10 May FSI Football Science Update
The aim of this study on 12 semi- and professional soccer player was to examine the biomechanics differences between run-up vertical jump measurements without (Run-up Vertical Jump) and with ball inclusion (Heading Test). Overall, players performed a different jumping strategy during the heading test compared to the run-up vertical jump, exhibiting: 1) higher horizontal velocity during initial contact (+45.3%), 2) shorter contact time, greater rate of force development, and total impulse during push-off (+27.5%, +53%, and +10.6%, respectively), 3) higher CoM horizontal and resultant velocity during take-off (+76.1% and 20.5%, respectively), 4) better vertical jump performance (+4.3%), and 5) larger body angle rotation during landing (+63.3%). This differences suggest that coaches should be encouraged to assess, and perhaps develop, the jumping ability of soccer players using a suspended ball as a specific target.
Multi-hosting UEFA European Football Championship: Fair enough between participating teams?
Brocherie F, De Larochelambert Q, Millet GP.
Sci Med Footb. 2022 Apr 29. doi: 10.1080/24733938.2022.2072944.
This study on the 2020 multi-hosting UEFA European Championship found that teams with basecamp near match venue improved their match outcomes. However, there was no effect of travel distance on match outcomes. Besides, FIFA ranking improved the likelihood of a favorable match outcome (OR = 0.87) and progression in competition (OR = 0.97). Further, despite some matches were played in more stressful bio-meteorological conditions, this was not associated with match outcomes.
Relationships Between Internal and External Load Measures and Fitness Level Changes in Professional Soccer Players.
Martin M, Rampinini E, Bosio A, Azzalin A, McCall A, Ward P.
Res Q Exerc Sport. 2022 Apr 29:1-13. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2022.2053646.
This study on 52 male adult professional players from 3 elite teams monitored across an entire season found that the relationships between load measures (training and match duration, sRPE-TL, total distance, high and very high-speed running distances) and changes in physical qualities were stronger during the preparation period (PREP) for both aerobic fitness and intermittent running capacity. The magnitude of the relationships reduced during the first competitive period and the relationships became trivial in the second competitive period. This suggests that training prescription during the PREP was effective in improving players’ fitness, but during the competitive phase only small changes in aerobic and intermittent running capacities were found.
Recovery During a Congested Schedule and Injury in Professional Football.
Delaval B, Abaïdia AE, Delecroix B, Le Gall F, McCall A, Ahmaidi S, Dupont G.
Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2022 Apr 28:1-8. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2021-0504. Online ahead of print.
This study on 46 professional football players from the same team (French Ligue 1) found that noncontact injuries were associated with perceived fatigue and muscle soreness 2 days and 3 days following the matches. An increase of sleep quantity during the 2 nights following a match was significantly associated with a lower risk, as well as a lower decrement score on the isometric force test on each of the 3 days after the matches. No other association was reported for the variables sleep quality, stress, perceived recovery, creatine kinase concentrations, countermovement jump, and noncontact injuries.
Impaired Stretch-Shortening Cycle Function Persists Despite Improvements in Reactive Strength After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.
Read PJ, Pedley JS, Eirug I, Sideris V, Oliver JL.
J Strength Cond Res. 2022 May 1;36(5):1238-1244. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004208. Epub 2022 Jan 5.
Reactive strength index (RSI) during a single-leg drop jump (SLDJ) has been indicated to determine return-to-sport readiness after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. This study in soccer players with ACL reconstruction (n = 26) and matched controls (n = 25) tested 32 and 42 weeks post-surgery found that the involved limb displayed lower-jump height, poorer RSI, less spring-like behavior, earlier peak landing force, and a greater ratio of landing peak to take-off peak force compared with the uninvolved limb and controls at the initial assessment. More involved limbs were categorized as poor (impact peak and not spring like) or moderate (impact peak but still spring like or no impact peak and not spring like) at the initial assessment (69.2%) and follow-up (50%) in comparison with the control limbs (14%). No changes in the proportion of ACL reconstructed individuals categorized as poor or moderate SSC function at the follow-up assessment were observed. In conclusion, residual deficits are present in SLDJ performance, SSC function, and ground reaction force characteristics after ACL reconstruction. The reactive strength index should not be the sole metric to assess.
Injuries in Elite Men’s Rugby Union: An Updated (2012-2020) Meta-Analysis of 11,620 Match and Training Injuries.
Williams S, Robertson C, Starling L, McKay C, West S, Brown J, Stokes K.
Sports Med. 2022 May;52(5):1127-1140. doi: 10.1007/s40279-021-01603-w. Epub 2021 Dec 2.
This study meta-analyses time-loss injury data in elite senior men’s Rugby Union between 2012 and 2020. The included data encompassed a total of 8819 match injuries and 2801 training injuries. The overall incidence rate of injuries in matches was 91 per 1000 h. The estimated mean days missed per match injury was 27 days. The overall incidence rate of match concussions was 12 per 1000 h. The overall incidence rate of training injuries was 2.8 per 1000 h. Playing level was not a significant effect modifier for any outcome. The injury incidence rate and mean days missed per injury in elite senior men’s Rugby Union is high in comparison to most team sports, though the training injury incidence rate compares favourably. The tackle event and concussion injuries should continue to be the focus of future preventative efforts.