Performance analysis can provide coaches with a range of relevant information and support more informed decision-making. The objective of this research was to determine running performance (RP) within five-minute intervals when scoring and conceding goals in the UEFA Champions League (UCL). Matches from the UCL 2020/2021 season were analyzed, and relevant data were retrieved using the InStat Fitness semi-automatic video system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aimed to examine the differences in physical performance when winning and losing in UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches. Data were collected using an optical tracking system from all UCL matches (n = 125) in the 2022/23 season. A linear mixed model was used to examine the differences in physical performance in won and lost matches while controlling for match location, team formation, opponent quality, playing time, red cards, and between-player, -team, and -match variations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The available literature referring to the return to play (RTP) and performance after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has already been comprehensively summarized in team sports such as basketball or American Football. Therefore, in this sense, it is necessary to synthesize evidence relating to the mentioned parameters in soccer players who underwent ACLR.
Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to examine RTP and the performance of soccer players after ACLR.
Objectives: We aimed to analyze injury trends and the possible effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on the incidence rates of injury in young elite football players.
Design: A prospective cohort study design was adopted.
Participants: Our study included 832 male football players who suffered an injury during any of the six competitive seasons.
This study examined the effect of a morning priming session consisted of stretching, mobility, core and lower-body resistance, and reactive agility exercises on match performance in elite-level soccer players. Information on physical and technical performance was collected during competitive matches ( = 32) and subsequently classified as those preceded or not preceded by a priming session. Results showed significantly increased (i) distance covered overall (Cohen's d (d) = 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThere is a global consensus that physical literacy (PL) is an important determinant of physical fitness (PF), but studies have rarely examined the effects of PL-based interventions on PF. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of specific online video-based PL intervention on PF indices in high-school students from Croatia. Participants were 423 high-school adolescents (295 girls, 128 boys; 14-to-18 years of age), divided into an intervention group ( = 230) and a control group ( = 193).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFModric, T, Esco, M, Perkovic, S, Basic, Z, Versic, S, Morgans, R, and Sekulic, D. Artificial turf increases the physical demand of soccer by heightening match running performance compared with natural grass. J Strength Cond Res 37(11): 2222-2228, 2023-This study aimed to determine differences in match running performance (MRP) of elite soccer players (n = 31) during matches played on artificial turf (AT) and natural grass (NG).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn order to identify match running performance (MRP) characterizing the most elite soccer match-play, this study aimed to examine position-specific differences in the MRP of players competing in "big five" (BFLTs) and "non-big five" league teams (N-BFLTs). The data were obtained from 24 teams (BFLTs; n = 14, N-BFLTs; n = 10) during the UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches (n = 20) in the 2020/21 season using a semiautomatic video system. The differences in MRP between BFLTs and N-BFLTs, while controlling for contextual factors, were examined using linear mixed model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aimed to compare the daily training load (TL) in first-team and U-18 soccer players from an English Premiership club. 36 first-team (age 23.2 ± 5.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe influence of environmental factors on key physical parameters of soccer players during competitive match-play have been widely investigated in the literature, although little is known on the effects of sub-zero ambient temperatures on the performance of adult elite soccer players during competitive matches. The aim of this study was to assess how the teams' match running performance indicators are related to low ambient temperature during competitive matches in the Russian Premier League. A total of 1142 matches played during the 2016/2017 to 2020/2021 seasons were examined.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe purpose of this research was to investigate the running performance of professional soccer players in relation to seven phases which resulted in the changing or maintaining the match status in the UEFA Champion League games during season 2020/2021. Moreover, we aimed to define which match status phases occur at the earliest stage of regular game time. This study involved professional soccer players from 24 teams participating in the group stage of UEFA Champions League in season 2020/21.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe incidence of injuries in rugby is extremely high, but studies have rarely examined the predictors of injury in amateur players. This study aimed to systematically analyse sports and injury factors as potential predictors of musculoskeletal injuries in senior-level amateur rugby players. : The participants in this study were 101 senior-level rugby players from Croatia (average of 24.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aimed to examine the effects of low-percentage ball possession teams (LPBPT) and high-percentage ball possession teams (HPBPT) on the physical and technical performance of UEFA Champions League (UCL) players. All data were obtained from group stage matches of UCL during the 2020/21 season using a semi-automatic optical tracking system. Linear mixed model was fitted with contextual variables as covariates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
February 2023
The process of becoming a ball kid at the French Open consists of different stages of selection and training. Selection and training of the ball kids is organized by the French Federation of Tennis (FFT) and is intended to be an immersive and educational experience. A sample was made up of ball kids participating at the 2022 French Open (Roland Garros).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThere are limited data describing clinical patterns and match running performance (MRP) among players with COVID-19 infection before and after infection, particularly related to different predominant SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as in comparison to uninfected players. This observational study was conducted during two consecutive soccer seasons in one professional club in Split, Croatia. There were four clusters of mild, self-limited, or asymptomatic infection characterised by low adherence to preventive measures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReactive agility (RAG) is a crucial factor of success in sports, but there are practically no studies dealing with RAG among children. The main aim of this study was to identify predictors of RAG among early pubescent boys and girls. The participants were primary school boys ( = 73) and girls ( = 59) aged 11-12.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIt is widely recognized that there is a decline in match running performance (MRP) towards the end of matches. To clarify whether it is primarily a consequence of fatigue, pacing or situational influences, this study aimed to examine MRP across 15-min match periods for players on different playing positions. Players’ MRP (n = 244) were examined from the UEFA Champions League matches (n = 20) using a semiautomatic optical tracking system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil
October 2022
Background: To clarify does physical performance affect success in highest-level soccer, the purpose of the present study was to identify differences in technical-tactical performance (TP) between teams covering high and low running performance (RP) during the UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches.
Methods: The RP and TP data were collected from UCL group stage matches in the 2020/21 season. RP variables included total distance covered (TD), high intensity running (HIR), total distance when in ball possession (TDB), and high intensity running when in ball possession (HIRB).
The aim of this study was to identify the external training load (ETL) variables that are most influential on the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) during elite soccer training. The participants (n = 29) were adult male soccer players from a single team that competed in Croatia’s highest national soccer competition in the 2021/2022 season. Data were collected using the 10 Hz Global Positioning System from 66 training sessions, and a total of 1061 training observations were undertaken.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aimed to determine the effect of team formation on position-specific match running performance (MRP) at highest-level football. Players' MRP (n = 226) was observed in four team formations: 3-5-2 (n = 24), 4-4-2 (n = 44), 4-2-3-1 (n = 77) and 4-3-3 (n = 81). Central defenders in the 3-5-2 formation achieved a greater amount of high-intensity running distance than in the 4-3-3 formation (mean difference (MD) [95% confidence interval] = 144 m [12, 267], medium ES).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe risk of low energy availability is related to various health problems in sports. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify a possible association between various dance factors, anthropometrics/body build, and energy availability with injury occurrence in contemporary dancers. The participants were 50 female competitive dancers (19.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: This investigation aimed to analyze differences in running performances amongst playing positions between the first and second halves of soccer matches and at 5-minute intervals during matches.
Methods: Data were collected from 179 soccer players during 20 UEFA Champions League (UCL) 2020/2021 group stage matches. Data were examined using the InStat Fitness semi-automatic video system.
Although running performance (RP) is considered an important factor of success in soccer, there is a lack of studies to examine this issue in highest-level soccer competition, such as UEFA Champions League (UCL). Therefore, the main objective of this study was to analyse players' RP according to the achievement of their teams in UCL. In addition, position specific RP of the players who competed in the UCL was evaluated.
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