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DOES ANAEROBIC SPEED RESERVE AND REPEATED SPRINT ABILITY EFFECT SOCCER PERFORMANCE WHILE IN FATIGUE

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between anaerobic speed reserve (ASR) and repeated sprint ability (RSA) and whether they impact technical performance in fresh vs fatigued soccer players.METHODSs: Five male varsity collegiate soccer athletes were recruited for this study. Data collection was divided into 2 sessions, performed on different days with at least 48 hours between. Session one consisted of a VO2max test performed on a treadmill. Maximum aerobic speed (MAS) was determined as the fastest speed completed during this test. Maximum sprint speed was determined in session two using timing gates while the subjects sprinted for 30 meters. Anaerobic speed reserve was then calculated through the difference between maximum sprint speed and maximum aerobic speed. Session two focused on the performance of soccer technical drills when athletes are fresh and fatigued. All drills were performed twice, once at the beginning of the session and again after fatiguing activities. The drills consisted of short passing, long passing, dribbling, shooting, and finishing. All of them were scored through their success rate, except the dribbling drill which was scored by the fastest times registered. The fatiguing activities consisted of a maximum sprint speed test and a repeated sprint ability test. Data were compiled and evaluated for statistical significance via bivariate correlation analysis using SPSS 28 software to determine the effects of ASR and RSA in soccer performance.RESULTS: ASR and RSA were not found to be directly correlated (R= -.009, p= .988). MAS was correlated with VO2max but negatively correlated with ASR (R= .964, p= .008; R= -.908, p= .033; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although ASR may serve as a good indicator of general fitness, this study did not support ASR being a good indicator for RSA. Additionally, while ASR and RSA may measure an athlete's capability to combat and delay fatigue, they are not necessarily a mandatory requirement for soccer performance, at least on a technical level.

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