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

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research 2010-03, Vol.24 (3), p.653-660
• Main Authors: Wong, Pui-lam, Chaouachi, Anis, Chamari, Karim, Dellal, Alexandre, Wisloff, Ulrik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Athletic Performance - physiology; Environmental conditions; Humans; Male; Muscle Fatigue - physiology; Muscle Strength - physiology; Muscular system; Physical Endurance - physiology; Physical fitness; Resistance Training; Running - physiology; Soccer - physiology; Sports training; Time Factors; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181aa36a2

Wong, P-L, Chaouachi, A, Chamari, K, Dellal, A, and Wisloff, U. Effect of preseason concurrent muscular strength and high-intensity interval training in professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 24(3)653-660, 2010-This study examined the effect of concurrent muscular strength and high-intensity running interval training on professional soccer playersʼ 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 ≤ 0.05) 1RM back half squat and bench press but showed no changes in body mass. Within-subject improvement was significantly higher (p ≤ 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 playersʼ explosive performances and aerobic endurance.