Explore the vast range of titles available.

The study aimed to analyze the tactical sprint actions performed by Spanish professional soccer players, considering their playing positions and the match status at the time of each action. Thirty-two Spanish male professional soccer players from a LaLiga Spanish Second Division (LaLiga SmarthBank) team participated in this study. Actions above 85% of the players’ maximum velocity during 42 official matches were collected by an optical tracking system ChyronHego® and were synchronized using Mediacoach software (LaLiga, Madrid, Spain). Then, actios were analyzed trough an observation instrument designed to assess the type of tactical action performed by players. Central defenders (CD) and wide defenders (WD) were mainly involved in recovery runs. Central midfielders (CM) also frequently performed recovery runs and pressing actions. Wide midfielders (WM) were often engaged in runs in behind/penetrate actions, while forwards (F) had a diverse range of sprint actions, including pressing, runs in behind/penetrate, and breaking into the box. It was observed that F performed fewer chase actions than expected. On the other hand, CD, WD, and CM engaged in a greater number of recovery run actions than expected. CD also performed more close down/interception actions than expected, while CM, WM, and F performed fewer close down/interception actions than expected. When their team was losing, WM performed more recovery run actions than expected. CM made more runs with the ball when their team was winning CD showed a higher frequency of breaks into the box when their team was winning. These findings provide valuable information regarding the tactical aspects of sprinting in soccer, facilitating the design of specific training tasks that not only address the physical demands associated with each playing position but also considering the tactical context in which sprints occur.

The aims of this study were to compare the training and match load of professional soccer players according to the playing position, and analyse the relationship between the metabolic and running speed metrics. Thirty professional male soccer players belonging to a Spanish First Division team were analysed using global positioning system devices (GPEXE Pro 18.18 Hz) during training and competition (n = 36 training weeks and n = 41 matches). The results showed significant differences between positions on match day; central midfielders covered higher total distance and low- and medium-speed running distance (moderate to large effect size) than central defenders, external defenders and forwards; forwards performed more metabolic power events than central defenders, central midfielders and wide midfielders; and central defenders showed the lowest very-high-speed running. Different patterns were observed in training. Furthermore, the equivalent?distance index showed a strong correlation with accelerations and decelerations events. The main findings were that the physical responses found in training did not correspond with match demands by position; both metabolic and traditional approaches should be used together for load monitoring in professional soccer players; and finally, metabolic power events and the equivalent-distance index seem to be variables that help to differentiate more clearly the characteristics of the player, taking into account their playing position.

(1) Background: The objective of this research was to analyse the most demanding passages (MDP) considering the sprint variable relative to the maximum level of sprint ability of each player as a function of player position, final outcome and part of the match during the competitive phase of a professional soccer season. (2) Methods: Global positioning system (GPS) data were collected from 22 players according to their playing position in the last 19 match days of the Spanish La Liga professional soccer in the 2020/2021 season. MDP were calculated from 80% of the maximum sprint speed of each player. (3) Results: Wide midfielders covered the greatest distance at >80% of the maximum speed (2.4 ± 1.63 seg) and the longest duration (21.91 ± 13.35 m) in their MDP. When the whole team was losing, it demonstrated greater distances (20.23 ± 13.04 m) and longer durations (2.24 ± 1.58 seg) compared to games in which it was winning. When the team ended up drawing, the relative sprint distance covered in the second half was significantly greater than in the first (16.12 ± 21.02; SD = 0.26 ± 0.28 (−0.03/−0.54). (4) Conclusions: Different demands of MDP, according to the sprint variable relative to the maximum individual capacity in competition, are required when contextual game factors are considered.

This study aimed to analyse the influence of the match status on the conditional characteristics of tactical sprint actions among Spanish professional soccer players, considering playing positions. Thirty-two Spanish male professional soccer players from a LaLiga Spanish Second Division (LaLiga SmarthBank) team participated in this study. Actions above 85% of the players' maximum velocity were analysed based on their tactical purpose. These findings provide valuable information regarding the tactical aspects of sprinting in soccer, emphasizing the influence of playing positions and match status on the distribution of tactical sprint actions. No effects of match status were observed for any game phase. However, when tactical actions were individually studied, it was observed that the maximum velocity in Chase actions was higher when the team was winning, while in Press actions, the maximum velocity was higher when the team was losing and in in Run in behind/Penetrate, the maximum velocity was higher in drawing situations compared to losing situations. No effects of match status on the distance covered during sprinting were observed, and regarding duration, significant differences were only observed in Recovery run actions. In addition, the influence of match status is higher when playing positions are considered, although the within playing positions analysis revealed significant differences only in CM players. These findings provide valuable information for the design of specific training drills considering playing positions, suggesting the need to analyse the previous match in order to structure the training load of the microcycle in a comprehensive manner.

