BACKGROUND Despite the crucial role of referees in a soccer match, few researchers have targeted the injury profile of referees in their studies. Understanding the incidence, nature, and pattern of injuries could provide important information for educational and preventative efforts at the international level. HYPOTHESIS The incidence rate and patterns of acute injuries to official referees o...

We tested the hypothesis that: basal cardiac autonomic modulation (i.e. heart rate variability, HRV) was associated with the parasympathetic withdrawal during, and overall Yo-Yo IR1 performance; and therefore HRV could be used as a simple tool for specific fitness assessment. Nine sub-elite soccer referees performed the Yo-Yo IR1 until exhaustion with simultaneous recording of heart rate with t...

Objectives: Polymorphisms in α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) gene are considered to be important in the genetic predisposition to human athletic performance. Most of the activities in soccer such as jumping, striking the ball, and running are considered plyometric and explosive. Performance power during such activities depends on the strength of the muscles involved. Therefore, high muscle strength i...

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze within-week and within-match external load variations in male soccer players over three consecutive matches during a congested week.Methods: The cohort included nineteen elite professional (age: 26.5 ± 4.3 years) from European First League team. Players were monitored daily full season using measurements collected by global positioning systems (GPSs). GPS...

This report examines the agility and level of acceleration capacity of Spanish soccer referees and investigates the possible differences between field referees of different categories. The speed test consisted of 3 maximum acceleration stretches of 15 metres. The change of direction ability (CODA) test used in this study was a modification of the Modified Agility Test (MAT). The study included ...

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...

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare parameters identifying the quality of active mass as a predisposition for performance in elite soccer teams of junior and adolescent categories and also to present distribution of fluids in individual segments, which absents in the literature, with indication of asymmetry and possible muscle imbalance. Material and methods: The screened sample was co...

This study investigated trends in performance and sex difference in swimming speed of elite open-water swimmers at FINA 10 km competitions (i.e. World Cup races, European Championships, World Championships and Olympic Games). Swimming speed and sex difference in swimming speed of the fastest and the top ten women and men per event competing at 10 km open-water races between 2008 and 2012 were a...

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to analyze the blood serum levels of CTX-II in professional indoor soccer players, at three different times during one season: at the start of the pre-season, four months later (a time that marks the middle of the season) and at the end of the season. METHODS Fourteen male soccer players of mean age 19 years were included. Blood samples of 3 mL were collect...