Effects of One Week Taper Training on Physical Performance Parameters in Soccer

Background: Soccer is a sport branch which is highly physical and physiological performance demands. Therefore, the most important aim for coaches is to increase the physical and physiological abilities of the athletes to reach maximal performance at the right moment of the season. Taper training is a common training strategy which is designed to reduce physiological and psychological stressors of previous training before major athletic events with the aim of maximizing competition performance (Mujika et al., 2004). However, there are few studies examining the effect of taper training on selected physical performance parameters in soccer.

Aims: The aim of this study is to monitor the changes in selected physical performance parameters in amateur soccer players during a one-week taper immediately following six-week progressive overload training.

Method: Fifteen male amateur soccer players volunteered to participate in the study. The study consisted of a six-week progressive overload period followed by a one-week taper training. Small-sided games were used as a method to train at an anaerobic threshold intensity during the training intervention. Training load for each subject was calculated using a rating of perceived exertion (CR-10 Scale). Measures of body mass, percentage of body fat and VO_2max were taken before and after overload training and taper. Also 10 and 30 m sprint performance, balance, flexibility and isokinetic strength of 60⁰/sn and 180⁰/sn for knee extensors and flexors were measured at the end of overload and taper period. To determine the differences, the data were analyzed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures and paired sample t-test.

Results: Significant decreases in body mass, percentage of body fat and significant increases in VO_2max were detected after taper training when compared with overload period and pre-training (p0.05). Compared to the end of the overload period, 10 m and 30 m sprint time were decreased and flexibility were increased after the taper training (p0.05). There were no significant changes in static balance over the six-week overload training and taper period (p0.05). The six-week overload training and taper period test values of the peak isokinetic strength, at 60°/s and 180°/s for right knee flexion significantly increased from the first to second evaluations (p0.05). Also a significant increase in right leg hamstring to quadriceps ratio (H/Q ratio) at an angular velocity of 60°/s and 180°/s were observed (p0.05).

Discussion and Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that taper training may increase some physical performance parameters in soccer.