The effects of loaded plyometrics and short sprints in u19 male soccer players in Tunisia

Abstract

We investigated adding 8 weeks of bi-weekly loaded plyometric and short sprints (LPaSS) training into training for under 19 (U19) soccer players. An experimental group (EG, n = 18, age: 17.5 ± 0.58 years, body mass: 67.4 ± 4.37 kg, height: 1.76 ± 0.05 m, body fat: 11.4 ± 1.55%), and a control group (CG, n = 16, age: 17.5 ± 0.58 years, body mass: 68.7 ± 3.65 kg, height: 1.78 ± 0.03 m, body fat: 11.6 ± 1.14%) participated. The pre- and postintervention measures were: the squat-jump (SJ); the countermovement-jump with arm swing (CMJA); the five jump test (5JT); 10 m and 30 m sprint; the ability to change direction (sprint with 90° turns (S90°) and sprinting 9–3–6–3–9 m, involving running both backwards and forwards (SBF); repeated sprint ability (RSA), and balance (Y-balance test). The EG experienced superior jump (p < 0.001; drange: 1.69–1.89), sprint (p < 0.001; drange: 1.82–2.56), S90° (p < 0.001; drange: 1.64–2.25), RSA (p < 0.001; drange: 3.90–4.17), and balance (p < 0.001; drange: 1.11–2.54) improvement. Comparatively, the pre- to postchanges in the CG ranged from d = 0.36 (dynamic balance) to d = 1.00 (10 m sprint). Therefore, bi-weekly LPaSS training improves athletic performance in young soccer players, particularly RSA.