1. Characterising running economy and change of direction economy between soccer players of different playing positions, levels and sex
Dolci F et al
School of Health Science, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, Australia
Eur J Sport Sci. 2021 Jul 6:1-25. doi:10.1080/17461391.2021.1953151
Traditional movement economy (ME) measures the energetic cost of in-line running. This study evaluated ME during both in-line running and shuttle runs, in 43 soccer players. The in-line running economy did not adequately account for efficiency during 10m shuttle runs. Also, in this test female players exhibited significantly better ME than male players.
2. MRI features of ERSA (exercise-related signal abnormality) lesions in professional soccer players
Kho JSB, Botchu R, Rushton A, James SL
Imaging Department, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, B31 2AP, UK
Skeletal Radiol. 2021 Jul 6. doi: 10.1007/s00256-021-03857-x
A multicenter retrospective review was performed of 287 MRIs of professional soccer players referred for a suspected acute thigh injury. ERSA (exercise-related signal abnormality) lesions, defined by a peritendinous ovoid region or a subfascial ring of faint increased signal on fluid-sensitive MR images, were identified in 10.8% of the cases. These lesions had a mean length of 15.8 cm and were predominantly located in the proximal or mid-portions of the thigh muscles. 67.7% of ERSA lesions also were accompanied by a BAMIC grade 1-4 injury in a separate muscle.
3. Employees in professional European football: comparison of the personnel structure in sports medicine, sports sciences and physiotherapy between Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, and Premier League
Droste JN et al
BG Klinikum Hamburg
Sportverletz Sportschaden. 2021 Jul 5. doi: 10.1055/a-1386-6932
The study is based on a questionnaire survey of all 78 teams in the highest football leagues of Germany (Bundesliga), Spain (La Liga), Italy (Serie A), and England (Premier League). The Bundesliga teams were found to have a significantly lower total number of employees compared with the grouped results of other European leagues (6.9 vs. 11.02). The number of physicians in the Bundesliga was significantly higher (2.2 vs. 1.76), but with less dedication of their total medical practice to the team. Lower numbers were found also for physiotherapists (1.8 vs. 3.6), massage therapists (2.1 vs. 2.69), sports scientists (0.3 vs. 1.12), and strength and conditioning coaches (0.5 vs. 1.83). Further investigation is necessary to find out if this may be a reason for the differences in injury rates observed between these leagues.