Football Team Research Articles

The research to analyze financial expenditure of two football clubs

This article shows the whole process using known datasets to estimate two football teams up-coming performances. The math process (modeling) includes linear regression, probability expectations, and using graphs to express the modeling process. In this article, from the process of modeling, there are conclusive results and conclusions which is beneficial in researching sport management and football team management which includes basic two types of management structure and basic strategy in data analyzing of football financial expenditure. The whole research contains four parts, including introduction, methods, analytical conclusions, and applications. First, the article discussed some basic assumptions and preparations for modeling, and researched on some of the topics according to the whole theme. In the part methods, the research uses linear regression to fit a suitable relationship each between the factors that affect expenditure and rankings. In the part conclusion, which includes analytical conclusion and quantized applications, which can also be separated to two parts. Analytical conclusions state some of those findings depend on the previous research process, which those findings illustrate particularly kind of relationship. In the quantized applications, the research fit data into the model and acquire an intermediate result and some beneficial suggestions to each of the studies.

Success factors in national team football: an analysis of the UEFA EURO 2020

Abstract Identifying success factors in football is of sporting and economic interest. However, research in this field for national teams and their competitions is rare despite the popularity of teams and events. Therefore, we analyze data for the UEFA EURO 2020 and, for comparison purposes, the previous tournament in 2016. To mitigate the challenges of perceived multicollinearity and a small sample size, and to identify the relevant variables, we apply the ‘LASSO Cross-fitted Stability-Selection’ algorithm. This approach involves iterative splitting of data, with variables chosen via a ‘least absolute shrinkage and selection operator’ (LASSO) model (Tibshirani, R. (1996). Regression shrinkage and selection via the lasso. J. Roy. Stat. Soc. B 58: 267–288) on one half of the observations, while coefficients are estimated on the other half. Subsequently, we inspect the frequency of selection and stability of coefficient estimation for each variable over the repeated samples to identify factors as relevant. By that, we are able to differentiate generally valid success factors such as the market value ratio from on-field variables whose importance is tournament-dependent, e.g. the tackles attempted. As the latter is connected to a team’s tactics, we conclude that their observed relevance is correlated to the results of the linked playing style in the specific tournaments. We also show the changing effect of these playing-styles on success across tournaments.

Relationship of Vitamin D Status with Biomarkers of Muscle Damage and Body Composition in Spanish Elite Female Football Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Recently, there has been a growing interest in relation to the female athlete, especially in widespread disciplines such as football. Concerns about vitamin D deficiency status have recently been considered due to its effects on the performance and health status of female footballers. However, its relationship to body composition and muscle damage in female football athletes remains unclear to date. The purpose of the present study was to analyse the association of the vitamin D status of Spanish elite female football players with anthropometric variables and markers of muscle damage. Ethical consent was obtained from a total of 21 players from a Spanish elite women’s football team (20–33 years). Anthropometric analysis was carried out according to the standardised protocol of the International Society for the Advancement of Kineanthropometry (ISAK). The clinical analyses, based on urine and blood samples, were carried out by the club’s medical staff at the start of the season in the early morning in a fasting state. The athletes were also asked about the regularity of their menstrual cycle and some dietary habits. Thirty-three percent of the female athletes had vitamin D levels below the reference values. Significantly higher FM values were observed in athletes with low vitamin D status (p < 0.05), as well as statistically significant negative correlations between vitamin D levels and FM (p < 0.05) in the group of female players with vitamin D levels below the baseline values. No significant associations were observed between markers of muscle damage and the other variables. Complementing an assessment of body composition with a biochemical analysis of vitamin D levels may be an interesting strategy in the process of monitoring the elite female football player throughout the season.

