Sprinting Ability with Change of Direction Involving Decision Making in Female Soccer Players

抄録

To investigate the sprinting ability with change of direction (COD) involving decision making in female soccer players to compare it with athletes in a different sports (soccer vs. track-and-field), as well as to compare among competitive levels (Higher performance group [HPG] vs. Lower performance group [LPG]).

Thirty-three university female athletes participated in this study and were divided into 4 groups (n=24: soccer [n=11: HPG, n=11: LPG] n=9: track-and-field). The following protocols were utilized to determine the sprinting ability in a straight line and with COD involved in the decision making. We measured the time from the 20 meter (m) sprint test for the straight sprinting ability. We also conducted the 20 m sprint with cutting movement 90 degree at the 10 m point where athletes needed to make a decision whether they turn right or left according to the light stimulation at 2.5, 5 and 7.5 m using infrared timing gates (Smart-Speed).

The 20 m straight sprint time among track-and-field athletes were significant faster than soccer players (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between soccer players and track-and-field athletes on other measured variables. In the female soccer groups, the 20 m sprint time among did not differ significantly between HPG and LPG. However, all sprint times of COD involving the decision making with HPG were significantly faster than LPG (p<0.05).

Our study suggested that the COD ability with decision making was not correlated to the 20 m sprinting performance in a straight line.