Search Results (91)

This paper interrogates two important but obscured admission policy developments at leading American universities in the post-World War II era. First, we critically examine the University of California’s “special admissions,” later formalized as the “Admission by Exception” policy adopted at two flagship campuses (Berkeley and UCLA) to open opportunities for veterans returning from the War under the GI Bill. The scale of this Admission by Exception policy was orders of magnitude larger than any comparable admissions policy in recent decades, including both the eras with and without legally permissible affirmative action. Second, we excavate archival evidence from the immediate aftermath of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, where leaders at the flagship University of Texas at Austin campus hastily adopted a new standardized exam requirement because their enrollment modeling indicated this was the most efficient way to not face further losses in federal court while excluding the largest number of African Americans (and thereby resisting Brown) and maintaining the same overall size of the freshmen class. These two post-war admission policy changes, one arising in de facto segregated California and the other in de jure segregated Texas, operated as racialized institutional mechanisms analogous to “redlining” racially restrictive housing policies that are a more familiar feature of the post-War era. We draw on historical data about earnings and wealth accumulation of the overwhelmingly white graduates of UC and UT in the 1950s–70s and connect these findings to the theoretical frameworks of Cheryl Harris’s “whiteness as property” and George Lipsitz’s racialized state investment. We show how these admission policies contributed to the intergenerational transfer of advantage. We then turn to the contemporary admissions landscape at highly selective American universities after the Supreme Court’s SFFA v. Harvard ruling. We link current trends at some elite institutions toward a return to standardized testing requirements, maintaining considerations of athletic ability mostly in “country club” sports as manifestations of bias in university admissions, which tend to favor white applicants (Jayakumar and Page 2021; Jayakumar et al. 2023b). The paper connects historical racialization of admissions to ongoing inequities in access and outcomes, showing how both historical and contemporary admissions policies reward inherited forms of cultural capital aligned with whiteness. Full article

Background: Adolescence represents a critical period for growth and athletic development, yet young athletes frequently demonstrate significant gaps in nutritional knowledge that can impair performance and long-term health outcomes. Limited research exists on comprehensive nutrition education interventions for adolescent soccer players in North African populations. Objective: To evaluate both general and sports-specific nutritional knowledge among adolescent soccer players from an elite Tunisian club and assess the feasibility of a digital nutrition intervention using mobile application technology. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between June and August 2024 among 50 male soccer players aged 11–18 years from Étoile du Sahel club in Sousse, Tunisia. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire comprising sections on basic nutrition knowledge, influences on food choices, sports nutrition knowledge and practices, and demographic information. A pilot digital intervention using the FatSecret app was implemented with 8 participants over 4 weeks, involving meal photo uploads and nutritionist feedback. Results: Participants had a mean age of 15.16 ± 1.55 years, with 92% reporting no formal nutrition education. While 90% correctly identified carbohydrates as the primary energy source, only 2% recognized that fat provides the highest energy density. Significant misconceptions existed regarding sports nutrition: 74% incorrectly believed that consuming protein 2–4 h before an event enhances performance, and only 17% knew the recommended pre-event carbohydrate intake. Food choices were primarily influenced by cravings (80%) and sensory appeal rather than health considerations (20%). The digital intervention demonstrated extremely low engagement, with minimal participation in meal photo uploads. Conclusions: This study reveals critical gaps in both general and sports-specific nutritional knowledge among adolescent soccer players in Tunisia, providing important descriptive information about knowledge distribution in this population. While knowledge deficits are substantial, it is important to acknowledge that this cross-sectional assessment documents only knowledge patterns, without measures of actual dietary intake or athletic performance. The persistent misconceptions and the low feasibility of the digital intervention provide important lessons regarding technology-based approaches to nutrition education in this age group, highlighting challenges in sustained engagement that must be addressed in future intervention design. Full article

This study aimed to examine position-specific physical demands among elite U19 football players competing in a 4-3-3 formation, using data collected via STATSports GPS technology. A total of 23 players from a top-tier Bosnian club, FK “Sarajevo”, were monitored during 26 official matches in the 2024/2025 season. Match data included total distance, distance in six speed zones, high-speed running (HSR), sprint distance, number of sprints, maximum speed, and acceleration/deceleration events. One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc analyses revealed significant positional differences across all performance metrics (p < 0.05). Central midfielders (CMs) covered the greatest total distance and distance per minute, while side defenders (SD) and forwards (FWs) recorded the highest values in sprint distance, HSR, and sprint frequency. Central defenders (CDs) consistently demonstrated the lowest outputs in high-speed and sprint metrics. These findings highlight the distinct physical profiles required for each playing position in a 4-3-3 system and provide practical insights for designing position-specific training and load management strategies in elite youth football. Full article

