The Effects of a 6-Week Strength Training on Critical Velocity, Anaerobic Running Distance, 30-M Sprint and Yo-Yo Intermittent Running Test Performances in Male Soccer Players

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 11; no. 3; p. e0151448
• Main Authors: Karsten, Bettina, Larumbe-Zabala, Eneko, Kandemir, Gokhan, Hazir, Tahir, Klose, Andreas, Naclerio, Fernando
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 25.03.2016; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis; Athletic Performance - physiology; Biology and Life Sciences; Critical velocity; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; Group dynamics; Humans; Male; Medicine and Health Sciences; Muscle Strength - physiology; Physical Endurance - physiology; Physical fitness; Physical Sciences; Research and Analysis Methods; Researchers; Resistance Training; Rugby; Running; Soccer; Soccer - physiology; Sport science; Sports training; Strength; Strength training; Studies; Test procedures; Training; Velocity; United Kingdom > UK; England; Texas
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151448

The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of a moderate intensity strength training on changes in critical velocity (CV), anaerobic running distance (D'), sprint performance and Yo-Yo intermittent running test (Yo-Yo IR1) performances. two recreational soccer teams were divided in a soccer training only group (SO; n = 13) and a strength and soccer training group (ST; n = 13). Both groups were tested for values of CV, D', Yo-Yo IR1 distance and 30-m sprint time on two separate occasions (pre and post intervention). The ST group performed a concurrent 6-week upper and lower body strength and soccer training, whilst the SO group performed a soccer only training. after the re-test of all variables, the ST demonstrated significant improvements for both, YoYo IR1 distance (p = 0.002) and CV values (p<0.001) with no significant changes in the SO group. 30-m sprint performance were slightly improved in the ST group with significantly decreased performance times identified in the SO group (p<0.001). Values for D' were slightly reduced in both groups (ST -44.5 m, 95% CI = -90.6 to 1.6; SO -42.6 m, 95% CI = -88.7 to 3.5). combining a 6-week moderate strength training with soccer training significantly improves CV, Yo-Yo IR1 whilst moderately improving 30-m sprint performances in non-previously resistance trained male soccer players. Critical Velocity can be recommended to coaches as an additional valid testing tool in soccer.