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Low Pre-Season Hamstring-To-Quadriceps Strength Ratio Identified In Players Who Further Sustained In-Season Hamstring Strain Injuries: A Retrospective Study From A Brazilian Serie A Team, Filipe Veeck, Cassio V. Ruas, Matheus Daros Pinto, Rafael Grazioli, Gustavo Pacheco Cardoso, Thiago Albuquerque, Lucas Schipper, Henrique Gonçalves Valente, Victor H. Santos, Márcio Dornelles, Paulo Rabaldo, Clarice S. Rocha, Bruno Manfredini Baroni, Eduardo Lusa Cadore, Ronei Silveira Pinto

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A common pre-season injury prevention assessment conducted by professional football clubs is the hamstring-to-quadriceps (H:Q) strength ratio calculated by peak torque (PT). However, it is debatable whether players that present low pre-season H:Q ratios are more susceptible to further sustaining in-season hamstring strain injuries (HSI). Based upon retrospective data from a Brazilian Serie A football squad, a particular season came to our attention as ten out of seventeen (~59%) professional male football players sustained HSI. Therefore, we examined the pre-season H:Q ratios of these players. H:Q conventional (CR) and functional (FR) ratios, and the respective knee extensor/flexor PT from the …

Development Of A Standardised System To Classify Injury-Inciting Circumstances In Football: The Football Injury Inciting Circumstances Classification System (Fiiccs), Francesco Aiello, Alan Mccall, Susan J. Brown, Andreas Serner, Lauren V. Fortington, Suzanne A. E. Huurman, Colin Lewin, Masashi Nagao, James O’Brien, Anastasia Panossian, Ricard Pruna, Guilherme P. Ramos, Matthew Whalan, Franco M. Impellizzeri

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: A comprehensive examination of the sport-specific activities and circumstances being performed at the time of injury is important to hypothesise mechanisms, develop prevention strategies and inform future investigations. Results reported in the literature are inconsistent because inciting activities are reported using different classifications. Hence the aim was to develop a standardised system for the reporting of inciting circumstances. Methods: The system was developed using a modified Nominal Group Technique. The initial panel included 12 sports practitioners and researchers from four continents with respectively ≥ 5 years of experience working in professional football and/or conducting injury research. The process consisted …

Breaking Boundaries And Creating Inclusion-Based Organization Through Critical Performativity And Dialogical Accountability: The Case Of Fc United Manchester, Daniel Torchia, Simone D. Scagnelli, Laura Corazza

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to extend research on boundary making and breaking through alternative football clubs. These entities have borne out of the disappointment caused by the neoliberal turn of the football industry, which excluded traditional fans from being active actors and therefore call for study and generalization of specific forms of alternative accountability. Design/methodology/approach: The study looks at emerging trends in the accounting and sport literature by drawing on two concepts that emerged in critical scholarship: critical performativity and critical dialogical accountability, with the aim of better understanding how these elements are developed and shaped within …

The Effects Of A Unilateral Strength And Power Training Intervention On Inter-Limb Asymmetry And Physical Performance In Male Amateur Soccer Players, Francesco Bettariga, Luca Maestroni, Luca Martorelli, Paul Jarvis, Anthony Turner, Chris Bishop

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The aims of this study were (a) to investigate the effects of a unilateral training program in reducing inter-limb asymmetry in male soccer players; (b) to explore such effects on measures of physical performance and unilateral inter-limb asymmetry. Twenty-four soccer players, randomly assigned to a 6-week unilateral strength and power training (UNI) (n = 12) or a control group (CON) (n = 12), performed single countermovement jump (SLCMJ), single leg broad jump (SLBJ), single leg drop jump (SLDJ), 10-m sprint, and 505 change of direction (COD) speed test. Raw jump scores revealed small to large improvements in SLCMJ, SLBJ, and …

Muscle Damage And Performance After Single And Multiple Simulated Matches In University Elite Female Soccer Players, Tai-Ying Chou, Kazunori Nosaka, Trevor C. Chen

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The present study aimed to compare changes in muscle damage and performance parameters after playing single versus multiple soccer matches to examine fixture congestion effects on performance. Twelve elite female university soccer players performed single, three and six consecutive 90-min bouts of the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) with ≥ 12-weeks between conditions in a pseudo-randomized order. Heart rate, blood lactate, rating of perceived exertion and covering distance in each LIST were examined. Changes in several types of muscle damage (e.g., maximal voluntary isometric torque of the knee extensors: MVC-KE) and performance measures (e.g., Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1: …

Taking The Pulse Of A New Football Franchise': Team Identification And The Melbourne Heart Fc In Australia's A-League, Anthony K. Kerr, Aaron J. Wijeratne

