Ric Lovell

University of Wollongong | UOW · Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health

Background Submaximal fitness tests (SMFT) are a pragmatic approach for evaluating athlete’s physiological state, due to their time-efficient nature, low physiological burden and relative ease of administration in team sports settings. While a variety of outcome measures can be collected during SMFT, exercise heart rate (HRex) is the most popular....

Purpose: To survey team-sports practitioners on current practices and perceptions of submaximal fitness tests (SMFT). Methods: A convenience sample of team-sports practitioners completed an online survey (September to November 2021). Descriptive statistics was used to obtain information of frequencies. A mixed-model quantile (median) regression was...

Youth rugby players are often organised into (bi)annual-age groups to create equal competition and development opportunities for all players. However, the variability in kinanthropometry (i.e., the size, shape, proportion, composition and maturation) that exists between players of a similar chronological age can affect injury risk, physical perform...

Introduction: Scheduling concurrent training (CT) during the in-season microcycle in field-based team sport is driven by prematch and postmatch recovery. This study examined the neuromuscular function, fatigue, and soreness responses to CT administered 48 h (match day (MD) + 2) versus 72 h (MD + 3) after match. Methods: Ten male recreational-lev...

Team-sports staff often administer non-exhaustive exercise assessments with a view to evaluating physiological state, to inform decision making on athlete management (e.g., future training or recovery). Submaximal fitness tests have become prominent in team-sports settings for observing responses to a standardized physical stimulus, likely because...

Background Submaximal Fitness Tests (SMFT) are a pragmatic approach for evaluating athlete’s physiological state, due to their time-efficient nature, low physiological burden and relative ease of administration in team-sports settings. Whilst a variety of outcome measures can be collected during SMFT, exercise heart rate (HRex) is the most popular....

Purpose: To assess the impact of microcycle (MC) structures on physical and technical performances in rugby league training and matches. Methods: Thirty-four professional rugby league players were monitored during all training sessions and matches across a single season wherein 2 different competition-phase MC structures were implemented. The fi...

Team-sports staff often administer non-exhaustive exercise assessments with a view to evaluating current physiological state or fitness–fatigue status, to inform decision-making on athlete management (e.g., future training or recovery). Submaximal Fitness Tests (SMFT) have become prominent in team-sports settings for observing responses to a standa...

We aimed to examine the reliability, validity and sensitivity of an individualised sub-maximal fitness test (SMFTIFT60). Nineteen elite rugby league players performed a one-week test-retest of SMFTIFT60. Typical Errors and ICCs were: small (<3.5%) and extremely high (>0.90) for accelerometer-derived variables; moderate (<2.5% points) and moderate t...

High-speed running (HSR) loads have been linked with non-contact injury risks in team-sports. This study investigated whether player-specific speed zones, reflecting individual fitness characteristics, impact the associations between non-contact injury and acute and chronic HSR loads. Semi-professional soccer players from two clubs (n = 47) were tr...

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the changes in muscle contractile function, voluntary activation, and muscle damage after lower limb resistance training (RT), intermittent sprint exercise, and concurrent training (CT). Methods: Ten male, recreational team sport athletes with a history of RT participated in a randomized crossover study invol...

The study examined the utility of surrogate measures of athletic performance to determine locomotor qualities (maximal aerobic velocity and peak velocity) in elite Australian Football (AF). 29 professional AF players undertook aerobic fitness (3km time-trial [TT] and 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test [30-15 IFT]) and peak velocity (PV; 50 m maximal s...

Objectives Examine the influence of test modality, season stage, match load and physical qualities on the interpretation of neuromuscular function (NF) post Australian Rules Football (ARF) matches. Design Repeated measures design. Methods Thirty-two elite ARF players’ NF was assessed 72 hours following competitive matches (7 ± 2) via the counter...

