Effects of soccer training in muscular strength: a comparative study in trained youth soccer players and untrained boys of the same biological age
Abstract
It is not clear if soccer training affected the development of muscle strength positively in children. We hypothesize that soccer training could positively affect the isokinetic concentric muscle strength and anthropometric characteristics in different ages of adolescents of the same biological age.
Methods: A total of 126 young soccer players (n = 66) and untrained boys (n = 60) throughout the developmental ages of 12, 14 and 16 years volunteered to participate in the study. Sexual maturation was classified according to Tanner's stages.
Soccer players, except from their school's physical education program, participate also in a soccer training program. All participants underwent anthropometric measurements.
The isokinetic-concentric peak torque values of the hamstrings (H) and quadriceps (Q), as well as the conventional strength ratios of H:Q, were measured on an isokinetic dynamometer at angular velocities of 60, 180, and 300°.s-1. Results: Anthropometric differences in the same age group, between trained and untrained, were presented only for 12-year-olds (height, P<0.001 and BMI, P<0.01).
Between groups, differences were observed in almost all anthropometric measurements, probably as result of development. The absolute isokinetic-concentric muscle strength was significantly higher (P<0.001) in the 12- and 16-year-old trained group, compared to untrained, for the knee-flexors and knee-extensors.
However, no significant differences were found between the trained and untrained 14-year-olds, for the muscle groups of Q and H. The H:Q strength ratios did not differ between groups at all angular velocities.
Conclusions: The results of this study showed that systematic soccer training has a positive effect in the peripheral system, expressed as an increased lower limb muscle strength; specifically, Q and H.