Background: Sprinting abilities are important in soccer, both linear speed and change of direction speed (CODS). The aim of this study was to investigate effects of two different training methods on linear sprint and CODS performance. Methods: 17 male junior elite soccer players (18±1 years, 76 ±4 kg) were divided into two groups and tested before and after a four week training intervention period. One group performed CODS training twice a week, whereas the second group performed repeated sprint (RS) training. 30m linear sprint and 30m soccer movement specific (SMS) sprint were tested. Times between 0-10m (T10), 10-20m (T10-20), 20-30m (T20-30) and 0-30m (T30) were recorded using Brower equipment. All tests were performed at an indoor area with synthetic grass, and same procedures were followed for all tests. Results: The results showed that CODS sprint training significantly improved performance on the 30m linear sprint test (T30: 4.20 vs. 4.16 sec, p< 0.046, T10: 1.73 vs. 1.70 sec, p<0.031). They also improved the performance on the SMS sprint test (T30: 7.07 to 6.96 sec, p<0.001). There was no significant improvement on the 0-30m linear sprint test, or in the 0-30m SMS sprint test in the RS training group. Conclusion: CODS sprint training during 4 weeks is beneficial when acceleration improvement is important. Maximal speed is not influenced by CODS sprint training or by RS training.
© Copyright 2014 19th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Amsterdam, 2. - 5. July 2014. Published by VU University Amsterdam. All rights reserved.