Profile Of Players Research Articles

Short-term Plyometric and Jump Rope Training Effect on Body Profile and Athletic Performance in Adolescent Basketball Players

Background: Recent research has focused on the effects of different types of strength training on the performance and body profile of adolescent athletes. However, the effects of short-term plyometric and jump rope training on body profile and athletic performance in adolescent basketball players are a matter of curiosity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of short-term plyometric and jump rope training on body profile and athletic performance in adolescent basketball players. Methods: Twenty-two basketball players aged 13 - 15 were randomly divided into two groups as plyometric (n = 11) and jump rope training group (n = 11). All participants regularly completed to plyometric or jump rope training as 10 units for 4-weeks in addition to basketball training. Somatotype, body composition, push-up & sit-up test, sprint, agility (Illinois & hexagon), jump (vertical, squat, horizontal, plyometric) tests were measured before and end of the study. Results: The push-up (P = 0.049 vs < 0.001), sit-up (P = 0.20 vs < 0.001), squat jump (P = 0.010 vs 0.003) and horizontal jump (P = 0.028 vs 0.014) of the players were significantly increased after 4-weeks plyometric and jump rope training. In addition, plyometric jump (P = 0.007) and hexagon performance (P = 0.001) were significantly increased in jump rope training group. At the end of 4-weeks, body mass, endomorphy and ectomorphy scores of the lower limb plyometric training group, and body mass index, endomorphy & mesomorphy scores and quadriceps circumference of the jump rope training group were significantly increased. Conclusions: Short-term plyometric and jump rope training affect the body profile and athletic performance of the adolescent basketball players, but jump rope training has a more significant effect on athletic performance than plyometric training. Therefore, jump rope training is recommended for coaches who want to gain more athletic performance in a short-term.

Effect of playing position and microcycle days on the acceleration speed profile of elite football players

The aim of this study was to analyse the differences in the A–S profile of elite football players induced by playing position and the microcycle day. Players belonged to a second division club in the Spanish La Liga competition. They were classified into five playing positions: central defenders (CD), full backs (FB), midfielders (MF), wide midfielders (WMF) and forwards (FW). Microcycle days were categorised according to the days until matchday (MD, MD-1, MD-2, MD-3, MD-4 and MD-5). Data was collected along six microcycles, including one match per microcycle. The variables analysed were: maximal theoretical acceleration (A0), maximal theoretical speed (S0), maximal acceleration (ACCmax), maximal speed (Smax) and A–S slope (ASslope). Significant differences were found within positions and microcycle day for all variables (p < 0.05). Match day (MD) showed greater values than the training sessions in A0, ACCmax and Smax (p < 0.05). The highest values for variables associated with acceleration capabilities were found in CD on MD, whereas speed variables were higher in WMF. MD-2 showed the lowest values in all variables except for ASslope. Maximal acceleration and sprint abilities are therefore affected by playing position. Wide positions showed the highest speed capacity, and CD presented a likely acceleration profile. Higher values for all variables concerning the microcycle day, were achieved on MD, and were not reproduced during training with the consequent injury risk and performance decrease it takes.

Compliance With In-Home Self-Managed Rehabilitation Post-Stroke is Largely Independent of Scheduling Approach

ObjectiveTo investigate how participants self-schedule their engagement with domestic rehabilitation gaming platform, and how their scheduling behavior in turn influence overall compliance. DesignCohort of individuals randomized to receive in-home rehabilitation gaming during a multi-site randomized controlled trial. SettingIn-home self-managed rehabilitation. ParticipantsEighty community-dwelling participants who were >6 months post-stroke and had mild to moderate upper extremity impairment (N=80). InterventionsParticipants were prescribed 15 hours of independent in-home self-scheduled game play for upper extremity mobility over 3 weeks. Main Outcome MeasuresTotal number of hours of active game play was objectively measured by the rehabilitation gaming system. Cluster analysis identified scheduling patterns from the following scheduling characteristics: total number of sessions, average session length, and consistency of play schedule. ResultsFour distinct scheduling profiles were revealed, 3 of which were associated with complete or near-complete compliance, while a fourth (inconsistent schedule of short, infrequent sessions) was associated with very poor compliance. Poor compliance could be predicted within the first 7 days of the program with 78% accuracy based on the same play pattern metrics used to identify player profiles. ConclusionsOur findings support client autonomy in selecting the home practice schedule that works best for them, as compliance can successfully be achieved through a variety of different scheduling patterns. The objective measurements of compliance provided through rehabilitation gaming can assist therapists to identify individuals early on who exhibit scheduling behavior that is predictive of poor compliance.

