Psychological skills are essential for athletes, as they directly influence their performance in dealing with stressors such as fear, pain, lack of confidence, and uncertainties during competitions and training. This study investigates the psychological skills of federated football players and how experience in district competitions can influence these skills. Using a cross-sectional, descriptive, and exploratory research method, this study applied the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory (ACSI-28BR) to 17 football players and subsequently compared the difference in these skills between experienced and inexperienced athlete groups. The results revealed higher scores in "Confidence/Motivation" and "Performance under Pressure", with significant differences in "Goals/Mental Preparation" between beginner and experienced players. Beginner players showed greater ability in "Dealing with Adversities", while experienced players excelled in "Performance under Pressure". The comparison be-tween G1 and G2 across the ACSI-28 subscales showed that while most subscales did not present significant differences (M = 5.14-8.85, t(16) = 0.31-1.28, p=0.21-0.75, Delta =-15.26% to 16.89%), a significant difference was observed in "Goals/Mental Preparation" (M = 5.85-7.63, t(16) = 2.28, p=0.03, Delta =-23.31%). The significant improvement in "Goals/Mental Preparation" highlights a distinct advantage for G1 in that psychological ability. These findings highlight the importance of developing personalized psychological training to en-hance coping skills and overall athlete performance.
Football has historically been a space for reproducing heteronormative norms, making it difficult for dissident bodies to be included in the sport. In this context, gay football teams and competitions emerge as forms of resistance and the creation of new spaces of belonging for the LGBTQIAPN+ population. This study aims to map the groups, competitions, and spaces where gay football is practiced in Brazil, offering a cartography of the territorial dynamics of this sporting practice. The research follows a qualitative approach and uses documentary analysis of regulations, social media, and journalistic coverage. The results indicate that gay football in Brazil is primarily structured in large urban centers, with a significant concentration in the South and Southeast regions, reflecting regional inequalities in inclusive sports practices. Additionally, digital analyses reveal that teams use social media to strengthen their collective identity and challenge traditional football norms. Although media coverage is increasing, the topic remains marginalized, mostly restricted to specific events. It is concluded that gay football is an expanding phenomenon but faces challenges related to institutionalization, funding, and visibility. This study reinforces the importance of social cartography as a tool for understanding the territorialization of dissident sports practices and for supporting policies that expand access to sports for the LGBTQIAPN+ population.
Introduction: Women's football has gained significant popularity but continues to need help with the availability of statistical data compared to men's football. As the primary objective on the field, goals need more detailed studies in the context of women's football. This study aimed to conduct a quantitative analysis of goals scored during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Materials and Methods: 163 goals from 64 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup matches were analyzed. The analysis included goals scored for and against and those scored in extra time. Data were segmented by game time, players' tactical positions, physical means of scoring, and field location. Results: Most goals were scored in the final minutes of the matches, especially during the group stage (19.84%). Open-play goals dominated (70.16% in the group stage), with forwards being the primary goal scorers. In terms of location, the majority of goals were scored within the penalty box. Conclusion: During the group stage, goals tended to be scored in the final minutes, while in the round of 16 and quarter-finals, most goals occurred in the first half. In the tournament's final stages, goals were scored at varying times without a consistent temporal pattern. Most goals resulted from open play, with forwards being the key contributors. Regarding location, most goals were scored inside the penalty box, followed by the goal area, with long-range goals being less frequent.
Introduction: The study on the effect of relative age is important for professionals in Physical Education, aiming to develop strategies that minimize inequalities in the formative process of players. Objectives: To analyze the presence and influence of relative age in the selection of players and the classification of teams in the Sao Paulo Junior Football Cup in the years 2019 and 2020. Materials and Methods: A total of 128 teams in 2019 and 127 teams in 2020 were analyzed, comprising 6,984 players (with an average of 25 per team in 2019 and 29 in 2020). The athletes' birth data, available from specialized websites (www.zerozero.pt) and (www.ogol.com.br), were organized into spreadsheets by birth quartiles (Q1 to Q4) and compared between classified and eliminated teams. Results: A predominance of players born in the first half of the year was observed among the teams participating in both editions of the tournament. In 2019, 87,50% of the teams exhibited this characteristic, while 9,38% had a higher proportion of players born in the second half of the year. In 2020, these figures were 90,55% and 7,87%, respectively. Discussion: In line with other studies, the presence of the relative age effect was confirmed during the analyzed seasons. However, this factor did not prove to be decisive for the success of teams in the competition. Conclusion: Relative age was significant in the selection of players for the Sao Paulo Junior Football Cup, with a higher selection of athletes born in the first half of the year. However, this effect did not directly influence the teams' performance in the later stages of the tournament.