Originally developed as a way to integrate injury risk mitigating exercises into the warm-up,1 the 11+ importantly reduces injury incidence and burden by ~40% in men’s sub-elite football.2 Despite its efficacy as a primary injury mitigation strategy, challenges remain regarding 11+ compliance and adoption.3 This editorial presents a new framework t...

Purpose: To examine the concurrent and construct validity of numerically blinded ratings of perceived exertion (RPEs). Methods: A total of 30 elite male youth soccer players (age 16.7 [0.5] y) were monitored during training and matches over a 17-wk in-season period. The players' external loads were determined via raw 10-Hz global positioning sys...

Purpose: To examine the dose-response relationship between match-play high-speed running (HSR), very high-speed running (VHSR), and sprint (SPR) distances versus subsequent ratings of fatigue and soreness. Methods: Thirty-six outfield players competing in the professional National Women's Soccer League (NWSL, United States) with a minimum of fiv...

Objective: This study examined the role of physical qualities and physical match performances in distinguishing between elite performance levels in women’s football. Methods: Over a two-season period (2016–2017), a league-wide study was conducted in which physical qualities and match external loads were collected in all players (n = 220) competing...

Purpose: During heavily congested schedules, professional soccer players can experience exacerbated fatigue responses, which are thought to contribute to an increased risk of injury. Given that match-induced residual fatigue can last up to 72 hours, many coaches naturally prioritize recovery in the days immediately following match day. While it is...

Objective To determine the prevalence and impact of non-time loss injuries in semi-professional football. Methods 218 players completed the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) Questionnaire on Health Problems weekly during the 2016 season (35 weeks), recording the prevalence and impact of time loss (TL) and non-time loss (non-TL) injuries....

Although the 11+ programme has been shown to reduce injuries in sub‐elite football, programme compliance is typically poor, suggesting that strategies to optimize delivery are necessary. This study investigated the effect of rescheduling Part 2 of the three‐part 11+ programme on programme effectiveness. Twenty‐five semi‐professional football clubs...

Objectives: The study examined if three feasible strategies involving additional in-play cooling periods attenuate the core (rectal) temperature rise during simulated football matches. Design: Four counterbalanced experimental trials in an environmental chamber set to 35 °C ambient temperature, 55% relative humidity, and 30 °C WBGT. Methods: T...

Objectives: To examine the influence of maturation and its interaction with playing position upon physical match performances in U15 footballers from a national federation. Design: Observational study. Methods: 278 male outfield players competing in a national tournament were assessed for somatic maturity and match physical performances accord...

The aim of this study was to determine the in-season micro-cycle scheduling strategies used in professional team sport with particular reference to the reasoning and perceptions that underpin current practice. An online survey was completed by 35 practitioners from professional collision (C; Australian rules football: n = 9; rugby league: n = 6; ru...

Purpose: To examine the physiological, muscle-damage, endocrine, and immune responses to a modified soccer-simulation protocol to include technical and jumping activities characteristic of match play (the Technical Soccer-Specific Aerobic Field Test; T-SAFT90). Methods: Eighteen university players (age 23 [2] y, stature 175 [5] cm, body mass 74...

Purpose: This study assessed the utility of force-time characteristics from the isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) as a measure of neuromuscular function after elite-level Australian rules football matches. It was hypothesized that rate characteristics of force development would demonstrate a different response magnitude and recovery time course than p...

Objectives: This study aims to develop generic velocity thresholds for the analysis of external load data collected in international women’s football matches. Methods: Doppler-derived recordings of instantaneous velocity and acceleration were collected (10 Hz GPS) from 27 international female football players during 52 international matches between...

Objectives This study aimed to conduct the first injury surveillance study in sub-elite football in Australia, using methods from the international football consensus statement. Design Descriptive Epidemiological Study. Methods 1049 sub-elite football players were recruited during the 2016 season. Injury and exposure data was collected by trained...

Scheduling eccentric‐based injury prevention programs (IPP) during the common 6‐day micro‐cycle in Soccer is challenged by recovery and tapering phases. This study profiled muscle damage, neuromuscular performance, and perceptual responses to a lower‐limb eccentric‐based IPP administered 1 (MD+1) versus 3 days (MD+3) post‐match. 18 semi‐professiona...

