Delayed onset of transversus abdominus in long-standing groin pain

Long-standing groin pain is a persistent problem that is commonly difficult to rehabilitate. Theoretical rationale indicates a relationship between the motor control of the pelvis and long-standing groin pain; however, this link has not been investigated. Purpose: The current experiment aimed to evaluate motor control of the abdominal muscles in a group of Australian football players with and without long-standing groin pain. Methods: Ten participants with long-standing groin pain and 12 asymptomatic controls were recruited for the study. Participants were elite or subelite Australian football players. Fine-wire and surface electromyography electrodes were used to record the activity of the selected abdominal and leg muscles during a visual choice reaction-time task (active straight leg raising). Results: When the asymptomatic controls completed the active straight leg raise (ASLR) task, the transversus abdominus contracted in a feed-forward manner. However, when individuals with long-standing groin pain completed the ASLR task, the onset of transversus abdominus was delayed (P < 0.05) compared with the control group. There were no differences between groups for the onset of activity of internal oblique, external oblique, and rectus abdominus (all P > 0.05). Conclusions: The finding that the onset of transversus abdominus is delayed in individuals with long-standing groin pain is important, as it demonstrates an association between long-standing groin pain and transversus abdominus activation.

Emergency department assessment of mild traumatic brain injury and prediction of post-concussion symptoms at one month post injury

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common injury and a significant proportion of those affected report chronic symptoms. This study investigated prediction of post-concussion symptoms using an Emergency Department (ED) assessment that examined neuropsychological and balance deficits and pain severity of 29 concussed individuals. Thirty participants with minor orthopedic injuries and 30 ED visitors were recruited as control subjects. Concussed and orthopedically injured participants were followed up by telephone at one month to assess symptom severity. In the ED, concussed subjects performed worse on some neuropsychological tests and had impaired balance compared to controls. They also reported significantly more post-concussive symptoms at follow-up. Neurocognitive impairment, pain and balance deficits were all significantly correlated with severity of post-concussion symptoms. The findings suggest that a combination of variables assessable in the ED may be useful in predicting which individuals will suffer persistent post-concussion problems.

The reliability of ten-meter sprint time using different starting techniques

Acceleration is an important factor for success in team-sport athletes. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the reliability of 10-m sprint times when using different starting techniques. Junior male rugby players (n=15) were tested for speed over 10 m on 2 different testing sessions. Three trials of 3 different starting techniques (standing, foot, and thumb starts) were assessed. Despite large differences in the time taken to perform 10-m sprints from different starts, there was minimal difference in the typical error (similar to 0.02 seconds, or

Comparison of Common Field/Clinical Measures to Standard Laboratory Measures of Hydration Status

Context: Accurately determining hydration status is a preventative measure for exertional heat illnesses (EHI). Objective: To determine the validity of various field measures of urine specific gravity (Usg) compared to laboratory instruments. Design: Observational research design to compare measures of hydration status: urine reagent strips (URS) and a urine color (Ucol) chart to a refractometer. Setting: We utilized the athletic training room of a Division I-A collegiate American football team. Participants: Trial 1 involved urine samples of 69 veteran football players (age=20.1+1.2yr; body mass=229.7+44.4lb; height=72.2+2.1in). Trial 2 involved samples from 5 football players (age=20.4+0.5yr; body mass=261.4+39.2lb; height=72.3+2.3in). Interventions: We administered the Heat Illness Index Score (HIIS) Risk Assessment, to identify athletes at-risk for EHI (Trial 1). For individuals “at-risk” (Trial 2), we collected urine samples before and after 15 days of pre-season “two-a-day” practices in a hot, humid environment(mean on-field WBGT=28.84+2.36oC). Main Outcome Measures: Urine samples were immediately analyzed for Usg using a refractometer, Diascreen 7® (URS1), Multistix® (URS2), and Chemstrip10® (URS3). Ucol was measured using Ucol chart. We calculated descriptive statistics for all main measures; Pearson correlations to assess relationships between the refractometer, each URS, and Ucol, and transformed Ucol data to Z-scores for comparison to the refractometer. Results: In Trial 1, we found a moderate relationship (r=0.491, p<.01) between URS1 (1.020+0.006μg) and the refractometer (1.026+0.010μg). In Trial 2, we found marked relationships for Ucol (5.6+1.6shades, r=0.619, p<0.01), URS2 (1.019+0.008μg, r=0.712, p<0.01), and URS3 (1.022+0.007μg, r=0.689, p<0.01) compared to the refractometer (1.028+0.008μg). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that URS were inconsistent between manufacturers, suggesting practitioners use the clinical refractometer to accurately determine Usg and monitor hydration status.

