Browsing by Author "Henriques, Ricardo"
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- Body composition variations between injured and non-injured professional soccer playersPublication . Martins, Francisco; França, Cíntia; Henriques, Ricardo; Ihle, Andreas; Przednowek, Krzysztof; Marques, Adilson; Lopes, Helder; Sarmento, Hugo; Gouveia, Élvio RúbioProfessional soccer is characterized by its physical demands, making players’ exposure to high injury risks a growing problem. It is crucial to study the factors associated with injuries in professional soccer. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between age, body composition, and others variables related with the injury profle of professional soccer players of a specifc Portuguese team. Also, it analyzed the impact of the injury profle on soccer’s variations in body fat (BF%), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and total body water (TBW) throughout the season. The sample comprised 31 male professional soccer players competing in the First Portuguese Soccer League. Older players had a higher prevalence of muscular injuries. Midfelders and forwards showed the highest number of muscular injuries during the season being quadriceps the most afected zone. Considering players’ BF% [Wilks’ Lambda = 0.42, F (7, 23) = 4.61, p= 0.002, r = 0.58], SMM [Wilks’ Lambda = 0.59, F (6, 23) = 2.70, p= 0.039, r = 0.41] and TBW [Wilks’ Lambda = 0.54, F (7, 23) = 2.80, p= 0.029, r = 0.46] there was a substantial main efect for the assessments performed throughout the season and the injury status. Age assumes relevance in explaining the injury profle. The impact of the injury profle on soccer’s variations in BF%, SMM and TBW throughout the season must be analyzed considering the clinical relevance.
- Caracterização das lesões numa equipa do futebol profissional portuguêsPublication . Martins, Francisco; Santos, Francisco; Caldeira, Romualdo; Henriques, Ricardo; França, Cíntia; Ornelas, Rui; Gouveia, Élvio RúbioO futebol profissional caracteriza-se pelas suas exigências físicas, fazendo com que a exposição dos jogadores a riscos elevados de lesão seja uma problemática em ascensão. O objetivo deste estudo é caracterizar as lesões de uma equipa profissional de futebol ao longo de uma época. Trinta e seis atletas do sexo masculino, enquadrados na 1.ª Liga Portuguesa de Futebol, foram acompanhados ao longo da época desportiva 2020/2021. Caracterizou-se uma lesão desportiva como a incapacidade demonstrada pelo atleta, devido a um momento de treino ou jogo, que exigiu intervenção médica ou interrupção parcial ou total da sua atividade desportiva. No total, 34 lesões foram registadas. Cada jogador falhou em média 14.3 dias devido a lesão. As lesões mais recorrentes foram as entorses (35.3%) e as lesões musculares (35.3%), sendo os membros inferiores a zona do corpo mais afetada (85.29%). As lesões ocorreram maioritariamente em treino (58.8%) e as de jogo registaram-se sobretudo nos últimos 15 minutos (57.14%). Os resultados obtidos neste estudo vêm auxiliar o staff técnico das equipas profissionais de futebol na identificação de fatores de risco associados às lesões no futebol profissional. O estudo desta temática é fundamental para a otimização dos protocolos de prevenção e de recuperação de lesões.
- Characterization of Static Strength, Vertical Jumping, and Isokinetic Strength in Soccer Players According to Age, Competitive Level, and Field PositionPublication . Gouveia, João Nuno; França, Cíntia; Martins, Francisco; Henriques, Ricardo; Nascimento, Marcelo de Maio; Ihle, Andreas; Sarmento, Hugo; Przednowek, Krzysztof; Martinho, Diogo V.; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio: Muscular strength is strongly related to speed and agility tasks, which have been described as the most decisive actions preceding goals in the soccer game. This study aimed to characterize the players’ strength indicators and to analyze the variation associated with age, competition level, and positional role. Eighty-three male soccer players from A team (n = 22), B team (n = 17), U-23 (n = 19), and U-19 (n = 25) participated in this study. Handgrip strength was assessed using a hand dynamometer (Jamar Plus+), countermovement jump (CMJ) and the squat jump (SJ) were evaluated using Optojump Next, and a Biodex System 4 Pro Dynamometer was used to assess the isokinetic strength of knee extension/flexion. Team A players showed increased lower-body strength compared to their peers, mainly through their increased vertical jumping capacity (i.e., CMJ and SJ; ps < 0.019), and superior performance in isokinetic assessments (i.e., peak torque, total work, and average power). Overall, older players outperformed their younger peers regarding vertical jumping, static strength, and average power in isokinetic strength (ps < 0.005). This study emphasizes the superior strength levels of professional soccer players compared with their lower-division peers, even after controlling by age. This information is of great value to sports agents and coaches, underlining the need to design and include strength-specific content during soccer training.
