Effects of a Tapering Period on Physical Condition in Soccer Players

Abstract

The aim of this research was to analyze the effects of a two-week step tapering period on lower-limb muscle power, change of direction (COD) and acceleration capacities, and on the stress-recovery state in an amateur soccer team. Twenty-two male players were included in the study. Following a six-week progressive training, the sample was divided into: experimental group (n = 11), who did a two-week period of taper in which training volume was 50% reduced (intensity was kept high) and control group (n = 11), which kept on with the training. Muscle power (countermovement jump test), acceleration (10m sprint test), COD (Illinois test) and stress and recovery perceptions (RESTQ questionnaire) were evaluated before training, at the end of it (pre-tapering, PRE-TP) and after the tapering period (post-tapering, POST-TP). Following the taper, the experimental group in comparison to the control group showed significantly improved power (1029.71 ± 108.51 W/kg vs. 1084.21 ± 110.87 W/kg; p < 0.01), acceleration (1.72 ± 0.09 s vs. 1.67 ± 0.07 s; p < 0.05), and lower stress levels (1.9±0.5 vs. 1.6±0.5; p < 0.01) (PRE-TP vs. POST-TP, respectively). COD did not show significant changes. In conclusion, a two-week step tapering program was found to be an effective periodization strategy to increase muscle power and acceleration, and to reduce stress perception in soccer amateur players.

Monitoring Internal Training Load, Stress-Recovery Responses, and Immune-Endocrine Parameters in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training

“…In the present study, high internal training loads during physical training sessions seemed to be related to increased cortisol secretion and high symptoms of general and sport-related stress. Reducing training loads during tapering can improve physical performance while decreasing stress symptoms in soccer players (10). As observed in the present study, reducing physical training load evoked reduced sRPE and significantly increased scores of general and sport recovery.…”

“…As observed in the present study, reducing physical training load evoked reduced sRPE and significantly increased scores of general and sport recovery. The RESTQ seemed to be a valuable approach to monitor athletes across preseason and competitive periods, indicating that the stress-recovery balance is associated with physical performance (10,17,34,38) and risk of injuries (38,45). We observed weak to moderate positive correlations between sRPE and general and specific stress scales, whereas negative correlations were observed between internal training load and general and specific recovery.…”

Tapering in the Sport of Karate: Narrative Review

“…Recently also found evidence that tapering periods carried out over two weeks by reducing exercise volume by 50% while maintaining intensity were shown to increase strength significantly (Could 2019). In line with the description above found research evidence on taekwondo martial arts with the purpose of research is to analyze the influence of tapering periods on the improvement of anaerobic power on taekwondo kick performance, it has been concluded that by applying 2 weeks of tapering with the linear type (progressive) can optimize anaerobic power in male taekwondo athletes [2]. Based on the above description, it can be concluded that reducing the volume of exercise by 42%-60% for 2 weeks can optimize athlete performance.…”

Effects of tapering on neuromuscular and metabolic fitness in team sports: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…The flow chart of the study selection process is presented in Figure 1. It led to the inclusion of 14 studies (Bazyler et al, 2018;Beltran-Valls et al, 2017;Claudino et al, 2016;Coutts, Reaburn, Piva, & Murphy, 2007;Coutts, Reaburn, Piva, & Rowsell, 2007;de Lacey et al, 2014;Elloumi, Maso, Michaux, Robert, & Lac, 2003;Fessi et al, 2016;Figueiredo, Figueiredo, Moreira, Gonçalves, & Stanganelli, 2019;Fortes, Vianna, Silva, Gouvea, & Cyrino, 2016;Krespi et al, 2018;Marrier et al, 2017;Miloski et al, 2015;Moraes et al, 2017). Funnel plots to identify a possible bias, when it was statistically possible, are available as supplemental material for each physical determinant (RSA, maximal power, COD, VO 2 peak).…”