The aim of this study was to compare performance in sprint, change of direction speed, vertical jump and jump squat tests between elite soccer players from two different age categories (i.e., under-20 and senior players) from the same soccer club. Players performed sprints (average velocity at 5, 10 and 20 m), zig-zag change of direction speed (COD speed), squat and countermovement jump tests a...

PURPOSE The purpose of this investigation was to quantify maximal aerobic power (VO2max) in soccer as a function of performance level, position, age, and time of season. In addition, the authors examined the evolution of VO2max among professional players over a 23-y period. METHODS 1545 male soccer players (22 ± 4 y, 76 ± 8 kg, 181 ± 6 cm) were tested for VO2max at the Norwegian Olympic Train...

Background. Soccer is a popular sport with a large number of players all over the world. Besides, it has considerable economic and social effects. Thus, it is necessary to find out the factors which influence soccer players’ performance. Objectives. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether there is a significant correlation between intellectual intelligence (I.Q) (Raven’s pro...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In elite athletes, osteitis pubis is a common painful degenerative process of the pubic symphysis and surrounding soft tissues and tendons. We report the diagnostic pathway and the rehabilitation protocol of six elite athletes with osteitis pubis in three different sports, and compare protocol stages and time to return to competition. METHODS 6 athletes (2 soccer, 2 bas...

Being relatively older and having an advanced biological maturation status have been associated with increased likelihood of selection in young elite soccer players. The aims of the study were to investigate the presence of a relative age effect (RAE) and the influence of birth quarter on anthropometry, biological maturity and anaerobic parameters in 374 elite Belgian youth soccer players. The ...

The purpose of this study was to describe anthropometric characteristics and body composition of elite soccer and volleyball players as well as to make comparisons between them. Seventy-one males were enrolled in the study, divided into three groups: twenty-six soccer players, fourteen volleyball players and thirty-one healthy sedentary subjects. All subjects were assessed for the anthropometri...

Relative Age Effect (RAE) is the breakdown by both age grouping and dates of birth of athletes. In the past 20 years the existence of this effect has been shown with higher or smaller impact in multiple sports, including soccer. The purpose of this study was to identify the existence of RAE in European soccer players. The sample included 841 elite soccer players who were participants in the UEF...

BACKGROUND Patellar tendinopathy is common among athletes in jumping sports and in sports with prolonged repetitive stress of the knee extensor apparatus. The epidemiology in soccer is not well described. PURPOSE This study was undertaken to investigate and describe the epidemiology of patellar tendinopathy in elite male soccer players and evaluate potential risk factors. STUDY DESIGN Cohor...

H amstring injuries are common in sports that require repeated acceleration, deceleration, and maximal sprinting. Recent studies in elite level soccer have shown that hamstring injuries account for up to 17% of all injuries (1,3,6). Several factors have been identified as potential causes for the incidence of hamstring injury in soccer players, including poor hamstring strength, strength imbala...