Finally … the team! Navigating obstacles in girls’ access to football

ABSTRACT The article provides educational and pedagogical insights to strengthen the inclusiveness of girls who decide to participate in a female football team. The article presents a bottom-up content analysis to explore the experiences of Italian girls gaining access to women’s football, identifying four key phases: (1) informal football experiences; (2) the search for a female team; (3) parental resistance; and (4) joining a female team. In informal football matches, girls face discriminatory attitudes from boys, but affirm their equality by showcasing their playing skills. At the exo-system level, girls face challenges finding local girls’ teams due to geographical distance. Such obstacle forces some of them to join male teams. The girls also encounter parental resistance rooted in stereotypical views of women's bodies and cultural ideals about suitable sports for women. Some girls overcome these challenges, expressing their passion and feelings to their parents, while others are met with less favorable outcomes. Joining a female team is finally described as being symbolic of support and solidarity among the girls, marking a significant and positive change in their overall football experience. The study highlights the interconnected influence of macro, meso, and microystems shaping girls’ access to football.

An Improved Football Team Training Algorithm for Global Optimization.

The football team training algorithm (FTTA) is a new metaheuristic algorithm that was proposed in 2024. The FTTA has better performance but faces challenges such as poor convergence accuracy and ease of falling into local optimality due to limitations such as referring too much to the optimal individual for updating and insufficient perturbation of the optimal agent. To address these concerns, this paper presents an improved football team training algorithm called IFTTA. To enhance the exploration ability in the collective training phase, this paper proposes the fitness distance-balanced collective training strategy. This enables the players to train more rationally in the collective training phase and balances the exploration and exploitation capabilities of the algorithm. To further perturb the optimal agent in FTTA, a non-monopoly extra training strategy is designed to enhance the ability to get rid of the local optimum. In addition, a population restart strategy is then designed to boost the convergence accuracy and population diversity of the algorithm. In this paper, we validate the performance of IFTTA and FTTA as well as six comparison algorithms in CEC2017 test suites. The experimental results show that IFTTA has strong optimization performance. Moreover, several engineering-constrained optimization problems confirm the potential of IFTTA to solve real-world optimization problems.

Match-to-Match Variation on High-Intensity Demands in a Portuguese Professional Football Team.

The aim of this study was to analyze the match-to-match variation in high-intensity demands from one Portuguese professional football team according to playing positions. Twenty-three male outfield professional football players were observed during eighteen matches of the Portuguese Second League. Time-motion data were collected using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. Match running performance was analyzed based on the following three playing positions: defenders (DF), midfielders (MF), and forwards (FW). Repeated measures ANOVA was utilized to compare match running performance within each position role, and seasonal running variation. Practical differences were assessed using the smallest worthwhile change (SWC), coefficient of variation (CV), and twice the coefficient of variation (2CV). Significant differences were found among playing positions in total distance covered (F = 15.45, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.33), average speed (F = 12.79, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.29), high-speed running (F = 16.93, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.36), sprinting (F = 13.49, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.31), accelerations (F = 4.69, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.132), and decelerations (F = 12.21, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.284). The match-to-match running performance encompassed TD (6.59%), AvS (8.67%), HSRr (37.83%), SPR (34.82%), ACC (26.92%), and DEC (27.85%). CV values for total distance covered ranged from 4.87-6.82%, with forwards and midfielders exhibiting the greatest and smallest variation, respectively. Midfielders demonstrated the highest match-to-match variation for all other analyzed variables (8.12-69.17%). All playing positions showed significant variation in high-demanding variables (26.94-37.83%). This study presents the initial analysis of match-to-match variation in high-intensity demands within a Portuguese professional football team. Thus, the position's specificity and context can provide a helpful strategy for evaluating match-to-match running performance, and for recommending individualized training exercises based on the peak and high-intensity demands for each player's role within the game.

