ORIGINAL ARTICLE  EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOMECHANICS 

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2021 March;61(3):335-42

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.20.11195-2

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

The effects of an integrative training program on elite young soccer players’ physical performance

Christos KARYDOPOULOS ¹, Dimitrios KAPRALOS ¹, Evangelia KOUIDI ², Yiannis MICHAILIDIS ¹ ✉, Thomas METAXAS ¹

¹ Laboratory of Evaluation of Human Biological Performance, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; ² Laboratory of Sports Medicine, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a short duration and low weekly frequency integrative program on sprint, agility and jump performance in elite youth soccer players.
METHODS: Twenty-eight elite youth soccer players, members of two professional clubs, playing in the U19 developmental championship participated in this study. They were divided into 2 groups: the intervention group (EG, N.=15) and the control group (CG, N.=13). The duration of the intervention program was 8 weeks with a frequency of twice per week. The performance of the participants in the 10 meters and 30 meters speed, countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ) and agility (Illinois agility test, Arrowhead agility test) was measured at the beginning and the end of the 8-week study.
RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in any performance measured between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicate that the addition of allowing frequency and short duration training intervention program did not enhance the physical fitness indicators, in high-level young soccer players.

KEY WORDS: Soccer; Walking speed; Athletic performance