Professional Academies Research Articles

The developmental activities of women’s professional pathway cricketers

ABSTRACT The growth of investment in women’s cricket has led to the development of new professional pathways. However, there is lack of specific evidence to support the development of these athletes. This study aimed to take a first step in understanding the participation histories of female cricketers selected into English women’s professional academies. 84 players completed the Participation History Questionnaire (PHQ) to capture details of activities engaged in across development, including milestones, cricket activity, and engagement in other sport activities. There were relative age effects where players' birthdate distributions differed from national norms (X 2 = 8.451, p = .003, V = 0.227), and more players than expected attended independent schools (X 2 = 7.980, p = .005, V = 0.232). Participants engaged in cricket informally before coach led training, have siblings (particularly brothers) interested in cricket and often played boy’s cricket before engaging in the girl’s or women’s game. Developmental activities were characterised by early engagement, high levels of diversification, and very low levels of play compared to high levels of formal practice and match play. These findings have implications for the advancement of talent identification and development policies and processes in women’s cricket.

Dual form of education: the experience of german higher education institutions

The paper deals with the problem of dual education in the Federal Republic of Germany. The main features of the implementation of dual education programmes are identified. The correlation of branches and specialities in which dual education is carried out is presented. It is established that there are several models of regulation of theoretical education and practical training. The relationship of all parties within the framework of dual education programmes is clarified: student, higher education institution, participating company. The responsibilities of each party are stated. The authors emphasisethe main motivations for graduates to choose dual study programmes, which are a combination of theory and practice, financial support and good employment opportunities. Dual programmes create a unique opportunity for an effective connection between vocational and higher education. They are a format that combines the acquisition of academic and theoretical knowledge with the acquisition of practical professional competencies. The most popular are engineering and economics majors. Dual study programmes are implemented according to different models: block (most programmes), rotational, and distance learning. The division of responsibilities is usually as follows: practical training is provided by companies (enterprises, organisations, etc.), and theoretical training is provided by higher education institutions. They conclude relevant cooperation agreements. Students are not selected by universities of applied sciences or professional academies, but by participating companies. Therefore, applicants usually get a place in this programme not only on the basis of their high school diploma scores, but also on the basis of the results of an interview or other selection procedures for the company. In general, over the past few years, the following trends in the development of dual study programmes have been identified: dual study programmes are established as a separate study profile; the focus of dual study programmes continues to shift towards programmes integrated with practice; dual study programmes are differentiated by format, i.e. the combination of practical work experience and higher education, as well as by the timing and organisation of learning models; further structural changes are taking place at the state level.

A web-based survey to map the electromyography practice in Brazil.

Detailed information about the electromyography practice in Brazil is largely unavailable. To evaluate where and how electromyography is performed in Brazil, as well as regional disparities and the professional and academic credentials of electromyographers. We conducted an internet-based survey of active Brazilian electromyographers. The websites of health insurance companies, professional academies, medical cooperatives, online search engines, and social networks in each Brazilian state were screened and we evaluated the credentials of each electromyographer listed in the Brazilian Federal Medical Board (BFMB) registration website and their online curricula vitae in the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq, in Portuguese). We also evaluated the same parameters in a control group of non-electromyographer neurologists randomly matched by geographical distribution and gender. We found 469 electromyographers (384 neurologists and 85 non-neurologists), with a male predominance. In total, 81.9% were BFMB-certified neurologists, 49.9%, BFMB-certified clinical neurophysiologists, and 10.4%, BFMB-certified physiatrists. Among the non-neurologists, 48.2% were physiatrists. Most electromyographers practiced in states on the Southern and Southeastern regions of Brazil. When adjusted by population, the Federal District and the states of Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás presented the highest of eletromyographers density. Electromyographers were not more likely to have current/past academic affiliations. In Brazil, electromyography is performed predominantly by neurologists, and half of them are BFMB-certified clinical neurophysiologists. The present study highlights regional disparities and may guide government-based initiatives, for instance, to improve the diagnosis of leprosy and the management of neuromuscular disorders within the Brazilian territory.

