Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between absolute and relative lower-body strength on predictors of athletic performance among Division II collegiate women’s soccer players. Archived pre-season testing data for seventeen (n = 17) female National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II soccer players were analyzed, including: vertical jump, 3RM back squat, 505-agility, modified T-test, 10 m and 30 m sprint, and 20 m multistage fitness test (20 m MSFT). Relative strength was calculated based on the estimated 1RM back squat divided by the athlete’s body mass. Significant correlations were discovered between absolute lower-body strength and 505-agility (Right: r = −0.51, p < 0.05; Left: r = −0.59, p < 0.05), modified T-test (r = −0.55, p < 0.05), 10 m and 30 m (r = −0.59, p < 0.05; r = −0.54, p < 0.05), and sprint performance. Relative lower-body strength showed significant correlations with vertical jump (r = 0.54, p < 0.05), 505-agility (Right: r = −0.58, p < 0.05; Left: r = −0.67, p < 0.01), modified T-test (r = −0.75, p < 0.01), 10 m and 30 m (r = −0.59 p < 0.05; r = −0.67, p < 0.01), and the 20 m MSFT (r = 0.58, p < 0.05). These results indicate that strength and conditioning coaches should emphasize the development of absolute and relative lower-body strength with their players to improve power, agility, and speed performance.
Highlights
Soccer is one of the most widely played sports in the world and continues to grow in popularity with female athletes of all ages [1,2,3]
Significant large correlations were found between absolute strength and 505, modified T-test (Mod T), and 10 m and 30 m sprint intervals
Significant large to very large correlations were found between relative strength and vertical jump (VJ), 505, Mod T, 10 m and 30 m sprint intervals, and 20 m MSFT
Summary
Soccer is one of the most widely played sports in the world and continues to grow in popularity with female athletes of all ages [1,2,3]. Athletes frequently perform quick sprints lasting less than 6 s for every 90 s of play, between 1200–1400 high-intensity changes of direction, all at heart rates up to 80–90% of their age-predicted estimated maximum heart rate [2,3,4] Based on these demands achieving balance between strength, power, and endurance capabilities is critical for success over the course of a 90+ minute game [2]. At this time there is a paucity of research related to how these factors relate to one another among female collegiate athletes, especially at the NCAA Division II level. This information may be useful to strength and conditioning professionals when attempting to enhance athletic performance within this population
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