Easier in Practice than in Theory – Experiences of Coaches in Charge of Community-Based Soccer Training for Men with Prostate Cancer: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

Background Evidence suggests that community-based exercise programs and sports participation benefit long-term physical activity adherence and promote health in clinical populations. Recent research shows that community-based soccer can improve mental health and bone health and result in fewer hospital admissions in men with prostate cancer. However, little knowledge exists on what coaches experience, leading to a scarcity of knowledge on how to assist them in promoting and supporting the sustainability of programs. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of non-professional soccer coaches in providing community-based soccer training for men with prostate cancer. Results We interviewed 13 out of 21 eligible non-professional soccer coaches in charge of delivering the Football Club Prostate Community program, which is community-based soccer training for men with prostate cancer at 12 local soccer clubs across Denmark. Qualitative content analysis, as described by Graneheim and Lundman, was applied to analyze the data using NVivo 12 software. We identified the five following overall categories with 10 subcategories on what the coaches experienced: (1) enabling training of a clinical population in a community setting, (2) dedication based on commitment, (3) coaching on the players’ terms, (4) navigating the illness, and (5) ensuring sustainability. Collectively, the findings suggest that, while the coaches felt adequately prepared to coach, their coaching role developed and was refined only through interaction with the players, indicating that coaching clinical populations may be easier in practice than in theory and a potentially transformative learning experience. Conclusions Non-professional soccer coaches in charge of delivering soccer training for men with prostate cancer value being educated about specific illness-related issues. Initial concerns about how to coach a clinical population disappeared once the coaches engaged with the players and developed their own team norms and illness management strategies. They also gained a broader perspective on their own lives, which they valued and would not otherwise have achieved by coaching a healthy population. Our study indicates that sustainable implementation and the program’s sustainability can be promoted and supported through additional formal, easily accessible communication with trained health professionals and by networking with peer coaches.

Effects of Whole-Season Training and Match-Play on Hip Adductor and Abductor Muscle Strength in Soccer Players: A Pilot Study

Background: Previous investigations have associated weakness of hip muscles with a higher likelihood of developing hip groin injury. However, no previous investigation has examined the influence of soccer training and match-play during the season on maximal isometric hip adductor and abductor muscle strength. Hypothesis: Maximal hip adductor and abductor muscle strength would increase after the preseason, maintaining relatively constant levels across the soccer season. Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A total of 26 semiprofessional male soccer players underwent measurements of maximal isometric hip adductor and abductor muscle strength at 3 time points of the soccer season: preseason, midseason, and end-season to investigate the longitudinal effect of soccer training and competition during a complete season on maximal isometric hip adductor and abductor muscle strength in the semiprofessional Spanish soccer player. Results: Compared with preseason, hip abductor muscle strength increased in the midseason (14.2% and 17.1%, for dominant and nondominant limb, respectively; P < 0.001) and in the end-season (13.1%; P = 0.005, and 14.1%; P < 0.005). In contrast, hip adductor muscle strength remained unchanged across the season in both limbs. As a result, the adductor/abductor strength ratio in the nondominant limb was reduced at midseason and end-season time points (−14.6% and −18.4%, respectively; P < 0.001) with a corresponding tendency in the dominant limb (−9.3% and −15.0%, respectively; P > 0.05). Conclusion: While maximal hip abductor muscle strength increased throughout the season, hip adductor muscle strength remained stable across the season. This produced a substantial deficit in hip adductor/abductor strength ratio at midseason and end-season. Clinical Relevance: The progressive imbalance in adductor/abductor strength across the soccer season may be an indicator of increased risk of groin injury and may reinforce the need for preventive rehabilitation activities focused on enhancing adductor muscle strength.

