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Physical fitness changes among amateur soccer players: effects of the pre-season period

2021; De Gruyter Open; Volume: 13; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2478/bhk-2021-0009

2080-2234

Rui Silva, Ricardo Lima, Miguel Camões, César Leão, Sérgio Matos, Joel Pereira, Pedro Bezerra, Filipe Manuel Clemente,

Genetics and Physical Performance

Abstract Study aim : To assess changes in physical fitness of amateur soccer players after a pre-season training period and baseline fitness dependencies. Material and methods : Twenty-one amateur soccer players were assessed during the pre-season. The following physical variables were assessed before and after a two-month pre-season training period: (i) cardiorespiratory fitness, (ii) strength and power, and (iii) change of direction (COD). Results : Significant decreases were found for countermovement jump (CMJ) (p < 0.001; d = 1.161), drop jump (DJ) (p = 0.014; d = 0.958), and horizontal jump (HJ) (p = 0.042; d = 0.640), while no significant changes were found for the overall variables from the beginning to the end of pre-season. Fit players revealed significant decreases for CMJ (p = 0.002; d = –2.495), DJ (p = 0.004; d = –1.760), HJ (p = 0.028; d = –1.005), COD deficit (p = 0.034; d = 1.013), and maximal aerobic speed (MAS) (p = 0.026; d = –4.053). No significant changes were found for unfit players. Conclusions : Amateur soccer coaches should consider assessing physical qualities at the beginning of pre-season and use the free-of-charge monitoring tools such as session-rate of perceived exertion (s-RPE) during the training process.