THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PLAY POSITIONS, VERTICAL JUMP AND SPRINTING SPEED IN YOUNG FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Armend Myftiu, Metin Dalip

Abstract

Objective: This research aims to investigate the relationship between power and sprint performance and describe the differences between player profiles in different play positions. Methods: Thirty-three football players (age: 16±3 years, body height: 173±8 cm., body mass: 60±6 kg.) participated in the research with an assessment of power performance: Squat Jump (SJ), Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), as well as speed performance in 30 meters (with 10 meters split time) distances. Results: No significant differences were found between different play positions in vertical jump variables and speed performance variables (p > 0.05). Speed in the 0-10m distance has shown significant correlation to SJ (r = 0.57) and CMJ (r = 0.50), as well as to speed in the 10-30m distance (r=0.63). Speed in the 10-30m distance has shown significant correlation to SJ (r = 0.64) and CMJ (r = 0.60). Predicting speed performance in the 0-10m distance, as well as in the 10-30m distance, is more influenced by SJ than CMJ. Conclusion: Power is taken into account as a special impact factor in developing sprinting speed in young football players. Compared to the vertical jump without eccentric contraction in knee joint (SJ), the vertical jump with eccentric and concentric contraction in knee joint (CMJ) has given higher results and it has simultaneously achieved lower correlations compared to the vertical jump without eccentric contraction in knee joint in relation to speed in 0-10m and 10-30m distances. SJ has shown bigger impact than CMJ in relation to 0-10m acceleration (starting speed) and to the running phase of reaching maximum speed in the 10-30 m distance.

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