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. 2022 Apr 19;19(9):4935.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19094935.

Effect of the COVID-19 Confinement Period on Selected Neuromuscular Performance Indicators in Young Male Soccer Players: Can the Maturation Process Counter the Negative Effect of Detraining?

Nikolaos D Asimakidis  1 , Stylianos S Vasileiou  1 , Athanasios A Dalamitros  1 , Pantelis T Nikolaidis  2 , Vasiliki Manou  1
Affiliations

Effect of the COVID-19 Confinement Period on Selected Neuromuscular Performance Indicators in Young Male Soccer Players: Can the Maturation Process Counter the Negative Effect of Detraining?

Nikolaos D Asimakidis et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to an unprecedented long-term cessation in athletes' training routines. This study examined the effect of a 32-week detraining period, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, on selected neuromuscular performance indicators in 29 young male soccer players, assessed close to their adolescent growth spurt (age = 13.0 ± 0.8 years). Change of direction ability of both lower limbs (COD), linear sprint times (10 and 20 m), and vertical jump height (CMJ) was evaluated twice, once before the first national lockdown, and one week after the return to training activities. Paired-sample t-tests detected significant improvements in all three testing variables (COD: 2.82 ± 0.23 vs. 2.66 ± 0.22 s, p ≤ 0.005, 0.001, effect size [ES] = 0.91 to 1.05 for the right and left limb, respectively; 10 m: 2.12 ± 0.16 vs. 1.96 ± 0.15 s, p ≤ 0.001, effect size [ES] = 1.67, 20 m: 3.56 ± 0.3 vs. 3.42 ± 0.27 s, p ≤ 0.001, effect size [ES] = 1.02 and CMJ: 23.3 ± 7.5 vs. 24.5 ± 7.6 cm, p = 0.033, ES = 0.42). These results indicate that maturation-related adaptations can lead to enhanced change of direction, linear sprint, and vertical jump performance, even in the absence of exposure to any level of exercise. Soccer coaches and practitioners working with youth athletes should consider the stage of maturation when planning and implementing training programs aiming to enhance neuromuscular performance.

Keywords: agility; individual responses; peak height velocity; sprint; training cessation; vertical jump; youth soccer.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean values for the 505 COD test performance for the right leg during the two testing points (TP1 and TP2). * Statistically significant difference (p < 0.05).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean values for the 505 COD test performance for the left leg during the two testing points (TP1 and TP2). * Statistically significant difference (p < 0.05).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean values for the 10-m linear sprint performance during the two testing points (TP1 and TP2). * Statistically significant difference (p < 0.05).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mean values for the 20-m linear sprint performance during the two testing points (TP1 and TP2). * Statistically significant difference (p < 0.05).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Mean values for the CMJ test performance during the two testing points (TP1 and TP2). * Statistically significant difference (p < 0.05).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Individual percentage changes and smallest worthwhile changes for all five performance tests during the two testing points (TP1 and TP2). Each symbol represents the percentage change for each participant whereas the orange line indicates the percentage of the smallest worthwhile change for each test. Note: 505R = change of direction test for turns of the right leg; 505L = change of direction test for turns of the right leg; SWD = smallest worthwhile change (0.2 × between-subject SD).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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