Testing of Power Abilities in High Level Soccer Players: Quantitive

and Qualitive Assessment Methods

Anna Zakharova, Anastasia Berdnikova and Kamiliia Mekhdieva

Institute of Physical Education, Sport and Youth Policy, Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia

B.N. Yeltsin, 19 Mira Street, Yekaterinburg, Russia

Keywords: Power Abilities, Wingate-test, Performance Analysis for Vertical Jumps, High Level Soccer Players.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate power in high level soccer players by means of Wingate cycling test

and performance analysis for vertical jumps. Thirty-two male professional soccer players (mean age

25.29±5.4 years, height 180.22±6.63 cm, weight 73.8±7.07 kg) underwent Wingate test and jump tests with

the use of force plate with ongoing analysis of four types of jumps (countermovement jumps, squat jumps,

single leg jumps on the right and left legs, CMJs with arms swing). We found: (i) high-level soccer players’

norms are PP>13 W/kg, AP

/kg>11W/kg; (ii) 34.5% of studied athletes demonstrated high level of power;

/kg>11W/kg showed only 13.79%; 10.34% showed significant power decrement by 30

second of

Wingate-test (∆Р

/kg–Р

/kg>4W/kg); (iii) countermovement jump height was 35.94±4.2 cm, height of the

jump with additional arms swing was 44.72±5.04 cm; (iv) motor disbalance of antagonist muscle work of

lower extremities; (v) parameter of average power in Wingate test correlated with height (r=.476, P<0.01),

flying time (r=.463, P<0.01), maximum force for take-off (r=.393, P<0.05) in countermovement jump with

arms swing. Anaerobic Wingate test and performance analysis for vertical jumps allow estimation of

athletes’ fitness weak aspects and undertaking appropriate timely amendments to trainings.

1 INTRODUCTION

Strength, speed and power are human physical

abilities which are extremely important in sport:

• Strength determines the level of success in

majority kinds of sport;

• Speed and strength are interdependent abilities

that together provide fast movements herewith

motor effectiveness depends upon speed-

strength intercommunion.

• Power is the ability to apply force in as short

time as possible, as in accelerating, throwing,

shooting, etc.

Power abilities are more challenging for athlete

and more demanding in team sports than strength

alone. We mean them challenging because of (1)

neural factors limiting the ability of explosive push-

offs; (2) great number of movement patterns to

demonstrate these abilities and (3) athlete capacity to

utilize their strength in tests and what is more

important in professional sport activity. This

capacity is gained through motor skills learning at

early stages of training and called movement culture.

We mean power abilities demanding because of

vast of sprints and jumps during the sport game

performance.

Strength and power assessment in sport is

provided by a number of methods: tests without

measuring equipment (Cissik, 2012), direct (by

dynа- and tenzometry) and indirect methods

(through accelerations) to get main (instantaneous

and average force), integral (force impulse) and

differential (force gradient) strength parameters

(Guba and Presniakov, 2017). Since power abilities

have complex manifestation the task of the coach is

to assess the values and determine deficiencies in

athlete.

The purpose of the research was to evaluate

power in high level soccer players by means of two

methods: cycling Wingate test and performance

analysis for different vertical jumps on

tenzoplatform.

Zakharova, A., Berdnikova, A. and Mekhdieva, K.

Testing of Power Abilities in High Level Soccer Players: Quantitive and Qualitive Assessment Methods.

DOI: 10.5220/0006900101110118

In Proceedings of the 6th International Congress on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support (icSPORTS 2018), pages 111-118

ISBN: 978-989-758-325-4

111

2 ORGANIZATION AND

METHODS

Subjects. Thirty-two healthy male high-level soccer

players (mean age 25.29±5.4 years, height

180.22±6.63 cm, weight 73.8±7.07 kg) participated

in the study. Recruited subjects were members of

professional soccer teams “Ural-2” and “Sinara”

(Sverdlovsk region, Russia).

“Ural-2” is a reserve of team of FC “Ural”

(Yekaterinburg, Russia). The core team “Ural”

participates in the National championship and holds

6th place in the Russian Football Premier-League.