In recent years, football has strengthened as a relevant economic activity in the world as well as in Mozambique. However, even moving a large amount of resources, football clubs are often not efficient from an economic and financial point of view. Thus, this research analyzes the adequacy of the UEFA FFP criteria in Mozambican football clubs competing in the first league (Mozambique). The research is exploratory, with a quantitative approach where data from 10 clubs that participated consecutively in the first football league between 2018 and 2022 were analyzed. In the theoretical review, it was evident that the main focus of the FFP is to ensure the financial sustainability of football by preventing financial doping. The results showed that clubs do not disclose their activity and financial reports in a transparent manner. In the criterion of financial stability, they present a revenue deficit, since these are lower than the relevant expenditure. Finally, the ratio of the cost of flocking is above 90% set by the FFP. However, it can be understood that football management in Mozambique requires the implementation and monitoring of instruments that stimulate the development and economic stability of clubs, prioritizing investment in long-term projects, for example youth development and construction of infrastructures and sports academies. This study contributes to the literature on the licensing criteria of clubs participating in professional competitions, suggesting a review and adaptation of the instrument used by licensing bodies in the Mozambican context.
The aim of this study is to examine the impact of blocked shots on match outcomes in football matches. In the 2023-24 season, the total number of shots, blocked shots, and blocked shot ratios of winning (WT) and losing (LT) teams in the top-tier football leagues of Germany, England, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Argentina, and Brazil were compared and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings indicate that LT generally had higher blocked shot percentages (BS%) compared to winning teams, while their average number of blocked shots (BS) was lower. The differences in BS% were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05) in the leagues of Germany, England, Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Argentina, whereas no significant difference was observed in the Brazilian league (P=0.69). Regarding BS averages, a statistically significant difference was found only in the Argentine league. Additionally, winning teams were generally found to have a higher total number of shots. This study is the first to evaluate the blocked shot parameter in football in the context of winning and losing from an offensive perspective. It is suggested that teams with lower BS% ratios may have more strategic shot selections, allowing them to bypass defensive blocks more effectively. In this context, blocked shots are not only an indicator of defensive success but also a reflection of the attacking team's deficiencies in positioning and shot quality. Previous literature has primarily considered blocked shots as a result of defensive success. However, this study is the first to reveal that the shots of winning teams were less frequently blocked by losing teams. It is suggested that attacking teams should develop more effective passing organizations and fast passing combinations to minimize the success of the opposing defense in blocking shots.
Competitions in training stages replicate the formats and systems of professional sports, as well as the negative consequences. Youth sports programs must include adequate planning for personal development and the promotion of values in their objectives, considering the age, sociocultural context, and characteristics of the young athletes to whom they are directed. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a fair play score and classification valued by the team, rivals, and parents/guardians on a scale of 0 to 1, resulting in an average that was the final team's fair play score, with an extra point given for a white card (positive attitudes) or subtracting it (negative attitudes) shown by the referee during the match. A quasi-experimental A-B design was used to determine the impact of the rule (official rules and modified rules), and their Sport Questionnaire) both before and after the development of young players.