Macro periodisation of competition in international women’s tennis: a long-term athlete development perspective

Introduction: Competition profiles of future successful female tennis players are limited to anecdotal evidence and case reports. Consequently, Federations are challenged in providing empirically supported recommendations to players that align with previous research on ranking trajectories that distinguish future top 100 (T100) players. Accordingly, this study differentiated the international competition engagement of elite (T100 and top 250 [T250]) female tennis players during their youth (13-18y).

Comparison of dynamic balance among football, futsal, and beach soccer players

Objective: Although football, futsal, and beach soccer have relatively different physiological requirements and playing on different surfaces is likely to impact dynamic balance at different levels, there is no study evaluating the dynamic balance of football, futsal, and beach soccer players. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the dynamic balance of football, futsal, and beach soccer players. Material and Methods: A total of 114 amateur male players registered with the Turkish Football Federation participated in the study. They were divided into three sub-groups according to their sports disciplines: football (n=41), futsal (n=39), and beach football (n=34). The modified star excursion balance test with four outcomes for each extremity as anterior (A), posterior lateral (PL), posterior medial (PM), and composite (C) score was used to measure dynamic balance. Results: Dominant side PL and C scores (p&lt;0.01, ES=0.10; p&lt;0.01, ES=0.11; respectively), and non-dominant side A, PL and C scores of beach soccer players were significantly higher comparing to futsal players (p=0.01, ES=0.07; p&lt;0.01, ES=0.08; p&lt;0.01, ES=0.08; respectively). Also, dominant side C scores of beach soccer players were significantly higher than football players (p&lt;0.02, ES=0.11). Conclusion: Findings demonstrate that the dynamic balance profile of beach soccer players was better compared with futsal players. In light of present study results, it may be beneficial for players from different sports disciplines to train on sand in order to improve dynamic balance.

Match activity profile of professional female soccer players during a season.

It is necessary to understand movement characteristics of elite female soccer players during a match to develop effective training program. The purpose of this study is to analyze the physical demands of Korean female professional soccer players during a competitive season. Twenty-four female professional players (age: 27.8±3.9 years; height: 165.7± 5.1 cm) from a team, belonging to the women's professional soccer league in South Korea participated in the study. The players participated in 11 home matches and 10 away matches from April 26 to November 9 of the 2011 season. Body weight and body mass index decreased during the first half-season compared to the preseason (P<0.05), and the decreased values were maintained until the second half-season. Total distance covered by the players was more than 9.5 km per match. No difference was found in the total distance, movement distance by exercise intensities, number of sprints and accelerations, and maximum speed between the first half- and second half-seasons. Midfielders covered the most distance during a match compared to other positions (P<0.05). Wing forward covered the most distance of high-intensity exercise. Maximum speed during the match was higher among wing forward and forward than in other positions (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between home and away matches in all variables (P>0.05). In conclusion, in order to improve the performance of female soccer players and prevent injuries, a training program should be constructed that considers the characteristics of each player and playing position rather than uniform training in a team.

Comparisons and correlations between the anthropometric profile and physical performance of professional female and male soccer players: Individualities that should be considered in training

For male soccer players, the anthropometric profile and physical performance is already known but in women it is not well documented, the knowledge of these differences can qualify the training. Therefore, the aim of this study was two-fold: (i) to compare the anthropometric profile and physical fitness of Brazilian professional female and male soccer players; and (ii) analyze the relationships between anthropometric and physical fitness measures per sex. A cross-sectional study including 92 professional soccer players 44 women and 48 men was conducted. After one week of the end of the pre-season, the players from four different teams were assessed to anthropometric profile assessments and physical performance tests (e.g., jumping, linear sprint, change-of-direction and aerobic based test). Comparisons, correlation, and effect size analysis were performed between groups. Apart from the age and change-of-direction test, all other anthropometric and physical performance variables were significant different between women and men. Men were significantly faster than women in the 20 m linear sprint test (8.87%; p &lt; .001; d = 2.382). The sum of skinfolds was correlated with some physical performance variables; however, body mass and body height were corrected with physical performance only for female soccer players. Thus, men performed better than women for most physical tests and presents differences in the anthropometric profile. Finally, coaches should consider that the anthropometric and performance profile are correlated differently between female and male soccer players. Thus, coaches should consider gender-specific parameters to create goals about the anthropometric and physical performance profile of players.

