Abstract

FABRICA, G.; LOPEZ, F.  and  SOUTO, A.. Effects of power training in mechanical stiffness of the lower limbs in soccer players. Rev Andal Med Deporte [online]. 2015, vol.8, n.4, pp.145-149. ISSN 2172-5063.  https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ramd.2015.05.003.

Objective: The aim of this study was evaluate whether leg stiffness (Kleg) changes after power training. Methods: Forty professional soccer players were divided into 2 groups (20 were assigned to the trained group and 20 to the control group). A quasi-experimental study with pre-post intervention was conducted to estimate Kleg before (period 1) and after a six-week period of power training (period 2). Leg stiffness was measured using a three-dimensional filming method while soccer players ran on a treadmill at 13 km/h. The heights of squat jumps (SJ) and countermovement jumps (CMJ) were measured and the pre-stretch augmentation (PSA) was calculated before and after the training period in both groups. Results: We found a significant increase in Kleg after the power training program. Significant positive linear relationships between Kleg and SJ height were found in both periods and groups, while CMJ height was not correlated with Kleg in the trained group during period 2. No significant relationships were found between Kleg and PSA in either case. Conclusions: We concluded that Kleg can change significantly after a short power training program. Based on our results and previous studies, we suggest that these changes could be mainly associated with adaptions at muscle control level.

Keywords : Biomechanics; Physiology; Sports; Power; Soccer.

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