Description:
Soccer performance depends upon a myriad of factors such as technical; tactical; mental andphysiological areas. Soccer training should performed based on the game itself; and so in thisstudy was to investigate the effects of concurrent plyometric and endurance training on thephysiological areas and soccer skills in male soccer players. 29 male soccer players; age of25/42±4/72yr; height of 177/6±7/10cm; and body mass of 73/20±6/59kg randomly assigned tothe training groups of endurance (n=10); plyometric (n=10) and concurrent (n=9) participated inthis study. The endurance training consisted of 4×4 min interval running at 90-95% of maximalheart rate; with a 3 min jogging in between. The plyometric training consisted of 9 explosivejumping and throwing exercises in 3 sets with 10 repetitions which subjects have done with lowto maximal intensity. The concurrent training consisted of both plyometric and endurancetraining at one session that plyometric training performed first. All of the groups performedtraining program for 8 weeks and 3 times a week. The subjects performed Hoff- Helgerudfootball endurance; RAST; Vertical jump; Illinois; 30m sprint; body fat percentage and Mor-Cherestian (for soccer skills) tests before and after training period. The analysis of data beforeand after training programs using T-test; ANOVA and LSD tests showed that in all of thegroups VO2max increased significantly; but concurrent training was more than other traininggroups. In concurrent and plyometric training; anaerobic power; agility and 30m sprintincreased significantly. No changes were found in this variable in endurance training. Also; nochanges were found in dribbling and shooting skills in all of the groups after the trainingprograms (p<0/05). In this study utilizing concurrent training not only had no negative influenceon soccer skills and physiological areas; but this can also with enhanced VO2max improvedsoccer performance by increasing the distance covered; enhancing work intensity; andincreasing the number of sprints and involvements with the ball during a match.