Effects of Pre-Season Short-Term Daily Undulating Periodized Training on Muscle Strength and Sprint Performance of Under-20 Soccer Players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of daily undulating training periodization designed for maximal lower limb muscle strength and sprint performance in under-20 soccer players. Twenty-four male athletes (age = 19.1 ± 1.2 yr; mass = 71.1 ± 6.8 kg; height = 178.0 ± 0.1 cm) participated in four weeks of a daily undulating periodized (DUP) training soccer program. During the pre- and post-training periods the subjects performed a one repetition maximum (1 RM) half back squat test and a 15-meter sprint. Significant training-induced changes were observed in sprint times (pre = 2.38 ± 0.01 s; post = 2.31 ± 0.02 s) and 1 RM tests (pre = 107.0 ± 2.0 kg; post = 128.0 ± 2.2 kg). These results indicate that a DUP program is efficient in promoting positive neuromuscular adaptations in soccer players, even with a short-term preseason training period.