Most of the research related to fatigue analyzes the typical 90-min matches. However, many competitions outcomes are decided in extra-time (ET). In fact, at the previous four FIFA World Cups, 36% of knockout phase matches have proceeded to ET with 50% at the 2014 tournament requiring...
The routine evaluation of fat-free mass throughout the season provides useful information for coaches. In fact, fat-free mass is considered the best longitudinal predictor for leg power during late adolescence in young soccer players. However, X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is costly and cannot be used frequently. Therefore,...
English Premier League seems to possess a more direct style of play, faster game tempo, higher number of heading and ground duels and more aggressiveness than other top European leagues. In fact, this competition has evolved tactically and physically by increasing the number of passes, passing...
Frequent repetitions of high intensity movements that involve significant musculoskeletal forces and joint loads can result in between-limb asymmetry in functional performance where preferred lower-limb dominance may be evident. However, research investigating the association between asymmetry and athletic performance has shown equivocal findings ("trivial-moderate" association...
BACKGROUND, CATEGORIZATION & EXPERT OPINION Football is the only sport where a player uses their head to intentionally strike the ball during the course of play. At all levels of play, concussions are more likely to occur in the act of heading than in other actions of...
Frequent repetitions of high intensity movements that involve significant musculoskeletal forces and joint loads can result in between-limb asymmetry in functional performance where preferred lower-limb dominance may be evident. However, research investigating the association between asymmetry and athletic performance has shown equivocal findings ("trivial-moderate" association...
Header has long been, and still is, an essential football action. In fact, previous studies with players have been reported to perform on average 2.2–18.5 headers or aerial duels per game and many of the them are decisive for the game outcome. The pattern movement of headers varies...
For players who start a match, progressive declines in indices of physical (e.g., HSR, number of accelerations and decelerations, etc.) and technical performance (e.g., shooting and passing skills, etc.) are experienced throughout 90 min of soccer-specific exercise, with further deteriorations observed during extra-time. Given the likely...
INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE Development and monitoring of players’ sprinting capacities have received considerable attention in research literature over the years. Effort has been made to unravel and reveal underlying mechanical determinants for sprint performance, as such variables provide insights into individual biomechanical limitations. Theoretical maximal velocity (v0), horizontal...
NEW CURVE SPRINT TEST IN SOCCER Sprinting is an essential high-intensity action during playing football. Research into sprinting during match-play (i.e. Bradley et al. 2009) has tended to focus on total distances covered or a number of efforts above a predetermined threshold (i.e. above 24 km/h)....