Search Results (40)

Background/Objectives: Soccer players, particularly females, exhibit an increased risk of both concussions and Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries. Emerging evidence suggests that neurcognitive deficits following concussions may impair neuromuscular control, increasing ACL injury susceptibility. This study aims to explore the interplay between concussions, neuromuscular deficits, and ACL injury risk, while proposing targeted prevention strategies. Methods: A comprehensive review of current literature was conducted to analyze the biomechanical and neurophysiological impact of concussions on ACL injury risk. Key areas investigated include the effect of sub-concussive impacts on proprioception, reaction time, and postural stability, as well as sex-based differences in injury susceptibility. Results: Findings indicate that post-concussion neuromuscular impairments—such as altered proprioception, delayed reaction times, and compromised joint stability—heighten ACL injury risk. Female athletes, due to biomechanical and hormonal factors, are particularly vulnerable. Preventive measures, including neuromuscular training, cervical spine strengthening, and optimized return-to-play protocols, are essential to mitigate these risks. Conclusions: Longitudinal research is needed to further elucidate the connection between head trauma and ACL injuries. Implementing evidence-based interventions and policy changes, such as modifying heading exposure in youth athletes, may enhance player safety and reduce long-term injury burden in female soccer players. Full article

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a major concern in female soccer players, with change of direction (COD) movements being a key contributor to non-contact injuries. Traditional injury prevention programs have shown limited effectiveness in addressing individual biomechanical deficits. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 10-week unilateral strength training program on COD mechanics and ACL injury risk factors. Methods: Eleven female soccer players participated in a pre–post intervention study. Movement mechanics was assessed using the Cutting Movement Assessment Score (CMAS) at 45°, 75°, and 90° angles. The training program included unilateral lower limb strengthening exercises designed to enhance neuromuscular control and reduce biomechanical risk factors. Risk profiles were analyzed before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests and effect size calculations. Results: Significant improvements in CMAS scores were observed at all COD angles (p < 0.05), with the largest effect at 90° (Cohen’s d = 2.1). The percentage of high-risk players decreased from 82% to 0%, while the proportion of low-risk players increased from 36% to 73%. Improved knee alignment, foot placement, and trunk stability were key contributors to the observed movement enhancements. Conclusions: Unilateral strength training may effectively improve COD mechanics and reduces biomechanical risk factors associated with ACL injuries in female soccer players. Our findings suggest that individualized training interventions can influence current injury prevention strategies. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the FIFA 11+ program on knee instability and motor performance in male youth soccer players. Thirty male youth soccer players were divided into two groups: the experimental group (FIFA+) performed the FIFA 11+ program for 10 weeks, while the control group followed their usual warm-up routine. Dynamic knee valgus (DKV) and squat depth were assessed using a Microsoft Azure Kinect camera and dynaknee software. Maximal isometric muscle force was measured with a dynamometer. The Y Balance test was used to evaluate dynamic balance, while a countermovement jump test assessed lower limb power. The knee range of motion was measured with a goniometer, and the t-test was used to evaluate agility. After the intervention, the FIFA+ group showed a significant decrease in DKV and squat depth (p < 0.05), while the control group showed no significant changes (p > 0.05). Both groups improved in motor performance, with slight progress noted in the FIFA+ group. However, neither group demonstrated significant improvement in dynamic balance (p > 0.05). While the FIFA 11+ program may not substantially enhance overall motor performance or match the effectiveness of other training regimens, it shows potential for addressing biomechanical deficiencies and reducing the risk of injuries, particularly those related to dynamic knee valgus. Full article

The primary aim of this scoping review was to identify practical risk factors associated with an elevated risk in anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACLI) in elite male field team athletes that can be applied meaningfully in screening tools by team support personnel. Five relevant databases were searched (SportsDISCUS, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) following the PRISMA-ScR protocol using the criteria: (1) written in English and peer-reviewed; (2) full-text available; (3) discussed ACLI screening tests; (4) an elite athlete cohort; (5) males; (6) field team sport. The search identified 962 manuscripts, with nine manuscripts meeting the inclusion criteria. Field sports represented were soccer (n = 7), American football (n = 1), and a mixed-sport cohort of soccer, rugby, and field hockey (n = 1). Manuscripts reported modifiable risk factors (the joint range of motion n = 1, biomechanics n = 3, and strength n = 1) and non-modifiable (anatomical n = 2 and genetics n = 2). Whilst the joint range of motion screening indicated statistical significance to ACLI risk, there was little predictive value. Non-modifiable risk factors were significantly correlated to ACLI and reported a higher predictive capacity for ACLI risk. There is limited systematic research investigating and providing predictive insight for screening tests of ACLI risk in elite male team sport athletes. Future prospective investigations should consider the validity of ACLI screening tests in elite male field-based sport populations, and establish efficacy, so that sporting clubs can confidently implement screening tests of value into practice. Full article

