Effects of Linear Versus Changes of Direction Repeated Sprints on Intermittent High Intensity Running Performance in High-level Junior Football Players over an Entire Season: A Randomized Trial.

Edvard H Sagelv,Sigurd Pedersen,Svein Arne Pettersen,Morten B Randers,Boye Welde,Ivar Selnæs

doi:10.3390/sports7080189

Edvard H Sagelv, Sigurd Pedersen + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7080189

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Abstract

Background: Changes of direction (COD) repeated sprints (RSs) might have greater relevance to football than linear RSs. We aimed to compare the effects of linear and COD RSs on intermittent high intensity running (HIR) over an entire season. Methods: In total, 19 high-level male football players (16–19 years) randomly performed linear RSs or COD RSs twice a week during their competitive season over 22 weeks. Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2), and 10- and 20-m sprint was assessed pre-, mid- (11 weeks), and post-intervention (22 weeks). Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results: There was no interaction effect (time x group) in Yo-Yo IR2 (p = 0.36, pη2 = 0.06) or sprint tests (10 m: p = 0.55, pη2 = 0.04, 20 m: p = 0.28 pη2 = 0.08), and no change differences between groups. There was a main effect of time for Yo-Yo IR2 (p = 0.002, pη2 = 0.31) but not in sprints or VO2max. Conclusion: Linear and COD RS exercise twice a week over 22 weeks equally improves intermittent HIR performance but does not improve sprint time or aerobic power in high-level junior football players. However, due to our two-armed intervention, we cannot exclude possible effects from other exercise components in the players’ exercise program.

Highlights

There are multiple physiological demands to elite football, which includes both aerobic and anaerobic energy contributions [1,2,3]
The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether Changes of direction (COD) repeated sprints (RSs) or linear RS exercise would result in superior improvements in intermittent high intensity running (HIR) in football players over the course of an entire season; the present study showed no differences in increased distance in the Yo-Yo IR2 test between the two groups
Not statistically different, the largest improvement in the COD RS group was observed from pre- to mid-test (~7%), while the linear RS group experienced their largest improvements from mid- to post-test (~6%)

Summary

Introduction

There are multiple physiological demands to elite football, which includes both aerobic and anaerobic energy contributions [1,2,3]. A threshold of ≥60 mL·kg−1 ·min−1 in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max ) seems to be sufficient to meet the aerobic demands in elite male football [2,3,5,6,7,8]. Anaerobic exercise, such as high intensity running (HIR) and sprint ability, have gained more attention from coaches and researchers [1,9,10], and may be more applicable in differentiating elite- and sub-elite levels in football than aerobic power [6,9,10,11,12]. Changes of direction (COD) repeated sprints (RSs) might have greater relevance to football than linear RSs. We aimed to compare the effects of linear and COD RSs on intermittent high intensity running (HIR) over an entire season.

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