Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptures in Russian Premier League Soccer Players During the 2010 to 2021/2022 Competitive Seasons: The Epidemiology and Details of Return to Sports.

Background: There are limited data on the epidemiology of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures in elite adult soccer players, especially in the Russian Premier League (RPL). There is an increased risk of injury due to a combination of additional risk factors such as playing in extremely high and low temperatures, frequent long flights, and regular play on natural and artificial surfaces. Purpose: To study the epidemiology of ACL ruptures and determine the patterns associated with their occurrence in RPL soccer players. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: All ACL ruptures requiring surgery sustained by players competing in the RPL across 12 competitive seasons between 2010 and 2022 were analyzed. All required data were collected from media analysis and confirmed by club doctors. Results: A total of 85 players sustained 100 injuries during 12 competitive seasons. A total of 96.5% of players returned to competitive play. The injury incidence in RPL and during participation of RPL teams in European Cups were 0.4760 and 0.5622 per 1000 playing hours, respectively. When analyzing the outcomes of the primary ACL surgery (a total of 76 operations), the following data were obtained: in 11 cases (14.5%), there was a reinjury on the ipsilateral knee joint and in 4 cases (5.3%) on the contralateral knee joint. The mean return-to-play time after all operations was 284 ± 116 days. The time of return to play after primary reconstruction was 289 ± 136 days, 278 ± 91 days after reconstruction on the contralateral knee and 271 ± 51.5 days after the first ACL revision reconstruction on the ipsilateral knee joints. Conclusion: RPL ACL injury epidemiology is similar to that in the other leagues from around the world, although there are factors that can potentially influence the number of these injuries.

A Rehabilitation Algorithm After Lateral Ankle Sprains in Professional Football (Soccer): An Approach Based on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is one of the most common types of injury in professional football (soccer) players with high risk of recurrence. The rehabilitation after LAS in professional football players is often still time-based and relies on anecdotal experience of clinicans. There is still a lack of utilization of criteria-based rehabilitation concepts after LAS in professional football. The aims of this clinical commentary are (1) to critically discuss the need for criteria-based rehabilitation concepts after LAS in professional football players, (2) to highlight the current lack of these approaches and (3) to present a novel clinical guideline-based rehabilitation algorithm. Short time-loss (15 days) and high recurrence rate (17%) raise the question of trivialization of LAS in professional football. Despite consequences for many stakeholders involved (players, teams, clubs, insurers), there is still a lack of of criteria-based, step-by-step approaches. The use of a criteria-based rehabilitation approach might reduce the high recurrence rate after LAS in professional football players and will lead, in turn, to increased long-term player availability. Practical experiences of he authors demonstrate the feasibility of such an approach. The effectiveness of this novel rehabilitation algorithm remains to be evaluated in future studies. Level of Evidence: 5.

Epidemiology of Injury and Illness in North American Professional Men's Soccer: Comparing COVID-19 Lockdown With Previous Seasons.

BACKGROUND: After COVID-19 lockdown, studies across Europe and Asia examined its effect on professional soccer injury rates and severity; however, COVID-19 lockdown influence on injuries in United States men's professional soccer has not been evaluated. HYPOTHESIS: Injury and illness rates during the 2020 season were higher than the previous 2 seasons. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. METHODS: Medical staff from participating Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs entered injuries and athletic exposures during the study period into a league-wide electronic medical record system. Injury rate and severity were analyzed to examine differentials between the 2020 COVID season and historical controls. RESULTS: The injury incidence rate per 1000 hours in 2020 was 10.8, ie, higher than 2018 (5.4) and 2019 (5.0) (P < 0.05). Training injury incidence rate increased in 2020 (8.9) compared with 2018 (2.5) and 2019 (2.6) (P < 0.05), whereas match injury incidence decreased in 2020 (18.3) compared with 2018 (24.0) and 2019 (22.7) (P < 0.05). Incidence rates of lower extremity muscle injuries (6.04), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries (0.17), and concussions (0.49) were also higher in 2020 compared with 2018 (2.5, 0.07, 0.27) and 2019 (2.36, 0.05, 0.22) (P < 0.05). More injured players in 2020 missed >90 days (17.7%) than in 2018 (10.2%) and 2019 (10.1%) (P < 0.05). Incidence of all non-COVID-19 illness was higher in 2020 (3.93) than 2018 (1.53) and 2019 (1.32) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: During 2020, there were significant increases in incidence rates of overall injuries, training injuries, lower extremity muscular injuries, ACL injuries, concussions, and non-COVID illness, along with a higher percentage of players missing >90 days compared with the 2 previous seasons. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results may help clarify the effects of future MLS inseason work stoppages and periods of restricted training.

