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Background: For adolescent soccer players, good sprinting and jumping abilities are crucial for their athletic performance. The application of plyometric training on boosting explosive strength in adolescent soccer players is contingent upon the maturation phase, which can mediate the training-induced adaptations. Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to explore the maturation effect of plyometric training on the lower limb explosive power of adolescent soccer players, with vertical countermovement jump (CMJ) and 20-m sprint as the main outcome indicators. Methods: An extensive search of the literature was carried out on various databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), covering the time period from the establishment of each database to February 6, 2023. The search was conducted using English keywords such as 'Plyometric,' 'Adolescent,' 'football,' and 'Explosive strength.' This study utilized the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool to conduct a standardized quality evaluation of all the included literature. Additionally, the Review Manager 5.4 software was employed to perform data analysis on all the extracted data. Results: A total of 17 studies involving 681 adolescent soccer players aged 10 to 19 were included. Plyometric training significantly improved CMJ performance across different maturation stages, especially in the post-peak height velocity stage (POST-PHV) [MD = 4.35, 95 % CI (2.11, 6.59), P < 0.01, I2 = 60 %]. The pre-peak height velocity stage (PRE-PHV) showed the next best improvement [MD = 3.00, 95 % CI (1.63, 4.37)], while the middle-peak height velocity stage (MID-PHV) showed the least improvement [MD = 2.79, 95 % CI (1.16, 4.41), P < 0.01, I2 = 49 %]. However, improvements in 20 m sprint ability were only observed in the PRE-PHV [MD = -0.06, 95 % CI (-0.12, 0), P < 0.01, I2 = 0 %] and MID-PHV [MD = -0.18, 95 % CI (-0.27, -0.08), P < 0.01, I2 = 0 %] stages. Conclusion: Plyometric training serves as a potent strategy for boosting the lower limb explosive strength of adolescent soccer players, and the training effect is closely related to the players' biological maturity. Considering biological maturity is a key aspect that this study deems essential for the formulation of effective training programs for these adolescent players.

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BACKGROUND: To identify inter-limb asymmetries through the knee's muscular and lower limb functional performance in young male soccer athletes. METHODS: Twenty male soccer athletes aged 17 to 19 from an under-20 team performed isokinetic tests at 60°/s., 120°/s., 180°/s., and 240°/s. To assess the knee extensors and flexors muscles and functional tests (hop tests and Y-balance test). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the dominant limb (DL) and non-dominant limb (NDL) in the knee extensors and flexors peak torque and hamstrings (H)/quadriceps(Q) conventional ratio. Moreover, no angular velocities observed inter-limb asymmetries seen by values higher than 10% in the isokinetic parameters. However, the H/Q conventional ratio shows borderline values in low angular velocities (60°/s. and 120°/s.). No significant changes were observed in the functional test performance between the DL and NDL. Furthermore, we did not see inter-limb asymmetries in both hop and Y-balance tests. On the contrary, the anterior distance reached was lower than found in the literature, and the composite score of the Y-balance test demonstrated values below the normative (>94%). CONCLUSION: The data demonstrated that soccer athletes have muscular and functional inter-limb symmetry. However, they tend to have knee muscle imbalance in low velocities and dynamic balance deficits that might increase the risk of musculoskeletal injury.

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Currently, research in youth soccer consists of methodological choices that can raise activity volumes and exercise intensity to promote proper training for youth soccer demands. Therefore, the present cluster randomised trial aims to evaluate the effects of the dynamic-ecological approach on the physical performance parameters compared with a traditional one in a group of sub-elite U13 players. Thirty-five male children (age 12.16 ± 0.55 years; weight 45.59 ± 7.15 kg; height 145.5 ± 4.2 cm; BMI 15.8 ± 2.1 kg·m-2) were recruited for this trial from two teams belonging to sub-elite soccer schools and randomly assigned to a dynamic-ecological approach (DEA) or a traditional training (TTG) group. The training program lasted six weeks and consisted of 18 training sessions of 90 min each (3 sessions per week). The sample was evaluated by the standing long jump (SLJ), hop test (HT), 10 m sprint (10 m), 10 × 5 m shuttle run test (SRT), and leg raise test (LR). The DEA group showed significantly higher results in the SLJ (p < 0.001), HT left leg (p < 0.001), 10 m sprint (p < 0.001), and SRT (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the dynamic-ecological approach provides higher performance adaptations. Therefore, this approach can be considered a suitable method to optimise pre-pubertal player training, mainly when no fitness or strength coach is available.

