The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in multiple athletic performances, and to examine associations between athletic performance and Functional Movement Screen (FMS) in young soccer players. Forty-one soccer players were tested on peak height velocity (PHV), 5-, 10-, and 30-m sprint times, 505 change of direction (505 COD), Y-reactive agility tests, countermovement jump (CMJ), and squat jump (SJ) height. Significant main effects ( P <0.01) were recorded in all tests except FMS total score whereas the U16 group outperformed U12 and U14 in almost each test. However, when the results were adjusted to the PHV 7 of 11 tests were nonsignificant. Significant associations were recorded between trunk stability push-up (TSPU) and 5 m ( P =0.04) and 505 COD (preferred) times ( P =0.01), and SJ height ( P =0.03) in the U12. In the U14, significant associations were recoded between TSPU and SJ ( P <0.01) and CMJ height ( P =0.03). In the U16, significant associations were recorded between deep overhead squat and 5-m sprint time ( P =0.02) and CMJ height ( P =0.04). Results of this study indicate that athletic performance in young soccer players is multidimensional in nature, and it is a consequence of several factors including maturation, different training strategies, and movement proficiency.

Krčmár, M, Krčmárová, B, Bakaľár, I, and Šimonek, J. Acute performance enhancement after squats combined with elastic bands on short sprint and vertical jump height in female athletes. J Strength Cond Res 35(2): 318–324, 2021—The main purpose of this study was to compare back squats with and without elastic bands on sprint and vertical jump height. Fourteen female athletes (21.9 ± 2.3 years; 177.5 ± 6.36 cm; 66.2 ± 6.2 kg; 1 repetition maximum [1RM]/ body mass: 1.96 ± 0.14) agreed to participate. On 4 separate days, athletes walked freely for 5 minutes (CON), performed 3 sets of 4 repetitions at 85% of their 1RM with 20% or 30% (BAND20 or BAND30) of the total resistance originated from elastic bands, or performed 3 sets and 4 repetitions at 85% of their 1RM with an isoinertial load (ISO) before performance tests. Posttesting began 5 and 10 minutes after the last set of squats and included sprints over 3, 5, and 10-m, squat jump (SJ), and countermovement (CMJ) vertical jump height. The results of this study show that all postactivation performance enhancement (PAPE) protocols significantly improved 10-m sprint time (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01). Only BAND30 significantly improved 3-m and 5-m sprint times at both times of posttesting (p < 0.01). Comparison of PAPE protocols showed a significant difference when comparing BAND30 vs. ISO in SJ height in favor of BAND30 only when the best SJ height results from both posttesting times were selected (p < 0.01, g = 1.08). The results of this study suggest that all PAPE protocols were able to enhance short sprints and vertical jump height, but it seems that there is a greater trend to achieve better performance after performing the BAND30 protocol that can be seen by higher effect sizes achieved almost in all tests compared with the other PAPE protocols.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 4-weeks high-intensity interval training with short interval 15s/15s in three modes -linear (straight-line runs), shuttle and combined. Each group performed 2 x 4 minutes runs at 95-105% of VIFT. Eighteen male young soccer players participated in the present study. Before commencing the experiment, the participants were randomly divided into three HIIT groups: linear (n=6), combined (n=6) and shuttle (n=6). Players completed the 30 m sprint test, 505 COD test and the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15 IFT) before and after the experiment. Results show significant improvements from pre-to post-training only in the 505 COD test (left) (p < 0.05) and 30-15 IFT test (p < 0.05) in the combined and shuttle group. No significant differences were observed between the groups in any measured outcome. In conclusion, all HIIT modes performed in 4-weeks period led to improvements in aerobic endurance, speed performance and change of direction speed. In the combined group, we observed the most significant improvement in aerobic endurance and speed performance and in change of direction speed we noticed the best progress in the shuttle group.

The aim of our contribution was to verify the impact of mobilization exercises on muscle shortening in football players of MFK Snina U13. A two-group experiment was used. The probands' research group consisted of 20 players, where the experimental ensemble consisted of 10 players and a control set of 10 players. We used the Janda (1982) shortened muscle testing methodology, modified by Thurzová (1992). After the initial measurements, a compensation program of balancing exercises was developed, which was applied to probands for six weeks within the training process. After six weeks of operation, we conducted an output measurement of the entire proband research set. We found decreased incidence of shortened muscles on the basis of targeted compensation programme of mobilization exercises and an occurrence of statistically significant changes between the input and output measurements in the experimental group on p < 0,01 and p < 0,10 and also between the outputs in the experimental group compared to the control group on p < 0,01 and p < 0,10. The results of the research have shown that an appropriately selected mobilization exercises can have a positive impact on the shortened muscle condition of young football players.