Professional Soccer Team Research Articles

“Say hello to Halo”: the halo effect in sports

In daily life, people tend to use mental shortcuts to simplify and speed up their decision-making processes. A halo effect exists if the impression created by a dominant attribute influences how other attributes of an object or subject are judged. It involves a cognitive bias that leads to distorted assessments. However, the halo effect has barely been researched in a sports-related context, although it can substantially contribute to understanding how sport fans think and behave. The objective of this paper is to answer the question that is of interest for both theory and practice of sports marketing: Is there a halo effect in sports? Does the sporting success or failure of a professional soccer team radiate or even outshine other sports-related and non-sports aspects and influence or distort how the club is perceived by its fans? Fans of six soccer clubs selected from the first German soccer league Bundesliga were interviewed. This paper presents the results of an empirical study based on a data set consisting of a total of 4,180 cases. The results of the analyses substantiate the distortion of the fans’ perception with regard to a very diverse range of aspects that is triggered by the sporting success or failure of their favorite club.

Predicting Future Perceived Wellness in Professional Soccer: The Role of Preceding Load and Wellness.

The influence of preceding load and future perceived wellness of professional soccer players is unexamined. This paper simultaneously evaluates the external load (EL) and internal load (IL) for different time frames in combination with presession wellness to predict future perceived wellness using machine learning techniques. Training and match data were collected from a professional soccer team. The EL was measured using global positioning system technology and accelerometry. The IL was obtained using the rating of perceived exertion multiplied by duration. Predictive models were constructed using gradient-boosted regression trees (GBRT) and one naive baseline method. The individual predictions of future wellness items (ie,fatigue, sleep quality, general muscle soreness, stress levels, and mood) were based on a set of EL and IL indicators in combination with presession wellness. The EL and IL were computed for acute and cumulative time frames. The GBRT model's performance on predicting the reported future wellness was compared with the naive baseline's performance by means of absolute prediction error and effect size. The GBRT model outperformed the baseline for the wellness items such as fatigue, general muscle soreness, stress levels, and mood. In addition, only the combination of EL, IL, and presession perceived wellness resulted in nontrivial effects for predicting future wellness. Including the cumulative load did not improve the predictive performances. The findings may indicate the importance of including both acute load and presession perceived wellness in a broad monitoring approach in professional soccer.

Distribution of External Load During Acquisition Training Sessions and Match Play of a Professional Soccer Team.

Castillo, D, Raya-González, J, Weston, M, and Yanci, J. Distribution of external load during acquisition training sessions and match play of a professional soccer team. J Strength Cond Res 35(12): 3453-3458, 2021-The aim of this study was to use global position systems to analyze the external loads of the 3 different acquisition training sessions (ATS) with competitive matches in professional soccer players over a 6-week period. Sixteen professional soccer players participated in the study, which analyzed the distribution of external load during the training microcycle of a professional soccer team. The 3 types of ATS undertaken by the players were as follows: ATS1 (strength), ATS2 (endurance), and ATS3 (speed). The total distance covered, the distance covered at above 14 km·h-1, the distance covered >21 km·h-1, the number of high accelerations (>3 m·s-2), and player load were recorded. The results showed that external loads were consistently higher during matches when compared with all training sessions (range of effect sizes: 1.06-3.38). Between training session comparisons revealed higher external loads during ATS1 and ATS2, when compared with ATS3 (range of effect sizes: 0.60-2.41). The only external load variable that differed between ATS1 and ATS2 was the distance covered >21 km·h-1, which was higher for ATS1. Our findings suggest that technical staff should consider the physical demands of weekly periodization to understand the training process regarding optimizing player physical performance.

Contextual Variables and Training Load Throughout a Competitive Period in a Top-Level Male Soccer Team.

