International Journal of Sport Studies. Vol.

, 4 (1), 78-82, 2014

Available online at http: Publications www.ijssjournal.com
ISSN 2251-7502 2014; Science & Research

The effects of eight week combined Strength-Speed training on aerobic

capacity of under-23 years soccer players

Alireza Shahsavar

Department of Physical Education, Islamic Azad University, West Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

Corresponding Author, Email: m_shahsavar6@yahoo.com

Abstract

Soccer players physical fitness program and the strategies they apply to
increase their fitness has always been controversial issues. The present study
seeks to investigate the effects of 8-week combined strength-speed training on
under-23 soccers aerobic capacity. For this reason the participants of the study
incorporate 24 soccer players under 23 (with the average age 19.250.94 year, the average
height 178.665.12 cm, the average weight 70.475.11 Kg and Body Mass Index (BMI)
22.081.44 Kilogram per Meter Square). They were selected from among those playing in
Sari clubs and were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (N=12). First, the
whole sequence of the tests was explained to the participants. Then, all the tests including
height test, weight test, and Yoyo Intermittent Test were conducted to measure BMI, as well
as aerobic capacity. The experimental group received combined strength and sprint training
for 8 weeks (3 training sessions per week) while control group received no training. to
analyze the data, mean and standard deviation along with descriptive statistics and for
inferential analysis, dependent T test was conducted using spss11.5 (0.05). Results show
that the study yielded the result that combined strength-speed training program has a
significant effect on U-23 soccers aerobic capacity. Given the results of the study, it can be
claimed that combined strength-speed training program increases the aerobic capacity.

Keywords: Combined Strength- Speed Training, Under-23 soccers, aerobic capacity.

Introduction

Enjoying a wide range of rules, football is definitely regarded as one of the most popular sports in the world.
Therefore, in comparison to the other sports, it has been more analyzed scientifically (Reilly, 2005). With 204
associations affiliated to FIFA today, the total number of FIFA members has nearly surpassed 240 million active
members (men and women) (Maughan, 2006). According to a wide-scale survey launched by FIFA, nearly one
person in every 6 among the world's population actively plays football and one person among 3 is simply into
this sport (Sajadi, 1997).
Nowadays, football has got numerous functions in the different realms of policy, pedagogy, economy, etc.
politicians consider it as a means of resolving political tensions and diplomatic contacts; in the realm of
pedagogy, trainers regard it as a means of effective training; it is also known as a cultural phenomenon in the
cultural domain. Finally, the industrial sector sees it as a means of producing and marketing sports equipment
(Ostogic, 2003).

A general overview on the procedure of evolution and development of football reveals that proper basic
training in some countries leads to a rapid and considerable progress. However, the role of researchers and
physical education experts in conducting scientific researches and finding new techniques should not be
undermined (Reilly, 2005). Therefore, on one hand, football has increasingly developed and on the other hand, it
has been known as an industry. Today, many other sciences contribute to the development of this popular sport
and this fact expands upon the importance of football (Chaleh Chaleh and Shahsavar, 2012).

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That is why football has been the center of scientific attention in many different countries in such a way that
one of the main issues under researchers consideration is how to offer training programs to achieve the highest
level of efficiency. Therefore, different training techniques for improving physiological and anthropometric
parameters have been carefully evaluated. One of these techniques is strength training combined with the other
training programs including speed (Sedghi, 2011).

Due to its specific functional characteristics, football is in a dire need of some specific physiological and
anthropometric parameters. It is also a kind of team sport dependent on aerobic endurance as well as short-term
high-intensity intermittent activities (Vylmor and Castile, 2004).

As the results of the study show, elite players require high level of physical and physiological characteristics
including aerobic capacity, speed, and flexibility so as to do well in matches (Kargar Fard and Keshavarz, 2005
Minasiyan, 1997).

Examining the effects of preseason high intensity combined strength-speed training on elite players
performance, Wong et al (2010) found out that in 10 m and 30 m sprint, the combined training program
decreased the distance covered in Yoyo Intermittent Recovery Test (Wong et al., 2010).

Perez et al (2008) conducted a research to investigate the effects of 6-week weight training combined with
plyometric exercises on physical fitness, body composition, and the speed of moving knees when hitting ball in
football. It was revealed that the afore-mentioned training increased aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, 30 m
sprint speed, and body composition as well (Perez et al., 2008).

As it was mentioned earlier, researchers applied different training strategies with different structures to
simply examine two or three factors, and they achieved different results. Given the high significance of
Physiological and anthropometric factors, as well as fitness programs and also lack of a specific training
program, the present study tries to shed light on the tentative effects of 8-week combined strength-speed training
program on U-23 football players, physiological and anthropometric characteristics. The researchers ultimately
aim to promote the science of football and provide football coaches and experts with new insights on this sport
to train more elite players.

Methodology

Regarding the objectives of the study, participants, and the other confounding variables, it should be
mentioned this is a quasi-experimental research with pre-test and post-test as well as experimental and control
groups. This is also an applied research. The participants of the study incorporate all the players attending
under-23 soccer matches in Sari. 24 players were randomly selected and divided into experimental and control
groups. The combined strength-speed training program is regarded as an independent variable and aerobic
capacity is dependent variables.

