The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and potential abnormalities of biomarkers in female soccer and field hockey players by conducting a meta-analysis of previous studies. In this study, previous research on certain biomarkers (Creatine kinase, lactic acid, iron, hemoglobin, white blood cells, and cortisol) in collegiate, elite and national level female soccer and field hockey players was collected and evaluated. Studies on baseline measurements for these biomarkers in female soccer and field hockey athletes were collected and their group means were considered. These values were collectively put into individual forest plots, one for each biomarker, and were thereafter compared to a given normal laboratory blood value range for the general population. Whereas iron, white blood cell count and especially hemoglobin tended to lie either towards or beneath the lower limit of the reference range assigned to the general population, CK and cortisol have a tendency to be higher in athletes compared to the general population. The findings for lactic acid did not have a significant tendency in either direction. The findings made throughout this study indicate the importance of proper nutrition for the athletes. Furthermore, the findings reiterate and remind coaches and health professionals of the importance on not only the education on proper nutrition for athletes, including sufficient iron intake and possible iron and vitamin supplementation but also the importance of adequate rest and time for recovery to limit the risk of overtraining and high intensity exercise related illness and infection.

Title: Monitoring and comparison of physical movement in elite female soccer players Objectives: Determine and compare load and physical movement of the football players according to the team and playing position of each player. Determine differences between the physical motion of the players during the first and second half and difference according the results of the game. Methods: The test group was consisted of 27 women's soccer players from SK Slavia Prague and National team of the Czech Republic. Measurement was made in 8 friendly games and one league game during the winter preseason 2018 (January - March). All the datas were collected indirectly with observation because all datas were collected by devices. Datas has been transfered to computer and they were processed. Data collection has been made with usage of GPSports devices and sportester "Polar T34". Results: The players of Slavia achieved higher motion load although there is a little difference between the results of researched teams. This is evidenced by distinction between average distance achieved (x̄ = 246, 54 m; 2, 48%), as well as running in high intensity where the difference was 30.42 m, i.e. 2.92% and also the number of sprints plus repeated sprints were discovered in higher level at Slavia players (the difference in sprint was...

It is imperative for strength and conditioning coaches to conduct a detailed analysis of the demands of a sport, identifying normative data where possible to permit an evidence-based evaluation of an athlete's current performance status and to inform the development of specific goals for the athletes' development. Part one of this article reviews the demands of female soccer and provides normative data from published research identifying specific areas that require development in female soccer players. Part two recommends evidence-based approaches integrated to athlete development and injury prevention strategies, as a result of the needs analysis.

Study Design: Methodological study. Objectives: To examine the agreement and validity of using observational risk screening guidelines to evaluate ACL injury risk factors. Background: Post-pubescent females have an increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury compared with their male counterparts partly due to their high-risk landing and cutting strategies. There are currently no scientifically-tested methods to screen for these high risk strategies in the clinic or on the field. Methods and Measures: Three physiotherapists used observational risk screening guidelines to rate the neuromuscular characteristics of 40 adolescent female soccer players. Drop jumps were rated as high risk or low risk based on the degree of knee abduction. Side hops and side cuts were rated on the degree of lower limb 'reaching'. Ratings were evaluated for intrarater and interrater agreement using kappa coefficients. 3D motion analysis was used as a gold standard for determining the validity of ratings. Results: Acceptable intrarater and interrater agreement (k≥0.61) were attained for the drop jump and the side hop, with kappa coefficients ranging from 0.64 to 0.94. Acceptable sensitivity (≥0.80) was attained for the side hop and the side cut, with values ranging from 0.88 to 1.00. Acceptable specificity (≥0.50) was attained for the drop jump, with values ranging from 0.64 to 0.72. Conclusion: Observational risk screening is a practical and cost-effective method of screening for ACL injury risk. Based on levels of agreement and sensitivity, the side hop appears to be a suitable screening task. Agreement was acceptable for the drop jump but its validity needs further investigation.

Study Design: Methodological study. Objectives: To examine the agreement and validity of using observational risk screening guidelines to evaluate ACL injury risk factors. Background: Post-pubescent females have an increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury compared with their male counterparts partly due to their high-risk landing and cutting strategies. There are currently no scientifically-tested methods to screen for these high risk strategies in the clinic or on the field. Methods and Measures: Three physiotherapists used observational risk screening guidelines to rate the neuromuscular characteristics of 40 adolescent female soccer players. Drop jumps were rated as high risk or low risk based on the degree of knee abduction. Side hops and side cuts were rated on the degree of lower limb 'reaching'. Ratings were evaluated for intrarater and interrater agreement using kappa coefficients. 3D motion analysis was used as a gold standard for determining the validity of ratings. Results: Acceptable intrarater and interrater agreement (k≥0.61) were attained for the drop jump and the side hop, with kappa coefficients ranging from 0.64 to 0.94. Acceptable sensitivity (≥0.80) was attained for the side hop and the side cut, with values ranging from 0.88 to 1.00. Acceptable specificity (≥0.50) was attained for the drop jump, with values ranging from 0.64 to 0.72. Conclusion: Observational risk screening is a practical and cost-effective method of screening for ACL injury risk. Based on levels of agreement and sensitivity, the side hop appears to be a suitable screening task. Agreement was acceptable for the drop jump but its validity needs further investigation.

