Acute pre- and post-competitive soccer match-play changes in neuromuscular factors, physical performance, and muscle response in youth male players.

There is a paucity of literature analyzing the impact of fatigue from actual competitive soccer match-play on measures of neuromuscular function and muscle damage markers in youth players. Aims The main purpose was to analyze the acute pre- and post-competitive soccer match-play changes in measures of landing mechanics, stretch-shortening cycle capability, physical performance, muscle damage, and match intensity. A secondary purpose was to explore whether the players' maturity status and chronological age were associated with post-soccer match-play responses.

Estimating Maturity Status in Elite Youth Soccer Players: Evaluation of Methods.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate the concordance of predicted maturity status classifications (pre-, circa-, or post-peak height velocity (PHV)) relative to observed age at PHV in youth soccer players.

Methods: Longitudinal height records for 124 male soccer players were extracted from academy records spanning the 2000 to 2022 seasons. Age at PHV for each player was estimated with the Superimposition by Translation and Rotation model.

The combined effects of growth and maturity status on injury risk in an elite football academy.

This study aimed to explore the interaction between growth rate on specific injury incidence and burden on pre-, circa- and post-peak height velocity (PHV) periods. Injury and stature data collected during the 2000-2020 seasons in an elite football academy were retrospectively analysed. Only players with height measurements from childhood until the attainment of adult height were included in the study (N = 84).

Lost in transition: Exploring injury risk in academy footballers shifting between the second and first teams.

Objectives: To compare the injury profiles of football players shifting between second and first teams with those of second- and first-team players, and to examine the opinions of shifting players.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Methods: 170 male players from Athletic Club (second team = 90, shifting = 20, first team = 60) were followed over eight seasons.

An injury burden heat map of all men's and women's teams of a professional football club over a decade.

The aim was to present a descriptive 10-season summary of injury data from all teams of a professional football club using a heat map approach. Injuries and exposure time were registered according to the FIFA consensus in all men's and women's teams from Athletic Club over 10 seasons. A team-by-injury table was created, showing the incidence, median severity, and burden in each cell.

What Are the Load and Wellness of Young Second-Team Football Players When Transitioning to the First Team? A Comparison of 2 Consecutive Preseasons.

Purpose: To compare the load and wellness of second-team academy football players during a first-team preseason with those of first-team players and those of their previous second-team preseason.

Methods: Athletic Club's first- (n = 10) and second-team (n = 9) players were prospectively followed during the 2019-20 first- and second-team and 2020-21 first-team preseasons. Weekly external and internal loads and average wellness z-scores (fatigue, sleep quality, muscle soreness, stress, and mood) were compared between preseasons and teams.

Injuries are negatively associated with player progression in an elite football academy.

Background: The aim was to investigate the association of injuries with male football player continuity, progression and chances of reaching the First team in an elite academy.

Methods: Injuries and exposure time were prospectively recorded, following the FIFA guidelines, over 6 seasons (2011-2017) in Under (U)12, U14, U16, U19, 2nd/3rd team and First team players from the same professional football club.

Results: U19 and 2nd/3rd team players progressing to the next level had a lower injury burden and higher match availability compared to players that did not progress.

Peak Height Velocity Affects Injury Burden in Circa-PHV Soccer Players.

Growth and maturation are potential risk factors for soccer injuries. This research sought to describe how peak height velocity (PHV) affects overall and specific injury burden in circa- and post-PHV elite academy soccer players. Injuries and growth data collected from 2000 to 2020 were studied retrospectively.

Relative skeletal maturity status affects injury burden in U14 elite academy football players.

Maturation progresses at different times and at different rates between individuals. Thus, differences in maturity status exist among players in the same chronological age-based category, especially in U14 players. The purpose of this prospective study was to describe injury burden according to the relative skeletal maturity status in U14 elite academy football players.

The burden of injuries according to maturity status and timing: A two-decade study with 110 growth curves in an elite football academy.

Injuries have a negative impact on the development of football players. Maturation is a potential risk factor for football injuries but available data on this topic provide limited evidence due to methodological shortcomings. The aim of this study was to describe the injury burden of male academy football players according to growth curve-derived maturity status and timing.

High coenzyme Q10 plasma levels improve stress and damage markers in professional soccer players during competition.

Ubiquinol, the reduced form of Coenzyme Q (CoQ), is a key factor in bioenergetics and antioxidant protection. During competition, professional soccer players suffer from considerable physical stress causing high risk of muscle damage. For athletes, supplementation with several antioxidants, including CoQ, is widely recommended to avoid oxidative stress and muscle damage.

An injury audit in high-level male youth soccer players from English, Spanish, Uruguayan and Brazilian academies.

Objectives: To identify the most common injury types/locations in high-level male youth soccer players (YSP).

Design: Prospective cohort surveillance study.

Setting: Professional soccer club academies.

Anthropometry and performance of top youth international male basketball players in Spanish national academy.