- Physical Development Differences between Professional Soccer Players from Different Competitive LevelsPublication . França, Cíntia; Ihle, Andreas; Marques, Adilson; Sarmento, Hugo; Martins, Francisco; Henriques, Ricardo; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio: In soccer, physical development is crucial for developing optimal performance. This study aimed to assess and compare the physical development of elite and non-elite professional soccer players. Seventy-eight male professional football players divided into four competitive levels par ticipated in this study: the elite group (EG), the non-elite group A (NEG-A), the non-elite group B (NEG-B), and the under 23 group (U23). Body composition, static strength, lower-body explosive strength, flexibility, and balance were assessed. No significant statistical differences between elite and non-elite players were seen in body composition parameters. However, the EG performed better in static strength, lower-body explosive strength, flexibility, and balance, even after adjusting for the effects of chronological age. The analysis showed that the competitive level (group) explained 25% to 29% of the variance observed in the lower-body explosive strength tasks. Sports staff and coaches in different age categories or competitive levels should include specific lower-body explosive strength content during soccer training to promote players’ long-term development towards the elite level.
- Predictive Modeling of Injury Risk Based on Body Composition and Selected Physical Fitness Tests for Elite Football PlayersPublication . Martins, Francisco; Przednowek, Krzysztof; França, Cíntia; Lopes, Helder; Nascimento, Marcelo de Maio; Sarmento, Hugo; Marques, Adilson; Ihle, Andreas; Henriques, Ricardo; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio: Injuries are one of the most significant issues for elite football players. Consequently, elite football clubs have been consistently interested in having practical, interpretable, and usable models as decision-making support for technical staff. This study aimed to analyze predictive modeling of injury risk based on body composition variables and selected physical fitness tests for elite football players through a sports season. The sample comprised 36 male elite football players who competed in the First Portuguese Soccer League in the 2020/2021 season. The models were calculated based on 22 independent variables that included players’ information, body composition, physical fitness, and one dependent variable, the number of injuries per season. In the net elastic analysis, the variables that best predicted injury risk were sectorial positions (defensive and forward), body height, sit-and reach performance, 1 min number of push-ups, handgrip strength, and 35 m linear speed. This study considered multiple-input single-output regression-type models. The analysis showed that the most accurate model presented in this work generates an error of RMSE = 0.591. Our approach opens a novel perspective for injury prevention and training monitorization. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to identify risk factors associated with injury prediction in elite soccer players, as this is a rising topic that requires several analyses performed in different contexts.
- Relationship between Objective and Subjective Fatigue Monitoring Tests in Professional SoccerPublication . Lourenço, João; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Sarmento, Hugo; Ihle, Andreas; Ribeiro, Tiago; Henriques, Ricardo; Martins, Francisco; França, Cíntia; Ferreira, Ricardo Maia; Fernandes, Luís; Teques, Pedro; Duarte, DanielStudying fatigue is challenging because it is influenced by physiological, psychological, and sociological states. Fatigue can be assessed objectively or subjectively, but the literature has difficulty understanding how an analytical test relates to a response via a questionnaire. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between objective fatigue variables (Squat Jump (SJ) and Countermovement Jump (CMJ)) measured on day-2 to the game and subjective fatigue (Rating Perceived Exertion (RPE) measured on day-3 to the game and Hooper Index (HI) measured on day-2). The sample comprised 32 professional football players from the First Portuguese League aged 25.86 ± 3.15 years. The Spearman correlations and regression analyses were used to study the relationships between the variables. The results showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) but small correlations (0.113–0.172) between several objective metrics and the subjective metrics evaluated. In addition, we found two weak models with statistical significance (p < 0.05) between the dependent objective variables (contact time, height, and elasticity index) and the HI (R 2 = 3.7%) and RPE (R 2 = 1.6%). Also, nine statistically significant (p < 0.05) but weak models were observed between the subjective dependent variables (HI and RPE) and contact time (R 2 = 1.8–2.7%), flight time (R 2 = 1.1–1.9%), height (R 2 = 1.2–2.3%), power (R 2 = 1.4%), pace (R 2 = 1.2–2.1%), and elasticity index (R 2 = 1.6%). In conclusion, objective and subjective fatigue-monitoring tests in professional soccer do not measure identical but rather complementary aspects of fatigue, and therefore, both need to be considered to gain a holistic perspective.
- Speed and agility predictors among adolescent male football playersPublication . França, Cíntia; Gouveia, Élvio; Caldeira, Romualdo; Marques, Adilson; Martins, João; Lopes, Helder; Henriques, Ricardo; Ihle, AndreasThis study aimed to examine the associations between lower-body explosive strength (squat jump—SJ, and countermovement jump—CMJ), speed (10- and 35-m linear sprints), and agility (t-test) capacities, after controlling for crucial predictors such as chronological age (CA) and body composition. The sample was composed of 164 adolescent male football players from under 19, under 17, and under 15 age groups. Body fat percentage (BF%) was significantly and positively related to body mass, speed, and agility. In contrast, BF% was a significant negative predictor of lower-body explosive strength. Sprint and t-test times were significantly and negatively correlated with lower-body explosive strength. After controlling for CA and body composition, SJ was the most significant predictor, accounting for 36 to 37% of the variance observed in the 35 m linear sprint and the t-test performance. Our main results suggest that lower-body explosive strength, particularly in the SJ, is a significant predictor of male adolescent male football players’ speed and agility capacities. Conversely, detrimental relationships between BF% and these outcomes were observed. Sports agents should consider lower-body explosive strength development as part of the youth football training process, particularly to improve maximal sprint and change of direction times, which are crucial to game performance.
