Professional Clubs Research Articles

Creativity in sports: The crucial role of motor skills

What enables athletes to perform creative actions in their sports? In the last two decades, sports studies have predominantly assumed that divergent thinking (DT) is the key ingredient and have developed sport-specific DT tests to assess players’ creativity. However, a fundamental question remains: Do players who score high on sport-specific DT tests perform more creative actions on the field? The DT approach in sports has recently been challenged by the hypothesis that creative actions are primarily enabled (or limited) by players’ motor skill repertoires. Here, predictions based on the DT and motor skill approach are tested in the domain of soccer. Studies 1a and b tested male under-12 players, and Study 2 tested female under-19 players of a professional soccer club. All three studies indicated no correlation between the creativity of actions performed on the field (rated with the Consensual Assessment Technique) and players’ soccer-specific DT. In contrast, moderate to high correlations between on-field creativity and motor skills were found. These results challenge the DT approach in sports and the validity of sport-specific DT tests, highlighting the crucial role of sensorimotor skills in performing creative actions in sports or other domains in which creative performance is embodied through motor actions.

Relative age effect in Mexican professional and youth soccer

In youth football, categories are defined by the players’ year of birth. In one category, there can be an age difference of almost 12 months, which may manifest itself in considerable physical differences. The impact of this "relative age" is reflected in elite teams by an overrepresentation of players born in the first months of the year, called "Relative Age Effect" (RAE). In the present study, this bias was analyzed among the 4499 Mexican players (3531 men, 968 women), registered by the 18 professional clubs for the 2022 season in men’s First Division, their U20, U18, U17, U16, U14 categories, women's First Division, and their U17 categories. From every player were collected: birthday, playing position, minutes played for their teams, and their teams’ final rank in the National Championships. In all categories, except women's First Division, a statistically significant RAE was found, whose size was greater in the lower categories than in the major ones. The playing positions that presented a higher size of RAE were not the same in the different categories. A positive correlation was found between RAE and individual and team performances. These results indicate the need to take a deeper look at the selection and development processes of talented players in Mexico, because players initially favored by their greater relative age do not reach the professional soccer teams in the same proportion.

Mental Fitness and its Relationship to Achievement for Professional Players in the Palestinian Soccer League

The current study aimed to know the mental fitness and its relationship to achievement among the players of the professional soccer league in Palestine, and to achieve the objectives of the study the descriptive analytical approach was used. the researchers designed a questionnaire based on previous studies. It was distributed to stratified random sample consisted of (121) male soccer players from professional clubs, and the study sample was chosen in a stratified random manner, due to its suitability to the nature of the current study. SPSS program was used to analyze the results of the respondents’ responses, and the study concluded that there is a high mental fitness in all its fields (the ability to imagine, mental preparation, self-confidence, dealing with anxiety, the ability to focus, motivation, focus and decision-making and the total score),among professional players and similar regardless of the player's position on the field, the study also showed that the players of the clubs that occupied the top ranks have ahigher level of mental fitness. The researchers suggested the necessary of taking care of mental skills and trying to develop them to raise the level of achievement motivation for soccer players, and the need to pay attention to training mental perception of players, and conduct research on the relationship of mental perception with other soccer skills.

Potential financial loss and risk factors for hamstring muscle injuries in elite male Brazilian soccer players: a season-long prospective cohort pilot study.

The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the potential financial loss and a range of potential risk factors for hamstring muscle injuries in elite Brazilian soccer. Thirty-four male players (age: 25 ± 6 years; stature: 180 ± 8 cm; body mass: 78 ± 9 kg; minutes played in matches: 2243 ± 1423 min) from an elite professional soccer club were monitored during a 12-month season. Muscle injury was identified by magnetic resonance imaging and the severity was defined according to the number of days away: minimal (1-3 days), mild (4-7 days), moderate (8-28 days), severe (>28 days). Potential financial loss due to the team's under achievements was determined. Dorsiflexion range of motion, eccentric knee flexor strength and isokinetic tests were performed during the pre-season. Association between dependent variables and the occurrence of injury was evaluated. Nine hamstring muscle injuries with moderate severity were found in 8 athletes. Recovery time was 22 days off the field on average. Potential financial loss was $-43.2 million USD and earnings on merit money was 21%. Previous injury, increased flexor deficit 60° /sec and increased flexor fatigue index 300°/sec were all associated with a greater chance of hamstring muscle injury. Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was significantly lower in the injured group (35.6 ± 3° vs. 39.1 ± 4.9°; p = 0.017, effect size = -0.74). High financial burden was found in elite Brazilian soccer during one full season. Injured athletes had high hamstring fatigue index, knee flexor strength deficit, ankle range of motion restriction and previous hamstring muscle injury when compared to non-injured athletes. Therefore, preventive approaches in professional soccer players with previous hamstring injuries should be a priority.

