Harper, Damian, Liefeith, Andreas ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2121-3219 and Thomas, Aaron (2015) Repeated acceleration and deceleration ability (RADA) in semi-professional soccer players. In: UK Strength and Conditioning Association’s 11th Annual Conference, 1-2 August 2015, Chesford Grange Warwickshire, United Kingdom.. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Purpose
Contemporary developments in soccer match play demands players to execute more frequent bouts of short explosive sprints, and consequently be able to control for sudden and rapid reductions in velocity (Barnes et al., 2014). In fact recent research has highlighted the prevalence and importance of executing repeated rapid accelerations (ACC) and decelerations (DEC) (Akenhead et al., 2014; Russell et al., 2015). A reduced proficiency to maintain repeated rapid ACC’s and DEC’s could have significant performance and injury implications. Therefore, the aims of this study was to develop a new repeated ACC and DEC test that could be used to evaluate the repeated ACC and DEC ability (RADA) in soccer players, but could also be applied to other team sports that demand repeated bouts of ACC and DEC.

Methods
10 male semi-professional soccer players (age 23.06 ± 6.08years, mass 76.86 ± 8.13kg, stature 1.78 ± 0.04m) completed the RADA test. RADA test consisted of a 20m maximal ACC (with 10m-split time) followed by a 5m rapid DEC that proceeded a 3m backpedal, prior to a final 8m re-ACC. This sequence was completed 6 times with a 30s active recovery period (figure 1). Split times at 10, 20, 22 and 25m were used for final analysis and recorded using dual-beam timing gates (Smart Speed, Fusion Sport, Australia). Average velocity and ACC (positive and negative) for each section of the RADA test was calculated and test performance evaluated with best, mean and percentage decrement (Fitzimmons et al., 1993). Pearson’s coefficients were also used to investigate the association between distinct aspects of the RADA test.

Conclusions
RADAdecrement was significantly correlated to the DEC3mean ability. A reduction in DEC ability is likely to have huge impact on ability to execute repeated high intensity bouts of ACC’s and DEC’s, indicating DEC’s seem to be highly sensitive to fatigue. Interestingly DEC3best was also significantly correlated to RADAbest, reiterating that DEC is critical to overall performance. ACC10best significantly correlated to ACC10decrement, suggesting players that can produce high ACC have less ability to maintain this quality when repeated ACC’s are required. Small correlations between all ACC and DEC abilities seem to suggest ACC and DEC are distinct movement skills therefore requiring unique training interventions. Further investigation should focus on identifying physical and technical qualities required for proficient RADA in particular the DEC component, and to determine the validity, reliability and sensitivity of this test.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Status:	Unpublished
Subjects:	Q Science > QP Physiology
School/Department:	School of Science, Technology and Health
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/2666

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