehabilitation of highly qualified athletes.

Peak match acceleration demands differentiate between elite youth and professional football players.

Youth footballers need to be developed to meet the technical, tactical, and physical demands of professional level competition, ensuring that the transition between competition levels is successful. To quantify the physical demands, peak match intensities have been measured across football competition tiers, with team formations and tactical approaches shown to influence these physical demands. To date, no research has directly compared the physical demands of elite youth and professional footballers from a single club utilising common formations and tactical approaches. The current study quantified the total match and peak match running demands of youth and professional footballers from a single Australian A-League club. GPS data were collected across a single season from both a professional (n = 19; total observations = 199; mean ± SD; 26.7 ± 4.0 years) and elite youth (n = 21; total observations = 59; 17.9 ± 1.3 years) team. Total match demands and peak match running demands (1-10 min) were quantified for measures of total distance, high-speed distance [>19.8 km·h-1] and average acceleration. Linear mixed models and effect sizes identified differences between competition levels. No differences existed between competition levels for any total match physical performance metric. Peak total and high-speed distances demands were similar between competitions for all moving average durations. Interestingly, peak average acceleration demands were lower (SMD = 0.63-0.69) in the youth players across all moving average durations. The data suggest that the development of acceleration and repeat effort capacities is crucial in youth players for them to transition into professional competition.

Leading While Losing: Elite Coaches’ Perspectives of Losing Streaks

The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of elite professional football coaches when their team has experienced a “losing streak” of at least three consecutive matches. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 elite coaches from the National Rugby League, Australian Football League, and Super Rugby or international-level Rugby Union. Reflexive thematic analysis resulted in the development of six themes, which were organized under a practical three-phase framework. The “pre” phase included (a) team environment; the “during” phase included (b) context of the streak influences strategy, (c) coach approach with the team, (d) disruption in the team dynamic, (e) the coaches’ personal response; and the “post” phase included (f) poststreak reflection. These coaches encountered complex multifactorial contextual situations, which required them to accurately assess the underlying issues that were causing failure and decide on a leadership approach that would reverse underperformance. Overall, these findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the temporal dimension of coaches’ approaches to losing streaks and highlight the critical process involved in establishing a team environment capable of responding with positive individual and collective cognitive and behavioral responses following successive losses.

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.

Genetic profiles to identify talents in elite endurance athletes and professional football players.

The genetic profile that is needed to identify talents has been studied extensively in recent years. The main objective of this investigation was to approach, for the first time, the study of genetic variants in several polygenic profiles and their role in elite endurance and professional football performance by comparing the allelic and genotypic frequencies to the non-athlete population. In this study, genotypic and allelic frequencies were determined in 452 subjects: 292 professional athletes (160 elite endurance athletes and 132 professional football players) and 160 non-athlete subjects. Genotyping of polymorphisms in liver metabolisers (CYP2D6, GSTM1, GSTP and GSTT), iron metabolism and energy efficiency (HFE, AMPD1 and PGC1a), cardiorespiratory fitness (ACE, NOS3, ADRA2A, ADRB2 and BDKRB2) and muscle injuries (ACE, ACTN3, AMPD1, CKM and MLCK) was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Single Nucleotide Primer Extension (PCR-SNPE). The combination of the polymorphisms for the “optimal” polygenic profile was quantified using the genotype score (GS) and total genotype score (TGS). Statistical differences were found in the genetic distributions between professional athletes and the non-athlete population in liver metabolism, iron metabolism and energy efficiency, and muscle injuries (p<0.001). The binary logistic regression model showed a favourable OR (odds ratio) of being a professional athlete against a non-athlete in liver metabolism (OR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.28–3.01; p = 0.002), iron metabolism and energy efficiency (OR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.42–3.43; p < 0.001), and muscle injuries (OR: 2.70; 95% CI: 1.75–4.16; p < 0.001) in the polymorphisms studied. Genetic distribution in professional athletes as regards endurance (professional cyclists and elite runners) and professional football players shows genetic selection in these sports disciplines.

The Higher Rate of Injury Following the Covid-19 Lockdown Period in Elite Professional Footballers Highlights the Importance of Pre-Season Training

The Higher Rate of Injury Following the Covid-19 Lockdown Period in Elite Professional Footballers Highlights the Importance of Pre-Season Training

Peso de las marcas de ropa deportiva dentro del fútbol europeo de élite a través del patrocinio. 'Marketing' y competencia entre Adidas y Nike

https://doi.org/10.33732/ixc/11/01Pesode La presente investigación pretende dilucidar cuál es el peso que ostentan las grandes marcas de ropa deportiva en cuanto a patrocinios dentro del futbol profesional europeo de élite. Se determinará además si Adidas y Nike tienen un protagonismo parejo en cuanto a su capacidad de activación de patrocinios dentro de este sector, clave en su batalla global por ser líderes del mercado en el que compiten. Para obtener información relevante al respecto se pone en marcha una primera etapa destina a construir un marco teórico a través del uso de la revisión bibliográfica y documental. La segunda etapa desarrolla una investigación ‘ad hoc’ que utiliza el análisis de contenido para registrar a los principales agentes del sector del futbol europeo de élite, y cuáles son sus patrocinadores oficiales de ropa deportiva. Los resultados obtenidos indican que Adidas y Nike dominan claramente la activación de este tipo de patrocinios. Nike es la marca hegemónica sobre la activación de patrocinios individuales de futbolistas, mientras que en los patrocinios colectivos de clubes y federaciones destaca discretamente Adidas. Se puede concluir que no existe un peso exactamente equilibrado entre los logros de activación de patrocinios conseguidos por ambas marcas.

