Importance of Strength-Maintenance In Soccer
What I especially love about Soccer is that it‘s a very intelligent Sport. It has everything: Physical Ability, Mental Ability(you have to actually think,) as well as Mental Strength and Toughness, Strategy, and as always there‘s an element of Luck involved.
The whole environment is so friendly, civilized and well cultivated.
The sport of Soccer leads as a Top-Role Model/Ideal in General Ethics, Fairness and Sportsmanship.
But back to the Articles‘ actual subject, I give the stage to the Top-Experts in the Field:
Importance of Maintenance
1.
“This principle explains why, when time is limited, such as during the competitive season of a professional sport, it is important to do 1 or 2 sets of an exercise to maintain, or even in some cases gain, maximal strength.
Professional hockey player Chris Pronger is one of my athletes. The first man since 1972 to win awards as both the NHL‘s most valuable player and top defenseman, Pronger is a strong advocate for in-season traning.“
Charles Poliquin (Modern Trends in Strength Training, 2nd edition)
2.
„Unfortunately, most athletes and coaches work hard and strategically as the competitive season approaches and cease to train once the season arises.
Maintaining the strong and stable base that was formed during the precompetitive phases requires a continuation of training during the competitive season.
Failiure to plan at least two sessions dedicated to training the main systems involved in the sport will result in a decreased performance or early onset of fatigue as the season persists.
Staying up is always easier than falling down and attempting to get on one‘s feet again.
Periodization of Strength is about planning phases to optimize physiological adaptation and planning to maintain the benefits for as long as the season lasts.“
Tudor O. Bompa, PhD (Periodization Training for Sports, 2nd edition)
3.
„Through the years I have participated in many fitness training sessions, which I afterwards have realized were of little value. This was either due to the training being of limited relevance to football, or due to the improvement gained from the training soon being lost again since the particular aspect of training was not maintained.
It is important that the fitness training is specific and efficient, especially because this training often is both physically and mentally demanding.“
Jens Bangsbo (Fitness Training in Soccer, a Scientific Approach)
I guess there‘s not much to add to this.
You want to improve the Physical Development, then MAINTAIN that Level during the Season, to then again go to an even higher Level from there, etc. This way continuous improvement is achieved/provided/guaranteed.
What you DON‘t want to do is go 1 step forward just to take 1 step back. Like that, stagnation of performance is on the horizon.
Let me throw in this Metaphor:
„Maintenance is like a reminder for the body that, yes, it still needs these levels of Strength and Hypertrophy. If you keep reminding, it will not forget.“ (ie.: It will not loose Muscle-Mass and Strength.)
M.K. Is
For more on Soccer, check this out…
