Relationships Between Measures of Functional and Isometric Lower Body Strength, Aerobic Capacity, Anaerobic Power, Sprint and Countermovement Jump Performance in Professional Soccer Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess a wide range of physiological and performance variables and investigate whether and to what extent these variables are associated with each other in soccer. Twenty-five male soccer players (25.1 ± 4.56 years; body mass, 75.2 ± 5.92 kg; body height, 180.6 ± 5.45 cm) performed: 5- and 30-m sprints (T5m and T30m, respectively), 1-repetition-maximum (1RM) half squat, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the knee extensors, countermovement jump (CMJ) to obtain vertical jump height (CMJheight) and power output (CMJpower), the 10-s Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) to obtain peak power (Pmax), and the 20-m multi-stage shuttle run test (MST) to evaluate aerobic capacity. 1RM, MVIC, and Pmax were normalized to body mass. Large negative correlations were found between sprint times and 1RM half back squat/BM (r = -0.510 to -0.570, r2 = 0.260–0.325, both p < 0.01) and Pmax/BM (r = -0.501, r2 = 0.251, p < 0.01). T30m most strongly and negatively correlated with CMJheight (r = -0.744, r2 = 0.554, p < 0.001). WAnT-determined Pmax showed a very large correlation between absolute Pmax and knee-extensor MVIC (r = 0.827, r2 = 0.684, p < 0.001) and large correlations between absolute Pmax and 1RM half squat (r = 0.674, r2 = 0.454, p < 0.001) and CMJpower (r = 0.579, r2 = 0.335, p < 0.01). We also identified a large inverse relationship between CMJheight and T30m (r = -0.744, r2 = 0.554, p < 0.001) and large positive correlation between CMJheight and MVIC/BM (r = 0.702, p < 0.001). The results demonstrate that elite soccer players with greater lower body strength (quantified by the MVIC of the knee extensor and the 1RM half squat) show better sprint and CMJ performance, suggesting the incorporation of soccer-specific resistance training to develop lower body musculature and therefore maximize sprinting ability. The higher correlation coefficients found between T30m and the physiological and athletic measures compared with T5m promote the use of this sprint distance when assessing performance. The use of relative measures (normalized to body mass) is advisable when comparing strength variables with sprint and CMJ performance or anaerobic power. Considering the correlations of WAnT-determined Pmax versus CMJpower, coaches should administer tests that assess jumping and linear sprint performance rather than the cycling-specific WAnT.

Development and Validation of Prediction Formula of Wingate Test Peak Power From Force–Velocity Test in Male Soccer Players

“…The best predictor of P peak was body mass highlighting the relationship of muscle power with human size ( Bahenský et al, 2020 ; Taketomi et al, 2021 ). Previously, it was shown that rP peak was related with 5 m, 30 m sprint times, maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the knee extensors, half squat repetition maximal and countermovement jump height in soccer players ( Boraczyński et al, 2020 ), performance of short and maximal effort that might be evaluated by the F-v test. Comparing the prediction models of P peak and rP eak, it was observed that the coefficient of determination was higher for the absolute than for the relatively score of peak power.…”

Unsupervised Clustering Techniques Identify Movement Strategies in the Countermovement Jump Associated With Musculoskeletal Injury Risk During US Marine Corps Officer Candidates School

“…One particular movement, the CMJ, may be beneficial for incorporation with FP and mMoCap testing as it has been used widely as a screening and readiness measure for athletes and military personnel as it is directly correlated to isometric strength, one repetition maximum half squat ( Boraczyński et al, 2020 ), and is reliable and repeatable for quantifying neuromuscular readiness ( Cormack et al, 2008 ; Welsh et al, 2008 ; Merrigan et al, 2020 ). The CMJ is a simple and field-ready test that may provide information regarding MSKI risk and preventative strategies to mitigate MSKIs through information, such as force production, loading kinematics via FP or mMoCap technology ( Hart et al, 2019 ; Pontillo and Sennett, 2019 ; Pontillo et al, 2021 ).…”

The Fifth Metatarsal Bone Fracture In Athletes ‐ Modalities of Treatment Related to Agility In Soccer Players

“…Soccer, due to its requirements of covering up to 12 000 m in a game, frequent changes of direction and a multitude of various incidents (including fouls), seems to significantly increase the risk of foot injuries, including fractures among players ( Boraczyński et al, 2020 ). The player's position on the field has to be considered in this regard ( Thomson et al, 2018 ).…”