Match Day Research Articles

2019 musculoskeletal radiology fellowship match process: initial experiences and lessons learned.

To present the 2019 Musculoskeletal (MSK) fellowship Match information most useful to MSK fellowship programs and sections in hopes of optimizing the fellowship application and selection process for MSK fellowship applicants and training programs. We performed a mixed method analysis to gain a better understanding of the 2019 MSK Fellowship Match process. First, we distributed a ten-question survey to the fellowship leadership from the 78 US fellowship programs registered with the Society of Skeletal Radiology. Second, we collected and reviewed NRMP Match data that were distributed on Match Day. We received completed surveys from 37 (45.7%) programs. Thirty-three (89.2%) of the responding programs identified themselves as academic, 3 (8.1%) as hybrid, and 1 (2.7%) as private practice. On average, programs interviewed 15.4 applicants over the interview session, with a range between 2 and 40. There was an average of 2.7 (range 1-8) open positions per fellowship and 1.2 (range 0-4) internal candidates per program. Each program interviewed 5.8 applicants per open position (range 1-24). There were a total of 81 certified MSK fellowship programs and 204 available positions in these programs. Twenty-four programs (29.6%) did not fill all positions resulting in a total of 36 unfilled positions (17.6%). The percentage of MSK unfilled programs, unfilled positions, and unmatched applicants were comparable to the Breast Imaging and Neuroradiology subspecialty matches. The MSK Fellowship Match was a success with high match rates for applicants and programs. Most importantly, the Match allowed programs to make more informed decisions on their fellowship training opportunities.

Utilizing Analytics to Identify Trends in Residency Program Website Visits.

IntroductionMost medical residency training programs maintain websites to provide content for audiences including current residents, prospective residents, and medical students. This study seeks to characterize when and how a residency program website is being accessed in order to identify the primary audiences to provide appropriate and timely content.MethodsThe authors examined website analytics at a large urban Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited post-graduate year (PGY)1-PGY4 emergency medicine residency training program website. Analytics were performed from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018 with daily traffic cataloged along with referral sources, page views, and device type used to access the website. The top five dates by daily traffic were further analyzed with daily traffic trends during the residency interview season.ResultsThere was an average of 45.8 unique visitors daily with 261.5 daily page views. Computer (67.2%), mobile device (29.6%), and tablet (3.1%) were the most common devices used for viewing. The most popular content areas by page-view were “people” (68,987 visits), “home” (38,569), “clinical curriculum” (35,556), and “medical students” (14,461). The five most-visited dates were all related to application processes including the opening of the Visiting Student Application Service (VSAS), the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), and Match Day. During the interview season, peak visits occurred the dates immediately preceding interview dates.ConclusionResidency program websites appear to be accessed most commonly by medical students and prospective residency applicants. Website managers should take the needs of these audiences into account and provide appropriate content to maximally inform prospective residency program candidates.

Soccer Matches but Not Training Sessions Disturb Cardiac-Autonomic Regulation During National Soccer Team Training Camps

ABSTRACT Purpose: Heart rate variability (HRV) can be used to monitor changes in autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. Monitoring HRV via the natural log of the root-mean-square difference of successive normal RR intervals (lnRMSSD), a decrease was related to lower parasympathetic activity and a fatigued state, and an increase was related to higher parasympathetic activity and better physical conditioning. This study analyzed daily ANS function changes among professional soccer players at national team training camps during preparation for the UEFA Eurocup 2016. Method: 23 professional soccer players were distributed into two groups: First eleven (players who played more than 60 minutes per soccer match) and Reserves (the rest of the players). HRV and session training load (s-TL) were monitored. Between-group daily differences were assessed using two-way mixed repeated measures ANOVA. Results: s-TL significantly increased (p < .05) at the beginning of each camp and significantly decreased the day before the soccer match (p < .001). There was a significant time by group interaction in lnRMSSD (p = .024). Changes were found in the First eleven group from match day +1 to match day +2 (+0.523 ms, p = .003). After the soccer match, there were between-group differences (p < .05) at +24h and +72h in lnRMSSD. Conclusions: During national team training camps, ANS function was only modified 24h and 72h after playing soccer matches, in players who played a minimum of 60 minutes. This knowledge can help coaches to monitor the impact of soccer matches during training camps to detect fatigue and improve recovery.

