Exploring the Determinants of Repeated-Sprint Ability in Adult Women Soccer Players.

Lillian Gonçalves,Joel Ignacio Barrera,Filipe Manuel Clemente,José María Cancela Carral,Francisco Tomás González-Fernández,Hugo Sarmento,Markel Rico-González

doi:10.3390/ijerph18094595

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the main determinants of repeated-sprint ability (RSA) in women soccer players considering aerobic capacity, sprinting performance, change-of-direction, vertical height jump, and hip adductor/abductor isometric strength. Twenty-two women soccer players from the same team participating in the first Portuguese league were observed. Fitness assessments were performed three times during a 22-week cohort period. The following assessments were made: (i) hip abductor and adductor strength, (ii) squat and countermovement jump (height), (iii) change-of-direction test, (iv) linear sprinting at 10- and 30-m, (v) RSA test, and (vi) Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1. Positive moderate correlations were found between peak minimum RSA and adductor and abductor strength (r = 0.51, p < 0.02 and r = 0.54, p < 0.01, respectively). Positive moderate correlations were also found between peak maximum RSA and adductor and abductor strength (r = 0.55, p < 0.02 and r = 0.46, p < 0.01, respectively). Lastly, a moderate negative correlation was found between fatigue index in RSA and YYIR1 test performance (r = −0.62, p < 0.004). In conclusion, abductor and adductor isometric strength-based coadjutant training programs, together with a high degree of aerobic endurance, may be suitable for inducing RSA in female soccer players.

Highlights

Soccer is a team sport practiced by many athletes throughout the world, with an estimated 4–26 million female participants [1,2,3,4] and approximately 238 million male participants [5]
Continuing with the same type of repeated measures ANOVA analysis with participants mean squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), Pmin, Pmax, YYIR1 and VO2 max revealed a significant effect of moment, F (2.26) = 7.03, p = 0.003, η2 = 0.35, F (2.26) = 20.20, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.60, F (2.26) = 12.41, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.48, F (2.26) = 8.84, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.40, F (2.18) = 10.26, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.53, and F (2.16) = 9.84, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.55
No significant correlations were found between all repeated-sprint ability (RSA) indices and SJ, CMJ, 10m, 30m and COD

Summary

Introduction

Soccer is a team sport practiced by many athletes throughout the world, with an estimated 4–26 million female participants [1,2,3,4] and approximately 238 million male participants [5]. The number of female soccer players has increased in the last years in approximately 50% considering the last report of FIFA [3,6]. A women’s soccer match involves activities with different intensities, such as walking, jogging, moderate running, high-intensity running, and sprinting [8,9,10]. It is well-known that low-intensity movements are predominant during women’s matches [9,11,12], high-intensity activities are considered important.

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Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion