31 Oct FSI Football Science Update

Are sprint accelerations related to groin injuries? A biomechanical analysis of adolescent soccer players.

Dupré T(1)(2), Potthast W(1).

Sports Biomech. 2022 Oct 19:1-13. doi: 10.1080/14763141.2022.2133740.

This study on 22 adolescent male soccer players analysing the first ground contact of a linear sprint acceleration with 3D motion capture and inverse dynamics from force plates found a quick transition from an abduction to an adduction movement at 90% extension stance, which coincides with the highest forces in adductor longus and gracilis, so suggesting that sprint accelerations are likely to be connected to the development of groin injuries.

The mean and peak physical demands during transitional play and high pressure activities in elite football.

Bortnik L(1), Burger J(2), Rhodes D(1).

Biol Sport. 2022 Oct;39(4):1055-1064. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2023.112968.

This study on 23 elite outfield footballers analysing the field transitions over 10 games found that in general absolute physical metrics are increased in transitional play, with defensive transitions displaying the highest total distance covered, the attacking transitions the higher sprint distance, and the high-pressure defence displaying the lowest output in all metrics except high-intensity accelerations and decelerations.

Contextualised peak periods of play in English Premier League matches.

Ju W(1), Doran D(1), Hawkins R(2), Gómez-Díaz A(3), Martin-Garcia A(4), Ade JD(5), Laws A(6), Evans M(6), Bradley PS(7).

Biol Sport. 2022 Oct;39(4):973-983. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2022.112083.

This study of 50 English Premier League matches (n = 583 player observations) through the synchronisation of tracking data and video found that during the peak periods (the most demanding passage of play), players/teams covered the largest distances for ‘Recovery Run’ (28-37%) out of possession and ‘Support Play’ (9-13%) in possession. After peak periods, the high-intensity distance declined to 20-53% less for ‘Covering’ and ‘Recovery Run’ when not in possession, and to 28-91% less for ‘Run with Ball’ when in possession. These physical-tactical data were position-specific.

Between-match variation of peak match running intensities in elite football.

Thoseby B(1)(2)(3), Govus AD(1), Clarke AC(1), Middleton KJ(1), Dascombe BJ(3). 

Biol Sport. 2022 Oct;39(4):833-838. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2022.109456. 

This study of the peak match running intensities across discrete moving average durations (1-10 min) in 44 elite football players across 68 matches found that the between-match variability of relative total distance ranged between 6.8-7.3%, with the coefficient of variation for average acceleration and relative high-speed running being 5.4-5.8% and 20.6-29.8%, respectively.

Temporal distribution of peak running demands relative to match minutes in elite football.

Thoseby B(1)(2)(3), Govus AD(1), Clarke AC(1), Middleton KJ(1), Dascombe BJ(3).

Biol Sport. 2022 Oct;39(4):985-994. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2022.110745.

This study of the peak match running intensities across discrete moving average durations (1-10 min) in 44 elite football players across 68 matches found that peak total distance and average acceleration demands occurred early in each half (median time = 7-17 min and 6-16 min, respectively). Conversely, peak HSD covered was uniformly distributed and more unpredictable.

A novel multifactorial hamstring screening protocol: association with hamstring muscle injuries in professional football (soccer) – a prospective cohort study.

Lahti J(1), Mendiguchia J(2), Edouard P(3)(4), Morin JB(1)(3)(5).

Biol Sport. 2022 Oct;39(4):1021-1031. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2022.112084. 

In this study, 161 professional male football players performed during the pre- and mid-season a screening protocol consisting of 11 physical tests aimed to measure posterior chain strength, sprint mechanical output, lumbopelvic control and range of motion. No significant association was found between the isolated test results and new HMI occurrence (n = 17) during the season. However, when including only injuries that took place closer to the moment of screening (~90 days), a lower maximal theoretical horizontal force (F0) was significantly associated with higher HMI risk, what supports the potential relevance of additionally including frequent F0 testing for HMI risk reduction management.