Short-Term Effects of Complex and Contrast Training in Soccer Playersʼ Vertical Jump, Sprint, and Agility Abilities

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research Vol. 24; no. 4; pp. 936 - 941
• Main Authors: Maio Alves, José Manuel VilaÇa, Rebelo, António Natal, Abrantes, Catarina, Sampaio, Jaime
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Strength and Conditioning Association 01.04.2010; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies
• Subjects: Adolescent; Analysis of Variance; Anthropometry; Athletic Performance - physiology; Case-Control Studies; Competitive Behavior - physiology; Exercise Tolerance - physiology; Human subjects; Humans; Male; Muscle Fatigue; Muscle Strength - physiology; Physical Education and Training - methods; Physical Education and Training - organization & administration; Physical Fitness - physiology; Portugal; Probability; Running; Skills; Soccer - physiology; Sports training; Task Performance and Analysis; Time Factors; Track and Field; Weightlifting; Portugal
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181c7c5fd

Alves, JMVM, Rebelo, AN, Abrantes, C, and Sampaio, J. Short-term effects of complex and contrast training in soccer playersʼ vertical jump, sprint, and agility abilities. J Strength Cond Res 24(4)936-941, 2010-The purpose of this study was to analyze the short-term effects of complex and contrast training (CCT) on vertical jump (squat and countermovement jump), sprint (5 and 15 m), and agility (505 Agility Test) abilities in soccer players. Twenty-three young elite Portuguese soccer players (age 17.4 ± 0.6 years) were divided into 2 experimental groups (G1, n = 9, and G2, n = 8) and 1 control group (G3, n = 6). Groups G1 and G2 have done their regular soccer training along with a 6-week strength training program of CCT, with 1 and 2 training sessions·wk, respectively. G3 has been kept to their regular soccer training program. Each training session from the CCT program was organized in 3 stations in which a general exercise, a multiform exercise, and a specific exercise were performed. The load was increased by 5% from 1 repetition maximum each 2 weeks. Obtained results allowed identifying (a) a reduction in sprint times over 5 and 15 m (9.2 and 6.2% for G1 and 7.0 and 3.1%, for G2; p < 0.05) and () an increase on squat and jump (12.6% for G1 and 9.6% for G2; p < 0.05). The results suggested that the CCT induced the performance increase in 5 and 15 m sprint and in squat jump. Vertical jump and sprint performances after CCT program were not influenced by the number of CCT sessions per week (1 or 2 sessions·wk). From the obtained results, it was suggested that the CCT is an adequate training strategy to develop soccer playersʼ muscle power and speed.