Psychosocial factors are the interrelated psychological, social and/or behavioural considerations that can influence talent development in football (Holt & Dunn, 2004). Despite this, the significant growth of female football worldwide, and the psychosocial challenges faced by female athletes during adolescence, scant scholarly attention has been afforded to the role of psychosocial factors in the development of talented female football players. Therefore the main aim of this thesis was to understand psychosocial factors associated with talent development in UK female football players. Study one systematically reviewed the literature on psychosocial factors associated with talent development in soccer. Following an extensive literature searching, selecting and appraisal process, three overarching themes of psychological, social and behavioural factors associated with talent development in soccer - underpinned by a total of 33 subthemes were created. The appraised literature has a moderate-to-high risk of reporting bias; had a significant bias towards adolescent, Caucasian, male, able-bodied, and European soccer players; and extant literature has demonstrated bias towards quantitative approaches and retrospective data collection methods. Consequently, study two began to address these reported biases by longitudinally and prospectively investigating the developmental experiences of English elite female youth soccer players. Through interviews, fieldwork and the use of composite sequence analysis, study two forwarded the importance of psychosocial considerations including the interaction between players and key social agents (soccer fathers, soccer brothers, soccer peers and non- soccer peers), elements of self-regulation and volitional behaviours, and the subsequent developmental benefits for their soccer careers. However, this study did not address the experiences of those who were unsuccessful in their attempts to achieve an elite female soccer career, nor did it collect primary data from other key social agents. Building on the critique of study two, study three sought to adopt an underutilised approach of negative case analysis by examining the experiences of players who had been unsuccessful in their attempts to forge a career in female soccer. Based on interviews former female players, their best friends, coaches and teachers, a grounded theory of talent and career development in UK female youth soccer players was produced. The theory posited that interactions with multiple social agents can affect the quality of talent development and learning environment that a player experiences, which can lead to adaptive player level benefits and changes (e.g., basic psychological need satisfaction; development of pertinent intra-individual constructs; optimal match preparation and training behaviours) and create a greater chance of career success. Study three also forwarded important culturally significant considerations for practitioners working with UK female soccer players, such as an understanding of dual career demands and the impact of role strain on female players. However, study three did not test any of the theoretical predictions offered by the grounded theory. Owing to the need to test predictions of grounded theories to assess their predictive validity, study four sought to test key predictions using a representative sample of English talented and elite adolescent female soccer players (N=137). As a result of the limited structural stability of the Basic Needs Satisfaction in Sport Scale and the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire (as demonstrated by significant cross loading of items, high bivariate correlations between subscales, and one example of an inadequate Cronbach s alpha), data was parcelled and the revised path hypothesis: perceptions of talent development environment > basic psychological needs satisfaction > career aspirations and beliefs > career intentions was produced. Path analysis supported the hypothesis. Supporting findings of studies two and three, regression analysis demonstrated that playing level positively predicted career beliefs, aspirations and intentions; whereas age negatively predicted these variables. Finally, TDEQ results indicated a perception that UK female soccer players that they can be written off before having the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Overall, this thesis has provided original and unique contributions to the sport psychology literature by enlightening the body of research to the developmental experiences of English female youth soccer players. It provides a developmental understanding scarcely evident in existing talent development literature. The interactional roles of multiple social agents have been elucidated and linked to psychosocial development, behavioural outcomes and talent and career progression within talented female players. The thesis has extended previous approaches to talent development in soccer by testing the predictions of the grounded theory. Initial evidence suggests that the proffered grounded theory is robust; however further research utilising structurally sound and ecologically valid measures would serve to further validate these claims.

Study Design: Methodological study. Objectives: To examine the agreement and validity of using observational risk screening guidelines to evaluate ACL injury risk factors. Background: Post-pubescent females have an increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury compared with their male counterparts partly due to their high-risk landing and cutting strategies. There are currently no scientifically-tested methods to screen for these high risk strategies in the clinic or on the field. Methods and Measures: Three physiotherapists used observational risk screening guidelines to rate the neuromuscular characteristics of 40 adolescent female soccer players. Drop jumps were rated as high risk or low risk based on the degree of knee abduction. Side hops and side cuts were rated on the degree of lower limb 'reaching'. Ratings were evaluated for intrarater and interrater agreement using kappa coefficients. 3D motion analysis was used as a gold standard for determining the validity of ratings. Results: Acceptable intrarater and interrater agreement (k≥0.61) were attained for the drop jump and the side hop, with kappa coefficients ranging from 0.64 to 0.94. Acceptable sensitivity (≥0.80) was attained for the side hop and the side cut, with values ranging from 0.88 to 1.00. Acceptable specificity (≥0.50) was attained for the drop jump, with values ranging from 0.64 to 0.72. Conclusion: Observational risk screening is a practical and cost-effective method of screening for ACL injury risk. Based on levels of agreement and sensitivity, the side hop appears to be a suitable screening task. Agreement was acceptable for the drop jump but its validity needs further investigation. / Medicine, Faculty of / Graduate

Syftet med studien var att undersöka vilka stressorer och copingstrategier kopplat till menstruation som damfotbollsspelare på elitnivå upplever respektive använder i samband med träning och match. Sammanlagt deltog femton kvinnor i studien, varav alla var mellan 19–31 år gamla (M = 23.9, SD = 3.15). Samtliga deltagare spelade fotboll i antingen OBOS Damallsvenskan eller Elitettan när studien genomfördes. En semistrukturerad intervjuguide användes som var baserad på den transaktionella modellen för stress och coping (Lazarus & Folkman 1984). Resultatet visade att både fysiska och psykologiska symptom under menstruationen upplevdes stressande för fotbollsspelarna. De stressorer som spelarna upplevde var (1) huvudtränarens avsaknad av kunskap och förståelse för menstruation, (2) oro att prestationen ska hämmas av fysiska symptom och (3) oro att blöda igenom under match. När fotbollsspelarna upplevde att de kunde kontrollera situationen använde de problemfokuserad coping. När dessa copingstrategier inte fungerade, eller när de upplevde att de inte kunde kontrollera situationen, använde de emotionsfokuserad coping. Spelarna använde även dysfunktionell coping vilket inte har förekommit i tidigare studier på forskningsområdet. / The purpose of the study was to examine which stressors and coping strategies associated with menstruation elite female soccer players experience and use in conjunction with training and competition. A total of fifteen women participated in the study, of which all were between 19-31 years old (M = 23.9, SD = 3.15). All participants played soccer in either OBOS Damallsvenskan or Elitettan during the data collection. A semi-structured interview guide was used which was based on the transactional model of stress and coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). The results revealed that both physical and psychological symptoms during menstruation was perceived as stressful by the soccer players. The stressors that the players experienced were (1) the head coach’s lack of knowledge and understanding of menstruation, (2) worry about performance being affected by physical symptoms during training and competition, and (3) worry about leaking during competition. When the players experienced that they could not control the situation they used problem focused coping. When these coping strategies did not work, or when they experienced that they could not control the situation, they used emotion focused coping. The players also used dysfunctional coping which has not occurred in previous studies in the research area.

