To Measure Peak Velocity in Soccer, Let the Players Sprint

Abstract

To measure peak velocity in soccer, let the players sprint. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 273-276, 2022-Expressing externals loads relative to a player's individual capacities has potential to enhance understanding of dose-response. Peak velocity is an important metric for the individualization process and is usually measured during a sprint test. Recently, however, peak velocity was reported to be faster during soccer matches when compared with a 40-m sprint test. With the aim of developing the practice of individualized training prescription and match evaluation, we examined whether the aforementioned finding replicates in a group of elite youth soccer players across a broader range of soccer activities. To do this, we compared the peak velocities of 12 full-time male youth soccer players (age 16.3 6 0.8 years) recorded during a 40-m sprint test with peak velocity recorded during their routine activities (matches, sprints, and skillbased conditioning drills: small-sided games [SSG], medium-sided games [MSG], large-sided games [LSG]). All activities were monitored with 10-Hz global positioning systems (Catapult Optimeye S5, version 7.32) with the highest speed attained during each activity retained as the instantaneous peak velocity. Interpretation of clear between-activity differences in peak velocity was based on nonoverlap of the 95% confidence intervals for the mean difference between activities with sprint testing. Peak velocity was clearly faster for the sprint test (8.76 6 0.39 m•s 21 ) when compared with matches (7.94 6 0.49 m•s 21 ), LSG (6.94 6 0.65 m•s 21 ), MSG (6.40 6 0.75 m•s 21 ), and SSG (5.25 6 0.92 m•s 21 ), but not sprints (8.50 6 0.36 m•s 21 ). Our data show the necessity for 40-m sprint testing to determine peak velocity.

Implementing High-speed Running and Sprinting Training in Professional Soccer

“…Accordingly, coaches and practitioners should plan appropriate exposure during HSR and sprinting training among professional soccer players with the aim to either developing or maintaining their intermittent ability to perform high intensity efforts as frequently as required during competition [1,2]. In line with this paradigm, the most common methods of HSR and sprinting training documented in professional soccer are: high-intensity running training, field-based drills that replicates actions of the match play and ball-drills in the form of medium-and large-sided games [16,[23][24][25]. Detailed information about the scientific rationale, methodological framework and practical applications of high-intensity running training for both individual and team-sport athletes can be found in the review article of Buchheit and Laursen [16].…”

“…Generally, ball-drill protocols are demonstrated as a useful conditioning method to prepare players coping with the match demands [32,33]; however only few formats could be effectively implemented to develop HSR and sprinting capabilities [25,34]. Playing rules, playing area, number of players, players' density, inclusion or exclusion of goalkeepers and exercise:rest ratios are all key aspects to consider with the aim to induce specific locomotor demands and associated physiological responses [32][33][34][35].…”

A systematic review about stablished methods and thresholds to determine velocity and accelerations in soccer

“…Regardless of whether there is currently an unsolved debate, since studies recommend using [54,62,73], maybe [19,65,74] or others suggest avoid [26,56,59] tness testing when de ning speed thresholds, a lack of standardization was observed here in both, determinations of individualized speed/acceleration categories representing distinct workload demands and the parameters used to extract a given anchor. To be explicit and using the 40 m sprint test as an example, timing gates at the start, 10 and 40 m [22]; 30 and 40 m [21]; 10-m intervals [17-20, 26, 27]; or MSS attained independent of location [23,24,52] were among methods used.…”

“…An important nding of this review study was that 40 m sprint test seemingly the most frequent procedure in establishing individualized speed thresholds in soccer. In fact, recommendations were formulated indicating that a 40 m path may be su cient for players reaching their peak speed, being faster than in competitive matches and thereby possibly represent an adequate method of depicting players' external load [54]. Nevertheless, in none of the studies considering the 40 m sprint test either when evaluating players velocity [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] or accelerations/decelerations [11,12,52], there was a mention regarding its measurement properties (e.g.…”

Relación del salto contramovimiento y pruebas de velocidad (10-30 m) y agilidad en jóvenes futbolistas chilenos (Relationship of counter-movement jump and speed tests (10-30 m) and agility in young Chilean soccer players)

“…Por otra parte, se ha demostrado que el porcentaje de tiempo empleado en correr y correr a alta velocidad, en la primera y segunda mitad fue 9.38 y 8.29% respectivamente (Wehbe et al, 2014). La velocidad máxima es una métrica importante para el proceso de individualización de los futbolistas y generalmente se mide durante una prueba de velocidad, a pesar de que se hayan informado valores más altos en los partidos en comparación con las pruebas de 40 m en jugadores adultos, pero no en jóvenes futbolistas (Kyprianou et al, 2019). Adicionalmente, Bustos, Acevedo y Rodríguez (2017) encontraron relaciones entre el CMJ y sprint de 20 m en jóvenes jugadores colombiano (r = -.44; p <.05), mientras que Coelho et al, (2011) también obtuvo correlaciones entre el CMJ la velocidad 10, 20 y 30 m (r=0.293, 0.386 y 0.441 respectivamente) pero con jugadores sub20 y profesionales.…”