Alberto Mendez-Villanueva

• PhD
• Head of Department at Qatar Football Association

Purpose This study investigated how soccer players reach sprint speeds (> 25.2 km⋅h⁻¹) and what that fixed threshold represents to each player regarding their individual match peak speeds registered during competition. Methods Twenty professional players (n = 20) from a team competing in the Brazilian first division were monitored with a global na...

Background: Hamstring strain injuries are one of the most prevalent injuries in football (soccer). We examined the influence of accumulated match-play exposure on the occurrence of hamstring strain injury in professional football from 2 teams (Spanish 1st Division, LaLiga) over 3 seasons, and determined specific cut-off points as indicators of inj...

The presence of inter-limb asymmetries can influence strength performance and represent an injury risk factor for team sport athletes. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of changes in resistance loads using different assessment modalities on the magnitude and the direction of inter-limb asymmetry within the same leg. Fifteen young e...

This study analyzed the effects of two different training programs on functional performance and inter-limb asymmetries in basketball players. Twenty-four elite youth basketball players were randomly assigned to a training program including variable unilateral horizontal movements (VUH, n = 12) or unilateral lateral movements (VUL, n = 12). Eccentr...

Simple Summary Given the link between a prior hamstring injury and the increased risk of suffering a subsequent injury in professional soccer, an understanding of the features displayed by previously injured players is important. The aim of the present study was to investigate if players with a history of hamstring injury exhibit bilateral deficits...

The aim was to investigate the preventive effect of a complex training program based on holistic hamstring health understanding in elite professional soccer players. This study involved an elite club in Europe and was conducted over 12 seasons. The last 2 seasons were the intervention period and the others were the control seasons. During the inter...

ABSTRACT: External workload from matches is considered one of the most important muscle injury risk factors for football teams. However, there is scarce published evidence to support this belief. This study examined whether a particular profile of external match workload existed prior to a muscle injury. A total of 144 professional football players...

An association has been reported between dynamic anterior pelvic tilt (APT) and hamstring injuries; however, no research has examined if a training-based preventive intervention could alter APT. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine if a specific 6-week multimodal intervention, based on the theoretical influence of neighbouring joi...

The primary aim of the present study was to analyze mechanical responses during inertial knee- and hip-dominant hamstring strengthening exercises (flywheel leg-curl and hip-extension in conic-pulley), and the secondary aim was to measure and compare regional muscle use using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Mean power, peak power, mean veloci...

Objectives To investigate the relationship between one eccentric and two isometric tests commonly used to assess hamstring strength in professional soccer. Settings Professional soccer club. Design Cross-sectional study. Participants Twenty male professional soccer players. Main outcome measures Hamstring force was quantified during 3 tests (No...

The purpose of the study was to examine the differences in bilateral deficit (BLD) at different loadings during the half-squat jump (SJ) and horizontal countermovement jump (HCMJ) to determine if there is a relationship with linear sprint or change of direction (COD). The second goal was to check if fast players were more powerful in SJ and HCMJ th...

During COVID-19 home confinement, athletes are likely exposed to some level of detraining (i.e. the partial or complete loss of training-induced morphological and physiological adaptations), as a consequence of insufficient and/or inappropriate training stimuli. Such changes may result in impaired performance and increased injury risk if, upon rest...

In competitive soccer, the organization of the weekly training load (TL) should warrant peak performance in the official match The aim of the study was to review the weekly training load (TL) that players are exposed to during in the competitive period while playing one-match a week. Three electronic databases (Pubmed, SPORTdiscus and ProQuest Cent...

The main aim of this study was to determine the physical demands of different small-sided ball possession games (SSBPGs) according to player field position and compare these demands in relation to the most demanding passages of play (MDP) in competitive matches. Global positioning system data were obtained from 25 football players (20.4 ± 2.1 yrs,...

Purpose: To investigate the optimal pretaper duration on match running performance in a professional soccer team. Methods: The training load was monitored during daily training sessions and matches during 2 seasons according to different periodization strategies. Matches' running distances were collected using match analysis system. The data wer...

Kyprianou, E, Di Salvo, V, Lolli, L, Al Haddad, H, Villanueva, AM, Gregson, W, and Weston, M. To measure peak velocity in soccer, let the players sprint. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2019-Expressing externals loads relative to a player's individual capacities has potential to enhance understanding of dose-response. Peak velocity is an import...

