Professional Football Players Research Articles

Influence of the External Workload on Calf Muscle Strain Injuries in Professional Football Players: A Pilot Study.

The influence of external workload variables on the development of calf muscle strainsin football players has not been previously explored. Overloaded players would have an increased risk of calf muscle strain injury. Prospective observational study. Level 4. A total of 41 professional football players from 1 team were monitored for 2 consecutive seasons. Total distance covered (TD), and distances covered at high-intensity running, high sprint running, low (LACC) and high (HACC) acceleration, low (LDEC) and high (HDEC) deceleration, and at high metabolic load distance (HMLD) were monitored with GPS units. Accumulated players' external workload in the week before injury was compared with the weekly mean value of the 6 weeks before injury occurred for each player. Ten players (24.3%) suffered 16 calf muscle strain injuries (3.1 injuries per 1000 hours of match play; 0.5 injuries per 1000 hours of training exposure). Players with a calf muscle injury were older (p = 0.03), with higher body weight (p = 0.01) and height (p = 0.03). Injured players displayed substantially higher total training volume (p < 0.01), TD (p < 0.01), LACC (p < 0.01), LDEC (p < 0.01), HACC (p < 0.01), HDEC (p < 0.01), and HMLD (p = 0.03) in the week before injury, in comparison with the mean values of these variables in the 6 weeks before injury. A week with a higher-than-habitual external workload might increase the risk of calf muscle strain injury in professional football players. Calf muscle injuries were preceded by a week with unusually high workloads associated with accelerating and decelerating distances and higher training volumes. Monitoring external workload indicators may be helpful in determine players with a higher risk of calf muscle strain injury due to excessive workload during training/competition.

Muscle Pain Code: a novel tool for screening the risk of time-loss muscle injury in professional male football players

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the association of a novel post-match muscle pain map, named Muscle Pain Code (MPC), with the risk of subsequent time-loss muscle injury in a cohort of professional football (soccer) players. Methods The MPC classifies pain in four codes: code 0, ‘no pain;’ code 1, ‘generalized muscle pain;’ code 2, ‘diffused site muscle pain;’ and code 3, ‘specific site muscle pain.’ Over four consecutive seasons, MPC was collected on the second post-match day and players were followed for occurrence of time-loss muscle injury over the next five days. Players exposed to at least 45 minutes in two consecutive matches within seven days were included as cases for analysis. Results Eighty players participated in the study. Of 1,656 cases analyzed, 229 resulted in time-loss muscle injuries. Only 2% of cases with codes 0 and 1 resulted in time-loss muscle injuries. Conversely, 63% and 78% of codes 2 and 3 were followed by time-loss muscle injuries, respectively. Compared with the reference scenario (i.e. code 0 on MPC), the risk of subsequent time-loss muscle injury was significantly higher when players recorded code 2 (odds ratio, 4.29; 95%CI, 3.62 to 4.96) or code 3 (odds ratio, 5.01; 95%CI, 4.05 to 5.98) on MPC, but not when they recorded code 1 (odds ratio = −0.27; 95%CI, 1.05 to 0.56). Conclusions Players experiencing well-outlined pain area on the second post-match day were more likely to incur a time-loss muscle injury in the subsequent days compared to those experiencing spreading pain or no pain.

Unmasking mental health symptoms in female professional football players: a 12-month follow-up study

ObjectiveTo calculate the prevalence rates of mental health symptoms among female professional football players over a 12-month period and to explore the associations of severe injury and related surgery with...

Is digit ratio (2D:4D) a biomarker for lactate? Evidence from a cardiopulmonary test on professional male footballers

BackgroundLactate accumulation is associated with vigorous exercise, cardiovascular disease and a number of cancers. Digit ratio (2D:4D) has also been linked to oxygen metabolism, myocardial infarction and various cancers. Such similarities suggest the possibility that 2D:4D is a biomarker of lactate. Here, we consider the relationship between 2D:4D and lactate during an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test. MethodThe participants were male professional football players. The treadmill test began at a speed of 8 km/h when the first lactate measurement was taken. The speed was increased by 2 km/h every 3.15 min, with measurements at 10, 12, 14 and 16 km/h. ResultsThere were 72 Caucasian and 7 Black participants, results are reported for the most numerous group. Lactate levels increased with running speed and were not correlated with age, body size or body composition. Median splits of digit ratios (right, left and right-left 2D:4D [Dr-l]) were calculated. In comparison to the Low ratio group, the High ratio group showed higher lactate levels across speeds. Effect sizes varied from very large to huge (right 2D:4D), large (left 2D:4D) and medium (Dr-l). At the individual level, positive correlations between digit ratios and lactate at the five different speeds varied from large (right 2D:4D), medium (left 2D:4D) and small (Dr-l). ConclusionThere were large positive associations between right 2D:4D and lactate at all running speeds. We discuss our findings in relation to oxygen metabolism and suggest that 2D:4D may be a biomarker for lactate in the wider context of the latter's importance in health and disease.

