Sub-elite Players Research Articles

Association between ACE and ACTN3 genes polymorphisms and athletic performance in elite and sub-elite Chinese youth male football players.

Previous studies have shown controversial relationships between ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577x polymorphisms and athletic performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess athletic performance indicators of Chinese youth male football players with different ACE and ACTN3 gene profiles. This study recruited 73 elite (26 13-year-olds, 28 14-year-olds, and 19 15-year-olds) and 69 sub-elite (37 13-year-olds, 19 14-year-olds, and 13 15-year-olds) and 107 controls (63 13-year-olds, and 44 14-year olds aged 13-15 years, all participants were of Chinese Han origin. We measured height, body mass, thigh circumference, speed, explosive power, repeat sprints ability, and aerobic endurance in elite and sub-elite players. We used single nucleotide polymorphism technology to detect controls elite and sub-elite players' ACE and ACTN3 genotypes, Chi-squared (χ 2) tests were employed to test for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. χ 2 tests were also used to observe the association between the genotype distribution and allele frequencies between controls and elite and sub-elite players. The differences in parameters between the groups were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and a Bonferroni's post-hoc test, with statistical significance set at p≤0.05. (1) The genotype distribution of the ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577x polymorphisms in controls, elite and sub-elite football players were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, except for the ACE genotype distribution of sub-elite players. (2) The RR and DD genotypes were significantly different between elite and sub-elite players (p = 0.024 and p = 0.02, respectively). (3) Elite players were more likely to have the RR genotype and less likely to have the DD genotype compared with sub-elite players. (4) Both elite and sub-elite RR players' Yo-yo intermittent recovery level 1 (YYIR1) running distance was significantly longer than that of RX players (p = 0.05 and p = 0.025, respectively). However, there was no significantly different in YYIR1 running distance between elite and sub-elite RR players. (5) Elite XX players' VO2 max was significantly higher than that of RX and sub-elite players. These results indicate that ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577x polymorphisms are not associated with muscle power in Chinese elite and sub-elite players. The XX genotype of ACTN3 is associated with the aerobic endurance of elite players.

High-level soccer players have a low rate of return to performance after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome

PurposeFemoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) is a known cause of impaired sports performance in athletes and the relationship between FAIS and soccer players has previously been described. Hip arthroscopy is a viable treatment option that can facilitate athletes’ return to sport (RTS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the RTS and return to performance (RTP) with objective measurements in high-level soccer players after hip arthroscopy for FAIS.MethodSoccer players, with a hip sports activity scale (HSAS) level of 7 or 8 before symptom onset and undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAIS between 2011 and 2019 were identified in the Gothenburg hip arthroscopic registry. A total of 83 high-level soccer players, with a mean age of 23.9 (SD 4.4) years at surgery, were included. To verify the activity level and further stratify players as elite or sub-elite, player statistics were collected from soccer-specific scout webpages and the Swedish national soccer association. The return to sport was defined as return to one game of soccer. Return to performance was defined as playing at the same level, or higher, and participating in at least 80% of the number of games played the season before symptom onset or the season before surgery either the first or second season after hip arthroscopy.ResultsIn total, 71 (85.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 76.1–92.3%) of the players returned to sport the first or second season after surgery. Compared to the season before symptom onset, 31 (37.3%, 95% CI 27.0–48.7%) players returned to performance the first or second season after surgery, and 32 (38.6%, 95% CI 28.1–49.9%) players returned to performance the first or second season after surgery compared to the season before surgery.ConclusionA high rate of elite and sub-elite soccer players return to soccer after hip arthroscopy for FAIS. However, less than half of the players RTP when evaluating performance through level of play and number of games played.Level of evidenceLevel IV.

Methods of performance analysis in women's Australian football: a scoping review.

