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Outputs (51)

When does the influence of maturation on anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics increase and subside? (2018)
Journal Article
Towlson, C., Cobley, S., Parkin, G., & Lovell, R. (2018). When does the influence of maturation on anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics increase and subside?. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 28(8), 1946-1955. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13198

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... Read More about When does the influence of maturation on anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics increase and subside?.

Soccer player characteristics in English lower-league development programmes: The relationships between relative age, maturation, anthropometry and physical fitness (2015)
Journal Article
Lovell, R., Towlson, C., Parkin, G., Portas, M., Vaeyens, R., & Cobley, S. (2015). Soccer player characteristics in English lower-league development programmes: The relationships between relative age, maturation, anthropometry and physical fitness. PLoS ONE, 10(9), e0137238. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0137238

© 2015 Lovell et al. 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... Read More about Soccer player characteristics in English lower-league development programmes: The relationships between relative age, maturation, anthropometry and physical fitness.

Relative age, maturation, and physical biases on position allocation in elite-youth soccer (2017)
Journal Article
Towlson, C., Cobley, S., Midgley, A., Garrett, A., Parkin, G., & Lovell, R. (2017). Relative age, maturation, and physical biases on position allocation in elite-youth soccer. International journal of sports medicine, 38(3), 201-209. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-119029

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... Read More about Relative age, maturation, and physical biases on position allocation in elite-youth soccer.

Talent identification in soccer: The influence of technical, physical and maturity-related characteristics on a national selection process (2024)
Journal Article
King, M., Brown, M., Cox, J., McLellan, R., Towlson, C., & Barrett, S. (2024). Talent identification in soccer: The influence of technical, physical and maturity-related characteristics on a national selection process. PLoS ONE, 19(3), Article e0298359. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298359

The present study examines the influence of technical, physical, and relative age characteristics on players selection success within the Scottish Performance School trials. Ninety adolescent players (81 males, 9 females; mean ± standard deviation: a... Read More about Talent identification in soccer: The influence of technical, physical and maturity-related characteristics on a national selection process.

A new method to identify key match-play behaviours of young soccer players: Development of the Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool (2024)
Journal Article
Robinson, J., Cumming, S., Salter, J., Toner, J., & Towlson, C. (2024). A new method to identify key match-play behaviours of young soccer players: Development of the Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool. PLoS ONE, 19(3), Article e0295953. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0295953

The aim of this research was to assess the validity and reliability of a newly developed scoring tool, designed for monitoring youth soccer players during match-play performance to support coaches/scouts with the talent identification process. The me... Read More about A new method to identify key match-play behaviours of young soccer players: Development of the Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool.

Professional soccer practitioners’ perceptions of using performance analysis technology to monitor technical and tactical player characteristics within an academy environment: A category 1 club case study (2024)
Journal Article
Davidson, T., Barrett, S., Toner, J., & Towlson, C. (2024). Professional soccer practitioners’ perceptions of using performance analysis technology to monitor technical and tactical player characteristics within an academy environment: A category 1 club case study. PLoS ONE, 19(3), Article e0298346. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298346

This study aimed to identify professional soccer practitioners’ perceptions of the application of performance analysis technology within a single academy club. Secondary aims were to understand the importance that practitioners place on monitoring te... Read More about Professional soccer practitioners’ perceptions of using performance analysis technology to monitor technical and tactical player characteristics within an academy environment: A category 1 club case study.

Talent identification in soccer: the influence of technical, physical and maturity-related characteristics on a national selection process - Anonymised dataset (2024)
Dataset
McLaren-Towlson, C. (2024). Talent identification in soccer: the influence of technical, physical and maturity-related characteristics on a national selection process - Anonymised dataset. [Dataset]

The present study examines the influence of technical, physical, and relative age characteristics on players selection success within the Scottish Performance School trials. Ninety adolescent players (81 males, 9 females; mean ± standard deviation: a... Read More about Talent identification in soccer: the influence of technical, physical and maturity-related characteristics on a national selection process - Anonymised dataset.