Designing elite football programmes that produce quality athletes and future ready adults: incorporating social emotional learning and career development

ABSTRACT This article uses a positive youth development (PYD) perspective to recommend a number of programme design strategies for improving the mental health and wellbeing, future readiness, and performance of elite youth footballers in the academy system. Elite youth footballers refers to the estimated 12,000 boys (aged 8–21) who are contracted to professional academies at any one time, with many of these youth experiencing negative outcomes during their time within the academy system and beyond (e.g. psychological distress, inferior academic outcomes, academic disengagement, foreclosed identities, impaired social and emotional development). The recommendations are framed around key PYD competencies with the primary goal being to increase resilience, proactivity, and adaptability amongst these youth.

커피전문학원의 커피교육서비스품질이 학습몰입, 교육만족을 통하여 학업성취도에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the educational service quality of coffee professional academies, and to examine the effect on learning commitment, educational satisfaction, and academic achievement. A total of 350 questionnaires were collected for 30 days from June 15, 2022 to July 14, 2022, and 350 copies were collected. Analysis was performed using the SPSS 25.0 statistical package. For the analysis, demographic analysis was performed using frequency analysis, and exploratory factor analysis was used for measurement variables. In conclusion, using multiple regression analysis, the influence relationship between each concept was examined in this research model. First, as a result of analyzing Hypothesis 1, which is the effect of educational service quality on learning immersion, it was found that the quality of instructors, educational content, and educational service were important variables in the order of learning immersion. Second, as a result of analyzing Hypothesis 2, which is the effect of educational service quality on educational satisfaction, it was found that educational content, educational service, and quality of instructors were important variables for learning immersion. Third, as a result of analyzing hypothesis 3, it was found that learning immersion had a high effect. Fourth, as a result of analyzing Hypothesis 4, it was found that education satisfaction had a high effect.

‘He’s got growth’: Coaches understanding and management of the growth spurt in male academy football

The majority of studies investigating maturation in football have focused on the impact of maturity status or timing upon athletic performance. There is comparatively little research investigating the impact of the adolescent growth spurt, and few research articles that have focussed on injury incidence and burden rather than performance. The aim of this study was to explore and better understand how the adolescent growth spurt impacts youth football players within professional academies. This longitudinal mixed-methods study aimed to understand youth football coaches’ perceptions, experiences, and management of male adolescent football players. Players’ maturity status, growth velocities, and match performance were measured and interviews with coaches were conducted in parallel. The qualitative and quantitative data were combined to generate a deeper contextualised understanding. This study revealed that academy football coaches describe adolescent growth as a ‘condition’; players are diagnosed with growth through perceived signs and symptoms, which coaches must manage and treat. Growth was also seen to impact coaches’ perceptions and therefore had implications for selection and release decisions. The findings from this study emphasise the complexities of experiencing and managing adolescent growth and maturation in the context of elite youth football.

"From everything to nothing in a split second": Elite youth players' experiences of release from professional football academies.

Previous research has assessed the affects release from football academies has on psychological distress and athletic identity of players. However, there has been no qualitative research exploring players' experiences of the release process. This study retrospectively explored players' lived experiences of being released from a professional football academy, having completed a scholarship (from ages 16–18). Four male football players (age 21.6 ± 1.5 years) who had experienced release from professional academies participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four super-ordinate themes were interpreted from the data: Foreshadowing release—“left out in the cold”, The process of release, Support during the process of release and New beginnings—“there's a bigger world than just playing football every day”. Players reported that their contract meeting was a traumatic experience, and they experienced psychological difficulties in the longer-term following release. Factors that compounded the players' release were: a lack of aftercare being provided by the players' professional clubs for their wellbeing, and a disuse of social support, which hindered their transition out of full-time football. Context relevant recommendations are made to help improve the release process for elite youth football players.