The first women's Australian football (AF) professional competition was established in 2017, resulting in advancement in performance analysis capabilities within the sport. Given the specific constraints of women's AF, it is currently unclear what match-play performance analysis methods and techniques are implemented. Therefore, the aim of this scoping review was to describe and critically appraise physical, technical, and tactical performance analysis methods that have been employed in women's and girls' AF match-play. A systematic search was conducted on the 27th of June 2022 through five databases. Eligibility criteria were derived from the PCC framework with the population (P) of women and girls AF players, of any level of play; concepts (C) of interest which were measures, data, and methods related to the sport's physical, technical, and tactical performance; and the context (C) of methods that analysed any match-play performance. A narrative synthesis was conducted using extracted study characteristic data such as sample size, population, time period, collection standards, evaluation metrics for results, and application of thematic categorisations of previous sports performance reviews. Critical appraisal of eligible studies' methodologies was conducted to investigate research quality and identify methodological issues. From 183 studies screened, twelve eligible studies were included, which examined match-play through physical (9/12, 75%), technical (4/12, 33%), and tactical analysis (2/12, 17%). Running demands and game actions analysis were the most researched in senior women's AF. Research into junior girls' AF match-play performance has not been investigated. No research has been conducted on non-running physical demands, contact demands, acceleration, and tactical aspects of women's AF. All studies utilised either inferential statistics or basic predictive models. Critical appraisal deemed most studies as low risk of bias (11/12, 92%), with the remaining study having satisfactory risk. Future research utilising increased longitudinal and greater contextual data is needed to combat the prominent issue of data representativeness to better characterise performance within women's and girls' AF. Additionally, research involving junior and sub-elite AF players across the talent pathways is important to conduct, as it provides greater context and insight regarding development to support the evolving elite women's AF competition. Women's AF has been constrained by its resource environment. As such, suggestions are provided for better utilisation of existing data, as well as for the creation of new data for appropriate future research. Greater data generation enables the use of detailed machine learning predictions, neural networks, and network analysis to better represent the intertwined nature of match-play performance from technical, physical, and tactical data.

Association between ACTN3 R577x and the physical performance of Chinese 13 to 15-year-old elite and sub-elite football players at different positions.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ACTN3 polymorphisms in Chinese elite and sub-elite football players aged 13-15years at different positions. Specifically we explored whether ACTN3 genotypes were linked with athletic performance of elite and sub-elite players at different positions. The RR genotype frequency of elite defenders (p = 0.018) and midfielders (p = 0.008) was significantly higher than that of sub-elite XX genotype in elite players. Furthermore, the R allele frequency of elite defenders (p = 0.003) and midfielders (p = 0.008) was significantly higher than that of sub-elite players. In all subjects, RR players performed faster and exhibited more explosive power than RX or XX players. RR, RX and XX elite players' 20m/30m sprint, 5 × 25-m repeated sprint ability (5 × 25m RSA), and standing long jump were stronger than sub-elite players, but there was no significant different in aerobic endurance between elite and sub-elite players at different positions. In conclusion, there were significant differences in ACTN3 genotypes and alleles between elite and sub-elite players at different positions, and the RR genotype was significantly associated with power-related athletic performance in Chinese youth football players.

Difference Asymmetry between Preferred Dominant and Non-Dominant Legs in Muscular Power and Balance among Sub-Elite Soccer Players in Qatar

The objective of this study was to determine and compare leg asymmetry between preferred dominant and non-dominant legs in muscular power and balance among sub-elite soccer (football) players in Qatar. Thirty-two professional local soccer players from the Qatar Stars League (Second Division) participated in the study (23.1 ± 6.1 years). They were classified according to their preferred dominant leg (preferred leg to kick the ball). Twenty-two players had a right dominant leg, and the remaining ten had a left dominant leg. Countermovement jump (CMJ) was used to measure unilateral and bilateral vertical jump performances. The Y-balance test (YBT) was used to assess dynamic balance. No significant differences were found between the dominant and non-dominant leg for CMJ flight height (p > 0.05; asymmetry index (AI) = 1.83 ± 11.46) or the relative and absolute reach distance derived from the YBT (p > 0.05; AI (relative) = −0.45 ± 9.68, AI (absolute) = −0.60 ± 12.3). Bilateral asymmetry in dynamic balance was not significant for any of the anterior, posteromedial, or the posterolateral reaching directions (p > 0.05). The selected football players demonstrated an acceptable level of leg symmetry for power and dynamic balance. These findings may prove helpful for the assessment and evaluation of talents and should help to develop and optimize training regimes.