Professional soccer practitioners’ perceptions of using performance analysis technology to monitor technical and tactical player characteristics within an academy environment. (2024)
Dataset
McLaren-Towlson, C., Toner, J., & Kate Davidson, T. (2024). Professional soccer practitioners’ perceptions of using performance analysis technology to monitor technical and tactical player characteristics within an academy environment. [Dataset]

This study aimed to identify professional soccer practitioners’ perceptions of the application of performance analysis technology within an academy. Secondary aims were to understand the importance that practitioners place on monitoring technical and... Read More about Professional soccer practitioners’ perceptions of using performance analysis technology to monitor technical and tactical player characteristics within an academy environment..

A new method to identify key match-play behaviours of young soccer players: Development of the Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool (Anonymised dataset) (2024)
Dataset
McLaren-Towlson, C., & Toner, J. (2024). A new method to identify key match-play behaviours of young soccer players: Development of the Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool (Anonymised dataset). [Dataset]

The aim of this research was to develop a valid and reliable Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool suitable for youth soccer match play. The method used to design the Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool comprised of a five-stage process of (i) conduc... Read More about A new method to identify key match-play behaviours of young soccer players: Development of the Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool (Anonymised dataset).

Validation of Field-Based Running Tests to Determine Maximal Aerobic Speed in Professional Rugby League: Anonymised data set (2024)
Dataset
McLaren-Towlson, C., Marshall, P., Simpson, A., Bray, J., & Nickolay, T. (2024). Validation of Field-Based Running Tests to Determine Maximal Aerobic Speed in Professional Rugby League: Anonymised data set. [Dataset]

Practitioners place importance on high-speed running (HSR) to monitor training practice and match-play demands, whilst attempting to maximise fitness and minimize the risk of injury occurrence. Practitioners apply various methods to quantify HSR, suc... Read More about Validation of Field-Based Running Tests to Determine Maximal Aerobic Speed in Professional Rugby League: Anonymised data set.

Comparing the technical and individual possession statistics of academy players across different age groups in match-play (anonymised dataset) (2024)
Dataset
McLaren-Towlson, C. (2024). Comparing the technical and individual possession statistics of academy players across different age groups in match-play (anonymised dataset). [Dataset]

Background: Youth soccer players in the UK transition into the professional game at 16 years of age. Understanding the differences between youth and professional standards can help coaches and clubs to support player development during this transitio... Read More about Comparing the technical and individual possession statistics of academy players across different age groups in match-play (anonymised dataset).

The efficacy of virtual reality in professional soccer (2024)
Thesis
Greenhough, B. (2024). The efficacy of virtual reality in professional soccer. (Thesis). University of Hull. Retrieved from https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4500542

Professional soccer clubs have taken an interest to virtual reality, however, only a paucity of evidence exists to support its use in the soccer training ground environment. Further, several soccer virtual reality companies have begun providing solut... Read More about The efficacy of virtual reality in professional soccer.

Methods to predict the timing and status of biological maturation in male adolescent soccer players: A narrative systematic review. (2023)
Journal Article
Sullivan, J., Roberts, S. J., Mckeown, J., Littlewood, M., McLaren-Towlson, C., Andrew, M., & Enright, K. (2023). Methods to predict the timing and status of biological maturation in male adolescent soccer players: A narrative systematic review. PLoS ONE, 18(9), Article e0286768. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286768

The aim of this review was to summarise the methods used to predict and assess maturity status and timing in adolescent, male, academy soccer players. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Medline and SPORTDiscu... Read More about Methods to predict the timing and status of biological maturation in male adolescent soccer players: A narrative systematic review..

Practitioners Perceived Effectiveness and Application of Maturity Status Bio-Banding for Talent Identification and Development (2023)
Thesis
Watson, D. (2023). Practitioners Perceived Effectiveness and Application of Maturity Status Bio-Banding for Talent Identification and Development. (Thesis). University of Hull. Retrieved from https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4415720

Bio-banding is an approach used to group athletes based on their characteristics in relation to growth and maturity, rather than their chronological age. Although recent research has explored the effect of bio-banding on various markers (e.g., techni... Read More about Practitioners Perceived Effectiveness and Application of Maturity Status Bio-Banding for Talent Identification and Development.