Members of “Ural-2” are young soccer players

aged 19-23. In the current season 2017/2018 they

hold of Russian championship among Professional

Football League teams.

Soccer team “Sinara” is a regular participant of

Russian Futsal Championship and holds a large

number of cups and titles. It was the winner of

UEFA Cup (2008), Russian Cup (2007), Eremenko

Cup (2015), National championship (2009-2010). In

the current season 2017/2018 “Sinara” is on the 3th-

5th place of Russian Futsal championship. Players of

“Sinara” are frequently invited in the National team

for participation in international competitions. In

2018 UEFA Cup two players of “Sinara” won

bronze medals as part of the National team.

The participants of the study had more than 10

years of sport experience in soccer. All tested

athletes were free of neurological, cardiovascular or

any other chronic disease, and were admitted to

perform the tests by team doctor. The investigation

conforms to the principles of the Declaration of

Helsinki of the World Medical Association. Subjects

involved in the study had been provided with

comprehensive information on the procedures,

methods, benefits and possible risks before their

written consent was obtained. The study protocol

was approved by the Ural Federal University Ethics

Committee (#03-2018).

All undertaken tests were conducted in the

research laboratory “Sports and health technologies”

of the Institute of Physical education, sports and

youth policy, Ural Federal University

(Yekaterinburg, Russia).

2.1 Anthropometric Measurements

Evaluation of anthropometric parameters, body

composition, height, lean muscle mass (absolute and

relative values), body fat component and BMI are

commonly used in professional sport practice and

research. Monitoring of anthropometric parametres

during the competition season permits to amend

nutrition of soccer player saving optimal fat and

muscle ratio. It is well-known that there is a range of

specific criteria of anthropometric parameters for

each playing position in soccer, as well as in futsal

players.

Weight and segment body composition were

measured with the use of the MC-980MA Plus Multi

Frequency Segmental Body Composition Monitor

(TANITA, Japan) based on the advanced Bioelectric

Impedance Analysis (BIA) technology. The

following parameters were registered: body mass

(kg), body mass index (BMI, kg/m

), muscle mass –

absolute and relative values (kg; %), absolute and

relative fat mass (kg; %), fat free mass (kg), bone

mass (kg), separately lean mass of the trunk, upper

and lower extremities (kg). Special attention was

paid to weight asymmetry.

2.2 Cycling Wingate Test

Cycling Wingate test was conducted with the use of

the ergometer BIKE MED (TechnoGym, Italy) and

Cardio Memory software V 1.0 SP3. Power and

speed abilities were estimated during leg cycling

Wingate anaerobic test by means of the device

producer protocol provided.

Before the test athletes were familiarized with

the technique of the test and given comprehensive

instructions on the procedure. The position of cycle

seat was adjusted in accordance with the height and

lower limbs length. Foots were fixed in the pedals

with straps. Data about the age, gender and weight

of the tested player were entered into cycle computer

manually. Based on these variables, device

automatically calculated power resistance for each

athlete. Before the test all subjects had sufficient for

power testing warming up. Each test started from the

30 sec pre-test warming-up pedaling with required

cadence 50 rpm. After the command “Go” athlete

started pedaling as fast as possible keeping the

efforts up to the end of the test. The test duration

was 30 seconds.

During Wingate test instantaneous force

parameters were fixed automatically by Cardio

Memory software. For further evaluation of power

preparedness of soccer players following parameters

were selected: peak power (PP, W), relative PP (PP,

W/kg), power at 15 (P

, W) and 30 sec (P

, W),

average power (AP

, W), their relative values

/kg, W/kg, P

/kg, W/kg, AP

/kg, W/kg),

fatigue index (%) and maximum attained cadence

(rpm). Post-test analysis also included time of PP

attained.

icSPORTS 2018 - 6th International Congress on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support

112

Results of Wingate-test are distributed by the

cycle software as digital and graphical data (Fig. 1).

Figure 1: Example of Wingate-test graph.

2.3 Performance Analysis for Vertical

Jumps

Performance analysis for vertical jumps is a widely

used test in power and sprint sports (Ntai, 2017; Van

Hooren, 2017; Zakharova et al., 2017; Lara, 2006;

Pyansin and Pyanzina, 2016). Application of this test

in soccer could have also good benefits as efficiency

of shots and bounces in attempts for headings in

most cases is based on power abilities of lower

extremities of soccer players.

