Research has shown that soccer players regularly execute curved sprints during matches. The purpose of this study was to determine the age-related effects on curve sprint (CS) performance to both sides, asymmetry, and association with linear sprint (LS). Eighty-four soccer players (aged 16.1 ± 1.6 categorized in U15, U17, and U20) were recruited, who performed CS and LS tests. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and effect size (ES) were used to compare CS performance between age categories, and relationships between physical performance measures were calculated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The main findings of this study were that: 1) there were significant differences in the “good” side CS among age groups (p < 0.001; ES from moderate to large), but not in the “weak” side CS, 2) curve asymmetry was significantly higher in U20 than U15 (p < 0.05; ES large) and U17 players (p < 0.05; ES moderate), and 3) relationships between CS and LS times decreased with age (from significant and very large [p < 0.001] to non-significant and smallmoderate [p > 0.05]). This study highlights the importance of assessing and training CS in different age categories, an action that becomes less correlated with LS as age increases, with the aim of mitigating the increase in asymmetries as a result of the specialization process, focusing interventions mainly on improving the CS “weak” side.

No abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most concerning injuries for football players. The aim of this review is to investigate the effects of exercise-based interventions targeting at reducing ACL injury rate or mitigating risk factors of ACL injury in adult football players. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science. Studies assessing the effect of exercise-based interventions in ACL injury incidence or modifiable risk factors in adult football players were included. 29 studies evaluating 4502 male and 1589 female players were included (15 RCT, 8 NRCT, 6 single-arm): 14 included warm-up, 7 resistance training, 4 mixed training, 3 balance, 1 core stability and 1 technique modification interventions. 6 out of 29 studies investigated the effect of interventions on ACL injury incidence, while the remaining 23 investigated their effect on risk factors. Only 21% and 13% studies evaluating risk of injury variables reported reliability measures and/or smallest worthwhile change data. Warm-up, core stability, balance and technique modification appear effective and feasible interventions to be included in football teams. However, the use of more ecologically valid tests and individually tailored interventions targeting specific ACL injury mechanisms are required.

This study aimed to: i) analyze the differences in anthropometric, body composition, physical, and technical parameters in elite female football players across distinct playing positions; ii) examine the correlations between kicking velocity (KV) and physical performance, and the relationships between linear sprint and curve sprint (CS) times. Twenty-six female players (n = 26, age: 27 ± 4 years) of an elite football team completed the following assessments: anthropometric, body-composition, squat one-repetition maximum (1RM), 30-m linear sprint, 17-m CS, vertical jump, endurance, and KV measurements. In terms of body composition, only muscle mass was significantly different (P = 0.046) in favor of forwards compared to midfielders. Regarding physical performance, overall, jump and sprint capacities were superior in defenders and forwards compared to midfielders (P < 0.05). Linear and CS times (P < 0.05, r = −0.450 to −0.573) and load at 1 m · s−1 in the squat (P < 0.05, r = 0.508) were significantly correlated to KV. Lastly, moderate to strong correlations were observed between linear and CS times (r = 0.396 to 0.916). In conclusion, in this international team, physical performance was higher for defenders and forwards compared to midfielders, especially in terms of sprint and jump abilities. Additionally, significant relationships were detected between strength- and speed-related qualities and KV.