The Effect of High-Velocity Elastic Band Training on Physical Performance in Youth Soccer Players.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a high-velocity elastic band training (HVEBT) program in youth soccer players. Eighteen male outfield players (age = 15.5 ± 0.4 years, stature = 175.1 ± 6.1 cm, body mass = 68.9 ± 7.3 kg, training experience = 9.9 ± 1.1 years, maturity offset = 1.8 ± 0.4 years) were recruited for the study. Players were randomly assigned to the experimental (HVEBT) and control groups. The study lasted 20 weeks (2 times per week) and consisted of 6 lower limb exercises targeting the main lower limb muscle groups (i.e., knee and hip flexors, extensors, and hip adductors) performed before the regular soccer training session; the control group did no additional activity. Before and after the experimental period, players' lower limb peak concentric torque measured with an isokinetic dynamometer at 180°·s -1 , Y-balance composite score for dominant (YBT.D) and nondominant (YBT.ND) leg, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, the 10 and 30 m linear sprint time, ball-kicking velocity for dominant (BKV.D) and nondominant (BKV.ND) legs were assessed. Results revealed time*group interaction for YBT.D, YBT.ND, CMJ, 10-m sprint time, and BKV.ND (ηp 2 =0.438-0.523, moderate), with post hoc within-group changes only in the HVEBT group, ranging from moderate to very large ( g = -2.22 to 1.85). Furthermore, within-group changes for BKV.D in both control ( g = -3.04 [-4.64 to -1.44]) and HVEBT groups ( g = -2.52 [-3.88 to -1.15]) were very large. Our findings suggest that a 20-week in-season HVEBT exercise program, in addition to regular soccer training, is effective in improving sprinting, jumping, ball-kicking, and dynamic balance performance in postpubertal youth soccer players.