Development and validation of an interview guide for examining the effects of sports careers on the quality of life of retired Portuguese football players.

Introduction: Considering the importance of assessing the impacts resulting from a sport career, this study aimed at developing and validating a semi-structure interview guide suitable for quantifying the sociodemographic and epidemiological profile of former professional football players. Methods: Based on the theoretical frameworks and several methodological procedures, an interview guide was developed, consisting of 3 areas of conceptual organization (A1. Biographical data; A2. Professional Career; and A3. Post-Career Transition) and 8 data collection categories (C1. Personal data; C2. Professional data; C3. Sociodemographic background; C4. Epidemiological pathway; C5. Moment of career retirement (career transition); C6. Post-career sociodemographic pathway; C7. Post-career epidemiological pathway; and C8. Perceptions of post-career planning). Thus, in procedural terms, four stages were considered for the construction and validation of the interview guide, namely the Ad hoc construction of the interview guide (i), the review of the in-terview guide by a panel of experts (ii), definition of procedures and protocol for the application of the interview (iii), and the application of the pilot study for the face validation of the interview guide (iv). The sample consisted of two former Portuguese professional players. Results and discussion: To analyze and discuss the data, a content analysis was carried out on all the answers given to each question in the script by the interviewees. From them, matrices were created with the response references to each subcategory. In this way, it was possible to analyse the type of answers given by the interviewees and relate them to the theoretical perspectives of the topic being investigated. The results showed that the interview guide for the study of the impacts of the sports careers on the quality of life of Portuguese former football players shows reliability for the collection of qualitative and quantitative information from the respective content analysis. The use of the interview guide characterizes the path of former player, providing information and knowledge on the sociodemographic and epidemiological impact factors resulting from their post-career.

Prevalence and intensity of pain in male and female amateur football players: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and intensity of pain due to a football-related injury during activities of daily living and during training and/or match play in both male and female and youth and adult amateur players. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study involving amateur football players. METHODS: Players (n = 502, median age 18 years, range 14-46) responded to weekly questionnaires during one season, including the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire. Weekly pain prevalence and pain intensity (measured on the numeric rating scale [range 0-10]) during activities of daily living and while playing football were determined. RESULTS: A total of 6601 weekly questionnaires were collected (response rate 63.7 %). Average weekly pain prevalence during activities of daily living was 17.2 % for all players, and 15.7 % among players who participated in training and/or match play. Pain prevalence during training and/or match play was 18.3 % with an average pain intensity of 4.0. In 21.3 % of cases the recorded pain intensity was >5. Sex, age, and mode of injury onset (sudden or gradual) were not significant predictors of pain intensity. CONCLUSION: At a given week, one in six football players experiences pain during activities of daily living from a football-related injury. Almost one in five players reports pain while playing football, of whom >20% report a pain intensity above 5. Oftentimes, injury-related pain present while playing football transcends to activities of daily living. This warrants further monitoring and adequate management of pain within amateur football.

Sagittal Balance in Professional Brazilian Football Players.

Introduction: Football soccer practice involves considerable risks of lesions, making it difficult to strike a balance between adequate preparation and the demand imposed on athletes. A high incidence of postural disorders among adolescents leads to questions about the influence of sports activity on the athletes' posture and sagittal balance. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from panoramic spine radiographs of 110 professional Brazilian football (soccer) players. They were male and aged between 20 and 30 years. Measurements of pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and lumbar lordosis were obtained by using the SurgimapⓇ software. Measurement values were compared with the Brazilian literature data. Lordosis type was categorized according to the classification of Roussouly et al., and the presence of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis was analyzed. Results: Findings indicated that (1) among 110 radiographs analyzed, 104 had appropriate measurement quality; (2) values compared with the Brazilian mean demonstrated that PT and SVA were statistically lower in professional players (P=0.013 and P=0.037, respectively); (3) according to Roussouly et al. most participants presented Type 3 lordosis (54.8%), followed by Type 4 (26.9%); (4) eight athletes (7.7%) had spondylolysis, and among them, seven (6.7%) had spondylolisthesis. Conclusions: Significant differences in PT and SVA were found in professional athletes. The most common type of lordosis was the same as that found in the general population (Type 3), and the incidence of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis was higher than that found in the general population, but lower than that found in football (soccer) players.