Normal hip strength and range of motion values in youth and adult female national football teams: Data from 504 assessments

ObjectivesTo determine normal hip adduction- and abduction strength and range of motion (ROM) values for youth and adult female national team football players, and evaluate if increasing age, playing position and leg dominance were associated with these strength and ROM values. DesignCohort study. SettingNational football center. Participants344 unique asymptomatic female football players. Main outcome measuresHip internal/external rotation (°), Bent Knee Fall Out test (cm), hip adduction/abduction strength(N) and ratio, and normalised hip adduction/abduction torque (Nm/kg). ResultsA total of 504 assessments were performed. A total of 107 players underwent two (n = 67), three (n = 27) or four (n = 13) assessments. Mean peak hip adduction strength was 39% greater in 20 + Y old players 170 (±53 N) than in 13Y old players 122 (±28 N). Normalised hip adduction torque was 9% greater: 2.5 (±0.8Nm/kg) versus 2.3 (±0.5Nm/kg). A positive association between age and all strength measurements was found, while a negative association between age and hip external rotation and total hip rotation was found. No clinically relevant differences were found for the associations between playing position, leg dominance and hip strength- and ROM values. ConclusionNormal values for hip strength and range of motion in youth and adult female national football players are presented that can be used as clinical reference values.

Vitamin D levels and bone mineral density of middle-aged premenopausal female football and volleyball players in Japan: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe number of football teams in senior categories has increased. As outdoor sports entail players being exposed to sunlight, playing football may contribute to maintaining vitamin D stores and body mineral density while preventing osteoporosis. This study aimed to determine the bone mineral density and vitamin D levels in middle-aged premenopausal female football players.MethodsParticipants were premenopausal females in their 40s. We evaluated bone mineral density of the second to the fourth lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels, which is an indicator of vitamin D stores, and body composition. In addition, we administered a questionnaire survey on exercise habits and lifestyle. Ninety-two participants were categorised into three groups: the football group (n = 27), volleyball group (n = 40), and non-exercise group (n = 25).ResultsBone mineral density was higher in the football and volleyball groups than in the non-exercise group (P < 0.01). The volleyball group had a significantly higher bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and femoral neck than the non-exercise group (P < 0.01). The football group had a significantly higher bone mineral density of the femoral neck than the non-exercise group (P < 0.01). Although the football group had played fewer years than the volleyball group (P < 0.01), serum 25-OHD levels were the highest in the football group and were significantly higher than those in the volleyball and non-exercise groups (P < 0.01).ConclusionsMiddle-aged premenopausal football players had higher body vitamin D levels and bone mineral densities than non-active females. These results suggest that playing football may contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis.Trial registrationUMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000054235. 2024/04/23. Retrospectively registered.

Concussions in NCAA Football

Abstract In 1906, medical doctors published a study on the Harvard collegiate football team. They noted, “The percentage of injury is much too great for any mere sport.” Of particular concern were head injuries, which the doctors believed were significant. Subsequent research over the last century-plus has confirmed early worries. Yet the heavy cultural and financial investment in collegiate football has meant a century-long public-relations campaign to increase the social tolerance for the sport's violence and danger. While calls for football's abolishment were regular and strong in the first decades of the game's development, by the 1930s these discussions fell away. Critics were placated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association's continual tinkering with the rules and promises to increase the game's safety, which ultimately has resulted in millions of dollars of research focused on sport-related traumatic brain injuries.

Injury Prevention Training in Girls' and Women's Elite Football in Denmark: A Survey of Practices and Perceptions.

Through a national cross-sectional survey, the present study investigated the use and content of injury prevention training (IPT), and associated attitudes and beliefs, involving stakeholders in Danish girls' and women's elite football (U14, U16, U18, and Danish Women's League teams). A total of 168 stakeholders (coaches, physical performance coaches, physiotherapists, medical doctors, and club management) from 18 Danish elite clubs were invited to participate. Of these, 158 were eligible to participate, and 110 participants (69.6% response rate) provided 191 valid survey responses, as some provided more than one response due to multiple affiliations within the same club. The use of IPT ranged from 91.1% to 100% across team levels, with approximately 50% reporting up to 1-2 h/week. Interestingly, only 52.9%-72.7% of the responses indicated use of an evidence-based IPT program, with lowest adoption at the U14 and Danish Women's League teams. The FIFA 11+ was the most used evidence-based IPT program. The majority of the participants (>72%) had positive perceptions regarding IPT impact on injury reduction. These findings indicate that, while IPT is broadly used across Danish girls' and women's elite football teams, the implementation of evidence-based IPT programs varies, with lower adoption of these programs among the youngest and senior elite teams. Hence, there is a need to enhance integration of IPT programs proven effective in girls' and women's elite football. Notably, stakeholders expressed positive perceptions regarding the impact of IPT on injury reduction, which provides valuable support for future efforts to strengthen IPT in football practice.

