title: Short-term training effects of vertically and horizontally oriented exercises on neuromuscular performance in professional soccer players.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 2 strength and conditioning programs involving either purely vertically oriented or combining vertically and horizontally oriented exercises on soccer-relevant performance variables (ie, acceleration, jumping ability, peak power, and endurance).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two professional male soccer players were randomly assigned to 2 training groups: vertical strength (VS, n = 11) and vertical and horizontal strength (VHS, n = 11). Players trained 2 times per week during all the preseason (5 wk) and 3 weeks of the competitive season. The effect of the training protocols was assessed using double-and single-leg vertical countermovement jumps (CMJ), half-squat peak power (PP), sprint performance over 5 and 15 m, and blood lactate concentration at selected running speeds.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups obtained significant improvements in PP (P < .05; ES = 0.87 and 0.80 for VS and VHS, respectively) and small practical improvements in 5-m- (P < .05; ES = 0.27 and 0.25 for VS and VHS, respectively) and 15-m-sprint time (P < .05; ES = 0.19 and 0.24 for VS and VHS, respectively). The CMJ performance showed a small improvement (P < .05, ES = 0.34) only in the VHS group. Submaximal aerobic-fitness changes were similar in both groups (P < .05; ES = 1.89 and 0 .71 for VS and VHS, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provided a small amount of practical evidence for the consideration of preseason training protocols that combine exercises for vertical- and horizontal-axis strength development in professional male soccer players. Further studies using more aggressive training protocols involving horizontally oriented conditioning exercises are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Club Atlético Osasuna, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Asier
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Los Arcos
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yanci
authors.forename: Jurdan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendiguchia
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Salinero
authors.forename: Matt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brughelli
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castagna
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold; D054874:Athletic Performance; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000379:methods*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D012420:Running; D012916:Soccer; D013030:Spain; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019344:Lactic Acid