Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Leon Forcher, Leander Forcher, Sascha Haertel, Darko Jekauc, Hagen Waesche, Alexander Woll, Timo Gross, Stefan Altmann
Summary: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of positional role and individuality on the technical match performance in professional soccer players. The results showed that when switching playing positions, positional role could explain 3-6% of the variance in short passes and ball possessions, and 27-44% of the variance in dribblings, medium passes, and long passes. Moreover, there were significant interindividual differences in the extent to which players changed, adapted, or maintained their performance.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eduardo Caro, Miguel Angel Campos-Vazquez, Manuel Lapuente-Sagarra, Toni Caparros
Summary: The study analyzed sub-maximum intensity periods by professional soccer players during official matches, categorizing players based on their SubMIP values. Results showed that differences in SubMIPs were related to individual physical performance rather than position.
Review
Sport Sciences
Ross Julian, Richard Michael Page, Liam David Harper
Summary: Fixture congestion in professional soccer is a common issue, but its impact on performance remains inconclusive. More research is needed to examine the effects of fixture congestion on physical, technical, and tactical aspects of professional soccer match-play.
Article
Sport Sciences
Changjing Zhou, Alberto Lorenzo Calvo, Sam Robertson, Miguel-Angel Gomez
Summary: The study aimed to determine the role of technical and physical performance indicators, as well as situational variables, in determining match outcomes in the Chinese Soccer Super League from 2012 to 2017. The analysis of 1,429 matches revealed that the influence of these factors on match results varied over the seasons studied.
JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Sport Sciences
Farzad Youse, Abdullah Zafar, Pedro Peres, Joao Brito, Bruno Travassos, Pedro Figueiredo
Summary: This study investigated the physical and physiological performance intensities and associated decrements in elite soccer referees during match play. The results showed significant differences between halves for various performance variables, with higher peak intensities and faster rate of decline in the second half. The findings suggest the need for high-intensity interval and endurance training programs to prepare referees for the demands of match play.
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND MEDICINE IN SPORT
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Alice Harkness-Armstrong, Kevin Till, Naomi Datson, Stacey Emmonds
Summary: This study examined the influence of match status and possession status on the physical and technical characteristics of U14 and U16 elite youth female soccer match-play. Differences in physical and technical characteristics were observed between and within age-groups, dependent upon match status and possession status. The findings have practical implications for coaching and talent development in youth female soccer.
JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Toni Modric, Sime Versic, Ryland Morgans, Damir Sekulic
Summary: This study aimed to examine position-specific differences in the running performance of elite soccer players and found that defensive efforts increased while offensive efforts decreased during the most elite matchplay.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alice Harkness-Armstrong, Kevin Till, Naomi Datson, Naomi Myhill, Stacey Emmonds
Summary: This review systematically examines the match-play characteristics of women's soccer, including physical, technical, and tactical aspects. The findings suggest that match-performance increases with age-groups and playing standards, and varies between playing positions. However, more research is needed to understand the potential differences in technical and tactical performance.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Leon Forcher, Leander Forcher, Darko Jekauc, Alexander Woll, Timo Gross, Stefan Altmann
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether tactical formation affects the physical and technical match performance of professional soccer players in the first German Bundesliga. The study found that the degree to which tactical formation affects match performance is position dependent. Center backs, full backs, and wide midfielders showed significant differences in physical and technical performance between different tactical formations, while central midfielders and forwards only showed small differences. These findings can help coaches plan their training and anticipate changes in performance based on the chosen formation.
Review
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Adam Field, Robert Joseph Naughton, Matthew Haines, Steve Lui, Liam David Corr, Mark Russell, Richard Michael Page, Liam David Harper
Summary: This systematic review examined soccer-specific exercise during 120 min of play and provided practical recommendations and future research opportunities. The findings showed that players cover less distance and exhibit reduced technical performance during extra-time compared to the preceding 90 min. Carbohydrate intake may improve dribbling performance during extra-time, while recovery measures may be further compromised following extra-time compared to 90 min.
JOURNAL OF SPORT AND HEALTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zeki Akyildiz, Hadi Nobari, Francisco Tomas Gonzalez-Fernandez, Gibson Moreira Praca, Hugo Sarmento, Aytek Hikmet Guler, Esat Kaan Saka, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Antonio J. Figueiredo
Summary: This study analyzed the seasonal variations in the physical demands and technical performance of Turkish Super League teams. It found no significant differences in external load between seasons, but observed evolutionary trends in technical variables.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Sport Sciences
Alice Harkness-Armstrong, Kevin Till, Naomi Datson, Stacey Emmonds
Summary: This study quantified and compared whole and peak physical characteristics of U14 and U16 elite youth female soccer players, revealing that U16 players covered greater distances at all speeds and displayed higher relative speeds compared to U14 players. Position-specific differences were observed across all positions and age-groups, indicating that physical characteristics in elite youth female soccer match-play are age- and position-dependent, which can inform coaching practices and talent development processes.
JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Sport Sciences
Samuel P. Hills, Hendrickus G. J. Aben, David P. Starr, Liam P. Kilduff, Shawn M. Arent, Martin J. Barwood, Jon N. Radcliffe, Carlton B. Cooke, Mark Russell
Summary: The study found that second-half soccer substitutes did not maintain body temperature and physical performance responses despite warm-ups and rewarming. While core temperature increased progressively during simulated match-play, there was no evidence of performance-limiting fatigue, questioning the efficacy of typical substitute-specific match-day practices.
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND MEDICINE IN SPORT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rafael Franco Soares Oliveira, Rui Canario-Lemos, Rafael Peixoto, Jose Vilaca-Alves, Ryland Morgans, Joao Paulo Brito
Summary: The aim of this study was to analyze the variations in professional soccer players within a microcycle, as well as the relationships between wellness and training and match load demands. Thirteen professional soccer players were monitored for 16 weeks, and their daily wellness measures and training and match-play intensity were recorded. The results showed that the day after a match (MD+1) had the lowest wellness values, while the day before a match (MD-1) had the lowest load values. Significant correlations were found between fatigue and training intensity, as well as sleep quality, fatigue, and muscle soreness with internal and external variables. The study concluded that matches had an influence on wellness and training intensity, with MD-1 and MD+1 being most affected.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stefan Altmann, Leon Forcher, Ludwig Ruf, Adam Beavan, Timo Gross, Philipp Lussi, Alexander Woll, Sascha Hartel
Summary: This study examined the physical match performance of 25 professional soccer players in different positions using data from the 2019/20 German Bundesliga season. It was found that players adapted or maintained their performance differently when playing in various positions, with large individual differences. Coaches and practitioners should take into consideration these differences in training and recovery processes.
Review
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Adam Field, Robert Joseph Naughton, Matthew Haines, Steve Lui, Liam David Corr, Mark Russell, Richard Michael Page, Liam David Harper
Summary: This systematic review examined soccer-specific exercise during 120 min of play and provided practical recommendations and future research opportunities. The findings showed that players cover less distance and exhibit reduced technical performance during extra-time compared to the preceding 90 min. Carbohydrate intake may improve dribbling performance during extra-time, while recovery measures may be further compromised following extra-time compared to 90 min.
JOURNAL OF SPORT AND HEALTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Sport Sciences
Hendrickus G. J. Aben, Samuel P. Hills, Carlton B. Cooke, Danielle Davis, Ben Jones, Mark Russell
Summary: This systematic review examined the post-match recovery response in male rugby players. The findings suggest that it takes approximately 72 hours for neuromuscular, biochemical and endocrine, and subjective/perceptual responses to return to baseline after competitive rugby match-play. The lack of research focusing on ecologically valid scenarios and youth players highlights the need for further investigation.
JOURNAL OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Samuel P. Hills, Stephen Barrett, Bradley Thoseby, Liam P. Kilduff, Martin J. Barwood, Jon N. Radcliffe, Carlton B. Cooke, Mark Russell
Summary: The study aims to quantify the peak post-pitch-entry physical responses of soccer substitutes and found that substitutes introduced during the final stage of a match covered less distance compared to those introduced in the first half or after 60 minutes, while substitutes entering when their team was winning recorded greater distances. Substitute midfielders outperformed substitute attackers in total distance, and defenders in shorter match epochs.
RESEARCH QUARTERLY FOR EXERCISE AND SPORT
(2022)
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Adam Field, Richard Michael Page, Liam Corr, Robert Naughton, Matthew Haines, Liam David Harper, Sean Hudson
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of an extra-time period on thigh musculature excitation and torque generation during soccer-specific exercise. The results showed a reduction in muscle excitation of the rectus femoris and a deficit in torque generation of the knee flexors following 120 minutes of soccer-specific activity. Therefore, practitioners should incorporate exercises into training schedules to develop fatigue-resistant eccentric hamstring strength and minimize injury risk.
