Effect of six weeks’ isometric strength training compared to traditional strength training on gains in strength, power, and speed in male academy soccer players

Bailey, L, Phillips, J, Farrell, G, McQuilliam, S and Erskine, R (2025) Effect of six weeks’ isometric strength training compared to traditional strength training on gains in strength, power, and speed in male academy soccer players. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. ISSN 0270-1367

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Abstract

Purpose: Elevated sport-specific physical demands and congested fixture schedules leave little recovery time and augment fatigue levels in soccer players. Compared to traditional strength training (TST), isometric strength training (IST) may elicit comparative improvements in strength and performance-related parameters in soccer players, while reducing fatigue during periods of elevated competitive loading. Methods: This study compared the effects of 6-weeks’ IST and TST on gains in strength, power, and speed in male academy soccer players. Eighteen athletes from a Football Association League 2 club’s academy (age: 17.2±0.6 years, height: 1.79±0.06 m, body mass: 71.6±3.4 kg) were randomly assigned to either the IST (n=9) or TST (n=9) group. Baseline and post-training testing included trap bar squat one-repetition maximum (1-RM), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), bilateral vertical countermovement jump (CMJ), and 10m and 40m linear sprints. Each group completed 12 training intervention sessions over six weeks, which comprised either an isometric or dynamic variation of a mid-thigh (clean) pull, split squat, and hip thrust. Results: Results indicated no group  time interaction effect on trap bar squat 1-RM (p=0.171, ηp2=0.107), IMTP peak force (p=0.478, ηp2=0.039), CMJ jump height (JH; p=0.463, ηp2=0.028), CMJ peak power (PP; p=0.868, ηp2=0.001), 10m acceleration (p=0.074, ηp2=0.186), or sprint velocity (p=0.348, ηp2=0.058). However, there were main effects of time on trap bar squat 1-RM (p<0.001, ηp2=0.634), CMJ JH (p=0.031, ηp2=0.255) and sprint velocity (p=0.012, ηp2=0.324). Conclusion: In conclusion, IST is just as effective as TST in improving (or maintaining) strength, power, and speed during fixture-congested schedules in men’s academy soccer.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences; 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy; 1701 Psychology; Sport Sciences; 3901 Curriculum and pedagogy; 4207 Sports science and exercise; 5201 Applied and developmental psychology
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine
Divisions:	Sport and Exercise Sciences
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
Date of acceptance:	31 March 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	29 April 2025
Date Deposited:	01 Apr 2025 10:57
Last Modified:	29 Apr 2025 15:30
DOI or ID number:	10.1080/02701367.2025.2488843
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/26055

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