Biology of Sport

Abstract

1/2026 vol. 43
Original paper

Resistance priming strategies in professional Spanish soccer: A survey study into the practices and perceptions of strength and conditioning coaches

  1. Deporte y Entrenamiento Research Group, Departamento de Deportes, Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Martín Fierro 7, 28040 Madrid, Spain
  2. Research for Athlete and Youth Sport Development (RAYSD) Lab, Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK
  3. Aston Villa Foundation, Aston Villa Football Club, Birmingham, B6 6HE, UK
  4. Exercise and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223 Pozuelo, Spain
  5. Strength Training and Neuromuscular (STreNgthP) Research Group. Camilo José Cela University. Faculty of Health Science Madrid, Spain
Biol Sport. 2026;43:661–670
Online publish date: 2025/12/04
View full text
Confronting perimenopausal women’s knowledge of coronary heart disease with their health behaviours. Controversial role of hormone replacement therapy in the protection of coronary heart disease
This cross-sectional survey study investigated the practices and perceptions of strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches working in professional Spanish soccer concerning resistance priming strategies. Twenty-four S&C coaches (age: 30.6 ± 5.3 years; professional experience: 7.7 ± 3.5 years) participated in this study. The survey comprised four sections: 1) coaches’ information; 2) perceptions about resistance priming; 3) programming variables; and 4) opinions. Results showed that S&C coaches predominantly used resistance priming strategies 24 h (79%) or 24–48 h (21%) before a match. The most frequently used exercises during resistance priming sessions were isometric exercises (25%), followed by traditional strength exercises heavy load (85% 1RM) (22%), traditional strength moderate load (60–85% 1RM) (17%), ballistic exercises (17%), traditional strength light load (< 60 % 1RM) (11%), sprint (4%), and weightlifting (4%). This paper analyses survey responses from S&C coaches in soccer, comparing their reported practices and perceptions with the findings of existing empirical research. This allows us to examine whether their methods are consistent with research-based approaches, or if they deviate towards alternative methods. This information can help professionals

design more effective training programmes.
Share
without publication fees