Effect of Preseason Concurrent Muscular Strength and High-Intensity Interval Training in Professional Soccer Players

TLDR

The study investigated whether adding concurrent muscular strength and high‑intensity interval training improves explosive performance and aerobic endurance in professional soccer players. Thirty‑nine professional soccer players were randomized to an experimental group (n = 20) that performed twice‑weekly 8‑week concurrent strength (4 × 6RM of high‑pull, jump squat, bench press, back half squat, chin‑up) and high‑intensity interval training (16 × 15‑second sprints at 120 % maximal aerobic speed with 15‑second rest) alongside regular soccer training, while a control group (n = 19) continued standard training. The concurrent training led to significant gains in strength (1RM back half squat and bench press), vertical jump, sprint performance, Yo‑Yo intermittent recovery distance, and maximal aerobic speed, with no change in body mass.

Abstract

This study examined the effect of concurrent muscular strength and high-intensity running interval training on professional soccer players' explosive performances and aerobic endurance. Thirty-nine players participated in the study, where both the experimental group (EG, n = 20) and control group (CG, n = 19) participated in 8 weeks of regular soccer training, with the EG receiving additional muscular strength and high-intensity interval training twice per week throughout. Muscular strength training consisted of 4 sets of 6RM (repetition maximum) of high-pull, jump squat, bench press, back half squat, and chin-up exercises. The high-intensity interval training consisted of 16 intervals each of 15-second sprints at 120% of individual maximal aerobic speed interspersed with 15 seconds of rest. EG significantly increased (p < or = 0.05) 1RM back half squat and bench press but showed no changes in body mass. Within-subject improvement was significantly higher (p < or = 0.01) in the EG compared with the CG for vertical jump height, 10-m and 30-m sprint times, distances covered in the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test and maximal aerobic speed test, and maximal aerobic speed. High-intensity interval running can be concurrently performed with high load muscular strength training to enhance soccer players' explosive performances and aerobic endurance.