Grieco, C. R., Greska, E., Lucci, S., Cortes, N., & Onate, J. (June 2, 2010). Effect of neuromuscular training on VO2peak and running economy in Division I Female Soccer Players. Presentation 1495 at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; June 2-5.

"A neurological training program, consisting of strength and/or plyometric training, improves aerobic endurance, running economy, and time-to-exhaustion in trained and untrained adults without concomitant improvements in maximal oxygen consumption. The effects of a combined strength/plyometric training program on running economy and VO2peak in female soccer players remain unclear."

This study investigated the effect of a 10-week combined strength/plyometric/agility training program on VO2peak, time to exhaustion, and running economy in NCAA Division I-A female soccer players (N = 15) and a 12-week retention period after the program ceased. Ss performed a treadmill test to determine VO2peak, time to exhaustion, and running economy at 9, 10 and 11 km/h at the end of a competitive season (PRE), following the 10-week training program (POST), and after a 12-week retention period (RET). Strength training consisted of vigorous resistance training conducted two days per week on non-consecutive days for 60 minutes and included 9-10 exercises of three sets each. A plyometric/agility program was conducted separately from the strength training on different non-consecutive days. Training sessions were 60 minutes for the first four weeks and 30 minutes for the final six weeks. Eleven Ss were included in PRE/POST analysis and nine Ss were included in the POST/RET analysis.

Significant increases occurred following training in VO2peak, time to exhaustion, and running economy at 9 km/h, 10 km/h, and 11 km/h. There was a significant increase in time to exhaustion and in running economy at 11 km/h from PRE to RET. There were no significant changes in running economy from POST to RET.

Implication. A 10-week combined neurological training program can increase VO2peak, time to exhaustion, and running economy in Division I-A female soccer players. Changes in time to exhaustion and running economy can be retained over 12 weeks following cessation of the training.

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