High School Soccer Research Articles

Concussions in High School Soccer Athletes Differ Between Boys and Girls

Much attention has been given to the incidence and management of sport-related concussions (SRCs) in athletes, although many studies are in highly

An examination of concussion education, management, and safety practices of girls’ high school soccer coaches

ABSTRACT The concussion rate in girls’ soccer is among the highest in high school athletics. As such, coaches have a professional and ethical responsibility to reduce and properly manage concussions. The primary purpose of this study was to examine concussion education received, presence of athletic trainers, awareness of organizational concussion policy, concussion safety practices based on the presence of athletic trainers and coaches’ demographic/professional background. Participants included 140 head coaches who voluntarily completed a survey. Results revealed the NFHS’s Concussion in Sport (93.6%) was the most popular educational training received. Approximately 63% of coaches responded from schools where athletic trainers were present during all soccer games. A notable percentage of respondents did not know their high schools’ concussion policy such as concussion education requirements (27.1%) and penalty from non-compliance (23.6%). This exploratory study informs stakeholders on the current status of concussion management policies and practices in high school girls’ soccer.

고등학교 축구선수의 운동스트레스가 운동만족과 운동지속에 미치는 영향

본 연구의 목적은 고등학교 축구선수들의 스트레스에 대해 살펴보고 스트레스가 운동만족과 운동지속에 미치는 영향을 검증하는 것이다. 연구대상은 고등학교 축구선수 288명을 대상으로 하였다. 도출된 연구결과를 통한 주요 결론은 다음과 같다. 첫째, 설정된 변인들 사이의 관계를 알아보기 위해 운동스트레스, 운동만족, 운동지속의 하위변인들 간의 Pearson의 상관계수를 산출한 결과 유의수준 .01에서 유의한 상관관계가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 운동스트레스 요인의 구성변수 중 진로 스트레스와 여가 스트레스가 운동만족의 하위요인 개인만족, 동료만족, 지도자 만족에 유의한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 셋째, 운동지속의 하위요인 경향성과 강화성의 경우 운동스트레스의 하위요인 여가 스트 레스 요인이 유의한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났고 운동지속의 하위요인 가능성에는 운동스트레스의 하위요인 진로 스트레스와 훈련 스트레스가 유의한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다.

고등학교 축구팀 내 공유 리더십이 자기 효능감과 혁신성과에 미치는 영향

본 연구의 목적은 고등학교 축구팀 선수들이 공유한 리더십이 자기 효능감과 혁신성과에 미치는 영향력을 살펴보 는 것이다. 특히 선수들의 공유 리더십이 혁신성과에 영향력을 행사하는 과정에서 자기 효능감이 매개역할을 할 것이라 가설을 설정하였다. 가설을 검증하기 위해 2019년 3월부터 5월까지 6개 고등학교 축구팀 149명의 선수들을 대상으로 비확률표본추출법 중 편의표본추출법을 활용하여 설문을 진행하였으며 다음과 같은 연구 결과가 도출되었다. 첫째, 선수 들이 공유한 리더십은 선수들의 자기 효능감에 긍정적인 영향력을 행사하였다. 둘째, 선수들의 자기 효능감은 혁신성과에 긍정적인 영향력을 행사하였다. 마지막으로 선수들의 공유 리더십은 자기 효능감을 부분 매개하여 혁신성과에 긍정적 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구에서는 이러한 연구 결과의 의의에 대해 심도 있게 논의하였다.

Diagnosis and Control for the Second Degree of Lateral Gastrocnemius Muscle Tear in High-School Soccer Player: A Case Report

This case study presents the epidemiology, etiology, diagnostic criteria, therapeutic intervention and modification, and rehabilitation of a lateral gastrocnemius tear in high school male soccer player. The patient injured his left gastrocnemius during soccer practice without contact. His injured leg was controlled with heel pad for equine to reduce the stress on injured gastrocnemius muscle for the initial of two weeks. The patient returned to regular practice 8 weeks after injury.

Diagnosis and Control for the Second Degree of Lateral Gastrocnemius Muscle Tear in High-School Soccer Player: A Case Report

This case study presents the epidemiology, etiology, diagnostic criteria, therapeutic intervention and modification, and rehabilitation of a lateral gastrocnemius tear in high school male soccer player. The patient injured his left gastrocnemius during soccer practice without contact. His injured leg was controlled with heel pad for equine to reduce the stress on injured gastrocnemius muscle for the initial of two weeks. The patient returned to regular practice 8 weeks after injury.