At what age are English Premier League players at their most productive? A case study investigating the peak performance years of elite professional footballers

ABSTRACT Seasonal statistics for 637 professional football players performing in the English Premier League (EPL) across 3 intermittent seasons were analysed via a series of Kruskal–Wallis tests in order to determine the most productive (peak) years of players’ careers. Contrary to previous research, results revealed that age had no bearing on the technical performance levels of goalkeepers, full-backs, central defenders or central midfielders performing in the EPL. Wingers aged between 16–20 and 21–25 have significantly more shots on target (p = 0.022, p = 0.040) and more attempts from open play (p = 0.012, p = 0.028) than wingers over the age of 26. Results also revealed that strikers aged between 21 and 25 are more adept at executing specific attacking actions such as scoring goals from outside the box (p = 0.024) and shooting on target from outside the box (p = 0.021) than older strikers aged between 26 and 30. Evidence is discovered proving that ageing trends are present but not uniform across the sport of football. The authors conclude that further league specific case studies are required in order to identify the unique characteristics and peculiarities of foreign leagues enabling a more objective approach to recruitment decisions and individualised coaching plans.

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.

External load differences between elite youth and professional football players: ready for take-off?

ABSTRACT This study examines differences in weekly load between the first (FT) and the under 19 team (U19) within a professional football setting. Data were collected in 11 FT and 9 U19 players (2016-2017 season). FT data was divided into weeks with (FT-M1) or without (FT-M0) a mid-week match. Indicators were total distance (TD) and TD at 12-15, 15-20, 20-25 and >25 km‧h-1 and were analysed as external load (m), intensity (m‧min-1) and load monotony (a.u.). TD-based load was higher for U19 compared to FT-M0 (very likely moderate) and FT-M1 (likely large). Differences at higher velocities were substantially less (trivial to possibly small), with TD >25 km‧h-1 being lower than FT-M0 (very likely moderate) and FT-M1 (likely small). All intensity indicators were lower for U19 (likely small to almost certainly large). Load monotony was higher compared to FT-M1 (possibly small to almost certainly very large). Compared to FT-M0, monotony was higher for TD (possibly very large) and TD >25 km‧h‑1 (possibly moderate) but lower for TD 12-15 (possibly small) and 15-20 km‧h‑1 (likely moderate). So, despite higher weekly external loads at low velocity for elite youth players, external intensity and load variation increases when these players may transition to professional football.

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.

Strategies for Maintaining the Coach-Analyst Relationship Within Professional Football Utilizing the COMPASS Model: The Performance Analyst's Perspective.

There is a considerable body of research by that has investigated the coach–athlete relationship in sport. However, given the multi-disciplinary nature of modern elite coaching, there is a scarcity of research focusing on the relationship between coaches and other members of the coaching and support team. This study examined the perceptions of six elite professional football analyst’s relationships with their respective coaches. Semi structured interviews utilizing the COMPASS Framework were conducted focusing on Conflict, Openness, Motivation, Preventative Strategies, Assurance, Support, and Social Networks. The results verified that the COMPASS Model of relationship maintenance was applicable to this dyad. Content analysis indicated that there was 215 raw data units comprising of 16 higher order themes across the model which was further broken down into 29 lower order themes. All aspects of the model were found to contribute toward a positively maintained relationship. Having an open relationship underpinned by honesty and being able to provide an opinion was seen as the highest rated attribute that was closely followed by supporting the coach by understanding their requirements for successful coaching practice. Not meeting the coach’s expectations was found to cause conflict and was further highlighted by an inductive analysis that revealed the existence of a relationship that is fundamentally dictated by the coach. Implications of this investigation are that professionals which support elite performers need to set out clear expectations of working practice and hierarchies in order to minimize the chance of internal conflict that can impact on the service levels received by the performer.

The perceptions of elite professional footballers on the International Match Calendar: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACTThe aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of elite professional footballers on various dimensions related to the International Match Calendar. A cross-sectional design by means of a survey was conducted among male elite professional footballers playing in national teams and/or continental competitions. The survey questions were formulated during two expert meetings with football stakeholders (including players), covering the following dimensions: number of matches and related recovery, influence of travelling, and in- and off-season breaks. A total of 543 elite professional footballers completed the survey (response rate: 36%), of whom 55% were playing in their national teams. Around 35–40% of the participants reported playing too many matches per season with an insufficient number of recovery days in between. Nearly two-thirds of the participants reported that travelling had a significant negative impact on their recovery, performances and/or health. Elite professional footballers were in favour of an in-and off-season break lasting 14 days and 5 weeks, respectively. The findings of our study suggest that there is a need to review the International Match Calendar and implement measures in elite professional football to empower the players’ recovery and performances.

