The Effect Of Strength Training On Physical Performance In Adolescent Female Soccer Players

Abstract

Strength training (ST) is amongst the most frequently used strategies to improve soccer performance and it has been used to obtain significant increases in the levels of maximum strength and muscle hypertrophy. Therefore, using appropriate ST programs could enhance several explosive actions that are crucial to the outcome of the game. ST is a method that has shown to be effective in male soccer players but the scarce studies of ST on female soccer players must also be pointed out. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of ST on physical performance after a 12-week training period in adolescent female soccer players. METHODS: 37 adolescent female soccer players from Spanish soccer team (age: 16.1±1.1 years; height: 159.7±7.1 cm; body mass: 55±7.1 kg) were randomly assigned to an experimental (EG; n = 19) or a control group (CG; n = 18). All players underwent a regular soccer training 3 times per week. Participants in the EG received ST program (12 weeks, 2 times per week, 20 min per session). The ST program included lower limb strength and core muscle. The players were tested at the beginning and the end of the intervention on bilateral countermovement jump (CMJ) test, unilateral CMJ test, 40m sprint, 180° COD test and V-cut test. Paired t-test was conducted to detect significant differences between the pre and post-tests in both groups. Statistical significant was inferred from p<0.05. RESULTS: EG made significantly greater improvement than CG did on CMJ (GE pre 23.5±3.30cm vs post 25.6±3.65cm. p < 0.01; GC pre 23±3.73cm vs post 23.9±4.35cm), right CMJ (GE pre 12.9±1.95cm vs post 14.3±2.44cm. p<0.05; GC pre 12.1±2.77cm vs post 13.1±2.65cm), 40 m sprint (GE pre 6.51±0.26s vs post 6.24±0.25s. p<0.01; GC pre 6.24±0.21s vs post 6.29±0.25s), left 180° COD (GE pre 2.96±0.16s vs post 2.89±0.18s. p<0.05; GC pre 2.93±0.15s vs post 2.91±0.11s) and V-cut (GE pre 8.05±0.38s vs post 7.81±0.27s. p<0.01; GC pre 7.98±0.38s vs post 7.97±0.39s). CONCLUSIONS: Twelve weeks ST could improve bilateral and unilateral muscular power, speed and COD ability performance in adolescent female soccer players. The results indicate that safe, effective, and alternative ST can be useful to coaches, especially in competition season where less time is available to training.