Anaerobic Power and Sprint Performance in U19 Elite Football Players

Alper Cenk Gürkan; Mehmet Söyler

doi:10.58600/eurjther2653

Authors

Alper Cenk Gürkan Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Health Services Vocational School, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3977-0091
Mehmet Söyler Department of Property Protection and Security, Vocational School of Social Sciences, Çankırı Karatekin University, Çankırı, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6912-4218

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58600/eurjther2653

Keywords:

Anaerobic capacity, sprint speed, wingate protocol, football performance, young football players

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between anaerobic power and sprint performance in U19 players of the Turkish Football Federation Elite Academy League.

Methods: A total of 23 male football players voluntarily participated in the study, with a mean age of 17.73±0.54 years, mean height of 174.18±6.58 cm, mean body weight of 67.99±6.30 kg, and mean body fat percentage of 22.38±1.01%. The Wingate Anaerobic Power and Capacity Test (WAnT) was used to assess anaerobic power and performance capacities, while 10m and 30m sprint tests were conducted to evaluate sprint speed performance.

Results: In the statistical analysis, variance homogeneity was tested using Levene’s Test, and normality distribution was assessed with the Shapiro-Wilk Test. Pearson correlation analysis was applied for all parameters. The results indicated a moderate negative correlation between anaerobic power (W) and the 10m sprint performance parameter (r = -0.45, p = 0.03), and a strong negative correlation with the 30m sprint parameter (r = -0.59, p = 0.01), both statistically significant.

Conclusion: The findings revealed a significant relationship between anaerobic power and sprint performance in Elite Academy League players. The direct influence of anaerobic power on the connection between these two parameters was also evident. Given that this age group represents the final stage of development in the league, systematically incorporating sprint speed training into the training regimen with appropriate periodization is recommended to enhance the players’ athletic performance and improve anaerobic power capacities.

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