title: Practitioners' Perceptions of the Soccer Extra-Time Period: Implications for Future Research.
abstract: Qualitative research investigating soccer practitioners' perceptions can allow researchers to create practical research investigations. The extra-time period of soccer is understudied compared to other areas of soccer research. Using an open-ended online survey containing eleven main and nine sub questions, we gathered the perceptions of extra-time from 46 soccer practitioners, all working for different professional soccer clubs. Questions related to current practices, views on extra-time regulations, and ideas for future research. Using inductive content analysis, the following general dimensions were identified: 'importance of extra-time', 'rule changes', 'efficacy of extra-time hydro-nutritional provision', 'nutritional timing', 'future research directions', 'preparatory modulations' and 'recovery'. The majority of practitioners (63%) either agreed or strongly agreed that extra-time is an important period for determining success in knockout football match-play. When asked if a fourth substitution should be permitted in extra-time, 67% agreed. The use of hydro-nutritional strategies prior to extra-time was predominately considered important or very important. However; only 41% of practitioners felt that it was the most important time point for the use of nutritional products. A similar number of practitioners account (50%) and do not (50%) account for the potential of extra-time when training and preparing players and 89% of practitioners stated that extra-time influences recovery practices following matches. In the five minute break prior to extra-time, the following practices (in order of priority) were advocated to players: hydration, energy provision, massage, and tactical preparations. Additionally, 87% of practitioners advocate a particular nutritional supplementation strategy prior to extra-time. In order of importance, practitioners see the following as future research areas: nutritional interventions, fatigue responses, acute injury risk, recovery modalities, training paradigms, injury epidemiology, and environmental considerations. This study presents novel insight into the practitioner perceptions of extra-time and provides information to readers about current applied practices and potential future research opportunities.
authors.affiliation: Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Liam D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.affiliation: Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fothergill
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: West
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.affiliation: Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D052756:Nutritional Sciences; D010465:Perception; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water