Biology of Sport
eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X
Biology of Sport
Current Issue Manuscripts accepted About the journal Editorial board Abstracting and indexing Archive Ethical standards and procedures Contact Instructions for authors Journal's Reviewers Special Information
Editorial System
Submit your Manuscript
SCImago Journal & Country Rank
3/2019
vol. 36
 
Share:
Share:
abstract:
Original paper

Running technique is more effective than soccer-specific training for improving the sprint and agility performances with ball possession of prepubescent soccer players

Corrado Lupo
1
,
Alex Nicolae Ungureanu
1
,
Mattia Varalda
2
,
Paolo Riccardo Brustio
1

  1. Neuromuscular Function Research Group, School of Exercise & Sport Sciences (SUISM), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
  2. School of Exercise & Sport Sciences (SUISM), University of Torino, Turin, Italy
Biol Sport. 2019;36(3):249–255
Online publish date: 2019/08/14
View full text Get citation
 
PlumX metrics:
Soccer-specific training is easily associable to players’ sprint abilities demonstrated during a match. However, no clear evidence has been provided to show whether this approach is more effective than training focused on running techniques for sprints in prepubescent soccer players. Thus, the present study aimed at comparing the effects of these two training approaches on prepubescent soccer players’ sprint performances. Ninety-five players (10±2 years) competing in local (Piedmont, Italy) Under-9 (N=21), -10 (N=24), -11 (N=25) and -13 (N=25) championships were recruited for the study. Sixty-three and 32 players were included in the running training group (RTG) and soccer-specific group (SSG), respectively. Before (PRE) and after (POST) the training period (2 weekly sessions for 12 weeks), sprint abilities were evaluated by means of four 20-m sprint tests: linear sprint (20-mL), linear sprint with ball possession (20-mLB), sprint with change of direction (20-mCoD), sprint with change of direction and with ball possession (20-mCoDB). A linear mixed model was applied to evaluate differences (P≤0.05) between the RTG and SSG in the four tests and categories, comparing PRE and POST performances. A main effect emerged for the interaction between groups, sessions (p=0.014; Between PRE ES range=0.03, 0.85; Within PRE-POST ES range=-0.45, 0.09), highlighting a POST improvement of RTG for the 20-mLB (Δ=-7.9%; ES=0.85) and 20-mCoDB (Δ=-5.9%; ES=0.33). In contrast, no improvements emerged for the SSG. The present findings indicate that the training approach of the RTG is more able to improve prepubescent soccer players’ sprint performances than that of the SSG, with the emphasis on ball possession executions, which are particularly game-related.
keywords:

Running training, Soccer-specific workout, Sprint ability, Change of direction ability, Running with ball possession

 
Quick links
© 2024 Termedia Sp. z o.o.
Developed by Bentus.