Original research
The neuromuscular, endocrine and mood responses to a single versus double training session day in soccer players

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Abstract

Objectives

This study profiled the 24 h neuromuscular, endocrine and mood responses to a single versus a double training day in soccer players.

Design

Repeated measures.

Methods

Twelve semi-professional soccer players performed small-sided-games (SSG’s; 4 vs 4 + goalkeepers; 6 × 7-min, 2-min inter-set recovery) with neuromuscular (peak-power output, PPO; jump height, JH), endocrine (salivary testosterone, cortisol), and mood measures collected before (pre) and after (0 h, +24 h). The following week, the same SSG protocol was performed with an additional lower body strength training session (back-squat, Romanian deadlift, barbell hip thrust; 4 × 4 repetitions, 4-min inter-set recovery; 85% 1 rep-max) added at 2 h after the SSG’s.

Results

Between-trial comparisons revealed possible to likely small impairments in PPO (2.5 ± 2.2 W kg−1; 90% Confidence Limits: ±2.2 W kg−1), JH (−1.3; ±2.0 cm) and mood (4.6; ±6.1 AU) in response to the double versus single sessions at +24 h. Likely to very likely small favourable responses occurred following the single session for testosterone (−15.2; ±6.1 pg ml−1), cortisol (0.072; ±0.034 ug dl−1) and testosterone/cortisol ratio (−96.6; ±36.7 AU) at +24 h compared to the double session trial.

Conclusions

These data highlight that performance of two training sessions within a day resulted in possible to very likely small impairments of neuromuscular performance, mood score and endocrine markers at +24 h relative to a single training session day. A strategy of alternating high intensity explosive training days containing multiple sessions with days emphasising submaximal technical/tactical activities may be beneficial for those responsible for the design and delivery of soccer training programs.

Section snippets

Practical implications

  • •

    Consideration of the added 24 h fatigue response from a double training session should be considered when programming into the training week, as players may require longer to recover and adapt.

  • •

    A strategy of alternating high intensity explosive training days containing multiple sessions with days emphasising submaximal technical/tactical activities may be beneficial.

Methods

Each experimental protocol was completed over two days on consecutive weeks. The study took place midway through the 2017–2018 competitive season with players being given 72 h rest before test involvement. Countermovement jump (CMJ; peak power output: PPO; jump height: JH), saliva (testosterone and cortisol concentrations), and brief assessment of mood (BAM+) responses were collected before (pre), and after (0 h, +24 h) SSG training. These measures have been used extensively in previous research

Results

Between trial (single vs double) comparisons revealed that the double session day resulted in a possibly small compromized mood score between pre and +24 h and 0 h and +24 h (see Fig. 1A & Table 1). Within-session effects revealed a very likely moderate decrease (0 h and +24 h) and a likely moderate increase (pre and 0 h) for the single session, with a likely moderate increase (pre and 0 h) and a possibly moderate decrease (0 h and +24 h) for the double session.

There was a possibly small impairment in

Discussion

The primary aim of this study was to compare the 24 h responses of neuromuscular, endocrine and mood markers following a single session training day consisting of small-sided games, to a double training session day consisting of small-sided games and a weight training session performed 2 h later. On both trials, the SSG training (6 × 7 min; 42 min total playing time) induced immediate fatigue as evidenced by moderate disturbances in mood (single, 9.8 ± 11.2 AU; double, 10.4 ± 7.2 AU) and small decreases in

Conclusion

This study shows that 42 min of SSG’s combined with lower body weight training resulted in small to moderate disturbances in neuromuscular performance, mood, and endocrine markers over a 24 h period in comparison to the SSG’s alone. As soccer players are often required to concurrently train multiple physical qualities in the same day (i.e. strength and soccer), this data may be of use to those responsible for the design of soccer training programs. More specifically, consideration of the added 24 

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to acknowledge Swansea City AFC for funding this study.

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