Speed and Countermovement-Jump Characteristics of Elite Female Soccer Players, 1995–2010

TLDR

The study compared sprint and countermovement‑jump performance among elite female soccer players across performance level, position, and age, and tracked changes over a 15‑year period. A cohort of 194 elite female players (average age 22 ± 4.1 y) performed 40‑m sprints and CMJ tests on a force platform at the Norwegian Olympic training center between 1995 and 2010. National‑team players were 2–5 % faster and jumped 8–9 % higher than lower‑division peers, forwards outpaced midfielders and goalkeepers by 3–4 %, while velocity and CMJ remained stable across age groups and 20‑40 m distances, though 0‑20 m speed improved modestly from 1995–1999 to 2006–2010.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to compare sprint and countermovement-jump (CMJ) performance among female competitive soccer players as a function of performance level, field position, and age. In addition, the authors wanted to quantify the evolution of these physical characteristics among elite players over a 15-y period. Methods: 194 female elite players (22± 4.1 y, 63 ± 5.6 kg), including an Olympic winning squad, tested 40-m sprint with electronic timing and CMJ on a force platform at the Norwegian Olympic training center from 1995 to 2010. Results: Moderate to large velocity differences across performance levels and positions were observed. National-team players were 2% faster than 1st-division players ( P = .027, d = 0.5) and 5% faster than 2nd-division players ( P < .001, d = 1.3) over 0–20 m. National-team players jumped 8–9% higher than 1st-division players ( P = .001, d = 0.6) and junior elite players ( P = .023, d = 0.5). Forwards were 3–4% faster than midfielders ( P < .001, d = 0.8) and goalkeepers ( P = .003, d = 0.9) over 0–20 m. No differences in velocity or CMJ height were observed among the age categories. Players from 2006–2010 were 2% faster ( P < .05, d = 0.6) than players from 1995–1999 over 20 m, whereas no differences in 20- to 40-m velocity or CMJ performance were observed. Conclusions: This study provides effect-magnitude estimates for the influence of performance level, age, and player position on sprint and CMJ performance in female soccer players. While 20- to 40-m velocity and CMJ performance have remained stable over the time, there has been a moderate but positive development in 0- to 20-m velocity among elite performers.