An analytical study of the role of sports marketing in the Iraqi national football teams according to the opinion of the players

An analytical study of the role of sports marketing in the Iraqi national football teams according to the opinion of the players

Research on Tactical Executive Ability of College Men's Football Team

By using the methods of literature and video observation, this paper studies the tactical executive ability of the men's football team in colleges and universities through various forms of observation, this paper combs out the factors that affect the tactical executive ability of the men's football team, and makes a comprehensive analysis of the factors, and obtains the problems caused by the factors. In view of the problems and the present situation, this paper puts forward some countermeasures to affect the tactical execution ability of the professional men's soccer team in Gongga Cup, aiming at improving its tactical execution ability and tactical accomplishment.

Epidemiology of football-related injuries in young male football players. An additional analysis of data from a cluster-randomised controlled trial

ABSTRACT Football carries a high risk of injury for youth players. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of football-related injuries in young male players. The data stems from a previously conducted cluster-randomised controlled trial that investigated the efficacy of ‘FUNBALL’, a new injury prevention programme. This study contains the data of the 503 players of the control arm. The players belonged to 22 football teams of the Under-(U)15, U17 and U19 age groups. The time-loss injuries were recorded during the season 2021–2022 according to the Football Consensus Statement. An analysis on the injury incidence (IR, calculated per 1000 hours of exposure), location, severity, category, and type was performed. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were used to compare the variables between the specific age groups. 187 injuries (96 in training and 91 in matches) occurred during 52 938 hours of exposure. The overall IR was 3.53 injuries/1000 h (95% confidence intervals (CI) 3.06 to 4.07). The training IR was 2.16 injuries/1000 h (95% CI 1.17 to 2.64). The match IR was 10.50 injuries/1000 h (95% CI 8.55 to 12.89). In the U19s, the overall IRR was higher compared to the U17s (IRR 1.57, CI 1.12 to 2.19; p = 0.008) and compared to the U15s (IRR 1.82, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.62; p = 0.001). The thigh was the most commonly affected body region (IR 0.92/1000 h, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.22). Muscle injuries were the most common injury type (IR 1.05/1000 h, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.37). Injury burden was 74 lost days/1000 h. The findings of this study indicate a lower injury incidence in youth players than in adult ones. We observed a higher injury incidence towards the older age groups.

Incidence and burden of 671 injuries in professional women footballers: time to focus on context-specific injury risk reduction strategies

ABSTRACT This study investigated the extent of injury incidence and burden in a professional women football team of the Scottish Women’s Premier League during two seasons. All injuries causing time-loss or required medical attention were recorded prospectively. A total of 671 injuries, 570 requiring medical attention and 101 causing time-loss were recorded in 41 players. Injuries occurring with National Team resulted in 12% of the club’s international players’ lay-off. Overall injury incidence was 11.1/1000-hours and burden was 368.9 days/1000-hours. Injury incidence (23.9/1000-hours vs 8.2/1000-hours) and burden (1049.8 days/1000-hours vs 215.1 days/1000-hours) were higher for match compared to training. Foremost mechanism of match injury burden was indirect-contact, which was different than the non-contact predominantly observed for training injury burden. Injury incidence, burden and patterns differed between training, match and playing positions. Tailoring injury-risk reduction strategies considering context, circumstances and playing position deserve consideration to enhance player’s injury resilience in professional women footballers.

