The effects of repeated backward running training on measures of physical fitness in youth male soccer players. Issue 24 (17th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Negra, Yassine; Sammoud, Senda; Uthoff, Aaron; Ramirez-Campillo, Rodrigo; Moran, Jason; Chaabene, Helmi
• Is Part Of: Journal of sports sciences. Volume 40:Issue 24(2022)
• Page Start: 2688
• Page End: 2696
• Publication Date: 2022-12-17
• Subjects: Musculoskeletal and neural physiological phenomena -- human physical conditioning -- movement -- muscle strength -- youth team sports; Sports -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 612.044
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2023.2184770
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-0414

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study explored the effects of an 8-week repeated backward running training (RBRT) programme on measures of physical fitness in youth male soccer players. Youth male soccer players were randomly allocated into a RBRT group ( n = 20; 13.95 ± 0.22y) or a control group (CG; n = 16; 14.86 ± 0.29y). The CG continued normal soccer training, while the RBRT group replaced some soccer drills with RBRT twice per week. Within-group analysis revealed that RBRT improved all performance variables (∆-9.99% to 14.50%; effect size [ES] = −1.79 to 1.29; p ≤ 0.001). Meanwhile, trivial-to-moderate detrimental effects on sprinting and change of direction (CoD) speed (∆1.55% to 10.40%; p ≤ 0.05) were noted in the CG. The number of individuals improving performance above the smallest worthwhile change ranged from 65–100% across all performance variables in the RBRT group, whereas<50% in the CG reached that threshold. The between-group analysis indicated that the RBRT group improved performance on all performance tasks more than the CG (ES = −2.23 to 1.10; p ≤ 0.05). These findings demonstrate that substituting part of a standard soccer training regimen with RBRT can enhance youth soccer players' sprinting, CoD, jumping, and RSA performance.