Aerobic and anaerobic performance variation in professional soccer players after preseason

The main aim of this study was to determine changes that take place from the start of the preseason until the start of league competition for various physical capacities of professional soccer players. The acceleration capacity (5 m and 15 m sprints), vertical jump ability (bipodal and unipodal CMJ), horizontal jump ability (HJ, Horizontal Repetitive cyclic jump), the peak power (PP), and the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) were evaluated in both Test 1 (pretest) and Test 2 (post-test). 22 professional players from the 2nd Division B of the Spanish Soccer League participated in the study, completing 8 weeks of training, 5 precompetitive and 3 of competition. Statistical analysis showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the group means for the pre-and post-tests for the variables of IAT (11.86 +/- 0.89 Km/h, 12.65 +/- 0.85 Km/h; d = 0.93), PP (75.23 +/- 12.58 Kg, 83.05 +/- 11.38 Kg; d = 0,68) dominant leg HJ (6.97 +/- 0.53 m, 7.68 +/- 0.54 m; d = 1.87) and non-dominant leg HJ (7.07 +/- 0.55 m, 7.76 +/- 0.58 m; d = 1.19). However, no significant differences in other variables (5 m and 15 m sprints, bipodal and unipodal CMJ) were found. Improving cardiovascular capacity was not accompanied by a shared improvement in the various qualities of acceleration and explosive strength.