Between Bias and Acceptance: A Decade of Turmoil. Romanian Society in Sources from the National Archives of Ireland (1947-1957)

The article is based on research did in the National Archives of Ireland in June 2022 and it aims to portray the Romanian society seen through the Irish lenses, as it comes out from files preserved through indirect diplomatic connections because there were no official relations between the two nations in the 1940s and 1950s. The files identified cover interesting aspects of the Romanian society in relation to the Irish one reflected by three events: the aid received by the Ursuline Sisters of Sibiu from the Irish Red Cross, the visit of the Queen Mother of Romania, Queen Helen, welcomed in Ireland on a private visit and the match played by the Romanian youth football team against the Irish B team in Dublin. The attitude of the Irish public and officials ranges from suspicion on account of the undemocratic regime in Romania at the time to sympathy and acceptance shown to a small nation in distress.

Strategi Komunikasi Pemasaran Event PERSIS E-Sports

E-sports is a rapidly growing new branch of sport in Indonesia and worldwide. In Indonesia, E-Sport has gained recognition from IeSPA (Indonesia e-Sport Association), which operates under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. IeSPA's vision is to establish Indonesia as a high-achieving country in the field of E-Sport. As E-Sport continues to develop in Indonesia, numerous competitions have emerged in this domain. It started with small-scale competitions in internet cafes, gradually expanding to both local and international levels. One notable example is the Esports team, PERSIS Esports, which originated from the PERSIS Solo football club in Indonesia. Compared to other League 1 promotion clubs like Dewa United and Rans Nusantara, PERSIS Esports actively organizes Esports events, as evident from their Instagram account. These sporting competitions run successfully due to PERSIS E-Sports' marketing efforts, particularly in Free Fire and E-Football competitions. Data for this research was collected through interviews with the General Manager of PERSIS ESPORTS, Creative Director, Content Creator, and Community Manager. After analysis, the research findings indicate that PERSIS E-Sports effectively markets E-Sports competitions to the target audience, specifically focusing on the 13-18 age range of students in the Solo Raya region who have an interest in online gaming. The marketing strategy involves targeting Instagram users and communities interested in online gaming through Instagram ads. The positioning of Persis E-Sports is to market tournaments that cater to all groups, particularly online gaming communities in Surakarta and its surrounding areas. The implementation of the marketing mix elements (7P) can be observed through the utilization of print media, electronic media, social media, websites, direct marketing via WhatsApp Groups with the community, as well as personal sales activities through booths and expos during events and promotions at local schools in collaboration with their football team.

The physical capabilities of national league female American Flag Football players

Flag Football is the fastest growing format of American Football and is a recent addition to the 2028 Olympics. The Flag format is a non-contact version of American Football, where tackles are made by removing flags from players hips. Activity profiles in the NFL (Sanchez et al., 2013, App Sci, 13:9278; Wellman et al., 2016, J Strength Cond Res, 30, 11–19) have highlighted the need for high levels of strength, power, and speed. Given the similarities within Flag, these physical capabilities may be equally applicable to Flag players. However, a lack of literature on the Flag format, and the paucity of research in female football, irrespective of format, exists. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the physical fitness capabilities of a national league Women’s Flag Football team. Fourteen participants (age 28 ± 5 years; stature 166 ± 8 cm; mass 79 ± 29 kg) from a national league Women’s Flag team took part in a physical fitness testing battery comprising; countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), broad jump (BJ), 20-yard sprint and shuttle, and the Isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). Participants were familiarised with testing procedures and initially completed a standardised warm-up. Mean and SD results from the jump assessments were as follows; CMJ jump height 25.1 ± 5.9 cm, peak power 39.1 ± 7.1 w/kg; SJ jump height 24.6 ± 6.3 cm, peak power 39.3 ± 6.6 w/kg; broad jump 1.89 ± 0.28 m. Absolute and relative peak force in the IMTP was 2201 ± 422 N and 30.1 ± 4.1 N/kg respectively. The Dynamic Strength Index (DSI) calculated from CMJ and IMTP peak force was 0.76 ± 0.12. Lastly, 20-yard sprint and shuttle times were 3.43 ± 0.28 and 5.36 ± 0.38 s respectively. Significant correlations were found between mean CMJ jump height and mean sprint time (p 0.001; r = −0.780), between mean CMJ jump height and mean shuttle time (p &lt;.001; r −0.857), between mean BJ distance and mean shuttle time (p &lt;0.01; r = 0.870) and between mean BJ distance and CMJ jump height (p &lt;.001; r = −0.911). This study is the first of its kind to report the physical capabilities of female flag football players. The findings of this study may help develop the understanding of a growing and soon to be Olympic sport.