Age-Related Differences in the Anthropometric and Physical Fitness Characteristics of Young Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Considering that most professional academies seek to optimize the early detection and physical development of their younger players, the purpose of this study was to examine the anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics in a large cross-sectional sample of youth soccer players in Eastern Europe, starting from a very young age during their in-season period. Three hundred and thirteen soccer players (n = 313), grouped into eight age categories, participated in the study. On the basis of chronological age, the group categories were: 7 (n = 26), 8 (n = 41), 9 (n = 46), 10 (n = 48), 11 (n = 42), 12 (n = 47), 13 (n = 43), and 14 years old (n = 20). The players underwent an anthropometric evaluation, flexibility, handgrip strength, vertical jump performance, speed, and agility assessments. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) indicated significant differences in the anthropometric and physical fitness variables based on chronological age (F = 13.40, p < 0.05, Wilk’s Λ = 0.08, partial η2 = 0.30). Concurrently, there were significant growth and physical fitness differences even in players born in the same chronological year. It is believed that the results have important practical implications, especially for those involved in youth soccer. Based on our results, coaches should contemplate speed and agility development in training sessions starting from a much younger age, as sprinting while changing directions has been considered an essential prerequisite in soccer.

Predictors of selection into an elite level youth football academy: A longitudinal study

ABSTRACT Talent identification in football is complex. Research regarding talent indicators that predict selection into professional academies is increasingly multi-disciplinary, though is typically cross-sectional, failing to consider whether the rate of change of those indicators influences selection. The aim of this study was to determine if longitudinal changes in talent indicators are associated with selection into a professional football academy. A total of 110 Dutch male football players (aged 8–12) playing in a youth development programme of a professional club were included in the study. Players were assessed regularly on their anthropometry, physical fitness, gross motor coordination, technical ability, and psychosocial capacities over four years. A subset of players was then selected into the academy. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses revealed the indicators that best predicted selection. The best indicator was the 30 m sprint speed, with prediction not improving when including other predictors or their rate of change. The individuals that the club ultimately selected at age 12 could have been predicted well above chance levels using the sprint speeds at age nine or ten. The relative consistency of the rate of improvement in indicators across participants meant that the rate at which they developed played little role in selections.

Progression from youth to professional soccer: A longitudinal study of successful and unsuccessful academy graduates.

To optimize use of available resources, professional academies develop strategies to assess, monitor, and evaluate players as they progress through adolescence toward adulthood. However, few published reports exist using longitudinal study designs to examine performance throughout adolescence and the transition from youth to professional soccer. We examined differences in the age of player recruitment alongside longitudinal performance differences on field-based fitness tests of successful vs. unsuccessful graduates across the entire age spectrum recruited by a professional soccer academy. Altogether, 537 youth soccer players volunteered to participate. We recorded the age of recruitment, biannual fitness test performance, and subsequent success in attaining a senior professional contract at the club across a period of 12years. Only 53 (10%) of players were successful in obtaining a professional contract, with 68% of players who became professional being recruited at 12years of age or older. Individuals recruited at an earlier age did not display a higher probability of success in attaining a professional contract. Bayesian regression models reported a consistent interaction between age and group for data on all performance measures. Moreover, "successful" academy graduates only physically outperformed their "unsuccessful" counterparts from age ~13-14years onward, with either no differences in performance, or performance on physical fitness tests favoring "unsuccessful" players prior to this age. Findings suggest that high achievers during childhood and early adolescence may not develop into successful senior professionals, raising concerns about the predictive utility of talent identification models.

Psychological characteristics of developing excellence in elite youth football players in English professional academies

ABSTRACT This mixed-longitudinal prospective study examined the development of psychological characteristics of developing excellence in relation to the career progression of elite youth football players. In a 20-month period, 111 academy football players aged 11–16 completed the Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire (PCDEQ) on 1–5 occasions. This combination of single and repeated assessments resulted in a mixed-longitudinal sample of 226 completed PCDEQs. Players were then prospectively tracked, and their scholarship status assessed at follow-up, at age U17. Multilevel modelling revealed that coping with performance and developmental pressures scores increased with age, and that Category 1–2 academy scholars (4.35 ± 0.61) scored higher than Category 3–4 academy scholars (3.99 ± 0.67) and non-scholars (4.02 ± 0.78) (p < .05). Evaluating performances and working on weaknesses scores increased with age for Category 1–2 academy scholars (U12-U14 vs. U15-U16 = 5.16 ± 0.48 vs. 5.38 ± 0.45), compared to non-scholars (U12-U14 vs. U15-U16 = 5.11 ± 0.59 vs. 5.03 ± 0.71) (p < .05). Imagery use during practice and competition scores decreased with age (U12-U14 vs. U15-U16 = 4.45 ± 0.66 vs. 4.29 ± 0.70) (p < .05). A blend of PCDEs may facilitate optimal career progression. Football academies should develop players’ PCDEs, with a particular focus on developing their coping skills and their ability to realistically evaluate performances and work on weaknesses.

Bio-banding in academy football: player’s perceptions of a maturity matched tournament

Background: Individual differences in biological maturation impact player selection and development in youth football.Aim: To evaluate players perceptions of competing in a football tournament where they were matched by maturity rather than chronological age.Subjects: Participants included male junior footballers from three professional academies (n = 115).Methods: The study employed multiple methods of analysis, including one sample mean t-tests, equivalence tests, ANOVAs, and thematic analysis of qualitative data derived from open-ended questions.Results and conclusions: Player’s perceived the bio-banding format as providing two main benefits. Early maturing players perceived greater physical and technical challenge, and in turn new opportunities and challenges. Late maturing players perceived less physical and technical challenge, yet greater opportunity to demonstrate technical and tactical abilities. The players reported that they enjoyed and understood the purpose of the bio-banded format, and perceived less risk for injury. Players in all three maturity groups reported more opportunity to engage in leadership behaviours, influence game-play, and express themselves on the ball in the bio-banded format. Bio-banding may facilitate development for both early and late maturing academy players by presenting new learning environments and challenges.

From Policy Statement to Practice: Integrating Social Needs Screening and Referral Assistance With Community Health Workers in an Urban Academic Health Center.

Purpose: Social and economic factors have been shown to affect health outcomes. In particular, social determinants of health (SDH) are linked to poor health outcomes in children. Research and some professional academies support routine social needs screening during primary care visits. Translating this recommendation into practice remains challenging due to the resources required and dearth of evidence-based research to guide health center level implementation. We describe our experience implementing a novel social needs screening program at an academic pediatric clinic. Methods: The Community Linkage to Care (CLC) pilot program integrates social needs screening and referral support using community health workers (CHWs) as part of routine primary care visits. Our multidisciplinary team performed process mapping, developed workflows, and led ongoing performance improvement activities. We established key elements of the CLC program through an iterative process We conducted social needs screens at 65% of eligible well-child visits from May 2017 to April 2018; 19.7% of screens had one or more positive responses. Childcare (48.8%), housing quality and/or availability (39.9%), and food insecurity (22.8%) were the most frequently reported needs. On average, 76% of providers had their patients screened on more than half of eligible well-child visits. Discussion: Our experience suggests that screening for social needs at well-child visits is feasible as part of routine primary care. We attribute progress to leveraging resources, obtaining provider buy-in, and defining program components to sustain activities.

