This study examined the effects of an on field combined strength/speed/soccer training program on the physical performance of 20 male adolescent (age: 14.0 ± 0.7 years) soccer players, who were divided into an experimental and a control group (EG, CG). The EG players wore "weight shorts", with 300 gr of additional weight on each thigh and participated 2 times/week in a 12-week training intervention program. The CG followed the same training program without wearing the "weight shorts". The physical abilities were evaluated the week before (pre) and two days after the 12-week intervention training period (post) and the follow-up evaluation was performed 4 weeks after the post measurement. The measured parameters were: a) sprint/repeated sprint ability (straight and with 180º turns, RSA-best/mean/total), b) RSA fatigue-index, c) vertical jump ability and d) lower body maximal strength. The EG improved significantly more (p< 0.05) compared to the CG on 10-m-straight, 30-, 35-, 40-m with 180º turns RSAbest-sprints, RSA fatigue-index, squat jump, leg curl (single right/left leg) and in split squat (single right/left leg) 5RM load. Using special shorts with additional weights on the thighs during soccer training improved speed/RSAbest-times and fatigue-index, jump ability and lower limbs maximal strength in youth soccer players.
The aim of the present study was to examine how various playing positions and opponent team ranking affect the covered distances and the acceleration and decelerations profile of a team during 2018-19 Greek SuperLeague. StatSport GPS system recorded in match-play real-time both the players’ covered distances (m) and the number of acceleration/deceleration runs (n) in zones from 3 m/s2 to 10 m/s2. The descriptive statistics showed that the players’ mean covered distances were 10289 m per match. The MANOVA revealed significant differences of the players’ covered distances in all intensity zones in relation to their playing positions (F(12, 513.567)=41.862; p=0.000) and the opponent team ranking (F(3,189)=3.687; p=0.013). Furthermore, no significant interactions were observed between the playing positions and the opponent team ranking (F(12, 500.339)=1.149; p=0.318). Moreover, no significant differences were recorded regarding the opponent team ranking with the amount of accelerations (F(1,189)=0.501; p=0.480) and decelerations (F(1,189)=1.342; p=0.248). Summarizing, the current study showed the high-demanding competitive performance of midfielders, full backs and forwards regardless the standing of the opponent teams. Hence, the team’s training must include special stimuli of aerobic and high-intensity workouts according to the players’ playing positions in the match.
This study examined the effects of an alternative strength training method during soccer training on the development of physical and technical abilities of youth soccer players. 17 soccer players (age: 15±0.5 years) were divided in a control group (CG) and an experimental group (EG). The players of the EG wore a "weight shorts", with 300 gr of additional weight on each thigh, while they participated into 3 regular soccer training sessions per week, for 12 weeks. The CG followed the same training program without wearing the “weighted shorts”. Before and after 12 weeks of training, anthropometric characteristics, 10- and 30- m speed, the Arrowhead change-of-direction test, the Illinois agility test with ball, the countermovement jump, and the 5-repetition maximum (5RM) load at the split squat, leg extension and leg curl were measured. The EG improved significantly (p< 0.05) more in comparison with the CG in countermovement jump, leg extension and split squat (left leg) 5RM load. The addition of weights on the thighs using special shorts during soccer training sessions leads to increased jumping ability and lower limbs maximal strength in youth soccer players.
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