Non-traditional Strength Training Effects on Sport Performance in Collegiate Soccer Players versus College Females

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of traditional (TG) versus non-traditional (NTG) strength training on hamstring: quadriceps (H/Q) functional ratio, power, anaerobic capacity and agility in collegiate female soccer players versus college females. Second, to identify which program best demonstrated sport specific benefits for female soccer players as indicated by performance in H/Q functional ratios at velocities 60°·s-1 and 120°·s-1, 300-m shuttle-run (SH), vertical jump (VJ), and T-test. METHODS: Division II collegiate female soccer players (n=12) and physically active college age females (n=15) were randomly assigned to either the TG (athlete n=6, non-athlete n=5) or NTG (athlete n=6, non-athlete n=9). Participants underwent baseline assessments, eight weeks of strength training, and post-training assessments identical to those completed at baseline. RESULTS: Statistical analyses revealed that non-athlete NTG right and left leg H/Q increased (.18±.15, p=.009 and 06±.09, p=.079) at 60°·s-1, with right leg H/Q reaching statistical significance. At 120°·s-1, the TG showed decreases in left leg H/Q (.24±.42, p=.086) with athlete TG reaching significance (.24±.21, p=.04). The NTG showed non-significant decreases in 300-m SH (s) (4.79±9.21, p=.072) while exhibiting a large effect size (.27). The TG and NTG both significantly increased VJ (cm) (4.45±5.15, p=.017, 2.37±3.90, p=.034). Lastly, at post-test the non-athlete NTG decreased their T-test run time (s) significantly (.92±1.1, p=.03). CONCLUSIONS: It appears that eight weeks of dynamic strength training, including plyometric and body weight exercises, elicited greater performance enhancements than the traditional machine-based strength program as indicated by significance value of p<.10. These findings are supported by the favorable changes observed post- training in both left and right H/Q functional ratios at 60°·s-1, anaerobic capacity, measured by performance in 300-m SH run (s), and in skill-related fitness components power and agility, measured by VJ (cm) and T-test time (s), respectively. Further investigation is warranted to determine the effects of non-traditional strength training methods in a similar population when implemented over a longer training period and with larger sample sizes.