title: Effects of velocity-based resistance training on young soccer players of different ages.
abstract: This study aimed to analyze the effect of velocity-based resistance training (RT) with moderate loads and few repetitions per set combined with jumps and sprints on physical performance in young soccer players of different ages. A total of 44 elite youth soccer players belonging to 3 teams participated in this study: an under-16 team (U16, n = 17) and an under-18 team (U18, n = 16) performed maximal velocity RT program for 26 weeks in addition to typical soccer training, whereas an under-21 team (U21, n = 11) did not perform RT. Before and after the training program, all players performed 20-m running sprint (T20), countermovement jump (CMJ), a progressive isoinertial loading test in squat to determine the load that elicited a ∼ 1 m · s(-1) velocity (V1LOAD) and an incremental field test to determine maximal aerobic speed (MAS). U16 showed significantly (p = 0.000) greater gains in V1LOAD than U18 and U21 (100/0/0%). Only U16 showed significantly (p = 0.01) greater gains than U21 (99/1/0%) in CMJ height. U18 obtained a likely better effect on CMJ performance than U21 (89/10/1%). The beneficial effects on T20 between groups were unclear. U16 showed a likely better effect on MAS than U21 (80/17/3%), whereas the rest of comparisons were unclear. The changes in CMJ correlated with the changes in T20 (r = -0.49) and V1LOAD (r = 0.40). In conclusion, velocity-based RT with moderate load and few repetitions per set seems to be an adequate method to improve physical performance in young soccer players.
authors.affiliation: 1Physical and Athletic Performance Research Center, Faculty of Sport, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain; and 2Studies, Research and Sports Medicine Center, Government of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: González-Badillo
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pareja-Blanco
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Rosell
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Abad-Herencia
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Del Ojo-López
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Medina
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D054874:Athletic Performance; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*