BACKGROUND Static stretching (SS) is a recovery intervention used for the reduction of muscle soreness postexercise. The effects of SS on elite young footballers have received little attention, and therefore the aim of this study was to assess the effects of SS on muscle recovery following competitive soccer matches in elite young footballers. METHODS Ten male participants (16±1 years) were r...

Soccer players are required to anticipate and react continuously in a changing, relatively unpredictable situation in the field. Cognitive functions might be important to be successful in soccer. The current study investigated the relationship between cognitive functions and performance level in elite and sub-elite youth soccer players aged 13-17 years. A total of 47 elite youth soccer players ...

Somatotype ratings and percentage body fat of 131 elite Nigerian male athletes, average 24.2 years of age, and belonging to badminton (n = 18), basketball (n = 30), field hockey (n = 24), handball (n = 16), judo (n = 18), and soccer (n = 25) teams were determined. Basketball, handball and soccer players were taller and heavier, and had low percent fat values as compared with the other athletic ...

talent identification is a process through which those with the highest chance to succeed in the future will be determined. the purpose of the present study was to investigate the application of a multivariate approach in talent identification of adolescent soccer players. the research population consisted of all soccer players in tehran province aged between 12 and 16 years old. a battery of t...

BACKGROUND There is an established risk of injury to young athletes exposed to high training loads. Identifying and monitoring injury risk is essential to aid prevention. The aim of this study was to use the consensus statement to determine the incidence and pattern of injury in 1 English Premier League soccer academy during 1 season. METHODS A prospective cohort study included 181 elite acad...

BACKGROUND Groin injuries cause major problems in the football codes, as they are prevalent and lead to prolonged symptoms and high recurrence. The aim of the present study was to describe the occurrence and clinical presentation of groin injuries in a large cohort of sub-elite soccer players during a season. METHODS Physiotherapists allocated to each of the participating 44 soccer clubs reco...

BACKGROUND A high level of strength is inherent in elite soccer play, but the relation between maximal strength and sprint and jumping performance has not been studied thoroughly. OBJECTIVE To determine whether maximal strength correlates with sprint and vertical jump height in elite male soccer players. METHODS Seventeen international male soccer players (mean (SD) age 25.8 (2.9) years, he...

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 Injury among soccer referees is rarely studied, especially with regard to differences in the quality level of the refereeing. Additionally, we have found no study that has reported injury occurrence during official physical fitness testing for soccer referees. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency, type and consequences of match-related and fitness-testing related in...