Importance of Physical Qualities for Speed and Change of Direction Ability in Elite Female Soccer Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of physical qualities for speed and change of direction (CoD) ability in female soccer players. Data were collected on 10 female soccer players who were part of a professional English Women's Super League team. Player assessments included anthropometric (stature and body mass), body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), speed (10m, 30m sprint), CoD ability (505 agility), aerobic (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test), lower-body strength (bilateral knee extensions) and power (countermovement jump [CMJ], squat jump [SJ], 30cm drop jump [DJ]) measures. The relationships between the variables were evaluated using eigenvector analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. Multiple linear regression revealed that the performance variables (10 and 20m speed, mean 505, and CoD deficit mean) can be predicted with almost 100% accuracy (i.e. adjusted R > 0.999) using various combinations of the predictor variables (DJ height, CMJ height, SJ height, lean body mass). An increase of one standard deviation (SD) in DJ height was associated with reductions of -5.636 and -9.082 SD in 10 m and 20 m sprint times. A one SD increase in CMJ also results in a reduction of -3.317 and -0.922 SD respectively in mean 505 and CoD deficit mean values. This study provides comparative data for professional English female soccer players that can be used by strength and conditioning coaches when monitoring player development and assessing the effectiveness of training programmes. Findings highlight the importance of developing reactive strength to improve speed and CoD ability in female soccer players.

The Influence of Maturity Offset, Strength, and Movement Competency on Motor Skill Performance in Adolescent Males

“…The IMTP ABS had the strongest correlation with SMBT performance and explained the most variance, likely due to the same absolute load used for all participants (four kg medicine ball). Despite the relationship between maturity and absolute strength, previous studies indicate measures of relative strength do not improve with increasing chronological age groups in boys [20] or girls [17], or maturity status of girls [45]. Therefore, our findings suggest that developing strength relative to body mass should be a primary goal of long-term athletic development programs, as supported by previous reviews [2,3] and position statements [46].…”

Influence of playing position and laterality in centripetal force and changes of direction in elite soccer players

“…Age, body mass, height, fat mass and BMI of the players in this study were within the range previously reported in the literature for male elite soccer players (age: 22.1-28.1 years, body mass: 69.4-83.4 kg, height: 1.71-1.83, fat mass: 8.0-13.2, BMI: 20.8-22.9) [41]. Although previous studies showed the importance of anthropometric characteristics as an attribute for soccer performance in women elite players [42] and youth male players [43], few studies were found with the association between anthropometric characteristics and variables of soccer performance or players workload index in male elite players.…”

Influence of Contextual Variables in the Changes of Direction and Centripetal Force Generated during an Elite-Level Soccer Team Season

“…Regarding physical performance indicators, centripetal force and changes of direction are two essential components in team sports, allowing for the players to get ahead in the duel over the ball and create or block clear opportunities to get a goal [3,4]. For this reason, different research has investigated to what extent the training of different variables influences the performance of changes of direction, such as strength training of the lower limbs [51], trunk stability [52], or gait biomechanics [12][13][14]. However, the question is whether it is worth improving performance in changes of direction and centripetal force, and if they have an effect on performance during the competition.…”