Mind the gap! A survey comparing current strength training methods used in men’s versus women’s first team and academy soccer

Abstract

Purpose: Much less is known about strength and conditioning (S&C) practice in women's versus men's soccer. The aim of this study was to compare S&C practice between coaches working in men's or women's soccer, at first team or academy level, worldwide. Methods: A total of 170 participants, who were involved with S&C support at their soccer club (in Europe, USA and South America, within men's or women's first team or academy settings) completed a comprehensive online survey, designed to evaluate (i) their academic qualifications and S&C coaching experience; and their preferred methods for (ii) physical testing; (iii) strength and power development; (iv) plyometric training; (v) speed development; and (vi) periodization. Results: Women's academies had fewer weekly in-season S&C sessions than men's academies (1.6±0.6 vs. 2.3±0.9, p=0.005). Relatively, fewer women's academy S&C coaches (6%) used Olympic weightlifting movements than men's academy S&C coaches (32%, p=0.030). Relatively, more women's academy coaches (47%) used the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) compared to men's academy coaches (15%, p=0.006), but relatively more women's vs. men's first team coaches (61% vs. 38%, p=0.028) and women's vs. men's academy (61% vs. 38% coaches, p=0.049) utilised rating of perceived exertion-based load prescriptions. Conclusion: Notable differences in S&C practice exist between coaches of men's and women's soccer squads, particularly at academy level. Fewer weekly S&C sessions in women academy players may have implications for physical development, while the greater use of subjective load prescriptions in both academy and first team women's squads may lead to sub-optimal performance gains.

Effect of High-Intensity vs. Moderate-Intensity Resistance Training on Strength, Power, and Muscle Soreness in Male Academy Soccer Players

“…Beyond prescribing training volume and intensity, a key variable to consider is exercise selection and specific variations. Previously, McQuilliam et al (22) reported bilateral squatting patterns were the most common movement prescribed by soccer academy S&C coaches (85% responders). However, variations within this group of movements may affect training adaptations, for example, the range of movement implemented.…”

“…Consequently, the primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of high-intensity, low-volume RT (HRT) vs. the moderate-intensity, high-volume RT (MRT) approach commonly utilized in soccer (22), using parallel squat training, on changes in strength, power, and speed in academy soccer players, compared with pitch-based soccer training only. A second aim was to compare DOMS between the 3 groups.…”

“…Strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches in youth soccer actively seek to improve these sport-specific actions through a variety of training methods, of which resistance training (RT) is a central component (21). Furthermore, men's academy S&C coaches in the United Kingdom incorporate 2 ± 1 S&C sessions per week, lasting 45 ± 14 minutes (22). Conclusions from a youth RT meta-analysis suggest that the most effective training frequency to develop strength and power in youth athletes is 2–3 sessions a week, while a single session may maintain established strength levels (18).…”

“…However, soccer S&C coaches typically implement 3 sets of 8 repetitions at a moderate intensity when aiming to develop strength in-season (22), which would normally be regarded as hypertrophy/strength-endurance training (>6 repetitions at moderate intensity) rather than training to primarily improve strength (1–6 repetitions at high intensity) (13,17). Furthermore, the 2 main limiting factors reported by coaches for incorporating RT into soccer training are time constraints and concerns of athletes experiencing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after RT (22). Because the volume of RT may dictate both time taken to complete a RT session and degree of DOMS experienced by the athlete, limiting these factors may help maximize performance gains with minimal impact on time to complete soccer-specific training while also mitigating DOMS.…”

Global differences in current strength and conditioning practice within soccer

“…Loturco et al 6 suggested regional differences may be due to related different cultural perspectives and regional backgrounds. This research has exclusively been completed with coaches working with senior male soccer players and, while current S&C practice appears similar between male and female professional soccer players in the same global region, 7 differences may be apparent between global regions, as is suggested when comparing the independent studies by between Loturco et al 6 and Weldon et al 4 However, no study has investigated this question directly.…”