Effect of reading sport chronicles on the perception of justice and the predisposition to protest actions in soccer

In this study three chronicles from national newspapers (one generalist and two sport press) were analyzed. The chronicles belong to Spain’s soccer final of the King’s Cup in 2014. The aim of the study was to know if there was any influence on the readers’ perception of justice and consequently if this influence could cause a particular predisposition to participate in acts of protest. 462 university students participated. The results showed that different chronicles caused differences in the perception of justice depending on the chronicle read. However, a clear influence on the willingness to participate in acts of protest was not obtained. These results should make us think about the impact of sport press and its influence, and to be aware of the indirect responsibility of every sector on the antisocial behaviors generated by soccer in our country.

Społeczno-kulturowe konstrukcje piłki nożnej: męskość, kolektywna tożsamość i japonizacja

The purpose of this article is to present three selected contemporary socio-cultural constructs of football. Due to its immense popularity and media exposure, this sport is an area of expressing and crystallizing many social trends and concerns as well as the diversity of cultural (re-)adaptation. There is no doubt that football is a sport associated with the “male culture”. However, in the context of globalization, adapting football for the local requirements of the Japanese consumer market so unexpectedly has brought its feminization. One can even observe an inversion of traditional gender roles in this field: the female audience evaluates and admires the football players’ male bodies.

Lesão e a sintomatologia depressiva e a sua relação com o autoconceito físico do jogador de futebol

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica.

O desenvolvimento e as transições da carreira atlética dos jogadores de futebol de elite : estudo de caso num contexto de Seleção Nacional

A compreensão do desenvolvimento da carreira atlética e, em particular, das estratégias de ajustamento dos desportistas aos momentos de mudança no seu percurso de envolvimento no desporto, é fundamental para desenhar as facetas dos contextos promotores do talento, às quais a investigação tem vindo a destacar uma atenção especial nas últimas décadas. Nesse sentido, este estudo teve como objetivo descrever o processo de desenvolvimento e transições da carreira de futebolista de elite, esclarecendo as principais características e vivências ao longo do seu percurso desportivo. Para o efeito, foram realizados três estudos onde se incluem uma revisão sistemática de literatura e dois estudos de caso, com recurso a entrevistas semiestruturadas a 11 atletas de elite retirados que exercem funções nas seleções nacionais de futebol. Os resultados esclarecem o papel da prática precoce e diversificada, do suporte parental e da relação com o treinador como determinantes da carreira atlética. A participação em atividades desportivas informais e diversificadas é percecionada como promotora do desenvolvimento de competências técnicas e de relacionamento com pares, enquanto a especialização é observada como potenciadora, sobretudo, das competências de nível motor. Ao contrário de outros estudos realizados, as transições de júnior para sénior e do término da carreira foram identificadas como processos que não constituíram uma ameaça para os futebolistas. Finalmente, conclui-se que os atletas de elite vivenciam grandes dificuldades em conciliar as atividades académicas com a prática do futebol e o risco de abandono dos estudos surge regularmente associado à aproximação da subida ao escalão sénior pelo aumento da exigência e do investimento numa carreira profissional.