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of a detraining period (DTP) (i.e., off-season) with an individually prescribed training program, and a retraining period (RTP) (i.e., pre-season) combining soccer and flywheel-based strength training on fat-free mass (FFM) and fat-mass (FM) in 10 elite professional male soccer players. The present st...

El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los cambios en la composición corporal, la fuerza y el rendimiento de sprint en respuesta a toda una temporada competitiva de entrenamiento de fútbol complementada con 2 sesiones a la semana de entrenamiento con sobrecarga excéntrica inercial en jóvenes futbolistas profesionales masculinos. Se evaluó la com...

Purpose: Using elite youth soccer players’ maximal sprinting speeds collected from a criterion and non-criterion measure, we demonstrate how expert practitioner opinion can be used to determine measurement validity. Methods: Expert soccer practitioners (n = 50) from around the world were surveyed on issues relating to the measurement of maximal spr...

The present prospective cohort study investigated changes in body composition (BC) in young male football players (n = 18, 16.1 ± 0.8 years; 181.0 ± 0.1 cm; 71.3 ± 4.9 kg) after combined football and strength training (ST) during a whole in-season period (26 weeks). BC was measured at whole-body absolute and regional levels by dual-energy X-ray abs...

OBJECTIVE: To examining the relationship between hip adductor strength and groin injury incidence during the competitive season of professional football teams. DESIGN: Prospective Cohort study. SETTING: Controlled laboratory environment. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-one players volunteered to participate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: In the pre-season, maxi...

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the consequence of implementing a Nordic Hamstring exercise (NHE) protocol during the first 15 to 17 weeks of the season to assess the effect on sprinting and NHE strength (NHEs) in professional football players. The study examined 50 healthy male professional football players (age 18.8±0.8yr; height 176...

Objective: To examining the relationship between hip adductor strength and groin injury incidence during the competitive season of professional football teams. Design: Prospective Cohort study. Setting: Controlled laboratory environment. Participants: Seventy-one players volunteered to participate. Main outcome measures: In the pre-season,...

The aim of this study was to describe the changes in body composition, strength and sprint performance in response to an entire competitive season of football training supplemented with 2 inertial eccentric-overload training sessions a week in young male professional soccer players. Whole body and regional composition (assessed using dual-energy X-...

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the MCT1 (monocarboxylate transporter 1) A1470T polymorphism and positional roles in a large cohort of professional football players from five different countries. We compared genotype distributions of the MCT1 A1470T polymorphism between football players (n=694) and non-athlete contr...

Oliver, GS, Julio, TF, Moras, G, José Luis, AS, and Alberto, MV. A repeated power training enhances fatigue resistance while reducing intraset fluctuations. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-The present study analyzed the effects of adding an upper-body repeated power ability (RPA) training to habitual strength training sessions. Twenty youn...

This study determined the most effective field method for quantifying body fat percentage in male elite youth soccer players and developed prediction equations based on anthropometric variables. Forty-four male elite-standard youth soccer players aged 16.3–18.0 years underwent body fat percentage assessments, including bioelectrical impedance analy...

Objective: In soccer players, body fat mass (FM) is commonly estimated by assessment methods such as skinfolds, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The main aim was to cross-validate the 3 field methods for quantifying body fat against a recent model of DXA. Methods: This study involved a group of 18 i...

The aim of this study was to examine the association of perceived respiratory and muscular exertions and associated training load (TL) for monitoring changes in several aerobic fitness and neuromuscular performance parameters during 32 weeks of soccer training in young professional players. Twenty male soccer players (age=20.6±1.8 years, body heigh...

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the match-to-match variability obtained using GPS devices, collected during official games in professional soccer players. Methods: GPS-derived data from nineteen elite soccer players were collected over two consecutive seasons. Time-motion data for players with more than five full-match were analyzed (n=...

This study investigated the effects of successive matches on match-running in elite under-23 soccer players during an international tournament. Match-running data was collected using a semi-automated multi-camera tracking system during an international under-23 tournament from all participating outfield players. Players who played 100% of all group...