Exploring British adolescent rugby league players’ experiences of professional academies and dropout

The purposes of this study were threefold: to explore former rugby league players’ experiences of professional academy environments, to understand their reasons for dropping out of the sport, and to explore their recommendations for optimising future talent development environments. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine ex-professional academy rugby league players up to one year after dropping out of playing rugby. A combination of inductive and deductive thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. The thematic analysis revealed three general dimensions: talent development pathways, reasons for dropout, and recommendations. The findings suggest that players’ talent development experiences, and the reasons for dropout could be explained by a complex interaction of micro (e.g. negative academy experiences), meso (e.g. education), exo (e.g. player pathway structures), and macro systems (e.g. transitions to other clubs). It is concluded from these findings that talent development pathways which lack a long-term focus, and emphasise early success are likely to result in increased risk of burnout, de-motivation, and subsequent dropout. From an applied perspective, talent development pathways must consider the many personal and environmental factors which interact to determine an individual’s talent development trajectory. Furthermore, by recognising the multiple factors that may influence development, the effectiveness of development pathways may be enhanced by neither excluding “potential” through inappropriate early identification, nor ignoring crucial talent development variables that contribute toward the fulfilment of potential.

Hip and groin injury management in English youth football: a survey of 64 professional academies

ABSTRACTObjective: The purpose of this study was to determine the strategies used in English football academies to manage hip/groin injury.Methods: Eighty-six academies were invited to complete an online survey based on three themes related to hip/groin injury: (1) prevention, (2) screening and (3) return-to-play (RTP).Results: Sixty-four (74%) academies responded, of which fifty-two (81%) regularly conducted hip/groin injury prevention exercises, most commonly core/abdominal related, while only half of academies used high-load eccentric exercises. Fifty-three (83%) utilised screening measures for hip/groin injury, with adductor-strength testing commonly used in 40 (77%) academies, whilst patient-reported outcome measures were used infrequently (6%). Fifty (78%) academies followed a specific RTP protocol, often linked to player baseline scores, with adductor-strength deficits and pain on RTP tests commonly noted indicators of readiness to RTP.Conclusion: Most, but not all responding academies, address prevention, screening and RTP in their management of hip/groin injury. Many preventative exercises are utilised, with core/abdominal related exercises being the most common. Screening for baseline scores, in particular assessing adductor strength, is often used for gauging RTP post-injury. Most management methods described by academies link to current evidence-based literature; yet many elements of practice could be improved/standardised in the academy youth football level in the future.

Coach ratings of skills and their relations to practice, play and successful transitions from youth-elite to adult-professional status in soccer

ABSTRACTElite soccer players (~15 yr) from professional academies in the UK were rated on technical, tactical, physical and creative skills by coaches at time 1 (T1). Players estimated accumulated hours in soccer practice (coach-led activities) and play (self-led activities) during childhood. Coach-ratings were again collected 2.5 yr later (T2) for players that received a professional contract (~17 yr). Adult-professional status was determined at T3 (~ 20 yr). Skill ratings distinguished across the three “future” groups (academy-only, youth-professional only and adult-professional), for all but creative skill. For players that transitioned to youth-professional, medium sized correlations were noted between childhood practice amounts and technical and creative skill ratings at T1, although practice amounts correlated more strongly with skill ratings at T2. Play amounts were not related to any skills. Within groups of youth elite athletes, domain-specific play in childhood, and to a lesser degree practice, were generally not good discriminators of specific-skills. The effects of sport-specific practice on the development (and discriminability) of skills takes time to emerge. We consider the implications for talent development models and purported links between play and creativity.

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ СТРУКТУРИ ВИЩОЇ МУЗИЧНОЇ ОСВІТИ СУЧАСНОЇ НІМЕЧЧИНИ

Purpose of the article. The research deals with the study of structural peculiarities of the higher musical education of the Federal Republic Germany nowadays. The methods of research are the use of analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalization. The given methodological approach enables to reveal and to analyze the types of the musical higher educational institutions, to systematize the principles of the qualitative training of professional musicians in the educational field of Germany. The scientific innovation includes the elaboration and systematization of information about the structure of the higher musical education in modern Germany and presentation of the own version of this structure. Conclusions. Having analyzed of the peculiarities of higher musical education structure in Germany, we have offered its own version: music and art schools (colleges), professional musical colleges (in Bavaria) high pedagogic schools with specialized music training, special institutes (including church music institutes), musical departments in universities, art university, musical department of professional academies, conservatories, musical academies. In the article it is described the specific features of future musicians’ professional training in art, pedagogic and scientific branches and it is determined the key qualifications (academic degrees) which may be obtained in German higher educational institutions on the levels of basic, complete and postgraduate music education.

