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There are little data on the incidence, and clinical course of COVID-19 among professional soccer players, and the studies examining putative complications of COVID-19 infections are probabilistic. On February 28, the WHO raised the COVID-19 threat assessment to its highest level. The COVID-19 outbreak became a significant challenge for world health. Around 30 million people got infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of this year. More than 900.000 decease. Thus, examining the incidence of COVID-19 and various aspects of its clinical course in a group of adult professional soccer players would be of great practical interest. The incidence, clinical practice, and severity of COVID-19 infection, as well as the duration of treatment and return to play was studied based on a survey of team physicians and medical records assessment in the group of adult professional soccer players representing the clubs of the Russian Premier-League (RPL) during the period of championship resumption from 01.04.2020 until 20.09.2020. COVID-19 infection was detected in 103 soccer players during COVID-19 screening. This number comprises 14.5% of all soccer players on the rosters of RPL soccer teams and is subjected to regular COVID-19 testing. The asymptomatic course was observed in 43.7% of cases (n = 45). These players were isolated, and their clinical condition was monitored closely. In 56.3% of patients (n = 58), fatigue, headache, fever, and anosmia were the most common symptoms. COVID-19 infection was commonly diagnosed among adult professional soccer players in Russia. However, most cases had a mild course and did not impair return to regular exercise. Only two players were hospitalized with lung lesions and returned to regular sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study attempts to assess changes in soccer players' physical and technical activity profiles due to thermal stress, measured with the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), in training centres and during matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The study also verifies the theoretical models of soccer players' physiological parameters. The study sample consisted of 945 observations of 340 players of national teams taking part in the World Cup in Russia. The measured variables included physical activities: total distance covered, distances covered with an intensity of 20–25 km/h, number of sprints; technical activities: number of shots, number of passes, pass accuracy and physiological indicators: evaporative water loss and heart rate. In addition, the final ranking places of each national team were also used in the study. The UTCI was calculated based on meteorological data recorded at training centres and during matches. The UTCI records were then classified into two ranges: NTS—no thermal stress (UTCI 9–26 °C) and TS—thermal stress (UTCI > 26 °C). Climatic conditions at soccer training centres assessed as involving "no thermal stress" are found to be more beneficial for increasing the total distance covered and the number of sprints performed by players during a match. The theoretical models for determining soccer players' physiological parameters used in the study reduce the players' heart rate effort and evaporative water loss, which is in line with findings in studies by other authors. The climatic conditions at soccer training centres and during tournament matches should be taken into account in planning preparations for future World Cup tournaments, especially those in hotter countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of social network sites are able to decide how to present themselves to other members. An earlier study has suggested that athletes may put up posts to describe themselves in their various roles. The aim of this study is to gain further insight by extending from the earlier conceptual framework. The posts of 14 Iranian footballer who played in the Russia 2018 World Cup from April to August were analysed. Content analysis found that the posts could be classified into four different categories namely Athlete, Family, Personal and Publicity. In addition, it was found that over time, there were changes in the proportion of posts in each category. Athletes were more likely to post on their lives as an athlete before and after a major sports event. This suggests that athletes are managing their personal brand on social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present-day conservative treatment algorithms of Osgood-Shlatter Disease (OSD) are often inadequate for young athletes because they require extremity immobilization and avoidance of sports, and hence the longer duration of rehabilitation. Therefore, the development of safe and efficacious treatment protocols for young athletes is of great practical importance.the Aim Of the Study: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of the conservative treatment of Osgood-Schlatter disease in young professional soccer players.Materials and Methods: Medical records of young soccer players from two different Russian soccer-academies from the period January 2016-July 2019 were analyzed in a retrospective cohort study. Trauma records of young soccer players aged 11-15 years were included in the analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics software, 23.0. Descriptive statistics tools were applied for the analysis.Results: A total of 280 soccer players were included in the study. The aged ranged between 11 and 15 years. Ten percent of players (n = 28, mean age 12.9 ± 1.3) were diagnosed with OSD during the observation period. The mean OSD treatment duration was 27.3 ± 13.9 days. Bilateral symptoms were observed in 42.9% of cases, and unilateral symptoms in 57.1%. In 53.6% of players, the first manifestation of OSD symptoms was observed during wintertime. All players were training on artificial turf playing fields. Conservative treatment without immobilization was applied to all patients. It included kinesiotherapy for quadriceps muscle lengthening and physiotherapy as well as gradual increase of physical activity. A total of 35.7% of players reported having discomfort upon resuming regular training, which caused some restrictions in exercise. However, the symptoms resolved spontaneously with time. Surgical treatment or complete avoidance of exercise was not used in any of the patients.Conclusion: High incidence of OSD was revealed among young soccer players of the leading Russian soccer academies. The OSD most commonly occurred during wintertime. Conservative treatment of OSD-i.e., physiotherapy and kinesiotherapy-enabled disease-free resuming of sports activity for the majority of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper examines how a limit on foreign players has influenced national football in Russia. For this purpose, the effects on competition in the league, number of new young players in the national team and commercial value are investigated. Both positive and negative effects are examined. On the one hand, a quota on foreign players raised the competition in the Russian Premier League and captured attention of club owners on the development of youth academies. On the other hand, the negative effects included the reduction in the number of young players in the Russia national team, and the restriction in the invitation of international stars slowed down the growth of match attendance and commercial value. Therefore, because of the current limit, Russia became less competitive. However, if some of the measures suggested in this paper were to be implemented, Russia might improve its development of national football. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The maximum aerobic power and aerobic efficiency (anaerobic threshold) have been determined in major league soccer players. The aerobic capacity of soccer players from leading Russian teams is substantially lower than that of players from leading European teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Religious fasting in the Holy Month of Ramadan is an important element of the Muslim culture during which no eating or drinking is permitted from dawn till dusk. A considerable number of Muslim soccer players abide by these restrictions, which may cause a negative impact on key running performance parameters during competitive matches. Alterations to diet and water intake during the Holy Month of Ramadan may affect various running performance parameters in elite Muslim professional adult soccer players. This study was conducted with two groups of soccer players from the Russian Premier League (RPL): The Exposure Group (EG) consisted of 13 Muslims age 24.0 ± 2.8 years abiding by religious fasting and the Control Group (CG) included 13 non-Muslim age 26.0 ± 4.4 years. Using the Instat system, the running performance of each player was controlled in both groups during matches from the RPL before and in the third week of Ramadan (a total of two matches for every player). None of the measured parameters demonstrated significant changes in any match. In conclusion, restrictions in diet and liquid intake during the Holy Month of Ramadan had no negative influence on the running performance of elite Muslim professional adult soccer players during daytime matches.