Countermovement jump performance is not affected during an in-season training microcycle in elite youth soccer players

James J. Malone*, Conall F. Murtagh, Ryland Morgans, Darren J. Burgess, James P. Morton, Barry Drust

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study examined the change in countermovement jump (CMJ) performance across a microcycle of training in professional soccer players during the in-season period. Nine elite youth soccer players performed a CMJ test before and after 4 consecutive soccer training sessions of an in-season weekly microcycle. Training load was quantified using global positioning systems, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion. Absolute change (before to after training) in CMJ height across each training session was analyzed using one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. Magnitude of effects was reported with the effect size (ES) statistic. Correlation analyses assessed the relationships between training load measures and the absolute change in CMJ height. Training load remained similar on all training days apart from a significant decrease in training load (all variables except high-speed distance) on the last training session (p ≤ 0.05). No significant difference was found for CMJ height (p 0.23) across the training microcycle (ES range, -0.04 to -0.22). No correlations were found between training load variables and absolute change in CMJ height (range: r -0.21 to 0.22; p > 0.05). This study revealed no significant change in CMJ performance across the in-season microcycle. This finding suggests that soccer players are able to maintain CMJ performance across an in-season training microcycle.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)752-757
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Volume29
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Mar 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Keywords

  • GPS
  • Periodization
  • Team sport
  • Training load
  • Vertical jump

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

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