Lower extremity movement quality in professional team sport athletes: Inter-rater agreement and relationships with quantitative results from the corresponding pattern

BackgroundAdequate movement control and quality can be prerequisite functions for performance of the lower extremity. The purposes of our work were 1) to explore the agreement of an efficient test battery assessing qualitative movement execution and 2) to determine its consistency with quantitative performance tests from the corresponding movement pattern.MethodsThe participants were professional male association football players competing in the first German Bundesliga. They performed four movement quality tests (Single-limb balance squat, Balance forward hop, Balance side hop, Balance 90° rotation hop) and the corresponding performance tests (Y-balance test, Forward hop for distance, Side hop test, Square hop test). Qualitative tests were judged by two experienced raters; the ratings were compared to determine inter-rater agreement using Kappa statistics. The relationship with the quantitative tests was determined using Spearman’s rank correlations.ResultsThirty participants (19 to 33 years old) were included in this study. We found an at least substantial level of agreement (Cohen’s Kappa, 0.64-0.84) with an excellent percentage of exact (83-93%) agreement between the two raters for the movement quality tests. Our findings revealed that the quantitative test results are only slightly related to the movement quality outcomes (ρ(27) <|0.3| and P > 0.2).ConclusionsConsequently, the qualitative test results provide unique information and complement corresponding quantitative performance tests in professional football athletes. Their observational judgement of foot position, lower limb alignment and upper body control in sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes is agreeable.

Association between External Load and Injury Incidence in Professional and Elite-Youth Football Players

Association between External Load and Injury Incidence in Professional and Elite-Youth Football Players

Causes of injuries in professional football referees

The professional activity of a football referee consists of heavy loads and psychological pressure, which significantly affects his health. Unlike professional football players, referees monitor their health most of the time on their own, without having the opportunity to be under the control of sports doctors. During the research, we conducted a survey of 30 referees of the Premier League of Ukraine aged 27-45. Questions related to the occurrence and nature of injuries during various activities of a football referee were included in the questionnaire. It was found that the largest number of injuries of football referees of the Premier League of Ukraine is muscle strain that occurs during intensive work. Еhe highest number of muscle strain injuries 26.0 -1.8 occurs during the performance of the physical training test, which includes: the YO-YO test and the maximum running of 6 segments of 40 m. The number of received injuries related to problems joints, depending on sports activity, are: during training - 11.3 -0.5 injuries, during a match - 6.3 -0.9 and 8.7 -1.1 injuries - during testing. The largest number of dislocations, fractures and other injuries also occurs during training activities and is 3.1 -0.3 injuries and 2.2 -0.3 injuries, respectively.&#x0D; The age of the football referee significantly affects the number of sports injuries. Yes, referees after the age of 41 have a tendency to get muscle strains and joint inflammation. During the tests, referees get more injuries than during the game and training, which indicates that the physical training tests do not match the main motor activity.

Assessing the individual relationships between physical test improvements and external load match parameters in male professional football players-a brief report.

This study aimed to explore whether a meaningful improvement in physical performance following an in-season strength training intervention can be related to external load match parameters at an individual level in professional male football players. Eight male professional football players (25.4 ± 3.1 years, 184.1 ± 3.4 cm, 79.3 ± 2.2 kg) completed a 10-week strength intervention period in addition to football-specific training and matches. Commonly used physical and external load measures were assessed before and after intervention. Physical performance improvements had to exceed the measurement's typical error and the smallest worthwhile difference (SWD) to be considered meaningful. External load match parameters were assessed before and after the intervention period using SWD and non-overlap of all pairs (NAP) analysis. A Bayesian pairwise correlation analysis was performed to evaluate relationships between changes in physical performance and external load match parameters. Three players displayed meaningful improvements in two to five physical performance measures. However, positive changes exceeding the SWD and positive effects in NAP results were observed for all players in external load match parameters. Kendall's tau correlation analysis showed evidence (base factor >3) for only one correlation (maximum speed - decelerations, τ = -0.62) between the changes in physical performance and external load measures, while the remaining comparisons exhibited no relation. The findings suggest that improvements in physical performance may not necessarily translate to improvements in external load match parameters. Further research, with larger sample sizes, is needed to understand potential mechanisms between acute and chronic physical performance changes and football external load parameters during training and matches.

