Effetti dell'allenamento intermittente breve ad alta intensità e delle ripetute aerobiche sul Test Repeated Sprint Ability in giovani calciatori d'elite

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of two different training methods: the repeated aerobic bouts and the short intermittent high intensity workout on the ability to carry out repeated sprint bouts RSA in a group of young soccer players and also to determine the impact of training on aerobic and neuromuscular performances. Twenty-Four (24) male soccer players have been assessed and trained, all of them partecipating regularly in the 2013-2014 season at the National Championship "Professional Development Phase" (Allievi Professionisti) with Cagliari Calcio SPA Football Club. Hereinafter the anthropometric characteristics of the sample tested: 16.33 ± 0.49 years, height 175 ± 6.3, 65.8 ± 6.8 weight. The 24 athletes were randomly included into two working groups: intermittent training group (HI. No. 12) and repeated aerobic exercise group (R. Aer. No. 12). Players underwent two separate sessions of evaluation tests. During the first session, in the morning, the players performed the vertical jump test (CMJ) with no counter movement (SJ). In the afternoon session the repeated sprint bouts were carried out (RSA). Finally the next day the athletes underwent the tests for the aerobic power (V.BILLAT). The results regarding the Aerobic Group (R. Aer.) were respectively SJ and CMJ at T0 36,95 ± 4,03cm; 37,44 ± 4,09cm; T1 to 37.99 ± 3.69 cm; 38.63 ± 3.96 cm; in the RSA tests we obtained the following T0 and T1 values respectively: 7.690 ± 0.12 s; 7,585 ± 0,11s; The Billat test instead highlighted the following values ± 1506 67,26m; 1596.6 ± 64,95m. The results regarding the Intermittent (HI) group were respectively SJ and CMJ at T0 36,69 ± 4,99cm; 37,98 ± 3,97cm; T1 to 38.15 ± 4.79 cm; 39.79 ± 3.78 cm; in the RSA tests we obtained the following T0 and T1 values respectively: 7.64 ± 0.11 s; 7.31 ± 0,11s; The Billat test instead highlighted the following values: 1537.3 ± 77,70m; 1627.1 ± 72,29m. The results indicate one or more variations of the investigated capacities between pre and post workout within the same group, and also suggest that by comparing the two methods, intermittent and repeated aerobic, the first of the two was more effective. The lack of a statistically significant difference on the capacity of aerobic performance evaluated through the Billat test suggests that both protocols have their validity in improving this component. While as regards the RSA test a statistically significant change was detected in favor of the intermittent protocol with respect to the repeated aerobic bouts. This variation was found through the reduction of the average execution time of the RSA test. Another result emerged from the statistical analysis is that both training protocols had no negative effects on neuromuscular skills assessed through the vertical jump test of the SJ and CMJ, this in agreement with what was found in previous studies such as Mc Millan (2005) and Ferrari (2007), in which training protocols for the aerobic performance of the player very similar to those used in this study were carried out. In conclusion the study indicated that the short high intensity intermittent method has proved more powerful than the Repeated Sprint Ability Test (RSA), which is indicated by most researchers as a key skill in football performance: we believe it respects mostly the kinematic analogies of the game, accelerations, decelerations and postural situations with minor variations of the bust concerning the various stages of the player's running (Paradisis GP. e coll. 2001) by an increased recruitment of the fast fibers in the rapid typical accelerations/decelerations of this sport. Furthermore we are inclined to hypothesize that this research reshapes the use of bioenergetic systems, already studied by (Dawson B. and coll. 1998), (to Ross, et al. 2001), it all along with the possibility of repeating the sprint at a high intensity with partial recoveries while maintaining a high quality and the considerable advantage, being soccer a situational sport, to help keep up a greater lucidity from a cognitive point of view and theoretically to select more logical and tactically effective choices .