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After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), return to sprint is poorly documented in the literature. In soccer, return to sprint is an essential component of return to play and performance after ACLR. The characteristics of running in soccer are specific (velocity differences, nonlinear, intensity). It is important to address these particularities, such as curvilinear running, acceleration, deceleration, changes of direction, and variations in velocity, in the patient's rehabilitation program. Force, velocity, and acceleration capacities are key elements to sprint performance. Velocity-based training (VBT) has gained much interest in recent years and may have a role to play in optimizing return to play and return to sprint after ACLR. Force, velocity, and acceleration can be assessed using force-velocity-power and acceleration-speed profiles, which should inform rehabilitation. The purpose of this commentary is to describe a velocity-based return to sprint program which can be used during ACLR rehabilitation.

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BACKGROUND: To assess the physiological change of blood fatty acid composite during the seasonal performance of soccer players with omega-6/omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid balanced dietary supplementation. METHODS: This study included 20 healthy and trained male soccer players. During the study, data collection was performed three times (pre-, mid-, post-season). Anthropometric data collection and blood sampling for the assessment of the omega index were performed. The mid- and post-seasonal data were compared with baseline data collected before the starting season (pre-seasonal data). RESULTS: Elevated levels of omega-3, HS-omega, and trans fatty acid were observed in both the mid- and post-seasonal data. During the season, the levels of omega-6/omega-3 and saturated fatty acid decreased, whereas there were no differences in total cholesterol, cholesterol LDL, HDL, BUN/Cr, HbA1c (NGSP), and cystatin C. CONCLUSIONS: n-3 PUFA-enriched dietary supplementation might alter blood omega-3 indices in soccer players during the season.

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The aim of this study was to explore the variations (pre-post) of (i) Anthropometric measures: weight, body mass index, lean and muscle mass, (ii) Physical fitness: countermovement jump (CMJ) and VO2max, (iii) heart rate variability (HRV) (recumbent and sitting): mean RR, RMSSD, NN50 and NN50 %, (iv) Psychomotor Vigilance Task, and v) SART: ACC Go, ACC NoGo and reaction times in semi-professional women soccer players from the second division of the Spanish League. The analysis indicated that lean mass improved after the observation period (p = .05, d = -0.38), while no other significant changes in anthropometric measures were observed. Additionally, CMJ and aerobic power were also improved (p<.01, d>0.50). The RMSSD [recumbent (d = -0.73) and sitting (d = -0.52)] and NN50 [recumbent (d = -0.69) and sitting (d = -0.70)] increased after the period of observation (p < .05). Reaction time also significantly improved after the period of observation [PVT (d = 0.42) and SART (d = -0.89)]. Correlations performed between measures revealed that smaller body mass and body mass index were largely associated with greater NN50 (r < 0.83, p = .001). Additionally, greater CMJ and aerobic fitness were associated with greater HRV [recumbent (r = -51, p = .001) and sitting (r = -0.60, p = .01). The main findings of this study were that there was no relationship between cognitive performance and physical fitness, but HRV was related to body composition and physical fitness during the pre-season in women soccer players.

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Background: Previous studies have attempted to determine if certain risk factors can predict the occurrence of a lateral ankle sprain (LAS) in female soccer players. Unfortunately, there is limited evidence with regard to risk factors associated with an LAS in female soccer players. Purpose: To identify intrinsic risk factors for an LAS among young female soccer players. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Participants were 161 young female soccer players in Japan who were evaluated for LAS risk factors during a preseason medical assessment. The assessment included anthropometric, joint laxity, joint range of motion, muscle flexibility, muscle strength, and balance measurements. Each athlete's history of LASs was also collected. The participants were monitored during a single-yearseason for LASs, as diagnosed by physicians. Results: There were 26 instances of an LAS in 25 players (15.5%) during the season. Injured players were significantly more likely to have sustained a previous ankle sprain (P = .045) and demonstrated significantly worse balance than their peers without an LAS during the double- and single-leg balance tests (P = .008 for both). Athletes with lower hamstring-to-quadriceps muscle strength ratios were also significantly more likely to sustain an LAS (P = .02). Conclusion: Poor balance, a low hamstring-to-quadriceps ratio, and a history of ankle sprains were associated with an increased risk of LASs in young female soccer players in the current study. These findings may be useful for developing a program to prevent LASs in this population.

