Off-Season Effects on Functional Performance, Body Composition, and Blood Parameters in Top-Level Professional Soccer Players

Abstract

Requena, B, García, I, Suárez-Arrones, L, Sáez de Villarreal, E, Naranjo Orellana, J, and Santalla, A. Off-season effects on functional performance, body composition, and blood parameters in top-level professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 31(4): 939-946, 2017-To examine the effects of a standard off-season period (OSP) on aerobic, sprint, and jumping performances, and body and blood composition in a top-level soccer team. Nineteen soccer players were measured. The OSP included to 2 weeks of no training (resting phase) and a 4-week period of moderate-training load (phase in which each player performed the vacation exercise plan). Player's functional performance (15- and 30-m sprint times [seconds], vertical jump [meter], and incremental field test Vam-Eval [kilometer per hour]), percentage of body fat (%) and blood composition (hematological and biochemical data) were measured at mid-season, end-season, and after the OSP. The percentage of body fat was nonaltered during the competitive season (10.8 ± 3.6 and 10.5 ± 3.5%) and increased significantly after the OSP (11.6 ± 3.6%, p ≤ 0.05). Similarly, the maximal aerobic speed (VVam-Eval) velocity (kilometer per hour) decreased (p ≤ 0.05) from 17.4 ± 1 and 17.3 ± 1.2 during the competitive season to 16.6 ± 0.9 after the OSP. The hematocrit and blood hemoglobin concentration increased (p ≤ 0.05) during the OSP, showing a blood hemoconcentration adaptation. However, sprint time (seconds) and jump height (meters) showed no significant changes after the OSP. Soccer players maintained their functional performance during high-intensity activities such as jumping or sprinting after the OSP proposed. By contrast, there was a decrease in aerobic performance (VVam-Eval) accompanied by a blood hemoconcentration, and an increase of body fat mass associated with a reduction of fat-free mass of the lower limbs. Our data suggest that an end-season evaluation is needed to design holiday training programs focused on regaining aerobic capacity and body composition.

The Effect of Transition Period on Performance Parameters in Elite Female Soccer Players

“…The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 4-week transition period on body weight, body fat, VO2max and lower body strength in elite female players who participate in the UEFA Women's Champions League. The results of our study revealed significant increases in body weight and body fat, which are in agreement with several studies [6][7][8]. Researchers [6] demonstrated that a 6-week detraining period resulted in a rapid loss of the optimal body composition status even though players followed a low-intensity aerobic training regimen during that period.…”

“…The results of our study revealed significant increases in body weight and body fat, which are in agreement with several studies [6][7][8]. Researchers [6] demonstrated that a 6-week detraining period resulted in a rapid loss of the optimal body composition status even though players followed a low-intensity aerobic training regimen during that period. A similar study [8] indicated that despite the fact that the transition period may result in negative changes in body composition, these changes are smaller (less body weight and body fat gain) for the players who follow a training regimen compared to those who do not.…”

The effects of detraining and retraining periods on fat-mass and fat-free mass in elite male soccer players

“…In this regard, it would make sense to incorporate this ST methodology consistently throughout the soccer season, to enhance muscle adaptations and physical fitness, and reduce the risk of injury in professional players submitted to congested calendars. Based on this, during the detraining period the soccer players should be involved in a strength-training program in order to minimize the lean mass lost, and during all the pre-season in order to return to the previous FFM values (Munguia-Izquierdo et al, 2019; Requena et al, 2017; Suarez-Arrones et al, 2019; Suarez-Arrones et al, 2018b).…”

Is it Valuable for Top Elite Footballers to Adopt a Personal Strength and Conditioning Coach? A Brief Report

“…The sports medicine research has been proposing strategies to players reach and keep at the top level, since only a few weeks of physical status carelessness are sufficient for causing performance impairment in topelite level [2]. In this sense, some athletes have been regarding injury prevention strategies and overall soccer training at the clubs as opposed to the first season.…”