Determinant Factors of the Match-Based Internal Load in Elite Soccer Players

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze the contribution of physical measures and external load in the match-based internal load of elite soccer players. Methods: Twenty-three elite soccer players (n = 23, age 26.69 ± 3.93 years, body mass 78.04 ± 5.03 kg, height 178.04 ± 5.19 cm, body fat 10.98 ± 1.25%) from a first division soccer team of the Brazilian Championship were evaluated first with anthropometric and physical measures (flexibility and muscle power of lower limbs), and after 24 hrs they were asked to perform an incremental treadmill test (VO2max and ventilatory thresholds). Subsequently, athletes were monitored for 6 weeks during nine official matches of a regional championship. On match days, the external load data (e.g., player load) were collected by triaxial accelerometers with GPS systems and post 30 min after the end of the match the internal load was assessed with the Session Rating of Perceived Exertion method (Session-RPE). Results: Our main findings showed significant contributions of the Player Load (r = .62, p < .001; 42.3%) and Anaerobic Threshold (r = − .199, p = .05, 17%) for the predictive model of Session-RPE. Conclusions: Physical measures and external load have a significant influence on the internal load in elite soccer players. Our findings suggest that sport scientists can use the Session-RPE as a low-cost method for prescribing and monitoring training loads, by the influence of physical measures and external load on the match-based internal load, in order to optimize athletes’ performance.

Examining the relationship between sport spectator motivation, involvement, and loyalty: a structural model in the context of Australian Rules football

This study examines the relationships between sport spectator motivation, involvement, and loyalty. It sought to validate a comprehensive motivation scale and test the interrelationships among these three concepts using a partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) analysis. Data were analysed from 585 surveys collected from match day attendees of Australian Rules football in South Australia. The findings suggest that a strong positive relationship was found between sport spectators’ motivation and both socio-psychological involvement and behavioural involvement. Spectators’ motivation displays a mediating (indirect) effect on their loyalty through both involvement constructs. However, non-significant relationships between motivation and loyalty were found. One of the strongest motivations we found for attending a football game was vicarious achievement, whereas behavioural involvement has the strongest effect on spectators’ loyalty. This paper advances sport spectatorship scholarship and provides broader practical implications for practitioners, assisting in developing club’s long-term community engagement and growth plans.

Nutritional intake of Slovenian semi-professional handball players

Aim: Handball is a highly popular team sport, both in Slovenia and globally. The performance during team sport matches is influenced by numerous factors, amongst others there is nutrition whose influence is lesser known, particularly since diet is often uncontrolled. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether Slovenian handball players, on basis of their anthropometric data and nutritional recommendations, have adequate nutritional intakes of energy and macronutrients.&#x0D; Methods: Two Slovenian handball teams with male and female players (17 males and 9 females) who are part of the 1A national league, were assessed through a 7-day food diary to define their nutritional intake in three different conditions for males (on their training days, match days and days off) and in two conditions for females (on their training days and days off). Basal anthropometric data were measured by standard methods and the body composition by a bioelectrical impedance scale. The results were statistically analysed with IBM SPSS programme, using the repeated measures ANOVA model.&#x0D; Results: Both female and male handball players show insufficient amounts of energy intake, based on the most recent nutritional intake recommendations for team sports. Moreover, the intake of carbohydrates is too low for both female and male handball players, and the intake of fat is too high. &#x0D; Conclusion: The analysis of the initial nutritional intake and the comparison with the recommendation shows that the male handball players do not have an optimal diet with proper intake of both energy and macronutrients. The energy intake is insufficient also in female players. Adjusting the nutritional intake in a way to make it more balanced and tuned to the training schedule, would support a better health and performance.

ENT Mentorship Program for Preclinical Medical Students.

