Opportunity Gap, Offseason Training
Author: Matt Couch
Publish Date: February 15, 2020
After the soccer season concludes, many parents and players look forward to time off and the holiday’s. However, the off season is the best time to improve your game. Whether it is skills training, or athleticism training for speed, quickness or strength, players should look forward to working on specific weaknesses and maintaining strengths, so that they are ready for the next season.
A study done in 2015 by Silva and associates researched the effects of the offseason on a soccer players body. The study evaluated the physiological and performance changes, in the areas of body composition, neuromuscular performance, aerobic fitness. The study also looked at the biomechanical changes in a soccer player's body.
Pertaining to body mass, the research found small increases in body fat, moderate decrease in lean body mass, and large reduction in fat free mass. The studies also found small changes in force production and jumping ability along, but found moderate changes in short and long distance sprints. Lastly, the study found a decline in a soccer players change of direction ability.
Regarding neuromuscular performance, little changes were noted in force production when testing jogging, counter-jump and squat jump over a 4 week none training period. However, moderate decreases were found in countermovement jump, squat jump, short and long distance sprints over a 6 week none training period. This evidence supports the idea that the more time a player takes off, the more neuromuscular performance decreases.
As for aerobic fitness, it was recorded that during the off season period a players max Vo2 consumption was negatively affected. However, the implementation of a HIIT workouts during the off season could help prevent this decrease in Vo2 consumption, helping a player reach max fitness when entering into per-season training.
Concerning biomechanical changes, the muscle oxidative capacity was drastically affected by the off season detraining. This greatly affects the players ability to perform at a high intensity and recover at a necessary rate to return to high intensity play again. However, the study finds it difficult to draw an exact conclusion to the changes in biomechanics of a player due to the variation in off season activity of players and the complexity of biomechanical systems.
In conclusion, the off-season activity or lack of activity has a direct affect on a players physiological performance. Keeping in mind, a player touches the soccer ball an average of 2 minutes when on a soccer field, if their athletic ability is not primed for top performance their ball skill will suffer dramatically. It is recommended taking part in an off season training program to limit the decrease in physiological ability making it easier to transition into the next soccer season. For offseason training programs that target both athletic training and skills training visit the resource tab in your account. Enjoy the off season but maintain the important gains you made during the season. Best of luck!