Rago, V, Rebelo, A, Krustrup, P, and Mohr, M. Contextual variables and training load throughout a competitive period in a top-level male soccer team. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3177-3183, 2021-The aim of the present study was to investigate and quantify the weekly training load (TL) according to different match-related contextual factors in a professional male soccer team (n = 23). Training load was quantified using a 10-Hz global positioning system with integrated 100-Hz accelerometer and heart rate recordings over a 3-month competitive period. Total distance (TD) covered and high-speed running (HSR, >16 km·h-1) during training were higher in the week after playing against a bottom-level or top-level opponent compared to a medium-level opponent (p < 0.05; effect size [ES] = 0.30-1.04). TD was also higher when preparing for a match against a bottom-level opponent (p < 0.05; ES = 0.39-0.76). In addition, the percentage of HSR was higher after playing a bottom-level compared to a medium-level opponent (p < 0.001; ES = 0.49 [0.27; 0.71]). TD covered was higher in the week following a draw or a win, and higher before a loss compared to a draw (p < 0.05, ES = 0.32-0.81). Both absolute HSR and HSR expressed as percentage of TD were higher before losing and winning a match compared to a draw (p < 0.05; ES = 0.72-0.98). Weekly TL seems to be slightly affected by match-related contextual variables, with special emphasis on the opponent standard and match outcome. Higher training volume was observed before and after playing against a top-level opponent, and after losing a match, whereas the volume of high-intensity training seems to be higher when preparing for a game against a top-level opponent. Future experimental research should clarify the interaction between match-related contextual variables (e.g., cause) and weekly TL (e.g., effect).

Performance Activities and Match Outcomes of Professional Soccer Teams during the 2016/2017 Serie A Season

Background and Objectives: Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. To describe athletic performance, match statistics, and their relationships with the probability of achieving the first positions of the final ranking in the Italian football league “Serie A”, season 2016/2017. Materials and Methods: Analyses comprised all the matches played by the 20 teams of the “Serie A” championship during the season 2016–2017. Indicators of athletic performance (total distance covered in km, jogging, running and sprint activities, and average speed) and match statistics (total shots, shots on target, goal attempts, assists, turnovers, and steals) were obtained from the Italian football league. Results: Analyses of performance activities according to the final ranking showed no significant differences for the total distance covered and speed, while a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) among teams was observed for jogging, running and sprint activities. In regard to match statistics, all the parameters investigated were significantly different among the teams. By grouping teams into four subgroups (those who qualified for the Champions League, those who qualified for the Europe League, those who ranked intermediate positions and those who relegated from the “Serie A” league), the percentage of jogging, running and sprint activities, as well as match statistics were significantly different among groups, with a downward trend for total shots, shots on target, goal attempts, assists, and turnovers. The logistic regression analysis revealed that sprint activities as well as total shots, shots on target, goal attempts, and assists higher than the 3rd tertile of their distribution were associated with a higher probability of reaching the first three positions of the final ranking. Conclusions: An increased probability to achieve the first positions of the final ranking in the Italian football league “Serie A” seemed to be mainly related to sprint activity, goal attempts, total shots, shots on target and assists.

Are acceleration and cardiovascular capacities related to perceived load in professional soccer players?

ABSTRACTThis study aims at assessing physical fitness performance and its relationship with the differential ratings of perceived exertion of training load (dRPE TL) and match load (dRPE ML) in a Spanish professional soccer team at the beginning of several in-season periods: 1–4 weeks, 5–8 weeks and 1–8 weeks. Performance and mechanical variables over the acceleration phase, as well as cardiovascular performance variables were evaluated in 20 male professional soccer players of a team competing in the Spanish Second Division League. Moreover, dRPE TL and dRPE ML were quantified. The dRPE TL showed negative and large associations between both maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) (from r = −0.53; ± 0.06 to r = −0.53; ± 0.05 95% CL, p = 0.035 to 0.036) and RPEres TL values throughout the 5–8 and 1–8 week periods. Furthermore, dRPE ML positive and large associations were found between players initial MAS or VO2max (from r = 0.50; ± 0.17 to r = 0.56; ± 0.11 95% CL, p = 0.026 to 0.049) and RPEmus ML in 1–4 and 1–8 week periods. The current study suggests that a better cardiovascular capacity could be connected with a lower RPEres TL and higher RPEmus ML.

INFLUENCIA DE LA SUPERSTICIÓN EN EL RENDIMIENTO DEPORTIVO DE UN EQUIPO PROFESIONAL DE FÚTBOL DE COLOMBIA: UN ESTUDIO DE CASO

Este trabajo investigativo-estudio de caso, tiene como propósito comprender la influencia que tiene la superstición y los rituales religiosos, instaurados por una líder espiritual, sobre el rendimiento deportivo de un equipo profesional de fútbol. Para llevar a cabo el desarrollo de este artículo se realizó una investigación de tipo cualitativa y se diseñó un análisis de las narrativas y conductas, de los principales jugadores del equipo deportivo y de la líder espiritual, por medio de entrevistas radiales y un documental, que se transcribieron para poder analizar aquellas palabras más usadas en cada discurso por medio de un generador de nubes; luego se correlacionaban, estas palabras, con la ficha de aceptación o rechazo de la superstición de De Miguel et al., (2012).&#x0D; Se encontró que las conductas supersticiosas generan un aumento de la confianza, producto de la relación causal que hacen los deportistas entre los rituales realizados y las victorias conseguidas inmediatamente después. Se identificó, además, que al considerar real esta situación, se implementa una sensación de control sobre las circunstancias, lo que produce un aumento de la motivación al momento de competir.

