It has been well established that plyometric
and speed training have positive impacts on fitness parameters in soccer
players. The aim of this study was to compare short-term effects of a combined
plyometric and speed training implemented on the same or separate days of a
week on change of direction (COD), linear speed (LS), and repeated sprint
ability (RSA) in young soccer players. Twenty-four male players from the same
U19 soccer team were distributed into one control group (CG; n=7, soccer
training only) and two experimental groups performing plyometric and speed
exercises on the same (CDG; n=8) or separate days (CWG; n=9) during a 6-week
preparation period.
Very likely
moderate within-group COD improvements
were observed in the CDG (ES -0.94 [-1.47 to -0.41]) and CWG (ES -0.97 [-1.52
to -0.42]) groups.
Possibly
small within-group RSA improvements were
also observed in the CWG (ES -0.24[-0.64 to 0.16]) and CDG (ES -0.31 [-0.79 to
0.17]) groups. CWG and CDG groups showed
possibly
small (ES -0.28 [-0.62
to 0.06]) and
very likely
moderate (ES -0.80 [-1.28 to -0.32])
within-group LS improvements following the intervention, respectively. In
between group analysis, a
likely
moderate (ES 0.71 [0.03 to 1.39])
greater LS improvement was observed in the CDG group than in the CWG group. I t is suggested to
supplement normal soccer training with combined plyometric and speed exercises
to improve COD, LS, and RSA performance
and to implement these exercises in the same session to improve LS with a greater effect.