Soccer Practice Research Articles

Tracking and Comparing Self-Determined Motivation in Elite Youth Soccer: Influence of Developmental Activities, Age, and Skill.

Purpose: Our aim was to determine if self-determined motivation (SDM) in elite, men’s soccer changes over time and differs as a function of age, skill-grouping, and engagement in soccer play and practice. We tested predictions from the Developmental Model of Sport Participation (DMSP) regarding relations between practice and play and SDM among both elite and non-elite samples.Methods: Elite youth soccer players in the United Kingdom (n = 31; from the Under 13/U13 and U15 years age groups) completed practice history and motivation questionnaires at time 1 (T1) and ∼2 years later (T2: now U15 and U17 years). Non-elite players (n = 32; from U15 and U17 years) completed the same questionnaires at T2 only.Results: For the elite groups, global SDM decreased over time for the current U17 group (from U15), but no change was seen for the current U15 group (from U13). Age group differences at T2 mirrored these data, with U17 players showing lower global SDM and higher controlled motivation than U15 elites. The non-elite players did not show age group differences, but elites scored higher for global SDM and autonomous motivation than non-elites. The recent hours accumulated in practice negatively correlated with global SDM in elite and non-elite groups, but play was unrelated to measures of motivation.Conclusion: Differences in SDM as a function of age and skill point toward the dynamic nature of these motivations over time, likely a result of proximity to external rewards related to professional status. Although high volumes of practice are related to lower global SDM in both skill groups, the absence of any relations between SDM and soccer play does not support a key prediction related to the DMSP.

Caffeine Supplementation and Physical Performance, Muscle Damage and Perception of Fatigue in Soccer Players: A Systematic Review.

Soccer is a complex team sport and success in this discipline depends on different factors such as physical fitness, player technique and team tactics, among others. In the last few years, several studies have described the impact of caffeine intake on soccer physical performance, but the results of these investigations have not been properly reviewed and summarized. The main objective of this review was to evaluate critically the effectiveness of a moderate dose of caffeine on soccer physical performance. A structured search was carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in the Medline/PubMed and Web of Science databases from January 2007 to November 2018. The search included studies with a cross-over and randomized experimental design in which the intake of caffeine (either from caffeinated drinks or pills) was compared to an identical placebo situation. There were no filters applied to the soccer players’ level, gender or age. This review included 17 articles that investigated the effects of caffeine on soccer-specific abilities (n = 12) or on muscle damage (n = 5). The review concluded that 5 investigations (100% of the number of investigations on this topic) had found ergogenic effects of caffeine on jump performance, 4 (100%) on repeated sprint ability and 2 (100%) on running distance during a simulated soccer game. However, only 1 investigation (25%) found as an effect of caffeine to increase serum markers of muscle damage, while no investigation reported an effect of caffeine to reduce perceived fatigue after soccer practice. In conclusion, a single and moderate dose of caffeine, ingested 5–60 min before a soccer practice, might produce valuable improvements in certain abilities related to enhanced soccer physical performance. However, caffeine does not seem to cause increased markers of muscle damage or changes in perceived exertion during soccer practice.

Motives for sports practice in young soccer and volleyball athletes

The reasons why athletes, especially young people, seek to adhere to sports practice has aroused the interest of research. The aim of this study was to identify the reasons for the sports practice of young soccer and volleyball athletes according to gender, age, family economic class, practice time and level of competitiveness. 188 athletes, 56 volleyball athletes and 132 soccer players aged 10-16 participated in the study. The reasons for the sport were identified through the Participation Motivation Questionnaire (PMQ). The data were analyzed through Covariance Analysis. The results indicated that, in general, the most important reason for sports practice was “Technical Competence” (4.51±0.54), followed by factors of intermediate importance: “Competition” (4.30±0.73), “Group Activity” (4.29±0.71) and “Physical Fitness” (4.25±0.64). Low-income families (C) attributed greater importance to the motivation factors related to “Social Recognition” and “Group Activity”. Athletes with lower practice time conceded less relevance to “Group Activity” and “Affiliation”, while those with a national competitive level demonstrated greater importance to all motivation factors, with the exception of “Competition.” Young athletes have been motivated to practice sports, especially for reasons related to self-realization, improvement of technical skills and overcoming challenges. Differences were also identified between family economic class groups, practice time and competitive level in the motivation factors for sports practice.

