Effects of combined plyometric, strength and running technique training program on change-of-direction and countermovement jump: A two-armed parallel study design on young soccer players

Ricardo Martín-Moya; Ana Filipa Silva; Filipe Manuel Clemente; Francisco Tomás González-Fernández

doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.06.025

Effects of combined plyometric, strength and running technique training program on change-of-direction and countermovement jump: A two-armed parallel study design on young soccer players

Gait Posture. 2023 Sep:105:27-34. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.06.025. Epub 2023 Jul 1.

Authors

Ricardo Martín-Moya¹, Ana Filipa Silva², Filipe Manuel Clemente³, Francisco Tomás González-Fernández⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Education and Sports Sciences, Melilla Campus, University of Granada, 52006 Melilla, Spain. Electronic address: rmartinm@ugr.es.
² Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun'Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal; Research Center in Sports Performance, Recreation, Innovation and Technology (SPRINT), 4960-320 Melgaço, Portugal.
³ Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun'Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal; Research Center in Sports Performance, Recreation, Innovation and Technology (SPRINT), 4960-320 Melgaço, Portugal; Instituto de Telecomunicações, Delegação da Covilhã, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal.
⁴ Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Education and Sports Sciences, Melilla Campus, University of Granada, 52006 Melilla, Spain.

PMID: 37454438
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.06.025

Abstract

Context and objective: Players must be capable to have a good change-of-direction (COD) skill aiming to be the fastest as possible to react immediately to the opponent or even to help players to be more agile since COD is a physical determinant of agility. Thus, the aim of this study was to test the effects of a six-week combined training intervention in the COD and countermovement jump (CMJ) of young soccer players, while comparing with a control group only performing the regular field-based training sessions.

Methods: A sample of 80 non-professional players (40 experimental group and 40 control group) between the ages of ten and twelve was taken [(Age: 10.70 ± 1.02)]. The tests that were carried out from the beginning to the end of the intervention were: CMJ test, 505COD Test and Illinois Test. Paired sample t-test was used for determining differences as a repeated measures analysis (pre- post). An ANCOVA test was performed using the pretest as a covariate and the times pre and post as factors.

Results and conclusions: Repeated measures ANCOVA revealed significant influence of baseline level on the 5-0-5 COD (p = 0.001; η_p²=0.170), the Illinois (p = 0.018; η_p²=0.070) and the CMJ (p = 0.047; η_p²=0.050). Significant interactions group*time (p < 0.001; η_p²=0.137), 5-0-5 COD (p < 0.001; η_p²=0.274), and CMJ (p < 0.001; η_p²=0.392) were found, while no significant interactions were found in Illinois (p = 0.293; η_p²=0.014). The current research revealed that a combined training intervention consisting of strength training, plyometrics, and running techniques can be significantly beneficial for improving COD performance and CMJ.

Keywords: Football; Performance; Sprint; Team sports; Vertical jump.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Athletic Performance*
Child
Humans
Muscle Strength
Plyometric Exercise* / methods
Running*
Soccer*