Physiological differences in elite and sub-elite young soccer players

Physiological differences in elite and sub-elite young soccer players

Comparative Effects of Contrast Training and Progressive Resistance Training on Strength and Power-Related Measures in Subelite Australian Rules Football Players.

Schneiker, KT, Fyfe, JJ, Teo, SYM, and Bishop, DJ. Comparative effects of contrast training and progressive resistance training on strength and power-related measures in subelite Australian Rules Football players. J Strength Cond Res 37(7): 1440-1448, 2023-The aim of this study was to determine whether contrast training (CST) elicits superior strength-related and power-related outcomes compared with progressive resistance training (PRT). Sixteen male amateur Australian Rules Football players (age, 19 ± 2 years; height, 183 ± 8 cm; body mass, 78.5 ± 8.8 kg; mean ± SD ) completed 2 weeks of standardized resistance training followed by 6 weeks of either CST or PRT. Both CST and PRT improved absolute (20 and 19%) and relative (19 and 16%) 1 repetition maximum (1RM) half squat strength, absolute (8.7 and 8.7%, respectively) and relative (8.2 and 6.1%, respectively) squat jump peak power, and 20-m sprint performance (5.4 and 4.7%, respectively), including both 0 to 5 m (15 and 14%, respectively) and 0 to 10 m (8.6 and 7.5%, respectively) splits. Vertical jump height only improved with CST (6.5%), whereas body mass only increased after PRT (1.9%). There were negative associations between the baseline power-to-strength ratio (PSR) and improvements in both absolute ( r2 = 0.51 and 0.72 for CST and PRT, respectively) and relative ( r2 = 0.65 and 0.60 for CST and PRT, respectively) squat jump peak power. There were no statistically significant (i.e., p ≥ 0.05) between-group differences for all training outcomes. Both interventions improved various strength-related and power-related measures, although a lower baseline PSR was associated with greater improvements in power-related outcomes after both interventions. Contrast training is therefore an effective alternative to progressive resistance training during relatively short-term (6-8 weeks) training periods in young, male, team-sport athletes, particularly in those with a lower power-to-strength ratio.

Effects of athletic training on physical fitness and stroke velocity in healthy youth and adult tennis players: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Better physical fitness and stroke velocity in healthy elite compared to sub-elite tennis players have been shown in previous studies. However, evidence-based knowledge regarding the effectiveness of athletic training on physical fitness and stroke velocity is currently lacking. Thus, the objective of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to characterize, aggregate, and quantify athletic training effects on measures of physical fitness and stroke velocity in healthy youth and adult tennis players. A computerized systematic literature search was performed in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and SportDiscus from their inception date to August 2022. Studies were included, among others, if the intervention period lasted a minimum of four weeks and if at least one parameter of physical fitness (i.e., speed, agility, lower-extremity muscle power, upper-extremity muscle power/strength, endurance, balance, flexibility) or stroke performance (i.e., stroke velocity) was tested. Initially, 11,511 articles were identified, after removing duplicates and assessing abstracts and full texts, 24 articles were used to calculate weighted standardized mean differences (SMD). For measures of physical fitness, athletic training resulted in small (speed: SMD = 0.44), moderate (endurance: SMD = 0.61, upper-extremity muscle power: SMD = 0.72; flexibility: SMD = 0.63), and large (agility: SMD = 0.93, lower-extremity muscle power: SMD = 0.88; upper-extremity muscle strength: SMD = 0.90; balance: SMD = 0.88) effects. Further, a large effect (SMD = 0.90) on stroke velocity was detected. The additionally performed sub-analyses showed differences in the effectiveness of athletic training on variables of physical fitness and stroke speed when considering players' age (i.e., youth players: <18 years; adult players: ≥18 years). Precisely, there was a high potential for training-related adaptations in adult players with respect to lower-extremity muscle power, upper-extremity muscle strength, and stroke velocity and in youth players with respect to endurance. Interventions to promote physical fitness and stroke velocity in healthy tennis players revealed varying levels of effectiveness ranging from small to large and these were additionally affected by players' age. Therefore, future studies should investigate modalities to increase training efficacy in youth and adult tennis players, especially for fitness components that showed small- to moderate-sized changes.