Musculoskeletal Injuries and Their Association With Previous Concussion History: A Prospective Study of High School Volleyball and Soccer Players

Background: Sports-related concussions may have a neurobiological recovery period that exceeds the period of clinical recovery, and one consequence of an extended neurobiological recovery may be the risk of subsequent musculoskeletal injuries. Most literature citing an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury after a sports-related concussion has been reported in populations other than adolescent athletes. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to prospectively determine if incidence rates of musculoskeletal injury differ between adolescent athletes with and without a previous sports-related concussion, while controlling for sex, sport, and age. A secondary aim was to determine if this relationship differs between male and female athletes of the same sport. Our hypotheses were that acute-noncontact injury rates would be higher in athletes with a previous sports-related concussion when compared with athletes without a previous sports-related concussion, and that this relationship would exist only in female athletes and not male athletes. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: High school soccer and volleyball players were recruited in 2 prospective cohort studies that observed 4837 athletes during their sporting season (females, 80%; soccer, 57%; mean [SD] age, 15.6 [1.1] years). At preseason, all participants self-reported demographics and previous sports-related concussion within the past 12 months. During the sport season, team athletic trainers electronically recorded athlete exposures and injury data, including injury characteristics. Injury rates per 1000 athlete exposures and injury rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. All injury rates and IRRs were adjusted for sex, age, and sport. Results: The rate of acute-noncontact lower extremity injury was 87% greater (IRR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.29-2.74) in participants with a previous sports-related concussion versus those without one. The acute-noncontact lower extremity injury rates (IRRs) for females and males with a previous sports-related concussion were 1.76 (95% CI, 1.19-2.59) and 2.83 (95% CI, 0.85-9.50), respectively. No difference was detected in acute-contact (IRR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.56-1.73) or overuse (IRR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.51-2.37) lower extremity injury rates by previous sports-related concussion. Conclusion: Female adolescent athletes who reported a sports-related concussion within the past 12 months were more likely to sustain an acute-noncontact lower extremity injury during their high school sports season when compared with female athletes without a previous sport-related concussion.

Determinants of lower-extremity injury severity and recovery in U.S. High School Soccer Players

ABSTRACT Lower-extremity injuries are common among soccer players, yet few studies have attempted to identify determinants of lower-extremity injury severity and recovery within this group. We aim to identify determinants of lower-extremity injury severity and recovery among high school (HS) soccer players in the US. We used soccer-related injury observations recorded within the NATION-SP during 2011/12-2013/14. Odds of a season-ending game-related injury were higher than a season-ending practice-related injury (Adj. OR = 2.64, 95% CI = [1.39, 5.01]). Gender, setting, and playing surface emerged as significant determinants of any time loss following lower-extremity injuries in multivariable logistic regression models, and multivariable random effects Poisson regression models also revealed significant differences in recovery durations across levels of these variables for “similarly severe” injuries. Findings suggest that gender, injury setting, playing surface contribute to injury corollaries differently. Similar multi-method approaches are needed to identify determinants of injury severity and recovery in this group.

Using Oculomotor Features to Predict Changes in Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter and ImPACT Scores From Contact-Sport Athletes.

There is mounting evidence linking the cumulative effects of repetitive head impacts to neuro-degenerative conditions. Robust clinical assessment tools to identify mild traumatic brain injuries are needed to assist with timely diagnosis for return-to-field decisions and appropriately guide rehabilitation. The focus of the present study is to investigate the potential for oculomotor features to complement existing diagnostic tools, such as measurements of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter (ONSD) and Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT). Thirty-one high school American football and soccer athletes were tracked through the course of a sports season. Given the high risk of repetitive head impacts associated with both soccer and football, our hypotheses were that (1) ONSD and ImPACT scores would worsen through the season and (2) oculomotor features would effectively capture both neurophysiological changes reflected by ONSD and neuro-functional status assessed via ImPACT. Oculomotor features were used as input to Linear Mixed-Effects Regression models to predict ONSD and ImPACT scores as outcomes. Prediction accuracy was evaluated to identify explicit relationships between eye movements, ONSD, and ImPACT scores. Significant Pearson correlations were observed between predicted and actual outcomes for ONSD (Raw = 0.70; Normalized = 0.45) and for ImPACT (Raw = 0.86; Normalized = 0.71), demonstrating the capability of oculomotor features to capture neurological changes detected by both ONSD and ImPACT. The most predictive features were found to relate to motor control and visual-motor processing. In future work, oculomotor models, linking neural structures to oculomotor function, can be built to gain extended mechanistic insights into neurophysiological changes observed through seasons of participation in contact sports.

