Effects of a Congested Fixture Period on Speed and Power Performance of Elite Young Soccer Players

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effects of a match-congested period on straight and curve sprint performance, change of direction (COD) speed and deficit, vertical jumping ability, and half-squat (HS) mean propulsive power (MPP) output in young soccer players.

Methods: A total of 15 under-20 elite male soccer players participated in 14 matches over 8 weeks. The following assessments were performed before and after the congested fixture period: squat and countermovement jumps, 17-m linear sprint, curve sprint test for the "good" (CSGS) and "weak" (CSWS) sides, modified 17-m Zigzag test, and HS MPP. Magnitude-based inferences and a paired t test were used to analyze pre-post changes in the assessed variables.

Results: Very likely (P < .05) decreases were noticed in 17-m sprint velocity (effect size [ES] [90% confidence limit; CL], -0.56 [-0.32 to -0.81]) and CSGS (ES [90% CL], -0.72 [-0.40 to 1.03]) after the 8-week period. A possible but nonsignificant impairment was revealed in CSWS (ES [90% CL], -0.18 [0.03 to -0.39]), and countermovement jump (ES [90% CL], -0.21 [-0.54 to 0.12]). Zigzag velocity (ES [90% CL], -2.90 [-2.45 to -3.36]) and COD deficit (ES [90% CL], 0.86 [0.52 to 1.20]) were almost certainly and significantly (P < .05) reduced and increased, respectively, after the match-congested period. An almost certain and significant (P < .05) reduction was found in HS MPP (ES [90% CL], -1.18 [-0.76 to -1.61]).

Conclusions: Straight and curve sprint velocity, COD speed and deficit, and HS MPP were impaired after the match-congested period. Vertical jump height was possibly decreased. Seasonal phases comprising high volumes of soccer-specific training and competition seem to be detrimental to speed-power qualities in under-20 elite soccer players.

Keywords: curved sprints; football; muscle power; team sports; youth athletes.