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Integrative Perspectives on Functional Morphology, Performance and Injury Prevention in...
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Integrative Perspectives on Functional Morphology, Performance and Injury Prevention in Soccer

A special issue of Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (ISSN 2411-5142). This special issue belongs to the section "Kinesiology and Biomechanics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 2257

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Spyridon Plakias

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
Interests: Soccer; Sports performance analysis; Research methodology; Biostatistics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to provide a thematic collection for cutting-edge research in the field of soccer, with a focus on the intersection of functional morphology, kinesiology, and applied sports science. Soccer is a multifactorial sport that demands high levels of physical, technical, tactical, and psychological performance, and understanding the various factors underpinning these aspects is essential for enhancing performance and minimizing injury risk.

We welcome original research, review articles, and real-world case studies examining topics such as the functional morphology and anthropometric characteristics of soccer players; the biomechanics of soccer-specific skills (e.g., sprinting, change in direction, jumping, and kicking); injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies in soccer; performance profiling and match demands across different playing positions; applications of wearable technology, GPS, and optical tracking; physiological and neuromuscular adaptations to training and competition; sports nutrition and recovery strategies tailored for soccer athletes; and youth development, biological maturation, and talent identification in soccer.

This Special Issue aims to bridge theory and practice by encouraging submissions from a range of disciplines, including biomechanics, physiology, nutrition, sports medicine, performance analysis and coaching. Contributions that offer novel insights or methodologies that bring science closer to practitioners, coaches, and clinicians working in soccer are especially encouraged.

Dr. Spyridon Plakias
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • football
  • kinesiology
  • sports biomechanics
  • sports medicine
  • training load monitoring
  • neuromuscular adaptation
  • recovery strategies
  • sports nutrition

