Soccer Injuries Research Articles

THE ROLE OF STRENGTH TRAINING IN PREVENTING MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES AMONG FEMALE AND MALE SOCCER PLAYERS

Introduction The occurrence of sports injuries among soccer players causes both financial and health losses, which is why preventing them is crucial. Science should provide reliable data on how different interventions affect the occurrence of sports injuries among athletes. Aim The review aims to analyse the quality of evidence proofed by the studies on the effectiveness of strength training in preventing sports injuries in soccer players. Material and methods Five databases were used in the review: Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Academic Search Ultimate, and Pubmed. Keywords used included: soccer players, strength training, hypertrophy training, protocol, injury rate, burden, and prevalence. Quality evaluation of studies found was performed using PEDro scale. Results Of the 646 studies researched, only 4 met the criteria of being applicable to this systematic review. Conclusions All four studies confirmed the decrease in the number of injuries and absence days per 1000h of exposure due to strength training; nonetheless, the lack of standardized protocol based on knowledge efficient at building strength makes the conclusion unreliable.

Two or Four Weeks Acute: Chronic Workload Ratio Is More Useful to Prevent Injuries in Soccer?

This study was conducted to determine if the acute: chronic workload ratio (ACWR) is related to the incidence of non-contact injuries. The purpose is to compare the external load of injured and non-injured soccer players with the same characteristics, such as position and age. The present analysis considers both the four and the two weeks preceding an injury. Physical characteristics were recorded and analyzed through global positioning systems (GPS) evaluation over one season of 24 competitive microcycles, 144 training sessions, and 32 matches in a total of 35 professional soccer players from the Greek Super League 1 and Super League 2. The loads calculated were total distance (TD), 15–20 km/h, 20–25 km/h, 25–30 km/h, accelerations (ACC) > 2.5 m/s2, and decelerations (DEC) > 2.5 m/s2). Nine injured athletes exceeded the critical threshold of an ACWR > 1.3 several times compared with non-injured athletes that did not reach this level. The present study showed that ACWR is related to a subsequent occurrence of injury but that the threshold of an ACWR can vary. This seems to be mainly influenced by assessing the load of the last two weeks compared with that of the four weeks before the injury.

Neuromuscular characteristics of agonists and antagonists during maximal eccentric knee flexion in soccer players with a history of hamstring muscle injuries.

Muscle strain injuries (MSIs) in the hamstrings are among the most prevalent injuries in elite soccer. We aimed to examine the relation between biomechanical maladaptation in eccentric strength and neuromuscular factors separated by their time and frequency domains. 20 elite soccer players with a previous history of unilateral MSI in the M. biceps femoris (BF) long head and 20 without MSI participated. Knee flexion torques, rate of torque development (RTD) and electromyographic signals (EMG) of the BF, the M. semitendinosus (SMT) and knee extensors were obtained during unilateral maximal eccentric knee flexions performed at slow (30°/s) and fast (120°/s) angular speeds. Root mean squares and mean power frequency (MF) was calculated. In the group with a history of MSI, reduced maximal eccentric flexion torque (slow eccentrics -8±11, p<0.05; fast eccentrics -18±13 N*m, p<0.05) and RTD (-33±28 N*m/s, p<0.05; -95±47 N*m/s, p<0.05) concomitantly occurred with diminished agonistic myoelectrical activities (-4±5% of MVC, p<0.05; -10±7% of MVC, p<0.05) and MFs (-24±13 Hz, p<0.05; -24±18 Hz, p<0.05) in the BF. Simultaneously, antagonistic myoelectric activity was elevated (+4±3% of MVC, p<0.05; +3±3% of MVC, p<0.05) in MSI affected legs as compared to unaffected legs for both eccentric contractions. Deficits in myoelectrical activity (r2 = 0.715, p<0.05; r2 = 0.601, p<0.05) and MF (r2 = 0.484, p<0.05; r2 = 0.622, p<0.05) correlated with deficits in maximal torque in the affected leg in the MSI group. Analysis of SMT demonstrated no significant differences. Positive relationships between neuromuscular deficits and the reduced eccentric strength profile underpin neuronal inhibition after MSI. This persistent involvement of dysfunctional synergist and antagonist neural hamstring function in strength weakness is of clinical relevance in sports medicine for prevention and rehabilitation.