Reliability of Voluntary Response Index Analysis Using Surface Electromyography in Professional Football Players

Background: Surface electromyography (sEMG) represents a widely utilized technique in medical research. The voluntary response index (VRI) introduces a novel method for analyzing the motor control of voluntary movements via sEMG. This study aimed to assess the reliability of VRI and breakpoint angles (BPA) among professional football players during the Nordic Hamstring test (NHT). Methods: This study included 24 healthy professional football players. Through the use of sEMG, two aspects of VRI [magnitude (MAG) and similarity index (SI)] were evaluated during the NHT. Additionally, BPAs were determined by capturing slow-motion videos of functional tasks. The test-retest reliability across three trials was determined using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The reliability of the VRI components during the NHT was found to be excellent. The ICC for MAG was 0.9 and 0.81 for the SI. Breakpoint angles exhibited moderate reliability (ICC = 0.65) during a functional task. The SI displayed a lower standard error of measurement (SEM = 0.07). The MAG’s SEM was 0.25, while BPA’s SEM was 17.8. Conclusions: The analysis of the VRI via sEMG showed nearly perfect reliability in professional football players during the NHT, a functional task. Breakpoint angles demonstrated significant reliability. The findings of this study indicate that both VRI and BPA are reliable methods for estimating motor control during dynamic movement tasks in professional athletes.

Medical Conditions in Former Professional American-Style Football Players Are Associated With Self-Reported Clinical Features of Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome.

Consensus criteria for traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES) specify that at least one core clinical feature of cognitive impairment (CI; e.g., difficulties with memory, executive function) or neurobehavioral dysregulation (ND; e.g., explosiveness, rage, and mood lability) be present and not fully accounted for by other health disorders. Associations between self-reported symptoms that mirror the core clinical features of TES-and how they may be related to concomitant medical conditions-remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of medical conditions and football exposures with TES clinical features (CI+/-, ND+/-) in 1741 former professional American-style football (ASF) players (age, 57.7 ± 13.9 years; professional seasons, 6.6 ± 3.9 years). Demographics (age, race/ethnicity, current body mass index, age of first football exposure, use of performance-enhancing drugs, position played, and past concussion symptoms), self-reported medical conditions (anxiety, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], sleep apnea, headache, stroke, hypertension, heart disease, high cholesterol, erectile dysfunction, and low testosterone) were collected. Of 1741 participants, 7.4% were CI+ and/or ND+ (n = 129). Participants who were CI+ or ND+ were more likely to report one or more coexisting medical conditions than participants who did not report CI or ND (odds ratio [OR] = 2.04; 95% confidence interval: 1.25-3.47; p = 0.003). Separate general linear models for each medical condition that adjusted for demographics and football-related factors identified significant associations between ADHD, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, headaches, sleep apnea, anxiety, and low testosterone and CI+ and/or ND+ (ORs = 1.8-6.0). Chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) multi-variable decision tree models that incorporated medical conditions and football exposures accurately differentiated former players meeting either CI or ND clinical criteria from those meeting none (accuracy = 91.2-96.6%). CHAID identified combinations of depression, headache, sleep apnea, ADHD, and upper quartiles of concussion symptom history as most predictive of CI+ and/or ND+ status. CI+ and/or ND+ players were more likely to report medical conditions known to cause cognitive symptoms. Concussion exposure and medical conditions significantly increased the likelihood that a former ASF player would demonstrate cognitive or neurobehavioral dysfunction. Clinicians engaged with this population should consider whether treatable coexisting condition(s) could account for some portion of the clinical picture associated with TES presentation.