Introduction: Given the prevalence of hamstring injuries in football, a rehabilitation program that effectively promotes muscle tissue repair and functional recovery is paramount to minimize reinjury risk and optimize player performance and availability. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the concurrent effectiveness of administering an individ...

The aim of this study was to quantify the seasonal perceived respiratory and muscular training loads (i.e., sRPEres-TL and sRPEmus-TL) completed by elite-oriented young professional soccer players. Twentyfour players (20.3 ± 2.0 years) belonging to the same reserve team of a Spanish La Liga club participated in this study. Only the players that wer...

Purpose: This study analyzed the effects of two different eccentric overload training (EOT) programs, using a rotational conical-pulley, on functional performance in team-sports players. A traditional movement paradigm (i.e., squat) including several sets of one bilateral and vertical movement was compared to a novel paradigm including a different...

The aim of this study was to examine the kinematics and kinetics (force, velocity and acceleration) and blood lactate concentration of the Versapulley (VP) device in comparison with free weight (FW) exercise at a similar external load. Fifteen rugby players randomly performed two training sessions of 6 sets of 6 repetitions with 20 s of recovery in...

The aim of this study was to examine the kinematics and kinetics (force, velocity and acceleration) and blood lactate concentration of the Versapulley (VP) device in comparison with free weight (FW) exercise at a similar external load. Fifteen rugby players randomly performed two training sessions of 6 sets of 6 repetitions with 20 s of recovery in...

The present study examined site-specific hamstring muscles use with functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in elite soccer players during strength training. Thirty-six players were randomized into four groups, each performing either Nordic hamstring, flywheel leg-curl, Russian belt or the hip-extension conic-pulley exercise. The transverse rel...

What is the most recommended alternative method to DXA to assess changes in body fat percentage in elite youth soccer players?

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of unilateral and bilateral resistance training on single-leg power output, between-limb imbalance (BLI), bilateral deficit (BLD), change of direction (COD), linear sprinting and jumping performance in young elite basketball players. Methods: Twenty-two young (U-16 to U-19) male ba...

This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare individual muscle use in exercises aimed at preventing hamstring injuries. Thirty-six professional soccer players were randomized into 4 groups, each performing either Nordic hamstring, flywheel leg curl, Russian belt or conic-pulley exercise. MRIs were performed before and imm...

The aim of this study was to assess the respiratory and muscular sRPEs after official soccer matches over an extended period of time (i. e., two competition seasons) in relation to playing time (>20, 20-45, 45-70 and >70 min groups) and to determine the between-match variability of both scores in young professional soccer players. Forty players bel...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of court size on physiological responses and physical performance of young elite basketball players. Twelve male basketball players (18.6 ± 0.5 years; 88.8 ± 14.5 kg; 192.6 ± 6.5 cm) from an under-19 team performed two small-sided games (matches) with different court areas (28x15 m and 28x9 m;...

Purpose: The aims of this study were to 1) compare the metabolic power demand of straight-line and change of direction (COD) sprints including 45° or 90°-turns, and 2) examine the relation between estimated metabolic demands and muscular activity throughout the 3 phases of COD-sprints. Methods: Twelve highly-trained soccer players performed one...

Estimated energy expenditure of sprints with change of direction-time-adjusted straight-line distances. (PDF)

Change of direction-time-adjusted straight-line distances. (PDF)

Electromyography amplitude (RMS) of Biceps Femoris muscle during sprints with (45° or 90°) one change of direction. (PDF)

Metabolic power/electromyography amplitude (RMS) ratio of sprints with (45° or 90°) or without one change of direction. (PDF)

Electromyography amplitude of Vastus Lateralis muscle during sprints with (45° or 90°) one change of direction. (PDF)

Estimated energy expenditure of sprints with (45° or 90°) or without one change of direction. (PDF)

Sprints performance with (45° or 90°) or without one change of direction. (PDF)

Metabolic power/electromyography amplitude (RMS) ratio during the different phases of sprints with (45° or 90°) one change of direction. (PDF)

The impact of fitness characteristics on tennis performance in adolescent players is not clearly understood. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to test whether physical characteristics are related to players' competitive level (i.e. national youth ranking). A secondary aim was to compare adolescent tennis players by performance level (i.e....

