Return-to-play criteria following a hamstring injury in professional football: a scoping review.

The present scoping review aims to describe the available criteria to determine Return-To-Play (RTP), propose methodological considerations and new research questions, and provide information to help practitioners in professional football make informed decisions regarding RTP following a hamstring strain injury (HSI) in professional male football. The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed, MEDLINE, web of science and SPORTDiscus using keywords related to HSI in elite football. All types of studies in English reporting at least one RTP criterion for professional football players who sustained an HSI were included.

An Educational Review on Machine Learning: A SWOT Analysis for Implementing Machine Learning Techniques in Football.

Purpose: The abundance of data in football presents both opportunities and challenges for decision making. Consequently, this review has 2 primary objectives: first, to provide practitioners with a concise overview of the characteristics of machine-learning (ML) analysis, and, second, to conduct a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis regarding the implementation of ML techniques in professional football clubs. This review explains the difference between artificial intelligence and ML and the difference between ML and statistical analysis.

Linear and Multidirectional Speed Testing (On-Field and Off-Field) Protocols in Senior and Elite Female Football.

Beato, M, Datson, N, Clemente, FM, Harper, DJ, Fílter, A, Emmonds, S, Dos' Santos, T, and Jones, PA. Linear and multidirectional speed testing (on-field and off-field) protocols in senior and elite female football. J Strength Cond Res 39(1): e70-e84, 2025-Female football has had a considerable rise in popularity with millions of fans after matches during the recent Women's World Cup.

Differences in Physical Demands and Player's Individual Performance Between Winning and Losing Quarters on U-18 Basketball Players During Competition.

This study examines how physical demands and individual performance influence quarter results in under-18 basketball players during a six-day basketball tournament. : Twelve male players from an elite Spanish team were tracked using inertial microsensors to monitor external load variables (player load, steps, and dynamic stress load). Individual performance was assessed using the performance index rating (PIR).

The reliability of functional and systemic markers of muscle damage in response to a flywheel squat protocol.

Purpose: To characterize the magnitude, timescale, and reliability of changes in functional and systemic outcome markers following moderate (MIR) and high (HIR) isoinertial resistance flywheel squat protocols (FSP).

Methods: Twenty-four resistance-trained males completed two exercise trials (ET1 & ET2) separated by 32 days. Functional and systemic markers were assessed at pre-exercise (PRE), immediately post-exercise (IP), and 24 (24H), 48 (48H), and 72 (72H) hours post-exercise.

Balancing the load: A narrative review with methodological implications of compensatory training strategies for non-starting soccer players.

New training approaches have emerged advocating for the implementation of compensatory physical training. This approach aims to provide additional training that balances the load typically experienced by non-starters during a match. This may help maintain their readiness and ensures that their physical fitness is not compromised by the reduced exposure to match loads.

Physical Performance Is Affected by Players' Position, Game Location, and Substitutions During Official Competitions in Professional Championship English Football.

Chaize, C, Allen, M, and Beato, M. Physical performance is affected by players' position, game location, and substitutions during official competitions in professional Championship English football. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-This study aimed to verify, first, if physical parameters were different between positions during official matches in the English Football League Championship.

Kv2 channels do not function as canonical delayed rectifiers in spinal motoneurons.

The increased muscular force output required for some behaviors is achieved via amplification of motoneuron output via cholinergic C-bouton synapses. Work in neonatal mouse motoneurons suggested that modulation of currents mediated by post-synaptically clustered K2.1 channels is crucial to C-bouton amplification.

Three-, Four-, and Five-Day Microcycles: The Normality in Professional Football.

Purpose: This study aimed to quantify training and match-day (MD) load during 3-, 4-, and 5-day microcycles in professional adult football, as well as to analyze the effect of the microcycle length on training load produced the day after the match (MD + 1) and the day before the match (MD - 1).

Methods: The study involved 20 male professional football players whose external and internal loads were monitored for a whole season. The training exposure, total distance covered, high-speed-running distance, sprint distance (SD), individual SD above 80% of the individual maximum velocity (D > 80%), and the number of accelerations and decelerations were quantified, as well as rating of perceived exertion and session rating of perceived exertion training load.

Assessment of Strength and Power Capacities in Elite Male Soccer: A Systematic Review of Test Protocols Used in Practice and Research.

Background: Strength and power represent two crucial physical qualities for the attainment of a high level of performance considering the frequency and the importance of explosive actions occurring during elite soccer match-play. Evaluation of strength and power is a multifaceted concept involving a vast array of tests and outcome variables. Nevertheless, a comprehensive and systematic search of strength and power assessment procedures in elite soccer has yet to be undertaken.

A Review of the Validity and Reliability of Accelerometer-Based Metrics From Upper Back-Mounted GNSS Player Tracking Systems for Athlete Training Load Monitoring.

Dawson, L, Beato, M, Devereux, G, and McErlain-Naylor, SA. A review of the validity and reliability of accelerometer-based metrics from upper back-mounted GNSS player tracking systems for athlete training load monitoring. J Strength Cond Res 38(8): e459-e474, 2024-Athlete load monitoring using upper back-mounted global navigation satellite system (GNSS) player tracking is common within many team sports.

Hamstring Injuries, From the Clinic to the Field: A Narrative Review Discussing Exercise Transfer.

Purpose: The optimal approach to hamstring training is heavily debated. Eccentric exercises reduce injury risk; however, it is argued that these exercises transfer poorly to improved hamstring function during sprinting. Some argue that other exercises, such as isometric exercises, result in better transfer to running gait and should be used when training to improve performance and reduce injury risk.

Analysis of Concentric and Eccentric Power in Flywheel Exercises Depending on the Subjects' Strength Level and Body Mass.

Asencio, P, García-Valverde, A, Albaladejo-García, C, Beato, M, Moreno-Hernández, FJ, and Sabido, R. Analysis of concentric and eccentric power in flywheel exercises depending on the subjects' strength level and body mass. J Strength Cond Res 38(8): 1394-1400, 2024-The objective of this study is to describe how flywheel exercise mechanical outputs are affected by the athletes' body mass (BM) and strength level and by the exercise type.

Effect of vertical, horizontal, and combined plyometric training on jump, sprint and change of direction performance in male soccer players.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of vertical (VPT), horizontal (HPT) and combined vertical and horizontal (V+HPT) plyometric training on sprint, jump and change of direction (COD) performance in adult male soccer players.

Method: Participants were randomly allocated into VPT (n = 8), HPT (n = 8) and V+HPT (n = 8) groups which undertook eight weeks of PT, executing 100 foot contacts per session, twice weekly.

Results: Though demonstrably effective, no specific one of the three applied programmes enhanced performance to a greater extent than another with only the 40 m sprint for the HPT group (mean difference = 0.

Force Production and Electromyographic Activity during Different Flywheel Deadlift Exercises.

This study aimed to characterize and compare force production and muscle activity during four flywheel deadlift exercises (bilateral [Bi] vs. unilateral [Uni]) with different loading conditions (vertical [Ver] vs. horizontal [Hor]).

Spinal microcircuits go through multiphasic homeostatic compensations in a mouse model of motoneuron degeneration.

In many neurological conditions, early-stage neural circuit adaption can preserve relatively normal behaviour. In some diseases, spinal motoneurons progressively degenerate yet movement is initially preserved. We therefore investigated whether these neurons and associated microcircuits adapt in a mouse model of progressive motoneuron degeneration.

Practitioner Usage, Applications, and Understanding of Wearable GPS and Accelerometer Technology in Team Sports.

Dawson, L, McErlain-Naylor, SA, Devereux, G, and Beato, M. Practitioner usage, applications, and understanding of wearable GPS and accelerometer technology in team sports. J Strength Cond Res 38(7): e373-e382, 2024-Monitoring training load is essential for optimizing the performance of athletes, allowing practitioners to assess training programs, monitor athlete progress, and minimize the risk of injury and overtraining.

A survey into the current fitness testing practices of elite male soccer practitioners: from assessment to communicating results.

This study provides insight into the current fitness testing practices in elite male soccer. One hundred and two practitioners from professional soccer leagues across 24 countries completed an online survey comprising 29 questions, with five sections: a) background information, b) testing selection, c) testing implementation, d) data analysis, and e) data reporting. Frequency analysis was used to evaluate the responses to fixed response questions and thematic analysis was used for open-ended questions to generate clear and distinct themes.

On-field rehabilitation in football: current practice and perceptions. A survey of the English Premier League and Football League.

Introduction: Return to play related research is increasing rapidly, with two recent competency-based frameworks offering conceptualised support for on-field rehabilitation (OFR) decision-making. It is still unknown, however, who is responsible for OFR and how they typically select, monitor, and progress OFR processes.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate current OFR practice within English professional football to support practitioners with decision-making and highlight opportunities for future research related to the design, monitoring, and progression of OFR.

Monitoring Readiness to Train and Perform in Female Football: Current Evidence and Recommendations for Practitioners.

Purpose: Monitoring player readiness to train and perform is an important practical concept in football. Despite an abundance of research in this area in the male game, to date, research is limited in female football. The aims of this study were, first, to summarize the current literature on the monitoring of readiness in female football; second, to summarize the current evidence regarding the monitoring of the menstrual cycle and its potential impact on physical preparation and performance in female footballers; and third, to offer practical recommendations based on the current evidence for practitioners working with female football players.

The Analysis of Physical Performance During Official Competitions in Professional English Football: Do Positions, Game Locations, and Results Influence Players' Game Demands?

Beato, M, Youngs, A, and Costin, AJ. The analysis of physical performance during official competitions in professional English football: Do positions, game locations, and results influence players' game demands? J Strength Cond Res 38(5): e226-e234, 2024-This study aimed, first, to verify if physical parameters were different between players' positions during official matches in English professional football, and second, if the game location (H and A) or results (W, L, D) affected players' physical performance. Twenty-five male professional football players of the same team were included in this data analysis (age = 27 ± 9 years) during the 2022-23 season.

Current Guidelines for the Implementation of Flywheel Resistance Training Technology in Sports: A Consensus Statement.

Background: Flywheel resistance training has become more integrated within resistance training programs in a variety of sports due to the neuromuscular, strength, and task-specific enhancements reported with this training.

Objective: This paper aimed to present the consensus reached by internationally recognized experts during a meeting on current definitions and guidelines for the implementation of flywheel resistance training technology in sports.

Methods: Nineteen experts from different countries took part in the consensus process; 16 of them were present at the consensus meeting (18 May 2023) while three submitted their recommendations by e-mail.