Physical Development Differences between Professional Soccer Players from Different Competitive Levels

França, Cíntia; Ihle, Andreas; Marques, Adilson; Sarmento, Hugo; Martins, Francisco; Henriques, Ricardo

doi:10.3390/app12147343

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…When comparing the performance levels, the results showed that, although there were no statistical differences between both groups AL, high-level athletes suffered significantly higher numbers of injuries BL than amateur athletes. This may arise from the greater demands in training and competitions faced by high-level athletes [49], caused by higher internal (i.e., psychophysiological responses of the athletes that take place during an exercise) and external loads (i.e., loads prescribed by the coach to elicit psychophysiological responses) compared to amateur athletes [16,50]. Although several studies have shown significant increases in the number of injuries in high-level athletes, mainly due to the abrupt increase in the training load after returning to competition and the greater concentration of competitions in a short period of time [3,10,39,43,[51][52][53], other studies have shown that changes in IRs did not significantly increase AL in high-level athletes [12,46], thanks to individualized work during this time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Study on the Injury Rate of Spanish Competitive Athletes as a Consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown

Prieto-Fresco

Medina-Rebollo

Gavira

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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The COVID-19 lockdown may have had collateral effects on the conditions of athletes, with possible increases in injury risks upon the return to sports. Due to the existence of multiple factors of injury risks based on the lockdown and the return to sports, the aim of this study was to analyze the injury rates after the lockdown in competitive athletes. A non-experimental quantitative design based on a survey was carried out, and 94 athletes (42 males and 52 females; 23.57 ± 6.20 years) participated. Statistical analyses were carried out using non-parametric tests. Injury rates did not increase significantly after the lockdown, and there were no statistical differences between performance levels, types of sports, the design of a specific training program by sports professionals during the lockdown, the moment of injury, and the mechanism of injury. It is important to develop injury prevention protocols to prepare athletes after such a long period of detraining.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Study on the Injury Rate of Spanish Competitive Athletes as a Consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown

Prieto-Fresco

Medina-Rebollo

Gavira

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…However, in contradiction, some studies have found sub-elite soccer players to be of greater stature than their elite counterparts, suggesting that stature may not always characterize elite status or performance (6). Sports performance research has yet to fully define main attributes and actions that differentiate successful soccer players from unsuccessful soccer players (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). Limited research has been done assessing what constitutes match-playing time in soccer and why some players receive more playing time than others.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deconstructing stereotypes: Stature, match-playing time, and performance in elite Women's World Cup soccer

Manning

Sekiguchi²,

Benjamin³

et al. 2022

Front. Sports Act. Living

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Recruiting companies recommend elite female soccer players be ≥165 cm (5′5″) in stature. This study investigated if stature limits match-playing time and performance in elite World Cup soccer among players, positions, and countries. We hypothesized stature would not affect match-playing time or performance. Descriptive data were collected on 552 players from 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. Odds ratios determined likelihood of starting for players <165 cm and ≥165 cm. ANOVAs compared playing time between stature groups, among positions, and between countries. Performance factors including assists, goals, attempts, corners, shots blocked, and defending blocks were reported. Independent t-tests compared differences between players (≥165 cm, < 165 cm). Data are reported, mean difference [95% confidence interval] [MD (95%CI)] and effect sizes (ES). On average, 32.3% of players were <165 cm. Of total players, no differences existed in total minutes (F = 0.98, p = 0.32), matches (F = 0.27 p = 0.59), or average minutes per match (F = 0.48, p = 0.49) between stature groups, regardless of position. No differences existed in playing time between players <165 cm and ≥165 cm among any positions (p > 0.05), or between countries (p > 0.05). Taller mid-fielders exhibited greater performance in goals, assists, attempts, shots blocked, and defending blocks (MD [95%CI] ES; assists, −0.44[−0.76,−0.11]0.59, p = 0.009; goals, −0.35[−0.69,−0.01]0.44, p = 0.047); attempts, 3.14[1.38, 4.90]0.80, p = 0.001; corners, 2.04[0.12, 3.95]0.48, p = 0.037; shots blocked, 0.96[0.40, 1.51]0.75, p = 0.001; defending blocks, 0.43[0.32,0.82]0.48, p = 0.035), however, actual differences were minimal. Our findings indicate stature does not inhibit playing and performing elite women's soccer, as nearly one-third of players were <165 cm.

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“…The analysis of physical attributes of individuals competing at different levels has shown significant differences between elite players and their lower-division peers in body composition (França et al, 2022;Mala et al, 2023), and several strength indicators (Cometti et al, 2001;França et al, 2022;Śliwowski et al, 2017). Regarding isokinetic assessment, KF PT and the H:Q ratio were significantly greater in international soccer players compared to noninternational ones (Śliwowski et al, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knee and Hip Muscle Strength of Male Soccer Players from Different Competitive Levels

França,

Martins,

Przednowek

et al. 2024

Journal of Human Kinetics

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In soccer, knee and hip muscle strength assessments have been recommended for injury prevention. The aims of this study were threefold: (1) to compare knee and hip muscle strength between professional players competing at different levels; (2) to compare strength performance according to the preferred leg (PL) and the non-preferred leg (NPL); and (3) to compare knee and hip muscle strength performance at two moments of the season. This study included 33 professional soccer players: 13 were in the elite group (EG), and 20 were in the sub-elite group (SEG). Body composition, isokinetic knee strength at 60º/s, and hip adduction strength were assessed at two different moments (M1 and M2). Values of peak torque (PT), peak torque/bodyweight (PT/BW), and the hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio (H:Q) for knee extensors (KEs) and knee flexors (KFs) for both legs were used for analysis. The statistical analysis included the Mann-Whitney U and the Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests. At M1, the EG presented a significantly better performance in KF PT/BW and in the squeeze strength test for the PL and the NPL (p  0.01). At M2, the EG performed substantially better in KE PT/BW and KF PT/BW (p  0.01). No substantial strength differences were observed in knee and hip muscle performance between the PL and the NPL. From M1 to M2, significant increases were found in knee strength in both groups (p  0.01). Overall, the EG players outperformed significantly their lower-division peers in strength assessments. The results indicate significant knee and hip muscle strength increases during the season, probably as a response to the exposure to training and competition.

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Physical Development Differences between Professional Soccer Players from Different Competitive Levels

Cited by 10 publications

References 33 publications

A Study on the Injury Rate of Spanish Competitive Athletes as a Consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown

A Study on the Injury Rate of Spanish Competitive Athletes as a Consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown

Deconstructing stereotypes: Stature, match-playing time, and performance in elite Women's World Cup soccer

Knee and Hip Muscle Strength of Male Soccer Players from Different Competitive Levels

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