This study aimed to identify characteristics of match performance and physical ability that discriminate between elite and subelite under-14 soccer players. Players were assessed for closed performance and movement, physiological responses, and technical actions during matches. Elite players covered more total m·min-1 (115.7 ± 6.6 cf. 105.4 ± 7.7 m·min-1) and high-intensity m·min-1 (elite = 14....

BACKGROUND The majority of surveillance studies in soccer have used a time-loss injury definition, and many groin problems result from overuse, leading to gradually increasing pain and/or reduced performance without necessarily causing an absence from soccer training or match play. Thus, the magnitude of groin problems in soccer has probably been underestimated in previous studies based on trad...

OBJECTIVES To investigate the prevalence of knee and/or ankle osteoarthritis in former elite soccer player. DESIGN Systematic review. METHODS Medline, Embase and SPORTDiscus (2000 to January 2012) were used. To be included, studies were required to be a primary study, written in English, Dutch, French or German, former elite soccer players had to be the study population, and presenting knee...

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Thai massage on physical fitness in soccer players. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-four soccer players were randomly assigned to receive either rest (the control group) or three 30-minute sessions of Thai massage over a period of 10 days. Seven physical fitness tests consisting of sit and reach, hand grip strength, 40 yards technica...

In sports, fast and accurate execution of movements is required. It has been shown that implicitly learned movements might be less vulnerable than explicitly learned movements to stressful and fast changing circumstances that exist at the elite sports level. The present study provides insight in explicit and implicit motor learning in youth soccer players with different expertise levels. Twenty...

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world with player numbers increasing annually at an explosive rate. Children now tend to start specific sports training in a specialized environment at a younger age than in previous years. The desire to be a professional soccer player is strong and future aspirations are usually relayed to the coaching staff. Coaches are, therefore, increasingly ...

BACKGROUND Studies involving chronic creatine supplementation in elite soccer players are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on lower-limb muscle power in Brazilian elite soccer players (n = 14 males) during pre-season training. FINDINGS This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group study. Brazil...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of ventilatory parameters in maximal exercise performance in elite soccer players. METHODS From September 2009 to December 2012, 90 elite soccer players underwent evaluation of lung function test and ergospirometry by means of an incremental symptom-limited treadmill test. Results were analyzed according to i) maximal exercise velo...

INTRODUCTION nutritional intake and status of soccer players has attracted not much research attention. Many soccer players follow an inadequate nutritional intake and have a poor nutritional status. This is relevant in youngsters soccer players, in order to improve performance and promote healthy dietary practices. AIMS analyze anthropometric characterizes, evaluate nutritional intake and st...

The primary aim of this prospective cohort study was to compare the incidence of Achilles tendinopathy symptoms in elite soccer players with and without baseline asymptomatic ultrasound abnormalities. This study also investigated the relationship between baseline tendon thickness and development of symptoms. Using ultrasonography, 18 players were examined in 2009 for the existence of hypoechoic...