STRENGTH TRAINING EFFECTS ON THE AEROBIC ENDURANCE AND ACCELERATION CAPACITY ON YOUNG SOCCER PLAYERS

This study was undertaken to analyze the effects of 4 weeks of a strength and specific soccer concurrent training program on the aerobic performance and acceleration capacity on young soccer players. To do this, fourteen U-13 soccer players were randomized into two groups: Concurrent strength and specific soccer training (CT) and control group (CG), which only undergo their soccer training and competition routine. Plus to the CG training routine, the EC group implemented two strength training sessions per week ( 3 sets of 10 repetitions in 3 lower body exercises) with an intensity or level of effort that would allowed them to perform 16 repetitions (60% 1RM approx.) Before starting the program (T0) and immediately after the conclusion of the 4 weeks of the treatment (T1), subjects performed the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test Level I (YYRI1) to estimate the aerobic power and an acceleration of 20m test with photoelectrical cells. Neither cardiorespiratory endurance assessed by the YYRI1 nor the acceleration capacity showed significant changes in either of the two groups (p > 0.05). The present results indicate that 4 weeks of concurrent muscle strength training with a low-moderate intensity and volume, and soccer-specific training are not sufficient stimuli to achieve positive adaptations in the physical fitness markers of young soccer players.