An analysis of financial risk assessment of globally listed football clubs.

The global football market has grown in the past three decades, and football clubs' sustainable financial operations have gradually gained attention. This study aims to construct a financial risk assessment model applicable to the football industry, explore globally listed football clubs' overall financial operating characteristics, and analyse the leading causes of the club's financial crisis. We selected a sample of 24 currently listed football clubs worldwide and an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) model to construct the model of financial risk assessment for football clubs. The model identified and classified the financial risk components for listed football clubs, thus facilitating risk warning and prevention for modern professional clubs. This study found that football clubs are at higher financial risk overall, with the following general characteristics: (1) small amount of listed capital; (2) high asset-liability ratio; (3) low net profits and a large proportion of clubs make losses; and (4) weak asset liquidity. Finally, the study discussed the leading causes of the financial crises of football clubs in both external and internal dimensions, providing a reference for the self-sustainability of clubs and football authorities.

Return-to-performance in elite soccer players after Achilles tendon ruptures: a study using a weighted plus/minus metric and matched-control analysis.

PURPOSE: Studies have shown decreased match participation and shortened careers in athletes suffering Achilles tendon ruptures (ATRs), but assessment using a true performance metric is lacking. Plus/minus (PM) metrics provide a practical and objective approach to player performance assessment and are commonly used in other sports. This study aimed to quantify and compare individual player performance variations in elite football league players who sustained ATRs and returned to play within 1 year compared to those without ATRs, using a PM metric. METHODS: Player and team data were sourced from Transfermarkt.com. Male players sustaining ATRs between 2007 and 2018 were identified through injury reports. A control group (CTRL) was matched by position, age, height, and league, with a 6:1 ratio of controls to ATR subjects. The day of injury was considered "time zero". Year -1 corresponds to the 360 days preceding injury, and Year 1 to the interval between 360 and 720 days after. Performance in the player's main team was evaluated using a previously validated weighted PM metric. Only data from Year -1 and Year 1 were used for ATR versus CTRL group comparisons. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The ATR group included 125 athletes. Data from more than 76,000 matches were analyzed. No statistically significant differences in net weighted PM metric between Year -1 and Year 1 were found. CONCLUSION: No differences were found between athletes suffering from ATRs and controls regarding the weighted PM metric. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Turmeric supplementation improves markers of recovery in elite male footballers: a pilot study.

Football match-play causes muscle damage and provokes an inflammatory response. Rapid recovery is paramount to optimising subsequent performance and reducing injury risk. Turmeric contains high concentrations of curcumin, a polyphenol that has been shown to reduce muscle damage and soreness post-exercise in recreational exercisers. However, it is unknown whether a curcumin-containing supplement can support elite footballers recovery between matches. This applied study explored whether a turmeric supplement could improve performance, subjective and physiological markers of recovery, in elite male footballers. Twenty-four elite male footballers divided into a turmeric group, who consumed 60 mL of a turmeric drink twice per day, or a control group who did not. After 96 h of rest, baseline measurements of subjective soreness (leg and whole-body), plasma creatine kinase ([CK]), plasma C-reactive protein ([CRP]), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and counter movement jump (CMJ), were collected. Following eight competitive matches, subjective leg and whole-body soreness and plasma concentrations of inflammation markers ([CK] and [CRP]) were assessed immediately (0 h), 40 and 64 h post-match. Performance markers (IMTP and CMJ) were also assessed at 40 and 64 h post-match. Percentage change from baseline showed a main effect of group (p = 0.035, p = 0.005) and time (p = 0.002, p = 0.002) for both leg and whole-body soreness, respectively. There was a group by time interaction effect (p = 0.049) for [CRP]. There were no effects of turmeric on [CK], CMJ or IMTP. This applied study is the first in elite footballers to show that a curcumin-containing supplementation may attenuate a biomarker of inflammation [CRP] and soreness post-match play.

