Vertical force production in soccer: mechanical aspects and applied training strategies

Vertical force production (VFP) is widely recognized as a critical determinant of performance in a series of soccer-specific activities, such as sprinting, jumping, and changing direction. Therefore, practitioners are constantly seeking better and more effective strategies to improve VFP in professional soccer players. This article analyzes the mechanical aspects associated with the actual role played by VFP in elite soccer, and also examines and highlights the training considerations related to its appropriate and effective development during modern soccer seasons

Practices of strength and conditioning coaches in professional sports: A systematic review

The practices of strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches have been reported in various professional sports. This study aims to comprehensively assess this available evidence to help establish whether theoretical, practical, and evidence-based guidelines align with the practices employed by these experienced S&C coaches. Three databases were searched (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane) until November 2020. Studies surveying the practices of S&C coaches in professional sports using a survey design with common questions, written in English, and published in peer-reviewed journals were reviewed. Eight studies (n= 318 S&C coaches) were finally included. All studies adapted a similar survey, providing a strong basis for comparison between sports. Periodization strategies were widely used (89%), with training volume consistently reduced during the in-season period. Olympic weightlifting was commonly used across sports, except in baseball (29%). Plyometric exercises were predominantly prescribed for speed development (74%) and lower body power (68%), which were mostly programed as complex training (45%) and conducted all year round (52%). Flexibility exercises were mostly performed before practice (83%) for 6–10 min (40%). Physical tests were mainly conducted during the preseason period (66%), with body composition (86%) being the most used test. S&C coaches generally adhered to current guidelines and research in S&C concerning training prescription and physical testing. Whereas, intersport differences were also noted and further discussed. Results of this study can be used by S&C coaches to plan, implement, and review their professional practices. Furthermore, may inform the development of general and sport-specific guidelines, and future research in S&C

A novel approach for athlete profiling: the unilateral dynamic strength index

The dynamic strength index (DSI) provides a ratio of the peak force an athlete can produce in both isometric and ballistic tasks. While the DSI measured during bilateral tests has been examined, unilateral DSI scores have not been reported to date and thus was the aim of the present study. Twenty-eight recreational sport athletes performed three trials of a unilateral isometric squat and countermovement jump (CMJ) to measure peak force in each task across two separate test sessions. The unilateral DSI was calculated using both left vs. right and dominant vs. non-dominant limbs. Good to excellent reliability was shown in the isometric squat (ICC = 0.86-0.96; CV ≤ 5.7%) and the CMJ (ICC = 0.83-0.93; CV ≤ 5.8%) on both limbs. The DSI showed moderate to good reliability (ICC = 0.71-0.79; CV = 7.54-11.9%). DSI scores of 0.52-0.55 and 0.55-0.59 were reported on the left and right limbs respectively, with no significant differences reported between limbs. A significant difference (p = 0.04) was seen for the CMJ between left and right during the second test session only. The dominant and non-dominant limbs reported mean DSI scores of 0.53-0.57, and significant differences were evident between limbs in both the isometric squat and CMJ (p < 0.01). The present study provides normative data for the unilateral DSI and indicates acceptable levels of reliability, while the consistency of individual measures of peak force can be considered good when quantified unilaterally

Comparison of bilateral vs. unilateral-biased strength and power training interventions on measures of physical performance in elite youth soccer players

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of bilateral and unilateral-biased strength and power training programs on measures of physical performance in male youth soccer players. Twenty-three elite youth players (age: 17.6 1.2 years) were randomly assigned to either a unilateral (n = 11) or a bilateral (n = 12) group, who completed a strength and power intervention, twice per week for 6-weeks. The unilateral group completed rear foot elevated split squats (RFESS), single leg countermovement jumps (SLCMJ), single leg drop jumps (SLDJ) and single leg broad jumps (SLBJ). The bilateral group intervention performed back squats, countermovement jumps (CMJ), drop jumps (DJ) and broad jumps (BJ). A 2 x 2 repeated measures ANOVA showed no between-group differences. However, within-group differences were evident. The bilateral training group showed significant (p < 0.05) improvements in back squat strength (d = 1.27; %Δ = 26.01), RFESS strength (d = 1.64; %Δ = 23.34), BJ (d = 0.76; %Δ = 5.12), 10 m (d = -1.17; %Δ = 4.29) and 30 m (d = -0.88; %Δ = 2.10) performance. The unilateral group showed significant (p < 0.05) improvements in RFESS strength (d = 1.40; %Δ = 33.29), SLCMJ on the left leg (d = 0.76; %Δ = 9.84), SLBJ on the left leg (d = 0.97; %Δ = 6.50), 10 m (d = -1.50; %Δ = 5.20), and 505 on the right leg (d = -0.78; %Δ = 2.80). Standardised mean differences showed that bilateral training favoured improvements in back squat strength and unilateral training favoured improvements in RFESS strength, SLDJ on the right leg and 505 on the right leg. These results show that although both training interventions demonstrated trivial to large improvements in physical performance, the notion of training specificity was evident with unilateral training showing greater improvements in unilateral test measures