Player profiles for game‐based applications in engineering education

AbstractThe use of digital learning environments in higher education has led to design methodological strategies, like gamification, adapted to computer‐based learning. The effectiveness of gamification depends on the adaptation of the methodology to the player's profile. Four types of player profiles (Explorer, Killer, Socialized, and Achiever) are established according to the Bartle classification. In this article, quantitative research is carried out on the player profile and the one considered best for learning engineering professors. Sociological and academic aspects that influence player profile choices are also identified. A descriptive and inferential analysis of the answers given by a population of 532 engineering professors —who attended a training course on gamification in digital environments—to a survey designed by the authors was carried out. The results reveal that most engineering professors are Explorers and this is also the player profile considered best for learning, although there is a gap between the own player profile and the choice of the most effective one. The player profile shown here to be the most frequent among engineering professors differs from that attributed to students in the literature, which is Achiever. Gaps by gender, age, teaching experience, and university tenure are also identified. Universities are recommended to strengthen professor training to design personalized game‐based computing environments and to cater to differences due to several sociological and academic aspects.

Individual and strategic behaviors in a dynamic extraction problem: results from a within-subject experiment in continuous time

ABSTRACT We conduct a laboratory experiment to test a continuous-time model that represents a dynamic groundwater extraction problem in an infinite horizon. We compare the observations to the equilibrium path of the usual behaviours, for the case where the player is alone in extracting the resource (optimal control) and when two players extract the same resource simultaneously (differential game). We use a within-subjects design. This allows us to identify individual profiles of players playing alone and then characterize groups based on their composition with respect to these individual behaviours. We find that approximately a quarter of the players and groups succeed in playing (significantly) optimally, and none behave myopically. Moreover having an agent that behaved optimally in the control in the pair increases the likelihood that the group cooperates. We also identify other categories of players and groups that allows us to classify an additional 50% of the observations.

The Profile of West Sumatera Volleyball Tarkam Player

The research problem is the unknown profile of West Sumatra volleyball tarkam players related to the contract process, tariffs, facilities, insurance and motivation. This study aims to determine the profile of West Sumatra volleyball tarkam players consisting of the contract process, tariffs, facilities, insurance and motivation. This type of research is descriptive research. The population in this study were West Sumatra volleyball tarkam players totalling 36 players consisting of 26 men and 10 women. The sampling technique in this study used the Total Sampling technique, so the sample in this study was 36 players consisting of 26 men and 10 women. The instrument in this study used a questionnaire. Data analysis and hypothesis testing used descriptive quantitative statistical formulas. From the data analysis, the results obtained the profile of the West Sumatra volley ball tarkam Player which consists of the contract process, tariffs, facilities, insurance and motivation is in the sufficient category.

Anthropometric and Physiological Profiles of Hungarian Youth Male Soccer Players of Varying Ages and Playing Positions: A Multidimensional Assessment with a Critical Approach.

Background: This study aimed to create preliminary anthropometric and physiological profiles of Hungarian male soccer players belonging to different age categories (14, 15, 16, and 17–18-years) and assigned to different playing positions (forward, defender, midfielder, goalkeeper). Methods: Anthropometric and physiological profiles were created for four age groups: 14- (n = 20), 15- (n = 16), 16- (n = 22) and 17–18-year-olds (n = 23) representing the Hungarian soccer academy. Additionally, the variables were analyzed across the four player positions mentioned above. Results: The mean values of body mass, fat mass and BMI were within normal limits, although in some cases the anthropometric and body composition values were too high, particularly among the 17–18-year-olds. The mean values of HRrest were lowest among the 15-year-olds. The highest mean and maximal values of rVO2max and rVO2/AT [57.6 ± 8.12 (43.8–68.3) and 51.2 ± 7.24 (38.9–60.8) mL/kg/min, respectively] were noted in 14-year-olds. Goalkeepers performed significantly better than the remaining soccer players in terms of the most anthropometric and physiological characteristics, except for the Yo-Yo test (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The values of anthropometric parameters increased with age. As expected, the oldest group achieved the best results in the performance tests. Goalkeepers outperformed the players representing other playing positions in the tests when assessing lower limb strength, sprint performance (5- and 10-m distance), and agility tests. From a practical point of view, the presented anthropometric and physiological profiles of players representing different age groups and playing positions can be useful for soccer coaches, strength and conditioning specialists, and athletic trainers of other soccer clubs in terms of the individualization and optimalization of soccer training.