Analysis of the spatio-temporal distribution of Chinese professional football clubs and influential factors based on empirical evidence of clubs

The frequent relocation of professional football clubs is a phenomenon unique to Chinese professional football, which has long attracted extensive attention from policy makers and scholars. Using data on spatial geography and competitive levels between 1994 and 2021, this research explores the spatial distribution and migration characteristics of top professional football clubs in China, in which GIS spatial analysis and exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) were used to analyze the influence of the regional economic, demographic, and developmental levels of the sports industry and institutional supply on the distribution and migration of clubs. The results indicate the following: (1) the overall spatial distribution of professional football clubs in China shows the pattern of “more in the east and less in the west”, and the degree of club concentration gradually increases over time; (2) the migration frequency and downward migration of professional football clubs in China gradually decreased during the period of C League and CSL, and the overall situation tends to be stable; and (3) in the early stages of development of professional leagues, changes in ownership and local policy supply had a significant impact on the distribution and migration of professional clubs. As time progressed, the top-down design of institutional arrangements changed, and the regional economic, demographic, and developmental levels of the sports industry gradually became the essential determinants of the distribution and migration of professional football clubs. In the future, Chinese professional football clubs should focus on rationalizing the advantages of the regional economy, demography, and sports industry as well as reducing their reliance on short-term resources, such as corporate investment and policy benefits.

Mental processes in professional football players.

Clear connections have been found between mental processes and performance in elite level football. Yet, few studies have investigated how professional football players' experience the influence of mental processes on performance. This study used a qualitative research design and in-depth interview of six Norwegian professional football players at elite level with a mean age of 28, 3 years and represented five professional clubs. The aim of the study was to investigate how they perceived the importance of arousal regulation, mental toughness, and self-confidence, and that of the sport psychologist in developing these skills. The results revealed a complex and multifaceted link between mental processes and performance. All players, demonstrate a conscious awareness of how mental processes influence their performance. The use of a sport psychologist in working with mental processes emerges as a crucial factor for developing their mental skills. Another important aspect is the need for increased knowledge about mental training's effect in elite football. Mental toughness emerges as the most significant mental process for players' performance because it makes them capable of coping with challenging situations and periods. This study shows that mental processes are important for performing, both related to arousal regulation, and self-confidence, and especially mental toughness. However, mental toughness was also considered a product of age and experience, where older players tend to have experience of more situations that enable them to handle adversity better than younger players. Interestingly, the youngest players seem to be most aware of the use of a sports psychologist.

The Role of Athlete Leadership Quality in the Characteristics of Team Resilience in Elite Soccer Teams: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Mediation of Team Identification

We present two studies examining the relationship between athlete leadership quality and team resilience and explored the mediating effect of team identification. In Study 1, 194 soccer players (Mage = 18.50, SD = 4.49) from eight national teams participated. Structural equation modeling showed cross-sectionally that the four types of athlete leadership qualities were positively related to the characteristics of resilience and negatively to vulnerability under pressure. Team identification was shown to be a mediator of these relationships. Study 2, with four different time-points, involved 208 young soccer players (Mage = 16.05, SD = 3.39) from two professional clubs (i.e., La Liga). Cross-lagged panel models revealed that task leadership quality (Times 1–2) was positively related to the characteristics of resilience (Times 3–4) and negatively to vulnerability under pressure (Times 3–4). However, team identification did not mediate these relationships. Therefore, practitioners should consider the perceptions of leader quality to achieve benefits during competition.

The Relationship between Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) Activities of Professional Soccer Clubs and Club Equity

The Relationship between Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) Activities of Professional Soccer Clubs and Club Equity

A Novel Method to Measure Dual Task Capacity in Young Football Players: A Preliminary Study.

