Effects of Velocity-Based Resistance Training on Young Soccer Players of Different Ages

Abstract González-Badillo, JJ, Pareja-Blanco, F, Rodríguez-Rosell, D, Abad-Herencia, JL, del Ojo-López, JJ, and Sánchez-Medina, L. Effects of velocity-based resistance training on young soccer players of different ages. J Strength Cond Res 29(5): 1329–1338, 2015—This study aimed to analyze the effect of velocity-based resistance training (RT) with moderate loads and few repetitions per set combined with jumps and sprints on physical performance in young soccer players of different ages. A total of 44 elite youth soccer players belonging to 3 teams participated in this study: an under-16 team (U16, n = 17) and an under-18 team (U18, n = 16) performed maximal velocity RT program for 26 weeks in addition to typical soccer training, whereas an under-21 team (U21, n = 11) did not perform RT. Before and after the training program, all players performed 20-m running sprint (T20), countermovement jump (CMJ), a progressive isoinertial loading test in squat to determine the load that elicited a ∼1 m·s−1 velocity (V1LOAD) and an incremental field test to determine maximal aerobic speed (MAS). U16 showed significantly (p = 0.000) greater gains in V1LOAD than U18 and U21 (100/0/0%). Only U16 showed significantly (p = 0.01) greater gains than U21 (99/1/0%) in CMJ height. U18 obtained a likely better effect on CMJ performance than U21 (89/10/1%). The beneficial effects on T20 between groups were unclear. U16 showed a likely better effect on MAS than U21 (80/17/3%), whereas the rest of comparisons were unclear. The changes in CMJ correlated with the changes in T20 (r = −0.49) and V1LOAD (r = 0.40). In conclusion, velocity-based RT with moderate load and few repetitions per set seems to be an adequate method to improve physical performance in young soccer players.

[1]  L Léger,et al.  An indirect continuous running multistage field test: the Université de Montréal track test. , 1980, Canadian journal of applied sport sciences. Journal canadien des sciences appliquees au sport.

[2]  A. Williams,et al.  A multidisciplinary approach to talent identification in soccer , 2000, Journal of sports sciences.

[3]  P J McNair,et al.  The role of maximal strength and load on initial power production. , 2000, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[4]  M. Izquierdo,et al.  Strength training effects on physical performance and serum hormones in young soccer players , 2004, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[5]  C Castagna,et al.  Strong correlation of maximal squat strength with sprint performance and vertical jump height in elite soccer players , 2004, British Journal of Sports Medicine.

[6]  Paavo V. Komi,et al.  A simple method for measurement of mechanical power in jumping , 2004, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.

[7]  J. Helgerud,et al.  Endurance and Strength Training for Soccer Players , 2004, Sports medicine.

[8]  Evagelos Manolopoulos,et al.  Strength Training Effects on Physical Conditioning and Instep Kick Kinematics in Young Amateur Soccer Players during Preseason , 2004, Perceptual and motor skills.

[9]  Nicholas A Ratamess,et al.  COMPARISON OF LOADED AND UNLOADED JUMP SQUAT TRAINING ON STRENGTH/POWER PERFORMANCE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS , 2005, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[10]  Dimitris Chatzopoulos,et al.  THE EFFECT OF A COMBINED HIGH‐INTENSITY STRENGTH AND SPEED TRAINING PROGRAM ON THE RUNNING AND JUMPING ABILITY OF SOCCER PLAYERS , 2005, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[11]  R. Reiser,et al.  COMPARISON OF TWO TWELVE WEEK OFF‐SEASON COMBINED TRAINING PROGRAMS ON ENTRY LEVEL COLLEGIATE SOCCER PLAYERS'PERFORMANCE , 2005, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[12]  Alan M Batterham,et al.  Making meaningful inferences about magnitudes. , 2006, International journal of sports physiology and performance.

[13]  S. Tokmakidis,et al.  EFFECTS OF RESISTANCE TRAINING ON THE PHYSICAL CAPACITIES OF ADOLESCENT SOCCER PLAYERS , 2006, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[14]  C. Castagna,et al.  Variation in top level soccer match performance. , 2007, International journal of sports medicine.