Are male netball players satisfied with the shoes that they wear for netball?

Despite the recent growth of men participating in netball, the footwear needs of male netball players have been largely neglected by researchers and shoe manufacturers. This study aimed to determine whether male netball players were satisfied with the shoes they currently wore for netball and explore the reasons why many men do not wear netball-specific shoes. 279 amateur, sub-elite and elite male netball players completed a 38-question online survey about their footwear habits and foot-related problems. A mixed-methods approach was used to analyse the quantitative and qualitative survey data. Irrespective of shoe type worn, men were dissatisfied with the width fit, durability and breathability of the shoes they currently wore for netball activity. The participants desired to modify the outsole, insole and toe box of the current shoes they wore for netball. Men also identified a diverse range of non-shoe design and shoe design factors related to fit and functionality that deterred them from wearing netball-specific footwear. It is recommended that the fit and functionality of shoes designed for male netball players are improved to better cater for the foot dimensions and netball performance demands of men.

Effect of Substitution Time on Physical, Technical and Cognitive Performance in Sub-Elite Male Field Hockey Players

Effect of Substitution Time on Physical, Technical and Cognitive Performance in Sub-Elite Male Field Hockey Players

The effects of fatigability on shooting skill performance in goalball penalty shots

This study evaluated the influence of acute fatigue on shooting skill performance in goalball penalty shots. Eleven sub-elite male players were evaluated in an official court using a two-dimensional procedure (60 Hz) to compute the mean radial error, bivariate variable error and accuracy, and three-dimensional kinematics (240 Hz) to measure ball velocity. Rating of perceived exertion, blood lactate concentration and knee extension isometric maximal voluntary contractions were assessed at rest and immediately after the completion of an incremental test specific to goalball. Although significant differences were observed for rating of perceived exertion (pre: M = .36 AU, SD = .67; post: M = 9.27 AU, SD = .79), blood lactate concentration (M = 1.33 mM, SD = .51; M = 9.04 mM, SD = 2.25) and peak force (M = 597.85 N, SD = 132.35; M = 513.37 N, SD =107.00) at the end of the incremental test, no differences were identified in the pre and post moments for mean radial error (M = .10 m, SD = 1.01; M =.37 m, SD = 2.19), bivariate variable error (M = 3.56 m, SD = .70; M = 3.25 m, SD = .70), accuracy (M = 3.68 m, SD = .74; M = 3.78 m, SD = 1.13) and ball velocity (M = 18.53 m.s-1, SD = 1.53; M =18.46 m.s-1, SD = 1.65). We concluded that even though significant levels of fatigability can be attributed to the incremental test specific to goalball, shooting skill performance in goalball penalty shots does not appear to be affected. However, further investigations are needed so that goalball coaches can develop strategies that contribute to improve performance in this technical action. Such improvements are decisive for the outcome of a match.

The Association between External Training Load, Perceived Exertion and Total Quality Recovery in Sub-Elite Youth Football

