Changes evaluated in soccer-specific power endurance either with or without a 10-week, in-season, intermittent, high-intensity training protocol.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in soccer-specific power endurance of 34 female high school soccer players throughout a season either with or without an intermittent, high-intensity exercise protocol. Thirty-four female high school soccer players were tested prior to the 2000 fall season and again 10 weeks later. The tests included an abridged 45-minute shuttle test (LIST), hydrostatic weighing, vertical jump, 20-m running-start sprint, and 30-second Wingate test. The experimental group (EG; n = 17, age 16.5 +/- 0.9 years) completed a 10-week in-season plyometric, resistive training, and high-intensity anaerobic program. The control group (n = 17, age 16.3 +/- 1.4 years) completed only traditional aerobic soccer conditioning. Statistical significance was set at alpha < 0.05. The experimental group showed significant improvements in the LIST (EG = delta 394 seconds +/- 124 seconds), 20-m sprint (EG = Delta-0.10 seconds +/- 0.10 seconds), increase in fat-free mass (EG = delta 1.14 kg +/- 1.22 kg), and decreases in fat mass (EG = Delta-1.40 kg +/- 1.47 kg) comparing pre- to postseason. This study indicates that a strength and plyometric program improved power endurance and speed over aerobic training only. Soccer-specific power endurance training may improve match performance and decrease fatigue in young female soccer players.
Siegler
Jason
J
Department of Health and Human Performance, The University of Montana Health and Human Performance Laboratory, The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 87106, USA. jasonsiegler@unm.edu
Gaskill
Steven
S
Ruby
Brent
B
D000293:Adolescent; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011336:Probability; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors