The Science of Strength and Conditioning for Football: From Science to Practice

The game of football is one of the most popular in the world and is followed by millions of spectators on all continents. In recent years, football has undergone technical, tactical and physical evolution, whereby players are subjected to ever higher physical stimuli. To be properly prepared, strength and conditioning coaches must use the most advanced scientific evidence to help inform decision‑making regarding conditioning their players.

Strength and Conditioning for Football: From Science to Practice summarizes 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. This new book develops important arguments in football training with chapters examining such questions as (1) game model and training, (2) monitoring and testing, (3) recovery and match preparation and (4) youth and disability in football.

This book offers critical information to readers aiming to succeed as strength and conditioning coaches in football, and it will be required reading for students and practitioners alike in the fields of football, strength and conditioning, coaching, physiotherapy and sport science.

Marco Beato, PhD, is an Associate Professor (MSc, BSc, CPSS, CSCS, SFHEA) and Head of Sport and Exercise Science in the School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Suffolk Ipswich, UK. Marco has published over 160 peer‑reviewed journal articles, and he is an Associate Editor for the NSCA’s Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (USA) and a fellow and reviewing panel member of the European College of Sport Science (Germany). He is also a scientific and performance consultant of professional football. Marco is qualified as a UEFA coach and professional football fitness coach with the FIGC (Italy).

Chris Bishop, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Strength and Conditioning (MSc, ASCC, SFHEA) at the London Sport Institute, Middlesex University, UK, and is the programme leader for MSc in Strength and Conditioning and the Head of the Department. Chris has published over 250 peer‑reviewed journal articles, co‑edited two textbooks and serves as a Senior Editor for the NSCA’s Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and an Associate Editor for the Strength and Conditioning Journal. Chris served on the Board of Directors for the UK Strength and Conditioning Association.

Anthony Turner, PhD, is a Professor of Strength and Conditioning (MSc, ASCC, CSCS*D, SFHEA) and the postgraduate research lead at the London Sport Institute, Middlesex University, UK. Anthony was a sports science consultant and strength and conditioning coach to Olympic and Paralympic athletes and was head of physical preparation for GBR fencing for the Rio Olympic Games. Anthony is a consultant in human performance for the British military and a physical performance coach for Tottenham Hotspur Women’s Academy.