Quantifying the physical loading of five weeks of pre-season training in professional soccer teams from Dutch and Portuguese leagues

The purpose of this study was to quantify the physical loads of programmed pre-season training in four different professional Dutch and Portuguese soccer teams. Eighty-nine professional players were monitored daily during a five-week period. We monitored the physical loading of training by measuring the external load measures of total distance covered, walking distance, jogging distance, running distance, sprinting distance, high-intensity sprint distance, player's load and number of sprints using a 10 Hz GPS technology. Weekly external load and intra-week external load variations were tested. Repeated measures did not show significant differences between weeks in terms of weekly loads based on total distance and sprinting distance. Significant differences were found between training days considering the duration (p = .011), walking distance (p = .017), running distance (p = .004), player's load (p = .040) and number of sprints (p = .006). Variations between weeks were small, however intra-week variations were observed namely considering the measures associated with great volume and lower intensity.

Impacto de la intervención del fisioterapeuta en fútbol profesional

Actualmente, el fútbol es un deporte de alta competencia a nivel mundial y es por eso que diversas áreas del conocimiento trabajan con equipos deportivos alrededor del mundo. Los equipos deportivos, están conformados por diversos profesionales que buscan que el deportista esté a su máximo nivel. Por ejemplo, el equipo médico es vital en procesos de prevención y recuperación de jugadores profesionales de fútbol. Por tal motivo, el objetivo de este artículo es realizar un estudio cuasi-experimental utilizando un protocolo de prevención de lesiones, programa de recuperación y manejo de hidratación con el fin de observar índices estadísticos en relación a la morbilidad y producción del servicio médico de un equipo profesional de fútbol.

Characterization of the Weekly External Load Profile of Professional Soccer Teams from Portugal and the Netherlands.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the day-to-day variance of a typical weekly external training workload of two professional soccer teams from different countries. Twenty-nine players from two professional teams from Portugal and the Netherlands participated in this study. The players’ external load was monitored for 7 weeks, by means of portable GPS devices (10 Hz, JOHAN, Noordwijk, Netherlands). Results revealed that match day -1 (MD-1), i.e. the training day before a match, had significantly (p = 0.001) less training volume (4584.50 m) than the other days. MD-5 (training five days before a match), MD-4 (four days before a match) and MD-3 (three days before a match) were the most intense (390.83, 176.90 and 247.32 m of sprinting distance, respectively) and with large volume (7062.66, 6077.30 and 6919.49 m, respectively). Interestingly, significant differences were found between clubs of different countries (p < 0.05) with the Portuguese team showing significantly higher intensity (sprinting distance) and volume (total distance) in all days with exception of MD-1 than the Dutch team. The results of this study possibly allow for the identification of different training workloads and tapering strategies between countries in relation to volume and intensity. It should be noted, however, that both clubs used a significant tapering phase in the last two days before the competition in an attempt to reduce residual fatigue accumulation.

Management succession and success in a professional soccer team.

Research into sports team performance has shown that across many sports and league competitions, teams that change their coaches after a decline in performance do rebound, but fare no better on average than teams that have not changed their coach in a similar situation. A similar lack of succession benefits has been reported in studies of manager and CEO succession: it has not been established that changing a team’s leader improves a declining team’s performance. We study the effect of a change of coach on the performance of a professional soccer team. Based on rarely obtained access to a whole season (one year) of daily close observation of the team and coaching staff in practice and matches, this study uses quantitative and qualitative data to go beyond the “average” pattern reported in the literature. We document in detail how, in a single team case study over an entire season, the processes in leadership behavior changed with a change of coach, the effect this had on the state of mind of the team, how the match behaviors of the players changed, and how these changes translated into improved performance. The process effects of a leadership change on the performance of a sports team may hold insights for leader succession in management: in addition to the aggregate organizational and experience fit of the new team leader, the specific leadership processes introduced by the new leader are critical for performance effects.