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In a bid to revive soccer’s fortunes in Australia, the A-League was created whereby private franchises represented the country’s major cities. This article examines the Melbourne Heart FC and the emotional attachment of members during its first two seasons. A survey methodology was used to identify attitudes towards the brand and the Sport Spectator Identification Scale (SSIS) measured their identification with the franchise. There is conclusive evidence that strong levels of identification can develop quickly for a new team, yet three of the scale’s items made a weaker contribution. There is also a suggestion that identity is multi-layered. New sport …

Large Reductions In Match Play Physical Performance Variables Across A Professional Football Season With Control For Situational And Contextual Variables, Matthew Springham, Sean Williams, Mark Waldron, Darren Burgess, Robert Usher Newton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This investigation examined match play physical performance across a professional football season using a multicamera computerized tracking system. A linear mixed-effects model, controlling for situational and contextual variables, identified decreases in team average total distance (TD): season quarter 1 (Q1) (11,047 m) > season quarter 2 (Q2) (10,473 m) ( = ; ES = ), season quarter 3 (Q3) (10,449 m) ( < 0.001; ES = ), and season quarter 4 (Q4) (10,385 m) ( < 0.001; ES = ); work rate (WR): Q1 (115 m/min) > Q3 (108 m/min) ( < 0.001; ES = ), Q4 (107 m/min) ( < 0.001; ES = ); Q2 (109 m/min) > Q4 (107 m/min) ( = 0.003; ES = ); high-speed running distance (HSR): Q1 (1,051 m) > Q2 (813 m) ( = 0.006; ES = ); number of high-speed runs (NHSR): Q1 (87) > Q2 (65) ( …

Acute Physiological Responses To High-Intensity Resistance Circuit Training Vs. Traditional Strength Training In Soccer Players, Cristian Marín-Pagán, Anthony J. Blazevich, Linda H. Chung, Salvador Romero-Arenas, Tomás T. Freitas, Pedro E. Alcaraz

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses induced by high-intensity resistance circuit-based (HRC) and traditional strength (TS) training protocols. Ten amateur soccer players reported to the laboratory on four occasions: (1) protocol familiarization and load determination; (2) maximal oxygen consumption test; (3) and (4) resistance training protocols (HRC and TS), completed in a cross-over randomized order. In both protocols, the same structure was used (two blocks of 3 sets × 3 exercises, separated by a 5-min rest), with only the time between consecutive …

Effects Of High-Intensity Position-Specific Drills On Physical And Technical-Skill Performance In Young Soccer Players, Cao Cuong Le

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Soccer is the most widely played sport in the world, and physical preparation for soccer players has been extensively researched over the years. As the average intensity of a soccer match is close to 80-90% of maximal heart rate (HRmax), it is necessary to train at or above this intensity. Thus, high-intensity interval running and small-sided games are often used to improve aerobic capacity and repeated sprint ability (RSA). However, neither of these approaches consider positional variations in the frequency and type of specific technical skills required in real match situations. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate …

The Use Of A Functional Test Battery As A Noninvasive Method Of Fatigue Assessment, Steven Hughes, Dale W. Chapman, G. Gregory Haff, Sophia Nimphius

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

To assess whether a battery of performance markers, both individually and as group, would be sensitive to fatigue, a within group random cross-over design compared multiple variables during seated control and fatigue (repeated sprint cycling) conditions. Thirty-two physically active participants completed a neuromuscular fatigue questionnaire, Stroop task, postural sway, squat jump, countermovement jump, isometric mid-thigh pull and 10 s maximal sprint cycle (Sprintmax) before and after each condition (15 min, 1 h, 24 h and 48 h). In comparison to control, larger neuromuscular fatigue questionnaire total score decrements were observed 15 min (5.20 ± 4.6), 1 h (3.33 ± 3.9) …

The Application Of Maximal Mean And Critical Speed And Metabolic Powers For The Quantification Of External Load In Soccer, Cameron Nicholas Lord

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In Association football, often referred to as “soccer”, competitive match play is typically known to represent the greatest physical demand that players experience. The demands associated with match running performance may impact training outcomes and injury risk. As a result, practitioners evaluate these demands to ensure that performance is optimised. To assist in this process, global positioning systems (GPS) are typically used to quantify displacement variables and, more recently, the interaction between running speed and acceleration. However, traditional player monitoring methods tend to apply identical and somewhat arbitrary displacement, velocity and acceleration bands to describe movement “intensity”, and thus to …

A Profile Of Game Style, Physical, Technical And Tactical Skills, And The Pathways That Underpin Expertise In Australian Youth Soccer Players, Bradley Scott Keller