To provide preclinical medical students early access to otolaryngologists to learn about the specialty, facilitate acquisition of clinical skills, and provide one-on-one mentorship. Students are matched with a single otolaryngology faculty mentor from The Ohio State University/Nationwide Children's Hospital and attend 8 hours per month in the clinic or operating room, monthly lectures, and rounds, and they give a final presentation. Mentors complete performance evaluations, and surveys are administered longitudinally until Match Day. Thirty-five students and 17 faculty members have participated in the program since 2015. All mentors and students found the program to be a valuable experience. When compared to nonparticipating students, participants had significantly higher confidence scores for clinical performance, knowledge of anatomy, and familiarity with the department of interest. All students felt the program prepared them well for third and fourth years, and all 8 of the initial program participants successfully matched into residency with 4 entering otolaryngology. Medical students face a competitive residency application process in otolaryngology with limited exposure, which creates an opportunity for guidance in the pursuit of matching into this field. This novel preclinical mentorship program prepares students for their clinical years and residency by facilitating acquisition of various competencies. Students gain hands-on clinical exposure in a field of interest and support for navigating the application process. The structure of this program can be applied to other medical schools or specialties if the individual departments contain adequate resources of teaching faculty willing to participate.

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Stadium-Related Theft: An English Case-Study

Academic studies on football-related crimes have predominantly focused on violent crimes and fans engaged in these crimes. Unlike these studies which may be deemed a reflection of the traditional criminology in the football context, this paper examines the crime patterns focused on where and when theft crimes might occur on match days and why such patterns might emerge. Routine activities theory and crime pattern theory which are two related theories of environmental criminology provide a theoretical framework for the study. These two theories successfully reveal how the components of the social and physical environment provide the necessary conditions for stadium-related theft. Methodologically, for the spatial analysis of theft crimes, the methods of Kernel Density Estimation and spatial permutation test are employed; for the temporal analysis, a “match adjusted temporal analysis” is developed. Using the hotspotting technique around the Elland Road Stadium of Leeds United football team, it is suggested that theft crimes are not randomly distributed in time (match days and non-match days) and space. The risk of theft (per unit of time) is found to be particularly elevated at certain locations near to the stadium on match days, and for a window of time before, during and after matches take place. Analysing the spatial and temporal dimensions of stadium-related theft crime is likely to provide guidance about when and where to deploy officers by informing intelligence services.

Повышение финансовой устойчивости российских футбольных клубов

In Russia, sport historically belonged to the social sphere and only in recent years proved to have a commercial potential. Comparing with European countries, the sports industry of Russia should be recognized as emerging. The burden of financing professional sports clubs has not shifted to private investors and remains with regional budgets or state-owned companies. These funds are spent mainly on salaries of players (often legionnaires) and agents’ fees. Not earningon core business: media rights & match day, clubs lose their main part of earnings when the sponsor leaves, and are liquidated. The most popular sport in Russia (based on the number of people involved), and, consequently, the most promising from a commercial perspective, is football. Based on this, the aim of this research is to develop recommendations for improving the financial stability of football clubs as part of the licensing procedure. The current edition of the licensing rules for football clubs in England, Germany, France, Poland, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and the scientific publications of domestic and foreign scientists dedicated to this issue acted as an analytical base. The paper provides a detailed analysis of the current level of football development in the Russian Federation, provides the main indicators characterizing its effectiveness, identifies problems and difficulties that impede positive dynamics. Based on this analysis and best European practices, the author proposed measures that will help to solve existing problems, attract private investors and increase the efficiency of spending budget funds. The proposed methods can be implemented in other team sports and accelerate development in terms of commercial potential, sports and social results.

The Fate of Unmatched Orthopaedic Applicants: Risk Factors and Outcomes.