Postural profile of female basketball players and differences among playing positions.

Basketball players often display poor balance and increased injury rates when compared to other athletic categories. Therefore, the relationship between postural control and injury risks in basketball athletes requires investigation. The purpose of this study was to: (a) establish a postural profile of elite women basketball players, (b) compare postural control of the different playing positions to detect the vulnerability of postural balance, and (c) attempt to understand the reasons underlying these differences. 30 elite female basketball players (aged 21.4±2.3 years) were assigned to three groups according to their playing positions (n=10 guards; n=10 forwards; n=10 centers). A one-way analysis of variance was performed to determine differences between balance test variables under three conditions (static, dynamic antero-posterior and medio-lateral). When a significant main effect was observed, Tukey's post-hoc multiple comparisons tests were used to determine statistical significance. Associations between balance and morphological variables, muscle strength and power were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results reveal that basketball players had better postural control than previously studied handball players and non-athletes, but they are more dependent on vision than other categories. When comparing postural controls of playing position, centers show greater vulnerability [Y mean (OE)] than forwards: p<0.001; or guards: p<0.01), due to morphological factors (body mass r=-0.80, height r=-0.68, and lower limb length r=-0.63, and specific power r=-0.40). Therefore, coaches and strength and conditioning specialists should give specific focus to improving lower limb strength and power in centers and taller basketball players to mitigate against injury risks related to postural control.

Does biologically categorised training alter the perceived exertion and neuromuscular movement profile of academy soccer players compared to traditional age-group categorisation?

ABSTRACT The individual response to load is multifactorial and complicated by transient temporal changes in biological maturation. The period surrounding peak height velocity exposes potentially “fragile” individuals to systematic, age-related increases in training loads. Bio-banding allows practitioners to manage the biological diversity and align training to the individual development needs . This study explores the acute impact of maturation on neuromuscular performance and perceived intensity through comparing both chronological and bio-banded training sessions. 55 male soccer players (mean ± SD; age 13.8 ± 1.4 years) were recruited from an EPPP academy. Following a warm-up and standardised sub-maximal run (30–15IFT), players competed in five bouts of 5-min 6v6 small-sided games (SSGs) before repeating the standardised sub-maximal run. The sessions were repeated on three occasions with chronological SSGs and the same with bio-banded SSGs wearing foot-mounted inertial measurement units (PlayerMakerTM) with differential ratings of perceived exertion used to quantify internal loads. Mixed linear modelling indicated maturity-specific pre–post differences in neuromuscular response, stride length and cadence having contrasting responses pre- (reduced) and post-PHV (increased), and larger changes in post sessions stiffness for pre- (∼18.6 kN·m−1) and circa-PHV (∼12.1 kN·m− 1) players. Secondly, there were small to large differences in neuromuscular response (RSI, stride length, stiffness, and contact time) and perceptions of intensity between conditions, with bio-banding generally reducing pre–post changes. Bio-banding may therefore offer a mechanism to prescribe maturity-specific training loads which may help to alleviate the impact of repeated exposure to high-intensity activity, thus reducing injury risk whilst promoting long-term player development. Highlights Utilising a sub-maximal running protocol (30–15IFT) with foot mounted accelerometers can detect maturity specific responses to football specific training activity, which aligns with subjective perceptions of intensity. Chronologically derived small-sided games elicit different acute responses between players of varying maturity status, which is somewhat negated when bio-banded small-sided games are used instead. Bio-banding training sessions may offer practitioners a practical way of managing maturity-specific trainings load to reduce injury risk and promote long-term players development.

Determining the Pricing Strategy and Pricing the Products of Mobile Games: Mathematical Model Approach

In the technology era, new sectors, occupations, and products or services related to technology arise. Mobile gaming industry is one of those sectors with the technological developments of personal mobile devices. This sector is rapidly growing in terms of the number of companies, employees, games, and financial income; however, this situation increases the competition and companies in this sector survive as if they succeed a sustainable profit from the game by selling their products or services. These products can be grouped into four which are the game itself, cosmetic products, in-application purchases, and advertisements or product placements during the gameplay. This study outlines a two-staged decision process for deciding which products should be priced and how much they should be charged for every customer. The first stage is an enumeration of all sixteen alternatives of pricing strategies for four products which are game, in-game boost-ups, cosmetics and advertisements, and expert decision to choose among those alternatives which would fit to the concerned mobile game. In the second stage, a mathematical model is used to price for obtaining the maximum profit for the company. Another mathematical model is also proposed for pricing the products differently for each customer according to their psychological player profile as if the decision-maker prefers such a pricing strategy. Implication and extensions of the models are discussed, and their real-life application is also presented in the study.

