Changes in stretch shortening cycle jump performance and ground reaction force following a prolonged soccer simulation protocol

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine changes in stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) jump performance and ground reaction force following a 90-minute soccer simulation protocol (SSP). Participants (12 male semi-professional soccer players) completed a squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) and sub-maximal hopping on a force platform pre and post the SSP. Significant reductions in performance were only observed for the DJ, with a mean jump height reduction of - 2.4 ± 3.4 cm (P < 0.05). Slow SSC contribution to the CMJ calculated from the percentage difference between SJ and CMJ reported a mean reduction of 10.8 ± 11.3 % (P < 0.05). With fatigue, spring-like behaviour was maintained and ground contact time was unchanged during fast SSC hopping and DJ. There were no other changes in DJ performance, whilst hopping rate of force development significantly increased (P < 0.05). Post SSP, different responses were observed across the different jumps, suggesting each jump represented a unique task. From the collective responses observed it is speculated there was minimal neural fatigue; impairments in the DJ and pre-stretch augmentation were the result of increased muscle-tendon compliance, whilst compensatory mechanisms altering limb recruitment was observed in hopping.