Do you have a good all-around view? Evaluation of a decision-making skills diagnostic tool using 360° videos and head-mounted displays in elite youth soccer.

Elite youth players' decision-making skills are considered important predictors of adult performance in soccer. The presentation of 360° videos in head-mounted displays offers new potential for the diagnostic of these skills in talent development programs. This study evaluated a new diagnostic tool using soccer-specific 360° videos for assessing decision-making skills in youth academy (YA) players. The evaluation consisted of players' subjective feedback as well as the analysis of diagnostic and prognostic validity. It was hypothesized that high-level YA players achieve better diagnostic results than regional-level players, and U19 outperform U17 players. Moreover, YA players' diagnostic results should be positively associated with future adult performance level. During the 2018/19 season, N = 48 youth players participated in the diagnostic procedures (split-half reliability r = .78). Participants were shown 54 videos which terminated when the central midfielder received a teammate's pass. Participants were then asked how to best continue playing. The subjective evaluation explored YA players' experiences with the diagnostic tool via quantitative ratings (e.g., "How exciting was the task?", "How involved did you feel in the game situation?") and additional interviews. Diagnostic validity was examined in a balanced cross-sectional 2 × 2-design (performance level x age group) and prognostic validity in a 3-year prospective design. Sensitivity and case-by-case analyses completed the evaluation. The YA players provided positive quantitative ratings regarding their experienced immersion into the environment. Players' qualitative feedback indicated general acceptance of the diagnostic tool as well as it offered recommendations for improvements. Confirming the diagnostic validity, ANOVA revealed significant main effects for performance level (p < .001, η2 = .29) and age group (p < .01, η2 = .14). Contributing to the prognostic validity, the diagnostic results discriminated between YA players achieving a higher and a lower adult performance level ("League 1-4" vs. "League 5 or below") in adulthood (p < .05; d = 0.80). A ROC curve and the AUC showed that the correct assignment to the adult performance levels is possible with a 71% probability. YA players with a high decision-making accuracy had a six times higher chance of playing in "League 1-4". The results demonstrated empirical evidence for the new diagnostic tool in terms of YA players' acceptance and validity coefficients exceeding effect sizes of former studies. The technology provides opportunities to test soccer-specific situations demanding an all-around view that were not testable in former experimental settings. Further technological advancements will enable the realization of improvements recommended by the players. Nonetheless, case-by-case analyses suggest caution in using such a diagnostic as a selection tool in talent development programs.

Comparison of the physiological responses and time-motion characteristics during football small-sided games: effect of pressure on the ball.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the effects of pressure on the ball on physiological responses and time-motion characteristics during football small-sided games between elite youth male players. Methods: 56 elite male youth football players (age: 15.43 ± 0.52 years) performed a 2+GK vs. 2+GK game on a 30 m × 15 m pitch area with two playing conditions: 1) free play (FP), the player has no limitation to play; 2) pressure on the ball (PB), the player has directly and aggressively closed down space (located within 1.5 m) between themselves and the opposition player with the ball and can compete for possession. The percentage of time spent in different maximum heart rate (HRmax) zones, mean heart rate, blood lactate acid concentration, total distance covered, distance covered in three speed zones (sprint, high speed, and moderate speed), number of high speed runs, number of sprint runs, top speed, number of direction changes, and ball recovery time were monitored. Results: We found very significantly higher number of high speed runs (p < 0.001; ES = 1.154), number of direction changes (p < 0.001; ES = 2.347), ball recovery time (p < 0.001; ES = 3.529), percentage of time spent in 90%-100% HRmax (p < 0.001; ES = 3.033), mean heart rate (p < 0.001; ES = 1.940), blood lactate acid concentration (p < 0.001; ES = 2.245) and significantly higher high speed running distance covered (p = 0.004; ES = 0.520) in the PB condition. Conversely, the FP condition showed very significantly higher moderate speed running distance covered (p < 0.001; ES = 1.814) and significantly higher percentage of time spent in 80%-90% HRmax (p = 0.012; ES = 0.440). No significant differences were revealed on sprint running distance covered (p = 0.407; ES = 0.140), number of sprint runs (p = 0.103; ES = 0.279), top speed (p = 0.130; ES = 0.258) and percentage of time spent in 60%-70% HRmax (p = 0.106; ES = 0.276), 70%-80% HRmax (p = 0.358; ES = 0.155). Discussion: We found that pressure on the ball had a substantial impact on the intensity of training, as evidenced by a significantly increased high speed running performance, number of directional changes, percentage of time spent at 90%-100% of maximum heart rate, mean heart rate, and blood lactate acid concentration. Additionally, ball recovery time decreased significantly.

