The Effects of Six-Weeks Change of Direction Speed and Technique Modification Training on Cutting Performance and Movement Quality in Male Youth Soccer Players

Abstract

Cutting manoeuvres are important actions associated with soccer performance and a key action associated with non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injury; thus, training interventions that can improve cutting performance and movement quality are of great interest. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine the effects of a six-week change of dire[ction (COD) speed and technique modification training intervention on cutting performance and movement quality in male youth soccer players (U17s, n = 8) in comparison to a control group (CG) (U18s, n = 11) who continued ‘normal’ training. Cutting performance was assessed based on completion time and COD deficit, and the field-based cutting movement assessment score (CMAS) qualitative screening tool was used to assess cutting movement quality. Significant main effects for time (pre-to-post changes) (p ≤ 0.041, η2 = 0.224–0.839) and significant interaction effects of time and group were observed for cutting completion times, COD deficits, and CMASs. Improvements in completion time (p < 0.001, g = 1.63–1.90, −9% to −11% vs. −5% to 6%) and COD deficit (p ≤ 0.012, g = −1.63 to −2.43, −40–52% vs. −22% to −28%) for the COD intervention group (IG) were approximately two-times greater than the CG. Furthermore, lower CMASs (i.e., improved cutting movement quality) were only observed in the IG (p ≤ 0.025, g = −0.85 to −1.46, −23% to −34% vs. 6–19%) compared to the CG. The positive changes in CMASs were attributed to improved cutting technique and reduced incidences of high-risk deficits such as lateral trunk flexion, extended knee postures, knee valgus, hip internal rotation, and improved braking strategies. The results of this study indicate that COD speed and technique modification training, in addition to normal skills and strength training, improves cutting performance and movement quality in male youth soccer players. Practitioners working with male youth soccer players should implement COD speed and technique modification training to improve cutting performance and movement quality, which may decrease potential injury-risk.

Age differences in selected measures of physical fitness in young handball players

“…The higher COD deficit in the U15 group could be related to the fact that faster (and heavier) athletes possibly have greater “inertia” and, therefore, need to apply higher breaking forces over longer ground contact times [ 14 ], not being capable of handling these forces efficiently. As a result, and based on recent research [ 14 , 34 , 35 ], the inclusion of training practices combining not only physical elements, but also cognitive and technical skills (e.g., unanticipated COD tasks) more related to sport specificity, may increase the magnitude and efficiency of external training loads, which could be useful for these athletes [ 36 ]. Moreover, the use of training methods focused on increasing eccentric strength is suggested to improve the ability to tolerate high braking forces during deceleration prior to directional changes.…”

“…In general, it appears that, during the transition from pre- to post-puberty, young handball players should focus on transferring their progressive increases in strength, speed, and power capacities to COD performance. As such, more mixed training strategies (e.g., resisted sprints, horizontally directed power exercises, and eccentric strength training) [ 7 , 8 ] may be necessary to improve this complex physical skill, also combined with technically-oriented exercises to improve efficiency during COD maneuvers [ 34 ]. Further studies are warranted to investigate and define the best training approaches and content to effectively develop speed-related performance in young handball players.…”

Reliability of Change of Direction and Agility Assessments in Youth Soccer Players

“…As discussed, measures of COD and agility possess differing physical, mechanical and conditional demands [10,15]. Similarly, the technical competency of COD movements may affect consistency in performance [15,38]. We acknowledge that our findings may not be transferrable to other COD and agility tests, or within other sample populations, and encourage further research in this area.…”

“…Performance of COD and agility actions also require complex technical competencies, which may not yet be fully developed in child and adolescent athletes [16]. For example, Dos'Santos and colleagues [38] observed improvements in COD performance and movement quality following a six-week training intervention centred around improving technical components of COD. Considering the high level of physical and technical demands elicited during COD and agility actions [16,39], greater variance in test performance may be observed in younger, more immature athletes, particularly during periods of rapid growth and development.…”

Male and female soccer players exhibit different knee joint mechanics during pre-planned change of direction

“…This finding has important implications for developing performance and injury prevention programmes. Specifically, faster and sharper CoD increase knee joint loading but are also required for successful performance to evade or close an opponent; thus, causing a performance-injury conflict from a technique perspective (Dos'Santos et al, 2018), but can be mediated by an athlete's physical capacity. Further research might explore the influence physical capacities (strength and power measures) on lower-limb kinetics and kinematics, as this may help drive sex-specific CoD and ACL prevention programming.…”