Changes in jump performance and muscle activity following soccer-specific exercise

Abstract

The jump performance of ten youth soccer players (mean age 15.8 years, s= 0.4) was assessed before and after 42 min of soccer-specific exercise performed on a non-motorized treadmill. A squat, countermovement, and drop jump were performed on a force platform and simultaneously surface EMG activity of four lower limb muscles was collected. Jump height deteriorated across all conditions with mean reductions of - 1.4 cm (s = 1.6; P < 0.05), - 3.0 cm (s = 2.9; P < 0.05), and -2.3 cm (s = 1.7; P < 0.01) in the squat, countermovement, and drop jump respectively. The impact force in the drop jump was the only force variable to show a significant change with fatigue (P < 0.05). Following the prolonged exercise, reductions in total muscle activity were non-significant for the squat jump, approached significance for the counter-ovement jump (P = 0.07), and achieved significance for the drop jump (P < 0.05). The results showed that completing soccer-specific exercise reduced performance in all jump tasks. Reductions in muscle activity were greatest for the drop jump, suggesting an influence of muscle stretch and loading on reduced muscle activity when fatigued.

Altered neuromuscular control of leg stiffness following soccer-specific exercise

“…The test has previously been shown to be valid and reliable when assessing youth male soccer players (Oliver et al 2007) and has previously been employed to identify decrements in jump performance in a youth population (Oliver et al 2008). During the test players cover approximately 5 km, with mean physiological load previously reported to be 70  3 % of 2 O V  max (Oliver et al 2007).…”

“…Exercise was organised into repetitive 2 min periods of activity as follows; 45 s walking (4 km.h -1 ), 15 s cruising (12 km.h -1 ), 15 s stationary, 40 s jogging (8 km.h -1 ) and a 5 s maximal sprint. The SSIET was performed on a Woodway Tramp non-motorised treadmill (Woodway GmbH, Germany) as per procedures described elsewhere (Oliver et al 2007;Oliver et al 2008). A visual display monitor placed in front of the treadmill allowed participants to monitor their velocity, with verbal feedback given by the instructor whenever a change in velocity was necessary.…”

“…It has been speculated that altered leg stiffness and movement control during a soccer-match contributes to the increased injury risk associated with fatigue (Cone et al 2012). While previous research has demonstrated both adults (Andersson et al 2008) and youths (Oliver et al 2008) have impaired SSC performance and function following soccer exercise, these studies have only considered slow SSC movements not associated with high levels of leg stiffness. Cone et al (2012) recently examined changes in leg stiffness following a soccer match.…”

Acute effects of endurance exercise on jumping and kicking performance in top‐class young soccer players

“…In this regard, it has been observed that a previous long-term endurance exercise can adversely influence both strength and power (Chambers, Noakes, Lambert, & Lambert, 1998;Lepers, Pousson, Maffiuletti, Martin, & Van Hoecke, 2000;Millet et al, 2002;Nicol, Komi, & Marconnet, 1991). Other researchers have reported a decrease in jumping and kicking performance under fatiguing conditions (Abt, Reaburn, Holmes, & Gear, 2003;Hoffman, Nusse, & Kang, 2003;Kellis, Katis, & Vrabas, 2006;Lees & Davies, 1988;Oliver, Armstrong, & Williams, 2006;Perroni et al, 2006). In these studies, jumping or kicking performance was measured after a soccer match, an exercise protocol that simulated a soccer match or a muscular endurance exercise.…”

Countermovement Jump Performance Is Not Affected During an In-Season Training Microcycle in Elite Youth Soccer Players

“…The CMJ test was carried out according to previously described methods 11 using a portable photoelectric cell system (Optojump, Microgate, Bolzano, Italy). This equipment is both reliable and valid for vertical jump assessment 12,13 .…”