Differences in the performance tests of the fast and slow stretch and shortening cycle among professional, amateur and elite youth soccer players
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14198/jhse.2015.102.03Keywords:
Speed-Strength, Level of play, Soccer players, Talent identificationAbstract
The purpose of this study was to establish whether physical attributes can differentiate between professional, amateur and elite youth soccer players; such a distinction could aid in the selection process for youth soccer. Therefore, this investigation evaluated a suspected difference in the performance tests of the slow and fast stretch and the shortening cycle (squat jump [SJ], counter-movement jump [CMJ], and drop jump from varying heights [DJ]) among professional, amateur and elite youth soccer players. Cross-sectional data were collected. The results indicate that higher performance in the SJ and CMJ seem to depend on the level of player because the mean performance of the PRO was 38.7 ± 4.0 cm in the SJ and 41.2 ± 3.8 in the CMJ, which were significantly (p<0.05) different compared with all other groups. In the DJ, there were significant (p<0.05) differences between the professional players (PRO) and lower-level players as well as between the PRO and youth soccer players. The results suggest that jump performance can differentiate between elite, sub-elite, and youth soccer players and highlights the importance of appropriate conditioning for developing strength and power in youth soccer players.
Funding
noneDownloads
References
Arabatzi, F., Kellis, E., & De Villarreal, E. S. S. (2010). Vertical jump biomechanics after plyometric, weight lifting, and combined (weight lifting + plyometric) training. J Strength Cond Res, 24, 2440–2448. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e274ab
Baker, D. G., & Newton, R. U. (2008). Comparison of lower body strength, power, acceleration, speed, agility, and sprint momentum to describe and compare playing rank among professional rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res, 22, 153–158. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31815f9519
Bissas, A. I., & Havenentidis, K. (2008). The use of various strength-power tests as predictors of sprint running performance. J Sports Med Phys Fitness, 48, 49–54.
Caldwell, B., & Peters, D. (2009). Seasonal variation in physiological fitness of a semiprofessional soccer team. J Strength Cond Res, 23(5), 1370-1377. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181a4e82f
Chan, C. K., Lee, J. W., Fong, D. T., Yung, P. S., & Chan, K. M. (2011). The difference of physical abilities between youth soccer player and professional soccer player: an training implication. J Strength Cond Res, 25, 12.
Cometti, G., Maffiuletti, N. A., Pousson, M., Chatard, J. C., & Maffulli, N. (2001). Isokinetic strength and anaerobic power of elite, subelite and amateur French soccer players. Int J Sports Med, 22, 45-51. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2001-11331
Dowson, M., Cronin, J., & Presland, J. (2002). Anthropometric and physiological differences between gender and age groups of New Zealand national soccer players. In W. Spinks, T. Reilly, & A. Murphy (Eds.), Science and Football IV (pp. 63-71). London: Routledge.
Dowson, M. N., Nevill, M. E., Lakomy, H. K., Nevill, A. M., & Hazeldine, R. J. (1998). Modelling the relationship between isokinetic muscle strength and sprint running performance. J Sports Sci, 16, 257–265. https://doi.org/10.1080/026404198366786
Dunbar, G., & Power, K. (1997). Fitness profiles of english professional and semi-professional soccer players using a battery of field tests. In T. Reilly, J. Bangsbo, & M. Hughes (Eds.), Science and Football III (pp. 27-31). London: Spon Press.
