Soccer Performance
Conditions
Keywords
Technical skills, Power, Coordination, Speed
Brief summary
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate whether functional strength and power training or traditional strength and power training during the off-season can improve soccer-specific performance in trained male U19 Norwegian soccer players. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does functional training lead to greater improvements in technical soccer skills (passing, shooting, dribbling) compared to traditional training? Do both training modalities improve mobility, dynamic balance, sprint speed, change of direction, and jumping performance? Researchers will compare the functional training group, the traditional training group, and a control group to see if either training approach provides superior performance benefits. Participants will: Take part in an 8-week intervention. Complete two weekly strength sessions (functional or traditional depending on allocation). Attend two weekly soccer sessions during the first 4 weeks (all groups). Undergo a standardized test battery measuring mobility, balance, technical skills, sprinting, change of direction, and vertical jump before and after the intervention.
Interventions
To quantify the effect of a strength intervention for footballers on improved range of motion, balance, speed, jump height, and technical football skills compared to a training group performing basic power exercises and machine-based strength training and a control group.
Sponsors
The Research Council of Norway
Aalborg University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
16 Years to 20 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Male soccer players aged 16-20 years. Active competitors in the Norwegian G19 0. Division or the Norwegian Tipping League (Senior 3. Division). Minimum of eight years of organized soccer experience. At least two years of structured resistance training experience. No concurrent involvement in other structured physical activity programs.
Exclusion criteria
History of lower-limb injury within the past three months. Inability to meet the required training attendance (≥14 out of 16 sessions). Participation in additional structured training programs outside the intervention.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Loughborough soccer passing test | Day 1 | Measure precision in passing (Seconds) |
| Loughborough soccer shooting test | Day 1 | Measure precision in shooting and reaction (Points and secounds ) |
| Agility with ball | Day 1 | Measure technical abilities with the ball (Seconds) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Active dorsi flexion test | Day 1 | Measure range of motion (Degrees) |
| Dynamic leap balance test | Day 1 | Measure improved dynamic balance (Secounds) |
| Active knee extension test | Day 1 | Measure range of motion (Degrees) |
| Vertical jumping test | Day 1 | Measure jumping abilities (Cm) |
| 10 m and 20 m linear sprint | Day 1 | Measure the ability to accelerate and maximum speed (Seconds; Km/h) |
| S180 sprinting test | Day 1 | Measure change of direction abilities (Secounds) |
| Hip External rotation | Day 1 | Measure range of motion (Degrees) |
| Hip Internal rotation | Day 1 | Measure range of motion (Degrees) |
Countries
Norway
Outcome results
None listed