Effects of Intensity Modulated Total-Body Circuit Training Combined with Soccer Training on Physical Fitness in Prepubertal Boys After a 6-Month Intervention

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 6-month high- or moderate-intensity total-body circuit training (CT) program on physical fitness in prepubertal soccer players. Sixty-seven prepubertal boys with a mean age of 11.2 ± 0.7 years completed the study. Participants from a soccer academy were randomly assigned either to a high-intensity CT group (HCT, n = 22) or a moderate-intensity CT group (MCT, n = 24). A control group (CON, n = 21) comprised age-matched individuals who were not involved in any regular training regime. CT protocols were included in the experimental group’s training sessions 3 times per week over 24 weeks as part of their usual weekly training regime. Based on the HR zone method, CT protocols included high- or moderate-intensity (85–95% HRmax or 75–85% HRmax) series of 3 different sets of upper- and lower-body strength exercises with articular and muscular mobilization, all culminated with 40-m sprints. Physical fitness was evaluated by the Eurofit test which included the flamingo balance (FLB), plate tapping (PLT), sit-and-reach (SAR), standing broad jump (SBJ), handgrip (HG), sit-ups (SUP), bent arm hang (BAH), 10×5 m shuttle run (SHR), and the Physical Working Capacity test (PWC170). The two-way ANOVA indicated group×time interaction effects for 5 components: the largest was for the SBJ (F2,63 = 42.895, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.577), and the lowest for the SHR (F2,63 = 5.006, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.137) indicating better improvements in the HCT compared to the MCT group. Furthermore, for HCT and MCT groups the highest pre- to post-intervention percentage changes were for the FLB and the SAR, while in the CON group the changes of all physical fitness components were not significant (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the intensity-controlled total-body CT protocol incorporated into a standard soccer training program is effective for enhancement in physical fitness performance in prepubertal soccer players.

Bilateral Proximal Tibiofibular Synostosis Caused by Osteochondroma in a 21-Year-Old Highly Active Male—First in Literature

Background and Objectives: Up until now, only one case of unilateral proximal tibiofibular synostosis caused by osteochondroma has been reported. This report is the first well-documented bilateral case of proximal tibiofibular synostosis caused by an osteochondroma. Case Report: A 21-year-old, highly active male patient with bilateral proximal tibiofibular synostosis caused by an osteochondroma suffering from persistent knee pain is presented. As conservative methods had failed, the patient was treated by bilateral open resection of the connecting bone. Histopathological findings confirmed the preoperative diagnosis. The patient returned to sports three weeks after surgery and continued soccer training six weeks after surgery. Discussion: The case report presents the successful treatment of a bilateral proximal tibiofibular synostosis caused by an osteochondroma by bilateral open resection of the connecting bone.

GAME-BASED SOCCER TRAINING MODELS FOR CHILDREN AGED 6-8 YEARS

The purpose of this study was to produce and develop a game-based soccer training model for children aged 6 - 8 years and to test its effect on improving children's basic abilities. This study uses the Research and Development (R&D) method from Borg and Gall with 10 stages; 1) research and information; 2) planning; 3) developing superior product forms; 4) preliminary field testing; 5) major product revisions; 6) main field testing; 7) operational product revisions; 8) operational field testing; 9) final product revision, and 10) dissemination and implementation. The subjects in the small group trial were 12 students of SSB Ina Football Soccer School Ciganjur, South Jakarta, and the subjects in the large group trial were 30 students, each consisting of 15 students of SSB Garuda Muda Batipuah, Tanah Datar, and 15 students of SSB Padang Laweh, Agam. . Whereas in the effective test using the subject as many as 30 students of SSB PS Marapi Batu Palano. The strength test of the game-based football training model for children aged 6 - 8 years using a basic motion test instrument, namely TGMD-2, consists of locomotor and manipulative basic motion tests. Data analysis obtained the mean value of the initial test 19.8 for basic locomotor motion and 7.4 for manipulative, and the final test mean value 34.9 for locomotor basic motion and 10.93 for manipulative. The significance test gets a t-count value of 26.87 for locomotor and 12.89 for manipulative, where each is greater than the t-table value of 1.699 at the 0.05 level so it can be denied that the game-based soccer training model has a positive impact and significant to the improvement of the locomotor and manipulative basic development of children aged 6 - 8 years. So that the conclusion that there are 33 game-based football training models is effective and significant for improving the basic motion of children aged 6 - 8 years and the training model is feasible to use and disseminate.

