Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.1
2.9
Journals
Sports
Special Issues
Advances in Football Science: Integrating Technology, Performance, and Well-Being
share announcement

Advances in Football Science: Integrating Technology, Performance, and Well-Being

A special issue of Sports (ISSN 2075-4663).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 October 2025 | Viewed by 1868

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Luís Branquinho

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Biosciences Higher School of Elvas, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, Portalegre, Portugal
Interests: public health; sport psychology; sports medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. José Eduardo Teixeira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
1. SPRINT—Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal
2. Department of Sports Sciences, Polytechnic of Guarda, 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal
3. Department of Sports Sciences, Polytechnic of Cávado and Ave., Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: training load; team sports; football; sports medicine; performance; monitoring; metabolic diseases; cardiovascular diseases; epidemology; public health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Never has before have science and technology been as integral to football as they are today. This is driven by growing scientific evidence on training, performance, and their application across diverse fields in sports science, including performance analysis, sports medicine, rehabilitation, psychology, education, biomechanics, and exercise physiology. Modern approaches emphasize an integrated strategy to address the multifactorial nature of football performance, combining technical-tactical skills with perceptual, psychophysiological, and wellness determinants. Football medicine focuses on injury prevention, rehabilitation, return-to-play frameworks, and improving players' well-being through strategies targeting recovery, travel effects, nutrition, sleep, strength, and conditioning. Additionally, advancements in wearable technology and tracking systems have revolutionized training load monitoring, match analysis, talent identification, and training design. AI-driven analytics aid in talent identification, tactical insights, and individualized training programs, providing deeper, data-driven approaches to optimizing performance. By embracing evidence-based innovations, we can enhance player development and push the boundaries of football performance, health and wellbeing. We invite researchers and professionals to contribute to the Special Issue: Advances in Football Science: Integrating Technology, Performance, and Well-Being, helping to push the boundaries of what is possible in the sport.

Dr. Luís Branquinho
Guest Editor

Dr. José Eduardo Teixeira
Guest Editor Assistant

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. Sports is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 science
  • performance analysis
  • football medicine
  • health and wellbeing
  • strength and conditioning
  • wearable and tracking technology
  • match analysis
  • observation
  • rehabilitation strategies
  • decision-making
  • psychology
  • pedagogy
  • physiology
  • talent identification
  • scouting
  • training task design
  • artificial intelligence
  • machine learning

