tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:39:40 +0000Welcome to the Science of Soccer Online. This page is dedicated to translating cutting edge research into practical applications for the coach and player. A bridge between the laboratory research and performance on the pitch.http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/noreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)Blogger80125scienceofsocceronline/fNWthttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-6499094511193284952Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:32:00 +00002010-02-01T15:35:28.624-05:00This website along with many other publications has listed the virtues of playing soccer. There is little doubt that soccer has some wonderful physical and social benefits for both recreational and competitive players. Development of fitness, strength endurance, self confidence, team work and focus are important traits that can be gained through the soccer environment. New research from http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/xxSg7o9pBTg/soccer-is-good-for-your-sleep.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/xxSg7o9pBTg" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2010/02/soccer-is-good-for-your-sleep.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-1579058616260723863Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:14:00 +00002010-01-29T08:32:34.259-05:00Talent identification in youth sports is often more of an art than a science. Researchers and coaches continually debate what markers indicate natural talent for a particular sport. Factors such as genetics and anatomy are thought to determine potential ability. A newly published research review now argues that something as simple as finger lengths may predict athletic prowess. As it turns http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/MwhdVte2sV8/digital-success-finger-length-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/MwhdVte2sV8" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2010/01/digital-success-finger-length-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-1531261590618639097Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:18:00 +00002010-01-18T17:35:12.697-05:00Current ResearchTrainingInjuriesUnfortunately, knee injuries are all to commonplace in the sport of soccer. In particular girls suffer anterior cruciate injuries at a rate that is 4-8 times higher than their male counterparts. The reasons for this increased risk are somewhat debatable but most researchers suggest that deficiencies in strength, balance, agility and technique play key roles. Given this, several ACL injury http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/TB4hZjJq_hI/acl-injury-prevention-evidence-mounts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/TB4hZjJq_hI" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2010/01/acl-injury-prevention-evidence-mounts.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-2413464140418948780Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:32:00 +00002010-01-08T10:36:42.756-05:00EquipmentCurrent ResearchTrainingInjuriesOver the past few years, there has been a tremendous increase in the use of third-generation artificial turf fields for both training and match play. These surfaces are so popular that in 2001 FIFA established standards for turf fields and have approved them for events such as the U-17 World Cup. The advent of turf field has also prompted a large number of research studies comparing injury risks http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/20lOxQPZ4uw/artificial-turf-injuries-and-chronic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/20lOxQPZ4uw" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2010/01/artificial-turf-injuries-and-chronic.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-371222942515605584Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:21:00 +00002009-12-09T12:26:57.278-05:00Current ResearchTrainingPsychologyThere is little doubt that an athlete’s attitude towards practice affects how much is learned and how much improvement is made. Focus, effort, and attention are all important to leaning and developing the skills needed to compete at a high level. In a new study focusing on Dutch youth players, researchers found that the ability of players to reflect on and critically evaluate their own http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/tg-hcwYS8Ro/self-reflection-possible-key-to-elite.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/tg-hcwYS8Ro" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/12/self-reflection-possible-key-to-elite.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-2167955883675576579Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:56:00 +00002009-11-16T15:07:09.118-05:00Current ResearchTrainingSuccessful goals typically come from shots that have both pace and accuracy. How players approach the ball when taking a shot can affect both of these parameters. Rushing a kick can result in a shot that is both slow and less accurate. Slowing the approach can improve accuracy but reduce shot velocity. To better understand these relationships, researchers at the University of Aarhus in Denmark http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/6JwjB06Bb6Y/trade-offs-between-among-speed-shot.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/6JwjB06Bb6Y" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/11/trade-offs-between-among-speed-shot.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-651399035007125173Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:10:00 +00002009-10-29T13:16:25.632-04:00HealthCurrent ResearchTrainingThere is little doubt that playing soccer directly affects one’s heath. The amount of physical activity and the emphasis on proper diet found in competitive soccer clearly reduces the risk and incidence of health-related problems such as childhood obesity. It also seems that the benefits of youth sports carry over to adulthood. Now, more evidence has emerged linking competitive athletics with http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/-OKlvDJ-IrM/soccer-as-preventative-medicine-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/-OKlvDJ-IrM" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/10/soccer-as-preventative-medicine-more.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-3337476986686792976Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:18:00 +00002009-10-23T13:27:46.350-04:00One of the major problems facing female athletes is the risk of tearing their anterior cruciate ligament. Non-contact ALC injuries occur in women at a rate 4-6 times that of males. In addition to the personal costs, the financial costs of surgery and rehabilitation have been conservatively estimated at $1.7 billion annually. The exact reasons why women are so much more susceptible to ACL injurieshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/xQQ4rrCizcI/does-acl-injury-prevention-really-work.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/xQQ4rrCizcI" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/10/does-acl-injury-prevention-really-work.