title: Performance effects of 6 weeks of aerobic production training in junior elite soccer players.
abstract: This study investigates the performance effects of a 6-week biweekly anaerobic speed endurance production training among junior elite soccer players. Sixteen junior (age 16.9 ± 0.6 years) elite soccer players were tested in the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test level 2 (IR2), 10-m and 35-m sprints, 7 × 35-m repeated-sprint ability (RSA) tests, countermovement jump and squat jump tests, and randomly assigned to either a control group (CG) performing their normal training schedule, which included 4 weekly soccer training sessions of approximately 90 minutes, or a training group performing anaerobic speed endurance production training twice weekly for 6 weeks in addition to their normal weekly schedule. We found that the intervention group significantly improved (p < 0.05) their performance in the Yo-Yo IR2 (63 ± 74 m) and 10-m sprint time (-0.06 ± 0.06 seconds). No significant performance changes were found in the CG. Between-group pretest to posttest differences were found for 10-m sprint times (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the 35-m sprint times, RSA, or jump performances. These results indicate that short-term anaerobic production training is effective in improving acceleration and intermittent exercise performance among well-trained junior elite players.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport, Center for Practical Knowledge, University of Nordland, Bodø, Norway. jorgen.ingebrigtsen@hibo.no
authors.forename: Jørgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ingebrigtsen
authors.forename: Shaher A I
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Shalfawi
authors.forename: Espen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tønnessen
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krustrup
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holtermann
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D009664:Norway; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*