The relationships between maturation and anthropometric and physical performance characteristics are dynamic and often asynchronous; confounding the capability to accurately evaluate performance during adolescence. This study aimed to (i) examine the influence of chronological age (CA) and somatic maturation (YPHV) upon anthropometric and physical...

The relationships between maturation and anthropometric and physical performance characteristics are dynamic and often asynchronous; confounding the capability to accurately evaluate performance during adolescence. This study aimed to (i) examine the influence of chronological age (CA) and somatic maturation (YPHV) upon anthropometric and physical...

This study aimed to determine the measurement accuracy of triaxial accelerometers to determine vertical stiffness (Kvert) during overground running, and to examine the influence of device location. Seventeen healthy adults wore two triaxial accelerometers (positioned between scapulae and at lumbar spine) during a 2 min continuous 20 m shuttle run (...

This study examined the utility of a range of approaches used to develop player-dependent speed zones in time-motion analysis (TMA), in determining the dose-response (internal load) of daily football training. Daily external (10Hz GPS) and internal load (heart rate metrics, ratings of perceived exertion [RPE], wellness ratings) measures were tracke...

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of 10 Hz global positioning system (GPS) technology to determine peak speed (PS) during both field-testing assessments and tracking during football matches. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three semi-professional football players wore GPS devices during 14 preseason (non-competitive; n = 6...

We examined the effects of a 12-week program of Nordic hamstring exercises (NHE), administered before or after football training, upon eccentric hamstring strength, muscle activity, and architectural adaptations. Amateur soccer players were randomized into 3 groups. The control group (CON; n=11) undertook core stability exercises, whereas a periodi...

This study assessed the contribution of relative age, anthropometry, maturation, and physical fitness characteristics on soccer playing position (goalkeeper [GK], central-defender [CD], lateral-defender [LD], central-midfield [CM], lateral-midfielder [LM], and forward [FWD]) for 465 elite-youth players (U13-U18`s). U13-14 CD were relatively older t...

This study assessed the between- and within-match variability of external training load measures during two consecutive Twenty20 cricket seasons in professional fast bowlers. Global positioning system (GPS) and accelerometer data (PlayerLoad™) were collected from eight fast bowlers in 17 matches of domestic Twenty20 competition. Using GPS-accelerom...

Athlete tracking devices that include global positioning system (GPS) and micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) components are now commonplace in sport research and practice. These devices provide large amounts of data that are used to inform decision-making on athlete training and performance. However, the data obtained from these devices are...

Examining the association between lower-limb muscle complaints and muscle function in soccer players. Purpose: Lower-limb power, flexibility and hamstring strength are risk factors for time-loss injury; however, Fuller's 2006 consensus statement highlights injury as any physical complaint. This study therefore examined the hypothesis that muscle co...

The optimal scheduling of Nordic Hamstring exercises (NHEs) relative to football training sessions is unknown. We examined the acute neuromuscular and performance responses to NHE undertaken either before (BT) or after (AT) simulated football training. Twelve amateur players performed six sets of five repetitions of the NHE either before or after 6...

This study examined changes in muscle temperature, electrically evoked muscle contractile properties, and voluntary power before and after a soccer specific active warm-up and subsequent rest period. Ten amateur soccer players performed two experimental sessions that involved performance of a modified FIFA 11+ soccer specific warm-up, followed by a...

Objectives: The principle aim of the current study was to examine within-match patterns of locomotor efficiency in professional soccer, determined as the ratio between tri-axial accelerometer data (PlayerLoad™) and locomotor activities. Between match variability and determinants of PlayerLoad™ during match play were also assessed. Design: A sing...

Purpose: Passive muscle tension is increased following damaging eccentric exercise. Hamstring strain injury is associated with damaging eccentric muscle actions, but no research has examined changes in hamstring passive muscle tension throughout a simulated sport activity. We measured hamstring passive tension throughout a 90-minute simulated socc...