When deciding to return to sport, literature usually uses evaluations based on physical abilities. But, current literature urges us to use more than physical performance evaluations. Classical dual-task testing methods do not simulate in-game loads and cannot sufficiently measure football players' dual-task capacity. The purpose of our study was to create a dual-task test that would simulate football players' in- game situations and measure their capacity. Cross-sectional study. Football Pitch. Twenty-two football players (aged 17.37±0.52 years) who played in a professional club (U19, elite league) were recruited for our study. Novel dual task test with questions containing scenarios from a football game to cognitively load players, while they are performing modified t-test. After the warm-up period, participants attended four tests in random order: juggling (foot) test, speed dribbling test, long passing test, and 'novel dual-task test'. There was no significant relationship between physical performance parameters and dual task parameters (all ps>0.05). There was a significant increase in the completion time of modified t-test when performed under dual task condition (Z=-7.568, p<0.001). The increase in completion time was found as 2.14±1.29 seconds. This duration difference was calculated as 22.79±14.58%, as dual task cost. Our test provides a new method to measure athletes' dual task capacity, which is not related to physical performance and cannot be measured with current tests. This test also showed players with lower dual task ability could not keep up their performance under dual task conditions, such as passing a ball to a team-mate when being pressed by an opponent. Players with good dual task ability could maintain 1 their performance (got affected only up to 10%); players with poor dual task ability could not maintain their performance and got affected by up to 50% (with a mean of 22.79%).

Conceptualization of ESG Management Values of Professional Sports Clubs: From Consumers’ Perspective

Discussions and practices of sustainability are actively underway around the world. In this social context, this study conceptualized ESG management values focused on sports organizations, especially professional sports clubs in Korea. Utilizing Q methodology, which is suitable for research on individuals’ subjectivity, we explored ESG management values accepted by consumers of Korean professional sports. As a result, the ESG management values were confirmed as follows: “Type I: Trust Management Emphasis”, “Type II: Local Community Emphasis”, and “Type III: Safety–Respect Culture Emphasis”. While each of the three types accepted governance, social responsibility, safety, and respect culture as their main values, they tended to deny environment-related values. Accordingly, this study provided two discussions: “professional sports consumers’ low awareness of the environment” and “reinterpretation of environmental values among the ESG management values of professional sports clubs”. In conclusion, the three types are significant in that (1) they reflect well the social and cultural context of Korean professional sports and consumers’ perceptions, and (2) they provide a new perspective on the ESG management value of professional sports teams.

Exploring the Relationship of Declarative Tactical Knowledge With Participation, Football Competence, and Potentiality in a Professional Club (Real Sociedad).

We compared the declarative tactical knowledge (DTK) of 196 male and female players (16.9 ± 2.4years) belonging to the academy of a Spanish professional football club with their participation (minutes played), football competence (coaching staff assessment), and future potential (technical direction prediction). The DTK had no correlation with the minutes played (%) by the participants during the 2021-22 season (r = -.162, p = .045). Student's t test for independent samples compared the football competence of the participants with high DTK (n = 74) and low DTK (n = 76), proving a small impact (p = .021, d = 0.39) in favor of the first group. Although the high-DTK group showed a better average of potentiality, the technical direction identified more potential players for the first team in the low-DTK group. In conclusion, no solid evidence was found to justify that participants with higher DTK in each team were those who played more minutes and showed greater football competence and potentiality.

Impact of Weekly Training-Load Structure and Content on the Risk of Injury in Professional Rugby Union Match-Play.