Clinical Outcomes and Tau Pathology in Retired Football Players: Associations With Diagnosed and Witnessed Sleep Apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (SA) is common in older men and a contributor to negative cognitive, psychiatric, and brain health outcomes. Little is known about SA in those who played contact sports and are at increased risk of neurodegenerative disease(s) and other neuropathologies associated with repetitive head impacts (RHI). In this study, we investigated the frequency of diagnosed and witnessed SA and its contribution to clinical symptoms and tau pathology using PET imaging among male former college and former professional American football players. The sample included 120 former National Football League (NFL) players, 60 former college players, and 60 asymptomatic men without exposure to RHI (i.e., controls). Diagnosed SA was self-reported, and all participants completed the Mayo Sleep Questionnaire (MSQ, informant version), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), neuropsychological testing, and tau (flortaucipir) PET imaging. Associations between sleep indices (diagnosed SA, MSQ items, and the ESS) and derived neuropsychological factor scores, self-reported depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II [BDI-II]), informant-reported neurobehavioral dysregulation (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version [BRIEF-A] Behavioral Regulation Index [BRI]), and tau PET uptake, were tested. Approximately 36.7% of NFL players had diagnosed SA compared with 30% of the former college football players and 16.7% of the controls. Former NFL players and college football players also had higher ESS scores compared with the controls. Years of football play was not associated with any of the sleep metrics. Among the former NFL players, diagnosed SA was associated with worse Executive Function and Psychomotor Speed factor scores, greater BDI-II scores, and higher flortaucipir PET standard uptake value ratios, independent of age, race, body mass index, and APOE ε4 gene carrier status. Higher ESS scores correlated with higher BDI-II and BRIEF-A BRI scores. Continuous positive airway pressure use mitigated all of the abovementioned associations. Among the former college football players, witnessed apnea and higher ESS scores were associated with higher BRIEF-A BRI and BDI-II scores, respectively. No other associations were observed in this subgroup. Former elite American football players are at risk of SA. Our findings suggest that SA might contribute to cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and tau outcomes in this population. Like all neurodegenerative diseases, this study emphasizes the multifactorial contributions to negative brain health outcomes and the importance of sleep for optimal brain health.

Relationship between functional movement screen scores and postural stability in football players: An asymmetrical approach

Introduction: Unilateral preference is dominant due to the intensive use of sport-specific movements in football. However, little is known about the possible correlation between unilateral functional movement and the center of pressure-based postural performance. The main aim of this study is to examine the correlation between functional movement screen (FMS) and postural stability in football players from an asymmetrical perspective. Materials and Methods: Fifty professional football players (male n = 25; age 21.40 ± 1.94 years; female n = 25; age 21.04 ± 1.24 years) volunteered for this study. All subjects completed a FMS test consisting of seven items and postural sway measures for dominant and non-dominant sides. Spearman’s correlation and the Mann-Whitney U-test were used for statistical processing. Results: A negative correlation was found between dominant and non-dominant sides FMS in scores and postural sway parameters in both male and female groups (p &lt; .05). Hurdle step (HS) and rotary stability (RS) proved to be strong predictors of postural stability for both groups (p &lt; .001). No significant differences were observed between dominant and nondominant sides in FMS items and postural sway parameters in both groups (p &gt; .05). Conclusions: The correlation of the FMS and postural sway measures may be useful to identify possible postural problems in football players. Therefore, the FMS test may be preferred by practitioners and physiotherapists.

Energy expenditure and dietary intake in professional female football players in the Dutch Women’s League: Implications for nutritional counselling

ABSTRACT In contrast to male football players, research on the nutritional requirements of female football players is limited. This study aimed to assess total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) in professional female football players, along with body composition, physical activity and dietary intake. This observational study included 15 professional football players playing in the highest Dutch Women’s League. TDEE was assessed by doubly labelled water over 14 days, along with resting metabolic rate (RMR; ventilated hood), fat-free mass (FFM; dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), and dietary intake (24-h recalls). Physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) was derived from subtracting RMR and estimated diet-induced thermogenesis (10%) from TDEE. TDEE was 2882 ± 278 kcal/day (58 ± 5 kcal/kg FFM) and significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with FFM (r = 0.62). PAEE was 1207 ± 213 kcal/d. Weighted energy intake was 2344 kcal [2023–2589]. Carbohydrate intakes were 3.2 ± 0.7, 4.4 ± 1.1 and 5.3 ± 1.9 g/kg body mass for rest, training and match days, respectively, while weighted mean protein intake was 1.9 ± 0.4 g/kg body mass. In conclusion, the energy requirements of professional female football players are moderate to high and can be explained by the substantial PAEE. To fuel these requirements, sports nutritionists should consider shifting the players’ focus towards prioritizing adequate carbohydrate intakes, rather than emphasizing high protein consumption.