Video Analysis of Pectoralis Major Injuries in Professional Australian Football Players.

Background:There is little evidence regarding the mechanisms of pectoralis major (PM) injury and player outcomes in Australian Football League (AFL) players.Purposes/Hypothesis:The study aims were to investigate (1) the mechanisms of PM muscle injury in elite AFL players via video analysis and (2) the player profile, method of management, and clinical outcomes of the PM injuries sustained. We hypothesized that the majority of PM tears would occur in outer-range PM positions (hyperextension of the glenohumeral joint).Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:We analyzed video of the precipitating event for traumatic PM injuries during AFL competition or training over a 20-year period (2002-2021). The footage was analyzed by 4 experienced assessors, and the following were evaluated: mechanism of injury, injury variables (arm position, initial contact point, visual awareness, and use of taping), player characteristics (age at the time of injury, hand dominance, and history of injury), injury profile (location and size of tear), method of management (operative vs nonoperative), patient outcomes (time to return to full senior training/match play), and complication rates.Results:The mean ± standard deviation age of the players was 26.5 ± 3.1 years (range, 21-32 years). Overall, 22 PM injuries were identified in the AFL injury database for a rate of 1.1 per year; 16 of these injuries had accompanying video footage. We identified 3 mechanisms for PM injury: horizontal hyperextension (62.5%), hyperflexion-abduction (25.0%), and horizontal adduction (sustained tackling; 12.5%). The most common site of the tear was the insertion point of the sternocostal head (91.0%). Twenty players (91.0%) required surgical repair, with 75% undergoing surgery within 1 week (range, 0-26 weeks). The mean return to competition for the surgical repair group was 11.1 weeks (range, 8-15 weeks). The rerupture rate was 5.0% (1 repair; <4 weeks postoperatively in 2004).Conclusion:PM tears in elite male AFL players were due to 1 of 3 distinct mechanisms: horizontal hyperextension, hyperflexion-abduction, and horizontal adduction (sustained tackling). Players returned to play on average 11 weeks after injury. Knowledge regarding mechanisms of injury, player profile, and return-to-sport timelines is important for appropriate medical management and provides potential areas to target for prevention of PM injuries.

A Bayesian nonatomic game and its applicability to finite-player situations

We investigate a nonatomic game (NG) involving a random state of the world. Every player receives only a signal of the state’s realization. Not knowing the true state, the player would strive for a higher average payoff conditioned on her received signal. We demonstrate that equilibria exist for the game under reasonable conditions. Not only are they in existence, but these equilibrium points are also useful. When the state space is finite, such an equilibrium would help induce asymptotically equilibrium behaviors as n tends to +∞ in n-player Bayesian games whose player profiles are randomly generated from the original NG’s player distribution. More important, pure ϵ-equilibria would likely emerge even though the NG equilibrium might well be mixed to start with. Pure versions of the latter would exist when the NG is anonymous.

Match characteristics of professional outfield amputee soccer players during official amputee soccer matches

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate physiological responses and movement profiles of amputee soccer players during official matches. Material and Methods: Five outfield amputee soccer players with a 9.20±0.81 years of amputee soccer experience (age 28.60±5.32 years; height 1.71±0.05 m; body mass 71.54±9.39 kg) volunteered for this study. Physiological responses [blood lactate (BLa), heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE)] and activity profiles [peak speed, total distance covered (TD), TD at five speed categories (SC), percentages of TD at five SC and time spent in four maximal heart rate (HRmax) zones] were analyzed during seven official amputee soccer matches. Results: Mean game BLa, RPE, HR and HRmax were 5.58±1.63 mmol.L-1, 9.43±2.62, and 151.77±16.05 bpm and 180.74±9.23 bmp, respectively. HRmax was higher in the first half than in the second half (p=0.02). Players covered 102.62±7.24 m.min-1 and this did not change between the halves during amputee soccer matches (p=0.40). TD at very low SC was 73.86±0.57 m.min-1 whereas TD at very high SC accounted only for 0.24±0.04 m.min-1. Similarly, the percentage of the TD at very low SC was 70.18±10.30% and the percentage of the TD at very high SC was 0.24±0.04%. Amputee soccer players spent ~31 min and ~15 min at high intensity and moderate HRmax zones, respectively. These accounted only about ~5 min at very low and low intensity HRmax zones during whole matches. Conclusion: These results showed that amputee soccer played at the professional level is a high-intensity exercise, which could be used to prescribe amputee soccer specific training regimes.

