Relationships between Linear Sprint, Lower-Body Power Output and Change of Direction Performance in Elite Soccer Players.

Monika Papla,Artur Golas,Grzegorz Wojdala,Marcin Oslizlo,Michal Krzysztofik,Robert Roczniok

doi:10.3390/ijerph17176119

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between linear sprint, power output obtained during a squat and change of direction (COD) performance. Fifteen elite soccer players participated in this study (age = 21.7 ± 0.72 years, body mass = 74.9 ± 9.11 kg, body height = 180.4 ± 7 cm, training experience = 9 ± 1.5 years). To examine these correlations a following battery of tests were carried out: 20-m linear sprint, one-repetition maximum (1RM) squat strength, peak power output obtained during a squat at 50% 1RM and time obtained in two 20-m COD tests with different angles of direction change (90° and 135°). In addition, COD deficits (90°-CODDEF and 135°-CODDEF) for both COD tests were calculated. The Spearman’s rank order correlation showed a nearly perfect statistical relationship between the 90°-COD and the 90°-CODDEF (r = 0.9; p < 0.001). In the case of 90°-CODDEF, there was a large statistical relationship with 135°-CODDEF (r = 0.59; p = 0.021). Moreover, there was a nearly perfect statistical relationship between 135°-COD and 135°-CODDEF (r = 0.91; p < 0.001). The statistically insignificant (p > 0.05) relationship between 20-m linear sprint time, power output obtained during a squat at 50% 1RM, 1RM squat strength level and both COD test, as well as both COD deficits were found. Results of the present study showed that 20-m linear sprinting speed, 1RM squat strength, power output obtained during squat at 50% 1RM and COD ability at 90° and 135° angles, are separate physical qualities. Moreover, it seems that COD deficit provides a more isolated measure of COD ability than the COD tests alone and does not must be limited to a specific angle, but provides knowledge about the COD ability in a range of other angles, at least concerning 90° and 135° COD angles.

Highlights

Most team sports require players to jump, sprint and change direction very frequently; such sports include American football, rugby and soccer [1,2]
Squat strength, power output obtained during squat at 50% 1RM and changes of direction (COD) ability at 90◦ and 135◦
Angles, are separate physical qualities. It seems that COD deficit provides a more isolated measure of COD ability than the COD tests alone and does not must be limited to a specific angle, but provides knowledge about the COD ability in a range of other angles, at least concerning 90◦ and 135◦ COD angles

Summary

Introduction

Most team sports require players to jump, sprint and change direction very frequently; such sports include American football, rugby and soccer [1,2]. Players make over 700 turns with different changes of direction (COD) [3], as well as numerous jumps and sprints [4]. During a COD, athletes’ ability to accelerate, decelerate and reaccelerate in a new direction requires a rapid application of force. The acceleration phase in COD and linear sprint involves similar technical factors, so improving acceleration capability may be beneficial in terms of accelerating quickly after successive COD maneuvers and transition between them. It can be assumed that linear speed and lower-body power output may affect COD performance. Many researchers examined the relationship between the performance of the above mentioned high-intensity actions

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