The Combined Effect of Strength and Speed Training on Change of Direction Performance in Soccer Players

Abstract

Soccer is an intermittent sport where high-intensity actions such as sprints, jumps, and change of direction (COD) can become determining factors of success. Strength and speed are essential physical qualities related to an athlete s COD ability. The influence of strength and speed training on COD performance has been examined in various sports. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a combined strength and speed training program on COD performance in high-performance junior soccer players. The study was a randomized crossover trial designed to determine whether there is a difference in the COD test performance after treatment of strength and speed training. Eighteen soccer players were recruited from the same team and randomly assigned to two experimental groups and a control group. The players were evaluated in four various tests, the Illinois Agility Test, 30 meters speed test, 30 meters speed with a change of direction Test and, the 5RM submaximal strength Test. Four 2(Test) x 3(groups) ANOVAs with Tukey posthoc test were performed to detect any statistically significant differences between and within the training groups. An alpha-level of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. This study did not find significant improvements in the performance of the studied qualities speed (linear and COD) and, nor an increase in the strength test s performance linked to the treatment used at the end of the six weeks of combined treatment of strength and speed. Strength plus speed training can be used to improve strength during the competitive season.