Soccer academy practitioners' perceptions and application of bio-banding (2023)
Journal Article
Towlson, C., Watson, D. J., Cumming, S., Salter, J., & Toner, J. (2023). Soccer academy practitioners' perceptions and application of bio-banding. PLoS ONE, 18(1), Article e0274079. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0274079

The primary aims of this study were to examine the application of maturity status bio-banding within professional soccer academy programmes and understand the methods employed, the intended objectives, and the potential barriers to bio-banding. Using... Read More about Soccer academy practitioners' perceptions and application of bio-banding.

Bio-banding in soccer: past, present, and future (2022)
Journal Article
Towlson, C., & Cumming, S. P. (in press). Bio-banding in soccer: past, present, and future. Annals of Human Biology, https://doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2022.2129091

Maturity-related selection biases are engrained within professional academy soccer programmes. The process of grouping of children by biological maturity (“bio-banding”), rather than age is not new. However, practice of bio-banding is becoming incre... Read More about Bio-banding in soccer: past, present, and future.

Does transforming subjective measures of load better represent training and match-play intensity in youth soccer players? (2022)
Journal Article
Maughan, P. C., MacFarlane, N. G., Towlson, C., Barrett, S., & Swinton, P. A. (2023). Does transforming subjective measures of load better represent training and match-play intensity in youth soccer players?. International journal of sports science & coaching, 18(5), 1541-1549. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541221114739

The purpose of this study was to investigate the structure of relationships between measures of training load and assess whether these can be modified through non-linear transformations. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and seven external load mea... Read More about Does transforming subjective measures of load better represent training and match-play intensity in youth soccer players?.

Quantifying high-speed running in rugby league: An insight into practitioner applications and perceptions (2022)
Journal Article
Bennett, T., Marshall, P., Barrett, S., Malone, J. J., & Towlson, C. (2022). Quantifying high-speed running in rugby league: An insight into practitioner applications and perceptions. International journal of sports science & coaching, https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541221112825

High-speed running has previously been documented as a popular metric among rugby league researchers. Researchers place importance on high-speed running due to its inclusion in assessing the demands of training and match-play to help prescribe accura... Read More about Quantifying high-speed running in rugby league: An insight into practitioner applications and perceptions.

Soccer academy practitioners’ perceptions and application of bio-banding (2022)
Dataset
McLaren-Towlson, C., Jo-Watson, D., Cumming, S., Salter, J., & Toner, J. Soccer academy practitioners’ perceptions and application of bio-banding. [Dataset]

The primary aims of this study were to examine the application of maturity status bio-banding within professional soccer academy programmes and understand the methods employed, the intended objectives, and the potential barriers to bio-banding. Using... Read More about Soccer academy practitioners’ perceptions and application of bio-banding.

Examination of differential ratings of perceived exertion (dRPE) during bio-banded small-sided games (2022)
Journal Article
Barrett, S., Short, K., Lowthorpe, A., Swinton, P., Maughan, P., Hamilton, A., …Towlson, C. (2022). Examination of differential ratings of perceived exertion (dRPE) during bio-banded small-sided games. PLoS ONE, 17(7), Article e0270259. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270259

The aims of the current study were to investigate the use of dRPE with academy soccer players to: 1) examine the effect of bio-banded and non-bio-banded maturity groups within SSG on players dRPE; 2) describe the multivariate relationships between dR... Read More about Examination of differential ratings of perceived exertion (dRPE) during bio-banded small-sided games.

Leveling the Playing Field: A New Proposed Method to Address Relative Age- and Maturity-Related Bias in UK Male Academy Soccer Players (2022)
Journal Article
Bolckmans, S., Starkes, J. L., Towlson, C., Barnes, C., Parkin, G., & Helsen, W. F. (2022). Leveling the Playing Field: A New Proposed Method to Address Relative Age- and Maturity-Related Bias in UK Male Academy Soccer Players. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4, Article 847438. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.847438

Relative age selection bias persists within all major soccer leagues and youth soccer academies across the globe, with the relative age effect (RAE) being typically characterized as the over selection of relatively older players (who have sometimes a... Read More about Leveling the Playing Field: A New Proposed Method to Address Relative Age- and Maturity-Related Bias in UK Male Academy Soccer Players.

