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.
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
Jason
J
Siegler
Steven
S
Gaskill
Brent
B
Ruby
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