Rafael Franco Soares Oliveira

• PhD
• Professor (Assistant) at Polytechnic Institute of Santarém

This study aimed to: (i) compare accumulated load between three and four training session plus a match weeks across two consecutive seasons in elite female soccer players, and (ii) compare the training/match ratio (TMr) of external load

Introduction: Football and futsal are associated with a high risk of injuries and consequently, the development of mental health problems. Health and wellness programs aimed at reducing the incidence of injuries, but these areas remain insufficiently explored in the literature, therefore, their effectiveness is still uncertain. Objective: This stud...

The year 2023 was marked by the exponential growth of women's soccer on a global scale, the professionalism increased, and current elite players may be exposed to higher training and competitive demands than before, potentially impacting both performance and health (Datson et al., 2014). The quantification of wellness has become a common practice...

The analysis of the period prior to injury is still scarce in soccer. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the loading patterns of high-intensity running and sprint distances during the weekly cycle durations across a five-year period in an elite soccer club. Specifically, to investigate any over-or under-loading in the weeks preceding hamstr...

The analysis of the period prior to injury is still scarce in soccer. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the loading patterns of high-intensity running and sprint distances during the weekly cycle durations across a five-year period in an elite soccer club. Specifically, to investigate any over-or under-loading in the weeks preceding hamstr...

Background and Objectives: Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often exhibit some degree of intolerance to physical exercise and several limitations in daily activities. Therefore, the objective of this study was to conduct a scoping review on the characteristics-frequency, intensity, time, and type (FITT)-and the effects...

The increased vulnerability of family caregivers has been extensively studied(Euro Carees, 2021; Sequeira & Sampaio, 2020),anda focus on self-care has been shown to promote health benefits(Euro Carees, 2021; Sequeira & Sampaio, 2020). One of these is physical ac\vity, which can help maintain a healthy body weight and contribute to improved mental h...

Purpose This study investigated the effects of a 16-week high-speed resistance training (HSRT) program on physical and cognitive function in independent older adults. Methods Seventy-nine participants were assigned to an intervention group (IG, N= 40, 68.50 ± 3.54 years) or a control group (CG, N = 39, 72.08 ± 5.89 years). The IG completed 60–70 m...

The study main aim was to investigate: the relationship between running performances and market values of soccer players playing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, by playing position and all players; the comparisons by playing position; to analyse the relationship between running metrics and market values of the highest and lowest players ranked players....

This study explored the impact of a 16-week high-speed resistance training (HSRT) program on heart rate variability (HRV) indices in independent older adults. The participants were divided into either an intervention group (IG, N = 40) or a control group (CG, N = 39). The IG participated in supervised HSRT sessions three times weekly, comprising 5–...

This study aimed to compare accelerations (ACC) and decelerations (DEC) when in- (IP) and out-of-possession (OP) during official English Premier League (EPL) match-play over three consecutive seasons considering playing position, match location and opponent ranking. Match data from 31 male professional soccer players was obtained via an optical tra...

The aims of the study consisted in comparing accelerations and decelerations of different playing positions between English Premier League (EPL) and Ligue 1 (L1). Fifty-eight male professional soccer players were monitored during all league matches (n = 144) across seasons 2020/21 and 2021/22. The absolute and relative number of accelerations (> +3...

The study aim was to compare the external load during five microcycles (M1-M4 during pre-season and M5 during the in-season) in a female Portuguese first-team soccer team and to describe external load variations between microcycles. Fourteen players participated in the study (age 23.29 ± 3.19 years, weight 59.14 ± 6.87 kg, height 1.66 ± 0.08 m). Ex...

This study aimed to examine the dose-response relationship between training load and aspects of physical fitness in English Premier League (EPL) U23 soccer players. Materials and Methods: Seven male EPL U23 outfield soccer players (age 20.1±1.1 years) participated in this study and performed the Bronco test on five occasions within one season. Indi...

The study aims to compare global positioning systems variables of a first Iranian league team among different match results and the opponent's team level considering the match location. Nineteen wins, three losses, and eight draws, in which 15 matches played at home and 15 away matches against four top-level, six medium-level, and six bottom-level...

The current systematic review aimed to analyse studies on the concurrent validity and reliability of microelectromechanical devices for measuring intense running and peak speed performance. A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, using EBSCO, PubMed, Scielo, S...

