Publication Summary
30 31 The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of physical qualities for 32 speed and change of direction (CoD) ability in female soccer players. Data were 33 collected on 10 female soccer players who were part of a professional English 34 Women’s Super League team. Player assessments included anthropometric (stature 35 and body mass), body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), speed (10m, 36 30m sprint), CoD ability (505 agility), aerobic (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test), 37 lower-body strength (bilateral knee extensions) and power (countermovement jump 38 [CMJ], squat jump [SJ], 30cm drop jump [DJ]) measures). The relationships between 39 the variables were evaluated using eigenvector analysis and Pearson correlation 40 analysis. Multiple linear regression revealed that the performance variables (10 and 41 20m speed, mean 505, and CoD deficit mean) can be predicted with almost 100% 42 accuracy (i.e. adjusted R > 0.999) using various combinations of the predictor 43 variables (DJ height, CMJ height, SJ height, lean body mass). An increase of one 44 standard deviation (SD) in DJ height was associated with reductions of -5.636 and 45 9.082 SD in 10 m and 20 m sprint times. A one SD increase in CMJ also results in a 46 reduction of -3.317 and -0.922 SD respectively in mean 505 and CoD deficit mean 47 values. This study provides comparative data for professional English female soccer 48 players that can be used by strength and conditioning coaches when monitoring 49 player development and assessing the effectiveness of training programmes. 50 Findings highlight the importance of developing reactive strength to improve speed 51 and CoD ability in female soccer players 52 53
