Effects of Intermittent or Continuous Training on Speed, Jump and Repeated-Sprint Ability in Semi-Professional Soccer Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two different training interventions (Intermittent versus Continuous training) on semi-professional male soccer player's speed, jump and repeated-sprint ability. Thirty four players were divided into an intermittent training group (INT, n=18, age=26.7±4.7, height=175.3±5.2cm, weight=72.9±4.8Kg) and a continuous training group (CONT, n=16, age=26.6±5.1, height=174.9±5.9cm, weight=73.2±7.2Kg). The study lasted for 12 weeks and consisted of 20 minutes per training session in physical conditioning following either CONT or INT training guidelines. The players were tested 3 times during 1st, 6th and 12th week of the season. Testing consisted of 15m and 30m sprint time, squat-jump and countermovement jump height and Bangsbo modified sprint test. Two-way repeated measures ANCOVA (group: INT, CONT x TIME-POINT: Week1, Week6, Week12) showed that INT was faster than CONT in the 6^th and 12^th weeks for the squat jump, 15m, 30m and Bangsbo Modified Sprint Test and that INT recovered better from intense efforts than CONT. Our results suggest that both training interventions were able to maintain initial values of speed and jump. However, the INT exhibit larger improvements in repeated-sprint ability. Therefore, the power endurance training (intermittent high intensity exercise) may be more beneficial to prepare soccer players according to the game cardiovascular and metabolic specific determinants.