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Research on the evolution of performance throughout a season in team sports is scarce and mainly focused on men's teams. Our aim in this study was to examine the seasonal variations in relevant indices of physical performance in female football players. Twenty-seven female football players were assessed at week 2 of the season (preseason, PS), week 7 (end of preseason, EP), week 24 (half-season, HS), and week 38 (end of season, ES). Similar to the most common used conditioning tests in football, testing sessions consisted of (1) vertical countermovement jump (CMJ); (2) 20 m running sprint (T20); (3) 25 m side-step cutting maneuver test (V-CUT); and (4) progressive loading test in the full-squat exercise (V1-LOAD). Participants followed their normal football training procedure, which consisted of three weekly training sessions and an official match, without any type of intervention. No significant time effects were observed for CMJ height (p = 0.29) and T20 (p = 0.11) throughout the season. However, significant time effects were found for V-CUT (p = 0.004) and V1-LOAD (p = 0.001). V-CUT performance significantly improved from HS to ES (p = 0.001). Significant increases were observed for V1-LOAD throughout the season: PS-HS (p = 0.009); PS-ES (p < 0.001); EP-ES (p < 0.001); and HS-ES (p = 0.009). These findings suggest that, over the course of the season, female football players experience an enhancement in muscle strength and change of direction ability. However, no discernible improvements were noted in sprinting and jumping capabilities during the same period.

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BACKGROUND: Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common overuse injury, and motor coordination is discussed as a risk factor; however, no reports have examined motor coordination in young soccer players with Osgood-Schlatter disease. This study aimed to investigate the difference in motor coordination between Osgood-Schlatter disease-affected and non-affected soccer players on a junior youth soccer team. METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated 35 young soccer players of 12-15 years of age, who completed a self-administered questionnaire covering general information, injury history, and athletic experience. An inertial measurement unit was attached to the participant's thoracic spine, lumbar spine, pelvis, thigh, and lower leg. The sagittal plane tilt angle of each body segment during squatting was analyzed. The continuous relative phase was calculated using the sagittal plane tilt angle. The mean absolute relative phase and continuous relative phase variabilities were calculated and compared between Osgood-Schlatter disease-affected and non-affected players. FINDINGS: The sagittal plane tilt angle of each body segment during static standing and maximum flexion did not differ between the two groups. However, the Osgood-Schlatter disease group had significantly less continuous relative phase variability between the lumbar spine and pelvis (P < 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.91). The Osgood-Schlatter disease group had significantly fewer participants with other sports experience (P = 0.032, φ = 0.36). INTERPRETATION: Dysfunctional lower trunk and hip muscles may be leading to Osgood-Schlatter disease. It is suggested that a variety of physical activities should be performed in the junior age group to allow players to acquire a variety of movement patterns.

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BACKGROUND: Being in peak physical condition and having specific motor abilities are necessity for every top-level soccer player in order to achieve success in competition. In order to correctly assess soccer players' performance, this research uses laboratory and field measurements, as well as results of competitive performance obtained by direct software measurements of players' movement during the actual soccer game. OBJECTIVE: The main goal of this research is to give insight into the key abilities that soccer players need to have in order to perform in competitive tournaments. Besides training adjustments, this research also gives insight into what variables need to be tracked in order to accurately assess the efficiency and functionality of the players. METHODS: The collected data need to be analyzed using descriptive statistics. Collected data is also used as input for multiple regression models that can predict certain key measurements: total distance covered, percent of effective movements and high index of effective performance movements. RESULTS: Most of the calculated regression models have high predictability level with statistically significant variables. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of regression analysis it can be deduced that motor abilities are important factor in measuring soccer player's competitive performance and team's success in the match.

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We present a case of a 41-year-old male amateur soccer player with no comorbidities, who experienced a rerupture of the Achilles tendon 5 years after his initial end-to-end plasty. To address this, we opted for a full-thickness reconstruction using a graft under the Clearant Process of the Achilles tendon. As an innovative approach, we proposed an alternative fixation technique, employing a Bio Composite Arthrex 9 mm x 35 mm interference screw, placed at the apex of the calcaneus body. For a period of 5 years, the patient underwent regular imaging follow-ups with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and clinical assessments using the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Activity Subscale Score and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Sports Subscale Score. This case highlights the importance of exploring novel fixation methods for Achilles tendon reconstruction, particularly in cases of rerupture. The use of the Bio Composite Arthrex screw, in conjunction with the Clearant Process graft, demonstrated promising results both in imaging and functional outcomes, but more case studies with positive results are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this reconstruction.