The main objectives of this part of study were to

obtain descriptive data on maximal power output of

the lower extremities with the use of a force

platform through detailed analysis of four types of

jumps.

The athletes were given the task to make triple

jumps with short rest time between jumps:

• counter movement jumps (CMJs) bending

hands on hips,

• squat jumps (SJs) bending hands on hips,

• single leg jumps on the right and left legs

bending hands on hips,

• CMJs with arms swing.

One minute of rest was allowed between the

consecutive trials of jumps.

Before the test studied soccer players were

familiarized with required jumping technique of

each type of jump. To meet technical requirements

of the CMJ, athletes were instructed to perform an

unconstrained maximal vertical jump from a

standing position on the force plate keeping arms on

hips. Each jump was performed by a

countermovement of acceleration below the center

of gravity attained by flexing the knees. No specific

instructions were given regarding the depth of the

countermovement. The trunk should be kept as

vertical as possible.

While carrying-out SJ subjects started from the

static semi-squat position with knees flexed at about

90 degrees, hands on hips keeping trunk as vertical

as possible. It was required to perform the jump

without any countermovement to have just the

concentric action of the agonist muscles involved at

the movement.

Vertical double and single leg jumps are the

essential part of game situations in soccer. Fights for

overhead ball, vaults and over-jumps are common

elements in football as well as in futsal.

In an attempt to carry out a shooting move a

player may be both in supporting position, as well as

in the bounce. These skills imply one leg vigorous

pushing off and swing of kicking foot. These playing

actions are rather complicated from biomechanical

point of view. The direction of the movement varies

and it may be upwards, forward- aside, backwards-

aside, etc. These movements require recruitment of a

significant number of muscles and muscle groups.

Application of such a simple test as single-leg

vertical jump provides with data on

symmetry/asymmetry (motor balance or disbalance)

of lower extremities muscles and power of thigh

extensors.

We decided to include CMJ with the arms swing

as in most game situations in soccer the attempts to

kick the ball with a head are coupled with jumps

with arms swing. Thus this type of jump may be

considered as more specific for soccer players’

practice.

All studied athletes were instructed to perform

the jumps with the maximum effort. For each jump

it was important to jump at the highest possible

speed and to attain the highest point as possible, as

the best attempt of the jump was further analyzed.

Vertical jumps were `performed on a force plate

TJ4002 (Marafon-Electro, Russia) which was

mounted and calibrated according to manufacturer’s

specifications. The signal was sampled at a rate of

2000 Hz. Original custom-designed software for

ongoing analysis was used for acquisition and

processing of the vertical component of the ground

reaction force.

Based on the collected data, the following

variables were measured and analyzed:

• flying time (t, s);

• jump height (Jh, cm), calculated using TJ4002

software;

• maximum force for take-off (F, N);

• motor asymmetry.

Testing of Power Abilities in High Level Soccer Players: Quantitive and Qualitive Assessment Methods

113

Fig. 2 shows an example of countermovement

jump of tested athletes.

Figure 2: Example of CMJ force curve: 1 – force of right

leg, 2 – force of left leg, 3 – F

max

, 4 – push off time, 2 –

flying time.

2.4 Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis was performed with the use of

statistic software package “SPSS Statistics 17.0”

(IBM). We used descriptive analysis of the obtained

data in order to estimate anthropometric profile and

power abilities of athletes. Mean value (M), standard

deviation (SD), minimum and maximal values of the

measured parameters were calculated. Normality of

distribution was assessed by the Shapiro-Wilk test

and results showed that all variables had normal

distribution.

To reveal the possible interrelations between

indices obtained from Wingate cycling and force

plate tests Pearson correlations were calculated. The

level of significance was set at P < 0.05.

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The detailed descriptive data on body composition

and anthropometric measurements of soccer players

(Table 1) show that generally studied athletes have

well-balanced body composition for trained soccer

players. They have low absolute and relative fat

content and high index of lean mass. High value of

lean mass in studied athletes is undoubtedly an

advantage and may serve as a proof of appropriate

sports selection as well as proper training and

nutrition.