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 2915 KiB  
Article
Impact of Four-Match Congestion on the Well-Being of Under-16 Male Soccer Players
by Francisco Tomás González-Fernández, Luis Manuel Martínez-Aranda, Manuel Sanz-Matesanz, Yarisel Quiñones-Rodríguez and Alfonso Castillo-Rodríguez
Sports 2025, 13(7), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13070209 - 26 Jun 2025
Abstract
The assessment of player well-being through questionnaires is vital for managing training and match demands in soccer, aiming to mitigate injury and overtraining risks. This study investigates the impact of Four-Match Congestion on the well-being of under-16 male soccer players. An observational study [...] Read more.
The assessment of player well-being through questionnaires is vital for managing training and match demands in soccer, aiming to mitigate injury and overtraining risks. This study investigates the impact of Four-Match Congestion on the well-being of under-16 male soccer players. An observational study design was implemented, focusing on the well-being of eighteen male soccer players throughout a championship. Players were monitored daily for indicators such as muscle soreness, stress levels, mood, fatigue, sleep quality, and an overall well-being index. Data collection was conducted by research team staff without interfering with established training plans. Preliminary findings indicate significant fluctuations in well-being indicators throughout the championship, with lower well-being scores correlating with higher match intensity. Specifically, it was indicated that the athletes’ fatigue increased, while their stress levels gradually decreased (p < 0.05). Furthermore, muscle soreness, mood, and sleep quality metrics fluctuated throughout the study, with significant differences found between matches 1 and 3. These results highlight the importance of monitoring well-being to inform coaches about necessary adjustments in training loads during congested match schedules. Understanding the relationship between match demands and player well-being can lead to effective recovery strategies, enhancing performance and reducing injury risks. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of well-being monitoring and its integration into training regimens to optimize athlete management in competitive settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Football Science: Integrating Technology, Performance, and Well-Being)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 698 KiB  
Article
Physiological Benchmarks and Player Profiling in Elite Football: A Role-Specific Analysis Using T-Scores
by Vincenzo Manzi, Daniele A. Cardinale, Marco Alfonso Perrone, Antonio Bovenzi, Ferdinando Iellamo, Cristian Savoia, Giuseppe Caminiti and Francesco Laterza
Sports 2025, 13(6), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13060181 - 10 Jun 2025
Viewed by 375
Abstract
Physiological characteristics such as VO2max, running economy (RE), maximal aerobic speed (MAS), maximal sprinting speed (MSS), anaerobic speed reserve (ASR), and player profiling (based on MSS and MAS) have been proven to be important for training prescriptions in football. However, previous [...] Read more.
Physiological characteristics such as VO2max, running economy (RE), maximal aerobic speed (MAS), maximal sprinting speed (MSS), anaerobic speed reserve (ASR), and player profiling (based on MSS and MAS) have been proven to be important for training prescriptions in football. However, previous studies on player profiling have neglected the absolute values of MSS and MAS. The objectives of this study were to compare the aforementioned physiological variables among player roles, create benchmarks, and provide normative data to help coaches categorize players, ultimately proposing a new player profiling method. We analyzed 195 male professional football players (50 forwards, 59 midfielders, 44 full-backs, and 42 center-backs). Multivariate analysis of variance with Tukey’s post hoc tests revealed positional differences. Center-backs exhibited lower VO2max than midfielders and full-backs. Both center-backs and forwards showed poorer RE and MAS compared to midfielders and full-backs. Full-backs achieved higher MSS than midfielders and center-backs, and forwards outperformed center-backs. Finally, midfielders demonstrated lower ASR than all other positions. Benchmarks based on T-scores for all variables were provided. Finally, in the new profiling method proposed—also based on T-scores—players were classified as “speed”, “endurance”, or “hybrid” if their MAS and/or MSS T-score exceeded 60, “in development” if both were below 45, and “average” if both scores were between 45 and 60 without any value above 60. The normative data provided can assist coaches in identifying specific areas for improvement in players’ physical conditioning—particularly valuable for youth athletes or those returning from injury. Additionally, the new profiling method offers insights into individual player characteristics, enabling more tailored and effective training interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Football Science: Integrating Technology, Performance, and Well-Being)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 229 KiB  
Article
Age-Related Effects of Physical Performance on Technical and Tactical Outcomes in Youth Soccer
by Patrik Hegedüs, Dániel Csala, János Tóth and János Tóth, Jr.
Sports 2025, 13(6), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13060162 - 27 May 2025
Viewed by 321
Abstract
This study explores how age influences the relationship between physical performance (PP) and technical–tactical parameters (TPs) in youth soccer, analyzing 80 matches across four age groups: U15, U17, U19, and NB1 (adults). Team-level data were examined to assess how maturation affects the integration [...] Read more.
This study explores how age influences the relationship between physical performance (PP) and technical–tactical parameters (TPs) in youth soccer, analyzing 80 matches across four age groups: U15, U17, U19, and NB1 (adults). Team-level data were examined to assess how maturation affects the integration of physical and technical demands. Physical metrics included total distance (TD) and total high-intensity distance (THID), while TP metrics involved actions such as pressing, tackling, and ball possession. Pearson’s correlations and general linear models (GLMs) were used to identify associations between PP and TPs across age categories. The results showed age-related trends in performance integration. U19 and NB1 players demonstrated moderate-to-strong correlations between PP and TP variables, with TD and THID positively associated with pressing and tackling, indicating increasing synergy with age. U17 players showed emerging integration, while U15 players exhibited no significant correlations, suggesting developmental variability. Limitations include reliance on team-level correlational data and the absence of individual physiological or cognitive assessments. These findings suggest that training approaches should be tailored to players’ developmental stages, with increasing emphasis on combining physical conditioning and tactical understanding as players mature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Football Science: Integrating Technology, Performance, and Well-Being)
13 pages, 218 KiB  
Article
Return-to-Play Timeline and Recovery Predictors After COVID-19 Infection in Elite Football Players
by Agnes Sziva, Zsuzsanna Kives and Zsolt Szelid
Sports 2025, 13(5), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13050147 - 15 May 2025
Viewed by 774
Abstract
The pandemic period significantly impacted professional football, leading to mandatory SARS-CoV-2 testing and quarantine. Our study aimed to examine the factors influencing time of recovery after a positive test, including return-to-training (RTT) and return-to-first-match (RTFM) of male football players in a first-division Hungarian [...] Read more.
The pandemic period significantly impacted professional football, leading to mandatory SARS-CoV-2 testing and quarantine. Our study aimed to examine the factors influencing time of recovery after a positive test, including return-to-training (RTT) and return-to-first-match (RTFM) of male football players in a first-division Hungarian team between 8 May 2020 and 30 June 2022. Infection was determined using mandatory RT-PCR testing 3 times per week, which later decreased to 1 to 2 times per week, in 55 elite players. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services symptom list and modified with relevant factors of return-to-play in football. The incidence of SARS-CoV-2-positive players in the three consecutive years was 5.26; 21.43 and 45.71%. Mild symptoms were present in test-positive players, completing the questionnaire (n = 31), predominantly loss of smell and dry cough. Post-infection fatigue levels correlated with the perceived performance decline. In players with precisely documented dates (n = 18), the average RTT was 18.7 days, while the RTFM was 67.3 days. Older players returned to training faster than their younger counterparts and the RT-PCR Ct number had a weak negative correlation with RTFM. Mental support was provided by family and friends in 68% of the players. This study highlights the variability in return-to-play timelines and the role of age, symptom severity and mental help in recovery and emphasizes the need for individualized rehabilitation in elite football. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Football Science: Integrating Technology, Performance, and Well-Being)
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop