Gym Versus Home-Based Training During Transition Period in Adolescent Soccer Players: Effects on Physical Performance

Abstract

Background: After the in-season period where trainings and games are consistant, players have the rest period, during which the volume and stress are reduced, which allows physical and mental recovery. Instead of having too much free time in transition period, the players should work on their fitness, in order to reduce the side effects of inactivity in transition period. The modern soccer demands the highest quality professional and scientific approach, especially with adolescents. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine gym versus home-based training during transition period in adolescent soccer players. Methods: The sample of participants was 34 adolescent male soccer players (16–18 years old). They were randomly allocated to experimental (GYM; N = 16) and control group (HOME; N = 18). The transition period itself lasted 3 weeks and it was separated by a weekly micro cycle, where players have done different activities each week. The procedures have included anthropometry (body height, mass and Body Mass Index), flexibility (sit and reach), vertical jump tests (countermovement jump, countermovement jump with arm swing and squat jump), running speed (sprint at 5 m, 10 m and 20 m) and agility (Illinois Agility Test). Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used for distribution normality, while a repeated measurement (2 × Analysis of variance) was used to calculate the interactions, major effects for time (pretest vs. posttest) and group (GYM vs. HOME), with additional Cohen’s effect size. Results: The study results showed that physical performance variables, in both groups, were partially maintained, while in while running speed and agility showed small deterioration. Conclusions: It is crutial to carefully design the trainings and to work on the shortcomings of soccer players in transition period, because that is the only period when they can make up due to lack of time.