Introduction: Acute neuromuscular fatigue impairs athletic performance and increases the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Recovery strategies such as manual massage (MM) and intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) have been proposed to mitigate these effects, although their efficacy in elite youth soccer remains under debate. Objective: To compare the acute effects of MM and IPC on muscle damage recovery, lower limb strength, and power in Brazilian Under-20 soccer athletes. Methods: A randomized crossover study was conducted with twenty male youth athletes (18.65 ± 0.67 years) from the under-20 category of Paysandu Sport Club—Brazil. Each athlete underwent both MM and IPC interventions, separated by a seven-day washout. Variables assessed included serum creatine kinase (CK), quadricep and hamstring isometric voluntary contraction (IVC), and vertical jump (VJ). Results: MM resulted in a CK reduction of Δ = −77.1 U/L (p = 0.042; d = 0.37), indicating a moderate effect size, while IPC induced a larger reduction of Δ = −138.0 U/L (p = 0.160; d = 1.41), with a very large effect size despite the lack of statistical significance. Neither intervention produced significant changes in quadricep or hamstring IVC, nor in VJ height (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Both MM (statistical difference) and IPC (clinical difference) were viable recovery strategies for attenuating acute serum CK without impairing neuromuscular performance in elite under-20 soccer players. Full article

Background/Objectives: In soccer, scanning before receiving the ball helps players better perceive and interpret their surroundings, enabling faster and more effective passes. Despite its importance, no standardized tests currently incorporate scanning actions into assessments of passing abilities. In this study, we test the reliability and validity of a battery of passing tests that assess a player’s ability to control and pass the ball while also scanning for the appropriate target. Methods: We designed three passing tests that reflect different scanning demands that are routinely placed upon players during matches. Using players from the first and reserve teams of two professional clubs in Ghana (Club A, first-team n = 11, reserve-team n = 10; Club B, first-team n = 16, reserve-team n = 17), we: (i) tested the repeatability of each passing test (intraclass correlations), (ii) assessed whether the tests could distinguish between first and reserve team players (linear mixed-effects model), and (iii) examined whether players who were better in the passing tests had higher performances in 3v1 Rondo possession games (linear models). Results: All passing tests were significantly repeatable (ICCs = 0.77–0.85). Performance was highest in the 120-degree test (30.11 ± 7.22 passes/min), where scanning was not required, and was lowest in the 360-degree test (25.55 ± 5.94 passes/min), where players needed to constantly scan behind them. When players were scanning through an arc of 180 degrees, their average performance was 27.41 ± 6.14 passes/min. Overall passing performance significantly distinguished first from reserve team players (β = −1.47, t (51) = −4.32, p < 0.001)) and was positively associated with 3v1 Rondo possession performance (R² = 0.51, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results show that these passing tests are reliable, distinguish players across competitive levels, and correlate with performance in possession games. These tests offer a simple, ecologically valid way to assess scanning and passing abilities for elite players. Full article

In the present study, 96 teams’ performances across 48 matches in the group stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 were analyzed. Teams scoring first won 62.5% of matches (p < 0.05), while goals were evenly distributed between halves (p > 0.05) and showed marginal variation across six 15 min intervals, peaking near the 30–45 and 75–90 min marks. Parametric analyses revealed a significant effect of match outcome on possession, with winning teams exhibiting higher average possession (53.3%) compared to losing and drawing teams. Non-parametric analyses identified significant differences between match outcomes for goals scored, attempts at goal, total and completed passes, pass completion rate, defensive line breaks, receptions in the final third, ball progressions, defensive pressures, and total distance covered. Winning teams scored more goals and registered more attempts on target than losing teams, although some metrics showed no significant difference between wins and draws. Logistic regression analysis identified attempts at goal on target, defensive pressures, total completed passes, total distance covered, and receptions in the final third as significant predictors of match success (AUC = 0.85), correctly classifying 80.2% of match outcomes. These results emphasized the crucial role of offensive accuracy and possession dominance in achieving success in elite football. Full article