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The attainment of expertise has been the focus of research in many domains including music, chess and sport. This research has progressed with many theories detailing the best way to develop expertise and nurture talent in sport. Soccer is a multifaceted sport which requires a number of physical, technical and tactical skills to be successful, making it difficult to achieve expertise. Although Australia’s performance on the international stage is improving, there is a lack of evidence to inform the most effective development pathways to support the next wave of talented youth soccer players. Therefore, the aim of the thesis was …

Quantification Of Eccentric Load Using Accelerometer Imbedded In Gps, Chow Chea Yeo

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Global positioning system (GPS) with a triaxial accelerometer is widely used to monitor movements of athletes in games and training, and “body load” (BL) representing the accumulation of the rate of changes in three planes of movements is obtained to determine the training load of a session. Deceleration, change of directions and stopping require eccentric contractions of leg muscles, potentially causing muscle damage and affecting athletic performance. Thus, it is important to monitor eccentric loading in games and training. A variable known as “eccentric index” (EI) purports to be a better representation of eccentric loading than BL. However, it is …

Lower Limb Fatigue Asymmetry Of Preferred And Non-Preferred Legs After A Repeated-Sprint Test In Football Players With Previous Hamstring Injury, Cameron Lord

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Football is the most widely played sport in the world and is thus associated with the highest total number of injuries of all sports. 12% of all football injuries are to the hamstrings, as this muscle group is subjected to constant stress during training and match play performance (Ekstrand, Hägglund, Waldén, 2011; Woods, Hawkins, Maltby, Hulse, Thomas & Hodson, 2004). While the influence of limb dominance has been extensively examined as a risk factor for injury in upper limb-dominant sports (e.g. badminton, tennis and baseball), little research has focussed on the dominance in the lower limbs. Since almost all footballers …

Comparison Of The Physical, Physiological And Perceptual Demands Of Small-Sided Games And Match Play In Professional Football Players, Stephen Hissey

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The physical and technical requirements of a range of small-sided football (soccer) games (SSGs) have previously been examined in order to compare their requirements to competitive match play. SSGs are used to combine the technical, tactical and physical components of normal match play in training in order to make the training sessions specific to football. However, most previous research has focused on youth players and it is known that the playing patterns, and thus session outcomes, are different for elite players. Consequently, research examining elite players is required in order to improve our understanding of the use of SSGs in …

Effects Of Two Contrast Training Programs On Jump Performance In Rugby Union Players During A Competition Phase, C K Argus, N D Gill, J W Keogh, Michael Mcguigan, W G Hopkins

Research outputs 2012

Purpose: There is little literature comparing contrast training programs typically performed by team-sport athletes within a competitive phase. We compared the effects of two contrast training programs on a range of measures in high-level rugby union players during the competition season. Methods: The programs consisted of a higher volume-load (strength-power) or lower volume-load (speed-power) resistance training; each included a tapering of loading (higher force early in the week, higher velocity later in the week) and was performed twice a week for 4 wk. Eighteen players were assessed for peak power during a bodyweight countermovement jump (BWCMJ), bodyweight squat jump (BWSJ), …

Alteration Of Immune Function In Women Collegiate Soccer Players And College Students, Praveen Putlur, Carl Foster, Jennifer A. Miskowski, Melissa K. Kane, Sara E. Burton, Timothy P. Scheett, Michael R. Mcguigan

Research outputs pre 2011

The purpose of this study was to monitor the stress-induced alteration in concentrations of salivary immunoglobulin (S-IgA) and cortisol and the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) over the course of a 9-week competitive season in college student-athletes and college students. The subjects consisted of 14 NCAA Division III collegiate female soccer athletes (19.8 ± 1.0 years, mean ± SD) and 14 female college students (22.5 ± 2.6 years). Salivary samples were collected for 9 weeks during a competitive soccer season. S-IgA and cortisol concentrations were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A training and performance questionnaire was …

The Role Of Physical Education And Sport In Education (Spined) : Extending At Risk Students' Participation In School Life: A Case Study Of Progress Within A Specialist Sports School, Dawn Penney, Andrew Taggart, Sean Gorman

Research outputs pre 2011

This case study focused on developments at Clontarf Aboriginal College and Football Academy, a Specialist Sports School in the Perth metropolitan area. The study specifically explored:

• the ways in which the development of an Australian Rules Football academy at the school have enhanced opportunities for Aboriginal students, many of whom may be deemed in educational terms 'at risk', to engage in school life;

• the organisational I institutional, social, cultural and economic factors (i) enabling and (ii) inhibiting enhancement of educational and sporting opportunities and take-up of these opportunities by the Aboriginal students;

• the extent to which progress …