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Objective: a) to verify whether body composition and physical fitness should be analyzed by chronological age and/or maturity stage in young Brazilian soccer players and b) to propose reference values for the evaluation of body composition and physical fitness by maturity stage in elite soccer players. Methods: A descriptive-correlational study was carried out in 206 young Brazilian soccer players (11-16 years old). The sample selection was non-probabilistic by convenience. Weight and standing height were evaluated. Body composition (BC) was assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). BC indicators [(percent fat (%F), Fat-free mass (FFM), Fat mass (FM) and Bone mass (BM)] were extracted. For physical fitness (PF), we applied the Flexibility (cm) sit and reach tests, explosive strength tests [Counter Movement Jump CMJ (cm) and horizontal jump HJ (cm)], speed [Speed 10, 20, 30 and 40 m (seconds)] and Yo-Yo endurance level I test. Percentiles were constructed for BC and PF using the LMS method [L (Lambda; skewness), M (Mu; median) and S (Sigma; coefficient of variation)]. Results: The explanatory power between chronological age (CA) with BC was: FM (R2 = 0.03%), FFM (R 2 = 0.66%) and BM (R 2 = 0.62%), while between maturity status (MS) with BC were: FM (R 2 = 0.04%), FFM (R 2 = 0.71%) and BM (R 2 = 0.66). The explanatory power between the CA with the physical fitness tests ranged from: (R 2 = 0.22-0.62%). While between MS with physical fitness the values ranged from: (R 2 = 0.23-0.64%). Percentiles per MS (P3, P5, P10, P15, P25, P50, P75, P85, P90, P95 and P97) were proposed for both BC and PF. Conclusion: The results of the study have shown that the evaluation of BC and PF of young soccer players should be performed by controlling for MS rather than for CA. The inclusion of a non-invasive method to control MS by means of percentiles during puberty may contribute to the development of retention and exclusion of young soccer players, thus, they may have a better chance of achieving sporting success.

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Objectives: : To provide targeted interventions for the prevention of first ankle sprains, this study determined the prevalence of ankle sprains in female adolescent soccer players and analyzed the correlation between the age at the first occurrence of ankle sprain and the age at menarche. Methods: : The study included 131 female participants from three club teams. The mean age was 13.37 ± 0.96 years. A survey was conducted using a questionnaire that requested information regarding the age at which the first ankle sprain occurred, age at menarche, status of ankle problems, extent to which the ankle joint problem affected playing ability, use of medical facilities or other healthcare facilities for the first or recurrent ankle sprains, and methods used to care for their ankle. Results: Ankle sprains most commonly occurred for the first time at 12 years, followed by the ages of 13, 10, and 11 years. About 25% of participants experienced their first ankle sprain at the age of menarche, 20% at 1 year after menarche, and 16% a year before menarche. The incidence of the first ankle sprain was high in the second and fifth years after starting to play soccer. Medical treatment was rarely received for the second or subsequent injury, although 36% had some sequelae. Conclusions: Adolescent female soccer players were not injured early in their soccer careers. Most players experienced their first ankle sprain at the age of 12 years, which was at or close to the age of menarche.

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Groin pain is a common and complex problem in athletes, especially soccer players, associated with a wide variety of possible injuries in numerous anatomical structures. One of the causes of groin pain is damage to the deep muscles of the hip region, with isolated traumatic injury of the obturator externus muscle rarely described and probably underdiagnosed. This report describes a clinical case of a soccer player who presented with acute hip pain and buttock pain resulting from a rapid change of position in load, associated with pain with active hip external rotation and passive internal rotation. MRI demonstrated the presence of subaponeurotic/myo-aponeurotic obturator externus muscle tear. A conservative treatment was decided, targeting pain reduction and progressing range of motion gain and muscle strengthening of the stabilizing muscles of the pelvis and hip, and subsequently, it led to re-athletisation, with soccer-specific exercises. Return to play was 23 days after injury. This case shows that a high level of suspicion is necessary for the correct diagnosis; treatment is generally conservative and the isolated rupture of the external obturator can be considered relatively benign. However, it has the potential to be associated with a long period of absence from training and games.

