The effects of short-term detraining on exercise performance in soccer players

The aim of the present study was to determine whether 1 week of training cessation can affect exercise performance in well-trained soccer players. Upon the completion of a competitive season, 11 male soccer players went through 1-week training cessation. Performances in the 5-m (1.05 +/- 0.04 sec vs 1.02 +/- 0.03 sec, P=0.03) and 10-m (1.79 +/- 0.06 sec vs 1.74 +/- 0.06 sec, P=0.03) sprints were significantly increased after 1 week of detraining with a trend for an increase in the 20-m sprint performance (3.07 +/- 0.06 sec vs 3.02 +/- 0.07 sec, P=0.06). However, the repeated sprint performance (total sprint time [45.7 +/- 2.6 sec vs 48.0 +/- 2.6 sec, P=0.01] and fatigue index [5.8%+/- 2.8% vs 7.8%+/- 3.2%; P=0.04]) were reduced. In addition, no significant differences were observed for the 30 m (4.23 +/- 0.06 sec vs 4.24 +/- 0.09 sec, P=0.63), agility (right: 8.08 +/- 0.17 sec vs 8.03 +/- 0.37 sec, P=0.54; left: 8.05 +/- 0.21 sec vs 8.04 +/- 0.30 sec, P=0.84), coordination (13.98 +/- 1.21 sec vs 14.06 +/- 1.34 sec, P=0.75), Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 2 (1,040.0 +/- 291.8 m vs 1,134.5 +/- 232.7 m, P=0.08), and knee extensors and flexors peak torques at all applied angular velocities (P<0.05) after detraining. These results indicate that short-term detraining for well-trained soccer players has a significant effect on the speed endurance performance. It is therefore important for the players and their coaches to plan a suitable training program to maintain exercise performance especially speed endurance during off-season.