It is estimated that 50-80% of the American public uses the Internet to obtain medical and health information. A single Google search using the term "soccer" returns nearly 850 million sites. Combining soccer with terms like nutrition, training or injury returns more than 10-20 million sites. While many of these sites are duplicates and news articles, it is clear that there is a tremendous

Over the past years, the SSO has posted several articles about neuromuscular training programs designed to reduce the risk of injury. We have been especially concerned about preventing non-contact injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in female players. An ACL tear can be personally devastating to the athlete and result in significant financial costs.

Talent identification in youth soccer is an ongoing debate among the coaching community. What characteristics separate those players who will succeed at the next level from those who will struggle? Factors such as physical size, speed, fitness and technical ability are all important attributes of success.

A sound nutritional strategy is a critical component of any athletes training program. Unfortunately, this is one aspect of a player's game that is often overlooked. Over the years, research has examined the diets of both youth and professional male players (Click here for a recent SSO article). However, very few studies have focused on female athletes.

There is little argument that peak performance in soccer requires a high level of fitness. Soccer fitness includes a variety of components from cardiovascular fitness, strength, power and agility. How to best improve these components is a question that is debated among coaches and trainers. On the Science of Soccer Online, we have discussed the value of strength training (weight lifting),

There is little argument that peak performance in soccer requires a high level of fitness. Soccer fitness includes a variety of components from cardiovascular fitness, strength, power and agility. How to best improve these components is a question that is debated among coaches and trainers. On the Science of Soccer Online, we have discussed the value of strength training (weight lifting),

As mentioned earlier on this site, hamstring injuries are one of the most common injuries in soccer. Research says that they account for about 1 in 7 injuries. Depending on the severity of the injury, recovery from a hamstring pull can take from a few days to several months. The re-injury rate is also high with about 25% of players suffering a recurrent injury.

High-speed running is an integral part of a soccer match. As such, a player's sprint speed is considered as critical to success. Players are often tested and short sprint times are recorded. Team and positional selections may then be made by picking the fastest players. However, it is not clear how raw sprint speed translates to sprinting during a match.

In the 2006 book Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Ron Weasly was struggling with low self-confidence. Harry then pretends to give Ron felix felicis, a potion that makes one lucky. Believing that he has taken in a dose of liquid luck, Ron performs brilliantly in the day's Quidditch match. This is a classic example of a placebo effect, an improvement in performance due to expectations or

Pomegranates have been described as the new "super fruit". Their juice contains high levels of polyphenols, which have powerful antioxidant effects. It is also high in vitamins A, C and E, high in folic acid and potassium. Drinking pomegranate juice has been linked to several health benefits including reduced risk of cancer, lowered blood pressure and improved blood cholesterol.

As the fall approaches, players begin preparing for the upcoming soccer season. Pre-season training is a time to develop fitness, fine-tune technical skills and improve tactical abilities. It can be a physically demanding time of the player's year. Unfortunately, it is also a time where injuries can be a problem.

There is little doubt that a 90-minute soccer match takes its toll in the players. As the match progresses, fatigue sets in and performance suffers. The number of sprints and amount of running declines and technical abilities may fall off. Performance during any voluntary effort, be it running, sprinting or a strength test involves two physiological components.

Playing a quality long ball is an important piece of the soccer performance puzzle. Goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders routinely take free kicks and play direct balls where considerable distance on the kick is needed. Add to that, the need for attackers to strike high-speed shots and it is easy to see that kicking velocity and distance are critical to success.

The Science of Soccer Online is excited to announce the release of The SCIENCE Behind Soccer Nutrition: Diet and Training Journal. The SCIENCE Behind Soccer Nutrition, released a few months ago, was written to give players and coaches the "whys" about diet and performance and to provide a broad set of guidelines for eating a solid diet.

The energy demands of training and match play can be tremendous. Running, sprinting, cutting, turning, and jumping all add to the energy cost of soccer. In fact, studies show that a soccer match requires more total energy than almost any other sport. At the Science of Soccer Online, we have stressed the need for players to eat a solid diet.