Percentage-based change of direction deficit: a new approach to standardize time- and velocity-derived calculations

Change of direction (COD) efforts are crucial in team-sports and an extensive body of research has been devoted to investigating this complex and multifaceted skill. Most studies have assessed players’ ability to change direction by reporting completion time or average velocity in different COD tasks. However, it has been argued that these variables may not accurately portray an athlete’s true capability to quickly change direction. In this context, new metrics such as the “COD Deficit” (CODD) have been proposed to provide complementary information on the efficiency to change direction. The current literature presents two different CODD computations: time-derived and velocity-derived calculations. Despite both being consistent and representing the same phenomenon, the decision of using one or the other may produce different outcomes, thus influencing coaches’ decisions and training strategies. To overcome this issue, we propose a new approach to the computation of the CODD, based on the difference in percentage between linear sprint and COD abilities, in an attempt to standardize the estimation of this variable and simplify the evaluation of COD performance

Traditional free-weight vs. variable resistance training applied to elite young soccer players during a short preseason: effects on strength, speed, and power performance

Maximizing the neuromuscular capacities of players is a critical challenge during short soccer preseasons. This study compared the effects of two strength-power training regimes, on the strength, speed, and power performance of elite young soccer players during a 4-week preseason. Twenty-five under-20 players from the same club were pair-matched in two training groups as follows: traditional training group (TTG) (n=13), athletes performed half-squat (HS) and jump-squat (JS) exercises as traditionally prescribed; and EB group (EBG) (n=12), athletes performed HS and JS with EB attached to the barbell. Vertical jump height, 20-m sprint velocity, change-of-direction (COD) speed, HS and JS power, and one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the HS were assessed pre, post 2-week, and post 4-week of training. An ANOVA two-way with repeated measures was used to assess the effects of both training protocols over the experimental period. Both strategies were effective for significantly improving HS and JS power (effect sizes [ES] 1.00 - 1.77), HS 1RM (ES = 1.68 and 1.51 for TTG and EBG, respectively), vertical jumping ability (ES 0.37 - 0.65), and COD speed (ES = 0.81 and 0.39 for TTG and EBG, respectively), when comparing pre- and post-measures. In contrast, both TTG and EBG failed to increase 20-m sprint velocity (ES ranging between -0.54 and 0.23). In conclusion, both training schemes were able to improve the strength and power performance, but not the sprint capacity of young soccer players. To accelerate strength gains over very-short time periods (i.e., 2-week), variable resistance training may be advantageous. Conversely, to optimize power adaptations in ballistic exercises across a similar time period, traditional FW training may be preferred

Interlimb asymmetries: the need for an individual approach to data analysis

It has been shown that the magnitude of inter-limb asymmetries varies depending on the test selected; however, literature relating to whether asymmetries always favour the same limb is scarce. The aim of the present study was to determine whether inter-limb asymmetries always favoured the same side for common metrics across unilateral strength and jumping-based tests. Twenty-eight recreational sport athletes performed unilateral isometric squats, single leg countermovement jumps (SLCMJ) and single leg broad jumps (SLBJ) with asymmetries in peak force compared across all tests, and eccentric and concentric impulse asymmetries compared between jumps. Mean asymmetries for all tests were low (≤ -5.3%) and all inter-limb differences for jump tests favoured the left limb, whilst asymmetries during the isometric squat favoured the right limb. Despite the low mean asymmetry values, individual data highlighted substantially greater differences. Levels of agreement for asymmetries were computed via the Kappa coefficient and ranged from slight to substantial (< 0.01 – 0.79), although concentric impulse asymmetries for jump tests was the only comparison to result in substantial levels of agreement. With asymmetries rarely being present on the same side across tests, these results show that a more individual approach to reporting asymmetries is required, which should help practitioners when designing targeted training interventions for their reduction

One-repetition-maximum measures or maximum bar-power output: which Is more related to sport performance?