Sport- and Gender-Based Differences in Head Impact Exposure and Mechanism in High School Sports.

Background:Repeated head impacts sustained by athletes have been linked to short-term neurophysiologic deficits; thus, there is growing concern about the number of head impacts sustained in sports. Accurate head impact exposure data obtained via head impact sensors may help identify appropriate strategies across sports and between genders to mitigate repetitive head impacts.Purpose:To quantify sport- and gender-based differences in head impact rate and mechanism for adolescents.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:High school female and male varsity soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey (female only) teams were instrumented with headband-mounted impact sensors during games over 2 seasons of soccer and 1 season of basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey. Video review was used to remove false-positive sensor-recorded events, and the head impact rate per athlete-exposure (AE) was calculated. Impact mechanism was categorized as equipment to head, fall, player to head, or head to ball (soccer only).Results:Male players had significantly higher head impact rates as compared with female players in soccer (3.08 vs 1.41 impacts/AE; rate ratio, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.8-2.6]), basketball (0.90 vs 0.25; 3.6 [2.6-4.6]), and lacrosse (0.83 vs 0.06; 12.9 [10.1-15.8]). Impact mechanism distributions were similar within sports between boys and girls. In soccer, head to ball represented 78% of impacts, whereas at least 88% in basketball were player-to-player contact.Conclusion:Across sports for boys and girls, soccer had the highest impact rate. Male high school soccer, basketball, and lacrosse teams had significantly higher head impact rates than did female teams of the same sport. For girls, basketball had a higher head impact rate than did lacrosse and field hockey, and for boys, basketball had a similar impact rate to lacrosse, a collision sport. Sport differences in the distribution of impact mechanisms create sport-specific targets for reducing head impact exposure.

12주간 복합트레이닝 수행이 프로산하 고교축구선수의 신체조성 및 슈팅 스피드에 미치는 영향

12주간 복합트레이닝 수행이 프로산하 고교축구선수의 신체조성 및 슈팅 스피드에 미치는 영향

Variations in Head Impact Rates in Male and Female High School Soccer.

Repetitive head impacts in soccer have been linked to short-term neurophysiological deficits, and female soccer players have higher concussion rates than males. These findings have inspired investigation into gender differences in head impact exposure and how head impact rate contributes to the cumulative effect of head impact exposure on neurological outcomes. Various periods of exposure have been used to calculate head impact rates, including head impacts per season, game, and player-hour. The aim of this study was to apply different methodological approaches to quantify and compare head impact rates by gender for two seasons of high school varsity soccer. Video review was used to confirm all events recorded by a headband-mounted impact sensor and calculate playing time for all players. Impact rates were calculated per athlete exposure (presence and participation) and per player-hour (scheduled game time, individual play time, and absolute time). Impact rates per athlete exposure ranged from 2.5 to 3.2 for males and from 1.4 to 1.6 for females, and impact rates per player-hour ranged from 2.7 to 3.8 for males and from 1.0 to 1.6 for females. The exposure calculation method significantly affected head impact rates; however, regardless of approach, the head impact rate for males was higher, up to threefold, than for females. Individual head impact exposure varied substantially within a team with one in five players experiencing no impacts. Overall, the gender differences found in this study indicate that males experience higher head impact exposure compared with females. Future studies are needed to understand potential clinical implications of variability in head impact exposure and reconcile higher female concussion rates with the reduced head impact rates presented herein.

Is it Possible to Protect the Adolescent Brain with Internal Mechanisms from Repetitive Head Impacts: Results from a Phase II Single Cohort, Longitudinal, Self-Control Study

PurposeTo quantify the effects of an externally worn collar device for mitigating the influence of repetitive head impacts on alterations to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics of white matter.MethodsFifteen female high-school soccer athletes (age: 14.00–16.98 yrs) completed pre- and post-season DTI over two consecutive years, including measures of diffusivity, changes in which may be associated with brain dysfunction. The collar was worn during year 1 (Yr1) but not during year 2 (Yr2). Athlete exposures (AEs) and head impact exposure were recorded over the competitive seasons.ResultsThere were no significant differences in AEs or head impact exposures between Yr1 and Yr2 (P > 0.05). In Yr2, there was significant pre- to post-season mean diffusivity and/or axial diffusivity reduction in multiple WM regions (corrected P < 0.05). Pre- to post-season mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity decreases were 3.04% ± 2.53%, 2.97% ± 2.19%, and 3.37% ± 3.34%, respectively, significantly greater than pre- to post-season changes in Yr1 (mean diffusivity: − 0.31% ± 1.78%, P = 0.0014; axial diffusivity: − 0.02% ± 2.25%, P = 0.0014; radial diffusivity: − 0.63% ± 2.10%, P = 0.0030).ConclusionsMild bilateral compression to athletes’ internal jugular vein through collar application may have increased intracranial blood volume and spatially redistributed head-impact-derived brain energy absorption. However, future research is needed to elucidate the potential clinical significance of WM changes of various degrees.Clinical trails registrationNCT03014492.

