The Effects of Concurrent Training on Female Soccer Players

Abstract

Background Due to the high metabolic and physical demands in soccer, an optimal strength and conditioning program is essential. The benefits of resistance training and high-intensity interval training in young athletes has been well documented; however, the effect of a concurrent strength and metabolic conditioning program on female soccer players has yet to be investigated. Purpose This study examined the effects of an 8-week concurrent strength and metabolic conditioning program on body composition, flexibility, speed, agility, anaerobic capacity, strength, and power in female soccer players. Methods Body composition and performance testing measures were recorded in female soccer players (n=14, age=16±1.0 yrs) before and after an 8-week sports performance camp that combined high-intensity interval training methods and periodized resistance training. Performance testing included 3-site skinfolds, sit and reach, pro agility test, 40-yd sprint, 300-yd shuttle run, and vertical jump. Strength testing included a 5-repetition maximum back squat, shoulder press, and bench press, and a 3-repetition maximum power clean. Comparisons were made using a paired samples t-test, and Pearson's correlations between variables were calculated. Results Significant improvements were made in vertical jump (p<0.05), pro agility test (p<0.05), 40 yd sprint (p<0.05), squat (p<0.05), shoulder press (p<0.05), bench press (p<0.05), and power clean (p<0.05). There were significant correlations between power, agility and speed performance, and between power and strength. Conclusion A preseason concurrent strength and metabolic conditioning program can improve soccer players' explosive strength and performance. Training protocols that use low volume and high loads (3 sets of 5-RM) to improve neural adaptations and avoid muscular hypertrophy should be studied in future research.

Contextual factors influencing the characteristics of female football players

“…High school players initial lower-body strength was 47 kg for a 1 RM back squat, equating to 0.8 times body weight. After the program players achieved a back squat of 79 kg, approximately 1.3 times body weight (35). This improvement demonstrates the potential impact an optimised training program can have on this particular population of football players.…”

“…In respect to absorbing forces generated from football-specific movement patterns, the current day football players appear to have insufficient strength to be able to do this optimally. A major reason for these results may be a lack of exposure to an appropriate stimulus (35).…”

“…Large variation in CMJ performance has been observed across several studies and can be attributed, in part to the differences in testing equipment and protocols used (35,61,62,64).…”

“…Reduced lower-body strength has been reported in high school players where significant changes were evident in an eight-week strength training program (35). The lack of exposure to an appropriate stimulus may be a major reason for the insufficient lower-body strengthlevels of football players.…”