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- Characterization of Static Strength, Vertical Jumping, and Isokinetic Strength in Soccer Players According to Age, Competitive Level, and Field PositionPublication . Gouveia, João Nuno; França, Cíntia; Martins, Francisco; Henriques, Ricardo; Nascimento, Marcelo de Maio; Ihle, Andreas; Sarmento, Hugo; Przednowek, Krzysztof; Martinho, Diogo V.; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio: Muscular strength is strongly related to speed and agility tasks, which have been described as the most decisive actions preceding goals in the soccer game. This study aimed to characterize the players’ strength indicators and to analyze the variation associated with age, competition level, and positional role. Eighty-three male soccer players from A team (n = 22), B team (n = 17), U-23 (n = 19), and U-19 (n = 25) participated in this study. Handgrip strength was assessed using a hand dynamometer (Jamar Plus+), countermovement jump (CMJ) and the squat jump (SJ) were evaluated using Optojump Next, and a Biodex System 4 Pro Dynamometer was used to assess the isokinetic strength of knee extension/flexion. Team A players showed increased lower-body strength compared to their peers, mainly through their increased vertical jumping capacity (i.e., CMJ and SJ; ps < 0.019), and superior performance in isokinetic assessments (i.e., peak torque, total work, and average power). Overall, older players outperformed their younger peers regarding vertical jumping, static strength, and average power in isokinetic strength (ps < 0.005). This study emphasizes the superior strength levels of professional soccer players compared with their lower-division peers, even after controlling by age. This information is of great value to sports agents and coaches, underlining the need to design and include strength-specific content during soccer training.
- Changes in Estimated Body Composition and Physical Fitness of Adolescent Boys after One Year of Soccer TrainingPublication . França, Cíntia; Martinho, Diogo V.; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Martins, Francisco; Marques, Adilson; Ribeiro, Tiago; Nascimento, Marcelo de Maio; Lopes, Helder; Rodrigues, Ana; Ihle, AndreasSports participation is one of the most popular forms of physical activity among youngsters. This study aimed to examine the changes in the estimated body composition, strength, and flexibility of adolescent boys after 12 months of soccer training compared with those of age-matched controls with non-sports participation. We assessed 137 boys (62 soccer players and 75 controls) at baseline (TM1) and 12 months later (TM2). The differences in estimated body composition, strength, and flexibility were investigated using a repeated measure analysis of variance. The analysis revealed a significant main effect of soccer training on fat mass (F = 73.503, p ≤ 0.01, η2 = 0.59) and fat-free mass (F = 39.123, p ≤ 0.01, η2 = 0.48). Over time, the soccer group decreased their fat mass and increased their fat-free mass, while the opposite results were observed for the controls. Among physical fitness tests, a substantial effect of soccer training was evidenced for the sit-up performance (F = 16.224, p ≤ 0.01, η2 = 0.32). Regarding the time factor, significant effects were noted for height and handgrip strength. No significant differences were detected for flexibility. Overall, the benefits of soccer training were exhibited by the larger improvements in fat mass, fat-free mass, sit-ups, and handgrip strength performance, underlining the important role of soccer participation during adolescence.