Comparison of small-sided games and sprint training program on the testosterone, cortisol, blood cell count, and physical fitness indices in teenage soccer players
Subject Areas : Journal of Physical Activity and Hormones
Mona
Sebghati Shiraz
1
(Exercise Physiology, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Guilan, Iran)
Ramin
Shabani
2
(Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Faculty of Humanities, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.)
Mojtaba
Mohammadi
3
(student)
Keywords: Sprint training, small-sided games, testosterone, cortisol, Complete blood count, physical fitness,
Abstract :
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to comparison of SSG and sprint on testosterone, cortisol, blood cell count, and physical fitness indices in teenage soccer players. Material & Methods: In this experimental study, thirty-six teenage athletes (13.55±0.53) were randomly divided into control, SSG, and sprint groups. The subjects in the sprint group underwent 45-minutes short bursts of sprinting. The SSG group exercise program 45-minutes consisted of 8×3 minutes with 3 minutes of active recovery between sets was performed on a small Football pitch without a goalkeeper. In contrast, the control group continued their usual routine activities for 4 weeks (3days/week). Basal levels of K-TEST, RSA, and YO-Y0 tests, as well as blood indices of testosterone and cortisol and blood cells, were measured before commencement and after 4 weeks of training. Results: The results indicate that sprint training led to a significant increase in testosterone, T/C ratio, RBC, and WBC compared to the control group and significantly decrease in cortisol and agility performance. SSG also caused a significant increase in testosterone, testosterone to cortisol ratio, RBC, WBC, SII, and aerobic performance, with a significant decrease in cortisol and agility performance. Additionally, in the control group, cortisol showed a significant increase, and the testosterone to cortisol ratio was significantly decreased (p<0.05). Conclusion: The present study revealed that both sprint and SSG training individually can have desirable effects on testosterone, cortisol, T/C ratio, WBC, and RBC and agility test. Sprint and SSG were found to be effective for these factors. The SSG training program increases WBC, SII and aerobic performance.
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