The aim of the present study was to measure the effect of direct supervision by a strength and conditioning coach on elite strength training sessions for soccer junior players compared to self strength-trained subjects. Twenty-six young well-trained elite male soccer players aged (Mean ± SD) (19.1 ± 3.5 years), body mass (72.6 ± 7.8 kg) and stature (178.6 ± 7.8 cm) volunteered to participate in the present study. Subjects were divided into 3 groups, a supervised strength training group (N = 9), an unsupervised strength training group (N = 8) and a control group with no strength training (N = 9). A 10-week strength training program was developed and the supervised strength training group performed the program under the supervision of a strength and conditioning coach. The unsupervised strength training group performed the same training program with no supervision and the control group followed only the regular team soccer training. To measure the effect of the program and the supervision of a strength and conditioning coach, all subjects were tested on maximum strength in leg muscles (1RM) according to leg press, sprinting speed (10 m and 40 m) and jumping performance (countermovement jump). The analyses between groups showed that the supervised strength training group showed a significant increase in CMJ (2.6 ± 1.1 cm) and leg press (26.3 ± 7.9 kg) performance compared to the unsupervised strength training group. The supervised strength training group also showed a significant increase in 10 m (-0.05 ± 0.02 s), 40 m (-0.12 ± .03 s) and leg press (37.2 ± 9.0 kg) performances compared to the control group. The findings of the present study indicate that a strength training program directly supervised by a strength and conditioning coach over a period of 10 weeks led to a significant improvement compared to self-implemented strength training.
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