- Sports Injuries of a Portuguese Professional Football Team during Three Consecutive SeasonsPublication . Martins, Francisco; França, Cíntia; Marques, Adilson; Iglésias, Beatriz; Sarmento, Hugo; Henriques, Ricardo; Ihle, Andreas; Lopes, Helder; Ornelas, Rui T.; Gouveia, Élvio RúbioProfessional football players are exposed to high injury risk due to the physical demands of this sport. The purpose of this study was to characterize the injuries of a professional football team in the First Portuguese League over three consecutive sports seasons. Seventy-one male professional football players in the First Portuguese Football League were followed throughout the sports seasons of 2019/2020, 2020/2021, and 2021/2022. In total, 84 injuries were recorded. Each player missed an average of 16.6 days per injury. Lower limbs were massively affected by injuries across all three seasons, mainly with muscular injuries in the quadriceps and hamstrings and sprains in the tibiotarsal structure. Overall, the injury incidence was considerably higher in matches than in training. The two times of the season that proved most conducive to injuries were the months of July and January. Our results emphasize the importance of monitoring sports performance, including injury occurrence, and assisting in identifying risk factors in professional football. Designing individualized training programs and optimizing prevention and recovery protocols are crucial for maximizing this global process.
- The Relationship between Different Large-Sided Games and Official Matches on Professional Football Players’ Locomotor IntensityPublication . Caldeira, Romualdo; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Ihle, Andreas; Marques, Adilson; Clemente, Filipe Manuel; Lopes, Helder; Henriques, Ricardo; Sarmento, HugoLarge-sided games (LSG) are commonly used in the training contexts for providing ei ther technical/tactical or locomotor/physiological stimuli. Despite natural similarities with the official match, the locomotor profile seems to be different, which must be considered by the coaches to identify compensatory strategies for achieving the ideal dose of training. The aim of this study was two-fold: (1) to investigate the locomotor demands imposed by LSGs and the official matches; and (2) to compare the effect of different pitch sizes’ LSG conditions in the locomotor demands. This study followed an observational design. Sixteen professional football players from the same team (26.3 ± 3.0 years old) were included. The study was conducted over four weeks. The same GK + 10 × 10 + GK play format with different pitch sizes (i.e., area per player ranging between 195 m2 to 291 m2 ) was analyzed. Three official matches were also collected in which the 10 most de manding minutes were considered for further comparisons. Only the same players who participated in matches were considered in comparison with the LSG. The data were obtained using a 10-Hz global positioning system technology. Total distance (TD) and mechanical work (MW) scores increased 20% and 23%, respectively, between the smallest and biggest pitch sizes (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in locomotor intensity metrics between opponents from different positions on the table (p = 0.001). The biggest LSG (i.e., 291 m2 per player) was the only one that required similar levels of locomotor intensity as required in the official full match. The present study demonstrates that LSG pitch size variation requires different locomotor intensities. Bigger pitch sizes cause an increase in TD and MW. In addition, considering the position on the table, the level of opponents induces different TD covered. Finally, the largest LSG simulates the official match more accurately.
- Weekly External Load Performance Effects on Sports Injuries of Male Professional Football PlayersPublication . Martins, Francisco; Marques, Adilson; França, Cíntia; Sarmento, Hugo; Henriques, Ricardo; Ihle, Andreas; Nascimento, Marcelo de de Maio; Saldanha, Carolina; Przednowek, Krzysztof; Gouveia, Élvio RúbioOne of the most challenging issues professional football players face throughout their careers is injuries. Those injuries often result from suboptimal training programs that were not designed according to the players’ individual needs. This prospective study aimed to examine in detail the effects of sports injuries on professional football players’ weekly external load performances. Thirty-three male professional football players were monitored using 10-Hz Global Positioning Sys tem (GPS) units (Apex pro series, StatSports) during an entire season. The variables considered in the analysis were total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR), accelerations (ACC), and decelerations (DEC). The comparisons were made between the four-week block before injury (–4T), four-week block after return (+4T), and players’ season averages (S). Players displayed significantly higher values of TD, HSR, ACC, and DEC in the –4T, compared to the other two moments (+4T and S). Furthermore, the comparison between the +4T and S showed no significant variations in the GPS metrics. It was shown that a significant increase in players’ weekly external load performance over a four–week period may have a negative effect on the occurrence of injuries from a professional football standpoint. Future research should consider the effects of injury severity on players’ external load variations.