Introduction and Objective: Multi-problem families include several risk factors (e.g., mental health and weight issues). Physical exercise could be a strategy to prevent, treat and overcome numerous disorders. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the effects of implementing the Move4Future pilot program, in children and adolescents, on the following v...

Editorial on the Research Topic: Load and wellness monitoring in sports: the relationship between different metrics

Background/Objectives: Correct supervision during the performance of resistance exercises is imperative to the correct execution of these exercises. This study presents a proposal for the use of Morisita–Horn similarity indices in modelling with machine learning methods to identify changes in positional sequence patterns during the biceps-curl weig...

III International Congress (CIEQV) - Book of abstract. (pp. 134). FEscola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Portugal. ISBN: 978-989-35809-5-0

Background: The main objective of the present study was to quantify the external load of the games that belong to a national tournament by comparing playing positions. A secondary objective consisted in comparing the match-to-match variations. Methods: Fourteen players (four links, four middles and six wings) were included (age: 39.36 ± 5.83 years;...

The last years were marked by the exponential growth of women's soccer and current elite players might be exposed to higher training and competitive, possibly having implications for both performance and health. Despite the lack of evidence on the relationship between hormonal fluctuations during MC and changes in performance, research has pointed...

Background: The aging process frequently entails a reduction in muscle strength, attributed to factors such as neural changes resulting in decreased voluntary muscle activation (1). Despite these challenges, it is crucial to implement strategies aimed at enhancing or, at the very least, mitigating these declines associated with aging. Purpose: This...

The Science of Strength and Conditioning for Football summaries the current scientific evidence in the field for the sport. This evidence serves as a rationale for the decisions practitioners make with their football players, to monitor and develop training programs that will help drive improvements in the relevant physical capacities for the game....

Study aim : This experimental study investigated the sequencing effects of a small-sided games (SSG) protocol and highintensity interval training (HIIT) on the physical and physiological performance adaptation of soccer players, conducted over a fourteen-week of the pre-season. Materials and methods : Twenty-three young (aged 14 ±0.1 years) male so...

This study aimed to examine physical match performance and the effects of opponent ranking and positional differences in both the English Championship League (ECL) and the English Premier League (EPL) over five consecutive seasons. Fifty-four professional outfield soccer players (average age 24.6±5.4 years, weight 76.6±6.9 kg, height 1.79±0.09 m) f...

The aims of this study were to: compare training loads between the English Premier League (EPL) and English Championship League (ECL) and examine differences between playing positions. Forty-six 1st team players from the same club participated in the study. GPS metrics were obtained during all EPL and ECL training sessions across four consecutive s...

To identify a relationship between the 1200 m shuttle test and 40 m sprint test performance with distances covered at varying intensities in English Premier League (EPL) matches. A squad (n = 21) of full-time professional 1st team male football players (age 29.8±3.4 years; height 183.7±5.2 cm; weight 83.7±6.9 kg) participated in this study. League...

Innovative approaches in enhancing physical activity and quality of life in the older adults: a scientific perspective Course (XVII Internacional Human Motricity Congress XVII IHMC). (pp. 83 - 84). Universidade de Évora, Portugall. ISBN: 978-972-778-444-8

The study aim was to compare the external load during varying microcycles (M1-M4 during pre-season and M5 during the in-season) in elite female Portuguese soccer players and to describe external load variations between differing Ms. Fourteen first-team players participated in the study (age 23.29 ± 3.19 years, weight 59.14 ± 6.87 kg, height 1.66 ±...

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease that affects patients’ quality of life, leading to reduced physical activity levels. This problem can therefore be attenuated by promoting physical exercise training programs (PETP). The aim of this pilot study was to develop and validate a PETP, “Pessoas com Fibra”, designed to increase physical activity and impr...

Purpose: The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis (SRMA) was to evaluate the effects of additional short sprint training with different intervention training programs (i.e. plyometric training, strength training or multidirectional training) on linear sprint, change of direction speeds (CODS) and jump ability performance in young male s...

This study aimed to examine the influence of different scores in the first and second half on running and explosive-based performance of elite male soccer players. Thirty-three professional players from one English Premier League team participated in the study across two consecutive seasons, 2021/22 and 2022/23. Matches were divided into half (firs...