Quantifying volume and high-speed technical actions of professional soccer players using foot-mounted inertial measurement units (2022)
Journal Article
Lewis, G., McLaren-Towlson, C., Roversi, P., Domogalla, C., Herrington, L., & Barrett, S. (2022). Quantifying volume and high-speed technical actions of professional soccer players using foot-mounted inertial measurement units. PLoS ONE, 17(2), Article e0263518. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0263518

Aims The aims of the study were two-fold: I) examine the validity and reliability of high-speed kicking actions using foot-mounted inertial measurement unit's (IMU), ii) quantify soccer players within-microcycle and inter-positional differences in bo... Read More about Quantifying volume and high-speed technical actions of professional soccer players using foot-mounted inertial measurement units.

A survey on the English FA heading guidelines for youth soccer: Evidence of compliance, but with limited knowledge of safety (2022)
Journal Article
Roberts, J. W., Towlson, C. P., & J Malone, J. (in press). A survey on the English FA heading guidelines for youth soccer: Evidence of compliance, but with limited knowledge of safety. International journal of sports science & coaching, https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541221075213

Soccer heading may be problematic for neurocognitive function. The English Football Association (FA) recently introduced guidelines in order to limit the number of headers within training for youth soccer. However, it remains to be seen what the infl... Read More about A survey on the English FA heading guidelines for youth soccer: Evidence of compliance, but with limited knowledge of safety.

A survey on the English FA heading guidelines for youth soccer: evidence of compliance, but with limited knowledge of safety (2022)
Journal Article
Roberts, J., McLaren-Towlson, C., & Malone, J. (2022). A survey on the English FA heading guidelines for youth soccer: evidence of compliance, but with limited knowledge of safety. International journal of sports science & coaching, https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541221075213

Soccer heading may be problematic for neurocognitive function. The English Football Association (FA) recently introduced guidelines in order to limit the number of headers within training for youth soccer. However, it remains to be seen what the infl... Read More about A survey on the English FA heading guidelines for youth soccer: evidence of compliance, but with limited knowledge of safety.

Measurement properties of external training load variables during standardised games in soccer: Implications for training and monitoring strategies (2022)
Journal Article
Clubb, J., Towlson, C., & Barrett, S. (2022). Measurement properties of external training load variables during standardised games in soccer: Implications for training and monitoring strategies. PLoS ONE, 17(1), Article e0262274. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262274

The aim of this study was to assess the measurement properties of external training load measures across three formats of standardised training games. Eighty-eight players from two English professional soccer clubs participated in the study spanning... Read More about Measurement properties of external training load variables during standardised games in soccer: Implications for training and monitoring strategies.

Perceptions of professional soccer coaches, support staff and players toward virtual reality and the factors that modify their intention to use it (2021)
Journal Article
Greenhough, B., Barrett, S., Towlson, C., & Abt, G. (2021). Perceptions of professional soccer coaches, support staff and players toward virtual reality and the factors that modify their intention to use it. PLoS ONE, 16(12), Article e0261378. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261378

A small evidence base supports the use of virtual reality in professional soccer, yet there is a lack of information available on perceptions and desire to use the technology from those employed at professional soccer clubs. Therefore, the aim of the... Read More about Perceptions of professional soccer coaches, support staff and players toward virtual reality and the factors that modify their intention to use it.

The effect of bio-banding on technical and tactical indicators of talent identification in academy soccer players (2021)
Journal Article
Towlson, C., Abt, G., MacMaster, C., Gonçalves, B., Sampaio, J., Toner, J., … Myers, T. (in press). The effect of bio-banding on technical and tactical indicators of talent identification in academy soccer players. Science and Medicine in Football, https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2021.2013522

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of bio-banding on technical and tactical markers of talent identification in 11- to 14-year-old academy soccer players. Methods: Using a repeated measures design, 92 players were bio-banded using p... Read More about The effect of bio-banding on technical and tactical indicators of talent identification in academy soccer players.