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Background: Visual attention plays a crucial role in daily living and in sports, affecting an athlete's performance and thus, potentially, the outcome of a match. However, studies assessing the association between the level of sports expertise and visual attention have yielded mixed results. This study was conducted to examine whether visual attention could be developed with increased sports expertise, and whether visual attention differed between male athletes and female athletes. Methods: A total of 128 participants were included in this study: 64 first-level national soccer athletes recruited from college soccer teams (considered elite athletes; 32 men and 32 women with similar soccer performance requirements and training experience), and 64 physical education college students with limited soccer experience (considered novice athletes; 32 men and 32 women with matched soccer experience). To assess visual attention, we used a multiple object tracking (MOT) task with four targets among a total of 10 objects moving at a fixed speed of 10°/s in random directions across a computer monitor screen. Tracking accuracy on the MOT task was calculated for each participant as the proportion of correctly selected targets. A univariate analysis of variance was performed, with group (expert, novice) and sex (male, female) as independent variables, and tracking accuracy on the MOT task as the dependent variable to assess whether sports expertise or sex influenced visual attention. Simple effects tests followed by comparisons with Bonferroni corrections were used, and effect size calculations were performed using Cohen's f statistic. Results: Tracking accuracy on the MOT task was significantly affected by sports expertise (F(1,124) = 91.732, p < 0.001, ηP2 = 0.425), with accuracy among expert soccer athletes superior to that among novice soccer athletes. Moreover, a statistically significant interaction between sports expertise and sex was detected (F(1,124) = 7.046, p = 0.009, η P2= 0.054). Better tracking performance was observed for male soccer players (mean [SD], 0.39 [0.12]) than for female soccer players (mean [SD], 0.27 [0.08]); p < 0.01; d=1.17; r = 0.51) but only in the novice group. No significant sex difference was detected in tracking performance between elite male soccer athletes (mean [SD], 0.51 [0.09]) and elite female soccer athletes (mean [SD], 0.49 [0.11]). Conclusion: These findings confirm previous results indicating that long-term extensive sports training develops visual attention as assessed by MOT performance and extend previous findings to include soccer athletes. The findings of a sex difference in visual attention among novice soccer players but not among elite soccer athletes who had similar performance requirements and training experience suggest that long-term extensive training may minimize the sex difference in visual attention.

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Background: Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is ambiguously thought to be more effective in elite athletes than in sedentary patients, although the possible importance of recipient responsiveness remains poorly understood. To address this issue, along with the well-known PRP quality, in this initial study, we evaluated two candidate biomarkers: body composition indices (BCIs), which reflect systemic physical conditions, and resting platelet ATP levels, which reflect platelet energy expenditure and the mass of energy generation units. Methods: In this cross-sectional cohort study, blood samples were collected from male professional soccer players (PSPs) on a local professional team during the off-season and platelet ATP levels were quantified using an ATP luminescence assay kit. BCIs were measured using the body mass impedance method. Age-matched male sedentary participants were used as the controls. Results: Among the BCIs, the body mass index, basal metabolic rate (BMR), and skeletal muscle weight levels were higher in the PSPs than in the controls. The platelet ATP levels in the PSPs group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The correlation between BMR and platelet ATP levels was moderately negative in the control group, but weakly positive in the PSPs group. Conclusion: Owing to regular physical exercise, PSPs had higher BMR levels and lower platelet ATP levels without a significant mutual correlation compared to sedentary controls. This study did not indicate the influence of these biomarkers on the success of PRP therapy but provided evidence for a better understanding of PRP therapy, particularly for elite athletes.

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Long-term motor skill learning has been shown to impact the functional plasticity of the brain. Athletes, as a unique population, exhibit remarkable adaptive changes in the static properties of their brain networks. However, studying the differences between expert and novice athletes using a dynamic brain network framework can provide a fresh perspective on how motor skill learning affects the functional organization of the brain. In this study, we investigated the dynamic properties of brain networks in expert and novice soccer players at the whole-brain, network, and region-based levels. Our findings revealed that expert soccer players displayed reduced integration and increased segregation at the whole-brain level. As for network level, experts exhibited increased segregation and reduced flexibility in the visual network, enhanced integration between the visual and ventral attention networks, and decreased integration in the subcortical-sensorimotor and subcortical-cerebellar networks. Additionally, specific brain regions within the visual network exhibited greater recruitment in expert soccer players compared to novices at the nodal level. Furthermore, classification analyses demonstrated the critical role played by the visual network in the classification process. In conclusion, our study provides new insights into the dynamic properties of brain networks in expert and novice soccer players, and suggests that reduced integration and increased segregation in the visual network may be neuroimaging marker that distinguish expert soccer players from novices. Our findings may have implications for the training and development of athletes and advance our understanding of how motor skill learning affects brain functional organization.

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Acute rupture of the plantar fascia is a rare but potentially debilitating injury in athletes, particularly those involved in running and jumping sports. Early recognition and prompt treatment are crucial for a successful recovery and return to play. Conservative treatment, including rest, immobilization, and physical therapy, may be effective in most cases, while surgical intervention may be required in those that are nonresponsive to conservative treatment. We report a case of plantar fascia rupture in a 22-year-old male semi-professional football player who presented with sudden severe pain in the sole of his right foot during a match, followed by a popping sensation and inability to weight bear. The athlete was healthy and had no history of previous injury in the right foot. MRI confirmed a complete rupture of the plantar fascia. The player was treated conservatively and underwent a rehabilitation program. The player returned to full competition after nine weeks, with no limitations.

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OBJECTIVES/AIM: Sports-related dental injuries occur frequently among athletes due to inadequate knowledge and prevention measures. The aim of the study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of active soccer players from all leagues in Croatia regarding traumatic dental injuries and the use of mouthguards. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 393 respondents completed a questionnaire-based online survey from March 2022 to April 2022. The questionnaire consisted of 37 questions divided in four sections: demographic characteristics, experience with orofacial injuries, knowledge of emergency therapeutic procedures for dental injuries, and behaviors related to the use of a mouthguard. RESULTS: Insufficient knowledge was confirmed by a total score of 2.8 ± 2.8 points, with a possible maximum of 11. Respondents' better knowledge can be associated with educational level (p = .002), playing position (p = .046), and personally experienced injuries to the face and jaw (p ≤ .001) and teeth (p = .022). Less than 40% of respondents suffered facial and jaw injuries while playing football and 18.6% suffered dental injuries. Although most respondents (93.9%) were familiar with mouthguards and 68.9% believed that they help prevent injuries while playing football, only 16% used them. CONCLUSION: The study revealed significant gaps in knowledge regarding dental injuries and the practice of mouthguard usage among Croatian soccer players. Therefore, it is evident that additional education is needed to prevent dental injuries and take proper procedures when taking care of them among the examined population.

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There is a significant risk of injury in sports and intense competition due to the demanding physical and psychological requirements. Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) are the most prevalent type of injury among professional soccer players and are the leading cause of missed days in the sport. These injuries stem from a combination of factors, making it challenging to pinpoint the most crucial risk factors and their interactions, let alone find effective prevention strategies. Recently, there has been growing recognition of the potential of tools provided by artificial intelligence (AI). However, current studies primarily concentrate on enhancing the performance of complex machine learning models, often overlooking their explanatory capabilities. Consequently, medical teams have difficulty interpreting these models and are hesitant to trust them fully. In light of this, there is an increasing need for advanced injury detection and prediction models that can aid doctors in diagnosing or detecting injuries earlier and with greater accuracy. Accordingly, this study aims to identify the biomarkers of muscle injuries in professional soccer players through biomechanical analysis, employing several ML algorithms such as decision tree (DT) methods, discriminant methods, logistic regression, naive Bayes, support vector machine (SVM), K-nearest neighbor (KNN), ensemble methods, boosted and bagged trees, artificial neural networks (ANNs), and XGBoost. In particular, XGBoost is also used to obtain the most important features. The findings highlight that the variables that most effectively differentiate the groups and could serve as reliable predictors for injury prevention are the maximum muscle strength of the hamstrings and the stiffness of the same muscle. With regard to the 35 techniques employed, a precision of up to 78% was achieved with XGBoost, indicating that by considering scientific evidence, suggestions based on various data sources, and expert opinions, it is possible to attain good precision, thus enhancing the reliability of the results for doctors and trainers. Furthermore, the obtained results strongly align with the existing literature, although further specific studies about this sport are necessary to draw a definitive conclusion.

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