Background/Objectives: Power indices may provide valuable information for performance and injury prevention in soccer players, so increasing the knowledge about them seems essential. Therefore, this study aimed to establish limb-specific normative values for flywheel-derived power indices in professional soccer players, while accounting for limb performance or ability, to explore the relationships between power indices across variables and to compare the power outcomes related to these indices between injured and non-injured players within four months post-assessment. Methods: Twenty-two male professional soccer players (age: 26.6 ± 4.6 years; competitive level: Belgian second division) were recruited from a single elite-tier club to participate in this cross-sectional diagnostic study. Participants underwent a standardized assessment protocol, executed in a rotational inertial device, comprising six unilateral exercises focused on the lower limbs: hip-dominant quadriceps (Qhip), knee-dominant quadriceps (Qknee), hip-dominant hamstrings (Hhip), knee-dominant hamstrings (Hknee), adductor (Add), and abductor (Abd). The testing session incorporated a randomized, counterbalanced design, with each exercise comprising two sets of eight maximal concentric–eccentric repetitions per limb. Leg dominance was operationally defined as the self-reported preferred limb for ball-striking tasks. Power indices were calculated from these exercises. Results: No significant differences in flywheel-derived power indices were found between limbs or between injured and non-injured players. However, significant correlations between indices were found in all power variables, with the Qhip:Qknee and Hhip:Hknee concentric ratios emerging as the most clinically actionable biomarkers for rapid screening. Conclusions: These results suggest the necessity of including more variables for injury prediction. Moreover, power indices could be considered based on the classification of limbs as “strong” or “weak”. Full article

Background/Objectives: Plyometric training is a method of increasing soccer performance which leverages the muscle stretch-shortening cycle. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of plyometric training in prepubertal soccer players. Methods: Twenty-three young athletes (age 9.4 ± 0.3 years) from an elite club, training three times per week, were enrolled. During one of the weekly training sessions, twelve players formed the experimental group (PLYO), incorporating a 45 min plyometric training component into their routine, while the control group (CON), consisting of eleven players continued with their usual training program. At baseline and after 12 weeks, anthropometric parameters, flexibility, lower limb strength, and agility were assessed. Results: At baseline, no differences were observed between the two groups in anthropometric or physical performance parameters. No injuries occurred during the study. After 12 weeks, both groups showed significant growth and performance improvements. However, the PLYO showed a significantly greater increase in lower limb strength (Δ + 10.7%) compared to the CON (Δ + 6.0%). Conversely, although not statistically significant, agility improvements were greater in the CON (Δ + 12.4%) than in the PLYO (Δ + 8.6%). Conclusions: Plyometric training appears to be a safe and effective method for enhancing lower limb strength in prepubertal athletes. However, this strength gain did not directly translate into greater agility, which may benefit more from sport-specific training during this developmental stage. Full article

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the sleep characteristics and behaviours of senior male, senior female, and under 21 (U21) male elite soccer players using athlete-specific questionnaires. During the preseason/early season period, 74 players from the English Premier League (n = 26, age 26 ± 5 y), Women’s Super League (n = 22, age 25 ± 5 y), and English Premier League 2 (n = 26, age 19 ± 1 y) completed the validated Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) to obtain a sleep difficulty score (SDS) and the Athlete Sleep Behaviour Questionnaire (ASBQ) to obtain a global score and individual behaviours. We found that sleep difficulty scores were higher in senior females (5.9 ± 1.9) than senior males (4.1 ± 1.7) and U21 males (4.3 ± 1.2) (p ≤ 0.006), but no severe clinical problems were noted. Global sleep behaviour scores from the ASBQ were worse in senior males (37.9 ± 6.5) and senior females (40.6 ± 7.1) than male U21 players (33.6 ± 4.7) (p ≤ 0.021). Senior players consumed more alcohol and stimulants and felt that travel disrupted sleep; females went to bed thirstier, woke more for the bathroom, and ruminated more prior to sleep (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, senior female players reported more sleep difficulties than male senior and male U21 players. Behaviours such as pre-bed rumination, nutrition, and travel plans could be targeted to improve sleep quality in soccer players. Study limitations include data drawn from a single club in the off-season. Full article

