Consensus on maturity-related injury risks and prevention in youth soccer: A Delphi study.

The aim of this study was to achieve consensus from leading sport and exercise science practitioners in professional soccer academies surrounding (i) motivations for maturity-related data collection (ii) maturity-related injury risk factors (iii) how maturity-related data informs injury prevention practices and (iv) the use of bio-banding as an alternative injury prevention strategy. The study adopted an iterative three round online Delphi method, where a series of statements were rated by expert panellists. Consensus agreement was set at ≥70% for all statements.

Understanding elite rugby league players' experience of collision, effective contact coaching techniques, and player contact psychology: A focus group study.

The current study performed a series of online focus groups to understand elite rugby league players' experiences of collision. Eighteen rugby league players comprising different playing positions from four teams were recruited to participate in a series of online focus groups, via the Microsoft Team's platform, facilitated by a moderator. Players were competing in Europe's elite rugby league competition, the European Super League (ESL), during the 2021 season.

Surveying the youth-to-senior transition landscape in Major League Soccer: a new frontier.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to survey Major League Soccer stakeholders' attitudes and perspectives on the youth-to-senior transition with a particular interest in the league's evolving club structures, specifically the reserve team and youth academy entities. The survey assessed various stakeholders' views on clubs' organisational aims and structure, the capabilities of club entities to prepare players for the first team, and the transition process to the first team within MLS.

Methods: A total of 80 participants working in various 'player operation' roles for MLS clubs in the United States and Canada voluntarily completed the online survey.

Youth Football Players' Psychological Well-Being: The Key Role of Relationships.

Well-being in youth sport is a growing topic in literature. Practicing sports at a youth level is recognized as an important opportunity for growth and development but also an experience that conversely can prove to be tiring and cause discomfort. Sometimes expectations and pressures make it a risky experience.

Can the natural turf pitch be viewed as a risk factor for injury within Association Football?

Objectives: A review of the current literature is used to propose a 'conceptual model for relative pitch hardness' and how this may affect incidence of injury within Association Football. Based upon the injury risk and causation model of Meeuwisse et al. (Clin J Sport Med 2007; 17(3):215), it may provide researchers a necessary framework to guide future research investigations.

Exploring athletic identity in elite-level English youth football: a cross-sectional approach.

This study is the first empirical investigation that has explored levels of athletic identity in elite-level English professional football. The importance of understanding athletes' psychological well-being within professional sport has been well documented. This is especially important within the professional football industry, given the high attrition rate (Anderson, G.

An examination of the migratory transition of elite young European soccer players to the English Premier League.

The migration of soccer players has increased in recent years. In this study, we examined the experiences of elite young soccer players as they engaged in a migratory transition from their home country to an English Premier League (EPL) club. Five young players, who made the migratory transition between the ages of 16 and 24, were interviewed.