Purpose: This study compared the associations between optimum power loads and 1-repetition maximum (1RM) values (assessed in half-squat [HS] and jump squat [JS] exercises) and multiple performance measures in elite athletes. Methods: Sixty-one elite athletes (fifteen Olympians) from four different sports (track and field [sprinters and jumpers], rugby sevens, bobsled, and soccer) performed squat and countermovement jumps, HS exercise (for assessing 1RM), HS and JS exercises (for assessing bar-power output), and sprint tests (60-m for sprinters and jumpers and 40-m for the other athletes). Pearson’s product moment correlation test was used to determine relationships between 1RM and bar-power outputs with vertical jumps and sprint times in both exercises. Results: Overall, both measurements were moderately to near perfectly related to speed performance (r values varying from -0.35 to -0.69 for correlations between 1RM and sprint times, and from -0.36 to -0.91 for correlations between bar-power outputs and sprint times; P< 0.05). However, on average, the magnitude of these correlations was stronger for power-related variables, and only the bar-power outputs were significantly related to vertical jump height. Conclusions: The bar-power outputs were more strongly associated with sprint-speed and power performance than the 1RM measures. Therefore, coaches and researchers can use the bar-power approach for athlete testing and monitoring. Due to the strong correlations presented, it is possible to infer that meaningful variations in bar-power production may also represent substantial changes in actual sport performance

Comparing the magnitude and direction of asymmetry during the squat, countermovement and drop jump tests in elite youth female soccer players

The aims of the present study were to provide an in-depth comparison of inter-limb asymmetry and determine how consistently asymmetry favours the same limb during different vertical jump tests. Eighteen elite female under-17 soccer players conducted unilateral squat jumps (SJ), countermovement jumps (CMJ) and drop jumps (DJ) on a portable force platform, with jump height, peak force, concentric impulse and peak power as common metrics across tests. For the magnitude of asymmetry, concentric impulse was significantly greater during the SJ test compared to CMJ ( = 0.019) and DJ ( = 0.003). No other significant differences in magnitude were present. For the direction of asymmetry, Kappa coefficients revealed fair to substantial levels of agreement between the SJ and CMJ (Kappa = 0.35 to 0.61) tests, but only slight to fair levels of agreement between the SJ and DJ (Kappa = -0.26 to 0.18) and CMJ and DJ (Kappa = -0.13 to 0.26) tests. These results highlight that the mean asymmetry value may be a poor indicator of true variability of between-limb differences in healthy athletes. The direction of asymmetry may provide a useful monitoring tool for practitioners in healthy athletes, when no obvious between-limb deficit exists

A Correlational Analysis Of Tethered Swimming, Swim Sprint Performance And Dry-land Power Assessments

Swimmers are often tested on both dry-land and in swimming exercises. The aim of this study was to test the relationships between dry-land, tethered force-time curve parameters and swimming performances in distances up to 200m. 10 young male high-level swimmers were assessed using the maximal isometric bench-press and quarter-squat, mean propulsive power in jump-squat, squat and countermovement jumps (dry-land assessments), peak force, average force, rate of force development (RFD) and impulse (tethered swimming) and swimming times. Pearson product-moment correlations were calculated among the variables. Peak force and average force were very largely correlated with the 50- and 100-m swimming performances (r=-0.82 and -0.74, respectively). Average force was very-largely/largely correlated with the 50- and 100-m performances (r=-0.85 and -0.67, respectively). RFD and impulse were very-largely correlated with the 50-m time (r=-0.72 and -0.76, respectively). Tethered swimming parameters were largely correlated (r=0.65 to 0.72) with mean propulsive power in jump-squat, squat-jump and countermovement jumps. Finally, mean propulsive power in jump-squat was largely correlated (r=-0.70) with 50-m performance. Due to the significant correlations between dry-land assessments and tethered/actual swimming, coaches are encouraged to implement strategies able to increase leg power in sprint swimmers.3721121