Body composition variations between injured and non-injured professional soccer players

Professional soccer is characterized by its physical demands, making players’ exposure to high injury risks a growing problem. It is crucial to study the factors associated with injuries in professional soccer. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between age, body composition, and others variables related with the injury profile of professional soccer players of a specific Portuguese team. Also, it analyzed the impact of the injury profile on soccer’s variations in body fat (BF%), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and total body water (TBW) throughout the season. The sample comprised 31 male professional soccer players competing in the First Portuguese Soccer League. Older players had a higher prevalence of muscular injuries. Midfielders and forwards showed the highest number of muscular injuries during the season being quadriceps the most affected zone. Considering players’ BF% [Wilks’ Lambda = 0.42, F (7, 23) = 4.61, p = 0.002, r = 0.58], SMM [Wilks’ Lambda = 0.59, F (6, 23) = 2.70, p = 0.039, r = 0.41] and TBW [Wilks’ Lambda = 0.54, F (7, 23) = 2.80, p = 0.029, r = 0.46] there was a substantial main effect for the assessments performed throughout the season and the injury status. Age assumes relevance in explaining the injury profile. The impact of the injury profile on soccer's variations in BF%, SMM and TBW throughout the season must be analyzed considering the clinical relevance.

EPH71 Factors Associating With the Severity of Soccer Injury Among Men and Women Professional Teams

EPH71 Factors Associating With the Severity of Soccer Injury Among Men and Women Professional Teams

TREINAMENTO FUNCIONAL SOBRE A REABILITAÇÃO DA ENTORSE DE TORNOZELO NOS JOGADORES DE FUTEBOL

ABSTRACT Introduction An ankle sprain is a common soccer injury. Functional training is used to rehabilitate muscle strength with undiscovered benefits on soccer players’ recovery. Objective Explore the functional training effects on ankle injury recovery in soccer players. Methods 29 amateur soccer players were randomly assigned to control (n=15) and experimental (n=14) groups with no statistical difference in age or sex (P&gt;0.05). The experimental group used functional rehabilitation training, while the control group was treated with traditional rehabilitation methods. Both groups practiced 30 to 40 minutes of rehabilitation, three times a week, for two months. Mathematical statistics were used to analyze the effects of different injury rehabilitation on the two groups, estimating the ankle joint continuous motion angle by the tibialis anterior muscle electromyogram responses. Results The ankle instability assessment questionnaires were statistically different between the two groups of patients after rehabilitation training (P&lt;0.05). There was a statistical difference in the agility test after the intervention. The ankle capacity score and agility test score were better in the experimental group (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion Functional rehabilitation training can improve ankle performance after a sprain. This training can also help athletes avoid future sprains and is recommended as preventive training. Evidence Level II; Therapeutic Studies - Investigating the result.

Mechanisms of Hamstring Injury in Professional Soccer Players: Video Analysis and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings.

To describe the injury mechanisms and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in acute hamstring injuries of male soccer players using a systematic video analysis. Descriptive case series study of consecutive acute hamstring injuries from September 2017 to January 2022. Two specialized sports medicine hospitals. Professional male soccer players aged between 18 and 40 years, referred for injury assessment within 7 days after an acute hamstring injury, with an available video footage of the injury and positive finding on MRI. Hamstring injury mechanisms (specific scoring based on standardized models) in relation to hamstring muscle injury MRI findings. Hamstring injury mechanism (playing situation, player/opponent behavior, movement, and biomechanical body positions) and MRI injury location. Fourteen videos of acute hamstring injuries in 13 professional male soccer players were analyzed. Three different injury mechanisms were seen: mixed-type (both sprint-related and stretch-related, 43%), stretch-type (36%), and sprint-type (21%). Most common actions during injury moments were change of direction (29%), kicking (29%), and running (21%). Most injuries occurred at high or very high horizontal speed (71%) and affected isolated proximal biceps femoris (BF) (36%). Most frequent body positions at defined injury moments were neutral trunk (43%), hip flexion 45-90 degrees (57%), and knee flexion <45 degrees (93%). Magnetic resonance imaging findings showed that 79% were isolated single-tendon injuries. According to a video analysis, most hamstring injuries in soccer occur during high-speed movements. Physicians should suspect proximal and isolated single-tendon-most often BF-hamstring injury, if represented injury mechanisms are seen during game play. In addition to sprinting and stretching, also mixed-type injury mechanisms occur.