Chéradame, J, Loursac, R, Piscione, J, Carling, C, Decq, P, and Jacqmin-Gadda, H. Impact of weekly training-load structure and content on the risk of injury in professional Rugby Union match-play. J Strength Cond Res 38(9): 1613-1619, 2024-The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of different components of daily training load during the week preceding the match on the risk of sustaining a match injury in professional rugby union. A cohort of 72 players from a single professional French club participated. Global positioning system-derived data including total distance (TD) and high-speed distance in addition to ratings of perceived effort (RPE) for both on- and off-pitch (gym-based strength conditioning work) training were collected for each training session over 3 seasons (2017-2020). The association between the daily measures of external and internal training load over the week preceding the day of the match (MD) and the subsequent risk of injury in match-play was estimated using a mixed-effects logistic model adjusted for contextual and individual factors. A total of 184 injuries were sustained in 128 matches (incidence: 81.2 injuries per 1,000 player hours). Higher RPE values for the strength conditioning session on MD-5 ( p < 0.001) and for the on-pitch session on MD-1 ( p = 0.04) were associated with an increased risk of injury in matches. On MD-2, a higher TD covered and that run at high speed (>MAS) were, respectively, associated with a higher ( p = 0.03) and lower risk ( p = 0.02) of injury in matches played. This study in professional rugby union shows that different components of external and internal load had varying influences on injury risk and particularly in relation to the day on which these were performed in the week leading up to the next match. At MD-2, training load favoring intensity rather than volume could reduce the risk of match-play injury.

Methodology and evaluation in sports analytics: challenges, approaches, and lessons learned

There has been an explosion of data collected about sports. Because such data is extremely rich and complex, machine learning is increasingly being used to extract actionable insights from it. Typically, machine learning is used to build models and indicators that capture the skills, capabilities, and tendencies of athletes and teams. Such indicators and models are in turn used to inform decision-making at professional clubs. Designing these indicators requires paying careful attention to a number of subtle issues from a methodological and evaluation perspective. In this paper, we highlight these challenges in sports and discuss a variety of approaches for handling them. Methodologically, we highlight that dependencies affect how to perform data partitioning for evaluation as well as the need to consider contextual factors. From an evaluation perspective, we draw a distinction between evaluating the developed indicators themselves versus the underlying models that power them. We argue that both aspects must be considered, but that they require different approaches. We hope that this article helps bridge the gap between traditional sports expertise and modern data analytics by providing a structured framework with practical examples.

Gender-sensitive community weight-loss programmes to address overweight and obesity in men: a scoping review

ObjectivesTo examine how gender-sensitive community weight-loss programmes have been used to address overweight and obesity in men and to identify what can be learnt from this rapidly evolving field.DesignScoping review...

Contribution of E-marketing to the success of professional sports

The study, in its general form, aimed to find out the extent to which electronic marketing contributes to the success of professional sports in Algeria. A questionnaire was designed to collect data and information. The sample of the study was chosen intentionally and represented 40 administrators from some professional clubs in the first division: Najm Maqra, Najm Ben Aknoun, Capital Union. The study concluded that the websites of the professional clubs studied contribute weakly to the success of sports professionalism. We also found that social networking sites “Facebook, Instagram” contribute weakly to the success of sports professionalism.

Light load jump squat and plyometric training enhance jumping, sprinting, change of direction, and balance performance of male soccer players (U-19): a randomized controlled trial.

In sports science, optimizing athletic performance is pursued through an emerging approach that combined light-loaded squat (LLS) training and plyometric jump training (PJT), targeting strength, power, and neuromuscular adaptations, particularly beneficial for the dynamic demands of youth soccer. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a combined LLS training and PJT program on athletic performance and balance in youth soccer players. Thirty-two male players were randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group (EG: N.=16; age: 18.56±0.51 years; body mass: 66.87±4.99 kg; height: 1.78±0.07 m) and a control group (CG: N.=16; age: 18.68±0.47 years; body mass: 67.93±4.58 kg; height: 1.77±0.07 m) from the same U19 team of a professional club voluntarily participated in the study. Squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), horizontal jump (HJ), drop jump (DJ), 30 m sprint (30 mS), change of direction ability (4×5 m sprint test [S 4×5 m]) and static balance (the stork balance) performance tests were carried out in the week before and the week after the 8 weeks with combined LLS and PJT period. The two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for all tests. The results of this study show that the EG had significantly greater improvements than the CG in all tests (all P<0.001). Also, EG experienced higher performance between preintervention and post intervention measures (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the 4×5mS performance (P>0.05). We conclude that coaches may be advised to use the combined LLS and PJT since it is as effective as traditional methods and perfect for sports and activities requiring fast, explosive movements during the in-season period than regular training.