Table 1: Anthropometric and body composition data of

soccer players.

Parameters M±SD (min-max)

Height, cm 180.22±6.63 169-194

Body mass, kg 73.8±7.01 62.4-90

BMI, kg/m

22.69±1.43 20.4-26.3

Muscle mass, kg 63.4±5.4 53.6-73.4

Muscle mass, % 86.88±3.4 77.8-91.5

Fat mass, kg 7.45±3.4 2.6-18.2

Fat mass, % 9.17±3.29 2.4-14.9

Wingate test revealed that 34.5 % of athletes

(33.3 % of futsal players and 35.3 % of soccer

players) demonstrated high level of power (PP/kg

≥13 W/kg). Insufficient level (PP/kg < 11.5 W/kg)

was revealed in 25 % of futsal players and 5.88 % of

soccer players who had short performance time

during the season.

Time of reaching PP (t

, s) was chosen as an

important criterion of power abilities evaluation.

Optimal results for soccer players are considered as

reaching PP within 3

-4

second of the test

(Zakharova and Berdnikova, 2016). We found that

≤ 4 s showed 75 % of futsal players and 23.53 %

of soccer players. Notably, only 13.79 % of tested

athletes with high results of PP (16.67 % of futsal

players and 11.76 % of soccer players) showed

prompt reaching peak values of power.

The obtained ratio of indices of power abilities

may be explained by different duration of

competitions in futsal and soccer, as well as

peculiarities of training approaches. In terms of

differences of pitches sizes and quantity of players

the main features of futsal are fast and short dashes

and motions, whereas higher variety of ball velocity

and speed of players are more typical in soccer.

High level of strength endurance is normally

characterized by low values of fatigue (≤ 35 %) with

sufficient (high or intermediate) level of power

abilities of athletes. Our research revealed that only

13.79 % of studied athletes had high level of

strength endurance (25 % of futsal players and 5.88

% of soccer players).

Additionally we were interested in parameter of

speed of power decrement by 15

and 30

seconds

of the test (P

/kg, P

/kg). Optimal (desirable for

high-level soccer players) power decrement by 15

second was registered in 37.93 % of athletes with

sufficient values of PP (33.3 % of futsal players and

41.18 % of soccer players). Noteworthy, 10.34 % of

athletes showed significant power decrement by 30

second (P

/kg) of Wingate-test (∆Р

/kg – Р

/kg >

4W/kg). These serves as a proof of insufficient level

of strength endurance in studied subjects.

icSPORTS 2018 - 6th International Congress on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support

114

The fact that high values of average relative

strength AP

/kg (> 11W/kg) showed only 13.79 %

of studied players, also pointed at insufficient level

of strength endurance in subjects.

Table 2: Cycling Wingate-test parameters of high-level

soccer players.

Parameters M±SD (min-max)

PP, W 931.62±89.9 (800-1222)

PP/kg, W/kg 12.63±0.99 (10.8-14.9)

, W 728.52±63.13 (608-839)

/kg, W/kg 9.88±0.78 (7.75-11.19)

Fatigue, % 42.6±8.4 (23-56)

, s 5.24±2.21 (2-9)

, W

736.8±79.24 (572-884)

/kg, W/kg

10±1.01 97.15-11.62)

, W

527.2±60.2 (375-619)

/kg, W/kg

7.2±0.8 (4.7-8.8)

PP – peak power; AP – average power; t

, - time of PP

attainment.

Figure 3 illustrates examples of Wingate-test

individual results of three players. We ranged them

as excellent, permissible and insufficient patterns

(Table 3). Athlete #9 showed fast reaching PP (t

4 s) with minor gradual power decrement by 15

and

seconds of the test. Player #12 showed

insufficient strength endurance with high values of

PP (graph demonstrates PP reaching by the third

second of the test with significant power decrease by

5.53 W/kg at 15

second and by 8.61 W/kg at 30

second). As one can see, athlete #17 had low level of

power abilities: low values of PP/kg = 11.27 W/kg

reached only by 9

second of Wingate-test.