Faigenbaum, A. D., Kraemer, W. J., Blimkie, C. J. R., Jeffreys, I., Micheli, L. J., Nitka, M., & Rowland, T. W. (2009). Youth resistance training: updated position statement paper from the national strength and conditioning Association. J Strength Cond Res, 23, 60–79. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31819df407
Gabbett, T. J., Jenkins, D. G., & Abernethy, B. (2010). Physiological and anthropometric correlates of tackling ability in YSior elite and subelite rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res, 24, 2989-2995. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181f00d22
Gabbett, T. J., Kelly, J. N., & Sheppard, J. M. (2008). Speed, change of direction speed, and reactive agility of rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res, 22, 174-181. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31815ef700
Gall, F., Carling, C., Williams, M., & Reilly, T. (2010). Anthropometric and fitness characteristics of international, professional and amateur male graduate soccer players from an elite youth academy. J Sci Med Sport, 13, 90–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2008.07.004
Gissis, I., Papadopoulos, C., Kalapotharakos, V. I., Sotiropoulos, A., Komsis, G., & Manolopoulos, E. (2006). Strength and speed characteristics of elite, subelite, and recreational young soccer players. Res Sports Med, 14(3), 205-214. https://doi.org/10.1080/15438620600854769
Hansen, L., Bangsbo, J., Twisk, J., &. Klausen, K. (1999). Development of muscle strength in relation to training level and testosterone in young male soccer players. J Appl Physiol, 87, 1141-1147. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1999.87.3.1141
Harris, N. K., Cronin, J. B., Hopkins, W. G., & Hansen, K. T. (2008). Relationship between sprint times and the strength/power outputs of a machine squat jump. J Strength Cond Res, 22, 691–698. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31816d8d80
Author et al. (2012).
Hori, N., Newton, R. U., Andrews, W. A., Kawamori, N., McGuigan, M. R., & Nosaka, K. (2008). Does performance of hang power clean differentiate performance of jumping, sprinting and changing of direction. J Strength Cond Res, 22, 412-418. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318166052b
Hoshikawa, Y., Campeiz, J. M., Shibukawa, K., Chuman, Kl, Iida, T., Muramatsu, M., & Nakajima, Y. (2009). Differences in muscularity of psoas major and thigh muscles in relation to sprint and vertical jump performances between elite young and professional soccer players. In T. Reilly, & F. Korkusuz (Eds.), Science and Football VI (pp. 149-154). Oxon: Routledge.
Kaplan, T., Erkmen, N., & Taskin, H. (2009). The evaluation of the running speed and agility performance in professional and amateur soccer players. J Strength Cond Res, 23(3), 774-778. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181a079ae
Author et al. (2012).
Author et al. (2013).
Author et al. (2014).
Kukolj, M., Ropret, R., Ugarkovic, D., & Jaric, S. (1999). Anthropometric, strength, and power predictors of sprinting performance. J Sports Med Phys Fitness, 39, 120–122.
LaTorre, A., Vernillo, G., Rodigari, A., Maggioni, M., & Merati, G. (2007). Explosive stregth in female 11-on-11 versus 7-on-7 soccer players. Sport Sci Health, 2, 80-84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-007-0044-0
Lehance, C., Binet, J., Bury, T., & Croisier, J. (2009). Muscular strength, functional performances and injury risk in professional and junior elite soccer players. Scand J Med Sci Sports, 19, 243–251. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2008.00780.x
McBride, J. M., Blow, D., Kirby, T. J., Haines, T. L., Dayne, A. M., & Triplett, N. T. (2009). Relationship between maximal squat strength and five, ten, and forty yard sprint times. J Strength Cond Res, 23, 1633–1636. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181b2b8aa
Meylan, C., McMaster, T., Cronin, J., Mohammad, N. I., Rogers, C., & Deklerk, M. (2009). Single-leg lateral, horizontal, and vertical jump assessment: reliability, interrelationships, and ability to predict sprint and change-of-direction performance. J Strength Cond Res, 23(4), 1140-1147. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318190f9c2
Reilly, T. (2007). Science of training – soccer. London: Routledge.
Reilly, T., Williams, A. M., Nevill, A., & Franks, A. (2000). A multidisciplinary approach to talent identification in soccer. J Sports Sci, 18(9), 695-702. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410050120078
Requena, B., Gonzalez-Badillo, J. J., DeVillareal, E. S., Ereline, J., Garcia, I., Gapeyeva, H., & Pääsuke, M. (2009). Functional performance, maximal strength and power characteristics in isometric and dynamic actions of lower extremities in soccer players. J Strength Cond Res, 23, 1391-1401. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181a4e88e
Ronnestad, B. R., Kvamme, N. H., Sunde, A., & Raastad, T. (2008). Short-term effects of strength and plyometric training on sprint and jump performance in professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res, 22, 773-780. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31816a5e86
Author et al. (2013).