A review of risk factors for hamstring injury in soccer: a biomechanical approach

The aim has been to review the literature about the risk factors of hamstring injury in soccer from a biomechanical point of view. METHODOLOGY. Data bases of bibliography references were Medline, Scopus and SportDiscuss. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. Many prospective studies have shown that the previous injury is the greatest risk factor of sustaining the injury. However the primary causes of the injury are unclear in soccer. A lack of hamstring flexibility has been one of the main injury risk factors with controversies on the results. Imbalance of isokinetic force is a risk factor but electrical coactivation of all muscles participating during knee flexion and extension are unknown in football. While the importance of lumbopelvic-hamstrings muscles synchronization during running seems to be crucial for understanding the risk of injury, no research has been developed in this topic in football. CONCLUSIONS. More research using new data recording procedures as Dynamic Scanners, Surface EMG, Inverse Dynamic Analysis are needed. The analysis of more specific movements as running, kicking or jumping is clearly required. Managers, coaches, physical trainers, physiotherapists, sport physicians and researchers should work together in order to improve the injury prevention and rehabilitation programs of football players. Key Words: sports biomechanics, soccer, hamstring injury, risk factors

O efeito das substituições no comportamento tático e no rendimento físico dos jogadores profissionais de futebol de alto rendimento

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o impacto das substituições no comportamento tático e no rendimento físico de jogadores profissionais de futebol da primeira liga inglesa. Foram analisadas 40 substituições diretas de jogadores das posições de médios centro, extremos e avançados, ocorridas durante a segunda parte dos jogos. Para captar o comportamento tático individual dos jogadores foram utilizadas duas variáveis compostas: a variação da distância de cada jogador ao seu locus de referência espacial e a distribuição espacial dos deslocamentos de cada jogador (heat map). A partir destas variáveis foram calculadas a média, desvio padrão e coeficiente de variação, assim como duas medidas de entropia - que permitem mensurar a regularidade e a variabilidade/imprevisibilidade do comportamento tático individual de cada jogador. Para captar o rendimento físico dos jogadores foi utilizada a distância total percorrida e a distância percorrida em cinco categorias de intensidade. Os médios centro e os avançados substituídos apresentaram uma diminuição da imprevisibilidade no período inicial do jogo comparativamente com o período anterior à substituição. Foi também evidente a tendência para ocorrer uma diminuição do rendimento físico nos jogadores substituídos entre o período inicial de jogo e o período imediatamente anterior à substituição. Da mesma forma, para os médios e os extremos, os jogadores quando entraram na qualidade de substitutos apresentam também um maior rendimento físico que os jogadores substituídos. O jogador da posição do substituto/substituído, que permaneceu em campo apresentou também menor rendimento físico que os substitutos. Estes resultados sugerem que as motivações táticas justificam as substituições de médios centro e avançados e as motivações físicas justificam as substituições de médios centro e extremos.

Consejos psicologico-deportivos para el futbolista

En este artículo se ofrece una serie de consejos psicológico-deportivos para el futbolista.  En resumen se presentan y discuten algunos factores psicológicos determinantes del rendimiento del futbolista. El texto se ofrece en forma de tesis seguida de consejos prácticos. Finalmente se brinda algunas consideraciones relacionadas con el trabajo psicológico semanal del futbolista. El propósito fundamental de esta guía es ayudar al futbolista, facilitándole algunos consejos que le permitan  expresar su verdadero talento  en la cancha. La guía es mucho más provechosa si se trabaja con el acompañamiento de un psicólogo deportivo.