During the warm-up of a futsal game, athletes perform a series of exercises, including kicking, without having a reference for the appropriate volume of high-power kicks. How does the volume of high-power kicks during the warm-up affect the physiological fatigue of futsal players and their ability to execute effective kicks throughout the match? This study aimed to investigate the impact of the volume of high-power kicks during the warm-up on the physiological fatigue of amateur and professional players in the city of Lages-SC. The research is characterized as applied, with an experimental technical procedure. For data collection, the Doppler speed measurement test of a football was performed on 10 athletes (5 professionals and 5 amateurs). The data analysis methodology will be both quantitative and qualitative. The results of this study indicate that warming up with a high volume of kicks can be a predominant factor in fatigue of kick power during a futsal match, both for professional and amateur athletes, with the warm-up excluding kicks that do not contribute to an increase in kick power. This study represents an opportunity to contribute to a still under-researched area, as well as to highlight the importance of exploring and developing new warm-up methods that can optimize athletes' performance, both professional and amateur.
This study analyzed the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of futsal goalkeepers in specific training sessions. This qualitative, cross-sectional, and descriptive research was conducted with three professional goalkeepers in Lages-SC. Data collection involved questionnaires and the CR10 Borg scale, completed by athletes and their coach after each training session. Results showed discrepancies between the coach's intended intensity and the goalkeepers' perceived exertion, with goalkeeper 1 showing 58% agreement, goalkeeper 2, 41%, and goalkeeper 3, 40%. Factors such as experience, age, and injury history influenced individual effort perception. The study highlights the importance of monitoring RPE to adjust training loads, respecting the athletes' biological individuality. It concludes that RPE is a relevant tool but should be supplemented with other monitoring methods to optimize goalkeepers' physical preparation.
This paper examined the origin of sportswashing with special focus on the forms and impact associated with it. It equally looked at the ways sportswashing is impacting civic space as a result of the changing dynamics. Data were collected and analysed from both governmental and non-governmental sources. Information from journals, book chapters and online newspapers were consulted during the course of this research work. The key findings of this paper reveals the unprecedented pace sportswashing has taken since the dawn of a new millennium and the potentials of it spreading. Therefore, both authors have recommended as a matter of urgency, the need for sporting bodies to take pragmatic steps such as incorporating human rights and climate change and environmental policies to their framework for accepting a country, corporate entities and individuals as a host, sponsors, partners and funders of any sports events.
Introduction and Objective: Women compete in various sports, and the assessment of quality of life during training and competition is rarely studied in the literature. The objective of this study was to assess socioeconomic, anthropometric, and body composition characteristics and compare the quality of life of female players between training and competition periods. Materials and Methods: This observational, prospective study was conducted between April 2023 and September 2024 with two women's futsal teams. Anthropometric, sociodemographic, and economic characteristics, anthropometric and body composition measurements, training frequency, and an Athlete Quality of Life Questionnaire were collected. Results: Eighteen female players were evaluated, aged 30.4 +/- 7.6 years, 55.6% with completed higher education, social class B (61.1%), 12.2 +/- 7.1 years of training time and 10.7 +/- 8.1 years of competition, weight of 81.3 kg, height of 1.65 m, Body Mass Index of 30.0 kg/m2, 26.0% body fat, 18.5 kg of fat mass and 49.6 kg of lean mass. The players presented scores of 3.1 and 2.4 in the dimensions of "Signs and Symptoms of Overtraining" during training and competition, 3.3 and 3.2 in "Basic Health Conditions," 3.8 and 3.3 in "Social Relationships in the Sports Environment," 2.3 and 1.8 in "Athlete's Emotional State," and 2.0 and 2.0 in the dimension of "Sports Training Planning and Periodization." Conclusion: No differences were observed in the dimensions of quality of life between training and competition, nor was there a significant correlation with training frequency.
Introduction: Women's football faces considerable challenges. Musculoskeletal injuries remain common, often caused by exertion, abrupt movements, and physical contact. Muscle and mental fatigue impact performance and increase injury risks, with sprains and ligament ruptures, particularly in the knee, being the most frequent. Objective: To analyze the socio-clinical profile of female football players. Materials and Methods: This observational, cross-sectional, quantitative, and descriptive study was conducted with 10 female athletes. It included sociodemographic questionnaires and evaluation tests such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), specific tests for knee and ankle injuries, and manual muscle tests to assess lower limb strength. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results: The results revealed that the athletes were aged between 18 and 27 years, with an average age of 22.5 years. Most reported a history of injuries, particularly knee sprains and ACL ruptures. These injuries occurred during training and competitions. Recovery periods ranged from two weeks to one and a half years, with 30% of athletes reporting performance changes following injuries. Final Considerations: The results highlight that sport plays a significant role in injury occurrence, emphasizing the importance of preventive programs and risk factor analysis. Identifying and understanding injuries in female athletes are crucial for reducing injury frequency and improving athletic performance.
