The Three-Level Model of Factors Contributing to High-Intensity Intermittent Performance in Male Soccer Players

Juraj Pecho, Zuzana Kováčiková, Ľuboslav Šiška, Martin Mikulič, Marcel Čurgali, Lovro Štefan () and Erika Zemková
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Juraj Pecho: JP Sports—Athletes Performance Assessment, 810 00 Bratislava, Slovakia
Zuzana Kováčiková: Institute of Physical Education and Sport, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 11 Košice, Slovakia
Ľuboslav Šiška: Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Education, Catholic University, 034 01 Ružomberok, Slovakia
Martin Mikulič: Department of Sports Games, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Comenius University, 814 69 Bratislava, Slovakia
Marcel Čurgali: Institute of Physical Education and Sport, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, 040 11 Košice, Slovakia
Lovro Štefan: Department of General and Applied Kinesiology, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Erika Zemková: Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Comenius University, 814 69 Bratislava, Slovakia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 24, 1-8

Abstract: High-intensity intermittent performance in soccer is widely assessed using the yo-yo intermittent recovery level 2 test (YYIR2). This test is usually associated with aerobic–anaerobic performance. However, less is known about the direct or indirect contributions of abilities, including the anaerobic component. This study aims to propose a three-level model of factors contributing to YYIR2 performance, based on the investigation of relationships with aerobic endurance, repeated-sprint ability (RSA), and the linear and change-of-direction speed and power variables. Eighteen soccer players performed the YYIR2, with a 20-m shuttle run test (20mSR), an RSA test with change-of-direction, 5-m and 20-m sprints, and a 505 test, countermovement jump, squat jump, and drop jump. The results showed a significant relationship between the YYIR2 distance and the 20mSR distance ( r = 0.721, p = 0.001), as well as with the RSA test mean time ( r = −0.594, p = 0.009). In the second level, the 20mSR distance performance was not associated with any of the speed and power variables. However, the RSA test mean time correlated with the 5-m sprint ( r = 0.587, p = 0.010), 20-m sprint ( r = 0.702, p = 0.001), and 505 test ( r = 0.585 p = 0.011) performance. In the third level, the 20-m sprint time was related to the squat jump ( r = −0.577 p = 0.012) and countermovement jump ( r = −0.768 p < 0.001) heights. In addition to aerobic endurance, this study highlights the importance of the anaerobic component in YYIR2 performance. More specifically, aerobic endurance (52%) and RSA (36%) are the main determinants of YYIR2 performance. Subsequently, the RSA performance is determined by the linear (34–49%) and change-of-direction speed (35%), while the explosive power of lower limbs contributes to sprinting performance (33–59%). Coaches should focus on the development of these abilities to improve the high-intensity intermittent performance of soccer players.

Keywords: yo-yo intermittent recovery level 2 test; aerobic abilities; anaerobic abilities; field tests (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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