The neuromuscular, endocrine and mood responses to a single versus double training session day in soccer players

Will Sparkes, Anthony Turner, Christian Cook, Matthew Weston, Mark Russell, Michael Johnston, Liam Kilduff

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Abstract

Objectives: This study profiled the 24 h neuromuscular, endocrine and mood responses to a single versus a double training day in soccer players. Design: Repeated measures. Methods: Twelve semi-professional soccer players performed small-sided-games (SSG's; 4 vs 4 + goalkeepers; 6 × 7-min, 2-min inter-set recovery) with neuromuscular (peak-power output, PPO; jump height, JH), endocrine (salivary testosterone, cortisol), and mood measures collected before (pre) and after (0 h, +24 h). The following week, the same SSG protocol was performed with an additional lower body strength training session (back-squat, Romanian deadlift, barbell hip thrust; 4 × 4 repetitions, 4-min inter-set recovery; 85% 1 rep-max) added at 2 h after the SSG's. Results: Between-trial comparisons revealed possible to likely small impairments in PPO (2.5 ± 2.2 W kg −1; 90% Confidence Limits: ±2.2 W kg −1), JH (−1.3; ±2.0 cm) and mood (4.6; ±6.1 AU) in response to the double versus single sessions at +24 h. Likely to very likely small favourable responses occurred following the single session for testosterone (−15.2; ±6.1 pg ml −1), cortisol (0.072; ±0.034 ug dl −1) and testosterone/cortisol ratio (−96.6; ±36.7 AU) at +24 h compared to the double session trial. Conclusions: These data highlight that performance of two training sessions within a day resulted in possible to very likely small impairments of neuromuscular performance, mood score and endocrine markers at +24 h relative to a single training session day. A strategy of alternating high intensity explosive training days containing multiple sessions with days emphasising submaximal technical/tactical activities may be beneficial for those responsible for the design and delivery of soccer training programs.

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Early online date5 Sept 2019
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 5 Sept 2019

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