External Workload Evolution and Comparison across a Pre-Season in Belgian Professional Football Players: A Pilot Study

The pre-season plays a crucial role in the preparation of professional football players, as it allows for an extensive focus on training sessions compared to the more congested schedules during the in-season period, especially in professional football leagues. This study aimed to describe the workload during a 6-week pre-season in Belgian professional football players and to analyse and compare the workloads for players in each microcycle according to several variables of external workload (e.g., distance covered at some velocities). Seventeen male Belgian professional football players competing in the second division of the Belgian league system participated in the study. Throughout the 6 weeks, the players were closely monitored during both training sessions and friendly matches using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. Several parameters, including total distance covered and distance at different velocities, were recorded. Accelerating and decelerating distances, as well as the number of sprints, were also captured. Statistical analysis was based on a repeated measures ANOVA, percentage dynamics, and effect size calculations. The results obtained showed a progressive increase in the distance travelled at different intensities from week 1 (i.e., lower values) to week 3 (i.e., higher values), with reductions in these values in week 6, prior to the start of the official competition. Similarly, the peak of accelerations and decelerations were observed in week 2 and week 3, with decrements at the end of the pre-season period. This comprehensive investigation attempts to shed light on the effects and dynamic changes in external workload during the crucial pre-season, contributing valuable insights for coaches and practitioners in football conditioning and training programs, especially concerning optimal preparation for the beginning of the league’s season.

Eating Disorders Risk Assessment and Body Esteem among Amateur and Professional Football Players.

The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of eating disorders and attitudes toward one's own body among football players at amateur and professional levels. The study included 90 players from football clubs located in the Upper Silesia Metropolitan Area, participating in the 4th and 5th leagues in Poland. A survey questionnaire was used to conduct the study, which consisted of a metric section, an Eating Attitudes Test, and Body Esteem Scale questionnaires. The players were divided into two groups according to their sports level. Results showed that 24.4% of players were overweight, while 75.6% had a normative body weight. Approximately 16.7% met the criteria indicating susceptibility to an eating disorder. Body Esteem Scale interpretations revealed moderate body appraisal among players. Both amateur and professional athletes showed no significant difference in eating disorder risk, but professionals rated their bodies higher. Social media use, particularly on Twitter and Instagram, is correlated with eating disorders, with longer daily use associated with lower body ratings.

Body composition, anaerobic power, lower extremity strength in football players: Acute effect on different leagues

The aim of the study was to compare differences in body composition, lower extremity strength, and anaerobic power characteristics among professional football players at different league levels. A total of seventy-one volunteer players aged between eighteen and thirty-five years (mean age: 23.14 ± 4.23 years) participated in the study, representing the Super League, 1st League, and 2nd League. The participants' body compositions were measured using the DXA (Hologic QDR Series, Delphi A model, Bedford, MA, USA) bioelectrical impedance analyzer, CounterMovement Jump (CMJ) strength with the ChronoJump Smartspeed Mat (INEFC, Barcelona), and Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) tests were conducted. ANOVA was used to compare multiple groups, and the Duncan multiple comparison tests were conducted in cases where differences were observed to determine which group the difference favored. The results revealed that Super League players statistically possessed more significant values in body composition compared to 1st and 2nd League players and demonstrated significantly higher values in terms of jump height, maximum force output, and anaerobic power compared to 1st and 2nd League players (p

ACTN3 XX Genotype Negatively Affects Running Performance and Increases Muscle Injury Incidence in LaLiga Football Players.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the ACTN3 rs1815739 polymorphism with match running performance and injury incidence in top-level professional football players. A total of 315 top-level professional football players from the first division of Spanish football (i.e., LaLiga) participated in this prospective and descriptive study. The ACTN3 rs1815739 genotype was identified for each player using genomic DNA samples. During LaLiga 2021-2022, players' performance was obtained through a validated camera system in all official matches. Additionally, the incidence of non-contact injuries was obtained by each team's medical staff according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) statement. From the study sample, 116 (36.8%) players had the RR genotype, 156 (49.5%) had the RX genotype, and 43 (13.7%) had the XX genotype. The anthropometric characteristics of the players were similar across genotypes. However, the total running distance (p = 0.046), the distance at 21.0-23.9 km/h (p = 0.042), and the number of sprints (p = 0.042) were associated with the ACTN3 genotype. In all these variables, XX players had lower match performance values than RR players. Additionally, total and match injury incidences were higher in XX players than in RR players (p = 0.026 and 0.009, respectively). The rate of muscle injuries was also higher in XX players (p = 0.016). LaLiga football players with the ACTN3 XX genotype had lower match running performance and a higher incidence of non-contact injuries over the season.