Ultrasound Guidance for Botulinum Neurotoxin Chemodenervation Procedures.

Injections of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are prescribed by clinicians for a variety of disorders that cause over-activity of muscles; glands; pain and other structures. Accurately targeting the structure for injection is one of the principle goals when performing BoNTs procedures. Traditionally; injections have been guided by anatomic landmarks; palpation; range of motion; electromyography or electrical stimulation. Ultrasound (US) based imaging based guidance overcomes some of the limitations of traditional techniques. US and/or US combined with traditional guidance techniques is utilized and or recommended by many expert clinicians; authors and in practice guidelines by professional academies. This article reviews the advantages and disadvantages of available guidance techniques including US as well as technical aspects of US guidance and a focused literature review related to US guidance for chemodenervation procedures including BoNTs injection.

An audit of injuries in six english professional soccer academies

ABSTRACTRegulations now state that professional academies in the United Kingdom are required to substantially increase the volume of soccer training. This study assessed the current injury occurrence, providing an update to reports published prior to the introduction of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP). 608 soccer players aged 11–18 years from six professional soccer clubs were prospectively monitored, recording injuries during the 2014–2015 season. An injury rate of 1.32 injuries per player/season was indicated with a mean time loss of 21.9 days per injury. The greatest time loss per injury was in the U14s-U15s, and the highest rate of severe injuries in the U15s. Strains and sprains were the most common injury type, with the knee and ankle the most frequently injured anatomical sites. Seasonal variation indicated two peaks in injury incidence, occurring in September and January. In comparison to a published audit prior to the inception of the EPPP, this study indicates that academy soccer players are three-times more likely to experience an injury. Given that time loss and injury severity also increased during periods that typically follow rapid growth, these players should be considered an important group for training load monitoring and injury prevention strategies.

Maturation-related adaptations in running speed in response to sprint training in youth soccer players

ObjectivesThis study investigated the effects of a previously recommended dose of sprint training (ST) in young male soccer players of differing maturity status. DesignQuasi-experimental design. MethodsMale soccer players from two professional academies were divided into Pre-PHV (Training: n=12; Control: n=13) and Mid-PHV (Training: n=7; Control=10) groups. The training groups completed 16 sprints of 20m with 90s recovery, once per week for 8weeks. ResultsBetween-group effect sizes (ES) were substantially larger in Pre-PHV (10m [1.54, CI: 0.74–2.23]; 20m [1.49, CI: 0.75–2.23]; 5-10-5 [0.92, CI: 0.23–1.61]) than in Mid-PHV (10m [−0.00, CI: −0.81 to 0.81]; 20m [−0.12, CI: −0.93 to 0.69]; 5-10-5 [−0.41, CI: −1.22 to 0.41]). Within-group effects demonstrated a similar, though less accentuated, trend which revealed ST to be effective in both Pre-PHV (10m [0.44, CI: −0.24 to 1.12]; 20m [0.45, CI: −0.23 to 1.13]; 5-10-5 [0.69, CI: 0.00–1.38]) and Mid-PHV (10m [0.51, CI: −0.38 to 1.40]; 20m [0.33, CI: −0.56 to 1.21]; 5-10-5 [0.43, CI: −0.46 to 1.32]). ConclusionsST, in the amount of 16 sprints over 20m with a 90s rest, may be more effective in Pre-PHV youths than in Mid-PHV youths.