The effect of bio-banding on academy soccer player passing networks: Implications of relative pitch size (2021)
Journal Article
McLaren-Towlson, C., Abt, G., Barrett, S., Cumming, S., Hunter, F., Hamilton, A., …Swinton, P. (2021). The effect of bio-banding on academy soccer player passing networks: Implications of relative pitch size. PLoS ONE, 16(12), Article e0260867. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260867

The primary aims of this study were to examine the effects of bio-banding players on passing networks created during 4v4 small-sided games (SSGs), while also examining the interaction of pitch size using passing network analysis compared to a coach-b... Read More about The effect of bio-banding on academy soccer player passing networks: Implications of relative pitch size.

The effect of bio-banding on the anthropometric, physical fitness and functional movement characteristics of academy soccer players (2021)
Journal Article
MacMaster, C., Portas, M., Parkin, G., Cumming, S., Wilcox, C., & Towlson, C. (2021). The effect of bio-banding on the anthropometric, physical fitness and functional movement characteristics of academy soccer players. PLoS ONE, 16(11), Article e0260136. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260136

The study examined if maturity status bio-banding reduces within-group variance in anthropometric, physical fitness and functional movement characteristics of 319, under-14 and under-15 players from 19 UK professional soccer academies. Bio-banding re... Read More about The effect of bio-banding on the anthropometric, physical fitness and functional movement characteristics of academy soccer players.

A Brief Review of Methods to Quantify High-Speed Running in Rugby League: Are Current Methods Appropriate? (2021)
Journal Article
Bennett, T., Marshall, P., Barrett, S., Malone, J., & McLaren-Towlson, C. (2022). A Brief Review of Methods to Quantify High-Speed Running in Rugby League: Are Current Methods Appropriate?. Strength and conditioning journal, 44(3), 69-79. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000693

High-speed running (HSR) has been documented within rugby league to differentiate playing standard and position and often precedes pivotal match events. Practitioners and researchers place importance on HSR because of its inclusion in assessing the d... Read More about A Brief Review of Methods to Quantify High-Speed Running in Rugby League: Are Current Methods Appropriate?.

Examination of differential ratings of perceived exertion (dRPE) during bio-banded small-sided games - Anonymised dataset (2021)
Dataset
McLaren-Towlson, C., Abt, G., & Toner, J. Examination of differential ratings of perceived exertion (dRPE) during bio-banded small-sided games - Anonymised dataset. [Dataset]

The aims of the current study were to investigate the use of dRPE with academy soccer players to: 1) examine the effect of bio-banded and non-bio-banded maturity groups within SSG on players dRPE; 2) describe the multivariate relationships between dR... Read More about Examination of differential ratings of perceived exertion (dRPE) during bio-banded small-sided games - Anonymised dataset.

Measurement properties of external training load variables during standardised games in soccer: Implications for training and monitoring strategies (2021)
Dataset
McLaren-Towlson, C., Barrett, S., & Clubb, J. Measurement properties of external training load variables during standardised games in soccer: Implications for training and monitoring strategies. [Dataset]

The aim of this study was to assess the measurement properties of external training load measures across three formats of standardised training games. Eighty-eight players from two English professional soccer clubs participated in the study spanning... Read More about Measurement properties of external training load variables during standardised games in soccer: Implications for training and monitoring strategies.

Monitoring practices of training load and biological maturity in UK soccer academies (2021)
Journal Article
Salter, J., De Ste Croix, M. B., Hughes, J., Weston, M., & Towlson, C. (2021). Monitoring practices of training load and biological maturity in UK soccer academies. International journal of sports physiology and performance : IJSPP, 16(3), 395-406. https://doi.org/10.1123/IJSPP.2019-0624

Purpose: Overuse injury risk increases during periods of accelerated growth, which can subsequently impact development in academy soccer, suggesting a need to quantify training exposure. Nonprescriptive development scheme legislation could lead to in... Read More about Monitoring practices of training load and biological maturity in UK soccer academies.

Quantifying technical actions in professional soccer using foot-mounted inertial measurement units (2021)
Journal Article
Marris, J., Barrett, S., Abt, G., & Towlson, C. (2021). Quantifying technical actions in professional soccer using foot-mounted inertial measurement units. Science and Medicine in Football, https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2021.1910333

Objectives: This study aimed to (i) establish the concurrent validity and intra-unit reliability of a foot-mounted inertial measurement unit for monitoring soccer technical actions, (ii) quantify the within-microcycle inter-positional differences in... Read More about Quantifying technical actions in professional soccer using foot-mounted inertial measurement units.