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.

Right ventricular structure and function in senior and academy elite footballers.

Right ventricular (RV) adaptation is a common finding in the athlete's heart. The aim of this study was to establish the extent of RV structural and functional adaptation in elite and academy professional footballers compared to age-matched controls. A total of 100 senior and 100 academy elite footballers and 20 senior and 19 academy age-matched controls were recruited. All participants underwent 2D, Doppler, tissue Doppler, and strain (ε) echocardiography of the right heart. Structural indices were derived and indexed allometrically for individual differences in body surface area. Standard RV function was assessed alongside peak RV ε and strain rate (SR). Senior football players had larger scaled RV structural parameters than academy players for the RV outflow (RVOTplax ) (32.7±4.2 and 29.5±4.0 mm(m2 )0.326 , P<0.001), the proximal RV outflow (RVOT1 ) (26.6±3.5 and 24.7±3.9mm(m2 )0.335 , P<0.001), the basal RV inflow (RVD1 ) (33.1±4.1 and30.7±3.2mm(m2 )0.404 , P=0.020), RV length (RVD3 ) (66.5±6.1 and 62.9±5.1mm(m2 )0.431 , P<0.001), and RV diastolic area (RVDarea ) (16.9±2.6 and 15.7±2.6mm(m2 )0.735 , P<0.001). Both academy and senior football players demonstrated larger scaled structural RV parameters in comparison with age-matched controls. Systolic SR (SRS) was lower in the senior players compared to academy players in the mid (-1.52±0.49 and -1.41±0.34L/s, P=0.019) and apical (-1.97±0.74 and -1.72±0.42L/s, P=0.025) wall regions, respectively. Right ventricular structural adaptation occurs in both senior and academy football players with senior players having larger RV dimensions. Although senior players have slightly lower peak SRS than academy players, all global ε and SR are within normal ranges.

Associations between adductor strength; flexibility and self-reported symptoms in elite professional footballers: a case series

ABSTRACTObjectives: Measures of adductor strength, flexibility and self-reported symptoms offer insights into footballer hip/groin health. Understanding their relationship may further determine their suitability for use. Design: Clinical case series Method: Eighteen professional footballers completed two adductor squeeze tests (short and long lever), the HAGOS (sport) and Bent Knee Fall Out (BKFO); 2 days post-match, during a period of 4 months. Results: Adductor strength reduced beyond the minimal detectable change (MDC) on 16 occasions for the long-lever squeeze (MDC = 7%) and 7 occasions for short-lever squeeze (MDC = 15%). On 17 occasions, participant BKFO scores reduced beyond the MDC (21%). A relationship between both squeeze tests and HAGOS (sport) was observed explaining 12% variance for short-lever (R2 = 0.121, p = 0.006) and 7% for long-lever (R2 = 0.065, p = 0.046) tests. The BKFO showed no statistically significant (P = > 0.05) correlation to either squeeze test (rp = 0.153/0.193) or HAGOS (sport) (rp = 0.182). Conclusion: This study adds to literature surrounding monitoring of hip/groin measures in footballers. The long-lever adductor squeeze detected meaningful changes more frequently than the short-lever. Both tests shared weak, albeit statistically significant relationships with HAGOS (sport), whilst the BKFO did not. A larger prospective study is warranted to increase confidence in selecting these measures in this setting.

Exploring the effects of deep-defending vs high-press on footballers’ tactical behaviour, physical and physiological performance: A pilot study

Abstract AIMS The aim of this study was to explore the effects of a deep-defending vs high-press defending strategy on footballers’ tactical behaviour, physical and physiological responses, when in numerical difference. METHODS Nineteen elite professional footballers (outfield players) participated in this study, playing an 11vs10 match (simulating an early dismissal) for two halves of 10 minutes on a full-sized regulation pitch. The 11-men team was instructed by the head coach to defend closer to goal in the first half (deep-defending) and then defend higher up the pitch in the second half (high-press). Players’ positional data were used to calculate the distance between team centroids, players’ distance to own and to opponent centroid, teams’ effective playing space (EPS), teams’ length per width ratio, distance covered and player velocity. Heart rate was measured via short-range radio telemetry. RESULTS Relative-phase analysis of teams’ EPS showed 61.6% of anti-phase synchronisation pattern (i.e. the values change in opposite directions) in the deep-defending game. In the high-press game, teams’ centroid distances were closer (% difference in means; ±90% CL, -21.0%; ±9.5%), while players’ distances to own and opponent centroids were 20% more regular. Distance covered (-19.8%; ±2.5%), player velocity (-20.0%; ±2.5%) and heart rates also decreased in the high-press game. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that, adopting a high-press defending strategy can elicit closer centroid distances, more regular movement patterns, decreased synchronisation patterns of EPS, lower distance covered, lower player velocity, and lower heart rates. Coaches may also consider adopting a high-press strategy, when in numerical superiority, to decrease players’ physical and physiological demands.