The study aim was to compare physiological, physical, accumulated wellness and load markers within a European professional soccer team between starters and non-starters. Ten starters (age: 25.1 ± 2.2 years; experience: 7.3 ± 2.3 years) and eight non-starters (age: 26.1 ± 4.6; years' experience: 8.3 ± 4.1 years) participated in the study. The study...

Objective: This study examined the effects of a sixteen-week high-speed resistance training (HSRT) program on heart rate variability (HRV) indexes (time, frequency, and non-linear domains). Methods: Seventy-nine independent older adults were divided into an intervention group (IG) [N=40, age, 68.50±3.54 years; body mass index (BMI), 27.88±4.37 kg/m...

Background There has been an increase in studies examining the demands of soccer relative to each playing position in recent years. Understanding the physical, physiological, and technical demands on soccer players according to their positional role during competitive matches is necessary to understand match requirements and develop position-specif...

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that act to stabilize the human shoulder and allow for its extensive range of motion. This study aimed to compare the immediate effect and durability of mobilization and oscillation dumbbell (OD) training on the Joint Position Sense (JPS) and strength of rotator cuff muscles in young tennis players...

Purpose: Ageing involves diverse changes in physical and cognitive functions. This study explored the impact of a 16-week High-Speed Resistance Training (HSRT) program on physical and cognitive functions of independent older adults. Methods: The clinical trial involved 79 older adults, divided into an intervention group (IG, N=40, 68.50±3.54 years;...

The purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence of the Relative Age Effect (RAE) across an international soccer programme in male and female players aged 12 years old to seniors. One hundred forty-five male (age: 18.8 ± 4.6 years; body mass: 68.1 ± 10.2 kg; body height: 177.3 ± 10.5 cm) and 218 female (age: 15.9 ± 4.6 years; body mass: 66.2...

Background Infrared thermography has emerged as a powerful non-invasive tool with significant applications in the realm of sports science and medicine. This thermal imaging technology provides detailed insights into the skin temperature patterns and asymmetries of athletes, offering valuable data to enhance performance, assess the effectiveness of...

BACKGROUNDː According to the PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review of randomised controlled trials examined whether Panax ginseng supplementation reduces resistance to exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). METHODSː Web of Science, SPORTDiscus and Medline databases were searched from the 16th of December 2021 to the 18th of February 2022. Inclu...

The aim of this study was to compare external match load, according to match outcome, match location, and opponent quality across five competitive seasons. Forty-six professional outfield soccer players from the same English Premier League club across the complete 2018/19 to 2022/23 seasons were involved in the study. For each match, the outcome (w...

he aims of the present study were to: (i) quantify accelerations and decelerations of soccer players during match-play across two consecutive seasons from the English Premier League (EPL) and Ligue 1 (L1); and (ii) compare any positional differences between the two leagues. Fifty-eight male professional soccer players were monitored during all leag...

Training load monitoring has evolved into a requisite practice within both professional and nonprofessional soccer settings. The primary objective of this chapter is to elucidate prevalent practices regarding the manipulation of training load, aiming to optimize intensity throughout a season schedule. In pursuit of these objectives, the chapter exp...

This study examined the effects of a sixteen-week high-speed resistance training (HSRT) on physical function in community-dwelling independent older adults. Seven-ty-four independent older adults (age, 69.17±4.53y; body mass index, 28.10±4.66 kg/m²) voluntarily participated in the study. Participants were divided into two groups, intervention group...

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a widespread problem in athletes who participate in jumping, cutting, and pivoting sports. Forty-four players participated in this study. They were divided into two groups: exercise plus Electro Myo Stimulation (EMS, G1) and exercise without EMS (G2), both with 12 women and 10 men. The exercise consisted of 8 weeks of a...

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a widespread problem in athletes who participate in jumping, cutting, and pivoting sports. Forty-four players participated in this study. They were divided into two groups: exercise plus EMS (G1) and exercise without EMS (G2), both with 12 women and 10 men. The exercise performed was 8 weeks of a high-intensity strength...

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209393.].

The study aimed to identify and explain the typical differences in low-intensity high-volume resistance training (LIHV-RT) performances for major muscle groups between rural versus urban young female students to establish the relevant set of quantitative and qualitative resistance training parameters. The study sample included 46 recreational activ...

Background: Football matches and training sessions can induce metabolic and mechanical stress, leading to inflammation, oxidative stress, and muscle damage, all of which may negatively impact subsequent performance. Montmorency tart cherry, rich in phytochemicals and anthocyanins, is believed to aid in recovery and alleviate muscle soreness. Simila...