Background: Moderate to very large correlation between internal training load, external training load, and recovery status have been reported in elite youth football. However, little is known about subelite youth football training environments. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the association between training load and recovery status in young subelite football players. Methods: Twenty under-15, twenty under-17, and twenty under-19 players were monitored over a 6-week period during the first month of the 2019-2020 competitive season. The global positioning system technology (GPS) was used to collect external training load variables. The internal training load variables were monitored using the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale and session RPE (sRPE). The recovery status was assessed by the total quality recovery (TQR). A total of 18 training sessions and 324 observation cases were collected. Results: Small to moderate correlation between internal and external load was observed (r = -0.316 to 0.136, p &lt; 0.05). Correlations between recovery status and external load were moderate for U15 (r = -0.326 to -0.240, p &lt; 0.05), U17 (r = -0.316 to 0.136, p &lt; 0.05) and U19 (r = -0.301 to 0.282, p &lt; 0.05). The association between perceived exertion and external training load is only significant for U19 subelite football players. Conclusion: Current research suggested that subelite youth football players were more likely to have lower capacity to judge training exertion. Additionally, recovery status was positively correlated with acceleration and deceleration movements. This study provides a new overview about training load and recovery in subelite youth training environment. Future researche should examine the between- and within-individual nonlinearity across training load and recovery variations.

The professionalization tension in women’s sport: the case of women’s basketball in Australia

ABSTRACT Research Question Women athletes in elite leagues are increasingly viewed as professional, but often this label is aspirational and does not reflect their experience. They are rarely provided with professional working conditions, which creates barriers to becoming elite, full-time athletes. This research aimed to explore the barriers faced by Australian women basketballers at the elite and sub-elite level, how those barriers vary at each stage on the professionalization continuum, and how this impacted the athlete’s experience. Research methods Concept Mapping is a two-phased mixed-methods technique that was used to explore the barriers faced by elite and sub-elite women basketballers. Participants in both groups separately brainstormed barriers they faced, sorted them into groups based on similarity of meaning, and rated them for importance and frequency. Results and findings For sub-elite players, barriers resulting from the inability to balance sporting commitment with other facets of their lives were rated the most important and most frequently experienced. For elite players, the main barrier was low pay. Both these types of barriers link to the respective stage of professionalization of their leagues. Cluster maps and go-zones for each group represent the data. Implications By placing the results in the context of Bowes and Culvin’s (2021) definition of professionalization, this research adds to the understanding of how the current stage of professionalization in Australian women’s basketball hinders career progression for these athletes, and diminishes their experience as a player.

Correlations between core muscle strength endurance and upper-extremity performance in adolescent male sub-elite handball players.

Handball is an Olympic contact sport with high physical, tactical, and technical demands by the players. Out of the different techniques, throwing is the most important one to be able to score. The objective of the study was to investigate the relationships between core muscle strength endurance (Bourban test: ventral, dorsal and lateral chain) and shoulder mobility/stability (Upper Quarter Y Balance test [YBT-UQ]) as well as throwing velocity in adolescent male sub-elite handball players (N = 32, age: 17.1 ± 0.7 years, height: 181.8 ± 6.3 cm, BMI: 24.6 ± 4.9 kg/m2). All participants were free of injuries at least two weeks prior to the study, experienced (training experience: 8.5 ± 3.3 years) handball players who were tested mid-season in the evening of one of their training sessions. Pearson correlations were calculated for core muscle strength endurance with (a) shoulder mobility/stability and (b) throwing velocity. The throwing arm reach displayed significant correlations (both p < 0.05) between the Bourban test (ventral chain) and the inferolateral reach direction (IL) of the YBT-UQ (r = 0.41) as well as the composite score (CS) (r = 0.34). For the dorsal chain, significant correlations (all p < 0.01) were found for the medial (MD) (r = 0.42) and IL (r = 0.61) reach direction as well as the CS (r = 0.51). For the right but not the left side of the lateral chain, significant correlations (both p < 0.05) were detected for the IL reach direction (r = 0.40) and the CS (r = 0.35). For the non-throwing arm reach, significant correlations were found between the ventral chain and the MD reach direction (r = 0.53, p < 0.01) as well as the CS (r = 0.31, p < 0.05). For the dorsal chain, significant correlations (all p < 0.01) were found for the MD (r = 0.47) and IL (r = 0.44) reach direction as well as the CS (r = 0.41). For the lateral chain, significant correlations were detected for the MD (left and right side: r = 0.49, p < 0.01) and IL (left and right side: r = 0.35, p < 0.05) reach direction as well as the CS (left and right side: r = 0.37, p < 0.05). The dorsal chain but not the ventral and lateral chain of the Bourban test showed a significant correlation with throwing velocity (r = 0.33, p < 0.05). Our results indicate that better core muscle strength endurance is associated with better shoulder mobility/stability as well as partially higher throwing velocity of adolescent male sub-elite handball players. Therefore, practitioners should integrate core muscle strength endurance exercises into the training routines to improve upper-extremity performance of this target group.

