Objective: The present study aimed to: i) determine the contractile properties of the major lower limb muscles in female soccer players using tensiomyography; ii) investigate inter-limb differences; and iii) compare inter-limb differences between different selections and playing positions.
Methods: A total of 52 female soccer players (A team; U19 and U17) were recruited. The vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), lateralis (GL) and tibialis anterior (TA) of both lower limbs were evaluated.
Results: When the entire sample was assessed regardless of selection or playing position, there were significant inter-limb differences in all measured muscles except BF. Compared to the non-dominant limb, the dominant limb had higher delay time in VL (p=0.008), while showing lower values in VM (p=0.023), GL (p=0.043) and GM (p=0.006). Contraction time was lower in the RF of the dominant limb (p=0.005) and VM (p=0.047), while showing higher values in VL (p=0.036) and TA (p<0.001) as compared to the non-dominant limb.
Conclusion: Given the differences found between the limbs in the whole sample studied, it is necessary to examine both limbs to gather a more in-depth understanding of underlying mechanisms related to neuromuscular functions in female soccer players.
Purpose: To investigate the association between common measures of trunk and lower extremity range of motion (ROM), strength, the results of one-leg jump tests at baseline and the incidence of subsequent substantial knee injuries in adolescent female football players.
Methods: Players were assessed at baseline regarding (1) ROM of trunk, hip, and ankle; (2) trunk, hip, and knee strength; and (3) one-leg jump tests. Players were prospectively monitored weekly for 1 year regarding knee injuries and the volume of matches and training.
The present study aimed at describing and comparing the physical activity (PA) patterns of adolescents from a middle-income country over a 4-year period. This is a longitudinal observational study (four waves of data collection, 2014-2017) with 668 adolescents aged 10-13 years in 2014 (mean age of 11.8 ± 0.
The study aim was to compare the external load during varying microcycles (M1-M4 during pre-season and M5 during the in-season) in elite female Portuguese soccer players and to describe external load variations between differing Ms. Fourteen first-team players participated in the study (age 23.29 ± 3.
Objective: To describe the injury epidemiology of the Australian women's professional football (soccer) league (A-League W) over 7 consecutive seasons.
Design: Prospective observational cohort study.
Methods: Match-loss injury data was collected from each A-League W club (n = 8-9) for each competition round (n = 12/season) over 7 seasons (2013/14-2019/20).
Division of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Center for Preventive Medicine Baden-Württemberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
Objectives: Climate change is increasing the risk of heat-related illness in outdoor sports. Coaches have a responsibility to protect the athletes in their care. In this study, the knowledge and practice of German coaches in heat prevention were evaluated nationwide.
