Title

The strength and conditioning practices and perspectives of soccer coaches and players

Authors

Anthony Weldon, Faculty of Management and Hospitality, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, Vocational Training CouncilFollow
Sing T. Wong, Department of Sports and Recreation, The Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong
Nuno Mateus, Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, CreativeLab Research Community, Vila Real, Portugal

Staff Page Link

Mr WELDON Anthony

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2022

Keywords

Association football, injury rehabilitation, plyometrics, power, resistance training, sport-specific fitness

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541211072242

Abstract

Strength and conditioning (S&C) is implemented across various sports and levels, but there is limited understanding of the personnel responsible for this, including their S&C practices and perspectives. Whereas recent evidence has shown that coaches and players are often tasked with the responsibility. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate: 1) the personnel responsible for delivering S&C across different levels of soccer, 2) the practices and perspectives of soccer coaches and players, and 3) to ascertain whether the practices employed align with contemporary evidence and guidelines. Forty-two soccer coaches and 30 soccer players completed an online survey with six sections: (a) informed consent, (b) background information, (c) education, qualifications, and prescription, (d) views on S&C, (e) exercise selection and preferences, and (f) issues and improvements. Frequency analysis was used to report responses to fixed-response questions and thematic analysis for open-ended questions. Most respondents reported S&C to be ‘important’ to ‘very important’ for all soccer, physical fitness, and injury parameters, with perspectives being predominantly aligned with S&C guidelines and research in soccer. Although S&C coaches were mostly responsible for delivering S&C sessions, over 60% of respondents disclosed S&C sessions were delivered independently or by support staff. This is problematic given only four coaches held S&C qualifications, and issues and improvements were mostly regarding a lack of S&C expertise and education. This study provides valuable information for S&C and soccer organizations. Particularly regarding the additional support required to ensure those responsible for delivering S&C in soccer have the appropriate knowledge and qualifications.

Source Publication

International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching

ISSN

2048-397X

Recommended Citation

Weldon, A.,Wong, S.,& Mateus, N. (2022). The strength and conditioning practices and perspectives of soccer coaches and players. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching. http://dx.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541211072242