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 562 KB  
Article
Can We Replicate the Most Demanding Periods of Official Football Matches in Large-Sided Training Games?
by David Casamichana, Iñaki Ulloa, Oier Agirrezabalaga, Ibon Etxeazarra, José Manuel González de Suso, Alfonso Azurza, Bixen Calzon, Jon Mikel Arrieta, Iñigo Sasiain, Jon Ollora, Eider Barba, Beñat Erkizia, Aitor Lazkano, Filipe Manuel Clemente and Julen Castellano
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(4), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10040410 - 21 Oct 2025
Viewed by 571
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to compare the external load demands of large-sided games, with and without regulatory interruptions, to the average (FOOTmatch) and most demanding scenarios (MDSmatch) observed in official football matches, taking into account players’ pitch positions. Methods: Large-sided training games were [...] Read more.
Objective: This study aimed to compare the external load demands of large-sided games, with and without regulatory interruptions, to the average (FOOTmatch) and most demanding scenarios (MDSmatch) observed in official football matches, taking into account players’ pitch positions. Methods: Large-sided training games were implemented with regulatory interruptions (FOOTtask) and without interruptions (MURDtask), during which a coach continuously introduced new balls to maximise effective playing time. GPS data were collected from eight official matches and six training sessions, involving a total of 30 young male football players. Results: MURDtask surpassed FOOTmatch, FOOTtask, and even MDSmatch in distance covered (Effect Size = 0.6–2.5), and equaled MDSmatch in the number of decelerations > 3 m·s−2. Both FOOTtask and MURDtask exceeded the average match demands in most locomotor external load variables, except for sprinting efforts > 28 km·h−1. However, none of the training games reached the peak values of MDSmatch in high-speed running or high-intensity accelerations and decelerations (>4 m·s−2). Positional analysis revealed significantly higher values in MDSmatch for most variables, except for decelerations <−3 m·s−2. Conclusions: MURDtask is a useful strategy to overload players, but additional tasks are required to replicate high-speed and high-intensity accelerations and decelerations typical of MDSmatch. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrative Perspectives on Functional Morphology, Performance and Injury Prevention in Soccer)
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17 pages, 1302 KB  
Article
Enhancing Physical and Cognitive Performance in Youth Football: The Role of Specific Dual-Task Training
by Juan Miguel Ramírez Lucas, Juan Antonio Párraga Montilla, José Carlos Cabrera Linares and Pedro Ángel Latorre Román
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(4), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10040404 - 18 Oct 2025
Viewed by 657
Abstract
Background: Football performance depends on the integration of physical, technical, and cognitive abilities under constantly changing conditions. In this context, dual-task training combining physical and cognitive demands has emerged as a promising approach to enhance decision-making and game intelligence in youth football players. [...] Read more.
Background: Football performance depends on the integration of physical, technical, and cognitive abilities under constantly changing conditions. In this context, dual-task training combining physical and cognitive demands has emerged as a promising approach to enhance decision-making and game intelligence in youth football players. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of an eight-week dual-task training programme on physical (speed, strength, and agility), cognitive (working memory, planning, processing speed, and response time), technical (dribbling and short passing), and dual-task performance in U16 football players. Methods: Thirty-two players (age: 14.88 ± 0.65 years; BMI: 20.98 ± 1.79 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 14) and an experimental group (n = 18). The experimental group completed a dual cognitive–motor training (CMT) programme consisting of 24 sessions (3 sessions/week, 10–15 min each), integrated into regular football practice. Pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments included football skills (dribbling and passing tests), cognitive tests (Wom-Rest and Vismem-Plan), physical tests (countermovement jump, 20 m sprint, and 505 change-of-direction), and a dual-task test (soccer skills and cognitive aptitude test). Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements in all assessed variables, while the control group exhibited no changes or declines in performance. The most notable effects were observed in SoSCAT with visual interference, dual-task cost, and 505 change-of-direction. Conclusions: The findings suggest that integrating brief dual CMT programmes into regular football practice can simultaneously enhance physical, technical, and cognitive performance in youth players. This evidence supports the implementation of dual CMT as an effective and time-efficient tool in talent development programmes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrative Perspectives on Functional Morphology, Performance and Injury Prevention in Soccer)
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18 pages, 1521 KB  
Article
Effects of a 4-Week Off-Season High-Intensity Training Program on Aerobic Performance and Sprint Endurance Ability in Adolescent Female Football Players: A Pilot Study
by Marco Panascì, Carlo Castagna, Vincenzo Rago, Vittoria Ferrando, Piero Ruggeri and Emanuela Faelli
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(4), 396; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10040396 - 13 Oct 2025
Viewed by 827
Abstract
Background: The off-season is often characterized by a significant decrease or even a complete cessation of training. If this reduction is not planned properly, it can result in detraining. Despite numerous studies examining the effects of HIIT in football players, its specific [...] Read more.
Background: The off-season is often characterized by a significant decrease or even a complete cessation of training. If this reduction is not planned properly, it can result in detraining. Despite numerous studies examining the effects of HIIT in football players, its specific role in mitigating detraining and maintaining aerobic and anaerobic performance during the off-season in adolescent female football players remains underexplored. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of a 4-week off-season high-intensity training (HIIT) program on aerobic performance level and sprint endurance ability in Under-15 (U-15) female football players. Methods: Fifteen U-15 female football players from a professional club completed an experimental protocol consisting of two HIIT formats: Small-Sided Games (SSGs) and Repeated Sprint Training (RST), each performed twice weekly. Before and after the intervention period, participants performed the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 (YYIR1) test to gauge aerobic performance and the 30-seconds sprint test to assess sprint endurance. The internal training load was monitored via heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentration ([La]+), while external training load metrics included the total distance (TD), moderate-speed distance (MSD), high-speed distance (HSD), acceleration distance (≥3 m·s−2; ACC), and deceleration distance (≤−3 m·s−2; DEC). Results: YYIR1 improved by 57% (p = 0.0001; d = 1.12; 95% CI: 121.94–224.71) and the 30-s test performance increased by 13% (p = 0.004; d = 0.91; and 95% CI: 14.46–25.53) following the intervention period. A very large correlation between time spent at 90–95% HRmax and the 30-s test (r = 0.90, p = 0.0001) and YYIR1 (r = 0.81, p = 0.0001) performance was observed. Very large and nearly perfect correlations between DHS and YYIR1 (r = 0.82, p = 0.0001) and the 30-s test performance (r = 0.94, p = 0.0001), respectively, were found. Conclusions: In U-15 female football players, a four-week off-season HIIT program improved both aerobic performance and sprint endurance ability, indicating that a HIIT regime attenuates the off-season detraining, thus supporting a better-conditioned return to play. Coaches may implement 4-week high-intensity off-season programs to enhance aerobic performance and start the pre-season with a satisfactory level of aerobic fitness and sprint endurance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrative Perspectives on Functional Morphology, Performance and Injury Prevention in Soccer)
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