The relative age effect (RAE) and its relationships with maturation, anthropometry, and physical performance characteristics were examined across a representative sample of English youth soccer development programmes. Birth dates of 1,212 players, chronologically age-grouped (i.e., U9's-U18's), representing 17 professional clubs (i.e., playing in L...

The principle aim of the study was to assess the acute alterations in tri-axial accelerometry (PlayerLoad™; PLVM) and its individual axial-planes (anterior-posterior-PlayerLoad™ [PLAP], medial-lateral-PlayerLoad™ [PLML] and vertical-PlayerLoadTM [PLV]) during a standardised 90-min soccer match-play simulation (SAFT90). Secondary aims of the study w...

Playing Position Characteristics of Elite Youth (13-18 years) Soccer Players in England Authors: Christopher Towlson1, 2, Adrian Midgley3, Andrew Garrett1, Guy Parkin2, Ric Lovell4 1Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Hull, UK, Tel: +44 1482 466047, E-mail: c.towlson@hull.ac.uk 2Pro Football Support, Huddersfield, UK 3...

OBJECTIVES: The current study was designed to compare the external load of professional soccer players using tri-axial accelerometry (PlayerLoadTM) and time-motion analysis (GPS) during competitive match-play and different training typologies. METHODS: Individual match (n=208) and drill observations (n=11,967) from 22 professional soccer players we...

The Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) is a bodyweight movement commonly prescribed to increase eccentric hamstring strength and reduce the incidence of strain injury in sport. This study examined hamstring fatigue and muscle activation responses throughout six sets of five repetitions of the NHE. Ten amateur level soccer players performed a single se...

This study compared the intensity distribution of time-motion analysis data, when speed zones were categorized by different methods. 12 U18 players undertook a routine battery of laboratory- and field-based assessments to determine their running speed corresponding to the respiratory compensation threshold (RCT), maximal aerobic speed (MAS), maxima...

Objective To investigate the application of differential ratings of perceived exertion for the examination of internal load during Australian Football League (AFL) matches. Design Single cohort, observational study. Methods Using the centiMax rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale, 26 professional AFL players provided ratings for match exertion...

Purpose To examine changes in hamstring muscle fatigue and central motor output during a 90-minute simulated soccer match, and the concomitant changes in hamstring maximal torque and rate of torque development. Method Eight amateur male soccer players performed a 90-minute simulated soccer match, with measures performed at the start of and every 1...

The study aimed to establish the test-retest reliability and convergent validity of PlayerLoad™ (tri-axial accelerometer data) during a standardized bout of treadmill running. Forty-four team-sports players performed two standardized incremental treadmill running tests (7-16 km·h-1) 7 d apart. Players' VO2 (n=20), heart rate (n=44), and tri-axial a...

Abstract Recent research has challenged the typical pre-match and half-time (HT) interval warm-up (WU) routines currently used by professional soccer players. This study surveyed 2010/11 season WU strategies and their underpinning scientific reasoning and situational factors via an internet-based questionnaire, which was distributed to English Prem...

Recent research has challenged the typical pre-match and half-time (HT) interval warm-up (WU) routines currently used by professional soccer players. This study surveyed 2010/11 season WU strategies and their underpinning scientific reasoning and situational factors via an internet-based questionnaire, which was distributed to English Premier Leagu...

Purpose: To report the intensity distribution of Premier League soccer players' external loads during match play, according to recognized physiological thresholds. The authors also present a case in which individualized speed thresholds changed the interpretation of time-motion data. Method: Eight outfield players performed an incremental treadm...

Objectives: To re-examine the work-rate of soccer players immediately after a passive half-time interval with an alternative approach to data reduction and statistical contrasts. Design: Time-motion analysis data (5Hz global positioning system), were collected from 20 elite youth players (age: 17±1 years) during 21 competitive league fixtures (5...