The FIFA 11+ injury prevention program reduces the incidence of groin injury among soccer players: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction: Groin injuries are among the three most common and time-consuming injuries in soccer, accounting for 2-19% of all injuries, with an incidence of 0.1-2.1 injuries per 1000 hours of play. Sports injury prevention programs have been showing promising results in reducing the risk of groin injury. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effectiveness of the FIFA 11+ Injury Prevention Program on reducing the incidence of groin injury among soccer players.

The FIFA 11+ injury prevention program reduces the incidence of knee injury among soccer players: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction: Knee injuries are among the most common injuries seen in soccer, represent between 10- 50 % of all soccer injuries. Sports injury prevention programs have been showing promising results in reducing the risk of knee injury. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effectiveness of the FIFA 11+ Injury Prevention Program on reducing the incidence of knee injury among soccer players.

Decrease in aerial challenges after revision of goal kick rules in Japan Professional Soccer League: Explorative study of the possibility of a risk reduction for head injury, concussion, and brain damage by a rule revision

ABSTRACT In 2019, FIFA revised the goal kick (GLK) rule such that a GLK could be performed even if the kicker had teammates in the penalty area. This study aimed to examine whether the rule revision reduced the frequency of aerial challenge (AC) and long GLKs (LGLKs), which are risk factors for head injury and concussion in soccer. We analyzed all official league matches (306 matches/season) of the Japan Professional Soccer League 1st Division before (2018 season) and after the rule revision (2020 season). The analysis categorized GLKs into short GLKs (SGLKs) and LGLKs, depending on the GLK distance, and included the frequency and causes of AC, in each match following a GLK, which were compared between the 2018 and 2020 seasons. The average number of LGLKs per match in the 2020 season (8.85) decreased compared to that in the 2018 season (14.20). Additionally, for ACs following a GLK, the frequency of ACs decreased from 6.08 to 3.92 per match. Meanwhile, the frequency of LGLKs tended to increase toward the end of the first and second halves in matches. The results of this study revealed that the 2019 GLK rule revision reduced the number of LGLKs and ACs.

Player Sex and Playing Surface Are Individual Predictors of Injuries in Professional Soccer Players.

The factors contributing to soccer injuries and their influence on the occurrence of injury are controversial and inconclusive. This study aimed to determine the association between player characteristics and playing factors with injuries in professional soccer players. One hundred and fifty-two professional soccer players completed a self-administered questionnaire that asked about demographic information and injury profile, the type of playing surface on which they sustained their injury, medical treatment, and the time lost due to soccer injury at the end of the soccer season. The injury rate was 44.74% (n = 68; males: 61.50% (n = 56), females: 19.70% (n = 12)). Players' age (OR: 1.15, 95%CI: 1.05-1.25, p &lt; 0.002) and BMI (OR: 1.21, 95%CI: 1.06-1.38, p &lt; 0.003) were significantly associated with soccer injuries. After adjusting for age and BMI, players' sex (OR: 5.39, 95%CI: 2.11-13.75, p &lt; 0.001), previous soccer injury (OR: 3.308, 95%CI: 2.307-29.920, p &lt; 0.001), and playing surfaces (OR: 11.07, 95%CI: 4.53-27.03, p &lt; 0.001) were the significant predictors of soccer injuries. Players' age, BMI, sex, previous soccer injury, and playing surface were associated with injuries among professional soccer players. Old male athletes with high BMI, previous soccer injuries, and playing on natural grass were more likely to sustain soccer injuries than young female players with low BMI who had no previous injuries and played on synthetic surfaces.

