Biology of Sport

Abstract

1/2024 vol. 41
Original paper

Effectiveness of short vs. long-distance sprint training on sprinting and agility performance in young soccer players

  1. Faculty of Education and Sport Sciences, University of Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
  2. Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Faculty of Sports Sciences and Physical Education, Campus Bastiagueiro, University of A Coruña, Spain
  3. Human Performance Laboratory, Center for Sport Performance, Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA
Biol Sport. 2024;41(1):87–93
Online publish date: 2023/05/30
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The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of short sprint-distance training (SST) compared with long sprint-distance training (LST), matched for the total session training volume, on short-, medium- and long-distance sprint performance and agility in young soccer players. Eighteen U19 male players (age: 17.1±0.7 years; height: 178.0±6.3 cm, body mass: 69.4±6.6 kg) were randomly assigned to SST (n = 9) or LST (n = 9) group. The intervention programs were performed 2 times a week over 6 weeks. Before and after training period, 5 m, 10 m, 20 m, 30 m and 40 m sprint, and agility were assessed. Within-group analysis showed significant improvements (p ≤ 0.001) in 5 m, 10 m, 20 m, 30 m and 40 m sprint from pretest to posttest in SST (9.2%, 6.6%, 5.3%, 2.9%, and 2.5%, respectively) and LST (10.5%, 8.5%, 6.5%, 5.1%, and 4.7%, respectively). Players in both SST and LST also showed significant enhancements in agility from pretest to posttest. In the between-groups analysis, there were no differences between the sprint training groups (SST vs. LST) in any variable (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that both sprint training distances used seem to be effective to improve soccer-specific performance measures. However, due to the better percentage changes obtained by LST group in all fitness variables, this method could be considered as preferred method.
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