Physical activity on days with and without soccer practice in 12-13-year-old boys

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Majority of children are unable to meet the recommended 60min of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Even participation into organized sport may not guarantee that recommended amount of activity is reached.Objectives: Purpose of this study was to examine the amount and intensity of physical activity (PA) on days with and without practices and to find out whether daytime PA preceding soccer practice is associated with certain practice-time PA intensity level.Methods: Daily light, moderate and vigorous PA of 18 boys between 12 and 13 years of age engaged in soccer was measured for 9 days with and without soccer practices with wrist-worn Polar A300 activity meter. In addition, PA during practices was extracted and compared to PA preceding the practice session.Results: The daily MVPA was twice as high on days with training as compared to days without training both on weekdays (mean difference ± 95% confidence interval = 67 min ± 14 min) and on weekend (63 min ± 36 min). PA preceding soccer practice had a positive correlation with all PA intensity levels during practice (r = 0.34–0.84, p < 0.05–0.01).Conclusion: Physical activity should be promoted especially on days without organized practices and children should be encouraged to be physically active throughout the day as this was not found to compromise their activity during training.

A pilot study of diffusion tensor imaging metrics and cognitive performance pre and post repetitive, intentional sub-concussive heading in soccer practice

Background Although soccer players routinely head the ball in practice and games, recent research has suggested that cumulative effects of repetitive heading may cause sub-concussive injury with accompanying effects on brain and behavior. The current study aimed to prospectively investigate the effects of repetitive, intentional heading in soccer practice on brain structure and cognitive function, using a within-subjects design. Methods Participants included 10 soccer players (mean age 20.09 years ± 2.88) who were examined immediately pre- and post-heading practice. An accelerometer was used to measure the force of the impact during soccer heading. Magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired on a 3 T GE Scanner with diffusion tensor imaging. Diffusion tensor imaging analyses were completed using functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain software library’s Tract-Based Spatial Statistics to examine changes in both fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity due to heading the soccer ball. Behavioral measures were also completed pre- and post-soccer heading and included the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool and three short-computerized executive function tasks; R studio was used to compare behavioral data within subjects. Results Accelerometer data revealed that none of the heading impacts were &gt;10 g. At this level of impact, there were no significant pre–post heading differences in either fractional anisotropy or mean diffusivity. Additionally, aside from minimal practice effects, there were no significant differences in Sport Concussion Assessment Tool scores and no significant differences in the performance of the three executive function tasks pre–post heading. Conclusions The results provide initial evidence that repetitive heading in soccer practice, at a g force of 10, does not cause changes in brain structure or executive function. Future research should investigate heading in the context of games and with a greater sample size that would allow for sex-based comparisons.

An Exploratory Study of Youth Soccer Players’ Participation Motivation and Health-Related Behaviors

Using the Adapted Questionnaire of Soccer Athlete’s Motivation and Health Related Behaviors -Chinese Version (AQSAMHRB), this study examined essential factors that motivate youth athletes to participate in soccer practices and competitions. Participants included 98 male soccer athletes (aged 14–15) from 10 middle schools of Jiangsu province, China. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and a 2 (Supporting: By Parents or By School) × 2 (Goal-Setting: For Professional or For Non-Professional) MANOVA. The top three scores from the 18 motivation factors (MFs) in the AQSAMHRB included MF1, high technical content and unique value, M = 4.73; MF4, to meet friends, M = 4.42; and MF2, for fun, M = 4.34. The 2 × 2 MANOVA revealed no significant difference in Supporting, p > .32, Λ = .79, F = 1.16, but a significant difference in Goal-Setting, p < .00, Λ = .03, F = 143.61. The follow-up MANOVA discovered that 12 of the 18 MF comparisons in Goal-Setting showed significant difference at p < .05, with For Professional scoring higher than For Non-Professional (e.g., MF6, to contest winners; MF7, to shape the body; MF9, to become a professional; and MF17, to become a coach). In brief, intrinsic and extrinsic MFs significantly affected these soccer athletes’ motivations. It did not matter who supported their participation, but it was their Goal-Setting on becoming a Professional or Non-Professional athlete that mattered. On the other hand, for the 27 health-related behaviors in the AQSAMHRB, frequency and percentage data were analyzed and summarized. Findings from this aspect provide firsthand information about the youth soccer athletes’ eating habits, nutrition knowledge and status, risk behaviors, and hygiene behaviors. A meaningful discussion from an educational perspective has also been provided. Subscribe to TPE

