A1 Journal article (refereed)
Changes in sprint performance and sagittal plane kinematics after heavy resisted sprint training in professional soccer players (2020)
Lahti, J., Huuhka, T., Romero, V., Bezodis, I., Morin, J.-B., & Häkkinen, K. (2020). Changes in sprint performance and sagittal plane kinematics after heavy resisted sprint training in professional soccer players. PeerJ, 8, Article e10507. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10507
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Lahti, Johan; Huuhka, Toni; Romero, Valentin; Bezodis, Ian; Morin, Jean-Benoit; Häkkinen, Keijo
Journal or series: PeerJ
eISSN: 2167-8359
Publication year: 2020
Publication date: 15/12/2020
Volume: 8
Article number: e10507
Publisher: PeerJ
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10507
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/73350
Web address of parallel published publication (pre-print): https://osf.io/preprints/sportrxiv/neh5m/
Abstract
Sprint performance is an essential skill to target within soccer, which can be likely achieved with a variety of methods, including different on-field training options. One such method could be heavy resisted sprint training. However, the effects of such overload on sprint performance and the related kinetic changes are unknown in a professional setting. Another unknown factor is whether violating kinematic specificity via heavy resistance will lead to changes in unloaded sprinting kinematics. We investigated whether heavy resisted sled training (HS) affects sprint performance, kinetics, sagittal plane kinematics, and spatiotemporal parameters in professional male soccer players.
Methods
After familiarization, a nine-week training protocol and a two-week taper was completed with sprint performance and force-velocity (FV) profiles compared before and after. Out of the two recruited homogenous soccer teams (N = 32, age: 24.1 ± 5.1 years: height: 180 ± 10 cm; body-mass: 76.7 ± 7.7 kg, 30-m split-time: 4.63 ± 0.13 s), one was used as a control group continuing training as normal with no systematic acceleration training (CON, N = 13), while the intervention team was matched into two HS subgroups based on their sprint performance. Subgroup one trained with a resistance that induced a 60% velocity decrement from maximal velocity (N = 10, HS60%) and subgroup two used a 50% velocity decrement resistance (N = 9, HS50%) based on individual load-velocity profiles.
Results
Both heavy resistance subgroups improved significantly all 10–30-m split times (p < 0.05, d = − 1.25; −0.62). Post-hoc analysis showed that HS50% improved significantly more compared to CON in 0–10-m split-time (d = 1.03) and peak power (d = 1.16). Initial maximal theoretical horizontal force capacity (F0) and sprint FV-sprint profile properties showed a significant moderate relationship with F0 adaptation potential (p < 0.05). No significant differences in sprinting kinematics or spatiotemporal variables were observed that remained under the between-session minimal detectable change.
Conclusion
With appropriate coaching, heavy resisted sprint training could be one pragmatic option to assist improvements in sprint performance without adverse changes in sprinting kinematics in professional soccer players. Assessing each player’s initial individual sprint FV-profile may assist in predicting adaptation potential. More studies are needed that compare heavy resisted sprinting in randomized conditions.
Keywords: strength training; sprinting; training response; explosive strength; coordination (motor functions); biomechanics; football players
Free keywords: strength training; resistance training; sprinting; velocity-based training; coordination; professional sport
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2020
JUFO rating: 1