Exercise testing and prescription is still a hot topic. It is evidenced by the constant updating of the guidelines for exercise testing and prescription provided by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). While the guidelines describe the most relevant test for general population with or without specific conditions, it also describes Freque...

The aims of this study were to: a) examine the relationships between high-intensity distances covered above generic and relative speed thresholds in English Premier League (EPL) matches across two consecutive seasons and b) analyze the effects of playing position and team possession. Sixteen elite male soccer players (seven defenders, six midfielde...

Dear Fitness and Sport Science Professionals! 🏋️⚽ You are invited to participate in our Global Study on Football Training Monitoring Practices. Your insights are crucial in shaping the future of monitoring training and match loads in football. 🌐 To participate, please click on the following link to access the survey: https://forms.gle/mrmspEDCKfCaU...

The study aimed to examine the impact of high-intensity Small-Sided Games (SSGs) with coaches' verbal encouragement (VE) on soccer players' aerobic performance, mood state, satisfaction and subjective effort. Forty-three semi-professional male soccer players were randomly assigned

The aim of this study was to examine the possession (very low, low, high, and very high), team formation (3-5-2 and 4-3-3) and position (centre-backs, full-backs, centre midfielders, attacking midfielders, and centre forwards) on match load across two consecutive seasons in elite soccer. Twenty-seven English Premier League outfield players were rec...

The aims of this study were to compare weekly variations of training monotony (TM) and training strain (TS) among periods of the season, playing status and playing positions in professional soccer athletes. Nineteen male professional soccer players were monitored daily over a 43-week period for their total distance, sprint distance (>23 km h ⁻¹ ),...

Introduction: The aims of this study were to: a) investigate salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) and cortisol (s-Cort) responses to nine competitive fixtures in starting and non- starting soccer players; and b) compare s-IgA and s-Cort responses of starters and non-starters considering match outcome. Methods: Saliva from 19 male outfield players from...

Background: Non-specifi c chronic low back pain is defi ned as a complex disorder involving structural, biomechanical, cognitive, psychological, social, and lifestyle factors. This randomized clinical trial study compared the effects of 8-week Virtual Reality Training (VRT) and pain neuroscience plus motor control training (PNE/MCT) on pain, disa...

This descriptive study aimed to investigate the current practices of Portuguese and Brazilian soccer coaches in the design and implementation of small-sided games (SSGs) in soccer. A total of 187 male coaches participated in the online survey, consisting of 82 Portuguese and 105 Brazilian individuals. These coaches held various positions within the...

https://m.lidel.pt/pt/catalogo/ciencias-do-desporto/desporto/atividade-fisica-exercicio-e-envelhecimento/

Futsal has been growing exponentially over the years and is currently one of the most widely practiced sports worldwide. It is characterized by its fast and intense nature, involving rapid changes in speed and direction, and a high level of physical contact between opponents. As a result, futsal is one of the sports with the highest incidence of in...

There is a limited body of research concerning the impact of different attentional foci on the performance or retention of fundamental motor skills in young individuals. Additionally, the influence of verbal cues on sprint performance across various surfaces, such as grass and indoor basketball courts, remains understudied. Therefore, the primary o...

Background: While there is ample evidence on the effects of Nordic hamstring training (NHT) on physical fitness in youth athletes, less is known about the effectiveness of different volumes of this type of training. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the effects of 8 weeks of low-volume Nordic hamstring training (LNHT) performed during the wa...

This study aimed to examine the impact of playing position (PP), match location (ML), and opposition standard (OS) on team and individual acceleration (ACC) and deceleration (DEC) efforts. Fifty professional football players were monitored across 24 English Premier Development League matches during the 2020/21 season. High-intensity ACC and DEC thr...

Objectives: To analyze the positional distances covered above generic and individualized speed thresholds within the most demanding phases of match play. Categorized by position, 17 English Premier League players' match data were analyzed over 2 consecutive seasons (2019-20 and 2020-21). The most demanding phases of play were determined using a rol...

Aim: This research design protocol outlines the methodology for a thorough evaluation of workload monitoring and management strategies in football. Methods: The study involves conducting a global survey to fitness coaches, sports scientists, analysts, and physicians with experience in load monitoring within football. The research adheres to the pri...