Anthropometric, aerobic and muscle power profile of young Costa Rican basketball players

The purpose of this study was to describe an anthropometric, aerobic and muscle power profile of young Costa Rican basketball players according to sex, play positions and age. The assessment was carried outa on 99 young players (43 women and 56 men; 18 guards, 51 forwards and 30 centers; 42 in the U16 category and 57 in the U18 category) from eight different teams. The sports experience of the players was 6.5 ± 3.1 years. The following parameters were assessed: height, weight, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass and body fat percentage, countermovement test (CMJ) and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level I. The main results showed significantly higher values in men than in women in terms of weight, height, skeletal muscle mass, distance covered in the yo-yo test, VO2max, height in CMJ and in flight time. Body fat percentage was higher in women than in men. Centers showed significantly higher height, weight and body fat percentage than other play positions. Guards and forwards covered more meters in the yo-yo test and showed higher VO2max than centers. No significant differences were found between the U16 and U18 categories in any variable. Regression models showed the influence of weight, body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass and age on VO2max and CMJ. In conclusion, these indicators varied according to the sex and play position of the players. Additionally, this information will be useful for processes of promotion, development and training design of youth basketball in Costa Rica.

An audit of injuries among elite Malaysia U19 and U22 league soccer players

Background: Knee injuries are the most common injury among Malaysian elite athletes. However, an injury profile of elite soccer players in Malaysia is yet to be determined. Aim and Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the injury characteristics among elite, male U19 and U22 soccer players. Materials and Methods: Four teams were observed throughout the 2018/2019 season, where a total of 111 players were documented in accordance with the Federation International de Football Association Medical and Research Centre accord to determine the incidence, class, severity and causation of injuries among elite, male U19 and U22 soccer players. Results: From a total of 111 players (U19: n = 58; U22: n = 53) during the 2018–2019 season, a sum of 64 injuries were reported to the team physicians of the participating teams in the current study, representing an estimated 0.58 injuries per player throughout a single season. From the total number of injuries, 57.8% (n = 37) injuries were registered to the U22 age group, whereas 42.2% (n = 27) were reported in the U19 Age Group. When factoring in the number of players in each respective age group, the number of injuries among the U22 age group was higher than the U19 age group (0.72 vs. 0.47 injuries/player/season). Conclusion: Most soccer injuries reported were lower limb injuries, newly sustained and required up to 14 days of treatment before returning to full participation in the competition. Match-play injuries appeared to be more common than training injuries, with the ankle and knee joints being the most common injury locations. Sprains and ligamentous damage were the most common injury class sustained by players.

Incipient chronic traumatic encephalopathy in active American football players: neuropsychological assessment and brain perfusion measures

Background and aimsChronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative disease caused by repetitive traumatic brain injury (TBI). Because CTE can be definitely diagnosed only post-mortem, it would be important to explore clinical and radiological correlates of CTE and TBI. The aims of this study were to assess (1) the relationship between the neuropsychological profile of active American football players and the traumatic load; (2) whether traumatic brain injury associated with American football activity has a specific cerebral perfusion pattern; and (3) whether this perfusion pattern correlates with neuropsychological performances.MethodsIn 20 American football players [median age [25th–75th percentile] 25.0 [21.6–31.2] years, all males], we evaluated history, traumatic load and symptoms using the TraQ (Trauma Questionnaire), and cognitive performances on neuropsychological tests. Brain perfusion was estimated using arterial spin labeling MRI and compared to a group of 19 male age-matched (28.0 [24.8–32.3] years) healthy subjects.ResultsWe found different cognitive performances between American football players stratified according to field position and career length. Linemen had poorer executive, verbal, and visual performances; a career > 7 years was associated with poorer verbal fluency performances. American football players had statistically significant reduced cerebral blood flow values in sensory-motor areas in comparison with healthy controls. Poorer neuropsychological performances correlated with lower perfusion in specific brain areas.ConclusionsOur study seems to confirm that CTE in American football players is influenced by the field position and the career length, and correlates with lower cognitive performances linked to lower perfusion in specific brain areas.