The relationship among cohesion, transactive memory systems, and collective efficacy in professional soccer teams: A multilevel structural equation analysis.

We explored the interrelationship among cohesion, transactive memory systems (TMS), and collective efficacy in professional football. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that TMS would mediate the relationship between cohesion and collective efficacy in football teams. Furthermore, we explored the specific effects of task and social cohesion on TMS, under the hypothesis that task cohesion would be a stronger predictor of TMS akin to previous literature on the topic. Five-hundred and fifty-seven footballers (326 male and 231 female) representing 34 different teams competing in the Spanish League First and Second Division “b” participated in the study. Multi-level structural equation modelling analysis revealed that TMS mediated the cohesion-collective efficacy linkage. However, when examining the specific effects of task and social cohesion our analysis suggested that cohesion was exogenous to both TMS and collective efficacy, which in turn correlated with one another (i.e., reciprocal effect relationship). Our findings also revealed that task cohesion had a stronger impact on TMS and collective efficacy than social cohesion. Taken together, these findings suggest that the relationship among cohesion and other team processes may yield equivalent and non-equivalent models of different structural shapes. In practice, these findings highlight the need to develop integrated team dynamics interventions as cohesion influences TMS, which in turn influences collective efficacy and vice-versa. In other words, the higher the “togetherness”, the higher information sharing (TMS) and mutual trust in the team.

Defensive positioning on the pitch in relation with situational variables of a professional football team during regaining possession

PurposeTo analyse how the quality of opposition, match location, and match status affect the positioning of the team during ball recovery.MethodsOverall, 510 ball recovery situations from a professional soccer team were analysed with a tracking system (AmiscoPro). Five compound positional variables (team compactness [TC ], compactness behind ball location [CB ], compactness forward ball location [CF], team width [TW], and game centre index [GC]) and three situational variables (match location, quality of opposition, and match status) were considered in this study. Data were examined with the use of a linear regression model.ResultsThe GC was reduced by 1.391 meters (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05) and TW was advanced by 2.204 meters (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05) when the team was winning and losing, respectively, as compared with when the scores were even. Playing against strong opposition increased CF by 3.055 meters (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05). No effects were detected on TC or CB.ConclusionsThe team modifies the tactics as a consequence of the match conditions. Different field positions emerge in relation with situational variables. This information can be used to better understand the positional behaviour during ball recovery.

Reducing muscle injuries and reinjuries in one italian professional male soccer team

Reducing muscle injuries and reinjuries in one italian professional male soccer team

Enabling process of e-WOM and self-image congruence in Facebook page: a case study of passionate partisanship in the Thai professional soccer team

This research paper specifically sets out to investigate: 1) electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM); 2) self-image congruence (SIC); 3) passionate partisanship (PP) of users who follow a Thai Premier League soccer team's FB page. Using e-WOM to develop SIC among users, a team's FB page enables its fans to become one of Thailand's largest PP groups. The contributions of this paper are threefold: 1) the paper provides a quantitative study in social media marketing in the sports business context; 2) this research paper provides research demonstrating the uniqueness of PP as a construct in sports marketing research and practice; 3) this paper provides research evidencing that e-WOM and its mediator – SIC– are enablers of PP in a sport's team FB page. This paper provides discussion, implications, and limitations together with suggestions for future research before ending with conclusions.

Enabling process of e-WOM and self-image congruence in Facebook page: a case study of passionate partisanship in the Thai professional soccer team

Enabling process of e-WOM and self-image congruence in Facebook page: a case study of passionate partisanship in the Thai professional soccer team

AGGRESSION IN PROFESSIONAL FEMALE DEFENDER SOCCER PLAYERS

The goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of competition on brain activity representing aggression. Quantitative electroencephalograms (QEEGs) of Thai professional female soccer team players were analyzed in terms of aggression. The QEEGs of 17 soccer players were recorded three times: twice before a competition (once per week) and one week after the competition. There was a significant increase in the beta frequency band associated with the Fp1, Fp2, F7, and F8 positions as the competition approached. The changes in brain activity were observed in two patterns: the first was an increase in the intensity level of brain processing (presented in terms of brain topographic maps as absolute power), and the second was the magnitude of the amplitude at each of the EEG channels between the hemispheres (presented in terms of brain connectivity as amplitude asymmetry). Consequently, QEEG values were examined as they related to aggression. In the statistical analysis, paired-sample t tests confirmed that an aggressive phenomenon occurred as the competition approached. In addition, the aggressive phenomenon was found in the brain activity of players with defensive soccer positions.

