THE EFFECT OF REACTION TRAINING VS SPRINT TRAINING ON SPEED AND POWER1497

To evaluate two methods of speed training, twenty three female soccer players (age 15.4 ±.5 yrs., height 164 ± 3.8 cm., weight 57.3± 4.1 kg.) participated in either reaction coach (RC) or sprint training (ST) or in a control group (C) for eight weeks. Subjects were assigned to the three groups and all participants continued to play soccer during the study. The RC group used a device to provide sound and light cues for explosive movements which were monitored by the principal investigators. Sprint training consisted of a series of short sprints (less than 15 meters) performed at a work:relief ratio of 1:3. Both experimental protocols required approximately 20 minutes of two sessions per week. All subjects were evaluated pre and post trial for power by knee extension/flexion on a CYBEX 6000 Isokinetic Dynamometer and by speed by five and ten meter sprints measured by a Dekan Timer. The following results were obtained:Table Statistical analysis by ANOVA (P<0.05) revealed no significant difference between the two experimental trials but a difference between the C vs RC and ST groups. Improvement in speed and power can be achieved during season in conditioned female soccer players when applied twice per week. Traditional sprint training methods provide comparable results as non-traditional explosive movement training for enhancing power and speed.