Physiological characteristics and acute fatigue associated with position-specific speed endurance soccer drills: production vs maintenance training

ABSTRACT

Objective: The study aimed to compare the physiological characteristics and acute fatigue associated with position-specific speed endurance production (SEP) and maintenance (SEM) soccer drills.

Methods: Twenty male soccer players performed a position specific drill consisting of 8 exercise bouts each lasting ~30 s interspersed by 150 s (SEP) and 60 s (SEM) of passive recovery. A selection of players (n = 10) completed neuromuscular assessments pre and post drill.

Results: Players covered greater high speed (12%), very high speed (49%) and sprint (218%) running distances in SEP (P < 0.05, ES: 0.51–0.80). SEP resulted in greater peak (7%) and average (10%) running speeds (P < 0.01, ES: 0.70–0.93). Mean and peak heart rate responses were greater in SEM (4–10%, P < 0.01, ES: 0.97–1.84) whilst blood lactate concentrations were higher following SEP (6%, P < 0.05, ES: 0.42). Reductions in vertical countermovement jump height were more pronounced immediately after SEP (2%, P < 0.05, ES: 0.36) but 24 h post SEM (4%, P < 0.05, ES: 0.52). Horizontal countermovement jump performance was reduced immediately post SEP and SEM (3–5%, P < 0.01, ES: 0.22–0.38) and 24 h post SEM (4%, ES: 0.32).

Conclusion: The data demonstrate that position-specific SEP and SEM drills overload different physiological indices and induce small impairments in some neuromuscular measures.

KEYWORDS:

• Football
• tactical role
• anaerobic training
• high-intensity running
• training response

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Liverpool Football Club for providing access to the training facility and funding this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work part of two research projects both supported by a research grant from the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology-IWT, Belgium (IWT 130841 [A. Jaspers] and IWT HBC.2017.0569 [K. Houtmeyers]).