Delayed Potentiation Effect on Sprint, Power and Agility Performance in Well-Trained Soccer Players

Purpose The purpose of the study was to investigate (a) the effects of two priming training methods (repeated-sprint and ballistic-power) on speed, power and agility performance in well-trained soccer players, and (b) whether stronger players may have greater benefits on performance from the priming sessions compared to their weaker counterparts.Methods Fourteen (n = 14) male well-trained soccer players (age: 21.1 +/- 3.3 years, height 1.77 +/- 0.07 m, mass: 73.2 +/- 8.5 kg) were randomly assigned to perform a repeated-sprint and a ballistic-power priming training session applied 24 h prior to a countermovement jump (CMJ), a 20 m sprint and a T-Test agility time-trials. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was also evaluated following the repeated-sprint and the ballistic-power priming programs. On a different day, body composition, leg extension isometric peak torque (IPT) and rate of torque development (RTD) were evaluated. Soccer players were also divided into stronger and weaker groups according to their IPT relative to body mass.Results Agility T-Test time-trial decreased significantly by - 2.51% +/- 2.28% (P = 0.005) and - 1.91% +/- 2.30% (P = 0.02) following repeated-sprint and ballistic-power priming respectively, compared to control (C) condition. RPE, CMJ and 20 m sprint performance were not different between the priming sessions (P > 0.05). Stronger players decreased only T-Test agility time-trial by - 3.02% +/- 2.96% (P = 0.016), after repeated-sprint and by - 2.64% +/- 2.76% (P = 0.020) following ballistic-power priming when compared with C condition. However, no differences were observed between stronger and weaker players (P > 0.05).Conclusion These results suggest that both repeated-sprint and ballistic-power priming training methods, when applied 24 h prior to a soccer game, may enhance agility performance in well-trained soccer players.