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Int J Sports Med 2023; 44(14): 1049-1058
DOI: 10.1055/a-2106-8164
Training & Testing

Mixed Training Programs Applied to Young Soccer Players: Effects on Speed-Power Abilities

Tomás T. Freitas
1   Research Center for High Performance Sport, Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
2   Facultad de Deporte, Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
3   Sport Science, NAR – Nucleus of High Performance in Sport, São Paulo, Brazil
4   Department of Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
,
Lucas A. Pereira
3   Sport Science, NAR – Nucleus of High Performance in Sport, São Paulo, Brazil
4   Department of Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
,
Pedro E. Alcaraz
1   Research Center for High Performance Sport, Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
,
Paulo H.S.M. Azevedo
4   Department of Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
,
Vinicius Zanetti
5   Sport Science, Sfera Football Club, Jarinú, Brazil
,
Nuno B. Pantarotto
6   Sport Science, Red Bull Brazil Football, Jarinú, Brazil
,
Valter P. Reis
3   Sport Science, NAR – Nucleus of High Performance in Sport, São Paulo, Brazil
,
Ian Jeffreys
7   Sport Science, Setanta College, Thurles, Ireland
,
Irineu Loturco
3   Sport Science, NAR – Nucleus of High Performance in Sport, São Paulo, Brazil
4   Department of Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
8   Sport Science, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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Abstract

We compared the effects of two 4-week strength-power-speed training protocols on physical performance of young soccer players. Twenty-three highly trained under-20 soccer players were randomly allocated to two mixed-training groups: 1) “traditional” (TRAD: n=11), comprising vertically oriented strength-power exercises and linear sprints; or 2) “multidirectional” (MULTI: n=12), combining vertically and horizontally oriented strength-power exercises, linear sprints, and change-of-direction (COD) drills. Squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump, 2) linear sprint, COD speed, and 3) jump-squat (JS) and hip-thrust (HT) power tests were performed pre- and post-training. Differences were determined using a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures and “target scores” were used to detect real changes in performance. No group-time interactions were found for any of the variables (p>0.05). Significant increases (p<0.05) in 20-m sprint velocity, JS- and HT-power were found in both groups, and in SJ in TRAD. Individual analyses revealed a greater number of meaningful changes in zig-zag velocity in MULTI while most players in TRAD displayed meaningful increases in SJ height. In conclusion, both training protocols resulted in similar adaptations but, at the individual level, it appears that MULTI protocol is superior to improve COD ability while TRAD should be preferred to maximize vertical jumping capabilities during short soccer pre-seasons.

Key words

football - youth athletes - agility - athletic performance - team-sports - sprint speed


Publication History

Received: 04 April 2023

Accepted: 03 June 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
06 June 2023

Article published online:
06 October 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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