Introduction:Orthopaedic surgery residency has become increasingly competitive for medical school applicants with at least one in five applicants not matching annually. For unmatched applicants, the new application cycle is a perplexing and disconcerting period, where unique decisions must be addressed by the applicant. We aimed to investigate the risk factors and outcomes of unmatched orthopaedic applicants.Methods:This was a retrospective study using a survey-based questionnaire administered electronically to medical students annually from 2016 to 2019 immediately after match day. Applicant responses totaled 934 completed surveys, of which 81 identified themselves as unmatched from the previous year and reapplied for a subsequent cycle. Variables collected through the survey included demographics, United States Medical Licensing Examination scores, Electronic Residency Application Service application characteristics, and interim year pursuits. A univariate analysis was performed with an alpha level of 0.05 denoting statistical significance.Results:Overall, 58.0% of unmatched applicants subsequently matched into an orthopaedic residency. Applicants who pursued a research year or surgical internship after initially not matching had a subsequent match rate of 52.1% and 64.0%, respectively (p = 0.46). Of those who matched, 19.1% were Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) compared with 2.9% in the unmatched group (p = 0.04). When stratified by gender, 83.3% of women matched subsequently compared with 50.8% of men (p = 0.02). There were no differences in Step 1 scores (242.5 vs. 240.7, p = 0.60), Step 2 clinical knowledge (CK) scores (248.3 vs. 244.5, p = 0.60), or the number of publications (15.6 vs. 10.9, p = 0.25) between applicants who matched or did not match, respectively.Discussion:Our findings demonstrate that most orthopaedic applicants matched during their subsequent attempt. Women and those with AOA status had a significantly higher match rate than their counterparts. There was no difference in outcomes between those who pursued a research year or surgical internship, Step 1 or 2CK scores, or the number of publications. Further study is warranted to properly analyze risk factors for not matching on a subsequent attempt.Level of Evidence:Prognostic Level IV.

Analyzing the effects of combined small-sided games and strength and power training on the fitness status of under-19 elite football players.

The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to characterize a common microcycle considering both internal and external training loads; and 2) to identify the effects of small-sided games (SSGs) and of power and strength training on the fitness status of football players. Fifteen male football players (age: 18.55±0.39 years) participated in this study. Ninety-two consecutive training sessions were monitored and analyzed over a period of nineteen weeks. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE ) was used as an internal load marker, and the distances covered at different speed thresholds and accelerations/decelerations were used as external load markers to characterize the common microcycle. Participants' body composition, vertical jumping ability, maximal strength, speed, and agility were assessed twice before and after the training monitoring process. The results revealed that match day -5 (MD-5) and MD-1 were associated with the lowest RPE scores (4.2 and 3.8 A.U., respectively). MD-4 and MD-3 were associated with the highest RPE values (9.2 and 8.8 A.U., respectively). Meaningful changes in RPE were found between training days. External load monitoring revealed that MD-4 had the highest values of accelerations and decelerations >2 m/s2/min (4.22 and 3.17, respectively) and MD-3 had the highest values of distance covered at high intensity (6.11 m/s2/min). Meaningful moderate improvements in jumping performance (d=0.90) and maximal strength parameters (d=0.83) were also found between assessments. It was identified that the concurrent approach had meaningful impacts on the fitness development of players and should be considered by coaches for future training interventions.

Acute effects of training load on contractile properties during a competitive microcycle in elite soccer players.

The aim of this study was to examine changes in muscle contractile properties across a microcycle of training in professional soccer players during the in-season period. Nineteen professional soccer players were assessed with tensiomyography (TMG) on the biceps femoris and rectus femoris before and after 5 training sessions of an in-season microcycle. Training load was quantified during each training session. Significant differences were observed in training load variables across different training sessions, with the last training session prior to match day showing the lowest values for all training load variables. Significant pre- to post-session increases were observed in muscle stiffness of the rectus femoris and biceps femoris during the first four training sessions (effect size range, 0.5 to 0.9). However, no significant differences were observed in muscle contraction time and contraction velocity from pre- to post-session. In addition, repeated measures correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between absolute change in muscle stiffness of the rectus femoris and training duration, high-speed distance covered during training, and training average distance. The current study shows that players are physically taxed on their muscular stiffness by the training load. Post-session muscular stiffness assessment should be recommended to determine neuromuscular status and readiness in professional soccer players during the competitive season.

The Influence of Stadia and the Built Environment on the Spatial Distribution of Crime

The aim of this study was to explore the influence of “micro-” (e.g., pubs and fast-food restaurants) and “super-facilities” on area level counts of crime. Soccer stadia were selected as an example of a super-facility as their episodic use provides conditions not unlike a natural experiment. Of particular interest was whether the presence of such facilities, and their influence on the flow of people through neighborhoods on match days affects crime. Consideration was also given to how the social composition of a neighborhood might influence crime. Crime, street network, and points of interest data were obtained for the areas around five UK soccer stadia. Counts of crime were computed for small areal units and the spatial distribution of crime examined for match and non-match days. Variables derived from graph theory were generated to estimate how micro-facilities might influence the movement flows of people on match days. Spatial econometric analyses were used to test hypotheses. Mixed support was found for the influence of neighborhood social composition on crime for both match and non-match days. Considering the influence of facilities, a selective pattern emerged with crime being elevated in those neighborhoods closest to stadia on match but not non-match days. Micro-facilities too were found to influence crime levels. Particularly clear was the finding that the influence of pubs and fast-food restaurants on estimated movement flows to and from stadia on match (but not non-match) days was associated with area level crime. Our findings provide further support for ecological theories of crime and how factors that influence the likely convergence of people in urban spaces affect levels of crime.

