A Comparison of 3 Different Unilateral Strength Training Strategies to Enhance Jumping Performance and Decrease...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Strength and Conditioning

Background:

• Unilateral strength training is crucial for athletes, particularly in sports like soccer.
• Understanding the impact of training order and volume on jumping performance and asymmetries is vital for optimizing training programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of different unilateral strength training protocols on unilateral and bilateral jumping performance.
• To analyze the impact of these interventions on asymmetries in young soccer players.

Main Methods:

• Forty-five U-17 male soccer players were divided into three groups with varying eccentric overload training protocols.
• Training interventions differed in leg volume and starting leg (weaker or stronger).
• Jumping performance was assessed using single-leg horizontal jump, triple single-leg horizontal jump, bilateral countermovement jump (CMJ), and unilateral CMJ tests, with asymmetry analysis.

Main Results:

• All groups showed improvements in bilateral countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and possible reductions in CMJ asymmetry.
• Significant improvements in triple hop performance were observed in groups starting with the weaker leg (SVW and DVW).
• The double volume with weaker leg (DVW) group demonstrated substantial decreases in triple-hop asymmetry, and SVW and DVW groups outperformed SVS in specific unilateral jumps.

Conclusions:

• Unilateral strength training programs effectively enhance bilateral jumping performance in young soccer players.
• Initiating training with the weaker leg significantly boosts unilateral jumping capabilities.
• Specific protocols, like double volume with the weaker leg, are most effective in reducing between-limb asymmetries in triple hop performance.