The Effect of Video Imagery Training on Soccer Skills Performance of High School Players

This study evaluated the effect of PETTLEP video imagery onreactive motor skill test (Total RMST time, sprint time, reactive agility time, passing time, and passing accuracy) among 32 Malaysian high school soccer players (mean age of 15.31±1.83) who were randomly assigned into an experimental group (N:16) and a control group (N:16). A pre-test-post-test design was used to evaluate the effect of the intervention on the high schoolplayers' soccer skill performance. The experimental group received 10-minute PETTLEP video imagery trainingbefore their regular soccer training for eight weeks in addition to their regular soccer training, while thecontrol group only attended their regular soccer training. The data analysis revealed a significant effect of video imagery training on players' performance in the experimental group. The results showed that total RMST time, reactive agility time, passing time, and passing accuracy were statistically different within the experimental group F(15, 154.993)= 14.440, p = &lt; .001, Wilks' Λ = .050 and between groups F(5, 56.00)=379.774, p = &lt; .001, Wilks' Λ = .050 after receiving the training, except for the sprint time which was not significant. The findings of this study provide evidence that eight weeks ofPETTLEPvideo imagery training interventioncan significantly improve soccer players' total RMST time, reactive agility time, passing time, and passing accuracy. These findings could be integrated into training programs by coaches and players in order to improve the performance of different soccer skills among high school players.

Understanding the movement of professional and high school soccer players

Data analytics plays an increasingly visible role in the sports industry. Professional soccer utilizes data analytics to gain competitive advantage. It is intuitive that basic metrics like speed and passing matter, but the difference they make in the ability to score a goal is an open question. In this project, we were interested in discovering the statistical evidence that differentiates goal-scoring from no-goal-scoring sequences. Using a trajectory data set from professional games, we hypothesized that goal and no-goal sequences would be statistically different. Indeed, we found evidence that faster, longer possessions with more passes were more successful. From the same data set, we also investigated Long Ball, an offensive strategy that pushes the ball to the target goal via a big kick. We hypothesized that Long Ball was effective for goal scoring but found evidence to the contrary. In addition, we were interested in how professional and student players move differently. Comparing a student trajectory data set against the professional data set, we hypothesized that the movement directions of the two groups would be different. Indeed, we found evidence that professional players tended to run where the ball is going whereas students moved towards the ball’s current location more often than professionals. Throughout our study, we applied the 2-sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov test on the cumulative distribution function of each metric to calculate statistical differences between sequences. Our findings support the importance of basic skills in soccer, and this is useful for players at all levels. Additionally, by pinpointing a weakness in student movement, our findings could help students to move more like professional soccer players.

The role of pre-season health characteristics as injury risk factors in female adolescent soccer players.

[Purpose] Determine if female adolescent soccer players with a history of concussion, impaired K-D scores, and pre-season subjective complaints of neck pain, dizziness, and headache were predisposed to additional risk of musculoskeletal or concussive injury during 10-weeks of competitive play. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-three female high school soccer athletes provided concussion history and reported pre-season subjective complaints. K-D testing was performed pre and postseason. During the 10-week season, all injuries, preventing participation in practice or game, were recorded. [Results] Six reported a history of concussion. Of those six, three injuries were reported, including two concussions and a hamstring strain. Baseline K-D scores were worse in athletes that had two or more pre-season subjective factors compared to those that did not have any. Moderate positive correlations were found between a history of concussion and the number of injuries and a history of concussion and K-D post-test scores. [Conclusion] Findings indicate that pre-season subjective factors of neck pain, dizziness and headache, history of concussion, and K-D potentially increased injury risk. Combining pre-season metrics both at baseline and during the course of the season may assist in better injury risk screening in-season or indicate suboptimal function due to cumulative effects.

