Effects of Plyometric and Short Sprint with Change-of-Direction Training in Male U17 Soccer Players

Aloui, Ghaith; Hermassi, Souhail; Hayes, Lawrence D.; Sanal Hayes, Nilihan E. M.; Bouhafs, El Ghali; Chelly, Mohamed Souhaiel; Schwesig, René

Abstract

This project investigated the effect of adding 8 weeks of bi-weekly plyometric and short sprint with change-of-direction (PSSCoD) training into standard training for elite youth soccer players from Tunisia. A training group (n = 18; age: 16.6 ± 0.5 years; body mass: 63.2 ± 4.8 kg; stature: 1.73 ± 0.07 m; body fat: 11.2 ± 1.7%), and control group (n = 16; age: 16.6 ± 0.5 years; body mass: 63.6 ± 4.3 kg; height: 1.73 ± 0.06 m; body fat: 11.6 ± 1.5%) participated. The pre- and post-intervention measures were squat-jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), standing long jump (SLJ), 5 m and 20 m sprint, change-of-direction ability (4 × 5 m sprint test (S 4 × 5 m)), repeated sprint ability (RSA), and static balance (stork balance test). The training group displayed superior jump (all p < 0.05; d > 0.49), sprint (p < 0.05; d > 0.52), change-of-direction ability (p < 0.01; d = 0.78), RSA (p < 0.01; d > 0.70), and static balance (p < 0.05; d > 0.49) improvements. Adding bi-weekly PSSCoD improves the athletic performance of young soccer players.

Citation

Aloui, G., Hermassi, S., Hayes, L. D., Sanal Hayes, N. E. M., Bouhafs, E. G., Chelly, M. S., & Schwesig, R. (in press). Effects of Plyometric and Short Sprint with Change-of-Direction Training in Male U17 Soccer Players. Applied Sciences, 11(11), 4767. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11114767

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 20, 2021
• Online Publication Date: May 22, 2021
• Deposit Date: Feb 20, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2024
• Journal: Applied Sciences
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 4767
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app11114767
• Keywords: Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes; Computer Science Applications; Process Chemistry and Technology; General Engineering; Instrumentation; General Materials Science