Abstract
PurposeThe aim of this study was to examine the effects of a six-week off-season detraining period on exercise performance, body composition, and on circulating sex steroid levels in soccer players.MethodsFifty-five professional male soccer players, members of two Greek Superleague Teams (Team A, n = 23; Team B, n = 22), participated in the study. The first two weeks of the detraining period the players abstained from any physical activity. The following four weeks, players performed low-intensity (50%–60% of VO2max) aerobic running of 20 to 30 minutes duration three times per week. Exercise performance testing, anthropometry, and blood sampling were performed before and after the six-week experimental period.ResultsOur data showed that in both teams A and B the six-week detraining period resulted in significant reductions in maximal oxygen consumption (60,31±2,52 vs 57,67±2,54; p<0.001, and 60,47±4,13 vs 58,30±3,88; p<0.001 respectively), squat-jump (39,70±3,32 vs 37,30±3,08; p<0.001, and 41,05±3,34 vs 38,18±3,03; p<0.001 respectively), and countermovement-jump (41,04±3,99 vs 39,13±3,26; p<0.001 and 42,82±3,60 vs 40,09±2,79; p<0.001 respectively), and significant increases in 10-meters sprint (1,74±0,063 vs 1,79±0,064; p<0.001, and 1,73±0,065 vs 1,78±0,072; p<0.001 respectively), 20-meters sprint (3,02±0,05 vs 3,06±0,06; p<0.001, and 3,01±0,066 vs 3,06±0,063; p<0.001 respectively), body fat percentage (Team A; p<0.001, Team B; p<0.001), and body weight (Team A; p<0.001, Team B; p<0.001). Neither team displayed any significant changes in the resting concentrations of total-testosterone, free-testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, Δ4-androstenedione, estradiol, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prolactin. Furthermore, sex steroids levels did not correlate with exercise performance parameters.ConclusionOur results suggest that the six-week detraining period resulted in a rapid loss of exercise performance adaptations and optimal body composition status, but did not affect sex steroid resting levels. The insignificant changes in sex steroid concentration indicate that these hormones were a non-contributing parameter for the observed negative effects of detraining on exercise performance and body composition.
Highlights
Soccer periodization typically incorporates a transition – offseason period of reduced stress in order to allow physical and mental recovery after the end of the competition season [1]
We evaluated the responses of the most important androgens, total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT), the precursors of testosterone, D4-androstenedione (D4) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), the metabolic product of their activated form and indicator of the androgen pool [16] 3a-Androstanediol Glucuronide (3a Diol G), and the main estrogens i.e. estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone FSH, and prolactin (PRL)
Differences between the Groups at Baseline No significant differences were observed between the two experimental groups at the baseline measurement for VO2max (F = 0.23, p = 0.88), squat jump (SJ) (F = 1.84, p = 0.18), countermovement jump (CMJ) (F = 2.44, p = 0.12), 10 m (F = 0.12, p = 0.73), 20 m (F = 0.15, p = 0.69), body weight (F = 0.016, p = 0.89), and body fat percentage (F = 0.003, p = 0.95)
Summary
Soccer periodization typically incorporates a transition – offseason period of reduced stress in order to allow physical and mental recovery after the end of the competition season [1]. This phase of reduction or complete training cessation has been defined as detraining [2]. It was observed that training cessation or insufficient training stimulus for a period of 2 to 6 weeks did not result in decrements in these two parameters [2,3,7,10] These discrepancies in the literature were attributed to the different initial training fitness levels of the participants. It has been suggested that the higher the training state of the participants, the greater the rate of decline in both VO2max and strength adaptations [4,7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