Background and Objectives: Research on female soccer players that analyzes playing status is scarce and has previously only examined load monitoring, while other markers, such as physical (i.e., strength, power, and agility), physiological (i.e., maximal oxygen uptake), and body composition (i.e., body fat mass, fat-free mass, body water, and phase...

For male soccer players, the anthropometric profile and physical performance is already known but in women it is not well documented, the knowledge of these differences can qualify the training. Therefore, the aim of this study was two-fold: (i) to compare the anthropometric profile and physical fitness of Brazilian professional female and male soc...

This manuscript explores the trend towards research based on data collected from training in Exercise and Sports Sciences. This model promotes a multidisciplinary approach, urging sports science researchers to consider its adoption for practical and tailored solutions. The trend focuses on integrating data from actual training and competitions into...

Sleep is essential for a range of physiological and mental functions in professional athletes. There is proof that athletes may experience lower quality and quantity of sleep. While adequate sleep has been shown to have restorative effects on the immune system and endocrine system, facilitate nervous system recovery and the metabolic cost of wakefu...

The purpose of this study was twofold: (i) to analyze the relationship between motor competence (i.e., a person's ability to be proficient in different gross motor skills) and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), which represents the physiological and psychological responses during training, in young adults, and (ii) to compare RPE between parti...

Background The aims of the study were to: (i) compare accumulated load and wellness between starters and non-starters of a European professional soccer team; (ii) analyze the relationships between wellness and load measures and; (iii) compare training/match ratio (TMr) of external and internal load between starters and non-starters. Methods Ten pl...

Introduction Body composition is an important predictor of performance and a key component of health and physical fitness. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to compare soccer referees of the first and second divisions and field assistant referees from Iran and to analyze associations of a body shape index (ABSI), body adiposity index (BAI)...

Background The range values of different training and match intensity measures obtained to define benchmarks in female soccer players are needed. Usually, cohort studies analyse only one team with a relatively small sample size, which brings forth the need for a systematic review to generalise training and match intensity evidence. Objectives This...

Professional soccer involves varying numbers of training sessions and matches each week, which can influence load distribution. Understanding the exact distribution may allow appropriate load periodisation and planning for players. Thus, this study aimed to (i) compare accumulated load and wellness between weeks with different numbers of training s...

It is well known that load and wellness monitoring of training/competition are necessary to optimize athletic performance and they have been conducted over the years. On the one hand, load can be divided in two dimensions: internal (e.g., perceived exertion and heart rate) and external (e.g., running and accelerometry based measures). On the other...

Load monitoring consists of training/match demand quantification as well as wellness and readiness to maximize the likelihood of optimal athletic performance [...]

Background: Turkish Super League teams need more information about the external load. Considering the specific country and the coaches' philosophies, the purpose of this study was to compare the external match load of a Turkish Super League team considering the different playing positions and in-season periods. Methodology: A longitudinal study...

The aims of this study were to compare external match load between home and away matches as well as the result of the match (win, draw, and loss). The secondary aim was to quantify external training load that preceded the next match taking into account both match location and result. Ten elite women soccer players participated in the study (age 24....

Since acute:chronic workload ratio and training monotony have been criticized as injury risk predictors, the use of intensity measures should be more oriented to understand the variations of intensity across the season. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the main evidence about the acute:chronic workload ratio and training monotony v...

The aims of this study were to: (i) analyse the within-microcycle variations in professional soccer players; (ii) analyse the relationships between wellness and training and match load demands; (iii) analyse the relationships between match-day (MD) demands and wellness during the following day (MD+1); and (iv) analyse the relationships between MD a...

Acute: chronic workload ratio (ACWR) and training monotony have been criticized as injury risk predictors. Therefore, the use of intensity measures should be oriented to understand the variations of intensity across the season. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the main evidence about the ACWR and training monotony variations over t...

This study aims to systematize effects of cardiorespiratory training (CT) programs in individuals with intellectual disability (ID) and identifying the fundamental and structuring aspects for the prescription of CT. This systematic review was carried out through four databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus), considering data from...

The influence of environmental factors on key physical parameters of soccer players during competitive match-play have been widely investigated in the literature, although little is known on the effects of sub-zero ambient temperatures on the performance of adult elite soccer players during competitive matches. The aim of this study was to assess h...