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França C, Gouveia ÉR, Martins F, Ihle A, Henriques R, Marques A, Sarmento H, Przednowek K, Lopes H. Lower-Body Power, Body Composition, Speed, and Agility Performance among Youth Soccer Players. Sports (Basel) 2024; 12:135. [PMID: 38787004 PMCID: PMC11125780 DOI: 10.3390/sports12050135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Speed and agility have been described as crucial abilities for soccer players. The purpose of this study was to analyze, in detail, the variance in speed and agility tasks explained by lower-body power after controlling for age and body composition. The participants were 96 male soccer players aged 16.1 ± 1.6 years. Body composition (stature, body fat percentage-BF%, body mass, and fat-free mass-FFM), lower-body power (countermovement jump-CMJ, and squat jump-SJ), speed (5-, 10-, and 35 m sprints), and agility (t-test) were assessed. Among body composition parameters, BF% presented the highest number of significant relationships with speed and agility, with the strength of correlations ranging from small (5 m sprint, r = 0.25) to large (35 m sprint, r = 0.52). The strongest correlation coefficient emerged between FFM and the 35 m sprint (r = -0.65). Significant correlations were found between vertical jump performance and the 35 m sprint (CMJ: r = -0.68; SJ: r = -0.69), followed by the t-test (CMJ: r = -0.35; SJ: r = -0.47). The hierarchical multiple regression model could explain 22% to 67% of the variance observed in agility scores and speed. BF% remained the most statistically significant negative predictor of all regression models. The CMJ remained a statistically significant positive predictor of the 35 m sprint (β = -0.581, p ≤ 0.01) after controlling for age and body composition. Integrating programs targeting lower-body power might be important to enhance speed and agility performance in youth soccer. On the other hand, future research based on multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the effects of nutritional strategies in reducing or preventing gains in BF% is still needed, which remained a significant predictor of sprint and agility performance in the final models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cíntia França
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal; (É.R.G.); (F.M.); (H.L.)
- LARSYS, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Élvio Rúbio Gouveia
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal; (É.R.G.); (F.M.); (H.L.)
- LARSYS, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- CIPER, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, 1495-751 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1227 Carouge, Switzerland;
| | - Francisco Martins
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal; (É.R.G.); (F.M.); (H.L.)
- LARSYS, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- CIPER, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, 1495-751 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Andreas Ihle
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1227 Carouge, Switzerland;
- Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, 1227 Carouge, Switzerland
- Swiss Center of Expertise in Life Course Research LIVES, 1227 Carouge, Switzerland
| | | | - Adilson Marques
- CIPER, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, 1495-751 Lisbon, Portugal;
- ISAMB, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1649-020 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Hugo Sarmento
- Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF), Faculty of Sports Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Krzysztof Przednowek
- Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, Medical College, University of Rzeszów, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland;
| | - Helder Lopes
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal; (É.R.G.); (F.M.); (H.L.)
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences, and Human Development (CIDESD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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Gómez-Piqueras P, Alcaraz PE. If You Want to Prevent Hamstring Injuries in Soccer, Run Fast: A Narrative Review about Practical Considerations of Sprint Training. Sports (Basel) 2024; 12:134. [PMID: 38787003 PMCID: PMC11126098 DOI: 10.3390/sports12050134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) are one of the most common injuries in sprint-based sports. In soccer, the ability to sprint is key, not only because of its relation to performance but also due to its possible protective effect against HSIs. Although many authors have focused on the "how", "when", and "what" training load should be implemented, there is a lack of practical proposals for sprint training in a high-level professional environment. The objective of this narrative review is, after a deep review of the scientific literature, to present a practical approach for sprint training, trying to answer some of the questions that most strength and conditioning coaches ask themselves when including it in soccer. Once the literature published on this topic was reviewed and combined with the practical experience of the authors, it was concluded that sprint training in soccer, although it presents an obvious need, is not something about which there is methodological unanimity. However, following the practical recommendations from this narrative review, strength and conditioning coaches can have a reference model that serves as a starting point for optimal management of the internal and external training load when they wish to introduce sprint training in the competitive microcycle in professional soccer players, with the aim of reducing HSIs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pedro E. Alcaraz
- UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Campus de los Jerónimos 135, 30107 Murcia, Spain;