Soccer heading immediately alters brain function and brain-muscle communication.

Introduction: There is growing evidence of a link between repetitive soccer heading and the increased incidence of neurodegenerative disease. Even a short bout of soccer heading has been shown to impair cognitive performance and disrupt movement control. However, a greater understanding of the mechanisms behind these immediate impairments is needed. The current study attempted to identify how a short bout of soccer heading alters brain function and brain-muscle communication during a movement task. Methods: Sixty soccer players were exposed to either an acute bout (i.e., 20 balls thrown underarm) of soccer heading (n = 30) or a control condition where participants (n = 30) headed soccer balls in virtual reality (VR). Before and after heading, we measured cognitive performance on the King-Devick test, as well as electromyography (EMG), electroencephalography (EEG) and brain-muscle communication (i.e., corticomuscular coherence; CMC) during a force precision task. Results: Following the heading protocol, the VR group improved their cognitive performance whereas the Heading group showed no change. Both groups displayed more precise force contractions at post-test. However, the VR group displayed elevated frontal theta activity and global increases in alpha and beta activity during the contraction task, whereas the Heading group did not. Contrary to our expectations, the Heading group displayed elevated CMC, whereas the VR group showed no change. Discussion: Our findings indicate a short bout of soccer heading may impair cognitive function and disrupt the organization of efficient neural processes that typically accompany motor skill proficiency. Soccer heading also induced corticomuscular hyperconnectivity, which could represent compensatory brain-muscle communication and an inefficient allocation of increased task-related neuromuscular resources. These initial findings offer insights to the mechanisms behind the impairments experienced after a short bout of repetitive soccer heading.

Physical Examination of Ankle Sprain and Ankle Instability: Can We Really Divide It into Low and High Ankle Sprains?

Lateral ankle ligament sprains and syndesmotic injuries are two different entities. However, they may be combined under the same spectrum depending on the arch of violence during the injury. Currently, the clinical examination has a limited value in the differential diagnosis between an acute anterior talofibular ligament rupture and a syndesmotic high ankle sprain. However, its use is indispensable for raising a high index of suspicion for detecting these injuries. Based on the mechanism of injury, clinical examination plays an essential role in guiding further imaging and early diagnosis of low/high ankle instability.

Effect of Heading a Soccer Ball as an External Focus During a Drop Vertical Jump Task.

Background: Research has demonstrated that performing a secondary task during a drop vertical jump (DVJ) may affect landing kinetics and kinematics. Purpose: To examine the differences in the trunk and lower extremity biomechanics associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk factors between a standard DVJ and a DVJ while heading a soccer ball (header DVJ). Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Participants comprised 24 college-level soccer players (18 female and 6 male; mean ± SD age, 20.04 ± 1.12 years; height, 165.75 ± 7.25 cm; weight, 60.95 ± 8.47 kg). Each participant completed a standard DVJ and a header DVJ, and biomechanics were recorded using an electromagnetic tracking system and force plate. The difference (Δ) in 3-dimensional trunk, hip, knee, and ankle biomechanics between the tasks was analyzed. In addition, for each biomechanical variable, the correlation between the data from the 2 tasks was calculated. Results: Compared to the standard DVJ, performing the header DVJ led to significantly reduced peak knee flexion angle (Δ = 5.35°; P = .002), knee flexion displacement (Δ = 3.89°; P = .015), hip flexion angle at initial contact (Δ = -2.84°; P = .001), peak trunk flexion angle (Δ = 13.11°; P = .006), and center of mass vertical displacement (Δ = -0.02m; P = .010), and increased peak anterior tibial shear force (Δ = -0.72 N/kg; P = .020), trunk lateral flexion angle at initial contact (Δ = 1.55°; P < .0001), peak trunk lateral flexion angle (Δ = 1.34°; P = .003), knee joint stiffness (Δ = 0.002 N*m/kg/deg; P = .017), and leg stiffness (Δ = 8.46 N/kg/m; P = .046) compared to those in standard DVJs. In addition, individuals' data for these variables were highly and positively correlated between conditions (r = 0.632-0.908; P < .001). Conclusion: The header DVJ task showed kinetic and kinematic parameters that suggested increased risk of ACL injury as compared with the standard DVJ task. Clinical Relevance: Athletes may benefit from acquiring the ability to safely perform header DVJs to prevent ACL injury. To simulate real-time competition situations, coaches and athletic trainers should incorporate such dual tasks in ACL injury prevention programs.