Activity monitoring in professional soccer goalkeepers during training and match play

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the present study was to quantify the external load of professional soccer goalkeepers. Twenty professional goalkeepers participated in the study. Data were classified according to the number of days before or after the match day (MD) as follows: MD-4, MD-3, MD-2, MD-1 for the sessions before the match, and MD+1 for the session after the match. The total running distance covered (TD), the high metabolic load (HMLD), the number of high metabolic load efforts (HMLE) were progressively reduced from MD-4 to MD-1 but the values of these variables were always inferior to MD (ES: -3.79 to −1.11). There was a tendency for a progressive reduction in the number of high-intensity accelerations (ACC) and decelerations (DEC) from MD-4 to MD-1 although the values of ACC/DEC were superior to MD (ES: 0.19 to 2.05). Overall, MD-2 was the day with the lowest external load. During training sessions, starter goalkeepers performed more TD (ES: 0.36) and more HMLE (ES: 0.29) than non-starters. External load was progressively decreased in the days before match play for goalkeepers which is reflective of appropriate recovery and preparation practices within the cohort analysed. However, habitual goalkeepers training has an excess of accelerations/decelerations and a lack of running actions performed at high metabolic loads.

Editors' note: Neurology residency training in 2017: A survey of preparation, perspectives, and plans

In their survey of graduating adult and child neurology residents from 2017, Mahajan and colleagues reported on the subjective lack of preparation of graduating trainees as they take on fellowship or junior faculty roles. Among these findings, although more respondents in 2017 felt prepared to address managerial tasks (e.g., billing and malpractice) than in previous years, fewer than 40% felt knowledgeable about billing, coding, contract negotiations, malpractice insurance, or RVUs. Furthermore, among the adult neurology respondents, 54% felt that the fellowship application process began too early, with 46% feeling as if their limited outpatient exposure negatively affected the fellowship decision-making process. In response, Drs. Ratliff and Shanker reference similar pressures placed on orthopedic surgery residents as they embark on their own journeys into fellowship. Because 87% of neurology residents prefer fellowship applications to start in the second half of the PGY3 year or even later, it would be better to delay the application process until this time in order for residents to make the most informed decision about their future careers. As Dr. Mahajan points out, the process of mandating a single “match day” is challenging because of the differences in neurology fellowship offerings. Nonetheless, some date late in the PGY3 year could be suggested by our organizations as the earliest date a program director can make an offer. This may allow for more outpatient exposure, so our trainees can make a more informed career decision. In their survey of graduating adult and child neurology residents from 2017, Mahajan and colleagues reported on the subjective lack of preparation of graduating trainees as they take on fellowship or junior faculty roles. Among these findings, although more respondents in 2017 felt prepared to address managerial tasks (e.g., billing and malpractice) than in previous years, fewer than 40% felt knowledgeable about billing, coding, contract negotiations, malpractice insurance, or RVUs. Furthermore, among the adult neurology respondents, 54% felt that the fellowship application process began too early, with 46% feeling as if their limited outpatient exposure negatively affected the fellowship decision-making process. In response, Drs. Ratliff and Shanker reference similar pressures placed on orthopedic surgery residents as they embark on their own journeys into fellowship. Because 87% of neurology residents prefer fellowship applications to start in the second half of the PGY3 year or even later, it would be better to delay the application process until this time in order for residents to make the most informed decision about their future careers. As Dr. Mahajan points out, the process of mandating a single “match day” is challenging because of the differences in neurology fellowship offerings. Nonetheless, some date late in the PGY3 year could be suggested by our organizations as the earliest date a program director can make an offer. This may allow for more outpatient exposure, so our trainees can make a more informed career decision.