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Curovic I, Rhodes D, Alexander J, Harper DJ. Vertical Strength Transfer Phenomenon Between Upper Body and Lower Body Exercise: Systematic Scoping Review. Sports Med 2024:10.1007/s40279-024-02039-8. [PMID: 38743172 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-024-02039-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are a myriad of exercise variations in which upper body (UB) and lower body (LB) exercises have been intermittently used. However, it is still unclear how training of one body region (e.g. LB) affects adaptations in distant body areas (e.g. UB), and how different UB and LB exercise configurations could help facilitate physiological adaptations of either region; both referred to in this review as vertical strength transfer. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the existence of the vertical strength transfer phenomenon as a response to various UB and LB exercise configurations and to identify potential mechanisms underpinning its occurrence. METHODS A systematic search using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) for Scoping Reviews protocol was conducted in February 2024 using four databases (Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus and CINAHL) to identify peer-reviewed articles that investigated the vertical strength transfer phenomenon. RESULTS Of the 5242 identified articles, 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings suggest that the addition of UB strength training to LB endurance exercise may help preserve power-generating capacity for the leg muscle fibres. Furthermore, systemic endocrine responses to high-volume resistance exercise may beneficially modulate adaptations in precedingly or subsequently trained muscles from a different body region, augmenting their strength gains. Last, strength training for LB could result in improved strength of untrained UB, likely due to the increased central neural drive. CONCLUSIONS Vertical strength transfer existence is enabled by neurophysiological mechanisms. Future research should involve athletic populations, examining the potential of vertical strength transfer to facilitate athletic performance and preserve strength in injured extremities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Curovic
- Institute of Coaching and Performance, School of Health, Social Work and Sport, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
- , Jurija Gagarina 102/7, 11070, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - David Rhodes
- Human Performance Department, Burnley Football Club, Burnley, UK
| | - Jill Alexander
- Institute of Coaching and Performance, School of Health, Social Work and Sport, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Damian J Harper
- Institute of Coaching and Performance, School of Health, Social Work and Sport, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
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Jiménez-Rubio S, Raya-González J, Lobo-Triviño D, García-Calvo T. The impact of a multicomponent training program on physical fitness and joint injuries in Spanish male professional soccer players. J Sports Sci 2023; 41:1934-1943. [PMID: 38258651 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2024.2307780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the effects of a multicomponent training program (ProSAS) on selected measures of physical fitness and joint injuries in Spanish male professional soccer players. Twenty-six professional soccer players (age: 25.2 ± 3.1 years) were randomly assigned to either the experimental (EG; n = 16) or control group (CG; n = 10). Y-balance test (YBT), Single leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ), Single leg hop for distance test (SLH), Side-hop test (SH), Speedy jump test (SpJ), Agility T-test (TT) and Lower extremity functional test (LEFT) were performed before and after an 8-weeks training period. Additionally, any joint injury occurring during the intervention period were recorded. Significant improvements in the EG in all tests (p = 0.001 to p = 0.014), except for SLCMJ (p = 0.632) with the dominant leg were observed. CG displayed decreases in SLCMJ with the non-dominant leg (p = 0.014), SH for both legs (p = 0.001 to p = 0.050), TT (p = 0.005), and LEFT (p = 0.001). Inter-groups differences revealed better results for the EG in all variables (p = 0.001 to p = 0.008) except from SLCMJd (p = 0.555). Moreover, the EG exhibited lower joint injury incidence and burden compared to the CG (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the ProSAS is an effective multicomponent program to improve variables related to risk of joint injuries, and consequently, to reduce the incidence and burden of these injuries in professional soccer players.
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Loturco I, Freitas TT, Zabaloy S, Pereira LA, Moura TBMA, Fernandes V, Mercer VP, Alcaraz PE, Zając A, Bishop C. Speed Training Practices of Brazilian Olympic Sprint and Jump Coaches: Toward a Deeper Understanding of Their Choices and Insights (Part II). J Hum Kinet 2023; 89:187-211. [PMID: 38053953 PMCID: PMC10694730 DOI: 10.5114/jhk/174071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This is the second article in a three-article collection regarding the plyometric, speed, and resistance training practices of Brazilian Olympic sprint and jump coaches. Here, we list and describe six out of the ten speed training methods most commonly employed by these experts to enhance the sprinting capabilities of their athletes. Maximum speed sprinting, form running, resisted sprinting, overspeed running, uphill and downhill running, and sport-specific movement methods are critically examined with reference to their potential application in different sport contexts. In an era when sprint speed is of critical importance across numerous sports, practitioners can employ the methods outlined here to design efficient training programs for their athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irineu Loturco
- NAR—Nucleus of High Performance in Sport, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Sport, Health, and Exercise Science, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Tomás T. Freitas
- NAR—Nucleus of High Performance in Sport, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Facultad de Deporte, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Santiago Zabaloy
- Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports, University of Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | | | | | - Pedro E. Alcaraz
- UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Adam Zając
- Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Chris Bishop
- London Sport Institute, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
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