Effects of a 6 week core strengthening training on measures of physical and athletic performance in adolescent male sub-elite handball players.

The objective was to investigate the effects of a 6-week core strengthening training within the regular handball training sessions compared to regular handball training only. Male sub-elite handball players were randomly assigned to an intervention (INT: n = 13; age: 16.9 ± 0.6 years) or a control (CON: n = 13; age: 17.2 ± 0.8 years) group. The INT group performed the "big 3" core exercises cross curls-up, side bridge (both sides), and the quadrupedal stance ("birddog exercise") triweekly for 20-30 min while the CON group conducted regular handball training only. Pre- and post-training assessments included measures of muscular endurance (Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test [CKCUEST] and the Bourban test), shoulder mobility/stability (Upper Quarter Y Balance [YBT-UQ] test), and throwing velocity. The ANCOVA revealed significant differences between means in favour of the INT group for the dorsal chain (p < 0.001, = 0.46) and the lateral chain (left side: p = 0.015, = 0.22; right side: p = 0.039, = 0.17) of the Bourban test, the composite score (p = 0.024, = 0.20) of the throwing arm reach and the inferolateral reach direction (p = 0.038, = 0.17), and the composite score (p = 0.027, = 0.19) of the non-throwing arm reach of the YBT-UQ. However, performance in the CKCUEST and throwing velocity did not show any group-specific changes. Therefore, 6 weeks of core strengthening training were effective in improving some components of physical but no handball-specific athletic (i.e., throwing velocity) performance in adolescent male sub-elite handball players. Practitioners may still opt for this training regimen when stimulus variability is sought or when a low load/low movement approach (e.g., during rehabilitation) is favoured.

“Benched” The effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on injury incidence in sub-elite football in Australia: A retrospective population study using injury insurance records

ABSTRACT Objectives The primary aim of this study was to compare injury rates pre- and post- COVID-19 lockdown in sub-elite football (soccer) players by analysing the full season and the first month of each season between 2018-2020. Secondary aims were to describe the incidence, location and type of injuries and to compare injuries by age group and sex. Design : Descriptive epidemiological study Methods A de-identified insurance database was retrospectively coded using the Orchard Sports Injury Classification System. Injury incidence per 1000 hours as well as incidence rate ratios (IRR) with confidence intervals were calculated. Results No significant difference was found in the overall incidence rate in 2020 compared with the 2018 and 2019 seasons (IRR, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.96-1.13]; p= 0.294). However, overall injuries increased by 26% (IRR: 1.26 [95% CI 1.07- 1.47]; p<0.005) and joint sprains increased by 45% (IRR: 1.45 [95% CI 1.14- 1.84]; p<0.005) in the first month of 2020 compared with 2018-2019. Between 2018-2020 there were 4149 injury insurance claims, with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures accounting for 19% of all injuries. When comparing sex, female players had significantly more ankle sprains whilst male players suffered more dental injuries. Conclusions This study adds to a growing body of evidence investigating injury rates post COVID-19 lockdowns in sport. Sub-elite players appear to be at higher risk of joint injuries within the first month of training following a period of lockdown. Overall, stakeholders involved in sub-elite football should prioritise knee and ankle joint injury prevention.