Data Collection

First, the participants were asked to fill in the personal and medical information forms. All of them turned
out to be qualified and in a good condition. They have also been playing football continuously since 3 years ago.
The researchers and participants were all present in the training session. After the stations were organized by the
researchers, different steps of the study and the quality of the experiments were fully explained to the
participants and they were totally informed of what exactly to do in each test. Afterwards, they did warm up for
15 minutes. Then, the pre-test including Height Test, Weight Test, and Yoyo Intermittent Test was conducted to
measure body mass index and aerobic capacity, respectively. The results were recorded on special test sheets.
Then, the experimental group did combined training for 8 weeks 3 sessions of 60 to 70 min per week. In doing
so, 6 repetition maximum (6RP) was first determined in each site, using trial and error method. In each session,
after 15 min warm up including smooth running and stretching, the subjects did reverse pyramid training (light
to heavy) as follows:

In the first set, they lift a weight that was 50% of 6RM, with 6 repetition. In the second set, 75% of 6RM was
done with 6 repetition; and in the third set, they lift a weight which was 100% of 6RM with 6 rep. Each
repetition was done in the 3 min rest intervals between the sets, but it was done in 2 min between the training
courses. According to resources, participants should not stop repetition despite tiredness (Chelly et al., 2009).
Five sites were involved, leg press, back of leg, front of leg, front of arm, and back of arm. Then 16 sprints each
of which lasted for 15 seconds with 15 seconds of active break (including jogging) were done. At the end, the
subjects cooled down for 10 min and the control group received no training. In the last phase of the study, post-

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test was conducted and each group took the intended test. It is well worth mentioning that both groups did
soccer exercise for 3 sessions a week.

Height Measurement Method

First, the participants were asked to stand barefoot against the stadiometer, their back to the device and front
to the researcher, their body was straight and the heads were forward. Then, the headpiece was scrolled down to
rest on the head of the person being measured. Afterwards, according to ISAK method, the researcher put his
hand under participant's chin, pulled it upward, and recorded the number.

Weight Measurement Method

The participants were asked to stand barefoot on medical scale while wearing sports clothes. When the
movable plate stopped swinging, the weight was recorded.
Data Collection of Yoyo Intermittent Test
The test was used to measure maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max). The participants had full break for 2 min.
To conduct the test, two cones are used to mark out two lines on the ground- 20 m apart from each other; the
third cone marks out the third line 2.5 m away from the starting point.
* * *
Running 20 walking or jogging 2.5 m
The participants start on the middle line, and begin running 20 m. then they turn and return to the starting
point (they run a total of 40 m). There is an active recovery period of 5 seconds interjected between every 20
meter shuttle, during which the subject must walk or jog around the other cone and return to the starting point.
The procedure continues until the participants get tired of audio signals and fast rhythm are unable to take the
test. Their fitness is measured based on the number of the shuttle repetition.
Data Analysis

In order to analyze the data, mean and standard deviation along with descriptive statistics were used. For
inferential analysis, dependent T test was conducted using spss/11.5. To test the research hypothesis, 0/05
was considered. Excel was also used for drawing tables.

Results

Table 1 illustrates the subjects personal information. It was revealed that their average age, height, and
weight are in the same range attesting to the homogeneity of the groups (table 1).

Table 1: Participants personal Information

Variable Age (year) Height (cm) BMI (kg/m2) Weight (kg)
Group
Mean in 19.250.86 177.414.39 22.771.66 71.666.05
experimental group
(pre test)
Mean in control 19.251.05 179.915.66 21.471.35 69.504.73
group (pre test)
Mean in 19.250.86 177.414.39 22.221.54 69.955.46
experimental group
(post test)
Mean in control 19.251.05 179.915.66 21.941.39 71.0 4.92
group (post test)

The results show that combined strength-speed training program has a significant effect on aerobic capacity
(P=0.022).

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Table 2: The Results of T Test in the Effects of Combined Strength-speed Training program on
aerobic capacity
Statically Mean Sd Df Mean T P Result
index difference value value
Group
Vo2max in 49.12 1.80 22 1.71 2.45 0.022 significan
experimental t
group
Vo2max in 47.41 1.60
experimental
group

Discussion and Conclusion

The present study yielded the result that combined strength-speed training program has a significant effect
on U-23 football players aerobic capacity. The results of this research are in line with those of the researches
done by Polman et al (2004), Berzinskey et al (2008), Perez et al (2008), Lopez et al (2010), Wong et al (2010),
Wong et al (2010), Tenson et al (2011), Sperlich et al (2011), and Yuva et al (2011). However, the results
contradict those of the works done by Hoof et al (2002) and Hoof et al (2002). In elite football players, the
average amount of maximum oxygen uptake is high, which puts emphasis on the role of aerobic capacity in this
sport (Sedghi, 2011). In the past, strength training was used to increase an athletes strength as well as their
muscle size, however, it has been recently use to increase power, speed, and endurance, etc (Ostogic, 2000).
Soccer is an endurance sport in which players continuously run different distances. Due to their strong legs,
soccers are able to run great distances (Shahsavar et al., 2013).
Basis for the development of soccer in particular enforcement activities, development of critical power. The
athlete should be able to expand their power in a satisfactory condition in a variety of exercises designed to
increase speed, vertical jump and endurance to participate (Sedghi, 2011).
The other reason emphasizing the importance of aerobic capacity is the fact that soccer players have to sprint
long distances, so their legs must be powerful enough to tolerate fatigue. Most of the time, winners and losers of
soccer matches are determined in the last 5 minutes of either the first or the second halves; the reason is the low
strength of players bodies in the final moments of the play (Raiesi, 1995). Therefore, it can be undoubtedly
claimed that 8-week combined strength-speed training increases the subjects aerobic capacity. It is also under
the influence of some other factors including inheritance, age, sex, exercise, muscle fiber distribution
percentage, cardiac output, and arteriovenous oxygen difference. In effect, the difference in any of these factors
makes the results of this study different from those of the other researches done so far.

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