Leveling the Playing Field: A New Proposed Method to Address Relative Age- and Maturity-Related Bias in Soccer (2021)
Journal Article
Helsen, W., Thomis, M., Starkes, J., Vrijens, S., Ooms, G., MacMaster, C., & Towlson, C. (2021). Leveling the Playing Field: A New Proposed Method to Address Relative Age- and Maturity-Related Bias in Soccer. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 3(24), Article 635379. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.635379

Despite various solutions proposed to solve the relative age effect (RAE), it is still a major problem confounding talent identification and selection processes. In the first phase, we sampled 302 under 7–21 academy soccer players from two Belgian pr... Read More about Leveling the Playing Field: A New Proposed Method to Address Relative Age- and Maturity-Related Bias in Soccer.

The effect of bio-banding on physical and psychological indicators of talent identification in academy soccer players (2020)
Journal Article
Towlson, C., MacMaster, C., Gonçalves, B., Sampaio, J., Toner, J., MacFarlane, N., …Abt, G. (2021). The effect of bio-banding on physical and psychological indicators of talent identification in academy soccer players. Science and Medicine in Football, 5(4), 280-292. https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2020.1862419

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of bio-banding on indicators of talent identification in academy soccer players. Seventy-two 11 to 14-year-old soccer players were bio-banded using percentage of estimated adult stature attainment (week... Read More about The effect of bio-banding on physical and psychological indicators of talent identification in academy soccer players.

Understanding the influence of the head coach on soccer training drills—an 8 season analysis (2020)
Journal Article
Barrett, S., Varley, M. C., Hills, S. P., Russell, M., Reeves, M., Hearn, A., & Towlson, C. (2020). Understanding the influence of the head coach on soccer training drills—an 8 season analysis. Applied Sciences, 10(22), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10228149

Soccer players perform a variety of training drills to develop the physical, technical and tactical qualities required for match‐play. The role of coaches in prescribing training suggests that players may not always meet physical targets set by condi... Read More about Understanding the influence of the head coach on soccer training drills—an 8 season analysis.

Maturity-associated considerations for training load, injury risk, and physical performance in youth soccer: One size does not fit all (2020)
Journal Article
Towlson, C., Salter, J., Ade, J. D., Enright, K., Harper, L. D., Page, R. M., & Malone, J. J. (in press). Maturity-associated considerations for training load, injury risk, and physical performance in youth soccer: One size does not fit all. Journal of Sport and Health Science, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.09.003

Biological maturation can be defined as the timing and tempo of progress to achieving a mature state. The estimation of age of peak height velocity (PHV) or percentage of final estimated adult stature attainment (%EASA) is typically used to inform th... Read More about Maturity-associated considerations for training load, injury risk, and physical performance in youth soccer: One size does not fit all.

Understanding the presence of mental fatigue in English academy soccer players (2020)
Journal Article
Thompson, C. J., Noon, M., Towlson, C., Perry, J., Coutts, A. J., Harper, L. D., …Meyer, T. (2020). Understanding the presence of mental fatigue in English academy soccer players. Journal of sports sciences, 38(13), 1524-1530. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1746597

Research has demonstrated that induced mental fatigue impairs soccer-specific technical, tactical and physical performance in soccer players. The findings are limited by the lack of elite players and low ecological validity of the tasks used to induc... Read More about Understanding the presence of mental fatigue in English academy soccer players.

Physical development of the youth athlete: Theoretical considerations and practical implications of growth and maturation. (2019)
Book Chapter
Doncaster, G., & McLaren-Towlson, C. (2019). Physical development of the youth athlete: Theoretical considerations and practical implications of growth and maturation. In E. Cope, & M. Partington (Eds.), Sports Coaching: A Theoretical and Practical Guide (109-121). London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351200035

The need to recognise and accommodate the individual athlete, when working with youth populations, is arguably more pertinent than when working with adult athletes. The application of determining athlete maturity is of relevance given that children m... Read More about Physical development of the youth athlete: Theoretical considerations and practical implications of growth and maturation..