A PRÁTICA PEDAGÓGICA DO FUTEBOL NAS AULAS DE EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA SOB UMA PERSPECTIVA DE GÊNERO

Esta pesquisa-intervenção propôs-se a analisar um caminho didático-pedagógico que articulasse o trato do conteúdo futebol com uma postura coeducativa. A fundamentação teórica pautou-se pela pedagogia histórico-crítica (SAVIANI, 2005), pelos estudos de Gasparin (2003) sobre os aspectos didáticos desta pedagogia, e por Castellani Filho et al. (2009) que, por meio da proposta crítico-superadora trouxeram, para a Educação Física, a concepção de ensino proposta por Saviani. Para tanto, foi observado um programa de aulas de futebol em um sexto ano do ensino fundamental de uma escola pública de Cocal do Sul – SC. Para registro das aulas utilizou-se gravação em vídeo e em áudio, complementadas por anotações em um diário de campo. Os resultados demonstraram que as relações de gênero entre adolescentes, durante a prática pedagógica do futebol, são hegemonicamente masculinas, mas após vivenciarem a problematização da experiência coeducativa, novas alternativas de sociabilidade e aprendizagem podem surgir, questionando a generificação ali presente.

Application of model development of soccer physical tests

Application is a measuringtool of physical test to facilitate the trainer. This study aimed to produce a valid, physical, practical, and effective soccer test application product. The method used in this research was research and development in order of 1) analyzing the needs, 2) designing the initial draft product, 3) validating by media experts and physical trainers of soccer branch, 4) improving the draft design, 5) conducting trials on small groups of athletes of futsal national student sport week, 6) revising the product of physical test application, 7) conducting large group trials, athletes of Local Student Training Center (Sekayufootball), 8) revising on large group test results, and 9) analyzing the final product. The study result on the small group trial showed that 62.4% of the data covered aspects of soccer practice and physical test soccer application. The study result on the trials in large groups was 64.4% of the data. The findings of the study showed that the physical test applications were easy to use by a coach. The implication is that the product of physical test application can be used to find out the result of soccer training program for the Local Student Training Center and School of Football in South Sumatra.

Gender-specific HIV and substance abuse prevention strategies for South African men: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundYoung men in South Africa face concurrent epidemics of HIV, drug and alcohol abuse, and unemployment. Standard HIV prevention programs, located in healthcare settings and/or using counseling models, fail to engage men. Soccer and vocational training are examined as contexts to deliver male-specific, HIV prevention programs.MethodsYoung men (n = 1200) are randomly assigned by neighborhood to one of three conditions: 1) soccer league (n = 400; eight neighborhoods); 2) soccer league plus vocational training (n = 400; eight neighborhoods); or 3) a control condition (n = 400; eight neighborhoods). Soccer practices and games occur three times per week and vocational training is delivered by Silulo Ulutho Technologies and Zenzele Training and Development. At baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months, the relative efficacy of these strategies to increase the number of significant outcomes (NSO) among 15 outcomes which occur (1) or not (0) are summed and compared using binomial logistic regressions. The summary primary outcome reflects recent HIV testing, substance abuse, employment, sexual risk, violence, arrests, and mental health status.DiscussionThe failure of men to utilize HIV prevention programs highlights the need for gender-specific intervention strategies. However, men in groups can provoke and encourage greater risk-taking among themselves. The current protocol evaluates a male-specific strategy to influence men’s risk for HIV, as well as to improve their ability to contribute to family income and daily routines. Both interventions are expected to significantly benefit men compared with the control condition.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov registration, NCT02358226. Registered 24 November 2014.

Changes in Transcranial Sonographic Measurement of the Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter in Non-concussed Collegiate Soccer Players Across a Single Season.

