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. 2019 Nov 30:70:183-190.
doi: 10.2478/hukin-2019-0040. eCollection 2019 Nov.

Short-Term Repeated-Sprint Training (Straight Sprint Vs. Changes of Direction) in Soccer Players

Marco Beato  1 , Giuseppe Coratella  2 , Mattia Bianchi  1 , Emanuele Costa  2 , Michele Merlini  3
Affiliations

Short-Term Repeated-Sprint Training (Straight Sprint Vs. Changes of Direction) in Soccer Players

Marco Beato et al. J Hum Kinet. .

Abstract

Repeated-sprint training (RST) is considered a critical training method in team sports. It is well known that RST effects may depend on several variables such as the duration of the protocol and repeated-sprint methodology. Few studies have evaluated very short-term protocols and compared different RST modalities. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 2 week RST including straight sprints or changes of direction (CODs) on physical performance in a sample of soccer players. This study used a randomised pre-post parallel group trial design. The participants were assigned to either an RST group using straight sprints (RST-SS = 18 players) or an RST group using CODs (RST-COD = 18 players). The protocols were: 3 sets of 7 x 30 m sprints for the RST-SS and 7 x 20 + 20 m (one COD of 180°) for the RST-COD, with 20 s and 4 min recovery between sprints and sets, respectively. The following evaluations were performed: 10 and 20 m sprint, agility test, repeated sprint test (RSTbest and RSTmean), and Yo-Yo Recovery Level 1. After the training period, the RST-SS did not report any performance variation, while the RST-COD showed improvements in the 10 m sprint and RSTbest (effect size = 0.70 and 0.65, respectively). The between-group analysis did not report any statistical difference between the RST-SS and the RST-COD. In conclusion, this study did not support the utilisation of a very short-term RST protocol with soccer players, however, the RST-COD presented some additional benefits in sprint performance compared to the RST-SS.

Keywords: changes of direction; performance; soccer; team sports; training.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CONSORT diagram showing the flow of participants through each stage of a randomised trial
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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