Muscle Strength and Speed Performance in Youth Soccer Players

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between maximum leg extension strength and sprinting performance in youth elite male soccer players. Sixty-three youth players (12.5 ± 1.3 years) performed 5 m, flying 15 m and 20 m sprint tests and a zigzag agility test on a grass field using timing gates. Two days later, subjects performed a one-repetition maximum leg extension test (79.3 ± 26.9 kg). Weak to strong correlations were found between leg extension strength and the time to perform 5 m (r = -0.39, p = 0.001), flying 15 m (r = -0.72, p < 0.001) and 20 m (r = -0.67, p < 0.001) sprints; between body mass and 5 m (r = -0.43, p < 0.001), flying 15 m (r = -0.75, p < 0.001), 20 m (r = -0.65, p < 0.001) sprints and agility (r =-0.29, p < 0.001); and between height and 5 m (r = -0.33, p < 0.01) and flying 15 m (r = -0.74, p < 0.001) sprints. Our results show that leg muscle strength and anthropometric variables strongly correlate with sprinting ability. This suggests that anthropometric characteristics should be considered to compare among youth players, and that youth players should undergo strength training to improve running speed.

Intra-seasonal variation of anthropometrical, conditional, and technical tests in U14 soccer players. [Variación en los parámetros antropométricos, condicionales y test técnicos de jugadores de fútbol SUB-14].

“…Furthermore, similar CMJFA results obtained in previous studies for athletes of the same level were found (Malina, Ribeiro, Aroso and Cumming, 2007), even if have also been shown different values from youth players with a professional perspective (Carling et al, 2009). Although a strong correlation between the maximum muscle strength and the sprinting ability has been previously showed by the literature (Peñailillo, Espíldora, Jannas-Vela, Mujika, and Zbinden-Foncea, 2016), the significant difference observed by our study for SPE occurred prevalently when they were compared with one of the sixth assessments. This could be provoked by the fact that field based measures are sometime unable to identify small meaningful changes in the force generated by muscle (Gibson, Brownstein, Ball, and Twist, 2017).…”

A Meta-Analysis of Resistance Training in Female Youth: Its Effect on Muscular Strength, and Shortcomings in the Literature

“…The ability to exert high force is an important determinant of healthy function and athletic performance in youth [2] and resistance training (RT) is an effective way to enhance that quality [3] in this population. Indeed, previous research in youth has found that absolute strength is well correlated with certain measures of sprint and jump height (r = 0.596 to 0.762) [4,5].…”

Effects of lower limb eccentric strength training on functional measurements in football players with cerebral palsy

“…The 1RM test was recorded as the maximum weight that could be lifted for the entire range of movement using the correct technique, all this with the consideration of the motor disability profile, limited range of movement in LL and muscle force production impairment of each player. If the weight was lifted with adequate technique, it was increased by 0.5-2.3 kg, and the players attempted the next repetition following the protocol used by a previous study (Peñailillo, Espíldora, Jannas-Vela, Mujika, & Zbinden-Foncea, 2016). All the participants were supervised for the correct execution form, and verbal encouragement was given.…”