RESEARCH QUARTERLY FOR EXERCISE AND SPORT
(2022)
Article
Sport Sciences
Adam Field, Liam David Corr, Chris James Thompson, Jean Carlos Gonzalez Lucena, Hugo Sarmento, Robert Joseph Naughton, Thomas Edward Brownlee, Matthew Haines, Richard Michael Page, Liam David Harper
Summary: Research examines the recovery practices of soccer practitioners following extra-time matches and finds that practitioners adjust training and recovery practices based on players' fatigue markers. Practitioners also believe that more research is needed in this area.
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Adam Field, Liam David Corr, Hugo Sarmento, Robert Naughton, Tom Clifford, Matthew Haines, Richard Michael Page, Liam David Harper
Summary: The aim of this study was to assess muscle damage recovery following 90- and 120-min of simulated soccer match-play. The results showed that recovery of creatine kinase (CK) was delayed up to 72 hours after 120 minutes of simulated match-play. However, 120 minutes of simulated soccer had no additional impact on functional recovery and perceived muscle soreness compared to 90 minutes.
RESEARCH QUARTERLY FOR EXERCISE AND SPORT
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kieran Smith, Guy S. Taylor, Lise H. Brunsgaard, Mark Walker, Kelly A. Bowden Davies, Emma J. Stevenson, Daniel J. West
Summary: This study examined the application of a novel, premeal shot containing a low dose of whey protein on parameters of free-living glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes, showing positive effects.
BMJ OPEN DIABETES RESEARCH & CARE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Sport Sciences
Adam C. Field, Liam D. Harper, Jeffrey W. F. Aldous, Richard M. Page
Summary: Soccer is a rapidly growing area of research, with a large increase in the number of articles published. The activity profile and data collection techniques of soccer match-play are varied. Soccer-specific simulations have been developed to provide a reproducible exercise stimulus for researchers and practitioners. These simulations can be used to investigate the effects of nutrition and environmental stress on performance, as well as assess physiological and biomechanical responses to match-play representations. A scoring system was used to evaluate the research and practical applications of different simulation designs.
SCIENCE AND MEDICINE IN FOOTBALL
(2023)
Review
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
James Andrew Fleming, Adam Field, Steve Lui, Robert Joseph Naughton, Liam David Harper
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the available literature on training and match-play demands in an elite and highly trained junior tennis population. The results showed that training sessions failed to replicate the demands of tournament match-play, and matches played on clay courts were more challenging. Multiple matches per day negatively impacted performance and physical well-being of the players.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCE & COACHING
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Matthew D. Campbell, Daniel J. West, Lauren L. O'Mahoney, Sam Pearson, Noppadol Kietsiriroje, Mel Holmes, Ramzi A. Ajjan
Summary: Using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), this study found that postprandial glucose, specifically evening-time postprandial glucose, is the single largest contributing factor to HbA1c in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
JOURNAL OF DIABETES AND METABOLIC DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
James A. Fleming, Liam D. Corr, James Earle, Robert J. Naughton, Liam D. Harper
Summary: This study examined the training load, energy expenditure, dietary intake, and sleep quality and quantity of junior tennis players during a training camp. The results showed that players had higher activity levels and training load in the morning compared to the afternoon. During simulated match play, players ran further and reached higher maximum velocities than during drill sessions. However, the players failed to achieve energy balance and recorded suboptimal sleep quantity and quality throughout the camp.
PEDIATRIC EXERCISE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Noppadol Kietsiriroje, Hanya Shah, Marios Zare, Lauren L. O'Mahoney, Daniel J. West, Sam M. Pearson, Ramzi A. Ajjan, Matthew D. Campbell
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary intake and insulin resistance (IR), as well as vascular biomarkers, in individuals with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). The results showed that higher fat intake was associated with increased IR and an adverse vascular profile, while higher carbohydrate intake did not show any association.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2023)
Review
Sport Sciences
Richard Michael Page, Adam Field, Ben Langley, Liam David Harper, Ross Julian
Summary: This systematic review aims to assess the effects of fixture congestion on injuries during professional soccer.
Article
Sport Sciences
Sean Hudson, Michael Fish, Matthew Haines, Liam Harper
Summary: This study investigates the practices and perspectives of rugby league practitioners in monitoring the physical demands of training through an online survey. The findings suggest that improving performance is considered the most important factor for monitoring training demands, with practitioners using time motion analysis (e.g., GPS) or accelerometers. The current practices are mostly supported by research evidence, with a preference for internal load monitoring tools such as RPE.
SCIENCE AND MEDICINE IN FOOTBALL
(2023)
