Mind the gap! A survey comparing current strength training methods used in men's versus women's first team and academy soccer.

McQuilliam, Stephen J.; Clark, David R.; Erskine, Robert M.; Brownlee, Thomas E.

Abstract

Much less is known about strength and conditioning (S&C) practice in women's versus men's soccer. The aim of this study was to compare S&C practice between coaches working in men's or women's soccer, at first team or academy level, worldwide. A total of 170 participants, who were involved with S&C support at their soccer club (in Europe, USA and South America, within men's or women's first team or academy settings) completed a comprehensive online survey, designed to evaluate (i) their academic qualifications and S&C coaching experience; and their preferred methods for (ii) physical testing; (iii) strength and power development; (iv) plyometric training; (v) speed development; and (vi) periodization. Women's academies had fewer weekly in-season S&C sessions than men's academies (1.6±0.6 vs. 2.3±0.9, p=0.005). Relatively, fewer women's academy S&C coaches (6%) used Olympic weightlifting movements than men's academy S&C coaches (32%, p=0.030). Relatively, more women's academy coaches (47%) used the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) compared to men's academy coaches (15%, p=0.006), but relatively more women's vs. men's first team coaches (61% vs. 38%, p=0.028) and women's vs. men's academy (61% vs. 38% coaches, p=0.049) utilised rating of perceived exertion-based load prescriptions. Notable differences in S&C practice exist between coaches of men's and women's soccer squads, particularly at academy level. Fewer weekly S&C sessions in women academy players may have implications for physical development, while the greater use of subjective load prescriptions in both academy and first team women's squads may lead to sub-optimal performance gains.

Citation

MCQUILLIAM, S.J., CLARK, D.R., ERSKINE, R.M. and BROWNLEE, T.E. 2022. Mind the gap! A survey comparing current strength training methods used in men's versus women's first team and academy soccer. Science and medicine in football [online], 6(5): towards a better understanding of health and performance is sponsored and supported by Adidas and Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), pages 597-604. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2022.2070267

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 20, 2022
• Online Publication Date: May 1, 2022
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jan 30, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 30, 2024
• Journal: Science and medicine in football
• Print ISSN: 2473-3938
• Electronic ISSN: 2473-4446
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 597-604
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2022.2070267
• Keywords: Strength training; Soccer; Youth; Sports medicine
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2054669