Figure 3: Graphs of individual results of Wingate-test.

Although age of recruited for the research

players varied within a wide range (25.29 ± 5.4

years), no interrelations between the level of power

abilities and age/sport experience of athletes were

found. Young players (aged 19) along with more

experienced elder athletes (30-36 years) showed

high level of strength and power preparedness.

Table 3: Individual results of Wingate-test of soccer

players.

, s

PP/kg,

W/kg

/kg,

W/kg

/kg,

W/kg

Fatigue,

High

level

players

norm

≤ 4 > 13

<PP/kg-

<PP

/kg-

≤ 35

Player

# 9

4 13.6 11.13 8.22 37

Player

# 12

3 14.91 9.38 6.3 56

Player

# 17

9 11.27 10.28 6.55 39

PP – peak power; t

, - time of PP attainment.

Data obtained from the performance analysis for

vertical jumps provided with important information

on parameters of prompt manifestation of power, as

they are more typical for competitive soccer activity.

To estimate speed and power preparedness of

athletes the following indices were chosen: jump

height (cm), double leg maximum force for take-off

(N), single leg (right and left) maximum force for

take-off (N), as well as parameter of relative strength

(N/kg) and push off time (s) (Table 4).

Results of CMJ are probably conditioned by a

range of factors: hip extensors strength, development

of intermuscular coordination – consecutive

coordinated agonists and antagonists muscles

engaging (Gissis, 2006; Pupo, 2012).

The recorded mean data on CMJ height in

studied players (35.94 ± 4.2 cm) are significantly

lower than described in previous studies of elite

soccer players (37.8 ± 5.9 cm in Slovak elite soccer

players (Pivovarniček, 2015); 39.4 ± 0.4 cm in

Icelandic elite soccer players (Arnason, 2004);

40.94±4.93 cm in soccer players from Spanish 2

and 3

division of championships (Los Arcos,

2017). Values of CMJ height higher than 40 cm

were demonstrated only by 23.3 % of studied

players (33.3 % of futsal players and 16.67 % of

soccer players).

Parameter of relative strength (RS) in jumps

characterizes strength abilities of athletes. We

registered mean values of RS in studied group as

18±1.68 (15-21.36) N/kg in CMJs and 17.52±2.4

(9.24-21.6) N/kg in SJs.

Testing of Power Abilities in High Level Soccer Players: Quantitive and Qualitive Assessment Methods

115

Table 4: Maximal anaerobic power of the lower extremities of high-level soccer players (M±SD (min-max)).

Parameters CMJ SJ Single leg jump right Single leg jump left

CMJ with arms

swing

Height jump, cm

35.94±4.2

(29-46)

36.65±4.62

(30-45)

20.5±3.4

(15-28)

20.8±3.7

(15-29)

44.72±5.04

(37-58)

Push off time, s

0.16±0.09

(0.09-0.26)

0.12±0.06

(0.07-0.25)

- - -

Maximum force

for take-off, N

1325±139.8

(1075.2-1650)

1274.9±214.68

(644.4-1696.8)

1097.4±116.4

(932.4-1419.6)

1082.16±115.2

(894-1412.4)

1290.48±119.52

(1065.6-1574.4)

Flying time, s

0.54±0.03

(0.49-0.61)

0.54±0.03

(0.49-0.60)

0.40 ±0.03

(0.34-0.48)

0.41±0.04

(0.35-0.49)

0.60±0.03

(0.55-0.69)

Relative strength,

N/kg

18±1.68

(15-21.36)

17.52±2.4

(9.24-21.6)

- - -

Squat jump results are mainly obtained due to

central nervous impulsation to working muscles

during concentric work, which allows development

of maximal strength of lower extremities. The

obtained mean values of SJ height (36.25±4.62 cm)

are comparable with the exciting data of elite

athletes (Arnason, 2004; Pivovarniček, 2015; Los

Arcos, 2017). High level of maximal force

development (SJh > 38 cm) was observed in 40 % of

studied athletes (58.33% of futsal players and

27.78% of soccer players).

