Browsing by Author "Modric, Toni"
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- High-intensity running and sprint distance prior to hamstring injury in elite male soccer players. Is there a common theme in over- or under- loading in the weeks preceding hamstring injury?Publication . Morgans, Ryland; Oliveira, Rafael; Ceylan, Halil I.; Teixeira, José; Ryan, Ben; Modric, Toni; Moreira, AlexandreThe analysis of the period prior to injury is still scarce in soccer. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the loading patterns of high-intensity running and sprint distances during the weekly cycle durations across a five year period in an elite soccer club. Specifically, to investigate any over- or under-loading in the weeks preceding hamstring injury. Thirty professional outfield soccer players from an English Premier League club were involved (age 24.2 ± 6.1 years, weight 74.7 ± 7.8 kg, height 1.81 ± 0.09 m). Injury surveillance, training and match data from the complete 2020/21 season was considered for analysis. Physical data were consistently monitored across the study seasons during all training sessions and matches using an 18Hz Global Positioning System (GPS) technology tracking system. The relative and absolute measures of total distance, high-intensity distance (m; total distance covered 5.5 - 7m/s) and sprint distance (m; total distance covered > 7m/s) were collected. These measures were analyzed considering the four weeks preceding injury (-4, -3, -2, -1) between injured and uninjured players. The main findings revealed that sprint distance per minute was higher in injured than uninjured players in the week preceding the injury (week -1, p = 0.038; ES = -0.89). No other meaningful differences were found. This study highlighted the influence of sprint distance per minute performed in the week preceding injury in elite English Premier League soccer players. Such findings highlight the importance of longitudinal measurements specifically related to sprint distance, while the analysis of two-, three- and four weeks prior to injury does not seem to add any significant value. Finally, the data from the present study highlights the importance of analyzing relativized data (per minute) compared to absolute data.
- The loading impact of training and match-play on non-contact muscle injuries in elite male soccer players. A seasonal analysisPublication . Morgans, Ryland; Mandorino, Mauro; Zmijewski, Piotr; Ryan, Ben; Modric, Toni; Teixeira, José; Moreira, Alexandre; Oliveira, RafaelThis study investigated the relationship between acute and chronic training load metrics and non-contact muscle injuries in elite soccer players employing a novel statistical approach. A retrospective analysis was conducted during the 2020/21 season on 30 senior outfield players from an English Premier League club. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology monitored total distance, high-speed running (HSR) distance (5.5–7 m/s), sprint distance (> 7 m/s), and peak speed during training sessions and matches. A total of 42 injuries were documented, with an incidence of 8.94 injuries per 1000 hours, although only 12 non-contact muscle injuries were included in the analysis that occurred at 2.5 per 1000 hours of exposure. Acute (7-day) and chronic (28-day) training loads were examined, and data preprocessing addressed missing values and multicollinearity. To address class imbalance, the dataset was balanced using the Synthetic Minority Over-Sampling Technique (SMOTE) prior to logistic regression. Four significant predictors were retained: acute HSR (β = -0.175, p < 0.001), acute sprint distance (β = -0.613, p < 0.001), acute peak speed (β = 1.101, p < 0.001), and chronic total distance (β = 2.234, p < 0.001). The model demonstrated excellent discriminative ability with an AUC-ROC of 0.80. The results showed that higher acute volumes of HSR and sprint distance serve as protective factors against non-contact muscle injuries, whereas an increase in acute peak speed and chronic total distance significantly elevates injury risk. These findings underscore the importance of regular exposure to HSR to enhance injury resilience, while excessive load and peak speed may contribute to neuromuscular fatigue and overload.
- Quantification of training load across two competitive seasons in elite senior and youth male soccer players from an English Premiership clubPublication . Morgans, Ryland; Rhodes, Dave; Teixeira, Jose; Modric, Toni; Versic, Sime; Oliveira, RafaelThis study aimed to compare the daily training load (TL) in first-team and U-18 soccer players from an English Premiership club. 36 first-team (age 23.2±5.9 years, weight 75.2±8.1 kg, height 1.83±0.06 m), and 22 U-18 players (age 17.5±1.1 years, weight 71.1±8.2 kg, height 1.78±0.08 m) participated. GPS metrics were measured during all pitch training sessions throughout the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons. Linear mixed-effect model analyses revealed that, irrespective of training day, U-18 players covered greater total and explosive distance than first-team players, and performed a higher number of accelerations and decelerations, whereas first-team players covered greater sprint distance. Irrespective of the team, all examined variables were greater at match-day (MD)-3, while the number of accelerations and decelerations were higher at MD-4. Significant team-by-training day interactions revealed that U-18 players covered greater total and high-intensity distances than first-team players at MD-4, MD-2, and MD-1, whereas first-team players covered greater total and high-intensity distances at MD-3. Sprint distance was greater for first-team players at MD-3 and MD-4, while explosive distance was greater for U-18 players at MD-2. Also, U-18 players performed a higher number of accelerations than first-team players at MD-3 and MD-2, and a higher number of decelerations at MD-4. The present results provide novel information on TL patterns in English Premiership soccer and contribute to understanding how training methods to physically develop players are implemented in different countries and leagues.