Online longitudinal monitoring of brain health in former contact sport athletes: A study of acceptability and ethicality

AbstractRetrospective studies reveal that retired professional football players are at an increased risk of dementia. Prospective, longitudinal evidence in athletes diverse in sex, playing level, age and sport are now needed to understand the link between contact sport and dementia. The SCORES (Screening Cognitive Outcomes after Repetitive head impact Exposure in Sport) project investigates brain health online of former contact and non‐contact sport athletes as they age. Longitudinal study success is dependent on recruitment and retention. Both are influenced by perceived acceptability of participation. The SCORES project also offers regular feedback on assessment performance to participants, which raises ethical challenges. This study was designed to explore acceptability of the SCORES project to improve recruitment, retention and ensure ethicality amongst participants. Eight participants were purposively sampled and interviewed based on Sekhon's theoretical framework for assessing acceptability. Responses were analysed deductively against this framework. Main findings were that promoting altruistic and personal benefits of participation could aid recruitment. Conversely, computer literacy and the possibility of discovering a decline in their brain health was a potential barrier. Participants identified clarity of instructions, regular non‐intrusive researcher contact, low assessment burden, emphasis on participation as voluntary and the promotion of a community as avenues towards improving retention. They identified assessment frustration and challenging assessments as possible reasons for attrition. Participants viewed feedback as both necessary and important and made suggestions for ensuring ethicality. Findings from this study demonstrate how longitudinal online studies of athletes can be improved to aid recruitment, retention and ethicality.

Development and validation of an interview guide for examining the effects of sports careers on the quality of life of retired Portuguese football players.

Considering the importance of assessing the impacts resulting from a sport career, this study aimed at developing and validating a semi-structure interview guide suitable for quantifying the sociodemographic and epidemiological profile of former professional football players. Based on the theoretical frameworks and several methodological procedures, an interview guide was developed, consisting of 3 areas of conceptual organization (A1. Biographical data; A2. Professional Career; and A3. Post-Career Transition) and 8 data collection categories (C1. Personal data; C2. Professional data; C3. Sociodemographic background; C4. Epidemiological pathway; C5. Moment of career retirement (career transition); C6. Post-career sociodemographic pathway; C7. Post-career epidemiological pathway; and C8. Perceptions of post-career planning). Thus, in procedural terms, four stages were considered for the construction and validation of the interview guide, namely the Ad hoc construction of the interview guide (i), the review of the in-terview guide by a panel of experts (ii), definition of procedures and protocol for the application of the interview (iii), and the application of the pilot study for the face validation of the interview guide (iv). The sample consisted of two former Portuguese professional players. To analyze and discuss the data, a content analysis was carried out on all the answers given to each question in the script by the interviewees. From them, matrices were created with the response references to each subcategory. In this way, it was possible to analyse the type of answers given by the interviewees and relate them to the theoretical perspectives of the topic being investigated. The results showed that the interview guide for the study of the impacts of the sports careers on the quality of life of Portuguese former football players shows reliability for the collection of qualitative and quantitative information from the respective content analysis. The use of the interview guide characterizes the path of former player, providing information and knowledge on the sociodemographic and epidemiological impact factors resulting from their post-career.

Lesão Aguda do Músculo Longo Adutor num Jogador de Futebol Profissional

Acute injury to the adductor muscle is common in football players, has a good prognosis and causes fewer days of absence from sports compared to injuries to other muscle groups. An acute injury causes intense pain and requires immediate sports cessation. The diagnosis is clinical and is supported by magnetic resonance imaging, which is considered the exam of reference. In this text we describe the clinical case of a right-handed professional football player, who suffered an injury to the left adductor longus muscle, classified as 2b (British classification of muscle injuries). Multidisciplinary and player involvement, application of load to the muscle from the beginning and respect for pain throughout the process allowed the player to participate in an official football game nine days after the injury.