Effects of concentric and concentric-eccentric resistance training on speed and force in adult soccer players
Abstract This study investigated the effects of concentric and concentric-eccentric strength training on speed and strength performance in sub-elite soccer players. Thirty-four healthy Czech soccer players were randomly assigned to a concentric group (CONG, n = 13), concentric/eccentric group (ECCG,...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06396-w |
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| author | Dominik Bokůvka Tomáš Vencúrik Firas Zghal Serge Sebastien Colson Ana Carolina Paludo |
| author_facet | Dominik Bokůvka Tomáš Vencúrik Firas Zghal Serge Sebastien Colson Ana Carolina Paludo |
| author_sort | Dominik Bokůvka |
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| description | Abstract This study investigated the effects of concentric and concentric-eccentric strength training on speed and strength performance in sub-elite soccer players. Thirty-four healthy Czech soccer players were randomly assigned to a concentric group (CONG, n = 13), concentric/eccentric group (ECCG, n = 12), or control group (CG, n = 9). All participants completed the study. Over an 8-week intervention period, the CONG and ECCG groups accomplished 16 training sessions focused on leg curl and leg extension exercises. Speed and strength assessments were performed at baseline and post-intervention. While no significant improvements were observed in speed performance (p > 0.05), both intervention groups demonstrated significant gains in strength parameters. One-repetition maximum (1RM) knee extension increased by 17.5% (CONG, p < 0.001) and 18.3% (ECCG, p < 0.001), and the 1RM knee flexion improved by 10.5% (CONG, p < 0.001) and 12.2% (ECCG, p < 0.001, compared to the CG, with moderate and clear effect sizes. ANOVA analysis revealed significant interaction effects for knee extension 1RM (p < 0.001), knee flexion 1RM (p = 0.022), and isometric knee extension of the dominant leg (p = 0.033). Despite these gains in muscle strength, speed performance showed only minor, non-significant changes, with the CONG group experiencing a 2.8% improvement in the 10-meter sprint. In conclusion, both concentric and concentric-eccentric strength training protocols effectively enhanced lower-limb strength in soccer players, with the concentric-eccentric approach showing slightly better results. However, neither training method significantly improved speed. Coaches should use concentric-eccentric exercises to enhance strength but consider other methods to boost speed and overall performance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9c13a799c300434f87f8d723cef0c9a0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-9c13a799c300434f87f8d723cef0c9a02025-08-20T03:37:31ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-06396-wEffects of concentric and concentric-eccentric resistance training on speed and force in adult soccer playersDominik Bokůvka0Tomáš Vencúrik1Firas Zghal2Serge Sebastien Colson3Ana Carolina Paludo4Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk UniversityFaculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk UniversityCIAMS, Université Paris-SaclayUniversité Côte d’AzurFaculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk UniversityAbstract This study investigated the effects of concentric and concentric-eccentric strength training on speed and strength performance in sub-elite soccer players. Thirty-four healthy Czech soccer players were randomly assigned to a concentric group (CONG, n = 13), concentric/eccentric group (ECCG, n = 12), or control group (CG, n = 9). All participants completed the study. Over an 8-week intervention period, the CONG and ECCG groups accomplished 16 training sessions focused on leg curl and leg extension exercises. Speed and strength assessments were performed at baseline and post-intervention. While no significant improvements were observed in speed performance (p > 0.05), both intervention groups demonstrated significant gains in strength parameters. One-repetition maximum (1RM) knee extension increased by 17.5% (CONG, p < 0.001) and 18.3% (ECCG, p < 0.001), and the 1RM knee flexion improved by 10.5% (CONG, p < 0.001) and 12.2% (ECCG, p < 0.001, compared to the CG, with moderate and clear effect sizes. ANOVA analysis revealed significant interaction effects for knee extension 1RM (p < 0.001), knee flexion 1RM (p = 0.022), and isometric knee extension of the dominant leg (p = 0.033). Despite these gains in muscle strength, speed performance showed only minor, non-significant changes, with the CONG group experiencing a 2.8% improvement in the 10-meter sprint. In conclusion, both concentric and concentric-eccentric strength training protocols effectively enhanced lower-limb strength in soccer players, with the concentric-eccentric approach showing slightly better results. However, neither training method significantly improved speed. Coaches should use concentric-eccentric exercises to enhance strength but consider other methods to boost speed and overall performance.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06396-wMuscle strengthPhysical conditioningForce productionSoccerAthletic performanceEccentric training |
| spellingShingle | Dominik Bokůvka Tomáš Vencúrik Firas Zghal Serge Sebastien Colson Ana Carolina Paludo Effects of concentric and concentric-eccentric resistance training on speed and force in adult soccer players Scientific Reports Muscle strength Physical conditioning Force production Soccer Athletic performance Eccentric training |
| title | Effects of concentric and concentric-eccentric resistance training on speed and force in adult soccer players |
| title_full | Effects of concentric and concentric-eccentric resistance training on speed and force in adult soccer players |
| title_fullStr | Effects of concentric and concentric-eccentric resistance training on speed and force in adult soccer players |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of concentric and concentric-eccentric resistance training on speed and force in adult soccer players |
| title_short | Effects of concentric and concentric-eccentric resistance training on speed and force in adult soccer players |
| title_sort | effects of concentric and concentric eccentric resistance training on speed and force in adult soccer players |
| topic | Muscle strength Physical conditioning Force production Soccer Athletic performance Eccentric training |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06396-w |
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