In contemporary sports science, the integration of wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) has revolutionized athlete performance monitoring, offering insights into training load management and injury risk mitigation. The acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) has emerged as a pivotal metric, indicating the balance between acute training stress and chronic adaptation. This study investigates the relationship between ACWR and running parameters, i.e., contact time (CT), flight time (FT), and vertical stiffness (K_vert). Data from thirty-five elite male soccer players were analyzed using the WIMU Pro system. Statistical analyses showed that CT increased with workload, with significant differences observed between athletes in the sweet spot and others in the danger zone (p < 0.05), and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) ranging from 0.28 to 0.37. K_vert values were consistently lower in athletes in the danger zone across all workload indicators (p < 0.001), with large effect sizes going up to 0.94. Conversely, FT showed no significant variation between ACWR groups. These findings suggest that elevated ACWRs may be linked to reductions in vertical stiffness, highlighting a potential increase in risk of injury. Coaches and practitioners can utilize these insights to tailor training programs, integrating load monitoring with tactical considerations to optimize athlete performance. Understanding the nuanced interplay between workload ratios and biomechanical parameters provides valuable insights for performance optimization for elite football athletes. Full article

There has been growing interest in understanding the injury profiles of young female soccer players due to their increasing participation in the sport and the unique risk factors they face. This narrative review examines the incidence, mechanisms, and location of injuries in this population, alongside the primary risk factors and effective preventive strategies. Injury incidence is higher during matches than in training sessions, with contact injuries dominating in games and non-contact injuries prevailing in practice. Knee and ankle injuries are the most prevalent, with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries being particularly concerning due to their frequency and long-term impact. The interplay of intrinsic factors, such as hormonal fluctuations, anatomical characteristics, and biomechanics, with extrinsic factors like training load, surface type, and footwear significantly influences injury risk. Prevention programs, particularly those combining neuromuscular, balance, and strength training, demonstrate high efficacy, provided that adherence is maintained. Moreover, fostering awareness among players, coaches, and stakeholders about psychosocial factors and menstrual health further enhances injury prevention. Tailored strategies addressing the specific needs of young female soccer players are crucial to ensuring their safety, optimizing performance, and supporting their long-term athletic development. Full article

This study investigated the effects of a 10-week plyometric training program on sprint performance, reactive power, and biomechanical muscle properties in soccer players. Twenty soccer players were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10). Both groups maintained their regular weekly training, with the experimental group performing additional plyometric sessions twice weekly. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included 5 m and 30 m sprint times, Reactive Strength Index (RSI), and biomechanical properties (tension, stiffness, elasticity) of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL). The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in 5 m (p < 0.01; ES = 1.44) and 30 m (p < 0.01; ES = 1.11) sprint times and RSI (p < 0.05; ES = 0.87). No significant changes were observed in muscle tension, stiffness, or elasticity at the group level. However, correlations indicated that higher baseline elasticity in the VL was linked to greater 5 m sprint improvements, while changes in RF elasticity were negatively associated with 5 m sprint gains. These findings suggest that plyometric training effectively enhances short-distance sprint performance and reactive power in soccer players. Although group-level biomechanical properties did not change significantly, individual variability in muscle elasticity may modulate training outcomes, supporting the integration of plyometric exercises into soccer training regimens. Full article

