Research article - (2024)23, 843 - 851
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2024.843
Elastic Bands During Half-Squats as A Re-Warm-Up Strategy for Youth Soccer Players' Performance
Javier Sanchez-Sanchez1,, Filipe Manuel Clemente1,2,3,4, Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo1,5, Alejandro Rodríguez-Fernández1,6
1Research Group PRENDE, Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, Spain
2Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Portugal
3Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, Portugal
4Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland
5Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, School of Physical Therapy, Chile
6VALFIS Research Group, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), Leon, Spain

Javier Sanchez-Sanchez
✉ Research Group PRENDE, Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Email: jsanchezsa@upsa.es
Received: 22-08-2024 -- Accepted: 30-10-2024
Published (online): 01-12-2024

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to assess the immediate effects of re-warm-up strategies using half-squats with elastic looped bands on the performance of youth soccer players. A cross-over study design with repeated measures was implemented in field youth male soccer players (n = 20, age 15.7 ± 0.8 years). Following the first 45-min of match play, players were subjected to one of four re-warm-up (Re-w) interventions of equal duration: no Re-w (PAS), half-squat without elastic looped bands (SQ), half-squat with bands placed on the thighs (SQT), and half-squat with bands placed on the lower legs (SQL). These interventions were compared against a control condition (CON). The Re-w protocols were initiated 10-min after half-time, and players' performance was evaluated through vertical and horizontal jump tests, 20-m linear sprint, and T-agility test. Statistical analysis using ANOVA revealed that the SQT and SQL interventions significantly improved (p < 0.001) several performance metrics compared to the PAS and SQ conditions. These improvements were observed in squat jumps, unilateral squat jumps (both dominant and non-dominant legs), countermovement jumps, horizontal jumps, triple horizontal jumps, the 20-m linear sprint, and T-agility performance. In conclusion, SQT and SQL are equally effective to enhance performance as Re-w strategies after the 1st-half of a soccer match. However, the lack of physiological data and 2nd-half assessments suggests the need for further research to confirm the persistence of these effects.

Key words: Human physical conditioning, athletic performance, warm-up exercise

Key Points
  • Re-warm-up strategies are essential for maintaining and enhancing neuromuscular performance in young soccer players during the halftime period, helping to mitigate declines in physical performance for the 2nd-half of a match.
  • The re-warm-up methods employed in this study were short in duration to align with the typical halftime break, designed to be practical within the constraints of match play.
  • Elastic looped bands serve as effective tools for improving performance in jumps and sprints during re-warm-up for youth players, providing a practical and accessible solution to increase muscle activation without requiring gym equipment.
  • The placement of elastic looped bands impacts performance outcomes: bands positioned on the lower leg have been shown to be more effective for enhancing sprint and agility performance compared to bands positioned on the thigh.
  • This study’s recommendations are specifically tailored for youth soccer players, potentially applicable to both amateur and competitive youth levels, but further research would be required to determine the effectiveness across different age groups and player levels, such as amateur or elite adult players.








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