ECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP21
INTRODUCTION: Muscle strength is a key factor in soccer, closely linked with performance and injury prevention (1). One of the most frequent test used to evaluate muscle strength in the limb is the isokinetic test for knee flexors and extensor (2). The aim of this study is to provide additional data to integrate normative values set for the stregth profile of the thigh in professional soccer players. METHODS: In 2024 at the beginning of the soccer season isokinetic tests were perfomed on 14 professional soccer players from Rimini Football Club first team using a dynamometer (Isomove, TecnoBody, Dalmine, Italy). Specifically, we selected the knee flexors isokinetic strength test and knee extensors isokinetic strength test, both of which were perfomed bilaterally. The angular velocities used for the tests were 90°/sec and 180°/sec to obtain a more complete strength profile. The players were required to perform three maximal concentric contraction at 90°/sec to test maximal strength and ten maximal concentric contraction at 180°/sec to test muscle endurance. Peak torque (in Newton meter, Nm) and conventional hamstring to quadriceps ratio (H:Q ratio) were recorded for both angular velocities. The Limb simmetry index (LSI) was calculated for the peak torque values. RESULTS: The mean peak torque for the right and left limbs at 90°/sec was as follows: 152,1 Nm and 150,8 Nm for hamstring, 203,7 Nm and 209,1 Nm for quadriceps. Considering LSI, only three players had an LSI<90% for flexors and only two players had an LSI<90% for extensors. No players had a H:Q ratio >0,60 (3). At 180°/sec the mean peak torque for the right and left limbs was 113,1 Nm and 110,5 Nm for hamstring, 142,8 Nm and 147,8 Nm for quadriceps. In this test five players shown an LSI<90% for both flexors and extensors. The H:Q ratio was >0,60 at this angular velocity as well. CONCLUSION: This preseason evaluation showed better LSI results at the lower angular velocity and valid flexors peak torque values when considering the conventional H:Q ratio for the entire sample. Monitoring these values throughout the season enables club staff to identify and study potential correlations with player performance levels and injuries.
Read CV Stefano LombardiECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP21
INTRODUCTION: Tracking and evaluating football players performance is fundamental to improving their training regimens and mitigating injury risks. Fitness coaches play a crucial role in employing effective monitoring strategies across different levels of competitive football, including professional, amateur, and youth categories. However, disparities in the adoption and perceived effectiveness of monitoring methods in Italian football remain underexplored. This study aims to assess the perspectives of fitness coaches on external and internal load monitoring, recovery evaluation, and injury prevention approaches. METHODS: A total of 401 certified fitness coaches participated in an online survey conducted between April and May 2024. Participants were drawn from mens professional teams (Serie A-B, Serie C-D), amateur football, youth divisions (Professional-Club, Amateur-Club), and womens football (analyzed as a single cohort due to sample size constraints). Responses were considered valid if at least 60% of participants per subgroup completed the survey. Chi-square tests were performed to analyze subgroup differences (p < 0.05). The prevalence of different monitoring techniques was categorized as trivial (0–20%), small (20–40%), moderate (40–60%), large (60–80%), very large (80–90%), or huge (90–100%). RESULTS: The study revealed that external load monitoring tools, such as GPS, were widely utilized in mens Serie A-B and Serie C-D teams (both 52%) and were predominant in womens teams (87%). Key performance indicators included total distance covered (69%), speed thresholds (60–86%), and acceleration/deceleration patterns (62–69%). Internal load monitoring, specifically the session rate of perceived exertion (S-RPE), was highly prevalent, particularly in womens teams (64%) and youth teams (81%). Injury prevention methods predominantly focused on previous injury management (95–97%), load modulation (68–73%), strength and conditioning protocols (64–72%), and recovery strategies (63–66%). Variations in training methodologies emerged based on age, gender, and training flexibility. CONCLUSION: The study identifies significant differences in monitoring practices between various football levels. Professional teams favor GPS-based monitoring, whereas subjective assessment tools are more common in amateur and youth football. These findings emphasize the necessity for customized monitoring strategies and improved resource allocation, particularly in sectors with limited access to advanced tracking technology. Additionally, observed gaps in fitness coaches knowledge highlight the need for updated certification programs to better align with contemporary football performance demands.
Read CV Carlo CastagnaECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP21
INTRODUCTION: Football matches involve a variety of movements that occur at a wide range of exercise intensities. Aerobic performance plays a dominant role in the football match, accounting for about 90% of the total football match duration. However, crucial moments, such as scoring goals, require maximal sprints. These powerful actions rely on phosphagen and glycolytic energy systems to meet their high metabolic demands. Due to the various match strategies, each player faces different movements and metabolic demands based on their position. Therefore, this study aimed to compare metabolic demands, including pure maximal glycolytic rate (P𝛎La.max ), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), energetic contributions, and lactate thresholds (LTs) among different positions in highly trained football players. METHODS: Thirty male highly trained football players participated in this study. Three position groups of forwards (n =10), midfielders (n =10), and defenders (n =10) were separated. All participants performed a 10-s all-out sprint test. During the sprint test, oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and blood lactate concentrations (resting La–, peak La–, and ΔLa–) were measured. These parameters were used to calculate three energy system contributions in kilojoules (kJ) and percentages (%) (phosphagen; WPCr, glycolytic; WGly, and oxidative; Woxi) and P𝛎La.max. Furthermore, VO2max, LT1, and LT2 were determined during incremental ramp and step tests on a motorized treadmill, respectively. RESULTS: Values of peak La–, ΔLa– and WGly in kJ, and P𝛎La.max were significantly lower in the group of midfielders than in the groups of forwards and defenders (p = 0.0024, 0.0015, 0.0030, and 0.0068, respectively). These parameters between forwards and defenders indicated no significant difference (p > 0.05). In addition, values of VO2max and LTs showed no significant differences among different groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study outcomes revealed differences in glycolytic demands among position-specific football players during a 10-s maximal sprint test. Forwards and defenders demonstrated higher values of P𝛎La.max and WGly compared to midfielders. This higher glycolytic performance in forwards and defenders may support their ability to execute powerful actions, such as scoring goals during football matches. Consequently, football players require position-specific training sessions, such as repeated sprint training, which may improve explosive sprint performance and support successful performance at competitive moments.
Read CV YOUNG-JE KWAKECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP21