Search

Purpose: This study aimed to explore whether a meaningful improvement in physical performance following an in-season strength training intervention can be related to external load match parameters at an individual level in professional male football players., Methods: Eight male professional football players (25.4 ± 3.1 years, 184.1 ± 3.4 cm, 79.3 ± 2.2 kg) completed a 10-week strength intervention period in addition to football-specific training and matches. Commonly used physical and external load measures were assessed before and after intervention. Physical performance improvements had to exceed the measurement's typical error and the smallest worthwhile difference (SWD) to be considered meaningful. External load match parameters were assessed before and after the intervention period using SWD and non-overlap of all pairs (NAP) analysis. A Bayesian pairwise correlation analysis was performed to evaluate relationships between changes in physical performance and external load match parameters., Results: Three players displayed meaningful improvements in two to five physical performance measures. However, positive changes exceeding the SWD and positive effects in NAP results were observed for all players in external load match parameters. Kendall's tau correlation analysis showed evidence (base factor >3) for only one correlation (maximum speed - decelerations, τ  = -0.62) between the changes in physical performance and external load measures, while the remaining comparisons exhibited no relation., Conclusions: The findings suggest that improvements in physical performance may not necessarily translate to improvements in external load match parameters. Further research, with larger sample sizes, is needed to understand potential mechanisms between acute and chronic physical performance changes and football external load parameters during training and matches., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2024 Byrkjedal, Bjørnsen, Luteberget, Ivarsson and Spencer.)

Introduction: Symptoms related to the menstrual cycle (MC) affect the performance level and health of female athletes in various ways. Previous research has reported MC symptoms such as pain, mood disturbance, reduced coordination and competition distraction as well as diminished performance levels and an increased injury risk among female elite athletes. Despite this, the coach-athlete communication related to the female hormonal cycle is limited. The aim of the present study was to explore the perceptions of MC communication in a group of junior elite football players and their male coaches in a case study of one youth football team in a specific club in Norway., Methods: The study used a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews. In total, 8 female junior elite players (aged 16-20) from a Norwegian football team and 2 of their male coaches participated in the study., Results: The data analysis revealed two main communication barriers: 1. interpersonal barriers (e.g., false assumptions about the coach/athletes and social discomfort) and 2. knowledge barriers (e.g., unaware/perceptions of insufficient knowledge levels)., Discussion: As the players seemed to be unaware of their insufficient MC knowledge (e.g., failed to see a connection between the MC and their health and performance level), the coaches perceived their knowledge as insufficient and coped mainly by outsourcing MC communication to female staff and apps. Hence, the MC communication was hindered by both the athletes and the coaches (e.g., mutual avoidance). In line with previous research, this study supports that there is a need for developing effective strategies to overcome the interpersonal barriers and knowledge gaps., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2023 Bergström, Rosvold and Sæther.)

Aim: Medical and performance units are integral components of player development programmes in elite football academies. Nevertheless, the nature of the operational processes implemented by practitioners within clubs and national federations remains unexplored. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to survey elite youth professional football academies from around the world regarding the operational processes adopted by their medical and performance units., Methods: Of the 50 organizations invited, 10 national federations and 25 clubs took part in the survey resulting in a response rate of 70% (95% confidence interval, 56%-81%). The respondents represented three groups: senior club and academy management, performance, and medical staff., Results: The majority (60%-90%) of clubs and national federations reported strategic alignment between senior and academy medical and performance units as well as between academy medical and performance units. Survey responses indicated substantial heterogeneity in the composition and number of medical and performance professionals employed in academies. The majority of respondents agreed their medical and performance departments were effective in utilizing staff knowledge and external sources of knowledge to inform their practice (56%-80%). Performance staff (40%-50%) and physiotherapists (30%-32%) were deemed most influential in injury prevention programmes. During the return-to-play process, the influence of specific practitioners in the medical and performance units was dependent upon the phase of return-to-play. Shared decision-making was common practice amongst performance and medical staff in injury prevention and return-to-play processes. Medical and performance data were generally centralized across the first team and academy in majority (50%-72%) of clubs and national federations. Data were integrated within the same data management system to a higher degree in clubs (68%) vs. national federations (40%). Research and development activity were reported for most academies (50%-72%), and generally led by the head of performance (37%) or team doctor (21%). Research activities were largely undertaken via internal staff (~100%), academic collaborations (50%-88%) and/or external consultants and industry partnerships (77%-83%) in the national federation and clubs., Conclusion: Collectively, these findings provide a detailed overview regarding key operational processes delivered by medical and performance practitioners working in elite football academies., Competing Interests: Authors WG, DB, EL, LL, and VS were employed by the company Aspire Academy. Author AG was employed by the company Juventus FC. Author JO'B was employed by the company Red Bull Athlete Performance Center. Author PR was employed by the company Premier League. Author FT was employed by the company Sporting Clube de Portugal. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Gregson, Carling, Gualtieri, O'Brien, Reilly, Tavares, Bonanno, Lopez, Marques, Lolli and Salvo.)

There is a growing debate, both in the academic and sporting worlds, about the most appropriate pathway for high potential young players in sport. In this regard, there has been a considerable focus on the age of selection into structured talent development pathways and the nature of the experience once players have been recruited. Given the economic and reputational currency associated with developing professional footballers in particular, it is unsurprising that professional football clubs continue to invest significant financial resources into their academy structures. Understandably, this recruitment policy has attracted substantial attention within the media and research community, with ethical concerns arising surrounding the impact early selection may have on the welfare and the experiences of the young players within the pathway. The aim of this perspective article was to critically consider the research underpinning the early engagement practises of football clubs and the extent to which, and how, the pathway can provide players with the most appropriate starting point for their development. This evidence points to the need to look beyond the prevalent 'early specialisation vs. diversification' debate in youth sport towards a consideration of an early engagement perspective that reflects the biopsychosocial influences on talent development and the socio-political environment that influences decisions. We provide practical recommendations focused on the quality of the early engagement experience., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Sweeney, Horan and MacNamara.)