Cold water immersion after a soccer match: Does the placebo effect occur?

Although cold water immersion (CWI) is one of the most widely used post-exercise strategies to accelerate recovery processes, the benefits of CWI may be associated with placebo effects. This study aimed to compare the effects of CWI and placebo interventions on time course of recovery after the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST). In a randomized, counterbalanced, crossover study, twelve semi-professional soccer players (age 21.1 ± 2.2 years, body mass 72.4 ± 5.9 kg, height 174.9 ± 4.6 cm, V ˙ O2max 56.1 ± 2.3 mL/min/kg) completed the LIST followed by CWI (15 min at 11°C), placebo (recovery Pla beverage), and passive recovery (Rest) over three different weeks. Creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), uric acid (UA), delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 10-m sprint (10 mS), 20-m sprint (20 mS) and repeated sprint ability (RSA) were assessed at baseline and 24 and 48 h after the LIST. Compared to baseline, CK concentration was higher at 24 h in all conditions (p < 0.01), while CRP was higher at 24 h only in CWI and Rest conditions (p < 0.01). UA was higher for Rest condition at 24 and 48 h compared to Pla and CWI conditions (p < 0.001). DOMS score was higher for Rest condition at 24 h compared to CWI and Pla conditions (p = 0.001), and only to Pla condition at 48 h (p = 0.017). SJ and CMJ performances decreased significantly after the LIST in Rest condition (24 h: -7.24%, p = 0.001 and -5.45%, p = 0.003 respectively; 48 h: -9.19%, p < 0.001 and -5.70% p = 0.002 respectively) but not in CWI and Pla conditions. 10 mS and RSA performance were lower for Pla at 24 h compared to CWI and Rest conditions (p < 0.05), while no significant change was observed for 20 mS time. These data suggests that CWI and Pla intervention were more effective than the Rest conditions in recovery kinetics of muscle damage markers and physical performance. Furthermore, the effectiveness of CWI would be explained, at least in part, by the placebo effect.

The geopolitics of the European super league: A historiographical approach and a media analysis of the failed project in 2021.

Introduction: The main objective of this article is to analyse the reasons why the 2021 European Super League project failed. The authors ask whether, in addition to the popular clamour against a semi-closed competition, it was the combination of geopolitical interests of the different actors currently involved in European elite football that prevented the project from going ahead. Methods: The main methodological framework is based on a case study, which follows an Stakian approach. To do so, on the one hand, a historiographical analysis of the case has been done; on the other hand, authors have complemented this case study with an analysis of 23 pieces of news published on the website of five mainstream newspapers (from April to June 2021) from those countries with the most significant European football leagues: The United Kingdom (The Guardian), Spain (El País), France (Le Monde), Italy (La Repubblica) and Germany (Der Spiegel). To supplement the analysis of this phenomenon, authors have also considered other relevant news published in other mainstream press or news agencies (such as The New York Times, Politico, The Yorkshire Post, The Times, Marca, Bloomberg and Reuters). Results and Discussion: The authors conclude that, while financially the Super League debate has not been closed, in defending the current business and competition model of European football, UEFA has had the complicity of owners and shareholders of the founding clubs outside of their traditional historical roots, as well as governments that have made football an asset because of their geopolitical positioning, such as Qatar and the UK post-Brexit.

A data-driven framing of player and team performance in U.S. Women's soccer.