- The impact of injury on match running performance following the return to competitive match-play over two consecutive seasons in elite European soccer playersPublication . Morgans, Ryland; Rhodes, David; BEZUGLOV, Eduard; Etemad, O.; Di Michele, Rocco; Teixeira, José; Modric, Toni; Versic, S.; Oliveira, RafaelBased on the assessment and diagnosis, the rest period following a moderate/severe injury may lead to de conditioning for the injured player and therefore an association with a prolonged rehabilitation, re-conditioning and return to sport is observed post-injury. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of all injuries on match running performance following the return to competitive match-play over two consecutive seasons in elite European soccer players. A retrospective analysis was conducted utilizing data related to a player’s injury and match running performance. A club physiotherapist consistently recorded availability and injury data in a standardized format. Linear mixed modelling analysis revealed no difference between PRE and POST1, POST2, and POST3 for total distance, running distance, high-intensity distance, and sprint distance (all p >0.05). Although, maximum speed was significantly (p<0.05) lower in POST1 and POST2 when compared to PRE, in both cases with a large (ES = 1.88) effect. No significant difference was observed for maximum speed between PRE and POST3 (p=0.07). There were very low correlations between the number of days absent and changes in maximum speed between POST1 and PRE (r = 0.09, 95% CI -0.42 to 0.56), and POST2 and PRE (r = 0.10, 95% CI -0.42 to 0.57), respectively. In conclusion, no variation in distance variables were found regardless of one, two or three matches post-injury compared to pre-injury status. Moreover, maximum speed was lower during the first three matches post-injury, although the mean value was slightly lower. Finally, a low correlation between absent days and maximum speed loss between pre-injury and following one and two matches were found.
- The relationship between ambient temperature and match running performance of elite soccer playersPublication . Morgans, Ryland; Bezuglov, Eduard; Rhodes, Dave; Teixeira, Jose; Modric, Toni; Versic, Sime; Di Michele, Rocco; Oliveira, RafaelThe influence of environmental factors on key physical parameters of soccer players during competitive match-play have been widely investigated in the literature, although little is known on the effects of sub-zero ambient temperatures on the performance of adult elite soccer players during competitive matches. The aim of this study was to assess how the teams’ match running performance indicators are related to low ambient temperature during competitive matches in the Russian Premier League. A total of 1142 matches played during the 2016/2017 to 2020/2021 seasons were examined. Linear mixed models were used to assess the relationships between changes in ambient temperature at the start of the match and changes in selected team physical performance variables, including total, running (4.0 to 5.5 m/s), high-speed running (5.5 to 7.0 m/s) and sprint (> 7.0 m/s) distances covered. The total, running and high-speed running distances showed no significant differences across temperatures up to 10˚C, while these showed small to large decreases at 11 to 20˚C and especially in the >20˚C ranges. On the contrary, sprint distance was significantly lower at temperature of -5˚C or less compared to higher temperature ranges. At sub-zero temper atures, every 1˚C lower reduced team sprint distance by 19.2 m (about 1.6%). The present findings show that a low ambient temperature is negatively related to physical match perfor mance behavior of elite soccer players, notably associated with a reduced total sprint distance.
- The Relative Age Effect across an International Soccer Programme in Male and Female Players Aged 12 Years Old to SeniorsPublication . Morgans, Ryland; Radnor, John; Nisbet, Daniel; Teixeira, Jose; Modric, Toni; Bezuglov, Eduard; Ceylan, Halil İbrahim; Kavanagh, Ronan; Zmijewski, Piotr; Oliveira, RafaelThe purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence of the Relative Age Effect (RAE) across an international soccer programme in male and female players aged 12 years old to seniors. One hundred forty-five male (age: 18.8 ± 4.6 years; body mass: 68.1 ± 10.2 kg; body height: 177.3 ± 10.5 cm) and 218 female (age: 15.9 ± 4.6 years; body mass: 66.2 ± 10.5 kg; body height: 170.6 ± 8.3 cm) players from a National Association were assessed. All participants were divided into four quartiles: January to March (BQ1), April to June (BQ2), July to September (BQ3), and October to December (BQ4). The results showed that the distributions for all male squads were significantly skewed, with more players than expected from BQ1 in the U-21, U-19, and U-17 and less players than expected from BQ4 in the U-19 squad. The distributions for all female squads showed significantly more players than expected from BQ1 in the U-16 and less players than expected from BQ4 in the U-14 squad. The distributions across the different positions for the male squads combined were significantly skewed with more forward players than expected from BQ1 and less forward and midfielder players than expected from BQ4. For the female squads, there were significantly more BQ1 defenders from the U-16 squad than expected. In conclusion, this study unveils significant disparities in quartile distributions among male and female squads. Moreover, the data emphasize the potential impact of heightened physical demands in certain positions on the RAE.