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a low-volume repeated power ability (RPA) training program on repeated-sprint and change of direction (COD) ability and functional jumping performance. Methods: Twenty-two male elite young basketball players (age:16.2 ± 1.2 years; height:190.0 ± 10.0 cm; body mass:82.9 ± 10.1 kg...

The aims of the study were to test: 1) whether the relative age effect (RAE) was prevalent in young (U12-U18) German male tennis players; 2) the potential influence of age and/or skill level on RAE and 3) whether maturity, anthropometric and fitness measures vary according to birth date distribution in elite youth tennis players. For the present st...

The aim of the present study was to assess the reliability, usefulness, validity, age-related differences and responsiveness of a 25- m side-step cutting maneuver test (V-cut test). Fifty young male basketball players performed the V-cut test on 2 occasions separated by 5-7 days to assess test-retest reliability and determine a priori usefulness. T...

Describe the internal training load (ITL) of common training sessions performed during a typical week and to determine the relationships between different indicators of ITL commonly employed in professional football. Session-RPE TL (sRPE-TL) and HR-derived measurements of ITL as Edward's-TL and Stagno training impulses (TRIMPMOD) were used in nine...

The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of the rating of perceived exertion training load for monitoring changes in several aerobic fitness and neuromuscular performance factors during 9 weeks of soccer training in young professional players. Nineteen male soccer players (20.2 ± 1.9 years) belonging to the same reserve team of a Spa...

In this study we assessed the relationship between peak match speed (PMS) and maximal sprinting speed in regard to age and playing positions. Maximal sprinting speed and absolute PMS (PMSAbs) were collected from 180 male youth soccer players (U13 to U17, 15.0 ± 1.2 yrs, 161.5 ± 9.2 cm and 48.3 ± 8.7 kg). The fastest 10-m split over a 40-m sprint wa...

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a neuromuscular training program combining eccentric hamstring muscle strength, plyometrics, and free/resisted sprinting exercises on knee extensor/flexor muscle strength, sprinting performance, and horizontal mechanical properties of sprint running in football (soccer) players. Sixty footba...

The aims of this study were to compare the psycho-physiological stress responses during a real competitive game and a training session in a group of high level young female tennis players. Twelve players were monitored during one match and a training day (i.e. simulated match play). Measurements included salivary cortisol (SC); the revised Competit...

The aim of the present study was to examine, in highly trained young soccer players, the mechanical horizontal determinants of acceleration (Acc) and maximal sprinting speed (MSS). Eighty-six players (14.1 ± 2.4 year) performed a 40-m sprint to assess Acc and MSS. Speed was measured with a 100-Hz radar, and theoretical maximal velocity (V 0), horiz...

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the effects of changes in maximal aerobic (MAS) and sprinting (MSS) speeds and the anaerobic reserve (ASR) on repeated-sprint performance. Two hundred and seventy highly-trained soccer players (14.5 ± 1.6 year) completed three times per season (over 5 years) a maximal incremental running test to approac...

The aims of the current study were to examine the magnitude of between-GPS-models differences in commonly reported running-based measures in football, examine between-units variability, and assess the effect of software updates on these measures. Fifty identical-brand GPS units (15 SPI-proX and 35 SPI-proX2, 15 Hz, GPSports, Canberra, Australia) we...

Abstract The aim of the present study was to compare, in 36 highly trained under-15 soccer players, the respective effects of age, maturity and body dimensions on match running performance. Maximal sprinting (MSS) and aerobic speeds were estimated. Match running performance was analysed with GPS (GPSport, 1 Hz) during 19 international friendly game...

The objectives of this study were to examine the consequences of an acute hamstring injury on performance and mechanical properties of sprint-running at the time of returning to sports and after the subsequent ~2 months of regular soccer training after return. 28 semi-professional male soccer players, 14 with a recent history of unilateral hamstrin...

The ability to sustain brief high-intensity intermittent efforts (HIE) is meant to be a major attribute for performance in team sports. Adding changes of direction to HIE is believed to increase the specificity of training drills with respect to game demands. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of 90[degree sign]-changes of direc...