The objective of this article is to find out the average attendance for the last five seasons of La Liga (Spanish Football League). To this end, editions in which, in some way, the number of fans in the stadium were affected by Covid-19 will be excluded, with the 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons being excluded from the analysis. Regarding methodology, this study is classified as quantitative. It was concluded that there was a fluctuation in the total audience; however, the increase in the total number of spectators between the 2018/19 and 2022/23 seasons was greater than triple the sum of the declines in attendance between the other seasons.
Squat jumps (SJ) and countermovement jumps (CMJ) are widely used in the assessment and training of lower limb muscle strength in futsal athletes and other sports disciplines. Although they share similarities, these jumps have specific characteristics. The objective of this study was to investigate the common variance explained between SJ and CMJ in young futsal athletes at different pubertal stages. The sample consisted of 76 futsal male athletes, aged 9 to 17 years, divided according to pubertal stage (26 pre-pubertal, 25 pubertal, and 25 post-pubertal). The peak height velocity (PHV) calculation was used to assess the pubertal stage. Standardized SJ and CMJ were evaluated. Pearson correlation analysis was used to verify the relationship between the jumps, with a significance level of p <= 0.05. The results revealed strong and significant correlations between SJ and CMJ for prepubertal individuals (r = 0.89; p<0.01; R-2 = 0.79) and post-pubertal individuals (r = 0.60; p <= 0.01; R-2 = 0.36), and a moderate correlation for pubertal individuals (r = 0.35; p=0.09; R-2 = 0.13). These findings demonstrate that the common variance explained between performance in SJ and CMJ is influenced by the pubertal stage in futsal athletes.
This study investigates TL variations in under-17 (U17) and under-19 (U19) sub-elite football players, focusing on the integration of external and internal load measures. Using global positioning systems (GPS) and Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE), the study captured data across 24 training sessions during a six-week preseason. GPS metrics, including total distance, high-speed running, and sprint distance, quantified physical demands, while RPE assessed subjective effort. The study enrolled 26 players (13-U17, 13-U19), comparing TL patterns between age groups and across training days. Results revealed minimal differences in external load between U17 and U19 players, with U19 players showing slightly higher high-speed running and sprint metrics. RPE values were consistent across groups, supporting its reliability in capturing perceived effort. Regression analysis highlighted significant associations between RPE and external load variables, such as average speed and maximum running speed, emphasizing the interplay between objective and subjective measures. A heatmap analysis further demonstrated correlations among TL variables, underscoring the dynamic relationship between physical demands and effort perception. This study fills a gap in TL research for sub-elite youth football, offering insights into optimizing training programs tailored to developmental needs. The findings support the use of combined GPS and RPE metrics for comprehensive TL monitoring, providing a framework for balancing training demands with player well-being.
Objective: The relationship between a football team's possession percentage and its victory has been the subject of numerous studies, with varying findings. The aim of this research is to examine the relationship between ball possession and match outcome in major European football leagues during the 2023-2024 season. Materials and Method: Ball possession percentages, as well as the number of wins, losses, and draws in the English, Spanish, German, and Turkish football leagues, were obtained and compared using the Wyscout statistics database. One-way analysis of variance was applied to normally distributed data, and Tukey post-hoc tests were used for league comparisons. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant for all tests. Results: The research findings showed that teams that won matches had significantly higher ball possession percentages (p=0.001). In league comparisons, except for Turkey, leagues with higher possession percentages also showed significantly higher match win rates (p=0.001). The lowest ball possession percentage among winning teams was observed in the Turkish S & uuml;per Lig (p=0.006). In contrast, the highest ball possession percentage among losing teams was found in the Turkish league (p=0.005). Conclusion: It is known that variations in the correlation between match wins and ball possession percentages across studies depend on seasons, countries, and the football characteristics of the leagues. However, the findings of the present research indicate that, in line with current data, ball possession is a significant predictor of match victory in the leading leagues around the world.