고등학생과 대학생 축구선수의 슬관절과 족관절 등속성 근기능이 골반과 척주 정렬에 미치는 영향

이 연구의 연구 목적은 고등학생과 대학생 축구선수에 있어서 장기간의 훈련으로 슬관절과 족관절의 등속성 근기능 발달이 골반과 척주 정렬에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위한 것이다. 연구 대상은 축구선수 40명(고등학생, n=20; 대학생, n=20)을 대상으로 하였으며, 연구 방법은 슬관절과 족관절의 등속성 근기능을 측정하였으며, 골반과 척주의 정렬상태를 분석하였다. 연구결과 대학생 축구선수의 우측 슬관절 신전근력이 유의하게 높게 나타났으며(p<.05), 고등학생 축구선수의 좌 우측 슬관절 굴곡근력은 유의하게 낮게 나타났다(p<.05). 족관절 등속성 근기능에서 고등학생 축구선수의 좌측발 저측굴곡근력과 외번근력이 유의하게 낮게 나타났다(p<.05). 골반과 척주 정렬상태를 측정한 결과 대학생 축구선수에서 골반은 우측으로 회전되어 좌측으로 유의하게 기울어진 것으로 나타났으며 (p<.01), 요추 전만곡은 작게 나타났으며(p<.05), 척추분절 회전각은 좌측으로 회전이 나타났다(p<.01). 결론적으로 대학생 축구선수의 축구훈련을 통한 편측성 슬관절과 족관절 등속성 근기능 발달이 골반과 척주 정렬에 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다.

Internal (Factorial) Validity of the ANAM using a Cohort of Woman High-School Soccer Players.

Computerized neuropsychological testing is a cornerstone of sport-related concussion assessment. Female soccer players are at an increased risk for concussion as well as exposures to repetitive head impacts from heading a soccer ball. Our primary aim was to examine factorial validity of the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) neuropsychological test battery in computing the multiple neurocognitive constructs it purports to measure in a large cohort of interscholastic female soccer players. Study participants included 218 interscholastic female soccer players (age = 17.0±0.7year; mass = 55.5±6.8kg; height = 164.7±6.6cm) drawn from a large (850+) prospective database examining purposeful heading from four area high schools over a 10-year period. The ANAM-2001 measured neurocognitive performance. Three methods were used to identify integral constructs underlying the ANAM: (a) exploratory factor analysis (EFA), (b) first-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and (c) hierarchical CFA. Neuropsychological phenomena measured by the ANAM-2001 were best reproduced by a hierarchical CFA organization, composed of two lower level factors (Simple Reaction Time, Mental Efficiency) and a single, general composite. Although the ANAM was multidimensional, only the composite was found to possess sufficient construct dimensionality and reliability for clinical score interpretation. Findings failed to uphold suppositions that the ANAM measures seven distinct constructs, or that any of its seven tests provide unique information independent of other constructs, or the composite, to support individual interpretation. Outcomes infer the ANAM possesses factorial-validity evidence, but only scores from the composite appear to sufficiently internally valid, and reliable, to support applied use by practitioners.

A comparison of US and Scotland youth soccer coaches’ legal consciousness regarding concussion safety regulations

Due to the severe health consequences of sport related concussion (SRC), governments and sport governing bodies around the world have enacted numerous measures including changes to legislation and rules of the game, and increased emphasis on coach education. This study compared the legal consciousness of girls’ youth soccer coaches regarding concussion management under a statutory legal regime in the U.S. and a voluntary regime in Scotland by analyzing qualitative data through ten interviews of girls’ youth soccer coaches in Scotland and another ten interviews of girls’ high school soccer coaches in the U.S. Utilizing the socio-legal theory of legal consciousness, the findings support the idea that people make connections from their past experiences to shape their understanding of the law, broadly defined. We observed variance between U.S. and Scottish coaches’ legal consciousness. Overall, all coaches exhibited a version of conformity to and engagement with SRC management guidance and little resistance. Florida coaches displayed more conformity, likely due to the SRC education mandated by law. Scottish coaches who had coached in the U.S. previously demonstrated the strongest resistance. The findings suggest a need for continued improvement in the implementation of SRC laws and guidelines including updated training and better dissemination of educational materials.

Sex Differences in Multidirectional Neck Muscle Strength Characteristics in High School Soccer Athletes

Weaker neck strength has been suggested as a potential risk factor of sport related concussion in female soccer athletes. The purpose of this study was to examine sex differences in neck muscle strength characteristics in multiple directions. A total of 52 high school soccer players (17 Females/35 Males) with no history of concussion participated. Subjects were instructed to perform three maximum voluntary isometric contractions for eight directions: flexion, right / left diagonal flexion, right/left lateral flexion, right/left diagonal extension, and extension. Peak force, normalized peak force, force steadiness, force ratio, and rate of force development were calculated and used for statistical analyses.