The influence of short sprint performance, acceleration, and deceleration mechanical properties on change of direction ability in soccer players—A cross-sectional study

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between short sprint performance and mechanical parameters obtained during the acceleration and deceleration tasks with the change of direction (COD) performance in female and male soccer players. The acceleration and deceleration ability were compared in the “High/Fast” versus “Low/Slow” COD performance group based on a median split analysis in each sex group. One hundred three French soccer players were assessed for the sprinting Force-Velocity (F-V) profile (i.e., theoretical maximal force [F0], velocity [V0], power [Pmax]), 10 m performance, linear deceleration test (maximal braking force [HBFmax], braking power [BPmax], deceleration [Decmax]), and COD performance using 505-test. The 10 m performance was strongly associated with 505-test performance (ES = [0.64 to 0.71]), whereas the sprinting F-V profiles parameters were weakly to moderately correlated with 505- performance (ES = [-0.47 to -0.38]). The BPmax was also moderately associated with 505-test performance (ES: range = [-0.55 to -0.46]). In addition, the High/Fast female COD group presented higher F0, Pmax, HBFmax, and BPmax than the Low/Slow group, whereas the male groups presented very few mechanical differences. Multiple regression analysis shows that the COD performance of male players was determined by 10 m performance and maximum deceleration power. In contrast, no statistically significant model could be found to determine the change of direction performance in female players. In conclusion, the current finding indicated that the only variable strongly associated with COD performance was the linear 10 m sprint time. In the same way, the mechanical parameters obtained from acceleration and deceleration seemed to play a non-neglectable role in this population.

Mechanical Determinants of Sprinting and Change of Direction in Elite Female Field Hockey Players

“…However, our results showed that mechanical variables derived from FVP and horizontal deceleration do not significantly explain the variance of performance in the CODA test. Our results do not agree with our hypothesis and align with similar results that found low relationships between mechanical variables and female soccer players' ability to change direction [60]. The FVP profile only identifies horizontally applied force during maximum speed rather than specific braking forces (i.e., horizontal and vertical forces) relevant during COD.…”

Horizontal Deceleration Performance in Professional Female Handball Players

“…Generally speaking, one aspect of change-in-direction performance that has historically received less attention within the realm of sports science is the quantification of horizontal deceleration performance, including kinematic measures that go well beyond mere completion times in 5-0-5 and/or 5-10-5 tests [11]. In recent years, more attention has been dedicated to the importance of measuring and enhancing athletes' deceleration qualities [11,[14][15][16][17][18]. For instance, Graham-Smith et al [17] have investigated the links between the percentage of maximum speed attained with acceleration and stopping distance, which may help set realistic conditions for acceleration-deceleration drills and tests.…”

Acceleration and age in soccer

“…In sports science, there is a common research thread that investigates the relationship between acceleration and various physical measurements. See for example, Zhang et al, 2 Loturco, 3 Yildiz et al 4 and Little and Williams. 5 In this paper, we study maximum acceleration for players in soccer.…”