Introduction: In establishing historical benchmarks for success on the pitch and striving to achieve parity off it, the United States Women's National Team (USWNT) and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) have long served as standard bearers for professional women's soccer around the globe. However, off-field dilemmas and incessant juxtapositions to men's soccer frequently overshadow the elements that make U.S. women's soccer unique; that is, in the quest to expose and rid the women's game of blatant misconduct, discriminatory practices, and negative stereotypes, relatively little attention has been devoted to performance features that separate the U.S. women's soccer product from its competition. Because many of the issues hindering the progress of women's soccer are rooted in media and managerial practices that marginalize or ignore its positive traits, a need exists for analyses that will properly identify its innate characteristics and competitive advantages so that media members, managers, and fans can accurately frame their perceptions of women competing in the sport. Methods: To this end, we collected reliable samples of public event data from 560 professional soccer matches and used ANOVAs and t-tests to identify the characteristics that distinguish U.S. women's soccer from other professional leagues and teams. Results and Discussion: In doing so, we showed that the USWNT tends to shoot from more opportune areas and press opponents at a higher rate, and that the NWSL has recently been matched in quality across certain performance metrics by England's FA Women's Super League.

Collagen supplementation augments changes in patellar tendon properties in female soccer players.

We investigated the effect of collagen hydrolysate supplementation on changes in patellar tendon (PT) properties after 10 weeks' training in female soccer players from a Football Association Women's Super League Under 21 s squad. We pair-matched n = 17 players (age: 17 ± 0.9 years; height: 1.66 ± 0.06 m; mass: 58.8 ± 8.1 kg) for baseline knee extension (KE) maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) torque, age, height, and body mass, and randomly assigned them to collagen (COL) or placebo (PLA) groups (COL n = 8, PLA n = 9). Participants consumed 30 g collagen hydrolysate supplementation or energy-matched PLA (36.5 g maltodextrin, 8.4 g fructose) and plus both groups consumed 500 mg vitamin C, after each training session, which comprised bodyweight strength-, plyometric- and/or pitch-based exercise 3 days/week for 10 weeks in-season. We assessed KE MIVC torque, vastus lateralis muscle thickness and PT properties using isokinetic dynamometry and ultrasonography before and after 10 weeks' soccer training. KE MIVC torque, muscle thickness and tendon cross-sectional area did not change after training in either group. However, COL increased PT stiffness [COL, +18.0 ± 12.2% (d = 1.11) vs. PLA, +5.1 ± 10.4% (d = 0.23), p = 0.049] and Young's modulus [COL, +17.3 ± 11.9% (d = 1.21) vs. PLA, +4.8 ± 10.3% (d = 0.23), p = 0.035] more than PLA. Thus, 10 weeks' in-season soccer training with COL increased PT mechanical and material properties more than soccer training alone in high-level female soccer players. Future studies should investigate if collagen hydrolysate supplementation can improve specific aspects of female soccer performance requiring rapid transference of force, and if it can help mitigate injury risk in this under-researched population.

Erratum: The Qatar 2022 World Cup warm-up: Football goal-scoring evolution in the last 14 FIFA World Cups (1966-2018).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.954876.].

Hip arthroscopy is a successful treatment for femoroacetabular impingement in under-16 competitive football players: a prospective study with minimum 2-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Femoroacetabular impingement is considered a spectrum disease affecting multiple hip structures and it is especially prevalent in football players. Hip arthroscopy has shown good results in this population. However, little attention has been given to its efficacy in children and adolescent players. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of hip arthroscopy in under-16 football players. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2008 and 2019, all under-16 competitive football players who underwent hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement were recruited for this prospective study. Hip pain and function were measured through the VAS, HOS, mHHS and WOMAC scores before the surgery, at 1-year after the surgery and at minimum 2-years after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative scores were compared to  establish the evolution of hip pain and function. Additionally, rate and time to return to play were recorded. RESULTS: 14 subjects were included in the analysis. All subjects attended to the last follow-up, at mean 3.21 years after the surgery (range 2-10). Mean ± SD VAS (0-100) scores were 60.14 ± 15.88 before the surgery, 6.43 ± 5.19 at 1-year follow-up and 5.07 ± 4.05 at final follow-up (p < 0.05). Significant improvements were observed in HOS ADL, HOS SS, mHHS and WOMAC (p < 0.05) between preoperative values and 1-year follow-up. No significant differences were found in knee pain or function between 1-year and final follow-up assessments (p > 0.05). All subjects (100%) were playing football 1-year after the surgery, with a mean ± SD time to return to play of 5.93 ± 2.09 months. 13 subjects (92.86%) were still playing at final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Hip arthroscopy is a safe and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of FAI in under-16 competitive football players, improving hip pain and function with excellent rates to return to play.