Acute Physiological Responses to High-Intensity Resistance Circuit Training vs. Traditional Strength Training in Soccer Players.

Cristian Marín-Pagán,Tomás T Freitas,Anthony J Blazevich,Salvador Romero-Arenas,Pedro E Alcaraz,Linda H Chung

doi:10.3390/biology9110383

Cristian Marín-Pagán, Tomás T Freitas + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/biology9110383

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Abstract

Simple SummaryStrength training is a key factor for soccer players, but at amateur levels, it is difficult to apply due to the lack of infrastructure and short training time. In this regard, high-intensity resistance circuit-based training could be a suitable method to solve these issues. Circuit training can improve the cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses while reducing training time by 66%. The effects of circuit training could contribute to improving aerobic fitness and body composition in soccer players.The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses induced by high-intensity resistance circuit-based (HRC) and traditional strength (TS) training protocols. Ten amateur soccer players reported to the laboratory on four occasions: (1) protocol familiarization and load determination; (2) maximal oxygen consumption test; (3) and (4) resistance training protocols (HRC and TS), completed in a cross-over randomized order. In both protocols, the same structure was used (two blocks of 3 sets × 3 exercises, separated by a 5-min rest), with only the time between consecutive exercises differing: TS (3 min) and HRC (~35 s, allowing 3 min of local recovery). To test for between-protocol differences, paired t-tests were applied. Results showed that oxygen consumption and heart rate during HRC were 75% and 39% higher than TS, respectively (p < 0.001). After the training sessions, blood lactate concentration at 1.5, 5 and 7 min and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption were higher in HRC. The respiratory exchange ratio was 6.7% greater during HRC, with no between-group differences found post-exercise. The energy cost of HRC was ~66% higher than TS. In conclusion, HRC training induces greater cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses in soccer players and thus may be a time-effective training strategy.

Highlights

Soccer is a sport requiring intermittent bouts of exercise, alternating short periods of high intensity activity with long periods of low intensity [1]
This study aimed to investigate the acute physiological responses to high-intensity resistance circuit-based (HRC) training in amateur soccer players by documenting and comparing both cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses induced by HRC and traditional strength (TS)
Higher values (p < 0.001) were found for all variables measured during HRC than TS (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Soccer is a sport requiring intermittent bouts of exercise, alternating short periods of high intensity activity with long periods of low intensity [1]. Velocity, and agility are fundamental aspects of a soccer player’s performance because they are the basis for performing different actions such as high-velocity and short-duration movements (1–7 s), jumps, and changes of direction. These requirements highlight the need for implementing training schemes aimed at Biology 2020, 9, 383; doi:10.3390/biology9110383 www.mdpi.com/journal/biology. Maximal strength development is considered fundamental in team sports as it is the basis for power production [4] and short-distance sprint performance [5,6]. Resistance exercise intensity seems to be a key variable to consider in order to improve strength and athletic performance [17,18]

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