Abstract
BackgroundMaximal strength increments are reported to result in improvements in sprint speed and jump height in elite male football players. Although similar effects are expected in females, this is yet to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of maximal strength training on sprint speed and jump height in high-level female football players.MethodsTwo female football teams were team-cluster-randomized to a training group (TG) performing maximal strength training (MST) twice a week for 5 weeks, or control group (CG) doing their regular pre-season preparations. The MST consisted of 3–4 sets of 4–6 repetitions at ≥85% of 1 repetitions maximum (1RM) in a squat exercise. Sprint speed and jump height were assessed in 5-, 10- and 15 m sprints and a counter-movement jump (CMJ) test, respectively. Nineteen participants in TG (18.3 ± 2.7 years) and 14 in CG (18.3 ± 2.4 years) completed pre- and posttests and were carried forward for final analyses.ResultsThere was no improvement in neither of the sprint times (p > 0.36), nor jump height (p = 0.87). The players increased their 1RM in squats (main of effect of time: p < 0.00, pη2 = 0.704), and an interaction effect of time x group was observed (p < 0.00, pη2 = 0.516) where the TG increased their 1RM more than the CT (between subjects effects: p < 0.001, pη2 = 0.965).ConclusionsMST improved maximal strength in female football players to a large extent; however, the improvement in maximal strength did not result in any transference to sprint speed or jump height.Trial registrationThis study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov PRS (Protocol registration and results System) with the code NCT04048928, 07.08.2019, retrospectively registered.
Highlights
Maximal strength increments are reported to result in improvements in sprint speed and jump height in elite male football players
There was no main effect of time for 5 m (p = 0.77, pη2 = 0.003), 10 m (p = 0.82, pη2 = 0.002) or 15 m (p = 0.36, pη2 = 0.026) sprint time, and no interaction effects of time x group was observed (5 m: p = 0.72, pη2 = 0.097, 10 m: p = 0.74, pη2 = 0.003, 15: p = 0.51, pη2 = 0.014) (Table 3)
The players increased their 1 repetitions maximum (1RM) in squats, and an interaction effect of time x group was observed (p < 0.00, pη2 = 0.516) where the training group (TG) increased their 1RM significantly more than the CT. The players increased their body mass (p < 0.001, pη2 = 0.332), no interaction effect between groups was observed (p = 0.13, pη2 = 0.070) (Fig. 2). In this cluster-randomized controlled trial, 5 weeks of maximal strength training (MST) improved 1RM, but this maximal strength improvement did not result in any improvements in sprint time or counter-movement jump (CMJ) performance in female football players
Summary
Maximal strength increments are reported to result in improvements in sprint speed and jump height in elite male football players. The high load low velocity strength training, usually expressed as maximal strength training (MST), is effective for improving maximal strength [11], and may result in improvements in muscle power and rate of force development in male football players [12]. The rationale behind this training modality for improvements in explosive actions builds on the significant relationship between 1RM and movement velocity, sprint performance and jump height [13, 14]. The effect from MST on power actions could be explained by an improved neural drive to the muscles involved [16, 17] due to the training being performed with maximal intended velocity combined with a load approaching the upper limits of motor unit recruitment [18]
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