The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Agility, Explosive Power, and Speed-Endurance Capacity in Youth Soccer Players

József Márton Pucsok, Miklós Kovács, Gergely Ráthonyi, Balázs Pocsai and László Balogh
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József Márton Pucsok: Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Miklós Kovács: Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Gergely Ráthonyi: Faculty of Economics and Business, Institute of Applied Informatics and Logistics, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Balázs Pocsai: Sportdiagnostic and Therapeutic Center, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
László Balogh: Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-12

Abstract: Our goal was to assess agility, explosive power, and speed-endurance capacity by implementing noninvasive procedures and sport-specific tests. We hypothesized that agility, speed, explosive power, and speed-endurance capacity might be maintained or increased by an individualized home-based training program. Eleven adolescent athletes participated in our study; they executed three tests before the coronavirus outbreak and 13 weeks later, after the pandemic curfew. We used the SpeedCourt System to assess the sport-specific speed and agility parameters and monitor speed-endurance capacity. We conducted the first measurement at the end of the preparatory period, on 28 February 2020. The second session consisted of 4 weeks of regular training and 9 weeks of individual, home-based activities. Compared to the first (pre-pandemic) testing session, our participants demonstrated a significantly improved capacity of the lower limbs’ explosive strength after completing the home-based exercise routine, compared to the first (pre-pandemic) testing session. We found that agility, speed, and explosive power might be maintained at the same level under home-based conditions. We found that it was challenging for the participants to increase their “pre-pandemic” endurance capacities.

Keywords: soccer; athletic performance; physical fitness; performance testing; SpeedCourt System (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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