Author(s): BAYRAM, I.1,2, CERRAH, A.O.3, NARCISS, S.1, AUGUSTUS, S.4, Institution: DRESDEN TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY, Country: GERMANY, Abstract-ID: 2323

INTRODUCTION:
Soccer, a dynamic sport, demands a combination of strength, agility, and high levels of skill. Well-structured kicking ability is a pre-determinant parameter for soccer success (1, 2). This study evaluated the impact of specific training modalities (strength, biofeedback, and combined strength and biofeedback) on jumping and kicking performance in U16 regional-level soccer players. The aim was to identify the efficacy of each training method and explore potential synergies when combined.
METHODS:
We recruited 21 soccer players, forming three groups with 7 players in each: Strength Group (SG; age: 15 ± 1.15 yrs, training age: 4.29 ± 1.11 yrs height: 1.63 ± 0.07 m mass: 56.20 ± 5.12 kg)), Biofeedback Group (BG; 14±1.85 yrs, 3.71 ± 0.95 yrs, 1.66 ± 0.10 m 52.46 ± 9.70 kg), and Combined Group (CG; 15 ±1.36 yrs, 4 ± 1.29 yrs, 1.59 ± 0.10 m, 47.36 ± 10.48 kg). The intervention period spanned 8 weeks, during which SG received strength training, BG underwent biofeedback training targeting kicking performance, and CG experienced a combination of both, alongside their regular soccer training. To assess the effectiveness of the interventions, we employed two measures of lower limb explosive power: Squat Jumps (SJ) and Countermovement Jumps (CMJ) measured by jumping mat (Smart Speed; Fusion Sport Pty, Ltd, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia). Additionally, we measured kicking performance by evaluating ball velocity with a radar gun (Jugs Pro, USA) during shooting for both dominant and non-dominant legs. We employed mixed design ANOVA with Bonferroni correction to assess and compare the mean performance scores of the training methods (p<0.05).
RESULTS:
In the analysis of pre and post-test comparisons, SG demonstrated a significant improvement in jump height compared to the other groups (SJ pre: 0.29 ± 0.05 m post: 0.32 ± 0.06 m; CMJ pre: 0.30 ±0.05 m post: 0.32 ± 0.06 m; p < 0.05). This underscores the positive impact of strength training on lower limb explosive power. Interestingly, CG exhibited a noteworthy enhancement in ball velocity of both the dominant and non-dominant leg (Dominant pre: 78.90 ± 9.59 km/h post: 85.29 ± 9.33 km/h Non-dominant pre: 59.33 ± 11.32 km/h post: 63.67 ± 9.41 km/h) compared to both SG and BG (p < 0.05). The combination of strength and biofeedback training, integrated with regular soccer training, proved to be a powerful catalyst for improving soccer-specific skills.
CONCLUSION:
Strength training was effective for improving lower limb explosive power, evidenced by increased jump performance in the SG. More notably, the CG outperformed the other groups in terms of improving kicking performance. Therefore, the combined approach seemed to synergize the benefits of strength and biofeedback training modalities, resulting in a more comprehensive improvement in soccer-specific skills.
REFERENCES:
1. Augustus et al., J. Sports Sci., 2017
2. Augustus et al., J. Sports Sci., 2021