This study presents a novel system for diagnosing and evaluating soccer performance using wearable inertial sensors integrated into players’ insoles. Designed to meet the needs of professional podiatrists and sports practitioners, the system focuses on three key soccer-related movements: passing, shooting, and changes of direction (CoDs). The system leverages low-power IMU sensors, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication, and a cloud-based architecture to enable real-time data analysis and performance feedback. Data were collected from nine professional players from the SD Huesca women’s team during controlled tests, and bespoke algorithms were developed to process kinematic data for precise event detection. Results indicate high accuracy rates for detecting ball-striking events and CoDs, with improvements in algorithm performance achieved through adaptive thresholds and ensemble neural network models. Compared to existing systems, this approach significantly reduces costs and enhances practicality by minimizing the number of sensors required while ensuring real-time evaluation capabilities. However, the study is limited by a small sample size, which restricts generalizability. Future research will aim to expand the dataset, include diverse sports, and integrate additional sensors for broader applications. This system offers a valuable tool for injury prevention, player rehabilitation, and performance optimization in professional soccer, bridging technical advancements with practical applications in sports science. Full article

The quadriceps angle, knowns as the Q-angle, is an anatomical feature of the human body that is still largely unknown and unstudied despite its initial discovery in the 1950s. The strength disparities between male and female athletes are largely determined by the Q-angle. In spite of a growing number of women participating in sports such as track, tennis, soccer, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, swimming, and softball, studies investigating injuries in this group are scanty. Even though the Q-angle has been the subject of many studies carried out all over the world, a review of the literature regarding its effects on health and injury risk in female athletes has not yet been completed. The aim of this review is to examine the crucial role of the Q-angle in the biomechanics of the knee joint and its effect on performance and injury risk, particularly in female athletes. Furthermore, we highlight the greater likelihood of knee-related injuries seen in female athletes being caused by the Q-angle. Athletes, coaches, healthcare professionals, and athletic trainers can better comprehend and prepare for the benefits and drawbacks resulting from the Q-angle by familiarizing themselves with the research presented in this review. Full article

Background: The aim of this study was to systematically review research on the effect of soccer ball characteristics on ball-to-head contact. Methods: This systematic review was conducted using electronic databases, which included PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science. The search strategy combined keywords related to soccer, the ball and its characteristics, heading, and kinematics variables. Studies analyzing the impact of soccer ball characteristics on heading biomechanics were included. The review included studies using mathematical models, simulations, and human subjects. Results: A total of nine studies were included, highlighting the lack of evidence on this topic. The following ball characteristics were investigated: inflation pressure (n = 7), mass (n = 4), structure/material properties (n = 3), size/diameter (n = 3), and stiffness (n = 3). Most studies used non-human subjects, such as mathematical, simulated, or head-form models. Key findings were as follows: (a) reducing inflation pressure may decrease impact magnitude; (b) ball size may not directly relate to impact magnitude, but one study found that a smaller size resulted in a shorter impact time; (c) lower impact observed with decreasing ball mass; (d) lowering stiffness showed a tendency to lower impact; (e) two studies on water absorption found that wet balls were heavier and had greater impact forces than dry balls; and (f) ball structure and cover material directly influenced impulsive forces. Conclusions: Modifying soccer ball characteristics may reduce heading forces, but the available research has limitations. More controlled studies are needed to determine optimal ball properties for mitigating injury risk during soccer heading. Standardized testing methods can further clarify the biomechanics of heading, supporting ongoing innovations to enhance player experience. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hip strength and range of motion have been compared in soccer players with and without hip and groin pain but only in male footballers or gender-combined samples. In female soccer players, the biomechanics contributing to this injury remain poorly understood compared to other sporting injuries. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether differences exist in adductor and abductor isometric test values and hip joint range of motion between elite female soccer players with longstanding groin pain and injury-free controls. Methods: Ten female elite soccer players with current longstanding hip and groin pain and twenty-five injury-free controls from the same teams were included in the study. Hip adductor and abductor isometric strength were evaluated with a hand-held dynamometer. A bent knee fall-out test was also utilized to examine the hip joint range of motion. Results: A significant difference in abductor isometric test values was observed between the control group (2.29 ± 0.53 N/Kg) and the hip and groin pain group (2.77 ± 0.48 N/Kg; p = 0.018). Furthermore, the injured group showed a decreased adductor/abductor ratio compared to the control group (1.00 ± 0.33 vs. 1.27 ± 0.26; p = 0.013). No differences were observed in the bent knee fall-out test (p = 0.285). Conclusions: Female elite soccer players with current longstanding hip and groin pain exhibited higher abductor isometric strength and lower adductor/abductor ratio compared to non-injured women players. There were no differences in the BKFO test between groups. Full article

