Straight-Line and Change of Direction Intermittent Running in Professional Soccer Players

Fessi, Mohamed S. and Farhat, Fayçal and Dellal, Alexandre and Malone, James J. and Moalla, Wassim (2017) Straight-Line and Change of Direction Intermittent Running in Professional Soccer Players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. ISSN 1555-0265 (Accepted for Publication)

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Abstract

PURPOSE:
The present study aimed to investigate the difference between straight-line (STL) and change of direction (COD) intermittent running exercises in soccer players.
METHODS:
Seventeen male professional soccer players performed the agility T-test and 6 intermittent running exercises: 10s at 130% of maximal aerobic speed (MAS) alternated with 10s of rest (10-10), 15s at 120% of MAS alternated with 15s of rest (15-15) and 30s at 110% of MAS alternated with 30s of rest (30-30) both in STL and with COD. All exercises were monitored using a global positioning system. Heart rate was measured during exercises and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was collected post-exercise. Delta (Δ) between covered distance in STL and COD exercises at a similar load was calculated and relationships between T-test and Δ distance were analysed.
RESULTS:
COD intermittent exercises showed a significantly decreased distance covered and an increased number of accelerations, heart rate peak and RPE value compared to STL intermittent exercises at a similar load. High relationships were observed between T-test performance and Δ distance in 10-10 (r = 0.72, P < 0.01) and 15-15 (r = 0.77, P < 0.01) whereas no significant relationships were observed between T-test performance and Δ distance in 30-30 (r = -0.37, P = 0.2).
CONCLUSION:
Intermittent COD exercises were associated with higher acceleration, heart rate peak and RPE compared to STL during 10-10 and 15-15 exercises. The ability to rapidly change direction is a crucial quality to perform intense sport-specific running in professional soccer players.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information and Comments:	This is the author's version of a manuscript, accepted for publication in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. Copyright Human Kinetics Inc. Available at http://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/10.1123/ijspp.2016-0318
Keywords:	GPS; Intermittent exercise; agility T-test; soccer players
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Human and Digital Sciences > School of Health and Sport Sciences
Depositing User:	James Malone
Date Deposited:	09 Jun 2017 10:52
Last Modified:	09 Jun 2017 10:52
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/2028

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