Abstract
The aim of this study is to examine how physical performance has changed after 15 weeks (109 days) long-term absence of organized training in youth soccer players imposed by the stay at home orders. A total of sixty-eight young male soccer players from different age categories (U15, U16, U17 and U19) voluntarily participated in the prospective cohort study. Body fat percentage (BF%), counter-movement jump (CMJ), 30 m sprint, change-of-direction (COD) and yo-yo intermittent recovery test level-1 (YYIRTL-1) were evaluated twice (before and after the detraining period). Subsequently, 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVA was used to investigate group and time differences in repeated measurements. A significance level of p < 0.05 was implemented. CV and SWC values were calculated to test the reliability of the tests performed at different times. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS statistics software (v.25, IBM, New York, NY, USA). Significant increments in BF%, 30 m sprint, and COD (left and right), and also significant decrements in CMJ and YYIRTL-1, were found after the detraining period. A long-term detraining period due to the stay at home orders has a detrimental effect on body composition, neuromuscular performances, and aerobic capacity in youth soccer players.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilDetraining is a well-known and much studied physiological effect in the sports literature [1]
Based on the above-mentioned reasons, the aim of this study is to examine how body composition, neuromuscular performance, and aerobic capacity of young soccer players have changed after the prolonged absence of organized training due to the COVID-19 stay at home orders
A prospective observational study design was implemented for describing the variations of body composition and fitness parameters of youth soccer players from different age categories after 109 days of prolonged absence from organized training caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (Figure 1)
Summary
Detraining is a well-known and much studied physiological effect in the sports literature [1]. This term refers to the partial or complete loss of previous physiological adaptation to physical exertion caused by a period in which organized training is ceased or reduced [2]. A few weeks of inactivity or lesser activity is sufficient for a decrease in physiological parameters unless specific training programs are carried out [3]. Detraining causes changes in body composition and a loss of activity in the neuromuscular and cardiovascular systems [4], and a significant loss of performance in parameters such as strength, power, speed, flexibility, and endurance [5,6].
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