Practitioners’ multi-disciplinary perspectives of soccer talent according to phase of development and playing position (2019)
Journal Article
Towlson, C., Cope, E., Perry, J. L., Court, D., & Levett, N. (2019). Practitioners’ multi-disciplinary perspectives of soccer talent according to phase of development and playing position. International journal of sports science & coaching, 14(4), 528-540. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954119845061

The study aimed to establish the perceived importance that academy soccer practitioners placed on technical/tactical, physical, psycho-social player attributes during player selection and explore whether perceptions change according to Elite Player P... Read More about Practitioners’ multi-disciplinary perspectives of soccer talent according to phase of development and playing position.

Perspectives of applied collaborative sport science research within professional team sports (2018)
Journal Article
Malone, J. J., Harper, L. D., Jones, B., Perry, J., Barnes, C., & Towlson, C. (2019). Perspectives of applied collaborative sport science research within professional team sports. European journal of sport science : the official journal of the European College of Sport Science, 19(2), 147-155. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2018.1492632

The purpose of the study was to examine the perspectives of both academics and practitioners in relation to forming applied collaborative sport science research within team sports. Ninety-three participants who had previously engaged in collaborative... Read More about Perspectives of applied collaborative sport science research within professional team sports.

Within-match PlayerLoad™ patterns during a simulated soccer match (SAFT90): potential implications for unit positioning and fatigue management (2016)
Journal Article
Barrett, S., Midgley, A. W., Towlson, C., Garrett, A., Portas, M., & Lovell, R. (2016). Within-match PlayerLoad™ patterns during a simulated soccer match (SAFT90): potential implications for unit positioning and fatigue management. International journal of sports physiology and performance : IJSPP, 11(1), 135-140. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2014-0582

© 2016 Human Kinetics, Inc. Purpose: To assess the acute alterations in triaxial accelerometry (PlayerLoad [PL VM ]) and its individual axial planes (anteroposterior PlayerLoad [PL AP ], mediolateral PlayerLoad [PL ML ], and vertical PlayerLoad [PL V... Read More about Within-match PlayerLoad™ patterns during a simulated soccer match (SAFT90): potential implications for unit positioning and fatigue management.

Individualisation of time-motion analysis : a method comparison and case report series (2014)
Journal Article
Hunter, F., Bray, J., Towlson, C., Smith, M., Barrett, S., Madden, J., …Lovell, R. (2015). Individualisation of time-motion analysis : a method comparison and case report series. International journal of sports medicine, 36(1), 41-48. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1384547

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG. 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 de... Read More about Individualisation of time-motion analysis : a method comparison and case report series.

Warm-up strategies of professional soccer players: Practitioners' perspectives (2013)
Journal Article
Towlson, C., Midgley, A. W., & Lovell, R. (2013). Warm-up strategies of professional soccer players: Practitioners' perspectives. Journal of sports sciences, 31(13), 1393-1401. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2013.792946

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 sit... Read More about Warm-up strategies of professional soccer players: Practitioners' perspectives.

Aspartame in conjunction with carbohydrate reduces insulin levels during endurance exercise (2012)
Journal Article
Siegler, J., Howell, K., Vince, R., Bray, J., Towlson, C., Peart, D., …Atkin, S. (2012). Aspartame in conjunction with carbohydrate reduces insulin levels during endurance exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 9, Article 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-9-36

Background: As most sport drinks contain some form of non-nutritive sweetener (e.g. aspartame), and with the variation in blood glucose regulation and insulin secretion reportedly associated with aspartame, a further understanding of the effects on i... Read More about Aspartame in conjunction with carbohydrate reduces insulin levels during endurance exercise.

Sodium bicarbonate supplementation and ingestion timing: Does it matter? (2012)
Journal Article
Siegler, J. C., Marshall, P. W., Bray, J., & Towlson, C. (2012). Sodium bicarbonate supplementation and ingestion timing: Does it matter?. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 26(7), 1953-1958. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3182392960

Although a considerable amount of literature exists on the ergogenic potential of ingesting sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) before short-term, high-intensity exercise, very little exists on optimal loading times before exercise. The purpose of this study... Read More about Sodium bicarbonate supplementation and ingestion timing: Does it matter?.