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Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-1653-7350
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Strength Training in Professional Soccer: Effects on Short-sprint and Jump Performance

Javier Nuñez 
1   Department of Sports and Informatics, University of Pablo de Olavide of Sevilla, Sevile, Spain
,
Luis Suarez-Arrones
2   Faculty of Sport, Pablo de Olavide University, Sevilla, Spain
,
Moisés de Hoyo
3   Physical Education and Sport, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
,
Irineu Loturco
4   Sport Science, NAR - Nucleus of High Performance in Sport, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract

Several studies have confirmed the efficacy of strength training to maximize soccer player performance during competition. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the effects of different strength training protocols on short-sprint and vertical jump performance of professional soccer players from the first division of their countries. The following inclusion criteria were employed for the analysis: (a) randomized studies; (b) high validity and reliability instruments; (c) studies published in a high-quality peer-reviewed journal; (d) studies involving professional soccer players from the first division; (e) studies with descriptions of strength training programs; and (f) studies where countermovement jump and 10-m sprint time were measured pre and post training. Overall, the different strength-oriented training schemes produced similar performance improvements, which seem not to depend on the training strategy. Strength training appears to have a lower effect when applied during in-season than when applied in pre-season periods in first division soccer players. In this meta-analysis it is not possible to confirm that strength training in isolation is capable of improving the short-sprint and jump performance of elite soccer players. The congested fixture schedule and, thus, the limited time to perform complementary (non-specific) training sessions, may contribute to these reduced effects.

Key words

power - sprint speed - soccer - concurrent training - vertical jump - team-sports


Publication History

Received: 09 March 2021

Accepted: 24 September 2021

Accepted Manuscript online:
24 September 2021

Article published online:
20 December 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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