No / Part 1 of this article identified the demands of female soccer and the specific areas of development required to optimize performance and reduce the risk of common injuries. Increases in aerobic capacity, strength, and lower limb control were required to improve performance and reduce the risks of common injuries. The aims of part 2 are to provide examples of evidence-based integrated strategies to address the issues identified in part 1 and to ensure not only enhanced performance but also a reduced incidence of common injuries in female soccer players.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-01-10T12:50:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 tayanemockdecerihan.pdf: 11617253 bytes, checksum: 199468c456187b3b2cdf5043f023c631 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Diamantino Mayra (mayra.diamantino@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-01-31T11:20:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 tayanemockdecerihan.pdf: 11617253 bytes, checksum: 199468c456187b3b2cdf5043f023c631 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-31T11:20:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tayanemockdecerihan.pdf: 11617253 bytes, checksum: 199468c456187b3b2cdf5043f023c631 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-22 / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Esta dissertação busca compreender como são veiculadas as notícias das mulheres futebolistas no ciberespaço, mais especificamente, no webjornalismo (Globoesporte.com). Visa também descrever as maneiras pelas quais o público leitor interpreta os discursos midiáticos e interage entre si e com as reportagens sobre as mulheres no futebol. Partimos de uma perspectiva teórica metodológica pós-estruturalista, presumimos que os discursos midiáticos são construídos de maneira atender interesses generificados na veiculação das notícias de homens e mulheres no futebol. Para atender a esses objetivos utilizamos a etnografia virtual. O período de coleta dos dados ficou compreendido entre Abril e Junho de 2015, na medida em que abarcou importantes campeonatos de mulheres com visibilidade nacional e internacional, como o Campeonato Paulista, os Jogos Pan-Americanos e a Copa do Mundo FIFA. As reportagens publicadas no site Globoesporte.com sobre as mulheres no futebol e selecionadas pelo estudo foram trinta e quatro e os comentários totalizaram seiscentos e doze. O material empírico foi analisado a partir de três temáticas, a saber: Feminilidades em jogo: imagens e discursos (midiáticos) no futebol de mulheres; Impedimentos de gênero: quando será a vez delas? e “Desenvolvimento do futebol feminino”: agendas para as mulheres. Essas temáticas foram atravessadas pela Interpelação. De maneira geral, verificamos que os discursos midiáticos e a maioria dos comentários são performativos, ou seja, são construídos e constituídos socialmente através de atos reiterados na cultura. Essa repetição estabelece normas cristalizadas sobre corpo, sexualidade, feminilidade e identidade de gênero para as jogadoras de futebol presentes nas reportagens, valorizando a beleza física das atletas quando essas atendem determinados traços corporais. Também reforçam a hierarquia de gênero, através da valorização de títulos conquistados por técnicos homens, e opiniões de “especialistas” que mantém o status quo no qual as mulheres ocupam lugares inferiores aos homens, tanto no que concerne às habilidades para o jogo quanto para a ocupação de cargos de gestão esportiva. Apesar de destacar em seu discurso as agendas e projetos a curto prazo que visam o desenvolvimento do futebol de mulheres no Brasil, percebemos que o próprio globoesporte.com traz as notícias delineadas de pré julgamentos e preconceitos e que muitas vezes não fazem jus às conquistas das atletas, invisibilizando e enviesando informações acerca do futebol praticado por mulheres. Também em alguns momentos o Globoesporte.com “erra o alvo”, deixando de corresponder às expectativas dos/as leitores/as, que cobram por mais informações acerca do futebol de mulheres. Concluímos que a desconstrução acerca das mulheres no futebol deve ser feita através das mídias paralelas, bem como através das redes sociais, que se constituem na atualidade importantes ferramentas de disseminação de informações e através das quais, usuários e usuárias possuem mais liberdade de comunicação e expressão. Além disso, pesquisadoras e pesquisadores devem se mobilizar para além do ambiente acadêmico, buscando debater suas pesquisas com a sociedade, sensibilizando um maior número de pessoas à sua volta. / This dissertation seeks to understand how news about women soccer players are transmitted in cyberspace, specifically, on web journalism (Website: Globoesporte.com). It also aims to describe how readership comprises the media discourse, interacting with one another and with reports about women in football. From a theoretical-methodological post-structuralist approach, we assumed that media speeches are built in such a way to fulfill gendered interests when news about men and women in football are broadcasted. In order to meet those purposes, we used virtual ethnography. The data collection period was between April/2015 and June/2015, in that some important national and international women championships took place, such as the tournament from the State of São Paulo, Pan American Games and FIFA's World Cup. Within the reports published on the website Globoesporte.com about women in soccer, we had selected thirty-four for the paper and the comments totaled six hundred and twelve. The empirical material was then analyzed as of three topics, namely: "Femininities in game: images and speeches (of media) on women's football"; "Gender impediments: when will be their turn?" and "Development of female football: schedule for women". Those themes have been crossed by interpellation. In general, we could verify that media discourse and most of the analyzed comments are performative, that is, they are socially built and constituted through reaffirmed acts in culture. This reoccurrence sets sound standards about body, sexuality, femininity and gender identity for the women soccer players appearing in the reports, and yet, values the athletes’ physical beauty when those fit into given body traits. That repetition also reinforces the gender hierarchy, through the value of awards won by male coaches, and opinions of “experts” that keep the status quo in which women occupy lower places than men, both as regards women soccer game’s skills as occupation of sports management. Despite highlighting on its speech the schedules and projects short term that aim to develop soccer for women in Brazil, we could realize the Globoesporte.com itself reflects the news outlined by prejudgments and prejudice and often not doing justice to the athletes' accomplishments, making invisible and biased information about soccer played by women. Also, we noticed, at time, Globoesporte.com “misses the mark”, not corresponding to the readers’ expectations, who claim for more information on female soccer. We concluded that the deconstruction near women in soccer should be made through parallel medias, as well as the social networks, which are in the present an important tool to disseminate information and through female and male users have more freedom of communication and expression. Furthermore, female and male researchers should mobilize themselves for beyond the academic environment, seeking to debate their researches with society, raising awareness in more people around them.