Effects of Combined Plyometric and Short Sprints Training on Athletic Performance of Male U19 Soccer Players

Abstract

This project investigated adding 8 weeks of biweekly plyometric and short sprints training into standard training in elite youth soccer players. An experimental group (EG, n = 18, age: 17.6 ± 0.6 years, body mass: 67.6 ± 5.8 kg, height: 1.75 ± 0.06 m, and body fat: 11.5 ± 1.6%) and control group (CG, n = 18, age: 17.5 ± 0.6 years, body mass: 68.8 ± 3.6 kg, height: 1.77 ± 0.04 m, and body fat: 11.7 ± 1.2%) participated. Pre-intervention and post-intervention measures were squat-jump (SJ), countermovement-jump (CMJ), standing long jump (SLJ), 5 and 20 m sprints, change-of-direction ability (4 × 5 m sprint test [S 4 × 5 m] and sprint 9-3-6-3-9 m with backward and forward running [SBF]), repeated change of direction (RCOD), and static balance (the stork balance test). For all parameters, significant (p < 0.001, ηp2 > 0.10) time and interaction (group × time) effects were observed. For three parameters (SBF, RCOD fastest time, and SLJ) no significant group effects were observed. The EG consistently showed a significantly higher performance level than the CG and a higher amount of effect sizes d (EG: drange: 1.27–2.61; CG: drange: 0.13–0.79) as an indicator for the development of performance between pre-intervention and post-intervention measures. Adding biweekly plyometric and short sprint training to standard training improves the athletic performance of young soccer players. Such plyometric and short sprint training conditioning can be highly recommended as part of the annual short training program for male elite under-19 (U19) soccer players.

Effect of different weekly frequencies of plyometric-jump and linear-sprint training on youth male futsal athlete’s physical fitness

“…Our novel findings indicates a large improvement for vertical and horizontal jump performance. Current findings expand those reported by Aloui et al [15], noting improved SJ, CMJ and horizontal jump performance in U19 male soccer players after 8 weeks of combined plyometric-jump and linear-sprint training. Furthermore, it was observed significant increases in CMJ performance following combined plyometric and short sprints training, in male U15 soccer players [32].…”

“…A recent study combined both plyometric-jump training and linear-sprint training in U-19 male soccer players, improving squat jump (SJ) (ES=1.53), counter-movement jump (CMJ) (ES=1.6), standing long jump (SLJ; ES=1.27), 5-m and 20-m linear-sprint speed (ES=1. 38, both), and change of direction speed (ES=1.46) [15]. Considering the relevance of jumping, sprinting, and change of direction speed in futsal players, a replication of the aforementioned study [15] in futsal players might offer advancement in the field.…”

“…38, both), and change of direction speed (ES=1.46) [15]. Considering the relevance of jumping, sprinting, and change of direction speed in futsal players, a replication of the aforementioned study [15] in futsal players might offer advancement in the field.…”

“…During the pre-season, the athletes performed 4 weeks of maximum-effort horizontal jumps and linear-sprints (Table I). The intervention was based on previous studies [11,15,21,25,26], and through discussion with the technical staff of the team. Each intervention training session started with the plyometric-jump exercises, including bipedal horizontal jumps and alternated unilateral horizontal jumps sets, being the 10-m sprints done immediately in sequence (Figure 2).…”

“…Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of different frequencies (i.e., one, two, and three sessions per week; equated for volume (i.e., number of repetitions) and intensity) of plyometric-jump and linear-sprint training on youth male futsal athlete's physical fitness (i.e., squat jump; countermovement jump; 10-m and 20-m sprinting speed, and change of direction speed). Based on key references [3,15], we hypothesized similar physical fitness improvements on youth male futsal athletes, independent of the training frequency involved during the intervention.…”