Repeat Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and Return to Sport in Australian Soccer Players After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Hamstring Tendon Autograft

Background: Soccer is the most commonly played team sport in the world and a high-risk sport for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and subsequent ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Purpose: To assess the rate of further ACL injury in patients who have undergone ACLR with hamstring tendon autograft after soccer injuries in Australia and to determine factors associated with repeat ACL injury and return to soccer. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: From a prospectively collected database, a series of 1000 consecutive ACLRs using hamstring autografts performed in soccer players were identified. Patients were surveyed at a minimum 5 years after reconstruction, including details of further ACL injuries to either knee, return to soccer or other sports, and psychological readiness per the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale. Results: Of the 862 participants reviewed, ACL graft rupture occurred in 85 (10%) and contralateral ACL rupture in 68 (8%) within 5 years after the reconstruction. The 5-year ACL graft survivorship was 94% for females and 88% for males. The survivorship of the contralateral ACL was 92% for males and 90% for females. When compared with those aged >25 years, the odds of ACL graft rupture was increased by 4 to 5 times in those aged 19 to 25 years and 3 to 7 times in those ≤18 years. Further ACL injury to the graft or contralateral knee occurred in 44% of males aged ≤18 years. Risk factors for further ACL injury were younger age at time of surgery, male sex, and return to soccer. Graft diameter did not influence ACL graft rupture rates, and 70% of patients returned to soccer after ACLR. The mean ACL-RSI score was 59, and patients who reported more fear of reinjury on this scale were less likely to have returned to soccer. Conclusion: The prevalence of ACL graft rupture (10%) and contralateral ACL rupture (8%) was near equivalent over 5 years in this large cohort of mostly recreational Australian soccer players. ACLR with hamstring autograft is a reliable procedure, allowing 70% of patients to return to soccer in this high-risk population. Risk factors for further ACL injury are progressively younger age at time of surgery, male sex, and return to soccer. Graft diameter was not a factor in ACL graft rupture, indicating that other factors, particularly age, are of primary importance.

English

The aim of this research is to analyse the scientific production of publications produced during a decade (2010-2019) about injuries in football (soccer). A bibliographic search was done for publications featuring key terms such as football, soccer, and injuries. We searched for studies in journals that had a five-year impact factor in the Journal Citation Report in the “Sport Sciences” category. The PRISMA methodology was used. The following bibliometric indicators were analysed: number of publications by journal; country of origin; country of publication; publications per year; number of authors; authors’ native language; evidence level; type of study; sex; anatomical location and topographic location of injuries. To assess the level of evidence, the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) level of evidence classification was used, dichotomised as follows: articles with level 1 and level 2 evidence were ‘high evidence’, and articles with levels 3, 4, and 5 were ‘low evidence’. The statistical tests were performed using SPSS V. 28. A total of 222 articles published in four journals met the inclusion criteria. Production rose as the decade progressed. The highest frequency was in 2013. The British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM) had the highest number of publications. Sports Medicine (SM) had the most authors per article and the highest level of evidence. The United States was the main producer. There were more publications regarding injuries in males, and in males and females, compared to publications that only took females into account. More muscle, thigh, and hip injuries were described. The level of evidence was generally low. The increase in scientific production related to football (soccer) injuries during the decade reflect an elevated interest for the subject matter. Publications that prevail around this theme consider injuries in the thigh and lower extremities and in men.

Workload is associated with the occurrence of non-contact injuries in professional male soccer players: A pilot study.

Injuries in professional soccer are a significant concern for teams, and they are caused amongst others by high training load. This cohort study describes the relationship between workload parameters and the occurrence of non-contact injuries, during weeks with high and low workload in professional soccer players throughout the season. Twenty-one professional soccer players aged 28.3 ± 3.9 yrs. who competed in the Iranian Persian Gulf Pro League participated in this 48-week study. The external load was monitored using global positioning system (GPS, GPSPORTS Systems Pty Ltd) and the type of injury was documented daily by the team's medical staff. Odds ratio (OR) and relative risk (RR) were calculated for non-contact injuries for high- and low-load weeks according to acute (AW), chronic (CW), acute to chronic workload ratio (ACWR), and AW variation (Δ-Acute) values. By using Poisson distribution, the interval between previous and new injuries were estimated. Overall, 12 non-contact injuries occurred during high load and 9 during low load weeks. Based on the variables ACWR and Δ-AW, there was a significantly increased risk of sustaining non-contact injuries (p < 0.05) during high-load weeks for ACWR (OR: 4.67), and Δ-AW (OR: 4.07). Finally, the expected time between injuries was significantly shorter in high load weeks for ACWR [1.25 vs. 3.33, rate ratio time (RRT)] and Δ-AW (1.33 vs. 3.45, RRT) respectively, compared to low load weeks. The risk of sustaining injuries was significantly larger during high workload weeks for ACWR, and Δ-AW compared with low workload weeks. The observed high OR in high load weeks indicate that there is a significant relationship between workload and occurrence of non-contact injuries. The predicted time to new injuries is shorter in high load weeks compared to low load weeks. Therefore, the frequency of injuries is higher during high load weeks for ACWR and Δ-AW. ACWR and Δ-AW appear to be good indicators for estimating the injury risk, and the time interval between injuries.

Perceived Social Support, Reinjury Anxiety, and Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport in Soccer Players.

The burden of sports injury in soccer is high, and return to sport outcomes following injury are often poor. This is compounded by a current lack of understanding surrounding the factors that may optimize psychological readiness to return to sport. Consequently, in the present study, we aim to further our understanding of these issues by examining the role of perceived social support in predicting psychological readiness to return to sport. In doing so, we extend previous research by examining whether reinjury anxiety is a mediating factor in this relationship. A sample of 150 previously injured soccer players (mean age = 25.32 y) completed measures of perceived social support, reinjury anxiety during rehabilitation, and psychological readiness to return to sport. Mediation analyses showed that reinjury anxiety partly accounted for the positive relationship between perceived social support and psychological readiness to return to sport. These findings suggest that injured soccer players with higher perceptions of social support will experience less reinjury anxiety during rehabilitation and, as a consequence, will be more psychologically ready upon return to sport.

Extremity Injuries during Sporting Activities According to Life Course: Focusing on Fractures.

Background:The increased participation in sports has led to an increased number of sports-related injuries. We aimed to identify the incidence of sports-related injuries by life course and the risk factors for sports-related extremity fractures.Methods:We analyzed data of patients with sports-related extremity injuries from Emergency Department-based national injury surveillance systems, obtained from Jan 2013 to Dec 2016. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors of extremity fracture by life course after adjusting for sex, injury season, injury time, injury place, sports type, and mechanism of injury.Results:Overall, 23385 patients met our inclusion criteria. Soccer injuries were most common in the 5–14-year (32.4%), 15–24-year (43.0%), and 25–44-year groups (32.7%), and hiking injuries were most common in the 45–64-year (23.6%) and ≥65-year age groups (38.0%). The upper extremity injury and fracture rates were higher in the younger-age group; nevertheless, the injury and fracture rates of the lower extremities increased with increasing age. Moreover, the rate of hip and thigh injuries and fractures increased significantly in the ≥65-year age group.Conclusion:The incidence and severity of sports injuries are affected by player factors and the sports activity itself. The age of players is a major determinant that affects their medical and physiologic conditions and the sport of choice. The strategy for preventing sports injuries should be structured based on age.

