The effects of 12-week eccentric and concentric strength training on the physical fitness characteristics of football players

Abstract

The aim of present study was to examine the effects of eccentric and concentric training applied to football players on some motor characteristics. A total of 23 university students playing soccer participated in the study voluntarily. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups; complex (ECCst) and contrast (CONst) training protocols. During 12-weeks, ECCst and CONst training groups performed strength training in addition to soccer training 3 days a week, over 7 hours (4-5 units). On the first day, one repetition maximum (1RM) strength tests of all subjects were measured respectively. On the second day, all athletes' height, body weight, body fat ratio, vertical jump, and sprint (20 m) tests performance tests were measured at the beginning and end of the 12-weeks study. As a result, although there was a statistically significant difference between the pre and post (lying leg curl, machine abduction, machine adduction 1RM) and vertical jump test of the subjects in both ECCst and CONst training group in terms of time effect, a significant difference was found in favor of the ECCst in the group x time interaction of ECCst training compared to CONst (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the (1RM leg extension) and 20 m sprint performance tests (p>0.05). As a result revealed that 12-weeks ECCst more effective than CONst in improving lower extremity strength and vertical jump of soccer players. There were similar increases in both ECCst and CONst in 1RM leg extension and 20m sprint.