We were also interested in calculated index of

∆CMJh-SJh,. This parameter characterizes the

ability to use muscle extension to generate elastic

energy when eccentric phase converts to concentric

phase. Normally, the value of ∆CMJh-SJh is about

2-4 cm. We registered, that the SJ height in 63.3 %

(66.67 % of futsal players and 61.11 % of soccer

players) was higher than in CMJ (mean value

∆CMJh-SJh was -0.71 cm). Although high level of

maximum power and high strength abilities of

athletes were registered during Wingate test, testing

on a force plate revealed motor disbalance of

antagonist muscle work. We found a disruption of

antagonist muscles work due to disorders of speed-

power neuromuscular coordination.

Probably, the described above results refer to

breakdown of soccer trainings at earlier stages of

soccer career, i.e. disorders of basic motion skills

and capabilities built up, as well as insufficiency of

speed-power trainings at the level of elite sport

(Kraemer, 2004; Mujika, 2009; Loturco, 2015;

Silva, 2016).

Balance of muscular strength of lower

extremities is the integral requirement in any sport

and in team sports especially. The asymmetry of

muscles development of increased risk of injuries

and negatively affects the level of high-speed and

power readiness of athletes (Lawson, 2005; Newton,

2006; Lawson, 2006; Impellizzeri, 2007; McElveen,

2010). 25 % players (20 % futsal – and 28.57 % of

soccer players) have muscles development

asymmetry of the right and left legs (i.e. difference

in jump height on the right and left leg is more than

15 %). The difference of right and left single legs

jumps height varied in rather wide range from 0 to

37.5 % among the studied soccer players. Additional

polling of football players and the analysis of the

obtained data has allowed to reveal that imbalance is

connected with shooting or long passing leg role

rather than preference for a leg.

The received results of single leg jump height

were high (20.5 – 20.8 cm) in comparison with the

data obtained in the research by McElveen et al.

(2010) in athletes of the 2nd division in soccer and

basketball (15.2 – 15.7 cm). Results of SLJ higher

than 20 cm were shown by 70.83% of the tested

athletes (90% futsal and 57.14% soccer players).

The jump of CMJ with arms swing is more

specific to soccer than vertical jumps with hands on

hips. The movement of arms during jumps in soccer

happens automatically since these motor skills are

formatted at the level of steady skill. To find out

integrated power abilities of high level soccer

players the vertical jump test protocol was modified.

Jumping with arms swings athletes have improved

results in ASJ jump height in comparison with CMJ

by 23.83 ± 11.82 (2.4–50) %. Average ASJ height

was 44.72 ± 5.04 (37-58) cm, at the same time ASJ

h values higher than 45 cm were shown by 41.38 %

of athletes (66.67 % of futsal – and 35.29 % of

soccer players).

Data from correlative analysis showed that there

were significant interrelations between parameters

measured during cycling Wingate-test and variables

of performance analysis for vertical jumps (Table 5).

icSPORTS 2018 - 6th International Congress on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support

116

Table 5: Correlations of indices from jump tests with

parameters obtained from Wingate-test.