Efectos de 8 semanas de entrenamiento pliométrico y entrenamiento resistido mediante trineo en el rendimiento de salto vertical y esprint en futbolistas amateurs

El presente estudio analizó los efectos de un entrenamiento pliométrico y de un entrenamiento resistido mediante arrastres de trineo de 8 semanas de duración sobre el rendimiento en pruebas de salto vertical (SJ y CMJ) y velocidad en esprint de 30 metros (tiempo parcial en 10m) en futbolistas amateurs. El estudio incluyó dos grupos experimentales que realizaron uno de los dos métodos de entrenamiento y un grupo de control. Participaron en el diseño final 26 jugadores de futbol con una media de edad de 21,38 ± 2,53 años, una altura media de 177,22 ± 6,19 cm y una media de peso corporal de 78,78 ± 12,13 kg. El programa de entrenamiento constaba de dos días de entrenamiento para los grupos de pliometría y entrenamiento resistido respectivamente, que realizaron durante 8 semanas consecutivas con una carga diferente entre las 4 primeras semanas y las 4 últimas aumentando el peso en el trineo de arrastre y la altura y distancia entre vallas. El análisis estadístico no muestra diferencias significativas entre grupos después de las 8 semanas de entrenamiento, sin embargo, en el análisis descriptivo si se aprecian cambios positivos a nivel de rendimiento tanto en salto vertical como en el esprint.

The relative age effect in Australian Football League players

Youth sports teams are usually grouped into yearly age groups based on fixed cut-off date (September 1st in the UK and January 1st in Australia). Children born just after this cut-off will be the oldest and most mature in their age group. This gives them an advantage in competitive sport, an advantage which has persisted into adulthood as shown by seasonal patterns in the dates of birth of professional ice hockey, football and basketball players. We were interested in whether a similar seasonal pattern exists in professional Australian Football League (AFL) players. We examined all AFL players in the 2009 season excluding foreign-born players. We compared the observed number of players’ born in each month with the expected number based on national statistics. There was a marked and statistically significant seasonality in players’ dates of birth. There were 33% more players than expected with dates of birth in January, and 25% fewer in December. Players who are relatively older in youth AFL teams have a better chance of turning professional.

The health profile of football/soccer players in Northern Ireland - a review of the uefa pre-participation medical screening procedure.

BACKGROUND:
It is compulsory that domestic football/soccer teams in UEFA competitions organise players' pre-participation medicals. Although screening guidelines have been established, these remain controversial. The findings of medical examinations can have lasting consequences for athletes and doctors. No previous studies have reported UEFA pre-participation screening results in semi-professional footballers. This study aims to further knowledge regarding 'normal' data in this population.

METHOD:
Retrospective audit and analysis of records of pre-season medicals for all male first-team players at one semi-professional Northern Ireland Premiership team between 2009-2012. Medicals were conducted by the club doctor following the UEFA proforma. Height, weight, blood pressure (BP), full blood count (FBC), dipstick urinalysis and resting electrocardiogram (ECG) were conducted by an independent nurse. Only one ECG must be documented during a player's career; other tests are repeated yearly.

RESULTS:
89 medicals from 47 players (6 goalkeepers, 11 defenders, 22 midfielders and 8 attackers; mean age 25.0 years (SD 4.86)) were reviewed. Mean height of the players was 179.3 cm (SD 5.90) with a mean weight of 77.6 kg (SD 10.5). Of 89 urine dipsticks, 7 were positive for protein; all 7 were normal on repeat testing following 48 hours of rest. Of 40 ECGs (mean ventricular rate 61.2 bpm (SD 11.6)), one was referred to cardiology (right bundle branch block; prolonged Q-T interval). No players were excluded from participation.

CONCLUSIONS:
This study provides important information about 'normal' values in a population of semi-professional footballers. Urinalysis showing protein is not uncommon but is likely to be normal on repeat testing.

Three types of transnational players: differing women's football mobility projects in core and developing countries

Mobile players in men's football are highly skilled professionals who move to a country other than the one where they grew up and started their careers. They are commonly described as migrants or expatriate players. Due to a much less advanced stage of professionalism and production of the game in women's football mobility projects are different. At describing the cases of Brazil, Equatorial Guinea, Mexico, Colombia and Portugal, the aim of this paper is to conceptualise an umbrella category for mobile players that can include current realities in the women's game, namely the transnational player who has gained and displays transnational football experience in different countries and socio-culturally contexts. Furthermore, analyses allow introducing two new subcategories besides the “expatriate”, namely diaspora players and new citizens.