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.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of injury prevention exercise programmes and the FIFA 11+ among Malaysian elite soccer league coaches

Background: A number of injury prevention programmes have been introduced in soccer. However, the familiarity and utility of these programmes by coaches in Malaysia is yet to be determined. Aim and Objectives: This study aimed to record the knowledge, attitude and practice of injury prevention exercise programmes (IPEPs), specifically the FIFA 11+, amongst coaches of elite league teams in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: Active coaches from four elite soccer leagues (Super League, Premier League, President's Cup and Youth Cup) in Malaysia were invited to participate. Thirty-three (n = 33) responses were returned. Results: Most respondents (87.9%) agree that soccer players are at high risk of lower-limb injury, and that it could have adverse effects on teams' and players' performances, careers and quality of life. More than two-thirds (71.9%) of respondents were optimistic about lower-limb soccer injury prophylaxis, however, familiarity toward the FIFA 11+ was considerably low, thus its practice is relatively low. Most respondents familiar to the programme believe that improvements could be introduced to suit their teams better or develop an own version of the FIFA 11+ specifically tailored for their teams. Having the need for equipment and lack of supervision may hinder IPEP maintenance in a team. Conclusion: Injury prevention programmes need early implementation and progressive variation for ongoing practice. Clearly, no IPEP may serve as the perfect 'one-programme-fits-all' injury prevention measure. This study may provide some insight for practitioners and soccer club organizers to develop future IPEPs and exercise better programme delivery amongst professional soccer teams.

Comparison of Measurements of External Load between Professional Soccer Players.

Background: The excessive and rapid increases in training load (TL) may be responsible for most non-contact injuries in soccer. This study’s aims were to describe, week(w)-by-week, the acute (AW), chronic (CW), acute:chronic workload ratio (wACWR), total distance (wTD), duration training (wDT), sprint total distance (wSTD), repeat sprint (wRS), and maximum speed (wMS) between starter and non-starter professional soccer players based on different periods (i.e., pre-, early-, mid-, and end-season) of a full-season (Persian Gulf Pro League, 2019–2020). Methods: Nineteen players were divided according to their starting status: starters (n = 10) or non-starters (n = 9). External workload was monitored for 43 weeks: pre- from w1–w4; early- from w5–w17; mid- from w18–w30, and end-season from w31–w43. Results: In starters, AW, CW, and wACWR were greater than non-starters (p < 0.05) throughout the periods of early- (CW, p ≤ 0.0001), mid- (AW, p = 0.008; CW, p ≤ 0.0001; wACWR, p = 0.043), or end-season (AW, p = 0.035; CW, p = 0.017; wACWR, p = 0.010). Starters had a greater wTD (p ≤ 0.0001), wSTD (p ≤ 0.0001 to 0.003), wDT (p ≤ 0.0001 to 0.023), wRS (p ≤ 0.0001 to 0.018), and wMS (p ≤ 0.0001) than non-starters during early-, mid-, and end-season. Conclusion: Starters experienced more CW and AW during the season than non-starters, which underlines the need to design tailored training programs accounting for the differences between playing status.

SCS 4th Annual Conference: Strength and Conditioning for Human Performance, Porto, Portugal, 2021.

On behalf of the Strength & Conditioning Society (SCS) and the Faculty of Sport of the University of Porto, we are pleased to present the abstracts of the SCS 4th Annual Conference: Strength and Conditioning for Human Performance, which took place in, Porto, Portugal, on 12–13 November 2021. The event was a success with invited sessions from renowned international and national speakers on a myriad of topics related to strength and conditioning and its application to health and sports performance, such as agility training and testing, high-intensity interval training in chronic conditions, hamstring strain injuries in soccer, and the utilization of surface electromyography (EMG) decomposition for assessing human performance, among others. During the Conference there were also different practical workshops on (1) velocity-based training; (2) performance testing and athlete monitoring using force platforms; (3) 3D kinematics tracking and flow force assessment in aquatic sports; (4) the application of inertial sensors for physical performance testing; (5) muscle fiber recruitment, force production, and energy expenditure in progressive bicycle testing; (6) EMG decomposition, motor-units recruitment, and muscle contraction modes; and (7) recovery strategies in team-sport athletes. Researchers and academics were able to present their latest findings by submitting the abstracts that compose this Conference Report.