Maximum acceleration performance of professional soccer players in linear sprints: Is there a direct connection with change-of-direction ability?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the selective influences of the maximum acceleration capability on change of direction (COD) speed, COD deficit, linear sprint speed, sprint momentum, and loaded and unloaded vertical jump performances in forty-nine male professional soccer players (24.3 ± 4.2 years; 75.4 ± 5.4 kg; 177.9 ± 6.4 cm). Soccer players performed the assessments in the following order: 1) squat and countermovement jumps; 2) 20-m sprinting speed test; 3) Zigzag COD ability test; and 4) bar-power outputs in the jump squat exercise. Athletes were divided, using a median split analysis, into two different groups according to their maximum acceleration rates from zero to 5-m (e.g., higher and lower ACC 0-5-m). Magnitude-based inference was used to compare the differences in the physical test results between "higher" and "lower" acceleration groups. A selective influence of the maximum acceleration ability on speed-power tests was observed, as the higher acceleration group demonstrated likely to almost certain higher performances than the lower acceleration group in all measurements (effect sizes varying from 0.66 [for sprint momentum in 20-m] to 2.39 [for sprint velocity in 5-m]). Conversely, the higher acceleration group demonstrated a higher COD deficit when compared to the lower acceleration group (ES = 0.55). This indicates compromised efficiency to perform COD maneuvers in this group of players. In summary, it was observed that soccer players with higher maximum acceleration rates are equally able to jump higher, sprint faster (over short distances), and achieve higher COD velocities than their slower counterparts. However, they appear to be less efficient at changing direction, which may be related to their reduced ability to deal with greater entry and exit velocities, or counterbalance the associated mechanical consequences (i.e., greater inertia) of being faster and more powerful.

Multiple athletic performances, maturation, and Functional Movement Screen total and individual scores across different age categories in young soccer players

“…Abovementioned associations are supported by significant differences obtained between the groups in COD deficit (both variations) which may indicate that not only linear sprinting in the older ones is related to the better performance in COD test but it also seems that technical competence to perform rapid and technically mastered change of direction ability ( Nimphius et al, 2016 ) at an angle of 180° may be on the higher level in older players. However, it should be noted that even significant but the smallest P -values, and small to large effect sizes ranged from 0.39 to 0.88 were recorded when comparing U16 to U12 in the COD 505 deficit in both variations which may indicate reduced ability with greater entry and exit velocities ( Loturco et al, 2019 ). Similarly, as in the 505 COD test, we found that the U16 was significantly quicker in the Y-reactive agility test compared to the U12 and U14 as well.…”

Resisted Sprint Velocity in Female Soccer Players: Influence of Physical Capacities

“…While this question remains unresolved, coaches should be aware that heavier sled loads will lead to progressive reductions in maximum velocity and, as a consequence, substantial changes in sprint kinetics and kinematics [7,35,36]. These mechanical adjustments appear to be load-dependent and tend to occur both in faster and slower female soccer players, impairing their performance, especially at very-short and short distances (i. e. from zero to 5-m and up to 10-m), during the maximum acceleration phase [3].…”

“…The ability to rapidly accelerate over very short distances is directly related to successful performances in professional soccer [1][2][3]. During recent years, this has become increasingly evident as numerous investigations have consistently demonstrated a progressive and significant increase in game speed [1,4].…”

Association of Dribbling with Linear and Non-linear Sprints in Young Soccer Players of Bangladesh

“…Although previous research has shown that the change in direction of the sprint is highly correlated with the successful performance of team sports. 29,30 Research carried out by Loturco et al (2019) 31 found that, soccer players with higher maximum acceleration rates can jump higher, sprint quicker (over short distances) and achieve higher COD of short sprints than their slower counterparts. Likewise, the present study also identified the relationship between field-based linear and COD of short sprints with field-based dribbling performance in soccer.…”