Soccer biomechanics is a field that applies principles of mechanics to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury for soccer players. The purpose of this research is to perform a mapping review of the existing knowledge in the current literature, identify leading researchers and institutions, and explore emerging research topics. After conducting a mini literature review, a bibliometric analysis was carried out using the VOSviewer software. The data imported into VOSviewer was obtained from the Scopus database and included 951 records. The analysis performed included: (a) performance analysis to calculate the number of records per year and the authors with the most citations; (b) science mapping analysis (co-authorship, co-citation, and bibliographic coupling); and (c) clustering analysis through the co-occurrence analysis of author keywords. Our findings highlight a significant growth in research publications on soccer biomechanics over the past few decades, with a notable increase in the number of articles published in high-impact journals. Additionally, the clustering analysis resulted in seven clusters, with each cluster providing valuable insights into different aspects of soccer biomechanics, which clearly reflects the multifaceted nature of the field. Full article

Soccer is a sport with a high incidence of injuries. The most common injury occurs when the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee has undergone a sprain, strain, or partial or total rupture. Besides fitness factors (e.g., proprioception, balance and strength capabilities), a principal cause of ACL injuries is sport shoes and playing surfaces. Especially with the emergence of artificial surfaces (rubbers, turfs, concrete, asphalt, red turf), the ACL injuries dramatically increase. The cost of ACL injuries is high both in terms of career termination and in social and economic costs. Thus, it is necessary to understand the impact of sport shoes and playing surfaces on the ACL and how it can be mitigated. The present literature review followed the PRISMA methodology to identify the major biomechanical factors influencing the behavior of surfaces and shoes in relation to the ACL damage. Fifty-eight papers were identified. After reviewing the mechanism of injuries, we identified several distinct factors: type of outsole and mechanical arrangement of the outsoles; shear forces; characteristics of artificial turf surfaces; effect of weather on artificial surface aging and change in mechanical characteristics; outsole/ground interface; and the frictional, tractional and rotational forces in the pathogenesis of ACL injuries in soccer. Full article

This study’s aim is to examine the effect of a combined balance and multidirectional plyometric training intervention on postural balance ability and lower limb explosive performance in U-13 male and female soccer athletes. Twenty pre-adolescent (age: 12.6 ± 1.6 years) soccer athletes followed a 6-week training intervention combining balance exercises, dynamic stabilization tasks and multidirectional plyometric exercises at a frequency of twice/week for 20–25 min, based on a progressive increase in exercise difficulty from phase A (week 1–3) to phase B (week 4–6). Pre- and post-training measurements were carried out to assess the following: (a) static balance performance in single (left, right)-legged and two-legged quiet stance trials with eyes open and eyes closed (two trials per stance and vision condition of 30 s duration) and (b) lower limb explosive performance in countermovement and squat jumps without arm swing (three trials/jump). The vertical GRF was recorded by a customized force plate (Wii, 1.000 Hz, Biovision) and offline, CoP and explosive performance parameters were calculated. The overall results showed that the static balance ability of athletes remained unaffected, while restricting their vision deteriorated their postural control. The lower limb explosive performance showed a trend for improvement; however, inter-individual variations in athletes’ responses might have obscured any effect. Full article

Studies show that although female soccer players often have shorter change of direction (COD) deficits than males, indicating different biomechanical profiles, there is a lack of research on the impact of physical metrics on COD performance in females. The purpose of this work was to analyse whether performance metrics based on speed and jumping could explain the variation in %CODD in young female soccer players. Thirty-three highly trained adolescent female soccer players with an age of 16 ± 0.95 years, a body mass of 55.7 ± 7.22 kg, and a height of 160.4 ± 5.22 cm performed COD180 tests, 10 m and 30 m sprint tests, single-leg countermovement, and horizontal jumps. Acceleration in the first 10 m of a sprint was identified as a significant predictor of COD180 performance (R² = 28%), (R² = 50%), (p < 0.01), indicating that early sprint performance may largely determine an individual’s ability to change direction. However, no predictors were found for %CODD. Significant correlations were observed between COD180 performance and %CODD, acceleration, linear speed, and horizontal jump performance (r = −0.59 to 0.70; p < 0.05). The study suggests that specific physical performance metrics, particularly early acceleration, are crucial for enhancing COD skills in female soccer players, emphasizing the need for targeted training interventions. Full article