The Football Association

The accurate assessment of extreme flood events and their associated losses requires massive sample sizes (e.g., 50,000+ years of weather data) for statistical robustness and a comprehensive coverage of event characteristics. Generating such a large dataset using dynamical Earth System Models would be extremely computationally intensive, so instead, we propose a lightweight and computationally efficient climate emulator built upon a video diffusion architecture. The model is trained to reproduce the statistical properties and physical dynamics of the Community Earth System Model version 2 (CESM2) over Europe. It operates autoregressively to generate synthetic, multivariate, daily atmospheric data (including temperature, specific humidity, wind vectors, and surface pressure) at ~100 km resolution. The model utilizes a U-Net architecture that is conditioned on previous time-steps to produce and evolve weather patterns with spatial and temporal consistency. To enhance the stability of long-term generation and improve the faithful reproduction of extremes, we employ a seasonality-aware standardization scheme, training the model to learn the dynamics in anomaly space rather than physical space.We demonstrate that this approach successfully reproduces the complex spatiotemporal dependencies within CESM2, captures atmospheric dynamics, including the frequency and persistence of dominant circulation types, and can maintain stability over multi-decadal generation windows. Furthermore, the output of this emulator can be fed into existing downscaling models to produce higher resolution multivariate meteorological data fields to drive downstream impact models. We validate this full modeling chain by demonstrating that the resulting hydrological statistics exhibit physical characteristics consistent with the CESM2-driven benchmark.This computationally efficient generative model offers a pathway to generating thousands of years of physically consistent flood events.

The claim that sports-related injuries can be prevented faces almost no objection. However, we continue struggling to reproduce preventive effects observed in efficacy trials while implementing preventive measures in sports settings. The artificial conditions created in trials allow researchers to control individual behaviour and tackle the influence of contextual factors to maximise the effect sizes. Still, the preventive effect is conditioned to change behaviour in naturalistic conditions. Athletes should adopt and sustain behaviours of interest; otherwise, the preventive effect will be diluted. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of considering behaviour in sports injury prevention research, but guidance on better integrating behavioural sciences into the field still needs to be provided. The present article proposes a framework outlining different types of evidence needed to foster the integration of behavioural sciences into sports injury prevention. After a brief introduction, we describe the framework and present examples of research questions covered by their component paths. Finally, we present a hypothetical application of the scheme using the adoption of FIFA 11 + as the preventive behaviour of interest.

Hypertension and dyslipidemia are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide. Exercise training is widely recommended as a first-line non-pharmacological intervention; however, the comparative effectiveness of aerobic training, resistance training, and combined training on blood pressure and lipid profiles remains unclear. This paper reviews recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses from 2010–2025 examining the effects of these exercise modalities. In addition, a proposed 12-week randomized controlled trial is outlined to further investigate their comparative impacts. Evidence indicates that aerobic exercise significantly reduces systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), while resistance training produces smaller but still meaningful reductions. Combined training programs consistently demonstrate the greatest improvements in cardiovascular risk markers. Lipid profile improvements are generally modest but favorable, with aerobic and combined exercise reducing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol, whereas resistance training primarily improves HDL levels. Overall, the findings support incorporating both aerobic and resistance exercise into lifestyle interventions for individuals with hypertension or dyslipidemia. Future large-scale trials are needed to refine optimal exercise prescriptions and examine long-term adherence and health outcomes.

Strength training is essential to modern methods for enhancing performance, but several scientific and practical issues remain unclear. Progress in this area requires a better understanding of how strength and power adaptations affect the physiological, biomechanical, and psychological factors that support athletic performance. Improvements in force output, movement speed, and rate of force development are crucial for winning, yet the mechanisms behind these changes and how they interact with training variables need more research. This Research Topic brings together contributions that address these gaps by examining acute and chronic effects of strength and resistance training, analysing technical and neuromuscular determinants of performance, and highlighting the role of psychological and perceptual factors.A first group of studies in this collection highlights the significance of psychological

Concurrent training (CT)-the integration of strength and endurance exercises within the same session or cycle-is widely implemented in team sports. However, its optimal configuration and the conditions under which the so-called "interference effect" occurs remain subjects of debate. This narrative review critically examines the factors influencing CT efficacy in team sports, emphasizing the roles of training sequence, inter-session recovery, the endurance-training modality, and athletes' strength levels. Thirteen experimental studies involving male and female athletes from various team sports and competitive levels were analyzed. The evidence suggests that CT may effectively enhance both strength and endurance capacities when properly structured. Performing strength training before endurance training, or separating sessions by at least six hours, appears to minimize neuromuscular fatigue and preserve positive performance adaptations. Conversely, high volumes of endurance training or insufficient recovery periods tend to intensify the interference effects, particularly in speed- and power-related outcomes, which are often more pronounced in top-level athletes. Overall, CT may be a viable strategy for optimizing multiple physical qualities in team-sport environments, provided that its variables are carefully and systematically manipulated. This review also highlights the need for long-term interventions and female-specific studies to refine current practices and strengthen the evidence base in applied high-performance settings.

This review examines growth-related injuries in children and youth football players, emphasising the importance of a biopsychosocial approach to injury prevention and rehabilitation. It highlights the physiological differences between young and adult athletes, outlines specific injury types associated with growth phases, and explores key rehabilitation factors, including nutrition, sleep, and mental well-being.

The objective of this study is to determine the total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) of male English Premier League (EPL) players during one-game-per-week (1GW) and two-game-per-week (2GW) microcycles, thereby informing carbohydrate (CHO) guidelines aligned to the increasing physical demands of the game. Nine male players from an EPL club were assessed over a 15-day in-season period, including a 1GW followed by a 2GW. Measurements included TDEE (doubly labeled water (DLW)), energy intake (EI) (remote food photography method (RFPM)), and external physical loading. Accumulative training and match duration was greater during 1GW (335 ± 22 min) compared with 2GW (307 ± 32 min, P = 0.013), whereas average speed was higher in 2GW (73 ± 7 m·min -1 ) versus 1GW (63 ± 4 m·min -1 , P = 0.012). No differences were observed in accumulative total (25552 ± 3502 m vs 26360 ± 5462 m), high-speed running (1744 ± 536 vs 1705 ± 752 m) and sprint distances (372 ± 150 vs 324 ± 252 m) between 1GW and 2GW (all P < 0.05). Mean TDEE was 3551 ± 507 kcal·d -1 , with no difference between 1GW (3554 ± 963 kcal·d -1 ) and 2GW (3467 ± 821 kcal·d -1 , P = 0.781). Self-reported EI using RFPM (2975 ± 292 kcal·d -1 ) underestimated DLW-derived EI estimates (3663 ± 665 kcal·d -1 ) by 724 ± 722 kcal·d -1 (18% error, P = 0.026). TDEE in male EPL soccer players does not differ between 1GW and 2GW microcycles, likely because of the comparable external loads. Data provide further evidence that daily CHO intakes should likely range from 4 to 6 g·kg -1 on training days, increasing to 6 to 8 g·kg -1 for match day preparation, match day, and recovery.

Fink, B, Zabaloy, S, Loturco, I, and González, JG. Linear sprint and vertical jump performance in female rugby union players: An exploratory analysis across age groups and playing positions. J Strength Cond Res 40(1): 118-126, 2026-This study aimed to (a) determine the distance needed to reach maximum velocity (Vmax) in female rugby union players during a 50-m linear sprint, considering age categories (i.e., under-14 [U14], under-16 [U16], under-18 [U18], and Seniors) and playing positions (i.e., forwards and backs); (b) examine differences in linear sprint performance and countermovement jump (CMJ) height across age categories and playing positions; and (c) explore the associations between sprint times, Vmax, and CMJ height, using players' body mass as a covariate. Eighty-five female rugby players (U14: n = 22; 13.45 ± 1.06 years, U16: n = 23; 15.39 ± 0.78 years, U18: n = 21; 16.19 ± 0.68 years, Seniors: n = 20; 24.35 ± 5.16 years) volunteered to participate in the study. Subjects completed a 50-m linear sprint and CMJ test on the same day. Results showed that younger players (i.e., U14, U16, U18) reached Vmax at 15-20 m whereas Seniors did so at 20-25 m. Backs showed a higher Vmax than forwards in U14, U16, and Senior categories (p < 0.05; effect size [ES] > 0.85), and greater CMJ height in U14 (p = 0.028; ES = -1.01). Likewise, lower sprint times (from 5 to 20 m) and higher CMJ height were observed in Senior compared with their younger counterparts (p < 0.05). Similarly, Senior forwards showed lower sprint times (from 20 to 50 m) and higher CMJ height than U14 players (p < 0.05; r: small to moderate). Regarding associations, CMJ height was significantly related to all sprint measures (p < 0.05). In conclusion, younger female rugby players require shorter distances to reach Vmax than Seniors, and these results emphasize the importance of assessing vertical jump and sprint performance, given the associations observed across all measures.

Studies to date have under-represented cardiac characteristics of para athletes, despite their unique cardiovascular physiology and risks. This study examined the cardiac electrical and structural characteristics and outcomes of pre-participation cardiac screening in elite para-football players. Between 2011 and 2024, 156 consecutive para-football players underwent pre-participation evaluation comprising a health questionnaire, 12-lead ECG and echocardiogram. Players with symptoms or abnormal preliminary investigations were evaluated further, including exercise testing and cardiac MRI. Findings were compared with 1000 consecutive sex-matched and ethnicity-matched non-para-football players. Mean follow-up was 4.7±3.1 years. The mean age of para-football players was 21.2±5.2 years. The majority were male (71.2%) and white ethnicity (84%), followed by mixed-race (7.1%), Asian (4.5%) and Afro-Caribbean (3.8%) ethnicity. Para-football players reported cardiac symptoms more frequently and required more follow-up than non-para players (14.7% vs 6.6%; p=0.001). Para players demonstrated less sinus bradycardia (35.3% vs 44.5%; p=0.037) and a similar prevalence of abnormal T-wave inversion (1.9% vs 3.0%; p=0.622). A short PR interval was observed in 4.5% of para players compared with 0.5% of non-para players (p<0.001), although QTc intervals were similar between the two groups (402±24 ms vs 399±19 ms; p=0.138). Four (2.6%) para-football players received diagnoses associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD) versus three (0.3%) non-para players (p=0.005). Six (3.8%) para-football players were diagnosed with minor cardiovascular conditions versus 1.8% non-para players (p=0.17). In total, 10 (6.4%) para-football players were diagnosed with cardiac pathology versus 21 (2.1%) non-para-football players (p=0.005), all of whom required management or were kept under surveillance. No SCD events occurred over 4.7±3.1 years of follow-up in para-football players. In this study, para-football players were three times more likely to be diagnosed with a cardiac condition requiring management and/or surveillance compared with non-para players. Moreover, para-football players had a higher prevalence of serious cardiac disease associated with SCD. Cardiac screening inclusive of ECG is warranted in this growing cohort of athletes.

Female, woman and/or girl athletes’ sport participation rates are rising and associated with high injury rates and burden. Using best-practice consensus methodology, we developed recommendations to guide injury prevention for female/woman/girl athletes. The Female/woman/girl Athlete Injury pRevention (FAIR) International Olympic Committee Consensus meeting was held from 31 March to 2 April 2025 (Lausanne, Switzerland).The FAIR Consensus followed an eight-step hybrid method. 109 authors from six continents conducted: (1) systematic reviews synthesising evidence on injury prevention strategies and modifiable risk factors for lower-extremity and upper-extremity injuries, concussions and spine/chest/abdominal/pelvic injuries/pain, (2) a scoping review synthesising dissemination and implementation (D&I) approaches; and (3) a concept mapping project generating knowledge on gender/sex-related factors for injury prevention. These projects underpinned draft recommendations subsequently voted on by a steering committee (n=24) and an external advisory committee chair over two anonymous survey rounds. Recommendations, Round 1 voting results and suggestions/dissenting comments were discussed between Round 1 and 2 voting. Consensus was defined as ‘critical to include’ (≥70% scored recommendation as 7–9 (9-point Likert scale, 1=not important; 9=critically important) AND ≤15% scored recommendation as 1–3).The 56 FAIR recommendations address: primary injury prevention (n=16) (policy/rules/laws=6; personal protective equipment=8; training=2); secondary injury prevention (n=4); modifiable risk factors (n=12); approaches to D&I (n=14); and promoting gender/sex-supportive environments (n=10).The FAIR Consensus informs evidence-based best practices and policy for injury prevention, approaches to implementation and creation of supportive environments for female/woman/girl athletes. Every person at all levels of sport can, and should, take responsibility for actions that positively influence female/woman/girl athlete health and safety.