[15]  P. Cormie,et al.  THE INFLUENCE OF BODY MASS ON CALCULATION OF POWER DURING LOWER‐BODY RESISTANCE EXERCISES , 2007, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[16]  T. Gabbett,et al.  Performance Changes Following Training in Junior Rugby League Players , 2008, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[17]  S. Marshall,et al.  Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science. , 2009, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[18]  K. Thomas,et al.  The Effect of Two Plyometric Training Techniques on Muscular Power and Agility in Youth Soccer Players , 2009, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[19]  I. Mujika,et al.  In-Season Effect of Short-Term Sprint and Power Training Programs on Elite Junior Soccer Players , 2009, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[20]  M. Chelly,et al.  Effects of a Back Squat Training Program on Leg Power, Jump, and Sprint Performances in Junior Soccer Players , 2009, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[21]  César Meylan,et al.  Effects of In-Season Plyometric Training Within Soccer Practice on Explosive Actions of Young Players , 2009, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[22]  M. Chelly,et al.  Effects of in-Season Short-Term Plyometric Training Program on Leg Power, Jump- and Sprint Performance of Soccer Players , 2010, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[23]  Martin Buchheit,et al.  Improving Repeated Sprint Ability in Young Elite Soccer Players: Repeated Shuttle Sprints Vs. Explosive Strength Training , 2010, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[24]  P. Wong,et al.  Effects of 12-Week On-Field Combined Strength and Power Training on Physical Performance Among U-14 Young Soccer Players , 2010, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[25]  J. J. González-Badillo,et al.  Effect of 4 Months of Training on Aerobic Power, Strength, and Acceleration in Two Under-19 Soccer Teams , 2010, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[26]  A. Rebelo,et al.  Short-Term Effects of Complex and Contrast Training in Soccer Players' Vertical Jump, Sprint, and Agility Abilities , 2010, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[27]  J. J. González-Badillo,et al.  Importance of the Propulsive Phase in Strength Assessment , 2009, International journal of sports medicine.

[28]  J. J. González-Badillo,et al.  Movement Velocity as a Measure of Loading Intensity in Resistance Training , 2010, International journal of sports medicine.

[29]  Juan José González-Badillo,et al.  Velocity loss as an indicator of neuromuscular fatigue during resistance training. , 2011, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[30]  J. Helgerud,et al.  Strength and Endurance in Elite Football Players , 2011, International journal of sports medicine.

[31]  A. López-Sobaler,et al.  Effect of Strength Training and the Practice of Alpine Skiing on Bone Mass Density, Growth, Body Composition, and the Strength and Power of the Legs of Adolescent Skiers , 2011, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[32]  Oliver Faude,et al.  Straight sprinting is the most frequent action in goal situations in professional football , 2012, Journal of sports sciences.

[33]  Robin Callister,et al.  Resistance training to improve power and sports performance in adolescent athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. , 2012, Journal of science and medicine in sport.

[34]  D. Schmidtbleicher,et al.  Influence of a 2-year strength training programme on power performance in elite youth soccer players , 2013, European journal of sport science.

[35]  Apostolos S. Theodorou,et al.  The time-frame of acute resistance exercise effects on football skill performance: The impact of exercise intensity , 2013, Journal of sports sciences.

[36]  C. Castagna,et al.  Short-term training effects of vertically and horizontally oriented exercises on neuromuscular performance in professional soccer players. , 2014, International journal of sports physiology and performance.

[37]  Juan José González-Badillo,et al.  Maximal intended velocity training induces greater gains in bench press performance than deliberately slower half-velocity training , 2014, European journal of sport science.

[38]  J. J. González-Badillo,et al.  Velocity- and Power-Load Relationships of the Bench Pull vs. Bench Press Exercises , 2013, International Journal of Sports Medicine.

[39]  F. Pareja-Blanco,et al.  Effect of Movement Velocity during Resistance Training on Neuromuscular Performance , 2014, International Journal of Sports Medicine.

[40]  Víctor M. Núñez,et al.  Velocity-Based Training of Lower Limb to Improve Absolute and Relative Power Outputs in Concentric Phase of Half-Squat in Soccer Players , 2015, Journal of strength and conditioning research.