Shalfawi, S. A. I., Sabbah, A., Kailani, G., Tønnessen, E., & Enoksen, E. (2001). The relationship between running speed and measures of vertical jump in professional basketball players: a field-test approach. J Strength Cond Res, 25, 3088–3092. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318212db0e
Silva, J. R., Magalha, J. F., Ascensa, A. A., Oliveira, E. M., Seabra, A. F., & Rebelo, A. N. (2001). Individual match playing time during the season affects fitness-related parameters of male professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res, 25, 2729–2739. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31820da078
Stølen, T., Chamari, K., Castagna, C., & Wisløff, U. (2005). Physiology of soccer. J Sports Med, 35, 501-536. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200535060-00004
Tricoli, V., Lamas, L., Carnevale, R., & Ugrinowitsch, C. (2005). Short-term effects on lower-body functional power development: weightlifting vs. vertical jump training programs. J Strength Cond Res, 19, 433–437. https://doi.org/10.1519/R-14083.1
Tsimahidis, K., Galazoulas, C., Skoufas, D., Papaiakovou, G., Bassa, E., Patikas, D., & Kotzamanidis, C. (2010). The effect of sprinting after each set of heavy resistance training on the running speed and jumping performance of young basketball players. J Strength Cond Res, 24, 2102-2108. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e2e1ed
Tumilty, D. (1993). Physiological characteristics of elite soccer players. Sports Med, 16, 80-96. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199316020-00002
Verheijen, R. (1998). Conditioning for soccer. Spring City: Reedswain.
Weiss, L. W., Fry, A. C., Wood, L. E., Relyea, G. E., & Melton, C. (2000). Comparative effects of deep versus shallow squat and leg-press training on vertical jumping ability and related factors. J Strength Cond Res, 14, 241-247.
Williams, C., Oliver, J., & Faulkner, J. (2011). Seasonal monitoring of sprint and jump performance in a soccer youth academy. Int J Sports Physiol Perform, 6, 264-275. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.6.2.264
Wong, D. P., & Wong, S. H. S. (2009). Physiological profile of Asian elite youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res, 23, 1383–1390. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181a4f074
Young, W., McLean, B., & Ardagna, J. (1995). Relationship between strength qualities and sprinting performance. J Sports Med Phys Fitness, 35, 13–19.
Downloads
Statistics
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2015 Journal of Human Sport and Exercise

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Each author warrants that his or her submission to the Work is original and that he or she has full power to enter into this agreement. Neither this Work nor a similar work has been published elsewhere in any language nor shall be submitted for publication elsewhere while under consideration by JHSE. Each author also accepts that the JHSE will not be held legally responsible for any claims of compensation.
Authors wishing to include figures or text passages that have already been published elsewhere are required to obtain permission from the copyright holder(s) and to include evidence that such permission has been granted when submitting their papers. Any material received without such evidence will be assumed to originate from the authors.
Please include at the end of the acknowledgements a declaration that the experiments comply with the current laws of the country in which they were performed. The editors reserve the right to reject manuscripts that do not comply with the abovementioned requirements. The author(s) will be held responsible for false statements or failure to fulfill the above-mentioned requirements.
This title is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
You are free to share, copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms under the following terms:
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
NoDerivatives — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
Transfer of Copyright
In consideration of JHSE’s publication of the Work, the authors hereby transfer, assign, and otherwise convey all copyright ownership worldwide, in all languages, and in all forms of media now or hereafter known, including electronic media such as CD-ROM, Internet, and Intranet, to JHSE. If JHSE should decide for any reason not to publish an author’s submission to the Work, JHSE shall give prompt notice of its decision to the corresponding author, this agreement shall terminate, and neither the author nor JHSE shall be under any further liability or obligation.
Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article, except as disclosed on a separate attachment. All funding sources supporting the Work and all institutional or corporate affiliations of the authors are acknowledged in a footnote in the Work.
Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the protocol for any investigation involving humans or animals and that all experimentation was conducted in conformity with ethical and humane principles of research.
Competing Interests
Biomedical journals typically require authors and reviewers to declare if they have any competing interests with regard to their research.
JHSE require authors to agree to Copyright Notice as part of the submission process.