Successful sport psychology within 1st team football: Perceptions of senior strategic stakeholders at elite football clubs

This study focussed on the perceptions of senior strategic stakeholders (e.g, sporting director, head of performance, manager, coach) working within 1st team football at elite professional clubs (English Premier League &amp; Championship). Although recent research has made progress within the practitioner professional development literature it has, so far, failed to gain an explicit understanding of the perceptions around ‘successful sport psychology’ or what makes a sport psychologist successful - in their respective sporting environments. Therefore, the main purpose of this research was to gain an explicit insight into what senior strategic stakeholders perceived makes a sport psychologist successful within their role at an elite football club, at 1st team level. Following institutional ethical approval, purposeful sampling was used and semi-structured interviews were conducted with five senior strategic stakeholders. Following data collection, a thematic analysis was conducted and 19 general dimensions were arranged across three phases: (a) knowledge and experiences of sport psychology in elite football, (b) explicit understanding of sport psychology success in elite football and (c) perceived barriers and challenges to sport psychology in an elite football club. In particular, senior strategic stakeholders’ explicit understanding of sport psychology success in elite football included 7 general dimensions: (1) importance of role clarity during induction into new role, (2) success viewed as subjective due to difficulty quantifying influence of work, (3) success perceived as best judged by individuals worked with most closely, (4) preference for club appointed full time sport psychologist, (5) implementation of balanced approach perceived as successful, (6) implementation of forceful approach perceived as unsuccessful and (7) success attributed to positive influence on culture and player performances. Thus, it’s recommended that sport psychologists aspiring to work in applied football contexts should consider the findings of this research to positively influence their entry and/or practice in an elite football environment, at 1st team level. Similarly, it’s equally recommended that senior strategic stakeholders within elite football clubs use these findings to help develop their knowledge and understanding of sport psychology so they’re better informed and aware of the perceived key attributes of successful sport psychology provision within 1st team football. Consequently, this may assist with navigating the diversity of challenges perceived to be associated to the presence of a sport psychologist, within an elite 1st team football environment, and therefore increase and improve utilisation of sport psychology services across players, coaches, and wider footballing staff.

Team resilience in high-performance women’s football: Contextual stressors and opportunities for development

The purpose of this study was to conduct a pre-intervention team resilience needs assessment in the context of high-performance women’s football. The needs assessment included a review of the literature, focus group discussions, and input from an expert steering group. Following scoping meetings with senior personnel from the National Governing Body, teams in the top two tiers of a professional women’s football league and within the academy structure were contacted. Five focus groups made up of football players were conducted. Altogether, 27 participants (Mage = 23.96, SD = 4.49) took part. The focus groups were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis from a critical realist standpoint. The study identified the contextual stressors that high-performance women’s football teams encounter (i.e., organizational stressors arising from a newly professionalized environment and on-pitch stressors arising from low social resources), effective team resilience practices currently employed by group members (i.e., establishing a strong foundation for high quality relationships; unity in managing pressure; and learning from setbacks to inform future preparation for adversity) and the perceived gaps for team resilience development (i.e., limited effectiveness and inconsistent use of deliberate pressure training; inadequate psycho-social resources; and lack of effective proactive group level strategies during pressure). The study highlighted the importance of a systematic needs assessment within an Intervention Mapping Framework prior to undertaking an intervention as several nuances to the specific context of high-performance women’s football were identified.

Is it possible to propose a periodization strategy different from the inverted U in preseason? A comparison between two professional football teams

Is it possible to propose a periodization strategy different from the inverted U in preseason? A comparison between two professional football teams