Repeated Sprint Capability in Soccer Players

by Gary S. Stebbing, CSCS
NSCA Coach November 2013
Vol 2, Issue 4

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This article will examine the physical demands of soccer players and discuss why repeated sprint ability (RSA) is considered highly important in the performance of these athletes.

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This article originally appeared in NSCA Coach, a quarterly publication for NSCA Members that provides valuable takeaways for every level of strength and conditioning coach. You can find scientifically based articles specific to a wide variety of your athletes’ needs with Nutrition, Programming, and Youth columns. Read more articles from NSCA Coach »

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References 

1. Bishop, D, and Giroud, O. Repeated sprint ability. In: Cardinale, M, Newton, R, and Nosaka, K (Eds). Strength and Conditioning – Biological Principles and Practical Applications. Chichester UK: Wiley-Blackwell; 223-241, 2011.
2. Bishop, D, Giraud, O, and Mendez-Villanueva, A. Repeated sprint ability – Part II: Recommendations for training. Sports Medicine 41(9): 741-756, 2011.
3. Buchheit, M, Bishop, D, Haydar, B, Nakamura, FY, and Ahmaidi, S. Physiological responses to shuttle repeated sprint running. International Journal of Sports Medicine 31(6): 402-409, 2010.
4. Buchheit, M, Mendez-Villaneuva, A, Delhommel, G, Brughelli, M, and Ahmaidi, S. Improving repeated sprint ability in young elite soccer players: Repeated shuttle sprints vs explosive training. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 42(10): 2715-2722, 2010.
5. Chaouachi, A, Manzi, V, Wong, DP, Chaalali, A, Laurencelle, L, Chamari, K, and Castagna, C. Intermittent endurance and repeated sprint ability in soccer players. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 24(10): 2663-2668, 2010.
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7. Gharbi, Z, Dardouri, W, Haj-Sassi, R, Chamari, K, and Souissi, N. Aerobic and Anaerobic determinants of repeated sprint ability in team sport athletes. Biology of Sport 32(3): 207-212, 2015.
8. Gregson, W, Drust, B, Atkinson, G, and Salvo, VD. Match to match variability of high speed activities in Premier League Soccer. International Journal of Sports Medicine 31(4): 237-242, 2010.
9. Haugen, T, Tonnessen, E, Leirstein, S, Hem, E, and Seiler, S. Not quite so fast: Effect of training at 90% sprint speed on maximal and repeated-sprint ability in soccer players. Journal of Sport Sciences 32(20): 1979-1986, 2014.
10. Haugen, TA, Tonnessen, E, and Seiler, S. Anaerobic performance testing of professional soccer players 1995-2010. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 8(2):148-156, 2013.
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16. McGawley, K, and Anderson, PI. The order of concurrent training does not affect soccer related performance adaptations. International Journal of Sports Medicine 34(11): 983-990, 2013.
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20. Turner, AN, and Stewart, PF. Strength and conditioning for soccer players. Strength and Conditioning Journal 36(4): 1-13, 2014.

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Gary S. Stebbing, CSCS,*D

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Gary Stebbing is based in the United Kingdom. His primary areas of interest are building excellence and human performance design. He studied Sport and ...

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