Characterization of Static Strength, Vertical Jumping, and Isokinetic Strength in Soccer Players According to Age, Competitive Level, and Field Position

João Nuno Gouveia, Cíntia França, Francisco Martins, Ricardo Henriques, Marcelo de Maio Nascimento, Andreas Ihle, Hugo Sarmento, Krzysztof Przednowek, Diogo Martinho and Élvio Rúbio Gouveia ()
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João Nuno Gouveia: Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
Cíntia França: Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
Francisco Martins: Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
Ricardo Henriques: Marítimo da Madeira—Futebol, SAD, 9020-208 Funchal, Portugal
Marcelo de Maio Nascimento: Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina 56304-917, Brazil
Andreas Ihle: Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
Hugo Sarmento: University of Coimbra, Research Unit for Sport and Physical Education (CIDAF), Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, 3004-504Coimbra, Portugal
Krzysztof Przednowek: Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, Medical College, University of Rzeszów, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Diogo Martinho: University of Coimbra, Research Unit for Sport and Physical Education (CIDAF), Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, 3004-504Coimbra, Portugal
Élvio Rúbio Gouveia: Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-12

Abstract: Muscular strength is strongly related to speed and agility tasks, which have been described as the most decisive actions preceding goals in the soccer game. This study aimed to characterize the players’ strength indicators and to analyze the variation associated with age, competition level, and positional role. Eighty-three male soccer players from A team ( n = 22), B team ( n = 17), U-23 ( n = 19), and U-19 ( n = 25) participated in this study. Handgrip strength was assessed using a hand dynamometer (Jamar Plus+), countermovement jump (CMJ) and the squat jump (SJ) were evaluated using Optojump Next, and a Biodex System 4 Pro Dynamometer was used to assess the isokinetic strength of knee extension/flexion. Team A players showed increased lower-body strength compared to their peers, mainly through their increased vertical jumping capacity (i.e., CMJ and SJ; ps < 0.019), and superior performance in isokinetic assessments (i.e., peak torque, total work, and average power). Overall, older players outperformed their younger peers regarding vertical jumping, static strength, and average power in isokinetic strength (ps < 0.005). This study emphasizes the superior strength levels of professional soccer players compared with their lower-division peers, even after controlling by age. This information is of great value to sports agents and coaches, underlining the need to design and include strength-specific content during soccer training.

Keywords: muscle strength; peak torque; total work; average power; countermovement jump; squat jump; football (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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