Relationship between explosive strength, linear speed and final speed in the 30–15 IFT among Chilean female university soccer players

Abstract

Introduction: Modern soccer demands high levels of physical performance, including strength, speed, and endurance, which are key determinants of success. However, the physical profiles of female soccer players have been less studied than those of male players, particularly regarding the associations between various physical attributes. Purpose: This study aims to explore the relationship between lower limb explosive strength, linear speed, and final speed in the 30:15 intermittent fitness test (IFT) among Chilean female university soccer players. Materials & Methods: The sample was composed of 22 university soccer players (Ages: 21.32 ± 2.15; Mass: 60.39 ± 9.36; Size: 1.62 ± 0.07). Jump height (JH), normalized peak force (PF), normalized peak power (PP), and peak yank (PY) were evaluated through a countermovement jump with two force platforms. The linear speed in 10 meters (T10) and 30 meters (T30) were assessed with three photocells. The final speed of the intermittent fitness test (VIFT) was recorded. The relationship between variables was analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: Significant correlations were found between PP and JH (r= 0.886 p>0.001), T10 and T30 (r=0.775 p<0.001), VIFT and T30 (r= -0.513 p<0.05), JH and T30 (r= -0.678) p<0.001), JH and VIFT (r= 0.594 p<0.001), PP and T30 (r= -0.631 p<0.001), PP and VIFT (r =0.655 p<0.001), PF and PY (r= 0.517 p<0.001), JH and T10 (-0.480 p<0.05). Conclusion: Significant correlations were identified between the jumping capacity, linear speed, and the final speed of the 30:15 IFT. The normalized peak power was the kinetic variable of the CMJ best related to the linear speed and the final test speed of 30:15 IFT.