Editors' note: Surgery and risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome: A French nationwide epidemiologic study

In their retrospective, nationwide, case-crossover study of more than 8,000 cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) (2009–2014), Rudant et al. reported on the association between surgery and postoperative risk of GBS. The authors found a significant 53% higher odds of postoperative GBS in the 60 days following any surgery (adjusted OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.25–1.88), although this may be driven in part by orthopedic and gastrointestinal surgeries. Also interesting was the observation that (generally) longer procedures were associated with a greater probability of postoperative GBS (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.48–3.34 for surgeries lasting ≥120 minutes vs no surgery). Although the mechanism by which surgery mediates this risk remains unclear, Dr. Steiner suggests that the type of anesthesia (epidural vs general) may play a role. Citing earlier literature, Dr. Steiner notes that a substantial proportion of patients had undergone epidural anesthesia before the onset of GBS. Dr. Steiner suggests that local damage from the anesthetic agent or reagent may have contributed to nerve root injury and/or inflammation. Unfortunately, anesthetic technique is not documented in the claims data of the present investigation. Therefore, the investigators are unable to comment on whether epidural anesthesia may have played a role in the development of GBS in their nationwide data set. In their survey of graduating adult and child neurology residents from 2017, Mahajan and colleagues reported on the subjective lack of preparation of graduating trainees as they take on fellowship or junior faculty roles. Among these findings, although more respondents in 2017 felt prepared to address managerial tasks (e.g., billing and malpractice) than in previous years, fewer than 40% felt knowledgeable about billing, coding, contract negotiations, malpractice insurance, or RVUs. Furthermore, among the adult neurology respondents, 54% felt that the fellowship application process began too early, with 46% feeling as if their limited outpatient exposure negatively affected the fellowship decision-making process. In response, Drs. Ratliff and Shanker reference similar pressures placed on orthopedic surgery residents as they embark on their own journeys into fellowship. Because 87% of neurology residents prefer fellowship applications to start in the second half of the PGY3 year or even later, it would be better to delay the application process until this time in order for residents to make the most informed decision about their future careers. As Dr. Mahajan points out, the process of mandating a single “match day” is challenging because of the differences in neurology fellowship offerings. Nonetheless, some date late in the PGY3 year could be suggested by our organizations as the earliest date a program director can make an offer. This may allow for more outpatient exposure, so our trainees can make a more informed career decision.

Daily Changes of Resting Metabolic Rate in Elite Rugby Union Players

Preparation for competitive contact sport has been extensively researched. There are, however, limited data to guide players as to how the demands of their sport affect the energy requirements of recovery. We aimed to provide novel data on changes in resting metabolic rate (RMR) in contact sport athletes and relate these to the physical demands of training and competition. Twenty-two elite professional Premiership Rugby Union players were recruited to the study. Indirect calorimetry (Vyntus CPX canopy; CareFusion) was used to measure RMR each morning of the competitive game week, in a fasted, rested state. External loads for training and game play were monitored and recorded using global positioning systems (Catapult Innovations, Australia), whereas internal loads were tracked using rate of perceived exertion scales. Collisions were reviewed and recorded by expert video analysts for contacts in general play (breakdown and tackle area) or the set piece (scrum or maul). There were significant (P = 0.005) mean increases in RMR of approximately 231 kcal the morning after (game day [GD] + 1) and 3 d after the game (GD + 3), compared with the day before the game (GD - 1). The players were exposed to internal and external loads during the training week comparable to that of a match day; however, despite the equivocal loads between training and game play, there were no significant increases in RMR after training. The collisions experienced in rugby match play are likely to be responsible for the significant increases in RMR at GD + 1 and GD + 3. Consequently, the measurement of RMR via indirect calorimetry may provide a novel noninvasive measure of the effects of collisions. This study provides a novel insight to the energy requirements of recovering from contact sport.