The "Century XXI" Project is a seven-year intervention sport program performed among the best Spanish youth basketball players, who were assigned to one of the following intervention groups based on the following criteria: age, position, mature level, and origin in the country. The study was performed (1996-2001) with a total of 90 players. The main purposes of this study were: a) to describe anthropometric and performance characteristics of top youth international male basketballers in the Spanish national academy; and b) to analyze differences among positions.

Genetic Variants and Hamstring Injury in Soccer: An Association and Validation Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association of candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with noncontact hamstring muscle injuries in elite soccer players and to create and validate a model to assess the risk of hamstring injury.

Methods: A total of 107 elite male outfield players were prospectively followed for six seasons. Players were genotyped for 37 SNP previously investigated in relation to musculoskeletal injuries.

Does a 1-Year Age Gap Modify the Influence of Age, Maturation, and Anthropometric Parameters as Determinants of Performance Among Youth Elite Soccer Players?

Bidaurrazaga-Letona, I, Lekue, JA, Amado, M, and Gil, SM. Does a 1-year age gap modify the influence of age, maturation, and anthropometric parameters as determinants of performance among youth elite soccer players? J Strength Cond Res 33(9): 2541-2547, 2019-Because age-groups in soccer often comprise children born within a 2-year time frame, characteristics that define the profile of a successful player may not be appropriate for the oldest or youngest players of the same age-group. Therefore, this study aimed to determine to what extent performance was influenced by age, maturation, and body size in elite soccer players with barely 1-year age gap.

Pubertal development of body size and soccer-specific functional capacities in adolescent players.

Pubertal growth in body size and functional capacities were examined in adolescent soccer players (n = 33). The average age at baseline was 10.9 (9.

Progression in Youth Soccer: Selection and Identification in Youth Soccer Players Aged 13-15 Years.

Bidaurrazaga-Letona, I, Lekue, JA, Amado, M, and Gil, SM. Progression in youth soccer: Selection and identification in youth soccer players aged 13-15 years. J Strength Cond Res 33(9): 2548-2558, 2019-The aim of this study was to identify the factors that are important for the identification and selection of young soccer players.

The Spanish "Century XXI" academy for developing elite level basketballers: design, monitoring and training methodologies.

Objectives: The XXI Century Academy was a 6-year state-initiated intervention program that served as an alternative to basketball clubs for players in the u-14 and u-18 age groups in Spain, under guidelines established by the Spanish Basketball Federation. It was an important and unique project on talent development in basketball. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no evidence has been reported on long-term athlete development programs in basketball worldwide.

Talent identification and selection process of outfield players and goalkeepers in a professional soccer club.

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyse the talent identification process of a professional soccer club. A preselection of players (n = 64) aged 9-10 years and a final selection (n = 21) were performed by the technical staff through the observation during training sessions and matches. Also, 34 age-matched players of an open soccer camp (CampP) acted as controls.

Physical growth and changes in intermittent endurance run performance in young male Basque soccer players.

The present 4-year longitudinal study examined physical growth and development of intermittent endurance run performance in young Basque soccer players aged 10-15 years applying multilevel regression modeling. Anthropometry, predicted adult stature and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery level 1 test (Yo-Yo IR1) of players from the under-11 teams from the Athletic Club of Bilbao were measured at pre- and end-season (two measurements per year of study, n = 33 considered for analysis). A non-linear effect of age on intermittent endurance run was observed, with significantly higher increases in Yo-Yo IR1 between 10-11 year-old and 14-15 year-old players.

Hematological changes in an elite climber over 18 years.

Aims: To evaluate the influence of repeated exposure to high altitude over a period of 18 years in an elite climber, red blood cell related parameters were analyzed. Red blood cell levels, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit were taken before and after expedition.

Results: The analysis, revealed an average increase of 15% in red blood cell related parameters, and showed a negative correlation (p<0.

Relationship between the relative age effect and anthropometry, maturity and performance in young soccer players.

The presence of the relative age effect (RAE) has been widely reported; however, its underlying causes have not yet been determined. With this in mind, the present study examined if anthropometry and performance were different amongst older and younger soccer players born in the same year. Eighty-eight young soccer players participated in the study (age 9.

Influence of nutrient intake on antioxidant capacity, muscle damage and white blood cell count in female soccer players.

Background: Soccer is a form of exercise that induces inflammatory response, as well as an increase in free radicals potentially leading to muscle injury. Balanced nutritional intake provides important antioxidant vitamins, including vitamins A, C and E, which may assist in preventing exercise-related muscle damage. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of macro/micronutrient intake on markers of oxidative stress, muscle damage, inflammatory and immune response in female soccer players.

Metabolic impact of a soccer match on female players.

The aim of this study was to examine the metabolic effect of a female soccer match in elite and sub-elite teams. Blood samples were taken (24 h before, immediately after and 18 h after official soccer matches) to determine haematological, electrolytic and hormonal variables, as well as the levels of cell damage and oxidative stress in 14 elite and 14 sub-elite players. Our results show increases in white blood cell count (P < 0.