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-7878996111638831576Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:42:00 +00002009-10-21T18:48:10.135-04:00Current ResearchNutritionSupplementsPsychologyExercising in the heat is always a difficult task. Hot environments place a tremendous demand on the cardiovascular and thermoregulatory systems. This typically leads to decreased performance, particularly in sports that last an hour or more. As a result, coaches and players are always searching for new ways to perform in the heat. In a new study, researchers at Manchester Metropolitan Universityhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/_TGxKl48PKc/menthol-fresh-breath-and-better.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/_TGxKl48PKc" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/10/menthol-fresh-breath-and-better.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-6066365723535468667Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:54:00 +00002009-10-14T14:17:10.444-04:00HealthCurrent ResearchBy design soccer is an activity that promotes health and fitness. The amount of exercise performed at practice and the emphasis on proper diet directly affects players’ fitness and promotes a lifestyle that influences health well into adulthood. A recent study now suggests that participation in youth sports may have other, unanticipated effects that may lead to an overall healthy lifestyle. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/pIRRZgnj3DE/kudos-to-soccer-moms.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/pIRRZgnj3DE" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/10/kudos-to-soccer-moms.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-4104718657544608965Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:09:00 +00002009-09-29T13:23:34.276-04:00TrainingInjuriesThe FIFA and the FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC) have recently developed a website dedicated to "The 11+". The 11+ is a warm-up program developed for soccer players designed to reduce the risk of lower extremity injuries (for a discussion of The 11+, click here). The website contains downloads such as posters and instruction cards as well as an collection of videos showing http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/dMK6qmqEfG4/fifa-f-marc-11-website.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/dMK6qmqEfG4" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/09/fifa-f-marc-11-website.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-1884709074487500146Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:53:00 +00002009-09-28T08:50:22.047-04:00Original ResearchAt some point in their soccer careers, many American youth players dream of playing beyond their high school days and joining a collegiate side. For some this becomes a reality. Each spring those high school seniors sign their National Letter of Intent, solidifying a commitment to a college program. Once the fall arrives, these new freshmen take the field and the next step in their playing http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/QgAihSLh3Ac/where-did-all-freshmen-go.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/QgAihSLh3Ac" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/09/where-did-all-freshmen-go.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-374284828153782285Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:51:00 +00002009-09-02T10:00:13.046-04:00TrainingPsychologyAn article posted on the website, Scientific Blogging, describes a talk given by speaker and author Dan Pink. A common belief is that extrinsic motivation in the form of rewards can improve performance. However, scientific research shows that incentivising a problem-solving task may stifle creativity and actually hinder the outcome. That is, the traditional carrot and stick approach seems to http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/eQkvGg9_PRM/are-we-stifling-creative-play.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/eQkvGg9_PRM" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/09/are-we-stifling-creative-play.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-462781342387810131Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:46:00 +00002009-08-28T10:48:53.688-04:00Current ResearchTrainingPart 2: Designing a ProgramThe NSCA’s Position Statement on youth weight training argues that if children are ready to participate in sports, they are ready to engage in some type of resistance exercise. In Part 1, the safety and benefits of weight training were highlighted. Part 2 summarizes of the authors’ recommendations for designing a weight lifting program for young participants. The http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/BPloSw1WN1k/nsca-position-statement-on-youth.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/BPloSw1WN1k" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/08/nsca-position-statement-on-youth.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-5881116321166400477Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:50:00 +00002009-08-21T11:54:05.333-04:00Current ResearchTrainingPart 1: Safety & BenefitsThe number of young athletes who are lifting weights as part of their training is steadily increasing. In past years, many discouraged weight training in children and young adolescents. This stemmed, in part, from the fear of injury and adverse effects on growth and development. We now know that properly supervised resistance exercise can have a number of positive effectshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/FGCeY2h9VsU/national-strength-conditioning.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/FGCeY2h9VsU" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/08/national-strength-conditioning.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-5672451456511581447Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:22:00 +00002009-08-13T08:17:27.846-04:00Current ResearchInjuriesOne of the more hotly debated questions in soccer is why do female athletes suffer more ACL injuries than males. Researchers have proposed a whole host of possible explanations ranging from muscular strength to hormonal changes. For the first time, a preliminary study headed by researchers at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, has found a possible genetic link. It seems that a gene http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/caTHPWhRFZ0/genetic-link-with-acl-injuries.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)4<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/caTHPWhRFZ0" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/08/genetic-link-with-acl-injuries.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-3703626631063525833Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:40:00 +00002009-08-05T17:30:36.156-04:00Current ResearchStrategyOn February 10, 2008, during a scoreless draw with Siena, AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, subbed in Alberto Paloschi. Fifteen seconds later, on his first touch of the match, Paloschi scored the only goal of the match. Many times matches hinge of the strategic use of substitute players. Coaches typically make substitutions late in the match for two key reasons. The first is a tactical move, as http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/NcZms4EAv2E/substitutes-combating-fatigue-or.