Travel fatigue and sleep/wake behaviors of professional soccer players during international competition

ObjectiveThe magnitude of travel completed by professional Australian soccer teams during domestic competition is substantial. The inclusion of Australian soccer teams into the Asian Champions league has seen additional stress placed on soccer players' training and competition schedules. For management staff, the complexity of organizing training and travel schedules during domestic competition and the Asian Champions league is challenging. DesignCase study. ParticipantsSeven male professional soccer players (mean ± SD: age 25.2 ± 3.2 years, height 182.8 ± 5.2 cm, body mass 84.6 ± 7.4 kg). MeasurementsThis study examined the sleep and fatigue levels of Australian soccer players during an intensive home and away travel schedule during the Asian Champions league. Seven male professional soccer players’ (mean ± SD: age 25.2 ± 3.2 years, height 182.8 ± 5.2 cm, body mass 84.6 ± 7.4 kg) sleep/wake behavior was assessed using sleep diaries and wrist activity monitors for 19 days, including 9 days before, 5 days during, and 4 days after a home and away group stage match of the Asian Champions league. Analyses examined differences in sleep/wake behavior and fatigue levels between day type (training day, rest day, pregame, and postgame) and between sleep location (Adelaide, during flight, and Hiroshima). ResultsSleep/wake behavior and fatigue levels were poorest the night immediately after games compared to the night before games, training days, and rest days. Soccer players' sleep/wake behaviors were disrupted during flights such that they obtained 3.6 hours less sleep during flights compared to sleep in Adelaide (7.0 ± 1.6 hours) and Hiroshima (7.0 ± 2.1 hours). ConclusionThe sleep/wake behaviors of professional soccer players are compromised when they are required to travel and compete in multiple matches within a short period of time.

In-season training load quantification of one-, two- and three-game week schedules in a top European professional soccer team

Top European soccer teams that play in UEFA competitions often participate in one, two- or three-games per week. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure optimal match-day performance and full recovery. The aim of this study was to quantify internal and external training load (TL) within five microcycles: M1 and M2 – one-game weeks; M3 and M4 – two-game weeks; M5 – three-game week). Thirteen elite soccer players participated in this study. A global positioning system (GPS) was used to measure the total distance covered and distances of different exercise training zones (1–5), the session ratings of perceived exertion (s-RPE) scores and the amount of creatine kinase (CK) created during daily training sessions for the 2015–2016 in-season period. The data were analysed with respect to the number of days prior to a given match. The main results indicate that there was a significant difference in training intensity for zone 1 between M2 and M4 (4010.2 ± 103.5 and 4507.6 ± 133.0 m, respectively); a significant difference in training intensity for zone 3 between M1 and M5 (686.1 ± 42.8 and 801.2 ± 61.2 m, respectively); a significant difference in the duration of the training sessions and matches between M2 and M5 (69.2 ± 2.1 and 79.6 ± 2.3) and M3 and M5 (69.7 ± 1.0 and 79.6 ± 2.3); and finally, there was a significant difference in CK between M3 and M2 (325.5 ± 155.0 and 194.4 ± 48.9). Moreover, there was a significant decrease in TL in the last day prior to a match, for all microcycles and all variables. There was no significant difference with respect to s-RPE. This study provides the first report of daily external and internal TLs and weekly accumulated load (training sessions and match demands) during one, two, and three-game week schedules in a group of elite soccer players. Expected significant differences are found in daily and accumulated loads for within- and between-game schedules. A similar pattern is exhibited for one- and two-game week microcycles regarding the day before the match, which exhibits a decrease in all variables. Despite the different number of games played per week, TL remain similar between microcycles for zone 2 and 5, plus s-RPE.

프로축구구단의 아이덴티티와 구단이미지 및 구단 평판과의 구조적 관계

The purpose of this study is to analyze the structural relatiosnhip among professional soccer team identity, team image and team reputation. The study was analyzed using frequency analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and structura lequation model. The result stated, first, professional soccer team identity had an effect on team image. Second, prosfesional soccer team identity had an effect on team reputation. Third, team image had an effect on team reputiaon. In conclusion, the club should show its sincere appearance to sports fans and provide them with services. Accordingly, fans can recognize the team’s image positively and ultimately expect its friendly reputation.