Soccer is a complex sport that involves relatively high risks of injury. The high participation rates in soccer has increased the soccer-related injuries among the youth population. There are different physiological demands between playing positions, however a limited amount of studies about the incidence of injuries in soccer players of differing ages and playing position has been published. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence, type, location and severity of injuries in young Spanish soccer players according to playing position in different age groups. There were 431 participants who were male soccer players between the ages of 7 and 23 and they were studied for a full season. All players were classified according to individual playing position: goalkeepers, external defenders, central defenders, central midfielders, external midfielders and forwards; and according to age groups: younger than or equal to 9 years, younger than or equal to 11 years, younger than or equal to 13 years, younger than or equal to 15 years, younger than or equal to 18 years, and younger than or equal to 23 years. Incidence of the typology, location and severity of injuries according to playing position for each to the age groups was different. Injury incidence demonstrated a growth trend according to age. Forwards sustained an incidence of injuries significantly greater compared with goalkeepers, central defenders, external defenders and external midfielders. In conclusion, injuries constitute a health threat. Knowledge of the epidemiology of injuries in young soccer players is very important in order to be able to develop appropriate preventive measures according to age groups and playing positions. Resumen. El fútbol es un deporte complejo que implica relativamente un alto riesgo de lesión. La alta tasa de participación en el fútbol ha aumentado el número de lesiones entre la población juvenil. Existen diferencias en las demandas fisiológicas según la demarcación de los jugadores sobre el terreno de juego, sin embargo, se ha publicado una cantidad limitada de estudios sobre la incidencia de lesiones en jugadores de fútbol de diferentes edades y la demarcación. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar la incidencia, la tipología, la localización y la severidad de las lesiones en futbolistas españoles jóvenes atendiendo a la demarcación sobre el terreno de juego en los diferentes grupos de edad. Participaron 431 futbolistas masculinos entre las edades de 7 y 23 años, los cuales fueron estudiados durante una temporada completa. Todos los jugadores fueron clasificados según su demarcación sobre el juego: porteros, defensas laterales, defensas centrales, mediocentros, centrocampistas externos y delanteros; y según grupos de edad: menores de 9 años, menores de 11 años, menores de 13 años, menores de 15 años, menores de 18 años, y menor de 23 años. La incidencia de la tipología, localización y severidad de las lesiones según la demarcación de los jugadores en cada grupo de edad fue diferente. Los delanteros sufrieron una incidencia de lesiones significativamente mayor en comparación con los porteros, defensas centrales, defensas laterales y centrocampistas externos. En conclusión, las lesiones constituyen una amenaza para la salud. El conocimiento de la epidemiología de las lesiones en futbolistas jóvenes es muy importante para poder desarrollar medidas preventivas apropiadas de acuerdo con las diferentes edades y según la demarcación sobre el terreno de juego.

Analysis of the key performance variables in soccer is one of the most continuous and attractive research topics. Using global positioning devices (GPS), the primary aim of this study was to highlight the physiological response of a professional soccer team across competitive microcycles in-season according to the most influential contextual performance variables. Determining the training load (TL), a work ratio was established between all recorded data within the training sessions and the competitive profile (CP). Each microcycle was classified in accordance with the contextual variables: opponent level (high, medium, low), match location (home and away) and score (win, draw, lose). Results revealed that the team were significantly more successful (games won) in competitive games against high-level opponents and when played at home. Cumulative microcycle/weekly training load (WTL) was significantly lower when the team won. In addition to the opponent level and the match location, WTL could condition the athlete’s performance in the competition. Competitive performance responses are the main source of information for the planning of training programs. The results of this study could be used as a reference to structure TL and WTL according to contextual variables in the competition. This study, which is the first of its kind, revealed that WTL effects the performance of the players in the competition.

El dolor inguinal referido al deporte es una patología muy compleja, por ello es fundamental conocer la lesión en profundidad para poder realizar una intervención adecuada, determinando los elementos necesarios para desarrollar un plan preventivo o recuperación / readaptación físico-deportiva, teniendo en cuenta la complejidad y la individualización de la patología. En este estudio se realiza una revisión de los diferentes factores de riesgo de dolor inguinal en fútbol y de las propuestas metodológicas de intervención en prevención, recuperación y readaptación físico-deportiva, determinando unas bases fundamentales en el abordaje del dolor inguinal referido al deporte en fútbol.

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of vitamin D supplementation and regular physical activity on 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone turnover marker concentrations in healthy male athletes. Twenty-five youth soccer players were divided into groups: non-supplemented (GN) and supplemented (GS) with a vitamin D dose of 20 000 IU twice a week for 8 weeks. The study was conducted during an 8-week preseason period, from mid-January to mid-March. At baseline (T1) and at the end of this period (T2), the serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, (PTH), osteocalcin (OC) and β-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTx) were measured. At T2, 25(OH)D increased by 70% in GS (p = 0.004) and by 6% in GN (p > 0.05). Significant differences between GS and GN groups were observed throughout the study in the group-by-time interaction and changes of 25(OH)D (p = 0.002; η2p = 0.36) and OC (p = 0.008; η2p = 0.26). Increased OC (ES = 0.74; moderate) and β-CTx (ES = 1.31, large) in GN athletes who had an optimal baseline vitamin D level (GO) were observed. In GN, at T2, β-CTx positively correlated with PTH and OC (p = 0.007 and p = 0.002). In GS, β-CTx positively correlated with OC at both time points (T1, p = 0.027 and T2, p = 0.037). A negative correlation between 25(OH)D and PTH was observed at T2 (p = 0.018). The obtained results suggest that the 20 000 IU vitamin D3 dose applied twice a week for 8 weeks is effective for vitamin D compensation and sufficient to maintain the correct PTH concentration, as revealed by changes in the bone marker concentrations. In conclusion, the results suggest that the applied vitamin D supplementation dose in athletes leads to intensive bone remodelling and has protective effects on bone under intensive physical effort.