max

/kg P

CMJ h .210 .195 .212 .253 .301

CMJ t .226 .345 .104 .115 .196

CMJ

.201 -.421

.322 -.186 .327

CMJ Fr .193 -.312 .217 -.207 .247

CMJ Fl .205 -.440

.395

-.110 .413

SJ h .270 .144 .349 .222 .360

SJ t .228 .127 .336 .233 .346

SJ MF .596

.060 .382

-.104 .058

SJ Fr .515

-.072 .320 -.185 .111

SJ Fl .565

.000 .529

.022 .343

RLJ h .148 .136 .014 -.018 .240

RLJ t .144 .139 .035 .013 .286

RLJ

.428

-.141 .289 -.174 .410

LLJ h .232 .017 .035 -.121 .072

LLJ t .246 .050 .029 -.117 .046

LLJ

.248 -.298 .481

.045 .471

ASJ h .411

.102 .463

.178 .476

ASJ t .397

.100 .453

.180 .463

ASJ

.085 -.116 .352 .189 .393

ASJ Fr .075 -.017 .248 .175 .183

ASJ Fl .125 -.202 .341 .078 .452

CMJ – countermovement jump, h – jump height, t – flying

time, MF – maximum force for take-off, Fr – right leg

force for take-off, Fl – left leg force for take-off, SJ –

squat jump, RLJ – single leg jump (right leg), LLJ – single

leg jump (left leg), ASJ – countermovement jump with

arms swing

* P < 0.05; ** P < 0.01

We found that parameter of AP significantly

correlated with jump height (r=.476, P < 0.01), flying

time (r=.463, P < 0.01), maximum force for take-off

(r=.393, P < 0.05) in countermovement jump with

arms swing. Noteworthy, maximum power

correlated with maximum force for take-off (r= .596,

P < 0.01), force for take-off of right leg (r = .515, P

< 0.01) and left leg (r = .565, P < 0.05) in squat

jump.

4 CONCLUSIONS

1. Both methods – anaerobic Wingate test and

performance analysis for vertical jumps ̶ are

informative power and strength measuring

instruments. Wingate test provides the information

on power and strength endurance during 30 s while

performance analysis for vertical jumps – on power

and muscle work in sole movement. The obtained

data from both tests complement the results, giving

an expanded view of the various components of

speed-strength training athletes. Thus, it is possible

to detect the weak aspects of the athletes’ fitness and

to make appropriate adjustments in the training

process, which is particularly important in high

performance sport.

2. Following Wingate test parameters may be

assumed as sufficient for high level soccer players:

fast achievement (at 3-4 seconds) of high PP values

(more than 13 W/kg) and a gradual slight decrease in

power by 15

(up to PP/kg-2) and 30

seconds (up

to PP

/kg-4), characterized by a high level of

strength endurance with a fatigue rate of less than

35 %.

3. In whole studied high level soccer players

demonstrated a high level of power abilities

(strength + power). Excellent indicators of the

maximum force in squat jumps and maximum power

in Wingate test were demonstrated, but only a small

part of athletes (13.79 %) were able to transfer good

strength into power with maximum speed (t

≤ 4 s

at high values of Peak Power). The components

requiring priority attention for further training of

football players are revealed: inconsistency of

antagonist muscles functioning (it was noted in 2/3

tested football players) and insufficient level of

strength endurance in ¾ athletes.

According to the results of the research it was

revealed that high level players in futsal is

characterized by a higher level of speed, power and

strength endurance training than soccer players,

which is directly related to the requirements for

athletes in competitive activities. In futsal there is a

predominance of anaerobic mechanisms of energy

supply, while for soccer the mixed (aerobic-

anaerobic) capacity is inherent. Along with the

evaluation of power abilities should be compulsory

in both sports.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The work was supported by Act 211 Government of

the Russian Federation, contract # 02.A03.21.0006.

Testing of Power Abilities in High Level Soccer Players: Quantitive and Qualitive Assessment Methods

117

REFERENCES

Arnason, A., Sigurdsson, S.B., Gudmundsson, A.,

Holme, I., Engebretsen, L., & Bahr, R. (2004).

Physical fitness, injuries, and team performance in

soccer. Medicine & Science in Sports &

Exercise, 36(2), 278-285.

Cissik, J., (2012). Strength and conditioning: a concise

introduction. New York: Routledge.

Gissis, I., Papadopoulos, C., Kalapotharakos, V.I.,

Sotiropoulos, A., Komsis, G., & Manolopoulos, E.

(2006). Strength and speed characteristics of elite,

subelite, and recreational young soccer

players. Research in sports Medicine, 14(3), 205-214.

Guba, V. & Presnyakov, V. (2017). Mathematical

processing methods of sports studies results. Litres.

Impellizzeri, F.M., Rampinini, E., Maffiuletti, N., &

Marcora, S.M. (2007). A vertical jump force test for

assessing bilateral strength asymmetry in athletes.

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 39(11),

2044-2050.

Joyce, D., Lewindon, D. (2014). High-performance

training for sports. Human Kinetics, 392 pp.

Kraemer, W.J., French D.N., Paxton N.J., Hakkinen K.,

Volek J.S., Sebastianelli W.J., Putukian M., Newton

R.U., Rubin M.R., Gomez A.L., Vescovi J.D.,

Ratamess N.A., Fleck S.J., Lynch J.M., Knuttgen H.G.

