Acta Gymnica e2024.010 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2024.010

Effects of CrossFit training on muscular strength, speed, agility, and VO_2max in young soccer players

Omar Alsharab¹, Raoua Triki^{1, 2}, Hassane Zouhal^{3, 4}, Nidhal Jebabli⁵, Ali Aloui^{1, 2}, Abderraouf Ben Abderrahman^{1, 2}

¹ Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-Said, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia

² Tunisian Research Laboratory "Sports Performance Optimization", National Center of Medicine and Science in Sports (CNMSS) LR09SEP01, Tunis, Tunisia

³ Movement, Sport, Health and Sciences Laboratory (M2S), University of Rennes, Rennes, France

⁴ International Institute of Sport Sciences (2I2S), Irodouer, France

⁵ Research Unit: Sport Sciences, Health and Movement, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, Kef, Tunisia

Background: Over the past few decades, CrossFit has become a very popular physical activity. However, there is little literature on its effect, as resistance training, on the performance of soccer players.

Objective: This study examined the effects of 12 weeks of CrossFit training on muscular strength, speed, agility, and VO_2max in young male soccer players.

Methods: Thirty-eight soccer players were divided randomly into the experimental group (n = 19, age 17.32 ± 1.02 years, body height 1.76 ± 0.15 m, body mass 63.24 ± 5.68 kg, body mass index 21.34 ± 1.32 kg/m²) and control group (n = 19, age 17.21 ± 1.70 years, body height 1.74 ± 0.16 m, body mass 63.43 ± 5.21 kg, body mass index 21.45 ± 1.21 kg/m²). Both groups underwent 12 weeks of the usual soccer training program, including physical exercises on a regular basis, three times a week. Additionally, in the experimental group, a training program based on high-intensity functional physical activity was added during each training session as part of the usual weekly training regimen. Pre- and post-intervention tests were performed to measure player performance, including 30-m sprint, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1, vertical jump, agility T-test, sit-ups, and push-ups during 60 s.

Results: A significant group x time effect was found for all tests: 30-m sprint (p = .012, η_p² = .42), Yo-Yo test (p = .029, η_p² = .23), vertical jump (p = .002, η_p² = .46), T-test (p = .002, η_p² = .21), sit-ups (p < .001, η_p² = .55), push-ups (p = .001, η_p² = .25). The improvement was higher in the experimental group for all variables.

Conclusions: CrossFit training is an effective strategy for improving the physical capacities in young soccer players.

Keywords: Fran CrossFit, high-intensity interval training, physical fitness, team sport, football

Received: January 9, 2024; Revised: September 8, 2024; Accepted: September 9, 2024; Published online: October 9, 2024  Show citation