Relationship between speed and explosive power of lower limbs in semi-elite football players

PURPOSE: This study focuses on the relationship between speed (acceleration, maximum speed, and change of direction speed) and explosive power of lower limbs represented by countermovement jump (CMJ) in semi-elite football players. METHODS: Twenty semi-elite football players (n = 20; 25.1 ± 6.2 years) participated in the study. All participants were assessed using the following 5 tests: countermovement jump (CMJ), 5-0-5 Agility test with dominant lower limb turn and non-dominant lower limb turn, 10-meter linear sprint, 30-meter linear sprint. RESULTS: Pearson’s correlations (p ≤ 0.05) calculated the relationship between CMJ and speed tests. Subjects displayed a very large correlation between 10 and 30-meter sprints and CMJ (r = −0.75 and −0.76). There was a moderate correlation between 505 COD tests (non-dominant and dominant) and CMJ (r = −0.54 and −0.61, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There are large to very large relationships between speed and power attributes in semi-elite soccer players, especially between linear speed and CMJ. Improving the explosiveness and power of lower limbs can lead to increasing velocity and enhancing sport-specific speed. Keywords: acceleration, maximal speed, change of direction speed, countermovement jump, correlation