Effects of a Specific Core Stability Program on the Sprint and Change-of-Direction Maneuverability Performance in Youth, Male Soccer Players

Although it is recommended to use sport-specific training programs to optimize performance, studies analyzing the effects of the core stability training with high levels of sport-specificity on athletic performance are insufficient and unclear. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of the level of specificity of a CORE stability program on specific soccer actions. Fourteen youth players were randomly assigned to the specific core stability group (SCS; n = 7) or the general core stability group (GCS; n = 7). The eight-week intervention consisted of two weekly training sessions added to the usual soccer training. Both groups performed four CORE stability tasks. The SCS group followed the principle of sports specificity, while the GCS group performed CORE stability commons. Ten-meter linear sprinting (Sprint) and change-of-direction maneuverability (V-cut) were evaluated before and after the intervention programs. A statistically significant improvement was obtained in Sprint (d = 0.84 95% CI (0.22, 1.45), p = 0.008) and V-cut (d = 1.24 95% CI (0.52, 1.93), p < 0.001). At posttest, statistically nonsignificant differences were obtained between groups in Sprint (d = 1.03 95% CI (−0.25, 2.30), p = 0.082) and V-cut (d = −0.56 95% CI (−1.89, 0.78), p = 0.370). In conclusion, sprint and change-of-direction maneuverability were improved, but there was no superiority of any type of training.

Quantifying Accelerations and Decelerations in Elite Women Soccer Players during Regular In-Season Training as an Index of Training Load

Accelerations (ACC) and decelerations (DEC) are important and frequent actions in soccer. We aimed to investigate whether ACC and DEC were good indicators of the variation of training loads in elite women soccer players. Changes in the training load were monitored during two different selected weeks (considered a “low week” and a “heavy week”) during the in-season. Twelve elite soccer women playing in the French first division wore a 10-Hz Global Positioning System unit recording total distance, distance within speed ranges, sprint number, ACC, DEC, and a heart rate monitor during six soccer training sessions and rated their perceived exertion (RPE). They answered the Hooper questionnaire (sleep, stress, fatigue, DOMS) to get an insight of their subjective fitness level at the start (Hooper S) and at the end of each week (Hooper E). A countermovement jump (CMJ) was also performed once a week. During the heavy week, the training load was significantly greater than the low week when considering number of ACC >2 m·s−2 (28.2 ± 11.9 vs. 56.1 ± 10.1, p < 0.001) and number of DEC < −2 m·s−2 (31.5 ± 13.4 vs. 60.9 ± 14.4, p < 0.001). The mean heart rate percentage (HR%) (p < 0.05), RPE (p < 0.001), and Hooper E (p < 0.001) were significantly greater during the heavy week. ACC and DEC showed significant correlations with most outcomes: HR%, total distance, distance per min, sprint number, Hooper index of Hooper E, DOMS E, Fatigue E, RPE, and session RPE. We concluded that, for elite women soccer players, quantifying ACC and DEC alongside other indicators seemed to be essential for a more complete training load monitoring. Indeed, it could lead to a better understanding of the reasons why athletes get fatigued and give insight into neuromuscular, rather than only energetic, fatigue.

Effect of 6% Maltodextrin Intake on Capillary Lactate Concentration in Soccer Players

Recent literature suggests that ergogenic substances may play a beneficial role in intermittent exercise. Maltodextrin supplementation has been investigated in soccer players, but few studies have been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 6% maltodextrin supplementation on capillary lactate in soccer players. The study was carried out during soccer training, which was characterised by intense activity (90 min). Participants (n = 24) were randomly allocated in control (water) and intervention (6% maltodextrin solution) groups. Capillary lactate levels were evaluated at pre-exercise (0 min—t0), exercise (45 min—t1), and post-exercise (90 min—t2) moments. At t1, the mean capillary lactate concentration value was significantly higher in players not supplemented with 6% maltodextrin (5.47 mmol/L) than in supplemented players (4.79 mmol/L).