Background: In recent years, padel-based interventions have been widely applied in junior and elite players of both genders concerning athletic performance, whereas evidence of their efficacy in trials that use simple randomization has not been well established. This study aimed to compare the effects of 8 weeks of padel training (PD) on the strength and power of untrained healthy children. Methods: Twenty-five children aged 11–15 years (12.36 ± 1.15 years) were randomly assigned into experimental (PD) (nine boys and five girls: 1.58 ± 0.04 m; 50.00 ± 6.75 kg; and 19.96 ± 1.95 kg/m²) and control (CT) (seven boys and four girls: 1.60 ± 0.05 m; 56.92 ± 2.75 kg; and 21.61 ± 1.02 kg/m²) groups. The PD group trained twice a week for 8 weeks, and the CT group did not follow any training program and did not participate in regular exercise or sports. Countermovement jump, medicine ball throw, handgrip, and 5 m sprint test results were measured at baseline and after the intervention in the padel sport group. Results: The results showed a significant interaction for training-induced responses in the sprint test (T5) (F = 10.55, p = 0.004, η² = 0.31). No significant interactions were observed for handgrip strength (HG) (F = 3.90, p=0.06), the medicine ball throw (MBT) (F = 0.851, p = 0.37, η² = 0.04), and the countermovement jump (F = 1.04, p =0.32, η² = 0.04), with clear improvements from pre- to post-training in the PD group. After 8 weeks of training, the PD group showed increased performance in handgrip strength (p = 0.004), while the CT group had decreased velocity post-training (p = 0.011). Conclusions: The individual results in the PD group showed an improvement, which suggests that the practice of padel seems to be a good strategy for improving one’s fitness. It is suggested that 8 weeks of PD seem to be effective in improving strength- and power-related variables in healthy, untrained children. This could be considered an alternative to traditional sports to improve the body fitness of young children and should be applied in school-based programs and the sports club community. Also, more high-quality RCTs are needed in the future. Full article

Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) are the most common time loss injury sustained in male Australian Football League (AFL) athletes, causing significant financial cost, time cost, and impaired team and individual performance. In a squad of 42 players, HSIs accounted for 4.86 new injuries sustained by players per club per AFL season in 2020. This is consistent with injury reporting over the last decade in AFL, despite best efforts to reduce the rate. This scoping review sought to firstly identify the reported hamstring injury prevention risk factors in elite AFL, discern the impact of these factors, and map the gaps in the current literature using a biopsychosocial understanding of injury prevention. The scoping review process was based on the Askey and O’Malley framework. Five relevant online databases (MEDLINE, Proquest, CINAHL, SPORTdiscuss, and EMBASE) were systematically searched using a series of Boolean and operator terms following the PRISMA-ScR protocol using the criteria: (1) assessing male professional/elite athletes in AFL; (2) written in English and peer-reviewed; (3) full text available; and (4) published after 2006. Only manuscripts that fit the search terms and inclusion criteria were retained in the scoping review. Following an initial search, 246 potential studies were identified, with 12 studies meeting the inclusion criteria after full-text screening. The risk factors examined were subclassified into modifiable and non-modifiable categories. Modifiable factors include high-speed running exposure, gluteus medius activation, eccentric hamstring strength, shorter bicep femoris fascicle length, use of interchange, and hamstring stiffness. Non-modifiable factors include previous history of HSI and limb injury, age, and size of injury on MRI. This scoping review highlights the need for continued monitoring of high-speed running volumes as rapid increases in completed distances present as a substantial risk factor. The modifiable mechanistic risk factors of eccentric hamstring strength and hamstring stiffness were identified as important components of player screening to reduce the risk of future HSI. Risk factors identified throughout will help develop comprehensive injury profiling for athletes. Further research is warranted to develop a holistic approach to injury profiling. Full article

Warm-up protocols are essential in high-intensity sports such as basketball, in which explosive power and rapid decision-making are critical for performance. This study examined the immediate effects of a modern cognitive warm-up, incorporating open-skill demands and cognitive-motor dual tasks, compared to a traditional closed-skill warm-up in youth basketball players. Twelve male players (ages 15–16) from an elite Israeli youth basketball club participated in the study and performed performance assessments post-warm-up. Sprint performance was evaluated using a closed-skill test (CST: 5-m and 10-m sprints without external stimuli) and an open-skill test (OST: 5-m and 10-m sprints with a reaction-based stimulus). The modern cognitive warm-up integrated advanced sports technology, and all performance assessments were conducted using reliable measurement technologies. The results demonstrated that the modern cognitive warm-up significantly enhanced sprint performance in both OST (p < 0.01) and CST (p < 0.05 for 5 m sprint), with no significant difference in the 10 m CST. Reaction times were also significantly improved (p < 0.01), emphasizing the effectiveness of cognitive warm-ups in enhancing perceptual-motor readiness. These findings suggest that integrating cognitive-motor dual tasks and open-skill elements into warm-up routines may enhance both readiness and focus for explosive performance, as well as improve players’ reactive abilities. Full article