IntroductionBedside ultrasound measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is emerging as a non-invasive technique to evaluate and predict raised intracranial pressure (ICP) in both children and adults. The prognostic value of increased ONSD on brain computed tomography (CT) scan has previously been correlated with increased intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Previous studies have also evaluated the association between high-contact sports, such as soccer, and TBI; however, the related changes in ONSD are still unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate for the natural evolution of changes in ONSD in athletes who participate in high-contact sports.MethodsIn this prospective observational study, volunteers from a collegiate women’s soccer team underwent the measurement of ONSD with transcranial Doppler (TCD). ONSDs were measured during the initial visit during the pre-season period and again at the three-month follow-up. A single experienced neuro-sonographer performed all measurements to eliminate any operator bias.ResultsTwenty-four female college soccer players between the ages of 18 and 23 were included in this analysis. Mean ONSD during the initial pre-season clinic visit and the three-month follow-up were 4.14±0.6 mm and 5.02±0.72 mm, respectively (P < 0.0001). A two-tailed t-test analysis was performed, which resulted in a t-value of 4.76 and P < 0.00001. The average ONSD measured during the post-season follow-up showed a 21.3% increase compared to the baseline.ConclusionThe evaluation of high-contact sports athletes is limited due to the lack of objective radiologic and diagnostic tools. Moreover, in an athlete suffering a concussion, return-to-play decisions are heavily dependent on the symptoms reported by the athletes. In our analysis of collegiate women’s soccer players, active participation in soccer competitions and practice may be associated with an increase in ONSD, independent of concussions. Further studies are underway to evaluate the clinical significance of these findings as well as possible correlations between concussions and changes in ONSD.

Healthy Practice of Female Soccer and Futsal: Identifying Sources of Stress, Anxiety and Depression

The aim of this study was to examine the post-injury psychological impact looking to avoid sources of health issues. We have analyzed differences in the stress, anxiety, and depression levels between male and female football players who have suffered at least one injury during the last season played, with respect to similar players who have not been injured. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The participants were 187 football players and data on the player’s injuries were collected. A self-reported questionnaire collected number, type, and severity of injuries sustained during the previous sports season (twelve months), and also the player’s current situation, being injured or not injured. To evaluate the psychological variables, the DASS-21 questionnaire was used. Results indicated that the male injured players presented anxiety levels higher than those who were non-injured. When we observe the female players’ data, the stress levels of the non-injured ones are higher than those of the injured players. Regarding the non-injured athletes, results showed that the female non-injured players presented values in anxiety higher than those corresponding to the non-injured male players. Thus, sport injury affects mental health issues such as anxiety and stress, and in a different way regarding gender.

Professional soccer is associated with radiographic cam and pincer hip morphology.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome is characterized by a triad: symptoms, clinical signs and imaging findings. Some individuals, especially athletes, have only imaging alterations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cam and pincer morphology in professional soccer players compared with a control group of non-athletes and to investigate the association between the age at which players start playing competitive soccer more than three times per week and duration of the soccer career with the prevalence of these radiographic findings. The prevalence of cam and pincer morphology in sixty professional adult male soccer players and thirty-two male controls was determined using pelvic anteroposterior radiography. Data were recorded for all hips and correlated with the age at which the players started competitive soccer practice and with the duration of their soccer career. The prevalence of morphological FAI in the soccer players was 92.5% versus 28.1% in the controls (p < 0.001). The duration of the soccer career was positively correlated with the alpha angle (p = 0.033) and negatively correlated with the retroversion index (p = 0.009). The age at which competitive play began was inversely correlated with the alpha angle (p < 0.001). The study showed a high prevalence of cam and pincer morphology in Brazilian professional soccer players compared with controls. The duration of the soccer career was associated with an increased alpha angle and a decreased retroversion index, and the age at which competitive soccer participation began was negatively associated with alpha angle values. Finally, this manuscript provides data about the association between greater exposure to soccer and cam and pincer morphological changes in the hip; specifically, cam morphology was more common in patients who began participating in sports at earlier ages. This information serves as an alert for coaches of youth teams to manage the training load in youth athletes. III.

Recreational soccer practice among adults, in Brazilian capitals, 2011-2015.

to describe the profile of recreational adult soccer players who lived in the Brazilian capitals in the period from 2011 to 2015. descriptive study with a sample of adults interviewed by the Surveillance System for Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey - VIGITEL (2011 to 2015). 11.812 adults (11.375 men and 437 women) pointed to soccer as their main leisure physical exercise, with higher prevalence in the North region (32%) and lower in the South region (10%) of the country; the average reduction of soccer players 3.4% for every 5 years over age (95%CI 2.9;4.1); from 2011 to 2015, there was decrease in the number of soccer players, -1.4% per year (95%CI -0,7;2,2). the practice of soccer was predominantly male, presented an inverse relationship with the increase of age, more prevalent in the Northern region and less prevalent in the Southern region.

9) Idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia in an Adolescent Female

Introduction: Idiopathic ventricular tachycardia is defined as an arrhythmia without evidence of a predisposing factor such as structural heart disease or a secondary medical cause. Pharmacologic management may differ based on the anatomic origin of the tachycardia. This case highlights the management of an adolescent patient with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia and a brief review of current literature. Case Report: A previously healthy 13 year old female presented with the sensation of palpitations after soccer practice. Initial EKG demonstrated a wide QRS ventricular tachycardia at 195 beats per minute with a left …

Heading Frequency Is More Strongly Related to Cognitive Performance Than Unintentional Head Impacts in Amateur Soccer Players.

Compared to heading, unintentional head impacts (e.g., elbow to head, head to head, head to goalpost) in soccer are more strongly related to risk of moderate to very severe Central Nervous System (CNS) symptoms. But, most head impacts associated with CNS symptoms that occur in soccer are mild and are more strongly related to heading. We tested for a differential relation of heading and unintentional head impacts with neuropsychological (NP) test performance. Active adult amateur soccer players were recruited in New York City and the surrounding areas for this repeated measures longitudinal study of individuals who were enrolled if they had 5+ years of soccer play and were active playing soccer 6+ months/year. All participants completed a baseline validated questionnaire ("HeadCount-2w"), reporting 2-week recall of soccer activity, heading and unintentional head impacts. In addition, participants also completed NP tests of verbal learning, verbal memory, psychomotor speed, attention, and working memory. Most participants also completed one or more identical follow-up protocols (i.e., HeadCount-2w and NP tests) at 3- to 6-month intervals over a 2-year period. Repeated measures General Estimating Equations (GEE) linear models were used to determine if variation in NP tests at each visit was related to variation in either heading or unintentional head impacts in the 2-week period before testing. 308 players (78% male) completed 741 HeadCount-2w. Mean (median) heading/2-weeks was 50 (17) for men and 26 (7) for women. Heading was significantly associated with poorer performance on psychomotor speed (p < 0.001) and attention (p = 0.02) tasks and was borderline significant with poorer performance on the working memory (p = 0.06) task. Unintentional head impacts were not significantly associated with any NP test. Results did not differ after excluding 22 HeadCount-2w with reported concussive or borderline concussive symptoms. Poorer NP test performance was consistently related to frequent heading during soccer practice and competition in the 2 weeks before testing. In contrast, unintentional head impacts incurred during soccer were not related to cognitive performance.

EFECTOS DE UN PROGRAMA DE ENTRENAMIENTO SOBRE LA POTENCIA Y ACELERACIÓN EN JÓVENES JUGADORES DE FÚTBOL DEL CLUB F.C. TOCANCIPÁ.

En el club F.C. Tocancipá, se trabajan con diferentes categorías, todas enfocadas a la práctica del fútbol, el objetivo principal del estudio es evaluar los efectos de un programa de entrenamiento sobre la capacidad de aceleración y potencia en jóvenes de 13 a 14 años, implementando métodos de entrenamiento de acuerdo a la edad de la muestra. Dentro de la metodología es una investigación cuasi-experimental de corte transversal, se trabajó el mando directo y la asignación de tareas, que brindan diversas herramientas a la hora de tener el control total de la sesión y un desarrollo por estaciones del trabajo asignado, en que cada jugador tenga su rol en el desarrollo del entrenamiento. Dentro de los resultados obtenidos se pudo analizar un mejoramiento significativo en las pruebas: 20 metros planos (5,37%), 10 metros planos (3,46%) y prueba de salto sin impulso (5,22%), así mismo, el aumento de talla de la muestra fue de (1,27%) y en cuanto al peso un incremento (2,47%).

Coach ratings of skills and their relations to practice, play and successful transitions from youth-elite to adult-professional status in soccer

ABSTRACTElite soccer players (~15 yr) from professional academies in the UK were rated on technical, tactical, physical and creative skills by coaches at time 1 (T1). Players estimated accumulated hours in soccer practice (coach-led activities) and play (self-led activities) during childhood. Coach-ratings were again collected 2.5 yr later (T2) for players that received a professional contract (~17 yr). Adult-professional status was determined at T3 (~ 20 yr). Skill ratings distinguished across the three “future” groups (academy-only, youth-professional only and adult-professional), for all but creative skill. For players that transitioned to youth-professional, medium sized correlations were noted between childhood practice amounts and technical and creative skill ratings at T1, although practice amounts correlated more strongly with skill ratings at T2. Play amounts were not related to any skills. Within groups of youth elite athletes, domain-specific play in childhood, and to a lesser degree practice, were generally not good discriminators of specific-skills. The effects of sport-specific practice on the development (and discriminability) of skills takes time to emerge. We consider the implications for talent development models and purported links between play and creativity.

Early majority engagement pathway best defines transitions from youth to adult elite men's soccer in the UK: A three time-point retrospective and prospective study

ObjectivesWe evaluated the relative importance of developmental soccer activities engaged in during childhood and adolescence and their relationships with attainment of youth and adult professional status. Design and methodsA mixed retrospective and prospective study was conducted whereby youth academy soccer players in the UK completed demographic and practice history questionnaires at Time 1 (T1; n = 102; 13–15 yr) and T2 (for those retained on a professional contract at ∼17 yr; n = 26; termed Professional-youth). At T3 (∼20 yr), players were further differentiated on the basis of progression to adult professional soccer (Adult-professional, n = 9; Youth-professional only, n = 17). ResultsLess than 10% of the sample specialized only in soccer from childhood and no early specializers progressed to Adult-professional. Soccer was the majority sport from early childhood for nearly all players. Players that attained Professional-youth status (T2) accumulated more hours in organized soccer practice during childhood and started in an academy earlier than those that did not. The future adult and youth professionals did not differ on these childhood variables. However, a separate comparison of the professional groups showed that the Adult-Professionals accumulated more hours in play (and proportionately more hours in play) when estimates were based on T1 and T2, than the youth professional. ConclusionsThese findings support the early-engagement pathway as a model for successful transitions in professional soccer amongst male youth elite players. This pathway is primarily defined by majority engagement in high volumes of domain specific practice and play in childhood.

THE EFFECT OF CORE AND BALANCE TRAINING ON SINGLE-LEG SWAY PARAMETERS AND WELL-DIRECTED KICK OF MALE SOCCER PLAYERS

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of eight-week core and balance training on single-leg sway parameters and well-directed kick of male soccer players. 24 male players of an amateur soccer club aged 14 to 15 participated in the study. The participants were randomized into an experimental group (EG, n=12) performing core and balance trainings with soccer training and a control group (CG, n=12) performing only their routine soccer training programs for 8 weeks. Biodex Balance SD (Biodex Inc., Shirley, NY) device was used to measure single-leg sway parameters and Mor–Christian general aptitude soccer test was used to evaluate well-directed kick. EG athletes showed statistically better results in well-direct kick and dominant-leg-sway parameters than CG athletes (p 0.05). When classical soccer practice supported by core and unstable surface exercises, possible developments in balance affects dominant and non-dominant legs of athletes to achieve in soccer the necessary skills more easily so it can be concluded that regular soccer training with core and balance exercises would be particularly effective in improving balance parameters and soccer skills. Article visualizations:

Structural differences in the lower extremities in children aged 7–9 years, caused by playing football: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundPhysical activity during childhood can be beneficial in the long term. However, this practice can influence the child’s physiological development. The aim of this study was to determine whether the practice of soccer, in moderation, could be a risk factor for the inadequate development of the lower limb. MethodsThe study group was composed of 115 children, of whom 59 (mean age 8.03±0.89years) practised soccer 3 times a week and had a positive Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) score, while a further 56 (mean age 7.96±0.87years) did not perform any additional physical activity and had a negative PAQ-A score. A foot posture analysis, based on the foot posture index (FPI), the valgus index, the orientation of the subtalar joint (STJ) and the Q angle of the knee, was carried out. ResultsFor the group of soccer players, the following results were obtained: FPI 4.79±2.38 (R) and 3.95±2.31 (L); valgus index 13.56°±1.66° (R) and 13.42°±1.48° (L); STJ test 79% pronated; Q angle 13.13°±2.06° (R) and 13.18°±1.93° (L). For the non-players, the corresponding values were: FPI 3.62±2.82 (R) and 3.74±2.77 (L); valgus index 12.76°±1.71° (R) and 12.84°±1.72° (L); STJ test 50% pronated; Q angle 13.87°±3.01° (R) and 13.86°±2.94° (L). ConclusionThere is a degree of difference between the two groups, but the values do not vary greatly from those considered normal for this age group. Any alterations in this respect can be assumed to be caused at older ages than those analysed.