Goalkeepers play an important role in soccer, often
influencing match outcome. Soccer goalkeepers have superior jumping ability
compared with their outfield counterparts and research has highlighted the
importance of this ability. While there is evidence that whole body vibration
training (WBVT) can improve explosive power in various populations, there is no
data focusing on how this training modality may benefit soccer goalkeepers.
With institutional ethics approval, 20 professional male soccer goalkeepers (age
= 24 ± 6 yrs.; mass = 84 ± 10.3 kg; height = 1.84 ± 0.1 m) from the English Football League
Division One were randomly assigned to either a WBVT or control group. The WBVT
group performed static squats from their individual ready position, which is utilised
by goalkeepers prior to performing any dynamic movements, on a vibration
platform twice-a-week over a five-week period. The control group followed the
same exercise programme without the application of vibration. Vertical jump
performance, initiated from the goalkeepers’ individual ready position, was
measured prior to, and on completion of, the five-week study. A 2-way ANOVA
with repeated measures showed an improvement in the experimental group’s jump
performance from 49.2 ± 4.4
cm pre-training to 53.8 ± 3.5 cm post-training, while the control group’s performance
remained stable from 47.02 ± 4.8
cm pre-training to 46.6 ± 4.5 cm post-training, resulting in a significant
time-by-group interaction (P<0.001). Findings of the current study provide
evidence supporting WBVT’s incorporation into goalkeepers’ training regimes.
Journal Section | Articles |
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Authors | |
Publication Date | August 15, 2017 |
Acceptance Date | July 30, 2017 |
Published in Issue | Year 2017 |