Walking Football is a growing adapted sport offering a viable alternative to traditional exercise for middle-aged and older adults. While rule modifications aim to reduce injury risk, this has yet to be established. This study conducted injury surveillance in community-based Walking Football to determine injury incidence and characteristics in training and matches. A four-month observational cohort study remotely tracked injuries and exposure time across seven Walking Football clubs in England using a sub-elite injury surveillance framework. Injuries were classified as medical attention (requiring on-field attention without subsequent absence) or time-loss (≥1 day of participation absence). Injury incidence was calculated per 1000 h of play. Across 6364.55 h of exposure, 45 injuries were reported: 30 (66.7%) medical attention and 15 (33.3%) time-loss injuries. Injury incidence was 5.3 [1.5–11.5] per 1000 h in training (medical attention: 3.3 [0.8–7.3]; time-loss: 2.0 [0.5–4.5]) and 37.6 [8.7–83.9] per 1000 h in matches (medical attention: 28.9 [5.8–66.6]; time-loss: 8.7 [0–23.2]). Match injury incidence was significantly higher than training (rate ratio: 7.1 [1.3–31.4]). Findings suggest that injury incidence in community-based Walking Football is low, supporting its safety and potential as a sustainable physical activity strategy for middle-aged and older adults. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pressure to stay lean may lead adolescent athletes to dietary restraint and disordered eating. Lack of nutrition awareness can also contribute to suboptimal dietary habits, increasing the risk of eating disorders and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport [RED-S], though evidence in competitive athletes is limited. This study explored eating disorder symptoms and RED-S knowledge in adolescent artistic gymnasts. Methods: Eighty-four female artistic gymnasts, thirty-nine international and national level gymnasts [high-level; 14 [14, 15] y] and forty-five recreational and club level gymnasts [low-level; 14 [13, 15] y] completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire [EDE-Q 6.0], the RED-S knowledge Questionnaire and provided training details. Results: Seventeen gymnasts (20.2%) scored above the cutoff point on the EDE-Q. In addition, high-level gymnasts scored higher than low-level on EDE-Q [2.21 ± 1.37 (35.9%) vs. 1.19 ± 0.79 (6.7%), respectively; p < 0.001] and on its subscales: Restraint, Eating Concerns, Weight Concerns, and Shape Concerns [p < 0.001 to 0.009], thus indicating more severe disordered eating symptoms. No group differences were found in binge eating and compensatory behaviors. An important percentage of gymnasts reported at least one episode of binge eating and excessive training [39.3–58.3%], while four gymnasts reported self-induced vomiting. RED-S knowledge did not differ between groups. On average, gymnasts were unaware of correct answers related to RED-S [51.5%], its definitions [79.8–92.9%], and its association with menstrual disturbances and bone health [54.8–86.9%]. However, gymnasts reported better awareness of the impact of food restriction on illness and performance [47.6–84.5%]. Conclusions: Elite artistic gymnasts exhibited a higher prevalence of eating disorder symptoms than lower-level peers. Gymnasts at all levels demonstrated limited knowledge of the effects of RED-S on menstrual and bone health. Failure to recognize these risks may influence gymnasts’ eating behaviors and delay RED-S detection and management. Full article

Modern elite football is becoming increasingly physically demanding, often requiring training and matches to be played at night. This schedule may disrupt circadian rhythms and melatonin secretion, thereby impairing sleep and recovery. This study investigated the effects of training time on melatonin secretion, circadian phase markers, and sleep parameters in elite youth soccer players. Forty male players (aged 16–18 years) from an elite Spanish youth football club were studied. Two groups followed the same training program but trained either in the morning (MT) or in the evening (ET). Salivary melatonin was measured at six time points to determine the mean levels, dim light melatonin onset (DLMO), amplitude, and acrophase. Chronotype, sleep quality (PSQI), and daytime sleepiness (ESS) were assessed using validated questionnaires. Dietary intake and anthropometric variables were also recorded. The MT group had higher mean melatonin levels (p = 0.026) and earlier DLMO (p = 0.023) compared to the ET group. Sleep quality was significantly better in the MT group (p < 0.001), despite shorter sleep duration (p = 0.014). No major differences in diet or anthropometry were observed. The chronotype had a secondary effect on the circadian markers. Evening training is associated with alterations in melatonin rhythms and reduced sleep quality, possibly due to light-induced chronodisruption. These findings highlight the importance of training timing as a modifiable factor in the chronobiology and recovery of athletes. Incorporating circadian principles into training schedules may optimize resting time and thus performance and long-term health in athletes. Full article