The present study was conducted to analyze the impact of selected offensive and defensive performance indicators in relation to teams’ success in the 2010 soccer World Cup. The sample used corresponded to 54 matches played in both the group and knockout stage. The game-related statistics gathered were: total shots, shots on goal, shots off goal, %...

Examine the effect of repeated-sprint training vs. combined repeated-sprint and resistance training with superimposed vibrations on repeated-sprint ability (RSA) and lower body power output in male rugby players. Players were divided into two training groups. One group performed repeated-sprint training (RST;n=10) two days a week and the other perf...

To examine the effects of body size on locomotor performance, 807 15-year-old French and 64 Qatari soccer players participated in the present study. They performed a 40-m sprint and an incremental running test to assess maximal sprinting (MSS) and aerobic speeds, respectively. French players were advanced in maturity, taller, heavier, faster and fi...

Carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion may be an interesting approach to avoid significant decrement to the tennis match performance. The aim of the present investigation was to assess the effects of CHO supplementation on tennis match play performance. Twelve young tennis players (18.0 +/- 1.0 years; 176 +/- 3.4cm; 68.0 +/- 2.3kg; body fat: 13.7 +/- 2.4%) w...

Objectives To examine with a parallel group study design the performance and physiological responses to a 14-day off-season ‘live high-train low in the heat’ training camp in elite football players. Methods Seventeen professional Australian Rules Football players participated in outdoor football-specific skills (32±1°C, 11.5 h) and indoor strength...

Purpose: This study describes the physical match demands relative to positional group in male rugby sevens. Methods: Ten highly trained players were investigated during competitive matches (N = 23) using GPS technology, heart rate (HR), and video recording. Results: The relative distance covered by the players throughout the match was 102.3 ±...

Abstract The aim of the study was to examine supramaximal intermittent running performance in highly-trained young soccer players, with regard to age and locomotor profile. Twenty-seven Under 14, 19 U16 and 16 U18 highly-trained soccer players performed an incremental intermittent running test (30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test) to assess supramaxima...

The aim of the present study was to analyze the main determinants of an upper body repeated power ability (RPA) test and to examine its reliability and usefulness. Forty five highly trained male young basketball players performed the RPA test (5 sets of 5 repetitions with 30 seconds of passive recovery within sets) on two sessions separated by 5 to...

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess both short-term reliability and long-term stability of anthropometric and physical performance measures in highly-trained young soccer players in relation to age and maturation. Data were collected on 80 players from an academy (U13-U18, pre- (n = 14), circum- (n = 32) and post- (n = 34) estimated pe...

The aim of this study was to examine the match physical demands and exercise intensity associated with men rugby union refereeing using GPS technology. Ten male rugby union referees (age, 37.1 ± 5.9 years; body mass, 83.7 ± 4.8 kg; height, 175.5 ± 6.2 cm) were analyzed 2-4 times during a total of 30 national level matches. The average total distanc...

Objectives: To examine the usefulness of selected physiological and perceptual measures to monitor fitness, fatigue and running performance during a pre-season, 2-week training camp in eighteen professional Australian Rules Football players (21.9±2.0 years). Design: Observational. Methods: Training load, perceived ratings of wellness (e.g., fa...

Purpose: To examine the effects of several matches per day on running performance and cardiovascular stress in referees during a national Rugby Sevens championship. Methods: Seven referees, who refereed 3 matches/ day, were monitored by GPS during 21 matches. Results: Referees' movement patterns were relatively stable from the 1st to the 2nd m...

The physiological equivalents of power output maintenance and recovery during repeated-sprint exercise (RSE) remain to be fully elucidated. In an attempt to improve our understanding of the determinants of RSE performance we therefore aimed to determine its recovery following exhaustive exercise (which affected intramuscular and neural factors) con...

The aim of this study was to evaluate possible gender differences in match play activity pattern (rally duration (RD), rest time between rallies (RT), effective playing time (EPT), and shots performed during a rally (SR)), and exercise intensity (heart rate (HR); blood lactate (La); and subjective ratings of perceived exertion (RPE)) during nine si...

The physiological equivalents of power output maintenance and recovery during repeated-sprint exercise (RSE) remain to be fully elucidated. In an attempt to improve our understanding of the determinants of RSE performance we therefore aimed to determine its recovery following exhaustive exercise (which affected intramuscular and neural factors) con...