(2004). Changes in exercise performance and

hormonal concentrations over a big ten soccer season

in starters and nonstarters. J Strength Cond Res, 18,

121-128.

Lara, A. Abián, J. Alegre, L.M., Jiménez, L., Aguado, X.

(2006). Jump tests on a force platform for applicants to

a sports science degree. Journal of Human Movement

Studies, 50(2), 133-147.

Los Arcos, A., Mendiguchia, J., & Yanci, J. (2017).

Specificity of jumping, acceleration and quick change

of direction motor abilities in soccer players.

Kinesiology, 49(1), 22-27.

Loturco, I., Pereira, L.A., Kobal, R., Zanetti, V., Gil, S.,

Kitamura, K., Abad, C.C., Nakamura, F.Y. (2015).

Half-squat or jump squat training under optimum

power load conditions to counteract power and speed

decrements in Brazilian elite soccer players during the

preseason. J Sports Sci, 33, 1283-1292.

Lawson, B.R. (2005). Bilateral asymmetries in max effort

single-leg vertical jumps. Biomedical sciences

instrumentation, 41, 317-322.

Lawson, B.R., Stephens II, T. M., DeVoe, D. E., & Reiser

II, R. F. (2006). Lower-extremity bilateral differences

during step-close and no-step countermovement jumps

with concern for gender. Journal of strength and

conditioning research, 20(3), 608.

McElveen, M.T., Riemann, B.L., & Davies, G.J. (2010).

Bilateral comparison of propulsion mechanics during

single-leg vertical jumping. The Journal of Strength &

Conditioning Research, 24(2), 375-381.

Mujika, I., Santisteban, J., Impellizzeri, F.M., Castagna, C.

(2009). Fitness determinants of success in men's and

women's football. J Sports Sci, 27,107-114

Newton, R.U., Gerber, A., Nimphius, S., & Shim, J.K.

(2006). Determination of functional strength

imbalance of the lower extremities. Journal of

Strength and Conditioning Research, 20(4), 971.

Ntai, A., Zahou, F., Paradisis, G., Smirniotou, A.,

Tsolakis, C. (2017). Anthropmetric parameters and leg

power performance in fencing. Age, sex and discipline

related differences. Science and Sports, 32(3), 135-

143.

Pivovarnicek, P., Pupis, M., & Lacena, M. (2015). A level

of jump abilities of elite Slovak soccer players at

different positions in field. Journal of Physical

Education and Sport, 15(1), 53.

Pupo, J.D., Detanico, D., & Santos, S.G.D. (2012). Kinetic

parameters as determinants of vertical jump

performance. Revista Brasileira de Cineantropometria

& Desempenho Humano, 14(1), 41-51.

Pyanzin, A., Pyanzina, N. (2016). Calculation of the long

jump result based on vertical jump result. Vestnik of

CHGPU named after I.Ya. Yakovlev, 90(2), 161-169.

Silva, J.R., Brito, J., Akenhead, R., Nassis, G.P. (2016).

The transition period in soccer: a window of

opportunity. Sports Med, 46, 305-313

Thomas, J.R., Netson, J.K. (2005). Research methods in

physical activity. 5

ed. Champaign (IL): Human

Kinetiks.

Van Hooren, B., Zolotarjova, J. (2017). The Difference

between Countermovement and Squat Jump

Performances: A Review of Underlying Mechanisms

with Practical Applications. Journal of Strength and

Conditioning Research, 31(7), 2011-2020.

Zakharova, A.V. & Berdnikova, A.N. (2016). Monitoring

of Power Abilities in Young Football Players. Human.

Sports Medicine, 16(4), 64-74.

Zakharova, A., Mekhdieva, K., Berdnikova, A. (2017).

Comprehensive Fitness Control in Young Soccer

Players - Comparison of laboratory and field testing

Indicators. icSPORTS 2017: Proceedings of the 5

International Congress on Sports Sciences Research

and Technology Support, 25-33. doi:

10.5220/0006495600250032

icSPORTS 2018 - 6th International Congress on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support

118