Analysis of Mental Toughness Among Sub-Elite Field Hockey Players

Preparation is the key to success in sports at all levels, which is why professional athletes spend a lot of time and money to ensure adequate knowledge, quality of practice and physical education skills. However, among the elite, the difference between those who work well and those who work well is mainly their level of preparation and the ability to use their skills in High status. An important part of this mental preparation is developing the ability to cope with the mental stress that comes with participating in elite sports. In this solution, individual differences in how people respond to stress mean that each person can respond to stressful situations in their own way. This is because individuals can use various coping and coping strategies to cope with stress/anxiety (Holahan Moos, 1994; Moos Shaefer, 1993).Subjects were divided into four groups based on their performance at the 2011 South Division Intercollegiate Hockey Tournament in Tirunelveli. The total number of subjects is 72 and there are 18 subjects in each group. From this qualitative research, seven aspects of psychology were developed. These factors include: self-confidence, negative energy, emotional control, perception and thinking, motivation, positive energy and behavior control. ANOVA statistics were used to analyze the differences between groups. This article provides some information about the empowerment field—definition and theory. Rigorous scientific studies in this area of research allow us to better understand mental health. With an understanding of psychology, it is now possible to conduct research on life-long measurement, development, and education. To truly understand how resilience emerges in people's lives, future research will best examine the interactions between individual traits (e.g., the seven factors identified here), social support, and the nature of stress or depression.

What is the relationship between the presence of hip/groin pain and hip range of motion in active, young adults?

Introduction: The relationship between the presence of hip/groin pain and hip range of motion (ROM) in active young people is currently unclear. With a cross-sectional cohort study design, we aimed to explore the relationship between hip/groin pain (present or absent) and hip joint ROM in sub-elite football players accounting for cam morphology, sex and age.

Monitoring mental health and wellness as a strategy for injury surveillance in sub-elite female hockey players

Introduction: Athletes are exposed to unique stressors due to the nature of high-performance sports and other personal factors. Despite an increased awareness of the psychological demands of high-performance sport and evidence suggesting a possible negative relationship between poor mental health, performance and susceptibility to injury, current injury surveillance methods are based on physiological demands that decontextualise athletes’ experiences.

Effects of the FIFA 11+ and a modified warm-up programme on injury prevention and performance improvement among youth male football players.

The effects of the FIFA11+ programme (the 11+) on ankle and groin injuries and performance have remained questionable. The latter, particularly, has potentially reduced the implementation rate and applicability of the programme. This study aimed to evaluate the mid-to-long-term effects of the 11+ and a modified programme including football-specific exercises on injury prevention and performance improvement. Three teams of the Iranian Youth League (division two) volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly assigned to two intervention groups (F11+; n = 29, M11+; n = 31) and a control group (n = 30). The F11+ followed the FIFA 11+ programme, whereas the M11+ performed modified exercises three times weekly as a warm-up protocol before training and competition through a football season. The control group carried out its routine warm-ups, including joggings, basic football drills, and static stretches, while having no injury prevention approaches. Lower extremity injuries, as well as exposure time for each player, were recorded. The football-specific performance was assessed using the Illinois Agility and Slalom Dribbling tests. ANOVA, Fisher Freeman Halton, and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. Injury incidences differed significantly between groups (p = 0.02, C = 0.40), with M11+ reporting the lowest incidence. Significant differences between the pre- and posttest as well as differences between the groups for development over time were revealed for the Illinois agility and dribbling speed (p≤0.01). Both performance tests demonstrated a large time effect, as the effect sizes for time in agility and dribbling speed were 0.74 (CI = [0.66; 0.79]) and 0.86 (CI = [0.79; 0.87]), respectively. The effect size for the interaction can be categorized as medium, with 0.38 (CI = [0.25; 0.49]) for agility and 0.52 (CI = [0.40; 0.61]) for dribbling speed. M11+ showed the largest improvement in both. Mid-to-long-term application of a structured dynamic warm-up that integrates injury prevention and performance approaches may lower injury incidences and improve youth subelite players' performance. Although additional studies with larger samples are needed to prove the results of the current study, the amateur clubs/teams could integrate such twofold dynamic warm up into their routine training plan and benefit its advantages on injury prevention and performance improvement.