Short term effects of a weight loss and healthy lifestyle programme for overweight and obese men delivered by German football clubs

Numbers of obese and overweight people continue to grow in Germany as they do worldwide. Men are affected more often but do less about it and few weight loss services attract men in particular. To evaluate the effectiveness of a men-only weight loss programme, Football Fans in Training (FFIT), delivered by football clubs in the German Bundesliga, we did a non-randomized trial with a waiting list control group. Participants’ data were collected between January 2017 and July 2018. FFIT is a 12-week, group-based, weight loss programme and was delivered in stadia and facilities of 15 professional German Bundesliga clubs. Inclusion criteria were age 35–65 years, BMI ≥ 28 and waist circumference ≥100 cm. Clubs recruited participants through Social Media, E-Mail and match day advertisement. 477 German male football fans were allocated to the intervention group by order of registration date at their respective clubs. 84 participants on the waiting list were allocated to the control group. Primary outcome was mean difference in weight loss with treatment condition over time as independent variable. We performed a multilevel mixed-effects linear regression analysis. Results were based on Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis with Multiple Imputation. After 12 weeks, the mean weight loss of the intervention group adjusted for club, course and participants’ age was 6.24 kg (95% CI 5.82–6.66) against 0.50 kg (−0.47–1.49) in the comparison group (p < 0.001). The results indicate that Football Fans in Training effectively helped German men to reduce their weight and waist circumference.

A Contemporary Positional Multi Modal Assessment Approach to Training Monitoring in Elite Professional Soccer

Understanding positional differences in terms of specific movement, speed and mechanical demands imposed upon elite professional soccer players in training and match play is of paramount importance to further develop player performance. The primary investigation aim was to examine a novel multi-metric method and reveal the representation of a tapered structure referencing a direct relationship with competitive match demands. The study involved 29-elite male European soccer players (26.7±4.07 years, height 183.4±5.87cm, body mass 78.4±8.03kg, VO2max 57.55±5.32mL.kg−1.min−1 and sum of 8 skinfolds 54.12±13.65mm). Daily positional TL data relating to competitive match day (MD) data was assessed via a Global Positioning System (GPS) across a 22-week period during the mid-phase of the competitive season. Results revealed differences between playing positions; central forwards (CF) revealing lower average intensity values when compared with CBs, FBs and WFs (p&lt;0.005). On MD-3, CBs revealed significantly higher intensity scores when compared to CFs and CMs, and WFs with higher intensity scores for CFs. Furthermore, FBs had higher volume session scores than CBs, CFs and CMs on MD (p&lt;0.005). Indications reported in this investigation are novel and vitally important when trying to understand positional TLs in relation to match loads among elite soccer players as well as ensure correct preparation of competitive demands. To conclude, the specific multi-modal approach used allows practitioners to combine key positional mechanical volume and intensity metrics as part of a player positional monitoring strategy and ensure a greater focus on targeted physical stressors. As a result, this may improve the training specificity of positional training workloads in direct relation to match-play, subsequently leading to a greater link between increased performance and reduced injury risks.

The Effects of a Single Versus Three Consecutive Sessions of Football Training on Postprandial Lipemia: a Randomized, Controlled Trial in Healthy, Recreationally Active Males

BackgroundExercise frequency is important for maintaining health; however, its effects on postprandial responses remain largely unknown. Better understanding this during popular sports activities such as football may influence exercise habits. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of playing one single versus three consecutive days of 60-min small-sided football matches on postprandial lipemia.MethodsFifteen males performed either one (1FOOT; n = 7) or three 60-min football (3FOOT; n = 8) sessions across an 8-day trial period. On day 1, a blood sample was collected at fasted (0 min) and 0.75, 2, 4, 6 h after a high-fat meal. Participants were then randomly allocated to the 1FOOT (day 7) or 3FOOT (days 5, 6, 7) condition. On day 8, they repeated the high-fat meal and blood sampling for 6 h following the meal. Postprandial total and incremental area under the curve (AUC, iAUC, respectively) were calculated.ResultsThe postprandial triglyceride iAUC was 41% lower from pre- to post-measures for the 1FOOT (p < 0.05; ES = 1.02) and 15.7% lower for the 3FOOT (ns; ES = 0.41). Total triglyceride AUC was lower (26%) post-football matches in the 3FOOT group only (p < 0.01; ES = 1.23). In 3FOOT, insulin concentration was lower for post- compared to pre-measures at 0.75 and 2 h, respectively (p < 0.001).ConclusionOne single 60-min small-sided football match lowered postprandial TG incremental area under the curve while performing three consecutive days of football matches did not result in a greater attenuation.Trial RegistrationISRCTN17934193, registered 06 April 2019