The Acute Effects of Weighted Vest Protocols on 20-Metre Sprint Performance in Youth Soccer Players

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47206/ijsc.v2i1.104
Keywords: Post-Activation Potentiation, Warm-Up, Sprint Performance, Youth Soccer

Abstract

This investigation examined the effects of a warm-up containing weighted vest (WV) sprints on subsequent 20-metre sprint time relative to a control (C) condition in youth soccer players (n=12, mean ± SD age 16 ± 0.60 years, height 175.17 ± 5.92 cm and body mass 61.85 ± 5.88 kg). The main experimental trials consisted of three WV conditions at 10, 20 and 30% of body mass (WV10, WV20 and WV30) and C. Participants were required to complete one 20-metre sprint with each of WV conditions or without additional mass as part of C prior to a 20-metre sprint at 4-, 8- and 12-minutes. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant difference between any of the conditions and rest periods (p = >0.05). The between condition effect sizes for 20-metre sprint times were moderate at 4- and 12-minutes post WV10 (d = -0.86 and -1.15, respectively) and 12-minutes post WV20 (d = -0.84) and WV30 (d = -0.80). Moderate effect sizes were also observed at 4-minutes post WV10 (d = -1.04) and WV20 (d = -0.67) for 10-metre sprint times. These findings demonstrate that WV loading has no significant effect on 20-metre sprint time in youth soccer players. However, there is an opportunity for S&C coaches to implement WV warm-ups of no more than 30% body mass to improve 20-metre sprint times.

Author Biographies

Thomas E. Bright MRes, University of Gloucestershire, Plymouth Marjon University

Thomas E. Bright is a PhD candidate at the University of Gloucestershire. He is also an associate lecturer at the University of Plymouth Marjon.

Jonathon D. Hughes PhD, University of Gloucestershire

Jonathon D. Hughes is a senior lecturer in Strength and Conditioning and academic course leader in MSc Sports Strength and Conditioning at the University of Gloucestershire.

Matthew J. Handford MSc, University of Gloucestershire

Matthew J. Handford is a PhD candidate at the University of Gloucestershire investigating accelerated eccentrics.

Ben Anniss MRes, University of Plymouth Marjon

Ben Anniss is an associate lecturer at the University of Plymouth Marjon

Caroline S. Westwood MSc, University of Plymouth Marjon

Caroline S. Westwood is the Associate Director of School and programme lead for the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science degree at Plymouth Marjon University

Published
2022-05-31
How to Cite
Bright, T., Hughes, J., Handford, M., Anniss, B., & Westwood, C. (2022). The Acute Effects of Weighted Vest Protocols on 20-Metre Sprint Performance in Youth Soccer Players. International Journal of Strength and Conditioning, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.47206/ijsc.v2i1.104
Issue
Vol 2 No 1 (2022): International Journal of Strength and Conditioning
Section
Articles

Copyright (c) 2022 Thomas Bright, Jonathon Hughes, Matthew Handford, Ben Anniss, Caroline Westwood

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