The link between impacts and differential RPE
We are happy to present our newly published study in which we explore the link between running- and jumping impacts and differential RPE.
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Latest football science research – March 2022
In this research overview, we highlight articles about postmatch recovery, carbohydrate periodisation, physical match demands and the fitness-fatigue model.
Fuel for the work: nutritional support for football players
Several factors affect players’ readiness to perform. But do we provide sufficient attention to all these factors? A short opinion of our blog writer and PhD student, Kobe Houtmeyers.
Latest football science research – February 2022
In this research overview, we highlight articles about resilience, long-haul travel, glucose monitoring and the FIFA emergency protocol.
How tough was your week? It’s not all about the physical load
Several factors affect players’ readiness to perform. But do we provide sufficient attention to all these factors? A short opinion of our blog writer and PhD student, Kobe Houtmeyers.
Latest football science research – January 2022
Our research recap includes a recent study about the effect of in-season head coach changes on team performance, and an interesting delphi consensus study providing recommendations for interpreting isokinetic strength tests in players with an ACL reconstruction.
The individualised sub-maximal fitness test
This blog highlights some new research on sub-maximal testing in team sports by Tannath Scott and colleagues. They provide some interesting insights to improve the cost-effectiveness of athlete monitoring.
Latest football science research – January 2022
We start 2022 with a new edition of our monthly football science research recap. In the January 2022 edition we gather interesting new research publications that may benefit your team. Read up on interesting studies and see how they can…
The pre-official match day
In this blog post you will learn more about the taper phase in the weekly training periodisation as we explain the typical physical demands and training content planned during the pre-official match day.
Latest football science research – December 2021
In the December 2021 edition of our monthly football science research recap we bundle interesting new research publications related to sprint performance and high-speed running as well as studies around COVID-19’s impact in professional football. Read up on interesting studies…
Training intensity distribution in elite football
In this blog post we will teach you more about training intensity distribution in elite football and explain the concept of polarised training based on a study by a group of researchers and practitioners from the University of Gent and…
Post-match recovery in elite football
In this blog post, we will report the main findings of a recent study in which football practitioners were surveyed on recovery strategies used during a weekly microcycle, as well as the perceived effectiveness and barriers of these strategies.
Latest football science research – November 2021
In the November 2021 edition of our monthly football science research recap we bundle interesting new research publications including another one of our own funded research. Read up on interesting studies and see how they can be translated into your…
Analysing physical match performance
Physical performance is multidimensional and is therefore best described by the interaction of multiple variables. The description of multiple variables complicates the analysis, the visualisation and dissemination of data. Therefore, we present a statistical method to select the key performance…
Latest football science research – October 2021
In the first edition of our monthly football science research recap we bundle interesting new research publications including some of our own funded research. Read up on interesting studies and see how they can be translated into your practical workflow.
Monitoring training load with Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). A powerful tool for monitoring training load or not? In this blog post we explain RPE, the various methods in which it can be used for monitoring and how it can help you optimise players’…
Monitoring the training process in team sport: Part 7
Monitoring the training process in team sports From description to prescription: Part 7 The American Nobel Prize winner Herbert Simon formulated three major goals for scientists: Basic science: Knowing what happened (descriptive analysis) and understanding why this happened (diagnostic analysis)…
Monitoring the training process in team sport: Part 6
Monitoring the training process in team sportFrom description to prescription: Part 6 In our previous two blog posts, we described the relation between load and performance. In addition, several tools were discussed to monitor this relationship in practice (link to…
Monitoring the training process in team sport: Part 5
Monitoring the training process in team sportFrom description to prescription: Part 5 After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, (inter)national football associations will strive to complete the 2019-2020 season in the next few months. Because the 2020-2021 season is already…
Monitoring the training process in team sport: Part 4
Monitoring the training process in team sportFrom description to prescription: Part 4 In the previous blog post (link to blog), the relationship between load and performance was explained using the fitness-fatigue model of Banister et al. (1975). We discussed the…
Monitoring the training process in team sport: Part 3
Monitoring the training process in team sports From description to prescription: Part 3 Athletes train to improve their performance, thereby exposing themselves to physiological, biomechanical and psychological loads. These loads need to be periodised carefully to achieve the desired performance…
Monitoring the training process in team sport: from description to prescription part 2
Monitoring the training process in team sports From description to prescription: Part 2 In our previous blog post, we discussed the first stage of the monitoring process, description. Here, we focused on systematic data collection using different tools to describe…
Monitoring the training process in team sport: from description to prescription
Recently, one of our team members, Arne Jaspers, was invited to present at the 2nd International Football Congress 2019 of Atletico Nacional in Medellin, Colombia. During his talk, Arne outlined the process from descriptive to prescriptive data monitoring in team…
TopSportsLab Management buy-out
Announcing management buy-out A fresh start and the road ahead Our new board is proud to announce they have successfully completed the acquisition of Topsportslab. Arne Jaspers PhD. (former Topsportslab sports scientist), Olay Dede (former Topsportslab ICT Manager) and Ferdi…