Given this scenario, such professionals need to seek comprehensive training and continuous updates in different areas, aiming at a broad understanding of their profession, with the aim of contributing to the career development of the football athlete. Therefore, the general objective of this study was to analyze the profile, entry and trajectory of football agents responsible for managing the careers of professional athletes. This qualitative, cross-sectional, exploratory and descriptive research had ten football agents as study participants, regularized with the Brazilian Football Confederation and with at least three years of registration. To this end, a semi-structured interview was carried out, in which all ethical precepts were respected. The results indicate that the average age of the agents interviewed is forty years old and the average experience is ten years. All interviewees admit that they had influences when entering the career and had previous experience in other areas of the modality or in other branches before entering the role. Football agents declared academic training in eight degrees and only four interviewees mentioned taking additional training courses in the area. It was understood that there is no single training path to be followed to become a football agent, however, the complementary training carried out and, above all, the experiences experienced throughout the profession, together with the networking acquired, may dictate the professional trajectory. These findings will contribute to understanding the relationships between football agents and professional football athletes and will help others involved and football clubs with career management in the sport, contributing indirectly to the sports field.
This study investigated the development and transformation of sports in Qatar with special focus on the strategies used, impact recorded so far and the challenges that the development has brought. The study was developed using Stern and Ojendal's schools of thought on development: development as a catalyst for state-building strategy and development as an impasse. Data were collected and analysed from journals, government and nongovernmental reports, in addition to online newspapers that were utilised during the course of this research work. The key finding of the study is that sports transformation and development in Qatar is a coin having two sides: one side of the coin is it success and impact while on the other flip is the challenges or harm it is causing. Therefore, both authors have argued there is a need for development to have human face: improving the lives of the most vulnerable. Thus, there is a need for Qatar to address these challenges caused by it huge investments in sports.
High-performance futsal has as its exclusive goal the search for the best result. There are a number of factors that interconnect the management of a team and one of them is the qualification of the professionals that form the body of a team. The organizational climate within an income environment is directly related to the degree of satisfaction and motivation of its participants. Within futsal, it is essential to recognize the climate, to perfect the process of athletic development. This study was conducted through a questionnaire with closed questions and questions, directly athletes of futsal income teams. It is designed as a quantitative survey. According to the expected objectives, we can conclude with this research that the organizational climate influences the performance of athletes and that they have an influential view on aspects of management. In the sample studied the results on the climate are satisfactory and it seems to favor the yield in the training and consequently within the blocks. Motivation, respect, participation, autonomy, and innovation are affirmed as possible to the athletes in their futsal performance, and this promotes an organizational climate that allows personal and professional satisfaction. To conclude, it is recommended that the coach, usually responsible for the success or failure of the teams, promote good environments, with leadership and respect for the hierarchy, but with possibilities of action of all in the transformation of training.
This paper investigates the development and transformation of sport in Morocco with special focus on the strategies used, impacts recorded so far and the challenges confronting the sustainability of sport development and transformation in Morocco. It equally captured what African countries can learn from the Moroccan model. This paper made use of the state led development theory to access the role state government of Morocco has played and continues to play in the development and transformation of the sport sector in Morocco. Data from both government and nongovernmental bodies were collected and analyzed. Journal articles, book chapters, online newspapers, government and nongovernmental websites were consulted during the course of this research work. The key findings of this paper is centered on the role of the star government in driving key development outcomes. Although, irrespective of this and the occasioned impacts, there abound challenges confronting sport development and transformation in Morocco. Therefore, both authors recommended on the need to invest heavily on women football and to diversify the gains of sport development and transformation from football to other sports for a sustainable sport development and transformation.
