The association between force–velocity profiles and the parameters from the 3-min all-out running test in university level soccer players

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to explore the relationship between force–velocity (FV) profiles and parameters obtained from the 3-min all-out running test (3MT) to uncover essential connections for enhancing athletic training methodologies in university-level male soccer players. Methods Forty-nine athletes (age: 19.26 ± 1.17 years) voluntarily participated in this investigation, undergoing assessments of fitness by completing the 3MT and a 40-m sprint test. Results D′ exhibited moderate correlations with high-speed parameters such as v0 (r = 0.48, p < 0.001), T40-m (r = − 0.48, p < 0.001) and the functional speed reserve (FSR) (r = 0.62, p < 0.001). The FSR yielded the strongest capacity for predicting D′ (β = 38, adj-R2 = 0.38, p < 0.001). Positional differences were only evident for maximal sprint speed between forward and midfield players (Mdiff = 0.41 m/s, p = 0.007), but not for other 3MT or FV parameters. Maximal horizontal sprinting speed rather than maximal horizontal sprinting force (F0) significantly mapped on to the speed–time curve of the 3MT (r > 0.60, p = 0.031). Conclusion Our findings shed light on the complex interplay between anaerobic performance parameters, high-speed running, and endurance capacity within the framework of D′. Evidence concerning enhancements in D′ presents greater ambiguity compared to improving CS but imply that D′ is, on the one hand, contextually dependent on maximal speed parameters, and on the other, comprised of parameters that are likely more aerobic in nature. For training, players should be clustered according to performance metrics (e.g., FSR, CS) rather than positional group.