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/NcZms4EAv2E" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/08/substitutes-combating-fatigue-or.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-2132359113852702724Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:42:00 +00002009-06-23T13:34:52.715-04:00Current ResearchStrategyTrainingIs there an advantage to being born in the early part of the year? The relative age effect means that if you are born close to the cut-off age for a competition; you are more likely to be selected for the team than if you are born later in the year. This phenomenon seems to occur at all levels of play from local travel teams to the most advanced youth competitions. A new study published in the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/SiJdOyedqKk/cutting-edge-research-age-effect-at-u17.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/SiJdOyedqKk" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/06/cutting-edge-research-age-effect-at-u17.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-8137654895157052571Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:16:00 +00002009-06-17T16:32:27.339-04:00TrainingCoaches and athletes are constantly searching for ways to improve fitness. Endurance and interval training are the most often used. However, these programs usually require a time commitment of 30-00 minutes per day. This time commitment makes it difficult, if not impossible, to incorporate endurance training into a typical practice session. Researchers at McMaster University have found that a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/c3o_iw5VFLk/getting-bigger-bang-for-your-training.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/c3o_iw5VFLk" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/06/getting-bigger-bang-for-your-training.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-2698731890667091108Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:53:00 +00002009-06-09T12:17:13.838-04:00NutritionSupplements One of the time-honored, post-match traditions of adult league soccer leagues is to head to the pub and have a pint or two (or three). Many believe that beer and other alcohol-containing drinks actually aid recovery. The argument is that alcohol is a carbohydrate and carbohydrates help replenish energy stores. In fact, some athletes jokingly refer drinking beer as “carbohydrate loading”. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/6J0JG_2y384/no-place-for-alcohol.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/6J0JG_2y384" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/06/no-place-for-alcohol.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-3828288663680128328Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:47:00 +00002009-04-24T11:55:14.579-04:00For years, sports drink companies such as Gatorade® and Powerade® have extolled the benefits of their products. They argue that sports drinks can replenish energy, electrolytes and fluid lost during exercise. The scientific community has largely shown that this is in fact the case. Sports drinks can play a key role in the recovery from prolonged exercise. However, there may be an added benefit ofhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/Tol0glBq4Xw/cutting-edge-research-new-way-to-drink.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/Tol0glBq4Xw" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/04/cutting-edge-research-new-way-to-drink.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-8594009273522074490Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:01:00 +00002009-04-22T10:15:09.106-04:00GoalkeepersStrategyPenalty kicks are a critical time of decision making for both the goal keeper and the penalty taker. Given that, for most professional games, the average number of goals scored is around 2.5, a penalty kick can have a major influence on the outcome of a match. Penalty kicks may reach speeds near 125 mph and is usually over within a quarter of a second. Thus, the goal keeper must make a decision http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/w0V0N-44310/penalty-kicks-by-numbers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)13<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/w0V0N-44310" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/04/penalty-kicks-by-numbers.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-1365263555908009744Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:59:00 +00002009-10-14T14:18:09.674-04:00HealthTrainingPsychologyIt is clear that a growing health concern in the US and many other countries is the increasing incidence of obesity and related diseases. Over the past few years, the number of children and adolescents who are classified as overweight and obese has increased dramatically. Unfortunately, statistics show that these children will very likely grow up to be obese adults with a whole host of associatedhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/E4XMRoO5AmQ/role-soccer-clubs-can-play-in-promoting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/E4XMRoO5AmQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/04/role-soccer-clubs-can-play-in-promoting.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-2922661897187646320Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:53:00 +00002009-04-15T09:35:15.818-04:00The Science of Soccer Online now has its own Facebook® page. Join in, become a fan and keep updated with the latest info on soccer training, nutrtion, injury prevention and psychology.Click Here to become a fan.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/8r5YdKuhx0A/science-of-soccer-online-meets-facebook.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/8r5YdKuhx0A" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/04/science-of-soccer-online-meets-facebook.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936045483844057034.post-5587502836584650185Sun, 05 Apr 2009 20:08:00 +00002009-04-21T19:49:29.738-04:00EquipmentTrainingInjuriesMany club and college teams routinely use cold water immersion after matches or intense training days. Studies have shown that cryo- or cold-therapy can prevent or reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and muscle soreness. Rather than applying icepacks to different muscle, sitting in a cold bath will accomplish he same effect. But is this treatment really effective? Will cold water immersion http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~3/q7wCT2H6npY/cutting-edge-research-can-cold-baths.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jay Williams, Ph.D.)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/scienceofsocceronline/fNWt/~4/q7wCT2H6npY" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.scienceofsocceronline.com/2009/04/cutting-edge-research-can-cold-baths.html