Exploring Key Determinants of Trail Run Athlete’s Preparedness to Perform Pre-Hospital First Aid for Ankle Sprain

Trail runs have a high risk of injury like ankle sprains. Proper ankle sprain first aid requires preparedness to prevent more serious danger and ensure its success in the pre-hospital setting. This study aimed to explore key determinants of trail run athletes’ preparedness to perform pre-hospital first aid for ankle sprain using the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model theory. The research method used a descriptive correlational which approached cross-sectionally. The research recruited 120 trail run athletes of two professional clubs who were selected by simple random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires. The variables measured were knowledge, belief, value, attitude, and confidence. Bivariate analysis used chi-square and spearman-rho tests. Multivariate analysis used a logistic regression test. All of the statistical analyses used α = 0,05. The research results show that half of the respondents was 18 – 35 years old. The factors correlated to the trail run preparedness to perform pre-hospital first aid for ankle sprain was as follows. The majority had a medium level of knowledge (54,2%) and a significance level of p = 0.000. Similar trends were found between belief, value, and confidence in which there were no low levels of those variables with the same significance value of p = 0.000. Lastly, respondent’s percentages of attitudes were almost equally distributed between negative (45%) and positive (66%) with a significance level of p = 0,000. In multivariate analysis, all the variables had p-values &lt; 0,05. The OR was as follows, knowledge 14,713; belief 77,919; value 27,554; attitude 7,213; and confidence 12,408. The conclusion is found that knowledge, belief, value, attitude, and confidence were significantly correlated with the athlete’s preparedness Together all variables were correlated significantly to the athlete’s preparedness to perform pre-hospital first aid for ankle sprain. In conclusion, to improve athlete safety during trail runs is by improving the preparedness for any adverse event including trail runs. All of the factors could increase preparedness, but some factors resulted in higher preparedness. The factors that have more effect on preparedness than the others are belief and value.

Effects of Acute Ingestion of Guarana (Paullinia Cupana) on Soccer Player Performance: A Randomized, Cross-over, Placebo-Controlled Study

Objective To investigate the acute effects of ingesting a beverage containing guarana (Paullinia cupana) seed powder on performance during field tests related to physical capacities that are determinants of soccer performance, such as lower limb power, sprint, agility, and the capacity to carry out intermittent exercise. Methods The study was conducted using a randomized, crossover, and counterbalanced design, with a beverage containing guarana or placebo administered in a double-blind manner. Twenty-seven under-17 soccer players of a professional soccer club performed a battery of tests 60 min after the ingestion of guarana (3 g of the fruit seed powder) or placebo. Trials were performed with a 7-day washout period. The battery of tests included a countermovement jump test, sprints of 10 and 20 m, an Illinois agility test, and a Yo–Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 (YYIR1). Results Guarana ingestion did not improve countermovement jump, sprints, or agility (p > 0.05). However, guarana ingestion increased the distance covered in the YYIR1, compared with placebo ingestion (p = 0.01). Conclusion Acute ingestion of guarana improves the capacity to perform intermittent exercise in soccer players but seems to be ineffective to improve lower limb power, sprint, and agility.

Practitioners’ perspective of non-contact injury risk factors and injury prevention programming in professional North American male soccer

ObjectiveTo evaluate non-contact injury prevention strategies of professional men's soccer clubs in elite North American league soccer. To understand the application, perceived effectiveness and barriers to implementation. DesignOnline cross-Sectional Study. SettingNorth American elite soccer teams. Participants96 medical and performance support staff of elite North American teams. Main outcome measureThe survey consisted of 20 questions and captured 1) practitioners' demographics; 2) perceptions of risk factors; 3) the use of assessment and monitoring strategies; and 4) perceptions of the implementation of injury prevention programmes’. ResultsInjury prevention programmes were perceived as ‘effective’ (Median 4, Interquartile range 4-4) and reduced injury rates (n = 94, 98%, 95 CI% 93 to 99). A range of potential risk factors were rated as “very important” (4.58 ± 0.52 Likert scale points; mean ± standard deviation). A multi-disciplinary approach to the design, application and monitoring of programmes was generally adopted. Competing training priorities (n = 75, 78%, 95 CI% 69 to 85) and game schedules (n = 71, 74%, 95 CI% 64 to 82) were the most prevalent barriers to injury prevention implementation. ConclusionsInjury prevention programmes were perceived as effective in reducing non-contact injuries. Managing the conflicting priorities between scheduling training, tactical and conditioning goals were considered the key barriers to desired implementation.

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

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