The effect of maximal strength and plyometric training on physical performance of young football players and game intensity

Abstract

Football is a sport that is played in every country and it is considered as an intermittent activity involving sudden actions such as tackling, jumping, kicking, change of direction, and short distance sprinting. Aerobic and anaerobic power are important for football players. Nevertheless, strength, power and speed are the most important qualities for athletic performance. Strength training (ST) and plyometric training (PT) are two frequently used methods for improving sport performances. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of maximal strength and plyometric training on physical performance of young football players and game intensity.

In total, thirty one young football players (age: 16.3 ±0.5, weight: 66.2 ±8.7, height:177.3 ±6.6, BMI: 21.1 ± 2.3) from two different football clubs competing in first division of Finland, participated in the 8-week training intervention. One team was recruited fully for the training group (TG, n=16) and the other one as the control group (CON, n=15). Repeated sprint ability (RSA), 30-m sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ), yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (YYIR1), small-sided game, one-repetition maximum in leg press and dumbbell stepping lunge were executed before and after the intervention.

The TG group improved mean time in 30-m sprint and RSA, vertical jump height in CMJ, maximum strength in 1RM leg-press and dumbbell stepping lunge throughout the intervention. The CON group did not improve in any tests. There was no significant differences between the groups after the intervention.

Combination of strength and plyometric training together had a beneficial impact on physical ability of young football players. Young football players can improve their physical performance such as speed, maximal strength, and endurance by training twice a week. The training should consist of regular football training including strength and plyometric training and it must be scheduled in the weekly program of young football players.